Day 3: LeGarrette Blount, Tiger v. Ernie, Pedro and more

HEADLINES:

1) After Boise State defeated Oregon, 19-8, in a battle of ranked teams, Ducks RB LeGarrette Blount took the battle postgame by sucker punching Broncos DL Bryon Hout. What should the punishment be for both players?

Ben: I was shocked after hearing this news. Even more shocked when Hout went down like a bag of dirty laundry. Blount should be suspended for the remainder of the season, no questions. The NCAA has to set a high standard for these types of situations. Even though this was  a rivalry game, there is no way it should ever get this far.

As for Hout, I think he should be suspended for 2 games minimum as well. If not by the NCAA, then Boise State should step in and make an example of him. Hout did start the confrontation by getting in Blount's face, and he needs to be repremanded. I think that a 2 game suspension sends a solid message.

Boz: This was unbelievable! LeGarrette Blount should be kicked off the team. It was just a short lapse in judgment because after he sucker punched the opponent, he threw a punch at one of his own teammates who was trying to restrain him. Then after the fans started getting on him on his way off the field, he tried going and fighting them! This was a guy that Oregon already had discipline troubles with during the summer for attendance. He showed last night that he cannot control his emotions. If he were to play again, fans would be getting on him, who is to say he wouldn't try to fight them. No one believes Blount when he says it will never happen again.

As for Byron Hout, the worse that should happen is maybe a game suspension. It does take two to tango and Hout did have a hand in instigating the problem. I would probably just send him to the strength and conditioning coach at 6 a.m. for maybe a week or two and let him get his punishment there.

On a side note, Hout hit the ground after taking the punch from Blount. I took a sucker punch from a Division I football player (who I think was wearing brass knuckles) and only stumbled backwards (if you don't believe me then ask Carter, he was there). Therefore, using basic logic and reasoning, I am stronger than Broncos lineman Byron Hout.

2) Tiger Woods slammed Ernie Els last night saying that the South African didn't work very hard after having ACL surgery (the same surgery Tiger recently had) in 2005. Here is the quote:

"Ernie is not a big worker physically and that's one of the things you have to do with an ACL injury. I feel pretty good with what I've done and I think Ernie could have worked a little bit harder."

Is this why Ernie hasn't won a tournament in 41 attempts?

Ben: I'm a little surprised by these comments, because typically Tiger plays things close to the vest and doesn't say anything too controversial. This is one of those rare comments that you have to take notice of. Tiger is an amazing worker and his determination cannot be matched, that being said, Els has fallen off the face of the golfing world recently and has barely managed a small cheer at any of the major events in recent years. I think Tiger is probably right in what he's said.

Els has never had the look of a ruthless worker that only wants to win, and I think in this situation, it probably has come back to bite him. I still like the Big Easy, but I do think he could've avoid this career nosedive.

Boz: I'm sure that compared to Tiger's work ethic, anyone else's work ethic looks minor. Tiger is one of the hardest, if not the hardest worker in the game of golf. There is so many other things in the game of golf that can contribute to not winning 41 straight tournaments. Maybe it was his swing, maybe he wasn't putting well, etc. Obviously he is starting to feel better now after finishing tied for 8th at the British Open, tied for 6th at the PGA Championship and a shot behind the lead at the Barclays.

3) Pedro Martinez outdueled NL Cy Young candidate Tim Lincecum as the Phillies beat the Giants 2-1. Martinez pitched 7 innings, giving up just 1 run (on a lead-off home run) and struck out 9. Is this the Pedro of old?

Ben: Nope. Pedro, circa 1999 is gone forever. Heck, Pedro circa 2004 is gone forever. I think he's a solid 4th or 5th starter that can help a contender for the stretch drive. I think if you're looking for a full season top of the line pitcher, you should probably look elsewhere. An outing like this will come along once ever few starts, but I think you can expect to see a line similar to 5 innings, 3 runs, 3 strike outs, and 8 hits.

That being said, I'd still love Pedro in my corner when it comes to the postseason. He just knows how to win big games.


Boz: We'll probably never the Pedro of old again. This, however, looks like a pretty good old Pedro. He's 3-0 now. In his first two wins he got a LOT of run support from the Phillies offense, but this was the first game where he had the pressure on him throughout the game. It's nice to see Pedro pitching well again because he did use to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. Now the question for the Phillies is which starter do you send to the bullpen when you go to a four-man rotation in the playoffs? Happ? Blanton?

4) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Michael Vick will be eligible to play in week 3 of the season when the Eagles play the Chiefs. Is the amount of the suspension long enough or too long for you?

Ben: I like the length, it seems appropriate, especially if you consider the 2 years he spent in prison. Essentially he's been suspended for 2 years and 2 games, which seems fair. What I do not want to see is PETA and other animal rights groups protesting constantly throughout the season and at Eagles headquarters.

Look, I think what he did was disturbing and wrong, just like everyone else does. But I think that some groups are using the celebrity and news coverage of Michael Vick to their advantage and making this into a soap opera it doesn't need to be.

That being said, he needs to step up the community service and show that this is no longer just about him, his accomplishments, or his bankroll, but helping others and making things better for everyone, not just himself.

Boz: I'm alright with the two game suspension. I would have felt better if it were only 1 game or no games at all. If it was any longer than two games then I definitely would have thought it was too long. Vick served his time by serving a 23 month prison sentence. He ended up getting a lot less games then Stallworth which I am very happy with. I hope the two extra weeks gives Vick some time to get more comfortable at the NFL speed because it didn't look pretty last night. So I'm alright with the two game suspension and I hope that Michael Vick will end up being a feel good story in the NFL because he can be one of the more exciting players in the league.

PICK 'EM:

1) Western Michigan at Michigan (Saturday, 2:30)

Ben: Michigan. The allegations surrounding this program will band the team together and they'll play solid football against a much less talented opponent. I think Michigan steps it up this year, and comes back to the national spotlight...........in a good way.

Boz: Michigan. I can't see them losing at home in the opener again. The Wolverines are starting a freshman quarterback but I still see them as far more talented than Western Michigan.

2) Missouri vs. Illinois (in St. Louis, Saturday, 2:40)

Ben: Illinois. Losing Chase Daniels, Jeremy Maclin, Sean Witherspoon, William Moore, and a host of other great play-makers from last years teams hurts the Tigers chances, and hopefully the Fighting Illini have finally figured out what it takes to be a consistent team.

Boz: Illinois. The Tigers are trying to replace both Chase Daniels and Jeremy Maclin which is a tall order. The Illini have Juice Williams coming back and Arrelious Benn who could end up being the best WR in the Big Ten.

3) Northern Iowa at No. 22 Iowa (Saturday, 11:05)

Ben: Iowa. To big and talented for the smaller Panters to handle. I think the Hawkeyes struggle this year, but they'll get a step in the right direction with an easy win over UNI.

Boz: Iowa. I'm tempted to go with the upset because it is a Missouri Valley team. I've seen Northern Iowa play the last two years and they are always one of the best FCS teams in the nation. But I don't think they can go into Iowa City and get a win.

4) No. 20 BYU vs. No. 3 Oklahoma (in Arlington, TX, Saturday, 6 p.m.)

Ben: Oklahoma in a landslide. OU is way to talented on both sides of the ball, and has the benefit of playing this closer to home. I think OU walks through this one.

Boz: Oklahoma. BYU has a good quarterback in Max Hall who threw for almost 4,000 yards a year ago. But Oklahoma has a better QB named Sam Bradford (if you've hadn't heard of him). He's missing his favorite target in the big TE Grisham but I still see the Oklahoma defense shutting down BYU.

5) No. 13 Georgia at No. 9 Oklahoma State (Saturday, 2:30)

Ben: Oklahoma State. OSU has a high powered offense that few teams will be able to stop. As long as their defense can keep their head above water, this is a scary team. It'll start with a solid victory over Georgia.

Boz: Oklahoma State. The Cowboys could be a top 5 team at the end of the year if they didn't have to play both Oklahoma and Texas. They have the best WR in college football in Dez Bryant and Zac Robinson is overshadowed by Tebow, Bradford and McCoy all coming back this season. The Bulldogs have to replace Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford, another tall order.

6) No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 7 Virginia Tech (in Atlanta, Saturday, 7 p.m.)

Ben: Virginia Tech. I love Beamer-ball and I think the Hokies will be able to set the stage for a great season with a minor upset over the Crimison Tide.

On a side note, are those the two best nicknames in college football?

Boz: Alabama. The Tide's defense is too good. The Hokies are starting a freshman running back and I'm not quite sold on Qb Tyrod Taylor yet.

HAPPY HOUR:

Ben: Happy 60th Birthday Tom Watson. Recently contended (and should have won) the British Open, before losing to Stewart Cink in a playoff. He also won the British 5 times in his hayday, '75, '77, '80, '82, '83. Also, he has a soft place in my heart, because he helped us settle a long-standing debate, who is more athletic: a golfer or an offensive lineman? Well, if a 59-year-old man can almost win one of the most difficult tournaments in golf, I'd say the debate is settled.

Boz: Happy 41st Birthday to Mike Piazza. He holds the career record for home runs by a catcher with 396. Career .308 batting average and 427 career home runs. He was a 12-time all-star and most likely a Hall of Famer. He is also (for now) one of the few clean players of that era.

Honorable mention Happy 60th Birthday to Tom Watson.