Day 9: Fenway Fright, LeBron's Movie, Kerry Rhodes and more

HEADLINES

1) LeBron James is set to play himself in an upcoming movie called "Fantasy Basketball Camp" where five guys from different backgrounds attend James' basketball camp. Is King James' ego getting too big?

Ben: I would say, yes. If winning a championship is what's most important to King James, then I think he should get that out of the way first, before he goes on to other activities. When you started doing other things in your career before you have accomplished your ultimate goal, I think that's when superstars "disappoint" their fans. If you aren't 100% committed to winning a championship, and if you are doing movies, you aren't committed fully, then you will disappointed the fans. If you are trying to make a name for yourself with TV appearances, then your ego is HUGE.

Boz: Lets put it this way, his head still fits through the doorway...barely. I don't know how big the role in the movie is but it seems kind of rediculous that LeBron is doing this. I know he has acting "experience" by doing some commercials, some bits at the ESPYs and he did host SNL once, but this is just too much to soon. Michael Jordan did "Space Jam" but that was after he had already accomplished about everything in the NBA. I think that LeBron is beginning to think that he is bigger than the game of basketball and that started to show when James refused to shake hands with the Magic and then didn't want to talk to the media afterwards.

On a side note, I hope the movie (which takes place at his basketball camp) has someone dunking over LeBron and then LeBron trying to keep the video from getting out to the public. But then I guess that would be more of a documentary.

2) After blowing a save and eventually losing the game against the Red Sox, Angels' closer Brian Fuentes suggested that the umpires are too timid and afraid to make calls against the sellout home crowds at Fenway. Fuentes appeared to have Nick Green struck out twice before walking him and giving up the game-winning hit to Alex Gonazalez. Is Fuentes complaint a valid argument?

Ben: Sounds like someone has sour grapes. Every umpire has missed a call at a crucial point in the game, it is not Boston that causes umps to miss calls, it's human error. Maybe if you would have made better pitches, or your teammates hustled after lazy fly balls, or you didn't throw your hands up in disgust throughout the at-bats, your team would have got the win. Instead, you are Mr. Grumpy and blaming everyone else. Every call was borderline and could have gone either way, lets get over it and move on.

Boston is a tough place to play, their fans are sometimes overbearing, but they do not help contribute to umpires calls.

Boz: No. What's the worst that could happen if they made a call against the Red Sox? They get booed? Every umpire has been booed at every ballpark that they've been in. They're not afraid of getting booed. Fuentes claims that he has heard it from other players as well, but I just don't believe that umpires are afraid to make calls against the Red Sox because of their crowd. It appeared that Fuentes probably had Green struck out at least once, if not twice, but umpires are human and they make mistakes. This is not the first time in the history of baseball that an umpire missed a call.


If the Angels want to look at why they lost the game maybe they should look in left field where Juan Rivera let a bloop flyball drop in front of him with two outs. Rivera at least has to make an attempt at diving at that ball and trying to make the catch. The worst case scenario is that he dives, doesn't get it and the Angels still lose anyways.

3) New York Jets free safety Kerry Rhodes stated that the Jets are going to try to not just beat the Patriots, but embarass them and that he wants to leave after the game feeling bad. Is this bulletin board material for the Patriots? Do you believe that bulletin board material works for the Patriots?

Ben: D-U-M-B. Why would you do this? The Patroits have basically owned that division for a decade. I can't get over how stupid some NFL player can be. Kerry Rhodes is a great player, and one of the leagues best safeties, BUT he cannot play all 11 positions on defense at a time, and can't play all 11 positions on offense. He cannot predict how his rookie QB will fare against the Pats, and doesn't know what Tom Brady will be like after a year without seeing him. Why go and give them a reason to work extra hard during the week to embarass you?

In summary, yes it is bulletin board material (although in general I feel that term in overrated and overused).  And yes it works for the Patriots.

Boz: This is bulletin board material for the Patriots. This will motivate the Patriots, who were already going to beat the Jets, to know embarass the Jets. But the Patriots don't talk about it in the locker room and in the media, they take care of their business on the field. Mark my words, this will motivate the Patriots.

I also believe that bulletin board material absolutely motivates the Patriots. In 2007, Steelers' free safety Anthony Smith gaurenteed a win over the then 12-0 Patriots. Tom Brady came out and as if it was on purpose threw touchdowns over Smith. I wouldn't be surprised if you see Kerry Rhodes real close to a couple touchdown passes on Sunday.

4) Two male teens have admitted to defacing Leodis McKelvin's yard after he had a costly fumble in the season opening 25-24 loss to the Patriots. McKelvin does not want to press charges but its still up to the Erie County DA to press charges against the two subjects. What should the punishment be for these two teens?

Ben: I think they should spend some time doing community service and have a permenant mark put on their records. Since it was only teens I think it should be a lighter sentence since everyone (definitely count me in this group) have done stupid things during our teen years. That being said, I think they should be affected in the future because of this decision, and if colleges look at this on their record and decide not to accept them it will serve as a reminder.

Athletes have a right to privacy as well, and just because they happen to live in your town or neighborhood does not give you unlimited access to effecting their life. This type of behavior should be stopped and if someone wants to make an example of these teens, I probably wouldn't disagree.

Boz: When I first heard about this I was in agreement with a lot of people when thinking that the two culprits should get jail time for taking way the feeling of privacy and security from Leodis McKelvin and his family. Now that I find out that it was a couple of teens (most likely under the age of 16 since their names were not released) that probably didn't understand the full repricautions of their actions. I know that McKelvin wants to move on from this awful display but I feel that these teens do need some discipline. I would give them A LOT of community service. If they like spray paint so much, have them go around the city of Buffalo cleaning up all of the grafitti. Is there any grafitti in Buffalo?

On a lighter note, the neighbor that got out his mower in order to mow the lawn and remove the spray-painted message should be commended. What a nice guy!

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK'EM

Last week:        Ben: 5-1   Boz: 2-4
Season:             Ben: 8-4   Boz: 6-6

1) Arizona at Iowa (Saturday, 2:35 p.m.)

Ben: IOWA. I'm going to stick with the Hawks, and hope they can carry the momentum of last week into this week. Kinnick will be a rockin' on Saturday, and I think Iowa will jump on the Wildcats early. I think it'll be a close game, but the Hawks will get the benefit of a home crowd and pull out a late win.

Boz: ARIZONA. Somehow Iowa has opened up 2-0 but has still fallen out of the rankings. They picked up wins over two not-so-good teams in Northern Iowa and Iowa State. The Hawkeyes finally play someone out of state. This is going to be a close one since its in Iowa City, but I still have the Wildcats delivering the Hawkeyes their first loss of the season.

2) Michigan State at Notre Dame (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

Ben: I want to pick MSU, but I can't, NOTRE DAME. I'm taking the Irish because they are at home, and have a more experienced QB who knows how to bounce back after a loss. Clausen will have the Irish offense ready to play, and I think MSU has constantly struggled to show up in big games.

Boz: NOTRE DAME. I'm giving this my Greg Bouslog Gaurentee. Both teams are coming off loses but the Spartans' loss was at home against Central Michigan. The Fighting Irish had a tough loss to a so-far-impressive team in Michigan at the Big House. Notre Dame's offense outscores the Spartans in the win.

3) Tennessee at No. 1 Florida (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

Ben: FLORDIA, big. This could turn into an Ole Miss style upset if Tennessee pulls it out, but I can't even fathom that happening. Flordia's offense is to talented and fast. Flordia's defense is to talented and fast. Flordia's special teams are to talented and fast. Flordia's cheerleaders are to talented and fast. Everything about Flordia is better, and they win big.

Boz: FLORIDA. I would give this the gaurentee but that's too obvious. We talked about bulletin board material earlier in the blog and you better believe that the Gators have a bulletin board full of material from Lane Kiffin. The Vols lost last week to a mid-level UCLA team at home and are just too inconsistent on offense to compete with the good teams. Florida will run it up as much as possible.

4) Texas Tech at No. 2 Texas (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

Ben: TEXAS. Texas doesn't have to worry about Micheal Crabtree or Graham Harrell and the Longhorns are a more complete team this year compared to last year. I think the Red Raiders put up a better fight then Tennessee does against Flordia, but Texas prevails by 2 scores.

Boz: TEXAS. I got the Longhorns in a rematch of last year's instant classic that cost Texas their shot at the national championship. I know that the Red Raiders are leading the nation in passing but they've done it against North Dakota and Rice. They haven't seen a tough defense like they'll see this weekend in Austin. Colt McCoy has a big game in the win.

5) No. 3 USC at Washington (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

Ben: WASH U. I'm taking the Huskies only because of that one Pac-10 team a year trend USC has set. I have no real evidence to back this up, but I'm holding out hope. Heck, I have a 2 game lead, I'll risk one of those games on this one.

Boz: USC. I know that Matt Corp is starting at QB in place of the injured Barkley, but Pete Carrol will design a game plan where Corp can manage the game and help the Trojans get the road win just like last week at Ohio State. It won't be a pretty game and I know that USC always loses a Pac-10 game to an unranked team, but it won't be this week.

6) No. 19 Nebraska at No. 13 Virginia Tech (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

Ben: VT. Tech won last year in Nebraska, and they've got this one at home. Nebraska is improved, but VT has gained experience from last year (losing minimum talent from last year's team) and Lane Stadium is a tough place to win for an opposing team. And "Hokies" is a great nickname.

Boz: NEBRASKA. I'm taking the upset in this one. I'm still not sold on Tyrod Taylor and even though the Hokie defense is tough, I still see the Huskers pulling out a gritty win.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben:  Happy 35th Birthday Rasheed Wallace. At one point, the most volatile player in the NBA, finally morphed into a dangerous offensive player as well as a solid defender upon arriving in Detroit. Although his time in Detroit ended in disappointing fashion, he still helped them win a title and calmed down and helped his reputation enough to get a 3-year deal with the Celtics.

Boz: On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson was named Rookie of the Year by Sporting News. Robinson, along with the efforts of Branch Rickey, broke down color barriers not only in baseball but in professional sports. He is now honored by having his baseball number retired throughout the entire league.