Mammoth Blog

On this date in 1284, it was said that the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Germany lured 130 children out of town, and they were never seen again. On June 26 1963 President John Kennedy gave his, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner) speech in West Berlin. On June 26, 1974, supermarket scanning of UPC codes began with a pack of chewing gum in Troy, Ohio.

Of all the things that Michael Jackson left the pop music world with -- more perfect singles than anyone not publishing as "Lennon/McCartney," dizzying record sales in every corner of Earth and a life narrative worthy of Shakespeare's finest tragedies -- one of the most important contributions might have been the imperative to dance. All male pop stars after him have to reckon with it. If you're a rocker, you can mournfully emote over a guitar, and rappers have made an ethic out of being too stone-cold to move onstage.

But if you're a man singing pop music today, there's a long, moonwalk-shaped shadow you have to live up to. Artists such as Justin Timberlake, Usher, Chris Brown and Ne-Yo ascended the pop charts because of their excellent songs. But they became superstars because they dropped your jaw when you watched them. No one has yet to recapture the impossible suaveness and otherworldly nimbleness of Jackson as a dancer -- the Moonwalk completely rewrote the book on male sexuality in music, a move that evoked both deep-space androids and the rakish seducers of the old myths. But the rules he set for male singers still apply: Your voice can have all the range and grace in the world, but if you're holding up the wall, you'll still be mortal. Here are a few artists today who are trying to come close to Jackson's footwork.

Justin Timberlake

He had plenty of choreography practice as a member of 'N Sync, but as a solo artist Timberlake came into his own when he embraced the idea that dancing wasn't just what you did in lieu of playing instruments -- it was a whole other means of expression onstage. He's not as flashy as Jackson, but his moves have a precision and iciness that feel wholly true to his two excellent, alien-sounding solo albums.

Usher video

Early hip-hop was rooted in B-boy culture, where breakdancing was a kind of competition, a means of proving one's prowess physically and stylistically. Usher's no rapper, but his moves have a similar brashness and "beat that" quality to them. He knows he's good, and knows you love him for it. Watching him dance with Jackson, however, is like watching a high school star shoot free throws with LeBron James.

Chris Brown video

He's had significantly bigger problems than perfecting his footwork lately, but let's remember why Breezy became such a star in the first place. A thousand-watt grin always helps, but it's his limber moves that won over teenage girls everywhere. His kinetic floor routines often overshadowed his singles in concert, but the effect was still electric and reasserted how a singer's physicality is a crucial part of his stardom.

Ne-Yo video

He's possibly the best songwriter of the lot here, but Ne-Yo's dancing is the secret weapon. It's minimalist and inventive and sleek as a jungle cat, and complemented by his excellent sartorial judgments. Even on a floor full of professionals, he never stops reminding audiences why backup dancers get that particular job for a reason. source>>>

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his début to the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1969, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Referred to as the "King of Pop"[2] in subsequent years, his 1982 album Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time[3] and four other solo studio albums are also among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and Thriller -- widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form -- helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists. While Jackson was a member of Generation Jones [4][5], he had an impact on multiple generations.

Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundation, charity singles and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his changing appearance and behavior, generated significant controversy, damaging his public image. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged. The singer had experienced health concerns since the early 1990s and conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances since the late 1990s. Jackson married twice and fathered three children, all of which caused further controversy. In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of further sexual abuse allegations and several other charges.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records -- including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" -- 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career -- more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era and the sale of 750 million records worldwide.[6] Jackson's highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades. Jackson died on June 25, 2009, aged 50.[7] The specific cause of death is yet to be determined.[2] Before his death, Jackson had announced a 50 date sell-out This Is It comeback tour, in London, England.[8]. He will be missed. source>>>

Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, Phil Vassar and the Zac Brown Band are among the performers scheduled to appear at Country Stampede this weekend in Manhattan, Kansas. The four-day festival begins Thursday (June 25) with evening performances from Luke Bryan and Julianne Hough. Other artists at the festival include the Bellamy Brothers, Wade Bowen, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Jack Ingram, the LoCash Cowboys, the Lost Trailers, James Otto, the Randy Rogers Band, Sawyer Brown, Jonathan Singleton & the Grove, Lane Turner and Aaron Watson. source>>>

Jason Aldean's newest album, Wide Open, has been certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. The album was released on April 7 and reached gold status in a record-setting 10 weeks. Aldean's two previous albums were certified gold after 12 weeks of release. The album includes "She's Country" and "Big Green Tractor." Aldean's next concert will take place on Friday (June 26) at Country Jam USA in Grand Junction, Colo. source>>>

Kid Rock has teamed with producer Rick Rubin for the follow up to 2007's double-platinum Rock N Roll Jesus, according to Billboard magazine. Rubin's credits include projects with the Beastie Boys, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Dixie Chicks, along with Johnny Cash's American Recordings series. Although Kid Rock says he has 18 to 20 songs ready for the album, no release date has been announced. He also said his band is rehearsing some of the new material at his concert sound checks in case he decides to introduce it to his set list. Kid Rock won a CMT Music Award on June 16 for his video, "All Summer Long." source>>>

Ten years on in his country music career, Brad Paisley is often overlooked as a major architect of the structure that is modern country music. There were very good reasons why he was awarded three major Buckle honors at the CMT Music Awards show on June 16. Country fans clearly acknowledge what he is doing for the music -- since they voted him more awards than anyone else. I think this very clearly amounts to the fact that they were thanking him for trying to make country music what it ought to be.

I'm not saying he's a genius or anything. I don't think we have any around today. Personally, I never want to hear Paisley's song "Ticks" again. The reason being that I think it's a waste of his considerable talents. And I suspect that sometimes he takes a too-obvious approach in being sentimental with a song such as "He Didn't Have to Be." But that's OK. He's got plenty of other songs I want to hear and enjoy listening to. I don't mean this as any kind of testimonial, but I think Paisley is due some thanks for what he's done and is still doing.

Besides building a significant and rewarding body of songs, Paisley has also -- importantly -- raised musical standards a significant amount since he started recording in Nashville in 1999.

He got to Nashville as one of many Belmont University music students who are working in country music today, including his producer Frank Rogers and co-writer Kelley Lovelace.

His career launched 10 years ago last February with the song "Who Needs Pictures," and he continues to strive to write and/or record songs as good as that.

His magnificent recording of "Whiskey Lullaby" (written by Bill Anderson and Jon Randall) with Alison Krauss is unmatched in modern country for a genuine sense of the gothic majesty of country music's long tragedy-steeped traditions while still translating it to current sensibilities. And that's not an easy thing to do.

What I think he has stood for is a genuine attempt for sincerity and authenticity in his songwriting and musicianship (especially his flair on lead guitar), his obvious devotion to family ties and his respect for tradition and heritage.

Finally, I don't think he's gotten the attention he deserves for his music videos. More than any other modern country star, Paisley has paid so much careful attention to his videos that he almost single-handedly caused the country industry to follow him in elevating the genre. The storytelling, the attention to detail, the careful casting of celebrities, his own animations -- all of these mark Paisley videos.

His new album American Saturday Night touches on those musical elements and elaborates on his approach to today's country. Plus, he still knows how to have a good time, as the cuts "Catch All the Fish" and "Water" show. In what has become a Paisley trademark, there's a tale of Grandpa's wisdom, with "No." Listen especially to "Welcome to the Future," Paisley and Chris DuBois' well-written wrap-up of the future as now. It's so good that Paisley reprises it here twice. The first is a short, acoustic account of meeting his wife-to-be and the life that has ensued, and the second is a hidden track, a blistering instrumental version.

Many of Paisley's contributions to music have been intangible and show in the numerous ways he tries to keep the music on track, to keep it country, to keep it from veering off into impossible ventures into bombastic pop country and to keep it from turning into a cartoon version of itself. And I do mean "tries." No one person can keep this ungainly, unmannered creature in line. But when it comes to taking true pride in what is now being presented as country music, Paisley has quietly done as much or more than any other person I can think of. source>>>

According to Major League Baseball law, the punishment fit the crime. According to those with short memories, so does the celebration.

This is the only way to rationalize the opening leg of Manny Ramirez's Rehabilitation Tour. It is a disgrace. The curtain went up, live on ESPN, Tuesday night in Albuquerque, New Mexico at a ballpark that is home to the Isotopes, the Dodgers' triple-A affiliate.

So auspicious an occasion was this New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Martin Chavez, the Mayor of Albuquerque, along with a sellout crowd, were on hand to welcome back Ramirez as if he were a hero, not the cheater busted by Major League Baseball in May for using a banned substance.

Only in the twisted world of Major League Baseball could a serious suspension be turned into a nationally televised victory lap with a financial upside.

Bud (Nutty Professor) Selig and assorted Major League Baseball suits - along with the baseball media - who deliver all the fire and brimstone in condemnation of steroid abuse and abusers are not inclined to wrap what's left of their brains around this contradiction.

All because of a collectively bargained rule. This rule allows a suspended player to perform professionally, albeit in a "minor league assignment," for the last 10 days before the suspension ends. Remember how Ramirez's forced exile was accompanied by righteous indignation from the baseball industry and the media covering it?

They can only look at this "rule" as appropriate and owner-friendly. It gives Ramirez a chance to get some of the rust off, in a playing situation, before he returns to the Dodgers and begins cashing those hefty paychecks. It also pretty much guarantees the Dodgers won't have to send him to the minors for more fine-tuning after he becomes eligible to play on July3.

While Ramirez waits for that date to return to the Dodgers payroll, the organization, and other business entities, are cashing in on what amounts to MLB's version of a halfway house. In doing so, they have made a mockery of the process. Selig, for whatever reason, did not see this coming. He, or his lieutenants, should have. They must be cringing as this circus unfolds.

ESPN is in the center ring. The suits at Bristol Clown Community College were not satisfied with covering Ramirez's Tuesday Isotopes debut as a simple news story. They turned it into an extravaganza.

Manny's return was hyped as an event, complete with promos reminding viewers they could catch every Ramirez at-bat "live" on ESPNews. Before Ramirez stepped to the plate, leading off for the Isotopes, there was video of him taking batting practice. There was also ESPN's Colleen Dominguez, on site, reporting - seriously - that Ramirez had pasta for his pregame meal. She also confirmed that Ramirez flew to Albuquerque on a commercial flight. Dominguez said he even sat "in the middle seat." What a regular guy. On ESPNews, the anchors were almost breathless as the big moment arrived.

"We're getting ready," one said, as the moment closed in.

"There's Manny for real now," the other Tapehead, with Elvis-like reverence, announced as Ramirez stepped to the plate.

"Manny, that was his first swing."

No, the next line was not: And the road back to the Dodgers for this man who cheated the game of baseball and who fans may now perceive him as a liar has begun.

The voice was too busy hyping Manny's next at-bat.

Get it? After this telecast, don't be surprised if ESPN eventually airs the first three snaps of Michael Vick's comeback, even if it's on a flag football team.

By no means was ESPN - it was looking for ratings and buzz - alone in trying to cash in. So did the Dodgers and the Isotopes. Ramirez's presence was expected to help break the Isotopes' attendance record (47,025) for a four-game series.

Fans who attended the game were greeted by several employees of the club wearing Manny dreadlock wigs, crowned with a Dodger-blue bandanna. It took only 45 minutes for fans to purchase 136 wigs - $25 per - at the Isotopes souvenir shop. The club expected a shipment from the Dodgers of 500 more Manny wigs to arrive Thursday.

Would anyone be surprised if the Dodgers tried auctioning off the bats Manny used as a member of the Isotopes? What about the uniform? They could sell that, too.

For the tone coming out of Albuquerque, from the 100 or so media there to chronicle the moment, was more star-struck than somber. More about fun than a fair assessment of why Manny Ramirez actually found himself playing in a bush league ballpark. In front of a governor. And a mayor. On ESPN.

Next week, the Ramirez Tour is scheduled to arrive at a minor league ballpark in San Bernardino, Calif.

So are the Manny souvenir wigs. source>>>

Like cool ocean water on a hot summer day, the temptation to dive into broadband streaming of local sports events has been lurking. The New York Yankees, perhaps with a push by Major League Baseball, will be the first to test the temperature.

The Yankees, in conjunction with the YES Network and MLB Advanced Media, announced this week that they will begin in-market broadband streaming of games in Cablevision homes.

It will be at a cost, of course, and it's not yet available in the Capital Region, but that probably will come along, too.

Why is it a big deal? Baseball has long protected its home markets from outside interests. You can watch virtually every game online with the MLB-TV package for as little as $69.95 annually, except that games involving teams in your home market are blacked out.

This new deal allows slackers at work to watch the home team, but at a cost. The price -- and this is just for the Yankees -- is $49.95 for the remainder of the year, or $19.95 for any 30-day period.

"Yankees fans have more choices than ever before to follow the team, and there are no extra costs passed on to those who choose not to sign up for the package," said Tracy Dolgin, YES president and CEO.

You really have to be a Yankee fan, or have an income that rivals that of Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia, to want to invest this kind of money for the opportunity to see your team when away from the living room.

For a New York fan to get the package, he must be a Cablevision expanded basic customer and subscribe to the Optimum Online high-speed Internet service.

And you still have to pay on top of that.

"We're already in discussions with our cable operators and our distribution partners," Dolgin said. "We've gotten a lot of interest in the product. We started with Cablevision because Cablevision is the biggest cable operator within our footprint."

Asked specifically about Time Warner, which services a majority of the Capital Region, Dolgin said, "We are having discussions with Time Warner, and we are working through those as with all operators, these things take time to get done."

No need to rush. I can't imagine, with today's economy, people will be lining up to pay another 50 bucks while risking their job to watch games at work.

Then again, I was never into high-risk swimming. source>>>

The Boston Red Sox will go for the sweep tonight against the Nationals in Washington, D.C. Boston went up 2-0 in the series last night after getting a 6-4 win against the Nats Craig Stammen. Online bookmaker SBGglobal.com has the boys from Bean Town listed as a -116 moneyline favorite this evening in their MLB Picks: Red Sox vs Nationals MLB Odds - June 25, 2009.MLB Picks: Red Sox vs Nationals MLB Odds - June 25, 2009

Boston improved to 44-27 yesterday with their 6-4 victory game two victory. The win was their fourth in a row and seventh in their last 10 games. The Red Sox hot play has them sitting in first place in the American League East with a five game lead over both the Yankees and Blue Jays. The back-to-back wins over the Nationals brought Boston's road record to 19-17 on the season.

Starting in his first game of the season tonight, and for the first time in a uniform other than Atlanta's red, white, and dark blue, is veteran right-hander John Smoltz. Smoltz missed most of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but in five starts he went 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA. The 42 year old Michigan native is 6-5 over the last three years against the Nationals (12 starts) with a 2.71 ERA. Current Washington players are hitting a combined .234 against the 20 year veteran.

The Nationals dropped to 20-49 last night but remained 17 games back of the National League East leading Phillies, who lost 7-1 in Tampa Bay. The loss, their third in a row and sixth in their last 10 games, gave them a 12-25 record at Nationals Park this year.

Twenty-three year old Jordan Zimmerman gets the call tonight for Washington. Zimmerman will be making his 12th start of the season; he has gone 2-3 in his previous 11 outings with a 5.03 ERA. The Wisconsin native has been slighty better at home, where he is 1-2 in six starts with a 4.33 ERA. The Nationals are 2-4 in Zimmerman's home appearances.

Tonight's game is set to begin at 7:05pm ET at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

SBGglobal.com MLB Picks: Red Sox vs Nationals MLB Odds - June 25, 2009

Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+140), Over 9 (+100), -116 (Moneyline)

Washington Nationals +1.5 (-160), Under 9 (-120), -104 (Moneyline)
Bet on sports at internet sportsbook SBG Global and receive up to 295% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!

source>>>

The World Golf Hall of Fame Board of Directors has selected the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Nov. 2. Eisenhower, selected in the Lifetime Achievement Category, will become the first President inducted into the Hall of Fame.
eisenhower.jpg
Getty Images
President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Posthumously he will join Christy O'Connor, Jos? Maria Olaz?bal and Lanny Wadkins as part of the Class of 2009.

"One would be hard pressed to find any single person who did more to popularize the game of golf, not only in the United States but throughout the world, than President Eisenhower," Arnold Palmer said. "His visibility, coupled with his passion for the game, were the inspiration for literally millions of people picking up the game for the first time. Those involved in golf today owe him a great debt of gratitude.

"Since I was fortunate enough to have enjoyed a warm, personal friendship with the President, I had the opportunity to see firsthand his passion for the game and the impact he had on its broadening appeal worldwide."

On behalf of the Eisenhower family, Merrill Atwater, great-grandson of the late president, said, "There is no doubt that being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame would have been both humbling and a tremendous honor for my great-grandfather. His personal interest in the game is evident throughout his career and among the many family stories shared through the generations."

During and subsequent to his years in the White House, Eisenhower was the figurative face of golf in the public eye and, as a result, was a significant contributor to the game's tremendous growth in the latter half of the 1900s.

Eisenhower is credited with motivating millions of golfers over the age of 40 to try golf for the first time. According to Don Van Natta, Jr., author of "First Off The Tee", when Eisenhower took office in 1953, 3.2 million Americans played golf and by 1961, that number had doubled.

Through verbal addresses and written correspondence, there are numerous instances when Eisenhower extorted the virtues of the game he loved. In a letter sent to The Detroit News on May 1, 1953, he noted, "While I know that I speak with the partisanship of an enthusiast, golf obviously provides one of our best forms of healthful exercise, accompanied by good fellowship and companionship. It is a sport in which the whole American family can participate fathers, mothers, sons and daughters alike. It offers healthy respite from daily toil, refreshment of body and mind."

"It should be no surprise that President Eisenhower's passion for golf influenced so many during his time in office," said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A and Chairman of the World Golf Foundation. "He was a role model not only in the United States, but throughout the free world and his leadership during World War II brought hope when it was sorely needed. That such a man was devoted to golf did much to popularize and raise the stature of our sport."

"President Eisenhower is among a small group of extremely important, high-profile figures in history who contributed mightily to the health and growth of the game of golf," said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame. "We look forward to sharing the captivating stories of his love of golf and his important role in the sport's past.

In 1948, Eisenhower made his first visit to Augusta National Golf Club and is on record as having visited the club a total 45 times, often for lengthy stays. After his presidential election, a group of Augusta National members built a cabin for him, complete with space for Secret Service agents on the bottom floor. The club's most famous member eventually became memorialized through naming of other effects on Augusta National grounds, including Ike's Pond and Ike's Tree.

Born in 1890 in Denison, Texas and raised in Abilene, Kansas, Eisenhower began his military career at the United States Military Academy at West Point. After holding various executive positions within the Army ranks, he was called to Washington for a World War II assignment following Pearl Harbor. He commanded the Allied Forces landing in North Africa in 1942 and he was Supreme Commander of the troops invading France on D-Day in 1944.

After WWII, he became President of Columbia University, then took a leave of absence to assume supreme command over the new NATO forces being assembled in 1951. He successfully ran for President in 1952 and took office in 1953, the first of two terms at United States President. He died, after a long illness, on March 28, 1969.

The 2009 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 2. source>>>

Tiger Woods has not played his best golf at the 2009 United States Open, and after the third round concluded Sunday, he readily acknowledged his inconsistency.

"Your score doesn't tell you everything about your game, but it does tell you a lot," he said after shooting a two-under-par 68 in the third round. "And while I've been content with my ball-striking, I haven't made any putts.

"So, yes, I have played better than my score indicates, but at this point you look at where you are on the leader board and that tells you something, too."

Looking ahead to whether he could still contend for the championship, Woods said, "I would have to play a great round and get some help."

During the fourth round, which began Sunday night, Woods birdied the seventh hole to improve his score for the tournament to even par. He was trailing the leaders, Ricky Barnes and Lucas Glover, by seven strokes.

On Sunday, Woods lamented the final four holes of his first round, which were played in difficult conditions, with wind and rain. Woods was even par through 14 holes, but then double-bogeyed the 15th and bogeyed the 16th and the 18th for a 74.

"I finished that round off very poorly," Woods said. "That put me so far back, I've really been chasing ever since. I might be in a different place with a better finish there."

Like many of the players, Woods said the ever-evolving schedule of this year's event, which has been plagued by bad weather, has left him weary.

"Most of us can't remember what day it is let alone what round we're playing," he said, laughing. "But what are you going to do? You keep going."

COARSE FANS The boisterous nature of fans near the 10th tee box has been a topic of conversation at Bethpage Black this week, with newspaper stories about the fans being inebriated and insulting.

Phil Mickelson, the fan favorite, had nothing bad to say about the fans Sunday, and neither did Tiger Woods. Asked specifically about the scene at the 10th tee, Woods smiled and said: "They had a little to sip, I think. But they've been great. I think very respectful. They can say whatever they want as long as they don't yell during our swings. And they haven't. They haven't done anything like that." source>>>

I don't know about you, but the seemingly endless Brett Favre saga is driving me nuts. And if you think its bad where you are, try being a Vikings fan who lives in a Minnesota town ...

NFL » NFC North » Minnesota Vikings
Understanding Brett Favre

by Corey Koehler (Columnist)
0

447 reads

Sports

June 25, 2009
Today's Must Reads

* How the American League Can Win the MLB All-Star Game
* NBA Draft Analysis: Grading the Suits
* The Problem with ESPN's Manny Ramirez Coverage

I don't know about you, but the seemingly endless Brett Favre saga is driving me nuts.

And if you think its bad where you are, try being a Vikings fan who lives in a Minnesota town that sits on the border with Wisconsin and is populated with a large percentage of green and gold cult members.

Not only do you get it in every RSS feed, every radio broadcast and every TV channel, but it is what everyone continues to talk about. SERENITY NOW!

But today -- two days after coming out of fantasy blogging retirement -- it hit me. While thanking my good friend Sara at fflibrarian (psst...go subscribe because she is very good) the other day for welcoming me back and giving me some link love, I realized what Brett Favre must feel like this time of year.

Last year, during a long and very busy football season, I started to loath fantasy football.

The task of writing multiple blog posts per week, writing for a local newspaper, managing three teams, working full-time and trying to be a father of three and husband was, frankly, kicking my ass.

The amount of fantasy football information I was taking in was out of hand, and, to be honest, it didn't really do me or my squads any good.

A classic case of paralysis by analysis (and to be honest, my teams did better when I knew less and trusted my gut and stuck to the basics...more on that in a future post).

I began questioning the importance of this whole fantasy football thing. I mean, people are losing the jobs, the government is slowly siphoning away our rights, our country men and women are getting shot at and killed daily combat.

Meanwhile, here I am bitching about losing a fantasy football matchup, while at the same time leading others down the same path. I had to step away.

Well now the dust has settled, I've had a little time away from almost everything NFL, and I have a new perspective.

Realizing again that too much of good thing just is not good at all, I am going to press on. I like doing it, and the 405 of you that stuck around, evidently like me doing it so I will do it.

I will continue to share my thoughts and pass along useful fantasy information. But I will just do it on a slightly smaller scale and will give each of you the opportunity to contribute as well.

As a reader of FantasyFootballGoat you are encouraged to comment every chance you get. And if you really feel the need, you could even do an entire post (shoot me an email if your interested).

After all, when it comes to opinions and fantasy football piece of mind, the more the merrier. I don't care what all the other guru's tell you, no one of us knows it all.

And if they do tell you they know it all, don't be a sucker, turn around and run away as fast as you can. source>>>

With Jodie Meeks finally discovering his draft fate (41st to the Bucks), the question UK fans are now attempting to answer is: What will constitute a successful 2009-2010 Kentucky Wildcat basketball campaign? After talking with fellow 'Cat fans, and reading via the Internet the thoughts of the hard core UK faithful, I've come to the conclusion that there are wide-ranging expectations for this group of players: Some fans consider Meeks' departure a death knell to the talk of UK hanging banner No. 8, while others consider Meeks' early entry to be merely a hiccup on an otherwise positively pleasant outlook.

With UK coach John Calipari telling anyone in possession of a microphone (or UK gear) that this team has many obstacles to overcome before success can be tasted, Wildcat fans are left to ponder the possibility that their head honcho is either an accomplished spin doctor, or a man making valid points. I suspect the truth lies somewhere in between.

Me, I see both sides of the truth, and I do know this: In order for Kentucky to maximize its chance of bringing back The Boss and his Glory Days, UK must, through the course of the upcoming season, see the evolution of four question marks morph into four exclamation points. For your summer perusal, and in no particular order, here are UK's four most riveting questions regarding the '09-'10 basketball season:

Star-divide

Patrick Patterson

How can I have Patterson listed as a question? Well, it's certainly not because I question his talent, but, we have yet to see if the big fella can take and make, with consistency, the 15-foot jumper. With Patterson and Calipari both stating the focus of Patterson's offensive repertoire being on improving his outside game, I'm left wondering if he can be as successful scoring points from beyond the paint, as he is from inside 10 feet. I realize Patterson displaying the ability to score from a variety of spots on the floor increases his NBA value, and this may seem callous and uncaring, but in the end ...

... I couldn't care less. I, and most UK fans want optimum offensive and defensive production from each player as long as they're wearing "Kentucky" across their chests.

A second concern: Patterson has demonstrated an ability to make the mid-range jumper ... from time to time, but now he must make the shot while being guarded. Before, he made the shot out of the high-low offense, often-times while he was wide open. In the upcoming season, that will not be the case; he will be guarded one-on-one, either out of a match-up zone, or man-to-man defense.

Of course, I feel confident if Patterson is struggling with his shooting percentage from beyond 10 feet, Calipari will make the appropriate ADJUSTMENT. Calipari knows PPat's offensive production will be a determining factor in the success of the 2009-2010 season, a fact that is only magnified with the loss of Jodie Meeks. With so many youngsters playing major minutes, this team will need an experienced "go-to-guy" when the possession is a must-score.

And I like my "go-to-guys" shooting from within their range.

The Newcomers

I don't care how heralded ... I don't care how highly sought after ... I don't care how much of a "sure thing" an incoming freshman is, we don't know what we have until we see them perform under the bright lights, and with Ashley in the house. And that fact is just a tad bit disconcerting to me.

The range of adjustments UK's youngsters face as they enter college is astounding: From the upgrade in academic requirements, to meshing with teammates, to becoming acclimated with a new coach, to dealing with student-body adulation, to adjusting to the increased speed of the game. All this done under the spotlight of an attendant media, and a curious fan base. Indeed, a tall and mighty task.

John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, Jon Hood, Daniel Orton, DeMarcus Cousins and Darnell Dodson are all considered great prospects, but all six of the listed players are going to be counted on to provide meaningful minutes, and right quick. Minutes at the point guard spot, minutes at the "2" guard, and minutes in the low post aiding and abetting Patrick Patterson. Will they perform as advertised? If not, UK fans will be in for a monumentally disappointing season.

End of story.

The "2" Guard [s]

With Jodie Meeks leaving the Bluegrass for the green pastures of the NBA, UK is left with what has become the question of the summer: Who will replace his scoring, experience, and leadership at the shooting guard position?

The answer: No one.

The absolute best John Calipari and UK fans can hope for out of the shooting guard spot in '09-'10 is competent play. With the return of Darius Miller, plus the addition of JUCO Darnell Dodson, and freshman Jon Hood (all capable of playing the "2") Calipari should be able to field a player [s] who can competently shoot the three-pointer, and take his man off the dribble. Which should be enough to keep the defense from collapsing down to the block, rendering Patterson and his cohorts in no better position than the big men have been in over the last two seasons (i.e. double and triple teamed).

There has been talk of freshman Eric Bledsoe playing at the shooting guard spot, but I only recommend that move if Cal enjoys attempting to shoot opponents out of a zone, while absent three-point threats. Well, Bledsoe can take his man off the dribble, you say? He may be able to do as much, but where is he going to venture? The entire defense will be in the paint, awaiting his arrival.

Simply put, the loss of Meeks adds undo pressure on to the players left to replace him. They may not feel the pressure just yet, but ask Michael Porter how receptive Rupp Arena is to unsure, unseasoned play.

I'm counting on Calipari to coach-up his group of young guns, and game-plan effectively, which will hopefully offset the youth and inexperience of his shooting guards. Because make no mistake, UK's Final Four fortunes rest with the productivity of the "2" guards. So much of UK's offense will rely on keeping the opponent's defenses honest, and without at least the threat of a three-pointer, there will be no honesty to be had.

John Calipari

Adolph Rupp created IT, Joe B. Hall managed IT, Eddie Sutton was corrupted by IT, Rick Pitino thrived on IT, Tubby Smith, in the end, decided he didn't want IT, and Billy Gillispie had no idea how to deal with IT.

"IT" is the incumbent pressure to win. More pointedly, the pressure to win that comes with being the head basketball coach at Kentucky. It's not even July and Calipari has already said, more than once, that the fanatical nature of UK fans is much more acute than he ever imagined. As Eddie Sutton so astutely put it, when talking about the passion Kentucky fans have for the program, and the resulting pressure, "You think you know, but you have no idea." Words that have since been echoed by Cal.

Since taking over the program in April, Calipari has done as good a job as any of his predecessors (some say better) in glad-handing the boosters, and being as fan-friendly as possible. In that area of his coaching responsibilities, his behavior has obviously been finely calculated. But, after Gillispie clearly showed no interest in that aspect of the job, Cal was left with no choice.

Calipari's off-court demeanor and activities are not the source of my questioning his ability to do the job, though. My question lies in his ability to make the right decisions during games. Pressure can cause coaches to make erratic, erroneous, and mind-numbingly idiotic decisions ... often, at the worst possible time.

Will Cal succumb? I think not, but he's never coached at UK before. So the proof will come as his first season progresses. source>>>

This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday's LENOX Industrial Tools 301. To help you make your fantasy racing picks, RacingOne brings you our weekly detailed look at some of the field for the 301-lap event.

Who's HOT at New Hampshire
- Denny Hamlin leads all drivers with a 7.2 average finish.
- Tony Stewart has one win and four finishes of eighth or better in his last eight starts.
- Jeff Burton leads all drivers with four wins.
- Two-time winner Jimmie Johnson has finished in the top 10 in six of his last seven starts.
- Jeff Gordon leads all drivers in top fives (12), top 10s (15) and laps led (1,141).
- Martin Truex Jr. has the best average finish (4.8) in the four races with the new car.
- Defending race winner Kurt Busch posted a 3.5 average finish in the two races last season.
- Greg Biffle won last year's September race for his fourth top five.

Keep an Eye on at New Hampshire
- 2006 September winner Kevin Harvick has a 10.0 average finish in his last five starts at NHMS.
- Mark Martin will be driving the same car that won at Phoenix.
- Two-time New Hampshire winner Ryan Newan will be making his first track start in a Stewart-Haas Chevrolet.
- Kyle Busch has one win and three top fives at New Hampshire.
- Matt Kenseth has recorded 10 top 10s in the last 13 races at NHMS.
- Carl Edwards has posted an average finish of 6.0 in the last five races this season.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. has led 176 laps and posted two top fives in the four races at New Hampshire with the new car. source>>>