The Sixers Have to Get Ricky Rubio

I decided today to adopt a new cause and that is finding a way to convince the Sixers they need to trade up and draft Ricky Rubio in next month’s NBA Draft. In case you’re not aware, Rubio is a point guard from Spain. He’s 18 and has been playing in their Pro League for four years already. He’s the next big thing to hit the NBA and the Sixers need to make a move to get him because, right now, they suck.

Andre Miller is going to sign somewhere else, which leaves them with one legitimate guard, Lou Williams. Work out a way to trade Andre Iguodala to Memphis for the second pick in the draft and take Rubio. I understand that it won’t be easy to do, but it’s a move they have to make to become relevant again. Rubio is a dynamic offensive force that can do everything, including shoot from the outside. Right now, the Sixers have no one that can do that. Put him together with Williams and their back court is young and explosive. Put them with Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand and the Sixers can win games despite starting Samuel Dalembert at Center. By the way, if you’re keeping score at home, Dalembert has three years left on his contract and will make over $11 million next year.

Rubio, as mentioned, has already been playing professionally, so even at 18, he should have no problems adjusting the pressure of playing in front of a half empty Wachovia Center. In fact, he might even be able to sell more tickets. Who would the Sixers rather have on billboards, Rubio or Iguodala?

In the next few days, I’ll attempt to start a campaign of action intent on convincing the Sixers to act now to get Ricky Rubio and dramatically change the direction of the franchise.

Here’s a Rubio highlight reel, I’d suggest turning down the Skynyrd.

Plant a Garden…or Die!!!!

You may have missed this, but the world is ending and the only way to save yourself and your family is to plant a garden.

Not just any garden will do. You need a Crisis Garden. That’s according to the helpful people that want to sell you all your Crisis Garden needs for only $164 at survivalseedbank.com.

Here are some excerpts from the site…

You don’t have to be an Old Testament prophet to see what’s going on all around us. A belligerent lower class demanding handouts. A rapidly diminishing middle class crippled by police state bureaucracy. An aloof, ruling elite that has introduced us to an emerging totalitarianism which seeks control over every aspect of our lives.

As the meltdown progresses, one of the first things to be affected will be our nation’s food supply. Expect soaring prices along with moderate to severe shortages by spring. If you don’t have the ability to grow your own food next year, your life may be in danger.

“What would I do if the grocery stores closed?” The answer sadly is that you’d probably go hungry.
you need to have the peace of mind knowing that if things were to get scary, that you and your family could still eat.

Without A Long Term Food Solution Many Americans Could Starve.

“Indestructible Survival Seed Bank Can Be Buried To Avoid Confiscation.”

There you have it. Hurry up and act now. Your kids may die because you didn’t vote Republican if you don’t surrender to unwarranted fear and send them $164. Why are you still sitting there? Order now.  And panic, please make sure you panic.

Swine Flu is Coming to Get You

Swine Flu Pandemic Day 5….

The entire planet is teetering on the edge of anarchy as the Swine Flu Pandemic ‘09 spreads unchecked through every city of every nation. It is urgent that you act without haste. First – Do not panic. Second – Panic. Third – Stop panicking and buy a Swine Flu Mask. Fourth – wait to get Swine Flu. Five – Carry on as normal when you don’t get Swine Flu.

Even crocodiles are at risk.

Listen Sunday at midnight for another Swine Flu update.

Tonight on the Radio

It’s finally opening day for the Phillies. I will be on immediately following the post game show. Phillies broadcaster, Tom McCarthy, will be on to preview the remaining 161 games of the season.

Also, after last night’s Final Four doubleheader, we’ll talk about college sports on how the schools turn their backs on most college athletes.

Finally, North Korea fired a rocket yesterday. Everyone is upset. So upset, in fact, that they’ll talk about it for a week. The time it takes for about 30,000 North Koreans to starve to death.

Cutler Goes to the Bears

Jay Cutler was traded to the Chicago Bears on Thursday, which is good news for the Jets, whether they realize it or not. Chicago gave up much more that the Jets could afford for a guy that just blew up his team. He can play but where is his head? Again, look what he just did to Denver. Do you want this guy in New York throwing interceptions in playoff games, self-destructing and not being able to handle the situation.

I understand his situation, he got upset that they thought about trading him. But look at the reaction of two guys who almost got traded for Cutler and how they dealt with the situation.

Washington’s quarterback Jason Campbell said,  “We talked for a long time about everything that had happened and the thing I felt the best about was that I got a chance to talk about what I’m trying to do, which is just get ready for the season and try to help this team get to that higher level, Coach Zorn and (Snyder) all let me know how they feel about things and that’s why I’d say it was real successful because now it’s just about moving forward and trying to win. I’m going to be in this offense for my second year, coach Zorn has learned a lot, different stuff that can help us be more successful, and I just think it was real positive today.”

And Kellen Clemens said this the day before Cutler went to Chicago, “It’s going to have a direct effect on me, possibly, however it all shakes out. I try not to let it affect me right now and the preparation that I am doing because the whole thing might blow over and he (might) go somewhere else. All three of us are still here and we go forward. You don’t want to lose these days of preparation worrying about hypotheticals.”

The point is that not everyone cries and quits when they get mentioned in trades. It also shows that Clemens, who has been in New York now for three years, understands what the deal is and how to handle it. He and Brett Ratliff deserve a chance to win the job in training camp. I am confident that one of them, probably Clemens, can and will handle the job. If that happens I will also point it now forever.

Now, all the Jets have to do is not panic on draft day and avoid picking a quarterback if one is still available at 17. I’ve amended my draft preferences in the last day or two. Jeremy Maclin(WR-Missouri) is still the preferred choice. However, he’s far from guaranteed to be left when the Jets come up. Next, (here’s whats new from a post earlier this week) I know think Knowshon Moreno(RB-Georgia) should be the primary fall back choice if Maclin is gone. The draft is three weeks from today, and with the Cutler saga now over, I can was most of time reading about that.

The Broncos Are Always the Last to Know

Two weeks ago, Jay Cutler formally asked the Broncos to trade him. Immediately, every team in the league that needed a quarterback scrambled to get in line to make an offer. Now, after Cutler appears to have cut off all contact with the team, they are now ready to start working on a deal. The whole back story to this saga is ludicrous and so is the fact that it’s come to this. Their new head coach, Josh McDaniels, isn’t ready to be a head coach and Jay Cutler is a spoiled brat. This should be a red flag to any team considering buying into the Cutler sweepstakes.

Speculators are already out there saying the Jets want to be players in this ordeal, despite my advise otherwise. I’d have some hesitation about taking Cutler if he were free. (Not enough to turn him down, but it would be in the back of my mind for a long time) However, he’s going to cost the Jets more they can afford, perhaps 2 firsts and David Harris to start (see above link). Now add in what it will cost once the escalated bidding costs and then tell me he’s worth it. It’s not going to matter though because, in the end, the Jets will be outbid by teams that have better picks and a more proven quarterback to offer. For example Cleveland wants Cutler, they have Brady Quinn and the 5th pick overall. They also have the 36th over pick (4th in the 2nd round) while the Jets only have the 17th and 52nd overall picks. Detroit can also beat out the Jets if it just comes down to draft picks.

Again, I want to see what Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff can do before the team gives up on them. The way the team is coming together, both of them will be in an ideal spot to prove they guide an offense that doesn’t have to outscore the other offense every week. The defense is going to win games and the offenses goal will just be to control the game on the ground. This is the scenario that is going to end up playing out because no one of interest is going to be available and they will end up getting outbid for Cutler. And that is a good thing.

Jets Draft Projections

Instead of updating my own blog over the past month, I’ve been spending almost all of my time reading up on the Jets options for the NLF Draft, which is now less than a month away.

Ideally, I am hoping (which means you should be too) that Jeremy Maclin (WR- Missouri) falls to the Jets at 17.  If Maclin goes before the Jets get the chance to take him, more then likely this is the scenario that will play out, I feel the next best options are Knowshon Moreno (RB-Georgia), Tyson Jackson (DE-LSU) and Percy Harvin (WR-Florida). I don’t really have a preference of any of those three. So after Maclin, I’d put them all as 2 a,b, and c. Coming in third on the list then is Brandon Pettigrew (TE-Oklahoma St.).

So there you have five guys that you can jump up and down with excitement if the Jets pick them. Not all of them will be available when they come up, but two or three definitely should be there. Notice, I didn’t suggest they take a quarterback. That’s because the Jets already have Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff. So before they go out and draft someone else they should give these two, expecially Clemens, a chance to win the job and prove that they can play in the NFL.  Fortunately for you and me, I think the team gets that and won’t waste their opportunity to make a significant leap forward next season under new Head Coach Rex Ryan and their revamped and upgraded defense.

NCAA Tournament: Day One

I took today and tomorrow off just to watch the NCAA Tournament. I try to do this every year, however the last few have been tough. One side note. Taking off to watch basketball actually required me to get up earlier than usual.

I’ve also been meaning to do a tournament picks preview but never got around to it so I’ll just give you who the final four will be now. Louisville, Memphis, Pitt and North Carolina. Louisville will be North Carolina in the final. You’re welcome.

I was really surprised that LSU held off Butler. I thought there was no way that Butler would lose this game, but somehow they found a way.

Every year one of the top 8 seeds lets a 16 hang around only to pull away in the last 5-8 minutes. Every year CBS gets too excited about a potential upset that isn’t going to happen. This time it was Memphis and CSU Northridge. Please try not to yawn.

Next, Maryland is a fraud. They are not good. They probably don’t even deserve to be here. Lucky for them, they played Cal today, and even bigger fraud. Enjoy the flight home and we hope you show up next year.

There was really nothing exceptional to note from the early games. Here’s what to watch for tonight

• VCU will beat UCLA
• Western Kentucky is decent, Illinois is not
• Clemson vs Michigan will not be worth watching
• Gonazaga could lose, but I hope they don’t.

Following the games tonight I will return to let you know how right I was.

Jay Cutler Requests Trade

Denver Broncos Quarterback Jay Cutler has requested a trade after a month of mismanagement by the Broncos led to Cutler’s emotional collapse. Everyone will now start speculating and suggesting that the Jets need to trade for Cutler if he’s available. Not so fast. Denver may have shown poor judgement trying to deal him and then denying it, but the way Cutler’s handled the ordeal proves to me that he’s not going to be able to lead an offense in New York. He’s too temperamental and sensitive and every percieved slight to going to require extra special attention. Plus, he has a losing record and throws more interceptions than touchdowns.

I also think it’s too soon to dismiss Kellen Clemens as a viable starter. This will be his fourth year in the Jet’s system. The offensive line is solid (unlike in 2007, when he was thrown in on a bad team before he was ready) and the defense is going to carry the team. This is the perfect spot for him to step into and prove, one way or the other, whether he can be the quarterback of this team. The Jet’s need to give a legitimate chance to win the job before they cast him aside. I hope they will.

Tonight on the Radio

Tonight on the show: The Vatican supports the excommunication of the mother and doctors of a 9 year-old girl who was raped by her stepfather because they aborted her subsequent pregnancy.

On a more serious note, I think we should stay on daylight savings time year round.