AJ Hawk or Mario Williams

Who should the Green Bay Packers take with the number 5 overall pick in this April's 2006 draft. Short and quick answer...A.J. Hawk. Granted, I don't like people who refer to themselves by initials instead of names but the guy is polished and has competed against the best of the best at the college level.

I've been reading a lot of experts' mock drafts and it seems that all of them have Green Bay taking NC State's Defensive End Mario Williams. Although this wouldn't be a bad pick, I don't think he's the correct one. For the following reasons. First, Williams is a junior and a bit less polished than Hawk. Secondly, it's been said that Williams has been known to take plays off. Thirdly, IF these first two points are true how in the world is the current GB coaching staff going to motivate and improve his game? I don't see that happening. Finally, if Mario Williams were to miss any amount of training camp due to contract negotiations he'd fall that much more behind to the point where I don't think he'd be able to substantially contribute on the field in the first half of the season.

What the Packers need from their first round pick (which they haven't got lately), is a defensive playmaker who WILL start from day one of the season and contribute positively throughout the season. Green Bay is in such a terrible place right now that they cannot afford to let a rookie develop. A.J. Hawk is the right pick. Let's see what McCarthy and Thompson do.

NASCAR Anyone?

So, tomorrow the NASCAR season starts, pretty much a year round event. I must say I'd never thought I'd get interested in the sport. However, over the past 3 years in watching and learning more about it, it's not only helped me recover from football withdrawal but also peaked my interest. And along the way I've learned a lot about NASCAR's drivers and cars.

Tomorrow is the Great American Race, and as such I thought it only correct for me to speak upon it a bit and give my humble opinion on who will make the Race for the Chase. First, I have to say that Tony Stewart is a joker, what with his hard comments on bump drafting. Since the "Champ" has spoken, NASCAR officials are now on high alert for this intrical part of restrictor plate racing. It would be a shame if Stewart happened to "cut his own throat" karmically speaking tomorrow. He of all people is without a clean record. Never mind, I predict that there will be not only a large wreck tomorrow(big surprise there always is!), but I sense a Earnhardtian type of accident. I hope that I'm wrong.

On to the predictions, first it is with great regret that I have to say I think Jeff Gordon will once again win the championship. Love him or hate him, I have to admit that he's arguably the best all around driver on the circuit. My predictions are as follows, and I bet these will come back to haunt me!
Top ten(in no particular order, other than Gordon):
Jeff Gordon - too good for too long
Greg Biffle - on the verge of a championship
Tony Stewart - great chance to repeat if he continues to behave and doesn't find bad luck
Elliott Sadler - will get off to a quick start
Ryan Newman - will still qualify well and struggle on Sunday
Mark Martin - he could go out with a bang if his schedule doesn't burn him out
Jimmie Johnson - note to crew chief Knaus, clean it up. Johnson could win it all this year.
Jamie McMurray - under pressure to produce and he will, needs to avoid pesky DNFs.
Kevin Harvick - will have a strong early part of the season
Matt Kenseth - will struggle all year to get in the Chase.

Disappointment of the year: Carl Edwards - perhaps he should focus more on racing instead of mugging for the camera!
Runner-up Disappointment: Kurt Busch - After having some aesthetic ear work done in the offseason and his team change, he'll be disapointing

Surprise of the year: Joe Nemechek - may make the Chase

Rookie of the year: Denny Hamlin - right team, right driver, Stewart as a teammate helps.

Daytona 500 winner: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. , although let's hope it's Kyle Busch(see blog on sports odds!)

Have fun watching the race.

Worst Officiating EVER!!!!!!

Hello, did the officials get paid off for this game??? I have to ponder this question. Clearly the Darrel Jackson "offensive pass interference" was the most bogus call EVER in the Super Bowl AND clearly Ben Roethlisberger's "touchdown" was not either. Add to that the fact that Clark Haggans #53 was offsides on consecutive plays, one in which Seattle's right tackle was called for holding and the other play Haggans sacked Hasselback. Thanks ABC for your subpar cracker ass coverage as well. Seattle was robbed, Jerome Bettis is a joke, and the refereees werea bunch of jokers. When has offensive pass interference EVER been called in a game, much less the Super Bowl. No thanks to Stuart "Glass Eye" Scott, Chris "Ass Fungus" Berman, John "orange eyebrow windbag" Madden, Sal "Pock Mark" Palontonio, and Merril "My Soft Pussy Head Hurts Homer" Hoge can kiss the big one. Quite frankly these talking heads are paid big money to tell the truth and they didn't. Darrell Jackson's TD and Ben's bogus TD aside the Seahawks should have been down 17-14 in the final drive and were in field goal range. I'm sorry Seattle, you were robbed by Bill Levy and company. A travesty because this could have been the best Super Bowl ever. Instead we get to see some square jawed Cromagnon man embrace whatever he could get to marry him. Sorry, Pittsburgh your win was and is tainted for all times. The NFL needs to figure out how to get the best refs for the biggest game. Here's a hint, look into Mike Carrey and Ed Hochuli for referees, that is a good start. Oh yeah, and the commercials aren't funny anymore!