Brock Huard deserves a pat on the back. I was attending the U.W. when Brock was throwing touchdowns and breaking Husky quarterback records. He is the career leader in U.W. passing yards (5,742), touchdown passes (51), 300 + yard passing games, attempts without an interception (151), and many other categories.
He had a promising career in the NFL coming out of college. Brock wasn't going to be a superstar or one of the top quarterbacks in the league, but people thought he could at least fight for a starting position somewhere into his NFL career.
After being drafted by the Hawks with the 77th pick of the 99 draft, Brock went into a back up role to learn the offense and get used to the speed of the NFL game. But after a few years in the NFL with very few starts, Brock was out of professional football.
Out of nowhere Brock Huard is back on the scene, but he's not wearing a uniform. He's had a career change from NFL backup Quarterback to successful ESPN analyst and radio talk show newcomer.
The funny thing is Brock is surprisingly good. He covered the 09 NFL draft for Espn and shows up on sportscenter giving NFL and college analysis. I enjoy listening to his radio show Brock and Salk, where it's a good mix of humor and sports knowledge.
So is Brock better wearing a suit in the press box than he was wearing a Husky uniform. Only the future will tell, but it looks bright thus far. That is if he doesn't follow in Mark Schlereth's footsteps and do a camio on soap opera's Guiding Light. Glad that wasn't career suicide Mark!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wak's Shout Out
No, Wakamatsu wasn't calling into Kube 93 to holler at his boyz, or put an add in the Stranger under the man seeking.... section. But he was giving a shout out, rather, calling out some of his star players. How many first year managers have the stones to tell their star player "they aren't stepping up"? That's what I like most about Wak, he's not afraid of anything.
There's only a handful of players he could be talking about. Surprisingly it's not Beltre, who's having one of his worst years as a big leaguer. Wak did move Beltre around in the order, now hitting #2, to try and relieve the pressure for Beltre to drive in runs. But, isn't that why the Mariners gave him a monster contract after hitting 40+ home runs and 100+ RBI's? To drive in runs? I understand why Wak is doing it though. He's got to try something to get Beltre going.
So who's not earning their paycheck in the skipper's eyes? Here's a hint, he started the season 4-0, but has taken losses in 3 of his last 4 starts. He has a 4.13 ERA. This guys is supposed to be our ace, our gauranteed win, our Johan Santana. Not hard to figure out Wak's talking about our supposed savior Felix Hernandez.
I can understand pitchers having a bad start. Maybe they lose focus, couldn't locate that day, or weren't feeling well. But #1 starters are not supposed to have consecutive bad starts, let alone 4 in a row.
Felix is getting ROCKED. I'm surprised we haven't seen him on the 15 day DL with neck stiffness. I mean it must be painful snapping around to watch line drives, gap shots, and homeruns for a whole month.
Kudos to Wak for putting King Felix, um Prince Felix, um Felix the Fool, into his place. Wak is doing exactly what he should be doing; putting pressure on his star players to perform every night, and set an example for the rest of their teammates. He's made a few questionable calls at the helm thus far, but overall is doing a great job. I see a little Sweet Lou in Wakamatsu. Someone who won't coddle players and will speak his mind. Now if he could only light up a cig and drink a coors light tallboy in the corner of the dugout, I would assume the Cubs have put out an APB for a missing manager.
There's only a handful of players he could be talking about. Surprisingly it's not Beltre, who's having one of his worst years as a big leaguer. Wak did move Beltre around in the order, now hitting #2, to try and relieve the pressure for Beltre to drive in runs. But, isn't that why the Mariners gave him a monster contract after hitting 40+ home runs and 100+ RBI's? To drive in runs? I understand why Wak is doing it though. He's got to try something to get Beltre going.
So who's not earning their paycheck in the skipper's eyes? Here's a hint, he started the season 4-0, but has taken losses in 3 of his last 4 starts. He has a 4.13 ERA. This guys is supposed to be our ace, our gauranteed win, our Johan Santana. Not hard to figure out Wak's talking about our supposed savior Felix Hernandez.
I can understand pitchers having a bad start. Maybe they lose focus, couldn't locate that day, or weren't feeling well. But #1 starters are not supposed to have consecutive bad starts, let alone 4 in a row.
Felix is getting ROCKED. I'm surprised we haven't seen him on the 15 day DL with neck stiffness. I mean it must be painful snapping around to watch line drives, gap shots, and homeruns for a whole month.
Kudos to Wak for putting King Felix, um Prince Felix, um Felix the Fool, into his place. Wak is doing exactly what he should be doing; putting pressure on his star players to perform every night, and set an example for the rest of their teammates. He's made a few questionable calls at the helm thus far, but overall is doing a great job. I see a little Sweet Lou in Wakamatsu. Someone who won't coddle players and will speak his mind. Now if he could only light up a cig and drink a coors light tallboy in the corner of the dugout, I would assume the Cubs have put out an APB for a missing manager.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Lazy Sunday: (Monday Edition)
*Glad to see the M’s take two out of three against the Red Sox. If you would have told me before the series started that we would win 2 games with the fearsome trio of (Jakubauskas, Olsen, and Vargus) on the bump, I would have thought you had the swine flu. While Jak/Olsen will not be in the rotation a month from now, I like what I’ve seen thus far out of Vargus. He’s got a tough competitive spirit and is not afraid to challenge hitters inside. He has shown some balls that we desperately lack in the rotation.
*There are rumblings that the M’s are looking into dealing Yuni B. to the Pirates for SS Jack Wilson. I like the idea but am still holding out hope that Jack Z. can get a better deal for our free swinging, pudgy, little SS . Wilson is 4 years older than Yuni at 31 (although Yuni might be 35 for all we know). Wilson, like Yuni, does not walk either. Plus, Wilson is making a laughable 7. 4 million in 2009. Hold onto your money JZ—there will be a better deal for Yuni closer to the deadline provided Yuni doesn’t keep throwing baseballs into the stands. Wasn’t he supposed to be a potential gold-glover?
*Kudos to Wak for finally demoting Morrow to middle relief. How many more games were we going to watch him serve gopher balls two decks up into the stands? I swear he was crying when he gave up those two monster jacks against Texas last week. Note to M’s pitching coach Rick Adair: piping 95 mph fastballs down the heart of the plate against big-leaguers equals disaster. Teach young Brandon to throw something else. Why can’t anyone show him to throw a change-up or a nice little slide piece? Give the hitters something else to look at beside wheel-house fastballs down the heart of the dish.
*I am starting to blame the M’s hitting woes solely on Adrian Beltre—I still don’t have the heart to say anything negative about Griffey. Griff could be hitting .056 and I would still drop what I am doing to watch him hit. I still think Jr. will heat up…but maybe not. Beltre, on the other hand, is a complete disaster. Yes, he can glove it. Yes, he doesn’t wear a cup at the hot corner. But I am sick of his free swinging approach too. He is just as bad as Yuni and Lopez. Beltre will not walk and pitchers are NOT afraid to challenge him. This is steroid deflation at its worst. The guy comes up with runners on base every time he steps up and doesn’t do anything to help us. He either strikes out or pops up in the infield. In 152 AB’s this season, Beltre has 2 ding-dongs and 15 RBIs. Ouch!! He has only walked 6 times all season. Scott Boras: get Adrian back on the juice, PLEASE!! If Beltre performs to average #4 hitters across the league, the M’s would be well over .500. I thought earlier this season the M’s should try to resign him long term—I was wrong.
*Anyone else looking forward to a LeBron/Kobe finals? I am too but hang on just one second. The Lakers are playing uninspired right now and a depleted Rockets team took them to a game 7. They should have beaten them in 5 (at most). The Nuggets, on the other hand, are the second hottest team behind the Cavs in the playoffs. George finally has his boys playing D in Denver. The acquisition of Billups was the best trade of the NBA season. Billups is the veteran piece this team has been missing the past five seasons. Although the hype of LeBron/Kobe would be ridiculous, expect to see a Nuggets/Cavs finals. The Zenmaster’s tricks aren’t working on Bynum who has not been a difference-maker whatsoever in the playoffs.
*Kudos to Sark for picking up another athletic WR this week from California. Remember the name Tevin Carter. Hopefully, he and Heaps will lead us back to the Rose Bowl in 2012. Carter is 6-3 and weighs in at 190 lbs. And he’s fast…running at a 10.81 clip in the 100 meters.
*The Hawks can win 10 games next season. Mark it down. If Hasselbeck stays healthy, we can regain the power thrown in the NFL West. Arizona is still not that good, either is STL or SF. Ruskell: find us a running back please! I like Mr. Kratz’s suggestion of M. Vick. Why not take a flier on Vick? Put him back in a offensive style he is familiar (Knapp) with a coach he is familiar with (Mora) and Vick might attack linebackers like he does opposing dogs…(sorry couldn’t help it). A flier cannot hurt. Vick has something to prove and the Hawks could use his speed and ability in the backfield.
*Believe it or not the M’s are 4-2 against the Halos this year. I would love to see us take 3 out of 4. Go M’s!!
*There are rumblings that the M’s are looking into dealing Yuni B. to the Pirates for SS Jack Wilson. I like the idea but am still holding out hope that Jack Z. can get a better deal for our free swinging, pudgy, little SS . Wilson is 4 years older than Yuni at 31 (although Yuni might be 35 for all we know). Wilson, like Yuni, does not walk either. Plus, Wilson is making a laughable 7. 4 million in 2009. Hold onto your money JZ—there will be a better deal for Yuni closer to the deadline provided Yuni doesn’t keep throwing baseballs into the stands. Wasn’t he supposed to be a potential gold-glover?
*Kudos to Wak for finally demoting Morrow to middle relief. How many more games were we going to watch him serve gopher balls two decks up into the stands? I swear he was crying when he gave up those two monster jacks against Texas last week. Note to M’s pitching coach Rick Adair: piping 95 mph fastballs down the heart of the plate against big-leaguers equals disaster. Teach young Brandon to throw something else. Why can’t anyone show him to throw a change-up or a nice little slide piece? Give the hitters something else to look at beside wheel-house fastballs down the heart of the dish.
*I am starting to blame the M’s hitting woes solely on Adrian Beltre—I still don’t have the heart to say anything negative about Griffey. Griff could be hitting .056 and I would still drop what I am doing to watch him hit. I still think Jr. will heat up…but maybe not. Beltre, on the other hand, is a complete disaster. Yes, he can glove it. Yes, he doesn’t wear a cup at the hot corner. But I am sick of his free swinging approach too. He is just as bad as Yuni and Lopez. Beltre will not walk and pitchers are NOT afraid to challenge him. This is steroid deflation at its worst. The guy comes up with runners on base every time he steps up and doesn’t do anything to help us. He either strikes out or pops up in the infield. In 152 AB’s this season, Beltre has 2 ding-dongs and 15 RBIs. Ouch!! He has only walked 6 times all season. Scott Boras: get Adrian back on the juice, PLEASE!! If Beltre performs to average #4 hitters across the league, the M’s would be well over .500. I thought earlier this season the M’s should try to resign him long term—I was wrong.
*Anyone else looking forward to a LeBron/Kobe finals? I am too but hang on just one second. The Lakers are playing uninspired right now and a depleted Rockets team took them to a game 7. They should have beaten them in 5 (at most). The Nuggets, on the other hand, are the second hottest team behind the Cavs in the playoffs. George finally has his boys playing D in Denver. The acquisition of Billups was the best trade of the NBA season. Billups is the veteran piece this team has been missing the past five seasons. Although the hype of LeBron/Kobe would be ridiculous, expect to see a Nuggets/Cavs finals. The Zenmaster’s tricks aren’t working on Bynum who has not been a difference-maker whatsoever in the playoffs.
*Kudos to Sark for picking up another athletic WR this week from California. Remember the name Tevin Carter. Hopefully, he and Heaps will lead us back to the Rose Bowl in 2012. Carter is 6-3 and weighs in at 190 lbs. And he’s fast…running at a 10.81 clip in the 100 meters.
*The Hawks can win 10 games next season. Mark it down. If Hasselbeck stays healthy, we can regain the power thrown in the NFL West. Arizona is still not that good, either is STL or SF. Ruskell: find us a running back please! I like Mr. Kratz’s suggestion of M. Vick. Why not take a flier on Vick? Put him back in a offensive style he is familiar (Knapp) with a coach he is familiar with (Mora) and Vick might attack linebackers like he does opposing dogs…(sorry couldn’t help it). A flier cannot hurt. Vick has something to prove and the Hawks could use his speed and ability in the backfield.
*Believe it or not the M’s are 4-2 against the Halos this year. I would love to see us take 3 out of 4. Go M’s!!
Monday Morning Musing, May 18
Let's get right down to business, including my latest obsession.
-Mike Vick is getting out of prison this week. He'll be transferred to a half-way house, be given a construction jobs paying $10 an hour and wait to hear from the NFL on whether and when he'll be reinstated. The Falcons still retain the rights to his services, but owner Arthur Blank has pretty much ruled out any chance they'll hang on to him.
Making any moves to go after Vick will undoubtedly bring the wrath of the PETA police, but any team that makes a play for him also has a pretty good explanation: the guy did his time, he's broke and, of course, we desperately need a RB or else my fan base will revolt. Seriously, guys, it's either Vick or we go into the year with Julius Jones as our starting RB. Julius Jones! He's beyond terrible. He runs like a beat-up VW Bus.
I will continue to bang the drum on this until he ends up on Cowboys or Raiders and the Seahawks once again fail to do anything remotely resembling a risk.
-The Mariners once again finding a way to eek out wins with no offense. Keep hope alive! At least it makes this Angels series starting tonight much more interesting. And taking two of three against the BoSox is always an accomplishment, even at home where the crowd is still only 50-50.
-Forget confidence or more work in less pressurized situations, what Brandon Morrow really needs to be an elite closer is some really awesome facial hair. I vote for either a Rod Beck-like fu manchu or a hockey playoff beard. Speaking of hockey, maybe if he were missing a couple teeth, he'd look more intimidating.
-My Celtics went down last night. Hated to see them lose, but definitely think the Magic have more talent and athleticism (or as Hubie Brown would say, "ath-ah-letlicism") than the Celtics, especially with no Garnett, and they'll prove a tougher out against the Lebrons. Having said that: Cavs in 5. Lakers in 6.
-When I first watched those Kobe-Lebron puppet commercials I thought they were just dumb, but they're growing on me. Now, I've done complete 180 on this and think they're brilliant.
-Mike Vick is getting out of prison this week. He'll be transferred to a half-way house, be given a construction jobs paying $10 an hour and wait to hear from the NFL on whether and when he'll be reinstated. The Falcons still retain the rights to his services, but owner Arthur Blank has pretty much ruled out any chance they'll hang on to him.
Making any moves to go after Vick will undoubtedly bring the wrath of the PETA police, but any team that makes a play for him also has a pretty good explanation: the guy did his time, he's broke and, of course, we desperately need a RB or else my fan base will revolt. Seriously, guys, it's either Vick or we go into the year with Julius Jones as our starting RB. Julius Jones! He's beyond terrible. He runs like a beat-up VW Bus.
I will continue to bang the drum on this until he ends up on Cowboys or Raiders and the Seahawks once again fail to do anything remotely resembling a risk.
-The Mariners once again finding a way to eek out wins with no offense. Keep hope alive! At least it makes this Angels series starting tonight much more interesting. And taking two of three against the BoSox is always an accomplishment, even at home where the crowd is still only 50-50.
-Forget confidence or more work in less pressurized situations, what Brandon Morrow really needs to be an elite closer is some really awesome facial hair. I vote for either a Rod Beck-like fu manchu or a hockey playoff beard. Speaking of hockey, maybe if he were missing a couple teeth, he'd look more intimidating.
-My Celtics went down last night. Hated to see them lose, but definitely think the Magic have more talent and athleticism (or as Hubie Brown would say, "ath-ah-letlicism") than the Celtics, especially with no Garnett, and they'll prove a tougher out against the Lebrons. Having said that: Cavs in 5. Lakers in 6.
-When I first watched those Kobe-Lebron puppet commercials I thought they were just dumb, but they're growing on me. Now, I've done complete 180 on this and think they're brilliant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)