5 Things I'd Bet You On

Here are five things I'd be willing to wage you on right now, no questions asked:

1) The AL East will send two teams to the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years.

2) You could not name who your favorite NFL team plays the first week of preseason action.

3) Reggie Bush's surgically repaired knee will force him to miss miss at lest four games in 2009.

4) One of the teams who have said they do not have interest in Michael Vick -- will be the team to actually sign him. Only the Packers, Patriots, Chargers, and Ravens have either not ruled out Vick or have avoided the topic all together.

5) Shaq and LeBron James win the Christmas Day marquee match up with the Lakers -- and the world thinks they'll be the next dynasty. But they won't be.

Thoughts, comments, bets you'd like to make? E-mail me at SAYoungberg@Gmail.com

News & Notes Day 3: De-Fense!

If defense wins championships then the Redskins are in good shape; however if you need a good offense to help you out as well they might want to re-think booking their tickets to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV.

The Skins strapped up their pads for the first time since January, and as expected there are still many kinks that needed to be fixed -- and mainly on the offensive side of the ball.

News & Notes: Brought to you by an unbiased and non politically correct observer of the game.

Sorry for the two day delay -- these notes reference Saturday August 1st, 2009.

Notes:

Rookie Treatment: Brian Orakpo gets treated like any other rookie, "I thought I'd made it out Scott free but Fletcher found me." The first-round pick had to carry linebacker London Fletchers gear off the field, after the morning practice.

"It's all part of the learning experience, I can't wait till this part is over, but it's all in good nature," Orakpo added.

Chris Cooley had another take on the tradition, "honestly I just leave my pads on the field and expect a rookie to take them. To tell you the truth, what I really think is going on [and it is] is that the ball boys and equipment guys are picking them up and making the rookies carry them."

Well I guess it doesn't matter who you are, a rookie is a rookie and anyone can get in on the action.

Horny for Zorny: Head Coach Jim Zorn basically wrote off Chase Daniels chance of making it past the practice squad this year, "Colt [Brennan] looks much better than last year. His footwork is vastly improved...Chase is where Colt was this time last year but he looks good he understands the offense." BUT...

When asked if there's a chance he keeps all four QBs on his roster Zorn responded with a firm, "No. The way the game is today you can't do that. I won't do that. Three quarterbacks is top."

Chase hope for a lucky break, like to the ankle of someone in front of you.

Information Overload?: Zorn said he isn't surprised with the offenses less than mediocre first day performance, blaming it partially on "Information overload from missing the second practice yesterday. When you have mental stress, it affects your game, I'm not worried they look pretty good considering it all." Adding that "we are way ahead of where we were last year at this point."

Yeah...it wasn't the offensive lines non-ability to block undrafted rookie defensive ends that made you look bad...they were just thinking too much.

Brain Power for Philip Daniels: Zorn called Phillip Daniels the smartest player in camp. "I couldn't beat him. He couldn't be outsmarted. I threw everything at him but he couldn't be outsmarted."

Daniels who was lost for the season on the first day of training camp last year with a knee injury but says "I've been out of football for two years, I'm greatful to be back." And about his coaches compliments, "I've been around a long time (laughing) I know if the tackles not blocking me it's a screen. I'm ready to get back and knock some people around."

More of Orakpo the Sacko Monster: OK, I know, that rhyme was pretty lame -- but WOW, the former All-American defensive end can play. The only thing stopping Orakpo from sacking the quarterback today was their yellow jerseys -- the 13th overall pick blew by a Chris Samuels and Derrick Dockery combo on multiple occassions -- leaving the veteran offensive line with multiple question marks.

Orakpo mentioned that he is enjoying the hybrid linebacker / d-end, "it's a challenge, but I like it, I've got a way to go but I've got great veterans who are helping me out."

**Note: Dockery seemed to have no trouble blocking Albert Haynesworth. Whether Haynesworth has yet to give full effort or not yet is still TBD**

Receivers Get Their Turn: Not all of the defensive unit was sharp today. The secondary -- a la Fred Smoot and DeAngelo Hall -- got burnt on several one on one drills. And not by Santana Moss...Marko Mitchell and Keith Eloy had their turns to shine.

DeAngelo did not look sharp today, but it shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Malcolm Kelly: While the 2nd year receiver is behind teammate Devin Thomas on the depth chart, he is making a name for himself. He looks to be almost 100% healed form his lingering knee injury, and proved that with a monstrous leaping grab.

He was brought down by two DB's but hopped right up and jogged back into line. No trainers had to tend to him and Jim Zorn praised him in his press conference, "He's doing a lot better, it's great to see him not have to worry about his knee, he can definitely help us out if he's healthy."

Canada in the house: A scout from the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL was in Ashburn today. He was taking special notice to the linebackers and linemen.

Wouldn't want to be on his list.

Rumor Mill: Look for a few cuts to be coming in the next few days, coaches don't seem to be too pleased with a few players -- it's still early in training camp -- plenty of time to bring in some new faces.

News and Notes from Redskins Training Camp

It was day two of Redskins training camp today in Ashburn, VA and needless to say the most welcome sight -- other than first round pick Brian Orakpo -- was the clouds and rain that cooled us off from yesterdays scorching 90 plus degree weather.

News & Notes: Brought to you by an unbiased and non politically correct observer of the game.

LaRon Landry: The third year veteran was one of the last to leave the practice field, "I'm definitely more comfortable out there, a lot of pressure, but less stress than my first time on the field."

Landry said he enjoys being a leader out there, he's there to help the young guys learn the game -- just like the older veterans are there to help him learn. "These guys out there are a big help to me, just like I'm a big help to them."

The former first-round pick discussed the pressure of being selected 6th overall was enormous at first, "you come out here and you feel you have to prove something to your teammates, coaches, and the fans." However, things have changed since then "I've calmed down, still have a lot to learn, but I'm calmer and more read now."

Landry looked like a polished veteran staing on the field discussing coverages with 2nd year safety Chris Horton who was beat on five consecutive single coverage drills.

Interesting sidenote, Laron plays with a piercing in his bottom right lip -- might not be the most hip fashion statement but -- "it doesn't cause me any trouble," Landry Says.

Jeremy Jarmon: I caught up with rookie defensive end Jeremy Jarmon after the morning practice, one in which he got his first taste of NFL life when OT Mike Williams put him on his backside. "An old coach of mine always told me it's not the speed of the game that matters, but the speed of your mind"

The 3rd supplemental pick joked about being handled by a veteran tackle, but said "I feel good, it's great to be playing football and great to be here."

Jarmon looked like a rookie at points -- having to go through some drills twice -- but the young guy looks like he has the build to stick around in D.C.

Jason Campbell: For the second straight day Campbell walked out to the loudest ovation (folks it wasn't even close) as the fans chanted CAMPBELL! CAMPBELL! The QB pumped his fist -- visibly happy to have the support of the fans -- at least for now.

Devin Thomas: The former Spartan didn't live up to his hype in his rookie campagin, catching only 15 balls for 12o yards -- but trust me when I say that is all about to change.

The Skins want to use Randle El in the slot (that's been "the plan" since he came to D.C. in 2006) and Thomas is the leading candidate to be the compliment to Santana Moss.

Keep your eyes peeled folks, this guy is the real deal, I'm yet to see him drop a pass in two full days.

Brian Orakpo: The 13th overall pick showed up after a one day hiatus, but it didn't take long for the hybrid defensive end and linebacker to suffer his first NFL "boo-boo" Orakpo was being stretched out with the athletic trainer about thirty minutes into practice.

Th next LaVar Arrington??

Quarterback Controversy?: Todd Collins looks old, and Colt Brennan looks young and fly with his sweet Oakley visor. Brennan's arm is stronger and might be the best overall arm in camp. Collins struggled hitting his fly routes -- missing wide open Roydell Williams and Marko Mitchell's on consecutive routes.

Don't be surprised to hear if (and in my opinion when) Brennan takes over as Campbell's backup sometime before the season starts.

Chase Daniels looks like he's grasping the system quickly -- but his size, listed as a generous six feet flat -- and being the new guy behind three veterans will all be working against him

Inclement Weather and Tomorrow: The hurricane like weather cancelled the scheduled practice of the day, but to the relief of the players -- who will be putting on the pads and going live for the first time since last January.

Regular practice will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a special teams only practice at 2 p.m. -- however only the morning session is open to the public -- gates open at 7:30

Calling on Collins: Turn in your playbook

Almost everything in Ashburn, VA today was hot. The 90 degree weather, the national media (Adam Schefter and Peter King) the stellar performance of the Redskins young receiving core (a la Devin Thomas), and the group blond cheerleader wanna-be's working as the volunteer staff.

Everything was hot, well everything beside the timid performance of of 2nd string Quarter Back Todd Collins.

The 37 year-old back up isn't getting any younger, and with a pair of Heisman nominees Colt Brennan and Chase Daniel breathing down his neck this might be the end of Collins time in Washington.

Jason Campbell looked much improved, only throwing a few ducks, and leaving his nay-sayers scrambling looking for reasons to hate on him.

Brennan looked like a future star, and while Daniels didn't look spectacular he seemed to have a pretty good read of the Redskins offesne on this first day of Traning camp.

Let's put it this way, the Redskins are obviously looking to get younger, and those plans might not include Campbell. They're going to include Brennan and possibly Daniels.

Owner Dan Snyder is never one to shy away from the big checks (a la Albert Haynesworth) giving Collins the pink slip before the regular season could save the 'Skins nearly $6 million.

Only three more weeks of blaring heat and intense competition will tell -- we will see if Collins can stay in the kitchen.

A holiday for this Halladay

Roy Halladay might just be the must snubbed pitcher in the Majors. I'd be willing to bet that Toronto's lousy offense, and inept bats have withheld nearly 30 wins from Halladay over the last five seasons.

There's no reason that this perennial all-star and sure fire Ace should not have already eclipsed the 200 win plateau (he currently stands at 141.)

Halladay will be the first to tell you it's not the bats, but that's the kind guy talking, inside he has got to be thinking, "Sweet mother of pearl! What does a man have to do to get some wins around here?"

The answer: get traded, to any other team, with the exception of the Mets and Nationals who just can't seem to manufacture runs at any point in a game.

J.P. Riccardi has opened up his ears to offers from all other 29 clubs, and with trading season officially under way here's the top 5 destinations for 'Doc' Halladay.

1) New York Yankees: At the All-Star break the Bronx Bombers lead the league in runs scored with 495. The Yanks have the money and the resources to land Halladay -- now it's up to Toronto to decide if they want to face their soon to be former ace during the regular season.

2) Tampa Bay Rays: They're second in the league in runs scored and they might just have the most bountiful farm system for Toronto to pick from. Again the problem arises, will the Jays really trade Halladay within their division?

3) Los Angeles Dodgers: Warm weather. Weak division. Best team in baseball. Need I say more? Halladay would give the Dodgers that extra 'umph!' that could have them playing into deep October.

4) Philadelphia Phillies: There's still a chance the defending champs make a run even though they've recently signed Pedro Martinez. Halladay would take the pressure off Cole Hamels as the ace, and if Halladay dominates the AL bats just imagine the damage he would cause to the weaker NL hitters.

5) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Their team ERA of 4.64 is 11th in the AL so there's no doubt that Halladay would be welcomed there, if great pitching wins games then he just may be the perfect fit for a rotation that is mightily struggling. The Angels rank in the top 10 of nearly all offensive categories, so the production to garnish some more victories is definitely there -- it doesn't hurt that LAA has won their division for of the last five years.

Honorable mentions: Mets: they could use him but their better off focusing on hitting. Chicago White Sox: don't be shocked if he goes there -- they were willling to give a lot up for Peavy -- they'll be players again. St. Louis plenty of major and minor league depth they could give up here, wouldn't a Halladay + Carpenter 1-2 punch in a 5 game series be lethal?

Questions, comments, feelings holla at me: SAYoungberg@gmail.com

5 Things I'd bet You On

Here are five things I'd be willing to wage you on right now, no questions asked:

1) Joe Girardi not only keeps his job for the remainder of the season, but the remainder of his contract (through 2010)

2) LeBron and The_Real_Shaq will not win the NBA Championship next season heck they won't even make it to the NBA Championship next year.

3) Manny Wood will sell out when Manny Ramirez returns to action, and he will keep the Dodgers in first place throughout the rest of the season.

4) Ricky Rubio won't play in the NBA next year -- and not too many people will end up caring.



5) Michael Vick won't sign with an NFL team until September at the earliest.


Thoughts, comments, bets you'd like to make? E-mail me at SAYoungberg@Gmail.com

Where's the Beer?

The perennial power house Pittsburgh Pirates were in town to take on another dominating basement dweller and there was only one thing that could make watching these two teams play tolerable -- you guessed it -- beer.

After I waited patiently for the Nationals to get out of the fifth inning (2 errors, 1 missed play line drive, and 3 walks later) I spruced up and headed over to the beer vendor.

But something terrible happened, something unimaginable the vendor had ran out of beer.

Where could the beer have gone? No they hadn't stopped selling, it wasn't the 7th inning yet.

Anheuser Busch? Nope the distributor was there that morning.

Just this guys stand? No senor, every stand around the stadium was out of their delicious $9.00, refreshing cold beer.

Flabbergasted. In all my years of baseball games I have never seen something quite of this magnitude. Yankee Stadium never ran out of hot dogs, Camden Yards always had enough Cracker Jacks and soda pop, heck, even the Bowie Baysox and Potomac Nationals were always well stocked in their concessions stands!

Dilemma. Why is it that the lousiest team, with the lousiest stats, the lousiest players, and lousiest record -- who can't even spell their own team name right -- get this one wrong as well?

"SIR, how could you run out of beer? It's only the fifth inning!"

"Son, we may only sell a couple thousand tickets a game, but when you're 14-40 the fans have to pass the time somehow."

That explains the man making out with his glove.

While the fans in Washington might be sick and tired of watching their beloved Nats lose 26 of their last 32 at least there first in something -- beer consumption per fan -- a minor victory for quite possibly the worst team in all of professional sports.

To Favre or not To Favre?

Fast forward: it's November 1st 2009. The Vikings are 5-2 and coming off a crushing victory over the reigning champion Steelers. They're playing at Lambeau field. It's 16 degrees when the loud speakers echo throughout the frozen tundra "At quarterback number four. Brett Favre."

Some fans throw snowballs, others cheers enfatically, some swear and curse at the maurder, while others are just in shock to see this soap opera unfold right in front of their very eyes.

For this is the first time Farve has played in Lambeau donning a jersey other than the Packers.

We are all sick of the hype, but there isn't a football fan or journalist amongst us who cannot deny they would be very intrigued to see Farve take on his former team. Just imagine if you're sick of the hype now what the weeks leading up to the game would be like? Oy vey.

As a Viking fan I'd love to see it. The Vikings have the pieces in place to really challenge the wide open NFC -- even if the Williams Brothers are suspended four games -- this team, like few others, is a quarterback away from domination.

Is he in it to win it? Is it revenge he seeks? But could anyone truly play this game while not having their heart (or shoulder) in i? I think Farve has his intentions in the right place, but the thoughts keep popping up why would he go through this -- again?

Fast Forward: It's November 1st. Fourth quarter. Packers winning 21-17. Eight seconds to go. Two yards out. Farve, play action fake to Peterson. Rocket pass to Berrian. VIKINGS WIN! His legend continues to mystify us...but does he Lambeau leap like he has so many times before?

We shall see by the end of the week.

The Dentist: Hell on Earth

I despise nothing in this world than going to the dentist. Standing behind someone with 100 items in the grocery store? No big deal. Watching a mother walk her child on a leash, no sweat. Traffic when the AC is down and it’s a scorcher, I’ll just replenish the fluids later.

I despise the dentist.

The drills, the smell, the lobby waiting for your name to be called so you can hurry the hell out of there – but at the same time you hope your name isn’t called because one knows on the other side of the door is door. A living hell, that’s what.

Now in 21 years of dental appointments I’ve been through it all – or so I believed – five cavities filled in one sitting, wisdom teeth gone and done for, fillings, root canals, cleanings.

Before I went to get my regular 6 month check up I was asked to fill out a “medical update survey” it was bland and pointless but one question I particularly enjoyed was; “how much do you fear going to the dentist? 1 being no fear 10 being dreadfully scared.”

I wrote the number 11 and then circled it. I hate the dentist. Then yesterday came.

Steeler Loving Lunatic

I was pretty sure that my dental hygienist was born Misery City USA, I thought that before she talked about her beloved Pittsburgh for ten minutes while setting everything up.

Secondly she has her little square decorated in Steelers apparel. Car flag, poster, license plate that says 5 Time World Champs (but the five is covered up by a sticky note with the number 6 on it…sweet.) Then there were the two photos of her from Super Bowl 43, one of the field, the other of her with her personalized Steelers jersey (again sweet) with the black and gold flowered lei around her neck. Minus one point.

My friends I watch football, I watched the Super Bowl from start to finish but for ten minutes while she was putting on her latex gloves and arranging her weapons to clean my teeth she gave me a play-by-play of how the game looked from her seats.

Apparently James Harrison ran the ball really far for a score and did you know that Santonio Holmes caught the winning touchdown? I did. Minus another two points.

Ross The Intern

I was hoping she’d be all talked out after numbing my senses with Steeler blabber – but the dental gods were clearly out to get me, she wasn’t done talking, not even close. Next up she presented her thesis on Jay Leno and his big finale from the Late Night Show.

Apparently this was a huge occurrence in her life because she TiVOd the event and bought the episode of iTunes. Her favorite Jay Leno clips featured Ross The Intern. For those of you who don’t know (which included me till yesterday) Ross the Intern is an extremely flamboyant intern who well – is gay.

Or as my no filter, no sense for common decency hygienist put it, “he’s a flaming faggot!”

Take a second to let that one sit in.

That’s what she said, “he’s a flaming faggot.” Now I’m not homosexual (there’s nothing wrong with that) or am I necessarily politically correct BUT WHAT THE HELL? What do I do here? Awkwardly laugh because when she has two latex gloves, and a metal scrapper in your mouth it is no time to start an argument. Minus ten thousand points.

Name calling, check. Summary of the Jay Leno finale, check. Impersonations of Ross – no she couldn’t she couldn’t be that horrendous of a human – check.

When one is reclined in the dentist’s chair it is equivalent to being held prisoner while ‘Bruno’ has his way. You can’t move, you can’t run, you simply take it whatever it is that comes at you. Even if it is the worst, not to mention most offensive, homosexual references imaginable.

Gum Bleeding Grand Finale

Have I mentioned yet how much I despise the dentist? What really irks me the most is the cleaning process.

You sit down and have your teeth scrapped away at, like an elderly woman scrapes the ice off her sidewalk, short strokes, loud noises, and only amusing to watch not be part of.

So when hygienist from hell sarcastically told me my gums bleed, I sarcastically replied “that happens when you jab your metal hook into my gums bitch!” Well that’s what I would’ve liked to said – and I’m pretty sure she knew it.

It was over after this. She read my mind and let the bleeding commence. In the next couple of minutes I’m not entirely sure what happened. I bled, and I bled, and I bled while my mouth was rinsed out once.

One rinse out in five minutes. You know how much blood, saliva, and testosterone gets lost when you bleed from your mouth while the hygienist scrapes away and polishes your teeth?

It was absolute hell in that chair for forty minutes. I squirmed from the pain – the pain of her stories, her impersonations, and her downright disregard for my mouth – what that hygeinst put me through was sheer and utter torture.

But next time I’m asked to fill out a form that asks ““how much do you fear going to the dentist? 1 being no fear 10 being dreadfully scared.” I’ll put 0.

Thank you Bill Simmons!

Bill Simmons is great. He's great not because he's an extremely talented writer, or he is funny, and especially not because he's a Boston fan.

Simmons is great because he's insightful, realistic (no PC here) , and maybe mainly because he is a fan like you and I (and your dad, your uncle, and your buddies.) Simmons is something else because he has what every sport fan wishes they had, a following of loyal readers and those just snooping around, and a way of divulging his thoughts and feelings to the sport world via his Twitter page, and his ESPN website.

My friend Jack has been raving about Simmons' articles for two years. And for two years I've nonchalantly agreed, not really knowing what he was babbling about."Man you have to read it, the guy is a genius." or "Yeah OK he's a Boston fan -- but he's a cool Boston fan." So I decided to give him a try within the last five or six months, and do I have to say it again? He is good.

After reading about his no B.S. article about NBA reffing, my heart fluttered and a single tear dripped from my eyes. I'll say it again. He's great.

If you haven't checked out his website, or his Twitter, check out his latest article. It will give every die hard NBA fan another reason to get angry at officiating -- but this time you'll have the facts to back up your rage.

Thank you Bill Simmons. You have what we all want, a channel to speak for us average sports fans and you use it wisely.

Even though you are a Boston fan...

Twitter...has it really come to this.

In early January I sat in my media culture class and watched a tutorial about this new and upcoming media rage Twitter

Like any sane person I laughed my ass off. How could someone snoop to such a pathetic level. Updating about yourself in 140 words or less. Come on let's get real. For example does anyone really care about the following...

Sean Youngberg is wondering why People are on Twitter
Alex Rodriguez would like to apologize for his past actions
Barack Obama doesn't know where to take Michelle for dinner this weekend

Apparently it seems somewhere in the range of 20 million people worldwide do, so I gave in. I guess in the end it was inevitable.

Adieu my friends. Sean Youngberg needs to get some rest, for he is substitute teaching tomorrow.

...less than 140 words, looks like I could get used to this.


If you're into Twitter and you want to follow me (woot woot! Exciting!) SeanYoungberg is the name.

Where I have been?

Have you all missed me? Oh shucks! I know you have! Please accept my apologies. I've been too busy trying to figure things out - so yes what I'm saying is I'm more wrapped up in me than I am sharing my thoughts with you.

When I can think of something important to write about again I will be back, I pinky promise.

Adieu,

Sean