Saints?? Bring on the Panters....of PARMA

New Orleans Saints?!?!?!....Don’t Need ‘Em…..We have the Parma Panthers!

12/30/08

Buongiorno.
I have disconnected myself from New Orleans Saints winning seasons long ago.
Yes, I would love for them to win.
Yes, I was excited the first season of the Brees/Bush era. They had a good year.
It they would ever win a Super Bowl, Yes, I would be happy.
When they play foolish and dim-witted, it aggravates me (BECAUSE THEY MAKE LOTS OF MONEY!).
Do I get mad when they lose, not for a long time?
(LSU – that is a different story)

I have read every book written by a few authors (or have them in line to read). Ted Dekker, Joel C. Rosenberg and John Grisham are a few of these authors.
I was fortunate to finish Grisham’s Playing For Pizza recently.
Like another one of books based in Italy (The Broker), I have a strong desire to go to Italy after reading the book.
I won’t go into great detail of the book. It a great read if you get a chance to grab it. In the book, the sport of Americano Football was prevalent.
I always knew they played American Football in Italy and also realized that it paled in popularity to Soccer.
Grisham’s book did what I wish for and crave when I read or watch a movie. It caused me to research, think, and hope and to want to explore.
I researched (the research has only begun) the Parma Panthers http://www.panthers.it/ football club and the Italian Football clubs.
I thought (while reading) about how the portions of Italy discussed in the book would be in real life.
I have a hope of a future visit to Italy (especially Parma – They make Parmesan cheese there) and to watch an American Football game.
It is causing me to explore (not only the Internet but also my own thoughts of Italy).

So back to Football.
The real Parma Panthers http://www.panthers.it/ have 2 new fans.
The 2008 Italian Football League http://www.ifleague.it/ season (runs from about March to May) was a success for the Panthers. The club went 8 wins and 2 losses and made it to the Semi Finals but lost to the mighty Bergamo Lions. The only paid players in the league or the Americans (And each team is allowed to only have 2 or 3). So these guys really do play for the love of the game.
If you are interested in broadening your sports horizons, check out some of the links provided. Until the 2009 season, this starts in about 3 months,
CHAO!

Marbury man

Stephon Marbury – a real class act!

November 26, 2008

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, 11/21/08, the out manned and out numbered New York Knicks lost to the Bucks. The Knicks, due to trades earlier in the day, arrived for the game with the NBA minimum of 8 players.
Stephon Marbury should be cut and sent packing. Why? He refused to play. His reasoning for it doesn’t float with me. He said “ The only thing I’m at liberty to say is that I was told that they were moving forward, and I’m not the person who chooses who plays or doesn’t.” Even though the Knicks told Marbury of the direction they wanted to go in at the beginning of the season, he could have been a better man and played in the game against the Bucks. Show all of those young kids who idolize you what it is to be a real man Stephon.
He was inactive for Saturday’s win against Washington. And I am sure he was inactive for last nights Cavs game.
Another over paid prima donna.

it is over

it is over

Dodgers are KILLING ME!!!!!

Dodgers just lost to the Phillies. 2 in a row in the NLCS.................i will cry myself to sleep tonight. Goodnight.

Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong – Hooray!
Greg Lemond – Give it a Rest!

9/27/08

This will be short and sweet.
Lance Armstrong retired from Professional Cycling in 2005 after winning a record seven Tour de France races in a row.
We all know about Armstrong’s heroics, whether it be closely followed or loosely read. We all know in the same regard his battle with Testicular cancer.
It is hard enough to win one Tour de France much less 7 in a row. Believe me; I tried (not really – except for maybe in my dreams).
Armstrong announced on September 9 this year that he would be making a return to the international cycling scene. He made that announcement official this past Wednesday. He is 37 years old.
Armstrong, who has also been constantly accused of doping, has always denied this and has always tested clean. Come on folks – give it a rest.
But to boost his credibility – in my eyes he does not have to – he says all of his doping tests will be open to the public. He will be working with Don Catlin, founder of the Anti-Doping Institute in Los Angeles. Catlin said: “Everything will be made public and everyone will be able to see the evolution of the results and see if there have been changes. What will happen? His samples will also be frozen for analysis in several years time if need be.”
Armstrong signed with the Astana team (which is run by Johan Bruyneel – his old sporting director). Young up and comer (and 2007 Tour de France winner) Alberto Contador may quit the team because of Armstrong’s presence. I can see his point but think it would be a mistake. Imaging what he can learn from Armstrong. Contador, I feel will join the elite group of multiple Tour winners. He is that good.
Also, Armstrong will take no salary, and no bonuses. He said: “Everything is being done as a type of donation.”
Another Hooray!
Greg Lemond, who I still respect and admire for his Tour de France victories and what he has done for American Cycling, give it a rest.
Lemond has criticized Lance Armstrong in the past. He said this week, “His return is not good news. It’s like a nightmare, that we have lived through all these years, returning.”
According to Yahoo! Sports, during Lance Armstrong’s Q and A session, Lemond “was almost stealing the show as he attempted to ask questions. However Lemond was continually cut off and talked over by Armstrong when he tried to speak.”
Maybe this was wrong for Armstrong to do. Maybe if Greg Lemond would not be a constant “thorn in Armstrong’s side” he wouldn’t have gotten cut off.
I am trying to figure out what Greg Lemond has against Lance Armstrong. So what if he wants to come out of retirement. Let him try.
I promise to research this further and look into Greg’s thoughts on Lance Armstrong.
In the meantime “LIVESTRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

the Sports Weekend

Sports Weekend-The Remarkable, The “Come ON!!!!” and the “Oh Well”
9/22/08

Coming into this weekend I had a few things on my mind (sports related).
LSU-Auburn
The Dodgers
Loser Pool
Fantasy Football
And I guess the saints….
If you know me, you know I bleed Purple, Gold and BLUE.
Let’s take a look (in no order of importance).
Loser Pool – (NFL) after this week I am 60% alive. Enough said.
The Dodgers- “COME ON DUDES!!!!!!!!!”
Heading into the weekend we were looking good, winning 10 of 13 and staying 3 to 4 games ahead of Arizona. The lowly Giants came to town. Bam – they beat us 2 out of 3 and we are only 2.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks with 7 to play (Arizona has 8 yet to play). The Dodgers magic number is 5. Come on guys. Frankly, I don’t need the stress. Just win and let’s go to the post season.
Fantasy Football. So-So. I am 39 points ahead of my opponent, but he has a QB and a RB playing in tonight’s Monday Night Football.
The saints. They could be 3 and 0 and a POWER. But they are 1 and 2. But it is early and yes, I want them to win and hope for them to win, but I “aint” crying if they don’t (I save that for the Dodgers and LSU).

LSU!!!! GEAUX TIGERS!!!!! What can you say? In a game like this, you win and it is great. Regardless of how parts of the game is played.
I watched Jarred Lee at the Spring Game and I knew with a little “wet feet” he could soar. Take nothing away from Andrew Hatch. I think either one of these QBs will could lead LSU to a very very productive season.
If Jarrett Lee stays around, LSU will win another National Championship before he leaves the school.
I wouldn’t care if LSU beats Auburn 2 to zip……but a come from behind win on the road………………AWESOME!