MARLBORO, NY – There’s only one more NFL game to bet on and for me to predict on your favorite sports website… but that comes next week. For today, you get to delve into what’s on my whiskey-addled brain relating to sports.
What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks happened to the Minnesota Vikings last week? They did it to me. The Vikes picked me up and sucked me into that Purple hurricane of hope; the one they’ve reproduced numerous times to their unlucky fans – for half a century. I truly believed this was their year. For the life of me, I can’t explain what happened to their much-heralded defense. In the first thirty minutes of play it became apparent the defense forgot how to tackle, cover and defend – all in one fell swoop. Alshon Jefferey and, Torrey Smith of all people, gathered in bombs from none other than Nick Foles on the Eagles way to a NFC Championship game blow out. I’m still pissed about it and all we’re left with for Big Game #52 is a Philthy subhuman fan base and a New England team run by an automaton.
When are the shenanigans of a star player on your favorite team enough already? For the seventh time in his career, Boston Bruins left wing Brad (Nose Face Killah) Marchand appeared for interview in the NHL’s Office of Player Safety and left with a five-game suspension and fine for elbowing New Jersey Devils forward Marcus Johansson in the head on Tuesday. The five-game ban is the fifth on Marchand’s record that includes such crimes as spearing, slew-footing, and low-bridging. What drives me nuts is that the Bruins are the hottest team in the league and number 63’s play, along with linemates David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron, are the main reason why. About the only thing that can break the team’s momentum is the absence of their top offensive and special teams player. It’s a sure bet Marchand misses a few games due to dirty play but it’s growing old with me but as a fan I know the team is better with him, and can’t entertain the thought of ever trading him. It’s just frustrating is all I’m saying and New York Giants fans know exactly what I’m talking about since they frequently put up with the mercurial Odell Beckham’s crap.
Why am I not excited about the Olympics? Over the years I’ve grown to look more forward to Soccer’s World Cup than the Olympics, mainly because I’m more of a team sport guy. Sure, I’ll watch the hockey because I’m a puck addict but the idea of watching a bunch of individuals participating in events rarely ever seen during non-Olympic years doesn’t appeal to me. I will however watch those loons ski jumping as they fly in the air with their asses on fire. And then there’s the obligatory political views of medal-winning American athletes that I can do without.
What is New York Mets brass smoking? In case you missed it or wish you did the Mets signed another corner infielder with a balky back. Thirty-five year-old first baseman Adrian Gonzalez signed a one-year veteran-minimum contract to back up or platoon with that Smith guy. The Mets found a bargain (read cheap) bookend for the aging and seemingly always unavailable David Wright and are garnering interest from the Laser Spine Institute for stadium naming rights. And another cheap signing of an aging player exhibiting the law of diminishing returns happened when the team re-signed 35 year-old Jose Reyes. Should be another banner year for the Metsies.
That’s it. Feel free to comment below and come back tomorrow for DJ Eberle. – who thinks Wright will win the MVP…. You can find us on Twitter – @CheesyBruin & @MeetTheMatts, @Matt_McCarthy00 and Instagram @MeetTheMatts, as well. And don’t forget to like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
