NFL Free Agency
Last time I posted about the Bills I foolishly believed they could upset the Patriots. Like with most of my NFL picks I was wrong, very wrong.
Still there have been few more moments as sweet in my sports watching career than watching the over-hyped, cheating, suspiciously lucky, villainous Patriots lose the Super Bowl thus allowing the everything to be right in the Universe again. It took it a little while for the Karma Police to arrive, but boy that entire game was SWEET. And let me say this, I don't even like the New York Giants, they robbed the Bills of a Super Bowl title and they falsely pose as a New York team (they play in Jersey). But I rooted for them like they were the Bills, and in an occurrence as rare as a leap year, a team I was rooting for actually won!
Now, with free agency period starting, it's finally time to stop laughing at Patriot fans and concentrate on how the Bills can return to the playoffs (actually, I think I'll keep laughing at the Patriot fans, the arrogance radiating from Boston has single handily set mankind back several centuries and I have no problem with laughing at their well-deserved misfortunes).
And speaking of beating up on the Pats, one of the men that ruined Tom Brady's dream season, linebacker Kawika Mitchell signed on with Buffalo. I was desperately hoping that the Bills would somehow sign Lance Briggs (all of Western New York probably felt the same way), but I like this signing. Mitchell is certainly an upgrade and he can be a playmaker (he proved it with a monster game in Orchard Park in Week 16).
There has also been plenty of rumors going around that the Bills my be able to trade for DT Marcus Stroud. I don't know much about Stroud's health, but if he isn't damaged in any way than I would absolutely love this move. He's the kind of dominating D-lineman that the Bills sorely need, and with the today's release of the disappointing Larry Triplett the Bills need at Defensive Tackle is as big as Roger Clemens' ego.
NHL
I've always thought that despite their struggles the Sabres would still make the playoffs. Even as the 8th seed, they could still be considered a dark horse for the Cup (hell, Lindy Ruff has already taken an 8th seed to the Finals with the '99 squad). But the Blue and Gold are seriously pushing their luck with the stunning inconsistency they have shown this year.
I was against the Brian Campbell trade at first, mainly because it seems like giving up on this season. Even thought the Sabres are long shots this year, rather than favorites, I believe (like I said) that anything can happen in the playoffs. Plus, sometimes it's better to be the underdog then that favorite (when was the last time the president's cup winner has gone on to claim the Cup?). I do agree that the deal that sent Campbell to the Sharks for young winger Steve Brenier and a first round pick will be the right move in the long run. Reiger and crew have made of knack of ripping off teams at the deadline and have shown a keen eye for talented players. Brenier certainly looked great in his debut against Nashville (2 goals and an assist on the Vanek-Roy line). But, still it sure is frustrating to keep losing key players, and basically have the heart ripped out the heart of one of my favorite teams to root for, ever. Those Sabres from 2005-07 should have won at least one Cup, injuries and bad luck in general derailed them and this team can still amaze at times but they are no longer "good, scary good!"
MLB
I wish Hank Steinbrenner would keep his mouth shut. His calling the Red Sox Nation an ESPN created myth came off as a desperate attempt at attention and doesn't fit the level of class that the Yankees always try to instill within their organization. And saying there is more Yankees fan in the country then Sox fan is just pointless. Both teams have real fans, obnoxious band-wagon fans (although it does seem like Boston has more of this particularly vile creature), and both teams are are also loathed by nearly as many as root for them. It's comments like Steinbrenner's that cause people to hate the Pinstripes (and I really can't say I blame them for it).
In other baseball news, I have to comment on the Santana to the Mets deal. Obviously I wanted the Yankees to land him, but he's probably in a better situation with the Mets were he can feast on much weaker NL line-ups. I think the Yankees offer was better than the Mets but the Twins didn't bite and you can't really blame them for wanting to unload their best player to the National League rather than bolstering the already potent rosters of either the Yanks or Sox.
NBA
Recently, I have been intrigued by pro basketball as much I have been since the days when I was an avid watcher (those would be the Michael Jordan days). I may even write a future NBA column that equals my only other NBA column in greatness (last year's dunk contest column. And it figures that this year's contest was a lot better then the one I chose to write about).
And finally, in honor of the return of Riding the Pine, I give you today's pointless, completely random photo of a hot girl:
