Motor City Sonics

Everyone talks about that great game Ohtani had, but Vlad Guerrero is hitting .447 with an OBP of .596 and 6 HR in the postseason. Wow. Guess he was worth that contract, eh?

what the hell happened?

I was thinking more on how his team just gave up on him. The Rams give up on Goff. Game Managers. That's how you win. You build up everything else and then get someone who can operate the machine instead of someone who wants to BE the machine. Jonathan Taylor makes Daniel Jones look great, doesn't he?

Wow. The retired number needs to come down. Not saying un-retire the number for now, but it's gotta come down Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested by the FBI on Thursday in connection with an illegal poker game tied to the Mafia. That news may have come as a shock to many, as Billups' name wasn't mentioned in previous reports, but it didn't surprise professional gambler Matthew Berkey, who called out Billups' rigged poker game on a podcast in 2023. Berkey's comments — which have now resurfaced following Billups' arrest — came during a May 2023 episode of the "Only Friends" podcast. After Berkey describes the game — which he said may have started in 2019 in Los Angeles — he noted that this particular game was "all built around Chauncey Billups." Berkey said the person who told him about the game claimed it was "100 percent on the up and up," but Berkey — who knew some of the people involved in the game — was skeptical of that claim. He ultimately decided to not take part in the game, likely saving himself a lot of money based on Thursday's indictments. Berkey, however, did speak to some friends who played in the game multiple times. After hearing their stories, Berkey said the game was "for sure confirmed to be cheated." As Berkey explained, people who did not understand how to play Texas hold 'em would go in with suboptimal hands and then get the exact cards they needed. "Only the pros were losing," Berkey said before adding, "They got absolutely filleted."

This is Vinny Vinny, what happened Well, uhhh, we had a problem and we tried to do everything we could Whaddaya mean Well, you know, we had a problem and there wasn't nothing we could do about it Whaddya mean You know what I mean, he's gone and we couldn't do nothing about it That's it Whadda ya mean, whadda ya mean? He's gone..........uh, he's gone...............and that's it

Have you watched many games at sports bars the last few years? some folks freak out (because they bet foolish amounts of money). I took advantage of hockey 5.5 over/unders a couple seasons ago and did quite well until they caught on and started raising things to 6.5. But I only bet $10 at a time. I went a little crazy once and bet a whole $50 on an NFL 5-game playoff parlay - and it hit (every 10 minutes they were giving me buyout options too). Cleaned up. But I haven't done that the last couple of years - it was just taking away from the enjoyment.

The second thing is what I was thinking, that maybe he was working something off. These athletes are so competitive that when they can't play their sports anymore a lot of them turn to gambling. And most of them lose millions. We all suspect it had something to do with MJ's ridiculous baseball career. He had to go away for awhile. Some people think his father's death was no accident. This is nothing new, it's just much more widespread now. What was the Denny McLain rumor - that A- he owed the mob but they were smart enough not to break his arm, so they broke his toe as a warning (remember he did miss time in 1970 for a foot injury) and they he actually recorded that organ album as a way to make money to pay off the mob. Knowing what we do about Denny, I 100% believe that.

Wow. A player I really respected is either a total greedy scumbag or he's so in debt to the mob that he did this to his FRIENDS! Knew this type of thing was going to happen and this is the tip of the iceberg. Any player can bet on their Under total and "oops, pulled a hammy, I gotta sit out tonight, coach". The thing is that people always get caught because they get so greedy and do unrealistic things. Like people that count cards playing Black Jack. You know, if you win 12 hands in a row, they're gonna figure you out. Like Doc Holliday in the Tombstone movie. "Oops, maybe poker's not your game. I know, let's have a spelling contest". Ain't so far fetched to believe that an overturned touchdown being called in from New York, breaking the league's own rules, may mean something extremely fishy is going on. And it wasn't just one guy's $450,000 bet, by the way. It was a lot more than that. I will say that I don't believe things are "scripted", but they are engineered to get the most drama and money out of it. It's all just turning into Wrestling now.

The Longest Plya That's the bargain you make when you put someone that young and that green on the roster. They're going to have to get through it and it might be painful at times. The longest active playoff droughts in the Big 4 sports 1(T) - New York Jets - I feel bad for Aaron Glenn, but he's part of the reason this year 1(T) - Buffalo Sabres - who beat the Wings last night 2 - Los Angeles Angels - Don't worry, that stellar comeback season for Rendon will get them there in '26 3- Pittsburgh Pirates - Sad that they have the most beautiful stadium in baseball and the young pitching phenom that they know they're going to lose. I really want them to turn it around, but their ownership just doesn't get it. They don't get it to the point that they took Clemente's number down for a alcoholic soda. That is a stunning amount of ignorance there. 4 - Charlotte Hornets - they've had a miserable existence 4 - DETROIT RED WINGS - For ****'s sake, this is "Hockeytown". Half the ****ing teams make the playoffs. This is beyond bad and even though this team has shown real life early this year, games like last night make you wonder. Remember - two years ago they missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker - they lost two games to the awful Arizona Coyotes. If they had just taken one of those games to OT they are in the playoffs. That's what last night was, that was a replay of those Arizona games. Plus - if Larkin gets hurt, they're screwed.

It figures. Go on a great run. Beat the defending champs and Toronto twice. Then lose to the worst team in the league. Didn't you just know this would happen?

Daniel Jones is the AFC's Jared Goff. Started with great hope, looked pretty good - and then fell out of favor by his original team and was broomed out of town. But here's the thing. Jones, like Goff, is not the guy who carries a team. Not like a Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson. He's a guy, that with pieces around him, can work wonders. Both guys were kind of forgotten but are showing us that Game Manager is the most important aspect of a QB for most teams. Give them the pieces, and they know how to use them.

Here's the thing. Last year they caught a lot of other teams off guard and I think a lot of opposing teams thought they were a fluke, so they weren't mentally focused against the Pistons. They still really haven't proven they weren't a fluke yet. Teams will be ready for you now. Here comes the hard part. You have expectations for the first time in a decade. The goal of this team should be the Eastern Conference Finals. That's a big jump, but that should be the goal. If Beasley played like he did in the regular season in that Knicks series, they'd have won that series. Someone needs to fill his void this year, plus Cade, Ausar and Duren need to stay healthy. Ivey coming in later will be like adding a trade piece. I see them having about the same record as last year, but they aren't catching anyone by surprise this year and they could possibly acquire another star before the season is over. Boy it would be nice if the Wings could make the playoffs and we could have all four teams in the playoffs in the same calendar year. When was the last time that happened. Ever?

Yes, Woody Johnson - his team picked up a player because of their Madden rating. I wonder why they continue to suck. I think if the Jets had Kirk Cousins they might be 3-4 instead of 0-7. That's how bad Fields is. Fields is a backup QB - at best. He could be a great 1 or 2 week fill in, but that's all he'll ever be.

I see that Brandon Graham is coming out of retirement to play for the Eagles. I kind of wonder if Frank Ragnow might do that - late in the season. Not have to deal with a full season but contribute for the playoffs. They seem to be fine without him, but I would imagine it would not take him long to fit in.

This was a Gibbs game. The next one will be a Monty game. And don't you worry about Jaymo. Just when you forget about him he's going to explode for a big game. Just keep everyone healthy. Do you think - if Kelvin Sheppard were to get offered a Head Coaching job that they'd make him cut his dreads? He thought Campbell was going to tell him that when he offered him DC and Campbell said "no way, man", but too many teams are too conservative to allow it. It could actually be a deal-breaker. I could see Jerry Jones saying "no dreads" and Kelvin saying "then no thanks". It's part of his personality. Just keep everyone healthy. Just keep everyone healthy. This is the best bye week ever.

To hold a 5-1 team to single digits with no starters in your secondary..............the Jets might want to trade Aaron Glenn and a first and second round draft pick for Kelvin Sheppard. I'm not taking that deal Impressive as hell tonight.

Wow, that secondary is DEEE pleted.

Coaching Hot Seat 1. Mike McDaniel. I think he gets whacked today.(it's 8am as of now). 2. Brian Daboll. Looked like maybe he was coming out of it, but after that collapse yesterday? This could be a today whacking too. 3. Aaron Glenn. Two games in a row where, as a winless team, you just like the first half clock run out? Bad look. Try something. Try anything. May have held on to Fields too long and now it's too late, although Tyrod Taylor isn't a great option either. Jets should have called Atlanta about Kirk Cousins two weeks ago. Too late now. 4. Kevin Steafnski. Good win yesterday, but it's just not happening. He's a good coach in a bad situation 5. Pete Carroll. We know how quickly the Raiders move on from coaches, and even a legend like Pete isn't safe. Should have retired when he had the chance.

Yeah, I think Campbell believed in Jared Goff, but how could Glenn believe in Justin Fields. Fields would make a good backup to finish a game or even start one while QB1 is temporarily down, but after a game and a half? Nope. You see these guys everywhere. Jacoby Brissett looked good at times yesterday, but make him the guy for a long stretch and.......nope.

I think Paul was alright, but Gene was pissed off. But Gene was always pissed off. That's why Ace left the band. Gene got too serious. Peter Criss was getting bruises from Ace laugh-slapping him on the arm. That was funny too.

I like Aaron Glenn, but he's a one-and-done

Is Tua a bust? I mean, I have felt like Miami has needed to start looking for a QB two years ago - only because Tua's one hit away from his career being over, but now it may be just time to move on. Miami have any decent CB's they would like to trade?

Miami's gonna have a new coach tomorrow. I mean, you lose to the Browns 31-6. Tua, who blasted his teammates for showing up late or no-showing for a players meeting - and then took it back, has 3 picks today. Well, they still get to live in Miami, but wow, things are bad.

65 Toss Power Trap

TD BLUE. Finally