Eric Gordon Frankenstein

JG8D69D

Josh Hamilton and Edinson Volquez - where are they now?

Last December, the Reds were desperately seeking a pitcher to join veterans Aaron Harang & Bronson Arroyo and young studs Johnny Cueto & Homer Bailey in the starting lineup. They also had a plethora of talent in the outfield; Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr covered the sides while Norris Hopper, Ryan Freel and Josh Hamilton rotated in and out of centerfield all season - all while Jay Bruce (OF) had just won Minor League Player of the Year. Then this happened.
Hamilton currently has 58 RBIs (1st), 14 HRs (2nd) and 72 hits (1st) while Edison Volquez leads the majors with a sick 1.31 ERA and 76 Ks (62 innings). It's too early to tell who got the better end of the deal, but it's clear both teams have vastly improved by addressing their biggest need(s). What do you think? Ah-ha... jk!

Indy wins Superbowl XLVI bid

Indianapolis has won the right to host the NFL Superbowl in 2012. NFL Owners met today at Buckhead, GA at the Ritz-Carlton hotel and listened to three different presentations from cities vying for the coveted event. Phoenix just hosted the 2008 game and drew negative feedback regarding location of metro area to stadium. Houston hosted 4 years ago and is nearby to Dallas which hosts in 2011. This is the second consecutive attempt from Irsay and the city as they prepare to move into Lucas Oil Stadium in a just a few months.

Rare Double-KO at LFC 25 in Indy

LFC (or "Legends" of "Fighting" Championship) #25 was held in Indy this weekend. This YouTube video shows two rookie fighters simultaneously getting knocked out within 10 seconds. If you're scoring at home, that's 0-0-1 lifetime for both.

2008 Indy 500 Starting Grid

ROW 1
1. (9) Scott Dixon, 226.366 mph.
2. (10) Dan Wheldon, 226.110
3. (6) Ryan Briscoe, 226.080
ROW 2
4. (3) Helio Castroneves, 225.733
5. (7) Danica Patrick, 225.197
6. (11) Tony Kanaan, 224.794
ROW 3
7. (26) Marco Andretti, 224.417
8. (4) Vitor Meira, 224.346
9. (27) Hideki Mutoh, 223.887
ROW 4
10. (20) Ed Carpenter, 223.835
11. (12) Tomas Scheckter, 223.496
12. (99) Townsend Bell, 222.539
ROW 5
13. (06) Graham Rahal, 222.531
14. (14) Darren Manning, 222.430
15. (18) Bruno Junqueira, 222.330
ROW 6
16. (02) Justin Wilson, 222.267
17. (15) Buddy Rice, 222.101
18. (22) Davey Hamilton, 222.017
ROW 7
19. (16) Alex Lloyd, 221.788
20. (17) Ryan Hunter-Reay, 221.579
21. (24) John Andretti, 221.550
ROW 8
22. (67) Sarah Fisher, 221.246
23. (8) Will Power, 221.136
24. (41) Jeff Simmons, 221.103
ROW 9
25. (5) Oriol Servia, 220.767
26. (33) E.J. Viso, 220.356
27. (23) Milka Duno, 220.305
ROW 10
28. (19) Mario Moraes, 219.716
29. (36) Enrique Bernoldi, 219.422
30. (34) Jaime Camara, 219.345
ROW 11
31. (2) A.J. Foyt IV, 219.184
32. (91) Buddy Lazier, 219.015
33. (25) Marty Roth, 218.965

Indiana Primary

I can't say I'm surprised Obama took the urban vote, but look how bad Billary did in Indy and Bloomington. lol! Also, Ron Paul's supporters are strongest in East Chicago & Ft. Wayne while weakest in Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers and Indy. Rich ppl don't want civil liberties?

Marvellous Marvin and Crean's Cream

It may be too soon to comment on this, but Tuesday's shooting in Philly has been linked to Marvin Harrison directly. What we do know is that the Colts' Pro-Bowler owns a club (Playmakers) where the altercation happened and the gun used that injured a man's hand. Ballistics link #88's gun (found at his carwash) to the six bullets found at the scene of the crime, where a boy was also injured from shattered glass during the incident. What's not surprising is that none of the eyewitnesses are giving statements, other than the victim saying Marvin is NOT the shooter.

First IU dismissed Armon Bassett and JaMarcus Ellis for being insubordinate, then Eli Holman throws a tantrum in the coaches office and requests a transfer, now DeAndre Thomas is being released for unknown reasons; that accompanied with the graduation of Seniors DJ White and Lance Stemler and the departure of lottery-bound Eric Gordon, Jr leaves new Head Coach Tom Crean very few options at practice (2-on-2? knockout? 21/tips??). Jordan Crawford and Kyle Taber started a few games last year, so there will at least be some continuity from the Sampson Era (or Error), but I wonder if any Elite program has ever hit the bottom so quickly? That doesn't even consider any NCAA sanctions that may be announced this summer, or the additional scholarships IU may lose due to poor grades. The Hoosiers might go from twenty-five wins to twenty-five losses in '08-09.

YouTubez gems

Old Gregg


Unforgivable

IU's Blue Ribbon Committee led by Harry Gonzo

Before the Hoosiers even played their tournament game, McRobbie announced his 10-member board of alumni, faculty and AD staff members to lead the search. Surely this was a sign that Dan Dakich is not going to remain IU Men's Basketball Head Coach, although he should remain on staff along with Ray McCallum Sr. Here's a list of the coaches in this years Sweet 16, accompanied with comments from Rivals poster Greentree Street (representin Fishers!):

Ben Howland - UCLA - going nowhere, Calif guy, contract thru 2013
Sean Miller - Xavier - contract through 2015/16
Bo Ryan - Wisconsin -Big Ten, no way
Bill Self - Kansas - no way he leaves KU for anywhere but Ok State - his alma mater
Rick Barnes - Texas- makes over $2 million said no two years ago
Bruce Pearl - Tennessee -Academics? Honesty? $$ bidding war?
Tom Izzo - MSU -Big Ten, no way
Roy Williams - UNC is home
Tony Bennett - WSU - just short of 2 yrs and solid in the NW. $$??
Rick Pitino - Louisville -too slick, has a better job now
Jay Wright - Villanova - 46, wife VU cheer $$ through 2013, PA native and Massimino guy
John Calapari - Memphis - slick, honest? Said 'no' 2 years ago
Trent Johnson - Stanford - love to have him but Stanford is his destination job
Bob Huggins - West Virginia - Grad there, he cheats, near 0% grad rate
Bob McKillup - Davidson - Sou. Con. and Davidson dean, nearly 60 - going nowhere

From just this list, its looks like Tony Bennett is our only chance... unless you believe the rumors that Billy Donovan has contacted IU re: the open vacancy. Rumors will be just that until Gonzo and McRobbie make the announcement at the press conference, but as a fan with great interest it's fun to speculate.

64-team bracket BLANK

Go ahead and knock yourself out with this blank bracket, but I (and Joe Lunardi) find it more enjoyable setting the field before Sunday...

Mike Davis' '04 Recruits: Where are they now?

Josh Smith - tearing up the NBA (and winning a slam dunk contest) averaging 18 points, 8 boards, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals per game. His combined blocks+assists (4.9) leads the league and does wonders for my fantasy team


Robert Vaden - one of the most dangerous scorers in college basketball is in his 2nd season with the Blazers, following former-IU Head Coach Mike Davis from Bloomington to Birmingham.

James Hardy - IU football's stud is entering next month's draft projected as a late-first-rounder. The 3-time All-BigTen Biletnikoff finalist is also the Hoosiers' all-time receiving leader in touchdowns (36), yards (2,690) and receptions (186)

AJ Ratliff - IU student finishing his final semester in Bloomington; one month removed from the Hoosiers squad and 4 yrs removed from Indiana's Mr. Basketball


DJ White - the lone remaining recruit from the c/o '04 is this year's BigTen Player of the Year

Happy Leap Day!

The Indianapolis Colts enter the free agency signing period this morning with no intent on snatching-up any marquee players. In fact, since 2003 only 1 NFL free agent has been offered a contract by the Colts (Adam Vinatieri). The Colts draft so well they don't have to scramble for talent, and thus eliminating any risk of grabbing a player in haste.

Also, Colts owner Jim Irsay has expanded the horseshoe logo to the LPGA by sponsoring golfer Becky Lucidi (pictured). 

Are the Indiana Hoosiers looking for a new head coach? That all depends on how well Dan Dakich's team performs in the NCAA tournament. He's probably more than capable of coaching this squad, but I fear IU is looking for a big-name hire to lure the top recruits. If we've learned one thing from Purdon't this year is that you can put together a no-name-team of underclassmen and still contend for the conference title - as long as you emphasize the fundamentals like defense and ball control. Of course, these players aren't really 'no-namers', they're actually Indiana HS All-Stars, but the point is IU doesn't have to shoot for the moon to win. Prominent names that have been thrown around include Thad Matta, Rick Pitino and Rick Barnes. Lesser-known candidates on the radar include ex-Boiler Kevin Stallings, Washington State's Tony Bennett, Wright State's Brad Brownell, Baylor's Scott Drew and Xavier's Sean Miller.

The Indiana Pacers are dealing with more off-court troubles now that Shawne Williams' pal has been arrested for a Memphis murder. This news comes after a report that a woman was raped at Marquis Daniels' home last month, David Harrison failing a 3rd drug test, Jamaal Tinsley the target of a drive-by, Williams arrested for having no license/expired plates/possession of gun & weed, JT and 'Quisy beating up a club owner, Stephen Jackson firing a pistol and kicking a retard... and all this after the infamous brawl in Detroit. We make the Bengals look like choir boys.