Straight from the Sports Desk

Yea, it's humble and PC to keep from gloating. No one is right all the time, right? Well, too bad. I'm right and the case I pitched over a year ago that Kobe Bryant is the best player ever is about to get a lot more easy to swallow.

Jordan took over when the Pistons, Lakers and Celtics were all on the decline. No team they faced was a real threat. The Bricks? Houston? Obviously Jordan is in a class by himself, fantastic and unstoppable. But you can't downgrade what Kobe's doing.
The Lakas don't even have a true center and they took down the defending champs in 5 games! Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are all in their primes. Kobe's finger doesn't work and they have only one bona fide All Star on the squad — Pau Gasol — and he hasn't proven anything on a big stage, because he hasn't gotten there. Yet.
Kobe's game game would translate to any era. He's physical enough to have done it in the 80s and 90s. No doubt he could have done it before just for the sheer fact that he is so athletic he could hang anytime. And obviously he's doing it now. Remember his 81-point jaw-dropper last year?
Kobe's going to run through the Celtics or Pistons (probably the Celts), get his fifth ring and prepare for four or five more. Seriously.
The MVPs are going to start flooding in, along with the defensive awards. Watch. L.A. is going to be a top 5 defensive team next year, barring injury, en route to a 60-plus win season and will go down as one of the best ever.
Kobe will get one step closer to erasing the first two words of that title.
Eventually, he'll simply be known as The Best Ever.

Posted by Sean Quincey at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

After searching for another veteran quarterback to add to the stable, the Oakland Raiders finally found one on Thursday. And it's a familiar face, at that.

Welcome back Marques Tuiasosopo ... I think.

An eight-year vet, the former Washington gunslinger returns to his second tour of duty to the Raiders after signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets last season.

It's an interesting signing by the Raiders.

One could sum he's just another camp body, however, Tui has the the athletic ability and tools to run the Lane Kiffin/Greg Knapp offense. The last time fans and the NFL saw him in Silver and Black, Tuiasosopo was miscast in then-coach Norv Turner's power-running, vertical threat, offense.

Now, Tui returns to an offense that will rely on the bootleg, play-action passing and timing routes. The same system he was under both in Washington -- where he was a very productive quarterback -- and even in the Jon Gruden days.

Don't forget, Tuiasosopo was the heir apparent to the Rich Gannon-led Gruden offense in Oakland. Using mobility to compensate for an above-average arm, Tuiasosopo fit the Gannon mold. Plain and simple, he has the legs, but don't depend on him hitting a receiver 40-yards down the field.

But, whether it was due to a lack of playing time given to him by the coaching staff, or Tui's own gross negligence, each time he was thrust into the starting role, he flopped. Whether it was by injury or a lack of preparation, Tuiasosopo quickly found himself riding the pine once more.

But in reality, if he sticks on the roster, he'll be nothing more than a backup, that is unless JaMarcus Russell gets hurt and Tui is once again pushed into the forefront.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Got a comment from one of my blog entries today.

In fact, it seems he's the only one that seems to read this thing.

Anyhow, this is what he had to say:

"Ray. I know you love the Raiders. But I do pity you. I don't believe the Raiders will reach .500 or above while Al Davis is in control of the team." -- Andrew Bird

After covering the HSU softball teams magnificent run over the last two weeks, I finally got back onto the blog scene and the comment brought up several thoughts.

First, I get that same sentiment a lot from friends, family, co-workers and the average Joe or Jane somewhere around town.

So I'm quite used to the torment that comes with being a Raider fan.

The second thought, was quite frankly, anger. Being a fan, I was ticked off a bit with the comment. The first thought in my head was: "Wait, pity me? The Chargers have gotten in the playoffs only to humorously collapse and fall on their face." Then the whole, "At least they got there." thought came into mind so that quickly vanished.

The third thought was agreement with Mr. Bird. I too believe that with Al Davis running the team, it will continue to be in shambles. Darren McFadden and JaMarcus Russell give the Raider Nation some hope, but until Davis gets rid of his old-school ways, nothing will change in the Black Hole.

I'm not one of the die-hard fans who only thinks about the positives, and that's where I think Mr. Bird has me wrong. I'm realistic. I don't see a winning season until two, three, or four years from now when Russell, McFadden and whom ever have grown into a stable unit.

It's kind of strange actually. The first NFL team that I followed regularly was the Buffalo Bills. I remember sitting and watching Super Bowl after Super Bowl with my mom as the Bills would get thoroughly and surgically dismantled by the Dallas Cowboys.

So, from day one, I rooted for the underdogs, well, truthfully, the losers.

Guess who my favorite NBA team is?

Nope, not the Golden State Warriors, whose arena is a mere walking distance from McAfee Coliseum, the Raiders home.

It's the Los Angeles Clippers. One of the worst of the worst.

Baseball team? That would be the Seattle Mariners.

I guess I just love the losers.

Anyhow, if everything works out according to plan, I just might get a shot to see how the 2008 Raiders will look up close and personal. I'm currently trying to get press passes for the season opener in September with the Denver Broncos.

With it being a Monday Night game (nationally televised) I probably wont' be alone in becoming a witness to a new age -- a Raiders team that can actually win -- or the same old sad Raiders' story.

At least it will be interesting.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 01:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Looks like Raider fans will have to look for someone else to blame in the secondary.

Oakland released safety Stuart Schweigert on Tuesday in a move that was not very surprising.

It became clear Schweigert's spot as the starting free safety was all but gone when Raiders' owner Al Davis opened up his wallet and shelled out the big bucks for ex-Giant Gibril Wilson.

The move allows Wilson to man the strong safety spot while last year's SS Micheal Huff moves over the free safety position.

Schweigert has taken his fair share of shots from the Raider Nation for his tackling -- or lack thereof.

A third round pick, Schweigert actually shattered Rod Woodson's interception record while at Purdue and all signs pointed to a successful career in Oakland.

While his tackling was indeed suspect at times, he did make his fair share of open field tackles and the fact that opposition had no trouble getting through Oakland's front seven made Schweigert's job that much more difficult.

It was perhaps his shoe-string tackle attempts that irritated Raider fans to no bounds.

Either way, he was given his walking papers and will probably be picked up by another squad.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 06:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

When the Humboldt State softball team packed their bags and headed for Houston, I warned pitcher Lizzy Prescott to beware of the Texas heat.

But a funny thing happened. The Jacks seemed to take a piece of Arcata with them.

What do I mean?

Well, when the 2008 NCAA Division II Softball Championships began, the weather was a cool 70 degrees with overcast skies. I remember watching the NCAA live stream for the games leading up to the national title contest and the announcers repeatedly mentioned that the weather was un-Texas-like. While over here in Humboldt County, we enjoyed one of the best/worst -- depending on how you look at it -- heat waves the last couple of days.

However, once HSU claimed the national title -- a great achievement for a team that had to run through the West Regional loser's bracket to gain entrance into the Texas tournament -- they packed their bags and boarded a plane back to Humboldt County.

I was at the Eureka-Arcata Airport among several fans, family, friends and HSU faculty waiting patiently and anxiously to get a word in with the national champion Jacks. However, long before I got to the airport, I knew something was wrong. The weather in Arcata was fine. No clouds, brilliant blue sky. But the drive towards McKinleyville, where the airport was located, was filled with low clouds, which equaled a low ceiling, something that you don't want as a pilot.

Airport officials told members of the media in attendance on the tarmac that the flight had been diverted and the NCAA-chartered flight the Jacks were on had been diverted to Chico. A huge sigh was let out by the crowd as soon as they heard, and that's when the journalists got on their phones.

Word came out they were going to try and refuel and head to Murray Field in Eureka. No go. Overcast skies never let up.

I was texting HSU Sports Information Director Dan Pambianco after the Jacks couldn't touchdown in Humboldt County, trying to figure out what they were going to do to get home.

And then, I received a "driving home" message.

Cool. I thought the Jacks were able to get a bus, nope. Dead Wrong.

IInstead, the national champions were left to take taxi cabs back home. Something not very befitting of a champion is it? Ouch!

My wife and I ran into Geneva Perrine and Kristina Lewis at Toni's in Arcata at about 11:38 p.m. on Sunday night. Surprised to see them, my first remark was, "National champions taking a cab home huh?".

Lewis responded with a sarcastic, "Yep."

I understand the fact that the weather cannot be controlled and things don't always go as planned. And the NCAA probably had to scramble to figure out what the Jacks could do. But after winning a national title, you'd think the NCAA could provide them something better than some taxi cabs.

But thankfully, the Jacks got home safe, and in the end, that's what truly matters.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nothing is going to stop the Humboldt State women's softball team from attaining the 2008 NCAA Division II Softball Championships.

At least, that's what it looks like up to this point.

With pitcher Lizzy Prescott seemingly out to prove she is the best D-II pitcher in the nation and a resurgent offense backing her up, the Jacks are on a tear right now.

HSU has gone a long way since dropping their first game in the NCAA West Regional last week in jaw-dropping fashion. After getting 10-run ruled by Cal State San Bernarndio, head coach Frank Cheek and the women were on fire, blazing a trail in the West Regionals all the way into the third day of nationals in the winners' bracket, with eyes dead set on winning a national title.

While cohort Erik Fraser covered the Jacks for the majority of the year, what I got to see in postseason play was admirable.

Despite sustaining a bone-shattering roundhouse punch to the jaw by San Bernie's, HSU bunkered down and laid the smack on the opposition at the West Regionals.

Prescott was far from the pitcher who could not talk to the media after the CSUSB loss. What I saw was a senior laying it all on the line and looking to go out with a blaze of glory. Forcing batters to react to her fast, rise and curve ball, Prescott was like the Terminator on the mound. Nothing was going to stop her, I mean nothing.

Sure, teams got some hits off of her and even a home run at the Nationals in Houston. But Prescott stayed focus, fanning batters left and right.

With their ace doing all she could at the mound, how could the defense and offense not respond.

From Caitlin Klug, Natalie Galletley, Nikkie Ketteringham, Geneva Perrine, Chrissy Motzny and down the line. The Jacks' bats have shown up when it matters most.

I knew, when Francesca West sold out and dove for an impossible catch on a flyout that was heading into HSU's dugout against Western Oregon at the West Regional championship game, the Jacks were going to make some noise at Nationals. And Cheek knew it too.

"They better watch out."

A simple sentence, from an intricate and complicated tactician.

The Jacks have made quite a bang at the D-II Championship thus far.

If they ran the gauntlet and claimed a National Championship .. I dare say we on the North Coast would probably hear Cheek's, Prescott's, hell everyone associated with HSU in Houston's screams of joy.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 03:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Oakland Raiders voluntary minicamp just got underway and to no surprise, second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell took center stage among the media in attendance.

While some were observing how the 6-foot-6 quarterback performed during the various drills, some were keeping an eye on how well he fit into his red No. 2 jersey.

For all the attention that goes into the former LSU QB's arm -- he apparently didn't show off his cannon with 50-plus yard bombs -- eyes were dead set on his physical stature, namely, his weight.

A few months ago, CNNSI.com had a story about Russell ballooning to a porky 300-plus pounds during the offseason. So it was no surprise that many of the stories on his first voluntary minicamp after the hiatus from the professional football field had to deal with his weight.

Turns out, the "big boy" isn't all that big.

According to Russell, he tipped the scales at 269 pounds Thursday afternoon. And after the recent heat wave that hit California, he probably lost one or two more of that.

Russell also said during the media session afterwards that he would like to lose about five to six more pounds but no more. I saw the pictures of Russell from Media News and the Associated Press wires and believe me, he doesn't appear to be anywhere near the 300-bills mark.

He is a rather large quarterback, his height dictates he should be around the 260-pound range. Reports from various sources (Jerry McDonalds blog -- insidebayarea.com/raiders, Contra Costa Times Raiders' beat writer Steve Corkran and the San Fran Chronicle) have noted Russell appears ready to get into action and even had some shifty moves rolling around the pocket.

According to head coach Lane Kiffin, Russell has spent hours at the facility gearing up for the 2008 season. We'll see if Russell can keep it up. It's a long way til the Raiders play their first game in August during the preseason.

Getting a new 'Mike'?

Free agent linebacker Edgerton Hartwell lined up as middle linebacker during certain portions of the voluntary minicamp. If Hartwell can return to the tackling machine in his Baltimore days, like McDonald said, Oakland has picked up a low cost, low risk player. Placing him at the 'Mike' linebacker spot could allow current middle linebacker Kirk Morrison to move out to strong linebacker where his speed and coverage abilities could help Oakland contain opponents tight ends. A stout run defender when healthy, Hartwell could become the plug in the middle Oakland has sorely missed since the departure of Greg Biekert.

There's the option of moving Hartwell out on the edge.

Currently the spot belongs to Robert Thomas who has done an admirable job despite his measurable talents. While not as fast as fellow LB's Morrison and Howard, Thomas' tackling ability has made up for coverage weakness.

Keep an eye on ...

Rookie free agent Marcel Reece. The 6-foot-3, 240 pound rook out of Washington was a jack-of-all-trades last season. The Hesperia, Calif. native has the size and speed to become a dangerous target at either wide receiver, tight end, or H-back role. Running a 4.46 at his Pro Day, Reece impressed the Raiders' staff during the rookie tryout to garner a contract after not being offered one by the Dolphins.

Finally Free (Safety)

In a move that is better tailored to his abilities, Michael Huff manned the free safety spot at the voluntary camp with free agent addition Gibril Wilson taking the strong safety role. Huff, who is built more like a free safety/cornerback at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, was miscast as a strong safety during his NFL career thus far. Far from the hard-hitting ballhawk he was as a Longhorn at Texas, the move to free -- where he should be able to use his athleticism and speed to roam the secondary -- might just be what the doctored ordered to get Huff back to his Longhorn form. He only has one interception his two years with the Raiders since Oakland took him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2006 Draft.

Local Connection

Rookie free agent linebacker Shane Simmons might be a long shot to make the roster and worse yet, some may wonder who he is. Humboldt State football head coach Rob Smith is quite familiar with Simmons recruiting him to play at Western Washington.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 02:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mo won't go to his first Bengals Organized Team Activity until Monday, but here's a glimpse of what he's going to face once he's there:

Chuck Ludwig, columnist for the Dayton Daily News interviewed the Bengals' offensive coordinator and talked about the wide receiver competition in camp. There are 12 pass-catchers in camp, and the veterans get a head start. They began on Tuesday and Mo won't get there for five more days.

Here's what Ludwig and the OC had to say.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/chickludwig/

Look a little further and he's got a brief interview with Mo from May 8.

It looks like a good chance for Mo to make his rightful presence, and reputation, felt.

Posted by Sean Quincey at 11:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As I stood there in my bathroom, looking in the mirror and ruefully shaving off my playoff beard after Dallas' quadruple-OT victory on Sunday, I realized something: The Sharks can also look themselves in the mirror now.

I'm sure they're saying the "proper things." You know, the "Oh, we're still disappointed, we had bigger aspirations" standard. And I"m also sure that that's true. No true competitor is ever fully satisfied unless they reach the pinnacle. But after a furious comeback that fell just short in an unbelievably tight series, the Sharks can take some solace this summer from knowing that when their backs were against the wall, they gave it all they had.

The Sharks have been one of the best teams in hockey for the past four seasons, both winning and losing the most playoff games of any team in the NHL in recent years. Big things have been expected out of Joe Thornton and Co. by the hockey world. But they haven't delivered, and this was the year, "they" said, that management would have to consider serious changes if the current group — and Coach Ron Wilson — didn't deliver.

And for the first 10 games of the playoffs, that seemed to be getting more and more likely. They struggled to finish off 7-seed Calgary, and quickly fell in a deep hole against the Stars. "They" would point to the blowing of the 3-0 lead in Game 3 against the Flames and the implosion in the third period of Game 2 against Dallas as evidence that this Sharks team, though arguably the most talented group in the league, didn't have enough of the intagibles that it takes to win in the playoffs.

But I believe — or at least I hope — that the way the team played it last three games will cause Sharks management to a least pause and reevaluate before they press the detonator.

In the last three games — OK, maybe starting in the third period of Game 4 — the Sharks gave every last ounce of energy and effort in an attempt to do the near-impossible. They scratched. They clawed. They gave up the body to block shots. They became the team that they had been criticized by "they" for not being.

Alas, everything they had wasn't enough. Marty Turco (a Stars-record 61 saves) and Brendan Morrow (series-winning goal in fourth overtime, devastating hit on Milan Michalek) were just a little bit better. So the Sharks are doomed to their third straight 4-2 series defeat in the Western Conference Semifinals, to the disappointment of ESPN's Barry Melrose. But the Sharks seemed to mature by leaps and bounds in the waning days of their season. If that same group of guys do that in each and every playoff game next year, Lord Stanley would likely await. The only question is, will they get that chance?

Posted by Erik Fraser at 04:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

It appears Darren McFadden won't be wearing No. 5 in the NFL.

According to Raiders.com, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft will be sporting the No. 20 in the pros.

But after seeing the reaction of NFL draft pundits, analysts, experts, fans, yada, yada, yada, McFadden's new jersey won't please many of them.

Taking a quick peek at grades and analysis of the McFadden selection, as well as various fan sites and message boards, there was one common denominator.

Almost everyone was in agreement, Raiders owner Al Davis apparently sees the next Marcus Allen in the former Arkansas tail back.

So, conventionally, one has to believe 'DMC' would be running in Oakland sporting 32 as a jersey.

Nope, not even close.

Instead of inheriting the history behind 32 -- Allen and another legendary Raider, Jack Tatum donned the jersey, as did goal line specialist full back Zack Crockett more recently -- McFadden will put on the No. 20 on game day.

The two most recent players to proudly sport the number were running backs Justin Fargas (before he switched to No. 25) and Joe Achimandu, and corner back Tory James.

Another suggestion made was to hand McFadden No. 34. No luck there either. Another running back currently wears that number, LaMont Jordan.

The other popular thought was giving McFadden the No. 33. The prevailing notion here was it would put him right between two legendary Raider tailbacks, Allen (32) and Bo Jackson (34). No luck there either. Another rookie, fourth-round pick Tyvon Branch, will be sporting that jersey.

But in the end, what's in a number?

McFadden is 20-years-old, so wearing the No. 20 is only appropriate.

Besides, McFadden is probably seeking to set his own legend in Oakland and being associated with Allen or Jackson with the aforementioned numbers just might compound the already heavy expectations on the rookie tail back as it is.

If he doesn't have one big run in his first official game as an Oakland Raiders -- preseason games hardly counts because he'll probably see time against scrubs anyhow -- the same analysts, pundits, fans, message boards that argued over what number he should wear will be bickering over whether or not McFadden was the truly the right guy with the No. 4 overall selection.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 09:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)