A Weekend in Review

These are my thoughts on the big headlines from the world of sports from today and this past weekend. 

Broken down by sport:

Baseball:

• Kyle Lohse FINALLY signed with a team today. Lohse agreed to a 3 year/ $33 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. Lohse is tied to a first round draft pick, meaning the Brewers would have to give up their first round draft pick in compensation for getting the star pitcher. I predicted the Brew Crew to be one of Lohse's options back on the 28th of February. The Brewers needed a veteran starting pitcher to compliment ace, Yovani Gallardo and got better than a solid pitcher in Lohse. I will admit, I thought his price range of $10-15 MM yearly was a bit much, especially because he hadn't been picked up by a ball club so late into Spring Training, but he deserves it with the numbers he put up with the St.Louis Cardinals last year.
• News has broken out that the New York Yankees superstar shortstop, Derek Jeter will maybe have to start the season on the disabled list. Jeter, who broke his ankle in the middle of the American League playoffs last season, looked to be healthy until some inflammation was found by team doctors late last week. Having Jeter start the year on the DL would mean he would be the 4th starter for the Yankees to start the season injured (as well as Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, and Mark Texieria). Things are looking grim for the Yankees in the beginning of the season. If they start the season at a very slow pace the other teams will bury them in last place, in what is a very talented AL East division.

Football:

• The Denver Broncos are kicking themselves in the ass right now. Not only did they lose their best defensive back, Elvis Dumervil to free agency because of a faxing error by his agent; but they lost Dumervil to the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year, the Baltimore Ravens. I personally laughed when I found out but all hope is not lost for Denver. They have an incredible offense powered by Peyton Manning and will (what seems like) a decent replacement for Dumervil in veteran Dwight Freeney. Also, the Ravens may have gotten Dumervil but they still have plenty of holes to fill after losing so many players to free agency. Dumervil fits into the mold of Baltimore but that will not help them beat out the Steelers and the Bengals for a spot in the playoffs.                                              
• The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly close to signing free agent defensive end, Osi Umenyiora. The Falcons released veteran DE John Abraham three weeks ago and while Osi isn't the player he once was, the 31 year old is a nice upgrade from the 34 year old, Abraham. He proclaimed himself to be the defensive player of the year, and fits incredibly well in the Atlanta area, considering he already resides in the area. I wanted the Falcons to sign Osi from the start because of his leadership capabilities  He can be productive and help in the pass defense. 

Basketball: 

• As I was writing this piece, the Miami Heat beat the Orlando Magic 108-94 to win their 27th game in a row. The Heat are now only 7 wins away from beating the record of 33 games in a row by the 1977-78 Los Angeles Lakers. A true test to the streak will be Wednesday when they play the Chicago Bulls in Chi-town. Whether or not Derrick Rose returns from injury on Wednesday will be the main factor in who wins, but if he doesn't return, the Heat will destroy the Bulls. They are too fast for the streaky Bulls. Regardless of if Rose comes back or not, Joakim Noah will have to have a monstrous game to contain Chris Bosh and LeBron James in the paint. The Bulls will win if Noah out rebounds LeBron and doesn't let Bosh get blocks. 
• March Madness is in full swing and the Sweet 16 have been determined. Of the 16 I got 13 right, but I highly doubt anyone predicted that Florida Gulf Coast University would surprise the world and advance as far as they have. Beating Georgetown on Friday, and then San Diego State last night, FGCU is set to play a team in my Final Four, University of Florida. I honestly want FGCU to win but I NEED UF to win so I can stay in the 94th percentile of correct brackets. Of the 8 million brackets submitted, I am a very stable 100,234 ranking. I like to think that I have a shot at winning the number one bracket of the year, but let's be honest, it's not happening. 

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