The Bump

It was intentional, Dear Criss, and don't try to defend this one. That was uncalled for. The "Big Three" needs to step up. They're the ones on the court. Meanwhile, it's clear they want Spoelstra out. And when I say "they," I mean the Big Three. This is their cutesy, innocent way of getting rid of him, which just might work. Boo to that.

I feel bad for Randy Shannon, too. The U needs a lot of help right now, but to get rid of the guy in the middle of the season? Too much drama in Florida sports right now. Rumor has it Jon Gruden may be the new man. He's gonna eat those kids alive - or make them cry, as my sister said.

Hey, the Niners are playing a great game tonight. Hope they can pull it off. Pats-Jets next Monday night. Woo hoo!


Roxy




Screenshot from deadspin.com

Thankful

I know I'm a day early, but we should be thankful every day.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Now to sports... I can't leave the blog for one day or a week because Roxy takes over.

The Yankees are acting foolish when it comes to resigning Jeter, Dear Roxy. I'm not saying give him all the money in the world, but come on, this guy is one of the reasons you're richer every year and the reason your team sells out games. It's time to pay up!

And the Heat are looking warm with their 8-6 record. I'm not worried but they have to deal with some underlying issues. Step up, guys. It's not all about the Big 3.

Football - the Dolphins are running out of time and so are the Canes. But I'll be there this Saturday rooting for the U at SunLife Stadium. Let's see if they can pull off a win against USF's Bulls.

Rox, I'll be at the Turkey Trot at Tropical Park tomorrow. I'm ready to run a 10K and eat as if I ran a marathon. I'll see you there, right?

-Criss

Photo: The WWW

Blog Hog: The "Bring Back Varitek Campaign" Kicks Off (Again)

Look what The Boston Globe wrote about Saltalamacchia after the Martinez deal, Dear Criss:

"'Nothing is set in stone but it looks like I could have an opportunity to earn a spot in the lineup,' he said. ... He also is hoping that Jason Varitek will be back.

'That would benefit everybody,' he said. 'In the two months I was in Boston, I saw how much trust and respect the pitchers had with 'Tek. That's the guy I want to learn from. If I'm with him, I know I'll be getting all the right information. His presence in the clubhouse is huge.'"

I love this boy already.

Roxy

Photo: AP

Finally, Some Exciting Football.

Oh no, Dear Criss. You've gone into sports depression, and I don't know how to bring you back. Never fear. I'll man the ship.

So what's going on? A bit. Martinez is leaving to the Tigers. Yes, the Tigers. Five years, $40 million. Never mind he was offered pretty impressive deals by the Orioles and White Sox. The man said "Detroit!" I wish him well. I know I was always yapping about him taking Varitek's spot, but it wasn't his fault, and I tried not to be mean. He had a good attitude the whole time. Now somebody please explain the catching situation, because I'm not feeling very comfortable right now. And speaking of not comfortable, can we please never ever have a story in The Boston Globe titled "What if the Red Sox Went After Jeter?"

Did you see Richard Seymour knocking over Ben Roethlisberger one-handedly? What was that? And you know Ben had to suck it up for reasons we already know. That was pretty shocking video. I don't even think he was expecting that.

And Brad Childress is g-o-n-e. What a mess in Minnesota (kinda like Dallas). I can't look. Tell me when it's over.

Oh, hello?! I almost forgot that great game between my Pats and your stinkin' Colts! Wow, that was good. (The Jets are now regretting cutting Danny Woodhead.) We were leading in the fourth, something like 31-7, I don't remember. Then the announcer comes on with his scariest voice and mentions how a year ago the Pats led the Colts in the fourth with an almost identical score, and the Colts came back to win. Well, I think they played that on the loud speaker, because the Colts woke up and ALMOST took the whole thing. That was pretty scary. Luckily, your boy was in the mood for throwing interceptions, and all worked out. Let's keep it that way. Thanks.

Roxy


Photo: Jim Davis, The Boston Globe

Blog Hog: Good Morning, Brady.

He's awake! Mr. Brady is back (for now), Dear Criss. Nice outing by my Pats. Wow. I don't even know how the Steelers sorta caught up there. Roethlisberger was sacked five times. Whoa. Tom? Zero. And who is this Gronkowski? He is pretty good! So they're talking AFC Championship match up. I can't wait.

Um, apparently there's another Buchholtz on the Red Sox now. Add Taylor to the roster, a distant cousin of Clay. And Martinez is now a free agent, which means, if he goes, the chances of Varitek staying to help Salty are greater.

Hey, what if we brought McNabb to the Dolphins? He'd look awful in that uniform and probably would never win a championship here. But where else can we send him? You know Shanahan is ready to get rid of him.

And finally, if Dallas suddenly goes on a winning streak, I want to know why they couldn't do it earlier with Wade Phillips. But Dallas isn't really a priority for me.


Roxy


Photo: Jim Davis, The Boston Globe

Our Veterans

Happy Veterans Day

Photo: kidk.com

Hanging Chads

Rumor has it that perhaps the Phillies may be interested in Varitek. Hm. Okay, not too bad. It's much better than the Tigers or Padres or something. But, oh, can't we just keep him? Well, Dear Criss, Peter Gammons thinks that if Martinez goes, they'll keep him to help Salty.

Now please explain why the Dolphins can't figure out which Chad to put in. What's so bad about Pennington? Come on.

Oh my gosh, slow sports-news week. Actually, I just saw the ad for Pats-Steelers on Sunday night. CAN'T WAIT!

Roxy


AP photo

Sparky Anderson 1934-2010

I feel like it's been forever since I last wrote, and it has, Dear Roxy. Let's get to business. The San Francisco Giants' misfits and outcasts have won the 2010 World Series. Congrats to fellow Colombian and MVP Renteria, Lincecum, Ross and the rest of the gang for outplaying a great Texas Rangers team.

In other baseball news, what's the deal with the Yankees and their decision to resign Jeter, who for the first time in his 16-year career is a free agent? Sign the guy who's helped you win 5 championships, fools! They have all the money in the world and are fighting for nickels and dimes... shame!

Speaking of, congrats to Jeter, Teixeira and Cano for winning the AL Gold Glove!

And yes, the Heat are looking a little shaky but it's the beginning of the season. But I wasn't one of those saying they'd be going 82-0... maybe 80-2 ;)

The Dolphins, oh, those Dolphins. The team that can't get a win streak together! Well, at least their a .500 team.

RIP Sparky Anderson.

-Criss

Photo: ESPN Illustration

McCoy Takes Brady to School

Oh my gosh, I thought I was delinquent, Dear Criss! We've got some catching up to do here.

Like Randy Moss bouncing around in one season. What was that all about?

The Dolphins loss to the Ravens.

Michael Vick taking the reigns back and meaning business against your darling Colts (blech). If he pulls this off, it's gonna make Peyton Manning sick all week.

Someone else who's gonna feel sick all week is Tom Brady, who got a shellacking from - The Browns. No kidding! Has Brady cut his hair yet? Maybe it's getting in his face when he's playing. And Wes Welker had to kick in an extra point. That's shows you what was going on in that game. Eric Mangini must be feeling good about Colt McCoy and Co.

You have to see the skit with Brady and Justin Bieber on ESPN's "The Mayne Event." Bieber says, "Seriously, bro. What's up with Brady's hair? I own this look. He's like 40. He's gonna be gray soon. He's gonna look stupid." Normally those Mayne skits don't make me laugh, but this one did, including Brady curling his hair in the mirror.

And you have some explaining to do about that Heat team. A lot of hype, but they don't look so hot.

Roxy


Photo: Barry Chin, The Boston Globe