Random Weekend Thoughts

Some random thoughts for a Saturday afternoon...

1. Going to my first Jays game of the year tomorrow afternoon. Certain to see the following things a) Jays score at least 5 runs b) give up at least 5 runs c) 10K fans there early to get the Lyle Overbay bobblehead d) at least one A's fan heckling Rios on his poor start (me).

2. NBA playoffs start today. Some good first round match-ups, like Boston vs. Chicago, San Antonio vs. Dallas and Portland vs. Houston, but for the most part this is going to be three rounds of basketball to end up seeing the LA Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals. These have been the two best teams all season and seeing any other teams in the finals would be a travesty. If you are so inclined to put money on someone - the Lakers have my support on experience, some better support players and Kobe needing a championship to secure his legacy. LeBron still has time.

3. NHL playoffs started earlier this week. Lots of cuts, bruises and beards will be seen on Canadian TV over the next couple of months. Not really sure who are the favourites because hockey seems to be the one sport where upsets can happen in 7 game series based on the play of one player (the goalie). My hope is that two Canadian teams make the finals and Gino Reda's head explodes.

4. Canada qualifies for the World Cup of Cricket. Not sure what this says about our amateur athletics system when we can qualify for a world cup event without a professional league in the country or even any infrastructure for the sport in the country. On the other hand you have sport like soccer, which is played by more kids than any other sport and a semi-pro and professional leagues and we cannot qualify for the world cup or even hire a coach. The Canada Soccer Association has hired another interim coach in Stephen Hart. Who knows what comes next for the CSA, but they need to make a decision on a coach who can ensure qualification for 2014 world cup while our talent (DeRosario and Guzman) can still able to play at high level.

5. The Buffalo Bills - who are you?? The Bills made two major moves in the last couple of days. First they traded Pro Bowl Tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles for multiple draft picks including a first round pick this year. Peters made the Pro Bowl last year on reputation only. He held out and missed training camp and then was out of shape and out of position most of the season. A good player, but is replaceable on the Bills o-line. The second move was the signing of free agent running back Dominic Rhodes. Rhodes will prove to be a valuable addition. Able to be the featured back during the three game suspension of Marshawn Lynch to start the season and then will be the third down back when Lynch returns. This will continue to make Fred Jackson a valuable piece in small doses.