Double dosage!
"Just because we lost that one, big game, it wasn't like we were worried or anything," Nowitzki continued. "Obviously, that was a disappointing loss, but we're very confident in our ability to close games out.
"Obviously, what everyone remembers is our meltdown in The Finals last year," Nowitzki said.
I know nobody really reads this, especially the hockey section about the Devils, so there's no point in me telling you to go read something. And the person that will read this is the person I am linking to, so they've already written it and don't need to read it. But I'll do it anyway because it's worth looking at.
John F writes about the rest of the regular season for the New Jersey Devils.
He paints a pretty grim picture of things ahead, but actually ends up being more optimistic than I would have thought. Looking at it, all the challenges and the hurdles, I am very pessimistic. The Devils could end up as low as #5 in the East, after holding #2 forever. But hopefully they can maintain #2. It all starts tonight against Toronto. It's the beginning of the home stretch and the Devils, amidst their poor play and nagging injuries at just the wrong time, need to win.
Shawn uses the word "meaningless" for every recap. So there's your perspective.
NOTABLE THINGS
Pitching: Arroyo started and got the loss, emerging with an ERA. Seemed pretty human and a pretty mediocre pitcher, but was facing pretty decent Tiger hitters. Final stats were 4.2/3 innings, 7 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, 1 K. He gave up a homer to Sheffield. After Coutlangus got Arroyo's final out, Paul Wilson pitched the 6-7-8 and gave up 3 hits and 2 walks for 2 runs scored. Ever since his first appearance he has looked pretty lame and is definitely looking from the outside in to make the team. I am hoping anyway.
Hitting: Kenny Rogers was pretty decent, but Adam Dunn had his way with him, knocking a homer out of the park as well as getting hit by a pitch. Denorfia led off and was 1/3 with an RBI-double. He is finally starting to turn it on and if he keeps turning it on closer to the season, it will be hard to send him down. But that's probably what they will do anyway. Alex Gonzalez was 0/4 which sucked, so he probably shouldn't be in this category. Because he didn't exhibit hitting skills. Josh Hamilton got a pinch hit. Norris Hopper was 0/2 with 2 K's.
Fielding & such: Says there were two errors, but they only list one and that is Hopper. Certainly not a good day for the guy.
Both Johnson and Russell had impressive pro day workouts to solidify their elite status. If there are no trades before the draft, Russell is the right pick, and the Raiders will enter project mode with their young coach and young quarterback. If they trade Moss, however, they should jump on Johnson, the draft's most surefire superstar, and look for a veteran quarterback willing to mentor Walter.Interesting comparison linking it to Moss, but what isn't linked to Moss these days? His logic is that if the trade comes off and Aaron Rodgers lands in Oakland, why draft Russell and have three unproven QB's? Makes sense to a degree. If Moss sticks around, which is most likely, Russell is the choice. Interesting stuff. We shall see.
Pat Kirwan's Mock Draft 3 at NFL.com:
1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- The Raiders have a lot of needs, but as long as quarterback is one of them, they have to respond by selecting the guy with the great deep ball. I could see a move down, especially now that Cleveland will not need Adrian Peterson and someone was counting on tackle Joe Thomas or wide receiver Calvin Johnson.Yup, pretty much.
At least for now, for the beginning of the season. He didn't get enough work in during Spring Training, so Ryan Freel has the job for now. Which is good. I did like seeing Freel in right field, though. He played it well. And there are plays that still need to be made over there, and I hope Griffey can make them. He better be able to, otherwise he'll just be the DH when we play AL teams, and not much more than that. Keep watching this story.
