To Gerad Allen
Tell Carl you are staying and he can find another to trade, better yet lets trade him!!!
Boomer is not ready but what else is new!
Well, this year's NFL schedule has been released, and "after further review" I have already determined the Chiefs' fate even before the first real snap.
For the record, most years, i would have the Chiefs squeaking to an 8-8 record in '08-'09, and once again missing the playoffs.
But this is not most years! King Carl wannabe/hasbeen & the Herminator are still in charge, so my REAL prediction for our Kansas City Chiefs this year: 4-12! (but getting another top 5 pick in the '09 draft!)
Please Jared Allen & you other Chiefs players that are left and still have a passion and heart for the game (before Peterson sucks that out of you), make me eat crow!!!
This is a big change for me, given my previously stated apathy concerning the Royals. I have to say I'm beginning to feel a bit hopeful that this year could be the beginning of a change in their long term fortunes. Truth is I can sum up the reasons by mentioning just a few names.
First and probably the main reason for my change in attitude has to be Brian Bannister. The fact is, this kid just knows how to pitch. He seems to have the brain of a 15 year veteran in the body of a kid. Maybe it's just the fact that he's a second generation big leaguer, but whatever the reason he's playing far better than his years would indicate and I hope beyond hope that he can continue to do so in a Royals uniform for many years to come.
Next is the resurgence of Zack Grienke. I know, he started his return last year, but this season thus far he really seems to be back at full steam, mixing his monster fastball with offspeed pitches that look like they've been borrowed from the arsenal of Satchel Paige. Between the two of them, they could become the next great one-two pitching combo, ala Glavine and Maddox, Hunter and Blue, or Gibson and Carlton. I'm really starting to believe they're that good.
Of course, no team can win on pitching alone. There has to be some hitting to compliment it and although they're still seeming a bit anemic I think there are reasons to hope in this lineup.
Obviously, the big two of Alex Gordon and Billy Butler come to mind first and foremost. Between the two of them, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least a couple of batting titles won over the next few years. They actually bring to mind memories of Brett and McRae, if you don't mind me saying so.
Add to them the ever growing skills of Mark Teahan and we have a trio with the potential to carry this team for a very long time. I only hope that the Royals can put together some pieces around them that will allow these young stars in the making to perform up to their potential.
There's that word...potential. It can be the forgiver of great sins, or the anchor that pulls a team downward into oblivion. Let's just hope that a little luck can mix with that potential to allow these young players a chance of fulfilling the hope we all seem to have for them.
I haven't signed off with this in a while, thanks to my aforementioned apathy, but I'm going to cautiously say until next time, I'll see ya at the 'K.
Subway Fit Fresh 500 Preview
Carl Edwards has three wins in the first seven races of the season and that puts him in fine company. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Bill Elliott are the only active drivers to accomplish this feat. Gordon has accomplished that three times leading to two championships. Johnson did it last season and won the championship, and Bill Elliott has done it twice and finished second in the standings both times. What does this mean to Edwards? It could very well mean he is on his way to a championship in 2008.
Edwards has been exceptional on tracks 1.5 miles or longer. He has not done quite so well on tracks less than 1.5 miles. He has only two career victories on short tracks, Dover and Bristol. He finished 42nd last fall in Phoenix, but he has four top tens in the previous five races.
When you talk about Phoenix, you have to look at Jimmie Johnson. Johnson picked up the win in Phoenix last November and has seven top tens in nine career starts. Johnson also leads all drivers with a driver rating of 115.9. With the second place finish last week, Johnson looks to make up even more ground in the race for the chase.
Jeff Gordon has always run pretty well at Phoenix with 1 win, 8 top fives, 15 top tens, an average finish of 8.3 and a driver rating of 110.3. With Phoenix being a short track, look for a good run from the #24 team. Phoenix comes at a good time for Gordon. He currently sits outside the top twelve and needs to make a strong run to get back into the race for the chase.
Three other drivers are outside the top twelve. Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, and Martin Truex Jr. all three have run well at Phoenix led by Kurt Busch. Busch has one win, two top fives, five top tens with an average finish 13.4, and a driver rating of 103.7. Matt Kenseth has one win, five top fives, six top tens, with an average finish of 17th and a driver rating of 97.0. Martin Truex Jr. has one lone top ten in four career starts and that was last fall. He has an average finish of 15.3 and a driver rating of 93.0.
If you are looking for a sure bet in Phoenix this coming weekend it may very well be out of Richard Childress Racing. Jeff Burton has two wins, five top fives, nine top tens with an average finish of 11.4, and 0 DNF’s. His teammate is tied with Burton with two wins. Harvick has three top fives, 5 top tens an average finish of 13.2 and driver rating of 110.3. Clint Bowyer is the weakest RCR driver at Phoenix. Bowyer has one top five, one top ten and one DNF, a driver rating of 82.5. All three Childress drivers are in the top ten in points, with Burton in the lead and Harvick just 59 points behind. Bowyer is in 11th place just 2 points out of 10th.
Picking a winner is not easy any week, but this week even more difficult. My instinct says go with the #24 team. They always come back strong after a bad week. My head tells me to go with a previous winner at Phoenix, Kevin Harvick. So the brain wins over instinct. Look for Kevin Harvick to take the 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet to victory lane on Saturday night in Phoenix.
I can not believe that RoboGames 2008 is just around the corner!
ROBOGAMES 2008
RoboGames, the world's largest open robot competition, invites mechanics,
closet machinists, artists and engineers of all ages, skills and means to
compete at RoboGames this June. RoboGames is listed in the Guinness book
of records as the world's largest robot competition, and we want you to be
a part of it! Yes! There is still time to register your robot.
"My robot?, Why, it’s just a dorky little thing made out of spoonstraws and
a BASIC stamp!"
That doesn't matter at RoboGames! With over different 70 events to choose
from, any robot, in any form, is welcome to compete! From art robots to
autonomous navigation, robot sumo to fire fighting, even bots that don't
fit into any category can register for "best of show."
The event is open to anyone, not just university students, professionals,
or other schools. Some of the finest builders are garage mechanics and
backyard experimenters, but RoboGames also hosts professional engineers,
robotics companies, and other organized teams. RoboGames also encourages
young engineers to come out and show their stuff, so we made more than 10
events just for under-18 events with NO registration fees!
Participants will be joining an international field of competitors (over 30
countries were represented last year) and competing for the prestigious
gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in every event! RoboGames is an
excellent opportunity to indulge mechanical know-how, adapt science
fetishes for good and come out and play among fellow makers, thinkers and
builders.
Registration closes in one and a half months, but don't wait! The event
opens to the public June 13-15th, and fills the stands with people eager to
see your bot.
Some photos:
http://robogames.net/photos-all.php
http://robogames.net/news.php
Register here:
http://www.buildersdb.com/eventdetail.asp?eventid=23
2
Hitec Robotics Cup Schedule
Friday, April 25th
8:00am to 10:00am
Check in
10:35am to 11:20am
1st Robo Speed Race
12:35pm to 1:20pm
2nd Robo Speed Race
2:50pm to 3:45pm
1st Robo Mission
4:35pm to 5:30pm
2nd Robo Mission
Saturday, April 26th
10:40am
1st Round Hitec Robo Duel
12:00pm
1st Round Student Robo Duel
12:20pm
2nd Round Hitec Robo Duel
1:05pm
2nd Round Student Robo Duel
1:25pm
3rd Round Hitec Robo Duel
2:10pm
3rd Round Student Robo Duel
2:30pm
4th Round Hitec Robo Duel
3:15pm
4th Round Student Robo Duel
3:35pm
5th and Final Round Hitec Robo Duel
4:20pm
5th and Final Round Student Robo Duel
Hitec is proud to have local schools competing in the event.
In Robo Speed and Robo Mission, each team will have 2 tries at the course. The best time in each will be used and points awarded accordingly.
The Robo duel will be in a Round Robin format. This will consist of 5 rounds, with three matches in each round. By using this format, each team will be able to compete against every other team. The points each team receives in each match will be counted toward overall points totals.
Throughout the day, the courses will be available to the teams for practice.
Since I am a converted KU fan, I did memorize the KU Alma Mater a few years ago. I felt I needed to learn that and the Rock Chalk Chant. Here is KU's alma mater from a KSU grad's perspective, at least mine. :)
Far above the Golden Valley (KU's campus represents superiority over others)
Glorius to View (the campus is indeed beautiful for those within sight of it but can't be part of it)
Stands our noble alma mater ( I wish it was my alma mater and I don't mean that to be a negative toward KSU)
Towering toward the Blue(KU represents greatness that others strive for)
Lift thy Chorus ever Onward (music to my ears when I get to attend a KU sporting event)
Crimson & the Blue ( absolutely my favorite colors)
Hail to thee our Alma Mater (I wish I could be considered a KU grad)
Hail to Old KU (being a KSU grad I admire and look up to KU in so many ways)