Daily Zoot - 3/4/09

The Daily Zoot is all the news you needed to know yesterday, soon

-The Washington Nationals hired Mike "The Rat" Rizzo today to oversee "day-to-day operations" after former GM Jim Bowden resigned rather unceremoniously. Rizzo's first executive decision was to move the team to Fraggle Rock. 

-Cardinals QB Kurt Warner re-signed with the team today, agreeing to a two-year contract worth 23 million dollars. The contract is interesting, because the offer was made by Warner to the Cardinals. People were unsure how the Cards would react to this, as it is not a common occurrence. It's the equivalent of a girl getting down on one knee, and forcibly removing your masculinity with a marriage proposal. It was Warner's chance to wear the pants in a relationship, something he hasn't been able to do since he married this woman, yikes. 

-The NBA has decided to look into how their officials call traveling. I personally think the refs are doing a good job. Every time I see it called, I think they are doing it correctly. I think it is a perfect system. I wouldn't change it a bit. 

VOD(s) - Collegehumor Prank and Dave Neal Climbing

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Video of the unbelievable prank pulled at last night's Maryland Game. 

As a bonus, and because that isn't really sports related, here is the play of the game by Wake Forest's Jeff Teague. I knew Dave Neal wanted to remember his senior night, I didn't think he'd want a poster of it. 

Daily Zoot - 3/3/09

The Daily Zoot is all the news you needed to know yesterday, soon

-Last night in a marquee match up of NBA Talent, Delonte West's Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted Jamario Moon's Miami Heat 107-100. West finished with 8 big points, and Moon with 11. The leading scorer in the game was someone I had never heard of, it started with an L. 

- WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh signed a five year $40 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks yesterday. No receiver has had as many catches as Housh the last 3 years. We prefer to remember him for this:

-In Baseball news Manny Ramirez continue to go unsigned, however his Hair is getting more work than ever. Fresh off its role in the Amy Winehouse Bio-epic, his flowing Locks have now been cast to play The Black Smoke Monster in a theatrical version of Lost. 

VOD - Midfield Goal

Giuseppie Mascara scores from midfield. Usually this happens football, not futbol.

He's Back: Brodeur Returns Between the Pipes

Marty Broduer returns to NHL action after missing 4 months from his recovery from elbow surgery.Wow he had better have the strongest elbow known to man. It is the first injury in his illustrious 15 year career in the NHL. As a Devils fan, it only gives me greater hopes that the Dev's can make the final playoff push with their true emotional and physical leader of the team back. Thats not to take anything away from backup goaltender Scott Clemmensen who filled in marvolously for the future hall of famer. In 40 games he went 25-13, pretty impressive considering the shoes he had to fill.

In only 3 games since his elbow surgery Brodeur is 3-0 with two shutouts and a major goalie milestone reached. On sunday night, Brodeur reached a milestond 100th reagular season shutout making 27 saves. It was also his 547th career victory moving him 4 wins behind Patrick Roy for the most NHL victories. Watch out Roy, Marty is back and claims hes feeling better than ever. Brodeur's return will be a huge lift for the Devils who are in first in the Atlantic Division and only one win behind the league leading Bruins for first in the Eastern Conference. I myself will hopefully be attending a Devils game in downtown Newark,NJ and will shout myself silly knowing Marty is between the pipes once again.

Walking the Line: Business vs. Loyalty

Amongst even the purest of sports fans there is an understanding that business always topples loyalty and personal history. Fans, while they may not agree with some decisions, tend to understand that sports organizations are a money making business above anything else. If such is the case, then why do so many athletes continue to be surprised when they're name is tossed around like feelings don't matter?

For this exercise let's take a look at some of the week's major deals, from multiple sports, and decide between business and loyalty:

1) T.J. Houshmandzadeh signs with the Seattle Seahawks. Definitely business. As if ditching your only pro QB, Carson Palmer, wasn't enough, T.J. took $40 million, a new head coach, and the league's second most revered bald man, Matt Hasselback.

2) Drew Gooden bought out by the Sacramento Kings. Business. The Kings wanted to avoid getting too close to a man who named his hair style after Rasheed Wallace. Ladies and Gentlemen, "The Sheed."

3) Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel. Both business and loyalty. The New England Patriots get rid of two big contracts for the 34th overall pick in the draft. Contracts = Business. 34th Pick = A thank you from the Pats to former director of player personnel, Scott Pioli.

4) Manny Ramirez not being signed yet. Both. The Los Angeles Dodgers think Manny isn't worth what Manny thinks he's worth. In terms of pure winning, I'll side with Manny, but clearly Manny still doesn't care about the people paying him and, even more clear, the Dodgers don't care about Manny. Note: A stalemate occurs when neither side wants to be loyal.

5) Jay Cutler is still in Denver. Business. Remember when you collapsed at the end of last year to division rival Phillip Riv - I mean San Diego? Of course the Broncos can upgrade from Jay, that's why they tried. Didn't work, so until next time, enjoy the snow, cry baby.

6) Stephan Marbury let go by the Knicks, signed by the Celtics. Business. Taking so long to get Steph out of New York is a good demonstration of how bad the Knicks' front office is. On the flip, the Celtics are using business to their advantage. Starbury is officially playing for a contract next year, now that Steve & Barry's has gone bankrupt.

VOD - 80 ft. Game Winner

Alexander Semin hits an 80 ft. slap shot to beat the Bruins.

Daily Zoot - 3/2/09

The Daily Zoot is all the news you needed to know yesterday, soon

-The World Baseball Classic is starting up again in the next few weeks. It's essentially the World Cup of Baseball. This is Cuba Designated Hitter Fidel Castro. In the last WBC, a star-studded U.S. team dissapointed, losing to among others, Canada. It was the first time the U.S. had lost in anything to Canada not maple syrup related.

-Denver Broncos' WR Brandon Marshall was arrested again this weekend for disorderly conduct, the charge has since been dismissed. Said Marshall, "I'll guess try Ill to make the charge stick next time, now that Pac Man's gone, it's up to me, Tank Johnson and the Bengals to to ruin the league's image."

-The Patriots Traded Matt Cassel and Linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs this weekend for the 34th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. It's surprisingly little return for the Patriots, considering how well Cassel filled in for Tom Brady last season. I think people are forgetting the real loser of this trade, Cassel, the guy who has to go play and live in Kansas City, Missouri.