The Daytona 500 and Other Sports News

The Daytona started a little while ago, and Base10 is in store for something like another 189 more laps. Ah a crash just happened! Really. They just cut back from a commercial It doesn't look like anyone got hurt. Man, how do they drive in that? Anyway, America's race is on. Base10 was struck that this is the only major sporting event where a prayer preceeds the event. And the crowd seems genuinely payng attention when the sing the national anthem. Click here for the coverage on Yahoo. Favoites seem to be Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip. Of course, the sentimental favorite is Rusty Wallace, who announced his retirement after this year and has never won a Daytona 500. And of course, pretty-boy Jeff Gordon will always be a factor.

In other sports news, the New York Jets placed the franchise tag on Pro-Bowl DE John Abraham. This requires the Jets to be compensated with two draft picks if he were to sign with another team, and basically gives the Jets another year to work a trade or a long-term contract with him. Rumours continue to circulate about a possible trade involving Minnesota WR Randy Moss, reuniting him with his college QB Chad Pennington.

In other football news, not unexpectedly, San Diego franchised QB Drew Brees. In other interesting developments, the Bucs signed former first round pick QB Akili Smith and sent him to play in NFL Europe. Akili Smith was a talented quarterback but never got into the groove with the Bengals. This could be his last chance to prove he has starting QB ability.

Base10 extends his well wishes to New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi, one of the brightest lights of the Pat's Superbowl season, who suffered a mild stroke this week. As strokes go, it looks like his long term prognosis is good, but whether he can come back to play in the NFL is questionable at best.

In other shocking news, the Buffalo Bills announced that they will cut Drew Bledsoe and give the starting reigns to J.P. Losman. Losman, a first round QB pick last year has some mighty big shoes to fill. Base10 finds this curious indeed, since the Bills came on strong at the end of the season and seemed to be really gelling with a good running game to support the pass. One questions whether this was a good idea. In any event, Bledsoe will have no problem finding a starting job, possibly in Dallas. Miami, Seattle and Tampa Bay may need QB's too.

In baseball news, spring training starts this week. No major deals recently, but the recent war of words between the Red Sox and the Yankees have provided some entertainment. This will certainly make the begining of the season interesting, since the Yank's home opener is against the Sox on April 3rd, and the Sox home opener--also the traditional day to raise the flag and give out the World Series rings in April 11 against--you guessed it--the Yankees.

Finally, in College Hoops, the Fighting Illini are still undefeated at 27-0.

Well, back to the races!
- posted by Base10 @ 3:25 PM