Mavs end Spurs playoffs early

In a game which saw the Mavs end the Spurs run at another possible championship, Dallas was able to hold off the Spurs by a margin of 106-93 On Thursday night. The Mavs won the series 4-1. What a heart-breaker to the fans and what an awful way for the Spurs to end their season. It has been since 2000 (and I believe ever since Duncan has been with our mighty Spurs) that the Spurs went out in an opening series. And to lose at home (aaahhh - ouch).

Well, that ends my NBA hopes. Not sure who I want to win the championship now...maybe the ??? the Celtics, the Rockets -although Portland appears to be giving them a run for their money, or maybe the Cavaliers (did I just write that down). Lately, LeBron has made a "sorta" fan out of me now that he has chilled and enjoys the game much more and is able to make fun of himself. I will say that for certain, this gal is a Laker Hater...Kobe irks the heck outta me. "Kobe beef, it's what's for dinner". What the stupid Jazz couldn't do to the jerks from L.A., may their next opponent do, it will either be the Rockets or Trailblazers...rooting for the Rockets.

2009 NBA Playoffs brackethttp://breathingfire.com/nba/playoffs/2009/bracket2009.php

Now I await college football and see what the stupid NFL brings our way this season in what I hope to be more exciting than last year.

Graham is overlooked in the regular draft pool of 256 draftees!

The NFL continues to prove what a bunch of morons they really are and as such...Graham Harrell did not get drafted. At best, he will have to join a team as a free agent and probably settle for a lot less $$$ mula and a more menial contract. (any data in blue text only was added on Monday afternoon, 4-27-09) ESPN reports that the Browns invited him to join their mini-camp "too get a feel" for the team and himself. Mike Leach is understandably peeved off at the NFL for not drafting Harrell, and had some choice words for the NFL. "Right On, Mike!" Mike was also very upset at Brown's coach Eric Mangini for his bad-mouthing of Michael Crabtree in calling Michael a "diva". Maybe Mike will let up on Eric if Harrell ends up with a contract with the Browns. Maybe he can pass Brady Quinn in the QB lineup if Brady has another season ending injury. I held my breath during the last round today and when the slots hit # 200, I knew it was "crunch-time" for him to get drafted. I still hate that the Giants (in a deal from New Orleans) picked up QB Rhett Bomar 15(151)from Sam Houston State over Graham. They call Graham a "system QB"...all of our QB's have had this stigma ever since Mike Leach came over to Tech with his style of the pass offense. Notice how several other colleges have gone over to that type of offense in the big 12 (OU, UT, Baylor, A&M, OK St, KS, K-ST, Mizzou, etc...)and around the country, but Tech still gets the "lone pounding" for it. I still believe that Graham has the best ability, from previous Tech QB's, to make it in the NFL. Screw the teams who passed him up. The same was done to Wes Welker a few years ago and look what he did for the Dolphins and now for the Patriots. I even held out my hopes of Graham maybe getting the final slot of the '09 draft at # 256 which has been dubbed as the "Mr. Irrelevant" dating back to 1976, but NO---that slot went to a stupid kicker from South Carolina by way of the freakin' K-City Chiefs. That term was coined as such because the final player drafted often does not make the team. However, that was in years past, in more recent years, the last player taken has proven himself and stayed with the team more often than not.
All I can saw now is Graham, please go out and prove the NFL wrong!!!
Several other Tech players were also bypassed so I hope they too will prove everyone wrong. Maybe during all the trading that will continue to linger in months ahead.

NFL prospects from Tech as of 04-26-09

Thus far as it has gone for Tech alumni in the draft thru today, this minute:
Michael Crabtree, WR...10 (10) first round to San Francisco
Darcel McBath, S, 16 (48) second round to Denver
Louis Vasquez, OG, 14 (78) third round to San Diego
Brandon Williams, DE, 20 (120) fouth round to Dallas
TBC...still waiting for Graham Harrell to get drafted by a "smart team".
Other Tech players I am also hoping will get selected are:
Rylan Reed, Archie Reed, and please-please-please...Shannon Woods.

Day 2 of the NFL draft finds Lady Luck on side of Tech players

#78 - One of my all time fav Texas Tech players, Louis Vasquez (#65 Tech) was drafted #14 by the San Diego Chargers in round three today placing him at the #78 overall mark. He was a Sr and an Offensive Guard for our Red Raiders and was often a key player helping to give Harrell the pocket protection he needed while also helping to keep Harrell's sack stats at a low number. He assisted the WR's and RB's to be able to scramble and find the all important open lanes needed. He was part of our beloved O-line which created havoc for many college defensive teams. They had individual nicknames due to their ability to wreak havoc on opposing teams, Louis' nickname was "Super Hero Indian"...mainly because he looked like an Indian.

# 120 - Brandon Williams (#84 Tech) was picked up by my 'BOYS from "Big D" during the 4th round at the 20th slot placing him overall at 120. Brandon was a Defensive End for Tech last season but also left school early for the draft (argh) as a JR. Dallas picked up this slot in a trade with Tampa Bay.

Dallas selections in the draft (some real stinkers...)

Dallas waived their first round draft pick last season when they picked up Roy Williams from the Lions (what is it with the 'Boys negotiating constantly with the Lions?). So that meant the earliest they could pick during this '09 draft was at #51 (second round)...yesterday's opening rounds saw Dallas waive that 51st pick over to the Bills. Their next pick would be during today's opening third round at the #69 spot (a slot which was waived to Dallas from the Browns) and they picked up Jason Williams an OLB from Western Illinois, he was drafted 5th in this round which places him at #69 overall. This is by far the best pick to come from Dallas and co. "good going"...

Then at the # 75 overall spot still in the third round (11th pick in the round), they drafted Robert Brewster a defensive tackle from Ball St; I liked Brewster, but not over some defensive players that Tech had to offer. Stupid Jerry Jones, he is still showing his naivete and stupidity. I know I possess a strong bias in relation to my Red Raiders, but they really had an outstanding group of players to offer my 'Boys, but they (Dallas & Jerry) went on a nasty, rotten tangent instead. Lastly in the third round, Dallas gave up their overall 82nd pick (18th in the round) to Detroit. Part of the stupid Detroit connection.

At 101st pick to start off the 4th round, they did the unthinkable...Dallas was rumored to pick up Graham Harrell somewhere in the 4th round, instead they went for Stephen McGee the feakin' QB from Aggieland. He merely started 3 games last season in his SR year as an Aggie QB and only appeared in a total of 6 games. An o.k. choice but certainly NOT BETTER than Harrell. We did all that idiotic trading with Detroit for him. Like I said, Jones is stupid. Must be drinking again!!! (AH)...later in the 4th round Dallas picked up another spot from the Bills for the overall 110th slot (10th in this round) and took Victor Butler an OLB from Oregon State. Dallas' overall 117th pick was waived over to the Bucs. That worked for me because Dallas traded the 117th pick for the Bucs overall 120th pick and took a Red Raider with them...Brandon Williams a DE from Tech.

They also did some more trading and such going into the 5th round...at 143rd overall, they finagled for a trade for the slot from Oakland but originally from Atlanta. They picked up DeAngelo Smith a CB from Cincinnati. In turn during this 5th round, the Falcons will pick up Dallas' original trade at the #156 overall slot. Jerry, put down that bottle!!! Not wanting to further my details of their remaining picks, I stop there and end that by stating that by the end of the day the 'Boys ended up with 12 total picks and my report card grade to them for their wheelin' and dealin' is a "B"...most picks were all right. Mel Kiper (ESPN anyalyst/pundit) gave them a "D" for opting out of first & second rounds and so on...he was not impressed with their overall picks; several sport's pundits seem to believe that Dallas did not focus on the positions which are in dire need of revamping.

Reminiscing about Tech's 2008 season and the O-line nicknames

As I stated above, Louis was "Super Human Indian". The rest of the monikers for the Tech O-line were like this:

#74 - Rylan Reed was "the Hulk" because of his bench press.

#71 - Stephen Hamby was "Mr. Incredible" because he just looked like him.
#51 - Shawn Byrnes was the "Kool-Aid man" because he was all upper body (too funny).

#76 - Brandon Carter was "Mankind", because he paints his face and messes up his hair like the wrestler.
#67 - Marlon Winn was "Fat Albert" because he has a big old belly would wear a half-shirt (yikes, bad recall for my memory) every day at practice .

Tech football players faired well in first day of NFL draft

#10...WR- Michael Crabtree (#5 Tech) was picked up in the first round at the 10th spot by the 49ers. Something about his character is what some say hurt his chances at getting drafted better than 10th. Alex and I were perturbed and perplexed at those news. Not sure what the ESPN sport's pundit meant by that. I never heard anyone question Michael's character in any way. I did not research it further...we decided to let it go. I only knew that his ankle injury was what would hurt him get drafted at a better pick number. Whatever...I am still very disappointed and upset that Michael went pro immediately following his sophomore year with Tech. A reminder to Mikey of how Tech was the first university willing to give him a chance to play college ball only to have him leave us too early. The scholarship of course was for basketball, but that soon changed. And another change as he did come to Tech for football was that he was moved from the QB position to the WR position; something Michael and his dad should kiss Mike Leach's derriere for as it made him who he is today as a player going to play in the NFL. A good college education should still be worth more than NFL $$$. If a player is that good, like Michael was...he waits at the college level and prepares himself to get better. The sad thing about the student-athletes of current day is that most minorities tend to be impatient and leave college to make the big bucks while the white athletes tend to stay in college and get educated. A good thing to do in case the pro career does not work out. Graham Harrell did things the right way and waited. He even went to grad school while at Tech. Anyway, about Michael, had he kept his draft card clean, he probably would have gone higher and been the first Wide Receiver to be drafted, instead, the Raiders took liberties as they had the #7 pick and went with another WR from Maryland, Darrius Heyward-Bey. That made Michael the second WR to be drafted overall, that was not kosher, but...Good luck to Michael, though.

#48...S - Darcel McBath (#7 Tech) went 16th in the second round by the Broncos. An awesome feat as he helped ensure Tech had two players drafted in the early rounds. Being 16th in the second round puts Darcel @ 48th overall. He was an awesome Safety while at Tech and I believe he holds a record for interceptions and/or interceptions returned for points. Even though he is also a minority, he did right by his alma mater and waited until after his senior year to enter the draft. Something which probably made him a better fit for the NFL. I will miss him as well this season at Tech, but am happy for him.

Now we await Graham Harrell's NFL propects...blog-mills say the Cowboys are on the list for drafting him 1st overall in the 4th round. Since I posted this blog late tonight, no definite deal had been made. Nothing short of rumors which I hope to have some truth behind them. One of my fellow sport's bloggers who works over at Yahoo!Sports said that the Denver Broncos were leaning towards Graham as well. That would be okay and would place him and Darcel on the same team. If Graham does go early (first) in the fourth round, it would make him #97th overall. A couple of other teams are also in the hunt for him as a true red-shirt back-up QB. One being the Redskins (YUK!). Anyway, Dallas is in need of a real back up QB...Kitna from the Lions is a joke as back-up. Anyway, Dallas needs a back up who can be at the ready to sub for Romo as Tony is not the most reliable QB around and his character towards a prof career in the NFL is still yet to be proven. He cannot seem to take the leadership role. Detroit gave us Kitna while they drafted #1 overall and took Matthew Stafford (Georgia). Nick, Sara, Alex and I say that was so stupid as he never did anything great for Georgia. He screwed up the annual game versus Florida (Tim Tebow & co.) last season and they (Georgia) lost after leading the series as of 2008...45-38-2! Knowshon Moreno (RB) for Georgia is what made Georgia a good team, not Stafford. Knowshon went 12th overall with the Broncos. Stafford is indeed a good QB, but not so worth #1 draft overall and not the 79 million dollars which is the contract Detroit signed him for with a guaranteed 41 million dollars. How offensive to the draft, to the NFL and to the game itself. We await day 2 on Sunday (4-26-09) for the other rounds. Keeping my hopes up for Graham and other Tech players who have a good chance of being drafted somewhere in the 7 rounds. I hope for the best for the guys who helped make Texas Tech's 2008 football season an awesome and memorable one.

Texas Tech bi-annual Garage Sale April 17, 18 & 19.

Tech Athletics Hosts Bi-Annual Garage Sale. The event will be held in conjunction with Red-Black Game weekend.
Texas Tech will hold its bi-annual "Texas Tech Athletic Department Garage Sale" next weekend, April 17-19, in the west side main lobby of Jones AT&T Stadium. Fans of all ages are invited to browse through apparel and equipment from each of Texas Tech's 17 intercollegiate sport programs. Everything from authentic game-worn jerseys and other team apparel and equipment and in-store merchandise from the Double T Zone will be on sale to the public at discounted prices. Hours for the sale are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. CT Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information on the Texas Tech Athletics/Double T Zone Garage Sale, contact the Double T Zone at (806) 742-1077.

Texas Tech 2009 Spring Game

Saturday April 18th, 2009 (Today is Alex's 15th Birthday!!!):
11:00 AM free kid's football clinic
12:00 PM is the alumni game
1:00 PM spring game>>>come get a preview of our new football team for this coming football season...we're slated to be in the mix. Some sport's pundits say we will finish behind the tea sippers (longhorns) and the cry babies (sooners) again, but we will not win as many games as we did last season. Phooey to them I say. A handful are giving our beloved Red Raiders a chance of repeating what we did last season and bettering it all. I say we can go full force with many victories. We are missing many caliber players, but those who remain have seen greatness and are eagerly awaiting the chance to keep up the high spirits and high standards that last season's squad left behind. The beginnings of a real legacy to move forward and to give the bigger schools something to be afraid of for a change. Like our motto goes..."from here, it's possible!"...

Thanks 2008 Texas Tech Football squad!!!

Thanks to the likes of Daniel Charbonnet, Michael Crabtree, Graham Harrell, Anthony Hines, Darcel McBath, Eric Morris, Jake Ratliff, L.A. Reed, Rylan Reed, Louis Vasquez & Shannon Woods! I only listed some of the key Sr's who have since left Tech. Of course Michael was a sophomore, but equally missed as though he had been a senior. I listed them in alphabetical order as to not dare try to give more importance to one player over the rest. It took the entire team to take them to where they did last year and for all of them (all grade levels), I am thankful and so proud. Thanks for a season of greatness, of blow-outs, of nail-biting, and of course, with those good things came the exact opposite in disappointments, heart breaks, tears and some "oh, so" angry moments.

Best moment will always be during the 'horns game with the 8 seconds left in the ball game. That awesome moment in time when Harrell passed that ever-sweet fade route pass ("route 5") to Crabtree and Michael did the unthinkable. The very moment and play which finally brought our wonderful and beautiful university the universal recognition which placed us on the map; and brought the program to the level which it has been so deserving of for years.

"Fearless Champions Evermore" ...