Thoughts from the Archangel

So, right now, here in Indy, football’s the thing.  The Combine’s here until Wednesday, I think.  Whatever you might think of the Combine, it’s widely viewed as the best look at the youngsters trying to get into the NFL…you find out all sorts of things (Crabtree’s stress fracture, for example) when you strip these boys down, measure, poke, prod, and race them.  Think of it as the Westminster Dog Show for potential NFL rookies.  I have HUGE issues with these kids coming out of school early to go into the NFL (Shouldn’t we be encouraging these kids to have a degree?  You know, so when they’re broken, burned out, and/or cut from teams they can get a damned job?), but there they are – just down the street – running 40s like the fucking wind because, let’s face it, their future lives may actually depend on it.

Interestingly enough, since I’m from Indiana, football isn’t the first thing I think of when I hear the word “COM-bine”.  Right, it’s the big-ass farm implement that harvests…farm girl vs sports fan at its best.

Indy’s also all abuzz (ooh, alliteration on accident) about Marvin Harrison and Jeff Saturday.  No, they’re not involved in the Combine.  They’re Colts players that, because of some salary cap issues, are going to test out the free agent market.  This always makes me laugh – salary cap issues, that is, and the resultant craziness that ensues.  It seems to me that the Colts (and other teams as well, but mostly the Colts) like to throw money at players that make a big splash in one postseason (Bob Sanders) or are a big name (Peyton Manning) and let the workhorses go.  Sure, they’ve got depth at center behind Saturday, but that man is a machine.  Some teams have “star players” that are willing to give up some of their money to keep another awesome player (Larry Fitzgerald).  Peyton isn’t about to give up any of his gozillion dollars to keep one of the receivers that has saved his ass so many times.  It will be great to see both of these guys get scooped up in free agency and have it come back to bite the Colts in the ass.  Mmm, schadenfreude.

Your not-so-news newsflash: Alex Rodriguez is still a liar!  Even worse, he can’t figure out his own story.  What an asshole.  Keep on diggin’, A-Rod, that hole just isn’t quite big enough yet.

This of for-real interest:  Former White Sox 3B Joe Crede is now a…a…(damn it) Minnesota Twinkie.  His back trouble made him a liability to the Sox, who had a willing replacement in one Josh Fields.  The Twins are hoping Crede’s still got enough bat and glove abilities to make the push for the World Series this year.  I’m hoping this doesn’t bite the ChiSox in the ass  (That’s a bit of someone else’s schadenfreude to maybe have, I suppose. ;) ).

I would love to go to a Spring Training game…too bad the finances aren’t there to let us have a nice long weekend with a baseball game to enjoy in sunny FL (or AZ)…but it’s only 45 days until the home opener for the Indians.  I also understand that today may be “picture day” for the clubs.  Start looking for those new shots on Getty Images later this week or early next, I’d wager.