Packers Steal Eddie Lacy

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has hit gold in the 2013 NFL Draft with his first two selections, but drafting Eddie Lacy is the biggest steal in the first two rounds.  Eddie Lacy was the best running back coming into the draft and he fills an enormous hole on the Packers roster.  He was projected by many experts to be selected in the first round, possibly to the Packers with the 26th overall pick, but he ended up sliding all the way to the 61st overall pick.

Eddie Lacy is an inside power runner, who the Packers have desperately need for years to improve their below average running game.  He was a workhorse for Alabama in 14 games last season carrying the ball 204 times for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns.  He also caught 22 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

Mike Mayock of NFL Network loved the Packers selection:

"At 230 pounds, he's got much better feet than people think.  This guy's a three-down tailback.  He'll protect the quarterback.  He can carry 20 to 25 times a game.  For the Packers, who have been running the ball by committee, this is a perfect pick."

He definitely is NFL ready and should instantly make a solid impact for the Packers this season.  He gives the Packers the threat of running the ball on any down and will instantly improve the Packers offense.  The Packers got huge value with the 61st overall pick drafting the first-round talent, Eddie Lacy, and he will be a star for the Packers for the years to come.  

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Needs to Make a Return to Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks season is all but over, and it is time to start looking towards next season.  Their first decision will be deciding whether interim coach Jim Boylan will return next season.  Based on the way the Bucks have performed since he has taken over for Scott Skiles (Record of 22-28), he will and should not return as the head coach next season.  Instead the Bucks need to hire a head coach that will demand respect from his players and be able to turn around a disappointing franchise that has not been competitive since 2000-2001.

George Karl is not coming back and the last time I checked Phil Jackson is not interested in coming to Milwaukee, so the Bucks will need to find an up incoming coach that has similar coaching styles like some of the best coaches in the game today.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is someone who fits this profile.  Even though he has no coaching experience, he brings something that only a few coaches in the NBA bring today - automatic respect.

According to Dave Begel of OnMilwaukee.com, the NBA's all-time leading scorer is interested in coaching the Bucks after this season:

One name I didn't hear, and one that I think should move to the very head of the line is a man I talked with last week who said he'd jump at the chance to coach the Bucks.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  I asked him flat out if he would be willing to be the head coach of the Bucks.  "Of course," he replied.

Stars want to play for coaches like Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, and Doc Rivers because not only have they been successful but they are well respected.  Mutual respect is key to success, just take a look at two former head coaches -- Avery Johnson and Nate McMillan.  Avery Johnson was fired early into this season because he and Deron Williams did not get along, which hurt the teams chemistry and performance.  Nate McMillian was fired last season because most of his players did not get along with him, hurting the teams overall play on the court.

Not only would Kareem demand respect, but he would also be able to mentor Larry Sanders and John Henson.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the best big man to ever play in the NBA and he could use his experience to help make Sanders and Henson stars.

Just imagine the 7'2" legend roaming the sideline for the Bucks!  Even though he has no coaching experience he will be respected instantly by his players and will be able to teach them everything he learned when he was dominating the paint for the Bucks and Lakers in the 70s and 80s.  Hiring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as their next head coach would bring excitement to Milwaukee and lead the franchise into the right direction for the years to come.

What should the Milwaukee Bucks do with their head coaching situation?  Leave your thoughts below.

Brewers Need to Sign Francisco Rodriguez

The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen has been a major disappointment this season and it is time for them to add a new veteran arm.  In eight games the bullpen has blown two saves in three opportunities and has a 6.11 ERA.

Francisco Rodriguez is the answer to the Brewers problems.  The Brewers have been reported to be interested in his services and this would make sense for both parties.  Even though he had a miserable season last year with a 4.38 ERA in 72 innings, he did finish off strong with a 1.20 ERA over the final month of the season.

K-Rod would give the Brewers a veteran relief pitcher that has been a successful closer over his career.  Throughout his 11 year career he has averaged a 2.70 ERA in 72 innings with 29 saves.  As a closer he has won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award twice (2006, 2008), and has led the American League in saves three times (2005-2006, 2008).

Signing Francisco Rodriguez would be a smart move for the Brewers if they were able to sign him to a minor league deal.  This forces him to earn his way back to the majors, by showing the Brewers that he is still capable of being a solid pitcher, and the Brewers would not be on the hook for an enormous amount of money if he does not pan out.

Adding Francisco Rodriguez would be a low risk, high reward move for the Brewers, and he could provide the Brewers with a reliable closer option that they desperately need.

Carlos Quentin Thinks He is a WWE Wrestler

San Diego Padres' slugger Carlos Quentin rushed the mound on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers and wrestled right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke to the ground.  This lead to a benches clearing brawl, and left Greinke with a left collarbone injury.

This happened in the sixth inning during a 3-2 count, with Quentin being hit in the shoulder.  Usually the blame would be all on the pitcher, but in this case it should be put completely on Quentin.  Quentin has been hit 116 times over his career, with a few occasions because it was intentional, but mostly because he crowds the plate.  There was no reason to believe Greinke was intently throwing at him in a one run game and Quentin needs to be punished for his actions.

Zack Greinke is mostly likely going to miss around two months due to this injury and it will definitely derail the Dodgers season.  Suspending Carlos Quentin for 15 games without pay is only fair because he charged the mound and injured an opposing pitcher, and this injury will force Greinke to miss around 15 starts.

Major League Baseball needs to make a statement with this suspension and show other players that you cannot get away with intentionally injuring an opposing player by suspending Quentin for 15 games.  

How long do you think Carlos Quentin should be suspended?  Comment below with your thoughts.  

NCAA Championship Game Prediction

Louisville and Michigan will battle for the chance to win the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship on Monday night, something both of these programs have not done for over 20 years.

This will be a fun and exciting game featuring Michigan's explosive offense versus Louisville's dominating defense.  Michigan has an explosive offense that does an excellent job of scoring inside and out.  The Wolverines rank first in offensive efficiency and take outstanding care of the ball.  While Louisville ranks first in defensive efficiency and they do a great job of defending the perimeter.  The Cardinals are also able to force turnovers with ease, ranking second in the nation.

This will be an outstanding game featuring the best offensive team versus the best defensive team in the country.  Trey Burke must show why he is the Player of the Year by being able to have a great shooting night, while getting his teammates involved, and do a solid job taking care of the ball if Michigan wants to win.  Louisville will not stop Michigan from scoring, but they do need to slow them down if they want to have a chance at winning.

Trey Burke and company will be to much for the Cardinals too handle, and they will be cutting down the nets at the end of the night.

Milwaukee Brewers: Time to Make a Change at Closer

It is time Brewers' fans for John Axford to be taken out of the closer role.  John Axford has been the Brewers closer for two and a half season, and we have witnessed the good and bad from the "Ax Man."  Last season, Axford was dreadful, blowing nine games, which was the highest among National League closers, and was one of the main reasons why the Brewers were not playing in October.

Throughout the entire offseason, the Brewers were supporting him and made it well known that he would be the closer this season.  To give the job to him without making him earn it in Spring Training, was a huge mistake, and it already has proven to cost the Brewers. 

In his first appearance on Opening Day, Axford allowed a game tying home run, giving him a blown save.  Last night, in a non-save situation with the Brewers trailing, Axford allowed two home runs, putting the game out of reach for the Brewers to even make a comeback.  This was very frustrating because instead of trailing by only a run, the Brewers were down by three.  

John Axford has never been the same since his career year in 2011, and it is time to make a change before he hurts our playoff chances for a second consecutive season.  The veteran left-hander, Mike Gonzalez, needs to be given the ninth inning duties.  He is an experienced veteran who has proven success in the majors, and most importantly, has been a closer before.

The Brewers need to move John Axford out of the closer role, and give the closing duties to Mike Gonzalez.  John Axford has had his opportunities, and he has not taken advantage of them.  This move needs to happen as soon as possible before Axford starts hurting our chances at playing in October.

The Klotsche Center is Hurting the Milwaukee Panthers

What are three things that describe the Milwaukee Panthers Men's Basketball program?  History of success, employing two of the best coaches to ever coach in the state of Wisconsin in Bo Ryan and Bruce Pearl, and the lack of facilities would be how I describe the basketball program.

Lack of facilities has always been an issue but it has grown and become a bigger problem over the past ten months.  On June 26th, 2012 Andy Geiger, Director of Athletics, announced the move back on campus to the Klotsche Center.  This move was designed to trigger greater student engagement in athletics and add to the campus life, culture and atmosphere while providing the Panthers with tremendous home court advantage.

This move did nothing but hurt Milwaukee Basketball.  Students attendance was still low, season ticket holders were upset, and most importantly this move did not provide any home court advantage with only a .500 winning percentage this past season.

Now with conferences above the Horizon League looking to add teams, you would think Milwaukee would be considered because of their proven success, being in bigger media market, and room for growth.  These three things make Milwaukee an attractive option, but the lack of a quality basketball arena is holding us back.

The Missouri Valley is currently looking for a new member to replace Creighton, who is moving to the new Big East, and three teams from the Horizon League, Valparaiso, Loyola and Illinois-Chicago are being considered.  Milwaukee is better than all three of these schools, and if the Panthers had a long-term lease with the U.S. Cellular Arena, none of these teams would be on the list, Milwaukee would be the list.

In 1977 the Klotsche Center was opened for student recreation, not to hold a Division One basketball program.  A D-1 program should never play in a high school size gym, and there is no excuse for why the Panthers are.  Without moving back to the U.S. Cellular Arena, the Panthers will be stuck in the Horizon League, and will have no chance of being a competitive basketball program.

All the blame should be put on Andy Geiger for this mess, and May 1st cannot come quick enough when new Director of Athletic, Amanda Braun, takes over.  Her first decision needs to be moving back to the Cell.  If we continue to play in the Klotsche, Milwaukee Basketball will be a joke because we will have no room for growth and will struggle to land talented recruits, which will lead to disappointing play on the court.