Should We At All Be Surprised ?

Well it’d appear that newly signed Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Terrell Owens has proffered up some words of advice for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell . Granted the player is entitled to his very own opinions as to what he deems to be reasonably fair as far as the commissioner’s intervention and punishment meted out by Goodell , as far as Michael Vick is concerned. But then again who is Owens anyway to be espousing what he deems to be fair and what is actually not ?

Owens (81) and teammate quarterback Trent Edwards (5) have a discussion on the first day of the team's official opening of training camp. The Buffalo Bills' training camp is being held on the grounds of St John Fisher College in Pittsford,. N.Y. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ David Duprey ...................

This happens to be the same player who’s layed waste to to three NFL franchises (San Francisco 49ers , Philadelphia Eagles & Dallas Cowboys ) over the course of his career. And he’s carried on as if in neither of the cases was he at all fault , or to be blamed. Now the Bills will have the privilege of having the player within their very midst. I can’t fathom what’ll happen at the first sign of adversity or a flare up between either he and the team’s quarterback, Trent Edwards . Or quite possibly between Owens and the team’s coach Dick Jauron .

Owens makes the catch and run during a play at the Buffalo Bills' training camp. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ David Duprey ...............

The one thing that we can be all sure of, is that in each of the cases thus far. It is the very fact that Owens has behaved as if he’s a woman scorned by a lover whose found someone else. Bearing in mind that Owens in large part has been the main protagonist in many of his so called downfalls. Vociferous , self indulgent and above all severly critical of those who don’t often share the same opinion as himself. That being said he fell from grace and the soiled relationship between he and Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones, says a great deal about both individuals.

Owens signs autographs for the fans in attendance at the team's training camp at St John Fisher College in Pittsford ,. N.Y. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ David Duprey ...........................

Owens for his part and that of his agent Drew Rosenhaus , know that at this point . This will be the last chance and stop for the player to lead a franchise to a Superbowl win. Failure as they say “….. is not an option. ” So everything now, is in the hands of Owens and what we believe will be his perceived relationship with his new found teammates. Will it be his team ? Or will he actually defer to his teammate Trent Edwards ? Moreover, will it be the softly, softly approach coming from Jauron as the team fares throughout much of the regular season ?

Bills' owner Ralph Wilson Jr speaks with members of the team at their training facility at St John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ David Duprey .............

Coming off a rather disapppointing (7-9) season from last year. In reality the only way is up for the AFC East franchise. And having to look up from the bottom of the division at the Miami Dolphins , New York Jets and the New England Patriots can’t at all have given the Bills’ fans a great deal of pleasure.

The TO Show which premiered on VH1 cable station on the 20th July. The show is meant to give us a behind the scenes look at the player’s life and his relationships.

If anything the luster that Owens hopes to bring back to the Bills. It’ll be predicated upon how much his desire it is to be viewed as a success in the eyes of the fans and the lengths that he’s prepared to prove himself a valuable asset and teammate. So far , he’s gone about selling himself and the TO brand . And much of that has come with the assistance of his VH1 reality show …The T.O Show As to whether or not anyone has been watching , who knows or cares ?

The Bills’ fans for their part have made the player feel welcomed at this juncture. But it remains to be seen what’ll happen , once that first sign of narcisisstical behavior comes to the fore and his unwillingness to be viewed as a team player. They’ll either embrace it or quite possibly vent their anger in the direction of the player and coach if the team isn’t said to be faring at all well. The one thing we know for sure is that Owens is at peace with himself and those around him. He’s simply outstanding and one of the most feared offensive players in the entire NFL. When things aren’t going right however, he then becomes something of a pariah and at best the most self serving and primadonna like athlete that we’ve all become accustomed to seeing. Love him or hate him . Owens is what he his. And he’s not about to change for anyone , anytime soon ! And that means even if he should lead a team to the Promised Land. What you see and what you’ll continue to get is steadfasty …..TO continuing to be TO . Always opinionated on just about any subject that happens to be within his so called perceived sphere of influence.

Owens and his then fiancee' Felisha during a photo-shoot. The player admitted to his infidelity and trust issues while being invollved with the model at the time. On his show he's revisited those very same issues while trying to win her back with a commitment of trust and honesty. Don't hold your breath ! copyrighted material ....@ All rights reserved ......................

And what of the Bills you might ask ? How are they about to fare ? Well much of that also may well lie in the health of their quarterback Trent Edwards. And whether or not his body can withstand a full NFL 16 game schedule. So far in his short career within the NFL , he’s yet to play a full season. Merely because of recurring injuries and also the complete lack of protection from his offensive line. If they can’t protect him then the team and in particular TO will be in for a horrendous season from the outset.

Bills' coach Dick Jauron oversees the Buffalo Bills' training camp at St John Fisher College in Pittsford , New York. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo / David Duprey ...................

Facts are fact and they don’t come anymore succinctly than that. So what are your thoughts as to how the Bills might fare ? It should make for an interesting topic of debate don’t you think ?

Hitting Is An Art Form And The Art Is In Watching Mauer , Ichiro And Pujols At Work …….

I’ve got to admit that the game of baseball as a spectacle, is one of the most fascinating sporting events to watch. That being said , since the resumption of the season. I’ve been eagerly fascinated to see the how the battling title in the American League will culminate.

Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins waits n the dugout for his at-bat against the Los Angeles Angels in a game played at Angels Stadium in Anaheim , California this past Sunday. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Harry How .............

Atop of the list are the Minnesota Twins’ , Joe Mauer and the Seattle Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki . Each player has already been the recipient of a batting title in MLB . Both players are highly respected by their peers , managers , coaches and the fans across the game of baseball.

Ichiro hits a single in the game played against the Cleveland Indians this past Sunday in Seattle , Washington. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ John Froschauer .................

At present there are but eight hunredths of a percentage point that separates Mauer and Ichiro in the batting statistics wthing the AL.

Batting Avg:
Joe Mauer MIN.366
Ichiro Suzuki SEA .358

Justin Morneau (33) and teammate Joe Mauer (7) celebrate his two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in a game played at Anaheim Stadium , Los Angeles, California . picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Harry How ...................

Each of these players are a breed apart from their peers within the AL and across the game. Granted in the National League there is Albert Pujols of the St Louis Cardinals. And by all acounts all that stands between Pujols and quite possibly winning the Triple Crown, is the player himself and the willingness of the pitchers, to pitch to the player , rather than walking him. I for one am inclined to belive that even with the addition of Matt Holliday on the Cardinals’ roster , that might not necessarily change. Pujols’ stats are simply amazing and furthermore , mind boggling to say the very least.

Pujols’ stats: Batt’g avg .325, Home runs 34 , RBI’s 91, Runs 79, Stolen Bases 10.

A pensive Ichiro Suzuki sits in the dugout during the ninth inning of the game played against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field , Seattle, Washington. The Indians would go on to defeat the Mariners 10-3 in the game. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ John Froschauer ...........................

We may , or may not see another Triple Crown winner in the league. The last player to achieve the feat in baseball, leading in hits, home runs and batting average was Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox in 1967. That year Yastrzemski hit 44 home runs, 121 rbi’s , and had an average of .326 . On the face of it those number might not seem impressive but that year it was good enough to for the league.

Pitcher Roy Oswalt of the Astros pitches to the Cardinals' first baseman Albert Puols in the first inning of a game played in Houston., Tx. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Michael Taylor ......

In the American League both Ichiro and Mauer have impressed. And for the Mariners (51-46) , this season being one highs and lows. He’s been one of the few consistent bright spots on the team. Though they sit 7 1/2 games behind the AL West leading Los Angeles Angeles . And for Mariners’ hierarchy it’d appear that being competitive within the division . Much less the American League does not appear to be of their utmost priority. They’ve squandered whatever goodwill they have within the city of Seattle. And the futility shown over the years seems to be indicative as to how Mariners have conducted business over the years. Ther relevancy and dominance hasn’t been evident , since the days when they were managed by Lou Piniella .Then the Mariners were riding high and averaging 89 wins a season. But in 2001 they had an astonishing 116 wins , only to succumb to the New York Yankees in the ALCS that year. To state that since then the club has underperformed would be understatement. They’ve become a caricature for all that ails the game and in particular teams that on appearance have no real ambition. That’s how mediocre the game has become in terms of a brand.

The Minnesota Twins for their part , year in , year out, just seem to be competitive. No matter how their roster seems to be formulated. And that’s a tribute to astute awareness of their owners , management and in particular their players. And having lost a number of players either throigh trades or free-agency. They still seem to resonate with their fans and their competitors as a whole.

And how else can we explain the very fact that Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire who alongide GM Bill Smith , have made studious moves that has made this AL Central league team all the more competitive. And at this juncture who can question the resolve of the organization ? The Twins even with a (48-50) record, some 5 games behind the Detroit Tigers and 2 behind the Chicago White Sox . If they’re able to keep up their momentum it’s not out of the realms of possibility that they’re able to make a concerted effort to win the AL Central Division.
Much of that would predicated upon the play of Joe Mauer and his teammate Justin Morneau . These two players in particular, are the spear-head behind the Twins’ offensive prowess.

One of the main criticisms behind teams such as the Twins and other mid-market teams. It has been their reluctance to put a productive and competitive brand on a baseball field. And that has been what this baseball club has been able to do with a great deal of consistency. Unlike some of the mid-tier market teams. The team’s owner Jim Pohlad has been a dutiful custodian of this team. And as owner he’s been a credit to the game of baseball. Likewise , baseball has reciprocated with with the success that has been brought to baseball club over the years. The team still has a very loyal fanbase that shows its unyielding support.

Whilst players such as Mauer and Morneau remain with the team. And the team’s roster is nurtured , we’ll continue to see that success both on and off the field. The battle for the AL batting title may well come down to not only the prowess shown both Ichiro and Joe Mauer. But in all likelihood it’ll come down to the success and strength shown by both teams.While both can hit for power , it doesn’t necessarily play a great part of their offensive repertoire. Both players tend to use it as and when needed. If anything it’s their willingness to do what’s best for the team that makes both of the players so special. And undoubtedly both teams are thankful for what both of these players have brought to their respective organizations.

So as now let’s see what the future has in store for us with regard to this particular contest. It will be enthralling to watch as it comes down to its final weeks.