Update

President Obama has just announced that mandatory health insurance will take place if his plan passes.
Obama made this announcement before the full session on Congress.

Obama's decision to implement this plan goes against his campaign position of not having mandates.........

Health Care and other thoughts

As the debate of health care reform continues to escalate,a proposal by Senator Max Baucus of Montana to reform health care has alarmed me.
The Baucus plan includes a segment that will fine Americans that do not have health insurance.
The plans will fine people costs that range from a maximum of 950 dollars for an individual to an astonishing 3,800 for families.
Families that cannot afford health care now could have almost 4,000 dollars taken away from them.
Look,I am probably more liberal than most on this topic,but this seems to be one of the dumber ideas that I have heard.
The issue with health care is that people struggle to pay for it and the insurance companies don't always want to pay you for you paid for and the answer is forcing families to purchase things that they cannot afford?
Sorry,but that dog does not hunt.
One person compared this idea to being similar to the mandatory auto insurance that we must carry.
That comparison doesn't carry water.
Auto insurance is mandatory because of the possibility of your car damaging another innocent person on the road,health insurance is a decision based gamble on your part.
The Democrats have bungled this whole thing badly from not making their goal clear to having people not understand much of what the hell they are talking about.
Public Option?
Sounds like a college football offense to me.
On the other side,the Republicans have made every attempt to change the system in the way that it needs to changed sound like the tanks are rumbling into Prague.
Medicare for all.
How bad can that be?
Socialistic?
I highly doubt it.
Do a google search for Lyndon Johnson,Medicare and Republican and take a look at what was being said before arguably the most successful government program ever was passed.
Sounds hauntingly familiar,doesn't it?
I think the health care system needs a major change,but fining people that cannot afford large payments each month is the answer,I'll take the current broken system any day.


Bullpen Notes

Once again,the man that does the best job in explaining the crisis in the country isn't the President,he isn't a Senator or even a Congressman.
He isn't even an elected official,but Jim Cornette hammers every point,covers every base and does it in language (albeit very salty language) that every person can understand.
My question is this-why doesn't HBO pick up Cornette as guest host of Real Time when Bill Maher is off?
Or MSNBC add Cornette to their liberal lineup or Fox giving their critics a shot by adding a Democrat to their grid.......

It's Brady Quinn over Derek Anderson for the Browns starting quarterback job.
I don't think that it will matter much,but it had to be one of them,I guess.

Finally with a little over a month to go in the Rita's Italian Ice season,I was finally able to get my first Green Apple of the season!
Plus with a special,they were doing,I was able to add three quarts to the freezer for under ten bucks!

Now that my Rita's fetish has been taken care,I can look forward to only two months before Ashland/Wooster Drive In Coneys,chicken sandwiches and deep fried dill pickles and Donna D's Pizza!
Living here is rough in this pizza wasteland!

I am working overtime again this week,so I hope to get the Browns and Seahawks preview finished along with the first of a few On the Signing Front posts that will cover the last six weeks of the season...

Why you don't take your foot off the gas pedal

Ohio State held off a furious Navy comeback to escape with a 31-27 win in the Buckeyes opener in Columbus.
I know the Mark May's of the world are taking their shots and I certainly am not very comfortable with USC coming to town next week,but the news was not all bad and I am not nearly as upset as most OSU fans.

Buckeye Branches

1) A win is a win and there are concerns to be sure,but the game was not as close as the score indicates,Ohio State dominated most of the contest,but simply became complacent in the fourth quarter.

2) Many are harping on Jim Tressel making the decision to go for it on 4th down with a 15 point lead instead of kicking a field goal to make the lead a three possession one.
Those are the same people that would have likely stuck to Tressel for kicking a field goal to run it up on poor Navy.

3) I liked the decision to go for it,but I hated the play call.
Navy had stuffed the last two running plays and you call a similar play for the 3rd time?
You have the best quarterback athlete in college football taking the snap,get him out in space!
Space with Terrelle Pryor gives you three options and all of them fit well in that situation.
Pryor around end or a option pitch would be good calls or a play action that leaves the tight end open all made more sense than the play that was called.

4) Brian Rolle's interception and return for two points put the game away,but Rolle was having a solid game before that as he was in on nine tackles with one for a loss.
Between Rolle and Ross Homan,the Bucks are better at linebacker than one thinks...

5) Wish I could say the same for the Buckeye secondary(Kurt Coleman being an exception) which shockingly struggled against Navy.
Anderson Russell was cleanly beat by Marcus Curry for a long TD pass and the corners were nothing to be excited about either.
If one worry came out of this game-it is the Buckeye secondary...

6) Kurt Coleman had a huge day at safety though as he forced a fumble and intercepted a pass along with nine tackles.
The senior played like one and he may need to continue to play at that level with the secondary issues....

7) One overlooked fact on Navy is their six bowl appearances in a row.
Granted they were all smaller bowls in the age where any 6 win team seems to get into one,but still.
Their offense is fun to watch and they battle you for 60 minutes,this game made me want to see more of the Midshipmen!

8) Upset special-two Saturdays from now-Navy over Pittsburgh and if the kickoff was a normal noon kickoff-I would think about attending....

9) I thought Terrelle Pryor played well (1 TD each rushing and passing),although his one interception was simply a poor pass.
The Buckeyes need to let Pryor do what he does best,move and improvise and not try to make him something that he is not....

10) Want another concern?
Boom Herron is the biggest Buckeye back and he didn't get the job done on short yardage.
That has to change and soon.
Look for the Buckeye to recruit a bigger back for next season's freshmen class....

11) If you don't like Chris Spielman in the booth-you don't like football.
I know he is an OSU guy,but his passion for the game (putting Ohio State aside) is so evident and his preparation for the game gives the viewer everything they could want from an announcer...

12) Wish I could say the same for Bob Griese,who was lost yesterday.
Between calling Daniel Herron "Tim" with his name on the screen and calling Ohio State the Buccaneers,Griese seemed more likely to be in a rest home than the press box.

13) Liked Brandon Saine's game a lot and the Buckeyes need to find a way to get Saine 15 touches a game.

14) Can you find anything better sportmanshipwise than the two teams running on the field together?
A great sight and credit to both teams for such a clean game and great day in Columbus...

Photo Credits
Rolle,Pryor:Terry Gilliam-AP Photo
Saine:Tracy Boulian-Cleveland Plain Dealer

Buckeye Football

Ohio State kicks off the 2009 season at home against the visiting Midshipmen from Navy.
The Buckeyes do have some holes to plug on both sides of the ball,but should be at least in the hunt for a Big Ten title and BCS bid.
On offense,Terrelle Pryor returns to pilot the offense with a year of experience under his belt.
Pryor might be the top rushing threat as well with the loss of Chris Wells at running back.
Pryor needs to continue to work on his passing,but should be the Buckeyes outstanding offensive player.
Former Pirate farmhand Joe Bauserman will back Pryor up and will get most of the garbage time snaps.
Ohio State has questions at running back with Wells gone,but both Daniel "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine bring some experience to the table.
Herron,a sophomore,is more of a power runner,while Saine has struggled staying healthy,but has shown explosive elite level speed at times in his past two years.
Both should see plenty of action along with highly touted freshman Jamaal Berry.
Berry has been reported to show lots of promise in practice and the Florida native was one of the highest rated recruits among running backs in the country.
All three will share carries,until one separates from the pack.
Three Freshmen are battling for the starting spot as Zach Boren and Justin Homan appear to have gained a small edge on fellow freshman Jemil Martin.
The key is blocking for fullbacks in the Tressel system and any freshman in that spot will be tested quickly.
The wideouts lost lots of experience when Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline moved to the pros.
Ray Small has the most experience as a senior,but his OSU term has been marked by various off field issues,while junior Dane Sanzenbacher has shown good hands and most likely to replace Hartline as the possession receiver.
Sophomores Devier Posey and Lamaar Thomas should see time as well and freshman Duron Carter could be the best of the group by the time the season ends.
Massive senior Jake Ballard will be the tight end.
Ballard should be a huge target by the goal line and with a fast start could be a big part of the offense.
The offensive line lost the left side from last years line in tackle Alex Boone and guard Steve Rehring,but returns the other three starters.
Michigan transfer Justin Boren should be an upgrade over Rehring at guard and two huge tackles in Andrew Miller and JB Shugarts are battling for Boone's spot.
Hopefully,the winner can remember how to block in a bowl game.
Mike Brewster,Jim Cordle and Bryant Browning all return as starters....

The defense took some hits from the graduation bug,but should be an excellent unit by seasons end.
Ends Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson give OSU experienced and yet young starters,with hard luck senior Lawrence Wilson seeing lots of time as well.
Senior Doug Worthington is the top tackle and Dexter Larimore starts beside him,but if there is weakness on the defense,it is line depth.
Someone will need to step up over the course of the season....
All three linebackers moved on to the NFL,most notably James Laurinaitis,but Marcos Freeman was highly underrated as well.
Ohio State has tons of talent at backer though as Ross Homan should seamlessly transition into the spot vacated by Laurinaitis.
Senior Austin Spitler has waited a long time for his chance to start and junior Brian Rolle is no slouch either.
Two talented sophs are pushing for time in Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat,so either could move into the starting lineup before long.
Both corners vacated spots as 1st and 3rd draft picks Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington left for the pros.
Junior Chimidi Chekwa brings the most experience and will start on the top corner,senior Andre Amos and junior Devon Torrence will both spend time at the other corner spot.
Experience is not an issue at safety as seniors Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman both return and could threaten for All America honors.
Jermale Hines should be the nickel safety.
Aaron Pettrey finally gets the kicking job to himself as Ryan Pretorius graduated.
Pettrey had split time for the last two seasons.
Jon Thoma looks to be the punter as a senior that has waited his turn.
Look for various players to return kicks and punts,but Brandon Saine and Ray Small should see the most opportunities.

Ohio State doesn't rebuild,so one would think they should be solid again and with a win over USC could be in position for another BCS title game.
There are questions though,although the non-conference is not rough other than the Trojans games.
Let's say 10-2,7-1 in conference and a BCS bid.

Today's game against Navy is not a gimme.
The feared triple option is in town and teams so rarely see the offense run and that could be a problem early.
But,this should not be too tough.
OSU 34-14.

Devils and Pirates notes

A few Random Ramblings to keep things in order before a premature return to work.

The New Jersey Devils announced a one time return to the old days of the red and green for their St.Patrick Day home games against the Penguins.
The Devils don't use a third jersey usually,but I always liked the red and green,so I am more than fine about using them.
The old unis are shown in the card to my right of Slava Fetisov.

The Devils also seem to be making a move to market the team better than in past seasons.
The Devils are employing a PR firm that has been contacting bloggers (we were contacted) with press releases and other notes to get the word on Devils hockey fastest to the people that care most-the hard core Devils fan.

New Jersey also took a swipe at their former cousin,the NBA's New Jersey Nets.
You see,the Devils were sold separately from the Nets and the Nets have this pipe dream of moving back across the river to Brooklyn,where they dream of an arena that has yet to have a shovel hit the dirt.
The Nets by continuing to shuffle along at the aging Meadowlands instead of either moving to Newark with the Devils or getting off their rump and moving to NYC,keep the Meadowlands arena open.
That creates competition with the Rock for various events that add coins to the coffer.
So when the Nets recently announced their decision to remove the name New Jersey from their road uniforms,the Devils were faster than a down ice rush to tweak the Nets a bit.
Almost immediately a billboard with this went up near the Meadowlands.

The Pirates were rapped again by the lowly Reds,this time 11-5 as Charlie Morton allowed four runs in the first in a game that was just awful to watch.
The Bucs attempt to avoid a four game sweep today with Zach Duke against Homer Bailey.

Pittsburgh also called up Neil Walker and Virgil Vasquez before yesterday's game.
Walker grounded out in a pinch hitting appearance,while Vasquez in a stunning surprise allowed two runs in one inning of work.
There should be a few more callups after Indianapolis finishes their season on Monday.

Not sure why Pirate blogger have such venom for Walker.
Various writers have written Walker off after two average seasons at Indianapolis and despite Walker's flaws at the plate (mediocre average and poor plate discipline),I would not be against a Walker vs Andy LaRoche showdown in spring training.
Their gloves seem similar and although LaRoche hits for better average,Walker has the power advantage.
Walker certainly is not the prospect that some thought he could be at this stage,but I am not ready to write him off as a bust yet either.

Pedro Alvarez,Brad Lincoln and Dustin Molleken are on their way to Europe to play in the World Cup.
Alvarez and Lincoln will be on the US team,while Molleken will be pitching for Canada.
Tough break for the collection as Alvarez left just before I could have had him sign his Altoona card.....

I plan on a Buckeye football preview over the next two days and I think I am going to wait until after the Lake County series against the Suns before doing one or two huge on the signing fronts...

Browns talk and Seahawks too

A little bit of pigskin talk,but first for the handful of you that actually care,I have picked up a few Wednesdays for the month of September at work,so that could affect things here a little bit.
However,the extra time will help pay for things like NHL Center Ice and toss some bucks back for vacation time.....

The Cleveland Browns have yet to name their starting quarterback (Like that will matter any),but have made a few moves of interest.
Offensive lineman Ryan Tucker was placed on the IR,but could return to the team later in the season if an agreement is reached in the next five days.
If none is reached,Tucker could be free to sign with anyone but the Browns.
The 13 year veteran was second on the depth chart at guard behind Floyd "Pork Chop"Womack.

Cleveland also placed backup lineman Fred Weary on the IR ending his season.
A short run for Weary,who joined the team just a few weeks back when Shaun Smith was released.

The Browns released the one cornerback of note that they brought in to challenge Eric Wright and Darnell McDonald in releasing former Cardinal Rod Hood.
Hood was beaten badly for a long touchdown in the Browns win over Tennessee and seemed to have disappointed Mangini and company...

Cleveland did pick up a seventh round pick in the 2010 draft in shipping backup defensive lineman Louis Leonard to the Panthers.
Anytime you can add a pick, even a later rounder, for a backup-it is a good deal.

If you are asking me-Quinn or Anderson-here is the answer.
I don't know.
I am not thrilled with either and wish their was a better option.
Quinn doesn't have Anderson's arm.
Anderson doesn't have Quinn's intangibles.
The Browns paid a high price for Quinn and still doesn't know what they have.
Anderson's marketability is low and wont get higher by sitting.
So as Jeff Spicolli once so eloquently said-" I don't know".

The one thing is looks possible is rookie runner James Davis passing Jerome Harrison as Jamal Lewis backup.
Harrison has yet to play in the pre season and Davis has rushed for just under 150 yds in the exhibition season,showing flashes of breakway ability-ablilities that seem to have Lewis by,

Very little news on the Seattle front other than the release of second year wideout Michael Bumpus.
I liked Bumpus from what I saw of him last season,but the writing was on the wall with the amount of players that return from 08 injuries and the drafting on Penn State's Deon Butler in the third round....

Photo Credits
Logo-SportsLogos.Com
Davis-Unknown

Starting off

We start September with a whimper,but soon things will be heating up.
Just some thoughts on various things and upcoming posts.

This is the time of year that I have the hardest time coming up with things for the Pirates to write about.
The team is usually rotten,the games are not televised as often and other than the September callups there isn't all that much to get excited about.
However,I did like what I saw from Daniel McCutchen yesterday with the exception of allowing a homer to Drew Stubbs early in the first inning.
McCutchen's debut lasted six innings with three runs on five hits and fanned five.

The first game was lost on an ninth inning wild pitch by Jesse Chavez that allowed Darnell McDonald to score.
Two thoughts-Chavez has been pretty ineffective in August as his ERA as gone up by half a run in August.
The other?
Darnell McDonald is still in the league?
Anyone remember when he was drafted by the Orioles and was going to be the next big star.
Of course,most of the same people thought Jeffrey Hammonds was a better prospect than Manny Ramirez as well....

Cincinnati as always had the rep of being a baseball town,but it sure didn't look that way yesterday with a crowd that would have half filled the Muni for Game 1 of the doubleheader yesterday afternoon.
Announced attendance was 2,000 and that might have been very generous.
I can understand it though with kids back to school on a work day and two of the three worst teams in the National League facing off does not make the most viable environment for a big crowd.

The Pirates losing both halves of the twinbill solidified their draft slot at 3rd with a month to go.
Chances of moving to the top spot look distant,but passing Kansas City for second is still very viable.

Look for an Ohio State football preview before Saturday's opener with Navy.
I am hoping to bang that out during the off days and have it ready sometime Friday.

We will have our annual look at the Browns and Seahawks the following week as well.

The Pirate blues are countered though with Buckeye,Brown and Seahawk football on the way and the Devils training camp opening soon,so this is just a short downtime.

Well,Versus is off DirectTV as we speak.
Assuming an agreement is not in place when the puck drops,that would mean five Devils games that I would miss and of course any playoff games that would be beyond the first round.
Of course this would not be an issue if Gary Bettman had stayed with ESPN to being with,but that is another story for another day.

Sorry to hear about Paul James also known as the Gardener Guy losing his show (Gardening by the Yard) on HGTV.
Actually,the old shows will still be around there,but no new shows will be produced.
James is the only man alive that made gardening shows fun to watch and will be missed.
But James does have a new website up for those of you that liked the show or have yard/garden questions can still ask the master about.

One of my fondest memories was when I first started watching the show and realized that every time the bumper music played,Rachel would pull herself up in her playpen and watch along.
Now,that same child becomes a teenager in a month and day.
Where does the time go???

Until later when we talk about the various news with the pigskin,some off the ice Devils news and perhaps either a knives and daggers or forgotten superstar.

Photo Credits
McCutchen and Wild Pitch:David Kohl;AP Photo
Paul James:HGTV.com
Rachel Heimberger:Herself.