DBAHO

Charlie Casserly doesn't want a 2004 2nd round pick, he's willin to take a 2005 2nd round draft pick so I wouldn't count out da Boys yet. The only way I can see Parcells taking a RB with the 1st pick is if Stephan Jackson or Kevin Jones slip down to #22 which prob ain't gonna happen. We only hav 5 picks in this year's draft so it's gonna be hard to move up and down da board a lot. Parcells will either go for sum size on the DL or even take a CB with their 1st pick, since they prob ain't gonna resign Mario Edwards. The most likely scenario is for Parcells to sign Duce Staley to a 2 to 3 year deal, and draft a RB like Clarett or Cobbs in the 2nd or 3rd round. And if the Redskins don't get Clinton Portis, look for em to trade a 3rd round pick to Cincinatti for Corey Dillon, I don't think Jerry Jones is willin to pay that high a price for a 30 year old RB.

The Hawks should just keep losin so they can get a Rick Nash, Ilja Kovalchuk type player in the draft, so they can market the team betta in the future with Ruutu. Mark Bell is finally developin into a power forward as well, although he still has a long way to go. And I think Anderson more so than Leighton this season hav proved they can definitely play in the NHL so mayb tradin TBo to a playoff team that mite overpay (Toronto with Belfour out) and we can continue the rebuilding. And don't think we r goin to use 4 second round picks in this year's draft either, we'll definitely try to trade up into the 1st round and get sum picks in there. But all hope for the Hawks depend on gettin a Salary Cap in the next Collective Barganing Agreement cos we all know Wirtz and Pulford aren't goin to pay for players.

It'll be interestin to see what Paulie Walntus does this season. For some reason, he always seems to hav 1 really good half of a season, and the otha not so good. In 2002, he had a really great start to the season, with a big .AVG and lots of homers, and then in the 2nd half he slipped off the pace a bit. Last year, he just couldn't get out of the blocks, but he had a real good second half of the year. I think the challenge for Paulie is to hit the ball well throughout the season and not to drop off.

Professional Athletes ......... Always want more.

Oops my bad, I should hav realised that article was already out.

Speaking of Mariotti, since evey1 luvs him so much, here's his latest piece of work on Happy Frank, Are we absolutely certain this wasn't an imposter at work, a body double posing as Frank Thomas? He couldn't possibly have arrived Tuesday in White Sox camp, a day early, with a smile we didn't know existed. Given his history of February acrimony, you figured the Arizona cacti would giggle before he showed up in a merry mood and broke bread with his chirpy new manager. Yet there they were, The Big Blurt and The Blizzard of Oz, getting along just fine on the same grounds where Thomas once refused to perform a shuttle drill, quit spring training for six days because he felt underpaid at $10million and stormed off in his car while general manager Ken Williams ran after him in the parking lot. Blown away by this unexpected display of camaraderie, I have a request. Might they freeze the picture, hold those grins and make a beautiful moment last until October? Or are we just fooling ourselves that bliss between Thomas and Ozzie Guillen -- and all others in the Sox clubhouse, for that matter -- could be anything but temporary? "Please spread the word: There are no fights going on in here,'' Thomas told Sox beat reporters of his bond with Guillen. "Nobody is [ticked] off at each other, and there is no hatred going on. It's just not happening. I'm in a great mood.'' One reason to buy into his good cheer: Jerry Manuel no longer is managing. "What is great about this is that I have a better relationship with Ozzie than I ever had with Jerry Manuel because I spent eight years with Ozzie,'' said Thomas, referring to their seasons as Sox teammates. "Jerry was a great guy, but it's not the same [bond] that Ozzie and I have shared in this locker room. I did a lot of winning with him.'' While most media were up Interstate 10 in Mesa capturing wild developments in Cubdom -- sorry, it can't get any weirder than Dusty Baker comparing the steroid probe to "McCarthyism'' while Sammy Sosa arrived raising his hands and chanting, "Thank you, Jesus!'' -- Thomas sneaked into Tucson under the radar screen. Rather incredibly, he claimed not to be bothered by criticism leveled by Guillen the day he was hired as Manuel's replacement. The words were harsh and ill-timed, with Ozzie warning Thomas to be a team player and leave his ego at home. When Thomas didn't return any of Guillen's phone calls over the winter, or those of Williams, we assumed a petulant pinhead was bitter as usual. Not so, he says. Perhaps he was angry and managed to get over it, finally flashing signs of maturity at 36. But for now, anyway, Thomas sounds like the emcee of Ozfest in pledging support for Guillen. It's a wise, responsible approach for a man whose Hall of Fame chances demand that he behave himself and continue to produce impressive power numbers, such as his 42 home runs and 105 RBI last season. Time was when Guillen, as the feisty Sox shortstop, used to love agitating Thomas by making fun of his weight and obsession with personal statistics. Apparently, Frank has forgiven him. All that was missing, as he left Guillen's office, was a boom box playing the "Barney'' theme song. I love you, you love me, we're a happy family. Frank, in a great mood? Frank, happy with his life? Knowing the problems he has endured -- a messy divorce, business failures, a fall from professional grace, pariah status in Chicago -- maybe Thomas is ready to grow up and stop being his own worst enemy. After winning back-to-back American League MVP awards in the early '90s and appearing ready to rule the town, he tumbled into public-relations hell and dragged the franchise with him. When he wasn't squabbling with respected mates such as Robin Ventura and Paul Konerko, he was complaining about contractual clauses to which he put a pen. When he wasn't leaving an All-Star Game before it was over, he was saying dumb things about subjects ranging from the Sox-Cubs culture to even Jackie Robinson. He became a national laughingstock three years ago, when he arrived at spring training bristling over Alex Rodriguez's new contract and said, "I'm not even probably in the top 50. I do have a problem with that. You can't have A-Rod making $25million and we're coming in at $7, $8, $9 million.'' But Thomas, who has settled into an offseason Las Vegas lifestyle that involves his share of casinos, seems to have compromised with his sensitive side. Last year, it was no coincidence he enjoyed a big season while avoiding clubhouse incidents. The same focus is necessary this season, not only for his mental well-being, but also for the good of a payroll-challenged offense stuck with too many automatic outs. Sure, he should have returned the calls of his bosses, if only to calm down media and fans suspicious that Thomas was wigging out again. But there's apparently only so much cooperation one can expect from the man, even when he's in a Good Frank mode. Quicker than you could say "spin control,'' any talk of trading Thomas was quelled. Rather than battle the new boss, the resident problem child is meeting him halfway. We would like to think the seeds have been planted for a fruitful reunion. "Frank is my man,'' Guillen said. But we're not stupid. The only thing longer than a baseball season are the odds that Frank Thomas will remain a happy camper.

Once again from our good friends at the Trib, TUCSON, Ariz. -- The numbers say 2003 was the worst season of Paul Konerko's major-league career. But if numbers don't lie, they at least don't tell the complete story, Konerko said. The main reason Konerko is hesitant to compare seasons is because he had only 444 at-bats last year, the first time he has had fewer than 500 in the big leagues and the fewest since his first full season in 1999. "The variable changes if you actually look at the numbers and the at-bats and look at what I did in the season and wonder what if I had another 100 or 150 at-bats?" Konerko said Wednesday at his first spring training workout. On the other hand, the reason Konerko had so few at-bats is because he struggled so badly in the first half of the season. Before the All-Star Game, Konerko hit .197. In June, he had only four hits in 41 at-bats (.098). It got to the point where Konerko was going two or three days in a row on the bench. "I put myself in that position and forced [former manager Jerry Manuel] to make that decision," he said. Considering where he was at the break, the fact that Konerko finished hitting .234 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs is a pretty good accomplishment. Even with a sub-par September, when he and the rest of the Sox went into a funk, Konerko hit .275 in his last 61 games with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. "I felt really good at the end of the year," he said. "I've never swung the bat better in the second half." Konerko credits part of turnaround to hitting coach Greg Walker, who joined the club midway through the season. "When I got here Paul had scuffled and had never scuffled before," Walker said. In his previous four seasons, Konerko never had hit below .282. "He has had so much success and is so talented, it was a tough decision on my part how far to go mechanically," Walker said. The last thing a player wants to do is tinker constantly with his swing during the season. The equivalent would be a golfer changing his swing between rounds of a tournament. But Konerko was struggling so much that he had no choice but to take drastic steps. "The thing that impressed me the most is the guy went out there and battled every day knowing we were in a process [of working on his swing] and in a pennant chase," Walker said. "I don't think the public understands how hard that is to work on mechanics all day and [face] a 95 m.p.h. fastball with the game on the line and just forget it and hit." Walker thinks, in the long run, the struggles Konerko went through last season will help him get through future slumps more quickly. "People say stuff that doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Konerko said. "I've done really well and I've done really bad. I guess I have the know-how of going through a slump." Like Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez, Konerko has been the subject of trade rumors. After the season the Sox had last year, Konerko fully expected it. "There was no doubt they were going to explore different options to make the team better," he said. "I totally expected it. It wasn't personal." He's also happy, however, that he didn't go anywhere, especially because he was married during the off-season. Besides, Konerko said, this Sox team reminds him of another recent one. "The last team we had like this—that shaped up with the younger [players]—won the division," he said of the 2000 AL Central champions. "I feel good about that." He will feel even better if he doesn't have a season to compare to the last one.

Hmm Interestin, from da Trib, TUCSON, Ariz. -- Frank Thomas says he's happy and there seems to be no reason to doubt him. But if there is something bugging Thomas, it has nothing to do with Ozzie Guillen and more to do with his paycheck. Like just about everyone who works for a living, Thomas wishes his were a little bigger. "I do feel contractually there is a respect level for what you have done for so many years and I don't feel I'm [getting] that right now," he said. "But I can't complain about the money I make." Thomas exercised his option for this season at $6 million after briefly testing the free-agent waters. Thomas will have an option for $8 million next season with the Sox holding an option for $11 million for 2006. That's not exactly A-Rod money or even Magglio Ordonez money, but it's not bad either. Thomas said he has gotten over the "diminished skills" clause in his contract, although he said it was an embarrassment. "I told people I was the first player last year to have a guaranteed contract taken away and I was bitter about it," Thomas said. "But you know what? I got over it." While everyone assumed Thomas would have a problem with Guillen, it seems as though the bigger issues surrounded Thomas and general manager Ken Williams. "You know I darn well said I wasn't happy I didn't hear from him during the off-season," Williams said. "There are compensation issues that he's on record as saying before, and they are still there. … He had an option to go out and test the market, and he wanted to be here." Thomas said his salary might reflect the fact he's primarily a designated hitter. Perhaps if he played the field more, he said, he would make more money. "I'm not going to complain about it," Thomas said. "I still have to go out and work my butt off and not hold grudges."

Great songs there, especially Bitter Sweet Symphony. Excellent Video clip to go along with that song too.

Last time I saw her, she was doin concerts in Dubai and Malaysia.

Good article there, at least the team is going to have a pulse this year with Ozzie in charge. There are a lot of maybe's with this team, can Garland step it up? Can Koch and Konerko rebound? But there's a lot of maybe's with the 4 contending teams in the division (Sorry I-Rod) and that still gives us hope.

Good news for us then. Kansas City doesn't hav a good track record of their starters stayin injury - free for a whole season.

White Sox fans love me. WOW, this guy is more up himself than I thought. Hence why every1 round here hates him so much.

We just got a new discount airline down here. So we hav Qantas vs Virgin Blue, and they are offering $29 flights one - way to most places in Australia, say from Melbourne to Brisbane etc.

Good band in da 90's, always like Semi Charmed Life.

If we get a good group of ppl, at least 6, then I'd be in a 5th league.

That neccessairly ain't a good thing, if we can't resign him when he wants da big bucks which he will reightly deserve in da future. Been our best player in the 2nd half of da season so far, I don't think he's goin to be as good as Forsberg, but more of a Michael Peca type of playa with a lot of Offensive skill.

I thought Willie wanted to wear #00 this year. Any1 else hear this?

Very good letter YASNY, let's see if Mariotti has da balls to actually read ur letter and reply, I'm guessin not. Keep us updated, I'm very inteeted to see how this pans out.

Rite now Amy Smart or "TCW" Tasty Coma Wife is on on the episodes down here at the moment.

Oasis definitely had sum good songs in da 90's, like Today is gonna be the day dunno if it was called that or not. Smells Like Teen Spirit was also another great one, dunno there's so many good 1's I can't remember.

It is not dead, it has risen from the grave.

1. San Diego Chargers - Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss 2. Oakland Raiders - Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh 3. Arizona Cardinals - Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (OH) 4. New York Giants - Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa 5. Washington Redskins - Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami 6. Detroit Lions - Sean Teaylor, S, Miami 7(coin). Atlanta Falcons - Roy Williams, WR, Texas 7(coin). Cleveland Browns - Shane Andrews, OT, Arkansas 9. Jacksonville Jaguars - Will Smith, DE, Ohio St. 10. Houston Texans - Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC 11. Pittsburgh Steelers - Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon St. 12. New York Jets - D.J. Williams, LB, Miami 13. Buffalo Bills - Tommie Harris. DT, Oklahoma 14. Chicago Bears - Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Reggie Williams, WR, Washington 16. San Francisco 49ers - Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami 17. Cincinnati Bengals - CB, DL 18. New Orleans Saints - LB, CB, S 19. Minnesota Vikings - CB, DE, WR 20. Miami Dolphins - DT, QB, LB, WR 21. New England Patriots (via Baltimore) - RB, LB,WR..(not much they ARE SB champs) 22. Dallas Cowboys - RB, DE, QB 23. Seattle Seahawks - DE, DT, LB, WR 24. Denver Broncos - DE, DT, CB, S 25. Green Bay Packers - DL, QB(future), WR, LB 26. St. Louis Rams - CB, FS, OL 27. Tennessee Titans - DL, WR, LB, OL 28. Philadelphia Eagles - WR, WR, WR, WR, WR, WR, WR, RB, LB, DL 29. Indianapolis Colts - CB (upgrade), LB, DL 30. Kansas City Chiefs - LB, DB's (Upgrade), DL 31. Carolina Panthers - WR, LB, FS 32. New England Patriots - RB, LB (youth), DL, FS

I always remember J.D thinkin bout his "perfect moment" and he's on Leno and Leno says "So what do u think J.D?" And J.D says sumthin stupid and proceeds to play his electric guitar crazily.

What a great movie. Frank Thomas as Pedro Cerrano. Willie Harris as Willie Mays Hays. Billy Koch as Rick Vaughn.