Top of the Brain: Wednesday

I'm sitting around the house tonight, thinking about the last few days in sports, and frankly, the last few days in the world. I’m not going to even pretend to know or understand what is going on with the U.S. stock market or the rebels overtaking Quaddafi in Libya or Steve Jobs stepping down as CEO at Apple. What I do know is that God built me with a love for sports, and I’m so glad he did. It’s a distraction, which I desperately need from this depressing world we live in. So here goes … Top of the Brain for this fine Wednesday …

Cardinals Swept at Home – Early in the year, it was the Los Angeles Dodgers who were the talk of baseball. They were the talk because their franchise was, and is, in a state of disgrace. And even so, they come to St. Louis and sweep the hapless Cardinals. The Cards are now just four games over .500 at 67-63, 10 full games behind the Brewers. Put a fork in them … they are done. The moth flying in Matt Holliday’s ear the other night is just the latest in a comedy of poor play that has done the Redbirds in all season. Hard questions have to be asked this offseason. Something has to change. It’s been five years since the team has sniffed the playoffs.

Pryor to the Raiders – In hindsight, it should really come as no surprise that troubled Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of this week’s supplemental draft. Al Davis and crew continue to be enamored with skill players with extreme speed, and Pryor fits that bill. This franchise more than any other gives second chances to guys that have gotten crossways with the NCAA, the law, their wives, purple drank, etc. He is definitely a project. He may eventually start a few games at quarterback, but with the speed and height and strength the dude has, he would make an incredibly talented TE. That’s likely where he’ll end up.

Colts Add Collins – Kerry Collins, veteran QB of the Giants and Panthers and Titans, was signed by the Indianapolis Colts today as insurance for Peyton Manning’s ailing neck. In reality, they had to do something. Manning is progressing slowly, and the Colts’ backup quarterbacks – Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky – are pitiful. If the team has any hopes of holding the season together in Peyton’s absence, they had to have an upgrade at QB. I still say Manning will be under center when the season starts. This move says management isn’t so sure.

Rams/Chiefs at Arrowhead – I’m headed to the Governor’s Cup game on Friday night in Kansas City. (Thanks to my buddy, Forrest, for the tickets.) Yes, it’s preseason, but seeing the two teams I follow most closely face off in person is worth the three-hour trip from my house to Arrowhead. I’m excited to see the Chiefs’ starters play into the third quarter and see how the teams compare after major off-season moves by both franchises. St. Louis has looked great so far in these make-believe games, and Kansas City has looked pretty horrible … but what does that mean. Nothing. Watching a game at Arrowhead, one of the best venues in all of the NFL, is worth my time. Watch my twitter feed for pix and updates from the game.

Chris Johnson’s Contract – Tennessee Titans’ GM Mike Reinfeldt, Johnson and his agent met today to talk contract. While both sides say the meeting was “beneficial,” no real progress was made. Johnson wants to be paid like one of the top playmakers in the NFL, not just one of the top running backs. He reportedly is looking for $39 million guaranteed over the first three years.  Ridiculous. Not. Gonna. Happen.

Bruce Pearl’s Punishment – The NCAA kicked off a new era of program discipline today when it announced the sanctions for Tennessee’s athletic program. The current coach and players won’t bear the brunt of the punishment; former coach Bruce Pearl and his staff will. Pearl got a three-year show-cause penalty, basically barring him from any NCAA job during that time. I like Pearl. I like this new direction for punishment even better.

Upcoming blog posts will include NFL division-by-division predictions, my very specific prognostications for the Chiefs and Rams, NFL Power Rankings, and fantasy football advice including my first video blog. Stay tuned.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Steve