Top of the Brain: Wednesday

Well, I had a number of things I was going to write about tonight, but I just can't seem to get on track with any of them. So we'll just wing it with a Wednesday, Stream of Consciousness, Nothing in Particular (NIP) blog.

1. NFL Free Agency -- Most of the big names have signed by now, so the majority of action is down to middle-of-the-pack guys. Surprised to see TE Zach Miller leave the Raiders to go to Seattle, but anything to make Oakland worse is good in my book. Chiefs signed FB LeRon McClain. Rams signed Cadillac Williams.

2.  Chiefs and Rams -- Both these teams are up and coming, and had some serious holes to fill with free agents. As fans, we'd like the front offices to charge out like crazy with checkbooks in hand and make a big splash. Neither team did that, sitting back relatively patiently and signing guys at moderate salaries that filled needs. Kansas City filled needs at NT, ILB and WR; the Rams took care of their most pressing needs at WR, backup RB and S. Nice job.

3. Cards dust-up with Brewers -- Unless you've been living with Rick the GEICO guy under a rock somewhere, you've heard about the bean-ball, spit-fest the Cards and Brew Crew had last night. Yadi Molina totally lost i when he was called out on strikes. LaRussa thinks the Milwaukee fans got personal with the insults. Really ... whatever. The GM made the deals to get you the team you wanted, Tony. Now just shut-up and play ball.

4.  A-Rod and Poker -- I continue to be blown away by how badly some of our modern-day millionaire athletes just don't get it. The report out today is that Major League Baseball is looking into a report that Alex Rodriguez is mixed up with some underground poker leagues. Big stakes. Bad dudes involved. And he's been warned previously. Expect a suspension if it's true.

And finally ... HOF Weekend. Was watching a piece on Marshall Faulk on NFL Network earlier tonight, highlighting his career. MF was an incredible mix of intelligence, quicks and hard work. He goes into the Hall of Fame in Canton this weekend. It's too bad the Rams v Bears game couldn't have been salvaged so the team could be there to support him. Regardless, he goes in a winner and a class act. And BTW ... two of my all time favorite runners are Rams -- Dickerson and Faulk. Fun to watch.

As always, I'd love to hear your take on any of this. Thanks for reading.
Steve

Free Agent Frenzy

It's been a crazy few days since the NFL and its players decided to finally play nice and get together on a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement. Die-hard NFL fans (like me) had more than we could take of the posturing and litigation and cry-babying back and forth over the more than $9 billion at stake. I mean seriously ... come on.

Anyway, in the wake of that has been one of the craziest stretches of days in the history of the NFL. Thousands of transactions have been done in the past week --- trades, free agent signings, waivers, retirements and on and on. It's been crazy ... and TOTALLY AWESOME!! My phone has been blowing up trying to keep up with the tweets and texts. I can't imagine what GMs, agents and Adam Schefter must have had to deal with. It's been a blast. The main thing is that football is back!!

I've been anxiously watching what the Chiefs and Rams are doing to solidify their rosters and fill in holes. They have both been rather conservative, only signing a few lower-level guys. The Rams' big splash was landing Quintin Mikell, the safety from Philly. And the Chiefs wrangled WR Steve Breaston from the Cardinals. The front offices have pretty much been busy signing their own restricted free agents.

So let's hear from you. What have been the best moves? the boldest moves? the best acquisitions? And what have been the worst ones? Who has totally blown it? What did your favorite team do (or not do) that just ticked you off?

I look forward to hearing your two cents. And look for a new blog from me in the next couple of days on the biggest winners and losers of free agency.
Steve

Long-time writer ... first-time blogger

Welcome to my blog. I'm a trained journalist (Go Mizzou!), have worked in corporate communications for 15 years and am a life-long sports fanatic. I guess that qualifies me to have a voice as much as anybody.

Anyway, in this space I'll devote some brain cells, a few hours and a lot of passion to my love for many things sports, a few things personal and all things interesting (to me at least). Thanks for reading, and please ... let me know what you think. I may listen, and I may not.

Looking forward to the exchange.
Steve