Friday 6 Pack

1-Some guy named Webb Simpson won the US Open at +1 at the Olympic Club, did you enjoy watching the course destroy the pros?

Matt – The USGA seems to think they want to bring the golfers down, but I’m not sure that’s what fans want to see.  I like to see great golf shots not just long drives but they made it a little tougher then it needed to be.  Holes 1-6 just didn’t seem fair to the pros, I’d hate to see what they’d do to me as a golfer.

Wendt – I am not a big fan of -15 winning a tournament but watching a golf course completely destroy golfers is not good TV

Blake – Not particularly.  I don't enjoy watching golf the way I play it.  I want them to be good!

Majors – Yeah, it was kinda cool. Since my pick didn't make the cut, I guess I can take a mulligan on that one, right?

2-Dale Jr ended a 4 year streak winning at Michigan this weekend; Tiger Woods has won 2 golf tournaments this year....who is more back Dale Jr or Tiger?

Matt – 2000 Tiger will never be back.  The Olympic I don’t think set up the way Tiger plays for him to win, that being said he was in it going into the weekend.  He’ll win tournaments and I think another major or 2.  Dale Jr was due and he’s been so close this year.  I think he’s finished every lap of the year so far and all the races I saw he’s always in the Top 10.  I think he has a better team around him and car and think he’s more back than Tiger.

Wendt – Neither. One race or one tournament doesn't=being back. Neither will ever be as good as they were (but is anyone?)

Blake – Dale Jr. has never been as dominate in his respective sport as Tiger was, so not sure there's a correct answer here.  Both their sports need those guys to be competitive and get some wins.

Majors – I think Tiger will start being more consistent, but with so much young talent, the days of him winning everything under the sun are probably gone. As for Dale, I guess if you turn left over & over enough times, you find Victory Lane

3-Paul Rhodes broke out the handle bars this past week...better look for him, full beard, shaved or the bars?

Matt – The handle bars are nice…he’s got a little Hulk Hogan going on.  I liked on soundoff what Murphy said, if he keeps they handlebars into the season they are worth 3 points every game.

Wendt – I'm a little uncomfortable talking about another man's facial hair

Blake – I cannot believe the amount of coverage this got.  I guess either clean shaven or the beard

Majors – Bars, Fu, whatever you call it, they are awesome

4-ESPN is calling Lebron "The Closer" now after games 2 and 3 (Heat are up 2-1 as I write this), is he a closer now?

Matt – LeBron isn’ the closer.  He’s probably the best player (argue with Durant) on the court.  The Heat has figured out the last 2 games how to score, take it to the hole!  MJ is the best closer in the NBA’s history but last I saw Marino is the Closer.

Wendt – The media does an awesome job of over analyzing big events. The simple answer is no

Blake – He's been amazingly dominate in the playoffs.  He's finally made The Leap and understands what it takes to win in the Finals.  It's been amazing to watch...and I don't even like the guy.

Majors – Eh, the media being the media. if he misses the game winning shot in Game 4, he will be back to being a choker in the eyes of the Mother Ship. The dude is a stud, that is all that matters

5-Lance Armstrong is being accused of doping....again.  How many times can one guys piss be tested and will this be the time something sticks?  If something is found will your view of Lance change?

Matt – Nothing will stick, it hasn’t yet.  BUT if he is caught I’m not going to think any different.  It’s a sport where EVERYONE cheated!  Part of me thinks that this guy can’t be clean and beating enhanced guys for 7 years in a row?  So I won’t be shocked.

Wendt – Can I be honest for a second? I really don't care if he did or didn't cheat. Cycling is just as corrupt as boxing

Blake – This will ultimately go the way of Roger Clemons and Barry Bonds.  It will become common public opinion that he was dirty...and no one will care.  His accomplishments on the bike have allowed him to do great and wonderful things for society, and ultimately, that's more worth while than any race in France.  

Majors – Biking is a dirty sport, across the board. I bike pretty heavily, so follow it more than most. I don't think much will change in my eyes, IMO. I am so glad our Government is spending all of this money on the investigations of atheltes & doping, Clemens, McGwire, Bonds, Armstrong, since these are the most pressing issues facing our Country at the moment. {sarcasm}

6-Adam Sandler's "That's My Boy" opened to a disappointing 13 million this weekend.  He hasn't had a great movie since Big Daddy?  Should the Sandman take some time off?

Matt – I think that Sandler needs to make some changes.  He has the same crew in most of his movies so it seems like the same movie in a way.  And he’s picked a bad time to release a movie with Madagascar 3 out, Prometheus and blockbuster Avengers still bringing in almost the same amount now a month and a half since release. 

Wendt – I really liked Grownups, Just Go With It and Jack and Jill. I don't think he needs to go away and with the money studios will throw at him he won't. 70 million was a pretty large budget for "That's My Boy" though.

Blake – His schtick is older than Jamie Moyer.  He's actually pretty good in drama's, so maybe he should look at doing more of those for a while.

Majors – I like Sandler, it just seems like his movies are the same. I was interested in seeing this one, but to pay 40-50 bucks? Ehhhh, not so sure. That's alot of coin!  {for the record, saw Avengers yesterday...THAT movie was worth it}

Father’s Day Weekend 6Pack

Happy Father’s Day to all Dad’s out there, some words from the great Payne Stewart immediately after dropping a 15 foot putt to beat Phil Mickelson Payne went over to Phil, took his face in his hands and told him “what you are about to experience is much more important than what you lost today”  The next day Phil became a dad for the first time.  Be safe, have fun, Happy Father’s day and enjoy the NBA Finals and US Open!    

1-The NBA Finals start Tuesday.  Heat - Thunder....who wins in how many games?

Matt – I’m going to go with Thunder in 6

Wendt – Thunder in 6

Painter – The Thunder just beat a team that had the momentum, I'll take them in 6

Blake – Thunder in 6

Majors – I'm looking forward to this series. I have the Thunder in 6. I think they have more ammunition as a team, as well as play more as a team in general

2-Rafael Nadal became the first man to win the French Open 7 times...this is a big deal, would it be bigger if it was an American?

Matt – If he was an American he’d be herald as a tennis God.  He is a great player and will be probably a top 10 all time male player.  But until Andy Roddick or some other American can go on a run like him, it’s a niche sport here.

Wendt – Yes, it would be everywhere if he was USA born and raised but since it's not nobody outside of tennis cares

Painter – Sure it's a big deal for tennis.  That's like someone winning the Masters 7 times

Blake – It pains me that so many sports are virtually gone from American dominance.  Tennis is fading fast in America, but this is a huge deal.  I'm not sure Nadal will ever catch Federer for career Grand Slam wins though, because he seems to be a bit fragile.

Majors – It's cool and all, I am just not a huge tennis guy. I definitely respect him, he is unbeatable on the clay

3-Manny Pacquio was essentially robbed in his fight with Timothy Bradley Saturday night.  Some are saying this is what boxing needs to get back?  Do you think this will get boxing back?

Matt – Controversy won’t bring fans back, but it does get it discussed in front of MLB and NFL and the NBA for a bit.  What is odd is they have a rematch date and posters already set?  Kind of has a Vince McMahon feel to it. Boxing has to many governing bodies and needs 1 belt for each weight class not 3-4 belts.

Wendt – Manny vs Floyd could help bring boxing back but it'll never happen

Painter – This is a step in the right direction but it needs more.  A unified championship system, heroes and villains, more frequent fights, and less pay-per-view would help.  Boxing could really learn something from the professional wrestling world.

Blake – No.  An official world wide governing body is the only thing that can bring boxing back.  That and another Rocky comeback

Majors – Nope. Bob Arum is the manager for both Bradley & Pac Man. He even admitted he will make a ton of money in the rematch. Then he followed that with a cough, it was a strange decision, cough. Boxing is so flippin dirty, I don't even bother anymore. Plus they essentially have 37 belts for each weight class. Even Vince McMahon laughs when boxing says it isn't set up. I feel bad for the boxers, though, they may make a ton of money, but it is fake

4-We did this with Iowa...now to be fair,the Cyclones.  In the past 11 years what are the top Cyclone wins on the gridiron?

Matt – 2011 vs #2 Oklahoma State – the biggest Paul Rhodes win.  2009 at Nebraska – they had no business beating Suh and the Huskers that day.  2005 vs #8 Iowa – Danny Mac shocked the top 10 Hawks again.

Wendt – 2009 at Nebraska, 2010 at Texas, 2011 vs Oklahoma State

Painter – Okie St last year, at Texas and at Nebraska, and to them any time they beat Iowa

Blake – Iowa State over Oklahoma State last year.  End of list

Majors – Ummm, I believe it would have to be the game where they beat the Sisters of the Traveling Pants of North Central State College of the Blind.  Ok, ok. I definitely don't think they can count the OK St game last year. It was too much emotion on the day for the Cowboys. Guess I am really not sure

5-The US Open tees up this week....who is your pick to win it? (history lesson - Majors did call Bubba at the Masters)

Matt – I’m going to go with my initial Masters pick, Dustin Johnson.  I hope it’s a different Johnson winning though!  Go Zach!

Wendt – Give me Luke Donald

Painter – Jason Dufner has had the hot hand this year, I'll take him

Blake – For some reason I feel this is the one where Tiger gets a little closer to Jack.

Majors – Yeah, would love to call the local boy again, but can't go to the well too much. I think I am going to go with Luke Donald. I think Tiger could do something, if he keeps his head straight. I am not saying he is back, but he definitely had some mojo last weekend

6-The Pirates have won 12-15 and are in a tie for first in the NL Central with the Reds, they were hot last year too...is this the year Pittsburgh gets post season baseball back?

Matt – I really hope they make a run, I like McCutchen a lot!  I’m going to say yes they make it over the Reds. 

Wendt – Nope, Reds and Cardinals will rise to the top before it's all over and Pitt will probably be a 4th place team

Painter – Um, nope, although the NL Central isn't very good at all this year

Blake – Um...the central is open this year for the taking this year.  But I still don't see it.  Red should win.

Majors – They are a solid young team. They quit trading away their prosects, too. i think they could do it this year. The Phillies got old, QUICK! (For the record, Cliff Lee is killing my fantasy team, still ZERO wins this season)

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