Sports Agenda for Thursday (8/4/11)
Big Story:
Well, it looks like the NFL's league year could start by the end of the day Thrusday. That means all of the brouhaha surrounding the lockout are officially over!!! Also, Tim Tebow has a defender, who has a BIG spot in Miami sports, and the first college football poll comes out today!!!!
Hitting the agenda harder than Cameron Wake hits a quarterback, here we go.
Firsties:
Late Wednesday night, the NFL and the NFLPA worked out the remaining details of the new collective bargaining agreement.
The CBA will deal with discipline, drug testing, etc.
It finally puts the labor unrest to bed once 50 percent plus one of the players vote in favor of the deal.
A potential snag was hit Wednesday when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell refused to give up exclusive control over the league's personal conduct policy.
Something happened, it's not known what, but my guess is Goodell kept the rights in exchange for dropping the request for HGH testing, which requires blood tests, but I've been wrong many times before.
All I know is that the NFL finally got it done before college football takes away their glory.
Smart timing on the NFL's part and now we can talk about both college and pro football and no labor disputes.
Well, except for the NBA, whose labor negotiations are frozen harder than Antarctica.
Marlins: (vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:10 p.m., Fox Sports Florida)
The Marlins return home from a solid road trip, despite having their last game in New York rained out.
The Fish return to battle the Cardinals and if you want to see two of the best power hitters in baseball check out a game against the Redbirds.
St. Louis has multiple time MVP Albert Pujols while Florida counters with slugger Mike Stanton.
I've watched Pujols before and he's the best hitter in the last 20 years in the major leagues.
In other Fish news, Hanley Ramirez had an MRI on his shoulder, and no major damage was found.
So that's some good news considering how he had picked up his game since manager Jack McKeon took over.
Also, ace pitcher Josh Johnson is getting closer to throwing from the mound in Jupiter, Fla. He hasn't pitched since May 16 due to shoulder inflammation.
J-Squared's return could help the Marlins salvage a bad season and finish above .500, which after June's swoon, would be quite an accomplishment.
First pitch tonight against the Cardinals will be at 7:10 p.m.
Dolphins Update:
Looks like Dolphins coach Tony Sparano agreed with my Henne rant yesterday.
He said the fans chanting "We Want Orton" made him sick.
If you want to check out my thoughts, read yesterday's agenda.
In other Dolphins news, Vernon Carey is the team's new right guard and it looks like the Fins are going with Marc Colombo at right tackle.
Things could change, but I think the extra salary cap room is to re-sign players like Kendall Langford and possibly Paul Soliai.
At least the Fins can put together a great defense.
Offense, well, that's another rant for another day.
Also, Reggie Bush should be cleared to practice tonight once the CBA is approved…no word on when he'll hit injured reserve.
