Sports Agenda For Wednesday (4/27/11)
Big Story:
Several key things will happen Wednesday including: the Heat will go for the series win against the 76ers, the Marlins will go for the sweep of the Dodgers (sorry Kelly) and we will all find out if the NFL is open for business by either late today or tomorrow morning. Oh yeah, and the NFL Draft is set to start Thursday night.
Lots of things to get to, but first, keep the people in northern Alabama and Mississippi in your thoughts and prayers today. They're expecting long-tracking, significant tornadoes throughout the afternoon. That's where I'm from, so hopefully, it won't be as bad as it is forecasted to be now, but at least one twister has hit the area already, so things don't look good right now.
Heat: (vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7:00 p.m., TNT/SunSports)
The Heat are looking to finally close out the 76ers at home Wednesday night. The Heat had the game won in Philadelphia on Sunday, but then let the 76ers back in the game and eventually, the Heat wound up on the losing end of the score.
Wade and LeBron are averaging 21 and 26 points per game respectively. Perhaps even more impressively is that LeBron is averaging a double-double through the first four games of the playoffs. That's the good news.
The bad news is that the Heat are shooting 24% from the behind the 3-point line. I know they're getting to the foul line, a lot, but if the Heat can't hit better than that, Boston will eat them alive. Nevertheless, the Heat should close out the 76ers tonight and march on to face the dreaded Celtics.
Marlins: (vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:10 p.m., Fox Sports Florida)
Don't look now, but the Marlins have won 7 of their last 8 games and are now all alone atop the NL East. That's pretty impressive for a team people were picking third in the division.
Yes, I know it's only April, but give the guys their due, the bullpen has been outstanding, and the batters are finally starting to get into a groove. The big question is, can they salvage Anibal Sanchez, or do they need to change the rotation?
NFL:
The NFL and NFLPA might find out as early as today whether business as usual will occur starting asap. Judge Susan Nelson is expected to decide whether to issue a stay of her order while the case is on appeal, or to force the league to open for business. The league claims irreparable harm if they have to open and then close again.
How about this, they open for the weekend and allow trades and free agent signings through Sunday. Then on Sunday, they can close down again and wait for the case to finish in the appellate court. Otherwise, the draft will be quite boring.
Also, why is it that Cam Newton is being talked about as the number one pick and Ryan Mallett is supposed to drop out of the first round? Cam Newton was thrown out of UF for stealing a computer and may have also been involved in academic impropriety, according to at least one report. Newton had the charges dropped after going through court-approved pretrial diversion.
Mallett, from all published reports, has never been charged with any crime, never had possession charges against him, but has a bad attitude according to some.
Look, I'm not a Mallett shill, but someone has to explain that to me. Mallett is the prototypical pocket passer the NFL covets, but Newton, a convicted criminal who also cheated is being held up as the end-all be-all number 1 overall pick. Yes, Newton has a lot of upside, but how can they question Mallett's background and let Newton slide by so easily?
For the record, I'm guessing Newton will have a great career in the NFL, if he commits himself to it and keeps his family out of his business. Mallett, he has the laser arm, but he too will have to be able to manage the spotlight and not let it go to his head as well.
Hey, I have an idea, draft Blaine Gabbert. Not a head case, well-liked by his teammates. Ran in the 4.6 range in the 40 at the combine. Has a rifle attached to his arm and will learn any system in front of him. Go figure huh.
