This week's At A Glance...

What in the hell is going on at Wimbledon?  Serena and Venus are out.  My beloved Federer is out.  Please, oh gods of tennis, keep Nadal in for the final.

There has been an Irish invasion on the green with Rory McIlroy.  He won the US Open, now what is in store?  He's INCREDIBLE

I'm still holding on for an NFL season.  Lions continue to practice on their own, Stafford's shoulder is supposed to be A-OK.  I hope they are right about that!  He looks so chunky, hope he is still in shape.  Most importantly, of course, is his front line...and I think they look pretty good.  As for the big D, bring it on!  We've got a brick wall.

As for baseball, not going to jinx things but the Tigers are nice and steady....and number one.

NBA: now that the Mavs have won the title, we can get busy seeing what is going to happen with the coaching staff for the Pistons....I'm feeling Laimbeer but we'll see.

At a glance...

Well, I'm still holding on for an NFL season.  Lions continue to practice on their own, Stafford's shoulder is supposed to be A-OK.  I hope they are right about that!  He looks so chunky, hope he is still in shape.  Most importantly, of course, is his front line...and I think they look pretty good.  As for the big D, bring it on!  We've got a brick wall.

As for baseball, not going to jinx things but the Tigers are nice and steady....

NBA: now that the Mavs have won the title, we can get busy seeing what is going to happen with the coaching staff for the Pistons....I'm feeling Laimbeer but we'll see.

U.S. Open Golf this weekend, without Woods.  Do you think he really is suffering from an injury?  Anyway, always fun to watch on Father's Day Weekend.

Countdown to Wimbledon, which begins June 25th.  The men's field is soooo exciting (and hunky!) to watch.  Can't wait!

Another big dude with an attitude for Detroit Lions

So...I am reeeaaalllly excited!  LIONS first pick during the NFL draft was Nick Fairly out of Auburn, a defensive tackle!  Our line is looking sweet!  He will start with Suh and Vandenbosch.  Talk about a brick wall! 

NFL Draft coming up this weekend

I'd be a lot more excited about the draft if I knew for sure we were going to have a season....please oh please let the union and management come to an agreement so we can have our season....

I can't imagine a Fall without football.....

Detroit Lions Schedule: 9/11, Monday Night, Christmas Eve

Yes, I know it is Good Friday....but please indulge me for just a second.  Ladies and Gentleman, the Detroit Lions Schedule is in....and it's a good one!

We begin on 9/11, have the first Monday Night game scheduled since 2001 in October, and we even get to rock a game around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve when we're at our big family party, preppin' for St. Nick.  How jolly is that?

And finally....we will end the REGULAR season on Lambeau Field. 

Aaaahhhhh...I can almost smell it.....Football season is right around the bend...

For your planning pleasure....here's the schedule.

Sept 11     at Tampa Bay     FOX      1pm

Sept 18     Kansas City        CBS      1pm

Sept 25     at Minnesota      FOX       1pm

Oct 2        at Dallas             FOX       1pm

Oct 10      Chicago             ESPN      830pm

Oct 16      San Fran            FOX       1pm

Oct 23      Atlanta               FOX       1pm

Oct 30      at Denver           FOX       4:05pm

Nov 6       Bye

Nov 13     at Chicago         FOX        1pm

Nov 20     Carolina            FOX        1pm

Nov 24     Green Bay         FOX        12:30pm

Dec 4        at New Orl.      FOX         1pm

Dec 11      Minnesota         FOX         1pm

Dec 18      at Oakland        FOX        4:05pm

Dec 24      San Diego         CBS         4:05pm

Jan 1         at Green Bay     FOX         1pm

Suh named AP Rookie of the Year--Suh-per!

Congratulation to Ndomukong Suh for being named Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press!  This is a Defensive Tackle that played every game like it was the game of his life.  He started the season with a bit of a big head, but was able to tame the attitude a bit and put his words into action game after game after game.

Thanks to Suh, the Detroit Lions are now the team with the most (7 over Pittsburgh 6) AP Rookie of the Year players since the awards began in 1967.  Go Lions!

Superbowl Sunday--Snow and Steady

Usually, when there is a mega snow storm, airplanes are grounded and airports are jammed with waiting passengers standing, sleeping, drinking....but not when it is a snowstorm in northern Texas, the weekend of the Superbowl.  Just the opposite actually, news reports today state they are adding more planes to the fleet to try and get people to Dallas. 

Dallas, TX is covered in a blanket of snow with more on the way tomorrow.  Crews are spending all day Saturday removing snow from the dome where Pittsburgh and Green Bay will meet up to compete for the Superbowl Championship.  The weather has slowed things down for businesses surrounding the stadium who were counting on a week of Pre-Superbowl frenzied consumers, but I don't think it will freeze any of the excitement tomorrow...assuming fans can get in.

I am excited to watch the game tomorrow.  I will root for the Packers. I would've been behind the Steelers if they had done a better job handling the Roethlisberger situation.  I'm not the only one, as I've heard of other families who just can't forgive Pittsburgh's blind eye. With no real allegiance either way, I will be happy to sport my son's cheese hat in hopes that Green Bay will grab the ring. 

The hardest part of the weekend for me will be when the game is over, marking the end of the NFL season. Thankfully, there are lots of sports to hold my attention until the NFL Draft in the Spring, until Spring/Summer training in June, until Pre-Season in August, when my Detroit Lions will step back out onto the field.

This Chicks Picks for NFL Playoffs, Week Three

Here we go.....

I'm sooooo glad the Patriots are out.  This week I"m only really passionate about one of the games.  It's a no-brainer with Pitt and the Jets.  I'm hoping New York can keep up their momentum and take the Steelers out this week.  Apologies to my son who is hardcore Pittsburgh....I'll cut him some slack because he does acknowledge that Roethlisberger is a goon, but still loves the team.  As for me, go Jets!

As for the Packers and the Bears...I don't really have a fave here.  I used to be a bit of a cheesehead when Favre was leading the team, but no longer have a real need for cheese.  I do, however, like Lovie S. and we love everything else about Chicago.  They look ready to go all the way, so go Bears.

There you have it, I'm holding out for a Jets v. Bears Superbowl.  Let's see what happens! 

This Chicks Picks for NFL Playoffs, Week Two

Okay, okay....so last week I was only 1:4, and I'm still fairly devastated the Saints and Eagles are both out.  I would have loved to see a Saints repeat, or watched Vick go all the way, after all the lessons he has undoubtedly learned.  That being said, my heart isn't really in the Superbowl this year...but if it was, it'd be for the Ravens.

Let's get to my picks for this week:

Ravens vs. Pitt--It's funny when I think back to a time when I was jumping on my couch, with my Jerome Bettis Jersey on, waving a terrible towel cheering on the Steelers.  Anyone who has read me nowadays knows there is no way in hell I will support an organization that supports Ben Roethlisberger.  Go Ravens.

Packers vs. Falcons--I really have no allegiance either way.....but I'm calling the Falcons.

Jets vs. Patriots-- Ugh.  The lesser of two evils, I say.  I pick the Jets.  Brett's photo package is behind them, the sexual harrassment in the locker room was taken care of and I don't really care if their coach likes his wife's feet.  On the other side....cannot stand Bill Belichick, so go Jets.

Bears vs. Seahawks--  Just don't like the Seahawks, though have real positive ties to Seattle in general (hello...Gray's Anatomy, ICarly and our good friend Tom...lol).  No hard feeling Seattle....go Bears.

NFL Playoffs Baby! This Chick's Picks for the week!

Ladies, ladies.....today begins the beginning of the end.  The excitement of the NFL Playoff season is electrifying, though it is hard not to think of the idea that the clock is winding down for football season.  How can that be?  It seems like we just got here....and right when my Detroit Lions were picking things up with four straight wins to closeout the regular season.

Being the eternal optimist that I am, however, I take heart.  You can too.  You see, just because the Superbowl is less than a month away (gasp!), the Draft is close behind, then Spring Training, and before you know it, it will be Pre-season in August.  For the real NFL fans, there is as much that goes on in the off season as there is during the real season.  Yay for us!

Now, back to the Playoffs.  Who is your team?  Mine is out, of course, but I do have teams I like, and teams I like to hate (Yikes!).

My picks for this weekend:

Jets vs. Colts:  This is an easy one.  I've got the Colts.  They have Manning who puts them into auto- drive to a W, and if Karma plays into things at all, the Jets have it coming...sexism, harrassment and just plain disrespect toward women.  Crush 'em Colts!  The winner of this game faces Pitt next week...and that organization really needs to learn a lesson or twenty when it comes to dissing their female fans.  They are in the playoffs thanks to their criminal QB.  How do they sleep at night?

Saints and Seahawks:  I'm with the Saints all the way.  Who doesn't love Drew Brees and his awesome arm and even bigger heart?  They've got game, and well, Seattle just doesn't,  not to mention their coach has been prone to bad sportsmanship.  I can't deal with that....Go Saints.  The winner here goes on to face Atlanta next week and I like the Saints chances for that game too.

Ravens vs. Chiefs:  I'm just not feeling this game but am going to call it for the Ravens.  I don't care who wins as long as they crush New England next week.  Pats Coach Bill and his ethics make me want to hurl.

Packers vs. Eagles:  The Eagles will fly right on through to next week.  I'm really becoming a re-newed Michael Vick fan.  This is a guy who learned a tough lesson, lost his ego and knows the value of the work he has done to bring himself back.  The winner here faces "da Bears" next week, and I'll still be soaring with the Eagles over Soldier Field.

Happy Hiatus, Be back Soon!

Hey readers! Just a quick note...I am so happy to announce I have a publisher for my first book...A Women's Guide To Business Success After Setback. With it, however, comes a looming deadline. This means I'm going to be out of the blogosphere for awhile because all of my time and attention will be on getting this book published and promoted.  I will be back as soon as I possibly can!

I appreciate your understanding and support, and look forward to writing and hearing back from you again soon. I will keep you posted as to my progress!  It is because of the encouragement and feedback from readers like each of you, that I have felt confident enough to pursue my dream of becoming an author. Thank you so much and I'll be in touch!

April Scarlett

Sex Harrassment in Sports Reporting

There has been a lot of hubbub about Mexican sports reporter Ines Sainz and whether or not she instigated cat calls in the locker room while covering the NY Jets, because she is stunningly beautiful and does not dress in a shy manner.  This blog isn't about her today.  It was going to be, but there are two sides to her story, everyone is covering it...blah blah blah...my opinion on the matter is no woman at anytime should be verbally abused period, don't care if she's naked.  IF she is or dresses unprofessionally, that is poor judgment on her part but doesn't excuse derogatory comments.   Now, on to my next point.

I want to be very clear here...in this blog I do sometimes reference a great looking bicep, a gorgeous face, or even how "generally" awesome someone looks in their tennis outfit (fashion is a chick's second language, doesn't matter who is wearing it!). Never do I inappropriately comment on a person's body, or make any inappropriate suggestions/innuendo therein.  And always, the fluff comments are color commentary for the substance.  I talk sports first, tasteful flattery second.

Imagine how surprised I was then, and admittedly naive, to find a website (while researching the Sainz story) who's sole purpose was to sexualize and exploit female sports reporters. This "guy" who calls himself HogWild and considers himself a dating expert (gag!) has a page where he pictures his top five hottest women who report on the sidelines.  Not only does he post their photos, but the captions underneath those photos are disgusting. He speaks of what he'd like to do to the women, exploits their sexual body parts, and makes jokes about his own physical reactions to the pictures.  As his name depicts, he is a pig.  He is also a coward.  If he yelled out the things he posts on his site, down to the sidelines toward one of those women reporters, he'd get kicked out of the venue.

I understand there is free speech on the internet.  Mr. Pig does have the right to say what he wants.   What I'm hoping to do is to make people aware of such sites, and encourage them to boycott them.  Again, I appreciate the handsomeness of an athlete, (as does the Swuiss Chocolate company who, in one of their commercials, has Federer going through airport security, questioned by two female officers), but there are lines that aren't to be crossed.

The other bummer is how bad this pig makes men appear.  He talks like all men share his opinion.  I'm sure he has some followers, but real men don't behave in such a manner.  I guess if Mr. Pig is a dating expert, he is bound to find out that real chicks don't like what he is dishing out.  Yuck.

Hot Rafa Nadal takes it all in New York

What an unbelievable tournament in the men's U.S. Open finals in New York tonight.  Despite a break in momentum by both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic due to two rain delays....they came out of the storm and gave us quite a show!

The last set of the match was breathtaking...and I'm not just talking about watching Nadal play!  It was so fast, so focused, so strong!  That ball was flying across the net as each man tried to out strategize the other.  It was tennis at it's purest, yet most complicated best.  Nadal and Djokovic knew they had to do more than win with endurance.  There would have been no end in sight for the match without each opponent outwitting the other, making him run, making him reach, making him slide and lurch and leap! 

It was truly an emotional win for Nadal, his first US Open Title, giving him his first Grand Slam, and a little check for $1.7 million.  Djokovic was gracious (which surprised me because earlier on he had splintered his racquet in anger) and congratulatory.  Nadal was a true champion.

As I always say...beautiful tennis!

Yes, Lions. Yes.

There isn't too much to say in the matter. 

Yes, the Detroit Lions should have been up in points further than they were. 

Yes, there were other opportunities to prey on some Bears.
 
Yes, Stafford got hurt and that freaked everybody out but the team has practiced with Shaun Hill before

Yes, our defense held firm.

Yes, that was a winning Touchdown pass in the last seconds  of the game.

Yes, the league has it all wrong.

Terry Bradshaw: Big Kiss from women everywhere!

So I am watching the pre-game on FOX (about the only thing I will watch on FOX besides American Idol!) and my fave guy Terry Bradshaw made me so, so, so proud!  Bradshaw was one of the greatest quarterbacks in history.  He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they were at their absolute best.  Terry is a classy guy who has gone on to do great things for his career.  He is well respected in the NFL and out of it, on screen in the motion picture industry and is a super-duper announcer for FOX Sports.  That being said and with all the fluff aside, he's a true grit football guy, and that is what makes what he did today so impressive.

You might think someone like Bradshaw might protect his alum no matter what.  You might think he'd want his team's QB in the game to rack up the W's regardless of whatever wrong doings or bad behavior he had participated in. This is where class trumps macho.

Terry Bradshaw made it very clear today on his FOX pregame appearance that star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger should be out on his tail.  Bradshaw said, "I'd have gotten rid of him."  He spoke out about how "in his eyes" what Roethlisberger did is inexcusable, pointing out the partying and disrespect of women. 

Now I have been booing Roethlisberger for months and months as he continues to get away with alleged rape (I have to say alleged because he's not been formally charged), abominable behavior patterns with women that any other man would be locked up for.  But he's "Big Ben" and the Steelers need him so I guess the NFL Commisioner and the Steelers machine think winning games is more important than women's rights.

Anyway...HUGE kudos to Terry Bradshaw. Muah!  He is a guy's guy, an NFL icon and he has bigger cojones than not-so-big Ben will ever have.  Thank you Terry.  You've made my first Sunday of the season a proud one.

Down with the sweet, Up with the spice

U.S. Open Tennis in New York today was electrifying.  For those of you who read me, when it comes to the Men's competitors, I am a hardcore fan of both Swiss Roger Federer (sweet) and Spanish Rafa Nadal (spice, and seen left, as if you didn't know!).  Both of them competed in the semi-finals today.  Nadal played Youzhny of Russia and easily overtook him 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.  I definitely look forward to seeing Nadal in the Final tomorrow.  He is SO driven, forcing every ounce of energy into every point, he is really fast and really explosive on the court. He looks fantastic in his new short hair and he is also a class act, as he totally acknowleged the very real and important date he was playing on today, the 9th anniversary of 9/11.

Now, for my bummer-mobile to roll in.  Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic (Serbia, seen right) duked it out, like, forever.  It was the kind of tennis match that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly back and forth, passing the advantage back and forth as much as they were the ball.  And the shots!  Unbelievable reach and speed.  Unfortunately (according to me, of course), Djokovic came out on top leaving my sweet Federer out of the finals.  Ho hummmm....at least I'll only have one guy to really root for tomorrow.  Let's hear it for Spain!

As for the ladies...neither of my gal pals played the finals.  Serena was out of the tournament altogether because of a foot injury and Venus was beat in the semis.  The only cool thing, is that Kim Clijsters (Switzerland) is the one who beat her, and I just love Kim Clijsters.  She is a mom and is still rockin' it out on the court.  Tonight, she played Russian Vera Zvonareva and took the title easily in two sets.  The only thing that bugs me about Zvonareva is her temper on the court.  She crashes her racquet on the ground, yells, etc.  She's a lot like Djokavic in that regard.  He hits himself in the head with his racquet and slams it around too.  Gimme a break.  Clijsters won tonight for her 3rd U.S. Open title.  Atta girl Kim!  With the win came a check for 1.7 million dollars, and a $500,000 bonus.  All in a summer's work, I guess. 

Sports Concussion Conference to be held

Perhaps, like me, you've received a phone call in the middle of your son's football practice from his trainer. "...he took a pretty hard hit to the head". Not the call you want to get.

Sure enough, after picking up my teenager and taking him to the emergency room for evaluation, he was diagnosed with a concussion.

It is frightening to see your A student struggle to count backwards, really have to concentrate to come up with the backward sequence of the months in a year, or look like he just woke up and is still a little foggy, and see him stay that way for the rest of the day.
My son is fine now, but I was rattled a bit. Thus the reason I think it is important to pass along this information about a Sports Concussion Conference coming up on Sept. 12.

The Michigan NeuroSport Concussion Program and Michigan Athletics is holding a conference called, "Keeping your head in the Game." It is for parents, trainers, coaches, athletes or whoever else wants to learn the ins and outs of all things related to concussions, including how to manage concussions and when it is safe for your child to return to play.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, director of Michigan NeuroSport and Team Neurologist of Michigan Athletics and NCAA and Big Ten Conference Concussion consultant and advisor. Sounds like he knows his stuff!

You'll need to register to attend. Here is all of the information:
Registration:
734-998-7432 or email
concussion.registration@umich.edu
Date & Time:
Sunday, Sept. 12, from 3-5 p.m.
Location:
Detroit Country Day School
Performing Arts Center
22305 W. 13 Mile Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025

Settle down Suh...

There's been quite a bit of buzz about Detroit Lion Ndomakong Suh, mega-rookie, since he horse collared Jake Delhomme (Cleveland QB and mega-NFL veteran) during Saturday's game.  I wasn't going to talk much more about it until I heard Suh's comment in a post game interview.

He said he can't be bothered with how hard he's hitting, can't worry about how hard he hits.  I get it.  He is a hard hitter, which is why Detroit picked him.

BUT...

Mr. Suh, if I may have your attention please.  You are in a professional league now, so it is time to behave like a professional.  You hit hard, but you hit LEGAL.  You could have snapped Delhomme's neck for Pete's sake!  Who do you think you are?  Let me tell you who you are.  You are a ROOKIE.  Time to check your ego at the door. 

All about the hit...

I'm a chick after all, so in my opinion, hitting isn't nice--unless it is on the football field, of course.  I'm talking Lions v. Browns, third pre-season game of the year, where it has been super hard hit after super hard hit.  Whom is hitting who? Let's talk about Louis Delmas of the Detroit defense with two mega hit tackles in the first quarter. Running into Delmas has got to feel like smashing into a brick wall. He is 5'11" and 202 lbs. and the guy is lightening fast.  Man I just love him!  You know what else I love about him?  His Lion mane of hair and biceps that bulge even when they aren't doing anything!

On a very serious note about a very serious hit, Nick Sorenson of Cleveland took a double helmet hit to his head, a good, legal hit, nothing malicious.  What did suck about it though was the way it forced Sorenson's neck back a bit like a Pez dispenser which resulted in an automatic trip onto a backboard.  Better be safe than sorry and last reported Sorenson was moving well and just being held for observation.  That's what we want to hear.  Hurry back Nick!

It's true, the defense hasn't been pefect this game.  To quote Jim Schwartz at the half, "we're playing some crappy football".  A lot of scoring going on for both sides, but Detroit has had several opportunities to keep the dogs at bay.  It's kind of been like the old Tom and Jerry episodes with Spike the bulldog. (Get it?  Tom is a cat, a lion is a cat-Spike is a dog, the browns are dogs...I know....I know....just keep reading!)  No matter how sneaky or fast Tom is, Spike always ends up getting past him to save Jerry. I'm not saying the cat's in the bag for Cleveland (I'm on a roll!), I'm just saying the big D of D better get that pretty choreography and hard hitting line up of theirs into more of a halting, stopping, do not pass go mode.

And in the Not Suh Fast category, he may have a ton of letters in his first name, but he'd better watch his p's and q's when it comes to sacking Delhomme.  He horse-collared the QB, and I mean in the twist his head off kind of way, which resulted in a mega penalty, half the distance to the goal.  Chill out Suh.  True, you are awesome and worth the money honey, but plays like that will only hurt your team.

Proof that women and football go together...

So last week I posted how excited I was to be celebrating three women on the Supreme Court and the beginning of football season in the same week.  Women and football.

Turns out, there is something to that...

August 19th was the 90th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in America.   

August 20th was the 90th anniversary of the National Football League.

I wonder if women back then were hiding pink jerseys under those hip, charleston-type, flapper dresses?