The Weekend Run-down July 25, 2011

I don’t know where you are while reading this but chances are it’s probably hot where ever you may be. Here in Nashville the mercury rose to over 95 degrees this weekend and will get up to 98 this week with no end in sight. These are the dog days of summer and of course that means not much in the sports world to go around. The big subject for most is the NFL labor dispute, and it looks as if it’s finally coming to an end. Sources close to the action are reporting that the players could ratify the deal as early as today, hopefully so as it would be welcome news to all the football fans (Including myself) out there. Cadel Evans made history as the first rider from down under to win the Tour de France.The old fox Brett Favre just can’t seem to give up football and the Seattle Mariners just can’t seem to get a win.




Now for the rundown:



The NFL is ready for business?

As I stated above it seems both sides are finally ready to settle on a new CBA. ESPN is reporting that free-agent negotiations and trades could begin as soon as Tuesday can be filed with the league office Friday at 6 p.m. That’s means that its time for the free-agent bonanza folks. Every big named player including Nnamdi Asomagha, and Matt Hasselbeck, Kevin Kolb, and Donovan McNabb will be able to be moved by this weekend. Thank God this soap opera is over and we can get back to the business of football. It really sucks looking at Sportscenter as it is in the summer, and when you take away the occasional football update it makes that even worse. The players have to re-certify but that should be done soon. Neither side won this battle but the fans ultimately won’t judge either just as long as we get to see some football in the fall. Let the festivities begin.



Brett to the Eagles? Did I hear that right?

Now that lockout appears to be in its final moments its only right to begin the annual Brett Favre watch right? There are reports surfacing that the old gunslinger is being recruited by Philly to backup star Michael Vick. This guy just can’t leave it alone can he? He played probably his toughest year last season, taking on various injuries including his shoulder, ankle and rotator cuff and yet it seems all it takes is for a team to show some interest and him and he could possibly jump right back in. At least this time around he would be a backup and wouldn’t have to endure such punishment. Said Vick “I would be honored to have Brett Favre as a backup," Vick tweeted. "That will be amazing learning how to toy with defenses the way he did his whole career." The jury is still out on this one. We will have to wait and see but it just wouldn’t be a proper summer without a Brett Favre watch would it?



Cadel Evans wins the Tour de France:

Cadel Evans became the first Australian to win the prestigious Tour de France. The world most famous biking tournament seems to always be clouded by doping scandals, but this year seemed to go rather smoothly. Previous 3-time Tour winner Alberto Contador finished 5th after dealing with his own allegatiations. This was a rather entertaining Tour this year with 7 riders donning the yellow jersey. Frenchmen Thomas Voeckler held it for 10 days, to the delight oaf the French but couldn’t hold off the Aussie Evans who became the oldest Tour winner ever. He was also just the third non-European to claim the title, joining Americans Greg Lemond and Lance Armstrong. Congrats to Evans and of course Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!



Seattle Mariners lose their 15th straight:

It seems like every sport has that one team that has an epic losing streak. NBA = Cleveland Cavaliers, NFL = Carolina Panthers and now MLB = Seattle Mariners. The Mariners were actually a .500 team (43-43) before this losing streak and they just ran into a buzz saw in the Boston Red Sox. The Mariners have one of, if not the best pitcher in the game in Felix Hernandez but he hasn’t had the run support needed to win games for them. Seattle’s problem is its bats as the Mariners rank near the bottom of every offensive category in major league baseball. Their schedule isn’t doing them any favors either as their next two series are against the Bronx bombers of New York and a hungry and young Tampa Rays team. Ouch.

Alright that’s all have for my over the weekend coverage. Make sure to check back this week as I have some more announcements coming and we will cover all things post NFL lockout. Hope everyone enjoyed a nice and prosperous weekend. Stay out the heat folks!