Aug. 18, 2009
BRUINS
The UCLA football team will hold its fall scrimmage this Saturday (Aug. 22) on campus at Drake Stadium. The fall scrimmage last year gave UCLA fans an idea of what to expect, with the offensive line giving up eight sacks and the Bruins' top three running backs combining for 14 yards on 12 carries. This upcoming scrimmage should show if the Bruins have fixed up that offensive line a bit and if new quarterback Kevin Prince can move the ball.
LAKERS
Not much going on in Lakers land. Lakers forward Josh Powell and assistant coach Brian Shaw recently enjoyed a victory party thrown by Victor Gomez, the general manager at the Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. "To the victor goes the spoils," indeed.
Pau Gasol said on his Web site that his surgically repaired index finger "looks good." The Orange County Register has a small story on Gasol's finger.
VIKINGS
Ugh. I woke up Monday morning suffering from some sort of food poisoning and still felt pretty queasy going into today. Then word comes out that Brett Favre is coming out of retirement to join the Vikings. Now, I'm not sure why I feel sick and my stomach is churning.
I know some Vikings fans are rejoicing about this, even Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said today that Favre would be good for the team, good for the state and "It's going to be exciting." Well, it was pretty exciting last year when the Vikings won the NFC North, without Favre. I'll grant you the fact that Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson aren't three-time NFL MVPs. (Say "thank-you," I just granted you something.) But, despite all his gaudy passing records, Favre also is the NFL's career leader in interceptions. Most of my anti-Favre feelings come from his days as a hated Packer, plus, I think he's too old and damaged goods. It's not really in my nature to think ill of people, unless they're wearing a Celtics jersey or USC uniform, so I'll grudgingly welcome Favre to the Vikings. "Welcome to the team, Brett, don't screw it up."
REDS
The Reds are currently 50-67 and 16 1/2 games behind the first-place Cardinals. That means we look to the future. The Reds announced late Monday that they have signed Mike Leake, 21, the eighth overall pick in the first-year players draft. Leake, who played at Arizona State University, was 16-1 with a 1.71 ERA and 162 strikeouts this past season. He was awarded a $2.27 million bonus and will be on a fast track to join the club.
--Paul Chavez, BLVR
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