racingmeridian.com

ICE..Canadians want nothing more that a 2010 Olympic Gold Medal in Men’s Hockey. That’s a given. But a number of panicky voices are worrying that Martin Brodeur may, by default, be awarded the role of starting netminder. Brodeur has declined dramatically in the last four years and is certainly not, based on current form, the prudent choice for the premier role. The competition for Gold will be severe and Canada needs to have two feet in the present, not one lagging in the past. The 2006 team was strictly FOG (Friends of Gretzky) with necessary components, like Brendan Shanahan and Sid Crosby, languishing while a thug like Todd Bertuzzi hit the ice. The stupid mistakes of the last Olympics must not be repeated. Starting in net should be a choice between the two finest current Canadian goalies, Roberto Luongo and Cam Ward. Distractions like Dany Heatley should be banished. With the tournament being held in Vancouver, Canadians should howl with fury if the team iced is not built based solely on players current capabilities…GRID IRON..Peter King of S I has proclaimed the Green Bay Packers as the most impressive team he has observed thus far in the preseason…I’m aghast at the news the Seattle Seahawks are on the verge of signing Edgerrin “Edge” James. The former Colts running back played seven games for the Arizona Cardinals last year and clearly is on the down slope of a once productive career. The Seahawks are looking to recover from an injury plagued 4-12 2008 season but if they are looking to James there must be serious issues with their offense…Carson Palmer may not play again until the Cincinnati Bengal’s opener Sept 13^th. The dynamic QB missed virtually all of last season and is now suffering from a high ankle sprain…this is ominous; the Baltimore Ravens are so enamoured with the depth of their defensive line they are considering moving to a 4-3 alignment. The crushing Ravens defenders are poised for another blood and guts season. The team should lockdown the number 1 defensive ranking in the NFL and are a legitimate pick for a berth in the 2010 Superbowl…quarterback JaMarcus Russell has been confirmed as the starter for the 2009 Oakland Raiders. That team will look to build some momentum in a division which may have regressed. I’m seeing significant challenges this season for the Broncos, Chiefs and aging Chargers. Just saying…the St Louis Ram first team offense has yet to score a touchdown after two preseason games. If you are like me and enjoy a Suicide Pool, the opponents of the wretched Rams will be getting a long look every weekend…GO HOME..the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Sporting News, owe Vernon Wells 98.5 million over the next five years. Current stats? He’s batting .256 with 13 homers and 52 RBI’s…FOOTIE..if you’re a Manchester United fan (and who isn’t?) the news of another Liverpool loss yesterday was greeted with much mirth and clanging off glasses. The stunner occurred at Anfield and places the Scousers in the awkward position of having equalled last year’s loss total while still in the month of August…PONIES..the ninth race at Saratoga on Saturday had a six horse photo finish. When the chart was complete, the margin from positions one through six was a total of a short head. The crowd of 25,00 whooped it up and applauded all the contestants as they returned to the winners circle…PUG LIFE..has Bob Arum finally seen the light? With boxing beleaguered by an onslaught from the MMA, could the thrifty promoter be on the verge of creating one of the greatest double headers in fight history? Arum is pushing hard for Edwin Valero and Humberto Soto to clash on the undercard of the Nov 14^th Manny Pacquiao - Miguel Cotto fight. The Soto and Valero camps would like to fight on the date, just not necessarily against each other. Apocalyptic Bob has let the camps know that for the fight game today there is “no tomorrow”. The sport needs these big match-ups now, not for some flimsy future assignment…the winner of a Soto - Valero clash would almost certainly be next in line for a shot at Manny Pacquiao…