So Yeah, I Bought an Xbox 360

Content Post:
(Motivating Issues Permeating The Summer)

1. The Phillies: At times, I have been moved to absolute disgust over both the on field performance of the baseball club and the continual strategic blunders of multiple areas of the front office. The Bobby Abreu trade was a salary dump in a league without a salary cap. I would be very shocked if the organization spent a lot of money in the offseason on free agents. Still, I like the trade because it does send a message that attitudes are going to change in the locker room. After the 2001-2002 campaigns, it was apparent that the Phillies had a few higher paid veterans that had laid back attitudes or bad attitudes towards the importance of winning. Abreu lacked the heart, in the field. Lieberthal and Burrell, Myers, Bell, Michaels, who feels good about any of these guys in the clutch. I would say, totally subjectively and as a fan, based off of quotes and post game interviews, that other than the competitiveness that Myers has every time out, the Phillies are a better "team" without those individuals. I use the Florida Marlins as a comparison, a team full of scrappy young players that don't have big contracts. Money, to me, is as big a factor in success as strength, speed, ability, and experience. You have to have the motivation to win, and it is hard to do that at 10-20 million a year. Contracts like those are championships in themselves, just not for you or I.
The Phililes have played well since trimming payroll, but I read nothing into it. The lack of pitching depth will ultimately stand in their way of making the playoffs in what might be the weakest season in National League history. I saw the product live just last week, and going to a game is an enjoyable if numbing experience. I was left wanting more, the playoffs, that exictement that I have lived through in 1993, again in 2000 with the White Sox while living in Chicago, in 2001-2005 with the Eagles, and 1994-present with the Flyers. I want a chance at a parade. There is the disjoint.

2. Fantasy Football: Big draft coming up on the 19th. I am planning the party and doing my research. The number 2 pick is mine, hoping to land LaDanian Tomlinson (sp?) and get off to a good start. I think our league favors QB's, and gives more slack to WR's than RB's, but that doesnt change the supply problem at Running Back. It is hard to ignore the heart and not take any Eagles, but there is money on the line this time, and I think I will let the other diehards take the Birds.

3. Xbox 360: Very pleased with my launch investment. Oblivion has given me 83 hours of enjoyment thus far, although I am calling at least 4 of those hours as sleepy time. NCAA 07 is holding me off until August 22nd and the glory of Madden Season. I also picked up a DS, and that has been a great investment also.

4. Anticipation of NFL Season: I am through the roof, can not wait. Manning versus Manning to kick it off, great games abound this season. I am a blinded Eagles fan that is not ready to give up on the first half of this decade. Still believe in McNabb, still think that Jim Johnson can come up with the master plans to stop intruding offenses from polluting our turf. I havent decided on a sleeper pick yet, although I don't think it is going to be the Cardinals. Maybe the Lions? Is that crazy? Do they have a defense? It's still early August

5. Literary Again, Finally: I have started reading more this summer and through a brush with greatness I was given a personalized, autographed copy of House of Leaves, one of the greatest books I have ever read, and thought about... and thought about.