Random Sports Thoughts

Here are a few random thoughts from the weekend.

1.  The Patriots played good enough to win against Dallas.  A few too many turnovers kept the game close, but they came through in the end.

2.  I'm beginning to wonder if Chad Ochocinco will ever play a significant part of the offense, or if he'll just spend one insignificant season in New England.

3.  People will try to place a slogan on the Texas Rangers vs. St. Louis Cardinals World Series.  I'm going with, "the Arkansas is in the way series".

4.  I pick Texas to win.

5.  Did not do baseball picks for this post-season.  I would have picked Philadelphia over Texas.

6.  What a horrible crash that killed Indy Car driver Dan Wheldon yesterday at the Las Vegas Speedway.  I may have gone to the race, had it not conflicted with the Patriots game on tv.  I got an email about complementary tickets the other day.  MGM property guests were offered free tickets with reservations.

7.  Las Vegas made a big deal about the Indy Car race beforehand, with tie-in's to the casinos and events around town.  Now I think they wish it would all go away.  I read that drivers felt uncomfortable with the speeds on that track.  I'll admit that I don't know much about auto racing.  I just figure that because of the nature of the sport, these horrific accidents are going to continue to occur.

8.   Went to the UNLV Men's Basketball scrimmage last night.  They look like a good basketball team, and I look forward to seeing some games this season.  They should expect to get to the tournament and maybe win a game or two.

9.  Next season's team may be even better, given a year of experience under new coach, Dave Rice.  Plus, the player I was most impressed by, USC transfer Bryce Jones, is sitting out this season.  Now I wonder if they could ever land top high school recruit, and local standout, Shabazz Muhammad.

10.  The first BCS standings have been released.  I'm not going to argue with the top 5: LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Boise State.  I'm sure I'll eventually have something to complain about.

11.  Regarding the NBA lockout - they can take the rest of the decade off for all I care.  I only feel bad for team employees and peripheral businesses who depend on the NBA for their income / livelihood.

12.  The Patriots have a bye next week, meaning I need to find something to do Sunday.