First Annual State of the Dallas-Man Sports Teams

So, here we are.  I've wanted to do this many times before but never got around to it.  A good friend of mine just recently started up her like 80 billionth blog and is posting regularly so, its sorta got me in the Writin' Mood!

First up we shall explore the Washington Redskins.

The 2011 Campaign started out with such promise.  A 3-1 start had all Skins' fans, myself included, excited.  Then the Injuries and bad Rex showed up and they lost 6 straight.  They managed to beat Seattle on the road and then lost last week to the Jets.  They played with the Jets pretty well until the 4th quarter.  They now sit at an awesome 4-8 mark.  Next up are the Patriots and they just lost their best Offensive lineman and Best receiver in Trent Williams and Fred Davis, respectfully.  They were suspended for "failing a drug test".  Awesome, way to go guys!  All thats left to look forward to is the Draft.  I want them to get a young QB and and young safety and would love a Wide-out.  We'll see what happens when draft time comes around.  This team is trending down very quickly. 

Bright spot of this season?  Ryan Kerrigan and Perry Riley emerging as very good players on Defense and Roy Helu played very well in the Jets game.  I think Hankerson was about to emerge as a very large weapon before he went down for the season with an injury in the Miami game. 

Biggest disappointment?  If D-Hall knew how to cover Dez Bryant at ALL the Skins would have 2 more wins and be leading the Division right now.  Oh Well.

Pittsburgh Penguins

As of right now they sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 1 point lead over the Boston Bruins (who they lost to 3-1 in their last contest).  The Penguins have not really started clicking yet and have been pretty erratic in their defense play.  Paul Martin has struggled pretty mightily as of late and the absence of Letang has been felt.  Crosby has returned, welcome news to any fan of the NHL whether you like the Pens or not, and was knocked around some in the loss to Boston (including a mid ice collision with Kunitz, in which he returned to the ice during the game).  They have decided to sit him for the next 2 games, just as a precautionary measure according the everyone involved, which has struck a bit of fear in me too.  After missing him for 10 months any time hes out of the line-up it makes me worry.  Word is he went full speed in practice Wednesday and after the practice told reporters he "felt perfectly fine".  So I guess we'll find out in the next few days.  If Crosby comes back fine and Letang can get healthy and the Defense tightens up...this team will become scary, scary good.  Their offense has been rather inconsistent so far in Crosby's return but once his timing and such is back and the D gets goin' this team is going to go on a tear I believe.  I hope it leads them to another Cup.

Next up:  A Thursday night showdown in Philly with the Flyers.  Then head to play the Islanders on Saturday night. 

Los Angeles Lakers

Well, the Lockout is all but officially over.  The Lakers are coming off a disappointing finish to last season.  Coming off of Back-to-Back titles the Lakers got swept by the eventual Champion Dallas Mavericks.  So, how do the Lakers improve?  Well, they want to make a trade.  Two trades that is.  Who?  No one other than Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.  Sort of sounds like a Video game doesn't it?  Sources say no one on the Roster other than Kobe is untouchable.  This would be on HELL of a blockbuster trade and instantly make them the best team in the West, In my opinion.  I've always known they were going to target Howard.  Chris Paul on the other hand I always figured was destined to join Melo and Amare with the Knicks.  If LA manages to acquire Paul and Howard sources close to both of them say they would sign extensions with the Lakers.  Right then and there you have the successor for Kobe when he calls it a career.  Plus, it helps trying to make sure Kobe gets one if not TWO more Championships since he honestly has maybe 2-3 More good years in him.  I doubt they'll manage to trade for both...but wouldn't be shocked if they got at least one of the two.  My guess?  Dwight goes to L.A. 

One can only dream.....

 

 

Minnesota Twins

Yuck.  Last baseball season left a bad taste in my mouth.  Off a SUPER COMPETITIVE 63-99 mark on the 2011 campaign, only Houston finished worse, I wonder on how the Twins plan to try and improve.  First thing they did?  Fire Bill Smith and bring back Terry Ryan.  They have signed Jamey Carroll and Ryan Doumit.  Carroll will more than likely help to stabilize Shortstop and Doumit can play Catcher, First and Outfield.  They are said to be going hard after Cuddyer and have offered him a 3 year deal.  Which more than likely means Kubel is gone (sad face...I like Kubel).  Joe Nathan has left for Texas, so they have resigned Matt Capps, who was beyond TERRIBLE last year but claims to have been hurt for most of the year.  Guess we shall all see.

Two ways the Twins can instantly get better for next season?  Stay Healthy and GET A FRIGGIN' BULLPEN.  Minnesota's Pen was dreadful last year.  Everytime they had a lead....bullpen time is here to save the day!  By save, I mean, give up 7 runs.  Yay!  Getting Morneau and Mauer back to 100% would also help them out.  Now that the Twins have Doumit they can actually have a catcher backing up Mauer that can hit. 

If Morneau, who is open to playing more DH, can stay healthy for the duration of the Season and Mauer returns to his .300 batting average and Ryan gets some Bullpen help and maybe one starter this team could be poised to go from worst to first.  Thats a lot of things that have to go right, but last year was just a historically bad year.  I feel this year they will rebound.

We shall see......Till the next state of the franchise......