Heeeeeeeeeeeee's Back

Don't blink. That really is him.

Yes. Him.

The same man we once took for dead, kicked to the curb by a crumbling Tampa Bay squad, it seemed as if football for Mr. Martin Gramatica was all but over. The only thing that seemed automatic about the situation was a group Gramatica flight back to Argentina.

Alas, the beleaguered kicker has made it back to center stage once more, this time in the NFC East for the Dallas Cowboys. He's already tested the waters in the NFC South, and AFC East (twice actually). Too hot, apparently. Now, Parcells and the 'Boys are counting on Martin to solidify what was a shaky kicking game with Mike Vanderjagt at the helm.

And, on the subject of Vanderjagt, how quickly do fortunes change? Just several months ago, he was the recipient of a new contract, at over 5 million dollars. Fat deal, fat change. Fat chance. He's been released, and in an one of the most ironic and deranged attempts to search for consistency, the Cowboys have opted to try out Gramatica. He's been with the Colts twice, and the Patriots practice squad once. Neither worked out well. To be honest though, neither did his last two years in Tampa.


As from last week, some more notes:

• Jay Cutler is officially taking over for Jake Plummer in Denver. And it only took, what, 11 weeks? I figure this is a wise move from coach Mike Shanahan. He usually shuffles runningbacks, so why not try it with quarterbacks. The problem? He's in the thick of a playoff race and Cutler's chances of survival and success are about the same as the number of NFL passes he's thrown.
• After this week's most recent debacle, Michael Vick, fed up with the way things have been going, decided to give the fans in Atlanta the finger as he exited to the lockerroom, following a 31-13 defeat. Maybe its just me, but I have an issue with this. Not the finger part, but the direction of the finger. The fans in Atlanta aren't the ones who can't catch. No, that distinction belongs to any WR or TE on the Falcons. And, contrary to popular belief, that is their job. You can spew on all you want about Vick's innaccuracy, but ultimately, someone has to catch the ball. Bums like Roddy White, and the rest of those misfits just aren't going to get it done.
• On the subject of making a comeback to the NFL, the Hillsborough Kid, Ricky Proehl has been signed by the Colts. One white reciever replacing another (Brandon Stokely). That's how it ought to be.
• Here's big news: "Holmes will not return to Chiefs this season", reports the AP. Wow. That's some kind of breaking story.
• Tell me you're not the only one amused by the annual list of Hall Of Fame ballotees. Of course, the guys we all knew would be there...the Scott Brosius's and Devon White's of the world. But honestly, what is Eric Davis doing on that list?
• Randy Wolf. 8 million dollars. One year. Seems reasonable, doesn't it? Lest we forget, Mr. Wolf has pitched in a combined 25 games in the past two seasons. Also, don't let that 5.56 ERA from last season through you off. He is a lefty, and a crafty one at that.
• Finally, the Red Sox have committed to trading Manny Ramirez. Really, this time they are going to do it. I'm not kidding. If it's on Yahoo! Sports, it has got to be true. They're going to sign J.D. "Power and Associates" Drew, and then deal Manny to San Fran. Honest, this time they're not joking around. Seriously. They will do it. They're going to do it. They're going to try to do it. Well, they'll give it their best shot. Uhhh, they might not do it. It seems like its too far fetched for them to actually do it. But, no, they really are going to do it this time. Maybe.
• Again, on the topic of comebacks, perenially soft and injured swingman Derek Anderson has been signed by the Charlotte Bobcats in an effort to....well, we're not exactly sure.
• Another funny headline: "Whether it's Thomas or Brown as coach, Marbury still not sure how to play" Can we just get it over with and put this guy out of his misery already. How many times does he need to prove that he's a worhtless human being and basketball player. Ultimately, it seems fairly simple to me. When coaches have tried to "coach" him, he struggles. When he can do his own thing and basically play selfishly, he'll put up numbers. There's a winner for you.
• What's most suprising about the Spurs first road loss of the season, this a month into the schedule? Not that it took this long, but that Andris Biedrins, a man few outside of fantasy nerds have ever even heard of, almost single handedly turned the trick last night. He had 6 blocks, 3 of which came on Tim Duncan in the final quarter. Way to go Andy.
• After the "signing of the year" of Ben Wallace, the Chicago Bulls have truly floundered to start the season. True, they opened the year trouncing the Heat, but since then, they've lost 9 of 12. And one of those 3 wins came against the Knicks. The Bulls, as I modestly figured, have had a hard time scoring (18th, just under 97 ppg). This shouldn't surprise anyone as starters Chris Duhon and Ben Wallace are scoring 13 ppg. Together.

Which One Is The GM?

Take a long, hard look at this one, because I couldn't figure it out at first.

The man on your left is 40. The man on your right is 48. Both are of Dominican, or of some sort of Latin, descent.

The major difference though, between the two? One is 8.5 million dollars richer. Give up? Its the guy on the right. Wait, no, the left. Or is it the right? I'm not sure, to be quite honest. But, at this point, getting older seems to be the only logical step for the New York Mets.

A forty year old OF comes to town and suddenly the ship has sailed on what once was the hottest prospect no only in their system but possibly in all of baseball. How much do they think they can get for Lastings Milledge now anyway? He's already proved he's not ready. If they were seriously considering dealing him at any point, last June was the time to do it. That ship, unfortunately, has in fact sailed already.

Moises Alou, not to take anything away from the man, is simply old. Admittedly, Cliff Floyd is no spry chicken, but when your facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?

Some other news and notes, things I've noticed since I'm not in the country:

• Reports out of Yankee camp say that Scott Proctor could join the rotation next year...Whoopee, another 4 to 5 inning starter. Now that Jaret Wright is finally gone, the Bombers haven't waited long to replace his ineffective and quick exiting presence with someone from with in. Best of luck Scotty
• Marquis Daniels has replaced Stephen Jackson as the Pacers starting SG. Erick Dampier has replaced DeSagna Diop as the starting C for the Mavs. This makes them the first Marquis and Erick SG/C tandem on separate teams in history.
• A guy named Adrian has a column for Yahoo! Sports. That's it.
• Dajuan Wagner has been released by the Golden State Warriors, most likely ending his chances of playing professional ball ever again. He and Kenyon Martin, apparently, are in contract negotiations to work side by side with Brad Nessler doing NBDL games next season. Again, we here at Putting It In Reverse wish the beleaguered stars best of luck.
• The Rutgers football program, after an improbable, come-from-behind victory at home against Louisville, couldn't muster up enough fire power to beat Dustin Grutza and the Cinncy Bearcats. Don't even talk about trap games, they play the Orange next. I have no explanation for this, nor would I care to entertain the thought of what might happen to a man such as Kian Barry if the Scarlet Knights lose out. It could happen, by the way. While I won't predict a loss to SU, a loss to WVU is more than possible.
• Alfonso Soriano, the man without a position and without a good attitude, recieved a Tory Holt-esque contract of 8 catches for 136 yards. I mean, 8 years for 136 million. Absurd isn't it? Not that he's not a great player. But that amount of money, it's something to just sit back and look at it. And then, wonder how it'll contribute to the Cubbies not winning for the 98th year in a row.
• Drew Brees, NO Saints QB, threw for over 500 yards in this week's game against Cinncinnati. The Saints lost. Explain that one. What did he need to do, throw for 800 yards?
• The string of injuries this past week was so long, it almost became comical. Leading WR, Marques Colston, ankle injury. Donovan McNabb and Lamont Jordan, torn knee ligaments. Brett Favre, and his backup, Aaron Rodgers. Joey Goodspeed, turf toe. Donovan Darius, broken ankle. Bo Schembeckler, unfortunately for him, death. And the list goes on...Sad state of affairs, really was.
• Charles Robinson, a man who actually gets paid for Yahoo! Sports to write about made up football news and things of the sort, actually wrote an article recently claiming that the Chargers were the best team in the league. First of all, though I hasn't watched more than 10 minutes of NFL football all season, that can't be accurate. Second of all, and as much as it pains me to say this, the Bears have to be the league's best at this point. Best defense by far, and the offense has been good. Can't argue with that, or can you Mr. Robinson?
• How long do you give it til everyone stops sucking the proverbial penis that is the Utah Jazz? I say, at most two weeks. Reason? They won't be winning 9 out of every 10 games by then. Are they a good team? Certainly, and they have improved. But, let's be real here. Paul Millsap can't be a serviceable replacement for AK-47 for ever. And Deron Williams' dime per game numbers have to come down. Hell, they can't realistically go any higher.
• News out of Indiana suggests Jermaine O'Neal isn't happy on the Pacers. Surprise, surprise. My problem with the whole thing is, who gives a damn? So he wants to play for a winner. Name me a player that doesn't, excluding any Blazer that's been in the league for more than 2 years. Just because the Pacers aren't any good shouldn't liberate Jermaine O'Neal. If that was the case, Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, and a whole host of others would've already been moved. My advice, give it a rest and try playing for a full season before you want to open your mouth again. Sorry for that, but I hate when millionaires complain for no real reason.
• Finally, the NL Central race has been decided. Mike Stanton and Alex Gonzalez have been added to the Reds. Relax folks, its over. Here's a direct quote, honest to God..."Stay tuned," said general manager Wayne Krivsky. The Reds GM is referring to the transaction wire, hinting that more moves are to come. He's already acquired 40 players since coming on board last spring training. I can't wait to see who he adds next. Maybe he could trade for Marlon Byrd. I think Reggie Abercrombie might even be available. Have at it Wayne, and as always, best of luck pal.