It’s funny because I’m not even joking. When I turned on the NBC Wimbledon coverage this afternoon, after returning from a rain shortened round of golf, it was already in the 2nd set. I soon realized that it was a time delay and switched over to a live feed on Channelsurfing.com to watch the final set. However, in the 20 minutes I was watching NBC’s delayed feed I found myself asking, “Who is the third guy they got for today’s coverage? John McEnroe, Ted Robinson, and who?”. Since I tuned in late I missed the pre-match coverage and didn’t see the face of the new addition. That was until they went back to the booth in between points.

And the mystery man was… Mary Carillo?!? The voice of NBC tennis for over a decade. Mary was brought on the show thanks to her mix doubles partner from her playing days, the one and only John McEnroe. I had listened to Mary multiple times before in the past, so why is it that today I thought she was a man?

Then it hit me! Because I didn’t watch the pre-match coverage!

Previously I had seen her face, realized who it was, and because of that knew that it was a woman speaking. But today I went almost 15 minutes thinking that Mary was sick and they brought in some new guy to replace her. If you don’t believe me just listen for your self, the delayed feed is still on air so you have 30-40 minutes to listen in.

Trust me if you listen closely and try not to think about the man lady who is actually talking you will be surprised. The voice for women’s tennis on NBC is actually… a dude.

-KC Roberts.

For Fantasy Pros 911’s Lenny Melnick, the love of baseball never ends. Whether it be podcasting every morning to help adjust your lineup accordingly, or writing columns that all baseball fans can enjoy, his work has done measures. Alongside his colleagues at Fantasy Pros 911,  Melnick is one of the true personalities in the game. He was kind enough to join us on Fantasy CPR Live this weekend.

With the Fourth of July around the corner, Lenny and I talked a bit about the trade deadline, the Orioles minor league arms,  The Manny situation in L.A, and the fact that the Dodgers could slump with Manny back in the lineup.

“It wouldn’t shock me if the Dodgers players lose their edge,” says Melnick. “It’s not the first time we’ve expected the powerhouse lineup, when the powerhouse hitter returns. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Dodgers slump with Manny Ramirez in the lineup.”

Thanks so much to Lenny Melnick for joining me, you can catch all his great work at Fantasy Pros 911. The Staff over there does a wonderful job, they are on call most of the day. I am a premium member, and haven’t regretted it since day 1.

(Looking to listen to Fantasy CPRadio on your mobile device, mp3 player or Tape Cassette (I hope not for your sake!)? Visit the Fantasy CPRadio on Itunes, and subscribe today! Listen to Fantasy CPR Live every Saturday from 12 P.M. on The Fantasy Sports Channel. Can’t catch the show live? Download this week’s show here.)  

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Today was supposed to be enjoyable. I took one of the 5 days I get off this summer to play a round of golf with Poppa Roberts and get an unofficial long weekend. Unfortunately the weather gods hate me, 2 holes in it started pouring. So now I’m sitting at home watching the Roddick/Murray Semifinal instead of leaving the clubhouse to start the back 9 after a round of beers to forget the god awful 53 posted on the front.

But there is a silver lining. At least now I get to watch Andy Roddick try to upset Andy Murray, currently up 2 sets to 1, for a dream finals (for me at least) of Roddick and Federer. And now with a whole day off and nothing to do I have the chance to write a couple of the articles that I haven’t time to release in the past. So keep checking in through out the day for updates on the Murray/Roddick game and some new BWB articles.

It’s a day off with KC Roberts, what could be more fun? (I’m sure there is a long list, so no need to comment)

Updates: (1:18) Roddick won his serve after going to deuce. 4th set tied 3-3

(1:23) Murray wins a quick one and takes a 4-3 lead in the 4th set.

(1:27) Roddick wins after going to deuce again, it seems like he is less confident serving now. Lets hope he can correct this. Tied 4-4.

(1:30) Roddick can’t challenge Murray’s serve. Murray wins another easy one. 5-4 in the 4th.

(1:35) Both players won all of their serves, the game is going to tie break. As I write this Roddick has taken a 3-2 lead. So close!

(1:36) 5-2 Roddick! Come on Roddick lets do this!

(1:40) 5-4 Roddick with 2 serves for the win. I have never been more nervous.

(1:41) 7-5 Roddick! He is moving on to the Wimbledon finals! I’m actually kinda glad my golf game got rained out, that was one of the most exciting tennis matches i’ve ever seen!

- KC Roberts

Thursday afternoon's game between the Astros and Padres was delayed for 52 minutes after a swarm of bees decided to take over left field.  Looking at the video, the bees seemed to enter the ballpark through a magic jacket thrown over the back of a folding chair near the bullpen.  ...

According to Ron Artest, Ron Artest is going to be signed by the L.A. Lakers to a five-year, $33-million contract (the full mid-level exception in NBA salary cap parlance). "I am very excited to finally be going to L.A.," Artest said in a statement. "For years now, the Lakers have expressed ...

Just to prove that male athletes have no monopoly on stupidity, Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi was cited for DUI early Thursday morning after being pulled over by Phoenix police. Cops say Taurasi was stopped for speeding, and was issued a field sobriety test after the officer smelled liquor on ...

I love knowing that I can take my time with a hockey post. As soon as I hear NBA or NFL news, I have to fire a post off as quickly as possible, lest KC or Franks beat me to the punch. (Specifically KC, who posts like he’s the TSN ticker over here, am I right?) This results in the forced humour and tired cultural references that you’re used to here at Beers with Boggs.

 

But hockey? When it comes to hockey, I can digest some info, collect my thoughts, pour a tall, cool beverage, and let the words flow like a keg in the Boggs household.

 

All of which is my half assed explanation for why I haven’t got an NHL free agency post up yet. There has been plenty of movement, and I intend to let all the dust settle before I do a complete run down of how each team fared during free agency. I mean, Chad LaRose is still available, and do you really expect me to start handing out free agency grades before we know where Rosey is going to land? Not fuckin’ likely. I will, however, present you with my Cliff Notes version of the movement thus far. It is as follows:

 

THE HABS GOT HAL GILL!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!

 

But, as the hockey world eagerly awaits my weighing in on free agency, there is other news afoot. It’s 2009, which means it’s almost 2010, which means we are less than a year away from the Olympics. And, as Canadians, it is never too early to start discussing the one group of individuals who will make or break Canada’s first Olympic hosting effort in over 20 years. That’s right folks; today, Hockey Canada released its list of invitees to the upcoming summer orientation camp. I am not exaggerating when I say that the gentlemen on this list have the power to determine how these Olympics are viewed in Canadian history. Sure, Canada is pumping a bunch of money into our amateur athletes (shout out to Jeff Batchelor, the bad boy of Canadian snowboarding) in order to try and secure some podium finishes, but let’s get real. If you don’t have a particular association with any Olympic sport, (ie if you have no friends or family competing in “sports” like skeleton or biathlon) which of the following would make you happier: 100 gold medals in other sports and one silver medal in men’s hockey, or zero medals in other sports and a gold medal in men’s hockey?

 

You know the answer.

 

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the group of men who will ultimately shape the year 2010 for our great country. I’ll list the players by position, and give my opinions on who I think will make the cut. Of course, much can change between now and the actual naming of the roster, and it is technically possible that someone not invited to the camp could crack the roster (come onnnnnn Parros!) although that has never happened before.

 

Goalies

Camp Invitees: Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury, Roberto Luongo, Steve Mason, Cam Ward

 

The Locks: Luongo and Brodeur are nearly guaranteed to be #s 1 and 2, respectively if you ask me.

 

No Shot: Any of the other three could conceivably grab the #3 spot based on their performance at the camp and early next season, but I would consider Fleury the biggest long shot.

 

On the Bubble: Ward, Mason, and Fleury will all have a shot at the #3 job, as I mentioned.

 

The Picks: Luongo, Brodeur, Ward - Although some may not think it, this is a pretty vital decision for Team Canada brass, and one that has been long debated by myself and my cohorts. This will be Brodeur’s last international competition, and Luongo is far from a spring chicken himself. Whoever gets this #3 job – all three options are quite young - will have the inside track at being Canada’s goalie of the future. For my money, Ward is the best goalie of the three right now, so I’ll give him the early edge. However, Stevie Y and Co. could just as well decide to go with a youth movement and give Steve Mason, who has been nothing short of spectacular in his short time in the NHL, some top level international experience.

 

Defensemen

Camp Invitees: François Beauchemin, Jay Bouwmeester, Dan Boyle, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, Mike Green, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer, Dion Phaneuf, Chris Pronger, Robyn Regehr, Stéphane Robidas, Brent Seabrook, Marc Staal, Shea Weber

The Locks: Niedermayer and Pronger are the elder statesmen, and I doubt either will be left off this club. Shea Weber is the next safest bet to make the club.

 

No Shot: Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, and Marc Staal are real good young players, and figure to factor into Team Canada’s plans in the future. 2010 is too soon for all three of them, though. Beauchemin, Hamhuis, and Robidas, you’ve got to assume, will just be happy to be there.

 

On the Bubble: Bouwmeester, Boyle, Green, Keith, Phaneuf, Regehr, and Seabrook.

 

The Picks: Pronger, Niedermayer, Weber, Keith, Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, Green - If Green can keep up the offensive numbers he’s been putting up for the last few years, he’ll find a spot on this team, even if it’s just as a PP specialist. Phaneuf is Hockey Canada’s defensive golden boy right now, and although putting him above Seabrook, Boyle, and Regehr is questionable in my opinion, I don’t see him getting held off this team. Keith and Bouwmeester are both smooth skaters and excellent puck movers, which is vital at the international level. They can also both produce offense without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities (something that will make it tough for Green to see a regular even strength shift).

 

How quickly Brian Campbell has fallen. I would’ve given him an invite at least. Robidas, Hamhuis, and Beauchemin are certainly no better than Soupy.

 

Forwards

Camp Invitees: Jeff Carter, Dan Cleary, Sidney Crosby, Shane Doan, Simon Gagné, Ryan Getzlaf, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier, Milan Lucic, Patrick Marleau, Andy McDonald, Brenden Morrow, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Mike Richards, Derek Roy, Joe Sakic, Patrick Sharp, Ryan Smyth, Martin St. Louis, Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Joe Thornton, Jonathan Toews

The Locks: Getzlaf, Heatley, Iginla, Lecavalier, Nash, Eric Staal, and Thornton are all NHL superstars that should have no problem making this team. I’ve also heard some good things about this Crosby fellow, so let’s put him in this section as well.

No Shot: Milan Lucic and Jordan Staal fall into the “not ready yet” category, although I would question if Lucic’s game (which I love) will ever be considered Team Canada material. Andy McDonald, Brenden Morrow, and Derek Roy are all real good hockey players. Hopefully they’re also realists, and won’t be devastated when they find out they don’t have a chance at making this hockey club. And while Dan Cleary’s story is quite heartwarming, and bringing it full circle by making the Olympic team would be movie material, it aint gonna happen. He’s the Robidas of the forward invitees.

 

On the Bubble: Carter, Doan, Gagne, Marleau, Perry, Richards, Sakic, Sharp, Smyth, St. Louis, Toews

 

This is where it gets difficult, as positions come into play. Centres playing on the wing is an inevitability with this team, as the talent pool in the middle is too deep not to take more than 4 (Consider that 5 of the “locks” play centre for their NHL teams) I’d like to do as best I can here to pick according to position, but there are going to be a bunch of centres playing wing on this team, so really I’m just going to take what I consider the top 13 forwards.

 

The Picks: Getzlaf, Heatley, Iginla, Lecavalier, Nash, Eric Staal, Thornton, Carter, Richards, St. Louis, Toews, Gagne, Sakic (if he’s still playing) Perry (if he’s not) - Carter was too good last year to not get a spot on this team as long as he continues at a reasonable pace next season.  Mike Richards would be being groomed for the C if Crosby didn’t exist, and is the type of heart and soul guy that Team Canada has always employed.  St. Louis is a point per game scoring winger, and star actual wingers are in short supply on this team.  Gagne remains a potent scoring threat, has the wheels to be a factor in international play, and has come up big for Canada in the past.  Toews is another guy who will be being groomed for a leadership role down the line.  He may see the least ice time of all of the forwards, but he can be a solid two way centre in international play, something that is often overlooked when selecting a team full of all star forwards.  If Sakic is playing in the NHL next year, he gets the final spot (and most likely the C again), because who the fuck is going to tell Burnaby Joe “thanks, but no thanks”?  If he’s gone, or if he elects not to play in the Olympics, the youth movement continues with Perry, who has blossomed into a potent offensive threat with plenty of creativity and puck skills, which will serve him well in international play.

 

So, that’s the early look at Team Canada.  Many of you will likely disagree with some of my assessments here, so please, let me know how stupid I am in the comments.  I fully expect whoever is wearing the Maple Leaf to be the favorites for the Gold come February (although the Russians will be stacked as well), so, as usual when it comes to Canadian hockey, anything less will be a total disappointment.

 

No pressure boys!

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Atlanta Falcons fans and Fantasy owners alike loved what Michael Turner brought to the field. How couldn’t you? He gained 4.5 yards per carry. His 1,699 total rushing yards was second in the league to the unstoppable man in purple. It all started in week one against the Lions and throughout the year he remained consistent. Only once did he rush for less than 50 yards. He went over the century mark eight times. The Atlanta Falcons depended on him in the late months of the season, when Turner gained more rushing yards in November and December, than he did in September and October.

Let’s just put it this way. A man who was once best known as LT’s backup in San Diego, has now become the leader of the flock in Atlanta. Despite having a solid air attack, that now includes Tony Gonzalez, the name of the game is still possesion. If healthy, Turner is going to see the carries. The question is, will he be able to handle it. Fantasy Football history says no.

Since 2004, a little jinx on running backs known as “The Curse of 370″ has existed. Created by Football Outsiders, the curse of 370 is simply states that, “Running Backs who carry the ball over 370 times in a season will see a drop in performance in the next season.” According to Tristan Cockroft of ESPN.com:

In the history of the NFL, 27 running backs have amassed 370 or more carries in a season … and all but one of them declined in terms of total fantasy points the next year. (That one, LaDainian Tomlinson, somehow escaped the clutches of the curse despite 372 rushing attempts in 2002.)

We saw the effect 370+ hand-offs had on Larry Johnson in 2007. He was the Chiefs (and the Dexter’ s Domination fantasy team’s) workhorse. He accumulated 317 fantasy points in 2006. What did he do in 2007? Just half of that production. Maybe the tread on the tires was a bit worn down. Maybe the engine needed an oil change. In some cases, as you will see in the chart below, the engine was completely blown. So when asking if Michael Turner, who carried the ball 376 times in 2009 will have a drop in fantasy value, I think that the Falcons star is just a different case.

Though fantasy owners shouldn’t go into their draft thinking Turner will repeat a 2009 season, they shouldn’t expect a full out blitz from the curse of 370. Turner will still get his 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. With management stating that backup Jerious Norwood will get more carries under center, Turner might miss out on some scoring oppurtunities, but let’s be straightforward here. Turner is very young, both in real life and on the football field. The Falcons will depend on his success to make another run at the playoffs. If Matt Ryan has a sophomore slump and Roddy White returns to his form in the past, then Turner is the only wheels to move deep and quickly down field. Some are high on Turner in his second full season as a starting running back, and some aren’t.

I find myself stuck in the middle. My advice would be to slot him for a round or pick later than you might have taken him. If you fall in a situation where none of the top running backs beyond Turner is on the board, then pull the trigger. You have to remember though that the defenses in the NFC South. Julius Peppers returns to the Panthers, The New Orleans Saints have one of the best corner back corps in the league, and the Chiefs have added Mike Vrabel and Mike Brown.  It will be interesting to see if the Falcons runner can rebound and have a better season. If he does, congratulations if you took him your draft. I might not be as brave.

(Catch Joe Dexter on Fantasy CPR LIVE Tomorrow at 12 PM ET as he continues the talk on Turner. You can also catch the show on the fourth of July on  The Fantasy Sports Channel.)

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For the second year in a row, Venus Williams and Serena Williams will meet in the finals at Wimbledon.  They're sisters in case you hadn't heard.  But they're not related to either Pat Williams or Kevin Williams, nor are Pat and Kevin related to each other.  I have no clue ...