Many Things to Cover

There's so many things I wanted to cover with today's post. I could have chosen four topics at least. How about all four? You got it!

A long time ago...

First, and most notably, is that former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett wants to attempt a comeback...in the UFL. Reportedly, the Omaha Nighthawks are interested in Clarett. There's one potential snag. If you remember, Clarett was to serve 3.5 years for that whole carrying an assault rifle and guzzling Grey Goose charge. He's out, but still has a bit of tape to deal with. For Clarett to tryout for the Omaha club, he would have to be granted permission from the courts to pursue a possibly illustrious UFL career.

People get second chances. I have no problem there. But what kind of shape is this guy in? Can't be what he was when he was helping the Buckeyes to a National Championship. I label his chances as slim.

Serena during her Wimbledon win.

Next is more of a question. Will you really watch much of the U.S. Open? The defending men's champ, Juan Martin Del Potro won't be there. The women's #1 player, Serena Williams won't be playing either. Two of tennis' biggest names for what is arguably the sports biggest tournament will not be participating due to injuries.

Sure, we might have another Rafa-Fed final. They're the top 2 men's seeds and on separate sides of the draw. The women's draw seems to open for Venus Williams now doesn't it? Not really. The top 2 women's seeds are Caroline Wozniacki and defending champ Kim Clijsters. Wozniacki has played decent in Grand Slams this year, reaching the round of 16 twice (Autralian Open, Wimbledon) and the quarters in Paris.

Will she be a favorite? Wozniacki has won three tournaments this year including last week's Rogers Cup. She is one to watch, but don't overlook Clijsters or Venus Williams.

Under the radar: Men - Gael Monfils. He likes the big stage and where better than in New York. Women - Svetlana Kuznetsova. How can she be under the radar having won it before? Easy. She's not played well for the most part in 2010.

Dark horses: Men - Mardy Fish. He played excellent last week in Cincinnati pushing champ Roger Federer in the final. Women - Flavia Pennetta. Her last three losses have been against Wozniacki, Kuznetsova and Clijsters. She has played well getting into those natches, too.

Young bests Leinart. Familiar?

Was it me or have the Arizona Cardinals emerged as not having a QB again? The troublesome thing, Kurt Warner isn't coming back either. Matt Leinart was handed (again) the opportunity to be the starter. He's not failed, but he hasn't impressed. Derek Anderson was decent last night, but he has been inconsistent.

Leinart's preseason (I know it's only preseason) numbers aren't great. No TD, but 0 INT. A passer rating just above 90. Not bad, but the Cards offense did not show up last evening against the Tennessee Titans. Anderson's are worse, but he's at least had a TD toss. It could be a long season in Glendale.

In case you haven't already had it drilled in your head, Tiger's divorce is final.

Brad Keselowski said Kyle Busch is an ass.

And how can we forget that Albert Haynesworth guy and the newest game of "he said, we didn't know"? I wish I could...

Edwards-Keselowski II

Keselowski was sent on yet another
ride at the expense of Carl Edwards.

No, it's not the second time these two have clashed. Just the second time this year.

Carl Edwards, once again, found the back bumper of Brad Keselowski and sent his spinning. This time, Keselowski didn't take flight like in Atlanta. The stakes were a lot higher this time as the "incident" occurred on the final lap of the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. And coming out of the final turn no less.

Edwards managed to stay on the gas and outrace Reed Sorenson for the win. The aftermath of the spin was more explosive that the original incident.

Keselowski's car after the Howard crash.

As BK first went into the outside wall and then to the inside wall where he can to rest, the #70 of Shelby Howard nailed the #22 Discount Tire Dodge head-on.

In victory lane, Edwards offered no apology for his actions and did take complete ownership of his move. I'll give him credit for that. But nothing more.

Sure, BK got into Edwards coming out of turn 1 on the final lap. And if you look at that whole lap, I'll admit that BK could have given Edwards a little bit of room. But I read a comment that the #22 crew told BK that Edwards was better on the higher line through the corners. BK attempted to take that away from Edwards and failed almost sending both cars into a spin. To their credit, they both saved their cars.

A drag race ensued down the backstretch of Gateway in which Keselowski gained a slight advantage going into turn 3 and coming out of turn 4. Edwards was close enough, but t was clear that as both drivers came out of turn 4 that the #22 had a clear advantage over the #60.

Edwards takes the checkered flag.

Then the duck made his brazen move. And Bob Keselowski, Brad's father, worried for the health of his son. And like every father, he wanted the wrong righted. He even offered to put on his own "uniform" to take care of the situation.

To Bob Keselowski's credit, he didn't storm the pits and seek out Edwards. We all know his son will attend to that business.

In my post covering the Atlanta incident between these two drivers, I suggested that a suspension for Edwards was probable. Since that was a Sprint Cup incident, this may be viewed as a separate issue. NASCAR cannot take that course here. Yes, it is widely accepted that the drivers police themselves and they usually do a decent job of that.

Now, the big boys must step in and handle this not with kid gloves, but with teeth.

Carl Edwards Caused Crash Intentionally

Update: Mike Helton just announced the Carl Edwards will be serving a probation period of the next three Sprint Cup races. Helton also stated that NASCAR will meet with Edwards and his car owner Jack Roush, Keselowski and his car owner Roger Penske.

Now doubt that crash involving Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski toward the end of yesterday's Kobolt Tools 500 in Atlanta was a horrific event. Unfortunately for NASCAR, it's the big news for the day. Not a spot they want to be in, that's for sure.

This isn't the first time Edwards and Keselowski have had a "run-in". Who could forget the wild ride Edwards took into the fence last year at Talladega. Keselowski got into the left side of Edwards' bumper and sent him soaring. There was also the spin Edwards took in Memphis during a Nationwide race. Oh, there's a history here, and the Atlanta incident could be viewed as a revenge factor from Edwards' side. But Keselowski hasn't exactly earned a lot of friends either. He's got a bit of a rep for rough driving. Just ask Denny Hamlin.

Most sports have a way of policing themselves. In baseball, there's the "brush back" pitch or the outright "beanball". In hockey, almost every team has an "enforcer" to limit shots at star players. NASCAR has a bit of the same in a "punt", knocking another driver into a spin or into a wall. Justified or not, it happens. That's what Edwards was wanting to accomplish, but the end did not justify the means.

Merely read Edwards' post on Facebook and you'll clearly see Edwards isn't hiding his main objective in wrecking Keselowski.

"My options: Considering that Brad wrecks me with no regard for anyones safety or hard work, should I: A-Keep letting him wreck me? B-Confront him after the race? C-Wait til bristol and collect other cars? or D-Take care of it now? I want to be clear that I was surprised at his flight and very relieved when he walked away. Every person has to decide what code they want to live by and hopefully this explains mine."

There are a couple of glaring omissions here, Carl. You don't give the whole story. You were 150+ laps down to the race leader. Keseleowski was running 6th and was possibly going to get a top 5 out of the deal. In this case, the correct answer is actually none of the above.