SporTech Matter

Things have been slow lately. I’ve been on vacation enjoying the free time and relaxing so I apologize about the inactivity. Here are some bullets to keep you interested…

• The Panthers notched a key win last night in Atlanta and in case you didn’t notice we do have a South Florida team above .500 and in the playoff hunt. Tomas Vokoun has been phenomenal this season and the young guys are starting to play together well. Pickup a few tickets and make it out to the BAC. It’s def one of the more exciting games in town at a great value!

• Running back Ronnie Brown, on injured reserve since injuring his knee in October against the Patriots, said he’s ahead of his rehabilitation schedule and expects to start running next month. Brown, who still leads the team in rushing with 602 yards, will train at the Dolphins facility in Davie instead of Arizona, where he normally trains in the offseason.

• Bill Parcells is expected to try to trade the Dolphins’ No. 1 pick. Parcells is looking to gain multiple early picks, and also wants to avoid paying a high contract to a player who could be a bust. The Dolphins already have four picks in the first two rounds of the draft, but likely will try to add more as they overhaul their 1-14 team.

• Smush Parker rejoined the Miami Heat on Friday, about a month after his confrontation with a female valet parking attendant. However, it’s unclear when he’ll play again. Parker had been placed on the inactive list where he’s expected to remain for Friday’s game against Orlando. “It’s time to reassess that whole thing,” coach Pat Riley said. “But it isn’t today.” When he sits out tonight, it will mark the 17th straight game he’s missed. The Heat might need him soon, as Jason Williams and Chris Quinn aren’t healthy right now.

• A source with knowledge of the situation in South Florida tells us that “sweeping changes” are most likely coming for the Dolphins. And soon. Coach Cam Cameron? Out. General Manager Randy Mueller? Out as soon as Monday, even though he’s been doing research all year for free agency and the draft. We’re told that Parcells already has been working directly with the league office to obtain the appropriate permissions to hire Cowboys V.P. of college and pro scouting Jeff Ireland.

Big game on tap tonight at the BAC for the Panthers. George Richards explains in his blog…

But a rarer sight this morning was a quick glance at the NHL standings. The Panthers, the FLORIDA Panthers, are not only sitting in second place in the mighty Southeast Division, they are knocking on the door and ready to move into a tie for first.

You heard right bunko; The Panthers are a win away from tying the Carolina Wolfpack for first place in the division.

The Panthers are feeling good about themselves right now, and why not. Are they winning pretty? No. But they are getting the job done. Do you realize the Panthers have gotten points in seven of the past eight games. And the only game they lost in regulation during this recent stretch came to the best team in hockey — the Red Wings.

GO CATS!!!

SERENITY NOW!!!!

Haven’t been around much this week as I’ve been busy with work and haven’t had much time to put anything up here. It was an interesting week so let’s take a review…

• The Heat were “back” this week after defeating the Suns in a thriller in the desert. The Heat were then “back to sucking” last evening as the Wizards came to town and knocked Shaq’s lazy ass to the bench on 3-6 shooting. 6 total shots from Shaq and he takes 20 mill a season?

• The Mitchell Report was released yesterday and we learned that “Virtually every player on the Marlins was ‘doing something’ ranging from steroids and greenies, to marijuana, etc.” Kevin Brown, Josias Manzanillo, Gregg Zaun, Paul Lo Duca, Ricky Bones, Ron Villone, Matt Herges, Chad Allen, Ismael Valdez, Gary Sheffield, and Benito Santiago were the lucky winners in the Marlins steroid derby. We also learned that the 2001-2002 teams really loved to smoke marijuana.

• Miami-Dade released it’s new ballpark proposal this week and all things point to a stadium deal being done possibly by next week. Not sure the Marlins have ever been closer to getting a stadium but I’m sure Loria will somehow screw this up. If finalized the Fish will have to switch to the name the Miami Marlins. It has a nice ring to it. Not sure about everyone’s opinion on the matter but I hate the idea of public money being used for this thing. Loria is such a thief. Of course now that his end of the deal is lower, he can get the money for the stadium. Video highlights here and here.

• Cam Cameron is a scared man. Scared of history and scared of losing his job. That’s why Cleo Lemon has been named QB for this Sunday’s game against the Ravens. We just can’t escape him and we just can’t escape this freakin season. The sucking commences Sunday in Miami. The Ravens may play Troy Smith and of course since he only has a few professional snaps under his belt, he will shove it right up Miami’s asses.

I should have more time coming up next week to start posting more frequently. I have a 2 week vacation coming up starting on the 21st so you can be sure SporTech will be rocking and rolling while I am in town.

As always if anyone is interested in contributing to SporTech Matter please hit me up.

Here are some Friday morning bullets to keep you busy as I will be busy with work for a majority of the day today…

• The Heat dropped their fourth game in a row losing last night to the Odenless Blazers 112-106. Shaq is pissed.

• The Panthers have been victims of crappy referree’s lately and feel they are owed and apology just like the one Mike Hassefratz and Ian Walsh gave the Sens before the Panther game for crappy reffing the night before in Tampa.

• Cam Cameron Mike Mularkey Trent Green Cleo Lemon Terry Kirby Uncle Luke Someone other than Cam Cameron has been calling plays for the Dolphins. Why not just let Flipper from Ace Ventura swim the play to the QB right on the field? It doesn’t really matter at this point.

• Israel Gutierrez thinks the problem with the Heat is not only the roster but the head coach himself. Riles is waiting to damn long to make in game adjustments and is giving Shaq to much playing time against bad matchups.

• Take a trip Chatman and Gado in a FinsNation special…PHIN FICTION.

Here are some updated Marlins rumors as they search for Miguel Cabrera’s replacement at third base…

• There are strong indications that Jorge Cantu will end up signing with the Marlins, according to multiple league sources.

• Florida also has a trade offer on the table with the Phillies for veteran Wes Helms, who was with the Marlins in 2006. To land Helms, who can also play first base, reliever prospect Scott Nestor is being dangled.

• There is a chance the Marlins will acquire Cantu and Helms and have them battle it out. It might turn into a situation where the job is shared. Alfredo Amezaga, who is arbitration-eligible and a switch-hitter, is a choice to see time at third.

• Before the Marlins added Dontrelle Willis to Wednesday’s trade with Detroit, they explored dealing the D-Train to the Reds. In that package, Florida would have received outfielder Josh Hamilton.

“This is not what I signed up for Shaq.”

Pretty slow weekend for news. The Heat were beaten on by the Van Gundy’s last night in O-Town. Shaq continues to play well along side D-Wade but it’s just not coming together yet. Wade seems to be back to form as he has put up 30+ points in the last 2 games. Numerous highlight reel shots as well. Check some here, here and here. Pretty sick stuff.

Derrick Pope, who was admitted to a South Florida hospital yesterday, traveled with the team to Pittsburgh and remains questionable for Monday night’s game against the Steelers. Pope released a statement upon his release from the hospital.

“I didn’t feel well and thought I needed medical attention,” Pope said in a statement released through the team. “Everything checked out and I feel better.

“I appreciate everyone’s concerns. I know our team physicians have been in touch with the hospital medical staff and are satisfied that everything is in order.”

I was one of the lucky people to actually work on Friday and I got to go down to Collins Ave and check out a building for work. Seems I stumbled upon a high profile Major League Baseball player’s new Penthouse being built and got some snaps from the balcony overlooking Miami. Figured I would share them below. Sorry I couldn’t get any actual shots of the Penthouse but it does have a 360 view of the Atlantic and Miami.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!!

The Heat were handled the other night in their first preseason game of the year to the Detroit Pistons, 103-86. The Pistons were pretty much at full strength while the Heat were without Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Udonis Haslem and Antoine Walker. It’s no secret that heading into the preseason the Heat are hurting and it’s not a good combination with the crappy offseason Pat Riley put together.

• Riley said he wasn’t sure how many players he would use in tonight’s exhibition home opener against Atlanta. Seven players — four potential starters — sat out Monday. Riley did say O’Neal ”was moving pretty good” Tuesday. O’Neal said he banged his knee up a few days ago while running, but it’s nothing serious.

• ESPN.com stat guru John Hollinger revealed his projections for NBA player efficiency ratings for the 2007-08 season Tuesday, with Houston Rockets center Yao Ming coming in first and injured Heat star Dwyane Wade second. ”I’m not even playing right now,” Wade said, “so even being ranked is always an honor.” Wade finished last season as Hollinger’s No. 1 player.

• Riley said O’Neal made a statement during his pre-camp conditioning test. “He’s got more flexibility than I ever think he had,” he said of the 35-year-old center. “He killed his conditioning test. As a matter of fact, he did more than he should have on his conditioning test.”

• Jason Williams said he did not see any reason he wouldn’t be able to push through the 82-game schedule, after being limited to 61 games last season and 59 the season before.

• Riley said forward Wayne Simien, who had left knee surgery during the summer, is limited to one practice per day “until the thing stops irritating him so much.”

The Heat take on the Hawks tonight in the home opener of the preseason. Tip is at 7:30. You can catch the game on 610 WIOD.

The dregs of the Florida Marlins seasons rolled on yesterday as the Fish got swept by the Geriatric Giants sans Barry Bonds for two straight games. How the hell do you get beat by Omar Vizquel and Ray freakin Durham 4 games in a row in your own stadium? Oh perhaps because our manager is looking foolish by the day with some of his asinine decisions. Of course the daily required Miguel Olivo dropped ball at the plate also helps.

Some other notables from this game. The Marlins reached the 1,000 strikeout plateau on the season. No that’s not how many batters pitchers have struck out. You get the drift. Dan Uggla also attempted to turn a double play with 2 outs. That’s so Marlins.

I mentioned yesterday that the running back position for the Dolphins is still wide open after comments made by Cam Cameron yesterday. Well The Dude wants you to relax and understand that Ronnie Brown is not only going to return kicks for us but also be the starting running back come game 1.

I personally think The Dude is starting to go batshit crazy over the Dolphins and their inconsistency. Just look at this drawing he doodled during the Phins/Chiefs game. SERENITY NOW!!!

Remember the fiasco that was being made over the 790 The Ticket suing Jason Taylor thing. Which by the way I am in agreement with JT on this one. Why should he endorse a program that’s sole purpose is to ridicule the same organization that he has played his entire career for? He shouldn’t really. I enjoy the Lebatard show alot. It’s a nice break from the norm and provides me with extreme entertainment but I do not agree with this “Fake pregame show”. It just sounds like a bunch of sour grapes to me. Good for Jason taking the high road. /end rant.

The point of my rant is that the owner of 790 The Ticket has said he changed his mind and decided not to file a lawsuit against Taylor, who backed out of a deal to do a weekly talk show on the station. From Feinberg…

“After further thought, the lawsuit is not worth the time and effort. I’m not going to fight Jason Taylor over a few hundred thousand dollars. With who he is, it’s going to be tough to get a fair shake against him in this market.”

Feinberg joked he “tried to file in New York and get a Jets jury but couldn’t get it done.”

Perhaps he just realized the backlash he would have received from going after one of the most popular sports figures in South Florida history. Hell, Phin fans have already started an unofficial boycott of 790 The Ticket.

Barry Bonds is in town, are you going out to the park and are you booing or cheering?

Heat coach Pat Riley came out of vacation this week to finally announce that he will be back on the bench coaching the Heat this season. The more shocking revelation is that Pat plans to coach out the next three years of his contract. Riley also mentioned that he is not done making moves and might have something “in the works”.

Remember Anibal Sanchez’s no hitter last season? Of course you do! If you don’t here is a reminder. Eric Byrnes also remembers that day very well. So well that he claims he was safe on the very last play of the game, tying the throw from Hanley Ramirez to first base. Unwritten baseball rules state that the tie goes to the runner but when a no hitter is on the line, those rules go right out the window.

From the rumors and notes section of SporTech, Pat Riley said upon his return to the bench he is still not done dealing and that some “things may be in the works”. One of those things is a potential trade for Sac Kings Mike Bibby. Sacramento still hasn’t ruled out trading point guard Mike Bibby, and now views the Heat as a potential partner if it does, an NBA official said. The Heat would give up Jason Williams, but whether Miami would move Udonis Haslem in such a deal is questionable. Bibby, due $13.5 million and $14.5 million the next two seasons, could be packaged with forwards Kenny Thomas or Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Stop the presses, Dontrelle Willis has finally won his first game since May 29th, a whole 13 starts. Willis was backed with some serious run support on Monday at Dolphin Stadium. Willis was on all night, striking out a season-high 11, his most in a game since he struck out 12 Phillies on Sept. 10, 2006. Not only did he have a season high in strikeouts, but also he didn’t walk anyone over seven innings. Willis gave up 10 hits, including two solo home runs to Chris Young, and left with a 14-3 lead. He probably was at his best in the second, escaping unscathed after loading the bases — just after the Marlins had taken a 4-1 lead. Congrats to Dontrelle, this was a long time coming.

They flirted with possibly losing their first-round draft pick, but the Marlins finally came to terms with Matt Dominguez just hours before the midnight deadline for major-league teams to sign their draft selections. The Marlins reached an agreement late Wednesday with Dominguez, who will receive a $1.8 million signing bonus. Dominguez is a star high school third baseman from California.

Finally from the “major douche bag of the week” department, David Samson recently appeared on the Dan Lebatard show and opened his big mouth regarding Scott Olsen’s progress from his recent arrest. This is the president of our ball club folks. While he should be out trying to get a stadium, he is to busy kissing Dan Lebatard’s ass and talking about crappy movies. Check the audio below from 790 The Ticket (the Scott Olsen part starts at 7:50 into the interview)…

(Audio courtesy of 790 The Ticket)

Scott Olsen’s agent had some choice rules for Mr. Samson…

”It’s easy to kick somebody when he’s down, and that falls in line with how Samson’s personality is,” Sosnick, Olsen’s San Francisco-based agent, said in a conference call with three beat writers who cover the Marlins.

“David Samson is a joke in baseball, an absolute joke. He is a tiny, little minuscule fish in a small pond. He’s just a big guppy.”

“[Samson] is single-handedly responsible for the Marlins not getting a new stadium because politicians can’t deal with him.”

“It’s not between me and David. It’s between David and the world.”

Sosnick went on to say…

”The guy is a nut who thinks he’s incredibly important and thinks he is way more intelligent than anybody else,” Sosnick said. “He should just shut his mouth.”

”I listen to a guy who has said so many stupid things,” Sosnick said. “We’re talking about the same guy who goes on a [radio] show and talks about sex toys and prostitutes and which players would make porn stars.”

I couldn’t agree with Sosnick more. Thanks for being patient with me guys this week while I attended to important work business. Hopefully you haven’t removed SporTech from your bookmarks or feed readers!

Everyones favorite EX Heatian (yes I said ex) is now part of Marc Cuban’s stable of players. Yeah you heard it right, Eddie Jones has signed a contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Excuse me while I throw up.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, Ricky Williams has played his last down in a Miami Dolphin uniform even if the running back receives reinstatement from Roger Goodell.

The Marlins have placed Renyel Pinto on the 15 day DL after leaving the game last night with a left shoulder strain. In his place, the Marlins called up Carlos Martinez from Double A Carolina.

The Marlins start a series tonight with the Astros. Tonight’s pitching match up is Dontrelle Willis and Roy Oswalt. I’m getting my hands on some founder’s day seats so I should have some great photos for you guys tomorrow.

I will be testing out my new feature from the game with my T-Mobile Dash. If I get the chance to snap any good action shots or anything I find interesting, I will post them throughout the evening.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Since Dolphin news has been rolling out at a snail-like pace I figured once or twice a week some bullets would be the best way to get the news across. Only on SporTech we call it Matter…

While Joey Porter will not be suspended (the good news for the Dolphins), the fight will hit his wallet for $141,176 (the bad news for Porter). The league has yet to confirm the report, published on its own station.

The Dolphins still have not agreed to terms with their top two picks — wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and quarterback John Beck — but they did sign center Samson Satele. Satele, a second-round pick who was selected after Beck, agreed to a four-year deal worth $2.89 million, meaning he’ll be in camp when rookies report Sunday.

Buccaneers officials confirmed that Daunte Culpepper, released earlier this week by the Dolphins, met with team officials Thursday in Tampa. The Daunte Culpepper nationwide tour continues.

Several former and current Dolphins will participate in a free autograph session at Dillard’s in the Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale tonight from 6-7. The event is part of a fund-raiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dillard’s is donating 10 percent of the day’s sales to the hospital. Scheduled to appear are Channing Crowder, Dwight Stephenson, Mark Higgs, Terry Kirby and Jeff Dellenbach.

A limited number of individual-game tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. They can be purchased at miamidolphins.com, Ticketmaster or by calling 888-FINS-TIX. Single-game seats are available in the upper prime ($86), upper corner ($49), upper sideline ($75) and touchdown zone ($29). Four-game packages are also available, starting at $196.

There also seems to be interest coming from the Dolphins on the Jets Pete Kendall and Buffalo Bills Darwin Walker. I would welcome both of those to camp.

Update: Cam Cameron explains to Dolphin fans via The Miami Herald how the Dolphins plan to punish Joey Porter.

Just to add to the high temps outside here is some Heat news…

Mark Bartelstein, who also represents Heat free agent James Posey, said Saturday the veteran forward may sign with a team by Monday. Posey, who hasn’t ruled out a return to the Heat, is considering Cleveland and Golden State among other teams.

Daequan Cook wore Dwyane Wade’s Converse brand basketball shoes for his first four summer-league games. But he switched and wore adidas for Friday’s finale.

”I just signed a deal with adidas, so that’s why I switched,” said Cook, whose agent, Mike Conley Sr., notified him of the deal Thursday. “No offense to Dwyane. But I had to get out those shoes and wear these.”

Chris Quinn, the Heat’s lone summer-league player who was on last season’s roster, was a second-team all-summer league pick. He averaged 15.3 points and three assists in four games.

Alonzo Mourning said he’ll make it known “very soon” whether he’ll return to the Miami Heat or retire, a decision he’s been contemplating for the 2 1/2 months since the team was eliminated in the first round of this year’s NBA playoffs.

“I have not quite yet spoken to the people I need to speak to,” Mourning said Saturday night at the benefit dinner for his annual Zo’s Summer Groove charity fundraising weekend. “I’ve got a good feeling about the Miami Heat and what direction they’re trying to go in.”

As for free agents and trades left for the Heat? Ira Winderman suggests these names: Steve Francis, Brevin Knight and Earl Boykins are free agents. Juan Carlos Navarro, Mike Bibby, Earl Watson, Luke Ridnour, Speedy Claxton and Rafer Alston possibly in a trade? Do any of these names excite you? Yeah, me either.

One of my new favorite Heat blogs is SporTech commentor J David’s Miami Heat Wired. He does a great job recapping the Heat’s Summer League. Check it out.