Easy Kaz...

If I didn't know better, I'd say I saw guy who resembled non other than the Rays' Scott Kazmir bumping his gums on the "tele" about fan attendance at the Trop. It's a good thing I know better. Because if it would have been the same Scott Kazmir whose salary this year is around 4 million bucks and who JUST picked up his tenth win of the season (and has never posted more than 13 in his career), I would be a little ticked off.

Believe me, I think the team deserves more support. This has been an amazing season thus far and I'm not saying the "sports fans" (and I use the term very loosely) who are glued to their recliners don't deserve to be cracked on. But as frustrating as I imagine it would be as a player, you've got to just show up and play ball. The national media has caught on to the fact that this area is is filled with some slack ass baseball fans. The reality is, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the sagging attendance; some are valid, others are just lame excuses.

As they should be, the numbers are up across the board at the Trop. And there are a lot of young fans at the game who will grow up to be Rays fans unlike their parents, who have allegiances to other teams, so that bodes well for the future. The fact that the Rays have fielded a garbage for the better part of a decade apparently can not be overcome in just a few short months. One thing's for sure, this will resolve itself in time. If the Bay area doesn't get it together the Rays will find another city to play in and that will be that. And what a shame that would be...

-A

The election according to Roame

The Dems have got some orators in their fold, don't they? Michelle Obama, the Clintons, Biden. All had strong speeches at the DNC with the highlight speech coming from the man himself, Obama. I'm not naive enough to think that Obama can do everything he said he was going to do in his speech but I'm damn sure going to vote for him and let him try. I don't have to tell you how gloomy things have been in this country. Most of the people I talk to, the conversation goes something like this, "How are things going?" "Oh, man I'm just trying to hold it together." "Work is slow, boss is talking about making cuts... gas prices... cost of food..." It goes on and on like that with every conversation I have. Can Obama rid Washington D.C. of all the special interest lobbyists, shady back room deals , greasing of palms and padding of pockets that goes on today? No. But I don't think McCain wants to try. I don't get the same kind of urgency from him. This country is going to hell in a handbasket and McCain seems to be enjoying the ride. Something has to change, something has to give. Obama seems to at least want to try and change the status quo in Washington and how things are done out of the sunlight. Special interests and big industry have run rough shod over our elected officials and I'm sick and tired of watching it happen over and over again. I want someone to stand up to them. McCain doesn't seem to want to do that. Obama does. McCain seems out of touch with his remarks regarding the economy, the war in Iraq and foreign policy. Obama's ideas on how to deal with Iran and North Korea make more sense to me. How can you not have open diplomacy and talks with these countries? Shutting them out and sanctioning hasn't worked. McCain seems content on calling the same old, tired plays from the same old, tired Bush foreign policy playbook. McCain seems to think that all is right in the world with our neighbors. I've traveled around enough to know that isn't true. If I can pick up on it surely he can, right? Apparently not. McCain's solution to ease the price at the pump? More domestic drilling. That's like sticking a piece of chewing gum in a leaking dike and hoping it holds. McCain doesn't stir hope in me, just more apprehension and anxiety. I want to feel pride in my country again. I want to be hopeful for the future. I want more from my president. I deserve more from my president. WE deserve more from our president. I'm going to vote for Obama. You do whatever the fuck you want.

Checking in...

Axis here,

I'm currently in the midst of a steady run of gigs which has required a fair amount of my time lately. I'm trying to add material, handle bookings and deal with the ongoing equipment & gear issues that seem to be plaguing me. Nevertheless, I've enjoyed playing out this summer. But, I did want to pop up here and say a quick hello though.

There's quite a bit going on, eh? The Olympics in China, VP announcements, a very sticky situation in Georgia and the DNC is underway. The GOP's takes it's turn next week in MN. Watching some of these news agencies react to these carefully conceived & elaborate productions has been something to behold. I'm not sure that Fox even knows the thing is happening. Someone may want to send them a text or something. "OMG the DNC started! Whoops... LMAO" I believe today may have been my first ever visit to the Fox "News" site and as one might expect, Michelle Obama's speech was back page news. After some digging I finally found a brief accounting of the event. There's no way she was going to compete with the likes of, "Baseball Team's Pitcher 9, Ousted for Being too Good"! And then there are those that seem to have gotten in to "the Kool Aid" if you will, like MSNBC's Keith Olberman. This man has gotten so INCREDIBLY excited on a couple of occasions that I'm afraid he may end up having some sort of accident right on set before its all over. I think I'll continue to steer clear of the majority of the fluff and fast forward through the highlights in the wee hours, only occasionally pausing to observe the Rachel Maddow/ Pat Buchanan dynamic in action. The talk radio (I can't bring myself to call it news radio), that I've been eavesdropping in on here and there is extremely hard to handle. I honestly do not know where some of these people are coming.

I think I may spend a little time with this and maybe I'll have more on this later. But, for now I'm going to try and get some sleep.

Bye for now,
-A

Bravo China!

Really loved the opening ceremonies. Absolutely stunning. All of the costumes, lights, fireworks and the DRUMMERS! Man, that was totally awesome! All synced up, drumming in unison. Truly a sight to behold. Wish I could've been there but according to Morgan Freeman, Visa is the only card accepted at the Olympic games and I'm a MasterCard guy, so that kind of killed it for me. It's reported that you spent somewhere between $100-300 million on the opening ceremony. Did that go on a Visa card?! Man, I'd hate to get THAT bill in the mail. Seriously though, let me tell you, you got your money's worth. I don't think we'll see a finer opening ceremony than yours. London, England, is up next but if I were you England, I'd keep it simple - modest but elegant. No use trying to top China. That'll just piss them off and they'll wind up buying you. Anyway, brilliant ceremony, China. Thank you. I'd be a bigger fan of yours, but those pesky human rights violations of yours keep getting in the way of me getting on board. You know, here in Tampa, we tried to get the Olympics. Oh yeah. That's a no-shitter. Yep, we had a committee and everything. Wined and dined the Olympic muckety-mucks when they came to town. Showed them around our fair city. We'd kick the poor out of the housing complexes they lived in to build Olympic villages and venues. We were in it to win it. But, alas, we we're told not on your fucking life (I'm paraphrasing here) and they laughed all the way back to wherever those Olympic folks go back to. Probably Mount Olympus, I reckon. Honestly, this is one fucked up little burg. We have neighborhoods that flood after a moderate rain shower because our storm water infrastructure was last updated when Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders rode into town back in 1898 before heading to Cuba. I'm exaggerating (a little) of course but you catch my drift. How delusional our city leaders must have been to think that this dysfunctional city could have supported the Olympic games and all that that entails? Maybe it was heatstroke? It does get really hot here. Anyway, thanks again for a truly remarkable opening ceremony. You lead us in gold medals but we lead in overall medals, so there. You may own our country but we have Michael Phelps and Shawn Johnson. U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
All my best,
Roame

Nice job PUTZ!

Don't look now Rays fans but, Evan Longoria has joined Carl Crawford on the DL after being plunked by Seattle's J.J. Putz. (Putz pic @ http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407816.) I seriously considered placing this non strike throwing SOB directly on to the Wet List but, alas it was merely an errant throw. How costly a mistake this will end being for this ball club remains to be seen. Is Major League Baseball's feel good story of the year taking a dramatic turn toward a tragic ending? Or can they hold on make it to the post season?? Cue Big Nasty and prepare the party deck! The time has come front runners, so turn those brand spanking new fitted TB hats around and rally Trop Monkeys! Bang those cowbells for all your worth... um, actually you know what... scratch that. This is the friggin' BIG LEAGUES! Leave those annoying, clanging, clunky, dorky ass noise makers at home and just root like hell for the home team. The long awaited arrival of playofff baseball in Tampa Bay is at stake!



Oh and if pressed, I'd have to vote NO on on acquiring Sheffield. Too many issues with that guy.



Welcome back Rocco!
-A
aka Devil Ray Red

Save and a beauty!

Brother Roame and the "Boy Wonder" at the 2008 NHL entry draft party...

Steven Stamkos chosen 1st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning!

Distant Early Warning

Escaped Yard Ape Action Report/Tampa, FL.

Witnesses describe a hirsute biped loping away from the Pui-Chan Yard Ape Containment Facility, 1939 Buffalo Ave., at approximately 2112 hrs. The creature was heard repeating "42 nautical miles down range. Columbia, you're looking a little hot, and all your calls will be a little early."

UPDATE: Last seen in Boston, MA, 1,365 miles north of Tampa, FL, sometime in early July 2008.

Sighting occured in Quincy Square one day after a purported visit to Fenway Park and (by all accounts) a superb rock-a-billy concert in New Hampshire by the Canadian yodeling group known as Rush. This Yard Ape looks gamey, yet spry, pensive, yet extremely thirsty. Approach with caution." ~Ozone (additional reporting by Jameson Frey-Blair of the New York Times)

Anyone for 10 and 6?

Time for a quick check in on One Buc Palace as we get ready for another exciting installment of Ulcer Ball. So which team will it be this year? How about fielding an offense that executes their game plans with surgical like precision? A rabid, turnover producing sack machine hell bent on defending their NFC South crowns??? Orrrr will they revert back to the embarrassing brand of football that we've seen all too much of around here in recent years? Where's my Vinny jersey?




Let's break it down, shall we?


Health- injuries are always a concern but this is far and away my primary concern heading into the season. Should this team start slowly, I don't like Jon Gruden's chances of bringing this team back. Joey Galloway spent his off season in Ohio recovering from injury. He's barely participated in practice and doesn't appear like he will be ready to play in the opener. Jeff Garcia also had a tough summer. As if trying get himself mentally ready to put his tumultuous off season and the circus atmosphere of training camp behind him weren't enough, he immediately hurt his ankle, was unable to practice and proceeded to stink the joint up in his only preseason appearance. This could get dicey!




QB- there is reason for some optimism at the position however, and that comes in the form of Brian Griese who returns to T- town after a short stay in Chicago. Word has it that Griese was none to pleased to be back after being kicked to the curb by the Bucs after playing well in the playoff year in '05 and who could blame him? But, we know what to expect from Griese, he will look like an absolute top flight quarterback on one series and then is capable of some horrendous lapses and that leave even his biggest supporters (his mom & dad) shaking their heads. Inconsistency has pretty much been his MO during his time in the NFL but, I think he's played some of his best football in a Buccaneer uniform. Let's hope he continues his solid preseason play because chances are he'll be needed. Between the addition of Griese and Luke McCown's continued development the Bucs definitely look like they have upgraded this position. Josh Johnson will hold the clip in street clothes most weeks but, overall I think we're in pretty good shape.




Preseason rating- B







Offensive line- this group has me pumped up! Surviving the early part of the schedule without Davin Joseph will be a tall order. But, regardless of how this season goes, I'm looking forward to watching this group grow into one of the best in pro football.



Preseason (pre injury) rating- B+, (post injury)- B-



Running backs- again it starts with the line and we should see a thousand yard rusher this year. Warrick Dunn is an upgrade to Michael Pittman & Earnest Graham's got a new deal and should be ready to rock. Michael Bennet has some quicks and seems to be much more comfortable with a year under his belt. If he is able to build upon what he showed in preseason, he'll get some touches and will have some chances to contribute.



Preseason rating- B



Tight ends- Alex Smith MUST step up and show that he is a better than average tight end (which I believe he is). The additions of Troupe and Gilmore should give make the Bucs stronger both in the blocking and receiving departments and they'll need both to score more points in the red zone.



Preseason rating- C






WR- clearly it's Joey Galloway and then everyone else. That being said, Ike Hilliard is awesome to watch. What a pro! Supposedly Michael Clayton (down 15lbs.) had a great camp but to me he looked like about the same on game day. I root for the guy but he's got to be more explosive, more consistent, and hold onto the ball. Should Clayton not be able to seize his opportunity, I'd love to see Maurice Stovall become more involved in the passing game. Dexter Jackson has taken over the return job and we've already seen what he can do with a crease. There are A LOT of question marks here, including another off season acquisition who has found his way onto the opening day roster, Antonio Bryant. If everyone were to perform up to their capability, this would be a B+ group, easy. But in reality, that has yet to happen and this receiving corp, although decent, doesn't strike a lot of fear into people. And if Joey breaks down, this offense could really grind to a halt.



Preseason rating- C

Defensive line- pretty much the same cast of characters here, although Monte's been tinkering with some new alignments etc. With the likes of Hovan and Carter, Haye in the mix, this group should be fairly solid overall. More explosiveness on the edges would be nice. Greg White was a pleasant surprise in his 2nd stint with the team. And, we'll see if Gaines can can elevate his game to another level this season.

Preseason rating- B-

LB's- Brooks, Ruud, June and company. That'll work!

Preseason rating- A-

Secondary- man, what a difference one guy (Raheem Morris) can make. He had this unit playing some inspired football last year. Jermaine Phillips pretty much revived his career, Phillip Buchanan played well & Tanard Jackson was a star. Ronde was Ronde and I think he'll have a better season this year. Having Aqib Talib to come in and learn on the job will be nice but he will be counted on to come in and make some plays this year. We all know good things happen when the Bucs are playing hawkish D and taking the ball away.

Preseason rating- B

Special teams- don't look now but Matt Bryant had a lousy preseason. As bad as this offense can look, if we can't make our field goals, we're screwed. Josh Bidwell is as good as it gets, unless it comes to pooch punting and the return coverage team is respectable. Although, I personally have never been a huge fan of special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, the Bucs did return their 1st ever kickoff on his watch.

Preseason rating- C-

Projected record- 9 Wins, 7 losses

All things considered, the Bucs look like an average team. BUT, to me there doesn't seem to be a lot of gray area with Gruden's teams. They either look pretty strong or they suck. Once again, it'll be up to the Brooks' and Barbers' to rally the team if the ride gets rough. With Monte at the helm, the defense usually holds up its end of the bargain. The offense however, is another story entirely. With last year's offensive leader feeling disrespected, our leading receiver another year older and the centerpiece of our stellar young offensive line starting the season on the sidelines with an injury, it seems likely this unit could likely lose some of the little momentum it was able to find in '07-08. I realize that in pro football the players are primarily motivated by 2 things- their pay checks & their team mates. Playing for the coach, the logo or the city is farther down on the list. Since Gruden and Allen have been here they've opted for a hard line approach to things and have alienated their fair share of players, coaches and fans alike. I could be wrong of course, but it's hard for me to imagine that there are too many guys on the team that would be willing to run through a wall for their coach should they fall on hard times. I'm going to try and be positive and hope that the Bucs end up on the right side of mediocre. Unfortunately, the track record of this regime is not too good when it comes to consistency and it would surprise no one if followed up last season's 1st place NFC South finish with double digit losses. I think they're better than that but, we shall see starting Sunday afternoon.

BBQ Buc... out!

-A

Word has it...

that the new Mellencamp is actually... good!?! A little too harsh perhaps from a non song writing son of a bitch, I know.

While, Freedom's Road did show some improvement over his last LP of original material (in my humble opinion), it's been awhile since I've really looked forward to his new releases with the same anticipation as say, "Whenever We Wanted" or "Human Wheels". He's definitely got some good tunes, they just seem to come a long a little less frequenty.

If you catch him live, the little bastard will show up with his mega band and rock your house, the neighbors house and leave you shaking your ass while he splits with classics to spare. But by any chance, did anyone happen to catch his last appearance on Real Time? He started off okay but, by the time Bill Maher commented him about "some" of the legions of flat lined, flag waving, nincompoops who have adopted John's anthems, Mellenballs's response (paraphrasing here) was something to the effect of, "what's wrong with them/people being naive?"

I truly appreciate the place from where these songs come from Johnny & I'm witcha on some of the stuff. But it was you who wrote stuff like, "you've got to stand for something, or you're gonna fall for anything", correct? Ignorance and indifference are the clouds from which the rain falls on your Scarecrow brother... no? Regardless, for the first time in a while, I'm stoked about sitting and listening to what you and the band have to say. Hit me Pop Singer...

Peace
-A