The Arrogance of Aaron Hernandez

Today at 8:45 a.m.  Aaron Hernandez, the now former New England Patriot tight end was arrested, charged with murder in the first degree.

We all know the story by now, Odin Lloyd, a friend of Hernandez, was found shot and killed in an industrial park 10 days ago on June 17th.  In the days the follow, Hernandez was linked to the victim, his house searched, a warrant allegedly prepared for his arrest, but on obstruction of justice charge.

Murder suspicion was never officially released to the public.  But it doesn't take a genius to piece the clues that were public together.  The police just took as much time as they needed gathering evidence.

And in the arraignment today, the prosecutor talked for over 20 minutes, detailing evidence they did have and piecing together the crime.

This wasn't a crime of passion, Lloyd was not having some kind of affair or did anything really wrong to Hernandez.  This wasn't self-defense, heat of the moment, or even an accidental shooting.

It was a *alleged* plot by Mr. Aaron Hernandez to kill Lloyd in cold blood.

But why would someone with an NFL career, new $41.1million contract, a fiance, and a newborn baby want to kill someone for, must have been pretty serious?

Well Lloyd made the mistake of talking to people that Hernandez didn't like.  "You can't trust anyone anymore."  The state supposedly has that quote from Hernandez on his own surveillance type, hour before the body was found.

Hernandez *allegedly* killed a man, because he wasn't rolling with the right crew 24/7.

The arrogance around Hernandez is appalling.

Did he really think that he wouldn't get caught?  Who cares, it was important for he and his wanna-be-gangsters sent a message.  Talk to those guys and we'll kill you.

From the state's mountain of evidence, it seems that his crew and himself are ridiculously sloppy, so they didn't plan it very well.  But guessing by the way Hernandez carries himself, he thought he was untouchable.

Talented, new family, 23, and he threw his life away.

Because his arrogance told him he was an untouchable star.

*All the allegations against him are alleged until he has his day in court.  Innocent until proven guilty.

For extra reading, check out this article from Yahoo!

Jozy's June: USA Earns 9 Points in June WC Qualifiers

The good ol boys of the US of A were faced with three important games this June in their hopes of qualifying for World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
They came out of June with three victories, and nine huge points.  And they did this riding the red hot resurgence of striker Jozy Altidore.

Altidore has been the target of much criticism for lack of offensive production in his time representing the stars in stripes.  The striker position as a whole has been a weak point, but much was expected from Jozy after his coming out party against Spain in the confederations cup in 2009 (on my birthday too)

But after going 11 games with scoring, Jozy Altidore joins elite US company as one of the few players to have scored in 4 consecutive games.  All in June.

It started when Jozy scored in a 4-3 friendly victory against Germany.  Followed that up with a goal in a crucial 2-1 road win against the Reggae Boys in Kingston.  Last week, he scored in the 2-0 home victory against Panama.

And tonight, Jozy scored twice, although one was an offsides play, in a 1-0 victory against Honduras, avenging the USA's lone WC qualifying loss.

Tonights victory was a sluggish match.  Both teams looked very sloppy, but the US had the majority of possession and chances.  It wasn't pretty, but it was a victory.
A victory that all but assures a trip to Brazil for the Red, White, n' Blue

U.S Earn Crucial Road Points

Today the United States soccer team went down to Jamaica in their fourth game of the hexagonal World Cup qualifiers and stole 3 points from the Reggae Boyz on their home turf in a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Getting it started for the Americans was Jozy Altidore, who knocked in an easy header from inside the six yard box off the beautiful cross from Graham Zusi in the 30th minute.


That lead would hold for most of the match, as the United States did a terrific job of keeping the pressure on the Jamaicans and holding onto the majority of possession.
But as the lead stayed at 1 and the Reggae Boyz began to press, an opportunity arose in the 89th minute after a Zusi foul led to a Jamaican free kick.  A long ball was sent into the box and was headed home by Beckford.

But the resilient Americans did not let up.  After surviving another Jamaican scoring chance, the US led a counter attack which yielded a corner.  The corner was quickly taken short, and when Bradley got the ball back, he found Brad Evans for the quick turn and perfectly placed finish to the US the lead back in stoppage time.


This was a huge win on the road for the Americans, giving them 7 points in the hex and firmly placing them in second place.  If they can take care of business on their home turf, there will be no doubt about the US's qualification to Brazil.

Red Wings Season Recap: Youth Movement has Arrived

David Guralnick/Detroit News

Last Wednesday our beloved Red Wings fell in a heartbreaking overtime game seven against Original Six rival Chicago Blackhawks.  Heartbreaking because the Wings had a 3-1 series lead, but we should not be angry at the collapse.

Normally, if the Wings blew a lead like that, I'd be furious, but considering the youth of our squad, what we lost and were missing, and how young and inexperienced our squad is, that series and this postseason are going to be a great learning experience for our youths.

And seriously folks, when was the last time the Wings were "young."

No fan should be disappointed by this season.  A team plagued by injury all season, and also lost two key defensemen, including Captain Nick, not only made the postseason, against many expectations, but  eliminated the two seeded Anaheim Ducks and took the top seeded Blackhawks to game seven.

The emergence of Jimmy Howard should give every Red Wings fan faith that next year won't be as rough a regular season.  Howard proved that he can win playoff and big games.  He carried this team.  Carried them into the playoffs, the second round, and all the way to game seven against the top seed.

The offseason should be very interesting.  Ian White will be gone, and Valteri Filppula will likely follow him out the door.  Val wants $5 million contract and hasn't wavered on that stance.  He will probably get that, just not from Detroit.  Not enough production to warrant that deal.

The Red Wings will have cap space aplenty, and if a top line goal scoring hits the market, I fully expect the Wings to be bidders.

With Pavel Datsyuk announcing his desire to sign a contract extension, Wings fans should expect (hope) that the front office will go out and find him a true goal scoring winger to pair him with.  Nathan Horton is a potential name that intrigues, would be a great fit.

Damien Brunner, Drew Miller, and Daniel Cleary will, in all early indications, be brought back, Brunner being the top priority.  A right-handed shooting goal scorer is too precious a resource for the Wings to let him walk away.  And he will probably cost less than Filppula.

This season should give everyone out there confidence and hope going forward.  Joakim Anderson, Gustav Nyquist, Brendan Smith, Jakub Kindl, and Brunner are all some of the young faces that emerged this season for the Wings.  Their development is key to the Wings making it 23 straight postseason appearances next season.

Which, by the way, I will already predict that they will indeed make it 23 straight.

Don't doubt the Beard, and never bet against the Wings.