RUSSELL WILSON MISSES OTA'S: WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE ARIZONA CARDINALS

Seattle Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson was absent for the first day of OTA's ( Organized Team Activity) saying it is due to personal reasons.  Wilson is entering his final year of his rookie contract and wants to get paid.  Some people are wondering if that's why he decided to miss.  Only time will tell.  So what does this mean for the Arizona Cardinals?


Nothing, absolutely nothing.


The Arizona Cardinals made the playoffs a year ago and are coming off two consecutive 10 plus win seasons.  They control their own destiny.  They are a legit Super Bowl contender and need to just concentrate on their game and not what any other team is doing.


They have plenty of firepower offensively and are always a great team on the defensive side of the ball.  They will be a competitive team that other teams need to watch out for.  If they can stay healthy and develop a running game their is no reason not to see them in the playoffs again this year.

REMEMBERING PAT TILLMAN

Today is Memorial Day, a day to honor our fallen soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom.   There have been numerous professional athletes who served their countries and even a few that gave up their sport to go defend our country.  When you think about it the first name that comes to mind is Pat Tillman.

Pat Tillman is an American hero.  In Arizona he is even more of a hero because he played both college and professionally in the state of Arizona.  He played linebacker at Arizona State and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.  His work ethic and ability to make plays quickly made him a fan favorite.  He loved the game of football and he loved playing for the state of Arizona.  But he loved his country even more and on September 11, 2001 something happened that changed his life forever, it changed all of our life's forever.

The Twin Towers in New York were attacked by terrorist's.  This event obviously shook the nation and helped the country band together as one.  Tillman was no different.

He and his brother decided they were going to make a difference and help our country.  He walked away from a huge salary offer by both the Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams to enlist in the U.S. Army.

Tillman, being the superb human being that he was, quickly became an Army Ranger.  One tragic day while he was on a mission in Afghanistan he was killed when he was hit by friendly fire.  It was April 22, 2004, a day that will never be forgotten by any Arizona sports fan.  Nearly 3 years after the 9/11 tragedy that affected Tillman so much that he changed is life sour's could remain free.  We were forced to say good-bye to an awesome man who truly died just keep others safe.

So however you celebrate this Memorial Day, weather it's BBQing with family or going swimming at the lake, take just a minute out of your day to understand what people have gone through and sacrificed in order for you and your family to live in the freedom of the United States of America.  





NBA DRAFT LOTTERY

Tonight during halftime of game 1 of the Western Conference Finals The NBA Draft lottery will be held. This will determine the order in which the teams will draft later this summer.

So here's how it works. The 14 teams that did not make the playoffs are put into a raffle.  The worse your regular season record was the better chance you have at a top pick.

When the actual lottery occurs ping pong balls are used.  The NBA has made this such a huge event that some teams send a "good luck" representative in hopes of getting the top pick in the draft.

The Phoenix Suns did not make the playoffs and have a 2% of getting the #1 pick.  More than likely they will end up with the 13th pick.  Suns fans are hopeful that they move up to the top spot so they can possible get the superstars that we all know they so desperately need.

SUNS LOOKING FOR A NEW COACH?

Most basketball fans are enjoying this years NBA Playoffs and rightfully so.   This years playoffs have been the best they have been in years  But if your a Suns fan you are watching wondering when the Suns will be back in the playoffs.

During this off season the Phoenix Suns have a questions that need to be at the very least looked at.  Can we attract a big name free agent?  What is going to happen to the Morris twins?  Are we going to pay Brandon Knight?  These are some of the questions us fans have.  But here is a questions we just may have to answer and didn't think we would have to this soon.  Who will take over as head coach after the departure of Jeff Hornacek?

As unbelievable as it sounds there is a small possibility that this may come true and here's how.  The New Orleans Pelicans just fired their head coach and the rumor is that Chicago Bull's Tom Thibodeau would make the move from Chicago to New Orleans.  If this happens the Bull's will go after Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg  leaving a vacancy at Iowa St.

For those of you that think Hornacek would never leave the NBA for a college gig, especially one that isn't high profile, I leave you with these two points.  Jeff Hornacek played his college ball at Iowa St. and is a legend there.  My final point is this, if he takes the job at his college Alma Mater he will likely make more money than he does currently with the Phoenix Suns. 

MAYWEATHER WON HONESTLY

It has been  a week since the most anticipated boxing match in recent history.  Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao went 12 rounds with the decision going to Mayweather.

Many people were rooting for Pacquiao and feel Mayweather ran from him and didn't box him that's why he won.  I know a lot of people don't want to hear this but did you honestly expect Floyd Mayweather to do anything different? 

If you are familiar with Mayweather fights than you know that's how he fights.  To beat him you must keep him on the ropes, in a corner and win eight of the twelve rounds.  Like others Pacquiao tried to do that but failed and the result was Mayweather staying unbeaten.

Boxing is a very tough sport but when you think about it there are really just two ways to win.  Hit the other guy harder and more often and don't get hit by the other guy.  When you look at boxing like that there is no question Mayweather won the fight.  Although the fight did leave us with plenty of questions.  How bad was Pacquiao hurt and how much did it affect his game plan?  Will there be a rematch and when?

Those are just a few questions and hopefully they will soon be answered if or when we see Mayweather/Pacquiao 2.

BRADY DID IT...OR DID HE?

Deflate Gate continued this week when the findings of an independent investigation were released.  In a nut shell it said that the ownership and coaches had no idea of any wrong doing going on.  However, it also said that there was a good possibility that QB Tom Brady at least knew what was going on.

Really a special investigator was hired just to tell us that!  I could have told you that the day after the AFC Championship.  Brady needs to just come out with the truth except his punishment and move on.  If he is this great American hero everyone seems to think he is he would have no problem doing so.  But he won't.

These new findings make you wonder what's going to happened to Brady.  Will there be a punishment? If so how harsh?  I just wonder if Tom Brady will get the same punishment as anybody else?  Will the league take it easy on him because he seems to be the poster boy of the league?

MAYWEATHER/PACQUIAO: THE PREDICTION

 In just a few hours we will finally witness what is being billed as the greatest fight of our time.  Floyd "Money" Mayweather will face Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao in a much anticipated 147 pound fight.

The favorite is Mayweather, primarily because he is undefeated.  But if you ask most fans will tell you that they are rooting for Pacquiao, who many feel is pound for pound the greatest boxer of this era.  We will soon find out when the two step into the ring and face off  in a fight that we have been waiting more than five years to see.

This is a tough fight to predict.  Mayweather has looked unbeatable in his last two fights.  But with Freddie Roach in his corner and the style he fights many feel if anyone can beat Mayweather it will be Pacquiao.

Instead of getting all technical and speaking boxing talk to you I'm going to just sit back and enjoy this fight for what it is.  The greatest boxing match you will ever see.  In my opinion the fight goes all 12 rounds and Mayweather continues his unbeaten streak.