Rashean the Dream...

This weekly player bio is featured by none other than Pro Bowl Cornerback Rashean Mathis. Rashean Jamil Mathis or Rash (can I call him that?) attended Englewood High school in Jacksonville, the same school that also featured Wife Beater (err) Starting Pitcher Brett Myers. In high school he was second team All-State, All-Conference and All-World. He was also recruited to play centerfield for numerous Community Colleges, obviously the highlight of his athletic career.

He passed on the chance to pursue a career in America’s Pastime, and instead followed the pigskin to Bethune-Cookman University. While I have no idea where this is, the reason he didn’t go to powerhouse schools like Syracuse was because he broke his leg during his senior season and they overlooked him.

While at BCU he still holds the BCS record for most interceptions in a single season (14), and he won some award for being the best defensive player in D1 AA.

He was drafted by the Jaguars in the second round (39th overall) in the 2003 draft.

In his rookie season he played safety and cornerback and recorded 81 tackles. He converted to cornerback full-time in 2004. Mathis had 2 interceptions in his rookie year and another 10 interceptions combined in the two years following. He had his best year in 2006, collecting 8 interceptions (tied for third in the league) and being voted to the Pro Bowl, Nails!

Mathis had his most significant game as a professional on January 5, 2008 in an AFC Wild Card playoff game against Pittsburgh. He had 2 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Double Nails!

On December 1, 2008, Mathis sustained a knee injury against the Houston Texans and was put on the injured reserve list ending his season.

On November 16, 2009, Mathis injured his groin while breaking up a pass in a win over the New York Jets. He would only play in one other game during the 2009 season, missing the rest because of the lingering injury

Rash owns franchise records with 25 career INTs, three INT returns for touchdowns, 441 INT return yards and 28 takeaways …

He lives in Jacksonville, loves golf and community events. Rash Served as spokesperson for the RealSense Prosperity campaign from 2007-08, a program that encourages people to take advantage of free tax preparation offered by volunteers. He participated in the 2008 Jacksonville Association of Firefighters charity softball tournament at Jacksonville University. Mathis partnered with Home Depot and KaBoom! on a project to refurbish and build a new playground at a local YMCA (Rash seems like an upstanding citizen). He serves on the Jacksonville Parks, Recreation, Entertainment and Conservation Advisory Board, and the coolest thing ever was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. Big Money Mathis.

Thirsty Thursdays....

While my co-writers are basking in their Yankee victory over the Red Sox and a Duke Championship, I can say one thing, sports has never been better this time of year...

I mean, think about it, The Jacksonville Suns open up today at the friendly confines of Whatever the Stadium is called.

The Masters open up today, and we get to hear all about Tiger Woods for another 3 weeks. And in case you haven't heard, his new Nike ad with the voice of his dead father is just plain creepy...Also if you hear the ad, it is very personal, something I thought was off limits for Tiger. I guess if you pay him, he will speak.

Baseball has opened up in full swing, and for some reason, baseball season really makes me think it is summer again...

Speaking of the diamond, another victory on the Softball Field for Fire Up. We beat the punchless and heartless Indians once again by a score of 17-2. This game would have been much higher scoring and over much faster had we even cared. And since the other #1 team, Hit Shoppe had to forfeit a game, we are now in sole possession of first!

NBA and NHL seasons are winding down and playoff time is near. While I have conceded that my Raptors are not going to make it because we keep getting facial fractures, I always like the intensity in both sports playoffs (intensity that is so sadly lacking during the regular season).

NFL draft is only two weeks away, and I am saving my shackles for my new Bryant or Clausen Jersey....

Latest and Greatest...

Let me first begin my rant by stating how this has been the absolute worst sports month for me...

Where do we begin... Syracuse loses to Butler in the Sweet 16, screwing Jimmy B out of his fourth final four and then Butler blows it to DUKE... UGHHHHHHHHH I LOATHE DUKE basketball. Now I have to deal with all the dukies and their new bandwagon fans. Gross.

Oh Donovan... I am a life-long Philadelphia Eagles fan and Syracuse Orangemen fan as well. McNabb going to Philly was A DREAM... and a dream it was... never did I realize my boy Big D holding the lombardi trophy in Philly... Screw you the city of Philadelphia and your backwards management for making the team worse off... ESPECIALLY after we FINALLY put top talent around him... Ugh.... Welp, the Kevin Kolb era is in... and boy is that fella COUNTRY...












Jimmy B gets coach of the year. Love you JB.... Can't wait for next season already!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5060137






















This one goes out to my boy Canada... Roy Halladay was lights out in his opening day debut with Red Pinstripes... Finally the man has a chance to succeed in a division where his talent is not buried by the Superior Yankees. The man also will have the most run support of his entire career... My prediction? Doc wins 30 in the city of brotherly love.

This is the Best Play Ever

I can't even comment, just watch...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100405&content_id=9091930&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

The Three Amigos!

Wherever there is injustice, you will find us!

Wherever there is suffering, we'll be there!

Wherever liberty is threatened, you will find........ The Three Amigos!!!

First let me start off with saying congrats to Butler. That was a much MUCH better game than I thought it was going to be. I honestly thought it could have been a blowout. They played hard the whole game and were just inches away from tying or winning the game. But, isn't that the way it should be and why college basketball is so good to watch? Either way congrats are deserved for both teams.

Moving to Duke, how can you say enough about the big 3? They had 47 points, hit 5 3's, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists. Zoubek had a good night too with 16 board. Duke only had 5 guys score... Amazing way to end a college career. Those guys have been carrying the team and each other all year.

Not only was it an awesome way to end what is typically the worst day of the week, baseball is in full swing again. I for one desperately needed this Duke win though after the Yankees blew it yesterday and the Eagles continued their firesale of fan favorites (westbrook, dawkins, mcnabb, ...) Here's to the start of a great baseball season and the NFL draft that is quickly approaching.

Top 5 Things I Would Change about Opening Day

5. Not have it on Easter, it should be it's own Holiday.

4. Have ALL the teams play, not only the Major Leagues, but ALL minor league affiliates open as well, against their regional rivals, and stagger the games like they do for the NCAA tournament. As much as I love the over done Yankees- Red Sox matchup on ESPN, not all baseball fans like the Yankees and Red Sox....

3. Wear throw back uniforms and have all the old greats show up for the game. Have batting practice for both teams (not just the away team) and allow fans to really enjoy the setting.

2. Have it on a Monday, and declare it a school and bank holiday. Close all golf courses so fathers are required to take their kids to the ballpark...

1. Free Hot dogs and Beer.

Bring on the Fake Games!!!!

Jaguar Preseason schedule has been released, well sort off. While we don't know the exact dates yet, we do know that our 2010 SuperBowl Run starts at Philadelphia (between Aug. 12-16), home against Miami (Aug. 19-23), at Tampa Bay (Aug. 26-29) and home against Atlanta on Sept. 2 or 3. Yes Sirrrrrr that we get to see Run Ricky Run Williams and the MEEEEAMI Dolpins and Matty Ice and his fellow Falcon brothers....

We also get to smash up the Eagles and Kevin Kolb and whoever plays for the Bucs these days...

And in case you noticed it, David Garrard has been cut. O wait...APRIL FOOLS!!!!