Heisman or bust.....or Canada?

"Hero to Zero", "Half the Man I used to be"....the list goes on. (Yes the latter was a shout out to a once stoic band -The Stone Temple Pilots) Hmmm, I smell a segway. Graham Harrell, once relevant in the Heisman discussion last college football season, has packed his bags and headed to our neighbor to the north. Yes folks, the CFL has called and Harrell has answered. Apparently the technological advancement of caller ID has not yet reached the lush backdrop of Lubbock, Texas. Surely if it had, young Graham would not have been so inclined to pick up the phone when the Saskatchewan area code streamed across his blackberry. Or perhaps it truly was the allure of becoming a "Roughrider" that captured him. Now I may be coming across a bit harsh, but c'mon this was the All-American kid, seemingly effortlessly throwing for 500 yards a game nearly every Saturday afternoon. Well, turns out he was just a product of the Mike Leach system afterall. I'm not even a Tech fan, and that is a tough pill to swallow. A feel good story, a kid you could root for, now playing "pro" football in a hockey nation. I'm an optimist most days, so I'll offer a side dish of a Doug Flutie type happy ending....they said he was too small but he still did big things. (Lucky for him he was too, he fit nicely on a Wheaties box) With two games already played and gone in the young CFL season, one question remains....to smile or not to smile for the passport photo. The decision is yours young fella.

The Chieftain

Question. What is more ironic....the fact that Kansas City isn't actually even in the state of Kansas as its name would suggest, or that the Chiefs have a fantasy relevant signal caller this coming season. Yes folks, the "Show Me State" is finally going to show all of us something from the quarterback position in the '09 -'10 season. Rumor has it that there is a giant tombstone outside of Arrowhead Stadium that reads...."RIP - Elvis Grbac, Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle" and last year's glimpse of hope, now rigor mortis induced "Tyler Thigpen". Matt Cassel has arrived on the scene and will show us (sorry for the constant pun) all just why the red & gold have invested as much as they have in Mr. Cassel. He's a big arm guy, and is surrounded by overly capable wideouts, Dwayne Bowe, Mark Bradley & Bobby Engram. Oh, and enter Todd Haley as the head guy in KC, yep the master behind the sequel to the Greatest Show On Turf......last year's Arizona Cardinals. Need I say more? Um, two predictions here....one, the Chiefs win the AFC West, and two, if you pass on Matt Cassel early in your fantasy draft, you will be a very, very unhappy owner come the start of the season.

Fantasy Baseball 2nd Half....All Filler - All Thriller

For those of you who have been reaping the benefits of a one Tori Hunter, and his potential career season to this point, this is for you. Also qualifying for the following advice are those whose hopes and dreams have been on hold in a dusty, vacant outfield.....yes you Carlos Beltran owners, the Jay Bruce "Lovin' the Power, Hatin' the Average" die-hards, and even the (gulp) Vlad Guerrero junkies. And who can forget Carlos Quentin? Answer: Just about everyone not residing in the southside of the wind tunnel known as Chicago. Seriously, is he ever coming back? Anyway, sleep is on the horizon for you though, fear not. Put away the sedatives (or keep them), just be sure to take them as prescribed and relax. Sit back, take a deep breath, and then run to your nearest computer as fast as you can and snatch these guys up before it's too late. Here are the top Outfield fills that pack the thrills......
1. Juan Rivera- Hunter and Vlad's teammate....killing it right now but available in only 30% of leagues. GET HIM IMMEDIATELY! He was doing his thing before the his boys went down, so their activations will only help him when they get back. This guy is more than a fill-in.
2. Michael Cudyer- Minnesoooota. A forgotten staple in that dangerous Twins line-up as he missed a bunch of time last year with that nasty finger injury....he's back and on pace for 30/100. Yep, get him. Only half of America has.
3. Cody Ross- Basically a clone of the chap just mentioned from the Twin Cities, and even more available in most leagues.
4. Josh Willingham- Join me on a limb, it's safe, pinky swear. Did I mention I only have 8 fingers? I can't be held accountable unless of course it works out, in which case I'll gladly accept compliments and thank you's. This guy is not owned anywhere, and if you need some power for a bit, he could be that no-name stretch that does just that. The Nats are actually resembling a major league ball club these days......well some days.
5. Colby Rasmus - Projected N.L. rookie of the year. Oh, and did I mention he bats at the 2 spot in front of a guy named Albert Pujols. Yep. He does.
Remember ladies and gentlemen, (if there are ladies present, fellas...well I don't have to say a thing. Look them up and send them at the very least a promise ring) these are just fillers until the walking wounded that we have come to know and love, are healthy enough to don the uniform again. No risk.....All reward! Good luck my people.