Summer musings

As the summer comes to a close (I know it technically doesn't end until September 22nd but I spent many years growing up in a tourist town so to me Labor Day signals the end of summer), I have some thoughts...

- Matt Ryan has been announced as the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons for the upcoming NFL season, beating out fellow former first rounders Joey Harrington and Chris Redman. As I have stated before in this blog, this will be a tough position for a rookie to be put into. For the sake of future BC players, the Falcons, and of course the Falcons' fans, I hope he's up to the challenge. I will be watching and rooting for you, Matty Ice!

- College football begins tomorrow night. I look forward to it with baited breath. I can already feel the draw of the PS3 telling me to play some EA Sports before the season starts to really get into the groove. Ohio State is once again stacked with NFL ready talent (some even project as many as 6 first rounders in their opening day roster). But I look to Georgia to continue their roll from last season. I know they have an inexperienced offensive line that had been crippled by injuries but if those guys can gel there may be no stopping the Dawgs this season.

- RCN continues to frustrate me and my ability to watch college football. As it is not currently within my means to buy the Gameday package I find myself without ESPNU (despite numerous e-mails, phone calls, and general protests to RCN attempting to get them to add it to their channel line-up). This means Mrs. Pike will be unable to see Miami (OH) season opener on Thursday night and I will be unable to see BC's season opener on Saturday night without going to the local watering hole. Perhaps justin.tv will be my savior as it has been in the past.

- Some WWE news (for those who don't care, feel free to skip to the next piece), John Cena apparently suffered a herniated disk in his neck and after surgery will miss about three to four months. This is much better than the 12-15 months that some prior superstars have faced (Steve Austin & Gregory Helms come to mind). Though he steals liberally from The Rock (and for those of you who are Rock fans, I recommend "The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment" DVD - which really reminded me just how much Cena did steal from the Great One), he is a charismatic figure in the sport and has a legion of fans in the younger set. His wrestling skills leave a little to be desired (at least act like the other man was hurting you John!! I may hate Shawn Michaels but the man knows how to sell being hurt in a match), but he brings an energy and a commitment to the world of sports entertainment that is refreshing.

- The ambulance...oops...I mean the Red Sox are entering the home stretch 2.5 up in the wild card and only 3.5 behind TB for the AL East (with 6 games still to play against the Rays). They have 20 of their final 29 at home. But 7 of those final 29 are against the Blue Jays who have been a thorn in their side all season. Should they get healthy and get some consistent bullpen help they should make the playoffs (the addition of Mark Kotsay would help too). But the question will remain if this limping, beaten up crew will be able to accomplish anything once they get there.

That's all I have for now folks. I'm sure they will be coming more fast and furious now that college football is underway and of course after October 10th when NCAA hockey kicks off another year.