Article:That Wisconsin Wank Guy Is Back . . .

This article is also viewable at my website theroguehour.

Let the wanking resume. ..

Brewers. C+ They're 7 games back, but they've won seven of the last 10 no longer dead last in the NL Central. Been a whole lot 'o roster moves since I last wanked, where to begin? Well Bill Hall's been demoted to platooning with Russell Branyan who got called up (again) last week (I'll speak more on that in a minute), with Gagne on the DL the Brewers have been trying Salomon Torres as the closer with good results so far, (he's got 5 saves now), and the Brewers picked up Red Sox castoff (but ring holder) Julian Tavarez. By the way Gagne is so done it is not even humorous anymore. I mean how much more obvious could it be that an individual player was on steroids at some point? His body is all of the sudden just trying to break down right after he was named in the Mitchell Report and the league got tougher testing policies? Let me not rant and speculate too wild before Buzz Bissinger forces me to put my dick in his mouth. And plus I digress. I must also comment about the irony of Bill Hall's situation. Last season he was the man, the guy who always came thru in the clutch. So popular with the fans that he appeared on the episode of "The Young and the Restless" with the two other Brewers. Now he's the poster boy for everything that has gone wrong and been underachieved this season. And now he's platooning with Branyan? . . .I'm not sure about his contract situation, but if it's close to being up he might just be up (outta here). One thing I love about the Brewers organization is the deep talent they have managed to develop in their farm system. All the current big dogs on the roster were carefully brought along through it, and it seems to have contributed to their success in The Show. So it tickles me to realize the MLB draft is a week away and the Brewers have 6 of the first 62 picks. Brewers Fanatic has the prediction of who we'll take first.

Packers. Major issues with Ryan Grant and the Packers. Well maybe not major, he just won't sign his tender offer for the standard 1st year player amount ($370,000), says he has to do what is right for him in his situation. Which is all fair and good. Players, even second year players, do it all the time when they have an above average season in the year when it just so happens that their contract is up. I'm all for good players maximizing their contracts especially in the NFL where your career could end suddenly and out of nowhere, especially at the running back position where even the most sturdy only average 9 good years (the case of Eddie George is a perfect example). But you also have to consider the other factors that will go into you getting that fat contract that will really set you for life. Like the team you are looking to get that contract from. The Pack has shown a tendency to take care of their consistent performers, but they won't get into contract disputes. You were a fan favorite because of you're hard work and determination background but now you pissed half of us off. Man I hope he's not letting his agent jerk him around because the agent will always have a job, Grant on the other hand. . . On a totally different vibe my prayers go out for Aaron Kampman and his family who were victims of the tornadoes that swept through Iowa last week. Reading that account of how his family is dealing with their loss, I understand where Kampman gets his toughness on the field. KGB had arthroscopic knee surgery and will be out until at least training camp. It's probable that KGB is in his last days of his career also. Not a bad one altogether, and he managed to get his fat contract. Been seeing enough Jason Taylor innuendo lately to want to comment on it. It seems to be originating from fan desire to see Taylor in green and gold rather than any actual talk between the two teams regarding a deal. But when I did take some time to think about it a bit I was reminded of a similar case: the Reggie White signing. The move that really pushed the Pack to 2 Super Bowls. Think about it. Both were/are on the tail end of their careers (but still skilled) looking at the last chance to get a ring. Reggie was a free agent, Taylor's is not but everyone knows (or assumes) he would really like to be traded to a contender. No one really thought/thinks there was a chance in hell that either of them would want to play in Green Bay. That being said it's not in TT's MO to make a move like that, even if Justin Harrell is beginning to take on Fridge-like dimensions.

Bucks. NBA lottery teams will soon start bringing in the players on their boards for workouts and the Bucks are no exception. BrewHoop gives the rundown on who will be first up. You can't always decipher who a team is going to pick based on workouts though (remember Yi?). I would be nervous about the Bucks picking any one of those guys. After the Big Two (hold the Mayo! ha ha yeah you liked that) the sureness factor really drops off. One guy I just have a feeling about though is Kevin Love. Doesn't have anything to do with the fact that he said "he would love to come to Milwaukee" he just has that star crossed Rob Horry-type career look. Not going to beat you athletically necessarily but will find a way to outsmart you. Never can have too many of them on a championship team. No trade moves as of yet but the Redd to Cleveland rumors are still running. Seems there are some Bucks fans who do not this is a good idea at all but The Bob Boozer Jinx seeks to put all their fears to rest. You may have heard of David Stern's comments over the weekend regarding the future of the Bradley Center. The Commish does not forsee a Seattle type situation here but acknowledges that something will need to happen in the next say five years. If you're wondering just how strapped for cash the Senator's team is MJS has an interesting discussion about the Bucks revenue.

Marquette. After not being invited to an NBA pre-draft camp guard Jerel McNeal came crawling back to school for his senior season. Just kidding glad to have him back. Sorry for the news on his NBA prospects though. It doesn't look like many teams are checking for him, even after the standout tournament performance. This will give him one more year to really get it together. And thanks to Marquette we have once again managed to retain our best in-state talent at a state school. Touted Madison area 6'-6" high school recruit Jeronne Maymon has committed to MU. He will give them some athleticism on the wing, something sorely missing from the Crean teams. Now we just need to work on keeping Racine's Jamil Wilson in state.