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Masterful Thank goodness for Angel Cabrera. The only reason I was happy to see him win at Augusta is because I had him in our Masters pool at the office. It was also cool to see Augusta National produce the exciting Sunday conclusion again. The past few years the roars around Amen Corner sounded more like whimpers. The changes to the course and the tough weather conditions all but eliminated the drama that you come to expect on the back nine at the Masters. Not only was the tournament decided with a three-man playoff, but Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods' pairing on Sunday was nothing short of miraculous. It was a great day of golf action between the Georgia pines, dogwoods and azaleas. It appeared that Kenny Perry had it all wrapped up with two holes to go. After a near hole-in-one at 16, the Kentucky native had a two-shot lead with two to play. Sometimes, that is the toughest thing to do...close a major championship for the first time at the tender age of 48. Paul Azinger, the US Ryder Cup Captain, joined us on Friday and proclaimed that Perry was his pick to win in Augusta. Azinger loved his fire and experience and he also admired his ability to produce, based on taking care of business in his home state of Kentucky during the Ryder Cup matches. Unfortunately for Perry, he unraveled down the stretch and eventually lost in the first three-man playoff at Augusta in 22 years. It was great television throughout the day. As Perry, Campbell and eventual winner Cabrera played their final round, it was Phil and Tiger that put on the show. They were spectacular...especially Mickelson, who fired a 6-under par 30 on the front nine. It was the Sunday pairing that all golf fans wanted to see....Tiger vs. Phil on Sunday at Augusta. The guys didn't disappoint, but they were too far back to win, even though they closed the gap and made it interesting. All in all, this was one of the best Masters tournaments that we've seen in some time. It's been so long since the eagles, birdies, low scores and the roars were back in fashion at one of the world's greatest courses. Congrats to Angel Cabrera...you added a few C-notes to my wallet. Amazingly, the NFL Draft is fast approaching. In Carolina, it seems like it's been light years since the team has done anything. With the exception of the Jordan Gross signing, and the franchise tag on Julius Peppers, it has been a ghost town. What makes it tougher is that the Peppers franchise tag has basically paralyzed the franchise from doing anything in the meantime. You would like to think that a potential trade is in the works, but I haven't heard a word from either side in weeks. When you add this bit of news to the fact that the team does not have a first-round draft pick in the upcoming Draft...well, you get the picture. It has been dead around here. While the team waits on Peppers to sign his tender and work out a potential deal, the rest of us will wait on Tuesday's announcement of the 2009 regular season schedule. We know the Panthers will entertain a first place slate, but we don't know the specifics. All that will change on Tuesday, with the NFL's announcement. Hopefully the team can find something for the staff to do in the meantime, as we are less than two weeks away from the NFL Draft. The NASCAR boys get back to action this week after taking the week off for Easter. I couldn't help but laugh when I read that Dale, Jr. has a new product on the market. There is a new GPS tracking device named the "Rightway Spotter". The product uses Junior's voice to navigate you to your destination. I hope the producers know that Dale, Jr. has had a tough time finding his way around the track lately. He missed his pit stall twice in Daytona and he did it again in Texas. Maybe Junior should have one installed in his 88-car? The Bobcats, as expected, are officially out of the NBA Playoffs. The Hurricanes, as expected, are in the NHL Playoffs. The Canes will be the 6-seed, and match up with the New Jersey Devils. I'm hoping we can work out the details to make the trek to Raleigh and broadcast the show before attending a playoff game at the RBC. Stay tuned for details...I hope we can make that announcement this week. Speaking of remote broadcasts, weather permitting, we're supposed to be in Myrtle Beach on Monday for Hootie and the Blowfish's big golf tournament. The "Monday after the Masters" is a great charity golf and concert event. It's loaded with celebrities and we look forward to being down there again this year....assuming the weather geeks cooperate. |
Packman
on Sports Commentary
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