The Expendables

I just got wind of this great, fantastic, awesome cast for The Expendables and I thought now that sounds like an action flick I would sit back and make up as a kid. I cant say I know much about the movie besides this small paragraph I found on imdb. It says:

"After years of coruption , murder of american hostages and betrayal of foreign policies, The US with the help of other Nations secretly put together a squad of its most trained millitary personal to finaly over throw the dictator who has caused devastation in South America for over 20 years. The team sets out on its mission to complete the assasination but with little help from the nations as they try to keep the mission secret. After they realize that there will be no outside help they rely on their own sources to fight not only the dictator's army but also the Governments that set them up."

That is all good and all but the best part has to the be cast. 

- First off the movie not only stars but is directed by Sylvester Stallone. Stallone was once again in top form in Rambo which he also directed. If this movie is anything like that one the action will be mind blowingly gory. 

- Arnold Schwarzenegger has some sort of role in the movie, I don't know about you but I have been wanting to see an Arnold and Stallone team up since I was a kid. Not sure if it happens in this movie but its cool they are both even in the same movie. It is said Arnolds role is more of a cameo which could lead to bigger roles in sequels.

- Mickey Rourke is also in the movie fresh off his oscar nominated role in The Wrestler. If he can bring anything from that movie and his role as Marv in Sin City we are in for a treat, just imagine him kicking ass next to these guys.

- Jason Statham, fuck man this list gets crazier! We now have the Transporter himself in this movie! He is like the go to bad ass guy of the 2000's it will be cool to see him kicking ass with the old school guys.

- Dolph Lundgren, speaking of old school. You even get some Dolph! The classic Russian badass is teaming up with Stallone since they made Rocky IV. 

- Jet Li also has a role in the movie and adds some martial arts to all the muscle.

- The movie also is said to have Terry Crews, Danny Trejo, and Eric Roberts in various roles.

This movie sounds like it could be the best shit ever for action fans. The funny thing is the cast who turned down roles or couldn't be in the movie, I found this list of actors who were offered roles but couldnt be in the movie for one reason or another. 

Jean Claude Van Damme

Wesley Snipes

Kurt Russell 

Ben Kingsley

Forest Whitaker 

50 Cent

Denis Leary

I would have loved to see JCVD in the movie, teamming back up with Dolph again in some form would be cool. Anyway I am really stoked for this movie and all that it hopefully can be. 

Asking For Your Vote

I am officially campaging for Bengie Molina to be the All-Star game starter for the National League. Last year despite being the top catcher in the NL in RBI's Molina was excluded from the NL squad. I was a little upset, see to me the game should be played with players who are the best at each position. For this I just look at baseball stats, I want the guy with the best stats at his position in the All-Star game. The thing is everyone plays fan favorites, it explains players like Ozzie Smith being in the game so much. Here is a small break down.

Last years all star game catcher (not taking anything away, these guys had great seasons): 

 Brian McCann, C -  The braves catcher had a great year, batting .301, with 23 HR and 87 RBI. 

Geovany Soto, C-  Was NL ROY, he also was well deserving of being an all star, batting .285, with 23 HR and 86 RBI. 

Russell Martin, C - Dodger player batted respectable .280, with 13 HR and 69 RBI.

So Molinas stats at the end of last year read: batted .292, with 16 HR and 95 RBI. Yeah he didn't have the most HR or flashy play but the guy hit a mere .009 lower in average then McCann and had more RBI then any other NL catcher. 

I also know players get voted in not just for hitting. A look at these four players Fielding % just leads to even more questioning...

Molina - .995

Soto - .995

McCann- .991

Martin- .990

No need for explaining, seems that while Mr. Martin had a great year he should have been passed over in favor for Molina. I guess the draw was that Martin could play at third base. I understand McCann and Soto, and they really deserved to be there. 

BUT....that was last year. We are now in 09, so why should Molina get your vote? 

in 36 games this year Molina has been on a tear- batting .304 with 8 HR and 30 RBI. The only player who has played in more then 30 games and has a better average is his teammate Pablo Sandoval, who really plays 3B this year. He leads the NL catcher in RBI and HR. He already has half of the HR he has last year, in only 36 games! I think its obvious that Molina should be on the team, in fact he should BE STARTING this years all star game in St. Louis.

I am not going to announce him the starter straight out, that would be a real miracle. The game is in St Louis this year and Bengies brother Yadier Molina is having a good year, not even close to his bros but his stats read: .291, 3 HR, and 15 RBI. He could get the nod at catcher, and McCann is always a good hitter. He was out for a few weeks but it was because he needed to wear glasses, wow I have never heard of a guy being put on the DL because he needed glasses. Next time just go to lenscrafters, they make glasses in about an hour. McCann is most likely a shoe in he is batting .282 with 3 HR and 12 RBI in just 22 games. The only other catcher I could see being a problem is another fan favorite. Pudge Rodrguez. He signed with the Astros and has been decent this year, we all know he can do the job defensively. He is bating .286 with 5HR and 19 RBI. I just hope his popularity isn't enough to kick out Molina. 

Just to show you something extra, Molina leads ALL CATCHERS in HR and RBI. and his average is 6th best of all catcher who have played in 30 games or more. I even threw in Napoli whos only played in 29 games. Still not too fucking shabby! He is also 3rd of all catchers in On Base % trailing only Victor Martinez of the Indians and Mike Napoli of the Angels. 

So thats my case, why wouldn't you pick the guy who leads all NL catcher in HR and RBI? I know I would, even if he played on the Nationals! Plus who doesnt love a guy with some character? Bengie is a vet who is by means losing anymore weight, its always fun to have some big guy around to have fun with, we all know David Ortiz isn't making the All Star game, why not have some other big guy around! 

Vote Bengie Molina, your NL All Star Game Catcher!

Slurpee Movie Tie-In

I am a big fan of 7-11 Slurpee's. I love getting the ice cold Slurpee of coke and cherry on a nice hot day, that shit hits the spot! I recently went into 7-11 and noticed a weird movie tie-in. It was for the new Terminator movie. They feature all the collectible movie cups with different characters from the new movie... hey that's cool, that's normal.

Whats weird is the new flavor they released with it..it is called Apocalyptic Ice Slurpee, a blood orange flavored beverage...yes you read that right...who in the world wants a a drink a Slurpee that A) tastes like APOCALYPSE or B) tastes like BLOOD ORANGE. And did I miss something, did the Terminators bleed orange? Is that the change McG has made to the new movie to get that coveted PG-13 rating? I just had to laugh when I saw that flavor, its ridiculous!

I guess this isn't a new thing, I know they did a tie in with the Simpsons movie. That at least made sense considering the resemblance between the Quick-E-Mart and 7-11 ok Simpsons basically copied the 7-11 culture with Apu and the Mart. They even transformed some 7-11's into Quick-E-Marts.

7-11 also whored it up for the new X-men Origins: Wolverine movie with another tie in. This time they had a flavor called Mutant Berry Slurpee. What the fuck do Berry's have to do with mutants? Could they really not just make a flavor that was grey or even white and just call it like Adamantium rage? This flavor is lame! They could have just used cherry and called it Cyclops Rays, anything but mutant berry considering it has nothing to do with the movie.

Speaking of collectible cups.What happened to the good old days of being able to buy cool glass mugs like they used to do with Star Wars? Oh I guess at least someone is doing that again.

Summer Break Down

5/1 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine: Prequel #1 of May- Takes place before Wolverine joins the X-Men. The movie took in a boatload of cash...can you say sequel? The movies continue to mess up on most mutants, the last mutant they did justice (who wasn't in the original cast) was Nightcrawler and that actor has the sense to not come back for the below average X-Men 3. 

5/8 - Star Trek: Prequel #2 of May - All things look like this will be a big ass summer blockbuster. I am even excited for a fucking Star TREK movie, yes not Star Wars! Ever since shitty prequels I lost some faith in the Wars...Trek can have my new allegiance plus it has Sylar from Heroes, Harold from Harold and Kumar, and Shaun from Shaun of the Dead, sounds like an all-star cast!

5/21 - Terminator Salvation: Prequel, sort of #3- Bare with me. This movie is a sequel in that John Connor is now played by Batman...er Christian Bale. BUT we get introducted to younger Kyle Reese (played by Anton Yelchin, who also plays Chekov in the Star Trek movie). Anyway I guess it is not really a prequel but we see him and Arnolds Terminator before they were sent back in time to be in the first movie.

5/15 - Angels and Demons: Prequel of May #4 - They are saying its a sequel but the book came out before Da Vinci Code. 

5/29 - UP: I will give it to those Pixar guys, they sure know how to make a good flick. I thought that last movie about a robot in love with almost no sound would suck balls..ended up being in my top ten of last year.  Anyway this one is about an old man who's house flys in the air because its connected to a lot of ballons...yeah total flop!

6/5 - Land of the Lost: Is it sad that I only knew the LOTL remake show from 90's? I never knew it was an even crappy show in the 70's. Will Ferrell in this one, not sure if they are looking for laughs or action, probably both.  

6/19 - Year One:  It has Jack Black and Michael Cera in it, sounds like a good cast. I will check it out. 

6/24 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Based off a toy! Transformers, more then meets the eye. This movie is eye candy, looks pretty cool especially if you like explosions! Lots and lots of explosions!

7/1 - Public Enemies: I think this could one of the best of the summer. Stars Johnny Depp and Batman err..Christian Bale! 

7/15 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: My pick for the movie that will make the most $$ this summer. People have almost forgot about Harry in favor of all that Twilight shit. They will soon pay and remember the book they already read. 

7/31 - Funny People: Judd Apatows newest flick. The trailer is bad ass, I have a feeling I will really enjoy this movie. Not thrilled with Sandler but he looks good in what I have seen and  the supporting cast rocks! Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana, and Jason Schwartzman to name a few. 

8/7 - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra: Based off a toy! You all know GI JOE was my toy when I was growing up. I think I dressed like a GI JOE for Halloween 5 years in a row. The preivews look mixed. Could follow Transformers and have lots of cool explosions. 

8/21 - Inglourious Basterds: Not a bad end to the summer. Some Nazi killing fun! Don't let us down Mr. Tarantino!

49ers Top Ten Draft Picks (since 1980)

I was looking over the 49ers draft picks today(draft day) and thought I would make up a list of the top ten picks they have made since 1980. Here you go 49ers fans!

10. Julian Peterson- 2000, 1st round, 16th- Peterson was a great linebacker who suffered from being selfish. The 49ers weren't that great a team when he was around and to keep him they had to apply the franchise tag to him twice. He later went on to play for the Seahawks, he would always step up his game when he played the 49ers. He now is on the 0-16 Lions, justice served.

9. Patrick Willis- 2007, 1st round, 11th- Willis is higher on the list because he has only played two seasons. So far he is one of the best LB's I have seen drafted by the team. He was defensive rookie of the year and has made the Pro-Bowl. The skys the limit with Willis.

8. Frank Gore- 2005, 3rd round, 1st- I remember when the 49ers drafted Gore, it seemed like a straight up steal. I would have taken him over the guy they did take #1 (Alex Smith) any day. Gore is a tough runner and reciever. I think he was a steal for going in the third round. I think Gore will be around for a long time. 

7. John Taylor-1986, 3rd round, 21st- John Taylor goes mostly unnoticed, except for the game winning catch he had in Superbowl. He was a very talented WR who paved the way for Jerry Rice to get open. He was also known as a great blocker and possesion reciever. He was a two time pro bowler and would often go without mention in the media. For real 49er fans Taylor will never be forgotten. 

6. Roger Craig- 1983, 2nd round, 21st- Roger Craig holds many good memories in the hearts of 49er fans. He was our main Halfback during the 80's Superbowl run(s). He was kind of more like RB's today in that he could also catch the ball besides being a good runner. He was never the biggest or fastest but he had the determination to get the job done. He was a 4 Time Pro Bowler and his career average of 4.1 ypc is great. He will also be known as the player who fumbled in the NFC Championship game and cost the 49ers another chance at a superbowl. Oh well. He was a great value for the 2nd round. The next RB taken after him in the 83 draft was Johnny Hector, anyone ever heard of him?

5. Charles Haley- 1986, 4th round, 14th- Haley was taken in the same year as Taylor. That was a good draft! The 49ers were looking for some D to go along with there amazing West Coast Offense. They took Haley in the 4th round in 86 and the guy has an awesome career. He was a 5 time Pro Bowler and won numerous superbowls with the 9ers and Cowboys. In 1990 he was voted an All Pro and had 16 sacks. Haley was a scary looking guy. After his run with the Cowboys he re-joined his original team in 1998 and retired a year later.

4. Terrell Owens- 1996, 3rd round, 28th- Well, what can you say...he was a great WR and play maker and an asshole. He is an amazing talent and if he kept his mouth shut could have been the best WR to ever play. He was a great pick for being taken in the 3rd round. T.O. has been pretty much kicked off or demanded a trade from every team he has played on. He is 6 Time Pro Bowler (4 with the 9ers). He is now getting up in age but can still produce, he will be on the Buffalo Bills next year. 

3. Bryant Young- 1994, 1st round, 7th- Bryant Young was the T.O. opposite. He was a quiet man who lead by example and was team leader because of it. He had a great 13 year career (all with the 9ers). He was a 4 time Pro Bowl player as well. He was really just a great player and he never once complained or whined, he was the last player left from the 1994 superbowl team. He will also be remembered for his broken leg injury and being voted as comeback player of the year the year after. He is what the red and gold are all about. 

2. Ronnie Lott-  1981, 1st round, 8th- I dont think I need to say too much here. Hall of Fame Saftey should be enough. But I will say, the hardet hitter I have ever seen play. He gave up his pinky to play in a game. WOW, i mean seriously, he lost the tip of his pinky so he could stay in a game. He was a 10 time pro bowl player and the best saftey to ever play in the NFL.

1. Jerry Rice- 1985, 1st round, 16th- a 16 year run with the 49ers, a 13 time Pro Bowl player, and holds about all WR records. Yeah not bad for going 16th overall in 85 draft. You think the Jets didn't hate themslves forever for taking WR Al Toon before Rice? I guess it haven't mentioned it but all of this was Bill Walsh. The guy was mastermind at making picks. Rice is known as THE best reciever ever. 

Traller Park Old School Editon

Just had some random thought, what is the best trailer you have ever scene? I know a lot of people will have many different memories of what is best. But I just watched this T2 trailer from 1991 and it got me thinking how much this trailer made me want to see the movie. I did a little bit of looking up opinons, but if you read this let me know what your favoite is. I looked up this one, it is bad ass! They sure dont make em like this anymore.

Draft

So I am excited about the Draft, I usually watch the first round or so. It tends to get boring after a while. I really think teams should be given less time to make a pick. What is it now? 15 minutes a pick for the first round? And now ESPN has chosen to make the draft start at 1PM, which will make it go way long into the night. With all the hype leading up to the draft, I understand that teams need some time but seriously, I think 10 minutes for the first round and then like 2 minutes after that. Imagine how cool it would be seeing them rapidly make the picks. We could have the whole thing done in half the time. 

Another things is ESPN, remember when it used to be cool and rare to see highlights so you would turn on ESPN and wait forever just to see your teams highlights. Now if your team is on the West Coast or doesn't have a player named Manny or Kobe you never see highlights of your team, and if you do they are short. Sportscenter now brakes off into different shows. If you want to see baseball highlights you watch Baseball Tonight (which I like), if you want to basketball highlights (and you do not have Kobe or LeBron on your team) you watch their Basketball show (I forgot the title). Anyway the draft and Mel Kiper are everywhere! The things is that they do all these mock drafts and picks but they just do it all over when the draft starts. I guess what I am saying is that ESPN should focus less on what "might happen" and just make the actual draft more important. So in that vein I will make my draft prediction for the first 10 picks. My niners are drafting #10. Anyway can you recall the #10 pick last year? (Jerod Mayo by New England...if you were wondering)

1. Lions - Matthew Stafford QB: I think the Lions need a face of the future and the pressure in not taking a QB will make them go with Stafford. I mean looks at all those other great #1 QBs taken in the past. Alex Smith, JaMarcus Russell, etc.. Anyway point taken, I would just take a good Offensive Lineman and save the QB for later. Lately it has been proven that you can get a good QB later on. 

2. Rams - Jason Smith OT: I think the Rams are slowly building up a team with good lines, they did have the #2 pick last year and got DE Chris Long who I didn't hear much about. He did have 4 Sacks last year, nothing fantastic but he could come around. The team needs a lot of players and just got with the best available. 

3. Chiefs - Aaron Curry LB: I think Chiefs go safe and with good reason. Seems that LB's are the safest picks to make lately. Patrick Willis comes to mind. From what I hear this guy is for real and could help the team who needs some D players. The offense is finally coming around with Cassell, Bowe, and LJ. They has so many close loses I could see them maybe make a playoff run...maybe.

4. Seahawks - Mark Sanchez QB: I would love to have this pick, they can go so many ways. I think they should take Michael Crabtree at this point, and they still may. Signing WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh could make them not take Crabtree, who will swooped up soon after. The team played terrible last year. They need a RB, WR, and QB. I think the upside of Sanchez it too much to pass up. Is he Plamer or Leinart? Since he will playing my team for a while I hope for the latter.

5. Browns- Eugene Monroe OT: The Browns can go in a lot ways here. I hear they will be trading WR Bralyon Edwards, if they do that then maybe the take Crabtree? This team is weird. They draft players with bad attitudes and eventually end up trading them. Winslow Jr. and possibly Edwards. I think Monroe would be a safe pick, a guy who goes unnoticed but is good for 8-10 years. With Joe Thomas anchoring the line, and adding Monroe they could have a great O-line and would lead the way for more rushing yards and better protection for Quinn or Anderson or whoever the hell they are going to start at QB.

6. Bengals- Andre Smith OT: Not a sexy pick, but they need someone who can help protect Carson Palmer. They have some questions and RB and this pick would also help with that. I am also thinking with TJ gone and Ocho Cinco wanting a trade, maybe they pull a draft day deal to get rid of old 85 and maybe they take Crabtree? I think they go with a lineman here.

7. Raiders- Michael Crabtree WR: How are the Raiders only drafting 7th? They sucked last year. Anyway they had like no good WRs last year and would love to take the sexy pick here. This time they don't mess it up, I think Crabtree is a great pick and would be the #1 WR they have lacked since Tim Brown (Randy Moss doesn't count since he wasn't trying). Another reason I am hoping he goes here is because he wont be in the NFC West!

8. Jaguars- Jeremy Maclin WR: Oh shit, we have a run on WRs! I think they want Crabtree but stick with the next best WR and take Maclin. They suffer from drafting terrible WR who never pan out. They could really use a great WR to help the offense. This team will rebound and have a much better year I bet. 

9. Packers- B.J. Raji DT: He could go way earlier, sorry I am no Mel Kiper, I am losing hair and he has too much. Anyway this guy is the talk of the town, but so was Glenn Dorsey last year and he has 1 sack, but a DT is never a huge sack guy. I think Packers just take the best guy and nab him and take the steal at #9.

10. 49ers- Brian Orakpo DE: I have heard this guys is cut and a great sack guy, we need someone like that. I have seen him go higher then #10, but the 49ers could use this guy. I think he comes from a school (Texas) that usually makes NFL stars and he could start right away. He also plays some OLB and we could use him at both position, which makes him even better to get. Niners need a pash rush! Please take him Mike, if he is still on the board!!

This guy looks badass! Will he be a 9er?