Before we get all Olympic on Friday, I had some uber-quick thoughts on a couple of sports stories that landed on my desk over the past few days. Authentic Frank Gore Black Jersey. Opening line of an Associated Press article which did the rounds last week: "Jeff Garcia knows what its like to be coveted by Jon Gruden." Seriously, guys? I mean, Im not trying to imply anything. Garcia has a hella hot wife. Terrell Owens has a hella big mouth. That evidence alone kinda kills the momentum of any (Owens-initiated) rumours that Garcia, um, plays QB for the other team. But the bottom line is that the rumours were out there at one point. And I just dont see how a nationally-syndicated sports writer could choose that as an intro to a story and not make the connection. Itd be like Trey Parker and Matt Stone playing dumb when talking about that Southpark episode -- the one where Tom Cruise locked himself in the closet and wouldnt come out. No ones saying its based on fact, but the gag wouldnt work if Joe Public didnt know that the rumours about Cruise existed -- even if theyre totally untrue. I mean, if it was Sean Connery refusing to come out of the closet, it just wouldnt be funny, right? So if the opening line was an accidental case of poor phrasing because of a rushed deadline, then at least Terrell Owens got a giggle out of it. And if the line was a little bit more deliberate than that, then maybe ol T.O. got a side gig moonlighting as an AP writer? Just sayin. Also this week, I got a kick out of a national wire service story which quoted an NHL talent scout on the subject of OHL superstar John Tavares. According to the unnamed scout, Tavares "got stale" this past season. How much must it suck to have people already saying youre past your prime at 18 years old? Over and done, before youre even legal. It must be how Hilary Duff feels, ya know? (Just joking. Stayed in the same hotel as Hilary in Vancouver last winter and not only is she smokin hot in real life, she was in town shooting some major dramatic role, en route to becoming a serious thesp. But offhand, I cant think of another Disney Channel star who isnt mainstream anymore, and I cant be bothered Googling it, so at the risk of blowing any future marriage opportunities with Ms. Duff, the joke stays!) And finally, read a lot of negative thoughts from people who were a bit P.O.d at Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Riccardi for his sarcastic comments about Scott Richmonds removal from the Olympic baseball team. Basic jist of the statement: Kids aspire to play in the big leagues, not the Olympics. Thus, Richmond should be happy with the Blue Jays promotion and not be bothered about missing Beijing. And while some people took the comments as a giant jab at those who represent our country at the O-Games, the bottom line is that Riccardi is right. When it actually comes down to it, do kids dream of wearing a Team Canada jersey, or lifting a Stanley Cup? Im not saying they cant do both, but be honest, whats the real fantasy moment kids visualise when theyre playing street hockey? Do aspiring Stateside football players daydream about wearing Team USA colours in some international gridiron league? Or winning a Super Bowl. I dont think Riccardi meant it as a diss to our Olympic athletes. Or a knock on Canadian passion for gold. He was just telling it like it is. North Americans dont have that same national pride mentality for our Big Four sports that European countries have for, say, soccer or rugby. The system is just structured differently here. All J.P. Riccardi did was remind us of that fact. Which makes him the messenger. So lets not shoot him for it, okay? Hakeem Nicks Replica Jersey. -- Levko Koper had a hat trick and an assist as the Spokane Chiefs routed the Portland Winterhawks 8-3 on Friday in the WHLs Western Conference final to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Champ Bailey Jersey. Louis Leblanc scored two goals on Thursday as Canada hammered Slovakia 9-1 in its final round robin game. That gave the Canadians a perfect 3-0 record at the tournament and advanced them to Saturdays gold medal game against Russia. Authentic Jordy Nelson Black Jersey. -- Phoenix has recalled forwards Mikkel Boedker and Jeff Hoggan from its San Antonio affiliate and placed forward Joel Perrault on injured reserve after one game with the Coyotes. Jason Witten Womens Jersey. Fanelli, now 17, suffered skull and facial fractures on Oct. 30, 2009 when Erie Otters forward Michael Liambas hit him from the blind side behind the net. The OHL suspended Liambas for the entire season and playoffs following the hit, which served to end the OHL career of Liambas. Joe Flacco Premier Jersey. Colorado won Fridays opener by a 2-0 score and is coming off last nights 8-7 win in the second installment of this set. Jonathan Herrera had a career-high four hits and an RBI, while Seth Smith had two hits, including a home run, and three runs batted in for the Rockies, who have won three straight and six of eight games.