Sports are on the front burner today.

#88/#81 RETURNS

The St. Louis Rams will hold a press conference this morning honoring “Big Game” Torry Holt’s 10-year career with the organization. A

first round draft pick in 1999, Holt racked up 869 receptions for 12,594 yards and 74 touchdowns as a Ram. Those three totals rank 2^nd in franchise history to Isaac Bruce.

Holt had more receptions from 2000-2009 than any other offensive threat in the NFL. He was an integral member for the Greatest Show on Turf.

One has to wonder what Holt’s legacy may have been had he played on the indoor surfaces now used in the NFL. Watching highlights from the Early 2000’s with that bright green AstroTurf makes my knees hurt, I can’t imagine the wear it put on Holt’s.

The Rams have failed to find a receiver anywhere close to Holt’s caliber since his departure in 2010. Worse, they were unable to find a counterpart for Holt once Bruce left in 2008.

Can you imagine Sam Bradford slinging it to Holt, Bruce, and Hakim? Oh, the glory days.

BIRDS OPENER

Perhaps the biggest headline is the Cardinals first game of 2012 against the Miami Marlins. Strap in folks, the Cardinals follow the one game showdown in Miami with trips to Milwaukee and Cincinnati before coming home against the Cubs.

Games in April mean just as much as they do in September.

Obviously, the Cardinals will be without their ace tonight as Chris Carpenter continues to “build strength in his right arm”. I keep shaking an eight ball and the return message remains, “outlook not good”.

I am excited and nervous to start the season. It will be refreshing to get back into actual games, and forget about the offseason exodus.

As with any team, health plays a big factor towards any success. Coming off a championship year, the Cardinals will get opponents’ “A” game every night, and Miami will be no exception.

BLUES HOST WINGS

Statement game, period. Just 4-3-3 in their last ten, and coming off a horrendous home loss to Columbus, the ‘Note must find the playoff gear. Detroit has 3 consecutive wins against the Blues, all coming at Joe Louis Arena. The Blues won the first 2 meetings at the Scottrade Center.

The Red Wings are scuffling a bit too, 3-5-2 in the last 10 games, but are getting healthy with Nicklas Lidstrom and Jimmy Howard returning.

The Blues need to bring intensity tonight. If that means dressing Chris Porter, Ryan Reaves, and BJ Crombeen–so be it. I am so sick of watching Chris Stewart try to figure out his season long slump. It’s April 3^rd, you’re not finding it. Remember his costly turnover on Saturday?

Matt D’Agostini looked slow in his first game returning from a concussion. Ken Hitchcock has some roster decisions to make. This is crunch time.

Brian Elliott has started 4 games (2-2) and Jaroslav Halak once (0-1) during the season series against Detroit. The building will be loud, lets hope the home team takes it to the hated rival. As Pedro Martinez once said, “whose you’re daddy?”

MASTERS

Last but not least, I have made a good-sized bet on this guy to win it all at Augusta.

Head down, shoulder turn, tempo…shank.