Bad Week to be a Hawkeye in the NFL, Champions!, State of Hockey gets a Little Bigger

It was a rough week for former Hawkeyes in the NFL, especially if they also happen to be a Kansas

City Chief......or used to be.   Hawkeye fan favorite and great American Ricky Stanzi was cut from the Chiefs roster after 2 years with the team.  Hawkeye fans and Chiefs fans took to the battlefield known as Twitter to voice their objections, whether sincere or in jest, but the basic sentiment fell in to the category that Stanzi never really got a good shot to play.  This idea was magnified last season when the Chiefs had the worst quarterback play in the history of sports yet Stanzi could not even get on the field.  This year, with a new coaching and front office regime bringing in 3 new quarterbacks of their own, Stanzi would have needed super powers in order to remain a Chief.  I predict he'll be starting for the New York Jets by week one.

Another Chief/Hawkeye, Tony Moeaki, fractured his shoulder during a preseason game.  His status as to if and when he'll be able to play again is still not yet known.  This obviously does nothing to help him shake the reputation of being injury-prone.

Also, the Minnesota Vikings cut quarterback James Vandenberg, but nobody really cared.

The Midwest Football Alliance crowned a new champion.  Well, actually, it was the same old champion.  The Des Moines Blaze became three-peaters winning the MFA championship game over the Sioux Falls Stallions 42-27.

Also in the championship spirit, the Knoxville Raceway Season Championship was decided last Saturday night.  Bronson Maeschen became a first-time champ in the 410 class at the historic track.  Danny "the Dude" Lasoski won the evening's event, marking his 100th 410 win at Knoxville.

The Minnesota Wild, NHL affiliates of the newly relocated American Hockey League team the Iowa Wild, announced an affiliation agreement with the Quad City Mallards of the Central Hockey League, expanding further their "state of hockey" empire into Iowa and the upper mid-west. 

Stormers fizzle, Knoxville sizzles, Wild fo shizzle

Hey sports nutz!  It's been a little while so I thought it was about time to mention a few things happening in the Iowa sports scene.

After a strong start to the 2013 season, the Iowa Barnstormers went out like a lamb with a 84-45 loss to the Arizona Rattlers.  At one point, early in the season, the Barnstormers were battling for first place in their division, but ultimately, the struggles reminiscent of the past couple of seasons, plus mounting injuries, took their toll.  The Barnstormers, unable to keep pace with the league leaders, finished the season with a disappointing 6-12 record, missing the playoffs again.  Being the optimist that I am, I know the Stormers will be great again.  There is too much tradition with this team for them to be bottom dwellers for long.  Here's to looking forward to 2014!  Go Stormers!

The best week of racing in ALL of racing, (except for maybe Daytona speed weeks), began this past weekend with the 360 Nationals at Knoxville Raceway.  Shane Stewart won his fifth 360 Nationals title Saturday night to kick off what will be another amazing week of dirt racing at Knoxville Raceway.  The racing action continues with the Osky Challenges at Southern Iowa Speedway on Monday and Tuesday nights followed by four more nights of action-packed, 410 sprint car racing at Knoxville.  It's a week long party with people from all over the world......and racing.  Think of it kind of like RAGRAI, but it never leaves town.

Speaking of RAGBRAI.....the 2013 RAGBRAI is in the books.  Make sure to head over to their website to check out all the photos, videos, and blogs from this years ride.

The scheduler at Wells Fargo Arena is going to be earning his money this year, having to juggle the Iowa Barnstormers, Iowa Energy, Bon Jovi concerts, state wrestling and basketball, and the brand new Iowa Wild hockey team. We are absolutely stoked about getting professional hockey back in Des Moines.   Don't get me wrong.  We love our Des Moines Buccaneers, too, but AHL level hockey is just a different animal.  I hope it gets a fair shake this time around.  From everything I've heard from the ownership and management, this time WILL be done the right way.  We are already planning our huge tailgating event for the home opener on October 12.  Yeah, we'll be there early.  ;)  Make sure to stop by and say "Go Wild!"

P.S. Twinkies are BACK baby!!