Saturday May 29, 2010 the grudge match many MMA fans have been waiting for is taking place in Las Vegas, NV when Quinton "Rampage" Jackson takes on "Suga" Rashad Evans. The hatred that these two men share has been brewing since Rashad entered the cage to challenge Rampage following Rampages's win over Rashad's friend and training partner Keith Jardine. It grew during their stint as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. This fight was supposed to happen at the end of theat season but was postponed due to Rampage's role as BA Baracus in the upcoming A Team movie. The winner gets the first shot at newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champions Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Unfortunately a match up between Forrest Griffin and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was supposed to be the co main event but a shoulder injury requiring surgery sidelined Griffin so Little Nog will be taking on Jason Brilz and the match up between Michael Bisping and Dan Miller has been bumped up to co main event status. Also on the card Diego Sanchez makes his return to welterweight against undefeated John Hathaway. Here are my predictions for the upcoming event.
Main Event:
Quinton "Rampage Jackson (30-7) vs. "Suga" Rashad Evans (19-1-1)
Prediction: Rampage by 2nd Round TKO
Co Main Event:
Michael "The Count" Bisping (19-3) vs. Dan Miller (11-3, 1 NC)
Prediction: Dan Miller by 1st Round Submission
Undercard:
Todd Duffee (6-0) vs. Mike Russow (12-1, 1 NC)
Prediction: Russow by 1st Round Submission
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3) vs. Jason "Hitman: Brilz (18-2-1)
Prediction: Nogueira by 1st Round TKO
Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez (23-3) vs. John "The Hitman" Hathaway (13-0)
Prediction: Sanchez by 2nd Round Submission
Spike TV Prelims:
Amir Sadollah (4-1) vs. Dong "Stun Gun" Hyun Kim (12-0-1, 1 NC)
Prediction: Kim by 2nd Round TKO
Efrain "Hecho En Mexico" Escudero (13-1) vs. Dan "The Upgrade" Lauzon (12-3)
Prediction: Escudero by 1st Round Submission
Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard (42-9-3, 1 NC) vs. Waylon Lowe (8-2)
Prediction: Guillard by 2nd Round TKO
Luiz "Banha" Cane (11-2-1) vs. Cyrille "The Snake" Diabate (16-6-3)
Prediction: Cane by 1st Round TKO
Aaron Riley (28-12-1) vs. Joe "The South Side Strangler" Brammer (7-1-1)
Prediction: Riley by 2nd Round Submission
Jesse Forbes (13-5) vs. Ryan Jensen (15-5)
Prediction: Forbes by 3rd ROund Submission
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Super Bowl F-f-f-f-f-forty eight
Would you rather spend a February evening in New Jersey or Miami? Well apparently the NFL would rather spend their time in Jersey. Make no mistake, they’ll sell this like it’s a huge deal that New York City is getting the game. And why not, it has the bright lights and the big buildings and there’s no shortage of things to do. The only hitch is that the game is in New Jersey. So let’s not BS ourselves by calling the site of this Superbowl New York/New Jersey. It’s in Jersey.
But the real story, at least to me, is the NFL’s message that without adding a retractable roof the South Florida market won’t see regular Superbowls anymore. This is where I call bullshit. And I’m calling out the NFL for being a bunch of hypocrites. First of all the facts, the consensus around the meetings, according to Omar Kelly and Fins writer Andy Kent, was the South Florida Group’s presentation was by and far the best, even going so far as to contribute a million dollars towards operating expenses at the owner’s meeting as an act of good faith.
The NFL accepted that good faith, then proceeded to make South Florida the first candidate to be eliminated. Now let’s ignore for a second the fact that Sun Life Stadium just saw a 250 million dollar face-lift in 2007. Forget the continual work that Stephen Ross has done in improving the experience of fans at the stadiums (improvements like personal televisions at seats, which other stadiums are now considering). The NFL has the balls to tell the Dolphins and the South Florida area that despite the trying economic times and the recent multi-million dollar renovations that they need to put more taxpayer money into the stadium in order to continue to get the chance to host the Superbowl, and they do so while accepting a million dollar gift?
What stews you even more though is the fact that Tampa got no such treatment. Tampa, whose Raymond James stadium is newer than Sun Life, also has no retractable roof. Now I visited Tampa probably 30 times in 30 years and I can tell you with a great degree of authority that the odds of getting rained on in Tampa are just as high as they are in Miami. New Jersey has no retractable roof. Not to mention, on the date the Superbowl has been played over the last five years the weather in Jersey has been on average mid-40’s with snow last year and rain in 2007. What’s better than dropping a few grand to go to the Superbowl and getting to sit through 40 degree rain in New Jersey? Dysentery. I would honestly rather crap myself to death than pay two grand to sit in cold rain for three hours in Jersey.
I wish Miami would call the NFL on its bullshit. The NFL profits more off of new stadiums with its business model (revenue sharing, hence Jerry Jones’ campaign to end it before his Cowboys opened their billion dollar palace last year). Now the owners are telling the citizens of South Florida that if they want to continue to host the Superbowl and enjoy the 350-400 million dollars of stimulus that it brings they area, they have to pay a few hundred million to put an ugly roof on top of what is in reality already a very nice stadium. And they do so knowing damn well they stand to pocket about 4-5 billion dollars in TV revenues despite locking the players out next year, which will deny all of the South Florida football fans they’re already trying to fleece a year of football.
Having a Superbowl venue with a roof isn’t even always a positive thing. The Superdome has a roof and it’s a complete dump. And why, seemingly every time the NFL plays the Superbowl in a dome they inexplicably shoot off ten minutes of fireworks and pyrotechnics, I do not know. But I do know that it must be nice to inhale smoke and enjoy decreased visibility through most of the third quarter while they try haplessly to suck the smoke out.
My point is this, if Miami wanted to play the game in the rickety old Orange Bowl (RIP) it would sell out. The fact the NFL is trying to leverage the Dolphins to dump more into their stadium (and by virtue of that they’ll make more money collectively) is downright criminal. Miami is a destination attraction. Does it rain? Yes, it actually is more of a shower pattern that tends to move on in a few hours. That’s nit-picking though. But it’s also going to be in the mid 70’s, hell maybe even the 80’s. But this isn’t about rain or a retractable roof. It’s about money. And they don’t think Miami’s spent enough lately. So let’s not pretend it’s anything else.
There is no way in hell you can tell me that in February an outdoor stadium in New Jersey is a better destination than Miami, Tampa and Arizona. Hell, ever. I wouldn’t want to go to Jersey over Miami, EVER. I don’t care if the new Meadowlands could make the Palace of Versailles blush with golden toilet seats and Ushers in tuxedos, it’s still Jersey in February. And the reason you give for eliminating South Florida is a retractable roof? Bullshit. Just be honest next time, “we want you to spend more money.”
In a related story, Barrow Alaska municipal stadium has undergone a $800 million dollar facelift. The new outdoor "fan miserable" stadium will host the 2020 BCS Championship game. Festivities will be underground in an old nuclear warhead storage facility. This event will replace the old, lack of fun and bad weather Orange Bowl in Miami. Because the game is being played 30 miles from the city in which the NCAA claims it to be in, fans will be allowed to ride the DSTA (dog sled transit authority) or the "TA" free of charge for the weekend. The DSTA promises that no vagrants, homeless or chemically dependant nuciences will be riding at those times.
The last paragraph was untrue.
But the real story, at least to me, is the NFL’s message that without adding a retractable roof the South Florida market won’t see regular Superbowls anymore. This is where I call bullshit. And I’m calling out the NFL for being a bunch of hypocrites. First of all the facts, the consensus around the meetings, according to Omar Kelly and Fins writer Andy Kent, was the South Florida Group’s presentation was by and far the best, even going so far as to contribute a million dollars towards operating expenses at the owner’s meeting as an act of good faith.
The NFL accepted that good faith, then proceeded to make South Florida the first candidate to be eliminated. Now let’s ignore for a second the fact that Sun Life Stadium just saw a 250 million dollar face-lift in 2007. Forget the continual work that Stephen Ross has done in improving the experience of fans at the stadiums (improvements like personal televisions at seats, which other stadiums are now considering). The NFL has the balls to tell the Dolphins and the South Florida area that despite the trying economic times and the recent multi-million dollar renovations that they need to put more taxpayer money into the stadium in order to continue to get the chance to host the Superbowl, and they do so while accepting a million dollar gift?
What stews you even more though is the fact that Tampa got no such treatment. Tampa, whose Raymond James stadium is newer than Sun Life, also has no retractable roof. Now I visited Tampa probably 30 times in 30 years and I can tell you with a great degree of authority that the odds of getting rained on in Tampa are just as high as they are in Miami. New Jersey has no retractable roof. Not to mention, on the date the Superbowl has been played over the last five years the weather in Jersey has been on average mid-40’s with snow last year and rain in 2007. What’s better than dropping a few grand to go to the Superbowl and getting to sit through 40 degree rain in New Jersey? Dysentery. I would honestly rather crap myself to death than pay two grand to sit in cold rain for three hours in Jersey.
I wish Miami would call the NFL on its bullshit. The NFL profits more off of new stadiums with its business model (revenue sharing, hence Jerry Jones’ campaign to end it before his Cowboys opened their billion dollar palace last year). Now the owners are telling the citizens of South Florida that if they want to continue to host the Superbowl and enjoy the 350-400 million dollars of stimulus that it brings they area, they have to pay a few hundred million to put an ugly roof on top of what is in reality already a very nice stadium. And they do so knowing damn well they stand to pocket about 4-5 billion dollars in TV revenues despite locking the players out next year, which will deny all of the South Florida football fans they’re already trying to fleece a year of football.
Having a Superbowl venue with a roof isn’t even always a positive thing. The Superdome has a roof and it’s a complete dump. And why, seemingly every time the NFL plays the Superbowl in a dome they inexplicably shoot off ten minutes of fireworks and pyrotechnics, I do not know. But I do know that it must be nice to inhale smoke and enjoy decreased visibility through most of the third quarter while they try haplessly to suck the smoke out.
My point is this, if Miami wanted to play the game in the rickety old Orange Bowl (RIP) it would sell out. The fact the NFL is trying to leverage the Dolphins to dump more into their stadium (and by virtue of that they’ll make more money collectively) is downright criminal. Miami is a destination attraction. Does it rain? Yes, it actually is more of a shower pattern that tends to move on in a few hours. That’s nit-picking though. But it’s also going to be in the mid 70’s, hell maybe even the 80’s. But this isn’t about rain or a retractable roof. It’s about money. And they don’t think Miami’s spent enough lately. So let’s not pretend it’s anything else.
There is no way in hell you can tell me that in February an outdoor stadium in New Jersey is a better destination than Miami, Tampa and Arizona. Hell, ever. I wouldn’t want to go to Jersey over Miami, EVER. I don’t care if the new Meadowlands could make the Palace of Versailles blush with golden toilet seats and Ushers in tuxedos, it’s still Jersey in February. And the reason you give for eliminating South Florida is a retractable roof? Bullshit. Just be honest next time, “we want you to spend more money.”
In a related story, Barrow Alaska municipal stadium has undergone a $800 million dollar facelift. The new outdoor "fan miserable" stadium will host the 2020 BCS Championship game. Festivities will be underground in an old nuclear warhead storage facility. This event will replace the old, lack of fun and bad weather Orange Bowl in Miami. Because the game is being played 30 miles from the city in which the NCAA claims it to be in, fans will be allowed to ride the DSTA (dog sled transit authority) or the "TA" free of charge for the weekend. The DSTA promises that no vagrants, homeless or chemically dependant nuciences will be riding at those times.
The last paragraph was untrue.
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Ballad of a Tortured Sports Fan
In the day after my beloved Cincinnati Reds imploded, giving up 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to fall out of first place, I see what is in store for me this season...
I'm sure alot of you can relate to things of this nature, unless you're the classic team flopper.
Over the past 2 decades (with the exception of my Florida Gators and Puttsburgh Penquins) I have been maybe the most tortured sports fan in this great country. In a way, I guess it serves me right. As a young boy, when I was figuring out the sports world, rooting for certain teams, etc,
the teams I became fans of were all winners. I wasn't the only young lad to root for the likes of Dan Marino, Pete Rose, and John Stockton, but now eras pass, ownerships change, and the entire landscape of sports is adjusted, including the futures of storied franchises.
I would imagine it was about 1982, around the age of 5, relatives of mine from South Florida would speak of Don Shula and the Miami Dolphins at family gatherings. I'll be honest, their bright colors and my lifelong pattern of going against the norm (Steelers fans where I come from) were my biggest reasons for following them. In the years to come, I followed my Dolphins and the uber exciting Dan Marino though years of playoff failures. Even making trips to Buffalo in back to back years with my Old Man, only to see shootout losses at the expense of the K-Gun. I've seen regime change after regime change. Coach after coach (Nick Saban can catch the clap and his hands can contract arthritis so he can't relieve himself for all I care). QB after QB failed me. In 2001 we went 11-5, had the number 1 defense in football...the next year we trade for RB Ricky Williams who rushed for 1800+ yds and 16 TDs, we have the #3 defense in the NFL...and we go 9-7? How does this happen Coach Wannstadt? Seriously?
Then you have the trading of a "washed up" Wes Welker, the decision to sign Duante Culpepper over Drew Brees, the Run Ricky Run saga, and so on and so forth.
I have yet to see my team win an NFL Chamionship. This year could be different. We have a big big big Defense (Parcells philosophy), a good young QB, 2 great backs and a game changing WR...I won't be getting my hopes up though.
1984...while playing Little League in the small community of Mingo Jct ,which I excelled at as a youngster, I played for the Reds. Now as many kids of that era, I wore my Reds cap everywhere. To school, to the pool (yes I swam on gamedays...sorry Coach Frieling), and so on and so forth. They were my team. As luck would have it, my Mom was a big Reds fan. I guess living in the 70's and if you were from Ohio it was easy. So I listened the stories of Pete Rose (a HALL of FAMER!!!!! Get over it commish), Joe Morgan and Dave Conception. Not to take anything away from my Dad's Yankees stories, I still say Mickey Mantle was the most talented player to ever put on spikes, but our rival in Little League was the Yankees. I couldn't be a Yankees fan. It just wasn't an option. We actually followed Pete Rose to a few stadiums looking to get #4192 (it happens after we had to return home of course). Later on I witnessed some success, my beloved Charlie Hustle banned from the sport I loved, a few 2nd place finishes...then The 1990 World Series.
Ahhhh yes, a four game sweep of the heavily favored Oakland Athletics. The Bash Brothers and Tony LaRussa were swept by a bunch average players and a very injured, although courageous, Eric Davis. It was awesome. Just awesome...and the fact we beat the local favorite Pirates made it sweeter. I wore my Reds hat to school all year.
Following that the Reds had some success. An NLCS appearance, a couple division titles etc. In 1999, we lost a one game playoff with the eventual NL Champs the NY Mets. We had a good season, 90+ wins...and that off season we signed Cincinnati Arch Bishop Moeller HS grad, AL MVP Ken Griffey Jr. Wow, the excitment. I honestly didn't think we would lose a game....
We've had one winning season since. 1
This year could be different. We have a young, talented and hungry ball club off to a good start (last night was tough though). I won't be getting my hopes up though.
Basketball. It took me a little while to really get into hoops. My family and friends rooted for either the Celtics, Bulls or Cavs. I watched all of them. Larry was outstanding, Michael was, well Michael, but when I saw an undersized John Stockton, a hulking figure in Karl Malone and a mountain city embracing and supporting them like no other, and when I saw them take the Lakeshow or Showtime 7 games in the Western Conference finals...I was hooked.
After that...9 years of 50+ wins and early playoff exits. Then Jordan retires. Opening the door for everybody else. Well, the Rockets beat us in the Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons on their way to NBA Chamionships. Then...we beat em. A 3 pointer as time expires to get us to the NBA Finals. To play...the Bulls and Michael. Dammit.
We get back the following year with the best record in the league and home court. Again, we play the Bulls and Michael. Same results.
Since then we have had limited success. Playoff runs here and there with a young team, but nothing really gets me too excited.
Now I will say, we have the best PG in the league, a solid core and a lottery pick (thanks Isaiah), and an outstanding coach...but again I have yet to see my team win an NBA Championship.
Maybe next year will be different?
This ramble was brought about by my Reds totally collapsing yesterday, but has been brewing for quite some time. I'm sure that most all of you can relate in some way, shape or form to what I'm speaking of and we are forced to ask ourselves...what makes us follow this thing they call sport?
It's because the hope of raising that trophy on National TV will be a part of our life and something we can share with our kids, nieces, nephews and friends that will make that moment live forever.
By Fabz
I'm sure alot of you can relate to things of this nature, unless you're the classic team flopper.
Over the past 2 decades (with the exception of my Florida Gators and Puttsburgh Penquins) I have been maybe the most tortured sports fan in this great country. In a way, I guess it serves me right. As a young boy, when I was figuring out the sports world, rooting for certain teams, etc,
the teams I became fans of were all winners. I wasn't the only young lad to root for the likes of Dan Marino, Pete Rose, and John Stockton, but now eras pass, ownerships change, and the entire landscape of sports is adjusted, including the futures of storied franchises.
I would imagine it was about 1982, around the age of 5, relatives of mine from South Florida would speak of Don Shula and the Miami Dolphins at family gatherings. I'll be honest, their bright colors and my lifelong pattern of going against the norm (Steelers fans where I come from) were my biggest reasons for following them. In the years to come, I followed my Dolphins and the uber exciting Dan Marino though years of playoff failures. Even making trips to Buffalo in back to back years with my Old Man, only to see shootout losses at the expense of the K-Gun. I've seen regime change after regime change. Coach after coach (Nick Saban can catch the clap and his hands can contract arthritis so he can't relieve himself for all I care). QB after QB failed me. In 2001 we went 11-5, had the number 1 defense in football...the next year we trade for RB Ricky Williams who rushed for 1800+ yds and 16 TDs, we have the #3 defense in the NFL...and we go 9-7? How does this happen Coach Wannstadt? Seriously?
Then you have the trading of a "washed up" Wes Welker, the decision to sign Duante Culpepper over Drew Brees, the Run Ricky Run saga, and so on and so forth.
I have yet to see my team win an NFL Chamionship. This year could be different. We have a big big big Defense (Parcells philosophy), a good young QB, 2 great backs and a game changing WR...I won't be getting my hopes up though.
1984...while playing Little League in the small community of Mingo Jct ,which I excelled at as a youngster, I played for the Reds. Now as many kids of that era, I wore my Reds cap everywhere. To school, to the pool (yes I swam on gamedays...sorry Coach Frieling), and so on and so forth. They were my team. As luck would have it, my Mom was a big Reds fan. I guess living in the 70's and if you were from Ohio it was easy. So I listened the stories of Pete Rose (a HALL of FAMER!!!!! Get over it commish), Joe Morgan and Dave Conception. Not to take anything away from my Dad's Yankees stories, I still say Mickey Mantle was the most talented player to ever put on spikes, but our rival in Little League was the Yankees. I couldn't be a Yankees fan. It just wasn't an option. We actually followed Pete Rose to a few stadiums looking to get #4192 (it happens after we had to return home of course). Later on I witnessed some success, my beloved Charlie Hustle banned from the sport I loved, a few 2nd place finishes...then The 1990 World Series.
Ahhhh yes, a four game sweep of the heavily favored Oakland Athletics. The Bash Brothers and Tony LaRussa were swept by a bunch average players and a very injured, although courageous, Eric Davis. It was awesome. Just awesome...and the fact we beat the local favorite Pirates made it sweeter. I wore my Reds hat to school all year.
Following that the Reds had some success. An NLCS appearance, a couple division titles etc. In 1999, we lost a one game playoff with the eventual NL Champs the NY Mets. We had a good season, 90+ wins...and that off season we signed Cincinnati Arch Bishop Moeller HS grad, AL MVP Ken Griffey Jr. Wow, the excitment. I honestly didn't think we would lose a game....
We've had one winning season since. 1
This year could be different. We have a young, talented and hungry ball club off to a good start (last night was tough though). I won't be getting my hopes up though.
Basketball. It took me a little while to really get into hoops. My family and friends rooted for either the Celtics, Bulls or Cavs. I watched all of them. Larry was outstanding, Michael was, well Michael, but when I saw an undersized John Stockton, a hulking figure in Karl Malone and a mountain city embracing and supporting them like no other, and when I saw them take the Lakeshow or Showtime 7 games in the Western Conference finals...I was hooked.
After that...9 years of 50+ wins and early playoff exits. Then Jordan retires. Opening the door for everybody else. Well, the Rockets beat us in the Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons on their way to NBA Chamionships. Then...we beat em. A 3 pointer as time expires to get us to the NBA Finals. To play...the Bulls and Michael. Dammit.
We get back the following year with the best record in the league and home court. Again, we play the Bulls and Michael. Same results.
Since then we have had limited success. Playoff runs here and there with a young team, but nothing really gets me too excited.
Now I will say, we have the best PG in the league, a solid core and a lottery pick (thanks Isaiah), and an outstanding coach...but again I have yet to see my team win an NBA Championship.
Maybe next year will be different?
This ramble was brought about by my Reds totally collapsing yesterday, but has been brewing for quite some time. I'm sure that most all of you can relate in some way, shape or form to what I'm speaking of and we are forced to ask ourselves...what makes us follow this thing they call sport?
It's because the hope of raising that trophy on National TV will be a part of our life and something we can share with our kids, nieces, nephews and friends that will make that moment live forever.
By Fabz
Friday, May 14, 2010
Fred's Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery Predictions
Tomorrow night Strikeforce will present Heavy Artillery on Showtime. The headliner of this card is a "Heavyweight Championship" fight between Allistair "Demolition Man" Overeem and Brett "The Grim" Rogers. I won't get into the fact that it's a joke to call this a title fight considering Overeem, "the champion", hasn't defended his title since he won it via submission over Paul Buentello in 2007 and the challenger Rogers lost his last fight in order to obtain his "title" shot. I am iterested to hear if Overeem's urine glows in the dark during drug testing considering the suspicions people have about his PED use. He hasn't fought in the US since the Buentello fight (his fights have all been overseas) and this is a man that 3 years ago was a 205 lb fighter that suddenly is tipping the scales at a solid 253 lbs. This alone doesn't make him guilty but it does make one suspicious. Anyway, here are my predictions for the main card fights taking place in St. Louis, MO.
Allistair "Demolition Man" Overeem (32-11-1) vs. Brett "The Grimm" Rogers (11-1)
Prediction: Overeem by 1st Rd TKO
Andrei "Pittbull" Arlovski (15-7) vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (13-2)
Prediction: Arlovski by Unanimous Decision
Ronald "Jacare" De Souza (11-2-1) vs. "Smokin" Joey Villasenor (27-6)
Prediction: "Jacare" by 1st Rd Submission
Roger Gracie (2-0) vs. Kevin "The Monster" Randleman (17-14)
Prediction: Gracie by 1st Rd Submission
Antwain "The Juggernaut" Britt vs. Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante
Prediction "Feijao" by 1st Rd TKO
Allistair "Demolition Man" Overeem (32-11-1) vs. Brett "The Grimm" Rogers (11-1)
Prediction: Overeem by 1st Rd TKO
Andrei "Pittbull" Arlovski (15-7) vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (13-2)
Prediction: Arlovski by Unanimous Decision
Ronald "Jacare" De Souza (11-2-1) vs. "Smokin" Joey Villasenor (27-6)
Prediction: "Jacare" by 1st Rd Submission
Roger Gracie (2-0) vs. Kevin "The Monster" Randleman (17-14)
Prediction: Gracie by 1st Rd Submission
Antwain "The Juggernaut" Britt vs. Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante
Prediction "Feijao" by 1st Rd TKO
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Can the Present Erase the Past? by Fred
"For me, crazy as it seems, there is a real relationship between wild, reckless abandon off the field and being that way on the field." -LT
Has everyone seen the Blindside? Well if you have there is a sequence at the beginning where a New York Giant outside linebacker sacks Joe Theismann and breaks his leg. Sandra Bullock's character discusses how this outside linebacker changed the way the game of football was played and made it necessary to start paying left tackles big money in order to protect the QBs blindside. That linebacker, the one that changed the game, was Lawrence Taylor.
For the rest of my post I will call him LT. With all do respect to LaDanian Tomlinson the real LT is Lawrence Taylor. If they played at the same time this wouldn't have been a discussion because after LT hit Tomlinson the debate would have ended. If you haven't noticed I am an LT fan. In fact, watching him play is a huge reason why I love football as much as I do. I have some early memories of the Cowboys and the 49ers and when I was about 9 the Bears doing the SuperBowl Shuffle. that was all cool and entertaining but what I remember loving was wearing my Big Blue Wrecking Crew t-shirt and watching LT along with guys like Harry Carson, Carl Banks, Pepper Johnson, Leonard Marshall, Jim Burt, and company punish teams. LT was the NFL MVP during the 86 Super Bowl season! Not defensive player of the year. He was the MVP of the league y'all!
But I digress. The reason I bring LT up is that he has gotten in trouble for the umteenth time since his playing days ended. Not that he was a choir boy while he played. Lt's transgressions include being arrested twice since he retired for buying crack from an undercover FBI agent, he's gotten in trouble for not paying child support, and last year he left the scene of an accident. All of that's bad enough but I've always been able to look past this off field behavior and focus on his greatness on it. I have made several mistakes in my life and I've sampled an illegal substance or two in my day. Not condoning the behavior, just saying I am not the man to throw the stones from my glass house. This time though he is being acused of 3rd degree statutory rape as well as third-degree patronization for paying the 16 year old girl to have sex with him.
This is a crime I would have a hard time overlooking as just a mistake if it the accusations are true. What should I, as a fan, do though? I know that isn't the most important question I could ask here. Heck it's even a pretty selfish thing to ask in the grand scheme of things but I've been asking it myself none the less. LT is the biggest reason I am not only a Giant fan but also a football fan in general. It can be traced back to him when people ask why I, along with my fellow fat guy, would go to two Ohio High School State Football Title games in the same day, in the snow, when I had absolutely no stake in either game except the desire to watch some good football. Should his behavior off the field affect my memories of the enjoyment I received watching him play on it or is his behavior off the field linked directly to how he played football?
If LT is convicted and goes on to do the 5 years in jail that he is facing I have to admit that while I will no doubt condemn the behavior it will in no way change my admiration for what he did on the field and the fond memories I have of watching him as a child. What he has done and allegedly done can not erase the affect he had on me growing up. It can even be said he played a role in the creation of this blog which many may believe is the biggest crime of all.
Has everyone seen the Blindside? Well if you have there is a sequence at the beginning where a New York Giant outside linebacker sacks Joe Theismann and breaks his leg. Sandra Bullock's character discusses how this outside linebacker changed the way the game of football was played and made it necessary to start paying left tackles big money in order to protect the QBs blindside. That linebacker, the one that changed the game, was Lawrence Taylor.
For the rest of my post I will call him LT. With all do respect to LaDanian Tomlinson the real LT is Lawrence Taylor. If they played at the same time this wouldn't have been a discussion because after LT hit Tomlinson the debate would have ended. If you haven't noticed I am an LT fan. In fact, watching him play is a huge reason why I love football as much as I do. I have some early memories of the Cowboys and the 49ers and when I was about 9 the Bears doing the SuperBowl Shuffle. that was all cool and entertaining but what I remember loving was wearing my Big Blue Wrecking Crew t-shirt and watching LT along with guys like Harry Carson, Carl Banks, Pepper Johnson, Leonard Marshall, Jim Burt, and company punish teams. LT was the NFL MVP during the 86 Super Bowl season! Not defensive player of the year. He was the MVP of the league y'all!
But I digress. The reason I bring LT up is that he has gotten in trouble for the umteenth time since his playing days ended. Not that he was a choir boy while he played. Lt's transgressions include being arrested twice since he retired for buying crack from an undercover FBI agent, he's gotten in trouble for not paying child support, and last year he left the scene of an accident. All of that's bad enough but I've always been able to look past this off field behavior and focus on his greatness on it. I have made several mistakes in my life and I've sampled an illegal substance or two in my day. Not condoning the behavior, just saying I am not the man to throw the stones from my glass house. This time though he is being acused of 3rd degree statutory rape as well as third-degree patronization for paying the 16 year old girl to have sex with him.
This is a crime I would have a hard time overlooking as just a mistake if it the accusations are true. What should I, as a fan, do though? I know that isn't the most important question I could ask here. Heck it's even a pretty selfish thing to ask in the grand scheme of things but I've been asking it myself none the less. LT is the biggest reason I am not only a Giant fan but also a football fan in general. It can be traced back to him when people ask why I, along with my fellow fat guy, would go to two Ohio High School State Football Title games in the same day, in the snow, when I had absolutely no stake in either game except the desire to watch some good football. Should his behavior off the field affect my memories of the enjoyment I received watching him play on it or is his behavior off the field linked directly to how he played football?
If LT is convicted and goes on to do the 5 years in jail that he is facing I have to admit that while I will no doubt condemn the behavior it will in no way change my admiration for what he did on the field and the fond memories I have of watching him as a child. What he has done and allegedly done can not erase the affect he had on me growing up. It can even be said he played a role in the creation of this blog which many may believe is the biggest crime of all.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Lay off LeBron by Fabz
Alright, I am in no way what so ever applauding King James' performance last night. It was to be frank, atrocious.
BUT...
Let's be honest, Cleveland has the worst coach (and continuously adding separation) left in the playoffs. Coach Brown is no Phil Jackson let's be honest.
Now given basketball can be dominated by one player due to the small number of players playing at a given time, unlike football when one player can make a difference or even dominate, but without help can be shut down. Even Albert Pujouls can be pitched around making him obsolete. During most of the season LeBron did dominate. He dominated everybody he faced, with or without a healthy O'Neal.
Chicago was totally outmatched (but don't be surprised if they make some noise in the next few years), but Boston is 2 years removed from an NBA Championship. They're an outstanding team, aging yes, but outstanding none the less.
Does anybody remember Jordan's first years in Chicago? Dominating the regular season, maybe even a first round playoff series? Does anybody remember Del Harris' stint in LA? I believe the cover of Sports Illustrated read "the happening Lakers swept by the unhip Jazz". Seriously? Shaq, Kobe, Glenn Rice swept by an aging Stockton and Malone...and Jeff Hornecek?
When it comes to playoff hoops, coaching is just as important as having the best player(s). Even if it is just good enough to cancel out the other coach.
All in all when you look at the Cavs, can you really say they have a better team than Boston? They wouldn't even make the playoffs without him (like the pre Pippen, Grant, Rodman...and PHIL JACKSON etc Bulls).
It's a team game. The team has to win Championships...LeBron can win games, awards and even a playoff series or two, but winning a championship without a supporting cast and a premier coach, he probably won't get his ring (kinda sounds like Michael doesn't it?).
BUT...
Let's be honest, Cleveland has the worst coach (and continuously adding separation) left in the playoffs. Coach Brown is no Phil Jackson let's be honest.
Now given basketball can be dominated by one player due to the small number of players playing at a given time, unlike football when one player can make a difference or even dominate, but without help can be shut down. Even Albert Pujouls can be pitched around making him obsolete. During most of the season LeBron did dominate. He dominated everybody he faced, with or without a healthy O'Neal.
Chicago was totally outmatched (but don't be surprised if they make some noise in the next few years), but Boston is 2 years removed from an NBA Championship. They're an outstanding team, aging yes, but outstanding none the less.
Does anybody remember Jordan's first years in Chicago? Dominating the regular season, maybe even a first round playoff series? Does anybody remember Del Harris' stint in LA? I believe the cover of Sports Illustrated read "the happening Lakers swept by the unhip Jazz". Seriously? Shaq, Kobe, Glenn Rice swept by an aging Stockton and Malone...and Jeff Hornecek?
When it comes to playoff hoops, coaching is just as important as having the best player(s). Even if it is just good enough to cancel out the other coach.
All in all when you look at the Cavs, can you really say they have a better team than Boston? They wouldn't even make the playoffs without him (like the pre Pippen, Grant, Rodman...and PHIL JACKSON etc Bulls).
It's a team game. The team has to win Championships...LeBron can win games, awards and even a playoff series or two, but winning a championship without a supporting cast and a premier coach, he probably won't get his ring (kinda sounds like Michael doesn't it?).
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Paul Daley and Kimbo Slice Cut from the UFC
English mma fighter Paul Daley was cut from the UFC by president Dana White after a cheap shot to opponent Josh Koscheck after their UFC 113 co main event fight was over. Daley showed frustration at the end of his one-sided loss to Koscheck. During an interview with ESPN's MMA Live Koscheck admitted to talking to Daley a lot during the last minute of the fight in response to all the nasty things Daley had said about Kos leading up to the fight. Even with Koscheck's talking at the end of the fight and the controversy over Koscheck's possible overselling of an illegal knee to the head by Daley during the fight, general consensus is that Daley needs to act more like a professional and that the punishment fits the crime. Here is a link showing the cheap shot as long as it hasn't been removed from Youtube yet.
Paul Daley cheap shot on Josh Koscheck
White stated that Daley will never again fight in the UFC due to this incident.
During the same post fight press conference White stated that Kimbo Slice has been cut from the UFC following his loss to Matt Mitrione.
Paul Daley cheap shot on Josh Koscheck
White stated that Daley will never again fight in the UFC due to this incident.
During the same post fight press conference White stated that Kimbo Slice has been cut from the UFC following his loss to Matt Mitrione.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Fred's Quick UFC 113 Predictions
Saturday night, May 8, 2010 in Montreal the highly anticipated rematch between Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will take place. Many people felt that Shogun won the first fight though the decision went to the champion Machida. The Co headliner on the card is a heated battle between Josh "Kos" Koscheck and Paul "Semtex" Daley with the winner earning a coaching slot against Georges St. Pierre on The Ultimate Fighter and more importantly a Welterweight title shot at the end of the season. Here are, quickly, my predictions for all the fights on this tremendous card.
Preliminaries:
Jason "The Athlete" McDonald (22-12) vs. John Salter (4-1)
Prediction: McDonald by 1st Round Submission
Yoshiyuki"Zenko" Yoshida (11-4) vs. Mike "The Joker" Guymon (12-3-1)
Prediction: Yoshida by Unanimous Decision
Tim "The Thrashing Machine" Hague (10-3) vs. Joey "The Mexicutioner" Beltran (11-3)
Prediction: Hague by 2nd Round TKO
TJ Grant (15-3) vs. Johnny Hendricks (7-0)
Prediction: Grant by Unanimous Decision
Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis (21-7) vs. Jonathan "The Road Warrior" Goulet (22-10, 1 NC)
Prediction: Davis by 3rd Round KO
Joe "El Dirte" Doerkson (44-12) vs. Tom "Filthy" Lawlor (6-2, 1 NC)
Prediction: Lawlor by Unanimous Decision
Undercard:
Patrick "The Predator" Cote (14-5) vs. Alan "The Talent" Belcher (14-5)
Prediction: Cote by 1st Round TKO
Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (4-1) vs. Matt Mitrione (1-0)
Prediction: Mitrione by 1st Round KO
Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout (16-5-1) vs. Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens (17-5)
Prediction: Stout by 2nd Round TKO
Co Headliner:
Josh "Kos" Koscheck (16-4) vs. Paul "Semtex" Daley (23-8-2)
Prediction: Koscheck by Unanimous Decision
Main Event: Light Heavyweight Championship Fight
Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (16-0) vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (18-4)
Prediction: Machida by 4th Round TKO
Preliminaries:
Jason "The Athlete" McDonald (22-12) vs. John Salter (4-1)
Prediction: McDonald by 1st Round Submission
Yoshiyuki"Zenko" Yoshida (11-4) vs. Mike "The Joker" Guymon (12-3-1)
Prediction: Yoshida by Unanimous Decision
Tim "The Thrashing Machine" Hague (10-3) vs. Joey "The Mexicutioner" Beltran (11-3)
Prediction: Hague by 2nd Round TKO
TJ Grant (15-3) vs. Johnny Hendricks (7-0)
Prediction: Grant by Unanimous Decision
Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis (21-7) vs. Jonathan "The Road Warrior" Goulet (22-10, 1 NC)
Prediction: Davis by 3rd Round KO
Joe "El Dirte" Doerkson (44-12) vs. Tom "Filthy" Lawlor (6-2, 1 NC)
Prediction: Lawlor by Unanimous Decision
Undercard:
Patrick "The Predator" Cote (14-5) vs. Alan "The Talent" Belcher (14-5)
Prediction: Cote by 1st Round TKO
Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (4-1) vs. Matt Mitrione (1-0)
Prediction: Mitrione by 1st Round KO
Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout (16-5-1) vs. Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens (17-5)
Prediction: Stout by 2nd Round TKO
Co Headliner:
Josh "Kos" Koscheck (16-4) vs. Paul "Semtex" Daley (23-8-2)
Prediction: Koscheck by Unanimous Decision
Main Event: Light Heavyweight Championship Fight
Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (16-0) vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (18-4)
Prediction: Machida by 4th Round TKO
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Most Important 2010 NBA Free Agent: Chris Bosh by: Fred
With players like LeBron James and Dwayne Wade entering free agency at seasons end the offseason is shaping up to be very wild. The 2 aforementioned players are the best on a long list of great players but the player I feel has the most potential to affect the NBA landscape is a gentleman that has be lingering in Toronto the past 7 years: Mr. Chris Bosh.
You may ask why I feel Bosh would be more important to shaping next season's landscape than any other player. Well wherever Bosh signs will instantly have an affect on who gets Wade and James and solidifies the lucky team as a contender.
Let's look at how Bosh can affect Wade's decision to stay or leave Miami. Wade has made statements that he wants to stay in Miami for his entire career but he has also made it clear that he doesn't intend to stay with a team where he feels he has no help. With his hometown of Chicago waiting in the wings with Derek Rose, Joakim Noah and potentially Coach John Calipari Miami has to show Wade they are dedicated to helping him win now. Enter Chris Bosh. If Miami pursues and ultimately lands Bosh this will instantly give Wade the partner in crime he so desperately needs to help put the Heat over the top and that he has been missing since the title year with Shaq. Also there is a slightly lesser potential that Wade would want to end up in New York or New Jersey. The way these teams make this a possibility is by bringing in a player like Bosh. Imagine a Knicks' line up featuring Wade, Bosh, and an emerging David Lee. That's pretty formidable.
Bosh affects 2 time reigning MVP James similarly to the way he affects Wade. The major difference is that James currently sits on a title contender as the Cavs are currently the #1 seed in the east though at the time of this post they are coming off an 18 point loss to Boston and find themselves having lost home court advantage. There has been major speculation about whether James would leave for New York or New Jersey or stay in Cleveland. He hasn't tipped his hand though he has petitioned the league to change his number from 23 to 6, a petition he would not have had to file if he ends up on any team other than Cleveland. If New York or New Jersey were to sign Bosh they would instantly have a better chance of luring James from Cleveland. I can't foresee that King James will want to leave a contender to go be by himself in New York, no matter how attractive playing at MSG would be to him. But imagine the Knicks trio I mentioned above only replacing Wade with James. Not bad, huh Knicks fans? Also should the Cavs find a way to bring in Bosh it would almost guarantee a re-signing of James giving him the legitimate #2 option he has gone without to this point.
Another way Bosh could affect the NBA balance of power is by signing with the Lakers. He was spotted courtside at the Lake show’s game 2 win over the Jazz and went into the locker room to meet with Kobe. Could you imagine adding Chris Bosh to what is already probably the NBA's most formidable front court. That would also make Bynum or Odom expendable allowing them to cast them out as bait to attempt to get an upgrade at point . That's a scary proposition to any team in the West.
An option for Bosh that I haven't heard mentioned but that I would find quite interesting is if he were to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder. I say this because anyone who watched their first round series with the Lakers saw that they were quite undermanned in the frontcourt while Durant and Westbrook gave the Lakers fits. Bosh would provide them with that instant upgrade in the frontcourt that would make them if not an instant contender at the very least a scary matchup for any team in the league. I don't see this one happening but it's the option I would most like to see occur.
Now there is a potential that he could endup with teams I have not mentioned but the point is that Chris Bosh has the rare ability to not only improve the team that he signs with but greatly affect where possibly the two best players in the league end up. I'd say that's a pretty strong bargaining chip in offseason negotiations.
You may ask why I feel Bosh would be more important to shaping next season's landscape than any other player. Well wherever Bosh signs will instantly have an affect on who gets Wade and James and solidifies the lucky team as a contender.
Let's look at how Bosh can affect Wade's decision to stay or leave Miami. Wade has made statements that he wants to stay in Miami for his entire career but he has also made it clear that he doesn't intend to stay with a team where he feels he has no help. With his hometown of Chicago waiting in the wings with Derek Rose, Joakim Noah and potentially Coach John Calipari Miami has to show Wade they are dedicated to helping him win now. Enter Chris Bosh. If Miami pursues and ultimately lands Bosh this will instantly give Wade the partner in crime he so desperately needs to help put the Heat over the top and that he has been missing since the title year with Shaq. Also there is a slightly lesser potential that Wade would want to end up in New York or New Jersey. The way these teams make this a possibility is by bringing in a player like Bosh. Imagine a Knicks' line up featuring Wade, Bosh, and an emerging David Lee. That's pretty formidable.
Bosh affects 2 time reigning MVP James similarly to the way he affects Wade. The major difference is that James currently sits on a title contender as the Cavs are currently the #1 seed in the east though at the time of this post they are coming off an 18 point loss to Boston and find themselves having lost home court advantage. There has been major speculation about whether James would leave for New York or New Jersey or stay in Cleveland. He hasn't tipped his hand though he has petitioned the league to change his number from 23 to 6, a petition he would not have had to file if he ends up on any team other than Cleveland. If New York or New Jersey were to sign Bosh they would instantly have a better chance of luring James from Cleveland. I can't foresee that King James will want to leave a contender to go be by himself in New York, no matter how attractive playing at MSG would be to him. But imagine the Knicks trio I mentioned above only replacing Wade with James. Not bad, huh Knicks fans? Also should the Cavs find a way to bring in Bosh it would almost guarantee a re-signing of James giving him the legitimate #2 option he has gone without to this point.
Another way Bosh could affect the NBA balance of power is by signing with the Lakers. He was spotted courtside at the Lake show’s game 2 win over the Jazz and went into the locker room to meet with Kobe. Could you imagine adding Chris Bosh to what is already probably the NBA's most formidable front court. That would also make Bynum or Odom expendable allowing them to cast them out as bait to attempt to get an upgrade at point . That's a scary proposition to any team in the West.
An option for Bosh that I haven't heard mentioned but that I would find quite interesting is if he were to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder. I say this because anyone who watched their first round series with the Lakers saw that they were quite undermanned in the frontcourt while Durant and Westbrook gave the Lakers fits. Bosh would provide them with that instant upgrade in the frontcourt that would make them if not an instant contender at the very least a scary matchup for any team in the league. I don't see this one happening but it's the option I would most like to see occur.
Now there is a potential that he could endup with teams I have not mentioned but the point is that Chris Bosh has the rare ability to not only improve the team that he signs with but greatly affect where possibly the two best players in the league end up. I'd say that's a pretty strong bargaining chip in offseason negotiations.
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