This dunk can only be described as ferocious.
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
One of the top three point men in the league. Russel Westbrook is so good/quick in the lane.
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
Flip Saunders was fired today three years into a four-year, $18 million dollar contract. Wrap your mind around that. Flip Saunders was paid almost $18 million dollars to coach the Wizards. A team that gave him John Wall, what’s left of Rashard Lewis, and the guys who played the New York Knicks in the movie “Eddie” before Eddie came along. Lets hope the Wizards can start to turn things around here for a franchise that is very close to losing its star player when that rookie contract is up.
Prince Fielder To Tigers As Confusing As It Is Exciting
Prince Fielder, the other marquee free agent in this years class is no longer on the market.
Fielder, 27, just signed a nine-year, $214 million dollar contract with the Detroit Tigers. With him he brings 250 career home runs and a lot of girth at first base and designated hitter.
This signing on its surface looks like a great move, and a quick strike to replace injured all-star catcher/DH Victor Martinez. Fielder will slide nicely into the void left by Martinez, who was declared out for the entire 2012 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
On the other hand the Tigers just got a little less athletic.
While I can’t fault the Tigers for swooping in on a player averaging 38 home runs and 108 RBI’s I can question the length of the contract. Fielder, for all we know, could come to spring training looking like John Olerud and all questions will be answered regarding his weight.
My guess is he won’t but that isn’t even the biggest question I have. The Tigers, coming off a division title in 2011 have so many other holes to fill I wonder why go get Prince. Especially considering in 2013 you will have three sub-par defensive first basemen making a combined $58.7 million dollars. For those of you wondering if Martinez will catch more the answer is no. Alex Avila has that covered.
It will make for an interesting trade market next year with Detroit holding three very attractive chips for a contending team to add a bat to their order. For now though, Motown shouldn’t be lacking fireworks from the lineup the Tigers have. While we’ve been fooled before I think this lineup is a little more formidable than the one in 2007.
My thought is as long as he steers clear of his dads diet and keeps himself in pretty good shape through the duration of this contract the Tigers should reap major rewards from this move. Which leaves just one question:
Has any division had a rougher hot stove than the National League Central?
Thoughts On Jim Caldwell Firing And Predictions For Championship Sunday
On Tuesday the Colts fired Jim Caldwell after 3 seasons. Now for some they might look at the present situation and think “why wouldn’t you fire a guy who just went (2-14)?”
I’ll tell you why. Because that same guy led the Colts in the post-Dungy era to two division championships and a Super Bowl appearance. There will be many that say he only has this success because of Peyton Manning and , while Manning has a huge part in the success of this franchise, his ability should not be understated. After that Super Bowl appearance the Colts weathered a rash of injuries that included their best slot receiver (Austin Collie) , their top tight end (Dallas Clark), two of their best on defense (Kelvin Hayden and Bob Sanders) and that doesn’t even include the guy who replaced Collie (Anthony Gonzalez) going down as well.
What this firing also does is raise a serious red flag for African-American coaches in the National Football League and the rate of success they need to win in order to have adequate job security. I give credit to Irsay for staying in-house and choosing Caldwell to succeed Dungy following his retirement. But ultimately, that credit is revoked when you just terminated one of the better coaches in the league as a knee-jerk reaction to a season you entrusted to Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky and 79-year old Kerry Collins. For those of you counting at home it would have taken a modern miracle to win with those odds.
The list of replacements for the position was even more confusing.
First names out for the position were two former head coaches with a combined (15-65) record. I did say combined, and yes you read that win column correctly. Steve Spagnuolo and Marty Mornhinweg combined to win 15 games in 5 total seasons in St. Louis and Detroit. This is the direction you want your franchise to go? In the case of Spagnuolo the ink hadn’t even dried on his pink slip before he was mentioned as a candidate in Indy. Hard to understand the thinking on this one.
NFC Championship Prediction
Giants 28, 49ers 21
I’ve learned not to bet against Eli Manning, especially on the road in the playoffs. I’ve also been burned on my predictions against the 49ers all season. I wouldn’t be surprised if this score was flipped and San Francisco makes their first Super Bowl since 1994. It’s all going to depend on how Manning navigates this 49ers secondary and if Alex Smith can sustain a rejuvenated Giants defensive line that is much improved since their week ten matchup.
AFC Championship Prediction
Ravens 21, Patriots 34
I like the Ravens defense. I like coach John Harbaugh. I don’t like Joe Flacco and his ability to go bullet-for-bullet with Tom Brady. Brady was focused last week in his barrage against the Broncos and I think that singular focus will be seen in this game. Ray Lewis will have his troops ready but if their offense doesn’t move the ball efficiently against the Patriots it won’t be pretty for Baltimore.
College Football Top-25 Preview: University of Georgia Bulldogs (Additional Analysis from Kim Nash of The Lady Sportswriter)
Writer’s Note: Throughout the winter, spring and summer leading up to the 2012-2013 College Football Season I will be gathering information on my top-25 teams in the country. The teams will be in no particular order but you can check The Locker for the complete list when camps start.
There was a lot to be learned for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Not to say that every other team in the nation didn’t learn anything but in Athens that curriculum had to be picked up quick. Mark Richt has put together an impressive career at Georgia but in an era where winning quickly is the norm the faithful were becoming restless.
Fact: Richt has won over 100 games during his tenure as head coach of the Bulldogs.
Fact: His last two seasons have produced a combined (14-12) record including (7-9) in conference play.
Fact: The Bulldogs have two Southeastern Conference championships under Richt.
Fact: The last one came in 2005.
So you get the picture? This conference has produced the last six national champions. In a conference with as much bad blood as this one, Georgia, whose immediate rivals Auburn and Florida, have three titles between them was under a lot of pressure to turn things around in a hurry. Factor in a new athletic director who brings a penchant for winning (two national championships a piece in football and basketball while at Florida) and that made the seat real toasty for the affable Richt. Even when that seat got hotter after a loss to Boise State in the Georgia Dome and South Carolina he didn’t panic.
How did he and his team respond?
They won ten straight games, including a comeback victory over Florida and a resounding statement game against Auburn. During the streak we saw the “Dawgs’ learn a few new tricks. they learned that they are capable of winning in their conference. They learned they have the personnel to compete with anybody in the country. They learned that they have a defense as vaunted as any you will see. Most importantly, though, they learned that with this group they have a chance to accomplish something they haven’t accomplished since 1980. We are getting ahead of ourselves because as coach Richt always points out the goals never change, both in order or importance; Eastern division, conference and then see where you land.
As for that “higher” goal I won’t say it out loud. The ghost of Herschel Walker looms large enough without me adding to it.
Q&A with Kimberley Nash of the Lady Sportswriter:
On the commitments of running backs Keith Marshall (ESPN150 #5/Millbrook, Raleigh, NC) and Todd Gurley (Rivals #42/Tarboro, Tarboro, NC):
We were salivating over them down here. Marshall, we definitely heard about his above-board character. Marshall also did a great job getting Gurley to come our way. He had over 2,600 yards to go along with 33 touchdowns.
On which is better: Gurley or Marshall:
Let’s put it this way, Gurley beat out Marshall for player of the year. Note: Marshall is still the higher rated player in some rankings and is very, very good.
On the differences in style between the two backs:
Gurley is power and speed whereas Marshall is speed and finesse. They hope to be a formidable 1-2 punch for us in 2012.
On Isaiah Crowell and his issues:
Crowell is kind of a victim of being overly pampered at a soft school. Crowell actually wanted a buffer [between himself and the feature spot]. He wasn’t comfortable with the spotlight and the responsibility [year one] of being “the guy.” Trust me; he’s happy about the new blood. But hopefully it makes him work harder to get better. The kid has the talent to be a good one if he does.
On Jarvis Jones and his emergence:
Hard to believe he and Jarvis came from the same place. Jarvis is the real deal. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and a totally different outlook. I think his experience at SC (University of Southern California) changed him for the better.
On the Bulldogs Offensive Line situation going into ‘12:
O-line is a big question mark right now. Lost a couple of quality starters, but if [offensive line coach Will] Friend can whip the talent we have into shape they should be decent. The main thing is finding a left tackle to protect Aaron [Murray] better. We weren’t very good in pass protection last year.
On recruits on the horizon who could make an impact on the “O-Line”:
We’re still looking at Avery Young (ESPN150 #61/Palm Beach Gardens High School, Palm Beach, Fl). He’s got long arms and is built to play that position but he needs some weight on him to handle SEC defenders. We are currently in his top-2. John Theus (ESPN150 #28/ The Bolles School, Jacksonville, Fl) is already on campus and looking good for spring reps. He is a beast, too. He’ll be a candidate right along with Watts Dantzler (true sophomore).
The defense looks to be stacked coming back but Brandon Boykin graduated. Who fills that void?
No one in my opinion but we could find pieces to step up and replace that versatility a bit. We are looking for Branden Smith who will surely look to shine for sure. Add to that list, Corey Moore and Sanders Commings as well.
To win the SEC East Georgia must:
Get better on special teams and get more consistency out of Aaron Murray. Fans will be looking for more competition out of the QB spot with Christian LeMay off the redshirt. Murray is a good guy, great leader, but he’s shown he can’t handle the pressure in big games thus far. Fans are getting tired of him falling short against the big boys. Part of Murray’s problem is he’s not progressing. How much of that has to do with [offensive coordinator Mike] Bobo is debatable, however.
Which brings me to the next question: With Richt and Grantham getting extensions is Bobo’s seat the hottest?
Bobo has yet to be placed in the conversation as far as extensions go. What does that tell you? He is Richt’s guy but he lost favor with everyone else a long time ago. I figure he will get at least one more season to do something with this offense before serious conversations about his future start to happen.
Why not make that move now? Wouldn’t it seem appropriate with all the pieces coming in and expectation high in Athens to take the next step to move on now?
Well, not really. Who would Georgia have picked up to replace him at this juncture? Bobo’s done just enough to not be a disaster and that was enough to give him one more year-especially given the schedule. Even more how much the offensive line contributed to the offense’s struggles is still a conversation many consider having. not to mention the lack of a running game for the better part of seven games. The part you have to look at Bobo is his adjustments during the course of a game. That being said, he didn’t throw the interceptions or fumble the ball. That goes right back to the consistency of play on the field.
Early predictions for Georgia in 2012-2013:
I want to see how they do against Missouri, but I can’t see less than 9-10 wins this season.
Check out The Lady Sportswriter blog for all things pertaining to Georgia Bulldogs football and other news in college athletics
The “Steroid Era” Cost A Generation Pure Baseball
Have you ever spoken to an older baseball fan about the game? Take a moment and listen how they speak about the players of “their generation.” The reverence someone who grew up in the 1950’s had for players such as Mickey Mantle, Duke Snider, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. Look ahead to the 1970’s and you hear of the beauty of the game played by Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson, Joe Morgan and others. That doesn’t even begin to describe how they speak about such legends as Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Roberto Clemente, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. Those were history makers and the general public saw that. I grew up in a neighborhood where my neighbor made it to a big league camp as a pitcher and he talked to me about his competition that spring in Indians camp. He described one player in particular who had “one of the best fastballs he had ever seen.” That man was Bob Feller. He “wisely chose a career in the military” he would tell me; just one of the many examples of stories from the past. That generation was privileged (some) to play against and see these extraordinary baseball players play and knew that when they were finished they would take their place among the other legends in Cooperstown.
There was no doubt. There were no arguments.
I was born in 1984. That year the Tigers were the toast of Baseball and the game was still relatively innocent. I began my interest in the sport in 1989 (coincidentally my first team was the Tigers) and that year would be significant. You see, that year, the Oakland Athletics were the best team in baseball. Led by two young mashers that fascinated the sports world in ways one could never imagine. Those sluggers were Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco. At one point in their careers when spoken of they were considered the best players in the world. Their names would have a different significance years later.
In 1990, a young superstar was blossoming before the nations eyes in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. “The Modern Day Clemente” was just one of the many labels placed on this 25-year old left fielder, whose father made a pretty good name in the game of baseball in his own right. Barry Bonds, son of Bobby and godson to Willie Mays, started his prime years by not only making his first All-Star team but also winning the first of seven National League Most Valuable Player awards. He would go on to break the most storied record in American sports history. Yet the American public would have more doubts and questions about his personal dealings than adoration regarding his accomplishments.
Some years before, almost running parallel to the young superstar in Pittsburgh, was a young Texan by the name of Roger Clemens who began his career the year I was born. He started in Boston, where he would lead the Red Sox to the 1986 American League pennant with a Cy Young campaign. He set a record for strikeouts in a game that season with 20 against the Seattle Mariners. Ten years later he duplicated that feat against the Detroit Tigers in his last season in a Red Sox uniform. He would have a career renaissance in Toronto the next season that, in most cases, would seem like a man vindicated in proving the naysayers in Boston wrong for casting him aside like a 33 year old pitcher in decline. Now we look back and wonder if they were they right all along?
Baseball is a game that because of its history is special. Debating and discussing historical topics in baseball is a way of life for fans; whether they are a purist of the game or otherwise. I get envious when I talk to people who saw the greats play because they do it without a hint of doubt that it was done the right way. They speak of Hank Aaron knowing that every one of his 755 home runs cleared ballpark fences aided only by his strong hands and wrists. When they talk about Sandy Koufax and his blistering fastball and knee-shaking curve they know they saw a man who truly gave all that the good lord was willing to grant him until an arthritic condition pushed him out of the game.
This is why we should feel cheated. I’ve spent a long time wondering why these and others deciding to cheat themselves out of honest and productive careers should matter to me. But as time goes on and it comes time for some of those names to be up for consideration for Cooperstown I realize exactly why it should matter. When I talk about some of the legends that have put up record-breaking numbers from my generation there is skepticism. Every time I mention a name from my era I have to preface it with “if he did it clean.” Historians will look at the time when I was a kid growing up watching baseball and point out that our best pitcher and hitter could both miss out on the hall of fame because they cheated. They will look at the modern day single-season home run leaders and scoff at their accomplishments; most notably because one of them at the top of the list has admitted to doing it the wrong way. They will also consider some of them a clog on the hall of fame ballot, keeping honest players from getting their just recognition.
It’s a shame, really.
But I still have players I can look up to. Tony Gwynn was the smartest hitter since Ted Williams and I’m able to debate that confidently. The most cerebral pitcher spent the majority of his career in my home state of Georgia and I feel lucky to have been able to watch Greg Maddux pitch every five days. Of course the two guys that followed him, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, weren’t second fiddles by any stretch. I also can look at Cal Ripken, Jr. and not feel wary. Chipper Jones and Derek Jeter, who are two modern day ambassadors for their leagues, are still putting up numbers, but doing so gracefully with age.
It’s funny how it plays out, life. Looking back again, I began following baseball in 1989, which was the year the Oakland Athletics won the World Series behind those aforementioned mashers. In 1990 the Athletics, led again by McGwire and Canseco, made it to the World Series but were swept by an underdog Cincinnati ball team in a matchup labeled “David vs. Goliath.” A 26-year old future hall of famer who would be inducted in 2012 led that team. His name synonymous with the legends we speak about with such reverence but this time he is a representation of my generation. That player?
Barry Larkin.
You see although we feel cheated, we can still take solace in the fact that clean always wins out in the end. While Barry Larkin was inducted into the hall of fame the others are still pleading their case through court systems and with the writers who vote on such matters. There should be no exceptions, and I don’t believe in such a stipulation as the “steroid era.”
They cheated us out of an opportunity to speak of them as true legends without a hint of doubt. It is only fair they be punished for doing so.
Eli Manning Continues To Prove He is Among League’s Elite
Eli Manning knows what it feels like to be the forgotten man.
That feeling must have finally gotten to him this year as the soft spoken quarterback who has been the New York Giants leader since 2004 made headlines earlier this year when he stated he was among the league’s “elite” signal-callers. An out of character statement for someone who, on the surface, has lesser numbers than Philip Rivers but a closer look tells another story.
If we start from the top of the list we will no doubt throw out the names Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning. After that, most forget the Super Bowl winning quarterback out of the University of Mississippi stacks up pretty well against those first four if not better in then some of them. You just have to know what you’re talking about. On the heels of the Giants second playoff victory this year behind Manning’s 330 yards, 3 touchdowns and a passer rating of 114.5, not to mention this being the second time he has beaten a former Super Bowl MVP at Lambeau field, I found myself thinking about the accomplishments of the younger Manning and it turns out he has put together an elite career to this point.
Let’s start with the hard numbers.
· (69-50) regular season record
· 185 career touchdowns
· Career QB rating of 82.1
· Career completion percentage (%) of 58.4
But a closer look and you will see why he is among the games best at his position.
Starting with his record in the regular season, let’s look first at the division that he plays in. Overall since 2006 his divisional competition is (149-138), which is one of the better marks in football. Compare that to another player who is normally ranked higher than Manning, Philip Rivers, whose divisional opponents are (122-156) that is a huge disparity in competition, especially with its affect on regular season records where a difference of +54 is massive. Playing in a division like the NFC East where big money Dallas, Philadelphia and Washington reside is a huge parallel to Oakland, Kansas City and Denver all things being considered.
Next we examine, what I feel, is his most important advantage when it comes to being mentioned among the elite of the league and that is his playoff resume. One has to start with his Super Bowl season of 2007. He beat Jeff Garcia, Tony Romo, Brett Favre and Tom Brady on a run that most forget had as much to do with Eli as the defense. Going toe-to-toe with two legends and a division rival on the rise Manning put together a postseason that shouldn’t be overlooked. He threw for 854 yards, a 95.7 passer rating, 60.5% completion percentage and 6/1 touchdowns to interceptions.
Did I mention he did all of this on the road?
Not one game was played in the Meadowlands and he won the Super Bowl most valuable player by outplaying a team that was going for a (19-0) perfect season and seemed all but unbeatable with both a record setting quarterback and wide receiver.
That’s clutch.
But how clutch is he? His overall playoff numbers are:
· (6-3) record,
· 1,904 yards,
· 14/8 TD/INT’s,
· 60.9 completion percentage and
· 88.7 passer rating
Those are better than another quarterback usually named before Manning: Ben Roethlisberger. Now don’t get me wrong, it is very Justifiable that Roethlisberger is thrown in the mix as elite. For me is ahead of Aaron Rodgers because of track record. However, when compared to Eli in the playoffs, while he has more Super Bowl victories, the numbers tilt toward Manning when pro-rated for appearances and games; “Big” Ben has a stat line of 20/17 (TD/INT’s), 60.6% completion, 3150 yards and a rating of 83.7. While Ben has more rings, Eli is the better performer and is still marching on in 2012 with a legitimate shot for another.
That would make this a completely different conversation.
Athletes are defined by championships, and while Eli is currently tied with his brother, Peyton, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees with one ring, he will be on another plain if he navigates the Giants to another championship by beating the San Francisco 49ers and the eventual AFC champions. Particularly in New York, where winning championships is synonymous with legendary status (read: Berra, Jeter, Namath, Willis Reed, etc.) and One need only look at the Jets to realize how difficult it is to succeed at quarterback in New York. For a guy who was thrown under the bus for his decision to not play in San Diego, the vicious New York tabloids and his own teammate Tiki Barber, he sure knows how to respond the way any elite player would. A response so vivid in fact (winning the Super Bowl that year and establishing himself as the unquestioned leader of the offense) that Tiki backtracked on those comments and (finally) gave Eli the kudos he deserved. That is of course if anyone is still listening to Tiki Barber.
Eli Manning had a chip on his shoulder earlier this season that carried over into the season. Turns out he had a legitimate gripe.
Next stop on the road to validation: San Francisco.