Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Wednesday Weekly Recap

Each Wednesday I will do a weekly recap of sorts... not all stories with have occurred within the last week but they will all be posted here for the first time....

Inspirational Story of the Week:

2007/08 Summerville High School Boys Basketball

- After the loss of their head coach and 8 other firefighters in a fire, a team lead by AJ Green must overcome the loss in their goal of winning a state title.



Cool Idea of the Week that is being seen as controvsial for no apparent reason:

Ravens ride in Humvees during their Super Bowl parade.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/yay-nay-ravens-travel-super-bowl-parade-military-193636072--nfl.html


Sad Story of the Week:

X-Gamer Caleb Moore passes away from injuries sustained in crash.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/sports/snowmobile-rider-caleb-moore-dies-from-x-games-injuries.html?_r=0





VERY COOL WEBSITE OF THE WEEK:

Ever wonder what every logo your team ever has used looked like? Look no further than here:

http://www.sportslogos.net/

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

2013 NFL Hall of Fame Induction Class

"I don't do many endorsements. I'd rather get doused by Gatorade than bust my butt selling it." - Bill Parcells

Never one to worry about how his words be accepted by the media or the general public, Bill Parcells must now prepare the most important speech of his life and be ready to deliver it in Canton, Ohio. 

Parcells is one of the most decorated and celebrated NFL coaches in the history of the league, but that ride was not always an easy one and not devoid of drama. Most well known for his time as the head coach and multiple Super Bowl wins with the New York Giants, Parcells also coached the Patriots, Jets, and Cowboys, with varying success. 



Parcells is the definition of the coach who started at the bottom and worked his way to the top. He began his coaching career at Hastings College as a linebackers coach and worked his way through the system at multiple colleges including a head coaching gig at Air Force. 

The largest black eye on Parcells' career was his term as the Patriots' head coach when he and new owner Robert Kraft continuously bumped heads. Kraft wanted some control over the team and Parcells wanted to "buy his own groceries" which lead to the controversial hiring of Parcells to the Jets following the 1996 season. To this day Kraft still contends that Parcells took the job in December while the Patriots were still playing. 

After his coaching career ended, Parcells still could not get away from the game fully as he spent times as a "Football Czar" with the Dolphins. 

Of course, the instant that Parcells knew that he really made it as a coach was when he was inserted into a Coors Light Commercial. 



Congrats coach on your induction into the Hall of Fame, I think you should rock the Giants sweatshirt under your Gold Jacket!

Monday, February 4, 2013

10 Things I thought about during the Super Bowl

1. New Orleans clearly was not ready for Beyonce's jelly as the job of keeping the lights on became a Bugaboo for the facilities people, maybe they didn't pay their Bills, Bills, Bills. After the lights came back on we did learn that the Ravens would be the final Survivor and they would in fact Put a Ring on It.


2. The creative minds of commercials are no longer intelligent or funny. This year's edition of commercials were not up to par with previous years (as I will delve into in a later post today). There were no babies that were amusing, no animals doing incredibly funny things, and no two part commercials. Where have you gone creative teams at marketing companies?


3. CBS hates gambling. One of the biggest prop bets this Super Bowl was the number of times the name Harbaugh would be said by one of the announcers. Knowing this, and apparently wanting Americans to lose large amounts of money, the announcers decided to refer to the brothers as John and Jim rather than Harbaugh. Luckily for me, I did not bet that prop. I did however bet on Alicia Keys.....


4. Alicia loves her some her. The over/under on the National Anthem was 2 minutes and 5 seconds, or 125 seconds. I was positive that I would win this bet - I did research on National Anthem times. Do you realize how tough it is to find the length of time it took people to sing the National Anthem? No one since 2006 had went over 2 minutes when performing the anthem at the Super Bowl, Beyonce lip sang it in 121 seconds at the inauguration, and Kelly Clarkson took only 90 seconds to do it last year. With all this research, it was nearly certain I would be walking away with more money in my bank account, then she started. By my unofficial timing of the ballad, it took her 31 seconds to get to "last gleaming". I thought for sure I was done and it would not be close, then she picked up the speed and gave me hope as she was rounding the corner to the end and began the final sentence with "O'er" at 1:45 seconds. SHE HAD 20 SECONDS TO SAY THE LAST SENTENCE!  Instead, she sang to "Free" and threw her hands in the air, destroying any hope at 125 seconds. When it was all said and done, she took 156.4 SECONDS for the longest rendition in Super Bowl history.

 


5. Jacoby Jones is fast. I mean like really fast. Like really really fast. This speed was on display as he not only ran straight through the first 18 men he came into contact with but then at about the 45 turned it on to another level and took what had been about a yard advantage over a 49er defender and turned it into a laugher, as he JOGGED the final 10 yards into he end zone. As the defender was at about the 15. He created a 14 yard gap on a professional athlete, that's "WOW" speed. Also, he ran 108 yards in 12 seconds. You do the math.


6. Super Bowl MVP is a joke. I get it, Flacco had a good game but the two biggest plays of the game came because of Jacoby Jones. I understand that giving the MVP to a 2nd string WR and KO man is not sexy and people might not know who he is when gives his speech but C'mon Man, give it to the guy who made the two biggest games and tied a Super Bowl record.  Also, no one has a cooler TD dance than Jones, that has to count for something right?


7. Colin Kaepernick is the real deal. I get it, he lost but for a guy who has started less than 10 career games to bring his team back from a 28-6 deficit using his legs and arm is incredible. We are looking at a future Superstar. Some of the crossing routes that he threw to Michael Crabtree in particular may have clocked in at 90 MPH. The man has a cannon attached to his body where his right arm should be and roadrunner's legs when he takes off. Start the 2014 MVP.


8. Ed Reed may be the greatest safety to ever play the game. Apologies to Ronnie Lott, but this man is always in the right place at the right time and he does not drop easy interceptions that a lot of defensive backs. Yea, the INT by Kaepernick was a poor overthrow, but how often do you see quarterbacks over throw the receiver and ball land harmlessly on the ground, not when Ed Reed is playing center field. His instincts on the ball are amazing, but he is from the U so I am inclined to dislike him.

9. I still hate Ray Lewis. Stop Crying.  I will not be sad when week one of next season opens and no one is doing a stupid dance during the introductions. I am actually surprised that the Ravens came out as a team and self serving Ray did not "encourage" them to allow him to come out alone. Also, stop laying on the field and praying while wearing a shirt with a giant cross on it. Not that I am opposed to Lewis finding God, but we get it, you do not have to lay on the ground just to prove to us that you are religious now.







Also, you were an accessory to murder.



 
10. I still REALLY HATE ART MODELL.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

2013 NFL Hall of Fame Class

Warren Sapp

Growing up as a 90s kid, if there was a defensive player you enjoyed who did not play for you team, it was Warren Sapp. The University of Miami graduate never disappointed to be entertaining on and off of the field. His amazing feet and ability to use his hands to shed blockers made me a monster to stop on the field and his attitude and mouth made him a monster to stop off the field.

                                                     (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

The consensus 1st team All American in 1994 was drafted number 12 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to stabilize their defensive line and bring some excitement to an organization that was not known for success. Sapp never should have fallen to number 12 but reports of failed drug tests due to weed and cocaine made a few teams decide to pass on him, a decision they would probably change if they had the opportunity to now.

Sapp went on to be one of the greatest defensive tackles to every lace em up on Sundays as he recorded  96.5 sacks throughout a career in which offensive lines would scheme to make sure he did not beat them.  The seven time pro bowler and four time All-Pro will always be more remembered for his stint in Tampa Bay with the Bucs but he ended his career with the Oakland Raiders in a slightly controversial manner. Sapp had reportedly signed with the Cincinnati Bengals only to back out of the agreement and sign with the Raiders.

Sapp was never short on excitement, personality or letting you know exactly how he thought things should and would happen. This did not always lead to positive things for Sapp as he was punished throughout his career multiple times for comments and actions. One such event was when he was ejected from a game in 2007 in one of the most outrageous connection of events in NFL history.


There was also the horrific blindside take out of Packers lineman that caused great issue with Warren Sapp from players and fans across the league, as well as with Mike Sherman.


All in all, Warren Sapp without a shadow of a doubt deserves to be wearing that gold jacket at the 2013  Induction Ceremony in Canton, Ohio. His play on the field can not be disputed as anything other than Hall of Famer.

Bill Parcells will be under the microscope tomorrow.

Pay The Man


"What I do on the floor shows my value. At the end of the day, I don't think my value on the floor can really be compensated for anyways because of the (collective bargaining agreement)" 
"I have not had a full max deal yet in my career -- that's a story untold" 
- LeBron James in an interview with ESPN

(picture from bleacherreport.com)


LeBron doesn't get paid enough? His value can't be compensated for? The new CBA is holding him back from getting what he truly should?
LEBRON IS MAKING 17.5 MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR ALONE!!!!
While LeBron was taking a walk down Pity Lane and turned the corner onto Latrell Sprewell Dr, I decided to see exactly how little money Lebron really is making.  I, the man who possesses multiple jobs that do not equate to even 1/4 of 1% of LeBron's salary, came to the conclusion that LeBron is right, he really does need more money... with his 17.5 million this year, if he spent it all on one item he could ONLY buy:

50,000 Filets of Kobe Steak: that's only 45 per meal for the entire year. LeBron is a growing boy.
66 Homes priced at 262,900 (average cost of a home in 2012): There are 50 states and some of them are very large. Conceivably you would want 2, maybe 3 in any given area to cut down on drive time. This seems pretty normal to me. 
760 Adult Female Elephants: If he is going to rival the Miami Zoo, or that guy in Zanesville, Ohio, he clearly will be needing a larger herd than this. 
3 100' Hargrave Yachts: Only 3!?!? Lined up head to end together they would ONLY equal the length of a football field. 
3,507,014 meals at LaRosa's for all you can eat Spaghetti: that's not even enough to take half of his Twitter followers, disgraceful.
70 Robinson R-22 Helicopters: 10 helicopters per continent does not really seem like enough
37 Rolls Royce Phantoms: Clearly he would need more cars than this, what if they all broke down and he couldn't make it to a game on time?
194,466 LeBron James Jerseys: Like he only has that many fans to give jerseys to? Who do you think he is? Mike Miller?
1392 Years Worth of Floor Seat Season Tickets to the Miami Heat: If the rumors are true and he did in fact receive the Sorcerer's Stone from Harry Potter then he will never die and come year 1393, would not be able to afford season tickets. That's a darn shame. 
4,929,577 Gallons of Gas in Florida: His job does demand him to travel a lot. 

In a day when the employment rate is pushing 8% and the average family income is about 50,500, or 1/346th of LeBron's income, the idea that a millionaire is not making enough money sounds even more absurd than normal. If you thought they did not already hate you enough in the blue collar towns of Cleveland and Akron, I think this slap to the face should do it for you. You greedy idiot. 

Saturday, February 2, 2013

NFL Hall of Fame class of 2013

With the announcement today of the 2013 NFL Hall of Fame induction class, I have decided that over the next week I will break down each new inductee and discuss my thoughts on their worthiness of induction. The induction class consists of: Cris Carter, Warren Sapp, Bill Parcells, Jonathon Ogden, and Larry Allen. There were also two Senior Selections ( Curley Culp and Dave Robinson) but I will not be doing a breakdown of them for two reasons: 1. I have no clue who they are. 2. I have no desire to research them because I do not agree with the whole "Senior Selection".

The first member under the microscope is my favorite player out of the new class, Cris Carter.



Cristopher D. Carter of Troy, Ohio is one the greatest wide receivers to ever grace the field on Sunday's in the NFL. The former star at The Ohio State University was drafted in the 4th round of the 1987 Supplemental Draft by Buddy Ryan and the Philadelphia Eagles. By drafting Carter, Ryan showed his football knowledge and intelligence (which he did not pass down to his sons) but he then showed his quick temper and attitude (which he did pass down to his sons) by releasing Carter after the 1989 year due to an off the field incident. If only the Eagles knew that they were cutting ties with a Hall of Fame wide receiver who "only catches touchdowns", they may have made a different decision.

The release by the Eagles was great news for the Minnesota Vikings who swooped in and signed Carter and never looked back. He went on to star for the Vikings from 1989 to 2001 where he played in 8 straight Pro Bowls while being a 1st team All Pro twice and 2nd team All Pro once. After the 2001 season Carter temporarily, like most guys who struggle to let go, signed with and played for the Miami Dolphins before retiring. Carter will always be remembered for his role on the Vikings above all else.


As recently as this past Friday I was in a discussion about who the 2nd greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL may be behind Randy... oops I mean Jerry Rice (Sit down and shut up Randy Moss, you may not even grace the top 5). I immediately stated Cris Carter. The man could make catches with one hand while falling out of the back of the end zone that the rest of the world could only imagine in their backyard and still not complete. Such as this catch:




When he was done making an acrobatic catch in the end zone, he simply stood up and handed the ball to the official like he had done it 130 times or something, oh wait he did score 130 TOUCHDOWNS! I feel bad for the young fans today who only get to watch the numerous "look at me" wide receivers who celebrate every first down and every three yard catch (we know its a first down fellas, you don't have to do a stupid dance and throw your hand forward as hard as possible)

Carter completed his career in the top 10 all time in Receptions, Receiving Yards, and Touchdowns.

Carter also excelled off the field as part of the ESPN family, but the following video is easily his best moment on the air. Also, I challenge anyone to tell me that Stevie Johnson has not murdered at least four people after watching this video.



Congrats Cris Carter on the Hall of Fame nomination. Your ticket to Canton was punched a long time ago, please remember to wear that Gold Jacket over your wife beater.

(Tomorrow will be Warren Sapp day)



Thursday, January 31, 2013

Don't Call it a Comeback

I will begin blogging again about sports starting tomorrow.

Future Topics include:

- Super Bowl Scribbles
- Reds Off-Season/ Spring Training
- NFL teams heading into off-season/draft
- "Sports Viewing Parties"
- Browns
- Ultimate Sports Trip
- Weekly Updates
- Top 10s
- Open letters to fan bases

- much much more......