If there is one guy trying his hardest to keep a professional team in his town it's Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento.
In the last year or so, he's been trying to do everything he can to try and keep the Kings in California State capital. The main thing he's been doing is trying to secure a new arena for the team, something that's evaded him so far. Now with the team's 65% majority in the process of being sold to a group from Seattle, Johnson is scrambling to see if he can get an investor to match it. He somehow either found one or one came to him in Mark Mastrov, founder of 24 Hour Fitness. According to Johnson, Mastrov will submit a bid to the NBA on Friday to the buy the team.
On top of that, Johnson has said Ron Burkle, co-owner of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, will lead the effort to fund a new arena in downtown Sacramento. Johnson even has 20 other investors trying to buy 7% of the team that is up in bankruptcy court.
It seems that Kevin Johnson is going all out to keep the team from relocating to Seattle.
"With all due respect to Seattle, I do hope they get a team someday, but let me be perfectly clear it is not going to be this team," Johnson said. "Not our team. No way."
I must commend Johnson on his effort to keep the Kings in Sacramento. It sounds like one of those movies where you only have a certain amount of time to come up with the money or you lose your home/business/muppet theatre.
In that respect, I've actually changed my mood towards this story and wish that the Kings would stay in Sacramento. I'm rooting for Kevin Johnson as it seems like the true underdog story.
P.S. If only politicians were able to show this much zeal for less important matters than sports.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Goodbye Alex Smith: Truly a Rollercoaster Ride
It seems all but official as Alex Smith's time in San Francisco is up.
Sources are telling ESPN that San Francisco has agreed to trade Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs. In return, San Francisco will get KC's 2nd round draft pick in the 2013 draft (34th overall pick) and a conditional mid-round pick in the 2014 draft. This effectively ends the former #1 pick's tenure with the 49ers leaving a mixed legacy behind.
Eight years in San Francisco over. It's been an interesting time with Alex leading the offense. He was the #1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and would forever be remembered as being picked before Aaron Rodgers. Smith never really had any luck in his first 6 seasons being plagued with injuries and different offensive coordinators year after year. Jim Harbaugh brought some stability to the 49ers in 2011 and helped Alex's game along with the offense. In those two years as a starter under Jim Harbaugh, Smith was 19-5-1 before losing his job to backup Colin Kaepernick after Smith sustained a concussion in the middle of the 2012 season.
Smith now heads to Kansas City where he and Andy Reid are looking for fresh starts. While Smith is no star college QB coming in the draft, he certainly can bring some stability to the offense if put in the right system. Reid, however, doesn't typically run the style of offense found in San Francisco. He's a very pass happy guy and Alex might not be the quarterback for him. Maybe Smith's college stats say differently but the pro stats says he's not suited for that.
While I would've liked Alex to go somewhere else, I honestly wish him the best and hope he has a fruitful career in Kansas City. That being said, the Chiefs are definitely not going to the postseason next year.
P.S. Alex might be the best option among available quarterbacks at this time but he won't likely be the savior for the Chiefs. I hope to be wrong.
Sources are telling ESPN that San Francisco has agreed to trade Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs. In return, San Francisco will get KC's 2nd round draft pick in the 2013 draft (34th overall pick) and a conditional mid-round pick in the 2014 draft. This effectively ends the former #1 pick's tenure with the 49ers leaving a mixed legacy behind.
Eight years in San Francisco over. It's been an interesting time with Alex leading the offense. He was the #1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and would forever be remembered as being picked before Aaron Rodgers. Smith never really had any luck in his first 6 seasons being plagued with injuries and different offensive coordinators year after year. Jim Harbaugh brought some stability to the 49ers in 2011 and helped Alex's game along with the offense. In those two years as a starter under Jim Harbaugh, Smith was 19-5-1 before losing his job to backup Colin Kaepernick after Smith sustained a concussion in the middle of the 2012 season.
Smith now heads to Kansas City where he and Andy Reid are looking for fresh starts. While Smith is no star college QB coming in the draft, he certainly can bring some stability to the offense if put in the right system. Reid, however, doesn't typically run the style of offense found in San Francisco. He's a very pass happy guy and Alex might not be the quarterback for him. Maybe Smith's college stats say differently but the pro stats says he's not suited for that.
While I would've liked Alex to go somewhere else, I honestly wish him the best and hope he has a fruitful career in Kansas City. That being said, the Chiefs are definitely not going to the postseason next year.
P.S. Alex might be the best option among available quarterbacks at this time but he won't likely be the savior for the Chiefs. I hope to be wrong.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Jimmie Johnson Wins Daytona 500 with Danica Finishing in 8th
The talk heading into Sunday revolved around Danica Patrick starting from the pole position looking to make history. She would lead a lap, first woman to do so at the Daytona 500, and managed to stay near the head of the pack the entire race.
However, it wasn't Danica's moment; it belonged to Jimmie Johnson as he would end up winning his 2nd Daytona 500. Johnson managed to grab the lead with less than 10 laps to go and managed to hold off surging drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. to grab the checkered flag. Dale Jr. would end up finishing 2nd and Mark Martin finished in 3rd. Danica Patrick fell 5 spots in the final lap and would finish in 8th.
Great day for the motorsports world despite the turbulent one that had preceded it. Johnson was able to regain some of his dominance to start the season off. Could it be a sign of things to come? Last time Johnson had won the Daytona 500 was in 2006. He would end up winning the Sprint Cup that year and the following 4 years. Nothing is guaranteed in motorsports but you can't start the season better than a win at Daytona.
However, it wasn't Danica's moment; it belonged to Jimmie Johnson as he would end up winning his 2nd Daytona 500. Johnson managed to grab the lead with less than 10 laps to go and managed to hold off surging drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. to grab the checkered flag. Dale Jr. would end up finishing 2nd and Mark Martin finished in 3rd. Danica Patrick fell 5 spots in the final lap and would finish in 8th.
Great day for the motorsports world despite the turbulent one that had preceded it. Johnson was able to regain some of his dominance to start the season off. Could it be a sign of things to come? Last time Johnson had won the Daytona 500 was in 2006. He would end up winning the Sprint Cup that year and the following 4 years. Nothing is guaranteed in motorsports but you can't start the season better than a win at Daytona.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Warriors Beat Spurs in Nifty New Uniforms
You're probably wondering: why is he writing about a Golden State Warriors game? Did he actually watch it? Has hell frozen over and the Bobcats suddenly become good?
I'm writing about the game because I did watch some of it. The Blackhawks-Sharks game ended and I happened to flip over to the Warriors game. There were no other sporting events on and I was too lazy to get up and do something else. But I also wanted to check out the new uniform design the NBA is trying out with the Warriors. They look alright with the short sleeves.
However, I do emphasize some of the game. I watched for about two minutes before finally tapping out and going to computer to stream some Netflix. That two minutes of watching was at that point a new record for me. Not watching basketball, per say, but the Warriors.
I did happen to flip back to it on ESPN trying to tune into Sports Center when the game still happened to be on. Overtime was just starting and, again, laziness crept in for either changing the channel or getting up so I watched the Warriors beat the Spurs 107-101 in OT. Amazingly, this was Golden State's first win over San Antonio in the last 16 meetings against them. Last time they beat the Spurs was in early 2008.
Whether it was laziness or just morbid curiosity to see how good the Warriors are, I saw Golden State down the stretch and they seemed pretty good. Not good enough to make me watch a whole basketball game but still good. Then again, probably no team out there can make me watch a whole basketball game... at least on TV. In person is a much better but I still wouldn't go out of my way to buy tickets.
This all being said, the Warriors are still not going to win the NBA title this year so it was all for naught.
I'm writing about the game because I did watch some of it. The Blackhawks-Sharks game ended and I happened to flip over to the Warriors game. There were no other sporting events on and I was too lazy to get up and do something else. But I also wanted to check out the new uniform design the NBA is trying out with the Warriors. They look alright with the short sleeves.
However, I do emphasize some of the game. I watched for about two minutes before finally tapping out and going to computer to stream some Netflix. That two minutes of watching was at that point a new record for me. Not watching basketball, per say, but the Warriors.
I did happen to flip back to it on ESPN trying to tune into Sports Center when the game still happened to be on. Overtime was just starting and, again, laziness crept in for either changing the channel or getting up so I watched the Warriors beat the Spurs 107-101 in OT. Amazingly, this was Golden State's first win over San Antonio in the last 16 meetings against them. Last time they beat the Spurs was in early 2008.
Whether it was laziness or just morbid curiosity to see how good the Warriors are, I saw Golden State down the stretch and they seemed pretty good. Not good enough to make me watch a whole basketball game but still good. Then again, probably no team out there can make me watch a whole basketball game... at least on TV. In person is a much better but I still wouldn't go out of my way to buy tickets.
This all being said, the Warriors are still not going to win the NBA title this year so it was all for naught.
Blackhawks Win Marks Best Season Start Ever
The Chicago Blackhawks made history on Friday night and the San Jose Sharks helped them out. In a game in Chicago, the Hawks would hold on to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Sharks to mark the best regular season start for an NHL team ever. With the win, the Blackhawks have started the 2013 season recording a point in each of their first 17 games. The old record was 16 games done by the 06-07 Ducks. Of course this means with their record of 14-0-3, the Blackhawks haven't lost a game in regulation this season.
Certainly a fine bit of history for Chicago but could this be a bad sign? Usually you want to be near the end of the season or just entering the postseason when you get on this kind of streak. Now the Blackhawks might be the best team in the league and maybe talent will be enough for them. But this streak may mean nothing to them if they do not make a deep playoff run off of it. They still remember being bounced in the first round of the postseason last year and they certainly don't want an early exit this time around.
P.S. As for the Sharks, they got swept in the season series vs. Chicago. No reason to watch San Jose play until they face Aniheim again. I like the Ducks.
Certainly a fine bit of history for Chicago but could this be a bad sign? Usually you want to be near the end of the season or just entering the postseason when you get on this kind of streak. Now the Blackhawks might be the best team in the league and maybe talent will be enough for them. But this streak may mean nothing to them if they do not make a deep playoff run off of it. They still remember being bounced in the first round of the postseason last year and they certainly don't want an early exit this time around.
P.S. As for the Sharks, they got swept in the season series vs. Chicago. No reason to watch San Jose play until they face Aniheim again. I like the Ducks.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Howard Still in LA and No Major Trades Done
The trade deadline in the NBA has passed and no major deal has been done. Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks, who was cited several times as the most likely player to move, is staying in place despite all the offers that the team received for him. The Hawks will take their chances with Smith in the summer. Josh, on the other hand, might end up somewhere else anyway with max money on his mind.
Dwight Howard was another player not traded away, not that many expected him to be traded from the incompetent Los Angeles Lakers. GM Mitch Kupchak has stressed that Howard is indeed the future of the Lakers despite the fact that Howard can walk for nothing this summer. There is a little hope considering that the Lakers won an emotional game against the Celtics last night 113-99. Howard scored 24 points and got 12 rebounds in the win.
There were a number of smaller trades around the NBA. The most notable player among them was J.J. Redick who was traded to Milwaukee as part of a 6 player deal between the Bucks and the Magic. And no, Redick looks nothing like Josh Reddick (I wish). There were 8 deals in all on Thursday.
Not great non-moves from the Hawks or the Lakers. Both teams are taking huge risks in hoping that their players will come back to them for another contract. Without them committing long term means a bleak future for those organizations.
That goes double for the Lakers who are putting their entire future on Dwight Howard. Nothing has really gone right in LA so far that would convince Dwight to stay long term: they hired Mike D'Antoni over Phil Jackson, he and Kobe Bryant don't get along, and the Lakers are not even over .500. To add on to that, Howard never wanted to go to LA in the first place. Likelihood is that this summer he will still want to skip town and head for either Brooklyn or Dallas.
I do have to give credit to Dwight Howard. For a guy that wants to be liked, he sure knows how to cause unrest wherever he goes.
Dwight Howard was another player not traded away, not that many expected him to be traded from the incompetent Los Angeles Lakers. GM Mitch Kupchak has stressed that Howard is indeed the future of the Lakers despite the fact that Howard can walk for nothing this summer. There is a little hope considering that the Lakers won an emotional game against the Celtics last night 113-99. Howard scored 24 points and got 12 rebounds in the win.
There were a number of smaller trades around the NBA. The most notable player among them was J.J. Redick who was traded to Milwaukee as part of a 6 player deal between the Bucks and the Magic. And no, Redick looks nothing like Josh Reddick (I wish). There were 8 deals in all on Thursday.
Not great non-moves from the Hawks or the Lakers. Both teams are taking huge risks in hoping that their players will come back to them for another contract. Without them committing long term means a bleak future for those organizations.
That goes double for the Lakers who are putting their entire future on Dwight Howard. Nothing has really gone right in LA so far that would convince Dwight to stay long term: they hired Mike D'Antoni over Phil Jackson, he and Kobe Bryant don't get along, and the Lakers are not even over .500. To add on to that, Howard never wanted to go to LA in the first place. Likelihood is that this summer he will still want to skip town and head for either Brooklyn or Dallas.
I do have to give credit to Dwight Howard. For a guy that wants to be liked, he sure knows how to cause unrest wherever he goes.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Lakers Owner Jerry Buss Dies at Age 80
Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away today at the age of 80. Buss had been undergoing cancer treatments for the last 18 months but the immediate cause of death was kidney failure. Jerry Buss had owned the Lakers since 1979 and now leaves the franchise to his surviving family to run.
Certainly a sad day for the NBA to lose one of it's greatest owners. He had several legends play on his teams including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. His desire to win and love of the Lakers made him a huge part of the LA community. His drive was evident to all his players.
"He was a visionary, he was a trailblazer," Magic Johnson said. "He did things that were, at that time, people thought wasn't cool, wasn't proper. He was a man who walked the walk and talked the talk. He produced championships, because he was the most competitive owner you could ever meet in your life."
The Lakers would win ten NBA titles with his will to win with the last one coming in 2010. In the 34 seasons under his ownership, the Lakers have made the playoffs all but 2 of those seasons. He's even perhaps the most successful owner in North American Sports history, even greater than the late George Steinbrenner.
Brilliant owners may come and go but there might not be one that had such impact on one team, on one sport, on one city like Dr. Jerry Buss.
Certainly a sad day for the NBA to lose one of it's greatest owners. He had several legends play on his teams including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. His desire to win and love of the Lakers made him a huge part of the LA community. His drive was evident to all his players.
"He was a visionary, he was a trailblazer," Magic Johnson said. "He did things that were, at that time, people thought wasn't cool, wasn't proper. He was a man who walked the walk and talked the talk. He produced championships, because he was the most competitive owner you could ever meet in your life."
The Lakers would win ten NBA titles with his will to win with the last one coming in 2010. In the 34 seasons under his ownership, the Lakers have made the playoffs all but 2 of those seasons. He's even perhaps the most successful owner in North American Sports history, even greater than the late George Steinbrenner.
Brilliant owners may come and go but there might not be one that had such impact on one team, on one sport, on one city like Dr. Jerry Buss.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Pistorius Charged with Murdering Girlfriend
Perhaps the most inspirational athlete in Summer Olympics last year has now joined the list of fallen heroes.
Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee Olympic sprinter, has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a celebrity herself and a model. Steenkamp was shot four times early Thursday morning in Pistorius' house in Pretoria, South Africa. There have been reported incidents of a domestic nature at the house in the past. The police have said "there is no other suspect involved." Pistorius is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Another hero falls from grace. This one is certainly more serious with murder being involved. It's a bit of a ironic twist that Steenkamp had spoken out against violence against women.
There is also the fact that Pistorius is sort of a gun enthusiast and a target shooter. He also seems to be overly concerned with safety which would explain why he lives in a gated community. Early reports indicate it might've been an accident and that Pistorius shot Steenkamp thinking she was a burglar. The police spokesperson Brigadier Denise Beukes has said that information didn't come from the police.
Whatever did happen, perhaps the issue of gun control has reared around again with South Africa being the focus. Stats from the UN show that South Africa has the second-highest rate of shooting deaths in the world with Columbia at the top of the list. While we do not know the whole story quite yet and should wait until it all comes out to form an opinion, I can't help but wonder what would've happened if guns were not involved.
P.S. It's possible that being "Blade Runner" he thought she was a replicant.
P.P.S. Yeah, sure, I'M the horrible person. I'M NOT THE ONE WHO KILLED MY GIRLFRIEND ON VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee Olympic sprinter, has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a celebrity herself and a model. Steenkamp was shot four times early Thursday morning in Pistorius' house in Pretoria, South Africa. There have been reported incidents of a domestic nature at the house in the past. The police have said "there is no other suspect involved." Pistorius is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Another hero falls from grace. This one is certainly more serious with murder being involved. It's a bit of a ironic twist that Steenkamp had spoken out against violence against women.
There is also the fact that Pistorius is sort of a gun enthusiast and a target shooter. He also seems to be overly concerned with safety which would explain why he lives in a gated community. Early reports indicate it might've been an accident and that Pistorius shot Steenkamp thinking she was a burglar. The police spokesperson Brigadier Denise Beukes has said that information didn't come from the police.
Whatever did happen, perhaps the issue of gun control has reared around again with South Africa being the focus. Stats from the UN show that South Africa has the second-highest rate of shooting deaths in the world with Columbia at the top of the list. While we do not know the whole story quite yet and should wait until it all comes out to form an opinion, I can't help but wonder what would've happened if guns were not involved.
P.S. It's possible that being "Blade Runner" he thought she was a replicant.
P.P.S. Yeah, sure, I'M the horrible person. I'M NOT THE ONE WHO KILLED MY GIRLFRIEND ON VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
Derrick Rose "Fine" with Missing Entire Season
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose hasn't played since the first game of the Eastern Conference playoffs last year due to a torn ACL on his left knee. The team has done fine without Rose this season but if they want to go far into the postseason they will need their star point guard back. However, in order to get to the finals, they will need a lot more than Derrick Rose.
Rose, meanwhile, has said he doesn't mind missing the entire season to rehab the ACL injury. He told USA Today Sports on Monday that he is still far away from coming back and won't return until he is "110 percent" (whatever that means). On Wednesday he said that though he would like to come back, he's fine with missing the entire season.
If you like the Bulls, it's sad to hear that Rose doesn't seem to be in any rush to get back on the court. Not that your team is going to the Finals with him but it would be nice to see something exciting to watch in Chicago besides fine defensive play. If you are Derrick Rose, you need to make sure that your knee is going to get healed up. Despite the fact that Adrian Peterson seemed to heal faster from the same injury, you still need to go at your own pace and make sure you are not putting your career at jeopardy. Plus you're not going to Finals anytime soon. (got the theme down yet?)
So will Derrick Rose make it back on the court this season? "Outlook not so good" said the 8-Ball.
P.S. That's the same response I give when asked if I'm going to watch a Warriors game.
Rose, meanwhile, has said he doesn't mind missing the entire season to rehab the ACL injury. He told USA Today Sports on Monday that he is still far away from coming back and won't return until he is "110 percent" (whatever that means). On Wednesday he said that though he would like to come back, he's fine with missing the entire season.
If you like the Bulls, it's sad to hear that Rose doesn't seem to be in any rush to get back on the court. Not that your team is going to the Finals with him but it would be nice to see something exciting to watch in Chicago besides fine defensive play. If you are Derrick Rose, you need to make sure that your knee is going to get healed up. Despite the fact that Adrian Peterson seemed to heal faster from the same injury, you still need to go at your own pace and make sure you are not putting your career at jeopardy. Plus you're not going to Finals anytime soon. (got the theme down yet?)
So will Derrick Rose make it back on the court this season? "Outlook not so good" said the 8-Ball.
P.S. That's the same response I give when asked if I'm going to watch a Warriors game.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Wrestling Gone from the Olympics (as Well as It's Spirit)
Oh no. What will John Cena do now?
The Olympics have lost some of their integrity today by taking one of it's most historic sports out of the lineup. Wrestling has been dropped from the Summer Olympic's list of 25 core sports by the IOC. Starting with the 2020 Olympic games, it will have compete for inclusion with 7 other sports. Wrestling has been around since the modern Olympic games started in 1896 and even dates back to the original games in ancient Greece.
It's truly a sad day for anyone that believes in the spirit of the Olympics. One of the bedrocks for the games has been dropped in favor of the modern pentathlon, taekwondo, and field hockey (those are Olympic sports?). Looking at other sports that are in instead of wrestling like BMX racing is a testament on how tradition means nothing to the IOC.
It's just another example of how commercialism has affected a supposed "amateur" competition. I understand that even something as revered as the Olympics needs to make money in order to survive but have we truly lost touch with the spirit of the games so much so that we are dropping original events? How lost we are.
The Olympics have lost some of their integrity today by taking one of it's most historic sports out of the lineup. Wrestling has been dropped from the Summer Olympic's list of 25 core sports by the IOC. Starting with the 2020 Olympic games, it will have compete for inclusion with 7 other sports. Wrestling has been around since the modern Olympic games started in 1896 and even dates back to the original games in ancient Greece.
It's truly a sad day for anyone that believes in the spirit of the Olympics. One of the bedrocks for the games has been dropped in favor of the modern pentathlon, taekwondo, and field hockey (those are Olympic sports?). Looking at other sports that are in instead of wrestling like BMX racing is a testament on how tradition means nothing to the IOC.
It's just another example of how commercialism has affected a supposed "amateur" competition. I understand that even something as revered as the Olympics needs to make money in order to survive but have we truly lost touch with the spirit of the games so much so that we are dropping original events? How lost we are.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Vick to Stay with Eagles Under a One-year Deal
A new coach doesn't mean new quarterback in Philly.
Michael Vick had signed a 6 year $100 million contract back in 2011. Things just went downhill from there on out for him and the Eagles. They failed to make the playoffs two years in a row and fell under .500 in 2012 going 4-12. Andy Reid got axed and outsiders assumed that Vick would be next on the chopping block. However, new Eagles coach Chip Kelly and the team seem to think that keeping him would be the best option. They then restructured Vick's contract to be a simple 1 year deal worth as much as $10 million to which Vick agreed to. For now, it's Michael Vick at the head of Kelly's experimental offense.
Seeing how unimpressive Nick Foles was combined with a lack of quarterback talent in the draft and free agency, it was probably best for the Eagles to keep Michael Vick for the time being. You never know how a new coach could affect a veteran quarterback's play (i.e. Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith). At the very least you need someone competent at quarterback for this season while you keep your options open (i.e. Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith).
As for Vick, it was probably best he stay as well. The Eagles seem to have a lot of talent just mixed in with the wrong mindset(s) and wrong schemes. That could change under a new coach like Kelly. Also, it's not like there are a bunch of other playoff worthy teams that Vick could start for right now. Not the Jets. Besides, I said "playoff worthy teams."
Michael Vick had signed a 6 year $100 million contract back in 2011. Things just went downhill from there on out for him and the Eagles. They failed to make the playoffs two years in a row and fell under .500 in 2012 going 4-12. Andy Reid got axed and outsiders assumed that Vick would be next on the chopping block. However, new Eagles coach Chip Kelly and the team seem to think that keeping him would be the best option. They then restructured Vick's contract to be a simple 1 year deal worth as much as $10 million to which Vick agreed to. For now, it's Michael Vick at the head of Kelly's experimental offense.
Seeing how unimpressive Nick Foles was combined with a lack of quarterback talent in the draft and free agency, it was probably best for the Eagles to keep Michael Vick for the time being. You never know how a new coach could affect a veteran quarterback's play (i.e. Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith). At the very least you need someone competent at quarterback for this season while you keep your options open (i.e. Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith).
As for Vick, it was probably best he stay as well. The Eagles seem to have a lot of talent just mixed in with the wrong mindset(s) and wrong schemes. That could change under a new coach like Kelly. Also, it's not like there are a bunch of other playoff worthy teams that Vick could start for right now. Not the Jets. Besides, I said "playoff worthy teams."
Thursday, February 7, 2013
A Contract Fit for King Felix
One of the biggest names in pitching is staying in the pacific northwest.
Felix Hernandez has agreed to a 7 year $175 million contract from the Seattle Mariners. He still had a couple of years left on his current deal but obviously keeping King Felix for the long term was in the best interests of the team. This is the biggest contract that any pitcher has ever gotten in history with the next highest at $161 million for CC Sabathia to the Yankees. Hernandez will make an annual average of $25 million a year and the new contract is set to begin this season.
I must applaud the move by the Mariners as to take measures in keeping one of the game best pitchers. It seems any team nowadays needs great pitching for the playoffs. The overall issue, however, is still offense for the team. Now getting Kendrys Morales from the Angels certainly helps and they also have a low risk contract with Jason Bay but it's likely going to take a bit longer to get that lineup in order and a playoff team assembled.
Felix Hernandez has agreed to a 7 year $175 million contract from the Seattle Mariners. He still had a couple of years left on his current deal but obviously keeping King Felix for the long term was in the best interests of the team. This is the biggest contract that any pitcher has ever gotten in history with the next highest at $161 million for CC Sabathia to the Yankees. Hernandez will make an annual average of $25 million a year and the new contract is set to begin this season.
I must applaud the move by the Mariners as to take measures in keeping one of the game best pitchers. It seems any team nowadays needs great pitching for the playoffs. The overall issue, however, is still offense for the team. Now getting Kendrys Morales from the Angels certainly helps and they also have a low risk contract with Jason Bay but it's likely going to take a bit longer to get that lineup in order and a playoff team assembled.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Why 2013 Will Also be a Lost Cause for the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a great team that just fell short by a few yards of achieving their goal of winning a Super Bowl. As good as they were in 2012, they will not even get back to the Super Bowl in 2013. Here's why:
1. No losing team in the big game has gotten back to the Super Bowl since the Buffalo Bills of the early 1990's (last appearance 1994). Forget the fact that the Pats are the last Super Bowl winners to return the next season. History is not on San Francisco's side.
2. Frank Gore will be 30 years old next season. While the team will likely be moving towards an offensive system that will be more beneficial for Colin Kaepernick, they will still be reliant on a running game and their star back isn't getting any younger. More carries might be given to Kendall Hunter and/or LaMichael James which means instability in the backfield.
3. Front line was very fortunate this season. There might've had minor hits and bruises but nothing serious affected the offensive front line which was very fortunate for the 49ers in 2012. Their luck up front, however, might run out next year.
4. Can Colin Kaepernick manage to stay healthy an entire season? He doesn't seem to run it as much as Robert Griffin III or Michael Vick but the verdict so far on running quarterbacks is that they cannot last an entire season without being out for some time. Making sure that Colin is healthy for the 2nd half of the year and possibly the postseason is another reason why a solid running game (reason #2) is important along with trying to create a more friendly quarterback playbook for Colin.
5. A tough NFC West to fight through now. Seattle proved to be a very tough team in 2012, so much so that they were labeled as a Super Bowl contender. Mix this in with the fact that the Rams looked solid with Jeff Fisher as their coach and the Cardinals are looking to reboot somehow with their new coach Bruce Arians makes it no guarantee that the 49ers even make the postseason in 2013.
As pessimistic as I do seem to be about the 49ers chances next season, they can still be considered contenders. The team overall is still solid, they are now strong at the quarterback position, and they have Alex Smith as a marketable commodity.
If there is one thing that San Francisco needs to improve the most during the off season it's their secondary. Pass defense is something that needs attention which seems weird to say considering they were fourth in the league in pass defense. However, their defensive line was a big reason for that coupled with the fact they made team's one dimensional with their run defense. Getting some better (and less homophobic) defensive backs will make that team a true nightmare to move the ball on.
Despite how good the team looks now and the moves they will make during the off season, there is no way I am picking them to win the Super Bowl next year. I don't have a guess for 2013 yet, it's way too soon to do that. But I can say it won't be my beloved 49ers.
1. No losing team in the big game has gotten back to the Super Bowl since the Buffalo Bills of the early 1990's (last appearance 1994). Forget the fact that the Pats are the last Super Bowl winners to return the next season. History is not on San Francisco's side.
2. Frank Gore will be 30 years old next season. While the team will likely be moving towards an offensive system that will be more beneficial for Colin Kaepernick, they will still be reliant on a running game and their star back isn't getting any younger. More carries might be given to Kendall Hunter and/or LaMichael James which means instability in the backfield.
3. Front line was very fortunate this season. There might've had minor hits and bruises but nothing serious affected the offensive front line which was very fortunate for the 49ers in 2012. Their luck up front, however, might run out next year.
4. Can Colin Kaepernick manage to stay healthy an entire season? He doesn't seem to run it as much as Robert Griffin III or Michael Vick but the verdict so far on running quarterbacks is that they cannot last an entire season without being out for some time. Making sure that Colin is healthy for the 2nd half of the year and possibly the postseason is another reason why a solid running game (reason #2) is important along with trying to create a more friendly quarterback playbook for Colin.
5. A tough NFC West to fight through now. Seattle proved to be a very tough team in 2012, so much so that they were labeled as a Super Bowl contender. Mix this in with the fact that the Rams looked solid with Jeff Fisher as their coach and the Cardinals are looking to reboot somehow with their new coach Bruce Arians makes it no guarantee that the 49ers even make the postseason in 2013.
As pessimistic as I do seem to be about the 49ers chances next season, they can still be considered contenders. The team overall is still solid, they are now strong at the quarterback position, and they have Alex Smith as a marketable commodity.
If there is one thing that San Francisco needs to improve the most during the off season it's their secondary. Pass defense is something that needs attention which seems weird to say considering they were fourth in the league in pass defense. However, their defensive line was a big reason for that coupled with the fact they made team's one dimensional with their run defense. Getting some better (and less homophobic) defensive backs will make that team a true nightmare to move the ball on.
Despite how good the team looks now and the moves they will make during the off season, there is no way I am picking them to win the Super Bowl next year. I don't have a guess for 2013 yet, it's way too soon to do that. But I can say it won't be my beloved 49ers.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Baltimore Holds On for Super Bowl Win 34-31
So close and yet so far.
The Baltimore Ravens managed to hold off the surging San Francisco 49ers by a final of 34-31. Colin Kaepernick lead the 49ers down field for one last shot in the end zone with under two minutes remaining and failed to convert a 4th goal pass intended for Michael Crabtree in the back corner of the end zone.
“I think that last drive when we got the ball and had time to go down and score a touchdown, we thought it was our game,” Kaepernick said afterwards.
The Ravens then killed all but 4 seconds of the clock with the subsequent drive ending in a safety in which punter Sam Koch ran it out of the end zone. The following punt ended with Ted Ginn Jr. getting tackled as time expired leaving the Ravens as the victor.
“Our guys battled back to get back in,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I thought we battled right to the brink of winning.”
Ray Lewis ends his 17 year career with a 2nd Super Bowl ring, other being earned in early 2001. This career ending sendoff came in a season where he had to come back from from a triceps injury sustained in October not making his return until the beginning of the postseason when the Ravens played the visiting Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round.
“It’s no greater way, as a champ, to go out on your last ride with the men that I went out with, with my teammates,” Lewis said. “And you looked around this stadium and Baltimore! Baltimore! We coming home, baby! We did it!”
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh now has a 2-0 coaching record against his younger brother Jim Harbaugh. The first meeting between the two brother occurred on Thanksgiving day 2011.
“How could it be any other way? It’s never pretty. It’s never perfect. But it’s us,” John said afterwards. “It was us today.”
On the flip side, this is San Francisco’s first loss in the Super Bowl making them 5-1 in the big game.
“I really wanted it for us,” 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis said. “I wanted to bring it back to the Bay… We came up short. We were there and we came up short.”
The 49ers were down by as many as 22 points early in the 3rd quarter. Momentum seemed to turn around after a power outage in the 3rd quarter. The outage lasted over a half hour. San Francisco then managed to score 17 consecutive points to finish the quarter.
In part because of the power outage, it was the longest Super Bowl in history timed at 4 hours, 14 minutes.
Baltimore managed to recover a bit in the 4th quarter scoring two field goals by Justin Tucker. Tucker tried a fake field goal run earlier in the game that failed to convert a first down near the 49ers end zone.
Kaepernick scored a 15 yard touchdown run in between those Tucker field goals but a poor pass to Randy Moss failed to convert a two point conversion that would’ve tied the game at 31-31. Kaepernick finished the game with 62 rushing yards. Through the air, Colin went 16/28 for 302 passing yards, a 31 touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree, and an interception thrown to Ed Reed in the 2nd quarter. It was the first interception ever thrown by a San Francisco quarterback in the Super Bowl.
As for Crabtree, he finished the game with 5 catches for 109 receiving and the one touchdown. Vernon Davis finished the game just 5 yards shy of him with 104 receiving yards in 6 catches.
The star of the night was Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco who shined predominantly in the first half of the game. Flacco went 22/33 for 287 passing yards and three touchdown passes, all of which came in the first half. Flacco finishes the postseason with 11 touchdown passes, no interceptions thrown, and as Super Bowl MVP.
“People should shut up about Joe,” said Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin. “I’m so sick of people saying Joe’s not an elite quarterback. For all the critics who say he’s not, ask them how many rings they have.”
Anquan Boldin also had a fine game with 6 catches for 104 yards and one touchdown off a 13 yard pass from Joe Flacco in the first quarter. It was the first score of the game for either team and it came on Baltimore first possession.
Another star for the Ravens was Jacoby Jones who made one of those Flacco touchdown catches on a 56 yard catch in which he fell down and got back up to get into the end zone. Jones out did that, however, on a 108 yard kick off return for a touchdown to start the 2nd half. It was the Ravens only touchdown of the half and it proved to be a difference maker.
The 49ers ground game was fine but it could’ve gone better. Frank Gore ran for 110 yards on 19 carries and a six yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The 49ers, however, may have missed Kendall Hunter in this one. 2nd back and rookie LaMichael James fumbled the ball early in the 2nd quarter which was recovered by Baltimore defensive end Arthur Jones. The subsequent Ravens' drive lead to a one yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta to them up by 11.
As for Baltimore’s ground game, they were not efficient against San Francisco’s defense getting only 93 yards on 35 carries. Ray Rice carried the ball 20 times for just 59 yards. Rice, however, had a fumble in the 3rd quarter which resulted in a 34 yard David Akers’ field goal.
Akers would make two other field goals in the first half of play. One in the first quarter from 36 yards out and the other to end the first half from 27 yards out. Akers accounted for all of San Francisco’s 6 first half points while Baltimore was on top by 15.
In overall numbers, San Francisco had 468 total offensive yards while Baltimore had 367. The Ravens had the ball a bit longer controlling it for just over 32 minutes of the game. The 49ers also had six red zone attempts only converting twice for touchdowns.
Inexperience showed for San Francisco against the veteran squad of Baltimore. With the team around them, however, there is always next year.
“We will use this as fuel,” 49ers safety Donte Whitner said. “It’s tough getting shoved off the field, watching the other team celebrate. We’ll be better from this. We’ll be back.”
The Baltimore Ravens managed to hold off the surging San Francisco 49ers by a final of 34-31. Colin Kaepernick lead the 49ers down field for one last shot in the end zone with under two minutes remaining and failed to convert a 4th goal pass intended for Michael Crabtree in the back corner of the end zone.
“I think that last drive when we got the ball and had time to go down and score a touchdown, we thought it was our game,” Kaepernick said afterwards.
The Ravens then killed all but 4 seconds of the clock with the subsequent drive ending in a safety in which punter Sam Koch ran it out of the end zone. The following punt ended with Ted Ginn Jr. getting tackled as time expired leaving the Ravens as the victor.
“Our guys battled back to get back in,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I thought we battled right to the brink of winning.”
Ray Lewis ends his 17 year career with a 2nd Super Bowl ring, other being earned in early 2001. This career ending sendoff came in a season where he had to come back from from a triceps injury sustained in October not making his return until the beginning of the postseason when the Ravens played the visiting Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round.
“It’s no greater way, as a champ, to go out on your last ride with the men that I went out with, with my teammates,” Lewis said. “And you looked around this stadium and Baltimore! Baltimore! We coming home, baby! We did it!”
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh now has a 2-0 coaching record against his younger brother Jim Harbaugh. The first meeting between the two brother occurred on Thanksgiving day 2011.
“How could it be any other way? It’s never pretty. It’s never perfect. But it’s us,” John said afterwards. “It was us today.”
On the flip side, this is San Francisco’s first loss in the Super Bowl making them 5-1 in the big game.
“I really wanted it for us,” 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis said. “I wanted to bring it back to the Bay… We came up short. We were there and we came up short.”
The 49ers were down by as many as 22 points early in the 3rd quarter. Momentum seemed to turn around after a power outage in the 3rd quarter. The outage lasted over a half hour. San Francisco then managed to score 17 consecutive points to finish the quarter.
In part because of the power outage, it was the longest Super Bowl in history timed at 4 hours, 14 minutes.
Baltimore managed to recover a bit in the 4th quarter scoring two field goals by Justin Tucker. Tucker tried a fake field goal run earlier in the game that failed to convert a first down near the 49ers end zone.
Kaepernick scored a 15 yard touchdown run in between those Tucker field goals but a poor pass to Randy Moss failed to convert a two point conversion that would’ve tied the game at 31-31. Kaepernick finished the game with 62 rushing yards. Through the air, Colin went 16/28 for 302 passing yards, a 31 touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree, and an interception thrown to Ed Reed in the 2nd quarter. It was the first interception ever thrown by a San Francisco quarterback in the Super Bowl.
As for Crabtree, he finished the game with 5 catches for 109 receiving and the one touchdown. Vernon Davis finished the game just 5 yards shy of him with 104 receiving yards in 6 catches.
The star of the night was Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco who shined predominantly in the first half of the game. Flacco went 22/33 for 287 passing yards and three touchdown passes, all of which came in the first half. Flacco finishes the postseason with 11 touchdown passes, no interceptions thrown, and as Super Bowl MVP.
“People should shut up about Joe,” said Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin. “I’m so sick of people saying Joe’s not an elite quarterback. For all the critics who say he’s not, ask them how many rings they have.”
Anquan Boldin also had a fine game with 6 catches for 104 yards and one touchdown off a 13 yard pass from Joe Flacco in the first quarter. It was the first score of the game for either team and it came on Baltimore first possession.
Another star for the Ravens was Jacoby Jones who made one of those Flacco touchdown catches on a 56 yard catch in which he fell down and got back up to get into the end zone. Jones out did that, however, on a 108 yard kick off return for a touchdown to start the 2nd half. It was the Ravens only touchdown of the half and it proved to be a difference maker.
The 49ers ground game was fine but it could’ve gone better. Frank Gore ran for 110 yards on 19 carries and a six yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The 49ers, however, may have missed Kendall Hunter in this one. 2nd back and rookie LaMichael James fumbled the ball early in the 2nd quarter which was recovered by Baltimore defensive end Arthur Jones. The subsequent Ravens' drive lead to a one yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta to them up by 11.
As for Baltimore’s ground game, they were not efficient against San Francisco’s defense getting only 93 yards on 35 carries. Ray Rice carried the ball 20 times for just 59 yards. Rice, however, had a fumble in the 3rd quarter which resulted in a 34 yard David Akers’ field goal.
Akers would make two other field goals in the first half of play. One in the first quarter from 36 yards out and the other to end the first half from 27 yards out. Akers accounted for all of San Francisco’s 6 first half points while Baltimore was on top by 15.
In overall numbers, San Francisco had 468 total offensive yards while Baltimore had 367. The Ravens had the ball a bit longer controlling it for just over 32 minutes of the game. The 49ers also had six red zone attempts only converting twice for touchdowns.
Inexperience showed for San Francisco against the veteran squad of Baltimore. With the team around them, however, there is always next year.
“We will use this as fuel,” 49ers safety Donte Whitner said. “It’s tough getting shoved off the field, watching the other team celebrate. We’ll be better from this. We’ll be back.”
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Adrian Peterson Wins NFL MVP
A year ago, Adrian Peterson sustained an injury that could've been a career changer. This year, he is the MVP winning 30 1/2 and the possible MVP votes with the others going to Peyton Manning. Peterson ran for 2097 yards this last season falling short of breaking Eric Dickerson's record by 9 yards. Peterson was instrumental in getting the Vikings (10-6) into the playoffs. Though they would be eliminated, he still proved to be the league's most valuable player with his rushing performances all season long.
To those who think that quarterbacks are the only ones that win the NFL MVP award anymore, you just got run on AD. Peterson award victory has proven how essential a running game in the NFL still is, even in today's "pass happy" league. Perhaps the running game is going to make a comeback in the NFL with Adrian Peterson leading the charge.
To those who think that quarterbacks are the only ones that win the NFL MVP award anymore, you just got run on AD. Peterson award victory has proven how essential a running game in the NFL still is, even in today's "pass happy" league. Perhaps the running game is going to make a comeback in the NFL with Adrian Peterson leading the charge.
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