The Weekend Run-down July 25, 2011

I don’t know where you are while reading this but chances are it’s probably hot where ever you may be. Here in Nashville the mercury rose to over 95 degrees this weekend and will get up to 98 this week with no end in sight. These are the dog days of summer and of course that means not much in the sports world to go around. The big subject for most is the NFL labor dispute, and it looks as if it’s finally coming to an end. Sources close to the action are reporting that the players could ratify the deal as early as today, hopefully so as it would be welcome news to all the football fans (Including myself) out there. Cadel Evans made history as the first rider from down under to win the Tour de France.The old fox Brett Favre just can’t seem to give up football and the Seattle Mariners just can’t seem to get a win.




Now for the rundown:



The NFL is ready for business?

As I stated above it seems both sides are finally ready to settle on a new CBA. ESPN is reporting that free-agent negotiations and trades could begin as soon as Tuesday can be filed with the league office Friday at 6 p.m. That’s means that its time for the free-agent bonanza folks. Every big named player including Nnamdi Asomagha, and Matt Hasselbeck, Kevin Kolb, and Donovan McNabb will be able to be moved by this weekend. Thank God this soap opera is over and we can get back to the business of football. It really sucks looking at Sportscenter as it is in the summer, and when you take away the occasional football update it makes that even worse. The players have to re-certify but that should be done soon. Neither side won this battle but the fans ultimately won’t judge either just as long as we get to see some football in the fall. Let the festivities begin.



Brett to the Eagles? Did I hear that right?

Now that lockout appears to be in its final moments its only right to begin the annual Brett Favre watch right? There are reports surfacing that the old gunslinger is being recruited by Philly to backup star Michael Vick. This guy just can’t leave it alone can he? He played probably his toughest year last season, taking on various injuries including his shoulder, ankle and rotator cuff and yet it seems all it takes is for a team to show some interest and him and he could possibly jump right back in. At least this time around he would be a backup and wouldn’t have to endure such punishment. Said Vick “I would be honored to have Brett Favre as a backup," Vick tweeted. "That will be amazing learning how to toy with defenses the way he did his whole career." The jury is still out on this one. We will have to wait and see but it just wouldn’t be a proper summer without a Brett Favre watch would it?



Cadel Evans wins the Tour de France:

Cadel Evans became the first Australian to win the prestigious Tour de France. The world most famous biking tournament seems to always be clouded by doping scandals, but this year seemed to go rather smoothly. Previous 3-time Tour winner Alberto Contador finished 5th after dealing with his own allegatiations. This was a rather entertaining Tour this year with 7 riders donning the yellow jersey. Frenchmen Thomas Voeckler held it for 10 days, to the delight oaf the French but couldn’t hold off the Aussie Evans who became the oldest Tour winner ever. He was also just the third non-European to claim the title, joining Americans Greg Lemond and Lance Armstrong. Congrats to Evans and of course Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!



Seattle Mariners lose their 15th straight:

It seems like every sport has that one team that has an epic losing streak. NBA = Cleveland Cavaliers, NFL = Carolina Panthers and now MLB = Seattle Mariners. The Mariners were actually a .500 team (43-43) before this losing streak and they just ran into a buzz saw in the Boston Red Sox. The Mariners have one of, if not the best pitcher in the game in Felix Hernandez but he hasn’t had the run support needed to win games for them. Seattle’s problem is its bats as the Mariners rank near the bottom of every offensive category in major league baseball. Their schedule isn’t doing them any favors either as their next two series are against the Bronx bombers of New York and a hungry and young Tampa Rays team. Ouch.

Alright that’s all have for my over the weekend coverage. Make sure to check back this week as I have some more announcements coming and we will cover all things post NFL lockout. Hope everyone enjoyed a nice and prosperous weekend. Stay out the heat folks!

The Weekend Run-down May 16, 2011

The NBA and NHL playoffs took center stage this weekend as both leagues are now in the conference finals. In the NBA, one of the most anticipated match-ups of the playoffs turned into a laugher as Chicago behind its stifling defense and a couple of monster dunks by Taj Gibson of all people took game 1 from Miami and its big 3 of James, Wade, and Bosh. Memphis tried its best but finally lost their Cinderella slipper as OKC eliminated them in game 7 of the Western semi-finals. The “Believe Memphis’ campaign comes to a bittersweet end as the Grizzlies enjoyed their best season ever and look to have a bright future ahead of them.

In the NHL, Vancouver rallied late to push past the San Jose Sharks, to take the first game of their series. San Jose’s penchant for blowing leads was never more evident then in this game, but more of that later. The Boston Red Sox demise has been greatly exaggerated as they swept the New York Yankess and finally get back to .500. On top of getting swept, the Yankees are dealing with Jorge Posada’s refusal to go into the game after being placed at the 9 spot in Joe Giradi’s lineup card. A circus has ensued as the ageing Posada and his wife took to social media (which never makes anything better) to vent their frustration. Just another day in Yankee land right?

Now for the rundown:

NBA:

Eastern Conference Finals Game 1: Chicago 103 Miami 82 – The Bulls came out and made this one a street fight. Chicago doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of three of the games superstars but they proved that they will be a tough match for Miami. MVP Derrick Rose scored 28 points and Luol Deng chipped in 21 as for Chicago. The Bulls vaunted Tom Thibodeau defense held Lebron James and Dwayne Wade to just 33 points combined. The Bulls just outhustled Miami all over the floor as they dove for loose balls and boxed out Miami on multiple occasions. The isolation plays Miami ran with so much precision and efficiency against Boston were met with double teams as Joakim Noah packed the paint and didn’t allow James and Wade to attack the basket. This is the blueprint for Chicago. Miami may have the stars but Chicago has the depth and will look to wear down the Heat. So far so good as they take game 1 and look to carry their momentum into game 2 Wednesday.

Western Conference Semi-Finals Game 7: OKC 105 Memphis 90 – Kevin Durant was mad at himself for letting his team down in game 6 and came out took it to the Grizzlies in game 7. Durant scored 39 as he saved his best game of the series for the most important one. Durant’s Dr.Jerkyll-Mr.Hyde sidekick Russell Westbrook also turned in his best performance as he notched his first postseason triple double with 14 points 10 rebounds and a season high 14 assists. You never know what you will get from Westbrook but when he plays under control like this, he makes the Thunder as good as any team in the league. The Grizzlies battled but an 18 for 23 stretch that extended from the first quarter to the second quarter all but doomed their chances. Mike Conley scored 18 to lead Memphis and would cut the Thunder’s lead to 52-49 on a 3-pointer in the third. That would be as close as Memphis got as Durant got hot again as he scored eight points in a 14-2 run for OKC that all but sealed it up for the Thunder. Oklahoma City now will face Dallas in the Western Conference Finals. Memphis fades off into the sunset but they had their most successful season ever. They return 20 point a game scorer Rudy Gay and now have fan support that hasn’t been there for years in Memphis. Things are looking up and as long as they can sustain their success, things will only get better for the Grizzlies. Congrats on a great season Memphis.

NHL:

Western Conference Finals Game 1: Vancouver 3 San Jose 2 – When your making your first conference finals appearance in 17 years, your not going to let a little 2-1 deficit hold you back right? The Canucks scored two goals in the third to take game 1 of the Western Finals. This continues an ugly trend for San Jose. They have blown three leads in these playoffs when leading in the third period of the game. Vancouver capitalized in the final period as Henrik Sedin set up Kevin Bieksa’s tying goal and Bieska would score the winning goal as well. San Jose looked a bit sluggish at times which was understandable after their emotional game 7 win over Detroit. Anitti Niemi kept San Jose in the game as he stopped 35 of 38 shots but it wasn’t enough. Game 2 is Wednesday in Vancouver and I’m sure San Jose will respond with more rest under their belts.

MLB:

Boston Sweeps New York – The Boston Red Sox were suppose to win over 100 games this year, run roughshod over the American league and meet the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. Armed with the acquisitions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez this is what you were told to believe coming into this season. However things started out rough, as a matter of fact very rough for the Sox. After starting out a major league worst 3-10 after, the Sox have slowly crept back up the standings.

They completed their sweep of the hated Yankees last night as Jon Lester pitched 6 innings and struck out 7. New York now is the team struggling as they have lost 5 in a row and have a drama developing in the club house with Jorge Posada. Posada went out of his way to apologize but the damage has already been done to his reputation. He refused to go into the game after being dropped to 9th in the lineup but what can you expect after hitting just .165? New York’s defense has also abandoned them as they now have made 13 errors in 10 games. A-Rod allowed a ball roll to through five hole in the seventh and it stretch the Red Sox lead to 6-4. Jonathon Papelbon came in and got the save the in the ninth to preserve the sweep.

Super Bowl Hangover

The Super Bowl hangover is now in full effect. We now have no football until at least August and quite possibly longer than that with looming NFL labor strife with the players union and the owners. What is a die-hard fan to do in the lulls of winter boredom? If you’re like most fans including myself, you will just turn your attention to the other major sports but the only thing in full swing is basketball. I am an avid basketball fan as well but regular season basketball just doesn’t tickle my fancy as much as a regular season football game. Of course, you are going to have your deep 3-pointers and high-flying dunks with animated commentators such as Marv Albert with his signature “Yes!” .Also in college basketball with Dickie V’s over the top bragging about any player he sees fit for his praise but it not enough for to fill football void. Basketball is my yang and football and is my ying. I’ve always followed both with die-hard status but it always hard to just change my viewing pleasure to mid-season basketball.




It makes it even harder when one person is dominating the headlines of the NBA as much as Carmelo Anthony is right now. So after countless trade rumors about Melo going to the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks, am I suppose to believe that the Los Angeles Lakers have joined the discussion? So I guess now the NBA is in line for its version of super-teams that was ushered in by Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. I just wish he would land somewhere so every time I watch sportscenter I don’t have to hear about it anymore.



College basketball isn’t good until March although The Jimmer is making a case for me to watch a BYU game. I want to catch the latest outfit of one and done players Coach Cal has put together at Kentucky before its too late. North Carolina and Duke games are always good and are about the closest thing to hard hitting you will see in college basketball. But again, I can wait until March in most cases before I tune in for college basketball.



What about baseball you ask? Spring training is right around the corner. The Boston Red Sox have reloaded by adding two of the best young hitters in the game in Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. Philadelphia added ace Cliff Lee after he spurned offers from the Yanks and Texas. And speaking of the Yankees, now what are they going to do without Andy Pettitte? Baseball peaks my interest but again not enough for my football fix. For the life of me I cannot watch an entire nine inning game of baseball. I have tried and tried but I always end up doing one of the following: A.) Falling asleep B.) Hopping on the computer or C.) Flipping the channel after watching a guy foul off 10 pitches. It’s just not the same as seeing Troy Polamalu come off the edge for a blitz or Peyton Manning pump faking the defense for a bomb to Reggie Wayne.



As far as all the other so-called spring and summer sports (Tennis, Race-car driving, Golf etc.), none can come close to the action on the gridiron. For those of us who are die-hard football fans, nothing else can touch the pigskin. The worst Sportcenters are in the summer, tune in to one if you don’t believe me. I call this period of non-football the drought. I find myself sometime watching old college football games with players who are either in the league or doing something entirely different with their lives. I watch the NFL network games just to get a taste of what I’m missing even though I know who is going to win. The only good thing that comes from this is that it makes you tune back in to your regular life. You know like work, your family and the outdoors. One person who never complains when football season is over is my girlfriend, she says this is the only time she can get my attention and maybe she is right.



So in summarizing the only thing for us football fans can do is the things we did before football like enjoying the nice spring weather and our family and friends. That is until football returns.