I Got it: USA Basketball

Since 2004, when are team US basketball team was embaarssed, we complain how are team is so poorly constructed and how our superstars do not want to play on the team. Well there is clear evidence that the players who playon the dream teams, come back slower or become injury prone. Injuries have effected Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Allan Houton and the list goes on and on. And look at Lebron James this year the first three months everybody noticed he lost some quickness and lift because he played last year. The realiy is the NBA players  is playing a nine moth season, to ask themto give up their recover time is asking them ignore their main job, help their team win.

I Got it: A world wide traveling team. Their are so many players who are talented but their game does not fit the NBA game, guys like JJ Redick, Adam Morrison, Rajon Rondo, Channing Frye and the list goes on. So why should they have to struggle to get minutes in a league based on toughness and athleticism and down plays skill sets that goes like this have. So you create a traveling team of former college stars and have them playing exhibiton games against NBA teams, top college programs, NBDL teams, and travel to Europe and play against those teams.

How do you get the players? You go to the college seniors and juniors that want to enter the draft, you offer them a four year contract that is comparable to a middle of the first round pick in the draft. These players will be able to play in one Oylpmics and all the other summer international tournments, after the four years they are free to join the NBA. The team will be inconstant flux do to contract end in differet years, so it will allow the team to stay fresh. The players will have oppurtunity to ramin popular, think back just a year how famous was Reddick and Morrison was, how about Shane Battier, he was as good of a college basketball as any one has been in the last ten years. These players would get better indorsements than a guy like Mike Conely, so it would benefit the indivdualplayer.

How would it work, no real home other than a work out location, they would always be the away team. The pay would come from a T.V. contract, merchandising and cuts from the gates . People would have tried anything to see players like Reddick and Morrison so their popularity would gurantee interest in the team. The real key I think the team would have to be in bed with the NBA wether it be owned directly bby the league or if it was owned by a grooup of owners like Mark Cuban and James Dolan.

Here is what the roster might look like.

G JJ Redick

G Jameer Nelson

G Delonte West

G Chris Duhon

G Marcus Williams

F Adam Morrison

F Hakim Warrick 

F Sheldon Williams

F Sean May

F Joakim Noah

F Wayne Simien

F Channing Frye

F Ryan Gomes

By having a roster like this it would create a hierchy. A coach would not have to play the politic game and wonder if he played a guy enough minutes or if he called enough plays for another. It would be like college, the older you get the more important you become to the team. The coach would be able to create a system and add players who fit that system, instead of having to find a system that fits a linup that has Kobe, Lebron and Carmello. I have now doubt if we have a dedicated team. The team would acually have chemistry, players would cut and acual get the ball. Plays could be run at level of near perfection.

Overation: Michael Vick

So many think that some GM will take a chance and sign Vick in three or four years from now. Everybody seems to think he is this great talent, but is he. He is the ultimate “Sportscenter Jock” big time highlights with different numbers that the morons like Seasn Salisbury wax poetic about his ability. If you don’t remember old Dingleberry proclaimed Vick would be the first QB to throw for 4000 and rush for a 1000, pretty bold statement considering he hase never thrown for 3000 yards, and only once has he trhwon for more 2500.

Vick has always been defnded because he does not have the talent around him. The Falcons brought a running back who has been pretty good in Warrick Dunn , Alge Cumpler, a tight end who has been as good as any the last couple of years, Peerless Price, a probowl widreciever, and a laundry list of first and second round used on widerecievers. He is like a shooting guard on a bad team, he dominates the ball and does not allow other players to succed.

As a Giants fan I have watched Eli Manning who is in a exclusive club of making the playoffs in back to back years, the other three Matt Hasselback, Tom brady and that other Manning. People say that if he does not have a big year this year the Giants need to move on. While Eli has that in first three years, Vick has had six seasons in the league and only seen the playoff twice.

I decided to compare Vick to the other starting quaterbacks and see if their at least comparable. One of two things will make the other quaterbacks comparable to Vick, if he lead his team to the playoffs three or they entered to the after Vick and has lead his team to the playoffs at least twice.

Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Brett Farve, Jeff Garcia, Jake Delhomme, Drew Brees, Marc Bulger, Matt Hasselback, Trent Green, Chad Pennington, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Steve McNair, Peyton Manning, Dante Culpepper.

Thats 14 players who play a position that many define by winning who are better at winning. That list did not count guys like Jamarcus Russel, Jay Cutler, Phillip Rivers, Vince Young, Brady Quinn, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Tony Romo. These guys fall into the media darling players who have experinced success already. Thats 22 players right now that coulod be considered better Quaterbacks than Vick, so where is this need for him going to be in three years.

His contract is second only to Peyton Manning  so he is sucking up a large part of the cap that hurts the ability of the Falcons to add a solid free agent. Also who wants to go there atlanta and get three balls get thrown to them.

No team will need a PR nightmare who never showed the ability to career a team to playoffs on a consistent player. There is no reason to bring him back as a widereciever or runningback because there is probaly 100 players who have more athletic ability, its different being a great athlete at quaterback and being a great athlete in the NFL. He is a freak, but the NFl right now is finding the players that fit a system not finding the system to meet the player.

Eli vs. Tiki

There is something wrong in the world of sports when I have attack the greatest offensive player I have seen on on my team. Thats right last season Tiki Baber’s retirement announcement was one of the three reason why the Giants season blew up last season, the other two were not Eli. When the Giants lost their left tackle (Luke Petitgout) and the go to reciever (Amani Toomer) Tiki decided that he was not getting enough attention so he had announce his retirement in the middle of the season.

Tiki loves attention, who am I to judge when I write sports blog about my opinion, but if your a good player and want attention that means you want/have to be a leader. Leaders lead they do not fromulate their own exit stradegy. While Tiki was compared to true leaders like Ray Lewis and Peyton Manning  who give their entire life to the game and their teams, Tiki was doing interviews where he says he no longer had the desire to play. In one interview I saw he said how in years past he would take scouting film home and watch it, he admitted he no longer did that. Thats not a leader. What defines a great leader is making other players believe in themselves, that is usually done by believing in them not finding his leadership amusing.

Tiki is all about Tiki, on his radio show he addressed Eli statement that Tiki lacked heart by suggesting that 16oo yards was enough to prove his heart. He was only concearned about himself not the team. The Giants are better off with out him. I really think Eli will be a better player with out Tiki. Everybody will be on the same page or will be gone.

The sad thing was Tiki has done the same thing before, to a guy who basically made his career great instead of just above medicore. Tom coughlin fixed his fumbling problem and gave him rushing and recieving numbers compreable to any player the last three years.

Tiki has done everything in the last eightteen months to burn every bridge in the Meadowlands. I do not know when it happened but Tiki stopped being part of the Giant and became part of Tiki and the Giants. He stopped seeing himself as one of 53 men, witch is the same things a guy like Terrel Owens does, but at least he wanted to play football. Lets be real here how much of a jerk Tiki must really be if a guy with the name Manning throughs him under the bus.

Fantasy Football, The Anchors

I don’t like the term bust because the reality is that when you get a bust in the first two rounds you your team sinks like an anchor. And if you select a anchor as a number one at his position your strating in a whole.

Anchors are usually not random they usually come from a poor thought process. Most Anchors are choosen by the guy who wants to prove how smart he his. He will take Frank Gore over Larry Johnson. He wants Calvin Johnson over Darrell Jackson. What qualifies you a players as a potential anchor? Pretty much any rookie, yes Adrian Peterson is a talented back but he is playing behind a very productive back already, this is like Chicago, the Bears had a productive back with Thomas Jones then drafted Cedric Benson fouth overall, Benson was not bad but Jones was so good that he kept the job. that is probably what is going to happen. The injury prone players who are healthy for one season and everybody forgot these guys spent more time on the injury list then the field, see Frank Gore. The allmighty backup, Marion Barber is not the starter, he is not a third round pick and Parcells is not going to put him in after Julius Jones drove the field. I would not be surprised if many of these players end up on the same teams in you league.

QB (the Culpepper award)

Phillip Rivers SD

I have a bad feeling about the whales vagina all together. They lost all the decisions makers on 14 -2 team. Norv Turner I just think is in a no win situation. I hate to say it but its getting close to the time that LT might start to slowdown. I remember when Atlanta made the trade with SD I told my brother, who is a huge Charger fan that was great trade, because at that time I would rather have Drew Brees and LT over Vick. I just see the whole team taking a nose dive, especially with that reciveing core.

RB

Frank Gore SF

He is a frist round pick that will sink your team quickly, first off maybe I missed a new NFL rule that allows running backs to but the ball into a napsack and fling over there shoulder, but as far as I know running backs tend to carry the ball in their hand so that the broken hand people are down playing might affect his fumbles and carries, oh yeah do you catch the ball with your hands. This add to the injury history which includes two brand new knees and laundry list of other injuries. Not to mentioned he missed a practice with an ankle injury this week.

Laurence Maroney NE (Cadilac Williams award)

This guy seem to be drafted in the snake pick between the frist and second round. Only one runnig back has had a great season in the Tom Brady era and that was Corey Dillion his frist year in New England. Plus this guy missed serious time last with shoulder a shoulder injury, he played but was ineffective, guys like Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones, Travis Henry and Brandon Jacobs will have similar seasons if he reaches his potential but he offers to much in the first round, I would rather have Fred Taylor, consistent back who if Jones-Drew suffers an injury he will be a topten back because of TD’s. Maroney is the type of back who will play 15 games but will have limited carries and tie up a spot in your lineup and give you 47 yards rushing 23 yards recieving and probably like 6-8 TDs forthe season.

WR (The Randy Moss)

Randy Moss NE

It is a rare athlete that can win an award named after himself but is looking to repeat this year. Two of the last three year he has caught 40 balls, and the other season it was sixty. For all of you guys who think he will return to his double digit TD form your wrong. I think the real reason why Tom Brady became a great quaterback was he kept it simple, through to the open guy, he does not wait for his go to guy to get open, or chuck the ball down field every time, two things that made Moss great. And if you haven’t noticed Bellicheck won’t let Moss play in the preseason games because he is not practicing due to injury, there’s a shock Moss with a hamstring injury, I am no trainer but I am preety sure hamstring injuries hurt a players speed. Mark my words some fool who thinks he knows so much more than everybody will take him before

Marques Colston NO

He had a great rookie season. But if you look at it game by game you see he had four great games and eight games below 50 yards recieving. He had only eight touchdowns. He is being drafted a head of guys Andre Johnson and Anquan Bolidin and list of other players who have produced more than he has and is more of the focal point of their teams. I am about to go out on a limb a gain, they want to find more touchs for Reggie Bush, and they drafted a reciever in the first round. He’s the type of player who can disappear in a game. You will regret not aking a guy like Hines Ward.

Just Remember you do not get extra points by finding a sleeper. How much better of a season is a guy like Calvin Johnson going to have over Ward, so why pick the guy who’s can do it instead of the guy who has done it five years in a row.

Fantasy football, The Sleepers

How do I found sleepers, I look for two types of players, players coming off bad seasons, I use the every other year player, these guys have a great season then injuries or just bad stats. The other type of player is the guy who’s talent meets the opputunity.

Obvious guys like Travis Henry and Jon Kitna are getting crazy love so they are not sleepers so here are the guys that will win your league as long as you do the work early

QB Trent Green Mia

This guy put up 4000 yards like Tiki Barber alienated teammates. This guy has three recivers in Miami, Chris Chambers, Marty Booker and Ted Ginn. While he had a dominate Back with Larry Johnson now he has a back who cna catch the ball out of the backfield. the only downgrade is from the best TE, but Cam cameron was around when SD found a TE from no where. His first five years in KC he averageged 4023 yards a season, now go head name a WR from that teah you want on yours. This could be a great come back story and he is going to be on the board till almost the end.

RB

Brandon Jackson GB

Who lines up in that Green Bay back will throw up big fantasy numbers, and can carry any team to a championship, go see Samkon Gado 2005. Brandon Jackson got the all around skills to throw up 1200 and and double digit touchdown is good productions after the fifth round.

Chris Brown Ten

Everybody is talking about a runningback (Chris Henry) who could not run for 600 yards in college he is not going to dominate the pro level. Lendale White has carma around, I just do not see him having a big season, While Chris Brown has injuries but is the closest thing to a real runing back on that roster so he will get carries, will he be a top rb, probably not, but in the late rounds will be a good backup.

WR

Greg Jennings GB

I would not be surprised if  he does not double his production (46 catches and 6 tds) this year. Donald Driver is 32 years old and before three years ago had only one season of note. Farve throws the ball around alot but always has one he he’ll huck it up to and I think that Jennings could become that guy as soon as this year.

Mike Furrey Det

Thats right I am going out on a limb and saying somebody who had 98 receptions will help a fantasy team. But according to espn his average draft position is 117. This always happens, people asume the rookie is going take over and  produce. Calvin johnson is a nice player, but if Furrey loses a quater of his production he will still be a top ten reciever. Taking production over potential.

Defense

Houston

I know it sounds crazy but they have been drafting defense of players the last couple of years, they have a offense that can play clock ball with Ahman Green and a first year quaterback. They play terrible offensive teams like the Titans and Jacksonville. Just bench them against the Colts.

Eamon

Madden Jinx on “Rookie” Diffculty

Each August, one of football’s most revered traditions is given fresh life by the release of the latest installment in the “Madden” series: The Madden cover jinx.  For anyone who is blind and deaf, comatose, or successful in life, the Madden Jinx is a well documented (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_curse) phenomenon that began in 1999 when Garrison Hearst (no, not Hearse…remember him?) was punished for a breakout ‘98 campaign by being put on the cover of Madden ‘99. When the game was released Hearst was immediately snake bitten.  And by that, I mean an actual snake attacked his knees.  Look it up.  In any case, Hearst’s career was absolutely tanked by Madden ‘99.  He went from looking like Marshall Faulk to Marshall Faulk in 2006.  The Madden Jinx has been tested every year since then, and has held up time and time again.  It’s like Final Destination, no one can escape it.  I think  the Jinx felt threatened by the fact that is didn’t totally sink Michael Vick, and decided to kick him in the balls one more time this summer for good measure.

The reason I bring this up is that someone at EA must really want to keep the streak alive.  Vince Young graces the cover of Madden ‘08, and was doomed to a poor sophomore year long before being singled out by the most ruthless curse in professional sports.

The first reason is because the NFL, more than any other sport, is influenced by coaching adjustments.  Young was a secret weapon last year, kept in the shadows for the first 3 games of the season.  With no game tape on a running QB, opposing coaches couldn’t quite get a handle on Young, who made key plays with his legs to bring fire to an underrated squad.  Even with the advantage of surprise on his side, Young managed only a sub-Vick 66.7 passer rating.  This year will see coaches and players having memorized hours of Vince Young’s tendencies.  Needless to say, I don’t like Young’s chances against the AFC’s stellar defenses when they are fully prepared.  I like his odds even less when I consider he’ll have much less help than last year from the skill positions.

Young was able to scramble last year for three reasons: the Titans line, Travis Henry, and Drew Bennett.  Well, two of those three factors have been removed from the equation, and replaced by lesser parts.  Young will now rely on LenDale White, who looks more like George Foreman than Eddie George. If fatty fatso can’t carry the load, then it’s up to Chris Brown, who is even more ordinary than his name suggests.  He’s quick, soft, and injury prone….just the type of guy that will convince defenses to choke the box, right?  At the WR spot, Bennett was very underrated; a legitimate number one receiver.  Now Eric Moulds, who recently cast a ballot in Chicago, and David Givens, who was a spotty performer when Tom Brady threw to him will have to open up the middle for Young to run, because he has yet to prove he can get it done with his arm.

In short, expect the Madden Jinx’s stock to rise, and Young’s to fall, but don’t give the curse too much credit. It went with the easy pick this year.

Tyler

Survival guide in Enemy Territory

This Sunday I went to Shea Stadium to see a Mets game with a couple of friends, the only problem is I am a Yankee fan their by the number two enemy of the Mets, number one is the Braves. So what is the protocol necessary to enjoy game in enemy territory? Here are a couple of Survival tips to enjoy the game.

1. Know the lay of the land: There is basically three levels rivals. Level one, no true rivalry just teams in the same sport. Say you Toronto Raptor fan and you went to see the Trailblazers playing the Clippers, there is no real venom between any of these teams. Level two, usually a team competing for a playoff spot or maybe have played recently in playoff series. Its kind of like the Mavericks and Suns their fans do not like each other but you do not have to hide your fandom if somebody asks you if your a Suns fan at a Maverick and Knicks game. Level three, basically true hatred for one another, Yankees Red Sox, Dodgers Giants, Lakers Celtics. Basically you are in a Black ops mission visiting an opponent’s stadium when they are facing a neutral opponent. 

2. Choosing your Platoon: This is the key between having a great time and being marked as a target early. You want at least one of your crew to be a fan of the home team and have at least one in your crew is not a fan of the home team. You do not want have a friend who is going trash talk you every time his team scored as if it was against your team, for two reason, it’s obnoxious for one and two it brings attention to the fact that your not route routing for the home team. Rolling in to the game with a home team boy is like seeking asylum because you have a guy with gang colors.

3.Attire: Dress as if you are going to Barber Que. You should not wear your team colors to an opposing stadium its a sign of disrespect its like talking during the national anthem of another country. But what is worse is wearing the home team colors, which is the ultimate sellout move, no real fans pretends to be part of another nation.

4. Tactical Ops: The key to this is to remember you also a fan of the game. You respect the game and the accomplishment of the players. If someone hits a homerun, clap, do not go crazy and chant Jose, Jose, Jose. You should not disrespect the home team for two reasons, one its called class people always complain about the lack of class from athletes because of the way they act on the field, well we could set an example for them and two you might be risking you life if your taunting Manny in Fenway.

These are guidelines that will keep everybody happy, safe and proud. All of these rules change when its heads up with the rival.

Preseason Game Diary

People in the media say there are way to many preseason games and they should cut down on them. But the majority of the head coaches in the league support having a long preseason schedule. Why are these games so important? Because the roster has 53 players and the coach needs to know can they play in game situations, rookies needs to see live action at game speed and overall just get the veterans to have a bit of a tune-up. This also means coaches have to be smart, a starting running back who has played more than two seasons should only play two or three series a game, quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer should decide on their own playing time, and all the other veterans should receive minimal playing time. With all the injuries that happen during the seasons combined with the fact that most rosters are filled out with rookies teams need to know that all three of their players are capable if they are called upon.

Note: I have lots of issue with announcers in sports today, but as far as I am concerned Tony Kornhieser is the biggest mistake in the history of T.V., but that is for another time, I am just warning because I will comment on his ability to ruin a game. It seems as if they brought him into add history and poetry, but that is the one thing that Mike Trico can do better than any other play by play guy.

Aw the kickoff: This is a great chance for guys have always been the best players on the field to understand the importance of special teams. These players might be rookies, or veterans who are on the downside of their career just looking to stay in the league, but it is a third of the game, and might be the only part of the game that coaches are not trying to hide with vanilla play calls.

The first series: this is an ideal game to show importance of preseason, Jay Cutler and Alex Smith both need to get as snaps, not so much for the experience but for film work, they can review and see if their was an open man, if their footwork was bad or recognize pressure.

Broncos scored. Henry was able to run down the Niners throat and Cutler made a good throw and was able to scramble and make player also give all Bronco fans a heart attack by going head first into the tackler.

Niners have the ball and ran a screen, a play that needs to be run in game situations because it is a timing play and needs to be run at game speed. Kornhieser is already getting his lips stitched to Jaws ass. People are talking about the lose of Norv Turner on Alex Smith but I would be more concerned with for Frank Gore, running backs always put up big numbers in Turner offenses. But I like Alex Smith he reminds me of super Jeff Garcia, mobile, understands the game, knows his limits and tough. He basically called his own plays in college and can move the ball on the NFL level. Plus I love the addition of Darrell Jackson, a very underrated receiver; his professionalism will add something to the offense.

The second series: Cutler out as well as Henry, I agree with taking Henry but I think one more series for Cutler would have been better for his advancement. But it is a good chance for the backup, Patrick Ramsey in this case, to play against starters.

The third series: hear we go, the mass substitutions begin. The vets can take off the shoulder pads, fool around and occasional give the younger players tip or two. But in reality quarterbacks and offensive lineman are the only players who are not rotated in and out of the game. Coaches want six-man rotation on all three levels of the defense, and wide receivers run three routes and have to be pulled because they got tired from temper tantrum from not getting the ball. So there is a demand for depth and this is where depth is built.

Okay do we really need instant replay review in preseason game? Or at least if the coach loses he should not be allowed to challenge any more plays the rest of the season.Second Quarter: This is usually ugly football. Players who are new to the team trying to learn the system. But you can tell the way Trent Dilfer is acting how important it is to be running crisp plays, demanding challenges yelling at guys in the huddle, telling players where to lineup. This is more evidence supporting of the importance of preseason, a super bowl winning quarterback with more than ten years in the league is stressing over the little stuff.

Jaws is doing a decent job with color, I think if they paired him up another guy with a decent football I.Q. would create magical booth.

Kornheisier has his first contribution talking about the best-dressed men in the world, wow what great job. He has no understanding of his roll; he needs to stop getting in the way of the flow. He needs to realize that most football fans watch at least three hours of football a week and probably no more about the actual game than he does.

Its half time and the only way you can watch the second half of the first preseason game is if your team is playing. 

Eamon

Where did his real strength come from?

It’s sad that so many people cannot see what Barry Bonds really has accomplished. Steroids are not some kind of cheat code you enter into to a video game. At the end of the day there was no player while in the game that worked harder to be the best player he could be.

The reality was that the media targeted the Barry Bonds because he would not dance when the media played the music.I think a lot of his perceived aloofness and attitude grew when his desire to be the best player ever developed. A couple of years ago he joked that once he passed Babe Ruth he would retire because then he would have beaten the greatest white player. At the same time was promoting the fact that some of the best players were playing in the Negro leagues so the accomplishments of that era were not legit.

Players cannot decide in the middle of their career to be great, I think his moment was when he was growing up. Hank Aaron is an amazing individual who came along at the right time, which was the same time as Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays. Are we naive enough not to realize that Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays did not get similar treatment on a nightly basis as Aaron, being called nigger and spit on. They were probably refused service at restaurants. Just Imagine if that was your father and godfather were amazing athletes and great people and yet they were treated like that. The commissioner of that time, Bowie Kuhn, failed to show up for the record setting night, he had excuses but many speculate his absence had to due with his racism. I think a kid who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s who faced racism daily would have a goal, to prove that a black player would be nothing short of the best player every. He wanted for the best player ever to be black and he decided to take charge. He knew the work it took to get to the majors and he did not want to apologies for what it would take to be the greatest.  I am sad a man had a dream that the greatest player ever could be black and would not has to be ashamed of what he had to get there.

Nothing Barry has said supports this theory. I think that he would not say anything like that because he knows how he would be treated and how he would have alienated much of his fan base.

Bud’s Can of Corn

By blurring the lines between fair and foul play, MLB has missed out entirely on what should be one of the few moments that truly defines an entire sport.  There is no one to blame but Bud Selig and those in baseball’s positions of power who refused to draw hard lines one way or the other regarding performance enhancement.  Not Barry, not Balco, but Bud must take responsibility for an inconsequential and lukewarm 756.

MLB could have been changed forever by Bonds’ home run by either embracing the new owner of its most coveted record, or condemning him and establishing a tone that would surely be heard league-wide.  Either option represents a stance that could produce some backlash, but would reap key benefits that would shape the future of the league.  MLB’s reaction to 756 could have gained a legend, or shed its weak reputation.  Instead, Selig and MLB have continued their indecision, and left the fans looking for answers during the most important baseball event of their lives.  Is the steroid use that dominated the 90’s going to be glossed over and accepted?  Has Bonds had one of the very best careers baseball has seen, or does he represent baseball’s worst? Will the asterisk be introduced into the most revered stat book in sports?

These questions, and any others that define what MLB is, have been left for another day.  The problem is, 756 took place yesterday; Selig and MLB have already dropped the ball.

Tyler