Archive for February, 2012

Hines Is the Greatest Steeler of All-Time

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on February 29, 2012

It’s official.

My beloved Pittsburgh Steelers released franchise record-holding receiver Hines Ward earlier this afternoon.  Ward played 14 years for the Steelers, and set franchise receiving records in receiving.  In fact, he holds ALL of the franchise receiving records.

Ward’s release reminds us just how cruel the NFL is on the business side.  All contracts are not guaranteed – outside the signing bonus – and teams will cut players in a New York minute.

In the end, it doesn’t matter that Ward played 14 years with the team.  It doesn’t matter that Ward set every franchise receiving record.  It doesn’t matter that Ward was a team and civic icon.

Most players will either get cut or forced to retire, even a future Hall of Famer in Ward.

My favorite Hines Ward photo

Yeah I said it.  Even though Ward played in only four Pro Bowls, Ward is pound for pound among the toughest players in the game.  He is definitely the toughest wide receiver in the game.

So the next question is, where does Ward rank among the all-time greats in Steeler history?  I think he is the best player in franchise history.

Sure, there were great players who played on the Steeler teams of the 70s.  I just think that no one player stood out on that team, maybe because there were so many great players and leaders on that team.

I just think that Ward stood out for his play and his leadership.  I think that he was captain for all but his first two seasons for the Steelers.  Because of all of that, he was a constant on those successful Steelers teams for the last decade.

If that is not considered an all-time great, I do not know what is.

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Why the NBA Has the Best All-Star Game

Posted by klownboy in NBA, sports blogging on February 27, 2012

Look, we know that most – if not all – of the four major sports’ All-Star games suck.  They are exhibitions that are meant to entertain and solicit oohs and aahs.

That is why the NBA gets it right almost all of the time.

Let’s look at it this way, when you tune in to an average NFL game, what would you expect?  Hitting, big plays, and MORE hitting.  Does the Pro Bowl feature ANY hitting?  That’s what I thought.

Besides, if I wanted to see a lot of scoring with less hitting in football, I’d either watch an Arena League game or play Madden 2012.

If you were to watch an average NHL game, what would you expect?  Hitting, fighting, busted teeth, and MORE hitting and MORE fighting.  Does the NHL’s All-Star game have any of that?  Hell, even EA Sports’ NHL hockey has more hitting than its’ All-Star game.

And finally, if you were to watch an average Major League Baseball game, what would you expect?  Boredom, some juiced up offense, good pitching here and there.  Well, at least MLB’s All Star game has the boredom part locked down.

At least we get what we expect watching the NBA’s All Star game.  Lot’s of entertaining, highlight reel dunks with some fancy behind-the-back passes along the way.  Basketball is all of those things as is.  If you tuned into ESPN’s Top 10 Plays every night, you’d notice that most of them are from NBA games.

The NBA has a good thing going, and has done so the last two-plus decades.  Just don’t do anything stupid like using it to determine home-court advantage in the Finals (I’m looking at you, MLB…).

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What the NFL Combine SHOULD Be Used for

Posted by klownboy in sports blogging on February 25, 2012

Reblogged from The Klown Times:

Click to visit the original post

The NFL Combine is an integral part of the NFL’s off-season.

It’s where a lot of college players measurables are taken, such as 40-yard dash times, ability to make certain throws (quarterbacks only), broad jumps, vertical jumps, and various agility tests.  Scouts and GMs also measure college players’ aptitudes in the classroom in going over film to see how well those players read coverages and formations.

Read more… 486 more words

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Braun’s Ruling Leaves More Questions

Posted by klownboy in baseball, MLB, sports blogging on February 25, 2012

Ryan Braun feels vindicated.

His vindication comes from an arbitrator’s ruling that reversed a 50-game suspension because he allegedly tested positive for a performance enhancement drug.  So now the reigning National League MVP can just kick back, relax, and enjoy his life as a Milwaukee Brewer …right?

To quote ESPN’s Lee Corso, “not so fast, my friend…”

Braun may have won his appeal, but his reputation has been sullied a bit.  His name will be now associated with performance enhancing drugs.

Players and fans outside of Milwaukee will look at Braun sideways.  They will start to think (if not so already), “is he really innocent, or did he get over?”

I may not see the future like Dionne Warwick, but something tells me he will get the Barry Bonds-light treatment on the road this season.

Another big star – an MVP no less – associated with performance enhancing drugs.  And by the way, that was the last thing that baseball needs.

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Todd Haley Should Be the Adult in Pittsburgh

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on February 21, 2012

There has been a lot made over the Todd Haley-Ben Roethlisberger brouhaha in the Steel City.

Haley, the new offensive coordinator, has yet to meet with Roethlisberger, the star QB.  Or vice-versa.  Either way, it’s a story that’s starting to run amok in the NFL landscape.

Here’s the deal.  While both of these guys need to be adults and pick up the damn phone, I think most of this falls on Haley.

After all, Big Ben has won two out of three Super Bowls – winning one of those against Haley (while he was an assistant in Arizona).  He is a top-five QB, and he is entering his prime.  His play and success (four AFC North division titles, three AFC titles, and the two aforementioned Super Bowl titles) speak for themselves.

And let’s be real about something: it’s not like Haley has had a lot recent success.  Haley was canned in Kansas city last season after opening the season with a 5-8 record.  His record as Chiefs head coach was 19-26.

Simply put, Haley has no business playing “high post” under ANY circumstances.

Look, I’m confident that these two grown-ass men will start ACTING LIKE grown-ass men and talk sometime before mini-camp.  I just think the new guy should know his role and pick up the damn phone.

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Kobe Knows the Lakers Are Officially on the Downside

Posted by klownboy in NBA, sports blogging on February 20, 2012

Kobe Bryant is about as tired of the Lakers’ front office as I am of ESPN making new stories out of non-stories.

Bryant came out after yesterday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns and critized the way the Lakers are handling the Pau Gasol trade rumors.  Suffice it to say, Bryant was not happy when he said the following:

“It’s just tough for a player to give his all when you don’t know if you’re going to be here tomorrow.  I’d rather them not trade him (Gasol) at all.  If they’re going to do something, I wish they would just (expletive) do it.  If they’re not going to do it, come out and say you’re not going to do it.”

I think Bryant is not only frustrated with Laker management, he is pissed that his team is not doing as well as he’d like.  Hell, the Lakers are looking up at the first-place Clippers (the FIRST-PLACE CLIPPERS!!!) in the Pacific Division.  As it stands now, the Lakers have the 5th-best record in the wide-open Western Conference.

Simply put, if the Lakers stand pat they will not advance out of the first round of the NBA playoffs, let alone contend for a title.  Bryant sees that, and is rightfully pissed about it.

At this stage of his career, Bryant is about one thing: his legacy.  He has five rings, with his first three due to Shaquille O’Neal.  Bryant wants to equal Michael Jordan’s six, and cement himself is one of the greatest to ever play pro basketball.

However, Bryant knows that he may not sniff another title shot anytime soon, if ever.  And that is what fuels his frustration…

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Peyton Needs to Retire

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on February 16, 2012

Word came out that Indianapolis Colts QB (at the moment) Peyton Manning had a fourth – a FOURTH – procedure performed on his neck last season.  It was said that this fourth surgery was the most serious of them all.  And the kicker was that this was before his neck fusion surgery Sept. 9.

Simply put, this is a huge freaking deal.

Five surgeries on his neck.  FIVE.

Could you imagine having to evade 300-pound defensive lineman, and hard-hitting linebackers after five procedures done on YOUR neck?  Peyton would be risking a whole helluva lot going out there against the likes of Mario Williams twice a year, Terrell Suggs and my man James Harrison after five neck procedures.

Look, I understand that Peyton has WAY too much pride to not go out on his own terms.  He is a hard worker, and will work tirelessly to get back on the field.

I think dude should retire.

I mean, what else does Peyton have to prove?  He is a four-time MVP winner.  He has won a Super Bowl.  He is arguably the greatest REGULAR SEASON quarterback of all time.

While head injuries are considered the most serious and dangerous injuries, I would imagine neck injuries are a close second.  I cannot see Peyton risking serious complications on his neck for the rest of his life for the sake of salvaging some pride by playing another season or three.

Peyton, here is some unsolicited advice: no matter how much money the Redskins and Dolphins throw at you, it’s not worth jeopardizing your long term health.

Walk away…

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Lin-sanity Is Here to Stay

Posted by klownboy in NBA, sports blogging on February 11, 2012

Normally I am not one to being a prisoner of the moment.  I tend to let things ride out.

However, after seeing Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin drop 38 points on the hated Los Angeles Lakers (at least I hate them), I have one thing to say.  Color me a believer.

I mean, you cannot call this kid a fluke anymore.  In his last four games, Lin has scored 25, 28, 23, and 38 points.  He also dished out no more than seven assists in those four games.

Let’s be real about something: my Knicks needed a point guard in the worst way.  With the cast of characters New York has playing the position (Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert), anyone other than those guys would have been an instant upgrade.

Lin should bring out the best in Amare Stoudemire when he returns to the lineup Monday.  Stoudemire is a pick-and-roll guy and should pick up his scoring when he returns.

As long as Carmelo Anthony doesn’t ballhog once he returns from his injury, things will be all good for my Knicks…

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Magic, not Kobe, Is the Greatest Laker of All Time

Posted by klownboy in NBA, sports blogging on February 8, 2012

So Kobe Bryant scored a bunch of points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers to become the all-time leading scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers.  It was quite an awesome feat, I’ll give it that.

However, the awesomeness ended with an infamous quote from former Laker/Kobe antagonist Shaquille O’Neal.

“I want to personally congratulate Kobe on being the greatest Laker ever.”

WHAT?

Are you kidding me Shaq?  Kobe Bryant?  Really?

First of all, while I think Shaq was trying to be gracious and apologetic towards Bryant.  I just think Shaq was not only waaaay off in his assessment of Bryant’s place in Laker history, but that he was such a prisoner of the moment.

Any NBA fan worth his/her weight should know a little bit about Laker history.  And that history dictates that Bryant is not even the THIRD best player in Laker history.

Here is where I think Bryant ranks among the all-time Laker greats:

  1. Magic Johnson (and it is not even close, folks…)
  2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  3. George Mikan (the original dominant big man)
  4. Shaquille O’Neal
  5. Jerry West
  6. Kobe Bryant (he does not win three of his titles without Shaq)
  7. Wilt Chamberlain
  8. Elgin Baylor

Honorable mention: “Big Game” James Worthy

I am guessing that a few of you may disagree with my list.  Lemme have it!!!

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Eli Is Still not Better than Peyton

Posted by klownboy in NFL, sports blogging on February 5, 2012

Congrats to Eli Manning and the New York Giants for beating the New England Patriots, a.k.a. “the anti-Christ” 21-17.  Now folks are debating whether Eli is better than his brother Peyton Manning.

Slow your roll folks.

While Eli is now the more accomplished quarterback in terms of the post-season, Peyton is still the better of the two.  I have always said that Peyton is the most accomplished REGULAR SEASON quarterback in NFL history.  He broke the season touchdown record previously held by Dan Marino.  Peyton is also a multiple MVP winner.

I’m sorry folks, but Eli’s resume doesn’t even compute and compare to Peyton’s.  However, I will say this: Eli is the more CLUTCH quarterback of the two.  A stellar post-season record, including winning both Super Bowl appearances (both against Tom Brady), is the epitome of clutch.

However just because you are more clutch, it does not necessarily make you the best.  Is Big Ben better than Peyton?

I didn’t think so…

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