klownboy

I am avid sports lover who cherishes all things Steelers, Knicks, and Yankees - and despise all Boston and Cleveland-based sports. Enjoy!!!

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Braun’s Ruling Leaves More Questions

Posted 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 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 in sports blogging, NBA 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 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 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 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 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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Super Bowl XLVI Preview

Posted in NFL, sports blogging on February 2, 2012

I am not ready for the last official NFL game to take place, simply because I am not ready for months of no NFL.

Sigh.

At least this game is the Super Bowl I suppose.  Speaking of which, here is how I see Super Bowl XLVI plays out:

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots.  Ah, another Super Bowl rematch.  We all know there are questions surrounding Rob Gronkowski’s high ankle sprain.  While I think he will play, Gronk will be no more than a glorified decoy.  While the Giants of 2008 shocked the world, that Giants team was not as talented as THIS Giants team.  And this Patriots team was not as talented as that 18-0 juggernaut (which later became 18-1) in the previous Super Bowl matchup.

As for this edition of Giants-Patriots, I think the Giants have the upper hand on the Pats.  The Giants are loaded offensively, QB Eli Manning is playing out of his mind, and the Giants defensive line will harass Pats QB Tom Brady all night long.  Oh, the Pats defense is just not that good – the Denver Broncos game notwithstanding.  I think the game will be close, but I expect the New York team to get over on a Boston-based team ONCE AGAIN…

Giants 27, Patriots 20.

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An Annoying Peyton Manning Poll…

Posted in NFL, sports blogging on February 1, 2012

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This Just in: the Pro Bowl Sucks

Posted in NFL, sports blogging on January 30, 2012

Wow, talk about an exciting all-star game.  It was so exciting, I didn’t even bother to tune into the game.

Let’s face it folks, the Pro Bowl sucks.

The fans know it.  The players know it (which is why some guys do not bother making the trip).  And most importantly, the commissioner knows  it.

NFL Commissioner/Warden/Playa-Hater Roger Goodell thought that fan interest would increase by allowing players to tweet DURING the game.  He figured that fans would tune in just for the ability to communicate with players or at the very least, see what was on the players’ minds.

Here’s the deal.  The only way the NFL will improve the Pro Bowl (the product and the interest in it) is to do one of the following:

  • Allowing blitzing.  Wouldn’t fans want to see how the best pass rushers would fare against the best offensive linemen?
  • Have huge payouts for the winning team.  I know the players who do participate get bonuses, but what if players on the winning team got an extra $1 million for their troubles?
  • A more radical solution: the winning conference’s teams get an extra draft pick per round.  A little – ok, VERY – extreme, but who wouldn’t want extra draft picks?  Could you imagine the Colts getting an extra first round draft pick?

I admit that none of those recommendation (especially the third one) may not materialize but dammit, someone had to do something.  What better way to do so than in a blog where most would not even bother to take seriously (oops)?

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