Am I the only one that has noticed the popularity boost the NHL has received since the last Olympic Games, which featured one of the best Olympic hockey games since Lake Placid when the smaller, less talented USA team took down powerhouse Russia? Now I have never been much of a hockey fan, just have never gotten into it. But I did watch the USA vs Canada game in this years 2010 Olympic Games, and I have to say since then I have been more involved and paid more attention to hockey. This was a monumental game for the Gold medal. The USA on their road to the Gold medal game had already beaten Canada http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU9i9jD0E18. So the Gold medal game was a rematch and the USA went into the game with high hopes they could pull off the upset once again. The game was intense and lived up to all the hype it had garnered. The USA tied the game up with about 20 seconds left and sent the game into overtime. Enter Sidney Crosby, arguable one of the best players in the NHL, and his game winning shot on goal to win the game for Canada, here is the link to watch the shot Link.
Anyway, this game really brought hockey to another level in the US and Canada, the numbers show that this was the most watched hockey game since 1980. And had a higher rating than any World Series game since 2004, and any NCAA Final Four game since 1998. Since the Gold medal game hockey has been more popular, has seen an increase in attendance, and an increase on media coverage. Especially now that we are in the middle of the NHL playoffs. It also helps to see so many players from the Gold medal game in the NHL, which can bring back memories of that game.
Personally I had never really just sat down and watched a whole hockey game until the USA vs. Canada Gold medal match. I never really thought it was as intense as it was, and that is one thing i love to see in sport, intensity. But watching what these athletes are capable of and can do on the ice, they have my respect. It takes so much determination, hard work, and patience to learn what it takes to be a hockey players. I know that from the Gold medal game on, never again will I take hockey for granted.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
2010 NFL Mock Draft
So with the NFL draft coming up in a few weeks, I thought I would, and everyone else does, lay out my own first round picks for each team. Now I know how much you want to etch these in stone but these are my opinion, no matter how close to fact they are. These picks are based off my own observations of teams, and what I think their needs are.
1. St Louis Rams Sam Bradford(QB)- The Rams need help at every position but most importantly QB, especially now that they released Marc Bulger
2. Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh(DT)- He is the best player in the draft and the Lions also need help everywhere, he will make an immediate impact in the middle
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gerald McCoy(DT)-McCoy is very athletic for his size and Tampa Bay needs help on the defensive line, he will be a great player
4. Washington Redskins Eric Berry(S)- A week ago I would of said the Redskins would draft Jimmy Claussen, but with the acqusition of Donovan McNabb, they need to go defense and Berry is the defensive player, and will be a contributor for a long time
5. Kansas City Chiefs Jimmy Claussen(QB)- The Chiefs traded for Matt Cassell last year but he is not the answer, Claussen is NFL ready
6. Seattle Seahawks Russell Okung(OT)-The Hawks need an offensive line to protect their aging QB Matt Hasselbeck, Okung is big and athletic and will start from day 1
7. Cleveland Browns Joe Haden(CB)- The Browns are thin at DB and Haden is fast and great in coverage, will start right away
8. Oakland Raiders Bryan Bulaga(OT)- The Raiders will take the best player available and that is Bulaga, he has the intelligence and athleticism to play from the get go
9. Buffalo Bills Dez Bryant(WR)- The Bills need a receiver for whatever QB they end up with to throw the ball to, Bryant is big strong and without a doubt the best receiver in the draft
10. Jacksonville Jaguars Derrick Morgan(DE)- Thought about going CJ Spiller here to go alongside MJD but the DE position is quite weak for the Jags
11. Denver Broncos Trent Williams(OT)- The Broncos need alot of help on offense and they cant reach for a skill position here so they help protect the QB, Williams is athletic but a little raw
12. Miami Dolphins Rolando McClain(LB)-The Fins are thin at linebacker especially with Joey Porter gone, McClain is very smart and a leader
13. San Fransisco 49ers Earl Thomas(S)- San Fran will add to their already solid D with Thomas who is a big hitter and a leaper
14. Seattle Seahawks CJ Spiller(RB)-Since they drafter an OT with their first pick the Hawks need someone who can finally run the ball, Spiller is fast, dynamic, and great in special teams, the best RB in the draft
15. New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul(DE)- With the DE end situation in NY a little shaky, the G Men take Pierre-Paul, who might be the most athletic person in the draft, just watch this video, he is the first guy flipping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-1e6Faglw
16. Tennessee Titans Dan Williams(DT)- With Haynesworth gone for a year now, the DT poistion is young and there is no clear starter, Williams is big and will throw his weight around
17. San Fransisco 49ers Mike Iupati(OG)- The 9ers will shore up their offensive line with this addition, Iupati is big and fleet footed and will be a great addition
18. Pittsburgh Steelers Kareem Jackson(CB)- The Steel Curtain hasnt been living up to that name lately, especially in the secondary, Jackson knows the game and came from a great school with a great coach
19. Atlanta Falcons Sergio Kindle(LB)- The Falcons have a dynamic offense, but their defense is suspect, Kindle is fast and athletic and will play right away
20. Houston Texans Ryan Mathews(RB)- The Texans could easily go defense here but Schaub needs someone to take some pressure off him, Mathews is big and a hard runner
21. Cincinatti Bengals Taylor Mays(S)- Mays is a hybrid safety linebacker but is very fast and a huge hitter, could make a difference in the secondary
22. New England Patriots Sean Witherspoon(LB)- It seems like NE is always trying to upgrade their linebacker corp, and this year is no difference, Witherspoon is a fundamentally sound LB who knows the game
23. Green Bay Packers Maurkice Pouncey(OL)- The Pack gave up the most sacks in the league last year, Pouncey can play multiple positions, and play them well
24. Philadelphia Eagles Anthony Davis(OT)- The Eagles will want to protect new starting QB Kevin Kolb so they take Davis, he has room to improve but has upside
25. Baltimore Ravens Demaryius Thomas(WR)- The Ravens need a receiver to go opposite Derrick Mason, and Thomas is big and a deep threat
26. Arizona Cardinals Brandon Graham(LB)- The Cards will have to replace one of the best tacklers to play in a while, Graham is big and really knows how to play
27. Dallas Cowboys Everson Griffin(DE)-The Boys will upgrade their defense with Griffin who is fast and has a motor that never stops
28. San Diego Chargers Jahvid Best(RB)- With LT gone, they need someone who can be part of the two headed monster with Darrin Sproles, Best is fast and a game breaker
29. New York Jets Jermaine Gresham(TE)- The Jets have no glaring needs but they are a little thin at TE, and Gresham is the best at that position, he is tall and will be a good red zone threat
30. Minnesota Vikings Kyle Wilson(CB)- The Vikings D was good but can get better in the secondary, Wilson is a good cover corner, and plays smart
31. Indianapolis Colts Myron Rolle(S)- The Colts dont have a great safety, and Rolle is a great one, a Rhodes scholar, knows how to play the game, and plays it well
32. New Orleans Saints Jerry Hughes(LB)- The Saints offense is dynamic, so the defense needs improvement, Jonathon Vilma is getting up there in age, and Hughes is a dynamic playmaker, and quite fast
1. St Louis Rams Sam Bradford(QB)- The Rams need help at every position but most importantly QB, especially now that they released Marc Bulger
2. Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh(DT)- He is the best player in the draft and the Lions also need help everywhere, he will make an immediate impact in the middle
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gerald McCoy(DT)-McCoy is very athletic for his size and Tampa Bay needs help on the defensive line, he will be a great player
4. Washington Redskins Eric Berry(S)- A week ago I would of said the Redskins would draft Jimmy Claussen, but with the acqusition of Donovan McNabb, they need to go defense and Berry is the defensive player, and will be a contributor for a long time
5. Kansas City Chiefs Jimmy Claussen(QB)- The Chiefs traded for Matt Cassell last year but he is not the answer, Claussen is NFL ready
6. Seattle Seahawks Russell Okung(OT)-The Hawks need an offensive line to protect their aging QB Matt Hasselbeck, Okung is big and athletic and will start from day 1
7. Cleveland Browns Joe Haden(CB)- The Browns are thin at DB and Haden is fast and great in coverage, will start right away
8. Oakland Raiders Bryan Bulaga(OT)- The Raiders will take the best player available and that is Bulaga, he has the intelligence and athleticism to play from the get go
9. Buffalo Bills Dez Bryant(WR)- The Bills need a receiver for whatever QB they end up with to throw the ball to, Bryant is big strong and without a doubt the best receiver in the draft
10. Jacksonville Jaguars Derrick Morgan(DE)- Thought about going CJ Spiller here to go alongside MJD but the DE position is quite weak for the Jags
11. Denver Broncos Trent Williams(OT)- The Broncos need alot of help on offense and they cant reach for a skill position here so they help protect the QB, Williams is athletic but a little raw
12. Miami Dolphins Rolando McClain(LB)-The Fins are thin at linebacker especially with Joey Porter gone, McClain is very smart and a leader
13. San Fransisco 49ers Earl Thomas(S)- San Fran will add to their already solid D with Thomas who is a big hitter and a leaper
14. Seattle Seahawks CJ Spiller(RB)-Since they drafter an OT with their first pick the Hawks need someone who can finally run the ball, Spiller is fast, dynamic, and great in special teams, the best RB in the draft
15. New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul(DE)- With the DE end situation in NY a little shaky, the G Men take Pierre-Paul, who might be the most athletic person in the draft, just watch this video, he is the first guy flipping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-1e6Faglw
16. Tennessee Titans Dan Williams(DT)- With Haynesworth gone for a year now, the DT poistion is young and there is no clear starter, Williams is big and will throw his weight around
17. San Fransisco 49ers Mike Iupati(OG)- The 9ers will shore up their offensive line with this addition, Iupati is big and fleet footed and will be a great addition
18. Pittsburgh Steelers Kareem Jackson(CB)- The Steel Curtain hasnt been living up to that name lately, especially in the secondary, Jackson knows the game and came from a great school with a great coach
19. Atlanta Falcons Sergio Kindle(LB)- The Falcons have a dynamic offense, but their defense is suspect, Kindle is fast and athletic and will play right away
20. Houston Texans Ryan Mathews(RB)- The Texans could easily go defense here but Schaub needs someone to take some pressure off him, Mathews is big and a hard runner
21. Cincinatti Bengals Taylor Mays(S)- Mays is a hybrid safety linebacker but is very fast and a huge hitter, could make a difference in the secondary
22. New England Patriots Sean Witherspoon(LB)- It seems like NE is always trying to upgrade their linebacker corp, and this year is no difference, Witherspoon is a fundamentally sound LB who knows the game
23. Green Bay Packers Maurkice Pouncey(OL)- The Pack gave up the most sacks in the league last year, Pouncey can play multiple positions, and play them well
24. Philadelphia Eagles Anthony Davis(OT)- The Eagles will want to protect new starting QB Kevin Kolb so they take Davis, he has room to improve but has upside
25. Baltimore Ravens Demaryius Thomas(WR)- The Ravens need a receiver to go opposite Derrick Mason, and Thomas is big and a deep threat
26. Arizona Cardinals Brandon Graham(LB)- The Cards will have to replace one of the best tacklers to play in a while, Graham is big and really knows how to play
27. Dallas Cowboys Everson Griffin(DE)-The Boys will upgrade their defense with Griffin who is fast and has a motor that never stops
28. San Diego Chargers Jahvid Best(RB)- With LT gone, they need someone who can be part of the two headed monster with Darrin Sproles, Best is fast and a game breaker
29. New York Jets Jermaine Gresham(TE)- The Jets have no glaring needs but they are a little thin at TE, and Gresham is the best at that position, he is tall and will be a good red zone threat
30. Minnesota Vikings Kyle Wilson(CB)- The Vikings D was good but can get better in the secondary, Wilson is a good cover corner, and plays smart
31. Indianapolis Colts Myron Rolle(S)- The Colts dont have a great safety, and Rolle is a great one, a Rhodes scholar, knows how to play the game, and plays it well
32. New Orleans Saints Jerry Hughes(LB)- The Saints offense is dynamic, so the defense needs improvement, Jonathon Vilma is getting up there in age, and Hughes is a dynamic playmaker, and quite fast
Aprils Master's
This past weekend was the Master's and while golf may never seem like a controversial sport, there were plenty of issues that made this one of the best Master's in a while.
Now I am sure that everyone has heard about the Tiger Woods ordeal for the last year, and frankly I am tired of hearing about, so there is no reason for me to recap it. But as for this weekend this was Wood's first tournament back since he went into rehab. And despite all the criticism from the public and the press, he went and finished fourth. This should be considered a monumental occasion for him, he played well and the reception from the fans was much more supportive than he thought. You can use this link too see the interview that Tiger gave to the media a few days before the tournament started http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/masters10/news/story?id=5057494.
Despite the scrutiny for his off the field issues, Tiger put all that behind him and went out and played four good rounds of golf, and for this he should be commended. Now I am not saying that what he has done in the recent past should be forgotten because he is playing golf again, but for the pressure he was under he did an amazing job just playing golf.
Now the other issue has to do with the winner Phil Mickelson and how he won this tournament despite the fact that both his wife and mother are fighting cancer, this link to the ESPN article http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/masters10/news/story?id=5075606. This just shows the kind of character that Lefty has, his wife wanted him to play in the Master's, and he went out and won the tournament. He was able to push the thoughts of his suffering wife and mother out of his head and strictly concentrate on winning. Now this may sound insensitive, but just remember that he was encouraged to play, but you know that it was still weighing heavily on his mind the whole weekend. This is a great victory for Mickelson and his family.
Now I am sure that everyone has heard about the Tiger Woods ordeal for the last year, and frankly I am tired of hearing about, so there is no reason for me to recap it. But as for this weekend this was Wood's first tournament back since he went into rehab. And despite all the criticism from the public and the press, he went and finished fourth. This should be considered a monumental occasion for him, he played well and the reception from the fans was much more supportive than he thought. You can use this link too see the interview that Tiger gave to the media a few days before the tournament started http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/masters10/news/story?id=5057494.
Despite the scrutiny for his off the field issues, Tiger put all that behind him and went out and played four good rounds of golf, and for this he should be commended. Now I am not saying that what he has done in the recent past should be forgotten because he is playing golf again, but for the pressure he was under he did an amazing job just playing golf.
Now the other issue has to do with the winner Phil Mickelson and how he won this tournament despite the fact that both his wife and mother are fighting cancer, this link to the ESPN article http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/masters10/news/story?id=5075606. This just shows the kind of character that Lefty has, his wife wanted him to play in the Master's, and he went out and won the tournament. He was able to push the thoughts of his suffering wife and mother out of his head and strictly concentrate on winning. Now this may sound insensitive, but just remember that he was encouraged to play, but you know that it was still weighing heavily on his mind the whole weekend. This is a great victory for Mickelson and his family.
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