Champions League: EPL Teams Rip Through First Leg Of R16

February 25, 2009 By 2 Comments

By Beaker

Maybe Latin and Mediterranean nations hold the World Cup and Euro title, but English sides continue to flourish at the international club level.

After the first leg in Champions League round of 16 play, EPL teams came away with three wins a draw. Arsenal edged out Roma 1-0 thanks to a Robin von Persie penalty conversion, Liverpool defeated Real Madrid by the same score and Chelsea hung on for a 1-0 win over Juventus. Inter Milan and Manchester United played to a scoreless draw.

Liverpool clearly sits prettiest having scored an away goal victory in Spain. The other three are less clear. AS Roma is only down a goal to Arsenal heading back to Rome. However, their play wasn’t inspiring and their lack of finish to bury teams remains a concern. Francesco Totti has yet to carry Roma in tournament play.

The only good thing about Inter Milan is they didn’t concede an away goal. As usual, Inter finds a way to disappoint – though I don’t think they played that badly. Still, it was hard to figure out Inter’s state of mind as they literally came to a stand still around the 18 meter area on a number of occassions. If not for the tireless play of Julio Caesar, Zanetti and Cambiasso it’s possible Inter goes back to Old Trafford down a goal or two.

The only way they have a shot in England is if their best players play like their best players and this begins with Zlatan Ibrahimovich. Once and for all Inter has to stop talking and seize their moment – if they believe they have one. You can bet Cristiano Ronaldo will cause problems. Who will step up for Inter?

Despite the draw, they get a small advantage since they can pass through with a 1-1 draw. But their play (and confidence) will have to improve substantially to defeat a splendid side like United. Manchester is on the cusp of perhaps becoming a dynasty and quite frankly they deserve it.

Juventus probably played the best of the Italian trio and can head back to Turin with a reasonable belief to be able to overcome Chelsea.

Nonetheless, whatever the possibilities, one gets the feeling the edge belongs to the EPL.

The problem with Italian teams, as far as I can observe, is that their style and tactics are built for Serie A and not easily transferable to major tournaments anymore. In the 1990s, they dominated the continent because they had the best talent to make the transition work: What worked for Serie A worked in the tournaments. I could be wrong.

Now, they don’t have all the best players and this clearly shows in their struggles. Of course, this is the cycle we operate in. In a decade from now, we’ll probably be saying the same thing of English teams. Again, I could be wrong.

The irony of course, is that the development of Italian (and Spanish) national players remains strong. In fact, probably stronger than in England. Moreover, the erosion of Serie A dominance coincides with a new refreshing style of play taking place in Italy. Teams like Genoa, Atalanta and Cagliari all play open attacking soccer these days. The league itself is probably as exciting as it’s ever been.

All this can reverse itself. This is sports and anything can happen. That being written, personally, I’m just going to enjoy this for what it is.

The sun has not set just yet on Britain after all.


Filed Under: Soccer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Meet The Most Amazing Hockey Player Today

February 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Alex

A goalie can never be prepared when they see the yellow laces of one of the most ferocious and exciting athlete in professional sports gliding towards them.

Yes. Right here, right now I state with reasonable confidence that Alexander Ovechkin is one of the world’s great athletes.

The guy is simply sick, sly and stunning.

Not since Hulk Hogan flipped Andre the Giant have I been reduced to tears when I see an athlete do the things Ovechkin pulls off.

When I see Ovechkin barreling down the wing or up the middle of the ice, I now know what people must have felt when Genghis Khan, the Romans or Alexander the Great invaded. That is, a sense of pure fear, helplessness and awe.

They say Maurice “The Rocket” Richard (one of Canada’s most important sports cultural icon) was the greatest hockey player ever “blue line in.”

Alex Ovechkin will challenge that title. He may even own it one day.

He’s that good.

The people of Washington are the luckiest fans in sports. Heck, Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Greene form the best unit in hockey in my opinion.

When I saw this goal I stood in marvel not just as a sports fan but as member of humanity. Oh, yeah. His anticipation, timing, determination, fearlessness and accuracy is outstanding.



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Therrien Latest Coaching Casualty

February 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Alex

When the Pittsburgh Penguins fired coach Michel Therrien earlier this week, many things went through my air headed mind. One, blood naturally continued to flow to my brittle brain. Two, I really need to brush up on my French-Quebecois slang.

I also fluttered and flirted with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Why? The Steelers bruised and banged me into thinking about their remarkable coaching stability and legacy that’s why. Not too many sports franchises I can think of have had just three coaches since 1969. Just as stunning, each of whom have won a title.

Contrast this with the Penguins who will have their fifth coach since 2000 and 20 (with three of the 20 coming back for a second stint) since they joined the league in 1967. Clearly the Steelers formula has not rubbed off the Pens.

But the Penguins are not alone in using the Vaudeville cain to yank a coach off the bench. Hockey as a whole is notorious for having little patience with their coaches. Only Lindy Ruff seems to be the exception to that rule holding his job since 1998 with the Buffalo Sabres.

In many ways, the NHL resembles soccer in Italy. Filled with high drama every year, its top league (and regarded among the best in the world) has been home to some of the most memorable games of musical coaches I’ve seen in sports.

Still, one has to wonder if Therrien deserved to be yanked. What the uncooth Therrien lacked in tactical awareness he made up in instinctual and passionate coaching. Why, just last year he led the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals falling to the Detroit Red Wings 4 games to 2.

This year, with expectations high, the team waddled off to a bad start when it was hit with key injuries to defensemen Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar. Not too many teams, I’m quite certain, would be able to survive without the services of their top two defenders.

Moreover, the Pens lost a lot in terms of grit and depth prior to the trade deadline last year and in the off season. From the annoying Jarko Ruutu to the agitating Colby Armstrong to the talented and aggressive Ryan Malone – among others – the depth of the team was cut.

In addition to not being able to retain the sniping services of Marian Hossa, Pittsburgh replaced the aforementioned players with the likes of Hal Gill, Pascal Dupuis, Eric Godard, Philippe Boucher, Matt Cooke, Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko. Was it enough?

For some, Therrien had enough talent (Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin just happen to rank with some of the best hockey players in the world) available to at least have the Pens in a playoff spot.

Time will tell, obviously, if the right move was made. After all, you can’t fire 20 players.


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What AFC West Teams Need

February 18, 2009 By 1 Comment

By Jason Roberts

Fantasy College Blitz

Denver Broncos

Top 3 Needs:

- Defensive End

- Cornerback

- Running Back

The Denver Broncos switched coaching staffs heading into the off-season electing to bring in Josh McDaniels as head coach and Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. With Nolan taking over on the defensive side of the ball, many expect Denver to shift to a 3-4 defense in 2009 -  a scheme which the Broncos have the base foundation in terms of players to initiate.

At linebacker, the team hosts D.J. Williams, Spencer Larsen, Wesley Woodyard, and Jamie Winborn – all of which should find great success in a four-player set at the second-level of a 3-4 lineup. Yet, defensive end and tackle along the defensive front could become an issue in the transition to a new defensive scheme. This may force Denver to grab a pick like Boston College’s B.J. Raji or Alabama’s Terrence Cody to provide size and speed at the line of scrimmage. The secondary also current provides some glaring holes for Denver on defense, with Champ Bailey succumbing to the challenges of age and injury while safety is arguably the weakest position overall for the Broncos on either side of the ball.

As such, Savre Bedinger of BleacherReport.com argues that Denver’s best move in this year’s draft could be to actually trade down in the first round and instead take a string of two to three quality defensive players heading into and through Round Two.

Free agency, states Bedinger, could very well loosen up the demand for Denver to follow such a tightly scripted plan in April’s draft. Many prognosticators love the idea, for instance, of gambling on a pick like Iowa’s Shonn Greene at running back. Someone who will pay dividends as a rookie or electing to take a wide receiver such as Jarrett Dilliard can have an immediate impact.

Still, much of what Denver will do is predicated upon Nolan’s decision to move to the 3-4; if the Broncos give the green light to such a transition, then defense is likely to remain the name of the game in this year’s draft. That being the case, names to remember include Raji, Cody, Peria Jerrry of Mississippi, or Fili Moala from USC. Snatching up a talented pair of defensive backs like Virginia Tech’s Eddie Royal or D.J. Moore of Vanderbilt will also go a long way in aiding Denver to become a better threat in pass coverage. However, don’t be surprised if a multi-positional player like Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins gets his name called early on as well.

Kansas City

Top 3 Needs:

- Offensive Line

- Defensive End

- Quarterback

The Kansas City Chiefs head into April in a state of transition and will look to new head coach Todd Haley – former offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals – to bring to Arrowhead Stadium some sense of normalcy following Herm Edwards’15-33 record over the last three years.

Haley doesn’t have an easy job ahead of him and will have to deal immediately with Tony Gonzalez’s request that he be traded from Kansas City. Hopefully, the off-season free agency campaign puts the team in a better position to win games.

In relation to the NFL Draft, the Chiefs will look for an eventual replacement for Damion McIntosh and Adrian Jones along the offensive line. Middle linebacker also remains a point of contention for K.C., with questions surrounding the extent of talent and depth provided at the position as currently manned by Pat Thomas and Weston Dacus.

The trade of defensive end Jared Allen will likely pay off dividends for the team come April and in seasons to come, but in the meantime, it devastated their ability to get quarterback  sacks during the 2008 season (they managed four sacks for the entire year). That being the case, expect that a priority for Haley to be upgrading along the outside of the defensive line.

A Quarterback may also be a target for the Chiefs, particularly given Haley’s fondness for passers that can fling the ball around with accuracy and distance. Tyler Thigpen last season certainly showed that he can play under center in the NFL (2608 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions), but may not be as solid a fit for Haley’s system.

What remains certain is the Chiefs are in an excellent position to improve their stock  in the AFC West with this year’s draft. Expect some interesting moves by a new coaching staff (and potentially, a new general manager). However, expect defense to be the main focus for Kansas City once the end of April rolls around.

Oakland Raiders

Top 3 Needs:

- Wide Receiver

- Offensive Tackle

- Defensive End

If there is anything about Al Davis’ Raiders organization which remains predictable, it’s that Oakland will likely do contrary to what seems sensible. In the process, leave its fans and sports journalists scratching their heads in bewilderment.

For instance, the Raiders last season made a public affair of their firing of ex-head coach Lane Kiffin (now making just as bad a name for himself at the NCAA level with the University of Tennessee) and surprised many recently by the decision to bring onboard Tom Cable. So heading into April, is there truly the opportunity for a sportswriter like myself to try and assess in what direction Oakland might go when it comes to selecting new talent?

Honestly, probably not. Yet, viewing the Raiders – who have become a laughing stock throughout the NFL -  through normal-colored spectacles (not the oddly blood-red tinted silver, black, and rose-colored 1970s-style rims worn by Davis), logic would suggest that getting a breakaway receiver – like Jeremy Malcin – that Jamarcus Russell can throw to would be a good place to start.

Stepping up the level of talent at offensive tackle would prove beneficial as well. Especiallu given that Russell would hopefully be provided additional time to identify and throw to a given target downfield. On defense, strengthening the pressure offered up along the defensive line would make the defensive secondary led by Chris Johnson all the more dangerous. Yet given that Johnson’s contract with Oakland is coming up soon, would it make more sense to try to get a highly productive hybrid cornerback / safety in case Johnson, for some reason, is not resigned?

Common sense might suggest acquiring someone like Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State. Then again, when was the last time common sense and Al Davis went together in the same sentence? As such, don’t give our musings on the Raiders’ draft needs much consideration. Oakland will likely do exactly the opposite of what we outlined here and leave us once more asking: Just what where they thinking?

San Diego Chargers

Top 3 Needs:

- Safety

- Wide Receiver

- Running Back

For the San Diego Chargers, 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the franchise and its founding. It will mark the return of the AFC West champions who will try to avoid a 4-8 start despite making the playoffs after winning the division with an 8-8 record. They were the  first team in history to finish with such a record and make the playoffs.

In this year’s draft, the Chargers will be pressed to find an eventual replacement for Jamal Williams at nose tackle (he was arrested for the second time in early February) and a complementary player to match up with Marcus McNeil at offensive tackle. Concerns regarding the potential for Shawne Merriman to leave San Diego due to free agency could also force a hard look by the team’s front office at the utility of drafting an inside linebacker.

Eric Weddle has been outstanding at safety, but the Chargers don’t have a complement in the defensive backfield. Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State could be an alluring option, as many suggest, since he could float between both free safety and cornerback.

The running back position has also recently been a point of contention for San Diego; especially considering the soap opera  surrounding LaDainian Tomlinson and A.J. Smith. In addition, there’s a need for team president Dean Spanos to make room under San Diego’s current salary cap in order to renegotiate contracts with  Philip Rivers, Vincent Jackson, and Merriman.

On top of all thins, you can add a request from Darren Sproles to be allowed to enter the free agent market and suddenly the Chargers are in the market for a franchise-type back to carry their running game.

Addressing all these particular needs could be difficult, particularly given that the Chargers do not have a second-round pick this year. Still, current projections find plenty of talent available in Round Three and beyond. This should leave San Diego in a relatively solid position heading into the first training camps of the 2009 season.


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Kenseth Wins Wet Daytona

February 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bob Ellis

Nascar Ranting and Raving

Matt Kenseth leads one lap on a big push from Kevin Harvick to take the 43 car field to the red flag, which would eventually turn into a checkered flag when NASCAR determined that the race could not be re-started due to the rain.

kenseth 2009 daytona 500 medium 201x300 Kenseth Wins Wet Daytona

I'm all wet!

Congratulations to Kenseth and his Roush-Fenway team – proving that you only need to lead one lap to win a race.

Kenseth wasn’t exactly my pick to win the race on Sunday, I was kind of figuring that his Roush-Fenway teammate Greg Biffle would win – he evntually finished 20th.

In fact, I thought maybe Dale Jr might be able to pull off a win as we all know he is pretty good on restrictor plate tracks, but he instead pulled off the most talked about move of the day – his right turn in Brian Vickers.

I don’t honestly know if it was deliberate or not, I mean didn’t Jr wreck his teammate Michael Waltrip when he slid in front of Jr a few years ago?  And you must remember what happened to his father back in 2001, I certainly think he hasn’t forgot about it, and I don’t think he would deliberately put anyone else in that kind of position do you?

With that being said, I think maybe Jr might need to get his eyes checked.  He had problems getting into his pitbox all week and then he ‘misjudges’ his re-entry onto the track and takes out Vickers and several other front runners including Kyle Busch.

Speaking of Busch I think he handled himself quite well in his interview, don’t you?  I wonder what he would of said if it was anyone else but Jr – say Tony Stewart perhaps?


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Final Verdict In On Multivitamins?

February 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Sal Marinello

Health and Fitness Advice

An eight-year study that looked at the effects of multivitamin use in older women found that the pills did nothing to prevent heart disease and cancer.  The collected data is of an observational nature and not the result of rigorous scientific research, yet being that these results echo similar results found in a study with men, there’s less reason to think that vitamins offer any protection from serious diseases.

According to the study’s lead researcher Marian Neuhouser from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, “Get nutrients from food.  Whole foods are better than dietary supplements.”  Other researchers feel that multivitamins can still be helpful for those folks who have poor eating habits.  But on the heels of a study that found a similar lack of efficacy for older men and multivitamins, it seems that you shouldn’t count on multivitamins for any preventative powers against diseases.

After eight years there was almost no difference in disease rates and death rates among the 162,000 50+ years old women in the study. The large number of subjects in the study makes the results noteworthy.

Based on the results of this study people should re-evaluate whether or not they want to spend the money on multivitamins, especially if the rational for taking them is disease prevention.  Certainly, if you’ve never bothered to take multivitamins the results of this study won’t have you running out to the store to buy any.

The results of this study illustrates just how much is still “unknown” when it comes to nutritional supplements as information can be found to support both sides of the argument.  Fitness consumers need to keep this in mind when making decisions about what they want to include in their supplement regimen, especially when trying to stay on a budget.

As more research is done, there are fewer and fewer nutritional supplements that have a bona fide, scientifically sound track record of success.  Keep in mind that there are no magic bullet nutritional supplements and that the proven key to health and longevity is engaging in regular exercise and following a balanced diet.


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Inter Bests AC In Milan Derby

February 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By John ST

Soccer Net Live

This evening’s 270th Milan derby gives me a tingle of excitement. Few cities can boast one, let alone two illustrious clubs who entrenched themselves consistently in the top flight of their domestic league.

Though AC Milan enjoy a better record in Europe with 7 Champions League titles and four world titles, it is Inter Milan who stand proud with their longevity in Serie A, having never been relegated since its birth in 1908.

On the other hand, AC Milan were relegated twice while winning 17 Scudettos, only one more than Inter. In recent times, results were evenly split between the arch rivals. Both sides claimed 4 wins each, from their last 8 Serie A encounters.

Tradition aside, I expect this derby to be filled with competitive fireworks. Jose Mourinho will be keen to seek revenge for the defeat by AC Milan in September. At the moment, the cosmos are aligned in his favor and he has few reasons to be envious of his neighbor.

Inter Milan enjoy an eight-point lead at the top of Serie A over third placed Milan, so even if they dropped points in this derby, the effect on the title race is not decisive. Conversely, AC Milan may be out of the reckoning if they do not grab full points, leaving Juventus and Inter to slug it out in a two horse race.

1395129317 766e02f8ee m Inter Bests AC In Milan Derby

Inter: Crazy No More

AC Milan squad is also plagued with injuries, severely compounding manager Carlo Ancelotti’s misery. Aside from Kaka, Milan have Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Marco Borriello, Giuseppe Favalli and Emerson out injured, with Daniele Bonera suspended. Meanwhile, Inter Milan have a full squad to choose from, except the suspended Mario Balotelli and Douglas Maicon, who is a serious doubt, having picked up a knock in training.

Form-wise, Inter Milan are now unbeaten in 5 games since their capitulation to Atalanta in January. In those matches, their defense distinguished itself by conceding a miserly 2 goals. If Inter’s recent 3-0 demolition of Lecce was any indication, their key players are pulling their weight at the right time. Goals came from Luis Figo, remaining icon of Portugal’s “golden generation,” and the prolific Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

As for AC Milan, they are unbeaten in their last 7 Serie A outings, but such statistics are meaningless with regard to their lack of killer instinct against lesser opponents. Milan are paying for draws at Cagliari, Lecce and Torino as well as those at home to Genoa and Reggina. Conceding late equalisers, rather than not outscoring, were particularly hard to accept, given Milan’s pedigree in defense.

At least, one cannot fault AC Milan for ineptitude this season; the team played well, kept their shape and created sufficient chances. It is just that the Rossonieri need to improve on their consistency and keep their focus for the full ninety minutes.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani was blunt in his assessment of AC Milan’s predicament: “I’ve always said that the problem isn’t (playing against) Inter but the matches before and after the derby. That’s something the club, Ancelotti and the technical staff have to think about.”

Mourinho’s sarcastic statement about AC Milan also struck a chord with Galliani who said: “As for Mourinho I still think he’s a good guy and he simply says the truth: well done (David) Beckham, well done Pato, well done Milan but in the meantime Inter were six points ahead and now it’s eight.”

Jose Mourinho can also count on a lethal strikeforce to put Inter ahead in their age-old rivalries. Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the second top scorer with 14 Serie A goals, while Milan can only wring their hands at the white elephant, Ronaldinho. The Brazilian has scored only half the number of goals as Ibrahimovic and has struggled to feature in Ancelotti’s first XI.

Ronaldinho is a prime example of how Milan failed in their transfer policy by recruiting aging glamorous footballers who had retreated from the elite. However, Mourinho has no advantage over transfer strategy either.

Mourinho made several additions to the squad during the summer transfer window in the form of Mancini, Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino, Sulley Ali Muntari and Ricardo Quaresma. Mancini has started just eight times in Serie A and Quaresma has raised the ire of Inter fans for his erratic displays. The latter has been omitted from Inter Milan’s Champions League squad and was granted a season-long loan at Chelsea.

Mourinho may not be happy with the discipline in the Inter Milan squad too. Brazilian striker, Adriano, maintains his idiosyncratic approach to punctuality and penchant for late-night parties. Mario Balotelli responded badly to a series of penalties imposed by Mourinho for an immature attitude.

The Special One cannot help but feel slighted by these repeat offenders who pay little regard to his authority. Milan, by contrast, advertise how enchanted they are by the professionalism and good manners of their newest recruit, David Beckham.

Ancelotti can take heart that the addition of David Beckham has given his team a new dimension in attack. I am not even going to dwell on the commercial benefits which is almost a certainty once Beckham become a permanent fixture and the T-shirt printing machines are in full force as well as influx of endorsements.

When Milan beat Inter in September, they did so via a rare header from Ronaldinho. The threat from headers are likely to increase via David Beckham’s through-balls, and chips into the centres.

So far, Beckham’s long-range lobs have allowed lurking forwards like Kaka to surge into space from deep in midfield and have become a prominent part of Milan’s attacking strategy.

Beckham’s assists have led to two of Milan’s last four goals in Serie A and he has scored two of their last six, having started in every one of the last six games.

I am not surprised that David Beckham has adapted to the squad and done well. He is a top professional with ambitions and intelligence.Whether his loan spell at AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy plays out to a mutually beneficial conclusion for all parties remain to be seen.

I believe the crucial factor to neutraise Mourinho’s tactical and physical upper hand could be Kaka’s fitness; a fracture to his foot during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Reggina seeming to have ruled him out. Even weaving a moment of magic as a substitute could be enough to turn the tables around.

Beckham and Ronaldinho should also be starting in this derby. If Ronaldinho has been AWOL for most of the season, he can redeem himself by recapturing his early form in this single match and scoring a goal or two, especially when Kaka is absent.

Actually, whether Inter Milan win this derby or not, I have little doubt Jose Mourinho will go on to win the Serie A title. Consistency has always been his hallmark and that has ensured his perpetual success in domestic leagues. It also helps that he has no urgent need to defeat Ancelotti, and that takes the pressure off his team.

However, even if he is backed to a corner and has to take full points, that should not be a problem given that winning is hard-wired into his system. Mourinho is also not one to take kindly to consecutive defeats.

The irony of the situation is that Mourinho could yet be sacked at the end of the season. He has to better his predecessor, Roberto Mancini, who clinched three Serie A titles from 2006-2008 but was still not deemed good enough to continue as manager.

The Champions League is the yardstick which will be used to measure Jose Mourinho’s achievement at Inter Milan. So winning the derby or even the Serie A may not matter or even guarantee his job. The shoe may be even harder to fill than at Chelsea and how will this situation affects their Champions League performance? Stay tuned for updates.


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Stats Corner: Scoring Depth For NHL Teams

February 13, 2009 By 1 Comment

By Chris Boersma

Hockey Numbers

depth1 300x285 Stats Corner: Scoring Depth For NHL Teams

L1 = top line points per game
L2 = second line points per game
L3+L4 = 3rd & 4th line points per game
PP = power play goals for while on the ice per game
EV = even strength goals for while on the ice per game
OVRPCT = L1/(L1+L2)

I created this a few weeks ago ( but updated it this week) to find out what was wrong with Ottawa:
Many have criticized Ottawa’s top line for their terrible season, however the chart tells a different story: Ottawa has no depth. There are two reasons the depth players might be doing worse than average: bad offensive defensemen, or lack of quality depth forwards. For example, Chris Neil has got 6 points in 44 games ($1.2M), that is simply unacceptable (that’s with PP time). Either way there is only one person to blame for a poorly balanced team: the GM.

The chart helped highlight a number of other interesting facts:
- Toronto’s second line is more productive than it’s first unit (and that’s with less ice time)
- Montreal could probably better utilize it’s star players: Why does Plekanec get so much ice time?
- I’m sure the table will reveal other things to people…


Filed Under: Hockey, More Sports, Stats Corner Tagged With: ,

Horsin’ Around: NBA All-Star Game

February 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Alex

NBA Tip Off

So, I have All-Star fever! Maybe it’s because last night’s games were not that memorable (probably because I was only able to see the first quarter of Lakers-Jazz).

First, let’s talk Rookie-Sophomore game. I actually like the Rookie roster more. The only thing that is against them is experience (and a big night from Kevin Durant). They should have a more balanced attack than the Sophomore’s, who, like I said, might be scoring through Durant a lot.

Close game, rookie team will win by 1-3 points. Think different, let’s hear in the comments!

I’d rather not talk about the Shooting Stars and the Skill challenge, they are not very entertaining.

The H-O-R-S-E competition on the other hand, could be fun. Kevin Durant, Joe Johnson and OJ Mayo will compete. I think Durant will be the most creative. This is his coming out arty to the national crowd, he’s going to come up big. I honestly don’t know who to pick here. Johnson has the best ability to shoot long shots, that makes me want to pick him. But Durant and Mayo will be more creative, do something people might not have done before.

Skipping over the Shooting Stars and Skill Challenge, let’s talk about the Dunk Contest. Contestants: J.R. Smith, Dwight Howard, Rudy Fernandez, and Nate Robinson. Let’s eliminate Rudy from the conversation first of all. He’s a nice in game dunker, but won’t show as well a dunk contest.

I’m going to pick Howard, followed by Smith, then Robinson. Smith will give him the best run for his money, even though he was a late addition to the contest. What will ultimately stop him is D12 and his dunk contest legacy. Last year he went out and did a tremendous job with the superman cape. Now this year, he’s going to have to go out, come close to what he did last year and hang up the cape for good. I bet this will be his last dunk contest, so he’ll want to win it.

So, now I’m ready for Friday through Sunday night! Are you?


Filed Under: Basketball Tagged With: ,

PED’S: The Alex Rodriguez And Scott Boras Connection

February 10, 2009 By 1 Comment

By Sal Marinello

Health and Fitness Advice

Alex Rodriguez is not the first Scott Boras client to be tainted by the investigation dealing with the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs.  Seven players have been mentioned in conjunction with the various PED investigations over the past several years.

Here’s a quick list of Scott Boras players and their brushes with the PED investigations.

Kevin Brown – The pitcher was mentioned in the Mitchell Report. He used the address for Boras’ headquarters as the return address when he sent cash to steroid/HGH supplier, and former New York Met clubhouse boy Kirk Radomski.

Eric Gagne – Gagne went from marginal starter to dominant closer thanks to HGH.  He blew out his arm, went off the drugs and is a marginal reliever.  Boras got the Brewers to sign Gagne to a $10 million contract three days be fore the Mitchell Report was released and revealed that Gagne bought HGH in 2004.

Scott Schoeneweis – This pitcher purchased steroids from Signature Pharmacy – the Internet/Albany- based scandal.  Schoeneweis got his prescriptions from Ramon Scrugs, the California doctor who has been knee-deep in steroid-related indictments.  According to the indictment, sports agents send clients to Scruggs “for the purpose of obtaining anabolic steroids.”

Rick Ankiel – The former pitching prodigy who forgot where home plate was making a storybook comeback when it was revealed he got a year supply of HGH from Signature Pharmacy.

Ron Villone – This journeyman pitcher was mentioned in the Mitchell Report for buying HGH from Radomski.

Gary Sheffield – Sheffield was a training buddy of Barry Bonds and was caught up in the BALCO Labs scandal, but told the grand jury he didn’t know the substances he took were steroids.

Alex Rodriguez is certainly the biggest name on Boras’ list of clients be involved with the PED investigations, as the revelation that he failed a drug test for Primobolan in 2003 has shaken the sports world for the past two days.

Does anyone think it’s suspicious that Scott Boras has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree?

This story has a long way to go. ARod’s interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons is just a puff piece that raises more questions than it answers.

Questions for ARod:

1 – Who helped you?
2 – Who else knew you were using these banned PEDs?
3 – Did you use the PEDs during the season?
4 – Did you buy the drugs or did someone procure them for you?
5 – If someone else bought them for you was it your trainer or team personnel?
6 – Did you also use HGH, have you used it since the years in question and are you using it now?  (This question should be asked with the reminder that ARod has been less than honest in the past.)

PED use doesn’t occur in a vacuum and there’s no way that ARod made the decision to use the drugs, and actually use them, all by his lonesome.  Also, being that Primobolan is sometimes used in a stack with testosterone and HGH, it’s totally reasonable to ask Rodriguez if he used human growth hormone, as well.  Since there’s no test for HGH, there’s no way a drug test could detect if ARod was using it.

He could be using HGH now and we’d never know.

Given what we know about baseball players in general – and Alex Rodriguez in particular – there’s no reason to believe that ARod is telling the truth.


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