The Golden State Warriors and “The Season”

April 16, 2016

Winning seventy-three times out of eighty-two games is called domination. You don't luck yourself into that many victories, especially when you are playing in the Western Division of the NBA. The Chicago Bulls fans have nothing to be bitter about because this is not about breaking their record. I know that the Bulls fan's first reaction is to defend their beloved team, which is natural. This is about a team that, despite naysayers, continues to prove itself by doing things differently than other teams. In addition, the Warriors have been good for basketball, they have brought the casual fan to the game, and they like what they see.

Yes, they shoot a lot of jump shots, and that is because they are more accurate than most others. They don't need to pound the ball into the low post to get a score. I've watched plenty of their games to know how they generate good offensive looks at the basket. It is their defense. They get so many shots because they defend well and get the ball up the court quickly to get the flow of players moving in and out. They use their team speed and passing skills to create diversions and for Curry and Thompson to get a good squared-up look at the basket. They both have quick releases to avoid defenders getting a hand in their face.

The Warrior season is where you saw a team of 12 to 14 players play a significant role in their success. Even when the less-used players get into the game, they know it is about ball movement and striving to find the best shot.  This is why the Warriors were tops in team assists.  What gets overlooked is the defense of their big guys in the paint. I have never seen Andrew Bogut play better by contesting everything coming his way. Of course, there is Draymond Green, who will guard anybody at any time.

The Warriors are a likable bunch of guys, and it shows on the court and off the court. Their selfless play is exemplified in how the bench accepts their roles and the egos in check. You don't hear about players griping for playing time or holding out for more money. They get the formula if you are part of a winning team, everybody benefits. The younger players are being mentored into the winning formula, which will only work in their favor as their career progresses. For instance, look at the New England Patriots. One player and one coach are the only constant figures through most of the 2000s. Both Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have brought a level of professionalism, a hardcore winning attitude, and a consistent system of operations to build their winning franchise. It is the same for the San Antonio Spurs. The owners and Gregg Popovich have had a small core of players for a long time, and they have built a formula of success in the NBA that is second to none. The Warrior organization wants to be the new Spurs for the years to come.

Lastly, it must be pointed out that there is an appearance of joy in the Warriors team. It helps to be good and have an incredible player like Stephen Curry, but he seems to have more fun than anybody. He laughs on the court with his teammates and is the first one to congratulate others on the squad. The Warriors do have some fiery players in Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut to bring the intensity level up when things get too lazy. When you only lose nine times the whole year, it goes beyond just talent; it is the ability to strive for continued excellence and play with a love for the game.

Jason Day has the PGA Championship in Sight

August 16, 2015

Jason Day has been there, done that, being the leader or in contention on the final day of a major. The problem that he and everybody knows is that if he doesn't win this championship, he will continue to carry around the crown of "I could have been a contender." Marlon Brando and I are pulling for him in a profound way. One major issue he has to contend with is Jordan Spieth, the elephant in the room. Spieth is surging with a fantastic round of 65 on Saturday.

If you don't know Jason Day's story, it is not one of despair, just a lot of good performances that have not yielded him a PGA Major victory. He has been so close in the Masters, the British Open, and the US Open, but only to be surpassed in a case of the last-day follies.

The final rounds in professional golf are the most nerve-racking that require a Superman effort to contain. I don't know how the players deal with pressure because it is so personal, and each player must go inward to find some inner mojo. Hopefully, your caddy can keep you from shanking into a sand trap or water hazard. The stories are long and painful of the golfers who let victory out of their grasp. On the contrary, it is because another player steps up and plays a masterful round with an array of birdies and deadly putting. Not sure if Justin Day or Jordan Spieth will win today or some raging bull from lower down on the board.

Danny Willet Did Win the Masters

April 12, 2016

You see it all the time in the sporting news, the expected winner doesn't pull through, and it gets labeled a choke job and a major disappointment. Yes, the Englishman Danny Willet did win the 2016 Masters and did deserve it, just like Jordan Spieth didn't choke in the tournament. Spieth had a bad 12th hole, and it will be remembered as the defining moment of this tournament and the largest deficit to be overcome on the final nine. Chalk up that misfortune and many other failures in the history of professional golf tournament play.

What most of those who watched the Masters knew that Danny Willet was playing steady and consistently throughout. He wasn't making many birdies until when he needed them on the back nine on the last day. He recorded the lowest score of the day, 67.

Those same Masters viewers saw Spieth bogey the 10th and 11th and in the back of their mind thought this thing is still open to a couple of guys to win. Sure enough, the infamous 12th hole became his Waterloo, and his hopes of winning the Masters were washed away. Spieth was in the driver's seat for the whole tournament, and that in itself is incredible. The young man is playing above the rest of the field and probably will learn more from those three holes than any other for the duration of his career.

Danny Willet is a great story and a humbled young man and golfer. He didn't know if he was even going to play before the tournament due to the birth of his son. He was the last golfer to arrive at Augusta and took the number 89, the same number Jack Nicklaus wore in 1986 to win the tourney. In the post-match interviews, he knew how his victory came at the expense of another golfer's failings, and he was very humble in victory. On the contrary, all of the big-time golfers know that could happen to anybody in any tournament.

This year's tournament was a Jordan Spieth highlight reel along with an unheralded player snatching the victory. Lost in the commotion was the three-hole in ones recorded on hole 16, which has never happened in Masters history. Davis Love III and Shane Lowry both recorded aces, along with a bank shot by Louis Oosthuizen that stands as the most incredible in Masters history. For many years, the Masters is a marginally entertaining event without drama but this year delivered the goods with a thrill of victory and agony of defeat. If Jordan Spieth had won wire to wire, everybody would be singing his praises for years. The tables are turned, and the story has changed to how both Jordan Spieth and Danny Willet come out of this tournament and the evolution of their careers.

In Pursuit of the 300 Yard Drive

November 14, 2016

There comes the point when as a golfer that you say to yourself, "I need some lessons, new clubs, and play more."  I have been saying this for a few years now and finally made the first step and purchased a quality driver. The driver costs more than what I paid for my whole set. I did my diligence on the internet and found one that fit the budget without creating an extensive discussion with my wife.  I saved my pennies and went down to the golf shop, got fitted, and went to blast away on their course simulator. It felt right in my hand, and I was excited to let it rip on the course.  Even though I barely could hit it 180 yards in the golf course simulator, I thought this was just an aberration until I got onto the links.

I pull out my Taylor M1 Driver on the 1st hole with a 380-yard distance. The grip on the club feels good in the hand, and I think that I cannot miss with this behemoth of a club head.  I take a few practice swings, and I keep it in my head not to swing for the fences.  I focus on mechanics and want to hit one down the middle of the fairway.  I would settle for a 225-yard drive if it just played down the middle.  My golf buddies are watching, and they know I am using a new driver.  They expect a big shot.   I smoothly go into my backswing and focus on lining up my downward motion.  Crack, I nail it.  Ut oh, it begins to fade, and then really disappear, and now I am thirty yards into the middle of the fairway next to ours.  Shame and embarrassment ensue, and there is a short period of silence, then followed by, "oh crap."

I know you golfers have had this type of shame and disappointment plenty of times. If I hit the ball three hundred on that first drive, then I would have wondered why anybody wouldn't go out and get a driver like this.  It is my golfer's dream to hit my drives 280 to 300 yards down the middle. Of course, we all have those dreams, but most will settle for just hitting the ball in the fairway with respectable distance.  Now, what am I going to do?  Before I throw in the towel and let a pro tell me what to do, I will be stubborn and try to work it out by my means.

There will have to be some time and investment that I will attempt without the apparent need for a few good tips. There are devices on the internet that you can set up to analyze your swing by using your cell phone and an application.  The next step is to hit a few hundred buckets of balls.  This will be a challenge to figure the proper mechanics and swing speed to get this going in the right direction. After I could somewhat hit a straight shot, I want some distance.  Increasing my swing speed will be the biggest obstacle and challenge in my long ball pursuit.

Even though golf is probably the most frustrating and most giant mind screw of a game, there comes a lot of self-satisfaction when the shot you have shanked hundreds of times goes where you aimed. Once you reach a level when you approach a 90 score, you get excited that you are improving.  Yes, that 300-yard drive is out there for me to obtain, but I know that many slices and 200-yard worm burners have to be hit before I even sniff 280 yards. Happy Hacking!

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World Cup Thoughts and US Futbol

July 2, 2014

The television ratings are saying that Americans are watching soccer, finally. No doubt there appears to be more interest this time around for the World Cup circus. It is safe to say that it's only because the USA is taking on the global community that draws viewers to sit down and watch this sporting spectacle. As soon as the USA exits this tournament, then so goes the majority of the viewers.

We are intrigued by the fact that we can finally compete on the soccer world stage. Once the joke of the tournament, we have become formable opponents that can win a few matches. Let's face it if thirty years of youth soccer leagues haven't paid off by now, we would be a sad bunch of athletes.

I firmly believe that America's best athletes are not playing the sport, unlike other countries. If American soccer got more than a smidgen of the athletic pool, then it could advance even further. Meanwhile, soccer will compete with other major professional sports for athletes, facilities, and fans. The MLS in the States even gets outdrawn in attendance by NASCAR and Professional Wrestling.

Soccer will consistently be ranked below the other professional sports by the average guy or gal on the street who does not feel that it offers the same nuances as other sports. Such nuances being: (1) Smaller-statured athletes that are trying to avoid contact. (2) Can't use your hands and arms for much, except for throwing the ball inbounds. (3) Low scoring (4) Embellished injuries (5) not enough breaks to get a hot dog (6) one constant TV angle

I want the sport to grow because of the World Cup. I don't think we should ever lose to a smaller country with our firepower. I want the sport to grow because more minor athletes still need to perform and possibly earn a paycheck. Lastly, I like the sport to grow because other sports are getting pricy, and some good competition will help spread out the economics of professional sports.

Seriously, I enjoy watching this tournament based on the tenacity shown by everybody, from the players and the fans and the press. Stars are born, and some others will be deflated, but a good team with well-oiled ball control is a beautiful thing.

US Women’s Soccer Team, Defense is Stellar Again!

June 28, 2015

The US woman soccer team beat China, 1-0, in the same manner, they have been beating their prior opponents in the Cup Tourney. They've been wearing down the opposition with suffocating defense and efficient ball control.

Up until now, the offense hadn't found its formula for a higher scoring output. The offense had been in a low-risk, low reward mode, which has been just good enough to win. For all we know, Jill Ellis and the rest of the coaching staff knew that their opponents would be pressed to score, so the emphasis has been not giving anything away. It appeared the passing on the offensive end had been slow and not spread out enough to create good passing lanes. Against China, the offense showed some positive signs, with Morgan Brian and Carli Lloyd bringing the spark they lacked. Both helped the once plodding offense with speed and ball movement that gives this team hope. When they get to full strength with the return of some key players, the team will further improve.

This leads to Germany looming on Tuesday, the 30th of July. It will be intriguing to see how this unfolds with the number one defense (USA) against the number one offense (Germany). Who will bend first? The US still looks fresh and poised to rise to the occasion. If they win, look out, they will be tough to stop.

US Women Shutdown Germany

July 4, 2015

That truly was one of the most entertaining soccer matches I have ever seen. I have witnessed plenty of soccer matches, but I can never call myself an aficionado. Something about international soccer and especially the World Cup keeps me glued to the television. It has nothing to do with the USA and is a patriotic thing, but the level of play with an intensity that few other sports cannot match. I have never been to a World Cup event yet, but it's certainly on my list of sporting events that I have to see in my lifetime. I cannot help noticing there is a difference in the emotional level of the women's game versus the men's game. I think the women's soccer games bring out the younger fans, especially girls. When I see them in the stands, I think of all of the soccer parents spending countless hours bringing their girls to games and practice in their SUVs.

The matchup with Germany was supposed to be a contrast in styles. The Germans were the highest-scoring team in the World cup tourney against the top defense of the Americans. Germany is the number one ranked team in the world against the number two USA. The intensity level lived up to the billing, but the level of play did not.

The US women from the start of the match dictated the pace and flow of play. They pushed the ball deep into the German defense, keeping the pressure on their defenders. The passing was cleaner and appeared to have a game plan intact. On the defensive end, the Americans could maintain a solid ball-hawking set of defenders forcing Germany to make higher-risk passes. The coaching staff of the US must have done a lot of preparing and looking at film to see the German tendencies. But, with that said, the number one team in the world didn't have an answer.

The game, of course, changed on the fate of the two penalty kicks that had controversy written all over them. The first being the penalty on Julie Johnston, who fouled Alexandra Popp by bringing her down in the box at the 59th minute. Johnston received the yellow card, but most of us agree it should have been a red card because she was the last defender between her and the goalie. That set up a penalty shot with their star and leading scorer Celia Sasic. Everything unfolded perfectly as Hope Solo broke to the left and Sasic kicked to the right. The low shot went wide right of the goal by three feet. This was Germany's first penalty shot miss in over twenty-something shots. Even with the smothering US defense, the Germans had their fate in their own hands as this was a game-changer and momentum shifter.

The second penalty came ten minutes later by the US, but not without a head-scratcher officiating call. Alex Morgan had her path obstructed by German defender Annike Krahn on the edge of the box.  Replays clearly show the contact well before the line of the box. The US called on Carli Lloyd to take the penalty shot against the German goalie, Nadine Angerer. Like Solo, Angerer broke left to goal, but Lloyd buried a line drive into the net on the right side. The US scored another goal at the 84th minute with Lloyd brilliantly driving a ball from the right end toward goal for a Kelly O'Hara tap-in.

The story that must be told is how the US woman looked like a cohesive team with better playmaking and passing. The Germans passing was not effective and seemed at times desperate. They did not play like a number one ranked team, but credit to the US for forcing those errors. Lastly, the US woman looks like a team peaking at the exact right time. The offense, which was once the worry, now appears to have some aggressive playmaking paying off. Now that Japan is looming for the championship and the world watching, the US team looks geared and poised to get the job done.

Muhammed Ali, the Evolution of a Man

June 12, 2016

As a young boy, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were about to fight and what would be the first of three matches. I didn't really know much about him except for the fact my father disliked him and wanted Frazier to knock him out. Well, my dad got his wish when Frazier won the epic fight and put Ali on the canvass. I remember listening to the match on the radio with my father and brothers only being given round by round descriptions by an announcer. The days before closed-circuit television and pay per view were harsh for the fans.

After the big fight, I wanted to learn about Ali and his past. At the age of ten, I didn't understand why my father disliked him so. But I asked him anyway, and he said Ali refused to serve his country. He strongly believed that because he had to go in the service and into World War II and with his two oldest sons eligible for the draft, he couldn't root for him. For many years I didn't understand Ali's motives for sitting in jail while others served. The sixties put every young person to the test with Vietnam, the cultural changes, and how to communicate with the older generation. He signified not just the cause of African Americans but all young people of that era who felt indifferent about the war. He protested based on his beliefs, and he paid the price both professionally and personally.

My father wasn't the only person who didn't understand Ali, the list became long and would take years for many to come around. Because of my early exposure to the hate machine for Ali, years passed before I found myself rooting for him. Even Ali's sense of humor and mastery of his public persona took a long time to wear down the most cynical minds. By my high school years he was at the peak of his career and had beaten Joe Frazier twice, George Foreman, Ken Norton two out of three times and I rooted against him every time.

After I finished high school, Ali's career began winding down, and only fought a couple of more matches. I finally found myself pulling for him against Larry Holmes which was the worst fight ever. What looked like a money grab by many but in reality, Ali wanted to go out on his own terms. Holmes easily beat him making the match difficult to watch. For the first time, I saw his vulnerability and his mighty powers diminished. One of the saddest things in sports is when older athletes have to prove it to themselves that it is time to move on.

For me, the reason I didn't like Ali in the seventies was what I perceived as brashness and overconfidence. He appeared to never show humility and respect for opponents. Years later, I began to understand his story as a whole and able to put his behavior in context. Over time, the public learned more of his generosity, social activism, and struggles with Parkinson's disease. He will always be considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, but he transcended the ring and became a bigger force for inspiration to anybody who wants to live their life true to their beliefs.

NHL – The Second Season

May 14, 2014

NHL playoff hockey is probably the most intense and physically demanding team sport in the world. No other sport can claim the speed, power, agility, and endurance needed to play in a playoff atmosphere. You can watch the whole season and not notice what you see in the playoffs. Every check into the boards, power play, and shot on goal gets contested with a higher ferocity than the regular season displays. The teams skate all year to get into the brutal playoff tournament in which 16 games must be won to hoist the championship cup.

Many surveys and studies have been done to determine which team sport is the toughest, and many of the results are the same: hockey. Many of you would say football, but that strength and toughness are usually displayed as brute force. In hockey, speed and power must also utilize creativity and skill. Take, for instance, those players and defenders maneuvering a puck around the goal many times; it appears like a bunch of guys flailing away with sticks and elbows. The strength and powerful legs and core needed to fend off players while guiding a puck is a unique skill set. Of course, being on ice skates make the whole operation appear much more complicated and faster.

The playoff tournament in the NHL brings out the emotional level to a fever pitch as well. Remember, hockey is the only sport where you can elbow someone in the face and only need to sit in a penalty box for a few minutes. Even though teams try to avoid fights, physicality and toughness are part of the game where one side tries enforcing its will. The beatings taken are what separate it from the other team sports. Not one player escapes without getting poked, jabbed, tripped, punched, at least once in a match.

The fate of the Stanley Cup winner rides on the fortunes of their goalie. It has been said that the goalies are among the finest athletes on their teams. Speed, agility, and flexibility are the prime sources of their success. Their hand-eye coordination must be extraordinary to endure the rush in the playoffs. The scrums that evolve in front of the goal are like a mob riot, and the goalie must absorb all the strategy and puck movement through the chaos to give himself a superior position to the shooter.

When a winner is crowned in the NHL, they have endured a multitude of obstacles and trials. The regular season is already long, when preseason starts in September, and the Lord Stanley Cup is awarded in June. Your body is worn down; you're mentally exhausted, and you are sporting injuries needing to heel. The satisfaction comes with the battle which has been won with your team and coaches. After the final game, the teams shake hands because they know what it takes to withstand this type of sport, the game they love.

Henrik Lundquist, the King is Still Going Strong

April 6, 2016

I wanted to write a hockey article on goaltending, so when I was doing my research, I tried to get a consensus on the best goalie in the NHL. Time and time again, the name that appears more often is Henrik Lundqvist. There will be statistics that will say that another goalie is better on paper but what I hear and have watched is that Lundqvist is a game-changer. A game-changer is probably the most positive thing one athlete can say about another. His presence in front of the net assures the New York Rangers that they will be competitive in every game.

Lundqvist is considered a butterfly-style goalie though unorthodox because of the aggressive way he performs the butterfly. The book on him is his instinct and quickness, athleticism, and solid positional play. What else can you say to complement a goalie?  He also speaks five languages, not really.

Lundqvist of Swedish descent played in his country before joining the New York Rangers. He was the best goaltender in the country and won every award to be won in Sweden. Lundqvist has played for the New York Rangers since 2005. In his rookie season, he got to start very quickly due to the injury of Kevin Weekes. He started every game after that and went on to have a good season. He ranked fifth overall in goals-against average and was a finalist as the year's best goaltender. He probably would have won rookie of the year, but there were a couple of guys ahead of him named Crosby and Ovechkin.

He earned the nickname "The King" earlier on in his career by his teammates and fans. He possessed the spectacular athletic ability and a hardnosed work ethic that earned him much respect around the NHL. He followed up the 2005 campaign with another solid season, coming in second for the Vezina Trophy, the best goalie award.

Henrik established himself in the NHL from there on out. He began winning more awards, all-star selections, and a hefty six-year contract, making him the highest-paid goalie. The players and fans of New York have been spoiled to have such a rock-solid and hardworking player in front of the net. His work ethic is second to nobody and pays off with great play and durability.

The Rangers will be a force in the playoffs this year, and having a healthy Lundqvist working the net will assure some forward momentum. After all, The King is leading the league in saves, a state that becomes more important than any other. At 34 years old, Lundqvist has hit a few rough patches this season, like most goalies. Sometimes the defense in front of him can be blamed, but Lundqvist is the player to take all of the burdens. Rangers know that when the playoffs start, The King will be their guy, and the grueling road to the Cup will be in his hands.

The Playoff Battles are in Full Swing

May 6, 2016

The playoffs in the NBA and the NHL are well into the second round, and with that comes the turn of the dial in intensity. Each team in both sports must know that to win the big prize, you have to be prepared to take on the physical toll and also dish it out. The teams that can't sustain the constant barrage of contact will be eliminated somewhere down the line. Most shots and passes will be challenged with a fierce competitor contesting the play with contact. Again, if you aren't bringing the heat, then get out of the kitchen.

It gets to the point of being humorous concerning the refereeing in the NBA playoffs. Guys are clobbering each other under the basket for a rebound, and if a foul gets called, you have to wonder for what?  Unless the players are not gouging eyeballs, then what is the standard? When guys like James Hardin are getting to shoot a free throw because an opposing player barely touched him while Dwight Howard was clearing guys away with his massive frame, then we have no absolute standards.

Every team has a player or two that has the role of the enforcer. A wise team knows that a hard and obvious foul can pay dividends in intimidation and mental edge on the opposing team. The old hockey term “goon” is rarely heard because it’s not politically correct to call a player that, but we all know that every team has that player ready to go.

Winning the sixteen games required to win either of these championships is a brutal climb up the ladder. Even though the regular season is long, they are just a warm-up for the playoffs. In the hockey playoffs, there are no more shootouts but sudden death overtimes. The San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators played triple overtime, a total of 70 minutes of intensity. The match is tied at two and now turns into a three-game battle of wills and fortitude.

In the NBA playoffs, star players are getting injured, which is part of the game which will test any team to persevere. The Golden State Warriors have lost their All-World guard for a minimum of five games, and their team has pulled together to win four of those five games. That is great to see because most teams would have struggled with the loss and could not adapt. The Los Angeles Clippers lost both their point guard Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in the same playoff game against the Portland Trailblazers, which signaled the end of their season.

Sometimes the best teams don't win, but the healthiest do. Maybe there is some luck in good fortune in that, but it also can be a testament to the coaches and medical staff in how they take care of their players.

The playoffs can also bring out the best in players, and while some seem to have a quiet and uninspired presence. There are countless stories of role players who shine in the playoffs and are not feeling the moment's pressure is too big. The role players and bench guys want to make an impact to show the coach they need more time on the floor and ice.

The NHL and NBA playoffs end in June, giving us six more weeks of this battle royal. Now we are getting to drink the cream topping after watching our teams and sports for eight months. Unfortunately, triple overtimes are brutal to watch, and hopefully, your team won't have to endure too many of those. Those take a toll on the fans, and we have to get up and go to work the next day.

The Game Manager: Just Win Baby

January 16, 2016

I've been hearing the "Game Manager" moniker used to describe quarterbacks in the last few years. If you are a quarterback, is there a more insulting term to be called? When this tag gets placed around a quarterback's neck, assume that he doesn't show lofty statistics and a supermodel wife right away. Label him as somebody who offers the personality of a soap dish and can hardly throw the ball farther than ten yards. Lastly, go on to believe he barely made his high school football team and went to a junior college or played in the Arena Football League.

Seriously, why does a quarterback need to be labeled the dreaded "Game Manager"? I think the term got started and pinned on the Baltimore Raven QB, Trent Dilfer. Poor Dilfer, he wasn't lighting up the Fantasy Football charts, and these scrupulous fantasy owners only used him if they were forced. Forget about the fact he was the QB on a winner, and he was on the field when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001.

By definition, a game manager will execute a conservative offensive scheme and not turn the ball over. The team he is quarterbacking for will be victorious by not fumbling and throwing a lot of lower percentage passes downfield to eliminate the risk of interception. The game manager will usually use a good running back to his advantage and solid defense, which keeps opponents from running up large scores. Therefore, the team can win the majority of the games by doing enough to secure a victory. Wow, it sounds like a robot that can execute simple commands.

I think I correctly captured the term as described by pundits in the media. Have you heard a coach ever describe his quarterback as a game manager? Have you ever noticed if a QB gets called a game manager, he typically has won more than lost?

When the game manager is working his magic and managing the plan, he might throw a touchdown pass or two, and the whole team has played well in all aspects. It becomes an odd dynamic to always put your finger on. Football is called the ultimate team sport where all pieces must gel and complement each other. The game manager is the cerebral mind on the offensive side, and he needs his squad in check to execute a winning formula. The good quarterbacks know when to unload the ball, take fewer sacks and when to run. Again, these are game manager qualities.

Bill Walsh, the legendary coach of the 49ers who perfected the west coast offense, knew that a quarterback who mastered the short and mid-range throws could disrupt the defenses enough to possess a successful running game. The need to keep chucking the ball all over the field creates a higher percentage chance for turnovers. The first 49er Super Bowl team in 1982 didn't showcase a lot of statistical marvels. It was Joe Montana masterfully executing a conservative game plan along with a tough defense.

Next time you hear the innocuous game manager term, listen to what the so-called expert tells you. Most likely, he says the quarterback is not a big play come from behind leader and will only take you so far. I love game managers; I like a good running back who punishes and a solid defense who can keep the other team under 20 points. It sounds like winning to me.

The Super Bowl, Quarterbacks and Hot Wings

So, another year and your team are not in it. So, everyone must pick a side, as they say, but you are torn.  Okay, maybe not torn as much as perhaps you don't care as long as it is a good game. For instance, the game came down to the previous plays last year, so most of the watching world put down the hot wing for a minute to see the crescendo ending. For those Seattle fans who took the brutal loss on the jaw, you got another year to recover, and hopefully, you find your way back. Last year also had two teams that didn't have the beloved player that everyone roots for to succeed. Tom Brady and Richard Sherman are both polarizing characters who do not garnish much love outside of their teams' fan base, so the game was more about the matchup of two good teams.

This year has the two big stories of Peyton Manning’s possibly swan song of a career and Cam Newton’s first appearance in the big show. Both of these guys have their detractors, but they are also the biggest stars of their teams. Manning comes into this game on his last legs and is in a position where he doesn't have to do all of the heavy lifting as in prior years. Denver's defense is really good and must be at the ultimate best to stop the Cam Newton express. Newton and his boys have been solid all year and present a daunting task for Denver to overtake.

I am sure the betting in Vegas will be siding with Carolina, but how much the spread will end up? As the game gets closer, there will be some angst and nervousness about who to take. The Carolina defense has been crushing and putting a lot of heat on the quarterbacks, which is the biggest dilemma for Manning. We all saw the meltdown when Denver played Seattle, and I am sure he is very aware of having a good start. He will have to pull every Omaha and audible trick up his sleeve to get one by the Carolina boys.

As for Cam Newton and his rise as a superstar and MVP, he can validate the season and his career and with a victory, every quarterback that plays in the big game knows the status a victory brings to a career. Manning won one Super Bowl after a storied career, but if Newton does not win this one, he will discover how hard and desperate it can be to get back on top. Seattle made it twice in a row but will find it harder and harder to make it back with the same core squad. The change-over in personnel and parity in the NFL gives you a three-year window to make it with your current team makeup. Newton has looked outstanding and will be a force to contend with, but Denver, who just survived the Tom Brady show, will be up to the task.

I want Manning to win this one because he seems like he has done everything with class in his career. In a karma kind of way, that should be rewarded. I didn't root for him in his prior Super Bowl attempts when he was with Indy, and when he was with Denver, he let me down. I had plunked down some money on a Super Bowl pool like most football fans and was delighted to see the numbers 0 and 0 come up. I thought that I had an excellent chance to win a prize. You saw the first play of the game, a safety against Denver, and the 2 to nothing score sent me straight to the beer keg. That was one of the worst Super Bowls ever played, and Manning was on my special list of all things repulsive. I have now forgiven him and hope he wins one for all of the old guys with sore necks and wants one more chance at glory.

Choke, the Worst Word in Sports

June 1, 2016

I've heard this word a lot lately, and personally, the label is cheapened and overused. If your team or the team you bet on loses, choking gets thrown about. If you are tagged as a choker, you are also called a loser, the double whammy. You will live with this moniker the rest of your life while the whole world will never forget that time when you didn't bring home the trophy, the blue ribbon, or the big award. Such is life, and such is sports.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, The Washington Capitals, Cam Newton, Jordan Spieth have all been tagged and will wear the big dunce cap for a long time. Some will be labeled forever, and others may find redemption when they finally win something special. This can be a brutal lesson or an unfair comment because some of these are team sports, but it's hard to shake once you get branded. Phil Michelson and Greg Norman, who share tribulations in their storied careers, can tell you all about the heaps of criticism they have had to live with by coming up a little short in a handful of big golf tournaments.

Through the years, I try to separate being a good fan from a die-hard fanatic of sports. Sure, it hurts when your team comes up empty-handed in the big game, but when you throw the television out the window after they lose, you really must consider some form of therapy. All one has to do is look at the fanbase of the Chicago Cubs or any franchise in Cleveland and see how they handled it. I find Cub fans as some of the most loyal in sports considering over a hundred years of coming of short. Even when they have a good team and a chance to advance into the playoffs, they stay grounded and hope for the best. When they or any Cleveland franchise wins, watch out, those cities will perform some severe pandemonium running amok.

The way I like to think about choking is that if it wasn't for unexpected comebacks or dramatic finishes, why anybody would bother to give a damn unless your team was the favorite. If someone is called a choker, then someone choked them or forced them to choke. Take, for instance, the OKC Thunder. They are being hammered in the media and by fans for losing to the top squad in basketball, the Warriors, after having a 3-1 series lead. I watched plenty of Warrior games, and they are riding on the talent of great shooters that are also some of the greatest of all time. The Thunder got beat by the best, so let's not throw the "C" word around so cheaply, which is not fair to either to the Thunder, and it diminishes the Warrior's efforts.

Lastly, the words choke, choker, and choking are used as pacifiers to help fans cope with a disparaging loss. If the fans can somewhat shift the disappointment, they feel onto those who inflicted this pain, it somehow justifies their behavior. I can't imagine being in the shoes of Jordan Spieth, who held the lead at the Masters this year for most of the tournament. He had two awful holes on the back nine that costs him the victory. His failure to win this tournament was called a choke by many. I cringed and felt terrible for him. Fortunately, Spieth, only 22, handled his demise with grace and humility and did not shy away from reporters' questions. He excepted the tough defeat like a master that we all could learn from.

Colin Kaepernick and the Dog Days of Summer

August 30, 2016

Why they call them the dog days, I haven't clue, I guess if I googled, it would come with a Wikipedia description. There is typically a small window of slow sporting news where football training camps are subject to boring reading, and baseball is in grinding days before the big rush to the end. Late August has presented a socio-political firestorm mixed with football for a few days or weeks to light up the media airwaves and columns. The Kaepernick actions and comments are out there for everybody to debate, and suddenly we have people talking about a real issue. Of course, it is not a traditional sports-related story on the surface but a topic that runs deep to the core of every citizen in the United States.

It is easy to do a character assassination on Mr. Kaepernick, but really, we are talking about a young person who is fired up. He is an easy target for ridicule, considering his status as a high-profile athlete who will always appear to be out of touch with the common man. Agreeing or disagreeing about Kaepernick's stance is not ever going to be decided in the court of media extrapolation. Kaepernick will be both publicly shamed and lionized, and he will never be treated the same again. It is a very tough road to walk on, and he will pay a heavy price, bigger than he will ever imagine.

Public shaming is a blood sport in most of the world due to social media and around-the-clock news coverage. Kaepernick's fate as an NFL quarterback is hanging in the balance not just because of inconsistent play but because of the platform he wants to use for ideological beliefs. The San Francisco Forty-Niners and the NFL have a potential conundrum to contend with if this is a prolonged and damaging stance. The NFL has many suitors, and armed forces and police organizations will have to be dealt with, and someone's hand will be forced.

Racial issues are going to be elevated along with the political unrest that goes with it. This will take some rational minds to work through the mire that the one gesture has created. Unfortunately, Kaepernick will have to decide how far he will take this while still playing on an NFL franchise.  Football is entertainment for most and a business to millionaires, and when politics and a vocal athlete messes with that, it will not be tolerated. Bill Walsh, the legendary coach of the Forty-Niners, used to tell his players during training camp, "Honor your teammates, honor your owner, honor the league and honor the fans." Somehow that message always gets lost with a lot of athletes in different sports. It may not be the most popular message that people want to hear, but it came from a coach considered one of the best of all time.

Kaepernick cannot be compared to Muhammed Ali, as some people have suggested. Ali did pay the price for his political stance, but he stood alone in prison.  Mr. Kaepernick is not going to jail, and he will keep cashing paychecks. On the contrary, all of this still has a positive spin. Young people like Colin Kaepernick are still caring about what they see as injustice. It is their country to help shape the way they see fit, just like all of the other generations; it cannot always be left up to the rich and powerful to decide. Young people will also make irrational decisions, but as long as their heart is in the right place, we can rest easier with how things will turn out. The dog days of summer are over, and it's time to hang on for the bumpy ride.

The NFL is Here…The Year of Mystery Begins

September 8, 2016

The NFL season has arrived, and for some reason, I don't have my usual excitement. I will watch it, but right now, it is not must-see TV. Maybe this will wear off as the season goes. Perhaps it's because I am not playing Fantasy Football or gambling on a game like Cleveland versus Houston. So, when you strip those things away, you have to watch because you like to see Cleveland and Houston play.

I found last year, with all of the rule changes, televised games, at times, were unwatchable. Some teams racked up more penalty yards than rushing yards, and the constant stoppage of play extended games into the four to five-hour timeframe. The commercial breaks become nauseating, especially between quarters and halves. It has gotten to the point where I will record a game and watch it back speeding through the breaks. You can watch a game in an hour. I know the NFL cringes when they hear this, but until they see a drop-off in viewership or attendance, not much is going to change.

Now we have to endure a round two of Deflategate, endless Kaepernickgate, and concussiongate. So, this is what America's number one sport has become, a barrage of messy situations. What gets lost in all of the tabloid hooplas in the sport and its franchises, ‘Who is going to win the whole enchilada this year?’

I think that Seattle is coming back with a vengeance, with Carolina, New England, Green Bay rounding out the top four elites. The second tier of wannabes is Minnesota, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Arizona, New York, Giants, and Kansas City. Then you have the teams that can surprise you: Dallas, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Denver, and Buffalo. You have to have a dark horse of the league, and that is Oakland, who is legit this year with all their blue chippers coming of age. My secret surprise and intriguing pick is Baltimore, who is not talked about by anybody.

This will be the year of the quarterback for the fact that it’s a year of who’s who. Who will be playing from week to week is anybody’s guess. Tom Brady is still everybody’s pick to pull off another championship run because he will be ticked off and playing like a badass. Every year, there will be questions about who will ascend in their performance, but this year has more question marks than certainties. Here are my top five question marks; 1. Denver, who's on first?  2. Dallas, can a cool-hand kid come up big? 3. Was the 2015 Carson Palmer a mirage? 4. Is Russell Wilson the best quarterback in the league?  5. What is the fate of Colin Kaepernick?

Okay, the opening night kick-off is less intriguing for me, but then again, I will probably watch and will be on board again. Even though I have zero dollars invested in the season, I might find myself Jonesing for a taste of the gambling dough after getting hit with a slew of sites offering bets as low as a dollar. How is this legal? Duh…this is the NFL. Aside from politics, we look the other way when it comes to anything that appears too messy to mess with. Now kick the damn ball!

Drew Brees Still Gets it Done

When you look at the statistics for NFL quarterbacks for the past ten years, Drew Brees will always be at the top. When I look at Brees, I don't think of him as a statistical sure thing and fantasy football marvel but more than the embodiment of a franchise and the city of New Orleans. As a Forty-Niner fan, I could only wish we had a player of his caliber and presence to capture my town and team. Instead, we have a quarterback who can't figure who he wants to be and built a wall around himself with the public and media. There is no denying that Brees benefits from having a great passing arm with fantastic accuracy, but he is also a respected leader.

When the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was in full exposure to the whole country, few bright spots were happening in New Orleans. When the Saints pulled off their Super Bowl run, Drew Brees stood tall during those times. That's when I became a fan because he appeared transcendent and seemed more significant than the game itself. You rarely find an athlete so humbled after winning the big prize.

You don't see most professional athletes wanting to be a spokesperson unless it involves an endorsement deal. In all fairness, a lot of pro athletes are engaged in philanthropic work. Some might be the type to help others if they were not rich and famous. Even though Kaepernick may think of himself as a spokesman or symbol for anti-oppression, he doesn't speak much and thinks kneeling during the National Anthem is a statement that works. This isn't an indictment of Colin Kaepernick, but I just picked on him because he quarterbacks my beloved Niners. I want a cool guy who throws accurate passes and doesn't always have to explain his actions. In contrast, Drew Brees moved to New Orleans and Katrina and became a big part of the community, trying to help through personal involvement in organizations.

This year, Brees is having an MVP season, and his Saints are struggling to make it to the playoffs. Throughout his career, nothing came easy for Brees, and getting New Orleans back to the Super Bowl will be his most challenging task. He is up in years in the realm of a football career, and fortunately, he has been able to stay reasonably healthy. He, like Tom Brady, is the best of the senior quarterbacks in the league and is a pleasure to watch, except when they are playing your team. Meanwhile, you can try to get him on your fantasy football team and never be disappointed with his production. In all seriousness, when Brees does retire, it will be sad because it's not often we find a guy and public figure that everybody can root for.

Frank Gore…The Ultimate Teammate

December 14, 2016

In a world of Franks, first, there is Frank Sinatra, then there is probably Frank Lloyd Wright, but the next big Frank could be Frank Gore. Most NFL players might know who Frank Sinatra is, most will not know who Frank Lloyd Wright is, but they know who the legendary Mr. Gore is. I have heard the stories of Frank Gore looking completely distraught after a football loss that still carries on today in the twilight of his career. After a long career, those stories have been verified over and over again. Ask any current or former teammate of Frank Gore, and they will tell you he is the ultimate teammate. He plays like every play could be his last from the beginning to the end of a game. He is all heart, all of the time.

Let's get the statistical stuff out of the way and mention that Frank is now 8th on the All-Time rushing list with 12,830 yards. If he plays next year, which should be possible due to good physical shape and no current significant injuries, he can end up in the top five rushers of all time. He also has over 3,300 yards of receiving and 74 touchdowns, good numbers that will land him into the Hall of Fame. Ironically, it won't be the stats that people will remember about him or not having a Super Bowl Ring (could still happen); it will be his desire. It's such a clichéd word, but Frank has shown for ten years that the typical 3 to a 4-year career of an NFL running back doesn't apply to him. What makes a player withstand that type of physical toll and still be an effective offensive weapon? Its desire for success. He is Mr. Football.

When he left the Forty-Niners, I couldn't believe they let him go to another team. He is the glue guy in the locker room. He is not the drama dude on the team that needs so many touches with the ball that he will get pouty and want to be traded to another team. Sure, he wants the ball. He wants to carry the load but not at the cost of the team. He is a role model that every team needs, especially when it comes to teams with a large number of first- and second-year players.

Frank carried the load for so many Forty Niner teams and games it is a wonder the guy can walk. His durability is remarkable for a thirty-three-year-old running back that came out of the University of Miami with both knees surgically repaired. He has had most of the typical NFL injuries, from concussions to busted knees to hips and back issues, but he has never missed a whole season. I remember when he had the hip issue on the Niners, but it didn't keep him out of the lineup for too long. What goes on the trainer's table is one thing, but when Frank said he could play, management would take some referendum to keep him off of the field.

Frank is a throwback type player, old school, whatever you want to call it.  He doesn't accept losing, plays with pain, and speaks well of his teammates. It is challenging to capture Frank Gore in a short article, but if you go to YouTube, you can see him in full display. Judge for yourself.

The Rise of Yoenis Cespedes

September 20, 2015

Yoenis Cespedes was traded to the New York Mets on July 31st without much of a big to-do. The Mets were a pitching-rich team with an empty coffer of offense, so General Manager Sandy Alderson went out hunting for some weaponry. Alderson traded for Cespedes for a couple of minor league pitchers, and the payoff has been trifold. Cespedes was put on the big stage in New York, and he has reached a new level of performance.

Before the trade, the New York Met offense was scuffling to score runs for the solid staff of hurlers. The Mets were ranked dead last in hitting in the National League before the trade. The Mets are creeping up on average and have gotten better in all offensive categories. When Cespedes was in Detroit, he hit .293, with 18 home runs and 61 RBI’s. Since coming over in 43 games, he has hit 17 home runs with 42 RBI's while maintaining a .292 batting average. He and the acquisitions of Juan Uribe (Mr. Playoffs) and Kelly Johnson, along with the resurgence of Lucas Duda and Daniel Murphy and the steadiness of Curtis Granderson, have helped keep the Mets scoring runs.

Cespedes has played for four teams in one and a half years, and it leaves you wondering what is going with this guy. Is he a malcontent? Not the case. Cespedes has been used as a chess piece because he does have value, and when he has been traded, it has because of the need for pitching.  He also plays outfield, the most expendable position in baseball. Some may say he doesn't put up over-the-top numbers. In particular, his On-Base Percentage is below average. Boston was able to land him by trading away John Lester to the Oakland A's, from whom he was going into a free agency situation.

Boston traded him to Detroit for pitcher Rick Porcello in the off-season, and Detroit traded to obtain New York's top pitching prospect. As you can see, pitchers and salary dumps are the pieces that drive 80% of all trades in MLB.

Cespedes may be reaching new heights in his career, which may be due to his pending free agency in 2016. Teams will come knocking, and Cespedes will be cashing in on his rise to stardom. If he wins the MVP, those contract numbers will be turning upward. I have always liked his game. Most fans forget about his defensive skills, which are above average, especially his arm. I believe the Mets will stay as hot as Cespedes because he is the one guy in that Met lineup who has been consistent. Salute Yoenis Cespedes!

Welcome Back …Toronto Blue Jays

October 1, 2015

The road to return to the baseball playoffs for the Toronto Blue Jays has been extended, winding and treacherous. It has been 22 years since the Blue Jays were playing in October, and it's good to see this organization finally find the right recipe to success. The road before this season has been filled with questionable trades, free-agent signings that didn't pan out, and basically, they became an afterthought of a franchise. This is unfortunate if you remember the high-flying days of 1992 and 93 seasons when the championship flag was hoisted. They would fill SkyDome with 4 million fans and were the envy of the league.

Then came the 1994 year of transition. The team struggled to get to .500, then the great strike shut down the season, and the downfall began. Longtime general manager Pat Gillick resigned and was replaced by Gord Ash. The Jays started an era of big free-agent signings like Roger Clemens, promising prospects but no superstars, and mediocre seasons. It was like the city of Toronto was strickened with the plague, and players did not want to come there.

In the past three years, the Jays have been involved in some big trades and some good signings that have finally clicked. Mainstay Juan Bautista got some help in the lineup when a big trade with Oakland landed the third baseman Josh Donaldson. Donaldson is hitting .300 with 41 HR's and 123 RBIs, huge numbers that are MVP-like. Then you have Bautista pounding out 40 bombs with 113 RBI's, followed by Edwin Encarnacion hitting 37 and 108. That is a lot of firepower that is going to be troublesome for any pitching staff. The Jays got a great year out of Russell Martin and have a roster of good young players like Devon Travis and Kevin Pillar.  I also like the veterans that are key to any playoff run, such as Chris Colabella, Ben Revere, and Troy Tulowitzki.

Teams will not win a five-game playoff series without at least two good pitchers and a solid bullpen. The Jays have an outstanding staff composed of Mark Buehrle, David Price, Marco Estrada, RA Dickey, and Drew Hutchison. Then you have to make a case for Marcus Stroman, who has finally made his way onto the pitching staff in September after a lengthy rehab with a knee injury. This kid is the Blue Jays secret weapon and will probably earn a start in the playoffs. He has won four games in September with1.67 era, their hottest pitcher as of now. Will the ball go to Buehrle for game one, the most experienced playoff pitcher on the staff?  Probably, but he has not been that successful in his playoff career and hasn’t pitched in a playoff game since 2008. The bullpen is anchored by Roberto Osuna, the closer, and Brett Cecil, who are respectable, and there will be an appearance by the ageless wonder Latroy Hawkins.

The pieces are in place for the Blue Jays to make a run in the playoffs with a good mix of talent. Can their pitching staff shut down in the first round? This will be the ultimate key. Their bats can be ferocious and will be a challenge for any staff to contain. The Toronto fans are out of their mind right now, and hopefully, this brings back a tradition of winning Blue Jay baseball.  Salute the Jays!