Friday, November 20, 2009
Honestly, I'm speechless
This happened last night during the Ducks-Lightning game. Scott Niedermayer of the Ducks scored the game-winning goal in overtime, and then tried to give his stick to a little girl in the front row. He overshot his intended targer, and the drunk bozo behind claimed it as his. Then he started a brawl.
This is one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen. Firstly, because it's hockey. Secondly, because fans fighting over any kind of sporting event (be it Red Sox-Yankees or Chelsea-Liverpool) is just ludicrous. Get a hold of yourself.
Random thoughts
There don't seem to be any topics important or interesting enough for a full blog entry today, so here are a few short ones:
* When will people leave Ricky Williams alone and just appreciate the fact that he is, again, a really good football player? Despite the fact that the man rushed for 119 yards and scored all three Miami touchdowns in a win over Carolina on Thursday night, you'll scarcely be able to hear mention of him without a joke about smoking weed. So the guy smoked some marijuana. He's certainly not alone, and my guess is that an anonymous poll of NFL players would reveal that a majority of players either have smoked or still do. But since Williams admitted it, he's the butt of these lame jokes.
* How can Larry Johnson possibly fit in with the Bengals? This is a team that struggled for years to keep players out of trouble and on the field. Finally, they appear to have all of their ducks in a row, they're leading the AFC North and are talked about more for their play than off-the-field headlines. Even Chad Ochocinco has been (by his standards) relatively quiet. Now they bring in a controversial, disgruntled running back who, seemingly, doesn't get along with anyone. Doesn't make sense.
* While Allen Iverson is hardly a likable player, it is a little sad to watch his recent fall from grace. He used to be a top-5 player in the NBA. Now he can't hold a job with a lousy team and rumor has it he's going to sign with the Knicks. You have to believe that if Iverson had been willing to put his ego aside and be a role player for a contender, like Rasheed Wallace is doing this year in Boston, Iverson could finish his career with a championship.
* Even though part of me is excited about college basketball season getting underway, another part feels like it's way too early. College football won't be over for a month and a half, and already preseason hoop tournaments are in full swing. Just seems unnatural.
* Speaking of college hoops, it's also too early to try to predict who's going to be the last team standing come April, but this much I do know: URI and Providence College both are going to stink.
* When will people leave Ricky Williams alone and just appreciate the fact that he is, again, a really good football player? Despite the fact that the man rushed for 119 yards and scored all three Miami touchdowns in a win over Carolina on Thursday night, you'll scarcely be able to hear mention of him without a joke about smoking weed. So the guy smoked some marijuana. He's certainly not alone, and my guess is that an anonymous poll of NFL players would reveal that a majority of players either have smoked or still do. But since Williams admitted it, he's the butt of these lame jokes.
* How can Larry Johnson possibly fit in with the Bengals? This is a team that struggled for years to keep players out of trouble and on the field. Finally, they appear to have all of their ducks in a row, they're leading the AFC North and are talked about more for their play than off-the-field headlines. Even Chad Ochocinco has been (by his standards) relatively quiet. Now they bring in a controversial, disgruntled running back who, seemingly, doesn't get along with anyone. Doesn't make sense.
* While Allen Iverson is hardly a likable player, it is a little sad to watch his recent fall from grace. He used to be a top-5 player in the NBA. Now he can't hold a job with a lousy team and rumor has it he's going to sign with the Knicks. You have to believe that if Iverson had been willing to put his ego aside and be a role player for a contender, like Rasheed Wallace is doing this year in Boston, Iverson could finish his career with a championship.
* Even though part of me is excited about college basketball season getting underway, another part feels like it's way too early. College football won't be over for a month and a half, and already preseason hoop tournaments are in full swing. Just seems unnatural.
* Speaking of college hoops, it's also too early to try to predict who's going to be the last team standing come April, but this much I do know: URI and Providence College both are going to stink.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Open mouth, insert Nike
During a loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, Cleveland forward LeBron James hurt his wrist while dunking out of frustration. Tough break, but I wish he'd hurt his mouth to the point where he can't make anymore stupid statements.
In the past week, King James has said he wants the NBA to permanantly retire Michael Jordan's No. 23 and that he could play for the lowly Cleveland Browns. Plenty of basketball enthusiasts have already sounded off on the former, so I'll weigh in on the latter.
LeBron, you're a fool. Yes, you're 6-foot-8 and one of the most gifted athletes in the world, but don't think for a second that you can enter the world of NFL veterans and not get embarrassed. Safties and linebackers are savvy enough to deal with your height, and there's not much speed to speak about (according to a few stories, he runs about a 4.9 40-yard dash).
To say that you could be a "very good" NFL player is an insult to guys who have worked their entire lives to get into that field. But, in the interest of pure entertainment, I hope you follow Shaq's footsteps and go against Ray Lewis in coverage. Seeing you lay motionless on the turf would make a sore wrist seem like a hangnail.
In the past week, King James has said he wants the NBA to permanantly retire Michael Jordan's No. 23 and that he could play for the lowly Cleveland Browns. Plenty of basketball enthusiasts have already sounded off on the former, so I'll weigh in on the latter.
LeBron, you're a fool. Yes, you're 6-foot-8 and one of the most gifted athletes in the world, but don't think for a second that you can enter the world of NFL veterans and not get embarrassed. Safties and linebackers are savvy enough to deal with your height, and there's not much speed to speak about (according to a few stories, he runs about a 4.9 40-yard dash).
To say that you could be a "very good" NFL player is an insult to guys who have worked their entire lives to get into that field. But, in the interest of pure entertainment, I hope you follow Shaq's footsteps and go against Ray Lewis in coverage. Seeing you lay motionless on the turf would make a sore wrist seem like a hangnail.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
R.I. high school football poll Week 10
Portsmouth's playoff hopes went down the tubes on Monday after a loss to island rival Rogers, and the Patriots fell significantly in the poll (from No. 8 to No. 13). That helped Middletown move up five spots to No. 10, while Tiverton, which sealed a playoff berth with a win over Mount Pleasant, is just outside the top 20.
Up next is Thanksgiving, and then the playoffs begin.
Team Points Last week
1. Barrington (7) 159 1
2. La Salle (1) 150 2
3. South Kingstown 142 4
4. Hendricken 139 5
5. Mount Hope 123 6
6. East Providence 121 3
7. Woonsocket 116 7
8. Coventry 101 10
9. Ponaganset 99 9
10t. Cranston East 68 11
10t. Middletown 68 15
12. Johnston 64 16
13. Portsmouth 63 8
14. Westerly 59 14
15. Moses Brown 57 13
16. Classical 36 19
17. West Warwick 35 12
18. Cranston West 25 17t
19. Hope 15 NR
20. Lincoln 12 17t
Dropped out (rank): Exeter-West Greenwich (19).
Others receiving votes: Tiverton 10, Central 7, Cumberland 7, St. Raphael 6
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The Westerly Sun.
Up next is Thanksgiving, and then the playoffs begin.
Team Points Last week
1. Barrington (7) 159 1
2. La Salle (1) 150 2
3. South Kingstown 142 4
4. Hendricken 139 5
5. Mount Hope 123 6
6. East Providence 121 3
7. Woonsocket 116 7
8. Coventry 101 10
9. Ponaganset 99 9
10t. Cranston East 68 11
10t. Middletown 68 15
12. Johnston 64 16
13. Portsmouth 63 8
14. Westerly 59 14
15. Moses Brown 57 13
16. Classical 36 19
17. West Warwick 35 12
18. Cranston West 25 17t
19. Hope 15 NR
20. Lincoln 12 17t
Dropped out (rank): Exeter-West Greenwich (19).
Others receiving votes: Tiverton 10, Central 7, Cumberland 7, St. Raphael 6
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The Westerly Sun.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Any given Monday
In an otherwise forgettable season, the Rogers football team made a memory on Monday night that will last a while.
Monday's game against Portsmouth was the Super Bowl for a Rogers team that has struggled all season. And the Vikings played like it was the Super Bowl. With nothing to play for but pride, they went toe-to-toe with a team that had everything to play for, and won.
This wasn't supposed to happen and, no disrespect to Rogers, I never thought it would. Chances are, few people outside the Rogers sideline did, either.
But as the game progressed and the Rogers defense repeatedly stopped the Patriots and protected a 12-6 lead, the body language of both teams was telling. Confidence clearly grew in the Rogers players, while Portsmouth looked downtrodden and, just maybe, a little bit intimidated.
Once it became clear that this was not going to be an easy win for Portsmouth, truth be told, at the risk of never being allowed back in Portsmouth, I was kind of rooting for Rogers.
Who doesn't love an underdog? There's no question Rogers was the underdog in this fight. And when quarterback Kyle DeCosta ran around behind the line of scrimmage to kill the last three seconds of the game, watching all the Rogers players run on to the field in celebration, I was happy for them.
Sorry, Portsmouth. It was just their night.
Monday's game against Portsmouth was the Super Bowl for a Rogers team that has struggled all season. And the Vikings played like it was the Super Bowl. With nothing to play for but pride, they went toe-to-toe with a team that had everything to play for, and won.
This wasn't supposed to happen and, no disrespect to Rogers, I never thought it would. Chances are, few people outside the Rogers sideline did, either.
But as the game progressed and the Rogers defense repeatedly stopped the Patriots and protected a 12-6 lead, the body language of both teams was telling. Confidence clearly grew in the Rogers players, while Portsmouth looked downtrodden and, just maybe, a little bit intimidated.
Once it became clear that this was not going to be an easy win for Portsmouth, truth be told, at the risk of never being allowed back in Portsmouth, I was kind of rooting for Rogers.
Who doesn't love an underdog? There's no question Rogers was the underdog in this fight. And when quarterback Kyle DeCosta ran around behind the line of scrimmage to kill the last three seconds of the game, watching all the Rogers players run on to the field in celebration, I was happy for them.
Sorry, Portsmouth. It was just their night.
Monday, November 16, 2009
In Bill I trust
This one isn't going to sit well with Patriots fans. The loss, the turnovers in the end zone, the decision to go on fourth down. But it's not the end of the world. When players on both sides said, "It's a regular season game, not the Super Bowl," they were right.
Instead of screaming and wanting to tear a hole in your wall, take the positives from this game. For example, New England dominated the Colts for much of the night, and Brady looking in great form. Randy Moss looked in great form, and Kevin Faulk was his valuable self. Even before he looked like he was carrying a greased pig, Laurence Maroney ran hard and well.
Until he got things going late - when the Pats defense couldn't stop a middle school football team from scoring - Peyton Manning looked confused at times. He tossed two picks (one was a quacker of a throw and one was a miscommunication), but he's a great quarterback and made the plays when he had to. And New England afforded him that opportunity.
Personally, and I think I'm in the minority, I'm with Belichick and his decision to go on fourth down. Like I said, the dog-tired defense couldn't stop anyone from scoring at that point, and one of the best offenses in the world needed to go six feet for a first down.
Either way, it didn't work and the Patriots lost. Not a big deal. Got the Jets coming in next week. Well, that's my view. Some people feel differently. Associated Press sports columnist Jim Litke put all the blame on Belichick, claiming, "Heck, Manning might be a better coach tham Belichick already."
Knee meet jerk.
The bottom line is that this is a loss, just like the other two this season and the many Belichick has suffered in his tenure as coach. Sure it stings more, but it carries the same weight in the long run.
Instead of screaming and wanting to tear a hole in your wall, take the positives from this game. For example, New England dominated the Colts for much of the night, and Brady looking in great form. Randy Moss looked in great form, and Kevin Faulk was his valuable self. Even before he looked like he was carrying a greased pig, Laurence Maroney ran hard and well.
Until he got things going late - when the Pats defense couldn't stop a middle school football team from scoring - Peyton Manning looked confused at times. He tossed two picks (one was a quacker of a throw and one was a miscommunication), but he's a great quarterback and made the plays when he had to. And New England afforded him that opportunity.
Personally, and I think I'm in the minority, I'm with Belichick and his decision to go on fourth down. Like I said, the dog-tired defense couldn't stop anyone from scoring at that point, and one of the best offenses in the world needed to go six feet for a first down.
Either way, it didn't work and the Patriots lost. Not a big deal. Got the Jets coming in next week. Well, that's my view. Some people feel differently. Associated Press sports columnist Jim Litke put all the blame on Belichick, claiming, "Heck, Manning might be a better coach tham Belichick already."
Knee meet jerk.
The bottom line is that this is a loss, just like the other two this season and the many Belichick has suffered in his tenure as coach. Sure it stings more, but it carries the same weight in the long run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)