Let’s Make a Deal

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Drew Brees (pictured above) and the New Orleans Saints are struggling to see eye to eye in regards to a new contract. Things continue to get worse for Who Dat Nation.

By Josh Kramer

5,476 passing yards?  46 touchdown passes?  The leader of a franchise for the past six years that was a key cog in reawakening a franchise and uplifting a city?  Priceless.

Yet no long-term deal?

The New Orleans Saints still have not signed the rock of their franchise to a long term deal.  After all Brees has done for the organization and the city of New Orleans, ownership is going to try to give him the shaft via a franchise tag?  Give me a break.

Money does not grow on trees.  The NFL does have salary restrictions. Drew Brees is 33-years-old. Also, being the general manager of a professional sports franchise is no easy task by any means.  But this is a no-brainer.    Currently, New Orleans is having more problems than O.J. Simpson was back in 1994.  The franchise is a mess from top to bottom.  Yet, they haven’t signed their star player and team leader?

Throwback Saturday Part XIII

Photo courtesy of cleveland.com. A year ago, Kobe Bryant (pictured above) was not a happy camper for a number of reasons. Will things brighten up this Spring for the LA superstar?

By Josh Kramer

Lucky number thirteen.  Over three months later and “Throwback Saturdays” are still going strong.  What was happening on April 14, 2011?  How about on April 14, 2012?  Let’s find out.

One year ago..

A Rough Go for Kobe

Here is a snippet..

The past couple of days have been an absolute whirlwind for Lakers superstar, Kobe Bryant.  First, a key piece of the Lakers championship puzzle, Andrew Bynum, goes down with yet another knee injury.  Then, later in the game, Kobe picks up a technical foul. But the technical was not out of the ordinary for Bryant, who is 2nd in the League this year in technical fouls to Superman himself, Dwight Howard.

Bryant frequently argues with referees and actually has ranked in the top ten in the League for technical fouls each of the past six seasons. I do not like when guys jabber at opposing players or whine to  the referees.  But I do respect Bryant’s drive and his ability to “Refuse to Lose.”  He is emotional.  The man just hates losing.  It is a trait that Michael Jordan had.  It is a trait that Tiger Woods had.  Losing is not something that any of these guys ever seem to think is possible.  So they each have had their fair share of temper tantrums over the years.  And do not think for a second that guys like Jordan did not cry to the refs or that the other stars in today’s game remain mum towards the referees.  It just isn’t true.  Stars complain.  And they complain frequently.

But in the San Antonio game, Kobe made a big time mistake to go along with his technical foul.  He appears to have directed an offensive gay slur towards the referee.  Cursing is one thing.  When racist, religious, or gay slurs get brought into the game, it takes things to another level.  Kobe crossed the line (To finish reading this post, click this link).

Food for Thought 3-20-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Now we all know where Peyton Manning will be playing in 2012. Where will Tim Tebow (pictured above) land?

By Josh Kramer

#18 is taking his talents to Mile High.  This whole “Decision” had a far different feel than the infamous “Decision” of July 8, 2012.  Peyton Manning handled this whole situation with the amazing grace and class that he has demonstrated throughout the duration of his career.  He is heading into a good situation in which punching a ticket to the playoffs in year one should not be a problem.  At nearly the age of 36, all Peyton wants to is win Super Bowls.

Sadly, in every game, there are winners and there are losers.  Many say that all Tim Tebow does is win.  In this case he has lost.

Can we stick to football please?

Photo courtesy of blogs.babble.com. New England Patriots football has always been about what happens on the field. Lately though, off-the-field incidents have taken center stage.

By Josh Kramer

Super Bowl XLVI was a game for the ages.  It was a dream matchup that did not disappoint on the field by any means.  Over the past five days, since Eli and the Giants captured their 2^nd Super Bowl title in four years, an awful lot of “Gossip Girl” action has been going on.  And I for one am sick of hearing about this nonsense.

Here is a quick rundown of the incidents:

Incident 1:  A good portion of the media pointed the finger at Wes Welker for his “drop” in the 4^th quarter this past Sunday.  Many felt as if Welker’s drop was the main reason why New England lost the big game.  In the aftermath, Pawngo, an online pawn shop, delivered a large helping worth of Butterfingers to Boston’s Copley Square.  900 pounds worth to be exact.  That is a lot of candy. The frustrations towards the best slot-receiver in football have cooled a little, with many realizing upon further review that the “Golden Boy” did not make a very good throw.

Patriots Blow Golden Opportunit​y-Giants Win Super Bowl XLVI

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. According to our very own Wesley Kaminsky, Tom Brady (pictured above), the Golden Boy, blew it for New England on Sunday.

By Wesley Kaminsky

Let me start by saying I’m not a Patriots fan. I’m an Eagles fan. I’m merely an angry, bitter, disgusted Eagles fan who has tasted playoff failure for my entire life. I’ve witnessed the Eagles lose in four NFC championship games, and one Super Bowl. I was in attendance in Jacksonville during that Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the Patriots. I haven’t tasted a Super Bowl victory, and neither have any Eagles fans. Instead, I’ve had to suffer through watching the Giants win two Super Bowls in the last four years. I didn’t sign up for this.

I’ve taken a couple of days to reflect on what took place in Indianapolis on Sunday night. The more I think about it, the more I cannot believe the Patriots lost.

The more I realize how lucky the Giants got.

The more I realize how Tom Brady blew it. The Golden Boy.

Food for Thought 2-7-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Eli Manning (pictured above) likely stamped a ticket to Canton with an outstanding performance in Super Bowl XLVI.

By Josh Kramer

So long football season.  It has been real. Now America’s favorite sport goes on an extended hiatus.  Basketball takes center stage and baseball is on the horizon.  I think it is safe to say that the 92^nd edition of NFL football did not disappoint by any means and we are all as excited as ever for Year #93.   Here are the main items that have caught my attention over the past couple or days.

NFLP?

So maybe the big game was not as high scoring of an affair as many would have hoped.  I think we can all agree that it was far more entertaining than the BCS National Championship Game that we all had to suffer through nearly a month ago.  The fact of the matter is, the entire football world got to bear witness to an outstanding football game that came down to the final play.  Really, what more can you ask for?

Weekly Nickel 2-6-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Kentucky super freshman Anthony Davis (pictured above) has quickly become the frontrunner for the Naismith National Player of the Year Award.

By Josh Kramer

For the first time since the beginning of September, there will be no organized football games to speak of.  America’s favorite sport will now go into hibernation until training camp and spring ball begins.  After last night’s “Super” spectacle in which Eli Manning outdid Tom Brady, watching the pigskin get tossed around every Saturday and Sunday will be sorely missed.  But on to the next one.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Despite much indecision and turmoil in the form of a 130 day lockout leading up to the 92nd NFL season, the 2011/2012 NFL season did not disappoint by any means.  If anything, the sport grew in popularity.  ESPN proclaimed this the “Year of the Quarterback.”  I think without question, next year should be the “Year of the Tight End.”

Super Bowl XLVI Preview

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tom Brady (pictured above) was not a happy man four years ago as he exited the field following a loss in Super Bowl XLII. Do not expect the same outcome on Sunday.

By Josh Kramer

Coughlin vs. Belichick.  Manning (Eli) vs. Brady.  New York vs. Boston.  It does not get any better than the scenario that has been set up for Super Bowl XLVI.  There are millions of storylines floating around about America’s most anticipated sporting event of the year.  And 99.9% of the storylines will be moot come Sunday at 6:29PM, when the ball is kicked off in the “House that Peyton Built (Lucas Oil Stadium).”  Four years ago to the day, these two teams representing two of the biggest sports markets in the world met in Glendale, Arizona for rights to the Lombardi Trophy.  If Sunday’s rematch can be half as good as what America was able to witness four years ago, the game will be a memorable one.

For nearly two weeks, we have been well aware of the matchup on Sunday for football’s biggest prize.  And for two weeks, this game has been dissected and analyzed until I feel like there is nothing more to discuss.  It gets to the point every year where it is time to just play the game.  When the analysis and incite loses its luster.  I feel like we have hit that point.  Just like any big sporting event, this game will likely come down to one or two key plays.  Four years ago, “The Catch” was the play that in essence ended Brady, Moss, and New England’s remarkable attempt at football immortality.  Who will make the play this year that changes history?

Weekly Nickel 1-30-2012

Photo courtesy of theoldprincetonlanding.com. All eyes will be focused on Indianapolis this week as America gears up for the biggest sporting event of the year.

By Josh Kramer

Yes, this past weekend, no “real” football games (college or professional) were played for the first time since the beginning of September (and no the Pro Bowl is not a real game).  Tennis jumped to the forefront of the sporting stratosphere and rightfully so.  The Djokovic/Nadal 5 hour and 53 minute thriller was a match for the ages, that anybody who had a chance to bear witness will not soon forget.  In addition, the Men’s Australian Open final made up for a Women’s final that was perhaps the worst Grand Slam final of all time.  Last week was great, but you better believe this week will be pretty amazing in its own right.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

2012 NFL Playoffs: Conference Championsh​ip Weekend Recap

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. It is going to be a very long off-season for Ed Reed (pictured above) and the Baltimore Ravens after letting a golden opportunity literally slip through their fingers on Sunday.

By Wesley Kaminsky

Before I get started, can you remember a better season of football than this one? Yes, we live in a sports world where we all happen to be caught up in the moment at times, but there is no denying the drama and heartbreak that took place in both the regular season and the post-season this year. Just in case you need your memories refreshed as to what happened on Sunday, here you go.

Game 1: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots:

It seems as though it’s rare that we see the top two seeds in the conference go at it in the championship game, but the NFL world was in for a treat on Sunday when the Ravens and Patriots clashed in Foxborough. This is one of the rare occurrences where you can legitimately make the argument that the better team didn’t win. With all the pressure on Joe Flacco leading up to the game thanks to comments by Ed Reed, the Baltimore quarterback had a lot of pressure on him. Some were even saying he was playing for his job, and if that was the case, then he indeed won it.