Food for Thought 9-11-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Robert Griffin III (pictured above) made things look very easy in the Big Easy on Sunday. Will he continue to play this way all season?

By Josh Kramer

Sports played a prominent role in helping our country cope with the unthinkable terrorist acts that occurred 11 years ago to the day.  Our nation holds sports near and dear to their hearts on a daily basis.  The USA has grown stronger as a nation since the horrific terrorist acts of 9/11 and sports are still doing their part.

RGIII was made for DC

Maybe Robert Griffin III is football’s version of Superman.  The reigning Heisman Trophy winner put on a debut performance for the ages on Sunday, leading the Redskins to an opening day victory over the Saints.  Now sure, one could argue that Matt Ryan put up slightly better numbers on Sunday.  Or that Cam Newton threw for 422 yards in his rookie debut last September.

Let’s focus on reality though.  Matt Ryan has far more experience and an outstanding supporting cast.  Also, exactly one year ago, Cam Newton passed for an astonishing 422 yards, but he also tossed an interception, and his team lost the game.  With five rookie quarterbacks starting on Sunday, I think much of America forgot just how hard it is to be a rookie quarterback in the NFL.  By Sunday evening, everyone remembered after four of the quarterbacks went home losers and tossed a combined 11 interceptions (and just two touchdowns).

RGIII on the other hand made things look easy as he outplayed future Hall of Famer Drew Brees in front of a hostile Saints crowd.

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What to watch for at the 2012 London Olympics

Image courtesy of olympic.org. The 2012 London Summer Olympics are here. All eyes will be on London for the next 16 days.

By Nick Craddock

After years of planning and preparation, the world’s eyes are on London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

London 2012 represents the 30th edition of the Games (that’s including both the Summer and Winter Games) and will certainly represent some of the best drama sports has to offer. Just as the city of London has been preparing for many years, so, too, have the more than 10,000 athletes from 204 nations expected to compete over the course of 16 days.

After the British attempt to top the Chinese spectacle of 2008 in Beijing at tonight’s Opening Ceremony, here are some storylines to follow during the Games:

1. Michael Phelps—The soon-to-be star of Full Medal Jacket

History in the making

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Roger Federer (pictured above) handled world number one Novak Djokovic on Friday. Will he make history on Sunday against Andy Murray?

By Josh Kramer

On Sunday, history will be made at the All England Club.  Either Roger Federer will capture a record-tying 7th Wimbledon title, or Andy Murray will become the first native of Great Britain to take home the prestigious Wimbledon crown since Fred Perry did in 1936.  By stepping on the court, Murray is already the first native of the host country to play in the final since Bunny Austin back in 1938.  Lastly, if Federer wins, he will not only add a record 17th Grand Slam title to his portfolio, he will also make the leap to number one in the world and tie Pete Sampras’ record of 286 weeks as the top ranked player on the globe.

Talk about a historically significant match at the most tradition-filled tournament of them all.

Andy Murray has an entire country depending on him to end a 76 year drought.  Roger Federer is nearly 31-years-old and likely will not have another opportunity to win a Slam like this ever again.  The pressure is mounting.  Who will crumble under the bright lights of Centre Court at the All England Club?

Wimbledon 2012 Preview

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Novak Djokovic (left) and Maria Sharapova (right) are the favorites to take home the third Grand Slam of the year.

By Josh Kramer

We are less than a day away from the best tournament in all of tennis.  London is the place to be in sports these days.  First there is Wimbledon.  Then there is the Olympics.  Out of the four major tennis tournaments, Wimbledon holds the most historical significance and is widelyy considered the most prestigious tournament of them all.

Men:

The last nine Grand Slams have been won by one of two men.  They also happen to be the current number one and number two ranked players in the world.  Ironically, the last player not named Nadal or Djokovic to take home a Grand Slam championship has won at the All England Club on six different occasions (Federer).  Lastly, 28 of the last 29 Grand Slam titles have been captured by Djokovic, Nadal, or Federer.

Champion:  Novak Djokovic

Djokovic is the real number one now

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Novak Djokovic (pictured above) is your new number one ranked player in the world and your 2011 Wimbledon Champion.

By Josh Kramer

What better topic for my 600th post than the 2011 Wimbledon Championship match?  It is hard to believe that this is post number 600 on “TheSportsKraze,” but it has truly been a pleasure talking sports with all of you each and every day.  The support is very much appreciated.

When the new tennis rankings come out, the tennis world will have a new number one ranked player.  We already knew that this was the case heading into today’s final at the All England Club.  But despite a ranking change, without a victory, it would not truly feel like Novak Djokovic was the number one player in the world.  Well today he proved that he is truly deserving of the top spot in tennis.

Times have changed

Photo courtesy of TopNews.in.

By Josh Kramer

All day I have been absolutely perplexed by what occurred at the All England Club.  In all honesty I have been beside myself.  The great Roger Federer was ahead two sets to zero on a solid, but not great, Jo-Wilfried Songa.  This was the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.  Plus Roger was not going up against his arch nemesis Rafael Nadal.  Put this match in the books right?

Food for Thought 6-27-2011

Photo courtesy of wareagleextra.com. Former NC State standout, Russell Wilson (pictured above) is taking his talents to Camp Randall.

By Josh Kramer

The past 48 hours have been an absolute world wind in the sporting stratosphere.  Things like the Gold Cup Finals, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Wimbledon, and the Dodgers fiasco have been at the forefront of the discussion.  Here is what has caught my attention.

Badger time in the Big Ten?

There has been zero dull moments in the Big Ten this off-season.  A split into two separate divisions.  The addition of Nebraska.  Mayhem in Columbus.  And now the addition of Russell Wilson to the Wisconsin Badgers.  I feel like all the puzzle pieces are falling into place for Badger Nation.  This was going to be a very good Wisconsin team to begin with.  A great offensive line.  Solid defensive unit.  But the one thing they appeared to be lacking was a quarterback that could perform on the big stage.  Well it appears they have found their man.

Sports would be like watching a DVD

Photo courtesy of topnews.in. Andy Roddick (pictured above) was not a happy camper following his surprising 3rd round exit from Wimbledon yesterday.

By Josh Kramer

Yesterday was not a great day for American tennis by any means.  First Ryan Harrison, the “Great American Hope,” was dismantled by 7th seeded David Ferrer, in a second round match that was resumed on Friday.  Then Alex Bogomolov Jr. was wiped off the court by the very talented Tomas Berdych.  Berdych could easily shock one of the “Fantastic Four,” and find his way into the semi-finals, though he would most likely have to defeat Rafa to do this.  And to cap off an All American day at the All England Club, Andy Roddick, who typically thrives on the grass courts of Wimbledon, was dismantled by Feliciano Lopez, a guy he had previously never lost to.

At least Mardy Fish saved face and now is the lone American left in the Men’s draw.  But it was not a good day for American tennis.  Things have gone from good, to bad, to ugly.  We are at the fourth round at Wimbledon, and there is one American left in the draw.  Where is Pete Sampras when you need him (Sampras won 7 Wimbledon titles)?

Williams sisters no longer dominant forces

Photo courtesy of Mail Online.

By Josh Kramer

A “Williamsless” Grand Slam final?  Over the better part of the past decade, a Grand Slam final without both or at least one Williams’ sister has been an absolute rarity. Now I realize that it has been a very odd year for the WTA.  Nobody knows who is going to win the next tournament, much less the next match.  The WTA tour is the most parity filled sport on the market these days.  Especially with the NFL entering the 100th day of their strike.

After the first few days at the Championships though, one thing is obvious.  The Williams sisters are not nearly what they once were.  Now I realize that both Serena and Venus have had a very tough year where they have dealt with various injuries and rust is to be expected.  But over the past decade, both sisters have made it seem effortless while cruising to Grand Slam final after Grand Slam final.  With 20 Grand Slams between the two, and 9 of the last 11 Wimbledon titles, it has just come to be expected to see at least one Williams, possibly two, playing in the finals at the All England Club.

Weekly Nickel 6-20-2011

Photo courtesy of draftpacks.com. My main event for this week in the wide world of sports is none other than the NBA Draft, set for Thursday night.

By Josh Kramer

Last week was absolutely wild.  A Stanley Cup Game 7.  Riots in Vancouver.  A 22-year-old making a mockery of golf on the big stage. Plus there was continued hope,  and then loss of hope from the NFL regarding a possible CBA.  What should you be looking forward to this week?