Weekly Nickel 4-30-2012

Photo courtesy of mutualuniversity.blogspot.com. People received a heavy dose of Todd McShay (left) and Mel Kiper (right) this weekend. There is still plenty more to come.

By Josh Kramer

How many times this weekend did you hear the following lines? “That’s a reach.”  “The sky is the limit for this guy.”  I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am all NFL Drafted out.  It is a great event. But on to the next one.  What a great time in sports right now.  Major League Baseball is just getting going.  The NBA and NHL playoffs are in full swing.  Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  Have you had enough of the NFL Draft yet?  Well guess what, the coverage is not over.  Despite the insane amount of attention that the NFL’s marquee off-season event received, there is still plenty more to come as the experts try to tell you how good or bad your team did in the war room.  Here are a few interesting statistics in regards to the 2012 NFL Draft.

-55% of the drafted players (142 of 253) came out of the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12.

-Alabama has turned into the new NFL U (8 players selected).  Plus, the Crimson Tide became only the second school ever to have multiple underclassmen selected in the first round of the draft in three consecutive years (Miami is the other).

-Times are changing.  The Sunshine State was not smiling on Thursday night.  No players from Miami, Florida, or Florida State were selected in the first round for the first time since 1980.

-A new record of 19 early entrants were selected in round one (the previous record was 17 in 2010).

-Boise State had six players drafted this year.  Only Alabama, Oklahoma, and Georgia had more taken.  I am sure people will blame this on the “easy” schedule though.

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Weekly Nickel 2-27-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tennis season is getting ready to heat up. Is it time for Andy Murray (pictured above) to break through?

By Josh Kramer

So the dunk contest was a joke.  Ryan Braun somehow defeated the system.  RGIII once again proved that he is fast.  And College Hoops did not disappoint (I mean when does it at this time of year).  Last week was jam-packed.  But the week ahead should be pretty good in its own right.

5. One of the best tournaments in tennis (outside of the 4 Grand Slams) is just one week away.  I am of course referring to the BNP Paribas Open at lovely Indian Wells.  But before the tour makes the anxiously awaited stop in California, the players have to take advantage of the two tune-ups provided this week. Djokovic, Federer, and Murray will all showcase their abilities at the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, while the ATP Abierto Mexicano Telcel will also be taking place in Acapulco, Mexico.  Though most will not hold their breath in regards to these two tournaments this week,  they should.  Just like in any sport, the hottest players are the ones that take home the big-time tournaments.  Winning a tune-up typically signifies a “Hot-Streak.”  Who will get hot this week?

“Weekly Nickel”

Barry Melrose (pictured above) is the face of Hockey at ESPN these days. Expect the playoff excitement to continue with some great Conference Semi-Final matchups.

It is another top of the week in the wide world of sports.  Last week was absolutely ludicrous from start to the dramatic finish in New York with the always entertaining NFL Draft.  How couldn’t you enjoy the constant back and forth of Mel Kiper and Jon Gruden?  It was pure entertainment.

Lets take a look at the top 5 for this upcoming week.

“NFL Draft First Round Recap”

In the biggest surprise on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Jake Locker (pictured above) with the 8th overall pick.

The first round of the NFL Draft is in the books.  It only took a little over 3.5 hours, but it is was well worth it.  The always exciting event started with a bang with the introduction of a record number of invitees to the actual event (25), and this year’s Hall of Fame Class.  Following the introduction of all the players, Goodell took the stage to some loud and pronounced boos.  As if nobody saw this coming.  People in New York are generally unforgiving to begin with.  With the current state of the NFL, I was surprised that the boos did not last even longer.  Either way, Goodell handled it well.  He and the owners want football too.  I think we will have it come September.

“Weekly Nickel”

This is the big week for ESPN NFL Draft gurus Mel Kiper (left) and Todd McShay (right). You will be hearing these two go at it all week and into the weekend.

It is another Monday in the wide world of sports.  We have a stellar week ahead full of exciting action across the board.  Lets take a look at what the key events of the upcoming week will be.

“Weekly Nickel”

Travis Hafner (pictured above) is a main reason why the Indians are shocking the baseball world and sitting atop the AL Central. Can Cleveland keep it up through October?

“TheSportsKraze” has hit a landmark.  This is post #500.  Who would have imagined when this blog was started back in October 2009, that we would already be hitting our 500th post, even with a 6 week hiatus due to a Eurotrip?  What better way to celebrate post #500 than with another exciting edition of the “Weekly Nickel.”

“Weekly Nickel”

Spring Football is at full go all across the country. Andrew Luck (pictured above) appears ready to for another monster season. Could he lead Stanford all the way while taking home the Heisman?

The last couple of weeks have been absolutely insane in sports.  And this week will undoubtedly be fun, but it may not live up to the hype of the last couple.  No Masters.  No National Championships.  But still lots of action all across the board.

Lets take a closer look.

“Weekly Nickel”

Washington National's 18 year old phenom Bryce Harper (pictured above) suffered a sprained ankle today in a scrimmage. Major League baseball opens up in just 9 days.

Now I will admit it is hard for me to say, but there is really not a whole lot going on in the sporting world this week outside of March Madness.  Let me rephrase that actually.  There is plenty going on, but nothing even compares to the Madness that has struck.  What a first weekend for the tournament.  I cannot wait until the Sweet 16 picks up on Thursday.  But I digress.  Here is a look at this week’s top sporting events.