Food for Thought 5-8-2012

Photo coutesy of zimbio.com. Albert Pujols (pictured above) and the Los Angeles Angels have not had much to celebrate during the early going of the 2012 season. Will the Angels turn things around and begin to live up to expectations?

By Josh Kramer

Is it me or has the MLB been turned upside down?  Derek Jeter is batting over 400 at age 37.  Albert Pujols has one home run (he finally hit one on Sunday).  And Ryan Dempster leads the National League in ERA (all of these stats were heading into play yesterday).  How about the current standings though?

Cellar Dwellers:

-Philadelphia “We are the cream of the crop in the NL East” Phillies

-Chicago “We have fun at Wrigleyville” Cubs

-San Diego “This is not a shocker” Padres

-Boston “We are always a contender” Red Sox

-Minnesota “Ron Gardenhire is a savior” Twins

-Los Angeles “World Series Favorite” Angels

Divisional Leaders:

-Washington “Never gone over 500” Nationals

-St. Louis “Albert Pujols-less” Cardinals

-Los Angeles “Divorced” Dodgers

-Baltimore “We play in the same division as New York and Boston” Orioles

-Cleveland “We are more famous for a movie” Indians

-Texas “Going for a three-peat” Rangers

Advertisement

Good, Bad, and Sad

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Eric LeGrand (center) realized his dream yesterday. Despite his paralysis, Eric LeGrand is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

By Josh Kramer

Sports can invoke every type of emotion imaginable.  In terms of the NFL yesterday, it invoked some good, some bad, and some sad.

The Good:

LeGrand signing is grand

Remember who Eric LeGrand is?  Here is a quick refresher.  LeGrand is a former defensive tackle from Rutgers University who was severely injured in a game against Army on October 16, 2010 that left him paralyzed.  LeGrand was always a class act.  Sometimes the worst things happen to the best people.  Though only 21-years-old, LeGrand took the paralysis as a challenge, not as the end of the world.  LeGrand never let the severe injuries get in the way of his dreams.  It is very fitting that on the date 5/2, LeGrand, who sported the number 52 at Rutgers, realized his dream.   Most college football players across the country can only imagine playing in the NFL.  Very few get the opportunity.  Yesterday, former Rutgers coach and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano helped LeGrand reach his dream.  LeGrand is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

NFL March Madness

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. In a wild day for the NFL, New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton (pictured above) has been suspended for the entire 2012 season.

By Josh Kramer

I always was under the impression that March Madness only applied to college hoops.  I was wrong.  The past couple of days have been simply ludicrous in regards to America’s favorite sports league, the NFL.  Let’s recap.

Peyton Manning signs with the Denver Broncos

-I fully understand this mega-signing.  There are many appealing factors to the Mile High City and the Broncos organization.  Namely, they are a team who plays in a weak division and they have John Elway.  Elway can act as a mentor to Peyton and help him become the unquestioned GOAT (Greatest-Of-All-Time) in terms of NFL quarterbacks.  If I were Peyton, I would have signed with the 49ers.  San Francisco is a Super Bowl contender in 2012 with or without Peyton Manning.  They also play in a very weak division. Not to mention they have arguably the best coach in the NFL today, Jim Harbaugh.  5 years and 96 million though may be enough to get me to settle on Denver over San Francisco though.

Goodell shakes up New Orleans

Good guys versus bad guys

Photo courtesy of LehighValleyLive.com. Roger Goodell (pictured on the right) and the owners appear to have regained the upper hand on the NFLPA led by DeMaurice Smith (pictured on the left).

By Josh Kramer

Our entire lives we have been under the impression that there are good guys and bad guys.  As young children we watched cartoons.  Within these shows such as the Ninja Turtles, Superman, and Batman, there were the good guys and the bad guys.  When we played sports growing up the team we were on was always the good guys, while our opponents were labeled the bad guys.  And even into our adulthood, the company we work for is generally who we consider to be the good guys, and our competition is the bad guys.

Well in sports, all fans have their opinion of good guys and bad guys.  Your hometown team or the team you cheer on are always the good guys while their opponents are always the bad guys.  Even when you watch games that the teams you are a fan of are not even participating in, you choose sides generally.  Whether it be a rival of your team or you have a wager on the contest, generally you develop an opinion and take sides regarding the ball game.

Food for Thought 6-7-2011

Photo courtesy of bleedingeaglegreen.com. Plaxico Burress (pictured above) has been released from prison. How will his comeback end up?

By Josh Kramer

It has been a wild past 48 hours.  So many big time stories going on.  Plaxico, Tressel, French Open finale, playoffs, and more. The following are the main items that have caught my attention.

The second coming of Michael Vick?

If you are not living in a box, you have probably heard something about Plaxico Burress finally being released from prison.  After 21 months, the former Super Bowl champion, and one of the League’s most electric receivers will finally have an opportunity to finish his career off right.  Or it at least appears that way.

Weekly Nickel: 6-6-2011

Photo courtesy of MLB Blogs Network. Asdrubal Cabrera (pictured above) has been the only Indian hitting the ball as of late. The Indians, experiencing their first losing streak of the year will get to demonstrate their ability to bounce back in the Bronx later this week.

By Josh Kramer

Another wild week has come to a close in the wide world of sports.  The French Open had an epic conclusion, the playoffs have been filled with down to the wire finishes and epic comebacks, and the MLB has been full of excitement.  There is not really much more a sports fan could ask for.  It is Monday and time to start another exciting week.  Here are the top 5 items to keep an eye on for the week.

5.  The WNBA is back in action.  Now I fully realize that this League struggles to put butts in the seats and is a project that has never really taken off.  But it is new and fresh at this point, with the season tipping off this past Friday.  And regardless if you are a fan of women’s hoops, you have to admit that Candace Parker and Maya Moore can really play.  It was fun watching two of the game’s biggest stars in the season opener will their respective teams.

“Madness Highlights Thus Far”

UConn star Kemba Walker made a name for himself in Maui. He continued his great play throughout the regular season and wowed New York in the Big East Tournament. Now he looks to take his team to the Final Four.

As if there is anything else going on in the wide world of sports that is on the same wave length as the NCAA Tournament right now.  Sure there is the Roger Goodell versus Kevin Burnett bickering, Spring Training, and NBA Action.  But none of these things compare to the first Thursday of the NCAA Tournament.  And yes I said the first Thursday, because it is no longer the first round technically.  It is the start of Round 2.  Whatever it is the start of, you got to love it.

No predictions today.  I will let my bracket play out a little.  But I wanted to check in and let you know my initial thoughts of this year’s edition of March Madness.

“Weekly Nickel”

Can the NFL solve their issues by late Thursday night? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (pictured above) is doing all in his power to ensure that their is no labor strike.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of March. Hard to believe. But anybody who does not live in the South or on the West Coast is begging for spring time. You know what March means though.  “Its the most wonderful time of the year.” 

March Madness.

Here is a look at the top 5 for this upcoming week though.

“Weekly Nickel”

Duke star Nolan Smith (pictured above) will play a major part in the Duke/UNC matchup on Wednesday. Will he be the X-Factor?

Good Monday to you all.  Want to know one of the best things about sports especially in the United States?  They never stop.  We just celebrated the biggest sporting holiday of the year with an outstanding Super Bowl 45.  And guess what, we have another stellar jam-packed week ahead.

Lets jump right into it.