“Weekly Nickel”

LSU Quarterback, Jordan Jefferson (pictured above), has played a major role in LSU's surprising 7 and 0 start. Can the Tigers keep rolling against fellow SEC undefeated foe Auburn next Saturday?

Most people love lists.  Our culture is one that thrives and tends to listen better to information that is put into lists.  It is just more visually appealing and easier to follow.  When people watch SportsCenter, the favorite part of the show tends to be the “Daily Top 10.”  Or sometimes, the “Not Top 10.”  So due to popular request and advice from our very own CV3,  I am going to try to post a Weekly Top 5 highlighting some events for the upcoming week every Monday.

So here is the first annual “TheSportsKraze” Weekly Nickel:

5.  NBA Preseason basketball continues.  The opener is drawing ever closer and set for Tuesday, October 26th.  Can the Lakers give Phil Jackson his 4th version of the mythical 3-peat (AKA the Phil Jackson Peat.)

4.  NCAA Basketball is nearing as most of the big schools have had some sort of version of their “Midnight Madness.”  Very sad story about Robbie Hummel going down with another ACL tear. Purdue will still be tought, but no longer is a National Title Contender. Steve Lavin continues to make big moves at St. Johns.  Can you say sleeper team?

3.  The NFL is entering Week 7.  Hard to believe, but who doesn’t love watching football on Sunday and Monday Night?  There are two marquee matchups.  First Brett Favre and the Vikings will head to Lambeau to take on a reeling Cheeseheads team.  Second, the Giants and Cowboys continue one of football’s best rivalries in front of the Monday Night Bright Lights.

2.  4 Major College Football Showdowns: 

Wisconsin vs Iowa, Nebraska vs Oklahoma State, Oklahoma vs Missouri, and LSU  vs Auburn.  Talk about games with National Championship implications.  The 2nd version of the BCS Rankings will come out Sunday.

1.  League Championship Series continue in the MLB.  As if there was any doubt on what the top event in town is.  Can the Yankees and Phillies make a rematch happen in the Fall Classic?  Seems to be the matchup that most of America would like to see.

So there you have the first edition of the “Weekly Nickel.”  Let me hear your thoughts.

Stay tuned for the next edition of TheSportsKraze.

-TheSportsKraze

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“30 for 30 Brilliance”

Bill Simmon's "30 for 30" documentaries idea has taken the sporting world by storm over the past 11 months.

 Last evening, I was at the gym getting a work out in after a long day at the office.  While working out, I would fixate on the clock every few minutes.  Typically, I am never in a hurry to leave the gym in that it is my relaxation for the day during the work week.  It is kind of closure to my day before I sit down to eat dinner and watch the Red’s game.  But realizing that the “30 for 30” special featuring Michael Jordan was on at 8, I made sure to keep track of the time.  And once it hit 8 on the dot, I darted out of the gym, and sprinted all the way home.  From 8:05 until 9:00 (yes I was 5 minutes late), I did not move from my chair, even during commercial breaks as I watched, “Jordan Rides the Bus.” 

This has been a common thread for me and many other sports fans during the past 11 months for these “30 for 30” specials.  These specials have truly become a phenomenon.  And rightfully so.  The idea originated from one of the best in the business.  One of the guys in the sporting world, that whether you agree with his opinions or not, you are still going to read his column.  And his columns are some of the longest I have ever read regarding sports, but you better believe I read every word.  None other than Boston’s biggest homer, the “sports guy,” Bill Simmons. 

Simmons proposed the idea because he felt that some of the events that have occurred during the past 30 years, throughout the ESPN era, could really be more than just a another blip on the radar.  They could be turned into documentary specials.  There are many fine directors out there.  Why not really delve into some of these special events and capture the interest of current, past, and future sporting fanatics?  The first special of the 32 part series filmed in October of 2009 documenting the story of “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, leaving Edmonton for Los Angeles, and completely changing the scope of the NHL.  Other “30 for 30” specials that have really caught my eye have been “Muhammad and Larry,” “Without Bias,” “The U,” “Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs the New York Knicks,” and last evenings, “Jordan Rides the Bus.”  In total 18 of these 32 specials have aired.  And you better believe I am hyped for the next 14.  

I will admit I love Sportscenter and all of the shows that the greatest sporting network in the world (ESPN) has to offer.  Even at times if items get entirely too repetitive, that is all a part of the world we live in today.  Communication is constant and connectivity is at a premium.  But these specials, are done so well, are extremely informative, and very entertaining at the same time.  I guess that is what you get when you take big time directors and let them put out footage on sporting events.  Last evening, really brought back some memories of my young childhood.  I mean I could not have told you all the details of what had happened when Jordan left the League to pursue an ambition of playing professional baseball.  I was just a little kid.  This special last night though, provided me and probably the rest of America with some much-needed perspective.  I mean how many people knew that Terry Francona, the current manager of the Boston Red Sox, was Michael’s manager for the Birmingham Barons?  

These specials in essence, connect the dots for people.  They bring these major stories of the past to life and provide some closure.  Many of these stories may have been analyzed and shown on various sporting news shows over the years, but never has their been a major director showing the facts through expert cinematography. 

So thank you Bill Simmons.  America appreciates you coming up with this simple, yet innately innovative idea. 

And make sure to tune in next week for the special entitled, “Little Big Men,” which will document when the 1982 Kirkland, Washington All Stars shocked the world, and brought the Little League World Series Title back to the United States. 

Stay tuned for the next edition of TheSportsKraze. 

-TheSportsKraze 

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“Got to Love Training Camp”

Jet's superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis, is currently holding out from the team's traing camp over a contract scuffle. He is hanging out on his private getaway called "Revis Island."

Most NFL Training Camps have been going on since the end of last week, and boy has the excitement been at an all time high.  I really think the NFL could not have planned a more entertaining first few days to this spectacle.  First of all, you have the continued conflict between Redskin’s overpaid star Albert Haynesworth and new Head Coach, Mike Shanahan.  Haynesworth still has not passed his conditioning test and has not been able to practice.  Good luck to Albert in ever mending his relationship with Coach Shanahan and in figuring out all the nuances of the new 3-4 defensive scheme.  This is all a shame for the Skins, who really need Haynesworth to come out and perform at a high level.  I mean the guy did just sign a 21 million dollar bonus in April!  But there is no question that the relationship between Coach and player is boiling in Washington.

Also, there is the typical injury bug going around the League.  I am not sure if anyone has gotten it worse than Denver.  During the course of one drill, both their running backs, Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter were injured.  Though Buckhalter’s injury does not appear serious, it is still eerie that both guys got hurt during the same drill.  Maybe Tim Tebow will be the answer in saving this once dominant franchise (the former Florida savior)?  The Ravens also took a big hit with the loss of one of their starting cornerbacks, Domonique Foxworth.  Most people said the only flaw on this team was the lack of cornerbacks.  Well that situation just got worse.  Maybe Ray Lewis can man cover some of the receivers in this division like Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco (just kidding).  Also in injury news, Wes Welker participated in parts of Patriot’s practice yesterday.  This is a fantastic sign for Patriot Nation.  Realize that Wes Welker had 123 catches by himself last season, which was 4 less than what TO and Ochocinco caught combined last year.

Also in the AFC, the Darrelle Revis holdout is officially on.  Revis has left to go hang out on Revis Island until the Jets offer him a contract that he feels is what he deserves.  Now most receivers never want to book a trip to Revis Island, but Darrelle is at ease on his beautiful island getaway.   Revis is determined to be the highest paid cornerback in the League.  He wants to make more than Nnamdi Asomugha.  And can you really blame him?  Revis hands down was the best corner in the League last year.  This is a League where a player can get hurt at any time.  Why not cash in when your stock is at it’s highest possible point?  If I am the Jets, I pay up, and quick.  This guy is essential to their AFC East and Super Bowl hopes.

And in probably the biggest news of all, or at least in the region, Terrell “TO Show” Owens arrived at Bengal’s training camp (though he was late due to missing a flight).  The Bengals are seeing record crowds for their training camp as the TO Frenzy continues to spread all throughout the region.  People are excited, and rightfully so.  The expectations are rising by the day.  And TO and Ocho seem up to the challenge.  I mean when was the last time that you can remember a Bengal being the Sunday Conversation on Sportscenter?  Better yet, when can you remember a Sunday Conversation where the guests brought popcorn and chapstick?

So there you have it.  Training camp is underway.  Teams are working hard out in the heat.  Rookies are getting hazed (other than Dez Bryant), learning brand new systems, and adjusting to the pro lifestyle.  The media are enjoying covering their respective teams again.  Coaches are yelling.  Many are fighting for roster spots.  Guys are getting hyped for their September openers.  Injuries are galore.  Arguments are heated.  And in Cincy, the two-headed monster is carrying around popcorn for the show and chapstick to “Kiss the baby.”

You got to love NFL Training Camp.

Stay tuned for the next edition of TheSportsKraze.

-TheSportsKraze

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