Weekly Nickel 7-23-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Andy Roddick (pictured above) won his 32nd career ATP title on Sunday in Atlanta.

By Josh Kramer

An “unprecedented” punishment is on the way that does not involve the death penalty in “Happy” Valley.  Barry Larkin is officially a member of one of the most exclusive fraternities in sports.  The “Tiger Tease” was a mere subplot at “The Open.”  And the NFL crime spree continues.  Can training camp please start now?  Last week was great, but this week is sure to be full of excitement in its own right.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Andy Roddick captured his 32nd ATP title yesterday.  The ATP heads to Los Angeles today though for the Farmer’s Classic.  Unfortunately for this tournament which has been around since 1927 will suffer the ill-effects of an overly jam-packed summer.  The London Olympics are a great event which everyone is excited about.  Except those that run the Farmer’s Classic.  Any chance of nabbing the big names fell to the wayside with the Olympics going on.

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The Open Championship Preview: Parity is Certain

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Will Tiger Woods (pictured above) be all smiles come Sunday?

By David Clark

Tiger Woods was the poster child for the game of golf for decades.  The man was simply unbelievable—racking up 14 Major Championships in a ten-year span.  Tiger was not only the best golfer in the world; he was the best and most dominant athlete of our generation.  He transcended the game by dominating it like nobody ever has in the history of sport and golf was rolling in the dollars that he was attracting on a weekly basis.

Then, the unthinkable happened, and we realized that Tiger Woods was, indeed, human.  The man who was on top of the world came crashing down to Earth in the blink of an eye.  Ever since the man who wears red on Sundays lost his mojo, the game of golf has been able to promise one thing: uncertainty.

Is there something in the water?

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Elvis Dumervil (pictured above) was not all smiles this past Saturday.

By Josh Kramer

The first NFL preseason game is still 18 days away, but football is on the mind.  No sport these days even comes close to rivaling the popularity of NFL football (in the USA).  But with NBA free agency, MLB baseball, and The Open set to start tomorrow, one would think that the NFL would be an afterthought.  Unfortunately it isn’t.  I was happy to see Ray Rice and Matt Forte ink multiple year deals.  They are both very deserving.  Both of these major signings are not even the biggest news though.

NFL news is centering on Elvis Dumervil, Marshawn Lynch, and Dez Bryant.  Ever heard the expression no news is good news?  In this case, it would be.  Elvis Dumervil had a moment that could easily work its way into next seasons’ Jersey Shore script.  Marshawn Lynch turned beast mode into DUI mode.  And Dez Bryant, well he allegedly laid hands on his mother.  Is there something in the water?

Here are the three situations:

Elvis Dumervil first provided a little road rage.  I think we all have been guilty of some form of this at one point or another in our lives.  Then he provided a little shirt lifting.  I guess he is a very muscular guy.  Unfortunately, he had firearms on him.  This is where he crossed the line.  Why is an NFL defensive end going around waving a gun in broad daylight?  Finally, Dumervil then lied to the cops and tried to hide the gun.  Lying to the police is never a good idea.  Who else could envision this whole incident occurring on the next season of Jersey Shore?

Weekly Nickel 7-16-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. The “Dwight Howard (pictured above) Soap Opera” continues. Most people just want it to be over with at this point.

By Josh Kramer

Baseball’s second half has begun with a bang.  NBA free agency continues at a rapid pace.  The “Freeh Report” has turned a legend into a monster officially.  And guess what?  Things are only going to get better.  Last week was one that will be remembered for a long time, but this week will fun its own right.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  All eyes will remain focused on the no longer “Happy” Valley.  The Freeh Report has shaken up the entire college football stratosphere.  Paterno’s legacy has been forever tarnished and his role in the horrific incidents are no longer in question.  The real question now is what will be the punishment doled out to Penn State’s football program?  Are we on the verge of witnessing college football’s first death penalty in over 25 years?

4.  Start your engines, and take a deep breath.  For the first and only time until mid-November, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series takes a break this weekend.  After Kasey Kahne stole the show in New Hampshire, everyone is looking to thrust themselves into the top ten of the standings during the course of the next seven races.  Either you are in or you or out for the CHASE.  As of now, Kahne and Carl Edwards are fighting to move up just a couple of spots by the end of the day on September 8th.

3.  The NBA free agency frenzy, has been just that, an absolute frenzy.  Nobody has any clue what is going to happen next in the “Dwight Howard Soap Opera.”  I for one do not really care at this point.