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Easy E or Big Ben: The Debate of the Class of 2004

Oct 25

Posted by admin in 2004 Nfl Draft, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Football, NFL, New York, Pro Sports, QB controversy, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Steelers, Uncategorized, draft, giants, online sports community, pittsburgh, quarterback | 1 Comment

By Matt Valentine

The 2004 NFL deaft will certainly go down as one of the best drafts for Quarterbacks, perhaps in the history of the game.

That draft gave us 3 outstanding QB’s in Eli Manning the Number 1 overall pick, Ben Roethlisberger, and Phillip Rivers. Roethlisberger felt overlooked by the Giants when they chose Rivers with the fourth overall pick and packaged him in a trade to San Diego.

Big Ben vs. Easy E

Big Ben vs. Easy E

This Sunday’s marquee match-up between the 5-1 Steelers and the 5-1 Giants takes us back to a question many have been asking since that 2004 NFL draft: Which QB was the better pick?

It’s really a tough call, even for a Giants fan like myself, both QB’s have excelled at the game since entering the league though it is undeniable that it took Eli Manning more time to mature.

If based on pure stats Big Ben would seem to have the edge on Easy E. In his career thus far Roethlisberger has a better completion percentage (63.2), more yards (12,836), more TD (93), and less interceptions (57) then Eli.

In Eli’s career thus far he has a completion percentage of 55.4 has thrown for 12,774 yards, and has tossed 85 TD’s with 68 INT.Eli also led his team to a Super Bowl win last season against the undefeated Patriots.

In Roethlisberger’s first season he was dominant, going 13-0 and leading his team to a 15-1 record. In his next season he won the Super Bowl.

Manning’s first season was nowhere near as dominant. The Giants went 6-10 that year, with Manning compiling a 1-6 record.

In fact, Roethlisberger holds the edge in every statistical category including wins. Big Ben’s career record stands at 44-17 while Mannings’ stands at 35-26

So, if the game was measured in statistics alone clearly Roethlisberger would have the edge, but there are other factors to take into consideration.

For example, Manning was instrumental in leading the Giants on their playoff run and eventual Super Bowl win. Roethlisberger on the other hand, struggled mightily in his Super Bowl appearance and many would argue that his team won in spite of him not because of him.

Manning played superb in the Super Bowl and throughout his playoff run, leading his team on one of the most classic drives in history culminating with a 17 yard TD strike to Plaxico Burress to seal a 17-14 win over the then undefeated New England Patriots.

Also, Roethlisberger went to a team that was ready to win, and could suffer the occasional rookie mistake. Manning went to a team that was on a down swing and in just four years took them to a Super Bowl.

The debate will continue long after Sunday’s game and can only truly be measured when one of the two ends their football career. However, this Sunday at Heinz Field we get a measure of an answer with the winner taking the crown…at least for the time being.

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Red Sox Make Historic Comeback

Oct 17

Posted by admin in ALCS, Baseball, Boston, Championship Series, MLB, Pro Sports, Red Sox, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Tampa Bay Rays, Uncategorized, World Series, american league, comeback, jd drew, online sports community, playoffs | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

Heading into the seventh inning of game five of the ALCS it looked like the Red Sox would be headed home and the Rays would be headed to the World Series.

The Rays held a 7-0 lead heading into the inning and were just 9 outs away from making the first World Series appearance in franchise history. Yet, just when most were about to change the channel the Red Sox came storming back to life.

Keyed by big hits from JD Drew, David Ortiz and Coco Crisp the Sox were able to stave off elimination with one of the most historic and unlikely comebacks in postseason history.

Red Sox celebrate their amazing comeback over the Rays in Game 5 of the ALCS

Red Sox celebrate their amazing comeback over the Rays in Game 5 of the ALCS

The Rays jumped out to a big lead early on when BJ Upton went yard hitting a 2 run blast a Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria added back-to-back home runs for the second straight game. Scott Kazmir had one of his best outings in a long time allowing just two hits over six innings and never allowing a baserunner to advance past second base.

However, the game quickly went downhill for the Rays as soon as they called on their bullpen. Ortiz who had been slumping during the postseason broke out with a three run homer in the 7th followed by a Dustin Pedroia RBI single. In the eighth Drew hit a two-run homer to pull the Sox even closer and then it was Coco Crisp who provided the drama, tying the game with a two-out, two-strike single off of reliever Dan Wheeler.

The Rays were unable to muster any offense in the ninth and Boston came up and provided the Fenway faithful with another dramatic comeback. Kevin Youkilis grounded to Evan Longoria with two outs, but wound up at second when the throw bounced in front of first baseman Carlos Pena. Then Jason Bay was intentionally walked and Drew stepped up to the plate for the last time. Drew lined a single to right off of J.P. Howell and over the glove of Gabe Gross to bring in the game winning run.

JD Drews game winning single in the ninth

JD Drew's game winning single in the ninth

There was deinitely some questionable decision throughout the Red Sox comeback made by Rays manager Joe Maddon. First, Maddon refused to place his outfielders back stating that they were not playing no-double defense. Obviously the decision did not pay off as the game winning hit was actually a ground rule double that may have been caught had Gross been playing back a few steps.

Second, Maddon seemed to panic with his relief pitchers bringing in closer Dan Wheeler and asking him to make the finally 7 outs, which he was obviously unable to do. Also, Maddon stated that he doesn’t believe in lefty on lefty matchups which is why he did not bring in a lefty to face David Ortiz. Another call which did not pay off.

The Red Sox are beginning to make a habit of postseason comebacks. In 2004 they made postseason history when they came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the New York Yankees. Last season they overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Cleveland Indians, both times they went on to win the World Series.

The series will move back to Tampa for game 6. Scott Shields and Josh Beckett will get the start.

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Wildcat Formation Leading Dolphins to Victory

Oct 10

Posted by admin in Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Football, NFL, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, Wildcat, dolphins, formations, gimmick play, online sports community, playbook, ronnie brown | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

Usually reserved for games played on Fridays or Saturdays the wildcat formation has found a home on Sundays.

The wildcat formation a formation popular among high school football coaches and some college coaches (or at least a variation thereof) has found its way to the Miami Dolphins playbook.

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown taking a direct snap in the Wildcat formation

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown taking a direct snap in the Wildcat formation

For those of us who enjoy watching football, but dont get too deep into the technical side of the sport here’s a very brief explanation of the Wildcat formation. The Wildcat is a variant of the single-wing formation which was founded by legendary coach Pop Warner in 1907. Basically, in the wildcat formation you have a running back that lines up in a simliar position to a quarterback in shotgun formation. This back will take a direct snap from the center while another back is sent in motion from a slot position just prior to the snap. Furthermore, it calls for an unbalanced, reshuffled line, often with two natural tackles playing on the weak side

The quarterback doesn’t even need to be on the field or can line up as a wideout in this formation. The formation is primiarly a run offense, but can be used to draw defenders in while a TE or WR sneaks out where he can receive a pass from the back.

Now the defense is left with a number of possible options: A. the back can take the direct snap and run the ball, B. the back can take the direct snap and hand off to the other back that is set in motion, or C. the back can take the direct snap roll out and look for a passing option downfield.

So, this leads us to Week 3 in the NFL the Miami Dolphins square off against the New England Patriots.  The Dolphins lined up in the wildcat formation a number of times and guess what….it resulted in five touchdowns all accounted for by Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown, 4 TD’s on the ground and one through the air, when Brown connected with TE Anthony Fasano for a 19 yard TD strike. For once Bill Bellicheck and his famed genius was nowhere to be found. His defense looked lost every single time the Dolphins lined up in the wildcat and it resulted in 38-13 blowout. In total the wildcat formation was employed six times during the Dolphins, Patriots game…I’d day the results speak for themselves.

Ronnie Brown is the key to the wildcat formation success in Miami.

Ronnie Brown is the key to the wildcat formation success in Miami.

The Dolphins would employ the wildcat again in their week 5 match-up against the San Diego Chargers. And while the wildcat would have a limited success this time around (47 net yards gained), it still resulted in a key touchdown that would give the Dolphins the lead and an eventual victory.

The Dolphins head coach Tony Sporano who is in his first year with the team, has stated that the Dolphins are just scratching the surface of how the wildcat can be employed this season. So far, the wildcat has helped lead a team that was 1-15 last year to a 2-2 record this season, with wins over some of the AFC’s best teams.

Now the question becomes will the wildcat catch on elsewhere in the NFL? The Patriots used the formation in their game against the 49ers, and the Dolphins have no plans to stop using the formation, at least until it stops working. Like the spread offense that is sweeping college football and lighting up scoreboards, the wildcat may soon have NFL defensive coordinators scratching their heads and NFL offensive coordinators salivating at the mouth.

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NLCS: Phillies Win Game One

Oct 10

Posted by admin in Baseball, Dodgers, Fantasy Sports, Los Angeles, MLB, NLCS, Philadelphia, Phillies, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, national league, online sports community, playoffs | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

The Dodgers rolled into Philadelphia on a hot streak, having just swept the Cubs, the team with the best record heading into NLDS. They were going to  take the first game in the NLCS and steal away homefield advantage from the Phillies. The only problem was someone forgot to mention this to the Phillies.

Powered by a pair of sixth inning home runs off the bats of Chase Utley and Pat Burrell the Phillies squeaked out a game one victory and sqaushed the Dodgers hot streak.

Utley celebrates after his game tying 2-run Home run

Utley celebrates after his game tying 2-run Home run

The outcome looked in doubt early on when Manny Ramirez drilled a two-run double in the first inning narowly missing a home run. Those few feet would prove to be costly.

Cole Hamels looked shaky in the first inning, but settled down allowing only those 2 first inning runs on six hits, and eight strikeouts in seven innings of work. The Phillies Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless eighth inning and Brad Lidge a dark horse candidate for this years NL Cy Young , finished with a perfect ninth to secure his third save of the postseason and his 44th save in 44 tries.

Hamels counterpart Derek Lowe pitched outstanding, surrendering just 4 singles through 5 innings, but couldn’t make it out of the sixth. After a Rafael Furcal throwing error allowed Shane Victorino to reach base Utley came up to bat. Utley hammered the first pitch over the right-center field wall tying the game at 2. Just one out after Utley’s homer Pat Burrell stepped up to the plate, Burrell was nearly sidelined with a lower back injury in the NLDS, but worked his way into the lineup anyway. He was dismal in the first three games going 0-8, but surged in the series clinching game hammering two home runs, driving in four.

Pat Burrells sixth inning homer gives the Phillies the lead and the win

Pat Burrell's sixth inning homer gives the Phillies the lead and the win

Burrell stepped to the plate Thursday night and worked the count to 3-1 on Derek Lowe. He ripped the next pitch in the left-field stands sending the sellout crowd of 45,893 into a frenzy.

This is the Phillies first trip to the NLCS in 15 years and there is no doubt that Philly fans are hungry for a championship with none of their major professional team having captured one in a long time. The Phillies having retained homefield advantage may be Phialdelphias best shot.

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No.1 USC Falls at Oregon State

Sep 26

Posted by admin in BCS, College Sports, College football, Conference, Football, OSU, Pac-10, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, USC, Uncategorized, college, college stars, online sports community | No Comments

Perhaps in the future USC will learn to never schedule a game at Oregon State. That’s because for the second time since 2006 USC’s undefeated record and their national title hopes have been dealt a serious blow by the Oregon State Beavers.

This time it was Jacquizz Rodgers who led the way in the unlikely victory rushing for 186 yards and 2 TD’s en route to Oregon States stunning 27-21 victory over No.1 USC.  It was the first time since 1990 when Michigan State defeated Michigan that a team with a losing record defeated the number one team in the country.

In 2006 it was the number 3 ranked Trojans that lost their shot at a national title when they lost at Reser Stadium 33-31.

For USC the damage done by losing at Oregon State may be irreperable. USC was expected to cruise through its conference schedule with its only true test being the Ohio State game last week. Now for the second straight season the national championship landscape is wide open with any of the top 10 teams capable of moving in postion for a serious run at the BCS Championship game.

The biggest play of the game came late in 4th quarter with USC backed up inside their own 20. USC QB Mark Sanchez’s pass was intercepted by safety Greg Laybourn on the 30 with less then  3 minutes ti play. Laybourn ran the ball back to the USC 2 yard line and set up what would eventually become the game winning touchdown.

At that point the Trojans were trailing by 13 (27-21) and it looked the game was lost. However, the Trojans received a glimmer of hope when their special teams came up with a huge return that put them into Oregon State territory with 2:30 remaining in the game.

Sanchez eventually hit Patrick Turner with a 14-yard scoring pass with 1:19 left, but the clock was the Trojans biggest enemy and it would eventually win the battle. The Trojans attempted an onside kick, but were unable to recover and OSU killed the clock with kneel downs.

The game really came down to one team that was able to make plays, while the other team left too many plays on the field. Rodgers’ just could not be stopped or perhaps found by the USC defense and his 186 rushing yars were the most by a Trojans opponent since Vince Young ran for 200 in the famous BCS national championship game of 2006.

But, it was the mistakes made by USC and a stingy OSU rush defense that helped secure the stunning upset. Joe McNight was held to just 10 yards rushing by the Beaver defense and lost a fumble as well. Along with McNight’s fumble Sanchez’s interception played a key role in turning the tide in OSU’s favor.

For OSU it was the Rodgers’ brothers night that led to the win, with Rodgers older brother James securing six catches for 36 yards and two touchdowns. Lyle Moevao OSU’s QB completed 18 of 26 passes for 167 yards and 2 TD’s.

Sanchez completed 18 of 29 passes for 227 yards and three scores, with the one crucial interception.

The impact if this game will be felt around college football where all of the top teams will be looking to move up in the standings. How far USC will fall remains to be seen, but Penn State is one team that may really benefit from this loss having destroyed OSU earlier in the season at Happy Valley.

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Giants Beat Skins in NFL Season Opener

Sep 5

Posted by admin in Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Football, NFL, New York, New York Giants, Pro Sports, Season Opener, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, online sports community | No Comments

Before the game began fans of both teams had questions on their minds about this coming season.

Would Eli play like he did during his magical playoff run which led to a Super Bowl MVP? Would the Giants defense be able to apply the same pressure without Osi Umenyiora, and Michael Strahan? Would the Redskins look as dismal as they did in their final two postseason games?

Actually the answer to all these questions seems to have been a resounding yes.

After Michael Strahan came out to fire up the crowd with the Lombardi Trophy in hand the Giants took the opening kick off and drove 84 yards in 11 plays with Eli running a boot leg in the endzone to secure a 7-0 first quarter lead. During the drive Eli and his favorite target Plaxico Buress, who was awarded with a contract extension hours before the game began, connected on some big third down conversions to keep the drive alive.

Manning scores first touchdown of the NFL year.

Manning scores first touchdown of the NFL year.

Then the Giants defense on their first play from scrimmage, were able to answer the questions about their ability to apply the same type of pressure on QB’s that helped lead them to a Super Bowl Championship. Justin Tuck and Fred Robbins both broke through the Skins line and sacked QB Jason Campbell. It was a foreshadowing of things to come for both the Giants defense and the Redskins offense.

The Redskins looked befuddled under new head coach Jim Zorn’s West Coast scheme. Jason Campbell in particular looked like he had little idea of how to run this offense, on many occasions electing to check down for three or four yard gains in 3rd and long or fourth and long situations.

Washington’s defense didn’t look too much better allowing the Giants to drive down field on three consecutive drives, but holding firm in the red/green zone, relenting field goals instead of touchdowns. Perhaps the closeness of the game was more a result of conservative play calling from the Giants rather then stellar defense from the Redskins.

The Giants have to be happy about their performance on both sides of the ball. Brandon Jacobs was an absolute beast last night, literally plowing over Redskins on his way to 116 yards on 21 carries. Just ask Redskins safety Dawan Landry about what its like to try and tackle Jacobs. Manning completed 19 of 35 passes for 216 yards and 1 interception. He looked very good on third down conversions, but did throw some of those trademark ill advised passes that could have reversed the course of the game had Washington been able to make a play on them. Plaxico Burress who is finally healthy after fighting through knee and ankle injuries last season had a dominant 10 catch 133 yard performance and at times made the Skins secondary look like high schoolers. Despite the win though the Giants left a number of points on the board and allowed Washington to hand in the game much longer then they shouuld have. They also did not score a point in the second half, but then again they didn’t really need to.

The Giants defense was outstanding. New York limited the new-look Redskins to 11 first downs and 209 total yards and gave indications that these Giants are back for another run despite the preseason predictions that there chances of repeating are slim.

With one in hand now each team will go back to the drawing board and try to improve on this weeks performance. The Redskins will have to make a lot of adjustments if they are to be contenders in the ultra competitive NFC East. The Giants on the other hand have to be happy about picking up right where they left off, now they just have to focus on finishing drives instead of setteling for field goals and all should be well in New York.

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Sundin Remains in Limbo

Sep 3

Posted by admin in Hockey, NHL, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, ice hockey, off season, online sports community | No Comments

Its been a long while since I’ve talked hockey and because I love the sport so damn much I may be one of the only people even thinking about it today, especially on the eve of the opening night for the NFL (go G-MEN!), but I’m going to do it anyway so here it goes.

NHL training camp believe it or not, opens in about two weeks and there is one player out there that many people around the league are keeping a very close eye on. Mats Sundin the 37-year old former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs remains in limbo unsure of wether his body can handle another grueling NHL season.

The talented player has received offers from a number of teams including the Maple Leafs who would like to see the Swede retire as one of their own. Yet, after 17 seasons in the NFL Sundin is just not convinced that it would be worth coming back to give it one last shot.

“I have to prepare differently and warm up 30, 40 minutes before a practice session,” he said. “I didn’t have to do that when I was 25.”

Sundin has won Olympic and world championship gold medals for Sweden, but hockey’s ultimate prize has continued to elude him.  If Sundin is to return it seems unlikely that he would sign withToronto, a team that has little prospect of reaching the Stanley Cup finals. Not knowing personally the offers he has received my bet is that Sundin like Ray Bourque and other before him will try to sign with a contender and make one last run at the Stanley Cup.

For now the Sundin’s focus is on another hobby of his…poker. He has inked a deal with PokerStars.com joining former tennis star Boris Becker as the site’s ambassador. He will play tournaments for charity, he said, and will head to a European Poker Tour event next week in Barcelona, Spain.

In other news from around the league Joe Sakic will return to play at least one more season with the Colorado Avalanche. The 39-year old Sakic has spent 19 years with the franchise and inking the deal means that he will spend at least his 20th with the franchise as well. Sakic did comment on how grateful he was that the Avs did not pressure him into an early decision, like the one Brett Favre was pressured into and that it did have a positive effect on his decision.

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Fantasy Football 2008 Running Back Sleepers

Aug 29

Posted by admin in Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Football, NFL, Pro Sports, Sleeper, Sleepers, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, online sports community, running backs | No Comments

1.) Chris Johnson- Tennessee Titants

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson has been displaying some tremendous skills in the preseason so far and his ridiculous speed (4.24, 40) gives him that home run ability we all like. Also, consider that the Titans ran the ball more than any other team in the league last year and that the only thing standing in his way is the hefty Lendale White. White is like the Jared Lorenzen of running backs only much more talented. Johnson will see the field often as the lightning to White’s thunder and tho he may not get the ball at the goal line, the Titans are going to find ways to get him out into open space and that bodes well for a nice fantasy sleeper. Johnson is going somewhere in the 12-15 round range and with his tremendous upside he could turn out to be the best “sleeper” out there.

2. Ray Rice-Blatimore Ravens

Ray Rice

Ray Rice

Given the status of McGahee’s balky knee, the fact that he came into camp overweight and out of shape, and the fact that Rice has been performing more then admirably when given his chances with the first team offense this preseason and you have the makings of a nice fantasy sleeper. Despite Rice’s fantastic preseason the Ravens have continued to state that McGahee will be the starting running back when the season opens, but Rice could factor in heavily should McGahee’s knee fail him and he is sure to be used during the game to take some of the workload off of Willis. A word to the wise, if you draft Mcgahee you better make damn sure to handcuff him with Rice in a later round or you could end up crying if and when Mcgahee goes down with an injury.

3. Ricky Williams-Miami Dolphins

Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams

In my book this guys has been an absolute stud in my annual fantasy pot head draft, but seriously Willimas has looked like a beast during training camp and the preseason and given Ronnie Browns shaky situation he could turn out to be the most productive back on the Dolphins… that may not be saying much but he is defintely worth a pick somewhere after the 9th round. Brown is coming back from a torn ACL an injury which usually takes more than a year to fully recover from and Williams may have finally realized that he’s a 31 year old dude and smoking weed all day doesn’t exactly pay the bills. The main reason I like Williams is that i just don’t like a running back coming back from an ACL tear and though Brown was lighting it up last year until the injury he hasn’t exactly been a stud in the past. Williams has been an excellent fantasy back in the league years ago and he doesn’t have the wear and tear that a running back of his age normally would. Im predicting a pretty nice season for Williams at least worthy of an RB 3 spot.

4. Kenny Watson-Cinncinatti Bengals

Kenny Watson

Kenny Watson

After years of being one of the most consistent and productive fantasy backs Rudi Johnson seems to have hit that dreaded wall that all backs run into at some point in their career. Johnson was injured for a number of games last year paving the way for Watson to take the reigns at RB and steal the show.Even when Johnson was on the field he averaged a dreadful 2.9 YPC. Watson on the other hand averaged 4.3 YPC and ran for 763 yards on 178 carries and scored 7 TD’s. Recently sources have stated that the Bengals are willing to shop Rudi for a “legitimate receiver” which means that they don’t believe he can get it done anymore and that they’re fairly happy with their options at running back. It could end up being a time share with Watson and the oft injured but talented Chris Perry if Johnson does get dealt, either way at the moment Watson actually looks to be the teams best running back and should be worthy of a late 13-15 round pick.

5. Derrick Ward/Ahmad Bradshaw-New York Giants

Sure enough as many people predicted Brandon Jacobs is a beast when he is on the field. The problem is that he never seems to stay on the field for a full season. Jacobs’ upright running style leaves him susceptible to taking a lot of big hits, especially to his lower body. Even if Jacobs does manage to stay healthy for an entire season it is looking more and more like the Giants will use a committee approach at running back. That means that either Derrick Ward or Ahmad Bradshaw will be sharing the workload with Jacobs and could turn out to be nice sleepers picks if Jacobs should go down with an injury.

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U.S. Women Gymnastics Stumble into Silver

Aug 14

Posted by admin in 2008 Olympics, Beijing, China, Gold Medal, Pro Sports, Sean johnson, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Team event, USA, Uncategorized, Women, gymnastics, silver medal | No Comments

The gold was there for the taking. All it required was a few mistake free performances from the U.S. womens gymnastics team and iot could have been all theres.

However, it was the host country China, which captured another team gymnastics gold for the second consecutive time, thanks to some clutch performances, and some untimely miscues from the U.S. team.

China led halfway through the competition, but both teams would finish up on the balance beam and floor exercise, events which were considered to be the Americans best two events. Then China opened the door when Cheng fell off the beam, giving the Americans the chance to lock up a gold medal.

All they needed to do was get through the last two events and the gold would have been theirs. It was just not meant to be.

Alicia Sacramone was first up for the Americnas on the balance beam,but was forced to wait some 15 minutes before beginning her routine. The time seemed to agitate Sacramones nerves as she paced back and forth waiting for her routine to begin.

Apparently, Sacramone let her nerves get the best of her, as she came down to land the somersault that opens her routine, her right foot slipped off the edge of the 4-inch beam. She tried to regain her balance by any means possible, flaining her arms, and twisting her body,but the effort proved futile and Sacramone fell off the beam to the ounds of a stunned crowd. Not only was the fall a penalty, but Sacramone never got the chance to do the blackflip losing even more valuable points.

Sean Johnson consoles Alicia Sacramone after her fall.

Sean Johnson consoles Alicia Sacramone after her fall.

Sacramone never really got the chance to recover from her mistake either, as she was the first one to compete on the floor exercise which in the past has been her signature event. She won a world title in 2005, with her trademark spunk and flair.

None of that was present on Wednesday however, and as she was going through her second tumbling run her feet slipped out from under her and she fell flat on her back, costing her team any chance at gold.

“I guess it was a little too hard to get out of the funk,” she said, “and it affected me on floor.”

Her teammates didn’t help the cause either when both made minor mistakes in stepping out of bounds during their routines.

The Chinese took the floor needing to average just above 14 points to claim the gold medal and instead of playing it safe, they played it up to the raucous home crowd.

The three Chinese women, some of whom may or may not have been old enough to compete, performed flawlessly, obviously delighted by the cheers of their countrymen and the prospect of claiming the gold.

Though the silver medal is an honor it has to come as a dissapointment to an American teamthat has dominated gymnastics the last several years, but has failed to produce on the world’s biggest stage.

Some of the American gymnasts such as Shawn Johnson and Sacramone will get another shot at gold when the individual comptetitions begin.

Hopefully, for Sacramone especially, she will earn a small measure of redemption and capture gold for herself and try to erase the memories of Wednesday night.

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Manny Headed To Hollywood

Jul 31

Posted by admin in Baseball, Fantasy Sports, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, online sports community | No Comments

Ramirez bids goodbye to Boston.

Ramirez bids goodbye to Boston.

The Red Sox have finally parted ways with their oft disgruntled slugger Manny Ramirez in a stunning 3-team trade that sent Ramirez to the L.A. Dodgers.

Just days earlier it appeared that Ramirez would be sent to the Florida marlins, but that deal failed to materialize and the Red Sox instead found willing partners in the Pittsburgh Pirates, and L.A. Dodgers. The Pirates have been one of the heaviest sellers in this years trade market dealing away some of their best players in return for younger talent. In this trade they saw slugger Jason Bay head to the Red Sox and in return they received reliever Craig Hansen and outfielder Brandon Moss from Boston and third baseman Andy LaRoche and Pitcher Bryan Morris from the Dodgers. All the players with the exclusion of Morris will report to Pittsburgh, Morris will report to Pittsburgh’s Class A team in Hickory.

The move instantly makes the Dodgers a real threat in the National League and should propel them past the Diamondbacks in the chase for the NL West lead. At the beginning of the day the Dodgers were just one game behind Arizona in the NL West. The Dodgers already have a crowded outfield with manager Joe Torre constantly juggling Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre, but should be more then pleased with the new “problem” of finding a place for Ramirez in their lineup.

Ramirez was hitting .299 for the Sox, with a team leading 20 home runs and 68 RBIs. He is one of only eight players to hit at least 20 homers in 14 consecutive seasons.

While this may seem like a raw deal for Boston the acquisition of Jason Bay should ease any Sox fans worries. The two time All-Star is batting .282 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs, nearly the exact amount of production provided by Manny thus far this season. Add to that the fact that Bay is 7 years younger then Ramirez and that Ramirez was headed for the free agent market at the end of the season anyway and Boston’s front office is looking as savvy as their football counterpart.

Jason Bay headed to the Sox

Jason Bay headed to the Sox

The last place Pirates on the other hand better hope that these deals pay off in the future or their fans may start a riot…that is if they care enough to do so. The Pirates have already dealt away Xavier Nady and Demaso Marte to the Yanks and now send another of their star players to the AL East. If none of the players they’ve acquired turn into true everyday players they could find themselves in the basement for a long, long time.

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