Dan Haren: Better Investment than Johan???

The recent battle between the Yankees and Red Sox over Johan Santana has taken center stage this offseason, but is he worth what both teams would be giving up. The Yankees would be giving up Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and at least one more prospect, while the Twins are demanding two of the following: Jon Lester, Jacoby Elsbury, and Clay Buchholz. Essentially, both teams would be giving up the best of their best prospects.

The other team in the sweepstakes, the Mets, seem to have turned their focus towards another pitcher on the market: Dan Haren. Although the Athletics are looking for a similar package for Haren, GM Billy Beane will probably be more reasonable with his asking price. The Mets may be trying to acquire Haren before the Twins trade Santana, hence not competing with the loser of that bidding war, whether it be the Yankees or Sox.

Personally, I feel Haren is the better option for all clubs involved. He has more years left on his contract than Santana,, and is a few years younger, and does not have nearly as much mileage on him.

As for the Mets chances of landing Haren, they lost a valuable chip when they traded, I mean gave away, Milledge to the Nationals. As much as General Manager Omar Minaya wants to defend the transaction, no sane fan can agree with it, especially after holding him out of various trades in the past (ie: Dontrelle Willis), that could have greatly improved their roster today (ie pitching staff).

Basically, although Dan Haren isn't the most attractive pitcher on the market, he's the smartest investment.

Warriors On the Rise!

After coming off a surprising 2006-2007 season including the first ever 1 vs. 8 upset in the NBA in a 4 out of 7 series format, the Golden State Warriors were looking to improve off of this great result. On the other hand, the Warriors began their season 0-6 proving to many people that this team was just a one team wonder or just those same old Warriors. However, some fans may have forgotten that the team captain, Stephen Jackson, had missed the first six games. Since Jackson’s return, the attitude and mentality on the team has changed drastically.
The Warriors coming off a 113-94 victory on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets have improved to 8-7 on the year, which includes an incredible 8-1 record with Jackson in the lineup. "It definitely feels good," Jackson said. "It was hard work. We want to continue to stay above .500. We don't want to go on another slide where we lose six in a row." Moreover, the Warriors won their fifth game in a row, including three straight at home and four out of five wins on the road. The Warriors also picked up key division victories against the Kings and the division leading Suns. The Warriors and Suns play a similar quick paced, “run ‘em and gun ‘em” exciting type of game. It will be extremely interesting to see what the Warriors can do as they continue to become more experienced and mold together as a unit. Could they threaten the Suns in the Pacific Division this year?
The heart and soul of the team is without question: Baron Davis. Baron Davis leads the Warriors in points, assists, and steals with 24.0, 8.6, and 2.0 respectively. He led the team from almost playoff elimination to serious playoff contenders last season. With tremendous depth on the roster, the Warriors are looking to make another playoff run. One thing is for sure, this is a young and talented team that will only continue to get better as the learn more from head coach Don Nelson. In addition, the team will improve night in and night out as they learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This team can be a serious contender once April, May, and dare I say June comes around. But, it is early and powers of the Spurs, Suns, Mavs, and others still need to be dealt with. I still look for this team to make a nice run in the postseason.

Sean Taylor's Tragic Death

Sean Taylor was one of the best free safeties in the NFL. He was an alumnus of UM and was murdered in his home earlier this week. I’d never thought I’d see another one of UM’s finest football players murdered. He bled to death from a gunshot wound that severed his femoral artery. Friends and family grieve the loss of Taylor as well as fans and classmates from the respected teams he played for. He died at the age of 24, not even in the prime of his career and at a young age regardless.

When I heard the news of Taylor’s death, the first thing that popped in my head was the death of Bryan Pata just last year. Within the last two years two UM player, former and current, were shot and killed. Each of the deaths occurred in or around their homes. “Police have detained at least three people in the Fort Myers area for questioning in the death of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor.” However, nobody has been detained in the death of Bryan Pata.

Some pro athletes now fear for their lives as well. There was one incident involved Adewale Ogunleye. “The Chicago Bears defensive end had pulled his Bentley out of the parking lot of a Miami hot spot and noticed he was being followed.” Sean Taylor’s death has impacted the NFL as well as the UM community. His death may influence UM college prospects in their decision of which school to play for. Sean Taylor’s death was a tragedy and had an impact on the athletic community.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3127928

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071130/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_redskins_taylor_slain

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3133995

FINS WIN!!???

With With about 5 games remaining on their schedule, you can already call the Miami Dolphins one of the worst teams in NFL history. Living and growing up in South Florida it has been tough to see the downfall of this club. People in Miami are Fins fans first, every other team second. Yes the Heat and Marlins have won championships more recently, but it is the nostalgia of the Fins that keep the fans loyal. With an 0-11 record who knows if Miami will win a game this season. If they do, what will happen. 

I think nothing will happen as far as the fan base goes. People will still be fans, still go to games. For example, this weekends matchup of 2 of the worst teams in the NFL, Jets-Fins, is already sold out at Dolphins Stadium. It is a huge rivalry, but while both teams are bad, the fans will still show up. Maybe not as many as usual, but yes fans do have the right to be a bit upset with management. It's been 5 consecutive years, that in some way, shape, or form they screw up in the draft, screw up in their coaching changes. 

They get rid of Wandstedt and instead pick up Nick Saban. Why? Saban did not seem to ever 

really want to leave college ball, and when he did he suffered and went straight back to where he belonged. Now they have Cam Cameron. Supposed to be a savior coming out of the high octane Chargers club. But Miami has been anything but high octane, with one of the most injury ravaged offenses in football. 

They are already down to their third string rookie QB, John Beck. Down to their LAST running back. Even after Ricky Williams was reinstated he was lost for the season just 5 carries into his return. Star linebacker Zach Thomas has been out for a few games, and may be out for the rest of the season. 

It is in a way kind of sad. And it only figures that somehow, while the fins may not win a game all season, their in division rival Patriots are gunning for the undefeated 1972 Fins. 

But as a Fins fan, here is my prediction for this weekends matchup. It's just about their last chance for a W. The fins will win their one and only game this weekend, at home, against the Jets. Final score: Fins 2- Jets 0!

PS- There's always a first overall pick at the end of the tunnel of a horrible season. WAHOOO!

Can Miami Defend their Perfect Season...The 1972 Winning One

As everyone already knows, the New England Patriots are 11-0. Everybody also knows that the Miami Dolphins are 0-11. Yet, these two teams are meeting on December 23 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Although they both have 3 games before then, I hope that the Patriots remain undefeated. Miami however, can pick up a few W’s before getting to New England.

If you haven’t already guessed it, I’m hoping that the Miami Dolphins can defeat the Patriots and defend their 1972 perfect season.
And yes, I do know that I’m being way too optimistic and a little too foolish, but you never know. The Dolphins have beaten them in their second matchup of the season for the last two years.

In 2005, the Dolphins took on the Patriots in Massachusetts and beat them 28-26 in Week 17 of the season. However, that season Miami finished 9-7 and the Patriots finished 10-6. On the other hand, in 2006 New England came down to Miami December 10th and experienced a shutout: Miami-21, Patrios-0.

I understand that the Dolphins have never looked worse and the Patriots have never looked better, but here are a few reasons why Miami should go up to Gillette Stadium in 23 days and defeat the New England Patriots.



1)Tom Brady fondles baby goats.
2)It would probably be the biggest upset in NFL history.
3)Who cares about getting the First-Round pick…whatever happened to dignity?
4)It would give the few Dolfans remaining some hope for next year’s season.
5)They’ve lost 6 games this season by only 3 points!

Just some hopeful wishing…It’s okay, you can laugh at me. =)

Brett Favre: Retired or Revived

Does anybody remember what they were doing for the last three years? I remember what the Green Bay Packers were doing…LOSING. The consecutive mediocre seasons got to the point that made Brett Favre question his physical ability due to his “old age.” He literally was one press conference away from retirement at the end of last year’s football season. He decided to stick it out though for one more year. He liked the team he had and was confident he could lead them back to becoming a dominant football team.

Favre’s intuitions were right about his 18^th NFL season as he leads his 10-1 Packers against the 10-1 Cowboys for an old school NFC showdown. Despite the fact that Green Bay hasn’t won in Dallas since 1989, this year has shown that Brett Favre and his Packers are very capable of overcoming obstacles. Favre is underway to having one of the most successful NFL seasons as any quarterback in history. This season he has already become the “most winningest” QB in NFL history and also has the most career TD passes. He has proven that the age of 38 is not ancient in this sport like once suggested.

It is still a question as to whether or not the Packers have the drive to win Super Bowl rings this year. However, it will still be fun to see what other records Brett Favre will break in these last 5 weeks of regular season play. Also, will he have the inevitable press conference this year announcing his retirement or will he push it off one more season? Only time will tell these questions along with the other methods that the Patriots are using to cheat.

New York Knicks: How Times Have Changed

I am a huge fan of the New York Knicks, or I was, honestly I dont know anymore. I grew up watching the knicks and rooting for Ewing, Oakley, Starks, Ward, Mason, and on and on. The Knicks were a hard working, passionate team, who had a work ethic like no other. They were competitive every year and they made the playoffs and went deep into it. They were eastern conference champions in 1994, and lost to Houston in 7 games. They also made the finals in 1999, as the most un-expected team ever to make the finals. That year they were the 8th seed, and lost to the Spurs. They had a tough personality that fit well with the city and the fans. They had a GM who knew what he was doing and a coach who knew how to get the very best out of his players. Man were those the days.

When Ernie Grunfeld left, Scott Layden took over and transformed a eastern conference powerhouse into an old overpaid, and un-athletic team. He gave Latrell Sprewell a very lucrative contract extension, even though Sprewell had so many problems off the court and a very bad history, remember P.J. Carlesimo? What many people remember about Layden is the 6 year, 100 million dollar contract he happily handed out to Allan Houston. The next nearest offer was around 75. Layden also signed Shannon Anderson, and Howard Eisley. Wow was Layden smoking something? The worst move of all was trading the Knicks Captain, and a Knick hero, Patrick Ewing, to Seattle for Glen Rice and a bunch of nobodys who never played a game. Sure Ewing was finished, but did Ewing not earn the respect to stay and retire as a Knick? Layden also was horrible at drafting. Can anyone remember a single draft where we got a prized talent? Noo because the players he drafted never actually played for the team. He passed up on hometown favorite, Ron Artest for a frenchmen. That work out well.

Finally, to the Isiah Thomas/Marbury era. When Isiah Thomas took over, New York was so happy because we were rid of Scott Layden. Thomas then went out and traded a bunch of nobodys and two 1st round picks for Marbury. Thomas then went out and signed Larry Brown as head coach. The Knick/Brown marriage did not last long because the team was horrible and Brown and Marbury could not work together. So Isiah took over as coach. He traded for a un-athletic big man named Eddie Curry, signed Jerome James for 6 yrs at 36 million, traded for Steve Francis to be the 8th point guard. The one thing Isiah has come through on is the drafting of Lee, and Channing Frye, who he traded for Zach Randolph. What Isiah has put together is an extremely over priced, selfish team. Not only are there problems on the court (chemistry) but Isiah was accused of sexual harrassment and he lost the case. The team is hated, Isiah is hated and Dolan is hated in New York and for christmas we want Isiah's head. Did anyone catch the 104-59 loss to the hands of Boston?

Deal or No Deal

With winter meetings only a few days away in Nashville, Tennessee, trade talks have started to heat up regarding two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. The teams rumored to be pursuing Santana include the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Angels, and Dodgers. After losing centerfielder Torii Hunter to the free agent market, the Twins have decided to explore offers for their ace pitcher Johan Santana, who has only one-year remaining on his contract. The Twins offered a four-year $80 million deal but was turned down by Santana who's in search of a six-year $150 million contract.
Leading the majors in wins, strike outs, and earned run average over the past four years, Santana has been the most dominant pitcher of this decade. Despite having only one-year remaining on his contract, the Twins will not take anything less then two star prospects in exchange for Santana. The Twins have inquired about Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlin, Ian Kennedy, and Melky Cabrera from the Yankees. Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner acknowledged that only Chamberlin was "untouchable". The Twins have also inquired about Clay Bucholz, Jon Lester, and Jacoby Ellsbury from the Red Sox. While the Red Sox refuse to give up both Bucholz, and Ellsbury, they would be willing to part ways with one of them in order to bring Johan Santana to Boston. A trade involving the two-time Cy Young Award winner seems imminent with winter meetings coming up very soon, the only question is who will land Johan Santana?

Pushing out the little guy

Teams around the nation are opening new stadiums. Most of which are replacing regular seats with luxury suites and boxes. People expect these new stadiums to push the lower-class fans out of the ballpark only to be replaced with wealthy business men willing to shell out as much as $350,000 for a luxury suite for the season. The New York Yankees new stadium is set to be opened for the 2009 season. Shea Stadium (Yankees current stadium) currently has 55,601 seats, while the new Citi Field will hold about 20 percent fewer seats. At Shea tickets normally between $9-$100, but, in the new stadium, tickets will cost anywhere between $12-$400. Leading many full season ticket holders to be moved to worse seats and partial season ticket holders to lose their seats altogether.


The reason for the increase in luxury suites is because suites generate more income than regular seats. "You're going to make a hell of a lot more money selling suites and premium seats than off seats that are upper-level and general average fans just coming buying tickets," says Robert Tuchman, president of TSE Sports & Entertainment, which sells sports packages to corporations. "It's going to be hard on the average fan who doesn't have access to higher-priced seating." Most fans will not be able to afford the sharp increase in prices. Stadiums are also making the club seats more expensive. The Dallas Cowboys new $1 billion stadium has already announced the prices of the club seats. Not only will season ticket holders need to pay $340 per seat per game they will also need to pay an additional $50,000 for the right to buy tickets for those seats for the next 30 years.

The reason theses teams feel they have the right to increase the prices so dramatically is very simple. They are increasing the amenities while also having the benefit of owning season tickets in a new stadium. Also according to Greg McElroy, the Cowboys' senior vice president of sales and marketing,"there's a lot of excitement about the team with a new quarterback and a new coach. The demand for Cowboys tickets is at an all-time high." He also stated that he is not worried about "pricing out" fans because there are so many options, he feels, that everyone will be accommodated.

I think that all of these new stadiums are just a way to make money. But as a result the majority of fans who could barely
afford season tickets to begin with will be stuck watching games at home after going to the games for many years.

Boras Misreads Market

Scott Boras wanted a 350 million dollar deal for Alex Rodriguez and for him to leave the Yankees. Rodriguez thought otherwise as he desired to stay in pin stripes. Scott Boras, considered one of the most shrewd agents in all of baseball, overestimated the market and was putting A-rod's future in jeopardy. Rodriguez, who normally contracts with Boras to negotiate his deals, sought more professional advice for the highly complex baseball market. Alex Rodriguez contacted Warren Buffet, America's most successful investor. With his aid, and help from two Goldman Sach's executives, A-rod took Boras out of the picture and took matters into his own hand. Rodriguez ultimately agreed to a 10 year deal worth 275 million dollars which is currently in the process of being finalized (overview).



This represents a bold move for Alex Rodriguez, who bypassed his notorious agent and decided to figure things out himself. This is probably the first time the professional advice of a sports agent has been ignored for professionals in the finance industry. Warren Buffet and Goldman Sachs don't come to mind when you think about negotiating deals for ball players, but A-rod decided to set a new precedent.


While A-rod's decision worked out for him, I dont think this is a new trend you will see anytime soon. This was a very isolated incident that probably did require professional financial intervention. Boras misread the market by overestimating the amount of Arod's potential contract. He also was going to prevent him from staying with the Yankees, which is where A rod truly wanted to be. Boras miscalculation of the market is exactly why he is hated so much by managers in the industry. Major League Baseball teams actually refuse to work with Boras because the amount of money he demands for his clients becomes such a large financial liability for the team. Only a few teams in each league can afford the kind of money Boras demands for his clients. I think A rod made the right move here and I commend him for being willing to negotiate on his own.

Rocked Like a Hurricane

Can anything go right for the University of Miami football program? Over the course of the past year, many unfortunate events have occurred. The university had no choice but to fire the Hurricane’s coach, Larry Coker, following the most controversial season in Hurricane football history. The season featured a full-fledged brawl with cross-town rival Florida International University and the murder of one of the team’s leaders Bryan Pata. Pata was gunned down in the parking lot of his home near the University of Miami campus. The loss of Pata was tough on the players, but the season ended on a high note with a victory at the MPC Computer Bowl. In the off-season, The University of Miami announced that Randy Shannon, the former defensive coordinator, would be the new head coach. However, this season, like the last, was a disappointment. The Hurricanes began the season by announcing the highly controversial move to Dolphin Staduim. Plus, Randy Shannon became the first coach since Howard Schnellenberger in 1979 to not reach a bowl game in his inaugural season. In addition, the season featured embarrassing losses to ACC rivals University of North Carolina and North Carolina State. As the season came to a close, it was announced on Tuesday, November 27th, that former Hurricane All-American Sean Taylor had been murdered in his own home in a suburb just north of Miami. It does not seem that The University of Miami will be shedding its alter ego of ‘Thug U’ anytime soon.
Maybe this is the year that perennial basketball schools like Kentucky and Kansas succeed in football and perennial football teams like the Hurricanes and USC do well in basketball. Is it possible that this year will be the first year in the modern era that the University of Miami basketball team finishes higher in the ACC standings and in the national rankings than the Miami football team? During the first weeks of the very young NCAA basketball season, the Hurricane’s basketball team has already received more top twenty-five votes than the football team did all season long. To date, the basketball team has already won its first five games, including the O’Rielly Tip Off in Puerto Rico, which they won at the beginning of the season. In this tournament, the Hurricanes had to defeat some serious teams. Marist, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Providence, who they thrashed in the final, all made the March Madness tournament last fall. VCU even eliminated Duke in the first round. It would be great to see a Hurricanes basketball team, who was ranked last in the ACC to begin the season, go 14-0 before they face an ACC team and qualify for one of the postseason tournaments.
Before next football season begins, the University of Miami football team has a tremendous amount of work to do. The previous season was Kyle Wright’s last, which I am surprised to say is disappointing. I for one am impressed with the improvement Kyle made this season, and his ability to play without fear; he has no qualms about sacrificing his body whenever necessary. But, now that he is gone, it is imperative that the Hurricane football family focuses on the future of the quarter back position. Currently, the options for starting quarterback are Kirby Freeman and Robert Marve. Kirby has shown little to no pocket presence and absolutely no football IQ. The only successful series he has been a part of this season ended with Kirby on his ass and Epps in the end zone. But the competition for Freeman is Robert Marve. Marve, who is still practicing with the second unit of the football team, recently made it public that he is having some personal problems. Obviously, whichever quarterback shows more skill over the summer and has more knowledge of Patrick Nix’s system, will hopefully be awarded with the starting job. But, Patrick Nix is another part of the Hurricane’s problems. A friend of mine, Sean Flynn recently commented that Nix “saves his good plays that work for the good teams. That system doesn’t work. If [UM] would have ran some of the plays we ran against [Texas] A&M against UNC we probably would have won that game. Running back direct snaps work really well for this team.” I completely agree with this statement because the Hurricane’s football team presently has three potential NFL worthy running backs on the active roster.
Next year, the defense will continue to be solid, and hopefully even stronger that the previous year if Eric Moncur and Calais Cambpell decide to stick around for another season. As usual, the development of our young defensive recruits will continue to be strong and UM’s future second year players like DeMarcus Van Dyke and Calais’ little brother Jared, will continue to make strides in the right direction.
I am confident that the Hurricanes have turned the corner and are poised to enter the 2008 season with new found confidence and a desire to reach the ACC championship game. As for now, I am rooting for the Hurricanes basketball team to surprise a lot of people and ultimately receive a bid to enter the March Madness post-season tournament.

Men's Basketball Will Be Competitive in ACC

The University of Miami is in a painful state right now. The football team just capped off one of the worst seasons in its history, by finishing with a losing record and missing out on a bowl game. Combine that, with the tradgedy of Sean Taylor, the Hurricane community needs something positive to help heal these open wounds. The Men's Basketball team may be able to provide some healing.




Jumping out to an impressive start at 6-0 to start the season, along with winning the Puerto Rice Tip Off a few weeks ago, the program is looking its best since Frank Haith took over. The Hurricanes improved to 6-0 for just the fifth time in history with the a victory over Alabama State last night, 83-74.

The biggest key for the Hurricanes will be to stay healthy, because the depth of this year's team is the key to success. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes will be without redshirt Sophomore Adrian Thomas for the second year in a row because of a torn ligament in his knee. Last year the Hurricanes front court was plagued with injuries, with King, Thomas, and other players missing significant time.

The front court has been a pleasant surprise so far, with King returning to dominant form and strong play from Brian Asbury and Dwayne Collins. They are doing a great job of scoring lots of points, and dominating the boards. Combo that with James Dews and Jack McClinton being serious threats from behind the arc, and you've got a team that will gave the ACC a run for its money. Last year the Hurricanes upset four teams in the top 25. Expect much of the same this season. Considering the Hurricanes finished dead last in the ACC last season, the only way to go is up.

Frank Haith has also been doing a great job on the recruiting trail, by signing two standout players already, DeQuan Jones and Reginald Johnson. Small forward Jones is ranked 8th nationally at that position by ESPN, and Johnson is ranked 38th among centers by scout.com

The biggest question is whether the Hurricanes can stay in close games with ACC foes, which they have failed to do in years past. The Hurricanes have always been within striking distance, but fold as the game is winding down.

If they can keep the depth they have now, we may be able to forget about these recent tradgedies with a trip to the big dance.

Sean Taylor- Forever Remembered as an Athlete, a Son, and a Father

The death of Sean Taylor, the former Pro-Bowler, University of Miami All-American, and Big East Defensive Player of the year, is a tragic loss to say the least. Shot in the femoral artery early Monday morning in an attempted robbery,Paramedics responded to the 911 call at 1:45 a.m., which was sometime after Taylor had been shot, causing him to undergo prolonged blood loss. The phone lines are suspected of being cut according to police reports; forcing Taylor’s girlfriend to frantically search for her cell phone to make the 911 call. Taylor underwent a seven hour surgery Monday and was actually responsive according to the doctors onsite post-surgery. The concerns about possible brain damage were still eminent as the blood loss had been extremely severe. The shock however, came at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, when Taylor was pronounced dead at Jackson memorial Hospital in down town Miami.

The heartbreaking turn of events hit me yesterday morning when I woke up to a text message from a friend informing me of the news. After watching an ESPN report confirming the rumor, a feeling of emptiness came over me. It’s not as though I had known Sean Taylor and in fact, there is lot more that I don’t know about him than what I do know. Yet, the emotion I was experiencing was one of sorrowful inquiry. I wondered to myself, what does his death accomplish for someone else namely, the person who killed him? In my eyes its senseless loss of life and the worst part is, Sean Taylor was only 24 years old; his life and the life of his 18 month old daughter were just beginning. I hope whoever pulled the trigger has to think about that every day for the rest of his/her life; that there is now another child out there who is going to grow up without a father that you took from her…

The events surrounding the shooting and possible robbery attempt are still unknown and a suspect is yet to be identified. Taylor’s past run-ins with the justice department raise questions that we normally wouldn’t pose regarding the events surrounding his death. But, because he had been convicted of two misdemeanor charges for gun brandishing and assault and battery, it raises suspicion about the chain of events leading to his murder. For starters, this was not the first robbery attempt. Just earlier this week someone had broken into his house and apparently left without taking any possessions. Then, Taylor, who had been on injury reserve with a sprained knee ligament, went back to Miami this weekend even though he had a scheduled team meeting in Washington on Monday. Why Taylor remained in Miami late Sunday night still remains a relevant question and may have some bearing on the case in terms of who killed him and what their motive was.Until more information is released, it is impossible to know the truth regarding this terrible tragedy. What I do know is this: on November 27^th 2007, the Taylor Family, the University of Miami community, the Washington Redskins football team, and anyone who has any appreciation for sport and humanity lost another man who was turning the corner to become a better role model, a father, an athlete, and a good human being.

FA Premier League

Manchester United is the world’s most famous soccer club, they attract the most high profile players and is the most successful club in England.  However, even with all the propaganda surrounding “the Red Devils”, the season so far is not seemingly going as the expected.  With leaders and old rivals Arsenal, a North-London side with a young flamboyant squad taking the English FA Premier League in their stride under mastermind Arsene Wenger, topping the league with a healthy lead of three points and a game in hand going into the decisive second half of the season. Arsenal is known to play the “sexiest football”[1] in the league, “We’re like Brazil when they’re at the top of their game. The best thing about us is how quick and precise we are”[2].  Arsenal’s new superstar Cesc Fabregas is clearly full of confidence, and so he should be with his clubs statistic this season.  With the two sides already having had a fierce and competitive match at the start of November, with the score resulting in a 2-2 draw, the pair will not meet again until the 12^th of April in the final critical weeks of the season.  At this stage it is impossible to say who will be rewarded with the ultimate glory of being named the FA Premier League Champions, however it is not an outlandish statement to say that this season in the English soccer league is heating up to be one of the most cutthroat, exciting season’s ever. 

---

[1] David Ginola ex Newcastle United and Tottenhan Hotspur player

[2] Cesc Fabregas current Arsenal midfielder.

Diaper Dandies Steal the Sh

In the early stages of the NCAA basketball season, one thing has been determined: the freshman are creating all the big headlines. This is the second year that high school seniors have been excluded from the NBA draft. The foundation was set last year by first team all-American top draft picks Kevin Durant and Greg Oden. These players are labeled as one and done players who are just treading water until they get their signing bonus. It just so happens that they also lead some of the top teams in the nation. Kevin Love is as dominant for the Bruins as any big man in the country.


While Love is leading a successful team, Michael Beasely and Eric Gordon are filling the stat sheets. Each leading the nation in rebounding and scoring respectively. Beasely isn't far behind in points ranking second. The big question is how can a coach build a program with the majority of star players only playing their freshman season? It has been proven with Ohio State this season as they struggle early on without the drafted Oden and Mike Conley Jr. The powers are going to shift instantly and recruiting becomes more important than ever.

The most publicized player this year affected by the rule is OJ Mayo. He was regarded as the consensus best player for his age at every level. He had been groomed to make the leap from high school to the pros. It was a circus for recruiting and it was simple, where could he have the most spotlight and fun. USC was a solid choice for both aspects seeing how his freshman year is virtually an extended entrance to the draft. It will take many years to analyze the affect this rule in the development of young talent and the fan support of the NCAA and NBA.

Steroids- Where did they come from where did they go?

Steroids have been everywhere recently, in the news, the athletes, and our very own classroom discussions, but where does this mystery substance come from and why is it bothering us so? I did a little research to find out how this substance first entered the competetive atheltics scene.

“Americans like to think the U.S leads the “Sports without Drugs Crusade”, but the reality is that the U.S is viewed as one of the dirtiest nations in the world “. John Ruger, a past chair of the United States Olympic Committee Athletes Advisory Council, said this. Where did it all go wrong for us? The first uses of steroids in Olympic competition have been said to be during the 1960 Olympics, where a few Russian and American strength athletes took the drug. And then “by 1964, however, the secret behind the startling progress of a number of strength athletes began to leak out, and as a result steroids were soon being used extensively by athletes in all strength sports”. So it was the strength athletes that first needed the drug for competition. It was then a natural, graceful slide into popular use, and by the early 1990’s “approximately one million individuals in the United States used anabolic steroids for athletic achievement or to assist in gaining a more muscular physical appearance. During the same period, use of anabolic steroids among U.S high school students was estimated to be between one quarter and one half million.” Only in 1988 when Ben Johnson the sprinter was stripped of his gold medal for testing positive did the real crackdown begin. Why did the drug have to spread so fast and so far? Could steroids have ever ONLY been used for their more peaceful purposes? Certainly it is a miracle drug to some people, such as someone who has undergone a serious injury and needs assistance rebuilding muscle. What factor was it that leads first our weightlifters and eventually all athletes and even habitual weightlifters to procure the drug? The spirit of competition is a powerful force in many people, especially testosterone driven males (who are more likely to use the drug). It seems, after asking these questions and thinking about the history and effects of the drug, that it could never have been prevented. It is only natural, with the insane amount of pressure and competitive feelings that we lay on our professional and amateur athletes, which has only been intensifying in recent years, leads to athletes searching for assistance. It almost seems like a necessity, and I think that many, many more athletes got away with using steroids than were caught and we are at the very end of a period of extreme use of the drug.

In It For The Money?

After opting out of his contract extension with the Yankees, Alex Rodriguez went on the market seeking an even larger one. The teams that were thrown around included the Dodgers, Angels, Mets, and even the Yankees rival Red Sox. None of whom even had a substantial offer even close to that in which the Yankees were going to put out to keep their rising star.
Alex Rodriguez made a big mistake when he let his agent Scott Borris talk him into opting out of his existing contract with the Yankees. By doing this he is going to forever be seen as in it for the money rather then the glory of the game. He and his agent were convinced that they could get a 350 million dollar contract with another team or that the Yankees would up their existing contract in order to keep Alex as a Yankee. Remind you, Rodriguez is still yet to get an RBI in the playoffs and has no championship rings. In other words he is not a proven all star yet. Sure he hit a bunch of home runs and RBIs this year, but when it counted Rodriguez failed to step up to the caliber of player he is supposed to be. I beleive that the Yankees should not have taken him back after denying an extension worth almost 280 million dollars, one of the largest contracts in sports today.
If Rodriguez was not in it for the money he would have signed his contract extension with the Yankees because everyone knows that the Yankees will continue to use all of their money and power to try and put together championship winning teams. For Rodriguez to go out onto the market after choking in the playoffs and ask for more money is absolutely ridiculous. He is not a proven all star and should not have been taken back by the Yankees after basically spitting in their face. Steinbrenner should have took that 270 million dollars they are going to be paying him and spent it on a new all star third baseman and the rest of what was left on pitching.
It was suprising to see the Yankees take him back after saying that he would no longer be a Yankee if he opted out of his existing contract. After Rodriguez saw that he was not going to get paid nearly the amount that the Yankees were willing to pay he came crawling right back like he was a true Yankee at heart. You are not a true Yankee. Get this "A Rod", I will be at opening day at Yankee stadium next year and have been a fan all of my life, you will be and should be booed by every yankee fan when you step up to the plate on that day. You do not deserve the large contract you will be signing, and you lost a lot of fans when you showed that greedy side that cares nothing about the game but only about how much you will be paid to play it.

Biggest Surprise of 2007 NFL Season?

This professional football season has been wrought with surprises, tragedies, and scandals. The Patriots appear to be on their way to a perfect season, ending the long-reign of the 1974 Miami Dolphins, while the Dolphins struggle to put together just one win. Steve Smith has faded into a mediocre player without a quarterback to deliver him the ball. The Falcons look about as good as everyone thought they would without Michael Vick, and the death of Sean Taylor, former UM all-star, marks the fourth death of an NFL player this year alone, all under the age of 24. Despite all these developments, the NFL is reaching an unprecedented level of success. With the myriad of off-field issues and high profile players/teams holding the spotlight, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quietly climbed atop the NFC South. With five games remaining in the regular season and no opponents with a winning record, the Bucs seemed poised to claim their third divisional title in the past six years.

In the NFL, success is often determined by which teams can overcome injuries during the season. No coach plans for injuries, but there are steps that can be taken to protect a team from the downward spiral that can begin with a star player suffering a season ending injury. The Buccaneers have sustained their fair share of injuries, beginning with the loss of Cadillac Williams. Currently on the injured list for the Buccaneers are starting QB Jeff Garcia, starting RB Carnell Williams, back-up RB Michael Pittman, starting WR Michael Clayton, and a couple starting offensive linemen. Despite this myriad of injuries, the Buccaneers have continued to produce on offense, a feat the squad could not accomplish even with healthy players in years past. Tampa's offensive rank of 19 is still middle of the pack production, but efficiency has been the focus of this squad, and it has continued to pay dividends throughout the season.

After losing premier back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and back-up RB Michael Pittman to injury in Game 2 of the season, the Buccaneers appeared to be in danger of another year of offensive struggle. But an improved offensive line has stepped up to the challenge and converted a first time starter into a 100 yard rusher. In fact, Earnest Graham is the third separate running back that has eclipsed the 100 yard mark this season for the Bucs. Despite injuries to the offensive line, the unit has continued to open lanes regardless of who is running behind them.

All the talk regarding the NFC is about the Cowboys and Packers, rightfully so, because they have the best records and the best teams. But when the playoffs finally come, records are thrown out the window, and any team can win on any given Sunday. The old adage claims that defense wins championships. If this is true, the Bucs may just find themselves in the same position as in 2003 when they claimed the franchises first title. At least this time around, they'll have a legitimate offense to go with their famously stingy D.

The Proverbial "Coaching Carousel"

Its that time of the year again in college football, with most teams finishing up the regular season, and the select few of those teams with good enough records receiving bowl invites. And with the winding down of the season comes the various coaching changes as programs wish to head in new directions. There have been a number of notable moves already, with perhaps the biggest coming with the stepping down of Lloyd Carr at Michigan. A name that has been connected with that vacancy has been Les Miles, currently the head coach at LSU(right).

Other big moves have been Dennis Franchione out and Mike Sherman(below) in at Texas A&M, Chan Gailey out as the head coach at Georgia Tech, Bill Callahan fired at Nebraska, and the big news recently, Houston Nutt's resignation at Arkansas just days after beating the number one team in the country. Ole Miss also fired their head coach, Ed Orgeron, and have already hired Nutt as his successor. In all, 12 schools have parted ways with their head football coaches.

Sherman's hiring at A&M has not been without controversy. He was the only candidate interviewed for the position, and that was met with criticism from the BCA, the Black Coaches and Administrators group. The BCA pushes for more minority inclusion in the college football ranks, and Floyd Keith, the executive director of BCA released a statement expressing his disappointment in the way the Aggies handled the situation. His was disappointed in the fact that they made no effort to pursue a minority candidate for the head coaching job.
Overall, it has been an eventful past week or so with head coaching jobs opening and being filled, and as the season winds down and comes to a close I'm sure many more people will be hired and fired.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Billy Joel said it best, "Only the Good Die Young." Well Sean Taylor wasn't just good, he was the best. As a native of Washington, D.C. and a life-long Redskin fan as well as a UM student, it seems surreal that 24 year-old star safety Sean Taylor is dead; his life cut far too short. Reports of a shooting from Taylor's Miami home first came on Monday morning. According to CNN, "At 1:45 a.m. Monday, a woman identified as Taylor's girlfriend called 911 and said someone had been shot. Taylor was airlifted to Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital." http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/27/obit.taylor/index.html

Multiple sources have quoted close friends and relatives who believe this was no random act of violence. Eight days prior to the shooting, Taylor's Miami residence was broken into and ransacked. The assailants, in addition to breaking and entering into the empty house, placed a knife on the bed of he and his soon to be wife, Jackie Garcia (daughter of famous actor Andy Garcia). It is no doubt that those involved believe that the two instances are related, occuring only days apart.

At Jackson Memorial Hospital here in Miami, at approximately 3:30 am, Taylor was pronounced dead. Doctors cause of death was unsustainable blood loss due to the bullet wound that punctured his femoral artery. Taylor never fully regained consciousness after the shooting, but did show early signs of improvement when he was able to squeeze nurses finers and make subtle facial gestures. It wasn't enough.

His father, Florida City police chief, Pedro Taylor commented on his behalf as well as the family's, stating "It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon," "Many of his fans loved him because the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him." http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3129406


He will be remembered by his accomplishments and his character. As the 5th overrall pick by the Washington Redskins in the 2004 NFL draft, there were high hopes and expectations for this All-American defensive player. He was living up to them and more, making the Pro-Bowl after only his second season. Known for his vicious hits, and incredible speed, all offenses feared throwing the deep ball against him. A potential hall-of-fame career was cut too soon. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/11/27/taylor/index.html?eref=T1

The Redskins have announced that proper services will be held for Sean and the Washington organization. The number 21 will be painted in the field for this upcoming home game.