It is always sad to see someone go at such a young age. Today, the NFL lost Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry at age 26. They lost a man who was working to redeem himself after a troubled early life, they lost a father of three and they lost one of the best pass catchers in the game (a fact that was often overshadowed by that afforementioned trouble).
Don't have much to say other than I just had that urge to write something. It is a shame that he was never able to fully redeem himself on and off the field in the eyes of the public. It is truly sad that Chris Henry's legacy will be of a troublemaker and of a man who died young; because he was so much more.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
>UFC 107 Predictions
UFC Predictions (100-102, 104-106): 26-38-1 - last card: 6-3-1
It is that time again, yes another UFC event. This one, like so many lately, is not what was originally broadcast to be. Instead of Rampage/Rashad, it is headlined by an equally heavy handed potential slugfest and for a world title even.
PreLims
Kevin Burns def. TJ Grant
2nd Round Submission
Edgar Garcia def. Marques Johnson
3rd Round TKO
Rousimar Palhares def. Lucio Linhares
1st Round TKO
Johny Hendricks def. Ricardo Funch
2nd Round Submission
Matt Winman def. Shane Nelson
Unanimous Decision
Wilson Gouveia def. Alan Belcher
2nd Round KO
MAIN CARD
Stefan Struve vs. Paul Buentello
I won't pretend to be an expert on either of these guys. But I do know this: it is never a good day to face a 6'11'' guy in any athletic competition when you are 6'2''
-Struve by 1st Round TKO
Kenny 'KenFlo' Florian vs. Clay 'The Carpenter' Guida
It's a tough life to live for Guida, who is always right on the cusp at 155, but will never be top tier. He fought Diego Sanchez, which was a good match up because they both swing for the fences, but Diego is just better at that which is why Clay fell to this fight and isn't challenging BJ Penn. Neither is going to be rendered irrelevant in a loss here, but the loser will get pushed significantly back down the 155 ladder. Guida is a swinger, but Florian is just plain smarter than almost everyone in the UFC, so what he lacks in aggression, he makes up for in mentality. Someone steps closer to a title shot, someone has to put it on the back burner.
-Florian by 2nd Round Submission
Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce
Pierce is a scrappy guy, but has the unfortunate reality of running into THE scrappy guy in the UFC. Fitch will take a beating and keep on ticking, as he showed in his most unfortunate loss at the hands of Georges St. Pierre. And Pierce is no GSP when it comes to putting the hurt or the pressure on. The welterweight division is packed full of contenders, but the question is who is the top draw (even with Dan Hardy getting the next crack at GSP). Koscheck, Rumble, Paulo Thiago...they all may have to stay 2nd string because a dominant win for Fitch here could catapult him back to top contendership for the GSP/Hardy winner.
-Fitch by 1st Round KO
Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo
I personally don't think that this fight will be as close as some. Kongo, while likeable, just does not have the world's most killer instinct. And while Mir does not often show his on TV or outside of the cage, he sure knows when to turn it up. And knowing that Mir's primary focus in all of life is Brock Lesnar, he knows that he has to dominate every fight until the UFC matches him back up with Brock. I don't see this fight as the pure 'Strike vs. Submitter' that the UFC is trying to bill it as. Instead, it's a striker, with no other significant abilities against THE BEST submitter in the division, who can just as well knock you out. I think Frank will do both just to prove he can...knock him down, then tap him out.
-Mir by 2nd Round Submission
UFC World Lightweight Title
'The Prodigy' BJ Penn vs. Diego 'The Nightmare' Sanchez
I am 1-3 in predicting title fights since UFC 100. Is that because I don't have faith in the old guard? Possibly. Two of those misses came in the last two fights, predicting that Penn and Machida would fall in their last defenses. I also have a problem picking fighters I like based purely on that fact. I need to change my mentality on both of these things because of this: BJ Penn is one of the best smaller MMA fighters ever. He proved me wrong last time in SOME ways. He outlasted Kenny Florian and killed the strategy of testing BJ's gas tank over five rounds. I said earlier in this post that Kenny Florian is one of the smartest fighters in the UFC and he is...but BJ Penn outsmarted him. If BJ can outsmart Diego, then this will be a very long, methodical fight where BJ will retain again and maybe end up with the Nate Diaz/Gray Maynard winner. But, there are some holes that need to be pointed out. Number one, BJ was exhausted after five rounds with Kenny Florian, so he would be really exhausted after five rounds with a worker like Diego Sanchez, no matter what Diego's tank may look like (and who knows...we've never seen Diego go five). With that said, BJ knows and has said that his mentality in this fight when Diego runs at him is to run right back at Diego. This would be the dumbest thing that I have ever seen because Penn just can't let 'em fly like Nightmare can. I would love to say this will be an epic, five round war that will redefine this division. And if it does go that far, there is a much greater chance that BJ Penn will be retaining and Diego will fall. But BJ has told us his gameplan and when he does that, he usually sticks to it. I, sadly for BJ, believe what he says, so that really only means one thing to me.....
-Diego Sanchez by Second Round TKO to become the NEW UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
That's right, i'm throwing out the conventional wisdom to go against what I normally do. Instead of playing it "safe," I am going with a new champion and a fighter that I just plain like a lot better. But it's not for the same reasons as usual. This time it's educated and it's because BJ's making me do it. Sorry champ, you never run at the rhino that's about to gore you. Time for a change.
It is that time again, yes another UFC event. This one, like so many lately, is not what was originally broadcast to be. Instead of Rampage/Rashad, it is headlined by an equally heavy handed potential slugfest and for a world title even.
PreLims
Kevin Burns def. TJ Grant
2nd Round Submission
Edgar Garcia def. Marques Johnson
3rd Round TKO
Rousimar Palhares def. Lucio Linhares
1st Round TKO
Johny Hendricks def. Ricardo Funch
2nd Round Submission
Matt Winman def. Shane Nelson
Unanimous Decision
Wilson Gouveia def. Alan Belcher
2nd Round KO
MAIN CARD
Stefan Struve vs. Paul Buentello
I won't pretend to be an expert on either of these guys. But I do know this: it is never a good day to face a 6'11'' guy in any athletic competition when you are 6'2''
-Struve by 1st Round TKO
Kenny 'KenFlo' Florian vs. Clay 'The Carpenter' Guida
It's a tough life to live for Guida, who is always right on the cusp at 155, but will never be top tier. He fought Diego Sanchez, which was a good match up because they both swing for the fences, but Diego is just better at that which is why Clay fell to this fight and isn't challenging BJ Penn. Neither is going to be rendered irrelevant in a loss here, but the loser will get pushed significantly back down the 155 ladder. Guida is a swinger, but Florian is just plain smarter than almost everyone in the UFC, so what he lacks in aggression, he makes up for in mentality. Someone steps closer to a title shot, someone has to put it on the back burner.
-Florian by 2nd Round Submission
Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce
Pierce is a scrappy guy, but has the unfortunate reality of running into THE scrappy guy in the UFC. Fitch will take a beating and keep on ticking, as he showed in his most unfortunate loss at the hands of Georges St. Pierre. And Pierce is no GSP when it comes to putting the hurt or the pressure on. The welterweight division is packed full of contenders, but the question is who is the top draw (even with Dan Hardy getting the next crack at GSP). Koscheck, Rumble, Paulo Thiago...they all may have to stay 2nd string because a dominant win for Fitch here could catapult him back to top contendership for the GSP/Hardy winner.
-Fitch by 1st Round KO
Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo
I personally don't think that this fight will be as close as some. Kongo, while likeable, just does not have the world's most killer instinct. And while Mir does not often show his on TV or outside of the cage, he sure knows when to turn it up. And knowing that Mir's primary focus in all of life is Brock Lesnar, he knows that he has to dominate every fight until the UFC matches him back up with Brock. I don't see this fight as the pure 'Strike vs. Submitter' that the UFC is trying to bill it as. Instead, it's a striker, with no other significant abilities against THE BEST submitter in the division, who can just as well knock you out. I think Frank will do both just to prove he can...knock him down, then tap him out.
-Mir by 2nd Round Submission
UFC World Lightweight Title
'The Prodigy' BJ Penn vs. Diego 'The Nightmare' Sanchez
I am 1-3 in predicting title fights since UFC 100. Is that because I don't have faith in the old guard? Possibly. Two of those misses came in the last two fights, predicting that Penn and Machida would fall in their last defenses. I also have a problem picking fighters I like based purely on that fact. I need to change my mentality on both of these things because of this: BJ Penn is one of the best smaller MMA fighters ever. He proved me wrong last time in SOME ways. He outlasted Kenny Florian and killed the strategy of testing BJ's gas tank over five rounds. I said earlier in this post that Kenny Florian is one of the smartest fighters in the UFC and he is...but BJ Penn outsmarted him. If BJ can outsmart Diego, then this will be a very long, methodical fight where BJ will retain again and maybe end up with the Nate Diaz/Gray Maynard winner. But, there are some holes that need to be pointed out. Number one, BJ was exhausted after five rounds with Kenny Florian, so he would be really exhausted after five rounds with a worker like Diego Sanchez, no matter what Diego's tank may look like (and who knows...we've never seen Diego go five). With that said, BJ knows and has said that his mentality in this fight when Diego runs at him is to run right back at Diego. This would be the dumbest thing that I have ever seen because Penn just can't let 'em fly like Nightmare can. I would love to say this will be an epic, five round war that will redefine this division. And if it does go that far, there is a much greater chance that BJ Penn will be retaining and Diego will fall. But BJ has told us his gameplan and when he does that, he usually sticks to it. I, sadly for BJ, believe what he says, so that really only means one thing to me.....
-Diego Sanchez by Second Round TKO to become the NEW UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
That's right, i'm throwing out the conventional wisdom to go against what I normally do. Instead of playing it "safe," I am going with a new champion and a fighter that I just plain like a lot better. But it's not for the same reasons as usual. This time it's educated and it's because BJ's making me do it. Sorry champ, you never run at the rhino that's about to gore you. Time for a change.
Friday, November 20, 2009
>UFC 106 Predictions
UFC Predictions (100-102, 104-105): 20-35 - last card: 6-5
Preliminary Card Bouts
Brock Larson def. Brian Foster
3rd Round Submission
Caol Uno def. Fabricio Camoes
2nd Round TKO
George Sotiropoulos def. Jason Dent
1st Round KO
Spike TV Preliminary Bouts
Ben Saunders def. Marcus Davis
2nd Round Referee Stoppage (strikes)
Kendall Grove def. Jake Rosholt
2nd Round Submission
Main Card Card Bouts
Amir Sadollah (170) vs. Phil Baroni (170)
-Baroni needs to prove why he should still be doing this for a living and Amir needs simply to shake off his loss at UFC 101. The stoppage was more than questionable and I don't think the UFC's resident funny man needs to prove anything at this point. If his mind frame is in the right place and not back in the summer, then Sadollah should be too young and spry for Baroni to handle. Sadly, that is a big 'if' at this point in Amir's career.
Sadollah by Unanimous Decision
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (205) vs. Luis Cane (205)
-The long awaited debut of 'Little Nog' won't be so eventful and with all respects to Luis Cane, it shouldn't take long. This is almost going to be the worst fight on the main card.
Nogueira by 3rd Round TKO
Paulo Thiago (169) vs. Jacob Volkmann (170)
-There is a reason this wasn't on the main card until 24 hours prior to the event. Also a reason that Da Spyder/Rosholt or Hand Grenade/Saunders should have been moved up to the main card. Might be a blood bath.
Thiago by 1st Round KO
Josh Koscheck (171) vs. Anthony Johnson (170)
-I am impressed by Johnson's ability to get down to 170 after missing weight for his VERY recent last fight. That shows that he was invested in this match, where the winner can also lay some claim to the next shot at GSP. In fact, the winner facing Dan Hardy and the loser facing Mike Swick should be in the works no matter what in my opinion. Let me say, I dislike no fighter much more than Koscheck, but he is always much improved over his previous match. But he also fights too often out of emotion and can't afford to get caught. If he does, recent off a win or not, Johnson will knock him out with one punch (damn I want to see that). Koscheck's best bet is to go old school, boring, wrestler Josh Koscheck. If he stands and exchanges, it may become my favorite moment in UFC in 2009 with him out staring up at the lights.
Johnson by 2nd Rounds KO
Forrest Griffin (205) vs. Tito Ortiz (204)
-If the Vera/Couture match last week had question marks, then this fight is the definition of the form of punctuation. Nobody knows if Forrest will ever be the same again, but like last week with Bisping, until he shows otherwise, there is no reason to believe that his loss to Anderson Silva has ruined the former light heavyweight champ. And Tito, is he the same? Is he better? Has it been too long? The only thing I really know is that when you fight with emotion, you might get caught....so what happens when they both do? This is going to be a slugfest of (hopefully) epic, history making moments. Neither will leave a damn thing in the cage. So what wins out: Revenge or Retribution? Love both of these guys, but I think the fans will always love one as he continues a solid career and the other will make another legit run at the division's shiny gold belt...
Ortiz by Unanimous Decision
Preliminary Card Bouts
Brock Larson def. Brian Foster
3rd Round Submission
Caol Uno def. Fabricio Camoes
2nd Round TKO
George Sotiropoulos def. Jason Dent
1st Round KO
Spike TV Preliminary Bouts
Ben Saunders def. Marcus Davis
2nd Round Referee Stoppage (strikes)
Kendall Grove def. Jake Rosholt
2nd Round Submission
Main Card Card Bouts
Amir Sadollah (170) vs. Phil Baroni (170)
-Baroni needs to prove why he should still be doing this for a living and Amir needs simply to shake off his loss at UFC 101. The stoppage was more than questionable and I don't think the UFC's resident funny man needs to prove anything at this point. If his mind frame is in the right place and not back in the summer, then Sadollah should be too young and spry for Baroni to handle. Sadly, that is a big 'if' at this point in Amir's career.
Sadollah by Unanimous Decision
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (205) vs. Luis Cane (205)
-The long awaited debut of 'Little Nog' won't be so eventful and with all respects to Luis Cane, it shouldn't take long. This is almost going to be the worst fight on the main card.
Nogueira by 3rd Round TKO
Paulo Thiago (169) vs. Jacob Volkmann (170)
-There is a reason this wasn't on the main card until 24 hours prior to the event. Also a reason that Da Spyder/Rosholt or Hand Grenade/Saunders should have been moved up to the main card. Might be a blood bath.
Thiago by 1st Round KO
Josh Koscheck (171) vs. Anthony Johnson (170)
-I am impressed by Johnson's ability to get down to 170 after missing weight for his VERY recent last fight. That shows that he was invested in this match, where the winner can also lay some claim to the next shot at GSP. In fact, the winner facing Dan Hardy and the loser facing Mike Swick should be in the works no matter what in my opinion. Let me say, I dislike no fighter much more than Koscheck, but he is always much improved over his previous match. But he also fights too often out of emotion and can't afford to get caught. If he does, recent off a win or not, Johnson will knock him out with one punch (damn I want to see that). Koscheck's best bet is to go old school, boring, wrestler Josh Koscheck. If he stands and exchanges, it may become my favorite moment in UFC in 2009 with him out staring up at the lights.
Johnson by 2nd Rounds KO
Forrest Griffin (205) vs. Tito Ortiz (204)
-If the Vera/Couture match last week had question marks, then this fight is the definition of the form of punctuation. Nobody knows if Forrest will ever be the same again, but like last week with Bisping, until he shows otherwise, there is no reason to believe that his loss to Anderson Silva has ruined the former light heavyweight champ. And Tito, is he the same? Is he better? Has it been too long? The only thing I really know is that when you fight with emotion, you might get caught....so what happens when they both do? This is going to be a slugfest of (hopefully) epic, history making moments. Neither will leave a damn thing in the cage. So what wins out: Revenge or Retribution? Love both of these guys, but I think the fans will always love one as he continues a solid career and the other will make another legit run at the division's shiny gold belt...
Ortiz by Unanimous Decision
Friday, November 13, 2009
>UFC 105 Predictions
Let me start with two things. First off, I see Brits winning seven bouts on this card because they are just that energized usually by the home crowd. And second, it is a shame the Demarques Johnson fight got pulled because I really wanted to see him get boo'd from the building.
UFC Predictions (100-102, 104): 14-30 - last card: 6-5
PRELIMS
Andre Winner def. Rolando Delgado
2nd Round TKO
Alexander Gustafsson def. Jared Hamman
Unanimous Decision
Paul Kelly def. Dennis Silver
Unanimous Decision
Nick Osipczak def. Matthew Riddle
2nd Round TKO
Shannon Gugerty def. Terry Etim
Split Decision
Paul Taylor def. John Hathaway
3rd Round Submission
MAIN CARD
Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley
Riley has finally gotten over the Shane Nelson hump, but will find a much better Ultimate Fighter alum in Pearson, one of the winners of the the dominating UK team...not that Riley himself is a pushover. What will make all the difference here are two things: 1. Riley overcame Nelson to avenge an earlier loss, so he is currently in a moderately satisfied state while Pearson is one of the most hungry current UFC young guns...and 2. Just like all these Prelim matches beforehand, there is never a bigger home crowd than the Brits and this could pull them to 5-1.
-Pearson by 3rd Round TKO
James Wilks vs. Matt Brown
If the last match was not enough of a grind, these two are going to have one. While yes, Wilks won TUF with a rear naked choke, I expect this to be ONE OF the best slugfests since Griffin/Bonner. Not as good of a match, but these are just two work horses who are going to slug it out for a win.
-Wilks by Unanimous Decision
Denis Kang vs. Michael Bisping
If a loss to Dan Henderson qualifies someone to be "on the verge of losing his contract with another loss," then we should start asking Zuffa to can some people now. I am not sure why people are allowing ONE punch in ONE fight to sway them from Michael Bisping. The man has lost just two fights IN HIS CAREER. And both of those have come to former UFC champions in Henderson and Rashad Evans. He went from being the next possible contender to the Middleweight crown to a guy on the verge of getting cut? Give me a break. Let's not forget who the real Michael Bisping is. Before that last to Henderson, he was a gritty, smart, full of wit, agile fighter who always took his opponents out of their game plan to play into his hands. There is NO legit reason to believe that has changed. They say his chin will never be the same? Well to know that, someone would have to get close enough to test it, not something he has allowed a lot of in his career. Bottom line is this, that yes with a loss maybe the UFC should cut Michael Bisping, but only because Denis Kang, skilled as he may be, is not in The Count's league. There is a reason the UFC didn't let Bisping headline in the UK...because they gave him one of the most powder opponents he has had since TUF3. I love the Bisping head game decision wins, but I hope he makes a statement here just to shut people up.
-Bisping by 2nd Round KO
Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy
I don't have as much to say here but this: Mike Swick is right. He has worked harder, longer, and fought more people. Dan Hardy doesn't deserve this spot or a potential shot at GSP. That said, I have never liked Swick since his original TUF days and I do enjoy Hardy; I just think he is in over his head here with a more intelligent fighter.
-Mike Swick by 2nd Round Submission
Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera
Any idea what to think heading into this one? Anybody?.....Hello?....yeah, me too. Fact is that the loser here takes a HUGE step backward and it is unlikely either could ever come back from that big of a drop off. The Natural's career is winding down and every loss makes it look shorter and shorter. He looked ok against Lesnar and manageable against Big Nog. But he hasn't, in those fights, looked like the Hall of Famer that he is. So why keep embarrassing yourself? Vera, he is damn lucky he gets to fight someone the calibar of Captain America. So a loss will possibly just throw him back into semi-retirement. It's a hell of a tossup, but Couture is so hard to go against with his back against the wall. Hope he comes out swinging.
-Couture by 3rd Round TKO
UFC Predictions (100-102, 104): 14-30 - last card: 6-5
PRELIMS
Andre Winner def. Rolando Delgado
2nd Round TKO
Alexander Gustafsson def. Jared Hamman
Unanimous Decision
Paul Kelly def. Dennis Silver
Unanimous Decision
Nick Osipczak def. Matthew Riddle
2nd Round TKO
Shannon Gugerty def. Terry Etim
Split Decision
Paul Taylor def. John Hathaway
3rd Round Submission
MAIN CARD
Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley
Riley has finally gotten over the Shane Nelson hump, but will find a much better Ultimate Fighter alum in Pearson, one of the winners of the the dominating UK team...not that Riley himself is a pushover. What will make all the difference here are two things: 1. Riley overcame Nelson to avenge an earlier loss, so he is currently in a moderately satisfied state while Pearson is one of the most hungry current UFC young guns...and 2. Just like all these Prelim matches beforehand, there is never a bigger home crowd than the Brits and this could pull them to 5-1.
-Pearson by 3rd Round TKO
James Wilks vs. Matt Brown
If the last match was not enough of a grind, these two are going to have one. While yes, Wilks won TUF with a rear naked choke, I expect this to be ONE OF the best slugfests since Griffin/Bonner. Not as good of a match, but these are just two work horses who are going to slug it out for a win.
-Wilks by Unanimous Decision
Denis Kang vs. Michael Bisping
If a loss to Dan Henderson qualifies someone to be "on the verge of losing his contract with another loss," then we should start asking Zuffa to can some people now. I am not sure why people are allowing ONE punch in ONE fight to sway them from Michael Bisping. The man has lost just two fights IN HIS CAREER. And both of those have come to former UFC champions in Henderson and Rashad Evans. He went from being the next possible contender to the Middleweight crown to a guy on the verge of getting cut? Give me a break. Let's not forget who the real Michael Bisping is. Before that last to Henderson, he was a gritty, smart, full of wit, agile fighter who always took his opponents out of their game plan to play into his hands. There is NO legit reason to believe that has changed. They say his chin will never be the same? Well to know that, someone would have to get close enough to test it, not something he has allowed a lot of in his career. Bottom line is this, that yes with a loss maybe the UFC should cut Michael Bisping, but only because Denis Kang, skilled as he may be, is not in The Count's league. There is a reason the UFC didn't let Bisping headline in the UK...because they gave him one of the most powder opponents he has had since TUF3. I love the Bisping head game decision wins, but I hope he makes a statement here just to shut people up.
-Bisping by 2nd Round KO
Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy
I don't have as much to say here but this: Mike Swick is right. He has worked harder, longer, and fought more people. Dan Hardy doesn't deserve this spot or a potential shot at GSP. That said, I have never liked Swick since his original TUF days and I do enjoy Hardy; I just think he is in over his head here with a more intelligent fighter.
-Mike Swick by 2nd Round Submission
Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera
Any idea what to think heading into this one? Anybody?.....Hello?....yeah, me too. Fact is that the loser here takes a HUGE step backward and it is unlikely either could ever come back from that big of a drop off. The Natural's career is winding down and every loss makes it look shorter and shorter. He looked ok against Lesnar and manageable against Big Nog. But he hasn't, in those fights, looked like the Hall of Famer that he is. So why keep embarrassing yourself? Vera, he is damn lucky he gets to fight someone the calibar of Captain America. So a loss will possibly just throw him back into semi-retirement. It's a hell of a tossup, but Couture is so hard to go against with his back against the wall. Hope he comes out swinging.
-Couture by 3rd Round TKO
Friday, October 23, 2009
> UFC 104 Predictions
So yeah, I skipped 103 and that was probably for the best considering how terrible my prognostication was for UFC's 100, 101 and 102! But, today as I am actually pretty excited that a new Gracie (Rolles) will be stepping into the UFC cage, I decided to give a brief prediction list for UFC 104 that takes place tomorrow night.
UFC Predictions (100-102): 8-25 - last card: 2-9
UFC 104 PreLims
Razak Al-Hassan def. Kyle Kingsbury
Second Round TKO
Chase Gormley def. Stefan Struve
Unanimous Decision
Jorge Rivera def. Rob Kimmons
Split Decision
Chael Sonnen def. Yushin Okami
Unanimous Decision
Spike TV Televised
Antoni Hardonk def. Pat Barry
First Round KO
Ryan Bader def. Eric Schafer
Third Round TKO
MAIN CARD
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
This has all the potential to be the fight of the night by far. Yoshida has some impressive wins and devestating losses, but can be a beast. The fact that 'Rumble' is cutting up to 50 pounds to fight Yoshida could be bad or good. If he cut right, he's going to a beastly welterweight, if he cut wrong he will be fatigued. Either way, his knockout power of highlight reel proportions is not questioned.
-Anthony Johnson by Second Round KnockOut
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
It is a must win for them both to not backslide at all. And as much as I like Fisher's heart and determination overall, it can't outweigh Stevenson's current drive.
-Joe 'Daddy' Stevenson by Unanimous Decision
Gleison Tibau vs. Josh Neer
Least interesting main card fight to be and I'd honestly rather see the Ryan Bader fight on the show. I don't think it is as close as most people are saying.
-Josh Neer by by Third Round Submssion
Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell
This is the ultimate test for Cain, who is on the fringe of a title fight, possibly against the winner of Lesnar/Carwin. If he wins, he has to get that shot. But he has yet to face off against someone with the skill level of Rothwell, who is pretty technical in heavyweight standards. If they stand and slug, this is Velasquez' match, but Rothwell was undefeated in the IFL for a reason and thats because he will not play to his opponents' strengths. That said, I like to go against the grain of most other predictors and honestly, Cain has that cocky swagger for a reason.
-Cain Velasquez by First Round KO
Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
(UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout)
I was dead wrong about Lyoto Machida when he found Rashad Evans. My thoughts then were if it goes the distance, Machida wins and if it ends early it will be by KO and it's the heavy handed Evans. So imagine my surprise when Machida knocked Rashad out. So how will the fight with Shogun go? If it goes the distance...it's Machida's fight and if not, Rua will look to upset. Why stick with this same formula I was wrong with before? Rua hasn't had to go deep lately and I don't know if he can sustain for five full rounds. His best bet to win the title is to go hard early to look and catch Lyoto. Easier said that done, right? Well if there is a current Light Heavyweight that can do it, it's not Rashad Evans, it's not Forrest Griffin, it's not....Rampage Jackson....it IS Shogun Rua. Conventional wisdom aside:
-Mauricio Shogun Rua by 3rd Round TKO to become the NEW UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
UFC Predictions (100-102): 8-25 - last card: 2-9
UFC 104 PreLims
Razak Al-Hassan def. Kyle Kingsbury
Second Round TKO
Chase Gormley def. Stefan Struve
Unanimous Decision
Jorge Rivera def. Rob Kimmons
Split Decision
Chael Sonnen def. Yushin Okami
Unanimous Decision
Spike TV Televised
Antoni Hardonk def. Pat Barry
First Round KO
Ryan Bader def. Eric Schafer
Third Round TKO
MAIN CARD
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
This has all the potential to be the fight of the night by far. Yoshida has some impressive wins and devestating losses, but can be a beast. The fact that 'Rumble' is cutting up to 50 pounds to fight Yoshida could be bad or good. If he cut right, he's going to a beastly welterweight, if he cut wrong he will be fatigued. Either way, his knockout power of highlight reel proportions is not questioned.
-Anthony Johnson by Second Round KnockOut
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
It is a must win for them both to not backslide at all. And as much as I like Fisher's heart and determination overall, it can't outweigh Stevenson's current drive.
-Joe 'Daddy' Stevenson by Unanimous Decision
Gleison Tibau vs. Josh Neer
Least interesting main card fight to be and I'd honestly rather see the Ryan Bader fight on the show. I don't think it is as close as most people are saying.
-Josh Neer by by Third Round Submssion
Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell
This is the ultimate test for Cain, who is on the fringe of a title fight, possibly against the winner of Lesnar/Carwin. If he wins, he has to get that shot. But he has yet to face off against someone with the skill level of Rothwell, who is pretty technical in heavyweight standards. If they stand and slug, this is Velasquez' match, but Rothwell was undefeated in the IFL for a reason and thats because he will not play to his opponents' strengths. That said, I like to go against the grain of most other predictors and honestly, Cain has that cocky swagger for a reason.
-Cain Velasquez by First Round KO
Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
(UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout)
I was dead wrong about Lyoto Machida when he found Rashad Evans. My thoughts then were if it goes the distance, Machida wins and if it ends early it will be by KO and it's the heavy handed Evans. So imagine my surprise when Machida knocked Rashad out. So how will the fight with Shogun go? If it goes the distance...it's Machida's fight and if not, Rua will look to upset. Why stick with this same formula I was wrong with before? Rua hasn't had to go deep lately and I don't know if he can sustain for five full rounds. His best bet to win the title is to go hard early to look and catch Lyoto. Easier said that done, right? Well if there is a current Light Heavyweight that can do it, it's not Rashad Evans, it's not Forrest Griffin, it's not....Rampage Jackson....it IS Shogun Rua. Conventional wisdom aside:
-Mauricio Shogun Rua by 3rd Round TKO to become the NEW UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Friday, August 28, 2009
> UFC 102 Predictions
Prediction record (UFC 100 and on): 6-16
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Randy Couture
This will probably be one of the historically most boring UFC main events ever, though it will remain close for the same reason: they are too old. Unless something was randomly and crucially wrong with Nogueira in his last fight, a loss to Frank Mir, then he's done long before he ever steps in the cage with Couture. Randy is out of heavyweight title contention in my mind and this should be his last fight in the division. The big guys are just too big for The Natural at this point and he can still draw in some never before seen fights at 205. Couture/Griffin? Couture/Rampage? A loss could end Big Nog's UFC career officially, but I for one think it is already long over.
-Couture by split decision
Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva
One of the most tempramental fighters in terms of his consistency, Jardine needs another highlight reel finish in order to possibly ever get a 205 title fight. Silva can climb several rungs on the ladder with a win while Jardine could establish himself as one of the next contenders in the Division behind Rampage and Rashad Evans. Silva's danger comes in the fact that he really does not have as much to lose as Jardine, but just as much to gain.
-Jardine by Round 2 KO
Jake Rosholt vs. Chris Leben
If Leben wants to remain relevant, he needs this win. He will always be a name because of his Ultimate Fighter time and a bigger name because of those outrageous TUF exploites. But as a UFC fighter, he has been super inconsistent. Leben runs the risk of getting frustrated and caught or frustrated and decisioned if Rosholt wants to just lay around in guard. Leben's best hope is to take the relative UFC newcomer out of his game plan and have Rosholt stand and slug. With Leben's iron chin, this would be Rosholt's worst idea ever.
-Leben by Round 2 TKO
Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia
Snorefest potential here if Maia is too worried about getting to the ground and won't stand with Nate at all. However, he can't stand long or he will get knocked out. I think Maia is just too versed, best BJJ fighter in UFC or not. My hope is that Maia wouldn't go straight to Anderson Silva with a win and would instead face Dan Henderson in a contender fight. Maybe then we'll see Marquardt/Bisping?
-Maia by Round 2 Submission
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brandon Vera
The only time Soszynski has not been underrated is when he was on The Ultimate Fighter and was considered a favorite before an upset loss. Being an underdog suits him so much better and he's stronger when fighting for something, not expected to succeed. And Vera packs a much bigger talk than punch. Forget what we all may think, Vera believes he has this wrapped and that is what will get him caught. Vera stronger throughout but not in the crunch.
-Soszynski by Round 3 Submission
Gabe Gonzaga vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Chris is another debuting heavyweight who is no joke. He is 17-1 and trains with Brock Lesnar. But really, let's not forget that Gonzaga is a legit former world champ. This isn't exactly a crapshoot, but it will be a barn burner.
-Tuchscherer by Round 2 TKO
Mike Russow vs. Justin McCully
The heavywight division is getting thick quick, as seen with the debuting Russow, a winner of his last seven, and veteran McCully. Another crapshoot that will end up showing what experience against the biggest and best can do.
-McCully in Round 3 by TKO
Tim Hague vs. Todd Duffee
I admitedly know little about Hague but Duffee, making his UFC debut, is a beast. In a semi-recent Fight! Magazine article, he was highly praised by one of his trainers Rory Singer and has never dissapointed in his four fights. Quick and painful end to Hague's night ahead.
-Duffee by Round 1 KO
Nick Catone vs. Mark Munoz
This contest could be very boring or highly intense. These two former Division I wrestlers will get boo'd out of Portland if they go to the ground. But in this scenerio, some wrestlers by trade will swing for the fences just for a change of expectation. This is one of the most evenly matched fights on the card.
-Catone by Unanimous decision
Marcus Aurelio vs. Evan Dunham
Is Aurelio going to be on his game? That is the deciding factor here because he is more experienced and plain better than Dunham. If he's not on, I still doubt that Dunham, a finisher by trade, will actually finish him.
-Aurelio by 2nd Round TKO
Ed Herman vs. Aaron Simpson
Quick and easy for me here. I was never THAT impressed with Ed Herman and he is far from even the same fighter he was during his Ultimate Fighter days.
-Simpson by unanimous decision
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Randy Couture
This will probably be one of the historically most boring UFC main events ever, though it will remain close for the same reason: they are too old. Unless something was randomly and crucially wrong with Nogueira in his last fight, a loss to Frank Mir, then he's done long before he ever steps in the cage with Couture. Randy is out of heavyweight title contention in my mind and this should be his last fight in the division. The big guys are just too big for The Natural at this point and he can still draw in some never before seen fights at 205. Couture/Griffin? Couture/Rampage? A loss could end Big Nog's UFC career officially, but I for one think it is already long over.
-Couture by split decision
Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva
One of the most tempramental fighters in terms of his consistency, Jardine needs another highlight reel finish in order to possibly ever get a 205 title fight. Silva can climb several rungs on the ladder with a win while Jardine could establish himself as one of the next contenders in the Division behind Rampage and Rashad Evans. Silva's danger comes in the fact that he really does not have as much to lose as Jardine, but just as much to gain.
-Jardine by Round 2 KO
Jake Rosholt vs. Chris Leben
If Leben wants to remain relevant, he needs this win. He will always be a name because of his Ultimate Fighter time and a bigger name because of those outrageous TUF exploites. But as a UFC fighter, he has been super inconsistent. Leben runs the risk of getting frustrated and caught or frustrated and decisioned if Rosholt wants to just lay around in guard. Leben's best hope is to take the relative UFC newcomer out of his game plan and have Rosholt stand and slug. With Leben's iron chin, this would be Rosholt's worst idea ever.
-Leben by Round 2 TKO
Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia
Snorefest potential here if Maia is too worried about getting to the ground and won't stand with Nate at all. However, he can't stand long or he will get knocked out. I think Maia is just too versed, best BJJ fighter in UFC or not. My hope is that Maia wouldn't go straight to Anderson Silva with a win and would instead face Dan Henderson in a contender fight. Maybe then we'll see Marquardt/Bisping?
-Maia by Round 2 Submission
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brandon Vera
The only time Soszynski has not been underrated is when he was on The Ultimate Fighter and was considered a favorite before an upset loss. Being an underdog suits him so much better and he's stronger when fighting for something, not expected to succeed. And Vera packs a much bigger talk than punch. Forget what we all may think, Vera believes he has this wrapped and that is what will get him caught. Vera stronger throughout but not in the crunch.
-Soszynski by Round 3 Submission
Gabe Gonzaga vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Chris is another debuting heavyweight who is no joke. He is 17-1 and trains with Brock Lesnar. But really, let's not forget that Gonzaga is a legit former world champ. This isn't exactly a crapshoot, but it will be a barn burner.
-Tuchscherer by Round 2 TKO
Mike Russow vs. Justin McCully
The heavywight division is getting thick quick, as seen with the debuting Russow, a winner of his last seven, and veteran McCully. Another crapshoot that will end up showing what experience against the biggest and best can do.
-McCully in Round 3 by TKO
Tim Hague vs. Todd Duffee
I admitedly know little about Hague but Duffee, making his UFC debut, is a beast. In a semi-recent Fight! Magazine article, he was highly praised by one of his trainers Rory Singer and has never dissapointed in his four fights. Quick and painful end to Hague's night ahead.
-Duffee by Round 1 KO
Nick Catone vs. Mark Munoz
This contest could be very boring or highly intense. These two former Division I wrestlers will get boo'd out of Portland if they go to the ground. But in this scenerio, some wrestlers by trade will swing for the fences just for a change of expectation. This is one of the most evenly matched fights on the card.
-Catone by Unanimous decision
Marcus Aurelio vs. Evan Dunham
Is Aurelio going to be on his game? That is the deciding factor here because he is more experienced and plain better than Dunham. If he's not on, I still doubt that Dunham, a finisher by trade, will actually finish him.
-Aurelio by 2nd Round TKO
Ed Herman vs. Aaron Simpson
Quick and easy for me here. I was never THAT impressed with Ed Herman and he is far from even the same fighter he was during his Ultimate Fighter days.
-Simpson by unanimous decision
Saturday, August 8, 2009
> UFC 101 Predictions
How does the UFC follow up "the greatest card in the company's history"? Well, they have set the bar pretty high with UFC 101: Declaration. My UFC 100 predictions weren't so spot on (sorry, Michael Bisping) and even if these are equally as wrong...at least I am pretty sure this will be one hell of an event. Last time out I was 4-7 with my picks with two being spot on (unanimous decisions for Jim Miller and Georges St. Pierre).
>PRELIM FIGHTS
Jesse Lennox Vs. Danillo Villefort
Should be a strong welterweight fight with WEC guys making their UFC debuts. Considering the pace that is natural in WEC, I (like most people) expect a slugfest here.
-Villefort by TKO in Round 1
George Sotiropoulos Vs. George Roop
A lot of former TUF competitors on the card tonight, including three winners on the main card. In this match of of TUF 6 and TUF 8 fighters, I'm going to take the old Team Serra favorite just because he has so many more tools than Roop at this point even though I think Roop will enjoy more longterm success.
-Sotiropoulos by TKO in Round 2
Matthew Riddle Vs. Dan Cramer
These two guys both need the win and will want it since the loss will be a first for either of them in their short careers. Experience has most giving the edge to Riddle, but for some reason I just have never been able to see him as a serious fight. Cramer WILL make the most of this chance while Riddle only 'might.'
-Cramer by Unanimous Decision
Thales Leites Vs. Alessio Sakara
Quick and to the point: Sakara is boring.
-Leites by KO in Round 1
Tamdan McCrory Vs. John Howard
Howard must be six shades of stupid to accept a fight with a guy who is NINE inches taller and likely in his last welterweight fight before moving up to middleweight. No slugfest, just a smashfest. With the reach advantage huge here, it's hard to not expect a KO, McCrory likes his ground game and I don't think it will take him long to stop Howard.
-McCrory by submission in Round 1
Shane Nelson Vs. Aaron Riley
Because of the ending of their previous fight, I would assume there is no lack of dislike between these two here and that may be the difference. At the end of the day, Nelson seems like the more poised person and fighter who can't put all other things aside and just fight.
-Nelson by submission in Round 3
>MAIN CARD
Josh Neer Vs. Kurt Pellegrino
This is an interesting fight in the fact that both men have so much to win and also so much to lose in this fight. Neer however is just more talented on the ground and if this one goes there, he's top dog. But Kurt won't be so easy to be taken down, even if Neer is a bit bigger.
-Neer by submission in Round 2
Kendall Grove Vs. Ricardo Almeida
No secret to anyone I talk MMA with, I am a huge Kendall Grove fan. That said, this opinion (kind of unlike my UFC 100 predict of Michael Bisping) has nothing to do with that fandom. Many people have analyzed this fight as what Grove has to do either on the ground or to avoid getting hit hard in his sometimes questionable chin. But nobody is analyzing it how it should be: what is Almeida going to do to outwork Kendall Grove? Grove is an amazing striker who uses his intense reach to his advantage especially with high kicks and cutting knees out of his clinch. On the ground, he's long and flexible and hard to submit. All of that aside, Grove is right up there as one of the best workers in the fight game period. Alemeida just does not have enough for the old Kendall Grove (c. 2006) and he sure as hell doesn't have anything for the guy who's last fight ended in a highlight reel knockout. It may not be dominant for Kendall like his last two fights, but he doesn't need to be.
-Grove by Unanimous Decision
Amir Sadollah Vs. Johny Hendricks
Sadallah has a habit of facing guys calmly even though that guy talks way too much...and then submitting them (see CB Dollaway and...well, CB Dollaway again). Amir has been waiting a long time for a true, non-TUF, UFC debut and I'm going against the grain in the thought that Hendricks will frustrate and finish Amir. Mostly because I just don't see Sadollah getting frustrated ever. Hendricks is underestimating him.
-Sadollah by submission in Round 2
Anderson Silva Vs. Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin likes getting hit and hitting back...Anderson Silva will hit him. It's widely believed that it will take a miracle upset for anyone in the UFC to beat Anderson Silva...Forrest Griffin loves being a miracle upset. What does this mean? Hell if I know because this is a toss up. If Silva needs a highly contested wake up fight, he's got the right guy. No matter what, this won't go anywhere near a decision.
-Silva by TKO in Round 2
BJ Penn Vs. Kenny Florian
We might as well call this Penn/Florian I because I see this becoming a staple over the next several years. Fact is with the recent influx of Affliction heavyweight fighters, the lightweight division may be the UFC's weakest. So, other than Diego Sanchez, I don't see any other real possible challengers arise for the winner of this fight for a while. While that's nice and I see the third fight being the rubber match in the long run if it goes that route, nothing changes that Kenny Florian has worked too hard to get here. I believe that BJ Penn woke up after the GSP fight and isn't just resting on his laurels now, but I still think that KenFlo has put more effort, more passion and more drive into this run. This is so so so far from the Season One TUF runner-up Kenny Florian, it's unbelievable. You want BJ's belt? You get BJ's belt.
-Florian by submission in Round 4 to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion
>PRELIM FIGHTS
Jesse Lennox Vs. Danillo Villefort
Should be a strong welterweight fight with WEC guys making their UFC debuts. Considering the pace that is natural in WEC, I (like most people) expect a slugfest here.
-Villefort by TKO in Round 1
George Sotiropoulos Vs. George Roop
A lot of former TUF competitors on the card tonight, including three winners on the main card. In this match of of TUF 6 and TUF 8 fighters, I'm going to take the old Team Serra favorite just because he has so many more tools than Roop at this point even though I think Roop will enjoy more longterm success.
-Sotiropoulos by TKO in Round 2
Matthew Riddle Vs. Dan Cramer
These two guys both need the win and will want it since the loss will be a first for either of them in their short careers. Experience has most giving the edge to Riddle, but for some reason I just have never been able to see him as a serious fight. Cramer WILL make the most of this chance while Riddle only 'might.'
-Cramer by Unanimous Decision
Thales Leites Vs. Alessio Sakara
Quick and to the point: Sakara is boring.
-Leites by KO in Round 1
Tamdan McCrory Vs. John Howard
Howard must be six shades of stupid to accept a fight with a guy who is NINE inches taller and likely in his last welterweight fight before moving up to middleweight. No slugfest, just a smashfest. With the reach advantage huge here, it's hard to not expect a KO, McCrory likes his ground game and I don't think it will take him long to stop Howard.
-McCrory by submission in Round 1
Shane Nelson Vs. Aaron Riley
Because of the ending of their previous fight, I would assume there is no lack of dislike between these two here and that may be the difference. At the end of the day, Nelson seems like the more poised person and fighter who can't put all other things aside and just fight.
-Nelson by submission in Round 3
>MAIN CARD
Josh Neer Vs. Kurt Pellegrino
This is an interesting fight in the fact that both men have so much to win and also so much to lose in this fight. Neer however is just more talented on the ground and if this one goes there, he's top dog. But Kurt won't be so easy to be taken down, even if Neer is a bit bigger.
-Neer by submission in Round 2
Kendall Grove Vs. Ricardo Almeida
No secret to anyone I talk MMA with, I am a huge Kendall Grove fan. That said, this opinion (kind of unlike my UFC 100 predict of Michael Bisping) has nothing to do with that fandom. Many people have analyzed this fight as what Grove has to do either on the ground or to avoid getting hit hard in his sometimes questionable chin. But nobody is analyzing it how it should be: what is Almeida going to do to outwork Kendall Grove? Grove is an amazing striker who uses his intense reach to his advantage especially with high kicks and cutting knees out of his clinch. On the ground, he's long and flexible and hard to submit. All of that aside, Grove is right up there as one of the best workers in the fight game period. Alemeida just does not have enough for the old Kendall Grove (c. 2006) and he sure as hell doesn't have anything for the guy who's last fight ended in a highlight reel knockout. It may not be dominant for Kendall like his last two fights, but he doesn't need to be.
-Grove by Unanimous Decision
Amir Sadollah Vs. Johny Hendricks
Sadallah has a habit of facing guys calmly even though that guy talks way too much...and then submitting them (see CB Dollaway and...well, CB Dollaway again). Amir has been waiting a long time for a true, non-TUF, UFC debut and I'm going against the grain in the thought that Hendricks will frustrate and finish Amir. Mostly because I just don't see Sadollah getting frustrated ever. Hendricks is underestimating him.
-Sadollah by submission in Round 2
Anderson Silva Vs. Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin likes getting hit and hitting back...Anderson Silva will hit him. It's widely believed that it will take a miracle upset for anyone in the UFC to beat Anderson Silva...Forrest Griffin loves being a miracle upset. What does this mean? Hell if I know because this is a toss up. If Silva needs a highly contested wake up fight, he's got the right guy. No matter what, this won't go anywhere near a decision.
-Silva by TKO in Round 2
BJ Penn Vs. Kenny Florian
We might as well call this Penn/Florian I because I see this becoming a staple over the next several years. Fact is with the recent influx of Affliction heavyweight fighters, the lightweight division may be the UFC's weakest. So, other than Diego Sanchez, I don't see any other real possible challengers arise for the winner of this fight for a while. While that's nice and I see the third fight being the rubber match in the long run if it goes that route, nothing changes that Kenny Florian has worked too hard to get here. I believe that BJ Penn woke up after the GSP fight and isn't just resting on his laurels now, but I still think that KenFlo has put more effort, more passion and more drive into this run. This is so so so far from the Season One TUF runner-up Kenny Florian, it's unbelievable. You want BJ's belt? You get BJ's belt.
-Florian by submission in Round 4 to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion
Friday, July 10, 2009
> UFC 100 Predictions
>PRELIM FIGHTS
Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty
Who cares? Its a pretty irrelevant fight that hopefully sets a good tone for the evening. -Grice by TKO in Round 2
CB Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor
Very different styles collide and CB is just too much more disciplined.
-Dollaway by submission in Round 3
TJ Grant vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Grant steps in for Jonathan Goulet, who was originally scheduled for this fight. A fighter change always makes things interesting and in this case, I think that Grant is smart enough to avoid Kim's sharp elbows.
-Grant by unanimous submission
Jon Jones vs. Jake O'Brien
Jones is way stronger than O'Brien, that's all that matters.
-Jones by TKO in Round 1
Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller
There have been no Ultimate Fighter winners more dissapointing than Danzig, who is boring and subpar at best. He'll be lucky if Miller gives him any room. Miller's loss to Gray Maynard will be offset as he dominates Danzig.
-Miller by unanimous decision
Mark Coleman vs. Stephan Bonnar
At the Ultimate Finale of the Griffin/Rampage season, Kendall Grove (a (TUF alum) fought the late Evan Tanner (a former world champion) in a match Grove labeled as "loser leaves town." This is the sequel. Fortunatly for Bonnar, who TWICE stood toe to toe with Forrest Griffin, Coleman is too old and not going to have the conditioning he needs.
-Bonnar by TKO in Round 2
>MAIN CARD
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
This could become a slugfest with fight of the night potential even with the four other blockbuster main card fights. If Akiyama is smart, he won't let it become so because he can submit so much better than Belcher, a man who is much closer to one dimensional. Ground fight goes to Akiyama but I don't think he's smart enough to take it there.
-Belcher by unanimous decision
Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago
Thiago is 11-0 in his career, but only 1-0 in the UFC. And while he may be strong, very strong, knocking out Josh Koscheck isn't the most rare thing in the world. Fitch on the other hand doesn't care and I can all but guarantee that. He has the best chin in MMA and he'll take all that Thiago has to offer and give it back ten fold. My money is on my hometown boy.
-Fitch by split decision
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
Bisping's a striker, Henderson's a wrestler. The difference? Henderson can't defend striking as well as Bisping can defend wrestling. If the swing, eventually Bisping will catch Henderson but I don't know if Hendo can catch "The Count." On the ground, Bisping has improved his scrambling so well that Henderson may keep him down, but can he do anything with him while they are down there? It doesn't matter who Hendo has beaten, all that matters is this fight. It will be a classic but Henderson will go all out and that's comendable. I'd rather be a winner than commeded. Hendo stays close and fights, Bisping sticks and runs out of the line of fire. Call it what you will, I'll call it smart. Henderson will take Mike down, so the Brit was wrong. But he was right somewhere, he's gonna be the first to kncok Hendo out. The last time a fighter who has won The Ultimate Fighter, then gone on to coach the show later in their career, fought the guy they coached against, he won. Bisping is the new Griffin and fittingly he gets the next fight with Anderson Silva after Griffin fights him at 101.
-Bisping by TKO in Round 3
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves
Haven't I already said that hammering on Josh Koscheck isn't that big of a deal? Ok, so Alves is much better than Paulo Thiago but still Koscheck isn't a high placed reference point. Alves is a heavy hitter and if he lands a couple good, quick shots then GSP could be in trouble as we learned in the first Matt Serra fight. But its a lot easier to get surprised by Serra than Alves, who is well, well known for his heavy hands and power. GSP has seen every side of ever style and lived to talk about it and even laugh down at it after he beat it's ass.
-GSP retains by unanimous decision
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
Let's throw out that Lesnar doesn't even deserve to be in this spot and he got fast tracked because of his name. I am not sure how Lesnar thinks it is ok to talk that match trash when what he's done in the UFC is get dismantled by Mir, take 3 full rounds to beat Heath Herring (and who hasn't beat Heath Herring) and stop a very aged Randy Couture coming off an extended leave. If Lesnar wins, I will give him credit but there will still need to be a rubber match down the line. Until he wins, he's just a slightly more talented Kimbo Slice, ready to be exposed yet again. While most count Lesnar as the favorite- and yes he does have heavy, heavy hands- I see the fight as a lose/lose for him. If he goes to wrestler mode, we've seen what can and likely will happen. Frank Mir is just too good at BJJ no matter how much Brock has worked on his BJJ defense. Any position he wrestles Mir into, Frank can submit him. So how about just kick boxing? Well, Brock can't kick and Frank can. And no matter how much damage Brock's fists did in the first fight, Mir just...and let me make sure this is stressed...TKO'D NOGUEIRA!! Brock's too cocky, too angry and will make mistakes.
-Mir by submission in Round 2 to become the Undisputed champion
Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty
Who cares? Its a pretty irrelevant fight that hopefully sets a good tone for the evening. -Grice by TKO in Round 2
CB Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor
Very different styles collide and CB is just too much more disciplined.
-Dollaway by submission in Round 3
TJ Grant vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Grant steps in for Jonathan Goulet, who was originally scheduled for this fight. A fighter change always makes things interesting and in this case, I think that Grant is smart enough to avoid Kim's sharp elbows.
-Grant by unanimous submission
Jon Jones vs. Jake O'Brien
Jones is way stronger than O'Brien, that's all that matters.
-Jones by TKO in Round 1
Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller
There have been no Ultimate Fighter winners more dissapointing than Danzig, who is boring and subpar at best. He'll be lucky if Miller gives him any room. Miller's loss to Gray Maynard will be offset as he dominates Danzig.
-Miller by unanimous decision
Mark Coleman vs. Stephan Bonnar
At the Ultimate Finale of the Griffin/Rampage season, Kendall Grove (a (TUF alum) fought the late Evan Tanner (a former world champion) in a match Grove labeled as "loser leaves town." This is the sequel. Fortunatly for Bonnar, who TWICE stood toe to toe with Forrest Griffin, Coleman is too old and not going to have the conditioning he needs.
-Bonnar by TKO in Round 2
>MAIN CARD
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
This could become a slugfest with fight of the night potential even with the four other blockbuster main card fights. If Akiyama is smart, he won't let it become so because he can submit so much better than Belcher, a man who is much closer to one dimensional. Ground fight goes to Akiyama but I don't think he's smart enough to take it there.
-Belcher by unanimous decision
Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago
Thiago is 11-0 in his career, but only 1-0 in the UFC. And while he may be strong, very strong, knocking out Josh Koscheck isn't the most rare thing in the world. Fitch on the other hand doesn't care and I can all but guarantee that. He has the best chin in MMA and he'll take all that Thiago has to offer and give it back ten fold. My money is on my hometown boy.
-Fitch by split decision
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
Bisping's a striker, Henderson's a wrestler. The difference? Henderson can't defend striking as well as Bisping can defend wrestling. If the swing, eventually Bisping will catch Henderson but I don't know if Hendo can catch "The Count." On the ground, Bisping has improved his scrambling so well that Henderson may keep him down, but can he do anything with him while they are down there? It doesn't matter who Hendo has beaten, all that matters is this fight. It will be a classic but Henderson will go all out and that's comendable. I'd rather be a winner than commeded. Hendo stays close and fights, Bisping sticks and runs out of the line of fire. Call it what you will, I'll call it smart. Henderson will take Mike down, so the Brit was wrong. But he was right somewhere, he's gonna be the first to kncok Hendo out. The last time a fighter who has won The Ultimate Fighter, then gone on to coach the show later in their career, fought the guy they coached against, he won. Bisping is the new Griffin and fittingly he gets the next fight with Anderson Silva after Griffin fights him at 101.
-Bisping by TKO in Round 3
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves
Haven't I already said that hammering on Josh Koscheck isn't that big of a deal? Ok, so Alves is much better than Paulo Thiago but still Koscheck isn't a high placed reference point. Alves is a heavy hitter and if he lands a couple good, quick shots then GSP could be in trouble as we learned in the first Matt Serra fight. But its a lot easier to get surprised by Serra than Alves, who is well, well known for his heavy hands and power. GSP has seen every side of ever style and lived to talk about it and even laugh down at it after he beat it's ass.
-GSP retains by unanimous decision
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
Let's throw out that Lesnar doesn't even deserve to be in this spot and he got fast tracked because of his name. I am not sure how Lesnar thinks it is ok to talk that match trash when what he's done in the UFC is get dismantled by Mir, take 3 full rounds to beat Heath Herring (and who hasn't beat Heath Herring) and stop a very aged Randy Couture coming off an extended leave. If Lesnar wins, I will give him credit but there will still need to be a rubber match down the line. Until he wins, he's just a slightly more talented Kimbo Slice, ready to be exposed yet again. While most count Lesnar as the favorite- and yes he does have heavy, heavy hands- I see the fight as a lose/lose for him. If he goes to wrestler mode, we've seen what can and likely will happen. Frank Mir is just too good at BJJ no matter how much Brock has worked on his BJJ defense. Any position he wrestles Mir into, Frank can submit him. So how about just kick boxing? Well, Brock can't kick and Frank can. And no matter how much damage Brock's fists did in the first fight, Mir just...and let me make sure this is stressed...TKO'D NOGUEIRA!! Brock's too cocky, too angry and will make mistakes.
-Mir by submission in Round 2 to become the Undisputed champion
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
> UFC Top Ten Fights
Tomorrow night, the UFC will finalize their 'Ultimate 100 Greatest Fights' countdown on Spike with the top 10 all time. I, for one, am currently baffled by Mike Goldberg's continuous question of what will be number one because in my mind it's a clear cut choice. But already in the countdown, there have been some I have questioned, which has motivated me to write this column on my personal favorite ten fights that I have ever seen in the UFC.
First note, these are strictly UFC fights so don't count any of the other fights I have seen in other organizations. Sorry, Urijah Faber/Mike Brown II, you would have been high on my list.
Second note, I like many started getting into the UFC with and because of The Ultimate Fighter. So, any fights that I have seen (and there are many) from pre-Ultimate Fighter days have only been seen in retrospect and not when they originally happened. The exception to that are fights from UFC 1-3, which I saw at a friend's house on VHS as a teenager. So without furthur delay, these are the Top 10 UFC fights I have ever seen:
10. Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta
- Guida and Huerta put on an all-out war, which is usual of both men's fights. Guida has done it countless times, Huerta did it with Leonard Garcia and others. An even fight is usually one that will be decided not by who catches who first, but by who makes the first mistake. That's how Huerta finished this one.
9. Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher I
- I know their second fight is universally regarded as the better because Fisher was seen more on his game. Yes, he cut a lot of weight quick in taking this fight late, but that makes it even more impressive in my mind. Stout/Fisher II was good and it was neccesary because
8. Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida
- This was the last fight the UFC had and it still even made the top 15 on the UFC Ultimate 100 countdown. That's for good reason because the pace rarely let up and neither man quit even bloody and/or battered. In my opinion, heart makes good fights and few, if any, have bigger hearts than these two.
7. Kendall Grove vs. Ed Herman
- UFC Magazine recently referred to this Ultimate Fighter 3 middleweight title fight at "Griffin/Bonnar on the ground." And they were right. These guys went to battle for three rounds as the best two fighters on the seasons. It doesn't matter than Herman went on to flop and Grove's career has been up and down. When two guys roll around and you never know who's going to catch who in a possible fight closing submission, it's almost equally exciting as a slugfest.
6. Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock
- This was one of the first fights for both fighters to really showcase a barrage of the different techniques of MMA. It really launched Tito Ortiz as a superstar and while striking was getting more important in the sport, it was Frank Shamrock's submissions that helped keep BJJ and old school shoot fighting in the forefront too.
5. Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia
- Fact is that Couture dominated this match, but that didn't make it less great. What makes it great is that, no matter his age, he didn't let up for the entire fight and didn't let five rounds faze him. This fight was one of the most important in the transition period of the UFC to mainstream.
4. Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch
- Another fight where one guy (GSP) was just dominant and really showed that Fitch wasn't on his level. But in this one, unlike with Sylvia, Fitch proved that he was still a beast. When you can pretty much get your ass handed to you and still come out looking like a monster, then the fight was a classic. GSP went to town, Fitch didn't back down.
3. Forrest Griffin vs. Rampage Jackson
- The best five rounder I have ever witnessed by far. The fact that you could make an argument for Griffin, Rampage or even a draw in the decision makes that clear. Both men had scouted eachother well, no matter what excuses Rampage makes now. What stood out was who was willing to go outside of their normal gameplan the most and that was Forrest with his leg kicks. Rampage didn't adjust and Forrest took advantage and Jackson's title.
2. Jared Rollins vs. Jon 'War Machine' Koppenhaver
- Ok, so here is where I rant a little. How the hell is this #81 on the Ultimate 100 countdown? I'm sure part of it is the UFC's biased (you know that entire thing can't be fully by fan vote) because they don't exactly have a good relationship with Koppenhaver. You saw how bad they've talked about Ortiz, who they likewise aren't buddies with, even though he's one of the UFC greats. The rest of it may be the fact that fans are gonna vote for big names and be more inclined to forget about two guys who don't fight in the UFC anymore who were on the undercard of an Ultimate Fighter Finale.
These two guys were not the best fighters on the Team Hughes/Team Serra season and there is a reason that they weren't fighting for the contract. But never in a million years would you have thought that watching them. If you had watched the season's first episode to see who was competing then not tuned in again until the finale, you would have thought this was the title fight. I don't know if I have ever seen two guys who wanted to lose less. There was no way that either guy was going to tap in this one and going to the judges would have been heartbreaking if it wasn't ruled a draw. Luckily War Machine took care of that for them, but only seconds of being on the verge of losing by TKO himself. It will forever stand as one of the greatest slug fests in UFC history. And it doesn't hurt that it was a bloody, bloody affair.
1. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar I
- Here's your answer Mike Goldberg...the ONLY fight that can be number one. Fight! Magazine named it such, UFC Magazine named it such, I'm naming it such and if the Ultimate 100 Countdown doesn't name it as such, then the voting UFC fans should all be stoned.
Forget that it was for the second contract ever awarded by the UFC to an Ultimate Fighter winner (most people refer to Griffin as the original Ultimate Fighter, when Diego Sanchez took home his title first that night). Forget that this show and this fight launched the UFC and MMA into the mainstream and made it acceptable by many people worldwide who had written the sport off years and years ago. Even forget that this show was the first live UFC event to ever appear on cable television.
All of that aside, take what Griffin and Bonnar did on April 9, 2005 as what it was- it was a fight. There is a line in the movie Rocky Balboa where Rocky asks "what's so crazy about standing toe to toe with someone saying 'I am'?" That is what these two did. They didn't roll around, they didn't get technical, there was Muay Thai, there was no BJJ. There was Griffin, Bonnar and flurry of fists. It was a fight in the purist, most glorious form. It changed the face of the sport and made MMA what it is that we all see today. But even without that, even if it didn't do anything to help the UFC really establish itself, the fight stands alone as THE best ever.
(honorable mention: Griffin/Bonnar II, Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn II and Nate Quarry vs. Pete Sell)
First note, these are strictly UFC fights so don't count any of the other fights I have seen in other organizations. Sorry, Urijah Faber/Mike Brown II, you would have been high on my list.
Second note, I like many started getting into the UFC with and because of The Ultimate Fighter. So, any fights that I have seen (and there are many) from pre-Ultimate Fighter days have only been seen in retrospect and not when they originally happened. The exception to that are fights from UFC 1-3, which I saw at a friend's house on VHS as a teenager. So without furthur delay, these are the Top 10 UFC fights I have ever seen:
10. Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta
- Guida and Huerta put on an all-out war, which is usual of both men's fights. Guida has done it countless times, Huerta did it with Leonard Garcia and others. An even fight is usually one that will be decided not by who catches who first, but by who makes the first mistake. That's how Huerta finished this one.
9. Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher I
- I know their second fight is universally regarded as the better because Fisher was seen more on his game. Yes, he cut a lot of weight quick in taking this fight late, but that makes it even more impressive in my mind. Stout/Fisher II was good and it was neccesary because
8. Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida
- This was the last fight the UFC had and it still even made the top 15 on the UFC Ultimate 100 countdown. That's for good reason because the pace rarely let up and neither man quit even bloody and/or battered. In my opinion, heart makes good fights and few, if any, have bigger hearts than these two.
7. Kendall Grove vs. Ed Herman
- UFC Magazine recently referred to this Ultimate Fighter 3 middleweight title fight at "Griffin/Bonnar on the ground." And they were right. These guys went to battle for three rounds as the best two fighters on the seasons. It doesn't matter than Herman went on to flop and Grove's career has been up and down. When two guys roll around and you never know who's going to catch who in a possible fight closing submission, it's almost equally exciting as a slugfest.
6. Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock
- This was one of the first fights for both fighters to really showcase a barrage of the different techniques of MMA. It really launched Tito Ortiz as a superstar and while striking was getting more important in the sport, it was Frank Shamrock's submissions that helped keep BJJ and old school shoot fighting in the forefront too.
5. Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia
- Fact is that Couture dominated this match, but that didn't make it less great. What makes it great is that, no matter his age, he didn't let up for the entire fight and didn't let five rounds faze him. This fight was one of the most important in the transition period of the UFC to mainstream.
4. Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch
- Another fight where one guy (GSP) was just dominant and really showed that Fitch wasn't on his level. But in this one, unlike with Sylvia, Fitch proved that he was still a beast. When you can pretty much get your ass handed to you and still come out looking like a monster, then the fight was a classic. GSP went to town, Fitch didn't back down.
3. Forrest Griffin vs. Rampage Jackson
- The best five rounder I have ever witnessed by far. The fact that you could make an argument for Griffin, Rampage or even a draw in the decision makes that clear. Both men had scouted eachother well, no matter what excuses Rampage makes now. What stood out was who was willing to go outside of their normal gameplan the most and that was Forrest with his leg kicks. Rampage didn't adjust and Forrest took advantage and Jackson's title.
2. Jared Rollins vs. Jon 'War Machine' Koppenhaver
- Ok, so here is where I rant a little. How the hell is this #81 on the Ultimate 100 countdown? I'm sure part of it is the UFC's biased (you know that entire thing can't be fully by fan vote) because they don't exactly have a good relationship with Koppenhaver. You saw how bad they've talked about Ortiz, who they likewise aren't buddies with, even though he's one of the UFC greats. The rest of it may be the fact that fans are gonna vote for big names and be more inclined to forget about two guys who don't fight in the UFC anymore who were on the undercard of an Ultimate Fighter Finale.
These two guys were not the best fighters on the Team Hughes/Team Serra season and there is a reason that they weren't fighting for the contract. But never in a million years would you have thought that watching them. If you had watched the season's first episode to see who was competing then not tuned in again until the finale, you would have thought this was the title fight. I don't know if I have ever seen two guys who wanted to lose less. There was no way that either guy was going to tap in this one and going to the judges would have been heartbreaking if it wasn't ruled a draw. Luckily War Machine took care of that for them, but only seconds of being on the verge of losing by TKO himself. It will forever stand as one of the greatest slug fests in UFC history. And it doesn't hurt that it was a bloody, bloody affair.
1. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar I
- Here's your answer Mike Goldberg...the ONLY fight that can be number one. Fight! Magazine named it such, UFC Magazine named it such, I'm naming it such and if the Ultimate 100 Countdown doesn't name it as such, then the voting UFC fans should all be stoned.
Forget that it was for the second contract ever awarded by the UFC to an Ultimate Fighter winner (most people refer to Griffin as the original Ultimate Fighter, when Diego Sanchez took home his title first that night). Forget that this show and this fight launched the UFC and MMA into the mainstream and made it acceptable by many people worldwide who had written the sport off years and years ago. Even forget that this show was the first live UFC event to ever appear on cable television.
All of that aside, take what Griffin and Bonnar did on April 9, 2005 as what it was- it was a fight. There is a line in the movie Rocky Balboa where Rocky asks "what's so crazy about standing toe to toe with someone saying 'I am'?" That is what these two did. They didn't roll around, they didn't get technical, there was Muay Thai, there was no BJJ. There was Griffin, Bonnar and flurry of fists. It was a fight in the purist, most glorious form. It changed the face of the sport and made MMA what it is that we all see today. But even without that, even if it didn't do anything to help the UFC really establish itself, the fight stands alone as THE best ever.
(honorable mention: Griffin/Bonnar II, Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn II and Nate Quarry vs. Pete Sell)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
> Best and Worst of the NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft has wrapped and now it’s time to break down the picks and see which teams and players made off like bandits and which teams just got left standing.
Each of these first three categories is broke down into four parts: the lottery (L), the remainder of the first round (R1), the first half of round two (2F) and the second half of round two (2S).
>The Best Picks
L: Ricky Rubio - #5 to Timberwolves
R1: Ty Lawson - #18 to Nuggets (via Timberwolves)
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Jack McClinton - #51 to Spurs
>The Worst Picks
L: Tyler Hansbrough - #13 to Pacers
R1: Taj Gibson - #26 to Bulls
2F: Sergio Llull - #34 to Rockets (via Nuggets)
2S: Sergey Gladyr - #49 to Hawks
>The Steals
L: Jordan Hill - #8 to Knicks
R1: Jrue Holiday - #17 to 76ers
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Patrick Mills - #55 to Trail Blazers
>Winning teams
Minnesota Timberwolves
-Great guard draft with Flynn, Rubio and Ellington. Other three picks wil help them down the road.
San Antonio Spurs
-The Richard Jefferson pickup was nice but the Spurs stole Dejuan Blair and Jack McClinton in round 2. These guys are two that could have gone in round one.
Oklahoma City Thunder
-James Harden is a better pick than most people think at #3. The helped their depth by adding Robert Vaden via a trade late.
>Losing teams
Los Angeles Clippers
-They drafted Griffin, he's not THAT big of a difference maker. Not making any other moves was a dumb decision.
Atlanta Hawks
-The Hawks have a lump to get over that Jeff Teague won't help with. They needed another point or maybe a way to grad some round two picks.
Houston Rockets
-With no picks, the Rockets made moves thrice in round two, giving up only future considerations or money. But did they help themselves at all with Jermaine Taylor, Sergio Llull and Chase Budinger?
>Winning players
Jonny Flynn - #6 to Timberwolves
-Flynn does not have to be a huge player right away. Coupled with his other rookie teammates and what Minnesota already has, Flynn can develop naturally.
Taylor Griffin - #48 to Suns
-Thank god his brother is who he is because Taylor should not have gotten drafted, let alone so early in round two.
>Losing players
Blake Griffin - #1 to Clippers
-Can you win as a Clipper?
Stephen Curry - #7 to Warriors
-Unless they pull the trigger on a trade for Amare Stoudamire, the Warriors have just left Curry on an island by himself.
>Who got left out that should have gone
Tyrese Rice – Boston College
Dionte Christmas - Temple
Ben Woodside – North Dakota State
Jerel McNeal - Marquette
Orlando Mendez-Valdez – Western Kentucky
Each of these first three categories is broke down into four parts: the lottery (L), the remainder of the first round (R1), the first half of round two (2F) and the second half of round two (2S).
>The Best Picks
L: Ricky Rubio - #5 to Timberwolves
R1: Ty Lawson - #18 to Nuggets (via Timberwolves)
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Jack McClinton - #51 to Spurs
>The Worst Picks
L: Tyler Hansbrough - #13 to Pacers
R1: Taj Gibson - #26 to Bulls
2F: Sergio Llull - #34 to Rockets (via Nuggets)
2S: Sergey Gladyr - #49 to Hawks
>The Steals
L: Jordan Hill - #8 to Knicks
R1: Jrue Holiday - #17 to 76ers
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Patrick Mills - #55 to Trail Blazers
>Winning teams
Minnesota Timberwolves
-Great guard draft with Flynn, Rubio and Ellington. Other three picks wil help them down the road.
San Antonio Spurs
-The Richard Jefferson pickup was nice but the Spurs stole Dejuan Blair and Jack McClinton in round 2. These guys are two that could have gone in round one.
Oklahoma City Thunder
-James Harden is a better pick than most people think at #3. The helped their depth by adding Robert Vaden via a trade late.
>Losing teams
Los Angeles Clippers
-They drafted Griffin, he's not THAT big of a difference maker. Not making any other moves was a dumb decision.
Atlanta Hawks
-The Hawks have a lump to get over that Jeff Teague won't help with. They needed another point or maybe a way to grad some round two picks.
Houston Rockets
-With no picks, the Rockets made moves thrice in round two, giving up only future considerations or money. But did they help themselves at all with Jermaine Taylor, Sergio Llull and Chase Budinger?
>Winning players
Jonny Flynn - #6 to Timberwolves
-Flynn does not have to be a huge player right away. Coupled with his other rookie teammates and what Minnesota already has, Flynn can develop naturally.
Taylor Griffin - #48 to Suns
-Thank god his brother is who he is because Taylor should not have gotten drafted, let alone so early in round two.
>Losing players
Blake Griffin - #1 to Clippers
-Can you win as a Clipper?
Stephen Curry - #7 to Warriors
-Unless they pull the trigger on a trade for Amare Stoudamire, the Warriors have just left Curry on an island by himself.
>Who got left out that should have gone
Tyrese Rice – Boston College
Dionte Christmas - Temple
Ben Woodside – North Dakota State
Jerel McNeal - Marquette
Orlando Mendez-Valdez – Western Kentucky
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
> Dear NBA, this is Ben Woodside
Dear NBA,
I am scouring the Mock Draft boards and I don't see his name. I'm looking, maybe he's listed under something different? But I don't see the phrase "Almost Upset Kansas," I don't see "Made Sherron Collins look like his bitch," I don't see "Best Low-to-Mid Major player in the country," and I don't even see "Captain Underrated."
So I certainly don't see "Ben Woodside."
Over four years, I saw Woodside patrol the court a handful of times against the local IPFW Mastodon team who have shared both Independent and Summit League affiliations with Woodside's North Dakota State. And no, I've never particularly been a fan of his. Then again, that may have been due to the fact that Woodside's skill and maturity (even in his freshman season) was just that far ahead of everyone else on the court. He never was flustered, never showed signs that he was worried about he or his fellow Bisons when they went the limit in this year's Summit League title game with Oakland. Instead, he calmly stepped up and knocked down a buzzer beating 15-footer to send the Bison to their first NCAA Tournament in their first year of tournament eligibility.
I watched him calmly put up 37 and almost beat Kansas in the opening round of that tournament. Oh yeah, he scored 60 in the 2008-2009 season against Stephen F. Austin.
So, why don't I see his name?
I think it's great that his home state Timberwolves and also the Oklahoma City Thunder have brought Woodside in for workouts, showing they aren't scared off by his 5'10'' frame. And yeah, he has worked out in front of representatives from the majority of teams in the league in camps this summer. But why in the hell is there not more interest in this kid?
The OKC is not going to take Woodside at number three, so unless they trade for a pick, that workout is pretty much for naught. Yes, Minnesota is the most logical, he's a homerun local pick with the 45th or 47th pick and I pray that is where Woodside goes as he can be very useful on a team looking for an identity with young players who need some peer guidance. Portland should be another team on the lookout for Woodside at 55 and 56 and what about Utah? I'm told by a friend with much more knowledge of that franchise that if Kyle Korver bolts, they may need another shooter so taking Woodside at 50 wouldn't be a stretch pending on who they take in the first round.
Either way this pans out, Woodside is going to get a shot this summer and there is little doubt in that. He will get a spot on a summer league roster, may get invited to camp and might even slip onto an opening day roster. But Ben Woodside deserves better. The second round is a crap shoot of longshots and ANYBODY could go ANYWHERE. So all I am saying is this: take Ben Woodside. It's not a request, not a plea, it's more like an order. Slip outside of VCU's Eric Maynor and find me a more poised, reliable, adult point guard who can also score off the dribble and I will tell you that you are lying.
Dear NBA, this is Ben Woodside. Get used to him, he's no joke.
I am scouring the Mock Draft boards and I don't see his name. I'm looking, maybe he's listed under something different? But I don't see the phrase "Almost Upset Kansas," I don't see "Made Sherron Collins look like his bitch," I don't see "Best Low-to-Mid Major player in the country," and I don't even see "Captain Underrated."
So I certainly don't see "Ben Woodside."
Over four years, I saw Woodside patrol the court a handful of times against the local IPFW Mastodon team who have shared both Independent and Summit League affiliations with Woodside's North Dakota State. And no, I've never particularly been a fan of his. Then again, that may have been due to the fact that Woodside's skill and maturity (even in his freshman season) was just that far ahead of everyone else on the court. He never was flustered, never showed signs that he was worried about he or his fellow Bisons when they went the limit in this year's Summit League title game with Oakland. Instead, he calmly stepped up and knocked down a buzzer beating 15-footer to send the Bison to their first NCAA Tournament in their first year of tournament eligibility.
I watched him calmly put up 37 and almost beat Kansas in the opening round of that tournament. Oh yeah, he scored 60 in the 2008-2009 season against Stephen F. Austin.
So, why don't I see his name?
I think it's great that his home state Timberwolves and also the Oklahoma City Thunder have brought Woodside in for workouts, showing they aren't scared off by his 5'10'' frame. And yeah, he has worked out in front of representatives from the majority of teams in the league in camps this summer. But why in the hell is there not more interest in this kid?
The OKC is not going to take Woodside at number three, so unless they trade for a pick, that workout is pretty much for naught. Yes, Minnesota is the most logical, he's a homerun local pick with the 45th or 47th pick and I pray that is where Woodside goes as he can be very useful on a team looking for an identity with young players who need some peer guidance. Portland should be another team on the lookout for Woodside at 55 and 56 and what about Utah? I'm told by a friend with much more knowledge of that franchise that if Kyle Korver bolts, they may need another shooter so taking Woodside at 50 wouldn't be a stretch pending on who they take in the first round.
Either way this pans out, Woodside is going to get a shot this summer and there is little doubt in that. He will get a spot on a summer league roster, may get invited to camp and might even slip onto an opening day roster. But Ben Woodside deserves better. The second round is a crap shoot of longshots and ANYBODY could go ANYWHERE. So all I am saying is this: take Ben Woodside. It's not a request, not a plea, it's more like an order. Slip outside of VCU's Eric Maynor and find me a more poised, reliable, adult point guard who can also score off the dribble and I will tell you that you are lying.
Dear NBA, this is Ben Woodside. Get used to him, he's no joke.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
> 2009 NBA Mock Draft
Take it for what it is...it's an odd collective of players this year and pretty much a crap shoot in guessing, even with just two days until draft time.
1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin / Oklahoma
Griffin is pretty much the only guarantee at this point simply because of his basketball maturity and potential. He is a scorer who can come in and help the team while not clashing with stars like Baron Davis. Potential wise, he has the most long term of anyone in this draft, but the Clippers need to know he won't be a quick fix for their ailing franchise unless they add more around him this offseason.
2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet / UConn
Memphis is in a unique spot where they need something, they just don't seem to know what. They already have a strong foundation of highly skilled young players with the likes of Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. So without needing to take a player like either of those two, they can gamble a little on Thabeet who still needs some tweaking, but isn't the prototypical "project player." And, it doesn't hurt that he is a 7-footer that can move around better than most at his height.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden / Arizona State
While it's hard to pass on Ricky Rubio here, I just don't see a need for him in the OKC with Russell Westbrook leading things at the point. So with so many other voids to fill, they need to go for the best pure athlete here and that's Harden.
4. Sacramento Kings - Ricky Rubio / Spain
If I were making a draft pick, Rubio would be my guy. He has strong ball handling skills and unparalelled international experience for someone of his age. He has the most imediate upside in my opinion of any of the top picks. The Kings luck out here that Oklahoma City already has a young point guard and Rubio drops to four.
5. Washington Wizards - Tyreke Evans / Memphis
Smart money says that Evans goes here, even if the proposed trade to the Timberwolves goes through. He's another athletic player who has the intangibles and can score, which both teams need. He accents Gilbert Arenas well if Washington does stay here and he replaces Randy Foye in the scoring capacity if the T-Wolves ship Foye to Washington in part for this pick.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jordan Hill / Arizona
Minnesota needs a lot of things, most notably another big to help Kevin Love down low. Hill is not going to be a prime time scorer in the NBA, but he can rebound well and be a shot blocker. It makes sense to take Hill here and free up the later first (2) and second (2) round picks. However, if they don't pull the trigger to get the 5th pick, they might want to take someone more athletic here instead of drafting for size.
7. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Jennings / Italy
It has been years since the Warriors have drafted an effective player, which is what Jennings would be as he fits in well with the up tempo style that made the Warriors one of the league's best offensive teams a year ago.
8. New York Knicks - Jrue Holiday / UCLA
The Knicks need a strong combo guard. Stephen Curry is the 'duh' pick here. The Knicks have a habit of dissapointing their fans with the draft held in New York yearly. All that said, I expect them to make another bad move, pass on Curry and allow the Big Apple faithful to boo the UCLA freshman right off the stage.
9. Toronto Raptors - Stephen Curry / Davidson
Toronto needs another super freak athlete in the mold of former players Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Unfortunatly, if the Knicks get stupid like usual, it is too hard to pass up Curry who would really be a steal at nine.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Demar DeRozan / USC
With the trade of Richard Jefferson for three guys who won't do much, the Bucks really need a score now guy and fast rising projected points Jonny Flynn and Ty Lawson won't be that guy. The fluctuating DeRozan is the best bet of someone who can help earlish and oftenish.
11. New Jersey Nets - Terrence Williams / Louisville
New Jersey is the most solid of the lottery teams and Williams fills their only real void at the 2-guard.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Henderson / Duke
Charlotte has been a team not so much of habit in the past, outside of the no brainer Emeka Okafor pick in their first draft. That said, it is hard to predict what the hell Michael Jordan may do here. Best bet is they stay inside and get a state of North Carolina guy who also fills a need at the shooting guard area.
13. Indiana Pacers - DeJaun Blair / Pittsburgh
With the aging Jeff Foster and the ill-used Josh McRoberts and Maceo Baston likely out of the post and out the door to free agency, the Pacers need to go big. DeJuan Blair doesn't fit the mold of any of those three, but maybe that is what is needed for this team that still needs to clean up the rough edges from last offseason's overhaul.
14. Phoenix Suns - BJ Mullens / Ohio State
I personally don't see the draw of Mullens, who I can't even call a disspointment at Ohio State. But many others do. With Shaq aging and potentially out the door this summer, Phoenix needs another big behind Amare Stoudemire. With Blair out of the equation, Mullens is the next highest post on most people's radar.
15. Detroit Pistons - Jonny Flynn / Syracuse
Flynns is climbing most Mock Drafts, but a good deal of teams don't need a point and that is hurting both he and Ty Lawson. But with his freak vertical and more than average wingspan, Flynn has the potential to be a very different kind of hybrid combo guard in the NBA. That potential is too much for Detroit to pass on with Rodney Stuckey at the point and a seemingly unhappy duo of Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince on the wings.
16. Chicago Bulls - Earl Clark / Louisville
Welcome to the crap shoot part of the draft where nobody has any idea who really is going to go where. The Bulls don't need anything other than depth, so they can afford to take a risk here on a guy that isn't as reliable won't be a prime time player until he puts in some work.
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor / VCU
Does Andre Miller stay? Does it matter? In NBA terms, he's aging a bit so Philly needs to take someone who can run the point in a couple of years if not right away. With the holes at the 2 spot, they also need a point who can score. Maynor is mature and reliable.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Johnson / Wake Forest
He's a top 10 pick in some Mock Drafts and Minnesota should have already addressed their post issues in the lottery, so take a chance on Johnson here; he's athletic, young and can be molded.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Ty Lawson / UNC
Hawks need depth at point behind Mike Bibby (should he return) and most other teams don't really need a true point, so the Hawks could luck out here if Lawson really does slip.
20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Teague / Wake Forest.
Almost every Mock Draft has Tyler Hansbrough here, but I am not sold that he will be worth even a pick this high. Utah does not draft well, which is sad because they could lose tons in free agency. The smart pick is a "just in case" post (not Hansbrough), but I don't see Utah making the smartest pick, still Teague will not be a bad decision.
21. New Orleans Hornets - Austin Daye / Gonzaga
New Orleans also needs a "just in case" post pending their offseason moves and the big men are getting pretty thin here.
22. Dallas Mavericks - Darren Collison / UCLA
Even if Jason Kidd comes back, Dallas needs someone who will be their next floor general with Kidd and Jason Terry at their ages.
23. Sacramento Kings - Omri Casspi / Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Kings can play around here a little if they do indeed land Rubio at #4, so trading this pick to try and bring in a couple reliable guys wouldn't be a bad idea. Granted, this is a team that hasn't made a good pick since Hedo Turkoglu in 2000, so who knows what they might do.
24. Portland Trail Blazers - Sam Young / Pittsburgh
Portland has never shyed away from the International player, but I think they will stay more conventional here. And no, conventional doesn't mean smart.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Demarre Carroll / Missouri
OKC is still a year away from really knowing what they need. Until then, they need to keep playing around with different options and Carroll is the best player available at this point.
26. Chicago Bulls - Tyler Hansbrough / UNC
Chicago has a decent set of guys in the post already and could benefit from Hansbrough's game while not needing him to provide too much too quickly.
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Patrick Mills / Saint Mary's
Going big early if they take Thabeet means going small late, which has to mean Patrick Mills if he is still available. Combo'ing him with Conley and Gay could prove highly effective.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - DaJuan Summers / Georgetown
It is the final person in the Kevin Garnett 7-for-1 deal and it's probably one of the most relevant. Minnesota has three to four first round picks so can have both an aggressive and wait and see attitude. This is the best spot for them because they have who they want, now they can get someone else who just slipped because of other picks.
29. Los Angeles Lakers - Rodrigue Beaubois / Cholet (International)
What do you need when you've just won a NBA title and three of your four free agents are likely staying put? Best guess is another point who can add depth with Jordan Farmar's oft-odd play and Derek Fisher not getting younger.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Toney Douglas / Florida State
Cleveland has this pick so that they can either: (1) add an athletic player who plays defense to their mix on the wing or (2) throw it away. Douglas could fit either mold.
Just outside the first round/potential late first round picks (in order): Chase Budinger (Arizona), Wayne Ellington (UNC), Nick Calathes (Florida), Marcus Thornton (LSU), Victor Claver (International), Taj Gibson (USC)
1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin / Oklahoma
Griffin is pretty much the only guarantee at this point simply because of his basketball maturity and potential. He is a scorer who can come in and help the team while not clashing with stars like Baron Davis. Potential wise, he has the most long term of anyone in this draft, but the Clippers need to know he won't be a quick fix for their ailing franchise unless they add more around him this offseason.
2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet / UConn
Memphis is in a unique spot where they need something, they just don't seem to know what. They already have a strong foundation of highly skilled young players with the likes of Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. So without needing to take a player like either of those two, they can gamble a little on Thabeet who still needs some tweaking, but isn't the prototypical "project player." And, it doesn't hurt that he is a 7-footer that can move around better than most at his height.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden / Arizona State
While it's hard to pass on Ricky Rubio here, I just don't see a need for him in the OKC with Russell Westbrook leading things at the point. So with so many other voids to fill, they need to go for the best pure athlete here and that's Harden.
4. Sacramento Kings - Ricky Rubio / Spain
If I were making a draft pick, Rubio would be my guy. He has strong ball handling skills and unparalelled international experience for someone of his age. He has the most imediate upside in my opinion of any of the top picks. The Kings luck out here that Oklahoma City already has a young point guard and Rubio drops to four.
5. Washington Wizards - Tyreke Evans / Memphis
Smart money says that Evans goes here, even if the proposed trade to the Timberwolves goes through. He's another athletic player who has the intangibles and can score, which both teams need. He accents Gilbert Arenas well if Washington does stay here and he replaces Randy Foye in the scoring capacity if the T-Wolves ship Foye to Washington in part for this pick.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jordan Hill / Arizona
Minnesota needs a lot of things, most notably another big to help Kevin Love down low. Hill is not going to be a prime time scorer in the NBA, but he can rebound well and be a shot blocker. It makes sense to take Hill here and free up the later first (2) and second (2) round picks. However, if they don't pull the trigger to get the 5th pick, they might want to take someone more athletic here instead of drafting for size.
7. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Jennings / Italy
It has been years since the Warriors have drafted an effective player, which is what Jennings would be as he fits in well with the up tempo style that made the Warriors one of the league's best offensive teams a year ago.
8. New York Knicks - Jrue Holiday / UCLA
The Knicks need a strong combo guard. Stephen Curry is the 'duh' pick here. The Knicks have a habit of dissapointing their fans with the draft held in New York yearly. All that said, I expect them to make another bad move, pass on Curry and allow the Big Apple faithful to boo the UCLA freshman right off the stage.
9. Toronto Raptors - Stephen Curry / Davidson
Toronto needs another super freak athlete in the mold of former players Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Unfortunatly, if the Knicks get stupid like usual, it is too hard to pass up Curry who would really be a steal at nine.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Demar DeRozan / USC
With the trade of Richard Jefferson for three guys who won't do much, the Bucks really need a score now guy and fast rising projected points Jonny Flynn and Ty Lawson won't be that guy. The fluctuating DeRozan is the best bet of someone who can help earlish and oftenish.
11. New Jersey Nets - Terrence Williams / Louisville
New Jersey is the most solid of the lottery teams and Williams fills their only real void at the 2-guard.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Henderson / Duke
Charlotte has been a team not so much of habit in the past, outside of the no brainer Emeka Okafor pick in their first draft. That said, it is hard to predict what the hell Michael Jordan may do here. Best bet is they stay inside and get a state of North Carolina guy who also fills a need at the shooting guard area.
13. Indiana Pacers - DeJaun Blair / Pittsburgh
With the aging Jeff Foster and the ill-used Josh McRoberts and Maceo Baston likely out of the post and out the door to free agency, the Pacers need to go big. DeJuan Blair doesn't fit the mold of any of those three, but maybe that is what is needed for this team that still needs to clean up the rough edges from last offseason's overhaul.
14. Phoenix Suns - BJ Mullens / Ohio State
I personally don't see the draw of Mullens, who I can't even call a disspointment at Ohio State. But many others do. With Shaq aging and potentially out the door this summer, Phoenix needs another big behind Amare Stoudemire. With Blair out of the equation, Mullens is the next highest post on most people's radar.
15. Detroit Pistons - Jonny Flynn / Syracuse
Flynns is climbing most Mock Drafts, but a good deal of teams don't need a point and that is hurting both he and Ty Lawson. But with his freak vertical and more than average wingspan, Flynn has the potential to be a very different kind of hybrid combo guard in the NBA. That potential is too much for Detroit to pass on with Rodney Stuckey at the point and a seemingly unhappy duo of Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince on the wings.
16. Chicago Bulls - Earl Clark / Louisville
Welcome to the crap shoot part of the draft where nobody has any idea who really is going to go where. The Bulls don't need anything other than depth, so they can afford to take a risk here on a guy that isn't as reliable won't be a prime time player until he puts in some work.
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor / VCU
Does Andre Miller stay? Does it matter? In NBA terms, he's aging a bit so Philly needs to take someone who can run the point in a couple of years if not right away. With the holes at the 2 spot, they also need a point who can score. Maynor is mature and reliable.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Johnson / Wake Forest
He's a top 10 pick in some Mock Drafts and Minnesota should have already addressed their post issues in the lottery, so take a chance on Johnson here; he's athletic, young and can be molded.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Ty Lawson / UNC
Hawks need depth at point behind Mike Bibby (should he return) and most other teams don't really need a true point, so the Hawks could luck out here if Lawson really does slip.
20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Teague / Wake Forest.
Almost every Mock Draft has Tyler Hansbrough here, but I am not sold that he will be worth even a pick this high. Utah does not draft well, which is sad because they could lose tons in free agency. The smart pick is a "just in case" post (not Hansbrough), but I don't see Utah making the smartest pick, still Teague will not be a bad decision.
21. New Orleans Hornets - Austin Daye / Gonzaga
New Orleans also needs a "just in case" post pending their offseason moves and the big men are getting pretty thin here.
22. Dallas Mavericks - Darren Collison / UCLA
Even if Jason Kidd comes back, Dallas needs someone who will be their next floor general with Kidd and Jason Terry at their ages.
23. Sacramento Kings - Omri Casspi / Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Kings can play around here a little if they do indeed land Rubio at #4, so trading this pick to try and bring in a couple reliable guys wouldn't be a bad idea. Granted, this is a team that hasn't made a good pick since Hedo Turkoglu in 2000, so who knows what they might do.
24. Portland Trail Blazers - Sam Young / Pittsburgh
Portland has never shyed away from the International player, but I think they will stay more conventional here. And no, conventional doesn't mean smart.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Demarre Carroll / Missouri
OKC is still a year away from really knowing what they need. Until then, they need to keep playing around with different options and Carroll is the best player available at this point.
26. Chicago Bulls - Tyler Hansbrough / UNC
Chicago has a decent set of guys in the post already and could benefit from Hansbrough's game while not needing him to provide too much too quickly.
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Patrick Mills / Saint Mary's
Going big early if they take Thabeet means going small late, which has to mean Patrick Mills if he is still available. Combo'ing him with Conley and Gay could prove highly effective.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - DaJuan Summers / Georgetown
It is the final person in the Kevin Garnett 7-for-1 deal and it's probably one of the most relevant. Minnesota has three to four first round picks so can have both an aggressive and wait and see attitude. This is the best spot for them because they have who they want, now they can get someone else who just slipped because of other picks.
29. Los Angeles Lakers - Rodrigue Beaubois / Cholet (International)
What do you need when you've just won a NBA title and three of your four free agents are likely staying put? Best guess is another point who can add depth with Jordan Farmar's oft-odd play and Derek Fisher not getting younger.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Toney Douglas / Florida State
Cleveland has this pick so that they can either: (1) add an athletic player who plays defense to their mix on the wing or (2) throw it away. Douglas could fit either mold.
Just outside the first round/potential late first round picks (in order): Chase Budinger (Arizona), Wayne Ellington (UNC), Nick Calathes (Florida), Marcus Thornton (LSU), Victor Claver (International), Taj Gibson (USC)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
> Diego proves himself legit
I don't care what anyone else says, including the judges in tonight's split decision...Diego Sanchez is legit.
I don't mean he was just legit tonight in his mostly one sided slugfest with Clay Guida.
I don't mean he is just legit at his semi-new home of the 155 weight class.
I mean he is legit as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters.
On tonight's Ultimate Finale Live, Diego opened up running through Guida like a machine. He swung and swung and swung until he busted Clay up and probably broke his nose. Then Diego delivered a vicious head kick that put Guida on his ass and forced commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg to proclaim what a "great chin" Guida had for taking that kick. Great chins are nice and all, but the only way you ever find out who has one is if they are taking shots.
Me personally, I don't know what kind of a chin Diego Sanchez had tonight. Because even when he was not controlling the fight, only in the second round, he was landing cutting elbows from the bottom that made Guida bleed like a stuck pig.
Now, Diego is likely on to challange the winner of this Fall's BJ Penn/Kenny Florian title fight and both of those guys should be worried for the Lightweight division's real top dog. Penn is solid, but aging. Florian is GREATLY improved from the guy Sanchez toppled for the original Ultimate Fighter crown. But neither is as explosive, hungry, deep and relentless as Diego Sanchez. Right now, I may only rank Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva as people who I know could beat Diego (taking into consideration they are close in weight class and/or Diego's non-fighting weight...I know he wouldn't fare well against heavyweights but only because they are so much bigger).
In the latest edition of Fight! Magazine, they have a new reader poll for the Top 10 Pound-for-Pound fighters. Next month, Diego should be on it. I question the additions to this list of Frank Mir (9) and even Fedor Emelianenko (2), the second of which doesn't even face the stiffest competition in his weight class seeing as how Affliction is weak.
He has won four straight, is 10-2 in the octogon and is now coming off two straight Fight of the Night performances. The man is legit and I feel bad for whoever has to stand in his way next.
I don't mean he was just legit tonight in his mostly one sided slugfest with Clay Guida.
I don't mean he is just legit at his semi-new home of the 155 weight class.
I mean he is legit as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters.
On tonight's Ultimate Finale Live, Diego opened up running through Guida like a machine. He swung and swung and swung until he busted Clay up and probably broke his nose. Then Diego delivered a vicious head kick that put Guida on his ass and forced commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg to proclaim what a "great chin" Guida had for taking that kick. Great chins are nice and all, but the only way you ever find out who has one is if they are taking shots.
Me personally, I don't know what kind of a chin Diego Sanchez had tonight. Because even when he was not controlling the fight, only in the second round, he was landing cutting elbows from the bottom that made Guida bleed like a stuck pig.
Now, Diego is likely on to challange the winner of this Fall's BJ Penn/Kenny Florian title fight and both of those guys should be worried for the Lightweight division's real top dog. Penn is solid, but aging. Florian is GREATLY improved from the guy Sanchez toppled for the original Ultimate Fighter crown. But neither is as explosive, hungry, deep and relentless as Diego Sanchez. Right now, I may only rank Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva as people who I know could beat Diego (taking into consideration they are close in weight class and/or Diego's non-fighting weight...I know he wouldn't fare well against heavyweights but only because they are so much bigger).
In the latest edition of Fight! Magazine, they have a new reader poll for the Top 10 Pound-for-Pound fighters. Next month, Diego should be on it. I question the additions to this list of Frank Mir (9) and even Fedor Emelianenko (2), the second of which doesn't even face the stiffest competition in his weight class seeing as how Affliction is weak.
He has won four straight, is 10-2 in the octogon and is now coming off two straight Fight of the Night performances. The man is legit and I feel bad for whoever has to stand in his way next.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
>Would you Like Fries with that?
Last week, Jeremy Tyler, a 17-year old high school junior in San Diego decided that he was just going to go ahead and drop out of high school. Not for any reason that a person with moderate intelligence would find reasonable, but rather to go and play professional basketball overseas.
This is far from a reasonable decision for many reasons, both on and off a basketball court.
The fact is that these days, players who enter the NBA Draft after foreign careers (though usually foreign in birth) are considered project players (one who will take a lot of work) even when a NBA team does take a risk on them. Meaning that come 2011, chances are that not only will Tyler be expected to adjust to the American professional game from the finesse he will then be accustomed to from Europe, but he will also have to do so without the basic fundamentals that basketball players learn on a college level. And that’s a big factor, even as the only one on the court.
Here is an important thought that Tyler, his apparently crackpot father and “strategic advisor” should take into consideration: what is the answer going to be from a future potential employer if Tyler blows out his knee next season in Europe? If all Tyler can boast credential wise is that “I dropped out of high school, thought it would be a good idea to go play professional sports overseas, blew out me knee, came back and got my GED.” Oh, I know the answer– ‘would you like fries with that?’
In years previous to the implementation of the NBA’s age limit, players were taking a calculated gamble on passing on a college education that they could fall back on if the NBA did not work for any multitude of reasons. But the fact remained that at the very least; they would have a high school diploma in hand and the ability to attend a university even if they could no longer participate in athletics on that level. Tyler won’t even have that,.He won’t have anything.
All of these things considered, this does not seem like a very well calculated gamble to me.
But the Tylers didn’t take time to calculate here because it is all about the money and you can’t convince me otherwise. I thought this long before I even heard about Sonny Vaccaro, that aforementioned strategic advisor. What in the world is that all about? Tyler’s family is not well off, but really at this point, who is? This is about the all mighty dollar and the fact that more and more human beings are getting into the sports business, which itself is all about money. Where do we as a society or even those parents draw the line?
Kids are getting recruited to college and professional sports younger and younger. College coaches are in middle school gyms, pro coaches are at summertime AAU functions for kids age 14 and up. It is ridiculous and it needs to stop. The problem is that it won’t stop with Jeremy Tyler. All he is doing is fanning the fire and making society and sport that much worse off.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
> Paulus? Again? Damnit.
After a 60-hour post NCAA title game sports strike (to avoid seeing Tyler Hansbrough's crubby hands on the sacred trophy), I am now officially disgusted again.
That is because Greg Paulus won't go the hell away. Duke's ex-point guard is now serious about pursuing football. While I'm not sure how I feel about a 4-year basketball player getting a fifth school year of eligibility for a different sport, I'm shocked that there is even any interest in him.
And of all things, he may end up at Michigan?! Rich Rodriguez is stretching here, isn't he?
Even moreso, there are apparently up to six NFL teams interested in Paulus, including the Packers, who worked him out last week. I realise that Paulus was the Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school quarterback in 2004, but he must have been God-like to have that as the only thing on his resume and potentially turning pro...or even quarterbacking a Big Ten team.
Today os ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, Tony Kornheiser and Bob Ryan questioned why, if he is so good, that Duke wouldn't want him as anything other than a potential wide receiver with no guarantees. Why would Duke football want him? One, they should already be sick of losers with that program. And two, the Duke basketball team didn't even want him. He went from potential savior to flop to bench boy.
The only reason I was happy to see Duke's basketball season end was because I didn't think I'd ever have to look at him again
I have been sick of Greg Paulus for years and that will never change. I only want to see him at Michigan or in the NFL for one reason: so I can see him get hit.
Other than that, go away Greg Paulus...I'm done with you.
That is because Greg Paulus won't go the hell away. Duke's ex-point guard is now serious about pursuing football. While I'm not sure how I feel about a 4-year basketball player getting a fifth school year of eligibility for a different sport, I'm shocked that there is even any interest in him.
And of all things, he may end up at Michigan?! Rich Rodriguez is stretching here, isn't he?
Even moreso, there are apparently up to six NFL teams interested in Paulus, including the Packers, who worked him out last week. I realise that Paulus was the Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school quarterback in 2004, but he must have been God-like to have that as the only thing on his resume and potentially turning pro...or even quarterbacking a Big Ten team.
Today os ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, Tony Kornheiser and Bob Ryan questioned why, if he is so good, that Duke wouldn't want him as anything other than a potential wide receiver with no guarantees. Why would Duke football want him? One, they should already be sick of losers with that program. And two, the Duke basketball team didn't even want him. He went from potential savior to flop to bench boy.
The only reason I was happy to see Duke's basketball season end was because I didn't think I'd ever have to look at him again
I have been sick of Greg Paulus for years and that will never change. I only want to see him at Michigan or in the NFL for one reason: so I can see him get hit.
Other than that, go away Greg Paulus...I'm done with you.
> Book on Lloy Ball gives unrivaled insight
Sports biographies are not a rare thing these days, but to find one of relevance on a local level is.
Published in late November by AuthorHouse, “The Biggest Mistake I Never Made” tells a unique and interesting tale of former IPFW volleyball sensation Lloy Ball, in his own words, as told to News Sentinel sports writer Blake Sebring.
The tagline on the front cover of the book really does no justice in summing up this tale: “How an Indiana boy gave up basketball to become a world-class volleyball player.”
I really enjoy that Ball and Sebring did not rush along the story, taking plenty of time throughout the 188 pages to transition from event to event. Even the tale of Lloy choosing between playing Division I basketball at Indiana University and coming here to IPFW to play volleyball for his father is not rushed and starts mainly in chapter six.
Chapter one discusses the Ball family and then the tale goes forward into some Team USA stories before delving back into Lloy’s life and moving forward chronologically.
One of my favorite parts of the entire book however comes in that afformentioned chapter six where Ball talks about the first time he told his father, legendary IPFW coach Arnie, that he was coming to IPFW.
In Lloy’s words, after he told his father he was going to play at IPFW, just before the press conference where he would announce the same to the rest of his community, Ball says this of his father’s reaction:
“It was awkward but he didn’t say anything. He just nodded his head.”
This is one of my favorite lines, in part from knowing Arnie and that general Arnie Ball reaction.
Reading Lloy’s insights on his entire storied volleyball career is great. From the first practice of his IPFW career to the gold medal ceremony of the 2008Olympic Games, the whole story is beautifully illustrated by a guy who has been through so much.
The book is available in local bookstores for $17.50 and also online. If you are a fan of local sports, Lloy or Arnie Ball, it is a must have for your collection.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
>Big East is tough, but ACC is due
The year has been up and down for everyone in college basketball. Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, UConn, Pittsburgh...it seems like everyone got a shot to be #1 in the nation for a while. But none of that means anything now.
Because it's tournament time!
Out in the Midwest, Louisville is the top overall seed and for good reason. They are a solid team that has been underrated, won the regular season and tournament in ONE of the toughest conferences in the nation (the top spot still belongs to the ACC) and they have the best defense in this country. However, I disagree with anyone who says that they have the easiest bracket heading to the Final Four. Wake Forest, Boston College and West Virginia could all be possible spoilers along the way, though I am still picking the Cardinals to slither out of the Midwest to the Final Four.
The region carries few potential upsets, though my pick for a 'Cinderella' story does reside here with North Dakota State. I have seen Ben Woodside and the Summit League champion Bison grow, seeing them play once in person each of those years. This team is dangerous and not only do I think they will beat defending champion Kansas in the opener, I have them upsetting West Virginia and heading to the Sweet Sixteen. Other than that, it's pretty standard with the exception of my pick of Boston College over Michigan State that will propel them to the Elite Eight. BC guard Tyrese Rice is as dangerous as any single player in the entire tournament.
In the West, UConn is the most debatable top seed, but I also think they have the easiest road through as long as someone knocks off Memphis, which I see Marquette doing in the Sweet Sixteen. That however should allow UConn to coast to the Final Four even though they are THAT good of a team. This bracket should follow seeded-suit with Marquette (6-seed) being the only one to step out of line. This team has a lot of heart and I think they will play well specifically in-spite of not having Dominic James. The Golden Eagles will be the team that falls to UConn in the Elite Eight.
The East is the most intriguing region to me with the deadly Pitt at the top at Duke down as the 2-seed. I think that Florida State is highly underrated, even as a 5-seed and their inside game could catch any team off guard on any given day, which could be interesting for Pitt in the Sweet Sixteen. I also love the match of Duke and Texas in the second round. And as much as they have both been choke artists in past tournaments, I see Pitt and Duke as the only 1/2 combo to make the Elite Eight in their region. And even though Pitt and the Big East have been tough, I don't think they can get the job done in the clutch and I have to take Duke (being a Blue Devil fan or not).
It will however be nice to see Olek Czyz and Steve Johnson get some PT for Duke in the opening round against Binghamton.
In the South, I hope North Carolina loses to Radford. Sadly I know better, but the Overtime kids in Orange will keep people from seeing the Tyler Hansbrough/Blake Griffin meeting in the Elite Eight. Well, Syracuse will be the other team at least...in reality, I think it's Michigan that derails the overrated Oklahoma train. I also like Western Kentucky in one of those 12/5 upsets against Illinois. In the end, the Orange are just too impressive right now, Johnny Flynn is amazing and I have them over Carolina, keeping the Heels from a third meeting with Duke.
In the Final Four, Louisville gets Hasheem Thabeet in foul trouble and coast against UConn, while Duke out energizes Syracuse in a game of will. The finals will be close, final score 76-70. And while Louisville's defense is godly, if Duke gets this far, I see them being to hot from 3-point range to faulter. Give K his fourth ring, probably say goodbye to Gerald Henderson and hate them or love them, Duke claims a title.
Check out my full 2009 NCAA Bracket here:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/thefranchise484/danvance2009.jpg
Because it's tournament time!
Out in the Midwest, Louisville is the top overall seed and for good reason. They are a solid team that has been underrated, won the regular season and tournament in ONE of the toughest conferences in the nation (the top spot still belongs to the ACC) and they have the best defense in this country. However, I disagree with anyone who says that they have the easiest bracket heading to the Final Four. Wake Forest, Boston College and West Virginia could all be possible spoilers along the way, though I am still picking the Cardinals to slither out of the Midwest to the Final Four.
The region carries few potential upsets, though my pick for a 'Cinderella' story does reside here with North Dakota State. I have seen Ben Woodside and the Summit League champion Bison grow, seeing them play once in person each of those years. This team is dangerous and not only do I think they will beat defending champion Kansas in the opener, I have them upsetting West Virginia and heading to the Sweet Sixteen. Other than that, it's pretty standard with the exception of my pick of Boston College over Michigan State that will propel them to the Elite Eight. BC guard Tyrese Rice is as dangerous as any single player in the entire tournament.
In the West, UConn is the most debatable top seed, but I also think they have the easiest road through as long as someone knocks off Memphis, which I see Marquette doing in the Sweet Sixteen. That however should allow UConn to coast to the Final Four even though they are THAT good of a team. This bracket should follow seeded-suit with Marquette (6-seed) being the only one to step out of line. This team has a lot of heart and I think they will play well specifically in-spite of not having Dominic James. The Golden Eagles will be the team that falls to UConn in the Elite Eight.
The East is the most intriguing region to me with the deadly Pitt at the top at Duke down as the 2-seed. I think that Florida State is highly underrated, even as a 5-seed and their inside game could catch any team off guard on any given day, which could be interesting for Pitt in the Sweet Sixteen. I also love the match of Duke and Texas in the second round. And as much as they have both been choke artists in past tournaments, I see Pitt and Duke as the only 1/2 combo to make the Elite Eight in their region. And even though Pitt and the Big East have been tough, I don't think they can get the job done in the clutch and I have to take Duke (being a Blue Devil fan or not).
It will however be nice to see Olek Czyz and Steve Johnson get some PT for Duke in the opening round against Binghamton.
In the South, I hope North Carolina loses to Radford. Sadly I know better, but the Overtime kids in Orange will keep people from seeing the Tyler Hansbrough/Blake Griffin meeting in the Elite Eight. Well, Syracuse will be the other team at least...in reality, I think it's Michigan that derails the overrated Oklahoma train. I also like Western Kentucky in one of those 12/5 upsets against Illinois. In the end, the Orange are just too impressive right now, Johnny Flynn is amazing and I have them over Carolina, keeping the Heels from a third meeting with Duke.
In the Final Four, Louisville gets Hasheem Thabeet in foul trouble and coast against UConn, while Duke out energizes Syracuse in a game of will. The finals will be close, final score 76-70. And while Louisville's defense is godly, if Duke gets this far, I see them being to hot from 3-point range to faulter. Give K his fourth ring, probably say goodbye to Gerald Henderson and hate them or love them, Duke claims a title.
Check out my full 2009 NCAA Bracket here:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/thefranchise484/danvance2009.jpg
>Summit League result dissapoints but may offer best opportunity
Let me first say that I am not happy with the outcome of the Summit League tournament title game. I have never been a fan of North Dakota State and never even pretended to like conference Player of the Year Ben Woodside.
On the other end of the spectrum, you could call me somewhat of an Oakland fan (I know Dane, you don’t have to say anything.)
I think Oakland was the perfect team when it comes to the conference. They have a terrific, experienced coach in Greg Kampe, a stellar quick point man in Jonathan Jones, a lights out shooter in Eric Kangas, a high energy post in Keith Benson and the intangible guy in Will Hudson. Around ALL of that, they also have stellar freshman Drew Maynard and a defensive juggernaut in frosh Blake Cushingberry. Not to mention senior Dan Waterstradt, who was out of this world in the opening round against IPFW.
That to me is the perfect prototype for a Mid-Major and I, as a fan of basketball, would have been proud to have that team represent the Summit League in this year’s field of 65. But I also know the conference’s best chance at winning a tournament game comes in the form of NDSU.
This Bison team is everything that Cinderella could hope to be. They are from a smaller conference, in their first full year of NCAA Division I eligibility. But at the same, with a record of 26-5, they are not exactly too far off the radar. After winning the conference tournament, NDSU had a chance to win a game in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
That is something that neither Oakland or even defending league champion Oral Roberts would do.
So I feel bad for Oakland, but know that sans-Kangas and Waterstradt, they will all be back to power through the conference next year. Not to mention, their best player Derrick Nelson didn’t even play this year.
And for NDSU, they may not be the team I wanted to see advance, but they are the Summit’s best chance. Even before the field of 65 was announced this past Sunday, people all around college basketball were calling on the Bison to be the potential upset special this post-season. That seemed to die down some when they drew defending National Champions Kansas.
But I don’t see why.
Kansas as an opponent does not change all of the good things that NDSU brings to the table and to me, they will still be the ‘Cinderella’ team when all is said and done. More importantly, even a single win by them will given instant credibility to the league.
Hope the Bison don’t let down.
On the other end of the spectrum, you could call me somewhat of an Oakland fan (I know Dane, you don’t have to say anything.)
I think Oakland was the perfect team when it comes to the conference. They have a terrific, experienced coach in Greg Kampe, a stellar quick point man in Jonathan Jones, a lights out shooter in Eric Kangas, a high energy post in Keith Benson and the intangible guy in Will Hudson. Around ALL of that, they also have stellar freshman Drew Maynard and a defensive juggernaut in frosh Blake Cushingberry. Not to mention senior Dan Waterstradt, who was out of this world in the opening round against IPFW.
That to me is the perfect prototype for a Mid-Major and I, as a fan of basketball, would have been proud to have that team represent the Summit League in this year’s field of 65. But I also know the conference’s best chance at winning a tournament game comes in the form of NDSU.
This Bison team is everything that Cinderella could hope to be. They are from a smaller conference, in their first full year of NCAA Division I eligibility. But at the same, with a record of 26-5, they are not exactly too far off the radar. After winning the conference tournament, NDSU had a chance to win a game in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
That is something that neither Oakland or even defending league champion Oral Roberts would do.
So I feel bad for Oakland, but know that sans-Kangas and Waterstradt, they will all be back to power through the conference next year. Not to mention, their best player Derrick Nelson didn’t even play this year.
And for NDSU, they may not be the team I wanted to see advance, but they are the Summit’s best chance. Even before the field of 65 was announced this past Sunday, people all around college basketball were calling on the Bison to be the potential upset special this post-season. That seemed to die down some when they drew defending National Champions Kansas.
But I don’t see why.
Kansas as an opponent does not change all of the good things that NDSU brings to the table and to me, they will still be the ‘Cinderella’ team when all is said and done. More importantly, even a single win by them will given instant credibility to the league.
Hope the Bison don’t let down.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
>NIT lucks out with NCAA snubs
The NCAA's stupidity is the NIT's gain. And honestly, compared to previous years, the NCAA was not as stupid their tournament selections as in past years.
But this year, a wide array of strong but not strong enough teams makes the NIT just as interesting and competitive as parts of the 'Big Dance.'
In one bracket, St. Mary's (THE NCAA SNUB) gets a two-seed! That shows you the NIT is more stacked than usual. In that bracket of eight, the first round should be boring, but second round matches of San Diego State (the top seed) and Illinois State and Davidson/St. Mary's are going to be outstanding. SDSU is gonna sneak by Osiris Eldridge and the crafy Illinois State team but even with Patrick (I refuse to call him Patty) Mills, I don't think St. Mary's can get by a Stephen Curry-driven Davidson team that has a huge chip on it's shoulder.
In the next eight, Virginia Tech should roll over Duquense, Baylor and Auburn to get to the NIT's final four teams. This bracket is pretty weak with Auburn as the top-seed and also featuring not-so-powerhouse teams like Northwestern.
On the other side of the overall bracket, Creighton has a pretty clear path but honestly teams should look out for UAB, who underachieved with Robert Vaden leading the way this year. The eight-team bracket below that features alot of parody but 5-seed Providence has a lot of talent and I have them in the finals of the bracket topping Penn State.
The final four teams will pit, in my demented mind, Creighton will cruise fairly easily over Providence with their hot shooting. And, as much as I really do like the gritty nature of Virginia Tech, Davidson is just not going to take this NIT lightly and that also spells bad news for Creighton in the finals. The good news: a NIT Title is not what Stephen Curry is in this for so after Davidson WINS the NIT this year, expect for the older Curry brother to return for one more run in 2009-2010.
But this year, a wide array of strong but not strong enough teams makes the NIT just as interesting and competitive as parts of the 'Big Dance.'
In one bracket, St. Mary's (THE NCAA SNUB) gets a two-seed! That shows you the NIT is more stacked than usual. In that bracket of eight, the first round should be boring, but second round matches of San Diego State (the top seed) and Illinois State and Davidson/St. Mary's are going to be outstanding. SDSU is gonna sneak by Osiris Eldridge and the crafy Illinois State team but even with Patrick (I refuse to call him Patty) Mills, I don't think St. Mary's can get by a Stephen Curry-driven Davidson team that has a huge chip on it's shoulder.
In the next eight, Virginia Tech should roll over Duquense, Baylor and Auburn to get to the NIT's final four teams. This bracket is pretty weak with Auburn as the top-seed and also featuring not-so-powerhouse teams like Northwestern.
On the other side of the overall bracket, Creighton has a pretty clear path but honestly teams should look out for UAB, who underachieved with Robert Vaden leading the way this year. The eight-team bracket below that features alot of parody but 5-seed Providence has a lot of talent and I have them in the finals of the bracket topping Penn State.
The final four teams will pit, in my demented mind, Creighton will cruise fairly easily over Providence with their hot shooting. And, as much as I really do like the gritty nature of Virginia Tech, Davidson is just not going to take this NIT lightly and that also spells bad news for Creighton in the finals. The good news: a NIT Title is not what Stephen Curry is in this for so after Davidson WINS the NIT this year, expect for the older Curry brother to return for one more run in 2009-2010.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
> The NFL's 'outbreak' virus
"Both feet." "Fumble."
These are two terms that I have learned, due to the final minute of Super Bowl XLIII, that NFL referees and I have different opinions on.
No, I am not mad or irate about the outcome of the game. I have been a Ben Roethlisberger fan since he as at Miami of Ohio.
But likewise, no Santonio Holmes did not score that touchdown. While his left foot was down, his right foot was clearly caught on his left and never grazed the surface of the endzone.
And no, Kurt Warner surely didn't fumble that football at the end of the game. His arm was moving forward and it was as much of an incomplete pass as it was earlier in the game when the SAME thing happened and they ruled it a- yes, incomplete pass.
My point is this, I will take nothing away from a great game. Sadly, the officials did. They put a sour note on things by screwing up cal after call all game on both sides of the football.
I wanted the Cardinals to win, but I am not upset with a Steelers title. I am however upset with this plague of crappy officiating that is going around in athletics on every level, in every sport like it's the 'outbreak' virus.
These are two terms that I have learned, due to the final minute of Super Bowl XLIII, that NFL referees and I have different opinions on.
No, I am not mad or irate about the outcome of the game. I have been a Ben Roethlisberger fan since he as at Miami of Ohio.
But likewise, no Santonio Holmes did not score that touchdown. While his left foot was down, his right foot was clearly caught on his left and never grazed the surface of the endzone.
And no, Kurt Warner surely didn't fumble that football at the end of the game. His arm was moving forward and it was as much of an incomplete pass as it was earlier in the game when the SAME thing happened and they ruled it a- yes, incomplete pass.
My point is this, I will take nothing away from a great game. Sadly, the officials did. They put a sour note on things by screwing up cal after call all game on both sides of the football.
I wanted the Cardinals to win, but I am not upset with a Steelers title. I am however upset with this plague of crappy officiating that is going around in athletics on every level, in every sport like it's the 'outbreak' virus.
Friday, January 23, 2009
> New IAD Feature
Starting this Saturday, there will be live blogs from certain IPFW sporting events on IAD's new page at: thesessions-iad.blogspot.com.
The first event will be Saturday's mens and womens basketball double header with IUPUI. The women start at 1:30, followed by the men at 4.
The first event will be Saturday's mens and womens basketball double header with IUPUI. The women start at 1:30, followed by the men at 4.
Friday, January 16, 2009
>Time to fire your coach
Hey NFL owners (presidents, GM's, etc.)- it is time to fire your coach.
Longtime coach? Fire him.
Still alive in the playoffs? Fire him.
Just hired him? Fire him.
Why? Because Jon Gruden is back on the market.
Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired their coach and GM Bruce Allen, sending shockwaves through Tampa and even Gruden himself. Yeah, they haven't been the contenders yearly and never have they made strong draft day decisions. But let's not forget that before Gruden, the Buccaneers were seen only as that dreamsicle colored mess that resembled only present day Detroit Lions.
Jon Gruden, much like before Tampa with Oakland, made the Bucs winners. More importantly, he made them champions. He took previously all-talk, no-walk players like Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson and combined them with never-quite-there vets like Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice, Mike Alstott and Brad Johnson and won a SuperBowl with them. He even beat his old team, one that he put together.
Jon Gruden is cold blooded. He will win, he will run his mouth and he will drive his team forward.
He made Tampa Bay something that it never would have been without him.
And realize this: Gruden is the best coach in pro football right now. I hope that someone is smart enough to snatch him up in the big league. And if not, Gruden will go on down to the college level and make a team an instant contender. No other coach in the sport has the fire and inner-strength of Jon Gruden.
So go ahead, fire that new coach Detroit...boot that formerly waiting in the wings assistant Indianapolis. Jon Gruden is the only thing that any team needs right now.
Longtime coach? Fire him.
Still alive in the playoffs? Fire him.
Just hired him? Fire him.
Why? Because Jon Gruden is back on the market.
Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired their coach and GM Bruce Allen, sending shockwaves through Tampa and even Gruden himself. Yeah, they haven't been the contenders yearly and never have they made strong draft day decisions. But let's not forget that before Gruden, the Buccaneers were seen only as that dreamsicle colored mess that resembled only present day Detroit Lions.
Jon Gruden, much like before Tampa with Oakland, made the Bucs winners. More importantly, he made them champions. He took previously all-talk, no-walk players like Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson and combined them with never-quite-there vets like Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice, Mike Alstott and Brad Johnson and won a SuperBowl with them. He even beat his old team, one that he put together.
Jon Gruden is cold blooded. He will win, he will run his mouth and he will drive his team forward.
He made Tampa Bay something that it never would have been without him.
And realize this: Gruden is the best coach in pro football right now. I hope that someone is smart enough to snatch him up in the big league. And if not, Gruden will go on down to the college level and make a team an instant contender. No other coach in the sport has the fire and inner-strength of Jon Gruden.
So go ahead, fire that new coach Detroit...boot that formerly waiting in the wings assistant Indianapolis. Jon Gruden is the only thing that any team needs right now.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
>Is this a ReRun?
Let me be short and sweet.
If the Big XII was nonsense when Colt McCoy was jacked an All-First Team honor (even as the conference Player of the Year), then the NFL and the AP just got more nonsensical.
Days ago, Peyton Manning was named the NFL MVP by the AP. Ignore that his team suffered 2/3rds of the season and barely made the Playoffs. But don't ignore that two days later, the Saints' Drew Brees was named AP Offensive Player of the Year.
No, despite amazing numbers, Brees should not have been considered for MVP. But how is the league's MVP an offensive player but not the best offensive player? It makes NO sense.
Stupid AP, stupid NFL, stupid Big XII. Stupid football.
If the Big XII was nonsense when Colt McCoy was jacked an All-First Team honor (even as the conference Player of the Year), then the NFL and the AP just got more nonsensical.
Days ago, Peyton Manning was named the NFL MVP by the AP. Ignore that his team suffered 2/3rds of the season and barely made the Playoffs. But don't ignore that two days later, the Saints' Drew Brees was named AP Offensive Player of the Year.
No, despite amazing numbers, Brees should not have been considered for MVP. But how is the league's MVP an offensive player but not the best offensive player? It makes NO sense.
Stupid AP, stupid NFL, stupid Big XII. Stupid football.
Monday, January 5, 2009
>Undefeated? HA.
Oh no, the mighty Tar Heels have fallen. Like the big Oak Tree, the "best" team in college basketball comes crashing down with even the faint fight of a determined wind (i.e. Boston College.)
Maybe this will put all these pretentious Carolina lovers on notice. A perfect non-conference season means nothing when the real big boys come knocking. And in the big boy stage of things, BC (while talented) is still a little pre-pubescent. They are no (now number 2!) Duke and they are no Wake Forest. So how will the Heels fair once they have to play ACC games night in and night out?
My guess is, that big old oak is gonna fall again. The sad thing is that I know that UNC country won't get it; they won't take notice. Instead, that big brainless oak (no, not Tyler Hansbrough...well, yeah him too) will just keep trying to get back up, pretending it never got knocked down in the first place.
Does the loss send shockwaves throughout college basketball? Yeah. But only because college basketball was too deluded to see the truth anyway.
Does it change anything? No. It doesn't change how overrated they are, how bad they will crumble under the pressure and the smallness of the likelihood they will contend for a National Title.
Time to wake up, the Tar Heels are dying.
Maybe this will put all these pretentious Carolina lovers on notice. A perfect non-conference season means nothing when the real big boys come knocking. And in the big boy stage of things, BC (while talented) is still a little pre-pubescent. They are no (now number 2!) Duke and they are no Wake Forest. So how will the Heels fair once they have to play ACC games night in and night out?
My guess is, that big old oak is gonna fall again. The sad thing is that I know that UNC country won't get it; they won't take notice. Instead, that big brainless oak (no, not Tyler Hansbrough...well, yeah him too) will just keep trying to get back up, pretending it never got knocked down in the first place.
Does the loss send shockwaves throughout college basketball? Yeah. But only because college basketball was too deluded to see the truth anyway.
Does it change anything? No. It doesn't change how overrated they are, how bad they will crumble under the pressure and the smallness of the likelihood they will contend for a National Title.
Time to wake up, the Tar Heels are dying.
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