NFL
SOCCER
The NFL offseason has been highlighted by veterans that have cut because of their cap situations. It's not their play, it's their play. Players like James Harrison, Dunta Robinson, John Abraham, DeAngelo Hall, Ahmad Bradshaw, Demetrius Bell, Jason Smith, Chris Canty, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Osi Umenyiora, Michael Boley, Nick Barnett and George Wilson. The way NFL players spend their money, they maybe next to John Doe in the unemployment line.
Anquan Boldin may not be far behind as the Ravens have given him an ultimatum to take a pay cut or get cut. Michael Vick took a pay cut to stay with the Eagles. But many players are selfish (rightfully so) because it's hard to get a bump in salary when playing well but an NFL team will be quick to cut you when your play slips.
In other news, Percy Harvin will be traded to the Seahawks for undisclosed draft picks. If Harvin stays healthy, he adds another legitimate outside threat and top 5 KR/PR to an already dangerous Seattle team. Dunta Robinson (CB) was cut by Atlanta and immediately signed by Kansas City.
Anquan Boldin may not be far behind as the Ravens have given him an ultimatum to take a pay cut or get cut. Michael Vick took a pay cut to stay with the Eagles. But many players are selfish (rightfully so) because it's hard to get a bump in salary when playing well but an NFL team will be quick to cut you when your play slips.
In other news, Percy Harvin will be traded to the Seahawks for undisclosed draft picks. If Harvin stays healthy, he adds another legitimate outside threat and top 5 KR/PR to an already dangerous Seattle team. Dunta Robinson (CB) was cut by Atlanta and immediately signed by Kansas City.
NBA
Miami Heat beat their nemesis Indiana handily yesterday and ran their streak to 18 games IN A ROW. Can anyone beat this team in the regular season, let alone the playoffs? San Antonio is struggling without Tony Parker in the team, they lost by 30 (136-106) to Portland on Friday. The Lakers look like they could make a run all the way to the sixth seed in the West, which means a mouth-watering matchup with the Clippers. A perfect segue: this is why everyone needs to watch the Clippers. Lob city. Enough said.
The week started with the Champions League, Europa games and ended with the FA Cup, you have to love this time of year.
The matchup of the year thus far was Manchester United vs. Real Madrid. Two of the biggest clubs in the world, clash of the giants lived up to the hype. Real Madrid was being thoroughly outplayed (losing 1-0), until Nani got sent off controversially. Apparently the referee follows RM and Barca on his twitter account which begs the question, should referee's even have twitter accounts? Why isn't the side official who made the call getting blamed at all? Anyway, after the red card, los Blancos scored 2 quick goals to take a commanding lead in the tie (3-2 with 2 away goals). RVP's play has descended rapidly since the turn of the year and he was nowhere to be found when United desperately needed a goal. Rooney came on in the second half and had a golden chance but hit the volley way over the bar. In the other Champions League game, PSG were lucky to go through in a dismal effort (1-1) against Valencia without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In Europa League, Chelsea lost at Romanian side Steaua Bucharest 1-0. I think Chelsea will turn it around at home, the field was absolutely terrible in Romania and they got a lucky penalty call which aided them to victory. Tottenham won big against a hapless Inter Milan 3-0 but Inter at home will be a totally different contest. But Spurs have Bale who is arguably the best player in Europe right now.
In the FA Cup, Man City and Wigan won their respective games by wide margins. Wigan beating Everton 3-0 is shocking considering they are languishing in the bottom 3 of the EPL but Everton is fading in the second half of the season after having a great. Millwall vs Blackburn as well as Manchester United vs Chelsea will go to replay after an enthralling 2-2 tie. See my blog post regarding the latter game.
The matchup of the year thus far was Manchester United vs. Real Madrid. Two of the biggest clubs in the world, clash of the giants lived up to the hype. Real Madrid was being thoroughly outplayed (losing 1-0), until Nani got sent off controversially. Apparently the referee follows RM and Barca on his twitter account which begs the question, should referee's even have twitter accounts? Why isn't the side official who made the call getting blamed at all? Anyway, after the red card, los Blancos scored 2 quick goals to take a commanding lead in the tie (3-2 with 2 away goals). RVP's play has descended rapidly since the turn of the year and he was nowhere to be found when United desperately needed a goal. Rooney came on in the second half and had a golden chance but hit the volley way over the bar. In the other Champions League game, PSG were lucky to go through in a dismal effort (1-1) against Valencia without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In Europa League, Chelsea lost at Romanian side Steaua Bucharest 1-0. I think Chelsea will turn it around at home, the field was absolutely terrible in Romania and they got a lucky penalty call which aided them to victory. Tottenham won big against a hapless Inter Milan 3-0 but Inter at home will be a totally different contest. But Spurs have Bale who is arguably the best player in Europe right now.
In the FA Cup, Man City and Wigan won their respective games by wide margins. Wigan beating Everton 3-0 is shocking considering they are languishing in the bottom 3 of the EPL but Everton is fading in the second half of the season after having a great. Millwall vs Blackburn as well as Manchester United vs Chelsea will go to replay after an enthralling 2-2 tie. See my blog post regarding the latter game.
GOLF
Tiger finished off his second win before the Master's, a week after the poor showing at the Honda Classic (albeit in difficult weather conditions). Tiger only had 100 putts in 4 rounds which is an indication that he will be in contention at the Master's (one month from today).
Rory McIlroy, who apologized after last week's weekend wrap up post, rebounded with the low round of the day Sunday (65). He needed a major boost to his confidence after struggling since the beginning of this year on and off the course.
Rory McIlroy, who apologized after last week's weekend wrap up post, rebounded with the low round of the day Sunday (65). He needed a major boost to his confidence after struggling since the beginning of this year on and off the course.
MEN'S CBB
Congratulations to Miami an upstart basketball program who shockingly started 14-0 in the ACC and finished 15-3 with a top 10 ranking and ACC regular season title. In the ACC, the regular season team with the best record is the champion (not the ACC tournament winner).
Indiana, a program riddled with NCAA sanctions from the Kelvin Sampson era, beat a resilient Michigan team 72-71 to win the Big 10 title outright. Tom Crean, who guided Marquette to 5 NCAA tournament bids and a Final Four appearance during a successful 9 year reign has resurrected Indiana's basketball program.
Georgetown earned a share of the Big East regular season title (14-4), with tough defense and a slow deliberate offensive scheme which is tailor made for the NCAA tournament. I think the Hoyas make a deep run.
Indiana, a program riddled with NCAA sanctions from the Kelvin Sampson era, beat a resilient Michigan team 72-71 to win the Big 10 title outright. Tom Crean, who guided Marquette to 5 NCAA tournament bids and a Final Four appearance during a successful 9 year reign has resurrected Indiana's basketball program.
Georgetown earned a share of the Big East regular season title (14-4), with tough defense and a slow deliberate offensive scheme which is tailor made for the NCAA tournament. I think the Hoyas make a deep run.
WOMEN'S CBB
The Duke women won the ACC final against UNC 92-73 and will be very difficult to beat in the NCAA tournament. They are shooting the ball well from 3-point range and getting low post productivity from Haley Peters and Williams (2 time ACC defensive player of the year. Add Alexis Jones (tournament MVP) to the mix and you have the recipe for a damn good team. Dark horse for an NCAA championship this year.
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