Go Broncos!

And let them ride off into the sunset as Champs!

Let’s just pray that they don’t play like they did in front of Homer Simpson’s house today…

ESPN: World Wide Leader of Baloney

ESPN. The worldwide leader in sports….or is it something else, something dishonest, something false, something almost as fake as an E! television show.

Although I do enjoy watching my Top 10 from time to time…and those damn 30 for 30s are just too good to pass up, lately ESPN’s news coverage has been a bit unbearable….in fact downright shameful.

It all started last fall with Les Miles and his “pending termination” from LSU.

For a good two weeks ESPN wouldn’t shut up about LSU firing Les Miles, interviewing anyone they could find on campus to ask them their thoughts on the matter.  Yes, of course, one of the best college football coaches in the land who has taken his team to 11 bowl games with a 7-4 record, a coach that weaseled his way into convincing the NCAA to share a BCS Championship with USC, a coach who has an overall winning record with 112 wins and 32 loses is going to get canned. Makes sense to me.

Hell the guy is environmental for god sakes, he actually drinks grass. Why would LSU get rid of this guy?

It was so over-publicized that for his last home game in Baton Rouge, his team literally carried him off the field (RUDY, RUDY), because ESPN successfully convinced them that this was the last time they would be playing for Les Miles.

ESPN fasho was front row and center for the post-game press conference for “The Announcement.”  Sorry Lebron, not this time.

And you think it couldn’t get any worse?  Introducing Super Bowl 50, Cam Newton vs. White America.  I’m sure no one can exactly pin point who began this idiotic discussion, but I would definitely bet that ESPN had something to do with it.  And why wouldn’t they? Race is a hot enough topic that always ignites rapid fire op-eds and discussions in the news and beyond.  Some would say that’s just good journalism…..puke in my mouth.

“The Plight of the Black Quarterback,” they are calling it.  Cam Newton is making headlines not because he has led his team to their second Super Bowl or the fact that he is highly favored to win this year’s MVP, but because of his celebratory antics and “fun” behavior on the field.

Unfortunately, the rules that apply to other star quarterbacks in the NFL don’t seem to apply to Newton. And according to ESPN reports,  he apparently knows exactly why.

“I’m an African-American quarterback that may scare a lot of people,” Newton said frankly just days after winning the NFC Championship game. “[B]ecause they haven’t seen nothing that they can compare me to.”

Paging Russel Wilson……an African American Quarterback who actually has a Super Bowl ring honey, hold up.

Perhaps Cam Newton is the one who brought up the issue, but ESPN is having a fucking FIELD DAY, covering the story like white on rice….sorry bad choice of words there.

 

There is not much talk about Peyton Manning, no real talks about the point spread, only talks about Cam Newton and his race.

Linking his antics to his race is somewhat of a cowardly blow (YEAH CAM).  However, it is not ‘pathetic cowardice’ that ESPN is worried about it.  No, they need to hold the attention of their viewers at all costs, even if it means hosting an on-site poll asking fans to vote what they think of the issue.

Newton’s “race” really isn’t the issue to begin with.  The only reason it is an issue is because ESPN is making it “THE ISSUE.” The true issue, which the ESPN poll participants have so sensibly concluded, is his behavior. Nothing about his childish behavior is linked to the color of his skin. Nothing about his college antics of cheating on a number of final exams, stealing expensive electronics from students’ dorm rooms, getting arrested in 2008 with charges of grand theft, burglary, and obstructing justice.  And who can forget his father, Cecil Newton, seeking $120,000 to $180,000 for his son to sign with the Bulldogs out of junior college.

 

His past and present actions speak louder than race.  In fact, they SCREAM.

By the way, someone should snatch that Heisman back…..

Bringing up race is never a good idea, unless you are running a news station I guess. I understand why ESPN is fixating on the issue, but I feel that sports is the one place where ACTIONS should speak louder than one’s words or appearance. Only performance on (and off) the field should be judged. ESPN should know better.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t think we are judging Cam Newton by his race.  We are judging him strictly on his actions, both past and present.  Yes, he loves to have fun on the field and wants everybody to recognize it.  Fine, cool, go for it buddy.  Just make the cheerleaders look bad why don’t you.

But why ESPN…WHY must you focus on his race? This merely makes the rest of us look bad because by watching your programming (which is prtety inevitable if you are a sports fan), we are unconscionably placing this topic of concern in our own minds, putting the discussion in the forefront, ultimately undermining what we have worked so hard to achieve as a society, where race shouldn’t the ultimate judgement.  It’s in the Constitution y’all!

Now I am truly scared to see what type of questions ESPN reporters will ask Newton after the Super Bowl, win or lose.  “So Cam, do you feel any BLACK-ER winning/losing the Super Bowl….?”

 

 

If You’re a Real Football Fan, You Should Be Rooting for Carson

Mr. Carson Palmer. The man, the myth, the almost legend.

It has taken Palmer 13 seasons just to reach this kind of postseason success.  And now he is here, ready to take it for all he’s got!

Palmer, a 2002 Heisman trophy winner while at USC, has pretty much undergone one of the most tumultuous NFL careers any quarterback has even experienced,  a career plagued by injury after injury. Aside from him tearing his ACL TWICE, he’s suffered 6 additional injuries that has put him on the bench.  Sad face.

His second ACL tear happened when he was 34.  See this is when we would either shoot good ol’ Seabiscuit or sell him to the glue factory.

But no….Carson soldiered on. Even though the odds were never in his favor.

He just turned 36, an age the NFL would usually deem ancient for their athletes. He is on an NFL team that has only made one Super Bowl appearance on February 1, 2009. Sadly, they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23. Before we knew the rapist’s true intentions…..

I mean christ, the game was played in Tampa.  Nothing comes good outta of Tampa.

Carson is a true stand-up guy.  Even when his team is losing, he still manages to fist-bump the refs on the field.  Great jobs guys!

He is definitely in the running for winning MVP this season, with the Cardinals‘ offense ranking first in points per game, yards per game and third-down percentage.  Perhaps most impressively, Arizona has more touchdowns (57) than punts (55) this season.  BAD-ASS.

Even when other players won’t help him up, he doesn’t sweat the small stuff.

And he is a full supporter of “Movember.”  Gotta love a man who can fully grow facial hair while fashionably supporting something as gross as butt cancer.

Carson Palmer is all kinds of awesome, clearly.  He has just never received the recognition he fully deserves from the NFL.  This is his year to prove to all those that never believed he would fully recover from all his injuries that he is the BUSINESS,  that he is the best quarterback in the league, that he truly deserves to be MVP, that he and the Arizona Cardinals are good enough to go and WIN the Super Bowl.

You got this Carson.  You’re a Trojan. You are Awesome. You are the real MVP.

Well, Mrs. Durant certainly is….but now it’s your time to shine Carsey !!

2016 Trojans: Should auld acquaintance be forgot?

Well, it was a good season.  The boys played tough….somewhat, but you have to hand it to them….this year for the USC Trojans was anything but smooth.

The removal of their head coach, the almost loss of their athletic director, the naming of their new head coach and the debut of ESPN’s 30 for 30: Trojan War.  Good yet sad….very sad documentary that made us remember just how infuriated we all felt when the dynasty fell into the depths of nothing.

Last night’s Pac-12 Championship game against Standford wasn’t the best for good ol’ SC.  Granted the refs were completely calling the game with their eyes closed and JuJu might as well had a bullseye on his back. Yes it was an entertaining game up until the end of the third quarter but it wasn’t the way the Trojans were supposed to end their season. In fact, it was better.

Considering all the distressing circumstances the Trojans faced all season coupled with the loss of a whopping 4 games, winning a ticket to the Pac-12 Championship game is impressive……most impressive.

And being able to actually say FUCLA with gusto…

However, no team has faced that amount of loss and went to the championship game. Well, no team outside the amazing Pac-12 Conference.

Even though this last season wasn’t the prettiest, it shouldn’t be forgotten and will hopefully serve as a catalyst for next season = ULTIMATE DOMINATION.

 

Welcome to Lakerland, admission: FREE

The Los Angeles Lakers are not in La La Land anymore.  Now when you even hear “The Lakers,” you can’t help but run away, shut the door, lock it behind you and hope no one will find you. It is truly a tough time to be a Lakers fan 😦

This is the first time in franchise history the Lakers have started 0-3 in consecutive seasons. They lost their first five games last season and ended with their worst record ever (21-61).  UGH.  You can’t even pay people to watch this once mighty basketball dynasty uncontrollably falling into the depths of shit. Gandalf the Grey is probably still falling.

Kobe Bryant’s 20th season with the Los Angeles Lakers hasn’t exactly gone according to plan.

So much so, the five-time NBA champion had to let reporters know how badly he was playing after their home loss against the Dallas Mavericks last Sunday night.

“I’m the 200th best player in the league right now,” Bryant said, in a video posted to Lakers.com. “I freaking suck.”

WaaaAAAAAh.  This is so sad to hear especially from THE veteran player of a team that desperately …DESPERATELY needs to rely on and turn to for guidance, compassion and most importantly, leadership.

And all we can do in Los Angeles is bitch, cry and whine about it. Yea, that’s right Lucy.

While the rest of the country is laughing at our unrelenting misery. And the worst part about it is that there is absolutely nothing we can do about it…..well, except maybe to laugh at ourselves, but when is that ever fun?

I guess all good things have to come to an end…….

A Dark Sark Day

So I was just about to write-up a post about the dismal Sarkisian situation this Monday morning, and as it turns out, he was fired in a matter of hours, right after lunchtime PST to be exact.  Didn’t know it could get any worse 😛

This is definitely one of the darkest times USC football has ever faced. The head football coach has become persona non grata on campus, go figure.  Reggie can now plan his celebrated return, Bush pushing it back to Heritage Hall.

The issue of Sark being a drunk shouldn’t really come as a surprise to us SC fans, let alone Pat Haden.  Apparently the Washington Huskies, his previous coaching job before taking on SC, were well aware of his addiction and some players even took to their Twitter to LOL about the situation.

Fox Sports even reported several additional incidents that involved Sark and the bottle. Among the reported incidents:

• One former Huskies player claims he “smelled alcohol” on Sarkisian at team meetings “one or two” times;

• Another ex-Huskie said that in 2009, Sarkisian sometimes arrived at meetings “smelling like booze” and with his “eyes all red”;

• Two other former Huskies said Sarkisian and other coaches regularly drank alcohol in their offices;

• Several receipts obtained by the Times show hefty tabs for alcohol paid for in Sarkisian’s name.

So how was Pat Haden not aware of ANY of this?  How was this guy even hired?

This unfortunate incident sadly exposes a gaping issue that is bigger than crunk Sarkisian, which could be an even more detrimental to the program.  As University Athletic Director, Pat Haden is responsible for managing all athletic programs and hiring those sufficient enough to run said programs.  Haden is 0 for 2 with the football program.  He didn’t hire Lane Kiffin, but he did drag that along quite nicely. The white visor-wearing douche was a complete disgrace.  Coach O was the only savior that graced the football program’s presence finishing the regular season on a high note and he was an interim! Promptly after the season ended, Haden dismissed him in order to make room for Jose Cuervo.  Coach O was so distraught by Haden’s decision that he didn’t even stay to coach the team in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Now this a fun trip down memory lane, remember when Haden and Sarkisian got in trouble? On September 8, 2014 he and USC football coach Steve Sarkisian were reprimanded by Pac-12 Conference commissioner Larry Scott for attempting “to influence the officiating, and ultimately the outcome of a contest” during the September 6 game with Stanford. Haden was fined $25,000.  Yea that was fun…..

Haden’s employee vetting almost reminds me of a certain under-qualified Vice Presidential candidate…….

Pat Haden must be under some serious fire, putting him in the HOT seat.  I mean ridiculously HOT, the HOT that is only found in HELL, HOT.  The man has only been Athletic Director for roughly 5 years.  I understand that the deistic legacy of Pete Carroll still runs deep within the program and forever will be until the man gets a gold statue on campus, but that doesn’t mean we need to try and desperately hang on to every individual that had some sort of connection to the winning program.  I know it may be hard to digest, but USC needs to start fresh and try and establish a new order.

I know it’s scary to go out and try something new guys, but in the long run you will be respected for it even if you falter for a short while.  But then again this is College Football we’re talking about, the one athletic program that is so highly coveted that some universities’ entire endowment is given just to the football program.  Clearly our priorities are in line.

All we can do in the interim is hope that Sarkisian seeks out the proper rehabilitation treatment to help him alleviate his alcohol addiction.  AND for Haden to get a clue

Will Los Doyers Win The World Series?

The hunt for October is on like Donkey Kong.

But will our beloved Dodgers make it through?  It seems like the past couple of years have been so promising for our Boys in Blue.  Unfortunately, they fail to make it out alive in the playoffs, leaving their fair weathered city disgruntled and saddened.  And let me tell you, LA is a city not known for its wallowing.

But perhaps this could be the year.  If the Dodgers do win, LA will be LA. Cop cars beware.

A fan celebrates outside the Staples Center with a large cut out of Shaquille O’Neal as a news vehicle burns after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals Monday, June 19, 2000 in Los Angeles. A celebration of the Lakers’ first championship in 12 years deteriorated into mayhem as hundreds of fans torched two police cars, vandalized businesses and set dozens of small bonfires in streets. 

Here are my top 5 reasons why the Dodgers may make it out alive.

1.Greinke and Kershaw

Greinke is having his best season as a Dodger and has arguably been just as effective as he was in his 2009 Cy Young season.  Greinke’s stats are completely ridiculous, a 1.71 ERA, fueled by a 45-inning scoreless streak, along with a 2.62 FIP, walking batters at a career-best rate of 4.7 % and has only given up eight home runs in 152.1 innings.  Thank you Sports Center.

Kershaw is known to somewhat slump in the postseason but maybe this time around he will find his competitive rhythm.

2. Justin Turner

The ginger has risen.  This year Turner has received a starting role by leading the team with a 167 wRC+ (and that means for us non-sport addicts weighted runs created, a rate statistic that attempts to credit a hitter for the value of each outcome, which can be a single/double/triple, rather than treating all hits or times on base equally).  Jesus, people that play fantasy baseball must have watched a Beautiful Mind way too many times.

3. Adrian Gonzalez

He is having a pretty good season.  And come on, that at-bat intro?  You can’t go wrong

4. The Odds

If you ever find yourself in Vegas in the next few weeks, the odds of the Dodgers making it to the World Series is 15/2, courtesy of Bovada.lv.  That means if you bet $5 on the Dodgers to go all the way, you will win $75. Not too shabby if all you buy in Vegas is a keychain.  Better make that bet on the Cubs.

5.  Tommy Lasorda

He is always a reason.

Homeboy hangs out with Magic Johnson in the stands. The Dodgers can’t go wrong!

Today is the DAY

I am feeling all the FEELS today!

Because today is the day that the 2015 College Football season kicks off.  Oh man. At the beginning of every season, I am always filled with such hope and excitement for the games to come, the players to watch, guessing what will unfold and, like a true college football fan, follow your team till the bitter end….or winning end if you are a Buckeye.

Who knows what will happen, but for now, I shall relish in this moment of hopeful positivity and elation.

Here is to a happy season everybody!

Sark After Dark

So Steve Sarkisian got a little crunk on the big Salute to Troy night for the USC Football Program. According to several sources, he was fumbling around, used foul language and insulted other programs, particularly Notre Dame, Oregon and UCLA (nice).  This became dreadfully apparent after he showcased his inner frat boy while screaming “Fight the Fuck On,” into the podium mic right in front of the baby boomer big time donors.  Once his three sheets to the wind state became brazenly evident, Pat Haden immediately escorted him off the stage and began scolding him behind closed doors.  Thanks Dad.

The only real sources from that night is a 5 second video clip from some random, a few tweets here and there and straight word of mouth…like the good old days.

LA Times Sports columnist Bill Plaschke released a quite alarming video stressing the issue that USC really needs to be concerned about coach Steve Sarkisian’s behavior at the Salute to Troy event.

It’s almost as if he is rooting for some sort of immediate termination.  Sarkisian released a statement claiming that he mixed prescription medicine with alcohol, mind you that this alcohol was completely free all night and most likely the best money can buy.  Any intelligent individual would have to agree that his behavior was irresponsible, childish and wrong, especially because he is the head football coach, one of the highest positions of authority on campus, some may even argue even in the Pac-12 Conference.

So Plaschke’s reactionary video draws up some important points but I think his response was more so fueled by that “shocking” gossip chatter that many nowadays consider actual news. The guy is going through a messy divorce and decided to throw back a few free drinks.  Who wouldn’t do the same? The only difference is that this guy had to go up and make a speech in front of hundreds of people, the same people who have very deep pockets, pockets that would like to be lightened by generous donations and such.  Plaschke has every right to say what he thinks and feels, that’s why the LA times pays him.  However, this Plaschke response seems a bit exaggerated, placing emphasis on buzz worthy words like “problems,” “humiliation,” and of course, the cliche “this is your wake-up call.”  Did Sarkisian even need a wake-up call in the first place?   How his players look at him is not the problem at all Plaschke, if anything his players are applauding this type of behavior because they can relate first-hand, “Hey, coach gettin’ turnt up!”

Funny because a year ago, Plaschke was singing his praises…

Funny how things can change over the span of 1 year, 1 incident no less.

Sarkisian has a lot of responsibilities that he must be held to on and off the field.  This unfortunate event couldn’t have come at a worse time for USC.  This is the first year USC is off NCAA probation.  The Class of 2015 is the first full recruiting class USC has been able to put together for the first time in four years.  This is still USC’s year, their time to rise and shine despite Sarkisian’s antics.  Don’t ride off a team just because their coach got drunk.  I bet you anything Les Miles does this shit all the time.  Then again, that is the sacred SEC and this is the menial Pac-12, standards could be a bit skewed.

I don’t think a formal punishment is necessary.  I think the shame and embarrassment alone will suffice for now until the season even starts.  Sarkisian knows what he has to do this season to shut people up: WIN.

One thing is still certain though.  He is still better than Kiffin.

Top 10 Reasons Why I’m Excited For College Football 2015

College Football 2015 is fast approaching and I can hardly contain my excitement.  Almost as excited as Tim Tebow’s first day as an Alter Boy.

So I assembled my top 10 reasons to be excited for the upcoming 2015 season.

10. Alabama vs. Tennessee

Even though Tennessee will be meeting Alabama in Tuscaloosa, it will still be entertaining to see Lane Kiffin squirm on the sidelines. After all, Knoxville did name their sewage system after Kiffin’s unexpected departure. Only a lucky few college football coaches have ever received such an honor.

9. Charlie Strong Wrangling The Longhorns?

Is Charlie Strong in the hot seat? As college football fans are well aware, Texas football is not only a way of life, it IS life. They expect championships and expect no less.  Charlie Strong is entering his second year as their head coach. His 2nd!  Honestly, if Texas wins one more game than they did last year, that wouldn’t matter.  But if Texas faces another dismal season in 2015 and fires Strong entering the 2016 season….geeze, get a life Texas.

8. Beat the Irish!

Notre Dame is ranked #10 in the preseason polls.  It really grinds me gears that no matter how shitty they were the season before, Notre Dame always seems to creep their way into the top 25 preseason poles.  WTF?! Yea well, Rudy won’t save you this season.

7. Wow! Oregon’s Uniforms!

You gotta hand it to them, every season the Oregon Ducks give our eyes a nice little gift: tight neon-colored spandex boasting feathers of flight. Flight to Football. Nice.

6. Urban Meyer’s Non-Existent Health Problem

Let’s see if he makes it out another year. Sorry Meyer family, the Buckeyes are far more important than you.  Careful there Urban, your anger may only exacerbate that heart condition of yours….

5. Everett “Cheater” Golson Taking Over For Crab Legs

Should be entertaining to see a Notre Dame drop out attempt to form his own legacy following Heisman Trophy-Winning Crab Stealing Misogynist Winston. It is quite the legacy, I must say.  However, Golson is one of the smallest QBs in the game.  Apparently, Golson could be the shortest Florida State QB in nearly 30 years.  He has no chance.

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, right, greets Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson after Florida State won 31-27 in an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

4. Introducing Ann Arbor’s Own: Constipation Face

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see Constipation Face take the Big House by storm. Not so much with his football team, but with his douche-bag childish antics and ridiculous facial expressions, I’m sure we are in for some pure laughter. Those high rising tight khakis alone are up for a College Football comeback.

And my personal favorite….

3. Another Year, Another Year Older Can Only Mean One Thing: Retirement For Lee Corso!

Homeboy needs to pack his bags and take up golf. Someone just has to beat College Game Day out of him.  Or maybe just have one bad fall….. (I’m going to hell)

2. Playoffs Take 2

2nd time can be a charm.

1. FIGHT ON

Oh yeah 🙂