Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (01/31/2010 @ 9:58 pm)
Lifted by Mohamed Gedo’s clutch goal in the 85th minute, Egypt overcame Ghana on Sunday to win its third consecutive African Cup. Perhaps Ghana needs to motivate their players, notably the one with the pacifier in his mouth.
Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (01/31/2010 @ 6:03 pm)
Somehow, Federer just keeps getting better. After beating Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) in the 2010 Australian Open final, I now have a new appreciation for the most dominant tennis player of all time. He looked absolutely phenomenal over the course of the 2 hour and 41 minute match, never losing that perplexing calm that’s fascinated fans and irritated opponents for years. This is Federer’s 16th Grand Slam title overall, and that obviously justifies his talent. But it was the way he ambushed Andy Murray on the big stage that should make people perk up and realize his greatness.
Watching the 22-year-old Murray struggle from the opening set put everything in perspective. When Federer was that age, he broke through at the 2003 Wimbledon to capture his first Grand Slam championship. That was his first appearance in a Grand Slam final, and he’s found his way into 21 of the last 26 since then. He knew that this is where he belonged. While Murray certainly belongs as well, I can no longer claim that he deserves a championship. Before meeting Federer, Murray walked over all of his opponents at this tournament, only once needing to take a match past three sets (his semifinal against Marin Cilic). It was an admirable run, but given the lack of wear and tear, I expected him to come out fresh and energetic in the final. About to drop the second set, Murray began to grab his right leg in between points. Murray was seen nursing different areas, whether it be his thigh, knee, or toe. Still, it never seemed legitimate. When things started to go his way during the third set, the pain suddenly sufficed. Strange how that happens. Whimpering like Murray did suggests that you’re only losing because you’re not at full strength. Federer has far too much pride to pull something like that. When facing a large deficit, he simply relies on his talent to get him back in the match.
Of course, Murray wouldn’t have been whimpering if the first place if he were in control from the beginning. In his quarterfinal victory over Rafael Nadal, Murray never mellowed his attack, serving with accuracy and hitting with aggression during volleys. What happened to that confidence in the biggest match of his life? During those first two sets, Murray served terribly, had weak groundstrokes, and cracked under pressure at the net. Playing defensively, he curiously waited for Federer to make mistakes, which didn’t happen enough. When he turned up the intensity in the third set, it was far too late.
Noticing his opponent’s retreat, Federer was free to strike at will, landing 28 winners compared to Murray’s 12. As Murray stuck to the baseline, Federer employed drop shots and came to the net. He completely owned the court. As for his serve, it was staggering as usual.
I don’t know when exactly Federer is going to relinquish his crown, but if his recent performance against Andy Murray is any indication, it shouldn’t be for a while.
ESPN.com breaks down several possible destinations for receiver Brandon Marshall if/when the Broncos decide to deal him this offseason.
· The first speculation was that Marshall would be headed to the Seahawks or the Redskins, via two of our NFL Nation bloggers.
· Cincinnati has the need for a second WR to go along with Chad Ochocinco, but we’re not sure the Bengals would want another head case.
· The Cowboys need a legitimate No. 1 WR and Jerry Jones would have no problem forking out cash for a new deal to Marshall.
· What about the Pats? Randy Moss isn’t getting any younger, and Wes Welker might be a shell of his former self after shredding his knee.
· Dave Krieger of the Denver Post speculated on some new spots: the Ravens, Dolphins and Cardinals.
Mike Klis of the Denver Post also throws out a Marshall-for-Brady Quinn scenario, but he’s just speculating – he has nothing to back that rumor up.
The problem the Broncos have is that Marshall’s trade value has never been lower. Teams know that he and head coach Josh McDaniels are at odds and that Denver wants to rid itself of him. The Broncos will be lucky to land a third round pick for him, which would be quite a steal for the team that acquires him.
Herschel Walker defeated Greg Nagy in the third round on Saturday night to win his MMA debut. Referee Troy Waugh called the fight after Walker drove Nagy into the fence and then proceeded to pummel him with a flurry of punches.
From TSN.com:
“The experience was exciting,” Walker said. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Still trim and fit at 47, Walker used his strength advantage to wear down the 26-year-old Nagy (1-2). He appeared to be close to the win near the end of the second five-minute round, but Nagy managed to extend the bout.
In his football days, Walker dropped jaws with a workout regimen that included upwards of 3,000 situps and pushups everyday. He also holds a fifth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Considering that most athletes-turned-MMA-fighters get crushed in their MMA debuts, this is impressive. I have no idea who the hell Greg Nagy is, but well done Herschel, well done.
Tim Tebow just blew his first opportunity to prove to doubters that he can be a quarterback at the next level.
After botching several snaps and struggling with his accuracy during practice this week, Tebow fumbled twice and finished 8-of-12 for just 50 yards in the Senior Bowl on Saturday. Worse yet, his scrambling ability (his forte) was neutralized by Jim Schwartz’s defense.
Granted, Tebow was battling strep throat, so he may deserve a mulligan for his performance this week. But sick or not, the same doubts that scouts have had about him were on full display all week. His mechanics are poor, his wind up motion is troubling and he continues to struggle with his accuracy.
Tebow still has the scouting combine and individual workouts to improve his draft stock, but it was clear this week that he’s a massive project at quarterback.
Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (01/30/2010 @ 10:00 pm)
Orlando Hudson is in no position to ask for $9 million next year. On December 1, the Dodgers chose to not offer Hudson arbitration and to everyone’s surprise, he still remains on the market. The Nationals have emerged as the only serious contender, which should be a clear sign of Hudson’s current value.
Fact is, $9 million is far too much money for a 32-year-old second baseman. True, Hudson does come with plenty of positives worthy of a decent contract. With a career batting average of .282, four Gold Gloves, and a perfect club-house personality, he’d be a key player on any team. However, Hudson can’t expect that kind of money when he doesn’t steal bases, hits for minimal power, and has a questionable back. For his body type, Hudson should steal about 20 bases per season. Also, if he wants to continue hitting higher up in the order, 10 home runs won’t do. Brian Roberts, Aaron Hill, Robinson Cano, Chase Utley, and Brandon Phillips are currently the most productive second basemen in the game. Cano, now 27 years old, will make $9 million next season — the same amount Hudson is seeking. In 2009, Cano hit .320 with 25 home runs and 85 RBIs, all the while helping the Yankees to a World Championship. Do Hudson and Cano really compare?
No, they don’t.
The Nationals are reportedly offering Hudson a one-year, $3 million deal. If the Nationals are serious, they’ll increase the amount to about $5 million. In that case, Hudson would be a fool to look elsewhere.
“If [a kid is] good enough, he should be allowed to come right out of high school,” Kryzewski said.
But Coach K thinks if a player does go to college, he should take academics seriously.
“If they go to college, they should be there long enough to take core courses that could eventually lead to a degree,” Kryzewski said. “Otherwise it’s a sham.”
When the NBA age-limit rule was implemented, I conducted a study that found that players that were drafted straight out of high school had a higher success rate than players that were drafted out of college or via international ball.
I think the best system would be to allow high schoolers to be drafted, and if they go undrafted, they’re able to enter college. Once they do enter college, they’ll have to play a minimum of two years. That way, the players that are NBA-caliber at 18 can go straight to the league, while those that need seasoning will have to put in a couple of seasons on the collegiate level. The two-season minimum is to ensure that these players will put in some academic effort while in school (which will hopefully result in a degree somewhere down the line). One season isn’t enough. Right now, players have to pass just six hours in the first semester to be eligible to play for the entire year. That’s a joke.
“I know hands-down I’d be close to Jerry Rice’s records if I had been with quality quarterbacks like he had. He had Joe Montana and he finished with Steve Young. That wasn’t a dropoff.
“Say I had been with a guy like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Drew Brees all of my career. Are you kidding me?”
Owens was with a good quarterback in Philadelphia but he got himself ran out of town. Jeff Garcia and Tony Romo aren’t half bad either, although T.O. would have you belief that he’s been playing with Henry Burris and Joey Harrington his entire career.
Nobody has ever questioned T.O.’s talent, but what chaps people’s hides is that he’s always the one making these types of comments. He always has to remind everyone that he’s at a disadvantage for whatever reason, whether it’s the quarterback, the playcalling or the lack of touches that hold him back. He’ll never be the type of player that looks in the mirror and finds fault in himself, even though he drops more passes than anyone.
Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (01/30/2010 @ 3:27 pm)
Serena Williams defeated Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to win her fifth Australian Open singles title. Thing got ugly in the second set, but Williams’ gradually calmed down and summoned her power to down Henin.
From FOXSports.com:
Williams withstood a determined challenge from Henin before securing her fifth Australian Open title and 12th Grand Slam singles championship overall.
Henin, who had most of the crowd support at Rod Laver Arena, couldn’t match her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters’ feat of winning in her Grand Slam comeback tournament. Clijsters won last year’s U.S. Open on her return from a two-year retirement after getting married and having a baby.
Williams won the last four games Saturday to clinch the final in just over two hours, falling on her back in celebration after match point before shaking hands with Henin at the net.
The American holds an 8-6 lead in career meetings between the pair, including a 6-2, 6-0 win in Miami in 2008. At the time, it equaled the worst loss for a reigning No. 1, and Henin quit tennis two months later.
Henin won the Australian Open title in 2004. She quit from the 2006 final with stomach problems while trailing Amelie Mauresmo 6-1, 2-0.
Williams’ 12th singles major matched American great Billie Jean King’s career total. King was at the stadium on Saturday night to take part in a pre-match ceremony to honor the 40-year anniversary of Margaret Court’s four Grand Slam tournament wins in 1970.
Henin’s effort needs to be recognized. The Australian Open was only her second tournament since coming back from retirement. She beat four seeded players before facing Serena in the final. Given the lack of depth in women’s tennis, I think Henin will climb the rankings very quickly.
As for Serena, there’s no one better in women’s tennis. At 28 years old, she should be playing at the top level for a while longer. She might need to stop playing doubles with sister Venus, however. Although they nabbed the doubles title at this year’s Australian Open, it’s getting tougher for them to completely annihilate opponents.
With Henin and fellow Belgium Kim Clijsters back in action, women’s tennis is finally more competitive. Thankfully, this puts an end to Serena rolling over flimsy Russians in Grand Slams finals. The competition should make for some exciting tennis.
Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie has been dismissed from the NFC Pro Bowl squad after missing four of five practices and attending just one team meeting. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, McKinnie also missed the team photo.
McKinnie has been Tweetering (or is it Tweeting? Ah screw it…) all week about enjoying the Miami nightlife, so apparently he has partied his way out of Miami. Giants’ offensive lineman David Diehl will likely have to play the entire game now because the NFC only had three tackles on its roster.
If McKinnie wasn’t going to take the game seriously, then he should have forfeited his game check like some of the other NFL players who have bowed out of the Pro Bowl. There was no sense in him taking up a roster spot just so he could be an idiot for a week. He could have done that on his own time.
One would have thought that since this was his first Pro Bowl that he would have taken the honor seriously. But instead he embarrassed himself and the Vikings by being kicked off the team.
