Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 176 of 1503)

Florida officially cuts ties with Urban Meyer to avoid violations

February 2, 2011 / Anthony Stalter

The SEC and NCAA was suspicious when Urban Meyer signed a deal to become a college football analyst less than two months after he resigned from Florida. So to avoid being USC’d, the Gators officially cut ties with Meyer on Wednesday.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Meyer had remained on UF’s payroll in an undefined role since resigning as coach in December. But earlier this week when he signed a deal to become a college football analyst for ESPN, it raised red flags with the SEC and NCAA. After UF contacted those organizations about the potentially problematic situation, the wheels were set in motion for Meyer to being taken off the university’s payroll.
It would have been a dicey situation for UF and possibly against NCAA rules had Meyer, who is appearing today on ESPN’s coverage of National Signing Day, publicly discussed potential recruits as a paid employee and representative of UF.

Former coaches join TV networks all the time, so it’s not surprising that Meyer would do the same after resigning as head coach at Florida. But one would think that UF was paying him more than ESPN, right? Not that he needs the money, but this wouldn’t be Meyer’s way of forcing Florida to cut ties with him so he would be free to sign with another school, would it?

Nah, you’re right. He’s not that devious. No way he doesn’t resurface at Ohio State in a couple of years…

On a semi-related note, did a bitter Gator fan write the intro for Meyer’s Wikipedia page? Check this out:

Urban Oscar Meyer, III (born July 10, 1964) is a college football analyst for ESPN, a retired American college football coach and former bench warmer…He is best known for his exclusive, romantic relationship with quarterback Tim Tebow, as well as coaching the Florida Gators to two BCS National Championship Game victories during the 2006 and 2008 seasons…

Former bench warmer? His exclusive, romantic relationship with quarterback Tim Tebow? Ouch.

Hey, I’m not saying those two references aren’t statements of fact. I mean, look at that photo up above and tell me you know exactly where Meyer’s hands are (and aren’t). But one would think that someone with Meyer’s best interest at heart wouldn’t have painted him in that light.

College Football, External Sports

Florida Gators Urban Meyer

Brady only received half of the votes for OPOY? Whaa?

February 2, 2011 / Anthony Stalter

It’s not surprising that Tom Brady was named AP Offensive Player of the Year. The two-time recipient of the award led the league in touchdowns, fewest interceptions, passer rating and hasn’t thrown an interception in 355 regular season attempts (which is a record).

What is surprising is the fact that he received less than half the votes (21 out of 50). Michael Vick received 11 votes, Arian Foster received seven, Philip Rivers received five, while Roddy White, Aaron Rodgers and DeSean Jackson received two apiece.

All of those players deserve recognition but none of them accomplished what Brady did this past year. How does Vick receive 11 votes? Did people think they were voting for comeback player of the year and not offensive player of the year? I know he had a great season, but he missed four games due to injuries and after getting off to a MVP-like start, he struggled some down the stretch. (All six of his interceptions came in his final five games of the season.)

Rodgers also had better overall numbers than Vick and he only received two votes. He threw seven more touchdowns, had a higher passer rating by (albeit by a slim margin), threw for nearly 1,000 more yards and completed a higher percentage of passes. Granted, Vick did have five more rushing touchdowns than Rodgers but again, I think voters were still in a trance over what Vick was able to accomplish two years after being released from prison.

In the end, it doesn’t matter how many votes a player receives as long as the most deserving player wins. And honestly, I’m not sure if the award should be held for signal callers. Quarterback stats will usually hold more importance than rushing and receiving yards, because the position is held in higher regard. Of course, the argument against my argument is that Brady was clearly the most productive offensive player this season, so why shouldn’t he win the Offensive Player of the Year regardless of what position he plays? Still, I think it’s a bit of an unfair advantage.

External Sports, NFL

Tom Brady

Jose Canseco trying to make a serious comeback attempt in baseball

February 1, 2011 / Anthony Stalter

According to Business Insider, Jose Canseco has elicited the help of former football agent Nello Gamberdino in order to make a comeback attempt in baseball.

“The main obstacle that I’ve had to get over as his agent,” Gamberdino explained, “is when you initially throw his name out there, people think it’s a joke. We’re trying to make it clear that, no, he’s not doing this as a publicity stunt; he’s doing this because he wants to play, he loves baseball, and he still feels he can contribute as a player. In this country where everyone has a second, third, and sometimes fourth chance at redemption, why can’t someone step up and help him? There are certainly guys in baseball that have done far worse than write a book.”
“It must be nice for people to sit on their high horse and judge him,” Gamberdino said defensively, “but Jose’s had to do those things for financial reasons.” (It’s unclear how, exactly, Canseco blew the nearly $50 million he made in his 15 year career). Canseco hasn’t made many friends since writing his two tell-all books, and Gamberdino – who only began representing the slugger after he signed on for March’s “Celebrity Apprentice” premier – reminds him that his extra-curricular activities do not portray him as someone who takes baseball seriously. But he’s got the name, Gamberdino said. “And until he can make some money in baseball, celebrity appearances are the best way to pay the bills.”

Gamberdino can’t blame anyone for thinking this is a joke because his client is Jose Canseco. This is the same man who once said he would “rent” a day hanging out with him in his Florida home. (That’s right, for $5,000 you could spend the entire day with a former juicer at his very own home.)

Although I wonder how someone could blow through $50 million, I don’t judge Canseco for whoring himself out for money. But everyone’s chickens eventually come home to roost. If you make a mistake, you’re going to pay for that mistake in some way or another. He bragged about introducing steroids to the game of baseball and then tried to cash in by exposing players for juicing. Sorry, but you leave yourself open for criticism when you do something like (along with his many other transgressions).

I wish Canseco luck. He’s going to need it.

External Sports, MLB

Jose Canseco Jose Canseco steroids

Four overrated factors for Super Bowl XLV

February 1, 2011 / Anthony Stalter

Is anyone else sick of hearing about these so-called factors as it pertains to Super Bowl XLV? It’s enough to make someone stab their own neck with a soldering iron.

1. The Steelers have more experience.
Talk to someone who believes the Steelers will beat the Packers and one of the first things out of their mouths is “the experience factor.” Pittsburgh has it – Green Bay doesn’t. So mark it down: Steelers 52, Packers 3. Experience, baby. But ask the Colts how “the experience factor” worked out for them last year. Peyton Manning had won the Super Bowl four seasons prior and Drew Brees had never played in the big one so naturally, Indy would win. Only they didn’t. When the Patriots beat St. Louis in 2001, the Rams had the experience and they also walked out of the Superdome losers that night. The Bills had more Super Bowl experience than the Cowboys in 1992 and Dallas beat Buffalo 52-17 that year. Experience counts when it comes to making travel arraignments, acquiring enough tickets for family and friends, and dealing with the media. But when the ball is finally kicked off on Sunday, the only thing that matters is which team executes. Everything else – including previous experience – flies out the window.

2. Starks gives the Packers balance.
Over the past month, I’ve written several times on this blog about how running back James Starks has given the Packers’ offense balance, which he has. But when it comes right down to it, I’m not sure how much of an impact Starks will have for Green Bay on Sunday. You don’t attack the Steelers on the ground – you attack them through the air. The Packers’ strength offensively is their passing game and Mike McCarthy should want the ball in Aaron Rodgers’ hands and not Starks’. That’s not to say that Starks won’t be used because he will. But let’s not make him out to be the X-factor when everyone knows that the Steelers can be had through the air. I expect to see plenty of four-and-five receiver sets for the Packers and for them to get Pittsburgh in its nickel and dime sets early and often. There’s no reason to keep the Steelers’ base defense on the field when that’s how they can beat you. If/when the Packers build a lead in the second half, then I expect to see Starks.

External Sports, NFL, Super Bowl

2011 Super Bowl Anthony Stalter Green Bay Packers James Starks Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Odds Super Bowl Preview Super Bowl XLV Super Bowl XLV Preview

Rookie golfer calls out Tiger Woods

February 1, 2011 / Anthony Stalter

There’s an unwritten rule in baseball that says rookies need to mind their own business, shut their mouths and always show veteran players respect.

Apparently these same rules don’t apply to golf. Either that, or Brendan Steele doesn’t follow them because he recently called out one of the best golfers the sport will ever see.

From SI/Golf.com:

Rookie Brendan Steele didn’t see eye-of-the-tiger intensity from Tiger Woods when he was paired with Woods in the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Sunday. Steele shot 70 en route to a T17 finish, while Woods shot 75 to finish tied for 44th. Afterward, Steele said that Woods appeared to lose interest in his round Sunday once he started to struggle, according to an article in this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated.
“I don’t think he gave it everything today,” Steele told SI. “Once it started going in the wrong direction, I don’t think it had his full attention.”

Here’s the deal, even if you think Tiger didn’t give it his all, you don’t say that. You tell your buddies about it when you’re kicking back a few cold ones or smoking some cigars, but you don’t tell Sports freaking Illustrated. Somebody needs to teach that boy some r.e.s.p.e.c.t. Find out what it means to me…uh, him. (To be fair, Steele had nothing but respect for Tiger before the tournament, stating that he was excited to be playing alongside one of the greats.)

That said, I think it’s obvious that Tiger lost his confidence in 2009. He clearly hasn’t been the same player since his ex-wife may-or-may-not-have taken one of his nine irons to the side of his dome and he hasn’t regained his swagger. Maybe he will eventually, but right now he’s in a major funk.

Every athlete goes through phases where they struggle with their confidence. They feel as though they’ll never get another hit, have another 100-yard rushing day or win another tournament. It happens. Tiger just needs to fight through it and find the motivation to be great again.

External Sports, Golf

brendan steele Tiger Woods

Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 176 of 1503)

Florida officially cuts ties with Urban Meyer to avoid violations

Brady only received half of the votes for OPOY? Whaa?

Jose Canseco trying to make a serious comeback attempt in baseball

Four overrated factors for Super Bowl XLV

Rookie golfer calls out Tiger Woods

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