Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 985 of 1503)

      Top 10 Worst Super Bowl Teams

      January 13, 2009 /

      RealClearSports.com compiled a list of the top 10 worst Super Bowl teams of all time.

      David Tyree7. 2007 New York Giants
      Is it easy to discount the Giants’ unbelievable win over the then 18-0 Patriots because of “luck?” Of course it is – they needed a wild sack-escape by Eli Manning and David Tyree catching a pass on his helmet to pull-off the win. But before you get upset over the ratings of another bitter Patriots fan, consider this: the Giants were quite possibly the worst team to win a Super Bowl. Ever. And the numbers say so.

      Of the 42 teams that have won the big game, the 2007 Giants are last (or tied for last) in winning percentage (0.625), point differential per game (1.4) and the Pythagorean record (0.536). Additionally, the Giants had just one Pro Bowler, went 0-4 against playoff-teams Dallas, Green Bay and New England in the regular season (losing by a combined 46 points) and finished second-to-last in margin of victory per game in the playoffs (5.0).

      Is that a somewhat complicated, numbers-heavy way to say the 2007 Giants weren’t a very good Super Bowl team? Sure is.

      Here’s a simpler version: In 2007, there were 10 teams with an equal or better record than that of the 10-6 New York Giants. One of those teams was the Cleveland Browns.

      5. 2003 Carolina Panthers
      Carolina’s 2003 season defined “average,” which makes their near win in Super Bowl XXXVIII all the more surprising. In no area did the Panthers stand out. As a team, they ranked 15th in points scored and 10th in points allowed—slightly above the norm, but by no means great numbers. Additionally, the Panthers were only 3-3 against opponents with a .500 record or better—a statistic notable for its small size (10 opponents had losing records) and mediocrity. Their season appeared more impressive than it was because of that weaker schedule, and the strides made from Carolina’s disastrous 1-15 performance in 2001, but the team was, in the end, simply not that good…

      1. 1979 Los Angeles Rams
      In 1979, the NFC West was just as bad as it was this year. The Rams made the playoffs by winning the West with a 9-7 record (the 9-7 mark is still the worst record for a Super Bowl team, but another NFC West team, the Cardinals, have a chance to tie that this season)…

      It’s amazing that the 2007 Giants and 2003 Panthers are on a list of “top 10 worst Super Bowl teams” considering they gave fans two of the greatest Super Bowls of the last decade. It just goes to show you that in the NFL, you don’t have to necessarily have to be the best team in the league during the regular season. You just have to be one of the best two teams in the league during the playoffs.

      NFL

      MMA Fighter Profile: BJ Penn

      January 13, 2009 /

      BJ Penn
      Nickname: The Prodigy
      Height: 5’ 9”
      Weight: 155/170
      MMA Record: 14-4-1
      UFC Record: 13-3-1
      Fighting Style: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

      “Baby” Jay Dee Penn was born in Kailua, Hawaii and has been fighting out of Hilo at BJ Penn MMA. He is a world champion jiu jitsu competitor, and was the first American to win the World Jiu Jitsu Championship at a black belt level in Brazil. After this victory, the UFC approached him about entering the organization.

      The fighting prodigy started out with knockouts of Din Thomas and Caol Uno, both well-respected fighters. He fought Jens Pulver for the UFC Lightweight title, but lost by decision. He would fight Uno once more, drawing again to miss out on the belt. After the UFC stopped the Lightweight division, Penn moved up to 170 to face Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes. He submitted Hughes via a rear naked choke in the first round in a massive upset, earning him his first UFC title.

      Contract issues and other organizations caused the UFC to strip Penn of the belt, but he would reconcile and return to face Georges St. Pierre. Even though he lost against St. Pierre and his rematch with Matt Hughes, he continued on, deciding to drop back 155, which was a more suitable and natural weight class.

      Penn dominated everyone the UFC threw at him in the 155-weight class, and by doing so he earned his rematch against St. Pierre. If successful, he’ll be the only person to have two UFC titles at the same time.

      On January 31st Penn vs St. Pierre 2 will show just how good the prodigy is and if he’s successful, it’ll prove he can fight in two separate weight classes as a champion.

      –Written By TSR Contributor John Duke

      Mixed Martial Arts

      Dodgers vs. Giants: The Manny Ramirez standoff

      January 12, 2009 /

      One of the more underrated and overlooked stories in sports right now is the battle going on with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Manny Ramirez. Manny and his agent Scott Boras want at least a five year contract, while the Dodgers want Manny and his agent Scott Boras to look up “realistic” in the dictionary and get back to them.

      The Dodgers’ standoff is admirable; finally a club is willing to stand up to a player that probably won’t be worth what he’s asking for in the long run. Manny is a weakness in the outfield, is known for quitting on plays and even worse, quitting on his team. But the guy is still one of the best hitters in the game and given how weak the NL West should be again, the Dodgers would be instant favorites to win the division if they can re-up with Ramirez.

      But another battle brewing under the surface is the one between the Dodgers and Giants. San Fran has shown interest in Ramirez, but has balked at his asking price and reports state that they’re no longer a potential suitor. But does anyone truly believe that the G-Men are taking themselves out of the running and just handing Manny over to their rivals (the frontrunners for Ramirez) at a discounted price? Not a chance.

      The Giants are several bats away from competing for a World Series title or even an NLCS berth. But they’re seemingly one big bat away from at least competing in the NL West and the postseason. Their pitching staff is solid and they have enough decent hitters in Bengie Molina, Aaron Rowand, Randy Winn and Edgar Renteria (assuming his bat returns to form now that he’s back in the NL) to be a contender if they can sign Ramirez.

      The problem is that after they chose not to re-sign Barry Bonds, Brian Sabean and company pledged to rebuild. Of course Sabean then went out and signed Molina, Dave Roberts and Rich Aurilia – all players well into their 30s – so the Giants can’t use the rebuilding excuse as the only reason not to sign Manny. Still, the team finally has chemistry again and tossing a personality like Ramirez into the mix could ruin an otherwise drama-less atmosphere in the clubhouse. And for what? A shot to maybe contend in the West and then lose in the postseason?

      The Manny Ramirez battles have only begun and it’ll be interesting to see who cracks first. Ramirez could get tired of waiting for the Dodgers to offer him a long-term contract and take one of their initial proposals for 2 or 3 years. Worried about the Giants making a move, the Dodgers could also start to get antsy and cave to Boras’s demands. Or the Giants, in fear of wasting good pitching for another year, could seize the moment and put the power hitter smack dab in the middle of their lineup.

      I’m sticking with my prediction of a few months ago: Manny will return to the Dodgers. The Giants are too freaked out about another Barry Zito-deal and will stick to their rebuilding plan. I imagine L.A. retains Ramirez with a 3-year contract.

      MLB

      Tony Dungy stepping down as Colts head coach?

      January 12, 2009 /

      Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com is reporting that Tony Dungy will step down as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

      Tony Dungy is stepping down as head coach of the Colts — at least that’s what he’s telling those inside the team headquarters, sources told FOXSports.com.

      While the team has scheduled a 5 p.m. press conference, Dungy is walking around the team’s complex saying goodbye to players and team employees and informing them that the transition should be a smooth one for new coach Jim Caldwell.

      According to one source, Dungy explained that he has talked it over with his family and they believed this was the proper time to step down, while the Colts’ nucleus was still intact.

      Dungy is perhaps the most respected head coach among peers and players of this era. He won a Super Bowl two seasons ago and at that time many thought he would step down. Again last year it was predicted by some he would step down, but he decided instead to pick his predecessor and stay on for one more year.

      Dungy’s Indianapolis tenure will finish after seven seasons with a record of 92-33, and a postseason berth in all seven years with the club.

      Dungy has always talked about continuing his work with youth programs and has a lot more going on in his life than football. He’s an outstanding football coach and a great mentor of young men. Outside of Marvin Harrison’s incident last year, you don’t hear much about Colt players getting in trouble off field and that has a lot do with Dungy’s leadership.

      Assistant head coach Jim Caldwell is expected to replace Dungy, which is a great thing for Indy. Caldwell is familiar with the players and the players are familiar with him. Consistency is vital for a franchise that is so used to winning. Caldwell should make a smooth transition.

      NFL

      Top 20 Remaining MLB Free Agents

      January 12, 2009 /

      John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus takes a look at the top 20 remaining MLB free agents.

      Bobby Abreu· Manny Ramirez – Dodgers
      · Orlando Cabrera – Athletics
      · Derek Lowe – Braves/Mets/Cubs
      · Adam Dunn – Nationals
      · Bobby Abreu – Reds
      · Ben Sheets – Rangers
      · Orlando Hudson – Nationals
      · Andy Pettitte – Astros (at less than $10MM)
      · Jason Varitek – Red Sox (at less than $10MM)
      · Ty Wigginton – Astros
      · Ivan Rodriguez – Not much of a market, may have to take a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training if he’s not signed soon. Could he end up involuntarily retired, a la Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Mike Piazza?
      · Kevin Millar – Orioles
      · Mark Grudzielanek – Padres
      · Braden Looper – Brewers
      · Garret Anderson, Eric Hinske, Ray Durham, Jim Edmonds, Paul Byrd, Odalis Perez – All of them (with the exception of Byrd, who may retire) are drawing little to no interest and may be without a club on Opening Day.
      I’m shocked both Ramirez and Abreu are still on the market, although it’s more understandable why Manny is still available – his demands (or is it Scott Boras’s demands?) are way too high.

      Abreu isn’t the youngest outfielder available, but you’re telling me that no team wants to jump at the chance to acquire his bat? And if Ben Sheets could ever stay healthy he’s a 20-game winner, so it’s a little surprising his name is still out there, too.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

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