Can we talk about Cam Newton and the red hot Carolina Panthers for a minute? It seems that no matter how many games they win, no matter who they beat, people still doubt them. Every single time they have taken the field, they have come out victorious. There are complaints of how ugly a win is or how they almost lost, but at the end of the day, a W is a W. Going 14-0 in the National Football League is no small feat. Seriously! Think about it, you're beating people, everyone you've played, at their job. These are all professionals. This is what they do for a living. And you're better than all of them! Every single week. I'm no genius, (well, I'm something like a genius) but that is NOT easy! The Panthers have already clinched a playoff birth and a 1st round bye. And remember, they are doing all this without 2014 1st round pick, Kelvin Benjamin. I don't see how anyone can keep doubting Cam and the Panthers, but if you do... DAB! And let's not forget the game he had against the New York Giants. Over 300 yards passing, 100 yards rushing, and 5 TDs. Add that to the fact that he simply marched the team down the field on an effortless drive to set up a Gano game winning field goal and the Panthers are definitely the team to beat in the NFL... if anyone can.
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On Saturday, December 12th, the Heisman Trophy winner was announced and it was a surprise to maybe... 4 people. The University of Alabama celebrated its second ever Heisman Trophy in the form of their beast of a running back, Derrick Henry. Henry broke Herschel Walker's SEC record for rushing yards by racking up 1986 yards on 339 carries while tying an SEC record for touchdowns with 23. Here is a look at all 3 of the Heisman Finalists. Provided by ESPN
The final College Football Playoff rankings have been released and for the most part, it was as expected. With Clemson and Alabama taking care of business in their conference championship games, there was no doubt that they would not move from the top two spots. Some may be surprised by the committee making this move, but when you look at the entire body of work of both teams, it makes sense. Now we wait until December to see who will make it to Glendale. The match ups have the potential to be much more exciting than many may think. Here are the Playoff games with dates and locations. Now is the time to book your flights if you haven't already. And don't think we forgot about the rest of college football. Here is a list of the entire top 10.
This week the world was presented with some predictable, yet shocking news, Kobe Bryant is playing his last season in the NBA. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny the fact that Kobe is an exceptional talent on the court. Twenty seasons with one team in impressive in itself, but when you add the 5 NBA titles, 17 All-Star selections, 11 All NBA selections, and the third leading scorer ever to play in the NBA, damn! He has more points than anyone ever to don a Laker uniform while having missed more shots than anyone ever to make it to the NBA. And let's not forget his defensive presence. Kobe often drew the best player on the opposing team and many times, locked him down. His 12 All Defensive team selections definitely back that up. I don't think anyone can deny that Kobe had a huge impact on the game of basketball. Whether you love him or hate him, you have to respect him. But for the record, I can't fucking stand him! I'll holla at ya Kobe!
With the college football season winding down, it seems like there is a pretty clear front runner for the National Championship. And as much as it pains me to admit it, that team is the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. While my hate for this team runs deep, you can't deny facts. They have a pretty straight road paved ahead of them all the way to the trophy. Their last regular season contest is against a shaky Auburn squad. After that, they have just an SEC Championship game against a good Florida team. But good isn't going to cut it. Not against Alabama. Auburn, Florida, and eventually Clemson (still not sure how they're #1) will see that Henry and the Tide are pretty much destined to win it all this season. BUT, I'm not giving up hope just yet! I will be rooting for my Auburn Tigers harder than ever before this weekend! The Iron Bowl is full of surprises and we need one this year!
Every year Major League Baseball inducts the best players ever to take the field into the Hall of Fame. This is nothing new, but this year, one of the players on the ballot is the final nail in the coffin that my childhood is buried in. I'm talking about none other than Junior Griffey. The undisputed "sweetest swing in baseball" was every 80's baby's favorite player at one point or another. He was no doubt the coolest baseball player on the diamond over his amazing 22 year career. He did whatever he wanted between the lines and nobody could stop him. The backwards hat, beautiful swing, lightning speed, and ridiculous power were the perfect combo. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be on the ballot once and only once. This is about as close to unanimous as we will get for a while. A 13 time All-Star, 10 time Gold Glove winner, 7 Silver Slugger awards, 1997 AL MVP, and 630 career home runs. All during the infamous steroid era WITH NO TIES WHATSOEVER TO PEDs! For me, the choice is clear, Junior Griffey will easily be in the Hall of Fame very soo. The only question is, who will join him? Here's a list of the players eligible for induction. Who else will receive the 75% of votes needed to secure their place in history? Piazza has to make it this year, right? Trevor Hoffman? I guess we will have to wait and see...
In the battle of the best college football coaching names, Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers shut down Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State Seminoles. The Noles were one of those one loss teams looking for an open back door into the College Football Playoffs. Actually, they might have a had a pretty good chance. Knocking off the #1 team in the nation would look pretty good to any rankings committee. BUT they didn't. Clemson showed up and showed out. After being punched in the mouth early in the game, they woke up and quickly regained composure. With a 6-10 score going into the half, it seemed like Clemson was within reach, but Florida State had a shot to pull away. After halftime, Clemson took no prisoners. They held the Noles to just 3 points while racking up 17 for themselves. Very impressive.
So, the question is, is Clemson for real? Do they really have what it takes to run the table and be crowned champions when it's all said and done? Or are they a product of their schedule? Anyone see Alabama play? They looked like they would love a chance to test the Tigers. Only time will tell... By the way! Auburn upset Texas A&M. Just thought I'd let you know for those who may have missed it. #WDE For the first time in 30 years, the Kansas City Royals are World Champions! After coming up short last year, the KC kids seemed almost destined to bring the trophy back to the city. After a 14 inning thriller to take game 1, it was obvious that the Royals were willing to do whatever it took to secure the title. They seemed like a run producing machine. Get on, get over, get in. That is the way baseball is supposed to be played. It's the way everyone learns the game. They didn't rely on the big fly, they manufactured runs and took advantage of situations. Everyone was ready to contribute when their number was called. The bench players seemed like they would be in a starting 9 on 75% of other teams. It was exciting, fundamental baseball and I loved every second of it! I found myself staying up, struggling to keep my eyes open during games 1 and 5, not wanting to miss a single pitch. Both teams definitely gave me my money's worth. Both Edison Volquez and Matt Harvey put on great pitching performances, but it would seem that Harvey was left in a little too long. Manager Terry Collins had made the decision to yank Harvey after the 8th inning, but Harvey was able to talk him out of it. Honestly, I don't even have a problem with this decision. If a pitcher believes he has it, you let him go back. I would have still pulled him, but as a former pitcher and coach, I can see the case for leaving him in. The problem I have is leaving him in once a runner got on base. There is NO WAY he can throw another pitch after that. I don't care if he begs and screams as he's being drug off the field, that's it. Great game, but you're done. Well, obviously Terry Collins didn't ask me. He left Harvey in for another batter & the rest is history. The final out of the Royal's 2014 World Series run was named the MVP of their 2015 run. Catcher Salvador Perez was constantly beat & batter by foul balls, but controlled the hell out of the Kansas City pitching staff. He also went 8 for 22 during the 5 games and earned every single vote for MVP.
It's that time once again! The 2015 MLB World Series is set in stone. This year, the Miracle Mets and the Red Hot Royals will square off to determine the best team in baseball. With game 1 scheduled for Tuesday in Kansas City, the Royals should feel a little more comfortable with home field advantage. On the other hand, the Mets haven't really had a problem with playing on the road. Both teams have explosive rosters that can turn up at any moment. The Royals have unfinished business from last season while the Mets are trying to prove that winning the Series in 1986 was not a fluke. No matter what happens, I will definitely be watching. Check out the television schedule so you will be sure to catch every pitch.
It's October baseball and I am loving every minute of it! However, to my surprise, the heros of the diamond aren't the usual suspects. It was a big deal when the Yankees made their return to the postseason and seemed quickly forgotten when they made their hasty exit. Now the Mets and Cubs are taking the spotlight and aren't planning to give it up any time soon. Well, the Mets aren't anyway... The Big Apple's red headed step-sister is not slowing down at all! They have a 2-0 lead on Chicago's lovable losers and seem hell bent on serving yet another warm serving of disappointment to the Cubs this year. With Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard Taking care of business in the first two games, it's going to be an uphill battle for the Cubs back at home. It's even worse when you take into consideration that both Lester & Arrieta were spanked by the Mets and when you factor in deGrom, it looks even worse. Tuesday's game will be a must win. The Cubs need to jump on deGrom if they have any chance of moving on any further. Knock him out early and get into that bullpen is the only hope. For the sake of my DraftKings lineup, I hope they can call upon Spirit of Wrigley for assistance. Or at least Henry Rowengartner...
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