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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

THE TOP 15 OF 2015 #3: BRADY'S SUSPENSION UPHELD

Tom Brady won the super bowl in February, but it's what he did in late January that has him #3 on the list.  In the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts he was involved in what now is infamously called, "Deflate Gate."   Apparently Brady and company were using under inflated footballs. They had ball boys in on it as well.  They were caught when a Colt defender caught an interception just before half and questioned the weight of the football.  Ironically when the issue was fixed in the second half New England ended up blowing out the Colts.

Brady was initially suspended for four games. Brady refused to cooperate with investigators and even refused to turn over his cell phone.  Brady maintained his innocence and appealed the suspension. The suspension was upheld and Brady did not miss a game.

THE TOP 15 OF 2015: #4 AARON HERNANDEZ CONVICTED

We all remember Aaron Hernandez from last years list. He isn't on this list because of his talents on the field. Instead he is on this list for the wrong reason, murder.

On April 15, 2015 when most people were worrying about taxes, Hernandez was worried about spending the rest of his life behind bars. He was found guilty of the murder of Odin Lloyd, his sisters boyfriend.

This is a big story because Hernandez was an extremely talented young man who let his temper get the best of him. he was a young man. that could not look past the hood. He is true evidence of the old saying, you can take the "home boy" out of the hood but you cant take the hood out of the "home boy."

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

THE TOP 15 OF 2015 #5 PATRIOTS WIN SUPER BOWL XLIX

The New England Patriots are always in the super bowl talks. so when they won the AFC and advanced to super bowl XL IX there was little surprise.

Coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady have been dominant for 14 years. They went into the game and controversy, but as usual they came out victorious. It was a great defensive play by corner back Malcom Butler that helped bring the Lombardi trophy back to New England. The play came on a questionable play call by Seattle that may go down as one of the worst play calls in Super bowl history.    

THE TOP 15 OF 2015: #6 OHIO ST. WINS FIRST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

College football fans have come accustomed to watching bowl games during the holiday season. you cant have new years without college football.


In 2015 college football put together a committee to rank the teams each week. When the season needed the top 4 teams would advance to the playoffs.


The first edition was a great one. In the first round Oregon beat Florida St. and Ohio St. beat Alabama. This set up was the first ever college football playoff championship. The game was dominated by Ohio St. they won 42-20, becoming national champs.  

Monday, January 25, 2016

CARDINALS SEASON ENDS IN CAROLINA

The Arizona Cardinals season came to a screeching halt Sunday when they were beaten by the Carolina Panthers 49 - 15.

When you asked the average fan what went wrong they will say Carson Palmer. But the problem was deeper than just Palmer. Yes he was a major factor in the loss, throwing four interceptions and losing two fumbles.

Palmer wasn't the only problem Sunday. The defensive line did not put any pressure on quarterback Cam Newton. This needed to happen if the Cardinals wanted to come out victorious. Also All Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson made a crucial mistake when he decided to field a punt after running up on it. He then fumbled the punt at a time when it seems like the Arizona Cardinals we're starting to come alive.  The turnover gave the momentum back to the Panthers.

Despite a bad performance and ultimately a season ending loss the Cardinals had a wonderful season.  The franchise has turned the corner from pretender to contender.  They are no longer a team to be taken lightly.  They will be in the playoffs next season and competing for a Super Bowl Trophy.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

PREVIEWING THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Today the Arizona Cardinals will be in North Carolina to take on the Carlina Panthers.  The winner will be crowned NFC Champion and will travel to Santa Clara to play in Super Bowl 50.

The Panther's have only lost once this season and are riding high after they beat the Seattle Seahawks last week.  The game was a great representation of what the Panthers are this season.  They start fast and then hang on for the victory.  The question is can they afford to do that against the powerful Arizona Cardinals?

The Cardinals also had a great win last week against the Packer's.  They needed overtime and Larry Fitzgerald to advance to the Conference Finals.  The Cardinals, particularly Carson Palmer, had a bad game last week and will not advance if that carries over to this week.

The Panthers come out on top if two things happen.  Number one is Cam Newton.  They need to ride the arm and legs of their young super star quarterback. Let Newton control the game and it should be a good afternoon for the Panthers.  Number 2 the Carolina secondary.  They need to take away the deep ball for the Cardinals and they will be NFC Champs.

The keys to victory for the Cardinals are Palmer, the run game and the defense line.  Palmer played like a guy that had never won a playoff game before.  That problem should fix itself this week.  Also the Cardinals need to establish a run game and stick to it.  The last key is probably the most important.  The defensive line needs to control the line of scrimmage and keep Newton in between the tackles.  If these three things happen the Arizona Cardinals win continue their season in the Super Bowl.

I see this game as a battle and going down to the final minute.  This will be a game to remember when all is said and done.  I see the Arizona Cardinals going to Carolina and coming home NFC Champs.

Final Score:  Arizona 34, Carlina 31.






PREVIEWING THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

The New England Patriots travel to Denver to face the Broncos with a trip to Super Bowl 50 on the line.  It's being called many things such as Brady vs. Manning 17.  But one thing it's not being called is the best game of the weekend.

Many people see this game as a blowout.   They feel Brady and Belichick are to much of a power for the Broncos to overcome.  They might be right, but what you have to remember is the Broncos have one of the best quarterbacks of all time and this season's best defense.

This will be a close with Manning being the key.  Everyone knows he his on his last leg and this may be his last game.  We also know he struggles during the playoffs even when he is 100 %.  But Manning is also capable of putting a team on his back and carrying them to a Super Bowl.

On the other side, New England has put together another fabulous season.  Tom Brady has played with a chip on his shoulder ever since last year's AFC title game, the infamous "Deflate Gate" incident.  Brady has put all that behind him and has something to prove by reaching another Super Bowl.

As I have already said this will be a close game.  The  Patriot's will pull away midway through the third quarter and will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 50.

Final score:  New England 30, Denver 14,

Friday, January 22, 2016

OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE LUE

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 30-11 and own the best record in the NBA's Eastern Conference.  Despite the great start many people consider them the third best team in the NBA behind Golden State and San Antonio.  They made a move earlier today that makes me think they to feel that they are second fiddle to the Western Conferences top two teams. 

The Cavs fired head coach David Blatt and replaced him with assistant Tyrone Lue, yes the guy Allen Iverson stepped over in the 2001 NBA Finals after he crossed him over and made a three point basket.  Lue was not give the interim tittle like most coaches that are brought in during a mid season firing.  Instead Lue was given the head job and a contract extension.  He will be paid #9.5 million over the next 3 years.

In case you're wondering why the Cavs made a coaching change mid season while they were in first place, the answer is one worded.  Lebron!  Plain in simple this move was made because Lebron was embarrassed for days ago by Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.  Lebron probably went to management and said "we gotta do something to keep pace with the west."  Lebron is pretty much the coach anyway, so what better way to shake things up than not really shaking things up.

Blatt was not the problem with the Cavs.  The problem was, there was no problem!  You are a first place team  that hasn't came together the way most think you can.  The reality is yes you may be third best, but the other two have to beat each other up just to get to you.  Play the season out, let them have the regular season glory and get ready for a battle in the NBA Finals. 

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

THE TOP 15 OF 2015 #7 MAYWEATHER RETIRES

      Floyd Mayweather is arguably the best pound for pound boxer in the world. He took an undefeated 47-0 record into 2015. After 2 wins he decided to call it quits and hung up his boxing gloves.
      Say what you want about Mayweather and his boxing style but the fact of the matter is that Floyd Mayweather beat every fighter he faced, including some of the greatest names in boxing. He finished his career unbeaten, which is nearly impossible in any sport. 
Mayweather retiring is a big story because of the impact he had on boxing.  The sport was dead in many people's eye, especially with the emergence of the UFC.  But Mayweather never quit on the sport and single handily brought the sport back to life.  He now leaves the sport in great shape with super stars such as Canelo Alvarez, Deontay Wilder, and Triple G, Gennady Golovkin. 

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

THE TOP 15 OF 2015: #8 KENTUCKY BASKETBALL

The University of Kentucky men's basketball team was loaded with NBA talent in 2015.  They were dominant and ran through the competition, going undefeated throughout the regular season. When it was time for the NCAA Tournament there was little doubt that they were the overall number 1 seed.  In fact most people were sure they would run the table and finish as  undefeated national champs.


They were trying to make history and complete a perfect season. But all that ended when they were beaten by Wisconsin in the national semifinal.  They had reached the Final Four but the dream season quickly became a nightmare when they were beaten.

THE TOP 15 OF 2015 : #9 DUKE WINS NATIONAL BASKETBALL TITTLE

  The Duke men's basketball team is always in the talk for National Tittle. In 2015 things were a little bit different. Duke was not the favorite to win the tittle, it was Kentucky and the college basketball talk was a perfect season.
   Duke was #1 seed when the tournament began in march. While Kentucky was the favorite many thought it would come down to the two teams to decide the winner. Duke held up its end and became the National Champs when they beat Wisconsin in the finals.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

THE TOP 15 OF 2015: #10 THE DOWNFALL OF PEYTON MANNING

When you discuss the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL the name Peyton Manning comes to mind.  He may not be your number 1 but he is definitely in the top 5.

Manning and the Broncos came in to this season with high expectations.  This has been a terrible season for Manning.  In the last few years we have noticed a late season slip in his stats, but this year it started almost immediately.  The only bright spot is that the Broncos have won despite Manning's poor performance.

The season got worse for Manning when he was forced out of action due to an injury.  Backup Brock Osweiler has shined in his absence and now that Manning is back he will take on the role of back up quarterback.  About a week or so ago things got even worse when a report surfaced saying that HGH was delivered to Manning's wife in 2011. 

Manning is a great QB and should be able to bounce back and help his team try and win a Super Bowl.  The questions remains will Osweiler allow Manning to do so?

Friday, January 1, 2016

THE TOP 15 OF 2015: #11 CENTENNIAL WINS DUVUSION I FOOTBALL TITTLE

For most people a football High School State Championship is not a top sports story.  But for a school in Peoria it's the biggest story ever written.

Centennial is known as a powerhouse and came in to this season as the defending state champs.  That was in Division II and before this season started they were moved up to Division I.  A division with just 17 teams , yet it belonged to the cream of the crop including schools such as Chandler, Hamilton and Mountain Pointe.  All three of those schools came in with preseason national rankings.

Centennial did not feel sorry for themselves, in fact they ending up using a phrase from a DJ Khaled song.  "All I do is win".  Despite two tough regular season losses they defied the odds and beat  Desert Ridge to win the State Tittle.  This capped a remarkable season for the Coyotes and let the rest of the nation know that they are not just a state powerhouse but also a national one as well.