Super Bowl XLIX is just days away.The game will be played here in Arizona, but did you the know Arizona has more of a connection to the big game besides it being played in our backyard. There are two players and one coach that are from here or came to college here. New England Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski played college football down in Tucson at the University of Arizona. Seattle also has a tight end with Arizona ties. Zach Miller went to Desert Vista High School and then starred at Arizona State. Seahawk offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is also from Arizona. He went to Scottsdale Chaparral High School.
The Arizona connection may not be very deep but ii is great to see that a kid from Arizona can make it to the biggest game in football. Miller is on the injured reserved list and will not play. Bevell and Gronkowski, however will be active and both could play major roles when the game kicks off Sunday afternoon. Hopefully these two gentlemen will represent our state well no matter the outcome.
Great Sports Commentary From An Arizona Native
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
"I'M HERE SO I WON'T GET FINED"
Yesterday was media for Super Bowl XLIX. As expected it was the most popular story of the day. It wasn't "Deflate Gate" that got all of the attention. Instead it was Marshawn Lynch that stole the show. As expected he made sure he was the center of attention.
It's no secret that Lynch doesn't like to do interviews. The NFL knew this coming in and threatened to fine the running back $500,000 if he did not show up and talk to media. So Lynch did what the NFL asked of him. He showed up and talked to the media. The problem is all he would say is "I'm here so I won't get fined". He repeated it over and over, 29 times to be exact.
The NFL needs to stop beating a dead horse. Don't force the guy to talk because all he does is figure out more ways to disrespect you. Lynch, I feel isn't being the way he is with media to be a jerk, or because that's his personality. He is like that as part of his show. He knows the media and fans eat it up and he likes the attention he gets from it. Leave the guy alone and if he wants to talk to you he will.
Lynch and his antics are overshadowing the fact that he is a very good running back on brink of being a major superstar in the NFL. When on the field he is a competitor who is very difficult to take down. He may even prove to be the difference in this game. What is the NFL going to do if he has a great game and is selected as the MVP?
It's no secret that Lynch doesn't like to do interviews. The NFL knew this coming in and threatened to fine the running back $500,000 if he did not show up and talk to media. So Lynch did what the NFL asked of him. He showed up and talked to the media. The problem is all he would say is "I'm here so I won't get fined". He repeated it over and over, 29 times to be exact.
The NFL needs to stop beating a dead horse. Don't force the guy to talk because all he does is figure out more ways to disrespect you. Lynch, I feel isn't being the way he is with media to be a jerk, or because that's his personality. He is like that as part of his show. He knows the media and fans eat it up and he likes the attention he gets from it. Leave the guy alone and if he wants to talk to you he will.
Lynch and his antics are overshadowing the fact that he is a very good running back on brink of being a major superstar in the NFL. When on the field he is a competitor who is very difficult to take down. He may even prove to be the difference in this game. What is the NFL going to do if he has a great game and is selected as the MVP?
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
SCOTTSDALE FAN FEST
Monday, January 26, 2015
WHY CAN'T WE JUST BELIEVE?
The New England Patriot's landed in Phoenix today. They are now preparing for Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. They are putting "Deflate Gate" behind them, but more importantly they are hoping that the fans will as well.
Like everyone else all I'm hearing about is weather or not the Patriot's cheated in the AFC Title game. Both Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have said they have no idea how the footballs became deflated. They also said they had no part in any wrong doing. My question to you is why doesn't anyone believe them?
Everyone assumes they are lying. What happen to innocent until proven guilty. Belichick was criticised for the way he compared himself to Mona Lisa Vito, a character in the hit movie My Cousin Vinny, but he got the message right. If you think he did something wrong prove it. Because of of "Spy gate" the public has already convicted the Patriots and the truth is we don't have enough evidence to prove wrong doing or not. We teach our kids to trust people and not to judge them but here we are passing wrongful judgement on the New England Patriots.
Like everyone else all I'm hearing about is weather or not the Patriot's cheated in the AFC Title game. Both Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have said they have no idea how the footballs became deflated. They also said they had no part in any wrong doing. My question to you is why doesn't anyone believe them?
Everyone assumes they are lying. What happen to innocent until proven guilty. Belichick was criticised for the way he compared himself to Mona Lisa Vito, a character in the hit movie My Cousin Vinny, but he got the message right. If you think he did something wrong prove it. Because of of "Spy gate" the public has already convicted the Patriots and the truth is we don't have enough evidence to prove wrong doing or not. We teach our kids to trust people and not to judge them but here we are passing wrongful judgement on the New England Patriots.
YOU MAD BRO?
Many of you have heard the phrase You Mad Bro? But do you know where it came from. Well let me tell you a story about the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. It was October 14, 2012 and they were playing a game at Century Link Field, home of the Seahawks. Brady and his Patriots were winning 23-10 and were in control most of the game. Brady was apparently thrash talking a young Seattle defense that would later become the Legion of Boom. He even told them to come see him after the game. Well Seattle made a comeback and ended up winning the game after a Russell Wilson TD pass to Sidney Rice with a little more than a minute to play. Well if you know Richard Sherman than you know he had no problem going to see Brady after the game. On nationally television he ran up to him and said the famous words. You Mad Bro!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Pro Bowl Practice
Yesterday I was sitting at home enjoying breakfast with my family. My brother in law was looking at his Facebook and and told me "what's SCC? The Pro Bowl practice is there." I told him its Scottsdale Community. he then said lets go check it out. We then jumped in the car and headed to the college. We really didn't know what to expect.
When we arrived we realized we were at the practice for Team Irvin. This year, like last we didn't have AFC vs. NFC instead we have the coaches draft from all the players that made the Pro Bowl. The atmosphere was great. There wasn't too many people there but there was plenty of jersey's from all around the league. There was however more Cowboy fans then any other team. And when they saw DeMarcus Ware they gave him a very warm welcome. In fact as he he walked off after practice they swarmed him for autographs. I saw just one Denver Bronco fan in all the mix.
The practice itself wasn't anything more than a walk through but it was fun to see the players having a good time. The most surprising person to me was Michael Irvin. As he was leaving the field security seemed like they were not going to let him sign autographs. He was was talking to someone as he walked towards the exit. He finished his conversation and started signing autographs. The crowd then grew bigger but Irvin didn't stop signing.
Seeing Irving and others being so polite to fans was so refreshing. With all the negative attention football players get people need to see them as what they are, individuals. A lot of these athletes are great people and deserve to be treated like it. So to Michael Irvin and many other athletes thank you for still caring about us, the football fans.
When we arrived we realized we were at the practice for Team Irvin. This year, like last we didn't have AFC vs. NFC instead we have the coaches draft from all the players that made the Pro Bowl. The atmosphere was great. There wasn't too many people there but there was plenty of jersey's from all around the league. There was however more Cowboy fans then any other team. And when they saw DeMarcus Ware they gave him a very warm welcome. In fact as he he walked off after practice they swarmed him for autographs. I saw just one Denver Bronco fan in all the mix.
The practice itself wasn't anything more than a walk through but it was fun to see the players having a good time. The most surprising person to me was Michael Irvin. As he was leaving the field security seemed like they were not going to let him sign autographs. He was was talking to someone as he walked towards the exit. He finished his conversation and started signing autographs. The crowd then grew bigger but Irvin didn't stop signing.
Seeing Irving and others being so polite to fans was so refreshing. With all the negative attention football players get people need to see them as what they are, individuals. A lot of these athletes are great people and deserve to be treated like it. So to Michael Irvin and many other athletes thank you for still caring about us, the football fans.
Friday, January 23, 2015
KOBE OUT FOR THE SEASON?
Well as a Phoenix Suns fan I say this. Kobe is playing possum! His team is terrible and he has no incentive to play. Their draft pick from last year, number 7 overall, Julius Randle broke his leg very earlier in the season and that killed any hope the Lakers had to return to dominance. With Kobe on the team they would probably have won 5-10 more games than without him. So if he doesn't play they will likely pick very high in this year's NBA draft. Kobe was ailing from the shoulder anyways and figured let me take the year off and get ready for next season.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
DEFLATED FOOTBALLS! WHO CARES?
This past Sunday the New England Patriot's defeated the Indianapolis Colt's 45-7 to advance to Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona on February 1, 2015. The big news out of this game wasn't Tom Brady returning to another Super Bowl or LeGarrette Blount's 157 rushing yards. It was people saying "New England cheated". Apparently they deflated their footballs to make it easier to throw and catch in the rain. Well to that I say Who cares.
The only reason this is a story is because it involves the Patriot's. If it would have been the Raven's or the Bronco's this isn't even a story. The Colt's just need to face the truth. They went into Foxborough and got the tar kicked out of them. They would have lost that game even if they were using a Nerf football. New England dominated the entire and the amount of air in the football had nothing to do with it.
Because of "Spy Gate" Bill Bellichick will always be second guessed when there is any sort of controversy. For those of you who don't know here is how the public found out the balls were deflated. After a Brady thrown interception a member of the Colt's staff was given the ball to hold onto and apparently noticed the difference. That person reported it to coach Chuck Pagano who then notified a league official upstairs and now we have what is being called "Deflate Gate". The NFL has since said 11 of the 12 footballs used by the Patriot's were deflated. Here's what I think. The ref's touch the football after every play to spot it, why didn't they notice it and say anything? I know what you are thinking. Because the were cheating for the Patriot's. But lets be real, I'm sure the ref's couldn't even tell and didn't feel there the need to question the weight of the football. All of this controversy needs to go away so we can focus on the big picture here. If both the Patriot's and the Seattle Seahawks continue to play the way they have all season long we are in store for the best Super Bowl in history.
The only reason this is a story is because it involves the Patriot's. If it would have been the Raven's or the Bronco's this isn't even a story. The Colt's just need to face the truth. They went into Foxborough and got the tar kicked out of them. They would have lost that game even if they were using a Nerf football. New England dominated the entire and the amount of air in the football had nothing to do with it.
Because of "Spy Gate" Bill Bellichick will always be second guessed when there is any sort of controversy. For those of you who don't know here is how the public found out the balls were deflated. After a Brady thrown interception a member of the Colt's staff was given the ball to hold onto and apparently noticed the difference. That person reported it to coach Chuck Pagano who then notified a league official upstairs and now we have what is being called "Deflate Gate". The NFL has since said 11 of the 12 footballs used by the Patriot's were deflated. Here's what I think. The ref's touch the football after every play to spot it, why didn't they notice it and say anything? I know what you are thinking. Because the were cheating for the Patriot's. But lets be real, I'm sure the ref's couldn't even tell and didn't feel there the need to question the weight of the football. All of this controversy needs to go away so we can focus on the big picture here. If both the Patriot's and the Seattle Seahawks continue to play the way they have all season long we are in store for the best Super Bowl in history.
Monday, January 19, 2015
SUPER BOWL XLIX HERE WE COME!
Seattle hosted the Green Bay Packers and stole the NFC title. Green Bay led the entire game and then something strange happened. Seattle seemed to just flip a switch and started score at ease. They used an onside kick to help take a three point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Packers answered with a field goal and sent the game into overtime. Seattle got the ball first and Russell Wilson found Jerome Kearse for the game winning touchdown.
In the AFC New England host the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriot's led by Tom Brady scored first and never looked back. The Colts, while the game was very competitive, were never really in the game. New England ended the game with a 45-7 victory.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks:
Century Field, 1:05 P.M., Fox
HOW THEY WIN:
Packers- In order for the Packers to advance to the Super Bowl they need to do one thing, protect Aaron Rodgers. If they do this Rodgers will stay healthy and be able to pick apart the Seattle defense.
Seahawks: If Seattle can run the ball with Marshawn Lynch they will be able to control the pace of the game. They don't typically score much so this will keep the score low and and allow them to repeat as NFC Champs and make it to a second straight Super Bowl.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Seattle is trying to make it back to the Super Bowl for the second time in as many years. Aaron Rodgers won Super XLV and was also the MVP of the game. They have made the playoffs each of Russell Wilson's first three seasons. Green Bay last won a Super Bowl in 2011. Aaron Rodgers was the league MVP that same year.
THE PREDICTION: Seattle 17, Green Bay 10
Century Field, 1:05 P.M., Fox
HOW THEY WIN:
Packers- In order for the Packers to advance to the Super Bowl they need to do one thing, protect Aaron Rodgers. If they do this Rodgers will stay healthy and be able to pick apart the Seattle defense.
Seahawks: If Seattle can run the ball with Marshawn Lynch they will be able to control the pace of the game. They don't typically score much so this will keep the score low and and allow them to repeat as NFC Champs and make it to a second straight Super Bowl.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Seattle is trying to make it back to the Super Bowl for the second time in as many years. Aaron Rodgers won Super XLV and was also the MVP of the game. They have made the playoffs each of Russell Wilson's first three seasons. Green Bay last won a Super Bowl in 2011. Aaron Rodgers was the league MVP that same year.
THE PREDICTION: Seattle 17, Green Bay 10
Saturday, January 17, 2015
A SHOWDOWN IN PAC 12 BASKETBALL
Utah is led by superstar guard Delon Wright. When he is on his game the Utes are very hard to beat. Arizona has a slew of talent as well such as Stanley Johnson, Brandon Asley, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Gabe York. The Wildcat's went to the Elite Eight last season and if they hope to improve on that this year they are going to have to go through Utah.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
JONES STAYS IN COLLEGE
Earlier today Ohio St. Quarterback Cardale Jones called a press conference to discuss his future at Ohio St. He and the Buckeye's are coming off a national championship victory over the Oregon Ducks. Many people expected Jones to announce that he will be entering this years draft. In a bit of a shocker Jones big announcement was that he will be staying in college.
Jones only played three games and threw less than 100 passes in his very short stint as the starting quarterback. Normally I would say would suggest for a guy in his situation to stay in college. In this case I would have been ok with him leaving for the NFL and here's why. Jones would not have played or even been the backup. He started the year third string for a reason. He was behind two very good quarterbacks who were both Heisman candidates at one point. The fact that he decided to stay tells me that one of two things happened. Either he was promised the starting job or one of the other two guys will transfer and he will get a fair shot at starting next season and helping the Buckeyes defend their National Championship.
Jones only played three games and threw less than 100 passes in his very short stint as the starting quarterback. Normally I would say would suggest for a guy in his situation to stay in college. In this case I would have been ok with him leaving for the NFL and here's why. Jones would not have played or even been the backup. He started the year third string for a reason. He was behind two very good quarterbacks who were both Heisman candidates at one point. The fact that he decided to stay tells me that one of two things happened. Either he was promised the starting job or one of the other two guys will transfer and he will get a fair shot at starting next season and helping the Buckeyes defend their National Championship.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
AND THEN THERE WERE 4
This past weekend we witnessed some of the greatest QB performances of the season. Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Andrew Luck all made great plays and led their respective teams to the conference title and one win away from the Super Bowl.
The NFL is now down to 4 teams and this weekend promises to be one to remember. In the AFC the Indianapolis Colts travel to New England to face the Patriot's. While the AFC Title game is nothing new to Tom Brady it is Andrew Luck's first appearance. In the NFC the Seattle Seahawks will go to Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Packers. Seattle and Wilson are trying to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Aaron Rodgers hopes to lead his Packers back to the big game. No matter which team you root for we should see two great games this weekend.
The NFL is now down to 4 teams and this weekend promises to be one to remember. In the AFC the Indianapolis Colts travel to New England to face the Patriot's. While the AFC Title game is nothing new to Tom Brady it is Andrew Luck's first appearance. In the NFC the Seattle Seahawks will go to Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Packers. Seattle and Wilson are trying to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Aaron Rodgers hopes to lead his Packers back to the big game. No matter which team you root for we should see two great games this weekend.
Friday, January 2, 2015
THE TOP 14 OF '14! #1
RAY RICE
By far the top sports story of 2014 was Ray Rice. The first reports were that he pulled his wife out of an elevator during a confrontation the two had. Then a video came out showing cold cocking her as if she was a man. Of coarse this outraged everyone but what bothered people even more was the way NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handled the situation. He initially suspended Rice for two games. The story became so big and Rice was then suspended indefinitely and Goodell issued a public apology saying "I got it wrong". Rice's suspension was eventually lifted. Due to the severity of the incident and the way it was handled Rice will most likely never play another down in the NFL.
By far the top sports story of 2014 was Ray Rice. The first reports were that he pulled his wife out of an elevator during a confrontation the two had. Then a video came out showing cold cocking her as if she was a man. Of coarse this outraged everyone but what bothered people even more was the way NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handled the situation. He initially suspended Rice for two games. The story became so big and Rice was then suspended indefinitely and Goodell issued a public apology saying "I got it wrong". Rice's suspension was eventually lifted. Due to the severity of the incident and the way it was handled Rice will most likely never play another down in the NFL.
THE TOP 14 OF '14! #2
DONALD STERLING
Donald Sterling became a household name because of racial comments he made to his girlfriend in private. The thing that made it worse is he was the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers at the time and his girlfriend recorded him. When the tapes were released for everyone to hear the outrage began. The tapes upset everybody including players and coaches of the Clippers. New NBA commissioner Adam Silver acted quickly banning Sterling for life from any NBA related event and forced him to sell his share of the team. Silver was praised by many and did a good job of putting back together a huge mess.
Donald Sterling became a household name because of racial comments he made to his girlfriend in private. The thing that made it worse is he was the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers at the time and his girlfriend recorded him. When the tapes were released for everyone to hear the outrage began. The tapes upset everybody including players and coaches of the Clippers. New NBA commissioner Adam Silver acted quickly banning Sterling for life from any NBA related event and forced him to sell his share of the team. Silver was praised by many and did a good job of putting back together a huge mess.
THE TOP 14 OF '14! #3
LEBRON JAMES GOES BACK HOME
NBA superstar Lebron James decided to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat. The heat had just lost the NBA title to the San Antonio Spurs. James won two titles in Miami and after the loss he decided to go home. James signed a two year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers vowing things would be different this time. Unlike when he went to Miami he was not going to guarantee any titles. This decision made many Cleveland fans happy and now we'll have to wait and see how the saga plays out.
NBA superstar Lebron James decided to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat. The heat had just lost the NBA title to the San Antonio Spurs. James won two titles in Miami and after the loss he decided to go home. James signed a two year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers vowing things would be different this time. Unlike when he went to Miami he was not going to guarantee any titles. This decision made many Cleveland fans happy and now we'll have to wait and see how the saga plays out.
THE TOP 14 OF '14 #4
ADRIAN PETERSON
Viking fans were excited and hopeful about this season and mainly because of Adrian Peterson. Well the season quickly fell apart when in early September Peterson was arrested for hitting his son with a switch. The pictures were outrageous and this caused an uproar in the country. Peterson was suspended and will probably never play in the NFL again, a punishment many people agree with.
Viking fans were excited and hopeful about this season and mainly because of Adrian Peterson. Well the season quickly fell apart when in early September Peterson was arrested for hitting his son with a switch. The pictures were outrageous and this caused an uproar in the country. Peterson was suspended and will probably never play in the NFL again, a punishment many people agree with.
THE TOP 14 OF '14! #5
MICHAEL SAM
All American Missouri defensive end Michael Sam decided to come out as gay before the NFL draft. Many feel his draft status was affected but his name was finally called in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. He became the first publicly gay player in the NFL. Sam was waiver by the Rams after the preseason and had a brief stint on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. Although he currently is a free agent he has not given up on his dream to play in the NFL.
All American Missouri defensive end Michael Sam decided to come out as gay before the NFL draft. Many feel his draft status was affected but his name was finally called in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. He became the first publicly gay player in the NFL. Sam was waiver by the Rams after the preseason and had a brief stint on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. Although he currently is a free agent he has not given up on his dream to play in the NFL.
THE TOP 14 OF '14! #6
TONY STEWART
One of this years big stories is filled with tragedy. NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart was racing in a sprint car race when he hit and killed Kevin Ward Jr. Stewart had just crashed into Wards car and Ward got out of his car and was standing on the track when Stewart's car came around and struck him. The incident was investigated and Stewart was cleared of any wrong doing.
One of this years big stories is filled with tragedy. NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart was racing in a sprint car race when he hit and killed Kevin Ward Jr. Stewart had just crashed into Wards car and Ward got out of his car and was standing on the track when Stewart's car came around and struck him. The incident was investigated and Stewart was cleared of any wrong doing.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
THE TOP 14 OF '14! #7
DEREK JETER'S FINAL SEASON
This year saw the end of an era in Major League Baseball. Derek Jeter of the New York Yankee's called it a career after 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. Jeter was one of the greatest shortstops to play the game. He finished his career with a .310 batting average, 3,465 hits and 260 home runs with 1,311 RBI's. He was a 14 time all-star and won the World Title 5 times and he was Rookie of the Year. Jeter was loved by Yankee fans and respected by all baseball fans. The game will not be the same without him.
This year saw the end of an era in Major League Baseball. Derek Jeter of the New York Yankee's called it a career after 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. Jeter was one of the greatest shortstops to play the game. He finished his career with a .310 batting average, 3,465 hits and 260 home runs with 1,311 RBI's. He was a 14 time all-star and won the World Title 5 times and he was Rookie of the Year. Jeter was loved by Yankee fans and respected by all baseball fans. The game will not be the same without him.
THE TOP 14 OF '14! #8
FLOYD MAYWEATHER
Boxing's Floyd "Money" Mayweather continued his dominance of the sport. He faced his toughest opponent in May when he won a split decision over Marcos Maidana. He chose to fight Maidana again in September and dominated the rematch. Mayweather is now 47-0 and says he'll retire at the end of 2015. will go down in history as the greatest boxer ever.
Boxing's Floyd "Money" Mayweather continued his dominance of the sport. He faced his toughest opponent in May when he won a split decision over Marcos Maidana. He chose to fight Maidana again in September and dominated the rematch. Mayweather is now 47-0 and says he'll retire at the end of 2015. will go down in history as the greatest boxer ever.
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