Category: sports

NFL Pro Bowl-Vote Today

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So apparently, at the NFL owners’ meeting, the team representatives are discussing adding some more benefits to the NFL Pro Bowl, the lamest All Star event in all of professional sports.

As you guys probably recall, I wrote a blog a couple months ago about my opinions on the Big 4 All Star celebrations. I illustrated the four events, and how I think they all stack up. NBA and NHL sport very strong All Star celebrations. MLB does a solid job making the game have some playoff ramifications.

The NFL has nothing. It’s just a scrimmage. There is nothing making it any more fun except like the other three leagues, fans have a say in who plays in the game.

Today, the team reps are going to discuss adding a fantasy draft to the Pro Bowl. Allow me to explain.

In the NHL, rather than having an East and West team, the league elects two captains who alternate choosing players that they want to have on their rosters. They used to have an East-West matchup but they found this to be more entertaining. They were completely accurate. I love the fantasy draft.

The NFL, MLB and NBA play conference games (games pitting one half against the other half). MLB has AL and NL, NBA has East-West and NFL has AFC-NFC.

The NFL may be the next team to adopt the NHL’s alignment.

Apparently, we may see two captains choosing teams regardless of conference. I think that could make the game a little more interesting. At some point, there must be some sort of benefit for winning. The linemen don’t even block. It’s a disgraceful game. But, they are keeping it around for one more year.

They gotta do something. The Pro Bowl is in danger.

Worst Person 27-Philadelphia Phillies

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In professional sports, there are always some interesting transactions. Some are ground-braking, like trading a top-tier player for a bunch of prospects. You know, something interesting like that.

Watching players fly around teams like that is something that I, personally find very enjoyable. I was intrigued this morning when I was informed that the Philadelphia Phillies traded a relief pitcher from their minor league club.

Hmm, I wonder what we got. Maybe a low draft pick or some other minor league prospect? Maybe some cash compensation?

As I read the article, I kept trying to see if I was possibly reading over something.

But the headline reminded me that not all trades make sense.

“The Philadelphia Phillies Traded A Minor League Prospect To The Los Angeles Angeles For No Compensation.”

What? Nothing? No money? No prospects?

Yup, that’s right. The Phillies literally got NOTHING from the Angels. The Angels got Mike Cisco, and the Phillies opened a roster spot.

Granted, the Phillies made the move because they believed that they were holding too many minor league pitchers. Fine, send a guy away. But, don’t just hand him over. Get something back for him. It doesn’t have to be a player. Just get some cash or something.

But NOTHING?! That’s inexcusable. I’m honestly in shock. How can a professional front office actually make this kind of move?

This is just a total head-scratcher.

Right, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.?

Derp

NFL Free Agency-Eagles Flyin’ High

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Free agency is a time where the mediocre teams of the NFL decide to add some new talent. It is a time to overpay for talent that usually wouldn’t command this kind of money. Free agency is confusing, but at the same time, makes all the sense in the world.

Well, it makes sense to me. But, a lot of people don’t get this. It’s alright though. It’s just what I do.

Anyway, the Eagles decided to crush the opening day, signing 5 players to contracts. The biggest signing, Issac Sopoaga, will play nose tackle in the Eagles’ new 3-4 defense. We needed a nose tackle and we got one. That was just day 1.

On my big board, I wanted the Eagles to pursue three big name guys. Those players are DaShon Goldson, Eric Winston, and Sean Smith. Goldson and Smith have signed with the Buccaneers and Chiefs respectively. Eric Winston is still out there, but there has been very little news surrounding his signing.

Day 2 was very slow. I don’t recall any signings by the Birds. I just heard a bunch of rumors surrounding Darrelle Revis trade possibilities. It is beginning to look like the Birds won’t be getting the prized corner.

After Day 3 finished, I was totally content with missing out on him.

Three more signings occurred on Thursday.

First off was the signing of former Ravens cornerback Cary Williams. You may remember him as the Raven that pushed a ref during the Super Bowl.

His background goes farther than that. He’s young and he’s got solid stats. He will likely be an instant starter in Philly.

Next up was our retaliation against the Giants.

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Lacrosse Week

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This past week marked the first 3 games of the 2013 lacrosse season.

Our first game was against the York School from Monterrey, CA.

The team was on a southern California road trip and had played four games prior to their game against us last Saturday.

Our team on the other hand had not yet practiced as a whole team yet, and it was evident on the field.

The team has many beginning players and adding new players changes the chemistry of the team every year.

It is an adjustment period to learn how people play the game and to be able to predict how they will react to certain situations.

Come game time I was excited to be back on the field from 9 months ago.

For most of the game York was dominating offensively and defensively ultimately scoring 11 goals.

The game almost ended in a shut out until one of our star returning players, Grant Spencer, scored the one goal of the game.

We all celebrated like we had won the game, but to us it was a victory because we did not give their goalie the shutout.

Final score was 1-11 L.

I was disappointed, but also realized it was the first game of the season and we had a lot of room to grow.

On Wednesday came the game against Laguna Blanca, a game I look forward to every year no matter what sport I’m playing whether it be football or lacrosse. Even when I’m not playing in the game, but the school is, I get excited.

Many think that Thatcher is our biggest rival, and they are, but they are our biggest hometown rival. Laguna Blanca is our biggest rival over all.

Most games with Laguna consist of some mouthing off from players and their parents which at our level of play can get a little out of hand.

We aren’t playing Division 1 sports, what parents need to remember is:

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NFL Free Agency

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Well it’s that time of year again. The NFL free agency market is about to open and this year, there are a TON of big names on the open market. Last season was a pretty weak year for free talent, but this year should be different. There have already been a ton of rumors swirling around, so let’s look at some, shall we?

First off, let’s talk a big trade. The Eagles are apparently the big name going after Jets All Star cornerback Darrelle Revis. This is a big one, but to be honest, I’m not overly confident nor impressed about this move. Yes, the move would give us a new All Pro corner, but the problem I see is that this looks oddly familiar.

Two years ago, Nnamdi was signed, who was the best corner in the league. We all know how that turned out.

I don’t know man. I’m just saying I’m skeptical. I love Revis as a player. I hate the Jets, and this is a win-win but there are risks, including his ACL tear.

We will see. This is all speculation for now.

More developments and details will come this week. The season starts now.

Time to Break the Poetry Trend-Intro to LAX

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The past few posts on this blog have been straight up poems and I AM a big fan of poetry but it’s time to break that trend. I’m a sportswriter so let’s talk sports!

This weekend was our first lacrosse game. I was excited after I got done from my SAT and strapped on my pads.

Then we lost 12-1. So much for excitement. I am experienced enough to know that one game will not define our season. But, that’s not the way you wanna start off the season. I had a good time playing, and I thought personally that while I could have given more, I played a solid game. We could have all given more. Some guys had excuses after the game and as captain, I have to listen to them. I dismissed a lot of them.

Following the game, something interesting happened. My football coach, coach Titus, walked over to me, gave me a fist bump and we talked about the game a little bit. He then proceeded to ask me to take a picture with his baby, Shepard. I happily accepted his offer, squatted down next to the stroller and smiled.

It felt good actually. Ya, we just lost by 11 points, but I enjoyed the experience of getting back into the game. Hopefully, we can get some wins going this season.

The Nike Roshe Run

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I recently picked up a pair of Nike Roshe Runs, a purchase I have been contemplating for a very long time, and I think I have come across one of the most comfortable sneakers of all time.

These things are like clouds for your feet. It isn’t even funny. I have a hard time taking them off. I got them in black and white, a color combination that has been notoriously hard to find, for the relatively cheap price of $50.

For that price they are really worth it and more. I will be getting more in the future.

And yes they come in a multitude of colors and materials.

Honors Ski Trip

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Break is quickly approaching, and on Friday the campus will begin to empty out. Students will go home, or to friends and family, for the week long winter break. And then, on Sunday, they will return.

However, there are the lucky few that leave the morning after boarding students return to campus. They will load bags and bodies into the school vans in order to make the trek up to Yosemite. These students get an extra week of break on Honors Ski Trip.

The Honors Ski Trip is a week long excursion with the headmaster and a couple other teachers, and a handful of students who put in the work to keep their academic and effort grades up to standard.

Last year I went on the trip and I had an amazing time. In the mornings we would cook obscene amounts of bacon before loading into the vans and driving to the nordic track.

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Happy 50th Birthday MJ. A Jordan 1 Retrospective.

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The black and red Jordan 1. What can I say. The start of a huge following. A legend.

The Air Jordan experiment. Nike gave a rookie a shoe deal and started the Jordan bad boy persona.

Michael Jordan was fined $5000 every game he wore these, and nike happily paid the fine. Banned. It made waves across the country. People wanted to be like Mike.

An original pair of the jordan 1 in this color goes for thousands.
This weekend the Royal Jordan 1 released again.

A classic in its own right this take on the classic black and red color blocking. I among many love this colorway just as much. Happy birthday MJ. You truly are the best of all time.

King Without A Crown

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No, I am not going to write a blog about Matisyahu’s song, but it is good, no I am talking about my beloved Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.

What happened?

They came back after the break which was way too long might I add, and the first game back the Blackhawks destroyed them.

How does a team go from best 8 seed in the western conference to #1 in the NHL one season and then come back to be 28th in the league and last in their division.

So far this season they have a record of 3-5-2 and only a total of 8 points from a possible 20, a 14 point gap between the #1 Chicago Blackhawks.

This is how last season started out and they came back to win the whole shabang, but keep in mind this is a shortened season.

The teams are playing pretty much half of a season, so there isn’t really room for anyone to mess up, but especially not for the reigning cup champions.

This past weekend the Kings played the Detroit Red Wings.

Despite defenseman Drew Doughty setting the tone early  with a monster hit on Pavel Datsyuk about 5 minutes after the puck dropped, the Kings were trailing 2-1 going into the second, and remained that way well into the 3rd.

The Kings picked up their play and were connecting on passes and shots, but nothing was getting past Jimmy Howard, and so I thought Jonathan Quick.

With 52.8 seconds left in the 3rd period Alec Martinez fired one past Howard just after Quick had skated to the bench to get an extra attacker out on the ice.

But with 4.5 seconds left Detroit Red Wings’ Jonathan Ericcson got one right through the pads of Quick, and it seemed to just slowly trickle past the goal line making it impossible for the Kings to come back, leaving them with yet another loss.