During halftime of this year's Super Bowl, we will all get the honor of listening to the Black Eyed Peas do some weird dance/hip hop number that will be instantly forgotten once the second half starts. So, in honor of this, I thought I would share my Top 3 Super Bowl Halftime Shows. They all came from real musicians, and involved no wardrobe malfunctions, no scandal, and no pop collaborations of 18 different artists. Just great music.
#3- Prince, Super Bowl LXI, 2007
"Purple Rain" in the rain. Need I say more?
#2- Sir Paul McCartney, Super Bowl XXXIX, 2005
Quite possibly the best performer of all time, with some of the best songs of all time, and the Hey Jude ending was classic (see below). I know I was singing along the entire performance.
#1- U2, Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002
The first Super Bowl following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. The performance was amazing, and adding too it with the tribute to all those that lost their lives puts this easily as the greatest and most meaningful Super Bowl halftime show ever. I only wish that the love Bono called for actually existed in this country. How soon after this moment of unity, with the band playing on a heart-shaped stage and pleading for love in honor of those we lost, did we return to petty squabbling, infighting and political disunion? It should not take a national tragedy for us to respect, coexist with and love each other, but it seems those are the only times anyone cares about their fellow man. A terrorist attack, an attempted political assassination, a mass murder for no reason. It is only in the brief wake of these heinous moments that we see the best of America, and a few guys from Ireland helped show that unity on an international stage.
Top that, Black Eyed Peas.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Super Bowl Prop Bets by ESPN
Confession- normally, I cannot stand the show Sports Nation. Really, it is Chris Cowherd. He is an idiot. He has an amazing bias towards the West Coast, and unfairly criticizes people who have done nothing wrong. One local example is that he said John Wall will never be an effective leader because he never knew his father. Right. Because Bill Clinton failed miserably based on his dad abandoning him. So, I hate Cowherd, and his show (with the attractive and entertaining Michelle Beadle) loses one viewer based just on him.
Nevertheless, the Sports Nation writers occasionally come up with some good columns or polls, and today's is proof. They take a look at some of the crazy prop bets that get associated with the Super Bowl. I know from experience that some folks are willing to bet on anything, including the over/under on the length of the National Anthem (sorry Pete, but Billy Joel was in the rain. Should have checked the weather report and assumed he would go faster. See below).
So I give you a link to SN's prop bets, and invite you to participate. I also give you the real prop bets, provided by BoDog, for the event/teams and individual players. Some of them are quite outlandish. Enjoy!
Nevertheless, the Sports Nation writers occasionally come up with some good columns or polls, and today's is proof. They take a look at some of the crazy prop bets that get associated with the Super Bowl. I know from experience that some folks are willing to bet on anything, including the over/under on the length of the National Anthem (sorry Pete, but Billy Joel was in the rain. Should have checked the weather report and assumed he would go faster. See below).
So I give you a link to SN's prop bets, and invite you to participate. I also give you the real prop bets, provided by BoDog, for the event/teams and individual players. Some of them are quite outlandish. Enjoy!
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Guardian Project
The NHL and Marvel Comics just revealed "The Guardian Project", which has given every team their very own super hero. Some of them look pretty stupid (I AM TALKING ABOUT YOU, PITTSBURGH!). Others, including the Capitals thankfully, don't look half bad. No idea why they have done this, but at least it is something fun to blog about. Have a look at The Capital here:
You can check out his bio and more by heading to The Guardian Project website.
You can check out his bio and more by heading to The Guardian Project website.
Tampa Bay Flash.. I Mean Lightening...
So the Tampa Bay Lightening have introduced a new color scheme and jersey layout for next season. Why they did this now, while they are still playing this season, is beyond me. Have a look:
I think the only question now is- can DC Comics sue for intellectual property violations? Granted, they are different colors, but that looks awfully close to the colors of one Barry Allen, aka The Flash. Am I wrong? I don't think so. It might be appropriate, because Martin St. Louis has always been one of the fastest guys in the NHL. What do you think about the new uniforms?
I think the only question now is- can DC Comics sue for intellectual property violations? Granted, they are different colors, but that looks awfully close to the colors of one Barry Allen, aka The Flash. Am I wrong? I don't think so. It might be appropriate, because Martin St. Louis has always been one of the fastest guys in the NHL. What do you think about the new uniforms?
Pandering for More Hits
It has come to my attention that relatively few people actually read this blog. That's fine, since it was started more as a way for me to get my sports thoughts down than anything else. But still, it would be nice to have more followers and views. So, I now ask of you, my faithful readers: What do you want me to write about? Should I bring back Facial Hair Friday? Are there other gimmicks or stories you would want me to comment on. Let your voice be heard, so that I may better and more effectively keep your attention and your readership.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Musings
Well, I have missed a few weeks of sports, so here are some thoughts:
- Very glad the Packers, one of my picks, made it to the Super Bowl. I will be rooting for them. I wish the Steelers hadn't beaten the Ravens, but they shut up the Jets so I can't be that sad.
- I will give a more in-depth Super Bowl preview later next week.
- The Wizards still haven't won on the road. They have to at some point, right?
- The Nationals report in a few weeks. I think they can finish ahead of the Mets, possibly the Marlins. I think they can, but don't believe they will. And yet I bought season tickets...
- Syracuse basketball started out 18-0. It was fantastic. They have since lost their last 3 games by double digits. Not sure what is going on there. They will make the tournament, of course, but the chances of a 2 seed in the East, which would give them 2 opening round games here in DC, are quickly slipping away. We need to find a consistent shooter.
- The Capitals are hot and cold, and it is difficult to watch them at times. I don't believe they can go to the Finals. Hopefully I am wrong, but I won't be surprised if they lose in the first round. I also don't like their chances to win the South East with Tampa playing like they are.
- The NFL awards are coming out after the season, and I obviously don't have a vote, but I think that the offense rookie award needs to go to either St. Louis' Sam Bradford or Tampa's Mike Williams. Williams' teammate LeGarrett Blount should get some consideration also, as should Colt McCoy.
- The Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement the day before the Super Bowl, I will talk about that also. Faulk, Primetime and possibly the Bus are ins. Curtis Martin, a WR, and at least one lineman (either side of the ball) will be in also. Ray Guy won't be. I object.
Can't think of anything else right now, but when I do I will make sure to post it. Have a good evening.
- Very glad the Packers, one of my picks, made it to the Super Bowl. I will be rooting for them. I wish the Steelers hadn't beaten the Ravens, but they shut up the Jets so I can't be that sad.
- I will give a more in-depth Super Bowl preview later next week.
- The Wizards still haven't won on the road. They have to at some point, right?
- The Nationals report in a few weeks. I think they can finish ahead of the Mets, possibly the Marlins. I think they can, but don't believe they will. And yet I bought season tickets...
- Syracuse basketball started out 18-0. It was fantastic. They have since lost their last 3 games by double digits. Not sure what is going on there. They will make the tournament, of course, but the chances of a 2 seed in the East, which would give them 2 opening round games here in DC, are quickly slipping away. We need to find a consistent shooter.
- The Capitals are hot and cold, and it is difficult to watch them at times. I don't believe they can go to the Finals. Hopefully I am wrong, but I won't be surprised if they lose in the first round. I also don't like their chances to win the South East with Tampa playing like they are.
- The NFL awards are coming out after the season, and I obviously don't have a vote, but I think that the offense rookie award needs to go to either St. Louis' Sam Bradford or Tampa's Mike Williams. Williams' teammate LeGarrett Blount should get some consideration also, as should Colt McCoy.
- The Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement the day before the Super Bowl, I will talk about that also. Faulk, Primetime and possibly the Bus are ins. Curtis Martin, a WR, and at least one lineman (either side of the ball) will be in also. Ray Guy won't be. I object.
Can't think of anything else right now, but when I do I will make sure to post it. Have a good evening.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
NFL DRAFT 2011- MOCK TOP 10 v1.0
Here it is! Draft season can officially begin with the end of the NCAA season. Congrats to Auburn on their BCS title. I just hope it isn't taken away in 5 years because of Cam Newton taking money. Andrew Luck decided to stay in school, thus throwing off every mock draft out there. Instead of a franchise QB going number 1, we will have a player that fills a hole. The Panthers are on the clock (and have a ton of holes that need to be filled)!
1. Carolina Panthers- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
The Panthers have so many problems with their team that no one is sure to be the #1 pick until they sign or Goodell announces their name. I am going with Bowers because they went with Peppers before. Bowers is very talented, though still a bit raw. He isn't a slam dunk prospect, like Nick Fairley or AJ Green, but might have the most upside of any defensive player on the board. Could he be Peppers? Sure. Will he? That is the question.
2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
This is assuming that the team doesn't want to sign Champ Bailey to a long term deal, and at his age who would? Peterson was the best corner in football and won the Thorpe Award. He has play-making skill that rivals that of last year's top secondary player, Eric Berry, but with better coverage ability. It will be tough to pass over Fairley, or difficult for John Elway not to take a new franchise QB if he isn't sold on Tebow, but Peterson is the right move.
3. Buffalo Bills- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
And the happiest team in America is the Buffalo Bills, who see the player they had graded #1 on their board drop to them at 3. Fairley was the only person that came to play in the BCS Title game last night. He is a monster. 6-5, 300 and can fit in either the 4-3 or 3-4 perfectly. He is athletic, strong, quick and has a motor that never stops. The only concern the Bills should have with taking this guy is whether or not he gets suspended for hitting Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez too hard or too late. Consider you wagons circled, Bills fans.
4. Cincinnati Benglas- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
The Bengals have a problem. They really wanted Bowers or Fairley to fall to them. They are not comfortable reaching a few spots for the next best D-Lineman, so they decide to take the best offensive player in the draft, A.J. Green. Far and away the best wideout, with speed, leaping ability and phenomenal hands. TO is likely gone from the team, and there are rumblings that Mr. Ochocinco will be as well. They also aren't sure who the QB will be in Cincy. At least that QB will have the best rookie WR to throw to.
5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
There is a big problem with this draft, and the Cardinals are a big example of it. Until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, teams cannot trade any players. That means that the likes of Kevin Kolb, Matt Flynn, Matt Hasslebeck and Donovan McNabb are stuck on their current teams until a new deal can be agreed upon. Were this not the case, I am positive that the Cardinals would draft another position (probably defensive line) here and trade for a QB. So, until that happens, Gabbert is going to stay the first QB off the board.
6. Cleveland Browns- Marcell Dareus, DT/DE, Alabama
Another big man like Fairley, who played for one of football's best defenses. He can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4, which would make him perfect for any new coach in Cleveland. They would have loved for A.J. Green to fall to #6, but will take the best defensive lineman instead.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Once again, we face a team with huge QB questions. We can assume that, much like Arizona, they will somehow acquire a veteran signal caller. Yet I do not see the 49ers taking a risk on a franchise QB in the first round of this draft anyway. No, instead I would imagine new coach Jim Harbaugh would like to have a one-to-two year stop gap and trade his entire draft next year for his old Stanford QB, Andrew Luck, at a much cheaper price. Amukamara fills a need on defense, and is the best corner available.
8. Tennessee Titans- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Do we think that Bud Adams has learned anything about possible head case/ run-first QBs? No, I don't, because Vince Young won him games. Cam Newton is bigger, maybe a little less crazy, and has the athleticism that the owner loves. I don't think Jeff Fischer will be as in charge of this draft as he has been other ones, and that Bud Adams will make him take the Heisman-winning National Champion QB.
9. Dallas Cowboys- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC
The Cowboys have a few holes to fill. They could reach for the first O-Lineman to help solve their problem at tackle. They could reach for another corner, since waiting for Amukamara and Peterson didn't work. They could try to upgrade the running game with a young power back. Or, they can address the pass-rush with a flashy name and raw talent. Robert Quinn missed the entire 2010 season due to suspension, but was being hyped to have a big one. I think that Jerry Jones will once again fall for the name and the hype, and pass on bigger needs for a poor man's DeMarcus Ware.
10. Washington Redskins- J. J. Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin
Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Julio Jones, Cam Newton, Blake Gabbert, Ryan Kerrigan, any O-lineman, safeties, a kicker, a punter... A whole bunch of prospects that could fit a bunch of needs. In the end, for some stupid reason, I gave the Skins the benefit of the doubt and had them pick a solid player on the defensive line. Watt can play in the 3-4, which Jim Haslett insists the Skins play, and will help a dismal pass rush. I doubt there will be a draft spot that changes more for me in the next few months than this one.
11-20 might be coming later tonight if I have time. If not, let me know what you think about these 10.
1. Carolina Panthers- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
The Panthers have so many problems with their team that no one is sure to be the #1 pick until they sign or Goodell announces their name. I am going with Bowers because they went with Peppers before. Bowers is very talented, though still a bit raw. He isn't a slam dunk prospect, like Nick Fairley or AJ Green, but might have the most upside of any defensive player on the board. Could he be Peppers? Sure. Will he? That is the question.
2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
This is assuming that the team doesn't want to sign Champ Bailey to a long term deal, and at his age who would? Peterson was the best corner in football and won the Thorpe Award. He has play-making skill that rivals that of last year's top secondary player, Eric Berry, but with better coverage ability. It will be tough to pass over Fairley, or difficult for John Elway not to take a new franchise QB if he isn't sold on Tebow, but Peterson is the right move.
3. Buffalo Bills- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
And the happiest team in America is the Buffalo Bills, who see the player they had graded #1 on their board drop to them at 3. Fairley was the only person that came to play in the BCS Title game last night. He is a monster. 6-5, 300 and can fit in either the 4-3 or 3-4 perfectly. He is athletic, strong, quick and has a motor that never stops. The only concern the Bills should have with taking this guy is whether or not he gets suspended for hitting Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez too hard or too late. Consider you wagons circled, Bills fans.
4. Cincinnati Benglas- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
The Bengals have a problem. They really wanted Bowers or Fairley to fall to them. They are not comfortable reaching a few spots for the next best D-Lineman, so they decide to take the best offensive player in the draft, A.J. Green. Far and away the best wideout, with speed, leaping ability and phenomenal hands. TO is likely gone from the team, and there are rumblings that Mr. Ochocinco will be as well. They also aren't sure who the QB will be in Cincy. At least that QB will have the best rookie WR to throw to.
5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
There is a big problem with this draft, and the Cardinals are a big example of it. Until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, teams cannot trade any players. That means that the likes of Kevin Kolb, Matt Flynn, Matt Hasslebeck and Donovan McNabb are stuck on their current teams until a new deal can be agreed upon. Were this not the case, I am positive that the Cardinals would draft another position (probably defensive line) here and trade for a QB. So, until that happens, Gabbert is going to stay the first QB off the board.
6. Cleveland Browns- Marcell Dareus, DT/DE, Alabama
Another big man like Fairley, who played for one of football's best defenses. He can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4, which would make him perfect for any new coach in Cleveland. They would have loved for A.J. Green to fall to #6, but will take the best defensive lineman instead.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Once again, we face a team with huge QB questions. We can assume that, much like Arizona, they will somehow acquire a veteran signal caller. Yet I do not see the 49ers taking a risk on a franchise QB in the first round of this draft anyway. No, instead I would imagine new coach Jim Harbaugh would like to have a one-to-two year stop gap and trade his entire draft next year for his old Stanford QB, Andrew Luck, at a much cheaper price. Amukamara fills a need on defense, and is the best corner available.
8. Tennessee Titans- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Do we think that Bud Adams has learned anything about possible head case/ run-first QBs? No, I don't, because Vince Young won him games. Cam Newton is bigger, maybe a little less crazy, and has the athleticism that the owner loves. I don't think Jeff Fischer will be as in charge of this draft as he has been other ones, and that Bud Adams will make him take the Heisman-winning National Champion QB.
9. Dallas Cowboys- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC
The Cowboys have a few holes to fill. They could reach for the first O-Lineman to help solve their problem at tackle. They could reach for another corner, since waiting for Amukamara and Peterson didn't work. They could try to upgrade the running game with a young power back. Or, they can address the pass-rush with a flashy name and raw talent. Robert Quinn missed the entire 2010 season due to suspension, but was being hyped to have a big one. I think that Jerry Jones will once again fall for the name and the hype, and pass on bigger needs for a poor man's DeMarcus Ware.
10. Washington Redskins- J. J. Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin
Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Julio Jones, Cam Newton, Blake Gabbert, Ryan Kerrigan, any O-lineman, safeties, a kicker, a punter... A whole bunch of prospects that could fit a bunch of needs. In the end, for some stupid reason, I gave the Skins the benefit of the doubt and had them pick a solid player on the defensive line. Watt can play in the 3-4, which Jim Haslett insists the Skins play, and will help a dismal pass rush. I doubt there will be a draft spot that changes more for me in the next few months than this one.
11-20 might be coming later tonight if I have time. If not, let me know what you think about these 10.
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