RJ In Tampa Weekly Sports Articles

Just wait

2011-09-12T17:20:00.001-04:00

Just wait…. That’s the title of this update. It has over been over a year since the last time I wrote an article so lets get to it..

Well I am back…

Lots of key games taken places this weekend in college football. But the main game that I am focusing on is when Florida State play hosts to #1 ranked Oklahoma this weekend in Tallahassee on Saturday.

This is just an update, however, I will do an article about this game and it will be finished and up by Thursday night.

Please send me your thoughts or comments about this game to rjintampa@aol.com

Fraud Athletes

2010-08-09T00:05:00.000-04:00

If there is one word to describe professional athletes who knowingly, but on the other hand, try to cover up there performance-enhancing usage “Fraud” is the perfect word for it. Fraud is everywhere nowadays: Fraud in business, Fraud in friendships, and I am here to tell you now that fraud is now even in the professional sporting world.

Which is hard for us to take in at first, because going to, or watching any sporting event on television, is our escape from this rotten/messed up world in which we live on, however, not everything in this world is all dark, and gloom, for some reason it just seems like it, and when our one escape from reality becomes none at all It just makes it that much harder, to escape from it all.

When professional athletes, such as the one who recently hit his 600th home run, a certain cyclist, in which everyone around the world, bought into the whole yellow wristband idea a couple of years ago, and when certain athletes such as the two that I describe above of high star magnitude, it brings us back to the reality of life in which sports should not. Granted most of you could careless about what they do with their bodies, and I would have to agree with you.

It’s there life, however, when an athlete sells himself as either a clean ball player, or a clean rider, and then make millions, on endorsements for that clean image, it’s just not right. And then when evidence starts to show the contrary it becomes fraud. Which is really the problem, look if an athlete wants to do performance-enhancing drugs, fine, so be it.

However, when an athlete does decide to go along that path, or when a test does show that they have indeed gone that path, they should atomically be ban from any milestone accomplishments, and they should be required to take 1/4th of their career earnings, and donate it to awareness for further research of those drugs, as well as to a prevention, and intervention programs. As well as have PEDU (Performance Enhancing Drug User), along with their name when it’s shown on television.

I bet that some athletes would accept that deal, and for the others they would stay even further away from using those drugs. It’s a hard stance, but in my opinion it’s the only solution nowadays for the professional sporting world. Because us fans do not want fraud, we want real competitive equal competition, but its too late, so this option is a way to short it out for us fans, from fake to real, so we know when a milestone deserves our special attention.

RJINTAMPAWSA@aol.com

Journey Ahead For Clevelanders and Cavs Fans

2010-07-12T00:08:00.002-04:00

If you have not heard by now, Lebron James on Thursday night of last week broke the hearts of Clevelanders, and took his game down south to Miami. Lebron James will be joining forces with follow all stars in Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat, in creating a perfect professional basketball version of the New York Yankees.

As expected, the city of Cleveland, did not take his circus of announcement lightly, after James announced his plans. Which was televised on national television on ESPN, an in hour long self title program named “ The Decision” which took place 492 miles away from Cleveland in Greenwich, Connecticut.

After James proclaimed to the world, that he was headed “ down to South Beach”, and not only bolting out of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise, but from his native state of Ohio.

The cameras showed the outpour of damage felt by many Clevelanders, fans out on the street, burning any, and all Lebron James appeal they had on hand. Fans, throwing rocks, and damaging a 10 story mural of Lebron James of the now in famous“ We Are All Witness” billboard in downtown Cleveland.

So is all of the dismay in Ohio, regarding Lebron James decision, overblown? In my opinion, and in having felt the way in which Cavaliers fans feel now, in the summer of 1996, when Shaquille O’Neal bolted for Los Angles from Orlando absolutely not.

If anything is overblown in Cleveland, is the perception that team owner Dan Gilbert has the fans back, in his raging and really pointless public relation job.

On Friday of last week, Gilbert declared that a Cavaliers team without James would win a title, before his new team the Miami Heat. I hate to further pass along some more bad news Cleveland fans, however, the only back that team owner Dan Gilbert has is his own, as in trying to protect further damage to his investment. In 2005, Dan Gilbert, brought the Cavs for $375 million dollars.

The latest net value report of the Cavs, as of this past December of 2009 reported by the financial magazine “Forbes,” had the Cavs total team valued at $475 million dollars.

It has been reported by a number of financial news outlets, that if, and when Lebron James, leaves the Cleveland franchise like he just did on Thursday night, that the net value of the Cleveland Cavaliers would be cut in half. So in doing the math, $475 million dollars divided by two, equals $237,500,000 million dollars. Which is now what the franchise is worth. I would to as well as anyone else would do such a public relations stunt like that, who would not?

Sadly, the money does not stop there, it has been projected that downtown Cleveland business, will lose an estimated $48 million dollars in revenue next year because of Lebron James absentness. Bottom line, its all about money, like it or not, the fact is that the world revolves around money, period.

Lebron James will now be 1,206 miles away now from his hometown of Akron, Ohio as that is the distance from Akron to Miami, Florida. In those long miles are now distance fan memories now gone of the Cavaliers days with Lebron. As I mention, the Orlando Magic, and the Orlando community lost Shaq in the summer of 1996 to Los Angles, it took the Magic, 12 years, till 2004 to land Dwight Howard in the 2004 NBA draft as a number one first round pick.

Its going to be a long, long, journey Cavs fans,and Clevelanders till you will find a replacement for Lebron James, in the mean time hang in there, and remember about the Orlando Magic.

RJ
RJINTAMPAWSA@aol.com

Sports Random

2010-04-05T15:49:00.001-04:00

A new addition to the weekly articles will be Sports Random, which is my short take on the hot issues going on in sports for that week. In this inaugural article of sports random is my take on: The Masters, MLB season opening up, and the Eagle trade of QB Donovan Mcnabb

The Masters, is by far golf version of the Super bowl, it tees off this week on Thursday. Unlike any other Masters tournament, this one will not only be a huge one for weekly viewers of golf, but also for the ones who just watch the sport when Tiger woods playing. And on Thursday Tiger Woods is back in action since taking a break and trying to make things work in his personal family life. I personally believe that all of the outside factors will be a non-factor, and I look forward to seeing Tiger Woods being honored in winning and wearing the green jacket come on Sunday.

Yesterday (Sunday) night, Major League Baseball opened it up its 162 game regular season with two games; the highlight game was the Red Soxs and Yankee game in Boston. Boston won the game, 9- 7 over the Yanks. However this World Series, the Yanks or the RedSoxs wont be representing either of the AL east or the American league for that matter. As my World Series prediction, is the San Francisco Giants representing the National League, and the Tampa Bay Rays representing the American league.

The Philly Eagles made a bold, and in my opinion a stupid move by trading away their aging, however yet still talented pro bowl QB Donovan Mcnabb to their archrival in the NFC east in the Washington Redskins. This trade makes as much sense, as if the Miami Dolphins had traded away Dan Marino to those silly Jets up in New York, towards the end of his HOF career. I look forward to the two meetings in which Donovan will get repay the favor to his now former team in Philly twice in one season.

Well that is it for this week,

RJ

Hit me up with your thoughts at:

RJINTAMPAWSA@aol.com

Who Dat ? …...The Saints Dat Who.

2010-02-04T21:05:00.002-05:00

It has been awhile since I have written an article, and I do apologize for that, as I have been busy, and busy first with the summer and then came the classes.

First off, what a great NFL season it has been, from Brett Favre playing in purple for the Vikings and winning two games one in Minnesota and the other one at historic Lambeau Field against his former team, and now arch rival the Green Bay Packers. Favre played at a high level here is his stats for the 2009 season.

QB Rating YDS TD
107।2 4,202 33

… Now onto the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts who are playing this Sunday, in Miami for Super Bowl XLVI. I think everyone in nation besides Hoosiers of course, will be rooting for the Saints, everyone knows the story with the city of New Orleans, so I wont defer into that one bit, however it is a pretty amazing come back story and a super bowl victory for that city would only add to it nonetheless.

From an NFL prospective, both offensives units that will be on showcase this Sunday, are great. Peyton Manning vs. Drew Bress, Quarterback play does get any better on the same field then that. With that said, this game will come down to the team that can make the plays on the defensive side of the ball. I think that saints will risk, the rushing the passer penalties, as they did when they played Brett Favre and his Minnesota Vikings.

If the New Orleans Saints execute that plan which I think they will, the city of New Orleans and the Who Dat nation will be Super Bowl Champions.

RJINTAMPA@WSA@aol.com
http://www.sportsaholicforum.com

Bowden needs to own up to his mistake.

2009-07-13T13:03:00.002-04:00

First off, for those of you that don’t know, I was born a Seminoles fan, as both of my parents, graduated from the Florida State University. I cherish every moment of FSU football; either by watching the Seminoles games on television, or by going to the Seminoles games in person, either up in Tallahassee or down in Miami when they play the University of Miami.

As that is a big game in my family, as all of my family members are from Miami, including myself I might add. I was born to hate the orange and the blue of the Gaytors, spelled it that way!! So in short, I am a die-hard Seminole fan.

So with all of that in mind, let me now begin this article on why I think coach and savor (that’s right) Bobby Bowden, needs to own up to his mistake.

Like a lot of my fellow Seminoles fans, when the allegations came out about the football players, and FSU athletics in general regarding the cheating scandal on the online music course. I was in full fledge support of Bobby Bowden in that he did know what had happen.

But like anything else with time, the real facts started to surface regarding Bowden knowledge about the incident. Let me now take this time, and say that Florida State did the right thing in reporting the incident right a way to the NCAA, and took action right away as well, as 12 players were suspend from playing in the music city bowl as well as some games going into the following season.

Do I think the penalty is a little harsh, you might ask?

I do, but that is what you have to expect as a major college football program, that is when you do the right thing, and report this kind of incident to the NCAA.

I am also proud to say that, I think no other major college football program in the country, would have done the same thing that FSU did. As another big time college football program would have try to hide it for as long as they could have from the NCAA, and the public in general.

Now onto Bowden in his part, in my view, as a coach or as a prominent career leadership role in life, when you have accusations, it is alright to fight for a little at first, but when the evidence comes out, and it is starting to mount towards against what you are arguing, right their and then you have to step up to plate, and take the heat for it, and own up to it as that is what a leader does.

As when you are at that point, you do not play the “ I did not know card,” as Coach Bowden did. As it will not only make your words sound guilty, but it will only allow for the matter to get worst.

So now not only are all of the above as I describe is happening, but also it is slowly ruining the legacy, of what should be remembered as of a great coach, and for coach Bowden stake, I hope he comes clean soon and own up to his own mistake, as people will forgive coach Bowden overtime if he did that.

But if coach Bowden does not come clean soon, people will only remember him for being a liar for not admitting to his knowledge of the situation as a whole.

RJ

rjintampawsa@aol.com
http://www.sportsaholicforum.com

Magic vs. Lakers 09 NBA Finals Take

2009-06-01T15:29:00.006-04:00

The 2009 NBA finals are set, it will be the Orlando Magic and the Lakers battling it out for the rights to be crown Champions of the 08 - 09 NBA season.

The Magic advanced to the NBA finals, by winning series against teams in the Eastern conference round such as the likes of: Philadelphia, Boston, and the Lebron Cavaliers.

In comparison, the Lakers of the Western conference advanced to the NBA finals by way of winning series against teams such as the Utah Jazz, the Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets

For the first time in fourteen years, since the Shaq days the Orlando Magic will be making their second NBA finals in the team twenty year history. Orlando first time around was against the Houston Rockets in the 1995 NBA finals led then by star center at the time Shaquille O'Neal.

It should be noted that under the guidance of Shaq the Magic were swept in four games. What also should be noted for this up coming finals is that in the summer of the 1996, Shaq bolted from Orlando as a free agent to the Lakers and took the money and run.

Which leads me to my next point on this series. In 1996, Shaq singed a seven-year, $120 million dollar contract with the Lakers, and turn down a front loaded contract offer from Orlando of 115 million over seven years with 24 million alone in the first year.

Needless to say, from that point on the Lakers became the Magic hated rival while Shaq was playing for them against the Magic in Orlando. Magic fans would let Shaq know on how they felt about that move in he had made in the summer of 1996.

Payback would have too wait two years, till the day Shaq cane back as a member of the Lakers while playing in Orlando against the Magic.

All Magic fans including myself remember that date. It was a Sunday, in late February, the exact date was February 22, 1998.

Shaq was back, playing in Orlando for the first time since signing with the Lakers two years ago.

Every time, Shaq had the ball in the game weather it be he was passing or about to take a shot he was booed, and hollered at by the more then 17,000 plus at the then named Orlando Arena.

In that game, O’Neil totaled twenty points, but that alone did not help his Lakers win that game as the momentum was all Orlando as the Magic would ruin his return and beat his Lakers by a score of 94 - 96.

This season in the year 2009, Both teams have played one game at home against each other. the Orlando Magic have visited southern California once and the Lakers have visited Orlando once. During those games the Magic came away victorious in both games.

In the first game, the Magic defeated the Lakers in Orlando, by a score of 106- 103 defeating the Lakers by three points. In the second game, the Magic defeated the Lakers out west in California by a score of 109 - 103 defeating the Lakers by six points.

Enable for either the Lakers or the Magic to be crown champions they will both have to take advantage of their home court, as well as steal a win from each other arenas. In my view, if the Magic take either game 1 or 2 out in Los Angles, the Magic will win this series. Game one is on Thursday night at 9 pm EST all game are on ABC.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Loyalty is absolute in today game of the NFL. 3/2/09 – 3/8/09

2009-03-02T10:30:00.000-05:00

When your team has to move on with certain Iconic players; that have been the face of their respected franchise for a long time, it’s a tough decision.

As everyone generally wants that Iconic player to remain with the team till he retires from the game. The situation is this, either the team has a new head coach or the team has a player that is on the rise, and is ready take over the position of that iconic player.

Those two situations are what the fate of that player will came down to. Just with in the past two weeks the: Colts, Jaguars, and Buccaneers had to make the decision of letting go of their iconic players. First up, it was the Jacksonville Jaguars who parted ways, respectfully with the greatest Jaguar of all time in running back Fred Taylor.

It was respectfully done, as the Owner of the Jaguars Wayne Weaver flew down to Taylor house in south Florida, with General manger Gene Smith and Head Coach Jack Del Rio to tell Taylor in person of the decision before it was made public. The decision had been in the process slowly as the Jags had to move on with Maurice Jones – Drew as the starting running back.

Second up was the Indianapolis Colts who were in a sticky situation, the new head coach wanted the player who is wide out Marvin Harrison back, but Marvin did not feel as if the team wanted him back. As he wanted a new contract, the team said no at first and Marvin started going public about how he wanted to be released from the Colts, so the colts granted him his wish and now he will be looking for a new team this off season.

Finally, it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers turn this past week. They have a new thirty two year old coach as well as a new young general manager. They said they wanted to get young and they did. They parted ways without a person-to-person talk, and let go of: Derrick Brooks, as well as Warrick Dunn and three others.

Derrick Brooks is an eleven time pro bowler with an almost certain first time ballot to the hall of fame. He was the player that not only brought back respect to the Bucs, but he also gave them a new life as an organization, that before him was the joke of the NFL.

Well not all Loyalty is lost, but you can be sure that when any team cuts an Iconic player, it was because of two reasons either it was time to move on or their was a new head coach involve. What are absolute in today game are not only players staying with one team, but Iconic ones staying with their original team their whole time while playing in the NFL.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Guess whose back on the Greens? 2/23/09 – 3/1/09

2009-02-23T09:13:00.000-05:00

Well since the question was “guess whose back on the greens?” By greens I am talking about golf course. So with that in my mind, who is the number one golfer in world? Well incase you still have not pictured who I am talking about I will tell you the answer right now. The person I am talking about goes by the name of Tiger Woods.

That’s right, Tiger Woods is back!! He will be swinging the clubs around for the first time since that incredible sudden death US Open win against Rocco. But the reason for his long absence from Golf was due to the fact that he had knee surgery after last year US Open.

There are some question marks about that surgically repaired knee. Like how will his knee affect his swing and will it hold up for 72 holes? Well these questions will be answered in the Accenture Match Play Championship, which starts this Thursday at 2pm on the Golf Channel.

For golf, when Tiger is playing he is the main attraction. In which everyone wants to see in action, even if it’s not in a major tournament. He brings something to golf that can’t be underscored in anyway or form. For the time being tiger is back and that is great news for golf fans worldwide.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Quick Hits 2/17/09 – 2/22/09

2009-02-18T12:02:00.001-05:00

Well sorry for the delay on these article, but this quick hits segment one should set things back into place from here on out. So with that here is my take on news from the weeks in the sporting world.
---------------------------------------------

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning the super bowl with home field advantage during the game. ……

The Jaguars released Fred Taylor on Tuesday, and with that thank you Fred for all the memories you created for all the Jaguars fans threw out your 11 years of being a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Alex Rodriguez took steroids with his cousin both according to Rodriguez did not know what they were taken, but still continued to take them for 3 years. Sounds pretty strange to me.

Well Dwight Howard should have won this past weekend Dunk contest. But instead lost for being nice to his competition, by letting Nate Robinson dunk over him. Which was the dunk that won it for Nate.

Well that does for this week article. Please send in your comments about it to:
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

ALL CARDS IN - 1/26/09 – 1/31/09

2009-01-26T16:44:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago I had did an article explaining on why the Cardinals would beat the Philadelphia Eagles and land in Tampa for the Super Bowl.

This week I am going to tell you, “The Arizona Cardinals will shock the world” and beat those Steelers from Pittsburgh, to win their first Super Bowl title ever in franchise history that is unless you consider a championship game from 1947s as their first super bowl win.

At first, and like everyone I did think that the Steelers had already won the game; before the super bowl game had actually taken place.

But I am here to say that I highly doubt that notion today, and I will that is till the clock reads 0:00 on the score board at Raymond James Stadium (RJS).

Like I stated in my last article, the cardinals are on a “hot streak/ peak time ride”. As its so obvious to me, that the Arizona Cardinals have both going their way at the right time. So Steelers fans, give me the seven points and your Kleenex ready.

As I now have all cards in: on going with an Arizona win.

Please Send
Comments To:
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

ARIZONA CARDINALS ARE THE RAYS OF THE NFL. 1/12/09 – 1/18/09

2009-01-12T22:23:00.000-05:00

As much as I would love to see an Eagles and Steelers Super Bowl here in Tampa, I don’t see it happening, reason being is because of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Did I confuse you now?

The reason is because of the so-called and the two most over used terms in sports, the terms are the hot streak/ peak time ones. You know, those words that that the so-called “ Professionals” use on television.

The experts use those two terms to explain on how a team, got to a point late in the season, in which no one had them their in the first place. Well using those terms you can clearly say, that no one had the Tampa bay Rays going to World Series at the start of the season, or for the record even the playoffs. Well I bet you can now tell what I am going to say next.

No one in their right mind had the Arizona Cardinals going to the playoffs, not even Cardinals fans for the matter. Everyone had the Seattle Seahawks winning the NFC West division title, at the start of the season. Same as in the Rays case as everyone had the Boston Redsoxs winning the American League East.

As in the Rays case everyone was waiting for the blocks to stumble, during the course of the last few weeks in baseball regular season. And now everyone is waiting for the Cardinals to stumble on this coming Sunday against the Eagles.

So if my logic is right, and I sadly think it will be. The Arizona Cardinals will be the ones flying into Tampa, after this Sunday game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The Game of Heisman’s - 1/5/09 -1/11/09

2009-01-05T18:09:00.000-05:00

As most of you know their will be a College Football National Title game on Thursday night. This game will be different then some in recent memories, the reason on why the game will be different is because both of the schools, Oklahoma University and The University of Florida will each have a Heisman winner quarterback starting in the game.

For The University of Florida, their Heisman quarterback is Tim Tebow, who can run with the football and throw it at the same time. He is simply the Gators version of superman on the football gridiron.

Then for Oklahoma University their Heisman quarterback goes by the name of Sam Bradford. Sam moves around like Tebow but cant move as Tim can, but Sam has a much better release point, when throwing the football then Tebow does.

Both of these quarterbacks are great both on and off the field. They both do charity work and they don’t get into trouble. Tim was born in the Philippines, where his parents were serving at the time as Christian missionaries. Tim with his family makes annual trips to the Philippines for missionary’s trips in the summer. Sam was born in Oklahoma; he also has one – sixteenth Cherokee blood. Because of that Sam works with Native Americans on his off time to improve the lives of young Native Americans.

So as you can tell this college National football title game, will be a game of Heisman’s. No matter wins the game on Thursday night. These two men will showcase a game of true Heisman, something that not only college football could use more of but sports in general as well.

Your Thoughts are encourage:
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

2008 The Year of New Records in Sports 12/29/08 - 1/4/09

2008-12-29T22:35:00.000-05:00

Well 2008 will be remembered in sports as the year of new records.

To start things off, the year 2008 in sports began with the New England Patriots trying to become the second team in National Football League History to finish in Perfection. As it would later turn out their quest to perfection was derailed in the NFL biggest game of the year, The Super Bowl.

New England would lose that game to the New York Football Giants, along with a place in NFL perfection land with the 1972 Miami Dolphins. But New England did become the only team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, to finish the regular season undefeated, so new record number one.

Then came the spring you had the Tampa Bay Devil Rays get rid of the Devil. A move that should have attracted the nation attention that this time these Rays would bring a new era in the baseball world.

But the Rays would not get that attention till mid season, that is when their were battling with the Red Sox’s for the division lead. The Fight for that Division lead would not end till two weeks till the end of the Major league Baseball regular season. As it would turn out the new era Rays would finish their season with three new records: First American league east division title, First American League Pinnate and the Rays first trip to the World Series.

Those three new records speak volume in itself, when you are talking about a team that up till this year, finished in the season in MLB basement.

Then came the Olympics and a guy named Michael Phelps. As Michael would not only challenge Mark Sprits record set in the 1972 game of seven gold medals which was up till these summer game the most that a single athlete had ever won in the course of one Olympics game. Well Michael not only tied with Mark at seven, but set a new record of eight gold medals in one Olympics by one athlete.

So as you can tell the year 2008 gave us a set of new records in sports. Will the year 2009 do the same for sports as 2008? Probably but for now time will only tell. Happy New Year Everyone!!

Your thoughts are ask and encourage drop me with them at:

RJINTAMPAWSA@aol.com

The Buccaneers Coal - 12/22/08 - 12/28/08

2008-12-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

That has been the definition of the season so far for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who will play the Oakland Raiders, at home for their regular season finale this coming Sunday.

The Bucs came into the season with one of the National Football League, toughest schedules and will still come away with at lest 9 victories for the season. Which would make put them at one game above last season record. At one point in the season, the Buccaneers were in the driver seat for a division title.

But now because of the Buccaneers third straight lost, they could be watching the playoffs and even the Super bowl at home. The super bowl by the way is being played at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, which is the home of the Tampa bay Buccaneers.

Now in order for the Buccaneers to now reach the playoffs, they help. They first would need to beat the Raiders on Sunday and then hope for a win by the Philadelphia Eagles, over the Dallas Cowboys.

But aside of the one win above from last year total. If the Buccaneers fail to reach the playoffs, after a commanding lead in their division, expect outrage in Tampa come this offseason. The Buccaneers can also expect nothing more then a bag of coal from their fans, if that were to happen.

Your Thoughts Are Welcome and Encourage

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

No More Fantasy Leagues … Please!! 12/15/08 – 12/21/08

2008-12-16T10:45:00.000-05:00

I have had it with these Fantasy leagues; you know the ones that you hear all about on ESPN and other sports shows. Those shows that have experts, that is to tell their audiences on whom to sit and play for that week in their league.

So what is a Fantasy league you ask? Think of it as a video game, but instead of hitting buttons on the video game controller. In front your television. You sit in front of your computer and become your own general manager/owner and coach in one click of the mouse.

In my view this is just another way of the media, in general getting another dollar out of your pocket. Some people spend a lot, and I am talking a lot of not only time, but also money in this Fantasy junk.

It was estimated that by the end of next year, this junk would bring in 3 billion in revenue worldwide. Now where and who is getting that money, you ask? Book companies, Internet sites and of course television networks.

Am I telling people on how and what to spend their money on? No I am not, I am just stating that I myself I have had it with these networks wasting airtime and money on fantasy leagues. You can also rest assure that the only fantasy that I will be doing is dreaming about my Jaguars that is, on reaching the Super bowl next season.

Your Views are Encourage:

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Texas Got BCS-ED 12/8/08 – 12/ 14/08

2008-12-08T23:03:00.000-05:00

Texas on Sunday night got BCS-ED, by that I mean everyone knew and agreed that Texas should be the one in. Yet the BCS put Oklahoma ahead of them. I know that Oklahoma has said, that they should be the ones in and the Sooners are in.

But is it right?

I don’t think it is to me, if you beat a team, you then should have any advantage over that team in the rankings for the season. Sounds simple, right? Who cares what you did not due to another team, that some other team did.

Texas can still get a share of the National Championship. That’s if they beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, which I think Texas will do. They also need help from Oklahoma. Strange is it? Oklahoma needs to beat Florida in the National championship game in Miami.

In order for Texas to then get a share of the National Championship.

Crazy is it?

Well that’s why they call it the BCS, and Texas you just got BCS – ED.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

No Article for this week. 12/1/08 - 12/7/08

2008-12-01T18:26:00.001-05:00

No article for this week. Their will be one next week. Sorry for the In convince.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

No Article for this week. 12/1/08 - 12/7/08

2008-12-01T18:26:00.000-05:00

No article for this week. Their will be one next week. Sorry for the In convince.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

It’s Time to be Thankful - 11/24/08 – 11/30/08

2008-11-24T00:04:00.003-05:00

In the United States this week on it’s will be Thanksgiving on Thursday. During the week it’s about getting ready to spend time with either your friends or your loved ones in your family.

It’s also the time to be thankful, for all the things that you have accomplish and to reflect on your fond memories of the year.

During Thanksgiving is also a day, to eat as much turkey as you can eat and watch some football. Which is or should be in your thanksgiving tradition. But this is where sports, and thankfulness and random acts of kindness all come into play.

This past week the Dallas Morning News reported that:

” Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo took a homeless man to the movies recently. “

The Dallas Morning News went on to report that :

" Romo reportedly changed the tire of a couple on the way home the night of the season opener and showed up to a high school pep rally with actor Will Smith earlier this week.”

You rarely hear these stories in professional sports. Its just nice that at lest as Mr. Romo, has prove that some athletes do have and show random acts of kindness. It’s also a reminder that if a starting Dallas Cowboy Quarter back can do can do it, we can help and be thankful for life as well.

Happy Thanksgiving

RJINTAMPAWSA@Aol.com

Lost Season For The Jags ? 11/17/08 -11/23/08

2008-11-17T21:17:00.001-05:00

Well my feeling was wrong. as I stated last week that the Jacksonville Jaguars would do the unthinkable and beat the Tennessee Titans, to make their record 9-1.

Instead the game the Jaguars played against Tennessee on Sunday, was really a flashback from the 1999 AFC Championship game. That game had all the makes as this past game that was played Sunday. As the Jaguars were up at halftime in that game and the Jags were in complete control of the first two quarters.

But for the Jaguars, that would be the closest they would get to a Super bowl. As the Titans came roaring back in the second half with 23 unanswered points. In the past game on Sunday, the Jags allowed 21 unanswered points in the second half. the Titans would win that AFC title game by a score of 33-14. This past game the Titans won by a score of 24-14.

With that win the Titans are the only undefeated NFL team this season at 10-0.

For my beloved Jaguars, they fell to 4-6 and saw their playoff and super bowl hopes for this season go out the window, with that lost. But is this season all but lost for the Jaguars? I don't think so. the Jaguars saw Matt Jones become their go to guy of the so far this season. Matt will be coming back in two games after his suspension. The Jaguars have seen the combo of Fred Taylor and Jones - Drew to still be effective this season at times. So what has gone wrong? A depleted Offensive and Defensive line mixed in with injuries.

For now the Jaguars are going to be playing for pride. Something all Jaguars fans including myself will have to bear with for the remaining six games of the season.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Titans will be 9-1 after this weekend game vs Jacksonville. 11/10/08 - 11/16/08

2008-11-10T18:11:00.002-05:00

Alright maybe I am just seeing things threw my teal Jaguars glasses, but I have a feeling that when the currently 9-0 Tennessee Titans who undoubtedly are the best team in the NFL, comes down to Jacksonville this Sunday, for their match up against the Jacksonville Jaguars that they will leave with their first lost of the season. Strangely enough, I got this feeling while attending a Miami Dolphins game this past weekend.isnt that odd?

Well as I thought it out during and after the game it made sense to me that the Titans first victim would be at hands of my Beloved Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Tennessee Titans is the Jacksonville Jaguars biggest rival and it should be because of the history between these two teams. What history you ask ? here is some of the biggest moments right here:

First game ever in Jaguars history was against the Houston Oilers. The Oilers would then move to Nashville to become the Tennessee Oilers, and later would take the name Tennessee Titans. its also to note that the Jaguars first lost would come at hands of the Houston in that First ever game in Jacksonville.

Fist win in Jacksonville Jaguars franchise history, was against the Oilers in Houston.

The Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1999 - 2000 NFL season played the Tennessee Titans three times during the season. twice in the regular season and one in the post season. in those three games, Jacksonville lost all three to the Titans and that Post season game was for the AFC conference championship.

So certainly their is history between these two teams. Jacksonville lost the first game in this AFC south conference series, in the opener of the season.

I for one, see this game in Jacksonville favor this weekend. Now you can take that base on either for my love for the Jaguars or on my feeling. I am not going to lie to you, base on paper this game should not even be close, as the titans should cream the Jaguars.

But I just have a feeling that at the end of the day, the Jaguars will be the ones to come on top at end of this game.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The Rays fantastic seasons comes to an end. 11/3/08 -11/9/08

2008-11-03T20:42:00.001-05:00

The Rays season had to end at some point and did it. But not in the same fashion as it had been in their 10 plus years of team history. This time around during the Tampa Bay Rays 11th season it ended in Game Five of the World Series. I was lucky enough to attend game one of the World Series, and the memories from the game will last a lifetime. Even though the Rays had lost that game, Just seeing the Rays in the World Series is priceless in itself.

This year the Rays overtook the likes of the Yankees, Redsoxs and anyone else that got in their way in the American League, to win their first American League pennant. This was a fantastic season for the Tampa Bay Rays, and this season should be seen as a stepping block into the seasons to come.

Way to Go Rays !!

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

NBA SEASON IS HERE !! 10/27/08 - 11/2/08

2008-10-27T15:31:00.003-04:00

The National Basketball Association, will be tipping off their season on Tuesday and Wednesday night of this week. For those of you that don't watch the league, the champions last season were the Boston Celtics. For me this league has lost a lot of fans for the obvious reasons.

Those reasons include:

The National Basketball League one side marketing, no more traveling calls, and NBA referee Tim Donaghy betting on basketball games scandal.

But I still watch the NBA, simply because of my die - hard love for the Orlando Magic. I have grown up as a magic fan, and I will stay that way till the end of time. but enough with me, lets move on to 3 reason on why you should watch the NBA season this year.

First reason is because of the new Oklahoma City Thunder. They moved from Seattle, Washington to the Sooner state of Oklahoma. when playing in Seattle they where known as the Super Sonics. They moved largely because of Arena issues and because their new owner is from Oklahoma as well as because OKC had a new Arena just waiting for a team.

Second Reason on why to watch: is because of the new rookies that are in the NBA. Its always fun to see how the rookies, will do in their first season of NBA play.

Third Reason on why to watch: is because to see if the Boston Celtic can repeat. I hope they do not as they are not only in the Magic division but also their are in the same Eastern conference which the Magic are in.

Now onto my Finals prediction this "might" be a little bias but so be it.

Orlando Magic Vs San Antonio Spurs, Magic in six.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Sweet Tampa Bay !!! 10/20/08 – 10/26/08

2008-10-20T14:38:00.001-04:00

The Rays have won the American League Championship Series!! They will now be the host for the first two games of The World Series!! In Tampa bay right now everyone has Rays fever, even those annoying Yankees fans. As they were cheering for the Red soxs to lose and I bet the same could be said for anyone not a fan of the Boston Red Soxs.

It came down to a game seven, and boy was it stressful and exciting at the same time. Nor did it help my heart beat or for the matter any Rays fan heart beat until the last out was recorded. As soon the last out was recorded, it was party time in the Tampa Bay Area, and the party will continue till the start of the World Series on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies at 8pm on fox.

I have been to Rays games since the 2000 – 2001 seasons. As that is when I moved down here from Jacksonville, which was during the late summer of 2000. In fact this season alone I went to a spring training game vs. the Yankees here in Tampa, and then I went to three games during the regular season across the bay in St Petersburg .

This is truly a special moment for the Tampa Bay area community as everyone has “Rays Fever “nowadays and for the one who says “sporting teams or events do not improve your community” to me is a total ambivalent person. But for now, SWEET TAMPA BAY!! . Go Rays!!

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

No Article For This Week 10/13/09 - 10/19/09

2008-10-13T23:19:00.000-04:00

Today(Monday) is Columbus day and this past weekend was a busy one for me. I was up in Chicago from Thursday till Sunday. I was in the windy city, for My cousin wedding. But I can tell you next week their will be an article.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Three Questions For My Readers 10/6/08 – 10/12/08

2008-10-06T22:26:00.002-04:00

Well its review time, and the only way that I know that you have enjoyed the articles in the past two years, is to hear from ‘‘YOU’ your take.

So I am begging all of my readers of new or old to give me some feedback. So for this week your assignment is to send in an email at this address RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM . With either Negative or Positive feedback on:

In General how do you like the Articles?

What Topics from all of the previous articles did you like? Is it the topic that you wanted to hear my take on at the time?

Do you have any ideas or experiences, or better yet do you know someone in the sporting world that would be interested in doing an interview with me for an article?

So thank you again to all my readers for reading my work and I look forward in hearing from you on those three questions. Don’t disappoint or else I will have to put you on the bench.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The New Beast of the AL East. 9/29/08 - 10/5/08

2008-09-29T18:26:00.001-04:00

Repeat this sentence three times: The Tampa Bay Rays have won the American League East. Done yet? I did not think so. So say it again and again because it is reality. That’s right the bottom feeders of the Baseball world since the Rays started play in 1998.

The Rays who have the second lowest payroll that is in all of Major League Baseball. Only to top out their in state rivals the Florida Marlins. The Rays won the toughest division in Major League Baseball.

The American League East is a division in which includes the top two highest payrolls in the game. That is the Yankees and Redsoxs whose payrolls combine equals to three hundred and forty two million dollars. The Rays have a payroll of forty three million dollars. So like the old saying goes “money does not buy happiness’. Right now, the only team in the American League that is happy is the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays have a complete bullpen; they have the bats, and the gloves. And now the Rays have their first American League East division league title to go along with all of that. These Rays are going to fill some more “first titles” before this magical ride is over.

For now though, they are the new beast of the American League East.

RJINTAMPAWSA@aol.com

Same Question New Week 9/22/08 - 9/28/08

2008-09-22T23:32:00.002-04:00

Hello my fellow loyal readers, I am still waiting to hear your take on last week question.

Which was:

What does College/Professional sports mean to you in your life?

So Send Your Take To ; RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

What does College /Professional Sports mean to you in your life?

2008-09-15T10:33:00.001-04:00

9/15/08 - 9/21/08

This is going to be a short article. So short that’s is going to be the shortest article that I have done ever before. I would like it if each and every one of my loyal readers to answer that question above. The Question is; what does college / Professional sports mean to you in your life?

So please send me your response, at the email address below. On next week, I share my thoughts on that same question. Thanks again for reading and please send me your thoughts on that question.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

These Rays bring about anew outlook to Tampa Bay.

2008-09-08T10:51:00.005-04:00

9/8/08 - 9/14/08

This is amazing, what's amazing? Amazing is the fact that these Rays of new, are not only in the playoff hunt. But they are also in the picture to win the American League East Division Title.

That's right, as of now it seems like a real possibility of a title, to a team in which has finish at the bottom of the Major League Baseball standings for the past ten years!! Was it the uniform change of this year that cause this or just the right time? Their is something just as little as changing your uniform in the Tampa bay area for sports teams in which has brought major gains in returns. Look no further then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League.

But It could also be just the right time after 10 years of heartbreak, it was enough for everyone or at lest for the ones in the stands That's another thing I will talk about later. but for now the players seem to be playing at such a high level even without the face of the franchise (Crawford) as he is on the DL.

This year has brought amazing results, so far for the fans of the Rays, with that comes the national baseball media critics of the fan base. Is it a shame for the fan base of the Rays, to have to deal with all of the outcry critics of the baseball media? Yes and no.

Unlike many areas of the baseball landscape, their are other things to watch and then Baseball in August and September. Not to mention the fact, that these games are not played in Tampa like many of the critics seem to think. You See from my House in Tampa, its a 64 mile round trip drive. Not to mention the total time of driving, which turns out to be one hour and 30 minutes.

But that alone is not the only vocal point of my argument. Also, Florida is a Football State, we crave our football down here like the rest of the south.

Sorry Baseball media and world.

Florida has been bless with three and maybe four powerhouses of college football as well as three National Football League teams. Tampa also is pretty close to Gator country, by that I mean it would take you the same time in a round trip from where the Rays play in Saint Petersburg, to get to a Florida Gator's football game up in Gainesville.

Now lets move on, to on why the fan base of the Rays myself included. Should be a shame for not going to the games. For one, football games are only on Saturdays and Sundays and sometimes on Thursday. For two, the Rays are by far the best story in baseball.

And for third, the tickets are still pretty cheap. Anyone can go online and buy a 20 dollar upper deck ticket and then scope for better seats once when you get in the "Trop." I myself have done that, along with other fans who know that is the best deal in all of baseball.

So now you the reader, and hopefully someone in the baseball world read this. Knows the facts now as to why you see so many blue seats, on TV during the games. With that these Rays have now all the sudden with its success a new outlook for baseball in Tampa Bay.

The only two question that remains now is how long will this magical ride last for the Rays and with this new outlook, will the fans be in the stands come October?

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.com

2008 NFL Rankings/Projections

2008-09-01T14:36:00.001-04:00

9/1/08 - 9/7/08

  Well the NFL regular season is here and with that comes the frist ever rankings/projections. In this article I will showcase all of the rankings of the 32 teams of the NFL, As the regular NFL season starts this Thursday night and into the weekend. I well also give you my projections on who will be playing in the playoffs, and of course who will be playing in Tampa, come February. so without further due here are the rankings  

  1. Dallas Cowboys 
2. San Diego Chargers 
3. New York Giants 
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 
5. Minnesota Vikings 
6. Seattle Seahawks 
7. Indy Colts 
8. *New England Patriots* 
9. Cleveland Browns 
10. New Orleans Saints 
11. Philadelphia Eagles 
12. New York Jets 
13. Houston Texans 
14. Pittsburgh Steelers 
15. Tennesse Titans 
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
17. Arizona Cardinals 
18. Detroit Lions 
19. Miami Dolphins 
20. Green Bay Packers 
21. Cincinnati Bengals 
22. Chicago Bears  
23. Baltimore Ravens 
24. Atlanta Falcons 
25. Washington Redskins 
26. Denver Broncos 
27. Buffalo Bills 
28. St Louis Rams 
29. San Franciso 49ers 
30. Oakland Raiders 
31. Kansas City Chiefs 
32. Carolina Panthers
   AFC Division Winners: 
 
 
 
South - Jacksonville Jaguars  
North - Cleveland Browns
West - San Diego Chargers
East - New England Patriotts
 
Wild Card: Indy Colts
Wild Card: Pittsburgh Steelers
 
 
NFC Division Winners: 
 
 
 
South - New Orleans Saints
North - Minnesota Vikings
West - Seattle Seahawks
East - Dallas Cowboys
 
Wild Card: Philadelphia Eagles
Wild Card: Arizona Cardinals
 
 
 
 
Super Bowl Pick:
 
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Dallas Cowboys 

 RJINTAMPAWSA@aol.com
 

 

4 Years in the Making

2008-08-25T19:53:00.001-04:00

8/25/08 – 8/31/08

There is one thing form these past summer games, that has stand out in my mind. But to the casual sports fan it will not and that is the four years in the making, Four years is what London will now have, that is to get ready for their hosting of the summer games in 2012. As these past summer games for the country of china, came to end Sunday night. Threw out the games China has had tough criticisms, in which the country of China did not want to begin with neither did the international Olympic committee.

It was four years ago, in which all of the outcry about how china might host the games was about to start showing up in the media and to the world. The biggest question was on how China was going to deal with the freedom of the press, for countries such as the United States.

In which the media in the United States, has the freedom to discuss certain issues without the fear of government interaction. Another fear was how china security would hold up against the terrorist acts of actions of threats to those respective nations in play during the summer games. Well, china spotlight in the world came out pretty bad, when just two days in the summer games. An American coach, father in law and mother were attack and sadly for his father in law he would die from the attack.

But that was not the only dint for the country of china as that other fear would start to come to light. In days reports of media censorship came out and about. The media was not allowed to visit sites on the internet or talking about the current conflict that was going on in china, between Taiwan, Tibet and Darfur. As their currently is a human rights and democracy movement going on there.

But for the rest of the games sports wise, it was a great year for the team USA swim team, as they helped Michael Phelps win eight gold medals and it was also the story of these Olympics games.

The good part for China is that their hosting of the summer games has ended and that the Olympic flame will be hand over to London.

As the city of London and the country of England will have four years now to prepare for this world event, and as the China games has showed, London better be ready for the outcry of critics that such a world class event, brings with it. London you will now be the center of the world attention that is, in four years in the making.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Amazing along with thrill

2008-08-18T09:21:00.002-04:00

8/18/08 - 8/24/08

That’s right it had been amazing and along with thrill to see what Michael Phelps did in these 2008 Olympic Games. Incase you have been living under a rock this past weekend or really don’t carry about the Olympics, shame on you, as you missed the opportunity to witness something that had never been done before.

Of course on Friday night, Phelps did something that has not been done in 35 years. He won his 7th gold medal, and by doing so he had tied Mark Spitz record in which mark had set during the Munich summer games of 1972.

But that alone was just soon to be the beginning of these games. If you thought that was an amazing accomplishment, which it is, all you had to do was to just wait for the next night. As Phelps would be trying to be break a record, in which is 12 years older then him as Phelps was born in the year of 1985.

Michael Phelps would become “the major story of these 2008 summer games” on Saturday night at 11: 05 pm, Eastern Standard Time. As Phelps along with the help of his team, would win the 4x100 medal relay, there by giving Phelps along with the rest of team USA a gold medal, which would their by give Phelps his eighth gold medal and the instant status of the greatest Olympian ever.

What made it a thrill was how all of those medals in which Michael Phelps had won. As it is a safe bet that this record of eight medals, during the Olympics, either winter or summer games will never be shatter. And that is why Michael Phelps made these summer games of 2008 amazing and along with thrill that will last a forever of a mount of memories.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Is the Olympic Basketball play better then NBA play?

2008-08-11T08:43:00.002-04:00

08/11/08 - 08/17/08

That is the question that I was asking myself in my mind during the recent Olympic basketball game, in which the United States was playing against the host country of China. Now it could just be that I have become a little sick of the play in the NBA, or it could be from what I saw was a different attitude and style in play that is from those members of the United States basketball team, who for the most part are all from the NBA.

Although the NBA has decline in my mind in the last 10 years, I have still continued to watch it mainly because of my love, for the Orlando Magic and also from the recent success that they had this past season.

But the reasons on why I think it has decline in my mind is from the recent scandals, the brawls with fans and of course the one sided marketing along with no traveling calls anymore as well as the lack of 100% play from some of the players. With that said let me now tell you why I think Olympic basketball play is more exciting then the NBA play.

For one which is the most obvious one, is the fact that you have all these players from all around the world that are playing for one main goal and that is to bring home the gold medal back to their respective country.

Which brings us to reason number two and that is from the players’ outlook and meaning of the games it self, in knowing that the players are now truly on a world stage to perform.

This in turn will bring back that old attitude and style that most of these players from the NBA had lost when they were giving those big contracts.

So as you can probably tell my position on this would be yes, the Olympic play is better then the NBA play, it’s just too bad we have to wait four years to see how basketball is meant to be played. Now I want to know if you agree with me or not. Send me an email at the address below.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

2008-08-04T10:34:00.000-04:00

8/4/08 – 8/10/08

This coming Friday at 8:08 pm, the world one - hundred and ninety five countries will forget about all of their differences and turn on to watch the 2008 Olympics Summer Games that is being hosted by the country of China in Beijing. The games will last for a total of 16 days follow by the closing ceremony on 8/24/08.

Their will be over three hundred – two events covering over twenty eight different sports. In which, will be played in over thirty seven different venues with the main venue being The Beijing National Stadium. This stadium is also known as the bird nest because of its bird nest like stadium design. “The Bird Nest” will be the site of both the opening and the closing ceremonies of this year summer games.

The categories of sports being played in this year summer games for an example, ranges from basketball all the way to table tennis. At one point during the Olympics, tug of war was also one of the competitions in the games as well as cricket. But both cricket and tug of war has not been played in the Olympics, since the early 1900s.

Out of the one - hundred and ninety five counties that are competing in the Olympics eighty three, of those counties have never before won either the gold, silver, or bronze medals coming into this year summer games. That fact Alone differentiates the glory of these Olympic Games from other sporting events. As its the only, true sporting event in which brings the world and its citizens together as one.

So if you want to see drama in sports at its best, watch The Olympics summer games on Friday and let The Games Begin!

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The M Word in Sports

2008-07-14T00:06:00.003-04:00

7/14/08 – 7/20/08

The M word had got me good on Wednesday night of last week in sports. As it, I had almost wanted me to cry a river, literally. For those of you wondering on what that word is, it’s the word, in which no sports fan of any team should have to go though or even here your team being mention it. As the effects of it can be deadly or however you want to put it.

The M word is moving, as in your favorite team moving from one city to another.

The team that I am talking about is my beloved Jacksonville Jaguars. As their was an article in a Philadelphia newspaper, of all places, about a report that the owner of the Jaguars who is Wayne Weaver was negotiating to sell the team to a New Jersey food king named C. Dean Metropoulos.

In which after the deal was done, Metropoulos was going to move the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Jacksonville to play out in Los Angles California. That story reached the Jacksonville area websites at two minutes to 9pm, how I now that is because I got an email from one of those saying with the headline” Wayne Weaver Selling Team” at that point in time I was num from the waist down for about 5 minutes.

As it was turning out to be one of the worst days in my life as earlier that day I had root canal work on one of my tooth. For the rest of that night along with the pain form the root canal work I knew it was going to be a long tough night to sleep.

But as it would turn out on that Thursday of last week it would change everything even my month felt a little better after reading the news from a Jacksonville Jaguars news site.

The news was that my beloved Jacksonville Jaguars were not going anyway as I will give you this quote from the owner himself on that wonderful Thursday morning.

“But I can emphatically tell you the Jaguars are not one of the clubs lining up to go to L.A.”

But that got me thinking, what if the team had move to different city like what the soon to be formerly known as the Seattle Super Sonics. Who are moving to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this off season and will began playing games there come this October. The more recent move in memory for the NFL would have to be the Houston Oilers.

The Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1996. The team would keep the Oilers name until 1999 as they would later be known as the Tennessee Titians.

The More recent move in the National Hockey League would have to be of the Hartford Whalers. As they moved all the way down to North Carolina from the country of Canada in 1997.today that North Carolina Hockey team is called the Carolina Hurricanes.

As you can tell it’s not uncommon for any team of any league to move. But it sure does get that city of fans in a despair mood, in which I was until the next day. But as I have realized some fans are not as lucky as I was to learn that my team is safe for the unspeakable future.

That as fans of other teams need to start taken advantage of what they have in their team city. Because from my short experience of losing my favorite team. It was not an experience that I would wish the M word on others.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

MY NASCAR EXPERINCE

2008-07-07T00:16:00.002-04:00

7/7/08 – 7/13/08

Well it was the forth of July weekend, and as I had said, in last week article that I was going to be attending my first ever NASCAR race. First however let me tell you this, nothing beats seeing any sporting event live, I bet even Cricket, is a fun sport to see live in person.

So now I will tell you about that experience that was my first ever NASCAR race.

My NASCAR experience, began the day before the forth which was a Friday night in Daytona Beach Florida and as NASCAR followers refer to as the race before the big one. Which in this case happen to be “The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola “.

I did happen to big race as well but that would officially be my second race not my first. Anyhow back to my “first “experience taste of NASCAR one quick little fact before I get into my experience, NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

As Promise here is my NASCAR experience, the name of my first ever NASCAR race was called “The Winn-Dixie 250” although that level was in what NASCAR fans refer to as “The Nation Wide Series” which in general is the minor league of NASCAR.

But on this night there was nothing minor about it. As I had the following racers in that were racing that night were: Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kyle Bush, and Denny Hamlin as well as Clint Bowyer and finally Kasey kahne. The rest of the racers were the ones trying to get up to what is known to as “The Sprint Cup Series of NASCAR”.

Even if it were just a minor league race in NASCAR terms, to me it sure did not look like it that is from the amount of people in the grand stands. There had to have been at lest half of the 168,000 seats that makes up at Daytona international speedway full with race fans.
That only got me but it should not have as I was coming into the gates and into one of the world most historic stadiums as well as what is know as the grand daddy of them all in stock car racing.

I saw thousands of other race fans just seating in the parking lot as they would watch the race from outside the track and tailgate to get ready for the big race tomorrow night.

The third or actually second thing that drew my attention was the wide variety of fans of different drivers and boy did they show their support. It kind of reminded me of going to NFL game except multiply the teams by 20.

As there were all kinds of: jerseys, hats, shirts, window decals and anything else you can name the fans of that particular driver had it.

The last thing that drew my attention on the way in was the amount of tailgaters and actives that all of the sponsors of NASCAR had on for display for the fans. As there was three concert venues, two different rock climbing walls, tons of arcade games and carnival games as well and did I mention that all these actives you could do were free of charge.

Gentlemen start your engines!!

Those four words that start out any NASCAR race are the most chilling words when said.

As, I myself experience those bone chilling goose bumps, when those words were said. After a few seconds those engines sure don’t help, that is in terms of getting away with your goose bumps, instead it only adds more.

First it’s those words and then it’s those three pace laps and from there its green flag. At this point the couple of laps add more bone chilling goose bumps. As you can feel the power as the cars zoom on by you can also hear it and you better way ear plugs or else you will end up with hearing problems.

That’s is why the majority of people who have not been to a NASCAR race say it will be boring, because it’s not like a social sports event like football. Well those people are wrong, as I talked to people during the race, as well when there was a caution flag which is the flag when to stop the race for a car crash and after the race as well.

Another thing about NASCAR is those headphones that see people wearing, well I will let you in on what that is, the person with the head phones on, are listening to what their favorite driver is saying to his crew chief as well what the crew chief is saying to the driver.

I did not try those heads phones and they as I opted for one that sprint came out with it. It’s called the “sprint fan view”; it’s a two inch color screen, with several camera angles that you chose to follow your favorite drivers.

You will also be able to hear your favorite drivers like in the regular headphones. I did try this one as well and for the fifty dollar it cost to rent it was sure worth it and I recommend anyone to rent that during your NASCAR experience.

The greatest fan advantage about NASCAR is that the fans are allowed to bring in their own beverages, as well as food into the stadium. By beverages I mean any kind of liquid you can name of.

The only things, which you are not allowed to bring into the stadium, are hard coolers. That to me is one of the best money saving advantage that a sports fan has in today major leagues of sports.

Overall, I would rate my first ever NASCAR race experience as exceeding in all of my expectations.

The race was great, the weather was perfect and the roar of the engines made it all a great first experience that will give me memories to look back as well a new sport league to cover.

Because there is nothing more American, then going to a NASCAR race period but having the chance to have gone to one that is on the weekend of the 4th of the July. Made it a little extra American, so readers, start your engines!!

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Happy Forth of July

2008-06-30T08:47:00.002-04:00

Well we are four days away from the forth of July. I Myself will be going to Daytona Beach this weekend with the rest of my family, for my "first ever" Nascar race.

so in next week article you will be able to read about my about my Nascar race experience.
so till next week , I want wish all of my great and loyal readers a great forth of July weekend with all of your family and friends.

At the same time I want to give a big thanks to all of our service man and women for their sacrifice and honor that they have/are given to this country of ours.Happy Forth of July Everyone
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

THE DEAD ZONE FOR NFL FANS

2008-06-23T08:19:00.000-04:00

6/23/08 - 6/26/08

Ok the NFL dead zone is here, what that means is no more practices for the players or coaches until training camp begins, in late July for most teams. This past week was the final days of organize team actives and mini camp. So now that the players and coaches are on vacation for six weeks.

What will us as National Football League fans do to an enable to kill the six weeks that we will have before training camp begins.

The Finals in the National Basketball Association against Boston and Los Angles is done with Boston winning the title. We have Major League Baseball going on as well as the European Champion Clubs tournament; also know as the Euro cup.

We then have the more suitable choice among fans who just love football as in arena football. As the arena league is just about to start their playoffs which is beginning this Friday on ESPN for the road to New Orleans.

The National Football League as I have stated countless times, has the grip on are sports landscape in this country of ours. No other sport or league can replace the fun that we have when tailgating before the games or the passion we share in our teams, then in the National Football League. Which is why when the dead zone begins, we are numb as to what to spend our free time on other then with family or friends.

That is the state all our in as the dead zone is now an effect. Can you make it threw the six weeks without nothing any kind of major news around the league, besides rookies signing contracts?

So go ahead and put sun screen on just incase because it’s hot outside even when the dead zone is here.
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The Big One Hundred

2008-06-16T08:24:00.003-04:00

6/16/08 - 6/22/08
That’s right I am now at the one hundred mark. The one hundred mark being is the amount of articles I have done so far over the time span of about two years for your sports enjoyment. The next coming months are going to be filled and pack with sports.

We have NFL training camp beginning in last July and the following month will not only be the start of the pre season games, for the NFL. But as well as the Olympics summer games that start on August 8th.in the next coming weeks, I will be trying out something new, which I hope all of the follow readers like Informally though I can not say, as is still in the works

So with one hundred now in the tank, I want to hear from “you” that’s right “you” the reader. I want to know what was your favorite article, during the course of hundred. I know a lot of you are new readers, so that is why you can either include the more recent ones, or you can perhaps read the ones in the archives. Either way I would love to hear from you on what is your favorite article.

You can send your pick to me at rjintampawsa@aol.com . You can also send me comments; again the choice is up to you but I would really love to hear from you the reader.

So with that I would like to say thank you to all of my readers out there in the world. These one hundred articles have been amazing to do; I hope that you have enjoyed reading them, as much as I have enjoyed doing them. Remember there is something in the next coming weeks in which I have been working on that I will be adding to enhance the outlook of this article.

Until next week article take care and have a great week.

RJ

OUTRAGE IN TAMPA !!

2008-06-09T08:06:00.001-04:00

6/9/08 – 6/15/08
Well if you’re not a buccaneer fan or you do not live in Tampa then you will have no idea as to what the title ales to. The outrage ales to of how the Buccaneers handle a certain situation, which by the way really do not come into Public eye until late last week here in Tampa Florida

The situation came into play when the Buccaneers released QB Bruce Gradkowski, so where is the outrage from that? Well it’s not from Bruce in case you are wondering. It’s from the move in which the Buccaneers made that them cut Bruce. Two weeks ago the Bucs re sign TE Jeremy Stevens, and that is where the outrage is from, why you ask? I will tell you why right now.

In late January “The Seattle Times “did an investigative report on the Washington Huskies, called “Victory and Ruins” in that, the Times uncovered a lot of things. Among them was that on Thursday morning of July 27th 2000, one of the star players from the Washington huskies had been arrest on at 7 am that morning.

Seattle police detectives, accompanied by a SWAT team, had served a search warrant at the home of Jeremy Stevens and took him away. As that situation, played out Jamey did in fact rape the women, as there were evidence was there. As there was signs of rape on the victim, as the medical staff found semen in her vagina and rectum, and a doctor told the victim that her anus had been lacerated. The witness who reported the incident to police this she had to say about the victim at the time of the crime: “That the women, who was being rape, appeared to be drunk or drugged” Despite all of that, Stevens was never charge in criminal court, only to settle it out of court in a civil case. By way of three hundred thousands dollars, if you want the rest of the details I highly suggest you go to The Seattle Times webpage and look it up.

That alone should get anybody going and upset about why this player is even allowed in the NFL. But Jeremy Stevens, Criminal history does not start their and neither does it stops. Back when Jeremy was in high school he punched holes in the wall, got caught with alcohol and marijuana and kicked a student in the testicles. Then there is this felony assault during a prearranged fight in a park where Stevens stomped on a guy's face. He did get charge for that fight. He also has been arrested for a DUI. To top it all off

When Tampa had originally signed him this is what general manager Bruce Allen had to say:

"He is a big, powerful, speedy tight end," said general manager Bruce Allen. "He has had some off-the-field issues that have hampered him a bit. We had a very serious talk with him today. I think Jeremy Stevens is a good young man."

Regardless The Citizens of Tampa and you can Florida, have every right not to want this person in their community. As every NFL fan should now be just upset as everyone here is in Tampa. This is truly a crying shame.

TALK TO ME: RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

A Classic Finals is on the way.

2008-06-02T07:46:00.003-04:00

6/2/08 – 6/8/08

However you want to say it: Celtics vs. Lakers, Boston Vs Los Angeles, Magic Johnson Vs Larry Bird, These words go together, like pencil and paper. And for the National Basketball Association, the current season, could have not ended in a better way.

These two teams will be meeting for an11th time in the National Basketball Association Finals and incase you are wondering, Boston has the lead in the finals series, as to eight series wins to the three series wins by the Lakers.

The Celtics, who have three all-stars as their big three in: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and longtime Boston Celtic Paul Pierce.

That combination along with some good coaching by Doc Rivers in stuff, mix in with some good play by on the bench players is the reason as to why Boston has made it into this year NBA finals.

As for the Lakers, they have one all star in their big three and that is this year MVP award winner Kobe Bryant.

The other two who have contributed to the Lakers success as well is Pau Gasoil and Lamar Odom. The Lakers also have a coach by the name of Phil Jackson, who will be trying to pass legendary coach Red Auerbach, for a record setting of ten NBA championships.

This classic match up between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angles Lakers will tip off on Thursday night at 9pm on ABC.

I really don’t want to predict this series as I would love to see it go down to a game seven. With that said, I do thing that this series will be brought back into the spotlight and in the memory bank of the sports landscape.

So join me in cherishing this special moment in sports history, as well as hope for a great series to be remembered for a long... long… time.

Email Me At: RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Football Is Our Country Passion

2008-05-26T10:35:00.001-04:00

5/26/08 – 6/1/08

Whether it’s college or professional, Football is our passion. We love seeing both small and big guys breaking tackles and using their god giving talent, to go around and up a defenders path. We love seeing a coach, making the decision, which is to go for it on forth down. We also love seeing the quarter back, being hit hard and as well as being on the ground.

All of this and more is why football is our passion. It also has become our national sport over time, as a country. Which brings me to my next point; we can’t, and repeat after me, we can not live without football.

This has been so true of lately and as recently as this past National Football League season. In which it will show, that “WE” the people of this country, made the NFL gave up and show the *Patriots * Vs Giants game on all channels and not just on their own. We are also fighting with our local cable companies on a daily bases, to have the NFL network in our area. In college football, we are fighting for a playoff format and maybe on day it will happen. We are also fighting for the truth and the whole truth into the *Patriots* investigation.

So when someone asks you what is this country passion, look them in the eye and say
” football is our passion.”
TALK TO ME: RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The Patriots are now full of asterisks

2008-05-19T08:37:00.001-04:00

5/19/08 – 5/25/08

Well it came the day we all new it would as well as wanted to come. Recently Matt Walsh handed over videos to the NFL. The videos show what most of everyone besides their own fans of course, that the patriots did in fact cheat. Not only did they cheat but they cheated as far back as 2000. In 2001 of course that is when they won their first super bowl.

Since then they have won two more. That’s make them 3-5 overall in team history during the super bowls.

So now that we know this, what should we do? Because we all know for a fact that the National Football League, will not do a thing more then they have. Well for now on when you see the word patriots, in future articles you will now see two asterisks. I know it sounds silly, but you can now say, I am doing my part.

That part is not letting go of nor forgetting what the *Patriots* have done to the NFL as a hole, as well as to a country of sports fans.

I know some (*Patriots* fans) will say, does it really matter as well as say that all NFL teams do this. My response to that would be: that you are just trying to justify your team treason like actions and at that point I would just walk away from that fan.

I say treason because the definition seems to fit perfectly as to what they did. Here is the definition: “the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.”

The betrayal of trust and confidence seems right on for the *Patriots*. As they betrayal all fans of the National Football League besides their own of course. By compromising the integrity of this country football and that my friend is why the *patriots* are now full of asterisks.

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

A VIKINGS GIFT OF HOPE

2008-05-12T08:25:00.002-04:00

5/12//08 – 5/18/08

Most of you don’t know or have heard very little of this so what better way then to bring it to your attention. Kenechi Udeze who was drafted out of USC by the Minnesota Vikings with their first-round pick, 20th overall, in the 2004 NFL draft. As a rookie Udeze started in 15 games.

Although he had a serious knee injury in 2005 and missed 13 games, he came back to play in all 32 games the last two years and Last year he had five sacks. This past February however Kenechi Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia and Two weeks ago Kenechi Udeze revealed that the cancer was in remission, and that his older brother has matching bone marrow, for a pending transplant.

Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. It starts in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside most bones. Bone marrow is where blood cells are made. When you have leukemia, the bone marrow starts to make a lot of abnormal white blood cells, called leukemia cells. They don't do the work of normal white blood cells, they grow faster than normal cells, and they don't stop growing when they should. Over time, leukemia cells can crowd out the normal blood cells. This can lead to serious problems such as anemia, bleeding, and infections. Leukemia cells can also spread to the lymph nodes or other organs and cause swelling or pain. So as you can tell this is a very serious form of cancer and over time it can even lead to death.

Here is where the Minnesota Vikings came in to land a helping hand. As well as to send a message that “there are more important things in then football” this past Friday the Minnesota Vikings organization put Udeze on the reserve-non-football-illness list. This means that he will be ineligible to participate during the 2008 NFL season. But it guarantees him his salary for the year, which is $807,500.

This is and was a great move by the Vikings as well as to show, that when times are not going well for there players that they have what it takes. And are willing to help in anyway they can towards giving a gift of hope.

TALK TO ME: RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM
RJ

Is Big Brown the chosen one?

2008-05-05T10:41:00.000-04:00

Incase you haven’t heard by now, Big Brown won the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. Saturday, Big Brown won by a 4 3/4-length of victory. This is also Big Brown Jockey, Kent Desormeaux third win at the Kentucky Derby.

Now what you don’t know is that it has been 30 years, since a winner of the Kentucky Derby, has been able make the sweep of the next two races. Those races are the Preakness Stakes, in Baltimore, Maryland and the Belmont Stakes, in Elmont, New York. If the Big Brown does win the next two races, he will be known as the champion of The Thoroughbred Racing, which is also known as winning the Triple Crown.

To win the Triple Crown, a horse has to break threw some major tough obstacle. Those obstacles include; three races in a five week span and crowds of over 100,000 plus at all three of the races, these are good reason as to why, their has only been 11 winners of the triple crown since, it started 1919.

Now the question is can Big Brown add to those stats, to make it the 12th time a horse has won the Triple Crown, as well as the first in 30 years. As always time will tell, but his next race will be the Preakness. The race is in two weeks, on the 17th. And in my view by then we will know if big brown is the chosen one or not.

RJ
rjintampawsa@aol.com

IT WAS A NEED DRAFT

2008-04-28T10:14:00.000-04:00

4/28/08 – 5/3/04

Unlike some drafts in the past, this draft was for the most part a need filling draft. What I mean by that is teams took what they needed instead of what they wanted. Take for an example the Atlanta Falcons who needed to draft franchise quarterback, but in order for them do that. The Falcons had to pass up on a guy, in which they wanted to draft in Glenn Dorsey. But as it turns out Atlanta did the right thing and got the new cornerstone of their franchise, in Quarterback Matt Ryan. In which they drafted with the third pick, in the first round out of Boston College.

That to me was the first sign of the draft, in which this was going to be a need selecting one. So many times in the past drafts, in the first round teams tend to end up drafting with who they want instead of what they need. Looking back at it The Houston Texans did the best thing in my mind in the 2006 draft in drafting Mario Williams, with the first pick of that draft. Instead of drafting Reggie Bush, Yes I know some people are now going to say, “That is easy to say now”. But the truth of the matter is they needed to get young at that time, on the D- line and they did. So my point is they drafted with need instead of what they wanted or what the fans wanted.

The most overwhelming sign, of a team wanting to improve on what they needed to draft was the Jacksonville Jaguars. Who moved from the 26th pick in the first round to the 8th pick in that round and they also got a steal, if you do look at it from the draft value chat stand point. In that trade Baltimore not only received the first but, both third round picks and a fourth round.

From the chart the Ravens 8th was worth 1,400 and the Jaguars 26th pick was worth 700 points. The total amount came to with the other picks from the Jaguars add up to 1,127 points. So the ravens got lesser value by 273 points. So with that number 8th pick from the Ravens the Jaguars took Derrick Harvey a DE from the University of Florida. Which is what Jaguars main need was at defensive line; the Jags even took it a step further by adding another DE in the second round in Quentin Groves from the University of Auburn.

The Bottom line is that this past draft was a need draft, for teams looking to fill in their gaps. It was also a draft of two longs being taken one and two in Jake Long for Miami and Chris Long for the Rams.

So my question to each of my readers is this: our u happy with on how the NFL draft came out? Send in your answer to rjintampawsa@aol.com . My answer to that question is yes and I sure hope there our more of these need positions drafts in the future. As they make for better turns out for all parties involve.

RJ

The NFL Draft Is Here !!

2008-04-21T10:38:00.002-04:00

4/21/08 - 4/27/08

It’s almost here, you can feel it in the air and you can hear it on the radio as well as on the television। That rights, it’s almost here, there are future stars to be taken। But take the wrong one and your team is doom. As your team could and should have taken that player that is now a lock for the hall of fame.

When the NFL Draft starts, this is commonly known in the National Football League community, as the official start of the 2008 season। This year number Uno pick belongs to the Miami Dolphins.

My guess is just as good as yours, but I do think, that the FINS will take one of the longs as there pick। I will be doing a round one, only mock daft which comes at u later in this article।

Right now, it’s time to be planning out your draft day party. Myself I will be watching all of round one and some of the others rounds, including the “famous” last pick of the NFL draft.

That is what my outlook looks like for this weekend। what’s yours? So without further due here is my round one, only mock draft:

1 MIA: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2 STL: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3 ATL: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
4 OAK: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5 KC: Branden Albert, G, Virginia
6 NYJ: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
7 NE: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
8 BAL: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
9 CIN: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
10 NO: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
11 BUF: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
12 DEN: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13 CAR: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
14 CHI: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
15 DET: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
16 ARI: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
17 MIN: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
18 HOU: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
19 PHI: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
20 TB: DeSean Jackson, WR, California
21 WAS: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
22 DAL: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
23 PIT: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
24 TEN: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
25 SEA: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
26 JAX: Traded To Miami For Jason Taylor along with a third rounder
27 SD: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
28 DAL: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
29 SF: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
30 GB: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
31 NE: Forfeited Pick for cheating *
32 NYG: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL)
Here is to a great NFL draft. Enjoy!!RJ
RJINTAMPAWSA@aol.com

Flying high and Spending like Jets

2008-04-14T09:58:00.001-04:00

4/14/08 - 4/20/08

That has been the off season title for the New York Jets so far, as that organization now feels like the time is now, to perhaps join their New York counterpart, as Super Bowl champs. In order to make that happen, you have to fill your roster with “jars on the shelf players” and with starter quality talent.

So far the Jets have done a little of both, as they picked up Jessie Chatman as a Jar on the shelf player and they also picked up Calvin Pace, pace is a starter quality talent. The Jets have also sign Tight End Bubba Franks, as well some of there own, by way of the RFA (restricted free agents).

It’s also on why some teams like the Jets “will make it rain” to some players. That are out on the open market, during the Free Agency part of the off season period. Sometime teams don’t even look at stats for that player; they look at their own needs and try to fill them in as quickly as possible, before another team takes away that player.

With these signings The Jets feel like they are now in a position to challenge New England for the AFC east. They still have the draft to fill the need for a big and tell wide receiver, I also think that the Jets will trade away QB Chad Pennington. As it looks like that relationship between the organization and the player, is all but over as you don’t want that kind of thing going on in your locker room, clogging things up.

But right now the Jets are flying high above the sky, as well as they should be. The Jets in my mind with a couple moves here and there, will also be flying above New England come next season.

TALK TO ME:
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The Memphis Tigers… Need I say more?

2008-04-07T00:10:00.001-04:00

4/7/08 – 4/13/08

The Memphis Tigers “will” win the tournament tonight. Mark it down, if you’re into betting, which I am not. Call your bookie. Needless to say I had Memphis make it all this way, so props to me. They dominated the whole season; yes they are from conference USA, but I am pretty sure that if you put them in one of the so called bigger conferences, they would be where they are right now and that is playing for the national championship game against Kansas.

This Memphis Tigers team has a heck of a lot of talent, for a team playing in a so called little conference. They dominated the boards as well as the inside/ outside shots, they also happen to block really well too and when they do get on a roll, look out, not even a so called powerful UCLA team could stop them. Just ask them.

The Tigers main man is this guy who goes by the name of Derrick Rose. He is listed at 6-3 and weighs 205. He also is a freshman. But don’t focus all your attention on him alone, there is also a guy who goes by the name of Joey Dorsey. He is listed at 6-9 and weighs in at 289; He is in his senior at the University of Memphis. The rest of the tigers are good, let’s just say I would not want to play any kind of a pick up game with them.

So watch out for those tigers tonight, because they are great!!!!!

RJ
rjintampawsa@aol.com

NFL Owners Round up Time

2008-03-31T10:27:00.000-04:00

3/31/08 - 4/7/08

It’s time for the annual owners meetings for the National Football League. It will be taking place during this week, in my home state of Florida. The meeting will be held in place called West Palm Beach, which is by the way is on the west coast side of the state. The meetings will also include team officials.

The issues in discussing will be: such as weather or not a Defensive player can wear a radio helmet. By the way a proposal needs 24 out of 32 owners’ votes to be approved and NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell can lobby, but he does not have a vote.

Here is a look at the proposal that will be in discussing, they will include:

Reseeding the playoffs:

The change would involve, seeds number 3-6 under the proposal the wild-card team can get a home game, if it has a better record than the division winner. If a tie-breaker is needed, the division winner with the same record would get the nod over the wild-card.

Increasing the roster from 80 to 86 players:

The competition committee is pushing an idea to increase preseason rosters to a maximum of 86 players. The committee is pitching the idea, thinking that by having an extra six players on a roster, it will help fill out an eight-man practice squad during the fall and in case if a team needs a replacement player, because of an injury.

Allowing defensive players to wear a radio device in their helmets:

Under the proposal, the competition committee is ready to push for a plan for teams to designate two defenders to have radio helmets, but only one will be allowed to be on the field on any given play.

Including specific field-goal attempt replays:

Under this proposal, field goals can be reviewed but on a limited basis. The new replay review, would be of a kick that is no higher, than top of the uprights and within the width of the goal posts.

The one issue that is not there is the biggest issue out of the four in my book and as it should be for all fans of the NFL. It’s the collective barging agreement, as the November 8 deadline looms for terminating the current CBA after the 2010 season.

If NFL owners do in fact terminate the current deal, before that deadline. There could be a chance that a lockout could occur during the 2011 season and it could happen unless the NFL owners can come to a conclusion, with the players association for a new deal before the 2011 season.

So with all these issues, that will be in the coming light in a couple of days, at lest we know now that the NFL Draft weekend will be on its way shortly. To be exact the NFL draft is only 25 days away from Tuesday.

RJ

RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

A CAN OF TUNA FOR MIAMI

2008-03-24T10:16:00.001-04:00

3/24/08 – 3/30/08

If you don’t already know in December of last year, the Miami Dolphins hired Bill Parcells to be the Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Basically that means he is in charge of fixing, this now diluted franchise that fished with the second worst season record in NFL history.

Since then in December, with Parcells in charge he has:
hired a new coach in Tony Sparano, let go of one of the best middle linebackers in recent NFL history in Zack Thomas and now Parcells signed more then eight new players, on just the first three days of free agency. He will now have more work ahead of him as well with the National Football League Draft, which is on the last weekend of April. Being that the Miami dolphins, do have the number one pick in this year draft.

Decisions will be made in this year draft and in this current offseason which will make Miami a team, to watch out for in the years to come. But by no means should Bill Parcells rush threw this process and make stupid picks or trades, The Dolphins still have a lot of holes to fill, even with the eight or more new guys on the team.

In my mind in order to make this process work, for the Miami Dolphins they have to treat this coming season, as an expansion one and their fans should expect not more then a five win season. Yes, I know that’s a tough thing to do for any fan, but they need to stick behind the organization when they are in the rebuilding mode that they are in now.

Right now all Miami has going for them is one can of tuna and for all those Dolphins fans out there, you can be rest assure that this one can of tuna, will turn out to be a great one for all these years ahead, of this Miami Dolphins Organization.

RJ
rjintampawsa@aol.com

MEMO FOR THE WEEK OF 3/17/08 - 3/23/08

2008-03-17T10:30:00.000-04:00

Hello Readers: their is no new article for this week,but their will be one for the next week. Instead I would like to here from "you".On what you like about the articles and on what sport you want me to write more about. so talk to me at RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM .

In next coming six months, it will be loaded with sporting events from the start of the baseball season, to next month NFL draft, and to the Olympics in September. Also a very impressive and cool new free feature is the emailing services, which is located on the right hand side of this below the poll. all it takes is two minutes to sign up for but be sure to fill out the other page to after you have enter your email address.

Once you have signed up after the conformation email. you will get the new article sent to your email address every on Tuesday. its really a great feature so sign up for it if you would like to.

Well this weekend is Easter Sunday, so I would like to wish to all my readers out there for a great Easter Sunday. take care and thanks for reading the article.

RJ

Where in the world is my Sports Center.

2008-03-10T11:01:00.000-04:00

3/10/08 - 3/16/08
I used to watch this show every single morning at 6am, on the dot. That was up until the last few years. The reason, on why I watched that show like I did, back then was to see the highlights of games of the night before. I also loved that theme song, which they had in the beginning and at the end. It was all Highlights of all leagues and not a thing more.

Frankly I am now tried and upset about ESPN nowadays, because of the way they ruined such a great show, by now turning it into a another Hollywood access style type of show. Don’t get me wrong, I do know that everything does change with time. I just wish that one day that they would change it back, to the old format of the show. If you have watched sports center at all during the past month, I am sure you would agree with me.

This past week alone, they had a football expert talking about baseball, Pardon my mouth but what in the heck and why is a Football expert talking about baseball!! I sure hope that the guys up in Connecticut do know the difference, between a homerun and a touchdown. If not then they should make a commercial about that. Another thing that gets me, is all these so called “experts” that ESPN has now, the only expert that is a expert in my book, is Peter Gammons and John Clayton. Everyone else should be called what they are and that is a sports reporter.

So ESPN if you do in fact change the formats and let highlights be highlights again. Then not only would that skyrocket your daily viewing audiences then what is now, believe me, I know for fact a number of sports fans who share and completely agree with my point.
.
So ESPN start making changes, so that I can finally find my sports center and watch it the only way it should be.

RJ
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

The Devil Less Rays Should Make Barry a Ray.

2008-03-03T09:45:00.001-05:00

3/3/08 - 3/9/08
Let me tell you a little thing about Tampa: it has a baseball team that plays across the bay in St Petersburg’s. A lot of people outside of Tampa think the Rays do play in Tampa, but they do not. It’s about a 45 minute drive across the bay and then another 10 minute drive to get to Tropicana Field.

That being said, now you really know why, during the games you see all those seats without people in them. That combined with the worst record in baseball for the past 11 years is not a good combination.

So with all that said, that is why I think the Rays management should make a “strong” push to sign, Barry the cheater Bonds.

Yes I have said it. I have come to this conclusion because to tell you the truth, with the news that their top pitcher Scott Kazmir's, who was going to be there opening day starter, until he got hurt in the first drills of spring training, with an elbow injury.

Is not great news for a franchise that changed everything this year: from their name to their uniform colors and they have even proposed for a new ocean front stadium. To be built in the year 2012, in St Pete.

So as of right now the Rays need some help and in what better way to get that, then to get all that media attention of the baseball world. By getting Barry Bonds, The excitement will be plenty at all home Rays games this season and that only should and would be well worth it.

That excitement which is something that the Rays home games of past, would only get when they are either playing the Yankees or the Red Sox’s. And regardless of the circumstances that Barry is in, for as of right now he is the Homerun King of Baseball and for a second he is Barry Bonds.

For me, that is the risk the Rays of change, should take if they do in fact want to change.

RJ
RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

Football Is Back …. Arena Football League Style That is.

2008-02-25T10:31:00.000-05:00

2/25/08 – 3/2/08
The Arena Football League also known as the AFL is played indoors and on a 50 yard field, inside an arena. The AFL is only behind the NFL as the second longest running professional football league, in the United States.

It started play in 1987 with four teams:

The Chicago Bruisers, the Denver Dynamite, the Pittsburgh Gladiators and the Washington Commandos, The league now has 17 teams. The teams are split between two conferences the National and American conference and in those two conferences, the teams are splinted again by two divisions.

As the league has grown over the years, the athletes have also as well. But none has had more impact then a guy named Kurt Warner. A year before the NFL called he was playing for the Iowa Barnstormers, which has since relocated and are now called the New York Dragons. But In the NFL with the St. Louis Rams. During the 1999 NFL season a guy name Kurt Warner made his mark, by coming off the bench for the injured Trent Green, during a preseason game.

This had everyone thinking that the Rams were done, as Trent would be out for the all of the regular season. Kurt Warner would later in that regular season, drive the Rams all the way to a super bowl victory. Kurt Warner was named the Super bowl MVP and the NFL regular season MVP of that season.
The Arena Football League is by far the most enjoyable family and fan league right now, in the word of professional sports.

The AFL has a Bill of rights for its fans: Those rights include mandatory players and coaches autograph’s sessions after every game and the right to keep a game ball should go into the stands during the game. Also the low cost of season tickets and even separate games tickets, Is another reason on why this league, should have all the others leagues taking notes. If you do not wish to drive to the game you do not have to worry, as the league signed a five year contract with ESPN last year, which will broadcast 17 games at the minimum on both ABC and ESPN.

So this Sunday at 1pm watch the Arena Football league but before you watch the game, to see if the San Jose Saber Cats can repeat as Arena Bowl champs. Make sure you check out the site below for all the rules and info. Football is back arena style , enjoy it!! www.arenafootballleague.com TALK TO ME AT: RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

RJ

When does radical fan behavior at NFL games stop?

2008-02-18T10:17:00.001-05:00

2/18/08 – 2/24/08

That question above has been giving some really well thought lately and so my question is to each person reading this article right now is: when does it stop and how do you stop it?

Here is my solution; sure the NFL can one day take away the chance of purchasing alcohol at their games, but in all reality that will never happen.

Because of the revenue the NFL gets in return in sponsorships from alcohol ads to alcohol sales at there games and if it actually do just that. The fans would still be drunk from drinking before the game, while tailgating. So another way that makes sense in my book would be to stop entry at the gates, to anyone who appears overly drunk. In fact the NFL is already doing some of that to there credit, but in my mind they need to enforce that rule in the stadium more as well.

Those same fans might be saying this right now:
“That is not fair and I paid a lot of money for that ticket.”

Well to those fans you paid for a price of admission to watch a game in person. but what you did not pay for, is the right to get drunk in a public place and start fights and by doing all of that you will be turning, one family outing into a disaster.

That is the main reason on why; I think the NFL should start taking a strong stance on this issue. Because without that family of four or more in that stadium. It will start hurting the face of the National Football League if it has not already.

Remember it’s alright to cheer for your team, but it’s not alright to start fights and be led away by a police escort.

RJ
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK EMAIL ME AT RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

MEMO FOR THE WEEK OF 2/11/08 - 2/17/08

2008-02-08T00:37:00.000-05:00

There will be no article for 2/11/08 – 2/17/08. It will however return the following week of the 2/18/08 -2/24/08. I would also like to say Happy Valentine day to all my loyal ladies readers out there.

RJ
TALK TO ME: RJINTAMPAWSA@AOL.COM

THE G – MAN ARE NOW SUPER G-MAN

2008-02-04T10:51:00.000-05:00

2/4/08 - 2/10/08

The New York Football Giants are now super bowl champions. The G-Man now will also be getting plenty of thank you cards from the 72 Miami Dolphins, as well as everybody else who bleeds the colors of Aqua and Orange. By Keeping the New England Patriots from tying there 1972 season of Perfection, of going threw the entire season undefeated and by ending the season of true Perfection, with a super bowl win.

Reality is that the New York Football Giants really did not care about preserving the Miami Dolphins, season of Perfection. The G–Man came into this game, with a mind set to not get to hype for the Super Bowl in Arizona. Instead to treat it like another away game in which they did that, by now having won 11 games on the road. In fact officially they were the road team as New England was the home team.

What they did care about was winning the game, in which the whole sporting world. In all reality had the Giants underdogs as well as losing and was only watching to see history be made. They also cared about the opportunity to prove everyone that said “it can’t be done or it’s not going to happen” by making their statement not true.

Above all that was at stake during the Giants super bowl win. The question was weather or not the giants, whom rolled into the playoffs as a wildcard team would come out of the gates and play four hard quarters of football against a team that has won three super bowls in seven years and who just so happens to be 18-0. Would challenge them? At the end the Giants did just that and now they are now longer just the “G-Man” they are now Super G- Man. Congratulations Giants nation.

RJ: Send Questions or Comments To: rjintampawsa@aol.com

Super Bowl Week is here!!

2008-01-28T10:54:00.000-05:00

1/28/08 – 2/3/08
The Super Bowl is less then seven days away, but there is only one question remaining, Are you ready for it? If not it’s about time to make your last minute trip to the store, so that you can get all your favorite game day foods and drinks. Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday.This year “big game” is between, the New England Patriots and the New York Football Giants; the word “football” is the Giants organization full legal name. This will also be the first time in National Football League history, in which a team has reached to the super bowl as 18-0.

That team is called the New England “Brady Bunch “Patriots and no “Brady Bunch” is not the Patriot’s legal name. Although one, might argue that it should be. It just seems that way from time to time, make no mistake the Patriots are pretty darn good, they have a great offensive of line and there defense is good when it needs to be. Add in a Tom Brady and you have a team of Perfection.

The Football Giants on the hand, have been playing pretty good, considering that they have won ten straight road games and there last lost came from the Patriots during week 17 of the regular season. Since then the giants have been in the hands of who I think should be the Coach of the Year in Tom Coughlin. Coach Coughlin went from sure to be without a job at the end of the season, to not being fired.

I believe that this year super bowl game, which will be held in Arizona, will be a high scoring affair just like that last time these two teams played each other. The outcome could be different, but just to put me on the safe side of things.

I think New England will win this game, but I don’t see them covering the 14 point spread in which they are the favored. Nonetheless this will be one great game to watch, but until Super Sunday enjoy this year Super Bowl week because it only comes once a year.
RJ

Send your questions or comments to: rjintampawsa@aol.com

College Tennis is serving and taken names at the same time.

2008-01-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

1/21/08 – 1/27/08

The person who thinks I must be talking about nothing is a shameless one at best. Different college sports are now finally getting into the spotlight thanks in part to the television and the internet.

The attention is finally getting shifted a little as before it was just the ‘two” big money sports being Football and Basketball that would be getting all the attention. If you really did not pay attention to college sports in general, you would not even have known that there is such sport like that on the college level.

So with that said I will be opening up your mind to college tennis, right now the college tennis season is underway as it concludes in May. The conference titles games are in April followed with the NCAA tournament on May 9th.

So without further due I had conducted an interview by email with my cousin Jennifer Meredith. This past week who just so happens to be a fellow reader and is a college tennis player who is in her freshmen year at the University of Tennessee.

This is my cousin Jennifer tennis profile; this shows what she has accomplished before coming to the University of Tennessee it includes:

Winning 2 National Open titles in doubles, Clenching the Davis Cup win for GA in 2002 and 2003 and Coming in at third at this past year USTA Girls’ 18 and under National Championships that was played on May 29th।

So Here is my five questions interview that I did with her:

1। Do you have a personal routine that you do before a match on game day?

“ We have a brief stretching session with our fitness trainer, then we hit for about 30 minutes, change into our match clothes, hit for about 15 minutes more and then get started. Personally my routine is to check everything in my bag and make sure my racquets are ready to go, I also like to listen to my music to get me pumped up for the match.”

2। What is it like being on a Tennessee team that is rank twenty - two nationally and second in doubles?

“I am incredibly fortunate to be on such a great team। We work very hard and it shows by our rankings। I love practicing with my team because we all push each other to do our best. Everyone is very talented and works very hard and it’s great to be in such a great atmosphere.”

3 What are all your coaches like and how do they get your team ready to play for game day?

“My coaches are great. They both do everything in their power to make you the best player that you can be. We have been practicing very hard on and off the court and I think that is definitely going to show this season.”

4। If you could change one rule in college tennis what would it be and why?

“I would love to have line umpires for all lines. Right now we just have a chair umpire and unfortunately they cannot see and call every ball, which is disappointing when you play someone who is cheating you. I think it would be great if we have somebody watching all lines to make sure that we have a fair match.”

5. How long does it take your body to recover from a hard long match?

“Our fitness trainer has made sure that we are in very good shape, so it shouldn’t take too long to recover but it definitely takes time. Collegiate tennis is very intense and takes a lot out of you. Before and after my match I will get rubbed out by my trainer, and probably take an ice bath after. We have a day or two in-between our next match so we will do some stretching and get massaged so that we are ready to go”.

I would like to say thank you again, to my cousin Jennifer for being so nice to take the time out of her busy schedule and answering those question. There is also some good news as of Saturday the Lady Volunteers are 1-0 to start the season. They won all of their matches against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 7-0.

RJ
Email questions or comments to rjintampawsa@aol.com

Jags had a great season, nonetheless.

2008-01-14T10:53:00.000-05:00

1/14/08 – 1/20/08

Coming into this past Saturday night game, this was the little team from Jacksonville that could derail a perfect season for the Patriots. In the end Jacksonville could not pull up; perhaps which would have been one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

But by losing to the New England Patriots, who are now 17-0. It does not diminish in anyway or form the great season. The Jacksonville Jaguars have had.

This was the 13th season of play in the Jacksonville Jaguars history, in witch it will be remember for the Jaguars, as finding a franchise Quarterback in David Garrard, as well as some other great accomplishments like:

First playoffs win in eight years, over the Steelers in Pittsburgh, becoming the first team in the Steelers 75 year history to beat them twice at home, Fred Taylor rushing over the 10,000 yard mark, becoming only the 21st player in the National Football League, to do so. Taylor would finish the season with 1,202 yards for a career total of 10,712 yards rushing. Finding out they have great depth, as 13 players were on the injured reserve list for the season, which included Pro Bowler Defense Tackle Marcus Stroud.

All of the above adds more tradition and history to a team that is on its way of becoming one of the “premiers” franchises in the National Football League. If not already, all of these milestones will also make this franchise fan base grow and develop into the type of those of the Packers, the Cowboys and the Steelers.

This was the season in mind when the Jacksonville Jaguars said to the league other thirty- two teams: “watch out, because we our coming after you at full speed ahead and be prepared to become “Jaguars Bait”. Come next season.

RJ
rjintampawsa@aol.com

The Camster got what was coming from the Tuna

2008-01-07T11:23:00.000-05:00

1/7/08 - 1/13/08
It was really just a matter of “when” Coach Cam Cameron the former coach the Miami Dolphins would get fried. In these days of the NFL If your team goes 1 and 15, what NFL coach in his right mind would not expect to find a pink slip in his office after the worst season in the thirty seven years history of the Miami Dolphins.

I believe even if had Coach Cam Cameron put on a good and decent showing in font the new Dolphin in town Bill Parcells, who was hired on Thursday of that week, to fix and clean up the mess that Miami is in for the team owner Wayne Huizinga.

The Camster still would have gotten the boot, but in the end it ended up being another lost to cap the season for the Dolphins. Should Miami have giving him the “Camster” another shot?

Absolutely not, lets be honest with our selves here, I believe Coach Cameron shot himself in the foot, by not going for it on the forth downs, in the last game of the season. By still implementing his ultra conservative game plan in the last game of the season, with absolutely NOTHING to play for but at least he proved one thing and that is what a total scam the cam really is.

He was consider to be one of the best up and coming coaches in the league, that’s when the Dolphins hired him in January of last year. But his horrible play calling and his poor decisions making during the off season of last year. Have landed him out of the job and has the Dolphins looking for there fifth replacement coach, in five years.

Cameron also made another little note of history for himself, as he will forever go down as the first ever coach, to be fried form the Miami Dolphins in their 37th year of a National Football League franchise.

Whoever is the next coach, of what once use to be one of the greatest franchises in the National Football League, will no doubt have his hands full in coaching the Dolphins. I just hope whoever it is; they can do better then a one win season, come next fall or else things could get really “ugly” down in Miami.

RJ

Find Your Favorite Place on the Couch and Love the ones you Love

2007-12-23T09:33:00.000-05:00

12/23/07 - 1/7/08

Its Christmas time once again; as well as the count down for the final week and days of the year 2007.

It is bowling time once again in college football; as the bowls games will be in full force threw out this whole coming week. As they will be 14 bowl games as 28 college teams will battle it out and if that’s not enough.

To start out on Christmas Eve night, which is this coming Monday; there will be an NFL game on the tube, which has implications on the shape of who is going to be playing who come playoff time. It will be between the Denver Broncos and The San Diego Chargers.

As of right now the San Diego Chargers are currently in the No. 3 spot in the AFC playoff bracket, only behind the Colts of Indianapolis. The Chargers will need a win to stay ahead of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns in the AFC playoffs bracket.So sit back and enjoy what this final week of 2007 has to offer and enjoy your time with your love ones. Because that could be the final and last time you see them. I know this from recent past experience.

On Christmas Eve of last year at my house, it would turn out to be the last time that my dad side of the family and mine included, included saw my great Uncle Dennis; you might remember him better as Dolfan Denny. Three months later he died in his sleep at his home in Sarasota Florida.

So enjoy the time that you will be spending with your family or your friends on Christmas/New Year, because you never know what could happen to them in one year.

Also enjoy all of the football games that are on television threw out the week and let me be the first to wish all of my reader’s great success in the New Year of 2008. Have a safe and fun last week of 2007, As well as a great Christmas day.

Marry Christmas to you and a Happy New year!!

RJ

THE NFC SOUTH IS A JOKE

2007-12-17T11:16:00.000-05:00

For the week of 12/17/07 - 12/23/07

The NFC south is a joke these days, need poof you ask? The NFC south has four teams in the bottom part of the schedule for this National Football League season. In case you are wondering on how many teams, are in the NFC south division, it goes like this ah four!! That’s right four; call them the Bucfalpanaints (Bucs, Falcons, Panthers and Saints) if you like.

One has a whenever you need a frothy four year old quarterback; another one has a thirty eight year old savor/quarterback and the saints have a quarterback who throws it like his last name would suggest and that is in the air and like a Bress and the dirty birds wish they had Jeff George back on their roster.

Considering that the NFC south has the easiest strength of schedule of the entire NFL, you would think that it would at lest have two teams over 500 and yet they come up short in that category as well. The Saints are 7-7; the Panthers are 6-8 and the Falcons are in so much disarray at 3-11.

So that leads us with really one team from that division that has a record above five hundred and that is… the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are 9-5, who many including myself and the rest of Tampa had the then up coming season, already in the back of there pirate headed brain .

As their were so many question at that time and at this point in the season so far the answers have been giving and it also helps with this weak division that the Bucs are in and by that they are taking full advantage of it, by wining the games that matter most right now and that is why the Bucs will be a having home field advantage in the first playoff game which they will be having in the next few weeks.

With all of that said, the NFL did what it could do to make the NFC south a good division. But now with the season almost over it’s up to the teams in that division to step up and get the wins that they should be getting instead of losing the games they should have won. But that will have to wait until next fall.

RJ

THE AMAZING BROWNS FROM OHIO

2007-12-10T11:41:00.000-05:00

12/10/07 – 12/16/07

Anyone who has been a fan of the NFL in general over the past ten years or so will know that the browns have been a team; in which if you could, you would schedule them for your home coming game, for your high school football team.

That sentence pretty much sums it all up, right there; Over the past say decade or at lest until they came back into the NFL in 99, the Browns have been known as “the other NFL jokester” from Ohio, But then something amazing happen and I would say it started to change during the NFL Draft, all the way back in April.

The reason for that is because of what they where about to do during that NFL draft, what they had done at first surprise everyone, considering that all the so called experts had the Browns taken the hometown, quarterback the almighty Brady Quinn and when the Browns did not the experts bashed the Browns for not taking the almighty Quinn. Instead they had taking Joe Thomas an offensive lineman out of the University of Wisconsin.

Many of those same called experts and this time I think they are right said that Thomas could become the next Tony Boselli of the NFL. Tony Boselli who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars during his career and in my view, Tony should be a Hall of Famer in the next few years. But back to the browns and in what would be one crazy turn in events during that first round of the NFL draft. The Browns then made this move they traded their second-round selection (36th overall), that was used to select Kevin Kolb and their first-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft to Dallas, for Dallas' first-round selection (22nd overall), in which they then selected the almighty Brady Quinn in this year's draft.

The funny thing about all of this is that it is now week thirteen in the NFL season and the almighty Brady Quinn has yet to start his first career NFL game.

Why you asked? It’s because of the emergence of another Cleveland quarterback and no Bernie Kosar did not suddenly came out of retirement, this quarterback is name Derek Anderson and right now he has a Quarterback rating over 85% which means he is pretty darn good and right now he is leading Cleveland to a wild card birth for the playoffs.

So right now the Cleveland Browns are on the edge of becoming a playoff team and I believe with in 5 years the browns will be in the super bowl one day, because right now Cleveland is no jokester and teams who teams who take them lightly will be the ones who are seating at home come playoff time.

RJ

THE MAGIC ARE MAKING THEIR MARK ON THE COURT

2007-12-03T10:23:00.000-05:00

12/3/07 – 12/9/07

Do you believe you in magic? No not the song made famous by John Sebastian's but rather the National Basketball Association (NBA) version of magic.

I am talking about the Orlando Magic, the professional basketball team, who are off to there best start in franchise history at 14 and 4 and after being completely high jack and stolen of their identity from the flip flop that Billy Donovan is.

When he decided that after three days on the job as head coach for the Orlando magic that it was not in his heart as he said and that he wanted to instead go back and coach the Men’s college basketball team, at the University of Florida.

So at what had become a completely waste of time and excitement for all Magic fans myself included. The Orlando Magic front office went with there second hand candidate and that was Stan Van Gundy.

So with the touch of a button and with the help of a fax machine, Coach Stan Van Gundy took the job and was heading back to the state of Florida, from a short visit to California from visiting another coaching position there.

The Orlando magic then made another big move by getting Rashard Lewis who arrive in Orlando, by a sign-and-trade, in which landed him a whopping six-year contract worth $118-million dollars. From the Magic and it has so far been a great investment. Lewis is averaging about 20 points per game and has great ability, as a shooter who can not only hit the big and timely shots but he also can do it when he is called on.

But Lewis is just one part of the puzzle as reasons the Orlando magic off to their best start in franchise history.

The other parts in the puzzle Along with Lewis are center Dwight Howard and point guard Jameer Nelson. Nelson provides the outside shots and Howard is the big man inside. It was the same position that Shaq filled for the magic during his time.

Nelson, Howard and Lewis are what Penny Hardaway, Horace Grant and Shaquille O'Neal where for the Orlando Magic during the early 90s.but this time around, the Magic hope it pays off in a NBA championship title.

The Orlando Magic and their fans will not know what the rest of this long NBA season will bring them, let alone Dwight Howard career. But there is one thing that is certain and that is that the good times are back and rolling again in O-Town. Just Like it did once before, when Shaq was in Orlando in the Early 90's.

So if you’re looking for an NBA team to root for this season. Join me and let’s hop on Dwight Howard shoulders together and enjoy what has so far become: a season to remember for all fans of the Orlando magic.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

The Rams are losing their horns

2007-11-26T09:59:00.000-05:00

11/26/07 - 12/2/07

The Rams of St Louis went from the “Greatest Show on Turf” to this, in just five short seasons. Orlando pace who is one of the offensive tackles for the Rams sums it all up here:"It's amazing to see what has happened in a matter of years," said Orlando Pace and boy is he right on the money, On that, From 1999 through 2001, the Rams went 42-13, including three playoff berths, two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win in 2000.

The Rams are having their worst season in franchise history at 2-9 and from the look of it, it is going to be there worst season, since moving to St. Louis in 1995, from the Los Angeles, California area. In that final season in Los Angeles, the Rams had a final record of 4 wins and 12 losses.

This season the Rams are pretty much dead last, in every NFL statistic, besides the amount of yardage the defensive allows per game, which is rank 18th at the midway point of this 2007 NFL season.

Which is really, the only thing the Rams have going for them so far this season, however they do have a “few” bright spots in there roster as they did manage to sign their Pro bowl Quarter back Marc Bulger, to a long term deal over in the off season, was a great thing for them in the future, as Quarter backs are a dime in a dozen in the NFL these days.

They also have a great young running back in Steven Jackson, who is only in his fourth NFL season and is only 24 years old. But that is all the Rams and their faithful can look for to as of right now, which is the future, because these Rams won’t be in Arizona, come February 3, 2008. Like many of the “so called” NFL experts predicted before the season started.

When that time (The Future) does come, it will be up to the Rams to get there horns back on and Ram straight away with it.

RJ
Rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hushmail.com

Turkey, Family, and Football are the Perfect Combinations.

2007-11-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

For the week of 11/19/07 – 11/25/07

This year of 2007 will mark the 218th Thanksgiving Day, since our Government made it a federal holiday in the year of 1789. In 1789 they did not have Football to watch, like we will have this coming Thursday the twenty second. But instead they had family and things to be thankful for just like us in this year of 2007.

There are a number of things to be thankful for come this Thanksgiving Day, I will give you my four things that I am thankful for: Family, The troops who have and are fighting for this country of ours, law enforcement and to know that I live in a free world, in which many do not. Those are the things, that I am most thankful for this year Thanksgiving Day.

On day for families in witch 78% of workers in 2006 were given both Thanksgiving and the day after as paid holidays as I could only expect to see that number go up in this year thanksgiving. The turkey, in witch we have to eat and the football in which we have to watch to me are just the icing on the cake for this year thanksgiving.

By the way the NFL games being played on Thursday goes as follow: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions at 12:30 EST on Fox, the New York Jets against the Dallas Cowboys at 1:15 EST on CBS. For those of you that have the NFL network you will get a third game and it is the Colts against the Atlanta Falcons at 8:15 pm EST. Have a nice and safe Thanksgiving everyone.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

The Yankee Freefall Ride

2007-11-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

11/12/07 – 11/18/07

The cost to ride this ride is free, there is one price tag, to what has happen and been happing to the New York Yankees in this early off season and that has been the burden of players and coaches turning down contracts.

Which up to this point are something that the Yankee faithful and the Yankee ownership, had use to see once and every blue moon, But since the decision of throwing the cup of Joe (Joe Torre) out and not commenting to a manager, who in his first five years on the job, won four World Series titles, up till 1996 the first of those four, the Yankees had not won a world series title, since 1978.

That is 18 years since they had won a world series. In that series the Yankees won in six games, to defeat the Los Angles Dodgers. What I found strange to all of this, is that Joe Torre recently got hired to be the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As much as the Yankee fans wanted the “freefall” to stop with Joe Torre, they got more bad news on 11/5/07 as Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million one year deal option and with that it looks like the free fall, will continue till the end of this off season, as more players have decision as to stay with the Yankees or not.

I will tell you what, The Yankees owners and faithful apparently consider it a given, that their team will make it into the playoffs every year.

But as many teams know, spending money guarantees “nothing” and soon the Yankees and there faithful will find that out.

Either by this coming season or from this current offseason, that money alone can’t buy the trust factor back, from the players or from the coaches.

That the New York Yankees ownership once had with them. Until then, enjoy your ride and buckle up.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

THE COLLAPSE OF THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

2007-11-05T09:13:00.000-05:00

11/5/07 - 11/11/07

Its not easy being a Dolphin’s fan these days, you wonder when is this tunnel of doom and turmoil going to stop? You would think it could stop with just a few moves there and here but in this the case of the dolphins and in this case reality. It’s going to take a “lot” of time.

First of all my great uncle was “DolfanDenny”and he told me in his words this: “They need to draft a quarterback, pick up a veteran quarterback for the young one to grow into the system, and then bring in some younger players to build around for both of the offensives and defensives of line.” He made those remarks when I last saw him alive at Christmas, when he was at my house and I had asked him about dolphins and what he thinks they should do in the draft and for the offseason.

As you may or may not know he died on March 18th 2007, which was way before the April 28th NFL draft and for his stake he might have been better off not knowing what the dolphins did in that draft. Here is what the dolphins did in that draft, they drafted:

1. Ted Ginn, Jr., WR/KR, Ohio State 2 - John Beck, QB, Brigham Young 2 - Samson Satele, C, Hawaii 3 - Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida State 4 - Paul Soliai, DT, Utah 6 - Reagan Mauia, RB, Hawaii 6 - Drew Mormino, C, Central Michigan 7 - Kelvin Smith, LB, Syracuse 7. Brandon Fields, P/K, Michigan State 7 - Abraham Wright, DE/OLB, Colorado

The pick that stands out the most from that list is Ted Ginn Jr, because Coach Cam Cameron and the rest of his Dolphins coaching staff chose him over Brady Quinn. Which up to this point in the season, Ted has not shown any really any flashes as to why the dolphins picked him over Quinn. But that tells us little as to why the dolphins stink so badly this season.

The dolphins are in the shape they are in not only because of what goes on the field, but also off the felid as well, from poor decisions from management and from coaches flying in and out of the window, like leaves falling off of a tree. This is the Miami Dolphins second year under a new head coach, the first one is from last year, when Nick the “lying” Saban took over as the head ball coach and from the looks of it, next year will be their third year under a new head ball coach.

Dolphins fans myself included are hoping things will pan out pretty soon, so that we wont be in the same discussion as the Tampa Bay Yuckaneers, were in their first year in 1976 when they went 0-14 in the 1976 season.

What is pretty odd about this season for the Dolphins is that it was 35 years ago since the 1972 season, in which they went on to go to 17-0 and from that point on or to however you want to look at it. It was one of the NFL most prominent franchises and 35 years and counting the dolphins are now the joke around the league.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

The NBA Regular Season Is Here… o Boy.

2007-10-29T11:19:00.000-04:00

10/29/07 - 11/4/07

I am going to try to put the opening of its regular season, in what has been a scary offseason for league, into a little good light for all those basketball fans out in the world. The regular season for the National Basketball Association (NBA) starts this Tuesday the 30th which is the night, before Halloween night, what a coincidence.

So let me help you get caught with the NBA: The San Antonio Spurs was last season 2007 NBA champions. The Portland Trail Blazers had won the first pick in this year draft lottery and which they used their first pick on the Ohio State star center Greg Oden. Later in the offseason he under went knew surgery and he did not play in the preseason. Just recently the NBA discipline six more officials for point saving. After the Tim Donaghy come out party on July 20th, in which he pleaded guilty to two federal gambling charges in which he wager on games in which he was the game official.

This year motto for the NBA is this “Where Amazing Happens” and they got that right, but they forgot that this is not the 90s anymore. Where you had the Air Jordan frenzy, but help could be on the way and that is with the King James (LeBron James) frenzy and that might even help save this league.

The State of the NBA is in a hot bed of water right now and only time will tell how much is left in this was prominent league in the American landscape. But what is certain is that this will be the toughest season, the National Basketball Association has ever faced. But right now it’s about ready to Tip Off, so be ready for a lot of questions to be in the air.
RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

Tampa is getting more then what it paid for in Jeff Garcia.

2007-10-22T09:33:00.000-04:00

For The Week of 10/22/07 – 10/28/07

One of Tampa biggest signings, during the past off season has gotten them to a 3-2 start and a lost less conference standings. You would have to say that it was a good signing. by the Bucs standers , considering on how much the whole Buccaneers offense relies on him because of no O- line and so on it has been a “Great move”.

So far threw 7 games Garcia has no thrown interceptions, and is one of only two quarterbacks in the league that has not thrown a pick. The other one is Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback David Garrard in the NFL.

Then consider his age at 37 years old and then being all over the league in his 9th year career. He led the Philadelphia Eagles to playoffs last year but before that he was a Lion then a Brown and last where he made his mark in the NFL as a 49er going to the Pro bowl three straight times.

It should be noted, that he had wide out Terrell Owens during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. But still to make three straight trips to Hawaii, from the season of 2000 to 2002 is a hard thing to do.

The Buccaneers would love to see Jeff Garcia, stay on the track that he is on now for the remainder of the season. And if he can’t stay on the track, anything better then the four wins by the Bucs last year would be more then what they paid Jeff to do considering all of the injuries the Bucs have had so far.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com
(PS: My Jags play the Bucs This Weekend in Tampa and I will be going to the game. So Go Jags and beat those Bucs.)

Article For The Week of 10/15/07 - 10/21/07

2007-10-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

Root for the Rockies this Postseason.

Like many questions in life This one to the sports fan is the ultimate blow to your team but in this case, it does not seem as bad to be rooting for a team that: does not play in the national spotlight often and for a team that some people think Larry Walker is still playing for[plays for the cardinals]. Because that was really the only time you would hear a word about the Colorado Rockies, from the national media and since then they have been left out of the spotlight and into the dark room.

The Colorado Rockies, who play their ballgames at Coors field which is located in Downtown Denver, is one of the best parks in all of baseball; the purple seats in the 20th row of the upper deck are purple. The seats that are purple mark Denver one mile elevation point. The park is also known around in baseball world has homerun heaven, due to the dry air in Denver.

There are so many reasons, on why to root for a team that has already taking the baseball world by storm: for one Todd Helton who is one baseball few stars to stay with one team in his ten year career with the Rockies, the total payroll for the team is $54.4 million and considering what the Yankees who spent double that, look where that took them.

So find which reason you like, but I have found my team for the rest of this postseason. I just hope I made your decision a little bit easier.

Let’s Go Rockies!!

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

Article for the week of 10/8/07 - 10/14/07

2007-10-08T09:43:00.000-04:00

Brett Favre is back and so are the Packs.

So far in this early football season, their has been two huge shockers around the league one has been, the way that future hall of fame QB Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers has been playing.

The other has been from how well packers are playing on defensive and with those two combine it has landed the Green Bay packers to a four and one start. So far it has been better start then the Packers had in 1996.

In that year they went on to win Super Bowl XXXI, this year it marks the tenth anniversary of super bowl XXXI; in witch the packers played against the New England Patriots and won 13-6. It was the Packers first super bowl victory since super bowl two.

Brett Favre broke Dan Marino's record for career touchdown passes a week ago, zipping No. 421 to Greg Jennings against the Minnesota Vikings. would end up with two touchdowns on that day bringing his career total to 422 touchdowns passes and with the one from last night Favre now has 423 career touchdown

It has been a long journey for Favre recently, some fans thought he should of just retired two years ago and so the packers could re build and it seem the packers were leading towards that way when they drafted Aaron Rodgers back in the 2005 draft.

As it has turn out these past NFL seasons were not so good for the packers and when things are not good Brett Favre has defended his team; the Green Bay Packers:

"I really believe this team has a lot of potential - whether it's this year or in years to come, I don't know"Interestingly enough, this year could turn out the same way that the packers had in 96.

As I think the packers will be able to make a good run for Super Bowl XXXXII; witch is being hosted by the Arizona Cardinals, at their recently new “birdhouse” in Scottsdale Arizona.

But what is certain is that Brett Favre and his Packers are back and they are ready to possibly bring another championship, to Green Bay

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

Article For The Week of 10/1/07 - 10/7/07

2007-10-01T10:45:00.000-04:00

The Bucs really are Pirates or as it seems.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers or as they were once called the Yuckaneers, have recently lived up to that second name, because of the recent mistrust between the fans of the team and for that matter the city of Tampa itself.

The fans and the media of the Yucks, are really the ones who deserve better “honesty” all the way up to the management; from time to time their are certain injuries that just pop up on days leading up to game day that it has become a joke, then throw in the questionable calls from management.

From the release of John Lynch to the not drafting a QB in this year draft and from the way they handle the Chris Sims incident last year.

Both coach John Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen, seem to be on the way out of Tampa come the end of this season, that is if you read both of the papers here and listen to the sports radio here, there is even a chucky meter in one of the papers.

But from the fans point of view, some fans want Gruden to stay and others want him on the first buss out of Tampa come season end, but there is one thing that news papers, radio sports talk and fans, can agree on they want better results and an offensive of line.

But for now this season does not look good for the Bucs and neither does the outlook for next year, as by then they will have to rebuild the ship and hope something works for all of the four groups to be on the same ship, come next season whoever the captain maybe.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

Article For 9/24/07 - 9/30/07

2007-09-24T09:31:00.000-04:00

The NFL is a Rough League, Played by Tough Players.

Before a player makes it into the NFL, the league should mandate a test that will give them a feel for tackle impact of the game. By having a fright train hitting a brick wall simulator. It would give the new players, a taste of what it is like playing in the league, during every week of the season.

Recently this topic, was giving some new life, because of the injury that Kevin Evert sustain in week one of the regular season. In which the Buffalo Bills were playing the Denver Broncos in their home opener, later in the game to open the second half.

Everett fell to the ground and never moved after a helmet-to-helmet hit when he tackled Denver's Domenik Hixon during a kickoff to open the second half. Everett was placed on a backboard with his head and body immobilized, and carefully loaded into an ambulance.

Seems just like what would happen, when a freight train hits a Volvo head – on. Remarkable over the past couple of days, after the incident doctors are saying Kevin will walk again, someday in his lifetime.

This is not the first time a player in the NFL, has been tackled hard enough that it could make him be paralyze for the rest of his life and as unfortunate as these injuries are to any human, has seems unbearable for a player playing in the NFL and Unless the NFL does something about it.

It will continue to be the way of life for any player playing in the NFL and that is why every player is tough and also is why they get paid the way they do.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

Article For The Week of 9/17/07 - 9/23/07

2007-09-17T10:57:00.000-04:00

The Jags say, Byron you are no longer “THE MAN”.

It’s about time, which is what the majority of Jacksonville Jaguars Fans had said. When the news had gotten out, that Byron Leftwich will either be release or traded on that last day of August which was a Friday.

It was leading up to that Saturday, in which all teams had to have made their final roster cuts and trim down to a fifty three active man roster and as it turned out the Jacksonville Jaguars simply just released Leftwich.

So far have just two Quarterbacks on the active roster them being David Garrard who is now “The Man” and the back to him will be Quinn Gray. This is what the coach Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars had to say about the decision:

“We’ve gone through the offseason, training camp and the preseason with Byron as our starter, but after thorough ongoing evaluation of the entire body of work, we have made the decision that David gives us the best chance to win,” Del Rio said. “We’re naming David as our starting quarterback.

“This is a strong team with a solid roster and we feel that David’s performance and continuing improvement warrants this decision to name him the starter. Byron has been a very important part of this team and this is a significant move to make, but it is a move we feel gives us the best chance of winning.”

The Faith of the of the Jaguars is on David Garrard shoulders, as well as Coach Del Rio job as the Jaguars head coach.

But come season end, we should know who the Jaguars future faith will be in. either in the same faith or a new faith that will include a new quarterback and new ball coach.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

For The Week of 9/10/07 - 9/16/07

2007-09-10T10:46:00.000-04:00

A BECKHAM BLOW FOR THE MLS

Surely David did not want to get hurt, let alone in his first season as a member of the LA Galaxy. He took all the precautions by not starting right away, by delaying his MLS debut but as it would turn out all of that did not help nor does it help the MLS.

As it finds itself once again on the far backburner of the American sport landscape and some Americans are once again bushing the sport and the league. But the Soccer bashing has got to stop, because it’s damaging this league and one of the greatest sports in the world, this league should not walk a way or a throw in the towel.

Think of it like this, if the NFL had people saying the league sucks and stuff do you actually think the NFL would take it? No it would not, The NFL would come back swinging and would not stop until the bashing is gone.

David Beckham did however sign a five year contract, so with that in mind Beckham has four years and so does the league, to try to turn things around and to bring some respect here in America. For the game they call around the world as Futbal.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

Article For The Week of 9/3/07 – 9/9/07

2007-09-03T00:31:00.000-04:00

THE NFL REGULAR SEASON IS HERE, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!

The regular season is here and it starts this Thursday night, the game is between Cinderella team of last season, the New Orleans Saints as they will go up against last season Super bowl champs the Indianapolis Colts and come this Sunday every other team will be kicking off there season as well.

When that ball is kicked into the air, there should be no more excuses for the players, no more for coaches and for the fans as well. I like to think that the first week of games is really a make your case game for the season or go home trying.

So much gets said and showcase in training camp and in pre season from both players and coaches. My favorite line is hearing a player or a head coach saying “we will be ready for week one” after a horrible production from their first team starters in a preseason game. When it turns out not to be the truth and that the mistakes, that we as fans saw in our team turn not to be fix like the player or coach that said it would be fix.

That’s why I value the first week of games, much more then the last week of games. Because by that point you are either in the playoffs or not, But the first week leading up to kick off on Thursday night will be fun make no mistake about it.

But for the majority of NFL fans around the country, Sunday will be the time, when they find out there own team’s faith for this full plate of 17 games of football. Are you ready for some football? I am.
RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

Article For The Week of 8/27/07 - 9/2/07

2007-08-27T09:36:00.000-04:00

To all you Naysayers that said Vick is innocent, its time for you to shut your trap.

I will call it doggie justice, if there is such a thing but on Monday the 20th about 2 pm Eastern Standard Time there was, form there on Michael (Okie/Ron Mexico) Vick will forever be known as a convicted felon, because that is when word had gotten out that Michael Vick accepted a plea deal, to stay out of trail.

When Michael Vick does goes into court later this morning at 10 am, it will be his last fresh taste of freedom for awhile as he will finally be convicted on felony dong fighting charges. He will be giving a good amount of federal prison time.

But what does that mean for Michael Vick, in the future when does get out prison:

Vick will Lose his voting rights in the up coming elections or any other future elections for that matter.Have to mark that little box on a job application that says “have you ever been convicted of a felony yes or no”Will lose his right to buy firearms and to possess them, if he gets caught with a firearm he will be sent back to prison for a certain amount of time.

Michael Vick could not only be punish by federal laws, but he could also be charge the same charges by Virginia state laws, because federal and state laws are separate which mean he could be facing 40 years in prison for dog fighting charges in Virginia.

The reality is that Vick's NFL career is done. Maybe his life isn’t, but his career is done for sure no team in there right mind, is going to want a dog killer/con under center and taken the snaps unless it’s a sequel to the movie “the longest yard”

His legs made him famous and sent him to heights he probably never imagined. But those swift and fast legs still can't save him from Justice he deserves and will get. When all is done, their will be justice for all of the eight dogs and hope for the many more to come.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

FOR THE WEEK OF 8/20/07 - 8/26/07

2007-08-20T08:57:00.000-04:00

No more, American Football for the content of Europe. But it could be getting a new NFL Franchise, instead in the coming years, ahead.

The league, in which we will all forever remember as NFL Europe, was founded in 1991; however that name was not the original name. In fact the first name was the World League of American Football; (WLAF) the hope was that it could serve as a type of minor league for the NFL.

Truth is told 16 years later, the league did not live up to the first expectation that the owners of NFL teams first had in mind.

That first expectation was that it would one day turn into be like a minor league baseball type of league for the National Football League.

So that each team could give its unproven players another shot to better there skill, so that they would one day turn into NFL ready caliber players.

The only noticeable player that has ever come out of NFL Europe as a whole and who has made it well in the NFL. Is guy who goes by the of name Kurt Warner, you might of heard him.

But other then Kurt Warner, seriously overall the league could not develop underperformed players into NFL ready like ability.

The league had failed at its first experience with this league. Once when the NFL took it note of it, they change there main objective and for the rest of the league existence, it would use there players as walking billboards, to see how well the European people would embrace a different brand of football.

In this year, coming season of the National Football League, for the first time there will be a regular season football game; across the pond and it will be play at Wembley Stadium, which is located in London, England.

Wimbley, will host this historic game, between the New York Giants and The Miami (home team) Dolphins on October 28th. The game completely sold out with in hours, of it being made official.

Wimbley stadium which has a Capacity of 90,000, could be an indication of how the content of Europe may be would welcome the idea of an NFL team of there own one day and that is what the NFL is hoping for this time around.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticles@hush.com

FOR THE WEEK OF 8/13/07 - 8/19/07

2007-08-13T08:41:00.000-04:00

A concussion is no laughing matter, so why then is the NFL Laughing?

Let me reword that a bit, how come it has taken so long for the national football league, which is sometimes referred to as one of the world best professional sporting leagues, to do something about concussions.

Instead of trying to do something about this serious medical condition, they have tried to push this shovel this under the rug, all of this time they have succeeded with just that.

I have come up with some conclusions, on why it has taken the NFL so long to finally do something about concussions.

But I hope none of my conclusions are in fact true, but remember the NFL is just like any other business. If nobody takes notes of it, they will continue on doing just that “nothing.”

So without further due, here are my Conclusions:

Number one, the NFL is only looking at the money from the big hit factor, instead of the player safety, number two, The NFL knows that if it were to really try to limit the big hit factor it would ruin the brand and meaning of the level of play in the NFL, my third and last conclusion the NFL just does not care about concussions and how they can try to prevent them from happing.

Like I said, I hope none of my conclusions are indeed true but it does make you wonder on why it has taken so long for the NFL do to something and it would even be harsher for the league to just try to play it likes its nothing and cherry coat until the issue is out of the spotlight.

Concussions are difficult to diagnose because of the lack of physical evidence is limited. You can't see a guy's brain being knocked around the skull, which is exactly what happen when a concussion occurs.

But when a concussion has been confirm to have happen. The NFL should place that player on injured reserve for the remainder of that season.

This is just me talking, but I would be scared to know that the NFL is just letting this happen and in return over that player life has nothing to remember of his playing because of that one concussion that has left him with memory loss at the age of 35.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticle@hushmail.com

For The Week of 8/6/07 – 8/12/07

2007-08-06T09:13:00.000-04:00

Can Joey Harrington, save the dirty birds?

Joey Harrington, could not have wrote a script like this, suddenly he has frond himself in a better situation, which in return Joey will be seeing more playing time come this NFL season and he owes it all to his fellow co- worker (Michael Vick dog fighting incident) due to his moron thinking .

Joey Harrington is use to playing the savor role. Harrington did it last year; when he was with the Miami dolphins, as he would win five of the six games the dolphins would go on to win last season.

The Detroit Lions organization and fans, thought Harrington would bring the franchise back up to glory; the Lions drafted him in the first round, with the third pick in the 2002 draft. Harrington who played his college ball at the University of Oregon, had a record of 25-3 as the starter for the ducks, but so far in his fives years as a starter in the National Football League he has posted a record of 18 -37.

The falcons, are now wishing they could get their hands on a time machine, to get back Matt Schaub and to just insert him into their roster, they traded Matt to the Houston Texans,

But I think they are fully satisfied with Joey Harrington as there new leader for their team until the legal process is done and then they try to way find away to get some value for Michael Vick.

But in the mean time, Atlanta has a former top five draft choice in Harrington and if you have some offensive a line in which the falcons do have who knows you could see this team in the playoffs, come this postseason.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticle@hushmail.com

MEMO TO LOYAL READERS

2007-07-26T20:36:00.000-04:00

HELLO: TO ALL MY LOYAL READERS,SORRY BUT THEY WILL BE NO ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK OF 7/30/07 - 8/5/07.

DUE TO THIS BUSY WEEK THAT I BEEN HAVING AND IIS ALSO MY 21st BRITHDAY ON 7/27/07 FRIDAY.

AGAIN SORRY AND LOOK FOR A NEW ARTICLE ON AUGUST 6

untill then stay safe
RJ

Article For The Week of 7/23/07 - 7/29/07

2007-07-23T08:22:00.000-04:00

NBA THE FIX LEAUGE

Clearly the National Basketball Association (NBA) does not want to be called a fix league, but with the recent reports of an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) of point shaving by referee Tim Bonaghy.

It seems as if there will be little hope for the NBA of trying to erasing that title in the public minds anytime soon, and as this investigation goes on it could bring some more bad news for this once fun league to watch back in the 90s.

So far in the ongoing investigation by federal authorities this is what has been revealed:

That 40-year-old NBA referee Tim Bonaghy, who has officiated for thirteen seasons, is under investigation by the FBI for match fixing and betting on games he refereed during the past two seasons. The investigation has also focused on members of local organized crime who Donaghy had become indebted to due to a gambling addiction.

With this happening right now in the NBA, it will drive this league to less superior status. No question, But by how much will the NBA develop into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) status probably not. But it will lose fans and it might even lose some of its sponsorship deals as well.

But with all the recent things (players fighting in the stands, no traveling or double dribble calls anymore like their used to be, players mad about a dress code ) that has happen in this league in recent memory. We have to rethink our decision and make up are own minds as to whether the NBA is worth watching anymore.

Right now the NBA is full of Questions and when your league is full of questions nothing good is going to come out it and in my mind until they can fix them, they might have lost a fan in me.

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticle@hushmail.com

Article For The Weeks of 7/2/07 - 7/22/07

2007-07-02T08:26:00.000-04:00

(Note: I will be on vacation in Hawaii from 7/7/07 to the 7/18/07. So this will be the last article until 7/23/07. So relax and I encourage you all to take a vacation like I will be doing.)

The Home Run Derby is why we all can’t wait for the MLB all star game to come up to bat.

Truth be told, some of us only watch Major League Baseball, for two reasons: one being the World Series, and the other being for the Home Run Derby. As I used to only watch the MLB for those two same reasons.

At point in my life, I really did not care about baseball and to follow it for a season long 162 games, was just too long for me at time and I still think the schedule is long, But with everything up in the air, in the so called America pastime game, this is also the MLB time to show what it can do with this highlight event and to attract people that only watch the MLB for those two reason, As I did at one time in my life.

The Home Run Derby is one of the best all around sporting events in the professional league of all star games, in world today and if I were to create a new professional league in baseball, could put a good fight with the MLB.

A home run derby style of play would be what my league would focus around on, the reason why is because everyone likes to see how far a baseball player can hit the ball out into the stands, the same goes as people like to see, how high a basketball player can jump to dunk the ball into the hoop.

The 1985 All-Star Game is when, a new tradition was born and that was the year in which Major League Baseball official adopted a format for the Home Run Derby and from that year on the Major league baseball now official recognize this as a major league baseball competition .

The wait is over; eighty-one games are in book and they are now history, but don’t worry there will be eighty one more games up to bat, after this mini all star break. Until then enjoy what the Home Run Derby has to offer and be ready to get up to the plate, for the rest of this second half baseball season.

RJ

rjintampaweeklysportsarticle@hushmail.com

(Note: I will be on vacation in Hawaii from 7/7/07 to the 7/18/07. So this will be the last article until 7/23/07. So relax and I encourage you all to take a vacation like I will be doing.)

Article for the Week of 6/25/07 – 7/1/07

2007-06-25T08:19:00.000-04:00

The Road to New Orleans, for Arena Bowl 21 begins this weekend.

The Arena Bowl is the Arena Football League championship game and from 1987 to 2004, the Arena Bowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs.

But since Arena Bowl 19 in 2005, which was played in Las Vegas, Nevada the game has been played at a neutral site.

This year the Arena Bowl is being played in New Orleans, Louisiana, home to the arena football league team the New Orleans Voodoo, for the league twenty first championship title game, it will also be New Orleans first shot at hosting a championship game in New Orleans since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

So get ready for some NHL playoffs like games, except these playoffs games will be played on turf instead of ice and if you still have not watch an arena game, either on TV or in person before I would strongly recommend that you either make the time to attend your local home team game if you are lucky enough, or watch it on TV.

The tickets are cheap for a playoff game compared to any other playoff game by a major sporting league, and when you are at the game it doubles the fun and excitement of this great league and you might even come away with a game ball if it comes flying into your section.

But if you can not attend the game in person, be sure you can watch it on TV because this ride to this year Arena Bowl will be one ride that you wish, you did not have to wait until next summer to experience again.

( check out the times, dates and channels by going to www.areanabowl.com)

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticle@hushmail.com

NOTE

2007-06-17T23:26:00.000-04:00

hello: my follow readers , I am sadly to inform you that for this coming week the 6/18/07 - 6/24/07.

there will be no RJ in Tampa Weekly Sports article due to the fact that my grandfather had a heart attack this past week, and at the same time I was studying for this scuba diving open water dive thing.

the good news is that my grandfather will be ok, but it was and has been a shock wave for my entire family .

another good news is that I past the 50 questions for the open water dive thing and that a new RJ in Tampa Weekly Sports Articles will be up on the week of 6/25/07 - 7/1/07

RJ
rjintampaweeklysportsarticle@hushmail.com

ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK OF 6/11/07 - 6/17/07

2007-06-11T07:43:00.000-04:00

DUCKS PROVE TO STILL BE MIGHTY

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were founded in 1993 by The Walt Disney Company. The team's original name was chosen from the Disney movie The Mighty Ducks, based on a group of misfit kids who turn their losing youth hockey team into a winning team.

But this around it was different; instead of kids, it was a group of grown up men, a guy name Chris Pronger, and a name change before the season started to the Anaheim Ducks, which played a role, for the Ducks in claiming their first Stanley Cup in franchise history and the fastest do so in 14 years of playing hockey in the NHL. The Ducks also became the first California team and the first west coast team since the 1925 Victoria Cougars, to win the Stanley Cup.

The Ducks made the right move in the offseason and by far the most important move by trading for Chris Pronger who brought a new altitude along with his powerful defense skills.

Who not long ago before the trade, knocked out his future team Anaheim, with his former team the Edmonton Oilers to reach the finals with the Oilers, in which would turn out to be a Caroline Hurricanes Stanley cup win in a series of seven games.The Ducks could find themselves in tough position next season as any Stanley cup winner has in the past. Their goaltender is a free agent and some of their players are up there in age.

But right now to a franchise, that has long been laugh at around the NHL because of their once mighty name, has something to show off, for the whole NHL to see and that is being a Stanley Cup Winner and a mighty one if I might add.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK OF 6/4/07 - 6/10/07

2007-06-04T08:08:00.000-04:00

THE MAGIC MAN

It is a great feeling right now to be living in the Orlando area or to be an Orlando Magic fan. There is hope in the air, the goal of winning an NBA championship, seem to be close and some what reachable, Since the finals of 95 and the reason why all this hope is in the air.

But not long ago, Eleven years to be exact the Orlando area and all of the Magic faithful had lost all of that excitement and hope it is experiencing right now. It happen in the summer of 1996 when Shaq left for the Los Angeles Lakers has he signed a seven-year, $120 million contract at that time.

It is because of one man and his nickname no other then who they used call in Gator Nation as Billy the kid also know as the man who put the men’s Gators basketball team on the map Billy Donovan.

All that hope and excitement, in which Billy Donovan has created, has not been heard in the Orlando area like this, since the arrival of Shaquille O' Neal, in the 1992 NBA Draft. Billy Donovan himself will tell you that. “It's not about me," Donovan said. "I'm just a piece of the puzzle." So as you can tell it’s such a great thing to hear that excitement and hope is back in O Town.

Mean time up in Gainesville home to “Gator Nation” it is the opposite and some Gators fans feel mix emotions, well others do not as they feel like they been left in the dark by their former coach Billy the kid.

“Part of the reason why I didn’t sign a contract in 2006 is because I didn’t want it to look like I was capitalizing on our team’s success.”

That is interesting quote, that I am sure Florida Gators fans, will use to describe there real reason why he left this time around and rightfully so it is arguable. To that it was the reason and
I am sure Gators fans will argue that on five year 27.5 million dollar contract.

Even If Billy Donovan does not have success, at the NBA level, as the Orlando Magic head coach.

He has 2 NCAA titles on his resume and could probably get any college coaching job in the country. He has made the right move.

I believe he did not need to prove himself anymore at the University of Florida, His task was to put the Florida Gators basketball program in the national spotlight and towards the end of his 11th year as the coach of the Florida Gators men basketball team, he did just that by turning a football powerhouse school into a basketball powerhouse as well.

I can not wait to see what kind of magic tricks; “Billy the kid” has in mind for his new challenge as the coach of the Orlando Magic and I am sure it will not be the pulling the rabbit out of a hat trick, but a trick by coaching up some championship rings.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

Atricle For The Week of 5/28/07 - 6/3/07

2007-05-28T07:27:00.000-04:00

IS THIS CANADA YEAR FOR LORD STANLEY?

It has been so long, since a Canadian National Hockey League (NHL) team. has won the Stanley cup, it has been fourteen years to be exact, in which the Montreal Canadians won the Stanley cup in the 1992-93 season.

The past two NHL season, three years to be exact due to the lockout of the 04-05 NHL season. It has been a close call for the teams north of the boarder in the country of Canada. Just last season alone the Edmonton Oilers had a nice run and force a game seven, before losing the cup to the Carolina Hurricanes. The season before the lockout of 03- 04, the Calgary Flames seem to have everything going for them. Before that powerful lighting strike, that hit the saddle dome in overtime during game 6.

In which Martin St. Louis, scored the game winning goal. that would send the series back to the sunshine state of Florida, for a game seven, in what would turn out to be a the first Stanley Cup in history for the Tampa Bay Lighting.

This year it could be different, and in what better closing of this NHL season would turn out to be if that first Stanley cup team since the Montreal Canadians won it in the 92-93 season. That it would be a team from Canada national capital of Ottawa and it would also be the first Stanley cup in the team history of the senators.

Canada lord Stanley is calling, this will be the third time in a row, a Canadians team has played for Lord Stanley is this the year? I think so, but like always, time will only tell and that is what has Canada on the edge of its seats waiting for that call from Lord Stanley.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

Article for the week of 5/21/07 – 5/27/07

2007-05-20T23:37:00.000-04:00

Start your engines for the INDY 500

Its time to your engines, for this year 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 or as its simply called the Indy 500 but in the early days of what has now become one of the biggest sporting events in the world, race track officials had a hard time choosing the name of its race.

The first race was advertised as the “International 500 mile sweepstakes “from 1911 -1916. In 1919, then the race was referred to as the "Liberty Sweepstakes" then after the following of WWI.

From 1920-1980, the race was revered to as the "International Sweepstakes “after slight variations of names over the time, in 1981 race track officials adopted “the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race" name.

The Indianapolis 500 is now annually held over the Memorial Day weekend, however the first 500 was held on Memorial Day on May 30th, 1911, in that first race Ray Harroun was piloting his yellow Firestone-shod #32 Marmon “Wasp” which was outfitted with his invention the rear view mirror to victory. Rather than riding the mechanic specified in the rules, which created controversy, but it was ultimately allowed in the end.

Ray went on to win the race, with an average speed of 74miles per hour, in which created another controversy; to this day, some say a scoring error cheated Ralph Mulford of his rightful victory, Ray, who came out of retirement to race in the first Indy 500 and as it turn out that was his last race.

The attendance at the Indianapolis 500 has never been a problem since it started the race, the first race in 1911, drew eighty thousands and two hundred people, who had paid one dollar to see the race. Since then the attendance at the Indy 500 has double into the two hundred thousand ranges and the prices of the tickets now ranges from 25 dollars all the way up to one thousand dollars.

In the end, this is one of those sporting events that have become a major part of our American culture, on this weekend we also take time out to remember and say thank you to those who have served and are serving in the United States armed forces.

Enjoy this great race, on such a great holiday weekend and thank you again to all that have served and are serving this great country of ours the land the of the free.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

Article for the week of 5/14/07 - 5/20/07

2007-05-14T05:48:00.000-04:00

This Just In: NHL Playoff Hockey is far better then the NBA Playoffs.

Everyone up to our north in Canada knows it and now I will tell you why playoff hockey is far better then the National Basketball Association (NBA) equivalent of postseason play, their are three reasons in my view; the first reason is the flow of the game, second is the prestige of the Stanley Cup and the third is the apparition for athletic talent.

The flow of a National Hockey league (NHL) playoff game and the athletic ability of the players are two of the best reasons out of the three in my view; the flow of the game is so intense, that when your team shoots and makes a goal you feel like you will be having a heart attack in a mater of moments and when the other team shoots and gets the goal, you feel like you have just been hit by a semi truck.

The athletic ability, of the players in the NHL are amazing, whether it be in a playoff game or not the players athletic ability and toughness and their desire are really true sights of athletic ability, imagine being slam into the boards and with in the matter of seconds you get up and go towards the player who has the puck and then play defense, remember you are doing all of this on ice skates.

The prestige of the Stanley Cup is well known around the sporting world but it has even a meaning in Canada then in other country in the world, as in today NHL game it is extremely rare that a team from Canada wins lord Stanley, but that could end this year as Canada has only one team left in this year quest for the cup, but unlike the last two years when a Canadian team has lost a Stanley cup finals series (Calgary to Tampa in 04 and Edmonton To Carolina 06) this year team the Ottawa Senators could actually win it but they first have to take care of the Buffalo Sabers in the eastern conference finals.

There are tons of reasons, on why I think the NHL playoffs are far better then the NBA playoffs

But the most important thing is how much an entrainment value do you get from it, to be able to sit down and actually watch these two professional leagues playoff games on television, but for me, i get more entertainment value and fun by watching the NHL playoffs and so does the country of Canada.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

Article For The Week of 5/7/07 - 5/13/07

2007-05-06T23:29:00.000-04:00

Put the nail in the coffin, in the Dolphins for a Longtime.

The world can be a funny place sometimes and in this case, I am talking about the sports world. I was amaze on how every one of the so called draft experts, had Brady Quinn on a plane flight bond to Miami, as the dolphins just got on the clock, not even a single one of them mention, if the dolphins would do the unthinkable , By not drafting, the former Notre Dame star QB, Brady Quinn who holds 36 career football records for the fighting Irish, in that school historic and rich football program.

I would be lying to you, if I did not think at the time Brady Quinn was all but playing for the dolphins, but I also had another feeling after hearing the draft experts, overly describing on how well of a fit Brady would be in the Miami Dolphins system, as one expert said ” Brady could be the next Dan Marino, that the dolphins have been looking for since Marino retired.” My feeling was that the dolphins are not going to pick Brady Quinn with their first round pick.

My feeling later became the truth, when the NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell, announced just that ” the Miami Dolphins with the 9th pick in this year NFL draft select Wide Receiver Ted Ginn from Ohio State” and with in a matter of seconds, the so called draft experts disagreed (bashed) the dolphins for their pick of Ted Ginn. After all, Ted is damage goods right now, with a middle foot sprain and at his position at wide receiver that is not a good thing. But that is now one of many problems, the dolphins will have to deal with and hope that everything turns into their favor. but it will be one of the long run concerns for the dolphins, these; if this pick does not work out in their favor and Brady Quinn turns out to be a super star that the draft experts expect him to be and in the long run if he becomes the Cleveland Browns version of Dan Marino.

Either way, the dolphins as of right now have just put their own nail into their own coffin. It should be point out the dolphins, did draft a quarter back in this year NFL draft. His name is John Beck and he is out of BYU. The dolphins can at least dream of digging out of their own coffin, that they buried them self into when they find their next Marino.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

Article For The Week of 4/30/07 - 5/6/07

2007-04-29T23:43:00.000-04:00

Kentucky Derby Time

The 133 rd running of the Kentucky Derby,which is this Saturday at 6pm on NBC, the winner of this year derby will have a much larger fan base by the end of the day. as the new fan base of that horse and jockey, will all hope that the horse and jockey who wins the derby. will also end the long 29 years layoff of a Triple Crown winner.

To win the Triple Crown, a horse has to break threw some major tough obstacle. those obstacles include; three races in a five week span with crowds of over 100,000 plus at all three of the races, those are a pretty good reason why,their have only been 11 winners of the triple crown since 1919 .

The Kentucky Derby, is one of those must watch sporting events, when it is on TV. and it’s even more special to see it in person. If you are the jockey of the winning horse, it’s like winning the Super Bowl or World Series and the same goes for the horse owners as the owners can now make money by just using the horse for breeding and the jockey will be known as a derby winner for life , which will help him attract future clients and maybe a few endorsements deals.

The Derby is also one of those events, in which you can watch it with all your family members or friends; you can also place a friendly wager on a horse that you think might win the race with your family and friends or in some cases you could even throw a derby party. Although the race itself, will last only a couple of minutes, there will be tons of talk the following week, as people will ask themselves can this year Kentucky Derby winner, win it all, be the next Triple Crown.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK OF 4/23/07 - 4/29/07

2007-04-22T23:10:00.000-04:00

THE NFL DRAFT IS ON THE CLOCK

This coming weekend, will be this year addition of the NFL draft. The draft is when former college athletes turn into employees of the National Football League within a blink of an eye.

To some it will be their first ever job and paycheck. Not bad when considering that the rookie minimum salary in the NFL is $225,000. that is more then triple the average first job of pay some people have had, some might not even make that in there life time .

The pay, in which these rookies will be making, comes at no easy task, as they will have to prove to their coaches that they can play with the big boys of the NFL.

This weekend NFL draft will be one of the hottest sports topics in the sporting world at least in America (Stanley Cup Playoffs). So expect to hear or read about it in your local newspaper and get ready for your team to be on the clock.

Finally, I would like to send my deep thoughts and prayers to the victims and family members affected by the shootings at Virginia Tech last week. GO HOKIES

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

Article For The Week Of 4/16/07 – 4/22/07

2007-04-16T00:07:00.000-04:00

A FIRM STATEMENT

Rodger Goodell made his first message as the new commissioner of the National Football League load and clear last week. The message to the players was if you are going to act like a fool, by getting in trouble with the law, you are going to be suspended for a long period of time and you will treat the game with the respect it deserves.

The first players to get that message last week were Adam’Pacman”Jones of the Tennessee Titans and Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals. Both were suspended to more then 7 games each, to be specific Henry was suspend eight games and Jones was suspended for this entire coming season on Friday of last week Jones said he is going to appeal the decision made by the commissioner as Chris will not appeal the decision made by the commissioner, both are suspended without pay .

Some say the new NFL Commissioner, Rodger Goodell is being harsh with these suspensions; well others are saying he is trying to send a strong statement to the players. My view on this matter is that he is trying to stop this merry-go-round of bad player conduct and he is trying at least to make the players think before they act upon these decisions of bad conduct and if you read some of Goodell comments when he was giving out these suspensions you would come up with the same conclusion:

"We must protect the integrity of the NFL," Commissioner Goodell said. "The highest standards of conduct must be met by everyone in the NFL because it is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right. These players, and all members of our league, have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis." In a letter to each player, Commissioner Goodell wrote: "Your conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon yourself, your club, and the NFL, and has damaged the reputation of players throughout the league. You have put in jeopardy an otherwise promising NFL career, and have risked both your own safety and the safety of others through your off-field actions. In each of these respects, you have engaged in conduct detrimental to the NFL and failed to live up to the standards expected of NFL players. Taken as a whole, this conduct warrants significant sanction."

Only time will tell what kind of affects, these punishments that Rodger Goodell gave to Chris Henry and Adam “Pacman” Jones will have on their football playing careers. But it does show the impact of how the landscape of future punishment will be if players do not conduct themselves in a law abounding matter .

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com

Article For The Week of 4/9/07 - 4/15/07

2007-04-09T05:51:00.000-04:00

The Ohio State Buckeyes Are Gator Bait

The University Of Florida has made a new rivalry with Ohio State University the Gators love it, while the Buckeyes do not. Recently the Gators played the Buckeyes in the men’s college basketball national title game last week and like the last time when these two schools were playing for a national title which was in football the result was still the same the only difference was this one was not played on grass.

The Gators, in both of those games against the Buckeyes in football and in basketball, they denominate the tempo as well the whole game itself besides on the opening kickoff return for a touchdown by Ted Ginn Jr in the BCS national title football game.

in the men’s NCAA basketball national title game Lee Humphrey, was all net behind the three point line as well as through out the tournament and became the new career leader in three pointers through out the tournament giving him 47 in 15 NCAA Tournament games of his career, breaking the previous record of 42 set by Duke guard Bobby Hurley from 1990 to 1993. By the way the final scores of those games: in basketball Gators 84 and for the Buckeyes 75 in the football game it was the Gators 41 and the Buckeyes 14.

Florida became the seventh school all time, to win consecutive NCAA men’s basketball titles. The Gators also became the first in history to win both football and basketball national titles in the same academic school year. The fact of the matter is the NCAA should just rename the University of Florida to “Title Town”.

RJ
Jags72786@aol.com