Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Sidney Crosby ends Vancouver Olympics In Style
If there is such a thing as such a thing as fairy tales or a storybook ending it was written and shall be told for many years to come on Sunday afternoon in British Columbia. The gold medal match that was suppose to be the most anticipated Olympic event of the entire Olympic Games did not disappoint. The United States which had never trailed in the entire tournament suddenly found themselves down 2-0 half way through the second period.

Then the game became interesting after a shot by Patrick Kane, deflected off of Ryan Kessler stick and trickled pass a shakey Roberto Luongo. This made it to 2-1 and it remained that very score until there was less than 30 seconds to go in regulation. USA pulled their star goalie Ryan Miller, so they could have an extra attacker on the ice. Patrick Kane shot a wrist er towards Canadian goalie Luongo and Zack Parise swatted the rebound pass Luongo for the game tying goal with just 24.4 seconds remaining.

All the air in the building at Canada Place was let out of the building, as Canada was less than 25 seconds away from winning the gold, and let it slip away and was now facing a 4-4 sudden death overtime period to decide their fate. All the momentum was with the US heading into overtime, but from the moment the puck dropped in the OT period it was clear Canada would not be denied. Crosby worked the puck in the corner and passed it very casually to Jerome Iginla and raced towards the net pass US defense man Bryan Rafalski and took Iginla's pass and shot the puck between Miller's legs and all was right in Vancouver on that day. Crosby threw his arms in the air and was mobbed by his Canadian teammates.

The golden boy had scored the golden goal and team Canada could breathe a sigh of relief because they had did what they were expected to do come and win the gold, and who better to take them home then the 22 year old golden boy Sid the Kid Crosby

New York Jets to cut ties with Jones this week
The New York Jets will not adhere to the old saying if it's not broke don't fix it. The New York Jets lead the NFL with their formidable rushing attack in the 2009-2010 season. Thomas Jones played a huge role in that attack. The Jet's brass thanked Thomas Jones for his three years of service and commended him on being a hardworking professional.

The biggest reason for this move is because of age Thomas is 31 years old which is considered old for an NFL running back. It didn't help matters that Jones was due a $3million dollar roster bonus in addition to his $2.8 million dollar salary this coming season. Combine these two factors with the emergence of rookie running back Shonn Greene, and it became a question of no if but when this move would take place. The Jets will count on Greene being the starter out of the backfield, in addition to the return of the dynamic Leon Washington who is recovering from a broken leg he suffered last season.

Thomas Jones was also a locker room favorite, he was twice awarded team's most inspirational player. The Jets made this move because they wanted to get younger, but will it hurt or help the growth of rookie QB Mark Sanchez, and come 4th quarter
will head coach Rex Ryan being willing to put the game in the hands of Greene, the way he had done so many times before with Thomas Jones, time will only tell.
US goalie Ryan Miller Back in the US but not back on the Ice
Ryan Miller was back from his heroic performance in the Vancouver games which left the US one goal short of a gold medal against the host country of Canada. Although he was back in his customary #30 buffalo sabres jersey he and his head coach Lindy Ruff agreed it was best to rest him for the night.

Therefore the much anticipated rematch between him and Sidney Crosby would not be a reality. Crosby of course the toast of the town in his native Canada after scoring a golden goal against Miller and the US to end the Olympics. As the lineups were being introduced before the start of the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres Crosby and Miller were introduced.

Normally it wouldn't be a big deal which of the two got the bigger standing ovation from the crowd. Both player are immensely popular where ever they go. Something surprising occurred, when Miller received a louder standing ovation in the opposing team's building, then Crosby received in his home building in Pittsburgh. This proves one thing that when professional athletes are faced with defending their pride of their native countries the stakes are that much higher not only for the players, but most especially for the fans.
TO 1 and Done in BUFFALO
The Terrell Owens Era in Buffalo is over after the Bills released a statement this week saying that they would not be offering Owens a contract proposal for the coming season. Terrell Owens responded on his own twitter page by thanking all the Buffalo Bills fans and ownership for their support throughout the year.

Owens who is now 36 years old finishes his short time in Buffalo and is still looking for a Superbowl ring. Owens made 6.5 million this year with Buffalo, is expected to have to take a significant pay cut wherever he may land next. Although Owens may have lost a step he is still a legitimate receiver in this league as he lead the Bills last year with 55 catches for 829 yards and 5 Touchdowns.

Owens can still be a threat in this league even with Buffalo's inconsistent offense and at the QB position in particular Owens averaged 15.1 yards per catch which is very respectable. So every team with the exception of Buffalo, Philadelphia, Dallas, and San Francisco get ready because TO could be on your radar this off season so as TO would say "Get your Popcorn Ready"
Ryan Callahan a budding star in the NHL and part of Team USA
A long time before Ryan Callahan took the ice at Madison Square Garden for the New York Rangers or even before his Junior Hockey days in Canada Ryan Callahan held a great passion for the game.
Ryan Callahan played as a youth in street hockey games in his hometown of Rochester NY . He says that the cul-de-sac at the end of Groveview Circle in Northern Greece(Rochester)was where his career was born.


Callahan at the age of 24 is about to participate in his biggest challenge the Olympic games. Callahan says it is an honor and a privilege to play for team USA. Ryan's dad said so many people have been involved in Ryan's success including his pee-wee coaches.

"If it wasn't for Graham Low the owner of Locker Room Sports used to let the Callahan's to pay a tab for all of Ryan and his brother's hockey equipment. Mike Callahan says that all members of the community are responsible for his son's success. Many people will be watching Ryan as he and the rest of team USA will travel to Vancouver to compete in the Olympic games. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100214/SPORTS/2140350/Greece%5C-s-Ryan-Callahan-rises-from-youth-hockey-to-Team-USA


The New Jersey Nets Beat the Boston Celtics this is not a Typo
That's right this is a true story this is not April fools. This is the same team that once lost 18 straight games. This is the same team that has 6 wins this whole entire season which is 3/4 over.

This is the same team that is on pace to break the 1972-1973 Philadelphia 76ER's 9-73 record which is the worst in NBA history. OF course these are the 2009-2010 New Jersey Nets and if their is news, there is usually bad news and this story is no different. Courtney Lee left with a severely sprained left ankle and is day-to- day.

The only silver lining to this season for the Nets is that they will have the most ping pong balls in the NBA Draft Lottery, because they are assured the worst record in the NBA. This will dramatically increase their chances of Drafting Kentucky's John Wall with the first pick in the draft. Nets fans can only hope and pray for 4 more wins so they can break past the stigma of being known as the worst team in league history.

Giant Task begins for Tom Coughlin and New Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell
As Tom Coughlin prepares for his 7th Season as head coach of the New York Giants he knows he is in for his toughest season so far. After a dismal 2009 campaign in which the Giants missed the playoffs, Coughlin looked to his past for a solution.

Perry Fewell served five seasons under Coughlin while the two were in Jacksonville together. After Coughlin moved on to the Giants, Fewell moved on to become the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, a position he held for 4 seasons. Although Fewell is thrilled to be working with Coughlin again, he is responsibility is a great one.

Fewell has to retool a Defense that allowed 427 points last season. That was the second highest total in franchise history. Certainly the return of healthy Kenny Phillips who should return as starting Safety, after recovering from his knee surgery. Coughlin knows one thing for sure they may be some new faces, but the Giants will only be successful if each individual does what's best for the entire team.



A-rod says Monkey off his back after winning World Series, but Yankees Need their Captain.
A-rod has a history of not being exactly candid with the media, whether it be steroid usage, or his personal life or his strained relationship with his teammates.

This week he was extremely candid about this topic. The question asked was how do you think Captain Derek Jeter's impending free agency will impact the Yankees this season. A-rod gave a short concise statement saying that Derek Jeter was born to wear the pinstripes, and that the Yankees need Derek Jeter, and that he could never envision Derek Jeter wearing another team's uniform.

A-rod also said he was very relieved when " a gorilla was lifted off his back". This is referring to A-rod coming through in the clutch and winning his World Series. A-rod acknowledges that it will be a refreshing change of pace this season because he can focus on baseball and only baseball.

He says he wants to have a good time playing the game he loves to play. New York Yankees team doctors have good news for their fans as A-rod will be fully recovered from last year's hip surgery on opening day, and will not require further surgery as first reported.

http://http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/02/25/2010-02-25_alex_rodriguez_says_winning_championship_with_yankees_was_huge_relief.html





Deadline Deal brings New York Knicks under the Salary Cap and to the Forefront of the Summer of Lebron James


The New York Knicks have undergone a major transformation during these past two years. While some critics will claim that it is unprofessional to give up on two whole seasons and mortgaging their teams future, but the Knicks argue that they have done a great deal to stay competitive during this rebuilding and restructuring process.

After the deadline passed Knicks president Donnie Walsh had acquired a Seven- time all Star in Tracy Mcgrady, and also cleared enough space to reach their goals for the summer of 2010. The NY Knicks goals, for the past two seasons has been to get under the salary cap in order to have the opportunity to sign two max-contract players.

The free agent class this summer include: Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, and Joe Johnson. The Knicks and their fans have been given hope and been told to stay patient until July 1st 2010. http://http://web.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100219&content_id=8096236&oid=36320&vkey=18