A Mess In The UFC

      The Light-Heavyweight division in UFC has had its moments where it seems like it is something out of the Twilight Zone. After Quinton Jackson lost the title to Forest Griffin, Griffin lost the belt in his first defense to Rashad Evans, who lost it in his first defense to Lyoto Machida, who should have lost it to Mauricio Rua in his first defense (terrible judging), but did lost it in the rematch, then finally Rua losing the title to Jon Jones in his first defense. Until Jon Jones, there hasn't been a credible defense of the Light-Heavyweight Title in a little over four years.

      Jon Jones is a phenomenal talent, so I was surprised when he rejected Chael Sonnen as his replacement opponent for UFC 151. Dan Henderson suffered an injury three weeks before the event, and, much like “Hendo”, tried to tough it out, before finally being told he wouldn't be medically cleared to fight. On a weeks notice, it's a mystery why Jones (who has been jawing back and forth with Sonnen) wouldn't want to fight a fighter that is a lesser copy of the man he'd been training to fight. Chael Sonnen is a lesser Dan Henderson: they both wrestle, they both are on the same team and train together, but Dan Henderson has knockout power, Sonnen doesn't (not to mention that this would be Sonnen's first fight at Light-Heavyweight in seven years). Sonnen is a non-stop mouthpiece, which is good for promoting fights, and even offered to give Jones his purse for the fight to keep the event from getting canceled. Jones of course declined and the event has been canceled, hurting many of the undercard fighters depending on this payday. Jones has trash-talked Sonnen, but has refused to back it up. He is hurting his image being what my friend has deemed him a “mental midget”. He should shut his mouth and do what he has been fantastic at: fighting.

      When Sonnen was dismissed as the opponent for Jones, Lyoto Machida was scheduled to be the opponent then. This made sense: Machida is the only fighter to score a winning round against Jones, fought him better than most have in their previous fight (before losing via guillotine choke), and had earned the shot after beating Ryan Bader. He backed out because he felt he needed more time to prepare, I respect his decision. He fought decently against Jones, and, essentially had another shot signed, sealed, and delivered (White has said he may need to win again to keep his shot, Danna doesn't like having to work to find a challenger for the title). Machida will most likely have to win another fight to remain the #1 contender for the Light-Heavyweight Title.

      That leaves Vitor Belfort. Moving up to fight for the title, Belfort is a 13-1 underdog, and rightfully so. Don't get me wrong, I hope he knocks Jones out (I will be placing a bet on Belfort), but it's not logical. Jones will knock him out or submit him. If the fight goes the distance, Jones should be fined because I can't see Belfort being competitive with Jones for five full rounds when no one but Machida has (and that was for one round). Belfort has knockout power, but not the skill to defeat Jones, Jones matches up too well against most of the fighters he fights against.

      UFC 151 is gone, UFC 152 is upon us. Looking past it, I could see a few things happening: Sonnen beats Griffen and gets a title shot right away for the awesome pay day and hyped fight against Jon Jones, Sonnen fights Machida for the number one contender spot to fight Jones, Machida fights Rua and gets a title shot against the winner of Jones and Sonnen. Dan Henderson (if he doesn't retire) will get a Light-Heavyweight Title shot when he is healthy. Any of the three fighters mentioned (Jones, Sonnen, Machida) would be an excellent opponent (Sonnen because they train together). The Light-Heavyweight division is a mess at the moment, but it will become suited out. Until then, UFC fans should try to enjoy the ride and hope for the best, and, try not to listen to much to Jon Jones, it's harmful to your ears.

4 Team Trade: “Howard-gate” Is Finally Over

                                                          Will this work?


It took months, dragged on forever (or what felt like it), and kept reappearing over and over on ESPN like “The Big 3” scoring update for every game they've played. “Howard-gate” is finally over though, and in blockbuster fashion. Orlando, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Denver all involved.

Here's how it boils down:

Denver get- Andre Iguodala from the 76ers

Philadelphia get- Andrew Bynum from LA, Jason Richardson from Orlando

Orlando get- Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington (both from Denver), Nikola Vucevic from Philadelphia, 3 first-round picks (one from each team involved, picks are protected), and Moe Harkless from Philadelphia

Los Angeles get- Dwight Howard

Winners:Orlando, Los Angeles

Orlando is a huge winner in all of this. They get something for a guy that was going to cause them grief all season, a season already lost because of the decisions made to try and appease Howard. Draft picks for the future, players for this season (if not for the future), and no realistic expectations from critics, analyst, fans or the main office. A 500. season for the Magic is like the NBA championship in 2013.

Los Angles is a winner at the moment because they kept Pau Gasol. Originally they were set to lose both Gasol and Bynum, but only lost one, that's big. Will Dwight fit in LA? Only time will tell. My brother (die-hard Lakers fan for as long as we can remember), hopes Kobe doesn't have to take Dwight aside and slap him around to remind him who the Lakers belong to. It's Kobe's team, and will be until he retires. If Howard goes into the next season wanting an NBA title and only that, the Lakers may find themselves playing in the finals once more. 

Dwight Picture

Penn State

The decision and future of Penn State football has been decided and I want to weigh in as briefly as possible. I won't talk about the scandal, who hid what from whom, or who got hurt, this is about the football team.

The penalties are as follows for the Penn State football program:

Probation for five years
$60 million sanction
Four-year bowl ban
Vacates all wins from 1998-2011 of former coach Joe Paterno
Loss of 10 scholarships per year for four years (40 total)

Rodney Erickson has shown that he is the wrong man for the job at Penn State. I understand that the position he is in is a terrible one, but not an impossible one to make decisions for both sides. He, as the university president, must look out for the image of the college, as well as the faculty, students, and culture of the college (football is Penn State). When these sanctions were slid across the table for him to sign off on, he couldn't wait to sign off and start making this go away. Had the NCAA asked him to abolish football all-together he would've did a little jig on the top of the table if they'd asked. He could've asked, pleaded, begged, for the “death penalty” and gotten it, and Penn State football would've been better off. Bottom Line: He made a bad decision, he had room to maneuver, he could've at least tried.

Now onto the penalties...

Probation for 5 years- this is accurate, and acceptable.

$60 million in sanctions- this money will be donated at some time to charities dealing with the scandal. Universities like Penn State won't sweat $60 million.

Vacate all wins from 98-11 of Joe Paterno- This does nothing but infuriate the students, Paterno family, and Paterno fans and friends. It doesn't erase his legacy, but it's just rubbing salt in the wound. The man is dead, and this entire scandal probably helped accelerate his passing. He made bad choices, everyone does. What he did on the field has nothing to do with his mistakes off-field.

Four-year bowl ban- This hurts the players already at the college. The seniors looking to play out their entire career at Penn State.

Loss of 10 scholarships per year for four years (40 total)- This sets the football program back at least four years, but surely more. I think this was pretty harsh despite the chain of deception and everything involved with the scandal. I believe five scholarships per year for four years (20 total) would've sent a strong message.

Players on the team can transfer and become eligible immediately to play- Stick a knife in them, they're done. There isn't any reason for any senior that has aspirations for NFL Sundays to stay at Penn State. The university is a mess, the chain of command is a mess, and if you can leave and play immediately, why stay? The football program is set back probably a decade now because of the sanctions, if not more.

Bottom Line: Penn State football is dead for at least a decade. Players around the country who would've played for them, won't. They've lost recruits, will lose current players, fans, money, and anything else that can be taken.

The NCAA flexed their muscles in the wrong way here, but that's what the NCAA does: make mistakes. It doesn't matter the sport, but in the past seven months in basketball and football, it has shown that they have made mistakes in how they handle business. The NCAA needs an overhaul in the way they handle things. The NCAA needs someone to balance them.

Ducks Off-Season

                                                 Keep this "Big 3" together

The Anaheim Ducks have had a lot of positives this off-season, but one very bad negative still lingers.

The Ducks have signed free agents Bryan Allen and Sheldon Souray, both defenders, both to three-year deals. Allen will earn 10.5 million while Souray will earn 11 million. While I'm not a fan of the Ducks burning roughly 6 million of their cap for this year, they needed defenseman to compliment Cam Fowler, and they got it. Both Allen and Souray are ranked in the top 30 of CBS Sportsline.com 2012 NHL Free Agents (Allen #16, Souray #27). The Ducks were looking at Suter, but weren't as committed as Minnesota was to paying him. Other top defenseman were signed up before the Ducks had a chance, and both Allen and Souray are veteran at the D position and will compliment Fowler well. With the promised return of points leader Teemu Selanne, the Ducks have one less worry about filling an offensive and scoring hole on their team.

The one cloud hanging over the Ducks since the draft has been Bobby Ryan. Visibly upset with the team, and was someone who was a hot trade talk subject on draft day, Ryan stayed with the Ducks, but isn't very happy. He isn't pleased with how the team has been progressing, and wishes to be a greater part of the team, otherwise he wants out. The Ottawa Senators, along with the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning are thought to have interest in Bobby Ryan. Any of these teams could use the young forward, but it would take an even trade of talent or prospects for the Ducks to part with one of the “Big 3” (Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan). Ducks need to clear cap to sign Perry and Getzlaf, and this year would be better than next when they become free agents.

The Ducks have many holes sown up from their team last year. The goalie position has been fortified with Viktor Fasth backing up Jonas Hiller. Teemu is back for most likely his last season, Koivu is back for the same as Selanne, Cam Fowler has seasoned help in the back of the rink, the only problem is Bobby Ryan. Trade for Rick Nash? Trade him to any of the teams listed above? Hang onto him until the trade deadline and trade him then? Or maybe Ryan can become a more critical part of the offense and he can once again be happy to be in California? 

I'm hoping for the last one. I want this Ducks team ready for a new-looking NHL in 2012-2013 as we begin Conference play and not Division play.

pic found here Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/players/playerpage/20378/bryan-allen

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/players/playerpage/19489/sheldon-souray

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/players/playerpage/19377/teemu-selanne

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/page/ANA/anaheim-ducks

Bucks Draft

                                                           Another bad draft?

Draft night has gone and with little shakeups. I scored a 1 or 2 out of 10 (though I hadn't done an updated list before the draft, and Drummond did go to the Pistons like I slightly predicted). The Milwaukee Bucks had two draft pics: 14^th in the 1^st round, and the 12^th pick in the 2^nd round (42^nd overall).

Jon Hensen- Shot blocker out of North Carolina, 21 years old, 6-10, 216lbs. The Bucks chose a player like him in last years draft (Larry Sanders) and didn't receive any return on him yet. Hensen adds depth to the Power Forward position, joining Drew Gordon and Ersan Ilyasova (assuming the Bucks keep him through free agency). Jon Leuer, who wasn't bad off the bench and starting at times last season, was traded before the draft to Houston, along with Shaun Livingston and Jon Brockman for swapping pick positions (Houston 14^th, Milwaukee 12^th) and the Bucks received center Samuel Dalembert as well. The Power Forward position may become weakened as the off-season progresses, but at least the Bucks may have a center now. If the Bucks needed a big man, capable of offense, shot blocking, and all-around play, they had other options: Terrence Jones, Perry Jones III, and Tyler Zeller were all available (Zeller now looks really good, considering Cleveland gave up Bernard James (C/PF out of Florida State), Jae Crowder, (SF out of Marquette), and Jared Cunningham (SG from Oregon State). Had the Bucks drafted Zeller, they could've talked with Cleveland and had them pick differently... Perry Jones III (satisfies their desire for a big guy capable of offense and defense), Tyshawn Taylor (shooter), and whatever else they would need (probably another shooter) as well as still draft Doron Lamb.

Doron Lamb- 6-5, 199lbs, 20 years old. Bucks get a shooter here, in a backcourt that is considerably lacking of depth. I would've liked to seen the Bucks get Tyshawn Taylor, who was drafted one position earlier by Portland. Lamb was the best shooter available, so this pick was simple for the Bucks.

Overall, I think this draft may be looked at as missed opportunity for the Bucks (again). It wasn't a bad draft for them at first glance, and unlike other teams, they haven't mortgaged their entire franchise on one player and fallen terribly flat on their faces. 

Shoutouts to Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom, both Marquette players drafted in the second round, and thanks to the Cleveland/Dallas trade, now NBA teammates, tear it up in big D boys. Two special shoutouts, one to a favorite player of mine, Thomas Robinson and to Bernard James. James served in the Air Force for years from 03-08, 3 tours in total. 27 years old, and a great moment at the draft getting a chant of “USA” from the crowd. Thomas Robinson, one of the strongest willed basketball players the media will ever come across. Mentality off the court is tested in greater ways than on the court. A strong will, character, and desire to keep moving forward, if you're not familiar with Robinson's story, click the link below. Hope these two succeed greatly, no matter how long they are involved in the NBA.

Thomas Robinson story- http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/thomas-robinson-journey/

Thomas Robinson drafted- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO5dLt3v0b4

Bernard James drafted- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyPzfQcz_Og

Bucks logo from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks

Euro Final 4

Spain looked like Spain: great, Germany like a finely-tuned machine, Portugal was good, and Italy was taken to penalties by an England team that looked lost on the field (sadly). The semi-finals are set: The Euro 2012 Final 4: Germany vs Italy, Spain vs Portugal.

Semi-Final Matches

Portugal vs Spain- Portugal has been playing well, and their defense has been a key to that. Spain though, has been looking like the Kings of Europe as well as the Kings of The World. Every bit of Spain's game has been looking great. Winner-Spain

Germany vs Italy- Italy was playing well, then floundered against England and was able to limp away with a shootout win. With the amount of chances, the way they played on offense and defense, Italy probably should've won 2-0, if not more. Meanwhile, Germany surrendered a penalty kick goal against an upset-minded Greece team, only after the 70^th minute and the game well in hand. Italy can challenge Germany for a spot in the final, but not if they play like they did today. Winner-Germany

With the final four teams left, here's to hoping for two games of exciting soccer. It shouldn't be a surprise that I'm choosing Spain to go all the way and retain their title of Kings of Europe, they are playing great and won their previous game without Fernando Torres. Portugal has one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, but he'll need all of team Portugal to get past Spain.

Euro 2012

                                                What is still the goal for 8 teams

The group stage of Euro 2012 is in the books and there are some clear winners and losers. For the most part, those who moved on will be the winners. Lets take a look

Winners- Czech Republic- Left for dead after a 4-0 defeat on the first day of their group matches, the Czechs stormed back and claimed the group title.

Greece- A long shot before the group stages began, Greece tied Poland on day 1, lost to the Czech Republic, and won against Russia to advance.

Germany- The only team to win all three games, the Germans are looking like the best team in Euro 2012.

Spain- The only team in Euro 2012 that won their group stage the past two times, Spain looks to be on a collision course with Germany.

Italy- Win and your in, how simple it sounds, how hard it really is. Italy did what they had to do and are advancing with Spain (the only team to draw with Spain in the group stage).

England- Wayne Rooney comes up big in his first game of Euro 2012. He scores the only goal and sends England on to the Elimination Rounds.

Losers-

Russia- A favorite going in, Russia looked to be the easy choice to win Group A after the first day. A 4-0 win versus the Czech Republic was followed up with a tie against Poland and then a must win against Greece turned into a nightmare 1-0 loss.

Netherlands- A favorite to win Euro 2012, the World Cup runner-up, a team that was thought to be better than the runner-up squad, and they lay a goose egg in group play. Denmark upset them on day one and things never got going after that. The “group of death” was supposed to beat Denmark down and leave them for dead, instead it was the Netherlands, who fail to advance. Possibly the most disappointing of Euro 2012.

Ireland- I didn't consider Ireland a choice to advance out of their group, but a -8 goal difference is pretty bad. A goose egg as well only adds to the disappointments Ireland suffered.

Match predictions-

Germany vs Greece- Germany most likely will advance. They are just too good, and though Greece is riding high on advancing when people thought they wouldn't, I just think Germany is too good right now. I will be cheering for Greece and the upset though. Winner-Germany

Czech Republic vs Portugal- The Czechs look to be getting better, but Portugal, behind Cristiano Ronaldo have done the same. Both needed to win to advance and did so. I think Portugal is playing better (their defense is stepping up), and you can't argue against a Cristiano Ronaldo that is coming on. If they lean on Ronaldo, it could backfire, but I think Portugal wins. Winner-Portugal

Spain vs France- Spain is one of the best teams in the world no matter what countries are involved. They have been playing very well, and in my view, are just too much for France to compete with. Winner-Spain

Italy vs England- England has their leader back, are playing well, and haven't stumbled since the first game of their Euro 2012 campaign. Italy has also played well, but the difference will be how hard each team has had to fight. England is ready for a competitive game, Italy last played a flat Ireland team. Winner-England

Euro 2012 has had many great moments regardless of which team has won a match. For the world watching, I'm hoping the good times continue. 

Picture from http://www.timeoutkl.com/aroundtown/events/UEFA-EURO-2012-trophy-viewing