Losing sponsorships was expected. Too many suits, too-tight-neckties and pants pulled up to high to understand (and forgive) Michael Phelps. All this even after Phelps apologized for his actions.
Apparently, USA Swimming doesn't think an apology and humiliation is enough either. Four days after his apology and its acceptance by the International Olympic Committee, USA Swimming has suspended Michael Phelps for three months.
But really, a three-month suspension is what Phelps really deserved--it's just a little slap on the wrist.
It's nothing to severe. Phelps will miss like one event. It doesn't really hurt him.
It's just that USA Swimming felt like it had to do something, when it really didn't have to.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Signing Day Brings Out the Best in ESPN's List-Making
Signing Day is today. I already talked about how much I don't like it.
But it also gave ESPN the opportunity to make a "Best of the BCS Conference List." The theory behind this is that in each conference, there is a school that is the "best" in that area. ESPN asks it's team of bloggers to rate a school in their conference in anything from the best recruiter to the best academics to even the best uniforms.
Most of the answers are ho-hum and relatively no-brainers.
So, here are my thoughts on the Best of the BCS Conferences. But since I went to a Pac-10 school (California) and live out on the West Coast, I'll give most of my attention to the Conference of Champions.
But it also gave ESPN the opportunity to make a "Best of the BCS Conference List." The theory behind this is that in each conference, there is a school that is the "best" in that area. ESPN asks it's team of bloggers to rate a school in their conference in anything from the best recruiter to the best academics to even the best uniforms.
Most of the answers are ho-hum and relatively no-brainers.
So, here are my thoughts on the Best of the BCS Conferences. But since I went to a Pac-10 school (California) and live out on the West Coast, I'll give most of my attention to the Conference of Champions.
- Best Uniform category: Do kids really go to a school based on what the uniform looks like? And for all of those Oregon fans and alums screaming that Ted Miller didn't pick the Ducks, really? You think because you have so many combination that Oregon has the best unis? The all white is pretty sick, but other than that, they're ugly.
- Best Campus Life--Cal: So there was some objections to this in the comments made by ESPN readers. Here's an example:
Have you ever been to Cal? Berkeley is the most rediculous "college town" in the country. Their are more 90 year olds biking around Berkeley than students. You should look towards Tempe. Aren't they annually in the Top 5 for party schools in the country?
You need to do more research before writing these types of articles.Obviously, this reader is uninformed. These writers have been to every school and then some in the conferences they cover. Ted Miller is one of the best writers in all of college football and I'm going to say is the most talented of any of the bloggers that ESPN hired for their college football blog. And college life isn't about all about the parties. If that were so, wouldn't Arizona State not have finished 5-7 this year and sixth in the Pac-10?
Also, being at Cal, even though it is considered a program that should compete with USC perrenially, there is a laid-backness to the student population when it comes to its football. Yes the fans come out, the students are crazy on Saturday, but that's on Saturday. During the rest of the week, the football players can just go around, acting like normal students, not being bothered by the faux-fame that comes to most athletes when they go to a school like, oh, ASU. On Saturdays, Cal is a football school. On every other day, Cal is just a school and a damn good one at that.
- I've been to Eugene, Ore., for a gameday and have to say I agree with Ted Miller. The fans and students there are crazy. And Autzen Stadium turns into an absolute zoo come kickoff time. And it gets so loud.
- Does Syracuse really have the best academics in the Big East?
- If recruits made their decisions strictly on playing time, then Wazzu and Iowa State should be signing five-stars left and right. Too bad (for the Cougs and Clones) that recruiting doesn't work that way.
Signing Day, the Circus it is
I enjoy signing day as the average person does--not really.
The only thing that signing day signals for me is that spring camps are set to open in a few months and I can't wait for college football to start going again.
But I never understood the fascination with college football's signing day. It's the only college sport where the signing day is treated as if it's the be-all, end-all to how a program will do in the next four years.
It's all about how many five- and four-star recruits a team is able to sign and whether or not those high school kids really deserve all that glory being promised to them.
The whole college football recruiting process is one where you see grown men (cue in Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy), get down on their knees and praise and promise and grovel in front of boys. It's degrading in both ways.
And I for one would support moving signing day earlier in the year. We need no more grandstanding from a bunch of kids with a god-complex who make grown men act like high school freshmen.
The only thing that signing day signals for me is that spring camps are set to open in a few months and I can't wait for college football to start going again.
But I never understood the fascination with college football's signing day. It's the only college sport where the signing day is treated as if it's the be-all, end-all to how a program will do in the next four years.
It's all about how many five- and four-star recruits a team is able to sign and whether or not those high school kids really deserve all that glory being promised to them.
The whole college football recruiting process is one where you see grown men (cue in Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy), get down on their knees and praise and promise and grovel in front of boys. It's degrading in both ways.
And I for one would support moving signing day earlier in the year. We need no more grandstanding from a bunch of kids with a god-complex who make grown men act like high school freshmen.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Moorad Takes Control of Padres
Well, not yet. The owners still have to approve it, but by Opening Day, Jeff Moorad will be the new CEO of the San Diego Padres and will have bought a controlling interest in the team.
This can only spell relief for Padres fans who have had to suffer and watch a dilapidated team march on through the 2008 Major League Baseball season with a primarily young group as the soon-to-be-former owner John Moores was in the midst of a long and nasty divorce.
Financing the divorce got in the way, so Moores decided to slash the Padres payroll in 2009 to $40 million. Hopefully, with a new owner in place, San Diego can keep at least keep its payroll where it is ($45 million) or maybe add to it in the coming months.
However, the Padres will probably still field a team that will be less than satisfactory for fans. There are still a lot of questions for this team and it will probably finish dead last in the NL West once again.
On a side note, the fans who thinks that Kevin Towers and Sandy Alderson are to blame for the failures that have come to San Diego are dead wrong.
Towers is still one of the best general managers is all of baseball. And Alderson, well he is still a baseball genius. It isn't their fault that the Padres were dismanlted in the middle of last season. Sure, they make the personel decisions, but ultimately, it is Moores who signs the checks and has much to lose if he continues to field a losing baseball team.
It was Moores who told Alderson and Towers to start dumping salary. It was Moores who probably wanted to get rid of Jake Peavy. But it was Towers and Alderson who were the frontmen for Moores, protecting their boss as he deals with a divorce that left the team--and Towers and Alderson--strapped for cash.
It's too bad Alderson won't be with the team anymore. A few more years, and I sincerely believe that he would have brought the Padres back to the World Series.
This can only spell relief for Padres fans who have had to suffer and watch a dilapidated team march on through the 2008 Major League Baseball season with a primarily young group as the soon-to-be-former owner John Moores was in the midst of a long and nasty divorce.
Financing the divorce got in the way, so Moores decided to slash the Padres payroll in 2009 to $40 million. Hopefully, with a new owner in place, San Diego can keep at least keep its payroll where it is ($45 million) or maybe add to it in the coming months.
However, the Padres will probably still field a team that will be less than satisfactory for fans. There are still a lot of questions for this team and it will probably finish dead last in the NL West once again.
On a side note, the fans who thinks that Kevin Towers and Sandy Alderson are to blame for the failures that have come to San Diego are dead wrong.
Towers is still one of the best general managers is all of baseball. And Alderson, well he is still a baseball genius. It isn't their fault that the Padres were dismanlted in the middle of last season. Sure, they make the personel decisions, but ultimately, it is Moores who signs the checks and has much to lose if he continues to field a losing baseball team.
It was Moores who told Alderson and Towers to start dumping salary. It was Moores who probably wanted to get rid of Jake Peavy. But it was Towers and Alderson who were the frontmen for Moores, protecting their boss as he deals with a divorce that left the team--and Towers and Alderson--strapped for cash.
It's too bad Alderson won't be with the team anymore. A few more years, and I sincerely believe that he would have brought the Padres back to the World Series.
Today's WTF?! Moment: How Much is He Getting Paid?
I've decided to try to blog daily now. And by blogging daily I mean pretty much writing two sentences and I'm done. It'll just be my reaction to some story in a feature that I call "Today's WTF?! Moment." Enjoy.
How much are the Mets paying for Oliver Perez? Is that really $36 million? Really?
That's the deal Perez got. Three years, $36 million for a guy with a losing career record and an inflated ERA. Talk about desperate times in Flushing.
The Padres really should be counting their lucky stars. The deal Jake Peavy signed a few years back was for $52 million. And no, the difference between Peavy's talent leven and Perez's talent level is not $16 million. I'd say it's about $160 million.
How much are the Mets paying for Oliver Perez? Is that really $36 million? Really?
That's the deal Perez got. Three years, $36 million for a guy with a losing career record and an inflated ERA. Talk about desperate times in Flushing.
The Padres really should be counting their lucky stars. The deal Jake Peavy signed a few years back was for $52 million. And no, the difference between Peavy's talent leven and Perez's talent level is not $16 million. I'd say it's about $160 million.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Phelps Caught Blazin': World Takes Notice
Really, I don't care whether or not Michael Phelps smokes weed or not.
It's one of those things where if I don't know about it, I don't care. He got caught, so the world cares. It's not like Phelps is an awful person. Barack Obama did say that he "experimented" when he was younger.
It's just another example of athletes being held up to higher standards in our society--even higher than other celebrities. Why? I guess it has to do with the whole role model thing.
Kids look up to athletes. Period. They really are the first kind of celebrity that we all know. I knew Tony Gwynn's name before I knew any actor, actress or musician. Add to the fact a child's propensity to mimic what they see and bam, you get a recipe of apologetic athlete after apologetic athlete.
So Phelps got caught. He apologized. He probably won't lose any money. He handled the situation as best he could, and he won't be as scarred for it.
But this is preposterous. Apparently the Richland County sheriff is pondering whether or not to press charges against Phelps.
Really? The sherrif has nothing else to do but press charges against someone who was apparently photographed smoking weed months ago? There are no others problems in Richland County? Really?
It's one of those things where if I don't know about it, I don't care. He got caught, so the world cares. It's not like Phelps is an awful person. Barack Obama did say that he "experimented" when he was younger.
It's just another example of athletes being held up to higher standards in our society--even higher than other celebrities. Why? I guess it has to do with the whole role model thing.
Kids look up to athletes. Period. They really are the first kind of celebrity that we all know. I knew Tony Gwynn's name before I knew any actor, actress or musician. Add to the fact a child's propensity to mimic what they see and bam, you get a recipe of apologetic athlete after apologetic athlete.
So Phelps got caught. He apologized. He probably won't lose any money. He handled the situation as best he could, and he won't be as scarred for it.
But this is preposterous. Apparently the Richland County sheriff is pondering whether or not to press charges against Phelps.
Really? The sherrif has nothing else to do but press charges against someone who was apparently photographed smoking weed months ago? There are no others problems in Richland County? Really?
The Week That Was Super Bowl Week in the NFL
What. A. Game.
Many of my friends immediately texted me right after Kurt Warner fumbled the ball away and Ben Roethlisberger took the final knee.
They said that it was the "greatest Super Bowl ever." And if not that, "the greatest Super Bowl that I've seen" or "the greatest Super Bowl in our lifetimes."
I thought about that instantly and said it couldn't be. My friends were living in the moment. They've forgotten about David Tyree and his heroics last year. They've forgotten about "This one's for John" a decade ago. And what about Kevin Dyson's painfully vain attempt that was stopped one yard from the goal line?
I thought about those games. But after sleeping on it, my mind may have changed. So far, in my short life, and as long as I remember, this has to be one of the greatest game I've seen. This might be as good as Super XLII, better than John Elway's first Super Bowl win and maybe even better than the Rams and Titans in Super XXXIV.
And not only was the game superb, and so was NBC's telecast, scoring high reviews for it's 10.5 hours long pregame show and the production of the game. And the contrast between the Al Michaels/John Madden partnership and the other NFL broadcast crews was shown in its full light yesterday. Imagine if Joe Buck or Jim Nantz was calling the game. It wouldn't have been the same.
But it was always about the game. And it was amazing. A back-and-forth, edge-of-your-seat, how-many-cliches-can-I-use?, thrill ride that ended with one of the best touchdown catches in the history of the Super Bowl by Santonio Holmes.
The leads coming out of Pittsburgh and Phoenix's newspapers justly tell the stories of both teams.
"The ball hung in the air for what seemed like 61 years, spinning with the potential to break the Cardinals' hearts immediately and haunt their dreams forever. And that's exactly what it did." wrote Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.
"The Steelers not only have another Super Bowl victory to celebrate, it came in what might have been the greatest of them all, and they have another play and a winning drive for the ages to go with it," is what Somers' counterpart, Ed Bouchette, wrote in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
It's the best thing that any of us could have asked for, especially the way many people feel in this country right now.
It was the perfect distraction. It was the perfect game.
Extra Point:
James Harrison, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker who was named the Defensive Player of the Year, is a thug.
Did the officials not see Harrison throwing punches during the second half yesterday? Because if they did, he would have surely been thrown out of the game.
Or did they see those punches, and thought that the Super Bowl was too big a stage to eject anyone?
Whatever the case may be, Harrison must receive a swift and deserving punishment from the League office.
What he did was utterly unacceptable and shows that he has no class.
Many of my friends immediately texted me right after Kurt Warner fumbled the ball away and Ben Roethlisberger took the final knee.
They said that it was the "greatest Super Bowl ever." And if not that, "the greatest Super Bowl that I've seen" or "the greatest Super Bowl in our lifetimes."
I thought about that instantly and said it couldn't be. My friends were living in the moment. They've forgotten about David Tyree and his heroics last year. They've forgotten about "This one's for John" a decade ago. And what about Kevin Dyson's painfully vain attempt that was stopped one yard from the goal line?
I thought about those games. But after sleeping on it, my mind may have changed. So far, in my short life, and as long as I remember, this has to be one of the greatest game I've seen. This might be as good as Super XLII, better than John Elway's first Super Bowl win and maybe even better than the Rams and Titans in Super XXXIV.
And not only was the game superb, and so was NBC's telecast, scoring high reviews for it's 10.5 hours long pregame show and the production of the game. And the contrast between the Al Michaels/John Madden partnership and the other NFL broadcast crews was shown in its full light yesterday. Imagine if Joe Buck or Jim Nantz was calling the game. It wouldn't have been the same.
But it was always about the game. And it was amazing. A back-and-forth, edge-of-your-seat, how-many-cliches-can-I-use?, thrill ride that ended with one of the best touchdown catches in the history of the Super Bowl by Santonio Holmes.
The leads coming out of Pittsburgh and Phoenix's newspapers justly tell the stories of both teams.
"The ball hung in the air for what seemed like 61 years, spinning with the potential to break the Cardinals' hearts immediately and haunt their dreams forever. And that's exactly what it did." wrote Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.
"The Steelers not only have another Super Bowl victory to celebrate, it came in what might have been the greatest of them all, and they have another play and a winning drive for the ages to go with it," is what Somers' counterpart, Ed Bouchette, wrote in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
It's the best thing that any of us could have asked for, especially the way many people feel in this country right now.
It was the perfect distraction. It was the perfect game.
Extra Point:
James Harrison, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker who was named the Defensive Player of the Year, is a thug.
Did the officials not see Harrison throwing punches during the second half yesterday? Because if they did, he would have surely been thrown out of the game.
Or did they see those punches, and thought that the Super Bowl was too big a stage to eject anyone?
Whatever the case may be, Harrison must receive a swift and deserving punishment from the League office.
What he did was utterly unacceptable and shows that he has no class.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Three Main Events in less the 24 Hours, Part 4
7:09 p.m.: Wow, Kurt Warner fumbles the ball away with five seconds left. What an underwhelming way to end the game.
For Warner, the Super Bowl ends with a whimper and not with a bang.
The Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl, an NFL record.
And Arizona is still without a championship since 1947.
7:03 p.m.: Let's see how Super Larry Fitzgerald really is. Thirty-five seconds is all that is left.
If Pittsburgh holds on to win, Holmes is the MVP.
7:00 p.m.: ARE YOU KIDDING?!!! SANTONIO HOLMES, TOES AND ALL, FROM A PASS FROM ROETHLISBERGER! WOW! WHAT A GAME! WHAT A GAME! AND PITTSBURGH TAKES THE LEAD!!!
There are three defenders around Holmes, and he is still able to find a big enough hole to make the catch and get both feet in the end zone.
Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.
6:54 p.m.: Thank god Al Michaels is calling this game and not that douche Joe Buck.
6:48 p.m.: Larry Fitzgerald is Superman. A perfect pass, a perfect run, a perfect touchdown. Karma is on Arizona's side after what Harrison did. Larry Fitzgerald, Sr. stands up in the press box and the Cardinals are up 23-20.
What a slant pattern. What a slant pattern. And what a slant pattern!
Who said that this Super Bowl was going to be an awful one?
6:45 p.m.: Roethlisberger to Holmes to get out of their own end zone, but no, a holding penalty against the Steelers and Arizona gets the safety and Steelers precious four-point lead is on life support.
6:44 p.m.: Text message from my friend: "After what Harrison did, I really want the Steelers to lose."
6:41 p.m.: James Harrison is a thug. That is a thug move. Punches?! Really?! John Madden is finally right for once, he should be thrown out of the game.
6:35 p.m.: That is an awful call. What did Ike Taylor do? Give Anquan Boldin a little shove? A tiny little push? Really?!
This is the Super Bowl. Let them play. Officials need to know when to throw the flag and when to not. And that was obviously nothing on the sideline between Boldin and Taylor and if anything, it should have been offsetting penalties.
Let the players decide the game, not the officials.
6:32 p.m.: Darnell Dockett has to have some consideration for Super Bowl MVP if the Cards pull this one out.
He's got two sacks and two game-changing sacks at that.
6:25 p.m.: That is all you have to do to in the red zone, throw a jump ball to Larry Fitz. He. Is. Superman.
The Cards are now just one possession away from tying and taking the lead from Pittsburgh.
6:20 p.m.: J.J. ARRINGTON!!! FROM CAL! WITH THE HUGE GAIN AND THE FIRST DOWN!
6:18 p.m.: The most ridiculous commercial goes to cash4gold.com. Ed McMahon and MC Hammer selling all of their gold items? Hilarity and confusion.
6:15 p.m.: Finally a sack by the Cardinals (or at least a meaningful one). Arizona gets the ball back after a pretty good defensive stand.
6:09 p.m.: My favorite commercial is a Jack in the Box commercial. Hangintherejack.com.
6:05 p.m.: There is still hope for Arizona. It is slim. But there is still hope.
At the end of three, 20-7 Steelers.
5:56 p.m.: No harm after the personal fouls. The Cards stuff Roethlisberger on the sneak. And now it's 20-7 Pittsburgh.
Cards still have a shot.
5:53 p.m.: The Cardinals finally get to Roethlisberger, but the savvy quarterback throws the ball away.
And instead of just three points, Adrian Wilson runs over the place holder, giving Pittsburgh another three shots at a touchdown.
Wow. Three personal fouls on one drive. The Steelers need to score a touchdown now.
5:47p.m.: That's the second time Roethlisberger's escaped the Cardinals pressure and you tack on a roughing the passer penalty. Roethlisberger's like Houdini (or Karl Rove, always escaping those Congressional hearings).
5:40 p.m.: Cards avoid a disaster. The fumble is overturned. And instead of the Steelers starting inside Arizona territory, they're starting on their own half of the field.
In the game of field position, that was a huge challenge.
5:36 p.m.: Did Kurt Warner throw the ball? Or did he fumble? That's what's being discussed right now.
It does look like he's trying to throw the ball forward, so it should be overturned.
Even if the call does gets overturned, James Harrison is wreaking havoc.
5:29 p.m.: Great halftime show by The Boss.
There haven't been any great Super Bowl commercials. Not that much of a disappointment.
For Warner, the Super Bowl ends with a whimper and not with a bang.
The Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl, an NFL record.
And Arizona is still without a championship since 1947.
7:03 p.m.: Let's see how Super Larry Fitzgerald really is. Thirty-five seconds is all that is left.
If Pittsburgh holds on to win, Holmes is the MVP.
7:00 p.m.: ARE YOU KIDDING?!!! SANTONIO HOLMES, TOES AND ALL, FROM A PASS FROM ROETHLISBERGER! WOW! WHAT A GAME! WHAT A GAME! AND PITTSBURGH TAKES THE LEAD!!!
There are three defenders around Holmes, and he is still able to find a big enough hole to make the catch and get both feet in the end zone.
Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.
6:54 p.m.: Thank god Al Michaels is calling this game and not that douche Joe Buck.
6:48 p.m.: Larry Fitzgerald is Superman. A perfect pass, a perfect run, a perfect touchdown. Karma is on Arizona's side after what Harrison did. Larry Fitzgerald, Sr. stands up in the press box and the Cardinals are up 23-20.
What a slant pattern. What a slant pattern. And what a slant pattern!
Who said that this Super Bowl was going to be an awful one?
6:45 p.m.: Roethlisberger to Holmes to get out of their own end zone, but no, a holding penalty against the Steelers and Arizona gets the safety and Steelers precious four-point lead is on life support.
6:44 p.m.: Text message from my friend: "After what Harrison did, I really want the Steelers to lose."
6:41 p.m.: James Harrison is a thug. That is a thug move. Punches?! Really?! John Madden is finally right for once, he should be thrown out of the game.
6:35 p.m.: That is an awful call. What did Ike Taylor do? Give Anquan Boldin a little shove? A tiny little push? Really?!
This is the Super Bowl. Let them play. Officials need to know when to throw the flag and when to not. And that was obviously nothing on the sideline between Boldin and Taylor and if anything, it should have been offsetting penalties.
Let the players decide the game, not the officials.
6:32 p.m.: Darnell Dockett has to have some consideration for Super Bowl MVP if the Cards pull this one out.
He's got two sacks and two game-changing sacks at that.
6:25 p.m.: That is all you have to do to in the red zone, throw a jump ball to Larry Fitz. He. Is. Superman.
The Cards are now just one possession away from tying and taking the lead from Pittsburgh.
6:20 p.m.: J.J. ARRINGTON!!! FROM CAL! WITH THE HUGE GAIN AND THE FIRST DOWN!
6:18 p.m.: The most ridiculous commercial goes to cash4gold.com. Ed McMahon and MC Hammer selling all of their gold items? Hilarity and confusion.
6:15 p.m.: Finally a sack by the Cardinals (or at least a meaningful one). Arizona gets the ball back after a pretty good defensive stand.
6:09 p.m.: My favorite commercial is a Jack in the Box commercial. Hangintherejack.com.
6:05 p.m.: There is still hope for Arizona. It is slim. But there is still hope.
At the end of three, 20-7 Steelers.
5:56 p.m.: No harm after the personal fouls. The Cards stuff Roethlisberger on the sneak. And now it's 20-7 Pittsburgh.
Cards still have a shot.
5:53 p.m.: The Cardinals finally get to Roethlisberger, but the savvy quarterback throws the ball away.
And instead of just three points, Adrian Wilson runs over the place holder, giving Pittsburgh another three shots at a touchdown.
Wow. Three personal fouls on one drive. The Steelers need to score a touchdown now.
5:47p.m.: That's the second time Roethlisberger's escaped the Cardinals pressure and you tack on a roughing the passer penalty. Roethlisberger's like Houdini (or Karl Rove, always escaping those Congressional hearings).
5:40 p.m.: Cards avoid a disaster. The fumble is overturned. And instead of the Steelers starting inside Arizona territory, they're starting on their own half of the field.
In the game of field position, that was a huge challenge.
5:36 p.m.: Did Kurt Warner throw the ball? Or did he fumble? That's what's being discussed right now.
It does look like he's trying to throw the ball forward, so it should be overturned.
Even if the call does gets overturned, James Harrison is wreaking havoc.
5:29 p.m.: Great halftime show by The Boss.
There haven't been any great Super Bowl commercials. Not that much of a disappointment.
Three Main Events in less the 24 Hours, Part 3
4:57 p.m.: Halftime. My thoughts? Pittsburgh has controlled the game whenever it's had the ball. Arizona has taken advantage of the little mistakes the Steelers have made.
Ken Whisenhunt needs to find a way to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. So far, the Steelers defense has neutralized the best player on the field. They have had at least two defenders shadow Fitzgerald the entire game, making it difficult for Kurt Warner to throw the ball his way.
Without Fitzgerald, the Cardinals have no chance.
And by the way, "momentum" in a football game is fake. What one offensive unit accomplishes or not accomplishes does not affect the other offensive unit. Maybe a defensive stop fires up the offense, but that adrenaline rush is short lived. Arizona still has a shot. It just has to figure out the Steelers defense, which not many teams have done this year.
4:51 p.m.: Talk about a game-changer. James Harrison shows us all why he's the Defensive Player of the Year, taking his interception 100 yards for a touchdown.
By the way, that's the longest play in Super Bowl history.
Amazing. Just when you think Arizona is about to at least tie the game heading into the locker room, Harrison makes the play, crushing any mojo the Cardinals had going into the half.
I still can't believe it.
4:47 p.m.: Larry Fitzgerald is in the stat book, finally catching a ball with 41 seconds left in the half.
4:31 p.m.: Steve Breston is so far the Cardinals' MVP.
4:21 p.m.: GET UP BEN PATRICK! This won't be a blow out just yet. Arizona 7 Pittsburgh 10.
4:20 p.m.: Anquan Boldin finally catches a pass for Arizona. Now if only Larry Fitz can get the ball.
4:15 p.m.: Matt Leinart makes an appearance.
4:12 p.m.: It's official. The Budweiser Clydesdales have officially jumped the shark.
4:08 p.m.: This is the time of the game where Cardinals fans say "It's not over yet. Arizona has the most explosive offense in the NFL. There's plenty of time left."
We shall see about that. If the Cards can get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, then maybe they have a shot.
4:01 p.m.: End of the first quarter, Steelers 3 Cardinals 0. That was a pretty quick first quarter. That happens when Pittsburgh controls the ball for most of a quarter. They wear down a team, they run the ball, their pass routes are executed to the T. Not looking good for Arizona.
3:57 p.m.: Everything is going the Steelers' way. Roethlisberger had all kinds of time--almost 10 seconds--to throw that ball. How can no Cardinals' defender get to him on 3rd and 10?
And Larry Fitzgerald must be dying on the sideline. Penalties do not help against the best defense in the NFL.
3:43 p.m.: If I were the Steelers, I would have went for it. It's 4th and goal from like three inches away. Take your chances. If you don't score the TD, then you've got Arizona on its one-yard line, with the best defense in the NFL taking the field.
Where are your balls Mike Tomlin?
3:38 p.m.: I would be scared if I saw Ben Roethlisberger running at me. TD Pittsburgh for now, Arizona is challenging the play.
Whether or not it's a touchdown or three points on an ensuing field goal, the Cardinals have a problem on defense. And that problem is that Arizona has no idea what Pittsburgh is going to do.
And when they do guess right, the Steelers can still get four or five yards on every play.
3:35 p.m.: I feel sorry for Adrian Wilson, who has spent the last eight years with the Arizona Cardinals. It's like having George Bush in the White House for eight years.
3:28 p.m.: The NFC has now won 12 consecutive Super Bowl coin tosses.
3:26 p.m.: Stupid stat number one: The NFC team has won the last 11 coin tosses in the Super Bowl.
3:21 p.m.: Jennifer Hudson actually performs a pretty good national anthem. Let's get to kickoff.
Wait, Avon got commercial time?
3:11 p.m.: Not even LeBron James can save the Cleveland Browns.
3:09 p.m.: So the Steelers didn't get the memo to run onto the field after Al Michaels introduces them. But Arizona did.
2:58 p.m.: It's official. The Cardinals will lose. Matt Millen just picked them to win. I don't care about kiss of death from Cris Collinsworth. Millen is the true kiss of death.
2:45 p.m.: It's official: if Mario Lopez is the Minority Ryan Seacrest, then Tiki Barber is the Jock Ryan Seacrest.
2:43 p.m.: Troy Polamalu has his hair up. OMG!
2:36 p.m.: I've arrived at my friend's place for our Super Bowl party and my friend isn't home. But that's okay, time to turn on NBC's pregame show.
By the way, I think NBC's pregame is pretty good. It has to be if you have 20 people hosting it.
The piece I've liked so far is the history of the Gatorade bath, which apparently goes back to the Chicago Bears in 1984, the year before they won the Super Bowl. It's a nice (and predictable tradition).
On a side note, I remember an interesting story from my days covering Cal football for The Daily Californian. Now, this is all heresay, but apparently, in DeSean Jackson's final year with the Bears, he asked coach Jeff Tedford to change the Gatorade flavor because he didn't like lemon-lime. Cal changed the Gatorade player.
(On another side note, I think Journey's pregame performance sucked. Where's Steve Perry? That new singer wasn't that good.)
As for this Super Bowl, I still think Pittsburgh is going to win. Strike that, the Steelers SHOULD win. They have the better team, better defense and better coaching (in my opinion).
But destiny may be on Arizona and Kurt Warner's side. Liverpool did win today, and Liverpool wears red. So do the Cardinals.
My prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Arizona 17.
Ken Whisenhunt needs to find a way to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. So far, the Steelers defense has neutralized the best player on the field. They have had at least two defenders shadow Fitzgerald the entire game, making it difficult for Kurt Warner to throw the ball his way.
Without Fitzgerald, the Cardinals have no chance.
And by the way, "momentum" in a football game is fake. What one offensive unit accomplishes or not accomplishes does not affect the other offensive unit. Maybe a defensive stop fires up the offense, but that adrenaline rush is short lived. Arizona still has a shot. It just has to figure out the Steelers defense, which not many teams have done this year.
4:51 p.m.: Talk about a game-changer. James Harrison shows us all why he's the Defensive Player of the Year, taking his interception 100 yards for a touchdown.
By the way, that's the longest play in Super Bowl history.
Amazing. Just when you think Arizona is about to at least tie the game heading into the locker room, Harrison makes the play, crushing any mojo the Cardinals had going into the half.
I still can't believe it.
4:47 p.m.: Larry Fitzgerald is in the stat book, finally catching a ball with 41 seconds left in the half.
4:31 p.m.: Steve Breston is so far the Cardinals' MVP.
4:21 p.m.: GET UP BEN PATRICK! This won't be a blow out just yet. Arizona 7 Pittsburgh 10.
4:20 p.m.: Anquan Boldin finally catches a pass for Arizona. Now if only Larry Fitz can get the ball.
4:15 p.m.: Matt Leinart makes an appearance.
4:12 p.m.: It's official. The Budweiser Clydesdales have officially jumped the shark.
4:08 p.m.: This is the time of the game where Cardinals fans say "It's not over yet. Arizona has the most explosive offense in the NFL. There's plenty of time left."
We shall see about that. If the Cards can get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, then maybe they have a shot.
4:01 p.m.: End of the first quarter, Steelers 3 Cardinals 0. That was a pretty quick first quarter. That happens when Pittsburgh controls the ball for most of a quarter. They wear down a team, they run the ball, their pass routes are executed to the T. Not looking good for Arizona.
3:57 p.m.: Everything is going the Steelers' way. Roethlisberger had all kinds of time--almost 10 seconds--to throw that ball. How can no Cardinals' defender get to him on 3rd and 10?
And Larry Fitzgerald must be dying on the sideline. Penalties do not help against the best defense in the NFL.
3:43 p.m.: If I were the Steelers, I would have went for it. It's 4th and goal from like three inches away. Take your chances. If you don't score the TD, then you've got Arizona on its one-yard line, with the best defense in the NFL taking the field.
Where are your balls Mike Tomlin?
3:38 p.m.: I would be scared if I saw Ben Roethlisberger running at me. TD Pittsburgh for now, Arizona is challenging the play.
Whether or not it's a touchdown or three points on an ensuing field goal, the Cardinals have a problem on defense. And that problem is that Arizona has no idea what Pittsburgh is going to do.
And when they do guess right, the Steelers can still get four or five yards on every play.
3:35 p.m.: I feel sorry for Adrian Wilson, who has spent the last eight years with the Arizona Cardinals. It's like having George Bush in the White House for eight years.
3:28 p.m.: The NFC has now won 12 consecutive Super Bowl coin tosses.
3:26 p.m.: Stupid stat number one: The NFC team has won the last 11 coin tosses in the Super Bowl.
3:21 p.m.: Jennifer Hudson actually performs a pretty good national anthem. Let's get to kickoff.
Wait, Avon got commercial time?
3:11 p.m.: Not even LeBron James can save the Cleveland Browns.
3:09 p.m.: So the Steelers didn't get the memo to run onto the field after Al Michaels introduces them. But Arizona did.
2:58 p.m.: It's official. The Cardinals will lose. Matt Millen just picked them to win. I don't care about kiss of death from Cris Collinsworth. Millen is the true kiss of death.
2:45 p.m.: It's official: if Mario Lopez is the Minority Ryan Seacrest, then Tiki Barber is the Jock Ryan Seacrest.
2:43 p.m.: Troy Polamalu has his hair up. OMG!
2:36 p.m.: I've arrived at my friend's place for our Super Bowl party and my friend isn't home. But that's okay, time to turn on NBC's pregame show.
By the way, I think NBC's pregame is pretty good. It has to be if you have 20 people hosting it.
The piece I've liked so far is the history of the Gatorade bath, which apparently goes back to the Chicago Bears in 1984, the year before they won the Super Bowl. It's a nice (and predictable tradition).
On a side note, I remember an interesting story from my days covering Cal football for The Daily Californian. Now, this is all heresay, but apparently, in DeSean Jackson's final year with the Bears, he asked coach Jeff Tedford to change the Gatorade flavor because he didn't like lemon-lime. Cal changed the Gatorade player.
(On another side note, I think Journey's pregame performance sucked. Where's Steve Perry? That new singer wasn't that good.)
As for this Super Bowl, I still think Pittsburgh is going to win. Strike that, the Steelers SHOULD win. They have the better team, better defense and better coaching (in my opinion).
But destiny may be on Arizona and Kurt Warner's side. Liverpool did win today, and Liverpool wears red. So do the Cardinals.
My prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Arizona 17.
Three Main Events in less the 24 Hours, Part 2
10:00 a.m.: Liverpool, like I said before, deserved this match. It was a great game, if you were a Liverpool fan. So many chances for the Reds, they really should have more than the two goals from Torres.
And what about Torres? El Nino just unleashed himself in the last 10 minutes. He played well throughout, but if anyone deserved those goals for Liverpool, it was him. He was battling against Terry and Alex the entire game.
Now the Reds are back in striking distance, keeping the heat on Manchester United.
And for me, it's time to watch some Super Bowl pregame coverage. I'll be back for the game starting around 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Until then, enjoy Keith Olbermann, Dan Patrick and 18 other hosts on NBC's pregame coverage.
9:52 a.m.: Torres gets his brace. Anfield explodes. Game over. Liverpool now only two points behind Man U.
9:49 a.m.: How is that not a card for Bosingwa? He kicked Benayoun in the back. That is worse than what Lampard did. Unacceptable by the referee. I guess he's just having a bad day.
9:48 a.m.: FINALLY!!! Finally for Liverpool. Finally for Fernando Torres. In the 88th minute, Torres takes an Aurelio cross and angles it in with his head for the first score of the match.
It's Torres' first goal at Anfield in nine months.
For Liverpool, it looks like they will secure the three points after dominating the game. They should win this game and they deserve this game, not because of Lampard's red card, but because the Reds have outplayed Chelsea the entire match.
9:19 a.m.: Here's the game-changer: Frank Lampard has been red-carded Mike Riley and Chelsea is now down to 10 men. Pretty bad call if you ask me.
Lampard going for a the ball against Liverpool's Xabi Alonson and it looks like he clips Alonso. It looked bad in normal speed, but not harsh enough for a red card. It was definitely a fould on Lampard's part, but the official should have kept the card in his pocket.
9:10 a.m.: Another dangerous chance for Liverpool, this time off a corner. Dirk Kuyt takes Gerrard's corner and flicks it across the six-yard box. Too bad no one was in the area or it'd be 1-0.
The pace has definitely slowed. Both teams need to pick it up.
8:49 a.m.: Halftime at Anfield and it's been a pretty good match. Liverpool has had so many chances, including Riera's golden one near the end of the half. There was no need to give (or try to) the ball back to Gerrard. All Riera had to do was slot that ball in and the Reds would be up 1-0.
Chelsea has had most of the possession, but hasn't put together a good series of passes to break down the Liverpool defense. The Blues have no good shots on goal. Liverpool should be happy with the way they've played. Now they just need to find the back of the net.
It's also been a little chippy. I love it.
8:32 a.m.: First real good chance of the match and it goes to Liverpool. Carragher finds Torres in the box, but Alex blocks the shot. Chelsea, on the other hand, has yet to find a good strike.
8:19 a.m.: Not only does Skrtel's name sound like he should be a Pokemon, he looks like one too. Just compare: here's a picture of Skrtel and here's one of Squirtle. They look like long lost cousins.
8:12 a.m.: Xabi Alonso with a stinging shot from distance. Cech could only get fingertips to push it away!
8:06 a.m.: Five minutes in and there has been more action than snow that has fallen at Anfield. So much back and forth, the pace is so frenetic; I wouldn't expect less from a Big Four match.
It also looks like Liverpool is going to give Chelsea hell the entire match. What Chelsea needs to do is stay calm and handle the pummeling attacks of Liverpool.
7:42 a.m.: I failed with the Aussie Open. I couldn't go five sets with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but they wouldn't either if they got six hours of sleep the night before and woke up 15 hours before their match without resting.
But I digress, it's time for Part 2 of this adventure and that begins with Liverpool hosting Chelsea at Anfield in 15 minutes.
Both teams need the three points in a desperate way. Reigning League champs Manchester United is five points up and has played one less game (after today's match) than the Reds and Blues.
Liverpool needs this a little more I think. They haven't been in top form as of late in the Premiership, drawing its last three matches. A win over superficial rival Chelsea would give them that boost and possibly help them get back in the race for its coveted 19th League title.
And what about Torres? El Nino just unleashed himself in the last 10 minutes. He played well throughout, but if anyone deserved those goals for Liverpool, it was him. He was battling against Terry and Alex the entire game.
Now the Reds are back in striking distance, keeping the heat on Manchester United.
And for me, it's time to watch some Super Bowl pregame coverage. I'll be back for the game starting around 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Until then, enjoy Keith Olbermann, Dan Patrick and 18 other hosts on NBC's pregame coverage.
9:52 a.m.: Torres gets his brace. Anfield explodes. Game over. Liverpool now only two points behind Man U.
9:49 a.m.: How is that not a card for Bosingwa? He kicked Benayoun in the back. That is worse than what Lampard did. Unacceptable by the referee. I guess he's just having a bad day.
9:48 a.m.: FINALLY!!! Finally for Liverpool. Finally for Fernando Torres. In the 88th minute, Torres takes an Aurelio cross and angles it in with his head for the first score of the match.
It's Torres' first goal at Anfield in nine months.
For Liverpool, it looks like they will secure the three points after dominating the game. They should win this game and they deserve this game, not because of Lampard's red card, but because the Reds have outplayed Chelsea the entire match.
9:19 a.m.: Here's the game-changer: Frank Lampard has been red-carded Mike Riley and Chelsea is now down to 10 men. Pretty bad call if you ask me.
Lampard going for a the ball against Liverpool's Xabi Alonson and it looks like he clips Alonso. It looked bad in normal speed, but not harsh enough for a red card. It was definitely a fould on Lampard's part, but the official should have kept the card in his pocket.
9:10 a.m.: Another dangerous chance for Liverpool, this time off a corner. Dirk Kuyt takes Gerrard's corner and flicks it across the six-yard box. Too bad no one was in the area or it'd be 1-0.
The pace has definitely slowed. Both teams need to pick it up.
8:49 a.m.: Halftime at Anfield and it's been a pretty good match. Liverpool has had so many chances, including Riera's golden one near the end of the half. There was no need to give (or try to) the ball back to Gerrard. All Riera had to do was slot that ball in and the Reds would be up 1-0.
Chelsea has had most of the possession, but hasn't put together a good series of passes to break down the Liverpool defense. The Blues have no good shots on goal. Liverpool should be happy with the way they've played. Now they just need to find the back of the net.
It's also been a little chippy. I love it.
8:32 a.m.: First real good chance of the match and it goes to Liverpool. Carragher finds Torres in the box, but Alex blocks the shot. Chelsea, on the other hand, has yet to find a good strike.
8:19 a.m.: Not only does Skrtel's name sound like he should be a Pokemon, he looks like one too. Just compare: here's a picture of Skrtel and here's one of Squirtle. They look like long lost cousins.
8:12 a.m.: Xabi Alonso with a stinging shot from distance. Cech could only get fingertips to push it away!
8:06 a.m.: Five minutes in and there has been more action than snow that has fallen at Anfield. So much back and forth, the pace is so frenetic; I wouldn't expect less from a Big Four match.
It also looks like Liverpool is going to give Chelsea hell the entire match. What Chelsea needs to do is stay calm and handle the pummeling attacks of Liverpool.
7:42 a.m.: I failed with the Aussie Open. I couldn't go five sets with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but they wouldn't either if they got six hours of sleep the night before and woke up 15 hours before their match without resting.
But I digress, it's time for Part 2 of this adventure and that begins with Liverpool hosting Chelsea at Anfield in 15 minutes.
Both teams need the three points in a desperate way. Reigning League champs Manchester United is five points up and has played one less game (after today's match) than the Reds and Blues.
Liverpool needs this a little more I think. They haven't been in top form as of late in the Premiership, drawing its last three matches. A win over superficial rival Chelsea would give them that boost and possibly help them get back in the race for its coveted 19th League title.
Three Main Events in less the 24 Hours, Part I
7:22 a.m.: I couldn't take it anymore. I fell asleep after Nadal scored that third set victory to go up 2-1 on Federer, and apparently Nadal won the whole thing.
And the match totally hinged on the last two games of the third set. Federer had multiple chances to take the set and crush Nadal's spirit. Nadal looked tired, drained and like he couldn't go on if he had lost that set.
But he won.
This is what my friend sent me on Facebook: "Nadal was unhuman. His heart, the way he plays the big points, his unfamiliarity with hard courts, even though he was physically drained... GOSH!!! Definitely one of the best matches I've seen, and it's up there with last year's Wimbledon final!"
It's too bad I missed a great ending.
3:27 a.m.: His body might be letting him down, by Nadal sure has some mental fortitude. Down love-40, Nadal fights back for the set. No one has been broken in the third set yet and now Federer serves to tie things up.
3:20 a.m.: Nadal might be tiring. He's missed some shots that he hasn't missed all game. Another two-handed backhand goes wide for him. If Federer continues to wear down Nadal, it might be over sooner than we all think.
3:17 a.m.: Nadal's called for the trainer. Apparently something's wrong with his right leg. But it doesn't look serious. Just a rub down. I don't know what that'll do either than relax the muscles. Hopefully it doesn't hamper him for the rest of the match. This might be a result of that long match Nadal had with Verdasco a couple of days ago.
3:02 a.m.: Apparently there were a couple of bugs on the court. Delayed the match by 30 seconds. Why couldn't we see the ball boys kill and clean up the bugs? It's not like the bugs were streaking.
2:51 a.m.: There have been some really close challenges today. That last challenge was just crazy. There was a hairline's breath between the ball and the line. Amazing.
2:38 a.m.: I love it how Federer gets "pumped" for matches against Nadal. Only a great rivalry and a great opponent can bring that out of the normally quiet Swiss. And the great rivalries will do that--bring out something extra--a little oomph added. All tied a 1-1.
2:10 a.m.: I wonder what it is about Nadal that Federer can't break him. It's like impossible. Is it Nadal's power? Or is it that Federer's slicing shots are neutralized because Nadal stays so deep and so fast along that baseline?
1:55 a.m.: Federer is not only a master with the racket, but he's a master of the challenge. If he could only be employed by the NFL and college football teams.
1:50 a.m.: What a stat: Nadal is 76-1 in majors after winning the first set. SEVENTY-SIX AND ONE! But the only loss has come on the hard court, in Flushing last year at the U.S. Open. So, if a trend is to be broken, Federer still has a shot.
1:21 a.m.: These long rallies cannot be fun for Nadal. He played Verdasco to five sets and five hours for the longest match in Aussie Open history. Nadal has to be gassed or will be gassed by the third set.
1:05 a.m.: BREAK POINT AGAIN! How does Federer only have a 14 percent success rate on break points against Nadal. That's crazy.
1:02 a.m.: The voice of tennis, Dick Enberg, just said "full-blooded stroking." Yeah, he did.
1:00 a.m.: My friend, who is watching the match with me, says that Nadal reminds him of Chris Pontius. Here's a picture of Nadal. And one of Pontius. You be the judge. Personally, I don't see it, but I'm not the one with alcohol in my body.
12:54 a.m.: Federer double-faults?!!! Nadal secures the break point?! Already?! Federer has too many unforced errors...already.
12:47 a.m.: I'm sure this will come up sometime in the match, but Roger Federer is not done yet. He's running out of gas, but he's not done yet. And my friends are so one-sided. Either they're for Federer or they're for Nadal. Why can't we just enjoy these two duke it out (hopefully at ever grand slam final) the next few years.
12:34 a.m.: Nice montage by ESPN showing the championship point from last year's Wimbledon final.
Let's just hope that John McEnroe isn't around to give Federer a hug if Federer loses this one today.
12:23 a.m.: I'm at the beginning of my adventure--the attempt to live-blog the three biggest sporting events this weekend.
It's currently 12:23 a.m. here in California and I'm minutes away from the Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. In about 7 and a half hours, Liverpool and Chelsea kickoff the biggest match of the Premiership weekend. And of course, in about 15 hours, Pittsburgh and Arizona kickoff Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.
My goal is to capture my day as I try to follow all of these events. It'll be crazy, but wildly fun.
And oh, I've got my money on Federer. We've never seen Federer and Nadal go at it on a hard court major final. This is our chance and the conditions suit Federer well.
I say the old man still got's some left and ties Pete Sampras tonight/this morning for the most major titles ever.
The match is about to start, I'll see you in a bit.
P.S.: I've been awake since 8 a.m. this morning, making this a little bit interesting.
And the match totally hinged on the last two games of the third set. Federer had multiple chances to take the set and crush Nadal's spirit. Nadal looked tired, drained and like he couldn't go on if he had lost that set.
But he won.
This is what my friend sent me on Facebook: "Nadal was unhuman. His heart, the way he plays the big points, his unfamiliarity with hard courts, even though he was physically drained... GOSH!!! Definitely one of the best matches I've seen, and it's up there with last year's Wimbledon final!"
It's too bad I missed a great ending.
3:27 a.m.: His body might be letting him down, by Nadal sure has some mental fortitude. Down love-40, Nadal fights back for the set. No one has been broken in the third set yet and now Federer serves to tie things up.
3:20 a.m.: Nadal might be tiring. He's missed some shots that he hasn't missed all game. Another two-handed backhand goes wide for him. If Federer continues to wear down Nadal, it might be over sooner than we all think.
3:17 a.m.: Nadal's called for the trainer. Apparently something's wrong with his right leg. But it doesn't look serious. Just a rub down. I don't know what that'll do either than relax the muscles. Hopefully it doesn't hamper him for the rest of the match. This might be a result of that long match Nadal had with Verdasco a couple of days ago.
3:02 a.m.: Apparently there were a couple of bugs on the court. Delayed the match by 30 seconds. Why couldn't we see the ball boys kill and clean up the bugs? It's not like the bugs were streaking.
2:51 a.m.: There have been some really close challenges today. That last challenge was just crazy. There was a hairline's breath between the ball and the line. Amazing.
2:38 a.m.: I love it how Federer gets "pumped" for matches against Nadal. Only a great rivalry and a great opponent can bring that out of the normally quiet Swiss. And the great rivalries will do that--bring out something extra--a little oomph added. All tied a 1-1.
2:10 a.m.: I wonder what it is about Nadal that Federer can't break him. It's like impossible. Is it Nadal's power? Or is it that Federer's slicing shots are neutralized because Nadal stays so deep and so fast along that baseline?
1:55 a.m.: Federer is not only a master with the racket, but he's a master of the challenge. If he could only be employed by the NFL and college football teams.
1:50 a.m.: What a stat: Nadal is 76-1 in majors after winning the first set. SEVENTY-SIX AND ONE! But the only loss has come on the hard court, in Flushing last year at the U.S. Open. So, if a trend is to be broken, Federer still has a shot.
1:21 a.m.: These long rallies cannot be fun for Nadal. He played Verdasco to five sets and five hours for the longest match in Aussie Open history. Nadal has to be gassed or will be gassed by the third set.
1:05 a.m.: BREAK POINT AGAIN! How does Federer only have a 14 percent success rate on break points against Nadal. That's crazy.
1:02 a.m.: The voice of tennis, Dick Enberg, just said "full-blooded stroking." Yeah, he did.
1:00 a.m.: My friend, who is watching the match with me, says that Nadal reminds him of Chris Pontius. Here's a picture of Nadal. And one of Pontius. You be the judge. Personally, I don't see it, but I'm not the one with alcohol in my body.
12:54 a.m.: Federer double-faults?!!! Nadal secures the break point?! Already?! Federer has too many unforced errors...already.
12:47 a.m.: I'm sure this will come up sometime in the match, but Roger Federer is not done yet. He's running out of gas, but he's not done yet. And my friends are so one-sided. Either they're for Federer or they're for Nadal. Why can't we just enjoy these two duke it out (hopefully at ever grand slam final) the next few years.
12:34 a.m.: Nice montage by ESPN showing the championship point from last year's Wimbledon final.
Let's just hope that John McEnroe isn't around to give Federer a hug if Federer loses this one today.
12:23 a.m.: I'm at the beginning of my adventure--the attempt to live-blog the three biggest sporting events this weekend.
It's currently 12:23 a.m. here in California and I'm minutes away from the Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. In about 7 and a half hours, Liverpool and Chelsea kickoff the biggest match of the Premiership weekend. And of course, in about 15 hours, Pittsburgh and Arizona kickoff Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.
My goal is to capture my day as I try to follow all of these events. It'll be crazy, but wildly fun.
And oh, I've got my money on Federer. We've never seen Federer and Nadal go at it on a hard court major final. This is our chance and the conditions suit Federer well.
I say the old man still got's some left and ties Pete Sampras tonight/this morning for the most major titles ever.
The match is about to start, I'll see you in a bit.
P.S.: I've been awake since 8 a.m. this morning, making this a little bit interesting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
