This is a good time to look back at the extraordinary game that ended Memphis’ run for the NCAA title. Many people have written about the incredible fortitude of Kansas and the heart and patience they showed as they climbed their way back in, and eventually win in overtime.
Kansas Wins – Photo: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters
But I want to write about the other end of sports. I want to talk about losing. You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to figure out that there is a loser for every winner. The joy of Kansas is balanced out by the despair of Memphis. The moment of glory that Mario Chalmer’s take with him throughout life is balanced by the regrets that Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose will carry because they missed those free throws.
LINK to The Full Post of BasketBall 180
“If we continue not to win any trophies next year, then I will go somewhere else. I’ve done it all in Spain, I’ve reached the heights here and so if I do leave I will go to another league.”
Samuel Eto’o, (striker from Cameroon, adding to Barcelona’s growing problems.)
Barcelona has done fairly well in the Champion’s League despite its poor play in Spain. They had a close call last round with Turkish squad, Fenerbahce, but overcame a first leg loss to win in the second leg and advancing to the next round. Barcelona find themselves in the final four of Europe’s most prestigious league matched up with a surging Manchester United team, who unfortunately for Barcelona fans, are playing their best soccer of the year. A loss for Barcelona could send fans into a deep stage of depression as nothing seems to be going right for Barca at the moment. The Eto’o situation is not helping coming into the first leg of the semi-final round and could hurt team morale. Link to Sean Connolly’s Soccer USA 1 site
Silvio Berlusconi, President of AC Milan, has now admitted that the cost of Ronaldinho may be too high. This has led to Manchester City and AC Milan rival, Inter Milan, to get into the mix. With the cost of the 28 year old superstar is too high because there is a lot of doubt surrounding the star. The Ronaldinho trade to AC Milan has caused quite a stir, but now it seems he may be open to more clubs who are willing to spend a great deal of cash. Here’s what SIlvio Berlusconi had to say about the transfer of Ronaldinho… Link to Post on Soccer USA 1
To mix a sports metaphor here’s where the rubber meets the road. If you’re like me, you know the clock is running. Tomorrow’s the day. The 2008 NFL Draft.
Haven’t you been checking the mock drafts, hoping to figure out who’s picking the players you’ve watched in college. Trying to get some inside dope on what your favorite team is thinking. Who they’re hoping to get?
Let’s take a short look at the mock drafts. And let’s check back after the picking is done and see who got it right and who fumbled.
First off, let’s make it a bit easier this year. Everybody gets two picks right. The Dolphins go with Jake Long, the tackle from Michigan. And crafty mock-drafters know that the Patriot get zip with pick #31, forfeiting the pick for that sneaky thing they did with video.
Jake LongNow here’s where when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Link to Full Blog Post
For #2, Don Banks over at SI.com has Chris Long, DE from Virginia going to the Rams, figuring him to make their pass rush better on the outside, and passing on Glenn Dorsey. Bob Glauber, Newsday.com, acknowledging that Chris Long is possibility, goes with the DT from LSU arguing that Dorsey‘s “superb inside force can help a Rams’ defense that has been brutal against the run for years.”
It’s Saturday afternoon and it’s me and ESPN. No Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY. It’s football time and the place is rocking with Jets and Giants fans.
So the time for mock drafts has come and gone. Rip’em up. Jake Long did indeed get picked by the Dolphins.
Kudos to Don Banks for giving the Rams Chris Long, the 272 lb DE from Virginia. Several folks who had him going first to Miami made the quick switch. But some had Glenn Dorsey headed to St. Louis. Long is a great player and made 79 tackles last year.
Excerpted from Mickey Friedman’s 2008 NFL Draft Trilogy found Here LinK
Check your local paper and fill in the gaps.
For all the fun and the speculation of mock-drafts, there’s nothing like the unpredictability of trades and the gambling that is the real deal. Next time, we’ll do some analysis of how the teams did. At least, how they did on paper.
Because don’t forget, a few weeks into last season people were saying that Eli Manning was an over-rated bust and the Giants gave up much too much to draft him. Sometimes it just takes some time to fully learn the pro game and become the kind of player the scouts predicted.
Who is this year’s Eli Manning?
For every fortunate guy or gal relaxing up in the luxury boxes, there are a thousand of us sitting in the cold and rain and snow. We have a bit of Dwight Lowery in us and if truth be told, we have a bit of Mario Manningham in us.
So I thank both Greg Bishop and Mike Ogle for reminding me about what’s important.
And for one day, I don’t care about the paper ratings. I’m rooting for two different guys who have made it to the NFL, to play the game I love. The real winners today! And I am hoping with all my heart that both the Jets and the Giants made the right choice. LINK to Mickey Friedman’s 3rd 2008 Draft posts
With two games remaining, Chelsea and Manchester United are now tied for the lead in the Premier League. A bad week for United ended with as they lost 2-1 to Chelsea, and now both teams are tied with 81 points in first place.
The week began on Wednesday when Manchester United tied with Barcelona in the Champion’s League. The game could have been won, but Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert a penalty early in the game. He shot wide right as they keeper dove left and could do nothing but put his head in his hands. The poor performance could have stemmed from the league complaining about Ronaldo’s approach to the penalty spot, calling it questionable. Obviously concerned, Ronaldo choked with an opportunity to steal an away goal in Barcelona.
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