Excessive Celebration of the Day: Kendry Morales (Excessive Celebration of the Year Nominee)

This has got to be the one of the worst results of a celebration of all time. Angels 1B Kendry Morales hit a walk-off grand slam yesterday against the Seattle Mariners only to break his leg as he celebrated with his team at home plate and will likely miss the rest of the season. Haven't seen something like this since the NFL's Gramatica brothers each tore their ACL's or perhaps Milton Bradley tearing his knee while arguing with the first base umpire. It's a rare day when you can say "Kendry Morales FTW and FTL"


Bill would be proud

Puck Drops on the Stanley Cup Finals Tonight 8PM

Tonight is the opening matchup of the Stanley Cups finals that pits the Western Conference powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks against the cinderella (technically) Philadelphia Flyers. The Blackhawks attack is spear-headed by perhaps the best offensive line in the NHL that features Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien and have enjoyed exquisite goaltending from Antti Niemi who has seemingly been standing on his head for the entire playoffs. The Flyers have battle through a season marred by injury, especially to their goaltenders but resiliently bounced the No. 2 seeded New Jersey devils in the first round before their historic comeback from a 3-0 series deficit to the Boston Bruins after which the easily handled the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games to reach the finals as the 7th seeded team.

I have to admit that I am much more informed about the Flyers than the Blackhawks but as is usually the case I feel this series will come down to which goalie plays better between the pipes. Niemi has been a terrific goaltender all season and his play has only improved in the postseason highlighted by a 44 save masterpiece in game one of the Western conference finals against the top-seeded San Jose Sharks to secure a 2-1 win on the road. Anyone who watched the olympics this winter saw the havoc that Toews and Kane wrecked for Canada and the USA respectively and if anyone thinks Patrick Kane can be pushed around this article might change your mind.

The Flyers have won 8 of their last 9 games after dropping 3 in a row to the Bruins. Their success has been keyed by the return of the team's emotional and veteran leader Simon Gagne who has scored 7 times in the 9 games he's been back. The Flyers have a lot of offensive depth even if they can't matchup against Toews and Kane et. al. with snipers like Jeff Carter (also newly returned from injury) and Daniel Briere, play-makers Mike Richards, Claude Giroux and Ville Leino and top-notch defenders Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen. The backbone of the Flyer's success has been the emergence of goalie Michael Leighton. Leighton played well in net during the regular season but was limited after an injury. He was pressed into service against the Bruins after Brian Boucher suffered a knee injury and wasted no time in shutting down opposing offenses. Leighton posted 3 shutouts in 5 games against the Canadiens and leads all postseason net-minders with a save percentage of .948 and a 1.45 goals against average. As I said before the battle between Leighton and Niemi will be the one to watch all series.

The Blackhawks sports the longest current Stanley Cup drought in the NHL having not hoisted the Cup in 49 years. The Flyers haven't reached the Stanley Cup finals since the 1997 season when they were lead by Ron Hextall and Eric Lindros but were swept by a Detroit Red Wings squad that had one of the best seasons in NHL history. I'm not informed enough and perhaps too biased to make a good prediction on this series so we'll all just have to wait and see.

P.S. I can't mention Ron Hextall without showing due reverence

Excessive Celebration of the Day

This one comes from a Swedish Hockey League. I apologize for the lack of sound but its entertaining nonetheless.

Bold Predictions: The Future of LeBron James

Speculation and rumor as to where LeBron James will sign as a free agent this offseason has been one of the hottest topics of discussion in the sports world recently, beginning within minutes of the Cleveland Cavaliers unceremonious exit from the NBA playoffs at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the second round. Seemingly everyone with even the slightest sliver of sports knowledge has voiced an opinion about James (myself included) and it feels like almost every day a new team has taken the lead in vying for the superstar's services. James leads the most star-studded free agent class we have ever seen in any sport as he is joined by All-Stars Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson (the 4 of which met last week to discuss their offseason plans which in essence was a discussion of the future of the NBA). Since the middle of last season my feeling has been that LeBron's choice of team has been pretty cut and dry and despite all the rumors regarding New Jersey, Chicago, LA (the Clippers of course) or Cleveland to name a few, my opinion has not wavered. There is almost no doubt in my mind, LeBron James will be wearing No. 6 for the New York Knicks next year. Period.

The more interesting question is who else the Knicks can bring in to become the No. 2 compliment that was so lacking in Cleveland over the past few years, but that's for a later blog. I truly feel LeBron has always known he would sign with the Knicks and I will briefly enumerate the reasons I feel that way.

1. It's New York City
I think the is probably the most important factor that will influence LeBron's decision. The opportunities for endorsements and exposure that are afforded by New York are unparalleled. It's the same reason Eli Manning point blank refused to play for the San Diego Chargers, he could make much more money and be much more famous off the field in NYC. LeBron has the biggest ego you can find in the sports world and can anyone really think of a better place to foster that ego? I could go on far too long talking about the appeals of New York but we must move on.

2. LeBron will have the same contract no matter where he plays
Because the NBA limits the size of contracts that teams can offer their players no team besides the Cavaliers can offer LeBron anything more that a 5-year $98.7 million deal (there are complex rules in place that allow Cleveland to pay LeBron 6 years at $131.5 million but this may also be irrelevant because Cleveland can sign him and then trade him to get something back). Whether there is a sign-and-trade or not LeBron isn't worried about how much he gets paid. He's much more concerned about how much he can make off the court and goes back to my previous point of playing in New York.

3. LeBron James wants to secure his legacy
LeBron has been compared to Michael Jordan every since he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was a 17-year-old Junior at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's. The Chicago Bulls have emerged as the sexy pick for NBA analysts but I feel that's the least likely scenario. I don't think it's possible for James to surpass Jordan as the greatest player in NBA history but it is feasible that he can be on par with him. That won't happen if he plays in Chicago however, even if he somehow wins more titles and MVP's than MJ. LeBron needs to create his own legacy and become synonymous with a team the way Jordan is with the Bulls. Why else would James choose to change his number from 23 to 6? He wants to separate from Jordan as much as possible. While the Knicks have had some stars like Patrick Ewing and Willis Reed, LeBron would still probably be considered the best player in franchise history within a year or two (especially if he wins a title).

4. He may be boys with Jay-Z but LeBron James is a business man first and a friend second
Lots of people like to think LeBron might sign with the New Jersey Nets because of his public relationship with part-owner Jay-Z who has visions of moving the team to Brooklyn. While I would personally love to see the team move to Brooklyn, it is several years away and is no where near a sure thing as legal issues have complicated the matter. The Nets had the worst record in the NBA last year but lost out in the Draft lottery and will miss the chance to bring in John Wall who could have greatly helped their argument. I also feel LeBron needs to be the biggest personality in his franchise and I have a gut feeling that he will be threatened by the presence of Jay-Z and eccentric Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.

5. The Knicks have enough cap space to sign 2 maximum contracts
The Knicks began planning for this offseason nearly two years ago by clearing enough room in their salary-cap to afford two maximum contracts for this offseason. What this means is that LeBron could pair up with the likes of Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson or even Dwayne Wade (although I hope Wade signs with the Nets so a rivalry can emerge). The Knicks have practically been begging LeBron to come and I feel he loves that he's brought the city to its knees. LeBron knows that he can pick whichever head coach and surrounding players he wants if the Knicks are going to try this hard to bring him in. He will have the control he desires in New York, name another New York athlete who can say that?

I'm sure I could find more reasons to augment my argument but this post is far too long as it is. LeBron has a great business acumen and will not reveal his true intentions until he is physically holding up his new No. 6 jersey. He'll want as much leverage as possible and is happy to let these rumors circulate while he sits back until the free agency period begins. I wouldn't be surprised to hear James is entertaining a monster contract from some European team just to stir the pot a little more.

You have my prediction, I won't be addressing any more "inside sources" who are sure LeBron will be a Memphis Grizzly of Philadelphia 76er next year (obviously those scenarios will never happen but you can see my point). Also enjoy this picture I found, the internet is quite a tool.

NFL Draft Round-Up: Eagles and More

Like many Philadelphia Eagles fans I expected the team to use this draft to focus on the defense and the front office didn't disappoint. The Eags used their first 5 picks on defensive players upgrading the pass-rush with two defensive ends (Michigan's Brandon Graham and Washington's Daniel Te'o-Nasheim) and the secondary (USF safety Nate Allen and Kentucky CB Trevard Lindley). This team needed a serious face-lift on defense and I think they've spent this offseason doing just that. Along with acquisitions Darryl Tapp, Ernie Sims and Marlin Jackson, second-year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will have his hands full evaluating talent for his re-vamped defensive unit in his first full year at the helm (after having the title of D Coordinator thrust upon him following Jim Johnson's passing last July).

The most intriguing move the Eagles made after the first round was to select Northwestern QB Mike Kafka in the 4th round. As the first offensive player the team took in this year's draft I was surprised at first but the more I think about it, the more I like the pick. The Kevin Kolb era has started in Philadelphia and head coach Andy Reid is smartly thinking ahead with his pick of Kafka. Backup QB Michael Vick is in the final year of his contract and I cannot possibly see a scenario where he plays 3 seasons for this team. I think Kafka will fit in perfectly as a developmental prospect and should be a reliable backup for year to come after Vick's likely departure.

All in all I am very happy with the way the team drafted. I also want to address a couple of other picks that I really agreed with; the Cincinnati Bengals selection of Texas WR Brandon Shipley and the New England Patriots choice of Bristol, CT's own TE Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez became Florida QB Tim Tebow's favorite weapon this past season and I feel he has the physical frame to develop in the NFL and become an effective blocker which will compliment his skills in the pass game that earned him the opportunity to be picked in the draft. Jordan Shipley almost single-handedly upset Alabama in the BCS National Championship game this past year and has never ceased to be productive for the Longhorns. He simply makes big plays at big times. I tip my cap to head coaches Marvin Lewis and Bill Bellichick for choosing football-players over "height-weight-speed" guys like the Oakland Raiders love to do. I'm predicting both Hernandez and Shipley will be Pro-Bowl caliber players in the NFL within the next 4 season.

Feel free to disagree...

ESPN Scouts Inc. Todd McShay on DE Brandon Graham

This pick just just keeps looking better and better to me. Can't wait to see this guy on the field. Here is ESPN Senior Analyst Todd McShay breaking down Brandon Graham.

NFL Draft Round 1: Eagles Select Brandon Graham; Tebow Goes 25th

The Philadelphia Eagles made a big move in thursday night's first round of the draft by trading up from pick 24 to 13 and selecting Michigan DE Brandon Graham. The Eagles are desperately in need of defensive playmakers and they got just that by taking Graham with their first pick. Graham was a monster playing OLB/DE in Ann Arbor and will be an instant force in the pass rush playing opposite Pro Bowler Trent Cole. Head Coach Andy Reid has spent the last few drafts assembling what should be one of the league's best offenses for years to come (WRs DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant, RB LeSean McCoy, TE Brent Celek and QB Kevin Kolb) and in all likelihood will focus solely on upgrading a defense that go run over by the Dallas Cowboys twice to end last season. The Eagles still have two second round picks to play with tonight so look for them to upgrade at the S or CB position. Frankly I would be surprised if the team drafted any offensive players at all with the possible exception of an offensive lineman to build depth. I feel the team is moving in the right direction and am excited to see the outcome of the rest of the draft.

One of the other big story lines from last night was the selection of Florida QB Tim Tebow in the first round by the Denver Broncos at number 25 overall, ahead of Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen (who almost every draft analyst ranked above Tebow). I think the early Tebow pick surprised a lot of people but I'm intrigued by the possibilities that Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels now has at his disposal. I think Tebow is going to get the chance to play QB at the NFL level and will need to use that opportunity to silence all of his critics. The biggest winner in all of this has to be Tebow himself; he'll get paid first-round money and can start his career on a talented team that has a chance to compete which will take the edge off of the steep learning curve expected of Rookie QBs.

I think moving the draft to prime time and spreading it out over 3 days was a great move by commissioner Roger Goodell. The first round last night lasted only 3 and a half hours and fans no have to chance to analyze their team's moves and get excited for the second and third round which will take place tonight.