Bleacher Report - Articles by Brandon Boyd

Keep Fighting For Those Millions, Michael Crabtree

Brandon Boyd — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:15:09 -0400

The 49ers and Michael Crabtree are living a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"Money often costs too much."

An adviser to Michael Crabtree recently said that Michael Crabtree would be willing to return to the 2010 NFL Draft if he didn't get the money he wanted.

It's all about the Benjamins, isn't it?

Sure, that's what they're arguing over, but in the end, that's not what it's all about.

For Michael Crabtree, it's costing him valuable time in training camp. It's costing him the opportunity to win a starting job (which, with the 49ers current cast of WRs, is about as difficult as a single digit addition problem).

For the 49ers, it's costing them a chance to win. Not having Crabtree on the field weakens the already famished weapons for the 49ers starting QB (Shaun Hill...or Alex Smith...or, whoever).

Here's the thing: I don't blame Michael Crabtree one bit.

It's something I've said about all athletes; if you can get the money, go for it.

In today's economy, sometimes, every penny should be fought for.

Sure, arguing when the figure involves millions of dollars may seem petty, but if Crabtree feels he's worth more, he should try and get that amount.

The 49ers didn't have to draft him, after all.

Nine other teams didn't. One of those teams, the Raiders, drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey, not Crabtree, with the 7th selection.

He's making $38 million.

While Heyward-Bey was drafted before Crabtree, he wasn't projected to. While it may seem like a flimsy argument, you can't argue that Crabtree is a great talent.

In the end, there will likely be a compromise between the two sides, and a deal will be reached.

Even when a deal is reached, both sides will have learned a valuable lesson.

Money costs too much.

Time, respect, happiness.

But if, for some reason, Crabtree doesn't reach a deal, maybe he should re-enter the NFL Draft.

After all, maybe the other Bay Area team, Oakland, will pair you with Darrius Heyward-Bey. Or, perhaps, the Cowboys will grab you to replace their old drama with some new drama.

On second thought...stick with the 49ers, Michael.

Penn St.: Expect Another Great Season

Brandon Boyd — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:02:32 -0400

Last year, the Nittany Lions ended their season with a whimper.

Losing to USC in the Rose Bowl sent them a message: To be the man, you've got to be the man.

Just like last year, they have a great chance to do just that.

While they lost their top three WRs in Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood, they have kept plenty of talent.

And to coach them, the Nittany Lions have the timeless legend himself, Joe Paterno.

The Spread HD offense returns this season, and once again, Daryll Clark will lead the offense.

Freshman Kevin Newsome and future recruits Paul Jones and Robert Bolden will continue the streak of athletic, dually-talented QBs (that started with Michael Robinson).

The other key returnee on offense is Evan Royster. Royster, a potential top-10 pick in the NFL Draft, is a bruising back who can be relied upon if the passing game starts to flounder (which it shouldn't).

On defense, while they lost the likes of Aaron Maybin, Maurice Evans, and Josh Gaines, they still have a plethora of talent, starting with the linebacking corps.

Do you miss the days of LaVar Arrington wreaking havoc on opposing Big Ten players? Let me introduce you to a similar player, Navorro Bowman.

Most die-hard fans already know his name, but expect his production to pick up even more with the return of Sean Lee.

On the line, Ollie Ogbu and Jared Odrick combine to form a formidable duo. The defensive line won't be a problem for the Lions.

The secondary provides the biggest question mark on defense, as they have to replace four starters. One player I think can step up is safety Drew Astorino, who won high school state championships in both football and basketball.

However, besides the Lions' talent, there is another reason to expect success from Penn State.

The Nittany Lions' schedule, which is about as strong as an 85-pound bikini model, will be the key to their success

Who are the out-of-conference opponents for the Nittany Lions? They are Akron, Syracuse, Temple, and Eastern Illinois.

Eastern Illinois, who knew such a college even existed?

Here's my frank opinion. If the Nittany Lions lose more than one game this season, the year is a disappointment.

Don't expect that to happen. They should once again reign as Big Ten champions and get to a BCS bowl.

Only this time, they'll be looking to roar like the Lions that they are.

Underlooked Storylines Going into the Texans' Preseason

Brandon Boyd — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:45:18 -0400

Every Houston fan knows that this is a make or break season. Either make the playoffs, or something (or someone) is going to break. But even before the season, there are many underlying issues and storylines that will be looked at before and during the preseason. The Texans get coverage about as often as curling, so just about any storyline goes unnoticed by the mainstream media. However, I'm going to cover six storylines that even the most dedicated fans of the Texans don't always think about. Let's get started, shall we?

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Predicting the Entire NFL Season

Brandon Boyd — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:22:57 -0400

Be prepared for a long one, folks. I'm predicting everything! Awards, standings, breakout players. Everything. You see the man pictured, Adrian Peterson? He's your MVP. We'll cover that. Eventually. Let's start with some standings, shall we? From there, we'll go the Playoffs, Super Bowl Champ, Pro Bowl Roster, and Awards!

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Karl Malone: The Mailman Doesn't Deliver as a Man

Brandon Boyd — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:30:41 -0400

Karl Malone had a storied career as a member of the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers.

He's one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players.

He's a 14-Time All-Star.

He averaged 25 points throughout his career.

Yet Karl Malone, as a man, as a person off the court, is a shell of his on-court persona.

Even on the court he was known for his physicality (to put it lightly).

He's elbowed the likes of Steve Nash, Isiah Thomas, David Robinson, and Shawn Bradley, giving out more stitches than a surgeon and more pain than an MMA fighter.

In an interview with Playboy in 1989, Malone himself stated that he liked to push the refs until he got away with something, and then keep on pushing. He pushed, the refs gave, and Malone became "Dr. Elbow."

Yeah, he's a real sweetheart, isn't he?

Speaking of being a sweetheart, he's great with the ladies.

Sure, now he has a wife and four kids, but he also has three kids outside of his marriage.

The problem is, he has been out of the lives of those three children, and has refused to take responsibility.

One of those children is Cheryl Ford, with whom Malone finally formed a relationship while she was in college. Ford has a twin, Daryl.

As for the other child, his name is Demetrius Bell. His mom was 13 when he was born.

Thirteen.

Malone was 20. Basically, the college aged Malone had a baby with an eighth grader.

It's too bad Chris Hansen wasn't around then.

That "love child," Demetrius Bell, is now an Offensive Tackle for the Buffalo Bills, drafted in the seventh Round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Bell first met his father after graduating from high school, where Malone reportedly told him it was too late to be his father, and that Bell would have to "earn his money on his own."

Yet Malone, who said it was too late to be a father for the newly minted high school grad, formed a relationship with the two Fords while Cheryl was in college.

If Cheryl hadn't starred at Karl's alma mater and gone to the WNBA, would Karl be in her life?

Maybe, maybe not.

But either way, we know that he's not in Demetrius Bell's life.

Bell's doing just fine, though. "I'm happy. I don't need anything else," he said about not having a father figure.

And just in case you thought Malone couldn't be any worse of a man, there's the reported words he said to Kobe Bryant's wife back in 2004.

Vanessa Bryant reportedly asked Malone what he was hunting, in reference to his cowboy hat and boots. Malone's response?

"I'm hunting for little Mexican girls."

Vanessa Bryant, of course, is of Mexican decent.

I guess there's only one way to sum up the life of Karl Malone: Great on the court. Not so great off of it.

Dunta's Inferno: It's Time to Settle Dunta Robinson's Contract

Brandon Boyd — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:43:18 -0400

$9,957,000.

Seems like a lot of money, doesn't it?

Most people would be happy earning it in one year.

Not Dunta Robinson.

It's not the money that's the issue; rather, it's the reason why he is making that money this season.

"...I was told I wouldn't get (franchise) tagged," said Robinson back in February. "That's dishonest, and I'm mad about it."

It's now July, and as preseason nears, Dunta's anger still has not subsided.

It's time to end it.

Both sides need to compromise and make a deal before the preseason starts.

Both sides have said the right things, Robinson saying that he wants to retire a Houston Texan, and the Texans saying that they didn't want to apply the franchise tag, but felt they had to.

Enough of the "he said, they said" business.

The only business that needs to be done is getting Dunta Robinson on the field, while providing tranquility for the team and satisfaction for Robinson.

A way to provide that? Give Robinson some money.

Of course, not $9,957,000. Give him more years, and less money.

Even he has said that's what he wants.

So, c'mon Houston.

End Dunta's Inferno with a heavenly solution.

Texans Provide Interesting Fantasy Options

Brandon Boyd — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:57:04 -0400

The key to succeeding in Fantasy Football is simple.

Get lucky.

Fantasy Football players have to work the waiver wire, wheel and deal with the best of 'em, and pray that their players do well while avoiding injury.

It's even harder than it sounds.

It's best to cover your ground with players from various teams, but this article will be covering the Houston Texans, specifically their key players that can help you achieve victory in your league.

Maybe.

Let's start off with a sleeper, WR Kevin Walter.

Very few people have heard of him, and it's possible that only his relatives drafted him last year in leagues, but he has silently put up great numbers alongside Andre Johnson.

ESPN.com's Cheat Sheet has Walter as the 80th overall player, and the 28th WR on their list. Last season, Walter had nearly 900 receiving yards and eight TDs.

Similar numbers can be expected.

When drafting, Walter would be a solid third WR on your team. Look to pick him up in the middle to later rounds.

Next, let's go with last season's breakout Texan, RB Steve Slaton.

Slaton is ranked 15th overall and as the 11th best RB. However, Slaton is a hit or miss player. There are times when he will provide solid points for your team, and times when he have a lackluster game.

Other concerns for this season involve him carrying the full load, along with trying to fend off the dreaded sophomore slump.

That all being said, I would have no qualms with drafting Slaton in the second round. He would be a great second RB, and a solid first RB.

TE Owen Daniels is the next player to be looked at, and he is ranked 72nd overall. He is the fifth TE, ahead of players such as Chris Cooley and Kellen Winslow.

Daniels is an underrated player that racks up yards like Pac-Man racks up points. He has 862 last season, and I would expect similar numbers in this upcoming season.

If Gonzalez, Gates, and Witten, the highly hyped TEs are gone, don't fret. Daniels would be a great option at TE.

One of the main components of having a quality team is finding diamonds in the rough, referred to as sleepers. Two players to keep an eye on this season are WR Jacoby Jones and rookie TE James Casey.

In what was the league's third-ranked offense, these two could see some decent stats. That being said, do not draft these guys. Just keep your eye on them.

If you are looking for a sure thing, or something close to it, go with WR Andre Johnson.

Who wouldn't want the second ranked WR and 11th overall player? He had 1,575 receiving yards and eight TDs last season, and while there might be a slight dip in yards, he should have a similar number of TDs.

If you're drafting in the second round, and some of the higher ranked RBs are gone, go ahead and grab your No. 1 WR.

WRs are becoming more valuable in fantasy leagues anyway, and Johnson is sure to produce.

Finally, we come to the biggest enigma for the Texans, QB Matt Schaub.

Schaub has shown flashes of being an elite QB, but has been bitten by the injury bug in the past two seasons, missing 10 games.

It's like the TE situation. If Brees, Brady, Manning, and Warner are gone, wait to snag Schaub. He's a decent option at starting QB, and an elite option at backup QB.

Like Schaub, the Texans as a whole seem to be an enigma when it comes to Fantasy Football.

They could break out and provide your team with victory, or give you nothing but a headache.

Sounds like just about everyone in Fantasy Football, doesn't it?

LeBron James Belongs in Wine and Gold

Brandon Boyd — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:45 -0400

New York. Chicago. Los Angeles. New Jersey. Detroit.

LeBron James can go anywhere he wants in 2010.

However, I'm willing to guarantee that LeBron James will stay in the same city that he has been in his whole NBA career.

Good 'ol Cleveland.

It's not the flashiest city. It's not the most entertaining, the warmest, or the most recognized.

In fact, many Cleveland sports fans believe the city has been cursed.

But it's LeBron's city. When you think of Cleveland sports, who do you think of?

LeBron James.

Sure, you can make a case for Jim Brown. But that's the past. LeBron is the present and he is most certainly the future in Cleveland.

Many people are speculating about LeBron's future.

The latest news comes from, of all people, Trevor Ariza. Ariza says that LeBron told him he would be back in Cleveland after the hectic 2010 offseason.

LeBron, naturally, denied it.

And why shouldn't he? He does need to keep his options open. However, I expect LeBron to be a Cavalier. Here's why.

First, let's talk about why he won't go to the other teams.

New York. New York, New York. It's a great city, but a not-so-great basketball team.

Sure, LeBron would make it better. What team wouldn't he make better? While New York does pose a threat to Cleveland, in the end, LeBron is likely in a better situation in Cleveland, at least basketball-wise.

If he went to Chicago, he would be in Michael Jordan's shadow. Nuh-uh. Not happening.

Same goes for Los Angeles (Clippers). The city is only big enough for one superstar. Kobe's there.

Sorry, Clippers. You will still stink.

New Jersey also poses a threat to Cleveland because of the friendship between LeBron and Jay-Z. That's great, but how is the market in New Jersey any bigger than the market in Cleveland?

If the Nets make the move to Brooklyn, it might help. Still, I don't see it happening.

The new rumblings are going on about Detroit, but only because of their hiring of Cavs' Assistant Coach John Kuester. That's not a good enough reason.

So while New York and New Jersey are viable options for LeBron, the best place for him to be is in Cleveland. For now, he has Shaq beside him along with Mo Williams, Delonte West, and JJ Hickson all set to play a role for the Cavs.

The key may be with the Cavaliers salary. With Shaq's $20 million coming off the books, and with a few other contracts leaving, the Cavs could have room for another max contract.

Chris Bosh, anyone?

I have heard rumors that the two plan to play together. Bosh would fit in perfectly with the Cavs.

In the present, however, Cleveland has a great shot at a championship. They will continue to for as long as LeBron keeps playing for them.

In the end, I think that will be for a long time.

After all, LeBron's been in Ohio all of his life.

Why leave now?

Keep Faith in Athletes, Even through Tough Times

Brandon Boyd — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:33:30 -0400

We, as fans of many various sports, tend to put our athletes on pedestals.

“Oh, they wouldn’t do that! They’re athletes!”

Athletes are just like the rest of us. They make mistakes.

Steve McNair’s death has done plenty to highlight this fact.

Football fans know McNair for his tenacity and leadership. They remember the good times and bad times through his career, and how he never gave up.

Outside of football, however, there appeared to be another side of McNair.

I’m not here to gossip about what McNair did outside of his marriage or what kind of person he is, because, honestly, I’m doing exactly what this article will talk about.

Giving athletes the benefit of the doubt and putting faith in them.

I really shouldn’t, as the facts seem to point towards an extramarital affair, but like a lot of people, I have high standards for athletes, and I seem to believe that they all have morals, standards, and hold themselves with class and high character.

Of course, I often find my assumptions to be incorrect, and it has happened often.

How many people expected Michael Vick to be dog fighting? Sure, he wasn’t perfect, but dog fighting? C’mon, there’s no way people were expecting that.

When I found out that Donte’ Stallworth killed a man in an accident, I immediately made assumptions about the victim. “Maybe he wasn’t paying attention. Maybe he wasn’t in the right state of mind.”

It turns out that those maybes applied to Stallworth, not the victim.

It’s like my friend, a reporter from the USA Today, told me: “In journalism, you often times find yourself disappointed.”

I have something I’d like to add.

In sports, you often times find yourself disappointed.

In life, you often times find yourself disappointed.

Think about it. How many times have you hoped for your teams’ victory, only to watch them lose in a soul-crushing defeat?

How many times in life have you hoped for something, or put your faith in someone, only to have it completely backfire?

The same happened with Steve McNair.

We saw the tough-nosed quarterback. We wanted to believe he was as good off the field as he was on it.

So why do we continue to put our faith in athletes?

It’s as Batman says. “Sometimes, people deserve to have their faith rewarded.”
We put our faith in most, if not all, athletes. Sometimes, we do find ourselves disappointed. But ever so often, we find a diamond in a pile of rocks, someone to depend on.

Someone to cheer for.

Someone that deserves it.

So while we see another athlete leave us stunned and with a heart full of questions, there’s always going to be more athletes that we put our faith in.

Sometimes, we’ll be shaken by their actions, words, and appearance.

But through giving them the benefit of the doubt, putting them on pedestals, and watching their every move, we are provided with role models to look up to.

As The Dark Knight explained, Gotham needs its hero, its White Knight.

We do, too.

Brian Cushing Looks to Shine in Houston

Brandon Boyd — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:14:11 -0400

The No. 56 has a lot of history in the NFL for linebackers.

The number has been held by current bone-crushers like Shawne Merriman and legends such as the original LT, Lawrence Taylor.

Where does the newest No. 56, Brian Cushing, fall into the mix?

For now, no one knows. But if it were up to Texan fans, he would hover towards LT-like statistics.

Texans fans have high expectations for Cushing, who was drafted in the first round with the 15th selection. Cushing certainly has the talent to become a great linebacker. He comes out of USC with a long list of credentials and the praise of many of his peers and coaches at in Los Angeles.

"[Cushing is a] tough guy, and he wants to prove it to you every time. Heart. The definition of hard work, and he's going to carry that flag," said Ken Norton Jr., former Cowboys and 49ers linebacker and current USC linebackers coach.

"He's a captain, rah-rah guy. He'll be an extremely good pro because he's going to be your tough guy, he'll play hard, he's a complete player, you're not going to outwork him and you're not going to out-tough him," said Norton Jr.

Cushing is as tough as a raw steak, and tougher on the opposition. In his senior season, he had 66 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and left Penn State's offense in shock at the Rose Bowl.

"Cush," as people call him, is talented.

He has talent around him as well. Xavier Adibi, a former Virginia Tech standout, will likely be the other outside linebacker in the future for Houston.

The man in the middle? DeMeco Ryans, the 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a 2007 Pro-Bowler.

"DeMeco has been a big influence on me. He's already been a big help," said Cushing.

Cushing realizes that there will be good times and bad times in his rookie season, hopefully with more of the former.

Texan fans, be ready. Cushing is ready to play his heart out and help the Texans linebacker unit rival the one he played in at USC.

As for joining the list of legendary linebackers to wear No. 56?

Only time will tell.

Ricky Rubio Just Doesn't Fit in Minnesota

Brandon Boyd — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:08:03 -0400

Ricky Rubio has made a name for himself in the past few weeks.

Not only through his play, which has been compared to stars like Pete Maravich and Jason Kidd, but also through his off-court problems.

One more was added after the NBA Draft.

Rubio claimed he would play in the NBA for free if he had to. Who knows if he meant it?

It doesn't matter.

Rubio just claimed he wanted to be in the NBA.

Here's his test.

Let's pretend for a moment that each NBA team represents a supermodel courting Rubio for a date.

Behind Door One, New York. New York is Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady's wife. Attractive, marketable, and well-known.

Behind Door Two, Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City is Brooklyn Decker, Andy Roddick's wife, an upcoming model with lots of potential and a future brighter than the sun.

Behind Door Three, Minnesota. Minnesota, it turns out, is not a supermodel at all. Behind Door Three is an average looking girl, who isn't as appealing as the other two.

The problem? There's a twist to this game. Rubio doesn't pick a door, a door picks Rubio.

And Rubio gets stuck with Door Three.

To make matters worse, right after the Door chooses Rubio, Door Three chooses another guy that she wants as well, Jonny Flynn, putting Rubio and Flynn in the same position with no chance of getting out.

Does that sound fair?

Getting out of the supermodel comparison, Minnesota (or at least GM David Kahn) believes that Rubio and Flynn can work in a back court.

Yeah, right.

One is short and can shoot (Flynn); the other is tall, as skinny as skim milk, and a magnificent passer that can't shoot well (Rubio). Which one will guard Kobe when the Lakers come to town? Which one will be given the task of shutting down Vince Carter?

Will the lesser shooter play SG because of his height? Would the smaller player play SG because of his shooting ability? It's a lose-lose situation for Minnesota.

It's exactly why Rubio deserves to complain about being in Minnesota. How can he thrive next to a player that plays his position?

It's like a child looking for a snack, but instead of grabbing cookies and milk, he grabs cookies and cookies. Cookies and cookies might seem nice, but too many cookies upsets the stomach.

Or, in this case, the team.

Rubio isn't even sure if he wants to come to the NBA anymore. Who can blame him? He's being set up to fail.

GM David Kahn needs to realize that this just won't work, before this turns into a Yi Jianlian situation.

Yi, as you will remember, was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Draft in 2007. He was another hyped player, only out of China, and wanted to go to a good market, much like Rubio.

He eventually got his way, and was sent to New Jersey in a deal for Richard Jefferson.

Minnesota can get a player of Jefferson's caliber, but they need to do so before they lose their leverage.

As for Rubio, we'll find out if he decides to come to the NBA or stick it out again in Europe.

I wouldn't blame him in the least bit for skipping out in Minnesota.

Why would one of the most highly hyped prospects go to one of the lowest media markets in the NBA?

Why would one of the most talented PGs go to play with another talented PG in the same back court?

It's a no-brainer to me.

Ricky Rubio does not belong in Minnesota.

"Super" Mario Wililams Proves Doubters Wrong

Brandon Boyd — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:39:47 -0400

Let me tell you something about Mario Williams.

The man has faced as much scrutiny as the President.

After becoming the first selection in the 2006 NFL Draft over hyped college stars Reggie Bush and Vince Young, Williams has been watched by just about everyone doubting the decision.

Slowly but surely, however, people are starting to see that Williams is becoming one of the best DEs in the game.

But it wasn't always like that.

The day after the draft, Gene Wojciechowski of ESPN.com said "Houston could have chosen USC tailback Reggie Bush, but instead got sloppy drunk on 'measureables' and potential rather than actual production. Hel-lo, did you see how many contrails and broken ankles Bush left behind this season?"

He wasn't the only one.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports graded Mario Williams as the worst pick for the Texans, saying that they "...should have drafted Reggie Bush."

The majority of sportswriters, players, and fans agreed, myself included.

Well, I've had my fair share of crow, and I'm making sure that everybody has a hearty helping of it as well.

Some people are refusing to eat it.

Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle claims that he "...was on the Mario Williams bandwagon from the start."

Really?

He described the Texans decision to pass on Bush as smacking of stupidity and looking dumb.

Yeah, on the bandwagon the whole time.

Mario Williams is a good player.

Great, even.

Better than Reggie Bush and Vince Young.

Fun Fact: Mario Williams scored a touchdown before Reggie Bush did in 2007.

Does that prove Mario is better?

No.

But it's bragging rights for all Houston Texans fans.

Williams has had 30.5 sacks in his three season career and looks to be destined for many, many more. Meanwhile, Bush has faced injury problems and has been overshadowed by Pierre Thomas, while Vince Young has taken a backseat to Kerry Collins.

Still worthy candidates for the first overall selection?

So, as Mario provides pain to Quarterbacks around the league, he should remember the pain that sportswriters caused him in the beginning of the career.

On second thought, scratch that.

Be forgiving, Super Mario.

They're like Bowser, and we all know Mario beats Bowser in the end and saves Princess Peach in the process.

Texans fans, including myself, are Princess Peach.

Save us from mediocrity and bring us to the playoffs.

Please?

Football Fan Feels Heartbreak Of Fútbol Fans

Brandon Boyd — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:58:46 -0400

I have a confession.

Today, I watched soccer.

I'm not proud of it, in fact, I haven't told any of my friends yet. I was bored.

Really bored.

I had seen on ESPN.com that the US was to be playing Brazil for the Confederations Cup. I figured that I would just tune in for a quick second.

I ended up watching the whole thing.

I have watched soccer about as much as a fully rule-abiding Christian has tuned into the Playboy channel. Maybe they took a quick glance, but they knew something just didn't feel right, and they turned the channel.

That was me and soccer. It still is. In fact, today I chose my favorite USA Soccer player, Landon Donovan.

Why?

His first name rhymes with my first name.

True soccer fan right there, huh?

I tuned in at about the 5th minute of the game, and took a bathroom break at about the 8th minute. Of course, while I'm in there, the US scored.

Now, with my limited knowledge of soccer, I know that goals come as often as Halley's Comet, so I figured I would be watching a bunch of passing with little to no excitement.

I was right, until the 26th minute.

My newly minted favorite player, Landon Donovan, put in a goal that gave the US a two goal lead. I was a little excited, I guess, but nothing overwhelming.

Half-time arrived, and the US was leading.

Awesome.

Then, the first minute into the second half, Brazil scored a goal.

Believe it or not, it actually sparked some emotion in me. After all, while I am not a soccer fan in the least bit, I do want to see my country win in everything and anything, whether it's soccer, chess, or knitting.

More time goes by, it feels like half a century or so, and Brazil scored again. It's tied, and I'm starting to feel the game slip out of grasp for the US.

Then, in the 84th minute, Brazil scored again. 3-2 them, with little hope of an American victory.

When the game was over, and I saw the Brazilian team celebrating their victory, I actually felt a bit sad. I was surprised that I felt this way, but I actually wanted to see the US win the soccer game.

Before today, I wouldn't have given any thought as to whether or not the US won a soccer game.

I wouldn't have cared.

But now, after seeing the Americans come so close, I want to see them beat Brazil and win something. I don't know what comes next, but I want them to win it.

Will I watch it? Probably not, I'll stick to football over fútbol. But in my heart of hearts, somewhere in my core, I will be rooting for US Soccer to take home the victory.

United we stand, together we fall.

Even in soccer.

Searching for Shaq's New Nickname

Brandon Boyd — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:47:16 -0400

The Diesel. Shaq Fu. The Big Aristotle. Superman. The Big Cactus. The Big Shaqtus. Wilt Chamberneezy. Shaqovic. What hasn't Shaquille O'Neal been called? It seems like wherever Shaq goes, a new nickname follows. Sometimes it's self-coined, other times, we the fans come up with something that sticks. Here are some ideas that I have seen around that would be great suggestions.

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The Newest NBA Trend: Penny Pinching

Brandon Boyd — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:58:05 -0400

Wait, what?

This was my reaction after hearing that Richard Jefferson had been traded to the Spurs. The players he was traded for? Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, and Fabricio Oberto.

Huh?

At first, it appeared the Spurs had swindled the Bucks out of a solid player, making them a rejuvenated force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

But when the deal is looked at more closely, it is obvious why the Bucks made this trade.

It’s all about the Benjamins.

The contracts of Bowen and Oberto are non-guaranteed, which means the Bucks can get rid of them without a cap hit, if needed. Thomas’ contract is in the last year, as would be the other two contracts if they are renewed.

In the 2010-2011 season, the Bucks will have cleared $15 million from their books. The Bucks will save over $6 million by releasing Bowen and Oberto, giving them the opportunity to re-sign either Ramon Sessions or Charlie Villanueva (or possibly both) without going over the luxury tax limit.

Unfortunately, this trend is nothing new in the NBA. Remember the Tyson Chandler for Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox confusion? The NBA might as well stand for “Nearly Broke Association.”

Of course, the owners aren’t actually close to being broke. However, they are feeling the pinch in their pockets like everyone else, especially as the economy continues to struggle. Because of this, many trades will continue to seem lopsided, starting with draft day.

In fact, many rumors of a cap dump by teams involving draft picks have been circulating around the Internet for days.

An example? Mike James, Etan Thomas, and the #5 draft pick for Larry Hughes.

Who in their right mind would make that deal? A GM desperate to free cap room, that’s who.

That means buyers, such as the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Thunder, can take advantage of teams that are trying to dump salary.

As for the current buyer and seller tandem, the Bucks and Spurs, the deal involves risks for both teams, but mostly makes sense.

The Spurs acquire a talented player to team with their big three of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. However, they no longer have cap room in 2010 to go after the big-name free agents that will be available.

For the Bucks, they dump a massive amount of money. That’s good. However, the team clearly lacks talent, which in turn could cause a decrease in fan base. That’s not going to help the money woes in Milwaukee, or the woes of the fans who have stayed with the Bucks through the hard times.

The Bucks haven't made the playoffs since 2005, nor made it past the first round since 2000. They just don't seem to be going anywhere, which can’t be said for the players around the league.

There may be some big new faces in new places next season.

Griffin Faces Pressures Of Becoming First Overall Selection

Brandon Boyd — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:31:19 -0400

Blake Griffin is a freak.

In a good way, of course.

He has the perfect combination of strength, athleticism, and work ethic. To add to that, he will likely be the No. 1 selection in the NBA Draft, barring an odd Clippers selection (and we know that never happens, right?).

“In my mind, whether I go No. 1 or I go No. 60, I’m still the same player. It doesn’t matter. Going No. 1 doesn’t make me a better player. It’s all about what I do with it, how I handle it. How I handle my business," said Griffin.

Griffin’s business is basketball, and he’s pretty good at handling it.

As a Freshman, he was named to the Big 12 first team, and the All-Rookie first team, all while averaging just a hair under 15 points per game.

This year, his sophomore year, he did even more. He had 30 double-doubles this season, just one short of the NCAA record set by David Robinson. His list of awards won in 2009 reads like a guest list at a night club: John Wooden Award, Adolph Rupp Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, AP Big 12 Player of the Year, Coaches’ Big 12 Player of the Year, Unanimous AP All-American, Sports Illustrated Player of the Year.

Need I go on?

The point is that Griffin is good. Really good. No. 1 Pick good.

As for being the No. 1 pick?

“There have been guys before me that have handled it just fine. Those are the guys I want to emulate, the guys I want to learn from," Griffin said.

If he does end up being the Clippers No. 1 draft pick, he just might want to find No. 1 picks that weren’t drafted by the Clippers. I don’t think Michael Olowokandi will be able to contribute much towards helping Griffin to become a great big man in this league.

For the Clippers sake, let’s hope that Griffin bucks the curse of their first overall selections.

He’s certainly got the talent to do it.

NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0

Brandon Boyd — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:47:01 -0400

The Draft is quickly approaching. In fact, it's under a week away as of right now. I'll have two mock drafts. One now, and one the day before the draft, after I have read countless rumors and predictions. If you need an explanation for a pick, just ask. I'd be glad to back up my selection. Let's get this one started. With the 1st Pick in the 2009 NBA Draft....

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"Psycho T" Faces Crazy Criticism As Draft Approaches

Brandon Boyd — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:08:53 -0400

"He’s overrated. He’s too short. He’s white. He’ll never be a good professional."

Tyler Hansbrough has heard it all.

“Psycho T,” as he’s affectionately nicknamed, knows who he is, and doesn’t care about what critics say.

“I'm more athletic than a lot of people think I am. A lot of people see me as just a hard worker, but I do a little more than work hard,” said Hansbrough.

A little more? C’mon now, Tyler. Don’t be so modest.

He won a National Championship. He set the North Carolina scoring record. He set the ACC scoring record.

Yet people are still asking questions. Is he tall enough? Does he have a decent jump shot? Can he be anything more than an energy player?

Bobcats coach Larry Brown said, “Our league has a tendency to talk about what guys can’t do. That’s silly, particularly with a kid like him.”

Brown knows what he’s talking about. There’s a lot that Hansbrough can do out there. He can rebound, he can score, he can get to the line. What more could a coach ask for?

To put it simply, he gives 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.

He can also benefit 100 percent of NBA teams.

Tomorrow there will be another preview of an NBA prospect.

My Top Ten Heisman Candidates

Brandon Boyd — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:11:57 -0400

The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious trophies in all of sports. It boasts winners such as Doak Walker, Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen, and Carson Palmer. Some of its winners also faded out quickly, with players such as Gino Torretta, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch, and Jason White taking home the award. Who will win the trophy this year? Here's 10 players that have a great shot.

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Wake Forest PG Teague Rising Up Draft Boards

Brandon Boyd — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:35:49 -0400

The man has credentials. He was a 2009 NCAA Second Team All-American, averaging over 18 points per game for Wake Forest. He scored 34 in a victory over eventual champions, North Carolina.

His name is Jeff Teague, and your favorite team just might be looking at him.

It is a guard-heavy draft. That much can be admitted. With Ricky Rubio, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, and Jonny Flynn all vying for selections in the top 10, Teague might just be forgotten about.

He's got the talent to be with that group of young men, however.

He reminds me of Ben Gordon and perhaps Monta Ellis. Jason Terry? Baron Davis? Teague could turn out to be like any of these guys. He is a shooting guard in a point guard's body. But that could turn out just fine—it has for the other aforementioned players.

Still not convinced? Let's hear some numbers. His wingspan is over 6'7" and he shot 44 percent from the three-point line. He also averaged about two steals per game.

NBA teams are looking at him like he's a supermodel.

Teams rumored to be interested in Teague include the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, and Dallas Mavericks. If it wasn't for his lower production towards the end of the season, Teague might just be ranked ahead of Curry, Flynn, and several other guards in the draft.

That's alright. Teague's been overlooked ever since he got to Wake Forest, and it's happening again. He'll just have to prove everyone wrong.

Again.

Look for a preview of another NBA prospect tomorrow!

The Top 10 Tweets from Athletes in the Past Week

Brandon Boyd — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:28:17 -0400

When discussing athletes who use Twitter, who better to have a picture of than the "Big Twitter" himself, Shaquille O'Neal. Athletes use Twitter in many ways, whether they communicate with fans, congratulate fellow athletes, or leave random messages. Without further ado, let's get to those Tweets! Let's make this a weekly thing, shall we?

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My Ten Candidates for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Brandon Boyd — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:53:19 -0400

Yesterday, I went over my top 10 candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Today, we go to the other side of the ball. Linebackers seem to win the award often, so a lot of the list is composed of them - I have 6 in my preview. However, I also have 3 Secondary players and 1 Defensive End. Who will join Knowshon Moreno as my choice as Rookie of the Year? Let's find out.

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Clippers Announce Intent To Draft Tim Tebow (Satire)

Brandon Boyd — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:08:20 -0400

In a shocking development, the Los Angeles Clippers announced today that they will be selecting Tim Tebow with their selection in the NBA Draft.

"Let's face it; we just cannot be trusted with this pick," said GM Mike Dunleavy. "The last time this organization had the top pick, we selected Michael Olowokandi. Our draft history has been dreadful, and we want to just draft a high character person."

Tebow is known as a high character person, as he has done missionary work in the Philippines, and has helped home schooled students play for their local high school teams.

"We haven't drafted a quality basketball player with this pick in quite awhile," said Owner Donald Sterling. "I fully support GM Dunleavy's decision to select Tebow to make him our team motivator."

Tebow motivated his team after a 2008 loss to Ole Miss, after which he told fans that "You will never see any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of the season."

When asked if that speech played into Dunleavy's decision, Dunleavy had no comment.

"We wish Blake Griffin the best of luck. However, we simply do not want to ruin that young man's career by bringing him here. We're happy with Tebow on this team, and that's our selection," said Sterling.

The Memphis Grizzles are now unofficially on the clock.

Houston, We Have a Team!

Brandon Boyd — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:38:40 -0400

Coach Gary Kubiak described his plans for next season by saying that "It's time for us to take the next step, and those (young) guys are the ones that have to do it."

He's right, the young guys need to step up.

The Texans haven't always had success with young players. Their first ever draft selection, David Carr, turned out to be a junker. They traded for a new QB, Matt Schaub, before the 2007 season. Although he has been solid in his games played, he has missed ten games in the past two years.

The Texans saw their third round selection, Steve Slaton, become a great RB for them. He was sixth in rushing yardage last year, and looks to improve on his rookie season.

However, the Texans offense was ranked third in the league last season; the team doesn't seem to be too worried about that. The defense, however, is completely different.

We know they have Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. Those two pieces are great for the Texans. However, to complete the puzzle they need at least nine other pieces. They need younger guys, such as Amobi Okoye and rookie Brian Cushing, to step up.

Can the Texans make the playoffs? It is an interesting question, as they have the talent, yet have come up short time and time again, finishing at 8-8 the past two seasons.

However, I think they finally are going to turn the corner. Under the direction of Gary Kubiak, who has racked in experience in the past few years, they should be just fine. They have arguably the best WR in the NFL in Andre Johnson, a Pro-Bowl caliber DE in Mario Williams, and loads of other young talented players, including (but not limited to) Owen Daniels, Dunta Robinson, and Duane Brown.

This is a team on the rise, and to be honest, anything but a playoff run this season would be a dissapointment for the franchise. The Texans have been the faces of mediocrity in the past few seasons, and they need to change their look to that of a champion.

Can we see the Battle Red and Steel Blue holding the shiny silver Super Bowl Trophy? Why not? They've certainly got the potential to do it.

Now, they just need the production.

My 10 Candidates for NFL Rooke of the Year

Brandon Boyd — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:30:35 -0400

Having just finished hearing about Brett Favre for the 500th time, I want to mark this memorable occasion by discussing the new players of the NFL, drafted in last April's Draft. Each year, viewers of the NFL see rookies step up to great lengths and succeed in the NFL. Who could win the Rookie of the Year trophy this season? Here's 10 possible players.

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Ochocinco or Ochostinko: Who Will Show Up This Season?

Brandon Boyd — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:19:05 -0400

As a recent guest on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access," Chad Ochocinco promised that he would catch twenty touchdowns this upcoming season. Twenty! The list of receivers in history that have caught twenty touchdowns in a season are Randy Moss and Jerry Rice: that's it. Only two players out of thousands have caught over twenty touchdowns. What is Ochocinco thinking?

Ochocinco has 53 touchdowns in his whole career. His highest single-season total is ten. He plans to double his single-season record this season, and I have to say, it seems like a long shot. It's not the only topic Ochocinco has made news with this offseason, as recently he described his relationship with teammate Carson Palmer as being "...like Brokeback Mountain." Also, he recently punked the media with a trio of fake facial tattoos, which turned out to be only temporary. With so much drama occurring in the offseason, how is Chad to focus on football?

Maybe Chad needs to take the advise of newly crowned champion, Kobe Bryant, who told him to "...go back in there and show them what you can do. Do what you can control." The last time Ochocinco went out on the field, in the 2008 season, he had a lackluster season, racking up a total of 540 receiving yards with only four touchdowns, his worst statistical performance since his rookie season. The 2008 season was scarred by reports that Ochocinco wanted out of Cincinnati, which were confirmed by Ochocinco himself.

Ochocinco starts the 2009 season with a fresh start. While former teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh has moved on to Seattle, Laveranues Coles has joined the Bengals organization. Safety Roy Williams has also joined the team, and they look forward to turning around last season's dreadful four win season.

As for Ochocinco's guarantee, I will believe it when I see it. To loosely quote another loose-lipped receiver, I'll get my popcorn ready. In fact, I'll keep eating it until Ochocinco gets to his goal. Can somebody get Orville Redenbacher on the line?