Bleacher Report - Articles by Trevor Bentley

Trevor's Corner: Is Pro Wrestling Losing Its Edge?

Trevor Bentley — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:59:19 -0400

The sport of professional wrestling is close to losing its edge. Long have passed the days of Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III, since Stone Cold stunned Vince McMahon.

Since then, wrestling has degraded down from a sport to acting. Yes, wrestling is acting—but it can still be a sport. The WWE and TNA get millions of viewers to watch them perform five out of the seven days in the week. We don't come to watch acting, we come to watch wrestlers entertain us.

I want your opinions—for wrestling fans only!

Hollywood's Unhappy Ending: Lakers Blow 21 Point Lead

Trevor Bentley — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:18:29 -0400

In their comeback season, the Celtics saved the biggest one of all for the NBA finals.

Boston rallied from a 24-point deficit and beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-91 on Thursday night to take a commanding 3-1 lead in this history-rich series and move within one victory of a 17th championship that seemed impossible a year ago.

A rivalry between the league's two most storied franchises—with some of the game's biggest names and biggest moments—now has its biggest rally.

No team had ever overcome more than a 15-point deficit in the first quarter, and although the league doesn't have a record for the largest rally in a finals game, the Celtics staged one that will forever be remembered in the annals of Celtics-Lakers lore.

Giants are the NFL's Last Hope

Trevor Bentley — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:17:45 -0500

After two weeks of wait, the day is here.

The day all football nerds who have waited 17 weeks plus the playoffs for.

The Giants spoiled America's dream Super Bowl, knocking out Green Bay and setting up one of the most important rematches of all-time.

Well after back-to-back upsets over America's Team and the cheeseheads in Dallas and frigid Green Bay, the team should make an odd decision.

I have come to the conclusion the Giants should have 16 road games and forget the Meadowlands. With 10-straight road wins, the Giants have catapulted themselves into the biggest games of their lives since their embarrassment in 2001 against the Ravens.

The Giants can make history in a positive or a negative way. It depends which team from New York flies down to the desert.

The Giants have two colossal outcomes today.

Either end the reign of the Pats and redeem themselves after almost ending their run three weeks ago, or bow to the juggernaut, who would go 19-0.

All I can say is that history will be made. The fate of the NFL as we know it lies in your hands New York.

Help us Giants: You're our only hope.

42 Years in the Making: The Super Bowl Highlight Reel, Part 3

Trevor Bentley — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:33:53 -0500

Now to conclude the three-part series...

3. One For Dungy

Tony Dungy, beaming and sporting an NFL champions cap, waded through the mob on the soggy field until he found his quarterback, Peyton Manning, and there they stood in the rain, the winning Super Bowl coach and the MVP, finally savoring a moment that was a long time coming.

Dungy became the first black coach to win the championship, beating good friend and protege Lovie Smith in a game that featured the first two black coaches in the Super Bowl. The Game also had the first opening kick return for a touchdown after a 92 Yard dash by Devin Hester

2. One More Yard

Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line as time expired, preserving the Rams' first-ever Super Bowl title.

The Tennessee Titans drove downfield trailing 23-16 with 1:54 left in regulation, and McNair avoided a sack and completed a 16-yard pass to Kevin Dyson to place Tennessee at the Rams' 10 with six seconds remaining. With no timeouts, McNair attempted a quick pass to a slanting Dyson, who caught the ball in stride at the Rams' 3. However, Jones reacted quickly and stepped up to tackle Dyson at the 1-yardline as time expired.

And to conclude this series with a feel good moment...

1.One Last Hurrah

John Elway, in his last game, passed for 336 yards and ran for a touchdown to earn most valuable player honors as the Broncos became the first AFC team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the Steelers won XIII and XIV as the Broncos went on to win 34-19. Elway was 18 of 29 for 336 yards and one touchdown, with an interception. Davis had 25 carries for 102 yards. Smith had five receptions for 152 yards. Later after Elway won the MVP award. One of the greatest quarterbacks alive retired.

42 Years in the Making: The Super Bowl Highlight Reel, Part 2

Trevor Bentley — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 04:11:48 -0500

7. Wide Right

In the 1990-91 season, Buffalo went into Super Bowl XXV hoping to win the big one. Their opponents, the New York Giants, werentt going to let that happen. The Giants, employing its ball-control offense, had possession for 40 minutes and 33 seconds, a Super Bowl record.

The Bills, who scored 95 points in their previous two playoff games leading to Super Bowl XXV, had the ball for less than eight minutes in the second half and just 19:27 for the game. As the game went on with a 20-19 lead for the Giants, the Bills gave their last drive enough time for Scott Norwood to attempt to win the game with seconds remaining, but his 47-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right.

6.Sunny Days

The Buccaneers' defense intercepted five passes, three of which were returned for touchdowns, and recorded five sacks as Tampa Bay scored 34 unanswered points en route to its first Super Bowl victory. The win was a new record not because of the interceptions, but Jon Gruden became the youngest coach ever to win a Super Bowl.

5. 49er Power

The 49ers, who also won Super Bowls XVI and XIX, became the first NFC team to win three Super Bowls. Pittsburgh, with four Super Bowl titles (IX, X, XIII, and XIV), and the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders with three (XI, XV, and XVIII), lead the AFC franchises.

Even though San Francisco held an advantage in total net yards (453 to 229), the 49ers found themselves trailing the Bengals late in the game. With the score 13-13, Cincinnati took a 16-13 lead on Jim Breech's 40-yard field goal with 3:20 remaining. It was Breech's third field goal of the day, following earlier successes from 34 and 43 yards.

The 49ers started their winning drive at their 8-yard line. Over the next 11 plays, San Francisco covered 92 yards with the decisive score coming on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Joe Montana to wide receiver John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining.

At halftime, the score was 3-3, the first time in Super Bowl history the game was tied at intermission.

The 49ers didn't waste any time coming back as they covered 85 yards in four plays, concluding with Montana's 14-yard scoring pass to Jerry Rice 57 seconds into the final stanza.

Rice was named the game's most valuable player after compiling 11 catches for a Super Bowl record 215 yards. Montana completed 23 of 36 passes for a Super Bowl record 357 yards and two touchdowns.

4. The first isn’t the worst

The Green Bay Packers opened the Super Bowl series by defeating the AFL champion Chiefs behind the passing of Bart Starr, the receiving of Max McGee, and a key interception by all-pro safety Willie Wood.

Green Bay broke open the game with three second-half touchdowns, the first of which was set up by Wood's 50-yard return of an interception.

McGee, filling in for ailing Boyd Dowler after having caught only four passes all season, caught seven from Starr for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Elijah Pitts ran for two other scores.

The Chiefs' 10 points came in the second quarter, with the only touchdown coming on a 7-yard pass from Len Dawson to Curtis McClinton. Starr completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, and he was chosen as the most valuable player.

Part 3 To Be Continued with 1-3 Coming

42 Years in the Making: The Super Bowl Highlight Reel, Part 1

Trevor Bentley — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:22:39 -0500

I know everyone is looking ahead, but I want to take a look back at the great moments of the Super Bowl, such as Elway's leap or the 'upset of upsets'.

I will give you my top ten favorite Super Bowl moments...

10. The Beginning of a Dynasty

The Patriots' era begins when a sixth-round draft pick by the name of Tom Brady stepped onto the field. Only a second-year player, Brady played in the biggest game of his life and led the Patriots to the final drive that led the Patriots to their first of many Super Bowl wins.

9. John Elway's First Win

Coming into Super Bowl XXXII, John Elway's track record in the Super Bowl wasn't the greatest. The Broncos were going into their fifth Super Bowl with an 0-4 record. That night was different as Terrell Davis, who won the MVP award later that night, ran for 157 yards and a Super Bowl-record three touchdowns to lead the Broncos to their first NFL championship and break the NFC's streak of Super Bowl victories at thirteen.

8. The Final Bus Stop

Super Bowl XL featured a little trickery from MVP Hines Ward, a lot of help from the Seattle Seahawks and a huge boost from the Terrible Towels. This all added up to a handful of football fortune and, 'one for the thumb.'

The Steelers' 21-10 victory in the Super Bowl was their record-tying fifth, but the first since 1980, and the first ever for Bettis and Cowher. Ford Field could easily have been Heinz Field—or Hines' field. Willie Parker broke a record 75-yard touchdown run. The Steelers earned that elusive ring and completed a magic Bus ride that made Bettis' homecoming—and farewell—a success.

To be continued with Part 2...

NFC Championship Game: One Giant Leap for Eli Manning and Co.

Trevor Bentley — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:50:28 -0500

At 9:14 PM Central Standard Time, Lawrence Tynes took the field after missing two straight field goals that would've launched the Giants into the Super Bowl.

Tynes then kicked the 47 yard field goal with 12:25 left in overtime regulation, winning the game that also ended up sending the Giants on a 2,465 mile road trip to the desert to face the New England Patriots.

Eli Manning showed that he was ready, despite being the target of a prank that ended in him receiving a DVD set of "Seinfeld," courtesy of Jerry Seinfeld. To ensure that he was gonna win this game, Manning also forced his fiancé, Amy, to sit in the in the cold at Lambeau field.

Eli's brother, Cooper, stated that "He heard that she had been invited to the press box a couple of times and the result wasn't so great so he wasn't gonna take a chance."

Not jinxed this time, Manning threw for 254 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

The running game came up big for the Giants with Brandon Jacobs running the ball 21 times for 67 yards with one touchdown. Ahmad Bradshaw added 16 carries for 63 Yards and a touchdown.

The win puts Tom Coughlin at 6-6 in the postseason, and gives the Giants their second win over the Packers in the postseason.

The win also gives New York its tenth straight on the road. This year's Super Bowl will be a rematch from Week 17, as the Giants will have their second shot at spoiling New England's run for perfection.

Last time the game went down to the wire, but the Pats pulled off the victory.

In two weeks we will find out who will take the giant step into history, and hopefully it will be the New York Giants.

A Bolt for Glory

Trevor Bentley — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:44:15 -0500

On Sunday, the San Diego Chargers want to forget Week 2 of the NFL season. They want to forget the divisional round of last year's playoffs, that 24-21 loss at home to New England.

This year the Chargers want payback.

And, honestly, they are the NFL's only hope to end New England's Reign of Terror. They want to end the weeks and weeks of thrashings.

Many consider Indianapolis the Patriots' kryptonite. After last week's loss to San Diego at the RCA Dome, Indy's season is over.

And it was all thanks to...Michael Turner and Billy Volek?!

With Phillip Rivers a game-day decision, I would expect Norv Turner to give Rivers his spot.

But after last week's performance by Volek, I was very impressed by the way he handled himself in a big situation.

Also, the defense stepped up and stalled two Peyton Manning red zone drives that could have very well shut the door on the Bolts' season.

My keys to a San Diego win and an end to Darth Belicheck's reign are:

1. Keep L.T. healthy: Sub in Turner and Darren Sproles every other play.

2. Keep Tom Brady and Randy Moss off the field.

3. Defense needs to make big plays at the critical times.

4. Special teams: Antonio Cromartie and Sproles need to get great position for the offense.

5. Whoever starts, whether it be Volek or Rivers: You need to be active in and out of the pocket. With guys like Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison, Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi, you need to be mobile.

6. O-line: Open those holes and run it right down their throats.

7. Chambers and Jackson: Catch Hobbs and Samuel off guard.

This game will decide the fate of the NFL as we know it.

Here's a vote for the Bolts.

Ryan Grant: Just Getting Started in Green Bay

Trevor Bentley — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:34:12 -0500

In 2006 the New York Giants told Ryan Grant they had no room for him. I'm guessing they are now wishing they hadn't.

Grant, a Rookie out of Notre Dame from Suffern, New York, started his season with the New York Giants only to be traded for a 6th Round draft pick to Green Bay (who had suffered a major setback with the release of Ahman Green).

The Packers went after running backs, signing not only Grant but also Rookie Brandon Jackson, who they acquired in the 3rd Round of the 2007 Draft.

Grant got his first start in week nine after he helped lead the Packers to a 19-13 overtime win against the Denver Broncos in week eight. In the divisional round against the Seahawks Grant fumbled the first two times he touched the ball, but then regained control. He ran a Green Bay postseason record 201 yards with 3 touchdowns to help the Packers to a 42-20 on a Snowy Lambeu Field Day

In the other 12 games Grant has attempted to run the ball 188 times, scoring eight touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards a carry, and running for 956 yards only to fall short to Ladanian Tomlison who claimed the NFC rushing title.

Green Bay made a trade that many would not have considered. But as it turns out, it was one of the best decisions they have ever made. Give Grant a good offensive line (not that the Packers have a great line, it could be greater) and give Grant room to grow.

The NFL will have a new LT and his name is Ryan Grant.

"Pack" to The Future: Brett Favre Leads Green Bay

Trevor Bentley — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:54:30 -0500

A year after going 8-8 and after five fruitless season with no Super Bowl ring to show for, including the infamous "4th and 26" incident against the Philadelphia Eagles, no one was going to blame the Green Bay Packers if they wanted to coast this season.

The Packers weren’t expecting a standout season this year but that’s what they got, having now gone 13-3.

Green Bay haven’t gone 13-3 since the ‘97 Season when they made the playoffs—the Packers made the playoffs six of the 10 times in the last ten years.

The only man remaining on that team is No. 4 and Future Hall of Famer Brett Favre.

Favre has had fans wondering if he would stay and go for the last three seasons as he contemplates retirement.

Favre is having a standout year with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He broke Dan Marino’s TD record, the record for most games played ever, and most games won by a starting quarterback.

The way the Packers are rushing with Ryan Grant and receiving with Lee, Franks, and Driver, the Packers are back from relying on the glory days and possibly could be considered as Favre's last run for another Super Bowl ring.

Marek Svatos: an Underrated Contender

Trevor Bentley — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:43:42 -0500

Marek Svatos, a four-year player for the Colorado Avalanche, may not be a familiar name even to the most intuitive of hockey fans.

Having scored 69 goals and 35 assists in 4 years with the Avs, Svatos should have been a top consideration for the NHL All-Star game, but instead was overlooked.

In my opinion, Svatos will be a top contender in a few years, not to mention what a player like Svatos could do for the Avs' fan base in Colorado.

Only Time Will Tell.

And as for the Avs who are on a three game road-winning streak, hopefully they can continue to work their magic for the duration of the season.

Chicago Bears' Devin Hester is Putting the "I" in Team

Trevor Bentley — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:47:07 -0500

"Hester gets the ball at the four and he's off!"

It's a typical NFL Sunday for Devin Hester, a second year player for the Chicago Bears who already has 11 career special team touchdowns. Hester has broken several records this year, even some of his own.

When Bears' coach Lovie Smith wisely put Hester in at reciever, he came up with 20 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns.

Hester came up big against the Arizona Cardinals, when he took a punt return for a touchdown. He helped the Bears beat the Denver Broncos in overtime by assisting with a 75-yard punt return and an 88-yard kick return.

NFL teams beware: Devin Hester is an army of one.

NFL Playoffs: Waiting for the Best 60 Minutes

Trevor Bentley — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:41:31 -0500

Well Another Year Come And Past The Playoffs are up and The Top Dogs in the AFC to win it....New England and Indianapolis Not a Big Surprise Seeing how both teams had a stellar matchup in week 9 and both Teams are Dominating the playoffs with Brady Leading The Pats to a 31-20 Win Over The Jaguars with a 26/28 with 262 Yards Passing and Peyton Manning and the Colts are The odds on favorite beating the Chargers and Right now they are sticking it to them with Peyton almost imitating Brady's performance last night against the jags and He was 12-12 but now he is 18-22 with 203 with a Touchdown and an Interception but in my opinion the Colts will beat the patriots at New England Yes New England Ending the 17-0 Season of the Patriots and honestly the colts also should go on to win the Super Bowl. Well Only Time Will Tell and The Best 60 Minutes of Football Will Be Played Next Sunday at New England.

Denver Broncos: A Season of Tough Breaks

Trevor Bentley — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:03:53 -0500

The Denver Broncos take their lumps and end the season 7-9 with a group that could've gotten 10 wins but injury was what killed the broncos who in my opinion should've had more then a 7-9 season the personnel for the broncos are great the defense needed touched up but honestly the season couldn't have gotten worse but denver should have finished with wins over The Pack who i admit are on the hottest streak next to the Pats....anyways back on subject and Devin Hester running all over the kick return squads. And if the broncos thought it couldn't get any worse Javon Walker wants out Rod Smith might end up retiring but there is a new year so better luck next year Mike Shanahan and The Broncos.