Heisman Race 2009

The race for the Heisman Trophy in 2009 just got alittle more interesting. With the underclassman deadline for declaring for the 2009 NFL Draft passing yesterday, all three finalists decided to stay return for another season. Will all three have good enough seasons to return as finalists? Will Tim Tebow or Sam Bradford win their 2nd Heisman Trophy, or will Colt McCoy will his 1st?

My initial reaction is that it would be Colt McCoy, since the Heisman only has one person in history who has won it twice (Archie Griffin). But since all three will have overwhelming expectations that will be hard to live up to, the best answer may be, if I can borrow a line from Brewster's Millions, "None of the Above".

My darkhorse candidate would be Jahvid Best from Cal. He ended last season with 194 carries, 1580 yards (8.1 ypc), and 15 TDs. Cal just needs to finish in the Top 10-15 to legitimize his candidacy. Who's your favorite?

DC is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at dcthesportsguy@gmail.com

Barry Bonds in the Clear?

Yesterday's Y! Sports report that the Clear actually was legal and was not considered a steroid when Barry Bonds was "allegedly" taking it (or was it "knowingly") had me thinking. Are you telling me that the face of the "Steroids Era" in baseball, really didn't take steroids? Technically, he didn't, since the government didn't consider it a steroid until January 2005, well after the BALCO operation was shut down. The article actually goes on to say that experts haven't even confirmed if the Clear actually enhances muscle growth (which is what anabolic steroid does), and is only "technically" classified as a steroid.

So Bonds reputation takes a major hit, along with many other MLB players, and the substance they are accused of taking hasn't been "proven" if it really helps. How ironic! Bonds will never get his good name back... uh.. strike that. Bonds will never have the "steroid stain" removed from his name. (Get that man some Shout!) The "good news" for Bonds is that it will make it easier to beat the perjury case against him that starts on March 2. Kinda hard to prove someone is lying about taking an illegal steroid when the drug in question wasn't illegal or a steroid in the first place.

The next question is will any team take a shot at signing him this coming year.



DC is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at dcthesportsguy@gmail.com

LeBron James a Cleveland Brown?

By now, you've all seen the State Farm commercial that was released on 1/18 with LeBron James having a press conference announcing that he's signing with the Cleveland Browns. It's kinda funny because the day before at the gym, I actually talked to a few friends about that very topic. What made me think about it was watching the NFL playoffs and highlights of Larry Fitzgerald. You throw the ball up there, and no matter what, he's coming down with it. LeBron was an All-State WR in high school in Ohio. Imagine him lining up at WR at 6'8" and 250 lbs. Similar to the NBA, there's no one in the league that could check him. The original 6 Pro Bowl CBs in this years game are "listed" at 6'2", 5'10", 5'11", 5'9", 6'1", and 5'10". The tallest of the bunch is Nnamdi Asomugha, (who BTW, is the best CB in the league but most people don't know him) and LeBron has 6 INCHES on him. We haven't even discussed the difference in vertical leap. It would be a QB's dream........ just throw it in his vicinity, and he'll get it. Double or triple covered? No problem, just throw it about 13 feet high, he'll get it. He would be a red zone nightmare! Covered one-on-one? Easy TD. Double covered? TD to LeBron, or one less defender in the box for running play or pass to opposite side. If you're a defensive coordinator, what do you do?

I personally think he would be just as much trouble on the defensive side as a pass rush specialist. As my friend CO and I said on Saturday, think Mario Williams' size with Julius Peppers' speed. Yikes! Single season sack record? It would no longer be Michael Strahans' (with an assist from Brett Favre).

I know going to the Browns is a fantasy, but most people think if he changes teams, it would be to the New York Knicks, when he becomes a free agent. In Mike D'Antoni's system, he could easily average a triple-double over the season. How would these fantasy basketball numbers look? I'd say about 35 points, 12 boards, 11 assists a game. I personally don't see that happening either, especially with Cleveland having the 2nd best record in the NBA right now. King James is looking for the NBA title this year. Browns and Knicks fans can dream, but Cavs fans only need to say one word. WITNESS!!

DC is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at dcthesportsguy@gmail.com

Games 2 Watch (G2W) from 1/23/09 to 1/26/09

The G2W section will highlight some of the most interesting match-ups over the next few days. Here are the must watch events from 1/23/09 to 1/26/09:

Friday 1/23/09

NBA - Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons - 7 pm EST/6 pm CST on ESPN

These teams have near identical records, but the Mavs (24-18) are 4th in the Southwest Division and 9th in the Western Conference, while the Pistons (24-17) are 2nd in the Central Division and 5th in the East. That shows the talent discrepancy between the conferences.

Saturday 1/24/09

Unless your a true NFL Draft fan, spend this time with your family and friends. Nothing of note to get excited about, except for....

NCAAF - Under Armour Senior Bowl - 7 pm EST / 6 pm CST on NFL Network

Sunday 1/25/09

NBA - San Antonio Spurs at LA Lakers - 3:30 pm EST/2:30 CST on ABC

The marqee teams of the West for this past decade square off at the Staples Center.

Monday 1/26/09

24 - Kiefer Sutherland - 9 pm EST / 8 pm CST on Fox

I know this isn't sports, but you haven't seen 24, I'll make a challenge you. Go to the video store, get any season and watch. You'll be instantly hooked on Jack Bauer.

Games 2 Watch (G2W) 1/27/09 to 1/29/09:

The G2W section will highlight some of the most interesting match-ups over the next few days. Here are the must watch events from 1/23/09 to 1/26/09:

Tuesday 1/27/09

NBA - San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz - 9 pm EST / 8 pm CST on Fox Sports Southwest

In the super competitive Western Conference, the Spurs look to hand Utah it's 4th straight defeat, while Deron Williams tries to end a Carlos Boozer-less Jazz losing streak.

Wednesday 1/28/09

NCAAB - Duke Blue Devils at Wake Forest Demon Deacons - 7 pm EST / 6 pm CST on ESPN (*Game of the Mid-week)

This will be the first of many marquee ACC match-ups. #1 ranked Duke visiting last week's #1 team and currently 4th ranked Wake Forest.

Thursday 1/29/09

NBA - Cleveland Cavs at Orlando Magic - 8 pm EST / 7 pm EST on TNT

NBA - San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns - 10:30 pm EST / 9:30 pm CST

I'll give you the TNT double header for this star-studded affair. LeBron vs. Dwight Howard. Duncan vs Shaq. Need I say more?

We'll also end with the game results from the last G2W.
Friday 1/23/09 - NBA - Dallas 112 Detroit 91

Saturday 1/24/09 - NCAAF - Under Armour Senior Bowl - Don't know. Spent the time with my family. Did anybody watch it?

Sunday 1/25/09 - NBA - LA Lakers 99 San Antonio 85

Monday 1/26/09 - 24 - Jack is Jack, so you know the deal!

Inauguration 2009

I know we didn't touch on it too much last week, but a friend of mine sent me these pics of the Inauguration of Barack Obama from the Boston Globe. It's amazing to see the impact of his election across the country and the world!

DC is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at dcthesportsguy@gmail.com

Games 2 Watch (G2W) 1/30/09 to 2/2/09:

The G2W section will highlight some of the most interesting match-ups over the next few days. Here are the must watch events from 1/30/09 to 2/2/09:

Friday 1/30/09 - NBA - Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons - 7 pm EST / 6 pm CST on ESPN

The Celtics will try to win their 10th game in a row.

Saturday 1/31/09 - Tennis - Australian Open Women's Final (Serena Williams vs. Dinara Safina) - 2:30 am EST / 1:30 am CST on ESPN2 (Replay at 8 am EST / 7 am CST)

The winner of this match will replace Serbia's Jelena Jankovic for the #1 ranking in the world.

Sunday 2/1/09 - NFL - Super Bowl XLIII - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals - 6:28 pm EST / 5:28 pm CST on NBC (*Game of the Weekend)

If you're not watching this game, then something is seriously wrong with you!

Monday 2/2/09 - NCAAWB - Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Oklahoma Sooners - 6:30 pm EST / 5:30 pm CST on ESPN2

Pat Summitt will have her hands full as she tries to get her 1000th coaching victory with a tough road test at #2 Oklahoma. Courtney Paris isn't likely to let that happen on her home court.

We'll also end with the game results from the last G2W.

Tuesday 1/27/09 - NBA - Spurs 106 Jazz 100

Wednesday 1/28/09 - NCAAB - Wake Forest 70 Duke 68 (*Game of Mid-week)

Thursday 1/29/09 - NBA - Magic 99 Cavs 88, Spurs 114 Suns 104

DC is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted atdcthesportsguy@gmail.com