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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Month: December 2011

Braylon Edwards, the 49er?

Posted on by Anto Dowsett
edwards © by selina_amam

The NFL is an ever-changing sport with transactions occurring when you least expect them. Well, that is what has just happened to Braylon Edwards and the San Francisco 49ers.

This offseason, Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers decided to sign Edwards to a 1-year, $3.5 million contract, giving the all-pro WR a fresh start to be great, to be his old-self again. But injuries continued to plague the all-star and he went down with a knee injury during the Sept. 18 game against the Dallas Cowboys. After “recovering” from surgery, Braylon returned to action against his former team, the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, the injury lasted longer than Braylon would have liked, causing him to not be the athlete he once was. To make matters worse, Braylon had this to say on his Twitter account this morning:

“I was released today by the 49ers due to my injury that required more time to rehab and hasn’t allowed me to re-sync with the offense. I wish the 49ers organization the best of luck during the Playoffs. I will be working hard this off season to strengthen my knee and prepare for the 2012 season. Thanks for your continued support and for being such loyal fans.”

His injuries have caused him to have to cut the season short, and Braylon will no longer be a part of the playoff bound San Francisco 49er football team. Hopefully Braylon can ready himself for next year and for his sake, he better hope there is another team out there willing to take a shot on the Michigan alumni in 2012.

… and that is the last word.

LastWordOnSports 2011 MMA Awards

Posted on by Mark Modeski
UFC 103 Franklin vs. Belfort by Kaloozer

While the 2011 MMA year has not officially closed out yet, I think it is safe to say that this has been one of the strangest years in recent history. Many story lines didn’t play out the way they expected, and we were treated to a number of surprises. Here is my take on the winners and losers from 2011:

Fighter of the Year: Jon Jones. Probably the easiest of all these awards to hand out. Jones had a fantastic year, going from young up-and-comer to finishing the year as one of the best in the sport. Victories over Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida with two title defences interlaced in there make JJ the fighter of the year, and the one to watch.

Fight of the Year: Henderson vs. Shogun. This was not only fight of the year, but potentially best fight ever. Both fighters showed such heart and determination during the course of this fight that I don’t really think you can really label either as the loser… although, Shogun was the clear loser.

Surprise Fighter of the Year: Frankie Edgar. I’d never really thought much of Frankie Edgar as a top-level fighter, but I have to admit he did change my mind this year! I thought his first win over BJ was due to a poorly trained BJ, even the second win I wrote off as a lack of determination on BJ’s part. This being said, his comebacks against Maynard in both fights helped the guy earn my respect. Is he top P4P? No… at least not yet.

“Watch-Out This Guy is Coming” Fighter of the Year: Ben Henderson. A lot of people didn’t really know much about “Smooth”/”Bendo” prior to this year – but, I think the former WEC Lightweight champ showed people what the future of this sport is really all about. Not necessarily a finisher, the guy still always puts on an exciting and dominant performance. I predict he has the best chance to take Edgar’s belt in 2012. An honourable mention goes to Cerrone on this – but, I still think he has some time until he’s really there.

Submission of the Year: Nogueira vs. Mir. Watching Frank Mir snap Minotauro’s arm in two was one of those jaw dropping moments that is seared into the memory of any MMA fan who watched it. However, what was more impressive was watching Mir hold onto the kimura versus one of the best BJJ practioners in the sport; I think very few people give Mir the respect that is deserved for the feat that he accomplished.

Knock-Out of the Year: Sliva v. Belfort. If you haven’t had a chance to see this knockout look it up online somewhere and try to watch it in slow motion. I am not sure what was more shocking: watching Belfort crumble to the mat, or the laissez-faire manner in which Silva threw the kick.

Comeback of the Year: Cheick Kongo. Kongo looked to be the future of the HW division a few years back, but a few crushing losses left him on the fringes of the division. After an impressive KO victory over Pat Barry, Kongo definitely put the division on notice that he’s back!

Disappointing Fighter of the Year Fedor Emlianenko.  Very sad to see one of the best fighters in the history of the sport fall so dramatically. In a year that many legends fell, this one struck a chord with me the loudest.

Best Event of the Year: UFC 134 in Brazil. This card was stacked top to bottom, and every fight on the card was awesome to watch.

Last Word on Sports MMA “Man of the Year”: Dana White. The man at the top of the UFC ranks continued to grow the sport and take it to new levels. Dana expanded the sport to a myriad of new markets, acquired Strikeforce and took the sport to mainstream audiences (re: UFC on FOX 1). I don’t know if anyone that is a fan of the sport of MMA could really argue that Dana was not deserving of this title.

… and that is the last word.

 

Habs and Leafs: A Rant to End 2011

Posted on by Carl Mostacci

As a diehard Leaf fan, I love seeing the current state of the Montreal Canadiens.  Losers of five straight, and with the Lightning and Panthers on deck after Christmas, there is no end in site of the streak ending.

However part of me, if you can believe it or not, feels for newly minted Habs Coach Randy Cunneyworth.  He was promoted from the assistant role after Jacques Martin was fired last Saturday.  Cunneyworth has been criticized immediately in Montreal not for his coaching approach, tactics or philosophy, but for the fact he cannot speak French.

As a History major and a big fan of the Canadian variety, no one has to tell me the story of our beautiful country and the strong influence of the beautiful French-Canadian culture on it.  Plus I also know the strong instrumental role the Montreal Canadiens play in the Province of Quebec.   From Morenz, Richard, the 1955 Richard Riots, Beliveau, LaFleur, Gainey, Roy and Koivu, these players have all helped paved the way in developing the passionate following of this hockey team in La Belle Province.  I also know the steps the Quebec Provincial Government has taken to ensure the French language presence in Quebec remains strong.  These measures include making French the official Quebec workplace language, forcing all children living in Quebec to be educated in French and forcing French signage to be predominantly larger than English signage.  I believe that all Canadians, no matter where they live, should have the opportunity to be educated in one of those two languages of their choice, or both.

Getting back to the Montreal Canadiens and their fans, I believe many of them are making too big a deal about Cunneyworth not being able to speak French.  Who cares?  What’s more important?  The language a coach speaks, or the results on the playing surface.  I believe it’s the latter and not the former.  If Cunneyworth is getting results from his players, then Canadiens fans should be happy.  However, he is not.  I’m sure this controversy hasn’t helped Cunneyworth’s transition to head coach go very smoothly, as the Habs have lost all four games he has coached so far.

Also Cunneyworth was promoted as the interim coach.  So why is the Montreal French media making such a big issue about a head coach who will only hold the job until the end of the season?

Canadiens fans have to realize we are no longer in the 1950s.  Most of the players, coaches and other on-ice team personnel speak English.  Most player meetings are conducted in English.  Why this big issue on the language the coach speaks is ridiculous.

The Montreal French media may not be used to having a Canadiens coach that speaks only one language.  It hasn’t happened since Bob Berry in 1984.  But it has occurred in the past.  Not to mention all the coaches of Montreal’s former baseball team the Expos, and current Canadian Football League team, the Alouettes, were born in the United States and don’t speak French.

Who knows if Cunneyworth will make it until the end of the season as head coach?  If the season continues this poorly, he may not.  But groups that are planning to protest his hiring at Montreal’s next home game must not have anything better to do.

I’ll be honest, was I happy when my Leafs hired Ron Wilson and Brian Burke, both of whom are American?  No, I wasn’t because I feel there are strong Canadian executives and coaches out there that can bring the Stanley Cup back to Toronto.  But, I don’t want Wilson and Burke fired because of their background.  They deserve a shot to succeed, like any new person in a job.  In his three seasons as Leaf head coach, Wilson has compiled a record of 100 wins and 107 losses with no playoff appearances.  I give the Habs credit for firing Martin after two disappointing seasons and moving on. Unlike the Leafs, who have hung onto Wilson, as he can’t get the job done here in Toronto.

I do feel high pressure hockey markets like Montreal and Toronto need experienced NHL coaches who have wet their teeth and achieved success elsewhere.  These cities put a lot of pressure on their hockey teams, and a coach with experience is better equipped to handle the tough situations.  This is where I feel Montreal went wrong in hiring Cunneyworth.  I see why they made the logical move in promoting their assistant coach, but he doesn’t have any coaching experience and is almost set-up to fail, as far as I’m concerned.  They couldn’t promote their other assistant coach because he hasn’t even been on the job for 2 months.  He replaced the previous assistant coach who was fired two hours before an October game.

So come summer, if not before then, the whining French Canadian Montreal media will get their French-speaking hockey coach for the Canadiens.  I predict it will be Marc Crawford, who has experience winning a Stanley Cup, and coaching in a hockey hungry city like Vancouver.

But in order for the Habs to even start winning, they have to get some better players first, and the longer it takes for them to do that, that is fine by me.

What do you think?  Who will be the Montreal Canadiens next coach?

…and that is the last word.

Mixing Religion and Sports

Posted on by Carl Mostacci

I love watching and following sports just as much as you.  But as a society, in general, I sometimes feel that we have lost touch with what is important.  With 13 NFL games on Christmas Eve and 1 Christmas Day along with the NBA kicking its season off with three games, it seems like sports are the reason for the season, rather than celebrating this “holi(y)-day”, or visiting with family and friends.

I’m not a fan of that because many people will be distracted from celebrating Christmas with family and friends in favour of watching sports.  This is something, that can be done the other 363 days of the year.  Christmas is one day (and another for Christmas Eve).  Not only that, the players and everyone else involved with the game all miss out on celebrating Christmas with their loved ones, too.

I feel religion is the reason for the season and we can’t lose sight of that.  Watching sports on Christmas can make that more difficult to do.  While I concede that not everyone is religious, and I respect that, there are many more people who do than do not celebrate some form of religious holiday.

What do you think?  Have your say here.

…and that is the Last Word.

The NFL Player Who is Changing the World

Posted on by Grant Alexander
Braylon Edwards -- © by John_K.

Earlier this week 79 students found out that a promise made to them six years ago, was about to be made good. Back in 2005, when these students were in the eighth grade, they were promised that if they could graduate from high school with a 2.5 GPA or higher, and 15 accumulative hours of community service, they would be given a $10,000 scholarship to be put towards their post-secondary school education. How is this possible? Can it be a Christmas miracle? Well, to these kids maybe. But in reality it’s just one man, with a big heart, making good on a promise.

Back in 2005, when Saint Edwards, or Braylon Edwards (as he’s more commonly known) was a rookie for the Cleveland Browns, he promised 100 Cleveland area eighth graders that he would give them each $10,000 for their College education if they met the above criteria. The high schools in that area have only a 50% graduation rate. But amazingly 79% of the kids Braylon inspired, managed to get their high school diploma. So in this case, that’s 29 extra kids that now have a brighter future. I can’t think of a more compelling story at this time of year, and it only gets better.

Mr. Edwards, who hasn’t played for the Browns in two years, is now with the San Francisco 49ers, and only making a base salary of 1 million dollars. Which is still a lot of money, except when you find out that you have to give $790,000 of it away, which is $290,000 more than expected. So what did Braylon do when he found out? He did what any saint would do, he reached deeper into his pocket. Braylon was so ecstatic at the level of commitment these students had towards their education, he used what was left of his salary to buy all 79 students laptops and other supplies to help them work their way through college.

When asked about his generosity, Braylon simply smiled and said, “ I’m supposed to give people a chance like I was given a chance”. Very humble words from a man that has given so many people so much. Braylon’s mother also played a big part in starting the “Advance 100” program. The way she sees it, their family was blessed with Braylon’s football abilities, and felt that it is only right to help out others with their good fortune. Not only did the Edwards family help out those students, and many more students to come with the continued support of their program; they also inspired people around the world with their story of generosity.

Kudos, Mr. Edwards.  Kudos.

…and that is the last word

Back To The Drawing Board……AGAIN!

Posted on by Carl Mostacci

    

      The Toronto Blue Jays have had four primary logo changes in their 35-year history.  The original logo lasted for the team’s first twenty seasons and then was updated by the logo that was dwarfed by the red maple leaf.  Seven years later, in 2004, the Jays removed the word “Blue” from their logo, as well as the maple leaf and the colour red, from their uniforms in favour of a sleeker bird with silver and black.

I’ve always favoured the original logo.  Although I didn’t mind the blue, black and silver one, the first red, white and blue team logo speaks Toronto Blue Jays to me.  It was the one the players wore when the team experienced both playoff and World Series success.  I, along with many people across Canada, have fond childhood memories of the Blue Jays not only winning, but contending with the original logo on the uniform, and that nostalgia is something I am not willing to let go of.

So when I heard the team was going to change the logo again, I was hoping they would bring back the original as the primary logo.  A couple of weeks ago, the new logo, which is a modified update of the original one, was unveiled.  Although I was happy to see the original red, white and blue colours back in the logo and uniform,  part of me was disappointed there was not a complete return to the original logo.  I love the look of the new jerseys, but I believe the original team logo would look better where the new one is currently.

I feel a little ripped off.  I like this new logo, but at the same time I feel like I’m getting only 70% of what I’ve asked for, not 100%.  I wonder if Buffalo Sabres fans felt the same way in 2006, when their team finally dumped the brown, red and white goat for a buffalo that resembled Sonic the Hedge Hog in darker shades of blue and gold, than their original logo?  A similar situation occurred with the Washington Capitals.  Sabres fans must have lobbied the team to eventually revert back to their original colours and logo primarily, because they have.  The Capitals have not done the same.  Although I hate the Buffalo Sabres, and  it would involve another logo change, I hope the Blue Jays follow the Sabres lead on this one.

What do you think?  Do you like or loathe the new logo?

…and that is the last word.

Tebow Talk: I Really Tried to Avoid This!

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN
Tim Tebow © by Jeffrey Beall

Let’s be frank, we have heard enough about Tebow, right?  Everyone and his brother seems to be writing or YouTubing (yes, I made Youtube into a verb) about him.  Enough is enough, right?  Obviously not, as you decided to read this.

As a UF Gators fan, I have liked Tebow for years now, mostly for the national championship he delivered to GatorsNation.  His fearless attitude won over the hearts of the Gainsville faithful, and earned him the Heisman in his sophomore year.  Who doesn’t like a guy who “wants the ball” late in the game?  Why wouldn’t fans want to root for a guy who is willing to put the team first, and himself second?  Okay, some of you may question his intentions, but not me.

Why he is garnering this much media attention is beyond me.  I think more than anything it has to do with the clear dividing lines that have been drawn in the sand between fans and critics.  More than any other player I can think of, Tim Tebow is either loved or hated just as much for his playing profile as his lifestyle choices.  There are two groups of naysayers; those who feel his performances are less than adequate, and attribute his success on the field (7-2 as a starter) to divine intervention, and those who find his “holier than thou” attitude less than appealing.  Let’s see if either is warranted.

Let’s begin by discussing his playing career.  It’s hard to argue that T.T. is a winner, plain and simple.  The best word to describe his style is “efficient”.  He does not have good numbers, certainly.  In the game against New England, who I remind you has a deplorable total defence, he went 11-22 (.500), which is certainly nothing to write home about.  He had 194 yards passing, which when considering he only had 11 completions shows you that many of those 11 completions were for big, big gains (20+ yards).  So do we give credit for him for finding the receiver, or to the receiver for the YAC yards (yards after catch)?  I know which argument critics would suggest.  He didn’t win the game, but many agree it was his finest complete individual performance.  It was a stretch for him to win considering how easily Brady carved Denver’s defence.  I can’t argue his numbers because they are “satisfactory” at best.  The problem is that “heart” and “determination” aren’t quantifiable, and because they are immeasurable they will not be used to explain his success by his critics.

And then there is the religious side of #15 that seems to irk people to no end.  Tebow has been blamed for pushing baptism down people’s throats, giving no apologies for his faith.  He has been open about his lifestyle choices that his religion demands.  Religion is always going to be controversial, but I just don’t know why that is enough to annoy people to the point it has?  It certainly has provoked angst amongst his detractors.

One thing is for certain, at 7-2 Tim Tebow is turning heads and proving the faithless, in more than one sense, wrong.

…and that is the last word.

 

Thank God for Shortened Seasons: Toronto Raptors season preview

Posted on by Skip McGee
© by Rudy E. Escoto

As a fan of the Toronto Raptors, there are two ways you can approach the 2011/2012 season – blind love or reality. If you’re the type of person that follows based on blind love, you’ll probably believe with a young athletic team, a new defensive minded coach, and the acquisition of some new pieces [DAVID GRAY?] this team may play 500 basketball. Otherwise, if you’re a realist like me, from day one you’re screaming “lottery balls” every time the Raptors step on the court.

All that to say, I am glad it’s a short campaign because it pains me to watch my beloved Toronto Raptors struggle EVERY YEAR! Like many of you I have been waiting for the promises of potential from numerous high draft picks. I have been waiting for trades that were intended to improve our team to pan out. Last year the Raps finished 28 of 30 teams, and not surprisingly the NBA has ranked them to finish in the same spot this year. The reality is this team is not that different and our expectations shouldn’t be either. The most positive change heading into the year was the signing of Head Coach Dwayne Casey. Smarter men than I have suggested Casey will help improve the Raps from being the WORST defensive team for the third straight year. But again, the reality is “Toronto will need more than a coaching change to escape the basement”. So where does that leave us?

We have a team of potential and signings that are five years too late [Magloire]. I don’t think anyone would disagree that Magloire would have been a great signing a number of years ago. At this point he is a journeyman at best, a locker room voice, and a cheerleader who almost won a championship. Reports out of Toronto are that this team is going to field a starting roster based on the matchups. Folks, let me tell you what that really means, “we have no clue what we’re going to do because our talent level isn’t good enough to compete”.  I’m not going to go through the entire roster and rip on decent ball players. Truth is I like a number of players on this team. Reality is, collectively they just aren’t good enough in today’s NBA to help the Raptors out of the basement.

With attendance at the ACC has falling for the past three years, the real question on everyone’s mind should be how long we are going to tolerate a general manager still being credited with the skill of his father. Thinking back to his tenure with Toronto, I find it hard to remember a good deal BC has made. His best attribute has been his ability to pull the trigger on the “fix”. The Toronto Raptors will NOT win 30 games this year, they will NOT finish higher than 25th, and we will have another lottery year ahead.

…And that is the last word. goodHOP

Brown's NFL Picks – What You NEED to Know This Sunday

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN
DSC_0117_A © by Jessa B.C.

Here we go….

Dallas -7 over Tampa Bay – Dallas is a certain type of team.  A team that likes to let their fans down in the worst way possible.  So there is no way they let their fans off the hook early and drop this game. Nope.  They will string their fans along until at least week 17, and they will look good doing so.  A total offensive explosion for Dallas.

Green Bay -13.5 over Kansas City – Why go against Green Bay at this point?  You know they are dropping 30 minimum on whoever they play.  One thing to watch out for is this will be the Chiefs super bowl here.  But how much will it matter?

New Orleans –7.5 over Minnesota – The pick of the week.  I know the Saints have had their struggles on the road, and that is why this line is so small.  But Minnesota is a brutal team.  I don’t think everyone fully realizes this is a two win team.  2 wins!!  It’s not an accident either. The only teams they have beat are Arizona and Carolina.  Add to that Brees chasing the passing record and Minnesotas reluctance to stop anyones passing game and I think this one is over by midway through the second quarter.

Seattle +3.5 over Chicago – We saw this game last week.  A team that doesn’t score that many points was a 3.5 favorite at home against a defense playing pretty well.  This was Denver over Chicago.  And getting that extra half point made the difference last week like it will this week.

Houston -6 over Carolina – Toughest game on the board.  I want to go with Carolina but they are almost as bad as minnesota.  Houston is rolling right now and I don’t see how Carolina can stop them.

Tennessee -7 over Indy – I guess we are going to have to get to week 18 before people believe Indy is as bad as they are.

Cincy -7 over St. Louis – St. Louis just is not competing right now.  Cincy comes in hungry for a win.  If they get one their playoff hopes still look surprisingly good.

Detroit -1 over Oakland – Have you seen Carson Palmer play? Did I warn you?  If Detroit gets one more win they are almost a lock for the playoffs.  I know, it seems weird.  But it’s going to happen this week because Oakland can’t stop anybody, espcially not Calvin Johnson.

Denver+7.5 over New England – I don’t understand why this line has been climbing up and up.  Denver is a house of horrors for New England.  Mike Shannahan used to dominate the Patriots. When the change to McDaniels came the Pats still lost to a poor Denver squad.  I hate to see what Tebow is going to do to him.

Jets +2.5 over Philly – I like the Jets here at -3.  I know they aren’t the same team they used to be, but they are still a tough team that doesn’t drop games like this.  Philly doesn’t have what it takes to compete with the Jets toughness.  We have their win over Miami to thank for this generous line.

Cleveland +6.5 over Arizona – Arizona is on a nice little run right now.  5 wins, 1 loss.  Seems great.  Here’s the thing though, they have only lead one of those games before the 4th quarter(@ STL).  Translation: They don’t get the lead and they won’t be able to extend the lead if they get it.  This line makes no sense at all.  Hope you got in early in the week when the line was 7.

Baltimore -2.5 over San Diego – So San Diego beats Jacksonville and Buffalo and now I am supposed to take them seriously?  Come on.  I actually think most people are fooled though, including the Ravens.  And that is a bad thing because they play to the level of their competition.  They are going to come in thinking San Diego is a tough team.  They are going to leave with an easy victory.

Pittsburgh +3 over San Fran – I was thinking San Fran all week.  I like Pittsburgh more but with Berger hurt I thought San Fran would be able to attack the pocket and really make their offense look ugly.  Then the line came out.   3 points for a team that does nothing but kick FG’s over a team that might be the second best in the entire league?  What?  And then I remember this.  About two years ago Berger was struggling with a simliar injury, and he played fantastic.  Why?  Instead of holding onto the ball and trying to make the big play happen he just got rid of it once he hit his 3-step drop.  It made the offense flow better.  Like watching Brady or Manning out there.  I think the same thing could happen here. People don’t give Berger enough credit for how good of a pocket passer he is.  Watch this week.  He will SLING!