With all the wildness that allowed the Chargers and Eagles to crash the playoff party, one has to wonder who really has what it takes to see their season through and get that Lombardi Trophy confetti shine. Playoff predictions on Friday, but for now, here’s my top five.

Read more »

I don’t care if Denver hasn’t made the postseason the last three years and finished this season 8-8 after an embarrassing loss to the San Diego Chargers. Why would you want to pay a coach 20 million dollars without being employed? Yeah he had John Elway, Terrell Davis and Sharpe, but didn’t he win two Super Bowls? Damn, what’s a man gotta do to keep a job these days? Two Super Bowls? Wow. I wouldn’t want to be Denver when the team who picks him up in the next 5 minutes has a lead against the Broncos with time on the clock. 146 victories in 14 years. It has to be mentioned the Broncos are 1-4 since Elway left but is this the NFL or the NBA? I guess Jeff Fisher has to win the Super Bowl huh?

A walk in the park gripping poetic blanket with philosophical basket. The romantic steam coming off reality’s sensual scientific dream. It satisfies mindful these as they in time come in threes. Come fly with me drenched as we touch the cascading open wide but far off tacit seas. Your heart, your mind just gave me a sign so please lay your head back with eyes so fine to waste some time as we soul unwind.

Read more »

Losing to your former qb gets you fired evidently. After dropping a must win season finale to Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins, the Jets have sought change. Reports out of NY have Eric Mangini out as head coach of the New York Jets. The Jets were on top of the world when they were 8-3, but subseqently went 1-4 the rest of the way and missed the playoffs. It wasn’t all Mangini’s fault because his quarterback threw picks at an alarming rate. Favre finished the year with 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions–not a good look. Mangini was 23-26 during his tenure. Rod Marinelli has also been relieved of his coaching duties. Marinelli was 10-38 during his stint culminating with an 0-16 debacle this season. Marinelli was a victim of Matt Millen in my opinion. He seemed passionate about his job and tried to motivate his team week in and week out, but they just couldn’t get it done. Besides Calvin Johnson, there really wasn’t another position to brag about. He never really received a fair chance, but didn’t win when the opportunity was there. Sports has become win or go home and considering Detroit’s financial climate, heads had to roll. Romeo Crennel was also fired after compiling a 24-40 record. GM Phil Savage was let go, so the writing was on the wall and only a matter of time before Crennel’s firing went public. The Browns were obviously beset by injuries, but didn’t score a offensive touchdown in the last 6 games. When the Browns came into Philly, everyone knew Crennel was on shaky ground. He tried to do whatever he could, but the players never responded to his coaching philosophy. It also should be said there was no continuity in an offense where quarterbacks are falling like flies.

Since TSF is basically based in Philly because most of us live in the area, there really is no other game to showcase. Yeah we need a couple of squads to choke, but Dallas and Philly is always a top notch competition. Of course there’s a lot of other good stuff going on, but this town will eat itself if Philly goes out like a sucker.

9-6 last week. 18-11 on year.

Read more »

Umoja to the TSF fam and anyone who stops by on the first day of Kwanzaa. As I listen to You Know How to Love Me by Phillis Hyman and marvel at the sheer impact of her voice, I give props to what I’m truly thankful for and also what I expect of myself in 2009. Since this is the last Friday of the year, I wanted to ask of you what would be your perfect storm for the next year. Crazy how we are experiencing years we as children held for science fiction, but like they say, time waits for no one.

By no means am I comparing my work to the amazing skills Phyllis used naturally, but listening and studying her the past few months has given me a powerful sense of urgency heading for big things in the new year. We can’t sit around and wait for people with other agendas to put us at the forefront of their corporations. Yes, I would love for my work to be showcased by a prominent outlet nationally if not just for how my children would be impacted, but it would be straight dumb to expect this.

Read more »

(Photo: AP/Mark Duncan)

TNT’s NBA Coverage continues Thursday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls followed by the Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets

Game #1:  Washington Wizards (89) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (93)

Read more »

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Besides some notable exceptions, the NFL season is pretty much shaping up the way most expected. Two teams some thought would be at the top of the league are now playing in the sandbox after animals squatted. Dallas still has a realistic shot if they could just beat their nemisis, the Philadelphia Eagles. Wow how time has changed…

Read more »

(AP)

Donovan McNabb’s 2008 stats: 333 completions, 550 attempts, 3741 yards, 60.5 %, 21 tds, 11 interceptions for an 85.3 rating.

I bet you think these numbers are low huh?

Read more »

Player of the Week: Derrick Ward

(AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

Wild week but it’s all come out in the wash. The Giants and Titans both rebounded to snatch the mantle of best in their respective conferences after slight lulls. Some teams were just pathetic and others surprised. Temple, I’ve reluctantly become an Atlanta believer. There I said it.

Lets get it!

Read more »

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Rajon Rondo is doing things no one thought he would be doing at this stage in his career. Yeah it’s early, but he has just as much to do with the Celtics record start as anyone else in the C’s locker room. Celtics are 26-2. Damn who were the 2? They have Pop Pop stories beating this monster…

Read more »

I come in at the 59:00 mark discussing LeBron James in New York, Iverson in Detroit (and maybe Philly), the disrespect of the Philadelphia Phillies, Evander Holyfield and Aboriginal thongs–yeah you read it right.

Sometimes a player comes along and stamps himself into the fabric of whatever game he’s playing and Dock (not Doc) Ellis was that cat. He died Friday at age 63 from liver problems he was dealing with for a while.

Read more »

Two huge games this week that could determine who gets to chill at home with it all on the line. Both games will be hard hittin’, chin skin splittin’, no pink socks and flip flops games so make sure you tune in or you might miss some sick sugar speed knocks. So so week 9-5, but look for the record to get better as I just jinxed myself.

Enjoy the weekend.

Read more »

TNT’s NBA Coverage Continues Thursday, Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. ET featuring the Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers followed by the Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers

(AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber

Barkley on playing against basketball legends for the first time: “Anytime you play against a legend of the game, it’s exciting.  The first time I played against Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale it was exciting…The first time I played against Magic Johnson and Larry Bird I was like ‘wow.’”

Read more »

Damn Keyshia damn…

Writing sports you precluded from loving games with fan eyes. You have to be objective no matter what and I don’t know it that’s a good thing. Some writers use stats to corroborate their “expert” opinions and others–including myself–want to know why, where, what and how. I speak from the fan’s mind because there’s information I want to know. What was the moment that sparkled grand in a young athlete’s mind and spurred her onto the path of game highs and lows ultimately leading to greatness? Why did you lose this game tonight? How did that old scruffy dude on the street influence you to becoming the amazing player you have become? That thing with your bat…who taught you that? When did you fall in love with basketball? Do you think we should know everything about you regardless of what’s going on in our (writers and fans) personal lives? Are you damned if you do, damned if you don’t? Do you really need a coach at the pro level? As the media climate gets crazy and more jaded by another violation of the shot clock, I have to ask the question: Do you still love sports?

Caught this question out of the San Diego pelican briefed air from my peoples Delinda Lombardo. If you haven’t seen the Dark Knight then don’t even comment because Heath Ledger (R.I.P.) changed the game to 2008 insane. From Queen Akasha in Queen of the Damned, Dr. Christian Szell in the Marathon Man and  Blackula to Candyman, Palo in the Believers and Darth Vader in the Empire Strikes Back, cats are getting creepier and more evil by the minute. Could you imagine if the Dark Knight was rated R? My goodness. Yo Arnold! I used to like you, but that was way back when you were beating up bikers in bars and making 4 year old kids sound like their grits were imported from Austria.

Bet…

If anyone carries a sledge hammer and says “I’m your number one fan”, ya better run while ya still can bruh.

Is Eddie Murphy really going to play the Riddler?

The Yankees are up to their usual tricks and have signed both CC Sabathia and A. J. Burnett–putting the league on notice that ya can’t keep a fat pocketed team down.

But guess what? Yankees fans can hear it now…

“Batting third and playing left field….Maaaannnny Ramirrrrrezzz.”

Ooh damn! Damn, damn damn damn.

Crack! “See ya!”

Yo, if this happens Boston is gonna hate everyone. This would be akin to Terrell Owens going to the Dallas Cowboys for Philly fans but bigger. Dude would be perfect for the Yankees because all they really need is a clutch bat in the middle of the lineup with all the pitching they are signing and will sign. Mark Teixeira is gonna make some big dough, but Manny might get to go back home to the Boogie Down.

Could you imagine Manny Ramirez hitting in front of ARod? How many homers would Alex hit? Keep this in mind: If the Angels sign Teixeira, the only team that could outbid the Yankees are the Dodgers because Boston sure as hell isn’t going after him. I put the chances of Manny wearing pinstripes and getting booed in Boston unmercifully at 85%.

Two weeks left in the season and so much to figure out. Two games in each conference with the number one seed on the line this weekend…wow. Some questions…Will the Eagles tie help or hurt? What has the lack o’ Plaxico done to the psyche of the New York football Giants? What will Tavaris Jackson do for an encore? Is Dallas benefiting from an cynically omnipresent media? How will Tennessee respond after hearing Haynesworth is done for the last two games at least? Has Pittsburgh been the most consistent team this year? Is the NFC South overrated? Discuss these questions and more as we rank the NFL elite heading into Week 16…

Read more »

The first post of its kind. Every Wednesday we will do this.

Now for the L…

These are the strongest teams in the NBA–right now.

I haven’t seen every NBA team up close, but I’ve covered enough games to get a gauge of who is for real and who is real fake. There’s obviously still a lot we don’t know as teams search for their respective identities, but it ain’t my fault. There’s a definitive top 3 and a bunch of parity–but it’s mad early so judge for yourself. Since this is the first, I’ll give my thoughts on the teams as they are ranked.

Let’s Get It!

No one should be shocked that the Champs are Here…

Read more »

Gooney Goo Goo…

Hmmm Week 15. Can Tavaris Jackson shake off the pine needles and take the Vikes to the playoffs? Pittsburgh and Baltimore will be as physical a game as you will ever see. It’s time to shake the men from the punks. Let’s get it!

Read more »

9-14 after lofty expectations gets you fired in the NBA. It’s just how it is. I asked Phil Jackson about the business side of the NBA regarding coaching here. I enjoyed working with Cheeks the last year and a half, but the last few games the writing began to show up very clearly on the wall. The Orlando game highlighted a glaring defensive weakness: The corner three. The shot was always open because of the Sixers defensive scheme. I tried so many times to pose my questions in a way Cheeks would read between the lines, but I’m sure he was fully aware what was at stake. Funny, but Mo would focus on me during the pressers as if we were having a one on one discussion. It challenged me to form questions on the fly–which I appreciated. The last couple of games I didn’t want to be the one to ask the question which put the heat on Cheeks so I was reticent. After games, and as the media throng would walk into the press conference room, I would say, “How you doing coach?” He stop responding the last week or so and from that I took he wasn’t very happy with things. He has a very chill personality. He says what he has to say and that’s it. I’m disappointed in the players more than anything because they could have made it work. I won’t go into individual criticisms because it’s counterproductive, but I’m sure you can assume who was most at fault. It was difficult at first covering the team, because I grew up a fan and the process of learning to be objective on game day was a learning experience. In a perfect would, the champion point guard would lead the respected franchise back to the promised land, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Assistant GM Tony DiLeo takes over in an interim basis for the rest of the season. Take care Mo. Nice working with you.

Being in the journalism business has its perks but also its fair share of occupational hazards. Writing a breaking news story or connecting with an athlete or entertainer, one either finds a steady stream of admirers or sometimes way too many haters. It’s what you deal with and not so much different from any occupation anywhere in society. Sometimes the criticism is so far from the truth, there needs to be a quick response to clear the air just for general principal. Buddy and colleague Branson Wright wanted to get a few things off his chest regarding some inaccuracies being spread around the journalism world anonymously in attempts to destroy his credibility which up to this point could be compared to anyone who is doing the damn thing right.

Shake ‘em off Branson, shake ‘em off bruh…

Read more »