- Being a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, I'm thrilled with their top two picks in Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins. However, I was miffed when Jerry Jones kept trading down on Day 2. His wheeling and dealing had cost the team the chance to draft some of the receiving talents like Mario Manningham and Andre Caldwell, who were both available at the time.
- Jake Long was delighted to be drafted first overall. And he must have thought that he's living in a dream when the Miami Dolphins stole quarterback Chad Henne, Long's buddy at Michigan and one of the top QBs in this year's draft, with the 57th pick.
- The wide receiver crop this year is weak, but that isn't an excuse for the Tennessee Titans not to draft one until Round 4. Vince Young is desperate for WR help, but the Titans keep drafting running backs on Day 1 for the third year in a row. Perhaps they should consider converting some of them into WRs.
- Gutsy move by the Washington Redskins, who drafted two WRs (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly) and a tight end (Fred Davis) with their top three picks, despite glaring needs in other areas. I wonder if the Redskins could work out a trade with the Titans ...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Deservedly Danica
On her 50th try, Danica Patrick finally won her first race in the IndyCar Series.
With that, she has finally thrown that gigantic ape off her back, and will no longer be remembered as another winless wonder, a la Anna Kournikova.
And she's also become the first woman to win a major American open-wheel race.
Danica (only the most famous are better known by their first names than their last names) was among the top six at the race in Motegi, Japan all day. When the green flag was about to be shown after the final caution period on lap 148, her team called her in to top off the tank, hoping that she could save enough fuel without having to pit again for the final 52 laps of the race.
And when all the front runners had to duck into the pits for a splash-and-dash with just laps to go, Danica took over the lead for the final three laps and won easily by over five seconds.
For those who say that Danica was lucky to emerge victorious, think about this: Just a week before, Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR race at Phoenix by using the same fuel strategy, and no one was complaining.
And Danica was not the only driver to refuel on lap 148. Helio Castroneves and Ed Carpenter both pitted with her, but she was the only one who could save enough fuel to go the distance.
As for Danica's apparent struggles in road courses, remember this: Sam Hornish Jr. is always terrible in road courses, and he's driving for Penske Racing.
In short, give Danica a break. She deserves her seat in one of the top IndyCar teams.
And Sunday's race showed that she has both the speed and wit to be a successful racer.
With that, she has finally thrown that gigantic ape off her back, and will no longer be remembered as another winless wonder, a la Anna Kournikova.
And she's also become the first woman to win a major American open-wheel race.
Danica (only the most famous are better known by their first names than their last names) was among the top six at the race in Motegi, Japan all day. When the green flag was about to be shown after the final caution period on lap 148, her team called her in to top off the tank, hoping that she could save enough fuel without having to pit again for the final 52 laps of the race.
And when all the front runners had to duck into the pits for a splash-and-dash with just laps to go, Danica took over the lead for the final three laps and won easily by over five seconds.
For those who say that Danica was lucky to emerge victorious, think about this: Just a week before, Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR race at Phoenix by using the same fuel strategy, and no one was complaining.
And Danica was not the only driver to refuel on lap 148. Helio Castroneves and Ed Carpenter both pitted with her, but she was the only one who could save enough fuel to go the distance.
As for Danica's apparent struggles in road courses, remember this: Sam Hornish Jr. is always terrible in road courses, and he's driving for Penske Racing.
In short, give Danica a break. She deserves her seat in one of the top IndyCar teams.
And Sunday's race showed that she has both the speed and wit to be a successful racer.
Monday, April 21, 2008
A Modest Proposal
Next time there are talks on revising the soccer rules, the following should be at the very top of the agenda:
Regard the frame of the goal as a member of the defending team. (For the sake of simplicity, the off-side rule will remain unchanged, despite this new interpretation.) So when a shot hits the post and goes out of play, the attacking team will maintain possession.
The rationale is simple:
- The frame of the goal usually prevents the attacking team from scoring, which is just like an extra defender.
- Shots on target should be rewarded. For an on-target shot which threatens to go in, hitting the post is unlucky enough, and not having anything as a reward (i.e., a corner kick) is just bloodily cruel.
The rule is simple and easy to interpret. It doesn't cost anything to implement, but can definitely increase the number of goals scored.
Can you hear me, Mr Blatter?
Regard the frame of the goal as a member of the defending team. (For the sake of simplicity, the off-side rule will remain unchanged, despite this new interpretation.) So when a shot hits the post and goes out of play, the attacking team will maintain possession.
The rationale is simple:
- The frame of the goal usually prevents the attacking team from scoring, which is just like an extra defender.
- Shots on target should be rewarded. For an on-target shot which threatens to go in, hitting the post is unlucky enough, and not having anything as a reward (i.e., a corner kick) is just bloodily cruel.
The rule is simple and easy to interpret. It doesn't cost anything to implement, but can definitely increase the number of goals scored.
Can you hear me, Mr Blatter?
Friday, April 18, 2008
One Shattered Olympic Dream
Ng Fong-wing, the legendary sports anchor in Hong Kong, passed away after a sudden and short illness yesterday.
He was the Chris Berman of Hong Kong. His humourous and laid-back style had made the three-minute sports news session his personal playground and, more importantly, the most highly anticipated segment of the 30-minute daily TV news broadcast.
He was a unique sports anchor way ahead of his time. While we idolize the Dan Patricks, Keith Olbermanns and Kenny Maynes of ESPN's SportsCenter for their humourous and sometimes hysterical style, he had been having fun on his daily sports news show since 1982.
At a time when no one thought that sports news could or should be presented this way, he was determined to become the pioneer. It didn't take long for his witty and sometimes sarcastic style to become a massive hit, and his catchphrases like "The frame of the goal is the best buddy of goalkeepers" and "Ball is round" have achieved legendary status.
He continued working for the TV station after his retirement in 2005, including doing the commentary work for the World Cup in 2006. He also said that he would love to be one of the hosts for the Olympics Games in Beijing for the TV station later this year, if his health conditions permit.
But with the opening ceremony just 112 days to go, and only 15 days before the Olympic torch visits Hong Kong for the first time since 1964, a major organ failure resulting from leukemia cruelly took his life, at the age of 67.
He will be sorely missed, as no one will ever come close to imitating his unique style.
He was the Chris Berman of Hong Kong. His humourous and laid-back style had made the three-minute sports news session his personal playground and, more importantly, the most highly anticipated segment of the 30-minute daily TV news broadcast.
He was a unique sports anchor way ahead of his time. While we idolize the Dan Patricks, Keith Olbermanns and Kenny Maynes of ESPN's SportsCenter for their humourous and sometimes hysterical style, he had been having fun on his daily sports news show since 1982.
At a time when no one thought that sports news could or should be presented this way, he was determined to become the pioneer. It didn't take long for his witty and sometimes sarcastic style to become a massive hit, and his catchphrases like "The frame of the goal is the best buddy of goalkeepers" and "Ball is round" have achieved legendary status.
He continued working for the TV station after his retirement in 2005, including doing the commentary work for the World Cup in 2006. He also said that he would love to be one of the hosts for the Olympics Games in Beijing for the TV station later this year, if his health conditions permit.
But with the opening ceremony just 112 days to go, and only 15 days before the Olympic torch visits Hong Kong for the first time since 1964, a major organ failure resulting from leukemia cruelly took his life, at the age of 67.
He will be sorely missed, as no one will ever come close to imitating his unique style.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Have Gloves (and Helmet), Will Travel
Like his fellow injury-plagued Czech goalkeeper Petr Kouba a decade ago, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech is definitely cursed.
First, he nearly lost his life when Reading's Stephen Hunt kneed him in the head in a dubious challenge earlier in the season. The result, a rugby-style head gear for Cech, and a spat between his sponsor Adidas and New Zealand sporting goods manufacturer Canterbury, which made the head gear for Cech.
Then, in a training session while recovering from an ankle injury in recent weeks, he collided with teammate Tal Ben Haim and suffered a deep gash on his cheek and lips, which needed some 50 stitches to close. When he made his shocking return against Wigan, he had to put on a mask over his cheek and lips IN ADDITION TO the head gear.
At this rate, he will be wearing a full-face helmet in a game very soon.
First, he nearly lost his life when Reading's Stephen Hunt kneed him in the head in a dubious challenge earlier in the season. The result, a rugby-style head gear for Cech, and a spat between his sponsor Adidas and New Zealand sporting goods manufacturer Canterbury, which made the head gear for Cech.
Then, in a training session while recovering from an ankle injury in recent weeks, he collided with teammate Tal Ben Haim and suffered a deep gash on his cheek and lips, which needed some 50 stitches to close. When he made his shocking return against Wigan, he had to put on a mask over his cheek and lips IN ADDITION TO the head gear.
At this rate, he will be wearing a full-face helmet in a game very soon.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Long Lost Twins
In the world of sports, there are lots of lost twins at birth. Just check out the odd couples below:
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan;
Alain Prost and Robert Kubica; and
Ronaldo and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Interestingly, the following non-sports guys are rumoured to be pursuing a second and secret career in sports, as the following photographic evidence shows:
Sylvester Stallone;
Matt Damon;
David Duchovny;
Omar Epps of House;
Crayon Shin-chan; and most amazingly
The Principal in the McMug comics.
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan;
Alain Prost and Robert Kubica; and
Ronaldo and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Interestingly, the following non-sports guys are rumoured to be pursuing a second and secret career in sports, as the following photographic evidence shows:
Sylvester Stallone;
Matt Damon;
David Duchovny;
Omar Epps of House;
Crayon Shin-chan; and most amazingly
The Principal in the McMug comics.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Mind-boggling Numbers
When McLaren were stripped of all their Constructor's points for the 2007 Formula One season due to a spying scandal, they were relegated to the bottom of that year's Constructors' standings. Under FIA rules, McLaren, being the "worst" team in the previous year, would be assigned the final two numbers (22 and 23) for the 2008 season.
A year ago ...
Fernando Alonso was having a clash with rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton on and off the track. The result was a disastrous divorce between two of the best drivers in the world, and McLaren would have to find a replacement for the Spaniard in short notice.
Back in April 2005 ...
The inaugural GP2 season kicked off at Imola, and the first thing they did was to assign numbers to the teams. They decided to do so by running a practice session to assign numbers according to the teams' practice speed. Arden, with Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen on board, was regarded as one of the favourites to land the highly coveted numbers 1 and 2. Alas, gremlins ran riot in Kovalainen's car, which meant that he could not set any competitive times, while his teammate Nicolas Lapierre was not in good form on the day. Eventually, Arden was the second-worst team in the field and was thus assigned with numbers 22 and 23. Despite the "setback", Kovalainen would drive his number 22 car to become the first ever winner of a GP2 race.
Fast forward to 2008 ...
Just weeks before the 2008 Formula One season was to start, Kovalainen was named as the replacement for Alonso, and would drive the number 23 car for the season.
...
In a matter of four years, Kovalainen, through no fault of his own, twice has the "misfortune" of driving for a top team assigned with numbers 22 and 23, unusually high numbers for a top team. In fact, until Hamilton's victory at the season-opening race in Melbourne, no car numbered 22 or 23 has ever won a Formula One race since the current numbering system had been in place.
The moral of the story? Nothing special. It is just another strange coincidence in this big world of sport.
A year ago ...
Fernando Alonso was having a clash with rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton on and off the track. The result was a disastrous divorce between two of the best drivers in the world, and McLaren would have to find a replacement for the Spaniard in short notice.
Back in April 2005 ...
The inaugural GP2 season kicked off at Imola, and the first thing they did was to assign numbers to the teams. They decided to do so by running a practice session to assign numbers according to the teams' practice speed. Arden, with Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen on board, was regarded as one of the favourites to land the highly coveted numbers 1 and 2. Alas, gremlins ran riot in Kovalainen's car, which meant that he could not set any competitive times, while his teammate Nicolas Lapierre was not in good form on the day. Eventually, Arden was the second-worst team in the field and was thus assigned with numbers 22 and 23. Despite the "setback", Kovalainen would drive his number 22 car to become the first ever winner of a GP2 race.
Fast forward to 2008 ...
Just weeks before the 2008 Formula One season was to start, Kovalainen was named as the replacement for Alonso, and would drive the number 23 car for the season.
...
In a matter of four years, Kovalainen, through no fault of his own, twice has the "misfortune" of driving for a top team assigned with numbers 22 and 23, unusually high numbers for a top team. In fact, until Hamilton's victory at the season-opening race in Melbourne, no car numbered 22 or 23 has ever won a Formula One race since the current numbering system had been in place.
The moral of the story? Nothing special. It is just another strange coincidence in this big world of sport.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
CR7's Secrets
For those who are crazy about how Cristiano Ronaldo's free kicks swerve, just relax.
There is no big deal about it, and it's definitely NOT his invention.
It's just a knuckleball. Plain and simple.
If you could avoid spinning the ball (so that the patterns of the ball remain clearly visible when it travels) when you throw or kick it, it would "stutter" in the direction of the fluctuating air current. Instead of kicking across the lower side of the ball and bend it like Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo kicks straight at it, and the ball will not spin as it travels but moves like crazy.
It is a simple principle of physics. Ironically, too many commentators call it "physics-defying".
Knuckleball has been in existence in baseball since the beginning of the last century. Instead of throwing as hard as one can and hurting their arms, throwing a knuckleball allows pitchers to rest their arms, and the unpredictable movement of the ball makes it difficult for batters to make clean contact. While traditional pitchers need three to four days of rest between starts, knuckleballers generally have "rubber arms" and can pitch on very short rest.
Knuckleball is one of the most interesting aspects in the world of sports. In what other sports can you see some soft-tossing old guys a member among the starting line-up?
There is no big deal about it, and it's definitely NOT his invention.
It's just a knuckleball. Plain and simple.
If you could avoid spinning the ball (so that the patterns of the ball remain clearly visible when it travels) when you throw or kick it, it would "stutter" in the direction of the fluctuating air current. Instead of kicking across the lower side of the ball and bend it like Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo kicks straight at it, and the ball will not spin as it travels but moves like crazy.
It is a simple principle of physics. Ironically, too many commentators call it "physics-defying".
Knuckleball has been in existence in baseball since the beginning of the last century. Instead of throwing as hard as one can and hurting their arms, throwing a knuckleball allows pitchers to rest their arms, and the unpredictable movement of the ball makes it difficult for batters to make clean contact. While traditional pitchers need three to four days of rest between starts, knuckleballers generally have "rubber arms" and can pitch on very short rest.
Knuckleball is one of the most interesting aspects in the world of sports. In what other sports can you see some soft-tossing old guys a member among the starting line-up?
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