Underdogs in the tournament ....NOT so MUCH ***

Maybe I was the only one who was anticipating many more of the underdogs winning in the first round.  The main underdogs to win so far are 3 of the 12 seeds.  The only exception to not win was Akron who played VCU.  VCU appears to be very dangerous and, Michigan had better be ready to play.  They look like a team to be reckoned with.  Their defense and, offensive penetration look solid as well as spectacular.  Maybe just maybe we will see a few more upsets this afternoon.  The main potential I see left today are Minnesota over UCLA and, Colorado over Illinois.  However, to some degree they wouldn't be considered upsets b/c of how close they are in seeding.  Anything outside of these would be considered a "real" upset though.  Get ready for a wild weekend.  The great teams are just getting ready to fight for there lives.  I'd like see Indiana, MSU, VCU and, Louisville keep rolling.  They play great ball and, provide great entertainment.

Paul E. Spors
3-22-2013

NCAA Bracket Busting!!!!

This college basketball season has proved to be the outlier of all outlying years.  Some have described the parity amongst the NCAA division 1 as freakish, scary, and, even unbelievable.  Entering the tournament with no clear cut number 1 that is certain to make the final four this should be a tournament for the ages.  The one question that I am most curious about is...."Is this the year that the lowest seeded team (of all time) will win the tournament?"
The lowest seeded team to win the NCAA tourney to this point is Villanova in 1985.  They were an 8 seed. With so much instability amongst the top ranked teams; there is plenty of room for  a deep run from teams like Creighton, Gonzaga, and, Belmont.  It is quite possible that we may have too many Cinderellas at the dance.  With that in mind it might be possible for a very low seed to win "it".
Among all of the excellent to good middle bracket teams.  The really excellent teams like IU have not been able to seperate from the pack.  IU lost 3 of its last 6.  Kansas and Louisville have both lost 3 in the row in the not too distant past.  Since the brackets came out today we will have to wait a couple of days to let the games begin.  But, come Wednesday....."Let's get it on."

Paul E. Spors
3-17-2013

New England Pats....& their OFF SEASON

Last month Tom Brady and, the Pats agreed to a 3 year $27 million deal.  According to Michael Silver (a Yahoo Sports Expert!)  says that Brady should be very upset by them not resigning Wes Welker and, letting him go to the Broncos.  I'd have to say not so fast. First, over the last 10 years what NFL franchise systematically and, consistently has made great moves to stay on top?  ANSWER:  The New England Patriots.  Yes, they may be giving Brady more pressure to compete with less talent.  However, they know he can handle it.  As any other employee in the country... He gets paid.  Put that pressure on him...Welcome to America. Second, they just signed Danny Amendola in a very Pats like move.  They got a guy with slightly less production wanting less money and, a longer term contract.  A real "VALUE" move like they are known to do.  Another point to be made is....Who knows the needs of the NE Patriots football team best?  My guess is the GM and Bill Belichick.  Maybe they know something about their team that analysts do not.  (i.e. injuries, attitudes of players, and, work ethic)  Maybe, just maybe Welker got dealt b/c of a bad work ethic last year.  Now granted this is complete speculation but, its tough to argue with a franchise that consistently knows what it needs to do to stay on top of the AFC East almost every single year.

Paul E. Spors
3-14-2013  

Tony Gonzalez (NOT RETIRING) ????

One of the most certain first ballot hall of famers and, arguably the best tight end ever (Tony Gonzalez).  Has informed "officially" the Atlanta Falcons that he will return for 1 last year.  It will be nice to see him 1 last time before he packs it up.  Yes, he is older/old but, the guy is still amazing and in great shape.  I am glad to see this happen.  Hopefully, at Christmas we will be looking at one of his best years ever and, a playoff run for the Falcons and, Mr. Gonzalez.

Paul E. Spors
3-12-2013

**NFL FREE agency Excitement STARTS 2day****

Within the next 2 hours free agency starts.  In a lot of respects the new 2013 season will be starting.  We will finally see if the Patriots want to keep Wes Welker or, let him go.  Yes, Welker is 32y.o. however, he has caught 72% of Tom Brady's passes since 2007.  Only Jordy Nelson of the Green Bay Packers has a higher percentage than that.  Over the same time frame.  Other big questions are whether Darrelle Revis will be traded. Defensive tackles that are notables entering the 4 o'clock hour are Richard Seymour (Raiders), Jason Jones (Seahawks), and, Mike DeVito (Jets).  Quarterbacks likely to be left hanging (for a home) during free agency include; Jason Campbell (Bears), Drew Stanton (Colts), and, Rex Grossman (Redskins) among many others.  Reggie Bush and Steven Jackson are also entering free agency.  We will see who has the money and, hutzpah to make a splash right out of the gate come 4 p.m.

Paul E. Spors
3-12-2013

Liberty's NCAA bid *****

It is very likely that this year one of the worst or, at least tied for worst college team will make the big dance. Only one other time has a team made the tournament with a 20 loss season.  With a record of 15-20 and, losing its first 8 games of the season it lays claim to an automatic bid.  Their automatic bid comes off of toppling Charleston Southern as the winner of the Big South.  They will more than likely enter the tournament as a 16th seed and, play in Dayton.  However, with a team this terrible and, hopeless they should be happy to keep playing.  I think that the world is waiting for the first time in history that a 16 seed beats a number 1 seed.  However, that may have to wait for another year. But, I keep hoping.

Paul E. Spors
3-10-2013

Richard Sherman Ranting on First Take!!!

Mr. Sherman had some very unkind words for Skip Bayless today on ESPN's "First Take".  The Seahawks star should take some time and, chill.  Before, you go running at the mouth their are a couple of factors that he should consider.  First, that he "is" a player in the NFL.  With all this obnoxious noise about being better than Darrelle Revis maybe he needs to not be on Twitter so much. You can debate those issues at another time.  Even "if" Richard Sherman were the best player to play football in the last 20 years.  He needs to calm down.

If I were a player in the NFL; particularly a Revis teammate next year.  He would be getting a message.  With the intensity of the game.  And, the overwhelming violence that is part of the NFL's nature he had better be more careful than to have diarrhea of the mouth. Hopefully, for his sake his "3rd year" won't be his last.  All that I can say is that if I were a wide receiver or, tight end I wouldn't be trying to necessarily avoid a tackle.  I'd try to take it head on so that maybe he gets that everybody in the league is/are the best in the world at this game.

Paul E. Spors
3/7/2013

Is Alex Smith going to the Chiefs?

It has recently been speculated by some sports journalists that Alex Smith will soon become a Kansas City Chief.  I believe that this would be a good landing spot.  Particularly since they have just put the franchise tag on Dwayne Bowe.  Also, they have appeared to be making a little bit of noise in the off season with trying to acquire players.  As this is part of the normal cycle of the NFL system.  It is about time that they make a splash and, attempt to become a contender.  Upon Andy Reid's arrival and, the hope of a not so pass happy offense maybe; just maybe they can be the Indianapolis Colts of the 2013-2014 season.  Let's see what else the KC Chiefs can do as we prepare for the draft.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Chiefs make more noise in the next couple months.  Especially, if they come out of the gate and have an excellent draft.  Alex Smith along with those components could make the Chiefs a real contender for the next 4-5 years.

Paul E. Spors
3-7-2013