L.A. Pride is a true sports enthusiast.  A former youth, and division II assistant basketball coach, who studied the martial arts, he enjoys and follows all sports, even hockey.  His quick wit and insight brings a fresh view to the world of sports. You may not always agree with him, but you will enjoy his highly opinionated thoughts.

Is it me…

Or is the third preseason game the only one that is watchable? As a rule the third preseason game is usually a dress rehearsal for NFL teams.  That is, they typically play a natural rival and the projected starters play for a long time.  It is probably the one preseason game both teams try to win.  Therefore it usually makes for an exciting game, to a point.

 This brings me to the Jets versus Giants game.  This is a natural rivalry; two NY teams that share a stadium. Of course they are going to hate each other.  The Giants have won three Superbowls (XXI, XXV, and XLII) compared to only one for the Jets (Superbowl III).   It is a sticking point for us Jets Fans!!!!!!!!

 

Monday night’s game between the two NY teams was won by the Jets, 17-3.  It was a sloppy and uninspired game.  Neither team seemed to have much zip.  I suspect the players were not really into it because it was preseason and they do play for real during the season.  So much for dress rehearsals!

 The Colts activated Peyton Manning from the physically unable to perform list Monday, clearing the way for the four-time MVP to play early in the season.

The team said Manning will participate in practice on a limited basis on a “scripted” and controlled basis as he continues to recover from neck surgery he sustained in May.  It’s not clear whether Manning will be ready for the Sept. 11 opener at Houston. Manning has already ruled himself out of Thursday night’s preseason finale at Cincinnati.

Manning has started 227 consecutive games, including the playoffs, the second-longest streak in NFL history for quarterbacks behind Brett Favre.  I somehow get the feeling that Peyton will be ready Sept. 11^th .  He’s too much of a gamer not to be out there.  And besides Indy is in Houston on the 11^th, and what better way to start season than for the Colts to buck the Texans.  But unlike Brett, Manning will put the team first and sit if they have a better shot at winning with someone else out there.

 

Michael Vick, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles, signed a six year $100,000,000 deal with the Eagles.  I guess this deal makes Vick the “Top Dog” in Philly.

 NFL teams continue to adjust and shape their rosters;

A list of current NFL transactions can be found at:

 http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/transactions/

 Is it me…

Or did the officials at the U.S. Open screw up the seeding on the women’s side?  Serena Williams was seeded 28th for the tournament.  Serena the former No.1 player in the world was ranked 29^th which is up from a 175 ranking in July, a few weeks after returning from nearly a year absence due to injuries and medical issues.  She recently won two hard-court tournaments in preparation for the open and should be considered a favorite.  However, the open has decided to remain faithful to the rankings, thus a 28^th seed.

This is not good for the top seeds in Serena’s bracket, one of the top seeds in theory could face Serena as early as the third round.  Can you imagine being a top seed and fine tuning your game in preparation for a run at the finals and you catch Serena in the third round.  You should buy a nice visor to keep the sun out of your eyes and hope they comp you to a good seat, because you are sitting down.  Serena is hot and is playing really well, and will rise to the occasion in Queens.  (Serena played yesterday after we went to press.)

 Big sister Venus played her opening round match Monday and was victorious.  Good luck to the Williams sisters.

Is it me…

Or do the Mayweahters need family counseling?  I just finish watching the first episode of 24/7 Mayweather versus Ortiz and I am convinced that Ortiz has only two chance, slim and none, and slim is easing out the door.  He just appears to be in way over his head and he doesn’t look like a quality fighter with the fortitude to hang in there.  Mayweather despite his layoff and legal issues seems to be focused and ready to do damage.  He is feuding with Dad again, over who knows what, (their support of different female boxers was the catalyst this time) and has stated that he is not Junior, just Floyd Mayweather. Floyd “Sr” was “asked’ by “Jr’ to leave the gym and he refused.  They appeared to be ready to come to blows but were separated.   They both have strong personalities and egos and neither will give an inch to the other. It amazes me that fathers and sons think they can be successful together in the boxing world.  I can’t think of one father/son team that stayed together and made a successful run. There may be one or two, but I can’t recall who they were.  The concept defies logic.  What decent father wants to earn a living watching his son take punches?

 Is it me…

Or did Gilbert Arenas know something when he brought a gun into the locker room to defend himself from Javaris Crittenton?  Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton, who was suspended from the league for having guns in a locker room with teammate Gilbert Arenas, was arrested Monday in Southern California to face a murder charge in a deadly Atlanta shooting.

Police earlier obtained a murder warrant for Crittenton in the Aug. 19 shooting of 22-year-old Jullian Jones, a mother of four young children. Police say Jones was walking with two men when she was shot and they believe one of the men with her was the target.  Police spokesman said the motive appears to be retaliation for a robbery in April, in which Crittenton was a victim.

Edited by D. Pride.