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 did Manny Pacquiao’s controversial majority decision over Juan Marquez prove that styles make a fight?  Marquez, a slick counterpuncher had/ has the perfect style to fight “The Pac Man”.  He used Manny’s aggression against him and picked him apart with counterpunches.  A style that is very similar to Floyd Mayweather’s.   If Marquez could more than hold his own against Pacquiao, you have to wonder what Mayweather would be able to do.  (Marques has only himself to blame for this loss.  He assumed he was winning and didn’t press the issue in the final round.)

Marquez who has fought both men was quoted, “The style of Mayweather would get very complicated for Pacquiao”.

Mayweather must be feeling a lot better about his chances in a fight with Pacquiao after watching “The Pac Man” get pounded and beaten 28 stitches worth.

Let the negotiations begin and get this fight on!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it me…

 Or are things getting a little chippy in the NFL of late?  Sunday afternoon’s Bears-Lions tilt (won handily by Chicago 37-13) got pretty heated at times, with a brawl nearly breaking out after Matthew Stafford “tackled” D.J. Moore by his helmet.

There were a number of other questionable hits and, as such, the NFL is looking at handing out some fines to the players involved in the game.

It was a foul-mouthed day at the Patriots-Jets game.  As both coaches were overheard using some very salty language.  Belichick, the Patriots coach, dropped a vulgar little phrase towards the other sideline following the win.

“Thirty-seven points on the best defense in the league, s— my d—,” Belichick reportedly said.   Ryan, of the Jets, got into it with a fan, cursing at the fan.  Ryan has apologized, however the league or the team may fine him for his transgression.

The Packers still appear to be the class of the NFC as they remain undefeated after soundly defeating the Vikings Monday night.  The 49ers  proved they are for real with a win over the NY Giants.  The 49ers may lock up a playoff spot in record time given their win/loss record and the fact they are in a weak conference. The AFC is not as clear cut; with Pittsburgh making a lot of noise with a win over Cincinnati.  The surprise team in the AFC has to be the Houston Texans, at 7-3 and playing really well.

Bonehead play of the weekend goes to the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff in their game against the Saints of New Orleans.  After each offense went three-and-out on its first possession of overtime, Atlanta faced third-and-1 from the 29. Matt Ryan flipped a pass to Cox, the backup fullback, who was met short of the 30 but stretched out the ball with his right arm, appearing to get it across the line. It was initially ruled a first down, but the replay showed he was bobbling the ball as he was going down along the sideline, and the spot was moved back.

The Falcons initially sent on the punting team, then called timeout. After thinking it over, Coach Smith decided to go for it, figuring his team could pick up the foot or so needed to keep the drive going, big mistake.  Ryan handed off to Turner, but the bruising runner never had a chance. He was swarmed by a pile of defenders and actually lost a couple of feet, and the jubilant Saints took over. Four plays later, New Orleans won it with their fourth field goal of the game.

They should fine the Falcons for stupidity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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 has the NBA lockout gone from bad to worse?  The NBA players have rejected the latest and probably final offer from the owners.  Additionally, the players are going to decertify the union and file an antitrust lawsuit against the owners and the NBA.  The owners have threatened to void all existing contracts with the players.  “Can’t we all just get along?” This reminds me of the kid in the play ground who doesn’t get a call and walks away with his ball-not letting anyone play.  The season appears on the brink of being cancelled.  Note to the Players:  The NHL called the players bluff and shut down for a season.  The next year the owners pretty much got the deal they wanted all along.  Is it worth missing a year for?

Is it me…

Or does Coach K of the hated Duke Blue Devils deserve a Way to Go?  Coach is on the brink of breaking Bobby Knight’s record for most wins by a division one basketball coach (902)  As much as we hate to admit it (I love my North Carolina Tar Heels) Coach K. and the Duke Blue Devils do things the right way, never a touch of scandal or wrongdoing.  Duke and Coach K run a clean program and earned each and every victory.  They are examples of what is right with college sports.   Congrats!!!!!!

Is it me…

Or does Sandusky not get it?  “ Sandusky, a  former Penn State football assistant coach charged with sexually abusing eight boys in a scandal that has rocked the university said Monday that there was no abuse and that any activities in a campus shower with a boy were just horseplay, not molestation.

In a telephone interview Monday night on NBC News’ “Rock Center,” Bob Costas asked Jerry Sandusky if he’s a pedophile and Sandusky responded, “No.”

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on its website late Monday that close to 10 additional suspected victims have come forward to authorities since Sandusky’s arrest, according to people close to the investigation. The paper said police were working to confirm the new allegations.

Sandusky, once considered veteran coach Joe Paterno’s heir apparent, was arrested more than a week ago and is charged with sexually abusing eight boys, some on Penn State property, over a 15-year span.” From sports iluustrated.cnn.com.

Joe Paterno who was fired as the head football coach at Penn State admitted he should have done more—YOU THINK?  Come on Joe you knew what was going on and all you did was report it to your boss.  You should have tied Sandusky to a pole and let your players practice blocking on him and then turn him over to the parents of the kids he was “horse playing “with.

 Edited by D. Pride.