Hello there sports fans!
Well, it looks like we've got the Super Bowl we wanted, a slightly bizarre mix of the expected and completely unexpected. On the one hand, the Steelers: all that tradition, the chance to become the third franchise in history to win six SBs, a team built on rock-solid defense; and then we have the Cards: not a sensible bone in their bodies, never been to a Super Bowl before and never looked likely. They last won a championship in 1947.
Then Sunday night, the Cardinals beat Philadelphia 32-25 at Univesity of Phoenix Stadium and the dream was on. It was no less than the players deserved, but they were quick to thank those who had kept faith in them for so long.
"I like the way that sounds: Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl," said Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, thanking God first, and the fans second. "When nobody else believed in us, when nobody else believed in me, you guys did and we're going to the Super Bowl."
Sense will still prevail and say that Arizona are favorites, having beaten Baltimore Ravens 24-13 in the AFC title game.
You could feel some sympathy for the Ravens' rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco, who threw three interceptions and he was increasingly forced into difficult situations as the Ravens were left chasing the game. But the impressive efficiency of the Steelers D won through, and few would bet against that happening on Feb. 1.
But if last year's Super Bowl taught us nothing else, it's expect the unexpected.
So we will.
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Monday, 19 January 2009
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Lightning pair make good headlines
Lightning players Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier have been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late. Thankfully they both added some positives to another road victory, this time 3-1 over Los Angeles Kings.
Lecavalier, the constant subject of trade rumours scored a goal and Stamkos, three days after coach Rick Tocchet said he will periodically rest the rookie center to allow him to build strength, had an assist as the Lightning improved to 3-1 on this trip.
"We had a good, solid effort, and that's two (wins) in a row for us," Stamkos said. "The main thing is we're looking for wins and getting back in the playoff hunt, and Los Angeles was a team that we needed to get two points against. We're on the right track."
Lecavalier has been a constant source of rumors for the national media members, and even though he has stated he is not leaving, they are strong enough to have attracted two Montreal-based reporters to LA.
But, to their credit, the players have carried on as normal. Stamkos assisted on the Lightning's first goal, scored by Evgeny Artyukhin, for his first point in his last six games, and Lecavalier scored in the second period to make it 3-0, after Mark Recchi had beaten Kings goalie Erik Ersberg with a backhand shot.
The Kings, who tied the Lightning for fewest points in the NHL last season, provided only sporadic resistance. Mike Smith, back in goal after being rested in Friday's victory over Anaheim, stopped 29 of 30 shots.
Lecavalier, the constant subject of trade rumours scored a goal and Stamkos, three days after coach Rick Tocchet said he will periodically rest the rookie center to allow him to build strength, had an assist as the Lightning improved to 3-1 on this trip.
"We had a good, solid effort, and that's two (wins) in a row for us," Stamkos said. "The main thing is we're looking for wins and getting back in the playoff hunt, and Los Angeles was a team that we needed to get two points against. We're on the right track."
Lecavalier has been a constant source of rumors for the national media members, and even though he has stated he is not leaving, they are strong enough to have attracted two Montreal-based reporters to LA.
But, to their credit, the players have carried on as normal. Stamkos assisted on the Lightning's first goal, scored by Evgeny Artyukhin, for his first point in his last six games, and Lecavalier scored in the second period to make it 3-0, after Mark Recchi had beaten Kings goalie Erik Ersberg with a backhand shot.
The Kings, who tied the Lightning for fewest points in the NHL last season, provided only sporadic resistance. Mike Smith, back in goal after being rested in Friday's victory over Anaheim, stopped 29 of 30 shots.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Rocco close to Sox signing?
Tampa Bay Rays look to have lost out in the race for Rocco Baldelli, their first round pick in the 2000 draft, according to Tampa Bay Online.
The website cites an ESPN report that Baldelli was close to signing with the Boston Red Sox, on the eve of the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner where he was to be presented with the Tony Conigliaro Award.
The article explains: 'That honor goes to a player who has overcome adversity, and Baldelli's battle through an energy-sapping disorder to return to the Rays on a limited basis late in 2008 certainly qualifies. Questions over how often Baldelli will be able to play persist even after he recently received what he described a clarified, more positive diagnosis that suggests his ailment should be more treatable than previously thought.
The Rays maintained an interest in bringing back the 27-year-old, their first-round pick in the 2000 draft, but their signing of Pat Burrell this week essentially left them too short on funds to compete with Baldelli's other suitors. The Pirates, Reds and Yankees also were believed to have varying degrees of interest in the Rhode Island native.
The Red Sox, however, seemed most intrigued by Baldelli all along, to the point that the outfielder had an in-person meeting with general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona to discuss his situation.'
Let's hope the Rays don't live to regret letting Baldelli slip through their fingers...
The website cites an ESPN report that Baldelli was close to signing with the Boston Red Sox, on the eve of the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner where he was to be presented with the Tony Conigliaro Award.
The article explains: 'That honor goes to a player who has overcome adversity, and Baldelli's battle through an energy-sapping disorder to return to the Rays on a limited basis late in 2008 certainly qualifies. Questions over how often Baldelli will be able to play persist even after he recently received what he described a clarified, more positive diagnosis that suggests his ailment should be more treatable than previously thought.
The Rays maintained an interest in bringing back the 27-year-old, their first-round pick in the 2000 draft, but their signing of Pat Burrell this week essentially left them too short on funds to compete with Baldelli's other suitors. The Pirates, Reds and Yankees also were believed to have varying degrees of interest in the Rhode Island native.
The Red Sox, however, seemed most intrigued by Baldelli all along, to the point that the outfielder had an in-person meeting with general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona to discuss his situation.'
Let's hope the Rays don't live to regret letting Baldelli slip through their fingers...
Monday, 5 January 2009
Lightning strikes twice in Atlanta
What a way to start 2009! Two things changed Sunday night for the Lightning: first they won for the first time in Atlanta for almost two years; second they moved off the bottom of the division with a 4-1 victory over the Thrashers.
Martin St. Louis scored twice, and Mike Smith made 27 saves to help the Lightning move out of the Southeast Division basement with 32 points (11-18-10), which is one more than Atlanta (13-22-5).
Steve Eminger and Ryan Malone also scored for Tampa Bay, which had lost six straight games in Atlanta. The Lightning were two-for-four on the power play, with Eminger scoring in the first period and St. Louis early in the third.
The last time Tampa Bay won in Atlanta was a 5-4 overtime decision in February 2007 but since then it lost the final game of that season in Atlanta, all four games last season and 4-3 on its first visit this season.
Smith's bid for a shutout ended with 21.2 seconds left when Erik Christensen scored off a rebound during a scramble in front of the net.
"It didn't matter," said Smith, who has two shutouts this season. "The win is what's important. (A shutout) is just a bonus."Well done guys, let's hope it's a habit you can get into.
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Martin St. Louis scored twice, and Mike Smith made 27 saves to help the Lightning move out of the Southeast Division basement with 32 points (11-18-10), which is one more than Atlanta (13-22-5).
Steve Eminger and Ryan Malone also scored for Tampa Bay, which had lost six straight games in Atlanta. The Lightning were two-for-four on the power play, with Eminger scoring in the first period and St. Louis early in the third.
The last time Tampa Bay won in Atlanta was a 5-4 overtime decision in February 2007 but since then it lost the final game of that season in Atlanta, all four games last season and 4-3 on its first visit this season.
Smith's bid for a shutout ended with 21.2 seconds left when Erik Christensen scored off a rebound during a scramble in front of the net.
"It didn't matter," said Smith, who has two shutouts this season. "The win is what's important. (A shutout) is just a bonus."Well done guys, let's hope it's a habit you can get into.
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Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Shot down in a shootout again
Tampa Bay Lightning have given us plenty of reasons to be cheerful over the past few weeks so it's hard to feel too down about its most recent shootout loss.
This time they went down 2-1 to Montreal to snap a three-game winning streak but at least the final eight possible points of 2008 have yielded seven - not bad given what went before it.
Lightning interim coach, Rick Tocchet, admitted it was hard to be too down on his players, but said it would be nice to win a shootout for a change.
"We grabbed a point, and it was really a great hockey game," said Tocchet. "Shootouts are really tough, because they are confidence-builders if you win them, you can really take off when you win those things. We've been on a little bit of a streak, but we needed the two points, bad, really bad."
Goaltender Mike Smith was solid in net for Tampa Bay all night, stopping 29 shots, but the overall result made it 2-7 to Lightning in shootouts this season (3-10 in overtime).
"I think we still played like we have been, and we did a lot of good things tonight," said Smith, who has allowed 15 shootout goals on 40 attempts this season. "We have to come out of this game with a positive, and that's a top team in this league and we are battling to find our mojo. I think we played a pretty decent hockey game, so we can't get too down."
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This time they went down 2-1 to Montreal to snap a three-game winning streak but at least the final eight possible points of 2008 have yielded seven - not bad given what went before it.
Lightning interim coach, Rick Tocchet, admitted it was hard to be too down on his players, but said it would be nice to win a shootout for a change.
"We grabbed a point, and it was really a great hockey game," said Tocchet. "Shootouts are really tough, because they are confidence-builders if you win them, you can really take off when you win those things. We've been on a little bit of a streak, but we needed the two points, bad, really bad."
Goaltender Mike Smith was solid in net for Tampa Bay all night, stopping 29 shots, but the overall result made it 2-7 to Lightning in shootouts this season (3-10 in overtime).
"I think we still played like we have been, and we did a lot of good things tonight," said Smith, who has allowed 15 shootout goals on 40 attempts this season. "We have to come out of this game with a positive, and that's a top team in this league and we are battling to find our mojo. I think we played a pretty decent hockey game, so we can't get too down."
Come and stay with us on Anna Maria Island at annamaria.com
Monday, 29 December 2008
It's all gone horribly wrong
How the Bucs wish they could have a December do-over. Four straight losses culminating in Sunday's 31-24 defeat to Oakland Raiders has seen their season disappear in smoke. And a sickening injury to returning receiver 'Caddy' Williams did nothing to lift the mood.
''There's disbelief. There's shock. There's emotions, I'm sure, that I can't really describe,'' said the veteran running back Warrick Dunn of the biggest collapse in franchise history. ''To be 9-3, and you lose four in a row when all you have to do is win one and you're in, it's tough to swallow. The guys in this locker room have prepared hard, played hard. Things haven't gone our way.''
Tampa Bay (9-7) was tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December but was outscored 62-19 in the fourth quarter and overtime of losses to Carolina, Atlanta, San Diego and Oakland down the stretch. If there is one area that coach Jon Gruden might want to concentrate on now, it's there for all to see.
''It's very disappointing. ... I'm sick for our players, and our fans, more than anything,'' Gruden said.
The Bucs gave up 564 yards rushing and allowed Carolina, Atlanta and San Diego to convert 21 of 37 third downs the previous three weeks. Oakland finished with 192 yards rushing and converted 6 of 13 third downs.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia threw for 257 yards, including a 58-yarder to Michael Clayton for a third-quarter touchdown that erased Oakland's 14-7 half-time lead. Williams finished with a season-best 78 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Williams sustained a severe injury to his left knee after being tackled along the sideline by CB Chris Johnson at the end of a 28-yard run, and immediately grabbed his knee. Gruden said it was "serious" but did not get specific. But his team-mates indicated Williams tore his patella tendon, the same he tore in his right knee against Carolina last season.
Still, it could be worse (just). We could be Lions fans...
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''There's disbelief. There's shock. There's emotions, I'm sure, that I can't really describe,'' said the veteran running back Warrick Dunn of the biggest collapse in franchise history. ''To be 9-3, and you lose four in a row when all you have to do is win one and you're in, it's tough to swallow. The guys in this locker room have prepared hard, played hard. Things haven't gone our way.''
Tampa Bay (9-7) was tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December but was outscored 62-19 in the fourth quarter and overtime of losses to Carolina, Atlanta, San Diego and Oakland down the stretch. If there is one area that coach Jon Gruden might want to concentrate on now, it's there for all to see.
''It's very disappointing. ... I'm sick for our players, and our fans, more than anything,'' Gruden said.
The Bucs gave up 564 yards rushing and allowed Carolina, Atlanta and San Diego to convert 21 of 37 third downs the previous three weeks. Oakland finished with 192 yards rushing and converted 6 of 13 third downs.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia threw for 257 yards, including a 58-yarder to Michael Clayton for a third-quarter touchdown that erased Oakland's 14-7 half-time lead. Williams finished with a season-best 78 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Williams sustained a severe injury to his left knee after being tackled along the sideline by CB Chris Johnson at the end of a 28-yard run, and immediately grabbed his knee. Gruden said it was "serious" but did not get specific. But his team-mates indicated Williams tore his patella tendon, the same he tore in his right knee against Carolina last season.
Still, it could be worse (just). We could be Lions fans...
Locate the very best in Florida vacation rentals at annamaria.com
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Lightning send us perfect gift
Finally a Christmas present no Lighting fans expected - a win!
Tampa finally wrapped up a result with a 2-0 victory against Pittsburgh. Mike Smith stopped 15 shots in snapping an 11-game winless streak, while rookie Paul Szczechura enjoyed his first career two-point night to help Lightning pick up just its third victory in 17 games under interim coach Rick Tocchet.
Smith made 15 saves to earn his second shutout of the season, Szczechura had a goal and an assist, Matt Pettinger had a goal and Mark Recchi recorded two assists to give him 1,401 points for his career as the Lightning won for the second time in their past 14 games.
The Penguins, who hadn't been shut out at home since January 18 when the Lightning beat them 3-0, were held to seven shots in the final two periods as Tampa Bay set a season-low with 15 shots allowed.
''It's like a sigh of relief,'' said Smith. ''You almost forget how to win.''
Well done guys, that his given us a merry Christmas!
Tampa finally wrapped up a result with a 2-0 victory against Pittsburgh. Mike Smith stopped 15 shots in snapping an 11-game winless streak, while rookie Paul Szczechura enjoyed his first career two-point night to help Lightning pick up just its third victory in 17 games under interim coach Rick Tocchet.
Smith made 15 saves to earn his second shutout of the season, Szczechura had a goal and an assist, Matt Pettinger had a goal and Mark Recchi recorded two assists to give him 1,401 points for his career as the Lightning won for the second time in their past 14 games.
The Penguins, who hadn't been shut out at home since January 18 when the Lightning beat them 3-0, were held to seven shots in the final two periods as Tampa Bay set a season-low with 15 shots allowed.
''It's like a sigh of relief,'' said Smith. ''You almost forget how to win.''
Well done guys, that his given us a merry Christmas!
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