Pens go early.

It is the day after the hard fought Game 7 by our Pittsburgh Penguins.  Although I am very sad to see them go, I am proud with what we have done without Crosby or Malkin.  That is a huge blow to take in the middle of the season and the Penguins handled it better than expected.  We will be back next year and I cannot wait to see Crosby and Neal play together.  Congrats to the Lightning and I hope you or the Sharks win the cup.

MLB Concussions

Yesterday Milwaukee Brewer's Erick Almonte became the first MLB player to be put on the 7-Day Disabled List.  This special 7-day DL was set up for anyone who suffers a concussion at any point.  Unfortunately for Almonte, his came during batting practice where he got hit in the head with a ball that was thrown to third.  After spending a few minutes on the field, he finally got up and walked to the club house.  I think this is a great time to show that the 7-day DL was a great idea.  With concussions becoming a huge deal in all sports, this is a great way for the MLB to show that they have this situation under control.  According to reports, everything is going planned with Almonte and he is scheduled to return to the field in 5-7 days.

NFL Season looks Bright

As the mediation talks continue, a 2011-2012 NFL season is pretty much good to go.  Right now, they agreed to stay with 4 preseason games and 16 regular ones to keep with tradition.  Talks are still continuing as we speak and progress is being made everyday.  This is a good and almost clear sign we will see football in 2011 and there are millions of fans who can finally breathe a sigh of relief.  Nothing too drastic has come from these meetings just yet, but some of the major issues still need to be discussed.  We just have to sit back and enjoy the fireworks now because we will have a 2011-2012 NFL season next year.

NBA Playoffs Have Started.

In the midst of the MLB opening day a few weeks ago and NHL playoffs starting up, the NBA playoffs are right here as well.  It has been a crazy weekend of upsets and close calls.  It started with the top seed in the East, Chicago, almost losing to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.  Luckily Rose and company found a way to pull it out and get the win.  Also in the East and close calls, we saw the Boston Celtics almost blow it against the New York Knicks.  As far as upsets, we saw the Lakers and Spurs both lose their opening games and this may be a vision for something we will see in the future.  I am excited for the rest of these games and it should shape up to be a very exciting and interesting 2011 NBA Playoffs.

NFL Talks Continue.

As we come more than a month into this lockout in the NFL, the mediation talks continue between the sides.  It is said that they talked for a good 9 hours, but no one knows how far they really  got in the talks because they have all sworn to keep the talks secret.  We still here the same things we have been hearing for months now, "There will be no lockout come fall" or "You will see football next season".  However, who really knows what is true and what is a complete lie.  I don't know if they are doing this so the press won't go crazy, but I think that should be the least of their problems because at some point the media and ourselves all will know whether or not there will be a season next year.  Let's all hope they can pull through on this one.

NHL Playoffs are here.

As this past Sunday ended, the NHL saw many teams scramble for spots for the playoffs.  Chicago just barely made it thanks to the Dallas Stars.  In the East it is wide open as to who can win honestly.  You have Washington who is playing some of their best hockey of the year.  There's Boston who can always pose as a threat no matter who they are playing.  And the rest of teams like Philly, Pittsburgh, and Montreal all have a great chance to go far this year.  In the West, look for Vancouver to continue their dominance as they look to capture the Cup.  I am excited for this year.  It will be exciting and entertaining and I cannot wait for all of this to start!!!

Woods staying strong.

As the Master's continues into Saturday Tiger Woods is finally looking like a contender.  Going into this round he is tied for 3rd and is looking to make a push to catch present-leader Rory McIlroy.  I don't know about anyone else, but I beg that Tiger can win so we can stop hearing about how he has fallen off the deep end.  I feel that is he can finish anywhere from 3rd and up then it will take a good amount of pressure off of him and we will begin to see the old Tiger come back.  After this everyone will forget about the worst year in Tiger's life and will be right back on the Tiger Wood's bandwagon.

This is the end.

It is that time of month where baseball begins to pick up and March Madness slowly comes to a close.  In arguably the best March Madness ever we saw many outrageous outcomes and crazy plays to fill a month's worth of ESPN's Top 10 plays.  As Monday night comes around we will see the Butler Bulldogs and the UConn Huskies square off in the final game of the season.  I expect nothing less than amazing tonight and plan to enjoy my last 40 minutes (or more) of this year's Men's college basketball season.  Finally, I would just like to recognize all brackets that were lost over the last month, may you rest in peace.

Going Down for Bonds.

As the Barry Bonds trial continues to pick up this week, the trial took a turn for the worse for Bonds.  Kathy Hoskins, Bonds's personal shopper came out with groundbreaking information about the former baseball star.  She is the first one close to Bonds to come out and state that she has seen him injected with illegal substances.  This is huge because this could break this case open and we may see a verdict.  However, do not be surprised if this information does not end this because knowing how all of these cases have been going we still have PLENTY of time to obtain the final verdict.

This is Madness

If I came to you back in early March and told you that no number one seeds would make the final four would you believe me? How about 2 seeds? Well, welcome to March Madness!  I can honestly say this is the best March Madness in a good bit and I could not be happier (aside from my bracket).  I look forward to enjoying an excellent final four and championship.  In addition to the great games, I feel like the three remaining will be highlight reels and the madness will NOT end this weekend.  Buckle up kids, this is going to get crazy.

Raging Bulls

After all the hype this summer over the Miami Heat's "Big 3" who didn't see them possibly winning it all?  Or how about Boston's stars lighting up the NBA for yet another championship?  But honestly who called the Chicago Bulls to have the season they're having right now?  Not many I would be willing to bet.  The Bulls are on fire and Rose is playing like a true MVP.  They are one of the best teams in the NBA right now and it could not come at a better time.  If they can ride this streak into the playoffs, who knows what could happen.  Do not be surprised to see your beloved Celtics or Heat fall to the red hot Chicago Bulls and even hotter Derrick Rose.

Tressel's Decision

Yesterday Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel stated he wanted to serve a 5-game suspension along with his 5 players.  I am not sure what to make of this decision right now.  I want to say it is noble and loyal, but is it really?  I was already  iffy about the suspensions that were handed down because Ohio State's first five games are against teams that are mediocre at best.  So adding the extra three games onto his suspension is just silly to me.  It is almost unnecessary and just adds more attention to the situation.

March Madness!!!

Welcome to the craziest month of the year.  There is no better time than March.  With the completion of all conference tournaments, the NCAA tournament can finally start.  This week you will see most people go crazy and waste more pieces of paper than any other week.  Additionally, many people call off, skip classes, etc.  and watch these first games.  So everybody, buckle up and prepare for another excellent Mach Madness.

NHL hit problems continue.

As if the NHL is not getting enough grief  over the hits on Crosby and other NHL superstars, they can add the Chara hit to their list.  Boston and Montreal faced off the other night and if you need to know anything about this rivalry, then understand that these two teams hate each other.  Well, the hit Chara put on Max Pacioretty just added to this already heated battle.  For anyone who did not catch it Chara drove Pacioretty into the turnbuckle (glass in between benches) and caused great damage to his spine.  The twist?  The NHL decides it is clean and no suspensions are handed out.  I believe the hit was 50-50 (clean and/or dirty), but a suspension should have been issued and the NHL has yet again screwed up.

Extension!!!

Today is judgement day thankfully to an extension both sides agreed on yesterday.  This is hopefully good news for us fans and for another NFL season this year.  They are not currently planning on another extension, but if there is progress in talks they would not rule another one out.  Another extension could be as long as 10 days if the owners agree to it.  This can only be a positive as we can see that everyone is trying very hard to reach what everybody wants, a NFL season come 2011-2012.

Deadline Coming

As the days pass by it seems that the NFL is just getting closer to the dreadful news we all do not want to hear.  With talks going virtually no where, we may be looking at an NFL lockout.  Both sides do not want to budge and a good amount of the medias are calling it a miracle if we have an agreement in the coming day or two.  This makes me worried as to if we will ever see football in 2011.  Although other leagues will prosper from this (AFL and UFL), they will not come close to the action and excitement the NFL can produce.  So let's all hope for the best and hope for the NFL 2011-2012 season.

NHL Trade Deadline

This Monday marks the trade deadline for the NHL and you better believe the deals will be flying.  There is no trade deadline like the NHL's deadline.  Expect for multiple draft picks to be moved, minor-league players to change teams, and stars to make or break the new organizations.  I am banking on at least 20 trades between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.  That is what you have to love about it; there is never a dull hour on this day.  Each hour can have its own major headline and we are able to sit back and enjoy every minute.

The good, the bad, and the Pens

Ray Shero is his typical self for deadline deals.  He acquires Neal and Niskanen from the Dallas Stars and just brought in Alexi Kovalev for a 7th-Round draft pick.  This is about all that is good for the Pens at this time.  Now the bad, Brooks Orpik broke his hand last night against San Jose and will be out approximately four weeks.  So that now adds to the Penguins injury report which includes: Crosby, Malkin, Martin, Nick Johnson, Tangradi, Kunitz, Asham, and Mark Letestu.  I am not sure how much Pittsburgh can afford to lose now.  These injuries are part of the clear evidence that the Pens need something to boost their game.  They have won one game in the last six and two in the last nine.  I know I said it earlier, but NOW can it get any worse (knock on wood).

All-Star Weekend

What better to do on your weekend at home or in the dorms?  You can watch some of the most entertaining events a sporting event has to offer, the NBA All-Star Weekend.  It is usually filled with multiple ways to be entertained and pretty much zero defense.  It started last night with the annual Rookies vs. Sophomores game that ended as another high scoring game as usual with minimal defense.  The crowd loves offense and I think this transfers to their love of this weekend.  All the skills competitions are for the offensive players and so are the games.  Ask yourself, do you really want to see who can defensive slide the fastest?  So ladies and gentlemen, enjoy your NBA weekend and enjoy your Sunday All-Star game where you will probably see scores reach into the 140's

Pujols says no.

As the baseball training continue for the St. Louis Cardinals, negotiations with Albert Pujols have stopped until the end of the season.  Neither side could reach a deal and this will leave Pujols to play on his last year of his contract.  Pujols stated after the deadline passed that he is not ruling out the Cardinals, but he wants zero contract negotiations as long as the season is going on.  This may start going to his head as he showed up in his tricked out black truck and parked in the spots that are designated for owners only.  Not only that, but he demanded some of the players and employees to help him with his bags and bats.  Aside from that, it is reported that he is in good spirits and is ready for this season to begin.

Bad news Pens.

I was one of the Pittsburgh Penguins fans who honestly could not think it could get any worse.  So far this year they lose Malkin for the year, Crosby is still out with a "minor concussion", played the last couple of games with AHL stars, suspensions pending, and now they get caught in a bus accident.  To add insult to injury of losing 9-3 to the Islanders, the team was hit by a car while trying to arrive at an outdoor practice in New York.  The situation was only minor, but just adds to the already terrible 2011.  However, the record still stays strong.  They are still near the top of the standings and are doing alright without their two stars.  I can only hope they fight through the troubles and stay playoff contenders because the NHL needs Pittsburgh in the playoffs for ratings.  So I don't want to jinx anything, but it can't get much worse for the Pens...can it?

Goodbye Football.

As I watched the end of the Super Bowl on Sunday, I really wondered to myself when will the next time be that I will watch a NFL game.  Right now a majority of the stories are pointing to a season next year.  This would be ideal, but I think the NFL is just making this look pretty so the media doesn't riot over the idea of no NFL football come next season.  There will be alternate options for our Sunday entertainment of course, but does anyone really want to watch the UFL or bowling on ESPN Sunday afternoon with family or friends?  I know I don't, but then again that is just me (although I know I am not the only one who thinks the same).  So I think I can speak for the whole nation we I say...PLEASE bring us some NFL football come Fall 2011.

3D Cameras coming right at you...literally.

Many companies like Sony and Fuji are switching over to the 3D revolution that is shaping our world today.  The next big thing aside from televisions and blu-rays is the 3D capable digital cameras.  Most are set to take three different kinds of photos; regular definition, red-blue 3D (so you can see with your cereal box 3D glasses), and high definition 3D.  The HD 3D photos would be viewed just how you would in the movies or on a television.  So far many are coming out now or even soon, but by the end of 2011 be prepared to view all of your sports photos and memories in 3D on your new camera.

First try...here we go.

Welcome to my very first blog ever.  As an introduction there is not much you need to know about myself.  Currently, I am attending Slippery Rock University as a Sport Management Major.  I am the tall guy who wears one sock around campus (completely medical and not trying to make a fashion statement) and who is usually wearing anything music or sport related.  I grew up in a small town south of Pittsburgh called Brentwood and went to Brentwood High School.  While I was there for four years, I played Football and Basketball and ran Cross Country and Track.  This blog will be used to express my ideas or opinions on certain sport stories or events.  So enjoy and you will be hearing from me again.