Jon Fitch Is Unemployed, Then Employed Again…
By Anthony
November 21, 2008 3:31 pm
I don’t know how many people have been following this thing, but Jon Fitch and his management have spent the last couple of days in a stare down with the UFC.
Apparently this disagreement stemmed from the UFC wanting lifetime licensing rights to Fitch’s name. This would mean his likeness would be featured in the upcoming UFC video game. Other fighters have signed this deal already, and Fitch was unwilling to blindly sign over his name when the UFC can fire him anytime he loses a fight.
For those who don’t know, all UFC contracts (outside of the real TOP stars) contain clauses that allow Zuffa LLC to fire any fighter after he loses. Meanwhile, Dana White is now asking for Lifetime naming rights to these fighters? Just so we’re all clear on what these means, let’s say that Fitch is fired, and moves on to a new company that now rivals the UFC. If that company becomes big enough to license action figures or a video game, Fitch is now a persona non grata because his likeness belongs to the UFC.
And people say football players have a raw deal? These fighters are being throughly abused by White. They work in a profession where there is only one game in town, which allows Zuffa and White to just beat the crap out of their employees and get away it. It’s terrible.
Anyway, Fitch had a problem with feeling “strong-armed” by White and walked out on a meeting, and subsequently released. When the Fertitta’s (who own Zuffa) heard what had happened, they sat down with Fitch’s people and got him back into the fold. It’s unknown what the contract he ultimately wound up signing said. He might have still signed over his rights for life.
There are also rumors that Josh Koscheck is among the other people balking at this concept. Koscheck, who just lost a fight that he took on 2 weeks notice as a favor to the company, definitely deserves better. In fact, every employee of any company in the world deserves better.
Someone needs to stop Dana White’s manaical ways. Now.
Topics: UFC | No Comments »
Jets/Titans Matchup of The Day: Bo Scaife v. Jets Defense
By Anthony
November 21, 2008 2:30 pm
After Week 1, when Anthony Fasano ran wild all over the Jets, I said on Fourth Down on WCWP, that the Jets would have HUGE problems against Tight Ends this season. Jason told me that I was reading too much into one game. Low and Behold, here we are in week 12 and the Jets are yet to cover a tight end successfully.
The reason the Jets defense struggles against the tight end is that none of their linebackers can play in space at all. In the 3-4, your middle linebackers are big in order to stack and shed blocks. However, most teams have at least one guy who can turn his hips and run with receivers. The Jets don’t have that. David Harris’ performance last year hindered the Jets because he convinced them that he is something that he is not. He is a TED linebacker, who is an in the box thumper. Right now, the Jets have him playing the position inhabited by Patrick Willis in San Francisco, where he plays sideline to sideline, which isn’t working. With Harris out, it’s been David Bowens playing this spot. Yuck.
Bo Scaife has enjoyed a renaissance this season with Kerry Collins at quarterback. Scaife was supposed to be a HUGE weapon when he came out a Texas, but never developed into the kind of tight end that anyone thought he would. Now, he’s become a reliable target for a smart, accurate QB. He’ll end the game with 8 catches and 60 yards, maybe even a touchdown.
Advantadge: Titans.
Topics: NFL, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans | No Comments »
Giants/Cards Matchup of the Day: J.J. Arrington v. Giants Defense
By Anthony
November 21, 2008 1:13 pm
This doesn’t sound important, but trust me when I say that it is.
If the Giants use the gameplan that I think that they will, which is pressure the hell out of Kurt Warner, they will susceptible to draws, screens and counters due to the upfield pressure. While Tim (Moses)Hightower may technically be the starter, he hasn’t been that impressive since taking over for Edgerrin James. In fact, you can argue that Arrington has been way more effective as he’s averaged more than 5.0 yards a carry in 2 of the last 3 games. I don’t care who the depth chart says in the feature back. Arrington will be more effective than Hightower.
Then again, the argument can be made that the Giants shut down the ultimate draw, counter and screen back in Brian Westbrook just two weeks ago. Sure, they gameplanned to stop him and did. However, Andy Reid didn’t really push the issue as he developed a gameplan that revolved around DeSean Jackson. Traditionally, Westbrook absolutely gashes the Giants, but it hasn’t been as bad since Steve Spagnuolo took the defensive reins.
The Giants will need to blow up plays VERY quickly in order to stop Arrington from hurting them. When he does get the ball, it’s going to be up to Kenny Phillips, Corey Webster and the rest of the Giants underrated secondary (I said it, and If this game goes how I think it will, there will be a large blog coming gloating about how I’m right.) to make the tackels. Arrington will end up with 70 yards.
Advantadge: Cardinals.
Topics: Arizona Cardinals, NFL, New York Giants | No Comments »
Mike Mussina Should Be In The Hall Of Fame
By Jason
November 20, 2008 10:26 pm
Water Cooler Debate Of The Week. Does Mike Mussina belong in the Hall Of Fame?
I say yes, and it’s not even close.
18 Seasons
270 Wins
68% Winning Percentage
2,813 Strike Outs
3.68 ERA
1.192 WHIP
ERA+ of 123 puts him in the same territory as Juan Marichal
5 All Star Games
7 Gold Gloves
Postseason; 7-8 Record and a 3.42 ERA (and one magical bullpen appearance in 2003.)
Anyone who claims Moose isn’t hall worthy because he didn’t hit the 300 Wins plateau is foolish. Randy Johnson, Maddux and Glavine are the last of the 300 game winners. The fact is today’s game is much, much different than the past. Pitchers are on strict pitch counts, young pitchers have innings limits and players pitch on a five man rotation. It makes it near impossible for a player to get to 300 Wins in a career.
Furthermore, why are wins the almighty standard with pitchers? Is a player not hall worthy if he gets stuck on crummy teams his whole career? Is it his fault if he pitchers the best he can but can’t buy a win? (See; Cain, Matt)
Should we penalize Mike because his whole career has been a series of “What ifs?” What if Carl Everett doesn’t break up his perfect game, does that make him hall worthy? What if Mike doesn’t get stuck on crummy Oriole teams for the first nine years of his career? What if there hadn’t been a strike in 1999? What if all of this cost him ten wins, would 280 wins make his career any more hall worthy? Is any of this his fault? Does any of it devalue his career?
Truth is the odds have been stacked against Mike his whole career. He pitched in the toughest division in baseball, the Al East, for 18 seasons. Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine never had to face a DH (besides inter-league play) on a regular basis. If you don’t think pitching to a pitcher instead of David Ortiz for 18 years makes a difference statistically, your insane. Moose also pitched in the juiced ball and the juice era. No era in professional baseball (or in any sport for that matter) has been so slanted towards offensive dominance. Moose also pitched in the most media frenzied market in the world. Don’t think pitching in NY can effect a pitchers performance? Just ask Randy Johnson, a likely first ballot Hall Of Famer, how he enjoyed his stay in New York.
Moose performed well in the post season (7-8 record as a starter, with a 3.42 ERA.) He also came out of the bullpen, one magical night in 2003, with the bases loaded and slammed the door shut on the Red Sox. Of course that game is famous for Aaron Boone’s homer but, as Boone said in Living On The Black “I don’t get a chance to hit that home run if it isn’t for Mussina.”
In a game that has so many variables, many of which are beyond a pitcher’s control, all you can ask of a pitcher is to pitch well and play great defense. Moose did just that, on top of all his career pitching milestones don’t gloss over the fact that he has seven shinny gold gloves.
Mussina shouldn’t be penalized for ;leaving the game on his own terms. In fact he should be applauded for it. Sure, Moose could have come back for three more years racked up 30 more wins and would be consider a lock for the hall of fame. But, what if his performance totally tailed off? What if he limped through the final three years, picking up ten wins a year, with a 5.00 ERA? Would his career really be any more accomplished at all?
I don’t know if Mussina will make the Hall Of Fame, but I know he should make it.
Topics: MLB, New York Yankees, Uncategorized | No Comments »
ACC Basketball Preview: Maryland
By Jason
November 20, 2008 9:00 pm
Maryland 07-08 (19-15) overall, (8-8) conference play
KEY Losses:
PF- James Gist- (32 min/g), (7.9 Reb/g), (15.9 Pts/g) 77 Blks.
C- Bambale Osby- (26.7 min/g), (6.5 Reb/g), (11.5 Pts/g) 69 Blks.
KEY Addition:
Sean Mosley, Guard, 6’4
Projected Starting 5:
PG- #21, Greivis Vasquez
SG- #5, Eric Hayes
SF- #24, Cliff Tucker
PF- #1, Landon Milbourne
C- # 4, Braxton Dupree
Key Role Players: #14, Sean Mosley, #22 Adrian Bowie, #32 Jerome Bruney, and #35 Dave Neal
Bench: #25 Steve Goins, #33 Dino Gregory, #23 David Pearman, and #11 Jin Soo Kim
Coach- Gary Williams: 18 years at Maryland and 378 victories. Ranked 7th in Division 1 coaching wins list among active coaches with 585 wins.
What to expect from the Terps:
• Fast pace
• Great Rebounding
• Improve assist/turnover ratio
• Discipline Defense
• Outside shooting
Schedule Breakdown:
Key Games:
12/03/08 vs. Michigan
1/10/09 vs. Georgia Teach
1/24/09 @ Duke
2/21/09 vs. UNC
2/25/09 vs. Duke
3/07/09 @ Virginia
3/12/09- 3/15/09 ACC Tournament
I expect another inconsistent year from Maryland. Last year the Terps lost 6 games by 6 points or less. Their downfall is putting teams away late and having the killer instinct that a Maryland has had in the past. Key point guard playing will also lead this team to running through most of the teams in the ACC. Vasquez is a scorer and can score at will, but when he is asked to take care of the basketball he has a lot of trouble doing so. Vasquez’s assist to turnover ratio last year was dead last in the acc among guards. If the Terps have any chance to win this years it’s going to have to come with great guard play and limit the turnovers. Another thing I’m looking forward to seeing is the play of the big men. I believe that Braxton Dupree has the potential to play with the other Big’s in the ACC and across the nation. Whatever you do, don’t sleep on this kid. But after him is very little to be happy about. Nick Goins and Jerome Burney are not you’re typically Bigs. Goins is 6”10 but a true freshman and Burney is 6”9 with no playing time as a freshman.
Maryland is extremely young this year. Look for the Terps to win some games convincingly and to blow games late due to the inexperience of some of their starters. Tucker and Milbourne and very explosive players and come the end of the year they could be among the conference leading scorers. This year more then others the offense of Maryland should come in transition. With Vasquez, Milbourne and Tucker and Mosley pushing the ball down the court and creating off the dribble look to see more Hayes and Bowie to benefit from open looks from behind the arc. Offensive and Defensive Rebounding has always been a strength for the Terps, so look for that to continue.
Prediction: 20-11
Maryland will make the NCAA Tournament this year and I expect them to play into the sweet 16. I think that the Terps will find a lot of success in transition and from their guards. Maryland has the toughest ACC schedule this year by playing home and away games verse Duke and North Carolina. Expect Maryland to be 5 games above .500 entering the ACC Tourney.
Topics: College Basketball, Maryland, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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