I simply hate preseason polls, Read more…
The moment everyone has been waiting for is HERE! Sprite Step Off has just added the full event schedule to the website. But not only that, now teams all over can REGISTER to compete in the events!: http://spritestepoff.com
More goodies on the website include:
- Info about the national competition, prizes, and service platform
- Behind the scenes videos about the culture of step
- Downloadable video, screensavers, wallpaper, logos and more to spread the word
All the videos on the official site are also available for embedding and sharing on our YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/spritestepoff) – Chapter 1 of the Essence of Step series is a good place to start (watch in the video above):
If you’re not already — follow us on http://twitter.com/spritestepoffand become a fan at http://facebook.com/sprite for more updates
The time has come! Most sneaker heads are foaming from the mouth about this highly anticipated release. One of the most notable shoe releases of all time has now come the Air Jordan XI (11) Space Jam will be re-retro’d. The Black on Black Jordan XI is one of the most prized holy grails in the sneaker game. It is a shoe that has been relevant since 1995 and 14 years later still holds a special place in the eyes of sneaker heads. Not only is this pair of Jordan XI a Holy Grail for sneaker heads but this is the same shoe that Michael Jordan wore during the 1995-96 NBA Season. This is the same shoe Michael wore to win the Championship and to become NBA Finals MVP.
For more info: http://osneaker.com/air-jordan-xi-11-space-jam-ret11.html
As you already know Brandon Marshall has been suspended for the rest of the preseason Read more…
28
Aug
NFC West Preview
We are in the middle of the pre-season. I’m getting excited about the regular season starting. With that in mind, I present for your approval, or scorn, my NFC West preview. Let’s face it, the division isn’t good. Or I should say it wasn’t good last year, it was painful. They were a combined 22-42 last year. That’s awful actually. You can almost argue that this division will come down to the last few weeks to determine a champion, and I agree. It’s was so bad last year that the team who screwed up the least won the division. Harsh words? Yes. I’m keeping it short and sweet. Let’s begin.
Arizona Cardinals:
Fresh off a very surprising appearance in the Superbowl, they should be carrying a swagger and a chip on their shoulder. That chip is more like a boulder now because they have the Superbowl hangover to look forward to. You know the one, where every team that finishes 2nd in the Superbowl has an awful, injury plagued, or scandal ridden (Anquan Boldin) season and rarely makes it back to the playoffs the next year. I believe they’ll make it back this year to the playoffs because they are the best team in the division on paper.
The Good:
- A high powered offense that features arguably the best receiver in the game right now.
- A running game that is trying to be more like Pittsburgh’s smash mouth style.
- Defense is out to prove that their late season surge wasn’t a fluke, and that they can do better middle of the pack in this up-coming season. They are motivated.
The Bad:
- One disgruntled, very good receiver named Anquan Boldin who still wants out despite playing the good soldier.
- An aging starting quarterback who when he’s brilliant is among the best, but can be subject to Favre-like collapses in games.
- A back-up quarterback on the verge of becoming a first round bust.
- Superbowl hangover
The Record:
Last year they went 9-7. This year I predict 10-6 and a division win. They won’t get past round 1 of the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers:
Mike Singletary is taking his tough guy, no nonsense coaching style into its first full year. Hopefully there will be no mooning of players, or making players cry. They have a capable offense, and a defense that should improve this year. They know who will be their starting quarterback, and we know they have a pretty good running back in Frank Gore, and a sleeper in rookie Glen Coffee who’s making the most of his reps in the pre-season. Gore will be the engine of this offense, and as he goes, so goes the team.
The Good:
- Frank Gore.
- Their defense wasn’t bad last year, they were 7th in the NFC in yards allowed, and #9 in sacks. They should get better with the injection of attitude Singletary is sure to bring.
- Having a clear starting quarterback, and one Vernon Davis who doesn’t want to be labeled a bust.
The Bad:
- Their starting quarterback is Shaun Hill. He’s okay. Their backup is Alex Smith: a bust.
- Frank Gore has been plagued by injuries so far in his career. If he goes down, they lose.
- Defensive line is mediocre at best.
The Record:
They went 7-9 last year and at best I think they’ll go 7-9 again this year and miss the playoffs.
Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks were a consistent team, and a consistently on top of this division for years. They look to return to form this year with the return of Matt Hasselbeck, the addition of Edge, and the ego of T.J. Houshmanzadeh. They have a solid defensive line, and a leaky secondary which could prove to be their weakness as they were next to last in yards allowed per game in the NFC last year. Hasselbeck is always consistent when healthy, and the addition of Edgerrin James just made it easier for him to find his open receivers. T.J. won’t be able to live up to the bold predictions he’s making because now he’s the top man, he doesn’t have Ochocinco on the other side receiving a lot of the defense’s attention. Edge will provide a veteran who can pick up blitzes better than Julius Jones and that’s needed with the injuries to their offensive line.
The Good:
- Matt Hasselbeck is back. T.J. Houshmanzadeh is talking trash. Edgerrin James is in the building.
- Lofa Tatupu is their middle linebacker. Patrick Kerney is their best defensive end.
The Bad:
- Their defense.
- T.J. Houshmanzadeh’s bad Chad Ochocinco imitation.
The Record:
Well, it has to get better than last years, right? Right? They went 4-12 last year without a healthy Hasselbeck. They’ll go 6-10 this year, though my gut really says they’ll go 5-11.
St. Louis Rams
Okay, I tried but I can’t come up with anything. They are bad. They only team that did worse was Detroit. When your best player, Steven Jackson, is the only player that defenses respect and nobody else makes them pay, you will lose; a lot. Donnie Avery is the only legit receiver so far, and he’s injured for the beginning of the season. It’s going to be a long first year for Steve Spagnuolo.
The Good:
-Steven Jackson. Tye Hill. Donnie Avery.
The Bad:
-The rest of the team.
The Record:
They will somehow find a way to win 3 more games than last year and finish at 5-11. Good lord.
28
Aug
Steroid Rehab
Steroids in sports has been prevalent over the past 25 years and it has become a part of sports culture. Steroid use has affected the MLB, NFL, WWE, Boxing, Bike racing, Track & Field, and other sports. I believe this period will be seen as a “steroid era”. I do not think these sports will be hurt long term as a result of steroids because with proper testing, all the sports in question will be able to recover its reputation and image.
Baseball seems to make the biggest deal out of steroids. Baseball fans have turned on some of MLB’s biggest stars because of alleged steroid use. I will admit that steroid use has tainted the entire generation of players who played in the last 25 years, but I believe that MLB will shed this negative image as this generation retires and a new crop of stars becomes the new face of baseball. Kids will still want to play baseball and I expect the MLB to continue to draw millions of fans without much fallout from the steroid era.
Track and Field has been hit the hardest because the doping committee accused almost every track star of being a steroid user, and the committee had tests to back up their accusations. Stars like Marion Jones have been demonized for trying to cheat the sport and cheat the fans. Now track stars like Usain Bolt are looked at skeptically because steroid in track and field has been so prevalent. With the Olympics taking place once every four years, track and field has plenty of time to clean up its reputation and image.
In pro wrestling, tragic stories such as Chris Benoit’s murder/suicide and Eddie Guerrero’s heart attack have been linked to steroid usage. Pro wrestling has taken positive steps towards protecting the health of the athletes by enacting a wellness policy, which includes drug testing.
The Tour de France and professional biking still has a negative cloud surrounding it because of steroids. The sport’s biggest star, Lance Armstrong, was strongly suspected of using steroids, but has never been caught using steroids that were not prescribed for health reasons. As lance fades into retirement, the sport appears to be ridding of it’s negative image from steroid use. The back to back Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador, has not been targeted for steroid allegations.
The effects of steroids will take some time to wear off, and there is always the threat of athletes finding chemicals that are difficult to test, but each sport seems to have implemented or improved its steroid testing. Hopefully players and athletes will find other ways to cheat, which does not include chemically enhancing their own bodies…
The Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP and other civil right groups Read more…
Got this joint from the good people at JerseyChaser.com. It is from the Lebron James Documentary “More Than A Game”. Tell us what you think.
