One Door Shuts, Another One Opens.



Peyton Manning was the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft out of the University of Tennessee. The Indianapolis Colts drafted Manning, and now Manning is saying goodbye to a franchise he has called home for the past 14 NFL Seasons. Manning was sidelined for the 2011-2012 Season due to three vertebrae neck surgeries. If the Colts took up Manning's club option, they would owe him $28 million for this season. It is from a business standpoint that they decided to release him, because it is possible he may not play again this season, and could possibly retire.  It is widely believed that the Colts will take Andrew Luck, the quarterback from Stanford, with the number one pick in April's 2012 draft.

Manning is a record-setting QB in the NFL, and also has numerous Colts franchise records. He is the only QB in history to have won 4 league MVP awards. Up until this past year he had not missed a single game in his entire 14-year career.  However this year took a different turn after Manning had yet another surgery on his neck last off-season.  The sequence of events that followed were like the perfect storm for his release: Manning sits out the entire year; in March of this year, the Colts were to pay him a $28 million roster bonus from his contract agreement, the Colts finish last place in the league (2-14), and highly-rated QB of the future, Andrew Luck, is waiting in the wings to be drafted.


Manning has said that he would love to remain a Colt and finish his career as one, but owner Jim Irsay is thinking otherwise. After the season finished, Irsay fired his GM Bill Polian, as well as his son Chris, who was his successor to the GM position, and lastly Coach Caldwell and some other staff as well. It appears that Irsay is looking to rebuild the franchise from scratch.  Whether this is the right decision or not, only time will tell.  Irsay did make the mistake of taking this matter public, via twitter, months ago when talks of Manning's departure were just beginning and now his tweets have become a reality.

Once Manning gets released by the Colts, he will become a free agent, something few who follow football would have ever thought would happen.  Assuming Manning proves to be 100% healthy, it will quickly become a bidding war to see who is willing to give Manning the money he deserves. Let the race begin to sign one of the game's all-time great quarterbacks!  It has been reported that at least 12 teams are interested in signing Manning, but only a few have the salary cap room to do so. Top featured teams looking to sign Manning are the Jets, Redskins, Seahawks, Cardinals, Chiefs, and Dolphins. The Redskins are in the best position to sign Manning because of ample cap space of roughly $36.5 million.  However, it has been reported that Manning does not want to play in the same division as his brother Eli (Giants), which are in the Redskins' division. The Dolphins will have a good chance at signing Manning if they can re-negotiate some player salaries first.

Manning will probably sign with a team as early as a few weeks from now, and whichever team signs him instantly becomes a contender assuming he statys healthy. Manning turns 36 this month, but as a quarterback, he is still a few years away from calling it quits. The 3 teams who I think are most likely to sign Manning are: the Dolphins, Redskins, and Seahawks. Can Manning win his second Super Bowl with a different team? I guess time will tell, and the next NFL season will not be one to miss!

The Hot Seat with Adam D'Angelo YOUTUBE Video

The Hot Seat With Adam D'Angelo PODCAST 1

Pssst...Welcome to The Hot Seat with Adam D’Angelo. This podcast features hot topics such as the Linsansity story, the House That Peyton Built, the NHL Trade Deadline and many more hot topics!


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62282681/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html

When Money Does Not Talk!

As a professional athlete responsibility is thrust upon you to perform on the playing surface, no matter which sport you play. Athletes are expected to play to their full potential, earn their salary, for this is their job. Each player has a certain role to play, regardless of position. Occasionally, a player will put their team in a tough spot when a club who invests so much capital into him/her is not rewarded with adequate performance.

In the world of football (soccer), professional footballers are held at such a high standard of performance that a simple drop in form and production leaves you watching the game from the bench. Clubs (the majority in Europe with big bankrolls) spend millions of dollars on players in hopes that their presence to the team will ignite a greater chance at winning titles (trophies). The biggest failure of performance level comes from one of the worlds highest transferred players from Liverpool to Chelsea (English clubs), Fernando Torres.

Torres has been with Chelsea for a year now, it has hardly been anything to celebrate for the 27-year old striker, Chelsea fans, or the organization. Torres is on course as being remembered as one of the most expensive flops in the history of football. The man worth €50 million (Approx $66 million US Dollars) has scored just four times (2 in UCL, 2 in PREM) in 44 Chelsea appearances since last January's move from Liverpool and is currently on his longest scoring drought yet. Three and a half months, 17 games, $16.5 million per goal to date, whichever way you look at it the statistics is what matters, and his stats clearly lack quality.  Torres has been starting every game in 2012 after losing his starting spot to striker Didier Drogba in the month of November, only because striker Didier Drogba is away from the club while playing for his native country Ivory Coast in the African Nations Cup.

"At the beginning of the season, I went through a hard moment, I was not playing, things were wrong, and I was eight games without playing. I had never been in this situation before" says Torres. Although he scored for the first time this season in September's game at Manchester United, the striker also produced one of the worst open-goal misses in Premier League history. (click the link below to watch the atrocity). Torres' future for 2012 rests solely on his ability to start producing goals for his club. If he fails to do so, Torres' future for next season at Stamford Bridge could see the once world-class striker transferred due to his lack of performance.

Clubs are in a difficult spot, because they want to have players that give their team the best chance at being successful. However, when they pay mass sums of money for the services of one man, even if he is currently doing well before acquiring him, they cannot control how he will perform in a new environment. As a coach, you can train him to attack in different ways to help progress his chance at goal; he can be supported morally by his family, friends, fans, teammates, and coaching staff in hopes of boosting his confidence. It does not matter how many resources you put in front of an athlete; if they cannot capitalize on their own opportunities during a game then none of it matters. One player is never worth that much capital when the factor of "chance" is involved. These include the chance of injury, the chance that he does not perform well, the chance that he has lost his drive or focus, and even the chance that he is no longer physically fit as he once was. €50 million spent on one man who has thus far failed to live up to his expectations at Chelsea. Torres' is currently in a dark place in his life; does his future look bright?


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EusI4xO8gVM&feature=related

Pro-Bowl & All-Star Weekend, A Complete Disgrace!

 

This past weekend was an embarrassment for anyone who calls themselves true sports fans for having to witness the atrocity of this year's NFL Pro-Bowl and the NHL All-Star Game. For any sports fan that watched or tried to watch these two events, I feel your pain. The reason for the existence of these games is  to showcase the sports best athletes competing in a game separated by conferences. The NFL Pro-Bowl takes place at the end of the regular season, while the NHL All-Star Games takes place midway through the regular season.

The Pro-Bowl is a joke to any fan that enjoys competitive play from athletes with talent. These athletes are voted in by the fans. Are the fans getting any value out of who they vote? To watch the best athletes in the game treat it as a joke in front of thousands watching and millions viewing. It is a shame people pay good money to see professional players play a game of touch football because that's exactly what it is. A defense can blitz the Quarterback but upon approaching him they lay two hands to his chest as it counts as a sack.

You can argue that it is an appropriate rule for the game is for fun and serious injuries do not need to take place, although what is the excuse for defenses only playing half speed, maybe playing 75% at best? What is the purpose of picking the best defensive players to play in the Pro-Bowl when there is no defense played? It is embarrassing to be a defensive player partaking in this game. When the two teams combine to put up 104 points it only makes you question the authenticity of the game.

The Pro-Bowl would not be such a bad game to watch if it had some minor changes. We as the fans vote for these players to participate in a game which the players of the losing team each earn $25,000. The players from the winning team each earn $50,000. They receive this pay for participating in a game of flag football essentially. Some people who voted for these players won't make that payday for one year's work. Let's give millionaires more money when the amount has little impact on their lives. No, the money they receive should be donated to a charity of their choice to help the community as well as impacting people's lives for the better. Winning this game should provide more significant meaning. Make the Pro-Bowl after the Super Bowl like it once was so the athletes that the fans actually voted in to play can participate.

The NHL All-Star game is no better than that of the Pro-Bowl. Athletes of the game are voted in by the fans to participate in a game of showboating. The difference in this game is that each captain represents the two conferences, and the captains draft the players voted in by the fans. This is a great concept, a very creative approach, but again lack of excitement takes place once the game begins. Half speed skating, light contact on the ice, and a poor display of defensive talent.

Attackers basically skate through the defensive at will without a body rub; it is no wonder goalies get lit up at will and final scores for both teams can reach double digits. The only good thing about the NHL All-Star Weekend is the skills competition. It showcases individual talent at its best in great skills categories. The All-Star Games is no different because it only displays individual talent at its finest; the aspect of "team" is non-existent.

Many fans, myself included, have simply stopped watching All-Star Games. They do not bear a resemblance to a typical game, and even though the game's elite are competing, in both cases the end product is poor. Fans want to see athletes competing at a high level. When you witness a forward splitting the defense as if they were pylons, it certainly takes some of the fun away. One solution is to have the game mean something. While this is impossible for the NFL since the Super Bowl has a host city every year, it could be achieved in the NHL. Simply propose a format much like Major League Baseball (MLB). Have the two conferences play mid-way through the season, and the winning conference gets home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Finals. Since the MLB instituted this change, its All-Star Games have been by far the most compelling. Players realize that home-field in the finals can be the difference between winning and losing. The NHL and the NFL have the ability to make positive changes...will they?

How "The Culture of Sports" Gets Redefined in Society

As human beings, we live in a world where we want to belong, a place where we want to be accepted and liked by our peers. It is in our nature to feel comfortable to work in a group setting, because  it provides us with a sense of comfort, belonging, and happiness. Sports is the world's greatest avenue for a person to feel accepted. It generally involves  being in a team setting, working with others to showcase your talents as well as helping your teammates show theirs.

As we evolve in society our human nature is becoming more aggressive, and this aggression is sometimes difficult to see. Sport is separated into two components. The first is participating in sport. The second is spectating in sport. Since competitive aggression is normal when participating in sport, it is more important to examine how people take the passion they have for the game and how aggression is sometimes the result. In society, we hold our professional athletes and teams in such high regards to succeed that if failure occurs, we become outraged and full of hate.

Both participating in sports, as well as spectating in sport helps shape who we are as people. It gives us an identity and characteristics that we can share with other people. Being a sports fan gives you a feeling of acceptance; you begin to connect to something that makes you feel happy to watch. Culture is defined as "the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent". It is when we hold this sport culture in such high esteem, that if excellence is not the final outcome, we as fans can become angry and perhaps irrational.

A prime example of how sports fans push the limit of their passion is evident this past weekend when two players received death threats after the loss in both the AFC Championship game and NFC Championship game. The AFC game came down to a game-tying field goal to force overtime from Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff. Cundiff missed the 32-yard kick as Raven nation bowed their heads in disgust. The NFC game was decided in overtime when wide receiver/kick returner Kyle Williams fumbled the football which led to Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes kicking the game-winning field goal to earn the Giants a place in the Superbowl.

Earlier in that game, Williams was preparing to return a kick when it went horribly wrong. The football bounced and just grazed his knee. However, this is ruled now a fumble once it touches any part of his body. The football was recovered by the Giants and 3 plays later from 29 yards out the Giants scored a touchdown. Statistically Williams attributed to the Giants earning 10 points off of his two turnovers. The final score of the game was 20-17 for the Giants. It is reasonable to place a share of the loss on Williams.

Following that loss, Williams received death threats via social media outlets for his two turnovers. One early threat, via Twitter, wished harm on Williams wife and children. Williams is single with no children. Other tweets go as far as exposing his living quarters, "Hey SF fans in the city: Kyle Williams #10 156 Filmore St, San Fransicso, CA 94117. Billy Cundiff was also targeted via Twitter, "R.I.P Billy Cundiff (Ravens kicker), R.I.P Kyle Williams (49ers WR #10).

Both the Ravens and 49ers organization have acted accordingly with NFL security in protecting the lives of these two people following their recent losses. The teams are backing them up accordingly trying to protect their pride as best they can, making comments like, "We win as a team, we lose as a team", and "Mistakes happen in life, mistakes can happen in sport".

The news of these threats has spread around the world like wildfire. NFL Players, other athletes, and public citizens are personally backing Williams and Cundiff via Twitter and other social media outlets, giving them positive remarks and strength to move on with their lives. It is good to know their are still people in this world that hold people's lives and feelings above a game, because at the end of the day it is just a game. A life is  more valuable than that and should never be under the fear of threat(s) from a "loyal fan". My thoughts and prayers go out to these two individuals, for I hope they can move past the ridicule and hatred, and find a positive light in their life to keep moving forward.

Will We Witness the Clash of Boxing's Titans?

Remember a time when the sport of boxing took the soul of a person and made you feel the blood, sweat, and tears of a boxing match? It was as if you were ringside experiencing every blow, every body shot, every big hook or uppercut. It was a  time when boxers were the most iconic athletes on the planet. You do not have to be a boxing fan to the know the names of the greats who have put their body's on the line in every match they had; Ali, Frazier, Marciano, Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, Foreman, Trinidad, De La Hoya, Robinson, Leonard, and the list goes on.

What is left of the world of boxing in this day in age? It seems that boxing is no longer the major sporting event for sports fans. It seems now that boxing has become a sport of the past, with its enriched history and tradition this sport is slowly diverging. However, their are two particular names still competing in this sport that can take the soul of a person and put the fight back in their hearts. Floyd "Pretty Boy/Money Maker" Mayweather and Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao.

These two men are considered present-day boxing titans. Dominating their opponents is no surprise if you've seen their ring presence and pace they bring to each fight. Floyd Mayweather is the world's BEST pound for pound boxer in the world. He holds an outstanding record of 42 wins 0 losses with 26 of those wins coming from KO (knockout). Pacquiao holds a record of 54 wins 3 losses 2 draws with 38 of those wins coming from way of knockout.

Both of these fighters have earned many titles in different weight classes, which shows you the rarity of how great they are to continually move up and down in weight classes to face opponents and win with ease. Both fighters are in similar weight classes and could easily fight at a reasonable catch-weight that they agree to. The question to ponder now is why have we not witnessed a fight between present-day boxing's most iconic and prolific fighters?

Interestingly enough, there was a potential match to be scheduled back in March 13, 2010. Each fighter would receive a reported 50 million dollars. A record setting payout for any fighter in history of boxing. However, the fight was called off due to disagreements about Olympic style drug tests which means blood tests can be taken at any random time leading up to the fight, including as close as 24 hours before.  Pacquiao's camp refused and stated that drug tests would only be provided if they were scheduled tests. Consequently, on January 7, 2010, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum declared that the fight was officially off.

Mayweather has been relentlessly calling for Pacquiao to step up and fight him on May 5th 2012 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Nevada. Mayweather is insisting on May 5th because he is due to serve an 87-day jail sentence at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas after a plea deal on domestic violence charges. Mayweather began to press for Pacquiao with a series of tweets beginning January 11th, including ones that read, "Manny Pacquiao I'm calling you out lets fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see, and "My Jail sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in. Step up Punk." Pacquiao said that if Mayweather accepts a 50-50 purse split, each fighter stands to earn around $50 million to $60 million.

Boxing fans are hopeful that this fight can be scheduled, because it will be history in the making and a fight for the ages that no one will ever forget. Let`s hope that finally these two men will enter the ring on May 5th letting their fists do the talking, making their claim as possibly the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time. One man will stand glorious, millions of fans will stand proud!