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Haynesworth - Flunks AGAIN!

Albert Haynesworth, an overpaid player on the Washington Redskins, flunked his conditioning test again today. Haynesworth must pass the test in order to participate in practice at training camp. He has already, therefore, missed the first two days of practice.

With a new coaching regime in place in Washington, Haynesworth is being forced to adapt to a new (3-4) defense. Haynesworth is so angry about this change, that he elected to not show up to off-season workouts and minicamps, demanded a trade, and showed up to training camp out of shape and unprepared. Moreover, little does he realize that a 3-4 defense may actually improve his performance with the potential for an increase in the number of sacks. What a chump!

Here is a guy willing to risk a huge paycheck, because he not only wants to be the star player but the coach also. He is getting paid to play whatever defense his coach tells him (not whatever defense he demands). Haynesworth needs to stop whining and be an example for all the rookies out there. So Haynesworth, here is some advice: stop grubbing out, run a few sprints, and lift some weights, but most of all change your attitude - you better not fail the conditioning test a third time. (Can three strikes and your out apply to football too?)

Technical Difficulties - Comments

I apologize to my readers for the difficulties with posting comments. I have researched the issue and apparently it is a problem on Google's end that is in the process of being corrected. I will provide any updates when I get them.

That being said, PLEASE keep it up with the feedback. The comments that come through are much appreciated.

A Big Plus 1 for the Tribe

Not like New York City needed another jew, but just like our Shabbat dinners, the more the merrier!

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz is reporting that AMARE STOUDEMIRE is jewish! Yes, you heard that right - Amare, the 6 foot 10 inches, 249 pounds, black, power forward, who just signed a massive $100 million deal with the New York Knicks is jewish. Amare recently discovered that he has a jewish mother (which under jewish law makes him jewish) and is currently in Israel exploring his roots.

You can check at Amare on twitter http://twitter.com/amareisreal to see him get in touch with hebrew slang.

Baseball Trade Deadline: Just like an end of the season sale!

Every new fashion season we rush to the stores and buy the magazines to see the new trends. Are platforms still in? Will plaids be back? And can the 80s please be out? As we browse the racks and "ooh" and "ahh" over the new clothing we then ponder - what should I buy now and what should I hold out for with the hope that it goes on sale. This cycle repeats itself with every new season and we all hold out for something we love to go on sale, since we know we will enjoy it so much more with the bargain we get.

These sensations match those of sports fans when the baseball season is beginning: which team will win the World Series? Who will throw a no-hitter? And which records will be broken? Yet, like us shoppers, baseball team owners and managers scout the talent available at the beginning of the season pondering whom do I buy now and whom do I hold out for until the baseball trade deadline on July 31st (during the second half of the season), where presumably the purchasing team will get some sort of bargain by not having carried the expensive player on their roster for the entire season. The team management must consider whether the player is worth the price tag at the beginning of the season or at a potential discount later on. Some teams hold out to see whether they have a good enough record and base of talent in July to potentially win the World Series, therefore warranting the purchase of a star player, while others will realize they have no chance and therefore want to unload pricey players to save money.

Here are some highlights from the 2010 baseball trade deadline drama:

• Roy Oswalt, pitcher for the struggling Houston Astros, is likely heading to the Philadelphia Phillies who have been in the last two World Series and need to add some good pitching to make it back to the playoffs (only Oswalt can now veto the trade due to a no-trade clause in his contract). This scenario reminds me of a bombshell Catherine Malandrino dress that I just had to have for a party that weekend. It was such a perfect fit it was made for me. The downside was that although it made it to the "sale" rack, it was still quite a steep price. I ended up buying the dress since it was a match made in heaven, just as Oswalt is a match as the best available pitcher for the Phillies, who can justify the price tag with their need for pitching to head to the playoffs.

• Now remember those stunning black classic Louboutin stilettos you have been eyeing for months? Well, imagine that Saks is forced to put them on sale, because it cannot sell them at the high price tag. You are ecstatic, right? No, because Chrisitan Louboutin vetoes the sale based on his contract terms with Saks. This is the scenario with the first baseman, Derrek Lee, of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs with almost no chance to make the playoffs make a deal to trade Lee to the Los Angeles Angels, but Lee vetoes the trade pursuant to a no-trade clause in his contract. No one really knows why Lee vetoed the trade, but not a bad move by Lee since the Angels are a bit of a long shot for post-season success. (And I think, unfortunately, that our man Christian will always avoid the sales on his classic shoes since we will always demand them!)

• Lastly, I want to consider the scenario where I am staring at the beautiful clothes on the sales rack with a hot date scheduled for that night. I know that I still have some solid backup outfits in my closet, but should I splurge on an all-star dress? Right now, the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox are two teams with a hot date - meaning, both are serious contenders for post-season runs. Yet, they are battling some injuries and are not sure whether to count on their backup players for the wins. These teams are not being aggressive with the trade deadline, because in my opinion, they have faith in their players, the "backup outfits," to carry the team through, while they battle the injuries of some of their stars. You too, ladies, should trust in your backups, because in the end, it is the confidence you have in yourself that will make you shine on the hot date.

Love your Booty!

Love the new ad out by NIKE promoting the big bootaaayyy. I got the Jew-booty myself, but whatever you got - learn to love it!

This ad is similar to one by NIKE from 2005:

Tom Cruise and T.O.: Leading Parallel Lives

When we think of Tom Cruise, do we first think about his good looks in Top Gun and overall success in Hollywood or his wacko outburst on Oprah's sofa and obsession with Scientology? Sure, Tom Cruise has starred in some major Hollywood hits - "Risky Business", "Top Gun", "Mission Impossible", and "Jerry Maguire" (the list goes on...) - but he remains a serious liability to any studio that signs him for a movie. In 2006, Paramount even dropped ties with the star, because they did not believe that he was worth the risk (or thepaycheck). Studios are no longer as willing to pay Cruise the big bucks he demands, because they do not trust him as a person to maintain an image that will promise success for the film.

NFL player Terrell Owens, whom we all know from "The T.O. Show" on VH1, is the Tom Cruise of football. No one contends that Terrell Owens is a great wide receiver and adds value to the teams that he plays on. Yet, like Cruise, Owens antics are a liability. His ego rattles his teammates and his touchdown dances offend players, owners and the league. Where team cohesion is critical to success in the NFL, what team would be willing to risk bringing T.O. into the mix?

Well, the Cincinnati Bengals, just took the risk and signed free agent T.O. to a 1 year $2 million deal with another $2 million in incentives (meaning, what additional money T.O. can earn if he plays well). T.O., at 36 years of age, is getting up there and he just came off a weak season at the Buffalo Bills. More importantly, T.O. will be forced to share the stage in Cincinnati with Chad Ochocinco - a.k.a "The Ultimate Catch" on VH1 - now a teammate playing the same position. Can his ego simmer down for the game? Can he share the stage or even take a back seat?

Just as Cruise had some post-lunatic success with the box office hit "War of the Worlds," I believe T.O. will achieve the same. T.O. will unlikely be the stand out superstar of the Bengals, but I believe that he has come to a point in his life and career where he realizes that he must play for the team rather than for himself. For example, evidenced in his attempts at additional careers, i.e. modeling with Wilhelmina, and lowering his asking NFL contract price. (Hopefully, he will also apply this lesson to the women he dates as his repeated relationships on the T.O. show could not get more self-centered and pathetic.) Yet, the Bengals team is also a good place for him - the team is used to managing egomaniacs and fortunately have a veteran quarterback, Carson Palmer, to keep them all in line.

T.O. needs to put a shirt on, oh yea, and realize that his time on Bengals may be the last chance he gets in the NFL, so not to treat it like "The T.O. Show."

Golf Etiquette

Few of us play golf, let alone enjoy taking 4 hours on a Sunday to play 18 holes. Yet, the sport is critical to the business world and our men love it. I am learning the game and urge you to do so as well - whether you want to keep your husband company or don't want to be the female left out on the business golf outing, then learn the game.

I came across this article in the NYTimes outlining golf etiquette - http://onpar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/the-10-simple-habits-of-popular-golf-partners/ The article has some great advice so take it to heart as you are learning the game.

Here are a few lady specific tips while you are on the course:

• Wear the right outfit. You may not look your cutest, since golf clothes haven't gone through fashion week yet, but without the right outfit you may be kicked off the course. Remember a collared shirt and no jeans.
• Enjoy a round of beers. It gets hot out there and its a social event - both reasons to make at least one round of beers a critical part of the outing.
• Do not whine. As hot or as bored as you may get don't be a poor sport. It's cool to sit out a hole or two, but just do not complain or bail.

Good luck! And please post your comments on your struggles learning golf so we can all commiserate.

NFL Concussions - Step it Up

Today the NYTimes reported changes in the NFL policy on concussions - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/sports/football/27concussion.html?_r=1&hp. The article reveals a new poster that will be hung in all NFL locker rooms containing tougher language on the effects of brain injuries. The language in the poster implicates that the NFL, for the first time, is acknowledging the long term effects of concussions. This issue is a matter of national news since the NFL has not only been dealing with many disability claims from retired players with brain injuries, but also because the NFL has been forced to face Congress on the issue.

As someone who has had suffered several concussions myself from contact sports, I do not take this issue lightly and recognize the serious implications of the injury. I, therefore, commend the NFL for upping the ante.

However, it is the anti-NFL tone of the NYTimes article and the public's conversations on the issue that bother me. As a former employee of the NFL, I have been involved in the NFL's concussion policy development. I can firmly say that the NFL takes the issue seriously and has been developing appropriate safety techniques and equipment for brain injuries for many years. This issue has NOT been ignored. Even where studies were inconclusive as to the long lasting effects of brain injuries, the NFL still took precautions. For example, the league has worked with Riddell Sports, its helmet company through 2014, to design the safest product. Moreover, the NFL has worked with software companies designing programs to track and study player injuries for present and future treatments. These examples stand amidst a bevy of tactics the NFL has used to prevent further injury.

Furthermore, why is it that only the NFL is being attacked for brain injury prevention? Why aren't the players and their Union doing more on their own? The NFL is constantly attacked by its union (the "NFLPA) for not doing enough. Well, the NFL seems like the only one doing anything. The bottom line is every job has its risks. The more you want a job the more likely you are to agree to a higher level of risks. NFL players are fortunate to be fulfilling their dreams. In doing so, they need to realize that there are inherent risks, such as suffering injury, by playing the game of football. Although all NFL participants should do what is possible to minimize risks, the players in particular need to recognize the challenges in their dream jobs and take some of their own initiative if more is to be accomplished. Don't just rely on the NFL to go above and beyond for you in your job, take some of your own millions and invest in additional protections.

Shout out to US Softball

Congratulations to the US Softball team who captured the 2010 title in the World Cup of Softball after beating Japan 5-1 in the finals.

Thank you to Jennie Fitch for being such an incredible spokesperson for the sport. Best wishes in retirement!

Bryant already a Prima donna

All you sorority girls out there have experienced some sort of hazing, whether it involved wearing ridiculous t-shirts or flirting with frat boys. Whether you enjoyed the hazing initiation or not, you went along with it because it was a way of creating a bond between your pledge class and the rest of your "sisters."

Like in sororities, football teams have hazing rituals for rookie players. This weekend, the Dallas Cowboys began initiating its yearly hazing rituals on its rookies. Star rookie, Dez Bryant, was told to carry the pads of a veteran Roy Williams, yet Bryant refused. He clams that he is there to play football not to carry pads. Williams is now threatening to up the ante on the hazing against Bryant.

Bryant has yet to play a minute of NFL football and therefore has not yet proven himself to his teammates. They do not trust him and that it is critical for him to be an integral player in the team. Bryant better realize that he needs to earn the respect of his teammates and if that means carrying pads then so be it.

Just in Time

In order for the NFL rookies to make it to preseason training camp, the players must complete their contracts with the teams that drafted them. Year after year the parties play hardball and hold out for other deals to be made so that they have a barometer on which to base the terms of their deals.

Fortunately for the Dallas Cowboys, they have reached a deal with Dez Bryant, their first round draft pick for 5 years $11.8 million ($8.3 million guaranteed). The deal was made just in time since Cowboys' training camp begins tomorrow. Bryant is the first first-round draft pick to make a deal. Maybe now that Bryant is officially a Cowboy, he can go lock up a hot celebrity girlfriend to hang out with Kim Kardashian (who is dating Miles Austin, another Cowboy). The girls should start lining up, because Bryant is going to be right on Miles Austin's heels and can get some spotlight time!

(Note, Colt McCoy, the third round draft pick for the Cleveland Browns has reached a deal for about $5 million over four years. Fortunately for him, he is a newlywed on his honeymoon, because there is no chance that he was getting a celebrity girlfriend upon signing his deal in Cleveland.)

On Again Off Again

Don't we all love the drama of those celebrity on again off again couples. Some of the most tumultuous couples that we love are Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, Nicolette Sheridan and Michael Bolton, Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green, and most recently Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin (are they really considered celebrities?). Although some of these couples are seeing happy endings, some have claimed to officially say goodbye to one another.

These couples remind me of Brett Favre and the NFL: a long 20 year history together (mainly with the Green Bay Packers) and then he calls it quits, but then back together, first to the New York Jets, then retirement again, then back again but this time to the Minnesota Vikings, and here we are in the summer of 2010 and Favre still can't make up his mind. Should he renew his vows with the NFL or call it quits?

Is Favre praying to the gods for guidance on retirement?

For some reason, the on again off again nature of the celebrity couples always remains juicy gossip, but with Favre I want him to make up his mind already and get on with it. Either tell Minnesota you are coming back to play another season or get off their radar. Even though Favre is still a great quarterback and I would love to continue to see him play in the NFL, I am sick of his shenanigans. Stop wavering and make a decision already.

NCAA Stepping Up its Game?

For years colleges have balked at the NCAA's attempts to regulate collegiate athletics. The NCAA has always been considered a joke even in times of enforcement, since its rules do not make much sense. Most infractions of the NCAA rules involve improper discussions between college athletes and professional agents. The universities have an obligation to regulate these relationships, as do the athletes and agents have a responsibility to abide by the rules or risk punishment. Even the professional sports leagues are required to monitor their agents in order to ensure proper practice. Ultimately, the NCAA rules are designed to maintain the integrity of the amateur game for college athletes, yet in practice it all comes down to money and those punished are often not the ones who committed the wrongdoing.

Most recently, the NCAA imposed harsh sa

nctions on the University of Southern California ("USC") for infractions involving Reggie Bush, currently the running back for the NFL's New Orleans Saints (and ex-boyfriend to Kim Kardashian - did they break up from the stress of this scandal?), and O.J. Mayo, a star player for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Based on the prior infractions, the NCAA has imposed a two year bowl game ban and a scholarship restriction on USC. These infractions will not only cost the school millions of dollars in revenue, but restrict their recruiting, because high school players do not want to play for schools that cannot go to bowl games or for schools that cannot give them a scholarship. These infractions will hurt USC's program for many years into the future, due to the inability to continue to build their programs with recruiting.

Reggie Bush showing off his 2010 Superbowl ring - Someone is still livin' it up!

What is ridiculous about these infractions is that they do not punish the individuals inv

olved in the wrongdoing! Both Bush and Mayo are no longer at USC, but instead are in the pros making millions. Yes, their images will be somewhat tarnished and their records diminished, but so what? Does anyone actually believe that their professional careers will be hurt? NO. In addition, the previous coach of USC football, Pete Carroll, is now coaching the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Even he will avoid any sanction. Instead the NCAA sanctions are punishing the innocent players currently at USC whose professional dreams will be affected by their inability to play for a strong program and win a bowl game. The NCAA which is designed to promote the interests of its college athletes is instead doing the opposite - hindering the athletic development and success of those athletes at USC.

The NCAA believes that by punishing the university and costing it millions, it is basically eliminating some of the financial gain the school achieved through the illegitimate success of Bush and Mayo. Although this financial punishment is warranted against the school, its ultimate affects on the college athletes is unjust and unfair.

Moreover, the NCAA has just announced that it is also conducting investigations of alleged violations at the University of Georgia, with more investigations to come at the University of Florida, University of South Carolina, and University of Alabama. Sad to say, it looks like more innocent athletes at these schools will have their futures put in jeopardy by the NCAA. The NCAA isn't stepping up its game as an organization by conducting investigations and imposing sanctions, instead its failing to play its own game by adhering to its mission of protecting its athletes and preserving the nature of the amateur collegiate athletics.

Survivor Nicaragua!

Former Dallas Cowboys coach and current Fox Sports pregame analyst, Jimmy Johnson, is joining the cast of the new season of the CBS show "Survivor: Nicaragua." Johnson will compete against total strangers, as this is not a celebrity competition reality show. Despite being 67 years old, Johnson will be a force to contend with having won two Superbowls and maintaining a high all-time winning record. Regardless, he is sure to stick around awhile since the other contestants will keep him around for entertainment value.

Kovalchuk Contract: DENIED

The contract I wrote about yesterday between Ilya Kovalchuk and the NJ Devils for $102 million over 17 years was rejected by the NHL. The NHL claims that the contract violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL, its teams and its players, because it circumvents the league's salary cap. A salary cap is a yearly limit on the amount a team can pay its players.

The Kovalchuk contract states that he would be paid only $550,000 in the last five years of the contract. He would therefore be earning $98.5 million of the $102 million deal in the first 11 years of the deal. These numbers imply that Kovalchuk does not intend to actually play the last several years of his contract, because he would be unlikely to agree to such a low yearly payment so far into his career. This implication means that the contract was then structured to defer the $102 million payment over 17 years in order to minimize the impact on the salary cap. This would then allow the Devils to pay more to other players in the early and middle years of the 17 year deal.

The NHL Players Association ("NHLPA") will have about a week to decide whether to challenge the NHL's rejection of the contract. In determining whether to fight the NHL's decision, the NHLPA will analyze other long term deals that have previously been approved by the league. (There has been some long term deals for big money in the NHL, but none to the extent of Kovalchuk's proposed contract.) In the meantime, Kovalchuk can renegotiate with the Devils or any other interested teams.

Looks like the 17 years was always just a scam to get more money!

Tour de France Etiquette

The Tour de France is an annual three week cycling race throughout France and bordering countries that is broken down into stages. The cyclists battle to win the stages of the race, which ultimately determine the race champion. Although there are specific rules for this complex race, there is also an unspoken cycling etiquette. This cycling etiquette includes rules such as no attacking in a feed zone, and more importantly, respecting the leader by not attacking during a leader's bathroom break, when involved in a crash, or when suffering a mechanical problem. Since the leader position rotates throughout the years and different races, the cyclists take this etiquette seriously and hold each other responsible when the etiquette is breached so that the same respect is given to each leader. The cyclists, believe that to be the true champion you must follow the etiquette and stall where appropriate so that you are sure to be competing and beating the best leaders on the path to the win.

Yesterday, during stage 15 of the 2010 Tour de France, Alberto Contador took the race lead from Andy Schleck when Schleck's bike chain dislodged. Contador violated the race etiquette by attacking instead of failing to wait for Schleck to fix his chain. Contador initially denied any etiquette violation by stating that he was already on the attack upon the mechanical incident, but later posted an apology on YouTube. The pair have a history of race etiquette disputes and this incident simply adds to the fire - expect Schleck to be after Contador in the upcoming stages.

Despite the long established history of cycling etiquette, the etiquette rules seem to be in conflict with the nature of the sport. The goal of the race is to win by following the rules, but also by attacking the weaknesses of your opponents. When a cyclist has to urinate, has a mechanical problem, or even is unable to avoid a crash, you, as a competitor, should attack, because you have trained to urinate less frequently, to prepare the best bike, and to avoid crashes. Being constrained to an etiquette that compels a cyclist to not capitalize on their strengths and attack their opponents' weaknesses ultimately devalues the win for the leader. The leader is the one that then fails to compete against the best his opponents have to offer.

Contador should not have to apologize for his attack. Rather, all of the competing cyclists should have been on the attack when Schleck's chain dislodged. Even Schleck should realize as the leader, that in order to merit that position, he must beat the best. Regardless of whether Schleck could have avoided the chain incident, every athlete knows that a little luck is also a part of winning. The Tour de France is a competition to be the best and the cyclists must step up their game - follow the etiquette and risk having a champion who failed to compete against the best opponents or throw it out and attack all weaknesses.

17 Freaking Years!

Ilya Kovalchuk, a NHL goal scoring machine, has just signed a 17 year deal with the New Jersey Devils for $102 million dollars. Although Kovalchuk does show great promise for the Devils' chances to win a title, what was the point of signing a 17 year deal??? That is an eternity! Kovalchuk will be 44 years old when the deal ends in 2026-27. (Yes, this is deal is really on the books through 2026-2027!)

Even though hockey players have in the past played into their 40s, why would Kovalchuk want to even commit himself on any level that far out? From the Devils' perspective, this deal enables them to spread the large payment of $102 million through 17 years, greatly boosting the team's ability to make future moves under the salary cap.

Anyway, I hope Kovalchuk and his agent Jay Grossman know what they are doing. Job security is nice, but too extreme when the deal runs into another generation.

"Entourage" Bringing the NFL to Los Angeles

Although you are probably tuning in to this season of "Entourage" to watch Vince be a daredevil or see Sloan marry E, I am hooked to the show for the storyline centered on bringing the NFL to Los Angeles. The show has recently guest starred Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and Adrian Peterson, a running back for the Minnesota Vikings. The storyline focuses on Ari Gold becoming an owner of a new NFL team in LA - the LA Golds.

The NFL has had a sticky history in Los Angeles, with the now St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders organizations both having spent time as Los Angeles teams. Yet, the NFL has been absent from LA, the second largest media market in the United States, since 1994. Despite the lack of physical presence in the city, there has been a constant buzz of attempts to bring an NFL team back to the area. Most of these attempts have failed, mainly due to the complications involved in building a stadium for the team. However, the NFL buzz in LA has heightened in the last couple years, with several new stadium proposals. Even the skeptical insiders are now stating that the NFL will be back in LA sooner rather than later.

So "Entourage" could not have picked a better time to implement this storyline. Although fictional, I like to believe that stories have their way of playing out in real life. Therefore, those producers at "Entourage" better keep it up - let Ari get the team in LA so the Angelenos out there have something to hope for.

And the Winner is....

Louis Oosthuizen (pronounced LOO-ee WHUST-hay-zen) won the 2010 British Open this weekend by a large lead of seven strokes. Oosthuizen is the fourth South African golfer to win the tournament. This was a much needed win for the country, who suffered a poor showing in the recent FIFA World Cup.

Fashion Update - Round 2 British Open 2010

So check out John Daly's pants today during his second round of play at the British Open:

Did Pucci make those?

Sovereignty or the Game

The sport of lacrosse was developed by the Native Americans hundreds of years ago. Yet, today, a team of Iroquois lacrosse players are being denied the opportunity to travel to England for the world championships, because they insist on traveling with their native passports. Initially, England would not grant the team visas to travel for the tournament, because of the concern that the US would not allow the team to reenter the States upon return. Now, the US State Department has officially recognized the native passports, yet England is continuing to deny access. The US government offered to expedite US passports for the team, but the team collectively refused them, insisting that traveling on their native passports was critical to their sovereignty as an Indian nation. The team has already missed their first match of the tournament, but is continuing to hope that it will make their second round match against Japan as negotiations with England continue.

Since the US has agreed to recognize the native passports, it is ridiculous that England will not grant entry. There is no longer a concern that the team will not be allowed to reenter the US. However, the team could easily make the tournament if they just agreed to travel with US passports. This strong statement for sovereignty over competing in the tournament is a bold one. What do you think the team should do - continue to hold out or travel with US passports?

Raiderrrsss

This post is dedicated to one of my followers who is, unfortunately, an Oakland Raiders fan. I have been telling him for years to give up his team while Al Davis, the kooky owner, still has the reigns. Here is one more reason for him to do so:

On the passing of George Steinbrenner earlier this week, Al Davis said:

"I judge sports figures based on individual achievement, team achievement and contributions to the game. George was right up there with me at No. 1 -- bright, aggressive, and most of all, not afraid."

Despite what I hope to believe as a genuine sadness in Al Davis' words, he managed to make Steinbrenner's death a forum for self-praise. Davis states that Steinbrenner was "right up there with [him] at No. 1." Could he be any more egotistical? Even more shocking, is the fact that Davis felt comfortable making this statement when his Raiders have been an embarrassment to the NFL pretty consistently for the last 20 years. The team has not only had a terrible record, but also drafted the biggest bust of a #1 draft pick, JaMarcus Russell. And more recently the team has been led by head coach, Tom Cable, who beat up and broke the jaw of his assistant coach.

A true "No. 1" would have avoided these mishaps through proper management. Davis will never be able to regain the glory days he had with the Raiders in the 1970s-80s. So you Raiders fans out there, give it up until you get a new owner.

Vandy Vandy, Oh Hell Yeah!

Just want to give a shout out to my alma mater Vanderbilt for making national sports news this week. Vanderbilt, despite being a member of a top college football sports conference, the SEC, has largely struggled against its opponents in the most publicized sport of men's football. Since we rarely get noticed due to poor results, I find it to be a highlight of the week to see Vandy's football program in the news.

That being said, Vanderbilt has made the news, because the head football coach, Bobby Johnson has decided to leave his position and appointed Robbie Caldwell as the new head coach. Caldwell previously served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach.

Hopefully, this move won't further plummet Vanderbilt in the SEC football ranks.

2010 British Open

Our boss always seems to be out of the office "golfing," and the men in our lives always want to be out on the course. Despite claiming to love all sports, I will admit that even golf bores me (if taken in large doses). The rounds are endless, the announcers sedated, and the players static. Yet, knowing a few things about the 2010 British Open, which is currently being played in the historic St. Andrews course in Scotland, will make you stand out in any business meeting you have this week.

Here is what you need to know:

• Tiger Woods is tied for 5th place at -5 ("5 under par" is the proper lingo). He had a solid performance today, despite being in the midst of his longest winless stretch to start a season. He is still ranked #1 in the world, but it is clear that his troubles with Elin are causing a ruckus in his game.
• 21-year-old cutie Rory McIlroy from Ireland is in the leader position at -9, tying the major championship record.
• John Daly, the 1995 British Open Champion, is tied for second place at -6. Yet, it was his pants that really made a statement.
  What do you think: Are these pants good/bad for golf fashion?

What to Watch Tonight

The 2010 ESPYS awards will be hosted tonight by Seth Meyers on ESPN at 9pm ET.

The ESPYS are the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards. The candidates for the awards are selected by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee and the winners are chosen by online fan voting. Having previously attended the ESPYS, I highly recommend you tuning in. There is a decent red carpet with a wide variety of guests including athletes, models, actors, and musicians.

Here is a list of some of the most anticipated awards with my picks in italics:

Best Record Breaking Performance:

• Track and Field: Usain Bolt - 100M and 200M
• NFL: Brett Farve - Most Consecutive Starts
• Tennis: Roger Federer - Most Grand Slam Singles Titles
• NCAA Women's Basketball: UCONN - Longest Winning Streak
• Tennis: John Isner v. Nicolas Mahut - Longest Professional Tennis Match

Best Moment:

• Golf: Phil Mickelson wins Masters
• Winter Olympics: Joannie Rochette wins bronze medal
• NFL: New Orleans Saints win Super Bowl XLIV
• 2010 FIFA World Cup: Landon Donovan Scores Game Winning Goal against Algeria

(I admit this one is a tough one!)

Castrol Edge Performance Under Pressure Award:

• 2010 Winter Olympics: Sidney Crosby scores Gold Medal Game Winning Goal
• NFL: Brett Farve beats Green Bay Packers in Return
• 2010 FIFA World Cup: Landon Donovan Scores Game Winning Goal against Algeria
• MLB: Stephen Strasburg Debut Start

Knowledge is the Key to the Game

Despite the flurry of excitement surrounding the 2010 World Cup, soccer continues to get a bad rap. The main criticism of the sport is that it is boring, because it is low scoring and can end in a tie. As a former soccer goalkeeper, I have an understanding of the intricacies of the sport, which I believe creates an appreciation for all aspects of the game, especially those that do not involve a goal. The more the viewer understands the game, the more components they can then appreciate and find an interest in.

Conjure up the memory of the last time you shared a night of gossip over a bottle of wine with your single lady girlfriends. I am sure the conversation revolved around "boy drama." There are endless stories of dates, hookups, and commitment phobia. Regardless of the amount of wine consumed, as I am sure there were empty bottles involved, laughter took over the night and you left craving more details of dating mishaps and embarrassing moments. Yet, none of the gossip ended with one of your friends "scoring" by landing the guy. Despite your girlfriend's failure to get the guy, the ultimate goal of these dating conquests, you want to hear more about the dating adventures. You even secretly hope that your friend will not end up with the guy, because that would surely make your girl nights much less humorous and dynamic.

Like the boy drama you crave, I believe that soccer is a sport that you can appreciate without the scoring of numerous goals. We love the boy drama, despite our girlfriends' failures to "score," because we have an understanding of the dating struggle since we have been through it at one point or another. By spending some more time watching and learning the sport of soccer, you will gain a knowledge of the game that will enable you to appreciate the 50/50 balls, headers, passing, and free kicks just as much, if not more, than the goals.

Celebrity Weddings!

So this past week there have been two high profile unions between professional male athletes and women of the entertainment industry:

1. Carmelo Anthony and Lala Vasquez: Anthony, an all-star NBA player on the Denver Nuggets, married La La, an MTV/VH1 VJ and host. (C'mon we all remember La La from TRL!) Lebron James was a groomsman in the wedding.

2. Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher: Our favorite "American Idol" sweetheart, Carrie Underwood, wed Mike Fisher, an NHL player for the Ottawa Senators.

Lebron James = Coward

Even the non-sports fans out there have heard of Lebron James, the self-proclaimed "King." James, the best player in the NBA (National Basketball Association), recently left the Cleveland Cavaliers to play on the Miami Heat with two other superstars, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. The media has portrayed James as a villain for making this decision. Although James is not a villain, his decision to join the Miami Heat is cowardly and an antithesis to the notion of a true "King" of the NBA. For an athlete to be the best or a "King," he or she must compete against the best and win. Here, James has stacked his team with talent, with the combination of Wade and Bosh, therefore reducing the competition he must face to win an NBA Title and more importantly the true title of "King" of the NBA.

Imagine, for example, that Michaels Kors, Diane Von Furstenburg, Tom Ford, Mickey Drexler and Christian Louboutin abandoned their own fashion lines to create one company. Although this initially may sound like the most exciting news - a creation of one ultimate brand designed by the best in the world - it ultimately will have negative effects on you as a consumer and lover of fashion. These creative visionaries will be forced to share the spotlight and therefore you will receive less of their genius. Moreover, the lack of competition in the marketplace for their individual brands will ultimately stifle their joint collection since the designers will no longer be forced to compete against one another by creating the best fashion lines possible. Now although you may not be over the idea of this ultimate fashion brand (as I am still excited by the idea of it), you may at least realize that it would have detrimental effects on the creation of the best and most innovative fashion.

However, this analogy reveals one important distinction when considered with the Lebron James situation: James is a role model for the public while fashion designers do not share the same role in the public eye. Regardless, of whether James' position as a role model is fair, he has clearly shown himself to be pathetic as a superstar athlete role model.

Even though James tends to stay out of jail, his decision to join the Heat in this manner will likely taint his reputation more than the typical athlete misbehavior. Instead of teaching us to be the best by competing and beating the best, James has decided that it is better to have the best players on his team so that he does not have to compete against them. He simply lacks the courage necessary to be the superstar role model we all believed he would be. James is more than just a sell-out to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the public, he is ultimately preventing himself from ever being the true "King" since he is avoiding the competition against the best the NBA world has to offer.

Maybe the NBA Titles that James wins while on the Heat will be listed in the Hall of Fame with an asterisk explaining that the team is not a true champion and James not a "King," since its players, led by Lebron James, simply wussed out on competing against the best.

GAMETIME

The Sports Girl blog is officially launched!

As the "Sports Girl," I hope to provide some insightful sports news commentary for the average girl while creating some new sports fans in the process. As I provide new posts, please give me feedback by submitting comments to the post. As an amateur blogger, I hope my readers will assist me in making this unique sports blog a success!