Under the Umbrella

U.S. Open Preview

Well its the first week in September, so that can only mean one thing sports fans, The U.S. Open of Tennis is back! And its back with vengeance!

On the men's side we have a familiar face, Roger Federer is back as the number one seed and looking for his 16th major. Andy Roddick looks for revenge after his loss in one of the greatest Wimbledon finals in history. And Murray looks to avenge last years Open finals loss against Fed. O yeah, and Nadal is fighting for remembrance.

On the Women's side, we are left asking the same question. Who will face Serena Williams in the finals?

It's sad to say, but she's been nearly perfect this year. What new face will rise up to face her in the finals?

There's her sister, Venus, who just lost to her sister on grass, probably Venus's best surface. Sharapova is still making a comeback she suffered early in the tennis season. There's Safina who is coming into the open ranked number one, but still lacks the experience to take the title from Serena. And then there's Dementieva, she just beat Serena two weeks ago in Toronto and has two finals under her belt, but a win over Serena at the U.S. Open seems far fetched. 

MEN'S DRAW

In this writers point of view, the semis are set so there is no need to discuss anyone or anything else. The final four will be Fed v. Roddick and Nadal v. Murray.

Roddick looks for revenge in this match. At Wimbledon Fed prevailed as champion in a final set that went 16-14 to Roger. For Roddick its the typical storyboard. Big Serve, hold serve, consistent back hand and make Fed play long points on his serve. We have seen time and time again Fed loves pressure but if Roddick can hold serve easily and make Roger work on his serve this will be close.  

Fed in four sets

Nadal Is not at 100 Percent but Nadal at 70 percent will get him to the semis. There he will run into a freight train known by the name of Andy Murray. With the weight of an entire country off of him, Murray looks to dominate Nadal. Murray was here last year, making quick work of a healthy Nadal just a year ago.

Murray in three sets

Here we go again! Federer V.  Murray. Not many people have faced more pressure this year then Roger, that is except Andy Murray. At Wimbledon, the country came to a stand still. Placing all there hopes and dreams in one man. Andy fell just short losing in the semis to Roddick. But that was then.

He's Healthy, he's experienced, he's good. We just dont know how good yet.

My heart wants Murray in five but my brain says Fed in five. But does it matter? This looks like it will be the greatest U.S. Open finals in years.

Fed in a brutally exhausting five sets!

WOMEN'S DRAW

I get writers block when thinking about the women's side of the draw. The only thing predictable is the unpredictable. It will be a very dusty, unpaved road to the finals. When the dust clears The semis look like this. Safina V. Dementieva and Insert name here V. S. Williams

Safina is a strong, big and constant force on the Womens tour. All of this will place her in the semis but it's not enough to stop Dementieva. With a strong year and an even stronger hard court season' look for Dementieva to control this match from point to point.

Dementieva in 2 sets

Not much to say here. Someone will break through and face Serena in the Semis. But this isn't a fairy tale ending. Serena will use her big serve and Forehand to over power whoever she will be playing.

Serena in 2 sets

Dementieva's confidence will be overflowing. She will come into the first set strong and emotionally revved up. I look for her to dominate the first set. She will slow down in the second and Serena will start to come into her own. It will be a close second but Serena wins 7-5. The third set will be all Serena, with experience and strength being the two players to take this match from Demetieva. 

Serena in 3 sets

Ryan HS

UFC 102 Preview

Live from Portland, Oregon: UFC 102!!!

 

Who cares?

 

No really, who cares?

 

Now I am as big a UFC fan as the next, but you bring UFC to Portland and give us Couture vs. Nogueira and Jardine vs. Silva? Why would anyone spend the money to go see these fights live?

 

I absolutely love Couture(16-9-0) and Nogueira(37-5-1), but that is the most boring match-up in UFC history. Neither of these guys will be on their feet for more then one minute a round. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Couture has some knockouts to his name(7), but Couture is known for his wrestling.

 

Nogueira has 19 submissions under his belt. He obviously isn’t scared to play on the mat.  It will be interesting to see how Couture’s unbelievable wrestling skills will match up against Nogueira’s submission mastery, especially considering Couture is 46 years old and has to have lost some strength and cardio.

 

Who doesn’t love a KNOCKOUT?

 

Guarenteed; when Dana White put this fight together, he wanted a memorable knockout from UFC 102! Putting Jardine(14-5-1) up against Silva(13-1-0) is just not fair!  In Silva’s 13 fights, ten where knockouts! This guy is a machine. I am happy he gets the “bump to the next level fight,” with Jardine. It seems everyone has to go through Jardine to get to the big names. Out of Jardines five losses, three where knockouts and two of those were in the first round. Hopefully Silva knocks him with a big right knee to the dome!

 

Maybe even in the first round!

 

With the ticket pricing and the lackluster fight card, one would have to assume that Dana was so sure that having 5 fighters with local ties (Couture, Leben, Marquardt, Herman and Evan Dunham) would be enough to pack the Rose Garden. He was wrong.

 

Regardless of the card and the attendance, this will be a memorable event for Portland, just like when the NCAA’s came to town in the spring.

 

- Zach vW

He Could Play Today! He Could Play Today!!

 

I’m not going to lie; I am unbelievably excited to see my man, Michael Vick play tonight!

 

Now I know he has a bankruptcy hearing tonight that could prevent him from playing, but being the optimist I am, I know he will make it to the field, suited up in an Eagles uniform, throwing bombs and running like a maniac.

 

In the three seasons since Vick last played, the league has changed. Defenses have dealt with multiple Vick wannabees since then and learned how to contain them, but we all know that nobody has the wheels and moves of Michael at QB.

 

Is he going to get snaps tonight and if so how many?

 

I don’t know and quite frankly I don’t care! Just give him enough time on the field for me to see he’s still got it. Give him enough time for me to decide I am going to watch every Eagles game this season.

 

Most of all, I just want a preview of the Vick, McNabb show.

 

How is Andy Reid going to use both of them?

 

Zach vW

First on the Agenda, Round Two!

 

There is a hunting party set to embark on a journey of redemption and solidification. The journey starts on September 4^th, 2009 in the quaint city of Boise, ID.

 

Last year the Ducks were embarrassed by a fresher and hungrier Bronco’s team. The Bronco’s were viscous and relentless in their goal to upset and punish the Ducks in Autzen Stadium.

 

Last year, much like this year, that was the only game of meaning on the Bronco’s schedule where as the Ducks have multiple ranked teams to “get psyched” for, Boise only has Oregon.

 

A brutal late hit took out QB Jermiah Masoli, who got the nod when starting QB Justin Roper was still on the injured list from the Purdue game. When Masoli went down the Ducks turned to true Freshman Chris Harper who threw 3 picks in 4 possessions forcing the Ducks to burn the Redshirt of Freshman Darron Thomas.

 

The violence didn’t stop at attacks on defenseless QB’s either, Ed Dickson took a late hit after an incomplete catch that resulted in a Bronco thug being tossed from the game.

 

The ducks secondary has an improved enforcer of their own, in safety T.J. Ward, whose hard hitting prowess is has garnered recognition on the national level. T.J. is well remembered by Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson. Zac had a QB keeper play where he gained 3 yards at the expense of being out on his feet for the remainder of the game.

 

The difference between T.J. and the Bronco thugs is that T.J.’s hits are legal. That’s just a sign of having the skills to play at the next level and knowing that you don’t so trying your best to get noticed for other reasons.

 

Preparations for redemption have been underway for this Ducks squad since their solid victory over Oklahoma State late last year in the Holiday Bowl. Not easily forgotten is the way the Bronco’s were able to come in and impose their will on the Ducks on both sides of the ball.

 

But this year, the Ducks will be ready. The ref’s will be ready. Maybe even Nick Allioti will remember that the Tight End is an eligible receiver and needs to be covered. Duck fans are just hoping the Ducks remember that they are the better team and this time the chip is on their shoulders.

 

My prediction for this game is Oregon 43, Boise State 31.

 

-Kurt Valentine

Brettman to the Rescue!

I'd be willing to bet that shortly after news broke that Michael Vick found his way to Philadelphia, Brett Favre's phone rang.

Surely Brett wasn't to surprised to hear Rodger Goodell's voice.

Brett knew the "Brett Light" would be activated soon as Gotham needed its super hero to fight off the villainous PETA.

So Brettman sprung to action. He called Brad Childress and a team of doctors, lawyers and ESPN anchors to save the NFL once again from bad publicity.

All kidding aside, the NFL needed this. Goodell has to be happy. So to should be the fans. Even non-fans should rejoice knowing that a good guy is making news for a great reason.

The most prolific passer in the history of the NFL is back. Sure we've heard it all before, and we might hear it again, but finally the buzz around NFL is about triumph not death.

From the tragedy that struck Steve McNair down too young, to the horrific events that led to Dante Stahlworth ending a man's life, the NFL off season has been dark.

Brettman's return will most certainly come with superhero sized expectations, especially when you look at how good the Vikings were likely to be before adding a Canton bound legend, but one would assume that he is up to the challenge.

That is of course if he doesn't try to do it all on his own. This time around his Robin (Adrien Peterson) is quite possibly the best player in football. Not to mention the fact that the Jared Allen led defense looks to be one of the best in the business next year.

I suddenly see myself pulling for the Purple People Eaters this year.

The NFL could strike gold and fans could see an AFC Championship match up of Payton vs Brady and an NFC Championship bout featuring McNabb/Vick vs Brettman and Robin.

In all honesty the NFL can sigh a sigh of relief tonight, and fans can sleep well knowing that once again Brettman watches over Gotham.

Tune in next time to see a less satire filled look at how Brett Favre's return will effect the NFL and Minnesota's dream of a championship.

- Kurt Valentine

"A message of Victory"

"You are the stars and the world is watching you,

By your presence you send a message to every village,

every city,

every nation.

A message of hope,

a message of victory!"

-Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Today we mourn the loss of one of the most unlikely, influential and impactful sports heros of all time.  

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died early this morning at the age of 89. Eunice was the visionary and founder of Special Olympics.

Shriver's vision that one million intellectually challenged would one day compete was met with skepticism in 1968 when the inaugural Special Olympics opened. Today more then three million compete for honor and bravery.

In the modern age of sports we get so wrapped up in big contracts, steroids, scandals, dunks and home runs. We lose sight of the good sports actually does for the everyday super star.

In sports, Shirver found that she could give a sense of self back to the challenged. A sense of purpose and desire we all seem to be missing no matter what our handicaps may be. 

It is a rare occasion when one family receives a letter from the pope and the leader of the free world when they lose a family member, but Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a women who touched the hearts of the world. 

"Let me win,
but if I cannot win
let me be brave
in the attempt."

-Special Olympic Oath

A message we need to embrace.

Eunice Kennedy Shirver's passing will be marked with tears and a hole left in the heart of the world.

-ryanhs

If 2's Company and 3's a Crowd, What Do You Do With 4 Small Forwards?

Martell Webster’s return is highly anticipated by the Blazers organization as well as its’ fan base. The team is looking at his return as a “Kind of like adding a free agent”, according to Kevin Pritchard.

 

But what exactly does his return mean?

 

The team is already crowded at the Small Forward position with Travis Outlaw, Nicolas Batum and even Rudy Fernandez all having played and started the position last year.

 

The young Frenchman Batum started 76 games there and averaged over 18 minutes per game. He did not provide much of a scoring threat at just over 5 points per game, but he was known as a defensive specialist who’s length and athletic prowess wreaked havoc in the passing lanes.

 

Travis, though not a traditional starter, averaged over 27 minutes per game at 12.8 points per game. Travis hit big shot after big shot earning him the nickname “Big Shot Trav”. Travis is a polarizing figure amongst Rip City residents as you either love him, or hate him.

 

Travis and Nic’s poor playoff performances were well documented. Both players took shots from the media and fans for “choking under pressure” which led to Rudy getting the nod as a starter at the 3.

 

Rudy’s start in the playoffs was less than memorable and the combined efforts of the 3 was the likely the reason the Blazers went head first after Hedo Turkoglu. But after a swing and a miss with him and his wife, the Blazers realized they already have too much talent at Small Forward.

 

Martell is pretty much Travis, Nic, and Rudy rolled into one and watered down.

 

Martell’s 3 point shot is nice, but not Rudy nice.

 

Martell’s perimeter defense is supposed to be solid, but not to the level of Nic.

 

Martel can create his own shot, but not like Travis, who has been quoted as saying he has never had a contested jumper because he jumps to high.

 

I’ll admit I would like to see an upgrade at Small Forward, but I’m not sure that the addition of Martell is an overall net gain when you think about who loses minutes when Martel is on the floor.

 

Martell averaged over 28.1 minutes per game in the 07/08 and only scored 10.7 per game. He shot an impressive 38.8% on his 317 3 point attempts but Rudy was better at 39.9% while setting an NBA Rookie record for made 3’s at 159. Even Outlaw found his stroke and was 37.7 percent from down town last year.

 

Rudy by virtue of his size and finesse playing style is a Shooting Guard but his talent level rises through the roof of the Rose Garden, so you have to make sure you find him 25 minutes a game.

 

Outlaw’s production last year has to have earned him at least another 25 minutes per game or more. His best season is better than Martell’s best season. And Big Shot Trav’s best season was coincided with 54 wins while Martell’s best was during a 41 win season where he scored 3 points less in 82 more minutes.

 

And still one can’t forget the fact that Nic is only 20. Perhaps the worst thing that could happen by bringing Martell back could be hampering the development of a player that is often projected to be in the same mold as Scottie Pippen.

 

I do not envy the position that this has placed Nate McMillan in, so much talent so few minutes. We are too deep at two positions now.

 

Martell’s return is in fact like adding a free agent, but it’s more like when John Nash added free agents in the late 90’s. Throwing talent on the floor without regard for chemistry ends badly.

 

Have we already forgotten game 7 of the 99 Western Conference Finals?

 

-Kurt Valentine

"We Love LA"; The Lamarcus Aldridge Contract Saga

Now that the Blazers have locked Brandon Roy into a Blazers jersey until 2015, the next point of order is LaMarcus Aldridge.

 

We love LA, that’s what the song and the Rose Garden Jumbo-tron tells us every time he sinks that silky smooth Rasheedish jumper of his. LaMarcus knows he is loved here.

 

But as Barrett Strong reminded us, “The best things in life are free, but you can leave them to the birds and the bees. I want money!” You can be certain that LaMarcus agrees with that and if he doesn’t you know his agent does.

 

How much is LaMarcus worth?

 

The NBA’s rookie salary structure was designed to minimize financial risks on draft picks. The NFL would do well to follow that example. Does the name Vince Young ring a bell? My ramblings have reason here trust me.

 

The structure is supposed to also give teams enough time to adequately evaluate a players worth before having to sign him to a long term deal while still looking out for the players themselves making sure that they are not working for peanuts for 5 or 6 years. The thought is that 4 seasons of NBA play as a contributor should be enough time to make the accurate decision.

 

The problem there in lies, teams don’t get 4 years. You can sign players to extensions after their 3^rd season. 3 seasons can be tricky. 95 percent of NBA rookie campaigns are forgetful. The bigger the player the more forgetful it can be.

 

So really NBA teams have 2 seasons to determine a quality player’s worth, which in my not so humble opinion is not long enough, at least in LA’s case.

 

LA had a great 3^rd season, but he still had a knack of disappearing during crucial moments.

 

His 4^th quarter field goal percentage was significantly lower than the 1^st and 3^rd quarters.  

 

Defensively he is a work in progress.

 

His defensive rebounding needs work, though his offensive rebounding is very impressive.

 

Let us not forget his heart condition. The doctor reports came back fantastic so the concern there is minimal, but still concern is there.

 

So the question stands. How much is LA worth?

 

The market for starting, non All-Star caliber Power Forwards took a significant drop this off-season as seen by Paul Milsap’s contract and the MIA contract for David Lee. LA is better than both of them and has a higher ceiling but how much is that worth?

 

LA is not a max player this year, next year, maybe. After all team USA wants him. It would benefit him to play this season without an extension, but the stress that would put on the organization as well as his camp would make for a long season. Especially knowing that fellow draftee Roy has locked up big boy money already.

 

The team needs to show loyalty and avoid a Paul Milsap situation. Kevin Pritchard is known to value his players more than the rest of the league executives do, so here is a chance to put Paul Allen's wallet where KP's heart is.

 

Here’s to hoping that the Blazers and LA come to an agreement that is mutually beneficial. The Blazers need to get him a 5 year deal, but they need to do it for less than Brandon.

 

After all “We Love LA”!

 

-Kurt Valentine

Baseball; The Golden Age of Steroids

I didn’t want to write about baseball.

 

From Henry Chadwick to Peter Gammons baseballs history was made as much by the men covering the sport as the ones played it. I cannot wish to compare with the likes of such men.

 

When the Baseball Writers Association of America votes, dreams get fulfilled and sometimes hearts get broken. From the season awards to the Hall of Fame, the power of baseball is in the pen. The pen is mightier than even a steroid users bat and more precise than the bat of Pete Rose.

 

I don’t have nor want such ultimate power.

 

I do how ever have to make a statement regarding steroid usage in baseball.

 

Frankly I don’t care. I might even be inclined to say I condone it. We know that Bud Selig would never come out and say the same thing, but actions speak louder than words.

 

Selig’s regime used steroids to recover from the 1994 baseball strike. Fans had lost interest. They felt betrayed, not even Peter Gammons could talk us into going out to the ball park.

 

In walks Jose Canseco, needle in hand.

 

Canseco brought baseball back, not with his diminished skills in the latter part of his career, but with his confessions. Not the book, but the locker room. He started telling players what made him the 40/40 man in Oakland. He told them about steroids. He preached against the myths of deformation and rage. He spoke of pure performance.

 

Why wouldn’t players line up in his pews? His church was an organization that had no salary cap. The more you performed the more you could earn, without limits.

 

A-Rod listened and became the highest played player in sports.

 

Man Ram listened and won 2 World Championships and signed a 25 million per year deal with the Dodgers.

 

Barry Bonds listened and is now the all time leader in homeruns for a career, stepping out of Hammering Hank Aaron’s shadow, but doing so with a dark cloud over head.

 

Do steroids taint the record book? Absolutely, but with pitchers being on steroids isn’t it still a level playing field? I don’t care if the records get asterisks next to them, I would actually prefer it.

 

The summer of 98’s greatness had the stench of foul play all over it, but we watched, we marveled and we paid, boy did we pay. Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Ken Griffey Jr. had the country a buzz and baseball was alive.

 

Sosa and McGwire cheated to do it, that’s the conviction of court of public opinion. Still the joy remained.

 

Baseball is better when steroids are involved.

 

Socially however we have a responsibility to every little leaguer in the country to stop it. We have to protect the children. The long term effects of steroids are still somewhat of mystery. We cannot however allow our children to be the test subjects.

 

Grown men are responsible for themselves. The Baseball Writers Association of America will be responsible for grown mens legacies.

 

Unfortunately steroids in baseball is not about grown men or fans wanting to see the long ball or the hall of fame, its about kids and what they want to be when they grow up.

 

The one thing I want is, for everyone to realize that what happened in 2003’s random anonymous test, doesn’t hurt baseball. The witch hunt that has ensued is however killing it.

 

-Kurt Valentine

America, Meet the Blazers. Blazers, Meet America!

 The Portland Trail Blazers released the schedule for the 2009/2010 NBA season today and things are looking good for Paul Allen.

Most notably is the Sunday April 11th match-up with the LA Lakers which will air on ABC. That game will be nothing short of "Epic". Mark my words. ABC knows it, that’s why the game got the 12:30 slot.  

Another significant event was the NBA rewarding the team with yet another Christmas day game, this time its against Denver and will air at 07:30 on ESPN. You have got to love Christmas at the Rose Garden.

The Blazers will be entertaining Charles Barkley on TNT's 6 Blazer games. Additionally Jeff Vangundy, barring him getting fired, will be annoying Portlanders 10 times on ESPN. NBATV will be airing the Blazers Broadcasters nationally 7 times.

I must apologize to the country for Mike Rice ahead of time, and yes he is drunk! 

The news is great; the Blazers will be viewed in homes across America 24 times in the regular season. This bodes for LaMarcus Aldridge's chances of becoming an All Star considering that 14 of those national games will be before the All Star break.

Who knows, with the way the Centers in the West have aged or moved East, this could be a great chance for some opinions to change on Oden and he may well end up in the All Star game. I'm not saying that he is, but there are not many centers in the West that have as much recognition.

As good as this is for the Blazers, the fans of the NBA are getting the best deal here. Brandon Roy is going to amaze you. Not since the days of Dr Jay and Magic Johnso have you seen such fluidity in a player. Be ready to fall in love with #7 America.

I havent been this excited in a long time.

Full schedule here: http://www.nba.com/blazers/schedule/index.html

-Kurt Valentine