Friday, October 16, 2015

It's Friday, Time to Dance: After Getting Whipped, Watch Baker Mayfield ‘Whip’

The Big Dance: After Getting Whipped, Watch Baker Mayfield ‘Whip’





Wednesday, October 7, 2015

7 Players We Hated In Fantasy Football In Week 4: Because Running Backs Are The Worst

7 Players We Hated In Fantasy Football In Week 4: Because Running Backs Are The Worst

The Player: Jordan Cameron
The Box Score: 2 catches, 19 yards

Listen, Jordan Cameron, we need to talk. When you were drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2011 in the fourth round, you were talked about as being one of the biggest steals in the draft, and that hype machine continued to build. You were going to be the next great tight end, and your breakout third season only confirmed this: 80 catches for 917 yards and seven touchdowns.

After an injury-plagued 2014, this was supposed to be your year. You were in Miami to join forces with Ryan Tannehill and his freshly minted contract extension, destined to join the ranks of the elite tight ends. How have you repaid that faith? By starting out weak and only getting worse as the season progresses. Need proof? Here are Cameron’s stat lines:
  • Week 1 at Washington: 4 catches, 73 yards, 0 TD
  • Week 2 at Jacksonville: 3 catches, 62 yards, 0TD
  • Week 3 vs. Buffalo: 3 catches, 16 yards, 0 TD
  • Week 4 vs. New York Jets: 2 catches, 19 yards, 0 TD
You simply are not who we thought you were, while Travis Kelce is everything we thought you would be. I’m not mad at you, Jordan — how can I be? You do, after all, play for the moribund Miami Dolphins with a fraud as a quarterback. I’m just disappointed.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The 4 Most Impressive Performances In The 2015 MLB All-Star Game

The 4 Most Impressive Performances In The 2015 MLB All-Star Game







Friday, July 10, 2015

TSFJ’s 8 Favorite Sneakers Of The First Half Of 2015

TSFJ’s 8 Favorite Sneakers Of The First Half Of 2015

Who: Josh Naso | @silverfox8008 | Philly’s OG Broad St. Bully
What: Air Jordan 7 Retro “Hare”

There are more variations of the Air Jordan 7s than perhaps any other sneaker in the iconic line. From the Dream Team-inspired “Olympic” and “Barcelona Days/Barcelona Nights” to the “Champagne” and “Cigars,” it seems there is a version of the 7s to please every sneakerhead’s palette.

For my money there is none better than the “Hare” edition. The all-white body of the sneaker provides a crisp base and is complemented beautifully by the red touches on the sole and the red Jumpman logo. There is a burst of color on the tongue, where green, yellow, black and red provide a nice pop for the sneaker. The same color scheme appears on the bottom of the sole and pays homage to both the early ’90s release of the shoe and the “Hare’s” cartoon inspiration. This is exactly the type of sneaker you would imaging the Fresh Prince wearing, and the timing of the sneaker combined with the cartoon element immediately invokes memories of my childhood. Whether hitting the playground for some fun or having a casual night out, this sneaker is a perfect fit.

 

Who: Joe Boland | @revpaulrevere | Follow TSFJ on Twitter
What: Reebok Question ‘Michigan State’

The original Questions, the ones that are white and blue, are my favorite sneakers of all time. I rock the low version on the regular to this day, despite the fact that every woman I have ever dated has hated them. I don’t care because they’re great. So great, in fact, that they’re Reebok’s most popular sneakers.

This year, Reebok came out with a Valentine’s Day version, Easter version and “Pin Dot” version, but my personal favorite is the Michigan State Nostalgia version, paying homage to the original design while also honoring the 15th anniversary of Michigan State’s National Championship team led by Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Tom Izzo with the green and white colorways. They’re simple, beautiful and those damn shoes just don’t wear out.

 

It's Friday, Time to Dance: Serena Williams In Pole Position

The Big Dance: Serena Williams In Pole Position
























Friday, April 17, 2015

It's Friday, Time to Dance: Joel Embiid Dances On The New York Knicks

It's Friday, Time to Dance: Joel Embiid Dances On The New York Knicks


The 'Worst' Player On Each Team In The NBA Playoffs

The 'Worst' Player On Each Team In The NBA Playoffs

7 – Dallas: Raymond Felton
You could argue that Greg Smith, Dwight Powell or Bernard James are more worthless than Raymond Felton, but every single one of those guys has shot better than Felton and stagnated the Dallas offense less than Felton.
Once a lithe floor general, the only thing Felton has expanded in is his waistline. The guy used to be good and capable. Now he’s mostly a bench warmer who looks more like an out of shape fan than a professional basketball player. Even with Rajon Rondo struggling and Jose Barea coming back down to earth from his glory seasons, Felton finds himself glued to the sidelines. Something tells me he doesn’t mind that. – The Rev



Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The NHL Goes Back To The Pond: How Do We Feel About 3-On-3?

The NHL Goes Back To The Pond: How Do We Feel About 3-On-3?

In case you hadn’t heard, the NHL is toying with the idea of moving toward a 3-on-3 format for its regular-season overtime in order to reduce the number of games decided by shootout. This is stupid idea, just as it was, is and always will be a stupid idea to have shootouts decide the outcome of games.

I understand that no one likes ties. We want to see a winner declared in our sporting events, not a stalemate after 60-65 minutes of play. But there’s a difference between suffering through a tie and fundamentally changing the way a game is played.

The NHL has already tinkered with removing players from the ice. Partly due to a desire to open up the game, in regular-season overtimes teams play with just four skaters as opposed to the normal five. Now the league wants to move to 3-on-3. And if that doesn’t work, why not move down to 2-on-2? Or what about a shootout!?! Oh wait…

There is a vast difference between playing 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 to the point in which the game simply is not same, just as a 3-on-3 game of basketball, while fun, isn’t used in the NBA to decide games because it becomes a different contest then. In fact, none of the other major sports decides to change the number of players on the field just to liven up overtime. The NFL doesn’t play 7-on-7 in overtime. Baseball doesn’t take away a couple fielders in extra innings. And even soccer doesn’t go to 8-on-8 in extra time. Players are only sent off with red cards or two yellows.

Hockey is meant to be played 5-on-5 (skaters, that is). It’s the very basis of the sport. Tinkering with rules to improve the game will always happen, but reducing the numbers of players alters the foundation of the game. Removing one skater from each side was bad enough, but taking away two players aside turns NHL hockey into something completely different.

I understand that players like it. I understand that fans may get excited over this. But I just can’t get on board. Is it better than the shootout deciding games? Sure. But that doesn’t mean it’s best. Two wrongs don’t make a right — they make for a different game entirely.

My solution? Bring back ties. Yes, I hate them, just like I hate neckties, but I’m a traditionalist at heart. Go back to ties, remove the automatic one point for reaching overtime (no team that loses should be rewarded with a point) and bring back hockey that actually resulted in full games of real hockey. -The Rev

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

4 Thoughts Explain How We Got To The End Of The ‘Shady’ Era

4 Thoughts Explain How We Got To The End Of The ‘Shady’ Era

Another Risk with No Reward? 

Two offseasons in a row, Chip Kelly cut ties with one of his most explosive offensive players. After year one at the helm, he flat-out cut DeSean Jackson after the brash wideout had his best professional season ever. And yesterday, he traded Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy, just one season removed from being the NFL’s leading rusher. For a guy who has not won a single playoff game — though has won 20 games in his first two seasons — it’s asking an awful lot.

In return for McCoy, the Eagles get a very talented, very young linebacker in Kiko Alonso, an area they were desperately in need of. In addition, it frees up even more cap space for Philadelphia, giving the Eagles perhaps the most flexibility of any team in the NFL.

On the surface, the deal seems crazy. Throw in Chip’s propensity to bring in former Oregon Ducks, like Alonso, and the move isn’t exactly the most popular in Philadelphia. It’s doubly painful when losing a player everyone seemed to like and everybody definitely enjoyed watching play.

But running backs are a dime a dozen in the NFL, and the Eagles needed help at the linebacker position. If Alonso is healthy, he’s one of the best the league, and at just 24, he could be an anchor for a long time. On top of that, the Eagles are in the best position of any would-be contender to make waves in free agency — and the draft. I’m not sure if I’m 100 percent sold on trading away so much talent every offseason, but if there was a team in the NFL who could afford to make such a bold move, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles. – The Rev

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

TSFJ Goes To The Movies: 5 Sports Flicks You Need To See

TSFJ Goes To The Movies: 5 Sports Flicks You Need To See

Win Win (2011)

In 2014, real wrestling — not “professional wrestling” — got its cinematic shine in “Foxcatcher.” Detailing the troubling, tragic, real-life story of multimillionaire John du Pont and his obsession with U.S. wrestling and Olympic gold medalist brothers Mark Schultz and Dave Schultz, Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo did a masterful job. Just about everyone knows about this film.

On the flip side, there is a brilliant independent film starring Paul Giamatti as a struggling lawyer and volunteer high school wrestling coach who takes in — and at points takes advantage of — a troubled young teen and star high school wrestler. The 2011 film, “Win Win,” is a wonderful watch, as is just about any movie Giamatti is in.

 

Friday, February 20, 2015

It's Friday, Time to Dance

Brian Scalabrine. Magic.


Thursday, February 19, 2015

Sorting Through The Madness Of The 2015 NBA Trade Deadline

Sorting Through The Madness Of The 2015 NBA Trade Deadline

Sam Hinkie’s invisible vision

Philadelphia gets: Isaiah Canaan, 2015 second-round pick
Houston gets: K.J. McDaniels
Philadelphia gets: JaVale McGee, 2015 first-round pick (top-18 protected), rights to Chu Chu Maduabum
Denver gets: Rights to Cenk Akyol
There were four reasons to watch the Sixers this season:
  1. Reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams
  2. Second-year rookie (is that a thing?) Nerlens Noel finally hitting the court
  3. Second-round pick K.J. McDaniels flying all over the court
  4. Joel Embiid’s Twitter account
Now two of those reasons are gone, as Sam Hinkie was at it again, shipping off MCW and K.J. McDaniels for more picks, continuing to mold his vision of building a contender … a vision that has to date been completely invisible, particularly given the circumstances. I’m still 100% on board with Hinkie’s plan … but now all we have to watch is the stilted Noel try to develop with exactly zero quality NBA help around him and try to help Joel Embiid figure out what’s going on.


Duke 92, North Carolina 90: Free Throws Ain’t Free

Duke 92, North Carolina 90: Free Throws Ain’t Free

Friday, February 13, 2015

It's Friday, Time to Dance

A song with MF Doom and a Jason Terry reference? Yes please.



Even after all these years, Terry is still knocking down jumpers in the NBA, now for the Houston Rockets. Enjoy all-star weekend.

Friday, January 30, 2015

The 13 Things We’d Like To See In Super Bowl XLIX

The 13 Things We’d Like To See In Super Bowl XLIX

Marshawn Lynch to go Kam Chancellor on somebody

The one thing I’d really like to see in Super Bowl XLIX won’t happen, sadly. Why? Because the thing I’d like to see more than anything else is Seattle Seahawks second-year defensive tackle Jordan Hill come cup with a big sack or run stuff, a la former fellow Penn State defensive tackle Jay Alford, who got the final sack on Tom Brady when the surprise New York Giants toppled the previously undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. But Hill was injured in Seattle’s regular-season finale and finds himself on injured reserve.
So in lieu of that, I’d like to see something else that probably won’t happen because the chances everything lines up are nearly impossible. But here goes: I’d like to see Marshawn Lynch absolutely light up a New England defender off a turnover — fumble, interception, doesn’t matter — and lay wood the way his teammate Kam Chancellor does on the regular. Ideally, I’ll be eating Skittles while this happens. — The Rev

Restoring Order In The East? LeBron And The Cavaliers Are Ready To Make A Run

Restoring Order In The East? LeBron And The Cavaliers Are Ready To Make A Run

It's Friday, Time to Dance

I'm not entirely sure who Starlito is, but he has a song that references Nerlens Noel and Derrick Rose, so enjoy.


Friday, January 23, 2015

It's Friday, Time to Dance

I have to admit, I used to despise Joakim Noah as a fan. I hated him when he was at Florida, and I hated him for most of his career with the Chicago Bulls. But I have to admit, as I've gotten older, I've grown to appreciate and even like Joakim Noah, just as I have a number of athletes I used to dislike as a fan.

Now, Noah is exactly the type of player I love to watch — intelligent, hard-working, defensive-minded and flat-out good. I appreciate his game more than ever. So enjoy Noah in his younger days, busting a move next to Florida teammate Al Horford back when the Gators won back-to-back national titles.


Friday, January 9, 2015

Russia, Ukraine And The Alexander Ovechkin Effect

Russia, Ukraine And The Alexander Ovechkin Effect


It's Friday, Time to Dance

My friends and I are idiots, and sometimes that manifests itself absurd email chains with photos, GIFs, videos and links galore. Recently, due to a convergence of a trip to the batting cage, chain puns and a nickname, I stumbled across the song "A-Rod" by 2 Chainz featuring French Montana. Seeing as the Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2015 class earlier this week, and Alex Rodriguez is bound to cause a stir when he is eligible for the Hall of Fame, it seemed like perfect timing to share. So yeah, enjoy.


Friday, January 2, 2015

It's Friday, Time to Dance

Joel Embiid singing Miley Cyrus on a wrecking ball because the thing I am most looking forward to in 2015 is Joel Embiid.