Nick Sardina

Harrington clutch

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:32:00 +0000

Padraig Harrington has done things that not even Tiger Woods has. ... coming from behind to win majors.

Harrington's play down the stretch in the last two majors has been incredible.

And the fact that the players ahead of him weren't folding like lawn chairs - as is often the case when Tiger is near the leaders - makes his performances even more impressive.

The thing I want to see is Harrington battling Woods coming down the final few holes next April in Augusta.

It's amazing to say, but I'm not positive Woods would win that battle.

Wouldn't want to be Rodgers

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:19:00 +0000

Ask Jay Fiedler or Brian Griese how difficult it can be following an iconic quarterback.

Whether it's his fault or not, Aaron Rodgers, the new leader of the Green Bay Packers, will be blamed if the team fails to at least make the second round of the playoffs this season.

The defense could be awful, the running game non-existent, but the spotlight will be squarely on Rodgers as fans will compare him to their beloved Brett Favre every step of the way in his first season guiding the Packers.

There will be a lot of fans saying 'Brett would've made that play'. After every tough game or loss, the media will compare him to Favre ad nauseum.

That's something Rodgers better be prepared for.

Aside from Steve Young, there hasn't been a quarterback in the last 20 years to successfully follow a legend. And Young was already an established NFL star.

Good luck Aaron, you're going to need it.

More games, less Favre

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:44:00 +0000

While reporters follow Brett Favre into the bathroom and hide under his bed in hopes of getting the next meaningless story in this endless saga, I am more interested in watching rookies fight for jobs during actual NFL games.

Sunday night we saw two sixth-rounders - the Redskins' Colt Brennan and the Colts' Mike Hart - show why NFL scouts and draft analysts should pay more attention to game film, rather than measurables like height, weight, and 40-yard dash times.

Brennan and Hart, both incredibly productive college football players, were the best players on the field during the Hall of Fame Game in Canton and both will contribute in some way early in their careers, while other high-round draft picks with blazing 40 times and rocket arms will play a year or two and never be heard from again.

I know it's just the preseason, and the elite players either don't suit up at all or are in the game for only a few snaps, but keep an eye on the stars of tomorrow, because there's a Tom Brady or Terrell Davis on some team's roster.

Lampley needs to go; Steward amazing as always

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:21:00 +0000

After getting home from work Saturday night, i tuned in to HBO to watch the replay of the classic welterweight title bout between Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto.

The fight, won by the challenger Margarito by TKO in the 11th round, was what makes good prize fighting one of the most thrilling events in sports.

Non-stop action, guys taking and giving for three minutes of every round. Can't beat it.

But the thing I remember most from the broadcast was the incredibly one-sided commentating by HBO boxing host Jim Lampley.

If you just listened to the fight, you would have thought Cotto was winning by a landslide. Margarito threw way more punches and landed as much while chasing Cotto around the ring for 32 minutes.

But all you heard from Lampley was how Cotto was getting the better of the action.

It was nauseating. This isn't the first time i've noticed this, but this time he almost ruined a classic fight.

When the action is this intense, sometimes less can be more, and Lampley just doesn't get it.

Someone who does get it is Lampley's partner, Emanuel Steward, a trainer who does analysis for HBO.

Steward is the best analyst in boxing and maybe the best ever. After the first round or two, he always makes a remark that 90 percent of the time ends up happening.

During the second round of this fight, Steward said that while Cotto was winning, he didn't think he would be able to withstand Margarito's pressure for a full 12 rounds.

He does this almost every fight, and he makes watching boxing a learning experience.

I'm also impressed with Max Kellerman, who knows the sport inside and out and is a very good post-fight interviewer.

British had different feeling

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:12:00 +0000

Padraig Harrington's performance in the closing nine holes in the British Open at Royal Birkdale on Sunday was nothing less than spectacular.

In the final five holes, Harrington didn't miss a shot. He was flawless and his performance should be praised.

But, without Tiger Woods in the field, this year's Open didn't have the same feel. I'm not going to say there should be an asterisk next to Harrington's victory. I just believe that if you don't beat the best, the win doesn't carry the same magnitude as last year's victory with the world's No. 1 player competing.

A.L. East race just getting started

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:43:00 +0000

Tampa Bay has the lead in the A.L. East.

But they're not the favorites. Maybe not even for second place.

The World Champion Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees have been in this position too many times to have anyone else in the division be the favorite to pull away after the All-Star Game.

So, come mid-September, expect the Rays to be fighting for nothing more than the wild card.

Big bout will disappoint

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:17:00 +0000

The Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr. Light Heavyweight bout scheduled for Sept. 20 at Madison Square Garden will draw plenty of interest and bring both fighters a huge pay day.

One problem. The fight takes place 10 years too late.

Jones Jr., who was the most dynamic fighter of his era, is well past his prime.

Calzaghe, who after years of shying away from fighting America's best is on a career-ending tour of fighting over-the-hill champions.

Calzaghe defeated Bernard Hopkins by decision in a less-than-exciting bout in April.

Expect the same result come September vs. Jones Jr.

Nadal's win will test Federer's greatness

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:21:00 +0000

Rafael Nadal's win over Roger Federer Sunday at Wimbledon is great for tennis and will push the world's No. 1 player to new heights.

Federer never needed to play at the highest level to win matches. That no longer is the case if Nadal or the No. 3 ranked player Novak Djokovic is on the other side of the net.

I fully expect Federer to make the necessary adjustments.

The only difference in Federer's off season in 2008 from his past dominance is: he no longer is playing his best tennis in the biggest moments. He was a horrific 1 for 13 in break point chances.

No matter, tennis fans should enjoy an era where we're witnessing the greatest player ever (Federer) and two rare talents in Nadal and Djokovic, who'll make Roger's run at Pete Sampras' record 14 majors a much more difficult task than everyone thought a few months ago.

NHL Playoffs second to none

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:53:00 +0000

I'm not the biggest NHL fan out there. At least not in the regular season.

Too many games, not enough meaning.

But come playoff time, I can't get enough. There just isn't another sport that can match the excitement and intensity level that the NHL Playoffs offer.

Sunday's two overtime games best represent what NHL hockey is all about.

The Penguins advanced with a thrilling 3-2 OT win to eliminate the New York Rangers. Then the Dallas Stars needed FOUR OVERTIMES to oust San Jose 2-1.

Not enough scoring for some. But the intensity is unmatched, with players giving everything they had on every critical shift.

The Stars' win featured some of the greatest saves that I've ever seen and edge-of-your-seat action for five hours.

What other sport can match that?

Bring on the conference finals.

Chiefs rule the NFL Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:45:00 +0000

One could argue that the Kansas City Chiefs have the least amount of talent than any other NFL team.

After this weekend's NFL Draft, the Chiefs provided an infusion of talent and playmakers that should keep the loyal fans at Arrowhead Stadium rocking for years to come.

The Chiefs drafted three of my top eight players in the entire draft. First they stole defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey with the fifth overall pick, then had offensive tackle, who they probably were considering at No. 5, fall into their lap with the 17th overall selection. Kansas City then nabbed Brandon Flowers, my favorite cornerback in the draft, in the second round.

The Chiefs also filled needs on Sunday, with tight end Brad Cottam and running back Jamaal Charles.

This day could mark the beginning of a turnaround in Kansas City.

Palumbo's client a high pick

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:30:00 +0000

There is some good news for Frankfort native and Notre Dame High School graduate Joseph Palumbo.

Palumbo, who started Scorpion Sports Group in the San Diego, Calif. area in 2004, is a National Football League agent.

His client Tyrell Johnson, a safety from Arkansas State, was drafted 43rd overall by the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.

Some of his other clients are expected to ink free agent deals with NFL teams this week.

Looks like Rams will pick Chris Long

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sardina) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:35:00 +0000

It appears that the St. Louis Rams have decided on Virginia defensive end Chris Long over LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
How will this change the rest of the top five?

If the Rams do go this route, the Falcons will have to choose between B.C. quarterback Matt Ryan and Dorsey.
The Raiders at No. 4 will either take Dorsey, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden or Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston.

The Kansas City Chiefs picking at No. 5 are hoping either Long or Dorsey falls to them. If neither is there they will have to go for an offensive linemen, then grab a defensive end with their second first-round selection (17th overall).

My updated top 10.
1. Miami, Jake Long, OT
2. St. Louis, Chris Long, DE
3. Atlanta, Matt Ryan, QB
4. Oakland, Darren McFadden, RB
5. Kansas City, Glenn Dorsey, DT
6. N.Y. Jets, Vernon Gholston, DE
7. New England, Sedrick Ellis, DT
8. Baltimore, Branden Albert, OT
9. Cincinnati, Keith Rivers, LB
10. New Orleans, Leodis McKelvin, CB

Enjoy the draft. It should be fun.