SNF Dallas Vs New Orleans

Last night's Sunday night football game was an incredible display of how a team can overcome so much negativity and still play great technical football! Last night the 2-1 Dallas Cowboys improved to 3-1 and tied in the division after their most well played game of the season thus far. The former Superbowl champs, the New Orleans Saints could not keep up with Dallas' fast paced offence, and well managed ball handling in last night's game.

The first half was COMPLETE DOMINATION by the Cowboys on both sides of the ball, outscoring the saints 24-0. As soon as Dallas won the cointoss, they chose to recieve the ball first and began their attack scoring on the opening drive. (Romo throwing a 6-yarder to Terrance Williams)

In the second Quarter, Tony Romo and the Cowboys would continue their attack as they scored a field goal and 2 more touchdowns, the second of which was just second before the first half would end! it was an incredible drive and 23-yard pass to T. Williams for the second time of the night.

The third  Quarter is where the saints started showing signs of life, with a field goal, bud defensivly, they could still not stop the 'boys from scoring yet another TD (DeMarco Murray, 28 yard run).

And the fourth Quarter was the time in the game that actually got interesting for both teams. New Orleans would score two touchdowns giving Dallas only a two possession lead, worrying some Cowboys fans. It was at this point where many thought New Orleans would start up a hot streak and outscore the Cowboys and pull out the comeback. This was not to be as Dallas would score another touchdown to give them a confident win at 38-17.

Final Player Stats:

Passing: D. Brees (NO) - 340 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: D. Murray (DAL) - 24 CAR, 149 YDS, 2 TD
Receiving: J. Graham (NO) - 8 REC, 86 YDS, 1 TD

Cael Sanderson: The Best College Athlete Who Ever Lived

Today's TakeDown blog post will feature one of the most impressive College athletes of the modern era, and simply one of the best pure athletes I have seen within any competitive sport, the former high school, collegiate, and Olympic wrestling champion: Cael Sanderson.

To say someone is the best pure athlete in history is a pretty bold statement just because it is pretty difficult to compare talents that range from sport to sport. The thing that is so different and unique about wrestling is that it is an individual sport that is not only very physically demanding, but also requires much mental discipline as well. It is just my opinion that wrestling is the toughest all-around sport in our culture, and to excel at it at a level of perfection as Sanderson has is the highest accolade an athlete can reach in their career (in my opinion).

This post won't be on the sport of wrestling itself, but on the career of the greatest wrestler in our time, Cael Sanderson.

High School: Being a high school wrestler for most is a fun opportunity to learn a new sport and to build your character while working as a team. For experienced wrestlers like Sanderson, high school was a chance for greatness. And greatness is what he achieves. In his Herber City, UT high school, Cael held an incredible 127-3 record in his time there, capturing 4 state titles in the process! That means he won states every year as a high school wrestler! he attributes much of his early success to his 3 brothers who also won state championships, and his father Steve for coaching him along the way.

College: After graduating from a very successful high school career at Wasatch HS, Sanderson wrestled for Iowa State and and during the 1997-98 season won all 39 matches in his second redshirt freshman year and his first NCAA championship title at 184 lbs. It was then that he would become the first freshman to be named the NCAA team Wrestling's Most Outstanding Wrestler.

In the 1999-00 season, as well as his junior year, Sanderson also went undefeated at 40-0 in both seasons, raising his unblemished college record to an impressive 119-0, winning additional NCAA championships.

Sanderson's senior year was a compilation of four years of dedication and various accomplishments that solidified him as the best college wrestler of all time. He again went undefeated at 40-0, won his third Dan Hodge trophy as outstanding wrestler, set an NCAA record at 159 straight wins, and even managed to bring attention to the sport from non-wrestling fans.

His credentials for his time in college include:

• Going undefeated at 159-0
• 4 NCAA titles
• 3 Dan Hodge Trophy award
• 4-time NCAA Outstanding Wrestler Award
• 4-time Big 12 Conference Champion
• World University Title in Tokyo, Japan in off-season
• Featured on Wheaties cereal box for his achievements

(I am in awe every time I tune into the NCAA championships and hear the announcers speak about his college career although he is there coaching PSU!)

Freestyle/Olympics: Once a wrestler reaches the unimaginable success of going undefeated in college, unfortunately, the ONLY place that is left to dominate is the Olympics. In the Olympic games, competition from all over the world gather in the name of sport and try to demonstrate that they are the best in the world in the sport they compete in, and that is just what Cael Sanderson did in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Sanderson won gold for the USA in 84 kg (184 lbs) weight class, after defeating Eui Jae Moon of Korea in the finals. In preparation for the 2004 Olympics, the 4-time NCAA champion was also an assistant coach for Iowa State, and was the 2003 silver medalist and a 3-time national freestyle champion.

Coaching Career: With a good amount of time of being an assistant coach at Iowa State, Sanderson eventually became head coach and won won the NCAA's coach of the year award in his rookie season. He then led the program for another 3 years before accepting the head coach position at Penn State University in 2009. He successfully lead Penn State to their first Big Ten wrestling championship in the school's history and their first NCAA team title since 1953! This guy is even a legendary coach! The biggest accomplishment as a coach for Sanderson would have to be leading PSU to 4 STRAIGHT NCAA TITLES from 2011-2014.

Perhaps the most successful wrestler and coach the world has ever seen.

Eagles get past Redskins 37-34 week 3

Yesterdays early game included the Philadelphia Eagles in a showdown against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. In an interesting week 3 match up, Kirk Cousins stepped up for his team as the starting QB for Washington, after a devastating injury to starting QB Robert Griffin III the week before, against the valiant 2-0 NFC East rival.

1st Quarter: The game started with Cousins and the redskins taking command of the field as they scored the first TD of the game on their opening drive with 11 plays and 82 yards.( I remember watching this game thinking the redskins were off to such a great start.) But in such an unexpected turn, Philadelphia's kick returner Chris Polk, takes the ball 102 yards to tie the game up 7-7 for the eagles with a single, 13-second play! Talk about a shocker!

Afterwards the redskins march on and score another touchdown as Cousins throws a 4-yard TD to Pierre Garcon.

2nd Quarter: The second quarter is where this back-and-forth marathon of game opens up as both teams competed to outscore each other. First Washington scores a field goal giving the 'skins a 10-point lead at 17-7, only to have Foles throw an 8 yard pass to Jordan Matthews giving the eagles 7 more points. Coincidentally, the same results are duplicated within the end of the half, as Washington makes another field goal for 3, and Philadelphia scores another TD just seconds before the end of the 2nd quarter, giving the eagles the first lead of the game at the half, at 21-20.

3rd Quarter: Right after the half, the eagles score a pair of field goals, and the redskins score a TD when Cousins connects with DeSean Jackson in an epic 81-yard pass to tie the game up once again at 27-27. (Great moment in this game as Jackson scores, he breaks the Philly tackle, runs in backwards to the end-zone, and mocks his former team that released him as eagles fans vocalize their displeasure. What a game!)

4th Quarter: With such a close game all tied up, the redskins had a golden opportunity to take the lead with a comfortable 33-yard field goal, but Kai Forbath, who had made 18 straight field goals, somehow hit the right upright on his attempt, keeping the game tied with Philly's offence taking control. On the next play, Foles throw a what seemed to be interception to redskins' Bashaud Breeland that simultaneously lead to a brawl between the rivals as the redskins' Chris Baker nails a defenseless Nick Foles with a heavy hit far from play action. After the initial shot to Foles eagles offensive lineman J. Peters would get involved and be ejected from play along with Baker.




After a few minutes to regather, the eagles went back to business as the scored a TD and field goal going up by 10, with the redskins scoring one last TD with 4:16 left to play in the game, final score 37-34, bringing the eagles to an undefeated 3-0 start.


In such a close battle, it is interesting to see what would've happened if the redskins kicker had not missed that critical field goal, or if the eagles special team didn't return that opening kick for a touchdown. It will be exciting to see these teams go at it again, this time in D.C on December 16th.

A great game for those who watched!


Final Player Highlights:

Passing: K. Cousins (WSH) - 427 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: A. Morris (WSH) - 23 CAR, 77 YDS
Receiving: J. Maclin (PHI) - 8 REC, 154 YDS, 1 T

Nationals Clinch the NL East

This past Tuesday (9/16/14), the Washington Nationals overcame a big hurtle that restricted their success in the previous season: defeating their divisional rival the Atlanta Braves. The Braves had always been the main team standing in the way of the National's division title for the previous 2 seasons, as they would defeat the Nationals in the past 25 out of 35 games since September 2012. Last night's victory was all the more special for Nats fans because it resembled the exact opposite of the past few seasons, having the Nationals dominate the Braves in the last 4 out of 5 games in 9 days.

This memorable win that clinched a playoff spot was believed by some, to be a year late, after such a successful season in 2012 that was ended in the playoffs by giving up a lead in game 5 against St Louis. But this  second NL East Title in three years wouldn't be possible without some extraordinary effort by not just Harper and Strasburg whom are expected to perform at a high level, but considerable recognition is owed to a few, more subtle ball players:


According to usa.com, the Washington Nationals are the only team in the majors with four 80-RBI players: Ian Desmond, Adam LaRoche, Anthony Rendon, and Jayson Werth. These four incredible athletes have quickly become some of the most consistent hitters in the major league. (Also recognizing Denard Span's 29-game hit streak this season,  the most in the majors this season.)


Good luck to the Nationals as they wrap up this season with their last two series in September against the Mets and the Marlins and as they prepare for the playoffs GO NATS!!!



http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/09/16/washington-nationals-clinch-nl-east/15750151/

49'ers vs Bears SNF Recap

 

Today's TakeDown will highlight last night's Prime time football game, as the Chicago Bears made a spectacular comeback to defeat the the San Fransisco 49'ers 28-20. 

Last night's Sunday Night Football game started with the San Fransisco 49'ers taking charge as their fast paced offense put points on the board quickly, Kaepernick throwing a TD to Crabtree in a 7 yard drive to put SF ahead early. This was followed by a Phil Dawson 27 yard field goal after 14 plays and 72 yard to give the 49'rs a comfortable 10-point lead.

2nd Quarter: Frank Gore makes an 8 yard run for the touchdown close to the end of the half, but not before Brandon Marshall makes a phenomenal one handed grab in the endzone with seconds to go before the half, cutting the score down to just a 10 point deficit at the half for Chicago.

3rd Quarter: Phil Dawson puts another 3 points on the board from a 24 yard field Goal giving the 49'ers a convincing 20-7 lead over the bears, many fans believing the game was all but won.

4th Quarter: (Where things get interesting!) Brandon Marshall makes another critical catch in the endzone from Jay Cutler putting 7 more on the board for Chicago, before Kaepernick gets picked off by Chicago's first round pick out of Virginia Tech, Kyle Fuller! (Kaepernick getting flagged after the play for unsportsmanlike conduct for inappropriate language)

 

Martellus Bennett makes a 3 yard TD reception giving the Chicago Bears the first lead of the game making the score 21-20 with the greater part of the quarter left to play. With a very close game on the line Kaepernick makes another costly mistake, throwing yet another interception to the rookie Kyle Fuller bringing his turnover total to 3 in this game, 2 int, 1 fumble lost. And as if things couldn't get worst for the home team 49'ers, 4 plays later Cutler throws a 3rd TD pass to Brandon Marshall, solidifying Chicago's comeback at 28-20

Photo Credit Tony Avelor

In a really close game, with a big chance of the 49'ers coming to tie it up again, it was the Chicago Bears who hold on to emerge victorious in a well earned battle against San Fransisco on Sunday night.







Final Player Highlights:

J Cutler 22-34 passes completed, 176 yards, 4 TD's
B Marshall 5 receptions, 48 yards, 3 TD's

C Kaepernick 21-34 passes completed, 248 yards, TD, 3 INT's, 1 fumble lost
M Crabtree 7 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Jon "Bones" Jones: The UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Today's TakeDown is dedicated to a professional fighter that enjoys getting takedowns of his own coincidentally, as well as a few spinning elbows and submissions too! Today we take a look at one of the UFC's most exciting stars: Jon "Bones" Jones.

Within the UFC community, it is pretty much impossible to not have heard or seen any of Jon Jones' matches, based on the fact that he has been dominating in the UFC octagon since his debut in 2008. Since then, Jones has the most impressive records in the UFC currently at 20-1-0 (W-L-D), with his only loss coming from a controversial referee decision on an illegal strike in a fight he was clearly dominating.

 

Having the largest wingspan in the sport at 84.5", Jones uses a very unique style of fighting in the octagon. The light heavyweight champion uses combinations of standing and ground strikes, after he dominates his opponents taking them down several times in a single fight. The thing I admire most about his style and about this fighter in general, is that he draws from his wrestling background, as well as a blend of jiu-jitsu and muay thai techniques into the best offense the UFC and all professional fighting has ever seen!


Let's take a look at the numbers:

According to ufc.com, Jones has:

•  824 of 1501 strikes landed (55% success rate)
• 30 out of 59 takedowns landed (51% success rate)
• 66% of total strikes avoided
• 97% of total takedowns avoided

So its pretty safe to say that Jones' opponents (or victims) will have a very slim chance at competing with his standing game, and an even SLIMMER chance of taking him down!

 

The next time we will be able to see Jones in action will be January 3rd 2015 in UFC 182 against Daniel Cormier. I can't wait! Check back for more!

Popularity of Tennis

The sporting industry is a huge market to fans in the United States as well as fans around the world. There are sports that are recognized as national sports such as baseball and football for the U.S and there are international sports like soccer. Today's TakeDown is on the popularity of the sport of tennis and my personal experience with the sport.

According to athleticbusiness.com and the Tennis Industry Association (TIA), tennis is a $5.57 business with projections of growing even larger. Recent research shows that 17 million people played tennis in the United States in 2012, and that 340,000 students played tennis at the high school level with a 53% being female.

With all of the booming interest of tennis in the U.S, does that mean that all Americans love to play? For those who have never played or even seen a match on TV, here is my basic description: Tennis is a very exhilarating game in which 2 or 4 players compete among one another to outscore the opponent(s). It is highly competitive and it is not as easy as it may look.

From personal experience, I enjoy playing the sport as often as I can to improve each time I play. I have learned to be more aggressive with my forearms so that the ball can cross the net with ease, and to aim the ball into a spot on my opponent's half of the court that would make it most difficult for him/her to return it. It sounds like a very simple thing to do, but it actually requires a lot of hand-eye coordination, focus and a bit of talent as well.

Tennis can not only be a fun pass time to participate in, but also pretty entertaining to watch on TV. Tennis is pretty much a year-round sport with its big international competitions during the summer. The sports main stars include Rafeal Nadal (ESP), Roger Federer (SUI), and Novak Djokovic (SRB) all of whom battle it out for the number one spot in the world.







http://www.athleticbusiness.com/recreation/why-tennis-and-running-are-growing-in-popularity.html

Manning defeats Colts 9/8/14

Football is back and it is time to start talking sports! Todays TakeDown is about Peyton Manning's impressive performance in last nights game defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-24.

In an exciting rematch of last season's game, Peyton Manning completed 22/36 passes and through for 269 yards, with 3 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions. This victory was also pretty special for the former Superbowl champ because he joined Brett Favre as the only other quarterback to defeat every team in the NFL!

A huge, huge milestone for an NFL QB and the modest Manning replying with a "that means I'm old, don't tell me that". When asked if it was an honor in a post game interview, Manning replied that it was more proof that he is old, and that you had to be at least 38 years old to to do it,

With respect to the Bronco's defense that also held back the Colts offense from scoring in the redzone in the 3rd quarter on several occasions. The first have was completely dominated by Denver as they put up 24 points before the half while the Colts had only 1 TD that Andrew Luck ran into the endzone on his own. As the game progressed, the Colts began to comeback but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bronco's cruise through the first half.

for more on this games stats, visit:

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400554273