Super Bowl 47 Eatdrnkslpsprtz Interactive Extravaganza

Eatdrnkslpsprtz and his band of friends will be covering the Super Bowl and all its antics with the help of sports contributors, fashion experts, singing enthusiasts, and betting experts. The game itself is only half of the fun.

Who will have the best commercials? Did the referee blow the call? And how long was the Harbaugh hug at the end of the game? These things and more will be discussed by a panel so diverse it would make the UN look bad.

The Super Bowl Extravaganza goes live at 4:30 EST which is two hours before kick off. So like the great and honorable Terrell Owens once said Grab a good seat and Get your popcorn ready. Simply click the link below and join the discussion on Super Bowl Sunday Stay tuned… I know I will – le bon tempe roule

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Live in the past or prepare for the future – Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge’s big decision

Despite the Boston Celtics being five games below .500 fans were hopeful that a late season run would magically turn the Celtics into a NBA title contender. However, that hope was dealt a serious blow when it was reported that Rajon Rondo would miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. Rondo was having the best year of his young career recording five triple doubles and making life easy for his elder statesmen Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The fate of the Celtics and their two aging stars is uncertain and the direction of the franchise will ultimately rest with the same man who brought the Boston Three Party together, Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge.

The same general manager who was praised for bringing Garnett and Ray Allen to the Celtics may do the unthinkable by trading away his two most valuable assets to prepare for the future of franchise. Due to Garnett’s no trade clause and with Jared Sullinger being untouchable Pierce’s days as a Boston Celtic may be numbered.

Although Pierce has been with the franchise since his rookie year the time has come for the Celtics to start rebuilding and preparing for post-Pierce era sooner rather than later. The blood and sweat that Pierce has given to the Celtics will never be forgotten but the business side of basketball eventually makes the NBA’s greatest stars cap casualties or mid-season trade bait.

Even the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball Michael Jordan was not immune to becoming a casualty to the game of basketball. Fans have a tendency to cherish the championships but often forget about his airness quietly exiting stage left in his last stint with the Washington Wizards.

As the NBA trade deadline draws near the fans in Boston Garden should cherish the last days of an era that saw three Hall of Famers put their egos to the side and inspired a city by bringing a NBA Championship to a franchise that’s glory days were on the brink of being forgotten.

With the Celtics currently out of playoff contention the Rondo season ending injury makes Ainge’s decision to move on and prepare for the future by trading Garnett and/or Pierce that much easier. The future of the Celtics franchise will be built around a new big three: Rondo, Jeff Green,
Avery Bradley, and Sullinger. Will they be able to sustain the standard of excellence set forth by the Celtics who came before them? Will Pierce and Garnett be traded? Stay tuned to this and more… I know I will #celticpride – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

College Basketball: A year of uncertainty – Title contenders missing and unaccounted for

Once upon a time in a land far away the landscape of college basketball was not as it is now. In those days teams that were ranked in the top five were actually elite programs due to their talent and not simply due to the names on the front of their jersey. Not long ago NBA-talent was the ultimate game changer that made the gap between traditional programs like Kentucky, UNC, Arizona and Duke were significant.

However, due to players leaving early for the NBA Draft these traditionally dominant teams now find themselves among the land of the average fighting for relevance in 2013. A new emphasis on coaching and player development has led to the ascension of programs like Butler, Oregon, Michigan, and Florida. Unable to land the premiere high school recruits these teams have found diamonds in the rough and built a team that has the viable pieces in place to make a legitimate title run.

Although the teams mentioned are not unknowns they have often taken second fiddle to their more well-known bitter in-state or conference rivals (Kentucky, Michigan State, Arizona, and Indiana). The gap between these so-called premiere programs has closed and each week we have been given indicators of that fact: Duke losing by 30 to Miami; Butler upset Indiana; Kentucky losing by 12 to Texas A&M.

The lack of elite programs in 2013 brings both a level of uncertainty and excitement to this season. The top 25 rankings goes through a drastic makeover from week to week due to the endless number of upsets. With March Madness little more than a month away 11 teams from the pre-season top 25 are not even ranked anymore, 5 teams have been ranked number 1, and the Kentucky Wildcats may make history by winning a NCAA title one year and missing the tournament all together the following year.

Despite the disappointing start of the traditional powers the start of conference play gives hopes that talk of the demise of their college basketball season was premature. As March Madness grows near the pressure will continue to mount for Florida, Butler, Oregon, and Michigan to sustain their current standard of excellence.

Next week Michigan will debut as the number one team in the country how they respond will determine if they are truly ready for the limelight. Stay tuned…I know I will – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

San Francisco 49ers – Quest for six, who’s the dummy now?

When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith was given a clipboard and forced to watch Colin Kaepernick after leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship game last year many questioned Coach Jim Harbaugh. By deciding to go with Kaepernick many believed Harbaugh broke the cardinal rule that a starter does not lose his job because of an injury.

Ezra Shaw – Getty Images

Not one to give a hoot about public perception Harbaugh ignored the criticism refusing to reconsider his choice even after the 42-13 blow out against their division rival the Seattle Seahawks where Kaepernick looked both confused and overwhelmed.

Although Harbaugh had supreme confidence in his elite defense he knew that if he wanted to be in Super Bowl XLVII he would have to expand his ball control offense. With Kaepernick at the helm the 49ers offense began to finally make use of their play-making pass catchers Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis. The transition to the spread offense took half the season to perfect but it was necessary if the 49ers truly wanted something more.

Blessed with elite athleticism and an ever improving arm Kaepernick saved his best performances for the playoffs: 496 yards passing, 202 yards rushing, and 6 total touchdowns. Many feared that inexperience would be his downfall but his play against some of the NFL’s top defenses says otherwise.

After the San Francisco 49ers lost to the sub .500 Saint Louis Rams many expected the Kaepernick experiment to end. Many thought that if the 49ers could not beat the lottery bound Rams what chance would they have against the arm of Aaron Rodgers or

Ian Walton – Getty Images

the dynamic wide receiver duo of Julio Jones and Roddy White in Atlanta. Three playoff games and one NFC Championship later Harbaugh can lean back in his seat and pose this question: Who’s the dummy now? As the San Francisco 49ers gears up for Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans their match-up with the Baltimore Ravens promises to be one for the ages. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Kelly – A Chip off the old block

After being turned down more times than a fat kid who wanted cake the Philadelphia Eagles finally found their next head coach, 15 interviews and 4 rejections later. In a sense of desperation the Eagles general manager begged Oregon head coach Chip Kelly to reconsider his offer, and 16 days after their first interview which lasted 8 hours Kelly agreed to become the next coach of the Eagles.

After winning the Fiesta Bowl in convincing fashion over the Kansas State Wildcats Kelly was at the top of every NFL owner’s wish list due to his explosive Oregon Duck offense that averaged one touchdown every 56 seconds. Elements of his spread offense has become the latest buzz in the NFL ranks due to the successful implementation and play of athletic quarterbacks like  the Washington Redskins Robert Griffin III, the Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson, and the San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick.

After his five-year stint in Eugene no one can blame Kelly for giving the NFL a shot, but the timing of his decisions makes one wonder why the sudden change of heart? When Kelly first pasted on the job it was the same weekend that Robert Griffin III tore his ACL and PCL in the Redskins first round loss to the Seattle Seahawks. After the injury criticism was rampant with about the longevity of the spread offense phenomena and punishment quarterbacks running this offense would take.

Coincidentally two weeks later when the other two stars of the spread offense had phenomenal post-season performances – Kaepernick (4 TDs, 263 yards passing & 181 yards rushing) and Wilson (3 TDs, 385 yards passing & 60 yards rushing) Kelly reconsidered the Eagles offer.

Another reason for his exit may be due to the pending NCAA investigation of the Oregon football team of improper benefits to a Texas handler Willie Lyles who steered 5-star running back Lache Seastrunk and other talented Texas recruits to Eugene. This cloud of uncertainty and unavoidable penalties and sanctions on the horizon, guilt or knowledge of wrong-doing may have been the final straw.

In time his real motives for leaving the Oregon Ducks will be revealed: Is a multi-year Bowl ban with scholarship reductions on the horizon? As Kelly assumes the challenge of rejuvenating a once proud franchise he certainly will have a lot of talented playmakers at his disposal. Although he will be greeted with praise and possibly even a standing ovation; remember the same fan base that booed Santa Clause will not be patient. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark

 

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Brent Musburger strikes again – Add Holly Rowe to Musburgers on air list of hotties

Brent Musburger makes headlines again  for adding another woman to his ever-growing list of hot women during his coverage of last night’s college basketball snoozer between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Baylor Bears.

After so many years of great commentary one begins to wonder if Musburgers sharpness has begun to fade and he has now assumed the role of the uncensored horny uncle that every family has. Due to his lack of censorship it would not be a surprise if ESPN begins to reduce his own air duties because when the games are blowouts Musburger runs out of things to say and just turns to the one thing he knows better than commentary, women. Too the surprise of many the old guy continues to get the same pass that every uncle across America gets, the same pass that gives them the freedom to look and say just about anything without fear of being smacked or cursed out.

However, after single-handed launching the career of Miss Alabama Katherine Webb with his comments in the BCS National Championship game the old buzzard strikes again calling ESPN side line reporter Holly Rowe ‘smoking hot’ during last night’s telecast. It’s unlikely that his comments will get Holly Rowe a spread in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition or boost her twitter followers by 100,000 like it did Miss Alabama. How ESPN responds to Musburgers latest on air flirtation is unknown? But his latest comments makes one wonder if he says this on the air no telling what he does in public. At this point Musburger is teetering on being accused of sexual harassment with celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred standing next to a hot pretty blonde client.

Regardless of what ESPN does Musburger will continue to remind us of the old uncle that every family has – unedited and uncensored. Despite the college basketball season being a snoozer with Musburger covering the game there will not be a boring moment. Stay tuned…I know I will. – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Baltimore Ravens: No Ordinary Joe – Team of Destiny, rising when it counts #afcchampionship

Since his day as a Golden Hen at D-1AA Delaware playoff winning quarterback Joe Flacco has had his fair share of doubters. Despite possessing the look and arm strength a NFL quarterback many questioned how the meek mannered rookie from Audobon, New Jersey would mesh with a Raven locker room full of characters. Since Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome had made a career out of unearthing NFL draft gems expectations for the ‘Golden Hen” could not be any higher.

torrey smith and anquan boldin

Five years and three AFC Championships later the silent assassin has led the Ravens within one game of reaching Superbowl XLVII in New Orleans. For nearly a decade the Ravens relied on their defense to set the tone while the offense often took a back seat. However, due to both age, father time, and necessity the Ravens offense has taken center stage. Blessed with an impressive collection of play-makers like veteran wide receiver Anquan Bolden, mighty-mite running back Ray Rice  half-man half-gaze Torrey Smith the days of a game-managing offense are over.

Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense battled inconsistency throughout the regular season. Due to a four-game losing streak many critics questioned whether another early playoff exit was on the horizon. However, through injury and adversity the Ravens rallied around Ray Lewis who announced that he would retire at the end of the season.

Ray Lewis and Tom Brady

Although Ray Lewis grabbed all the headlines the fate of the Ravens would ultimately rest on the arm of the one Raven who is scrutinized more than he is ever praised. A year after leading the Ravens within a dropped pass of the Super Bowl Flacco is at it again. In their AFC Championship re-match with the Patriots many have already presumed that the Patriots will win. However, such a presumption would be a huge mistake due to a resurgent Ravens offense and injuries the Patriots suffered in the Divisional Playoffs.

This will mark the third time that Flacco has the opportunity to come within a win of becoming a Super Bowl champion. Unlike his two previous attempts Flacco will enter this game pressure free with the limelight focusing on his teammate Ray Lewis and his opposing quarterback GQ coverboy Tom Brady. In his two previous outings Flacco has shown great command of the offense silencing critics who questioned his clutch-gene when he out-dueled Peyton Manning in a double overtime thriller.

Not one to root for happy ending at this point it appears that the Ravens may be a team of destiny. The Ravens have overcome a number of obstacles in their pursuit for a Super Bowl: the death of  wide receiver Torrey Smiths brother, Terrell Suggs achilles injury, Ray Lewis torn pectoral and retirement, and the firing of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron in week 13. Led by Flacco and a team that is surging the best may be yet to come. Stay tuned… I know I will. – A. Denmark

 

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Road to the Super Bowl: Contenders will rise and pretenders will fall, who will be left standing #nflplayoffs

After nearly six months of NFL games the playoffs has arrived and all that remains are the serious contenders for the NFL title. Although there may still be a few more poser among the six teams remaining, at the end of the weekend their true colors will shine bright as only four teams will inch closer to representing their conference and ultimately celebrating a NFL championship in the Big Easy.

Six out of the head coaches remaining in this single elimination tournament are entering unchartered waters as they each attempt to build a legacy similar to one time Super Bowl Champion Packer Head Coach or four-time Super Bowl  winning Coach Belichick of the New England Patriots. Each of these franchises quarterbacks all have compelling stories: Peyton Manning’s (Denver Broncos) fused neck; Russell Wilson’s (Seattle Seahawks) small stature and 3rd draft selection; Colin Kaepernick (SF 49ers) youth and inexperience; Joe Flacco’s (Ravens) clutch gene missing an unaccounted for; Aaron Rodgers (GB Packers) will his arm hold up to three games of 60+ passes due to a deficient  running game; Matt Schuab (Houston Texans) will he finally get the monkey off his back and shake off the bug of inconsistency; Matt Ryan (Falcons)will he finally win a game when it counts the most; and last but not least Tom Brady (NE Patriots) will he be forced into another shootout.

Although each of these quarterback will get their fare share of headlines this weekend do not be fooled by their gold boy looks and smiles because the outcomes of each of these games will ultimately won on the defensive side of the ball. The Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots bend but don’t break defenses have been serviceable during the regular season but they both know that the playoffs is a different beast all its own. Both former Super Bowl Champion teams will rely heavily on their secondary to produce turnovers. The Patriots corner back Aquib Talib will be left in man coverage against the Texans All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson. Green Bay’s Charles Woodson will certainly test the youth and inexperience of 49ers quarterback Kaepernick.

The Seahawks, 49ers, and Broncos each have a number of game breakers on the defensive side of the ball each team will certainly keep the offensive coordinator and the quarterback up the night before game day. The secondaries of the Seahawks and the 49ers play most games in man coverage which gives the defensive coordinator the luxury of blitzing at a high rate. The Broncos led by All-Pro linebacker Von Miller dominate the line of scrimmage giving opposing quarterbacks very little time in the pocket.

The Atlanta Falcons certainly have their fare share of talent on the defense including a stud at linebacker in Sean Witherspoon and free safety Will Moore in the secondary. Unlike their play-off peers the Falcons often gets overlooked but this weekend they will have an opportunity to cast their embarrassing loses to cellar dwellers into the sea of forgetfulness. As the epic battle of titans grows near tune be sure you have your pop corn ready, because this weekend its going down and it promises to be a good one Also be sure to join me Saturday 1030 EST for my NFL Playoff Primer for this weekend’s games. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark.

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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My college football blues – The thrill is gone 9 months until the euphoria returns #collegefootball

The Euphoria that follows the kick off of a new season of college football unfortunately inches closer and closer to its final curtain call. The All-american teams have been announced, the hardware has been handed out, and the well deserved assistant has finally earned the chance to run a program. This year was marked by new faces like Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman and the return of Notre Dame from the depth of mediocrity contending for a National Championship after so many years of years of disappointment. And who can forget Coach Petrino and the motorcycle scandal that kicked the 2012 college football season off with a bang conjuring up memories of another native Arkansan’s fall from grace.

The Preseason Magazine you bought in May is now wrinkled up in your bathroom or its being used for scrap paper for the little ones. And although your favorite team may have made it to a bowl game, your jubilation at their success is met with sadness because the next game will be the last game. Each week you feverishly switched channels and scheduled your days around the big game that was coming on that Saturday.With each punt return or hail mary that was answered it was the topic of conversation with your friends and peers in the workplace.

Only a Handful of days remain, when we must find something else to fill this void and although the NFL and basketball are options, they just do not hit the spot. What is the cure for this madness? How can we go on? preseason magazines do not come out til June and recruiting will be over in February. The agony the pain of college football fever, an addiction that spreads from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea.

A Toast to a great season, may it hold us over until another arises that first fateful day in September. Too the true college football fans continue to EAT DRINK SLEEP SPORTZ and we shall enjoy each touchdown as if it was the last one. Be sure to check out my radio show eatdrnkslpsprtz radio every Tues/Thurs. 630 EST and Sat 10am EST for more sports news from myself and friends. Stay tuned… I know I will. – A.Denmark (eatdrkslpsprtz2)

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Texas Longhorns: Is everything still bigger in Texas? Mack Brown Era nearing its end #hookemhorns

Last weekend the Longhorn faithful and Head Coach Mack Brown breathed a sigh of relief as a season full of disappointment was capped off with a bowl win over the Oregon State Beavers. Four years ago this once proud program was playing for a national championship but since former quarterback Colt McCoy exhausted his eligibility the Longhorns have finished 5-7 (2010), 8-5 (2011), and 9-4 (2012). For a program that was voted the most profitable football program in the nation by Forbes Magazine the past three years has not only been completely unacceptable but also inexcusable.

Since Mack Brown took the helm in 1998 the Longhorns experienced nearly a decade of dominance with BCS bowl appearances, 9 consecutive ten win seasons, 4 Big XII Championships, and 1 BCS National Championship. However, the blueprint for the downfall of the Longhorn football program was laid when Coach Brown would wrap up recruiting at his infamous Texas junior days where all the top talent in Texas camped at over the summer. Although this technique helped the Longhorns secure the state’s best talent and build a pipeline to the pros with 35 former players on NFL rosters. The success that the program has experienced in the past has led to an over reliance on recruiting rankings, poor player evaluations, and fostered an arrogant aura of entitlement that has infected the entire program.

The Longhorns have attracted the state’s top talent for years with very little effort resulting in a revolving door of 5-star recruits, this easiness of attracting premiere athletes has led to the program obsessing over recruits heights and measurables preferring ‘pro-ready prospects over diamonds in the rough. The laziness of the coaching staff has led to a Longhorn team chock full of undisciplined over-sized gazelles who continue to infuriate their fan base with poor play on the field.

The frustration of the Longhorn fan base is further heightened when their bitter in-state rivals flourish and thrive with in-state players that the Longhorns did not offer scholarships too. Led by Coach Art Briles has produced a Heisman winner last year in RG III and led the nation in scoring with senior quarterback Florence at the helm, the Longhorns did not offer either recording breaking quarterback. The resurgent Southern Methodist Mustangs led by June Jones has yet to attract a instate 5-star recruit but somehow produced more NFL prospects last year than their deeper pocketed talented-filled in-state rival.

During their decade of dominance the thought of another coach at the helm was unconscionable and prospects never de-committed nor was the staff looking for better options. Nevertheless, it appears that the ride of dominion is over: Prospects are de-committing left and right; assistant coaches have one foot out the door preparing for the end of the Mack Brown era; and worst of all Texas A&M has now become the trendy school of choice for in-state prospects.

Although the Longhorns won their bowl game the fate of the program is uncertain: Will Mack Brown be fired or will he retire gracefully? When the time comes who will lead the Longhorns back to prominence? Who will be given the keys to the best the best job in the country, the number of interested candidates would be endless. Next season promises to be an exciting one.Stay tuned… I know I will. – A. Denmark #hookemhorns

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google