DJOKAVIC BLOWS PAST MONFILS

The wind in Flushing Meadows, NY during the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open Wednesday was a wind that even Dorothy and Toto would have complaints about, and they know wind. As the wind swirled and gusted around Arthur Ashe court on Wednesday, Novak Djokavic stayed the course and broke the spirit of the young Frenchman, Gael Monfils, en route to his fourth straight trip to the semi-finals of the U.S. Open.

Serbian Novak Djokavic celebrates a winner during the match

Djokavic, a very spirited and animated player on the court took a different approach to the quarter final match against Monfils as he noticed that the winds were going to play a huge role in both players game. With winds gusting up to 36 mph, Djokavic and Monfils had issues with even the most everyday aspects of their game. Djokavic talked to himself and his racket for a good part of the match as his backhands were taken off course by the wind that seemed to have a mind of it's own. During one long exchange between the players Djokavic misplaced a forehand, that was clearly affected by the wind, which caused him to slam his racket face down onto the court in disgust. Monfils had issues with his serve as he would toss the ball into the air and it would travel away from his projected line of the racket and he would have to recoil and try it all over again. It was as trying to watch the match as I'm sure it was to actually be on the court and play it. Early it looked as if Monfils had brought his "A" game of athleticism to the match and he would move into his second straight Grand Slam semi-final, but as the match progressed you could see Monfils become more frustrated with the wind and the play of Djokavic.

Gael Monfils catches himself after falling during quarter-final match

When it was all said and done Monfils finished with 17 winners and 37 unforced errors. Djokavic added after the match "These were the worst conditions so far in the tournament. I don't think the crowd really enjoyed the tennis too much."

I really thought that this was an awesome match between two great athletes who both should be on the Grand Slam radar for many years to come. The more Djokavic kept approaching the net and playing tightly the more Monfils would show his speed as those long legs would unwind and catch up to the ball and allow the gangly arms to take over and drop a beautiful return right back, just not with the regularity that he had experienced thus far in the tournament. Experience played a huge role in the outcome of this match as the high  tennis I.Q. of Novak Djokavic proved to be to high in this wind aided chess match. Djokavic now will face #2 Roger Federer on Saturday after a much deserved  two day rest.



#3 NOVAK DJOKAVIC     7    6    6

#17 GAEL MONFILS         6    1    2

NCAA 1A COACHES POLL-WEEK 2

Coaches Poll 9-6-10

HOKIES FAIL TO LASSO BOISE STATE

You know sports enthusiasts will always tell you to let the “sleeping giant” sleep, do your job and get outta town with a win!  Most of the time that is easier said than done especially when that “giant”  has the ability to dominate you like a big brother dominates a little brother outside in the driveway. Many thought Boise State would be that little brother and would be bulldozed over by the more powerful, athletic, well known, better built for the BCS Virginia Tech team.  But, thats why they play the game instead of resting on predictions.

As the first quarter began it seemed like the Hokies had not received their wake up call for the game as Boise State took command of the game early after they blocked a punt and recovered a fumble to take a quick 17-0 lead in the first quarter. They were able to present a very physical defense to Virginia Tech and keep Tyrod Taylor and his offense bottled up. That is until the second quarter when the Tech offense was able to finally get their act together and start to put a couple of scoring drives together.

Taylor, quarterback and spiritual leader of the Tech offense, collected his troops together on the sideline prior to the second quarter and had a meeting of the minds and it seemed to help. At that point when the Virginia Tech offense became ‘the Virginia Tech offense’ that we are used to seeing Taylor run so efficiently.  After leading the offense down the field on a nine play sixty-seven yard drive Tech RB Ryan Williams punched in the first score of the night for Tech and they were off and running. The Tech defense started to get into the game also and produced a couple of stops and allowed their offense to collect some rhythm. Once the Tech offense settled in, the game began to be the game that was hyped. Each team matched the other score for score until they reached the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter after falling behind 27-26 Tech took the ball downfield sixty-four yards in ten plays and scored on another impressive drive that took 5:20 off the clock and made the score 30-26 after kicker Chris Hazley kicked a a 34 yard field goal. All was quiet from that point of the game on as both teams exchanged possessions with no  luck of additional scores. That is until the 2:00 mark when State received the ball back and began the drive that scored the winning touchdown. It took Boise only 5 plays, 56 yards and :38 seconds to drive down and score the winning touchdown as Kellen Moore threw a perfect pass to receiver Austin Pettis for the 13 yard score that made all the difference in the game. The one concern for State was that they may have left too much time on the clock for Taylor and his squad as 1:09 remained. But, three incompletions and a sack later Boise State had held and had the ball back to set the offense up in the victory formation and run the clock out.  After the game Coach Frank Beamer stated “I firmly believe we’re going to be a good football team. We weren’t a great football team tonight. We made too many critical mistakes, but I firmly believe we’re going to be a good football team.”

This game deserved to be played on Labor Day as both teams labored up and down the field and battled in a slugfest that went right down to the wire. If this game is any indication of what we are in for in college football this year then sign me up and save me a seat for every Saturday afternoon right in front of the television. Boise and Virginia Tech both lived up to the hype of the game and made many new fans along the way. College football at it’s best.

BOISE STATE

Moore-215 PY-3 TD

Pettis-6 Rsh.-73 Yds-2TD

Harper-4 Rsh.-80Yds-1 TD

Gallarda-2 Rec.-4 Yds.-TD

VIRGINIA TECH

Taylor-186 PY-2 TD

Wlliams-21 Rsh.-44 Yds.-2 TD-1 Rec. TD

Boykin-6 Rec.-102-TD

GAEL MONFILS MOVES INTO U.S. OPEN QUARTERS

Frenchman Gael Monfils has moved into the quarterfinals after beating fellow frenchman Richard Gasquet in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. The 24 year old Monfils made the 2.5 hour match look easy as he slide around the court dropping shots, chasing shots and performing like an All-Pro safety covering the football field, subsequently closing out the match serving his 14th ace.

He become the first frenchman to enter the quarter finals of the U.S. Open in the last 10 years (Arnaud Clement) with the win. The 17th ranked Monfils moves on and will face the winner of the Fish-Djokovic match, which is underway this afternoon. Monfils is familiar with both players as he is 0-1 v. Fish and 0-4 v. Djokovic.

HOUSHMANDZADEH A RAVEN

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has signed a 1-year deal this morning with the Baltimore Ravens reportedly worth $855,000.00.

After being released by the Seahawks over the weekend, as teams finalized their roosters for the regular season, Housh found himself out of work after just one quick season in Seattle, the emergence of the young Mike Williams and the hiring of Pete Carroll.
Houshmandzadeh becomes part of a very talented Ravens receiving corp and gives Joe Flacco many experienced targets that will only make his progression on the field that much more easy.
On a side note, the Ravens are getting a valuable asset at rock bottom prices! The minimum that they have signed Houshmandzadeh for was possible as Seattle will be on the hook to pay the receiver $6.1 million this season of his remaining $7.0 million dollars owed, even after cutting him. Not bad for an aging receiver that only had to endure the Seattle rain for about 8 months last year.

UNC ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH SAYS BYE BYE!!

UNC Associate head coach John Blake has turned in his resignation less than 24 hours after the loss to LSU last night in Atlanta, Ga. As the probe into many improprieties regarding NC players began the microscope seemed to be getting closer to Blake the more the NCAA pushed the issue. Blake has a very close and what many call, inappropriate, relationship with agent Gary Wichard. 

Blake released the following statement with his resignation “While I have enjoyed my tenure at the University of North Carolina, it has become apparent to me over the course of the past few weeks that my presence has become a distraction to my family and to this great University, too," Blake said. "Consequently, I have determined that it is in the best interests of my family, the University community at large, and the Football Program for me to step down from my position as associate head football coach effective today, September 5, 2010." (COURTESY WRAL)

The story has become the onion of UNC sports as it keeps peeling off layers of stink. The information released so far has been scarce but I'm sure as the probe continues and now that there has been some fallout with the coaching staff we will begin to hear more intimate details of this agent-coach relationship with the players that has caused all the unrest, suspensions and lack of sleep in Chapel Hill.

WEEK #1 NCAA 1A RESULTS

Week_1_NCAA

NCAA 1A COACHES POLL

Rank	Team	Record	Votes	Previous
1	Alabama (55)	1-0	1,469	NR
2	Ohio State (4)	1-0	1,392	NR
3	Florida	1-0	1,245	NR
4	Texas	1-0	1,240	NR
5	Boise State	0-0	1,215	NR
6	Virginia Tech	0-0	1,052	NR
7	TCU	1-0	1,051	NR
8	Oklahoma	1-0	1,035	NR
9	Nebraska	1-0	1,001	NR
10	Iowa	1-0	952	NR
11	Oregon	1-0	940	NR
12	Wisconsin	1-0	778	NR
13	Miami (FL)	1-0	728	NR
14	Penn State	1-0	508	NR
15	Pittsburgh	0-1	492	NR
16	LSU	1-0	476	NR
17	Georgia Tech	1-0	455	NR
18	North Carolina	0-1	445	NR
19	Arkansas	1-0	438	NR
20	Florida State	1-0	374	NR
21	Georgia	1-0	312	NR
22	Oregon State	0-1	263	NR
23	Auburn	1-0	260	NR
24	West Virginia	1-0	169	NR
24	Utah	1-0	169	NR
Others Receiving Votes: Cincinnati135, Houston76, Brigham Young66, Arizona65, Mississippi48, Clemson44, Stanford41, Connecticut40, South Carolina38, Notre Dame38, Washington26, Missouri23, Navy12, Oklahoma State11, Boston College10, Michigan State10, Arizona State6, California6, Texas Tech5, South Florida4, Texas A&M3, Temple2, Northwestern2, Nevada1, Northern Illinois1, Central Michigan1, Mississippi State1, Southern Methodist1

(Poll courtesy of Sports illustrated)

STEELERS MAY HAVE TO TOE DIXON LINE

Pre-Season is a time to evaluate new players, new plays, allow your starters to gain rhythm and figure out what offensive & defensive packages work best for your team! Most teams pray that the injury bug stays away and doesn't bite them but it usually does in some way. The Steelers found that out the hard way in their final preseason game Thursday when their starting QB went down and limped to the sideline.

Byron Leftwich, the QB signed in the preseason to direct the Steeler offense while suspended starter Ben Roethlisberger is serving a league mandated suspension, went down last night in the first half after being hit by his own teammates. Leftwich has been diagnosed with a torn MCL and is out indefinitely. Now the youngster Dennis Dixon will most likely step into the starting role and try his best to guide the offense to at a .500 record while they await their starter to return.

The Steelers will have a tough time no doubt as they throw their young QB into he fire that is the speed of the NFL. Hopefully he will have the poise of a Ryan or Stafford and perform beyond expectations but we will see. There have also been rumors as to Matt Leinart being traded so we will see if those rumors make it to Pittsburgh!

CLEMENS FINALLY INDICTED!

Seven-time Cy Young winer roger Clemens has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury today 

on charges of Perjury. The retired pitcher finds himself in this situation after enough evidence was presented to show that he lied when he presented false statements to Congress about using performance-enhancing drugs during his playing career. The prosecution stated today "Our government cannot function if witnesses are not held accountable for false statements made before Congress," said United States Attorney Ronald Machen. "Today the message is clear: If a witness makes a choice to ignore his or her obligation to testify honestly, there will be consequences."

Clemens faces a maximum of 30 years in a federal prison and a fine of up to $1.5 million dollars. Clemens has not been able to be reached for a statement and his attorney Rusty Hardin has said "we have no knowledge of any indictment pending or forthcoming." I guess he needs to have his paralegal search Google or better yet just turn on any ESPN or CNN channel.

Click link for more on this story: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/08/19/2010-08-19_rocket_indicted_for_lying_to_congress.html#ixzz0x52sJnGE

VIKING HARVIN HOSPITALIZED

Minnesota vikings WR Percy Harvin has been taken a  local Minnesota hospital this morning after collapsing at the teams practice facility.

Harvin who suffers from severe headaches, was not on the field to start practice but after a brief meeting with the head trainer he eventually came out onto the field and was set to view practice from the sideline. After a few minutes, Harvin lost his cookies and then collapsed onto the field. An ambulance arrived shortly thereafter and loaded the player into the vehicle and took him to Hennepin County Medical Center. No further information has been provided.

COLTS GILL DOWN & OUT!!

What happens to a "baby-millionare" after he is arrested for public intoxication? Thats right, you are put on the Reserve-Non Injury list! Thats exactly what has happened to Indianapolis Colts 2nd-year defensive lineman John Gill. Sunday night gill was discovered face down in a roadside ditch, no vehicle close and no one else at the scene. Gill, who was barefoot and wearing soiled khaki shorts, was reported to have been unable to respond to commands and/or questions from local police officer Ricardo Flores, Jr. and was subsequently arrested. Officer Flores attempted to have Gill stand and talk to him to fully understand how he arrived in the position he was but Gill could not stand on his own for any duration of time.
Team President Bill Polian has stated that he is fully expecting Gill to miss the 2010-11 season in full as the league will probably place him on the aforementioned list. Polian went on to say "He's got a problem unfortunately that many Americans are familiar with either in their family or in the workplace." For the moment Gill has been suspended indefinitely and awaits the next step in his treatment as this incident marks the second time that Gill has been flagged for the same play. The Colts will now make the decision as to whether they will pay Gill his base $320,000.00 salary or not. Lets hope this kid overcomes his drinking issues and makes a solid comeback in the future.

DENNIS RODMAN "THE IMMORTAL"!!

In what may be THE most amazing of feats attained by Mr. Dennis "The Automatic-Rebounder" Rodman we now have to question what was this man put here for! Basketball....too easy...love...too many divorces and broken relationships!

After returning from a trip in St. Tropez,  Rodman and friends loaded up into a Land Rover driven by a friend and shortly thereafter found themselves in a vehicle that flipped three times on the infamous I-95 in Ft. Lauderdale, with the driver being taken to the hospital for further tests and observations for head injuries. Rodman, was pulled from the vehicle by some passerby's that luckily noticed the wreckage shortly after it occurred.  Rodman thanked the help, politely declined requests for photographs and/or autographs after he stood and stretched out his 6'6 " frame and checked for any injuries. At that point he phoned his agent, Darren Prince, to inform him of the situation and stated to Prince that "I'm still living bro!...they cant get rid of me!". Prince stated to the local news, "Thank God he's OK!" "He walked out with a little scratch on his finger."

The story continues to develop but local highway patrol has added that there look to be no charges forthcoming.