Intentional Foul

Seeing Steve Spurrier’s Visor Mean’s Only One Thing

Chris — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:55:05 +0000

College football’s back!!! Let the heavens sing and the people party. While tonight’s reintroduction to the sport designed to spark months of conversations of postseason controversy doesn’t feature a marquee game — Southern Mississippi at South Carolina — what it symbolizes is good enough. And hey, anytime you get to watch Steve Spurrier juggle quarterbacks, especially when a true freshman is in the mix, times are good.

So let’s raise our glasses to the return of fall weekends devoted to crazy signs behind Lee Corso’s head; Kirk Herbstreit’s perfectly-coiffed hair; a chance to hear Keith Jackson’s voice, even if it is in commercial format; hot college fans and cheerleaders; Layla Kiffin; the SEC on CBS; the madness that is Boise State crashing BCS parties; red sweater vests; new Nike Pro Combat uniforms; Heisman hopefuls; and for me, the return of Randall Cobb — just to name a few.

Life, as we know it, is now good again. To help celebrate, here’s what might be the best rap song about football. Ever.

Yeah, it’s concentrating on the Wildcats, but the chorus reigns supreme:

“It’s the sport of kings, better than diamond rings. Football.”

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Seeing Steve Spurrier’s Visor Mean’s Only One Thing

Aaron Rodgers + Mutton Chops = ?

Chris — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:04:51 +0000

I’m not sure how I feel about Aaron Rodgers impressive patch of facial hair. Are the mutton chops too much? Perhaps, but I bet the chicks — especially all of the northern country women — dig it. And I’m sure it’ll keep him warm when the cold temperatures move in at Lambeau Field.

Maybe he’s trying out for a role on Sons of Anarchy? (Returning September 7th, ya’ll. Woohoo.)

Another description for Rodgers’ facial hair nest, I’ve learned, is the Hulihee. If I were Rodgers, I’d pass on that one. It’s certainly not masculine enough to describe an NFL player.

H/t to Jimbo (follow him, he’s a prodigious web programmer) for pointing this out.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Aaron Rodgers + Mutton Chops = ?

Iowa Linemen, Trucks and Motorcycles Don’t Mix

Chris — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:14:05 +0000

This video’s making its way around the blogosphere at an exponential rate, and with understandable reason. What we have is Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Josh Koeppel enjoying an afternoon spin on his small Yamaha motorcycle. I’m sure things were going well for him: Nice weather, breeze in his face, and then — *BAM* — and he enters a popular Iowa City intersection and some dumbass in a truck isn’t paying attention.

Next thing you know, he’s doing backwards somersaults off the bike while what looks like his shoe gets about 30 feet’s worth of elevation. Ah, the joys of coming to a complete, abrupt, unexpected stop when riding a motorcycle.

Fortunately for Koeppel, his injuries weren’t life-threatening — which is a surprise considering the violence of the collision. Police representatives stated Koeppel “appears he’s going to be fine,” which is fairly amazing when you watch the video.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Iowa Linemen, Trucks and Motorcycles Don’t Mix

Ricky Rubio Gets Played

Chris — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:23:37 +0000

I’m probably enjoying it a little too much, but watching Ricky Rubio and Spain struggle in the FIBA Worlds has been more entertaining than it probably should be. I suppose I view them as a sports rival now, thanks to the 2008 Gold Medal game. With that in mind, it’s safe to say I enjoyed Lithuania beating Spain, giving them their second loss in group play, and threatening their chances of advancing to the knock-out rounds.

Perhaps the defining play of the game was when Mantas Kalnietis, on an inbounds play, caught Rubio not paying attention, bounced the ball off his back and proceeded to hit a layup while a perplexed Rubio looked on, hanging his head.

That, sir, is not the kind of attention to detail on defense you need if you want your team to advance — especially in a tight, competitive game.

The question I have concerning Spain is, was their close loss to the Team USA’s “B team” during the exhibition portion of the FIBA World’s the high point for that squad? A close loss is still a loss, and no team should put that much stock into taking a group of NBA players to the wire, unless it’s Angola, circa 1992. The days of moral victories against the United States should be a thing of the past, specifically, when teams like Spain are involved.

H/t to Ball in Europe for the video find.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Ricky Rubio Gets Played

LeBron’s First Workout With The Heat

Chris — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:53:30 +0000

Now that THE DECISION has come and gone, and LeBron’s new address has been accepted by the masses — well, until this, I’m sure — it’s time for him to start getting ready for basketball season. Naturally, there’s video of the event, which would be his first workout at the Miami Heat’s practice facility.

Like You Been Blinded pointed out (H/T), no Heat coach Erik Spoelstra cannot do anything that even closely resembles guarding his new star player.

I’m sure seeing James working out for another team will only reopen some of the just-starting-to-heal wounds for the Cavaliers fans who stayed true to their team, but maybe it can bring some closure as well. Nothing’s going to make James’ actions any easier to swallow, but sometimes, realization of a relationship’s finality can kick-start the healing process.

Of course, whatever “healing” occurs will be completely undone when Cleveland hosts the Heat on December 2nd. TNT will be there so, and, I can imagine, will the Ohio National Guard.

Someone will need to be a face of order in all that upcoming chaos.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

LeBron’s First Workout With The Heat

Mark Ingram’s Knee Gets in The Way

Chris — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:53:24 +0000

Mark Ingram’s defense of his Heisman trophy, as well his efforts towards helping the Alabama Crimson Tide win another BCS Championship has been put on hold, at least for one game. According to al.com, Ingram had “minor” arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after injuring it during a Monday evening practice session. Ingram will miss Bama’s opener against San Jose State, but Nick Saban doesn’t think Ingram’s left knee will be an issue later in the season; a result of repairing Ingram’s knee immediately, as opposed to treating the issue with rest and a “wait and see” attitude.

“It was a situation where everyone involved thought it would be better to take care of now, so he would not have any issues with it later in the season,” Saban said.

While it’s unlikely Ingram will be missed against San Jose State, if the issue does happen to linger, the idea of Alabama going back-to-back becomes less likely; although, Trent Richardson — who some say is the best running back on Bama’s squad (Richardson disagrees) — might have something to say about that.

As it stands, Richardson will get the staring nod as Ingram continues to heal.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Mark Ingram’s Knee Gets in The Way

Clap Along With the KU Band

Chris — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:22:52 +0000

I saw this this weekend over at The Big Lead, and it’s just too awesome not to repost here:

For all of the Kansas Jayhawks fans who almost break their wrists trying to keep up with fight songs, this instructional video was made specifically for you. Now get out there and clap your hands off, especially for the football team.

The basketball team gets plenty of support already.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Clap Along With the KU Band

Russell Westbrook Had an Active Weekend

Chris — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:12:43 +0000

While Team USA’s “B Team” continues to perform at a successful rate, save for a quarter or two of not playing to their abilities, one player I’ve enjoyed watching is Russell Westbrook. Talk about making the most of your opportunities. While his play hasn’t been perfect, Westbrook has been an incredibly athletic spark-plug for Coach K and the crew. While his jumping ability has been well-documented, his floor speed has actually surprised me. For some reason, I didn’t realize Westbrook was as fast as he is, and unlike some athletic basketball players, Westbrook, for the most part, keeps himself under control on the court, even when he’s blazing down it. There’s purpose to Westbrook’s speedy trips up and down the court.

In other words, he’s not running fast and jumping high simply because he can. He’s polished that genetic package into a very nice professional (and FIBA) ballplayer. Because of that, Coach K has no problem using Westbrook as one of his first substitutes, and Westbrook has rewarded that trust, while providing some highlight reel-worthy material for us to enjoy.

First, there was that nasty crossover/dunk he had against Croatia. The move was so nasty, it should make Allen Iverson jealous:

Say “bye” to those ankles.

And then there was the blocked shot, one that saw the 6-3 Westbrook smash the dunk attempt of a 6-11 opponent:

Two words for that dunk attempt: Hell no.

Westbrook finished off his weekend converting a nice dunk, courtesy of a behind-the-back pass from Stephen Curry:

While I don’t think Curry’s extra mustard was necessary, it didn’t become a turnover. I credit Westbrook and the mounds and mounds of athletic ability he’s been blessed with.

Next up for Team USA is what should be a hotly-contested game against Brazil later this afternoon. If Westbrook continues to be the Human Spark-Plug off the bench, a win will be much easier to come by.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Russell Westbrook Had an Active Weekend

Ndamukong Suh: Headhunter

Chris — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:46:27 +0000

I’m not sure what sparked such a reaction from the prized rookie of the Detroit Lions, but apparently, preseason double teams are not something Ndamukong Suh enjoys; and God help your quarterback if Suh gets through because he might just tear his head off. Just ask Jake Delhomme.

While Suh’s reaction to Delhomme’s head and helmet was a bit surprising, and kind of awesome, the best part of the video was watching Delhomme react like this:

Although, that could be from the fact that he’s now playing in Cleveland.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Ndamukong Suh: Headhunter

Sam Bradford Looked Pretty Damn Sharp

Chris — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:10:02 +0000

In his first start as an NFL quarterback for the St Louis Rams, whatever tests he had to take, Sam Bradford passed them, and he did so with flying colors, to the tune of completing 15 of 22 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. His play garnered a QB rating of 125.0. With that in mind, perhaps all of the pundits should have the same excited perspective — if only for one game — concering Bradford’s performance, if, for nothing else, the lack of big-time talent around him at the skill positions (Steven Jackson notwithstanding).

That being said, the preseason grain of salt is still in effect hear, no matter how glowing a report Bradford sees. Nevertheless, with the Rams having issues at almost every position on offense, especially the offensive line — they surrendered 44 sacks last season — Bradford’s play against the New England Patriots, who were using their first-team defense, was eye-opening.

These are highlights from the Rams/Patriots, and all of Bradford’s memorable plays are featured, especially his touchdowns — speaking of, has Bradford’s affection for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (caught both of Bradford’s TD tosses) make Hoomanawanui a viable fantasy football tight end? Definitely something to keep an eye on.

As for the excitement, praise and hype, take a quick look around the various sports outlets around the web and find statements and titles like this:

- King Sam (NFL.com)

- Bradford passes test in first pro start‎ (Yahoo Sports)

- Bradford Dazzles in Surprisingly Exciting Pre-Season Game (Riverfront Times)

No Doubt About It, Sam Bradford Already Makes Rams Better (FanHouse)

And I haven’t even mentioned on the St Louis papers; but you’d better believe they’re excited: “It really does look like the Rams have themselves a franchise quarterback.” Considering the last two or three seasons St Louis sports writers have had to endure, the excitement is very easy to understand.

Unfortunately for Bradford’s development, it looks like he’ll be without the services of wide receiver Donnie Avery, who injured his knee last night. According the Rams’ staff, the injury appears to be “significant.”

It should also be noted Bradford hasn’t been named the regular season starter by coach Steve Spagnuolo, and considering the questions concerning the offensive line and the limited offensive weapons, this, too, is understandable. Clearly, Spagnuolo wants to keep Sam around long enough to fulfill the potential he showed last night, and putting him behind a line that almost surrendered 50 sacks last season isn’t the best way to assure that.

However, if the Rams draft correctly in the coming seasons, the primary need being a big-time receiver — A.J. Green, anyone? — and a stout offensive line, it certainly appears as if they have the foundation in place with Bradford. The key is protecting him until the a few more necessary parts are added.

A post from the Intentional Foul Sports Blog, a Ticket Solutions property.

Sam Bradford Looked Pretty Damn Sharp