Just carry the pads

But the other story – you know the Dez Bryant/Roy Williams fiasco – is something that I’d like to weigh in on a little bit.  Let me first say that I think Bryant should have carried Williams’ shoulder pads. 

Everybody know that all NFL rookies get hazed a little bit.  C’mon Dez, lighten up and swallow you’re pride.  They’re just shoulder pads.  That small gesture and show of humility will go a long way in helping to build chemistry with your entire team. 

I think Bryant will have at least learned a valuable lesson in all of this.  Beware of the media!  Many of them make a good living blowing these small stories out of proportion.  That comes with being a public figure and Bryant must learn to excercise strict control over his public image before he ends up like another talented wide receiver who can’t seem to get a team to want to deal with him anymore. 

Let’s just hope, for the sake of the Dallas Cowboys organization and the fans, that the media circus from this weak doesn’t carrry over to the regular season and distract the team.  It’s bad enough that the Cowboys primary receiver Miles Austin is dating Kim Kardashian – one of the most publicity hungry celebs in Hollywood.  But then again, her last boyfriend’s team seemed to be able to deal with it.  I think they actually had a pretty good season. 

(Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)

What will be the Spurs next move?

If you’re even the least bit of an NBA fan, you’ve probably been all over the extensive coverage of this summer’s free-agency free-for-all.  That means that you know that LeBron James has joined Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to make what is being referred to as the “Golden Triangle” in the Eastern Conference.

Now I can go on for hours and hours about this whole free-agency deal.  Everybody and their mother has an opinion on where the highly coveted James should have went, as well as the whole drawn out process that came to climax on ESPN last night with “The Decision.”  I’ll save you from my opinions (unless you’re really interested).

What I do want to talk about, however, is what the San Antonio Spurs will do next.  Honestly, the Spurs still have what it takes to be contenders.  Yeah, Timmy Duncan has some years on his knees, but with a few roster tweaks here and there, we can still be a force.

When LeBron James was still undecided on his next team, there were rumors floating around that the if he signed to the New York Knicks, the team would also try to make a move for Tony Parker to run the point.  I’m not sure if that’s still in the works, but I hope not.  Parker is still a key piece to the Spurs and it will be hard to replace him.

The latest rumor has Shaquille O’Neal looking to come back home to San Antonio – where he went to high school – to play alongside Duncan & Co.  He’s stated that he doesn’t want to go back to Cleveland and that he wants to play two more years in the league.  You know what?  That combination just might work.  Do you think Shaq still has enough left in the tank to get it done?  If he and Timmy can stay healthy, they would surely be a formidable frontcout in the West.

(Photo Credit: bballone.com)

Is it time for the San Antonio Spurs to break-up?

OK Spurs fans, I don’t even know where to start.  Never did I expect that San Antonio would be down 2-0 vs. “Los Suns”.  I don’t think the Phoenix Suns shot the ball exceptionally well in game #2 but they had a bunch of second chances due to the fact that they dominated the offensive boards. They finished with 18 rebounds on offense, 11 more than the Spurs.  I never thought I’d see that happen with Tim Duncan in uniform.

This is the most commanding NBA Playoff lead Phoenix has built over the Spurs in 10 years!  And these teams have met a lot of times in the NBA Playoffs.  In fact, the Suns have lost four consecutive playoff series to the four-time NBA champion Spurs since 2003.  Steve Nash, in particular, has lost to the Spurs six times if you include his stint with the Dallas Mavericks.

I hate to say it folks, but the dynasty has officially crumbled. Only 14 teams in NBA history have climbed back from a 2-0 deficit (the Spurs are actually one of them – agains New Orleans a couple years back).  So what should Gregg Popovich & Co. do after the season is over?  Is it time to break the nucleus of Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili up?  Hmmmm.  Time to start crunching some trade numbers.  And if you’re not quite ready to throw the towel in yet, leave me a note on the community blog and let me know what you think.

Where is everyone watching Game #3 by the way?  Is there somewhere around Vista Ridge that everyone goes to? What’s the best sports bar in the area?

A very serious matter…

All jokes aside, folks, it is time to get very serious about something.  For many Americans, one of the most important days of the 2010 calendar is almost upon us.  Football fans out there already know what I’m talking about.

The unofficial start of the 2010 NFL season (I told you it was important) is about to get underway tonight with the NFL Draft.  For the millions that won’t be able to watch it live in NYC, you can catch it during primetime on ESPN.  Of course you’re always welcome to watch it at my place – a large pepperoni pizza with a side order of wings will get you in my door.

Every year, I like to do my own mock draft to test my GM skills.  This year, I’m pretty confident in my first five picks.  After that it’s a crap shoot.  Let me know if you agree or disagree with my predictions!

1.      Saint Louis Rams: Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)  The Rams have passed on QB’s the past few years and I don’t think they can afford to pass again.  Bradford is the crème-of-the-crop.  Enough said.

2.      Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)  The Lions got a QB last year in Matt Stafford.  Now it’s time to shore up the D.  Many say that Suh is the best player in the draft so this is a no brainer.

3.      Tampa Bay Bucs: Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)  Some think that McCoy is actually better than Suh.  And since the Bucs have staked their reputation on building a strong new defense, this seems like an easy pick too.

4.      Washington Redskins: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State) The Redskins O line was HORRIBLE last year (notice the ALL CAPS).  And with their fancy new QB that they stole from Philly (yeah, I said it), this is an easy choice too.  Okung is easily the best O lineman in the draft. 

5.      Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma) They need big help on the O line as well.  And since Okung will be gone by the time KC picks, Williams will have to do.

Although I don’t project him in the top-5, I honestly think that the steal of the draft will be Eric Berry out of the University of Tennessee.  Safeties rarely go early in drafts however I think their game changing ability is severely underrated and Berry is probably the best prospect in a long time.  Think Baltimore’s Ed Reed…but better.

The Texas Two-Step: Spurs vs. Mavs

Hey Vista Ridge!  If you don’t know by now, I’m a basketball nut.  I absolutely LOVE spring.  Just as NCAA basketball wraps up, the basketball gods give us the NBA Playoffs.  And as usual, the San Antonio Spurs are right in the thick of things.  This year, Tim Duncan and company take on interstate rival Dallas Mavericks in the first round.

Although the Mavs are favored, finished with a better record and got the best of the Spurs in the regular season (they won 3 out of 4), Playoff-time is when the Spurs shine so I’m expecting to see Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker do what they do best…win.

Ken Berger from CBS Sports just did a breakdown of the series that tips-off Sunday, April 18 in Dallas.  Here is what he had to say…

Mavericks: Dallas shot 78 percent from the foul line in the head-to-head meetings this season, the only discernable statistical edge; the Spurs shot 69 percent from the line.

Spurs: Tony Parker only played twice against the Mavs this season, which explains why Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 5.5 assists per game in the four meetings.

Key players

Mavericks: Brendan Haywood. You need all the size you can get against the Spurs, and Haywood’s presence around the basket will continue to make up for Dallas’ vulnerable perimeter defense.

Spurs: Manu Ginobili. With Parker shelved for a month down the stretch, Ginobili carried the Spurs offensively and is having his biggest all-around impact in years.

Key matchup: Shawn Marion vs. Spurs wings. Marion’s versatility on the defensive end will give Rick Carlisle the option of putting him on whoever is hurting the Mavs with dribble-penetration — whether it’s Parker, Ginobili or Richard Jefferson.

Subplots: There are always plenty when these two teams tangle. It’s the second consecutive year they’ve met in the postseason and the fifth in the Duncan-Nowitzki era. It’s always physical and sometimes ugly.

Berger’s take: If the Mavs hadn’t finished strong with five consecutive wins after stumbling through the month of March, I’d be picking an upset with no hesitation. As it is, Dallas will have its hands full with a team that’s been playing as well as any since the All-Star break. A lot of it depends on Parker’s health and how well Duncan makes it through what I expect to be a seven-game series. But with no back-to-backs in the postseason, an extra edge goes to older teams that need rest to be effective. According to Wayne Winston, the Mavs’ former stats guru, only the Magic and Suns have played better than the Spurs since the All-Star break. Dallas has been 1.7 points better than average offensively since the break, while the Spurs have been 6.3 points better than average on defense. The series will be determined by matchups and substitution patterns, and the coaches are so close that I can’t see it going shorter than seven games. So with a healthy dose of trepidation given Dallas’ improved versatility since the trade-deadline acquisition of Haywood and Caron Butler, I’m picking an upset in this one.

Prediction: Spurs in 7.

Final Fogelman Four (or Five)

Hey Fogelman folks…the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament is wrapping up this weekend and if you’ve been following, you know that it has been ripe with upsets. As for the Fogelman Bracket Challenge, it’s still too close to call. There are numerous scenarios that can play out, each one resulting in a different winner.

Here is what we know…

• If Duke wins, Richard Call from Stewarts Ferry in Nashville, TN will be your 2010 Champion. Way to go, Richard! But don’t count your cookies yet…
• If West Virginia wins, then Jon Hawks will take the crown. I’m a Big East Conference fan, so I must admit that I’m in Jon’s corner. Jon, we’re not sure which apartment community you’re representing so if you’re reading this, make sure you drop us a note.
• If Michigan State wins the tournament, then Amanda Hill will be our official champion. However, because she is not officially a Fogelman property resident, she is disqualified from collecting any prize. Any prize would go to the first runner-up that is actually a resident. Sorry, Amanda. Maybe you should consider moving to a Fogelman community J
• And if Butler wins, well, here’s where it gets a little tricky. Because no one gave them a fighting chance at the beginning of the tournament, there is no clear cut winner at this point. It all depends on who they play in the Championship. If Butler defeats West Virginia in the title game, then Janelle Crandall from Metro 67 in Memphis, TN will walk away with the prize. If Butler defeats Duke, the title goes to Dani Soto from Hampton Woods in Shawnee, KS.

Good luck to each of the finalists! Don’t forget to tune into CBS to watch the tournament semifinals tonight starting at 6pm, and then the Championship game on Monday, April 5 at 8pm.

Fogelman 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge Leader Board: Are you on it?

The first weekend of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is in the books and the leader board for the Fogelman 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge is set. With 50+ bracket submissions, this is sure to be a tight race.

A few interesting statistics developed among the Fogelman residents that participated. Among them…

• 31% of the participants picked Kansas to win it all.
• 14% picked Kentucky
• 12% picked Duke
• 7% picked Syracuse

Here is the leader board after the first two rounds of the tournament along with their pick to win the whole thing…

1. Kim Martin (Kansas), 46 pts.

2. Garrett James (Kansas), 44 pts.

2. Kate Asselin (Kansas), 44 pts.

4. Amanda Hill (Michigan State), 43 pts.

4. Heather Towe (Kansas), 43 pts.

6. Zach Hightower (N/A), 42 pts.

6. Chris Gholston (Syracuse), 42 pts.

6. Janelle Crandall (Kansas), 42 pts.

6. Dani Soto (Kansas), 42 pts.

10. Melissa Rosenthal (Kansas), 40 pts.

The tournament itself is proving to be one of the best in years, with major upsets and Cinderella stories playing out as the field battled to join the ranks of the “Sweet 16”. Northern Iowa’s upset over Kansas in the second round will definitely shake up the Fogelman Bracket Challenge leader board in the coming weeks.

If one of your neighbors has made it on the leader board, be sure to drop them a note of congratulations on your community’s Facebook page and cheer them on. And make sure you stay tuned to all of the drama in both the NCAA tournament and the Fogelman Bracket Challenge. I’ll post a new update next week.

The Regional Semifinals play out today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday, March 26-27), with the Regional Finals being played on Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28. Check your local CBS affiliate for game times.

MARCH MADNESS is here! Join the Fogelman Properties 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge!!!

Are you ready for March Madness? Join the Fogelman Properties 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge on Facebook and compete against other residents from your community, and other Fogelman properties, to see who the most basketball savvy resident is! Prizes have yet to be determined. You must enter and complete a bracket before the games begin this Thursday, March 18, 2010.

Also, each submission is automatically entered into the $5k March Mania Bracket Pool created by Citizen Sports.

Follow this link to join the Fogelman Properties 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge!

How does the bracket scoring system work? The following scoring system is used for the bracket: Round points received for correctly choosing the winning team…

• Rd. 1 (round of 64): 1 pt.
• Rd. 2 (round of 32): 2 pts.
• Rd. 3 (round of 16): 4 pts.
• Rd. 4 (round of 8): 8 pts.
• Rd. 5 (round of 4): 16 pts.
• Rd. 6 (championship): 32 pts.

When and where can I see how I’m doing compared to other people in my pool? Once the tournament begins, click on the pool name from the homepage. You’ll see how many points each person in your pool has scored as well as the team they picked as the national champ.

What can I win in the Fogelman Properties NCAA Bracket Challenge? The top three finishers (in points) that are residents of a community that Fogelman Properties manages will receive prizes yet to be determined. Stay tuned!

What is the $5k March Mania Bracket Pool created by Citizen Sports? Every entry is automatically submitted to the $5k March Mania Bracket Pool. The winner of the bracket pool will win the $5000 cash grand prize (pending eligibility, see full rules here).

Play Volleyball. Support the Troops.

I’m sure we can all agree that the U.S. has one of the hardest working and most dedicated militaries in the world.   So when an opportunity to support them and have some fun at the same time comes along, most people would probably want to participate.  Well, here’s your chance.  On March 27, Platinum Sports San Antonio will host a coed volleyball tournament with proceeds going to Operation Military Embrace .

If you’re interested in playing, here is the info that you will need…

• Where: San Antonio College Gyms, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX
• Time:  Captains meet at 8:50a.m.; Play starts at 9:00a.m.
• Cost:  $17 per player.  Prizes will be awarded to all winners!
• Format:  6 on 6 format indoor court.  There will be three divisions: Casual, Intermediate, and Advanced.  This will be a round-robin tournament with playoffs for the advanced division.  Individual players can sign up to be placed on an available team.  All players MUST be 18 years of age and over.

To register or find out more info, contact the Tournament Director Anita Huddleston:

play@platinumsportssa.com
(210) 722-0770

The deadline to register is March 23.

Ready to Ride

Taos Muncy is going to be a little more careful this time around at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Last year, while staying in San Antonio, Muncy broke his ankle and had to miss the next six weeks of professional competition.

Muncy says he is ready to get back out and ride though and is glad to be back in San Antonio. He should be. This is where he shines the most winning the saddle bronc title in 2007 and finished third in 2008.  Last year, he set an arena record with a 92-point ride.

Are you a fan? Are you going to catch the rodeo before it ends on Feb. 21?

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