Where Are They Now? Tony Mandarich

Do you remember the name Tony Mandarich? The Green Bay Packers made Mandarich the number two pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. Mandarich was picked ahead of Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas who both had very productive NFL careers. Sports Illustrated even called him "The Best Offensive Line Prospect Ever." It did not work out that way though for Mandarich and the Green bay Packers. Mandarich came out of Michigan State with high hopes only to be considered one of the greatest busts. He never lived up to his lofty expectations for a number of reasons. Many people have said he had attitude issues and after three lackluster seasons the Packers cut ties with him.

He made a comeback with the Colts from 1996-1998 and gave a much better account of himself. Mandarich has always been accused of steroids which many people thought was the biggest reason for his success in college. In 2008 Mandarich finally admitted he used steroids in college. He has denied any use of steroid use in the NFL. He did admit that he was addicted to alcohol and painkillers while in the NFL.

Today Tony Mandarich runs a photography studio and has also branch into search engine optimization along with Internet Marketing. He has also written a book about his addictions and how he turned things around. Mandarich seemed like he was the perfect athlete, but the truth is it was never all-natural. He had help like so many players have.

Danica Patrick Will Make Start In Nationwide Series Is She Feeling The Heat!

Danica Patrick has been successful no matter what type of vehicle she gets behind it seems. When she climbs into No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in Saturday’s second-tier Nationwide Series race it will be something that is totally different than anything else she probably has done. Will she be successful? Most likely yes, but like any other driver who comes to Nascar there is a learning curve that she will have to adjust too.

Most people will tell you that for some the learning curve is more than they can handle. I think Danica will be fine as she has many people helping her out to make the transition much easier. Most people do not have the luxury of having a great owner and all the free advice many drivers have been giving her. If Danica Patrick succeeds it could open it up to other female drivers in the future. It's true Patrick is a little different, but she could make a big impact in a number of ways.

Danica appeals to men and also many women as well who would love to have a female driver to cheer for. Patrick could fill a void that has been in Nascar for a long time. Yes, Nascar has had some female drivers, but none with the popularity that Patrick has right now. It will be interesting to see how well she does and how other drivers take to her. I guess we will find out shortly.

College Basketball Scores

Monday, February 8th

1 Kansas 80 Final
14 Texas 68

5 Villanova 82 Final
4 West Virginia 75

Loyola (IL) 47 Final
15 Butler 62

Robert Morris 53 Final
23 Pittsburgh 77

NBA Schedule Feb 9, 2010

New Jersey at Cleveland

Chicago at Indiana

Minnesota at Philadelphia

Washington at Charlotte 7:00 PM

Houston at Miami

Sacramento at New York

Detroit at Milwaukee

Atlanta at Memphis

Dallas at Denver

Oklahoma City at Portland

Utah at LA Clippers

NBA Scores

Orlando 123
NO 117

Dallas 127
Golden State 117

Los Angeles Lakers 101
San Antonio Spurs 89

NHL Schedule Feb 9, 2010

Boston at Buffalo

Florida at Carolina

Nashville at NY Islanders

Calgary at Ottawa

Vancouver at Tampa Bay

Detroit at St. Louis

Dallas at Chicago

NHL Scores

Monday, February 8th

New Jersey 2 Final
Philadelphia 3

San Jose 3 Final
Toronto 2

St. Louis 2 Final
Colorado 5

Edmonton 1 Final
Phoenix 6

Los Angeles 2 Final
Anaheim 4

Peyton Manning A Poor Sport? Yeah Right!

It seems that many people feel that Peyton Manning was a poor sport for getting off the football field and not shaking anyone's hand. Well this argument really has two sides and for once I am standing with Manning on this one. First the Colts had just lost the biggest game of the year and it is a madhouse and rush when the Super Bowl is over. I really cannot blame Peyton Manning. Sometime when things settle down he will congratulate the Saints and Drew Brees.

Peyton Manning has always been a good sport so I really have no problem with his actions. Players like Manning who do everything right on and off a field do get a little leeway when we talk about this subject. If Manning had always been a bad sport than I could understand people ripping Manning, but this time what he did was okay. It was a very tough loss for Peyton Manning to take and in my opinion acted like a guy who was deeply disappointed. Instead of worrying about how he acted we should be talking more about what the Saints just accomplished.

Saints Are Super In Super Bowl

The New Orleans Saints proved me wrong and many others who thought they had no chance of beating the Colts. The Saints who have always believed in themselves was able to comeback and get a 31-17 win and now can be called Super Bowl Champions. Drew Brees played a great game and did all the things you need from a team leader. Brees completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns to tie the Super Bowl record for completions on his way to winning the game's MVP honors.

For the Colts they had their chances, but dropped balls and a Peyton Manning interception returned for a touchdown killed them. Give the Saints credit though they played better and that is why they are Super Bowl Champions and not the Colts. Who Dat Nation has risen up and it is there time now!

NBA Schedule Feb 8, 2010

New Orleans at Orlando

Dallas at Golden State

San Antonio at LA Lakers

NBA Scores

Orlando 96
Boston 89

Toronto 115
Sac 104

NHL Schedule Feb 8, 2010

New Jersey at Philadelphia

San Jose at Toronto

St. Louis at Colorado

Edmonton at Phoenix

Los Angeles at Anaheim

NHL Scores

Sunday, February 7th

Pittsburgh 4 Final
Washington 5 OT

Boston 3 Final
Montreal 0

Did The Football Hall Of Fame Get It Right?

The 2010 Football Hall Of Fame Class has plenty of variety, but did they get it right is what many people are wondering today. First let us take a look at the ones who will be entering into the Hall of Fame first.

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith without a doubt deserved to be in. Both players set records and was the standard that many people in today's game strive for. Rice changed the way people looked at the wide receiver position and many people consider him the greatest of all-time. Smith played with the Cowboys and did not have blazing speed, but he was a durable player who played hurt and shattered many rushing records in the process along his way. Russ Grimm was a member of the Hogs and a anchor to the offenseive line that was one of the best. His election was well deserved.

Rickey Jackson was a linebacker that played most of his career with the New Orleans Saints and combined speed and power and was one of the better linebackers to play the game. Jackson never really got the credit that he deserved so this election has to be very gratifying to him. Dick Lebeau started 171 consecutive games a record for his position. He played 14 season and recorded 62 interceptions during his career. Today he is  the defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another guy that should have been in the Hall Of Fame a long time ago was Floyd Little of the Denver Broncos. Little  gained 6,323 yards on 1,641 career carries, scored 43 TDs. ... Added 215 receptions for 2,418 yards, 9 TDs. John Randle of the Minnestoa Vikings was a defensive end who's motor ran 110 percent all the time. Randle recorded 137½ sacks during career. ... Had eight consecutive seasons (1992-99) with 10-plus sacks and a ninth in 2001.

Now let's get to some notable snubs in my opinion. People have to remember that you can only elect so many so these may not be snubs just you can only elect so many. Cris Carter and Tim Brown both deserve to be in the Hall Of Fame. They just were not able to get enough votes to get in. Another notable I thought should have made it was Shannon Sharpe. He changed how the tight end position is played in today's game. Hopefully these three will make it in next year.

Super Bowl Prediction No Shock Here

 The Super Bowl is always a game that people enjoy no matter if your favorite team is in it or not. This years game pits the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. If you like high scoring games this one will probably not disappoint in this area. Many people are rooting for the Saints who are making their first appearance in the Super Bowl. They have had a great season and want to bring a Super Bowl Championship back to the City Of New Orleans.

Meanwhile the Colts and Peyton Manning are having another record setting year. The Colts have been through this before and know what to expect plus they do have Peyton Manning as well. The Colts can put up a lot of points and they will do their part to make this a very exciting Super Bowl as well. Now let's get to the prediction.

If you are a Saints fan I have some good news and bad news here. You have made it to your first Super Bowl, but you will not be hoisting up the trophy. I cannot go against Peyton Manning and the Colts. The only chance the Saints have is knocking out Peyton Manning. If he plays the whole game he will carve the Saints up just like he had done everyone else all season long. I like the Colts 37-21.