Tragedy Strikes Again

Yesterday on October 16th, 2011 tragedy struck down the IndyCar Series, and gave anyone who has ever been a race fan of any series a reminder of just how real the danger is each and every week. For those who have grown up watching racing whether it be IndyCars, NASCAR, or just a local dirt track the thought of death doesn't often enter our minds, but we know its there. Sunday afternoon gave us a stern reminder about just that.

While personally i have never really been an IndyCar fan, I am first and foremost a racing fan and love everything about the sport of Auto Racing. This Sunday took me back to that fateful day February 18th, 2001 and made me remember just how hurt i was that day and how i couldn't believe someone who was my hero for so long could leave the world just like that. I know drivers strap in each weekend knowing the consequences, but that's what makes these men and women heroes to us fans who can only dream of reaching the speeds that they do. Dan Wheldon lost his life Sunday doing something he loved something he always wanted to do and that's race. He knew everytime he strapped in to a racecar the danger was there, just as all drivers do. That's what pushes drivers on keeps us fans loving what we love this great sport of racing, when deep down we all know the danger is there. I never knew Dale Earnhardt or Dan Wheldon never had the chance to meet either of them, but what makes this sport so special is the connection you feel to  each and every driver whether you know them personally or just watch each weekend on television. Dan Wheldon will forever be missed from everyone who has ever been a fan of Auto Racing, and he will never be forgotten.

Dan Wheldon RIP 1978-2011

The Chase is on

The chase for the NASCAR Sprint cup is on and its shaping up to be a great finish which is exactly what NASCAR needs. NASCAR has been struggling as of late with help from the economy, lack of a fan favorite winning, and lack of a new champion. However that may finally all change. This chase has been the most exciting ever to go with a season that saw a lot of NASCAR's roots come back exactly how they planned. Not only was there a 3 car in victory lane this season, but we saw the return of the spoiler to the Sprint Cup Series. We saw some disputes on the track example this past week with Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton. It seems as if NASCAR is finally listening to it's fans and giving them what they want to see. The last step to making 2010 a complete sucess having a great championship finish which i dont doubt will happen. Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, and Kevin Harvick are all going right down to the wire it seems. Hamlin who just came through in a big way for his #11 FedEx Toyota Camry with a win at Texas this past week has taken the points lead. With only 2 races left in the Chase and less than 60 points between these 3 drivers it seems like to me that this chase is gonna be talked about for a long time.

Who is the Best Team in the AFC ?

As always the great debate is already on after just 6 weeks in the NFL season who is the best team in the AFC ? Well right now i believe there are just 5 teams that stand above the rest at this moment in the 2010 season. The Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, and Colts. I feel the top 4 are quite obvious choices and the one that could truly be up for debate is the Colts. While the Colts are the defending AFC champions and of course they still have Peyton Manning they are 0-2 in there division at this point in the season with losses to the Texans and the Jaguars. I think the Colts still have to be mentioned because they have been there before and they know how to win however i do feel that three other teams could slide into the top 5 in the upcoming weeks. The Texans, Titans and Chiefs all look decent however have some obvious holes in their teams. The Texans who i felt would be really good this season sit at 4-2 which is solid at this point in the season and they have victories over the Colts, Redskins, and Chiefs pretty decent teams. However the one thing lacking on this team has been the defense which i thought would be solid with all the first round picks over the seasons. Overall though i do feel that the 4 best overall teams are the Jets, Steelers, Ravens and Patriots although i feel the Pats Defense could hurt them in the long run. Were only 6 games in and 5 for some teams so there's no need to jump ship or count anyone out (except the bills) theres still a lot of football to be played, but the debates happen every year and are a week to week battle in and among themselves.

The Hits keep Coming

After this past weekends games in the NFL the NFL has decided to come out and speak even more against helmet to helmet hits in games. This weekend saw quite a few big hits happen during games the most notable would have to be Dunta Robinson and DeSean Jackson. The NFL has said that instead of just fining players as they have in the past they will now start suspended players that use their helmet to tackle an opponent. Personally i think they do need to stop the big hits however i don't think it is all to blame on the defenseman making the play. The receivers need to be aware of their surroundings as well and you can't entirely blame just one person in this situation. I really think that the only solution to this problem is that if there is a helmet to helmet hit that the NFL should suspend the player for one game, and if it is real severe suspend that player the same amount of time that the player whom he hit is out. I feel that this will help solve some of the problems going through the league today.

Favre's fall from stardom ?

Brett Favre has been recently accused of sending some scandalous pictures to former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger, who is now currently employed by Versus Sports Network. Favre is arguably not only one of the best football players in the history of the NFL but also one of the best athletes to ever play any sport. Favre just this past Monday threw his 500th touchdown pass in the NFL against ironically the Jets, and he has started more consecutive games at Quarterback then anyone in the history of the NFL. However, how will his reputation be tarnished due to these recent allegations? Today athletes are under such a huge microscope that they can't even go shopping at the local shopping center without getting noticed. Now while some athletes i feel do deserve certain disiplines such as the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Pacman Jones, Michael Vick and others that have popped up in the past to me this should be left entirely alone. While what Favre is being accused of is quite unprofessional why is it the right of anyone to decide what Brett does with his life? A lot of people i know probably love this due to the fact they hate what Favre did with his retirement go around however why should Favre be ridiculed for that when he wasn't the one writing the articles or holding the cameras. Favre may have had a lapse in judgement however he doesn't deserve to have his great reputation destroyed. To me personally i will always be a die hard Steelers fan but Brett Favre has always played the game the right way he has always loved the game and while some may judge him for his inability to let the game go i admire that. When you love something as great as this man did its hard to say goodbye, and to think that his legacy could be tarnished because of something such as this sickens me. I think Favre should be left alone and be allowed to go about his life how he pleases whether we feel it is right or not.

Randy Moss is Back

Randy Moss has been dealt back to the Minnesota Vikings for a 3rd Round pick. Overall i feel like this is a great move for Minnesota and kind of a shocking one for the Patriots. Yes Brady and Belichick won 3 super bowls without a stand out receiver and yes they still have Welker, but not without Moss is Welker going to get covered and can someone like a Julian Edelmen step up. The Patriots in the end did what i think they had to they weren't going to keep Moss and they got something out of him instead of just letting him go, but would him staying all season been better than a 3rd round pick. Only time will tell but right now i think the Vikings will make out better in this one giving Favre a deep threat and making the vikings even at 1-2 serious contenders again.

MLB Playoffs

The MLB playoffs just started today and while obvious fans of the teams that have made it to the post season dance are excited recent numbers have shown that the casual fan is not. Bud Selig has stated that he would like to add two more teams to the postseason to bring the total to 10. I feel like this could be a great move by the MLB to bring more teams into the postseason and to get more people excited. However the question is will it take away from the postseason leadup for instance this year in the NL the Braves, Giants and Padres went down to the last day however that wouldn't have mattered if the number of playoff teams was 10. So would the switch to 10 be a good or bad move by Selig and the MLB ?