SHUT IT.

There’s a little rumor trickling around that Nick Saban is already planning on bolting Alabama after this season.

Uhh… no.

I know Nicky boy has a tendency to stay at a place for 2-3 before floating to his next destination, but something about this feels different. Saban tried the NFL and failed. He has said repeatedly that leaving LSU was one of the biggest mistakes in his career and why he returned to coaching in the SEC. You see, he’s traveled that road, realized it’s not where he wants to be, and dropped it.

That simple…

BUT, that doesn’t mean Alabama should turn a blind eye to the always jumpy Saban.

Nick Saban has a track record worse than Tiger Woods when it comes to coaching monogamy. Should Saban win the SEC or the National Title, he would almost certainly be tempted to fly off to another challenge.

But not yet…

I had to post this link… The story was too incredible.

CLICK HERE

By Nick Aliffi

There aren’t many people who could polarize a crowd like George Steinbrenner. The man who had to win at any cost was an easy man to hate.

You couldn’t outspend him

You couldn’t outperform him

You would never, EVER, let you have one little inch.

But at the end of the day, baseball needed a George Steinbrenner. Baseball was better WITH George Steinbrenner.  Think about it for a second…

All of you Red Sox poseurs needed Steinbrenner to exist. What would the Red Sox Nation be without the Evil Empire? For all of the complaining spewed forth by the  Boston faithful, they all seem to forget that Steinbrenner pioneered the 200 million dollar payroll. What was the Red Sox payroll? Oh right, a measly 187 million… my bad.

Are you a Royals fan? Still mad that the Yankees buy every free agent on the market? You should be praising George Steinbrenner for even keeping your team relevant. It was the luxury tax he paid every year that helped buoy all of you small-market teams. So please, before you trash the man, reflect on how he actually HELPED baseball.

The bottom line is that Major League Baseball was better with Steinbrenner. You needed the “villain” to root against. Steinbrenner and his all-star dynasty teams made the MLB more exciting, profitable, and worth watching.  Mark my words, you will miss the “win at all costs” attitude he brought to the Bronx…

Cure for the World Cup withdrawals…

I’m a soccer junkie… I can’t help it, I don’t fight it.

Thank God Aaron’s and the Georgia Dome have elected to bring top-flight soccer back to Atlanta.

Last year, The Dome welcomed Italy’s AC Milan and Mexico’s Club America for the World Football Challenge. Well this time it’s a one-off throw down between England’s Manchester City and returning Dome Champions Club America. Trust me, this is going to be a good game. Anytime a Mexican club takes the field, they will be ready to play. Man City brings World Cup vets Carlos Tevez (Argentina), Garreth Barry (England), and Shaun Wright-Philips (England). Club America is Mexico’s most recognized team and plays a fast, high-scoring offense.

Nick’s pick: 3-2 Club America

Legends Never Die.

by Nick Aliffi

I had the pleasure of attending several Yankee games while my Dad lived in New Jersey. Mr. Sheppard’s distinct delivery helped to create an almost mythological feel to any ballgame. I remember going to the game with my Dad, sitting and eating  hotdogs in the legendary Yankee Stadium, and getting goosebumps as Mr. Sheppard welcomed us to the ballpark. I will never forget those days with my Dad, and I’m grateful Bob Sheppard will always be the narrator of  my favorite memories…

Rest in peace Mr. Sheppard… May your voice live forever.

I’m so sick of people saying how they “don’t get” soccer or the World Cup.

Ok, so you can’t understand sitting through 90 minutes of non-stop action, but you can sit through 4 hours of baseball?

Really?

You people make no sense to me.

On to better things…

This is how the groups are shaking out:

(more…)

Looking for a soccer-inspired event this weekend that doesn’t involve you running all over a field?

Well the friendly folks at Cabbagetown are putting together a soccer extravaganza that starts at 10:00am on Saturday June 12th. Come sit outside and watch Argentina vs. Nigeria at 10 am, followed by the US vs. England at 2:30pm! The event runs until 7:00pm and Sweetwater Brewery will be pouring it up in the names of charity and soccer!

Proceeds from this event go to the SOS Children’s Villages.

For more information please go to the Cabbagetown Soccerfest’s official website HERE!

I’m posting this just because I can…

I believe Al Davis is currently having what alcoholics refer to as a moment of clarity. After watching the walking apocalypse that was the Raiders offense last season, Davis and the Raiders coaching staff elected to FINALLY part ways with the dreadful former number one overall selection.

Let’s not kid ourselves…

If you didn’t know JaMarcus Russell was going to be a bust after the infamous first season holdout, then you don’t know football.

The sad thing, is that this kid had all the physical tools to own this league. In the NFL combine, where college players show off their skills, Russell tossed a football 60 yards.

Did I mention he was sitting down?

Standing, Russell managed to toss a ball 70 yards.

Physically, JaMarcus Russell was coach’s dream. But when you give a 20 year old MILLIONS of dollars and place the future of a franchise on his shoulders, all bets are off.

In the end, Russell will most likely be signed by another team for MUCH less money. In the meantime, he will be placed on the lengthy list of rocket-armed QB’s who couldn’t handle life at the next level.

UFL holding for JaMarcus Russell on line one…