Monday, March 24, 2014

HAPPY BDAY PEYTON MANNING & STEVE FISHER

Happy Birthday wishes in order today to 2 amazing men!  
March 24th has brought some dynamite guys!  Two right here!

Peyton Manning turns 38 today, 

while Aztecs HC Steve Fisher turn 69 years old and receives an early gift to the Sweet Sixteen, only the second time they have found themselves in this position.

As Fisher prepares for the Thursday match in Anaheim vs Wildcats with hopes of a sweet 8 spot, Peyton can entertain, as he does so often.
Too fun not to share,
Enjoy!
Peyton Manning United Way SNL Spoof




Friday, March 21, 2014

NFL Weekly Card Count


NFL Free Agency is like a game of go fish with some serious poker faces as players, teams and agents barter for stakes. Tournament brackets, Pro Days all over the country, the changing of the guards in locker rooms, offices and even the NFLPA, just a few of the wager goings-on this week.
Opening week of the free agency ended with a bang, after one of the best players in franchise history, Steve Smith said goodbye to Carolina, he signs a three-year,  $11.5 deal with the Ravens, where he’ll be playing catch with Flacco.  7-year-old Gavin Simone’s emotions flew high and viral on youtube as this young Panther fan was immensely affected, but he did hit the jack pot!   Smith surprised him with a hug and the first “Smith SR” no 89 Ravens jersey on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” he also promised to bring him to his football camp this spring in Charlotte.



Who will Cam throw to now?  Jerricho Cotchery makes deal with Panthers for $8.015M,  but first things first, Newton went in Wednesday to undergo surgery on his left ankle with an anticipated recovery time of four months, sending PMA with full and speedy recovery wishes to him.  While stakes are high I'm keeping on the recovery and well wishes note to Colts owner Jim Irsay, who checked himself into rehab Monday, his daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon step into her father's role in his absence. Prayers and good to all the Irsay and Colts family, Commissioner Roger Goodell will have some tough decisions to make, right now however, its one day at a time.
According to a team statement, Irsay "took the first step toward regaining good health. He voluntarily checked into a highly-respected health care facility and is committed to undergoing the treatment and care necessary to help him meet his challenges head-on. Jim, the Irsay family, and the Colts organization are all deeply appreciative of the incredible outpouring of support and compassion from our fans and the Indiana community."
#FBF Jared Allen Hunting- Photo Jay Drowns/SportingNews

Although Vegas is all in with the NCAA’s March Madness with sportsbooks, hotels and casinos filled.  Hunter on and off the field, Jared Allen is holding his cards for the weekend after meeting with SB48 Champions, The Seattle Seahawks.



Amazing veteran back, Maurice Jones-Drew also will hold after a 2 days visit in Pittsburgh he left without a contract.
John Elway feeling like he got the royal flush, one more for the active Denver Broncos as they give former Steeler WR, Emmanuel Sanders a 3-year, $15M contract, however CBA gives Chiefs the ability to file grievances vs Sanders agent for bad-faith negotiations.
RAIDER HQ; (l to r)  Insta
Antonio Smith, Tarell Brown, LaMarr Woodley & Justin Tuck
Raiders busy with the defense house, picking up former Texan, Antonio Smith, former Giant, Justin Tuck along with former Steeler, LaMar Woodley and Tarell Brown from just up the road, Niners.  This just in Oakland  aquires Houston's Matt Schaub, too.
Texas hold em or full house in Dallas, where thirty plus is the new Cowboy QB, 30-year-old Brandon Weedon signed a 2 year $2.1M guaranteed contract, hence there were three......... as he  joins 34-year-old Tony Romo and 31-year-old Kyle Orton.
Newly former Bronco, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie agrees to 5-year $39M deal with NY Giants, $14M guaranteed and warmly greeted by Antrel Rolle.





While out west, earlier this week, Chargers LB, Donald Butler went all in recruiting on The Mighty 1090’s Darren Smith show vying for Vince Wilfork.
"It's a perfect match. If Vince is listening, come to San Diego!"
The road to the NFL, odds sway up and down throughout the country pre and post pro days mostly talks of late have been on Manziel and Bridgewater.                                                                                                                                   
John Clayton on Johnny “He's not Tim Tebow he's better than that…I don't think going to be a top 10 pick.”



His long anticipated Pro day March 27th, while Thursday in Fresno Derek Carr impressed with an outstanding workout where all 32 NFL teams were represented.

During the annual NFLPA Player Reps meetings in Orlando, Congratulations are in order to NFLPA new President Eric Winston who will be succeeding Dominique Foxworth.  Also in Florida,  Anquan Boldin was presented with the most prestigious honor the NFLPA Byron “Whizzer” White Award and is awarded $100k to the Anquan Boldin Foundation.
A whirlwind of news, trades, deals, awards have come and continue while dreams lay ahead.  Sorry I couldn't hit it all, but here's the complete  up to date #NFLFreeAgency !  Until next week!

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder Time out with Desiree, the silver linings An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension. 


Friday, March 7, 2014

NFL Football Diversions




Football Depression hit as it always does, just seemed a lil lower this year, the high so HIGH and then the low, too low.  I know its March, but I’m still just rebounding with almost 7 months to endure.  
USA Uniform the Perfect Tacky Holiday Sweater
The Olympics packed away holiday tacky sweaters while Team USA took home 28 medals from Sochi, by the way if your  wanting one, I saw on ebay!  Spring Training, the NFL influences the MLB, self indulged Oscar #Selfies, March Madness, extra points omitted, the Combine, free agency in 4 days, 2430 MLB baseball games (not including the post) until the season starts, Salary Cap Cuts

seahawks team 350
Ahead however, Pro Days and the NFL Draft and with a little projection the 95th regular NFL season is tentatively scheduled to kickoff Thursday, September 4th with the SB48 Superbowl Champs, the Seattle Seahawks to host.  Although the opponents set in December for the 2014 NFL season,  actual schedules coming in April, with the NFL Draft  just behind May 8-10th, with a glimpse of the season on the horizon but  at present the fields are empty.
T.O. on the Hoverboard
I so wish I could fly away with a hoverboard back to the future like
Tony Hawk & TO did and be in the 2014 season already!
Tony Hawk, photo ©desireeastorga.com
Alas, I can't wait, but that doesn't mean I can't be sated in all the prep.  While the east coast can't get enough of the winter weather the west specifically southern cal is praying for rain, just short of beating a 70 year record for the biggest draught yet awaits more double-digit highs in the next week, an el nino forecasted.   Reminds me of the NFL at times,  the business of the game has commenced,  franchise and transitions tags have come and passed, AKA Black Wednesday or Tuesday for some.

JH


March 5th
Chicago Bears: P Adam Podlesh
Cleveland Browns: WR Davone Bess
Denver Broncos: DB Champ Bailey
Minnesota Vikings: TE John Carlson
Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Larry Foote, OT Levi Brown, CB Curtis Brown
St. Louis Rams: CB Cortland Finnegan
March 4th
Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jason Avant
San Diego Chargers: CB Derek Cox, FB Le'Ron McClain
Washington Redskins: DE Adam Carriker (failed physical), P Saverio Rocco

March 11th the 2014 season officially begins with free agency.  MLB influenced by the NFL with a few new rules, specifically Rule 7.13, outlawing home-plate collisions between runners and catchers, also managers are now allowed to challenge and video review.  Brothers directly or indirectly involved in the news, Jim Harbaugh squashes rumors of more money and the Cleveland Browns. 
"I see all these reports about how I want to be the highest-paid coach in football," Harbaugh said. "They presume I covet some kind of extension. I have never said to anybody that I want to be the highest-paid coach in football. I have never said that to anybody -- my wife, my brother, my dad. I make plenty of money."
However history and realities took assumptions, but hard not to equate.  Four years is the longest he's ever coached , while at Stanford, he's entering his  fourth season with the Niners along with hearsay that the GM and he do not always see eye to eye.  Pair that with the reality of being number 3 in salaries in the NFC West, by two Trojan alleys, Pete Carroll and Jeff Fisher, respectively.



  

Here’s  Pro Dates schedule of notable programs, the most awaited, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manzeil’s will hold an individual one on March 27th where
he will throw the ball.
Pro Days Ahead  photo ©desireeastorga.com
March 7: Arizona State, Arkansas State, Northern Illinois, Ohio State, Southern Miss
March 10: San Diego, South Florida
March 11: Connecticut, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Temple, Toledo, Tulsa, UCLA
March 12: Alabama, Boston College, Colorado, Colorado State, Marshall, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Southern California
March 13: Hawaii, Ohio, Oklahoma State, Oregon, UNLV, Washington State, Wyoming
March 14: BYU, Kansas, Oregon State, Texas Tech
March 17: Boise State, Florida, Houston, Louisville, Memphis, Rice, Virginia, Wake Forest
March 18: Florida State
March 19: Baylor, California, Central Florida, Lindenwood, San Jose State, Utah, Western Kentucky
Pro Days photo ©desireeastorga.com
March 20: Fresno State, Kent State, Missouri, Notre Dame, San Diego State, Stanford
March 21: Vanderbilt. West Virginia
March 24: Iowa, North Carolina State
March 25: North Carolina
March 26: Duke, Indiana, Syracuse,Texas
March 27: Johnny Manziel
March 28: Georgia Tech
April 1: Utah State
April 2: South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington
April 3: Miami (Fla.)
April 8: Maryland, Penn State
April 9: LSU
April 16: Georgia
April 19: Virginia Tech
 A deeper look at this years draft class and who to look for!!
#FlashbackFriday #FBF  LaDainian Tomlinson 2006 ©desireeastorga.com


And if your needing more, as I do, its a great time to integrate all that DVR list you have,
especially NFL Networks "A Football Life" Series.
 Just got to catch up on two this week, Jerry Rice and LaDainian Tomlinson's, both amazing as always!!
See you next week!
Best!

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder 
Time out with Desiree, the silver linings
An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension.
The DesireeSHOW