Like Miami Heat, Dolphins are fired up and down to squabble

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While [the] Miami Heat are poised to burn out OKC's thunder, it seems Miami might just be too-hot-too-handle, at least for the Dolphins.

 

According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel blogger - Omar Kelly, things got a little testy during mini camp practice this afternoon; a squabble broke out among the Big Fish! 

Left tackle - Jake Long took on defensive lineman - Olivier Vernon, while defensive lineman - Ryan Baker locked fins with guard - Richie Incognito. 

When it comes to sports, especially football, practices usually get and keep players on edge. But considering today's practice was no-contact, some believe the NFL may investigate today's incident, and 'put-the-smack-down' on the four linemen, who could easily blame their heightened passion(s) on the Miami Heat's explosive performance during the 2K12 NBA finals...or not.

But league involvement, and possible disciplinary action(s), isn't head coach - Joe Philbin's primary concern; he dislikes what this all means for players' who are unable to control their emotions, not only in practice, but moreover during [actual] game situations. 

"You have to be able to keep your poise and play. It’s great to be tough, it’s great to be physical. . . . It’s 15 yards, loss of down, clock, all those things. So yeah, there was good competitiveness, but you’ve got to be smart." -Coach Philbin

For those who've played the gridiron game, a lil' extra pushin'-n-shovin' is a harmless and inevitable occurrence. 

The NFL and Coach Philbin make an excellent point, however. Poor practice habits ultimately makes for bad business on the field. Maybe the Dolphins are just getting caught-up with all the hype in Miami, and their new celebrity -- Hard Knocks -- status on HBO. Hit em up!  

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Jackson secure, Gasol not sure about team destinies

Today one athlete, wide receiver - DeSean Jackson, 

has secured his future by signing a five year, 51 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. But another professional athlete, Pau Gasol, is still not sure about his fate as a starting forward-center for 
the Los Angeles Lakers.

No doubt, Mr. Jackson is feelin' pretty good about things, with regard to his continued cash flow from the same provider. PG (Pau Gasol), on the other hand, appears to be handling the anxiety of not knowing if he'll continue to play ball with the Lakers or not, "with grace". In other words, he's keeping his true emotions in check. But at the house, you can bet Pau is like "What the deal, Buss?" 

No worries, PG! As you already know, when it comes to the NBA; it's strictly business. Plus, the Lakers probably needed to see you 'up' your productivity this season to see where your head and heart is. It could also be a simple matter of philosophical approach considering there's a new coach in town -- Mike Brown. Whatever the case, with the Lakers or not, PG is a champion big man with big skills, and it is understandable why he'd want to remain in Los Angeles. Who wouldn't?

Lesson to all pro athletes:  

You're only as good as your most recent performance. Get lazy with your smash-game and you'll be the topic of "trades" conversation(s) for the shot callers. In business, productivity always trumps history. Right DJ?

2012 NBA All-Stars featuring the 'Swagg' Mob from East to West

The Event:  2012 NBA All-Star Game

The Spot:  Amway Center - Orlando, Florida

The Date:  Feb. 26.2K12

The Time:  7pm EST

The Main Players:  The Swagg Mob 

 

[SME] Swagg Mob Eastsiders

#7: Carmelo Anthony

(aka:  C-Melo, CA, Melo, C. Anthony, C-Money, C-Style)

Home Squad:  New York Knicks

Position:  Forward

Height:  6-8

Weight:  230

B-Day:  05.29.1984

 

#6: Lebron James
(aka:  King James, LJ, L-Jeezee, Bron'Bron, L, Jam, Jamaica Funk)

Home Squad:  Miami Heat

Position:  Forward

Height:  6-8

Weight:  250

B-Day: 12.30.1984

 

#1: Derrick Rose 

(aka:  Rose, D. Rose, DR, Speedy, Chi-Town, D Chi) 

Home Squad:  Chicago Bulls

Position:  Guard

Height:  6-3

Weight: 190

B-Day:  10.04.1988

 

#3: Dwayne Wade 

(aka:  D. Wade, Flash, Wade, D-Dubb, D-Weezee) 

Home Squad:  Miami Heat

Position:  Guard

Height:  6-4

Weight:  220

B-Day:  01.17.1982

 

#12: Dwight Howard

(aka:  Big-Deezee, Superman, D. Howard, Deezee, DH, D-Hizzle) 

Home Squad:  Orlando Magic

Position: Center

Height:  6-11

Weight:  265

B-Day:  12.08.1985

[SMW] Swagg Mob Westsiders

#35: Kevin Durant 

(aka:  KD, K-1, K-Nice, Slim, Smooov, K-Dubb, K-Swish, Big Rain)

Home Squad:  Oklahoma City Thunder

Position:  Forward

Height:  6-9

Weight:  235

B-Day:  09.29.1988

 

#32: Blake Griffin 

(aka:  BG, Big Blake, Big Red, B-Griff, Big-Bang, Blake G, B) 

Home Squad:  Los Angeles Clippers

Position:  Forward

Height:  6-10

Weight:  251

B-Day:  03.16.1989

Click here to see BG 'posterize' Kendrick Perkins

 

#24: Koby Bryant

(aka:  KB, Shoot-Man, Black Mamba, Nice-Like-Mike, Kali-Ko, K Bizz) 

Home Squad:  L.A. Lakers

Position: Guard

Height:  6-6

Weight:  205

B-Day:  08.23.1978

#3: Chris Paul 

(aka:  C-Town, CP3, C. Paul, P Swift)

Home Squad:  Los Angeles Clippers

Position:  Guard

Height:  6-0

Weight: 175

B-Day:  05.06.1985

 

#17: Andrew Bynum

(aka:  Big Smack, AB, Big Bynum, Big Ben, Young-Big, Dru, Quiet Storm) 

Home Squad:  L.A. Lakers

Position: Center

Height: 7-0

Weight:  285

B-Day:  10.27.1987

  
The Crew:  Eastern & Western Conference All-Stars

Eastern Conference All-Stars: 
  

forward Chris Bosh 

                                                          Miami Heat

 forward Luol Deng 
                         Chicago Bulls 

                             center Roy Hibbert 

      Indiana Pacers

forward/guard Andre Iguodala 

Philadelphia 76ers

                                        guard Joe Johnson 

Atlanta Hawks

 forward Paul Pierce 

                     Boston Celtics

                              
                                 guard Deron Williams 
New Jersey Nets

Western Conference All-Stars:

forward LaMarcus Aldridge 

Portland Trailblazers

center Marc Gasol 

                    Memphis Grizzlies

                       forward/center Kevin Love 

                               Minnesota Timberwolves

guard Steve Nash 

                         Phoenix Suns

                          forward Dirk Nowitzki 

                                                     Dallas Mavericks

guard Tony Parker 

                        San Antonio Spurs

guard Russell Westbrook 

                                         Oklahoma City Thunder

Need a bit more inspiration? Check how 'sick-wit-it' the gig was last year in L.A.:

FEB.24.2K12

LET'S GET IT IN!

T.O. dissed by NFL, but destined to ball-up with IFL - Wranglers?

Former NFL wide receiver - Terrell Owens has announced plans to play ball with, and co-own, an Indoor Football League (IFL) team - the Allen Wranglers.

Beyond displaying his talents for the Wranglers, having caught 72 passes with the NFL's - Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, T.O. will also be runnin' 'thangs', um...at least half way runnin' 'thangs', as co-owner of the team. 

Due to an unfortunate ACL injury, NFL teams passed on T.O.'s package, although some have suspected his one-sided egotistical rampages may have also contributed to his fall from favor with NFL teams (which began several years ago). During the off-season Wrangler's (GM) General Manager - Drew Pearson, former Dallas Cowboys receiver, hooked up with T.O. to make a deal with the Wranglers. 

The team's first game is scheduled for February 25th, but T.O. is still undecided if he'll play in all or some of the teams games. 

"This may be a good look for T.O." 

Granted he's not playing for the "big show" as he once did, but this new deal in Dallas, with an organization that certainly needs increased awareness, may just be the therapuetic adjustment that finally suits T.O., and his swaggin'-ass personality. 'Yuh-digg'?

Thanks for the colorful show, T.O. Best of luck with the Allen Wranglers, brodie! 

"It doesn't matter what people say about me, I weather the storm."  ~Terrell Owens

In today's new era, Cougar 'reps' more than just team sports

Some of the NFL's, and other sports, greatest and most revered teams are represented by animal mascots. From Denver's Broncos, to Chicago's Bears, to Atlanta's Falcons - animal mascots have and continue to dominate team representation. While many animals have found celebratory refuge with pro football teams, the cougar, unlike 

Carolina's Panthers, seems regulated to college teams such as BYU (Brigham Young University). "The reason why the future student body gravitated toward Cougars is pretty clear: Area collegiate power BYU uses the Cougar as its mascot and enjoys an enormous fan base of area residents and those who follow the Mormon faith (BYU is a Mormon institution)." But wait! Cougar's may be limited when it comes to sports, but not when it comes to greater representative powers...like being identified with mature women. 

Perhaps this exalted status may be too much power for one cat to handle? 

On Wednesday (Jan. 18, 2K12), in spite of its popular selection by their student body, receiving 23% of the vote over other options, school district officials at Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon High announced that the school's team name would be the Charger's, and not the Cougar's as students had hoped. 

On the surface, this story doesn't seem like such a big deal until the reason for not selecting and naming the team Cougars is revealed; "...the Canyons School Board refused to accept the Cougar as a mascot out of fear that it might offend older women." Say whaaaat? 

You mean to tell me that "Cougar" status has grown so influential that it commands political correctness by local politicians? Pure swagg, no doubt, homie! All we can say is, "way to go" to some of the most famous "Cougars" that have contributed to the mystique of 'Cougar Power' [CP]:

  

Madonna

Demi Moore

Mariah Carey

Jennifer Aniston

Cameron Diaz

Eva Longoria

and no doubt, the Cat Woman...

Halle Berry

Considering this disturbing, or maybe not so disturbing, trend - let's keep our eyes open and looking out for further cougar-political-power developments. The future of Cougar may very well be at stake.

Firing of Oakland Raider Head Football Coach - Hue Jackson

  Just after the conclusion of his first season as head coach, the recent ousting of [now] former head coach of the Oakland Raiders - Hue Jackson, by owner - Mark Davis through his [new] general manager - Reggie McKenzie, came as no surprise to some, yet surprisingly to himself and his supporters. While some reports suggested that Jackson was too "power hungry" and wanted more authority and say-so within the Raider organization, others simply believe his press conference comments, right after losing the last game of the season, when he put his players 'on-blast' for not performing as expected, was cause for his firing. 

Whether it was actually McKenzie or Davis who made the call to dismiss Jackson still remains a mystery, but there's speculation that it was Davis' nod that put the act in motion. Perhaps we'll never know the real deal on this issue, but O.G. - Hue Jackson was respectful about the decision, and while "pissed" at his team for their lack of will-to-win attitude, he repeatedly accepted his responsibility, as head coach, for producing only an average (500, 8 and 8 record) season. 

"I was surprised, but I understand the decision", said Jackson during an interview about his termination.

Upon his release from the organization, the former head coach gracefully accepted his fate and wished the organization, and owner - Mark Davis, well and looks forward to furthering his professional career as a coach in the NFL.

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On a good note:  Although Jackson was surprised and obviously disappointed about his fall from Raider Nation, he still stands by his convictions and enjoys major support from long time friends and former teammates, namely, from his high school alma-mater in Los Angeles, California - Dorsey High School. 

During his senior year at Dorsey, Jackson was the starting quarterback for the Dons, who won the city championship in 1982. "So hard, so hard to be a Don!"...but not so hard to be a Raider...or maybe not?

With the Raider's poor performance history, and dark cloud of funk that's been plaguing the organization for far too long, Mr. Jackson might find himself better suited coaching personnel who execute plays like the Raiders of times past, instead of setting new record lows for most penalties; "coaches can only coach, but players must ball, homie!" 


Coach Jackson is a winner, and it's understandable that he let off a little steam about his feelings regarding his players - finally, a coach who said what he really felt and kept it "real".

Much love and good luck coach!

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The Latest Jackson Headline: 

"Bengals hire ex-Raiders coach Jackson as an assistant"

read all about it @ NFL.com!