What is clutch?

By Dan Rodgers

The definition of 'clutch,' according to the unreliable source that is Wikipedia.com, is "superior play in high pressure situations."

First, I should probably tell you what this post is going to be about:

I played Abe in Madden 2011 last night, and I missed a field goal (I know, pathetic). Shortly after the miss I hear my friend say something along the lines of, "Man that was clutch."

I asked him what was clutch that had happened. He said my missing the field goal was clutch by him, and as you might have guessed that confused me. I asked him what about me doing something wrong made him clutch? I said, "It was clutch of your defense to stop my offense, but your defense played no part in me missing the field goal."

He wouldn't back down and insisted that even though he hadn't blocked the field goal or done anything to force the miss, it was clutch on his part.

I insisted that 'clutch' is when a player makes a great play in a tough situation, be it on offense, defense or special teams. So missing the field goal was "unclutch" but in no way was it a clutch play on his part.

I continued to mock him and tell him how wrong he was, and he ignored me and of course went on to win the game. (We are fairly evenly matched so we typically split the games we play.)

I was hoping the lack of audience I have would in some way comment on this and let me know what they think about this. What do you think clutch is all about?

Rodgers That

Break time

What up ya'll...
Just so everyone knows, in a few hours I will be traveling to Florida with Abe for a couple days. I am driving my grandma's car back (18 hour drive, yay) and we will resume posts after that.

Some things you might want to look forward to:

• Mid-season MLB reviews and predictions
• Update on NHL off-season
• Update on NFL off-season
• Maybe a World Cup update if I'm feeling nice
• Wimbledon?
• Golf?
  
• NBA Draft review
• Anything else you might want, drop a comment and let us know...
  

Down 'N Dirty Birthdays

I just wanted to wish Dr. Jekyll and Abe a happy birthday. Dr. Jekyll's was yesterday and Abe's is tomorrow, so I thought the day in between would be appropriate. Abe is in Atlantic City because he is turning 21, so we all hope he wins tons of money.

Happy birthday guys...

Trades: Dealine or Lifeline?

By Abe

As the dust settles after the NHL trade dealine, we finally get a good look at how the teams will look for the playoffs. Some teams made more trades than others because they could afford to do more, or simply because the team didn't feel they needed to make changes. Those who can afford to make changes gain an advantage in the fact that they can improve their team and give themselves a much better shot at making the playoffs if they are in contention.

The most active team during this years trade deadline was the Phoenix Coyotes, making seven different trades on this very busy day. They have added defensemen Derek Morris and Mathieu Schneider. They also added fowards Wojtek Wolski, Lee Stempniak, Petteri Nokelainen, and Alexandre Picard, as well as Goaltender Miika Wiikman and a few draft picks. This is a team that took full advantage of the trade deadline and made changes that they feel will help them either clinch or make the playoffs.

For teams like the Phoenix Coyotes, who are currently sitting in 5th place in the West and are only ahead of the 6th place Colorado Avalanche by 1 point, this deadline is more of a lifeline.

However, take a minute and think about this: these trades deeply change the players, yes for the fans they are fun to watch and you are happy, but not so much for the players. Some players want to get out off the organization and look forward to the trades, others are just traded. These players have to say goodbye to friends/teammates, and relocate including their family's which can be very hard, especially in the middle of the year. Think about this, your a player on one of the top team's in the league, or a team in major playoff contention. Next thing you know you get a phone call from your GM telling you that you have been traded. So instead of being on a top team, one that you have helped get there, you are now an a team that may not even be in playoff contention. I don't know about you but this would frustrate me; however, you can't do anything about it, other than try and help your new team. On the flip side, you could go from being on a non-contender to a top team, simply because that team feels you could help them go the distance.

In the end, for some team's this can be a lifeline and help them win a championship, or it can take you out of the playoffs. For players this can be a great thing and help you to win a championship or it can take you out of the hunt.

CAPITALizing on the opportunity

By Abe

The Washington Capitals had a very busy trade deadline day, making 4 trades, second only to the Coyotes 7. The Capitals have added Forwards Scott Walker and Eric Belanger as well as Defenseman Joe Corvo and Milan Jurcina. If you recall the Caps traded Jurcina to Columbus in the deal for Jason Chamera, and have now made a conditional trade to get him back, despite him getting injured during the Olympic break.

Joe Corvo is a solid offensive minded defenseman who will add a veteran presence to the blue line and another scoring threat to go with young gun Mike Green. I personally was very upset when i first heard that the Caps had traded for Milan Jurcina cause I don't think he is that good of a player. Not to mention, with the addition of Corvo, as well as all of the young talent in the minors, I didn't see the need. Then i heard that it was a conditional trade in the sense that if Jurcina does not play this season because of his injury, the trade in void, I think.

Eric Belanger is a center from the Minnesota Wild that will add depth to the Caps PK and gives them another dependable person for face offs. He should fit in very nicely and should help to create yet another solid line for the Caps. Kevin Walker is a a solid gritty right winger from the Hurricanes who will definitely help the Caps. He is physical and a hard working player that will add an enforcer to the Caps line up, adding another strong checking player, something the Capitals can definitely use.

All in all, the Capitals had a good day at the trade deadline. Hopefully with the help of these new players, the Caps can hold on to the East and win their first ever Stanley Cup.

Golden Match-Up

By Abe

Tension is thick as we head into the gold medal game, Canada vs. USA. This should be a very good game with both teams being lead by strong goalie play, Ryan Miller for USA and Roberto Luongo for Canada. In their previous match up USA took the victory 5-3, the loss cost Canada's goalie his starting job. Even though Marty Brodeur is considered by many to be one of, if not the best goalie of all time,Luongo is a very capable goalie. Not to mention he has won both starts since taking over. This time it is winner take all, and with both teams having strong goalies and powerful offenses, this will be one to watch.

Will Canada be able to take the gold in both men's and women's hockey or will we be able to avenge the women's loss?

My Prediction: USA 4 Canada 2

Taking the ice, NHL powerhouses have high expectations

By Abe

With the beginning of the 2009-2010 hockey season there were certain expectations for each team. However, there have been a lot of surprises so far this year, some for the better and some for worse. Due to last year’s performances, there were high expectations for the Red Wings, Sharks, Ducks and the young Blackhawks in the Western Conference. The Capitals, Penguins, Bruins, Flyers, and Rangers have high aspirations in the Eastern Conference. However, upon the start of the season, these are not the top teams, and some have fallen quiet far. Emerging in the Western Conference as three of the top teams are the Colorado Avalanche, L.A. Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes. After being towards the bottom of the pack last year, most people did not expect these teams to emerge as a top team. With the loss of Chris Pronger on the blue line, the Ducks look like they are struggling thus far and have fallen to the bottom of their division. The Red Wings are sitting just below the middle of the pack, however the Sharks and Blackhawks continue to live up to their expectations and are sitting near the top of the Conference.

After leading the Eastern Conference at the end of last season, the Boston Bruins are not living up to their expectations and are sitting just below the middle of the pack. The Flyers and the Rangers are sitting above the middle of the pack, and nothing less was expected, especially with their big offseason acquisitions. The Flyers traded for Chris Pronger, and the Rangers signed Marian Gaborik, the big scorer that the Rangers have been missing for a long time. With no surprise, the Penguins and the Capitals are tied for the lead in the Eastern Conference and feature 3 of the premier players in the league in Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin. Among league leaders in points, there is no surprise to find Ovechkin, but there is a big surprise with Anze Kopitar of the Kings leading the league in both points and goals. With Rookie John Tavares leading the way, the Islanders are showing some life and are starting to win some games and I believe that they could turn out to be the big surprise of the league. The rest of the season should be an interesting battle, and I can’t wait to see if some of the teams can turn it around and make a run at the playoffs.