Sports Blog

Coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts told reporters today that Peyton Manning will be ready for the season opener despite his current knee injury. The coach was optimistic about his star player’s chances, adding that Manning might even take the field during the preseason. The statement goes against the recommendation of doctors who said that Manning should sit out for six weeks.

Dungy though, knows the quarterback more than any of the doctors and he knows the desire Manning has to play. He is expecting a speedy recovery as the player trains and goes through rehab. The coach said that he had talked with Manning, who is following the doctors’ instructions right now. Even if number 18 isn’t at 100% it will be hard to keep him off the field due to how badly he wants to play.

Some of the great analysts of the sport are calling the 2008 Wimbledon one of the best in tennis history. It featured two of the greatest players of not only this era, but all-time. Rafael Nadal snapped Roger Federer’s amazing grass court streak and with that has sparked a whole new level to their rivalry. The two are just so great and have been in the 1-2 spots in ranking for so long that it is really amusing.

If they are able to retain their spots, which seems likely into the foreseeable future (Nadal is only 22 and Federer 26), the two are likely to start future tournaments on opposite sides of the draw, meaning that we may see a lot more Federer-Nadal finals. The rivalry will continue to grow and those matches, like the past few we have seen between the two, are bound to be filled with simply amazing play. Tennis fans are in for at treat as we have seen and perhaps will continue to see a special era of tennis unfold right before our eyes.

What a game it was last night as the Lakers blew a 24-point lead to the Celtics and lost in game 4 of the NBA finals. It was one of the worst collapses in NBA history and now puts Kobe and company in a very bad situation, down 3-1 with only one game remaining in Los Angeles. I just couldn’t believe it when it happened because I never expected it to happen. The Celtics never really had a guy who took control of the game, but now it seems like they can all do that as they take turns dominating against the Lakers. At the beginning of the series I had Lakers in 6, but I no longer see that happening and now believe that it will be the Celtics in 6 or maybe even 5.

Game five of the Stanley Cup Finals was yesterday and it was one for the ages. The Penguins fought long and hard to keep their title hopes alive as they beat the Red Wings, in a game that went to 3OT! Both sides featured great performances by their goalies, especially in the extra periods. Petr Sykora eventually scored off of a power-play with a little under 10 minutes remaining in 3OT. The NHL couldn’t have asked for a better game in the finals. Yesterday’s battle will forever be remembered by hockey fans as one of the best ever. It featured some of the greatest young talents and arguably the two most dominant teams in the NHL today. The Penguins have gained some momentum off of the win, but I will stand by my last prediction- Red Wings will win the next game and its all over.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are now down to the Detroit Red Wings, 2-0. Detroit not only handed the young team two defeats, but managed to do it without letting up any goals. It is a really amazing feat and I think more general managers will begin to realize that the Wings’ long-time strategy of signing young players from not only home, but also Europe, really pays off. I mean just look at how the Red Wings do every year. The numbers speak for themselves. This year is even better for Hockey Town USA, as the Wings are shutting out one of the best teams in the league. Crosby and Malkin are both struggling like they never have before and just that is crazy. Look for the Red Wings to continue their domination in the coming games. The Penguins may take a couple here or there, but I have made up my mind that I think the Red Wings will win it all. Oh yea, and about the game seven, I don’t see that happening anymore. Red Wings in 6.