Everybody hates Suh

Thanks to Roger Goodell we now live in a world where football doesn't quite seem like football anymore. Big hits aren't praised and celebrated, instead they are penalized and players who lay out the hits are fined and suspended. We want huge hits as fans, yet the league, media and even these same fans scream about player safety everyday, until Sunday. On Sunday we want defensive players to be ferocious, unruly gladiators, especially if they are playing for the team we root for. We want these modern day gladiators to hurl themselves at each other for our entertainment, and when they give us what they want we punish them. We fine them, and we suspend them. Seems backwards doesn't it? Lots of players seem to be caught in the middle of these confusing times for the NFL and fans, but one player stands out among them. He gives us everything we ask for on Sundays, but then we denounce him on Monday. His name is Ndamukong Suh.

Suh came into the league and it was immediately obvious he had tremendous talent, and was a fearsome competitor. He was the player everyone wanted on their defensive line so the quarterback would wet himself before the snap. He eats quarterbacks for breakfast. Suh is beyond a throwback player, he is simply from a different era. He is reminiscent of Deacon Jones slapping lineman's helmets, and throwing quarterbacks to the ground like rag dolls. (I'm looking at you Jay Cutler.) He doesn't simply tackle players, he tries to rip their heads off. He wants to be feared, and he has clearly made a name for himself. So if he is so ferocious and talented, why is the football world against him? His whole life he has been told to destroy whoever has he ball, and he excels at that yet we criticize him for it. Its like telling a kid to get good grades in school, and then grounding him when he brings home a report card with straight As. It doesn't make any sense.

Suh doesn't belong in this new NFL, yet he is everything that football is about. He is the prototype football player who puts on his pads and goes to war every down. How can we demand violence, and then punish the player that excels at that violence the most? Five years ago Ndamukong Suh would have been every one's favorite player. He would have been featured on big hit highlight reels on Sportscenter every Sunday night, and the media would be all over him. He would be hoisted up with the likes of Mean Joe Green, Mike Singletary, Deacon Jones, and Lawrence Taylor. But in today's league he is labeled as a "dirty" player. The media crucifies him and some fans will complain about his lack of sportsmanship but in a world where last place finishers get trophies too, Suh deserves praise for leaving it all on the field to win, not make friends.

We want our athletes to hate each other and play with the passion that we have as fans. We shouldn't exile the one player left who gives us all of that. He isn't "dirty", he is the player of our dreams, and we should heap praise onto him for being the gladiator we want. Suh jumped in the pit to fight the lion, and we bash him for using "unnecessary roughness" on the lion. Its ridiculous.

Not only do I respect how Ndamukong Suh plays the game of football, I love thew way he plays. And anyone who tries to knock that smug look off of Jay Cutler's face by making him pick turf out of his face mask is good in my book.

Don't suspend Ndamukong Suh. Make room for him in Canton.

Tyrann Mathieu to enter draft

Former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu will reportedly enter the NFL draft this April. Mathieu was kicked off the LSU team before the season and has been to rehab for marijuana use. He originally said he wanted to wait a year and return to LSU, but after a recent arrest, it seems he has changed his mind.

The honey badger has his flaws, and he has to clean up his act but this guy has incredible talent and some team will no doubt take a chance and draft him. He has the kind of talent that could make him a ball hawk and play maker that so many teams look for. This kid will play on Sundays without a doubt.

B.J. Upton signs with Braves

Free agent B.J. Upton has reportedly agreed to terms with the Atlanta Braves. The deal is for 5 years, 75.25 million dollars. With the departure of Michael Bourn, the Braves needed a center fielder to replace him, and they landed arguably the best one on the market.

With Upton signed Bourn is now out of the picture for the Braves. Teams like the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies are rumored to still be in play with Bourn, but we will see how it plays out. Don't forget Josh Hamilton is still without a team, and he will make a big splash wherever he decides to go.

Free Aroldis

The Reds were robbed of lots of things last year. As were the fans. We were robbed of our ace in the playoffs, we were robbed of a new closer in Ryan Madson who never even threw a pitch for Cincinnati. Another thing fans were robbed of? Aroldis Chapman in the starting rotation.

 We need to see the big Cuban lefty on the mound every five days for seven innings or more at a time. When he came in games in the 7th or 8th innings we felt like we only got a taste of the dominance that Chapman is capable of. His three outs went by so fast, as did his fastballs, that we were left begging for more after the inning was over. We want more of the missile. As I said before we were robbed of this last year because of the Madson injury. Chapman had prepared all off season, and even spring training to be a starter before he was forced back into the bullpen, and eventually the closer role. To be fair Aroldis excelled in his role as the Reds closer, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be a starter. He was signed to a huge contract with every intention to be a starter the stars have simply lined up against the Reds and forced their hand. Aroldis needs to be let off of his leash and deserves a chance to develop into an ace, which the Reds organization has said they believe he can. He deserves a shot.

This year the Reds front office has again told Chapman to prepare in the off season to be in the starting rotation in 2013. The Reds have just signed Jonathan Broxton to a 3 year deal to keep him around, and look for him to be the closer this year. If that doesn't allow Aroldis to get his shot as a starter then I don't know what will. With Broxton in the ninth a choice of Arrendondo, LeCure, Simon, Hoover, or Sean Marshall in the 7th and 8th innings, they simply don't need to keep a great arm like Chapman held down in the bullpen anymore. We need to see a rotation of Cueto, Latos, Chapman, Arroyo, and Bailey with Mike Leake sliding to the bullpen. The back of that rotation could be changed depending on performance in the spring, but the front three needs to stay the same. Imagine a playoff series where the Reds throw out Cueto, Latos, and Chapman in the first three games.

That is terrifying. Don't screw this up Walt and Dusty.

Free Aroldis.

Carlos Ruiz suspended

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has been suspended 25 games next season by Major League Baseball. Ruiz tested positive for a banned amphetamine, and his suspension will be served at the start of the 2013 season.

The Phillies will likely look to sign another catcher, most likely a veteran, in free agency for next season. Not only to replace Ruiz for the first 25 games, but also to serve as a solid backup for Philadelphia throughout next season.

When competing with the young, and very good Washington Nationals the Phillies need to catch a few breaks to win the division. This is not going to help one bit.

Ryan Madson signs with Angels

Ryan Madson has reached an agreement on a one year deal with the LA Angels. No numbers have been released as to Madson's salary for his one year contract, but it is rumored to be around $7 million.

Madson spent last year injured after having tommy john surgery during spring training. Madson had signed a one year deal with the Cincinnati Reds but never even threw a pitch during the 2012 season for the Reds. The Reds had been in talks with Madson about bringing him back, but it looks like those fell through.

As a Reds fan I wish I had gotten the chance to see Madson close games in GABP, but unfortunately wont get the chance. Best of luck to Madson with the Angels.

Some advice for Chip Kelly

We've seen it too many times before. One of the tops college coaches in the country has come up with a winning recipe year after year and now his name is swirling in rumors to move up to an NFL job. But if you aren't successful in the NFL isn't it really a step down? Would you rather be a mastermind in the college ranks or a failure in the pros? Ask Nick Saban, or Steve Spurrier, or Bobby Petrino. (Honorable mention goes to Lane Kiffin as he was in the NFL before college, but somehow seems to fail then stumble into a better job every time he is fired)

There have been a few coaches who made the transition smoothly, such as Tom Coughlin and more recently Jim Harbaugh. They managed to have success, and in Coughlin's case two rings, but he is a rarity. Most fall flaring their faces.

So who is the newest flavor of the month who's name is popping up as a candidate for NFL head coaching jobs? Oregon's head man, Chip Kelly.

Kelly has built an empire at Oregon, and he was one Michael Dyer knee away from winning a title a few years ago and he is at the top of the mountain when it comes to winning. The Ducks are now a mainstay in the top 10 and usually the top 5 every year not to mention they are always a PAC-12 favorite. Kelly has also worn the Ducks mascot out by scoring what seems like 700 points per game, and running the nation's most fast paced, and most exciting offense to watch. Kelly has also made Oregon the cool school to cheer for and play for since he gets the hook up from Nike for the newest and flashiest uniforms. They seem to change uniforms at halftime, and break out new and crazier designs each game. Kelly runs the new cool program that top recruits flock too even though it is in Oregon. What is there to do in Oregon? Wear new uniforms and score a boat load of points. That's what.

There's no reason for Chip go anywhere. He especially shouldn't jump ship for a bottom of the barrel NFL job. Why would Kelly want to coach the lowly Chiefs? Or the Chargers? Or any team under .500 in the league. Chip will be a legend if he continues the road he is on at Oregon. With a top 5 ranking nearly every year and an exciting offense that produces plenty of style points he will surely get another shot at a BCS title, and unless Cam Newton comes up with another year of eligibility, I wouldn't bet against him to win that title.

Be patient Chip. You have it made at Oregon, and that wont change as long as you are running the show with Nike backing you. Don't be foolish Chip. Don't jump at a low end NFL job when Oregon, and the college game, is where you belong and can excel.

My advice to Chip Kelly?

Don't do it Chip. Don't fall for it.

Mark Stoops hired as Kentucky head coach

According to multiple news sources including WYMT in Hazard KY, Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops will be the next head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats football team. Up until now there have been rumors of the hiring but no solid sources have reported anything until now.

Kentucky fired head coach Joker Phillips after this season ended with a very disappointing 2-10 record, including a loss to Western Kentucky at home. Rumors have been swirling about names from Bobby Petrino to Butch Jones, but now it looks like a decision has been made by athletic director Mitch Barnhart.

No official announcement has come from the university at this time, but stay tuned to The Flex for more news as things start to become official.

UPDATE: The University of Kentucky has released a statement that Mark Stoops has officially been named the new head coach.

DeSean Jackson done for the season

DeSean Jackson is done for the year, another crushing injury for the already injury prone Eagles. Jackson left Monday night's game has x-rays revealed two fractured ribs. Today the Eagle placed him on injured reserve, officially ending his season.

The Eagles are already dealing with injured stars in Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy, both of whom missed Monday night's game against Carolina due to their respective injuries.

Andy Reid is on his last leg and fighting to keep his job. With the best outcome possible for Philly being an 8-8 record, losing his best receiver surely won't help.

Gorgui Dieng has a broken wrist

Multiple media sources are reporting tonight that University of Louisville center Gorgui Dieng has a broken wrist, and will be out indefinitely.

Dieng took a hard spill in Louisville's game against Missouri on Friday, and did not play against Duke on Saturday. Until know the extent of the injury was unknown but now it appears Gorgui will miss a lengthy amount of time. 

No timetable has yet been set for Dieng's return to the court.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Flex

Your favorite sports blog wishes you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Eat some turkey, spend some time with family, watch some football and take a nap.

As always The Flex brings you breaking sports news as well as opinionated articles.

From all of us at The Flex, Happy Turkey Day.

Pittsburgh Steelers sign Plaxico Burress

 

Former NY Giant and NY Jet Plaxico Burress has decided to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were in need of a receiver to sure up some holes in their offense and once upon a time Plax was one of them. And now he is back in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers were in desperate need of a receiver and of the available veterans Plax does seem to have the most tread left on the tires. If he can stay away from nightclubs, guns, sweatpants and being a bonehead in general then this could be a nice pick up for Pittsburgh.

Tennessee fires Good Ole Orange Pants

The Tennessee Volunteers have officially fired head coach Derek Dooley. After weeks of rumors and speculation he was cut loose today and the Vols coaching search has begun.

The big name that Tennessee fans seem to believe they will land is Jon Gruden. With an easy national TV job on Monday Night Football, and a number of NFL teams wanting him on their sidelines Gruden seems like a pipe dream for Tennessee.

A more realistic candidate could be Bobby Petrino who has made it clear he wants to coach in the SEC, and has enough baggage that Auburn might turn him away. If Tennessee wants Petrino I think the job is his, but we will see how it shakes out.

Stop it with the Gruden talk though.

The Marlins owner is full of crap

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria told reporters Wednesday that Tuesday's blockbuster trade with the Blue Jays was about the team finishing last, not about getting rid of salary on the team's payroll.

His exact quote when asked was "We finished in last place. You figure it out"

We have figured it out. You swindled tax payers into buying you a new ballpark by promising a competitive team. You spend a ton of money on star players and now you traded them to Canada so you don't have to pay them. Just like you did by trading Heath Bell to Arizona a month ago.

We know what you did Jeffrey, just own it. Your team is now a AAA team, so you enjoy the fine mess you have created. And don't get mad at the media when they call you out on your actions.

Marlins trade entire team to Blue Jays

In somewhat suprising news the Miami Marlins have effectively moved the team to Toronto. The Marlins have traded Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonafacio, and John Buck to the Blue Jays in exchange for Yunel Escobar and a few minor leaguers.

This is clearly a salary dump by Miami after a very disappointing year and more players could be traded soon. Ricky Nolasco and even Giancarlo Stanton could be on the move next.

Stay tuned to The Flex for more trade news as it breaks.

Kentucky v. Duke: Preview

Kentucky and Duke have a long history of hatred dating back to before I was even born, but trust me I know about this rivalry and I know about hating Duke. From Laettner and the shot to 2001 when Rashaad Carruth barked at Coach K. This latest installment of the rivalry takes place in Atlanta, where Calipari has never lost at Kentucky, and figures to be the best game of the Champions Classic. It will be an exciting game and it will no doubt be a game of match ups. So lets get to it.

Nerlens Noel v. Mason Plumlee

With these two we can make the experience argument that people seem to want to make. But I simply can understand why people continue to make that argument after Cal proved last year you can win a title with freshman, you just need the talent. Talent trumps experience every single time, and that is why Kentucky wins. How did that experience and upperclassmen leadership feel losing to Lehigh? Yeah, so stop with that. Noel is still very raw in his game, but has shown plenty of improvement even after a few games on the offensive end. He needs to get his hands on every ball he can off the boards and we know he can block any shot, his defense will not be a problem. Plumlee has to take advantage of the rebounding as well and he is very limited offensively as well. Noel plays angry with a chip on his shoulder and after the rebounding embarrassment in Brooklyn I'm sure Cal will not let it happen again. I think Noel gets the best of Plumlee with his defensive prowess and by simply being more talented then Plumlee.

Willie Cauley-Stein v. Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly or as the big blue nation affectionately calls him, poop-tooth, is a big man who can shoot from outside, and has a game much like the game of Kyle Wiltjer on the Kentucky side. While he can shoot from the perimeter, and has a mid range game he doesn't have much of a post game, and isn't what you would call "fast" by any means. In contrast Willie Cauley-Stein is the most athletic big man I have ever seen outside of Anthony Davis. He is 7 foot and played wide receiver in high school for crying out loud. He has a silky smooth mid range jumper, is a great foul shooter, and has more post moves than anyone else in the game. He took Nerlens Noel to school in the scrimmages, and Ryan Kelly is no Nerlens Noel. The edge goes to Willie, however if Wiltjer has to guard Kelly that match up could go either way as they both have trouble on the defensive end.

Archie Goodwin v. Seth Curry

Archie has shades of John Wall with his acrobatic lay ups, and he is fearless in the lane. Duke couldn't even keep Georgia States guards out of the paint much less a top 5 guard in the country with a mean streak reminiscent of Ramel Bradley. Archie also has a solid outside shot and can drive and kick if Duke clogs the lane. With Ryan Harrow out tonight Archie will most likely run the point,  as well as spend time at the 2 guard spot. Curry has a smooth outside jumper just like his brother and is just enough of a turd to fit in on this Duke team. He could cause problems if he gets hot from beyond the arc, and if Jarrod Polson  has to check him, Curry wins that match up. Because of that I see Archie getting major minutes at the point. Archie has a motor that reminds you of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and he will take advantage of the much smaller Curry. However like I said I think Curry could take advantage of a Polson match up.

Alex Poythress v. Whoever Duke Thinks Can Guard Him

For Kentucky Alex Poythress is the key to leaving Atlanta with a win. He has to take advantage of whoever Duke throws at him because there is simply no one on the Duke roster who can keep him in check. If they put Ryan Kelly on him Kelly will not be able to stay in front of him and will be able to gt to the rim which is the greatest strength of Poythress. If Tyler Thornton or Rasheed Sulaimon has to guard him then Poythress will have to either hit his outside shots, or take them into the low post to exploit the size advantage. If Poythress can explode and have a breakout game the he will be Kentucky's leading scorer as well as lead them to a 2-0 record in this young season. He will need to play like the beast that he has proved he can be to put UK over the top in this match up.

I think when it comes down to it if Goodwin and Poythress play like they can and exploit the advantages they will have in size and speed they Kentucky will pull out a win, and if that happens it might not be close. If Plumlee out rebounds Noel and if Seth Curry can light it up from three then Duke will pull out a win.

In the end I think Archie and Alex take over this game and lead the way to a Cats win and the talent and athleticism prove to be too much for the Blue Devils. The athletic big men for the Cats will take advantage of Plumlee and Kelly and fix the rebounding problems that showed up in Brooklyn

Prediction: Kentucky 83 Duke 76

Go Cats.

Letting Go

For years the face of the Lakers, and before LeBron the face of the NBA, has been Kobe Bryant. He scores 81 points and he turned into the black mamba later in his career putting the smack down on teams late in games, not to mention the 5 rings in his collection. Just one shy of Michael Jordan. He is arguably the greatest Laker ever and a sure fire hall of famer.

However.

Lets not forget the other things Kobe has done. He has ran a top ten all time player off his team in Shaq, because there wasn't enough room for both egos. He yelled a homophobic slur at a red after a technical foul. He has caused countless headaches for Phil Jackson, and now we can add to the list. He gave Mike Brown a death stare and that was it. When Brown looked at that stare he saw the grim reaper, and less than 24 hours later he was packing up his desk. Kobe has made it very clear that this is his team, and there isn't room for anyone except him and his giant ego.

That formula has worked aside from the feuds and controversy, because the Lakers have won. Winning heals all wounds. But what happens when the winning stops? What happens when Kobe can no longer get the job done night after night? What happens when Kobe breaks down?

Kobe is 34. He has been in the league for 16 years, since I was 3 years old. Not to mention he has had surgery on both knees and now has a bad ankle. He is an aging superstar, and everyone sees it. Except for him.

Lakers management clearly sees it. They realize when Kobe is gone they will need a young star player to build around, and to replace Bryant as the face of the franchise. This is where Dwight Howard enters the picture. Kobe has proved he can't play nice when he feels threatened and everyone sees this will be Dwight's team very soon and it will be given to him, but what if Kobe refuses to let go?

Superstars are the last to know that they don't have it anymore. Fans, management, media, and other players see it plain as day. But the star? He always thinks he has it. Michael Jordan tried to play for the wizards for gods sake. And Kobe has made it clear this is not Dwight's team and certainly not Mike Browns team, as long as he is around.

Don't get it twisted Kobe won't let go, and it will be a mess. Management will realize that the Kobe era is over and look to give the team to Dwight, but Kobe wont let go. I'm sure he will blast the guys upstairs and maybe even Dwight in a last ditch attempt to proclaim that it is still his team. This wont end well and may even end up with Bryant being traded. Its a ticking time bomb.

Letting go is hard to do Kobe, but you had a good run. Now don't run Dwight out of time like you did to Shaq. Let it be Dwight's team, and Dwight's city. Let us watch you go in to the sunset without seeing a top 10 player get traded because you are disgruntled. Let your ego take a break.

Let it go Kobe.

Mike Brown Fired by the Lakers

Well that was quick. After last night's death stare from Kobe burned through Mike Brown's skin, the Lakers have fired him from his head coaching position.

To fire Brown so quickly and so early in the season makes you think that Lakers management has to have something up their sleeves. Who have they been talking to? I'm sure we will hear plenty of candidates names come up in the next few days and we will see who is picked to takes the reigns on the mess in L.A.

We didn't think he would last the whole year, but i think we all would have bet he would make it past FIVE games.

Nope.