Eagles fire Andy Reid

Well that was fast. The Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time in firing their mustachioed coach following their latest loss to the Giants.

Reid had to know he was a dead man walking and clearly Eagles management saw him as the same. After a disappointing season last year, he needed at least a playoff berth to save his job, and the Eagles laid quite an egg for him. He will most likely surface in the NFL in some capacity and he will surely bring his mustache with him.

Adrian Peterson in the Olympics?

Well I already told you Adrian Peterson wasn't human, and it looks like he is out to prove it once again. He already had a superhuman recovery from a torn acl last year and now leads the league in rushing. Well before today's game in Minnesota Peterson told Yahoo sports that he is eyeing to compete in the 2016 summer Olympics in the 200 and 400 meter dash. Peterson said he was even planning this before his injury last year, and is still very serious about it. And AP even believes he can pose a threat to the immortal Usain Bolt.

After watching Peterson this season, I wouldn't bet against him but I'm not sure there is a human alive that can chase down Usain Bolt. You never know though.

Peterson continue his incredible year today against Green Bay as he tries to break Eric Dickerson' s single season rushing record.

Good luck AP.

Sean Payton gets new deal from Saints

Head coach Sean Payton has reached an agreement with the New Orleans Saints on a contract for the next five years. The money figures have yet to be announced but expect it to be a fairly large amount as Payton is viewed as a top coach in the NFL.

Due to the suspensions handed down by Roger Goodell from the alleged bounty scandal down in New Orleans the Saints have been without their head coach the whole year. With the player suspensions being overturned, I'm sure the Saints are feeling slighted that they still never had their head man on the sidelines we, but they can now rest easy as Payton will be with them for another five years.

J.R. Smith is at it again

Once again J.R. Smith has defied all basketball logic and hit a last second shot to lift the Knicks over the Suns. This time Smith hit an off balance shot on the inbound play, just seconds after tying the game on a fade away jumper from the elbow. Watch the video below and watch J.R. in all his glory hitting another clutch shot in the garden.

The Knicks continue to win in crazy ways and defy odds even with their injury prone lineup of former stars headed for the nursing home in a little while. I have a feeling this isn't the last time we will hear from J.R. Smith and his heroics this year. Stay tuned for more.

Two Bengals named Pro Bowl starters

The NFL Pro Bowl rosters were released tonight on NFL.com and two Cincinnati Bengals have been named to the starting squad. Wide receiver A.J. Green and defensive lineman, and professional quarterback eater, Geno Atkins are both headed to Hawaii to play with the league's best.

The Bengals also have a few alternates named to the Pro Bowl. Quarterback Andy Dalton, tackle Andrew Whitworth and cornerback Leon Hall. Tight end Jermaine Gresham was also named as first alternate for the AFC squad and will most likely end up making the team due to a right knee injury to Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller.

That's a shame Heath, a real shame.

Who Dey.

Merry Christmas from The Flex

Merry Christmas from your favorite sports blog, The Flex. And for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, happy whatever you choose to celebrate! We don't discriminate with the holiday cheer around here.

Thank you to everyone who reads our ridiculous ideas and opinions each and everyday, we appreciate it and wish everyone well this time of year. So enjoy some NBA games today as well as some presents and most importantly family. Have a very merry Christmas and be sure to check back soon for more articles as well as daily news from the sports world.

Adrian Peterson is not human

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We all knew Adrian Peterson was an amazing running back. From the moment he busted into the league he has amazed us with a rare combination of speed and power that we haven't seen since Bo Jackson. His nickname is Purple Jesus for crying out loud, the guy is just special.

But now I am convinced he is not human. He is not from this planet. He cant be.

Peterson is on the cusp of breaking Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record of 2,105 yards, he is leading the Vikings to a possible playoff berth, has over 1,800 yards with two games left in the season, and is the favorite to win the MVP. Oh, by the way did I mention he is doing all this after completely destroying his knee last year?

Its ridiculous.

Peterson blew out his knee late last season and even though his tendons were shredded still somehow made it back for the start of this season. Since then he hasn't missed a beat putting up 8 games of 100 yards rushing or more, and his latest effort being a 212 yard effort against the Rams.

After seeing so many athletes blow out their knees and never be the same again (I'm looking at you Carson Palmer), I simply marvel at the strength and drive of Peterson to come back less than a year later and perform better than he ever has in his career.

They call him All Day for a reason, and he shows no signs of slowing up. If a complete blowout of his knee cant stop him then I don't know what can. It certainly isn't any defense that he faces. He is somehow stronger, and faster than we have ever seen him and he looks to be in the best shape of his life.

Move over Eric Dickerson, Adrian Peterson is coming for that number one spot.

Butch Jones bolts for Tennessee

This morning it was announced that Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones was offered, and now has accepted the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee. After being turned down by Charlie Strong, who Tennessee saw as it's main target they turned their attention to Jones and Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. This morning they got their man in  Butch Jones.

Earlier this week Jones accepted the Colorado job, but the whole agreement was blown up when Colorado leaked the news before Jones had told his players. Colorado screwed themselves out of a new coach by leaking the news themselves instead of letting Jones announce himself. It was a done deal but after that slip up Jones said no to Colorado and now has pulled a Brian Kelly and bolted for a better landing spot.

Roger Goodell is killing football

Ever since Roger Goodell set out on his crusade against concussions, all we have heard from the commissioner is about player safety. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for players living longer and reducing injuries in the sport, but Goodell isn't fooling me. Roger doesn't care about players, he cares about his wallet and so do the owners. Goodell is only trying to protect himself from a law suit, and in the process Roger Goodell is ruining football.

In past years before concussion-mania hit, the NFL had its own doctors look into the long term effects of concussions. While other doctors all over the world showed them proof of the deadly effects, the NFL and their gang of doctors denied the evidence and dismissed what all he evidence against them was saying. That is until their checkbooks might take a hit. Once the league realized they could be held liable for the health effects on former and current players their whole attitude changed. And don't fall for the nonsense the league tells you about how they care about player safety.

This is about wallet safety.

Nowadays in the NFL quarterbacks have become coddled and protected and wide receivers get the same treatment. A normal hit 5 years ago now draws a flag,  a fine, and possibly even a suspension. I'm not saying players should be allowed to kill each other but you have to let them play. It is football isn't it? There's an element of violence all players know of when they sign their contracts. Certain precautions can be taken but at the end of the day its still a barbaric sport, and we love it. Its still football. You cant rid the sport of violence because it is a violent game at its core.

In the latest development of Goodell's nonsense,  he wants to eliminate kickoffs all together. What? After taking away big hits and sacks now he wants to take away one of the most potentially exciting plays in the sport? A kickoff or punt return and completely swing momentum in a game and special teams can win or lose a game. Enough of today's NFL games are in the hands of refs, and now he wants to take the game out of the player's hands even more by eliminating kick returns, a key aspect of the game of football.

Pretty soon we will be watching flag football on Sunday, or we wont even be able to call it football. Next passing the ball will be deemed too dangerous to Roger's paycheck and will be banned as well. There's no telling what overreaction the league will institute in it's joke of a rulebook next, but rest assured it wont be because of fans interest or player safety, it will be to save Roger a trip to court and a hole in his wallet.

Roger Goodell is killing the NFL one rule at a time, and I'm afraid it will only get worse.

The most dangerous thing the NFL faces isn't concussions or kickoffs, its Roger Goodell himself.

Chargers to fire Norv Turner

They have finally done it. The San Diego Chargers have come to their senses and are doing something they should have done in 2008. They are firing head coach Norv Turner. Turner has been on the hot seat for four years now even though it feels like ten. The Chargers will let Norv go at the end of the season, but will let him finish out the year as coach.

General manager A.J. Smith appears to also be headed out the door along with Turner in San Diego. Smith will also be fired effective at the end of this season.

New Orleans Hornets changing name

Yesterday the league announced that the New Orleans Hornets plan to change the name of the team to the New Orleans Pelicans. The change could take place as soon as the 2013-2014 season. The change was decided upon after ownership wanted to change mascots, and apparently the Pelicans was the best they could come up with.

The Charlotte Bobcats who were formerly known as the Charlotte Hornets said they would like to return to being called the Hornets when New Orleans makes the change. GM Michael Jordan is also on board with the move.

They should have just changed to the New Orleans Unibrows.

J.R. Smith hits buzzer beater (Video)

The Knicks' J.R. Smith, who has never seen a shot in his life that he wouldn't take, took and made a huge shot last night. With three seconds on the clock Smith caught the ball on the inbound and went to work. He dribbled left and pulled up on the wing for a fade away prayer that found the bottom of the net. Smith gave the Knicks a 100-98 victory. See for yourself below:

In very J.R. Smith fashion he took the shot without hesitation with all the confidence in the world that it would drop. And of course he stood there and posed after (as he should) as he was mobbed by his teammates. 

Red Sox sign Shane Victorino

According to MLB sources the Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with outfielder Shane Victorino. The deal for Victorino is for 3 years, and is worth $39 million dollars.

On the heels of the Mike Napoli signing and the fact that they are still in play on Nick Swisher, I would guess that Boston isn't quite finished beefing up its roster and filling some holes from last year. Expect more players to be holding up Red Sox jerseys before all is said and done.

Tennessee wants Charlie Strong

According to sources down in Knoxville, the University of Tennessee's search for a new football head coach has now centered around current Louisville head coach Charlie Strong. Strong had been considered along with Butch Jones, Sonny Dykes, Bobby Petrino, and in some delusional Vols fans' minds, Jon Gruden.

Strong led Louisville to a Big East championship this year, and a spot to play in the Orange Bowl this year. After Louisville gets dump-trucked by Florida in the Orange Bowl, we could see Charlie bolt to Tennessee and collect his payout.

Rumors: Justin Upton to the Phillies?

A few ESPN sources are reporting that trade talks between the Diamondbacks and Phillies are heating up. The main talk has been about sending right fielder Justin Upton to the Phillies, with Arizona receiving pitcher Cliff Lee in return. The Phillies would also send some money to the Diamondbacks if the deal goes down.

The D-Backs have been shopping Upton since last year's trading deadline and there have been plenty of suitors for the young power hitter. Teams such as Cincinnati, Boston, Detroit, and now Philadelphia have all been mentioned.

As of now these are only talks, but if anything official happens, The Flex will have it here first.

Karl Towns commits to Kentucky

Chalk up another one for Calipari. The 6'11 Towns is the number one ranked recruit in the 2014 class now that he has reclassified from the 2015 class. Towns announced his decision this morning and to no one's surprise he verbally committed to the Cats. 

Towns spent time with Cal and assistant coach Orlando Antigua this summer when he played for the Dominican national team which was coached by Calipari and the Kentucky staff. 

Another 5 star recruit is headed to the bluegrass. I've lost count at this point.

Go Cats.

Heisman Watch

Plenty of names were considered by media and fans alike, but now it comes time to hand out the biggest award in college football. The Heisman field has been narrowed down to just three players. After names were tossed around from Kenjon Barner and Marquise Lee to Braxton Miller and Jadeveon Clowney, the finalists who will head to New York have been announced.

Manti Te'o

I haven't bought into the Te'o hype, but apparently Heisman voters have. The leader of the Irish defense will make the trip to New York, and he has gotten plenty of coverage and air time since he plays for the nation's number one ranked team. He may be considered the long shot of the group since no defensive player has hoisted the trophy since Michigan's Charles Woodson.                

Collin Klein

Klein was considered the favorite up until Kansas State stumbled against Baylor, which hurt his stock in the voters minds. Early in the year he was all over the place, analysts couldn't stop drooling over him and he rarely faltered and put up great numbers all year as well as leading K-State to a very successful season. This award would be all but in his hands if it wasn't for our final candidate. 

Johnny Manziel

And here is your favorite to win the Heisman in 2013, a red shirt freshman by the name of Johnny Football. Manziel burst into the spotlight early in the year on national TV when he ran a muck on Florida in the first ever SEC game for Texas A&M. After that he continued to run rampant on defenses down south including knocking off top ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa. With the play of Collin Klein all year it took a late loss to Baylor to turn the odds in the favor of Johnny Football, and now he has broken Cam Newton's single season SEC total yards record with an impressive 4,600 yards this season. 

At the end of the day I think this award is Manziel's to lose. Te'o's biggest disadvantage is the simple fact that he plays on the defensive side of the ball. Klein has a good shot to take the Heisman home but it will be tough to take down Johnny Football as he seems to have broken every freshman and single season record there is. 

My prediction? Johnny Manziel will hoist the Heisman over his head, and deservedly so. 

Red Sox sign Mike Napoli

The Red Sox have stolen away a Ranger. Boston has reportedly signed the former Texas catcher to a 3-year deal worth $39 million. After two seasons with the Rangers Napoli is headed to Boston leaving Texas with a hole behind the plate.

The Red Sox also appear to be in serious talks with the Mets about acquiring their ace, R.A. Dickey. If they land the Cy Young winner along with signing Napoli then things are looking up for Boston this offseason.

Alex Rodriguez is broken again

Alex Rodriguez will miss up to 4-6 months of the 2013 season after having a second hip surgery this offseason. A-Rod missed time last year after having surgery on his other hip during the season.

This is a big blow to the Yankees who will now need to go look for a third baseman in free agency, where there isn't much to pick from.

Maybe A-Rod's cousin can give him something to help him heal faster. Oh wait.