Russ Grimm, offensive guard for the Washington Redskins in the 1980s and early 90s, has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first member of The Hogs to be so honored. The Hogs were the Skins' dominating offensive line in their glory days and is considered by many (particularly Redskin fans) to be the best unit the NFL has ever seen.
Grimm was always the star of the group, though he wasn't even considered the best lineman on his college team. At Pitt, Grimm played center. His teammate, and fellow future Hog, Mark May won the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in the country their senior year. The Redskins picked May with their first draft pick in 1981. Grimm was their third round pick that same year.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Checking in with the Hoyas: A Great Team? Maybe?
I just caught the very end of Georgetown's 103-90 victory over second-ranked Villanova. The Hoyas have been impossible to pin down of late. Nearly two weeks ago, they were hammered by Syracuse, losing by 17. A week later, they beat Duke in a much publicized game due to an Obama appearance. Then on Wednesday, they lost to a team they should have creamed: South Florida. Now, today's win. Who are these guys? Are they really as good as their #7 ranking suggests or are they doomed to disappointment in March? They have seven more regular season games to go, all in conference. Then the Big East Tournament. They SHOULD be good enough to make the NCAAs but they completely fell apart about this time last year. They've proven they can beat good teams - just not every night.
Just how crazy good is the Big East these days? Four of the nation's top 7 (Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia and Georgetown) are in the conference (though that will change) and none of those four is the same as the three which made it to the NCAAs as 1 seeds last year (Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Louisville). It's the mid-80s all over again - only better.
We submitted a haiku for Serious Eats's Seriously Delicious Super Bowl Party Giveaway: Mike Mills Baby Back Ribs and Pulled Pork but, alas, failed to win. Here is our losing entry:
Vermonters snowed in,
Weber Grill hibernating,
Ribs heal our frostbite.
Just how crazy good is the Big East these days? Four of the nation's top 7 (Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia and Georgetown) are in the conference (though that will change) and none of those four is the same as the three which made it to the NCAAs as 1 seeds last year (Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Louisville). It's the mid-80s all over again - only better.
We submitted a haiku for Serious Eats's Seriously Delicious Super Bowl Party Giveaway: Mike Mills Baby Back Ribs and Pulled Pork but, alas, failed to win. Here is our losing entry:
Vermonters snowed in,
Weber Grill hibernating,
Ribs heal our frostbite.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Australian Open Day 14: The King
Curtain Call
Player: Andy Murray
Nation: UK
Age: 22
Current Ranking: 4
Notable Conquest: Rafael Nadal (2nd seed, Spain)
Tour Page
Player Website
Today's Result: loss to Roger Federer (1st, Switzerland) in straight sets
It can't be easy to be Andy Murray, just as it couldn't have been easy to be Tim Henman. I will admit to being a bit rough on Murray myself but I do think the guy has more than enough to worry about with Fed across the net from him. Breaking down on the podium while apologizing for letting down the folks back home? That was hard to watch. I get annoyed with the tennis media for promoting the highest-ranking Anglophone (if you don't count Roger) over more deserving players and I can't help thinking that I've never seen Rafa slump his shoulders when he falls behind. But I can now count myself among those who would like to see Murray win one someday. On talent alone, I think it's a reasonable expectation.
What's left to be said about Federer? A year ago, it looked like it was going to be a Nadal year in '09 with questions looming over Roger. It turned out to be very much a Federer year with questions looming over Rafa. Now at 28 years old and with 16 Slams to his name, it seems the gap between Federer and the rest of the field is wider than it's been in a long time. He holds three out of the four Slam titles at the moment and no one else can even claim two final appearances in the past twelve months. With Nadal's future in doubt and no one else seeming able to mount a consistent threat, Federer should have the top ranking all to himself for quite a while.
Still, it's early. A lot can happen in a year.
For four rounds in a row, I have featured Federer's vanquished foe as the Curtain Call: Hewitt, Davydenko, Tsonga and Murray. I didn't plan it that way. All four should be said to have had good tournaments. All four are Slamworthy - Hewitt, of course, has already won two - and are probably disappointed not to have gone farther. But what can you do? Roger's the King. To be the best, you've got to beat the best. That's been a tall order for six years.
All Part of My Fantasy
I think I've been spelling "Racquet" wrong all this time for Racquet Bracket. Humblest apologies. I really should know better.
Once again, the World #1 has saved me from looking entirely the fool. My men's bracket was still pretty awful. Unlike the women's draw, I prefer the narrative I had in my bracket to the reality. I had early upsets over Djokovic and del Potro and a storybook run to the quarters for Carlos Moya (Spain). Plus, Jeremy Chardy (32nd, France) and Stanislas Wawrinka (19th, Switzerland) would have made their first Slam semis. And of course, any tournament with a Federer/Nadal final is automatically a great tournament.
Apart from Fed's continued dominance, I'd say the best story to come out of the men's draw is the rise of Marin Cilic (14th, Croatia). We'll be seeing him again, I'm sure.
Getting on with Our Lives
Goodbye to Melbourne. The tennis year is kicking off with some great story lines. A huge thank you to those who have taken the time to read my humble musings. It may be a while before I get back to tennis but there's plenty of excitement coming in the next few months: Olympics, NCAA basketball tournament, baseball openers, Stanley Cup playoffs, etc. March Madness, however, does extend to tennis with Indian Wells and Miami on the calendar. Hope to see you soon!
Player: Andy Murray
Nation: UK
Age: 22
Current Ranking: 4
Notable Conquest: Rafael Nadal (2nd seed, Spain)
Tour Page
Player Website
Today's Result: loss to Roger Federer (1st, Switzerland) in straight sets
It can't be easy to be Andy Murray, just as it couldn't have been easy to be Tim Henman. I will admit to being a bit rough on Murray myself but I do think the guy has more than enough to worry about with Fed across the net from him. Breaking down on the podium while apologizing for letting down the folks back home? That was hard to watch. I get annoyed with the tennis media for promoting the highest-ranking Anglophone (if you don't count Roger) over more deserving players and I can't help thinking that I've never seen Rafa slump his shoulders when he falls behind. But I can now count myself among those who would like to see Murray win one someday. On talent alone, I think it's a reasonable expectation.
What's left to be said about Federer? A year ago, it looked like it was going to be a Nadal year in '09 with questions looming over Roger. It turned out to be very much a Federer year with questions looming over Rafa. Now at 28 years old and with 16 Slams to his name, it seems the gap between Federer and the rest of the field is wider than it's been in a long time. He holds three out of the four Slam titles at the moment and no one else can even claim two final appearances in the past twelve months. With Nadal's future in doubt and no one else seeming able to mount a consistent threat, Federer should have the top ranking all to himself for quite a while.
Still, it's early. A lot can happen in a year.
For four rounds in a row, I have featured Federer's vanquished foe as the Curtain Call: Hewitt, Davydenko, Tsonga and Murray. I didn't plan it that way. All four should be said to have had good tournaments. All four are Slamworthy - Hewitt, of course, has already won two - and are probably disappointed not to have gone farther. But what can you do? Roger's the King. To be the best, you've got to beat the best. That's been a tall order for six years.
All Part of My Fantasy
I think I've been spelling "Racquet" wrong all this time for Racquet Bracket. Humblest apologies. I really should know better.
Once again, the World #1 has saved me from looking entirely the fool. My men's bracket was still pretty awful. Unlike the women's draw, I prefer the narrative I had in my bracket to the reality. I had early upsets over Djokovic and del Potro and a storybook run to the quarters for Carlos Moya (Spain). Plus, Jeremy Chardy (32nd, France) and Stanislas Wawrinka (19th, Switzerland) would have made their first Slam semis. And of course, any tournament with a Federer/Nadal final is automatically a great tournament.
Apart from Fed's continued dominance, I'd say the best story to come out of the men's draw is the rise of Marin Cilic (14th, Croatia). We'll be seeing him again, I'm sure.
Getting on with Our Lives
Goodbye to Melbourne. The tennis year is kicking off with some great story lines. A huge thank you to those who have taken the time to read my humble musings. It may be a while before I get back to tennis but there's plenty of excitement coming in the next few months: Olympics, NCAA basketball tournament, baseball openers, Stanley Cup playoffs, etc. March Madness, however, does extend to tennis with Indian Wells and Miami on the calendar. Hope to see you soon!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Aussie Open Day 13 Addendum: Wild Cards
I had intended to write about wild cards once Henin finally lost and then I plum forgot. I must remedy the situation!
Almost every professional tournament, large or small, is entitled to grant wild card entry to a small number of players who would not otherwise be eligible for direct entry. For a living legend and former champion such as Henin, it's a no-brainer but more often, the wild cards go to players of the host country.
At first glance, the wild card system seems a bit unfair. Why should local players be given an advantage over those who have earned higher rankings? However, one does have to appreciate the bigger picture of tennis's promotional needs. Boosting local players raises the in-country profile for the sport, particularly if a wild card does well. Our nearest big tournament is the one in Montreal. Canada has very few top tennis players but certainly hosts a world-class event. It seems a fair trade to give a few of their own an opportunity to shine. When Frank Dancevic made it to the quarterfinals in 2007, even managing to take a set off of Nadal before going down in three, the tournament got far more local press coverage than it would have otherwise.
Out of the 16 total wild cards granted in singles for the Australian Open, nine went to Australians. Four were granted as reciprocal deals with the French and US Opens. A nice innovation by the Australian is the granting of wild cards to players in the Asia/Pacific region as part of their larger marketing effort in that part of the world. Two Kazakh players, Andrey Golubev and Sesil Karatantcheva, were given the honor this year.
One would think that the four Slam nations would have a particular advantage. In fact, I suppose that for a long time they did as Australia, France, UK and USA were the dominant nations in the sport. That seems less worrisome these days as the power base has shifted to Spain, Argentina and Russia. Plus, there's that guy from Switzerland.
When a wild card makes it all the way to the final, as has happened the past two Slams, the tournament directors look like geniuses. Most don't make it past the first round but the investment is still a very important one.
Almost every professional tournament, large or small, is entitled to grant wild card entry to a small number of players who would not otherwise be eligible for direct entry. For a living legend and former champion such as Henin, it's a no-brainer but more often, the wild cards go to players of the host country.
At first glance, the wild card system seems a bit unfair. Why should local players be given an advantage over those who have earned higher rankings? However, one does have to appreciate the bigger picture of tennis's promotional needs. Boosting local players raises the in-country profile for the sport, particularly if a wild card does well. Our nearest big tournament is the one in Montreal. Canada has very few top tennis players but certainly hosts a world-class event. It seems a fair trade to give a few of their own an opportunity to shine. When Frank Dancevic made it to the quarterfinals in 2007, even managing to take a set off of Nadal before going down in three, the tournament got far more local press coverage than it would have otherwise.
Out of the 16 total wild cards granted in singles for the Australian Open, nine went to Australians. Four were granted as reciprocal deals with the French and US Opens. A nice innovation by the Australian is the granting of wild cards to players in the Asia/Pacific region as part of their larger marketing effort in that part of the world. Two Kazakh players, Andrey Golubev and Sesil Karatantcheva, were given the honor this year.
One would think that the four Slam nations would have a particular advantage. In fact, I suppose that for a long time they did as Australia, France, UK and USA were the dominant nations in the sport. That seems less worrisome these days as the power base has shifted to Spain, Argentina and Russia. Plus, there's that guy from Switzerland.
When a wild card makes it all the way to the final, as has happened the past two Slams, the tournament directors look like geniuses. Most don't make it past the first round but the investment is still a very important one.
Australian Open Day 13: Seven Repeat Champions
Curtain Call
Player: Justine Henin
Nation: Belgium
Age: 27
Current Ranking: not ranked
Notable Conquests: Elena Dementieva (5th seed, Russia), Nadia Petrova (19th, Russia) and Alisa Kleybanova (27th, Russia)
Tour Page
Player Website
Today's Result: loss to Serena Williams (1st, USA) in three sets
Henin is the story of the tournament. Once again, an accomplished Belgian has come out of retirement and made it all the way to the final. This was the first Slam final between Serena Williams and Henin. Serena leaves Melbourne with two trophies once again. She and Venus won the doubles title yesterday.
I missed the women's final but woke up in time for the last two sets of the men's doubles final. Doubles TV coverage is rare and precious and the opportunity to see the world's top two teams go head-to-head even more so. The Bryans (USA) and Nestor (Canada)/Zimonjic (Serbia) are both finely tuned operations and they inspired a high level in one another today. As explained in a Masters Cup post, I have a bit of a grudge against Daniel Nestor from when he dumped Mark Knowles (Bahamas) so it seemed like poetic justice that it was the break against Nestor's serve in the third set which paved the way for the Bryans' victory.
So, with Serena in women's singles, the Williamses in women's doubles, the Bryans in men's doubles, Shingo Kunieda (Japan) in men's wheelchair singles and doubles (though with a different partner), Peter Norfolk (UK) in quad singles and Nick Taylor/David Wagner (USA) in quad doubles, we have seven repeat champions thus far. That will be it for this year, though. Last year's champs are already out in men's singles and mixed doubles.
I loved Federer's on-court interview with Courier the other night. 15 Slams and fatherhood have mellowed the man. It's so nice to see. He's genuinely funny - and in multiple languages! Now that he's playing for nothing but the joy of the game, is he, in fact, more dangerous?
All Part of My Fantasy
Thanks to Serena, I don't look like such an idiot after all. With her victory, I finished in the top 26% in the Racket Bracket. The narrative I had set out in my bracket was a pretty good one with Serena gaining her revenge over Clijsters but the reality was better: the first S. Williams/Henin final, two Chinese women in the semis and a nice run for Petrova.
Can Federer help me save face on the men's side?
Player: Justine Henin
Nation: Belgium
Age: 27
Current Ranking: not ranked
Notable Conquests: Elena Dementieva (5th seed, Russia), Nadia Petrova (19th, Russia) and Alisa Kleybanova (27th, Russia)
Tour Page
Player Website
Today's Result: loss to Serena Williams (1st, USA) in three sets
Henin is the story of the tournament. Once again, an accomplished Belgian has come out of retirement and made it all the way to the final. This was the first Slam final between Serena Williams and Henin. Serena leaves Melbourne with two trophies once again. She and Venus won the doubles title yesterday.
I missed the women's final but woke up in time for the last two sets of the men's doubles final. Doubles TV coverage is rare and precious and the opportunity to see the world's top two teams go head-to-head even more so. The Bryans (USA) and Nestor (Canada)/Zimonjic (Serbia) are both finely tuned operations and they inspired a high level in one another today. As explained in a Masters Cup post, I have a bit of a grudge against Daniel Nestor from when he dumped Mark Knowles (Bahamas) so it seemed like poetic justice that it was the break against Nestor's serve in the third set which paved the way for the Bryans' victory.
So, with Serena in women's singles, the Williamses in women's doubles, the Bryans in men's doubles, Shingo Kunieda (Japan) in men's wheelchair singles and doubles (though with a different partner), Peter Norfolk (UK) in quad singles and Nick Taylor/David Wagner (USA) in quad doubles, we have seven repeat champions thus far. That will be it for this year, though. Last year's champs are already out in men's singles and mixed doubles.
I loved Federer's on-court interview with Courier the other night. 15 Slams and fatherhood have mellowed the man. It's so nice to see. He's genuinely funny - and in multiple languages! Now that he's playing for nothing but the joy of the game, is he, in fact, more dangerous?
All Part of My Fantasy
Thanks to Serena, I don't look like such an idiot after all. With her victory, I finished in the top 26% in the Racket Bracket. The narrative I had set out in my bracket was a pretty good one with Serena gaining her revenge over Clijsters but the reality was better: the first S. Williams/Henin final, two Chinese women in the semis and a nice run for Petrova.
Can Federer help me save face on the men's side?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Australian Open Day 12: Tsonga!
Curtain Call
Player: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Nation: France
Age: 24
Current Ranking: 10
Notable Conquest: Novak Djokovic (3rd seed, Serbia)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Roger Federer (1st, Switzerland) in straight sets
Tsonga is not the most talented of tennis's new wave but he is the most charismatic. Seriously, if this guy isn't marketable to a world audience, I can't imagine who would be. There is, however, the question of whether or not he qualifies as part of the new wave in that he's actually older than Nadal. His game is certainly Slamworthy and he has been to a Slam final but he hasn't yet shown the consistency to be a threat over the course of the tennis season.
Aussie has been Tsonga's best Slam: runner-up, quarters and semis over the past three years. There's no shame in that, of course. It was Agassi's best Slam, too. But what does it say about a player when he has great success in Melbourne but hasn't been past the fourth round at any of the others? To me, it says that his off-season conditioning is excellent. When well-rested, he can stand toe-to-toe with just about anyone. But as the season wears on, his physical advantages diminish. Many questions loom over the 2010 season with Nadal's injury situation (out for four weeks officially - but then what sort of player will he be upon return?) and perhaps Tsonga is another who stands to benefit. If he is to do it, he'd be wise to make a strong move before clay court season begins in April. Tsonga is definitely not at his best on the dirt.
For Federer, the consecutive Slam finals streak is up to eight. Far more impressive to me is the fact that for the 23rd consecutive Slam, a stretch nearly six years in length, Federer will once again either win the tournament or lose to the guy who does. He is the gatekeeper, period. It's absolutely amazing. Is there any precedent for this?
Why oh why did they have to move the singles finals to the night session? I go through the dilemma every year: do I get up at a ridiculous hour to watch or do I sleep? Every year, I say I'll try to get up. Every year, sleep wins. Fortunately, the men's final has gone on long enough the past few years that I can still catch a bit towards the end upon rising at a reasonable time.
Player: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Nation: France
Age: 24
Current Ranking: 10
Notable Conquest: Novak Djokovic (3rd seed, Serbia)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Roger Federer (1st, Switzerland) in straight sets
Tsonga is not the most talented of tennis's new wave but he is the most charismatic. Seriously, if this guy isn't marketable to a world audience, I can't imagine who would be. There is, however, the question of whether or not he qualifies as part of the new wave in that he's actually older than Nadal. His game is certainly Slamworthy and he has been to a Slam final but he hasn't yet shown the consistency to be a threat over the course of the tennis season.
Aussie has been Tsonga's best Slam: runner-up, quarters and semis over the past three years. There's no shame in that, of course. It was Agassi's best Slam, too. But what does it say about a player when he has great success in Melbourne but hasn't been past the fourth round at any of the others? To me, it says that his off-season conditioning is excellent. When well-rested, he can stand toe-to-toe with just about anyone. But as the season wears on, his physical advantages diminish. Many questions loom over the 2010 season with Nadal's injury situation (out for four weeks officially - but then what sort of player will he be upon return?) and perhaps Tsonga is another who stands to benefit. If he is to do it, he'd be wise to make a strong move before clay court season begins in April. Tsonga is definitely not at his best on the dirt.
For Federer, the consecutive Slam finals streak is up to eight. Far more impressive to me is the fact that for the 23rd consecutive Slam, a stretch nearly six years in length, Federer will once again either win the tournament or lose to the guy who does. He is the gatekeeper, period. It's absolutely amazing. Is there any precedent for this?
Why oh why did they have to move the singles finals to the night session? I go through the dilemma every year: do I get up at a ridiculous hour to watch or do I sleep? Every year, I say I'll try to get up. Every year, sleep wins. Fortunately, the men's final has gone on long enough the past few years that I can still catch a bit towards the end upon rising at a reasonable time.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Australian Open Day 11: Fell Asleep on the Couch
Curtain Call
Player: Li Na
Nation: China
Age: 27
Current Ranking: 17
Notable Conquests: Caroline Wozniacki (4th seed, Denmark) and Venus Williams (6th, USA)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Serena Williams (1st, USA) in straight sets
Player: Li Na
Nation: China
Age: 27
Current Ranking: 17
Notable Conquests: Caroline Wozniacki (4th seed, Denmark) and Venus Williams (6th, USA)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Serena Williams (1st, USA) in straight sets
With her run to the semis, Li will be the first Chinese woman in the top 10.
I missed the tennis entirely last night. It was a rather tiring day with the car fiasco and I was fighting to stay awake by 8:30. I was disappointed that the Tennis Channel did not run the men's doubles semifinals at 7 as advertised. I will always prefer a live match to a replayed singles match from the night before but I suppose that puts me in the minority. Regardless, I didn't stand a chance of lasting until 9:30 for singles.
I've also been posting these at TalkAboutTennis and a commenter yesterday suggested the Ivanovic/Dulko match as comparable to Li/Williams as a "painful match to watch." I missed that one - just as well, I guess!
Catching Up with Old Friends
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