Short Sports Report: Manning, Redskins, Federer

I was on Spring Break from school this past week, which meant that I took my leave from the blog for that time as well.  I spent most of my break playing golf with my parents and watching the TV show "White Collar".  I don't need to say much about White Collar; you should just go check it out.  As for golf, it's fun to still be on that upward trend before the first plateau.  I've had to adjust my club choices (for instance, my 5-iron has gone from a 150yd shot to a 180yd shot) as I've improved, and that extra power has helped me earn a few more pars and the occasional birdie in recent play.  That first plateau is coming though, where I'll have to work extra hard to get better, but until it arrives, I'll continue to enjoy the game.

Anyway, for my first entry from hiatus, let's talk about some of the goings on of the sports world:

1) Peyton Manning
As you have probably heard, Peyton Manning was released by the Indianapolis Colts this week and has begun his search for a new team.  He feels that though he has not returned to 100% form yet, his arm strength will return by the beginning of next season, meaning that because he's Peyton Manning, he deserves a starting job somewhere.  Many teams have been mentioned as possibilities: Miami, Seattle, Arizona, Kansas City, and Denver, just to name a few.  There's no reason to speculate which he'll choose, but I would like to see him in Kansas City.  They play in a relatively easy division with an almost complete football team and some spectacular skill players like Jamaal Charles (supposing he's healthy too).  Matt Cassel is a passable quarterback, but Peyton Manning turns them into contenders.  Either way, I'm excited for him to embark on a new opportunity and I hope he does well, wherever he goes.


2) Redskins (essentially) acquire Robert Griffin III
After Manning's release, the St. Louis Rams knew that they had to unload their #2 overall pick as soon as they could, before a team that would be interested in it went after Manning and devalued the pick.  The Redskins are known for making bold moves, and trading the 6th overall pick this year, along with two future first-round picks and a second-round pick, can easily be considered a bold move.  In today's league, I agree with the many who say that you can't really put a value on a franchise quarterback: you give up whatever you can to get him.  Robert Griffin III looks like he could be that guy, so the Redskins really won't have paid too much for him.  That said, history dictates that when two quarterbacks are drafted with the first two overall picks in the draft, one will succeed and the other will struggle.  The prime example, of course, is Peyton Manning and his fellow top draftee, Ryan Leaf.  How about when Tim Couch (remember him?) went #1 overall, immediately followed by Donovan McNabb?  Past history is pretty meaningless when it comes to this stuff, but given that Andrew Luck is a "surefire" (in the words of scouts) deal, you have to wonder if the trend will hold true and RG3 will bust.  In all of this, let's also congratulate the St. Louis Rams on earning a big haul that could put them in position to succeed for the next few years.


3) Roger Federer, the forgotten man
Anyone who saw the Australian Open final from earlier this year knows that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are on top of the men's tennis world right now.  They played an epic, lengthy final match where, by the end, neither man could stand up for very long during the trophy presentation.  Djokovic proved that he's the best in the world right now by out-gutting the gutsiest player in the game in Nadal.  All of that said... where does that leave the disputable "greatest player ever"?  Let's not forget that Roger Federer does own the record for the most career major tournament wins by any male, ever.  Is he getting old?  A little bit.  However, I don't think that anyone believes he's done.  I would be very surprised if Fed didn't win another two titles before he retires.  He's still up there with the best, and he can still compete with the best, even if Nadal and Djokovic are just a small step ahead right now.  Fun fact for all of you tennis fans, and a display of just how dominant these three men are: they have won every major title but one in the last seven years.  Seven years.  Let's appreciate what these men have done and continue to do.

March Madness is right around the corner: rejoice, sports fans!  Until next time, be well!