Couch Side Podcast Episode 40: Over the Hill
The L.A. Kings’ 2012 run to a Stanley Cup title made the list of Couch Side top moments in sports for 2012. Photo by: underactive / Flickr
BY Couchsideshow.com staff
Nick Swisher: An overlooked commodity
BY JUSTIN MILLAR, Feedcrossing.com syndication
Free agent outfielder Nick Swisher may just land the next big deal. Photo by: Keith Allison / Flickr
While we are all sitting here absorbing the shock of Josh Hamilton’s new enormous contract with the Angels, a fellow free agent outfielder is making his 2013 plans, albeit at a much lower pricetag.
NBA Power Rankings Week Seven: Clippers catching steam
BY JORDAN WHEELER, Couchsideshow.com blogger
NBA Power Rankings (week seven) are organized with this week’s ranking, the team and last week’s ranking in parenthesis.
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (1) - The Thunder stay atop the Rankings this week. They are rolling with 10 wins in a row. I think they have reached the confidence level that they were playing with last year. They have two tough games at Atlanta and at Minnesota this week, and then an anticipated match up against Miami on Christmas Day.
2. L.A. Clippers (4) - The Clippers had another undefeated week. They have won their last 9 games, and that is why they jump up to the 2 spot this week.
3. San Antonio Spurs (2) - San Antonio had two losses this week against two good teams in Utah and Portland. They have another tough week with a road trip through Okalahoma and Denver. They can make their push for the top spot this week!
• For the rest of Couch Side’s NBA Power Rankings Click Here
Eastern Conference
1. New York Knicks (1) - They have proven to be the best team in the NBA so far this season. The Knicks are still undefeated at home sitting at 10-0; they have 3 games at home this week playing Houston, Brooklyn, and Chicago. That is a tough schedule we will see if they can get to 13-0 at home.
2. Miami (2) - I am a little disappointed in the Heat. I feel like they are just coasting through the regular season, and as good as they are they will be fine, they still might win the East, but I think they are underachieving so far this season. Personally I think they are good enough that they should threaten the Bulls regular season record.
3. Atlanta Hawks (3) - Atlanta went 2-2 this week with losing to the Heat and the Warriors. They have a tough week ahead of them with two back-to-backs, one ending with Oklahoma City and the other ending with Chicago.
• For the rest of Couch Side’s NBA Power Rankings Click Here
WWE Year in Review: In Memorial
BY BRETT MURDOCK AND MATT VINSKO, Couchsideshow.com bloggers
Professional wrestling has an inherent entertainment value absent from many other sports due to its predictability and knack for combining soap opera-quality storylines with physical violence. That’s not to say it can’t be enjoyed by your average sports fan, however.
This past year, pro wrestling entered mainstream media in a way it hadn’t in years with the returns of superstars including The Rock, Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar. Regular mainstays such as CM Punk reigned an entire calendar year as WWE Champion, whereas John Cena has entered what has to be considered a slump due to his numerous losses in big match situations.
Just like every sport, there are winners and losers in the world of professional wrestling, and to commemorate the end of the year, we are going to take a look back at WWE throughout 2012. Whereas the WWE has its Slammy Awards, Couch Side has its own celebration of the year that was, and what fans can expect come 2013.
Rising Star
Brett: Antonio Cesaro — Cesaro, real name Claudio Castagnoli, debuted on WWE television soon after WrestleMania 28 and in the nine or so months since appearing has carved out a nice reputation so far. He’s the current United States Champion, a title he has held since August’s SummerSlam pay-per-view, and has been every bit as dominant as he was in other promotions before the WWE got their hands on him. He has all the tools in the ring to be a success and can work it on the microphone when necessary. I mean come on…the dude speaks five languages. He is a star in the making and rarely, if ever, disappoints when put in a big-time scenario. It is only a matter of time before the name Antonio Cesaro is not only a prominent name in pro wrestling, but also in the mainstream.
Matt: Ryback — When 2012 started, Ryan Reeves was on the active WWE roster, but had next to no ring appearances. 12 months, and a mouthful of jobbers later, the man now known as Ryback has taken the WWE by storm in an attempt to quench his massive appetite. Predicting the rise of a guy who wasn’t anywhere near the main event until Hell in a Cell in October would have been foolish months ago. Even back in October, many were worried Ryback’s push was too much, too soon. But now, the WWE has arguably its next big star in the form of a guy who has transcended any similarities with Goldberg and developed his own character. Sure, Ryback won’t be winning the big one any time soon, but to have cemented himself as a main event talent after facing competition that includes Curt Hawkins earlier in the year, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
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NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Chasing the playoffs
BY SEAN SCHOONOVER, Couchsideshow.com NFL blogger
Each NFL team now has three games remaining in the 2012 season, some teams are jockeying for postseason position, while some are playing their way out of the playoffs. Also we have a new team on top of this week’s power rankings, with the Texans and Falcons both losing in week 14. With that here are your week fifteen NFL power rankings:
(Last week’s ranking), Team, (record)
- (3) New England Patriots (10-3)- The Patriots take over the top spot with a 42-14 throttling over last week’s number one team the Houston Texans. This team has solidified itself as the top team in the AFC, winning seven straight and scoring a league high 36.3 points per contest. New England also has quality wins against the Broncos and Texans and now has a viable shot at home field advantage in the playoffs. Tom Brady added to his campaign for MVP in the torching of the Texans, as he completed 21 of his 35 attempts for 296 yards and 4 touchdowns. This team is on a roll at the right time, as usual.
- (4) Denver Broncos (10-3) – The Broncos make it to the number two spot because of their eight game win streak which was extended with a 26-13 win over their rival Raiders. They now have a big matchup this week against the Baltimore Ravens, a team they will most likely see in the playoffs. So far Denver is 0-2 against AFC playoff teams with losses to the Patriots and Texans, so this game will be a true test of how good they really are.
- (1) Houston Texans (11-2) – The Texans fall to the number three spot after a dismal performance on Monday night’s game against the Patriots. Tom Brady exploited the numerous holes this team’s defense has especially in their secondary. The Texans now face a red hot Colts team, whom they must beat to hold onto a well needed home –field advantage in the playoffs.
Couch Side Podcast 39: Winter Meeting Mojo
The Couch Side gang dives into the MLB Winter Meetings in this week’s episode. Photo by: Steve Dean / Flickr
NBA Power Rankings (Week Six): Running of the Bulls
BY JORDAN WHEELER, Couchsideshow.com blogger
NBA Power Rankings (week six) are organized with this week’s ranking, the team and last week’s ranking in parenthesis.
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (2) - The Thunder continue to improve. Kevin Martin is basically giving the Thunder what James Harden did. I think their biggest weakness is their rebounding; Durant shouldn’t be their leading rebounder. They are hot, winning their last 8 games.
2. San Antonio Spurs (3) - San Antonio has won their last four games with a solid win against Memphis. They also have the best road record in the NBA with 10 wins already; the next best team on the road has seven wins.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (1) - The Grizzlies have lost two out of their last four games. They lost to San Antonio and Atlanta. Zack Randolph is ballin out of control, he could be in the MVP talk at the end of the year.
READ MORE: For rankings 4-8 and Western Conference teams on the bubble, visit Couch Side’s NBA Power Rankings Page
Eastern Conference
1. New York Knicks (1) - New York is for real, they were able to beat the Heat by 20 points without Melo. I only have one concern for the Knicks — they shoot a lot of three’s. They were the first team in the history of the league to attempt 40 three-pointers in 2 consecutive games. At some point, I think this could hurt them somewhere along the way.
2. Miami Heat (2) - Miami still sits at No 2 because of their loss to the Knicks. I still think that Miami is going to win the East, but they are getting everybody’s A game simply because they are the Champs. On a side note, D-Wade is starting to look old.
3. Atlanta Hawks (4) - Hotlanta is 9-1 their last 10 games. They have won three games in a row, and they sit half a game behind Miami in the Southeast Division. They will be a tough match up for anybody in the playoffs.
READ MORE: For rankings 4-8 and Eastern Conference teams on the bubble, visit Couch Side’s NBA Power Rankings Page
RG3 bringing the Redskins back in to relevance
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is finally the gunslinger all Washington fans have been waiting for. Photo by: Keith Allison / Flickr
BY TREVOR GOULD, Couchsideshow.com blogger
On Monday night, the chants echoed and reverberated around FedEx Field, rising louder and louder. “R-G-3, R-G-3, R-G-3!” The cacophonous din was aimed at rookie quarterback sensation Robert Griffin III (RG3), who had just capped off his first Monday Night Football appearance in a wildly entertaining victory over their heated division rival Giants. With his ever constant big play potential and athletic versatility, RG3 is managing to singlehandedly revitalize the Redskins football franchise, inspire its long-suffering fan base, and establish himself as one of the most electric young superstars in the game today.
So far in his brief career, RG3 has managed to post impressive rookie statistics, throwing for 2,660 yards and 17 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions in 12 games. Due to the fact he is a superfreak athlete, he has also garnered 714 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Yet the statistics are only half the real story.
RG3 has additionally captivated Washington fans and the sporting world was his amiable demeanor and natural leadership qualities, and coupled with his electric playing style, seemingly re-animated longstanding Redskins teammates and infused the team with a new sense of purpose and relevance. He was recently anointed a team captain by the Redskins veterans, signifying their high opinion of his maturity and poise. He’s down-to-earth and very polite in his media interviews and interactions with fans, and is aware of the immense pressure residing on his shoulders. (more…)
Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Four teams clinch playoff spots
BY SEAN SCHOONOVER, Couchsideshow.com NFL blogger
There are four weeks left of the 2012 NFL season; and Houston, New England, Denver and Atlanta have all claimed their spots in the postseason, with wins in week 13. With those four already in the playoffs there are now eight open playoff spots still to be redeemed. With that, here are your week fourteen NFL power rankings:
(Last week’s ranking), Team, (record)
- (1) Houston Texans (11-1)- The Texans wrapped up a playoff spot last week with a win over the Titans 24-10, but they have not secured the AFC South crown, yet. Their next matchup against the New England Patriots provides a lot of implication for the Texans securing that division crown as well as home field advantage in the playoffs.
- (2)Atlanta Falcons (11-1)- The falcons defense stepped up last Thursday night intercepting Drew Brees five times en-route to a 23-13 victory over the Saints. With the win Atlanta secured the NFC South title and can now put their sights onto home field advantage which can be awarded this weekend with a win over Carolina and losses by Chicago, Green Bay and San Francisco.
- (4) New England Patriots (9-3) – the Patriots win streak is now to 6, with a tough win over the Dolphins 23-16. The Patriots clinched the AFC East with the win. However, they now are fighting for the number 1 seed in the AFC, which will be put to the test Monday night against the (11-1) Houston Texans.
Click here to see the rest of Couch Side’s NFL Power Rankings
Jets dragging Tebow through the mud
BY WADE MCMILLIN, Couchsideshow.com editor
New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow has been abused and misused by his team this season. Photo by: sportiqe / Flickr
Just three years into his NFL career and it seems like a lot of people from around the league are already writing off quarterback Tim Tebow.
Obviously, there is the media who never thought he could be an NFL-caliber quarterback and football fans who never liked him in the first place, thinking Tebow doesn’t belong under center. But the worst offender of not giving this young man credit or a realistic chance to prove himself is his own team, the New York Jets. First the Jets traded for Tebow, giving his faithful an unrealistic hope that the 25-year-old actually might start if the team struggled this season.
It looked as if New York was serious and somewhat committed to Tebow. The hiring of offensive coordinator Tony Sparano seemed like it would be a blessing for Tebow because he has been known to be a fan of the Wildcat offense. The decline of Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez was also a lingering implication that left fans optimistic that Tebow would start at some point this season. (more…)
Couch Side Podcast Episode 38: BCS Special
BY Couchsideshow.com staff
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After a week off, the Couch Side podcast is back! Check out this week’s topics, which includes a review of an overly-exciting Week 14 of the NFL, a look at the BCS Bowl Games and the hosts dish out some fantasy football advice. Click below to start streaming, downloading or subscribing to the Couch Side Show podcast:
Click here to stream, download or subscribe Couch Side Podcast Episode 38: BCS Special via iTunes
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Can Russell Wilson continue to deliver?
Quarterback Russell Wilson started with N.C. State and then transferred to Wisconsin before landing in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. Photo by: akulawolf / Flickr
In a year that features two of the most productive rookie quarterbacks, there is a third that has been making noise. Can Seattle Seahawks’ rookie Russell Wilson continue to deliver?
Nobody is confusing Wilson for Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. In his past five games he has 11 touchdown and just one interception. Very impressive numbers.
In the for previous weeks, Wilson averaged just 205.3 yards. That has pretty much been his story this year as he has 10 games with fewer than 240 passing yards. Obviously, a low passing total like that doesn’t make fantasy owners happy.
This week against Chicago was a different story. Wilson tied his career-high with 293 yards against a tough Chicago Bears team. The fact that he helped knock off the Bears in Soldier Field makes the feat all that more impressive. Wilson also did an RG3 impersonation this week by running for a career-high 71 yards.
While Wilson hasn’t provided a ton of fantasy points on the ground, he has averaged 42.5 yards over the past four games. Wilson has yet to run for a touchdown. When you have a runner as effective as Marshawn Lynch, you’ll lose out on those one-year plunges. (more…)
