Arizona Premiere Sports

T.O. in Buffal-O…

Posted on March 8, 2009 by jmurph16

terrell-owens

As a 49er fan I got to see Terrell Owens act up front and personal for 8 seasons. The last few of which were very painful.

But as much as I don’t like the man T.O., I must say the player, Terrell Owens, still has some gas in the tank, and could propel the Bills into the playoffs and beyond.

Owens pairing with Lee Evans gives the Bills a 1-2 tandem that now ranks amongst the best in the league. With a maturing and very accurate Trent Edwards throwing them the ball and Marshawn Lynch carrying the ball (pending weapons charges) the Bills will put one of the more potent offenses in the league on the field week in and week out. They may even approach the lofty levels of the Jim Kelley/Thurman Thomas/Andre Reed squads of the early 90’s.

The wild card in this whole scenario of course is the alter ego T.O. Can he keep his ego in check, and will he mature (finally) to become a team player. One would think that a player who is now on his fourth team would come to the conclusion that not EVERYBODY can be wrong, and only he is right. But then again, this is T.O. we’re talking about.

I expect that Terrell Owens will put up a very good season this year. Along the lines of 85 catches, 1,200 yards, and 12 TD’s. That will be enough to help Buffalo secure a wildcard spot in a very strong AFC. Beyond that will make people question whether the risk of signing T.O. was worth the payoff – probably an early round exit from the playoffs.

Best of luck Buffalo. We’ll see you in the headlines. No doubt.

At ArizonaPremiereLiving.com, we don’t just talk about Phoenix real estate, but we talk about the things we have a passion for – like sports – and that’s the whole reason for ArizonaPremiereSports.com. For more information about us and the things we enjoy, check out our blog and visit our Arizona Premiere Living Resources Page and check out the Sports Resources section.

Filed under: Sports Commentary | Tagged: arizona sports blogs, Buffalo Bills, football, NFL, phoenix real estate, Terrell Owens | 3 Comments »

Arizona Cardinals Sign Warner, But Questions Still Remain

Posted on March 5, 2009 by azpremiere

Yesterday the Arizona Cardinals signed Kurt Warner to a 2 year $23 million deal, the bulk of which Warner will receive in the first year, and I for one am happy that he was re-signed because I think it is an important step in keeping the team itself together, but this signing brings up a big question: Is there a future role for Matt Leinart with the Arizona Cardinals.

Leinart is in an interesting position being stuck in the old ”can’t have the job unless he has experience but how can he gain experience unless he’s got the job” pickle, but also sitting on a Super Bowl season’s worth of ”classroom experience”. Where does he go from here? Matt Leinart has really exhibited some real skill on the field at times, but at other times he’s looked like a train-wreck. I’m not even going to get into his off-the-field antics – there’s plenty of photo evidence of that already – but let’s just say that he’s no Kurt Warner off the field either.

Leinart has been groomed as the future of the Cardinals – something I support – and has worked under the tuteledge of Kurt Warner for the last couple of seasons. I have to speculate, and would like to think that this sideline experience has benefitted him in a number of ways that make him not only a better physical QB, but a smarter and more confident one as well, but I wonder if this confidence is enough to motivate him to seek employment elsewhere.

Why wouldn’t he? Every game he sits on the bench, his stock goes down, the doubts about him rise, and I have to think that his confidence has to take a hit as well. He’s still young but he’s not getting any younger and he’s going to have to look for experience, and he may have to go wherever he can find it.

Like I said, I would support Leinart being the future of the Cardinals franchise, but I think he must leave town for his own good. As a business owner, that’s a tough thing for me to say because you’ve already poured so much time, energy and money into developing talent that it is such a shame to see it go un-used, but that is where I say that if Leinart is going to make a name for himself, it’s going to be in another city, and he ought to welcome it.

Filed under: Sports Commentary | Tagged: Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Premiere Living, arizona premiere sports, arizona sports blogs, Living in Arizona, phoenix real estate, sports, sports blogs, super bowl | Leave a Comment »

Smart move by Suns…

Posted on February 20, 2009 by jmurph16

alvin-gentry

Earlier this week the Suns put an end to what was a bad mistake. Namely the hiring of Terry Porter as head coach. And if they end up keeping Amare Stoudemire that will be their second good move.

Porter was a bad fit. Porter tried to bring in a slowed down half court game focused on feeding the ball to Shaq down low and playing stiff defense on the opposite end of the floor. But that type of style is not what fits the Suns talent base. The Suns best players are Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Jason Richardson. Guys who like to move up and down the court. Coaches who try to mold the players to a system usually fail. Those who identify players strengths and accentuate those strengths usually win.

A great example of that theory, albeit in a different sport, was Don Shula. When Shula won two Super Bowls with Miami in the early 70’s (including the perfect season of 1972) he had three excellent running backs in Larry Czonka, Mercury Morris, and Jim Kick. So what did the Dolphins do. They ran the ball. Bob Griese would average maybe 15 passes a game during those seasons. And they had Paul Warfield at receiver!

Then, in 1983 when the Dolphins drafted Dan Marino Shula was bright enought to change his system to a throwing offense. Marino would throw the ball 35-45 times a game. It would have been dumb, and a waste of talent, to have Marino handing the ball off 30 times a game.

In essence that was what Porter was doing with Steve Nash. Nash is not a half court pick and roll type of point guard like John Stockton. Nor is he a defensive specialist. So to ask him to change his style this late in his career is foolish. Go with his talents.

The Suns have too many good players to be relegated to the 8th seed in the Western Conference. In my opinion they should be a four seed. They may have dug themselves too deep a hole to rise to that level this season, but if they go back to the up tempo type of play they were known for a few years ago, I think they’ll be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

Smart move Suns.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Alvin Gentry, Amare Stoudemire, arizona sports blogs, Living in Arizona, Phoenix Suns, Shaq, Steve Nash | 1 Comment »

A-Rod and the Steroid Era…

Posted on February 13, 2009 by jmurph16

a-rod

For a while I was delusional. I wanted to believe Barry Bonds wasn’t a user. Maybe it’s my childish naivete. Maybe it’s that I like to believe the best of people and give them the benefit of the doubt. So when Barry was smokin’ balls out of the park at record breaking clips and putting up some of the best seasons ever, I thought he was just super human. Maybe, if one had personal trainers and dieticians and ’round the clock consultation, one could gain 25lbs of muscle at age 35 and defy age.

But then reality set in. And all the evidence began to stack up. Skepticism started to creep in, then take over. Then Giambi was caught doing it. Canseco kept ratting players out. Petitte admited to doing it. Tejada was nailed. Clemens. And a litinany of other players.

Now A-Rod. A-Rod. This was a guy I really respected and appreciated as a ballplayer. I never thought Alex Rodriguez would have ever done steroids. But there was over the weekend.

The only question left is, who’s next? At this point no one will shock me.

I still love the game. I just hate what’s been done to it. It’s really a shame. It’ll be hard to explain to my now 5 year old son as he grows up.

But then again, look at Wall St. Cheating just seems to be par for the course these days in our society.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t ruin everything we hold sacred. Like baseball.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: A-Rod, Alex Rodriguez, arizona sports blogs, baseball, phoenix real estate, steroids | Leave a Comment »

The Super Bowl Myth…

Posted on February 4, 2009 by jmurph16

super-bowl-trophy-2

Every year I hear someone mutter the inane comment, “all the Super Bowls are blow outs anyway, I just watch for the commercials”. Stated like a true NON-FOOTBALL fan. And the comment about the commercials….well, I could write an entire blog post alone about that ridiculous comment.

When one really has a history of the game one will note that there have been just as many exciting down to the wire games as there have been blow outs. In fact 13 Super Bowls have been decided by 7 points or less. 3 of these were tied in the last minute of the game. Only 11 games have been decided by 21 points (what I would consider a blow out) or more. The rest are somewhere in between.

If one examined statistics from the regular season I would surmise you would find similar results.

So next time you hear someone make an ignorant remark about Super Bowls all being blow outs you’ll be armed with statistical ammo to blow them away.

You can thank the guys at Arizona Premiere Sports.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: homes, Living in Arizona, phoenix, Real Estate, Scottsdale, super bowl | Leave a Comment »

Top 10 Super Bowls…

Posted on January 29, 2009 by jmurph16

lombardi-trophy

Every sports fan has got their favorite Super Bowl moments and Super Bowl games. Many will be biased because their favorite team was probably involved. This list is compiled as objectively as can be by a 49er fan. The criteria for the list are as follows: the game had to have significance OR was a thriller down to the end OR included something no other Super Bowl game had. Feel free to add your favorites or comment on ours.

So if the captains would please meet at mid field we’ll flip the coin and get this thing going:

1. Super Bowl I – Packers vs. Chiefs. May not have been a nail biter, may not have been that great of a game competitively speaking, but it was the first. It got the whole ball rolling. At that time the game was billed as the NFL/AFL Championship Game and didn’t even sell out the L.A. Colliseum. By the way, the Packers won 35-10.

2. Super Bowl III – Colts vs. Jets. Again, not necessarily the most competitive game but significant due to Joe Namath’s bold prediction, the fact the Jets were 19 point underdogs, and it was the first Super Bowl victory for the AFL. A huge step forward and an impetus for the NFL/AFL merger.

3. Super Bowl VII – Redskins vs. Dolphins. Fairly tight score, Dolphins 14-7, but the true importance of this game was that it was the crowning jewel to the Dolphins perfect season. Still not matched.

4. Super Bowl XXXVI – Rams vs. Patriots. Nail biters get a heavy nod in this list. The Patriots have been involved in a lot of them. But this was the first of their three Super Bowl victories, won on a last second Adam Viniatieri field goal. And who says field goal kickers don’t matter?

5. Super Bowl XXIII – 49ers vs. Bengals. I told you I was biased. But this was really the only close Super Bowl victory the 49ers had. And it exhibited Joe Montana at his coolest best. Hitting John Taylor for the game winning touchdown with only 39 seconds left, culminating an 89 yard drive was quintessential Joe.

6. Super Bowl X – Cowboys vs. Steelers. The two of the NFL in the 70’s met for the first time. This was the first Super Bowl I remember watching. And it was a great one. Hard fought, lots of exciting plays and two of the greatest catches not only in Super Bowl history but in the entire history of the NFL executed by Lynn Swann.

7. Super Bowl V – Cowboys vs. Colts. Kind of a sloppy game really (11 turnovers committed by the two teams) but that’s part of what makes it interesting. That and the fact that this one was also decided by a last second field goal by Jim O’Brien.

8. Super Bowl XLII – Giants vs. Patriots. Sad because I wanted to witness another perfect season. On the list because of that very fact, it was a nail biter, and it laid witness to one of the luckiest catches in Super Bowl history by David Tyree that kept the drive alive and allowed Eli Manning to hit Plaxico Burress for the game winning touchdown.

9. Super Bowl XXII – Packers vs. Broncos. This one is on the list because a.) it was a good competitive game and b.) because Elway finally won one. It was almost as if he willed his team to win. That and that fact that FINALLY Elway had a big time running back (Terrell Davis) to complement him.

10. Super Bowl XIII- Cowboys vs. Steelers. The rematch. And it didn’t let anyone down. This was a high scoring aerial assault. Swann and Stallworth were at their best and Roger the Dodger was still able to make things happen. Had Jackie Smith not dropped that pass in the end zone the outcome might have been different. But the Steelers were great. Pure and simple.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Anthem, arizona, blogs, Cardinals, football, lombardi trophy, NFL, Real Estate, Scottsdale, sports, Steelers, sunday, super bowl | Leave a Comment »

Greatest Super Bowl Team Ever…

Posted on January 22, 2009 by jmurph16

steelers

Ever since the NFL Network began airing (what’s that been a whole 3 years I believe) I’ve always enjoyed their series “America’s Game“. On this show they chronicle some of the greatest Super Bowl teams, breaking the season down through interviews with three of the key players and or coaches from that season.

Now, being a 49ers fan I am biased toward my team, but I have to admit that if I were to choose THE greatest Super Bowl team of all time it would have to be one of those Pittsburgh Steelers teams of the 1970’s. That team was not only one the greatest Super Bowl teams, but in mind the greatest TEAM of all time.

9 of the 22 starting players from that team have been inducted into the Football Hall of Fame (Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, Joe Green, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount, and John Stallworth). And these players all played together through all four Super Bowls they won.

I remember watching those Steelers teams of that era. No other team struck fear in their opponents like the Steelers. Not only was their defense always one of the tops in the league, but once they got Swanny and Stallworth they could kill you on the ground (with Franco and Rocky Blier) and in the air.

Chuck Noll began assembling the team in 1969 when he drafted the bedrock of the 70’s Steelers, Mean Joe Greene. The truly amazing part of that team, which probably will never be replicated due to free agency and the salary cap is that of those 9 Hall of Fame players mentioned above 8 of them played their entire career with the Steelers. Franco being the only one that played for another team. That continuity was no doubt one of the reasons, other than superb talent, why the Steelers were so good for so long.

The Packers of the 60’s, Niners of the 80’s, Cowboys of the 90’s, and the Patriots of the new millenium are the closest matches to the Steelers of the 70’s. But in my book the Steelers are the kings of kings in NFL folklore.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Arizona Cardinals, phoenix real estate, Pittsburgh Steelers, super bowl | 1 Comment »

Boy was I wrong!

Posted on January 19, 2009 by jmurph16

cardinals-photo

A few weeks ago, before the playoffs started I posted a blog here at Arizona Premiere Sports entitled, “Cardinals not ready for prime time.” Well, I’m a big enough man to admit when I was wrong. And in this case, I was terribly wrong. But who would’ve thunk it. I mean, at the time, the Cardinals were getting crushed by everyone. And as I noted in that post they were last in the league in rushing and not a very good run stopping defense. Somehow, someway, Ken Wisenhunt got them to turn on switch on both of those fronts. All of a sudden in the playoffs they could run the ball AND stop the run. And they gave Kurt Warner plenty of time to throw the ball. And when given time to throw Kurt Warner is very dangerous. But then again that can be said of most NFL quarterbacks.

Anyway, I’m not going to make a pick for the Super Bowl, although I will be rooting for the Cardinals. I pretty much always stick with the NFC team. Unless it’s Dallas or the NY Giants. And the only way I’d root for either one of those teams is if they were playing the Raiders.

So good luck Cardinals. And please accept my apologies for underestimating you guys. But I’m sure you know I was not the only one who did so.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Arizona Cardinals, NFC Championship, phoenix, Real Estate, super bowl | Leave a Comment »

Thankyou Tony Dungy

Posted on January 12, 2009 by azpremiere

Early word is that Tony Dungy will be stepping down from the head coaching position he’s held in Indianapolis for the last seven seasons, and though it’s a sad occasion for this Colts fan, I want to say, “Thankyou Tony Dungy”. I think there are probably lots of fans of the game (sports in general for that matter) who, if they thought about it, would be saying the same thing.

Sure, we hear all the great things that Tony did while he was the head coach in Indianapolis (and in Tampa Bay), but we should also thank him for what we didn’t hear about. We didn’t hear about any of his players violating the league’s policy on banned substances, no domestic abuse cases, no dogfighting rings, no drunk and disorderly charges, no self inflicted gunshot wounds to the leg or elsewhere, etc.

Tony has managed to carve out a positive image in a league where the line for role models is woefully short, and I hope that aspiring coaches can take a page out of Tony’s book.

People talk disparigingly about how soft-spoken Tony is and how reluctant he is to get in a player’s face and scream at him when he would every right to do so, and some people might think that makes him soft, but I’ve heard it described more appropriately that, if Tony needs to yell at you, then you d0 not belong on his team. He is a man who demands and deserves respect – every bit of which he receives, he most certainly is worthy.

Tony has also made a city, my home town, very proud. For years we were the team that got kicked around and when other teams would see the Colts on their schedule for next Sunday, they would breathe a sigh of relief. Then it was, “well, they’re pretty good, but they never win the big game”. Despite the disappointing playoff loss this season, things have certainly changed in Indianapolis. Now Colts fans do not walk around with chips on their shoulders.

To tie these concepts together and to try and wrap this up, I would say that Tony Dungy’s style worked especially well in Indianapolis because he epitomized that midwestern, small-town ideal of hard work and self-determination, and he was able to channel that and project it onto his team for those seven years, and it was right in line with what those fans wanted. I think midwestern folks have always wanted to win, but they have always wanted to win the right way, and Tony Dungy made that possible and then made it happen.

Again, it is likely that he will announce his retirement, but he is a man who is thanked by a grateful Colts fan, a grateful city, and should be thanked by a grateful league for his accomplishments both on and off the field. Thankyou Tony Dungy.

Filed under: Sports Commentary | Tagged: Arizona Premiere Living, arizona sports blog, coach, indianapolis colts, jim caldwell, phoenix real estate, retire, tony dungy | Leave a Comment »

Top 10 Sports Moments of 2008

Posted on January 6, 2009 by jmurph16

michael-phelps1

1. Michael Phelps wins 8 Gold Medals in the Summer Olympics – It’s rare in sports that expectation meets reality. Especially when it comes to the Olympics. And when you consider the feat that Michael Phelps pulled off over the summer, there was no room for error. It was win all 8 events or be considered a disappointment. Funny how our perception of things get so scewed sometimes, but those were the circumstances Michael Phelps was up against. And he delivered. No questions asked, this was THE top performance of 2008.

2. Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl – This event would not have ranked nearly so high if it weren’t for the fact that the Patriots were vying for the first perfect season since the Dolphins 1972 season. Add an improbable, impossible top of the helmet catch by Giants Wide Receiver David Tyree and you had one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history coupled with one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history.

3. Rocco Mediate challenges Tiger in the U.S. Open – Every hacker’s dream. Down to the final putt against Tiger. The only thing that would have made it unbelievable is if the heretofore unknown Rocco had won. But the mere fact that he challenged Tiger to the end embedded Rocco Mediate in the psyche of golf folklore forever.

4. Big Brown loses at the Belmont Stakes – The first serious Triple Crown threat in 30 years Big Brown blew away the competition in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The Belmont was supposed to be but a mere technicality in Big Brown’s quest for the coveted Triple Crown. The event would not have made the top 10 if it were for the magnitude of Big Brown’s defeat. After pulling up lame down the back stretch Big Brown finishes last. But Big Brown proved his gutsiness by just being out there on the track with a hairline fracture in his leg and a cracked hoof.

5. Usain Bolt shatters records at Olympics – Not only did Bolt win the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 4 x 100 meter relay at the Olympics, but he shattered the previous records in the process. All while styling and profiling. There’s fast, and then there’s FAST! Usain Bolt is FAST FAST. ‘Nuf said.

6. Devil Rays advance to the World Series – As much as I don’t like the worst to first phenomonem that has become professional sports over the last decade or so, the Devil Rays were an interesting story. After 10 seasons of pure ineptness the young Rays (I still call them the Devil Rays) put together one of those magical seasons and rode the fairy dust all the way to the big dance. The only thing that would have made the season that much more interesting is if the Devils had met the Angels in the ALCS. Armageddon!

7. Arizona Cardinals secure first Divisional Title since 1975- And speaking of ineptness. Our very own Cardinals were finally winners. The last time they won a title they were in an entirely different division, in an entirely different city, but with the same crappy ownership group. Maybe Kurt Warner can stir up some of the magic he mustered in St. Louis with the Rams, here in Phoenix with the team formerly from St. Louis. Eerry isn’t it?

8. Philadelphia Phillies win first MLB Championship since 1980 – The other young guns in the World Series the Phillies won their first championship since the days of Carlton, Schmidt, and yes, Pete Rose. And then the Philadelphia fans proceeded to boo the deposed Devil Rays during the celebration speech. Classy Philly. Classy!

9. Boston Celtics win first NBA Championship since 1986 – The world of the NBA seemed right again in ‘08 with L.A. and Boston meeting up in the Championship. Even though I can’t stand Kobe Bryant. I was glad to see Kevin Garnett win. Never one to feel sorry for multi-million dollar atheletes, I was still glad that Garnett got to experience life at the top after 10 seasons of also ran status in Minnesota. He’s a pretty good guy and a great player.

10. Detroit Lions go 0-16 – It’s almost as difficult to lose 16 games in an NFL season as it is to win 16 games. I mean with the spherical shape of the ball you’re bound to dumb luck your way into at least one win. But I guess even dumb luck wasn’t on the side of the Lions this season. Actually, I was hoping the Dolphins would pull off the feat in ‘07 to become the only franchise to ever have an undefeated season AND a winless season. But alas, it was not to be.

Filed under: Top Ten Lists | Tagged: 2008 top sports moments, baseball, golf, horses, olypmics, sports, super bowl, track, world series | Leave a Comment »