Place your Bets!

No, this isn't about March Madness. Sports betting has been a hot topic of debate over the last few months in my home state of New Jersey. The aftermath resulted in NCAA withdrawing 6 events the were originally played in New Jersey venues this year including a Div. 1 Women's basketball regional. This also removed the Prudential Center and IZOD Center from the list of NCAA potential event sites for future use. With a recent court decision going in the NCAA's favor. The NCAA reversed the ban — but the damage has already been done in form lost revenue the these events would brought.
  For those who don't the history, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 allows for 4 states (Nevada, Montana, Oregon, & Delaware) to have some form of sports betting (sportsbook) or lotteries and had a provision clause for New Jersey to enter by January 1, 1993. The New Jersey Assembly failed to get a bill passed by the deadline and really didn't show much interest pursuing the matter over the last 20 years.
So why now? Overall the "why" has to with New Jersey's financial crisis and steady decline of (let's be honest... dying) the state's casino and horse racing industries. Allowing sportsbooks in Atlantic City casinos and or at race tracks like Monmouth and the Meadowlands certainly could breathe new life and create jobs on top of the revenue.
 There's no guarantee however that New Jersey would have the same kind of success that Nevada has enjoyed for decades. In 2009 Delaware passed a law that allowed for betting on all sports. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA filed a lawsuit stating that the Delaware law violated federal law. The US Supreme Court ruled that the Delaware law only partially violated the federal law and when it was all said and done Delaware's sportsbooks could only bet on NFL games which in 2011 only netted the state a whooping 4.4 million dollars(That hardly seems worth it).
 While New Jersey is trying to save 2 industries, they're possibly handicapping (no pun intended) others. While I don't see the NFL taking next year's Superbowl away it certainly could affect future considerations. The NCAA has made it perfectly clear that they aren't a fan and a prolonged ban on NCAA events for New Jersey venues would especially hurt the Prudential Center and the IZOD Center in long run as they compete with Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center for sporting events.  In 2011 Newark made well over 15 million dollars because of March Madness alone that was a huge boost to local businesses. With the Nets now in Brooklyn, and shortened NHL season due to the lockout that's a lot of lost $$ on top of an estimated loss of 6 million dollars after being removed from the list of host sites for the 2014 & 2015 NCAA Men's basketball tournaments. New Jersey arenas cannot afford to lose that kind of money or ground.
  It's estimated that 380 billion dollars is made yearly on illegal sports betting. With the economy the way it is right now most states (not just New Jersey) trying to find ways to bring in money that don't include raising taxes. Sports betting seems to be a option for a lot of state legislatures right now and have been watching to see how New Jersey fares in the courts. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA can't be short sided to see that much of the infrastructure they make their money from is comes from state and local governments footing the bills for the stadiums and arenas which teams play.  Let's be honest they ain't fooling anyone with "fantasy sports" either and sooner later they are going to have to share their profits.

Not your Average Victim: The Nets Fire Avery Johnson

News came out yesterday that Brooklyn Nets fired Avery Johnson. Johnson started the season out 11-4 and was named Eastern Conference "Coach of the Month" in November. December wasn't so kind – as the Nets have gone 3-10 so far with some big losses to the Knicks and Celtics.
The Nets made some great moves in the off season, but the results have been mixed on the court. While I laugh maniacally at the Nets sufferings, I am sad to see Johnson go. I've always liked him as a coach and was glad when the then New Jersey Nets signed him.
The Nets expectations this season might be a little overblown considering their recent history. At this point in time last season the Nets were 1-3. In the 2010-11 season the Nets were 9-24. In 09-10 the team was 3-29. 14-14 sounds like progress to me, and it would be if they were still playing in Newark.  But with the move to Brooklyn it was apparent the stakes were much higher. With a bigger market comes bigger pressures. 14-14 might have been good for the New Jersey Nets, but it's not acceptable for the Brooklyn Nets. ESPN, and other media outlets might have been praising Johnson for his work to get the New Jersey Nets to 14-14, but he's getting fired by the Brooklyn Nets because their 14-14.

Seeing Red! Why moving to the Big Ten might not be the best idea for Rutgers

News broke yesterday that Rutgers University is expected to accept an invitation to join the Big Ten Conference. While this sounds like great news, I'm a little hesitant to jump for joy.
   Let me preface this post by saying this... I didn't go to Rutgers (my sister did!), but I have been a long time fan and follower of all things Scarlet Knights since my youth. I remember watching SNY Commentator Ray Lucas when he was QB and when games were on NJN. I remember when Bob Wenzel was coach of the men's basketball team and watching them get trounced by John Calipari and Marcus Camby UMass teams when they played in the A10. I like most New Jeseryans have reveled in the success of women's basketball program the the resurgence of the football program over the last decade.
  Joining the Big Ten would certainly raise the profile of the school and would have a definite financial benefit.  But I think the Big Ten is a bit stretch for Rutgers. The level of competition is much higher than the Big East. The Big East was once a power house in football with teams like Miami, Va Tech, and Boston College. But when they moved onto the greener pastures of the ACC – the steady decline of the Big East football  has allowed RU to look better by comparison. I'm not just talking about on the field. The Big Ten and it schools have made a killing in college sports as a "business". I can't see Rutgers competing with the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State and their billion dollar endowments to update facilities, provide staffing, coaching, recruiting, marketing, etc. in order to run their athletic programs effectively.
 It's also a stretch regionally. The Big Ten is a midwestern conference plain and simple. With Maryland joining the Big Ten as well, Rutgers wouldn't be the only east coast team, but they'd be spending more time traveling with the exception of the occasion trip out State College, PA or College Park, MD.    
Rutgers joining the ACC makes better sense if the option were available. You'd be able to keep traditional rivalries with Pitt and Syracuse going to the ACC and renewal old ones with BC, Miami, Va Tech. Not mention you add Clemson, Florida State, UNC, which provides you with stronger competition and schedule not just in football, but basketball as well with Duke.
 But it always comes down to $$$. The Big Ten provides better security in the long run, and the fact they want expand their brand to the NY market makes them and Rutgers perfect partners.

Jets can't fly straight... Maybe it's time for a breathalyzer

The off season for the Jets was simple. Rebuild the O-line at Right Tackle. Tweak D-Line with Pass Rushers at DE and NT. Fix the Secondary at Safety. Get a # 2 WR, and get a back up for Sanchez.
When Peyton Manning signed on Tuesday I knew Tebow would be a Jet by Wednesday.  So when my friend called me yesterday telling me what the Jets had done, I wasn't surprised.
No Peyton, no Problem. They signed Sanchez to a contract extension. They sign Drew Stanton, okay someone to give Sanchez a little more competition, but not much. Rumors have it that Jets think that Tebow could have a positive effect in a divided locker room, which I agree to a certain extend is good. But if Jets wanted that they would just hired a chaplain.
So are they sending a message to Sanchez... IMO not really. Many reports came out about the Jets coddling Sanchez, and apparently signing Stanton wasn't enough to silence his detractors. So why not Tebow!? He'll give Sanchez the run for his money. The key word there is "Run"  According to reports the Jets plan on using him in Wildcat much like they did with Brad Smith, but unlike Brad Smith , Tebow is an established threat that keeps defenses honest. And if the Jets can return to the ground and pound having Tebow their only strengthens their efforts. If anything they are sending a message to Santonio Holmes..."If you think you didn't get the ball enough last year. You'd better count you blessing when you do see it this year"

Of course this is all conjecture and hearsay from Jets fan that's in denial.

My Mom reads this blog, GLOW, March Madness, Mets, Jets, and other Quick Hits

I've come up for air. We've just finished a major equipment upgrade at work and there's a lot of sports news to cover so I'm gonna do a some quick hits:
 My Mom Reads my Blog...
The Internet is an amazing thing. My mom told me last Sunday that she reads my blog. I don't know whether to be scared or proud.
Tate-Rousey=GLOW???
 I've been catching some friendly ribbing from friends about my posts on Strikeforce's Tate-Rousey fight a few weeks ago. A Guy at church on Sunday stopped me and asked if I remembered GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) from the 80's as in reference to the fight. I showed my age and that fact that I watched way too much TV as a kid (BTW Rob B. Hollywood and Vine, Broadway Rose, and Palestina were my favs). But I stated that the difference between the two is that Strickforce is real and GLOW was not. In the world we live in, it's easy to dismiss women as serious athletes in sports like boxing or MMA. Even in the testosterone filled steroid  dominated world of fakeness that is pro-wrestling you got women who take their craft seriously like Sara Del Rey, Beth Phoenix, and Madison Eagles.
March Madness 
It's the most wonderful time of the year... The Brackets are flowing, time to be of good cheer, something, something. So far I'm 3 for 4 on Brendon Loy's Living Room Times annual NCAA pool. But it's not how you start, it's how you finish , and this year Dokesy needs Kansas to win baby.... Cause I was bored, and when I'm bored I'm up for anything. And when I'm up for anything... I make stupid bets with friends... that might end up with me buying Subway Series tickets, plus food and drink if I lose big. Knowing my history with gambling I should start saving now.
 Mets News
The dominoes are falling, and it's going to a another hard year in Metville. My friend said that Wilpon was going to have to pay and he was right. Speaking of Wright. Dave Wright is hurt. Not news I wanted to hear. The good news is that should I lose to My friend in March Madness bet good seats at Citi Field will be cheap. Bad News is should my and I both lose to his lovely wife... We'll be taking to the 4 train (or Metro-North) to Yankee Stadium. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!
Jets News 
Gang Green has a lot work to do this off season. There are a lot of holes to fill if they are going to get this team back to being contenders again. Safety, O-line, D-Line, and WR are their biggest needs. No Peyton. No problem. The Jets extended Mark Sanchez for another 3 years, but they need make him work a little. They have to put last year behind them and move forward.
The Nets and NBA trade deadline
Today is the day. Does Dwightmare end or will there be a sequel in the summer. Regardless what the the experts say. I think that the Nets don't have the pieces right now to get Howard. I've been hoping for the last week that they get Micheal Beasley for Minny, that would Deron Williams happy for the rest of the season.

How the Bad Girl won, and other observations from the March 3 Strikeforce Card

All I can say is "Wow". Rousey talked the talk, walked the walk, and now she's Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion. Was I surprised by the outcome? Absolutely not! Her Olympic pedigree  was nothing to scoff at over her MMA record.  Did she deserve the fight? My answer is still no. But considering the road that might lie ahead in Strikeforce's future, I'm glad she got the opportunity now, because she because the opportunity might not have been there a year from now. More on my ominous signs of doom later...
Lets talk about the rest of the card.
Couture vs Huen
This was one of my top 3 fights of the under card. Ryan Couture continues to impress me. Nuff said

Fodor vs Healy
This ranked #2 fight on the under card. The way it was presented, was that this was a tune up fight for Fodor. Things started out well for Fodor, but mid way through the 2nd round Healy's clinch fight game wore him down. Healy  got the submission in the 3rd

Sailing vs. Bowling
 I was rooting for Sailing, but I thought something was a little off about him. It turn's out he might be a white supremacist. EPIC FAIL to Strikeforce for not picking that up if it's true.


Kaufman vs Davis
 My # 1 fight of the under card. I was expecting Sarah Kaufman's stand up vs. Alexis Davis's ground game. What I saw was a 3 round slugfest. I felt Davis might have won if she could have finished off Kaufman with a submission when she had her on the ground. Kaufman will get her title shot against Rousey, but I'm not liking Sarah's odds when it happens (see Miesha Tate's arm)

Main Card


Souza vs Marunde
This was a tune up fight for Souza plain and simple

Smith vs Sayers
 This one is in my top 3 of the main Card. Sayers fights never get beyond the first round win or lose. But Sayers could not have won in a more spectacular fashion than he did against Smith with a back body drop slam in to a guillotine choke submission in the first round

   Daly vs Misaki
  Also in the my Top 3. Daly looking to advance in his career by taking on Japanese legend Kazuo Misaki. Daly's fights have been hit of miss for me. Misaki nickel and dimed Daly's to point of confusion. Daly had to move away from his normal stand up to actually to trying using a ground game to gain some advantage over Misaki, that didn't work. Despite Daly's crying after the match he it was clear to me that he didn't win.


Thomson vs Noons
 What was suppose to be the fight of the night before the main event, was the most lack luster showing of both the cards. Noons should just stick with being a pro boxer, while he's put on good shows in the past with his stand up. I haven't seen improvement in his takedown defense, because Thomson was controlling him the entire fight. Thomson post fight interview pretty much summed up my feelings... It was "$#!+"

Overall this was a great card, but like many I believe that this the beginning of the "Strikeforce Farewell" tour. With Zuffa (the parent company of UFC) now owners of Strikeforce. Over the last 7 years Zuffa has bought out the competition (PrideFC, WEC, and now Strikeforce) and integrated them into the huge machine that is UFC. They plan to ride out the contract with Showtime for the rest of the year, but after that's it's anyone's guess. Cue ominous signs I pointed to earlier.

Rousey vs Tate: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

I'm a MMA fan. I occasionally order a UFC PPV when I think the card is good, but I primarily watch StrikeforceFC (recently purchased by UFC) cards because the are the more interesting and accessible. Strikeforce is unique for a two reasons. As major networks started to realize the marketing potential MMA events, Stikeforce (formerly known as EliteFC) was one of the first to break prime time TV with CBS a few years ago. Second it's one of the only prominent MMA promotions that has a women's division.  Flash forward to March 3, Strikeforce's second event of 2012 and the main event features Miesha "Takedown" Tate vs "Rowdy"Ronda Rousey.

The Good 

Miesha Tate

Ronda Rousey

Not since the Cyborg vs Carano bout back in 2009, has a women's match gotten such hype to be the main event. They've had huge Twitter war going for months, which has even caught the eye of their new boss Dana White. They've talked ish about each other on just about every form on media possible. With Tate's wrestling background and Rousey's bronze medal winning Judo, everyone is expecting this fight to be on the ground.






The Bad

Sarah Kaufman

 Rousey shouldn't be in this match. The person that should fighting is former champ Sarah Kaufman (who's fighting in the under card the same night). Rousey has a professional MMA record of 4-0. Add her amateur record and she's 7-0 (all by submission), which in my in mind is hardly deserving of title match. Kaufman boasts 14-1 record. Her only loss was Marloes Coenen. Since losing the title back in 2010 she has won her last 2 matches. She and Tate have a history (She beat Tate in her Strikeforce debut, and Tate has wanted to even the score). Pound for pound, Kaufman is one of the best fighters out there and she deserves a shot to get her title back.

 The Ugly
So why are seeing Tate vs. Rousey instead of Tate vs. Kaufman II? The simple answer is "She who barks loudest and talks the most ish gets seems get a shot at the belt." When it comes to talking ish, Rousey has spared no expense to run off at the mouth at every opportunity possible. Since coming to Strikeforce, her words have been less than complimentary to her fellow fighters through websites, Twitter, Facebook, chat shows, you name it and she ain't making any friends. In her own words Rousey primarily pushed for this fight because sex sells and she and Tate are the more attractive women in the promotion. Somewhere some Strikeforce higher ups maybe looking to make an impression with the UFC bought into that premise and booked the match. Now, I'm not trying to hate on Rousey. I've watched her matches, read, or listened to her interviews since she has come to Strikeforce. If women's MMA needs someone to wear the "black hat", then Rousey is your woman.
But, I've also seen Sarah Kaufman, and it seriously bothers me that she's fighting in the under card rather than title bout with Tate. It's pretty much understood that anyone who is participates in any form of combat sports, whatever attractiveness or handsome qualities they might have can be taken away with one good punch or kick to the face. The men's divisions aren't weighed or measured by the attractiveness of the male fighters (at least from a guy's perspective). In fact we like to see the guys with scars and busted up faces, because it makes them look more menacing. So why is it that the this main event title bout is driven not solely on the merits of the competitors, but their sex appeal. Kaufman is the better fighter for this match, but apparently not the marketable one for a main event, and that makes me sad. What's worse is that I have no doubt in my mind that if Tate vs. Kaufman II were to happen on this card or down the road it wouldn't be a main event.