The Greatest Haircuts in Sports

       J.R. Smith, a seven year veteran in the NBA, was signed by the New York Knicks in the past week to put another scoring option into the mix with Jeremy Lin, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony. Smith signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout and failed to put an opt-out clause in his contract, which meant that he would have to play for the entire Chinese season before he could come back to the United States and the NBA. J.R. Smith was an All-Star in the CBA, with his best performance coming against the Qingdao DoubleStar, in which he scored 60 points in a Zhejiang victory.
       Smith is back playing basketball in the Western Hemisphere and ironically, is playing with one of China's favorite players in Lin. In his return, J.R. Smith received a lot of attention from both his 15-point performance and ridiculous haricut.

Courtesy of http://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/j-r-smith-crazy-haricut-pictures/117871

       Smith's new hairdo prompted me to think of some of the other unusual and unique haircuts in professional sports.

• Troy Polamalu--Pittsburgh Steelers Safety

       Polamalu has one of the most reocognizable and marketable hair styles in all of professional sports. He's not too shabby of a defensive back either with over six-hundred career tackles, seven Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro selections, and two Super Bowl rings to weigh down his fingers. He only lets his hair out for NFL games and yes, he has been tackled by his hair before.

Courtesy of http://www.lemondrop.com/2010/08/31/troy-polamalu-hair/

• Tim Tebow--Denver Broncos Quarterback

       This catastrophe took rookie hazing to a whole new level. Take a former Heisman Trophy winner, National Champion, first round draft pick, and one of the most beloved sports figures of modern times and turn him into a monk, which is very fitting when you consider his religious beliefs. Tebow accepted his fate and set the new standard for rookie hazing.

Courtesy of http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5446619

• Julius Erving--Virginia Squires/New York Nets/Philadelphia 76'ers Shooting Guard

Courtesy of http://www.eanext.com/hairstyles/tag/2009-men-hairstyle

       Dr. J was one of the few players to be a star in both the ABA and NBA. He sported an inconic 'fro and was an innovative dunker, as he was one of the first players to attempt dunks from the free throw line.

• Brandon Jennings--Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard

Courtesy of http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Worth-a-second-look-Brandon-Jennings-Kid-N-Pl?urn=nba-212074

Courtesy of http://niketalk.yuku.com/topic/236171

Courtesy of http://dardamedia.com

        A former McDonald's All-American, Brandon Jennings was the first American player to play in the NBA without going to college since the league enforced its new policy. Instead of playing at the University of Southern California or the University of Arizona, Jennings headed to Italy to play for Lottomatica Roma. After one season overseas, Brandon Jennings came back to the United States and was drafted by the Bucks. His hair style has changed frequently in his short career and each one is completely different from its predecessor.

• Chris "Birdman" Andersen--Denver Nuggets Forward

Courtesy of http://bleacherreport.com/articles/783355-20-most-ridiculous-haircuts-in-sports

         Not only does the "Birdman" have one of the most unique haircuts in sports, he has one of the most unusual overall appearances as well. Andersen was undrafted out of Blinn College, but was able to build enough of a reputation overseas to make it to the NBA D-Leauge. He started with the Nuggets, jumped from team to team and ended up back in Denver. Andersen has dealt with substance abuse, but has overcome them to remain in the NBA.

• Latrell Sprewell--Minnesota Timberwolves Shooting Guard

Courtesy of http://izismile.com/2012/01/10/laughable_haircuts_of_athletes_25_pics-12.html

       While Sprewell is best known for choking his coach P.J. Carlesimo and various other altercations with teammates, he did have one of the most embarassing haircuts for a professional athlete. Latrell Sprewell was an excellent scorer, but his hairdo was not intimidating anyone.

•  Dennis Rodman--Chicago Bulls Forward

Courtesy of http://sigalonoddities.soup.io/tag/Fail

       Dennis Rodman was a key contributor for the Chicago Bulls during their NBA Championships in the 90's and was one of the best defenders in the league at the time, as well as an all-time great rebounder. He had serious mood swings and his hair often portrayed his emotions at the time.

From the Press Box 1.16.12

5 Takeaways from the Weekend

1. The Packers affirmed what we learned from the '07 Patriots. It's not about being the best team during the regular season in the NFL, it's about being the best team at the end of the season. I would go so far as to say that the Giants are the best team in the league right now. They're playing and winning very similarly to when they won the Super Bowl, so I wouldn't be surprised if they make it back there again.

2.  There's this really good quarterback named Tom Brady. I don't know if many of you have heard about him because of the never-ending Tebow hype, but Brady was the real quarterback in Foxboro. I'm not anti-Tim Tebow. I admire his leadership as a young player, his religious faith, and ability to respond to adversity, but I think he has a limited future in the NFL. In case anyone forgot, this was his first full season in the league, which means that opposing teams had extremely little film to study and absolutely no experience with his play style. This game was over within the first ten minutes, 14-0. Brady tied the playoff record for most passing touchdowns in a game by halftime. If Bill Belichick had Brady go 100% in the second half, he could have doubled the record! Tebow got his playoff win over the Steelers at home, but that was against a banged up Ben Roethlisberger and a Pittsburgh defensive coaching staff that decided they wouldn't change their approach despite Tim Tebow's long pass completions.

The New England Patriots were in the bottom two defenses in the league during the regular season, so one would think that Tebow would have increased chances of putting up big numbers on Saturday. Well that was a whiff of a prediciton if there ever was one. 9-26, 136 yards with no touchdowns passing and five rushes for thirteen yards with his longest run being for fourteen yards.

3. The last four minutes of the 49'ers vs. Saints game may have been the most exciting four minutes ever of a football game. Luckily for me, I was only able to watch the last ten minutes of the game. I turned on the TV to San Francisco leading 20-17. It blows my mind how the teams were able to be sound defensively for most of the game and practically double the score in the final four possessions. Alex Smith matched Drew Brees throw for throw in the fourth quarter.

Guess what? Alex Smith is not a bust.

I know no one ever dreamt of speaking those words but stranger things have happened. Give the guy some credit. Seven offensive coordinators in the same number of years. All he needed was a good coach like Jim Harbaugh to put all of his eggs in the Alex Smith basket and give him the support he needed. If the 49'ers win, Smith is playing in the Super Bowl. Mark Sanchez has never done that. Joe Flacco has never done that. Philip Rivers has done that. Even if San Fran loses its next game, he will still get a multi-year contract and try to repeat this season's success in the future.

It's pretty incredible that New Orleans was able to stay competitive against such a good defense like San Francisco when they turned the ball over five times. Brees was still on the doorstep of 500 passing yards in the game but it's next to impossible to win on the road when the home team gets that many gifts. If the Saints can improve on defense while Brees is still in his prime, they can make another run at the Super Bowl.

4. I wouldn't want to face the Ravens' D. Ed Reed. Ray Lewis. Terrell Suggs. I don't know about you but typing those names is making me curl up in a ball in the corner of my room and hide under a blanket. Baltimore's defense is filled with big-time playmakers and heavy hitters that would make me not want to face them in the playoffs. Two fourth quarter interceptions, plus two forced fumbles on special teams. New England better hold onto the ball next weekend or at least score enough that turnovers don't matter.

5. As much as I like Indiana's basketball team, they are not the same team on the road. First with their loss last month on the road in East Lansing against then #17 Michigan State and then on Sunday at Ohio State. A 74-70 win at home is lightyears different from an 80-63 loss on the road. At a neutral court I would take, Ohio State by about ten. IU should be a three of four seed in the tournament unless they win the majority of their ranked opponents, in which case, they'll be a two seed. The Hoosiers are definitely a threat and I would favor them in most matchups, but I think the nation has gotten ahead of itself slightly on the Hoosiers bandwagon. We'll find out in March how good Tom Crean's squad really is and if the Assembly Hall Hoosiers can play the same way outside of their own arena.

The NFL Has Forced Pittsburgh's Harrison's Hand

            It seems like James Harrison is fined by the NFL every other week for some form of illegal contact, whether it's roughing the passer, leading with his helmet on a tackle, or coming in late on a play. He's paid literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for numberous hits, including ones on Drew Brees, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Colt McCoy, Mohamed Massaqoui, and Josh Cribbs. I don't know if Harrison has a personal vendetta against the Browns or simply elevates his game to the next level against a division rival, but he seems to run into the most trouble when Pittsburgh plays Cleveland. The NFL has even gone as far as suspending him for future games.

          Courtesy of http://www.visualcrack.info/league-is-selling-photos-of-james-harrisons-illegal-hit-on-mohamed-massaquoi.html

            Let me make this clear, the NFL has made the right decisions by enforcing its rules that protect quarterbacks and helpless receivers coming across the middle. There have been far too many concussion-related incidents that can not only end a player's career but cause serious psychological issues in the player's future off the field.

   Courtesy of http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/james-harrisons-hit-on-colt-mccoy-draws-attention/2011/12/09/gIQAz539hO_blog.html

            In typical James Harrison fashion, the Steelers linebacker was involved in a play that would make a weak-stomached fan squeamish. In the first half, Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker, Tim Tebow's favorite target this season (which means the Decker is targeted about three times per game), caught a pass from Tebow that sent him straight into a death trap. Decker was sandwiched between two Pittsburgh defenders, one of whom was Harrison. Roger Goodell and the NFL can pat themselves on their collective back--Harrison seems to have finally learned his lesson. He could have hit Decker high, sending the wide receiver spiralling up in the air, and he would have regained consciousness two weeks later in a hospital bed. However, the NFL has an equally dangerous situation on its hands--hitting players low. Harrison went low, deciding that he had written enough checks to the league, and hit the outside of Eric Decker's knee with his helmet and shoulder. Decker dropped the would-be completion and was visibly in serious pain. He was helped off the field and taken straight to the locker room. The Broncos announced that Decker has a sprained MCL and will be out for the rest of the playoffs.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/01/08/broncos.eric.decker.ap/index.html

            I guess risking injury to the knee is the lesser of two evils when compared to risking injury to the head and neck, but it is still a scary predicament that the NFL is in. I wouldn't be surprised if Decker is not back to being completely healthy by next season. But under the current rules, this is the type of injury that will become much more prevalent as the league cracks down on hits to the upper half of the body. The NFL has limited options to protect players from bad hits to their legs--fining hits to the knee will start to ruin the game that so many players and fans love if linebackers can only aim for opposing players' shoelaces and belly buttons to avoid penalties, fines, and suspensions. I'm not sure what the next step is to keep players healthy and not handcuff defenses too much, but there will be more Eirc Decker-like injuries if the NFL doesn't find a solution soon.

Keys to the Bears vs. Broncos Game

            Tim Tebow's impressive 6-1 record this season as a starter will be tested when he faces the Chicago Bears in Denver today. Tebow will have the hardest time scoring today out of any regular season game this season, but the Broncos will have great chances at winning.

Keys to the Game:
Bears: Force turnovers on defense, getting good field position on special teams, have a double-digit lead going into the fourth quarter, scoring on defense/special teams
Broncos: Don't turn the ball over, put pressure on Caleb Hanie, keep the game close in the first three quarters
           
            The Bears defense has wreaked havoc this season, intercepting sixteen passes, forcing eleven fumbles, and recovering nine of them. Tebow will have more pressure than ever to play smart. The few times he throws he will have to place the ball in places where only his receivers can catch the ball. When he scrambles, he'll have to hold onto the ball very tightly because Chicago is the best team in the league at stripping the ball. With Chicago's top two offensive players, Matt Forte and Jay Cutler, out with injuries, the Bears will need the defense to give them the best field position possible so that they can settle for field goals if they can't put the ball in the endzone. Caleb Hanie has struggled in the two games that he has played, completing less than half of his passes. His touchdown to interception ratio is 1:3, throwing three picks in both games. As we saw last year in the playoffs, Hanie does have the ability to perform well, we just haven't seen it in 2011. He may need a few games under his belt to get warmed up, but if that is not the case, a defensive touchdown would be critical to the Bears winning the game. If there was ever a game where Chicago needs  Devin Hester to be a big-time playmaker it's today. If he can get to a least the Bears own forty yard line a two or three times on kickoffs, Chicago will have a much shorter field to work with and will take some of the pressure off of Caleb Hanie. The Chicago Bears will need to have at least a two score lead going into the fourth quarter because of Tim Tebow's ability to lead the Broncos to comeback victories.  The longer the Bears hold onto the ball in the fourth quarter and the more they slow the game down, the less time Tebow will have to put together a potential game-winning drive.

Courtesy of http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/6ilGKu3ghRf/Houston+Texans+v+Denver+Broncos/QxLpplhlnIb/Tim+Tebow

            I think that the Chicago Bears will play the Broncos very tough and Tebow will have one of his worst statistical games this season. Chicago's offense is missing too much of its firepower and will struggle offensively. Caleb Hanie will have his best game this season, throwing for 200 yards, 2 touchdowns, and one interception. The Bears will force three turnovers and have one defense or special teams touchdown. However, the Broncos defense will keep the game close in the first three quarters so that Tebow can win the game in the fourth. Denver Broncos win 24-20 over the Chicago Bears in a close game at Denver.

Monday Night Football: Week 11

Courtesy of http://bleacherreport.com/articles/913212-tim-tebow-sparks-awesome-tebowing-craze-you-must-include-in-your-daily-routine Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

                     If the Denver Broncos manage to beat the New York Jets tonight, I will officially jump on the Tebow bandwagon. I'll buy a Tim Tebow jersey, donate my life savings to his charity, buy a fathead of Tebow, tattoo his number on my bicep, and then spend an hour of my day "Tebowing" in the direction of Denver. Maybe tonight's game against the Jets isn't a good measuring stick for how good Tebow is, or the Broncos are as a team. The Jets are barely above five-hundred but are still making the ridiculous claims of past years that they are "Super Bowl contenders." It amazes me how Tebow, despite being 6 for 15 passing for 69 yards and only 11 rushing yards, is able to keep his team within three points of the Jets and have the ball in the fourth quarter. I don't know what's in Tebow's water, but whatever it is, count me down for a glass, because #15 is a natural winner.

Top NFL Plays of Week 10



3. Yesterday in the Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs game, half of Tim Tebow's completions were touchdowns. Considering that he only had two completions make that stat much less impressive, but nonetheless, I think he deserves credit for his sole passing touchdown after lulling the Chiefs' secondary to sleep in a game that featured fifty-five Broncos rushing plays. In the fourth quarter, while the Broncos were only up by three points, Tebow connected with wide receiver Eric Decker for a fifty-six yard score. I give props to Decker for his salute to the American troops in honor of Veterans Day even though the officials did not agree. He was flagged for excessive celebration.


Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/extramustard/hotclicks/11/14/catrinel-menghia-eric-decker-penalized-for-saluting-to-troops/?xid=cnnbin 

2. Chicago Bears speedster Devin Hester scored his third touchdown return of the year against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. As so many great special teams plays often start, Hester bobbled the punt, but doing so caused the Lions punt team to overcommit on Hester, allowing him to run to the outside and sprint down the sideline virtually untouched for his 12th punt return touchdown of his career. What was most impressive about his touchdown is that he returned the punt while he had an unspecified sickness. I would hate to be the opposing team when he's completely healthy!

Courtesy of  http://www.suntimes.com/sports/morrissey/8813736-419/why-teams-still-kick-to-the-bears-devin-hester-is-a-mystery.html

 1. Easily the most spectacular play from last Sunday was Kansas City wide receiver Jonathon Baldwin's catch, that ended up not counting because of a penalty on the play. Matt Cassel underthrew Baldwin, who was streaking down the field, and then amazingly, Baldwin caught the ball blindly behind the back of Broncos saftey Brian Dawkins. Baldwin went down with both the ball and Dawkins, but his efforts were nullified by the penalty.

 Couresy of http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/13/jonathan-baldwin-catch-chiefs-broncos-dawkins_n_1091370.html