By now, I’m sure all of you have heard that Brett Favre is mulling yet another return to the NFL. It seems like this has become a yearly event, and frankly, I’m sick of hearing about it. But with all the stories about Favre surfacing, it’s clear that he still commands a lot of interest and respect from the media and fans.
The latest rumors have the 39-year-old quarterback contemplating a comeback with the Minnesota Vikings, a huge rival of Favre’s old team, the Green Bay Packers. I wonder if Favre is just trying to stick it to his old bosses, or if the fire to compete is really there.
Anyway, for Gator fans who like to keep tabs on players who make it to the next level, the question is, would having Favre in a Viking uniform benefit or hurt rookie receiver Percy Harvin?
On the surface, it would seem pretty evident that the veteran quarterback’s presence could only help Harvin along. Minnesota’s quarterback situation is not very rosy right now. The Vikes did pick up Sage Rosenfels, but the nine-year veteran is really nothing more than a journeyman. They also have Gus Frerotte, who, at 37, has to be close to retirement, and Tarvaris Jackson, a young gun who has shown flashes of competent QB play but lacks the consistency at this point to be the man.
Upon further examination, however, I’m not sure how much Favre would help Percy for two main reasons. First, regardless of who is under center, Minnesota is going to be a run-first team. When you have arguably the best running back in the NFL in Adrian Peterson, you’re going to give him the rock early and often. In 30 career games, he has carried the ball 601 times. You can bet that number will continue to rise as Peterson begins to reach his prime.
The other thing to consider is Favre himself. If you followed the Jets down the stretch last year, you know that Favre looked like a shell of his former self. In the final five games of the 2008 season, Favre only completed 56 percent of his passes, had nine interceptions to just two touchdowns and never threw for more than 247 yards in a game. New York went 1-4 in that stretch and missed the playoffs, and a good deal of the blame for the collapse falls squarely on Favre’s shoulders.
It has been reported that he suffered a torn biceps muscle at some point in the season, and that led to the decline. Doctors recommended he get surgery or try and rest it. He went the rest route, but it’s not known how he will come back, if he ultimately decides to come back.
Regardless of who is at quarterback for the Vikings, the team would be well served to get the ball in Harvin’s hands as much as possible. I really think that Minnesota can use him in many of the same ways he was used at UF. With his size (5’11”, 192 pounds) and injury history, it probably wouldn’t be wise to run him up the middle like he was accustomed to doing at Florida. But you could give him the ball on wide receiver sweeps, throw him screens and get him involved in the return game, something the Gators didn’t have to do because of Brandon James.
Looking at Minnesota’s roster, the most accomplished receiver is Bernard Berrian, who is, for the most part, strictly a deep threat. That means Harvin should get the opportunity to step right in and make an impact. While Favre’s presence in Minnesota might make for some drama, I don’t think he will have a huge influence on Percy one way or the other.
This is some information on Tim Tebow father’s ministry.
The Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association has been serving in the Philippines since 1985 with five major priorities: Evangelism, Church Planting, Pastor Training, an Orphanage, and the Training of the Next Generation of Evangelists. It is the primary goal of BTEA to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ available to every person in the world.
In 1998, BTEA began to implement a plan to preach the Gospel in every barangay (village) in the Philippines. There are approximately 42,000 barangays in the Philippines and it is estimated that over 64% of them do not have a single evangelical church. In a country of 87 million, the number of people who have never heard the Gospel is staggering. These statistics do not even take into account the dozens of ethnic tribal groups that have been living on obscure islands and in remote mountain villages for centuries. It is our goal to go to each and every barangay and give the people the opportunity to hear the Gospel at least one time. In addition to preaching the Gospel, we are endeavoring to plant indigenous churches with the new converts and train national pastors. It is a tremendous task that must be completed.
After a long, and hard fought battle on the road, the Tampa Bay Rays came home and the fans were waiting to watch their team play their first home game of 2009. The pregame ceremonies started by raising the 2008 A.L. championship banner. Afterwards, the fans settled in to watch their hometown boys wax the Goliath of baseball, the New York Yankees.
Carlos Pena hit a grand slam and drove in six runs Monday night, helping Scott Kazmir beat Chien-Ming Wang and the New York Yankees 15-5 in the home opener for the AL champions.
“We showed everything,” Carl Crawford said after the young, confident Rays homered three times, amassed 17 hits, stole four bases, made some nice defensive plays and impressed manager Joe Maddon with how well they maintain focus on an emotional night.
It got so bad for the Yankees that first baseman Nick Swisher pitched a scoreless eighth inning, the first New York position player to take the mound since Wade Boggs used his knuckleball in 1997.
“It’s one of those days,” captain Derek Jeter said. “It was their day, an opportunity to celebrate what they did last season, and they had their way.”
The Rays toasted last year’s improbable worst-to-first turnaround by hanging two large blue and white division and league championship banners above the left-field stands during a festive pregame ceremony at sold-out Tropicana Field.
They spent the rest of the night pleasing the crowd of 36,973 by beating up on a division rival that shelled out more than $400 million in offseason acquisitions with hopes of regaining supremacy in the AL East.
Kazmir (2-0) allowed three runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings, including Swisher’s solo homer in the fourth and Melky Cabrera’s RBI single in the fifth. The left-hander struck out six and walked none.
“Whatever could go wrong tonight went wrong,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “It started with starting pitcher. Chien-Ming never got it going. We know he’s much better than he’s pitched so far.”
Earlier in the day, New York’s Alex Rodriguez resumed drills on a baseball field five weeks after hip surgery and said following the workout in Tampa that he eventually hopes to return as “good as new.”
The Yankees could use some help with Jeter—1-for-his-last-20—struggling and Cody Ransom going 2-for-24 with two RBIs as A-Rod’s replacement at third base.
Swisher may have been New York’s most effective pitcher. After giving up a walk and Tampa Bay’s 17th hit, he struck out Gabe Kapler and got Pena and Pat Burrell to fly out.
“I had fun with it. When am I ever going to have a chance to do that again? Probably never,” said Swisher, who hadn’t pitched in a game since he was a freshman in high school. “We know we didn’t play very well. Got to find something to laugh about in that moment. I just happened to be the guy.”
Pena had a two-run double in the first off Wang (0-2), who continued to struggle in his comeback from foot surgery that sidelined him for more than three months last season. The slugger drove in three of the eight runs charged to Wang in one-plus innings with the sixth grand slam of his career off reliever Jonathan Albaladejo in the second.
Burrell and Jason Bartlett also homered for the Rays, who got two more RBIs from hot-hitting Evan Longoria.
Longoria, the 2008 AL rookie of the year, has hit safely in all seven of Tampa Bay’s games and has five homers and 12 RBIs.
“We have good young players coming off a very good season. My biggest concern is how we were going to react to success. And to this point, I’m pleased,” Maddon said. “Gratitude and humility, I really believe in that. And I think our guys have channeled all the success properly to this point.”
The only thing good coming out of these final days for the Magic is that everyone should be healthy when the playoffs start.
Building any momentum is out of the question.
The Magic have quit in the regular season. Center Dwight Howard rested Monday night, joining forwards Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu on the sideline. The two forwards sat out with minor injuries.
The Magic have not offered any refunds to paying customers, but they probably should.
The Magic will finish the regular season at home Wednesday night against Charlotte, but it’s unclear who might play. It’s buyer beware for anyone thinking of paying for a ticket.
Turkoglu (left ankle sprain) and Lewis (right knee tendonitis) could have played if necessary. So could have J.J. Redick (back spasms).
The Magic (58-23) will close with the second-best regular season in franchise history, trailing only the 1995-96 team that won 60 games and eventually lost in the conference final to the Chicago Bulls.
They also matched last season’s team for most road victories (27) in a season, a mark they failed to break as they limped through the final week of the regular season.
They will open the playoffs either Saturday or Sunday against the No. 6 seed, which will be either Chicago or Philadelphia.
Posted in Daytona Cubs at 4:36 pm by Administrator
Yet another back and forth battle between the Daytona Cubs (3-1, 3-1) and the Brevard County Manatees (1-3, 1-3) went the way of the Cubs, who pulled out a 6-5 win in ten innings to earn a sweep of the three-game series. Shortstop Starlin Castro’s bloop single into shallow right field fell just out of the reach of a diving Caleb Gindl to score catcher Mark Reed for the game-winning, walk-off run.
The Cubs had several chances to win the game in the ninth, as hitters came up twice with the bases loaded. Two groudouts later and the game was headed into extras. Relief pitcher David Cales (2-0) allowed just two hits over the final two innings putting Daytona in position to come out victorious.
Reed bunted his way on to lead off the bottom of the tenth, then advanced to third when infielder Zelous Wheeler committed his second error of the game and threw the ball into the visitors bullpen. Two hitters later, Manatees Manager Mike Guerrero would replace left fielder Lee Haydel with an extra infielder, Eric Farris, leaving just two players to man the outfield. Castro would take advantage with the pop fly to shallow right for the winning run.
The Manatees put up the game’s first run after just three batters, but the Cubs would answer quickly. A lead-off double by second baseman Nathan Samson, followed by a Marwin Gonzalez single tied it up at one apiece. Three hitters later, right fielder Dylan Johnston rode a fastball from Manatees starter Mike Jones over the center field wall for his, and the teams, first home run of the season and a 3-1 lead.
Brevard County would regain the lead with a run in the fifth with a run and extend the lead to two with another in the sixth, but the resilient, young Cubs responded in the bottom of the sixth. Three hits and two walks gave the Cubs opportunities to score with the bases loaded and two away. Manatees reliever John Axford walked Reed to bring in one run, then surrendered an RBI hit to centerfielder Jonathan Wyatt. For Wyatt, it marked his first hit and RBI of the 2009 season.
The two teams would combine for 26 hits in the contest as all but one position player to start the game would record a hit. Johnston and Jonathan Wyatt led Daytona with two apiece, while Gindl and Cole Gilliespie both notched three hits for Brevard County.
The Cubs will continue their homestand with a three-game set against the Dunedin Blue Jays beginning Tuesday night. Righty Marcos Mateo is the probable starter for Daytona, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. and gates to open at 6 p.m.
Apparently, “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” is holding it’s own on the airwaves. The show has been promoted, and will now proceed FoxSports every Saturday morning at 11:30am. The show boasts a listenership of 17,000 locally, not including those that listen worldwide using streaming audio on the wnzf.com website. The new time slot is expected to draw even more listeners, with the goal of attracting over 20,000. This number would be approximately 20% of the Palm Coast population. Currently, the show sponsorship is near maximum capacity with 10, and two on the waiting list.
Starting on April 3rd, 2009, “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” will air live each Saturday morning from 11:30am-12:00pm, simultaneously on Flagler County’s 106.3 FM, 1550 AM, and worldwide, through the use of streaming audio on the WNZF website at www.wnzf.com. The 30 minute show consists of four quarters of sporting news, with the first three being, local, state, and national news including special quests. The last quarter of the show is called “Breaking The Code.” During this special segment of the show, Cody will read a sports trivia question, and listeners will have the chance to call in with the correct answer. If the correct response is given, and the “Code is Broken” then that caller will receive a free gift certificate package, compliments of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report.”
Finally, the show will launch into a two minute scramble called “Overtime” when Cody will either answer fan e-mail and/or Chuck will read a brief sports editorial, or the two hosts will debate a sports topic to close out the show. “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” is also committed to donating to the “Make-A-Wish Foundation.” Since 1980, The Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength, and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The show is sponsored by Airtime Hobbies, Anytime Fitness, “Cash it In” Pawn Shop, Jukido Academy of Martial Arts, Sakura Japanese Steakhouse, The Florida Writer, Martin’s Seafood and Lounge, Joseph’s Bistro and Pizzeria, Lucky Day Sweepstakes, and Woody’s BBQ.
If you or your business is interested in being a sponsor of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” please e-mail Chuck at cja@flawriter.com
With the faltering economy, lingering wars, record gas prices, and all the rest, there wasn’t much to get excited about in 2008. Unless of course you happened to be a Tampa Bay Ray’s fan.
Last year, the ball club made a name for themselves, by going from worst to first in the standings, and then beating the Boston Redsox in the playoffs, enroute to their first World Series.
Ultimately, they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, but in the process, they proved that money doesn’t always buy championships, and sometimes, willpower defies all odds, by producing remarkable results. The Tampa Bay Rays are a young team. Committed to a common purpose, and motivated by a leader who knows what it means to be an underdog. Using his uncanny leadership skills, Joe Madden will once again find a way to motivate his young ball club to an even higher level in 2009. With their appetites hardly quenched, by the post season treats, the Rays are hungry for even more.
This year, the Rays will be even stronger than last. Here are some of the reasons why…
Now that Carl Crawford is healthy, he’ll resume stealing bases and his average should improve after an injury-riddled 2008. Look for Crawford to hit close to a 300 average, and produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 homers. B.J. Upton was also slowed by injuries last year, but underwent off season treatment for his chronic shoulder problems. A healthy Upton will not only steal 40 bases this year, but will bat on average near 280, and will send between 15-20 balls into the seats at the Tropicana.
Next, we have First Baseman, Carlos Pena and last year’s rookie sensation, at 3rd base, Evan Longoria. They are projected to bat third and fourth respectively, and each have 30-HR power. Except Longoria to bat near 280, and but be surprised if Pena tops 250.
Dioner Navarro is one of the better offensive catchers in the A.L., and shortstop Jason Bartlett is a cheap source of steals coming off a season slowed by a knee injury. Now that he is healthy, except him to steal over 25 bases this year.
Matt Joyce, Ben Zobrist, Willy Aybar, and Gabe Gross are all in contention for playing time, and one will play regularly in right field.
Rounding out the offensive weapons, is the huge off season acquisition, of Designated Hitter, Pat Burrell. Burrell hit 33 home runs last year for Philadelphia, and after 9 seasons in MLB, he already has a total of 251. That’s an average of 27 per year.
Finally, the pitching rotation will be lead by the ace of the staff, Scott Kazmir. Followed by James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstne, and big lefty David Price. Price will be entering the 2009 season as candidate for Rookie of the Year. He was impressive in high-pressure situations in the postseason, showing off his strikeout potential. The only downside, is that such a valuable young arm will be limited to somewhere around 150 innings this season.
From the bullpen, look for J.P. Howell, Joe Nelson(previously with the Marlins), and Grant Balfour to flourish as setup pitchers. This year’s closer will once again be Troy Percival. After a hot start in 2008, Percy’s age caught up with him. However, when healthy, he is still Tampa’s first choice to save the game. If Percival’s health does become an issue, J.P. Howell could easily assume the closing spot, while grabbing some vulture wins.
Are you ready for some baseball? Then try and forget about the economy, and let the Tampa Bay Rays take to you on another day dream, that starts in early spring, and lasts throughout the fall. The unforgettable moments, the shocking blows, the random miracles, and the sight of grown ups being kids again. Because that’s what Baseball is all about.
By: Charles J. Asbury
Host of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” and owner of “The Florida Writer”
Mark Martin has declared that this is really, really, and I mean really his last year in Nascar. I personally hate to see him go, as will many other Nascar fans. On and off the track he comes across a champion in every sense of the word. You won’t find a nicer guy in the sport. He represents Nascar well, by hard work, discipline, dedication, fair driving tactics, and has no problem admitting when he is at fault after a crash. He is the Brett Farve of Nascar. Oh, and by-the- way, he doesn’t beat his wife, do steroids, shoot himself in the leg while out clubbing with friends, or cause any in house distractions with his fellow teammates. Why? Because he’s Mark Martin.
After gunning for a Nascar championship that has eluded him for more than 25 years, Mark now has a better chance than ever before, in his new ride with Hendrick Motorsports. A dynasty boasting big name teammates like, Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. If there ever was a time to make a serious run for that elusive championship, that time is now.
If you take the time to look at Martin’s stats, he has produced numbers worthy of championships many times over. He made his Nascar debut in 1981, and since then, he has qualified and started 41 races on the pole. He has 243 top five finishes, and 396 top ten finishes in 700 starts. He ranks 18th overall on the all-time win list with 35 trophies to his credit. In the Nationwide series, he leads all drivers past and present with 48 wins. He actually did win two championships in the short track ASA series, and five in the IROCC series. But, by using the analogy of a dove hunter, the Nascar Sprint Cup Championship, is one bird Mark Martin just can’t seem to bring down. Until now…
With one big trophy missing from his case, Martin has decided to give it one last try. He signed a one-year, full time deal with Hendrick Motorsports, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet. Rick Hendrick is in his 25th anniversary as a Cup car owner. He established a friendship with Martin back in 2007, when Mark drove a car for him in three Nationwide Series events. In his first race, Mark placed second at Darlington. In 2008, Martin would share the stage with Hendrick in victory lane at Las Vegas. The short stint allowed crew chief Alan Gustafson the opportunity to get to know Martin. As fate would have it, this year, Gustafson is Mark Martin’s new crew chief.
The tale of Mark Martin, it’s got the making of a story made for publishing. Take it from another old school guy, who knows the weight of being the underdog. Sometimes Cinderella stories do come true. And waiting 25 years makes the deal even sweeter. To pull off a championship season would be pretty special for everyone, especially Mark Martin.I’ll be pulling for Mark Martin, until his very last lap. Hislast shot in ole No.5! By: Charles J. Asbury II
The Florida Writer is a media conglomeration combining various types of news coverage such as newspaper, magazine, and internet articles, as well as radio broadcasts. From the “Po Dunk ” towns of central Florida covering high school football games, to highly acclaimed magazines such as “Life on the Coast” and “Distinguished Lifestyles,” Now, “The Florida Writer” is proud to announce it’s latest media venture, “Chuck & Cody’s Sports Report”
From an early age, Chuck Asbury often dreamed of either being a sports reporter, calling a big league game on the radio as an announcer, or hosting his own sports show. Late each night, he would lay quietly under his covers listening to the Atlanta Braves on his little AM radio, with the single ear piece tucked in tight. Each night, he would fall asleep dreaming of what it would be like to…zzzzzz.
But life has a way of changing our dreams, and taking us places where we never dreamed of going. The responsibilites, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life can swallow up our dreams, and many dreams are often forgotten. Somewhere along the way, Chuck forgot his dream. He forgot his dream, and in the process forgot his wish. But God didn’t!
Flash forward 30 plus years…
Now with the help of WNZF, and several outstanding sponsors, that childhood fantasy has become a reality. Starting on February 21th 2009, “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” will air live each Saturday morning from 10:00am-10:30am, simultaneously on Flagler County’s 106.3 FM, 1550 AM, and worldwide, through the use of streaming audio on the WNZF website at www.wnzf.com. To make the dream even sweeter, Chuck’s son, Cody, will help co-host the show.
The 30 minute show will consist of four quarters of sporting news, with the first three quarters consisting of, local, state, and national news including special quests. The last quarter of the show is called “Breaking The Code.” During this special segment of the show, three callers will have the opportunity to ask Cody (age 15) any question from one of four categories(Football, Baseball, Basketball or Nascar) All trivia questions must have taken place historically after December 1993, when Cody was born. If any caller is able to come up with a question that Cody cannot answer, and the “Code is Broken” then that caller will receive a free gift, compliments of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report.” Finally, the show will launch into a two minute scramble called “Overtime” when Cody will answer fan e-mail and/or Chuck will read a brief sports editorial, or the two hosts will debate a sports topic to close out the show.
“Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” is also committed to donating to the “Make-A-Wish Foundation.” Since 1980, The Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength, and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The show is sponsored by Bible Baptist Church, New Beginnings Salon & Spa, The Florida Writer, Tom Gibbs Chevrolet, and Woody’s BBQ. If you are interested in being a sponsor of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” please e-mail Chuck at cja@flawriter.com
