Figure Skating and Football Do Mix!

Sometimes Stumbles Don’t Count

The first big event for the United States and the Russian Federation is the Team Figure Skating Competition. The Russians had flawless performances that started with the Russian’s best male skater Evgeni Plushenko in the short program. Scoring a 91.39, Plushenko looked to have a great lead until Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan scored the top performance. The US had a lack-luster performance in the program by Jeremy Abbott who fell off a quad jump placing 7th, putting the US in a big hole. As the night went on the US Pairs Short Program Skaters also had a misstep when Marissa Castelli fell on a side by side triple salchow. These two errors placed the United States Team in fifth place, at the end of the cut-off for the next round. Luckily for the United States, female skater Ashley Wagner shined helping secure the US Team’s place in the medal round. Wagner nailed her performance, flushing all doubt some had she would compete at the Olympic level some feared she couldn’t reach.

The biggest news out of this competition was the breaking out party for Yulia Lipnitskaya. The international spotlight has been all over her since her performance on Saturday night where she dazzled the hometown crowd and Scott Hamilton. Lipnitskaya scored her seasonal best on the biggest stage, this 15 year old truly showed up her older, wiser competition. Lipnitskaya wowed again in the second round of the competition, were she earned a personal best in the Ladies Free Skate Program and won the ten points. These point guaranteed the Russian Federation won the first Gold Medal in the Figure Skating Team Competition.  Team USA grabbed the Bronze medal while Canada won Silver.

Mock Draft Picks 6-10

6. The Atlanta Falcons select … Greg Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Auburn.

The Falcons need help on the offensive line; Matt Ryan seems to always be in trouble when dropping back on five step drops. Greg Robinson is a big boy with a quick 40 time. I think he will make a big impact in the 225 lbs, bench press and awe Atlanta. The down side is Robinson’s inexperience in reading defenses as he is only a sophomore. Robinson and Jake Matthews (who I said will be picked #2) are interchangeable, I wouldn’t be surprised if these two young men are picked by the opposite teams.

7.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select … Khalil Mack, Outside Linebacker, Buffalo

Khalil Mack is the small school phenom who is going early in the first round this year. Mack’s biggest performance came against Ohio State, which led to big season. He broke the FBS record for Tackles for a Loss with 75 and was named MAC Defensive Player of the year and Jack Lambert Linebacker of the Year. With a high motor and explosive hitting ability, this is the style of player Tampa likes to draft. Hardnosed defense can tip the balance in NFC South.

8. The Minnesota Vikings select … Derek Carr, Quarterback, Fresno State

We now know that Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman are not the answer for the Vikings, so they will try their hand at picking yet another quarterback in the draft. Derek Carr, unlike his brother David Carr, is a mobile quarterback who mainly runs the offensive out of a shotgun. With a big arm and Kaepernick like athleticism, Minnesota might make the move to a pistol offense. More likely, they will work hard to get Carr under center often and work a run‘n gun style offense, maybe this is the year the Vikings offense can get it together.

9.  The Buffalo Bills select … Anthony Barr, Outside Linebacker, UCLA

Buffalo wants to beef up their defense here with this pick and former running back turned linebacker Anthony Barr has the tools to be great. Barr is explosive and quick, he hits the hole like a freight train. These traits are also a weakness as Barr has a tendency to a lay a big hit and neglect to wrap up. His pursuit is also lackluster at times, it’s almost like he loses track of the ball. I think a lack of focus on the field can be dealt with, I hope the Bills coaches can use Barr’s running back instincts and tune them to the other side of the ball.

10. The Detroit Lions select … Darqueze Dennard, Cornerback, Michigan State

Detroit may boast the best defensive line, but their secondary is, as to quote Charles Barkley, “turrible!” Dennard, the Thorpe Award Winner, was the strong side of the pair of shit down corners Sparty had this season. Detroit’s desperate need for a corner and Dennard’s big play ability seem to be a perfect fit. We will see if Dennard’s tough style can transfer to the big physical receivers in the NFL.

Trivia – Name That Athlete

This athlete plays hockey, won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche and captained the Latvian National Hockey Team in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Check out the next blog post to see if you got the answer correct!