Peter Souders
I am a student at Boston College, class of 2012 and am majoring in Physics. I have fenced most of my life and have been ranked as highly as 14th in the United States. When I m not practicing or doing physics homework, I m probably watching ESPN and debating the sports world with my roommates.
You can follow me on twitter @PeterSouders where I post thoughts and blurbs that wouldn t make whole articles, but are worth some discussion.
I recently concluded my Boston College Career by being named the Boston College s Senior Scholar Athlete of the year, an award given to only one male in the senior class, any sport.
I am also a regular writer in the fan section of Yahoo Sports for both golf and NCAA Football.
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You can follow me on twitter @PeterSouders where I post thoughts and blurbs that wouldn t make whole articles, but are worth some discussion.
I recently concluded my Boston College Career by being named the Boston College s Senior Scholar Athlete of the year, an award given to only one male in the senior class, any sport.
I am also a regular writer in the fan section of Yahoo Sports for both golf and NCAA Football.
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Displaying Results 1 - 118 (of 118) for All Content
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The Best Non-Wire-Related Season in Baltimore Since 1997: Recapping the 2012 Baltimore OriolesNot a whole lot made sense about this team, but at the end of the year, they were one of the final four American League teams standing. Now, heading forward, the Orioles need to turn one lucky season into a consistent, well-built franchise. -
Another Swing and Miss: Alex Rodriguez's Ten Worst Postseason MomentsAlthough he has had an exceptional regular season career, for some reason, Alex Rodriguez is not a very good baseball player when it comes to the postseason. Sometimes stories have been overblown by the media, but sometimes it's just failure by Rodriguez -
The 2012 Washington Nationals: A Roller Coaster of a SeasonThe highs of an amazing regular season run and a Game 5 walkoff home run from Jayson Werth were matched by the low of blowing a 6-0 lead in the decisive Game 5 of the NLDS to the defending champs. This was a season to remember. -
2012 National League MVP Race is as Close as They ComeThe American League MVP Race is down to two players. But the National League MVP Race, even with all the games played, is still wide open. What's important? Offense? Defense? Team success? Players around you? Here's one argument. -
2012 MVP Isn't a Battle Between New-Wave and Old School, It's Just BaseballWhether you use old fashioned baseball statistics or advanced value metrics, the choice for the Most Valuable Player in the 2012 American League is clear: it's LA Angels rookie Mike Trout. -
Fan's Take: Who Will Replace Bobby Valentine After Tumultuous Year in Boston?Bobby Valentine was hired to correct the Red Sox after a disastrous September ended their 2011 season. Instead, 2012 felt like six straight Septembers, and the Sox had their worst year since 1965. Now, with Valentine out, who will be next in Boston? -
Left, Right, Gone: Where Does Chipper Jones Rank Among Greatest Switch-Hitters?Mantle, Rose, Murray, Beltran, Reyes; the switch-hitting community in the MLB, both past and present, is a strong one. With his retirement looming at the end of this season, where does Chipper Jones rank among the greatest ever? -
Looking Ahead: Under the Radar Mets Starter Collin McHughThough not a top-ranked prospect, Collin McHugh has put up good numbers in the MiLB. Can he make it to the MLB level? -
Ignorance Isn't Always Bliss: Why Mike Wise Was Dead Wrong About Mariel Zagunis and the OlympicsMike Wise published an article in the Washington Post claiming Mariel Zagunis had lost the Olympic Spirit. I'm not commenting on whether or not Wise was too personal in his attacks, but to say that he got pretty much everything about competition wrong
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2012 Summer Olympics: Angola Shows Up, Gets Steamrolled by the United States WomenCharles Barkley once said he didn't know anything about Angola, except that Angola was in trouble. Well, in 2012, Angola was in trouble, and the United States dominated every facet of the game en route to a 52 point thrashing on July 30th.
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U.S. Women's Basketball Team Shows Jitters, Dominates LateNot every night can be a good shooting night. But even when the shots aren't falling, a basketball game can be won by getting the ball inside and dominating the rebounding battle. The United States used both to win their first game.
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London Olympic Surprises in Fencing: Morehouse, Homer Lead an Impressive U.S. Finish in Men's SabreTim Morehouse and Daryl Homer entered the 2012 Olympic games seeded 27th and 18th respectively. But they battled, pulled off incredible upsets, and showed the world that Beijing was not a fluke, finishing ranked 8th and 6th at the end of the event. -
Looking Ahead: Scouting the Orioles Top ProspectAt only age 19, Machado isn't even done growing yet. But already he's showing exceptional ability in the field and at the plate. If the Orioles do not rush him through the minor leagues, he could become a very good MLB player. -
Better to Be Lucky Than Good: Pitchers Who Have Won More Than They ShouldWin-Loss record is a quick way to look at pitchers and measure their success. But it's not very accurate. Pitchers with better offenses will record more wins, even when they pitch poorly, than pitchers who are on light hitting clubs. -
2012 Olympic Guide: An Introduction to the Aquatics CentreOne of the most beautiful (and amazingly expensive) buildings in Olympic Park, the 200-million-plus cost of the Aquatic Centre is huge, but may be worth it. Here is an introduction to the building and its specifications. -
2012 Olympic Basketball: United States Women Toughen Up Inside to Beat Down Their OppositionThe U.S.A. men's team uses their athletic ability to create turnovers and fast breaks. The women are also the most athletic team in the world; but they use their athletic ability to dominate the rebounding battle, creating extra shots for themselves.
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Wins, Losses, and Luck: Why Pitchers Shouldn't Be Judged for Team PerformanceWins and losses are an easy stat to calculate, which made them an early favorite among baseball fans. But as observation of the game has grown, analysts have noticed that pitcher wins and losses are not a fair way to compare those players. -
The 2012 Olympic U.S. Women's Basketball Team is Ready to Destroy the OppositionLately there has been a debate about the 1992 and 2012 Olympic Basketball teams, and which would win in a game. The boys can squabble, but the most dominant basketball team is probably their female counterparts. -
Olympic Fencing Preview: Men's Sabre TeamTop ranked team Russia will go in as the heavy favorites to replace the non-qualified France atop the Olympic Podium in 2012. The United States faces even heavier odds than in the 2008 games, but looks to repeat their incredible Silver-medal run.
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Top Guns: The Five Greatest Active Pitchers in the MLBSabathia to Santana, Hudson to Halladay, AL to NL, and sometimes back again; this list is the five active pitchers who have had the best careers in the MLB today. -
Olympic Fencing Preview: Women's Foil TeamUnlike epee, where the world rankings may be flipped on their head when the final podium positions are determined, women's foil seems to have a pretty set hierarchy in place to determine who will be receiving team medals in the 2012 Games.Also published on:
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The Top Three Pitching Rotations in the National LeagueNationals hold the top spot in most of the statistics, followed closely behind by the Dodgers, who have last season's Cy Young winner. Then of course, there are the Phillies and Giants, who have some of the most highly regarded pitchers in baseball.
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Olympic Fencing Preview: Women's Epee TeamAfter a hiatus during the 2008 games, women's epee returns to the Olympics in 2012. The best individuals in the world come from China, the number one ranked team is from Romania, but in my estimation, neither of them is the favorite for the Gold.Also published on:
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Second-Year Pitchers in the MLB: Where Do They Rank?Last year I wrote about the five best rookie pitchers in the major leagues. Now, after they have been in the league for a full season and started their sophomore campaign, I return to that list and see who has moved up and who has fallen.
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Summer Olympics Introduction: Ten Rules to Help Understand FencingFencing is a complicated sport, but the reward of understanding it and being able to watch it is well worth the time it takes to understand exactly how it works. The ten rules given here should be a solid starting point for a new fan to pick up the sportAlso published on:
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Summer Olympics Preview: A Brief History of FencingThough the U.S. isn't a traditional fencing power, there are a number of competitors who have achieved success at the highest level of the sport. They, along with a brief history of the sport itself, are presented below.Also published on:
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10 Terms to Know to Better Understand Fencing at the 2012 Summer OlympicsUnderstanding the sport of fencing may seem like a daunting task, but the reward is well-worth the effort it takes to learn it. There isn't a more exciting sport in the world, and these 10 terms will get you started on your task to learn it.Also published on:
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Summer Olympics Introduction: Ten Badminton Rules to Help You Understand the SportBadminton is an extremely exciting, fast-paced sport that also has the benefit of being relatively simple to understand. The ten rules listed here are enough of a crash course for the reader to go off and enjoy the Olympic event in two months.
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Fencing Events and Competitions at the 2012 Summer Olympic GamesFencing is one of the most exciting sports that will be in the Olympics this summer. The combination of physical and mental competition ensures that no two bouts are the same, and the sport is never boring. Don't miss out on the excitement.Also published on:
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Summer Olympics Introduction: Understanding the Basics of Olympic ArcheryArchery is not a sport that gets on national sports broadcasts often in the United States. But part of the joy of the Olympics is getting to see something different. This article should help casual fans understand the sport of ArcheryAlso published on:
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Summer Olympic Introductions: Top 10 Rules to Know About ArcheryArchery seems like a relatively simple sport to understand. You take a bow and arrow, and shoot at a target. But even a simple sport like archery contains its nuance. The rulebook is over 40 pages long, but these 10 rules will help a casual watcherAlso published on:
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Luck and Griffin Will Need to Defy OddsThere have been four other instances of QBs being drafted Nos. 1 and 2 overall (as Luck and Griffin are expected to be in this year's draft). In all four cases, at least one of the two players has not lived up to the hype surrounding their name.
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Kuechly Wows at CombineThe only knock on Luke Kuechly heading into the 2012 NFL Draft was his measurable physical tools. Scouts said he probably did not possess ideal NFL strength or speed, and would be exposed a little at the combine. Suffice to say, they were wrong.
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Boston College Recruiting Falls Short: A Fan's PerspectiveA lack of talent, a lack of players, and an increasingly talented ACC surround the Eagles' recruiting season this winter. For BC fans hoping that 2012 would bring a bounce-back season and return to a bowl game, don't hold your breath.Also published on:
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BC Fans Should Celebrate Kuechly's DecisionLuke Kuechly, two-time consensus All American, is headed to the NFL draft after deciding to forego his senior season. Fans will miss him on the field next year, but Kuechly belongs in the NFL, and BC fans should be excited that he is making the jump.Also published on:
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Top-Ranked College Football Teams Weren't Safe This Season: A Fan's TakeSure there weren't as many upsets as in recent years, but this season we saw a #2, a #3, a #5 and #6 ranked team lose this season, and only one clear-cut participant in the national title game. Here are the five best upsets of the 2011 season.Also published on:
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Five Teams That Shocked the College Football World This Season: A Fan's TakeUnranked in the preseason? Yep. Underrated in preseason? Check. Expected middle-of-the-pack finishers who rose up to claim conference titles? You'd better believe it. These teams refused to play at their predicted levels and were very successful in 2011.Also published on:
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Five of the Worst College Football Teams to Watch in 2011: A Fan's TakeSome of these teams had high expectations and failed in their goal to achieve them. Some of these teams had no goals, and yet still managed to fall well short of accomplishing them. The only consistent thing was this, their fans did not like the resultsAlso published on:
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College Basketball 2012 Recruiting NewsThough the next round of commitments isn't until April, there are still very interesting story lines that are developing in the world of college basketball recruiting. Top recruits, top leagues, and some NBA rule changes all affect this year's class.
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Two Important Notes About College Football Recruiting in 2012QB is a tough position to fill, Penn State may be looking at a shrinking recruiting class, and the conferences with the best recruits this season may surprise you. It's definitely an exciting time for college football fans.
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2011 American League Rookie of the YearEric Hosmer crushed the baseball all season long, unless he was facing any of the three pitchers that established themselves as candidates for this award. At the end of the day, there were four contenders, but one was clearly superior.
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2011 National League Rookie of the YearEvery year there are a couple of first-year players who step up to the Major Leagues and make big-time contributions. This season, there were a ton of them. It was difficult, but one of them can now claim to have been the best of the group.
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Three Stories to Watch During the Winter Recruiting ProcessThe NCAA just announced scholarship rule changes that will affect what a player can receive from a university in return for their athletic talents. In addition, football recruiting is heating up, and the NBA lockout may affect NCAA basketball recruiting.
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2011 American League Silver Slugger WinnersSure we are in the middle of a pitcher's era, but you still need to score runs to win ball games. The nine players listed here were the best at their respective positions at putting the bat on the ball and creating runs.
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2011 National League Silver Slugger WinnersEven during this era of dominant pitching, teams still have to score runs to have a chance to win. Thanks to these nine players, some teams had a much easier time scoring runs than others. They are the NL Silver Sluggers
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2011 National League Gold Glove WinnersThese players are an elite group of defensive players with a wide range of talents. Some are the fastest guys on the field, some have arms that throw a ball faster than some pitchers. But what they all do is win games on the defensive side of the ball.
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2011 American League Gold Glove WinnersI do not have a Gold Glove ballot, but if I did, these players would undoubtedly be receiving my votes. They are different players, but they all make a significant impact on a baseball game with the leather. They are the Gold Glove team for 2011.
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Increase your odds of playing NCAA basketballNCAA basketball is one of the toughest goals a high school student can aspire to. Team size is small, and the number of high school players is very high. But there are things that can help a player find a team, here are four of them.
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Tips for making an NCAA football teamMaking an NCAA football team isn't easy, but there are four things that every high school athlete should do to help their odds if they want to play in college.
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Overview of NCAA athletic scholarship requirementsHigh school GPA, minimum college credits, college GPA and amateurism all play an important part in ensuring a students eligibility for an athletic scholarship. This article will provide readers a basic introduction to these rules.
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BC's Luke Kuechly may be the greatest of all time: A fan's takeA total of 58 tackles in three games. On pace to hold the single season tackle records and the career tackle records. Luke Kuechly is amazing, but he is being hidden from the national eye by a bad BC team. Football fans, don't miss out.
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Jack Nicklaus's comments on Tiger are spot on: A fan's reactionJack Nicklaus knows more than anyone about winning 18 major championships, which is probably why he knows that Tiger Woods can still surpass his record before retirement.
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Awful start to season has doomed Boston College Eagles: A fan's takeFirst Northwestern, then UCF, and now, the breaking point: the Duke Blue Devils. The Eagles have a tradition of excellence, but this season they are going nowhere. They had a must-win test against Duke -- and they failed it.
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Boston College now in a must-win situation: A fan's takeNorthwestern and UCF were justifiable. But Duke is not. If the Eagles want any hope of salvaging their 2011 season, they must win this weekend against the Blue Devils.
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Luke Donald tops debate for 2011 Player of the Year: A fan's viewThough he didn't have a major win, Luke Donald was the only player on the PGA Tour to consistently rank near the top of the leaderboard in every event he played. As a result, he was the 2011 Player of the Year.
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Fan's guide: Boston College's Alumni Stadium is one of college football's hidden gemsFree gifts, great sight-lines, indoor areas to cool off or warm up and views of Boston you would normally only see on a postcard. Alumni Stadium has it all. If you're ever in the Northeast, it is a must-stop for any college football fan
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Boston College lines up an impressive top five in the NFL: A fan's takeDespite not being known as a football factory the way many SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 schools are, Boston College has amassed a pretty impressive list of alumni. The 2011 top five have produced and should produce more titles and Pro Bowl appearances.
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Americans don't win at U.S. Open, but they show a lot of fight: A fan's takeSure, the Americans haven't won a Grand Slam in 32 tries since Andy Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open, but that doesn't mean that the elimination of the final American spells total failure for this season's Open. In fact, there are a number of good points.
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Boston College falls just short of a good start: A fan's takeThe Eagles were about 20 yards away from overtime on Sept. 3 before ultimately imploding at the end of the game. It was a brutal way to lose, but the game showed several potential bright spots for the season moving forward.
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Three Boston College games that may define the season: A fan's previewNorthwestern, Clemson and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame: These three games carry extra importance to BC this year, and the Eagles must bring their A-game to these three weekends if they hope to have a successful 2011 campaign.
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Fan's take: U.S. Open underdogs now face even tougher road to upsetsYoung, Roddick and Muller all were underdogs, and all jumped out to an early lead on September 7, 2011. But then rain caused their matches to be suspended until at least the next day, allowing their higher seeded opponents to regroup.
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Three Key Points from Republican DebateThe Republican debate Wednesday showed observers things on two levels. We learned a lot about what various candidates felt was wrong in key issues but, reading between the lines, we also saw faults and facts about this race.Also published on:
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Nicklaus brings much-needed innovation to golf: A fan's viewJack Nicklaus is hosting a golf tournament with some slightly altered rules. These rules are designed to provide a less frustrating game for less-experienced players and increase golf participation. Quite simply, the man is a genius. It's a great idea.
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True Saves and BSS - a Statistical Evaluation of Closing GamesSaves give a lot of credit to pitchers who might not have done a whole lot to earn it. By creating some new rules for a "true save," I am hoping that there can be a better method of evaluating a closer's abilities.
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Sharapova looks just about unstoppable now: A fan's reactionAfter a rough first round, Maria Sharapova has righted the ship and now looks like she is out to destroy anyone who crosses her path. She has been trying to get back to the top of the tennis world since 2008, and this year might be the year it happens.
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Andy Roddick wins but looks shaky: A fan's reactionRoddick should have dominated Russell. The fact that he didn't, even after being up 2 sets to 0, shows that Roddick must improve if he wants to make a deep run into the U.S. Open
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The road clears for John Isner: A fan's reactionI was already talking about Isner as a potential dark horse final-eight contender. Now that Soderling has withdrawn from the Open, Isner is even better off. If he keeps his focus properly, Isner should be able to turn in his best Grand Slam performance ever.
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Fan's view: James Blake attempting another comebackBlake has conquered scoliosis, a broken back and a very bad case of shingles. Now, facing a low rank and the fifth-ranked player in the world, James Blake must again dig deep to continue his U.S. Open run.
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Tiger finally admits he needs tournament practice: A fan's reactionTiger Woods has not been able to finish tournaments off, and it seems as though his main problem has been mental, not physical. An easier event like the Frys.com Open could be just what he needs to get his confidence back and return to the top.
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Maria Sharapova fights through at U.S. Open: A fan's reactionSharapova started her first round match in the worst way possible. She was down a set and seemingly couldn't hit a decent shot to save her life. Yet despite the poor physical performance, a gritty mental effort powered Sharapova into the second round.
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Fan's view: Kvitova upset leaves something to be desiredUpsets are exciting when they feature the underdog playing well. But when the higher ranked player repeatedly hits the ball into the net without being pressured at all, it leads to a pretty disappointing event for the player and fans.
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Boston College vs. Northwestern is more than just a game for ACC: A fan's viewThe ACC has been down for several years now. It has lacked top to bottom power and was nearly eliminated from the NCAA landscape last summer. Now, entering the 2011 season, the ACC has an early chance to turn the tide.
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In an era of cheating, Boston College stays clean: A fan's perspectiveSuperstars in the NCAA and NFL? Check. Top level AP rankings? Check. Consistent postseason success? Check. NCAA violations and punishments? Heck no. In an era of cheating, Boston College has played the right way.
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Isner's win could slingshot him to new best in U.S. Open: A fan's reactionJohn Isner must play Robin Soderling to make the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. It will be very difficult for him to pull of the victory, but his recent tournament win will assist him in that quest.
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Three offseason changes will govern BC's 2011 season: A fan's viewA new coordinator, new opening-day starting QB and an injury to the best player on the offensive side of the ball, Boston College's 2011 football season is three changes away from either success or failure. We'll see which one they get.
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Fan's opinion: Tiger belongs in Presidents CupHe isn't the safest pick, but Fred Couples wants to lead the United States to victory, and he made the right choice by selecting Tiger Woods. Tiger may play badly and hurt the U.S., but if he plays well, he can do more than any other player on tour
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Fan's preview: Top five men's underdogs in the 2011 U.S. OpenThese five players are shooting for goals that may fall slightly beyond their means, but that difficulty is what makes them stories to watch at the 2011 U.S. Open. They're underdogs, but they still get to play the matches and challenge common knowledge.
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NBA Player Exodus to Europe Won't LastDeron Williams is already signed to play in Europe. Kobe has mentioned the possibility. So has Amare Stoudemire. These players might go over while the lockout is going on, but once it's done, none of them will stay abroad.
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Montel injury not the end for Boston College: A fan's takeLosing Montel Harris for a game or two is not good for the Boston College Eagles, but it will give Andre Williams a chance to develop, and it could lead to a deeper, more dangerous Eagles team at the end of the season.
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LeBron Learning to Play Down Low is Good for the NBAA lack of a low-post game doomed LeBron James and the MIami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. But now reports are coming out that LeBron is working on a post game with Hakeen Olajuwon. If he is really devoting himself, it's good news for him and the league.
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Fan's view: Integrity is a sword that cuts both ways in college athleticsThe scholarship system for NCAA athletics is messed up. One-year contracts aren't fair to players and create a conflict of interest. One that can lead to NCAA violations. If the NCAA wants more integrity, they need to fix this broken system.
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Peyton Manning Vs. Tom Brady: Total Quarterback Rating Ends the DebateNo one will ever question the Hall of Fame credentials of Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. But when they are placed head-to-head, only one QB can come out as best. Thanks to ESPN's new stat, QBR, Manning has come out on top.
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Boston College Eagles may be grounded in 2011: A fan's viewThe defense is phenomenal and there are talented players on the offensive side of the ball. But if Boston College can't find a way to put points on the scoreboard, its 12-season bowl streak will end in 2011.
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NFC West Ready to ReboundLet's face it, the 2010-2011 version of the NFC West was the worst division the NFL had seen in a long time. The Seattle Seahawks won the division with a 7-9 record while other 10-win teams missed the playoffs. But this year, things will change.
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Fan's opinion: Time for Steve Williams to be quietThe Steve Williams/Tiger Woods split has led to Williams personally insulting Tiger Woods after Adam Scott won the Bridgestone Invitational. Williams is a caddy, not a golfer; he didn't earn the win, and he needs to be quiet.
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Home is Where the Heart Is, and it is Where Amar'e Stoudemire Should StayYou can't read a report about Amar'e Stoudemire without the mention of his injury troubles. Risking his NBA contract and NBA title aspirations for the chance to play overseas for a month or two is a stupid decision and one he should not make.
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Bridgestone Invitational doesn't establish PGA Championship favorite: A fan's takeAdam Scott was amazing at the Bridgestone Invitational. He is the 10th different winner in the last 10 PGA events. So the Bridgestone has kept right with the status-quo -- anyone can win the final major championship of the year.
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New England Patriots Take Gambles ... Will They Pay Off?The Patriots made two potential impact trades on July 28 by getting Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth. Both of these players have the potential to harm team chemistry. But if they are kept in line, they can vault a team to the top.
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McIlroy takes a bad shot on Twitter: A fan's opinionRory McIlroy recently attacked a journalist on Twitter for criticizing his caddy. While I understand that they are a team and must stick up for each other, personal attacks on a person doing his job are not the way to do it.
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Bridgestone Invitational is the bridge to success for Tiger: A fan's opinionTiger hasn't won a tournament since 2009. He also lost the Masters by missing easy putts down the stretch. This is not a lack of talent; it is a lack of confidence in himself. A win at Bridgestone would help him fix this problem and start winning again.Also published on:
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Fan's take: Tiger's rank falling, but who cares?It has been often discussed recently, Tiger Woods' world golf ranking is now outside the top-20, and will probably continue to fall. But high golf rankings do not offer any advantages, so it really doesn't affect Tiger or anyone else's chances.Also published on:
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Will Thome Make the Hall? That's Easy ... Or It Should BeJim Thome has put together career numbers that have been matched by only seven players in major league history, yet some analysts still think Thome is a fringe Hall of Famer at best. It is time to end that misconception once and for all.
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Five majors is one bad idea: A fan's takeThe LPGA Tour just added a fifth major championship to its yearly schedule. It could be a good idea for that tour. But the PGA Tour has more history to consider and should resist the urge to name THE PLAYERS as the newest major.Also published on:
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Welcome to the Bigs: Rookie Pitchers Dominating Seasoned PlayersAs pitching continues to take over Major League Baseball, these five rookies are poised to see success this season and into the future. Though occasionally rough this season, they have exceptional talent and should be superb for years to come.
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Jose Reyes - Franchise or Not?The 2011 version of Jose Reyes is an MVP candidate and one of the premier players in the major leagues. But there are five reasons a smart team will not make Jose Reyes their franchise player, no matter how good he is this season.
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Trade Deadline Offers Red Sox a Rare Opportunity for Season-Defining DealThe Red Sox need another reliable pitcher to be true postseason contenders. The Rockies have been disappointing this season and need improvements across the diamond. A trade involving Ubaldo Jimenez and Red Sox prospects makes sense for both teams.
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The End of the Gay Marriage DebateSeparation of Church and State is the basis of our government, but gay marriage brings both sides into the same discussion. But there is a solution to the gay marriage debate that honors the rights of both sides while maintaining equality for all.
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Bartolo Colon: Hot, but for How Long?One of the big stories in the first half of the major league season has been former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon's reemergence as a dominating starter. But there are indications that Colon will come back down to earth before the season is over.
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Firing of Steve Williams adds interest to otherwise forgettable events: A fan's takeTIger looked like he might be almost back to his old self in the 2011 Masters. He then abruptly fired longtime caddie Steve Williams with whom he had won numerous titles. Now, Tiger's next event may tell the world if he will ever rebound to the top.Also published on:
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All-Star Game Shows Which Stars Are Currently on TopThe 2011 MLB All-Star Game was a perfect example of the league as a whole; pitching dominated from start to finish, even while missing some of the best pitchers in the league.
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Fan's take: Final reflections on The Open ChampionshipDarren Clarke produced an exciting result at The Open Championship. But he was ranked 111th in the world before the event started. Should a player with those credentials even be in contention at a Major Championship? I do not think so.Also published on:
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Roy Halladay, the Only Pitcher Who Creates Wins from the DugoutCommon knowledge says that a pitcher can only win games that he pitches; Roy Halladay may be the one pitcher who consistently makes that common knowledge wrong.
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Another major, first-time winner leaves something to be desired on PGA Tour: A fan's takeDarren Clarke played exceptional golf to win the 2011 Open Championship; but his win continues a disappointing stretch of golf without superstars. Despite claims of a new generation of stars, golf is stuck with a jumble of good, not great players.Also published on:
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NCAA Football Surpassing NFL Quality? This Could Be the YearThe NFL lockout might be ending soon, but the consequences could continue through this season. No lockout means no practice. And no practice for the NFL might mean that the well-practiced NCAA yields higher quality football.
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Three Issues Loom Large as U.S. Leaves AfghanistanThe United States' troop decrease in Afghanistan is seen as a success in-country. But while the military moves out of Afghanistan, officials must remember to make sure they are not leaving any security threats in their haste to come home.
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Pitching Still Dominating; Offenses Don't LieAfter a consistent nine-year stretch, MLB's average team-OPS has been plummeting for the past two seasons. This is just further proof that pitching is taking over the major leagues.
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Who's Got Next?Now that Jeter has reached 3,000 hits, the question becomes, who is next in line? There are 18 players who have 2,000+ hits. Only five of them have any sort of shot at 3,000. And two of them are the clear-cut favorites to be next to that great milestone.
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No Tiger, no viewership: A fan's takeWithout Tiger, The Open Championship is missing more than just a golfer. Though there are other talented players, here are five reasons why a lack of Tiger Woods means I will not be tuning in for live Open coverage.Also published on:
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Barry Bonds: The Once and Should-Have-Been KingBefore steroids, Bonds was on the path to the top of the game's greats. Steroids put him on another path that has left him in court rooms and with a tainted career. But how much did he throw away? It's possible that he would have been the greatest ever.
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State of the Nation: Ramos Ready to Serve Up Top Production Behind the DishAt only 23 years of age, Wilson Ramos is the youngest starting catcher in the major leagues. Yet he has already established himself as a servicable starter. If he improves with age, he has star potential.
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State of the Nationals: Back End of the Bullpen Already Shutting it DownThree young arms in the bullpen offer another bright spot for the future as the Nationals head for another losing season.
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State of the Nation: Lombardozzi Gives Nats Options Up the MiddleThough the Nationals already have a young middle infield, Stephen Lombardozzi is putting up better minor league numbers than either of the current players, and if current struggles continue, is in line to force his way into the Show.
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State of the Nation: Jordan Zimmermann Ready to Be an AceAn excellent prospect with plus stuff, the only thing that has eluded Jordan Zimmermann is consistancy; consistancy that he may be finding for the first time in his MLB career
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The 300 Win Club: Not Finished YetAfter Randy Johnson, some people speculated that there would never be another 300 game winner in baseball. However, a new dominance of pitching has lead to chances for new members of the club.
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Jeter: Approaching a Milestone, but Already in HistoryHonus Wagner, Ozzie Smith, Arky Vaughan, Cal Ripken Jr, Ernie Banks and more; Derek Jeter has compiled the numbers over his career, and it is time to begin the discussion of where his name fits among the game's greatest ever.
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Carlos Gonzalez, Not the MVP Candidate We Thought He WasDespite his third-place finish in last year's MVP voting, Carlos Gonzalez's splits show that he was in no way the third-best player in the NL last season.
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The Year of the Pitcher? More like the Beginning of a Decade of DominanceLast season, a term that was tossed around often was the "year of the pitcher." However, the trend over the past few seasons, and continuing into 2011 is that pitching has regained dominance over baseball.
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When it Comes to Leading the Lakers, Brian Shaw Should Get to Dive InMike Dunleavy and Rick Adelman have been mentioned as replacements for Phil Jackson, but the person who can help the team is the one man who has experience managing Kobe Bryant: Brian Shaw.

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