Eye On Sports with Eric Williams

Swinging Showstoppers…The Top Seven Most Entertaining Players on the ATP World Tour

2014-06-23T05:49:00.000-07:00

While the sport of tennis is generally a ‘quiet’ game in which fans and players are often encouraged to be as silent as possible, the result is that there clearly isn’t much variety in the way of outgoing, crowd-pleasing performers that realize they are as much an entertainer as an athlete.

Unless it’s the annual U.S. Open (where almost anything goes), or either a Davis Cup or Fed Cup showdown, tennis players and their fans are often chided for any sort of behavior that may be deemed as overly outgoing and not conforming to the ‘tennis norm’.

Well, on the eve of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, I started thinking about just which ATP World Tour players are the most entertaining performers in the game today.

Thanks to a bit of assistance from two current title-winning tournament players and several other trusted tennis colleagues, I have come up with a fun-filled list of the seven most entertaining players on the ATP World Tour today.

Whether their entertainment value comes from jaw-dropping athleticism or audience-stirring emotion, these seven ATP World Tour ‘showstoppers’ know exactly how to please a crowd better than any of their current contemporaries.

With that said and the 2014 tennis season rolling right along, let’s get started.

7. Mikhail Youzhny

Now ranked 14th in the world, former World No. 8 Mikhail Youzhny is undoubtedly one of the better and certainly more entertaining ATP World Tour players today. The fiery 31-year-old Russian is as demonstrative as they come and will always be remembered for one of the most bizarre sights in tennis history despite being one of the few players in recent tour history to reach the quarterfinals or better in all four Grand Slam tournaments.

You see, not only is Youzhny known for his often dramatic shot-making and crowd-pleasing persona, but he is also remembered for bashing his head with a racquet during a 2008 Miami Masters match against Spaniard Nicolás Almagro.

Down 4-5 in the final set, Youzhny missed an easy return before making an angry gesture to no one in particular. Quickly thereafter, the 2010 US Open semifinalist began bashing his head with his own racquet and drawing blood from his forehead.

The best part however is that Youzhny then went on to put a convincing smackdown on the underachieving Almagro by winning the next seven points, an ensuing tiebreaker and ultimately, the entire match.

See my guy, Mikhail Youzhny and his ‘head-bash’ right here!

6. Roger Federer

I have absolutely no idea where to start when it comes to the brand of entertainment that only World No. 8 Roger Federer can provide. Unlike some of the other performers on this list however, Fed’s entertainment factors comes solely from his on-court excellence and not much else in the way of histrionics. One minute, the incomparable Federer is hitting the same forehand ‘tracer’ that has made him the game’s greatest player ever, the next, he’s faking out fans – and cameramen across the globe – with one of his inimitable drop-shots. H…and did I forget to mention the jaw-dropping ‘tweeners’ Federer become almost synonymous with in recent years? No matter what stroke he’s hitting, the sweet-swinging Swiss superstar is good for at least a half-dozen oohs and aahs each and every time he takes the court.

5. Marcos Baghdatis

While he’s fallen on a bit of hard times recently, World No. 129 Marcos ‘Big Smiling’ Baghdatis is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining players on tour today. From his often incredible displays of shot-making to his overall fun-loving, crowd-including ways, not many players can please an audience like the wildly popular Cyprian can.

4. Novak Djokovic

While Novak Djokovic has undoubtedly lost a lot of the fun-filled ‘Djoker’ personality that used to reside within the affable Serbian a few years back, watching Djokovic play today is still quite entertaining to say the least. Whether he’s pulling off one of the patented sliding shots (on a hard court no less) he’s now made famous or whether he’s letting out a deafening roar following a stunning winner, watching Novak Djokovic is about as entertaining as it gets tennis fans.

3. Alexandr Dolgopolov

If you haven’t seen the talented, but still wildly inconsistent, Alexandr Dolgopolov, then you have no idea what you’re missing tennis fans. The 25-year-old from Kiev,

Ukraine

reminds me a lot of his new coach, Fabrice ‘The Magician’ Santoro in the sense that he has – and uses – every shot in the book.

From his one-of-a-kind serve to his whippet-like groundstrokes – and inimitable spinning slices – Dolgopolov is simply pleasing to watch play the game of tennis. While Dolgopolov can often concentrate a bit too much on looking cute and flashy and not enough on actually winning points, the fact of the matter is that there aren’t many players that can make an audience gasp in amazement like the fleet-footed Dolgopolov can.

2. Rafael Nadal

He may have lost the 2014 Australian Open to newly-minted World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka, but make no mistake about it, World No. 1 Rafael Nadal is still as entertaining as he ever has been. From his almost supernatural ability to ‘hook’ balls around the net posts (often while on the all-out run) and past stunned opponents to his never-say-die attitude to get to every ball, no one can do many of the things that the fiery Spaniard does. Make no mistake about it, even the hardest of hard core Roger Federer fans can appreciate the incomparable entertainment value that any Rafael Nadal match offers.

1. Gael Monfils

I’m not sure how many coaches World No. 30 Gael Monfils has driven absolutely bonkers with his unmatched athletic prowess – and absolutely boneheaded on-court decision-making, but I do know one thing…and that’s the fact that no player on the planet is as entertaining as the electrifying 27-year-old Frenchman.

While it’s no secret that Monfils may never fulfill his legitimate grand slam potential because of his unwillingness to move forward, the fact of the matter is that no player routinely runs down balls or hits as many crowd-pleasing shots as Gael Monfils does.

Five Things All Tennis Players Can Learn from Rafael Nadal

2014-06-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

You know, it’s pretty ironic that I’m writing this ‘Five Things’ column on ATP World No. 1 Rafael Nadal just a couple of days after whimsically watching some YouTube videos of the ‘Running of the Bulls’ in Pamplona, Spain.

Why is it so ironic you ask?

Because I swear, Nadal’s jaw-dropping 2013 campaign was a mirror image of many of those often gory videos I watched today– and it’s not because Rafa played the role of one of the young men running for their literal lives.

No, a year ago, the World’s No. 1 ranked player and reigning 2014 French Open champion, was anything but a wayward victim waiting to happen. Nadal was the ‘bull’ himself, running roughshod over any and all that stood in his way as he climbed back to the top of the sport he’s pretty much dominated ever since picking up a racket as a young child.

Despite his surprising loss to newly-minted World No.3 Stan Wawrinka in the 2014 Australian Open Finals, Nadal has won a stunning seven of the last 13 singles grand slam titles.

Having said all of this, there are certainly more than a few things tennis aficionados across the globe can learn from the fiery southpaw Spaniard. Thankfully, I have narrowed down Nadal’s vast skill set to five simple things that all tennis players can learn from Nadal – and before you ask, no, his patented ‘butt dig’ isn’t one of them.

Okay, now that you’ve picked yourself up off the floor from laughter, let’s get started with Five Things All Tennis Players Can Learn’ from ATP World No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

Hustle

Just when his opponents think they’ve won a point against him, Nadal comes running from ‘off the television screen’ to not only get to what appeared to be an unreachable ball, but often times, hit a jaw-dropping offensive reply as well. While I’m not suggesting that everyone can turn defense into instant offense like Nadal, I am saying that tennis players everywhere should strive to hustle for every ball just as Nadal does.

There is another component to the ‘hustle’ factor that places sole proprietorship on the player alone and that would be the fact that while footwork and movement can be improved through repetitive exercises, ‘hustle’ can’t exactly be taught. It is a quality that each player has to have within them.

As the lead instructor at Williams’ Sweet Spot Tennis Academy LLC in Schertz, TX, admittedly I have been blessed to work with a multitude of young players that are not only talented, but are extremely hard workers that go all out for each and every ball hit to them. I have however, come across a few players that I couldn’t get to move more than three feet unless I threw Twinkie in front of them.

There are myriad footwork, agility and speed drills that can help you improve your movement, but if you want to learn how to hit all-out winners on the flat-out run like Rafael Nadal, then you’ve got to have the desire to hustle for every ball just like the King of Clay does.

Topspin

While no player on the planet hits with as much topspin off the forehand wing as Rafael Nadal, players everywhere would be wise to observe, imitate and try to incorporate some of the same components Nadal uses to hit his inimitable forehand.

While I’m not suggesting a massive grip change or complete swing shape overhaul, I am saying that players everywhere, especially those that hit flatter groundstrokes, should experiment with creating more topspin, whether through a minor grip change or slight swing shape alteration.

If you’re using a more traditional Continental forehand, try moving over one bevel to a semi-western or, more drastically, a full western forehand. Depending on your level of comfort with each alteration, these changes could be full-time or even part-time depending on what kind of ball is hit to you.

Case in point…while I use a cross between a continental grip and semi-western, I do like to quickly change my grip to something closer to a full western forehand for high balls I hit near shoulder level. This quick adjustment allows me to drive my high forehand with plenty of power while creating more topspin than I usually use for a waist-high ball in order to get the ball back down on the court. The point is, experimenting with your ability to create more topspin on your groundstrokes is always a good thing.

Shot-making

I don’t think I’m making much of a bold statement by saying that Rafael Nadal is arguably the greatest shot-maker in ATP Tour history. I mean, think about it. How many players have you seen routinely hook balls over and around the net posts like Nadal?

I can honestly say that I can’t count the times that I’ve seen Nadal hit an absurd groundstroke that left me both, slack-jawed and pleasantly bewildered. Now, while it would be asking a bit much to expect ‘normal’ players to duplicate Nadal’s extraordinary ability to consistently pull off unfathomable groundstrokes, the fact of the matter is that tennis players of all ages should look to become proactive shot-makers more so than reactive reply artists.

To improve your shot-making abilities, set up a series of cones or drop-down lines and routinely practice putting balls in both corners or up the middle while adding some ‘on-the-run’ hitting drills. Before long, you’ll see your ability to create opponent-stunning shots increase like never before.

Emotion

Emotion can be both, a good thing and a bad thing depending on how and when you use it tennis fanatics. Here’s a breakdown on when emotion is both, good and bad.

The Good

Many of today’s top players use their emotions to fire themselves up after a big point or outstanding winner, whether it be a groundstroke, serve or volley. For reference, let’s say Nadal is serving at 15-40 and he and his opponent trade a series of searing groundstrokes until Nadal finishes off the point with one of his patented topspin forehands, eliciting one of his patented ‘Vamos’ screams. At this point, you had better believe that the very next point is almost assuredly going to go Rafa’s way. That’s good emotion at its finest.

The Bad

Now, let’s say another player like talented, but mistake-prone Ernests Gulbis is serving at 30-all after a routine groundstroke rally of seven or eight shots and rips a backhand down the line only to see it hit the tape and fall on his side of the net to go down 30-40. Gulbis then lets out a shriek and slumps his shoulders before heading to the ad court for his next serve.

Not only is this clearly ‘bad’ emotion, but Gulbis’ opponent can now sense that he likely has the mental edge for the next point at the very least. Making things even worse is the fact that this bad emotion can carry over to another few points or even the next few games, effectively, changing the entire outcome of a match.

Keep your emotions more in check and never let your opponent see that you’re struggling mentally. This is often a tough task to accomplish, but improving your ability to control your emotions and withstand pressure is paramount to playing winning tennis like Rafael Nadal does far more often than not.

Down the Line Backhand

While I wouldn’t say that Nadal has the best two-handed backhand in the world, he does possess more ability than most to hit winners off of this wing. I also love the fact that Nadal isn’t afraid to go for winners off the backhand wing, particularly down-the-line, like a lot of players.

Players everywhere would do well to shore up their backhands as much as possible while honing their abilities to go for outright winners down-the-line. Generally, when players have a slight opening down-the-line off of this wing, one of two things happens. Either a winner is hit outright or an unforced error occurs that is likely caused by either hitting into the tape or slightly long.

What makes Rafa’s down-the-line backhand so good is his ability to create an inordinate amount of topspin and clear the extra few inches at the net that aren’t present when going cross-court.

Practice your down the line backhand, both from a ‘set’ position and on the run. You’ll quickly notice that your winners off this wing will increase dramatically as your opponents start to realize they can’t expect a routine cross-court backhand every time they hit to that wing.

By adding all five of these elements to your own game, you’ll increase your chances of winning every match you play, even if you don’t look quite like Rafael Nadal in doing so.

Are the Saints in trouble in powerful NFC?

2013-12-29T13:55:00.002-08:00

The New Orleans Saints have generally looked like either the second or third best team in the NFC all season long and a team that could very well challenge either Seattle or San Francisco for conference supremacy in the NFC portion of the playoffs.

Unfortunately, New Orleans hasn't looked very good in dropping three of their last four games, to Frisco, St. Louis and a suddenly scary Carolina team while not topping 16 points in the process.

The Saints lost control of what appeared to be a sure-fire division title a few weeks back and now will have a tougher road to hoe once the postseason rolls around. I’m not too sure that anyone should have expected the Saints to get back into title contention this season following the now-infamous Bountygate scandal two years ago, so maybe we should all give Drew Brees and company a bit of a pass if they flame out earlier than expected this postseason.

The again, when you’ve got a quarterback like Drew Brees, I believe it’s quite possible New Orleans could get on a red-hot postseason roll like the New York Giants did in winning each of their last two Super Bowls.

While I’m certainly not going to count Brees and the Saints out at this point, I will say that the Saints’ postseason outlook appears to be tenuous at best.

Bully for Buffalo!

2013-12-29T13:47:00.001-08:00

Don’t ask me why I have this secret love affair going with the Buffalo Bills (even though I really hated them in the 90s) that likely stems from my childhood days when I was running around the asphalt-paved streets of Philadelphia pretending I was the legendary, Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson.

Having said that…let me also say that I am fairly impressed with the job that first-year head coach Doug Marrone did in upstate New York, despite what appears to be an underachieving 6-9 record heading into their regular season finale against New England.

Had it not been for the early season injury suffered by gifted rookie quarterback E.J.Manuel, Buffalo could hypothetically have a polar-opposite record to the one they have now. The Bills rank a stellar second in the league in rushing, though the team’s passing attack was mostly anemic at best, particularly with Manuel out and Thaddeus Lewis taking some time to get acclimated.

Anyway, seeing the Bills totally dominate a Miami Dolphins team with a ton to play for was eye-opening to say the least. I think bright things are in store for the Bills and that they could potentially pull off the season-ending upset over New England?

What do you think Eye On Sports NFL fans? Comment and let me know!

Madness is Miami…is the end near?

2013-12-29T13:43:00.001-08:00

Longtime friends and family members that have known me my entire life, know that I am arguably the most faithful Miami Dolphins fan in the country. My Dolphin-loving days go waaaaay back, to the pre-Dan Marino days when Miami was still fielding dominant championship-calber teams led by Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and the team’s voracious –no-name’ defense.

Well, as you’re all aware, those days are now a distant memory for the Fins and their fans. Most recently, Miami has been in the news by becoming the first NFL franchise in league history to have to deal with ‘bullying’ allegations.

Having said that, I also want to go on record to say that Fins head coach Joe Philbin should really be given consideration for the NFL Coach of the Year award for masterfully guiding his young team through one of the largest scandals to rock any franchise in recent memory and putting them in position to potentially make one of the most surprising postseason appearances in league history.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins’ postseason hopes took a bit if a hit in their Week 16 road loss to Buffalo, putting this dysfunctional franchise one step closer to a conclusion that can’t come soon enough if you ask me.

Oh…about that Jay Cutler decision

2013-12-29T13:38:00.001-08:00

I’ll say it again…I genuinely believe the Chicago Bears made a huge mistake by demoting a red-hot Josh McCown in favor of starter, Jay Cutler once the polarizing signal-caller was cleared from injury to participate in the Bears’ Week 16 matchup against Philadelphia. Cutler wasn’t horrific – but he also wasn’t far from it.

If Cutler struggles early on against Green Bay in the team’s NFC North regular season finale, should the Bears turn to McCown?

I say ‘yes’ Eye on Sports NFL fans. What do you say? Comment and let me know!

No Ray Lewis, no leader for Baltimore Ravens?

2013-12-29T13:30:00.001-08:00

You know, I kind of got on Ray Lewis case earlier this season when the former BaltimoreRavens superstar commented on his former team now lacking the locker room leadership that he and Ed reed provided a year ago en route to the second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

Now, after seeing the Raven’s regular season, I’ve changed my mind and am in full agreement with Lewis’ assertion weeks ago. Clearly, this is a Ravens team in desperate need for leadership, particularly from inconsistent (again) quarterback Joe Flacco.

Baltimore paid its strong-armed signal-caller like an elite quarterback, but it’s clear to me that Flacco is more of a second-tier star than a flat-out superstar.

Whether you love him or loathe him, there’s no denying the Ravens’ are missing the kind of leadership Lewis provided his entire career in Baltimore.

Do the Ravens have a team leader? Is Joe Flacco an elite quarterback? Weigh in with your comments Eye n Sports fans and let me know!

Brady, Pats, treat Ravens like patsies!

2013-12-29T13:17:00.001-08:00

I know the Baltimore Ravens have been an up-and-down roller-coaster ride of a team all season long after winning last season’s Super Bowl title, but I’m still surprised at the ease with which Tom Brady and the New England Patriots laid the smack down on Baltimore in what was a virtual must-win game for the defending champs.

The Pats treated the inconsistent Ravens like an afterthought in their emphatic 41-7 Week 16 blowout, leaving no doubt in my mind that the Ravens rare nothing more than mere patsies this season whether they reach the postseason or not.

Cam…Oh, Cam...Panthers' signal-caller growing up quickly!

2013-12-29T13:13:00.002-08:00

It sounds crazy to call Cam Newton’s Week 18 performance against the NFC South division rival New Orleans Saints ‘masterful’, but that’s just what it was despite the Panthers’ signal-caller going just 13-for-21 for 181 yards with one touchdown and one pick.

Newton was as ‘clutch’ as it gets down the stretch against the Saints, leading Carolina on a 65-yard game-winning drive that started with just 55 seconds remaining in regulation and concluded when Newton hit Dennis Hixon on a 14-yard strike with 23 seconds left.

Could it be the Panthers are more legitimate contender than Super Bowl pretender? Weigh in and let me know Eye On Sports NFL fans.

Five More Things All Tennis Players Can Learn from Serena Williams

2013-12-29T07:02:00.000-08:00

It was only a few months ago, when I wrote an interesting tennis-based column titled, ‘Five Things All Tennis Players Can Learn from Serena Williams’http://www.examiner.com/article/five-things-all-tennis-players-can-learn-from-serena-williams.

That article on the WTA World No. 1 was so well-received by tennis enthusiasts across the globe that I have decided to write another tennis-teaching column on Williams’ formidable tennis prowess in an effort to both, inform and assist tennis players and fans everywhere. Besides, there are clearly more than five things that all tennis players can learn from the rejuvenated Williams who just unfurled arguably the greatest season of her history-making 15-year career.

Okay, with that long-winded diatribe out of the way, let’s get started.

Conditioning

If you saw Serena Williams at all this past season, then you already know the conditioning – and body changes – she’s undergone since dedicating herself more to fitness following her scary ordeal with a pulmonary embolism in 2011.

Williams looks thinner (but still awesome) this year than she did when she first came into out consciousness as a demur 15-year-old back in 1999 and her improvement in conditioning showed as she ran with or outran altogether – many of the WTA Tour players known largely for their ‘wheels’ and ability to run down ‘unhittable’ balls.

As a tennis instructor, I generally begin each and every session, whether in an individual or group setting, by having my students run through a series of footwork and agility drills. This not only get the heart rate up, but it has also helped many of my junior players improve their on-court movement dramatically.

Unfortunately, I see many of my brethren giving instruction by simply tossing out or hitting balls to their students…even those that are overweight and clearly in need of conditioning.

As I always say, if you’re not fit and you can’t move properly, you’re not going to win very many tennis matches – and this applies to every player from recreational weekend warriors to the very elite ATP and WTA professionals.

Get fit if you want to be at your very best on court.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quR-KBQPZ1o

Swinging Volleys

While Williams can and does occasionally hit traditional volleys, you wont’ see that part of her game very much as she has made a career out of bashing winners mostly from the baseline.

Nevertheless, Williams does occasionally move forward to finish points off quickly, particularly when she sees a floater coming over the net.

Williams rushes to the net and catches the ball in mid-air while unleashing a vicious swing off of either wing. While both of these shots make look like they’re fairly simple shots that don’t have much chance of missing, I am here to say, that they most certainly are not.

Generally, when I see players attempt a swinging volley, they’re either hitting the ball long or swinging too quickly and hitting one into the net.

Next time you have a swinging volley attempt, don’t approach the net all wide-eyed as if you’re about to smack the green off of the ball. No, while you will still need to approach the net quickly, you’ll also need to maintain your composure and not get overanxious. Focus on your strike point and where you want to place your swinging volley.

Remember, it’s better to dial down the power and keep the ball on court than to blast away and give your opponent a free point on an unforced error.

Here’s a video of former Serena coach Rick Macci teaching the swinging volley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcgFFlrRoo

Return of Serve

I’m going to get right to the point by saying that if you can win games on your opponents’ serve with any sort of consistency; you’re way ahead of the game and well on your way to playing winning tennis.

However, before you can even begin to think about breaking your opponents, you need to learn how to return serves and no, I don’t mean just getting them over the net. To become a great ‘returner’ you’re going to need to beef up those groundstrokes and place them deep in the court, just like Serena Williams does.

Williams punishes weak serves, routinely smacking them past her often dazed opponents for outright winners and never allowing her opponents to start a rally. If you can put your opponent on the defensive right off the bat, then you’ll have a far greater chance of taking control – and winning – the point you’re playing.

One of the first things I teach my juniors to do is to watch their opponents’ serve in warm-ups and early in the match so they can try to get a good read on their opponents’ preferred placement in both courts and on both, first and second serves.

Another thing you may want to do is to adjust your return positioning depending on where your opponent is hitting the majority of their serves. Meaning, if your opponent has a killer serve down the ‘T’ out of the deuce box, then you will likely want to play a step or two further to your left than normal. Conversely, if your opponent likes to hit the slice out wide out of the deuce box, then you’ll probably want to shade a foot or so in that direction.

Like Williams, if you can learn to step in and take balls on the rise, you’ll be able to shorten your opponent’s reaction time or what I like to call ‘stealing time’ likely forcing an immediate defensive reply and an ensuing offensive shot for you.

Now, check out this return from Serena…if you can see the ball that is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G04PvAVd3A

Hitting Deep

One of the first things my tennis coach/mentor taught me was to hit the ball as deep to the baseline as possible. Thankfully, this resulted in me now having the ability to consistently place my groundstrokes off of both wings generally, within 6-12 inches of the baseline whenever I so choose.

Having said that, if you watch Serena Williams hit her groundstrokes, you’ll notice that there are generally a bit flatter and lengthier than many of today’s topspin-loving players that hit up on the ball a bit more as opposed to through it like Williams.

Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m all for plenty of topspin, however, I am also a massive opponent for hitting the ball deeper – by hitting it a bit flatter. One of the things I love about the younger Williams’ game is the fact that she can vary the amount of topspin she uses on every groundstroke.

Williams will take balls hit deeper in the court and flatten them out with powerful replies that land equally deep in her opponents court. However, when she receives a shorter ball than stays under the height of the tape, then Williams digs those balls out with much more topspin while maintaining her ability to place the ball deep in the court.

Hitting balls deep in the court denies your opponent the opportunity to aggressively move forward and makes many players produce awkward groundstrokes of their own as they have to continually fight off balls.

Whether your groundstrokes tend to be flat strokes with a lower net clearance height or higher topspin drives, if you can hit close to the baseline consistently, you’re likely to win matches far more often than not.

Mental Fortitude

Last but not least, tennis players everywhere can learn a thing or two about mental fortitude and overcoming adversity from Serena Williams.

A I tell my young students all the time, if you’re a tennis player, then you had better learn to deal with adversity because things are, invariably, going to go wrong at some point in some match and likely, nearly every time they step on the court.

I mean really, unless you can 6-0 every player on the face of the planet, you have to deal with adversity in tennis…that’s just a simple truth abut the sport. However, receiving adversity is something every player goes through, even your opponents, so at least you’re not alone. Dealing with these tough stretches in matches is another thing altogether and Williams would likely attest to this fact firsthand.

If you’re prone to wild, emotional outbursts on court, either in jubilation or despair over certain shots or points in a match, then you’re helping your opponent in a big way while simultaneously draining both, physical and psychological energy from your own self.

Just look at Williams over her career and you’ll notice that, whenever she wasn’t able to ‘keep it together’ mentally, she generally ended up with a loss on her resume, even if she was playing an inferior opponent (aren’t they all?). When she has been able to block out any and everything, she steamrolls through the field

Williams has apparently worked hard to improve her on-court mental state because in 2013, not once did we see the sure-fire Hall of Famer ‘beat herself’ as has happened on several occasions in the past.

To go along with her powerful game, Williams also has a mental resolve to overcome all odds and generally seems to play better when the stakes are highest. If you can learn to do the same, then you’ll have something in common with the great Serena Williams and isn’t that something all tennis players would like?

Taking about reaching…Cowboys sign Jon Kitna

2013-12-29T05:48:00.002-08:00

So, the Dallas Cowboys don’t have a third string quarterback to back up veteran signal-caller Kyle Orton so they had to go out and sign former NFL signal-caller Jon Kitna in order to help keep whatever postseason hopes they have alive.

Kitna, 41, hasn't played since backing up Cowboys starter Tony Romo for three games back in 2011. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett signed the grizzled veteran after just one phone call despite working out three other quarterbacks, stating that the formerly retired veteran knows the team’s offense and has plenty of experience having started 124 games in his NFL career.

What do you think Eye on Sports NFL fans…are the Cowboys reaching or they did they make a wise move by signing Kitna.

Romo, Cowboys win…But Trouble Still Looms for beleaguered ‘Boys

2013-12-29T05:43:00.001-08:00

The DallasCowboys may have managed to keep their season alive for another week as they get set for their Week 17 season-ending finale against NFL East division rival Philadelphia, but it looks like fool’s gold from where I’m sitting.

This team is banged-up, lacking leadership and in complete denial about the state of their franchise from top to bottom. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles are flying high coming into this contest off an overwhelming 54-11 thrashing of Chicago in Week 16.

I think the ‘Boys are a train accident waiting to happen. What do you think Eye on Sports NFL fans? Weigh in and let me know!

Are Arians, Palmer and Cardinals really for real?

2013-12-29T05:40:00.000-08:00

After working his magic with Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts a year ago, Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is up to his old tricks, this time resurrecting the career of former Pro Bowl caliber veteran Carson Palmer – and simultaneously, the near-future hopes of a Cardinals’ franchise desperate to get back into legitimate Super Bowl title contention ever since the beloved Kurt Warner hung up his cleats.

Arians has helped Palmer get back to near-elite status as he ranks ninth in passing heading into the Cardinals’ huge Week 17 regular season finale against San Francisco. While Palmer has thrown 21 interceptions to go along with his 22 TD passes, he has managed to give the Cardinals a chance to win far more often than not, which is exactly what they’ve done.

Todd Bowles them over!

2013-12-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator

Todd Bowles.

Maybe it’s me, but I’m suddenly thinking the Arizona Cardinals are a lot more ‘legit’ than I ever thought this season.

While Arizona ranks just 23rd in total offense, they are also ranked a more impressive 16th in scoring. More importantly, the Cardinals are very, very good defensively for outstanding coordinator Todd Bowles.

Led by its league-leading run defense, Arizona is ranked sixth in total defense, mostly by limiting its opponents to a paltry 84.5 yards per game on the ground and just 20.1 points per contest (seventh). Bowles’ underrated defense completely shut down the Seattle Seahawks and gifted quarterback Russell Wilson in Week 16 and now have the look of a very legitimate contender in the NFC.

What do you think Eye On Sports readers? Are the Arizona Cardinals legitimate? How many postseason games will they win if any? Let me know what you think readers.

Grabbing thin air…Eagles’ McCoy is Special with a capital ‘S’!

2013-12-28T16:45:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia Eagles' running back LeSean McCoy.

I knew Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy was going to be a very good starting running back in the NFL during his rookie season when the elusive speedster averaged an impressive 4.1 yards per carry on 155 attempts while adding an additional 308 yards in pass receptions.

While it wasn't very hard to see that the Birds had nabbed a special player with the 53rd overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, I’ll be the first to admit that I didn't foresee the flat-out stunning play that McCoy has unleashed upon the league this season and I suspect not many others did either.

No matter how you felt about McCoy back then, there’s no denying the Eagles have arguable the most gifted back in the entire league right now. Philly’s elusive superstar is guy that displays a shiftiness that is often reminiscent of the legendary Barry Sanders and an ability to dominate either rushing the ball or receiving it that rivals the equally respected Marshall Faulk.

The NFL may not keep statistics on how many running backs made defenders miss by grabbing nothing but thin air, but I bet LeSean ‘Shady’ McCoy leads the league in that category hands down.

Birds blast Bears, Cowboys next?

2013-12-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

Nick Foles

While it’s been a tad of a roller-coaster season for the Philadelphia Eagles in head coach Chip Kelly’s inaugural season in the NFL, the fact of the matter is that there has been far more good than bad for the City of Brotherly Love’s beloved NFL franchise.

Having said that, I also want to go on record right now to say that the Dallas Cowboys look like they’re an accident waiting to happen as they get set for a winner-take-all Week 17 NFC East showdown against the division-leading Birds.

Tony Romo

Yes, I know the Cowboys will be coming into this contest with a bit of momentum after narrowly beating Washington in Week 16 to keep their postseason hopes alive for what will be a third consecutive season-ending contest that will determine their postseason fate.

Kyle Orton

The good news is that Dallas will be playing this contest on their home field. The bad news is that Dallas lost at Washington 18-18 last season and at New York 31-14 in 2011, not to mention, falling to Philly 44-6 in 2008 in another regular season finale that kept them out of the postseason. Overall, the Cowboys are a pitiful 2-11 in their last 13 Week 17 games since 2000 and seeing as how Philadelphia demolished Chicago 54-11 in Week 16, things don’t bode well for the ‘Boys at all.

Federer enlists assistance of legendary Edberg!

2013-12-28T16:16:00.005-08:00

Roger Federer (L), and Stefan Edberg.

Whether you agree that Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all-time or not (I do), one thing all sports fans can agree upon is that there is not a classier athlete on the face of the planet today.

Having said that…tennis fans everywhere should know that ‘Camp Federer’ just got a tad more sophisticated thanks to the part-time addition of legendary six-time grand slam winner Stefan Edberg, Federer’s acknowledged boyhood idol.

The former Swedish superstar says he was surprised to receive a call from Federer, an even bigger legend in his own right while adding that the all-time slam leader was the only player he make a return to the game for.

"I was very surprised (that Federer asked) because it's so long since I left tennis," he said.

"But I was also very flattered. I've never really thought about coaching and if it had not been Federer doing the asking, honestly, I would not have been interested."

Edberg has already worked with Federer a few days this month at his pseudo-home base in Dubai.

"The idea of the camp was that I would give my views and come up with some feedback. He wants to try some new things," said the serve-and-volley king.

Edberg admitted that he advised Federer to try and end points quicker against the likes of younger superstar baseliners like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic while also adding that he believes Federer can win more majors before he retires.

"Of course I have some comments as to what needs to change and evolve, but it's not the done thing that I sit here and talk about it," he said. "I think he will be coming back. He's a great player and all the pieces are in place, he can definitely win some more grand slam titles."

Personally, I think Federer has made a very intelligent move in seeking some assistance from one of the game’s great serve and volley masters and that any time any athlete is trying new things in order to improve by even the slightest margin – that is most assuredly a good thing!

Novak hires ‘Boom Boom’ Becker…Okay, but why?

2013-12-27T18:08:00.002-08:00

It’s nice that ATP World Tour No. 2 Novak Djokovic has hired all-time great Boris Becker to help him get over whatever demons are plaguing him after losing to Rafael Nadal in two of last season’s four majors.

My only question for the clearly gifted and extremely versatile Djokovic is…why?

"He is a true legend, someone who has great tennis knowledge and his experience will help me win new trophies from the Grand Slams and other tournaments," Djokovic said in a statement. "Becker is a great person, too, and I am sure he will fit in our team in the best possible way."

The 46-year-old Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion, will travel with Djokovic and other coaches to tournaments, including next month's Australian Open.

Why hire a guy that has both, never coached the game before, particularly when you’ve already won six grand slam titles?

For his part, Becker says he’s more than ready to take on his latest challenge.

"I will do my best to help him reach his goals, and I am sure we can achieve great things together," said Becker, who became the youngest man to win Wimbledon when he was 17 in 1985.

Don’t get me wrong, I can surmise Djokovic made the hire most likely because he lost a bit of his mojo a year ago, particularly against Nadal, but the fact of the matter is that it wasn’t very long ago that Djoker pretty much owned Rafa – and everyone else – en route to a season for the ages.

Besides, it’s not like 2013 was a total loss. Djokovic won his fourth Australian Open title last year and finished the 2013 season ranked No. 2 behind Nadal. Djokovic also already has an unbelievably gifted staff that includes coach Marian Vajda, Miljan Amanovic and Gebhard Phil-Gritsch. Surprisingly, Vajda, who has been working with Djokovic since 2006, said the Serb needed a new head coach to continue improving.

"Becker's assignment will not affect much my position in the team, since I will do all I can for Novak, just like I did before," Vajda said. "On the other hand, choosing Boris as the head coach is a good solution, I am sure we will get along very well, and that Novak will continue to progress."

Once again Eye on Sports readers, I don’t really get what Becker is supposed to add to Djokovic’s already well-rounded game, but hey, if it helps one of the game’s most personable players win at least one more grand slam than he did in 2013, I guess it was worth adding a little Boom Boom even if it was mostly as a morale boost.

Rondo to Kings….C’s Need to Pull Trigger Now!

2013-12-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

If the Boston Celtics can move Rajon Rondo to the Sacramento Kings for either or both starting guards, Isaiah Thomas or Ben McLemore, I say they had better pull the trigger faster than Quick Draw McGraw ever did.

First and foremost, Rondo can’t shoot a lick from outside of 15 feet and that, in my estimation, will always be a major hindrance to whichever team does acquire the defensive-minded former all-star.

However, if Boston can get either of Sacramento’s gifted backcourt players, they should not hesitate to pull the trigger on this hypothetical trade. In the case of Thomas, sure, he may be small, but he’s as explosive as it gets offensively and he’s really starting to come into his own even more this season after not having much consistency, minutes-wise from former head coach Paul Westphal.

Now, I’m absolutely shocked that the Kings would even consider trading the clearly talented McLemore, seeing as how the rookie shooting guard was one of the most prized picks in last year’s NBA Draft and has an upside as high as any young guard’s in the league.

The Celtics have been on the better end of many, many trades, but this one is a whopper that make even the most dedicated McDonald’s fan switch to Burger King.

Bet on Briles…Snyder Needs Baylor, RG3 Coach Now!

2013-12-23T21:51:00.000-08:00

It’s funny, but I can’t tell you how many times I’m watching a sporting event and notice something going on and the game’s announcers will repeat, almost verbatim, what I just said.

Now, nearly two months after telling numerous friends, family and colleagues across the globe that the Washington Redskins should go all out for former RGIII mentor and current Baylor head coach Art Briles, reports are starting to come out that they may be just what happens.

Adding more fuel to the speculation that Briles could very well land in the nation’s capitol, is the fact that the elder RGII, the father of Washington’s franchise quarterback, is now openly lobbying for Briles to become the team’s next head coach.

According to recent reports, the elder Griffin has politicked Dan Snyder to hire Baylor coach Art Briles, who coached the younger Griffin to a Heisman Trophy, to replace Shanahan.

One source who has known the Griffin family for at least six years recently compared the elder Griffin to the late Earl Woods, Tiger Woods’ father and a man who many believe lived in the reflective glory of his son’s accomplishments.

Garvin’s Shot on Bengals Punter Was…Cheaper than Cheap!

2013-12-23T21:45:00.000-08:00

Say what you like about Pittsburgh Steelers’ special team player Terence Garvin and his highlight-reel making leveling of unsuspecting Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber on Sunday, but I am categorically going to call it just what it was…one of the worst cheap shots I have ever seen.

To me, tit looked like Garvin clearly wanted to harm Cincy’s sixth-year punter as he crown of his helmet to get under Huber’s own helmet and deliver what I believe is an absolutely disgraceful hit.

Making matters even worse is the fact that no penalty was called for the hit and even worse still, is the fact that Huber had his jaw and neck broken. While it clearly didn’t happen, I believe it’s quite possible that Garvin could have ended up paralyzing Huber and ending up looking like one of the worst villains in modern sports history.

Here’s to hoping Huber makes a full recovery and that the league seriously fines the game referees for this Week 15 contest as well as Garvin.

C’Mon NASCAR…No One Should Ever Drive No. 3!

2013-12-23T21:38:00.000-08:00

Maybe it’s me Eye on Sports fans, but there is no way I can agree with NASCAR’s decision to let Richard Childress put Dale Earnhardt’s beloved No. 3 car back on the track, particularly for a relative in grandson, Austin Dillon.

''I know in my heart, today, as I sit here, Dale Earnhardt is smiling down,'' Childress said at the unveiling of Dillon’s No. 3 on Wednesday. ''He would want to see this 3. He didn't want it to ever go away. But I felt it was the thing to do right after Daytona, and I know today that he's accepting this highly. I knew him that well.''

Yes, I know that Childress knew Earnhardt extremely well and says ‘the Intimidator’ would give his blessings to this move, but I still disagree vehemently.

Certain athletes have made such indelible impacts on their franchises or respective sport, that they alone should be remembered in the form of having their uniform, or in this case, car number retired.

Think about it Eye on Sports fans, isn’t having your jersey retired one of the greatest honors that any athlete could ever receive?

Can you imagine anyone else wearing Jackie Robinson’s No. 42, which was retired league-wide by MLB in 1997? Likewise, can you imagine another hockey player ever wearing Wayne Gretzky’s beloved No. 99 jersey, which was also retired by the NHL back in 1999? How about Magic Johnson’s No. 32 or Larry Bird’s No. 33?

I can’t nor do I want to see another player wearing their jersey numbers. I can go on and on naming great athletes that are forever linked with their respective jersey or car numbers and remain perplexed as to why NASCAR never honored the beloved Earnhardt by forever retiring his famous No. 3 car.

''My grandfather has done a great job of teaching me how to handle certain responses to things, and I think we're going to go forward with it,'' Dillon said. ''I've heard a lot of good feedback from the fans, and every time I'm at an autograph session I've had someone ask what's going to happen. They are excited and we are, too, at RCR. It's what our sport was built on - family and history - and a great opportunity for all of our sport to see this No. 3 back on the track.''

Dale Earnhardt won a whopping seven Cup titles and was a first ballot Hall of Famer that died way too soon. If Richard Childress and NASCAR want to properly honor their late, beloved legend, then they should retire his No. 3 car forever. As we all know, there will forever, be only one Intimidator.

What do you think? Should NASCAR retire Dale Earnhardt's famed No.3 car?

Miami’s Missing Ingredient is…?

2013-12-13T14:46:00.002-08:00

Not only did the Miami Heat lose to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, but it’ how they lost that’s most disconcerting (if you’re a Heat fan that is).

As both, the Pacers and Spurs showed in last season’s playoffs, the way to beat Miami is by attacking the major weakness – their glaring lack of competent big men. The closest thing Miami has to a talented big man is Chris Andersen and he’s more of a defender and rebounder. The Heat don’t have players tall enough to contend with teams that are huge across the front line and they can’t score from the low post, unless it’s LeBron James or D-Wade backing their respective defender down.

Miami may have escaped two playoff series a year ago, but their lack of a solid front court is going to cost them this season – unless you believe oft-injured center Greg Oden is going to come from out of nowhere to miraculously cure all of Miami’s interior problems.

George, Pacers, Take Round One Against LeBron, Heat!

2013-12-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

Paul George and the Indiana Pacers took round one of what is expected to be a season-long race for first place in the Eastern Conference.

More importantly, the Pacers put the defensive clamps on James, forcing the reigning MVP into a dismal 6-for-16 shooting performance. Even more telling is they way Miami’s lack of interior size is now starting to hurt them in a big way.

Pacers’ underrated center Roy Hibbert managed to score a game-high 24 points against Miami while making an efficient 10-for-15 from the field by dominating Miami’s uninspiring – and mostly short – front line.

Indiana moved to a perfect 10-0 with the victory and delivered a message to Miami that, come playoff time, they are going to be far more prepared than they were in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Forget About Fed…At Your Own Peril!

2013-12-10T06:28:00.000-08:00

While I am admittedly one of the biggest Roger Federer fans on the face of the planet, in no way, do I let that fact cloud my judgment as a longtime member of the media and fully realize that the days of Fed’s total domination, are now, a thing of the past. With so many younger, bigger, stronger and yes, faster, opponents beginning to make names for themselves, Federer will undeniably have a tougher time in winning a major than at any time in his career.

Having said that…I also genuinely believe that Federer can and ultimately will, add at least one more major title to his already impressive cache whether that title comes in 2014 or beyond. While it is true that Federer now faces more top-notch competition than ever, I think it’s also a fact that, outside of NovakDjokovic, Rafael Nadal and a returning Andy Murray, not many tennis fans in their right minds would pick someone other than Federer to hoist one of next season’s four major titles, so basically, people still expect to see Federer in semifinals of majors and that says something in and of itself.

Are these expectations realistic?

I think they are and I can see him managing to reach at least one grand slam final in 2014, if not two. If you thought this past season was telling as Federer fell to No. 7 in the world, then think again. The fact of the matter is that 2014 will almost assuredly be a far more telling year for the incomparable Roger Federer, whether good or bad.