I've got two articles in the upcoming issue of IronMan Magazine (March 2009 edition) I have two training articles that will be running on back and bicep training respectively.
On page 150 they're running a back training article I wrote with Derik Farnsworth, a bodybuilder who's also a lifetime natural (read: steroid free) Professional.
and...
On page 218 they run a biceps training article that I wrote featuring Mark Perry one of the top amateur bodybuilders in the World today.
If professional bodybuilding is not your thing, IronMan is worth the price regardless because most of their publication deals with training and nutrition for non-competitors, and the articles I wrote break down how you can use techniques of the pros in your own workouts.
The magazine should be on stands soon.
Monday, January 26, 2009
A Little humor at the expense of our friends at aTm
"If you made money off the Baylor game, please leave the room"
Keep laughing aTm, you'll turn it around soon.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sport Shorts (01/25/09)
The "smack yo' beyotch up" edition...
UH's Coleman apologizes for stepping on Arizona player. [Michael Murphy, Chron.com] - Had this been a UT-Austin player, Justice would have already penned three blog posts and a special Sunday column telling people to lay off the kid. As it is, dumb move in a loss that further dims Houston's already bleak Tourney hopes.
East beats West in OT in NHL all-star game. [AP via Chron.com] - Exhibit A of why Houston has no business getting a NHL team: Great all-star game, no one from here even knew it was being played.
Can White pull off another 'win-win' deal? [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - A good analysis of the folly that is Minor League Soccer, better than the 'atta-boy, they deserve a stadium dreck that's being pushed on Houston by the Chron.
Coach in 100-0 girls basketball blowout fired. [AP via Chron.com] - I feel for the losing team, but nothing is worse than seeing your opponent goof it up because they don't want to 'embarrass' you.
Early Houston Football Recruiting grade: A [Houston.scout.com] - Coach Sumlin is bringing in a higher quality of recruit than did coach Briles. Dugat from Dayton, Robertson from Cleveland and Steward from Hightower have the potential to be defensive stars.
UH's Coleman apologizes for stepping on Arizona player. [Michael Murphy, Chron.com] - Had this been a UT-Austin player, Justice would have already penned three blog posts and a special Sunday column telling people to lay off the kid. As it is, dumb move in a loss that further dims Houston's already bleak Tourney hopes.
East beats West in OT in NHL all-star game. [AP via Chron.com] - Exhibit A of why Houston has no business getting a NHL team: Great all-star game, no one from here even knew it was being played.
Can White pull off another 'win-win' deal? [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - A good analysis of the folly that is Minor League Soccer, better than the 'atta-boy, they deserve a stadium dreck that's being pushed on Houston by the Chron.
Coach in 100-0 girls basketball blowout fired. [AP via Chron.com] - I feel for the losing team, but nothing is worse than seeing your opponent goof it up because they don't want to 'embarrass' you.
Early Houston Football Recruiting grade: A [Houston.scout.com] - Coach Sumlin is bringing in a higher quality of recruit than did coach Briles. Dugat from Dayton, Robertson from Cleveland and Steward from Hightower have the potential to be defensive stars.
Monday, January 19, 2009
No, the Texans aren't the Cardinals and here's why..
Chron NFL writer John McClain compares the Houston Texans to the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals today in a column that, sort of, made me scratch my head.
First off, there's not much in the article linking the Texans to the Cardinals success, except (maybe) some parallels between stellar Cardinal reciever Larry Fitzgerald and All-pro Texans receiver Andre Johnson. Outside of that the teams are totally different.
Wide Reciever - Look past the number ones and there's no comparison between the Cardinals and the Texans. Cardinals number 2 Anquan Bouldin would be a number one receiver an almost every other team. He's got toughness, grit and determination to make catches, and take hits as a result, that many other receivers are lacking. The Cardinals number three wide receiver is Steve Breaston, a young speed guy with good hands. The Texans speed reciever is....Jacoby Jones, a burner with stone hands who's 2nd half of the season was a case study in how not to hang onto the ball.
Records - Yes, BOTH teams were 8-8 last year and the Cardinals 'backed' into the playoffs this year. The Cardinals also have one important luxury that the Texans don't, they play in a terrible division. 9-7 Next year will not make the playoffs in the AFC South. There's too much strength in all the divisions except the West, where 8-8 won this year. Odds are next year either the Titans or the Colts will be Division Champions, so the Texans will have to go the WC route. Ask 11-5 New England how that worked out for them.
Coaching - Kubiak is no Whisenhunt. Sorry Texans fans but its true. The local-media fawning over "Denver as a model" is proving to be a paper tiger, especially after the 'great Bronco meltdown of 2008' illustrated the flaws inherent in a system focusing on offense at the expense of Defense in today's NFL. The Cardinals are an offensive team, but they've successfully imported their defensive philosophy from Pittsburgh. That's right AFC Championship Pittsburgh.
Quarterback - Schaub is no Warner, and he's certainly no Ben Rothlisberger. There's evidence that Schaub will become a competent starting QB in the league, but he probably won't develop into they type of leader that carries a team on his back when things are going wrong a la Peyton Manning. For Schaub and the Texans to succeed there has to be a better showing from the defense. Given the general lack of talent and quality-depth across the board on the defensive side of the ball, I don't expect Frank Bush to change that overnight.
Defense - Speaking of Frank Bush, his biggest problem is that he's a proponent of the Denver 'style' of defense. The talk right now is of an 'aggressive-attacking' scheme that pressures the opposing team's quarterback and gets after the ball. We've heard this before, most recently with Richard Smith. Truth be told the Texans are going to have little success implementing any defensive system until they upgrade talent, especially on the Defensive Line (this despite three straight D-line first round picks in the draft), Linebackers and Safety. Another cover corner wouldn't hurt either. It's that bad.
None of this means that the Texans can't put things together and make a playoff run next season. They have a (relatively) high-powered offense with quality weapons in Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton, a developing Offensive line that's well coached and continuity in the offensive staff. The 2009 NFL season could include a Texans playoff run but I'd lay those odds at about 10-1 because of the issues I've deliniated above. It will be interesting to see where Vegas puts them at the begining of next season.
That wouldn't be a bad bet to make if you're looking for a semi-longshot that might hit, for entertainment purposes only of course. (In other words: this ain't gambling advice, just idle Texans chatter)
First off, there's not much in the article linking the Texans to the Cardinals success, except (maybe) some parallels between stellar Cardinal reciever Larry Fitzgerald and All-pro Texans receiver Andre Johnson. Outside of that the teams are totally different.
Wide Reciever - Look past the number ones and there's no comparison between the Cardinals and the Texans. Cardinals number 2 Anquan Bouldin would be a number one receiver an almost every other team. He's got toughness, grit and determination to make catches, and take hits as a result, that many other receivers are lacking. The Cardinals number three wide receiver is Steve Breaston, a young speed guy with good hands. The Texans speed reciever is....Jacoby Jones, a burner with stone hands who's 2nd half of the season was a case study in how not to hang onto the ball.
Records - Yes, BOTH teams were 8-8 last year and the Cardinals 'backed' into the playoffs this year. The Cardinals also have one important luxury that the Texans don't, they play in a terrible division. 9-7 Next year will not make the playoffs in the AFC South. There's too much strength in all the divisions except the West, where 8-8 won this year. Odds are next year either the Titans or the Colts will be Division Champions, so the Texans will have to go the WC route. Ask 11-5 New England how that worked out for them.
Coaching - Kubiak is no Whisenhunt. Sorry Texans fans but its true. The local-media fawning over "Denver as a model" is proving to be a paper tiger, especially after the 'great Bronco meltdown of 2008' illustrated the flaws inherent in a system focusing on offense at the expense of Defense in today's NFL. The Cardinals are an offensive team, but they've successfully imported their defensive philosophy from Pittsburgh. That's right AFC Championship Pittsburgh.
Quarterback - Schaub is no Warner, and he's certainly no Ben Rothlisberger. There's evidence that Schaub will become a competent starting QB in the league, but he probably won't develop into they type of leader that carries a team on his back when things are going wrong a la Peyton Manning. For Schaub and the Texans to succeed there has to be a better showing from the defense. Given the general lack of talent and quality-depth across the board on the defensive side of the ball, I don't expect Frank Bush to change that overnight.
Defense - Speaking of Frank Bush, his biggest problem is that he's a proponent of the Denver 'style' of defense. The talk right now is of an 'aggressive-attacking' scheme that pressures the opposing team's quarterback and gets after the ball. We've heard this before, most recently with Richard Smith. Truth be told the Texans are going to have little success implementing any defensive system until they upgrade talent, especially on the Defensive Line (this despite three straight D-line first round picks in the draft), Linebackers and Safety. Another cover corner wouldn't hurt either. It's that bad.
None of this means that the Texans can't put things together and make a playoff run next season. They have a (relatively) high-powered offense with quality weapons in Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton, a developing Offensive line that's well coached and continuity in the offensive staff. The 2009 NFL season could include a Texans playoff run but I'd lay those odds at about 10-1 because of the issues I've deliniated above. It will be interesting to see where Vegas puts them at the begining of next season.
That wouldn't be a bad bet to make if you're looking for a semi-longshot that might hit, for entertainment purposes only of course. (In other words: this ain't gambling advice, just idle Texans chatter)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
NFC Question for the day...(so far)
Is Arizona this good?
Or is Philly this poor?
Right now the Cardinals are slicing through the Eagles as if the latter's defense isn't even there. Donovan McNabb is in the middle of another one of his big game meltdowns, and Andy Reid looks as clueless on the sideline as he did in fulfilling his duties as a father last year.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Or is Philly this poor?
Right now the Cardinals are slicing through the Eagles as if the latter's defense isn't even there. Donovan McNabb is in the middle of another one of his big game meltdowns, and Andy Reid looks as clueless on the sideline as he did in fulfilling his duties as a father last year.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Texans promote Frank Bush, media fawns, fans yawn.
Such is the reality of a team that's gone their first seven years without a winning season...
Work Begins now for Frank Bush with Texans
[Megan Manfull, Chron.com]
Initial Thoughts on the Frank Bush hiring as defensive coordinator.
[Stephanie Stradley, Texans Chick @ Chron.com]
The "Chron article" mentioned in Stephanie's lede can be found here.
[John McClain, Chron.com]
(Note: The Texans didn't have "Rooney Rule" issues due to the fact that Bush is a minority candidate)**{As Kevin points out in the comments, this isn't a "Rooney Rule" position. I thought I had heard that they expanded the rule to include coordinators, but a quick Google search proves I was wrong. Been making a lot of errors of late, not sure why. I apologize to my readers}
So, here we are Texans fans, fresh off the hiring of oft-criticized Rick Smith, who had no previous coordinator experience before assuming the role with the Texans, the Texans hire Frank Bush; a man with no previous coordinator experience. For those of you in the 'glass half full' camp at least Bush has been saying the right things in interviews: He wan't to play an 'aggressive' 4-3 defense He thinks the Texans have the talent to compete and make the playoffs, etc. You know, the same stuff we've been hearing from the Kubiak and crew since they took over. The question now is whether lack of success on the field is still the result of Charlie Casserley's poor personnel decisions.
It should be noted that Frank Bush is one of Kubiak's "Denver connection" coaches whose task, it would seem, is to make over the Texans into a "Denver south" version of team (formerly Shanahan). The the model on which the Texans have been designed just crashed ingloriously is obviously of no consequence, that many NFL experts are questioning the quality of the Denver system should also be ignored, at least, it should be ignored if you rely on local media for all things Texan. They haven't so much as questioned the system.
It's too early to catagorize the Frank Bush hiring as either genius or disaster, only after next season will we know for sure. How the Texans do in the upcoming draft will speak volumes as well. This is a team that depserately needs help at line-backer, defensive backfield and on the d-line opposite of Mario Williams. As much as it pains me to say it, they also need defensive help in the interior line. Now, as before the season, the Texans only have three 'plus' players on their defense: Mario Williams, Dunta Robinson and DeMeco Ryans.
The question that will be answered next year is whether the problem was with the coordinator, or with the Denver defensive system that couldn't stop a stiff Jr. High Marching band at Mile High? If its the latter then the Texans are in for a long, rough year, and could be looking at a third head coach. Let's hope, for Houston football fans, that the problems lie with the former choice.
Work Begins now for Frank Bush with Texans
[Megan Manfull, Chron.com]
It's clear the Texans' new defensive coordinator has a head start with the Texans. He knows the personnel. He knows what has somewhat worked, and he knows what hasn't worked. Now, it's his job to make the changes.
Initial Thoughts on the Frank Bush hiring as defensive coordinator.
[Stephanie Stradley, Texans Chick @ Chron.com]
Sigh. I'm not sure if there were going to be any ideal fits for defensive coordinator for the Texans this offseason, but can someone give me a convincing case why Texan fans should be excited about the Frank Bush hire?
According to the Chronicle story, Bush was the only person interviewed for the job. The only one.
The "Chron article" mentioned in Stephanie's lede can be found here.
[John McClain, Chron.com]
Bush's promotion wasn't a surprise. He was the leading candidate and the only one interviewed for the defensive coordinator position that became available when Richard Smith was fired after the season.
(Note: The Texans didn't have "Rooney Rule" issues due to the fact that Bush is a minority candidate)**{As Kevin points out in the comments, this isn't a "Rooney Rule" position. I thought I had heard that they expanded the rule to include coordinators, but a quick Google search proves I was wrong. Been making a lot of errors of late, not sure why. I apologize to my readers}
So, here we are Texans fans, fresh off the hiring of oft-criticized Rick Smith, who had no previous coordinator experience before assuming the role with the Texans, the Texans hire Frank Bush; a man with no previous coordinator experience. For those of you in the 'glass half full' camp at least Bush has been saying the right things in interviews: He wan't to play an 'aggressive' 4-3 defense He thinks the Texans have the talent to compete and make the playoffs, etc. You know, the same stuff we've been hearing from the Kubiak and crew since they took over. The question now is whether lack of success on the field is still the result of Charlie Casserley's poor personnel decisions.
It should be noted that Frank Bush is one of Kubiak's "Denver connection" coaches whose task, it would seem, is to make over the Texans into a "Denver south" version of team (formerly Shanahan). The the model on which the Texans have been designed just crashed ingloriously is obviously of no consequence, that many NFL experts are questioning the quality of the Denver system should also be ignored, at least, it should be ignored if you rely on local media for all things Texan. They haven't so much as questioned the system.
It's too early to catagorize the Frank Bush hiring as either genius or disaster, only after next season will we know for sure. How the Texans do in the upcoming draft will speak volumes as well. This is a team that depserately needs help at line-backer, defensive backfield and on the d-line opposite of Mario Williams. As much as it pains me to say it, they also need defensive help in the interior line. Now, as before the season, the Texans only have three 'plus' players on their defense: Mario Williams, Dunta Robinson and DeMeco Ryans.
The question that will be answered next year is whether the problem was with the coordinator, or with the Denver defensive system that couldn't stop a stiff Jr. High Marching band at Mile High? If its the latter then the Texans are in for a long, rough year, and could be looking at a third head coach. Let's hope, for Houston football fans, that the problems lie with the former choice.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A weekend of sub-par football.
Outside of the normal storylines, Home-team futility, falling favorites and accusations of official incompetence, I think the biggest story of the NFL playoffs so far has been the relatively low-quality play on the field by all teams, not just the losers in the first round.
The NFL Playoffs are marketed as the "best of the best", there's no month-plus gap between games that leads to Big Ten style Rust or dubious bowl tie-ins that ensure two mediocre teams take the field. These are supposed to be the 'best of the best' putting it all on the line with no prize for second.
What does that get us?
Jake Delhomme turning the ball over five times in a loss to Arizona.
Tennessee forgetting how to run the ball.
Eli Manning throwing up lame duck after lame duck against a Philly defense that will never be mistaken as one of te league's elite (although they are above average)
No LaDanian Tomlinson and a fish-out-of-water Charger's team looking ineffective against the Steelers.
The sad reality is that we're looking at the possibility of a Baltimore/Arizona Superbowl. Only slightly better would be a Baltimore/Philly tie pitting two anemic offenses against each other in a game that could be won by a score of 2-0. Not that I have anything against Ray Lewis or Baltimore, of Brian Dawkins and the Eagles, its just that I want to see great plays when I watch the NFL.
Part of the reason is the insular nature of NFL offensive coordinators. NFL offenses are stuck in the 70's. There's no innovation or outside-the-box thinking, just one-back, two-wideout "pro-sets" running the same plays with different names. Unlike College Football (where all of the real offensive genius lies) NFL defenses basically prepare for the same schemes every week, with only minor changes and tendencies and better players at key positions. Sure, the Steelers may run the ball more than Arizona, but when you watch them line up what's the difference? Where's the empty backfield set and the short passing game, moving the ball down the field? The no-huddle offense designed to tire out some of these (admittedly) great defenses?
All in all it leads to boring football played by Millionaire's with which the fans have only a passing interest. Need proof? At most NFL games its been conceded that tailgating is as much (if not more) a part of the game as the game. The Stupid Bowl has become an orgy of 'Pimp n' Ho' balls, office pools, wagering, advertising, and general partying with very few paying more than fleeting attention to the game. A large part of the reason for this is due to the fact that the game itself is typically not very good.
Now that the College Football season is wrapped up with an orange and blue bow on top I'm starting my sports transition to College Hoops. With pre-season out of the way and conference play beginning in earnest its nigh time to begin getting an idea of how my bracket's going to look come March. Oh sure, I'll watch the NFL Playoffs and the Stupid Bowl out of some sense of sports obligation, I will probably also enter into friendly bets with friends and family concerning the score. At the end of the day, however, I'm not going to care about who wins or loses. The eventual winner will be the one who played the least terribly throughout the playoffs.
Where's the attraction in that?
The NFL Playoffs are marketed as the "best of the best", there's no month-plus gap between games that leads to Big Ten style Rust or dubious bowl tie-ins that ensure two mediocre teams take the field. These are supposed to be the 'best of the best' putting it all on the line with no prize for second.
What does that get us?
Jake Delhomme turning the ball over five times in a loss to Arizona.
Tennessee forgetting how to run the ball.
Eli Manning throwing up lame duck after lame duck against a Philly defense that will never be mistaken as one of te league's elite (although they are above average)
No LaDanian Tomlinson and a fish-out-of-water Charger's team looking ineffective against the Steelers.
The sad reality is that we're looking at the possibility of a Baltimore/Arizona Superbowl. Only slightly better would be a Baltimore/Philly tie pitting two anemic offenses against each other in a game that could be won by a score of 2-0. Not that I have anything against Ray Lewis or Baltimore, of Brian Dawkins and the Eagles, its just that I want to see great plays when I watch the NFL.
Part of the reason is the insular nature of NFL offensive coordinators. NFL offenses are stuck in the 70's. There's no innovation or outside-the-box thinking, just one-back, two-wideout "pro-sets" running the same plays with different names. Unlike College Football (where all of the real offensive genius lies) NFL defenses basically prepare for the same schemes every week, with only minor changes and tendencies and better players at key positions. Sure, the Steelers may run the ball more than Arizona, but when you watch them line up what's the difference? Where's the empty backfield set and the short passing game, moving the ball down the field? The no-huddle offense designed to tire out some of these (admittedly) great defenses?
All in all it leads to boring football played by Millionaire's with which the fans have only a passing interest. Need proof? At most NFL games its been conceded that tailgating is as much (if not more) a part of the game as the game. The Stupid Bowl has become an orgy of 'Pimp n' Ho' balls, office pools, wagering, advertising, and general partying with very few paying more than fleeting attention to the game. A large part of the reason for this is due to the fact that the game itself is typically not very good.
Now that the College Football season is wrapped up with an orange and blue bow on top I'm starting my sports transition to College Hoops. With pre-season out of the way and conference play beginning in earnest its nigh time to begin getting an idea of how my bracket's going to look come March. Oh sure, I'll watch the NFL Playoffs and the Stupid Bowl out of some sense of sports obligation, I will probably also enter into friendly bets with friends and family concerning the score. At the end of the day, however, I'm not going to care about who wins or loses. The eventual winner will be the one who played the least terribly throughout the playoffs.
Where's the attraction in that?
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