Super Sunday at Wimbledon

The Sunday before Wimbledon has never meant anything for me. My day was pretty well planned out with seeing my old coach at Wimbledon and then watching England play Italy. Despite what England did, (I wont repeat it again), my old coach managed to get me a player's pass for the whole championships. This player's pass allowed me to go anywhere so join me on my tour behind the greatest tennis tournament in the world.

Rolling like a Big Shot

Sunday's day turned from a simple lunch to living up with some big shots. As well as brushing past Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer; I managed to have a little conversation with Patrick Rafter. Being inside the player's bit at the practise courts allowed me to really see how players warm-up and prepare. Most players were loosening up for the next, however Nadal was perfecting his grass-court game for three hours against Feliciano Lopez and Kevin Anderson. It was amazing to see him be so focused on meticulous about everything compared to Djokovic and Murray who were more relaxed. The difference between the top players and how they prepare has always been intriguing. What was then even funnier was the player's eatery. I grabbed some pasta which I got to design myself. Robin Haase actually asked for the same thing which was put a little pride into my lunch-choosing ability. I walked past a table of Janko Tipsarevic, Milos Raonic and Jarkko Niemenen where 'Tipsy' was ripping Niemenen apart for being Finish. It was just a bit of banter but great to see. My day ended with a great conversation on the balcony in regards to performance coaching from my old coach, who coaches Jamie Lee Hampton among others.

Tuesday: Time for the Test

With my player's pass on my chest and some blue tape all over my left shoulder (damaged cartilage a few weeks ago); I was ready to brace the crowds of SW 19.

Tuesday boded some good matches on the order of play. I managed to sit and watch Jesse Levine on an outside court. He managed to beat Karol Beck in four sets. There is something about watching two people on the outside courts battle it out for money and ranking points that really gives out the grand slam spirit. It is all good watching Nadal win in straight sets but the hard work, sweat and tears are always found on the outside courts. Great to watch. After that match, I decided to grab some lunch and go to the practise courts. I was treated at the practise courts with Murray warming up with Jamie Baker, David Ferrer, Gasquet and Tsonga hitting. The two hour stint I spent there was capped off by watching Novak Djokovic and Giles Simon play some practise points. From there I went on a little British hunt. Watching the Brits almost make it at Wimbledon seems to be a tradition. However, Johanna Konta showed great fight to push Christina McHale deep into the third set before only just losing. I then moved on to Court 14 to see James Ward. Ward was having a topsy turvy match. After losing the first set to Pablo Andujar, he won the second 6-0, lost the third and claimed the fourth 6-3. The final set started badly as he lost his serve early but claimed a break back before showing some good self-belief and managed to win. He will be rewarded with a match against Mardy Fish on Thursday. What started out as a great day ended in rain, of course. However, it was great to see everything and hang around some top players. Amazing to see how well they cope with losing, I have to strangely admit that. All photos were taken by myself. To keep hear any more comments from myself, follow me at twitter

Robson and Watson fly British Flag in Eastbourne

Eastbourne, SUSSEX- The AEGON International Open in Eastbourne has seen some big seeds fall and yet the Brits fly high.

Contenders Curse!

The day started with top seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, losing 6-2, 6-4 to the talented Bulgarian, Tsvetlana Radwanska. Petra Kvitova followed suit as she was also beaten very comfortably in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, by fellow left hander, Ekaterine Makarova. Next up saw Carolina Wozniacki take on the American Christine Mchale. The Dane had a dreadful start as she only managed to claim one game and lost the first 6-1 in only 35 minutes. Despite squandering a break of serve lead and then a 6-2 lead in the second set tiebreak, she managed to close the breaker 9-7. Mchale did not seemed phased though and broke early to claim a great win.

Brits show Composure

It then looked towards the British interest and with both Laura Robson and Heather Watson in action, we were all licking our lips at the opportunity to watch them both on court 2. Robson was up first. After doing a great job of qualifying, she came up against 49th-ranked, Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez. The Spaniard had a very interesting style of game and quickly established her tactics of coming forward and slicing her forehand. Sanchez's experience claimed her the first set as Robson became frustrated and made too many errors. However, a quick turn around in the second saw Robson, "keep her at the back." This allowed the Brits' power ground shows to dominate. She claimed the second set 6-2 and up 4-1 Sanchez called on her coach but there was nothing she could do to stop Robson. She wrapped up the match with a 6-2 effort and left the court with a big smile. Heather Watson managed to claim a wildcard for the event and she meets Greta Ann, a Hungarian qualifier, in the first round. Watson managed to claim a break in both sets and eased to victory 6-4, 6-4.

Querrey retires Early

The pick of the first round Men's matches has to have been Roddick and Querrey's match up. Both men had different pathes at Queens with Roddick's early exit while Querrey went to the semis. The match begun very slowly for Querrey. The much expected upset did not even have time to appear as Querrey retired at 5-2 down due to back issues. Roddick, who is craving match practice just before Wimbledon, quickly made his way to the practice court afterwards to help him. He will play Jeremy Chardy next. In other news, Kohlschreiber, Istomin, Darcis and Lu all progressed.

Thomas bites the hand that fed him

Demaryius Thomas has recently explained on a SportsRadioInterviews.com that he is happy to see Peyton Manning come in due to Tebow's poor play. Interesting considering Tebow at quarterback doubles his statistics in one season.

Tim Tebow was not necessarily the best quarterback to ever play in the NFL, we all know that. However, he did some incredible things with the Bronco's last season even though you do have to give credit to their amazing defence.

Thomas, who has a lot to be thankful of Tebow in my opinion, also extended a group opinion that,

"Everything on ESPN was all about Tim... That bothered some players too."

I think Thomas forgets that without Tebow he was not a relevant wide receiver.

Tebow- Thomas... Big Play Potential

I will be the first person to agree that Tebow threw some serious melons in his days at Denver. The ball was not clean and he did miss some open receivers. However, when you look at Kyle Orton and what he brings to the table, you have a decent quarterback. Thomas was not getting the ball last season under Orton, Tebow comes in and gives Thomas some plays to remember. Obviously, Thomas was not criticising Tebow when he threw him a 80 yard bomb to beat the Steelers in the post season.

The man from Georgia Tech has a very big mouth. His 2010 stats sit at around 280 yards and 2 TDs whereas in 2011 he went to 551 yeards and 4 touchdowns. Thomas was injured for a part of the season but without Tebow he was irrelevant on this offense.

Thomas should shut up personally. He was not a factor before Tebow, he might not be a factor afterwards. In all fairness, if I was Peyton Manning then I would not be happy with a WR criticising an old QB. Manning might develop a better relationship with Eric Decker, which seems to be a better option in terms of speed and hands.

Thomas seemed to forget that he is not a Top 10 NFL receiver yet. He has no right to criticise the man who put him on ESPN and he needs to be quiet.

Tebow not in control of ESPN

As for his ESPN comments. First off, I do not think Thomas' team-mates would appreciate his grouping that people were mad at everything being about Tebow. Tim fully noted in interviews consistently that he thanked his defence for being awesome. Anyone who knows anything about football knows that Denver's success was due to the stout defence and Tebow's success was also about a good running game. For Thomas to speak for the whole Denver squad when he is still very young in this league seems very arrogant.

As for Tebow being all over ESPN, who's fought was that. Tebow did not ask to be glorified nor was he glorified all the time. He took a lot of stick on ESPN as well as praise. People were always talking about him not being long-term. Not the kind of stuff you want to hear if your taking a team to the play-offs. Tebow did not crave attention.

Thomas is blaming Tebow for things he cannot control and should realise that he was nothing if Tebow was not there. Tebow made Thomas and it would not surprise me to see Manning and Decker link up together. All I know is that I will not draft Thomas in Fantasy Football with comments like that.

My Man Skip Bayless says it all.

Manning chooses Denver while Seattle snap up Matt Flynn

After a lot of discussion, it seems the top two quarterbacks on the free-agency market have finally been signed. Peyton Manning signed for Denver yesterday while Matt Flynn decided to move to the west coast and became a Seahawk.

NFL's worst conferences get boasts

The addition of these new quarterbacks into the AFC West and NFC West were definitely tactical decisions. These two conferences are easily the weakest in their own divisions.

Elway and Fox get their traditional quarterback

From Day One of Tim Tebow's career it has been clear that the important men in Denver have always a typical quarterback; strange coming from Elway who was himself a quarterback kind of like Tebow.

Although what Tebow does in response is unsure, a man who took a very poor team into the semi-finals of the AFC, I am sure he will find a role and the rumour is that Jacksonville are already interested. I still think that Manning should have gone to Tennessee but he has guaranteed himself a play-off place after going into a weak division.

Manning's signing comes after a lot of speculation. Although contract negotiations have not been agreed, it seems that a 5-year, $95 million deal. Very expensive for someone who might end his career after one big hit.

Most Broncos fans will be ecstatic by this signing, however I would still be unsure due to his physical situation.

Flynn will need to be a 'Seahawk' to be successful

It was no stranger to see Tavarris Jackson on the the medical list week after week in Seattle. If your wondering why then just watch a game to see a poor offensive line.

Flynn's decision to take the deal in Seattle is a strange one. I hope he is good at handling pressure because he will be chased consistency in his first few games to see if he can handle a starting position in the NFL.

Although his conference is also very weak, Flynn's success might be measured by his offensive line rather his ability which is a shame. He does however have an inspired Marshawn Lynch in the backfield and players like Sidney Rice and Zach Miller to throw the ball to; he definitely has a chance.

Flynn signed a three-year deal worth $26 million with $10 million being guaranteed. Flynn was easily the second best option after Peyton Manning and the Seahawks have made a good acquisition. Hopefully he is the man that Seattle have needed for a long and allows them to focus on their offensive line in the draft.

It is great to see two 'weaker' teams sign these big players. I am probably over-critical of Manning but its not because I am not a fan, I do not buy into his physical condition after signing that huge contract with the Colts and then not playing all season long.

Only time will tell.

Big Free Agency Moves in NFL so far....

Some of the biggest moves of this off-season have not always been the signings but mostly the releases. The salary cap change is making teams re-arrange their big contracts leaving some big names out there as free agents.

Colts re-build might take a few years at this rate

The Indianapolis Colts have pledged to re-build their team ever since they agreed to let Manning go. Although they will bring in Andrew Luck in the draft, they are certainly not offering too much help for the rookie.

The Colts have already released Dallas Clark, Curtis Painter, Joseph Addai, Gary Brackett and Melvin Bullit. They are even shopping Dwight Freeney as well. If I am Andrew Luck, I am not a happy person. I guess it means they will have to do some great things in the draft; especially defensively as they couldn't stop a high school team from scoring last year.

The Oakland Raiders have gone nuts in my opinion. After the new general manager fired Hue Jackson and hired a very inexperienced defensive co-ordinator as the head coach, Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie continue to release starters from last year. Oakland's defensive was very poor in 2011-2012 and very little options with a large wage bill and few picks in the draft. So their decision to get rid of both starting corner-backs and key linebacker, Kameron Wimbley, is a scary thought. Although Dennis Allen is a defensive man, I hope he knows what he is doing. Today they signed two experience players in the figure of corner-back Ron Bartell and guard Brisiel. Bartell could not even make the St. Louis Rams defensive backs; not a good thing.

Kansas City have snapped up Stanford Routt and Kevin Boss already.

Wide Receivers make BIGGEST Deals so Far

After Detroit made Calvin 'Megatron' Johnson the moist expensive NFL player ever (he signed for 132 million), it seems that it sparked off a wide receiver fury.

Chicago's signing of Brandon Marshall puts him and Cutler back together again. Marshall had one good season in Miami when Matt Moore took over. He should return to form with a gun slinger back on his side. 49ers did a great job of acquiring Mario Manningham in my opinion. It is exactly what Alex Smith needs after a great year. A shame that he might get shafted for Peyton Manning after taking his teams to the semi-final of the Super Bowl.

The Patriots have also made some nice moves, stocking up on wide receivers. In a strange move, Bill Bellichek signed Anthony Gonzalez from the Colts. Gonzalez has not played a game due to injury for some time. They also signed a big wide receiver in Brandon Lloyd; something that everybody demanded that Brady lacked in his Super Bowl loss. Lloyd once again gets to join his BFF, Josh McDaniels.


Overall, the moves this off-season look exciting. There are a lot of great players on the market so do not miss a thing and keep your eyes here as I will dissect most of the moves until the draft.