I understand that ESPN The Magazine‘s The Body Issue looks to highlight the human body at its athletic peak, but I see no reason why Oakland Raiders placekicker Sebastian Janikowski couldn’t have kicked footballs with his shirt on. The kicking leg is impressive, but the rest of it reminded me too much of that scene in Mallrats where Michael Rooker dances out in a towel and shows his ass.

Two upsides to the video: Janikowski explaining how he became so good (“Just kick it hard as I can!”) and the reminder that Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion/”Gina Carano for real” Ronda Rousey is in there with him. Maybe they can combine the photoshoots and do a Lucy/Charlie Brown thing.

Ah well, this shoot looks at least a little better than “Shadowdick” Jose Reyes and aiming the camera right up Jon Jones’ butthole.

[h/t Sweater Punch]

ASYLUM POLL: Is the kicker over-valued in football?

For once, I have taken a side in KSK’s debate of the weekly “Meast” and “Least” awards. Well, for the Least anyway. While Ufford has been clamoring for the Saints as a team “Least” recipient. Not only did they let barely get into overtime against the Atlanta Falcons, but they clock-blocked themselves just before blocking the game-winning field goal after getting a stop on Atlanta’s opening drive in OT). My counter-argument for Hartley was pretty simple: If he makes that 29-yarder to win the game, none of that other stuff matters. Read the rest of this entry »