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Mixed Martial Arts is the new Jazzercise

FoxSports.com has a nice feature on Matt Leinart‘s off-season training regimen – and specifically, his recent Mixed Martial Arts training. Apparently Leinart is not interested in joining the UFC (like every other washed-up NFLer is doing these days), but rather he’s doing it to strengthen his mind and body, to give himself an edge in the NFL.  Looks like he’s working hard … who knows, maybe he’ll even be able to beat out 38-year-old Kurt Warner someday.

The biggest revelation for me from this piece is that Jay Glazer is an MMA trainer, who also works with Jared Allen and other NFL players!  That just blew me away.  I thought he was just another out-of-shape shmuck reporter, but it turns out that not only does he train, but he regularly announces MMA matches, and has even fought himself!  Wow.  I’m genuinely impressed.

You think NFL Athletes are going to John Clayton and asking him for tips  to increase their flexibility and quickness?  Not likely, huh?

Your Tuesday Morning Links:

• Ex Giant Tiki Barber is a forgotten man at NBC [NY Daily News].  As a Giants fan, I can’t tell you how warm and fuzzy this story makes me feel
• Rodney Harrison just retired, and is already trying to make his mark as a broadcaster.  Apparently Rodney thinks the game is turning into a “pansy sport” [Peter King's MMQB]:

“This is football in the National Football League. I hit a guy with my forearm in his throat or his chest area, and they’re trying to fine me. It’s football! [...] Football now is turning into a soft, pansy sport. This is not volleyball! This is not tennis! This is some of the biggest, fastest, strongest men in the world. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”