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Hoops Lab: NBA Hoops Lab-Week 25
Andre' Snellings
Andre' Snellings writes about fantasy sports for RotoWire.
Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Hoops Lab
By Andre' Snellings
RotoWire Staff Writer
Grading Nostradamus
At the start of the basketball season there are all types of "experts" out there that make predictions, but by the end of the season they've usually changed their stories. Not this guy. I tried my hand at being Nostradamus back in October with 19 predictions for this NBA season. Three of the events haven't happened yet and can't be graded, but the other 16 are far enough along to warrant a verdict. Out of those 16, I was at least partially right on 11 of them and completely whiffed on the other five. Not too bad, if I say so myself. Let's take a closer look at my record.
Nailed it (I am the man!)
1. Someone besides Kobe Bryant will lead the NBA in scoring this season (LeBron James)
2. Someone besides Steve Nash will lead the NBA in total assists this season (Chris Paul)
3. Someone besides Kevin Garnett will lead the NBA in rebounding this season (Dwight Howard)
4. Things will not go well in Miami this season ('Nuff said)
5. Reigning rookie of the year Brandon Roy will not have the best fantasy season among second-year players (Rudy Gay)
6. Rashad McCants will be the best perimeter player on the Wolves this season, even ahead of Randy Foye
Wrong (Nobody's perfect)
1. The Grizzlies will be this season's Raptors, using the Suns' blueprint to surprise everyone on their way to becoming contenders in the conference
2. The Bobcats are going to the playoffs this season
3. The Timberwolves will have a better record this season than they had either of the last two seasons (Yeah, I know. Not my brightest prediction)
4. By the end of the season, Nate Robinson will be acknowledged as the best guard in the Knicks back-court (He did jump over Marbury, though)
5. Kevin Garnett is about to have the best statistical year of his career, even better than the 2003-04 season where he led the NBA in total points and rebounds (He had arguably his best season overall, but one of his worst fantasy seasons)
Half-right (Let me explain...)
1. Things will not go well in Phoenix this season
The team is currently sixth out West after finishing top-2 each of the past three years. That may be more due to the competition getting stronger than them getting weaker, but still, I'm claiming half-victory on this one.
2. Either Josh Smith or Gerald Wallace will finish higher than Shawn Marion on the Yahoo! player rater this season
Marion is still currently higher than Smith on the rater, but it's close and Smith could still overtake him. And the fact that Smith is still playing while Marion sat out April (and fantasy playoffs) gives Smith the edge in the tie-breaker.
3. Both Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston will return to the Clippers before the season ends, and at least one will have an impact by the fantasy playoffs
Brand made it back, and is having an impact on the fantasy playoffs. 4. There were two Cinderella teams in the Western Conference playoffs last season: the Warriors and the Jazz. At least one of them will miss the playoffs outright this season
This hasn't played out yet, but currently the Warriors are on the outside looking in so by next week this could be completely right.
5. By the time the playoffs start, Chris Webber and Sam Cassell will be playing for the Celtics.
It was P.J. Brown instead of Webber that joined the Celtics, but I got the Cassell part correct.
Situations to watch and Quick Hits
Free agent Merry-go-Round: For those in daily transaction leagues with no moves limit, the strategy in the playoffs is different from the regular season's. Because in the playoffs, it makes more sense to drop a reasonably solid starter that doesn't have a game in exchange for a good free agent that's playing. I have been in some leagues where this is taken to the extreme, with owners staying up till 4 am to make transactions as soon as the next business day begins. When it gets to this point it's not as much fun, because winning a championship can become just a numbers game instead of a true test of team quality. That said, if the league is set up to allow this, and there are quality free agents on your wire, it's just intelligent to do whatever it takes to win. So if you're losing in a close game and have anyone that you could drop without it destroying your team, even if it's someone that you wouldn't normally drop, it might be worth it to pull the trigger.
Tracy McGrady's shoulder: McGrady sat out Weneday night against the Sonics with a sore shoulder, but he expects to play against the Suns on Friday. The Rockets' next three games are all against playoff-caliber competition, with the Nuggets and Jazz following the Suns before an easier game in the season finale against the Clippers. With the Rockets still fighting for playoff seeding, McGrady will likely play each of the next three games, but if the situation is settled by next Wednesday he probably will sit out the finale.
LeBron James' back: James missed two practices this week with a sore back, but he was still able to start and put up huge numbers on Wednesday night. If the Cavs are able to lock into the fourth seed before the season ends James could end up sitting out a game or two, but as long as the team is still fighting for position he's likely to keep suiting up.
Ron Artest done?: Artest sat out of Tuesday's game with a sprained thumb, and his status for the remainder of the season is in question. It doesn't make sense for him to risk a return since the team is eliminated from the playoffs, so don't base your championship hopes upon having him over the next week. Also, keep an eye out for Francisco Garcia and John Salmons, who could step up in his absence.
Corey Maggette return?: Maggette missed Tuesday's game against the Nuggets with a strained hamstring, but he has been listed as probable to play Thursday night against the Lakers. The Clippers are long out of the playoffs, but with Elton Brand's return and a rivalry game against the Lakers, perhaps Maggette will be motivated to play. If he doesn't make it back for Thursday, though, I question whether he will come back at all this season.
Gerald Wallace done?: Wallace has missed the last three games due to a groin injury, and he has now reported pain in his abdominal muscles. With the Bobcats out of playoff contention, he's reportedly leaning toward shutting it down for the last few games of the season.
Nick Collison: The Sonics will enter this offseason in stage two of their rebuilding mode, with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green already in place as future cornerstones. Collison needs to work hard to make sure that he is a part of that future plan, and he's playing like it by averaging 13.3 points and 11.3 boards over the last week.
Francisco Garcia/ John Salmons: Just like earlier in the season, Garcia and Salmons have increased their values with Ron Artest on the bench. Artest could be done for the season, in which case Garcia (20.3 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 boards, 2.0 steals over the last week) and Salmons (11.3 points, 4.5 boards, 2.8 assists, 2.3 steals) should both finish the season strong.
Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, Amir Johnson: The Pistons are locked into the second seed in the Eastern Conference, which means that they're resting their starters more and giving more minutes to their younger players. Maxiell (7.0 points, 7.3 boards, 1.5 blocks, .8 steals over last week), Stuckey (13.8 points, 5.5 assists, 3.3 boards, 1.5 steals), and Johnson (7.3 points, 7.5 boards, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 steals) have all taken advantage of these extra minutes and should continue to finish the season strong.
Leon Powe: Like the Pistons, the Celtics are also locked into their playoff position and are resting their starters more. Powe is the main player off the bench that has consistently produced fantasy numbers when given minutes, so he's a good candidate for a cheap pick-up that could produce over this last week.
Ramon Sessions: Sessions has taken over as the lead guard for the Bucks with Mo Williams injured, and he's finishing the season with a bang, averaging 9.5 points, 8.5 assists, 4.3 boards and 1.3 steals per game over the last week.
Article first appeared 4/10/08
Top Fantasy Basketball Player News
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Fantasy Football Quarterbacks
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 11
Jay Cutler ruled out for Week 11, Jason Campbell to start: Fantasy implications
By ashton.williams
@AshtonFootball
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 11. We break down the fantasy implications.
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on Friday was ruled out for Monday night's game with the San Francisco 49ers because of the concussion he suffered in last weekend's loss to the Houston Texans. Jason Campbell will start in place of Cutler.
Cutler left the game against the Texans in the first half and has not practiced this week for the Bears. Campbell finished with 94 yards passing in the loss to Houston.
Fantasy Impact: This isn't a shock and fantasy owners will still have time to make moves if they were hoping to use Cutler on Monday night. This change will likely help the value of Matt Forte and hurt Brandon Marshall, who does not have the same chemistry with Campbell as he does with Cutler.
Campbell should not be considered a viable fantasy option at quarterback for Week 11. For more fantasy info, head over to the SB Nation Fantasy War Room 4-8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Check out SB Nation's own Fantasy Football game, Pick 6!
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Indianapolis 500 Traditions: The History Of The Race And Its Quirks
May 20, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; General view of the Borg Warner Trophy during bump day for the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
The Indianapolis 500 is a unique event steeped in tradition. How those traditions came about may surprise you.
As annual sporting events go, much of the time their popularity follows decades of tradition unique to that event.
To the general public, the Kentucky Derby evokes thoughts of mint juleps first, and horse racing second.
The opening ceremonies of the Olympics almost always draw a larger television audience than any gold-medal event.
March Madness is the best excuse to skip out of work early on a Thursday in hopes of catching an upset, even if you have no idea what college basketball teams are participating.
For the Indianapolis 500, there are no shortages of hooks to lure you in to the fantastic event.
Since 1911 the race, held at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has become steeped in tradition that resonates with even the most casual of sports fans, all which give credence to the importance and impact of sport in the American culture.
The Indianapolis 500, let's be honest, is really about a bottle of milk.
In 1933, race winner Louis Meyer sparked the tradition when he asked for a glass of buttermilk in the victory lane. The request was the result of years of advice from his mother who told him it was the best way to handle the heat.
Three years later Meyer took the checkered flag again, once again requesting milk but by no means convincing subsequent race winners to mimic the act.
In fact, the actual tradition of the race winner being handed a bottle of milk is a bit contrived.
In 1936, following Meyer's send Indy 500 victory, a local dairy company executive recognized the opportunity to turn the drink into a marketing and advertising golden goose. But winning racers weren't necessarily panting for a swig of milk. Instead, dairy companies became sponsors of the event to ensure their brand was prominently placed in front of the media and race participants.
Over time the novelty of drinking milk before receiving the Borg-Warner Trophy became accepted by racers -- who wouldn't gladly accept a glass of cold milk amid sweltering heat and humidity? -- and thus the tradition grew into what it is now.
Today, the Indy 500 winner swigging (or just dousing themselves) from a bottle of milk is the most indelible image of the annual event, and it all started from someone who just wanted to quench his thirst.
But before racers can even think about that, there are a number of unique pre-race events and build-up that you'll only find in and around the Brickyard on Memorial Day weekend.
On the Friday before the race, each qualified team participates in a final practice session, known at Carburetor Day. Until 1955, this meant a fine-tune of each car's engine to ensure optimal performance for race day. But even though IndyCars do not use carburetors anymore, the name has stuck, and it's used to signify the final day of practice when all 33 participating cars can be on the track at the same time.
Race officials open up the Speedway to the public to take in the event, and it's grown to become more of a celebration, as concerts and the annual Pit Stop Competition ensues once the cars move off the track.
As Carb Day turns into Carb Night, all racers attend two major parties in an attempt to loosen the nerves and laud participants.
The most fun is the Last Row Party. More of a roast, the Last Row Party raises money for charity and is an opportunity for attendees to toss light jabs at the three racers who will start the race last in the pack.
The goal is to get the racers to at least blush, if not laugh at themselves, but we all know it's not where you start but where you finish, as eight Last Row drivers have actually won the Indianapolis 500 since the party began back in 1972.
After two nights of what's probably not quality sleep, the racers awake on Sunday morning with emotions fluctuating between angst and excitement.
It's race day! And while fans have a beer or 17 in the Snake Pit, race teams prepare for the grueling 200-lap, 500-mile trek.
Before the racers zig and zag between and around one another, they are carefully arranged in marching order.
Since 1933, each Indianapolis 500 has had at least 33 starters (the exceptions being in 1979 and 1997, when controversies in both years resulted in 35 starters). The racers are famously introduced to the crowd by the PA announcer in 11 rows of three, a starting-line arrangement that, while certainly a tradition, is actually the result of a1919 mandate from AAA, which requires one car for every 400 feet of racetrack.
Following the introductions, the racers take a few pace laps to get moving and correctly assembled based on their qualifying time. From there, they'll follow the race's pace car before the green flag goes up.
The concept of a pace car, a fundamental part of any IndyCar or NASCAR race, was first introduced to professional racing for the inaugural Indy 500.
In 1911, the Speedway's builder and owner, Carl Fisher, believed that allowing racers to build up a moderate speed before the race actually began was a far safer method than cars grinding their engines and going full speed after standing still. Additionally, the rolling start would gradually warm up all the key elements to an IndyCar.
Since Fisher drove the pace car for the first five years, being handed the keys and serving as the center of attention just before than true race began has put a number of racing legends and celebrities in the driver's seat. From Louis Chevrolet to General Colin Powell, driving the pace car for such a prestigious race has become one of the more unique elements in the sport of racing.
As the race goes on, the revelry in and around the track continues. A racer or two is likely to flame out. A favorite will challenge the checkered flag. A newbie to the sport will create buzz.
It's these traditions leading up to and during the Indianapolis 500 that makes the jostling so intense and the race so important, knowing that a bottle of skim, whole or two percent milk awaits the winner to commence the celebrations.
2012 Indy 500: Dario Franchitti Wins As Takuma Sato Crashes Late
VIDEO: Japanese Commentators Call End Of Indy 500
VIDEO: Previewing The 2012 Indy 500
2012 Indy 500: Michael Andretti, Pat Vidan To Be Inducted Into Auto Racing Hall Of Fame
James Hinchcliffe Interview: 2012 Indy 500 Front-Row Starter Talks Heroes, Mistaken Identity
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Baron Davis Planning a Return to the NBACharlotte Bobcats to Officially Become the Hornets Again
Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 9:50 am | no responses
NBA to Reimburse OKC Thunder Part of Kevin Durant’s Contract Extension
The League’s Board of Governors voted — though not unanimously — to reimburse the OKC Thunder “several million dollars” due to a rule change in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Thunder will get some relief from Kevin Durant’s five-year, $89 million deal that was signed in 2010. Per the Oklahoman: “But the refund is nothing more than a gracious gesture, given three years too late and without the proper provisions to do any real good. The reimbursement, has no bearing on the Thunder’s team salary. Durant’s larger-than-expected extension will continue to count against both the cap and the team’s tax computations. Although the exact amount of the reimbursement is unclear, a league source with knowledge of the situation said it is not the full amount of the roughly $15 million in additional salary that Durant received. Durant signed a five-year extension worth approximately $89 million in July 2010. But the league didn’t ratify its collective bargaining agreement until December 2011, and Durant was grandfathered in. Oklahoma City in 2011 protested Durant’s inclusion to no avail. The rule that was written into the 2011 collective bargaining agreement allowed players entering their fifth seasons to receive a contract extension for up to 30 percent of the salary cap if they met certain criteria. The provision, widely known as the ‘Derrick Rose Rule,’ was introduced to adequately compensate players like Durant and Rose who outperformed their budget-friendly rookie contracts. Under the old labor agreement, such players were eligible only for 25 percent of the salary cap.”
Tags: Kevin Durant, OKC Thunder, Oklahoma City Thunder
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KOC steps down, Dennis Lindsey steps up - The Downbeat - #811
By andylarsen
@andyblarsen
The big news of today is that Kevin O'Connor, esteemed VP of Basketball Operations/General Manager, will be removing the bit about GM from the job title and giving those duties to current Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune's article on the change, KOC "will still guide Utah's basketball operations" but we'll know more about the change once the press conference occurs, scheduled for 10 AM today. O'Connor was beginning to near retirement age, and the Jazz had been looking to modernize and expand their front office. Indeed, according to BTS:
A league source with ties to O’Connor told The Tribune the move makes "perfect sense." By removing himself from the day-to-day grind of being a GM — dealing with agents, travel, nonstop phone calls and endless rumors — O’Connor should be able to streamline his responsibilities and provide the Jazz with sharper leadership. KOC will still be importantly involved in the running of the team, just probably not doing menial tasks like arguing with Raja Bell's agent every day and evaluating the potential of late second round prospects (of course, evaluating the potential of late second-round prospects was what he did best, but regardless).
That's not to say the GM job isn't important, it very clearly is. But, as fans, it would be foolish to expect large-scale changes in the way or thinking behind the way the team is run. We'll learn much more at 10 AM though, so let's hold off on too much speculation about the exact roles until then.
So, who is new Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey? The best bio of him I've found online is this Baylor article from 2009, pretty impressively written by Jerry Hill, "Baylor Bear Insider".
The basic steps of Lindsey's career: Play Division 1 college basketball at Baylor, making the NCAA tournament once.
Was an assistant for two years at a large high school in Texas (Southwest High in Fort Worth).
Was an assistant at Pensacola Junior College.
Hired by the Rockets to be a scout and the team's video coordinator. Why did they pick a Pensacola JC assistant? Well, Rockets GM at the time, Carroll Dawson, was a former Baylor player and coach. It's the people you know.
Worked his way up the ladder. He was named the team’s "director of basketball development" in 1998, promoted to director of player personnel in 1999, then elevated to vice president of basketball operations/ player personnel in 2002. Why such a rapid rise? Dennis explains here: "Lucky for me, when I joined the Rockets as a scout and video coordinator, they weren't real heavy in management. There just weren't a lot of people," Lindsey said.
"So I had a lot of opportunities, just because there was a lot of work to be done. That's when Carroll first took over and moved off the bench (as an assistant coach). There are always opportunities in work, so Carroll and I got to be very close. He's like a second father to me. And from there, I started branching into management."
I kinda feel sorry for poor Jefferson Sweeney(video coordinator for the Jazz): his role of a video coordinator turns out to be a likely starting point for big NBA execs and coaches (Portland coach Kaleb Canales, Miami coach Eric Spoelstra, now Lindsey), but he hasn't moved up since 2005, at least. Oh well. Moved over to the San Antonio Spurs in 2007, to be their vice president and assistant GM. Since then, he's been named in many different GM searches, but has either not been chosen or pulled his name out of the search each time. Indeed, David Locke's NBA executive source (but not linking because it's a Sulia link) is "surprised he is leaving Texas". And now he's here. It will be interesting to see how his story unfolds in Utah. As with point #1, we'll know much more at 10 AM tomorrow.
This has got me thinking about goals, stories, and getting there; especially as it relates to the NBA. It's no secret that many of us dream of jobs in basketball: we may dream of playing, coaching, managing, or even writing about the NBA. But things happen that prevent us from realizing the true happiness that we expect. In the case of Shan Foster, he didn't make it to the NBA. That happens (and will be analyzed in go much detail so very soon). But in the case of Ross Siler, he found himself writing in a dying industry and chose to pursue a law school degree instead. In the case of Jerry Sloan, he found the enjoyment he found coaching was no longer worth dealing with the personalities intrinsically involved. In the case of Kevin O'Connor, he found the day-to-day grind of managing to be more work than he wanted.
Each of these last three men fought for something, achieved their goal, and then left it, feeling like they could best utilize their remaining time somehow else. What does that say about the dreams of us basketball fans, many of us on this site (definitely myself included), who think there would be nothing better than to attain those jobs? Is it worth making sacrifices to get there? Mark Cuban, prominently, says no, and advises people not to seek jobs in sports. I don't know. I'm only 21, so I have a lot of time. But it's something worth considering.
This topic also come up this weekend at the SLCDunk - Utah Division dinner. Clark wrote about this yesterday, and we also owe him much for organizing and then paying for us starving bloggers to eat. For a while, we stood in City Creek in a nerdy Jazz circle, completely happy to keep enjoying remaining moments post-dinner together. Somehow, we got on this topic, and Clark said how much it disappointed him when Rob Hennigan was appointed GM of the Orlando Magic, because Hennigan was only 30. As illogical as it sounds, this seemed to close off the dream of being an NBA GM to Clark, now that someone younger than him had achieved the title. The dream died.
But luckily, Clark made us all feel better when he started to impersonate what Amar would sound like as an old man. Which was incredibly hilarious, the kind of hilarious where nobody can really stop laughing, nor do they want to stop the unexpected moment of sheer happiness. This point is reserved for something that kind of sheer happiness of laughter, but this comes in a completely schadenfreudian way.
You see, a while ago, Basketball Reference started it's ELO Player Rater. The ELO system is the traditional ranking system used in chess: basically, it's a way to rank different chess players with different win-loss records who have faced different levels of competition. Basketball Reference sets it up so that people go to their ELO rater page, and pick which player they feel was better out of two relatively evenly ranked players. That, in turn, affects a player's ranking. You can read more about their math here.
Anyway, here comes the great part: out of 542 ranked all-time players, Kobe Bryant stands, right now, at #433.
That's right below Shawn Bradley, and a full 16 points below Raymond Felton. 418 spots below LeBron James.
Have a great day, everybody.
Shan Foster
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Venice Bicyclist Arrested In Santa Monica After Jumping Up & Down On Top Of Car
Monday, 18 Nov 2013, 9:12:00 AM
Tim Broughton
A 21-year-old Venice bicyclist was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 6 after climbing on top of a car that had just hit him, spitting through the sunroof at the driver, and then jumping up and down on top of the car roof while yelling about the lack of use of the turn signals on the vehicle. Officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were requested to rush to the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Pacific Avenue at 7:42 pm on this day, which was the scene of the motor vehicle accident involving a car and the bicycle. When they arrived the officers spoke with the driver of the vehicle who said that the bicyclist had become enraged after the minor collision incident, and had pulled himself up onto the side of his vehicle and spat at the driver through the open sun-roof. The bicyclist had then climbed onto the roof of the vehicle and started to jump up and down like a chimpanzee. This caused much fear and panic in the mind of the driver. The bicyclist continued the up and down physical motion while at the same time yelling that the driver should use the turn signals of the vehicle. The bicyclist then jumped off the vehicle, remounted his bicycle and cycled away southbound on Ocean Avenue. The officers, after obtaining a description of the bicyclist, went in search of him and eventually discovered the man in the 100 block of Pacific Avenue. They arrested this man and charged him with vandalism, assault, and battery. Bail was set at $20,000.
Editor’s Note: These reports are part of a regular police coverage series entitled “Alert Police Blotter” (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of The Mirror’s coverage of incidents involving police are portrayed in this manner. More serious crimes and police-related activities are regularly reported without editorial in the pages of the Santa Monica Mirror and its website, smmirror.com. Copyright © 2011 by Santa Monica Mirror. All rights reserved.
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Frank Calder
NHL President 1917-1943
Name: Frank Calder
President: 1917-1943
Born: November 17, 1877
Previous Occupation: Teacher, and Sports Writer
Inducted
in Hall of Fame: 1947
Profile: Born in Bristol, England, in 1877, Frank Calder immigrated to Canada in the early
1900s to teach at a private school in Montreal. After a few years in the classroom,
he switched careers to become a sportswriter with the Montreal Witness and
later became sports editor of the Montreal Herald. As a young man,
Calder was involved in soccer, rugby, golf, handball and cricket. He became one
of the founders of the Montreal school rugby league and served as secretary
of the Montreal and district football league. Calder possessed knowledge of sports
and a direct and insightful way of speaking. Former Montreal Canadiens owner
George Kennedy was so impressed with Calder's forthright style that he helped
facilitate his election to the position of secretary of the National Hockey Association,
the forerunner to the NHL. When the NHA folded and the National Hockey
League was formed in 1917, Calder was the overwhelming choice for the new league's
first president. Over the next 25 years, his vision and initiative were
vital components in the success of the new league.
Almost immediately after assuming his new position, Calder was ratifying the sale
of the Quebec franchise to the Toronto Arena. He later scrutinized a number of
franchise applications and transfers, enabling such traditional clubs as the Boston
Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks to be
formed, as the NHL spread into the United States.
Frank Calder helped
ensure the survival of the NHL during the two world wars and the Great Depression.
The two global conflicts depleted the numbers of available players, while
the worldwide economic downturn caused several franchises to cease operations
or relocate to other cities. A big reason why the league was able to weather these
storms was the proactive involvement of Calder. He made a point of attending
as many games as possible to monitor the state of the league on the ice and
in the community. If he felt the actions or policies of the various team governors
weren't in the best interests of the NHL, he would not hesitate to confront
them. Calder, felt the welfare of the players, and their families was important
as he was the driving force behind the Ace Bailey and Howie Morenz charity games,
demonstrating his sincere concern for the players in the league and their
By 1943, Calder's dedication to the job had caused his health
to deteriorate. He was honored during the NHL's 25th anniversary celebrations,
but Calder was overwrought from trying to maintain the survival of the league
in the face of World War II. The strain of trying to balance the demands of
the game with the needs of the military caused him to collapse at a league meeting.
A plan was made to grant Calder a much-deserved rest and have Mervyn "Red"
Dutton temporarily assume his responsibilities. Unfortunately, Calder passed away
at the age of 65 the day after the motion was passed, as he literally gave
his life in the service of the National Hockey League. Since 1933,
Calder had shown his support for hockey with a trophy he purchased and awarded
annually to the NHL's top rookie. Following his death in 1943, it was established
as a permanent award and renamed the Calder Memorial Trophy. Another trophy,
the Calder Cup, is presented annually to the American Hockey League championship
team. Frank Calder was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builders category
Profile courtesy of Legends of Hockey. �MMVIII Tank Productions. This site is not affiliated with the National
Hockey League. This site is maintained for research purposes only. Return to NHL Commissioners.
Page created on February 14, 2004. Last updated on January 28, 2008 at 11:50
pm ET.
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Petr Prucha Quotes
"The defensemen cannot crosscheck me, so it makes it a little bit easier to score."
Author: Prucha Quotes
"I don't think about it too much. I just stay in front of the net and take the rebound."
"They help me with everything I do."
"I settled down, maybe I got a little more confidence there. I don't know what happened. Maybe I just got lucky."
"I don't feel pain in my knee, it's OK. I don't have much power in my legs. Battling in the corner, I'm not so powerful like before. I must get more workouts in the gym. I don't have to rush it. I think one more game and I'll be good."
"Of course I'm happy to be among the best players in the world. I just hoped, but was a little bit surprised."
"The last time I was in the shootout, the goalkeeper made a kick save. So now I decided to try to get the puck between his legs."
"It's was unbelievable seeing Mess and then seeing him holding the Cup. All of us were like, 'We want to do that someday.' And to hear the crowd yelling and screaming, it was also good for us. It definitely can help us in the future, knowing that they're behind us."
"I didn't want to be disappointed, so I didn't expect it. Now I can be happy."
"Obviously, it was not happy. There was not too much talking after the game. I was in my room trying to relax and forget about the last game and focus on the next one."
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Tampa Bay Bucs lose to Miami Dolphins on late field goal
Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
RICK STROUDTampa Bay TimesSunday, November 15, 2009 10:25pm
MIAMI — After further review, the Bucs blew it.
Replaying Tampa Bay's 25-23 loss to the Dolphins in his mind Sunday, cornerback Ronde Barber could conclude only that.
The evidence was conclusive.
Dressing at his locker at Land Shark Stadium, Barber quickly recalled the images.
There was Josh Freeman, the kid quarterback who overcame a bad first half to produce another cardiac comeback in the fourth quarter in his first road start.
There was kicker Connor Barth, who set a club record and became the fourth player in NFL history to kick three field goals of more than 50 yards in a game.
There was linebacker Quincy Black, who intercepted Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne to set up Cadillac Williams' go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run with 1:14 remaining in the game.
There was overcoming a controversial instant replay review near the end of the first half, when referee Tony Corrente overturned a ruling of an incomplete pass and said the Freeman pass to Michael Clayton was actually an interception by linebacker Jason Taylor. That led to a Miami touchdown.
But in 64 seconds, less time than it takes to microwave popcorn, the Bucs (1-8) blew it after Williams gave them a 23-22 lead.
With one timeout and the ball on Miami's 16-yard line, Henne needed five plays to drive the 77 yards in 1:04 — setting up Dan Carpenter's winning 25-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.
"If you put all those factors together at the end of the game and say we lost, I would've slapped you. But that's who we are right now," Barber said.
"We've got issues. It's just little things that kill us. I can't tell you, man. Just believe me. … Somebody's got to make a play. We did not. That's the name of the game for our 2009 season."
Coach Raheem Morris took the blame because of his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the end of the first half.
Morris was penalized after arguing Corrente's instant replay reversal, which set up Kory Sperry's 5-yard touchdown reception with 1:25 left in the half to give Miami a 16-6 lead.
Corrente reversed the ruling after watching replays, saying that Clayton did not maintain possession through the completion of the play and, because the ball never hit the ground, ruled the pass was intercepted by Taylor, who appeared to score on the play. But by the rules of instant replay, the ball could not be advanced after the reversal.
The penalty on Morris was 7 yards — half the distance to the goal. Sperry scored two plays later.
"This loss is solely on me," Morris said. "At the end of the half, getting a personal foul is totally unacceptable. I'm taking those points, that's on me, that's how much we lost by. I should be given all the blame for that. That's a discipline issue on my part, and I didn't do the right thing. That's a great lesson for me as a young coach, that's a great lesson for my team.
"I used the wrong type of language to the official. It was a little bit of a taunt deal. But I used the wrong type of language. I'm completely guilty. It's my fault."
The Bucs rallied, with Williams' touchdown setting off a sideline celebration.
"We get into the end zone, fight back, an emotional high," Williams said. "I felt like we were going to win. There was no way we would lose. Then the impossible happens."
With the Bucs reverting to a Tampa 2 scheme, Henne began by hitting receiver Davone Bess for a 25-yard gain. On the next play, linebacker Geno Hayes was called for interference on tight end Joey Haynos, a 9-yard penalty that moved the ball to midfield.
The Bucs went back to a matchup defense, and Henne hit Bess for a 16-yard gain to the 34, then spiked the ball with 23 seconds left.
From there, it would've been about a 51-yard field goal for Carpenter, who had been perfect on three attempts, including one from 49 yards. But on the next play, Ricky Williams burst off the right side for a 27-yard run, turning Carpenter's attempt into a 25-yarder.
Freeman did a poor job of protecting the football in the first half. He lost a snap under center, let another shotgun snap go through his hands and was stripped twice on sacks by linebacker Charlie Anderson. He passed for just 33 yards in the first half, but he finished 16-of-28 for 196 yards with a touchdown to Maurice Stovall and the controversial interception.
"I know it's a dark day for us, but man, with that guy at the helm, the future is bright for this organization," Williams said.
Perhaps, but it didn't feel that way in the locker room. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates sat for several minutes staring at the floor in the coaches' dressing room.
"It's really disappointing to have a hard-fought effort like that and the way we came from behind and don't close the deal," Bates said.
Instead, the Bucs will be replaying that final drive in their heads the rest of the season.
Why a key call went against BucsReferee Tony Corrente, on reversing an incompletion call to an interception:"As (Michael Clayton) is coming down, he is now going to the ground to complete a catch and, by rule … he has to maintain possession of the ball completely through the entire process of hitting the ground and thereafter, showing control. As he went to the ground … the ball popped out, and went right into the arms of the Miami player."
Tampa Bay Bucs lose to Miami Dolphins on late field goal 11/15/09
[Last modified: Monday, November 16, 2009 9:04am]
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Just a flesh wound
Saturday, September 3, 2011 8:43pm
This weekend was the final roster cut-down for NFL teams. Hundreds of players were left without jobs after they were visited by the Turk. But don't be surprised if a few Hall of Famers were in the bunch. Check out these players who were cut in their careers.
You can make a strong argument that Johnny U is the greatest quarterback in the history of football. Yet, he was cut by his first team. Drafted in the ninth round out of Louisville in 1952 by his hometown Steelers, Unitas was cut because the Steelers weren't sure he was smart enough to play the position. Maybe that's why the Steelers went another 20 years before making the playoffs. Unitas went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Colts. He became the first QB to throw for more than 40,000 yards and still holds the incredible, and perhaps unbreakable, record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
He is the NFL's Little Engine That Could. Undrafted out of college, the 5-foot-9 wideout from Texas Tech made the Chargers coming out camp in 2004. But one game into the season, they released him. He landed in Miami and spent three years there playing on special teams and at wide receiver. He ultimately signed with the Patriots in 2007 and has since become one of the most prolific receivers in the game, averaging 108 receptions a year, including an impressive league-leading 123 in 2009. Think the Chargers regret letting this guy get away?
The Steelers have a rich history of spotting and developing stars that weren't noticed by other teams. A perfect example is Harrison, an undrafted linebacker out of Kent State who has gone on to play in four Pro Bowls and three Super Bowls (including two victories) with Pittsburgh. But let's not pat the Steelers too hard on the back. Harrison spent two years on their practice squad and was cut not once, not twice, but three times. In between, the Ravens cut him once, too. That's four times he was cut, and he nearly gave up the game. Fortunately for the Steelers, he gave it one more shot, and that time the Steelers didn't make the same mistake. The fifth time must have been a charm for Harrison.
Jim Langer
There's a debate about who is the best center in NFL history. Some might say Pittsburgh's Mike Webster. Some might say Miami's Dwight Stephenson. And some might say the Dolphins' Langer, who was named All-Pro from 1974 to 1977 and played in six consecutive Pro Bowls from 1973 to 1978. He also played in three Super Bowls, including with the 1972 undefeated team that featured two 1,000-yard rushers. Now for the kicker: The future Hall of Famer should've been anchoring the line in Cleveland instead. But the Browns cut him during training camp in 1970.
What a strange career he had. Plunkett won the 1971 Heisman Trophy at Stanford and was the first overall pick of the 1971 draft. He spent five seasons with very little success in New England and then had two mediocre seasons in San Francisco. Then the 49ers released him, and at that point, he might have gone down as one of the biggest busts in NFL history. But Plunkett revived his career in Oakland, going on to win two Super Bowls, including winning MVP honors in Super Bowl XV.
Back in 1994, the Packers cut the undrafted Warner, who ended up bagging groceries because he couldn't find another NFL job. He played in Europe and the Arena League until 1999, when the Rams threw him into the starting lineup because of an injury to Trent Green. A virtual unknown, Warner put together one of the greatest seasons ever with 4,353 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes, capped by a Super Bowl championship and MVP performance. He went on to play in two more Super Bowls and is a borderline Hall of Famer.
Everyone knows the story of how Kurt Warner spent time playing in NFL Europe. Well, how about this? Delhomme was Warner's backup in Europe. He was twice shipped by the Saints to Europe, which actually might be worse than being cut (which the Saints also did to him). Eventually, he moved on to Carolina, where he became the Panthers' all-time leader in completions. Plus, he took the Panthers to a Super Bowl.
This quarterback gets a special mention on the list because not only was he cut in the United States, but Canada, too. He spent a season standing on the sideline with a clipboard in San Diego before being cut by the British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1994. He eventually hooked on with Washington and was supposed to be a star with the Rams in 1999, but he tore his knee in the preseason, paving the way for Kurt Warner to become an NFL star. Green, however, became a star, too, appearing in two Pro Bowls while with the Chiefs.
Let's go old-school. Kemp was drafted in the 17th round in 1957 and was essentially discarded by four teams — the Lions, Steelers, 49ers and Giants — before landing in the CFL. Eventually he worked his way back to the Chargers and Bills of the American Football League and became one of the AFL's greatest players. A seven-time AFL All-Star, Kemp owns most of the significant quarterback records for the AFL, including passing attempts, completions and yards.
Johnny Unitas isn't the only quarterback the Steelers missed on. Dawson sat around for two seasons on the Steelers bench, then was traded to the Browns on New Year's Eve 1959. Hey, at least the Steelers made a trade. The Browns outright released him. Both teams, however, would feel foolish years later when Dawson had a Super Bowl ring, a Super Bowl MVP award, six AFL All-Star selections, Pro Bowl appearance and a Hall of Fame selection.
Other notable players once cut
Receiver Cris Carter was cut partially because of off-field issues in Philadelphia, but he went on to have a career in Minnesota that likely will land him in the Hall of Fame. Defensive back Willie Brown was cut by the Houston Oilers in 1963 but moved to Denver and Oakland, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Quarterback Rich Gannon was traded by the Patriots when he refused to move to defensive back and was later released by the Redskins. He wasn't the best QB ever, but hey, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Finally, there's receiver Steve Largent, who was about to be cut by the Oilers but was traded to the expansion Seahawks for an eighth-round draft pick. When you think about it, that's practically like being cut. Largent went on to become a Hall of Famer.
Just a flesh wound 09/03/11
[Last modified: Saturday, September 3, 2011 8:43pm]
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Justin Allgaier Finishes 12th at Lowe's Motor Speedway
CONCORD, N.C. (October 16, 2009) – Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge for Penske Racing, raced inside the top-10 for most of the race before a flat right rear tire with only three laps remaining led to a 12th-place finish for the team in Friday night’s Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Allgaier, the 23-year-old rookie sensation, started the 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series race from the third spot, which marked the second consecutive week the Verizon Wireless Dodge driver qualified on the inside of the second row. He radioed to his team early in the running of the Dollar General 300 to explain that his car was handling tight from the middle through the exit of the corners at both ends of the 1.5-mile speedway. Crew chief Chad Walter assured his driver the team would make some adjustments to the machine during the first round of pit stops.
By lap 40, the tight-handling race car resulted in Allgaier falling back to the ninth position. He told the team several laps later the car had very little front grip, which was hindering his ability to generate the power he needed on the Verizon Wireless Dodge. Allgaier brought his machine to pit road on lap 57 lap for a green flag stop. The No. 12 team bolted on four fresh Goodyear tires and filled the car with racing fuel. The squad also made both trackbar and air pressure adjustments to the car in an effort to help it rotate better through the corners. The team produced a lightning-quick stop, picking up two positions on pit lane.
Five laps later, the caution flag was displayed to the 43-car field for an incident on the front straightaway. The untimely caution dropped the Verizon Wireless Dodge a lap down to the leaders, who had yet to make a pit stop. Walter took a gamble and made the call to stay out on track to put the Verizon Wireless Dodge back on the lead lap, but Allgaier had to restart the race near the rear of the field. The rookie point leader knew he would need to be patient to navigate his car back toward the front of the field.
With only 50 laps to go in the event, Allgaier had made it all the way up to the sixth spot and was tracking down the top-five. He still reported a tight-handling car, but the condition was not hurting his lap times. The team had one more opportunity to adjust the car before the end of the 200-lap event. When the field was again slowed because of a caution flag with less than 30 laps to go, Walter called his driver to pit road. Allgaier arrived in his pit box on lap 176 for a four-tire change. The team also made a slight air pressure adjustment to the car as it tried to dial it in for the 20-lap shootout.
Allgaier restarted the race in the ninth spot and looked to be on his way to the team’s 13th top-10 finish of the season when his right rear tire started to go down with only two laps remaining. Allgaier made it to the finish, but he crossed the stripe in the 12th spot.
“It was a good night for the Verizon Wireless Dodge,” commented Allgaier after his top-15 performance. “We had a good car all night, but unfortunately for us, the right rear tire started to go down there at the end which put us outside the top-10. Those last couple of laps, I was doing all I could to keep it off the wall. The pit crew did a great job all night. Our stops were just fantastic. Overall, it was a good weekend for us. I would have liked to finish inside the top-10, but we will take it and move on to Memphis Motorsports Park next week.”
With his 19th top-15 result of the season, Allgaier remained fifth in the Nationwide Series point standings and continued to lead the Rookie-Of-The-Year battle.
The No. 12 Verizon Wireless team next heads to Memphis, Tenn. and Memphis Motorsports Park for the Kroger on Track for the Cure 250. The race will be seen live on Saturday, October 24 on ESPN2 with coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET. The race will also be heard live on MRN Radio as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, channel 128.
Justin Allgaier Dollar General 300 StatisticsStart: 3 Finish: 12 Laps: 200/200Laps Led: 0Status: Running
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Expat Health
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Could you run a vertical marathon?
As London gears up for Vertical Rush, the 'staircase marathon', Iain Hollingshead joins celebrity fitness instructor Matt Roberts to find out how to sprint up 42 flights without collapsing at the top Link to this video
By Iain Hollingshead
Are you the sort of laggard who stands quietly on the right on the Tube escalator and takes the lift whenever possible? Or do you view stairs as a trifling inconvenience, to be taken at breakneck speed, three at a time? If you are the latter, you might enjoy “tower running”, an increasingly popular sport for those who think ultra-marathons and triathlons a little too pedestrian. The idea is simple enough: find a building with a lot of stairs and run up them as fast as you can. There is now a Vertical World Circuit, the “Formula 1 of the tower running world” (although I’m not sure there is a Formula 2), which includes the Empire State Building in New York, the Taipei 101 in Taiwan, and the Pirelli Tower in Milan. Next month, on March 3, the tour comes to Tower 42, the tallest building in the City of London with – as the name suggests – 42 storeys. Run in aid of Shelter, the homelessness charity, the race to the top is open to amateurs as well as elite runners. Last year, a team of firemen did the Vertical Rush wearing full fire-fighting gear, including helmets. So how hard could it be? I went along to see if I could manage all 928 steps without having a coronary. Having congratulated myself on my warm-up – a stroll up the escalator at Bank station, without pausing for breath – I was a little disconcerted to discover that Matt Roberts, my trainer for the morning, had already run five miles before breakfast. Roberts, 37, who has worked with everyone from Naomi Campbell to David Cameron, is in terrifyingly good shape. Unsurprisingly, he is also a huge fan of tower running, and will be taking part in Shelter’s event next month, along with the newsreader Jon Snow and someone who used to be in Hollyoaks. “It’s such a big challenge,” he says, from the comfort of an armchair in Tower 42’s plush reception. “Right from the off, it’s full-level intensity. Your heart and lungs scream. You run on fear. It’s unrelenting, like squash.” He smiles. “Bizarrely, it’s very attractive.”
Stair running: Towers of torment
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50 ways to feel good this year
It’s a little late for training at this stage, but Roberts describes the sort of workout regime I might have undergone had I been more organised. (This assignment was handed to me after two colleagues both developed suspiciously last-minute colds.) Lower-body strength is key to tower running, which according to research by Milan University consumes up to 10 times more calories than running on the flat. Roberts recommends regular circuits of 15 squats (bending at the knees while keeping your back straight), followed by 10 lunges. Amateur runners who do well in the race are often keen footballers with strong core muscles – best developed through crunches – which help them navigate the twist and turns of the staircase. The best runners race up the 42 floors in around four minutes – but strength alone will not get you to the top in record time. You also need to be a good sprinter. You can improve by running up hills in parks (which requires 40-60 per cent more energy than usual), in bursts of 15 to 20 minutes and with short recovery times. Frankly, all this talk of training is making me feel a little exhausted. Keen to get it over with, we walk through the foyer, past the temptations of the canteen and out through a back door to the fire-escape staircase beyond. The concerned security man looks me up and down and asks if Roberts is trained in first aid. We’re told that if there is a fire alarm while we’re on the 40th floor, we’ll have to use the stairs to come back down again. “Is there a technique?” I ask Roberts. “Yes and no,” he replies. “On the day itself, it’s a real scrum [runners are tagged and go off in batches of 100 at hourly intervals]. The key, though, is to run at 80 per cent of your full pace for the first 20 levels, and then just see if you can hang on in there. But don’t worry: most people end up walking parts of it.”
Encouraging stuff. But I bet most people don’t end up walking by level 10. My mistake, of course, is setting off too fast, forgetting the advice to keep something in reserve. We take a breather and “power walk” a couple of flights, although there is not much power in my walk. The numbers turn over painfully slowly: 14, 15, 15 and a half… Roberts is yet to break a sweat. On the 16th floor, we bump into a bemused office worker, taking a short-cut between floors. Despite wearing heels, she beats me to the 17th floor. Around the 20th floor, however, a second surge of adrenaline kicks in. Following Roberts now, we take four floors at a time, pausing for a rest for 30 seconds, before continuing. We’re soon at the 24th, the 28th, the 32nd, the 36th. I’m hallucinating slightly, certain that I’m going to be sick. But the view, when we eventually make it to the top – in a not entirely embarrassing 8 minutes 23 seconds – is so magnificent that it’s almost worth the slog, even if I am observing Tower Bridge at 590 feet from a sedentary position, gasping both for water and for breath. “It’s quite a sense of euphoria, isn’t it?” says Roberts, looking as if he has just taken the lift up. Which, thankfully, is how we travel back down again. * To take part in Shelter’s Vertical Rush on March 3, visit www.shelter.org.uk/verticalrush, or call 0344 515 1190. Registration closes on March 1 Wellbeing
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Friday, 09 October 2009 11:05
by Nathan Stubbs LSU to retire jersey of Crowley legend Tommy Casanova Tommy Casanova, the Crowley eye doctor, former state senator and former LSU football standout, will see his old No. 37 jersey officially retired during the first quarter break of tommorrow's LSU-Florida game in Tiger Stadium. The Advocate reports the jersey will be unveiled in the Tiger Stadium façade in the southeast corner next to Billy Cannon’s No. 20. Casanova, who played for LSU from 1969-1971, is one of the school's legendary iron men. As a running back and defensive back, Casanova played both sides of the ball, in addition to taking on punt- and kick return duties. He remains the only three-time All American in LSU history. To post a comment, please log into your IND account. If you do not have an account, click the "register" button to create one. Facebook comments can be used as an alternative to creating an account at theIND.com.
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2014 NFL News
Miami Dolphins Release Statements Remembering Junior Seau
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 3: A memorial for NFL Legend Junior Seau builds as fans show their respect to the recently deceased football star at the entrance way of Seau's Restaurant in Mission Valley on May 3, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)
Somehow in the midst of everything going, I missed the release of statements from the Miami Dolphins, Zach Thomas, and Jason Taylor regarding the death of former San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau. The full statements from each can be read below.
STATEMENT FROM MIAMI DOLPHINS CEO MIKE DEEON JUNIOR SEAU
"We are stunned and saddened at the passing of Junior Seau. During his time with the Dolphins he made a unique contribution to the team and the South Florida community.
"Junior was a fierce competitor whose passion and work ethic lifted his teammates to greater heights. His enthusiasm for the game was infectious and he passed that on to everyone who was around him. He loved the game so much, and no one played with more sheer joy.
"Beyond his accomplishments on the field, though, he was as well known for his charitable accomplishments to help those less fortunate than himself, especially kids. Whether it was in San Diego, South Florida, New England or everywhere else in between, Junior loved putting a smile on a child's face during his "Shop with a Jock" program or during one of his countless school visits. He made a difference to so many people in so many places.
"Junior was one-of-a-kind. The league will never see anyone like him again. He will be missed, and on behalf of the Miami Dolphins we want to extend our condolences to his family." STATEMENT FROM FORMER DOLPHINS LINEBACKER ZACH THOMAS ON JUNIOR SEAU
"I have never been around a man with more love and passion for the game of football than Junior Seau, and he lived life the same way. Junior was always fun to be around, always positive and made every person who knew him feel like he was their best friend. You never heard one negative word come out of his mouth. Junior just had this energy that followed him around wherever he went, almost like theme music. It was like he never had a bad day.
"As a young linebacker, Junior was my hero growing up and once I had the opportunity meet him I saw that he was everything I hoped he would be and more. Getting the chance to play alongside of Junior Seau, the greatest linebacker to ever play the game, made my dreams come true. I am absolutely devastated to hear this news. Today I lost my hero, my friend, my buddy."
STATEMENT FROM FORMER MIAMI DOLPHINS LINEBACKER JASON TAYLOR
ON JUNIOR SEAU
"I'm shocked and saddened. Devastated, really. Junior was one of the most positive, uplifting people I have ever known. He was always full of life and energy and had an infectious spirit that lifted everyone around him. Junior called everyone "buddy" and treated them like he had known them forever. It would be easy for me to say he was a great friend and teammate, and a tremendous competitor, but that would be selling Junior short. Junior Seau was an individual of great honor and integrity, a leader of men and someone with a deep rooted passion for giving of himself to make the people, the community and especially the children around him better. This is an immeasurable loss for so many. My heart and prayers go out to Junior's family, Gina and their children. I'm going to miss you buddy." More from The Phinsider
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Olympic Stadium to host concerts (From This Is Local London)
Olympic Stadium to host concerts
10:11am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in National Entertainment News
The Olympic Park will host major music events in 2013
A series of live concerts are set to be held at the Olympic Stadium this summer.Wireless Festival and Hard Rock Calling, previously held in London's Hyde Park, have been scheduled for July ahead of the full opening of the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, in spring next year.Music promoter Live Nation has won exclusive rights to host major music concerts in the North Park and stadium. It is the inaugural contract for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.John Reid, president of concerts at Live Nation Europe, said: "In the co
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About TLCTeams + CoachesCommunityRecognition
CalendarnewsPhotosHome Building GreatnessFrom Within
Strengthening the Scholar-Athlete
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Tom AngelTLC 2016 Red - Head Coach Coach Bio
Tom Angel was a multi letter winner in Baseball and soccer at Severna Park high school where he captained the 1983 state champion soccer team, later going on the university of MD to play soccer. Tom has actively been involved in coaching Soccer, lacrosse and basketball in the Towson area for the last 10 years and has been involved with the TLC program since its inception with his daughter playing on the 2012 team.
Laurie BenzingTLC 2012 Red - Head Coach Bio
Laurie Linnell Benzing, is the Head Coach for TLC 2012 Red. As a 5 sport Varsity athlete at Old Mill High School in Anne Arundel County, Laurie went on to captain her teams and receive All-County Honors in Soccer, Basketball and Lacrosse. She was a member of the two-time ECAC Championship UMBC Women’s Lacrosse team from 1984-87, where she garnered All-South honors and is still one of the program’s Top 5 Career Points gatherers. Laurie played post-collegiate ball for the Capital Club, appearing in her final National Tournament in 2000.
Laurie is a former USWLA Board Member, District-Rated official and Mid-Atlantic School Girl’s Team Selector. She has coached both basketball and lacrosse at nearly every level, including 13 High School seasons, since 1994. Her teams include HCYP Sharks Basketball, HCLP Cobra Lacrosse, MYLA U15 All Stars, Holton-Arms V Basketball and JV Lacrosse and Centennial HS V Basketball (Asst) and JV Lacrosse.
Katie CoyneTLC 2009 Coach Bio
Lisa DixonGoalie Coaches Coach Bio
Lisa Dixon was a former assistant coach at the University of North Carolina. She is currently living in Baltimore, and is the Special Assistant to the President and Special Events Manager for the Baltimore Ravens. Before accepting the position at UNC, Dixon was an assistant coach at Penn State University. Dixon graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1997. As a lacrosse goalkeeper, Dixon helped William & Mary earn three NCAA Tournament appearances. In the Colonial Athletic Association conference, she received first team honors, and was recognized as a CAA Scholar Athlete in 1996 and 1997. In Dixon's senior year, she received First Team USWLA and IWLCA/BRINE All-American honors. In June 1997, she was awarded the C. Markland Kelly award; otherwise known as the "Goalie of the Year" award for Division I.
Jackie DysertTLC 2015 White - Co-Coach
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BYRD BORN BALL HAWK
Tonawanda News — ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Growing up, Jairus Byrd remembers the days when the new shipment of San Diego Chargers helmets would arrive.Quick as he could, Byrd would pull one over his tiny head and wobble his top-heavy frame out the door to scamper around pretending to be his father. "I would just run around with the helmet on for no reason, just throwing up the ball," the Buffalo Bills safety said. "I just had a love for the game, because sons want to be like their dads." If many kids aspire to one day play quarterback, the dream was far different for Jairus. He wanted to grow up being a defensive back like his father, Gill Byrd, who established himself as one of the Chargers' premier cornerbacks over a 10-year, two-time Pro Bowl career that ended in 1992. "When I put that helmet on, I wanted to be just like him," Byrd said. "A DB." The family legacy for producing top-tier NFL defensive backs has entered its second generation with Byrd's continuing emergence. He first burst onto the scene in 2009, when the second-round draft pick out of Oregon set a Bills rookie record with nine interceptions. He's since rounded himself into a more complete player. This season, Byrd leads Buffalo with four interceptions and three forced fumbles, and is tied for second with 57 tackles. He's particularly developed a knack for making game-changing plays on a 4-6 team that still believes it can make a second-half playoff push. One that resumes at Indianapolis (6-4) Sunday. In Buffalo's 19-16 win at Arizona last month, Byrd set up the decisive field goal by intercepting John Skelton's pass over the middle on the Cardinals' opening drive of overtime. On Thursday, Byrd helped seal a 19-14 win over Miami. With under 2 minutes left, he burst to his right as quarterback Ryan Tannehill released a deep pass intended for Davone Bess, who had a step on cornerback Justin Rogers. Covering some 30 yards, Byrd beat everyone to the ball by leaping head-first. He intercepted the pass and managed to land inbounds before sliding into the Dolphins bench. "Any receiver that's ever played the game would've been proud of that catch," Bills coach Chan Gailey said. "That whole play was really amazing. ... And the timing of it." It was a play NFL Network announcers described as "an Ed Reed type of play," in reference to the Ravens star safety. Former NFL defensive back Aeneas Williams had a different comparison. It reminded him of Gill Byrd. "When I see him do what he does, it's once again a reminder of some of the things his dad did when he played, and some of the things his dad taught me," Williams said. "And Jairus being the next generation, let's just say he has even more abilities maybe than his dad and I combined. How about that?" Williams, who split his career between Arizona and St. Louis, is very familiar with the Byrd family. As a player, he spent offseasons being tutored by the elder Byrd. That's how he first met Jairus, who has come to call him "Uncle Aeneas." Williams, who eventually took Jairus under his wing, had his first inkling of Byrd's potential while watching a high school tape. "I think he was a sophomore," he said. "And just some of the things he
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Why other Sports are NOT included
in the Cub Scout Sports Program
We are frequently asked questions like "Why isn't there a belt loop for Karate or other martial arts?", or
"Why can't my son get credit for his participation in Pop Warner football?"
To the best of our knowledge, BSA will not add any of the martial arts to the Cub Scout Sports program. They did add FLAG Football to the program in 2002, but that addition did not include Tackle Football programs like Pop Warner League play.
Back in 1974, the Boy Scouts of America's National Executive Board decided on a listing of team and individual sports which it felt was not consistent with the ideals and promotion of sportsmanship that Scouting is promoting. They didn't say that "these sports are bad" or "Scouts should never participate in these sports" but rather "these sports have the potential for extreme harm while playing the sport and therefore we will prohibit them from being played as part of a BSA program or program option." The list has been adjusted through the years, but has remained basically intact. Note that ANY SPORT can be dangerous if played against the official rules, if the participants are not dressed or outfitted appropriately, and/or if they are not coached and trained well. A Scout could just as easily injure himself or others while playing marbles as he can while playing football or Karate. However, the BSA found that a number of sports present a significant risk to Scouts and Scouters and the BSA does not allow them to be used to meet requirements toward various badges or as inter-unit play during Scouting events or meetings. The list is codified in the Guide to Safe Scouting, in a list entitled
"Unauthorized and Restricted Activities". The list, which can be seen in it's entirety by
clicking here, includes the following sports or sports equipment:
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) - All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are banned from program use. The exception is council-approved ATV programs. They are not approved for unit use. ATVs are defined as motorized recreational cycles with three or four large, soft tires, designed for off-road use on a variety of terrains.
Boxing, karate, and related martial arts-except judo, aikido, and Tai Chi
Exploration of abandoned mines
Varsity football teams and interscholastic or club football
Flying in hang gliders, ultralights, experimental class aircraft, or hot-air balloons (whether or not they are tethered); parachuting; and flying in aircraft as part of a search and rescue mission. Motorized go-carts and motorbikes for Cub Scout and Boy Scouts
All motorized speed events, including motorcycles, boats, drag racing, demolition derbies, and related events, for all program levels
Amateur or professional rodeo events
Paintball and Laser Tag.
Hunting by Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts
Motorized personal watercraft, such as Jet-Skis�
Bungee cord jumping
Part of the justification as to why the various martial arts and tackle football were not included as an option for meeting the requirements is also included in the Guide for Safe Scouting in the following statement: The general policy of Scouting is to train youth to do safely the many things they normally do, such as swimming and boating; handling firearms, knives and axes; riding bicycles; and hiking and camping. Scouting's disapproval or restriction of hazardous sports and activities is a positive policy to keep fun in the program and to develop sound judgment through experience. It is consistent with our principle of safety through skill on the part of leaders and youth.
Someone wrote us, stating, "The study of Karate involves physical exercise, learning, focus, commitment and dedication. These programs teach discipline and respect, and the use of common sense before self-defense.", and we agree completely that these are very valid comments. However, most Councils do not carry enough insurance to cover the injuries which could be sustained accidentally or on purpose through such activities, and Boy Scout Councils, and even more importantly, individual units like Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops, do not maintain or stock the appropriate padding and safety gear necessary to carry out those sports safely.
So, specifically with regard to Karate, Tai Kwon Do, and other martial arts, BSA does not permit any martial arts activities as part of its program, except defensive Judo, Aikido, and Tai Chi. Even for those three, they add limitations, as documented in one final quote from the Guide to Safe Scouting:
Judo, Tai Chi, and Aikido
If Scouts and Venturers practice defensive judo, Tai Chi, or aikido, it should be done with proper mats and with qualified instructors related to YMCAs. colleges, or athletic clubs whose objectives and coaching methods are compatible with the principles of the Boy Scouts of America.
Even in the lists of sports acceptable for SPORTS Merit Badge, the lists end with the following statement, "(Or any other recognized team sport approved in advance by your counselor, except boxing and karate.)"
Given those statements, we're sure they wouldn't consider adding Tackle Football, Karate or other martial arts to the Cub Scout program.
If you still feel strongly about this, you may want to write directly to:
Cub Scout Sports Program National Office
Irving Texas 75061-2079
You can also contact BSA about this issue by e-mail to either: Program.Content@Scouting.Org or Advancement.Team@Scouting.Org Note that the USSSP is not connected with the BSA, except as individual volunteers. Page updated on:
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HOME ISSUES LISTS Multimedia People Events Nominations Subscribe Special Issues October 2, 2012
Canyons Earns Top Ten Ski Resort Ranking Press Release
Canyons Resort has been named a Top 10 North American ski resort for the first time in its history in the annual SKI Magazine reader survey.
Fueled by more than $50 million in infrastructure investment since 2010, lifted by the only enclosed heated-seat chairlift in North America, lauded for adding 300 prime acres of intermediate and advanced trails at Iron Mountain and fed by widespread upgrades in both resort village and on-mountain dining, Canyons earned the #10 overall ranking – a tremendous leap from #20 just three years ago before a massive resort transformation began.
“On behalf of the 2,000 guides (employees) who help our guests enjoy extraordinary experiences 365 days a year, I’m thrilled to share this news,” said Canyons Managing Director Mike Goar. “Talisker has invested so much – not just in money, but in time and people and dreams – that we’re grateful that the general public has responded so enthusiastically. This truly is a special mountain with incredibly diverse terrain, wonderful people and The Greatest Snow on Earth.”
Goar added that Canyons’ work is far from finished as this year will see the addition of new lodging and dining properties, three all-new terrain parks, the integration of a dozen Olympic and National team athletes into the resort’s Ultimate Mountain Experience fantasy camp and continuing work on an 18-hole championship golf course.
“Canyons has made a clear commitment to elevating its ranking through its infrastructure investments in the past three years,” said Chris Phillips, publisher of SKI Magazine. “We like to think our survey merely validates what skiers and snowboarders are experiencing as they seek out the very best in North American winter vacations.”
The annual survey of more than 20,000 skiers and snowboarders reviews nearly every aspect of resorts ranging from access (Canyons was ranked #3) to terrain parks (#9) to lodging (#10) and dining (#11). The complete list of rankings will be listed in SKI Magazine’s October issue, due on newsstands Oct. 15.
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Search Saturday, January 11, 2014
Valverde believes he can podium at both Tour de France and Vuelta a España by VeloNation Press at 1:09 PM EST comments Categories: Pro Cycling, Tour de France, Vuelta a España
The 2009 Vuelta champion satisfied with route unveiled today: “There are difficulties with eight summit finishes”Giving a thumbs up to the route unveiled today by the Vuelta a España organisers, Alejandro Valverde has said that the nature of the course suits his characteristics and that he consequently believes it is realistic for him to chase a top three finish in both the Tour de France and Vuelta this year. “I see myself with options of making the podium in both,” he said at the launch, according to Marca. “I have won the Vuelta, but not the Tour. Last year I could have been near the podium but I was unlucky. This year I can have it in the legs.”
Valverde finished third overall in the 2013 Vuelta a España, completing the podium behind Chris Horner (RadioShack Leopard) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). He was eighth overall in the Tour, but lost almost nine minutes to the race winner Chris Froome (Sky) and the other classification riders on stage thirteen. He punctured at a bad time then and never got back to the main bunch, thus losing his chance. Valverde’s belief that he can finish top three in both races stems from two things; firstly, the good sensations that he experienced in last year’s Tour, despite that mishap. Secondly, the strong ride he put in at the Spanish race after going deep in France. “My previous experience went well,” he said. “The Tour took a lot, but if you rest you can be in good condition to fight for the podium.”
As regards the nature of the route as unveiled today, he gives it a thumbs up. “I like this course. It is similar to last year, with the difference that ends in Santiago with a time trial. I do not consider it more demanding, but there are difficulties, with eight summit finishes and a difficult high altitude stage, especially at the end. Although there are no Pyrenees, there are enough climbs to break up to the race.”
As regards the final ten kilometre time trial, he believes it is too short to have a real impact. “Nothing will happen, there will be differences then and everything will be decided.”
Valverde will share leadership of the Movistar team this year with Nairo Quintana. While the Colombian finished second overall in the 2013 Tour, going close to yellow in his first attempt, Valverde still believes there is room for him to have his own personal ambitions. comments
Movistar squad launched in Madrid: 2014 target is at least one Grand Tour victory Movistar confirms that 2013 runner-up Quintana will miss Tour de France, will target Giro d’Italia instead
Valverde still believes it’s possible to win the Tour de France, but promises no clash with Quintana
Movistar unveils new Endura-manufactured team kit and Canyon bicycles
Cookson presents WorldTour team trophy to Movistar squad
Quintana, Valverde uncertain about riding Tour de France; said decision is yet to be made
Movistar confirms no Valverde in Beijing; Rodriguez will take 2013 WorldTour title
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???initialComments:true! pubdate:09/19/2012 19:49 EDT! commentPeriod:14! commentEndDate:10/3/12 7:49 EDT! currentDate:4/20/14 8:0 EDT! allowComments:false! displayComments:true!
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin hints he may not return if salaries are slashed
Chris Young/ASSOCIATED PRESS - Alex Ovechkin: “Of course, I said it before, before I sign contract, that if the league decides to cut our salaries, cut our contracts for what they want, I don’t know how many guys are coming back.”
By Katie Carrera, E-mail the writer
On the same day he signed a contract to play for a Russian team in the Kontinental Hockey League, Alex Ovechkin reiterated that if a new NHL collective bargaining agreement includes dramatic rollbacks in existing salaries, some players — including himself — might not return.
“Of course, I said it before, before I sign contract, that if the league decides to cut our salaries, cut our contracts for what they want, I don’t know how many guys are coming back,” the Washington Capitals’ star left wing said Wednesday during a conference call with the Washington Post and the Washington Times. “We sign contract before. Why they have to cut our salary and our contracts right now? They sign us. [Now they] want to cut it. I think it’s a stupid idea and stupid decision by NHL, [Commissioner Gary] Bettman and the guys who work there.”
Insight on the Capitals and all the latest news from Post reporter Katie Carrera.
Ovechkin, 27, signed a one-year deal with the KHL’s Dynamo Moscow that is believed to be worth roughly $6 million, making him one of more than 45 NHL players who have signed contracts in Europe since Sunday, when the league entered its third lockout in 18 years. He has also been one of the most outspoken players when it comes to voicing concern about the NHL’s labor negotiations. Earlier on Wednesday, Ovechkin told Russian news agency RIA Novosti that he would consider staying in Russia full time if a new collective bargaining agreement reduced players’ salaries significantly.“If our contracts get slashed, I will have to think whether to return there or not. I won’t rule out staying in the KHL, even past this season,” Ovechkin said, as translated by Slava Malamud of Sport-Express.Nine years and $88 million remain on Ovechkin’s contract with the Capitals, and while he can play elsewhere during the lockout, he is obligated to return once the NHL season resumes. The same is true for all NHLPA constituents, and they’re aware there would be repercussions if they do not do so.If Ovechkin were to stay in Russia once the NHL season starts up again, he would be in violation of his deal with the Capitals, and the breach of contract would be in conflict with the league’s agreement with the KHL to honor each other’s player contracts. It would also bring sanctions from the International Ice Hockey Federation and could potentially lead to the NHL keeping its players out of the Olympics, which in 2014 will be in Sochi, Russia. It would be a dramatic course of action, certainly, and whether Ovechkin would truly contemplate walking out on his NHL contract or is simply making an effort to help sway labor negotiations in the players’ favor is uncertain. Ovechkin made it clear, though, that he and other players simply want to find somewhere to ply their trade.“It’s no secret our job is in NHL and right now we don’t have a job, so we just decide to come play in KHL [in] Russia,” Ovechkin said. “It was hard decision for me, first of all, to decide to come play in Russia because [of] insurance. I had to sign one-year deal, and it’s a lots of risk, but again, for me, everybody wants to play hockey.“It’s not us who stop the NHL, it’s the league stop the NHL. Bettman and the owners stop NHL,” Ovechkin continued. “They don’t play hockey, they don’t block the shots, they don’t fight, they don’t get hit. They just sit in a box and enjoy the hockey.”Ovechkin knows finding somewhere else to play isn’t as easy or even possible for many of his teammates and fellow NHL Players Association members. He dismissed any notion that the sudden influx of NHLers in Europe reflects negatively on the union.“Our job to play hockey,” Ovechkin said. “Of course it’s hard for somebody who can’t play [overseas]. But I don’t think somebody’s gonna be [angry] or not because they have small kids and I think they’re just gonna spend time with the family, play golf and do something.”At this stage it’s unclear how long the NHL lockout will last and how long Ovechkin will be suiting up for Dynamo Moscow. He will play his first game in the KHL on Thursday against Dynamo Minsk. The NHL and NHLPA have held no formal bargaining sessions since Sept. 12, and on Wednesday, the league announced the cancellation of all preseason games through Sept. 30.Ovechkin says the cancellation of games will become a frequent occurrence, as he doesn’t believe this labor dispute will be resolved any time soon.“If it’s going to be the same situation, I think it’s gonna be all year, because we not going to give up,” Ovechkin said. “We stick together because we have a very good [leader in NHLPA Executive Director] Don Fehr, and guys knows and trust him right now because his job to help us to play hockey. And play hockey [with] what we deserve to play hockey.”
More on the Capitals:
Ovechkin: ‘The league stop the NHL’
Ovechkin signs with Dynamo of KHL
Sept. preseason games canceled
Caps’ coaches, staff hit the ice
Associated Press Bryce Harper, Mike Trout shared prelude to MLB stardom in Arizona Fall League
Rick Maese Wizards-Bulls: Game 1 Postgame Analysis
Associated Press Boston Marathon 2014: Viewer's guide, race time and course
The Tweets I’d have fined Gilbert Arenas for
Dan Steinberg Errant Baltimore Orioles lose, 6-5, to Red Sox in Boston
Eduardo A. Encina How will Harper respond?
2014 NBA playoffs, as previewed by the Couch Slouch
Norman Chad 'Nothing but hustle'
Dave Sheinin American Top 30: Projecting Klinsmann's 2014 World Cup roster, 17th edition
Espinosa continues turnaround
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Recap: Kansas City vs. NY Yankees
Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - After 10 consecutive home losses to start the year, the Kansas City Royals finally recorded a win at Kauffman Stadium.Mike Moustakas had two hits, including a solo home run, to go with three runs batted in as the Kansas City Royals edged the New York Yankees, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game set on Thursday.Moustakas also made a nifty barehanded play on Alex Rodriguez's slow roller down the third-base line to end the ballgame, stranding Derek Jeter at third base.Danny Duffy (2-2) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings for Kansas City, which has won five of its past seven games.Prior to the game, New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during batting practice, an injury that could potentially end his illustrious career.Rivera, 42, injured his knee while attempting to snag a fly ball along the warning track. He leapt at the wall and as he came down, his knee buckled underneath him. He immediately clutched at his knee and was in visible pain."I grabbed myself between the grass and the dirt. I couldn't pull my leg up and twisted it (the knee). It's an ACL. Torn actually. Meniscus also," Rivera said.Rivera, whose 608 saves are the most in MLB history, had to be carted off the field as concerned teammates and coaches looked on."I don't know" was his response when asked if he'd be able to pitch again."It all depends how the rehab is going to happen," Rivera said. "From there, we'll see."Jeter had four hits, including his 500th career double, to go with two runs scored for the Yankees, who were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.David Phelps (0-1) took the loss after giving up two runs on six hits in four innings.The Royals struck first on Moustakas' solo shot to center field in the second inning, but New York got the run back in the third.Jeter slapped a double down the left-field line and scored two batters later on Mark Teixeira's double into right-center field.Kansas City, though, regained the advantage after plating one in its half of the third and two in the fifth.In the third, Eric Hosmer's RBI single gave Kansas City a 2-1 lead.Two innings later, with the bases loaded, Moustakas brought home Alex Gordon and Hosmer after poking a base hit through the hole on the right side, making it 4-1.The Yankees, however, pulled within one after tallying a run each on a pair of sacrifice flies in the sixth and seventh frames.In the sixth, Robinson Cano reached with a one-out single, moved to third on Andruw Jones' base hit and came home when Eduardo Nunez lifted a fly ball to center field.Jeter reached in the seventh with a single to right field and moved to third on Curtis Granderson's base hit. Teixeira blasted a deep fly ball to center field to plate Jeter, cutting the deficit to 4-3.Jonathan Broxton came on in the ninth and immediately gave up a single to Jeter before issuing a walk to Granderson. But Teixeira grounded into a double play and Rodriguez's groundout ended the game.Game NotesRivera has five saves and is 1-1 with a 2.16 earned run average in nine games for New York this season...Broxton's save was his fifth of the year.
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What's next for John Thorrington? Experienced leader talks about possibility of returning to 'Caps November 22, 2012 Martin MacMahon MLSsoccer.com thorrington white kit
Photo Credit: (Getty Images) Will midfielder John Thorrington be back with Vancouver Whitecaps FC next season?
Well, nothing is certain, with the 33-year-old out of contract – although the club does hold an option to bring him back.
But from speaking with both the team and the player, it’s clear both are happy to continue the relationship -- under the right conditions.
“We had two meetings which were positive,” Thorrington told MLSsoccer.com. “We need to iron out the details and provided those details are right and both parties are happy with it, I would see myself coming back.”
The former Manchester United trainee has been an important part of Vancouver’s core leadership group of original MLS Whitecaps along with captain Jay DeMerit and Joe Cannon, and he suggests the conversation about what sort of role he’ll be asked to play next season is of greater importance to him than cash.
“At this stage of my career, I want to be somewhere – and money is part of it – but I want to be somewhere I’m valued and what I bring to the table is appreciated and valued fairly,” Thorrington said. “As a player, if you say, ‘I’m in and I’m committed to seeing this team do well,’ you sort of give up your selfish ambition in a sense. You’re joining a team and no matter what happens, whether you’re playing or not, you’re committing to a team and have to want the best for the team and not for yourself.
“Most of the time I hope that aligns and that means I’m starting, I’m playing, that I’ve got a big role to play.”
But Thorrington also suggests he wants to continue playing a prominent role as a mentor for the club’s younger players.
While the midfielder is halfway through completing a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University and says he always saw himself as working on the business side of the sport upon retiring, he admits working closer with some of the players trying to break through to the first team this season has made him consider coaching at some point.
“I’ve always thought I’d get a business degree and do something more front office related,” Thorrington said. “But I’d say that the buzz I did get from working with the younger guys and the coaches being willing to allow me to do that and helping me in that role and talking to the coaches and having a good relationship with them, I’d say it opened my eyes to that possibility more so.”
That work he’s been doing beyond his duties as a player is something appreciated by the club’s head coach, and something that factors into the discussions about whether he’ll be back for a third year with the ‘Caps.
“There’s a good chance,” Rennie told MLSsoccer.com of the odds of Thorrington coming back during a recent interview. “We’re in discussions with a lot of players. It’s difficult to go into too much detail but I think John brings a lot to the club on the field and off the field, so I’m hopeful we can work something out that works for everybody.”
Martin MacMahon covers Vancouver Whitecaps FC for MLSsoccer.com.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Related Links
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Luck, Pagano excited to open up training camp, 2nd season together
Posted: Mon 12:03 AM, Jul 29, 2013
/ Article Andrew Luck and Chuck Pagano walked onto the practice field Sunday with new perspectives about training camp.
This time, the Colts' second-year quarterback knew where to go, what to do and how the offense should be run. This time, the Colts second-year coach was looking good and feeling fine.
A lot has changed in the 12 months since Luck came to Anderson University as Peyton Manning's replacement and Pagano spent the summer trying to rebuild the Colts. Now, the message is all about building on the foundation Indianapolis laid in 2012.
"We can sit there and read the press clippings and pat ourselves on the back and certainly get complacent. We're not going to get complacent," Pagano said after the Colts wrapped up their first two practices. "You get complacent in this league, you go right back to where you were. It's kind of unfinished business for us."
When the Colts were previously on this Division III campus, about 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis, they were almost universally considered the NFL's worst team. Players were so disgusted at falling to No. 32 in the power rankings that they made T-shirts as a daily reminder that they wanted to prove the doubters wrong.
Back then, Luck was still cramming to become an NFL quarterback after missing most of the team's offseason workouts because of his classes at Stanford, and Pagano was trying to fight through the sluggish feeling and unexplainable bruises — the first symptoms of leukemia. By early October, Luck was settling into his new role, Pagano had taken a leave of absence as he underwent chemotherapy and interim coach Bruce Arians and the Colts veterans were busy leading Indy back to respectability.
When Pagano returned to the sideline in late December, the Colts had already clinched a playoff spot, Luck was putting the final touches on one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history and Arians had all but sewn up the Coach of the Year Award. The expectations have only grown in Round 2. On Sunday, the Colts showed off their new T-shirt — a photo of the Lombardi Trophy with the words "Hoist It" underneath.
"We set that bar so high, we set the stage so high," Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne said after arriving at camp via helicopter Saturday. "There's still not a lot of buzz about us. We've got to prove people wrong, got to show them what we can do, what we're made out of."
It starts with Luck, who will run his second offense in two years. The good news is that he's working again with a coordinator, Pep Hamilton, and a system that the two ran at Stanford. His familiarity has turned him from a pupil into a teacher for the rest of his teammates.
Indianapolis' offseason goal was to protect Luck better this season. They signed two offensive linemen who were veteran free agents, drafted two more and are hoping the combination of quicker throws and a more efficient ground game that Luck won't have to endure nearly as many hits as last year. If all goes well, Luck may not have to throw the 681 passes he did in the regular-season and playoffs, either.
So how different will this offense be?
"You'll have to see in practice and games," Luck said with a smile. "But it's definitely a different feel."
There are plenty of new faces around, too.
General manager Ryan Grigson spent about $140 million on 11 veteran agents. He drafted seven more rookies and went as far as African rugby in search of talent.
Among this year's "finds" are Daniel Adongo, a native of Kenya who is a world-class rugby player and a novice at American football; safety Josh McNary, who is expected to start practicing Tuesday after he finishes a two-year service commitment in the U.S. Army; and 25-year-old rookie receiver Jeremy Kelley, a veteran of the Canadian and Arena Football Leagues.
In all, there are nearly three dozen new players in Anderson.
"You can't always hit with 100 percent but we felt we did as good as we possibly could have, given the situation," Grigson said when asked about Indy's moves in free agency.
The best sight for fans was seeing Pagano. With the cancer still in remission, he's fit, feisty and under no medical restrictions at camp. That means Pagano can go back to building toward the same goal he did a year ago — winning the Super Bowl. It's just that now it seems so much more believable to the outside world.
"We showed a clip last night, a highlight, and it ended with the scoreboard in the playoff game," Pagano said. "There was 12 minutes and 30 seconds to go on the clock and it's in the fourth quarter and it was a one-score game, and we had the ball first-and-five on their 18-yard line. That's a team that eventually won the Super Bowl. So our expectations don't change. The ultimate goal is always a world championship."
Nene dominates, Wizards rally past Bulls, 102-93 Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
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Marian grad Jeffers named starting long snapper at Kansas
By: Angelo Di Carlo - Email Updated: Tue 11:32 AM, Aug 28, 2012
/ Article Marian High School grad Reilly Jeffers has been named the starting long snapper at Kansas as a walk-on freshman by Jayhawks head coach Charlie Weis.
It's been a remarkable journey for Reilly and his family.
Two years ago, Reilly was on the sidelines for Marian football games on crutches--watching his teammates play.
Jeffers was in a serious car crash a month before the season started and was out for the entire 2010 season. At the time, there was fear that the injuries to his leg were so so severe he wouldn't be able to play football ever again.
As if this wasn't already a trying time for Reilly, his dad--WNDU Sports Director Jeff Jeffers---then had a stroke just a month after Reilly's accident. Both father and son would each go through a grueling recovery phase at the same time, each leaning on the other to get healthy.
The day eventually came when Reilly was able to walk without crutches, Jeff was out of the hospital and Jeff was able to get back on the air at WNDU.
Then came Reilly's redemption. He was able to play football again.
Reilly became a starter on the offensive line and a team leader for Marian, helping to lead the Knights to one of their best seasons in a decade.
When Charlie Weis was hired as the head coach at Kansas, Reilly was given the opportunity to be a walk-on for the Jayhawks program.
But this---he never anticipated. Jeffers began fall camp as a backup at long snapper and assisted on special teams.
On Saturday, Weis announced that projected starting long snapper Justin Carnes was suspended for the first three games of the season due to a violation of teams rules. And on Tuesday, Weis named Reilly the new starting longsnapper. Go figure.
When Jeffers takes the field as a walkon freshman starter on Saturday in the Jayhawks home opener against South Dakota State, his dad won't be there. Jeff will be doing his job as the sideline reporter for Notre Dame football games for the national radio broadcast. Of course, that job happens to take Jeff all the way to Dublin, Ireland in week one. That means he will be a whopping 4,108 miles away from his son.
That's ok. The journey Reilly and Jeff have been on for the last two years was a lot longer and yet, they've never been as close.
Congrats guys.
WNDU's Angelo Di Carlo receives award at local banquet Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,800 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools, which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. Visit Site
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Alves wants Barca stay Man City target wants new deal at the Camp Nou By Francisco Acedo |
Last Updated: 07/02/11 11:34am
Alves: Wants to stay
Barcelona defender Dani Alves has pledged his allegiance to the club and stated that he wants his future resolved by agreeing a new contract.
There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.
The Brazilian's current deal is due to expire at the end of next season and talks over an extension have yet to reach a conclusion.
Marauding wing-back Alves has been linked with a move to Manchester City in recent times, with interest thought to be high in him over the January transfer window due to the lack of time on his current deal.
But it appears the 27-year-old is keen on remaining at the Camp Nou with the Primera Division holders, stating the club are too close to his heart to go.
He has been a part of a side that has won two league titles, one UEFA Champions League and a Copa Del Rey since joining from Sevilla in 2008.
Difficult"It is very difficult to find a big club like Barcelona. I'm experiencing things I never thought I would, I love this club," he told Barca TV.
"That's why I will fight with all my strength to stay here because it is my dream.
"My family and I are very happy in Barcelona and it is a privilege for any footballer to be at this club."
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Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman recounts his early career and having to play on artificial pitches on Soccer Extra.
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Home > Topics > Sports Iain MacIntyre: Perfect storm for Canucks' seasonInjuries, lack of upgrades, goalie conundrum all threaten to burst clouds in VancouverIain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun columnist, The Vancouver SunPublished: Friday, January 18, 2013Wow, that scrimmage season just flew by.All those practice jerseys, all that incohesiveness and lack of offensive execution. Hard to believe the Vancouver Canucks have already completed not-quite-four full periods of shinny.And what a finale! Greys beat Blues 3-0. Or did Blues beat Greys? Doesn't matter. It was training-camp hockey. Or the Ice Capades' re-enactment of the U.S. Civil War.Vancouver Canuck goaltenders Cory Schneider (left) and Roberto Luongo didn't expect to be teammates to start the 2013 season, but they'll be wearing the same jerseys on Saturday night when the Canucks face the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Arena.Jonathan HaywardEmail to a friendPrinter friendlyFont:****Maybe next year there will be an actual intra-squad game. And one day, an exhibition game. Well, what is mankind without dreams?In a week when there has been some focus on what teams are doing to say sorry and thank you to fans - in the Canucks' case, not enough so far - the National Hockey League will unleash upon its trampled paying customers the most ragged, unrehearsed hockey in many years. But they're calling it the regular season. Welcome back, everyone.There are 13 games on the opening day of a season that is 20 days shorter than the lockout that nearly destroyed it.The Vancouver Canucks' first of 48 games is Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks.The Canucks have familiarity on their side. Of their roster of 23 players, 20 Canucks played for the team last season when it won its second straight Presidents' Trophy as the regular-season champion.World-class first-liners Daniel and Henrik Sedin have played together before and the organization has established a level of excellence the last four seasons unprecedented in Canuck history.The pattern of regular-season success is reassuring, and lineup continuity seems a very good thing during a 48-game sprint to the playoffs. But beyond the form chart, it was difficult this week to find many other goods things about a team that ended the lockout with one key injury and started training camp with another."I have no idea what to expect," Canuck coach Alain Vigneault admitted this week. "I believe that our guys are ready. Conditioning results were, for the most part, very, very good. We've taken the short amount of time we've had to get ready and maximized every opportunity to do what we need to do: teach, prepare, execute. Saturday, we'll (know)."Nobody is picking the Canucks to miss the playoffs. But neither are people picking them to finish first overall again. The Los Angeles Kings proved last spring how irrelevant the standings are once the playoffs begin.The Kings backed into the post-season tournament in eighth place in the Western Conference, then promptly cuffed aside the Canucks in a Stanley Cup campaign as dominant as the NHL had seen in 15 years.The key for teams is to simply play their way into the Stanley Cup tournament. The Canucks should do that for the 10th time in 12 seasons. But there are several small signs that the journey will not be smooth:Long-term injuries to Ryan Kesler and David Booth, coupled with the failure of the organization to draft and develop players ready to step into the NHL from the minors, means Vancouver begins with a second line of journeyman Andrew Ebbett (six points last season) between Mason Raymond (10 goals) and Zack Kassian (four goals).Opening well is paramount in the shortened season and, under Vigneault, the Canucks have been notoriously tepid starters, always under .500 through the first two to three weeks.Only four Canucks played in Europe during the lockout, and one of them (Cory Schneider) was for just a month and another (Raymond) for a week.Schneider has a fabulous resume but has not been a starting goalie in the NHL, and until you're a proven No. 1 goalie, you're unproven.The risk in carrying deposed starter Roberto Luongo as a $5.33-million backup could blow up on the Canucks in several ways while meticulous manager Mike Gillis waits for the right trade.It seems so long ago it's easy to forget how this same group of players struggled to adapt when officiating and defending changed NHL dynamics late last season.Jason Garrison looks like a nice replacement for Sami Salo on defence, but the lineup, even if Kesler and Booth were healthy, has not been upgraded.Collectively, these potential deficiencies hardly constitute a "perfect storm" looming above the Canucks. But rain clouds abound, and it will be surprising if the Canucks don't get soaked at some point, especially early on."We maybe have to change our style a little bit here just to make sure we maximize what we have up front, then as the year goes on get some key returns (from injury)," Schneider said. "Perhaps if the goals aren't coming as often, we have to be a little more defensive. "Every guy here worked hard and tried to stay in shape during the lockout. This is what it has all been for. We have to keep up our end of the bargain of being professional and ready to go."Daniel Sedin said: "We've had a lot of injuries throughout the years, a lot of things to overcome, and I think this team has always been good at rising to the challenge. Everyone talks about how tough it's going to be for us, but all we can do is worry about the next game. The first 10 games are going to be huge. If we lose too many of those, it's going to be tough to catch up. We all know how it is the last 25 or 30 games (of an 82-game season); it's really tough to catch up."There hasn't been a 48-game campaign since commissioner Gary Bettman began his lockout hat trick in 1994. The Canucks entered the shortened season of '95 with largely the same lineup that pushed the New York Rangers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final the previous spring. But Pavel Bure struggled, there were a couple of injuries on defence and the Canucks barely scraped into the playoffs at 18-18-12, back when the league had only 26 teams and .500 got you to the dance.The defending-champion Rangers finished eighth in the Eastern Conference.There is much less margin for error in a 48-game schedule in a league with great parity and 30 teams. It's likely there will be at least a couple of teams that start badly and miss the playoffs three months from now, but would have had time to recover over an 82-game season."This is a brand new season," veteran Canuck Manny Malhotra said when presented the catalogue of concerns about his team. "The desire to get back on the ice is at an all-time high. We understand the importance of each game."If you want to go on past seasons and past statistics and what happened, you might as well write up this season now. The beauty of sport is that you go out and play. This is not the stock market. We're not trying to read trends. "This is sport; on a nightly basis things can change. Things work, things don't work. But it's up to us."imacintyre@vancouversun.comTWITTER:Twitter.com/imacvansun
© The Vancouver Sun (Evergreen) 2013 Ads by Google
Related Links Canucks re-sign blueliner Alex Edler to six-year dealNew Canuck Jason Garrison relishes Sedin synergyCanucks cut Jordan Schroeder as nine players reassigned to AHL WolvesIain MacIntyre: Maple Leafs, Canucks unlikely to agree on deal for Roberto LuongoDownload the Sun's Android appLike sports? Like Facebook? Then "like" our VanSun Sports Facebook pageRSS feed: Get The Sun Sports newsfeed direct to your desktopDownload the Sun's iPhone appThe Sun's full Canucks, hockey coverageBLOG: PuckWorld, for all your Canucks news and viewsBLOG: Pass it to Bulis Top Sports Stories
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Athletics HomeMen's Baseball
Cleaver named head baseball coach
Dan Cleaver, who was a WC assistant the last two seasons, has been named head coach. (Wilmington file photo)
WILMINGTON, OH – Terry Rupert, vice president for athletics administration and director of athletics, has announced the hiring of Dan Cleaver as the school’s new head baseball coach, effective immediately (June 7, 2013).
“We are pleased to have someone with Dan’s extensive knowledge of the game to help turn around our baseball program,” said Rupert. “During the interview process, which yielded several impressive candidates, Dan’s detailed plan on recruitment, retention, skill development and academics brought him to the head of the class.”
Cleaver takes over for Tony Haley, who resigned after 14 years at the helm of the Quakers baseball program. Cleaver was an assistant to Haley in the last two seasons.
“I could not be happier,” said Cleaver. “I was really excited. I love this institution. I have a love for Wilmington College. The only thing, other than my family, that I love more is baseball.
“We just have to change the culture completely,” he continued. “We have to have a different attitude. We have to make sure we are prepared play when the umpire says ‘Play Ball’. It’s a coaches’ game in practice and a players’ game (during the competition). You have to trust them to be players.”
A 1997 WC grad, Cleaver brings several years of coaching experience at the high school and elite teams level, including a seven-year stint as varsity coach at Little Miami High School.
Despite finishing the season 5-32 overall, 1-17 in the OAC, Cleaver feels the Quakers are close to competing with the upper echelon.
“It’s a matter of recruiting,” he said. “I have one recruiting class under my belt, we are working on the second and it takes three recruiting classes to compete.”
Cleaver and his wife Tania reside in Harlan Township. They have three children, including son Clay, who was a freshman starter this past season on the WC baseball team.
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Kim Kardashian's Personal Trainer Tracy Anderson: Inside Kim's Pregnancy Workouts
Kim Kardashian isn't using pregnancy as an excuse to let herself go. In fact, she's more motivated than ever to stay healthy. And she's got one heck of a secret weapon in her arsenal to help her do it: celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson. Anderson -- whose other clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Bethenny Frankel, and mom-to-be Shiri Appleby -- is working with the E! reality star to develop a fitness routine that works for both her and her baby. PHOTOS: Kim's best booty moments
"She's been doing amazing," Anderson gushes to Us Weekly of the three-months-pregnant 32-year-old, who's expecting her first child with boyfriend Kanye West later this year. "She's doing it with caution and she's listening to her body; she's not overdoing anything. [She's] such a great example -- I'm so proud of her."
The admiration is mutual. Anderson not only helped Kardashian's sister Kourtney lose 44 pounds in six months after the birth of daughter Penelope; she also specializes in helping women stay active through each stage of their pregnancy and beyond. She even has a new series of DVDs, the Pregnancy Project, that feature different workouts for each month leading up to labor.
PHOTOS: How Kourtney got her beach-ready body
"It's about staying connected, it's about circulation," she explains to Us of her maternity fitness philosophy. "Every month is really different."
Every woman is really different, too -- so Anderson is customizing Kardashian's routine just for her specific needs. "We take it one day at a time," she explains. "One of the things that I love is that she doesn't want to go crazy. She's not interested in being like, 'I want to look hot during my pregnancy' or anything like that. Just like, 'I want to be healthy, I want to take care of myself and the baby...' She knows I'll get her back better than ever after [the birth]."
PHOTOS: Hollywood's hottest post-baby bodies
The fitness guru tells Us she's been very impressed with Kardashian's work ethic -- as well as with her attitude toward motherhood. "I think she's going to be a really natural mom...You can see that she has a real love for and a real connection to babies. I think right now she seems like a very in-tune, very together pregnant mom that has that first baby glow," she explains. "She just seems to be totally on the right track, really healthy of mind and spirit, and totally ready to do this in the best way."
"She seems to be really at home and really at peace," Anderson adds. "I think this is going to be a really big year for her." This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Kim Kardashian's Personal Trainer Tracy Anderson: Inside Kim's Pregnancy Workouts
Family HealthCelebrities
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Gaston visits Spartans, closing in on decision
SpartanMag.comDefensive tackle is a high priority position for Michigan State heading into signing day, and this past weekend the Spartans had an opportunity to host one of the Midwest's top prospects at the position, Bruce Gaston Jr. of St. Rita High in Chicago. Sunday night, SpartanMag.com caught up with the three-star rated Gaston and he shared his thoughts about his official visit. "I liked it a lot better than I thought it would go. I have to say I was pretty impressed," said Gaston, who Rivals.com ranks the No. 38 defensive tackle and the No. 8 senior prospect in Illinois. "I mean, I didn't get to see much of the school at first, but then I got to see more of it, and obviously I got to meet some of the players, which was really nice. We clicked pretty much. My player-host was Blake Treadwell. It just went really good. I got to have my meetings with the coaches. I got to see the academic advisors
I went to the basketball game. It was just great." Before visiting MSU, Gaston had taken official visits to Purdue (12/4) and Wisconsin (12/11), and he left West Lafayette and Madison rating both visits a "perfect 10." Gaston wasn't asked to put a numerical rating on his stop in East Lansing, but he did admit the Spartans were equally impressive as the Boilermakers and Badgers. Taking a close look at the MSU campus was a top priority for Gaston over the weekend and it's safe to say he was impressed."It was beyond what I expected, honestly, it truly was," he said of campus. "It was actually beyond what I expected." ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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2014-15/3331/en_head.json.gz/9468
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Williams still thinking about decision
CuseConfidential.comOn Saturday Ishaq Williams was supposed to make his decision on where he would attend college. Those plans fell to the side when he was unable to make his mind up. One person who has been with Williams from the start of this process is his high school coach Shawn O'Connor and he spoke with CuseConfidential.com about Ishaq Williams.O'Connor has seen his share of big time prospects (Nyan Boateng, Lansford Watson, and Khalif Staten) come through his program in the past few years. With that being said the coach sees some differences in the recruitment of Williams to the others."He has received a lot more attention. The other guys had a lot of offers, but they did not have the kind of quality programs. Also the time of his decision is different because he is making a decision quicker than those guys."The other top prospects that have come out of Lincoln High School were receiver prospects, Ishaq Williams can play some receiver, but his future is most likely at defensive end where O'Connor has seen him grow up during his high school days."I have seen him develop into a better technician. He was a very good athlete when he came to us and then turned into a very technical football player. He has been a great athlete, always extremely focused, and now he is a leader."During the past few years the Coach also learned that Williams is never satisfied with his performance because he feels he can do better."He is a kid that is not very satisfied with just being mediocre. When you watch him play you will never be able to tell if your team is up or down because he does not show any kind of emotion like that on the field. Football is his passion, he loves it and he does not like to lose."Williams, already has solid mentality for the college game, but there is one item that he will need to fix to help him be the same player in college."I think he is going to have to put on a little more weight. He may have some difficulty in the beginning with bigger lineman. Right now he is beating guys with speed, he is kind of strong, but at the next level there are going to be bigger guys. He just needs to put on some muscle," O'Connor said. "His biggest weakness like I said I think it is that he needs a little more weight to handle a college offensive lineman."When he adds that weight on it will be important that he keeps his speed because his coach now feels that is his biggest strength as he moves to the next level."His biggest strength is his speed, his first few steps off of the ball. Right now he is hard to block when he beats you."Before he gets to the next level however he will have to make a decision, a decision that has been harder for him to make than he may have expected. Despite delaying his decision O'Connor feels he is being very mature during this process."I think he has done very well in this process. It is still not an easy process because he has not made a decision yet. It was tough to get it down in a shorter time period than everybody else because he is graduating early," O'Connor stated. "He is still thinking about it and when he is ready he will make the move. He has been very mature in this process and I think that tells you a lot about the kind of person he is. He did not feel comfortable making his decision on that day. He just wants to make sure he does not make his decision on a motion, he wants to think it through."This weekend when Williams did not make his decision some internet rumors appeared saying it was coaching related. That was not true according to O'Connor."A lot of people have been asking me a lot of questions about coaches and coaching situations. This has nothing to do with coaches at all. He is just looking to make sure he makes the right choice. When he left for San Antonio he wasn't sure, so I knew this might have been an issue. When he got down there he really did not have time to think because of his busy schedule and he did not have any down time to think it through."One item that is true is that the four star prospect is down to three possible destinations and those programs have been at the top throughout the process."He has not really shown a favorite out of those three schools. He did favor Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Penn State those three schools always seemed to click. He did favor those three always," O'Connor added. "He likes them all for different reasons and that is why it has been so hard for him to make a decision right now." ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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October 28, 2007UA-UW Postgame Quotes
Related Links:Tuitama, Thomas lead comebackMuch-needed victoryBox Score: Arizona 48, Washington 41Talk about it in Alligator AlleyArizona's coaches and players were happy after their big 48-41 victory over Washington in Seattle. Here are some quotes from the Wildcats.Arizona Coach Mike Stoops: General Comments: "We were due. We started to play better defensively--great defense the majority of the game. We got some better pressure on the quarterback on that last drive for a big play. It was going to be about the defense in the second half. They stepped up and made some plays." On Jake Locker: "He's going to be a tremendous player. He hurt us all day. Running, throwing, scrambling. But we made the plays we had to. That's really the difference between winning and losing." On being down by 15: "It's a game of confidence and momentum. Both teams looked like they had it at times and couldn't put the other team away. When we were down two and had the ball, someone ran it down the middle, one bad ball, he overthrew the guy, and he intercepted it. That's a big difference in the game. Then they gained momentum and we fought our way back in the fourth quarter and got some big plays." On Arizona's fight late in the game: "Our kids have never really not fought through hard times. God knows we've been through enough." On quarterback Willie Tuitama: "The kid's been through a lot. We've hung in there and Willie's worked hard. He has a lot of talent and he keeps getting better. It's not always at the pace that you'd like, but that's how it goes. The first year is always difficult in modern day football. Football is a game of movement and moving parts. It's much more complex than it was. I'm not saying it's rocket science, but there's a lot that gets put on a quarterbacks' shoulders at any level of football, especially this one. Willie's handled it well. I'm proud of him. To throw for 500 (yards) and five touchdowns--that's a great individual performance." On his feelings over the past week: "We knew we were going to move the football. We didn't know we were going to do what we did today. But I didn't think they would be able to move the ball that well against us either. I knew the second half would come down to stops; that defensive plays would win the game." On Arizona's offense: "That's what you hope for. I know these guys expect that every time they step on the field. We always expect that, but again it doesn't always work that way. It goes back to confidence and making plays." Arizona Quarterback Willie Tuitama:On offensive strengths: "Pretty much the O-Line gave me a whole lot of time to make my reads and see what was going on with the defense. They were trying to put a lot of coverage on us, they didn't really blitz that much throughout the game and especially the second half they just had four guys out there playing off the wide receivers. One play that really stood out was the touchdown to Terrell Turner, he went out there and made a great play. And, of course, there at the end that touchdown to Mike Thomas on the post stood out too. I was originally looking for Terrell Turner but they covered him up a little bit so I went through my reads, and that's my last read. So I went over to Thomas and my team made the play." On relaxing during this game: "I was a lot more relaxed. Part of it was I've kind of had a little bit of strep throat going on throughout the week and I think that's maybe one of the reasons why I was a little more relaxed, because I was a little down. But, once the game started the guys rallied around me and just made me feel comfortable. We started off nice. Mike Thomas made a good play. The first one he dropped I was kind of yelling at him a little bit, giving him a hard time about it. But I came right back to him and he just ran right by the guy and scored a touchdown." On change in attitude: "It could have just been the way we came out and started some of our games, we got a little down on ourselves, but we have to overcome that. That's something that we did coming into the game today. I think there was one point where we were down 41-26, and we came back." Arizona Linebacker Spencer Larsen:On giving up 41 points: "I think what was more devastating were the yards. Dang near 550 yards of offense is dumbfounding." On Jake Locker: "Running quarterbacks always give us trouble. They always have in the past and we never go in thinking we are going to give up yards like that, but (Locker) is an athlete. Number 10, I have nothing but good things to say about him. He's strong, athletic, and very difficult to play against." On final defensive stand: "It's great to be able to play (Locker) when he has to throw. When he is one-dimensional like that it is a lot easier and it was just a matter of time before he threw one up there, and Antoine (Cason) got it. We have some good athletic players back there, so when we know it's coming it makes it a lot easier for us and he made a great play on the ball." On remainder of season: "We have a hope now, and we have something we are shooting for obviously. Thankfully these last three games are against teams we match up well against, but we need to play a lot better, and obviously play better defense."FEATURED PRODUCT
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First practice in the books
BruinSportsReport.comUCLA coach Rick Neuheisel had a reason to feel good about his team's first day of practice. Take away the usual rust and things of that nature, which every team goes through during the early days of camp, and you have to be really happy with the effort the team put forth in its opening stanza.The players were feisty and there were some blows, but that is a good thing because let's you that they care. It is also an indicator that there is competition and that is something all Bruin fans welcome.Neuheisel: "I'm excited about the way things started. Our guys are eager, they're energetic, we're going to look at the tape and in shorts it is difficult to know exactly, who won and who lost today, but we're going to look at the tape and see a whole bunch of mistakes, but when they come out here eager like that, it makes you feel good about your team and so we are excited about day one, looking forward to day two and especially day three when we get the pads on."For the rest of the interview, please log onto BruinBlitz.com... ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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AuburnSports.com's early look at 2007
Bryan Matthews
AuburnSports.comAuburn has yet to put the finishing touches on its 2006 season but with the bowl game still over a month away, AuburnSports.com takes a sneak peak at the 2007 season.The Tigers are scheduled to return 12 starters including seven on defense from a team that set the all-time record with 40 wins in a four-year period. ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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February 10, 2012Shrine Bowl features some of top talent in Nebraska Robin Washut
Talk about it in Wabash StationFor those fans wanting to get a glimpse of some of this seasons' latest class of incoming Huskers, look no further than the 54th annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl.
With 13 NU walk-ons set to play in the state's high school football all-star game, this year's Shrine Bowl features as much future collegiate talent as it has in years. Husker scholarship tight end commit Sam Cotton of Lincoln Southeast won't be able to play in the game due to a groin injury that may require surgery, and Kansas State quarterback commit Tavarius Bender of Lincoln Southwest is already enrolled at KSU and also won't play.
Even so, Shrine Bowl officials are thrilled about bringing together the best talent the state had to offer for the game.
"We're real excited about the players we were able to get," said Steve Nelson, executive direction of the Shrine Bowl. "You look at (Nebraska's) recruited walk-on list this year and see that we've got a large majority of those players. Those are obviously some of the best players in the state, and we're excited to have them play them game."
The North team features six Nebraska walk-ons, while seven will play for the South.
The future Huskers on the North include wide receiver Cole Chvatal of Bishop Neumann; running back Graham Nabity of Elkhorn; quarterback Ryker Fyfe and safety Sam Foltz of Grand Island; and running back Jordan Nelson and linebacker Mitch McCann of Omaha Burke.
The South has tight end Ross Dzuris of Plattsmouth; offensive lineman Dylan Utter of Papillion-LaVista; wide receiver Brandon Reilly of Lincoln Southwest; offensive lineman Garret Johns of Aurora; fullback Andy Janovich of Gretna; linebacker Brad Simpson of Ralston; and tight end Trey Foster of Lincoln Southeast.
Foster said he was excited to get to know some of his future Nebraska teammates better, especially since some were his opponents only a few months ago.
"I just see it as a great opportunity to get to know each other better, get to know the other players," Foster said. "Some of us haven't played against each other or with each other as much as others, and I think it'll be a great prequel to how we're going to do."
The Shrine Bowl also has several other players going on to play collegiately next season, highlighted by Ohio linebacker commit Jake Schany of Blair and Iowa defensive end commit Drew Ott of Giltner.
"One of the primary goals of our organization is to be the premier all-star game in Nebraska," Nelson said. "To do that, you do have to have great players. We feel we've got a great game. We've got a game that's stood the test of time - 54 years coming up this year. We do want to have very good players, because they're the ones down the road that are going to be future ambassadors for our game. "We're very blessed to have two Heisman Trophy winners that have played in our game in Eric Crouch and Johnny Rodgers, and a lot of All-Americans over the years. It's important to us to keep that tradition."
For the second year in a row, the game will be played earlier than normal, as it is once again set for Saturday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m. CT at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium. Nelson said the idea for moving the game up to June from August was to both spare the players from the late-summer heat as well as give them more of a break between the game and the start of their college fall camps.
Also, the first session of college summer classes begin that following Monday on June 4.
As for the 1:30 p.m. kickoff, the game had previously been a 7 p.m. start, but because of the renovations to Memorial Stadium the university couldn't guarantee functioning stadium lights.
Practice for the Shrine Bowl will begin on Friday, May 25, with the North team practicing and staying at the Nebraska Wesleyan University campus in Lincoln and the South at the Doane College Campus in Crete.
Kansas State Wildcats Big Arch & Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple
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No rush for Chambers Ben Doster
DeaconsIllustrated.comTaylor Chambers is comfortable at Wake Forest, the only school to offer him a scholarship, but the Columbia (SC) Irmo offensive tackle does not want to leave any stone unturned.The 6-foot-8, 305-pounder will make a pit stop in Winston-Salem on his way up [Friday] or back [Sunday] from an unofficial visit to Virginia."My dad has never seen it [Wake Forest], so I kind of want to be out there with my dad for a little bit just so he can check it all out and they can meet him," Chambers said."I definitely like Wake's campus a lot, because it's small, but it's big at the same time. It has a small town feel, but at the same time it's not too small. For one thing it's very similar to how Irmo is where I live, because it's kind of like a community in itself and it's near a bigger city like Winston-Salem is to Columbia."This weekend's jaunt to Charlottesville will be the first time Chambers has ever been to UVA."They [Virginia] actually called my coach," Chambers said. "It's the first time that I'd ever had any contact with them, and they said they had watched my film and that they were very interested and potentially would offer if I came up and visited."Chambers believes a second offer, especially from another ACC school, would get the ball rolling in his recruitment.Lately he has spent a significant amount of time at South Carolina, which is only about 20 minutes from where he lives. He has also made recent trips to Duke, NC State and North Carolina, and said he is still interested in all three.Chambers and his family plan to visit Athens this summer."My dad and I are both pretty excited about that," Chambers said. "Both of my parents went to Georgia, and my dad grew up in Georgia.""I never really had a favorite, but if you were to ask me what my favorite team was I would most likely say Georgia when I was younger. I visited up there in the spring and it's very impressive. I'm definitely interested, but they kind of showed minimal interest at first. It's picked up here lately, but at the beginning I kind of dropped a little bit of my potential interest I've had in them."Chambers, who is in no hurry to make a decision wants to visit every school he is interested in and hopes to narrow his list of schools he is considering down to three by the beginning of his senior season. ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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Jackson Open to Other Positions
Fletcher Rutland
SicEmSports.comQuarterback is always the most talked about and followed position during each recruiting class, and for Baylor fans that will be even more so in the 2011 class. Next year appears to be the year with the Bears will really try to find the next talented quarterback to come to Waco and take over for Robert Griffin. One of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the next class is Cedar Hill's Driphus Jackson. The 6ft, 175lb playmaker took over as the Longhorns quarterback as a sophomore last season leading one of the most talent rich programs in the state. Recently Jackson attended the Bears one day camp in South Grand Prairie."It was fun. I learned a lot," Jackson said. "I was able to take a lot of it and apply it to the 7 on 7 games that we had."Like many other players that attended one or more of Baylor's camps in June, Jackson mentioned how man new things he learned from his experience."Coach Montgomery taught us the open stance. He also taught us five and seven step drops, and how to come from under center and make a running throw," Jackson said. "It was a lot of things that we don't do at Cedar Hill as far as going up under center. He helped me figure it out while I was there."Many coaches made a impression on the young player, but none more than Baylor's co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Phillip Montgomery."They're (Baylor coaches) really cool. They're really down to earth," he said. "Coach Montgomery acts like one of the kids. He's really energetic and motivated the kids to keep going even though we didn't look as good as we wanted to. He helped us out a lot."During Jackson's recruitment and if he eventually decides to sign with Baylor, the coaches will all be fighting for him to play different positions. The coaches have asked him to come back to their camp in mid July and possibly work out at receiver or defensive back. "They want to see me work some at receiver," said Jackson. "Coach Montgomery wanted me to stay at quarterback, but they said they would like to see me at receiver too because of what I can do when I have the ball in my hands."Jackson understands that because of his size he may not have very many opportunities to play quarterback in college and he's ok with that. He has only played quarterback for Cedar Hill, but he thinks he has the skills to be successful at many places on the field.He'll have opportunities to play quarterback at some schools, and possibly at Baylor, but having the opportunity to play quarterback is not going to be the deciding factor when he makes his decision."Playing another position is not a problem for me. I'm more interested in what a school has to offer me academically," Jackson said. "I'm getting built up to play that position, but I think because of my size and because the quarterbacks in my class are all prototypical quarterbacks, then I know I'll end up playing another position.""I don't mind going to another school and playing another position other than quarterback. It doesn't bother me at all," he said.As evidence by his presence at Baylor's camp, Jackson already has a lot of early interest in the Baylor program and his opinion of them has continued to improve after getting to know the coaches at the camp."I love Baylor. Baylor is one of the schools that I'm looking at right now to go to," said Jackson. "The coaches are more down to earth and everything. They teach me a lot and they're very likeable. They put things in layman's terms instead of making it very difficult. They actually put it to where you understand it."The Cedar Hill product would like to attend Baylor's next camp, but he isn't sure of his summer basketball schedule. If he is free then he said he will "more than likely" attend. ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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November 16, 2007Who has the edge: Ohio State vs. Michigan
MORE: Run for the roses
| Video Preview Game of the Week: No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 23 Michigan
Ohio State run offense vs. Michigan run defense
Last week's 28-21 loss to Illinois ended a three-game streak in which Ohio State produced at least 200 yards rushing. The Buckeyes managed 180 on the ground and rank 24th in the nation in run offense. Sophomore TB Chris Wells is wearing a brace to protect a bum thumb, but that won't diminish his threat as a runner. He has emerged as one of the nation's best with 1,241 yards this season. Wells has rushed for 599 yards and six touchdowns in the past four games. Maurice Wells is an effective backup, and QB Todd Boeckman last week showed he can add an extra dimension to the running game by rushing for 68 yards against the Illini. Michigan has been vulnerable to the run of late. The Wolverines have allowed an average of 173 rushing yards in their past four games, including 232 in last week's loss to Wisconsin. Michigan has allowed a 100-yard rusher in each of the past three games. Terrance Taylor is Michigan's first defensive tackle in a decade to post 50 tackles. LB Shawn Crable is second in the nation and leads all players at his position in tackles for loss with 24.
Ohio State pass offense vs. Michigan pass defense
Boeckman failed to throw two touchdown passes in a game for the first time all season last week when he came up empty against Illinois. He also threw three interceptions for the second time this season. Overall, Boeckman has proved to be a capable quarterback. He has completed 65 percent of his attempts for 2,121 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Poor protection was at least partially responsible for his bad outing a week ago, but the Buckeyes' offensive line still has allowed just 14 sacks all year. Brian Robiskie is the definition of a big-play receiver, with 10 of his 48 receptions going for touchdowns. Brian Hartline is a nice "possession" receiver, and he has 45 catches. Michigan appeared inept in pass defense while surrendering six touchdown passes in its first two games. Since then, the Wolverines have allowed only five scoring tosses and have snatched 11 interceptions. SS Jamar Adams has a team-leading three interceptions and 13 passes broken up. Michigan has recorded 31 sacks to rank 22nd in the nation, and 11 players have at least one sack.
Michigan run offense vs. Ohio State run defense
A Michigan tailback has rushed for at least 100 yards in 10 of 11 games, and Mike Hart is responsible for eight of those. Hart has hit triple digits in every game in which he has played. He was a leading Heisman Trophy contender until suffering a sprained ankle Oct. 13 that has forced him to miss three games. The Wolverines' running game is obviously at its best with Hart in the lineup, but Carlos Brown has played well in Hart's absence. Michigan backs have the luxury of running behind a line anchored by All-American tackle Jake Long and All-Big Ten guard Adam Kraus. Ohio State had problems corralling Illinois quarterback Juice Williams and gave up an 80-yard run a week ago, but the Buckeyes still rank fourth in the nation in run defense at 82.7 yards per game. Illinois' Daniel Dufrene and Washington's Jake Locker are the only players to manage 100 rushing yards against the Buckeyes. LB James Laurinaitis is tough in the middle, and OLBs Larry Grant and Marcus Freeman make it difficult to run outside on the Buckeyes.
Michigan pass offense vs. Ohio State pass defense
Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington are as good as any receiving duo in college ball. Manningham has six consecutive 100-yard games, and has 62 receptions for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Manningham has had two touchdown catches in four of the past five games. Arrington is much more than a complementary receiver, with 56 catches for 716 yards and six scores. Strong-armed QB Chad Henne has been limited because of a sore shoulder, but expects to play. Ohio State allowed four touchdown passes a week ago, but still has surrendered just nine all year. The Buckeyes have also grabbed 10 interceptions. Malcolm Jenkins is All-American material at cornerback, and DE Vernon Gholston has accounted for 10 of the Buckeyes' 38 sacks. Ohio State kicking game vs. Michigan kicking game
The Buckeyes and Wolverines are similar on specials teams. Both teams struggle on kickoff returns, but are solid on punt returns. Ohio State's A.J. Trapasso and Michigan's Zoltan Mesko are solid punters who consistently pin opponents inside the 20. Perhaps the biggest difference is that Ohio State K Ryan Pretorius has more experience. He has converted 17 of 21 field-goal attempts, with a long of 50 yards. Michigan's K.C. Lopata, who was given the job in midseason, has made all eight field-goal attempts. Ohio State coaching staff vs. Michigan coaching staff
Jim Tressel is 72-15 in seven seasons at Ohio State and has guided the Buckeyes to a national championship, two berths in the BCS national-championship game and three Big Ten championships. He has won five of six games against Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, who is one of just eight coaches in history to win five Big Ten championships. Carr, who guided Michigan to a national championship in 1997, is the seventh-winningest active coach with a 121-39 record. Carr's teams are 17-8 against opponents ranked in the top 10, and he's 9-1 against top-10 teams in games played in Ann Arbor.
Ohio State will win if
First and foremost, the Buckeyes offensive line must protect Boeckman, who was ineffective when under pressure a week ago. They also must capitalize on Michigan's problems in stopping the run and get a productive game out of Chris Wells. Perhaps the best way to contain Manningham is to have Jenkins follow him everywhere he goes on the field.
Michigan will win if
The Wolverines must get production from their running game, which they did not get in a loss to Wisconsin last week. The Big Blue will also need Manningham to make big plays in the passing game. In turn, the defense must avoid giving up big plays, which has been a factor in the Wolverines' three losses.
As expected, Hart and Henne have vowed to return from injuries to try to get their first career victories over Ohio State. When healthy, Hart is one of the premier running backs in America. Henne is a big-play quarterback. Michigan needs them both at full strength, but neither may be.
Buchanan's pick: Ohio State 31-27
Other Rivals.com expert picks:
Steve Megargee, national college football writer: Ohio State 21-20
Mike Huguenin, college sports editor: Ohio State 31-24
Bill King, Rivals Radio host: Ohio State 28-21
Check out the rest of the Rivals.com Expert Picks.
Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.
Talk about it in The Round Table
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November 11, 2010Week 11 preview in the Big Ten
MORE PREVIEWS: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | MWC | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
Minnesota at Illinois, noon
Indiana at Wisconsin, noon
Michigan at Purdue, noon
Iowa at Northwestern, noon
Penn State at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m.
Pardon Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez for smiling, but he is coming off the biggest week of his tumultuous coaching tenure in Ann Arbor and finally has momentum on his side.
His first two seasons at Michigan were highlighted by horrid defenses, an NCAA investigation and losses -- lots of losses.
Rodriguez entered 2010 with an 8-16 overall record and a 3-13 mark in the Big Ten, and the program had hit lows not seen since the 1960s. In 2009, Michigan registered its worst Big Ten finish (1-7) in 47 years. The 16 combined losses in 2008-09 were the most in any two-year span in school history. Michigan also has missed bowls for two years in a row for the first time since 1972-74.
The pressure was turned up in February, when the NCAA accused Michigan of five major violations pertaining to exceeding time limits on practices and workouts. This may have been Rodriguez's worst transgression, as Michigan's proud football program never had been on probation.
Add it all up, and Rodriguez sat on one of the hottest seats in the nation. "A lot of coaches say they ignore it," Rodriguez told Rivals.com before the season. "You can either get upset, laugh at it. I don't think much of it."
Compounding maters was that Rodriguez was working for a new boss in athletic director David Brandon. But he wasn't heaping pressure on Rodriguez. "Forget all of this hot-seat nonsense," Brandon told Rivals.com in August. "All I want to see is a team that's on the move and improving."
Still, it looked like RichRod had to deliver a bowl this season -- or else. Following a 5-0 start, it looked as if the Wolverines had turned the corner. But the Wolverines lost three in a row and looked primed to repeat the second-half swoons that ruined Rodriguez's first two seasons in Ann Arbor. In 2008, Michigan opened 2-2 but proceeded to lose seven of its last eight to finish 3-9. In 2009, the Wolverines saw a 4-0 beginning melt away with losses in seven of their last eight games.
It looks as if 2010 will be different. The Wolverines stopped the bleeding last week with a wild 67-65 triple-overtime victory over Illinois. The win made Michigan 6-3 and bowl eligible for the first time under Rodriguez. "We talked about, it, thought about it," Rodriguez said after the victory. "We talked about it ... that you've got to get to six to be bowl eligible and every win after that elevates your bowl status. Our guys realize that, especially our seniors."
The victory also gives the program some much-needed momentum as it heads to Purdue for a winnable game. A victory in West Lafayette, and the Wolverines' home game against Wisconsin on Nov. 20 suddenly becomes a big game nationally.
The win over the Fighting Illini was only half of the good news Rodriguez received last week. Early in the week, the NCAA's charge that Rodriguez failed to promote an atmosphere of rules compliance was reduced to failing to monitor. "We were pleased to learn that the Committee on Infractions agreed with our position," Brandon said.
Now, Michigan can focus on the field.
Best matchup: Northwestern QB Dan Persa vs. Iowa's defensive front seven. Persa ranks second in the Big Ten in total offense (303.6 ypg), behind only Michigan's Denard Robinson. Persa is capable of doing a lot of damage with his feet and arm. And he'll be facing a Hawkeyes squad that was a dropped Indiana pass in the end zone away from getting beat last weekend. Iowa hasn't forgotten that Northwestern was the team that derailed its 9-0 start last season with a 17-10 win in Iowa City. It will be up to E Adrian Clayborn, T Karl Klug and LB Jeremiha Hunter to contain Persa and beat the Wildcats to set up a huge visit next week from Ohio State.
Player on the spot: Penn State junior QB Matt McGloin. He has emerged as an unlikely star. He will start this week at Ohio State and will need to continue to shine for a team that has won three in a row. A win would improve Penn State's bowl prospects and basically end the Buckeyes' Big Ten title hopes. McGloin has helped spark the offense since entering the Minnesota game after Rob Bolden got hurt, tossing two touchdown passes in the 33-21 victory. He became the first walk-on in school history to start at quarterback the next week, throwing for 250 yards and a TD in a 41-31 victory over Michigan. Bolden returned from injury last week against Northwestern; he started, but was ineffective and pulled. McGloin came in to rally Penn State from a 21-0 hole to a 35-21 win.
Numbers game: Michigan QB Denard Robinson needs 146 yards to set the NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season. Robinson, who leads the Big Ten in rushing, has 1,349 yards. Air Force's Beau Morgan set the record of 1,494 in 1996.
"Sunday was his first day in the office and it was great seeing him, great to hear his voice. He had a few comments to make about things in general, so that was good." -- Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, on the return of defensive coordinator Norm Parker, who had his right foot amputated because of complications from diabetes and hasn't coached since early September
"I think probably more than anything, they're embarrassed. I texted most of them on Saturday night and most of them texted me back, and they put it behind them and learned from it and we'll go from there." -- Illinois coach Ron Zook, on his defense, which gave up 67 points and 676 yards in a triple-overtime loss at Michigan last week
"I don't know the specifics of what goes into those things. I realize that somebody has got to program them, so you wonder what is going through there and how exactly they come up with their formulas. But the poll I really appreciate and respect is the coaches' poll." -- Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema, on the BCS computer polls. The Badgers are 8-1 and ranked No. 7 in the BCS. Wisconsin is No. 5 in the Harris and coaches' polls, but the Badgers' average rank in the computer polls is only 10th
Etc.: Michigan State is off this week. ... Wisconsin RB John Clay is expected to be available for Saturday's game against Indiana despite having a sprained right knee. Clay was injured early in the second half of last week's win at Purdue. Wisconsin also expects freshman RB James White to return to action; he hurt his left knee against Iowa two weeks ago. ... Iowa expects RB Adam Robinson to play at Northwestern after he missed last week's win at Indiana with an injury. ... Michigan's Denard Robinson should be fine this weekend at Purdue after missing the fourth quarter and the overtime sessions in last week's win over Illinois with concussion-like symptoms. ... After Purdue won at Michigan last season, Boilermakers coach Danny Hope took offensive lineman Zach Reckman to midfield to shake Rich Rodriguez's hand. Hope thought some of Rodriguez's comments earlier in the season had led to Reckman being suspended by the Big Ten following a late hit. Hope says all is well between him and Rodriguez. ... Illinois looks to become bowl eligible on Saturday when it plays host to Minnesota. The Illini have missed the postseason each of the past two years. ... Speaking of Illinois, the Illini have forced 12 turnovers in the past three games and converted those into 56 points. ... Nine Big Ten teams -- all but Indiana and Minnesota -- still are mathematically alive to earn at least a share of the conference crown. ... Purdue has won the past two meetings against Michigan. The last time the Boilermakers won three in a row against the Wolverines was 1962-66, when they won five consecutive meetings.
Tom Dienhart is a national senior writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at dienhart@yahoo-inc.com, and you can click here to follow him on Twitter. Talk about it in The Dawgvent
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« WVU Heads Back to Texas
Bison Volleyball Remaining S...»
Giants Push Series to Game 5
Deciding tilt to be played today October 11, 2012
By JOE KAY AP Baseball Writer ,
Save | Post a comment | CINCINNATI - Facing elimination again, the San Francisco Giants came out swinging. Got a saving relief appearance from Tim Lincecum, too. Angel Pagan led off the game with a home run, Gregor Blanco and Pablo Sandoval connected later and the Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Wednesday, evening their NL division series at 2-all. Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young winner relegated to the bullpen, also delivered. He entered in the fourth with the Giants ahead 3-2, struck out six while giving up just one run in 4 1-3 innings, and allowed his team to pull away. Article Photos
San Francisco’s Pablo Sandoval hits a two-run home run in the seventh inning of Game 4.
The Giants can complete an unprecedented comeback today. No team has recovered from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series by winning three on the road, according to STATS LLC. Matt Cain, who lost the series opener and has yet to beat the Reds in three tries this season, will start Game 5 against Mat Latos. The Giants' hitters emerged from a series-long slump and extended Cincinnati's playoff misery. The Reds haven't won a postseason game at home in 17 years. One thing in the Reds' favor - they haven't dropped three straight at home all season. The Reds were hoping to start ace Johnny Cueto, but had to drop him off the roster a few hours before Wednesday's first pitch because he was still bothered by a strained muscle in his right side. He won't be available if Cincinnati wins Game 5 and reaches the NL championship series. The way the Giants have started hitting, that's now in doubt. San Francisco managed only four runs in the first three games of the series. The Giants avoided the sweep by pulling out a 2-1 win in 10 innings on Tuesday night with the help of a passed ball and an error by third baseman Scott Rolen. They broke out against Mike Leake, who replaced Cueto and had a rough time. Leake threw his first career complete game in San Francisco on June 29 and was 3-0 career against the Giants. Pagan homered on his second pitch of the game. Blanco hit a two-run shot in the second. The Giants had another breakthrough in the fifth, when back-to-back doubles by Joaquin Arias and Pagan ended an 0-for-14 slump with runners in scoring position during the series. Sandoval's two-run shot in the seventh made it 8-3, matched the Giants' season high for homers and drew loud boos from the crowd of 44,375 - the third-largest at Great American Ball Park. Fans quietly settled into their seats and used their white rally towels as lap warmers against the evening chill. The Giants normally don't hit many homers - only 103 during the season, fewest in the majors. They're only the seventh team since 1900 to reach the playoffs after finishing last in the majors in homers. While the offense went to work, Lincecum bailed out the bullpen. Manager Bruce Bochy didn't hesitate to put the guys he wanted on the mound, using four pitchers in the first four innings. Lincecum got the final out in the fourth and kept going, allowing only two hits in his second relief appearance of the series. Lincecum threw 42 strikes out of 55 pitches and even batted twice - just like a starter. Bochy decided to go with left-hander Barry Zito over Lincecum for Game 4, choosing the better pitcher down the stretch. Zito was left off the postseason roster when San Francisco won the World Series in 2010, but finished the regular season with seven straight wins. The left-hander lasted only 2 2-3 innings, his shortest career outing in the postseason. On came Lincecum to save the day. The Reds finished with the second-best record in the majors at 97-65, one game behind Washington. The rotation was the foundation of their championship season, with all five starters making it through unscathed - a franchise first. Things changed dramatically when Cueto had to leave the first inning of the playoff series opener on Saturday with the injury. The Reds made it through that game with Latos filling in for a 5-2 victory, but couldn't win without him on Wednesday. NOTES: The Reds honored RHP Homer Bailey on the field before the game for his no-hitter in Pittsburgh on Sept. 28, presenting him and C Ryan Hanigan with framed photo montages. ... It was Zito's shortest outing since he lasted 2 1-3 innings on Aug. 29 at Houston. The Giants won it 6-4. ... San Francisco has won each of Zito's last 12 starts. ... Leake lasted 4 1-3 innings, giving up six hits and five runs. ... The Giants hit three homers in a game eight times during the regular season. --- Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: twitter.com/apjoekay Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. © Copyright 2014 The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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FOX Not Standing In The Way Of A Strahan Return
It's really a shame that this Osi injury went down. No, not because he's a great player and I want to see him play this season but rather because I was looking forward to Strahan joining the NFL on FOX. I think he's perfect for television, and while five people on set is never a good idea, the addition was a great one for that network.I speculated that the ex-Giant probably had a clause in his contract that would let him make a return and late last night, Vice President of Communications Dan Bell said the network wouldn't try to stop an "un-retirement". From SBD via Sporting News Today....SPORTING NEWS TODAY's Dennis Dillon reports if former NFLer Michael Strahan re-joins the Giants, Strahan's contract with Fox Sports "will not impede the process." Fox officials yesterday "gave Strahan their blessing to return to the Giants without jeopardizing his job status." Fox VP/Communications Dan Bell: "If he does decide to go back and play for the Giants, he has our full support and his job will be waiting for him when he returns."I guess that's the right decision, and obviously a good faith gesture by FOX, but now I'm rooting for Strahan to ignore the Giants and move ahead with his second career behind the mic. And no, not just because I'm a Skins fan. I genuinely think he'll be open and honest about teams and players and someone like that is definitely needed within the NFL these days.
Awful Announcing-
FOX Hires,
Michael Strahan,
is there a reason i can only see two stories and no links or anything that normally appears on the right side?
...and cause you're a Skins fan.
Wait wait wait. The Fox VP of Communications is Dan Levy?!? No wonder I haven't been getting much sleep.
Dan Levy
Why do people assume because a guy was a good football player that he's going to add anything of worth to a telecast?There's nothing to prove that Strahan would have been 'perfect for television', and, if he hadn't played for the NEW YORK giants, he never would have been offered a TV deal.Where's the TV deals being offered for Warren Sapp? He's just as good (if not better) in front of the camera, yet networks weren't lining up to offer him a broadcast gig.NY bias, much?
Anon #1- I'm not sure. I don't seem to be having a problem.Anon #2- Warren Sapp was hired by NFL Network months ago...get with the times. Plus Strahan has been on TV and Radio just about his entire career. It's nothing groundbreaking and he was always entertaining.
Strahan was interviewed on one of the pregame shows every single week. Sure, where he played helped, but the guy has always been open and honest and likeable on screen. And he's not embarrassing himself (yet) on Dancing With The Stars.
GMoney
Sapp's been hired by the NFL network? That's why he's not showing as an on-air personality on their website?And just because he's been 'entertaining' in his previous stints being interviewed, doesn't mean he's going to be a quality analyst on a studio show. The odds of that happening are very, very slim.
Aug 26, 2008, 10:50:00 PM
Sapp will also be on Inside The NFL, and I know your second statement is talking about Strahan, Anonymous 10:50, because odds can't even be slim on Warren Sapp.
Anon- You haven't seen him on all of those NFL-N fantasy football commercials and conducting interviews? He's been doing it for over a month and I had the story up a month and a half ago. If you're not looking, or reading, I don't know what to tell you.He was also hired for Showtime's Inside The NFL like other Anon said and he's going to be on Dancing With The Stars.I think it's safe to say that your boy has work.
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2012 NFL Draft: Ideal 1st-Round Picks for Eliminated Playoff Teams
By Zachary D. Rymer
Scott Boehm/Getty Images 1.1K
We're down to the final four in the NFL postseason, and that means the other eight teams can start doing what every other NFL team is already doing.Preparing for the 2012 NFL Draft.Conventional wisdom suggests that playoff teams don't need as much help as non-playoff teams, but that's not the case. Take a look at how each of the eight eliminated teams was eliminated, and you'll notice that they are where they are because some fatal flaws were exposed.The draft is a chance to fix those flaws, starting of course in the latter third of the first round.Only six of the eight eliminated teams will be drafting in the first round, though, as the Atlanta Falcons' pick belongs to the Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints' pick belongs to the New England Patriots.Nonetheless, let's take a look at what the other six teams should do with their first-round picks. Cincinnati Bengals (No. 17 and 21 picks)
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The Bengals have two first-round picks in the 2012 draft, as they got one from the Oakland Raiders in the Carson Palmer trade.One of these picks will probably be used on a running back. Cedric Benson is a free agent, and there's quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding his future with the team (if there is such a future). You can get the gist of the situation by reading a recent article in the Cincinnati Enquirer.Whether they choose to go for him at No, 17 or No. 21, Miami's Lamar Miller would be a good pick for the Bengals. He's not Trent Richardson, but he's a running back with star potential who would fit well alongside Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.The other pick should be used on defense. The Bengals could choose to draft a cornerback, as they need a permanent replacement for Johnathan Joseph.If the Bengals are happy with their pass defense (No. 9 in the NFL in 2011), they could choose to shore up their front seven by upgrading their linebacking corps. That would depend on which players are available, as there may not be any players who are upgrades over what they already have.For example, it wouldn't be at all surprising if the Bengals drafted Vontaze Burfict if he falls to them.Detroit Lions (No. 23 pick)
If the Lions are going to upgrade their offense, it will be by shoring up their offensive line. They could look for a tackle who can play on both sides of the line, but don't rule out them drafting a center or guard prospect who can play anywhere on the interior. To that end, Detroit's options will be limited, so the team could easily decide to address its defense instead.If the Lions do choose to address their defense, they could upgrade either their linebacking corps or their secondary.An outside linebacker would be a good idea, and you wonder if the Lions could go for a guy like North Carolina's Zach Brown. He would add an extra dimension to a front seven that is already pretty good.If the Lions go secondary, I would expect them to pick up an extra cornerback. Somebody like Alfonzo Dennard or Stephon Gilmore would be good.Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 24 pick)
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Pittsburgh's top priority in the draft should be finding offensive line help, but they're probably going to be out of luck. A lot of teams drafting ahead of them will also be on the lookout for offensive line help, so pickings could be pretty slim by the time the Steelers are on the clock.If the Steelers choose not to reach for a lineman, they'll likely look to patch holes on their defense. It's good, but it's not as steely as it once was.One thing the Steelers could do is take a nose tackle who could step in for Casey Hampton down the line. They could also look to add a linebacker, a position the Steelers always do well with.We could also see the Steelers draft a cornerback. The guys they have are good, but there is something to be said about how the Steelers let Tim Tebow get the better of them in the Wild Card Round. That's a concern.I personally could see the Steelers targeting guys like Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe, Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, and they may even roll the dice with a prospect like North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins.Denver Broncos (No. 25 pick)
Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Since the question is bound to be asked, the Broncos could very well draft a quarterback in 2012. But if they do, it will be in the later rounds, not the first. Tim Tebow deserves another season to prove his worth, and there won't be any QBs worth taking at No. 25 anyway.I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos took a running back, though. Willis McGahee had a great season in 2011, but he's getting up there in years. Knowshon Moreno tore his ACL late in the season, and it wouldn't be surprising if he's not with the team in 2012.I'll leave that up to the Broncos. But if they do go for a running back, Washington's Chris Polk is a guy who will be in play.If not, the Broncos have a number of needs on defense, most notably at defensive tackle and cornerback. There will be plenty of DTs for them to choose from at No. 25, and they could pluck one of the last first-round-worthy CBs on the board.Houston Texans (No. 26 pick)
Rob Carr/Getty Images
The Texans are a Super Bowl-caliber team if they're fully healthy, and they're actually not going to need much when they enter the draft in April.One thing they could use, however, is a speedy wide receiver who could take some pressure off of Andre Johnson. A guy like Baylor's Kendall Wright would be too perfect, and he could be available at No. 26.If the Texans don't go for a receiver, they'll probably look to patch holes left by departed free agents. Other than that, the Texans are pretty well set. The future is bright. Green Bay Packers (No. 28 pick)
After dominating during the regular season, the Packers were exposed in a big way by the New York Giants. It's clear that they have a lot of areas they need to fix.Offensively, there's one area where the Packers are lacking, and that's at running back. If they choose not to get a running back in free agency, I'll expect them to target one in the draft. If they target one right away, Chris Polk is a guy who could be at the top of their list.The Packers could also address their defense. The most pressing need they have on defense is for another linebacker who can keep up with Clay Matthews. There won't be too many perfect fits on the board when the Packers are picking, but the Packers will find one. They're better than anybody at identifying talent.Elsewhere, the Packers could also use a defensive end, and you may even see them add some secondary depth. Their secondary is strong, but it's apparently not strong enough. The Packers had the league's worst pass defense all season. Share
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Conference Championship Edition (Round ...
B/R NFL Draft 100: Top Defensive Tackles
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Hidden Gems at Every Position in the 2013 NFL Draft Class
By Matt Stein
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports Da'Rick Rogers has had some off-field issues, but he is talented and could be a hidden gem in the 2013 NFL draft class.
We all know who the top players at each position are in the 2013 NFL draft class. Guys like Geno Smith, Luke Joeckel and Bjoern Werner get talked about nearly every day as high draft picks.However, how teams really succeed in a draft is by finding the hidden gems. Just look at what players like Alfred Morris and Alfonzo Dennard did as rookies despite being late-round draft picks.There are plenty of hidden gems in the 2013 class that can be had on Days 2 and 3 of the draft, so let's break down the best at every position.
Quarterback: E.J. Manuel, Florida State
When people talk about quarterbacks potentially getting drafted in the first round, the names that come to mind are usually Geno Smith, Tyler Wilson, Ryan Nassib and Matt Barkley. Rarely is E.J. Manuel thrown in with that group, although he may be the best of the bunch.Manuel has the ideal size (6'4" and 240 pounds) to go along with great athleticism and arm strength. He struggled at times during college with his decision-making, but he showed the ability to go through his progressions and make the right reads.Manuel is an accurate quarterback and can make all the throws necessary in the NFL. He has all the physical tools to be a franchise quarterback who teams will be able to draft after the first round. Honorable Mentions: Tyler Bray, Tennessee; Matt Scott, ArizonaBray quite possibly has the strongest arm of all the quarterback prospects. He needs to learn to control it and make wise decisions, but if he can do that, he could turn into a Jay Cutler-type quarterback.Scott doesn't have the physical skills of other quarterbacks in this year's draft, but his improvisational skills and dual-threat ability could give him great success in the NFL.
Running Back: Knile Davis, Arkansas
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Heading into the 2011 season, Knile Davis was considered one of the top running backs in college football. Unfortunately, a broken ankle forced him to sit out the entire 2011 season.He never appeared to be fully recovered this past season, which has caused him to be all but forgotten in the draft community. However, Davis is still a phenomenal talent who has the skills to be an extremely successful running back.He has elite speed (4.37 at the NFL combine) and vision that teams love in every-down running backs. He's also physical enough to break tackles and pick up extra yards after contact.As long as Davis can prove he is as healthy as he was back in 2010, he could be quite the steal in the later rounds. Honorable Mentions: Ray Graham, Pittsburgh; Jawan Jamison, RutgersBoth Graham and Jamison are smaller backs who don't have great speed, but are physical runners. They have the potential to make an impact in both the run and pass game, and should be able to produce immediately for an NFL team.
Fullback: Zach Line, SMU
Cooper Neill/Getty Images To succeed in the NFL as a fullback, you have to be able to do a number of things for a team. Fullbacks can no longer just be a big body and block for the running back. They now need to be able to run the ball and act as a receiver to go along with their blocking prowess. That is what makes SMU's Zach Line such an intriguing prospect heading into the NFL draft. He's got the vision, speed and hands of a running back, but the body of a fullback.Line certainly won't be a high draft pick come April, but he will absolutely come in and contribute for a team right away. Honorable Mention: Tommy Bohanon, Wake ForestMuch like Line, Bohanon has the versatility to make an impact in a number of ways in the NFL. He isn't as refined as a runner or receiver like Line, but his body is more NFL-ready.He should be drafted in the later rounds, but he could be fighting for a starting job immediately.
Wide Receiver: Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech
Had Da'Rick Rogers stayed at the University of Tennessee, we'd be talking about him as a high first-round draft pick in the 2013 NFL draft. However, off-field issues caused Rogers to leave the Volunteers and head to Tennessee Tech instead.That put Rogers off the radar for a number of teams, but there is no doubting that he is an elite talent at the receiver position. He's got the size (6'2", 217 pounds) and strength to make a huge impact as a rookie.At Tennessee, Rogers consistently dominated the top cornerbacks in the best defensive conference in the nation. He has the ability to pick up yards after the catch and isn't afraid of contact.The team that ends up drafting Rogers will have quite the stud receiver on its roster as long as it can keep him out of trouble. Honorable Mentions: Aaron Dobson, Marshall; Denard Robinson, MichiganWhile Robinson still has a ways to go to learn the receiver position, he is an excellent athlete who can simply make plays. Once he learns the small details of his new position, he could become a special playmaker in the NFL.Dobson is a big receiver who lacks great speed, but makes up for it with sure hands and the ability to make receptions in traffic.
Tight End: Vance McDonald, Rice
Bob Levey/Getty Images Had Vance McDonald not been extremely impressive at the Senior Bowl, he'd likely be an even bigger hidden gem. However, McDonald played exceptionally well against the top talent and likely solidified an early-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft.While McDonald isn't the biggest tight end available (he's only 6'4"), he's got the athleticism to make up for his size. McDonald has the ability to line up at a number of positions on offense, including at slot receiver.His hands are huge (10 inches) and he rarely drops passes. His experience in college running sophisticated routes will likely make his transition to NFL less dramatic, which means he'll be able to make an impact almost instantly. Honorable Mentions: Nick Kasa, Colorado; Michael Williams, AlabamaBoth Kasa and Williams are projected to be selected in the later rounds of the draft, but both players have bodies that are ready for the NFL. They're both around 6'6" and 270 pounds and are fantastic blockers in the run or pass game.Kasa is more of a project than Williams, but his ceiling as a receiver is also much higher.
Offensive Tackle: Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
Andy Lyons/Getty Images It's always hard to bet against an offensive tackle from the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers produce NFL offensive linemen like Toyota produces cars.While Ricky Wagner isn't the most athletic offensive tackle, he has the experience and natural skills to be a quality right tackle in the NFL. He'll be extremely valuable to a run-first offense due to his ability to get to the second level and make blocks in the open field.Teams looking to add a solid right tackle to their roster will get a steal in Wagner. Honorable Mentions: Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Manase Foketi, West Texas A&MNeither Armstead nor Foketi have played against elite competition, but they both have the skills and looks to be offensive tackles in the NFL. They may need some time to develop and get used to the talent in the league, but they both have the potential to be starters in their careers.
Offensive Guard: Brian Winters, Kent State
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports Despite playing offensive tackle at Kent State, Brian Winters will likely make the transition to offensive guard in the NFL.As a guard, Winters has the physicality and toughness to play in the trenches against defensive linemen. He doesn't back down from a fight and has a real nastiness to his game.Winters has proven to be durable during his collegiate career, starting all 49 games at Kent State. Any team that wants a versatile offensive lineman will be getting a gem in Winters. Honorable Mentions: Earl Watford, James Madison; Hugh Thornton, IllinoisWatford and Thornton both project as late-round picks in the 2013 NFL draft. While they may not be ready to contribute immediately to a team, they have the size and athleticism to become potential long-term starters for a franchise.
Center: Khaled Holmes, USC
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports It's certainly possible that Khaled Holmes will move to offensive guard in the NFL, but I believe his upside truly lies at the center position.He's rather athletic for a player of his size (6'3", 302 pounds), and he moves well in the open field. However, his lack of ability to anchor at the point of attack could force a team to move him to guard, much like Peter Konz did last year for the Atlanta Falcons.Ultimately, Holmes' experience at a top university like USC will keep him at center in the NFL. He'll never be the flashiest of starters, but he'll be extremely reliable. Honorable Mentions: Mario Benavides, Louisville; Matt Stankiewitch, Penn StateBenavides and Stankiewitch don't have the size nor physical tools of the top centers in the NFL draft. However, both players have the intangibles that teams love in offensive linemen.
Defensive End: Corey Lemonier, Auburn
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images If you're looking for the best pass-rushing defensive end in the 2013 NFL draft, you may not need to look past Corey Lemonier from Auburn.While his 5.5 sacks aren't a very high number, he also wasn't surrounded by much talent in his junior season. Lemonier has a great blend of quickness and power to successfully get pressure on quarterbacks.Lemonier also has the ability to drop back into coverage and defend the pass. The only area that he could stand to improve is his presence against the run. He struggles at times finding the running back and will get lost attempting to make a play.Overall, Lemonier has a unique set of attributes to contribute immediately in the NFL. Honorable Mentions: Caleb Schreibeis, Montana State; Travis Chappelear, Northwest Missouri StateBoth Schreibeis and Chappelear are small-school prospects who will have an uphill battle to succeed in the NFL. However, both players are phenomenal athletes with a ton of upside.As long as they can learn to play up to the skill level in the NFL, they could be productive players early in their respective careers.
Defensive Tackle: Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State
USA TODAY Sports Thanks to a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, Brandon Williams isn't as unknown as he was a few months ago to both scouts and NFL teams.While Williams lacks the ideal size for a defensive tackle or nose tackle in the NFL, he has incredible upper-body strength to make up for it. He consistently wins at the point of attack and creates backward movement at the line of scrimmage.The biggest issue with Williams is that he isn't quick enough yet to be a quality pass-rusher in the NFL. He'll have no trouble eating up blockers and stopping the run, but it may take a while for him to get consistent pressure on quarterbacks.Once he does that, Williams will be a force to be reckoned with at defensive tackle. Honorable Mentions: Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin; Kwame Geathers, GeorgiaHad Hughes not been dismissed from the University of Tennessee, he could been an early pick in this year's draft. Off-field issues forced him to a smaller school, but the overall skills are still there to be a successful player.As for Geathers, the man is simply massive. At 6'5" and 342 pounds, Geathers can be an unmovable object in the middle of a defensive line. He'll need to learn to play as strong as he looks, but if he can do that, he could be a steal in the later rounds of the draft. « Prev
Outside Linebacker: Trevardo Williams, Connecticut Jared Wickerham/Getty Images When you record 11.5 sacks in a college season, NFL teams are going to take notice. That is what Trevardo Williams did this past year for Connecticut, and that type of pass-rushing ability is what he'll bring to an NFL team.Trevardo has an explosive aspect to his game that allows him to consistently get to the edge when rushing the quarterback. While he is a little undersized for his position, he makes up for it with a great motor and natural instincts.Due to his likely transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, teams may have some hesitation about using too high of a draft pick on him. However, Trevardo should be able to step in immediately and excel as a situational pass-rusher in the league. Honorable Mentions: Etienne Sabino, Ohio State; Michael Clay, OregonDue to the fact that Sabino and Clay both played at successful, big-time colleges, they are polished prospects heading into the NFL.They both have limitations (Clay's size and Sabino's inconsistency), but they have the aggressiveness and attitude of key players for an NFL defense.
Inside Linebacker: A.J. Klein, Iowa State
Matthew Holst/Getty Images A.J. Klein could have some difficulties finding a true position in the NFL. He isn't as physical as teams might want for a middle linebacker, but he doesn't have the athleticism to be successful at outside linebacker.However, if there is one thing you can count on in Klein, it's his mental edge. He's got above-average instincts and the ability to diagnosis plays early in their development.He rarely misses tackles and is a similar overall prospect to James Laurinaitis from the St. Louis Rams. Klein doesn't necessarily have a high ceiling, but he is the type of player who could start from Day 1 and continue to start for the next 10 years. Honorable Mentions: Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech; Brandon Hepburn, Florida A&MWhile Taylor is a little undersized for a middle linebacker, he doesn't act like a smaller player on the field. He is an incredibly physical player who consistently makes plays around the line of scrimmage.Hepburn already has a good all-around game and can make an impact against both the run and the pass. He'll need to add some bulk to his frame, but he could turn into an exceptional role player for a franchise.
Cornerback: Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Had Tyrann Mathieu not gotten kicked off the LSU football team, we wouldn't be talking about him as a hidden gem. Instead, we'd be talking about him as a potential first-round draft pick.Few defensive playmakers are as natural as Mathieu is. When he was at LSU, he literally lined up all over the field and was successful at cornerback, safety and sometimes even linebacker.Of course, Mathieu's off-field issues are a major red flag. However, the team that is willing to take a chance on him could end up getting a game-changing player on the roster.Mathieu will need to prove that his head is on straight, but if he can do that, he could have an extremely successful career in the NFL. Honorable Mentions: Melvin White, Louisiana-Lafayette; Leon McFadden, San Diego StateAs we've seen is past draft classes, you don't need to be from a big school to excel as a cornerback in the NFL. Neither White nor McFadden is from a big program, but both players have the size and overall skill set to succeed in this league.
Free Safety: Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
If Bacarri Rambo didn't have as many mental lapses as he did, we'd probably be talking about him as a first-round prospect. He has the ability to make plays in the passing game and is a vicious hitter when given the chance.However, Rambo does get lost in the secondary every now and then. He'll sometimes struggle with overplaying receivers and running backs in an attempt to make a big hit.Rambo also has some off-field issues, as he was suspended four games in 2012 for a failed drug test. While there are some question marks to his game, Rambo has the skills to be a game-changing safety in the NFL if he can be 100 percent there mentally. Honorable Mentions: Jakar Hamilton, South Carolina State; Zeke Motta, Notre DameHamilton was a former teammate of Rambo at the University of Georgia before transferring for his senior season. He has great abilities with the ball in his hands and should be able to help on special teams right away.While Motta didn't get the recognition that Manti Te'o did for the Fighting Irish, he was just as crucial to their success on defense. His love for the game of football is evident, and that love will ultimately help him succeed in the NFL.
Strong Safety: Don Jones, Arkansas State
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Few players are as athletic as Don Jones is. He's a former running back for Arkansas State who made the switch to safety.His athleticism gives him tremendous upside at the safety position. He's still learning the little nuances of the position, but his overall game is pretty solid for being so inexperienced.He'll likely get drafted simply for his upside, but if he can figure out his position, he could become a tremendous player. Honorable Mentions: Duke Williams, Nevada; Cooper Taylor, RichmondBoth Williams and Taylor are extremely physical safeties who always seem to find themselves around the football. While Taylor is quite a bit more athletic than Williams, Williams is a more polished prospect.Both players should make an instant impact on special teams and eventually work themselves into key roles on a team's defense.
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Maury Place at Monument
A Luxury Bed and Breakfast in Richmond VA
The Legacy of Arthur Ashe
Native Richmonder Arthur Ashe, who would have been 70 years old on July 10, remains an inspiration for those of us who remember his achievements as a tennis champion, AIDS activist, and foe of South African apartheid. A celebration of his life will take place on July 10 at the Science Museum of Virginia, which will then unveil the "Inspirational Tour," an exhibit on the life and legacy of Ashe. Arthur Ashe was the only black man to win the singles title at Wimbleton, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open. The exhibit will focus on youth and education, sport and tennis, health and wellness, and service and citizenship and will include photos and other memorabilia compiled by Ashe's family as well as interactive touch screens. The exhibit will be open to the public free of charge from July 11 through July 24 during regular museum hours. It will move on to the New York Hall of Science and other venues from Richmond. The Arthur Ashe Birthday Celebration will occur on July 10 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia. For further information, visit www.arthurashe.org. Maury Place at Monument is a short walk away from the Arthur Ashe Monument on Monument Avenue.
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Colon injury won’t alter Mendenhall’s value
Michael Fabiano | Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Flozell Adams, Maurkice Pouncey, rashard mendenhall, Willie Colon
The Steelers appear to have lost T Willie Colon for the entire 2010 season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, leading to questions about the team’s offensive line.
In fantasy circles, the question surrounds how Colon’s absence will hurt the value of Rashard Mendenhall.
I think it makes a dent, but not big enough to pass on him in the first or second round on draft day. Mendenhall is one of my fantasy breakout candidates in 2010, and in my last rankings, I listed him as the No. 7 running back and No. 11 overall.
The Steelers will consider alternatives, one of which appears to be former Cowboys T Flozell Adams. He reportedly met with the team on Tuesday. Adams is long in the tooth and gets called for too many penalties, but he can still be an effective run blocker. The Steelers could also decide to use first-round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey, who played center and guard in college, into Colon’s spot.
Regardless, you have to expect the team to make moves to add depth to their depleted line. While the options are a step below Colon, I don’t think the Steelers will abandon their plan to lean on the run in his absence.
With Ben Roethlisberger suspended for at least the first four games of the season, Mendenhall is going to be the centerpiece of that offense. And with favorable matchups against the Falcons, Titans, Buccaneers and Browns in four of his first five games, the Illinois product should still find statistical success while Big Ben is out.
Upon his return, Mendenhall will find running the ball easier with defenses now having to worry about the Steelers’ pass attack. So while the Colon injury does hurt, it shouldn’t be enough to cause major concern about Mendenhall’s prospects for 2010.
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« Adrian Peterson: Favre’s coming back
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White eyes NFL return, shares thoughts on Bush
By Alison Garber | Published: July 24th, 2010 | Tags: LenDale White, Pete Carroll, Reggie Bush, Seattle Seahawks, USC
Free-agent RB LenDale White has shown flashes of brilliance during his four-year NFL career, but questions about his work ethic and consumption of alcohol and marijuana have left him without a team and suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season. Not surprisingly, White told Fox Sports Radio’s “Petros and Money” show that his phone has been silent.
“I haven’t got any calls from [the CFL or UFL]. Nobody’s called me, but I’m preparing to play in the NFL and that’s what I’m going to keep continuing to work on,” White said (via SportsRadioInterviews.com). “That’s the highest league that we have. I’m not taking any shots or disrespecting any other leagues, but it’s the National Football League that everybody wants to play in. I’m preparing to play for a team this year in the NFL.”
White was abruptly cut by the Seahawks this offseason, not long after they traded for him. The move surprised many, especially considering that White’s former college coach, Pete Carroll, had taken the reins in Seattle. “It is what it is … it’s unfortunate,” White said. “I regret everything, if I did anything wrong or whatever I did. But it just wasn’t the place for me.”
White also was asked about another embattled running back, former USC teammate Reggie Bush. Did White know what was happening with Bush, who reportedly accepted gifts from a prospective agent while at USC?
“I don’t know what the situation was,” White said. “Reggie walked to school with us, went to class with us, always went to school. I guess we really didn’t get into each other’s personal lives like that. … I don’t know all the facts and I don’t care to know all the facts.
“Reggie’s good. I’ve talked to him. I guess he’s just more sad or hurt that they would paint him in a bad way and they’re trying to put that on him and I agree with him. Like I said, I don’t know all the facts, but you still can’t take away what this guy did on the field.”
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Atlanta starved for first NFL title
Paul Newberry Associated Press Sports Writer Associated Press
January 20, 2013 12:15 AM | 1120 views | 0 | 3 | | ATLANTA — The Falcons are well aware of just how desperate this city is for its first Super Bowl championship.Mike Peterson sees and hears it everywhere he goes.“The city is hungry,” the Atlanta linebacker said. “You can feel it when you’re in the grocery store. Everybody is saying, ‘Go Falcons.’ Everyone is wearing red and black. The city is painted red and black.”The Falcons will be playing in the NFC championship game for only the third time when they host the San Francisco 49ers today, a matchup of teams that come into this game from very different historical perspectives.For the 49ers, this is a chance to rekindle the franchise’s glorious legacy, to follow in the footsteps of those magnificent teams that captured five Super Bowls titles in the 1980s and ’90s, led by giants of the game such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Young.The Falcons? They’ve never won even a single Super Bowl. Heck, they’ve only gotten that far one time, during the 1998 season when a charismatic bunch known as the “Dirty Birds” shockingly made a run to the big game — and was promptly blown out by the Denver Broncos in John Elway’s finale.“They’re trying to recapture greatness,” Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud said. “We’re trying to break the ceiling on it.”While the Falcons (14-3) are the NFC’s top seed and playing at home, they opened as a three-point underdog against the 49ers (12-4-1), who looked unstoppable in last week’s rout of the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round.The most dynamic player on that field was a quarterback who began the season as a backup. Colin Kaepernick took over the starting job when Alex Smith was injured, and coach Jim Harbaugh made the bold decision to keep it that way even when Smith healed. Never mind that the former starter had led San Francisco to the NFC title game a year ago and was one of the top-rated passers in the league this season.Harbaugh looked like a genius when Kaepernick ran all over the Packers in a 45-31 victory, turning in one of the great performances in playoff history.It wasn’t so much that he passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns. What really stood out was what he did when he kept the ball himself. Kaepernick scored two touchdowns — including a 56-yarder in which he looked more like Michael Johnson than a football player — and finished with 181 yards rushing, a postseason record for a quarterback.He also showed plenty of flare, celebrating his scores by flexing his right arm and kissing his biceps — a move that quickly became a social media sensation known as Kaepernicking.“He’s super fast, athletic and he can throw the ball,” 49ers running back LaMichael James said. “But once he takes off, he’s faster than a lot of running backs and linebackers. He’s an incredible athlete.”While certainly aware of their team’s proud background, most of these San Francisco players were molded by adversity. The 49ers went eight straight seasons without a winning record or trip to the playoffs under Harbaugh arrived in 2011 from nearby Stanford and immediately turned things around.The team went 13-3, won the NFC West and advanced to the conference championship, where a fumbled punt return in overtime led to a wrenching 20-17 loss to the New York Giants.San Francisco doesn’t want another chance to get away.“This opportunity is rare,” linebacker Patrick Willis said. “It doesn’t come that often even if we were here last year. The (eight) years before that we were at home and didn’t make the playoffs. Just to have that opportunity again to be here is one of those things we don’t take for granted. We know that window for chances like that are slim and we have to take advantage of the opportunity.”Defensive end Justin Smith noticed a divergent mind-set after the victory over the Packers, compared to what he felt a year earlier, when the 49ers pulled out a last-second win on the Saints in the divisional playoffs.“We were so excited after winning the Saints game,” Smith said. “This was, ‘All right, we took care of business, find out who we play, it’s Atlanta, let’s go down there and take care of business and try to get to the big one.’ It definitely had a different feeling than last year.”The Falcons are coming off their first playoff win since the 2004 season, erasing a major stumbling block with their 30-28 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. It wasn’t nearly as easy as the 49ers’ victory.After squandering a 20-point lead in what would’ve been the greatest fourth-quarter collapse ever in the playoffs, Matt Ryan brought Atlanta back in the final 30 seconds. Living up his nickname “Matty Ice,” the fifth-year quarterback completed two long passes to set up Matt Bryant’s 49-yard field goal with 8 seconds remaining.After going one-and-done in his first three trips to the playoffs, Ryan is finally a postseason winner.A burden has been lifted, for sure.“It’s a good thing to get that first win out of the way,” he said. “I think that everyone did a great job of not letting it distract us, but it can be distracting.”Now, to get started on a playoff winning streak.“I feel the same as I did last week,” Ryan insisted. “When you walk in and you turn on the film on a Monday or a Tuesday and you’re getting ready to play your next game, there’s a whole new laundry list of problems that you need to address. That’s more of where my focus has been, and I think that’s where it needs to be.”While Kaepernick is just getting started on what looks to be a hugely promising career, Tony Gonzalez is winding things down.The Atlanta tight end is already assured of a spot in Canton, having caught more passes than anyone in NFL history except Rice and revolutionized his often-obscure position. Despite a huge season in which he led the Falcons in catches, the 36-year-old has repeatedly said he’s 95 percent sure this will be his final year.Like Ryan, he erased the one big blotch on his record by winning his first playoff game last weekend, making the final catch to set up Bryant’s winning kick.But Gonzalez would really like to go out with a ring.Two wins to go.“That’s the goal,” he said. “Win a championship and get out of here.”Kaepernick’s performance against the Packers was so impressive that San Francisco actually became a bigger favorite during the week, at least according to the oddsmakers, who said Atlanta was the biggest underdog of any top-seeded team playing at home since the playoffs expanded in 1978.The Falcons are comfortable with that role. All season long, they’ve been criticized for failing to win games impressively, even at the Georgia Dome, struggling mightily to beat lightweights such as Oakland, Arizona and Carolina.“We’ve had that chip on our shoulder from Day 1,” Peterson said. “But I don’t think me or anybody in this locker room has a problem with playing the underdog role, playing the team that everybody’s doubting. We’ve been that every week.”While the 49ers are two wins away from joining the baseball Giants in giving San Francisco a pair of sports champions, the Falcons are eager to turn Atlanta’s reputation in a different direction.In the 1980s, the city was saddled with some truly awful teams and well-deserving of its moniker — Loserville. The baseball Braves turned things around in the ’90s, going on an unprecedented streak of 14 straight division titles that included the city’s only major championship, a 1995 World Series title. But even the Braves were known more for all their playoff flops than their lone title.At least they captured one. The Falcons never even had back-to-back winning seasons before Ryan, coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff arrived in 2008. Since then, Atlanta has strung together five straight winning records, four playoff appearances and two division titles.Now, all that’s left is a championship.The city is ready.“If we could break that ceiling,” DeCoud said, “it could usher in a great new era of professional sports in Atlanta.”
Paul Newberry, AP Sports Writer
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John Bednarowskijbednarowski@cherokeetribune.com
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Chicago Cubs Online > The CCO, Live from Wrigleyville > Project Heart and SoulProject Heart and Soul May 9, 2007 4:00 am By Brian McCabe Leave a Comment As the saying goes, “What a difference a year makes.” This cannot be more accurate for the Cubs, but especially for Derrek Lee. At this point last year, the Cubs were mired in a losing streak that felt like it would never end. Nothing was working, no one could get on base and Derrek Lee just had to sit and take it. He was powerless in his efforts to help his team as he was rehabbing his broken wrist. Everyone had high hopes for Derrek Lee in 2006. He was coming off an ‘MVP’ caliber season that saw him win his first batting title. He was in the prime of his career and poised to establish himself as one of the premier players in all of baseball. Then there was a ground ball, a mix up and a nasty collision. Derrek Lee’s season was over and in essence so was the Cubs. Eighteen months later he is picking up right where he left off. Many baseball pundits predicted he would never return to his ’05 form. Columnists opined that he would be productive, but called that season a career year. I was never quite sure why so many felt this way especially when I completely disagreed. I started to wonder if my ‘fan goggles’ were getting in the way of my ability to predict performance in an unbiased manner. Five and a half weeks in to the season, it appears I was not hopped up on Cubbie kool-aid in this regards.
Lee is currently hitting .398, with a .479 OBP, he slugging .585, has an astounding 17 doubles and has reached base safely in all 30 of the Cubs games that includes a 15-game hitting streak. It helps that Aramis is hitting well and that Soriano is heating up, but Derrek deserves the bulk of the credit for his numbers. When asked the other day if he was concerned about his lack of power he responded by saying that most of the time homeruns are an accident and that they will come. Here is a superstar in his prime being put against the wall about a lack of power and he responded politely. Plus, given the wind patterns this spring, he has probably hit about 4 or 5 balls that would have been gone any other day of the week.
Derrek Lee is not a normal person; he is an extraordinary athlete with a huge heart. While many other superstars are out endorsing deodorant, cologne or anything else that will bring in the cash, he is marketing cereal and health camps for children. Last fall, as you know, his daughter was diagnosed with an awful disease that causes blindness in one eye. Upon this announcement he then opted to sit out the rest of a lost season to tend to his family, which was the right thing to do. He spent the off-season setting up a charity in her honor named Project 3000, aimed at raising money for research. Along with the help of teammates like Michael Barrett, Project 3000 is off to a great start and will only get better.
2006 is a season Derrek Lee would soon like to forget, and he is doing everything in his power to make that happen in 2007. He is a soft-spoken leader and along with charity-mate Barrett, the unofficial captain of the team. Every time he speaks you see the fire and the desire to win; with every play you see the effort and the will. He is constantly picking up his teammates and providing support. Derrek Lee is the face of this ball club even if you do not see it all that often. The Hendry can spend, Sweet Lou can scream and yell, Alfonso can get the coverage and Carlos can provide the antics, but if you are looking for the heart and the soul of this team, look no further than #25, the Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee.
Feel free to contact me at brian@chicagocubsonline.com, and until next time….
Stay Classy Derrek!!
Filed Under: The CCO, Live from Wrigleyville Tweets by TheCCO
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Clayton Freshman QB Jake Brown Having 'Great' Experience
The Clayton High School student has thrown four touchdown passes this season as part of the Greyhounds varsity football team.
Jason Sibert
freshman football player Jake Brown is having an experience many his age can only dream of.
This year, Brown is leading Clayton’s varsity football team as quarterback.
“It’s just great,” Brown said. “When I think about it, this is just a whole other level. I’m getting two or three years' more experience than anyone else my age.”
Brown said he’s learned a thing or two about the physical nature of the varsity game.
“When you get hit, it hurts,” he said. “But you can’t really do anything about it, you’re the quarterback.”
Brown has connected on 45 of 103 passes for 546 yards. He’s thrown four touchdown passes so far.
“It’s a giant step up from the eighth grade,” he said about passing. “There’s reading involved, hundreds of more plays and routes, and you also have to ready the safeties and linebackers.”
The freshman said he works with “the best receivers around.” He mentioned wide receivers Aaron Adams, Tyler Walker, Michael Turner and Jeremiah Camp.
“They always run the right routes, and they can run faster than anyone else,” he said. “They can also block for the running backs. They’re very good decoys and just all around good guys.” Brown also said it was a pleasure to work with running backs Cailer Keaton and Chris Daugherty, who have rushed for 482 and 154 yards.
“They’re hard-nosed kids, and they give it all they have,” he said about Clayton’s running backs.
Clayton has compiled a 3-5 overall record with victories over Westminster, Affton and McCluer.
“I think we’ve improved,” Brown said. “We were kind of lost after . I think we’ve come together as the season went on. We’ve become a better team and we have a good future together.”
Brown played three seasons of football at in Clayton. Before middle school, he spent several years playing in flag football leagues.
“It’s so much slower,” he said about the junior high game. “After watching all of the varsity games, it seems so easy.”
Brown and the rest of the Clayton Greyhounds football team will play Ladue at 7 p.m. Friday at Gay Field in Clayton.
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ESPN Tennis Blog
Wawrinka proves he's the stellar Swiss
By Matt Wilansky | ESPN.com
If you take Roger Federer at face value, his quest for a title was little more than a backdrop to the spectacle of Swiss tennis that was on display in the Monte Carlo finale Sunday. After his semifinal win over Novak Djokovic a round earlier, Federer wistfully spoke to the moments the Spaniards, French and even the Americans have had on the same court in recent years. Federer's win put him in the title match against fellow countryman Stanislas Wawrinka, marking the first time in 14 years since there had been an all-Swiss final, when Marc Rosset beat a fledgling Federer in Marseille. “This one is clearly very special, especially with the way he's been playing the last few months, the number of hours we spent together on court either playing doubles or practice, the times we've talked tennis,” Federer told reporters before the final. “It's nice living a moment like this together in a finals. It's really wonderful.”
But the emergence Wawrinka, the Australian Open champ, has altered the order of tennis’ hierarchy, while giving the Swiss a true intra-national rivalry. Now, four months into the tennis season, there appears to be clear order within the country. Wawrinka climbed his way out of a one-set deficit to beat Federer 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 to win Monte Carlo, picking up his first career Masters series title. Make that one major and one Masters title for Wawrinka in 2014. MVP so far, anyone?
"Well, it already change last year when I start to first make my first quarter in French Open, final in Madrid, my first semifinal in US Open," Wawrinka told reporters afterward. "I start to realize I be able to beat all the players. That's what I am doing this year and I'm doing well.
"I'm surprised where I am, but I'm not surprised when I see how I play on the court, how I move, the way I'm winning those match."
Wawrinka ended an 11-match losing streak against Federer, just months after he snapped 12- and 14-match losing streaks to Rafael Nadal and Djokovic, in Melbourne. Wawrinka, who is now 6-0 versus top-10 players this season, became only the third player in the past 37 Masters Series events to win a title. "I can see that when mentally I'm there and I'm fighting, I can play tennis; I can beat all the player," Wawrinka said. All four of Federer’s Monte Carlo finals have ended in defeat. From 2006 to 2008, it was -- surprise, surprise -- Rafael Nadal who ultimately quelled the Swiss in those matches. Earlier this week, though, Nadal was bounced by his own countryman David Ferrer, and with Federer taking care of Djokovic on Saturday, the journey seemed a little less obstructed for the 17-time Slam champ.
But behind a barrage of unrelenting groundstrokes, Wawrinka wore down Federer, who, in the third set, looked every bit his 32 years of age. Wawrinka moved closer to the baseline, attacking each shot with aplomb while keeping Federer on his heels. Wawrinka won an astounding 13 of 14 points on his first serve in the final set, while breaking Federer’s serve twice and, ultimately, Federer’s spirit. "I start to play more aggressive, trying to push him more," Wawrinka said. "Yeah, when you win a match like this, it's only one or two points, especially in the tiebreak. But I think I did a great tiebreak. I was serving big and being really aggressive. "Then I took the advantage at the beginning of the third set. I saw that he was a little bit tired. Me, I was playing better and better, especially moving better." Switzerland is a relatively small country, with a population just south of 8 million, and in terms of tennis stardom, the population doesn’t surpass the fingers on one hand. Only four players on both tours are currently ranked in the top 100. Wawrinka and Federer are the third- and fourth-ranked players, while Stefanie Voegele (No. 77) and Belinda Bencic (No. 91) occupy the sub-century mark on the WTA. A little more than a year ago, it was hard to imagine we'd be speaking of Wawrinka in the same context as Djokovic, Nadal and Federer. He was a solid player with a ranking drifting back and forth between Nos. 10 and 30, but certainly not someone who we'd have picked to win significant tournaments on tour. But after coaching changes and a boost in confidence, Wawrinka is slugging the ball off both wings -- perhaps more ferociously than anyone at the moment. "I think he served better," Federer said. "He definitely found his range. As the match went on, he started to feel more and more comfortable. I struggled to put him under pressure enough. I think it was a bit of both players: him raising his game, me maybe going down a notch. I think it's a big match, regardless of the opponent, because it's a finals. Playing Stan just adds to the excitement in some ways." When Wawrinka finally finished off Federer on Sunday, he raised his arms in victory but with a muted celebration in deference to taking down the player who has meant so much to tennis, Switzerland and himself. "Today it was a personal challenge," Wawrinka said. "Playing against Roger is always very special. He is the one who is really able to mix it up. For me, winning a match is already complicated, but against him it's even more difficult."
With the French Open starting exactly one month from today, based on the way things have gone so far, there’s little reason not to believe Wawrinka won’t be doing some more arm-raising when all is said and done.
"It's normal that I would be a favorite for the French Open, but I don't think so because I'm very far from players like Rafa, Novak and Roger," Wawrinka said. "Anyway, I will not change anything in the way I approach the tournaments."
Good call. Tags:tennis, Roger Federer, Tennis, Matt Wilansky, Stanislas Wawrinka, Monte Carlo Masters
Only concern for Djoker now: French Open
He's 32 years old now, and it's been nearly two years since he won a major, but Roger Federer still has a powerful hold on those of us who care about tennis. His 2014 results have defied what we all supposedly knew. Coming off a shoddy season a year ago, one with losses piling up against garden-variety players, Federer has produced performances reminiscent of his dominant days. Of course, they’re not quite as frequent or consistent, but he’s fully entrenched himself back into the game’s inner circle of champions.
Apparently, we just didn't listen to Federer when he spoke of his resolve, that this season would engender bigger and better things. Our bad. Federer’s stellar play has continued this week in the first clay Masters Series event of the year. So it comes as somewhat of a surprise that after he was done knocking off the hottest player in the game Saturday, Federer wasn't the central focus in the postmatch shenanigans.
After Novak Djokovic's 7-5, 6-2 loss to Federer in the Monte Carlo semifinals, the Serb announced he was going to take time off from tennis to heal his ailing right wrist. This is by all accounts a pretty big blow to Djokovic, given he is coming off back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami. More so, Djokovic is one a steadfast mission to win the French Open, the only missing chunk in his Grand Slam memoir. “This injury that has been present for last 10 days,” Djokovic told reporters, “and I tried not to think or talk about it; I did everything I could, really; I was on the medications every day; I was doing different therapies, injections, so forth.
“But in the end of the day, the end of the tournament, semifinals is a good result. But I'm disappointed that I could not play as well as I could have. From the end of the first and the whole second, every shot was pain, especially with the serve.”
This setback could go one of two ways for Djokovic: Perhaps the break will give him a breather, one he could use after playing as much tennis as he has. The downside to success is the amount of time spent on the tennis court, running, laboring and taking violent swings at tennis balls day after day. Djokovic played 10 matches between Indian Wells and Miami and, including his loss to Federer on Saturday, another four in Monte Carlo. Clay courts, more than any other surface, demand fresh legs and a fresh state of mind. Djokovic is one of the fittest players on tour, so his laborious schedule could be a moot point. But if we're breaking the season down into four parts, the clay schedule is clearly the most taxing of them all. On the flip side, you can’t Google wrist injury and tennis without the plight of Juan Martin del Potro monopolizing your screen. The Argentine has been plagued by recurring wrist ailments since winning the US Open in 2009. That’s nearly five years ago, which speaks to the grave nature these injuries can have on players. “Well, the good thing is I don't need to have a surgery,” Djokovic said. “I don't have any rupture or something like that. I'm going to go see doctors tonight and then tomorrow again have another MRI, see if anything changed in this seven days since I had the last one. “I just rest now. I cannot play tennis for some time. How long, I don't know. It's really not in my hands anymore. I'm going to rest and see when it can heal 100 percent, then I will be back on the court.”
On Friday, Djokovic needed more than two hours to finish off Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, which at the time seemed like nothing more than a rare bad match from the Serb. But, obviously, something more severe was going on. During his presser, Djokovic said the transition from hard courts to clay could have played a role in his injury. He also mentioned he “started too strong,” meaning he didn't give himself a chance to properly adjust to the strenuous nature of dirt.
“Listen, I don't regret anything I've done in my life,” Djokovic said. “I thought that at the certain moment it was the right thing to do. Last year, I played with an injured ankle, but I won the tournament. This is the only time I won this tournament that is one of my favorites.” He went on to say that these injuries just happen, that there is no way to predict something like this popping up. Sadly, he’s right. But the concern now isn’t exactly how Djokovic contracted his injury, but whether he’ll be healed in time for Paris.
Tags:tennis, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Matt Wilansky, Monte Carlo Masters
Should we be concerned with Nadal?
Rafael Nadal stood motionless for a moment or two deep in the second set. He looked confused and vexed, a rare sighting regarding the world's No. 1 player, especially on his oasis of clay.
And when Rafa isn't moving his feet with the vintage intensity that has been a pillar to his success, something just isn't right. Or maybe it was just that his opponent, compatriot David Ferrer, out-intensified Nadal at his own game.
Nonetheless, Nadal suffered a rare loss on clay, falling to Ferrer 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals Friday.
"I cannot be frustrated to lose a tennis match," Nadal told reporters after the match. "In the life, there is much more important things than a tennis match.
[+] EnlargeJulian Finney/Getty ImagesRafael Nadal, who suffered a rare loss on clay Friday, said he played entirely wrong against David Ferrer. "But I am not happy with it. I feel that I have to do more than what I did today. So when you feel that you can do more, always you come back home or to the next tournament with not the best feeling. That's my feeling today."
Nadal produced a brand of tennis he's not wont to playing: sloppy. He committed an unusually high 44 errors in what was his earliest exit from Monte Carlo in 11 years. Nadal, who is an eight-time champ at the first clay Masters event of the year, had his 30-match win streak on dirt snapped. His last loss, you ask? Same venue, but that was a year ago in last season's final against Novak Djokovic.
Sounds like a confidence issue, no? Perhaps not, according to Nadal.
"Yesterday, too, I played good, with confidence," he said. "But is not that problem. "The problem is when the match became little bit more to the limit, and not answering the right way as I normally do. So that's it."
We can parse Nadal's loss as much as we want. Was it a bad day? Back issues? Knee? Confidence? Or was his opponent just too good? After all, Ferrer is a clay stalwart in his own right. But one thing is clear: Nadal has not been the same player since sweeping last season's summer run, which included wins in Montreal, Cincinnati and, of course, the US Open. And in January, Nadal suffered a surprising loss to eventual champion Stanislas Wawrinka in the Australian Open final. So what gives?
"I don't know," Nadal said. "I don't know. I think after what happened, not only the loss, the pain in my back that I had; I had to do treatment after Australia, not playing for three weeks. I played in Rio. After Rio, I had to stop for 10 or 12 days again because the back still hurt me. ...
"Physical performance is in good shape. No problems about that. Just keep working to try to find the solution for next week in Barcelona. I going to try to play well in there and fight for the matches."
The good news for Nadal is that there's plenty more tennis on the schedule before the French Open, where Rafa has won a record eight times, begins. So we should have more clarity on whether his Monte Carlo malaise was an aberration of if there is something more grave is going on.
Ferrer is no slouch on clay; it's far and away his best surface. But he had dropped 17 straight matches to Nadal on dirt, which is a staggering number no matter how you slice it. It had to be a special feeling to beat the guy who has eviscerated him time and time again, including last season in the French Open final.
"Any final is more important than today," Ferrer told reporters. "Of course, important because I am in a semifinal of a Masters 1000. For me it's only one match in my career. Of course is not the most important."
Despite the long wait, Ferrer became only the fourth player to defeat Nadal multiple times on clay, joining Djokovic (three), Gaston Gaudio (three) and Roger Federer (two), according to the ATP World Tour.
Nadal's loss came a day after he notched his 300th career win on clay. And just how utterly dominant has Rafa been on dirt? His record now? An astonishing, if not near infallible, 300-22.
But like life, tennis is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately trade. After falling short, even if by narrow margins, in Melbourne, Indian Wells, Miami and now Monte Carlo, the four biggest tournaments of the year so far, Nadal has done little lately, if we're basing our assessment on winner's trophies.
"No frustration, no drama," Nadal said. "Just a tennis match. But at the end I prefer to win."
Tags:tennis, Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Tennis, Matt Wilansky, Monte Carlo Masters
Tech It Out: Head Graphene Prestige Pro
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Irsay says Super Bowl in London is possibility
By Josh KatzowitzINDIANAPOLIS -- The members of the Super Bowl committee lately have been content to award hosting duties in cities in the northern part of the U.S. For instance, Indianapolis here and New Jersey in 2014. But what about an international Super Bowl?Apparently, that’s been something the committee has discussed. “There’s a little bit of change in philosophy,” Irsay said Monday. “We have the 50-year anniversary coming up, which we’re looking at. There are some members of our committee who have been thinking about having an international Super Bowl in London. That obviously has some real pluses and minuses if you weren’t going to have it on America soil. Right now, we’re in a wait-and-see approach.”Los Angeles also has drawn some interest from the Super Bowl committee, assuming the Farmer Field project is completed at some point. But London? It seems … well … not very fan-friendly and, probably more importantly, not very corporate-friendly.It is good news that the committee is willing to get out of the San Diego-Miami-New Orleans rotation every once in a while. Though Dallas, in many ways, had problems, Indianapolis has been a dream so far. Of course, Super Bowl XLVI will be played in a dome, and if the weather drops to 30 degrees and snow begins to fall here, it won’t matter.The same can’t be said for the New Meadowlands Super Bowl in two years. “We’re always looking at new stadiums, in warm weather or in a dome,” Irsay said. “We’re obviously going to have a trial weather balloon on that in New York. It could be interesting.”London could be interesting as well. But that doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're add it, add our RSS Feed.
Tags: Jim Irsay, Josh Katzowitz, Super Bowl, Super Bowl 46, Super Bowl in London, Super Bowl XLVI CONTINUED: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · ... · 25 · Next »
Since: Jun 27, 2011
"I'm guessing you don't buy too many items "Made in England""I buy plenty of gin. Thank you very much.
Azazellee, let me explain some basic economics. When the Super Bowl - or any football game - is played, hundreds of people are working at the stadium (concessions, memorabilia, security, etc.) Thousands more benefit from the to influx of people into the city around the stadium (Motels, hotels, resturants, gas stations etc.) This has an immediate local impact in the form of tax revenue generated from businesses that private citizens don't have to pay. This is especially effective in places like Jacksonville where everything surrounding the city is rural and low-income.The game draws a ton of viewers so the commercial time is some of the most effective time slots available all year. This has a positive effect on the companies that make products you buy. I'm guessing you don't buy too many items "Made in England" so I am also going to assume you would be negatively impacted by the loss of revenue from companies you actually do buy from. In short the 'evil corporations' pumped more money into the local economy during the Super Bowl craze than non-affiliated locals will the rest of that year combined.So as you can see, you were affected, as was the rest of America, by the Super Bowl. So quit using this as an excuse to throw left hooks.
What's the big deal? It's not like I could ever afford to go to a Super Bowl anyways. And even if had the big bucks to blow on a Super Bowl trip, why not visit London at the same time? You say a US city would lose out on money? I live in Jacksonville and I don't recall making any extra money the year we hosted the game. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I made less money that weekend because everyone was downtown. The word 'foreign' gets mentioned and you all start waving your flags and scream, "Dey took our jobs!" Quit griping over something that won't even affect you.
Since: Apr 7, 2009
Wow...can they think of any other dumb ideas! Since: Apr 25, 2009
Great idea, because it's not already expensive enough for 99.99% of fans to attend the Superbowl. The NFL really needs to up the ante to include a round trip international flight during a peak time to keep the remaining riff-raff out of the game....Unbelievable....The next thing you're going to tell me is that fans want an 18 game season...Whoops! Already tried to slide that one past us. The NFL is on a crash course where the average fan is going to abandon it because the next generation of fans never got the chance to attend games. I'm all for capitalism but the league needs to recognize the direction that it's heading in and realize that they are sacrificing long term viability for short term profits. Citizens are getting sick of funding new stadiums (i.e. San Diego) and escalating ticket and concession prices ($10/beer or more in stadiums???) and the erosion of the fan base is going to happen very slowly...and then very quickly...it's unfortunate...
Since: Feb 16, 2011
The owners and nfl make millions of AMERICAN dollars from fans each year. The fans in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are what makes the nfl so great. It would be a slap in the face to every fan if the owners pocketed millions of dollars that season then held the biggest sporting event in the world on a separate continent.... Since: May 8, 2011
With this Idea they are btrying to make more money, nothing else. I the process their GREED is going to KILL the best sport going.
dumbest idea - EVER! Let's see, the economy is in the crapper and one of the few industries that is actually thriving is talking about moving the single largest draw to a non-US city?! Are you nuckin futs?! There's stiff competition for the right to host the SUperbowl because of all the dollars that get pumped into the town that lands it. Now let's just send those bucks overseas, hunh? Irsay is a flake and gigantic donkey torso if he's pushing for this. How about we keep America's pasttime in A M E R I C A and the added municipal revenues impacting some US city, okay? Let the rest of the freakin world enjoy the handful of preseason games we throw them, and collectively shut up.
Moronic idea. Cities struggle to get funding and community support for newer, updated stadiums, and they would consider rewarding London for nothing!??!? Also, the US has turned the NFL into a financial gold mine... so let's send the economic boom to a country where most citizens couldn't name 5 teams.This sounds like an Irsay comment... It'd be even more typical if he made the announcement about a London Super Bowl in the middle of the night!! Since: Jan 31, 2012
This is one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever heard, even coming from Jim Irsay, who has the reputation of being more than a little flakey at times. If London wants to build a stadium and actually support an NFL team, fine, they should get their chance. But unless and until that happens, the idea of giving London a Super Bowl is a slap in the face to every single American city and town which has done these things.One can't help wondering if Irsay possibly acquired a new supply of "rock candy" before he made that idiotic comment. CONTINUED: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · ... · 25 · Next »
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Tag:Cincinnati Bengals
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Posted on: July 9, 2010 5:21 pm
Edited on: July 9, 2010 5:55 pm
Ochocinco has sympathy for Cleveland
Never missing an opportunity to inject himself into the national spotlight – particularly with his reality show on VH1 premiering Sunday – Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco gave his opinion on LeBron James' move to the Miami Heat. “It’s not the traditional way that players really go about delivering a message, but LeBron being the caliber of player that he is with everyone on pins and needles wanting to find out what would happen, I wouldn’t blame it on LeBron,” said Ochocinco, a Miami native, on the Dan Patrick radio show Friday. “I’d blame it on the media that allowed it to happen. If you weren’t going to like it, don’t watch it. LeBron did what was best for him and his career. I feel bad for the fans of Cleveland because he invested his time and his heart with him and did all he could to help them win a championship and I feel it’s the owner’s job to build the team around him to make that possible and it didn’t happen. He honored his contract and he went elsewhere.” He also asked this question of the sports fans in Ohio: “Shouldn’t the people of Ohio not feel that bad that LeBron is gone when you still have me to watch every Sunday?” Then, Ochocinco made a bold prediction. “I just talked to Pat Riley,” Ochocinco said after predicting the Bengals would win the Super Bowl. “When I see the ends, I’ll be coming off the bench for the Heat. I can average 10 points per game. I might be the first player to get two rings in one year.” --Josh Katzowitz For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter. Category: NFL
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Cedric Benson tells his side
Earlier in the day, we told you about the arrest of Bengals RB Cedric Benson . Benson since has enlisted the services of attorney David Cornwell, who represented Ben Roethlisberger in his case this past summer. A quick reminder on what happened: The alleged assault in Austin occurred May 30, but Benson wasn’t arrested until today. According to the police affidavit, Benson was involved in an altercation with another patron at Annie’s West bar, and after a bar manager separated them, Benson shoved him and tried to restart the fight. Benson then spit blood from an injured lip at a bartender. The bartender told Benson to stop, and Benson replied, “I don’t give a f---.” Eventually, he was escorted from the bar, but before he left, he punched the bartender in the face. Austin police then responded by gathering statements and video evidence. Sounds bad for Benson, right? Especially since he’s been arrested twice before for alcohol-related incidents, though he was cleared of all charges. But he’s got another side to the story. Here’s the statement released by Cornwell: Late last month at a nightclub, Cedric Benson was asked to take pictures with some female fans. A man approached Cedric and objected to him posing for pictures with the women. Cedric explained that he had been asked to pose with the women and the man punched Cedric. An altercation followed and while Cedric was leaving the club, he was approached by another man aggressively. Believing this man was a friend of the man who had punched him; Cedric attempted to protect himself and continued out of the club. Immediately upon leaving the club, Cedric called the police. He was interviewed by the police and left the area. Two weeks ago while he was in Cincinnati, Cedric was contacted by a detective investigating the incident in Texas. Apparently, the second man who approached Cedric is an employee of the night club and claimed that Cedric punched him. Cedric agreed to be interviewed upon his return to Texas and provided his return date. Cedric was not contacted by the detective upon his return. This morning Cedric received a telephone call advising him that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. Cedric voluntarily made himself available, was taken into custody, and was released earlier today after posting bond. Upon his release, Cedric contacted Coach Marvin Lewis and the Commissioner’s office to notify the Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL of these events. Though we adamantly dispute that Cedric committed a crime, Cedric will continue to cooperate with law enforcement, the Bengals and the NFL in their investigation of these events. Stay tuned. This could get really interesting for Benson and the Bengals. --Josh Katzowitz For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter. Category: NFL
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Cedric Benson Arrested
In a way, you're not a true Bengal until you get arrested while under contract with the team. Consider running back Cedric Benson part of the team, now. Benson was arrested and charged with assault for an incident at a downtown Austin bar. Statesman.com has the info: Former University of Texas football player Cedric Benson was arrested and charged with assault with injury early today after an incident last month at Annie’s West at 706 West Sixth Street, where officials said he punched a bar employee in the face.
The 27-year-old current running back for the Cincinnati Bengals had been involved in an altercation at the establishment and was being escorted out when he punched an employee, according to an arrest affidavit.
The affidavit said the May 30 incident began at 1:50 a.m. when a fight began between Benson and an unknown person inside the bar. Club staff separated them, at which time Benson shoved a manager “in an attempt to continue the fight he was previously engaged in,” the affidavit said.
The affidavit said Benson spit blood from his injured lip at a bar employee.
Workers then asked Benson several times to leave.
“Benson refused, and was escorted out of the bar,” the affidavit said.
Outside, the affidavit said employees tried to prevent him from going back in. At that point, he punched “with his right fist to the left side” of an employee’s face, causing the employee to stumble backwards.
--Andy BenoitFor more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.
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Henry's brain shows trauma
An interesting – and a disheartening – story here about the brain analysis of late Bengals WR Chris Henry. As detailed in this Peter Keating piece on ESPN.com , West Virginia University researchers showed Henry had traumatic injuries to his brain before he died last year. Henry, only 26 years old who had a five-year career in the NFL, died last December when he fell (or jumped) off the back of a pick-up truck while in a verbal altercation with his fiancé. When researchers analyzed his brain, they found degenerative brain damage, also known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. From Keating’s article: Researchers have now discovered CTE in the brains of more than 50 deceased former athletes, including more than a dozen NFL and college players, pro wrestler Chris Benoit and NHL player Reggie Fleming. Repeated blows to the head are the only known cause of CTE, researchers say. Concussive hits can trigger a buildup of toxic tau protein within the brain, which in turn can create damaging tangles and threads in the neural fibers that connect brain tissue. Victims can lose control of their impulses, suffer depression and memory loss, and ultimately develop dementia. Henry, who had been in trouble with the law on multiple occasions, seemed to have turned around his life before breaking his arm last season. The Bengals placed him on the Injured Reserve list, and that was the reason he was in Charlotte that day in December instead in the Cincinnati locker room. CTE has affected many athletes – not just in football – and, according to the researchers, it might have impacted Henry’s emotional life. "Superimposed on the acute brain injuries Chris suffered when he died, there was fairly extensive damage throughout his brain that was fully consistent with CTE,” said Julian Bailes, director of the Brain Injury Research Institute, which got permission from Henry’s mother to study Henry’s brain. “This syndrome is expressed not only as changes in the brain, but clinically, as behavioral changes. And starting with Mike Webster, we have seen common threads in these cases: emotional disturbances, depression, failed personal relationships and businesses, suicidal thoughts, sometimes alcohol or drug use." Scary, scary stuff that, hopefully, will be addressed during the labor negotiations between the NFL Players Association and the owners. --Josh Katzowitz For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter. Category: NFL
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Willie Anderson thinking about a return
As ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli writes, former Bengals/Ravens OT Willie Anderson is thinking about making a return to the game. He’s interested in playing, but he’s also interested in mentoring. As he told Pasquarelli, “There is no manual for playing in the NFL, no book that explains to a young guy everything you're going to go through, all the ups and downs you'll experience in a career … and how to prepare for life (after football). I think someone who has been through it all, has seen all the sides on and off the field, has a better chance to (impart) all of those things. And I think that's basically a part of what I have to offer either as a player or as a former player. "There's no (camouflaging) that I would like to play again. But if not, I feel I owe it to the game and to players to help them prepare for things." Aside from the fact that Anderson is a four-time Pro Bowler and, from 1997-2006, started all 158 games he played (he missed two contests in 1999), he’s an interesting guy. He owns a couple Fatburger hamburger joints in Cincinnati and Atlanta, and he’s a big believer in helping others. A few years back I wrote a feature on him for the NFL Players Association web site (a feature I can no longer find online), but I wanted to give a small sampling of what Anderson is like. He grew up in Mobile, Ala., attending the Boys & Girls Club, so he knows the value of other people caring about him and his education. Which is why he started a scholarship program out of his church in Cincinnati, and in the offseason, he’s made donations to an arts enrichment program for young people in Atlanta. Anderson wants young people to learn about the aspect of life they couldn’t experience without a little bit of help. All of his charitable work is the result of a promise he made many years ago. “It sounds kind of corny, but it’s a promise I made to God when I was a teenager,” Anderson said. “He put me in the position of success, and I promised I would go back and reach out and help as many people as I could in the right way. I want to be used as a tool to go back and help out wherever I can.” He takes that promise seriously today. “All my stuff deals with kids,” Anderson said. “Anything involving kids and helping their education and getting out of their neighborhoods and seeing a different view of the world. It’s helping change their mentality. A lot of guys do stuff around the league, and a lot of it is showing the kids that, ‘Hey, somebody who doesn’t know me, cares about me.’ That changes the mentality right there. So many kids have the mentality that the people that know me don’t care about me.” Anderson doesn’t want anybody feeling that way. So, in between the time when he pounds on defensive linemen, he gives back to society. “The charity stuff is something you do so you can give back to the community,” Anderson said. “We all are in a position to be able to take our resources that come to us from being professional athletes and give it to our community. It’s only right. We’re blessed in so many ways. To be a blessing for other people, I personally think it’s my duty.” It’s doubtful that Anderson's creaky 34-year-old body could last long in the NFL if he somehow could find a starting job. But it sounds like he doesn’t need to start. He just wants to teach. "I've seen and learned an awful lot," Anderson told ESPN. "If I could pass that knowledge on to people, on the field and off it, that would be great. I don't want to be a coach; that has never interested me. And I don't want to impose myself on people, because that isn't my nature. But I definitely feel I've got something to offer." --Josh Katzowitz For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter. Category: NFL
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Willie Anderson Add a Comment | Comments (2)
RT Willie Anderson Aiming to Return to NFL
Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com has an interesting piece on former Bengal and Raven Willie Anderson today. The four-time Pro Bowler spent 13 years in the NFL before retiring last season. For many of those years, he was the best right tackle in the league. Now, Anderson wants to play again. But it’s not just about being on the field. The 34-year-old wants to mentor young players. An excerpt from Pasquarelli's piece:"There is no manual for playing in the NFL, no book that explains to a young guy everything you're going to go through, all the ups and downs you'll experience in a career … and how to prepare for life,” Anderson said. "I think someone who has been through it all, has seen all the sides on and off the field, has a better chance to [impart] all of those things. And I think that's basically a part of what I have to offer either as a player or as a former player."There's no [camouflaging] that I would like to play again. But if not, I feel I owe it to the game and to players to help them prepare for things."The article gets into Anderson’s relationship with Baltimore's young offensive linemen, and the respect and admiration he garners from former teammates. It’s worth reading if you have a few spare minutes. --Andy BenoitFor more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.
Breaking down Bengals receivers
CINCINNATI � The Bengals on Tuesday released WR Chris Davis, and though the team had signed him to a free agent deal in March, the transaction was not surprising. Not surprising in the least.
Cincinnati�s receiving room, after all, is awfully crowded and awfully loaded with talent. Some deserving players will not make the 53-man roster, and after the final offseason workout of the year, Bengals receivers coach Mike Sheppard glowed with the anticipation of who he�ll work with when the season begins.
�They�ve been challenged,� Sheppard said. �It�s always fun to see how a group responds to a challenge.�
Without Davis around, 10 receivers will vie for what should be six spots when the team breaks camp for the regular season � it�s not impossible the Bengals would take seven receivers, but it�s highly unlikely. Of those 10, four are most likely locks � Chad Ochocinco, free agent signee Antonio Bryant, third-round draft pick Jordan Shipley (perhaps the most impressive player during last week�s mini-camp) and Andre Caldwell � who Sheppard pointed out was faster than anybody else at the position and who was invaluable at times last season.
That leaves Matt Jones, Quan Cosby, Jerome Simpson, Dezmon Briscoe, Maurice Purify, and Freddie Brown battling for the other two spots. Let�s rank their chances of making this squad.
Jones: He�s tall, and he seems to have good hands. Plus, he�s a former college QB, so when you want to pull out a trick play or two, he�d be a good candidate. But his feet have been slow, and he�s been out of the NFL for a year. He�s been solid, but not spectacular.
Cosby: His biggest strength � at least, last year � is his punt returning ability, as evidenced by his 11.9 yard return average and the fact he led the league in return yards (he also led the league, it should be noted, in punts returned). He began to have an impact in the passing game late in the season, but his height (5-foot-9) doesn�t help. Plus, he�ll have competition at punt return with Adam Jones and Shipley on the squad.
Simpson: The second-round pick from 2008 has been a big disappointment for the Bengals � he�s been active for only eight of his 32 career games while making one measly catch for two yards. Simpson, knowing he�ll have a tough time making the squad this year, had a fantastic offseason, but there are still questions about how well he knows the playbook.
Briscoe: Until he missed much of the offseason with a groin injury, the coaching staff was really high on the sixth-round pick. His former receiver coach at Kansas called him the best receiver he�d ever mentored, and his leaping ability is tops on the Bengals squad. He�s got some ridiculous highlights from college, but he�s missed out by being absent for so many practices.
Purify: We don�t know much about Purify, because he�s only played five games in his two NFL seasons (he�s spent most of his time on the Bengals practice squad). But he�s a special teams stalwart, and last season, he provided the highlight of training camp by dominating SS Roy Williams � quite a hard hitter himself � in the Oklahoma drill.
Brown: If we don�t know much about Purify, we know even less about Brown, except that the local scribes enjoy calling him Downtown Freddie Brown. I�d be shocked if Brown made the roster.
So, my prediction for who makes the squad? Well, it�s tough to say before training camp, but the Facts & Rumors blog aims to please. I�m thinking Briscoe and Cosby will make it. I could see Simpson making a run at a spot, but he�d have to have an outstanding camp to have a shot. I don't think he'll play well enough to manage it.
--Josh Katzowitz
For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.
Tags: Andre Cladwell, Antonio Bryant, Chad Ochocinco, Chris Davis, Cincinnati Bengals, Dezmon Briscoe, Freddie Brown, Jerome Simpson, Jordan Shipley, Matt Jones, Maurice Purify, Mike Sheppard, Quan Cosby, Roy Williams Add a Comment | Comments (10)
Dillon charged with two misdemeanors
Former NFL RB Corey Dillon – a four-time Pro Bowler who amassed more than 11,000 rushing yards in 10 seasons with the Bengals and the Patriots – has been charged with two misdemeanors pertaining to his April arrest on the suspicion of drunk driving. As the L.A. Times writes , Dillon later was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, though he was never actually charged. Here’s what the Times wrote about that incident: Dillon and his wife were arguing over their pending divorce and child custody when she called 911, saying she had been assaulted by her husband, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. (Desiree) Antoine-Dillon alleged that Dillon "poured milk over her head, threw water on her and poured soy sauce on her" during the dispute, according to the filing rejection released Thursday. She also told authorities she suffered "a superficial cut on her thumb." She later told authorities that her husband never hit her and her injury was not caused by physical contact with Dillon. In another sign that Dillon might not have been the greatest dude in the world, here’s a story from his playing days. One day, a well-respected, well-established TV sports anchor approached Dillon from behind as he sat on his stool in the locker room. “Hey Corey,” the newsman asked. “Do you have a minute to talk to us?” Dillon, without saying a word, raised both arms and flipped him the double-bird. Said the newsman: “I guess that means ‘no.’” --Josh Katzowitz For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter. Category: NFL
Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Corey Dillon, New England Patriots Add a Comment | Comments (2)
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More Related Stories An Upgraded EPIC Brands for the 2012-2013 Cheer and Dance Competition Season
Elkridge, MD (PRWEB) July 11, 2012 There are a multitude of exciting things to come for the attendees of EPIC Brands cheer and dance events for the 2012-2013 competition season. The EPIC Brands posted their preliminary events schedule back in March, but a lot has changed since the initial draft, and for the better. The EPIC Brands is home to three different cheer and dance event brands including American Cheer and Dance Academy, Spirit Unlimited, and Cheerstarz. Each of these brands has its own unique look and feel, and while all brands welcome any team to their events, each brand is targeted toward a different type of athlete! American Cheer and Dance Academy (ACDA) now includes three different series of events: the all-new Rock 'N Roll Series and High Roller Series, as well as the ever- famous Reach the Beach series, which has seen tremendous growth and continued success since its inception 15 years ago. These events are geared toward giving athletes and parents an amazingly fun, themed atmosphere, while still providing an excellent competition and great customer service. Each of these themed events feature exciting games and prizes to ensure that everyone has a blast. The Rock 'N Roll Series will include 13 regional events in 12 different states, and will come at a slightly lower price point than the other two event series in the brand. The High Roller series, taking after the fabulous Las Vegas/Casino theme, will include 7 regional events across the country, and the Maryland Cup National Championship Event in Upper Marlboro, MD on January 26th and 27th, 2013. The Reach the Beach Series within ACDA is broken up into 5 Regional Beach Blasts, 4 Mini National Championships, and 5 National Championships. Regional Beach Blast locations include Tulsa, OK, Stockton, CA, Birch Run, MI, Miami, FL, and Seattle, WA, while the Mini Nationals are located at the beautiful beach spots of San Diego, CA, Galveston, TX, Virginia Beach, VA, and Charleston, SC. The National Championship events for 2013 will include separate Daytona Nationals: one for All Star teams, and one for Rec, School, and Dance, all located in the Bandshell. Reach the Beach Rec and School Nationals, Reach the Beach Dance Nationals, and Reach the Beach All Star Nationals will again be in Ocean City, MD, but with extended event space that overlooks the ocean. The 2013 All Star nationals will be giving 1 full paid and 3 at-large bids to the Cheerleading Worlds, in addition to a car for one lucky coach. Spirit Unlimited has upgraded its look as well to focus on a prestigious, classy, glamorous theme, with its Battle series nationals taking on a royal theme of "the crowning of national champions". SU has two series of regional events, titled "Signature" and "Premier" series. The Signature Series will include 16 locations at a slightly lower price point, but still focused on an elegant, classy look with superb customer service. The Premier Series will focus on a select 4 events, and will feature a higher level of production and customer service perks. The Battle Nationals series has expanded past only Battle at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, and has added the Battle in Queen City National Championship in Charlotte, NC. This event will offer similar production and experience as Battle at the Boardwalk, but no Worlds bids will be awarded here in its first year. Battle at the Boardwalk Nationals will be an even better event this year visually, and will also feature a runway show presented by GK Elite sportswear, Friday night Premier Night with the Worlds team preliminary competition, as well as 2 full paid and 6 at-large bids to the Cheerleading Worlds given away. Cheerstarz is EPIC's affordable, fun, and fair competition brand, and each event is hosted by a school cheer and dance organization to help raise funds for their programs. These events boast the tagline "Where Everyone can Shine!", so that all teams, regardless of size, type, or level, will feel comfortable and confident. These events will branch outside of just Maryland this season, with locations in West Virginia, Missouri, Texas, and more! In addition, stay tuned for more information about a Cheerstarz National Championship coming in April of 2013. If your organization is interested in hosting a Cheerstarz event, please contact us at 877-322-2310 or by e-mailing TracyG(at)TheEpicBrands(dot)com. The EPIC Brands has an event for every athlete this season, so be sure to visit our website for more information and to register. We are excited to see you there! Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/7/prweb9627631.htm.
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glassybaby and Sounders Women team up to “kick” cancer!
Posted on May 31, 2012 by glassybaby Tonight, May 31st, the Seattle Sounders Women host their first home game of the 2012 season against the Colorado Rush. The game will be played at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington, with kick-off slated for 7:00pm. In addition to cheering on our hometown favorite, just before kick-off, glassybaby will participate in a special ceremony to mark the beginning of a new partnership between glassybaby, Seattle Sounders Women and the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund at Swedish Cancer Institute.
During the ceremony, each Sounders team member will give a ‘grass’ glassybaby to some very special fans that have been affected by cancer. Many of the recipients are affiliated with a Washington-based non-profit called “Brandon’s Goal Foundation”. Named in honor of Brandon Brauns, a four-year old who loved soccer and battled brain cancer, the foundation supports research for childhood cancer, patient services and family support.
The ‘grass’ glassybaby that will be given away at tonight’s ceremony is a brilliant shade of lime green–the color of new, spring grass. It bears a striking similarity to one of the Sounders team colors, “rave green”. As part of the new partnership, glassybaby will donate 10% of revenue from the sale of each ‘grass’ glassybaby to the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund at Swedish Medical Center. This fund provides non-medical financial assistance to help those in need. This crucial program offers relief for rent, transportation, childcare, insurance, utility bills and other essentials that patients need to ensure that they are not forced to forego life-saving cancer treatment.
Sounders Women Head Coach Michelle French
As a Seattle-leader in diagnosis, treatment and recovery, many people facing a cancer diagnosis seek treatment at Swedish Medical Center. Michelle “Frenchie” French, who was named head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women this past January, was treated at Swedish for non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2008. The tenacity and enthusiasm that were hallmarks of her soccer playing style, also served her well during her chemotherapy and radiation treatments; Michelle is currently in remission.
Michelle is a northwest soccer legend who hails from Kent, Washington. She attended John F. Kennedy High School where she was a standout player, twice named a Parade High School All-American. She spent her college career at the University of Portland where she was named an NSCAA All American and played at two NCAA Final Four tournaments. She also played for the US U-21 National Team and World Cup Residency Camp. In 2000, Michelle won a silver medal at the Olympic games in Sydney. She has coached at the youth, high school and collegiate levels and spent more than four seasons as a player with the Seattle Sounders Women team before being named head coach.
Michelle recently commented on the team’s plan to help “kick” cancer!
“We have the opportunity to use the platform created through the success of our team to not only raise awareness, but also garner unconditional love and hope for Sounders Women supporters. What an incredible connection we will be able to create between our team and fans as we celebrate and join the fight to “kick” cancer!”
The Seattle Sounders Women is part of the W-League and was founded in 2001. In addition to the talents of Michelle French, the team has an amazing roster that features five players with National Team Experience including defender Stephanie Cox, forwards Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan, midfielder Megan Rapinoe and goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Single tickets are still available for tonight’s game. Come out and support the new partnership of glassybaby, Seattle Sounders Women and the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund of Swedish Medical Center. Besides watching world-class women’s soccer, you’ll be helping to “kick” cancer! glassybaby will be available to purchase at the game. Please stop by and say hello to our glassybaby team! Not attending the game? You can always purchase the ‘grass’ glassybaby online at glassybaby.com.
This entry was posted in glassybaby giving and tagged cancer patient assistance, gifts that give back, glassybaby, glassybaby giving, grass, Seattle Sounders Women, Swedish Medical Center by glassybaby. Bookmark the permalink. Proudly powered by WordPress
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Engel's Rankings Update: Weather factors
Updated: December 23, 2007, 9:30 AM ET
By Scott Engel | ESPN.com
Here are my revised lineup rankings for Week 16. All changes are official as of Sunday, December 23, at 9 a.m. ET and reflect all the latest injury and lineup news, plus any other recent trends.
MOVING: The weather forecasts have much to do with today's changes. Warner moves up to third, ahead of Hasselbeck, who is expected to deal with rain, even though winds are supposed to be light, according to the Weather Channel's Web site. Anderson and Palmer will both deal with strong winds, but at this point, given the good matchups for each in the game, you should still go with one of these guys if you have him in a very important fantasy game. Only bench one if you have another top-level quarterback. I list Palmer first because he has more experience playing in any challenging conditions. Favre falls to eighth as he is expected to deal with a wind speed of 27 mph at Chicago. McNabb has a seemingly good matchup, but he has not played well enough this year for me to trust him in a fantasy game of major importance. Rosenfels is a quality option against the Colts, who really have nothing left to play for. Chad Pennington will be less useful without Laveranues Coles. Eli Manning and Trent Edwards are expected to deal with rain, thunder and strong winds, so neither is a recommended starter this week.
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Gay Olympian To Athletes: Don't Boycott Winter Olympics
Share Tweet E-mail Print By editor Originally published on Fri August 2, 2013 1:52 pm
Listen Johnny Weir of USA skates at the 2012 Finlandia Trophy Espoo International figure skating competition. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto/LEHTIKUVA via AP)
Recent legislation in Russia that criminalizes homosexuality and gay rights activism is raising concerns ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Russia has also seen an outbreak of violence against gay rights advocates, raising questions about safety for gay athletes and visitors to the Olympic games.I would never want my life’s work to come down to a boycott.–Johnny Weir The law, which bans speaking about homosexuality or being openly gay in public — such as holding hands or flying a rainbow flag — applies to foreigners. Russian officials have made contradictory statements about whether the law would apply to those who come for the Winter Olympics. Prominent Americans and some Russian LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) activists have called for a boycott of the games. But others say the games should go on. But others say the Games should go on, including openly-gay Olympic figure skater and self-proclaimed Russophile, Johnny Weir. Weir says boycotting the Olympic Games only hurts the athletes, not the Russian government. “We’ve all given up our lives for the Olympics,” Weir told Here & Now. “I would never want my life’s work to come down to a boycott. I think being at the Olympic games, for me, and possibly winning a medal, and being one of the only out gay Olympians, would do so much more for the Russian LGBT community than us sitting back and not being present.” Weir says most athletes he knows — gay or straight — don’t support a boycott. “The most positive thing we can do for the community is to show that we are united and we are strong,” he said.Guest Johnny Weir, Olympic figure skater. He tweets @JohnnyGWeir. Copyright 2013 WBUR-FM. To see more, visit http://www.wbur.org. Related programs:Here and Now on IPR News
Here and Now on IPR Studio One
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New England Patriots: Munchkin land February 20, 2014 by Vincenzo Cunsolo TwitterFacebookGoogleRedditEmailPrintAfter consecutive AFC Championship losses, the New England Patriots are in dire need of improvement. A Buffalo Bills fan, who hasn’t seen the playoffs since 1999, may feel content with 2nd place in the AFC, but as a spoiled Patriots fan, I am left unsatisfied.
Despite getting off to a slow start, the offense is in good shape; they finished inside the top ten in all the offensive league averages, but there is always room for improvement.
The Patriots have 12 wide receivers on their roster, not including Rob Gronkowski, with an average height of 5-foot-8. What is this, Munchkin Land? I understand that the offense is predominately run through the slot, and small receivers who are low to the ground and make precise cuts are a necessity to that style, but it’s not a coincidence when a player like Rob Gronkowski at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, runs deep routes across the middle, and the offense all of the sudden becomes more lethal.
The thing that Gronkowski does now and Randy Moss used to do is spread the field so other receivers can get open. I love Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, but they are mainly slot receivers; they won’t be caught dead downfield, and if they are it’s because coach Belichick is desperate.
Last offseason the Patriots drafted Marshall wide receiver Aaron Dobson in the second round, and standing at 6-foot-3, I thought for sure he was going to be a sleeper. At Marshall he was a god, the second coming of Randy Moss, dropping zero balls on 92 targets in his senior year, including a sensational one-handed end-zone highlight, but when he got to the pros he more or so resembled Randy Moss during his Oakland Raider days, finishing with 519 yards and 4 touchdowns on 37 receptions. Granted, it was his rookie season and he wasn’t fully healthy, but I’m not so sure the Patriots can rely on him to be the deep threat of their offense.
Like previous offseasons, there has been plenty of talk around Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald joining Tom Brady and the New England offense; however, no matter how much I love that proposition, I’m not a fool.
Fitzgerald is too much of a nice guy to leave the Cardinals hanging; he just restructured his contract last season and took less money. If he can’t be bought, maybe he can be persuaded with the idea of winning, but it just seems too good to be true.
So, in case the Patriots don’t get Fitzgerald, in case Dobson doesn’t pan out to be the next Randy Moss, and in case Gronkowski doesn’t last another full season, which is highly likely, then the Patriots should look to draft a big man who can spread the field.
I’ve been reading a lot of articles about New England’s draft prospects, and I kept coming across the name Jace Amaro. Amaro is a 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end out of Texas Tech. I thought the Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski duo was something special, but ever since Hernandez got arrested I’ve been looking for someone to fill the void.
Amaro isn’t the typical tight end that lines up and blocks downfield; he fits more into the new age of tight ends that line up outside and catch passes. He may not be complete with the ability to block like Gronkowski, but that can be learned; however, what can’t be learned is what he possesses, and that is the ability to go up and get it.
Amaro had a terrific junior year, setting a number of NCAA records, including, the single-season record for most receiving yards per game by a tight end. He would be a perfect fit in New England’s two tight end system; however, due to the fact that he will most likely be taken in the first round, and the fact that the Patriots have other priorities, mainly on the defensive-side of the ball, it’s unlikely that he’ll be in a New England next season, yet like the idea of Larry Fitzgerald, it’s always fun to dream.
TwitterFacebookGoogleRedditEmailPrintFiled Under: New England Patriots Tagged With: Aaron Dobson, Jace Amaro, Larry Fitzgerald, New England PatriotsAbout Vincenzo CunsoloI'm an English major a Salem State University. I'm a die hard Boston sports fan, but I'm not arrogantly biased. I'm just a sports fan in general; I appreciate the art.
Alex Peters
Uh dude, I don’t know if you were joking or not, but you know the average height of the Pats receivers isn’t 5’8 right? The shortest player on the team is 5’9 (Reggie Dunn) and the average height of the wideouts (not including Gronkowski) is 6’0. Which is still relatively small, but still that’s kinda a big difference…
Otherwise, good read. Agreed about Amaro and Fitz.
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Finally the moment we've all been waiting for! A guidebook to America's most notorious undocumented bouldering area, Joe's Valley, Utah. After nearly a decade since the last documentation of this world renowned bouldering destination was made, the time has come to step it up a notch, with a new vision in comprehensive guide book writing. An Insightful Guide to Joe's Valley Bouldering, by Isaac Caldiero gives you an in-depth look into the pristine beauty of one of North America's sandstone gems. Tucked away in the center of what locals call "Castle Country", lies a mass of colorful streaked boulders, with every feature imaginable. From the year 2000, with the ever so popular first ascent of Black Lung(V13) by British rock star Ben Moon, Joe's made its way into a wide variety of magazines and online videos, increasingly becoming the latest rage in Utah bouldering. Bringing numerous climbers from all over the world, dabbling in what seems to be the never ending development of untapped rock. Over the last 8 some odd years, there have been hundreds of new ascents added to the existing classics, ranging from V0 to V14, and at this very moment are continuing to multiply. During this time, it has been almost impossible to record and document every single piece of rock that has been climbed by random travelers and locals. That being said, the first edition of An Insightful Guide to Joe's Valley Bouldering, is an explosive kick-start in capturing the many unknown, developed areas of Joe's Valley, as well as all the pre-existing boulder problems. Bouldering in Joe's Valley is all about quality not quantity. This compact, full color guide, captures over 600 quality boulder problems, with detailed beta and photos for every developed boulder. "An Insightful Guide to Joe's Valley Bouldering" by Isaac Caldiero is Now Available! However, It is currently not available in stores, Buy your copy now, exlusively from Shibidaang Publishing for only 24.95 + Shipping
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Updated Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 03:06 PM
Sounders can't beat Rimando in 0-0 tie with Real Salt Lake
By Joshua Mayers
Heroes are born in the playoffs. At least that's how Sounders FC goalkeeper Michael Gspurning put it before Friday's opener in the Western Conference semifinals against Real Salt Lake.
However, it was Gspurning's counterpart, RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who approached hero-like status as he made five saves — including a pair of jaw-dropping stops in the first half — and played through a crushing collision to allow the visitors to sneak out of CenturyLink Field with a 0-0 tie.
A winner in the two-game, aggregate-goals series will be determined in the second leg at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
"We don't have any other option: It's win or win," midfielder Osvaldo Alonso said through a translator.
The Sounders are going to need a hero of their own to produce what would likely be the biggest win in franchise history.
The challenge will be a steep one.
Seattle has never led in a playoff series — a total of 660 minutes over four years — and has a 389-minute scoreless streak against RSL that includes four shutouts and dates to the 2011 playoffs.
"We can sit here and we can lament about it
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comments Bayern: The world's most valuable team By Mark Thompson @MarkThompsonCNN May 29, 2013: 12:53 PM ET German soccer club Bayern Munich is now the most valuable team in world sport after winning the European Champions League. LONDON (CNNMoney) Bayern Munich has won another title to add to its status as soccer champions of Europe - the most valuable team in world sports. The German club leapfrogged rival Manchester United (MANU) to take top spot in Brand Finance's annual survey after beating Borussia Dortmund to win the Champions League last week. "Impressive financials and a growing international reputation for quality football has seen Bayern's brand value hit $860 million, demoting United to second place," the brand valuation agency said. Bayern's brand value rose by 9% over the previous year, while Manchester United's fell 2%, hurt by an early exit from the European Champions League and the retirement of iconic manager Alex Ferguson. "United's loss of the top spot may prove temporary but to reclaim the title (new manager) David Moyes must rapidly prove he can sustain his predecessor's success," Brand Finance said. Manchester United is now worth $837 million, followed by Spain's Real Madrid on $621 million and FC Barcelona on $572 million. Dortmund is in 10th place, worth $260 million. The world's most valuable sports team brand outside soccer belongs to the Dallas Cowboys, worth $510 million, according to a Brand Finance analysis of American teams late last year. Related: Manchester United: The business of soccer The English Premier League is still more valuable than its German equivalent -- five of the top 10 spots in the brand table are occupied by English teams -- but escalating player wages, poor financial management and the alienation of fans could undermine that success. "The cheap tickets, high attendances, democratic ownership structure and financial prudence of the Bundesliga now looks like an attractive alternative, particularly now it is delivering world beating, fluid football," said Brand Finance CEO David Haigh. Brand value reflects the estimated cost a third party would have to pay to license the use of the brand, and is based on analysis of metrics such as team performance, revenue, squad value, attendance and the utilization of stadiums. This year's report was compiled last week on the correct assumption that Bayern would defeat Dortmund in the Champions League final at London's Wembley stadium. First Published: May 29, 2013: 12:34 PM ET Join the Conversation Most Popular
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Updated Feb 19, 2014 - 2:46 pm
Hawk Talk: Tate, Baldwin in different positions
Wide receivers Golden Tate (unrestricted) and Doug Baldwin (restricted) are both set to become free agents. (AP)
By Brady Henderson
Neither Golden Tate nor Doug Baldwin are under contract for next season, but the Seahawks receivers are in completely different positions as free agency approaches. Tate is unrestricted while Baldwin is restricted, a distinction that Danny O'Neil noted and explained during the latest edition of "Hawk Talk". The entire transcript can be found here. Highlights are below.
Paco-POA asked whether it would be cheaper to re-sign Baldwin over Tate and wondered if that should be the bigger priority.
O'Neil: I don't disagree with that sentiment. I think that there are logistical difficulties there. Here's what I mean by that: Golden Tate is an unrestricted free agent, which means he's going to get an open-market offer. It means that he'll be able to see whether Seattle values him as much as other teams in the league and measure the difference. There's a greater chance that Tate would leave. There's also a chance that he will see that Seattle's offer is equal to what other teams are offering. For Baldwin, there's less chance he leaves. But if he and the Seahawks can't agree on contract terms, the open market won't necessarily be able to bridge that gap. Baldwin won't be unrestricted, and any offer he receives from another team will be tempered because there's additional compensation that will go to Seattle. Baldwin would feel (rightly) that the other team's offer isn't a true reflection of what his open-market value would be.
odel asked if the Seahawks would consider drafting Odell Beckham Jr., a receiver from LSU, if they don't retain Tate.
O'Neil: Odell Beckham Jr. getting some love. Here are a couple of things I know: Seattle was very interested in Jahvid Best when he came out. Ditto for Tavon Austin before he blew up the combine last year. What that says to me is that Seattle's preference for size at wide receiver/running back can be trumped when it perceives exceptional speed.
Nate asked whether the Seahawks might cut or restructure the contracts of defensive ends Chris Clemons or Red Bryant for salary-cap relief.
O'Neil: Two different players, two different questions. If I had to project – and that's certainly what it would be at this point, projecting – I would guess that there's a much higher likelihood that Clemons' contract would be changed this offseason. And don't use "restructured" as a term there. Restructuring is what someone like Larry Fitzgerald does, and it refers to a situation where the players' monetary compensation doesn't change so much as the timeline for how it's paid out. Clemons' deal wouldn't be restructured if Seattle revisits it. It would be changed.
shmitty asked if it would be cheaper to sign kicker Steven Hauschka to a multi-year deal rather than use the franchise tag on him.
O'Neil: Depends on what Hauschka wants long-term. If it was cheaper to sign him to a deal than franchise him, they would do that. Challenge is the longer-term commitment to a kicker when every bit of statistical evidence shows that the performance of kickers is so variable as to make multi-year commitments at higher dollar figures problematic. See: Mare, Olindo.
Greg asked when the Seahawks and free safety Earl Thomas will reach a new deal. O'Neil: Well, I wouldn't expect any contract extensions to come before June. There's no timetable for them to get done earlier. No urgency. For the player, he wants to eliminate the risk of injury during the season. For the team, it wants to get the salaries in line. Tweet
Hawk Talk: Seahawks chat with Danny O'Neil
Seahawks with the most to gain: Christine Michael
UW's Petersen: No decision on QB Miles until fall
Brock Huard
Brock Huard has co-hosted the show since 2009. After earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Puyallup High School, Brock went on to a record-setting career at Washington and then spent six years in the NFL, including four with the Seahawks. Brock also works for ESPN as a college football analyst in the booth and the studio. He makes his home on the Eastside with his wife Molly and their three young children.
Danny O'Neil
Danny O'Neil, the new co-host of "Brock and Danny", is the son of a logger, a graduate of the University of Washington and has been a working journalist in Seattle since 1999, first at newspapers and since 2012 at 710 ESPN Seattle. He is married to Sharon Pian Chan, associate opinions editor at The Seattle Times. They live on Capitol Hill with their wrinkled, smelly dog.
Tom Wassell
Tom Wassell has produced the show since 2011 and also co-hosts "Seattle Sports at Night" with Colin Paisley and Matt Pitman. A native of Connecticut, Tom came to 710 ESPN Seattle after working at ESPN Radio's headquarters in Bristol, Conn. for five years. Tom studied communications at Indiana University, is color-blind and has a weak sense of smell.
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Doug Martin says he's not hitting rookie wall
by Brad Biggs
Doug Martin said he has not run into a rookie wall.
But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-round draft pick has been slowed down the last two weeks.
Martin has carried 39 times for only 106 yards in the past two games after reaching 1,000 yards for the season in the first 10 games. He is preparing to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
“That stuff about the rookie wall, I don't feel that at all," Martin said, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. "My body feels great and my mind is clear.''
Martin has had 268 touches – 236 rushes and 32 receptions – so he is close to his high during a single season at Boise State of 291. Most importantly for him, Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan doesn’t see Martin slowing down.
“I see Doug continuing to get stronger," Sullivan said, according to Cummings. "I don't see him hitting a wall. I think he's right on track and we're going to continue to move forward and get him in positions to make plays."
Follow me on Twitter: @BradBiggs
Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
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Nathan Horton Inspires Bruins With Another Locker Room Visit, But Winger Not Nearly Ready to Return to Ice
by Douglas Flynn on Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 1:48PM
BOSTON — There won’t be any miracle returns for Nathan Horton in the Stanley Cup Final.
Even if the Bruins prevail on Monday and force a Game 7 back in Vancouver on Wednesday, the Boston forward won’t be close to ready to return from the severe concussion he suffered from a late hit by Aaron Rome in Game 3.
But that doesn’t mean Horton hasn’t remained a part of Boston’s drive for the Cup. He returned to the Garden after Game 4 to pass on the vintage team jacket the Bruins have been presenting to the top performer in each of their wins since Andrew Ference bought it on eBay back in March. And Horton has continued to make appearances in the locker room to inspire his teammates, including a visit Monday morning prior to Game 6.
“We’ve seen him. He’s been around the locker room,” Bruins forward Shawn Thornton said. “He’s looking pretty good. I love that guy, so I’m happy to see him looking OK.”
Horton is doing better but is still suffering symptoms from the concussion, and Bruins coach Claude Julien made it clear there should be no expectation of a dramatic return for the injured star forward. “He’s been around, but I think we’re clear when that happened what his update was, so that’s not going to change,” Julien said. “So if people are looking for miracles, if he’s there, it will be pretty special. But right now, he’s still dealing with those concussion issues as we speak. He popped in quickly [Monday] morning just to say ‘hi.’ I have the impression that he’s going to be coming to the game [Monday night] as long as he feels good, and that can vary as the day goes on. But I think right now his plan is to hopefully be here [for the game].”
The first two times the Bruins faced elimination, it was Horton who delivered the goal to carry them to the next round. He scored the game-winner in overtime in Game 7 against Montreal and the only goal late in the third period in a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay in Game 7 of the conference final. Now someone else will have to provide the dramatic goal to get Boston to another Game 7 and potentially their first Cup since 1972.
“It just goes to show that everyone’s going to have to do a little bit more,” Bruins forward Milan Lucic said. “Obviously, with a guy like Horty who stepped up and scored big goals at key times, not just in Game 7′s like you said, you look back at Game 5 against Montreal, he gets the game-winner and in Game 5 against Tampa he was able to get that goal and get us into that game also. So he’s scored some big goals at some key times and that just goes to show that everyone’s going to have to do a bit more and everyone’s going to have to step up here and fill in for the void.”
The void on the top line has been filled by a variety of players, with Rich Peverley, Michael Ryder and Tyler Seguin all seeing time at right wing alongside David Krejci and Lucic. Peverley scored two big goals in the Game 4 victory, but it hasn’t been an easy transition for Lucic and Krejci to adjust to a rotating cast of new linemates. “We’re so used to Nathan being on our right side,” Lucic said. “Then in the same game you have Peverley and Ryder and Seguin on the right side, but you don’t want to make excuses. Everybody has to do their part with whoever we’re out there with. Not much is going to change [in Game 6], so we’re going to have to find a way.”
One thing will change. If the Bruins want to stave off elimination and push this series to seven games, they’ll need someone other than Horton to score the deciding goal.
“It’s tough to replace a guy like that, but other guys are going to have to,” Thornton said. “There’s no excuses. We have to do it. If he’s not here, then someone else has to get it done.”
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Vikings asst coach tiring of Kluwe's activism
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has made a name for himself as much for his willingness to take outspoken stands on issues that are important to him as he has for pinning opponents inside the 10-yard line.
He's been celebrated as a champion for gay rights, chastised for his willingness to challenge the NFL establishment and fined for altering his jersey to campaign for the Hall of Fame to enshrine its first punter.
It all appears to be wearing thin with his position coach. When asked about the $5,250 fine that Kluwe incurred for putting "Vote Ray Guy" over a patch on his jersey commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Vikings special teams coordinator delivered a sharp rebuke.
"I don't even want to talk about that," Mike Priefer said Thursday. "Those distractions are getting old for me, to be quite honest with you. Do I think Ray Guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame? Absolutely. But there's other ways of going about doing it, in my opinion."
The Vikings have generally stood behind their renaissance man, rarely getting in the way when he has tried to use his platform to raise awareness to issues away from the field. Kluwe became an important and high-profile advocate for gay marriage during the election. He's also addressed what he sees as a problem the NFL has with drunken driving in the wake of Dallas Cowboys player Jerry Brown's death and criticized voters for not putting a punter into the hall.
With the Vikings (7-6) trying to chase a playoff spot in the final three games of the season, Priefer thinks it's time for Kluwe to cool it with the activism and concentrate on his job.
"To me, it's getting old," Priefer said. "He's got to focus on punting and holding."
The timing of Priefer's comments seem a little odd, given that Kluwe is coming off a stellar performance in a victory over the Chicago Bears. Facing dangerous returner Devin Hester, he averaged 45.7 yards on seven punts and twice pinned the Bears inside the 5-yard line.
Kluwe has always taken pride in not being defined by being a football player. He plays in a band, is a voracious reader and throws himself into civil rights discussions. So it's no surprise the pointed words from his coach were met with a shrug.
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Depth saves Penguins in injury plague
Boston Bruins, Evgeni Malkin, Matt Cooke, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, Zdeno Chara | Comments No team wins a championship without productive, selfless role players like winger Pascal Dupuis (left). (Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
By Stu Hackel
It’s nine Ws in a row for the Pittsburgh Penguins, all without Sidney Crosby, who has been absent for most of the season. And during these nine games, top defenseman Kris Letang has missed five and most of a sixth. Paul Martin, another top four defenseman, has missed the last two. Yet the Pens kept on winning. After defeating Boston on Sunday afternoon, Pittsburgh was a mere two points behind the Rangers for the top spot in the East before the Blueshirts eked out an overtime win that evening against the Islanders.
How do the Penguins do it?
We’ve noted before that Pittsburgh plays the same way regardless of who is in or out of the lineup. And the Penguins have had to contend with lots of different lineups, thanks to their more than 320 man-games lost to injury this season. They’ve been able to survive because of their roster’s unheralded depth.
Take a veteran like Pascal Dupuis, who scored this insurance tally against the Bruins on Sunday.
It’s a great little play by a guy who is not known as a big scorer, but who displays excellent speed and good hands while toasting Boston’s Milan Lucic at the blueline and then deking goalie Marty Turco for the backhand finish.
It also shows how well the Penguins transition from defense to offense, and their game intelligence as Dupuis starts to break forward as soon as he realizes that Jordan Staal has the puck unchecked in the corner (and in the above video, you can hear someone shout “Let’s go!” as soon as Staal gathers it in). Dupuis also knows that Lucic, who is not a defenseman, is the guy he has to beat, since Lucic is covering for Zdeno Chara, who was pursuing the puck deep in the offensive zone. When Dupuis saw that Chara had the puck deep in the zone about 10 seconds before this play began, he snuck a look to the blue line to see who was there, and he saw Lucic. Dupuis takes off, coming right at him, and Lucic decides to charge in rather than back off, which would have been the prudent thing to do. Lucic gets caught by the oncoming Dupuis, who slips the puck between his legs and then has nothing but open ice in front of him.
Dupuis has produced nine points during Pittsburgh’s nine-game streak. He’s not a point-per-game player because he’s often been given a checking role during his career. Even when he’s played with top forwards, he’s been the guy on the line who plays responsible hockey so the others can push forward. He gives his team what it needs in order to win. No team in hockey can contend for a championship without guys like Dupuis, who has not been alone in stepping up his play during the Pens’ run.
Thirty-seven year old Steve Sullivan, whose small frame has been battered by injuries throughout his career, brought his skill set to Pittsburgh this season and he’s got 13 points in his last 11 games. There have also been timely contributions from other unlikely sources, like the game-opening goal on Sunday by Arron Asham, the Pens’ best antagonist now that Matt Cooke has reformed (as SI.com’s Michael Farber discussed last week). Even defenseman Zbynek Michalek, who no one would confuse with Letang for offensive creativity, has a goal and two assists during this run, which is saying something, considering that he’s got only nine points for the season.
These are veteran players who have been through the wars and know what it takes. When this time of year rolls around, these guys know how to elevate their play, not give in to obstacles and distractions and play to win each night.
Still, the Penguins remain blessed with Staal and Evgeni Malkin. They would be the top two centers on most teams in the NHL, but slide down to two and three when Crosby is in the lineup (unless one is on Crosby’s wing). Since coming back in early February from a knee sprain that sidelined him for a month, Staal has seven goals and 10 assists in 14 games, registering points in all but two of those games, a marvelous pace. And yet, he’s been overshadowed, probably unfairly, by Malkin, whose productivity this entire season has kept him in the lead for the scoring title, just ahead of Steven Stamkos and Claude Giroux. In the last month, Malkin has piled up 22 points (13 of them assists) in 14 games, including a five-point game against the Jets and a four-point night against Tampa Bay.
It’s Malkin’s partnership with his big winger, “The Real Deal” James Neal, that has unlocked the best in both of them. A dependable 20-plus goal scorer for Dallas, Neal was acquired from the Stars last season just before the trade deadline. He was going to be the big, strong winger that Crosby had lacked since Marian Hossa bolted for Detroit. But Crosby never returned to the lineup and Neal could only manage a single goal in 20 regular season games and another in the first round of the playoffs.
This season, Neal has played with more confidence and consistency from the beginning. He topped the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career and was rewarded with a new deal (six years, $30 million) before the deadline. Right after he signed it, the NHL’s star-making machinery kicked in and Neal became the subject of this installment of the league’s 36 Hours series.
And then Neal went into his first prolonged goal drought of the season: zip for nine games. During the Penguins’ entire winning streak, he didn’t bulge the twine until Sunday.But he was chipping in assists, in part because a healthy Malkin has regained his elite form this season. Together, Neal and Malkin are a pair of big men roaming the ice for pucks and bodies, not at all shy about knocking down anyone who gets in their way. Along with linemate Chris Kunitz, a middleweight by comparison, they’ve become one of the most imposing forces in the league. And yesterday, by dumping the usually undumpable Zdeno Chara, Neal showed a national TV audience that he’d answer the call against a Boston team that is known to run other clubs out of buildings.
A big part of the Pens’ game plan against Boston was to target Chara for a rough ride, and they did that. Neal and Kunitz each got him twice and Cooke got him once. Taking advantage of a banged-up team that had played the day before, the Pens got Chara off his game by throwing the puck in his corner and smashing into him.
And that brings us to the real essence of Pittsburgh’s style. Like the Bruins when they are at their best — and Boston hasn’t been at its best for a while now — the Penguins appear to be one of those teams that can play any style and win. Like any good coach, Dan Bylsma designs his game plans based on his opponent. The difference is that he’s got the horses to execute them all. They showed yesterday they could win a physical game against the Bruins, but unlike some of the other rugged NHL teams — Rangers, Flyers, and Canucks, for example – they don’t take an abundance of penalties. While the Rangers and Bruins are both perhaps wearing out a bit, the Penguins are the hot team.
They’ll get a rest for a few days and then head to New York to take on the Rangers in Madison Square Garden on Thursday. There is talk that both Crosby and Letang could be back for that game, but whenever they return, their inclusion in this already battle-hardened lineup could make the Penguins a Stanley Cup favorite next month.
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Share this:TwitterFacebookLinkedIn Published On Mar 12, 2012
@AndrewRDeWitt Understandable in 2010. It's 2014. Just diminishes the product. 9 hours ago
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Piniella joins Giants as special assistant
By Janie McCauley February 2, 2011 | 8:13pm
SAN FRANCISCO — Lou Piniella is staying right in the baseball mix. The longtime manager told The Associated Press on Wednesday he has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants to work as a special assistant for the World Series champions. Sweet Lou will report to general manager Brian Sabean. “I took a little consulting job with the Giants,” Piniella said in a telephone interview from his home in Florida. “It’s a done deal. I look forward to it. Brian and I are good friends. Whatever Brian needs me to do.” Sabean confirmed Piniella’s hiring Wednesday afternoon once the contract was completed. The 67-year-old retired as a manager during the 2010 season with the Chicago Cubs in order to return home to Tampa, Fla., and help his ailing mother, 91-year-old Margaret. He was with her Wednesday in the hospital after she underwent a procedure and reported she is hanging in there. Piniella is 14th with 1,835 regular-season wins while managing the Yankees, Cincinnati, Seattle, Tampa Bay and the Cubs. As the Giants have done with former manager Felipe Alou, Piniella will remain in Florida and do most of his work from his home base — and probably no longer throwing bases. He said he will scout American League teams in Florida during spring training and attend Rays games at Tropicana Field. The new gig provides Piniella, known for his animated arguments with umpires over the years, the best of both worlds. “It gives me a chance to stay involved in baseball and not have to travel,” Piniella said. “I worked with Brian a lot of years in New York. He’s a good man. They have several former Yankees (working for the club). They won a world championship — we won a world championship. I’m joining a world-class organization.” It may turn into a longer-term agreement. “I’ll do it for a year, and we’ll see what happens,” Piniella said. The San Francisco Chronicle was first to report Piniella’s new job. Read Next:
Clemens not concerned… Clemens not concerned lawyer gave… Twitter
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The Major League Baseball Authentication Program is the first league-wide memorabilia authentication initiative in professional sports. Since its launch in 2001, it has become the industry standard for autographed and game-used sports memorabilia authentication. Designed to distinguish officially authenticated MLB memorabilia from other items on the market, the program combines an objective third-party authentication system that guarantees genuine memorabilia for all MLB fans. Authentication
Major League Baseball uses a third party authenticator at each and every game, who witnesses all items that received a signature or that were removed from the field. Every item, once witnessed, will receive a sequentially numbered, tamper-proof hologram created by OpSec, U.S. to easily identify its Major League Baseball authenticity. Posting on MLB.com
Once fans receive the piece of memorabilia, they can trace their item using the new, rectangular official authentication numbered hologram through MLB.com. This easy reference enables fans to easily obtain and verify all of the details surrounding their new item. Since its inception in 2001, Major League Baseball Authentication Program has certified over 3,000,000 items, allowing fans to ensure their memorabilia is a 100% genuine piece of their favorite pastime. It's easy to get the real goods - just check for the official seal of authentication. Assignment of a Unique ID Number
Once witnessed, every authenticated item is affixed with a tamper-proof hologram created by OpSec, U.S. to identify its authenticity. If you have questions or concerns, please click here for more information.
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Posts tagged with STEVEN STAMKOS
Apr 2, 3:08 pm A Wide-Open Chase for the Hart Trophy
By JEFF Z. KLEIN and STU HACKEL Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Jonathan Toews, the captain of the defending champion Blackhawks, was the N.H.L.’s player of the month for February.
No N.H.L. award is more prestigious than the Hart Trophy for the player judged most valuable to his team. But for the first time in memory, there are no clear-cut favorites for the honor. That was not the case earlier this season.
The buzz for Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby began in the fall, when he dominated the discussion the way he dominated play. In public forums, he was acclaimed the eventual winner weeks before 2010 ended. Then Crosby’s season came to an abrupt halt shortly after the new year, when he went down with a concussion.
Talk then turned to Tampa Bay’s wunderkind, Steven Stamkos, who led the league in goals and the Lightning to a top spot in the Eastern Conference. But when he cooled off, so did talk of his winning the Hart Trophy. A few other names have popped up fleetingly, including that of Montreal’s Carey Price, who provided stellar goaltending for an offensively challenged team with an injury-decimated defense. But a few subpar games in March quieted the Price buzz.
Recently, the name of Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne has come up, but it is doubtful that most Professional Hockey Writers Association voters are familiar enough with him or his team. And when Henrik Lundqvist backstopped the Rangers to a recent winning streak that included his league-leading 11th shutout, his name emerged. But he is likely to be lost amid the other goalies vital to their teams’ success.
Dec 13, 10:12 am Monday Morning Skate: Ryan’s Stick Improv, Dead Teams Walking
By CHRISTOPHER BOTTA Seven things you need to know from the weekend in the National Hockey League:
Bobby Ryan Scores Goal with Opponent’s Stick
On Sunday in Anaheim, Ducks forward Bobby Ryan had his stick ripped out of his hands by Minnesota’s Mikko Koivu, whose stick was on the ice in the Wild’s zone. Ryan picked up Koivu’s stick and banged home a rebound for a goal. Ryan, who had three goals and two assist in Anaheim’s win, then showed everyone on the ice the name on his temporary stick.
Devils, Islanders out of the Playoff Hunt…Already?
In the 14 completed seasons since the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994, no N.H.L. team has overcome a deficit of more than 13 points at any point during the season to clinch a playoff berth. Already on Dec. 13, two teams are further behind. The 8-19-2 Devils are 17 points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. After just 27 games, the 5-17-5 Islanders (winless in 19 of their last 20) are 20 points out of the final playoff position in the East. There are still four months remaining in the regular season.
Dec 11, 6:00 pm Led by Crosby, Penguins Are on a Hot Streak
By JEFF Z. KLEIN and STU HACKEL The Penguins are still without Jordan Staal, and they are also missing Evgeni Malkin, but going into Saturday night’s game at Buffalo, they had won 11 straight, the second-longest winning streak in their history.
The reason, simply put, is Sidney Crosby, who has scored 14 goals and added 8 assists during that run.
On top of that, Crosby has a 17-game point streak, during which he has scored 20 goals and 15 assists.
Crosby has been scoring at a rate not seen since 1995-96, when Mario Lemieux — in whose house the 23-year-old Crosby lived until last summer — became the last player to average more than 2 points per game for a season.
In fact, since the 1920s, only Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky have registered seasons of 2 or more points per game.
It would be a tall order for Crosby to join those two greats in such exalted territory.
After all, he is not playing in the free-scoring 1980s, when Gretzky and Lemieux set records in an age of rampaging attacks and lightly padded goalies left cruelly to fend for themselves.
But Crosby is surely leading the current pack of top players. Going into Saturday, he was averaging 1.67 points per game for the season. Next came Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning at 1.41, and after that no one was better than 1.23.
Crosby has also wrested the league goal-scoring lead from Stamkos, quieting the recent buzz about Stamkos’s prospects of scoring 50 goals in 50 games. Now the talk is about Crosby.
He had 26 goals in 30 games — which meant that he needed 24 goals in his next 20 games to reach the coveted 50-in-50 milestone.
Dec 10, 1:31 pm Stamkos Dry Spell Hardly a Slump
By CHRISTOPHER BOTTA After scoring 21 goals in his first 22 games this season, Steven Stamkos will play a pair of high-profile contests in his native Canada this weekend carrying a six-game goal-less slump. That this is a story only shows how far the Tampa Bay Lightning center has come in a short time.
Abelimages/Getty Images Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos has been so hot, going six games without a goal is news.
Last season, his second in the N.H.L., Stamkos scored 51 goals. This season, it looked like the 20-year-old might hit the 50-goal mark in fewer than 60 games. A six-game drought for Stamkos is news, but little cause for concern.
“He misses Steve Downie in a big way,” said former N.H.L. goaltender Kevin Weekes, who will do color commentary for “Hockey Night in Canada” when Tampa Bay plays in Vancouver on Saturday. Downie, a burly right wing with a mean streak who creates space for his high-skilled teammates, has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain.
Tampa Bay, 15-10-3 entering Friday’s game in Edmonton, is 2-3-1 during Stamkos’ slump. Lightning Coach Guy Boucher said that as long as Stamkos continues to get his scoring chances, there is no reason to worry.
Nov 28, 8:05 am A Hard Road to 70 Goals for Stamkos
By JEFF Z. KLEIN and STU HACKEL Will Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay’s red-hot third-year forward, become the first player to break the 70-goal barrier since Teemu Selanne of Winnipeg and Alexander Mogilny of Buffalo scored 76 in 1992-93?
The percentages say no. Stamkos is the N.H.L.’s top goal scorer, with 21 goals in 24 games. That pace has raised talk of Stamkos becoming the first to score 50 goals in the season’s first 50 games since Brett Hull of St. Louis in 1991-92. He is also on track for a 75-goal season. But Stamkos scored those 21 goals on 91 shots for a very high 23.1 percent shooting percentage. Since the lockout, only 13 N.H.L. players who played at least 55 games in a season managed a shooting percentage higher than 20 percent. Even the elite goal scorers rarely amass shooting percentages above the midteens. The only N.H.L. goal-scoring leader of the last dozen seasons with a shooting percentage over 20 was Milan Hejduk of the 2002-3 Avalanche (50 goals, on 20.5 percent of his shots). Nov 2, 3:32 pm The Morning Skate: Blues Chemistry, Stamkos’s Star and Nash’s Minus
By STU HACKEL The Blues are off to a strong start, earning 14 of a possible 18 points and are the only N.H.L. team with as few as one loss in regulation. They are undefeated in five home games, a big reversal from last season when they were .500 on home ice. They’ve won four straight, gotten three of four points in games against the Blackhawks, and have played like the team many thought they’d be last season, but weren’t.
What’s different this year? Most obvious is the goaltending of Jaroslav Halak, whose six wins, 1.71 goals-against average and .932 saves percentage put him among the league’s best. But there’s much more. They have a good mix of skill guys and role players, guys who are adept at fighting for the puck and guys who know what to do with it. They are averaging 34.6 shots per game, second best in the league and 25.8 shots against per game, the best mark in the league. So they have the puck a lot more than their opponents. With their faceoff winning percentage at only 47.6 percent, they are working hard to get the puck and playing very good team defense. With some of the Blues more recognizable names — like Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya — gone, much of the heavy lifting is being done by the team’s younger home-grown talents. T.J. Oshie, Patrick Berglund, David Perron, Erik Johnson, Alex Pietrangelo — all under 23 — are a year older and starting to blossom.
Oct 24, 2:11 pm The Morning Skate: Rule Tinkerings, Palin’s Puck Drops and Mixed-up Mats
By STU HACKEL Should this be illegal?: The Islanders’ Eric Cairns blocking a shot in 2002 with both skates off the ice. That act would be made illegal under a rule proposed Thursday by Montreal G.M. Bob Gainey. (Reuters/Ray Stubblebine)
Ho-hum, another N.H.L. team owned by a contributor to the G.O.P. presidential campaign invites that party’s V.P. candidate to drop the puck for tonight’s game. The Blues didn’t plan on alienating a sizable chunk of their fan base, but it seems that’s what they may have done. Here’s the response on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch web site. This will all be over soon.
The N.H.L. G.M.’s met in Chicago yesterday and Pierre LeBrun, blogging on ESPN.com, has news on three proposed rule changes. The one that has gotten the most attention was proposed by Blues G.M. Larry Pleau, who has suggested changing the delayed penalty rule so that if a penalty was called against a team in their defensive zone, the penalized team would have to fully clear the puck from their zone to get a stoppage in play, as opposed to simply having puck possession. The second would return the hand-pass rule to its previous status, where it would be whistled down anywhere on the ice including in the defensive zone.
The third, from Montreal’s Bob Gainey, would require a player blocking shots in the defensive zone to have at least one skate on the ice.
Let’s look at the hand-pass rule first. Read more…
Oct 23, 2:45 pm The Morning Skate: Are These Kids Ready? Do We Take Avery Too Seriously? Are the Habs a Religion?
By STU HACKEL Too young?: A former scout says that current N.H.L.’ers (bottom, from right) Drew Doughty, Steven Stamkos and Zach Bogosian, and (top, from right) Luke Schenn and Alex Pietrangelo should be sent back to junior. He didn’t say anything about (top left) Tyler Myers, but that’s probably because the Sabres kept him in Kelowna. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
A former N.H.L. scout phoned The Morning Skate today and, during the course of conversation, had this to say: “You’ve got four very talented teenaged defensemen in the N.H.L. right now — Luke Schenn of Toronto, Alex Pietrangelo of St. Louis, Zach Bogosian in Atlanta and Drew Doughty of the Kings — on teams that won’t make the playoffs and they should be sent back to junior. These kids are being rushed to the N.H.L.
“Let them dominate back in junior and let them play a second time at the World Junior Tournament in December and gain experience at that elite level. That’s exactly what happened with guys like Dion Phaneuf, Kris Letang, Ryan Parent, Marc Staal and Shea Weber, and they are way ahead in their development because of it.”
The nine-game mark is the cutoff for these players to go back to junior, otherwise they have to stay in the professional ranks.
“The problem is the G.M.’s for the teams with those four kids want to show their owners how smart they are in drafting these kids, but it’s not helping the kids and in the long run, it’s going to hurt them,” the ex-scout continued.
“It’s the same thing with Steven Stamkos. He’s not ready yet — that’s why he’s not playing. He’s got great talent and maybe on a team like Detroit, where he wouldn’t have to be top six forward, it might work, but not in Tampa Bay.”
The problem is, of course, the Lightning built their entire summer relaunch campaign around Stamkos, and they probably fear looking silly if Stamkos goes back to junior. But this scout thinks Stamkos and those four young D-men will be better off for it in the long run.
Sep 24, 3:03 pm The Morning Skate: A New NHL.com and Disappointing TV from Roberval
By STU HACKEL We skated last night and we were talking on the bench about players who make the guys around them better and players who, conversely, play down a level when they are with lesser skaters. And that seems to be the story on last night’s Hockeyville 2008 telecast of the Sabres-Canadiens game from Roberval.
We recorded it and only watched the first period before sitting down at the keyboard this morning but The NHL Network, which produced its own telecast of the game, contained none of the sense of occasion that was required. Most likely it was contractually impossible, but the CBC show (which was streamed live on their website but will be shown on TV Saturday) would certainly have been preferable.
This was a unique game, NHLers (and guys trying to be NHLers) skating in a far-flung community barn that seats just over 1,200 fans. The facilities were undoubtedly cramped. But we expected the small crowd, small building and smaller number of actual NHLers playing to be met with a big effort and some pageantry. Instead, we got a small effort and blandness.
Sep 21, 1:23 pm The Morning Skate: A Quick Skate for Sunday
By STU HACKEL There was one other other preseason game last night besides the Rangers’ loss to Ottawa (in which Steve Zipay blogging for Newsday found encouraging signs). We were impressed with Brandon Dubinsky, as we often are; love to see him with some skilled wings, but with Scott Gomez and Chris Drury ahead of him on the depth chart, that may not happen. And that game was rather noteworthy.
The Lightning won a shootout, 5-4, against the Penguins and Pittsburgh’s top defenseman Sergei Gonchar left in the first period with what appeared to be a separated shoulder (according to The Post-Dispatch’s Dave Molinari) after being driven into the boards by Tampa Bay’s David Koci. Some of the Pens players said in the locker room afterward that it was a late hit and you can judge for yourself on this video here. As that video shows afterward, Eric Goddard, who is taking Georges Laraque’s job as Pens cop, squared off with Koci and acquitted himself well. There’s also video of the other scrap from that game here. The Pens blueline corps could be in trouble. Ryan Whitney is out until at least December after foot surgery, and Rob Scuderi is day to day with either bruised ribs or an injured hip depending on which report you believe.
Sep 13, 11:35 am The Morning Skate: Prospects Take to the Ice, Radulov’s Reasoning and No Mats for Montreal
By STU HACKEL A quick skate for us today. This is the weekend for NHL prospects tournaments and the biggest is the Traverse City Tourney which starts today and where the Rangers are sending their kids, as are seven other clubs. Here’s the schedule and once again, these games will be shown on a delayed basis over the NHL Network starting tomorrow night.
Jess Rubenstein blogging at Prospect Park has a post on the tourney from a Rangers perspective.
It doesn’t seem as if any Rangers beat writers have made the trip to Michigan, so one option for following the tournament is to check the blogging of the Red Wings writers who will be there. Bruce MacLeod, who does a fine job on the Red Wings beat for the Macomb Daily, had this preview of the tourney yesterday. Ansar Kahn of the Booth Papers’ MLive will also be there and here’s his blog. One of the better bloggers connected with a newspaper website, George James Malik of MLive, unfortunately won’t be there but he says Dave Dye of the Detroit News will, so you can check Dye’s blog here.
NHL.com will be following the tourney and here is their preview.
“It’s very possible the next playoff MVP could be skating in Traverse,” Detroit GM Ken Holland, who conceived the six-day tournament, told NHL.com. “Guys like Zetterberg, Dany Heatley, Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Fischer, Niklas Kronwall and Ilya Kovalchuk have all played in this tournament, so lots of NHL stars have started their pro careers here.”
Highly touted Blue Jackets rookie Nikita Filatov has a leg injury and won’t take part, and neither will Tampa Bay’s first overall pick Steven Stamkos, as we mentioned yesterday. Another prospect tournament goes this weekend. The three western Canadian teams have gathered in Camrose, Alberta and they’ll start play on Sunday in what is being called the Oil Country Rookie Tournament. Read more…
Jun 19, 1:50 pm The Bunker Previews the NHL Draft and a Few Career Moves
By MARK PARGAS Surefire No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Image)
For Jay Feaster, Dean Lombardi, the question is simple. Are you willing to bet the future of your struggling franchise and your job on a teenager?
The general mangers of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Los Angeles Kings are in Ottawa with the top two picks, holes to fill and trade possibilities as the National Hockey League prepares to conduct its annual draft, which begins Friday night with Round 1 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. Rounds 2 through 7 will held on Saturday. The Islanders have the fifth pick, over all, with the Rangers set to pick at No. 20 in the first round. The Devils are slotted to follow at No. 21.
Tampa Bay, the worst team in the league last season, has new owners, no coach and holes at forward, defense and in net. With the first pick in the draft, Feaster is expected to select Steven Stamkos, a center who played last season with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. Stamkos, a strong skater, is seen as the perfect player to fill the void created when Brad Richards was moved to Dallas for goaltending help at the trading deadline in February.
Los Angeles has depth at forward, but no amount of depth up front has been able to overcome the problems on the blueline and in net. Lombardi, who must also hire a coach, is looking for defense. Lucky for him that defensemen are ranked Nos. 2 through 6 among North American skaters. Zach Bogosian, Drew Doughty, Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn and Alex Pietrangelo represent a mix of size, offense and toughness, all of which the Kings could use.
Dec 24, 4:48 am 25 to Watch at the World Juniors
By LEW SERVISS A year ago, Canada won its third straight gold medal at the World Junior Championship. Before they got to the gold-medal game, they had to get through the United States team in a lengthy shootout. After you watch the video above, you’ll understand why Jonathan Toews, Peter Mueller and Jack Johnson are having such a big impact in the N.H.L. this season. The United States won the W.J.C. in 2004. Canada has won it since and will be gunning for its fourth straight when the games open Dec. 26 in the Czech Republic. The NHL Network will carry the playoff rounds live Jan. 2-6, and we’ll be doing live-game tracking here at Slap Shot. USAHockey.com will be running a live ticker of each U.S. match. You can follow the coverage here by clicking on “World Junior Championship” in the subject cloud at right under “popular tags.” Here are 25 players to keep an eye on in Pardubice and Liberec. Read more…
Slap Shot, the New York Times hockey blog, reports on the Rangers, the National Hockey League and anything that glides quickly across a frozen surface anywhere on the globe, from the snowy prairies of Saskatchewan to the frigid steppes of Russia and beyond, like, say, Phoenix.
July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 Recent Posts Slap Shot’s Content Is On the Move
Thank you for visiting Slap Shot. This blog’s regular features, including live game analysis, reader discussion, news and notes from Jeff Z. Klein and others, can now be found on the Hockey section front. Read more…
Rangers’ First Pick Is One With Ties to the Islanders
With the 65th overall pick, the Rangers chose Adam Tambellini, a 6-foot-2 center whose father and brother each played for the Islanders. Read more…
Devils Work a Trade So They Can Select Brodeur’s Son
The Devils took Anthony Brodeur, an 18-year-old goalie, with the 208th pick of the 211-pick draft, sending their seventh-round pick in 2015 to the Kings in exchange for the chance to pick Brodeur. Read more…
Islanders Make Deal With Wild Before Selecting a Defenseman in the First Round
The Islanders sent Nino Niederreiter to Minnesota for Cal Clutterbuck, and took defenseman Ryan Pulock with the 15th over all pick in Sunday’s N.H.L. draft. Read more…
Rangers Decide to Keep Richards
The Rangers announced Friday that they would not use their remaining compliance buyout this summer, ensuring that Brad Richards will return to the team for at least one more season. Read more…
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« Hit the road - but not liter...
Over the Mountains
Passion fuels South Side cyclist's quest for the finish line July 14, 2013
By JESSICA WELSHANS - Sun-Gazette Correspondent ,
Save | In less than 18 months, 15-year-old Garett Nolan joined USA Cycling, the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, and began to compete in mountain biking. On June 2, the South Williamsport teen took first place in the cross-country category of the junior division for 15- and 16-year-olds at the Bear Creek Mountain Bike Challenge in Macungie. That placement qualified him for the USA Cycling Cross-Country Mountain Bike National Championships, which will be held Thursday through next Sunday at Bear Creek Resort. More than 1,000 riders will compete. "I just love the sport so much and it's a passion of mine. I would rather be out riding than anything else," Garett said. Going into this week's competition, Garett is ranked in second place in the junior division. Family 1st His parents describe him as driven and dedicated and say he became drawn to mountain biking by his father, Mike. But, cycling - whether road or mountain - started as a family activity. His mom, Sue, his dad and his brother, Seth, 20, rode together since Garett was 4 years old. "We just love to ride," Sue said. Garett first got a taste of competitive biking during a road race when he was 13. It was a bit of a surprise for the family when he picked up mountain biking competitively. "He rode with Mike, and they would race just for fun," Sue said. Garett has a local mentor, Devon DeVito, owner and operator of the Bicycle Center, 909 Main St., South Williamsport. "I don't have a coach or anything, but he has been taking me out on trails and helped me with my training," Garett said. DeVito was in Colorado and could not be reached for comment on this story. From vintage to cutting-edge Although Garett only has competed about five times, he has traveled all over the state, from Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Penn State and Wellsboro. Taking his dedication to the next level, Garett mowed grass for close to a year (in a season) and earned enough money to buy a specialized Stump Jumper mountain bike, Sue said. "It's a pretty expensive bike and it has a lot of components on it. It is a race-level bike I just use for racing," Garett said. "When you started riding, you were on that old bike and we showed up at the races and they were like, 'Oh my gosh, that is vintage,' " Sue laughed. Roots and rocks Garett takes his training very seriously. He is out every day riding the Appalachian Mountains that run from Armstrong Township to Sylvan Dell. He puts in an average of 20 to 25 miles a day. "My favorite place is the mountain up off of Skyline Drive," he said. "They are the hardest and toughest; they help me train the most." He said that area is very technical, which means it's congested with lots of tree roots and rocks and is steep. "I pretty much go out and do as many hill climbs as I can do," he said. Climbing is one of Garett's strengths. When he is out training, he does steep inclines with roots and rocks and he has to find a way over them. That doesn't mean he gets off the bike and pushes it. Instead, he stays on and keeps going and doesn't put his feet down. When he's out by himself, he said he does get a tad nervous but he quickly blocks it out. "(I'm) definitely nervous every time. My adrenaline builds up and I just focus on doing what I can do," Garett said. Steep advantage In a competition, the junior division goes last. During a race, the bikers are released by groups, about a minute apart. "He starts out and is the last one to go. He passes the guys who go first, that are five or six minutes (ahead), and the race starts up hill," said his dad, Mike. His dad added that because the mountains are much steeper around here where Garett trains, it gives him an advantage in races. "The hills are not as steep at a race," he said. Missing out He follows a nutritional regimen that DeVito helped him develop so he has enough calories and energy to train and also does strength training. "A week before the race, I will cut my mileage down and (go at a) slower pace because that is what the races are," he said. Garett, who will be in 10th grade this fall at South Williamsport Area High School, also enjoys soccer and basketball. He maintains a 99.3 grade-point average and was selected for the ninth-grade student of the year award. He also is a leader in his church youth group and races homing pigeons, his mom said. His parents have asked him to take a day off of his grueling practice schedule, but Garett is driven to train and become better. "If there is a day I need to take off, I feel like I am just missing something out of my day," he said. "I just like to do it." Save | Subscribe to Williamsport Sun-Gazette Williamsport Weather Forecast, PA
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It's the international break, so...what's up
Stuart Franklin
Please help me, for I am already bored.
Arsenal don't play a match until two Saturdays from now. In the meantime, everyone is free to watch some international football, if that's like, one's thing, man. We'll get open threads up for all of that action in due time, but I thought I'd speculate a bit (the name of the game for any self-respecting football fan, correct?) about what might be happening in the less-full, but still storied, halls of London Colney over the next eight or nine days:
-- Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby are going to team up to try to beat the Halo 4 campaign on legendary difficulty. Word is that Mikel misses the regular battle rifle from Halo 3 and has been struggling with ammo problems on anything above heroic difficulty, which is why he's drafting in Diaby, who, let's face it, has had a lot of time to practice. :(
-- Sebastien Squillaci is perfecting his soufflé technique. Seriously, have you ever tried to bake a freaking soufflé? It's impossible. They always collapse, just like...nah.
-- Vito Mannone is putting on some light opera. The Mikado, in fact. Just like that part of Chariots of Fire.
What other plans do you think Arsenal players who are staying in London have for their time off?
[Ed. note: ugh please save me from no Arsenal]
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English League Football » The Twohundredpercent Pre-Season Previews: Manchester United »
The Twohundredpercent Pre-Season Previews: Manchester United
By Ian on Jul 31, 2011 in English League Football, Latest | 2 comments Seldom, in recent years, has the gap between the Premier League and Champions League titles seemed so great. In the minds of some, Manchester United’s trip to Wembley for the Champions League final against Barcelona should have been a coronation, a celebration of a uniquely long-lasting dynasty that has dominated English football for almost two decades. This, however, was reckoning without a Barcelona side which some have longingly described as one of the greatest club sides of all time, and on that cloudy, wet evening in North London two months ago, Alex Ferguson’s team was swept aside by an opposition at the absolute peak of its powers. Set against such a conclusion to last season, one of the summer’s most tantalising questions became, “Which way now for Manchester United?”
For with the last kick of last season came something of an enforced changing of the guard at Old Trafford. The retirement of Gary Neville came at the end of February, and that was followed by those of Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Saar at the end of last season. It was, therefore, always likely that Manchester United were going to spend considerably during the summer – replacements for that little lot were never going to come cheap, either. The obvious straight swap of the three comes in the form of the arrival at Old Trafford of David de Gea from Atlético Madrid at the end of June was no great surprise. The goalkeeper has been earning glowing reviews for the last year, and £18m seems like money well spent for a player that may solve the club’s first choice goalkeeping question for the next decade or so.
The club’s other acquisitions, those of Phil Jones and Ashley Young from Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa respectively, seem somewhat more oblique, but they again point towards Alex Ferguson looking to the future. Young, at twenty-five years old, should be heading towards the most fruitful years of his career, whilst Jones remains an unpolished diamond which Ferguson has most likely seen the potential in and decided is worth the investment. There are no certainties in the transfer market these days, but these three signings – £50m’s worth, altogether – seem like astute investments which bring a fresh lick of paint to a team which looked as if it could benefit from an injection of fresh blood at times during last season. As such, it seems difficult to imagine this year’s team being anything other than formidable opposition again this time around.
As for Europe, well, Manchester United’s chances of bringing that competition back may well rest eight hundred and sixty miles away in Catalunya. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of Barcelona’s win in the Champions League last season was the relative youth of much of their squad. As such, it is difficult to even claim with much confidence that this team has peaked, and that it will now begin a downward spiral. Even if we disregard every other side in the tournament – as, in all honesty, we could do with considerable ease last season – they remain a daunting prospect on the horizon, and until somebody devises a way to tactically neutralise a way to throw a wet towel over the combination of a strong team ethic with frequent individual magnificence, this situation may well remain unchanged. A pre-season friendly win against Barcelona at the weekend may have lifted spirits, but how much can be taken from such a fixture is open dependent. Psychologically, though, it seems unlikely that it will do the players any harm.
Much of the last two or three years at Old Trafford has been played out against a backdrop of disquiet, but this feels as if it has died away over the last few months. The Green & Gold campaign against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club was always going to be next to worthless unless it was backed by something more substantial, and the overtures made in the direction of the club by The Red Knights were so lacking in substance that they could have been orchestrated by the Glazers themselves. The time to get rid of the Glazers on any terms other than those that will most benefit the family themselves has long passed. The reasons for this are obvious: the club’s financial figures continue to dwarf those of any other club in the Premier League. £100m from match-day income. £104m from the television companies. It is figures such as these which mean that UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations are of little consequence to the club, and if the anger aimed at the Glazer family was transient and has reduced to a murmuring disquiet, then that is a mere bonus to a group of people that demonstrated, if nothing else the thickness of skin of a bull’s hindquarters while the protests were at their peak.
All of this – plus, perhaps, renewed talk of a European Super League – may explain the bullishness of the club’s Chief Executive, David Gill, in recent press interviews. Gill, whose place on the FA’s board may be regarded as an example of the extent to which the English game’s governing body has been usurped by the Premier League, has had a lot to say lately, describing those that have criticised the Glazers as “anti-people” and claiming in a recent book about their championship win, with a channelling of Alex Ferguson’s perpetual bunker mentality that, with regard to Wayne Rooney’s two game suspension for swearing into a television camera against West Ham United in April and the five game touchline ban imposed on Ferguson after his criticism of the referee Martin Atkinson, “I do genuinely believe there have been some poor-ish decisions that, in my opinion, wouldn’t necessarily have hit other clubs”. Whether it appropriate for a member of the FA’s board to be making such comments may be a question that Gill has to answer for to his contemporaries at the FA over the the next few days or weeks.
Manchester United, however, is not David Gill and David Gill is not Manchester United, and even many of the “anti-people” will still be hold the club to their hearts long after he has departed the scene at Old Trafford. One man that will be leaving his current position at Old Trafford in the forseeable future, however, is Alex Ferguson and it is the question of his succession that may prove to be the key to the club’s future in the long-term. Gill states that the club already has a plan in place and it seems unlikely that Ferguson will leave in the next couple of years, but the succession question is one of the few to be hanging over Old Trafford as the season starts. The power and hold that Manchester United holds over those that fall within its gravitational pull was perhaps best personified this summer by Dimitar Berbatov.
The languid Bulgarian striker was frozen out of the club’s Champions League final against Barcelona at the end of last season, but his comments on the subject of why he chose to stay at Old Trafford for next season, “Where can you go? Only down”, speaks volumes about the extent to which the club control the sensibilities of top modern players. Berbatov is thirty years old now, and may be thanking his lucky stars that the club hasn’t purchased any new strikers yet this summer, yet it only seems likely that Berbatov will pay a more and more peripheral role to the team’s fortunes. Yet the fact that Manchester United can continue to retain a player of Berbatov’s rare quality, even though it seems likely that he will spend more and more time on the substitutes in the last year of his contract with the club, speaks volumes about the power of twenty-first century Manchester United.
As such, Manchester United will continue to be the team to beat in the Premier League, and it is difficult – if not impossible – to see beyond the club winning its twentieth league championship next season, and a repeat performance in the latter stages of the Champions League is a near-certainty. If Wesley Sneijder manages to complete a move from Internazionale to Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window they will be even stronger, but whether even this would be enough to match Barcelona consistently remains moot. Still, the prospect of starting the season as favourites to win the Premier League and wondering whether they can go one step further than they did in the Champions League could hardly be described as an underwhelming position from which to start things off. Ultimately, the question that the rest of the Premier League has to ask is that of how it can beat Manchester United to the title next season, and it’s a question without any easy answers. Title number twenty, with all due respect to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, is theirs to lose.
Follow Twohundredpercent on Twitter here. 2 Comments
Will be a great season in EPL with many teams competing. Glory glory Man Utd
Jay canada
July 31, 2011 Ha ha, nice accompanying picture on the home page, and also deliberate, I suspect.
Sean of the Shed
July 31, 2011 Post a Reply Cancel reply
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Sack the FA For The Good of England
Posted on November 28, 2007 by Christopher Harris
In the past week, The Blame Game has been at full force to explain why England didn’t qualify for Euro 2008 and why the future looks bleak. Robert Green blames Playstations. Alan Hansen blames the kids. David Pleat blamed the tactics. And so on and so forth (including many reporters blaming the amount of foreigners in the Premier League who are “ruining the game” and, of course, Steve McClaren for his ineptitude).
But surprisingly little blame has been aimed at the FA (Football Association).
The FA was the one who hired Steve McClaren in the first place.
Before the 2006 World Cup, the FA butchered the whole hiring process and allowed first choice Luiz Scolari to leave.
The FA made a fool of themselves with the building of the new Wembley by being finishing massively over budget and over one year late in completion.
After Sven Goran Eriksson was sacked, the terms of his severance was that the Swede would be paid $13,000 a day until he found a new job.
If the Football Association was a board of directors at a real corporation, they would have been sacked. In fact, the members of the board should have all resigned.
For the FA to still have the same imbeciles in charge is despicable. Sure, we hope they’ll learn from their lessons but England can’t afford any massive mistakes.
The next England manager should be Jose Mourinho. If the FA hasn’t approached him already to discuss terms, they risk losing the opportunity to hire The Special One.
So instead of blaming the tactics, the kids, video games and the foreigners, the blame should be placed on the shoulders of the FA. If the FA had hired the right person for the England job in the first place, none of us would be talking about the decline of English football. Sure, there are deeper problems in the English game, but only a qualified and accountable FA can fix those issues — and the current FA is not the right one to move football forward.
5 Responses to Sack the FA For The Good of England
patrick says: November 28, 2007 at 8:26 am Guy Hellers for England!!!!
Reply Anonymous says: November 28, 2007 at 9:11 am So how exactly do you propose to sack an entire governing body?
Reply The Gaffer says: November 28, 2007 at 10:00 am Put the pressure on them through the press and petitions and convince them to step down.
Cheers,The Gaffer
Reply Tom says: November 28, 2007 at 11:08 am I broadly agree, as well. The F.A.’s handling of the England team has been farcical for as long as I can remember. I would say at the least, Brian Barwick needs to go.
Reply Anonymous says: November 28, 2007 at 12:40 pm If it were not for the FA, England would have won the last 2 World Cups for sure.
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Updated Jan 11, 2013 - 3:54 pm NFL Insider: Andy Reid wanted 'no part of Kevin Kolb'
Originally published: Jan 11, 2013 - 3:40 pm zoom
About 24 hours after the Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt, it was reported, and by some pretty reliable people, that there was a 95% chance Andy Reid would be the team's next head coach. Reid had just been fired by the Philadelphia Eagles after 14 mostly successful seasons, but was looking for another job and the Cardinals seemed like a good fit.
We know how it shook out, however. Reid never made it to Arizona for an interview -- much less a job offer -- and he was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs to run their on-field operation.
Jamie Dukes, a former Cardinal and now an analyst on NFL Network, has a theory on that and shared it Friday with Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 620.
"He's already gone, but I would've grabbed Andy Reid in a second," Dukes said in response to a query on whom he'd hire as head coach if he was the Cardinals' general manager. "And the reason I would've grabbed Andy Reid because I knew one of two things -- he's going to bring Donovan McNabb or Michael Vick with him -- because you've got to do something at quarterback. That's what it all boils down to."
Dukes making reference to the importance of the quarterback position is hardly earth-shattering stuff, but the names he threw out are. Vick lost his job in Philadelphia to rookie Nick Foles partly due to injury, and McNabb didn't suit up for any team in 2012 after a less-than-promising one-season stint in Minnesota.
But the interview got more interesting from there.
"I found it telling also that Andy, while he flirted with the idea of coming to Arizona, he didn't want any part of Kevin Kolb," he said. "What that tells me is that until they solve that quarterback issue, it doesn't matter who they bring in."
Kolb, of course, started his career in Philadelphia under Reid, and eventually became the Eagles' starter. In 2010, he lost the job due to a concussion, and Vick played MVP-caliber football in his absence, leading the Eagles to the playoffs. Following the season, Kolb was dealt to Arizona in a trade that sent Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round draft pick to Philadelphia. listen
Listen: Jamie Dukes, NFL Network Analyst
Dukes made some though-provoking statements on the AZ Cardinals' head coaching search and QB condundrum.
Kolb's time in Arizona has been punctuated with several injuries that have allowed him to play in only 15 of the Cardinals' 32 games over the last two seasons. Despite the litany of ailments that have kept him on the sideline, team president Michael Bidwill showed some support for Kolb at a press conference last week.
"I'm not ready to give up on Kevin Kolb yet," Bidwill said.
Kolb has thrown for 3,124 yards in 15 games as a Cardinal, completing 58.5 percent (255-of-436) of his passes for 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Kolb has four years remaining on his contract, which he signed in July of 2011.
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Remarks by Speaker Sheldon Silver
PACB Decision Press Conference
State Capitol, Albany, NY
Audio Excerpt 1 (42 seconds)
A short time from now, the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) will convene and will decide whether the taxpayers of this State, without the benefit of all the facts, should invest billions of dollars in the current plan put forth for development of the West Side. New Yorkers from border to border have been bombarded with ads and opinions "for" and "against" construction of a stadium worthy of the Olympics.
In truth, New Yorkers are being distracted by the hype. At a time when New Yorkers should be working together in the spirit of patriotic duty to rebuild Ground Zero and revitalize a devastated Lower Manhattan, arguments are being made that pit New Yorkers - one against another - in a highly confusing battle over which part of Manhattan should take precedence when it comes to development and building incentives.
It is imperative that all New Yorkers see this battle for what it truly is.
The resolution that will be put before the PACB this afternoon is not about the Olympics.
The Olympic Games are being used in an attempt to force the PACB into approving a multi-billion-dollar project that includes:
A one-billion-dollar taxpayer subsidy for a stadium;
24 million square feet of commercial office space;
And a two-billion-dollar rail line.
The 2012 Summer Games are being used as a shield to hide another goal: to shift the financial and business capital of the world out of Lower Manhattan and over to the West Side. With the promise of jobs and prosperity, too many New Yorkers have fallen for the relentless and hysterical warnings that we will lose out on our bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics unless - blindly and wholeheartedly - we commit to building this stadium, and this particular stadium only!
Yet, the I.O.C.'s own report - issued this morning - does not specifically say that we must commit to building this stadium today.
Considering the challenges already facing the City and the State of New York, this plan, at best, is premature.
Remember what happened at Ground Zero. Go back and read all of the defiant rhetoric about how we were going to rebuild Lower Manhattan bigger and better as a message to the terrorists. Look at that site, consider today's vote, and ask yourselves what is that message now? Ask the Governor, ask the Mayor, how they justify building 24 million square feet of commercial office space on the West Side; how they justify the extensive incentives they are providing in the attempt to attract businesses there in competition with Lower Manhattan. Developing the West Side and ignoring Lower Manhattan: this is what the PACB vote is really about.
Again, this is not about the Olympics.
For me, this fight is about restoring New York City's soul. It's about honoring the sacrifices made on September Eleventh.
It's about a moral obligation each and every one of us committed to when we saw those towers go down.
For me, it's about lifting my community, my hometown, my constituents from a kind of devastation never before experienced in the United States of America.
Am I supposed to sell out the community I have fought for and represented for more than a quarter of a century?
Am I supposed to turn my back on Lower Manhattan as it struggles to recover? For what? A stadium? For the hope of bringing the Olympics to New York City?
And to those who say, "what about the jobs," let me point out that the Mayor and the Governor have had almost four years to establish a construction schedule for Lower Manhattan.
If they would simply honor the commitments they made in the aftermath of the attacks; if they would make rebuilding Lower Manhattan the top priority it ought to be, there would be more jobs than could be filled with the available construction workers.
As for the Olympics, I tell you this now as I have assured you before, if New York City is selected the "Host City" for the 2012 Summer Olympics, I will do everything needed to ensure that the "New York Games" are the finest ever, and that we gain the maximum economic benefit for the taxpayers of the State of New York.
Please keep in mind that the "Summer Games" are still seven years away.
Time is on our side.
Time, however,- is not on the side of our school children.
Let's not forget, they too, are participants in a global competition; a far more important competition. Even though our school children won in court, they are still not receiving the educational resources needed to take "the gold" in the worldwide marathon for the jobs of the future.
Time is not on Lower Manhattan's side.
The Lower Manhattan economy, which lost 13.4 million square feet of office space, lost more than $10.8 billion in wages, and is still missing more than 67,000 jobs, and it continues to falter.
As the business and financial capital of the world, we too, are engaged in an international competition to maintain America's economic supremacy.
And speaking of time, can any responsible New Yorker say with sincerity that we should put off the repairs to - and expansion of - our mass transit system?
Our ability to carry workers and move goods by way of a safe, efficient transportation infrastructure is critical to the economy of Metropolitan New York.
The question is not whether New York City should host the Olympics.
The question is not whether New York City should host a Super Bowl or eight Jet home games every season.
The question is, what do we address first, our moral obligations or our ambitions?
Considering our constitutional obligation to provide each and every child with a sound, basic education, our moral obligation to rebuild and revitalize Lower Manhattan, and our public obligation to provide a safe, affordable and efficient mass transit system, I cannot in good conscience cast my vote in support of the proposal before us today.
Let there be no question: I'm not suggesting that West Side development should never happen.
Neither am I opposed to construction of a stadium in New York City, so long as we're addressing our current obligations.
Any project that creates jobs and strengthens New York without unduly and unfairly burdening the taxpayers is a project I support so long as New Yorkers know the truth.
My record as a public servant proves that, just as it proves undeniably my commitment to New York City.
If the Mayor and the Governor are going to provide impassioned leadership; if they are going to invest our scarce resources in the future of our City and our State, then I believe New Yorkers are best served when we honor our duties and our obligations first.
If the Olympics are that important to us, I suggest that we wholeheartedly embrace the Olympic spirit.
Remember the Olympic motto: CITIUS � ALTIUS � FORTIUS. In English that means: FASTER � HIGHER � STRONGER; the same words that were promised to Lower Manhattan nearly four years ago.
Let the true Olympic spirit guide us, both in the honoring of our duties and in the pursuit of our ambitions. Then, we will have done the job we were elected to do, and the triumph will belong to all New Yorkers.
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A's Game Recaps
Game #96: Group Recap and Other Things We Watched During Miserable A's Game
By baseballgirl
Well, so much for waiting five days for baseball. The A's simply forgot to show up tonight, so we can hope they will get off Splash Mountain and actually come to the park tomorrow and Sunday. The Angels take this one by the score of 4-1, and we should probably pretend this game never happened.
Tonight's game started off on the most ominous of notes; the A's left fielder made a running catch with two on in the first inning and even though all four sets of announcers (A's radio/TV, Angels radio/TV) praised Yoenis Cespedes, Cespedes looked a whole lot like Chris Young out in left. That's because Cespedes was scratched late; as late as possible without actually starting the game. Young replaced him and no one noticed, until the ball was hit to left. Something about a sore wrist.Then the panic started, and never really subsided. The A's played the lousiest of games, with the notable exception of incredible defense by Eric Sogard (who also had two of the A's hits), and one amazing play by Josh Donaldson, following his error, that at the time, saved two runs, but would ultimately be difference between a three run loss, or a five run loss. The A's offense didn't show up to this game. Period. This team may be solidly in first place, as the Rangers lost again, but they sure aren't scoring.
Because I was utterly bored by our reintroduction to baseball tonight and it's a Friday night drinking thread, I had the game thread commenters write the recap tonight, while I listened to Pentatonix perform the Wizard of Ahhhs. Then I watched clips of Major League, which coincidentally, before they got good, played a lot like the A's did tonight. Also, we still hate facing Jered Weaver.
Here's what happened:
Berry Jo: We should write it for you.pam5981: crowdsourced recap...Billy Frijoles:that's gonna work greatpam5981: Paragraph 1: WE LEARNED THE SARCHASM FONT.Berry Jo: Paragraph 2: We swore at the umps and the Angel's playerspam5981 Paragraph 3: Baseballgirl got drunk off whipped cream vodka.Berry Jo: Paragraph 4: AN Game thread was more entertaining than the game itselfmrod: “Colon should have started this game!!!!!!!”pam5981: If we give the HR Derby title back, can we haz nice things?zaniac75 : Still in first placeTutu-late: The game sucked....so we had a keyboard roundtable.tc.athletics.91: The A's took an extended leave for the All-Star break. Real baseball will be back in action tomorrow.drink409: While the A's played ball in Anaheim, the A's offense continued to enjoy the All Star break.themacgeek: A's Defense decides not to play the first inning?drink409: While the A's offense skipped class today, a truancy officer caught the A's Defense shortly after the 1st inning & returned them to the game.Juicy_Couture_39: At the end of the day, they'll still be Slegna.ResopRock: Now's the time when we load the bases, Yo shows up with hot young woman, small child and lovable scamp of a dog to the game. He gets a bat and hits a grand slam winning it for the A's despite neither scoring more runs than the Angels nor it being a walkoff situationbta47: DIDN'T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!! DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!DIDN’T GET SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!And there you have it. The A's had 7 hits. Jaso was picked off first base with the A's best hitter up and two one and somehow wasn't replaced until the eighth inning. The A's threw up a decent teAse in the ninth, knocking Jepson out of the game, and scoring a run, but would finally succumb to Frieri. Sonny Gray threw two nearly perfect innings, and I think that's all anyone really wants to say about the game tonight. But the game threads were fun. Thanks, everyone! And for saving me a two hour each way drive to Anaheim to see one of the A's worst games of the year.
The Angels pull to 10 games behind the A's, and with Texas' loss, the A's lose no ground there. The A's try their hand against crowd-favorite C.J. Wilson tomorrow night. Wilson vs. Dan Straily. See you tomorrow at 6; hopefully with a better game.
Game #96: Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels
Game Thread #96: Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels (5)
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Investing in the Sport
By dpk875
@TheRealDPK
Back in 1980 there were 9 baseball players signed out of the Dominican Republic for an average of about $1200 per player. Now over 300 players a year get signed, with the best commanding Million dollar paydays while still 16 or 17 years old. Dominican players make up over 10% of the MLB roster, and 25% of the minor league rosters. There has yet to be a single MLB player from the country they share a border with, Haiti. Why? A commitment to scouting, developing, and a level of economic desperation to get out of a dirt poor country are a few answers. Starting in the early 1980's MLB teams began opening baseball academies where they could identify and train the best talent from an early age. Many of these academies have evolved from poor, run down facilities into modern complexes that would fit in with the spring training complexes used by major league teams. All along teams have fought to keep the MLB draft out of the Dominican so that each team does not risk losing on their investments to other teams
But this is an MMA site, so why should anyone care about baseball players from the Dominican Republic? It comes back to the growth of the sport, and expanding into countries without a strong MMA base and tradition. The first three that come to mind are China, India and Mexico.
UFC makes no effort to hide the fact that they want in on the sports market in the two most populated countries in the world. The Mexican, and Mexican-American communities have supported numerous boxers, and UFC would love to get some more talent on the roster in an attempt to gain some traction in this market. To this point they have been hindered by a couple of things, Lack of a major TV deal (which they are working on), and a complete lack of UFC level talent at any weight class coming out of the countries (Currently 2 x Chinese Fighters, and 1 x Mexican Born fighter on the UFC roster). The training camps, and regional fight scene infrastructure is just not there.
I think it would be in the UFC's best interest to use it's connections, and financial influence to improve the training and development infrastructure in some of these new markets. Some options that they have are
1.) Sponsor fight team partnerships. Work with Greg Jackson, Grudge, Rufus Sport, AKA, ATT, AMA, AllianceMMA, Alpha Male, Renzo Gracie, Serra-Longo, Tri-Star, Nova Uniao, etc... to develop working relationships with teams in these countries. A regular series of in-depth seminars, fighter, and trainer exchanges for a month or two at a time so that it really can mean something. UFC brought a handful of fighters from China back to Las Vegas to train for a month last year... why not expand this program, and formalize it with some of these top teams. 2.) Sponsor BJJ Black Belt, Muay Thai fighters, and Wrestlers to work in these gyms (Think of Jake Butler and how he found himself a job at EvolveMMA). Make sure these gyms have well rounded classes being offered.
- As far as the wrestling is concerned, this could be done in conjunction with the save Olympic Wrestling Campaign... why just try to save the sport, but try to expand it. Getting more kids onto a wrestling mat, will eventually get more kids into a MMA fight.
- Once the BJJ, Muay Thai, and Wrestling classes are established, UFC can work with the schools to hold competitions for each discipline, and Amateur MMA between their sponsored schools.
3.) Offer some money to these gyms so that they can keep their prices low, or even free for some students. Parts of India, China, Mexico, and many of the other targeted countries are depressingly poor... yet when you look at the Baseball model in the Dominican many of the players have a strong desire to improve their lives through sports. It also has shown through with some of the MMA fighters from Brazil (Palhares, and Aldo come to mind).
4.) For some gyms making a commitment might be just providing a TV, DVD player, and then DVD's of all the UFC, Pride, and Strikeforce fights. Jon Jones has talked about watching fights, and martial arts stuff on YouTube and then mimicking the moves in the mirror... why not use the extensive Zuffa video library to inspire a next generation that may not be able to watch on a regular basis.
5.) Work with regional promotions such as RFA, King of the Cage, Jungle Fights and Ring of Combat to identify top fighters from these countries and fly them in to compete at these shows for a step up in competition. It also never hurts to find out a guy might have issues with his Visa application before he is on a UFC poster.
6.) More and more quality, well rounded Mixed Martial Artist retiring on a monthly basis these days than ever before... where do they go for their next job? Not everyone can announce for UFC like Florian, and Sonnen or own their own gym. I think of guys like Keith Jardine, Jason MacDonald, Miguel Torres, Mark Hominick, Tim Credeur, Eric Schafer, Kyle Kingsbury, and Joe Stevenson who have a ton of skill and knowledge to pass on, but haven't made enough to retire for life off the sport (I know that a few of those guys have their own gyms... just throwing them in there as the type of fighter who could be approached). Maybe they would take advantage of a steady salary provided by UFC to go live in a foreign country for 3-6 months at a time and work with some of these teams while at the same time being UFC's eyes and ears on the ground for promising prospects.
The risk that UFC runs is that they will potentially be stealing title shots, and belts away from fighters from their proven markets in the North America, and Brazil. But on the other hand, if they hit it big with a handful of fighters from India, and China then they can break into two countries that have almost 1/3 of the world's population combined.
I think UFC really can make a decision on how quickly they want results, and contenders from these key markets. Countries traditionally rally behind their successful countrymen in sports, especially combat sports. Does UFC want to let MMA take it's natural course, or speed up the process. Do they want to wake up five years from now, and see Indian, and Chinese MMA at a level of where Irish MMA is now... where they are just starting to make in roads to the UFC? Or do they want to push the issue, and see more talented, skilled, and well-rounded fighters from the massive, and traditionally lucrative markets coming into the UFC in 2-4 years.
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Judges sway the jury, again, in mock trial tournamentBrandeis Mock Trial Association advances to next round of competition in what club members hope will be a return to the national championship March 1, 2009FacebookTwitterPrintEmailShare
In just its eighth year of existence, the Brandeis Mock Trial Association (BUMTA) has set the bar pretty high when it comes to success. After advancing to The American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) National Championship for the first time last year, the club has taken the first step in what members hope will be a return trip to the top this year. Last month, the BUMTA finished second in an AMTA regional tournament. They now move on to the next round of regional competition March 13-15 in Easton, Pa.
BrandeisNOW talked with BUMTA President Corey Pilz ’09 and Executive Competition Coordinator Julia Simon-Mishel '09 about the Judges winning ways.
BrandeisNOW: What makes the BUMTA so successful?
Corey Pilz ’09: I think it’s really how close we are as a club. Two or three years ago, we weren’t really a cohesive club. Everyone was just put on a team and then they went off. But in the past two years, we’ve really tried to stress a club-oriented atmosphere. Even though we’re on four separate teams, we all help each other out. We do these things called “mock mocks,” which is a mock, mock trial and we basically compete against each other as a club and it’s also a really nice atmosphere if you don’t understand how to do this, because either someone else can help you out or give you a different approach. We really promote a club-oriented atmosphere.
BrandeisNOW: How does mock trial work and how do you prepare?
Julia Simon-Mishel ‘09: At the beginning of each year, the national association gives us a case packet. This year we have a civil case. It’s a defamation claim so each team has a plaintiff side they’re preparing and a defense side they’re preparing. When we go to competition, our plaintiff side will play a defense side from another team, and in the next round we’ll be defense and they’ll be plaintiff. There are four rounds, twice on each side. In each round, each team will provide three witnesses and three attorneys. We practice in those attorney-witness pairs because every part of a trial has direct examinations. It’s also important to meet as a team constantly so everyone is on the same page, from directs, crosses, openings and closings, so that we’re always giving each other feedback.
BrandeisNOW: Tell us about the most recent tournament at Roger Williams.
CP: The recent tournament at Roger Williams was one of our two regional tournaments. In the American Mock Trial Association, you compete in a regional tournament and if you qualify in the top eight, you advance to the open regional championships tournament and then to nationals. At Roger Williams, we had our two teams – “A” and “B” teams – competing in regionals. We placed second in the tournament, which was phenomenal, especially because it was a really tough competition.
JSM: The A team placed second with a record of seven and one. That means they lost one ballot. In each round, there are two judges who are scoring and there are two ballots and your record is determined by how many ballots you won. So we won seven ballots and we lost one.
BrandeisNOW: How does that stack up to what the club has accomplished in the past?
JSM: This is the first time that a Brandeis team has gone to regionals and gotten more than six ballots. Last year we qualified for the first time directly to the national championships with two teams going six and two. This is the first time we’ve had a team go more than six and two, so that’s a great improvement. We’ve definitely improved a lot over the years and we’re probably more competitive this year than we’ve ever been.
BrandeisNOW: So you have the open regional tournament next?
CP: Yes, the open round championship series. It’s March 13 – 15 and it’s going to be in Pennsylvania at Lafayette College. We will be sending two teams, which is the maximum amount of teams you can send. There will be 24 teams there. If we qualify in the top six, we will go on to the national championship tournament in Iowa.
BrandeisNOW: How did you do last year in the national championship?
CP: We were one of only eight schools in the country to send two teams to nationals, but it was our first time there and we didn’t do so hot. But just being there and experiencing it was really, really beneficial for the club.
JSM: It was the first time anyone in our club had seen that level of competition, so it was definitely a new experience. We learned a lot from last year and we purposely went to Iowa for a tournament in November, because one of the things you learn in mock trial is that the style and what the judges expect is very different in different parts of the country, and we as a northeast team was not as prepared to compete in the Midwest last year. We wanted to have a preview of what they will be looking for come time for the national championship.
BrandeisNOW: You’re both seniors. What do you hope to accomplish in your final year as a part of the club?
CP: My biggest hope is that we keep doing what we’ve been doing for the past year, and that’s just good mock trial. That’s all we can ask for. This year we have competed so many weekends. We’ve done about eight invitational tournaments throughout the year. So if we just go in there and keep doing what we’ve been doing that’s all we can really ask for at this point.
BrandeisNOW: How can people get involved in the club?
JSM: At the beginning of each academic year, we have a table at the activity fair, and then we have an open meeting where we hand out applications. In order to be a competitive member of the mock trial and to compete in tournaments, you have to audition for a team. The e-board puts together teams in order to give people the most experience and mix old people with new people, and then at some point during the year we stack to make a competitive team.
CP: We also do a lot of legal-related workshops throughout the year, as well as public speaking workshops and acting workshops, which are open to everyone too.Return to the BrandeisNOW homepage
Media ContactMax Pearlstein781-736-4206 or maxp@brandeis.eduMarsha MacEachern781-736-4203 or marsham@brandeis.eduFeatured StoriesMusicians rock at audiovisual integration Art of all styles, sounds and forms coming to campusA new dimension in understanding ciliaBrowse by CategoryAlumniArtsAthleticsBusinessGeneralHumanities and Social SciencesInternational AffairsResearchScience and TechnologyStudent Life
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... NCAA Final Four: Michigan tops Syracuse, will play for title
ATLANTA — Don't call these guys the Fab Five. Michigan's latest group of young stars is determined to leave its own legacy. Attacking Syracuse's suffocating zone defense in the first half with 3-pointers, crisp passing and a fearless attitude, the Wolverines advanced to the national championship game with a 61-56 victory over the Orange in the Final Four on Saturday night.
ATLANTA — Don't call these guys the Fab Five.Michigan's latest group of young stars is determined to leave its own legacy.Attacking Syracuse's suffocating zone defense in the first half with 3-pointers, crisp passing and a fearless attitude, the Wolverines advanced to the national championship game with a 61-56 victory over the Orange in the Final Four on Saturday night.Michigan (31-7) will be going for its first national title since 1989 when it faces Louisville on Monday at the Georgia Dome. Syracuse (30-10) failed to complete an all-Big East final in the fabled league's last season before breaking up.Louisville was established as a 4½-point title game favorite.Don't expect that to bother the brash young Wolverines a bit.Even though the Wolverines got sloppy in the second half they hung on at the end, winning despite a tough night for Associated Press player of the year Trey Burke. He scored only seven points. Trailing 58-56, the Orange had a chance to force overtime. But Brandon Triche was called for a foul when Jordan Morgan stepped in to take the charge with 19.2 seconds left."Jordan is our best charge-taker," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "He stood in there and took a good one."After Jon Horford made only one of two free throws, Syracuse called timeout and set up a play. Curiously, the Orange didn't attempt a tying 3-pointer. Instead, Trevor Cooney drove the lane looking to put up an easier shot. But the ball was swatted away, Michigan saved it from going out of bounds and Morgan wound up taking a long pass the other way.He threw down a thunderous slam with just over a second remaining to cap the triumph.Triche blamed himself for driving the ball recklessly into the lane when Syracuse had a chance to tie it."I was just trying to make a play for the team," he said. "I probably should have made a better decision, probably should have pulled up for the jump shot. ... I did see him, but I figured, I was already in the air jumping."With Burke struggling (he made only one shot from the field all night), Michigan got an unexpected contribution off the bench from freshmen Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht.LeVert scored eight points and Albrecht chipped in with six — all of them crucial after the Wolverines went cold in the second half and struggled to put away the Orange. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Wolverines with 13 points.Page 2 of 3 - "We had a lot of guys in there," Beilein said. "You never know who the outlier is, you never know who's going to come in and get that done. We've been a team all year. It was great."Of course, there's nothing unusual about Michigan getting big performances from first-year players. This team starts three freshmen — Glenn Robinson III, Mitch McGary and Nik Stauskas — which, of course, rekindles memories of the great Fab Five teams of the early 1990s.These kids want nothing to do with the comparisons, saying they haven't done nearly enough to be mentioned in the same breath with a team that changed the face of college basketball. Louisville 72, Wichita State 68 Louisville's ugliest win was its biggest one yet.Luke Hancock came off the bench to score 20 points, walk-on Tim Henderson sparked a second-half rally with a pair of monster 3s and Louisville advanced to the NCAA title game Saturday night, escaping with a 72-68 victory over Wichita State."I just kept telling the guys ... 'We're going to make a run. It's about defense,'" coach Rick Pitino said. "Give them their credit, but the bench won the game for us tonight."And now the Cardinals (34-5) will try and win it all for their emotional leader on the bench, injured Kevin Ware. As the final buzzer sounded, Ware stood up, grinning as he thrust his arms above his head.Louisville will play the winner of Syracuse-Michigan for the national title Monday night. It is the Cardinals' first trip to the title game since they won it all in 1986.Russ Smith led the Cardinals with 21 points, and Chane Behanan added 10. Cleanthony Early had 24 for the ninth-seeded Shockers (30-9), who nearly pulled off their biggest upset of all. Wichita State had knocked off No. 1 seed Gonzaga and Ohio State on its way to its first Final Four since 1965, and it had a 12-point lead on the Cardinals with 13:35 to play. It was the largest deficit all tournament for the Cardinals, who seemed out of sorts after an emotional week following Ware's gruesome injury.But Louisville had come back to win five games after trailing by nine points or more already this year, including rallying from a 16-point deficit in the title game at the Big East tournament.This one trumped them all."They were unbelievable the entire team with their defensive intensity," Hancock said. "We had to just come out and execute on offense, especially in the second half we had to pick it."Henderson, the walk-on who was forced into increased playing time because of Ware's injury, made back-to-back 3s to spark a 21-8 run. While Hancock and Behanan were knocking down shots, Smith and Peyton Siva were turning up the heat on the Shockers.Page 3 of 3 - After going more than 26 minutes without a turnover, Siva darted in to strip the ball away from Carl Hall. He fed Hancock, who drilled a 3 that gave Louisville a 56-55 lead, its first since the end of the first half."Down the stretch, we were just loose with the ball, we just didn't take care of it, pretty much," Wichita State's Malcolm Armstead said. "I can't give you an explanation — it just happened."Early would give the Shockers one more lead, converting a three-point play. But Siva scored and then Smith stole the ball and took it in for an easy layup that gave Louisville a 60-58 lead with 4:47 left. Louisville fans erupted, and even Ware was on his feet, throwing up his arms and clapping. The Cardinals extended the lead to 65-60 on a tip-in of a Smith miss and another 3 by Hancock.Wichita State had one last chance, pulling within 68-66 on Early's tip in with 22 seconds left. But the Shockers were forced to foul, and Smith and Hancock made their free throws to seal the victory."It's just a mix of emotions, of feelings. It hurts to have to lose and be the end of the season," Early said. "But these guys fought to the end, and we had a great season and keep our heads high and know the grind doesn't stop."The Cardinals were the overall No. 1 seed in the tournament, and they steamrolled their way through their first four games, winning by an average of almost 22 points. They limited opponents to 59 points and 42 percent shooting while harassing them into almost 18 turnovers a game, setting an NCAA tourney record with 20 steals against North Carolina A&T.The presence of Ware was supposed to provide even more motivation for Louisville, which already had some unfinished business after losing to Kentucky in last year's Final Four. Ware's tibia snapped and broke through the skin during last weekend's Midwest Regional final. Yet he's here in Atlanta, his hometown, and was sitting on a chair at the end of the Louisville bench, his right leg propped up on towels.The Cardinals have modified their warm-up T-shirts in Ware's honor — they now read "Ri5e to the Occasion," with Ware's No. 5 on the back — and every one of the starters went to shake his hand after being introduced.But whether it was the emotional roller-coaster of the last week, the expectations or just Wichita State, the Cardinals seemed out of sorts much of the night.Wichita State may not have the names or pedigree of a Louisville, Syracuse or Michigan. But what the Shockers lacked in star power they more than made up for in hustle and heart. This, after all, was a team with one player (Carl Hall) who salvaged his career after working in a light bulb factory and two more (Ron Baker and Malcolm Armstead) who paid their own ways in their first years.
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Roswell next in line as Etowah bids to stay spotless
September 27, 2013 12:51 AM | 1218 views | 0 | 7 | | As Roswell visits Towne Lake tonight, John Oliver and his Etowah teammates will be aiming for their fifth straight win to begin the season — which would surpass their entire win total from 2012.
Staff photo by Samantha M. Shal
This may be the first time since 2008 that Etowah’s started the season 4-0, but it isn’t the first time for many of the Eagles to know what it feels like to be a part of a winning team.In his second season at Etowah, Dave Svehla is seeing a measure of the success he found at some of his previous coaching stops in Illinois and Nebraska, where he led teams to the state playoffs eight times. That isn’t to say Etowah is playoff-bound yet, but it’s certainly a nice change from the 2-2 mark it stood at this point last season, or even the 4-6 finish it posted. After beating Wheeler in last week’s Region 5AAAAAA opener, Svehla said he hadn’t realized that his team had already equaled its win total from 2012. “I know that last year was a disappointment,” Svehla said. “But last year is over. We still have got a lot of things that we want to get better at. It really, truly, is a journey from week to week to week.”Svehla isn’t the only one at Etowah who knows what it’s like to win.Quarterback John Oliver, running back Brandon Engle, defensive back Ben Rowell and linebackers James Arnold and Preston White have a history of winning together. In fact, for many of the players, the 2012 season was the first losing season they had been a part of since they started playing together as 8-year-olds.“We are used to winning,” Oliver said. “We never had a losing season before.”Looking for their fifth straight win, the Eagles will host Roswell, which is coming off a lopsided loss to archrival Milton, tonight at Eagle Stadium. The Hornets (2-2, 0-1) might be in the lower half of the region standings, but that doesn’t make them any easier to prepare for.In wins over Centennial and Johns Creek, the Roswell offense was on fire, putting up an average of 40 points. But in losses to Lambert and Milton, the Hornets scored just nine and three points, respectively. Tonight’s game could very well depend on which Roswell team comes to play.Quarterbacks James Whitaker and Matt Cory split time on the field, while there are a host of running backs, including Mechane Slade, Kendrick Jackson and Sheldon Evans, who take turns with the ball. In many ways, Etowah will be preparing for Roswell much the way it did for Wheeler last week. “There is always an element of unknown when you play teams with athletes,” Svehla said. “It’s not easy on us when we had to prepare for Wheeler and then turn around and prepare for Roswell (this) week.”The Eagles were able to contain the Wheeler playmakers last week, aside from a pair of long touchdown passes, and come away with the victory. Similar success against Roswell would put Etowah in a nice position when it takes on Milton next week. However, the Eagles aren’t counting their chickens before they hatch.“We are taking it one game at a time,” Svehla said. “It’s no good getting ahead of ourselves.”
Woodstock, Cherokee boys strong at region track meet
Eagles join logjam atop region standings
Etowah girls set squarely as county’s lacrosse elite
Cherokee, Etowah, Woodstock have work to do in region meet
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Ard, Hubbard will kick the leather for Lady Bulldogs
SARALYN NORKUS, Sports Writer
Jan 17, 2013 | 734 views | 0 | 6 | | Bradley Bearettes Mikala Ard and Alexia Hubbard have officially committed to play soccer for Tennessee Wesleyan College next fall.
Bradley Central High School seniors Mikala Ard and Alexia Hubbard will be making the transition from Bearettes to Lady Bulldogs this coming fall.Ard and Hubbard have officially committed to play soccer for Tennessee Wesleyan College, under the direction of head coach Naomi Clarke. “I think they’re both going to battle for playing time straight away as freshman. We’ve got a good team and a solid group of players. They’re not going to step in and win a spot automatically. I think they’ve got the ability to get good playing time as freshman.” Clarke said of her recruit’s promising capabilities. Both girls are equally excited to have the chance to play for the Lady Bulldogs, with Ard having had TWC in her sights for over a year now.“They had been an option since my junior year. I went to a camp up there and I really loved it. It’s just a perfect fit really,” Ard explained.For Hubbard, the chance to play collegiate soccer and still remain to home were two of the perks of TWC.“It’s exciting to play the sport I love in college,” Hubbard stated. “It’s a good school, has a good soccer program, and its kind of close to home which I love.”Bearette head coach Tiffany Walker is proud of her two seniors and also likes the fact that she will be able to see them play in the future.“These are my first two players as a coach going to go play anywhere. I’m really, really proud of them, it’s a huge accomplishment,” Walker proudly said at the signing. “I think it’s a really good fit for them. It’s nice that it’s local too, so getting the chance to go back and see them play will be exciting.”Ard was the first Bearette to catch coach Clarke’s attention, as she was impressed with her good reaction time and natural ability. Hubbard would go on to tryout later, and Clarke immediately made her an offer to play at the collegiate level.According to Clarke, the Lady Bulldogs are coming off a couple good seasons, having finished second in their conference the last two years and winning it all the year before. Despite an overtime loss at this year’s conference final, Clarke is looking forward to being in the top of the conference again. “I think we have a great recruiting class, these two plus seven others that have committed and signed right now,” Clarke said of this year’s recruiting class. “We’re going to have a really strong team, one of the strongest teams we’ve had.”
Lady Flames settle for second in Championship
From Lee Sports Information
Lady Colts passing hoops coaching torch
Former Lady ’Stang returning to coach
First lady Crissy Haslam establishes new field trip program for Tennessee students
Kevin Brooks and Eric Watson
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» BACK TO CRASH.NET Crash.Net F1 News Webber seeks smooth weekend in Sao Paulo 22 November 2012 Mark Webber has spoken for the entire Red Bull Racing team when he suggested that a problem-free weekend is needed at the Brazilian Grand Prix.The Australian has no personal reason to require a smooth passage other than his desire to add to the nine career wins he has racked up, but knows that recent woes in the Red Bull camp could still derail the team's bid for a championship double.Webber's retirement in the US Grand Prix could not prevent RBR racking up a third straight constructors' crown with one race remaining, but the source of his DNF – an alternator failure – casts a pall over this weekend's action, the same part having already sidelined individual championship leader Sebastian Vettel twice in 2012.Vettel, who seized control of the title race by going on a winning spree once the schedule hit it's end-of-season 'flyaway' races, heads to Sao Paulo with a 13-point cushion over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, but the combination of reliability worries and concerns about the Brazilian weather means that the destiny of the championship will remain in doubt for some time yet.“Brazil is a great way to finish the year,” admitted Webber, who many felt was allowed to win last year's race by a spurious glitch on Vettel's car, “It's one of my most favourite weekends because of the history with the drivers they've had.“Senna, Piquet and Fittipaldi, these guys did a huge amount for the sport, and Interlagos is a legendary circuit - it's got a great atmosphere, there's always been a bit of drama and there is always a bit of weather floating around.“It's a grand prix that I have done well at in the past, and it would be good to have a smooth weekend with no issues, a clean start and the car running smoothly for the whole weekend. Then I'm sure we can finish the season very strongly.”Vettel avoided talking about the championship battle as Red Bull issued its usual bland preview to the event, preferring to discuss the particular challenges of racing at Interlagos.“At Interlagos, you have a combination of passionate fans, driving anti-clockwise, bad bumps and extreme altitude,” he reflected, “The thin air makes it tough for the engine, because São Paulo is located 1000m above sea level, so it costs us about 40hp. The long left turns put an extreme burden on our neck muscles, because of the centrifugal forces that are created from driving anti-clockwise, so I'm doing special workouts to build up my neck muscles and get them used to it.”Perhaps aptly for the heights it is hoping to achieve this weekend, RBR will carry the colours of high-definition satellite TV provider SKY for the third year running in Brazil. The partnership has seen great success in the previous two years, with the team achieving a 1-2 finish at both the 2010 and 2011 races. SKY logos will feature on the bargeboards of the RB8, as well as on the drivers' overalls and team race shirts. » BACK TO CRASH.NET
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Ward eager to keep U's squad together (From Essex County Standard)
Ward eager to keep U's squad together
9:33am Monday 30th April 2012 in Sport
By Jonathan Waldron
Final flourish - Colchester United's players celebrate their third goal in the 4-2 win over Tranmere Rovers. Picture: STEVE BRADING (CO56242-35)
Colchester United manager John Ward led his side to victory in their final home game – and then reiterated his
desire to keep his squad together for next season.
The U’s signed off their campaign at the Weston Homes Community Stadium with a well-deserved 4-2 win over Tranmere Rovers.
With a number of Colchester players out of contract this summer, some of the current squad may have played their final game in front of the U’s faithful.
However, Ward wants to keep his team together and build on what looks likely to be a third successive top-ten finish, in League One.
Ward said: “We’ve finished in a top-ten place in the last two seasons and we want to do it again this season.
“You’re going to be a tough taskmaster if you want more than that but I do want a bit more than that – of course I do.
“I want to keep this group together if I can.
“There’s going to be changes here this summer but I’ve not had any problems with any of my players.
“The way that they have gone about it and their attitude has been brilliant and if they do get a move to a higher level, I’ll be the first to congratulate them.
“If they want to stay here, I’ll be the first to congratulate them on that, too.
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Brophy on Leafs: Burke has only just begun
Thread: Brophy on Leafs: Burke has only just begun
kbooks
PITTSBURGH -- Brian Burke said changes were coming and he stuck to his word.
Just hours after the 2012 NHL entry draft was completed with Toronto picking six prospects, none of whom will help them next season, Burke pulled the trigger on the long-awaited James van Riemsdyk deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.
In exchange for the 23-year-old left winger from Middletown, NJ, the Leafs sent 22-year-old Saskatoon, SK, native Luke Schenn to the Flyers. Schenn has four years of NHL experience while van Riemsdyk has played three years in the league.
The trade comes exactly one year after Schenn�s brother Brayden was traded to Philadelphia by the Los Angeles Kings.
This is a trade that has been talked about for more than a year and it was pretty obvious watching Burke and Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren�s constant chatter during the second day of the draft something was cooking between the two teams.
For the Leafs it begins to answer their desire to get bigger and more skilled up front while the Flyers get a solid, but still learning defender who plays the game with physicality. Van Riemsdyk -- also known as JVR -- had 11 goals and 24 points in 43 games last season. In 2010-11, van Riemsdyk, who was chosen second overall in 2007, had seven goals in 11 playoff games for the Flyers.
In a statement sent to the media, Burke said: "We are really excited by the parts of the game that James will bring to the Leafs. He will provide speed, size and finesse to our top two lines and we know that he fits those needs that we have wanted to address for some time."
Van Rymsdyk is a highly skilled player who, at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, makes the Leafs bigger and better up front. He was thrilled to get the news.
He said he was prepared for the deal because of all the rumours over the past year and added he knows a number of Leafs players including Jake Gardiner, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak and Matt Frattin.
"Obviously I heard a lot of stuff over the last year so it�s not like I was blindsided by the trade," he told sportsnet.ca. "I am really excited by this opportunity. I have learned a lot over the past few years about how to play the game at this level and also about how to prepare myself off the ice.
"I see myself as a solid two-way player and I�m just looking forward to doing whatever I can to help make Toronto into a winning team."
Schenn is a player who, after four seasons, might not have developed as quickly as some may have liked, but still has great potential to be a top-four shutdown defenceman down the road. He is big at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds and doesn�t shy away from the rough going.
The Maple Leafs drafted two defencemen with their first two picks this year and also have three youngsters -- Korbinian Holzer, Jesse Blacker and Stuart Percy -- who are close to being NHL ready. Holzer, in fact, will probably fill the void created by the loss of Schenn.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/draft...s_brian_burke/
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Fit and fiery, Convey named Comeback Player of the Year Veteran midfielder a catalyst for Earthquakes' postseason surge November 10, 2010 MLSsoccer.com San Jose veteran midfielder Bobby Convey was named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Wednesday, punctuating a remarkable turnaround year for a player who just two years ago saw a knee injury bring his career to a skidding halt.
Convey beat out fellow nominess Chris Albright of the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas youngster Brek Shea on the strength of his team-high 10 assists for the Earthquakes this season and a rejuvenated form that helped lead San Jose into the postseason for the first time since their 2008 rebirth.
Though the effort wasn't considered in the voting, Convey also added two goals and an assist in the Earthquakes' series-clinching 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls last Thursday, pushing them into the Eastern Conference final against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (9:30 pm ET, FSC).
Just two years ago Convey saw his career in England derailed by the lingering effects of microfracture surgery on his right knee. His time with EPL side Reading came to an end before the 2009 MLS season, when he moved to the US to start 25 games for an Earthquakes team still strugging to find their feet.
Convey, too, had a rough go upon returning to MLS for the first time since his days with D.C. United in 2004. Though he was a regular in the San Jose lineup, the knee injury limited him from becoming fullly fit last season, and he finished with just one goal and two assists as the Quakes missed the postseason.
But he returned in 2010 with newfound energy, notching five assists in his first six games, including three in a 4-0 romp over the Red Bulls on May 8 at Buck Shaw Stadium. He had seven assists by the end of of May and San Jose fans started calling for his return to the US national team for the World Cup in South Africa, though he never received a call.
Convey scored his lone goal of the regular season on July 22, a second-minute finish that eventually helped the Earthquakes record an important 2-2 draw with the league-leading LA Galaxy.
Fully healthy for the first time in years, Convey started a career-high 28 games this season and notched five game-winning assists, also the best of his MLS career.
Think you know the game? Test your powers of prediction with MLSsoccer.com's new fantasy game, Pro Soccer Picks. Play NOW!
Playoffs in Profile: Bobby Convey
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Patrick Ramsey expected to sign with the Saints
By Dennis Hoffmeyer, Wednesday, July 21, 2010 1:59:23 PM CDT FFToolbox.com
Veteran Free-Agent Quarterback Patrick Ramsey may sign with The New Orleans Saints as early as this week, after the free-agency signing limitations are lifted on Thursday. Ramsey is expected to work out a deal with the Saints, thus giving them a veteran backup quarterback behind Drew Brees . Patrick would be assuming the backup role held by Mark Brunell last year. Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune first reported this possibility over a month ago. Duncan adds that former Carolina Panther QB Josh McCown was also considered. Both quarterbacks visited the team in early April. At that time, the Saint's hands were tied and could not make a signing of their own, due to the uncapped "Final Eight" rule, at least until they loose one of their own, or as of July 22.
Ramsey is 31 years old and is entering his 9th season. He is 6'2" and about 225 pounds. His career stats with the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions: 511 completed passes of 913 attempts, for a 56% completion ratio. He has accumulated 5,930 yards, averaging 156 per game and 6.5 per attempt. Ramsey has tallied 35 touchdowns and 30 interceptions and has been sacked 79 times for a quarterback rating of 74.9. He once even ran for 24 yards on a play! There are no stats for his services with the Detroit Lions for 2009.
The Saints are poised to sign Ramsey this week. His addition is expected to be an insurance policy, should Brees sit out for a period of time. Their other QB's Chase Daniel a 2009 undrafted free agent from Missouri is currently the second team QB in OTA's and Sean Canfield, have no real veteran experience. Greg Paulus remains in camp, yet is not a serious candidate for a contract.
Understandably, this does more for the New Orleans Saints than for any individual QB on the roster, but it sure would be nice to see Ramsey looking on the up-swing side of life in the NFL.
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Ravens RB Bernard Pierce uninjured after being carjacked at gunpoint
By Brian Murphy, Tuesday, June 25, 2013 7:47:11 PM CDT FFToolbox.com
Sources have confirmed to CBS Philadelphia that Ravens running back Bernard Pierce was carjacked at gunpoint on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Pierce and another man were uninjured during the robbery, and Pierce's car has already been recovered by police. Via CBS Philadelphia, sources say a gunman jumped from a car while an accomplice remained behind the wheel and robbed Pierce and his companion, then stole Pierce's BMW.
Please save your Aaron Hernandez jokes; they are not funny. A frightening incident for Pierce, who was an All-American at nearby Temple University, but he should be fine. Pierce will see more carries than the 108 he got during his rookie year, and Ray Rice seems to understand that. But I am not overly concerned about Rice's short-term fantasy stock. He is a sure-fire first-round pick, and Pierce is one of the better backup RBs a fantasy drafter can select.
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- #95 -week 141" Fly Angler's Online
The Premiere OnLine Magazine for the Fly Fishing Enthusiast.
This is where our readers tell their stories . . .
ON THE WRONG TRACK
Bound for a new destination, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is hijacking our fisheries and leaving us behind.
By Jon Storm
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) was once one of sportfishing's strongest allies. With dedicated field employees, a National Fish Hatchery System unrivaled in scope, and a reliable flow of money from Congress, its friendly hands touched the farthest reaches of our sportfisheries-from the smallest farm pond to the largest reservoir. The USFWS was America's strongest example of what good government can, and should, accomplish.
Today, our nation's 50 million recreational anglers appear to have lost the critical support of this vital federal agency.
Last May, North American Fisherman began an in-depth investigation into allegations that the USFWS is not only quietly abandoning its original, mandated primary responsibility to "maintain" and "increase" our nation's opportunities for recreational fishing, it was diverting the angler-financed Sport Fish Restoration fund to pay for activities unrelated to sportfishing. What's more, a desire to abandon responsibilities related to sportfishing is the sentiment du jour among a growing number of USFWS employees.
The investigation amassed a wealth of evidence that there indeed have been profound changes in USFWS philosophy and direction, changes that have the potential to seriously impact some of our nation's best fisheries.
* USFWS Director Jamie Rappaport Clark, aware of critical funding problems in the Fisheries division, still refuses to make the Fisheries
program one of the USFWS' four "Director's Priorities." Some speculate the entire Fisheries division may cease to exist.
* The USFWS plans to redirect monies formerly used for recreational fish stocking to fund restoration of endangered native species. What impact this will have on established non-native fisheries is unknown.
* The USFWS is essentially ignoring President Clinton's Executive Order 12962 on Recreational Fisheries, calling it an "unfunded mandate."
* The USFWS' once world-leading National Fish Hatchery System stands on the brink of insolvency.
* The USFWS solicited, then ignored, public, state and tribal input in deciding its new direction. * Key grass roots fishing programs once supported by Federal Grant in Aid dollars administered by the USFWS had their funding disappear after alleged USFWS mismanagement.
* An employee of the USFWS was allegedly harassed, threatened and eventually terminated for refusing to fund an animal rights organization with tax money paid by sportsmen and women.
What follows is a maddening, discouraging, disturbing and even frightening tale of changing priorities, shifting values and the gross abandonment of legal responsibilities. Why The Concern?
The USFWS was created by the Fish & Wildlife Act of 1956. Originally known as the "Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife," today's USFWS has evolved considerably, but is still legally bound to draw its focus, framework and priorities from the original act.
The USFWS is charged with "maintaining" and "increasing" public opportunities for recreational use of our fish and wildlife resources, but its menagerie of responsibilities also covers everything from managing the more than 500 National Wildlife Refuges, to operating 66 National Fish Hatcheries, to administering the Endangered Species Act.
Today's USFWS is composed of several divisions, four of which play key roles in fish and wildlife management. The Division of Federal Aid is responsible for administering Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs while the Division of Fisheries oversees the federal role in managing inland and migratory fisheries. The Division of Wildlife and Refuges manages and maintains the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the Division of Ecological Services is a regulatory division that
manages the restoration and recovery of endangered species.
Director Clark outlined her four priorities for fiscal year 1999/2000. According to Clark, the four key areas where the USFWS will focus its energies in the coming year, are:
"1. Strengthening the ecosystem approach to fish and wildlife conservation;
2. Lifting the conservation of migratory birds to a higher level;
3. Leading efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species; and 4. Setting the course for the future of the Refuge System."
Sportfishing is conspicuously absent from Director Clark's stated priorities, but that's not surprising. While the Wildlife and Refuges and Ecological Services divisions have seen 15 percent annual budget increases
over the past decade, the Division of Fisheries budget has never been raised during that time. In fact, when adjustments are made for inflation, the Fisheries budget has actually decreased 18 percent over the same time period.
Before being appointed USFWS Director in July 1997, Clark was Assistant Director of Ecological Services. Her priorities are still there. She has forced the Fisheries Division to change its emphasis from sportfish production to recovery and restoration of native and endangered species.
No one can argue against this mission. Bringing fish and other aquatic species back from the brink of extinction, and restoring populations of native fish is a noble, proper and necessary task. What is objectionable, however, are Clark's plans to cut or eliminate recreational fish stocking programs, and use those funds for endangered species work and native fish restoration.
Sources within the USFWS, including employees close to the Director, believe the lack of priority given to Fisheries and the trend to route funds to endangered species work and native fish restoration, are simply precursors to the ultimate goal, which is the eventual merger of the Fisheries and Ecological Services divisions.
Perhaps more telling is Director Clark's appointment of Cathleen Short as Assistant Director of Fisheries in July. Short holds degrees in zoology and has worked mainly with habitat conservation, wetlands inventory, impact assessments and environmental legislation. Nothing in her background indicates that she has the expertise to manage fisheries.
At press time, Director Clark was on maternity leave and unavailable for comment, but employees within the USFWS, and sportfishing watchdog groups outside it agree-if the Fisheries Division is merged with Ecological Services, it would signify the end of the USFWS' ever-diminishing dedication to sportfishing.
Ecological Services is notorious for its anti-consumptive sentiment. Activities like hunting and fishing are seen as contrary to Ecological Services' goal, and the division regularly frowns on any management principle that emphasizes maintaining healthy game and gamefish populations for the benefit of recreation.
USFWS employees who wish to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs, complain that gamefish research and presentations are subject to ridicule; that open support for fishing, hunting and gamefish stocking draws the ire of many USFWS colleagues, and in some cases, they are told to hide truths for the sake of easing the USFWS shift to a native fish focus.
Most of the Fisheries program employees are the utmost examples of professionalism. They express disappointment in the present Director's policy shift, moral outrage at the growing anti-sportfishing sentiment in the USFWS, and a discouraging, often hostile work environment. There's more.
Abusing Angler Funds
The USFWS oversees the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs that use excise taxes paid on fishing and hunting equipment to fund sportfish and wildlife conservation projects nationwide. To help administer the programs, the USFWS is allowed a yearly administrative cut of up to 6 percent for sportfish and 8 percent for wildlife.
A portion of this administrative cut is used to fund the special Federal Grant in Aid program that awards monies to qualified conservation programs. In addition, Director Clark is allowed a $1 million "discretionary" Conservation Fund for similar purposes.
Earlier this year, the General Accounting Office (GAO), which audits and oversees spending and accounting practices in government agencies, found gross instances of impropriety in the way the program is administered.
In testimony given July 20, 1999 before the House Resources Committee, a GAO official involved in the audit said, "In our opinion, there was a lack of effort and commitment to following basic management principles for controlling and overseeing the expenditure of the $30 million administrative cut. Six years ago we identified major problems with the Sport Fish Restoration Fund and recommended changes. But in most cases, none were made."
The abuses start with Director Clark's $1 million Conservation Fund. Not only were her fund files incomplete, out of date and disorganized, but four grants authorized by Director Clark allegedly failed to meet proper requirements under the Office of Management and Budget guidelines.
The GAO also found abuses in general fund administration. Glaring instances include using Sport Fish Restoration dollars to pay for regional director salaries, employee relocation costs, salaries of employees in human resources and external affairs, and equipment maintenance. None are proper expenditures because they are not directly related to fund administration.
More disturbing, perhaps, is the case of Jim Beers, an employee of the USFWS Division of Federal Aid. Beers was responsible for reviewing and approving grants under the Federal Grant in Aid program. In that capacity, Beers refused to fund a grant proposed by the Fund For Animals - an animal rights group.
In his testimony given before the House Resources Committee, Beers described the USFWS work atmosphere after refusing to fund the grant. "In November, the roof fell in on me. I was curtly told I would be moved to a non-existent, lower graded job in Massachusetts! No responsible person in USFWS would openly even greet me, much less offer any explanation or help . . . I was locked out of my office, the police came to the building to keep me from entering, and I was threatened in an unmarked envelope left in my front door on a Sunday morning with the loss of retirement for five years and the loss of my health coverage forever if I did not retire immediately."
The USFWS disavowed any wrongdoing, but did provide Beers $150,000 compensation, plus legal fees, back leave, full retirement and a letter of apology.
Six days after the hearing ended, the USFWS announced cancellation of all Grant in Aid programs for fiscal year 2000, claiming "insufficient funding" as the reason for cancellation. Director Clark's discretionary Conservation Fund was also eliminated.
There was a one-time unforeseen shortfall in 1999 Sport Fish Restoration dollars due to problems with reauthorization of the Wallop-Breaux amendment. However, sloppy bookkeeping, glaring misappropriations and accusations of gross negligence certainly influenced the decision.
The cancellations put the futures of key grass roots angling programs like Get Hooked On Fishing-Not On Drugs, the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program and 1-800 ASK FISH in jeopardy. It also leaves the National Fishing Week steering committee, which helps introduce hundreds of thousands of children to sportfishing every ye
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Roberto Mancini to lay down roots in Manchester with long-term future in mindTweetMoreMancini's instant impact at Eastlands, both on and off the pitch, has earned admiration from senior figures close to Manchester City's owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, who believe that the former Inter Milan coach has vindicated their decision to dismiss Hughes last month by reinvigorating the playing squad and reviving ambitions of a top four finish this season.
Having signed a three-and-a-half year contract when succeeding Hughes, Mancini had suggested that his position would be reviewed following an initial six-month period at the end of the season.
Related ArticlesMan City v Portsmouth: previewPortsmouth crisis deepensCity can stop the tauntsMan City open to offers for BenjaniMan City Transfer TalkGrant set to quit PortsmouthBut City have made it clear to the 45 year-old that they regard him as a central figure in their plans to take the club to a higher level and, having spent just over a month living in a city centre hotel, Mancini has informed chief executive Garry Cook that he now intends to lay down roots by acquiring a property in the city.
Under Mancini, City have won six of their last eight games, with only an injury-time goal by Wayne Rooney during Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United ending hopes of the club's first major cup final since 1981.
But although the team's resurgence under Mancini has been noted by chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and Cook, the return to prominence of players who had been overlooked by Hughes, such as Martin Petrov, Javier Garrido and Micah Richards has been viewed as a more impressive feature of the manager's influence.
Mancini, who continues to pursue Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson, will receive comprehensive backing in the transfer market in the summer, although City now believe that last summer's £118m investment in the squad has removed the need for another large scale influx of players. Quality rather than quantity will be the blueprint.
City face Portsmouth at Eastlands on Sunday with Mancini warning his players that the visitors will not be distracted by the financial problems that are currently engulfing the south coast club.
Mancini said: 'It is a dangerous situation for us because the Portsmouth players will not be thinking about the club's situation when they are on the pitch. We must pay a lot of attention to this game because it is an important one after the United match.'
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Van Persie impressed by pair
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie admits despite all his experience he still gets lifted by some of the younger members of the squad.
Robin van Persie: Feels he can learn a lot from his team-mates Javier Hernandez The 29-year-old played in the last World Cup final with Holland and has spent more than eight years in the Premier League.
But a move to Old Trafford in the summer has kept him fresh, with the Dutchman singling out the younger duo of Javier Hernandez, 24, and Danny Welbeck, 22.
"It goes both ways - I can learn from them as well," Van Persie told MUTV.
"For example, I love Chicharito's (Hernandez's) enthusiasm, I love how he plays and trains and does his work off the pitch after training.
"A couple of weeks ago he wasn't playing as much but he was in the gym every day doing extra work, and that sets a big example for everyone.
"Danny, too. He's not playing in his favourite position at the moment but we need him and he's working hard.
"When you have four strikers being so professional, it sets the tone for the others.
"Everyone realises we are all in it together and we all need to do our bit."
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Press briefing with FIA President Max Mosley
Press briefing with FIA President Max Mosley 05 May 2004
Following Tuesdays meeting with the Formula One team bosses in Monaco, FIA Max Mosley talked to the media about the progress made on the proposed introduction of new sporting and technical regulations. Below is a transcript of that press briefing.Thank you very much for being here. It was a very good meeting. Where I had expected very significant dispute and debate, there wasnt any. It was very constructive. In a nutshell the proposals for 2008 we simply announced. We went through them all with the teams and discussed them all in some detail. As far as doing things sooner than 2008, there was a wide measure of agreement that we need to bring in changes much sooner. I think we are going to see a new engine formula in 2006. The engine manufacturers are going to make proposals in addition to those that we have made to reduce the engine costs by 50 percent. It was pointed out by one of the major manufacturers that we are currently spending one thousand million Euros a year to provide engines to 14 of the 20 cars and it therefore should not be too difficult to reduce that by 50 percent. That will make a big difference. Conversely, a thousand million Euros is simply not sustainable, it is not sustainable by any calculation. The only discussion on the engine was whether it was more economic to extend the engine life of a V10 rather than to have a 2.4. That's to say a V10 three-litre doing three races, four, five and eventually six races, rather than a 2-4 V8 doing at least two races and possibly more races later on. But the multi-race engine principle is completely accepted; the need to reduce the power is completely accepted. Even the standard ECU may come in before 2008, that is part of the package of cost measures they will be discussing and of course a standard ECU means standardizing all of the electronics on the cars. The other engine proposals I think will go through as a matter of course and come in before 2006. On the transmission, braking and steering, the only discussion there was whether it would be more economic, given the current state of knowledge, to stay with an electronically controlled differential but with the electronics completely under the control of the FIA, so that there were no traction control or anything of that kind. And whether we would be better staying with modern gearboxes rather than purely manual gearboxes, it was pointed out that we would never go back to the old 'H' and missed gears and all of that. That is in the past. But on the transmission, braking and steering, complete agreement that we would simply go for the least expensive solution and perhaps most importantly complete agreement that there will be no traction control, no electronic driver aids, they are going to go. We also had agreement on standard brake discs, pads and calipers and agreement on reducing the weight limit. The weight limit may come down even more than we had thought because eliminating a lot of the electronics and the technology from the cars will in turn make the cars much lighter, so the final reduction in weight may be very significant, and therefore the energy going into a crash. But with that comes the need for very substantial reductions in aerodynamic downforce and changes to the tyres, and also an increase in the drag of the car. On the sporting aspects, again agreement that we would not have a spare car as it is currently known, they would have a spare chassis (a spare monocoque rather) ready in a box, like the Formula 3000 teams, but there would be no third car in the pits. The cars would certainly be in parc ferme overnight, you would be able to adjust the car but not rebuild it. There was complete agreement for the need of a single tyre supplier. There was just one question about current contractual commitments, which we think could be resolved. But there was no question that all of the teams recognised that if we had a single tyre supplier it would be far less expensive, because of testing, it would be fairer, because everybody would be on the same basis, and there would also be a very important safety aspect in that with a single tyre we would be able to control the degree of grip and therefore preventing excessive cornering speeds. We might even be able to give up the grooves and go back to ordinary slick tyres. The wheels will be wider at the back and narrower at the front, that results from the abolition of the ballast. There is agreement that we need a new qualifying system. I reminded them all that the current qualifying system was proposed by the teams. The suggestion now is that they should come forward with new proposals for qualifying, but these must take into account the needs for television for people like me, who watch most of the races on television. There was a lot of discussion about the scoring of points, whether we should have a constructors championship with more than two cars scoring, or another suggestion that has come forward is whether there should be an engine manufacturers championship and this is something that we are going to consider carefully. But everyone is agreed on the need to strongly encourage the major manufacturers to supply engines to the independent teams and I think we will have no difficultly in coming up with a good solution there. There was a lot of discussion also on allowing the sale of chassis to encourage smaller teams to enter the Championship, but reservations in that there are fears that if we allow the free selling of chassis, Formula One might become like other racing series with one or two or three makes and lots of people in the same cars. There was a feeling we would come up with solutions to these problems and I think that will certainly prove to be the case. But there is a strong desire to encourage new teams to come in, but understandably the existing teams do not want to give up any money or privileges as a result of that. But we will now see a much easier entry route for new teams, it is recognised that we do need 12 teams to take part. The idea of guaranteed entries for teams that contract for a long time, agreed by everybody. The idea that we should have majority voting on rule changes but only those teams voting that were contracted to take part in the season in which the rule change applies was agreed. We may have to introduce some sort of reserve there because it is reasonable that the people who make the engines should have a vote on the engines, and the people who don't make the engines should perhaps not dictate what they should be, but to be discussed. The basic principle will be that the person who has an interest in something has a vote but if you have no interest in it, either because you are not in the championship or because it is something you don't do - you're not an engine manufacturer or whatever, those with no interest would have no vote. What that comes down to is a much more open and flexible system for changing the rules than we have at present. It would be much more, actually, under the control of the FIA, as perhaps it should be. The idea of technical rule changes being made before July 1 to come in not the following year but the year after, and the sporting changes before July 1 to come in the following year was generally accepted. What it all comes down to I think is that, except for minor details, virtually complete acceptance of these very revolutionary proposals, agreement on the objectives and agreement that the engine manufacturers - the seven companies concerned with engines - are going to sit down together to reduce the costs of the engines by 50 percent. I think really I couldn't have asked for more from the meeting.
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One to watch: Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku has been in great form for West Brom (©GettyImages).
by Publishedone year ago
Chelsea Football Club’s recent striker dilemma is transforming into a very serious matter, with a dismal Champions League campaign, along with inconsistent performances at both domestic and cup levels; the Blues are in dire need of a clinical goal scorer.
With the acquisition of Newcastle’s Demba Ba, Chelsea have taken a sure step in the right direction; however, with the Senegalese striker still not settled into Chelsea’s style of play, along with Fernando Torres’ recent dismal form, fans of Chelsea FC could soon be looking to the familiar face of Romelo Lukaku to finally bring some consistency upfront.
Lukaku joined the west London club in August of 2011. As stated in club media interviews, he was relishing the opportunity to play and train with one of the world's biggest and most successful clubs, in doing so realizing his boyhood dream.
However, due to the presence of Torres and club legend Drogba, Lukaku found it tough to break into the starting XI, and spent most of his playing days with the reserves. Restricted to cup games, the Belgian front man never fully got his true chance to show his worth.
Still, at the end of the 2012 season the future looked limitless for young Lukaku; accomplished Drogba was set for Shanghai Shenhua, leaving only him and out-of-form Torres in contention for the starting role. The pre season tour of the United States got off to the best possible start, with Lukaku linking up with newly signed teammate Eden Hazard with ease, by slotting two quick fire goals past Seattle Sounders in Chelsea’s first match of the new campaign.
After a good pre-season, a starting position in the first team beckoned for the 19-year-old from Antwerp; however as the new Premier League season launched, Fernando Torres, fresh off a EURO 2012 victory, finally began to find some form in front of goal, once again discarding Lukaku to bench.
After frequent rumours surrounding the young Belgium international's availability, a season-long loan deal was finalised for the striker to join fellow Premier League side, West Bromwich Albion, in order to gain much needed first-team experience.
Lukaku instantly began to thrive in his new surroundings, scoring just eight days after his arrival. Although he played second fiddle to first choice striker Shane Long, his stints off the bench have proved to be match winning ones for the Baggies.
At present time West Bromwich Albion lie 7th in the table, an outstanding feat for a team that suffered relegation the previous season. With Lukaku’s somewhat sumptuous form upon arrival in West Bromwich - 19 appearances and 9 goals thus far - Chelsea are surely going to keep tabs on their front man, and if form precedes, a starting position at Stanford Bridge is on the cards.
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michael-murray@utc.edu
Chattanooga women's basketball head coach Wes Moore rounded out his coaching staff May 25, 2006 with the addition of Mike Murray.Murray joined the Lady Mocs staff after spending two seasons on the staff of Chattanooga men’s coach John Shulman. He will coordinate film exchange and team travel as well as on-court coaching responsibilities.Murray is a 2003 graduate of Appalachian State where he worked for head coach Houston Fancher as the men’s basketball manager for three years. Upon graduation he spent the 2003-04 season as an assistant at Milligan College for Tony Wallingford. "Mike has had the opportunity to work for some top-notch coaches in his career" said Moore. "I have known and respected Houston (Fancher), Tony (Wallingford), and John (Shulman) for years. Mike is ahead of many coaches his age due to the training he has received from them. He is a great addition to our staff."
Mike completed work on his Masters in Education in May, 2006 from UTC. Twitter
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MEMPHIS POSTGAME NOTES
Game Five - vs. Rice - October 6, 2012 - Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium - Memphis, Tenn.
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery TEAM GAME NOTES
Memphis captains for the Rice game were OL Jordan Devey, PK Paulo Henriques and DB Bobby McCain. Memphis won the toss and deferred to the second half. At halftime, former Memphis head coach Charlie Bailey (1986-88) was recognized. Along with Bailey, close to 90 players were on hand to honor their former coach. Prior to returning a fumble 12 yards for a touchdown on Memphis' first play from scrimmage in the 2012 game, the last Rice defensive play in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium also resulted in a touchdown, a 69-yard interception return. For the second time this season, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium experienced a weather delay. Lighting extended halftime by an additional 17 minutes.
The win marked the first for Memphis' first-year head coach Justin Fuente. The last time Memphis won a Conference USA contest at home was on October 10, 2009 in a 35-20 victory over UTEP.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Sophomore quarterback Eric Mathews started his first series this season early in the second quarter. Jacob Karam had started the first 50 offensive series for Memphis this season, including the first four of Saturday's game. Keiwone Malone scored his second receiving touchdown and third career TD with a five yard pass from Jacob Karam with 7:50 left in the third quarter. The touchdown pass is the sixth of the season for Karam and eighth of his career. Mathews first career pass completion was an 11-yard touchdown toss to Alan Cross that put the Tigers out in front 14-10 with 3:01 to play in the third quarter. The play marked Cross' second touchdown reception of the season. Jordan Devey played three different offensive positions during the game (started at left tackle and also played both left guard and then right guard during the game). Redshirt-freshman Carl Harris led the team with a career best 68 yards rushing on 15 attempts. Redshirt-junior Brandon Hayes also had a career best with 51 yards rushing on six attempts with a long run of 29 yards, the longest run from scrimmage by the Tigers this season. Redshirt-freshman Alan Cross led the team with 35 yards receiving on three receptions with a long of 21 yards and a touchdown. The Memphis offense controlled the clock for a season best 34 minutes and 23 seconds. It is the Tigers longest time of possession since the season opener in 2011 against Mississippi State on September 1, 2011.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
Rice entered the game averaging 445 yards of total offense - 196 rushing and 249 passing. The Memphis defense held the Owls to 221 yards of total offense, 104 rushing and 117 passing. Memphis held Rice to just 221 total offensive yards. The last time the Memphis defense held a team to 221 yards or less of total offense was on November 22, 2008, against UCF when the Tigers held the Knights to 194 total yards. Memphis held Rice to just 104 yards rushing. The last time Memphis held a team to 104 yards rushing or less was last year against Tulane on October 22, 2011, when the Tigers held the Green Wave to 82 yards. It also marked the last Conference USA victory for Memphis. Memphis held Rice to just 117 yards passing. The last time the Tigers held a team to 117 yards passing or less was on Sept. 20, 2008, when the U of M held Nicholls State to 47 yards. Rice wide receiver Sam McGuffie came into the game leading the Owls with 303 receiving yards for an average gain of 13.8 yards. Memphis held him to just 13 yards on five receptions for an average of 2.6 yards. The Memphis defense held Rice to just three points in the game. Seven of the Owls 10 points came on a fumble return for a touchdown. The last time the Tigers' defense held a team to three points or less came on Sept. 20, 2008, against Nicholls State in a 31-10 victory. Redshirt-freshman Tank Jakes registered his first career sack and the second of the season by the Tigers this season on the final play of the third quarter. Jakes finished second on the team with six tackles, all solo, tying a career high. Martin Ifedi registered the Tigers second sack in the game and his second in as many games. He sacked Taylor McHargue for a loss of 10 yards in the Owls last drive of the game to help seal a Memphis victory. Ifedi finished with five tackles and led the team with two tackles for loss. Redshirt-senior Mitch Huelsing led the Tigers with seven tackles, including a pass breakup.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Tom Hornsey's first punt went for 38 yards and was downed at the Rice seven. The kick marked the junior's eighth inside opponents' 10-yard line this season. Hornsey also had a 60-yard punt downed at the eight in the first half while another in the second half was downed at the one. For the game, Hornsey had six punts for an average of 40.7 yards, including three inside the 20. Cannon Smith recovered a special teams' fumble for the second straight game.
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Stephen HawkingDr. Peggy DrexlerCandy SpellingAlan Colmes Tom Gerdy
The Death of the Student Athlete
, Cheating
, Ohio State Football
, Randy Shannon
, Sports Crime
, Sportsmanship
, Steroids
, Student-Athletes
, University Of Miami Football
, Win At All Costs
Bribery, drugs, gambling, strong-arm tactics, cheating, stealing, and lies make for a full day in the life of a gang or organized crime member. One would think that living in a world that involves such things would make it hard to close your eyes and sleep at night. However, an adjusted and rationalized morality allows these "business" people to take any path necessary to accumulate wealth and power, yet still sleep at night. A similar adjusted and rationalized morality has allowed bribery, drugs, gambling, strong-arm tactics, cheating, stealing, and lies to become a large part of the world of sports. There has always been pressure to win, but there is now an added phrase to the rhetoric. We have added "at all costs." The past several years in sports have shown us some horrible examples of the win-at-all-costs mentality run amuck.
Some indiscretions seem relatively minor, such as Derek Jeter pretending to have been hit by a pitch to get to first base or the New York Jets strength coach tripping a player on the sideline. Instances of gambling on your sport or drug-induced performances step things up a notch. Figure skating is not even immune to the idea of doing whatever it takes to win, and a leader in that sport took it to the top of the scale. If you aren't sure you can win, a thug just takes out your competition with an iron pipe.
College football crossed the organized crime win-at-all-costs line on several levels this year. Several occurrences involved athletes at schools with perennially nationally ranked football programs. Ohio State and Auburn took a step up the questionable behavior ladder right before their bowl games. Cam Newton's father "allegedly" requested a great deal of money for his son to sign a college scholarship with a certain school. A shell game was used to suspend Cam, then immediately reinstate him, so he could play in the BCS championship game. Ohio State players "allegedly" were caught accepting special compensation from local merchants. The decision was that they could play in their bowl game but would have to sit out five games in 2011. Evidently, the bowl games were more important than the lessons to be learned. After all, they are athletes first and students second. Aren't they?
Sportsmanship used to play a big role in sports, but winning at all costs is progressively moving sportsmanship out of the picture. By definition, sportsmanship involves fairness, courteous treatment of the opposition, and honesty as well as being a good loser and a graceful winner. You don't have to watch most sporting events for too long before you will witness players talking trash, taunting, playing dirty, or throwing a tantrum. It's hard to place the blame totally on the athlete because they learned the behavior honestly while watching some parents at their Little League games. You don't have to listen to much sports news before you will hear about activities of questionable morality and/or honesty connected to one sport or another. I guess sportsmanship has changed.
As low as some athletes have sunk in the name of sports and winning, in 2010 the action of a school administration won the award for totally losing sight of the true prize and the student-athlete. We all saw how it is all about the "W" at the University of Miami. The firing of head football coach Randy Shannon is definitely a low point in the world of college athletics. Miami's program was riddled with problems both on and off the field. In four years, Randy Shannon helped clean up a bad situation and helped many young men get an education. His players' futures were much brighter thanks to his leadership. The term student-athlete meant something to Shannon. He worried about his players as students, young men, and as athletes. In four years, his players' graduation rates rose dramatically, and their troubles with the law all but disappeared. It seems that Randy Shannon lost his job because he believed too much in the term student-athlete. With Shannon as the head coach, Miami's record was 28 wins and 22 losses on the field. It's a shame that we don't count the off-the-field victories when ranking championship programs. If we did, Randy Shannon would be All-World.
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Home | Driver Spotlight: Ricky Rudd Ricky Rudd hasn’t returned to a racetrack since he drove his final NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 2007 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Unlike some drivers who hang on far too long, Rudd knew when it was time to go. He never looked back.
Today, Rudd’s life is all about having fun, from wakeboarding on Lake Norman in North Carolina to snowboarding and skiing in the North Carolina mountains in the winter. 1997 Brickyard 400 winner Rudd, 54, gets a chance to live the life he didn’t have when he was racing nearly every weekend of his career.
When asked what he does now, Rudd proudly said: “As little as possible. But we make sure we stay busy having fun.”
That’s because he gave it his all in a 32-year career that was capped with his biggest win at the Brickyard in 1997.
There was something about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway suited Rudd’s racing style.
“I liked it from day one,” Rudd said. “I always liked road course racing, and it always reminded me of a road course with left-hand turns. It wasn’t high-banked corners. I always liked Pocono, and I always liked Indy.”
Rudd wanted to be an open-wheel race driver when he grew up in Chesapeake, Va. He competed in the World Karting Association and was national champion. Many of his national meets were at what was then Indianapolis Raceway Park when he was just a kid. The dream of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was something he could have achieved well before the first Brickyard 400 in 1994.
“If I had had my early choice when I was a kid, Indy cars is where I would have gone,” Rudd said. “I didn’t understand anything about stock cars. I grew up in Virginia, and it is kind of a strange state. If you are up around the Washington, D.C. area, it’s got a northern and Midwestern influence. Same thing with that bottom corner in Virginia where I grew up in that Chesapeake/Norfolk area, which was a big military town. It wasn’t so much Southern stock car racing. If you went 100 miles up to Richmond, it became Southern stock car racing.
“I raced go-karts, and most of the guys went from the karts to the Midgets to open-wheel cars.”
Rudd’s first trip to Indianapolis came in 1971, when he was 12, to compete on the road course at Raceway Park. The registration and banquets took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Motel. He was 13 when he won the karting national championship. He would peer out the window of the motel and see the second turn of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dreaming of what it would be like to race there one day.
“It reminded me more of an old ball field than a speedway,” Rudd said. “It had a neat feel to it. It was so much different from any other speedway I had seen as a kid. We had been to VIR (Virginia International Raceway), Road Atlanta and the road course at Michigan International Raceway. I had never seen anything like Indianapolis. It was just a cool place.
“I dreamed that I would be back there one day.”
By 1975, Rudd was in a NASCAR Cup car as an 18-year-old in a race at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. He had advanced from karts to motocross to the NASCAR Cup Series.
“I had been to a stock car race when I was 6 or 7 years old,” Rudd said. “I went to Darlington and traveled there on a train from Norfolk with my dad and brother. Besides that, we were so busy racing our stuff, we were caught up in that. I had heard of Richard Petty, but the drivers I followed were A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti and the Unsers. The Indy car guys were the names I heard more because the crowd we traveled in, all their goals and dreams were Indy car racing.”
Among his karting contemporaries were Scott Pruett, a famed sports car racer who competed in four Indianapolis 500s. One of Rudd’s closest friends in karting was Mark Dismore, who drove in seven Indianapolis 500s.
“Mark was a kid when I was 12 or 13 years old, and we hung out together at the go-kart track,” Rudd said. “The Unsers (Al Unser Jr., Robby and Bobby Jr.) and Andrettis (Michael, Jeff and John) came into karting after I did. I liked open-wheel racing and thought about Formula One, but stock cars gave me the opportunity. I blindly stumbled into stock car racing; it wasn’t my plan.”
Rudd was one of the original drivers that participated in a Goodyear tire test for NASCAR Cup cars in June 1992 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The invited drivers knew it was the beginning of something very big for NASCAR.
“I was excited as could be just to go there and test,” Rudd said. “It was to see how the stock cars could handle the big track. To me, that tire test, if we had never raced there again, it was a tremendous honor and thrill just to run at Indy. I had been to a lot of racetracks by that time, but nothing compared to hitting that big, old speedway. It felt a little awkward because we were so fast on the straightaways and the corners were so sharp.
“It was a very unique, exciting time. Sitting on pit road in the car my heart was beating like we were getting ready to start a race.”
Two years later, Rudd was in the starting lineup for the inaugural Brickyard 400 – one of the most anticipated races in NASCAR history.
“The Daytona 500 was awfully big, but when we went to Indianapolis for the first race, it was a big deal,” Rudd said. “There was a sense of something special. You could tell it with NASCAR and with the France family. It was a big deal for NASCAR to be there. When we were there, it wasn’t to upstage the Indy cars. It was their house, and we were invited into their house – that’s how it felt to me.
“They invited us to their house to come play.”
In 1996, Rudd started 35th and made it all the way to sixth place by the end of a race won by Dale Jarrett – the first of his two Brickyard 400 wins.
“We worked our way up through the field by ourselves, and it took forever to get there,” Rudd said. “We got back to sixth, and it was a disappointing day because we had a better car than that.”
Rudd played it perfectly at the end of the 1997 race to take a car that wasn’t going to win the race and put it into Victory Lane.
“When the last caution came out, a lot of guys came to pit road and didn’t realize how important track position was at that track,” Rudd said. “The cars had an aero push, so a lot of guys that were dominant out front got a splash of fuel and right-side tires, but when they got in the dirty air they couldn’t get back to the front. We took off, and the field behind us, even with the new tires, couldn’t advance. Fuel mileage put us in a position of clean air to try to win the race.
“The guys with gas and tires were on our bumper, but they found out in the dirty air they couldn’t beat us. The dirty air was a worse disadvantage than the advantage of putting on new tires.”
Rudd held Bobby Labonte off at the end to win the race – the biggest victory of his career.
“When you look at the measuring stick, there is no doubt about it that was the biggest of my career,” Rudd said. “As a driver, winning my first race at Riverside, Calif., was a huge event. Winning at Richmond after getting tore all to pieces the week before at Daytona in 1984, that was a big race for me. But when you list the races, that was my big race.
“I won 23 races in my career, but it’s what comes with that race. It’s like you are welcome into a club. Your name gets put on the PPG Trophy. Every time at Christmas, we get a gift from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Twenty-two other racetracks where you won at don’t even know you exist.
“They (IMS) make you feel part of a unique club. A few years ago, they invited the winners of their races as far back as those still living to Indianapolis in the wintertime for a gala. It was a big party. What an honor to be in that group. Indy to me and stock car racing are two separate entities. To still be recognized for that win that was 14 years ago is great.”
Rudd shut down his team as an owner/driver after the 1999 season and joined team owner Robert Yates in 2000. The combination paid off in a Brickyard 400 pole in the famed No. 28 Texaco/Havoline Ford. Rudd would spend a few more years with Yates before spending three seasons with the Wood Brothers. He took off the 2006 season after his father died before returning to Yates team in 2007 in what would be the final season for both.
“When I came back over there I believe Robert was trying to rebuild the team,” Rudd said. “Robert would talk about the days when he had the field covered by 150 horsepower, but when I got there, Robert said he thought we had enough to keep up. I said: ‘Wait a minute. Where is that 150-horsepower advantage?’ The disappointing part was the engines were always top-notch, but the car side had slipped behind. Everything became engineering-based. Dallara was going to be the engineering side in a deal that Ford had put together, but that deal never happened.
“They hired an intern from the University of North Carolina to run the computer, and that was the engineering side of it. So that year was tough. As it turns out, it was the final year for both Robert and I.”
Rudd believes today’s NASCAR is set up for the 18- to 25-year old driver. When a top driver gets over 40, his days are numbered. Rudd sensed his days as that 18-year-old racing at Rockingham in 1975 were a thing of the past.
“Robert’s deal was a one-shot deal, and we did it,” Rudd said. “Our season wasn’t great and I knew it wasn’t going to be fixed, so I said, ‘I’m done.’ When you get older, you don’t have a lot of years to build and rebuild. It’s not the end of the world for a guy in their 20s, but for a driver in their 40s, they don’t have a lot of years to be patient while a team is rebuilding. At the age I was, I didn’t have the patience and the time to see it through.
“The middle of that season I decided I was gone. There was no wishy-washiness when I’m gone; I’m done. The sport has been great to me, and it’s time for the young guys to have fun with it.”
Rudd proved to be a man of his word, trading in his race cars for jet-skis and a boat. He misses the competition on the racetrack but doesn’t miss dealing with gate guards, traffic jams, going to hospitality appearances and the commitments that it takes to make it in the sport.
He spends time with his wife, Linda, and their son, Landon, who is 16.
“We are doing the stuff most people consider boring, but having never done it, it’s like living a normal lifestyle,” Rudd said. “Getting away from racing, you go through detox for a while. Now we just hang around and go wakeboarding, wake surfing and a little bit of karting. It’s an adjustment period. I think I will always miss parts of racing, but life on the outside is different – not in a bad way – it’s just different.
“We stay busy playing.”
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Springfield Falcons Schedule Analysis
The Springfield Falcons open their 18th season in the American Hockey League on Friday October 7th in Manchester, NH against the top affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, the Manchester Monarchs.The regular season concludes at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on Saturday April 14, 2012 against the St. John's Ice Caps, new AHL affiliate of the new Winnipeg Jets.
In between, there are 74 more games on the 2011-2012 schedule for the Falcons. After some input by the NHL, the AHL has reduced its number of games for each club from 80 to 76. Also, the leagues have agreed that there will be no more of the 4 games in 5 days situations, as there had been in the past. Three games in four days is hellacious enough, adding that fourth game usually meant A) marginal hockey B) greater opportunity for injury among fatigued players.In the AHL's new realigment this season, the Falcons have moved to the Northeast Division. Also commencing this season, the playoffs in the AHL will more closely resemble those of the NHL, in that the top eight teams from each conference will qualify for post season play.Previously, things may have gotten confusing, with odd numbers of teams in divisions and crossovers for playoffs, based on points comparisons. The concept of a balanced schedule doesn't come into play in the AHL. This is primarily because, as a minor league, the clubs are reliant on filling as many seats as possible, in as cost efficient a manner as possible. So despite the appearance of divisions and conferences, more of an effort goes into preserving rivalries and minimizing travel costs.
I'll be analyzing the schedule after the jump...
GAMES BY TEAM/DIVISION:
This becomes more apparent when looking at the quantities of games with certain opponents. Divisionally, the game breakdown illustrates the disparity. Although the Falcons are in the Northeast Division, only 28 of their 76 games will be played within the division. The number of games, divided evenly home and away, breaks down like this:
CONNECTICUT (NYR) - 12BRIDGEPORT (NYI) - 8ALBANY (NJD) - 4ADIRONDACK (PHI) - 4
While the Falcons former divisional home, the Atlantic stacks up this way (36 games):
PROVIDENCE (BOS) - 10WORCESTER (SJ) - 8MANCHESTER (LA) - 6PORTLAND (PHX) - 8ST. JOHN'S (WPG) - 4
Meanwhile, the Falcons Eastern Division opponents (12 games) are:
WILKES BARRE/SCRANTON (PIT) - 4NORFOLK (TB) - 4HERSHEY (WSH) - 2SYRACUSE (ANA) - 2BINGHAMTON (OTT) - 0
The Falcons have no regular season games scheduled with the defending Calder Cup champion Binghamton Senators, despite the baby Sens playing in the Eastern Conference. (So much for seeing Filly's triumphant return! Check that, I hear he's a Top 6 forward for Ottawa.)Also, the Falcons don't have any regular season games scheduled with any of the Western Conference teams.
SCHEDULE TRENDS
Momentum plays a big role in a team's success. So too, is it in the "A", where the following might be positives or negatives in the flight of the Falcons:PLUS:After the season starts with a three game road trip, the Falcons (who struggled on home ice last season) return home for four home games in eight days when they host Providence, Manchester, Wilkes-Barre and Connecticut. Over the last several seasons, Wilkes-Barre has been a consistent performer, so this could be an early season test for Springfield.PLUS:Timing is everything and what better time for a six game homestand than from October 28 through November 16? This part of the season is typically where the roster has stabilized, and line combinations and defensive pairings solidify. Being at home for the better part of three weeks should translate to plenty of practice time for the team, while the pace of six games in three weeks won't be a backbreaker.PLUS:Another nice homestand comes from December 3rd to the 13th, when the Falcons play five more consecutive games on home ice. Based on historical performance, these are five more games that I would say are "winnable". The opponents: Connecticut, Portland, Manchester, Bridgeport and Worcester.MINUS:The Falcons embark on their longest road trip of the first half from Friday December 16th through Wednesday December 28th (keep in mind the league shuts down for Christmas weekend, Dec. 23-25). If the Birds have hit their stride by this time, the games in Providence, Albany, Worcester and Syracuse should be competitive.MINUS:Between January 22 and February 3, the team takes to the road for five straight games. The bookends of the roadie are games in Providence, with Worcester, Portland and Connecticut in the middle.PLUS:Back at the MassMutual Center for some home cooking during February school vacation, the Falcons play at home four times in eight days again. The opposition should be looking familiar to you at this point: Providence, Worcester, Bridgeport and Connecticut.MINUS:From February 26 to March 9, the Falcons play five in a row on the road. Quantitatively, not so bad. The weekend of March 2, 3 and 4 may be daunting though, as they will play two in Norfolk, VA on the 2nd and 3rd, before heading up to Hershey, PA for a 5PM game on March 4th. I never like road trips like that late in the season, and if the Falcons are fighting for their playoff lives, this trip could be a real challenge.MINUS:After three home games from March 10-16, the Falcons play nine of their next eleven on the road. In the middle of that run, the Birds take on the Adirondack Phantoms on March 24th, before heading down I-88 and 81 to meet Wilkes-Barre the next afternoon at 3PM.The final two of that eleven game stretch mark their only trip of the season up to St. John's to meet the Ice Caps.
When looking at the schedule as a whole, the Falcons, on paper and depending on training camp moves, should be the class of the Northeast Division. In fact, top five in the conference isn't out of the question either. However, camp has yet to start and the ice isn't even in at the MassMutual Center yet. There's a long, long way to go. Optimism abounds. This could be fun.The entire 2011-2012 Springfield Falcons schedule is available here.
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2014-15/3331/en_head.json.gz/11008
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Marquette-Ohio State game canceled due to wet court
WTMJ News Team & The Associated Press
CREATED Nov. 9, 2012 - UPDATED: Nov. 9, 2012
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.- The Marquette-Ohio State basketball game that was supposed to take place on the deck of the USS Yorktown has been canceled due to a wet court.
Officials cited student safety as the reason for the cancellation.
Referee John Cahill said they waited about an hour, but the moisture on the court could not be dried. Cahill said it was in the best interest of the teams to cancel the game.
The contest was part of the second Carrier Classic. Earlier in the day, the No. 7 Notre Dame women defeated No. 19 Ohio State 57-51. There was no problem with the court during that game.
The contest raises money for several groups designed to help troops and veterans. It was a showcase for Veterans Day weekend.
Cahill said the decision was made in agreement with both coaches and athletic directors.
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2014-15/3331/en_head.json.gz/11021
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Francioni Gianluca
Snow Dining
Retirement Center in Gresham Snowed In
Something's happening at The Pearl!
Texan rips off local retired woman
Francioni retires from competititon By: francionistampaSubscribe
Location: Corridonia,Marche,Italy
Monday, Jun 17 , 13 at 8:59 AM
By the Court of Macerata (Italy), where it is being lawsuit among Gianluca Francioni against the city of Corridonia, the manager of the stadium "Martini" and the team of Athletics N.A.Fanfulla of Lodi for the payment of damages, arrive finally after almost three years the first sensational answers.
For example, came out that the town of Corridonia has not been established at this stage of the process and seems to want to give up to defend themselves. Instead, according to the manager of the stadium Martini", the champion Francioni was not authorized to use the facility and in fact could be called an "abusive" and that those structures was at regular maintenance. The athletic team N.A. Fanfulla of Lodi with which Francioni was affiliated at the time, in response, calls into question the City of Corridonia and the manager of the Stadium, as the team says, would be held responsible for non maintenance of the platform that caused the accident and was the athlete to want to train in Corridonia, Fanfulla instead,never interested the conditions under which the thrower training. This is normal because the throwers are not considered as the other athletes.
Recall that the story dates back to the winter of 2010, when Gianluca Francioni, shot putter corridoniano Italian champion, Italian record holder and 5 times on the national team , was training at the stadium "Martini" and because of the failure of the launch platform where he was training one of his usual workouts, suffered the rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee that forced him to surgical operation for the reconstruction of the same. It should also be noted that in the past the stadium facilities underwent numerous reports made by the athlete for the bad state in which they was and it seems unlikely that regular maintenance work has been carried seen what happened.
The 40-year-old thrower announce that he wants to close permanently with competitive athletics: "I no longer want to compete given what's going on. Be defined as an 'abusive' after more than 25-year career that I was the protagonist of competition in Italy and abroad bringing up the name of Corridonia city, really leaves me baffled, disappointed and sorry. And to think that the cost of the restructuring of the platform did not went beyond a few hundred-dollars and all this could be avoided. In any case, I have confidence in the judiciary and I am confident that justice will surely of this samake light d story" said the former Italian record holder, until 2010 under the NA Fanfulla of Lodi and that in his long career he wore the shirts of the most prestigious and important Italian teams in athletics and was coached by the famous Tony Naclerio, selector team usa at the World Championships in Tokyo in 1991, and coach at Rutgers University.
Now, the next court date is set for November 22, 2013 and we will see what will be the developments.
Francioni stampa
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2014-15/3331/en_head.json.gz/11047
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Olympics Opening Ceremony Kicks Off
By: AP Email Updated: Fri 4:54 PM, Jul 27, 2012
/ Article LONDON (AP) - The opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games hasbegun.
The show is kicking off with a film about the River Thames, followed by a countdown and the release of four balloons carrying the five Olympic rings to the edge of space.
The ringing of a giant bell made especially for the games ushers in what promises to be a quirky three-hour journey through British culture and history. Thousands of athletes were set to parade before 60,000 spectators, including Queen Elizabeth II and an A-list of global celebrities. Cyclist Bradley Wiggins, the winner of the recent Tour de France, had the honor of ringing the bell.
After Friday's extravaganza, it'll be time to officially "Let the games begin."
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2014-15/3331/en_head.json.gz/11050
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Same Face, Different Team
Posted: Jan 23, 2013 6:07 PM by Josh Sultan Updated: Jan 23, 2013 8:45 PM
COLUMBIA -- A familiar face returned to Mizzou Arena Tuesday night, but this time he was not wearing royal purple, he was wearing garnet. Former Kansas State Wildcats and current South Carolina Gamecocks coach Frank Martin entered the court hoping to beat Mizzou for the third straight time. Last season, Martin beat Frank Haith's crew 78-68 snapping a 15-game home win streak and was the only team to beat the Tigers at home.
This time the Tigers came from behind and beat a Gamecocks team that has only one conference victory, "we went through a three or four minute stretch where we had an open look and we missed it. We took a bad shot, turned it over, and that's a jailbreak," Martin said following the 71-65 loss.
Martin recognized the mistakes his team made saying, "this is game five of league play, and it's five games with under two minutes to play that we've got a chance to win the game -- and we're one and four."
Martin left the Wildcats after four consecutive 20-win seasons to takeover the Gamecocks -- a team that went 10-21 last year finishing last in the SEC.
"When I made the decision to leave the Big 12 -- missing the environments that I've been exposed to in the Big 12 was a sad moment for me, because it's just incredible homecourt environments," Martin said.
Mizzou hopes to return the favor and complete a two game sweep of Martin's team this season, when the Tigers travel to South Carolina on February 28.
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