George Frey/Getty ImagesKarl Malone was absolutely the most dominant power forward of his time. He was also arguably the greatest power forward in the history of the game.It was unofficially announced on Friday that Malone will enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this summer. The official announcement will be made Monday in Indianapolis as part of the NCAA championship festivities.His induction comes a year after the enshrinement of his longtime running mate John Stockton and venerable coach Jerry Sloan.Joining Malone Atlanta Falcons jersey
will be Scottie Pippen, making it back-to-back Jazz-Bulls inductions. Michael Jordan was enshrined with Stockton and Sloan last summer.It only fitting as these two teams played in the Finals in back-to-back years in 97 and 98.There was never a doubt in anyone mind that Malone would enter the Hall of Fame. I personally think it's a shame he didn enter at the same time as Stockton.That extra year he played in L.A. didn do anyone any good, and it just wasn right seeing Malone in a different uniform.Despite the unexciting ending to his career, Malone gave the fans in Utah a lot to cheer about.He was a two-time MVP and twice led his team to the Finals.He was strong on the inside, but had a tremendous fade-away jumper that kept defenders on their heels. He wasn a shooter like some of the big men today, but he could hit the big shots when he needed to.Anybody who grew up in the Utah area during Malone career can hear the familiar sounds of Hot Rod Hundley yelling out, Stockton to Malone, on numerous occasions when the Jazz played.Itwas one ofBaltimore Ravens jersey
those rare times when teammates just click with each other. The result was something special.Malone was always giving reporters plenty to write about with his play on the courtand his mouth off the court.Despite his constant whining about wanting to go somewhere where it rained more, Malone will always be one of Utah most well-respected athletes.I had the chance to meet Malone a couple of times. Nothing beats the time my 5-year-old neighbor walked up to the massive Malone though, and told him he wasn a team player during one of his whiny periods.Say what you want about the end of his careerand the many times he appeared less than thrilled to be in Utahbut you have to give the man his due.He teamed up with Stockton to form one of the most consistent teams in NBA history. Buffalo Bills jersey
They were always in the playoffs, and often in it right until the end.It is a pity that neither won the ultimate prize, but both had stellar careers.The Mailman is finally getting his spot in the hall like we all knew he would. It just feels right for him to be back with Stockton again after all these years.Thanks for all of the memories, Karl. You deserve the recognition.This article is also featured onSports According to Dave
2010年12月30日星期四
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 The NBA Draft and The Ongoing Eligiblity Debate
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images With the 2010 NBA Draft scheduled to take place June 24th, the traditional declaring of college players is fully under way. As has been the case for the last several years in regards to the players who put their name in for the NBA Draft, an outstanding majority of them are underclassman. This recent trend of underclassman declaring for the NBA Draft, has added more fuel to a debate that has been occurring for over the last five years. The debate surrounds the requirements for a player to enter the NBA Draft. Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
Both supporters and opponents of the currently in place requirement of 1 year removal from high school feel that the eligibility requirements should be modified. Supporters of the current requirement feel that it should be raised to 3 years removed from high school. Opponents want to remove the restriction all together, and allow players to enter once again from high school. This brings to the minds of some, why is it that the NBA is the only Major Sports league to be scrutinized for it requirements to be eligible in its Draft. The NBA, MLB, NHL, and the NFL all have different requirements for eligibility in their respective leagues. MLB MLB has a requirement that a player can go directly out of high school if they do not attend college, Junior College players can enter whenever they may, if a player attends a 4-year college they must stay till their junior year to be able to enter the MLB Draft. Why is it that there is not a similar backlash to what the NBA endures for its eligibility requirements?NHL For a player to enter the NHL Draft theyReebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
must be atlas 18 years old. Yet again there is no backlash for the lack restriction that NHL enforces in eligibility restrictions.NFL The NFL probably has the toughest eligibility requirements in regards to entering its draft. A player must three years removed from high school before they can be considered eligible to enter the NBA Draft. Understandably there is not, and there should not be any negativity directed toward the NFL in their age eligibility requirements. Why is it that out of all the leagues previously mentioned, the NBA is continued to be finger pointed at for it failures in the department of Draft eligibility?Some possible reasons for this fingerprinting may come from the following: 1) Struggles of underclassmen when entering NBA. 2) The problems that have occurred on the College level with the phenomenon known as the "one and done". 3) The lack of preparation for life after a career of basketball.Possible Solutions to the Eligibility Debate: 1) Remove the age restriction, and allow players to enter the NBA Draft straight out of high school, similar to a couple of years ago. In turn this removes the "one and done" players from College Basketball, and returns it back to its days of committed to the program players. OR 2) Implement an eligibility requirement similar to NFL and MLB, where a player must be 3 years removed from high school before he could be deemed eligible to enter the NBA Draft. In return this would allow the players to gain their college degree as well basketball knoReebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
wledge, that they would not have been able to achieve by leaving for the NBA early. After taking a further look at the debate about the eligibility requirement to enter the NBA Draft, individuals will continue to disagree on what is the appropriate solution. Some individuals will see the debate one way, and others will see it another, and in the end the issue will continue to be open to interpretation.
Both supporters and opponents of the currently in place requirement of 1 year removal from high school feel that the eligibility requirements should be modified. Supporters of the current requirement feel that it should be raised to 3 years removed from high school. Opponents want to remove the restriction all together, and allow players to enter once again from high school. This brings to the minds of some, why is it that the NBA is the only Major Sports league to be scrutinized for it requirements to be eligible in its Draft. The NBA, MLB, NHL, and the NFL all have different requirements for eligibility in their respective leagues. MLB MLB has a requirement that a player can go directly out of high school if they do not attend college, Junior College players can enter whenever they may, if a player attends a 4-year college they must stay till their junior year to be able to enter the MLB Draft. Why is it that there is not a similar backlash to what the NBA endures for its eligibility requirements?NHL For a player to enter the NHL Draft theyReebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
must be atlas 18 years old. Yet again there is no backlash for the lack restriction that NHL enforces in eligibility restrictions.NFL The NFL probably has the toughest eligibility requirements in regards to entering its draft. A player must three years removed from high school before they can be considered eligible to enter the NBA Draft. Understandably there is not, and there should not be any negativity directed toward the NFL in their age eligibility requirements. Why is it that out of all the leagues previously mentioned, the NBA is continued to be finger pointed at for it failures in the department of Draft eligibility?Some possible reasons for this fingerprinting may come from the following: 1) Struggles of underclassmen when entering NBA. 2) The problems that have occurred on the College level with the phenomenon known as the "one and done". 3) The lack of preparation for life after a career of basketball.Possible Solutions to the Eligibility Debate: 1) Remove the age restriction, and allow players to enter the NBA Draft straight out of high school, similar to a couple of years ago. In turn this removes the "one and done" players from College Basketball, and returns it back to its days of committed to the program players. OR 2) Implement an eligibility requirement similar to NFL and MLB, where a player must be 3 years removed from high school before he could be deemed eligible to enter the NBA Draft. In return this would allow the players to gain their college degree as well basketball knoReebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
wledge, that they would not have been able to achieve by leaving for the NBA early. After taking a further look at the debate about the eligibility requirement to enter the NBA Draft, individuals will continue to disagree on what is the appropriate solution. Some individuals will see the debate one way, and others will see it another, and in the end the issue will continue to be open to interpretation.
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 2010 NBA Playoffs: The Cavs Aren't The Real Deal But The Celtics Are
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesThe original article can be found at LOSCY.com --Im not going to sit here and toot my own horn about how right on my predictions about the playoffs have beenbut, toot toot...And Im not talking about just predicting winners and upsets, that easy.Im talking about Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
story lines: how the series would unfold in front of us all.But, like I said in the previous post, I take back everything I said about the Cavs. EVERYTHING.The Cavs still are playing uninspired ball.There is nothing that I have seen in either games, One or Two, that make me say, Oh boyThem there Cavs are good.The collapse in Game One was just that. The Celtics losing focus, and inability to execute on both offensive sets and defensive assignments.It was nothing that the Cavs implemented in order to raise the frantic and chaotic play that the Celtics demonstratedthe Celtics were their own worst enemy in Game One.But in Game Two, it was clear the Celtics stuck to a game plan and knew what to do.Move the ball, get the ball in the hot hand (Ray, Sheed), deny LBJ entry passes, fill the lane/paint when LBJ even thinks about stepping in there, and forcing the other Cavaliers to earn their paycheck.All of it worked. All of it.I will admit that I was fooled, too.Ive watched a lot of basketball this season, and I finally thought that the Cavs had the team to compete.Danny Ferry finally assembled a team that could match up against anyone, and that Mike Brown was actually demonstrating some coaching skills by putting the best lineup to Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
match up against whoever was playing the Cavs on a particular night.But something happened in the playoffseven in the opening round against the lifeless Bulls.The players stopped doing what they were doing, and Mike Brown stopped doing what he was doing.The ball movement ceased. The dynamic lineups off the bench changed. Everything went back to status quo for the Cavs, and as a result, they got lucky to split the first two games at home.LUCKY to split.I don need to write about why the Celtics are winning. Well, okay, maybe a little. But quickly.They are playing defense. Whoa. Is that it?Yeah, pretty much.The Celtics are playing defense again, and it so disruptive to the Cavs that LBJ and his teammates can get anything going. There is no momentum, there is no real opportunity for a run.Yes, defense wins titles.Even if the Celtics don win this series (more on this in a second), there is no way the Cavs are winning the title unless they snap out of this weird playoff induced coma that they have been in during the last two seasons.If the Cavs can just play the way they were playing before the playoffs, they should be the clear favorites.No one matches up well against them.But Mike Brown puzzling reluctance to keep Shaq as the No. 2 option and stop running plays to free up Anthony Parker and Mo Williams is stunning.The fact that Varejao and JJ Hickson aren playing together more is equally as puzzling. But hey, Im not one to complain.Rondo has been key in this series. He is Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
controlling the tempo and playing terrific help defense. Rondo shoulders are growing as he continues to carry more of the team on them. It wonderful to see.The Celtics can win this series. In fact, I now think that it is their series to lose.What a refreshing thing to say: it the Celtics series to lose.
story lines: how the series would unfold in front of us all.But, like I said in the previous post, I take back everything I said about the Cavs. EVERYTHING.The Cavs still are playing uninspired ball.There is nothing that I have seen in either games, One or Two, that make me say, Oh boyThem there Cavs are good.The collapse in Game One was just that. The Celtics losing focus, and inability to execute on both offensive sets and defensive assignments.It was nothing that the Cavs implemented in order to raise the frantic and chaotic play that the Celtics demonstratedthe Celtics were their own worst enemy in Game One.But in Game Two, it was clear the Celtics stuck to a game plan and knew what to do.Move the ball, get the ball in the hot hand (Ray, Sheed), deny LBJ entry passes, fill the lane/paint when LBJ even thinks about stepping in there, and forcing the other Cavaliers to earn their paycheck.All of it worked. All of it.I will admit that I was fooled, too.Ive watched a lot of basketball this season, and I finally thought that the Cavs had the team to compete.Danny Ferry finally assembled a team that could match up against anyone, and that Mike Brown was actually demonstrating some coaching skills by putting the best lineup to Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
match up against whoever was playing the Cavs on a particular night.But something happened in the playoffseven in the opening round against the lifeless Bulls.The players stopped doing what they were doing, and Mike Brown stopped doing what he was doing.The ball movement ceased. The dynamic lineups off the bench changed. Everything went back to status quo for the Cavs, and as a result, they got lucky to split the first two games at home.LUCKY to split.I don need to write about why the Celtics are winning. Well, okay, maybe a little. But quickly.They are playing defense. Whoa. Is that it?Yeah, pretty much.The Celtics are playing defense again, and it so disruptive to the Cavs that LBJ and his teammates can get anything going. There is no momentum, there is no real opportunity for a run.Yes, defense wins titles.Even if the Celtics don win this series (more on this in a second), there is no way the Cavs are winning the title unless they snap out of this weird playoff induced coma that they have been in during the last two seasons.If the Cavs can just play the way they were playing before the playoffs, they should be the clear favorites.No one matches up well against them.But Mike Brown puzzling reluctance to keep Shaq as the No. 2 option and stop running plays to free up Anthony Parker and Mo Williams is stunning.The fact that Varejao and JJ Hickson aren playing together more is equally as puzzling. But hey, Im not one to complain.Rondo has been key in this series. He is Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
controlling the tempo and playing terrific help defense. Rondo shoulders are growing as he continues to carry more of the team on them. It wonderful to see.The Celtics can win this series. In fact, I now think that it is their series to lose.What a refreshing thing to say: it the Celtics series to lose.
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Lakers Look Finals-Bound; Is There Still Time For Suns?
Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesAs much as I hate to admit it, the LA Lakers appear to be Finals-bound once again.I don want to suggest that anyone is just handing LA the titlebut with the number of blowouts the Lakers have had, most of this postseason has been a cakewalk for Kobe Bryant and company. Philadelphia Eagles jersey
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
27 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Lakers Look Finals-Bound; Is There Still Time For Suns?
Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesAs much as I hate to admit it, the LA Lakers appear to be Finals-bound once again.I don want to suggest that anyone is just handing LA the titlebut with the number of blowouts the Lakers have had, most of this postseason has been a cakewalk for Kobe Bryant and company. Philadelphia Eagles jersey
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
What next?Is there still time for the Suns to regroup and retie the series when the two teams meet in Phoenix this weekend?Sure, it could happen.Oklahoma City did it, but can it occur again?It appears as though most of the Lakers have learned hard lessons in their minimal defeats, gaining a lead and never letting go until the final buzzer.Maybe Phil Jackson is a decent coach after all.Maybe Bryant is a better leader than I make him out to be.Or maybe LA competition has yet to truly show up.Whatever the case might be, here reality: the Lakers are two gamesand two winsaway from returning to the NBA Finals.Phoenix better wake upand fastif they want to make this an entertaining and exciting Western Conference Finals.They are down 2-0 with their backs against the wall, but it a deficit that can be overcome.The Suns must win at home.They must focus on defense.And they must stop Kobe Bryant at all costs.Otherwise, Phoenix can kiss its postseason goodbye and can begin reserving tee-times at the local golf course. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
The Lakers look good right now, there no doubt about it.But the series isn over yet.And the NBA Finals have yet to even begin.
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 NBA Draft Busts: Do Bowie, Brown, Milicic Make the All-Time List?
Here are the busts from the 1950's: Irwin Dabmrot,Gene Melchiorre,Marcus Freiberger, Zeke Sinicola, John McConathy, Ed Smith, Joe Dean, Bob Stauffer, Chuck Darling, Mark Workman, Ralph Polson, Bob Lochmueller, Jim Neal, Jim Fritsche, Jack Turner, Johnny Horan, Hal Lear, Ron Shavlik, George Bon Salle, Brendan McCann, Pete Brennan, and John Richter.1960s: Al Bunge, Tom Stith, Wayne Yates, Gerry Ward, Tom Hoover, Roger Strickland, Bill Green, Gary Bradds, Barry Kramer, Nate Bowman, Ollie Johnson, Dave Schellhase, Sonny Dove, Tom Dallas Cowboys jersey
Workman, Mel Daniels, Dave Lattin, Mal Graham, Craig Raymond, Bill Hosket, Terry Driscoll, and Bud Ogden.1970s: Jim Ard, George Johnson, Greg Howard, Jimmy Collins, Al Henry, John Valley, Gary Greman, Mike Price, Ken Durett, Clarence Glover, Dana Lewis, Collis Jones, LaRue Martin, Russ Lee, Tom Riker, Rob Nash, Travis Grant, Kevin Joyce, Barry Parkhill, Steve Downing, Raymond Lewis, Cliff Pondexter, Glenn McDonald, Gene Short, Bob Bigelow, John Lambert, Chuckie Williams, Norm Cook, Tate Armstrong, Bo Ellis, Wesley Cox, Rich Laurel, Glenn Mosley, Rod Griffin, Raymond Townsend, Lary Demick, Roy Hamilton, Brad Holland, Lee Johnson, Wiley Peck, and Larry Knight.1980s: James Ray, Rickey Brown, John Duren, Monti Davis, Chad Kinch, Danny Vranes, Jeff Lamp, Ray Tolbert, Charles Bradley, David Thirdkill, Eddie Phillips, Mark McNamara, Darren Tillis, Russell Cross, Leo Rautins, Greg Kite, Stewart Granger, Tom Sewell, Earl Jones, Michael Young, Jon Koncak, Joe Kleine, Uwe Blab, Len Bias, Christian Washburn, William Bedford, Maruice Man, Anthony Jones, Ken Barlow, Joe Wolf, Jose Ortiz, Christian Welp, Ronnie Murphy, Will Perdue, Eric Leckner, David Rivers, Kenny Payne, Jeff Sanders, Ray Marble, Anthony Cook, John Morton, and Kenny Battle.1990s: Dave Jamerson, Jerrod Mustaf, Duane Causwell, Tate George, Lance Blanks, Rich King, Kevin Brooks, John Turner, Leron Ellis, Shaun Vandiver, Mark Randall, Pete Chilcutt, Bobby Hurley, Scott Haskin, Doug Edwards, Rex Walters, Greg Graham, Luther Wright, Ervin Johnson, Corie Blount, Geert Hammink, Malcolm Mackey, Eric Montross, Yinka Dare, Eric Mobley, B.J. Tyler, Dickey Simpkins, Bill Curley, Brooks Thompson, Denver Broncos jersey
Shawn Respert, Cherokee Parks, Randolph Childress, George Zidek, Loren Meyer, David Vaughn, Sherrell Ford, Mario Bennett, Greg Ostertag, Todd Fuller, Dontae' Jones, Roy Rogers, Efthimi Rentzias, Martin Muursepp, Brian Evans, Priest Lauderdale, Travis Knight, Adonal Foyle, Johnny Taylor, Scott Pollard, Paul Grant, Jacque Vaughn, Keith Booth, Robert Traylor, Michael Doleac, Bryce Drew, Brian Skinner, Sam Jacobson, Vladimir Stepania, Aleksandr Radojevic, William Avery, Frederic Weiss, Cal Bowdler, Quincy Lewis, Tim James, Scott Padgett, and Leon Smith.2000s: Joel Przybilla, Jerome Moiso, Mateen Cleaves, Dalibor Bagaric, Jake Tsakalidis, Mamadou N'diaye, Erick Barkley, Mark Madsen, DeSagana Diop, Kedrick Brown, Steven Hunter, Kirk Haston, Michael Bradley, Jason Collins, Joseph Forte, Jeryl Sasser, Brandon Armstrong, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Marcus Haislip, Curtis Borchardt, Ryan Humphrey, Qyntel Woods, Frank Williams, Chris Jeffries, Reese Gaines, Troy Bell, Zark Cabarkapa, Zoran Planinic, Ndudi Ebi, Rafael Arajuo, Luke Jackson, Robert Swift, Kris Humphries, Pavel Podkolzin, Viktor Khryapa, Sergei Monia, Sasha Vujacic, Fran Vasquez, Yaroslav Korolev, Julius Hodge, Ian Mahinimi, Wayne Simien, Shelden Williams, Patrick O'Bryant, Cedric Simmons, Oleksiy Pecherov, Quincy Douby, Renaldo Balkman, Maurice Auger, Mardy Collins, Joel Freeland, Acie Law, Julian Wright, Sean Williams, Jason Smith, Morris Almond, Tiago Splitter, Petteri Koponen, Joe Alexander, Alexis Ajinca, Kosta Koufos, JR Giddens, Hasheem Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, Gerald Henderson, Earl Clark, Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor, Victor Claver, Byron Mullens, Demarre Caroll, and Christian Eyenga.The way drafts are held today there's a lot of hype with Detroit Lions
first round players, especially when they are in the top 10. If they don't put up numbers, they are considered a bust. In my opinion, though, if a player is drafted in the first round they need to make a difference regardless if it's the first pick or now the 30th pick of the draft in the first round.There's a tremendous number of busts in the article, but it doesn't include the likes of Bowie, Brown, and Milicic because even though they did not live up to the expectations of where they were drafted, they still put up better numbers than the busts from any of the decades.
Workman, Mel Daniels, Dave Lattin, Mal Graham, Craig Raymond, Bill Hosket, Terry Driscoll, and Bud Ogden.1970s: Jim Ard, George Johnson, Greg Howard, Jimmy Collins, Al Henry, John Valley, Gary Greman, Mike Price, Ken Durett, Clarence Glover, Dana Lewis, Collis Jones, LaRue Martin, Russ Lee, Tom Riker, Rob Nash, Travis Grant, Kevin Joyce, Barry Parkhill, Steve Downing, Raymond Lewis, Cliff Pondexter, Glenn McDonald, Gene Short, Bob Bigelow, John Lambert, Chuckie Williams, Norm Cook, Tate Armstrong, Bo Ellis, Wesley Cox, Rich Laurel, Glenn Mosley, Rod Griffin, Raymond Townsend, Lary Demick, Roy Hamilton, Brad Holland, Lee Johnson, Wiley Peck, and Larry Knight.1980s: James Ray, Rickey Brown, John Duren, Monti Davis, Chad Kinch, Danny Vranes, Jeff Lamp, Ray Tolbert, Charles Bradley, David Thirdkill, Eddie Phillips, Mark McNamara, Darren Tillis, Russell Cross, Leo Rautins, Greg Kite, Stewart Granger, Tom Sewell, Earl Jones, Michael Young, Jon Koncak, Joe Kleine, Uwe Blab, Len Bias, Christian Washburn, William Bedford, Maruice Man, Anthony Jones, Ken Barlow, Joe Wolf, Jose Ortiz, Christian Welp, Ronnie Murphy, Will Perdue, Eric Leckner, David Rivers, Kenny Payne, Jeff Sanders, Ray Marble, Anthony Cook, John Morton, and Kenny Battle.1990s: Dave Jamerson, Jerrod Mustaf, Duane Causwell, Tate George, Lance Blanks, Rich King, Kevin Brooks, John Turner, Leron Ellis, Shaun Vandiver, Mark Randall, Pete Chilcutt, Bobby Hurley, Scott Haskin, Doug Edwards, Rex Walters, Greg Graham, Luther Wright, Ervin Johnson, Corie Blount, Geert Hammink, Malcolm Mackey, Eric Montross, Yinka Dare, Eric Mobley, B.J. Tyler, Dickey Simpkins, Bill Curley, Brooks Thompson, Denver Broncos jersey
Shawn Respert, Cherokee Parks, Randolph Childress, George Zidek, Loren Meyer, David Vaughn, Sherrell Ford, Mario Bennett, Greg Ostertag, Todd Fuller, Dontae' Jones, Roy Rogers, Efthimi Rentzias, Martin Muursepp, Brian Evans, Priest Lauderdale, Travis Knight, Adonal Foyle, Johnny Taylor, Scott Pollard, Paul Grant, Jacque Vaughn, Keith Booth, Robert Traylor, Michael Doleac, Bryce Drew, Brian Skinner, Sam Jacobson, Vladimir Stepania, Aleksandr Radojevic, William Avery, Frederic Weiss, Cal Bowdler, Quincy Lewis, Tim James, Scott Padgett, and Leon Smith.2000s: Joel Przybilla, Jerome Moiso, Mateen Cleaves, Dalibor Bagaric, Jake Tsakalidis, Mamadou N'diaye, Erick Barkley, Mark Madsen, DeSagana Diop, Kedrick Brown, Steven Hunter, Kirk Haston, Michael Bradley, Jason Collins, Joseph Forte, Jeryl Sasser, Brandon Armstrong, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Marcus Haislip, Curtis Borchardt, Ryan Humphrey, Qyntel Woods, Frank Williams, Chris Jeffries, Reese Gaines, Troy Bell, Zark Cabarkapa, Zoran Planinic, Ndudi Ebi, Rafael Arajuo, Luke Jackson, Robert Swift, Kris Humphries, Pavel Podkolzin, Viktor Khryapa, Sergei Monia, Sasha Vujacic, Fran Vasquez, Yaroslav Korolev, Julius Hodge, Ian Mahinimi, Wayne Simien, Shelden Williams, Patrick O'Bryant, Cedric Simmons, Oleksiy Pecherov, Quincy Douby, Renaldo Balkman, Maurice Auger, Mardy Collins, Joel Freeland, Acie Law, Julian Wright, Sean Williams, Jason Smith, Morris Almond, Tiago Splitter, Petteri Koponen, Joe Alexander, Alexis Ajinca, Kosta Koufos, JR Giddens, Hasheem Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, Gerald Henderson, Earl Clark, Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor, Victor Claver, Byron Mullens, Demarre Caroll, and Christian Eyenga.The way drafts are held today there's a lot of hype with Detroit Lions
first round players, especially when they are in the top 10. If they don't put up numbers, they are considered a bust. In my opinion, though, if a player is drafted in the first round they need to make a difference regardless if it's the first pick or now the 30th pick of the draft in the first round.There's a tremendous number of busts in the article, but it doesn't include the likes of Bowie, Brown, and Milicic because even though they did not live up to the expectations of where they were drafted, they still put up better numbers than the busts from any of the decades.
2010年12月25日星期六
25 Dec 10 NBA League Intervention Puts Stars In Limbo Broadway's Other Lead
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThis week the NBA announced plans to take over the fiscally struggling New Orleans Hornets whose financial predicaments have left the league with no choice but to take temporary ownership.Perhaps such a situation could have been avoided had the team Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
decided to retain a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant draft instead of swapping him on draft day in 96 for aging center Vlade Divac. Or perhaps it all went wrong in February of 2005 when the team shipped rising star Baron Davis to Golden State for Long Island own Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis.Regardless, the team is in a state of financial flux following their torrid start but now the franchise sees itself sinking fast in the ultra competitive NBA southwest division.Like Major League Baseball did when the league assumed ownership of the struggling Expos, many Hornet players could see themselves shipped off at bargain prices in order to cut losses so to make the team more attractive for potential sale to a new owner. Among the list of pricey talent-laden players who will soon be available: Chris Paul.Paul heads many fantasy leagues as a front-runner for MVP. His 16.2 PPG combined with a stately 10.4 ASG plus a near 5 RPG places the Wake Forest product as not just a candidate as a fantasy MVP but also an NBA MVP. Add to Paul totals a 90 percent conversion rate from the charity stripe and the Hornet point guard compels trade suitors to salivate.The 25 year-old guard is set to make over $15MM in 10-11 plus incentives which make Paul an imminent trade candidateReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
looking to shed payroll. A team rumored to be a suitor is the Orlando Magic whose ability to offer young trade pieces like Jameer Nelson and J.J. Reddick make a potential deal viable. The feasibility of Paul teaming up with a hyper-athletic scoring center like Dwight Howard could cause the guard peripheral stats to explode.As the February 24th trade deadline approaches and the league pressure for New Orleans to unload payroll intensifies, Chris Paul tenure as a Hornet may be coming to a close.Wilson Chandler may not be the draw that three-time all-star Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Chris Paul is, but Chandler emergence as the Knicks blossoming star certainly has staked his claim as one of Broadway newest draws. Statistically Chandler is a top 20 player who contributes in every statistical category including blocked shots where the 68 forward blocks nearly two shots per contest.Continue Reading
decided to retain a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant draft instead of swapping him on draft day in 96 for aging center Vlade Divac. Or perhaps it all went wrong in February of 2005 when the team shipped rising star Baron Davis to Golden State for Long Island own Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis.Regardless, the team is in a state of financial flux following their torrid start but now the franchise sees itself sinking fast in the ultra competitive NBA southwest division.Like Major League Baseball did when the league assumed ownership of the struggling Expos, many Hornet players could see themselves shipped off at bargain prices in order to cut losses so to make the team more attractive for potential sale to a new owner. Among the list of pricey talent-laden players who will soon be available: Chris Paul.Paul heads many fantasy leagues as a front-runner for MVP. His 16.2 PPG combined with a stately 10.4 ASG plus a near 5 RPG places the Wake Forest product as not just a candidate as a fantasy MVP but also an NBA MVP. Add to Paul totals a 90 percent conversion rate from the charity stripe and the Hornet point guard compels trade suitors to salivate.The 25 year-old guard is set to make over $15MM in 10-11 plus incentives which make Paul an imminent trade candidateReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
looking to shed payroll. A team rumored to be a suitor is the Orlando Magic whose ability to offer young trade pieces like Jameer Nelson and J.J. Reddick make a potential deal viable. The feasibility of Paul teaming up with a hyper-athletic scoring center like Dwight Howard could cause the guard peripheral stats to explode.As the February 24th trade deadline approaches and the league pressure for New Orleans to unload payroll intensifies, Chris Paul tenure as a Hornet may be coming to a close.Wilson Chandler may not be the draw that three-time all-star Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Chris Paul is, but Chandler emergence as the Knicks blossoming star certainly has staked his claim as one of Broadway newest draws. Statistically Chandler is a top 20 player who contributes in every statistical category including blocked shots where the 68 forward blocks nearly two shots per contest.Continue Reading
2010年12月24日星期五
24 Dec 10 Lebron James: Not Riding Coattails, Just a Step Ahead of the Rest
Lebron is just trying to winMarc Serota/Getty ImagesSince Lebron left Cleveland, everyone from team owners to ex-NBA greats have had something to say. He has been called all kinds of things including coward, narcissist, and ring chaser. Many claim the reason he joined up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami is because he needs other superstars to hide his own deficiencies. The truth is no one person can win a title on their own, and Lebron knows it.The fact that the James-led Cavaliers have posted 60+ win regular season records Atlanta Falcons jersey
means nothing. The playoffs are a whole different game and if you are relying on players like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, chances are you are not going to have much success regardless of how good you are. This is something Lebron realized and took advantage ofwith the opportunity that free agency created.It is easy for players such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to come out and say they would not have done what Lebron did, in going to a team with a player like Dwyane Wade. Magic was drafted into a team with players like Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy. Jordan’s Bulls were able to acquire players such as Pippen and Rodman. When you have teammates like these, it’s a no-brainer to not want to leave your team. James however did not have that luxury.Charles Barkley was also another strong critic of Lebron’s move. Barkley also said he would not have switched teams in his prime in order to team up with another superstar. But Barkley did go to Houston later in his Baltimore Ravens jersey
career for the shot a championship. A championship he did not win. The fact that Barkley never won a championship is something he most likely regrets. Why should Lebron be criticized for trying to accomplish his ultimate goal early in his career instead of later? Would it have been OK to leave Cleveland five years from now in order to try and win a championship? You can’t blame a player for wanting to win and win often. That is what Lebron is trying to do with this Miami Heat team. In the NBA success is measured in championships. If Lebron truly wants to be considered as one of the best to ever play the game then going to Miami was a smart move. His individual statistics may suffer a bit, but the chance for a title is increased. That is what James is going after. Buffalo Bills jersey
Let’s not blame Lebron for trying to win championships at an early age in order to cement his legacy. He knows the history of the game and is aware a championship is hard to win. He now has a head start and a great opportunity to do it. We should not question his competitiveness. We should honor the sacrifice he is making in putting aside his personal statistics, ego, and millions of dollars for the chance to win.
means nothing. The playoffs are a whole different game and if you are relying on players like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, chances are you are not going to have much success regardless of how good you are. This is something Lebron realized and took advantage ofwith the opportunity that free agency created.It is easy for players such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to come out and say they would not have done what Lebron did, in going to a team with a player like Dwyane Wade. Magic was drafted into a team with players like Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy. Jordan’s Bulls were able to acquire players such as Pippen and Rodman. When you have teammates like these, it’s a no-brainer to not want to leave your team. James however did not have that luxury.Charles Barkley was also another strong critic of Lebron’s move. Barkley also said he would not have switched teams in his prime in order to team up with another superstar. But Barkley did go to Houston later in his Baltimore Ravens jersey
career for the shot a championship. A championship he did not win. The fact that Barkley never won a championship is something he most likely regrets. Why should Lebron be criticized for trying to accomplish his ultimate goal early in his career instead of later? Would it have been OK to leave Cleveland five years from now in order to try and win a championship? You can’t blame a player for wanting to win and win often. That is what Lebron is trying to do with this Miami Heat team. In the NBA success is measured in championships. If Lebron truly wants to be considered as one of the best to ever play the game then going to Miami was a smart move. His individual statistics may suffer a bit, but the chance for a title is increased. That is what James is going after. Buffalo Bills jersey
Let’s not blame Lebron for trying to win championships at an early age in order to cement his legacy. He knows the history of the game and is aware a championship is hard to win. He now has a head start and a great opportunity to do it. We should not question his competitiveness. We should honor the sacrifice he is making in putting aside his personal statistics, ego, and millions of dollars for the chance to win.
2010年12月23日星期四
23 Dec 10Richard Jefferson: The Little San Antonio Spur That Could
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images"Richard Jefferson, we hardly knew ye."That's the headline I thought that I'd be running with a few weeks into the season, right around the time I predicted I'd be issuing the eulogy at the funeral of Jefferson's NBA career. Well, lo and behold, it's still the one I went with. St. Louis Rams jersey
And not because the 6'7" forward took note of the "staggering downswing in production" rumblings throughout the course of last season and retired at the age of 30, but because we literally did not know ye, Rich. Or more specifically, we didn't know you had it in you. After he mind-blowingly opted out of his $15.2 million contract in June, Spurs fans may have though they'd seen the last of Jefferson, who notched just 12.3 points in 31.1 frustrating minutes per game last year. But he managed to re-sign with the team in July, at what he considers his own type of self-negotiated contract extension. "So you figure it out. If you're able to get four years and 40 (million dollars by opting out) from someone (which ended up being the Spurs), it's like, 'OK, I did lose out on 15 (million dollars). But I'm going to get basically a $25 million extension,'" he told Fanhouse before opting out. Well, he ended up getting near his $40 million mark by signing for $39 million over four years, giving San Antonio one hella-good (so far) player for a measly $8.4 million. His contract steadily increases throughout the course of the deal, bringing him to over $11 million in year four, in which a 34-year-old Jefferson will likely be driving to the rim in a Cadillac with a perpetual left-turn signal on for 18 minutes a game. But this is not the time, nor place to discuss that dismal imagery. Rather, it's to offer Jefferson some praise. As the transition of the organization continues and 34-year-old Tim Duncan's minutes and points diminish, the needTennessee Titans jersey
for added production from other contributors grows consistently. Manu Ginobili has benefitted from his added minutes by shooting lights out and scoring over 21 per. Even Tony Parker has been as hot as his wife ex-wife, Eva Longoria, shooting close to 53 percent from the field and 81 percent from the line (Parker has career averages of 49 and 73 percent, respectively). But the biggest surprise of this young season for San Antonio is undoubtedly the motivated production from Jefferson. In roughly the same amount of playing time as last year, certain aspects of his 2010-2011 numbers are staggering. Jefferson is shooting at a 54 percent clip combined with 46 percent behind the arc. Compare that with 47 percent and 32 percent a year ago and the Spurs are in business.Will Jefferson continue at this pace throughout the course of the season?Will Jefferson continue at this pace throughout the course of the season?Yes90.3%No9.7%Total votes: 165His rebounds and assists are slightly down, but the adjustments to his overall game have given San Antonio a versatile scorer at the perfect time. Jefferson has even elevated his play to the point where I've confidently added him to my fantasy basketball team, "Pimping Gloria James." Basically what all of this boils down to is this: the majority of the NBA world believed that the productive days of the former Arizona Wildcat were far behind him. So much so, in fact, that basketballreference.com didn't even bother to update his Washington Redskins jersey
stock photo from his time in New Jersey, despite last appearing in a Nets uni in April 2008 and changing teams twice since then.Roughly 87 percent of the season remains to be played, and by then this column might look ridiculous.But right now it's time to buy into Richard Jefferson and the 10-1 Spurs, if you haven't already.
And not because the 6'7" forward took note of the "staggering downswing in production" rumblings throughout the course of last season and retired at the age of 30, but because we literally did not know ye, Rich. Or more specifically, we didn't know you had it in you. After he mind-blowingly opted out of his $15.2 million contract in June, Spurs fans may have though they'd seen the last of Jefferson, who notched just 12.3 points in 31.1 frustrating minutes per game last year. But he managed to re-sign with the team in July, at what he considers his own type of self-negotiated contract extension. "So you figure it out. If you're able to get four years and 40 (million dollars by opting out) from someone (which ended up being the Spurs), it's like, 'OK, I did lose out on 15 (million dollars). But I'm going to get basically a $25 million extension,'" he told Fanhouse before opting out. Well, he ended up getting near his $40 million mark by signing for $39 million over four years, giving San Antonio one hella-good (so far) player for a measly $8.4 million. His contract steadily increases throughout the course of the deal, bringing him to over $11 million in year four, in which a 34-year-old Jefferson will likely be driving to the rim in a Cadillac with a perpetual left-turn signal on for 18 minutes a game. But this is not the time, nor place to discuss that dismal imagery. Rather, it's to offer Jefferson some praise. As the transition of the organization continues and 34-year-old Tim Duncan's minutes and points diminish, the needTennessee Titans jersey
for added production from other contributors grows consistently. Manu Ginobili has benefitted from his added minutes by shooting lights out and scoring over 21 per. Even Tony Parker has been as hot as his wife ex-wife, Eva Longoria, shooting close to 53 percent from the field and 81 percent from the line (Parker has career averages of 49 and 73 percent, respectively). But the biggest surprise of this young season for San Antonio is undoubtedly the motivated production from Jefferson. In roughly the same amount of playing time as last year, certain aspects of his 2010-2011 numbers are staggering. Jefferson is shooting at a 54 percent clip combined with 46 percent behind the arc. Compare that with 47 percent and 32 percent a year ago and the Spurs are in business.Will Jefferson continue at this pace throughout the course of the season?Will Jefferson continue at this pace throughout the course of the season?Yes90.3%No9.7%Total votes: 165His rebounds and assists are slightly down, but the adjustments to his overall game have given San Antonio a versatile scorer at the perfect time. Jefferson has even elevated his play to the point where I've confidently added him to my fantasy basketball team, "Pimping Gloria James." Basically what all of this boils down to is this: the majority of the NBA world believed that the productive days of the former Arizona Wildcat were far behind him. So much so, in fact, that basketballreference.com didn't even bother to update his Washington Redskins jersey
stock photo from his time in New Jersey, despite last appearing in a Nets uni in April 2008 and changing teams twice since then.Roughly 87 percent of the season remains to be played, and by then this column might look ridiculous.But right now it's time to buy into Richard Jefferson and the 10-1 Spurs, if you haven't already.
2010年12月22日星期三
Monta Ellis-To-New York Knicks Deal Makes Perfect Sense
Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesThere's no denying that Monta Ellis is an entertaining, explosive player on one of the worst teams in the NBA.Take Ellis away from the Golden State Warriors and it becomes a team with point guard Stephen Curry and a bunch of players who can't be watched without without Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
partially covering your eyes.There's also no denying that a backcourt tandem of Curry and Ellis won't last in Golden State. They share too many strengths, and yet Ellis doesn't have Curry's ability to develop into a true point guard. Curry is the guy the Warriors will build around.Thus, the report that Ellis is being offered to the New York Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal for power forward David Lee makes perfect sense.Well, it's out of character for the Warriors to consider a trade that would actually help them out. The club has been notorious for taking back a line of mediocre players for their stars.Lee's a versatile big guy who averaged 20.3 points and 11.7 boards in 37 minutes per game last season. He's a true NBA talent who, like Ellis, has been surrounded by inferior supporting players on some truly terrible teams. In fact, some NBA insiders remain surprised that Lee isn't mentioned amongst the list of Grade A free agents. The guy can play.Oh, and Lee hasn't cause a lick of trouble on the court or off. That alone makes him attractive.The Warriors do have a number of tall players. (There's really no other way to describe them, given that they haven't shown to be proven power forwards or centers.)Lee would immediately give the Warriors a star in the middle. He'd allow Andris Biedrins to play defense and rebound without having to worry about scoring around the hoop. Anthony Randolph and Brandon Wright would cease to be pieces to the puzzle. If they develop, fine. If they take time or don't make it at all, then a Lee-Biedrins-Turiaf combo under the hoop makes the Warriors competitive. First-round draft pick Epke Udoh will pound the boards and play defense. This is, of course, assuming Don Nelson forfeits the head coaching job, and his concept of the 5-man run and gun Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
rmy.And, really, Randolph is going to develop into a player. Having a veteran like Lee on the club will only expedite the process. Udoh's presence will eventually relieve Randolph of banging in the post, something he's not necessarily suited to do.There's no reason to worry about losing Ellis. The club never does anything right, but is rightly aware that having two, similarly skilled guards in Curry and Ellis is no way to build a team. And, it doesn't matter how much fans like Ellis—he will be the guy they trade. Curry's not going anywhere.It wouldn't hurt to relieve the new ownership of Ellis' contract either.So, Lee for Ellis makes sense and would be a big step towards legitimacy for the Warriors.Still, the Knicks aren't the only team that might be able to help the Warriors.The Chicago Bulls are offering small forward Luol Deng around. The former Duke star is a 6-foot-9, 25-year-old who averages 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds for his career. The Warriors are without a small forward. And really, an NBA team should be able to fill all five spots on the floor with proven performers.The Portland Trail Blazers, whose front office may be a bigger mess than the Warriors', are also bidding for Deng. However, the Warriors have the assets to issue a better offer.Certainly, Ellis-for-Deng is unthinkable. But the NBA is all about multi-team trades these days and Ellis is a very, very marketable player. Teams are jockeying for trades that would better lure free agents like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
and Chris Bosh.The Bulls are angling for both LeBron and Wade. Ellis is widely perceived as a scoring guard. ...What value would a scoring point guard have to a team seeking James or Wade?For now, let's dwell on the comforting idea of acquiring Lee, because it's the only Warriors idea that makes sense
partially covering your eyes.There's also no denying that a backcourt tandem of Curry and Ellis won't last in Golden State. They share too many strengths, and yet Ellis doesn't have Curry's ability to develop into a true point guard. Curry is the guy the Warriors will build around.Thus, the report that Ellis is being offered to the New York Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal for power forward David Lee makes perfect sense.Well, it's out of character for the Warriors to consider a trade that would actually help them out. The club has been notorious for taking back a line of mediocre players for their stars.Lee's a versatile big guy who averaged 20.3 points and 11.7 boards in 37 minutes per game last season. He's a true NBA talent who, like Ellis, has been surrounded by inferior supporting players on some truly terrible teams. In fact, some NBA insiders remain surprised that Lee isn't mentioned amongst the list of Grade A free agents. The guy can play.Oh, and Lee hasn't cause a lick of trouble on the court or off. That alone makes him attractive.The Warriors do have a number of tall players. (There's really no other way to describe them, given that they haven't shown to be proven power forwards or centers.)Lee would immediately give the Warriors a star in the middle. He'd allow Andris Biedrins to play defense and rebound without having to worry about scoring around the hoop. Anthony Randolph and Brandon Wright would cease to be pieces to the puzzle. If they develop, fine. If they take time or don't make it at all, then a Lee-Biedrins-Turiaf combo under the hoop makes the Warriors competitive. First-round draft pick Epke Udoh will pound the boards and play defense. This is, of course, assuming Don Nelson forfeits the head coaching job, and his concept of the 5-man run and gun Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
rmy.And, really, Randolph is going to develop into a player. Having a veteran like Lee on the club will only expedite the process. Udoh's presence will eventually relieve Randolph of banging in the post, something he's not necessarily suited to do.There's no reason to worry about losing Ellis. The club never does anything right, but is rightly aware that having two, similarly skilled guards in Curry and Ellis is no way to build a team. And, it doesn't matter how much fans like Ellis—he will be the guy they trade. Curry's not going anywhere.It wouldn't hurt to relieve the new ownership of Ellis' contract either.So, Lee for Ellis makes sense and would be a big step towards legitimacy for the Warriors.Still, the Knicks aren't the only team that might be able to help the Warriors.The Chicago Bulls are offering small forward Luol Deng around. The former Duke star is a 6-foot-9, 25-year-old who averages 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds for his career. The Warriors are without a small forward. And really, an NBA team should be able to fill all five spots on the floor with proven performers.The Portland Trail Blazers, whose front office may be a bigger mess than the Warriors', are also bidding for Deng. However, the Warriors have the assets to issue a better offer.Certainly, Ellis-for-Deng is unthinkable. But the NBA is all about multi-team trades these days and Ellis is a very, very marketable player. Teams are jockeying for trades that would better lure free agents like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
and Chris Bosh.The Bulls are angling for both LeBron and Wade. Ellis is widely perceived as a scoring guard. ...What value would a scoring point guard have to a team seeking James or Wade?For now, let's dwell on the comforting idea of acquiring Lee, because it's the only Warriors idea that makes sense
2010年12月21日星期二
Why Carl Crawford Is Worth Every Penny of His $142 Million Deal
Carl Crawford may actually live up to his fresh $142 million contract.Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesThere is a certain logic to why the Washington Nationals splurged on Jayson Werth, even if it is a faulty logic. But what was the logic of the Boston Red Sox snagging Carl Crawford for seven years at $142 million? The guy is good, but is he that good? Unlike the Nationals, who were a team acting upon a desperate desire just to be relevant, the Red Sox were already a very good team, fresh off of netting Adrian Gonzalez. Additionally, it stands to reason that Boston benefits from a Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
certain wisdom that comes through having a history of winning and being rich. One would also think that the Red Sox front office learned their lesson the hard way with J.D. Drew. Like the Nationals signing Werth, Boston had external motives behind the Crawford deal beyond the player himself. For the Red Sox it's always about keeping up with New York. The Yankees may not have wanted Crawford, but this now puts all of the pressure on them to sign Cliff Lee, lest they walk away from this winter without signing even one of the free agent heavyweights. Boston also finished a lackluster third in the AL East last season, and the Crawford deal was exactly the kind of macho power move that the front office needed to placate a rabid fan base. The Red Sox were World Series contenders before Crawford. With him, they're the early favorites. But looking beyond how these external motives may have raised the price on Crawford, it is interesting to note that he might actually live up to his huge worth. J.D. Drew, no longer the highest-paid outfielder on the Red Sox.Darren McCollester/Getty Images$142 million over seven years might seem high for a guy who, over the past three seasons has a .803 OPS. This, compared to Boston's big bats: Gonzalez (.910), Kevin Youkilis (.975), Dustin Pedroia (.860), and David Ortiz (.899). But that number is still better than J.D. Drew's .793. Incidentally, it is important to mention Drew. For one, Crawford will live in the shadow of J.D.'s five-year $70 million contract. For one, this deal is widely considered Theo Epstein's biggest free agency blunder, and Crawford's worth will always be judged against the merits of the Drew deal. However, Crawford is also linked to J.D. because Crawford's value truly projects best if he switches from left field to right, Drew's position. God bless him, J.D. will be gone after 2011, however it is worth having Crawford in right starting this year. Playing left at Fenway takes away Crawford's speed, whereas Fenway's right field is among the more spacious in all of Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
baseball. Crawford is widely regarded as a premier defensive outfielder. It would behoove Boston to maximize his talents by playing him in right rather than neutralizing his speed in left. As for said speed on the base paths? It figures Crawford's stolen base totals have seen their best days; Boston's offense does not favor base stealing, neither in style or substance. However Crawford's speed will still be utilized, albeit in less statistically appreciated ways, such as going first to third on an opposite field blooper by Youkilis or second to home on a ground ball up the middle by Ortiz. What is your opinion on the Carl Crawford deal?What is your opinion on the Carl Crawford deal?It's just right.43.8%Too much money.14.4%Too many years.11.1%Too much money and too many years.20.9%Would rather extend J.D. Drew's contract to 2020.9.8%Total votes: 153But it all comes back to his fielding. FanGraphs Dave Cameron points to Crawford's WAR (Wins Above Replacement) value as being the best indicator of just how good he really is. Crawford's WAR over the past two seasons is sixth-best in all of baseball. Cameron argues that if "you buy into Crawford being an elite defender, then he is worth this contract, and maybe even a little bit more." Crawford has landed his big payday, but what will be interesting to see in the future is the price put on top-notch outfield defense. Seattle gave Franklin Gutierrez, arguably the best defensive outfielder in the game, four years at $20.5 million with a team option for a fifth year. Gutierrez does not compare to Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
Crawford at the dish (only a .666 OPS), however he isn't terrible with the bat. He also has speed and, obviously, compares to Crawford in the field. So would Gutierrez stand to make more now, in the wake of Crawford's mega-deal? Not that it matters for Gutierrez anymore, but would $10 million-a-year be out of the question for a player of his caliber? The price put on slick fielding is still up for grabs, however it seems safe to say that it isn't an undervalued commodity anymore in light of Carl Crawford, who just might actually live up to his big deal, even if he never hits 20 home runs. Will the same be said of Jayson Werth?
certain wisdom that comes through having a history of winning and being rich. One would also think that the Red Sox front office learned their lesson the hard way with J.D. Drew. Like the Nationals signing Werth, Boston had external motives behind the Crawford deal beyond the player himself. For the Red Sox it's always about keeping up with New York. The Yankees may not have wanted Crawford, but this now puts all of the pressure on them to sign Cliff Lee, lest they walk away from this winter without signing even one of the free agent heavyweights. Boston also finished a lackluster third in the AL East last season, and the Crawford deal was exactly the kind of macho power move that the front office needed to placate a rabid fan base. The Red Sox were World Series contenders before Crawford. With him, they're the early favorites. But looking beyond how these external motives may have raised the price on Crawford, it is interesting to note that he might actually live up to his huge worth. J.D. Drew, no longer the highest-paid outfielder on the Red Sox.Darren McCollester/Getty Images$142 million over seven years might seem high for a guy who, over the past three seasons has a .803 OPS. This, compared to Boston's big bats: Gonzalez (.910), Kevin Youkilis (.975), Dustin Pedroia (.860), and David Ortiz (.899). But that number is still better than J.D. Drew's .793. Incidentally, it is important to mention Drew. For one, Crawford will live in the shadow of J.D.'s five-year $70 million contract. For one, this deal is widely considered Theo Epstein's biggest free agency blunder, and Crawford's worth will always be judged against the merits of the Drew deal. However, Crawford is also linked to J.D. because Crawford's value truly projects best if he switches from left field to right, Drew's position. God bless him, J.D. will be gone after 2011, however it is worth having Crawford in right starting this year. Playing left at Fenway takes away Crawford's speed, whereas Fenway's right field is among the more spacious in all of Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
baseball. Crawford is widely regarded as a premier defensive outfielder. It would behoove Boston to maximize his talents by playing him in right rather than neutralizing his speed in left. As for said speed on the base paths? It figures Crawford's stolen base totals have seen their best days; Boston's offense does not favor base stealing, neither in style or substance. However Crawford's speed will still be utilized, albeit in less statistically appreciated ways, such as going first to third on an opposite field blooper by Youkilis or second to home on a ground ball up the middle by Ortiz. What is your opinion on the Carl Crawford deal?What is your opinion on the Carl Crawford deal?It's just right.43.8%Too much money.14.4%Too many years.11.1%Too much money and too many years.20.9%Would rather extend J.D. Drew's contract to 2020.9.8%Total votes: 153But it all comes back to his fielding. FanGraphs Dave Cameron points to Crawford's WAR (Wins Above Replacement) value as being the best indicator of just how good he really is. Crawford's WAR over the past two seasons is sixth-best in all of baseball. Cameron argues that if "you buy into Crawford being an elite defender, then he is worth this contract, and maybe even a little bit more." Crawford has landed his big payday, but what will be interesting to see in the future is the price put on top-notch outfield defense. Seattle gave Franklin Gutierrez, arguably the best defensive outfielder in the game, four years at $20.5 million with a team option for a fifth year. Gutierrez does not compare to Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
Crawford at the dish (only a .666 OPS), however he isn't terrible with the bat. He also has speed and, obviously, compares to Crawford in the field. So would Gutierrez stand to make more now, in the wake of Crawford's mega-deal? Not that it matters for Gutierrez anymore, but would $10 million-a-year be out of the question for a player of his caliber? The price put on slick fielding is still up for grabs, however it seems safe to say that it isn't an undervalued commodity anymore in light of Carl Crawford, who just might actually live up to his big deal, even if he never hits 20 home runs. Will the same be said of Jayson Werth?
2010年12月19日星期日
20 Dec 10 Ex-Gator Kerwin Bell: Is the Time Right to Come Home?
Urban Meyer will have to decide the direction he wants to go regarding Florida's offense.Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesFor all the names that have come up when discussing potential offensive coordinators to replace Steve Addazio at Florida, none has gathered more steam or generated more excitement in Gator Nation than Kerwin Bell.A quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87, Bell was a walk-on who found himself buried in the depth chart as a freshman. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, Bell became the starter at Florida in 1984 and led the Gators to a 9-1-1 record and won the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year award. By the time he left Florida, he had accumulated over 7,000 passing yards and threw for over 50 touchdowns.His professional career took him on many travels, through the NFL, CFL and the World League. But it was during his time in Toronto in the CFL when Bell realized his calling. In one year, Bell went from Argonaut quarterback to offensive coordinator, and just like that, his coaching career had begun.Bell was hired in 2001 as head coach of Trinity Catholic, a new catholic school in Ocala, Florida. He quickly established Trinity Catholic as a state powerhouse, winning a state championship in 2006.In 2007, Bell was hired at Jacksonville University to build a new program, much like he had at Trinity. In his first year, Bell won Pioneer League Coach of the Year honors. In 2010, JU finished 10-1, and finished with the No. 1 ranked offense in the country. Maybe what is most impressive about Bell’s success Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jerseyat JU is that he has built a program without any scholarship players.Urban Meyer and Steve AddazioDoug Benc/Getty ImagesHis record and accomplishments speak for themselves, and he has admitted he hopes to return to the Gator sideline one day, as a coach. So what stands in the way of making this official, offensive philosophy, of course?Bell’s offense runs many pro sets and throws the ball all over the field, much like you see Bobby Petrino do at Arkansas. There is no read option, and the current coaching philosophy begins and ends with the read option. Even as pedestrian as the 2010 Gators appeared on offense, it may be asking too much for Meyer to change from what he knows best.There is the possibility Meyer and Bell could incorporate a lot of Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jerseyhow both offenses scheme and make it work; after all, many power football teams and pro-style offenses in college football incorporate a certain amount of spread or wildcat into their offenses. But the basic principles of the offense would change, and Meyer would have to accept that. Although Meyer claims he has no certain offensive style, the spread is his bread and butter and it has been his area of expertise since he became a head coach.Another possibility is that Meyer’s new approach, the new “delegating Meyer,” would recognize Bell, with head coaching experience, could not only bring a successful offense to Gainesville, but could also bring great leadership to the program, which the program desperately needs after losing Charlie Strong and so many other great coaches. Thus allowing Meyer time and energy to be a head coach, a husband and a father all at the same time.John Brantley played for Kerwin Bell at Trinity Catholic.Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesThere are other aspects Kerwin Bell brings to the Florida program that should be worth noting. For all his talent and success, Bell is a Florida Gator. This above all Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey other reasons is why Gator Nation is so energized by Bell.Although a successful coordinator will no doubt have many new offers year in and year out, Bell is a Floridian and he is a Gator. Having success on the sidelines at Florida could prove gratifying enough for Bell to hang around for awhile, and who knows what the future could bring.Make no mistake; Kerwin Bell will be lured away from JU very soon. There are too many mediocre programs and few too many great coaches in college football. Programs like Vanderbilt will look at his success at JU and see gold. It may not happen this year or next, but it will happen.Whether Meyer makes the move to bring Kerwin Bell back home, one can only speculate. But until a new coordinator is named, the excitement in Gator Nation still persists and the dream continues to survive.
19 Dec 10 Washington Redskins: Defining the Problems
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesYesterday's 59 to 28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles revealed all the flaws of the Redskins. 1. The defense is terrible.The Redskins can't stop the run or the pass. Fortunately for them, opponents have to stop running once they cross the goal line. The team has no Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
pass rush outside of Brian Orakpo. The linebackers are not quick and lack coverage ability. The defense needs to be overhauled starting with the $100 million-dollar man. That shot of him laying on the turf in the third quarter said it all. 2. The receivers are weak.The Redskins receivers struggle to get separation and consistently drop passes. Two of the three interceptions that McNabb threw last night were because of the receivers. I like Santana Moss, but he is not a No. 1 receiver. He is a slot receiver on a good football team. Joey Galloway needs to be cut. He does absolutely nothing. Anthony Armstrong is a No. 3 or No. 4 on a playoff team. The rest of the receivers leave nothing to be desired. 3. The offensive line has to be rebuilt.Trent Williams is the one stud on the line. Donovan McNabb is Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
running for his life back there. The offensive line has been unable to keep the pass rush off of McNabb all season long. The only reason that McNabb has not been sacked more is because McNabb still has some elusiveness left in him. It appears that the best the Redskins have to look forward to is an 8-8 finish to the season. This article is also featured onSportFeen
pass rush outside of Brian Orakpo. The linebackers are not quick and lack coverage ability. The defense needs to be overhauled starting with the $100 million-dollar man. That shot of him laying on the turf in the third quarter said it all. 2. The receivers are weak.The Redskins receivers struggle to get separation and consistently drop passes. Two of the three interceptions that McNabb threw last night were because of the receivers. I like Santana Moss, but he is not a No. 1 receiver. He is a slot receiver on a good football team. Joey Galloway needs to be cut. He does absolutely nothing. Anthony Armstrong is a No. 3 or No. 4 on a playoff team. The rest of the receivers leave nothing to be desired. 3. The offensive line has to be rebuilt.Trent Williams is the one stud on the line. Donovan McNabb is Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
running for his life back there. The offensive line has been unable to keep the pass rush off of McNabb all season long. The only reason that McNabb has not been sacked more is because McNabb still has some elusiveness left in him. It appears that the best the Redskins have to look forward to is an 8-8 finish to the season. This article is also featured onSportFeen
2010年12月18日星期六
18 Dec 10 NFL Week 10: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots Become Super Bowl Favorites
Tom Brady: the leader of the PatriotsChris McGrath/Getty ImagesAfter a three-yard touchdown run by Tom Brady late in the third quarter vs. thePittsburghSteelers last night, he spiked the ball into the ground, sending a shockwave throughout the NFL. The New England Patriots and Tom Brady sent a message to the AFC last night, letting every team know they are the team to beat, and the road to the Super Bowl goes down Route 1 in Foxboro,Massachusetts. After an embarrassing loss last week to the Cleveland Browns, the Patriots and head Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
coach Bill Belichick were prepared for last night's game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in every way. The Patriots shredded the Steelers' vaunted defense all night, through the air and on the ground. The Steelers allowed the most points ever for a regular season home game, and the Patriots also hold the most points scored for an away team in the playoffs at Heinz Field (41 from the 2004 AFC title game). Without a deep threat in the passing game, and running backs anybody outside of New England has heard of, Tom Brady and the Patriots offense picked apart the Steelers' defense like no one else has this season. Brady completed 30 of 40 passes for 350 yards passing and three touchdowns, all of which were caught by rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots finally found a successful rushing attack, led by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries. Will the Patriots win the AFC?Will the Patriots win the AFC?Yes71.0%No5.8%Too early to tell23.2%Total votes: 155The whole demeanor of the Patriots was quite different than the Steelers. New England wanted the game a lot more, and showed much more passion and emotion the entire game. Television cameras were often focused on Tom Brady yelling at his teammates for not executing several times. In an ESPNBoston.com article written by Mike Reiss last updated Nov. 15, Brady explained the emotions of the game to the media: "There's only one way to play the game, and it's an emotional game," Brady said afterward. "I think part of Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
being a quarterback is making sure that everyone's into it and I thought all the guys played really hard and stayed focused. It was an exciting win for all of us. We haven't been this happy in a long time." Brady has shown he's fully capable of leading a prolific passing attack without Randy Moss, and used a short, intermediate passing game to take apart the Steelers. Brady completed a pass to eight different receivers last night, something that is very encouraging. With Moss on the field, Brady looked Moss's way too much, often forcing passes to him when he was well-covered. The much maligned Patriots defense bent but refused to break last night, and the turning point of the game was an interception return for a touchdown by safety James Sanders in the fourth quarter. Sanders caught a deflected pass by fellow safety Patrick Chung and returned it 32 yards to the end zone. Is Tom Brady the best QB in the NFL?Is Tom Brady the best QB in the NFL?Yes85.1%No14.9%Total votes: 141The defense will make mistakes, but with each practice, it's getting better. The Patriots admitted they were awful in the Browns game, and set out to have a good week of practice leading up to last night's game. Belichick's defense is very young, but is talented and fearless. Captain Jerod Mayo leads the NFL with 105 tackles, and isquicklybecoming an elite linebacker. The moreexperiencethe young secondary gains, the better it will become. The rumors of the Patriots dynasty crumbling before our eyes were greatlyReebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
exaggerated. Most importantly, the Patriots are led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the best quarterback/head coach duo in NFL history. As long as these two are running the show in Foxboro, the Patriots will remain the toughest team to beat in the NFL. The New England Patriots are ready to make a run for their fifth Super Bowl appearance in 10 years, and they have the experience and leadership of the best quarterback and coach of all time leading the way.
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18 Dec 10 Detroit Lions Monday Morning Quarterback: A Stinker Against the Buffalo Bills | Bleacher Report
内容: Rick Stewart/Getty ImagesThe GameIn what can be considered the first embarrassing game of the 2010 season, the Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills 14-12.The Lions once again shot themselves in the foot with bad penalties, dropped passes and missed tackles.Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan had a game plan Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
meant to take advantage of the Bills' inability to stop the run. The problem was that he refused to make an adjustment when it became painfully obvious that the Lions couldn’t run the ball.The GoodLawrence JacksonGiven the tough assignment of filling in for the injured Cliff Avril, Jackson came up with a big game. Eight tackles, to go along with a sack, tackle for a loss and a forced fumble is a good day by any standard. Just another late offseason pickup by Mayhew that has paid off for the Lions.Shaun HillHill didn’t have a great numbers for this game, but that is not his fault. He was under duress for most of the game, and when he was given time, his receivers dropped a lot of balls. He should have thrown a better ball on the two point conversion attempt, but nobody was open.When Will The Lions Win A Road Game?When Will The Lions Win A Road Game? Dallas29.6% Tampa Bay5.3% Miami3.2%201161.9%Total votes: 189Stop on 4th-and-1Early in the game the Lions were able to stop the Bill on a 4th-and-1 attempt. Fred Jackson was tackled for a loss of two yards. He actually fumbled the ball on the play but it didn’t matter because it was 4th down. What the Lions didn’t know is that it would be the only time they stopped Jackson all day.The BadThe Offensive LineThe offensive line came up with a pitiful performance. Anything that they could do wrong they did. Their mistakes were an assortment of blown assignments, pre-snap penalties, and holding calls.PenaltiesOnce again penalties were an Achilles' heel for the Lions. The dead ball penalties are killing the Lions. The offside and false starts penalties need to be eradicated. Missed tackles For the second week in a row, the Lions missed tackles they should make. This is the NFL, not high school, and missed tackles are inexcusable.Dropped passesBy my unofficial tally, the Lions dropped 11 passes. One glaring drop was by Bryant Johnson, who had a ball hit him in the chest in the end zone and Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
ended up dropping it.The UglyGiving a Winless Team Their First WinFor the second year in a row the Detroit Lions lost to a previously winless team deep into the season. Last year the Lions were beaten by the St. Louis Rams 17-10, at the time the Rams were 0-7. The Rams did not win another game the rest of the year.If the Bills manage to lose their remaining games, the Lions will have saved two teams from 0-16 seasons. Misleading Stat of the DayNearly all of themA quick peek at the box score and it looks like a Lions victory. They won nearly ever statistical category with the exception of rushing yards and final score.This just points to the coaching staff’s stupidity in continually trying to run the ball, when everyone else in the stadium knew they couldn’t do it. Play of the DayThe late touchdown to Calvin Johnson.It really is too bad the Lions weren’t able to complete the two point conversion. The touchdown pass was a beauty. Johnson ran a perfect route that was set up by previous routes he ran earlier in the game. He stuttered as if he was going to turn in as he had done earlier, but instead of turning in, he released and caught an easy touchdown pass.Quote of the Day“All of this killing ourselves and making mistakes; it's almost juvenile to a sense'' —Nate Burleson. Juvenile is the perfect word here.Random ThoughtsGreat! The Cowboys got better just in time for the LionsWhen will the Lions realize they can’t run between the tackles?How bad is Derrick Williams that he can’t beat out Bryant Johnson?False start number 66 of the offense, just in case you missed hearing that.Overall ImpressionThis loss makes all those close efforts earlier in the year irrelevant. At some point the Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Lions are going to have to address their miserable interior line. If this game cause Mayhew and Schwartz to wake up and replace Raiola and Peterman, then I am happy the Lions lost.Next WeekIt is another road game, as the Lions travel to Dallas to take on the resurgent Cowboys.
coach Bill Belichick were prepared for last night's game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in every way. The Patriots shredded the Steelers' vaunted defense all night, through the air and on the ground. The Steelers allowed the most points ever for a regular season home game, and the Patriots also hold the most points scored for an away team in the playoffs at Heinz Field (41 from the 2004 AFC title game). Without a deep threat in the passing game, and running backs anybody outside of New England has heard of, Tom Brady and the Patriots offense picked apart the Steelers' defense like no one else has this season. Brady completed 30 of 40 passes for 350 yards passing and three touchdowns, all of which were caught by rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots finally found a successful rushing attack, led by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries. Will the Patriots win the AFC?Will the Patriots win the AFC?Yes71.0%No5.8%Too early to tell23.2%Total votes: 155The whole demeanor of the Patriots was quite different than the Steelers. New England wanted the game a lot more, and showed much more passion and emotion the entire game. Television cameras were often focused on Tom Brady yelling at his teammates for not executing several times. In an ESPNBoston.com article written by Mike Reiss last updated Nov. 15, Brady explained the emotions of the game to the media: "There's only one way to play the game, and it's an emotional game," Brady said afterward. "I think part of Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
being a quarterback is making sure that everyone's into it and I thought all the guys played really hard and stayed focused. It was an exciting win for all of us. We haven't been this happy in a long time." Brady has shown he's fully capable of leading a prolific passing attack without Randy Moss, and used a short, intermediate passing game to take apart the Steelers. Brady completed a pass to eight different receivers last night, something that is very encouraging. With Moss on the field, Brady looked Moss's way too much, often forcing passes to him when he was well-covered. The much maligned Patriots defense bent but refused to break last night, and the turning point of the game was an interception return for a touchdown by safety James Sanders in the fourth quarter. Sanders caught a deflected pass by fellow safety Patrick Chung and returned it 32 yards to the end zone. Is Tom Brady the best QB in the NFL?Is Tom Brady the best QB in the NFL?Yes85.1%No14.9%Total votes: 141The defense will make mistakes, but with each practice, it's getting better. The Patriots admitted they were awful in the Browns game, and set out to have a good week of practice leading up to last night's game. Belichick's defense is very young, but is talented and fearless. Captain Jerod Mayo leads the NFL with 105 tackles, and isquicklybecoming an elite linebacker. The moreexperiencethe young secondary gains, the better it will become. The rumors of the Patriots dynasty crumbling before our eyes were greatlyReebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
exaggerated. Most importantly, the Patriots are led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the best quarterback/head coach duo in NFL history. As long as these two are running the show in Foxboro, the Patriots will remain the toughest team to beat in the NFL. The New England Patriots are ready to make a run for their fifth Super Bowl appearance in 10 years, and they have the experience and leadership of the best quarterback and coach of all time leading the way.
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18 Dec 10 Detroit Lions Monday Morning Quarterback: A Stinker Against the Buffalo Bills | Bleacher Report
内容: Rick Stewart/Getty ImagesThe GameIn what can be considered the first embarrassing game of the 2010 season, the Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills 14-12.The Lions once again shot themselves in the foot with bad penalties, dropped passes and missed tackles.Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan had a game plan Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
meant to take advantage of the Bills' inability to stop the run. The problem was that he refused to make an adjustment when it became painfully obvious that the Lions couldn’t run the ball.The GoodLawrence JacksonGiven the tough assignment of filling in for the injured Cliff Avril, Jackson came up with a big game. Eight tackles, to go along with a sack, tackle for a loss and a forced fumble is a good day by any standard. Just another late offseason pickup by Mayhew that has paid off for the Lions.Shaun HillHill didn’t have a great numbers for this game, but that is not his fault. He was under duress for most of the game, and when he was given time, his receivers dropped a lot of balls. He should have thrown a better ball on the two point conversion attempt, but nobody was open.When Will The Lions Win A Road Game?When Will The Lions Win A Road Game? Dallas29.6% Tampa Bay5.3% Miami3.2%201161.9%Total votes: 189Stop on 4th-and-1Early in the game the Lions were able to stop the Bill on a 4th-and-1 attempt. Fred Jackson was tackled for a loss of two yards. He actually fumbled the ball on the play but it didn’t matter because it was 4th down. What the Lions didn’t know is that it would be the only time they stopped Jackson all day.The BadThe Offensive LineThe offensive line came up with a pitiful performance. Anything that they could do wrong they did. Their mistakes were an assortment of blown assignments, pre-snap penalties, and holding calls.PenaltiesOnce again penalties were an Achilles' heel for the Lions. The dead ball penalties are killing the Lions. The offside and false starts penalties need to be eradicated. Missed tackles For the second week in a row, the Lions missed tackles they should make. This is the NFL, not high school, and missed tackles are inexcusable.Dropped passesBy my unofficial tally, the Lions dropped 11 passes. One glaring drop was by Bryant Johnson, who had a ball hit him in the chest in the end zone and Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
ended up dropping it.The UglyGiving a Winless Team Their First WinFor the second year in a row the Detroit Lions lost to a previously winless team deep into the season. Last year the Lions were beaten by the St. Louis Rams 17-10, at the time the Rams were 0-7. The Rams did not win another game the rest of the year.If the Bills manage to lose their remaining games, the Lions will have saved two teams from 0-16 seasons. Misleading Stat of the DayNearly all of themA quick peek at the box score and it looks like a Lions victory. They won nearly ever statistical category with the exception of rushing yards and final score.This just points to the coaching staff’s stupidity in continually trying to run the ball, when everyone else in the stadium knew they couldn’t do it. Play of the DayThe late touchdown to Calvin Johnson.It really is too bad the Lions weren’t able to complete the two point conversion. The touchdown pass was a beauty. Johnson ran a perfect route that was set up by previous routes he ran earlier in the game. He stuttered as if he was going to turn in as he had done earlier, but instead of turning in, he released and caught an easy touchdown pass.Quote of the Day“All of this killing ourselves and making mistakes; it's almost juvenile to a sense'' —Nate Burleson. Juvenile is the perfect word here.Random ThoughtsGreat! The Cowboys got better just in time for the LionsWhen will the Lions realize they can’t run between the tackles?How bad is Derrick Williams that he can’t beat out Bryant Johnson?False start number 66 of the offense, just in case you missed hearing that.Overall ImpressionThis loss makes all those close efforts earlier in the year irrelevant. At some point the Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Lions are going to have to address their miserable interior line. If this game cause Mayhew and Schwartz to wake up and replace Raiola and Peterman, then I am happy the Lions lost.Next WeekIt is another road game, as the Lions travel to Dallas to take on the resurgent Cowboys.
2010年12月17日星期五
17 Dec 10 Raiders vs. Steelers: Steelers Look...Super? Men of Steel Overcome Refs, Oakland
Jared Wickerham/Getty ImagesLast week, I wrote an article on why the Pittsburgh Steelers should thank the New England Patriots for the embarrassment before a national television audience. All this week, the national media overreacted and wrote the Steelers off as a pretender who Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
an easily be beaten by the short pass, a team with serious kicker issues and a team with perhaps the worst offensive line in the NFL today.Yesterday in Heinz Field, some questions about the Steelers were answered, otherswere leftunanswered and new questions arose, as the Steelers dominated the upstart AFC West leaders Oakland Raiders, 35-3. For the most part, the Steelers answered back with vigor and fire not seen in Heinz Field for a while.Now for my observations and naturally, my overreactions, from yesterday's performance:Let the Conspiracy Theories BeginIt seems every week this season a different Steelers defensive player has been fined for a late hit or a helmet-to-helmet hit. Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley (one of the fined players) even admitted he held up a few times, but that did not help him today, as he too was flagged for a questionable late hit on Raiders QB Jason Campbell.Commissioner Roger Goodell's favorite whipping boy, 2008 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, also was flagged for a hard hit on Campbell that negated an interception return for a touchdown by CB Ike Taylor.Who deserves the game ball for the game against the Raiders?Who deserves the game ball for the game against the Raiders?Mike Wallace12.3%Ben Roethlisberger30.2%James Farrior9.4%James Harrison34.0%Mike Tomlin14.2%Total votes: 106Safety Ryan Clark was flagged for a hard hit on speedy rookie WR Jacoby Ford, which puzzled everyone. There were at least four more I probably omitted, but you get the picture. The Steelers for the most part were penalized for playing hard-nosed defense.This game was marred with one penalty after another. The third quarter was harder to watch than a Dane Cook movie. Despite playing their best game of the season, the Steelers left at least two scores on the field because of the over-zealousness of Tony Corrente's crew.Did the league office (I specifically mean Ray Anderson and Goodell) tell Corrente's crew to "crack down" on the Steelers?I for one would like to believe that Tony Corrente, a respected official who worked a Super Bowl before as a referee, just had a bad day, as did his crew. However, that will not save him from the venom of the Steeler Nation and even casual fans everywhere this week.Luckily for Corrente, the game ended in a blowout, so his calls likely did not affect the outcome. But that should not mean Corrente and the league gets a pass.Wins might be the ultimate cure-all, but this is an issue that must be nipped in the bud immediately.I would hate to think that the league wants to get rid of the toughness and hard hits that have defined the game for nearly 100 years. It was pitiful hearing color commentator Dan Fouts, a former QB, constantly blast the officiating crew for penalties called for hard hits on the QB. I would hate to think what would have happened if it was Peyton Manning or Tom Brady taking those hits instead of Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
Jason Campbell.I have a feeling this issue will linger on the entire season since the Steelers will not change their identity on defense and will keep the hits coming.The Steelers Defensive Identity isBackLast week against the Tom Brady-led Patriots, the Steelers defense were surgically sliced and diced to pieces and undressed, 39-26. It was anyone's guess as to how the Steelers would react after an embarrassing performance like that. Luckily, the Steelers found their defensive identity again against the Raiders, a team tailor-made for the Steelers defense.Styles make fights. The Steelers do not match up well against teams who heavily rely on a spread-out, short passing game that negates the pass rush. The Steelers match up great against teams that rely on the run heavily and like to throw the ball deep off the success of the running game.The Raiders were the perfect tonic for what ailed the Steelers defense this week. Raiders running backDarren McFadden, who led the league in rushing yards per game this season, was stopped in his tracks with 10 carries for 14 yards. Outside of one draw play for Michael Bush, the running game for the Raiders never got going.Because the Raiders got behind by multiple scores so quickly, they had to rely on Jason Campbell, and later Bruce Gradkowski, to make plays in the passing game. This opened the floodgates for the Steelers pass rush. Penalties be damned, the Steelers made life miserable for the Raiders offensive line and both QBs in silver and black yesterday. The same pass rushing crewthat could not touch Tom Brady once earned six sacks against the Raiders.Here is hoping (at least for the sake of the Steeler Nation) that the pass rush does not slow down or stop for the remainder of 2010 season.Mike Tomlin Making ChangesIf you noticed today, the Steelers had both rookie WRs Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders active yesterday for the first time all season, and both contributed greatly while veteran WR Antwaan Randle El did not. Randle El himself was not targeted for a single pass, and outside of the almost disastrous gadget play in the first quarter, hewas seldom on the field.Randle El has struggled most of the season, and it is wonder to many why Randle El was even brought back in the first place. Sure, no one will forget Randle El's place in Steelers lore of yesteryear, but that was a long time ago, and Randle El is a shell of his former self.Sanders is getting exponentially better every week and caught his second touchdown in as many weeks yesterday. Brown flashed his quickness and top end speed several times, proving his worth on punt returns.Brown definitely has the ability to take any punt back for a touchdown, and expect both players to be active for all games the rest of the season while Randel El's role keeps getting lessened.Guard Trai Essex was also benched in favor of Ramon Foster yesterday. While Foster might not evoke memories of Alan Faneca in his prime, he is clearly better than Essex, who is the worst lineman I have seen in a Steelers uniform since Todd Fordham or perhaps Sean Mahan. After last week's debacle, Tomlin had to make this personnel move before QB Ben Roethlisberger got seriously hurt by an A-gap blitzer too quick for Essex.This does not mean the Steelers offensive line suddenly got better.No, Jonathan Scott was still out at left tackle, andhe is definitely a backup, not a starter. Any type ofReebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
long-term injury to guard Chris Kemoeatu and rookie standout center Maurkice Pouncey could sink the Steelers out of the playoff race.Pouncey and Kemoeatu suffered injuries yesterday, but early prognoses say both will be okay. However, expect to see rookie Chris Scott, just activated from the PUP list, to get more reps at practice as the season progresses and possibly enter the starting lineup.Here's Hoping Shaun Suisham Has a Quiet Stay in the 'BurghDid anyone notice the new guy kicking for the Steelers yesterday? He is no other than ex-Redskin and ex-Cowboy kicker Shaun Suisham, who made his 2010 debut withfive points.The Steelers and the Steeler Nation did not get to find out if Suisham can overcome the turf and wind of Heinz Field and won't for at least three more weeks. the Steelers don't return home until Dec. 12.My take on ex-kicker Jeff Reed. I was a huge Reed fan. Reed might have been a drunken frat boy who loved to party, but come game day, Reed was money, especially in Heinz Field. However, Reed did himself a great disservice by blasting the Rooneys and VP of football operations Kevin Colbert in the summer for not extending his contract (strike one), for missing kicks (strike two) and for making excuses for missing said kicks (strike three).Reed was ejected for criticizing the fans and the turf at Heinz Field, which face it, will never be mistaken for the fairway at Augusta National, but itis ground that Reed kicked on with success for over eight seasons.Kickers can lose it at the blink of an eye. I wish Jeff Reed the best of luck, but here is hoping the Steelers never have to find out if Suisham can make a 40-yard plusfield goal toward the open end of Heinz Field, down by two, with less than 30 seconds to go in the game. If Suisham's past history is any indication, the Steelers are doomed, and Reed will get the last laugh.Last thing this Steeler Nation member needs is nightmares of Kris Brown and Todd Peterson coming back in December and January.Mike Wallace is Officially the No. 1 ReceiverWhile I don't want to marginalize Hines Ward's role on the team, Mike Wallace has become the Steelers go-to receiver. Sure, Ward is still important to the team, especially on third-and-shorts and in the running game, but Wallace is slowly becoming the team's No. 1 receiver.Everyone knows about Wallace's speed, but it was a 27-yard catch in the first quarter that confirmed it for me. It jump-started a Steelers offense that day, but it also showed Wallace's ability to catch the ball in traffic while covered. The Steelers scored their first touchdown on that drive and never looked back.Wallace later took a short crossing route to the end zone for a 52-yard touchdown. No one in the league is going to catch Wallace from behind, and his progression this season from last season has been one of the bright spots on offense.It is good to see embattled offensive coordinator Bruce Arians finding more ways to get Wallace the ball beside through deep throws and reverses. Wallace is not just a one-trick pony anymore. He is developing into an all-around receiver.With Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders developing as well, the future of Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
Steelers receiving corps is bright.ConclusionThe Steelers answered the bell after a disaster against the Patriots. Last season, the Steelers lost a fourth quarter lead and could not hang on to beat the Raiders, which further put the Steelers in the downward spiral. That 2009 game against the Raiders defined the Steelers season.Will this season's game against the Raiders define the 2010 Steelers?It remains to be seen, but in today's week-to-week NFL, the immediate future shines bright on the Men of Steel.
an easily be beaten by the short pass, a team with serious kicker issues and a team with perhaps the worst offensive line in the NFL today.Yesterday in Heinz Field, some questions about the Steelers were answered, otherswere leftunanswered and new questions arose, as the Steelers dominated the upstart AFC West leaders Oakland Raiders, 35-3. For the most part, the Steelers answered back with vigor and fire not seen in Heinz Field for a while.Now for my observations and naturally, my overreactions, from yesterday's performance:Let the Conspiracy Theories BeginIt seems every week this season a different Steelers defensive player has been fined for a late hit or a helmet-to-helmet hit. Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley (one of the fined players) even admitted he held up a few times, but that did not help him today, as he too was flagged for a questionable late hit on Raiders QB Jason Campbell.Commissioner Roger Goodell's favorite whipping boy, 2008 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, also was flagged for a hard hit on Campbell that negated an interception return for a touchdown by CB Ike Taylor.Who deserves the game ball for the game against the Raiders?Who deserves the game ball for the game against the Raiders?Mike Wallace12.3%Ben Roethlisberger30.2%James Farrior9.4%James Harrison34.0%Mike Tomlin14.2%Total votes: 106Safety Ryan Clark was flagged for a hard hit on speedy rookie WR Jacoby Ford, which puzzled everyone. There were at least four more I probably omitted, but you get the picture. The Steelers for the most part were penalized for playing hard-nosed defense.This game was marred with one penalty after another. The third quarter was harder to watch than a Dane Cook movie. Despite playing their best game of the season, the Steelers left at least two scores on the field because of the over-zealousness of Tony Corrente's crew.Did the league office (I specifically mean Ray Anderson and Goodell) tell Corrente's crew to "crack down" on the Steelers?I for one would like to believe that Tony Corrente, a respected official who worked a Super Bowl before as a referee, just had a bad day, as did his crew. However, that will not save him from the venom of the Steeler Nation and even casual fans everywhere this week.Luckily for Corrente, the game ended in a blowout, so his calls likely did not affect the outcome. But that should not mean Corrente and the league gets a pass.Wins might be the ultimate cure-all, but this is an issue that must be nipped in the bud immediately.I would hate to think that the league wants to get rid of the toughness and hard hits that have defined the game for nearly 100 years. It was pitiful hearing color commentator Dan Fouts, a former QB, constantly blast the officiating crew for penalties called for hard hits on the QB. I would hate to think what would have happened if it was Peyton Manning or Tom Brady taking those hits instead of Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
Jason Campbell.I have a feeling this issue will linger on the entire season since the Steelers will not change their identity on defense and will keep the hits coming.The Steelers Defensive Identity isBackLast week against the Tom Brady-led Patriots, the Steelers defense were surgically sliced and diced to pieces and undressed, 39-26. It was anyone's guess as to how the Steelers would react after an embarrassing performance like that. Luckily, the Steelers found their defensive identity again against the Raiders, a team tailor-made for the Steelers defense.Styles make fights. The Steelers do not match up well against teams who heavily rely on a spread-out, short passing game that negates the pass rush. The Steelers match up great against teams that rely on the run heavily and like to throw the ball deep off the success of the running game.The Raiders were the perfect tonic for what ailed the Steelers defense this week. Raiders running backDarren McFadden, who led the league in rushing yards per game this season, was stopped in his tracks with 10 carries for 14 yards. Outside of one draw play for Michael Bush, the running game for the Raiders never got going.Because the Raiders got behind by multiple scores so quickly, they had to rely on Jason Campbell, and later Bruce Gradkowski, to make plays in the passing game. This opened the floodgates for the Steelers pass rush. Penalties be damned, the Steelers made life miserable for the Raiders offensive line and both QBs in silver and black yesterday. The same pass rushing crewthat could not touch Tom Brady once earned six sacks against the Raiders.Here is hoping (at least for the sake of the Steeler Nation) that the pass rush does not slow down or stop for the remainder of 2010 season.Mike Tomlin Making ChangesIf you noticed today, the Steelers had both rookie WRs Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders active yesterday for the first time all season, and both contributed greatly while veteran WR Antwaan Randle El did not. Randle El himself was not targeted for a single pass, and outside of the almost disastrous gadget play in the first quarter, hewas seldom on the field.Randle El has struggled most of the season, and it is wonder to many why Randle El was even brought back in the first place. Sure, no one will forget Randle El's place in Steelers lore of yesteryear, but that was a long time ago, and Randle El is a shell of his former self.Sanders is getting exponentially better every week and caught his second touchdown in as many weeks yesterday. Brown flashed his quickness and top end speed several times, proving his worth on punt returns.Brown definitely has the ability to take any punt back for a touchdown, and expect both players to be active for all games the rest of the season while Randel El's role keeps getting lessened.Guard Trai Essex was also benched in favor of Ramon Foster yesterday. While Foster might not evoke memories of Alan Faneca in his prime, he is clearly better than Essex, who is the worst lineman I have seen in a Steelers uniform since Todd Fordham or perhaps Sean Mahan. After last week's debacle, Tomlin had to make this personnel move before QB Ben Roethlisberger got seriously hurt by an A-gap blitzer too quick for Essex.This does not mean the Steelers offensive line suddenly got better.No, Jonathan Scott was still out at left tackle, andhe is definitely a backup, not a starter. Any type ofReebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
long-term injury to guard Chris Kemoeatu and rookie standout center Maurkice Pouncey could sink the Steelers out of the playoff race.Pouncey and Kemoeatu suffered injuries yesterday, but early prognoses say both will be okay. However, expect to see rookie Chris Scott, just activated from the PUP list, to get more reps at practice as the season progresses and possibly enter the starting lineup.Here's Hoping Shaun Suisham Has a Quiet Stay in the 'BurghDid anyone notice the new guy kicking for the Steelers yesterday? He is no other than ex-Redskin and ex-Cowboy kicker Shaun Suisham, who made his 2010 debut withfive points.The Steelers and the Steeler Nation did not get to find out if Suisham can overcome the turf and wind of Heinz Field and won't for at least three more weeks. the Steelers don't return home until Dec. 12.My take on ex-kicker Jeff Reed. I was a huge Reed fan. Reed might have been a drunken frat boy who loved to party, but come game day, Reed was money, especially in Heinz Field. However, Reed did himself a great disservice by blasting the Rooneys and VP of football operations Kevin Colbert in the summer for not extending his contract (strike one), for missing kicks (strike two) and for making excuses for missing said kicks (strike three).Reed was ejected for criticizing the fans and the turf at Heinz Field, which face it, will never be mistaken for the fairway at Augusta National, but itis ground that Reed kicked on with success for over eight seasons.Kickers can lose it at the blink of an eye. I wish Jeff Reed the best of luck, but here is hoping the Steelers never have to find out if Suisham can make a 40-yard plusfield goal toward the open end of Heinz Field, down by two, with less than 30 seconds to go in the game. If Suisham's past history is any indication, the Steelers are doomed, and Reed will get the last laugh.Last thing this Steeler Nation member needs is nightmares of Kris Brown and Todd Peterson coming back in December and January.Mike Wallace is Officially the No. 1 ReceiverWhile I don't want to marginalize Hines Ward's role on the team, Mike Wallace has become the Steelers go-to receiver. Sure, Ward is still important to the team, especially on third-and-shorts and in the running game, but Wallace is slowly becoming the team's No. 1 receiver.Everyone knows about Wallace's speed, but it was a 27-yard catch in the first quarter that confirmed it for me. It jump-started a Steelers offense that day, but it also showed Wallace's ability to catch the ball in traffic while covered. The Steelers scored their first touchdown on that drive and never looked back.Wallace later took a short crossing route to the end zone for a 52-yard touchdown. No one in the league is going to catch Wallace from behind, and his progression this season from last season has been one of the bright spots on offense.It is good to see embattled offensive coordinator Bruce Arians finding more ways to get Wallace the ball beside through deep throws and reverses. Wallace is not just a one-trick pony anymore. He is developing into an all-around receiver.With Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders developing as well, the future of Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
Steelers receiving corps is bright.ConclusionThe Steelers answered the bell after a disaster against the Patriots. Last season, the Steelers lost a fourth quarter lead and could not hang on to beat the Raiders, which further put the Steelers in the downward spiral. That 2009 game against the Raiders defined the Steelers season.Will this season's game against the Raiders define the 2010 Steelers?It remains to be seen, but in today's week-to-week NFL, the immediate future shines bright on the Men of Steel.
2010年12月16日星期四
16 Dec 10 Exclusive Interview with Legendary Coach Jimmy Johnson
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesIn an exclusive interview with SilverandBlueBlood.com, former Dallas Cowboys coach and two-time Super Bowl winner Jimmy Johnson opened up about Super Bowl XLV, the mess known as the Minnesota Vikings, the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett, Tony Romo, Brett Favre and more.Who will make it to the Super Bowl? Are the Atlanta Falcons the real deal? Which team is a bigger mess right now? The Vikings or the Cowboys?Does Jason Garrett have a legitimate shot at being the permanent head coach of the Dallas Cowboys?Is Jerry Jones a good general manager?How would Jimmy Johnson go about turning the Dallas Cowboys around?Any chance Jimmy Johnson returns to coach the Dallas Cowboys?We got the answers right... Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
here.[You can hear the audio version of the interview here. My apologies that the audio cuts off the last three minutes of the interview due to a technical glitch. Still, Jimmy was greatness.]Dateline: 10:45am Central Time, Tuesday, November 23, 2010Crown Royal Jimmy BowlSBB: I understand we have this opportunity thanks to Crown Royal. In addition to Super Bowl XLV, we are getting ready for Jimmy Bowl I. Is that right?Jimmy Johnson: That's it, and they can go to CrownRoyal.com, and they can see some videos that I've put together to give them some inspiration to put together a short video or a short essay to convince me that they should win the contest. If they win, it will mean an all-expenses paid for an adult and four friends to Dallas and Cowboys Stadium to be coached in the game by me. It will be quite a trip for somebody.SBB: Oh, man. That sounds like a great time. So, you're the judge and jury. They have to tailor this thing to impress Jimmy Johnson.JJ: Exactly right. If they will watch those videos on CrownRoyal.com, I think it will give them some inspiration.SBB: Alright. We will pass that word along. Speaking of the Super Bowl, we're through week 11 now. Things are starting to shape up a little bit. Teams are starting to separate themselves. Right now, who are your favorites to represent the two conferences?JJ: The way this season has gone, every week it's been new teams. Right now, I think the Green Bay Packers are playing extremely well. I like what they're doing. They have been able to overcome a lot of injuries. And the New England Patriots, even though they are really young on defense, they have shown they can go out and win the big game.More Jimmy Johnson GreatnessSBB: What about these Atlanta Falcons sitting at 8-2? Are you buying into this? Do you think they have the mettle to make a deep run?JJ: Yeah, I think Atlanta, they have been very consistent. Their quarterback has played very well. They've got a good defense. Plus, they play extremely well at home. I think it would be very important for Atlanta, if they could get enough victories to where they could have home field advantage, then they could make a run at this thing.SBB: What about a dark horse? Is there any team that is maybe flying under the radar that you have your eyes on?JJ: Well, I don't know about under the radar. I think Philadelphia with Michael Vick, if he stays healthy, you know, he's going to be a factor. Who knows about the AFC? You've got San Diego that looked great last night. You've got Indianapolis, who know if they can get some of their people back and healthy? Then you've got the Pittsburgh Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger. So, it's a wide-open race, really in both conferences.SBB: Obviously, there is a couple of teams that are bitterly disappointed in the way their season has gone thus far and both of them have made coaching changes. Minnesota and Dallas. Which of those two do you think is in the bigger mess right now?JJ: I think Minnesota's in a huge mess. You know, they've got problems at the quarterback position. Brett Favre is turning the ball over and obviously his career is about done. You really don't know what (Tavaris) Jackson can do. Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
He did take them to the playoffs a few years ago, but he's still not on the field. Then you've got the coaching change. And then you've got a lot of veterans that seem to be sniping at one another. You look at the broadcast last week and there's arguments with coaches, arguments among players. So, right now, I think that's a bigger problem.Still More JimmyWith the Cowboys, I think Jason Garrett has gone in and turned some things around, he's added some discipline. He's a highly-intelligent, organized coach. I think he's going to do a nice job. Plus, they've got the players in place. Even though Romo is injured, you know, for the future, he's an outstanding quarterback.SBB: I don't know how much you know about what we do here, but I am in the Dallas area and primarily write about the Dallas Cowboys, so our audience is really focused on the Cowboys.JJ: Right.SBB: What do you think Jason Garrett has to do to convince Jerry to name him the permanent head coach?JJ: I think Jerry Jones really is a hundred percent behind Jason. I think he really would love for him to be the head coach. Obviously, Jason has to show that he can do it. I think the first couple of games have been a good start for him. I think if he can get a few more wins and establish that the team is going to play well for him, that they're going to be efficient, and they are going to give great effort, I think he has an excellent chance of winning that job.SBB: Obviously, you know Jerry really well. So, do you think in his heart of hearts, he's really pulling for Garrett to win this thing, or is he wanting to go out and make one of those Jerry Jones splashes in the offseason and grab a Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden or someone else, and kind of jerk the attention back to the Cowboys?Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesJJ: In my personal opinion, and this is an opinion, I just think he's a hundred percent for Jason Garrett. He would love for Jason Garrett to prove that he should be the guy.SBB: I have always been a Cowboys fan and you certainly brought a lot of excitement to this area when you were here. I remember how excited I was to get my hands on your book, "Turning the Thing Around," which you wrote, I think, after you won the first Super Bowl.JJ: After the first Super Bowl, right.SBB: Let's say this responsibility was yours again, to turn this organization around, which obviously it would be a different job this time, because, as you indicated, they have talent in place which you really didn't have then. Let's say you are in Jerry's shoes or Jason's shoes: What is the top priority to get this thing on the right track?JJ: The number one thing is making sure everyone in the organization—the players and everybody working there—believes that they're going to get it done. And then they work at it. You've got to make sure that every body's putting in the work and you've got to have the discipline to go out there and get the job done.I think the Cowboys got soft. They got soft physically and they got soft mentally. And you just can't go out there and execute and make mistakes. They were a sloppy football team the last two or three years. You can't be a sloppy football team and be successful in the NFL.Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesSBB: Obviously, coming into the season, a lot of people were picking the Cowboys as a favorite to at least be in the hunt for playing the Super Bowl that they host. Did we overestimate the talent or did we just underestimate the importance of having strong leadership?JJ: I still believe—I don't think anybody disagrees with me—that they're a talented football team. The talent's there, but the talent was not performing.SBB: Jerry Jones has been the General Manager as well as the owner for 22 years. For about 16 of those years, it probably started the day you walked out, there's been a raging debate about whether Jerry Jones is a good general manager. Obviously, he has the three Super Bowl rings and a lot of success early on. And then we had the struggles through three 5-11 seasons, and then the Bill Parcells era...is Jerry Jones a good general manager in your opinion?JJ: First of all, when I was there, it was in my contract that I had complete control over personnel and football operations: personnel, players and coaches. That caused a little bit of a conflict there at the end. So, once I left, Jerry wanted to make sure it was a group decision. It would be Jerry and his Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
family, Stephen in particular, along with the personnel director Tom Ciskowksi, and then also the head coach.People have a misconception about Jerry meddling and making sure that he's making all the decisions. He's part of the decision-making just like the whole group. But Jerry does not meddle as much as people think. I don't think he's ever going to change that structure of the decision-making. Like I said, after I left he changed that.Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesNow, having said that, as long as he has a strong personality as the head coach, like when he had Parcells, Jerry's going to listen to the strong personality. So, really, the strong personality as a head coach is going to get done what he wants done. So, I don't see it being a conflict.SBB: Well, Garrett seems to have that type of personality, from what we see. Of course, we don't know him the way you do and the way Jerry does. Do you think he has the type personality to be able to manage Jerry? I don't know if that's really the right way to put it. The right personality to manage to work with Jerry and have the kind of success he wants to have?JJ: I really think so. Of course, it's hard to predict how an assistant coach is going to fare as a head coach, because it is a different role. But I think he's got the qualities to be successful.SBB: I'm glad you brought that up, because that segues into my next thing. I am not a big Survivor fan, but my wife watches every episode since day one. But when I learned you were going to be on it, obviously, I was in. So, I watched every episode until they voted you off...JJ: (laughter)SBB: I wasn't entirely sure you didn't orchestrate that, too. I told my wife, "Look, he knows how to get things done. He'll leave when he's ready to leave.JJ: (more laughter)SBB: It would have been obvious to anyone watching that you are a leader, whether they knew who you were or not. There's no question, leaders lead. In my opinion, leadership skills are at least as important, if not more important than X's and O's skills in being a successful head coach. Do you agree with that?JJ: Without question. In fact, one of the conversations I had with Jason Garrett, you know, sometimes X's and O's get so complicated, and a coach gets so into that that he forgets the most important thing is players win ballgames. Make sure that the players are properly equipped and motivated to do their jobs. A head coach has to be able to oversee all facets of the team and of the game.SBB: One final question every Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
Cowboys fan wants me to ask. Is there any chance Jerry Jones makes the biggest splash of his football life and announces that Jimmy Johnson is returning to coach the Dallas Cowboys?JJ: (laughter) Well, I am happy with my life and my lifestyle. I'm happy doing the work I do for Fox Network. So, no. Probably not.
here.[You can hear the audio version of the interview here. My apologies that the audio cuts off the last three minutes of the interview due to a technical glitch. Still, Jimmy was greatness.]Dateline: 10:45am Central Time, Tuesday, November 23, 2010Crown Royal Jimmy BowlSBB: I understand we have this opportunity thanks to Crown Royal. In addition to Super Bowl XLV, we are getting ready for Jimmy Bowl I. Is that right?Jimmy Johnson: That's it, and they can go to CrownRoyal.com, and they can see some videos that I've put together to give them some inspiration to put together a short video or a short essay to convince me that they should win the contest. If they win, it will mean an all-expenses paid for an adult and four friends to Dallas and Cowboys Stadium to be coached in the game by me. It will be quite a trip for somebody.SBB: Oh, man. That sounds like a great time. So, you're the judge and jury. They have to tailor this thing to impress Jimmy Johnson.JJ: Exactly right. If they will watch those videos on CrownRoyal.com, I think it will give them some inspiration.SBB: Alright. We will pass that word along. Speaking of the Super Bowl, we're through week 11 now. Things are starting to shape up a little bit. Teams are starting to separate themselves. Right now, who are your favorites to represent the two conferences?JJ: The way this season has gone, every week it's been new teams. Right now, I think the Green Bay Packers are playing extremely well. I like what they're doing. They have been able to overcome a lot of injuries. And the New England Patriots, even though they are really young on defense, they have shown they can go out and win the big game.More Jimmy Johnson GreatnessSBB: What about these Atlanta Falcons sitting at 8-2? Are you buying into this? Do you think they have the mettle to make a deep run?JJ: Yeah, I think Atlanta, they have been very consistent. Their quarterback has played very well. They've got a good defense. Plus, they play extremely well at home. I think it would be very important for Atlanta, if they could get enough victories to where they could have home field advantage, then they could make a run at this thing.SBB: What about a dark horse? Is there any team that is maybe flying under the radar that you have your eyes on?JJ: Well, I don't know about under the radar. I think Philadelphia with Michael Vick, if he stays healthy, you know, he's going to be a factor. Who knows about the AFC? You've got San Diego that looked great last night. You've got Indianapolis, who know if they can get some of their people back and healthy? Then you've got the Pittsburgh Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger. So, it's a wide-open race, really in both conferences.SBB: Obviously, there is a couple of teams that are bitterly disappointed in the way their season has gone thus far and both of them have made coaching changes. Minnesota and Dallas. Which of those two do you think is in the bigger mess right now?JJ: I think Minnesota's in a huge mess. You know, they've got problems at the quarterback position. Brett Favre is turning the ball over and obviously his career is about done. You really don't know what (Tavaris) Jackson can do. Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
He did take them to the playoffs a few years ago, but he's still not on the field. Then you've got the coaching change. And then you've got a lot of veterans that seem to be sniping at one another. You look at the broadcast last week and there's arguments with coaches, arguments among players. So, right now, I think that's a bigger problem.Still More JimmyWith the Cowboys, I think Jason Garrett has gone in and turned some things around, he's added some discipline. He's a highly-intelligent, organized coach. I think he's going to do a nice job. Plus, they've got the players in place. Even though Romo is injured, you know, for the future, he's an outstanding quarterback.SBB: I don't know how much you know about what we do here, but I am in the Dallas area and primarily write about the Dallas Cowboys, so our audience is really focused on the Cowboys.JJ: Right.SBB: What do you think Jason Garrett has to do to convince Jerry to name him the permanent head coach?JJ: I think Jerry Jones really is a hundred percent behind Jason. I think he really would love for him to be the head coach. Obviously, Jason has to show that he can do it. I think the first couple of games have been a good start for him. I think if he can get a few more wins and establish that the team is going to play well for him, that they're going to be efficient, and they are going to give great effort, I think he has an excellent chance of winning that job.SBB: Obviously, you know Jerry really well. So, do you think in his heart of hearts, he's really pulling for Garrett to win this thing, or is he wanting to go out and make one of those Jerry Jones splashes in the offseason and grab a Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden or someone else, and kind of jerk the attention back to the Cowboys?Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesJJ: In my personal opinion, and this is an opinion, I just think he's a hundred percent for Jason Garrett. He would love for Jason Garrett to prove that he should be the guy.SBB: I have always been a Cowboys fan and you certainly brought a lot of excitement to this area when you were here. I remember how excited I was to get my hands on your book, "Turning the Thing Around," which you wrote, I think, after you won the first Super Bowl.JJ: After the first Super Bowl, right.SBB: Let's say this responsibility was yours again, to turn this organization around, which obviously it would be a different job this time, because, as you indicated, they have talent in place which you really didn't have then. Let's say you are in Jerry's shoes or Jason's shoes: What is the top priority to get this thing on the right track?JJ: The number one thing is making sure everyone in the organization—the players and everybody working there—believes that they're going to get it done. And then they work at it. You've got to make sure that every body's putting in the work and you've got to have the discipline to go out there and get the job done.I think the Cowboys got soft. They got soft physically and they got soft mentally. And you just can't go out there and execute and make mistakes. They were a sloppy football team the last two or three years. You can't be a sloppy football team and be successful in the NFL.Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesSBB: Obviously, coming into the season, a lot of people were picking the Cowboys as a favorite to at least be in the hunt for playing the Super Bowl that they host. Did we overestimate the talent or did we just underestimate the importance of having strong leadership?JJ: I still believe—I don't think anybody disagrees with me—that they're a talented football team. The talent's there, but the talent was not performing.SBB: Jerry Jones has been the General Manager as well as the owner for 22 years. For about 16 of those years, it probably started the day you walked out, there's been a raging debate about whether Jerry Jones is a good general manager. Obviously, he has the three Super Bowl rings and a lot of success early on. And then we had the struggles through three 5-11 seasons, and then the Bill Parcells era...is Jerry Jones a good general manager in your opinion?JJ: First of all, when I was there, it was in my contract that I had complete control over personnel and football operations: personnel, players and coaches. That caused a little bit of a conflict there at the end. So, once I left, Jerry wanted to make sure it was a group decision. It would be Jerry and his Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
family, Stephen in particular, along with the personnel director Tom Ciskowksi, and then also the head coach.People have a misconception about Jerry meddling and making sure that he's making all the decisions. He's part of the decision-making just like the whole group. But Jerry does not meddle as much as people think. I don't think he's ever going to change that structure of the decision-making. Like I said, after I left he changed that.Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesNow, having said that, as long as he has a strong personality as the head coach, like when he had Parcells, Jerry's going to listen to the strong personality. So, really, the strong personality as a head coach is going to get done what he wants done. So, I don't see it being a conflict.SBB: Well, Garrett seems to have that type of personality, from what we see. Of course, we don't know him the way you do and the way Jerry does. Do you think he has the type personality to be able to manage Jerry? I don't know if that's really the right way to put it. The right personality to manage to work with Jerry and have the kind of success he wants to have?JJ: I really think so. Of course, it's hard to predict how an assistant coach is going to fare as a head coach, because it is a different role. But I think he's got the qualities to be successful.SBB: I'm glad you brought that up, because that segues into my next thing. I am not a big Survivor fan, but my wife watches every episode since day one. But when I learned you were going to be on it, obviously, I was in. So, I watched every episode until they voted you off...JJ: (laughter)SBB: I wasn't entirely sure you didn't orchestrate that, too. I told my wife, "Look, he knows how to get things done. He'll leave when he's ready to leave.JJ: (more laughter)SBB: It would have been obvious to anyone watching that you are a leader, whether they knew who you were or not. There's no question, leaders lead. In my opinion, leadership skills are at least as important, if not more important than X's and O's skills in being a successful head coach. Do you agree with that?JJ: Without question. In fact, one of the conversations I had with Jason Garrett, you know, sometimes X's and O's get so complicated, and a coach gets so into that that he forgets the most important thing is players win ballgames. Make sure that the players are properly equipped and motivated to do their jobs. A head coach has to be able to oversee all facets of the team and of the game.SBB: One final question every Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
Cowboys fan wants me to ask. Is there any chance Jerry Jones makes the biggest splash of his football life and announces that Jimmy Johnson is returning to coach the Dallas Cowboys?JJ: (laughter) Well, I am happy with my life and my lifestyle. I'm happy doing the work I do for Fox Network. So, no. Probably not.
2010年12月15日星期三
Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson's Playcalling Awful in Week 12
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesWhen Hue 6 Sanchez Purple AFL50th jersey
Jackson became the offensive coordinator and took over play-calling duty, he said that he was going to install a power running game. He promised on that as the Raiders entered the game against Miami with the second best rushing offense in the NFL. For some odd reason, he abandoned the running game and decided to air it out.Darren McFadden received just eight rushing attempts. I know he didn't do anything with those eight carries, totalling just two yards, but you have to give him more tries at their defense than that. The Raiders ran the ball just 12 times combined today. That is not what had the Raiders in first place in the AFC West a couple weeks ago.The game was never out of reach until the end, so I don't know why Hue thought it was best to have Gradkowski slinging the ball around instead of handing it off to our best player. Another thing is we aren't even using Michael Bush. He and McFadden are supposed to be a one-two punch. With the QB issues we have, Hue Jackson should have had a run-heavy game plan going into the game.Our time of football jersey
possession for the game was a terrible 18 minutes. That's what happens when you have your QB throw the ball 32 times and give the ball to your starting RB just eight times.Bottom line is the play calling was terrible. Hue Jackson needs to get back to pounding the ball at the defense. You can't just abandon the run if it's not working early. You have to stay committed to what we do best.
Jackson became the offensive coordinator and took over play-calling duty, he said that he was going to install a power running game. He promised on that as the Raiders entered the game against Miami with the second best rushing offense in the NFL. For some odd reason, he abandoned the running game and decided to air it out.Darren McFadden received just eight rushing attempts. I know he didn't do anything with those eight carries, totalling just two yards, but you have to give him more tries at their defense than that. The Raiders ran the ball just 12 times combined today. That is not what had the Raiders in first place in the AFC West a couple weeks ago.The game was never out of reach until the end, so I don't know why Hue thought it was best to have Gradkowski slinging the ball around instead of handing it off to our best player. Another thing is we aren't even using Michael Bush. He and McFadden are supposed to be a one-two punch. With the QB issues we have, Hue Jackson should have had a run-heavy game plan going into the game.Our time of football jersey
possession for the game was a terrible 18 minutes. That's what happens when you have your QB throw the ball 32 times and give the ball to your starting RB just eight times.Bottom line is the play calling was terrible. Hue Jackson needs to get back to pounding the ball at the defense. You can't just abandon the run if it's not working early. You have to stay committed to what we do best.
2010年12月13日星期一
NFL Week 13 Picks: Atlanta at Tampa Bay and St. Louis at Arizona
It was yet another split weekend.
The good news is that St. Louis had a great game. They not only covered the spread as underdogs, but won outright to pay off on the moneyline. The bad news was that the Bills continued to be impressively tough, and they kept it very close against Pittsburgh so the Steelers couldn’t cover.
Actually, Pittsburgh was lucky not to nfl jerseys
lose outright. The winning TD was in a Buffalo receiver’s hand and absolutely should have been a catch.
We’ve been splitting these picks too many weeks now, so here’s hoping these Week 13 NFL picks and odds break that trend in a positive way:
Atlanta (-2) at Tampa Bay (Sunday, December 5, 4 pm ET)
This isn’t a question of disrespecting the Bucs. They are performing at a higher level than they should be given their level of talent, but they are doing it by hard work and surprisingly good coaching. Still, I find it hard to fathom that they can stand up to what has become a very good Atlanta attack.
The Falcons have won five in a row, and they are averaging more than 29 points per game over the course of that stretch. They are a better home team than they are on the road, but they have still won three of their last four on the road. They have also won four in a row against these Bucs, so they are comfortable in this position.
Atlanta is looking very good, and they are highly motivated here as well. With every win they come closer to not only making the playoffs, but also securing home field advantage through the playoffs.
Tampa Bay lost to the Falcons a month ago in Atlanta. In their last four games they have beaten the two struggling teams they have played—Carolina and San Francisco— and have lost to the two good teams—Atlanta and Baltimore. That has been a consistent trend New Orleans Saints jersey
this year; the Bucs beat the teams they need to beat, but struggle against the elite teams.
The Falcons are unquestionably elite, and they only need to win this one by a field goal, so this is a nice NFL line for the Falcons, and by extension for those of us who want to bet on them.
St. Louis (-3) at Arizona (Sunday, December 5, 4 pm ET)
This game opened at -3. It can still be found there, though it’s moving to 3.5, and will likely be at least there by game time. If you like the Rams, then the sooner you bet on them, the better. Arizona has won the last eight meetings between these squads —including one earlier this year—so betting on the Rams would see the end of a long trend.
The field seems to be set for that, though. Arizona has lost six in a row, and they have looked worse and worse as the season has progressed. Derek Anderson capped the last game with one of the more ridiculous post-game tirades in recent history. The Cardinals lack direction, their QB situation is a joke, the defense has been lousy; they are bordering on hopeless.
The Rams are a very different case. Sam football jerseys
Bradford is playing nothing like a rookie, especially in recent weeks. They are in first place in the pathetic NFC West despite being below .500, and they seem to have a team-wide belief in what they are doing.
When you have a team with a great attitude and solid recent form going up against a team in a deep funk, the decision is often reasonably easy. When the team with the good attitude is also the more talented squad then the pick becomes clear.
I’d like the Rams at -3.5, but I really like them at -3.
The good news is that St. Louis had a great game. They not only covered the spread as underdogs, but won outright to pay off on the moneyline. The bad news was that the Bills continued to be impressively tough, and they kept it very close against Pittsburgh so the Steelers couldn’t cover.
Actually, Pittsburgh was lucky not to nfl jerseys
lose outright. The winning TD was in a Buffalo receiver’s hand and absolutely should have been a catch.
We’ve been splitting these picks too many weeks now, so here’s hoping these Week 13 NFL picks and odds break that trend in a positive way:
Atlanta (-2) at Tampa Bay (Sunday, December 5, 4 pm ET)
This isn’t a question of disrespecting the Bucs. They are performing at a higher level than they should be given their level of talent, but they are doing it by hard work and surprisingly good coaching. Still, I find it hard to fathom that they can stand up to what has become a very good Atlanta attack.
The Falcons have won five in a row, and they are averaging more than 29 points per game over the course of that stretch. They are a better home team than they are on the road, but they have still won three of their last four on the road. They have also won four in a row against these Bucs, so they are comfortable in this position.
Atlanta is looking very good, and they are highly motivated here as well. With every win they come closer to not only making the playoffs, but also securing home field advantage through the playoffs.
Tampa Bay lost to the Falcons a month ago in Atlanta. In their last four games they have beaten the two struggling teams they have played—Carolina and San Francisco— and have lost to the two good teams—Atlanta and Baltimore. That has been a consistent trend New Orleans Saints jersey
this year; the Bucs beat the teams they need to beat, but struggle against the elite teams.
The Falcons are unquestionably elite, and they only need to win this one by a field goal, so this is a nice NFL line for the Falcons, and by extension for those of us who want to bet on them.
St. Louis (-3) at Arizona (Sunday, December 5, 4 pm ET)
This game opened at -3. It can still be found there, though it’s moving to 3.5, and will likely be at least there by game time. If you like the Rams, then the sooner you bet on them, the better. Arizona has won the last eight meetings between these squads —including one earlier this year—so betting on the Rams would see the end of a long trend.
The field seems to be set for that, though. Arizona has lost six in a row, and they have looked worse and worse as the season has progressed. Derek Anderson capped the last game with one of the more ridiculous post-game tirades in recent history. The Cardinals lack direction, their QB situation is a joke, the defense has been lousy; they are bordering on hopeless.
The Rams are a very different case. Sam football jerseys
Bradford is playing nothing like a rookie, especially in recent weeks. They are in first place in the pathetic NFC West despite being below .500, and they seem to have a team-wide belief in what they are doing.
When you have a team with a great attitude and solid recent form going up against a team in a deep funk, the decision is often reasonably easy. When the team with the good attitude is also the more talented squad then the pick becomes clear.
I’d like the Rams at -3.5, but I really like them at -3.
2010年12月12日星期日
NFL Fantasy Football: What to Do About Matt Cassel's Appendectomy?
Otto Greule Jr/Getty ImagesI’m sure you’ve heard by now that Matt Cassel underwent an appendectomy. There is talk that he may try to gut it out and play through the pain. Given the Chiefs’ ties to Bill Belichick, I caution you that it is likely just gamesmanship. The Chiefs nfl jerseys
will likely play it safe and rest Cassel this week despite facing the Chargers in a key AFC West showdown.Regardless if he plays, he’ll be in quite a bit of discomfort. He’d also be facing San Diego’s top-ranked pass defense (186.3 yards allowed per game). He simply cannot be in your fantasy lineup. Since the Chiefs have such a tough draw, I would not recommend using Brodie Croyle if he gets the nod.You likely weren’t going to use Cassel against the Chargers, anyway, so let’s get to the other decisions. What should you do with Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Tony Moeaki?.With Cassel likely out, I expect a heavy dose of the run. The Chargers have been effective stopping the run as well, ranking fifth with just 95.3 yards per game, but Kansas City is not an ordinary team when it comes to running the ball. They lead the league with 175.2 yards per game. I like both Charles and Jones to continue putting up big numbers.Moeaki has been good enough at times, but he New Orleans Saints jersey
is not an option I would want to roll with in the fantasy playoffs against the top-ranked pass defense with a backup quarterback. That’s just too big a risk.What about Bowe? I had him as my top-ranked receiver for the second straight week, and I’m beginning to think that was a jinx. He got shut down last week by Champ Bailey and the Broncos. Then his quarterback has surgery. Clearly he can’t be the top option anymore this week, but he still has to be in your fantasy lineup. He’s just too good to sit.Also check football jerseys
out: Sneaky Week 14 Fantasy Football Pick-ups Week 14 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice Week 14 Fantasy QB Rankings Week 14 Fantasy RB Rankings Week 14 Fantasy WR Rankings Week 14 Fantasy TE Rankings Week 14 Fantasy K Rankings Week 14 Fantasy DEF Rankings Week 14 Fantasy IDP Rankings Week 14 Start/Sit Advice Week 14 Fantasy Sleepers
will likely play it safe and rest Cassel this week despite facing the Chargers in a key AFC West showdown.Regardless if he plays, he’ll be in quite a bit of discomfort. He’d also be facing San Diego’s top-ranked pass defense (186.3 yards allowed per game). He simply cannot be in your fantasy lineup. Since the Chiefs have such a tough draw, I would not recommend using Brodie Croyle if he gets the nod.You likely weren’t going to use Cassel against the Chargers, anyway, so let’s get to the other decisions. What should you do with Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Tony Moeaki?.With Cassel likely out, I expect a heavy dose of the run. The Chargers have been effective stopping the run as well, ranking fifth with just 95.3 yards per game, but Kansas City is not an ordinary team when it comes to running the ball. They lead the league with 175.2 yards per game. I like both Charles and Jones to continue putting up big numbers.Moeaki has been good enough at times, but he New Orleans Saints jersey
is not an option I would want to roll with in the fantasy playoffs against the top-ranked pass defense with a backup quarterback. That’s just too big a risk.What about Bowe? I had him as my top-ranked receiver for the second straight week, and I’m beginning to think that was a jinx. He got shut down last week by Champ Bailey and the Broncos. Then his quarterback has surgery. Clearly he can’t be the top option anymore this week, but he still has to be in your fantasy lineup. He’s just too good to sit.Also check football jerseys
out: Sneaky Week 14 Fantasy Football Pick-ups Week 14 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice Week 14 Fantasy QB Rankings Week 14 Fantasy RB Rankings Week 14 Fantasy WR Rankings Week 14 Fantasy TE Rankings Week 14 Fantasy K Rankings Week 14 Fantasy DEF Rankings Week 14 Fantasy IDP Rankings Week 14 Start/Sit Advice Week 14 Fantasy Sleepers
2010年12月11日星期六
Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed Tyrone Carter April 5 2005
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety Tyrone Carter to a 2 year deal. The 29 year-old Carter played in 9 games during 2004, mostly on special teams.Carter is product of the University of Minnesota who began his pro caree in 2000 with the Minnesota Vikings. In 71 games, the 5'9", 180 lbs. defensive back has 250 tackles, 3 INTs, and 12 passes deflected over 5 seasons. PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - Cornerback Willie Williams re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for another 2 years. The unrestricted free agent started the final 10 Jets 6 Sanchez AFL50th jersey
regular-season games last season and 2 playoff games after starting CB Chad Scott injured his knee October 17 against Dallas. Williams finished the season with 57 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception. Next year will mark Williams' 13th NFL season after playing college ball for Western Carolina University. He was drafted by the Steelers in 1993 in the 6th round, playing 4 years in Pittsburgh before spending the next 7 years with the Seattle Seahawks. He returned to the Steelmen in 2004. The Steelers released Scott and tight end Jay Riemersma last month in salary-cap moves. The Steelers were only $500,000 under the salary cap at season's end and needed to trim several contracts, partly because of performance bonuses they paid following their 15-1 regular season.
regular-season games last season and 2 playoff games after starting CB Chad Scott injured his knee October 17 against Dallas. Williams finished the season with 57 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception. Next year will mark Williams' 13th NFL season after playing college ball for Western Carolina University. He was drafted by the Steelers in 1993 in the 6th round, playing 4 years in Pittsburgh before spending the next 7 years with the Seattle Seahawks. He returned to the Steelmen in 2004. The Steelers released Scott and tight end Jay Riemersma last month in salary-cap moves. The Steelers were only $500,000 under the salary cap at season's end and needed to trim several contracts, partly because of performance bonuses they paid following their 15-1 regular season.
2010年12月9日星期四
San Francisco 49ers Mike McCarthy Mike Singletary
When looking for a new head coach most teams look for someone with experience at the position. Teams will reach to former head coaches and college head coaches first, and only after those options are exhausted will they begin to look at coordinators and assistant coaches. In fact, it's quite rare that an assistant coach who is not an offensive coordinator be looked at for a head coaching opportunity. Perhaps an even more rare occurrence is unfolding this year.The Packers and Lions are both interested in San Francisco 49ers coaches for their head coaching position. In the days of Bill Walsh and George Seifert this would not at all be surprising. One way or another, these coaches bred other head coaches like Holmgren, Hackett, Green, Shanahan, Reid and others. Jets 6 Sanchez Jersey
But the current 49ers coaching staff has only been in place for one season now – and a losing season at that.Offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy interviewed with the Packers. McCarthy has extensive experience as a coordinator with the Saints, but his latest performance with the San Francisco 49ers has not exactly been inspiring. Assistant coach Mike Singletary has his share of experience too. But Singletary, who is being pursued by the Lions, has not yet ascended into a higher ranking coordinator position.It remains surprising that the 49ers coaches are being looked at for assistant roles given their losing season. In all likelihood though, both these coaches will be passed over in favor of some more veteran candidates. These coaches will likely get their chance after going through the interview procedure a few times. One thing is for certain though, the attention the 49ers coaching staff is receiving this off-season, despite the teams record, is an indication that Mike Nolan hired the right people in assembling his staff last off-season.
But the current 49ers coaching staff has only been in place for one season now – and a losing season at that.Offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy interviewed with the Packers. McCarthy has extensive experience as a coordinator with the Saints, but his latest performance with the San Francisco 49ers has not exactly been inspiring. Assistant coach Mike Singletary has his share of experience too. But Singletary, who is being pursued by the Lions, has not yet ascended into a higher ranking coordinator position.It remains surprising that the 49ers coaches are being looked at for assistant roles given their losing season. In all likelihood though, both these coaches will be passed over in favor of some more veteran candidates. These coaches will likely get their chance after going through the interview procedure a few times. One thing is for certain though, the attention the 49ers coaching staff is receiving this off-season, despite the teams record, is an indication that Mike Nolan hired the right people in assembling his staff last off-season.
San Francisco 49ers "League provides national spotlight"
The NFL office rewarded the improving San Francisco 49ers with four prime-time matchups this upcoming season. Prime-time games feature quality teams and clubs on the cusp of greatness. The Niners finished 7-9 last year and missed the playoffs. It's clear the schedule-makers expect the 49ers to make dramatic strides in 4 Brett Favre White jersey
2007, however. The 49ers' long-awaited return to glory begins on Sept. 10, the first week of the season, in front of a national, prime-time audience. San Francisco host division-rival Arizona in the nightcap of ESPN's doubleheader presentation of Monday Night Football. Focal points Alex Smith and Frank Gore will lead the charge on offense, and the 49ers will unveil a bolstered defensive unit that features free-agent additions Nate Clements and Tully Banta-Cain, as well as first-round draft pick Patrick Willis. This opening-week spotlight provides the 49ers with a perfect opportunity to set the right tone for the season. But the prime-time love doesn't stop there. The 49ers will play at Seattle on Monday night in Week 10, the scene of one of the Niners' most impressive results last season. This game could go a long way in determining the eventual champion in the NFC West.In Week 15, San Francisco hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on a Saturday night. While technically in prime time, the game will be televised on the NFL Network, so it won't be seen in much of the country. Chances are good that one of your buddies has DirecTV, but if not, you have more than 200 days to do something about it. If all indications are correct, this game will have huge playoff implications for both squads. The 49ers conclude their prime-time schedule with a home Sunday night game against Tampa Bay in Week 16. If things go according to plan, this could be the game where the Niners clinch their first division title since 2002. It's worth 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
pointing out that the 49ers will play more games in prime time than the San Diego Chargers (14-2 last season) and the reigning NFC West champion Seahawks. Does this mean San Francisco will have a better record than the Bolts? Probably not, but the league's expectations are that this year's version of the 49ers will make for very compelling sports theater.
2007, however. The 49ers' long-awaited return to glory begins on Sept. 10, the first week of the season, in front of a national, prime-time audience. San Francisco host division-rival Arizona in the nightcap of ESPN's doubleheader presentation of Monday Night Football. Focal points Alex Smith and Frank Gore will lead the charge on offense, and the 49ers will unveil a bolstered defensive unit that features free-agent additions Nate Clements and Tully Banta-Cain, as well as first-round draft pick Patrick Willis. This opening-week spotlight provides the 49ers with a perfect opportunity to set the right tone for the season. But the prime-time love doesn't stop there. The 49ers will play at Seattle on Monday night in Week 10, the scene of one of the Niners' most impressive results last season. This game could go a long way in determining the eventual champion in the NFC West.In Week 15, San Francisco hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on a Saturday night. While technically in prime time, the game will be televised on the NFL Network, so it won't be seen in much of the country. Chances are good that one of your buddies has DirecTV, but if not, you have more than 200 days to do something about it. If all indications are correct, this game will have huge playoff implications for both squads. The 49ers conclude their prime-time schedule with a home Sunday night game against Tampa Bay in Week 16. If things go according to plan, this could be the game where the Niners clinch their first division title since 2002. It's worth 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
pointing out that the 49ers will play more games in prime time than the San Diego Chargers (14-2 last season) and the reigning NFC West champion Seahawks. Does this mean San Francisco will have a better record than the Bolts? Probably not, but the league's expectations are that this year's version of the 49ers will make for very compelling sports theater.
2010年12月2日星期四
Tennessee Titans "red zone TD efficiency will determine playoff"
After falling to San Diego two weeks ago, Tennessee's playoff plight became more desperate. And this past weekend's 26-17 win over Kansas City wasn't exactly reassuring.At the risk of sounding like a broken record from previous columns, the Titans' inability to score touchdowns after entering the red zone will most Steelers 36 Bettis Jersey
likely rear its ugly head during at least one of the last two games (vs. New York Jets, at Indianapolis).The red zone problem runs deeper than you think: Seven times in three of the past four games, Tennessee has reached the 11-yard line or better and was either sacked, committed a penalty, or simply couldn't convert a fourth-and-short situation. In the Titans' recent 35-6 loss in Cincinnati, the offense got inside the 5-yard line three times and couldn't enter the end zone. Simply put, that is inexcusable.As for last week, Kansas City's defense leads the league in red zone touchdown prevention, as opposing offenses have only scored 37 percent of the time. But the fact is if you can't punch it in when you're inside the 10, you have serious problems. Good offenses score touchdowns with ease when they're that close, and it's clear the Titans' 'O' isn't exactly above average.Tennessee's last two regular-season opponents allow red zone touchdowns about 55 percent of the time, so maybe the Titans have a better shot at converting. To have any shot at making the playoffs, they had better start cashing in their opportunities.NFL football all day every day. Only The national media is focused in on the Tennessee Titans and their dealings with Pacman Jones, but over at the <a > GoTitans.com</a> fan forum, some fans have found a different and perhaps more alluring subject to discuss.Wideout Mike Williams’ <a >weight</a>.According to published reports, which have not necessarily been substantiated, it is rumored that Williams had approached 270 pounds and is now hovering around the 250-pound mark.In any case, this is definitely a forum thread worth reading. It was before their win over Houston back in October that Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher expressed the need to have more balance in his offense. It indeed became more balanced, as Tennessee had 39 running plays (155 yards) and 42 passing plays (267 yards) when it beat the Texans.When Tennessee hosted Houston several weeks later, the balance was there again. The Titans had 29 runs (153 yards) and 31 passes (229 yards), and the outcome was a very solid showing by the offense, which scored a season-high four touchdowns. Therefore, the balance appeared to be working.This past Sunday against San Diego, though, the balance tilted in favor of the running game; in its 20-17 loss to the Chargers, the Titans had 37 rushes against 24 throws.Sure, Vince Young -- 109 yards, two interceptions -- was terrible, but the running game, which Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow insist on leaning toward, didn't exactly make up the difference.The Titans ran more, thinking it would carry the hapless Young to a win. And it did contribute, considering running backs LenDale White and Chris Brown each scored. But if you're bent on a running game and your passing game is below average, you've got to realize that averaging only 3.5 yards a carry isn't going to do the trick.In overtime last week, White pointlessly ran twice for poor yardage in the Titans' now-infamous three-and-out; the team simply isn't winning games by running between the tackles. For the season, White is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry, so he's not overly effective.If Tennessee really wants a running game, it has to land a back with breakaway speed and quickness during the offseason. White cannot bull his way to the huge chunks of 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
yardage needed to make for a truly solid running game. The Titans need a LaDainian Tomlinson of their own, a back who gets at least 4.0 yards per attempt, perhaps even more.Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said it best after the game."They've got a (number) 21 and we don't," he told the Tennessean.
likely rear its ugly head during at least one of the last two games (vs. New York Jets, at Indianapolis).The red zone problem runs deeper than you think: Seven times in three of the past four games, Tennessee has reached the 11-yard line or better and was either sacked, committed a penalty, or simply couldn't convert a fourth-and-short situation. In the Titans' recent 35-6 loss in Cincinnati, the offense got inside the 5-yard line three times and couldn't enter the end zone. Simply put, that is inexcusable.As for last week, Kansas City's defense leads the league in red zone touchdown prevention, as opposing offenses have only scored 37 percent of the time. But the fact is if you can't punch it in when you're inside the 10, you have serious problems. Good offenses score touchdowns with ease when they're that close, and it's clear the Titans' 'O' isn't exactly above average.Tennessee's last two regular-season opponents allow red zone touchdowns about 55 percent of the time, so maybe the Titans have a better shot at converting. To have any shot at making the playoffs, they had better start cashing in their opportunities.NFL football all day every day. Only The national media is focused in on the Tennessee Titans and their dealings with Pacman Jones, but over at the <a > GoTitans.com</a> fan forum, some fans have found a different and perhaps more alluring subject to discuss.Wideout Mike Williams’ <a >weight</a>.According to published reports, which have not necessarily been substantiated, it is rumored that Williams had approached 270 pounds and is now hovering around the 250-pound mark.In any case, this is definitely a forum thread worth reading. It was before their win over Houston back in October that Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher expressed the need to have more balance in his offense. It indeed became more balanced, as Tennessee had 39 running plays (155 yards) and 42 passing plays (267 yards) when it beat the Texans.When Tennessee hosted Houston several weeks later, the balance was there again. The Titans had 29 runs (153 yards) and 31 passes (229 yards), and the outcome was a very solid showing by the offense, which scored a season-high four touchdowns. Therefore, the balance appeared to be working.This past Sunday against San Diego, though, the balance tilted in favor of the running game; in its 20-17 loss to the Chargers, the Titans had 37 rushes against 24 throws.Sure, Vince Young -- 109 yards, two interceptions -- was terrible, but the running game, which Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow insist on leaning toward, didn't exactly make up the difference.The Titans ran more, thinking it would carry the hapless Young to a win. And it did contribute, considering running backs LenDale White and Chris Brown each scored. But if you're bent on a running game and your passing game is below average, you've got to realize that averaging only 3.5 yards a carry isn't going to do the trick.In overtime last week, White pointlessly ran twice for poor yardage in the Titans' now-infamous three-and-out; the team simply isn't winning games by running between the tackles. For the season, White is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry, so he's not overly effective.If Tennessee really wants a running game, it has to land a back with breakaway speed and quickness during the offseason. White cannot bull his way to the huge chunks of 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
yardage needed to make for a truly solid running game. The Titans need a LaDainian Tomlinson of their own, a back who gets at least 4.0 yards per attempt, perhaps even more.Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said it best after the game."They've got a (number) 21 and we don't," he told the Tennessean.
Tennessee Titans "need receivers more than an OC"
Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow, whom the Titans fired last week, was destined to fail in Nashville. The offensive genius came from USC, the marquee school that became a national dynasty in the pass-happy Pac-10. Sure, he had great running backs before coming to Nashville, but he also had great 4 Brett Favre White jersey
passing games as a complement. That is something Chow didn't have in Tennessee.Further, Chow didn't have a stellar running attack with the Titans, either. Tennessee ended the regular season ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing with 131 per game, but the team also was first in rushing attempts with 34 per week. When you run the ball that many times, you're going to rack up yardage, albeit incrementally. The true tell-all in the running game lies in the yards per carry category, where Tennessee ranked 20th in the league with a ho-hum 3.9 a touch. This is one of those rare times the popular numbers are misleading.As far as the aerial game goes, it's clear part of the blame lies squarely on much-heralded quarterback Vince Young, who had almost twice as many picks as scoring throws and a poor 71.1 passer rating during the regular season. But an equal part of the blame, which negatively affected Young's numbers, belongs to a receiving corps that dropped scads of passes. Who knows how much better Young's numbers would have been if Roydell Williams and the other wideouts had sticky hands?With the lack of talent at the receiver position and a sketchy quarterback, there was no way Tennessee was going to make any significant offensive headway in 2007. In the NFL you must have a strong talent to make it big, and Chow simply didn't have the tools with which to replicate his magic from USC. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have raised the already high bar thanks to their arms and their targets, and Tennessee Steelers 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
simply failed in that area.Was Chow part of the problem? Definitely. After all, the Titans ran the ball too much with their less-than-stellar backs. But it makes one wonder what would have happened to Chow if Tennessee had a couple of strong, reliable receivers.It also makes one wonder if new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will succeed if the Titans' receiving corps is neglected during the offseason.
passing games as a complement. That is something Chow didn't have in Tennessee.Further, Chow didn't have a stellar running attack with the Titans, either. Tennessee ended the regular season ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing with 131 per game, but the team also was first in rushing attempts with 34 per week. When you run the ball that many times, you're going to rack up yardage, albeit incrementally. The true tell-all in the running game lies in the yards per carry category, where Tennessee ranked 20th in the league with a ho-hum 3.9 a touch. This is one of those rare times the popular numbers are misleading.As far as the aerial game goes, it's clear part of the blame lies squarely on much-heralded quarterback Vince Young, who had almost twice as many picks as scoring throws and a poor 71.1 passer rating during the regular season. But an equal part of the blame, which negatively affected Young's numbers, belongs to a receiving corps that dropped scads of passes. Who knows how much better Young's numbers would have been if Roydell Williams and the other wideouts had sticky hands?With the lack of talent at the receiver position and a sketchy quarterback, there was no way Tennessee was going to make any significant offensive headway in 2007. In the NFL you must have a strong talent to make it big, and Chow simply didn't have the tools with which to replicate his magic from USC. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have raised the already high bar thanks to their arms and their targets, and Tennessee Steelers 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
simply failed in that area.Was Chow part of the problem? Definitely. After all, the Titans ran the ball too much with their less-than-stellar backs. But it makes one wonder what would have happened to Chow if Tennessee had a couple of strong, reliable receivers.It also makes one wonder if new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will succeed if the Titans' receiving corps is neglected during the offseason.
2010年12月1日星期三
Yo, DeAngelo, restructure this!
Say what you want about Al Davis, but the man certainly knows something about cutting losses in a doomed scenario. Nor does Uncle Al suffer insubordination well. DeAngelo Hall is gone and fans should be celebrating.Flashback to a few days ago, when Hall;s fit of self-destruction finally managed to get him excreted from the Raiders after a half-season of his abysmal on-field play could not. On that halcyon day (Sunday), Hall, in cahoots with Justin Griffith and Ashley Lelie, grandly proclaimed that he would ;even be willing to part with some of their money; in order to acquire Michael Vick once released from prison. ;Gee,; came the thought. ;How about this, you three big spenders? How about Football Inc. just goes ahead and takes some of Dallas Cowboys jersey
your money, anyway, because you guys are not doing your outrageously expensive jobs?; Surely, Davis was thinking along similar lines; great minds think alike, eh?Davis presumably sat down for about 0.147 seconds, not even bothering to crunch the numbers on Hall and the others. Who cares? Those numbers show the Raiders blowing somewhere in the area of $10 million for this season alone on these three, including salary, ;incentives; (bwah ha ha!) and bonuses. For what? Well, for three interceptions and 13 passes (statistically) defensed; for 2 total yards on two carries plus one reception per game and ultimately a trip to the injured reserve; and for seven receptions, three of which came on opening day.Instead of crying after the sad numbers, though, Davis surely just let the rebellious comments, the verbal usurpation of a struggling young quarterback in favor of a convicted criminal who never truly fit a game plan when he was in the NFL, fester in his mind for a bit.Incredibly enough, the mysterious ;source; that haunts the hallowed halls of Raiderdom blabbed that Davis & Co. had reportedly gone so far as to play Hall;s game, offering to restructure his current deal. Unbelievably, Hall topped the trash talking about his own quarterback by revealing that his brash statements in which he;d ;put in my contract the same stipulations or whatever; were mere blathering BS.Davis, in a nice show of not suffering fools, cut the man. And why not?Said Gibril Wilson: "I've never been in a situation where you cut one of the best players.; Sorry, mate, you still haven;t.Statistics aside, Hall has shown himself to be hopeless in a man-to-man defensive scheme and has seemingly forgotten how to close a 7-yard gap between himself and the receiver. In the meantime, Hall has demonstrated a wickedly inappropriate sense of timing vis-;-vis on-field celebrations and addressed the media as though he were still performing at 2005 levels.Surely Davis will be excoriated in some quarters for this maneuver, but truth is that if the Raiders were winning ballgames right now, the Hall release would be trumpeted as a heroic excision of a clubhouse tumor. No matter: Davis will be vindicated on this one in the end when none of this year;s remaining viable teams picks him up. Or even better: Imagine the defense-desperate Denver Broncos grab Hall, only to have him subvert the secondary further; we could see the first NFL team to average 40 points per game allowed!The bad news 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
(aside from confirmation of crushed expectations, that is): Would you believe some $17.5 million guaranteed to Hall still remains? The good news is that Hall is gone; further, Lelie can;t possibly be invited back to Oakland for 2009. Things are looking up, eh?And you;re next, Javon Walker ... (46)
your money, anyway, because you guys are not doing your outrageously expensive jobs?; Surely, Davis was thinking along similar lines; great minds think alike, eh?Davis presumably sat down for about 0.147 seconds, not even bothering to crunch the numbers on Hall and the others. Who cares? Those numbers show the Raiders blowing somewhere in the area of $10 million for this season alone on these three, including salary, ;incentives; (bwah ha ha!) and bonuses. For what? Well, for three interceptions and 13 passes (statistically) defensed; for 2 total yards on two carries plus one reception per game and ultimately a trip to the injured reserve; and for seven receptions, three of which came on opening day.Instead of crying after the sad numbers, though, Davis surely just let the rebellious comments, the verbal usurpation of a struggling young quarterback in favor of a convicted criminal who never truly fit a game plan when he was in the NFL, fester in his mind for a bit.Incredibly enough, the mysterious ;source; that haunts the hallowed halls of Raiderdom blabbed that Davis & Co. had reportedly gone so far as to play Hall;s game, offering to restructure his current deal. Unbelievably, Hall topped the trash talking about his own quarterback by revealing that his brash statements in which he;d ;put in my contract the same stipulations or whatever; were mere blathering BS.Davis, in a nice show of not suffering fools, cut the man. And why not?Said Gibril Wilson: "I've never been in a situation where you cut one of the best players.; Sorry, mate, you still haven;t.Statistics aside, Hall has shown himself to be hopeless in a man-to-man defensive scheme and has seemingly forgotten how to close a 7-yard gap between himself and the receiver. In the meantime, Hall has demonstrated a wickedly inappropriate sense of timing vis-;-vis on-field celebrations and addressed the media as though he were still performing at 2005 levels.Surely Davis will be excoriated in some quarters for this maneuver, but truth is that if the Raiders were winning ballgames right now, the Hall release would be trumpeted as a heroic excision of a clubhouse tumor. No matter: Davis will be vindicated on this one in the end when none of this year;s remaining viable teams picks him up. Or even better: Imagine the defense-desperate Denver Broncos grab Hall, only to have him subvert the secondary further; we could see the first NFL team to average 40 points per game allowed!The bad news 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
(aside from confirmation of crushed expectations, that is): Would you believe some $17.5 million guaranteed to Hall still remains? The good news is that Hall is gone; further, Lelie can;t possibly be invited back to Oakland for 2009. Things are looking up, eh?And you;re next, Javon Walker ... (46)
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