0 24 Jan 11 2011's Years College Football Recruitment and Predictions 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 01:45

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty ImagesTop prospects around the nation are still available and are for the taking. Here are the top 10 uncommitted prospects and predictions according to Rivals.Jadeveon Clowney-Right off the bat Clowney grabs your attention with a very impressive physical Minnesota Vikings
presence. In that 6-foot-6 range he carries his weight well and for a kid at about 230 pounds he has room to pack on a significant amount of bulk as he continues to physically develop. He possesses a nice wingspan and has a very physical nature to him and displays good strength. He looks to enjoy contact and will deliver some big hits.Leader- AlabamaDarkhorse- N/A, South Carolina by default but not really a darkhorseTony Steward-Steward is a dominant player displaying excellent athleticism and playing speed. Has the size we like to see for the outside linebacker position at the major level of competition. This a very flexible athlete who exhibit the quickness, burst and balance necessary to be effective from any spot on the field vs. both the run and pass; shows the KD skills and instincts which allow him to continually get to the football, on plays both to or away. Possesses the upper body playing strength to defeat blockers however his speed allows him to beat blockers through gaps or avoid contact to make plays.Leader- ClemsonDarkhorse- UCLAGeorge Farmer-George Farmer is not only a physically imposing presence on offense, but we are not so sure he wouldn't make for a great safety prospect as well. Farmer is a thickly built, athletic prospect with great speed to stretch the field vertically, but also possesses the ability to turn the short catch into a homerun. He is built like Dez Bryant and has very quick feet for a bigger player.Leader- USC(near lock)Darkhorse- FloridaCyrus Kouandjio-Kouandjio is a dominant run blocker with excellent athleticism that is very rare at his size coming out of high school. This guy runs very well for a big man. His over all size is what we like to see for the tackle position at the major level of competition. Displays very good flexibility in a three point stance; comes off the ball with good initial quickness and explosion; gets a good fit with a flat back and good pad level; rolls his hips with good base and leg drive; has the playing strength to knock defenders off the line of scrimmage; his athletic ability and balance allow him to maintain contact when he moving defenders into space.Leader- Alabama or USCDarkhorse- VirginiaCurtis Grant-Grant possesses the excellent athleticism necessary to get to the football vs. both the run and pass. His size is what we like to see for the outside linebacker position at the major level of competition. This is a very flexible, smooth athlete; is more productive when pursuing New England Patriots jersey
laterally, although will take on blockers vs. the inside run; works at being a physical player with some success but must improve his ability to hand shiver and shed in 1 on 1 situations. Is aggressive and tough, flashing downhill and stacking skill against the inside run but an overall better and more productive guy when able to avoid blockers and work laterally; demonstrates the agility and balance to work through traffic with excellent playing speed and pursuit habits; displays solid wrap tackling skill with an explosive finishing burst.Leader- Virginia TechDarkhorse- TennesseeRay Drew-There is plenty to like about Drew as this kid is a talented and disruptive defender who still possesses a frightening amount of upside. He has great size and displays a nice wingspan. Despite already being in that 250 pound range he still has plenty of room to pack on more good bulk with time in a college weight program. He can be quick off the ball, but does need to be more consistent.Leader- Alabama and GeorgiaDarkhorse- FSUDevon Blackman-Blackmon is a special athlete that is reminiscent of an east coast version in Quan Bray. Blackmon is a dual-threat quarterback at this level because you want the ball in his hands on every snap, but he has cover corner or slot receiver written all over him for the next level. He could also develop into a terrific return specialist. He is remarkably smooth and fluid-- ease of movement and change-of-direction skills are excellent.Leader- UCLADarkhorse- CalIsiah Crowell-Crowell is simply an explosive package at the running back position. Looks a tad smaller than his listed measurables but this guy is very well-built and compact. Built low to the ground and deceptively a very powerful back. Hits the hole fast just as the creases open and reaches top-speed almost instantly.Leader- AlabamaDarkhorse- ClemsonStephon Tuitt-Tuitt is an interesting defensive line prospect. He is a big defensive end who you can't help but think will be a defensive tackle in time, but as you watch him New Orleans Saints jersey
you don't want to discount his ability to stay at end.Leader- Georgia TechDarkhorse- Notre DameGregory Robinson-Robinson shows good upper body playing strength as a run blocker; his size for the tackle position is good however this guy may end up at offensive guard as his career progresses. Shows good flexibility in a three point stance; flashes good initial quickness but not consistently explosive.Leader- Auburn/LSUDarkhorse- Oklahoma

0 24 Jan 11 Who Ya Got?: Predictions For The Marquee Games Of College Football Week Three 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 01:44

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAround this time last week, the week two schedule was labeled as Showdown Saturday or Monster Saturday but it fell flat as those games turned out to be blow outs across the nation.First, the Crimson Tide made quick work of the young Nittany Lions when they traveled to Tuscaloosa by a score ofNew Orleans Saints jersey
24-3 while the Sooners smacked around Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles by a score 47-17 in Norman.Above those two games, the game that was up in lights on the marquee was the rematch of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl as the Miami Hurricanes visited the Ohio State Buckeyes.The U was bitten by the turnover bug in Columbus as Terrelle Pryor led the OSU to a 36-24 victory in a game that was expected to be close to the 2003 match-up but feel well off that game. The biggest lopsided outcome was Oregontrip to Knoxville as they gave the Volunteers their worst loss in the history of Neyland Stadium by a score of 48-13 Saturday night.Arguably the best game of the weekend was the West Virginia/Marshall game from Friday night as the Mountaineers made a great comeback in final few minutes of the game that New York Jets jersey
the Herd dominated from the opening kickoff.Here are the predictions for the games that rise above the rest of the schedule during Week Three of college football action Thursday, September 16thCincinnati at North Carolina StatePREDICTION: Cincinnati 28-20Friday, September 17th10:00 PM California at NevadaPREDICTION: California 38-21Saturday, September 18th12:00 PM- #12 Arkansas at GeorgiaPREDICTION: Arkansas 35-2412:00 PM Maryland at #21 West VirginiaPREDICTION: West Virginia 21-1712:00 PM Georgia Tech at North CarolinaPREDICTION: Georgia Tech 31-211:30 PM East Carolina at Virginia TechPREDICTION: East Carolina 27-213:30 PM - #1 Alabama at DukePREDICTION: Alabama 42-143:30 PM - #8 Nebraska at WashingtonPREDICTION: Nebraska 38-273:30 PM - #10 Florida at TennesseePREDICTION: Florida 42-213:30 PM - #18 USC at MinnesotaPREDICTION: Minnesota 24-213:30 PM BYU at Florida StatePREDICTION: BYU 31-274:30 PM Baylor at #4 TCUPREDICTION: TCU 28-217:00 PM -Oakland Raiders jersey
Clemson at #16 AuburnPREDICTION: Auburn 28-108:00 PM - #3 Boise State at WyomingPREDICTION: Boise State 42-108:00 PM Notre Dame at Michigan StatePREDICTION: Notre Dame 28-24 8:00 PM - #6 Texas at Texas TechPREDICTION: Texas 35-2810:30 PM - #9 Iowa at #24 ArizonaPREDICTION: Iowa 35-20This article is also featured on my personal site.

0 22 Jan 11 West Virginia Mountaineers Football: How To Profit from the LSU Trip 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 06:25

West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart leading his Mountaineers on the road.Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesBy now, the West Virginia coaches are breaking down the tape of Saturday afternoon's victory over Maryland.LSU is next, and there are 150 odd hours remaining to get ready for the biggest test on the Mountaineerslate. Oakland Raiders jersey
Of Bill Stewart's30games as WVU's head football coach, this is his biggest opportunity by far. He and his staff mustbeat theBayou Bengal Tigers. Stewart and his players need that signature road win. A victory over the LSU from the Southeastern Conference in Baton Rouge in front of 92,000 crazed fanswill do it.Here are some issues to consider:WVU QB Geno Smith Is on Fire, And It's Beginning To Look Like That's Normal for HimGeno went 19-for-29for 268 yards against Maryland, finding the end zone four times. He'slooking a lot like late 1990s passer Marc Bulger. He's seemingly unstoppable on the gridiron after the two mega-drives to take WVU to overtime at Marshall. He's also emerged as a leader, keeping his offense fired up, especially the offensive line.Geno has the tools in his belt to playquarterback againstany SEC team. He needs blocking and nearly perfect receiver play from Jock Sanders, Tavon Austin, and Steadman Baileyto complement his outstanding skills. Which leads us to:Unfortunately, Geno Needs To Remind the Offense about the Importance of BlockingSaturday against Maryland, the Mountaineer offensive line seemed to respond to the quarterback's attempts to jog their memory. It's a good thing. The WVU blocking built upon the success at Marshall, although in the third quarter the big guys sort of forgot why they were there. Overall they're ready for LSU.The Offensive LineHas ToBe Ready for the TigersLSU seems to have patched together its inexperienced defense. They're 3-0, with a nice sticker onits headgear for holding back North Carolina and another one for Saturday night's convincing win overfellow SEC member Mississippi State.I don't know exactly how many seconds the O-line has been giving Geno, norhave I measuredhow big the holes Noel Devine and Ryan Clarke have been running through. To beat LSU, though,the O-line is absolutely the key. It's asking a lot, but they have to hold their blocks another half-second. That's a half tick on the clock and it has to be there.Speaking of LSU's Defense, All-America Philadelphia Eagles jersey
Cornerback Patrick Peterson Is Absolutely the Best Football Player West Virginia Will FaceOn his corner, Peterson willshutdown any receiver facing him. He's 6'1' and 211 lbson roller blades and can work on an island.Peterson will cover and cover well any wideout WVU lines up on him. Including Alabama's running back MarkIngram, Peterson is arguably thebest player that any of LSU's opponents will see.Thanks to the remainder of the LSU secondary, Patrick Peterson is nearlyimpossible to throw away from, or unfortunately punt away from. He got two picks against Mississippi State and cruised 87 yards ona punt return touchdown against North Carolina.It's imperative that Geno Smithknows where Patrick Peterson is on every play and knows where he's going. Maryland's Wideout Torrey Smith Answered the Question: "What is the State of West Virginia's Defensive Backs?"Not good. The fastest receiver in the Atlantic Coast Conference smoked the Mountaineer corners for two TDs in the third quarter, one from 60 yards and a second from 80 yards. Assuming ostracized corner Brandon Hogan will not be back, West Virginia needs to roll the safeties over to defend LSU's two amazing wideouts, 6'5" 206 lb senior Terrance Toliver and the immensely talented 6'1" 188 lb sophomore Russell Shepard.Fortunately, Junior LSU Quarterback Jordan Jefferson Can Be RattledAnd what Mountaineer is the best at rattling people? Bruce Irvin. Irvin racked up three sacks and a couple of hurries. The best one, Irvin's first sack in aWest Virginia uniform, came when he welcomed Maryland quarterbackDanny O'Brien to Morgantownwith an awesome, wicked blindside in-the-back hit. The Tigers also have a good rushing attack. The Mountaineers have a rather decent run defense. If the WVU linebackers get Jefferson to a passing situation, Jeff Casteel has to have some blitz packages such as the ones West Virginia used against Maryland. The D-backs need that help.As with Every Game, But Especially with This One Against LSU, the Victory Will Be Charted on Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Wednesday, and Thursday and Won on Saturday NightThe win over Maryland was a sweet win. It was nice to have the return of the rivalry. But sometime, likeimmediately, after those remaining in the crowd sang "Country Roads," it was time to move on. It's time for theMountaineers ofWest Virginia to move on toLSU.

0 18 Jan 11 Big East Preview, Week 4: Entrees, Appetizers and Huge Games 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 04:37

A pizza with 1,760 pounds of cheese and 1,980 pounds of sauce.Tonight begins an incredible menu of non-conference football for the teams hoping to contend for the Big East title. It all begins tonight with a national telecast of the Miami-Pittsburgh game. Some really big offerings. So, in that spirit, we have provided Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
you with enough pizza to feed an army of Big East fans and players. So, chow down, eat all you want while you perusethis weekend's football offerings:Miami (1-1) at Pittsburgh (1-1):A lot of good athletes on the field tonight. Don't know about you, but I can't wait for this one. Pittsburgh is going to get a healthy dose of "THE U," up close and personal. Randy Shannon has tried to rebuild the program with speed and athleticism, in the image of Jimmy Johnson's teams. This should be a great contest to watch.Miami has the quarterback advantage with Jacory Harris. Pittsburgh will need for Dion Lewis to emerge from hibernation if it wants to compete, but Miami has a lot of speed on defense.Look for the 'Canes to put a lot of pressure on Tino Sunseri, which means Pittsburgh will need a running game to survive in this one.Edge: MiamiGame on ESPN, 7:30 p.m.West Virginia (3-0) at LSU (3-0):Big East and Mountaineer pride is on the line here, ladies and gentlemen.If you've never been to a game at LSU, you've missed one of the great atmospheres in college football. A night game in Death Valley is awesome. You're talking about thousands of screaming fans with some Cajuns mixed in. Outside the stadium will be pyramids of empty bottles and cans from adult beverages consumed before this game.This will be a supreme test for Geno Smith and his ability to stay cool under fire. You have the athleticism of a big-name SEC program up against the team that is perceived to be the current front-runner in the Big East. This game is winnable for the Mountaineers but they'll have to play a near-flawless game. Smith will have to play well, Noel Devine needs a big night, and the defense needs to step up. Don't miss this one.Edge: Toss up.Game on ESPN2, 9 p.m.Oklahoma (3-0) at Cincinnati (1-2):Form says this could be a massacre. Cincinnati has shown little life this season, and this is big, bad Oklahoma, a team that took Florida State apart at the seams. If the same Bearcat team shows up Saturday that showed up in Raleigh last Thursday, it could be a long evening for Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
Bearcat Nation.Once again, Big East pride is at stake and Cincinnati needs to find a way to keep this one close. Someone will have to convince me that Oklahoma won't win this one easily.Big Edge: OklahomaGame on ESPN2, 6 p.m.North Carolina (0-2) at Rutgers (2-0):Hate to sound like a broken record, but Big East pride is on the line. Who expected North Carolina to come in winless? Butch Davis has had nothing but problems with suspended players this fall.This will be a great test for the Rutgers defense, and that defense will need to lead the way if the Scarlet Knights are going to have a chance. The Rutgers offense has been dormant, to say the least. Another national telecast and nothing but opportunity for Scarlet Knight nation. Look for a huge turnout and a great effort from Greg Schiano's troops.Slight Edge: North CarolinaGame on ESPNU at 3:30 p.m.Colgate (1-1) at Syracuse (2-1):The Carrier Dome should provide ample home field advantage for the Orange to notch their third win of the season. Ryan Nassib has done a good job settling into the quarterback position. This is a game Syracuse needs to win and win convincingly. Surely, the Big East can prevail over the Patriot League.Big Edge: SyracuseGame on ESPN3.com at 3:30 p.m.Western Kentucky (0-3) at South Florida (1-1):After a week to recover fromits foray into The Swamp, South Florida should be sufficiently rested and recharged to handle the Hilltoppers. Not sure if Skip Holtz's team will find this an easy win. Western Kentucky has an incredible runner in Bobby Rainey who has chalked up 444 yards and five touchdowns in three games. He put up 155 against Nebraska, 184 against Kentucky, and 105 against Indiana. USF should be able to take advantage of a weak WKU defense. USF wins comfortably.Big Edge: South FloridaGame on ESPN3.com at 7 p.m.Buffalo (1-2) at Connecticut (1-2):If ever ateam was in need of a quick recovery, it is UConn. The Huskies were flat-out embarrassed at Temple last week, and who knows what to expect from them on Saturday? Look for a heavy dose of Jordan Toddman, as usual, and hopefully, Randy Edsall's defense will find a quick cure for what ails it.Slight Edge: ConnecticutGame on ESPN3.com, 12 noon.There you have it, Big East fans. There's a lot at stake as far as Big Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
East perception around the country is concerned. The Big East has taken it on the chin already this season and needs to get up off the mat and fight back. If nothing else, enjoy the pizza! See you on Monday when Professor Tom passes out the grades.

0 15 Jan 11 Detroit Lions Joey Harrington Hindsight 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 08:10

OK, maybe the Detroit Lions would go quite that far. Coupled with another frankly inexcusable loss, however, Harrington's performance on Sunday just goes to show how deep these Cats' woes may lie.Against the Minnesota Vikings, Jon Kitna - the man new head coach Rod Marinelli tapped to start at QB - showed to what depths the Lions can reach to pull out a loss. Kitna's fourth-quarter stats: Seven of 16 passing for 54 yards, together with a fumble and two interceptions. Meanwhile, Harrington, a dude who perhaps unfairly unearned the "draft bust" label while taunted with home-crowd boos and comparisons to Ryan Leaf, was thrust into the starting role for the almost equally hapless Miami Dolphins. Joey's line against a New England Patriots team quite a bit scarier than the Vikes read 26-of-41 for 232Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
yards. Kitna's went 23-of-42 for 225. And, though Kitna actually managed to pass for one TD, he also threw three picks (one more than Harrington) and there was that fumble...Does anyone else get the feeling that the specifics in Detroit are quickly becoming irrelevant? Does anyone else suspect that the Lions could be playing anyone from Donovan McNabb to J.P. Losman and still get the same results? And most importantly, is there no way out of this mess?Adding to the generally sunny feeling that surrounds the 2006 Detroit Lions were injuries to Shaun Cody, Paris Lenon, Damien Woody and Roy Williams, the only bona fide all-star these team has produced on offense this year. No official word as to the extent of these injuries has been released, but Williams has guaranteed that he'll miss at least the Lions' win - I mean, game - next week.In his postgame comments, Marinelli commented that his boys' 0-5 start could be blamed on a lack of discipline: "We have to be a more disciplined football team." Of course, once the Marinelli chapter of Lions' history is written (and yes, we should probably begin speaking of things, because it appears this coach is doomed), any references to this first-timer will be cross-referenced to the D-word. That D-word is "discipline" and not "defense," as was promised.Other analyses by Marinelli through this season include "We weren't good enough on defense," an insightful comment following the St. Louis Rams game in which the silver-and-Honolulu blue gave up 41 points; "We have to finish," following the Green Bay Packers' sole win of the year; and "I'm not interested in just playing hard and well" after opening day.(Incidentally, with regard to that 9-6 loss at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks: How many teams can say that a single-digit scoring, touchdown-less effort Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
was their best game of the year? Zero? That's what I thought.)But Marinelli's bon mots are all for naught. The Lions are minus-5 in turnover differential (better than only the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders). Though first in completions and sixth in total passing yardage, Kitna has recorded a pathetic five TD passes while taking 19 sacks.Defensively - ostensibly Marinelli's specialty, remember? - the Lions are currently 28th, ranking better than powerhouses Tennessee, Green Bay, the New York Jets and the Houston Texans. (Of course, three of those four have actually notched a win or two.) On the plus side, CB Jamar Fletcher was able to record the Lions' first interception of the year.Finally, after Week 1, Detroit is giving up 34 points per game and 11 per fourth quarter.The real reason for the Lions' debacle, of course, is a subject Marinelli can't broach and really too large to be handled succinctly. The rot on the Lions goes deep, deep down into the roster and game plan. The 2006 Detroit Lions are the result of years of mismanagement and what appears to be serious disrespect for season ticket-holders. (Lions backers, this writer is now firmly in your corner. Fire Millen.)Symbolic of the whole mess was the performance of Mike Williams. Didn't see him? Ah, you must have left the room. Williams entered the game for a play, dropped a screen pass, and came out. Williams (together with departed 2003 first-round draft pick Charles Rogers) was supposed to be symbolic of a new no-nonsense era in Detroit and a cleaning-house of history's errors. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Instead, the hard-work ethic of Marinelli has given him a one-two of castoff Az-Zahir Hakim and Mike Furrey.For those of you keeping score at home, Williams was the No. 10 overall pick in 2005 and is now being called "one of the biggest draft busts of all-time."On the other hand, maybe the Dolphins could help him realize his true potential. The Lions could trade him for, say, a quarterback...RealFootball365.com: Waiting for the resurgence of the Detroit Lions. (3)

0 14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks Offensive Preview 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 23:05

Entering the 2006 regular season, the Seattle Seahawks have some of the highest expectations in the National Football League. Much of the confidence people have in Mike Holmgren's team comes from its superb offense, which finished last season tops in the league in total yardage and second in points scored. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
Thanks to that tremendous unit, the Seahawks marched all the way to Super Bowl XL, where they lost controversially to the Pittsburgh Steelers.This season, 30-year-old Matt Hasselbeck returns under center. Considering he was once an unheralded backup quarterback in both Green Bay and Seattle, it's hard to believe how far the former Boston College standout has come. The two-time Pro Bowler had his best season in 2005, tossing for 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions and 3,455 yards. Since Hasselbeck's in his prime, look for him to continue performing to an elite level in '06.Much like the QB position, the Seahawks return a familiar stalwart in the backfield. Defending NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, who set an all-time record with 28 touchdowns last year, remains the No. 1 man on the roster. The former first-rounder also eclipsed the 1,800-yard rushing mark last year, making him arguably the best back in the game. However, what goes up must come down, which means the 29-year-old probably won't approach either his yardage or touchdown totals from last year. Still, the 218-pounder's a top-notch performer capable of carrying the Seahawks every week, though he likely won't need to.At wide receiver, the Seahawks are clearly questionable. Top man Darrell Jackson is certainly above average when healthy, but that seems like a rarity. Jackson is battling injuries once again this preseason, and hasn't even practiced or played yet this summer. Obviously, that spells trouble.Following Jackson in the starting lineup will either be Bobby Engram or Nate Burleson. Of that pair, the newly acquired Burleson has the most potential of the two, but Engram brings veteran steadiness. Since Burleson, a former Viking, was signed to such a large deal in the offseason, it would be hard to envision him not starting. Burleson, who was once a 1,000-yard receiver, will have a tall order ahead of him trying to replace the departed Joe Jurevicius.The tight end position in the Pacific Northwest will see 6-foot-4, 265-pounder Itula Mili as the opening day starter, assuming his recent knee sprain heals in time. The 33-year-old only played in two games last season, but he was known as a dependable blocker/receiver prior then, catching a combined 112 passes between 2002-2004. He'll hold down Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
the fort until former first-round pick Jerramy Stevens returns from a preseason knee injury. Seattle's offensive line is where the winds of change blew in the most during the offseason. The team waved goodbye to left guard Steve Hutchinson, one of the best in football, who signed a massive deal with the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, 27-year-old career backup Floyd Womack is tentatively inserted into the starting lineup, but he can't seem to stay healthy at all. The door remains open for inside linemen Chris Spencer, a first-rounder in the '05 draft, and Rob Sims, who was drafted in the fourth round out of Ohio State last April.Teaming up inside with either Womack, Spencer or Sims is right guard Chris Gray and center Robbie Tobeck, two o-line sages who have a combined 25 years of experience under their belts. Tobeck's excellence was finally recognized last year, as the 36-year-old made the trek to his first Pro Bowl. Gray, meanwhile, hasn't missed a game this millennium, starting in 96 consecutive contests. Rounding out the Seahawks' starting line is their two tackles, left man Walter Jones and, on the right, Sean Locklear. The 308-pound Jones is hands down the best left tackle in the league, while Locklear, a 25-year-old, burst onto the scene last year, starting in all 16 games and taking only four penalties.In terms of offensive depth, Seattle is difficult to beat. Players like backup RB Maurice Morris, WR's D.J. Hackett and Peter Warrick, and linemen Tom Ashworth and whichever two players lose out on the LG job jump to the forefront.Final prediction: Once again, underappreciated coordinator Gil Haskell's offense will finish this season near the top of the NFL. If the group doesn't end the year standing at the peak of the league's mountain of offenses, it will be mighty close. With guys like Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Hasselbeck, Alexander and Jones, that's not at all far-fetched.--Got feedback? Connor J. Byrne responds to your questions and comments: cbyrneSign up for our free e-mail alerts at the top right-hand corner of the page for the latest Seattle Seahawks articles sent directly to your inbox.

0 13 Jan 11 Agent Zero Busted: The NBA Has Reached Its Breaking Point 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 16:37

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesAccording to ESPN , Washington Wizards (formerly the Bullets, and that does indeed have ironic relevance to the news) guard Gilbert Arenas has been formally charged with felony gun possession.This is exactly why I don watch the NBA.Athletes today think theyre above the law. They don see a problem with publicly admitting to smoking marijuana, cheating on or abusing their significant others, or committing violent crimes. They think their celebrity status, quite literally in some cases, allows them to get away with Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
murder.Worst of all, it more common that NBA players break the law. Jayson Williams got drunk, murdered his driver, and then tried to cover it up. Allen Iverson crippled a woman with a steel folding chair in a bowling alley, and countless players are guilty of rape and driving under the influence.A simple Google search for crimes committed by NBA players reveals that 40 percent of NBA players have police records.Who else is alarmed by that number?It honestly makes me sick to my stomach to think of what athletes get away with. Sure, a lot of people get away with breaking the law, but not all are expected to be role models. Most athletes fail to realize that kids look up to them and that theyre setting the wrong example.The charges against Arenas carry a maximum five-year prison sentence. For bringing guns into the arena, concealing them in his locker, and brandishing them at a teammate, the punishment is far too light for the crime.Basketball has reached a breaking point and this could be a pivotal event for NBA commissioner David Stern.On one hand, he could just roll over and play dead like he always does. Stern has been highly criticized for corruption involving the draft lottery and the first retirement of Michael Jordan (but those are other stories), and the smart money says hell do the same thing. HeReebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
could let Arenas play again as soon as the end of the league investigation or the start of next season.However, if commissioner Stern chooses to channel his inner Roger Goodell and suspend Agent Zero indefinitely, it sends a message to the rest of the league. By suspending (or banning) Arenas, it would tell the rest of the league that the NBA is trying to change its image.But I really don expect that to happen.The NBA is all about money. The league didn suspend Kobe Bryant while he was fighting rape charges, and oftentimes, he would play a few hours after a court appearance.Why didn they make a stand?Because Kobe is one of the top-five most popular players in the league. His games are almost always televised and receive high ratings, his jersey is among the best-selling in the league, and because the fans want to see their star player.Gilbert Arenas holds the same position for the Wizardsthe most popular player on the roster and the team leading scorer.In his book Uncommon , Tony Dungy urges athletes (and fellow readers) to do several thingsbe active in the Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
community, set a good example for people around you, and don put much stock in unnecessary possessions among them.Try finding more than a small handful of NBA players that live their lives in such an unselfish way. Try finding NBA players that don worship the almighty dollar.Commissioner Stern, do the right thing. Crack down, send the message, and restore respect to a league that has long since lost its way.

0 12 Jan 11 Washington May Do Butler For Mcgrady 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 01:12

With the February 18 trade deadline approaching, the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets have discussed a trade that would sent Tracy Mcgrady to Washington in exchange for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood.Washington according to sources, also would want one of Houston young forwards either Luis Scola orReebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
Carl Landry.Since Mcgrady contract expires at the end of the season, Houston is debating whether they should trade Mcgrady or let his contract expire and gain payroll flexibility for this offseason.Washington is in rebuilding mode, and would save $10 million dollars if they move Butler. Butler has struggled tremendously in new head coach Flip Saunders offense this season and has not looked as successful as he did in former head coach Eddie Jordan Princeton offense. Washington also would not have to worry about resigning Haywood this offseason, who is attracting other teams such as Houston with his productive play and he is schedule to receive a big pay day this summer.Houston has been shopping around Mcgrady this entire season, and is looking for young talent in return. Although no deal is imminent, Houston Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
would receive the better of this trade because Butler is a two time all star and is averaging 16.4 points a game. He plays great defense, and Haywood would anchor their middle and could provide them with insurance if Yao Ming is not ready to start the 2010-11 season.

0 10 Jan 11 Cavs Get Jamison! LeBron To Get Title? 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 00:57

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesSATIRE The ClevelandCavalierscompleted a trade for Antawn Jamison today. The move came as the highlight of a three team trade between the Cavs, Wizards, and Clippers. The Cavs received Antawn Jamison from the Wizards and Sebastian Telfair from the Clippers. The Wizards got Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Brian Skinner, and Al Thorton while the Clippers received Drew Gooden.Two things jump out at me:1) The Cavs are REALLY good now2) The Clippers are REALLY stupid.The Clippers, for their part, are devoid of rationalReebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
thought. Explain to me how one thinks it is a good idea to clear cap space to go after LeBron James by helping the Cavs win a championship? Well, that made sense to the Clippers and thats all that needs to be said.The Wizards are irrelevant, but one has to wonder whether theyll buy out Big Z and let him return to the Cavs. If they buy Big Z out, they could avoid paying his salary and save some extra money. In that scenario, Z can return to the Cavs and provide a backup to Shaquille ONeal in case of injury or even spread the floor at the PF position with his ability to knock down mid-range shots. Still, youd have to wonder if an arch-nemesis like the Wizards really going to want to do anything extra to help the Cavs title hopes.On second thought, theyd probably do it just to piss off Gilbert Arenas.The biggest losers here are the New York Knicks. Their hopes of landing LeBron James depended on the Cavs not being title winnersgoing forward. Now that the Cavs appear to be, on paper, one of the best teams (if not the best) in the NBA going forward, it hard to see why LeBron would choose the Knicks now. Though New York does have Broadway and LeBron loves to sing and danceSpeaking of New York, Eddie House is having a rough day. He getting traded from the Boston Celtics to the New York Knicks. Contender to laughing stock in one day and I thought my Wednesday was bad. House son, Jalen, is not happy either. Rumors are that theirTV showhas been renamed from My dad a Pro to My dad a Knick. The kids at school are no longer impressed. Tough break, Jalen, theres always FUBU.Despite the terrible day in New York, the people in Cleveland were ecstatic when news first broke of the Jamison trade. Then they remembered that they live in Cleveland and misery returned. Still, the Cavs have reason toReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
celebrate.They get an absolute stud in Antawn Jamison. He going to be a perfect compliment to LeBron on the offensive end because he plays pick and roll basketball and can spread the floor. He forces power forwards out of their comfort zones. If a defender doesn come to cover him, hell shoot the J. If the defender comes out, hell use his skill to get to the basket and finish or set up a teammate.The defensive end is another matter entirely. Ill just say, Amare a better defender and leave you to fill in the blanks.Still, Jamison makes the Cavs a lock for the NBA finals.Although LeBron looked nervous, biting his nails, when told of the Jamison trade, sources say that he is very pleased with the acquisition.But LeBron should be nervous. He needs to worry because there are no more excuses. He finally has a squad that, on paper, rivals the Lakers.Everyone is going to be expecting a Lakers-Cavs finals this season. They want to see an epic battle with the two best players in the game today and possibly, with history as the judge, the two best players of all time going head to head to determine who is 1A and who is 1B. LeBron ascent to King has been in name only. The throne is still Kobe's. LeBron knows that in order to get his crown he must take it from Kobe.My prediction: Lakers in six because Kobe a champion. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
He got killer instinct and he playing for his place in history. Kobe won let his Lakers lose in the finals. Not this year. Not to LeBron.I guess it isn such a bad day for New York after all.

0 10 Jan 11 With Jamison Acquistion, It Becomes Now-Or-Never For The Cavs 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 00:53

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesOkay, it might not be all that cut and dry, but it has got to be pretty close. The customary Clevelander anxiety is still not quelled.With seemingly every media outlet making it their duty to at least have one writer or analyst decree that it would be in LeBron James' best interests toReebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
continue his ascension to further greatness elsewhere, Danny Ferry did probably the best job he could've done by retaining the blossoming JJ Hickson, and keeping his main guy happy.The sad thing is, it still may not be enough.The old warhorse, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, had to be sacrificed to make it happen. And therein lies the crux of the issue. What if Ilgauskas decides to immediately latch onto another team, instead of taking the assumed thirty-day break to return? What if Antwan Jameson flounders, while Amare' Stoudemire, the initially assumed big-ticket target, flourishes? What if it all goes south again when their opponent gets hot at the right time for them, but the absolute wrong time for the Cavs (as Orlando so rudely showed last summer)?Yeah, that was a lot of the cart going before the horse here, Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
but if you've lived it even just once, you know that even the best-laid plans aren't always fool-proof.The simple epilogue to the Antwan Jamison courtship is this: If this haul with Jamison doesn't work as the means to its' two-pronged end of bringing the Larry O'Brien Trophy to Cleveland and making it an easier decision for James, then Danny Ferry must pay with his job. And he knows it.Now Cavs fans wait to see if Antwan is rejuvenated on the team with the best record in the league after a tumultuous trainwreck of a season in Washington. They hope to see Big Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
Z return to the team that he has literally broken his body for throughout his career.But ultimately, probably even more than a storybook ending with trophy in hand, they hope that this will be enough to sway their prized jewel from wondering what it would be like to be the opponent instead of the franchise.

0 9 Jan 11 NBA Big Men vs the Little Guys 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 00:42

Foxsports.com NBA analyst Charley Rosen recently cracked open his mail bag and a couple of "knuckleheads" fell out.One guy wanted to know the outcome of a hypothetical 48-minute game between a team of NBA big guys (power forwards and centers) and NBA point guards. Cincinnati Bengals jersey
Rosen predicted the Goliaths would wipe the floor with the Davids by at least 20 points.Whatifsports.com wanted to see if Charley was just supporting his big guy brethren or if there was some statistical data to back up his assumption.Including the same starting fives suggested by our "knucklehead" Gary, we loaded up our NBA Dream Team rosters. The basketball simulation engine based its predictions off of the final regular season statistics from the 2008-09 season. NBA BigsTim Duncan Dwight Howard Amar'e Stoudemire Kevin Garnett Andrew BynumReserves Shaquille O'Neal Chris Kaman Zach Randolph David Lee Andrew Bogut Brendan Haywood Al HorfordNBA Point GuardsSteve Nash Deron Williams Chris Paul Tony Parker Chauncey BillupsReserves Rajon Rondo Mo Williams Jason Kidd Baron Davis Derrick Rose Monta Ellis Dwyane Wade (Yes, he's a shooting guard by trade, but can also play the point.)Whatifsports.com's NBA simulation engine "played" the game 1,001 times.NBA Bigs vs Point GuardsMatchup Win% Average PPG NBA Bigs 85.1108.3Boxscore@ NBA Point Guards14.989.1Simulate Game Charley Rosen is a wise man. He nearly nailed the "Bigs" 20-point winning margin. The NBA big guys won 85-percent of the time by an average of 19 points per game.What I did find amusing was in the example box score (see link above), the big guys only managed five blocks in 48 minutes. Though their 70-22 rebounding advantage truly tipped the scales in favor of our vertically gifted group of ballers.Now we all know NBA general managers would never attempt nor could they afford to bring together a 12-man roster consisting of only big guys. But in the Whatifsports.com world YOU CAN!Just like I demonstrated in this article, you can create your own Dream Team and play a season of SimLeague Basketball with that roster. Now I don't condone using all big men to win a title. However, I grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland and, if Cleveland Browns jersey
you are like me you, will do anything to enjoy the euphoria of a championship season.Even if that means stepping on the little guy.Ryan Fowler is the Digital Content Manager for Whatifsports.com.

0 8 Jan 11 Kobe Bryant Is the Definition of Clutch 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 04:35

Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesSometimes a person can be so masterful at what they do that the extraordinary becomes expected. Perhaps it is just human nature to cease to be impressed by repetition.The first time you see a 3-D movie, it is an amazing cinematic experience. Eyes move in wonder as the anxiousness of what will happen next builds up. But after youve seen a couple of 3-D movies, the wonder begins to fade. You begin to anticipate the drama and the cinematic effects become more predictable.Does the fact that youve seen it before make it any less Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
amazing?Basketball is a game of moments. The difference between the greatest players ever and just the great players is only a reflection of moments.Statistics try to paint the picture of impact in a basketball game. But statistics do not take into account context; they fail to recognize moments. Statistics treat every possession the same. In statistics, each possession is of equal importance.But in basketball, just as in life, some moments are more important than others.The greatest players in the game stepped into those important moments and seized them. They knew that championships are won by inches. They knew that game outcomes are decided in a few precious moments at the end.Clutch is about seizing the important moments. If PER is a measure of how efficient a player is, then clutch is a measure of how great a player is. It is not the only measure of greatness, but it is an important one.West. Bird. Jordan. It is no coincidence that the names of the guys who hit the biggest shots or made the most important plays down the stretch of important games are a who who of the game's greatest players.Almost all NBA players can play hard and focused in the opening minute of a game. The greatest playersthey play their best in the 48th minute. No fatigue. No pain. Focus. Results.They say it takes a high basketball IQ to play in the NBA. Well, clutchness cannot tell you how smart a player is, but it can tell you how mentally tough a player is.You see, while victory means glory, a loss means blame. There pressure and a responsibility that comes with being clutch. Being clutch is so much more than making a tough shot; it is also the ability to miss, take the entire world of blame on your shoulders and still be ready to step into that moment again whenever it presents itself, and deliver.No, victory did not go to the young man right out of high school. His team season was over. The rookie shooting guard had taken the potential game-winning three in the series-deciding Game Five of the conference semifinals in 1997. Airball. The young man took three more Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
shots from downtown in overtime. Airball. Airball. Airball.Questions would be asked. The young man had taken the team most important shots in the game most important moments and failed to deliver. The criticism and embarrassment levied on this kid would have destroyed players twice his age.Not this player. He was clutch. He knew it. He just needed another opportunity to prove it.And so 14 years have passed and the young man has proven himself. He has proven himself so well that people have devoted hundreds of thousands of dollars in statistical analysis to debunk the myth of his clutchness.But we were there in the pivotal Game Four of the 2000 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers when he returned from an ankle injury to score eight overtime points, plus a tip-in off of a missed free throw to ice the game.His team won the NBA championship.They say that clutchness is not only about scoring, but it is also about making plays, and he just doesn make plays at the end of games.We were there in 2000 as his team went down by 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals. As he lead the team back, he made play after play, capped by him throwing a perfectly timed alley-oop to his co-star to punctuate a 29-9 run to win the series, game, and, essentially, the championship.We were there in 2009 when he was double teamed late in overtime of Game Four of the NBA Finals. He calmly passed out of a double team to a wide-open teammate beyond the arc.Swish.That teammate shot proved to be the dagger, and the team won the game to take a 3-1 lead in the Finals.They say he unwilling to pass, but how many players have made such important passes in such important moments?Clutch.So much for the idea that he doesn make plays at the end of games.They say his clutchness is overrated. They say that the statistics show that he misses far more than he makes. They say that we only remember the good and ignore the bad.Perhaps. But some moments are more important than others. His plays and his shots have won championships. Plural.Some recognize his greatness and say that he the greatest clutch player ever, as Suns coach Alvin Gentry did this week. Then some say he not even the clutchest player in the league today, as ESPN true-hoop Henry Abbott Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
often argues.Maybe he is the greatest clutch player ever or maybe he isn. Maybe we just take him for granted. Weve seen this movie before. We know how it ends. They do, too.He steps into the most important moments. Miami.With a mental toughness that is unrivaled. Milwaukee.His peers fear him. Memphis.And respect him. Sacramento.For he can demoralize an entire opposing team. Toronto.Because there just no way to stop him. Boston.I know who he is. I know what he is.Kobe Bryant is the definition of clutch.

0 30 Dec 10 Los Angeles Clippers Playoff Preview: What Might Have Been 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 02:22

With the regular season winding down and the playoffs around the corner, it's time to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Clippers as they prepare for what should be a long playoff run. The Clippers started this season with high expectations and did nothing to disappoint. Like his team, Blake Griffin did nothing to disappoint. The mocking taunts when the Clippers took him first in the draft were silenced by the favorite to win the ROY award in his first pro game. Nothing like a 28/15 game to silence your critics. Sure, he hit a rookie slump during the middle of the season and he failed to get calls early on, but look at him now. The power forward finished the year on a tear averaging 23 and 12 over his last 10 games, the Clips winning all but one.Griffin will finish the Washington Redskins jersey
season healthy and primed to showcase his talent on a national level again, this time in the NBA playoffs. Where are the taunts of a "Clipper Curse" now? In addition to how seamlessly Griffin fit in with the team from Los Angeles, the Clippers have to point to the evolution of Baron Davis as a key to this season.The player who willed his eighth-seeded Warriors to a victory over the then No. 1-seeded Mavericks was back.Davis showed a keen ability to shoot when needed and to dish as needed. He played the point in a way L.A. hasn't seen since the days of Magic Johnson. Eric Gordon had some big scoring games and looked great holding up that Slam Dunk trophy while wearing a Clipper jersey. The revitalization of this once perennial doormat was in full bloom at that moment. We all know now, of course, that the real transformation occurred about a month earlier. The Clippers were winning, Staples was rocking and the team was playing well. Los Angeles, however, wasn't convinced. The city has been fooled by the Clippers before. They needed to see something substantial and the Clippers delivered. Jan. 15 was the day all Clipper fans can point to as the official coming out party of the team that now rules L.A.It was on that day that the Clippers met the Lakers in what was a Laker home game. With the Clippers enjoying success to start the year the crowd had a substantial Clipper-feel to it. Something rarely seen at Laker home games. In years past a Clipper home game against the purple-and-gold felt like an away game for the Clips. The chants were pro Lakers, the cheering came for the visiting team and the stands were peppered with yellow jerseys. This time, Clipper fans began to repay the favor. It wasn't a rush of Clipper support, but it was enough to catch the attention of both teams. "Yeah, we all noticed it today. Clipper Nation was here tonight and I think it helped them, energized them" was how Kobe Bryant put it just after the game. The energy in the stadium was palpable from the the opening tip. This had the feel of a playoff game, in fact, it was more.This had the feel of a battle, a battle for respect, a battle for the hearts and minds of Los Angeles. This was more than a game and everyone watching understood that. Every rebound was fought for, every loose ball was chased; this was a game neither team wanted to lose.It was the Lakers, however, who seemed to have the game in hand. In a game that saw 23 lead changes it was Kobe Bryant who took over in the fourth.That ridiculous shot by Bryant with 4.3 seconds left with Marcus Camby all over him was amazing and left the Clippers with a three-point deficit.Bryant, aware of the significance of Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
the shot, jumped up, pulled his jersey to expose his heart; that was the dagger. Then, things changed in Los Angeles. It's funny how you can look back and pinpoint the exact moment. With 4.3 seconds left on the clock, this was a Laker town, all it took for the shift to occur was 4.3 measly seconds. Incredible. You know how it went, but I love reliving it. The ball came in to Davis. He didn't hesitate, driving past Derek Fisher as if his shoes were glued to the floor.The Lakers collapsed, they weren't going to let an easy layup and a foul tie this game. In hindsight, they should have given Davis the layup."I concur, it was a bit of a mental mistake by our squad," Phil Jackson said later. Instead, the teams competitive nature took over and with four Lakers converging on him, Davis made that amazing one-bounce pass to Rasual Butler. How did that pass get there? How did he see Butler? Who knows, but the rest is L.A. history. Butler calmly picks up the ball, checks his feet to make sure he is behind the 3-point line and sets up to make his smooth-as-silk shot.The Clippers' modern-day Jamaal Wilkes doesn't hesitate even as Lamar Odom races towards him. The shot is released, Odom charges, barrels into Butler, the crowd goes absolutely quiet. So quiet you could hear the swish as the basket drops in, followed by the blow of the referees whistle, then the final buzzer. Everyone was stunned. With apologies to Jack Buck and his amazing call of Kirk Gibson's home run against Dennis Eckersley, everyone, from the players, to the fans felt the same way, "I can't believe what I just saw."The NBA has seen possible four-point plays before, but never in this type of game, never to win a game on a last second shot, never to capture a city.That shot was beyond huge. All that was left was to ice Butler which the Lakers did with the last time-out. He hits the free throw, the Clippers somehow pull off a victory, He misses, its on to overtime.Remember the end of Rocky I where Apollo Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
Creed is clutching Rocky as the final bell is rung? "Ain't gonna be no rematch." Rocky's reply, "I don't want one."Sure, both teams would have hit the floor for the extra time, but neither wanted to. They had given there all in this amazing battle. No player in the history of the game has ever come to the line with more on the line than Butler. The game, the city, respect for his team.It all came down to one shot. He walked there alone. Just before he shot, Davis walked up to him and whispered something in his ear. The pair laughed, it seemed to settle everyone, including Butler.What did Davis say? "I ain't telling" he bristled as he walked away. "That will stay a Clipper secret forever". Whatever it was, it had its desired effect. With the Lakers and all of L.A. watching, Butler hit the free throw. The Clippers won. The party lasted much longer than normal for an NBA game. All the more shocking when this was, technically, a road game for the Clippers. That 104-103 victory was the catalyst, the turning point. The Clippers used to it push to an NBA-best 15-game winning streak. The Lakers, well, could never regroup. With word today that Kobe Bryant will officially opt out of his Laker deal at season's end, it seems to mark the end of an era for the once-proud franchise.There is little doubt then that Phil Jackson will not return and although the likelihood of convincing Mike Krzyzewski to leave Duke to lead this team next season is slim, all the more so now that the Lakers will be Kobe-less, they will no doubt find someone to lead them. The new coach, however, will not have a team that Laker fans are used to. The Artest mid-season trade for Caron Butler was more of a flop than the Artest experiment was, with Butler going down in his second Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
game with a career ending knee injury. The Lakers find themselves with an injury prone center, a soft power forward and little else as they limp to the end of season. Its sad really. Clipper fans refuse to gloat, however. The Lakers had a good run, but this is a Clipper town now. A great run in the playoffs, which is well within reach, will make Clipper Nation more than a catch-phrase, it will make it a USA reality!A Clipper fan can dream, can't he?

0 29 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Don't Expect Suns To Pity Blazers' Injury Woes 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 05:27

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesHurts, don't it?That's what Steve Nash and others associated with the Suns over the last five years are saying to themselves after Portland's Brandon Roy became another victim to the injury bug.Roy has decided to undergo surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus, and Blazers fans, management, and observers are already putting asterisks and "It's too bad..." next to their takes on the Suns/Blazers first-round matchup.Just don't expect the same pity from Phoenix.Look, Phoenix has suffered their own playoff misfortune over the Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
last few years. Ridiculous suspensions aside, their recent postseason history has been equally marred.First and most obvious, the Suns are without their one legit center in Robin Lopez. Jarron Collins is a banging bit player-turned-starter and Channing Frye is a shooting softy who won't rebound or use his length consistently on defense.Delving into postseasons past, you'll find Phoenix headlining the league's IL.2005 Joe Johnson fractures an eye socket after Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse performs the always ill-advised chase-down block attempt, which sent Johnson to the floor and the emergency room.Behind Johnson on the depth chart? An overachieving Jimmy Jackson and undeveloped Leandro Barbosa (7.1 minutes-per-game).Johnson, the do-everything facet of the Suns high-octane offense, was unavailable until the middle of the following round. By that time, the Spurs had already seized momentum of the series.2006, Part One After their '05 exit to the Spurs, the Suns were picked by many to hold their first Larry O'Brien trophy after getting their necessary and cliche "playoff experience."Instead, word trickled out of training camp that Amare Stoudemire's knee was troubling him, and that he would undergo a precautionary MRI. That in turn revealed theReebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
need for the dreaded micro-fracture surgery, 86-ing Amare's season.It's funny how nobody pitied the Suns like they're pitying the Blazers despite both teams having injury-riddled, 50-win seasons.2006, Part Two Despite Amare's absence, the Suns overachieved by coming back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Lakers, ousting the Clippers in seven games, and facing a Mavericks team that had just overcome the Spurs in seven games of their own.Up to that point, the Suns' most consistent playoff performer had been Raja Bell, who took it upon himself to add a shooter's killer instinct to his defensive tenacity.Of course, that must have just drawn the basketball gods' attention. Bell suffered a partially torn calf muscle early in the series and attempted in vain to play through it the rest of the way.2007If you're looking for suspension talk, sorry to disappoint. I've already hashed that out before , and besides, we're talking about injuries here.Instead of Game Four of the Suns/Spurs semifinal series, I'm shifting focus to the closing minutes of Game One. In a collision intentional only on the part of the basketball gods (whose sole purpose is to ensure Phoenix never wins a championship), Steve Nash had his nose ripped open.After pudding wads of bandages that came to resemble semi-solid bubble gum, Nash gamely kept playing, making clutch shot after clutch shot.But the blood kept coming, and as a result, Nash had to sit the final few possessions. This was when the Nash-or-nothing effect was still present, so Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
without Nash, the Spurs took Game One.With Nash on the floor playing the way he'd been playing up to that point? Intriguing, isn't it?The point is, the Suns have gone through (and are still going through) what Portland is currently undertaking: playing with key players injured. Phoenix understands this better than anyone except the '89 Lakers.Just don't expect Phoenix or their fans to pity them for it.

0 28 Dec 10 Can Steve Nash Reach Magical Heights? Greatest PGs Ever 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 00:43

Elsa/Getty ImagesThe 2010 playoffs currently showcase awesome point guards like Deron Williams and Tony Parker, not to mention Steve Nash and Jameer Nelson. But do they stack up on the all-timegreatestpoint guard list?I created a formula that indicates how productive a player was per minute in their greatest season, and then combined it with a title wins/finals appearances list, then divided them. This list is a reflection of that final result.31 Mark Jackson 30 John Lucas 29 Brandon Roy 28 Derek Harper 27 Damon Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
Stoudamire 26 Reggie Theus 25 Rod Strickland 24 Terrell Brandon 23 Norm Nixon 22 Baron Davis 21 Walt Frazier20 Chauncey BillupsHits the big shots and won a ring in 2004 against Lakers.19 Gail GoodrichLed LA to 1972 title and could score like crazy.18 Mark PriceSweet passer and shooter, especially from the charity stripe.17 Maurice CheeksWon it all in 1983 with Dr. J to pass to; a steals wizard.16 Michael AdamsPlayed for Denver so wan't exposed but he was amazing. Check his stats. At only 5'9", to do what he did was great.15 Jason KiddStill seeking a title but can pass like no other player in history.14 Tim HardawayDid the UTEP Two-Step all over the NBA, even as a rookie. At 5'11" he was second place for NBA Rookie of the Year in 1989 to 7'1" David Robinson.13 Tony ParkerBeing an awesome scorer and teammate has helped him win three titles with the Spurs, and maybe four after this year.12 Calvin MurphyAt 5'9" he was great atcontrollingthe pace of the game. He scored 17,949 points in the NBA and dished out 4,402 career assists and made it, but lost in the 1981 finals.11 Lenny WilkensThe true and pure point guard scored 17,772 career points, passed off 7,211 assists, and grabbed 5,030 rebounds in 1,072 career games. He's not a bad coach either.10 Kevin JohnsonPut up great numbers in his career, amazing really, and he went to the finals in 1993, and lost to...Jordan.09 Chris PaulRushed up this list because of astronomical per-minute stats, but he has never won anything. Has the potential to be top three all time.08 Gary PaytonPlayed glove-like defense throughout his career and could score too. Had winning drive but met Michael Jordan in the 1996 Finals, and of course lost. Then in 2004 he had a chance to win Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
one with Shaq, Karl Malone, and Kobe Bryant, but they somehow lost. Finally, in 2006 his Heat beat the Mavs and he earned his ring, and then soon after retired. Nice career GP.07 Steve NashIs two years older than me and damn he's in awesome shape to still be in the mix of a title possibility in round two vs. the Spurs. This dude is sick, but he's never won a title, so I guess his two MVP awards say a lot.06 Bob CousyThe Houdini of the Hardwood led the Celtics to multiple titles and designed for future generations how to play point guard. He'd be a sweet passer now.05 Nate "Tiny" ArchibaldAnother UTEP product who, despite his size (6'0", 150 pounds), was an amazing player and who won championships with Boston in the '80s. In 1972-73 Archibald did what no one ever had or ever will do: "Tiny" led the league in scoring and assists in the same season. Check this out: 80 games played and 46.0 minutes per game! Shot .488 from the field and .847 from the line and averaged 11.4 assists and 34.0 points. What?04 John StocktonMan, I feel so bad for this guy; having to go up against Jordan two years in a row and losing. If it weren't for that, he'd be the perfect point guard.03 Isiah ThomasAt 6'1" Zeke was able to do anything. I mean anything and he did. If he were 6'6" he'd probably be the greatest ever. He is one of a few guys that destroyed Jordan teams well before Jordan figured the Bad Boys out. He was the first player ever to have over 1,000 assists in an NBA season.02 Oscar RobertsonReebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
The "Big-O" was a walking triple double,averagingone for an entire season. This guy is what LeBron wishes he was. He won a title in 1971 along with Jabbar.01 Magic JohnsonWonfivetitles in nine tries. He went to the finals nine times! He was awesomein every single way. The most successful point guard of all-time.

0 27 Dec 10 2010 NBA Draft: Talking Hoops With Wizards Beat Writer Rashad Mobley 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 05:08

Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesOn late Thursday afternoon, I was lucky enough to sit down with Rashad Mobley, Washington Wizards beat writer for HoopsAddict.com. I recorded the interview, unfortunately, there was no way to post the audio on B/R. However, you can listen to everything over atTennessee Titans jersey
my site, www.aarontorres-sports.com.Rashad gave incredible insight into the playoffs, but started with the NBA Draft process discussing the following subjects:- How he found out that his beloved Wizards ended up with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. It's not how you think!- How much different Washington will look next year, regardless of who they take with the No. 1 pick- Will a potential backcourt of Gilbert Arenas and John Wall work?- What the Wizards need to do going forward to make themselves a playoff team againWe continued our conversation about the NBA Playoffs, as Rashad broke down each of the four remaining teams. Amongst his insights:- Why he thought since before the playoffs that the Celtics would give the Magic trouble - What the Celtics need to do to win the next two games and close out Orlando on their homecourt- If this is the best we'll ever see from Dwight Howard offensively- Can the Suns do anything to even make their series with the Washington Redskins jersey
Lakers interesting? - And much, much more...Again, if you're an NBA basketball fan, this is an absolute must-listen, as Rashad gives insight that can't be found anywhere else

0 26 Dec 10 Celtics-Lakers: Good for the Casual Fan, Terrible for the Rest of Us 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 23:37

Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesAnother Lakers-Celtics NBA Final? Excuse me while I yawn my way to the remote.Spare me that Two storied franchises line, which I heard as a kid by Brent Musburger in 1987. Yes, I know they are. Ive seen it for years. Go ahead, show all the pictures/film of Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
Cousy, Russell, Chamberlain, Havlicek, West, Cowens, Kareem and Magic, Bird and McHale, Worthy, Parish, Shaq and Kobe and Pierce, Allen and Garnett. My response will be Really? After following this league my whole life, I had no freakin idea! After all, I got the same history lesson two years ago.Admittedly, one fact must remain: They did win it. They did beat all the competition - this year and in the past - to achieve this. I can say how much they deserve it before the mid-1980s, when I began following the game, but to call it a good thing for the casual fan is an insult to armies of hardcore fans who has sat hungry at the expense of two franchises who have feasted.Want an interesting stat? When the Celtics ended their agonizingly long drought of 22 years without a ring, the average drought for the entire league was22 years*. There 30 teams in the league. Fourteen of them have never held the Larry OBrien trophy. Of those 14, 11 are over 20-years-old.. Go ahead. Sell expansion of championship-level basketball. Yeah.Eleven cities arestill waiting, so why should your city sign up, especially if the league celebrates an NBA Finals tradition that doesn include you?(Another stat: In the past 25 years, over $4 billion has been spent on new arenas.)Lakers-Celtics, v. 12.0 now means that for the past 28 years, only seven teams will have won it all. After this years finals, that average drought number becomes almost 25 years. Logically, that would mean that fan-bases in a clear majority of the NBA have waited at least a generation for their first, maybe second title. All while the Lakers and Celtics go deeper into the teens.If you look up my profile, Im a Cavs' fan. And yes, I can hear it now: This is just sour grapes about your LeBron's choke job Kansas City Chiefs jersey
against the Celtics. I write this for the fans who had the nerve over the years to support any of the other 28 teams with the exception of Jordan Bulls, who took up the dynastic slack while these two storied franchises took the decade off championship-wise. The Cavs, anointed by Magic Johnson as the Team of the 90 ran into them. My beef is more with them and Jordan Shot than The Lakers-Celtics rivalry. Besides, our drought still ranks tied for only fourth longest.Were tied with the Clippers, whose four decades of futility is hardly due to the Lakers or Celtics. However, we are surpassed by the 42 years the Suns fans have waited. That franchise hasn exactly shamed the basketball world with Alvan Adams, Larry Nance, Charles Barkley, and now Amare Stoudamire. Still, 42 years. All that fan loyalty. No rings.The most tragic is the Kings franchise. Their last title was in 1951 when they were the Rochester Royals. Then they moved to Cincinnati, where they didn even play in an NBA Finals. Then to Kansas City. Bupkiss. Then for the past 25 years, it was Sacramento, where they ran into the wall of the Lakers, just like they did when they were in Cincinnati and the Lakers were in Minneapolis. Look up the story of Maurice Stokes and wonder how that wouldve fit into the annals of the NBA if he played for Red Auerbach.Seattle waited 29 years before the team bolted. Their Pacific Northwest neighbors, the Blazers, have waited 33 years since Rip City. The Jazz have existed 36 fruitless seasons. The Bucks last won 39 seasons ago. The Hawks, have gone over a half-century. The list goes on and on.Since Im not watching the series, can someone post an answer to a curiosity I have? Im wondering how heavily, ABC will use the series to Minnesota Vikings
promote their new cop drama Rookie Blue and their new criminal forensics show Body of Proof. Itd only be fitting since it already being watched by people who don mind the same old thing.* ABA titles were not included, but I only included post-merger seasons as franchises of the NBA as part of their drought.

0 25 Dec 10 Isiah Thomas: New York Knicks Bring Back Thomas 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 01:16

Isiah Thomas is coming back to the New York Knicks organization. Many fans of the team are likely to be unhappy about this move. Thomas will not be the team's head coach. At least not yet. The former Knicks coach is rejoining the organization as a consultant. He will assist senior management in various ways, Atlanta Falcons jersey
including recruiting players. This move seemed to be coming for a while. Thomas was part of the team that was put together to try and get LeBron James signed. He also helped the team with other free agents, including the signing of Amar'e Stoudemire. Thomas was the team president from December 2003 until April of 2008. During that time, the Knicks had the league's highest payroll but failed to make the playoffs. He served a dual role of head coach and president during his final two seasons. He was dismissed after compiling a record of 23-59 in the '07-'08 season.The former coach remained close with team owner James Dolan and Knicks current team president Donnie Walsh. Thomas will continue his job as head coach of Florida International University.The rumors floating around Baltimore Ravens jersey
are that Thomas could become the team's next general manager or possibly even coach the team once again. Knicks fans are surely not happy about that. Read more NY/NJ Sports News at Double G Sports.

0 24 Dec 10 Detroit Piston Austin Daye Set to Break Out, As Long As T-Mac Stays Away 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 00:41

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesSo far this exhibition season, Detroit Pistons fans have been treated to some rough basketball. Of course this is not the type of rough basketball they are accustomed to, with hard elbows, tough blocks and clutch rebounds.This type of basketball is rough on the eyes.It is not as though Detroit has not been competitive this preseason. They have, losing the last three games by an average of six points.What is tough for Pistons fans is how they have been playing, more importantly the style in which Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
they are competing.Their most recent loss against Charlotte was a reminder of how far they have strayed from prototypical "Pistons basketball". The most striking aspect was the fact that the coach on the other side of the court was none other than "play the right way" Larry Brown.The Pistons right now are not playing Larry Brown basketball.Brown became a Hall of Fame caliber coach by stressing ball control with minimal mental errors on offense, even fewer three pointers, and strong, hard-nosed defense.The Pistons are playing essentially the exact opposite way, launching three pointers at will and doing their best to outscore rather than out defend their opponents.This reminds me of something in my own life. The year after I graduated from college, I had an opportunity to coach girl's basketball in my home town. The high school coach had asked me to take over at the middle school since I had had some experience coaching at that level. When we first got together to discuss coaching philosophy, he told me he believed in two shots: the layup and the three.Needless to say, I turned down the job.For a Pistons fan, we know first hand that this style of basketball does not lead to long term success. However, when I watched this coach's teams that year, I realized that his roster was such that this would be the only way he could field a competitive team.John Kuester is in a similar situation. He is a disciple of Brown and he knows about playing the right way. But he has been saddled with a roster that will not allow this style of basketball, so his only hope to keep Detroit out of the lottery is to run and gun.And while the preseason has been ripe with terrible play and sloppy ball handling, the one player that has stood out is Austin Daye.The second year player out of Gonzaga looked primed to break out during the Summer League, showcasing a (slightly) bigger body, and a new trick: a post game.Personally, I thought Daye looked like a stud and I was curious to see what kind of impact he Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
would make for the big club during the season. It appeared that Pistons president Joe Dumars had the same thing in mind, basically running the offense directly through Daye on every possession.But a funny thing happened on the way to a breakout sophomore season: Dumars signed Tracy McGrady.While this signing was a head-scratcher for a number of reasons, the biggest seemed to me the fact that McGrady's minutes were almost sure to come directly at Daye's expense.So why do you force feed Daye during the summer if you are only going to take away his minutes for T-Mac?Let's compare the two. McGrady is an over-the-hill, ex-superstar that hasn't played defense in nearly a decade. Daye is just a shade over 22 and has a very bright future ahead of him.McGrady has had his career derailed by injuries, robbing him of anything resembling quickness. This has left him stuck on the perimeter exclusively.Daye, on the other hand, can shoot with anyone in his face due to his long arms, he has the quickness to get past defenders, and he now has a back-to-the-basket game.This should be a no-brainer.Just take a look at this preseason. In the first exhibition game against Miami, McGrady saw his first and likely last look during the preseason. He played eight minutes and looked terrible.By comparison, this was the only game this preseason in which Daye played fewer than 20 minutes. He still managed to put in 12 points in only 17 minutes.The real story has been what Daye has done during the rest of the exhibition season. He has easily been the MVP of the exhibition for Detroit, averaging 16 points and six boards per game.Coach Kuester has been trying his hardest to find a winning combination amongst his guard and forward heavy roster. As a result, Daye has lined up all over the court, even starting at power forward.The Pistons have a ton of holes and hopefully once the ownership situation gets resolved Dumars will be able to pull the trigger on some deals and Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
clear up this roster mess.But in the mean time, Kuester is going to have to find a way to get Daye meaningful minutes. If that means sitting McGrady every game and only putting him in when the game is a blowout (a la Darko Milicic), so be it.Detroit has to make the full transition from winning now to building for the future. There is no greater example of this than the situation with Daye and McGrady.Daye is the future, and McGrady is the past.The fans will be patient if they see reason for optimism on the roster. What they will not tolerate is a slapped together, rag tag bunch of past their prime vets trying to squeeze their way into the playoffs. We have been there before and nobody likes that.The key to the future is finding out which of the young players will be big time contributors to a future winner, and that starts with Austin Daye.

0 23 Dec 10Boston Celtics: Playing Without Rajon Rondo Is the Team's Krypto-Nate 发帖者 Johnny Depp | 时间： 07:17

Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesThere has been a lot of hypothetical discussion around how the Boston Celtics would fare without their starting point guard and assist machine, Rajon Rondo. With Rondo hurting his hamstring we have all got to see just how the Celtics can survive without their best player.The Celtics lost both games without Rondo, the first against a Kevin Durant-less Oklahoma City, going down by five points, and the second against the Toronto Raptors, a team with no stars and nine losses to their name, by a mere point. While the Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
results may not look great, the Celtics showed they can still be a fearsome team without Rondo.While a loss against Oklahoma City without Kevin Durant doesn't look good on paper, Oklahoma City is a young team with a lot of future all-stars like Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green (who didn't player either) and they are going to pull off surprise wins all through this season as they develop into the dominant team they will certainly become.The Toronto Raptors are undeniably one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference at the moment, and will certainly bruise the Celtics' pride. This however may not be an awful thing, as hopefully Boston will learn not to expect a victory against teams that have less talent and so they won't go into the game with a forgone conclusion mentality.Both losses exposed the biggest flaw in the Celtics current game, the teams inability to play a solid four quarters of their high-intensity defence. Boston are among the best teams defensively in the NBA, though, possibly due to the ages of the starting line-up, the team are having a lot of trouble playing the full four quarters. If they can find away to translate their solid three quarters into a full four, they could be as dominant as the Lakers currently are.Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
biggest upside to the couple of losses without Rondo was the excellent games played by the back-up point guards. While Boston obviously heavily relies on Rondo to create plays—with 15 assists a game it would be impossible not to—the team has a quality back-up on the bench, to come out and score in a way that Rondo, at the moment, cannot.Delonte West took a leadership role in the game against the Thunder and Nate Robinson started against the Raptors. Both players have checkered histories in the NBA but seem to have fit into the Celtics team perfectly (despite reports of West punching the disappointing Von Wafer at a practice).Delonte West's game against the Thunder did not show statistically why he is such a talented player, only playing 17 minutes. He ended the game with one rebound and seven points to his name, though he took control when the Celtics fell behind in the third quarter. This may seem disappointing after his excellent debut, but apparently he is struggling with back issues. Despite his personal problems, West has always played at a high calibre and there is no reason to think this won't continue with the Celtics.Nate Robinson's start against the Raptors, playing 35 minutes, showed fans why he can be such an explosive player. While he doesn't create plays like Rondo, finishing with only two assists, he is fast and athletic, and outscored each of the big three with 22 points. While Robinson will not always fit into the starting line-up, he will hopefully be able Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
to provide a lot of energy and production off the bench in a short amount of time—scoring 16 of his 22 points in the first quarter.Rondo is not an injury prone player, and should be back any time, though it is good for Celtics fans to know that the team can survive without the star point guard. Despite two losses, the team was still able to be very competitive against teams who played very well.