Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/kk-_its_that_time_of_year2/
Matt Martin Frans Nielsen Dwayne Roloson Jon Sim Jason Arnott David Clarkson
This NFL off-season has certainly been eventful.
It is truly remarkable to me that deep into the off-season, far away from even games that aren't meaningful, the NFL still reigns supreme amongst sports fans.
April is perhaps the best month in all of sports in my mind. It represents the beginning of the baseball season, the final game of the NCAA basketball season, and the end of the NBA season.
But of course, arguably the most important milestone of the month is the NFL draft.
Truly, no professional draft even comes close to the attention paid to professional football's annual selection of the top collegiate prospects from across this land of ours.
Recently, I submitted a mock draft. I liked my original mock draft, but that was contingent upon the way I thought other teams might pick.
But as free agency continues to spin through its cycle, things have changed.
Here is my updated mock draft for the Lions.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1127093-detroit-lions-mock-draft-take-two
Martin Erat Marcel Goc Jamie Lundmark Nick Spaling Pikka Rinne Mathieu Carle
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Louisville Cardinals Preview
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four
Location: New Orleans Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Tip-off: 6:09 ET
Tonight, basketball enthusiasts will bear witness to a historic matchup as the Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals will lock horns in the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever in their storied, contentious rivalry. These schools may only be separated by 69 miles, but there are absolutely no warm fraternal feelings or comradeship between them whatsoever. Members of the Wildcat and Cardinal fan bases intensely loathe each other, which is also evident in the disputatious relationship between the sideline patrollers John Calipari and Rick Pitino. So just who will prevail in this state of Kentucky hardwood battle royale? Here are some of the keys.
1. Guard play
Louisville Cardinals: Ever since Coach Pitino sat down Peyton Siva and showed him footage of Steve Nash prior to the Big East Tournament for Siva to better understand the importance of pace and not playing out of control, the junior liaison has thrived. Since winning the Big East Tournament MVP in leading Louisville to the Big East Tourney title, Siva has averaged 11.4 points per game, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, shot 44 percent from the floor and handed out 6.4 assists to only 3.3 turnovers.
In order for the Cardinals to advance to the National Championship Game, it’s vital Siva continues his stellar play by expediently, yet judiciously using his Tony Stewart like acceleration to get into the paint and delegate hot plates to Chane Behanan and Gorgui Deng for layups, when Anthony Davis and Terrance Jones converge on him. Siva will also need to hit Russ Smith, Kyle Kuric and senior (younger brother of New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith) Chris Smith (team leading 40 percent on triples) for jumpers on the perimeter if Kentucky’s wings over help. If 'Tucky backs off, Siva must drop his newly revamped 12-15 foot jumper and floater. He is also great at making bedazzling aerial adjustments with his bountiful boings to finish at the rim.
New York native, Russ Smith, must also be huge. The sophomore guard has really shined in the Big Dance. Although he’s connecting on a marginal 35 percent of his shots, Smith is leading the crew in scoring, putting up 13.3 ppg and blazing the nets for 70 percent shooting from treyland, making 7-10 attempts. Smith is an audacious bucketholic and Louisville catalyst who is relied upon to make the big shots at crucial junctures. He infuses his teammates with his abounding verve. In their December matchup, Smith roasted Kentucky like beef and cheddar sandwiches for 30 points in a 69-62 loss. Smith has a fabulous floater as well. He and Siva will need to use it opposed to directly challenging Davis at the tin.
Kentucky Wildcats: The younger brother of Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, and 2011McDonald’s All-American Marquise Teague initially struggled in his transition to the collegiate level. A natural scorer his entire life, it took Teague a while to get acclimated to running the point. At times, Teague was noticeably indecisive, twisted between his intrinsic scoring nature and distribution. However, Teague has thrived as the director since start of the NCAA Tourney.
In tourney play, the frosh conductor is averaging 14.5ppg, 5.5 presents, making 48.3 percent of his shots and attempting 5.8 free throws, netting 78 percent of them. Kentucky will need Teague’s continued aggression, but also scrupulousness, not getting speed up by Louisville’s pressure leading into turnovers, or swayed into deep jumpers.
Doron Lamb is the Wildcats designated pyromaniac. For the season, Lamb shoots 47 percent from the floor and downtown. However, in the tournament the Queens, NY native has been all the way turned up like Roscoe Dash, splashing 63.6 percent of his trifectas and pacing Kentucky in scoring at 16.8ppg.
Lamb isn’t just a set up shooter. The sophomore shooting guard can also finish at the rack in transition, off of pump fake dribble drives, as well as sink mid range jumpers. Look Kentucky to run curl, down and staggered screens to free up their nitro pitcher.
2. Who run it?
Louisville Cardinals: In order for the Cardinals to have any legitimate chance at pulling off the monumental popping of the heavily favored Wildcats they must regulate the tempo. This year’s edition of the Louisville is certainly not Pitino’s most offensively inclined. They rank 155th in the country in ppg (68.8) and 225th in FG percentage (42.5). Louisville is prone to extensive offensive lulls.
Therefore, to offset the languidness that often emerges during their games, the Cardinals will need to make it a half-court oriented game. They can ill afford to get into a Kentucky Derby with the Wildcats thoroughbreds. Louisville can run, but it has to be opportunistic running. Be selective and push the pumpkin at the right times. Look for Pitino to shuffle between man to man and his now vaunted 2-3 matchup zone to try to keep Kentucky on the perimeter in front of the Cardinals rather than out in the open court. The Cardinals boast one of the staunchest defenses in the country, ranking third in FG percentage defense. Louisville is 17-4 when holding opponents to under 40percent shooting.
Offensively, there will be a plethora of pick and rolls set for Siva and Russ Smith, and top of the key break and take isolations late in the shot clock with Siva probing the defense, looking to drive and pitch or score himself in the paint.
Kentucky Wildcats: The Wildcats are really a conjugate of styles. They can flip up their offensive flow like rhyme from Chicago rapper Twista. Kentucky is equally adept at playing a frenetic game or a half court slug-fest. Calipari’s squad would prefer a fast break contest but they are very efficient in a slow down game as well.
Kentucky isn’t a pressing team, but they apply suffocating half court pressure with their trapping, cohesive, swift rotations, and shot smacking of National Defensive Player of the Year Davis. The Wildcats lead the nation in FG percentage defense. The Wildcats commit few fouls and when they force giveaways they are an absolutely devastating, bedazzling dynamic in transition. Kentucky is quick, their wings and bigs fill the lanes, they’re stupefyingly athletic and excellent finishers.
After trailing Baylor 10-5, Kentucky ran off 16 unanswered points and drilled 12 straight field goals to take a 30-15 lead with 7:12 remaining in the first half, essentially closing the Bears casket. Kentucky also used an explosive 30-10 spurt to slamdance Iowa St. after having been knotted at 42. If Kentucky gets on one of their Miami Heat like unpreventable, demoralizing offensive and defensive avalanches, this game could be over by halftime.
3. Ball security
Louisville Cardinals: With the Cardinals scarce offensive firepower, there’s no conceivable way they can outscore Kentucky. Therefore, it’s vital they are able to elicit turnovers to maintain a controlled environment and not let things get out of hand in a feverish game. The 20 turnovers Louisville forced in their December tilt with Kentucky was a key reason Louisville was able to get with their bitter rival. The Ville will need to rely on their tenacious ball bandits Siva and Russ Smith to snatch the pill to minimize Wildcat run outs, keep the game at an optimal half court pace and avoid getting drilled. In four tourney games, Louisville has tallied 25 steals, 22 of which have came in the half court. Louisville wants to speed up Kentucky but not let the game get too fast.
On the flip side, for Louisville ball security is absolutely obligatory. The Cardinals must value possessions and take care of the pumpkin. Louisville must be prudently efficient in the half court. Milk the clock with lengthy possessions, ball reversals and swing passes to get Kentucky moving laterally and the Cardinals must be very exacting. Be fast but don’t impetuously pump the gas.
Kentucky Wildcats: For all their youth and cradle full of diaper dandies, turnover issues are rarely an issue for Calipari’s Cat cubs. The highest turnover game Kentucky has had in the Tournament was 12 against Baylor. Kentucky may be young, but they’re precocious and acute. Having uncharacteristically been coerced into 20 throwaways in their December encounter with Louisville, Calipari will definitely have the Wildcats prepared for Louisville feral half court defense and full-court press.
It’s especially important Teague, Lamb and Gilchrist don’t try to dribble through Louisville press and the active hands of Siva, Teague and Kyle Kuric individually. Beat the pressure with good, crisp passes and attack the vulnerable areas when Kentucky get’s two on one and 3-2 advantages in the half and full court.
Defensively, the Wildcats will look to get out and pressure Siva, Russ and Chris Smith hard on the perimeter. They’ll want to contest every Louisville shot. Kentucky may be particularly aggressive because of the Cardinals erratic outside shooting. Particularly, look for the Wildcats to try to compress on Siva and hedge hard on pick and rolls, not allowing the electrifying evasive conductor to get angles and cut the corner on picks, getting deep into the lane causing defensive breakdowns. With Davis and Terrence Jones on the backline, Kentucky can be extra aggressive on the perimeter because the formidable duo rejects or alters most shots at the rim.
4. Interior play
Louisville Cardinals: The frontcourt of Gorgui Deng and Chane Behanan have been exceptional during the Cardinals 8-0 stretch. The Cardinals sophomore center Dieng has shown marked improvement this year. Dieng is Louisville defensive bulwark. During the NCAA Tournament, Dieng is averaging 3.3 throwouts and eight rebounds an outing, including a seven block performance against Michigan St. The Dakar, Senegal import must play Davis strong, not permitting the All-American center to yank a lot of offensive boards, beat him up court in transition or capitulate many highlight reel, spurt triggering booms. Dieng has to challenge shot but stay on the floor.
Simply put, freshman forward Behanan is a grown dang man. Behanan initially struggled to get naturalized to the speed and athleticism of the college game. However, in the second half of the season Behanan has shined. Behanan has shown his biggest maturation in the tourney, averaging 14 ppg on 64 percent shooting. In the Cardinals West Regional championship comeback victory over the Florida Gators, Behanan made a bevy of huge buckets inside late.
The frosh forward will look to use the largest measured calves in the history of Louisville’s roundball program history to establish deep post position with his low base and use his sturdy 6-6, 250 pound frame to overpower and boss-man through Kentucky’s contact and elevate over defenders. Behanan has a nice turnaround and soft touch around the rim.
Kentucky power forward Terrence Jones is a lefty, and like most southpaws, he loves going left. He actually does so virtually every time he touches the tangerine. Behanan needs to force Jones right and make him prove he can use his weaker hand.
Louisville can ill afford either Dieng or Behanan getting in foul trouble. If either does, as undermanned talent wise as the Cardinals are, it could be ruinous.
Kentucky Wildcats: For the Wildcats, it all begins and ends on the interior with defensive bastion Anthony Davis. Thus far during March Madness, Davis is averaging 14.5ppg, 11 boards and 4.5 swats per game. Those would be considered amazing numbers for the average college player. But for only the second player to garner the Associated Press National Player of the Year Award in their inaugural campaign outside of Kevin Durant, it’s just another day at the office.
AD—Access Denied is a defensive supernova. His astonishing aggregate of height, ludicrous pterodactyl like wingspan, horizontal nimbleness, and uncanny timing enable Davis to register Hawaiian punches (blocks) not only inside, but also on jump shooters. Davis' length and fleet feet can prevent Siva, Russ Smith and Kuric from finishing at the rim as well as getting deep penetration, leading to easy scores for Dieng and Behanan.
Although a significant percentage of Davis points come off lob dunks, the National Defensive Player of the Year has shown he’s capable of occasionally knocking down 15-18 foot jumpers, as well as using his quickness when facing up from the free throw line or top of the key to drive past opposing centers and finish at the rack.
The one flaw in Davis' game is he does have a penchant to get into foul trouble some games. He will need to be mindful not to pick up cheap, unnecessary fouls.
Sophomore elder statesman and one of the holdovers from last year’s Final Four Tea.m Terrance Jones, is a matchup nightmare for power forwards. The First-Team All-SEC selection is a composite power forward with small forward skills. Jones can use his 6'9", 252 pound body and strength to go through defenders on the block, often resulting in and ones. The future NBA Lottery pick can also use his explosive yeast to thunderously yoke on defenders on alley-oops or tip-dunks. Jones can also manufacture his own shot from outside and bust treyballs, connecting on 33 percent of his attempts. When totally focused and engaged, (which has been a problem at times) Jones is one of the best players in the country.
Against Behanan Jones will need to use equal weight and size to keep the Cardinal forward from getting leverage inside on post ups. Jones has a 3 inch height advantage and long arms. He needs to use that length and his vertical to make Behanan shoot over him and hopefully decrease his FG percentage. Jones is yanking 8.8 rbg. It’s important Jones balls with physicality and vitality inside and not let Behanan outwork him on him on the glass.
5. Coaching
Rick Pitino: Head Coach Rick Pitino is truly a basketball cognoscente. Yes, he’s accumulated a litany of accolades. He’s won a national championship, National, SEC, Conference USA, and Big East Coach of the Year Awards. He’s reached six Final Fours and is only the third coach ever to pilot teams to Final Fours in four different decades, along with Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski. But it’s deeper than that.
What makes Pitino such a phenomenal coach is the fact he has such a great feel for his team, knows how to manage and maximize his personnel’s ability and he’s very adept at making in game modifications. In the Florida Elite 8 game, after getting drowned by a tsunami of triples with the Gators draining 8-11 three-pointers Pitino called off his matchup zone and went man. The result: Florida doesn’t make a threeball the rest of the game, going 0-8 in the second half, leading to Louisville 18-3 rally after trailing 65-54 to pull out a gutty, unlikely win.
(And this guy didn’t get elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame? What an inexplicably, preposterous farce)
The New York bred coach Redbirds crew embody his doggedness, inestimable valiance and intensity. It will take all of those intangibles as well a brilliantly designed game plan by Pitino for his Cardinals to triumph over Kentucky in their clash of the Commonwealth. Pitino will need to find a way to keep Kentucky on the perimeter shooting duress filled j’s rather than easy lays. Pitino will have to discern when to go man, press and use his trademark matchup zone. Look for some camouflaged coverages.
John Calipari: There’s a large contingency of college hoop devotees who simply can’t stand John Calipari. They hear him talk, see his incessant bevy of celebrated McDonald’s, Parade and USA Today All-Americans he recruits every year to replace a departing class of All-American players, Calipari’s perceived smugness and controversial, NCAA sanctioned marred track record and it conjures intense anger.
However, if you look beyond the irrefutable charisma, flamboyant speech and occasional brashness you’ll see a very knowledgeable coach who’s a master at juggling players and getting outrageously talented teams to play buy into his system and play team ball. This year’s edition of the Wildcats is the most gifted crew Calipari has ever had. They have six future NBA players and three or possibly four lottery picks in this upcoming NBA Draft.
It’d be very easy to think there’d be a lot of “I gotta get mine! I’m show out!” mentalities. However, despite being the Miami Heat of college basketball with their spellbinding SportsCenter Top 10 plays, the Wildcats are the exemplification of hard work, selflessness, fierce defense, fundamentals, and connectivity. Kentucky has six players scoring in double-figures. None of whom attempt more than 10 shots a game.
Against Louisville, Calipari won’t make any major adjustments. If Louisville goes zone, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Jones will be stationed at the free throw line or top of the key with Davis on the block. Kentucky drains 38 percent of their trifectas, but they often get swindled into firing three-pointers. They’ll be patient, work the pumpkin around and attack inside. Calipari will instruct the Wildcats to play their typical brand of ball that got them to consecutive Final Four’s. With the disdain between these two universities there will be massive pressure on Kentucky to avoid getting bounced by their blood rival. Calipari will tell his team to be loose, have fun and enjoy the moment.
6. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist vs Kyle Kuric
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: After a couple subpar outings, Kidd-Gilchrist erupted in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 to average 21.5ppg on 56 percent from the floor and 7.5rbg. Kidd-Gilchrist is the reincarnation of Quenton Richardson during his days at DePaul University. At a wiry 6’7", 232 pounds, Kidd-Gilchrist has jaw dropping, stupid Dominique Wilkins like trampoline bounce and athleticism and inexhaustible relentlessness on the glass. In their December win over Louisville MKD devoured Kuric like McChicken bites for 24 points and 19 bounds. MKD will operate a lot from the free throw line down, in post ups, decisive drives and of course look for run outs.
Kyle Kuric: The Louisville senior and leading scorer (12.7ppg) Kuric is no slouch athletically. The 6’4" swingman has had more than a couple SportsCenter Top 10 highlights yams himself. Tonight, it’s essential he doesn’t get in foul trouble or dejected if Kidd-Gilchrist scores on him. Kuric must work hard not to let MKG bully ball him inside, force him to take his spasmodic jumper and also not let MKD get crowd hyping open court slams. Kuric needs to score 12+ points for Louisville to have a chance to win. His triple percentage has dropped considerably this year (45 to 32.8 percent), but Kuric can rip the cords and morph into a heat hurler if he gets into the groove.
Prediction:
It should be an entertaining, occasional up and down affair. There’s immense enmity in this game and all the pressure is on Kentucky. But in the end, despite the hard fight, determination and gallant effort, the Cardinals will put forth, barring a calamitous injury or unforeseeable meltdown by Kentucky. The Wildcats are just too talented, focused, voracious, and Louisville won’t be able to score enough points to pull off the enormous popping. The Wildcats take the Battle of the Bluegrass State in their fourth tourney clash 75-63.
Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot Brett Pill
The New York Jets' newly acquired backup quarterback Tim Tebow is right to be unsure if he will ever be a starting quarterback again.
Tebow recently made a statement that he is "not sure" if he'll ever be a starting quarterback again now that he is in New York.
Of course, his statement got blown out of proportion, as things always do in the Big Apple, but it is a perfectly logical belief that Tebow won't ever start a game for the Jets.
Mark Sanchez just signed on for five more years at $58.25 million, a preposterous contract for a quarterback who showed signs of regression in 2011. Either way, "Sanchize" is there to stay and won't be going anywhere.
He especially won't be going to the bench in favor of Tebowmania.
The Jets faithful will be begging for Tebow if their team starts 1-2. Even more so if that record is because of mistakes made by Sanchez.
That won't happen, though. Rex Ryan won't be benching the player who has been deemed the franchise quarterback, and he certainly won't believe that Tebow can be more effective than Sanchez.
Tebow had a 46.5 completion percentage last season, 10 percentage points less than the man who he is now backing up.
Sanchez gets hammered by the New York media for his inaccuracy and tip-toeing in the pocket. Tebow would meet the same fate if he was a starter.
It seems like the Jets will be using Tebow in a Wildcat package, sprinkling him in five to six times a game as either a decoy or a ball-carrier.
Chances are, that's going to work out well with Rex Ryan's squad. The Wildcat is extremely hard to defend, especially when a bruiser like Tebow is running it.
The Jets will realize they have a good mix once they start running the Wildcat, and if it's not broken, don't fix it.
Tebow's days as a starter in New York blew by the wayside before training camp even started, and he won't get much of a shot barring an injury to Sanchez.
Sergio Romo Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot Brett Pill Pat Burrell
The Undertaker has to win at WrestleMania 28.
I’m not speaking from the standpoint of a devout fan of the Dead Man; Speaking logically, there is no way The Game can halt his streak.
It’s true, the match will be a spectacle with three future Hall of Famers and industry icons occupying the same space. Yet it must remain business as usual for the Undertaker.
No matter what Shawn Michaels’ influence is, a loss for the Undertaker would make no sense at this juncture.
No Way to Treat a Legend
Taker is certainly on his way out. For all we know, this could be his final WrestleMania as a performer.
To have him lose would create a stain on his career that he doesn’t have time to erase. No redemption at Backlash, or any other subsequent events would ever level the field.
It would be terrible to stain his record permanently this late in the streak.
Triple H Still Has More Left in the Tank
The Game doesn’t seem to be done with in-ring activity at all. Over a span of four pay-per-view events, the Game will have been in two knock-down, drag-out battles with past industry legends. This one vs. the Undertaker, and the match against Kevin Nash at Tables, Ladders and Chairs.
Triple H’s legacy doesn’t depend on this match, and his story is still being written. He can absorb a loss here much easier than the Undertaker can.
A Rekindled Feud
The hints are out that a Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels feud may be in the works. I even speculated that it may be possible Shawn Michaels joins the match as a competitor. That doesn’t seem likely at this point, but there is still room for conflict between Triple H and Michaels.
This would also give The Game a chance to complete a run of matches against the active and semi-active icons remaining on the industry’s landscape.
The next step in a Triple H and Michaels feud can only be taken in a Undertaker victory. Triple H has to feel screwed in some way, or a conflict must arise in this event. Once that happens, the former DX partners can begin their short program.
It still all points to a Undertaker victory at WrestleMania—again.
Jason Arnott David Clarkson Patrick Davis Tyler Eckford Mark Fraser Andy Greene
With March coming to a close, the 2012 NFL Draft is now just less than a month away. And as we all know, the ultimate goal of the NFL draft is to effectively snag the best available talent to fill various team needs.
Unfortunately, however, drafts don't always go as planned. Teams are often burned by busts or spurned by the squads picking before them.
But what if there was a perfect draft? What if the Carolina Panthers ended up with a perfect haul in the upcoming event?
If so, the best possible 2012 draft for Carolina may look like this:
First-Round (Ninth overall): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill could end up as Carolina's best friend on April 26th. After Tannehill's fairly impressive pro day performance, it is just about certain that he has Cleveland considering him with the fourth overall selection.
If the Browns do indeed splurge on perhaps the most polarizing prospect in the draft at No. 4, it could have LSU's standout corner Morris Claiborne falling to the Panthers at No. 9.
The rest of the top-10 would have to fold out as so, assuming Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin and Matt Kalil are picked up by Indianapolis, Washington and Minnesota, respectively:
4. Cleveland Browns: Ryan Tannehill
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson
6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd/Melvin Ingram
8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples/Michael Floyd/Melvin Ingram
9. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne
To say this is a stretch is quite an understatement. But being that I'm constructing the perfect 2012 draft outcome for the Panthers, I will consider this potential steal a possibility.
If the Panthers see Claiborne drop to them at the ninth overall selection, you may see a record in the NFL Draft for the fastest selection in history.
With their ineffective defense against both the pass and run, Claiborne should be Carolina's most coveted prospect in the entire draft.
At 6'0" and 185 lbs, Claiborne has been one of college football's best cornerbacks over the last two seasons. In fact, he may be the best defensive player coming out in 2012. He has good hands, exceptional speed and the ability to be an elite cover corner in the NFL.
Claiborne appears to be a slam-dunk pick and has even warranted more praise than his former teammate and the fifth overall selection from last year's draft, Patrick Peterson.
For more on the aforementioned scenario, check out my detailed piece on how the LSU product can end up in Charlotte.
Second-Round (40th overall): Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
Carolina's defense allowed 130.8 rushing yards per game this past season, ranking 25th in the NFL. They also ranked near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed, averaging 246.8 per. These numbers are clearly a product of the team's lack of a pass rush as well as its weak run defense.
If Marty Hurney and crew end up passing on first-round favorites Dontari Poe and Michael Brockers, Clemson's Brandon Thompson could be the pick if he's available. Thompson, a relatively unsung hero in this class of defensive tackles, should be a very appealing option for Carolina in the second round.
The 6'2", 310-pound tackle has quite the skill set that should translate very well at the next level. He possesses great explosiveness, good strength and the ability to evolve into the big run-stuffer this team needs.
Thompson finished his 2011 campaign with 46 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Fourth-Round (104th overall): Joe Adams, WR/PR, Arkansas
Gearing up on special teams in the draft isn't the sexiest approach, but it's certainly a must for Carolina.
Many pointed out their unreliable defense as the major culprit of their ten-loss total. Their special teams, however, was just as bad, if not worse.
If Carolina is looking to add a punt returner, Arkansas' Joe Adams would be a great option.
As a wide receiver in 2011, Adams had 54 catches for 652 yards and three touchdowns. He had 50 catches for 813 yards and six touchdowns in 2010, and 29 catches for 568 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009.
As a punt returner, Adams is known for one very big play. His punt return for a touchdown against Tennessee last season was nothing short of amazing. He seemed to shake off the entire Volunteers' punt team en route to the end zone.
Adams led the nation with four punt returns for touchdowns and was tied with Jayron Hosley for the third-highest average per return.
The Razorback would provide a dynamic special teams' presence and a relatively solid target for Newton.
Fifth-Round (143rd overall): Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
Head coach Ron Rivera has already affirmed the possibility of the team looking into a backup for Cam Newton in the draft.
If so, Wisconsin's Russell Wilson would be a nice grab in the fifth-round.
Wilson has consistently shown his good arm through both NCAA games and, more recently, at the NFL Combine. He doesn't have the greatest strength but is capable of making just about every throw.
In his 2011 season at Madison, Wilson threw for 3,175 yards along with 33 touchdowns and just four picks. He also tossed the ball at a very efficient rate, completing 72.8 percent of his passes.
Now, Wilson's ground attack isn't nearly as dangerous as Newton's, but quite frankly, it isn't supposed to be. Wilson would be a backup. All he would be asked to do is play the same game as Newton if needed.
Wilson's rushing numbers aren't flashy by any means. However, he's a quarterback that can sniff out quite a few ways to score. That's something Newton often proved in his rookie season.
Wilson also draws some similarities to Newton in both the athletic and competitive departments. He's a guy that's smooth in the pocket and also wouldn't be afraid to break off a run.
Sixth-Round (180th overall): Terrell Manning, OLB, North Carolina State
After letting Dan Connor and Jordan Senn walk and seeing Jon Beason and Thomas Davis go down to season-ending injuries in 2011, the front office must look into some linebacker depth.
If they pass up on Boston College's Luke Kuechly with their first overall selection, the Panthers could take a talent within the state. The Wolfpack's Terrell Manning has the potential to be quite a steal if he lands here.
Manning recorded incredible numbers during his 2011 campaign at North Carolina State. He racked up 76 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions and four forced fumbles.
The 6'2", 237-pounder exhibits great instinct, decent speed and good coverage skills. He could, however, go as high as the fourth-round depending on other teams' needs.
Sixth-Round (207th overall): Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State
Carolina just traded running back Mike Goodson to Oakland for guard Bruce Campbell. The front office also signed former Colts guard Mike Pollack after letting Travelle Wharton and Mackenzy Bernadeau go.
But since the team has definitely found their franchise guy in Newton, they may need some more depth on the line, especially at the tackle positions.
Oklahoma's Levy Adcock could be a sensible selection for the tackle spot here, considering that Jeff Otah has played just four games in the last two seasons.
Adcock possesses great size at 6'6" and 322 pounds. He exhibits good mobility, nice footwork and can certainly use his strength to his advantage.
Seventh-Round (216th overall): Bryan Anger, P, California
As I stated earlier, the entire Carolina special teams unit was nothing short of disappointing in 2011.
Punter Jason Baker unfortunately contributed to that. He ranked 29th in average yards per punt, 32nd in net and 27th in punts kicked inside the 20. Baker has since been let go by the team.
Since Carolina isn't carrying a punter on the current roster, it seems more than likely they'll take one in the draft.
One of the nation's best punters last season was California's Bryan Anger. Regarded as the draft's top prospect at the position, Anger is a strong candidate to replace Baker.
Anger averaged 44.3 yards per punt. Eighteen of those were 50 or more yards. He also pinned 19 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Matt Martin Frans Nielsen Dwayne Roloson Jon Sim Jason Arnott David Clarkson
The following piece, clumsily entitled "Six Simple Steps to Becoming an Effective League Commissioner," has moments of light sarcasm, but nothing crude enough to discourage fantasy gurus from accepting the toughest, most thankless job they'll ever love.
1. Be Accessible, Courteous, Judicious and Principled
If you glean anything from this particular entry, let it be one of the four adjectives from above.
Before the first game is played or the initial lineup is set, all owners should have access to your preferred personal email or cell number and must be encouraged to voice their concerns about league matters, day or night (within reason, of course). And when contacted, the commissioner must be the calming influence, maintaining loyalty to the promise of fairness while promoting the short- and long-term welfare of the league.
In other words, don't be that guy (or gal) who converts one gaffe into a series of misfortunes. If you make a mistake conducting the draft (I nearly ruined the SI.com & Friends league in 2009), overseeing trades or monitoring the blind-bidding auction system for free agents, own up to the mistake and go from there. As long as you have done everything in your power to rectify the error—or at least find a workable solution—then so be it.
Simple enough, huh?
2. Don't Take Sides When Mediating a Dispute until After a Decision Has Been Rendered
This one is pure common sense, but warrants mention anyway. If Owner A trades Joey Votto to Owner B for Paul Goldschmidt, Mike Moustakas and Jeremy Hellickson, and the other owners demand a retraction, simply investigate the matter from all sides before making a decision.
In non-keeper leagues, the deal may have no substance; in keeper leagues, it may actually be a bargain for Owner A, in time. But you'll never know until you gather perspectives from both parties, trying to understand their rationale for executing the trade.
The fail-safe method for trade disputes is simple: Invoke a veto system where at least 50 percent of the owners have a 24- to 48-hour period to fairly (and anonymously) nix the deal. Just make sure the owners understand the matter will be closed after the veto period ends.
3. Never Make Your Own Vote Public During the Trade-Veto Period
Even if you just voted for the ultimate win-win trade or the most unbalanced swap since the St. Louis Cardinals acquired Lou Brock from the Cubs in 1964 (for Ernie Broglio, Doug Clemens and Bobby Shantz), it serves no purpose to discuss your personal vote with the owners. Let others cast their votes, without clouding their minds with pro/con arguments focusing on the trade.
And when your own team is involved in a tentative trade, for the love of former Rangers first baseman Pete O'Brien, don't utter a word about it until the veto window has closed. Even then, no gloating or whining.
4. Avoid Public Comments on Official Trades That Don't Involve Your Team
I run two philanthropist baseball leagues, solely comprised of owners who follow me on Twitter or support The Fantasy Blog. And without fail, whenever the first trade becomes official, someone will solicit my opinion of the deal, prompting this default response: As long as the trade's fair, I couldn't care less who wins.
Three years ago, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, I flogged a fellow owner about a trade in a philanthropist-style league. Since we weren't friends or work acquaintances, he had no prior knowledge of my demented sense of humor, and treated the comments with the utmost seriousness. He then penned a two-page letter to the commissioner (gulp!), saying that he had been humiliated by the experience (getting attention in the blog).
Well, upon reading this, I was embarrassed and humiliated, knowing I had violated the true spirit of Rule No. 1. (But never again.)
5. Publicly Note All Scoring or Rules Changes That Occur Before/After the Draft
The quickest way to lose the trust and respect of your fellow owners—blog floggings aside—is to change the league scoring rules after the draft, without their consent and without making the changes public. This is one of the most unconscionable acts of a commissioner, an absolute no-no.
6. If You're Not Fully Prepared to Put the League's Welfare Above Your Own Interests, Do Not Accept the Job as Commissioner
There is no glory to being a fantasy commissioner.
No pay. No pats on the back. No league meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. No pre-Super Bowl parties or media summit two days before the championship game. It also won't help you win a championship (unless you cheat, of course). It's just a simple, yet complicated labor of love for forward-thinking men and women who appreciate the innate beauty of a smoothly operated league—and one that offers a scintillating playoff or thrilling pennant chase at season's end.
Mariano Rivera Kerry Wood Francisco Cervelli Chad Moeller Jorge Posada Lance Berkman
Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/the_officials_room/
Martin Erat Marcel Goc Jamie Lundmark Nick Spaling Pikka Rinne Mathieu Carle
The Miami Heat have become the popular destination among NBA free agents as of late, ever since LeBron James elected to take his talents to South Beach before the 2011 season.
The latest group of veterans that may have their eyes set on joining the Heat next season include Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash and Dallas Mavericks swingman Jason Terry.
Nash said on the Dan Patrick Show that he would be willing to listen to Miami next season. Meanwhile, Terry had something similar to say when he spoke to Fox Sports Florida about signing with the Heat next season.
"Miami is definitely a title contender. For sure," Terry told FOX Sports Florida. "(Team president) Pat Riley is a great guy and what he's done with the organization is tremendous.
"No question, they need a veteran shooter, a guy who can score besides LeBron (James) and (Dwyane Wade), and they know they can count on. I'm a guy that's been in this league 13 years, (averaging) 15 points a night, easy. Off the bench or the starting lineup, it doesn't matter. So I think I'd be an asset to them."
It looks like the Heat could have some free agents knocking on their door next season, but who would actually be the better fit?
With Nash, both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade would be required to make adjustments. They are both guys who are most effective with the ball in their hands. With Nash running the show, that wouldn't be the case for the majority of the time.
There would be a ton of questions if the team were to bring in Nash, most notably as to whether the Heat have enough perimeter shooting to make it work.
That's debatable.
Terry, on the other hand, would be a great fit.
As he mentioned, he's a scorer, who could make Miami even more dangerous.
He doesn't have a huge ego and can tackle any role, whether it be starting or coming off the bench. He can extend defenses with the best of them and he's a guy who knows what it takes to win a championship.
The Heat have good depth right now, but it can't hurt to take a look at a guy like Terry. He would be a good fit in South Beach if Pat Riley could find a way to make it financially possible.
Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw
The Oklahoma City Thunder's big comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday has everyone talking about how much of a statement game it was.
It comes only a few days after their complete destruction of the Miami Heat.
With super stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in tow and a deep squad providing valuable secondary contributions the Thunder look poised for another deep playoff run.
OKC holds a comfortable three-game lead atop the Western Conference and leads the NBA in both points per game (103.7) and free throw percentage (79.7 percent).
But this is the ONE reason why the Thunder are the team to beat and look like soon-to-be-crowned 2012 NBA Champions: Oklahoma City has a 13-4 record against the NBA's elite teams.
The teams we've included in this group are the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks.
The Miami Heat, NBA championship favorites in many people's eyes, are merely 7-6 against this same group (switch out Miami for OKC).
OKC still has six games left against these teams, including the next three versus Chicago and Memphis at home and on the road against Miami.
Come playoff time, the Thunder will not only be THE most battle-tested team in the NBA, but they'll also have a phenomenal record against the best teams in the league.
All those playoff atmosphere-like games should propel them to the top. Expect A LOT of this over the summer:
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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/tmr/comments/howard_starting/
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Below is a look at the "Jetbow" a new sandwich in honor of Tim Tebow, now found at the iconic Carnegie Deli in New York City.
The sandwich made with roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, American cheese, lettuce and tomato weighs in at 3.5 pounds, which means it is just a matter of time before we see this being devoured on "Man vs Food" in which the host will coast through the first three-fourths of the sandwich, only to have the sandwich suddenly come to life at the end and deliver a stomach punch
According to owner Sandy Levine, the sandwich, which is also the Deli's first-ever to honor a celebrity using mayo on white bread, was done to represent Tebow as an "All-American kid, the picture of what every mother and father want their son and daughter to be in the United States," (white mayo on white bread is All-American?).
Here's the sandwich...
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With nearly the first half of spring practice in their rear-view mirror, the Alabama Crimson Tide have begun to identify the areas that need to be polished up before the season rolls around.
One of the more interesting sub-plots revolves around the offense and, specifically, how, if any, the offense would change under new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
Nussmeier replaces Jim McElwain, who left to be the head coach at Colorado State after directing the offense for Nick Saban the last four seasons.
This situation is hardly unfamiliar territory for Nussmeier, who replaced McElwain as the offensive coordinator at Fresno State after he left to take over the role as Alabama’s play-caller in 2008.
From the limited information that has leaked out regarding spring practices, the faces may have changed, but the ideas for players and coaches remain the same.
In fact, quarterback A.J. McCarron has already taken a liking to his new quarterback coach.
"Same as always," McCarron said to al.com’s Don Kausler Jr. "Nothing different. Just some new faces around there. Other than that, everything seems to be clicking so far. Hopefully we can keep progressing."
A closer look at Nussmeier’s last four seasons as an offensive coordinator—the last three at Washington and at Fresno State in 2008—reveals that the biggest difference between his offense and that of McElwain's is that the latter ran the ball more effectively.
That difference is hardly a surprise, considering the talented running backs and offensive linemen to come through Alabama in the last four seasons.
Now that Nussmeier has access to top-notch prospects at those respective positions, it’s not unreasonable to expect his tendency of passing more to subside.
Another aspect that links Nussmeier to his predecessor is their respective work as quarterback coaches.
Perhaps his best work was last season at Washington, when the Huskies had to replace NFL first-rounder Jake Locker and yet thrived with new starter Keith Price, jumping from 76th nationally in total offense in 2010 to 38th a year later.
That tidbit should serve as an important reference for Tide fans who expect McCarron to raise his game to another level despite losing nearly all of his main skill weapons from last season.
Despite new faces on the sidelines and on the field, fans and opponents alike should not expect many differences from the steady and methodical units Alabama has fielded since Saban’s arrival.
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Source: http://www.thesportsbank.net/nba-draft-stock-report/2012-nba-draft-early-entrants-list/
Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw
Made into Slide Show because couldn't get correct story published. Under same name. Sorry for inconvenience.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125336-chicago-sports-my-5-favorite-memories
Justin Falk Robbie Eal Joe Callahan Bryan Allen Mark Cullen Baltimore Orioles
In an article I wrote the other day about Eagles fans, one of the things I touched on was the Eagles' front office and their unfriendly ways.
The arrogance and negligence of the fans as an organizational asset was my main point.
There is the issue of their internal polling, which somehow always tells them what they want to hear.
There is the combative and condescending nature of team president Joe Banner.
There is the poor drafting and football inexperience of general manager Howie Roseman.
And then, on top of everything, there is the closed off and closed minded attitude of the true front man, head coach Andy Reid.
Reid's press conferences have forever been the stuff of legend.
The throat clearing, the dry and disconnected demeanor and a seeming loop of the same three or four catchphrases that we all know and none of us love.
Then there is the matter of personnel.
For the first five years of the Reid era, the team didn't believe in the importance of wide receivers. It was a constant public outcry until Terrell Owens was brought to town and quickly helped the team reach the Super Bowl for the first time in over two decades.
After that, it was a revolving door of neglected spots on the field. Kick returner, punt returner, fullback and safety were among them.
But the one constant was linebacker. The mishandling of that position has actually surpassed the wide receiver problem of the early 2000s.
The Eagles have rubbed people the wrong way for years in this way, but it almost seems as if something new may be afoot.
And not in just one small way either.
The offseason started not with an Andy Reid press conference, but with a rare starring appearance by owner Jeffrey Lurie.
Lurie kicked things off with the admittance that there are problems and that those problems would be addressed.
He professed that the results haven't been good enough, and that Reid would need to put on a friendlier face toward the media.
The media is, in fact, the conduit to the people.
Reid seems to have followed the order. He hasn't always been warm and fuzzy, but for the most part he has at least given the appearance of taking some interest in answering questions.
He has even gone so far as to voice his concerns with Michael Vick, and has even admitted to having "goofed" on his deployment of linebackers and safeties.
Banner has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, leaving the front office speaking duties to an ever-more chatty Howie Roseman.
Roseman has drawn probably the most ire from fans in recent months, but to his credit he has actually come out numerous times and expressed an understanding of his faults and weaknesses.
He has even spoken about things that were in the works.
Last month it was the announcement that Trent Edwards was probably going to be brought on, before any deal had been done.
More recently, he discussed the idea of Asante Samuel being shopped to potential suitors.
In the most breaking news of the offseason, the Eagles actually sprung for a trade which involved them landing a real, live middle linebacker!
It was shocking to every fan in the Delaware Valley, and it's led to much excitement.
Now they haven't even reached the draft yet, let alone the playoffs or the Super Bowl, but what they have done is shifted course a bit in an extremely positive way.
This has to give fans at least something to hold on to leading up to a new season.
Nobody wins it all between February and August, but the Eagles have made serious strides toward improving the view of the organization from the outside.
As much as Eagles fans have complained about these weaknesses in the past, it's time to give credit where at least some credit is due.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125309-philadelphia-eagles-kinder-and-gentler-birds-in-2012
Patrick Davis Tyler Eckford Mark Fraser Andy Greene zach Parise bryce Salvador
Ray Lewis is well known for his epic pregame and postgame rituals during football season.
He had a different assignment Tuesday night, though. Lewis delivered a captivating pregame speech to the Stanford basketball team before their NIT semifinal game against UMass (via SB Nation).
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Tiger Woods' agent Mark Steinberg slammed "The Big Miss" author Hank Haney this week, calling Haney's assertion that Tiger actually tore his ACL at a Navy SEAL urban-warfare simulator in 2007 "simply not true."
But Haney hit back hard at a breakfast in New York this morning, offering fresh and specific details about how he says Tiger sustained his career-altering injury.
Haney said he was doing a golf clinic for a woman in Minnesota who told him that her husband was a Navy SEAL in California, and that he was there on the day Tiger blew out his knee. Later a friend of Tiger's confirmed the story, Haney says:
"One of Tiger’s friends, who’s a very good friend of mine who’s in the book, his name is Corey Carroll and he told me, he said, 'Hank, Tiger told me that that’s where he blew out his knee,'"
Haney then revealed the blow-by-blow of how Tiger got hurt, as relayed by Carroll:
"... He was in the kill house, he came around the corner, made a left hand turn, didn’t get himself braced into what’s called a 'spring stance' — that’s how they describe the stance when they brace themselves — I didn’t go into this much detail in the book. But he didn’t get in the spring stance, he got kicked in the side of the leg, and that’s what went on."
Haney says in the injury took place at naval facility in Coronado, California.
Steinberg vehemently disagrees, saying in his statement, "Tiger's injuries, and how they occurred, were exactly as described at the time they happened. Despite repeated claims that this is a golf book, it's not."
But Haney isn't backing down, saying this morning, "When you accuse someone of that, then you're forcing me to go into more detail. And I have a lot of detail."
When the first excerpt of Haney's book came out last month, the whole Navy SEALs thing looked like an odd, but insignificant anecdote. But now that the full details are out, Haney is making a much more meaningful claim — Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer ever, had an unhealthy military obsession that did real damage to his game and career.
Here's the full transcript of what Haney said this morning:
He was at the place in San Diego. There’s a number of facilities there that have the “kill houses.” Coronado and one other place. I think it was Coronado because in one story he described how the guys would warm up by running up this hill, and that’s where the one in Coronado is, there’s this hill right where the kill house is.
But anyway I had heard about this from a lady I was doing a clinic for in Minnesota. And she said, “My husband’s a Navy SEAL in San Diego and he was there the day that Tiger hurt his knee.” I just kind of filed that away, and I thought, “Yeah, you know, I thought that running and tearing his ACL thing sounded a little funny.” But you know, just thought about that.
And then one of Tiger’s friends, who’s a very good friend of mine who’s in the book, his name is Corey Carroll and he told me, he said, “Hank, Tiger told me that that’s where he blew out his knee.” That he was in the kill house, he came around the corner, made a left hand turn, didn’t get himself braced into what’s called a “spring stance,” — that’s what they describe the stance when they brace themselves — I didn’t go into this much detail in the book. But he didn’t get in the spring stance, he got kicked in the side of the leg, and that’s what went on. That’s what he told a friend of mine.
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