Madden 13 Review

Much like coverboy Calvin Johnson, Madden 13 is a freakishly-engineered game package loaded with options that is sure to satisfy hardcore gamers. However, the plethora of choices when playing could scare off casual fans.

By JJ Miller

As the only game in town -- at least in the realm of virtual console football -- EA has often taken slack for putting out the same repackaged game year in and year out.

Madden 13 is a change in the course.

The latest edition of this cult game is loaded from top to bottom with new features ranging from graphics and sounds to just how you can play the game.

Often heralded as "Madden Nation," EA found an exciting way to bring friends and gamers alike together. They did so with the "connected careers" feature that adds a bit of role-playing element to Madden.

Players will have the option of joining leagues that can contain up to 32 human players either online or offline (think along the lines of a college dorm getting together on one Xbox). These gamers can either create a player or coach from the ground up, take over the role of an existing star or sideline boss, or even bring back a legend such as Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders or John Madden himself.

Players play the games and coaches handle other aspects like training, scouting and roster management. Reaching goals earns experience points used to improve your player or coach.

And if you get sick of your current role, connected careers allows you to retire and take over a new persona while keeping your former player or coach in the league under the computer's control. This was a well thought out feature to include in case you get bored with your role or don't have the time to commit that you thought you did.

Of course, a career mode doesn't have to include your whole neighborhood as you can create a solo league. One drawback, especially as a coach, is that you can't take out the RPG aspect, meaning you may spend a lot of time doing things like scouting or practicing instead of just playing the games. You do have the option of having the CPU executing these things, but perhaps it would have been better to just have a simple mode included.

Long overdue is Madden's new Infinity Engine, which tracks attributes like mass, speed and body type during every play. No longer will players like LeSean McCoy and Ray Rice truck over the likes of Ray Lewis or James Harrison. Instead, smaller players are likely to wiggle out of tackles or use their speed to pull away from bigger defenders.

The players themselves look great and the interactions are most realistic on hits and blocks. However, one humorous thing that often happens comes after the whistle, when players fly off each other and fall while walking back to the huddle. It's a minor glitch that doesn't hinder the game too much.

Total control passing, which allows the user to dictate the placement of passes, better receiver awareness and tons of new animations enhance the game.

Also, players sensing the blitz finally (finally!) have the option of breaking out of play action early when in the past the play usually resulted in an automatic sack. New sack avoidance moves are also a welcome addition.

Madden has also implemented use of the Kinect, allowing players to use their voice to alter the game. Users can call out audibles, protection changes and run the hurry-up offense without having to use buttons and also do things on defense like change alignments, blitzes and shift players.

The Kinect actually works pretty smooth and trying to change your defense when facing a hurry-up offense is as hectic as it looks on TV. You are going to have to practice a few times to nail down key phrases and I'm pretty sure that once the commentary said a phrase that the Kinect actually registered as me changing a play.

Speaking of commentary, Madden 13 puts the CBS team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms into great-looking booths that are actually based on the real things in each stadium, ensuring accurate looks and placements in the stadium.

Nantz and Simms are a welcome change of pace and interact pretty solid with each other despite being virtual representations. Simms in particular does a good job with rivalries and taking about key players, though his constant pointing out of plays that didn't result in first downs -- even a run on 1st-and-10 that netted 8 yards -- can get annoying.

Love them or hate them, the Nike uniforms are included in the game, which also features very nice pregame packages that even alter for primetime games and the postseason.

Madden 13 is by no means perfect, but the latest addition of the popular franchise shows that EA is no longer content with just running the same old play over and over.

WIP to broadcast Temple-Penn State

PHILADELPHIA – The Temple football game at Penn State on Sept. 22 will air on 610 AM WIP with Harry Donahue (play-by-play) and Steve Joachim (analyst) calling the action.

The change in radio was necessary to accommodate the Phillies whose games also air on the Owls’ flagship station, WPHT 1210 AM.

Kickoff between Temple (1-1) and Penn State (1-2) is set for 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa.  ABC/ESPN2 will televise the game.

NFL Films head Sabol dies

Steve Sabol, President of NFL Films, died of brain cancer on Tuesday, exactly two weeks shy of his 70th birthday.

"Steve was the creative genius behind NFL Films' remarkable work," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 

"Steve's passion for football was matched only by his talent and energy. He was a major contributor to the success of the NFL, a man who changed the way we looked at football and sports, and a great friend. His legacy is assured.

"Steve was an incredible visionary. He spent 50 years at the NFL and changed the way we see pro football. So when you're watching the games this week, it's worth remembering just how much Steve contributed to the way we think, see, and love our game."

Sabol took over the mantle of NFL Films from his father Ed, who founded the company, in 1985. Steve learned in March of 2011 that he had a brain tumor that couldn't be removed, initially hospitalized due to a seizure of unknown origin.

Steve introduced his father during Ed's emotional enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August of 2011.

"My dad has a great expression," Sabol said when his father's induction was announced. "Tell me a fact, and I'll learn. Tell me a truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. And now my Dad's story will be in Canton and hopefully that will live forever too."

Generations of NFL fans learned to love the game of football through the lens of Ed and Steve Sabol. Steve started out as a cameraman before eventually running the company and becoming the iconic face of the franchise.

The younger Sabol won over 40 Emmy awards and oversaw 107 Emmys for NFL Films. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

The company broke ground as the first to wire players and coaches for sound. It revolutionized how music was used with sports films. It was the first to use ground-level slow motion and montage editing in sports. So much of what we see in sports television came directly from the Sabol.

He was widely regarded as both an artist and an executive -- the former coming in the guise of a poem which became a part of Oakland Raiders lore, titled "The Autumn Wind."

Sabol was a 1960 graduate of The Haverford School, and the Fords home giridiron bears the name Sabol Field., dedicated as such in September of 2009.

"Steve Sabol was one of the most influential and innovative people in the NFL community. Football benefitted so much from his unique vision and incredible ability to bring fans closer to the action," said Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie. "He was also a joy to be around, an endless source of energy and ideas. All of us at the Eagles will miss him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

Below is a sneak peek at the inner workings of NFL Films, located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey:

Eagles' Kelce done for season

The Eagles have placed center Jason Kelce on the season-ending Injured Reserve list and signed center Steve Vallos to replace him on the roster.

Vallos (6-foot-3, 310) spent training camp this season with the Eagles after signing with the team in March. He was released as part of the team’s final roster cut down.

Vallos has played in 40 career games (8 starts) with Seattle (2008-09) and Cleveland (2010-11). He was originally a seventh-round draft choice of the Seahawks in 2007 and spent that season on the team’s practice squad. Vallos played collegiately at Wake Forest, where he set a Demon Deacons record for most career starts with 48.

Sixers return to Syracuse

PHILADELPHIA, PA. – As the Philadelphia 76ers get set to celebrate their 50th season in the City of Brotherly Love, they will honor their roots by playing a preseason game against the New York Knicks at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York on Monday, October 22 at 7 p.m.  Prior to moving to Philadelphia and becoming the 76ers in 1963, the franchise was known as the Syracuse Nationals and played there for 14 seasons, winning the NBA Championship in 1955.

"As we celebrate our 50th season in Philadelphia, it's important to remember our Syracuse roots while looking forward to the exciting season we have ahead of us," said Sixers CEO and co-Owner Adam Aron. "What fun to see the Sixers take on our division rivals in this historic hometown game."

Hall-of-famer Dolph Schayes, who played all 14 seasons for the Nationals and finished his career as a Sixer, will be in attendance.  Schayes also coached the Sixers for three seasons, taking the team to the Eastern Division Finals twice.  A 12-time All-Star, Schayes retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

“I’m thrilled to see the franchise return to play a game in Syracuse,” said Schayes.  “This will bring excitement to generations of fans in central New York who have heard of the great basketball tradition the Nationals started in the area back in the 50’s and early 60’s, which has been carried on by Syracuse University.”

The game will also mark the return of Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse University to the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 2003.  Anthony last appeared at the Carrier Dome as a member of the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game against Phoenix on October 17, 2008.

The only time the Sixers have played at the Carrier Dome was a preseason game against New Jersey on October 26, 1991.  Despite falling behind 13-1, Charles Barkley and the Sixers came back to win 128-104.

AFL will not return to Ironman rules

CHICAGO – Arena Football League owners recently discussed the possibility of returning to “Ironman Football” for the 2013 season.

However, after taking into consideration fan influence, coach and player input, and the evolution of the game, the decision was made to continue with free substitution. While players will continue to be allowed to play multiple positions, the League will not return to Ironman rules in 2013.

One change that will be implemented is a return to five-man officiating crews. The League will utilize one referee, an umpire, line judge, side judge and back judge.

The League also set the dates for free agency. The AFL’s exclusive period will begin on Monday, October 15. At that time, players will be able to sign contracts to remain with their 2012 teams. On Monday, October 29, the exclusive period will end and all uncontracted players will become unrestricted free agents able to sign with any AFL team.

NHLPA provides counterpunch

Hours after the NHL provided its empty statement trying to shade public sentiment to its cause, the NHLPA finally answered with the following video:

NHL statement on lockout

"Despite the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the National Hockey League has been, and remains, committed to negotiating around the clock to reach a new CBA that is fair to the Players and to the 30 NHL teams.

"Thanks to the conditions fostered by seven seasons under the previous CBA, competitive balance has created arguably the most meaningful regular season in pro sports; a different team has won the Stanley Cup every year; fans and sponsors have agreed the game is at its best, and the League has generated remarkable growth and momentum. While our last CBA negotiation resulted in a seismic change in the League's economic system, and produced corresponding on-ice benefits, our current negotiation is focused on a fairer and more sustainable division of revenues with the Players -- as well as other necessary adjustments consistent with the objectives of the economic system we developed jointly with the NHL Players' Association seven years ago. Those adjustments are attainable through sensible, focused negotiation -- not through rhetoric.

"This is a time of year for all attention to be focused on the ice, not on a meeting room. The League, the Clubs and the Players all have a stake in resolving our bargaining issues appropriately and getting the puck dropped as soon as possible. We owe it to each other, to the game and, most of all, to the fans."

Lockout is on

With the passing of the midnight deadline to renew the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the National Hockey League is officially in a lockout situation.

It is the third time since 1994 that a work stoppage has occurred under the rule Commissioner Gary Bettman.

"We spoke today and determined that there was no point in convening a formal bargaining session in light of the fact that neither side is in a position to move off of its last proposal," said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "I'm sure we will keep in touch in the coming days and schedule meetings to the extent they might be useful or appropriate. We are sorry for where we are. Not what we hoped or expected."

Despite Bettman's repeated public assertions that he is more than willing to negotiate, that apparently wasn't the case on Saturday.

"Today we suggested that the parties meet in advance of the owners' self-imposed deadline of midnight tonight. Don Fehr, myself and several players on the Negotiating Committee were in the city and prepared to meet. The NHL said that it saw no purpose in having a formal meeting. There have been and continue to be private informal discussions between representatives of both sides," stated NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr.

The next milestone on the league's calendar for the 2012-13 season is Friday, September 21. That is the day training camps are scheduled to begin, and also the day the Alberta Labor Relations Board will hear a case on behalf of the NHLPA, questioning the legality of the lockout in that province.

Regular season play is set to commence on October 11.

Flyers make mass roster migration

With hours to go until the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires, the Flyers shipped 26 players to their AHL affiliate in Adirondack.

Heading up to Glens Falls (but back to Philly for the start of training camp later this month) are: Jason Akeson, Tyler Brown, Sean Couturier, Cullen Eddy, Matt Ford, Erik Gustafsson, Shane Harper, Cal Heeter,
Ben Holmstrom, Tyler Hostetter, Niko Hovinen, Andrew Johnston, Blake Kessel, Matthew Konan, Oliver Lauridsen, Matt Mangene, Brandon Manning, Tye McGinn, Marcel Noebels, Luke Pither, Zac Rinaldo,
Brayden Schenn, Danny Syvret, Mike Testwuide, Eric Wellwood, Harry Zolnierczyk.

In addition, Nick Cousins has been assigned to Sault Ste. Marie, Scott Laughton was shipped back to Oshawa and Derek Mathers earned a return ticket to Peterborough, all of the Ontario Hockey League.

NHLPA's Quebec gambit fails; Alberta bid still outstanding

One of the last remaining hopes for hockey to be played on schedule as the clock ticks down to a lockout, is the NHLPA's case in front of the Quebec Labor Board.

The arguments have been made, and RDS of Canada reports on Friday afternoon that the Commission is expected to make a ruling on Saturday in Montreal, an unprecedented event that prompted Dave Stubbs of the Gazette tweeted "Quebec labour board to render a decision by midnight on a SATURDAY? Power of #Habs = government agency working on a weekend."

Gary Rosen, who was picked to represent the NHL and the Canadiens, said their main argument is that provincial labor code doesn't apply to this case. That is countered by Michael Cohen, backing the NHLPA, saying that provincial labor code has been violated and that should prevent a lockout.

Update:  The Quebec Labor Board did not give reasons, but rejected the request to ban the NHLPA lockout at Montreal ~ Renaud Lavoie, RDS. Additionally, Michael Grange of Sportsnet reported that the QLB/CNTQ has put off a decision on whether or not the PA is an actual union until next week, at which time a full hearing is scheduled. Judge Andrée St-Georges presided on Friday.

"We are hopeful that this ruling will cause the Players' Association to cease pursuing these needless distractions and instead focus all of its efforts and energies on making progress at the bargaining table,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on Friday evening.

It is a curious defeat, in that the QLB has been granted legal "personhood" status to interpret the Quebec Civil Code as it pertains to the 1980 ratification of the Quebec Act regarding labor standards, and reports directly to the Minister of Labor. 

"We remain confident that the lockout is prohibited by the Quebec Labour Code and look forward to presenting our case to the Commission in the future," stated NHLPA exec Don Fehr. "Should the NHL carry out its threat to lock out the players in Quebec, it will do so at its own risk."

In this case, an entity which does not represent business or political interests interpreted current laws, then ruled in favor of current labor practices and against the 16 Canadiens under contract named in the action.

Meanwhile, the application in front of the Alberta Labor Relations Board, which was presented late on Thursday in Edmonton, will be heard on September 21.

The basis of that appeal relies on the union's assertion that "proper procedure" was not followed in determining the legality of an organization being able to lock players out.

There are 27 hours remaining until the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires.

Lockout on horizon

The National Hockey League's Board of Governors -- the consortium of 30 men who own each club -- has voted on Thursday afternoon in unanimous fashion to authorize a lockout if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is not struck by Saturday's deadline.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement on Thursday afternoon in New York, adding a few choice quotes on the matter, casting himself as a man at the mercy of forces beyond his control: "This is very hard and I feel terrible about it... No one wants to play hockey more than I do. It's my life."

It was an undesirable outcome despite the pronouncements from the NHLPA about the solidarity 
of its members, making their presence known in Manhattan with two days to go before a third work stoppage in 18 years commences.

"We're not dealing with stupid people on the other side," said NHLPA's Don Fehr. "Sure, they're frustrated -- they want an agreement."

One thing at stake is the semantics of the NHL's proposal from earlier in the week. Bettman defended it in light of the lockout threat, saying the deal is apparently not off the table once Saturday's deadline rolls around.

However, logic might dictate that the offer would be off the table if it is not agreed to by the players' union by 11:59 PM on the 15th, especially if the owners have given authorization to lock the players out at that time.

The union's site contains a list of those 283 players in attendance.

Frazier statue to finally be a reality

After a long wait, Joe Frazier's adopted home town will finally be able to honor him with a statue.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and members of Frazier's family kicked off a financing campaign on Wednesday.

The piece is slated to be situated outside Comcast's Xfinity Live! complex, on the ground which used to hold the Spectrum.

Get the full scoop from the Inky's online sports section.

The Magic 8-Ball speaks...

...and it says "outlook not so good."

Three hours of spirited discussion between representatives of the NHL and NHLPA ended around 3 PM in Manhattan today. While the players made a bold step in presenting a new proposal to try and shrink the "philosophical gap" that still exists, signs are that it will not be enough to mollify the Commissioner or satisfy the owners.

On the table this afternoon was an amended NHL offer regarding that bugaboo known as Hockey Related Revenues: the players would receive 49 percent in the first year (as opposed to the 57% stated previously), and then a reduction to 47 percent is in the offing.

"They made a responsive proposal. It obviously has to be studied. We hope that they will be studying our proposal further. It is too early to say whether or this is going to represent  any meaningful  progress," said NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr.

Full details of the players' counter-offer have not been disclosed, but Fehr stated that his charges are not willing to accept another salary rollback (24%) like the one the players conceded in 2005. Bettman stated, according to RDS, that the league asked for a nine-percent salary drop as opposed to its original 24-percent request in July.

In addition, the station reported that the PA was willing to extend its proposed CBA length from four to five years.

However, he stated that the players are willing to take a reduction in HRR, provided there is a provision for the league to engage in revenue sharing.

If -- and presumably -- when that proposal is not accepted by the PA, it will officially be off the table come Saturday, as Bettman said this morning. The feeling is apparently mutual, as the league's chief added "the players' proposal was not much different and was not acceptable."

Despite an estimated 275 players traveling to New York in order to show "solidarity" for their cause, it appears there are also no further plans to talk. That means, unless significant progress is made in talks which were scheduled for tomorrow, there will be a lockout in the legal definition of the word as the deadline to renew the current Collective Bargaining Agreement will have expired.

The NHL has announced a press conference at 3:30 PM on Thursday, with an accompanying conference call. Prior to that, Bettman stated there will be a meeting of the Board of Governors.

"We are not going to announce something dramatic after the board meeting," the commish stated.

Don Fehr stated that players will continue to meet this evening and also tomorrow morning.

Eagles give up on Jarrett, add WR depth

(The Phanatic Magazine) - Jeremy Maclin's hip injury in the season opener had wide ranging implications. 

The veteran receiver suffered a hip flexor strain and a hip pointer against the Browns on Monday and his availability for Baltimore on Sunday is in question. With Riley Cooper already on the shelf with a fractured collarbone, the Eagles were forced to make a move on Tuesday and brought back receiver Mardy Gilyard.

To make room for the University of Cincinnati product on the roster the Eagles officially gave up on former Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.

Jarrett made the short move down Broad Street as the 54th overall pick in the 2011 draft. Most thought Philadelphia reached a bit for Jarrett but the Eagles raved about his intimidating presence as a hitter, something which never surfaced during his short time in the organization. 

Gilyard (6-foot-1, 187) spent the 2012 offseason with the Eagles after signing with the team in January, but was released as part of the team’s final roster cut down. He accumulated nine receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns in preseason action.

Originally a fourth round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2010, Gilyard played in 11 games as a rookie, recording six receptions for 63 yards. He was a two-year starter at Cincinnati, where he finished his career with 204 receptions for 3,003 yards and 25 touchdowns.

The Eagles also also signed tight end Derek Carrier to the practice squad and released tight end Chase Ford from the practice squad.

Carrier (6-foot-4, 238) originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent following the 2012 draft after playing collegiately at Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he set school records with 189 receptions for 3,111 yards and 29 touchdowns.

He was released as part of the Raiders final roster cut down. Carrier also played two years of basketball at Beloit, starting 21 games and averaging 8.3 points per game. He attended Edgerton High School in Wisconsin.

College hockey to see increased television slate

With or without NHL hockey, the good folks at NBC Sports Network revealed its college hockey broadcasting schedule on Tuesday afternoon, a slate which includes 24 regular-season matchups.

Coverage begins on October 12 with the Icebreaker Tournament from Kansas City, featuring Notre Dame, Maine, Army and Nebraska-Omaha.

The defending national champion Boston College Eagles will make only two regular-season appearances, in a home-and-home series with rival Boston University on November 30 and December 1.

NBCSN is the exclusive home for the Hockey East playoffs. The conference has boasted five NCAA men's title winners since the turn of the millennium: BC (2001, '08, '10, '12) and BU (2009).

Bang the link for the full release.

Time keeps on slippin'

With four days until the Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire, once again we have been subjected to another round of posturing by the NHL and NHLPA.

Points given to league Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who today decided to work the "good cop" angle by rhapsodizing to the Associated Press in a morning email: "We hoped (and still hope) we can do that without causing any interruption to the upcoming season. Logic would have suggested we would have been able to. Ultimately, we just want to negotiate a fair deal that will give all our clubs an ability to be stable and healthy. The fact that we haven't yet is extremely disappointing, and is a failure for which we both must share blame."

Meanwhile, Canadiens forward Josh Gorges weighed in yesterday with a cold reading of scripted comments that were nothing more than a rehash of previous PA talking points as his organization made its case in front of the Quebec Labor Board, challenging the nature of the union with respect to provincial laws.

"This is an opportunity to show that we want to play and, from the players' standpoint, we want to do everything we can to show the owners and the fans that we want to play," Gorges said. "This is a tactic for us to use to push the owners to allow us to play."

The basis of the case was that the union is not certified, therefore it would be illegal for the Canadiens to lock out their players, enabling them to be paid during a work stoppage. There is another action taking place in Alberta under similar logic, intended to aid the causes of the Flames and Oilers.

Daly struck back, saying late last night: "The filings are intended to interfere with the broader labor negotiating process. They will have absolutely zero impact on the broader negotiation, or on the deal we ultimately agree on."

So what do we have to hang our hopes on as representatives from both sides meet again in New York City to try and salvage the situation?

The fact that there is expected to be between 250-300 players gathering on the side of the Players' Association -- as if a mass showing of solidarity will suddenly cause the owners to crumble. And late word from RDS of Canada, which said Daly may be the recipient of a new offer from the players at some point either later today or before Wednesday's scheduled session.

When he learned of the newest gambit, Daly added: "I was encouraged by the players' first offer. But it was made on August 14th and they did not move since." 

NCAA Football 13 Review

While EA Sport's latest enrollment into college football is a solid one, it doesn't walk away without adding some unwanted Freshman 15.

By JJ Miller (The Phanatic Magazine)

Lets be honest. EA Sports has set the bar high with its football games. Much like cold pizza, even a subpar effort is still better than most.

Not that NCAA Football 13 is a bad game. Quite the opposite; it is another solid effort to bring the excitement of college football into the palm of one's hands in the comfort of their own living room. However, we know what the company is capable of and that makes some of the minor faults that much more
annoying.

EA made a big effort this year in improving the presentation of the game. College football is a religion all its own and the NCAA games have been making an effort to capture that the best it can. For this year's game, that includes new stadiums and a traditional pregame confetti like mascots, military parachutists for Army, Navy and Air Force as well as icons like the Texas cheerleaders and USC Song Girls.

The game also promotes authentic stadium sounds, recorded at actual games, but even in front of my decent home entertainment setup, I never really got the feel that the stadiums were buzzing. Sure, the shaking of the controller and mangling of the routes shown on screen pre-snap are nice as my Temple Owls invaded Beaver Stadium to battle Penn State, but it never seemed to affect things on the whole.

No quarterback jitters, players not being able to hear the playcalling, nothing of that sort.

Of course, it is impossible to capture a real college atmosphere on a disc, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

And while the game itself looks solid, especially the tackling and punishing of receivers going across the middle, the replays shown to mimic actual broadcasts are embarrassing. More often than not, players on a replay look as though they are gliding across the grass rather than running, a simple flaw that ruins the entire replay system.

It is a shame the replays are so flawed, because the actual in-game graphics are great. Quarterbacks move and throw with life-like quality and new animations for scrambling, sack avoidance and shovel passing are excellent.

Receiver awareness also gets a boost as you simply can't throw the ball to a player at any time. If, for say, a receiver is running a post route and you try to get it to him before he makes his cut, he won't be expecting the ball and it will go right by him.

Another great touch is the animations for wet weather. Many times I tried to hit my receivers as they were about to make sharp cuts to the inside or outside, only to see them slip to the ground as the ball headed in their direction.

NCAA Football 13 also makes full use of its partnership with ESPN, but not without some annoying habits that are to be expected when the "World Wide Leader of Sports" gets involved in something.

What the game does do well is the use of a sports ticker at the bottom that updates in real-time with your game during Dynasty play. Late afternoon games will flash final scores from earlier games and start times for the nightcaps while keeping you up to date on current contests.

Even sponsorship drops (Brought to you by Coke Zero!) aren't that repulsive as they make the presentation very lifelike.

What doesn't work is the studio updates with Rece Davis. They feature a box score and many repetitive generic statements from Davis and can get especially coarse when they feature the same game over and over.

Erin Andrews is also wasted as she does not appear on screen and her sideline reports are very generic. It continues to confuse why the commentators are programmed to use school's names instead of "both teams" or "the coach said."

The Dynasty mode, a staple for us geeks who want to take over a program, is once again solid and recruiting is so much fun you may at times want to skip the actual games just to move onto the next stage of trying to land top prospects.

After zeroing in on your targets and doing some preseason scouting and scholarship offering, inseason recruiting sees you get three "hours" of time a week to scout your recruits and addition hours to make phone calls in an attempt to talk up your school or trash others in a number of different categories, including new topics such as coach stability, stadium atmosphere and playing style, the latter one of a few topics whose rating for a school is updated week-to-week.

If shaping a roster isn't your thing, the Road to Glory mode allows you to take over a single player and shape his college career, actually starting in high school. A player picks his position (you can even put yourself on the field more often by giving yourself an offensive and defensive position) and racks up stats in high school games to noticed by schools during recruitment.

The career continues once a player has moved on to college and a player is given a host of goals to accomplish.

NCAA Football 13 also marks the first time that real-life players are in the game thanks to the Heisman Challenge.

Similar to the Road to Glory, a player can select from a handful of Heisman legends, including coverboys Barry Sanders and Robert Griffin III as well as Marcus Allen, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and Desmond Howard amongst others, in an attempt to duplicate their award-winning season through an
accomplishment of goals.

You can also place the legends on any team (welcome to Temple Barry) and the mode includes over 60 video interviews in which the greats talk about their careers.

It's a great bonus for college football fans, assuming they can overlook some f the graphical and sound flaws to the game.

Balasavage gets 100k from Ravens

Former Temple tight end Matt Balasavage has received an injury settlement of $112,412 from the Baltimore Ravens, according to the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson.

Balasavage originally signed with the Ravens as a rookie free agent.

Temple - Penn State to kick off at 3:30

PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) – The Temple football game at Penn State on Sept. 22 will kick off at 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa.

ABC regional or ESPN2 will televise the game.

Temple (1-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) has a bye week before traveling to Penn State (0-2, 0-0 Big Ten).

Eagles - Brown Opening Day notebook

Reid’s Records … Andy Reid won his 137th game, passing Hank Stram for 22nd on the NFL’s all-time wins list (regular and postseason included) ... Reid improved his opening-day record to 7-7 (4-1 since 2008), his record against the Browns to 4-0, and his record against the AFC North to 8-3-1.

Welcome to the NFL ... Since Reid became head coach in 1999, the Eagles are 15-6 when facing a rookie starting quarterback. In those games, the Eagles have held those signal callers to 274 of 557 passing (49.2%) for 3,097 yards, 18 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

Dominant Defense ... The Eagles defense held the Browns to just 210 total yards and 2-13 on third downs, while forcing four turnovers ... Browns QB Brandon Weeden threw for just 118 yards and a 5.1 passer rating, which was the lowest by an Eagles opponent since Billy Kilmer’s 4.5 rating on 9/27/76 vs. Washington.

Picking on the Browns ... The Eagles defense collected four interceptions on the day, including two from CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (third-career multi-interception outing) and two from S Kurt Coleman (second-career multi-interception outing) ... The Eagles are 53-13 under Andy Reid when forcing at least two interceptions and 55-10 when forcing at least three turnovers ... The last time the Eagles had two players each record two interceptions was on 12/21/75 when Frank LeMaster and Artimus Parker did so at Washington.

Offensive Quick Hits ... TE Clay Harbor caught a game-winning four-yard touchdown with 1:18 remaining in the game, capping a 16-play, 91-yard drive ... WR Jeremy Maclin led the team with seven receptions, 96 yards, and the Eagles first touchdown of the season. 13 of Maclin’s 20 regular season touchdowns have come in the red zone ... RB LeSean McCoy posted his 10th career 100-yard rushing game ... The Eagles racked up 456 yards of total offense and 25 first downs, while converting both of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns ... QB Michael Vick notched his ninth-career 300-yard passing game and two touchdowns on a career-high 56 attempts ... The Eagles scored both of their touchdowns in the final two minutes of each half.

Defensive Nuggets ... DT Fletcher Cox registered his first-career sack ... DE Jason Babin notched a sack and now has 21.5 as an Eagle, moving past Brian Dawkins (21.0) and into 19th place in team history.

Rookies Ready To Go … In Andy Reid’s first nine seasons as head coach (1999-2007), the Eagles started five rookies on opening day: G/T Shawn Andrews (2004), DT Corey Simon (2000), TE Jed Weaver (1999), G Doug Brzezinski (1999), and T John Welbourn (1999) ... In his last five season openers (since 2008), Reid has started eight rookies: LB Mychal Kendricks (2012), CB Brandon Boykin (2012), C Jason Kelce (2011), LB Casey Matthews (2011), S Nate Allen (2010), DE Brandon Graham (2010), S Macho Harris (2009), WR DeSean Jackson (2008) ... The Eagles went 26 years (1984-2009) without starting a duo of rookies on the defensive side of the ball on opening day. Since 2010, Reid has done so twice (Graham, Allen in 2010).

Birdseed … K Alex Henery’s consecutive field goal streak ended at 17, tying David Akers (17 in 2001 and 2009) for the team record ... P Chas Henry set a career long with a 62-yard punt and a career-best 55.0-yard gross punting average ... WR DeSean Jackson (4,513) moved past Randall Cunningham and into 18th place on the team’s all-time scrimmage yards list ... TE Brent Celek (2,854) moved past John Spagnola and into second on the team’s all-time receiving yard list among tight ends ... Nine Eagles made their NFL debuts, including WR Damaris Johnson, CB Brandon Boykin, RB Chris Polk, RB Bryce Brown, FB Stanley Havili, G/C Dallas Reynolds, DT Cedric Thornton, DT Fletcher Cox and LB Mychal Kendricks ...

No triskaidekaphobia for Damaris Johnson … The rookie wide receiver and punt returner became the first Eagle to don jersey number 13 in a regular season game since punter Rick Engles did so in 1978. Ironically, both Johnson and Engles played their college football at the University of Tulsa. The other Eagles to wear jersey #13: George Kenneally (1933-35), Dave Smukler (1936-39), Len Barnum (1941-42), Joe Hoague (1943), and Chuck Hughes (1967-69).

Ware stops Dawson in Oakland

Andre Ward

OAKLAND - In perhaps his best and most dominating performance as a pro, Andre Ward completely dismantled the naturally bigger WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson en route to a stunning 10^th-round TKO and successful defense of his WBA and WBC Super Middleweight titles in front of 8,500 at Oracle Arena. 

Ward (26-0, 14 KOs), as many expected, utilized his superior quickness to his advantage right from the opening bell and his sharp, crisp punches opened a cut over Dawson's right eye in the second round.  In Round 3, Ward's power took over and he sent the New Haven, CT native to the canvas with a left hook to the head.  Dawson recovered, but in the fourth round was sent to the deck again in identical fashion.

Ward registered a third knockdown in the 10^th round when he delivered a solid left hook behind Dawson's ear.  After issuing a standing 8-count, referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the fight.  The time was 2:45 of the 10^th round. 

Prior to the knockout, all three judges had Ward with a decided advantage, with only 1 round given to Dawson (31-2, 17 KOs) by two of the judges.  Marshall Walker scored the fight 90-89 and both Julie Lederman and David Mendoza saw it 89-80 in favor of the hometown champion.   

"I was carrying the weight of being the champion into the ring tonight, and Dawson was a dangerous opponent," Ward acknowledged.  "I took the risk of fighting the bigger man.  He had the height and reach advantage, but he sacrificed the weight.  I was surprised that he wasn't as fast as he looked like he was on the tapes I watched.  I could see everything coming from the start of the fight.  Virgil kept telling me to turn it up.  That's what I did.

"I love to win and the better the competition, the more I rise to the occasion.  It might have looked like it was easy, but Chad Dawson was a monster, added Ward, who made the fourth defense of his WBA title and first as WBC champion.  "Guys have been asking me what it's going to take to finish the puzzle.  Finishing guys off is the last piece of the puzzle and we are on our way to doing that."

Classy in defeat, Dawson said:  "I did everything I had to do to prepare for this fight.  He (Ward) was a lot faster than I thought he was.  He is strong too.  I don't take anything away from him because he is definitely one of the best.  I just felt like I couldn't get anything off tonight.  I didn't have a problem with the weight; the weight was fine.  I am going to go back to 175 and decide what I am going to do next.  Andre Ward is a hell of a champion."

In the co-main event, Mexico's Antonio DeMarco jumped on John Molina right from the opening bell with a barrage of unanswered punches causing referee Jack Reiss to stop the contest at 0:44 of the first round.  DeMarco retained his WBC Lightweight title.   

      

"I dedicated this fight to Los Mochis, Mexico for all my fans," DeMarco exclaimed.  "John Molina was a very strong person.  I told him to keep working hard and to get back on top."

Demarco, normally a fighter who patiently tries to break down his opponents slowly and methodically, reverted to an ultra-aggressive style to stun his opponent.  I'm a different person in the ring when I see somebody hurt ," said the champion.  When I see him hurt now I jump on him."

Next up for DeMarco could be a title defense against fast-rising young star Adrian Broner. Insisted DeMarco: "Yes, I am willing to fight Adrian Broner anytime, anywhere.  Tomorrow!!!"

"I was very disappointed at myself and with the stoppage.  I wasn't hurt.  I thought for sure I would be able to fight my way out of that, but it was a tough hole to fight out of.  Instinctively I wanted to fight back right away (instead of taking a knee and and eight-count).  I didn't feel in enough trouble for Jack Reiss to stop it.  Take nothing away from them (DeMarco & Reiss).  They did their job.  I've gotta come back from this.  Jack Reiss is one of the best refs and DeMarco is a great champion." 

Results from Oakland, CA

WBA/WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

Andre Ward (26-0, 14 KOs, Oakland, CA), W TKO 10 over Chad Dawson (31-2, 17 KOs, New Haven, CT).

Ward retains WBA & WBC Super Middleweight Titles.

WBC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

Antonio DeMarco (28-2-1, 21 KOs, Los Mochis, MX) W KO1 over John Molina, Jr. (24-2, 19 KOs, Covina, CA); DeMarco retains his WBC Lightweight Title.

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Franklin "Yah Yah" Lawrence (18-2-2, 13 KOs, Indianapolis, IN) W TKO7 (3:00) over Homero Fonseca (9-6-3, 2 KOs, Peirsaw, TX)

Malik Scott (35-0, 12 KOs, Philadelphia, CA) W TKO8 over Bowie Tupou (22-2, 16 KOs, Los Angeles, CA)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Tony Hirsch (13-5-2, 6 KOs, Oakland, CA)  W UDEC over Roberto Yong (5-6-1, Sacramento, CA)

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Ricardo Williams (20-3, 10 KOs, Cincinnati, OH) W MDEC 6 over Anthony Lenk (13-2, 7 KOs, Los Angeles, CA)

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Randy Guerrero (1-0, Gilroy, CA) MAJ DRAW 4 vs. Juan Urbina (0-1, Santa Ana, CA)

Weak first half derails Temple's comeback attempt; Owls fall to Terrapins

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Magazine

Freshman signal caller Perry Hills passed for 190 yards and the first two touchdowns of his collegiate career on 11-of-21 efficiency and an abysmal first half by the hosts led to a 36-27 Maryland triumph over the Temple Owls on Saturday afternoon at the Linc.


Justus Pickett rushed for 69 yards and the deciding score with 2:51 remaining, all on 21 carries for the Terrapins (2-0), who were coming off a 7-6 victory over William & Mary in their season opener last week.

Playing through a 101-degree fever, quarterback Chris Coyer totaled 178 yards and two scores through the air, adding 53 yards on 17 carries for Temple (1-1), which got a rude awakening from an ACC opponent following a 41-10 thrashing of Villanova last week.

"We created our adversity today," said Temple head coach Steve Addazio, sweating at the podium as he pontificated. "We are a young team and I have let them know that it's gonna be a dog fight every Saturday. This time we created our own."

It's not often that a first-half safety proves to be the pivotal point in a football game, but that's what happened in the heat and humidity of South Philadelphia.

Down 17-3 late in the second quarter, a second bad snap from center caused Coyer to chase down the ball in the end zone for a Maryland safety. Nine plays later, Hills burst through the line for an 11-yard score and 26-3 contest -- a touchdown that loomed large in light of Temple's second-half explosion.

Collateral damage from the play which created the safety came in the form of a sprained ankle suffered by running back Matt Brown, who was pressed into service following the stunted progress of starter Montel Harris who is hampered by groin issues.

It would have been the perfect time to test out how far the BC transfer progressed, but Addazio felt otherwise: "He was better. I made the decision to not put him in harm's way. Best thing for him is to go into this bye week (before a September 22 matchup against Penn State) and rehab 100 percent."

The Owls clawed their way back to 29-27 thanks to a fumble recovery off a muffed punt that turned into a 35-yard connection from Coyer to Jalen Fitzpatrick with 7:04 remaining, but the comeback ended there.

Stefon Diggs totaled 59 yards on three receptions, putting a dagger into the hearts of the faithful when he beat two defenders and hauled in a 38-yard pass at the right sideline to give Maryland the ball inside the Temple 10-yard line on the following possession. Pickett added his score a short time later to lock up the victory.

It was an inelegant game from the outset. Temple lost the football twice within the first five minutes but was lucky to only be behind 3-0 after a 45-yard field goal from Brad Craddock less than three minutes in -- on a series that saw Temple's defense buckle down and hold the Terrapins to negative yardage. That was soon countered by a 36-yard make by Brandon McManus on the Owls' ensuing series.

Things took a positive turn for the Terps in a 23-point second quarter, beginning with a perfectly-thrown ball to the left pylon by Hills that found tight end Matt Furstenburg for a 22-yard touchdown and 10-3 game. Marcus Leak -- who led all receivers with 90 yards on just three catches -- then outraced coverage for a 32-yard TD strike which left the visitors up 17-3 with 6:19 to play in the first half.

Down by 23 and backed into a corner, the Owls roared out of the gate in the third quarter looking much like the club which throttled their FCS brethren from the Main Line.

After forcing another Terps turnover, Kenny Martin capped a quick 35-yard, four-play series with a one-yard plunge up the middle to make it 26-10.

Craddock added a 26-yard make to push the Terps' advantage back up to 19, but Temple roared back only two plays Later, as Coyer caught the Maryland secondary napping and lofted a pass deep along the left side to C.J. Hammond for a 62-yard score and 29-17 contest with 5:12 left in the third.

McManus booted a 40 yarder to finish off a series which bled into the early stages of the fourth and the hosts were within 29-20 with most of the quarter remaining.

Notes: Maryland has won seven of the eight all-time meetings, including all games played in Philadelphia, and avenged a 38-7 home loss last September 24...Temple picked up just nine first downs, two of which came in a first half which saw the Owls post only 28 yards rushing and six total yards passing...Despite walking away with the win, the Terrapins fumbled four times and lost all four...Temple didn't fare much better, coughing up the football five times and losing it twice...Maryland held onto the football for 33:33 and converted 7-of-16 third-down chances...The Terps defense limited Temple to 52 rushing yards, and have given up only 156 this year.

Former Eagle Savitsky passes away

(The Phanatic Magazine) - The Eagles have confirmed the death of former offensive lineman George Savitsky, who passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, NJ at the age of 88 due to complications stemming from pneumonia.

Savitsky spent two seasons as an offensive tackle from 1948-49, playing in 24 games and helping the Eagles achieve back-to-back NFL titles. He was also part of an offensive line that blocked for Hall of Fame RB Steve Van Buren, who posted career-highs in attempts (263) and yards (1146) in 1949 with Savitsky playing tackle. Drafted in the fifth round by Philadelphia in the 1947 draft, Savitsky was an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania.

Following his playing career, Savitsky became a dentist after studying at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine with the money he saved during his playing career. Later, he would become a doctor of dental surgery, and later an oral surgeon.

Living in Ocean City, NJ at the time of his death, George Savitsky is survived by his wife (Doris Hurley Savitsky), their five children (Linda, George, Laurie, Joseph, Lisa), and eight grandchildren.

Villanova unveils basketball sked

VILLANOVA, Pa. (The Phanatic Magazine) – Seventeen national television appearances highlight the 2012-13 Villanova men’s basketball schedule.

The Wildcats open the campaign by hosting first and second round games of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project on Friday, Nov. 9 against UDC and Marshall on Sunday, Nov. 11. Villanova will then travel north to New York’s Madison Square Garden for the final two rounds of that event on Thursday, Nov. 15, when it faces Purdue in the first of its nationally televised appearances (ESPN2). The ‘Cats then will meet either Alabama or Oregon State on Friday, Nov. 16, also at Madison Square Garden (ESPN2 or ESPNU).
 
The BIG EAST portion of the schedule begins on Jan. 2 when St. John’s visits the Wildcats in a game to be broadcast nationally on ESPNU. Other January highlights include visits from Pittsburgh (Jan. 16), Louisville (Jan. 22), and Syracuse (Jan. 26). VU will also face road tests in January at 2012 NCAA Tournament participants USF (Jan. 9), Syracuse (Jan. 12), and Notre Dame (Jan. 30).<p>

On tap in February are home dates with Providence (Feb. 3), USF (Feb. 9), Rutgers (Feb. 18) and Marquette (Feb. 23). The final regular season home game is set for Wednesday, March 6, when Georgetown will be the opponent. The Wildcats will also face trips to DePaul (Feb. 3), Cincinnati (Feb. 12), Connecticut (Feb. 16), Seton Hall (Feb. 25) and Pittsburgh (Mar. 3) down the home stretch of the regular season.
 
Four Philadelphia Big Five contests are a part of the non-conference portion of the slate. The Wildcats will be at La Salle on Sunday, Nov. 25 and Penn on Saturday, Dec. 8. Villanova hosts Temple on Dec. 5 and Saint Joseph’s on Dec. 11. In addition, the ‘Cats will be part of the 2012 SEC/BIG EAST Challenge on Dec. 1 when they face Vanderbilt in Nashville on ESPN2.
 
The Wildcats will again host games on campus at the Pavilion and at the Wells Fargo Center but the specific home sites for individual games have yet to be announced. Regional television information and additional start times will also be released in the coming weeks.

Pfeffer and Steffen called up to US Under-18 MNT

Chester, Pa. (The Phanatic Magazine) – Midfielder Zach Pfeffer and Philadelphia Union Academy member Zackary Steffen have been called up by the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team for an 11-day, foreign based training camp from September 6-17 in Mill, Netherlands.  The squad is scheduled to play an international friendly against the Netherlands on September 11 in Groesbeek, Netherlands.  

Coached by Javier Perez, the team travels to the Netherlands on September 7 and is also scheduled to play friendly matches against U-18 club teams representing Feyenoord Rotterdam, Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge during the week.

Pfeffer, one of three professionals on the 20-player roster, signed as the Union’s first ever Homegrown player in 2010 and made his first official league appearance with the Union in 2011, starting in a 1-0 victory against the Columbus Crew on September 17. Pfeffer, 17, started again in the club's regular season finale against the New York Red Bulls.  Most recently, the Dresher, Pa. native captained the Union’s U-17 squad to the 2012 Generation adidas Cup.

Rated the top goalkeeper in the class of 2013 by ESPNHS, Steffen verbally committed to the University of Maryland earlier this year.  In addition to participating in Philadelphia's academy system and the Union’s Reserve League team, Steffen plays for Youth Development Affillate FC DELCO and has been a member of the US Youth National Teams since the age of 14.

U.S. U-18 MNT Roster By Position:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Ethan Horvath (Unattached; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Zackary Steffen (Maryland; Downingtown, Pa.).

DEFENDERS (5): Michael Amick (De Anza Force; Sunnyvale, Calif.), Suliaman Dainkeh (DC United Academy; Reston, Va.), Dylan Greenberg (Albertson SC; Dix Hills, N.Y.), Trevor Haberkorn (Solar Chelsea SC; Roanoke, Texas), Jalen Markey (Seattle Sounders FC Academy; Renton, Wash.).

MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; Plano, Texas), Marco Delgado (CD Chivas USA; Glendora, Calif.), Romain Gall (FC Lorient; Herndon, Va.), Jacori Hayes (Baltimore Bays; Bowie, Md.), Piakai Henkel (Amiens FC; Arcata, Calif.), Kristian Scott (Stoke City, Winterbourne, England)

FORWARDS (7): Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake Arizona; Rochester, N.Y.), Paul Arriola (LA Galaxy; Chula Vista, Calif.), Julian Green (Bayern Munich; Tampa, Fla.), Benjamin Lopez (Real Salt Lake Arizona; San Diego, Calif.), Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union; Dresher, Pa.), Ben Spencer Jr. (CD Chivas USA; Albuquerque, N.M.), Travis Wannemuehler (Indiana Fire Academy; Evansville, Ind.)

Bettman to meet with BOG on September 13

The National Hockey League is all but assured of a lockout, if Commissioner Gary Bettman's meeting with the Board of Governors on September 13 in New York is the only confab scheduled between now and the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement two days after the scheduled gathering.

At that time, Bettman is expected to lay down his version of the progress of talks between he and NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr, and the 30 owners are expected to vote on whether or not to give the Commish the power to back another work stoppage.

If there are no further meetings, or productive talks, between Bettman and Fehr, once the CBA expires at 11:59 PM on September 15, it is widely thought that there will be no hockey since the owners are expected to back their boss.

The Ottawa Citizen was first with the report.

Union officials have remained in Manhattan since talks broke down last Friday, but no direct negotiations have been scheduled despite public issuances from Bettman that the league is "happy" to talk at any time and from Fehr that the silence is just a "recess."

In the meantime, the NHLPA was kind enough yesterday to address the NHL's assertions that negotiations have hit a snag because the players aren't exactly hospitable to the league's overtures.

Update: From Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune this afternoon, NHL Executive Director Bill Daly is apparently going to talk to PA representatives about a "whole host of issues" none of which were specified.

Again, no official talks between both sides have been scheduled. Per Russo, Daly believes discussions are only "temporarily stalled."

Further update: It gets worse. Kevin Allen from USA Today has revealed the NHLPA's memo to players on what to do in case of a lockout.

Wings 2013 schedule announced

The Philadelphia Wings return for a 27th season of major indoor lacrosse, beginning their National Lacrosse League campaign on January 11 at home against the rival Buffalo Bandits.

Led by head coach Johnny Mouradian, they will look to reverse a losing 2012 campaign, a 7-9 season which was only good enough for a third-place finish in the East. Despite a playoff berth, the Wings lost a 14-13 decision to Rochester in the Division Semifinals.

A once proud franchise, Philadelphia hasn't had a winning season since going 10-6 in 2008. Prior to that, a 10-4 finish and league title in 2001 was the team's best finish.

The Wings have won six indoor titles: 1989-90, 1994-95 with the defunct Major Indoor Lacrosse League, then 1998 and '01 in the National Lacrosse League.

Go here for Philly's official release, and here for the league's.

New and improved Gabriel Rosado is one fight away

By John DiSanto, of www.phillyboxinghistory.com

This past winter, junior middleweight Gabriel Rosado seemed to turn a corner in his career development.

All of a sudden, he was a killer in the ring and looked like sure bet to become a champion. The new plateau came in his head-turning knockout performance against battle-tough Jesus Soto Karass on Jan. 21 at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia.

Rosado became the first man to halt the durable Mexican, and he did it before a cheering hometown crowd at ringside and a national television audience watching at home on the NBC Sports Network.

Gabriel Rosado

The Gabriel Rosado who bullied and disposed of Soto Karass in just five rounds that night was clearly a new version of the popular Philly fighter. Rosado had shown glimpses of real promise over the prior six years of his professional boxing career, but nothing like this. He was suddenly a bona fide contender.

"He had a habit (before) of pausing and posing for long periods of time," said Billy Briscoe, Rosado's trainer from day one. "Now he got away from that. He found his ring identity."

That identity is a dangerous pressuring force to be reckoned with. Against Soto Karass, there was certainly no pausing or posing. Rosado (right) used his size, strength, power, and constant pressure to steamroll Karass and register the best win of his then 19-5 career.

Rosado followed the victory with an even tougher assignment on June 1, back on NBC, against slick and seasoned southpaw Sechew Powell. Rosado's ninth round KO of Powell before a wild Bethlehem, PA crowd was even more impressive than his prior fight, and proved that the "new" Rosado was no fluke.

"Tough guy," Briscoe said of Powell. "Big. Southpaw. Experienced. Extensive amateur background. Only lost to top opposition. What he did was broke him down slowly. Gaby picked his spots. Showed him different looks until we found the opening he needed. Then he closed the distance, got in the pocket, and BANG!"
It was another emphatic win. Rosado was careful and smart in his approach, but he never took his eye off his ultimate goals - to score a knockout and make a statement to the boxing world.

"That fight," Rosado said. "I told Billy, 'We definitely have to knock this guy out'. And you know, we did it little by little. Once we started landing those body shots and we started getting those hooks in, he slowed down. Once we put on the pressure, it was a wrap."

But this measurable improvement was a long time coming for Rosado. With only a brief amateur career as a base, Rosado was forced to learn on the job in the professional ranks. Some frustrating losses came his way.
However, Billy Briscoe nurtured his fighter's obvious skills and patiently worked on smoothing out his rough spots.

"Experience," Briscoe said. "All the tough fights he's been in. He finally realized that when he starts walking these guys down, they start acting different. When he boxes, he lets you live, but when he's coming forward, he's murder."

"Now when I look at every fight, my game plan is backing the guy up," Rosado added. "I'm not thinking about being on my toes or anything like that. I can beat these guys on the inside. And in boxing right now, guys don't even understand the inside game. And I think that's the advantage we have."

Clearly it is something that is working for Rosado.

"He's starting to come into his own now," Briscoe said. "He's starting to find himself."

"It's something that we practiced so long, and I finally got it," said the fighter. "It takes a while. Now that we got it down pat, I feel like we'll beat any guy."

Embracing this new philosophy was one thing, but having the physicality to pull it off - in the rigorous jungle that is the boxing ring - was something else. To get to the next level, Team Rosado needed some help.

Boxing people, especially trainers, are generally a suspicious and even paranoid bunch. I guess you can't really blame them. Trainers are gurus of a lost art and speak in terms that few beside their own kind can understand. Most of them, the good ones at least, usually believe in the old rules of boxing, including ancient secrets and beliefs that have long since been dismissed by most modern thinkers.

Billy Briscoe is one of those old-school guys. He was trained to be a trainer by one of Philly's legends, the late, great Wesley Mouzon. Mouzon was a wunderkind teenage lightweight boxer in the 1940s, and a revered boxing teacher until his death in 2003.

"Every day I think about Mr. Wes," Briscoe said. "If it wasn't for Wes, I'd probably be dead or in jail somewhere... and that's the truth. He took me under his wing."

Briscoe believes in the old ways that Mouzon preached. He quotes the long forgotten phrases and conventions of the sport and believes in their relevance today, no matter how dusty they may sound. It's one of the many contradictions that strike you about Briscoe. He's still under 40 years of age, but talks like he's been transported right from the golden era. He's probably the oldest young man I've ever met.

But Billy Briscoe can surprise you. His methods are not solely based on the old school. He is open to the modern approach, as long as it makes sense and doesn't work against any of his well-learned golden rules from the Mouzon school.

To round out Rosado's skill set and to provide him with the physical tools necessary to implement the style that would make him a contender, Team Rosado brought a new member into the circle.

Enter strength and conditioning coach Jason Sargus of Philadelphia's Brazen Boxing & MMA. Sargus is a former college wrestler who runs the Center City gym where Rosado and Briscoe have been doing their strength training since late last year. Sargus is from the new school when it comes to training ring warriors. Although his typical client is usually of the MMA breed, Sargus believes his methods make better fighters, period.

"I knew we could make Gaby stronger, longer," Sargus said. "A lot of boxing trainers are a little hesitant to add some of  the weight training exercises we've added. Billy is an old school boxing mind who embraces some new school and some cutting edge possibilities and philosophies. To embrace a guy coming from a wrestling background - to embrace that philosophy and to be open minded  and give me a chance to work with Gabriel, I have to give a lot of credit to Billy Briscoe."

But Billy didn't just take these new philosophies at face value and run with them.

"We discussed some things - the "hows" and "whys" of the protocols I intended to implement," Sargus said.
"He listened and he asked about the science. I think he did some fact checking, and when everything came back okay, we agreed on how we were going to train Gabriel. And the results have been what you've seen in the last two fights against Soto Karass and Powell."

"It's added a lot to our game," Rosado said. "I'm much stronger. When I get in that ring, I feel stronger than those guys. I feel like I can back them up, put on pressure, and finally do what Billy's been trying to get me to do the whole time - impose my strength on these guys."

"We can have him fight at a pretty amazing pace by adding and supplementing (traditional boxing training) with the strength and conditioning we do here," Sargus said.

The results speak for themselves. Rosado has been able to execute like never before.

"He can put his foot on the gas anytime he chooses," Sargus said. He can come forward when he wants to. He can pressure the fighter when he wants to, especially when his opponent is looking to take 15-20 seconds off to regroup and refocus. He can put them out of that comfort zone."

And that seems to be exactly what Rosado has been doing. He has been relentless in his last two fights, and it has made all the difference in the world. Watching Rosado being so consistent and seeing him doing things that produce knockouts, has been exciting. Although he was popular before, Rosado is quickly becoming the fighter everyone is talking about in Philadelphia. However the Rosado conversation may just getting started.

On Sept. 21, Rosado (20-5, 12 K0s) takes on Charles Whittaker (38-12-12, 23 K0s) in a 12-round eliminator for the IBF 154-pound title. The fight is back at the Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, and once again on NBC Sports Network's Fight Night TV series. If the #3 ranked Rosado can beat the #2 ranked Whittaker, he becomes the mandatory #1 rated contender to IBF champion Cornelius "K9" Bundrage.

"One fight away, man," Rosado said. "It feels good. It's definitely driving me to do good."

"We're getting close," Briscoe said. "All the hard work is starting to pay off. We're starting to get in the spot we need to be in to win the world title."

"This fight with Whittaker, I'm not going to take him lightly," Rosado said. "I want to blow him out. I want to make another statement."

At 38 years old and with 52 fights to his credit, Whittaker brings experience far deeper than Rosado's into the ring. It is certain that he too sees the fight as an important opportunity.

"He's basically in a situation where he has to win because of his age," Rosado said of Whittaker. "He can't afford to lose; he's going to bring his "A" game. So I can't sleep on him. Anything can happen in boxing."

Rosado is familiar with bumps in the road. The early part of his career was marked by inconsistency.

Excellent victories against Kasim Ouma, Saul Roman, James Moore and Latif Mundy, were muted by stumbles against Alfredo Angulo, Fernando Guerrero and Derek Ennis.

Ennis was the last man to beat Rosado, in a close 12-round decision for the USBA title more than two years ago. The setback was heartbreaking for Gabriel, who thought that regional title shot was his gateway to the next level, and a do or die opportunity for him.

"I was younger, a little immature," Rosado said of that period of his career. "Now I've been through the hard times. I'm older, more mature, and I know what it takes."

Rosado has won six straight bouts since losing to Ennis, and perhaps more importantly, has learned that things happen in their own time.

"I think if I had won against Ennis, I think it wouldn't have been my time," Rosado said. "I think now is the perfect time. Me and Billy are on the same page, and now we have Jason Sargus of Brazen Boxing involved. We have the whole package together. So now we're good."

Having the whole package has led Rosado to a world title elimination fight. That means he's one victory away from a guaranteed title shot, and everything he and Briscoe have been working for since day one.

"A fight away from the world title," Briscoe said thoughtfully. "I been paying my dues since I was 15 years old. I carried buckets. I learned my craft."

And what would old Wesley Mouzon tell Briscoe now, as he guides Rosado closer and closer toward the top?

"He'd tell me what he told me before he passed away, may God rest his soul," Briscoe remembered. "He'd say, 'Billy you're ready, you just need that guy who will get you there'. Mr. Wes. He was the man. He forgot more about boxing than most people know. He used to tell me, 'You need that horse, that horse you can ride'."

Rosado is that horse, a junior middleweight thoroughbred. And he is just one fight away.
-----------------
To find more on the Philadelphia fight scene - past and present - visit www.phillyboxinghistory.com.

Eagles finish practice squad by inking OT Matt Reynolds

The Eagles have signed T Matt Reynolds to the practice squad.

Reynolds, the younger brother of Eagles G/C Dallas Reynolds, started a school-record 52 games for BYU from 2008-11. He was originally signed by Carolina following the 2012 draft as a rookie free agent, but was released as part of the Panthers final roster cut down. The 6-6, 305-pound tackle served a two-year LDS church mission in Germany.

Temple's mcManus is Big East Specialist of the Week

(The Phanatic Magazine) – Temple senior PK/P Brandon McManus has earned the season’s first BIG EAST Conference Specialist of the Week honor.

In Temple’s win over Villanova on Friday, McManus had a busy night.  He set the school career record for field goals made with 48 following two (24 yds., 31 yds.) field goals in the fourth quarter. He surpassed Bill Wright (1985-88) who had 46 career field goals.

McManus was also a perfect five-for-five in extra points, extending his consecutive streak to 55 makes.  He also kicked off eight times for 515 yards (64.4 average) with six touchbacks. McManus punted four times for 177 yards (44,2 average). One punt was inside the 20, while the other was a touchback.

McManus is one of eight current players in the country who handle ALL kicking duties [KO, PAT, FG, FG, P].

On the career charts, McManus is now No. 2 in scoring with 275 points, surpassing Paul Palmer [1983-86] with 264.  Bernard Pierce holds the career record with 324 points scored.

McManus also became Temple’s career punting leader with a 45.64 average [50 punts and 2,282 yards].

The BIG EAST honor is the first of McManus collegiate career and his first this season.



Senior DB Vaughn Carraway was also named to the BIG EAST’s five-man Honor Roll.

Carraway, who made his first appearance in the Owls’ starting line-up at free safety, had the second interception of his career and returned it 57 yards for his first touchdown.  He finished with three solos tackles and a fumble recovery, the first of his career.

Additionally, McManus, Carwaway, and senior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) earned Honorable Mention National Performer of the Week honors at their respective positions by the College Football Performance Awards.

Brown, who leads the BIG EAST in rushing, recorded the 10th 100-yard performance of his career in the win over Villanova.  He led the Owls with 145 yards and a 56-yard TD run on 19 carries.

Additionally, Brown had a career-high four punt returns for a career-high 84 yards, including a 45-yard best in the fourth quarter. He also returned three kickoffs for 41 yards.

Temple (1-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) hosts Maryland (1-0, 0-0 ACC) on Sept. 8 at Noon at Lincoln Financial Field.  ESPNU will televise the game.

Eagles begin assembling practice squad

(The Phanatis Magazine) - The Eagles have signed seven players to their practice squad: C Chase Beeler, TE Chase Ford, FB Emil Igwenagu, WR Marvin McNutt, and LB Ryan Rau, WR B.J. Cunningham and DT Frank Trotter.

Ford, Igwenagu, McNutt, Rau and Trotter were all waived as part of the Eagles final roster cut down on August 31. McNutt was a sixth round draft pick of the Eagles this year from Iowa, while the other three were signed as undrafted free agents this past spring.


Beeler (6-3, 285) spent last season on the 49ers practice squad after being signed by San Francisco as a rookie free agent following the 2011 draft. He was the center for Colts QB Andrew Luck at Stanford and is a native of Jenks, OK.

Cunningham (6-2, 215) finished his career at Michigan State as the school’s all time leader in receptions (218) and receiving yards (3,086), while ranking 2nd all-time with 25 touchdown catches. The Westerville, OH, native was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 draft by Miami but was released as part of their final roster cut down on August 31.

Giants claim Jones

(The Phanatic Magazine) - The New York Giants have been awarded offensive tackle D.J. Jones on waivers from the Eagles.

Jones spent the majority of last season on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad and the Eagles claimed him off waivers on Feb. 6 before releasing him Friday.

Originally a fifth-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, Petrus has played in 17 NFL regular-season games with three starts.

Former Temple OG Tribue signed to Broncos practice squad

(The Phanatic Magazine) - Former Temple OG Wayne Tribue has been signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad.

Eagles claim OL Menkin

(The Phanatic Magazine) - The Eagles have claimed rookie offensive lineman Nate Menkin off waivers from the Houston Texans and released CB Trevard Lindley.

Menkin (6-foot-4, 296) was originally signed by the Texans as a rookie free agent from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX. He was a four-year letterman as an offensive tackle and earned AFCA All-America honors as a senior and was also named American Southwest Conference offensive lineman of the year.

The Lago Vista, TX, native helped clear the way for a UMHB rushing attack that averaged 291.0 rushing yards per game and 5.5 yards per rushing attempt in 2011. His team averaged 43.4 points and 451.6 yards of total offense per contest. Along the way, he earned first team all-conference honors and earned first team all-south region honors from D3football.com . Menkin was a two-time all-conference honoree during his collegiate career.

NHL, NHLPA go further down the rabbit hole

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor

In their own words, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr, following Friday afternoon's whopping 90-minute confab in New York City...

All quotes courtesy of Renaud Lavoie, from RDS of Canada.

Bettman: "What I thought was a promising week ended with disappointment...there was some discussion on revenue sharing and I don't know why. It's a distraction...I did not decide to recessed. We are happy to meet anytime."

"We want a longer term deal. NBA and NFL did 10 year deals...the union stood on their initial proposal..."I'm disappointed. We offered to talk a year ago. The first session was on June 29th."

Fehr:  "The only sport stable in America is baseball..."under our proposal (hockey related revenues) will snap back to 57 % in the 4th year. The owners objected to that..."we came to the conclusion (what is best) is to address the 4th year of our proposal."

"The proposal we made today was not accepted...at this point, the talks are off."

While there has been some minor whining from certain corners of the internet that Fehr should stop mentioning baseball in relation to labor troubles, it's a dog dumb thing to say. The circumstances of the 1994-95 baseball fiasco are imprinted in Fehr's brain and form the root of his negotiating philosophy in the same way his parents' deaths motivated Bruce Wayne to become Batman. There is no separation.

And besides, facts is facts. Though it tore the fabric of the sport apart, Fehr fought for MLB players and won.

I know of at least one instance where a colleague of mine attempted to mold his staff at a local radio station in the fashion of a successful one he just left, and was told to cool it on all the comparison talk. Only when the way things were run from the top failed was he called back for his opinion.

Sometimes, using examples from beyond your narrow sphere of influence is the only way to truly enact change, and small minds bent on protecting their own interests wrapped up inside the old ways who put up the most fight be damned. And it certainly shouldn't be avoided if some dissonant voice, disengaged from the process, deems it annoying.

There should be no way the players should be hamstrung into a long-term CBA, one which the owners can more easily exploit by front-loading numbers, including that demon percentage of Hockey Related Revenues that's been so hotly contested.

There should be no way that NHL revenue sharing shouldn't encompass the better-performing and richer clubs giving out a larger proportionate chunk of revenue to keep the weaker teams viable. BTW, that's not exactly capitalism, folks. Financial solvency and the nature of parity are two separate ideas: ensuring one does not mean the other will follow and we'll have 30 strong clubs in healthy markets all in the playoff hunt on March 1.

Look at the help the Royals receive as a bottom-feeder in baseball. It in no way ensured a competitive product on the field for the last 13 years, but it ensured that the team remained entrenched in the city where it was founded, where thousands of fans can still come and go, voice their pleasure or displeasure, and maintain a rite of passage for young fans.

The league is confident that the "best fans in the world" will return? Maybe in Canada. The American pastime needed a bunch of roided-up pitchers and hitters to bring back interest, and that took half a decade. How can the owners, fronted by a tool of a Commissioner, be so callous about hockey in the US, where the NHL is a sixth-tier sport at best?

To think the other side will fold like a cheap card table is delusional at best. That's 2004-05 thinking.

One additional telling quote, released by CSNPhilly's Tim Panaccio late today read: "agent on NHLPA: 'Back in 2004, the NHLPA was synonymous with apathy. That's changed since then. It’s a whole new world right now.' "

So, it's plain to see that while the Commish and the owners are content to sit back and wait and collect their money until the PA once again comes nipping at its heels, the PA has the confidence to dig in for what they want -- all courtesy of their bulldog Fehr.

They may be more in the right, but the fact that they did wait so long and never considered negotiating while the CBA was not so close to expiration or at the very least, considered working briefly without one is beyond me. It's incredibly difficult, in writing and in spirit, to support players who are making millions and complaining about losing salary, even if the principal of the PA not getting money back in some fashion is at issue.

Their livelihood is affected, sure, but it ain't like players are all Johnny Upton waiting for the other shoe to drop and return to the bleeping Chrysler plant.

Even the guys on the two-way deals and entry-level contracts should be told to think ahead: don't buy that third vanity car or the mansion in the hills. It all could end tomorrow and it would be your fault alone if you blew through your cash when the spit hit the fan. And get this thorough your heads, rookies and veterans alike: you are not even close to worth the money you're making, so don't complain to people who support you but who have to block out tickets to games every year at the expense of something more essential to living.

Besides, and I can't stress this enough, the players basically asked for this when they brought Fehr on board.

As Robert Tepper sang while Rocky Balboa revved his Ferrari into the night while thinking about Apollo Creed, "there's no easy way out...there's no short cut home."

As long as both sides aren't really willing to budge, and there have been agents who have said that both sides won't get serious until October, we're all left swaying in the hot, pungent air from both reps. What it comes down to -- and nothing has changed since before negotiations began or in light of other pro sports' labor troubles -- is the NHL doesn't want to give back more money with increased revenue, and the NHLPA can't accept less money when the league is rolling in it.

Sunrise, sunset. We're in for the long, pointless haul. Those darts in your eyes should be aimed at both sides.

There are 16 days until the CBA expires on September 15.