From the desk of the not-yet home of the Philadelphia Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate:
"Phantoms to make a major announcement tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at Seventh and Hamilton Streets in Allentown!"
Stay tuned to the Phanatic for more as it develops.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Promising news for Hartnell means better days ahead for top Flyers
The heart and soul of the Flyers' top line, Scott Hartnell, hasn't played since January 22, and underwent surgery to repair a broken left foot three days later.
Recovery time was originally 4-to-8 weeks, downgraded to 4-to-6, and well, that four is almost up.
Just ahead of the club's monster road game in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said: "Scott Hartnell saw the doctor today and was given the okay to take part in practice. He will likely be out of the line-up for another 7-10 days."
By "the doctor," we can only assume it's the same man who performed the procedure, Dr. Steven Raikin.
Hartnell has been out for the last 14 games, and no one has felt the effects quite like top-line center and captain Claude Giroux, who had been mired in a scoring slump across the board until Monday's season-best two-goal, one-assist performance in an historic 7-0 rout of the Islanders on Monday in Uniondale.
A conservative estimate places Hartnell's return on February 27 when the Flyers host the Washington Capitals; the more liberal estimate would be a March 2 home contest against the Ottawa Senators.
That most certainly means an additional burden on Giroux will be lifted, with Hartnell's play, personality and leadership ready to infuse a struggling club just barely treading water at 7-9-1 with the conclusion of a brutal six-game road trip against a bitter rival.
"Everybody knows it's been a little rough for him, the puck isn't going in, but one thing you can't fault with him is his effort every single night," said Danny Briere to NHL.com on Tuesday about Giroux. "He had total rights to do what he did because for him to be successful he needs all of us to play as hard as we can, to open up some lanes for him, to make room for him out there."
If Briere's answer is any indication, a corner may be turned tonight in the Steel City in the wake of such a dominant road win no matter the outcome:
"The one thing I'm not worried about for the game on Wednesday is if the guys are going to get up for the game. I think everybody will be ready. Everybody will be fired up for it because, I mean, we know, it's the rivalry and that's the way it is. But now as the game progresses and it gets tough in the game, that's when we have to keep that same attitude moving forward. Instead of backing down and playing it safe, we need to want it there."
Knowing Hartnell, it's absolutely killing him that he can't be there in the rematch of a season-opening 3-1 home loss to the club they dumped out of the first round last April.
And that's the kind of spirit this club needs to compete in a playoff race during this truncated season.
Recovery time was originally 4-to-8 weeks, downgraded to 4-to-6, and well, that four is almost up.
Just ahead of the club's monster road game in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said: "Scott Hartnell saw the doctor today and was given the okay to take part in practice. He will likely be out of the line-up for another 7-10 days."
By "the doctor," we can only assume it's the same man who performed the procedure, Dr. Steven Raikin.
Hartnell has been out for the last 14 games, and no one has felt the effects quite like top-line center and captain Claude Giroux, who had been mired in a scoring slump across the board until Monday's season-best two-goal, one-assist performance in an historic 7-0 rout of the Islanders on Monday in Uniondale.
A conservative estimate places Hartnell's return on February 27 when the Flyers host the Washington Capitals; the more liberal estimate would be a March 2 home contest against the Ottawa Senators.
That most certainly means an additional burden on Giroux will be lifted, with Hartnell's play, personality and leadership ready to infuse a struggling club just barely treading water at 7-9-1 with the conclusion of a brutal six-game road trip against a bitter rival.
"Everybody knows it's been a little rough for him, the puck isn't going in, but one thing you can't fault with him is his effort every single night," said Danny Briere to NHL.com on Tuesday about Giroux. "He had total rights to do what he did because for him to be successful he needs all of us to play as hard as we can, to open up some lanes for him, to make room for him out there."
If Briere's answer is any indication, a corner may be turned tonight in the Steel City in the wake of such a dominant road win no matter the outcome:
"The one thing I'm not worried about for the game on Wednesday is if the guys are going to get up for the game. I think everybody will be ready. Everybody will be fired up for it because, I mean, we know, it's the rivalry and that's the way it is. But now as the game progresses and it gets tough in the game, that's when we have to keep that same attitude moving forward. Instead of backing down and playing it safe, we need to want it there."
Knowing Hartnell, it's absolutely killing him that he can't be there in the rematch of a season-opening 3-1 home loss to the club they dumped out of the first round last April.
And that's the kind of spirit this club needs to compete in a playoff race during this truncated season.
Mock Draft version 2.0, the pre-combine edition
By John McMullen
Hordes of NFL personnel people have invaded Indianapolis this week as the league's next generation of talent interviews and works out for their potential employers at the scouting combine.
More than 330 potential prospects have been invited to Indy and perhaps no one
is more well-versed on them than Mike Mayock, the former Boston College safety
who was once a 10th-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 1981.
These days, the Philadelphia-area native is the NFL Network's lead draft
analyst and we, along with other media members from around the country, picked
his brain earlier this week.
Here are the results as The Sports Network rolls out its latest mock draft,
the pre-combine edition:
1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M - A lot of Andy Reid's
success in Philadelphia was tied to quarterback Donovan McNabb, but Mayock
doesn't think there is a signal-caller worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick
in this cycle.
"I'm a big believer in value," Mayock said earlier this week. "If you have a
top 10 pick, you want an All-Pro at some point. If you look at (West
Virginia quarterback) Geno Smith, he could be a top 10 pick in some people's
eyes. Now for me, he and (Southern California signal-caller) Matt Barkley to
me are more like 20 to 32. That's where I feel more comfortable."
So who's worthy of being a No. 1?
According to Mayock, look toward the offensive line: "Four guys (should be in
the discussion): (Alabama guard Chance) Warmack, (North Carolina guard
Jonathan) Cooper, (Texas A&M tackle Luke) Joeckel and (Eastern Michigan
tackle Eric) Fisher."
Since tackles are valued far more than guards in today's NFL, and Reid had Pro
Bowl-caliber bookends for years in the City of Brotherly Love (Tra Thomas and
Jon Runyan), the guess here is Big Red either trades down or takes the safest
pick -- Joeckel -- the Aggies' left tackle who should step in and play at a
high level for the next decade.
"Part of it depends on what they're going to do with free agency and Branden
Albert," Mayock said of the Chiefs. "I don't care whether it's Warmack or
Joeckel. People will tell me I'm crazy that a guard can't go No. 1. I think
(Warmack's) the best player in the draft, so I would argue that. But either
way, I think they've got to get an offensive lineman."
Previous Pick: Joeckel
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State - The Jags are
concerned with their pass rush, specifically their lack of a consistent one
and Werner remains the likeliest pick, edging out fellow pass rushers like
Jarvis Jones of Georgia and Damontre Moore of Texas A&M.
Mayock disagrees, however, and thinks the lowly Jags should be choosing talent
over need, specifically Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.
"From a need perspective, I think they could use a pass rushing defensive end
more than a defensive tackle." Mayock said. "But what I saw on tape from
Sharrif Floyd, I thought he dominated."
Won't matter -- the Jags are sold on Werner.
Previous Pick: Werner
3. Oakland Raiders - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida - The Raiders were awful
against the run in 2012 and Floyd has usurped Utah's Star Lotulelei as the
draft's best interior lineman.
"He can get an edge as a pass-rusher. He's strong enough to push the pocket.
He's stout against the run, and he can run sideline to sideline," Mayock said
of Floyd. "When he is fresh and can run, it's really special. I think he's a
top-five talent in this draft."
Previous Pick: Lotulelei
4. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan - Restructuring
Mike Vick means the Eagles aren't all that high on any of the quarterbacks in
this draft. Chip Kelly could use help in a lot of places and Lotulelei would
be a nice fit, but the 6-foot-7 Fisher stands out here. Fisher is clearly the
second-best left tackle on the board with the wingspan and athleticism to
excel. He just needs to add strength in order to deal with the bull rush.
"From my perspective, when I put his first tape on and was able to see him all
week at the Senior Bowl, the first thing I thought of was (San Francisco 49ers
tackle and former CMU star) Joe Staley," Mayock said when gushing about Fisher,
"and I thought he's better than Joe Staley, which says a lot."
Previous Pick: Smith
5. Detroit Lions - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M - The Lions could be in the
market for Cliff Avril's replacement and Moore seems like the best fit for
Detroit's wide-9 scheme.
"There are going to be a lot of people that think Damontre Moore is that guy
(for Cleveland), and Damontre Moore has a lot of talent and might be one of
those guys," Mayock said.
Previous Pick: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns - Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU - New Browns defensive
coordinator Ray Horton ran the 3-4 in Arizona, but Cleveland has been running
the 4-3 and has some pieces it doesn't want to scrap. That might make Mingo, a
versatile player who can fit either scheme as an edge player, an attractive
option.
"I have him at the end of the first round," Mayock said when talking about
Mingo. "Lot of people have him in the top 10; I have him at the end of the
first round. He's got a little stiffness to him. He obviously runs very fast.
When the ball goes away from him, he's fantastic. He's a run and chase
linebacker. He's got upside as a pass-rusher."
Previous Pick: Moore
7. Arizona Cardinals - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia - New coach Bruce Arians
did wonders with a rookie quarterback in Indianapolis last season and while
Smith is no Andrew Luck, he is a big upgrade over Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.
"With Geno Smith, I see flashes of everything you want in a top-10
quarterback," Mayock said. "I see a lot more inconsistency, though, than I see
those flashes. So he, to me, there is a real risk-reward scenario there."
Previous Pick: Barkley
8. Buffalo Bills - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee - The re-signing of
Tarvaris Jackson likely means new coach Doug Marrone is content to wait for
his old college quarterback, Ryan Nassib, in the second round. Patterson has
the highest ceiling among this year's group of receivers, a raw, rangy big-play
threat who could complement Stevie Johnson if he can focus more and stop
rounding off his routes.
"From a height, width, speed, talent perspective, (Patterson) might be one of
the most talented physical specimens in this class," Mayock said. "I think
he's taking your breath away from the ability to make plays especially after
he gets the ball in his hands. He's a special talent."
Previous Pick: Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
9. New York Jets - Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia - Jones played in a 4-3 at
Georgia, but 3-4 teams like him also. With Calvin Pace and Bart Scott
jettisoned, the Jets get lucky here when Jones drops into their laps, giving
Rex Ryan the elite pass rusher he has lacked in North Jersey.
"He is an impact, explosive football player, and he's ready to play now,"
Mayock said when talking about Jones. "Now he had some medical issues,
potential stenosis in his back. If he checks out medically, he's a top-10
player, and hopefully an impact player."
Previous Pick: Jones
10. Tennessee Titans - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama - Perhaps the best football
player in this year's draft, Warmack is a perfect choice for the Titans, who
need an upgrade on the interior of the offensive line. Warmack is far quicker
than his body indicates and excels at getting to the second level and walling
off linebackers.
"Chance Warmack is the best football player I saw on tape this year," Mayock
said. "He just needs to keep dotting the I and crossing the T's and run fast,
work hard, be good in the interview room. He's a top-10 pick for me."
Previous Pick: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
11. San Diego Chargers - Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina - The main reason
Philip Rivers took a huge step back last season was the ineffectiveness of
his offensive line, and Cooper is the best O-lineman left on the board, a
Randall McDaniel-type athlete.
"If there is anything he is, he's one of the most athletic guards I've ever
seen," Mayock said. "He's explosive. He just needs to get into the meeting
rooms at night, be comfortable, answer questions, and he'll be fine. I think
(the combine) is a showcase for Jonathan Cooper."
Previous Pick: Fisher
12. Miami Dolphins - Keenan Allen, WR, California - The Dolphins want
playmakers for Ryan Tannehill, and Patterson has the higher ceiling and is the
better fit. That said, Allen will be the one left on the board, and although
he's not as explosive, the Cal product is far closer to being NFL ready. Allen
is more quick that fast and projects as an elite route runner in time.
"The Dolphins need a wide receiver, but they also need a vertical threat, and
I don't think he's a 4.4 (40-yard dash) guy," Mayock said of Allen. "We'll
find out this weekend. Here's the deal with Keenan Allen: If you like him on
tape, he's Anquan Boldin. If you don't like him, he's speed deficient."
Previous Pick: Allen
13. Tampa Bay Bucs - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama - The Bucs and need a corner
and Milliner is far and away the best in this year's class. He doesn't have
elite speed but has smooth hips, gets his head around quickly and has great
ball-tracking ability.
"I think he's a heck of a football player and I think he'd be safe," Mayock
said when queried on Milliner. "But I don't think he's that explosive 4.35(-
second) kind of 40 guy."
Previous Pick: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
14. Carolina Panthers - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah - The Panthers need
to sure up their run defense and Lotulelei could fall with Floyd rising. Star
is a strong, physical player who fits in playing multiple techniques and
should develop into a solid player early in his career.
Previous Pick: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
15. New Orleans Saints - Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU - The Saints are switching to
a 3-4 and need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball, so why not roll
the dice with Ansah, who has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. He's an
athletic, explosive talent who some have compared favorably to Jason Pierre-
Paul.
"He's got as much upside as anybody in this draft," Mayock said when asked
about Ansah. "He was a guy that was so long, so athletic, so gifted. I just
think he's so raw, (sometimes) it's can't come out. I don't think there is
anybody on the in the NFL that doesn't think he's going to be a good player."
Previous Pick: Ansah
16. St. Louis Rams - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma - The Rams need more
playmakers for Sam Bradford, but they also need to sure up the offensive line
in front of him. Johnson was once a high school quarterback, so he understands
the passing game and mirrors well. He will need to continue to add strength,
however.
"At 16, if (the Rams) want an offensive tackle or offensive lineman, they'll
get a heck of a player," Mayock said. "And I think Fisher and Joeckel will be
gone. So the question, is Lane Johnson from Oklahoma there? If he's there, I
think he makes a ton of sense."
Previous Pick: Warmack
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State - Casey Hampton
now has 12 NFL seasons under his imposing belt and according to the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, he is not expected to be re-signed by the Steelers. A piecemeal
combination of Steve McLendon, Ziggy Hood and Alameda Ta'amu isn't good enough,
so getting the heir apparent to Hampton is imperative. Hankins has excellent
feet and the natural size to carry more weight, two keys when projecting nose
tackles.
Previous Pick: Hankins
18. Dallas Cowboys - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri - Whether Jay Ratliff is
back or not, the Cowboys need help on the interior of the defensive line since
they will be moving to a 4-3 under Monte Kiffin. Richardson is a big body with
a knack for penetration while playing the 3-technique. That ability to slice
into the backfield could keep opposing offensive linemen off Sean Lee and
Bruce Carter.
"The Richardson kid is exciting," Mayock said. "At 300 pounds, to me, he had
movement skills of a 250-pound linebacker. Missouri actually stood him up. How
often do you see a defensive tackle standing up and playing a linebacker
position at 300 pounds? So, obviously, Missouri was highly impressed with this
kid's athletic ability. He's really gifted. I mean, he's probably more gifted
than the Utah kid (Lotulelei) also."
Previous Pick: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
19. New York Giants - Dion Jordan, DE/LB, Oregon - When the Giants have been
successful, it's usually because of their pass rush, and they need to
replenish there after a down season. Jordan is raw, needs to add strength and
fill out, but has rare athleticism for his size and could be a good value pick
here if his balky shoulder is OK.
"I kind of like Dion Jordan, who I think is two years away from being an Aldon
Smith-type player," Mayock said. "He's only about 240 pounds, but he's 6-
foot-7. He's got frightening athletic skills, and he's a year away. He would be
a situational pass-rusher year one, and if he puts 20 pounds on, I think he's
going to be a perennial All-Pro."
Previous Pick: Jordan
20. Chicago Bears - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama - The Bears need to address
their offensive line woes and Fluker, who projects best on the right side, is
the top guy left on the board.
"I think they have to take an offensive lineman," Mayock said when addressing
the Bears. "I think they've got to protect their quarterback much better than
they have. When Jay Cutler is protected, he's one of the top quarterbacks in
football. Fluker is right tackle only, but I think he's going to be special
down the road."
Previous Pick - Johnson
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia - Ogletree has had off-the-
field issues, but the Bengals are rarely shy with such things, and will be
looking linebacker or defensive end since Michael Johnson is a pending free
agent. A former safety, Ogletree has rare range for a linebacker and could be
a three-down guy early in his NFL career
"You want to talk about a kid that's made for the NFL game with an ability to
drop and cover, a former safety. He's fun to watch on tape," Mayock said of
Ogletree. "He flies. He's explosive. He's not great against the run, but, boy,
in today's NFL spread offenses, he's a great fit."
Previous Pick: Ogletree
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - Tavon Austin, WR, West
Virginia - The Titus Young experiment lasted about a week in St. Louis and
Danny Amendola is a free agent, so picking Austin here makes sense. Perhaps the
best slot receiver in the draft, the undersized Austin was a running back in
high school and offers a lot of versatility.
"Tavon Austin is a playmaker," Mayock said. "People want to make the
comparison to Percy Harvin. He's 20 pounds lighter than Percy Harvin. To me,
he's more like could he be a Wes Welker and a tremendous return guy."
Previous Pick: Patterson
23. Minnesota Vikings - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina - The Vikings
would love to get receiver help for Christian Ponder, but with Patterson and
Allen off the board, they will look to fortify the interior of the defense,
where Kevin Williams is slipping at under tackle and Letroy Guion has
underachieved on the nose. Williams is the type of player who is a handful at
the point of attack and could start the second version of the Williams Wall in
Minneapolis.
"If you're talking about defensive tackles, if any of the top three, Sharrif
Floyd, Star Lotulelei, Sheldon Richardson was there, I'd jump all over them,"
Mayock said when talking about the Vikings' needs. "I think they'll be gone by
the time Minnesota gets on the board at 23. That means Sylvester Williams,
Kawann Short and Johnathan Hankins are potential D-tackles. All three of
them are gifted and talented kids and would fit what Minnesota does."
Previous Pick: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
24. Indianapolis Colts - Jonathan Banks - cornerback - Mississippi State -
Chuck Pagano needs to continue to build up his 3-4 defense in Indy and help
on the outside is paramount. Banks has surpassed Washington's Desmond Trufant
as the second-best corner available and the Colts should strike here.
"People like his length. He's got some press ability. He's long," Mayock said
when talking about Banks. "I think he locks up a first round (slot) if he runs
under a 4.5. If he runs 4.55, or 4.58, he's not going there. So for Banks, it's
a critical, critical weekend."
Previous Pick: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
25. Seattle Seahawks - Sam Montgomery, DE, - Chris Clemons' ACL injury in the
postseason means the Seahawks will be looking at pass rushers, and Montgomery,
a rangy, weakside end could be a solid pick at this stage.
"I feel like Sam Montgomery brings it every snap more than his teammate Mingo
does," Mayock said. "He's not as quick, he's not as gifted, but he's very
physical and tough."
Previous Pick: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
26. Green Bay Packers - Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama - It's pretty clear Mike
McCarthy would like to throw the ball 60 times a games and we all know how
good Aaron Rodgers is, but it's time for the Pack to finally solve their
running back woes by taking Lacy, a true bell-cow back. Lacy may not be a home
run hitter, but he will move the chains consistently.
Previous Pick: Barrett Jones, OG Alabama
27. Houston Texans - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson - The Texans really need
to get a complement to Andre Johnson and Hopkins may be a bit of a reach here,
but his size and ball skills could force the issue for Houston.
"Hopkins is intriguing, very smooth, good hands," Mayock said. "I've got him
as a mid to late second-round player. He made an awful lot of plays and he's
good with the ball in his hands after the catch."
Previous Pick: Austin
28. Denver Broncos - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame - Jacob Tamme and Joel
Dressen were solid players for the Broncos in 2012, but Eifert is a difference
maker at tight end. The former Notre Dame star rates a little higher than the
other option, Stanford's Zach Ertz. Eifert has the hands to be a security
blanket, is an above-average blocker in the running game and high points the
football better than just about anyone on the pro level.
"I thought that Eifert did a better job blocking this year than he did in past
years and a little better job than Ertz did ... (as) more of a move guy,"
Mayock said. "So if you asked me to rank them today, it would be Eifert first,
because I could line him up in-line, even though he's not a stone killer, he
can at least play leverage and block in line."
Previous Pick: Eifert
29. New England Patriots - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas - Center field has been an
issue for the Patriots, and Vaccaro has the ideal combination of size and
athleticism to roam from sideline to sideline as an NFL free safety.
"He covered a bunch of slots this year," Mayock said of Vaccaro. "In today's
world, that's rare and it's important. And I think his coverage ability is
quick feet. He's tough as nails. He tackles."
Previous Pick: Vaccaro
30. Atlanta Falcons - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA - The Falcons are pulling out all
the stops to convince Tony Gonzalez to play one more season. If they can't,
Ertz is probably their guy here, but a Gonzo return could open up defensive end
for Atlanta and UCLA's Jones, a player with long arms, a lively body and a
good first step would be a solid fit.
Previous Pick: Ertz
31. San Francisco 49ers - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington - Chris Culliver's
Super Bowl woes likely convinced Jim Harbaugh he needs help on the outside
and a great Senior Bowl week has Trufant in the first-round conversation.
Trufant, like Banks and Xavier Rhodes of Florida State, needs to run well at
the combine to seal the deal.
Previous Pick: Hopkins
32. Baltimore Ravens - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame - A poor national
championship game against Alabama along with a bizarre personal scandal has
sent Te'o plummeting, but the Ravens are a perfect fit. They can afford to
take a chance, and with Ray Lewis retiring, Baltimore needs an inside
linebacker. Te'o, of course, is best-suited for a 4-3, and if he runs well
enough at the combine or his pro day, he could move back up a bit.
"To me, Manti Te'o should come off the board plus or minus 20," Mayock said.
"He could drop a little bit if people aren't buying into him like they used
to. And then Ogletree is potentially a top-10 player who has had significant
issues. If either one of those players slid to Baltimore, I think they'd
sprint to the podium."
Previous Pick: Te'o
Hordes of NFL personnel people have invaded Indianapolis this week as the league's next generation of talent interviews and works out for their potential employers at the scouting combine.
More than 330 potential prospects have been invited to Indy and perhaps no one
is more well-versed on them than Mike Mayock, the former Boston College safety
who was once a 10th-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 1981.
These days, the Philadelphia-area native is the NFL Network's lead draft
analyst and we, along with other media members from around the country, picked
his brain earlier this week.
Here are the results as The Sports Network rolls out its latest mock draft,
the pre-combine edition:
1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M - A lot of Andy Reid's
success in Philadelphia was tied to quarterback Donovan McNabb, but Mayock
doesn't think there is a signal-caller worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick
in this cycle.
"I'm a big believer in value," Mayock said earlier this week. "If you have a
top 10 pick, you want an All-Pro at some point. If you look at (West
Virginia quarterback) Geno Smith, he could be a top 10 pick in some people's
eyes. Now for me, he and (Southern California signal-caller) Matt Barkley to
me are more like 20 to 32. That's where I feel more comfortable."
So who's worthy of being a No. 1?
According to Mayock, look toward the offensive line: "Four guys (should be in
the discussion): (Alabama guard Chance) Warmack, (North Carolina guard
Jonathan) Cooper, (Texas A&M tackle Luke) Joeckel and (Eastern Michigan
tackle Eric) Fisher."
Since tackles are valued far more than guards in today's NFL, and Reid had Pro
Bowl-caliber bookends for years in the City of Brotherly Love (Tra Thomas and
Jon Runyan), the guess here is Big Red either trades down or takes the safest
pick -- Joeckel -- the Aggies' left tackle who should step in and play at a
high level for the next decade.
"Part of it depends on what they're going to do with free agency and Branden
Albert," Mayock said of the Chiefs. "I don't care whether it's Warmack or
Joeckel. People will tell me I'm crazy that a guard can't go No. 1. I think
(Warmack's) the best player in the draft, so I would argue that. But either
way, I think they've got to get an offensive lineman."
Previous Pick: Joeckel
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State - The Jags are
concerned with their pass rush, specifically their lack of a consistent one
and Werner remains the likeliest pick, edging out fellow pass rushers like
Jarvis Jones of Georgia and Damontre Moore of Texas A&M.
Mayock disagrees, however, and thinks the lowly Jags should be choosing talent
over need, specifically Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.
"From a need perspective, I think they could use a pass rushing defensive end
more than a defensive tackle." Mayock said. "But what I saw on tape from
Sharrif Floyd, I thought he dominated."
Won't matter -- the Jags are sold on Werner.
Previous Pick: Werner
3. Oakland Raiders - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida - The Raiders were awful
against the run in 2012 and Floyd has usurped Utah's Star Lotulelei as the
draft's best interior lineman.
"He can get an edge as a pass-rusher. He's strong enough to push the pocket.
He's stout against the run, and he can run sideline to sideline," Mayock said
of Floyd. "When he is fresh and can run, it's really special. I think he's a
top-five talent in this draft."
Previous Pick: Lotulelei
4. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan - Restructuring
Mike Vick means the Eagles aren't all that high on any of the quarterbacks in
this draft. Chip Kelly could use help in a lot of places and Lotulelei would
be a nice fit, but the 6-foot-7 Fisher stands out here. Fisher is clearly the
second-best left tackle on the board with the wingspan and athleticism to
excel. He just needs to add strength in order to deal with the bull rush.
"From my perspective, when I put his first tape on and was able to see him all
week at the Senior Bowl, the first thing I thought of was (San Francisco 49ers
tackle and former CMU star) Joe Staley," Mayock said when gushing about Fisher,
"and I thought he's better than Joe Staley, which says a lot."
Previous Pick: Smith
5. Detroit Lions - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M - The Lions could be in the
market for Cliff Avril's replacement and Moore seems like the best fit for
Detroit's wide-9 scheme.
"There are going to be a lot of people that think Damontre Moore is that guy
(for Cleveland), and Damontre Moore has a lot of talent and might be one of
those guys," Mayock said.
Previous Pick: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns - Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU - New Browns defensive
coordinator Ray Horton ran the 3-4 in Arizona, but Cleveland has been running
the 4-3 and has some pieces it doesn't want to scrap. That might make Mingo, a
versatile player who can fit either scheme as an edge player, an attractive
option.
"I have him at the end of the first round," Mayock said when talking about
Mingo. "Lot of people have him in the top 10; I have him at the end of the
first round. He's got a little stiffness to him. He obviously runs very fast.
When the ball goes away from him, he's fantastic. He's a run and chase
linebacker. He's got upside as a pass-rusher."
Previous Pick: Moore
7. Arizona Cardinals - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia - New coach Bruce Arians
did wonders with a rookie quarterback in Indianapolis last season and while
Smith is no Andrew Luck, he is a big upgrade over Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.
"With Geno Smith, I see flashes of everything you want in a top-10
quarterback," Mayock said. "I see a lot more inconsistency, though, than I see
those flashes. So he, to me, there is a real risk-reward scenario there."
Previous Pick: Barkley
8. Buffalo Bills - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee - The re-signing of
Tarvaris Jackson likely means new coach Doug Marrone is content to wait for
his old college quarterback, Ryan Nassib, in the second round. Patterson has
the highest ceiling among this year's group of receivers, a raw, rangy big-play
threat who could complement Stevie Johnson if he can focus more and stop
rounding off his routes.
"From a height, width, speed, talent perspective, (Patterson) might be one of
the most talented physical specimens in this class," Mayock said. "I think
he's taking your breath away from the ability to make plays especially after
he gets the ball in his hands. He's a special talent."
Previous Pick: Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
9. New York Jets - Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia - Jones played in a 4-3 at
Georgia, but 3-4 teams like him also. With Calvin Pace and Bart Scott
jettisoned, the Jets get lucky here when Jones drops into their laps, giving
Rex Ryan the elite pass rusher he has lacked in North Jersey.
"He is an impact, explosive football player, and he's ready to play now,"
Mayock said when talking about Jones. "Now he had some medical issues,
potential stenosis in his back. If he checks out medically, he's a top-10
player, and hopefully an impact player."
Previous Pick: Jones
10. Tennessee Titans - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama - Perhaps the best football
player in this year's draft, Warmack is a perfect choice for the Titans, who
need an upgrade on the interior of the offensive line. Warmack is far quicker
than his body indicates and excels at getting to the second level and walling
off linebackers.
"Chance Warmack is the best football player I saw on tape this year," Mayock
said. "He just needs to keep dotting the I and crossing the T's and run fast,
work hard, be good in the interview room. He's a top-10 pick for me."
Previous Pick: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
11. San Diego Chargers - Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina - The main reason
Philip Rivers took a huge step back last season was the ineffectiveness of
his offensive line, and Cooper is the best O-lineman left on the board, a
Randall McDaniel-type athlete.
"If there is anything he is, he's one of the most athletic guards I've ever
seen," Mayock said. "He's explosive. He just needs to get into the meeting
rooms at night, be comfortable, answer questions, and he'll be fine. I think
(the combine) is a showcase for Jonathan Cooper."
Previous Pick: Fisher
12. Miami Dolphins - Keenan Allen, WR, California - The Dolphins want
playmakers for Ryan Tannehill, and Patterson has the higher ceiling and is the
better fit. That said, Allen will be the one left on the board, and although
he's not as explosive, the Cal product is far closer to being NFL ready. Allen
is more quick that fast and projects as an elite route runner in time.
"The Dolphins need a wide receiver, but they also need a vertical threat, and
I don't think he's a 4.4 (40-yard dash) guy," Mayock said of Allen. "We'll
find out this weekend. Here's the deal with Keenan Allen: If you like him on
tape, he's Anquan Boldin. If you don't like him, he's speed deficient."
Previous Pick: Allen
13. Tampa Bay Bucs - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama - The Bucs and need a corner
and Milliner is far and away the best in this year's class. He doesn't have
elite speed but has smooth hips, gets his head around quickly and has great
ball-tracking ability.
"I think he's a heck of a football player and I think he'd be safe," Mayock
said when queried on Milliner. "But I don't think he's that explosive 4.35(-
second) kind of 40 guy."
Previous Pick: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
14. Carolina Panthers - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah - The Panthers need
to sure up their run defense and Lotulelei could fall with Floyd rising. Star
is a strong, physical player who fits in playing multiple techniques and
should develop into a solid player early in his career.
Previous Pick: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
15. New Orleans Saints - Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU - The Saints are switching to
a 3-4 and need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball, so why not roll
the dice with Ansah, who has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. He's an
athletic, explosive talent who some have compared favorably to Jason Pierre-
Paul.
"He's got as much upside as anybody in this draft," Mayock said when asked
about Ansah. "He was a guy that was so long, so athletic, so gifted. I just
think he's so raw, (sometimes) it's can't come out. I don't think there is
anybody on the in the NFL that doesn't think he's going to be a good player."
Previous Pick: Ansah
16. St. Louis Rams - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma - The Rams need more
playmakers for Sam Bradford, but they also need to sure up the offensive line
in front of him. Johnson was once a high school quarterback, so he understands
the passing game and mirrors well. He will need to continue to add strength,
however.
"At 16, if (the Rams) want an offensive tackle or offensive lineman, they'll
get a heck of a player," Mayock said. "And I think Fisher and Joeckel will be
gone. So the question, is Lane Johnson from Oklahoma there? If he's there, I
think he makes a ton of sense."
Previous Pick: Warmack
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State - Casey Hampton
now has 12 NFL seasons under his imposing belt and according to the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, he is not expected to be re-signed by the Steelers. A piecemeal
combination of Steve McLendon, Ziggy Hood and Alameda Ta'amu isn't good enough,
so getting the heir apparent to Hampton is imperative. Hankins has excellent
feet and the natural size to carry more weight, two keys when projecting nose
tackles.
Previous Pick: Hankins
18. Dallas Cowboys - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri - Whether Jay Ratliff is
back or not, the Cowboys need help on the interior of the defensive line since
they will be moving to a 4-3 under Monte Kiffin. Richardson is a big body with
a knack for penetration while playing the 3-technique. That ability to slice
into the backfield could keep opposing offensive linemen off Sean Lee and
Bruce Carter.
"The Richardson kid is exciting," Mayock said. "At 300 pounds, to me, he had
movement skills of a 250-pound linebacker. Missouri actually stood him up. How
often do you see a defensive tackle standing up and playing a linebacker
position at 300 pounds? So, obviously, Missouri was highly impressed with this
kid's athletic ability. He's really gifted. I mean, he's probably more gifted
than the Utah kid (Lotulelei) also."
Previous Pick: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
19. New York Giants - Dion Jordan, DE/LB, Oregon - When the Giants have been
successful, it's usually because of their pass rush, and they need to
replenish there after a down season. Jordan is raw, needs to add strength and
fill out, but has rare athleticism for his size and could be a good value pick
here if his balky shoulder is OK.
"I kind of like Dion Jordan, who I think is two years away from being an Aldon
Smith-type player," Mayock said. "He's only about 240 pounds, but he's 6-
foot-7. He's got frightening athletic skills, and he's a year away. He would be
a situational pass-rusher year one, and if he puts 20 pounds on, I think he's
going to be a perennial All-Pro."
Previous Pick: Jordan
20. Chicago Bears - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama - The Bears need to address
their offensive line woes and Fluker, who projects best on the right side, is
the top guy left on the board.
"I think they have to take an offensive lineman," Mayock said when addressing
the Bears. "I think they've got to protect their quarterback much better than
they have. When Jay Cutler is protected, he's one of the top quarterbacks in
football. Fluker is right tackle only, but I think he's going to be special
down the road."
Previous Pick - Johnson
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia - Ogletree has had off-the-
field issues, but the Bengals are rarely shy with such things, and will be
looking linebacker or defensive end since Michael Johnson is a pending free
agent. A former safety, Ogletree has rare range for a linebacker and could be
a three-down guy early in his NFL career
"You want to talk about a kid that's made for the NFL game with an ability to
drop and cover, a former safety. He's fun to watch on tape," Mayock said of
Ogletree. "He flies. He's explosive. He's not great against the run, but, boy,
in today's NFL spread offenses, he's a great fit."
Previous Pick: Ogletree
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - Tavon Austin, WR, West
Virginia - The Titus Young experiment lasted about a week in St. Louis and
Danny Amendola is a free agent, so picking Austin here makes sense. Perhaps the
best slot receiver in the draft, the undersized Austin was a running back in
high school and offers a lot of versatility.
"Tavon Austin is a playmaker," Mayock said. "People want to make the
comparison to Percy Harvin. He's 20 pounds lighter than Percy Harvin. To me,
he's more like could he be a Wes Welker and a tremendous return guy."
Previous Pick: Patterson
23. Minnesota Vikings - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina - The Vikings
would love to get receiver help for Christian Ponder, but with Patterson and
Allen off the board, they will look to fortify the interior of the defense,
where Kevin Williams is slipping at under tackle and Letroy Guion has
underachieved on the nose. Williams is the type of player who is a handful at
the point of attack and could start the second version of the Williams Wall in
Minneapolis.
"If you're talking about defensive tackles, if any of the top three, Sharrif
Floyd, Star Lotulelei, Sheldon Richardson was there, I'd jump all over them,"
Mayock said when talking about the Vikings' needs. "I think they'll be gone by
the time Minnesota gets on the board at 23. That means Sylvester Williams,
Kawann Short and Johnathan Hankins are potential D-tackles. All three of
them are gifted and talented kids and would fit what Minnesota does."
Previous Pick: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
24. Indianapolis Colts - Jonathan Banks - cornerback - Mississippi State -
Chuck Pagano needs to continue to build up his 3-4 defense in Indy and help
on the outside is paramount. Banks has surpassed Washington's Desmond Trufant
as the second-best corner available and the Colts should strike here.
"People like his length. He's got some press ability. He's long," Mayock said
when talking about Banks. "I think he locks up a first round (slot) if he runs
under a 4.5. If he runs 4.55, or 4.58, he's not going there. So for Banks, it's
a critical, critical weekend."
Previous Pick: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
25. Seattle Seahawks - Sam Montgomery, DE, - Chris Clemons' ACL injury in the
postseason means the Seahawks will be looking at pass rushers, and Montgomery,
a rangy, weakside end could be a solid pick at this stage.
"I feel like Sam Montgomery brings it every snap more than his teammate Mingo
does," Mayock said. "He's not as quick, he's not as gifted, but he's very
physical and tough."
Previous Pick: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
26. Green Bay Packers - Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama - It's pretty clear Mike
McCarthy would like to throw the ball 60 times a games and we all know how
good Aaron Rodgers is, but it's time for the Pack to finally solve their
running back woes by taking Lacy, a true bell-cow back. Lacy may not be a home
run hitter, but he will move the chains consistently.
Previous Pick: Barrett Jones, OG Alabama
27. Houston Texans - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson - The Texans really need
to get a complement to Andre Johnson and Hopkins may be a bit of a reach here,
but his size and ball skills could force the issue for Houston.
"Hopkins is intriguing, very smooth, good hands," Mayock said. "I've got him
as a mid to late second-round player. He made an awful lot of plays and he's
good with the ball in his hands after the catch."
Previous Pick: Austin
28. Denver Broncos - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame - Jacob Tamme and Joel
Dressen were solid players for the Broncos in 2012, but Eifert is a difference
maker at tight end. The former Notre Dame star rates a little higher than the
other option, Stanford's Zach Ertz. Eifert has the hands to be a security
blanket, is an above-average blocker in the running game and high points the
football better than just about anyone on the pro level.
"I thought that Eifert did a better job blocking this year than he did in past
years and a little better job than Ertz did ... (as) more of a move guy,"
Mayock said. "So if you asked me to rank them today, it would be Eifert first,
because I could line him up in-line, even though he's not a stone killer, he
can at least play leverage and block in line."
Previous Pick: Eifert
29. New England Patriots - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas - Center field has been an
issue for the Patriots, and Vaccaro has the ideal combination of size and
athleticism to roam from sideline to sideline as an NFL free safety.
"He covered a bunch of slots this year," Mayock said of Vaccaro. "In today's
world, that's rare and it's important. And I think his coverage ability is
quick feet. He's tough as nails. He tackles."
Previous Pick: Vaccaro
30. Atlanta Falcons - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA - The Falcons are pulling out all
the stops to convince Tony Gonzalez to play one more season. If they can't,
Ertz is probably their guy here, but a Gonzo return could open up defensive end
for Atlanta and UCLA's Jones, a player with long arms, a lively body and a
good first step would be a solid fit.
Previous Pick: Ertz
31. San Francisco 49ers - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington - Chris Culliver's
Super Bowl woes likely convinced Jim Harbaugh he needs help on the outside
and a great Senior Bowl week has Trufant in the first-round conversation.
Trufant, like Banks and Xavier Rhodes of Florida State, needs to run well at
the combine to seal the deal.
Previous Pick: Hopkins
32. Baltimore Ravens - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame - A poor national
championship game against Alabama along with a bizarre personal scandal has
sent Te'o plummeting, but the Ravens are a perfect fit. They can afford to
take a chance, and with Ray Lewis retiring, Baltimore needs an inside
linebacker. Te'o, of course, is best-suited for a 4-3, and if he runs well
enough at the combine or his pro day, he could move back up a bit.
"To me, Manti Te'o should come off the board plus or minus 20," Mayock said.
"He could drop a little bit if people aren't buying into him like they used
to. And then Ogletree is potentially a top-10 player who has had significant
issues. If either one of those players slid to Baltimore, I think they'd
sprint to the podium."
Previous Pick: Te'o
Union waive Mendoza, Watson
Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union have waived Alex Mendoza and Damani Richards.
A product of the Harrisburg City Islanders Academy, Mendoza, 22, spent the last three seasons with Mexico’s Pumas. Richards, 18, has been a regular with the Trinidad & Tobago U-17 and U-20 National Teams and was signed by the Union on January 19.
The release of Richards frees up an international roster spot.
The Union open the 2013 season on Saturday, March 2 when they host Sporting Kansas City at 4:00 p.m. on 6abc.
A product of the Harrisburg City Islanders Academy, Mendoza, 22, spent the last three seasons with Mexico’s Pumas. Richards, 18, has been a regular with the Trinidad & Tobago U-17 and U-20 National Teams and was signed by the Union on January 19.
The release of Richards frees up an international roster spot.
The Union open the 2013 season on Saturday, March 2 when they host Sporting Kansas City at 4:00 p.m. on 6abc.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
SJU softball honored by A-10
St. Joseph's softball team, which is off to an undefeated start to the 2013 campaign, saw three of its players honored by its member conference:
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Dana Parks and Taryn Ashway of Saint Joseph’s were named the Atlantic 10 Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, the league announced Tuesday. Teammate Brandi Harkness was also honored as the Atlantic 10 Conference Softball Rookie of the Week.
Parks, a senior from Vineland, N.J., batted .538 and collected a hit in all four games of the Pirate Clash hosted by East Carolina. The starting center fielder scored a team-high three runs as well. Among the games, Parks finished the week 3-of-3 versus St. John’s, scoring two runs as well.
Ashway, a senior from Waynesboro, Pa., posted a 0.92 ERA and went 3-0-1 on the week. Striking out 16, while walking none, she earned a win in the opener against St. John’s and came in for a win in relief against Georgetown the following day. On Saturday, Ashway struck out six in a complete game three hitter and finished the week allowing 3.67 hits per game.
Freshman Harkness led all SJU rookies in RBIs and batting average this past weekend. The San Dimas, Calif., native collected an RBI against St. John’s in her collegiate debut and followed in the finale against the Red Storm with a 2-for-3 day with a run scored and two RBI.
The Hawks will play in the Coastal Carolina tournament this weekend, with five games scheduled in a three-day span.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Dana Parks and Taryn Ashway of Saint Joseph’s were named the Atlantic 10 Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, the league announced Tuesday. Teammate Brandi Harkness was also honored as the Atlantic 10 Conference Softball Rookie of the Week.
Parks, a senior from Vineland, N.J., batted .538 and collected a hit in all four games of the Pirate Clash hosted by East Carolina. The starting center fielder scored a team-high three runs as well. Among the games, Parks finished the week 3-of-3 versus St. John’s, scoring two runs as well.
Ashway, a senior from Waynesboro, Pa., posted a 0.92 ERA and went 3-0-1 on the week. Striking out 16, while walking none, she earned a win in the opener against St. John’s and came in for a win in relief against Georgetown the following day. On Saturday, Ashway struck out six in a complete game three hitter and finished the week allowing 3.67 hits per game.
Freshman Harkness led all SJU rookies in RBIs and batting average this past weekend. The San Dimas, Calif., native collected an RBI against St. John’s in her collegiate debut and followed in the finale against the Red Storm with a 2-for-3 day with a run scored and two RBI.
The Hawks will play in the Coastal Carolina tournament this weekend, with five games scheduled in a three-day span.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Claude Vilgrain: Flyers pioneer
Phanatic Hockey Editor
It barely registered when it occurred, but the signing of free-agent forward Claude Vilgrain on August 3, 1993 -- in the midst of a brutally-hot Philadelphia summer framed by the sizzling ascent of the Phillies to the NL East lead -- made him a pioneer in Flyers history.
The first NHLer born in Haiti, Vilgrain later became the first player of African descent to appear in a game for the Orange and Black.
His tenure here is so obscure, we couldn't find a credible picture of him in a Flyers uniform. In fact, in a Philadelphia Inquirer story culled from wire services, a former player signing with a rival got the headline. Still, that doesn't take away from his place in team history.
At 6-foot-1 and well over 200 pounds, Vilgrain was a force to be reckoned with in the AHL, going for 30 goals and 83 points in 76 games for the Hershey Bears during the 1993-94 season.
"It was the best place I played -- and I played in a lot of places," Vilgrain recalled in a 1994 interview. "I remember the family atmosphere and the warmth and kindness of the people."
He earned his third, and final, NHL call-up for a March 12 tilt at the Forum against the Montreal Canadiens in his adoptive home province, then waited three weeks for another shot in a 3-3 home tie against the Florida Panthers. In his first game with Terry Simpson's club, a 4-4 deadlock which ended on a fluke tally by Habs center Vincent Damphousse late in regulation, Vilgrain played on the fourth line alongside Dave Tippett and Dave Brown, but the event received little official notice from Inky columnist Gary Miles in his notes section.
All told, zero points and zero penalty minutes with a minus-one. But that really doesn't matter, does it?
Originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 1982, Vilgrain didn't make it to the pro ranks until the 1987-88 season, where he was plucked from the Canadian Olympic squad by the Vancouver Canucks after the club signed him as a free agent the previous offseason.
That came after a 126-point season with the Laval Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and three years in the Canadian college ranks which left him little options to continue his career.
Vilgrain actually became a part of Flyers history even before he was a part of the franchise. His first NHL game was a March 1, 1988 tilt at Pacific Coliseum between the Canucks and, yep, a certain team from Philadelphia.
In that 7-3 Philly victory, in which Rick Tocchet was the star by firing home his third hat trick in a span of four games, Vilgrain netted his first career goal less than five minutes into the contest to give Vancouver its second and last lead of the night.
After five more games with the Canucks, Vilgrain was sent to their IHL farm club in Milwaukee for the 1988-89 season, then finished it with the Utica Devils of the AHL after a late-season swap of prospects with New Jersey.
Four more seasons of minor-league play came and went with only one legitimate crack at the Show -- a 19-goal, 46-point season in 1991-92 helped along by a roster spot opening due to John MacLean's season-ending knee injury -- and by the time Flyers' GM Russ Farwell decided to add depth and take a chance, Vilgrain had totaled 45 points in 57 games with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the IHL after not being able to maintain a steady spot in the AHL.
The 49-year-old was back in the news in the Winter of 2010, when a major earthquake rocked his native country and had an effect on his immediate family.
"He was visiting my sister in Montreal, but decided to come back to Haiti a little early and that was a few days before the quake. That was a stressful time because for five days, we didn't have a chance to talk to him...then finally we were able to get in touch," Vilgrain said of his father in a 2010 interview with Stan Fischler on MSG Network. "Where my Dad grew up (the house) was damaged, but where he lives (now) is OK."
Vilgrain lives in Calgary now, and coaches his daughter, Ashley, in a girls' league. Former Flyers Kevin Haller and Ron Sutter also do the same thing, for the same team, with their own daughters.
If you're looking for a touchstone, for someone whom Donald Brashear, Ray Emery and Wayne Simmonds should thank for their time in Philly, it all traces back to a fourth-line player who skated here during a down period in franchise annals.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Broner electrifies, tops Rees in AC
 | |
| Adrien Broner after his win courtesy of Golden Boy |
jmcmullen@phanticmag.com
ATLANTIC CITY - Gavin Rees' nickname happens to be "The Rock" but the dynamic Adrien Broner wasn't about to play the role of jabroni on Saturday night.
In fact it's the charismatic Broner who has far more in common with the better known "Rock," Hollywood mega-star and WWE champion Dwyane Johnson.
Broner (26-0, 22 KOs), 23, remained undefeated and defended his WBC lightweight crown with a fifth round knockout of the competent but overmatched Rees in front of 4,812 at Boardwalk Hall.
Rees (37-2-1) proved to be game, even pushing the pace early but Broner's superior hand speed eventually took over and Rees was sent to the canvas twice before eventually buckling to a withering body blow in the fifth. As he continued to take more punishment, Rees' trainer, Gary Lockett, waived a white towel and referee Earl Brown called for the stoppage.
"I disagree with Gary pulling me out, but he knew I would have fought until I was knocked out cold,” Rees said. “(Broner's) the best I’ve been in with. He’s not a superstar in the making, he’s already there.”
Broner, who outlanded Rees 105-44 in power shots over the final three rounds of the fight, is quickly becoming one of the biggest stars in the sport and lit up the Atlantic City crowd with his flamboyant style, reminiscent of Sugar Ray Leonard.
“I knew he was going to be powerful. But his power really stunned me,’’ Rees said.
Broner knocked out Argentina's Vicente Martin Rodriguez in three rounds back in November of 2011 to win the WBO 130-pound championship and "The Problem" has taken off from there. The Cincinnati native scored a spectacular fourth round TKO win over the previously unbeaten Eloy Perez in February of
last year before stopping former U.S. Olympian Vicente Escobedo in July. Broner finished 2012 by moving up to lightweight and winning his second world championship by defeating WBC kingpin Antonio De Marco at Boardwalk Hall before defending tonight.
Rees, a former WBA super lightweight titleist, was coming in with 11 consecutive wins since the lone previous loss of his career in 2008 against former world champ Andriy Kotelnik.
“I had to see how much gas was left in that Toyota. I don’t care what they put in front of me, I’ll fight him,’’ Broner said. “He kept coming through every shot like it was his best shot. I knew he would hang. He’s a world-class fighter. He’s tougher than a steak that’s been well done."
The semifinal of the evening was a title eliminator for Andre Ward's WBC super middleweight title with second-ranked Sakio "The Scorpion" Bika (31-5-2) dominating the previously unbeaten and number one rated contender Nikola Sjekloca (25-1) en route to an easy 12-round unanimous decision..
The bout, which was moved up on the card when the sequel between Johnathon Banks and Seth Mitchell was postponed due to Banks' broken thumb suffered in training, figured to be the classic boxer vs. puncher duel.
Sjekloca, who hails from Montenegro, was making his U.S. debut and was regarded as a skilled fighter who lacks power, amassing just seven knockouts in 25 chances. Nonetheless, the 34-year-old Sjekloca, who has been a professional since 2006, has been dominant in Europe, using his skill to win the WBC International and WBC Mediterranean titles.Bika, on the other hand, was regarded as a punishing puncher, compiling three times the number of KOs Sjekloca has in 37 total fights. The 2000 Olympian for Cameroon who also won NBC's boxing reality show "The Contender" in 2007, Bika has been regarded as one the world's best for years.
In the end Bika proved to be the better fighter and about the only thing Sjekloca showed was the toughness to take a beating and the fact that his foes across the pond were vastly overrated.
Bika pitched a virtual shutout and won the three scorecards, 119-109, 118-112 and 120-108. He threw 889 punches to just 466 from his opponent and connected on a higher percentage, 35 percent to 29.
Despite that Sjekloca seemed satisfied with his performance.
"It was my first big fight in America," he said. "The fighters are better over here and more prepared. I think I got more good shots on him than he did on me. I lost my game plan a bit."
Sjekloca did land 45 percent of his power punches, about the only statistical advantage he had in the fight. That said Nikola only tried 150 to 368 for Bika, who landed 39 percent of his power blows and a total of 145 to just 67 for the loser.
Neither fighter figures to be a legitimate threat to Ward.
In a lackadaisical fight third from the top Philadelphia's Demetrius Hopkins (33-2-1, 13 KOs) won the USBA junior middleweight championship by beating 39-year-old Charles Whittaker (39-14-2).
D-Hop remained unbeaten since moving to 154 pounds, adding the late-blooming Whittaker, who couldn't answer the bell for the seventh round, to a list that also includes Doel Carrasquillo and Joshua Snyder.
Whittaker, who had won 15 of his last 16 coming in, was floored once by an overhand right in the fourth round and was roundly booed after the fight for his effort.
Edner Cherry (31-6-2, 17 KO's), a former world title challenger at 140 pounds. is making his return to the junior lightweight division count. Cherry won his eighth straight bout since returning to the lighter division by upsetting Escobedo (26-4), a 2004 U.S. Olympian making his first start since his setback to Broner last July, by TKO at the end of the sixth round.
A pair of "Cherry Bombs" proved to be the difference. A solid right late in the second round sent Escobedo to the canvas but the timing helped the California native and gave him time to recover in between frames. Cherry certainly won the third round but Escobedo slowly regained his legs and seemed to be back in the fight by the fourth. That all changed with one crippling left hook late in the sixth. Escobedo was able to get back to his feet again but history didn't repeat itself as Cherry swarmed his dazed opponent and the
referee called things just as the bell rung.
Olympian Jamel Herring opened the night with his second straight professional victory, a third round TKO over Carlos Lopez in a junior welterweight bout. Herring (2-0, 1 KO), who represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympics, was far too quick for Lopez (4-3), a San Juan, Puerto Rico native.
Herring controlled the pace and was able to cut off the ring, stalking Lopez from the opening bell, A solid left midway through the third round nearly put Lopez away but a lost mouthpiece gave him a few extra seconds and he was able to survive the frame. The break was short-lived, however, as the ringside doctor waived things off before the final stanza.
In other undercard action, Toledo lightweight Robert Easter Jr. (3-0, 3 KO's) stayed unbeaten in his young career with a first round TKO win over Jose Valderrama (3-3). Easter quickly opened up a cut over Valderrama's left eye seconds into the fight and it was waived off before the second round began.
Bantamweight prospect Rau'Shee Warren (3-0, 1 KO), a three-time U.S. Olympian, had a glorified training session against Richard Hernandez, who dropped his sixth straight fight and has yet to win as a professional. Warren stunned Hernandez with a straight right late in the first round before sending him to the canvas twice with left hooks in the second.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Flyers waste record-setting first period, lose to Devils
Special to the Phanatic
Newark, NJ -- So, Martin Brodeur didn't manage to record another shutout on Friday night, but what's a little history mixed in with a surprising defeat?
David Clarkson's 10th goal of the season, netted in the third period, was the game winner as the New Jersey Devils rallied to beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-3, at Prudential Center.
Patrik Elias had a goal with two assists and Ilya Kovalchuk added three helpers for the Eastern Conference-leading Devils, who were down 3-1 after the first period. Martin Brodeur allowed those scores in a span of 2:36 -- a Philadelphia team record against the Hall of Fame-bound netminder -- but made 25 saves in all to earn his 47th career win against the Flyers.
"After we were down, we just had to get back to play the way the Devils' play,'' Clarkson, the club leader in goals, said. ''We never hit the panic button as a team. We did a lot of good things in the second and third periods when we needed it. We had to come on like that after being down.''
Ilya Bryzgalov faced only 18 New Jersey shots, but four of them wound up in the back of his net.
Clarkson broke a 3-3 tie at the 10:43 mark of the third. Matt Read tried to use the glass in attempt to clear the puck out of the Philadelphia zone, but Devils defenseman Adam Larsson kept it in at the right point and fired a shot that was redirected by Clarkson inside the near post.
Bryzgalov was pulled inside of two minutes to play, and Steve Bernier iced the win on an empty-net goal with 1:36 remaining.
"The same mistakes bite us in the second period,” Bryzgalov said. “Marty just finds the puck at the far blue line and every time he [starts] odd man rushes and the catch us in the [line] changes. Everybody knows he’s good with the puck and it seems like he played a third [defenseman] for them tonight.”
For the second straight meeting, Travis Zajac gave New Jersey an early lead.
Off a pass from Kovalchuk, Zajac fired a wrister from the left circle behind Bryzgalov 40 seconds after the game's opening faceoff. The tally ended an 11- game drought and was his first since scoring 1:07 into New Jersey's home opener, a 3-0 win over Philadelphia on Jan. 22.
Unlike last month, the Flyers were able to solve Brodeur Friday night, doing so three times in a 2:36 span later in the first period.
The barrage began on the power play, a unit that was 0-for-6 in the first encounter this season. Wayne Simmonds parked himself in front of Brodeur and whipped a backhander through the goaltender's pads at 9:27.
Clarkson rang a shot off the post roughly a minute after Simmonds lit the lamp.
Mike Knuble then beat a fellow 40-year-old at 11:15 as Philadelphia worked the puck from the icing line to the high slot. Read made it 3-1 with a one-time blast from the inner edge of the left circle at 12:03.
The Devils erased their deficit in the second behind goals from a repatriated Alexei Ponikarovsky and Elias.
As was the case in the first period, Bryzgalov gave up a goal in the opening minute. Kovalchuk gloved Brodeur's stretch pass in the neutral zone and dished to Ponikarovsky, who beat the Flyers netminder on short side 26 seconds into the frame.
The Devils acquired Ponikarovsky Wednesday in a trade that sent two draft picks to Winnipeg. Ponikarovsky elected free agency after registering one goal and eight assists in the Devils' run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.
Kovalchuk fed Elias for the equalizer, a shot which dribbled over the goal line after squeezing through Bryzgalov's pads, with 4:20 remaining.
"Like I said, I think we were on the attack in the first period, and the second and third not quite as much,'' Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette said. ''The second and third, they picked up their game a little bit and had their chances and scored on them.''
Notes: The last time the Flyers scored at least three goals in the first period of a road game against the Devils occurred in a November 11, 1989 tilt at the Meadowlands, where the Orange and Black scored four times on Chris Terreri en route to a 7-5 win...Kovalchuk has 799 career points...Flyers captain Claude Giroux had two assists in his 300th NHL game...Philadelphia defenseman Kimmo Timonen left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return...The Flyers fell to 1-2-0 on their six-game road trip, which continues on Saturday in Montreal...New Jersey defenseman Andy Greene finished plus-4...Flyers forward Sean Couturier returned from a two-game absence due to the flu...Knuble's goal was his 18th against Brodeur, second-most amongst active players, with former Flyer Simon Gagne first with 19.
Newark, NJ -- So, Martin Brodeur didn't manage to record another shutout on Friday night, but what's a little history mixed in with a surprising defeat?
David Clarkson's 10th goal of the season, netted in the third period, was the game winner as the New Jersey Devils rallied to beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-3, at Prudential Center.
Patrik Elias had a goal with two assists and Ilya Kovalchuk added three helpers for the Eastern Conference-leading Devils, who were down 3-1 after the first period. Martin Brodeur allowed those scores in a span of 2:36 -- a Philadelphia team record against the Hall of Fame-bound netminder -- but made 25 saves in all to earn his 47th career win against the Flyers.
"After we were down, we just had to get back to play the way the Devils' play,'' Clarkson, the club leader in goals, said. ''We never hit the panic button as a team. We did a lot of good things in the second and third periods when we needed it. We had to come on like that after being down.''
Ilya Bryzgalov faced only 18 New Jersey shots, but four of them wound up in the back of his net.
Clarkson broke a 3-3 tie at the 10:43 mark of the third. Matt Read tried to use the glass in attempt to clear the puck out of the Philadelphia zone, but Devils defenseman Adam Larsson kept it in at the right point and fired a shot that was redirected by Clarkson inside the near post.
Bryzgalov was pulled inside of two minutes to play, and Steve Bernier iced the win on an empty-net goal with 1:36 remaining.
"The same mistakes bite us in the second period,” Bryzgalov said. “Marty just finds the puck at the far blue line and every time he [starts] odd man rushes and the catch us in the [line] changes. Everybody knows he’s good with the puck and it seems like he played a third [defenseman] for them tonight.”
For the second straight meeting, Travis Zajac gave New Jersey an early lead.
Off a pass from Kovalchuk, Zajac fired a wrister from the left circle behind Bryzgalov 40 seconds after the game's opening faceoff. The tally ended an 11- game drought and was his first since scoring 1:07 into New Jersey's home opener, a 3-0 win over Philadelphia on Jan. 22.
Unlike last month, the Flyers were able to solve Brodeur Friday night, doing so three times in a 2:36 span later in the first period.
The barrage began on the power play, a unit that was 0-for-6 in the first encounter this season. Wayne Simmonds parked himself in front of Brodeur and whipped a backhander through the goaltender's pads at 9:27.
Clarkson rang a shot off the post roughly a minute after Simmonds lit the lamp.
Mike Knuble then beat a fellow 40-year-old at 11:15 as Philadelphia worked the puck from the icing line to the high slot. Read made it 3-1 with a one-time blast from the inner edge of the left circle at 12:03.
The Devils erased their deficit in the second behind goals from a repatriated Alexei Ponikarovsky and Elias.
As was the case in the first period, Bryzgalov gave up a goal in the opening minute. Kovalchuk gloved Brodeur's stretch pass in the neutral zone and dished to Ponikarovsky, who beat the Flyers netminder on short side 26 seconds into the frame.
The Devils acquired Ponikarovsky Wednesday in a trade that sent two draft picks to Winnipeg. Ponikarovsky elected free agency after registering one goal and eight assists in the Devils' run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.
Kovalchuk fed Elias for the equalizer, a shot which dribbled over the goal line after squeezing through Bryzgalov's pads, with 4:20 remaining.
"Like I said, I think we were on the attack in the first period, and the second and third not quite as much,'' Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette said. ''The second and third, they picked up their game a little bit and had their chances and scored on them.''
Notes: The last time the Flyers scored at least three goals in the first period of a road game against the Devils occurred in a November 11, 1989 tilt at the Meadowlands, where the Orange and Black scored four times on Chris Terreri en route to a 7-5 win...Kovalchuk has 799 career points...Flyers captain Claude Giroux had two assists in his 300th NHL game...Philadelphia defenseman Kimmo Timonen left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return...The Flyers fell to 1-2-0 on their six-game road trip, which continues on Saturday in Montreal...New Jersey defenseman Andy Greene finished plus-4...Flyers forward Sean Couturier returned from a two-game absence due to the flu...Knuble's goal was his 18th against Brodeur, second-most amongst active players, with former Flyer Simon Gagne first with 19.
Eagles sign OT Wang
PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles have signed offensive tackle Ed Wang to a two-year contract.
Wang (6-foot-5, 315) became the first-ever Chinese-American to be selected in the NFL draft in 2010 after being taken in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills. He played in six games as a reserve offensive lineman in his rookie campaign before being placed on injured reserve by Buffalo prior to the start of the 2011 season.
The 25-year-old signed with the Oakland Raiders in the 2012 offseason but did not make the team.
A four-year letterman at Virginia Tech, Wang started the final 35 games of his career and earned second-team All-ACC honors as a senior left tackle as he helped pave the way for an offense that ranked 14th in the nation in rushing, averaging 208.2 yards per game on the ground. He began his college career as a tight end before making the switch to the offensive line as a sophomore.
Wang (6-foot-5, 315) became the first-ever Chinese-American to be selected in the NFL draft in 2010 after being taken in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills. He played in six games as a reserve offensive lineman in his rookie campaign before being placed on injured reserve by Buffalo prior to the start of the 2011 season.
The 25-year-old signed with the Oakland Raiders in the 2012 offseason but did not make the team.
A four-year letterman at Virginia Tech, Wang started the final 35 games of his career and earned second-team All-ACC honors as a senior left tackle as he helped pave the way for an offense that ranked 14th in the nation in rushing, averaging 208.2 yards per game on the ground. He began his college career as a tight end before making the switch to the offensive line as a sophomore.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Meszaros updates rehab, talks comeback
On Thursday afternoon, injured Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros was questioned regarding his recovery from shoulder surgery performed late last month.
"This was my third one (skating sessions) and first one with the team, yeah. I skated with the team for a half an hour before they started doing battle drills and stuff.
"I don't know...it's tough to say. I'm feeling better and still progressing but I'm not where I want to be yet. So we'll see in the next couple weeks. I have to talk to Jimmy (head trainer McCrossin) and Paul Holmgren about it and probably talk to the doctor too. I'm doing better than I thought, though.
"Today I was just shooting, but not the way I usually do. I'm trying just easy shots, and nothing from far away, just to try from closer and get it on net. I'll know when I'm able to do some slap shots, it's not just the shot, but I need to feel good about the shooting, and be able to do some battle drills along the boards."
Meszaros has been out since the second game of the season, when he left a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on January 24 with an injured left shoulder, later to be revealed a muscle injury near the AC joint.
The left-handed shooter scored 15 goals in his two full seasons with Philadelphia, but has encountered a streak of bad luck with back surgery, Achilles issues and now this shoulder setback.
"This was my third one (skating sessions) and first one with the team, yeah. I skated with the team for a half an hour before they started doing battle drills and stuff.
"I don't know...it's tough to say. I'm feeling better and still progressing but I'm not where I want to be yet. So we'll see in the next couple weeks. I have to talk to Jimmy (head trainer McCrossin) and Paul Holmgren about it and probably talk to the doctor too. I'm doing better than I thought, though.
"Today I was just shooting, but not the way I usually do. I'm trying just easy shots, and nothing from far away, just to try from closer and get it on net. I'll know when I'm able to do some slap shots, it's not just the shot, but I need to feel good about the shooting, and be able to do some battle drills along the boards."
Meszaros has been out since the second game of the season, when he left a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on January 24 with an injured left shoulder, later to be revealed a muscle injury near the AC joint.
The left-handed shooter scored 15 goals in his two full seasons with Philadelphia, but has encountered a streak of bad luck with back surgery, Achilles issues and now this shoulder setback.
Eagles sign QB Dixon, reunites with Kelly
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| New Eagles QB Dennis Dixon |
Dixon, of course, played for new Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly at Oregon and is well-versed in Kelly's up-tempo, read-option attack. Dixon led the Ducks to a No. 2 national ranking as a senior, completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 2136 yards with 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He also added 583 rushing yards and was a significant dual-threat.
In the pros Dixon hasn't played much but he has collected two Super Bowl rings in his five-year career with Pittsburgh (2008) and Baltimore (2012).
“We are excited to bring in Dennis Dixon to compete at the quarterback position,” said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. “Dennis is a veteran in this league that has been a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams in his career. He’s also very familiar with Chip Kelly and how he operates.”
Dixon (6-foot-3, 209) spent the 2012 season as a member of the Ravens practice squad. He was originally a fifth-round draft choice of the Steelers in 2008.
Overall Dixon has played in four NFL games (three starts), throwing for 402 yards and one touchdown on 35-of-49 passing, while rushing 10 times for 56 yards and a score.
On the college level Dixon accumulated 6,337 total yards and 38 passing touchdowns in his career at Oregon. During his senior season in 2007, with Kelly as his offensive coordinator, he earned honorable mention All-America honors.
Dixon is a native of San Leandro, CA and was also an accomplished baseball player, appearing in 28 games in the Braves’ minor league system as an outfielder in 2007.
Dixon figures to backup Michael Vick next season with Nick Foles being the odd man out.
Soul get DL Robinson back
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| All-Arena DL Bryan Robinson |
Also joining this seasons roster are defensive back David Richardson and offensive lineman Jason Jones.
Robinson, who will be entering his fourth AFL season, finished the 2012 season being named Second Team All-Arena. He was a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year. Last season, he had 7 blocked kicks giving him the League single-season record, he ranked No. 2 in the League for tackles for loss (13.0), No. 4 in forced fumbles (5.0), and No. 4 in sacks (10.0) giving him the Soul single-season record.
“We are excited to have Robinson back on our team this season,” said Soul head coach, Clint Dolezel. “Robinson is a great defensive player and we hope to see him continue to improve his stats. Richardson and Jones’s veteran experience will help strengthen the team. Both are great assets to the roster that will help us to have a great season.”
Robinson played his collegiate ball at Wesley College for four years. He was considered an anchor on the defensive line and led the team to a 44-7 record during his time there. Robinson finished his career with 47 sacks and 92.5 tackles for loss, both records for Wesley College and the All-Atlantic Central Football Conference (ACFC), while ranking among the school’s all-time leaders in tackles. He was named First-Team four times and also named ACFC Defensive Player of the Year three times.
Richardson brings NFL experience to the Soul secondary, having spent three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2004-06). At Cal Poly State he was named AFCA All-America and recorded five interceptions, two touchdowns, 50 tackles, and seven pass deflections as a senior (2003).
Jones is coming to Philadelphia from the Pittsburgh Power (2012). At Idaho State he played defensive tackle till his senior year when he switched to an offensive guard. He also played fullback for the Milwaukee Mustangs in 2011 where he had 110 yards and one touchdown.
Strong second half lifts Saint Joseph's over Richmond, 61-55
PHILADELPHIA - Carl Jones scored 17 points and Ronald Roberts had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Saint Joseph's (14-9; 5-5 A-10) to a 61-55 win over Richmond (14-11; 4-6) in Atlantic 10 action at Hagan Arena. The victory snaps a two-game losing streak for the Hawks.
Langston Galloway made just two shots on the night but his three-pointer with 22 seconds to play sealed the win for the Hawks, giving them a 60-55 cushion.
Down 36-27 at halftime, Saint Joseph's opened the second half with a fullcourt press and went on a 15-0 run. The Hawks took their first lead since the first half when Galloway picked up a steal and fed Roberts for a dunk at 16:39, putting SJU up 37-36. Roberts then hit a pair of free throws and Galloway hit a three to score the 15th point in a row for the Hawks, giving them a 42-36 lead. Richmond ended its scoreless streak at 13:35 when Wayne Sparrow hit a layup.
Richmond would fight back and tie the game, 51-51, on a basket by Darien Brothers at 6:11. The Hawks would go up by 57-52 after a pair of free throws from both Jones and Roberts. Anthony connected on a three-pointer at 1:24 to pull Richmond within 57-55, but after a few missed shots, Galloway stroked the three-pointer that iced the win.
The first half was close with six ties and the teams trading leads. But Richmond would use an 11-2 run in the final 3:01 of the half to take a 36-27 lead into intermission.
"The press at halftime was Chris Wilson's idea. We had been thinking about coming out in the second half of games showing a little something so that was Chris' idea," said Hawk coach Phil Martelli. "The other guy who gets credit here is Halil [Kanacevic]. Rather than worrying about his minutes, as we started to play better basketball in the second half, he was the one that said to let those guys ride it out."
"But it was the defense. You come out and hold a team to 19 points in the second half, shooting 24 percent. We got just about every assignment right in the second half and that's coming off as bad a play as you can possibly make at the end of the half," said the coach.
Saint Joseph's defense held Richmond to just 19 points and a 7-for-29 shooting effort in the second half.
C.J. Aiken added 10 points and four blocked shots for the Hawks.
Anthony had 13 points for Richmond while Cedrick Lindsay chipped in with 12.
Saint Joseph's goes for a share of the Big 5 title when it faces La Salle on Saturday afternoon at The Palestra at 1 p.m. The game will be nationally-televised on the NBC Sports Network.
Langston Galloway made just two shots on the night but his three-pointer with 22 seconds to play sealed the win for the Hawks, giving them a 60-55 cushion.
Down 36-27 at halftime, Saint Joseph's opened the second half with a fullcourt press and went on a 15-0 run. The Hawks took their first lead since the first half when Galloway picked up a steal and fed Roberts for a dunk at 16:39, putting SJU up 37-36. Roberts then hit a pair of free throws and Galloway hit a three to score the 15th point in a row for the Hawks, giving them a 42-36 lead. Richmond ended its scoreless streak at 13:35 when Wayne Sparrow hit a layup.
Richmond would fight back and tie the game, 51-51, on a basket by Darien Brothers at 6:11. The Hawks would go up by 57-52 after a pair of free throws from both Jones and Roberts. Anthony connected on a three-pointer at 1:24 to pull Richmond within 57-55, but after a few missed shots, Galloway stroked the three-pointer that iced the win.
The first half was close with six ties and the teams trading leads. But Richmond would use an 11-2 run in the final 3:01 of the half to take a 36-27 lead into intermission.
"The press at halftime was Chris Wilson's idea. We had been thinking about coming out in the second half of games showing a little something so that was Chris' idea," said Hawk coach Phil Martelli. "The other guy who gets credit here is Halil [Kanacevic]. Rather than worrying about his minutes, as we started to play better basketball in the second half, he was the one that said to let those guys ride it out."
"But it was the defense. You come out and hold a team to 19 points in the second half, shooting 24 percent. We got just about every assignment right in the second half and that's coming off as bad a play as you can possibly make at the end of the half," said the coach.
Saint Joseph's defense held Richmond to just 19 points and a 7-for-29 shooting effort in the second half.
C.J. Aiken added 10 points and four blocked shots for the Hawks.
Anthony had 13 points for Richmond while Cedrick Lindsay chipped in with 12.
Saint Joseph's goes for a share of the Big 5 title when it faces La Salle on Saturday afternoon at The Palestra at 1 p.m. The game will be nationally-televised on the NBC Sports Network.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Penn State sets 2013-14 opener for Pegula Arena
Courtesy of Penn State Athletics
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Pegula Ice Arena, the state-of-the-art, $90 million facility that will serve as the home to Penn State Hockey, will host its first game Friday, Oct. 11 when the Penn State men's hockey team opens the 2013-14 season against the Army Black Knights.
The Friday night contest, which will be the weekend's lone game, will take place during Penn State's annual homecoming weekend.
The 2013-14 campaign will mark a historic venture for the Nittany Lions as they will also begin competition in the Big Ten with traditional powers Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Each Big Ten opponent will travel to Happy Valley for two games apiece for a total of 10 conference home games. Penn State will also host several non-conference matchups.
The Nittany Lions will close out Greenberg Ice Pavilion, which opened in January 1981, this weekend with two exhibition games against the ACHA's Oklahoma Sooners. Penn State will then conclude its inaugural season with a two-game series at No. 18 Wisconsin Feb. 24-25.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Pegula Ice Arena, the state-of-the-art, $90 million facility that will serve as the home to Penn State Hockey, will host its first game Friday, Oct. 11 when the Penn State men's hockey team opens the 2013-14 season against the Army Black Knights.
The Friday night contest, which will be the weekend's lone game, will take place during Penn State's annual homecoming weekend.
The 2013-14 campaign will mark a historic venture for the Nittany Lions as they will also begin competition in the Big Ten with traditional powers Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Each Big Ten opponent will travel to Happy Valley for two games apiece for a total of 10 conference home games. Penn State will also host several non-conference matchups.
The Nittany Lions will close out Greenberg Ice Pavilion, which opened in January 1981, this weekend with two exhibition games against the ACHA's Oklahoma Sooners. Penn State will then conclude its inaugural season with a two-game series at No. 18 Wisconsin Feb. 24-25.
World Series of Fighting headed to Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – World Series of Fighting announced the main event for its upcoming card at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, March 23.
A heavyweight showdown between Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (19-9) and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (15-3) will headline things at Ovation Hall and live on NBC Sports Network.
In the bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event, red-hot 29-year-old star Tyson Nam (12-4) of Portland, Ore. will face off with two-time national Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Marlon Moraes (9-4) of Jupiter, Fla. via Nova Friburgo, Brazil.
“We are excited to bring the World Series of Fighting brand of MMA to Atlantic City, where some of the greatest fights in history have taken place,” said World Series of Fighting President and six-time world kickboxing champion and two-time Hall of Famer, Ray Sefo. “Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson and Marlon Moraes are all coming off superb performances on our inaugural fight card, and Tyson Nam has been on fire of late, so we felt that it was essential to showcase these stars at the top of our first card on the East Coast.”
Also slated for action on the five-bout TV card are welterweight (170 pounds) sensation Josh Burkman (24-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah, who will collide with former UFC star Aaron “A-Train” Simpson (12-4) of Phoenix, Ariz., and former PRIDE Fighting Championships superstar and WEC champion Paulo Filho (23-4) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who will face off with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Branch (11-3) of Brooklyn, N.Y. in a middleweight (185 pounds) bout.
Explosive finisher J.Z. Cavalcante (16-6) of Deerfield Beach, Fla. via Brazil will take on unbeaten, emerging star Justin Gaethje (7-0) of Greeley, Colo. at lightweight (155 pounds).
Coming off his second consecutive victory, a unanimous decision over Mike “300” Hayes on Dec. 16, Arlovski, a 33-year-old, 6-foot-4, former UFC heavyweight champion, shined in the main event of the inaugural World Series of Fighting card on Nov. 3, crumbling fellow power puncher Devin Cole with a barrage of punches in the first round (2:37) of action.
Likewise, the 28-year-old, 6-foot-2 Johnson dominated D.J. “Da Protégé” Linderman in the first-ever World Series of Fighting co-main event, scoring a first round (3:58) KO on Linderman with a punch. The victory was Johnson’s fourth straight.
Nam made waves on Aug. 25 when he pulled off a stunning upset on reigning Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas, scoring a first round (1:36) KO (punch) on Dantas in a non-title bout in Brazil. Nam will put a four-fight win streak on the line in his World Series of Fighting debut.
The 24-year-old Moraes shocked the world on the first World Series of Fighting card, beating former WEC champion Miguel Torres to the punch repeatedly for the majority of three rounds before being awarded a split decision victory. The win was Moraes’ third straight.
A six-bout preliminary card will be topped by a featherweight (145 pounds) collision between streaking Duke Roufus protégé Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn (12-2) of Milwaukee, Wisc. and undefeated submission specialist Alexandre”Pulga” Pimentel (12-0) of Rio de Janeiro.
Waylon Lowe (13-4) of Philadelphia, Pa. will square off with Cameron Dollar (11-4) of Colorado Springs, Colo. in a featherweight tilt.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and welterweight upstart Igor Gracie (5-3) of Rio de Janeiro will face an opponent to be announced as will welterweight Ozzy Dugulubgov (3-1) of Hackensack, N.J.
Battle-tested Danillo “Indio” Villefort (13-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla. will square off with a middleweight opponent to be announced.
Additional preliminary card bouts are expected to be announced soon.
Doors at Ovation Hall at Revel will open at 5:30 p.m. EST and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6:30 p.m. The live NBC Sports Network telecast of the World Series of Fighting event will begin at 9:30 p.m. EST/6:30 p.m. PST.
A heavyweight showdown between Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (19-9) and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (15-3) will headline things at Ovation Hall and live on NBC Sports Network.
In the bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event, red-hot 29-year-old star Tyson Nam (12-4) of Portland, Ore. will face off with two-time national Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Marlon Moraes (9-4) of Jupiter, Fla. via Nova Friburgo, Brazil.
“We are excited to bring the World Series of Fighting brand of MMA to Atlantic City, where some of the greatest fights in history have taken place,” said World Series of Fighting President and six-time world kickboxing champion and two-time Hall of Famer, Ray Sefo. “Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson and Marlon Moraes are all coming off superb performances on our inaugural fight card, and Tyson Nam has been on fire of late, so we felt that it was essential to showcase these stars at the top of our first card on the East Coast.”
Also slated for action on the five-bout TV card are welterweight (170 pounds) sensation Josh Burkman (24-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah, who will collide with former UFC star Aaron “A-Train” Simpson (12-4) of Phoenix, Ariz., and former PRIDE Fighting Championships superstar and WEC champion Paulo Filho (23-4) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who will face off with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Branch (11-3) of Brooklyn, N.Y. in a middleweight (185 pounds) bout.
Explosive finisher J.Z. Cavalcante (16-6) of Deerfield Beach, Fla. via Brazil will take on unbeaten, emerging star Justin Gaethje (7-0) of Greeley, Colo. at lightweight (155 pounds).
Coming off his second consecutive victory, a unanimous decision over Mike “300” Hayes on Dec. 16, Arlovski, a 33-year-old, 6-foot-4, former UFC heavyweight champion, shined in the main event of the inaugural World Series of Fighting card on Nov. 3, crumbling fellow power puncher Devin Cole with a barrage of punches in the first round (2:37) of action.
Likewise, the 28-year-old, 6-foot-2 Johnson dominated D.J. “Da Protégé” Linderman in the first-ever World Series of Fighting co-main event, scoring a first round (3:58) KO on Linderman with a punch. The victory was Johnson’s fourth straight.
Nam made waves on Aug. 25 when he pulled off a stunning upset on reigning Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas, scoring a first round (1:36) KO (punch) on Dantas in a non-title bout in Brazil. Nam will put a four-fight win streak on the line in his World Series of Fighting debut.
The 24-year-old Moraes shocked the world on the first World Series of Fighting card, beating former WEC champion Miguel Torres to the punch repeatedly for the majority of three rounds before being awarded a split decision victory. The win was Moraes’ third straight.
A six-bout preliminary card will be topped by a featherweight (145 pounds) collision between streaking Duke Roufus protégé Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn (12-2) of Milwaukee, Wisc. and undefeated submission specialist Alexandre”Pulga” Pimentel (12-0) of Rio de Janeiro.
Waylon Lowe (13-4) of Philadelphia, Pa. will square off with Cameron Dollar (11-4) of Colorado Springs, Colo. in a featherweight tilt.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and welterweight upstart Igor Gracie (5-3) of Rio de Janeiro will face an opponent to be announced as will welterweight Ozzy Dugulubgov (3-1) of Hackensack, N.J.
Battle-tested Danillo “Indio” Villefort (13-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla. will square off with a middleweight opponent to be announced.
Additional preliminary card bouts are expected to be announced soon.
Doors at Ovation Hall at Revel will open at 5:30 p.m. EST and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6:30 p.m. The live NBC Sports Network telecast of the World Series of Fighting event will begin at 9:30 p.m. EST/6:30 p.m. PST.
Eagles hire Tom Gamble as VP of Player Personnel
PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles have hired Tom Gamble to be the team’s vice president of player personnel, a role in which he will report directly to general manager Howie Roseman and work in both the college and pro personnel departments.
Gamble spent the previous eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, including the last two years as director of player personnel. During those two seasons, the 49ers reached the NFC Championship Game (2011) and the Super Bowl (2012), while earning 18 combined Pro Bowl selections.
“Since Ryan Grigson left to become the general manager of the Colts, we’ve been looking for the right person to fill his spot and we are excited about what Tom can bring to the team,” Roseman said. “He’s not only a talented evaluator, but also a good man and the type of person you want as a part of your team.
"Tom and I have had a great relationship over the years and I know he’s excited to come home. He had a great run in San Francisco and they have been very successful over the last few years. He will jump right in with our group and get working on free agency and the draft.”
A native of Haddonfield, N.J., Gamble is the son of Harry Gamble, who was president of the Eagles from 1986-95. Gamble's father was also a head coach at the University of Pennsylvania and at Lafayette College before joining the Eagles as an assistant coach in 1981.
Tom Gamble has 25 years of NFL experience, including work in both college and pro scouting, contract negotiation and even a stint in the coaching ranks. He originally entered the NFL as an assistant in the Eagles personnel department in 1988. He remained in Philadelphia through 1994, serving as a college scouting administrator, area scout, contract negotiator and later as the director of pro scouting.
Following his stint in Philadelphia, Gamble worked for the New York Jets as a defensive assistant/quality control coach from 1995-96. He became a pro scout for the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 before joining the Indianapolis Colts as a college scout from 1998-2004 where he worked under Bill Polian.
The 49-year-old Gamble has helped build 11 playoff teams – five with Indianapolis, four with Philadelphia and two with San Francisco.
Gamble spent the previous eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, including the last two years as director of player personnel. During those two seasons, the 49ers reached the NFC Championship Game (2011) and the Super Bowl (2012), while earning 18 combined Pro Bowl selections.
“Since Ryan Grigson left to become the general manager of the Colts, we’ve been looking for the right person to fill his spot and we are excited about what Tom can bring to the team,” Roseman said. “He’s not only a talented evaluator, but also a good man and the type of person you want as a part of your team.
"Tom and I have had a great relationship over the years and I know he’s excited to come home. He had a great run in San Francisco and they have been very successful over the last few years. He will jump right in with our group and get working on free agency and the draft.”
A native of Haddonfield, N.J., Gamble is the son of Harry Gamble, who was president of the Eagles from 1986-95. Gamble's father was also a head coach at the University of Pennsylvania and at Lafayette College before joining the Eagles as an assistant coach in 1981.
Tom Gamble has 25 years of NFL experience, including work in both college and pro scouting, contract negotiation and even a stint in the coaching ranks. He originally entered the NFL as an assistant in the Eagles personnel department in 1988. He remained in Philadelphia through 1994, serving as a college scouting administrator, area scout, contract negotiator and later as the director of pro scouting.
Following his stint in Philadelphia, Gamble worked for the New York Jets as a defensive assistant/quality control coach from 1995-96. He became a pro scout for the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 before joining the Indianapolis Colts as a college scout from 1998-2004 where he worked under Bill Polian.
The 49-year-old Gamble has helped build 11 playoff teams – five with Indianapolis, four with Philadelphia and two with San Francisco.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Rating the 2013 NFL Free Agents
Quarterbacks:
1. Joe Flacco, Baltimore
2. Matt Moore, Miami
3. Tyler Thigpen, Buffalo
4. Brady Quinn, Kansas City
5. Brian Hoyer, Arizona
6. Jason Campbell, Chicago
7. Tarvaris Jackson, Buffalo
8. Matt Leinart, Oakland
9. Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh
10. Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh
Running backs:
1. Steven Jackson, St. Louis
2. Reggie Bush, Miami
3. Danny Woodhead, New England
4. Chris Ivory, New Orleans (RFA)
5. Ahmad Bradshaw, NY Giants
6. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh
7. Shonn Greene, NY Jets
8. Cedric Benson, Green Bay
9. Joique Bell, Detroit (RFA)
10. Darius Reynaud, Tennessee - kick returner
Fullbacks:
1. James Casey, Houston
2. Jerome Felton, Minnesota
3. Greg Jones, Jacksonville
4. David Johnson, Pittsburgh
5. Darrel Young, Washington (RFA)
Wide receivers:
1. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City
2. Victor Cruz, NY Giants (RFA)
3. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh
4. Greg Jennings, Green Bay
5. Wes Welker, New England
6. Danny Amendola, St. Louis
7. Danario Alexander, San Diego (RFA)
8. Brian Hartline, Miami
9. Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh (RFA)
10. David Nelson, Buffalo
Tight ends
1. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta
2. Fred Davis, Washington
3. Dennis Pitta, Baltimore (RFA)
4. Brandon Myers, Oakland
5. Jared Cook, Tennessee
6. Dustin Keller, NY Jets
7. Martellus Bennett, NY Giants
8. Delanie Walker, San Francisco
9. Anthony Fasano, Miami
10. Dallas Clark, Tampa Bay
Offensive Tackles:
1. Ryan Clady, Denver
2. Jake Long, Miami
3. Sebastian Vollmer, New England
4. Andre Smith, Cincinnati
5. Phil Loadholt, Minnesota
6. Will Beatty, NY Giants
7. Branden Albert, Kansas City
8. Sam Baker, Atlanta
9. Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans
10. Bryant McKinnie, Baltimore
Offensive Guards:
1. Andy Levitre, Buffalo
2. Louis Vasquez, San Diego
3. Brandon Moore, NY Jets
4. Kevin Boothe, NY Giants
5. Donald Thomas, New England
6. Ramon Foster, Pittsburgh
7. Chad Rinehart, Buffalo
8. Ryan Lilja, Kansas City - Announced retirement
9. Tyronne Green, San Diego
10. Kory Lichtensteiger, Washington
Centers:
1. Fernando Velasco, Tennessee
2. Brian De La Puente, New Orleans (RFA)
3. Dan Koppen, Denver
4. Evan Dietrich-Smith, Green Bay
5. Todd McClure, Atlanta
Defensive Ends:
1. Michael Johnson, Cincinnati
2. Michael Bennett, Tampa Bay
3. Cliff Avril, Detroit
4. Matt Shaughnessy, Oakland
5. Israel Idonije, Chicago
6. Osi Umenyiora, NY Giants
7. Mike Devito, NY Jets
8. William Hayes, St. Louis
9. Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis
10. Wallace Gilberry, Cincinnati
Defensive Tackles:
1. Randy Starks, Miami
2. Aubrayo Franklin, San Diego
3. Henry Melton, Chicago
4. Richard Seymour, Oakland
5. Desmond Bryant, Oakland
6. Jason Jones, Seattle
7. Sammie Lee Hill, Detroit
8. Roy Miller, Tampa Bay
9. Chris Canty, NY Giants
10. Glenn Dorsey, Kansas City
Outside Linebackers:
1. Anthony Spencer, Dallas
2. Connor Barwin, Houston
3. Paul Kruger, Baltimore
4. Philip Wheeler, Oakland
5. Daryl Smith, Jacksonville
6. Shaun Phillips, San Diego
7. Erin Henderson, Minnesota
8. Manny Lawson, Cincinnati
9. Nick Barnett, Buffalo
10. Nick Roach, Chicago
Inside Linebackers:
1. Dannell Ellerbe, Baltimore
2. Brian Urlacher, Chicago
3. Brad Jones, Green Bay
4. Bradie James, Houston
5. Larry Foote, Pittsburgh
6. Rey Maualuga, Cincinnati
7. Chase Blackburn, NY Giants
8. Larry Grant, San Francisco
9. Jasper Brinkley, Minnesota
10. Tim Dobbins, Houston
Cornerbacks:
1. Sean Smith, Miami
2. Aqib Talib, New England
3. Sam Shields, Green Bay (RFA)
4. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Philadelphia
5. Keenan Lewis, Pittsburgh
6. Chris Houston, Detroit
7. Adam Jones, Cincinnati
8. Mike Jenkins, Dallas
9. Tracy Porter, Denver
10. Cary Williams, Baltimore
Safeties:
1. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo
2. Dashon Goldson, San Francisco
3. Ed Reed, Baltimore
4. Louis Delmas, Detroit
5. William Moore, Atlanta
6. Kenny Phillips, NY Giants
7. Glover Quin, Houston
8. LaRon Landry, NY Jets
9. Chris Clemons, Miami
10. Jamarca Sanford, Minnesota
Kickers:
1. Phil Dawson, Cleveland
2. Rob Bironas, Tennessee
3. Lawrence Tynes, NY Giants
4. Jason Hanson, Detroit
5. Steven Hauschka, Seattle
6. Josh Brown, Cincinnati
7. Shayne Graham,Houston
8. Nate Kaeding, Miami
9. Nick Novak, San Diego
10. Billy Cundiff, San Francisco
Punters:
1. Kevin Huber, Cincinnati
2. Britton Colquitt, Denver (RFA)
3. Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City
4. Pat McAfee, Indianapolis
5. Reggie Hodges, Cleveland
6. Donnie Jones, Houston
7. Shane Lechler, Oakland
8. Brian Moorman, Dallas
9. Nick Harris, Detroit
10. Sav Rocca, Washington
Four-peat: BC beats Northeastern, wins another Beanpot
by Bob HerpenPhanatic Hockey Editor
Boston, MA -- Trophy season has officially kicked off on the Heights, and once again, the first piece of hardware taken was one that let an entire city know who's boss.
Johnny Gaudreau posted two goals and one assist as Boston College doubled up Northeastern, 6-3, in the championship of the 61st annual Beanpot from TD Garden.
Steven Whitney had a goal and two helpers for the Eagles, who set a new school record for consecutive tournament victories with their fourth in a row and claimed their 18th overall title in this perennial Boston battle.
"We have a great group of guys, and better people for a lot of years now...but this is special, a four-bagger," said BC head coach Jerry York immediately following the victory.
Patrick Brown, Bill Arnold and Pat Mullane also tallied to back a 20-save performance from Parker Milner, who was given the Eberly Trophy as the top goaltender.
"You can't win championships without an outstanding goaltender," York said of his senior goalie. "Parker is very inward-looking... he reflects on each game. He's that type of player. He's been a backbone to our team."
Freshman sensation Kevin Roy -- who won tournament MVP honors -- notched a pair of scores in defeat for the Huskies, who are still seeking their first crown since 1988 after losing to BC for the third time in the last five title games.
"It was awesome, a really great experience. The energy and excitement around the games were awesome, said Roy, a native of Lac-Beauport, Quebec. "We had a great tournament. We had a bad second period and that cost us the tournament. I'm really honored, even though the outcome isn't what we wanted."
Chris Rawlings allowed all six goals on 30 shots in the setback. It was not a classic performance by the imposing goaltender, who was punctured for seven goals in a 7-6 overtime loss two years ago to these same BC upperclassmen.
Arnold registered the first goal of the contest, coming with 9:07 left in the second period, one-timing a Kevin Hayes feed home from the right wing. BC took a 2-0 lead 1:15 later as Gaudreau slammed a loose puck home from inside the crease while being squashed against Rawlings.
Roy halved the Huskies' deficit inside of five minutes left in the period, and less than two minutes later was robbed on a breakaway by a sweeping glove save by Milner.
It was 3-1 for the Eagles at 18:37 on a shot which trickled over the goal line, this time a double deflection credited to Brown off a left-point floater from Isaac MacLeod. Whitney then added a marker that beat the buzzer for a 4-1 BC edge after 40 minutes.
Roy made it 4-2 only 11 seconds after the start of the third, and Northeastern got within a goal on a Braden Pimm power-play score at 3:56.
But the defending champs clamped down and extended their edge when Michael Matheson and Gaudreau worked a perfect give-and-go in close and the Eagles led 5-3 with 5:23 to play.
Roy was left to his own devices to the left of Milner several shifts later, but despite his best chance to record yet another hat trick like in Monday's Beanpot-opening win over Boston University, failed to gain control of the puck and didn't release a shot.
The desperate Huskies pulled Rawlings with over two minutes while shorthanded, and the move backfired when Mullane scored into the empty net with 1:28 left.
"It's unbelievable...just to be a part of this. I think that's more important than us winning out fourth in six, was them (the freshman) getting their first," Mullane said. "We never let any doubt creep into our game."
Both sides endured close calls in a scoreless first period, none better than Arnold, who cruised in alone on Rawlings and beat him cleanly, except for ringing his shot off the crossbar.
Northeastern dodged another bullet four minutes into the second when MacLeod coasted down the left side before ripping one that rang off the right post, and rubbed their lucky rabbit's foot again with 10:05 remaining in the second when Mullane tipped a Patrick Wey shot from the right side that got past Rawlings but clipped the crossbar.
"I think the past three years, whatever happened, happened. The way I look at it, it's not what happened before, but what's going on now that counts," said Huskies head coach Jim Madigan. "We've been there so many times and given up goals late in games, we thought we had more poise coming into a situation where we trailed late but were close."
Notes: BC's senior class finished 8-0 in Beanpot competition...Roy leads all freshmen with 17 goals and 32 points...York won his seventh Beanpot since taking over in Chestnut Hill in 1994..Roy was the first non-winner to capture MVP honors since Sean Fields, a Boston University goalie, won in 2004, and became the first player to record at least five goals in the tournament since BC's Mike Powers in 1973...Boston College became the first school to win as many as four in a row since BU claimed six straight from 1995-2000.
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