Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hall of Fame bound
2009 Texas vs Nation All Star Pro Prospects to Watch
Published by NFL scout Frank Coyle and staff @ Draft Insiders.com
Keep an eye on these players below
QB Curtis Painter - Purdue - 6’3” 222 lbs.
Experienced three year starter gets a chance to continue his strong finish of his career. After dealing with some injury problems and erratic play earlier in the ’08 season, he displayed the accuracy and arm strength to rank as the highest rated passing in this game. A strong performance here and he could be one of the top senior QBs off the board in April.
RB Devin Moore - Wyoming - 5’9” 191 lbs.
Small compact tailback is a very elusive runner who is a threat in the open field. He can put together a number of moves with the burst to create room and make a big play. As a receiver, he shows fine hands and great quickness that makes him difficult in matchups vs linebackers or safeties. He has an interesting skill set to fill a number of roles including the return game.
TE Ryan Purvis - Boston College - 6’4” 255 lbs.
Tough hard noised prospect combines good blocking skills with reliable hands to be a fine addition for a pro offense. He is a blue collar player with well rounded skills, though only adequate speed for the position.
WR Dominique Edison - Stephen F. Austin - 6’2” 199 lbs
Fast small college receiver is one of the interesting prospects in this game. He has sub-4.4 speed, fine size and displays the burst to get deep with excellent hands to make the big play. He heads a strong group of small college prospects including two receivers - Gardner Webb's Dobson Collins and Abilene Christian’s Johnny Knox.
For Defense Players from Texas vs Nation go to www.draftinsiders.com
City 6 basketball coaches to serve as analysts on Sixers Postgame Live
Comcast SportsNet, the leader in local sports coverage, provides Sixers fans a unique outlook from six highly respected local college basketball coaches during Sixers Postgame Live. “City 6 on Sixers” debuts on Tuesday, February 3 when
Each coach will be interviewed during that night’s game broadcast to offer their in-game insight. After the game, the coaches will break down the game on “Sixers Postgame Live” only on Comcast SportsNet. Three former City 6 players will be evaluated by their former coaches in Sixers Postgame Live including Memphis Grizzlie Kyle Lowry (Villanova), Orlando Magic’s Jameer Nelson (
Below is the schedule of coaches:
| Day | Date | Game | Coach | School |
| Tuesday | February 3 | Sixers vs. | Glen Miller | |
| Wednesday | February 11 | Sixers vs. | Jay Wright | |
| Tuesday | February 17 | Sixers vs. | Fran Dunphy | |
| Monday | February 23 | Sixers vs. | James “Bruiser” | |
| Saturday | February 28 | Sixers vs. | Phil Martelli | |
| Monday | March 2 | Sixers vs. | John Gianinni | |
Sixers' Dalembert sprains ankle
"Missing Sam hurt us. The shot blocking, the defensive presence. They got a lot of stuff around the basket in the second half. We have to tighten that up," Sixers coach Tony Dileo said.
Elton Brand will likely get the start at center tonight.
Friday, January 30, 2009
NFL Franchise and Transistion tags set
Here they are:
The quarterback franchise number is $14.65 million and the transition figure is $12.44 million.
The wide receiver franchise number is $9.88 million and the transition figure is $8.39 million.
The offensive line franchise number is $8.45 million and the transition figure is $7.74 million.
The running back franchise number is $6.62 million and the transition figure is $5.92 million.
The tight end franchise number is $4.46 million and the transition figure is $4.07 million.
The defensive end franchise number is $8.99 million and the transition figure is $7.78 million.
The defensive tackle franchise number is $6.06 million and the transition figure is $5.45 million.
The linebacker franchise number is $8.3 million and the transition figure is $7.48 million.
The safety franchise number is $6.34 million and the transition figure is $5.13 million.
The cornerback franchise number is $9.96 million and the transition figure is $8.37 million.
And the franchise number for a punter/kicker is $2.48 million and $2.26 million for a transition figure.
McNabb wants to retire as an Eagle
"Everyone knows that(he wants to talk about his contract)," McNabb said in an interview on radio row. "You guys know it and you've talked about it. We'll just leave it behind closed doors."
McNabb is signed through 2010 and scheduled to make $9.2 million next season and $10 million in the final year of his deal.
"The contract deals with a lot of different things and I'll kind of leave it at that," McNabb said. "I want things to get taken care of and then I won't have to answer whether I'll be back the next year. I've had to answer 20 weeks this year about coming back and last year as well. It's tiresome, but I'd rather have people asking me every year than be someone else. I want to be in Philly."
Deion Sanders has repeatedly claimed McNabb wants out of Philadelphia, but McNabb denied that.
"Deion is a great guy, but Deion is not speaking for me," McNabb said. "I want to retire as an Eagle. I remember my rookie year or my second year and I was talking to Mayor Street and I said that I wanted to bring a Super Bowl back to Philadelphia.
"I want to go down Broad Street with the parade. The Phillies did it first and I'm happy that I did. But for myself and Brian Dawkins, it's something we have talked about for years and it's something we look forward to bringing it back next year."
Gordon set to sign with D-Backs
Gordon expects to be ready for Opening Day following October elbow surgery.
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert confirmed the deal is close. "We don't have a deal yet, but we're close," said Gordon's agent, Rick Thurman.
Eagles raise ticket prices
According to a team spokesman, the ticket increase for the majority of the tickets is going up $5 per ticket per game. However, the lower level end zone seats are going up $10.
The most expensive Eagles ticket will rise from $90 to $95.
Eagles Fans Left Seeing Red
The Phanatic Magazine
My brother Mike is a poker dealer on the strip in Vegas and his ride back to Sin City from Phoenix following the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago provided a glimpse of the fan base that has gotten to revel in the spotlight of Super Bowl XLIII.
Needless to say, Cardinals’ fans and their overall cluelessness have officially made me sick.
On the six-hour ride home, Mike tortured himself and listened to ESPN radio following the Eagles’ 32-25 loss to Arizona. He made himself listen to Phoenicians (Phoenixians? Phoenixvillites?) celebrate the biggest football victory most them have ever experienced.
One fan called in to the program and went on a diatribe about how long he’s waited for the Cardinals to deliver a Super Bowl. He spouted off about how long he’s suffered, making Cardinals’ fans out to be Israelites being led through the desert for 40 years.
It was all fine and good right up until the end of the call, when the fan said it was longest nine seasons of his life.
I really don’t know how my brother stopped himself from driving off the side of the road. Mike is a displaced Philadelphian, but like me and everyone else in my family, we’re lifelong Eagles’ fans.
I’m 37 years old and I’ve been suffering with the Eagles since birth. Mike just turned 30. That’s 30 years of championship-less football. My first child is about to be born sometime in the next three weeks and it has already suffered through its first Eagles’ disappointment.
(Seriously, you guys should have seen it. The baby was kicking the crap out of my wife’s uterus for three days after the loss in Arizona. I was so proud.)
Yet that stinkin’ Cardinals’ fan stands a good chance of calling himself a Super Bowl Champion after nine grueling seasons. How did he ever make it through?
Granted, rooting for the Cardinals for nine seasons is like rooting for an actual NFL team for 18 years, but Eagles’ fans my age have done that kind of time standing on their heads.
The best call of the day came from a fan that professed to be a two-year season-ticket holder. First of all, there is no such thing as a two-year a season-ticket holder in Philly. No self-respecting season-ticket holder would call himself a season-ticket holder unless they’ve been to every Eagles home game for at least five straight years.
There have been fans on the Eagles’ season-ticket waiting list three times as long than that guy has owned those, ahem, highly-coveted Cardinals’ tickets.
Anyway, the host of the show asked this guy what the most surprising part of the NFC Championship Game was for him. The fan said that the thing that surprised him the most was the number of people in their seats before kickoff.
Stunned by the answer, the host asked him why that was the case. The fan said that normally Cardinals’ fans keep tailgating in the parking lot until midway through the first quarter before checking the score of the game to see if the Cards are winning.
If they’re winning, they’ll go to the game. If not, they’ll just stay outside and keep tailgating. I kid you not.
If that isn’t a kick to the collective crotch of Eagles’ fans, I don’t know what is.
This is the fan base that has gotten an unexpected invite to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII.
If that isn’t reason enough to root for the Steelers on Sunday, I don’t know what is.
Steve Lienert has been covering the Philadelphia Eagles for the past six months for PhiladelphiaEagles.com. He can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com.
Eagles revamp Coaching staff
Now in his second stint in Philadelphia, Daisher, 53, is entering his sixth season in the NFL and his first as the Eagles special teams coordinator. He most recently spent two seasons as the special teams coordinator in Cleveland (2007-08). In 2007, the Browns boasted three Pro Bowlers - K Phil Dawson, LS Ryan Pontbriand and KR Joshua Cribbs, who led the league with a 30.7 kickoff return average.
Daisher was Oakland’s special teams coordinator in 2006, after spending the previous two seasons (2004-05) as the Eagles special teams quality control coach under then Eagles special teams coordinator and current Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. He has 22 seasons of experience as an assistant coach in the collegiate ranks, including stints at East Carolina (2001-02), Indiana (1998-2000), Army (1995-97), Cincinnati (1989-92), Eastern Michigan (1985-88), Northern Illinois (1980-84), and Illinois (1979). He was a wide receiver and defensive back at Western Michigan (1975-77).
"Ted broke into the league with us, so I have had the chance to see him coach," said head coach Andy Reid. "Then he moved on and had success in Oakland and for the last couple of years in Cleveland. I had the chance to interview a few guys, and Ted did a great job. Ted became the obvious choice to fill this role.”
Segrest, 35, served as the Eagles special teams coordinator for the last two seasons after initially joining the club as a special teams quality control coach in 2006. During that time he has also assisted with the defensive line. Under his tutelage, K David Akers set multiple single-season team records in 2008, including most field goals (33) and most points (144). P Sav Rocca developed into a steady performer, and has averaged 42.7 yards per punt in his two-year career. Prior to joining the Eagles, Segrest spent four years at Samford (2002-05), where he served as the defensive line coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator.
Segrest played offensive tackle at Alabama (1991-93), before beginning his coaching career there as a student assistant in 1994. He later served as a graduate assistant at Alabama (1996) and at Auburn (1997-98). Segrest went on to coach at Southeast Missouri State (1999-01), where he held several positions, including defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, and tackles and tight ends coach.
Said Reid of Segrest: "Rory did a nice job with special teams, but his first love is the defensive line. When he came here, he was also the assistant defensive line coach, so he continued to work with the defensive line even when he was the special teams coordinator. This allows him to step in and work with the players, who have a familiar face and familiar techniques and schemes to work with."
Urban, 35, spent the last two seasons as the Eagles offensive assistant/quality control coach, after serving as the assistant to the head coach from 2004-06. He began his coaching career at Clarion, as an assistant coach (1997-98), working with the wide receivers and tight ends. Urban later moved to the University of Pennsylvania where he served as the director of football administration (1999) and as director of football operations (2000-03). A native of Mechanicsburg, PA, Urban played wide receiver and kick returner for Washington and Lee University in Virginia from 1992-95.
"James is a good, young coach,” said Reid. “He demonstrated that as a quality control coach. He is very efficient and we felt he had put himself in a position, having worked with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, to be elevated to that spot.”
A former Eagles quarterback, Pederson, 40, spent the last four years as head coach of Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, LA. In that time he compiled a 33-7 record in the regular season and led the Cavaliers to their first district title in school history (2007). A 12-year NFL veteran, Pederson spent time with Miami (1993-95), Green Bay (1995-98, 2001-04), Philadelphia (1999) and Cleveland (2000), compiling 2,762 passing yards on 522 attempts and 12 touchdowns. His best season came with the Eagles in 1999, when he threw for 1,276 yards and 7 touchdowns in nine starts. A native of Bellingham, WA, and a collegiate star at Louisiana-Monroe, Pederson originally signed as a rookie free agent with Miami in 1991.
"He has a great ability to share ideas with people," said Reid. "I thought Doug did a tremendous job working with Donovan McNabb when Donovan was a rookie learning the system. Doug helped explain the offense to him from a player's standpoint. Doug started up a high school program in Louisiana and did an outstanding job there. He has a nice feel for coaching."
Jenkins, 67, retires following a 39-year coaching career at the collegiate and professional levels. Said Reid of Jenkins: "Pete had three phenomenal years here. He had big shoes to fill after Tommy Brasher retired, and Pete came in and did a heck of a job with our defensive line. He is leaving here with a better defensive line than was here when he arrived and that is always a tribute to the coach."
Grand larceny; NBA style
Let's face it, All-Star games, no matter the sport, are just exhibitions.
Even when a bonehead like MLB commissioner Bud Selig comes along and tries to make the actual athletic contest mean something, it rarely has much of an effect on the viewing public.
Unless, of course, your team finishes 10 games ahead of its competition in the World Series and doesn't have homefield advantage because Texas' Josh Hamilton rapped a meaningless RBI single in the ninth inning.
In the NBA, David Stern is actually a competent business man so you don't have to worry about David West nailing a jumper in the waning seconds of his league's All-Star game to give the Los Angeles Lakers homecourt advantage.
The game is what it is, a fun exhibition that lets you see the league's best playing pickup basketball that would make the folks in Harlem's Rucker League green with envy.
So, while we can all agree the game is meaningless, the honor is certainly not.
Being named an NBA All-Star is a big deal for players.
Whether it's a veteran like Shaquille O'Neal or first-timers like Jameer Nelson and Danny Granger, being labeled an All-Star is quite the complement.
On the other hand, missing the cut can be a hard pill to swallow.
So, with that in mind, let's look at the five biggest snubs for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game set for February 15 in Phoenix.
1. - Al Jefferson - Forward/Center - Minnesota Timberwolves
The Suns' O'Neal got his 15th bid ahead of Jefferson, who averages 22.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, one of only three NBA players averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a night. Meanwhile, the 36-year-old O'Neal doesn't play in back-to-back games.
"I can tell you, Al's played like an All-Star,' Wolves coach Kevin McHale said after Thursday's morning practice. "He deserves to be an All-Star."
McHale is right but the Wolves' pedestrian 16-28 record and the fact that the game is in Phoenix likely doomed the former Mississippi high school star.
2. - Ray Allen - Guard - Boston Celtics.
If you enable Jefferson's snub by pulling the "team success card," how do you explain Allen's absence? The 13-year pro has been the reigning NBA champions' most consistent player this season, averaging 18.0 points per game and shooting nearly 42 percent from downtown. Clearly, Allen is considered a distant third in the "Boston three party" but he's every bit the All-Star as Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Fearing the snub, C's coach Doc Rivers vented before the reserve announcements were made on Thursday.
"It really would be (disappointing) because coaches all over the league talk about sacrificing," the coach told the Boston Herald before the reserves were named. "I might be venting for no reason, but I just get that sense they're (the league's coaches) being hypocritical because somebody who doesn't make it on our group (sacrifices). "(But) that's what they did. They voted for numbers instead of sacrifice, wins and efficiency."
Ouch!
3. - Carmelo Anthony - Forward - Denver Nuggets
Before suffering a non-displaced third metacarpal fracture on his right hand against Indiana on January 5, few would have been surprised if Anthony was voted in as a Western Conference starter. After missing 10 games, it seems like the Western Conference coaches forgot about him.
The two-time All-Star, who is averaging a team-high 21.1 points per game and is unquestionably one of the top 10 players in the game, has been cleared and will return to the court against Charlotte on Friday night. Since Anthony will be back in action a full two weeks before the All-Star game, a spot should have been saved for him.
4. - David Lee - Forward/Center - New York Knicks
The Knicks haven't had an All-Star since 2001, when Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell were both selected. Lee, who is tied with Orlando's Dwight Howard for the most double-doubles in the NBA this season with 34, deserved to end that drought.
Lee, who is averaging a career-high 15.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, has a Knicks team that has practically admitted their OK with losing while waiting for LeBron James in a couple of years on the outskirts of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
5. - Mo Williams - Guard - Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James casts quite the shadow in Cleveland and that likely cost Mo Williams a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. James is so good, you tend to forget he plays with some pretty capable players and Williams leads that list.
Williams' teammates were outraged when he was overlooked.
"It's a tragedy," Ben Wallace told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "I think it's an injustice. It's a fraud. We've got the best record in the league (actually the second best), and we've only got one guy going. You always make it the next year, after the year you were supposed to make it. It's a travesty and a sham and a mockery. It's a shamockery."
"It just shows the disrespect that basketball in Cleveland continues to get," James added. "It's definitely disrespectful that we continue to do work every year with nothing to show for it. They always say when you win, individual accolades will take care of itself. But sometimes it doesn't happen."
Williams, who is averaging 17.0 points and 4.1 assists per game in his first year in Cleveland, was more understanding.
"I've always been an underdog," he said. "I've had to fight my way and prove people wrong my whole career. It is what it is. It just fuels me, motivates me more and more."
01/30 13:30:14 ET
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Eagles' Howard has adbominan surgery
Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Darren Howard underwent successful abdominal surgery on Wednesday.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Bill Meyers at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Eagles' Johnson diagmosed with melanoma
Eagles want Dawkins back...
According to Brian Dawkings at least. The leader of the Birds defense, who is an impending unrestricted free agent, wants to return to Philadelphia for a 14th NFL season and told the Philadelphia Inquirer that it looks like the team wants him back.
“I think both sides want to get something done, and that’s a positive thing going into any negotiations,” said Dawkins. “I think I’m going to take it year to year. I think once you put a number on something, you mentally shut yourself down. Maybe you start to think you don’t have to work out as hard because you only have one more year. I don’t want to put myself mentally in that position.”
Sixers address Brand Rumors
Ed Stefanski said he does not comment on rumors, but a source familiar with the Sixers' situation told the Daily News' Phil Jasner that Stefanski had made no trade-related calls involving Brand and that he had no interest in dealing him.
Meanwhile, Brand confirmed that Stefanski had spoken to him. "Anytime there's speculation, and as you get close to the [deadline], that's when you know it's a business," Brand said. "I'm just here to win, to play my heart out. I haven't been in a lot of [rumors], and I know that if we were 30-10, this wouldn't be the case. I understand where it would come from, even if it's from a fan, a chat session, e-mail."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Eagles to tab Pederson as QB coach
Well, he could never play so maybe he can coach.
The Eagles are set to name former quarterback Doug Pederson to their coaching staff, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
Pederson would presumably replace Pat Shurmur as quarterbacks coach. Shurmur was recently hired by the St. Louis Rams as offensive coordinator and his most logical replacement, Mark Whipple, bolted for the offensive coordinator gig with the Miami Hurricanes.
Pederson is currently the head coach at a Baptist High School in Shreveport, La. He began the 1999 season as the Eagles starting quarterback before being replace by Donovan McNabb after nine starts.
The Daily News also reported thet former special teams assistant Ted Daisher was spotted at the NovaCare COmplex, prompting speculation that something may be going on with Rory Segrest.
Young to play on sophomore squad on NBA All-Star Saturday
Sixers forward Thaddeus Young was selected to the sophomore squad and is the team’s first representative in an All-Star Weekend event since the 2005-06 season.
Young is the 10th player in franchise history to participate in the Rookie Challenge and is looking to become the third to take home MVP honors (Allen Iverson in 1997 and Andre Iguodala in 2006). The game will be held on Friday, Feb. 13 in Phoenix.
“This is a definitely a great opportunity and I would like to thank everybody who voted for me,” Young said. “I'm looking forward to going out there to participate as a representative of the Sixers organization, to play as hard as I can and give the fans a good show.”
This season, Young has appeared in all 43 games with 39 starts and is averaging 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.09 steals in 33.6 minutes per game while shooting 49.5% from the floor. He has the sixth-highest scoring average among sophomores and the eight-highest point/rebound/assist total.
Young has scored 20-plus points seven times this season after doing so four times in all of 2007-08. He has also led or tied for the team-lead in scoring 10 times this season after doing so once in 2007-08. Young has already hit 34 three-pointers this season after having just six 3FGM in 74 games played in 2007-08.
Last season, Young started 22 of the final 38 games for the Sixers, who went 24-14 over that span. He had the third-highest field goal percentage (53.9%) of any rookie and would have ranked tied for 10th in the NBA had he qualified. Young also had 73 steals to just 64 turnovers last season.
Young was the 12th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2007 NBA Draft following his freshman season at Georgia Tech. Last season, the 20-year-old was the second-youngest player in the league behind Kevin Durant.
Bon Jovi, Soul being sued
Joseph Krause, the former sales manager of the Soul, claims he is owed nearly $125,000 in wages and commissions. According to the suit, Krause alleges he was owed $83,359 in commission for the 2008 season and $41,456 in commission for the canceled '09 season. He was offered just $5,000 as a severance package.
Also named in the complaint are co-owner Craig Spencer; Leo Carlin Jr., a member of the team's ownership group, and Paul Korzilius, the team's interim general manager.
The Arena Football League announced on December 15 that the 2009 season would be suspended while a long-term plan to improve its economic model is developed. .
Super Bowl goes to the dogs
David Frei, the longtime television voice and host of Westminster and its director of communications, is the only person with the credentials to credibly attribute the traits of man's best friend to these similarly purebred football players. Frei formerly held public relations positions with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers, and is the son of former Oregon head football coach and longtime NFL assistant Jerry Frei. Now widely known by millions as he celebrates his 20th anniversary hosting the live telecasts for USA Network, the younger Frei, 59, is a former dog breeder and exhibitor (Afghan Hounds and Brittanys), AKC licensed judge, and still wears a ring from Super Bowl XII.
Based on his unique knowledge of both sports, Frei offers the following Super Bowl Sunday primer (posted on www.westminsterkennelclub.org to America's football fans, an easy and familiar reference to the attributes of the star players they will see on February 1:
Pittsburgh Steelers"
Ben Roethlisberger - Border Collie: Leads (herds) his flock up and down the field, smart, athletic and intensely focused on the job at hand.
Hines Ward - Siberian Husky: Compact, athletic, smart, tough and tireless.
Troy Polamalu - Whippet: Feisty, prey-driven, fast, champion athlete of the dog world.
James Harrison - Anatolian Shepherd: Possessive and protective, territorial, athletic and agile.
James Farrior - Rottweiler: Powerful, intelligent, agile, intimidating, calm & courageous.
Justin Hartwig - Bullmastiff: "The Gamekeepers Night Dog" used to protect large estates and game preserves from poachers, knocks them down and stands over them until help arrives.
Arizona Cardinals:
Kurt Warner - German Shepherd: Intelligent and alert, alpha dog leader with even temperament and character
Larry Fitzgerald - Doberman Pinscher: Elegant athlete in a tight-fitting wrapper.
Anquan Boldin - Greyhound: Narrow body, big chest, sleek, powerful, athletic and fast.
Karlos Dansby - Bloodhound: Noble and dignified with a single purpose: to track down humans (in this case, anyone with the football).
Adrian Wilson - Airedale: "King of the Terriers," perhaps the best hunting dog in the world, goes and gets them all (interceptions and anyone with the football). Versatile and athletic.
Levi Brown - Komondor: Intelligent and protective, imposing strength and courageous demeanor.
Kobe tops LeBron
NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2009 – The NBA announced today that Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose debuted at No. 9 on the NBA’s Most Popular Jersey List. He is the only rookie to appear on the list. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 11-time All-Star Kobe Bryant has the most popular jersey in the NBA, moving past the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett to regain the No. 1 spot on the NBA’s list. With the Western Conference best record, the Lakers top the list of Most Popular NBA Team Merchandise. The rankings are based on sales at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the 2008-09 NBA season through January 2009.
Below are the NBA’s Most Popular Jersey and the Most Popular Team Merchandise lists.
TOP 15 PLAYERS TOP 10 TEAMS
- Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers 1. Los Angeles Lakers
- Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics 2. Boston Celtics
- LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers 3. New York Knicks
- Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets 4. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Allen Iverson – Detroit Pistons 5. Chicago Bulls
- Pau Gasol – Los Angeles Lakers 6. Phoenix Suns
- Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics 7. Detroit Pistons
- Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat 8. New Orleans Hornets
- Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls 9. Miami Heat
- Nate Robinson – New York Knicks 10. San Antonio Spurs
- Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns
- Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic
- Ray Allen – Boston Celtics
- David Lee – New York Knicks
- Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets
Miller's agent speaks
Comcast SportsNet reports that Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski has been in constant contact with Andre Miller’s agent, Andy Miller, trying to get a deal done.
So far, nothing significant has transpired as the Feb. 19 trade deadline nears.
“I don’t think we stand anywhere other than right on the fence,” Andy Miller said. “We’ve had exploratory conversations about a possible extension. We’ve had conversations with [the Sixers] about what his trade value will be and we’ve had conversations with them about what would transpire this summer – what their interests would be, what our interests would be. “We’ve kind of run the gamut in terms of covering every possible scenario, but no scenario seems to be forging forward with any great urgency right now over the other ones.”
“Obviously we have to be willing to sign a contract and agree with the situation — the contractual component and obviously the playing, the lifestyle and all those other components make sense for us as well,” Andy Miller added. “Andre is going to be a top point guard in the free agent market this summer. There is no question in my mind about that.” CSNPhilly.com
That was quick; Stefanski to pull plug on Brand?
"The question is, given how poorly he's played this year and his huge contract, does anyone want him?" Ford said in a recent chat. "I've wondered about a Rasheed Wallace for Brand swap but doubt Joe D (Pistons GM Joe Dumars) wants to invest that much money right now on Brand."
Latest NFL Mock Draft
-Published by NFL scout Frank Coyle and staff @ Draft Insiders.com
NFL Draft ’09 - First Round Mock Draft
Jan. 27- Selection order decided prior to Super Bowl - Post Senior Bowl
* Underclassmen - Final position determined by Super Bowl playoffs
1st Round
1. Detroit * Matthew Stafford QB Georgia
2. St. Louis * Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech
3. Kansas City * Andre Smith OT Alabama
4. Seattle * Mark Sanchez QB Southern Cal
5. Cleveland * Everette Brown DE Florida St
6. Cincinnati Eugene Monroe OT Virginia
7. Oakland Brian Orakpo DE Texas
8. Jacksonville Michael Oher OT Mississippi
9. Green Bay Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest
10. San Francisco * Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri
11. Buffalo Jason Smith OT Baylor
12. Denver Rey Maualuga LB Southern Cal
13. Washington Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio St.
14. New Orleans * Vontae Davis CB Illinois
15. Houston * Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia
16. San Diego B.J. Raja DT Boston College
17. NY Jets James Laurinaitis LB Ohio St
18. Chicago * Percy Harvin WR Florida
19. Tampa Bay * Chris Wells RB Ohio St
20. Detroit (Dallas) Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest
21. Philadelphia Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech
22. Minnesota Brian Cushing LB Southern Cal
23. New England * D.J. Moore CB Vanderbilt
24. Atlanta Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma St
25. Miami * Aaron Maybin LB Penn St
26. Baltimore * Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland
27. Indianapolis Peria Jerry DT Mississippi
28. Phil (Carolina) Derrick Williams WR Penn St.
29. New York Giants * Nakeem Nicks WR North Carolina
30. Tennessee William Moore FS Missouri
31. Arizona Clint Sintim LB Virginia
32. Pittsburgh Larry English LB Northern Illinois
Phils to kick off Sunday Night Baseball
The Phillies will host the Atlanta Braves in the first Sunday Night Baseball game of the year, on April 5 on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. (et). This is the 20th year of the series on ESPN.
Steve Phillips will be joining Jon Miller and Joe Morgan in the booth this year.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Phanatic Radio
Join The Phanatic Magazine's John McMullen at 11:25 this Sunday after the Super Bowl to talk about the game on Matthew Ross' GamePoints Show.
Eagles lose another assistant
Whipple was a candidate to take over as quarterbacks coaching job for the Birds after Pat Shurmur left to be the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams.
“Aside from being innovative at his craft, Mark is a tremendous individual who will positively impact our student-athletes on and off the field,” Miami coach Randy Shannon said.
Whipple is best known for being the quarterbacks coach in Pittsburgh from 2004 through 2006, where he helped to develop Ben Roethlisberger, who was the youngest starting QB to win a Super Bowl four seasons ago under Whipple's tutelage.
Whipple also spent 16 years as a head coach on the college level at Massachusetts, Brown—his alma mater— and New Haven, going 121-59 in those seasons and winning a Division I-AA national championship in 1998 with UMass.
Let the DMac speculation begin
Still miffed after his benching in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has already asked for an offseason sitdown with team management.
The NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is speculating that that conversation could lead to a Brett Favre-like showdown, with McNabb, who has two years left on his contract, asking for a new deal and significant guaranteed money.
If the Eagles balk and entertain trade offers, the asking price would start with at least two first-round picks, Schefter says.Yesterday, in an interview on Comcast SportsNet, Joe Banner reinterated that both McNabb and Andy Reid will be back next season.
“The reality is my view and our view is unambiguous,” Banner said. “We can win a championship with those people and they will be back and I’ve gone on to say we believe we’re very lucky to have them.
“We’re not gonna, as we have always done, talk about what we’re gonna do and not do publicly with contracts. But we’re obviously more than happy to sit down with Donovan and discuss or address any issue he wants. That’s not unusual. It’s probably unusual that he discussed it publicly but it’s not unusual for Andy to talk to Donovan or us to talk to Donovan. He’s a special player and been a huge part of our success and [we’re] more than happy to do that. “Put Cards DE Bertrand Berry in DMac's column
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Phils may be interested in Wigginton, Aurilia
David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Phillies are interested in Ty Wigginton.
Wigginton, who hit .285 in 429 plate appearances with Houston last year, would be an option at third base in case Pedro Feliz' back injury continues to be a problem.
Murphy also reports that the Phillies have looked at Rich Aurilia as an option at third base.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Phils sign Hollins to minor league deal
The Denver Post's Troy Renck is reporting that the Phillies have agreed to a minor league contract with 35-year-old Damon Hollins, who asn't played in the majors since 2006.
The contract is worth $450,000 with $65,000 guaranteed.Hollins can also request a trade if he's not on the 25 man roster by July 1st and can pay the Phillies $100,000 to sign with a Japanese team or $50,000 to sign with a Korean team, but the team would have the option of adding him to their roster within three days instead.
Whipple to Miami?
Whipple may also be the leading candidate to take over as Eagles QB coach since Pat Shurmur has
left to take over as offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Nelson deserves All-Star nod
Howard will be joined in the Eastern Conference frontcourt by forwards Kevin Garnett of Boston and LeBron James of Cleveland, while Detroit's Allen Iverson and Miami's Dwyane Wade round out the conference's starting five.
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant led all Western Conference vote-getters with 2,805,397, beating San Antonio forward Tim Duncan (2,578,168) and Houston center Yao Ming (2,532,958). Bryant, Duncan and Yao will be joined on the West roster by New Orleans guard Chris Paul and Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire.
Now comes the fun part.
In selecting the reserves, who will be announced on January 29, the 30 NBA head coaches must vote for seven players within their conference, including two guards, two forwards, a center and two players regardless of position.
The Eastern Conference is loaded with talented guards. New Jersey's Devin Harris, Atlanta's Joe Johnson and Boston's Ray Allen are all certainly having All-Star type seasons, but no one deserves a spot in this year's mid-season classic more than Howard's point guard in the Magic Kingdom -- Jameer Nelson.
The NBA's most improved player, Nelson is averaging a career-best 17.1 points and dishing out 5.3 assists per game for the 33-9 Magic. The former Saint Joseph's star is shooting a sizzling 50.6 percent from the floor -- a mark almost unheard of these days for a 6-foot player -- and 44.3 percent from long range.
It's not a complete surprise that Nelson is excelling. After winning a pair of state championships at Chester High School near Philadelphia, he dominated the college game during his stint under Phil Martelli at SJU.
Nelson was a unanimous National Freshman of the Year selection with the Hawks and, after a sensational junior season in 2002-2003, declared for the NBA Draft before changing his mind and remaining in school for his senior season.
It was a great decision and Nelson became the most decorated player in the nation during the 2003-2004 season, leading St. Joe's to a perfect 27-0 regular season record.
Nelson and Delonte West, who is now playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, formed what was largely considered the country's best backcourt, helping the Hawks earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They advanced all the way to the Elite Eight and were within seconds of a Final Four appearance before Oklahoma State's John Lucas III buried a three-pointer to end the Hawks' dream season.
St. Joseph's finished with a 30-2 record, the best in the university's history, and Nelson averaged 20.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. He won the Wooden Award and the Naismith Award, leaving the Hawks as their all-time leader in scoring (2094 points), assists (714), and steals (256).
Simply put, Nelson was the best player in the program's history,
"I'm not sure we will ever have another one like him," Martelli told me during a phone interview. "The charisma, the talent, the way he handled himself on and off the floor.
"Of course, we will always try but he set the standard here. He has that special quality and held up his head through all the ups and downs."
No one knows Nelson better than his college coach and Martelli isn't surprised the point guard has stepped up his play after going through the biggest down point in his life in 2007.
On August 30, 2007, Nelson's father, Floyd "Pete" Nelson was reported missing after disappearing at his Chester tugboat repair shop, located along the docks of the Delaware River.
Early in the investigation, authorities said no one saw Floyd Nelson fall into the water and Jameer arrived at the search site the next morning. Three days later, Floyd Nelson's body was found floating in the Delaware.
"He got through that tragedy with his father and kept working," Martelli said. "He is just an extremely hard worker. He worked at basketball for years. Nothing was given to him. He has never been afraid to go to the gym alone and I think he now knows what (Orlando coach) Stan Van Gundy wants and he is focusing on continuing to improve."
Has Nelson improving enough to be an All-Star?
Perhaps, but Martelli is more impressed by other things.
"You know we sit here on the brink of Jameer becoming an NBA All-Star and I can't help thinking he's a better person than a player."
Cheeks to Memphis?
The newspaper also reports that Hollins, 55, plans to bring with him as an assistant, former Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks.
Griz assistant coach Johnny Davis, another former Philly coach, will take over temporarily for the next two games, as Memphis plays tonight at New York tonight and Saturday at home against New Jersey.
Barkann in car accident
Radio can be dangerous. Comcast SportsNet’s Michael Barkann was involved in an auto accident Friday morning, evidently while he was on the air with WIP.
Update: The accident was minor and Barkann was not injured.
Ray Didinger Sr. Dies
WIP personality pens new Flyers book
WIP's Brian Startare is the author of the new book titled Flyer’d Up.
Here’s a Brian's personal pitch:
Hey Flyers Fans! Brian Startare from 610WIP to let you all know that my new book Flyer’d Up! Trivia, Facts, and Anecdotes for fans of the Orange and Black will be available just in time for the Flyers Carnival on Sunday, February 22. You can pre-order now at www.flyersfanbook.com.
On the pages of Flyer’d Up, there will be extensive trivia along with stories an quotes from the Broad Street Bullies, along with players from the 80’s, 90’s, and today. There will also be contributions from such noted hockey writers and broadcasters as Al Morganti, Anthony San Filippo, Bill Meltzer, and Glen Macnow, along with touching dedications to Flyers great Pelle Lindbergh and legendary broadcaster Gene Hart, right from the pen of his daughter, Lauren, who is currently the teams’ anthem singer. You will also enjoy great photos and hand drawn illustrations, along with some fun tidbits of information along the way. Even a space for you to collect autographs from your favorite Flyers.
Hundreds of hours have been spent compiling facts, conducting interviews, and conveying many thoughts, stories and memories. It was a project that was a labor of love and I would be honored if you would allow yourselves, the best fans in professional sports, to sit back and read through the many pages of Flyers lore and enjoy a moment celebrating what I consider to be the best franchise in all of sport.
Thanks everyone! And don’t forget to stop by the AT&T Pavillion at the Wachovia Center during each Flyers home game and say hello.
Go Flyers!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Brand to return on Saturday
Brand, who was on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder, will come off the bench and play limited minutes, according to coach Tony DiLeo.
December Arbitron ratings
Evidently 610's jump in November form a 3.4 to 4.o was an anomaly since Angelo Cataldi and Company were back down to a 3.4.
ESPN950 hit a high of 0.8 during the Phillies run in October, slipped to an o.7 in November and was down to an o.6 in December.
WIP is 13th overall in the market while 950 is 27th.
Meanwhile, WFAN in New York actually registers an 0.1 in Philly.
-Courtesy of Inside Radio
Briere out 4 more weeks
The procedure repaired a nerve and Briere will need at least another month to recover, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said.
He has missed the last 22 games with what was described as a groin strain.
Winning in the NFL isn't about cliches
Yet, in this age of the ESPN/talk radio fueled short attention span, the dozens of talking heads polluting the airwaves love to talk in absolutes.
I understand why. After all, I have been a talk show host for four years and have been a featured guest on dozens of radio stations over the past decade. Be it politics or sports, listeners aren't interested in the politically correct world of the sensitive man.
They want concrete opinions. They want you to stick your neck out and they love to call back when you are wrong.
But, few things get me ranting and raving more than absolute statements.
In the NFL, pundits love to talk about how you win the big game.
You've heard all the cliches ad nauseam.
Whether its "defense wins championships," "you win up front," "you need the run the ball and stop the run" or "stay away from turnovers," whatever you believe, 42 different Super Bowls have proven just one thing -- there is far more than one way to win.
For me, it was always Tony Dungy's cover-2 defense. I never thought any team using that as its primary scheme would ever get over the top. Sure, you could win a lot of games but eventually you would hit a team with a smart quarterback, a solid offensive line and you would suffer a painful, death by a thousand cuts, or in this case, a thousand dinks and dunks.
In my mind, the defense was just far too passive and simplistic to get things done in a big time situation. To this day, nine times out of 10, my theory is correct but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled it off in Super Bowl XXXVII. Indianapolis, under Dungy himself, followed in Super Bowl XLI, but that Colts defense was far more aggressive than Dungy's original blueprint.
In Philly, we all know one local talk show lost loves to talk about how the tall, athletic No. 1 receiver is overrated and doesn't help you win championships, often pointing how the New England Patriots faltered in Super Bowl XLII with Randy Moss.
That's probably one of the more comedic theories I've heard since the Pats came into that game 18-0 and the New York Giants needed the stars aligned to win that game. Anyone remember Asante Samuel's dropped interception or David Tyree's brilliant catch? And, oh yeah, didn't a tall, athletic No. 1 receiver -- Plaxico Burress -- catch the winning touchdown?
It was also pretty evident just how important Burress was to the Giants and Eli Manning after they faltered late this season after losing him.
Meanwhile, Larry Fitzgerald almost single-handily jettisoned the Eagles from the playoffs and sent the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl with his Herculean effort in the NFC Championship Game last week.
There are exceptions to every rule.
If you need to run the ball and stop the run, why is Adrian Peterson and the Williams Wall in Minnesota enjoying their offseasons while Fitz and the Cards are getting ready to play for the NFL championship in Tampa?
If you need to stay away from turnovers, how do you explain the 1999-2000 St. Louis Rams and Mike Martz' "Greatest Show on Turf?"
Brett Favre won his one Super Bowl with Edgar Bennett as his primary running threat. Bennett was a nice player but hardly conjured up images of Jim Brown. Meanwhile, John Elway could never get over the hump until he got the big time runner in Terrell Davis.
This season, more time-tested theses will be destroyed.
If Pittsburgh wins, all the "defense wins championships" people will certainly be walking tall, but the Steelers have one of the weakest offensive lines in football today, disproving the "you win up front crowd."
On the other hand, if St. Louis earns the Lombardi Trophy, the "you need to run the ball crowd" will have to stick their collective heads in the sand.
Point is, you can poke holes in anything.
At the end of the say, only one thesis has stood the test of time -- "There are dozens of ways to win a football game."
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Flyers' Briere to undergo exploratory surgery
"Due to lingering discomfort in his groin/stomach areas, Danny (Briere) will have an exploratory surgical procedure done tomorrow (Thursday, January 22) by Dr. William Meyers (at Hahnemann University Hospital). Recovery time will be a minimum of two weeks,” GM Paul Holmgren said.
“I am very disappointed,” said Briere. “It’s been frustrating not knowing what is going on, so we have decided to go in and check things out.”
Briere, 31, recorded a goal and four assists for five points and two penalty minutes in three games for the Phantoms after being assigned to the Phantoms for conditioning purposes on January 14. He has registered five goals and four assists for nine points in nine games with the Flyers this season. He has missed the last 21 Flyers games with a groin strain, and 30 of the last 31 overall due to injury.
Sixers having "Phillies" night
The 76ers will celebrate the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies during “Phillies Night,” the highlight of which will be the fans’ opportunity to get their picture taken with the Commissioner’s Trophy prior to the Sixers game vs. the Knicks on Saturday, January 24, 2009. The trophy will be on display in the
Fans will be able to view and photograph the trophy from the concourse as well as from the suite, club and mezzanine levels of the
In attendance for “Phillies Night” will be World Series MVP Cole Hamels – who will participate in the ceremonial opening tip – pitchers Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge, and outfielder Shane Victorino, all of whom will participate in a three-point shooting contest at halftime. The World Series trophy will also be brought to the court during the halftime ceremony, as well.
“Phillies Night” will also include a 7th inning stretch, where Hip Hop and the Hare Raisers will join the Phillie Phanatic and Phillies Ball Girls and shoot T-shirts out to the crowd.
Tickets for this game start at just $10 and individual tickets to 19 of the remaining 20 home games are on sale now exclusively through ComcastTIX at SIXERS.COM or by calling 1-800-298-4200. Additionally, tickets to the Sixers game at the Wachovia Spectrum vs. the Chicago Bulls on March 13, 2009 are also available now via the team’s “History and Tradition” three-game ticket plans, which start at just $125.
PETA asks NFL to test Vick's brain
The USDA revelation that Vick enjoyed placing family pets in the ring with fighting pit bulls is among the factors that fit the profile for serious antisocial personality disorder (APD), according to the American Psychiatric Association.
People with APD are commonly referred to as "psychopaths." They are usually male, often charming, prone to lying and manipulation, and incapable of genuine remorse, frequently leading to recidivism. They can also take pleasure in cruelty.
Before the NFL even considers the possibility of allowing Vick back into the league, PETA thinks that Vick needs to undergo a brain scan coupled with a structured, standardized test (e.g, the Psychopathy Checklist, developed by Robert Hare).
NBA Players celebrate Obama's ascent
The common theme was how it felt to see a fellow African-American take over the most powerful office in the world for the first time.
"Kids always look at us athletes to be their role models and we can't take that for granted," the Lakers' Lamar Odom said. "But Barack, now he's a true role model."
"I thought it was incredible," Kobe Bryant told the Los Angeles Times. "It was an historical moment. It's exciting times we live in. I'm just happy to be a part of it and to be able to see it and embrace it. God bless him."
Injured Golden State Warriors star Monta Ellis was the most eloquent spokesman on Obama's ascension, however.
Ellis compared Obama to Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest orators in American history, whose "I Have A Dream" speech took place at the opposite end of the National Mall from where Obama was sworn in some 45 years ago.
"I heard Obama's speech...It felt good," Ellis told 48minutes.net. "Actually, to me, he was saying pretty much the same thing Dr. King was saying. And he sounded just like him as he was speaking. It was just like when Dr. King was speaking. It's a great feeling. It's like history repeating itself, and it's a great thing."
Dahntay Jones and Renaldo Balkman of the Denver Nuggets arrived for their game on Tuesday in Memphis wearing Obama T-shirts. Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony sported a red tie "because Obama was wearing one."
"I'm excited about his presidency," Nuggets coach George Karl told the Rocky Mountain News. "Never in my life have I ever had as much hope...It's a good day for America. Most (of Karl's players) are in (Obama's) pocket ready to support him in any way."
The Knicks' Chris Duhon actually turned down a ticket to the inauguration in order to receive treatment on his sore lower back. But, the point guard made a point to sit down with a group of foster children and regale them with how he once played with the new Commander-in-Chief, who happens to be a huge basketball fan, during his days in Chicago.
"I would have obviously loved to be there, but at the same time, it still doesn't take away how special a day it was for America," Duhon told the New York Daily News. "Everyone talks about his game. He's all right. He's a solid player. But he's going to be an even better President."
The NBA's biggest star, LeBron James, even offered up his services if the nation's new first fan needs any help during a White House pickup game.
"I'll play with him as long as I'm on the same team. I don't want to make the President mad," James deadpanned.
Phils sign Werth
The Phils also agreed to terms with pitcher Chad Durbin on a one-year, 1.65 million dollar contract.
Ryan Howard is the only left facing arbitration. Howard has asked for $18 million while the Phillies countered with a $14 million dollar offer.
Phan radio
Listen to John McMullen on Troy Derengowski's Nightly Sports Report on WHON 930 at 5:00 p.m. Bang the link to listen...