Who do you want to believe at the worldwide leader?
ESPNews reported that T.J. Houshmandzadeh plans to make a decision on his future by tomorrow evening after a visit to Minnesota.
Now, DMac's publicist (No, not Rich Burg -- ESPN's Michael Smith) is saying Housh will also visit with the Eagles and Tampa Bay.
If true, clearly the Birds are hurting after the Dawkins snafu and are willing to play the p.r. game for once and sign a player the fans want more than they do.
The most likely scenario is Houshmandzadeh is not finding the interest he thought he would on the open market and his agent is trying to drum things up.
By all accounts the Vikings and Eagles are the two places he would like to end up but both teams have been lukewarm on the possibility.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
BDawk's intoductory press conference in Denver
BRONCOS HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS
Introduction of Broncos S Brian Dawkins
“Brian Dawkins is a special, special person, and he is an even better player. One of the things that I realized shortly after 10:00 Mountain Time, once free agency opened when I talked to him, is that he is exactly what the Denver Broncos are looking for. He is dedicated, he is serious about the game and he is terribly respectful of his family and the organization that he comes from. He wants to come to a place that he can win and that wants him and much as he wants them. It’s our privilege to add him as the newest Denver Bronco. He is going to provide us with great leadership and a great attitude. He’s got tremendous experience and we are thrilled to have him, Connie (his wife) and his entire family here in Denver.”
BRONCOS S BRIAN DAWKINS
Opening statement
“Wow. This is an absolute blessing. I’m a blessed man. You guys here in Denver will get used to me saying that because I am a blessed man. I realize that I have been blessed to play a lot of years in the league. I was blessed to play for a great organization and come to another great organization. I’m just looking so much forward to the prospects ahead with this team. I was able to meet some of the young guys that I am going to have a privilege of playing with and we’re all jacked. I’m kind of jumping around with my words right now because I’m so emotional and excited for this opportunity. It’s a new thing for me—free agent and being able to move on to a new team that, like Josh said, wanted me just as much as I wanted to be here.”
On why he chose to sign with Denver
“Just hearing Josh and how excited he was and how much they wanted me here. I was not just a want for them. They felt more like it was a necessity for me to be here. That’s something that every player wants to feel from an organization. I know what they have on the offensive side of the ball and I waned to help bring something to the defensive side of the ball. I told them in one of the first conversations I had with them that if I do come here and that is the route, then I’m here. I’m going to give you what I got. That may include some things that you have only read about.”
On leaving Philadelphia
“This is a time to talk about Denver and the fans here. I will tell you that I have never—it was never dwindling with the fans there in Philadelphia. Yeah, absolutely (it was bittersweet). I can be honest with that. Like I said, this is a day to celebrate myself, my family, the blessing that the Lord has given me with this great organization.”
On how many years he can play at a high level
“As many as he (God) blesses me to play at a high level. I have always said that. As long as I can play at a high level injury-free and can give—as long as the guys that I am going to get to know here in a couple of months—as long as they trust me to make the plays that I need to make.”
On whether CB Champ Bailey was a determining factor in his decision to sign with Denver
“I don’t know about a determining factor, but I will say that it was a huge plus. I’ve had an opportunity to play with some pretty good cornerbacks. good cornerbacks like that make my job a lot easier. He’s definitely one of those great cornerbacks that I’ll have a privilege of playing with.”
On Denver’s defense
“We are going to go into this thing and we are going to get on the same accord right away. Obviously we are going to have a lot of new faces. The thing about it is you try to gel as quickly as possible. Once we gel and once everybody understands their role—you just do your role, you don’t have to do anything outside of your role. If my job is to penetrate in this gap then I am going to do that because I know my guy beside me is doing the same exact thing in his gap. If that’s the mentality that everybody is taking care of their gap and dominating their gap then we are going to be a pretty good doggone defense and create turnovers along the way.”
On his leadership style
“I only know how to be one way and I genuinely care for the guys that I play with. Those are not words. I tell them, and they may roll their eyes, but I tell them that I love them. That’s the type of relationship that I try to build. We have conversations not just about football. Whatever may be on their hearts to talk about, we talk about those things. We get to know each other on and off the field.”
On Head Coach Josh McDaniels
“I talked to Josh just a little bit about one of my coaches in Philadelphia, (Secondary Coach) Sean McDermott. They remind me of one another. (McDaniels) was very bright and very enthusiastic of what the vision is for this team. Not winning later, not building nothing, but starting and winning right away. I bought into it and I drank the orange Kool-Aid. It’s not about his age, it’s about his passion and leadership and I bought into it right away.”
On whether he had second thoughts on coming to Denver
“I wouldn’t say second thoughts but deep thoughts. You see my family and they mean the world to me. I want to make sure that they are going to be somewhere that they are going to be happy. We want to be somewhere that they can flourish and bloom. I spent 13 years in Philadelphia and I could pretty much drive to work with my eyes closed. So it had to be a place that I was comfortable coming to. I think I’m going to love this place.”
On when it hit him that he was a Denver Bronco
“I think when I first got over today I saw the jersey on the table. I think I’ve worn the green for so long that a lot of people didn’t know how I was going to react to this orange. I went to Clemson and wore orange, so I’ve worn this orange with pride already. So I’m going to put on this orange once again and wear it with pride.”
On Denver’s direction
“We are not trying to rebuild something. We are trying to build right now and win right now. That’s one of the reasons why I bought in. At this point in my career I’m not looking to really going to places that are rebuilding. Obviously if they were rebuilding they wouldn’t be bringing me in here anyway. They would want to get young and start from there.”
On his work in the community
“I’ve been blessed so much in the time that I’ve been in the NFL. It’s a part of who I am to give because I believe in my faith. To whom much is given, much is required. Hopefully once I get out here, once I get my feet on the ground I’ll be able to step out and see what areas the Lord would have me step into.”
Flyers make more moves; Briere finally activated from IR
by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine
The Phanatic Magazine
The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Saturday that forward Danny Briere has been activated from injured reserve.
Briere has missed the last 36 games with the lingering effects of a groin strain, which included exploratory surgery back on January 22.
In nine games this season, Briere posted five goals and nine points. He also racked up a goal and four assists in a three-game rehab assignment with the Philadelphia Phantoms in the American Hockey League before his procedure.
In other roster moves, the club recalled forward Nate Guenin from the Phantoms, while assigning forward Claude Giroux and defenseman Lasse Kukkonen to the AHL farm team.
It is the first time Guenin has been called up to the parent club this season. He has collected eight assists in 42 games for the Phantoms this season. In 11 games with the Flyers over the previous two campaigns, the 26-year-old picked up two assists.
Giroux had four goals and 11 points in 21 games for Philadelphia.
Kukkonen, who had been waived three separate times by the Flyers this season, was credited with only two assists in 22 games in 2008-09.
The roster shuffling comes as part of a set of moves over the last two days designed to bring Briere back to the lineup so that the franchise would not exceed the league-mandated salary cap.
On Friday, the Flyers had waived forward Glen Metropolit and defenseman Ossi Vaananen in anticipation of Briere's return. However, Metropolit was claimed by Montreal and Vaananen by Vancouver, and Briere did not dress for the Habs' 4-3 overtime win in Philly.
The Quebec native is expected to be in uniform as the Flyers take on the Devils in a Sunday matinee at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Birds complete Sheppard trade
The Eagles made it official today and traded CB Lito Sheppard to the New York Jets in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2009 draft and a conditional pick in the 2010 draft.
A first round draft pick of the Eagles in 2002, Sheppard notched 18 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns, in 93 regular season games (61 starts) while with the team. He also garnered Pro Bowl honors following the 2004 and 2006 seasons.
A first round draft pick of the Eagles in 2002, Sheppard notched 18 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns, in 93 regular season games (61 starts) while with the team. He also garnered Pro Bowl honors following the 2004 and 2006 seasons.
Lurie, Reid speak on Dawkins
Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie: “Brian Dawkins has been one of the pillars of this franchise for 13 years. He helped lead us to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. Brian embodies everything you look for in a professional athlete and human being. I have been fortunate to witness his impeccable character, his passion for the game of football and his commitment to being the best player he could be. I look forward to continuing a close relationship with him once his playing days are over. His legacy as an Eagle will last forever and will ultimately land him in Canton as a Hall of Famer.”
Eagles head coach Andy Reid: “Brian is one of the best players in franchise history and one of the most popular players to ever play in the city of Philadelphia. The Eagles organization, as well as the entire fan base, will miss him not only as a player but as a tremendous person. This is the toughest part of my job, no question. He gave this city 13 years of emotional, energetic football. We wish Brian and his family nothing but the best as he continues his career in Denver.”
Eagles head coach Andy Reid: “Brian is one of the best players in franchise history and one of the most popular players to ever play in the city of Philadelphia. The Eagles organization, as well as the entire fan base, will miss him not only as a player but as a tremendous person. This is the toughest part of my job, no question. He gave this city 13 years of emotional, energetic football. We wish Brian and his family nothing but the best as he continues his career in Denver.”
Andrews press conference
Stacy Andrews and Andy Reid met the medis today. Here's how it went down:
Andy Reid’s opening remarks:
“I’d like to introduce you to Stacy Andrews. We added another Andrews to the Philadelphia Eagles family. We are very excited to have Stacy with us. Stacy is a multi-position player, who can play both guard or tackle for us. We haven’t declared which one he’ll play, but he can do either or. He started at left guard and he started at right tackle for the Bengals and has done a phenomenal job there. Stacy is coming off of an injury. He had ACL surgery on his right leg. He is making great progress with it. We feel very comfortable about his leg. He has been poked and pronged for the last two days. He is ready to get this thing going here with the Eagles. I’d like to just thank [Eagles president] Joe Banner and [consultant] Andrew Brandt and [agent] Rich Moran for the great job they did of getting this thing together from an agent and organizational standpoint and making this happen and allowing Stacy to be a part of the Philadelphia Eagles. With that, I am going to say what I say every time we bring a new player aboard here. This is his day. Let’s keep the questions directed towards and about Stacy. You can ask me questions about Stacy. I want to keep this his day. It’s a special day for him and let’s keep it that way.”
Stacy Andrews
On how he feels to be on the team with his brother, Shawn Andrews:
“I am very excited. We always talked about possibly playing together. Now we have the chance. It’s unreal; I’m looking forward to it.”
On whether he has talked to Shawn:
“We exchanged a few text messages and all that, but I’ll call him afterwards.”
On whether Shawn shared his experiences with him about what it was like to play for the Eagles:
“He basically told me over the years about how family-oriented it is here and how great the rehab staff is, the coaches, the team, the players and everybody. I feel that this will be a great fit for me.”
On where he is more comfortable on the offensive line:
“I haven’t really tried left tackle, but either guard or tackle will be fine with me.”
Andy Reid
On how far in advance he would have to make a choice about whether Andrews will play guard or tackle:
“Because he has done both, you really don’t have to give too much time. We will get through the free agency process and then [offensive line coach] Juan [Castillo] and I will sit down and go through all of that. Right now we know he can really play any position, with the exception of center—he hasn’t’ done that. He has played the tackle position, and right and left tackle isn’t that much of a difference. If he had to play left, I’m sure he could do that too.”
Stacy Andrews
On whether he will be ready for training camp:
“As of right now, I’m really not sure. I’m just looking forward to getting in and rehabbing and getting better—working with the coaches and catching up on learning the system here and all that.”
On how far along he is with his rehab:
“Eight weeks post-operation. I feel like I’m ahead of schedule. I’m walking fine and feeling great.”
Andy Reid
On what the original timetable was for his return:
“They don’t put that. That’s not even a part of it. Everybody is different on it. We have looked into that and talked to the doctors and done that whole thing. Our doctors have talked to their doctors. Like any other surgery we have talked to you guys about, this is no different. Everybody is different with it. We’ll just see. He is doing well so far.”
On what he sees when he looks at the right tackle position:
“I know I have that flexibility there where he can play that. I haven’t really gotten into all of that at this time, but I know he gives me the flexibility where he can do either or. He has started at both and played at a very high level—a Pro Bowl-caliber level at both spots. Whatever happens here happens and I can work out that at the time.”
On whether he has a definite idea of what he is going to do with the offensive line:
“We are in no rush here. We will just see what happens. The main thing you guys need to know is that he’s going to play.”
Stacy Andrews
On whether having his brother on the team was a factor in his decision to come here:
“I had another team that was kind of stepping up. A big thing for me was playing with my brother and being on a family-oriented team. I felt like this would be the best fit, with rehab and all considered.”
On how his brother is doing:
“He is doing great. He is doing great.”
On whether he is hopeful he will be able to have a positive impact on Shawn:
“Most definitely. Me being on this team will add a boost to his spirit and we will get it going here.”
On whether he has ever played football with Shawn:
“Not at all. It will be really fun with both of us playing on the line and getting things going. It will be really fun.”
On what made him decide to start playing football in college after not playing in high school:
“To tell the truth, I regret not giving it a try in high school and I didn’t want to do the same thing leaving college—having regrets about not giving it a go. I talked to Shawn and came up with the decision to go ahead and give it a try.”
On how far along in his development he is as a player:
“As a player, there is always room for improvement. My thing coming in, at the beginning, was getting caught up with everybody else. I feel like I’ve done that and there is still room to grow.”
On what his plans are for the rest of the offseason:
“Go home and finish up a few things then get back up here and get ready to work with [head athletic trainer] Rick [Burkholder] and those guys. Rehabbing and getting better.”
Andy Reid
On whether one of the factors in bringing Stacy in was to have a stabilizing influence on Shawn:
“That’s not why we brought him here, no. We brought him here because he’s a good football player. That’s the primary thing. Shawn worked very hard to get things straightened out before we brought Stacy here. I’m not worried about that part of Shawn’s game. I think it will be a neat experience for them. I think the last time they played together was AAU basketball or something. They haven’t had a chance to do this on the football field and I think that’s pretty exciting for both of them.”
On whether he is cautious about making major changes on the offensive line:
“We are always going to bring in good players. That’s what we do. There is obviously room for him and we have an opportunity here. We will just see how things work as we go through free agency.”
Stacy Andrews
On who is the better basketball player between him and his brother:
“I will take that. I have been playing since a young age. As far as Shawn, he started really young with football. Basketball is my thing. That was one of the determining factors of me not playing football in high school. That’s what I stuck with, so I think I’ll take that. I will take that most definitely.”
On whether they have ever played on the same basketball team together:
“Like coach Reid said, we played AAU. I was a senior and he was a sophomore. We were never really out on the court at the same time, but it was still fun being on the same team with my little big brother.”
On who is the better singer:
“I don’t really sing out like he does. It would probably be equal.”
On how he feels about playing with QB Donovan McNabb:
“He’s a great leader. I’ll be the guy to protect him. It will be fun to work with Donovan.”
Andy Reid
On how he feels like things have gone so far for the team in free agency:
“We are very excited that [Stacy] is here and that he chose us as his team. We are excited about it. We are still young in free agency.”
Andy Reid’s opening remarks:
“I’d like to introduce you to Stacy Andrews. We added another Andrews to the Philadelphia Eagles family. We are very excited to have Stacy with us. Stacy is a multi-position player, who can play both guard or tackle for us. We haven’t declared which one he’ll play, but he can do either or. He started at left guard and he started at right tackle for the Bengals and has done a phenomenal job there. Stacy is coming off of an injury. He had ACL surgery on his right leg. He is making great progress with it. We feel very comfortable about his leg. He has been poked and pronged for the last two days. He is ready to get this thing going here with the Eagles. I’d like to just thank [Eagles president] Joe Banner and [consultant] Andrew Brandt and [agent] Rich Moran for the great job they did of getting this thing together from an agent and organizational standpoint and making this happen and allowing Stacy to be a part of the Philadelphia Eagles. With that, I am going to say what I say every time we bring a new player aboard here. This is his day. Let’s keep the questions directed towards and about Stacy. You can ask me questions about Stacy. I want to keep this his day. It’s a special day for him and let’s keep it that way.”
Stacy Andrews
On how he feels to be on the team with his brother, Shawn Andrews:
“I am very excited. We always talked about possibly playing together. Now we have the chance. It’s unreal; I’m looking forward to it.”
On whether he has talked to Shawn:
“We exchanged a few text messages and all that, but I’ll call him afterwards.”
On whether Shawn shared his experiences with him about what it was like to play for the Eagles:
“He basically told me over the years about how family-oriented it is here and how great the rehab staff is, the coaches, the team, the players and everybody. I feel that this will be a great fit for me.”
On where he is more comfortable on the offensive line:
“I haven’t really tried left tackle, but either guard or tackle will be fine with me.”
Andy Reid
On how far in advance he would have to make a choice about whether Andrews will play guard or tackle:
“Because he has done both, you really don’t have to give too much time. We will get through the free agency process and then [offensive line coach] Juan [Castillo] and I will sit down and go through all of that. Right now we know he can really play any position, with the exception of center—he hasn’t’ done that. He has played the tackle position, and right and left tackle isn’t that much of a difference. If he had to play left, I’m sure he could do that too.”
Stacy Andrews
On whether he will be ready for training camp:
“As of right now, I’m really not sure. I’m just looking forward to getting in and rehabbing and getting better—working with the coaches and catching up on learning the system here and all that.”
On how far along he is with his rehab:
“Eight weeks post-operation. I feel like I’m ahead of schedule. I’m walking fine and feeling great.”
Andy Reid
On what the original timetable was for his return:
“They don’t put that. That’s not even a part of it. Everybody is different on it. We have looked into that and talked to the doctors and done that whole thing. Our doctors have talked to their doctors. Like any other surgery we have talked to you guys about, this is no different. Everybody is different with it. We’ll just see. He is doing well so far.”
On what he sees when he looks at the right tackle position:
“I know I have that flexibility there where he can play that. I haven’t really gotten into all of that at this time, but I know he gives me the flexibility where he can do either or. He has started at both and played at a very high level—a Pro Bowl-caliber level at both spots. Whatever happens here happens and I can work out that at the time.”
On whether he has a definite idea of what he is going to do with the offensive line:
“We are in no rush here. We will just see what happens. The main thing you guys need to know is that he’s going to play.”
Stacy Andrews
On whether having his brother on the team was a factor in his decision to come here:
“I had another team that was kind of stepping up. A big thing for me was playing with my brother and being on a family-oriented team. I felt like this would be the best fit, with rehab and all considered.”
On how his brother is doing:
“He is doing great. He is doing great.”
On whether he is hopeful he will be able to have a positive impact on Shawn:
“Most definitely. Me being on this team will add a boost to his spirit and we will get it going here.”
On whether he has ever played football with Shawn:
“Not at all. It will be really fun with both of us playing on the line and getting things going. It will be really fun.”
On what made him decide to start playing football in college after not playing in high school:
“To tell the truth, I regret not giving it a try in high school and I didn’t want to do the same thing leaving college—having regrets about not giving it a go. I talked to Shawn and came up with the decision to go ahead and give it a try.”
On how far along in his development he is as a player:
“As a player, there is always room for improvement. My thing coming in, at the beginning, was getting caught up with everybody else. I feel like I’ve done that and there is still room to grow.”
On what his plans are for the rest of the offseason:
“Go home and finish up a few things then get back up here and get ready to work with [head athletic trainer] Rick [Burkholder] and those guys. Rehabbing and getting better.”
Andy Reid
On whether one of the factors in bringing Stacy in was to have a stabilizing influence on Shawn:
“That’s not why we brought him here, no. We brought him here because he’s a good football player. That’s the primary thing. Shawn worked very hard to get things straightened out before we brought Stacy here. I’m not worried about that part of Shawn’s game. I think it will be a neat experience for them. I think the last time they played together was AAU basketball or something. They haven’t had a chance to do this on the football field and I think that’s pretty exciting for both of them.”
On whether he is cautious about making major changes on the offensive line:
“We are always going to bring in good players. That’s what we do. There is obviously room for him and we have an opportunity here. We will just see how things work as we go through free agency.”
Stacy Andrews
On who is the better basketball player between him and his brother:
“I will take that. I have been playing since a young age. As far as Shawn, he started really young with football. Basketball is my thing. That was one of the determining factors of me not playing football in high school. That’s what I stuck with, so I think I’ll take that. I will take that most definitely.”
On whether they have ever played on the same basketball team together:
“Like coach Reid said, we played AAU. I was a senior and he was a sophomore. We were never really out on the court at the same time, but it was still fun being on the same team with my little big brother.”
On who is the better singer:
“I don’t really sing out like he does. It would probably be equal.”
On how he feels about playing with QB Donovan McNabb:
“He’s a great leader. I’ll be the guy to protect him. It will be fun to work with Donovan.”
Andy Reid
On how he feels like things have gone so far for the team in free agency:
“We are very excited that [Stacy] is here and that he chose us as his team. We are excited about it. We are still young in free agency.”
Broncos make it official
-Here is the official press release from the Broncos on the signing of Brian Dawkins...
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Saturday signed seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins, it was announced. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Dawkins (6-foot-0, 210 pounds) is a 14th-year player who joins the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent after spending his first 13 NFL seasons with Philadelphia. A four-time Associated Press All-Pro selection who was named to the Pro Bowl during four of the last five years, Dawkins entered the NFL with the Eagles in 1996 as a second-round draft choice (61st overall) from Clemson University.
With 34 career interceptions and 21 sacks, Dawkins is one of four players in NFL history with at least 33 interceptions and 20 sacks for a career. His 34 interceptions tie for the most by an Eagles player in club annals, and his 21 sacks rank fourth in league history among defensive backs. Since his rookie year in 1996, Dawkins has totaled the most combined interceptions and forced fumbles (66 / 34 INTS and 32 FFs) in the NFL.
The safety is Philadelphia’s all-time leader in regular-season games played with 183 and has started 182 of those contests. His 109 career wins (99 regular season / 10 postseason) are the most by a player in Eagles history.
For his regular-season career, Dawkins has registered 1,294 tackles (851 solo), 34 interceptions (515 yds.), 158 pass breakups, 21 sacks (177 yds.), 32 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries. He also owns 94 tackles (76 solo), four interceptions (75 yds.), nine pass breakups, two sacks (23 yds.) and three forced fumbles in 18 career postseason games (all starts).
In 2008, Dawkins started all 16 games for the third time in the last four seasons and registered a team-high six forced fumbles along with the third-most tackles (142) for the Eagles. Named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, Dawkins was selected to the Pro Bowl and helped Philadelphia advance to the NFC Championship Game for the fifth time in his career.
A three-year starter at Clemson, Dawkins was an all-state selection at Raines High School in Jacksonville, Fla. He was born on Oct. 13, 1973.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Saturday signed seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins, it was announced. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Dawkins (6-foot-0, 210 pounds) is a 14th-year player who joins the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent after spending his first 13 NFL seasons with Philadelphia. A four-time Associated Press All-Pro selection who was named to the Pro Bowl during four of the last five years, Dawkins entered the NFL with the Eagles in 1996 as a second-round draft choice (61st overall) from Clemson University.
With 34 career interceptions and 21 sacks, Dawkins is one of four players in NFL history with at least 33 interceptions and 20 sacks for a career. His 34 interceptions tie for the most by an Eagles player in club annals, and his 21 sacks rank fourth in league history among defensive backs. Since his rookie year in 1996, Dawkins has totaled the most combined interceptions and forced fumbles (66 / 34 INTS and 32 FFs) in the NFL.
The safety is Philadelphia’s all-time leader in regular-season games played with 183 and has started 182 of those contests. His 109 career wins (99 regular season / 10 postseason) are the most by a player in Eagles history.
For his regular-season career, Dawkins has registered 1,294 tackles (851 solo), 34 interceptions (515 yds.), 158 pass breakups, 21 sacks (177 yds.), 32 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries. He also owns 94 tackles (76 solo), four interceptions (75 yds.), nine pass breakups, two sacks (23 yds.) and three forced fumbles in 18 career postseason games (all starts).
In 2008, Dawkins started all 16 games for the third time in the last four seasons and registered a team-high six forced fumbles along with the third-most tackles (142) for the Eagles. Named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, Dawkins was selected to the Pro Bowl and helped Philadelphia advance to the NFC Championship Game for the fifth time in his career.
A three-year starter at Clemson, Dawkins was an all-state selection at Raines High School in Jacksonville, Fla. He was born on Oct. 13, 1973.
Now we know...BDawk gone
The NFL Network has finally confirmed that Brian Dawkins has signed with the Broncos and if you are wondering why the Eagles would let their team leader go, wonder no more. Denver has lost its mind and given Dawkins a five-year, $17 million dollar deal with $7.2 million guaranteed.
Latest Houshmandzadeh news
T,J Houshmandzadeh’s agent, Kennard McGuire, sent a text message to the Minneapolis Star Tribune saying that “the Vikings are in [Houshmandzadeh’s] plans,” but gave no further details.
Considine signs with Jags
One of the most vilified Eagles has found a new home. Safety Sean Considine signed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
Birds officially ink Andrews
The Philadelphia Eagles officially signed unrestricted free agent offensive lineman Stacy Andrews to a six-year contract.
The older brother of Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews, Stacy (6-7, 342) now joins Shawn to become just the third set of brothers since 1951 to play together on the same offensive line, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The others are Jay and Joel Hilgenberg (New Orleans Saints, 1993), and Dave and Doug Widell (Denver Broncos, 1990-92).
The 27-year-old Andrews spent the first five years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected by the team in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. After being designated as the club’s franchise player in 2008, Andrews started at right tackle in the first 15 games of the season before suffering a knee injury at Cleveland (12/21/08) that rendered him inactive for the team’s final contest.
Andrews saw his first significant action as a starter in 2007, when he began the season as the team’s starting left guard before shifting to right tackle following the sixth game of the year. That season, Andrews was part of an offensive line that set a team record for fewest sacks allowed (17). In his career, Andrews has played in 62 regular season games and has notched 32 starts.
Andrews' signing also likely spells the end of Jon Runyan's career in Philadelphia. Runyan, who recently underwent microfracture knee surgery, is an unrestricted free agent.
Andrews, who had scant football experience before entering the NFL draft in 2004, first began playing the sport as a junior at Ole Miss in 2002. That year, he walked on to the team and was subsequently red-shirted. Andrews later saw action in five games as a senior in 2003 for an offense that averaged 433.2 yards per game.
A collegiate track and field star, Andrews earned All-America honors in both indoor and outdoor competition as a junior. He set school records for the indoor weight throw, the outdoor hammer throw, and discus that year.
The Camden, AR, native attended Fairview High School, where he earned letters in both track and field, and basketball.
The older brother of Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews, Stacy (6-7, 342) now joins Shawn to become just the third set of brothers since 1951 to play together on the same offensive line, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The others are Jay and Joel Hilgenberg (New Orleans Saints, 1993), and Dave and Doug Widell (Denver Broncos, 1990-92).
The 27-year-old Andrews spent the first five years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected by the team in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. After being designated as the club’s franchise player in 2008, Andrews started at right tackle in the first 15 games of the season before suffering a knee injury at Cleveland (12/21/08) that rendered him inactive for the team’s final contest.
Andrews saw his first significant action as a starter in 2007, when he began the season as the team’s starting left guard before shifting to right tackle following the sixth game of the year. That season, Andrews was part of an offensive line that set a team record for fewest sacks allowed (17). In his career, Andrews has played in 62 regular season games and has notched 32 starts.
Andrews' signing also likely spells the end of Jon Runyan's career in Philadelphia. Runyan, who recently underwent microfracture knee surgery, is an unrestricted free agent.
Andrews, who had scant football experience before entering the NFL draft in 2004, first began playing the sport as a junior at Ole Miss in 2002. That year, he walked on to the team and was subsequently red-shirted. Andrews later saw action in five games as a senior in 2003 for an offense that averaged 433.2 yards per game.
A collegiate track and field star, Andrews earned All-America honors in both indoor and outdoor competition as a junior. He set school records for the indoor weight throw, the outdoor hammer throw, and discus that year.
The Camden, AR, native attended Fairview High School, where he earned letters in both track and field, and basketball.
A Legend… Stays?!?
Will he stay or will he go?
Late last night, the Eagles were almost certain that safety Brian Dawkins had decided to fly the coop.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Dawkins had already agreed to a deal with Denver, thus supporting an ESPNews report saying the same thing.
But according to sources in Las Vegas, the San Francisco Chronicle report was taken from an Oakland Raiders blogger that was pissed off that Dawkins didn’t sign with the silver-and-black.
That’s like us reporting that Manny Ramirez is signing with the Yankees because he didn’t become a Phillie.
Furthermore, at 12:02 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, the NFL Network put up a graphic with the entire list of the Broncos’ busy day on Friday, including the signing of former Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter.
Dawkins, however, was inconspicuously absent from the list.
There are few people that know fully what’s happening with Dawkins, but the fact that the deal was reported yesterday and isn’t finalized today can only be good news for Eagles fans.
Maybe the team is making one last ditch shot to keep their most valuable player.
Reading these tea-leaves is like trying to figure out hieroglyphics while blindfolded.
BDawk Watch 2009 rolls on…
Magee passes Rupp
Congratulations to Philadelphia University men’s basketball coach Herb Magee, who passed former Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp to move into fourth place on the NCAA career wins list on Friday.
Magee won his 877th game when the Division II Rams posted a 63-57 victory over Caldwell in New Jersey.
Magee now trails former North Carolina coach Dean Smith with 879; former Indiana and Texas Tech coach Bob Knight with 902; and Don Meyer of Northern State with 903 on the all-time list.
Birds close door on Housh
We told you yesterday that T.J. Housmandzadeh was playing you.
Now, CSNPhilly.com is reporting that the Eagles have informed Housh's agent, Kennard McGuire, they are not interested in his services.
McGuire reportedly called the Eagles on Friday and claimed T.J. was willing to take less to play in Philadelphia. The team then discovered that McGuire was asking for more from them than he was from both the Seahawks and Vikings.
Now, CSNPhilly.com is reporting that the Eagles have informed Housh's agent, Kennard McGuire, they are not interested in his services.
McGuire reportedly called the Eagles on Friday and claimed T.J. was willing to take less to play in Philadelphia. The team then discovered that McGuire was asking for more from them than he was from both the Seahawks and Vikings.
A Legend Walks
By Steven Lienert
The Phanatic Magazine
Nationally, this is like watching Emmitt Smith put on a Cardinals uniform, Pete Rose hustling for the Expos or Michael Jordan dunking for the Wizards.
For Philadelphia, this is Steve Carlton in a Twins uniform, Jeremiah Trotter playing for Dan Snyder and the Redskins or Harold Carmichael walking out of the home team’s tunnel at Texas Stadium.
It just ain’t right.
Early last evening, Brian Dawkins ended his tenure as an Eagle.
Somewhere in Colorado, Dawkins will say his prayers, thank the Man upstairs for being so blessed and lay down to sleep knowing that Philadelphia is in his rear-view mirror.
At the same time two time zones east, in taprooms across the City of Brotherly Love, Eagles’ fans will mourn the loss of their leader.
Brian Dawkins in a Broncos uniform? It just ain’t right.
I have no idea how these events came to pass. The Eagles had enough money to sign Dawkins and save themselves a public –relations hit of epic proportions. Instead, they let the heart and soul of the team walk away to finish his career in Denver. What?
Maybe Dawkins didn’t like the Eagles’ offer. Maybe he asked the Eagles to match Denver’s offer and they declined. Maybe the Eagles never offered Dawkins anything in the first place.
With how forth-coming the organization normally is, we may never truly know how or why Dawkins’ departure came to pass.
The fact of the matter is that Brian Dawkins is no longer here. This was Dawkins’ team.
Whose team is it now? Donovan McNabb’s? Brian Westbrook’s? Sheldon Brown’s?
Dawkins had this commanding presence about him that made people believe in and buy into what the coaches were saying. He set the example of the way things should be done. Who will do that now? More importantly, who commands that type of respect from every corner of the locker room?
Last season, the Eagles’ defense played the way it did because it wanted Dawkins to go out on top. Maybe they already knew something we didn’t.
With the loss of Dawkins, the Eagles lost more than just a safety. There’s no one they can draft or a free agent they can sign that will fill the position vacated by Dawkins.
Denver visits the Linc next season, so Eagles’ fans will get to vent their frustration regardless where it’s directed.
Something tells me there will be one or two Dawkins’ jerseys in the stands, which may make a statement that not even Joe Banner could ignore.
Steve Lienert can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Eagles finally trade Lito
The NFL Network's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Eagles are on the verge of completing a trade that will send CB Lito Sheppard to the New York Jets for a fifth-round draft choice in 2009 and a conditional 2010 draft choice.
The conditional pick could be as high as a second-round pick or as low as a fourth. The deal is pending a physical which Sheppard will have tomorrow.
The conditional pick could be as high as a second-round pick or as low as a fourth. The deal is pending a physical which Sheppard will have tomorrow.
Dawkins to Denver? Hold yer Broncos
By Steven Lienert
The Phanatic Magazine
While ESPNews reports that safety Brian Dawkins has reached an agreement to play for the Denver Broncos, word out of the NovaCare Complex is quite different.
As of 7:45 p.m., Dawkins’ chances of re-signing with the Eagles are still 50-50.
Stay tuned to The Phanatic for further details.
Also, look for the Eagles to ink tackle Tra Thomas shortly and expect the Anquan Boldin talk to heat up as the draft draws nigh.
However, don’t expect the team to be major players in the free agent market.
Considine visits Jags
The Florida Times Union's Michael C. Wright is reporting that Eagles safety and special teams star Sean Considine visited the Jaguars today.
Dawkins signs with Broncos
David White of the San Francisco Chronicle, is reporting that the Denver Broncos have Brian Dawkins. Dawkins is expected to be introduced at a press conference on Saturday.
Housh is playing you
Eagles fans got very excited when free-agent WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh sent a text to ESPN950 on Thursday saying, "I don't know what's gonna happen, if they want me I will be an Eagle tomorrow."
Problem is, the Housh has been doing the same thing in other cities and Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the Giants, Seahawks and Vikings are the other teams he is interested in.
Houshmandzaheh's first visit will be Seattle.
Problem is, the Housh has been doing the same thing in other cities and Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the Giants, Seahawks and Vikings are the other teams he is interested in.
Houshmandzaheh's first visit will be Seattle.
Four Phillies on Babeball America's Top 100 Prospect List
Four Phillies have made Baseball America's Top 100 Prospect List this year, led by outfielder Dominic Brown at No. 48.
Here's the Phillies that made the list with a fast fact for each and their MLB estimated time of arrival.
48 DOMINIC BROWN OF, PHILLIES
93: Percentage of his 14 career home runs that have come against righthanders (13).
Opening Day Age: 21 ETA: 2011
52 CARLOS CARRASCO RHP, PHILLIES
46: Strikeouts in 37 Triple-A innings in 2008.
Opening Day Age: 22 ETA: 2009
66 LOU MARSON C, PHILLIES
9: Errors at Double-A Reading last season, highest total among catchers in the Eastern League, though he threw out 36 percent of basestealers.
Opening Day Age: 22 ETA: 2009
69 JASON DONALD SS, PHILLIES
19: Extra-base hits in the Arizona Fall League, which like his average (.407) ranked second in the league.
Opening Day Age: 24 ETA: 2009
The top prospect in all of baseball, according to BA is Orioles catcher Matt Wieters.
BDawk on his way to Denver
Eagles Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins is on his way to Denver to meet with the Broncos.
Andrews to Eagles
The Eagles are set to trade in knee problems for knee problems.
The Birds have agreed to terms with tackle Stacy Andrews on a multi-year deal, averaging $7 million per season. The guaranteed money is not yet known.
Andrews suffered a torn ACL late in the 2008 season and the deal hinges on Andrews passing a physical.
Andrews is the older brother of Eagles Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who missed most of training camp last season due to depression and nearly all of the regular season with a back injury.
Stacy (6-foot-7, 342) spent the first five years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted by the team in the fourth round in 2004. After being designated as the club’s franchise player in 2008, the 27-year-old Andrews started at right tackle in the first 15 games before suffering a knee injury at Cleveland (12/21/08).
Andrews saw his first significant action as a starter in 2007, when he began the season as the team’s starting left guard before shifting to right tackle after the first six games. That season, he was part of an offensive line that set a team record for fewest sacks allowed (17). For his career, Andrews has played in 62 regular season games (32 starts).
The Birds have agreed to terms with tackle Stacy Andrews on a multi-year deal, averaging $7 million per season. The guaranteed money is not yet known.
Andrews suffered a torn ACL late in the 2008 season and the deal hinges on Andrews passing a physical.
Andrews is the older brother of Eagles Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who missed most of training camp last season due to depression and nearly all of the regular season with a back injury.
Stacy (6-foot-7, 342) spent the first five years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted by the team in the fourth round in 2004. After being designated as the club’s franchise player in 2008, the 27-year-old Andrews started at right tackle in the first 15 games before suffering a knee injury at Cleveland (12/21/08).
Andrews saw his first significant action as a starter in 2007, when he began the season as the team’s starting left guard before shifting to right tackle after the first six games. That season, he was part of an offensive line that set a team record for fewest sacks allowed (17). For his career, Andrews has played in 62 regular season games (32 starts).
Flyers waive two to make room for Briere
Danny Briere is expected to return to the Flyers lineup on Friday when the club plays host to the Montreal Canadiens.
"I think we will know in the morning with what is going on," said Flyers head coach John Stevens. "As far as today, we are going to wait and see how he feels tomorrow. I don't think we will wait until game time. We will decide in the morning whether he is going to play or not."
The club waived center Glen Metropolit and defenseman Ossi Vaananen on Thursday to clear salary cap space for Briere's return.
Briere had surgery on his groin/stomach area last month and has skated in just nine games this season because of injury, tallying five goals and four assists.
Phils release Eaton
The Phillies released disappointing starter Adam Eaton on Friday.
The 31-year old posted a 14-18 mark with a 6.10 earned-run average in 51 games (49 starts) with Philadelphia.
Over nine seasons in the majors, which has included stops with San Diego and Texas, he is 68-63 with a 4.80 ERA.
Buckhalter to Denver
Alex Marvez, of FOXSports.com, reports the Denver Broncos are expected to sign free-agent running backs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington (Cardinals) after they pass their physicals.
Buckhalter, who signed a four-year deal, would be considered a frontrunner to be the starter while Arrington would have roles as a third-down specialist and a kickoff returner.
Buckhalter, who signed a four-year deal, would be considered a frontrunner to be the starter while Arrington would have roles as a third-down specialist and a kickoff returner.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Eagles tender Baskett, Cole and Daniels
The Philadelphia Eagles tendered one-year contracts to free agents: WR Hank Baskett, C/G Nick Cole, and LB Tank Daniels.
Baskett and Cole are restricted free agents and Daniels is an exclusive rights free agent.
If another club signs Baskett or Cole to an offer sheet, the Eagles have seven days to match the offer. If they chose not to match, the club will receive a 2nd round draft pick in return. By offering Daniels a one-year tender, the Eagles retained exclusive negotiating rights with him.
Baskett set career highs in 2008 with 33 receptions and three touchdowns, adding 440 yards. He joined the Eagles in a trade with Minnesota after originally signing with the Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2006. The 26-year-old Baskett has posted 71 catches, 1,046 yards and six touchdowns in his three-year career in Philadelphia. Baskett is one of six players in NFL history to have three catches of 85 yards-or-more in a career.
A rookie free agent signee of the Eagles in 2006, the 24-year-old Cole has seen action in all 53 regular and postseason contests at guard, center, and as a blocking back. In 2008, Cole filled in admirably for the injured Max Jean-Gilles, who was replacing an injured Shawn Andrews at right guard. He started the final four regular season games and all three postseason games at right guard.
In his second tour of duty in Philadelphia, the 27-year-old Daniels ranked fifth on the Eagles with 18 special teams tackles after being claimed off waivers from the New York Giants on August 31, 2008. After signing with the Eagles as a rookie free agent in 2006, Daniels saw action in six regular season games and two playoff contests during his rookie season. A year later, he was a member of the Super Bowl Champion Giants, playing in five regular season games and all four playoff contests.
Baskett and Cole are restricted free agents and Daniels is an exclusive rights free agent.
If another club signs Baskett or Cole to an offer sheet, the Eagles have seven days to match the offer. If they chose not to match, the club will receive a 2nd round draft pick in return. By offering Daniels a one-year tender, the Eagles retained exclusive negotiating rights with him.
Baskett set career highs in 2008 with 33 receptions and three touchdowns, adding 440 yards. He joined the Eagles in a trade with Minnesota after originally signing with the Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2006. The 26-year-old Baskett has posted 71 catches, 1,046 yards and six touchdowns in his three-year career in Philadelphia. Baskett is one of six players in NFL history to have three catches of 85 yards-or-more in a career.
A rookie free agent signee of the Eagles in 2006, the 24-year-old Cole has seen action in all 53 regular and postseason contests at guard, center, and as a blocking back. In 2008, Cole filled in admirably for the injured Max Jean-Gilles, who was replacing an injured Shawn Andrews at right guard. He started the final four regular season games and all three postseason games at right guard.
In his second tour of duty in Philadelphia, the 27-year-old Daniels ranked fifth on the Eagles with 18 special teams tackles after being claimed off waivers from the New York Giants on August 31, 2008. After signing with the Eagles as a rookie free agent in 2006, Daniels saw action in six regular season games and two playoff contests during his rookie season. A year later, he was a member of the Super Bowl Champion Giants, playing in five regular season games and all four playoff contests.
Biron sharp as Flyers slog past Kings
by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine
Martin Biron stopped all 34 shots he faced to post his second shutout of the season, as the Philadelphia Flyers ground out a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at theWachovia Center
The Phanatic Magazine
Martin Biron stopped all 34 shots he faced to post his second shutout of the season, as the Philadelphia Flyers ground out a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the
"I've had some close ones," said Biron, who improved to 19-12-5 and lowered his goals-against to 2.85. "We have a big wall in our hallway here reminding us of all the milestone. I know they'll be putting my name on the wall, which is going to be nice."
Jeff Carter picked up a goal and assist for the Flyers, who have won four of their last five games and crept within four points of idle
Simon Gagne registered an empty-net goal and Matt Carle added a secondary helper.
Erik Ersberg nearly equalized Biron, allowing one goal on 19 shots for the defensively-oriented Kings, who have dropped three of their last four contests.
Carter’s power-play goal seemed to awaken both clubs and the fans late in the second period.
With LA defenseman Matt Greene off for holding, Joffrey Lupul worked the puck down low from the left circle. Two Flyers got in whacks at the disc in front of Ersberg, but it worked loos to Carter at the side of the net and his poke was successful for a 1-0 lead at 16:11.
That series accounted for two of the Flyers’ five shots in the middle 20 minutes, as Biron was sharp to stop 13 and keep it a one-goal contest.
The Kings continued pressing in the third, but mostly forced into perimeter chances, lofted just nine shots on net. The visitors also squandered two power-play chances after Glen Metropolit and Mike Richards were whistled for infractions in the first half of the period.
Ersberg was given the hook for an extra skater with 1:20 remaining in regulation, and after unsuccessful chances to the empty net by Richards and Carter, Gagne maneuvered around a Kings checker and scored with one second to play.
"We had our looks, we had our opportunities but Marty was really good here," Kings head coach Terry Murray said. "It was a demanding game, and I was proud of our guys because we're such a young team. We have to find a way."
A passionless first period passed with LA outshooting Philly 12-9. The best chance for either club to score came 7 ½ minutes in, when Gagne was dragged down from behind on a breakaway.
Game Notes
Biron notched his 25th career shutout…Carter’s goal gave him 36 on the season, second-best in the NHL and one ahead of New Jersey’s Zach Parise. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin has a comfortable lead with 44 tallies…Kimmo Timonen missed his second straight game with the flu…Danny Briere is still on track to return to action Friday against Montreal…Channel 3 traffic reporter Bob Kelly successfully proposed to his girlfriend on ArenaVision between the first and second periods.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
NFL Combine 2009 - Best Official Times - Skill Positions
QUARTERBACKS
Name Time
White, Pat 4.55
McGee, Stephen 4.66
Stafford, Matthew 4.81
Bomar, Rhett 4.82
Boltus, Jason 4.83
Painter, Curtis 4.87
Wilson, John Parker 4.87
Willy, Drew 4.90
Daniel, Chase 4.92
Reilly, Mike 4.92
RUNNING BACKS
Name Time
Peerman, Cedric 4.45
Johnson, Ian 4.46
Sheets, Kory 4.47
Brown, Andre 4.49
Brown, Donald 4.51
Williams, Javarris 4.52
Goodson, Mike 4.54
Scott, Bernard 4.56
Coffee, Glen 4.58
Lucky, Marlon 4.59
Wells, Beanie 4.59
WIDE RECEIVERS
Name Time
Heyward-Bey, Darrius 4.30
Wallace, Mike 4.33
Knox, Johnny 4.34
Butler, Deon 4.38
Thomas, Mike 4.40
Underwood, Tiquan 4.41
Harvin, Percy 4.41
Byrd, Demetrius 4.42
Murphy, Louis 4.43
McKinley, Kenny 4.44
TIGHT ENDS
Name Time
Cook, Jared 4.50
Nelson, Shawn 4.56
Morrah, Cameron 4.66
Ingram, Cornelius 4.68
Branson, Marquez 4.71
Johnson, David 4.73
Bronson, Jared 4.76
Sperry, Kory 4.77
Name Time
White, Pat 4.55
McGee, Stephen 4.66
Stafford, Matthew 4.81
Bomar, Rhett 4.82
Boltus, Jason 4.83
Painter, Curtis 4.87
Wilson, John Parker 4.87
Willy, Drew 4.90
Daniel, Chase 4.92
Reilly, Mike 4.92
RUNNING BACKS
Name Time
Peerman, Cedric 4.45
Johnson, Ian 4.46
Sheets, Kory 4.47
Brown, Andre 4.49
Brown, Donald 4.51
Williams, Javarris 4.52
Goodson, Mike 4.54
Scott, Bernard 4.56
Coffee, Glen 4.58
Lucky, Marlon 4.59
Wells, Beanie 4.59
WIDE RECEIVERS
Name Time
Heyward-Bey, Darrius 4.30
Wallace, Mike 4.33
Knox, Johnny 4.34
Butler, Deon 4.38
Thomas, Mike 4.40
Underwood, Tiquan 4.41
Harvin, Percy 4.41
Byrd, Demetrius 4.42
Murphy, Louis 4.43
McKinley, Kenny 4.44
TIGHT ENDS
Name Time
Cook, Jared 4.50
Nelson, Shawn 4.56
Morrah, Cameron 4.66
Ingram, Cornelius 4.68
Branson, Marquez 4.71
Johnson, David 4.73
Bronson, Jared 4.76
Sperry, Kory 4.77
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Arizona gets Wrestlemania XXVI
Stamford, CT, February 24, 2009 -- The City of Glendale, Ariz., Global Spectrum and World Wrestling Entertainment announced that the University of Phoenix Stadium will host WrestleMania XXVI on Sunday, March 28, 2010.
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, Arizona Cardinals’ Coach Ken Whisenhunt and University of Phoenix Stadium General Manager Peter Sullivan joined WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and several WWE Superstars and Divas in making the announcement today at a press conference at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
WWE’s annual pop-culture extravaganza is a coveted event for any major city. The pay-per-view event will be televised to more than 100 countries. WrestleMania XXIV pumped $50 million into the local Orlando economy in 2008 and set the Citrus Bowl attendance record with 74,635 fans from all 50 states, five Canadian provinces and 21 countries.
This year’s 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania will take place in Houston’s Reliant Stadium on April 5th where it is expected to set the stadium attendance record. Triple H vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title, Edge vs. John Cena for the World Heavyweight title and The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels are the headline matches.
Visitors from around the world are expected to travel to Arizona and participate in a week’s worth of activities that will culminate with WrestleMania XXVI. Among the activities will be WrestleMania Axxess, WWE Hall of Fame, WrestleManiArt™ exhibition, Monday Night Raw, and WrestleMania “Rocks the Block” street party.
The University of Phoenix stadium was chosen after a year long bid process. This marks the first time the Glendale/Phoenix area has hosted WrestleMania.
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, Arizona Cardinals’ Coach Ken Whisenhunt and University of Phoenix Stadium General Manager Peter Sullivan joined WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and several WWE Superstars and Divas in making the announcement today at a press conference at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
WWE’s annual pop-culture extravaganza is a coveted event for any major city. The pay-per-view event will be televised to more than 100 countries. WrestleMania XXIV pumped $50 million into the local Orlando economy in 2008 and set the Citrus Bowl attendance record with 74,635 fans from all 50 states, five Canadian provinces and 21 countries.
This year’s 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania will take place in Houston’s Reliant Stadium on April 5th where it is expected to set the stadium attendance record. Triple H vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title, Edge vs. John Cena for the World Heavyweight title and The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels are the headline matches.
Visitors from around the world are expected to travel to Arizona and participate in a week’s worth of activities that will culminate with WrestleMania XXVI. Among the activities will be WrestleMania Axxess, WWE Hall of Fame, WrestleManiArt™ exhibition, Monday Night Raw, and WrestleMania “Rocks the Block” street party.
The University of Phoenix stadium was chosen after a year long bid process. This marks the first time the Glendale/Phoenix area has hosted WrestleMania.
On the NBA: Rubio is a player worth tanking for
By John McMullen
The Phanatic Magazine
In another couple of weeks you will likely
start to hear whispers of the four letter word that drives David Stern crazy
-- "tank."
Prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, the first pick in the league's annual draft
was determined by a coin toss between the two teams in each conference with
the worst records.
Hurt by accusations that the Houston Rockets "tanked" their 1984 season in
order to obtain Hakeem Olajuwon, Stern and the NBA instituted the lottery
system in 1985.
The Draft Lottery was at first a chance drawing for the top seven draft picks
among the seven non-playoff teams, with each team having an equal chance of
landing the number one pick.
The New York Knicks won the first lottery and the prize was Patrick Ewing.
Meanwhile, the worst team that season, the Golden State Warriors, drew the
seventh and final lottery draft position. That result ignited the Oliver Stone
crowd and conspiracy theorists abounded, accusing the NBA of rigging the
lottery in order to send Ewing to the nation's No. 1 media market.
In fact, video of the event has become the NBA's own version of the Zapruder
Film with thousands of Jim Garrisons breaking it down frame-by-frame, looking
for the dinged envelope.
Since then, things have evolved into a "weighted lottery" where teams with
fewer wins have a greater chance at selecting higher in the draft.
No matter what the NBA does, it hasn't been able to stop the league's doormats
from conveniently sitting banged-up players down the stretch in order to
secure a few more ping-pong balls for the lottery.
Heck, Barack Obama could put together a G8 summit to tackle the issue of
"tanking" and nothing would get done. Desperate teams often take desperate
measures to get better.
That said, I don't expect the usual level of "tanking" this season. The names
atop this season's projected draft boards are hardly going to remind you of
Olajuwon and Ewing.
Players like Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet
certainly have the athletic ability to flourish in the NBA, but their skill
sets are extremely raw. In fact, there isn't one surefire superstar player on
the college level expected to enter June's draft.
One name could change everything, however -- Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio.
Rubio is the 18-year-old sensation who became the youngest player in the
Spanish ACB League's history when he debuted on October 15, 2005 for DKV
Joventut.
Rubio is regarded as the best European guard prospect since the late Drazen
Petrovic and many have compared him to Pete Maravich, pointing to his natural
scoring ability and creativity,
"I think he's a freak of nature - being so young and being so skilled and also
so cool all the time," Former NBA guard and Temple star Pepe Sanchez, who once
played for Spanish ACB League rivals Unicaja Malaga, said. "You can see that
he knows what he's doing. He knows the game and he can only improve. I think
he'll be a great player."
Currently Rubio would have to pay a buyout of 4.7 million euros to get out of
his deal with DKV Joventut, a figure that could be managed if Rubio is taken
with one of the top three picks in the draft.
"He's the real deal," one Eastern Conference general manager told Sports
Illustrated. "He could be the No. 1 player picked next year. He's going to be
a top five pick for sure."
The 19-year-old age limit to enter the draft (Rubio will not turn 19 until
October) does not apply to international players and Rubio's agent, German
Gonzalez, has indicated that the Barcelona native will decide whether he will
enter the draft or postpone his arrival for another season any day now.
Here's hoping Ricky agrees to come stateside.
After all, NBA teams should have a reason to tank games.
The Phanatic Magazine
In another couple of weeks you will likely
start to hear whispers of the four letter word that drives David Stern crazy
-- "tank."
Prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, the first pick in the league's annual draft
was determined by a coin toss between the two teams in each conference with
the worst records.
Hurt by accusations that the Houston Rockets "tanked" their 1984 season in
order to obtain Hakeem Olajuwon, Stern and the NBA instituted the lottery
system in 1985.
The Draft Lottery was at first a chance drawing for the top seven draft picks
among the seven non-playoff teams, with each team having an equal chance of
landing the number one pick.
The New York Knicks won the first lottery and the prize was Patrick Ewing.
Meanwhile, the worst team that season, the Golden State Warriors, drew the
seventh and final lottery draft position. That result ignited the Oliver Stone
crowd and conspiracy theorists abounded, accusing the NBA of rigging the
lottery in order to send Ewing to the nation's No. 1 media market.
In fact, video of the event has become the NBA's own version of the Zapruder
Film with thousands of Jim Garrisons breaking it down frame-by-frame, looking
for the dinged envelope.
Since then, things have evolved into a "weighted lottery" where teams with
fewer wins have a greater chance at selecting higher in the draft.
No matter what the NBA does, it hasn't been able to stop the league's doormats
from conveniently sitting banged-up players down the stretch in order to
secure a few more ping-pong balls for the lottery.
Heck, Barack Obama could put together a G8 summit to tackle the issue of
"tanking" and nothing would get done. Desperate teams often take desperate
measures to get better.
That said, I don't expect the usual level of "tanking" this season. The names
atop this season's projected draft boards are hardly going to remind you of
Olajuwon and Ewing.
Players like Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet
certainly have the athletic ability to flourish in the NBA, but their skill
sets are extremely raw. In fact, there isn't one surefire superstar player on
the college level expected to enter June's draft.
One name could change everything, however -- Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio.
Rubio is the 18-year-old sensation who became the youngest player in the
Spanish ACB League's history when he debuted on October 15, 2005 for DKV
Joventut.
Rubio is regarded as the best European guard prospect since the late Drazen
Petrovic and many have compared him to Pete Maravich, pointing to his natural
scoring ability and creativity,
"I think he's a freak of nature - being so young and being so skilled and also
so cool all the time," Former NBA guard and Temple star Pepe Sanchez, who once
played for Spanish ACB League rivals Unicaja Malaga, said. "You can see that
he knows what he's doing. He knows the game and he can only improve. I think
he'll be a great player."
Currently Rubio would have to pay a buyout of 4.7 million euros to get out of
his deal with DKV Joventut, a figure that could be managed if Rubio is taken
with one of the top three picks in the draft.
"He's the real deal," one Eastern Conference general manager told Sports
Illustrated. "He could be the No. 1 player picked next year. He's going to be
a top five pick for sure."
The 19-year-old age limit to enter the draft (Rubio will not turn 19 until
October) does not apply to international players and Rubio's agent, German
Gonzalez, has indicated that the Barcelona native will decide whether he will
enter the draft or postpone his arrival for another season any day now.
Here's hoping Ricky agrees to come stateside.
After all, NBA teams should have a reason to tank games.
McNabb wants weapons
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb used his very own public relations arm at ESPN (Michael Smith) to leak the fact he got his long-awaited meeting with team officials last week.
Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports had already reported that McNabb wanted a “financial apology” for getting benched at halftime in Baltimore.
Now, Smith says McNabb didn’t ask for a contract extension. Instead, the enigmatic one wants to wait until he sees what Andy Reid and Company do during free agency and the draft.Translation -- McNabb wants some playmakers (Anquan Boldin, Tony Gonzalez) or he will asked to be traded.
The report makes little sense, however. Either Smith didn't do his homework or McNabb is just dangerously obtuse to how the NFL works.
McNabb has no leverage. He is under contract for two more years and by the time free agency and the draft are done, virtually every NFL team that has a quarterback issue will have taken steps to address it.
For instance, Minnesota, a place many think would be a perfect fit for DMac, has already reportedly agreed to a trade with Houston for Sage Rosenfels.
Phils lineup for Grapefruit League opener
The Phillies have announced the lineup for tomorrow's Grapefruit League opener in Bradenton against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Shane Victorino CF
3. Raul Ibanez LF
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Geoff Jenkins RF
6. Matt Stairs DH
7. Jason Donald 2B
8. Eric Bruntlett 3B
9. Chris Coste C
Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton are both expected to throw around 40 pitches.
1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Shane Victorino CF
3. Raul Ibanez LF
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Geoff Jenkins RF
6. Matt Stairs DH
7. Jason Donald 2B
8. Eric Bruntlett 3B
9. Chris Coste C
Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton are both expected to throw around 40 pitches.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Villanova ranked 10th in the country
Villanova was ranked 10th in the latest AP men's college basketball poll, its highest ranking since it was third in the final poll of 2005-06.
Penn State's Maybin runs a 4.78
Penn State defensive end/linebacker Aaron Maybin ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial time of 4.78 seconds Monday.
Degler moves to TV in Reading
Reading Phillies radio announcer Steve Degler is moving exclusively to television this season, as he’ll announce both the Reading Phillies and Lehigh Valley IronPigs games on Service Electric Cable TV2.
Degler will announce 76 IronPigs games and 20 Reading games.
For IronPigs’ games, Degler will be joined by former Phillies reliever Ricky Bottalico. Bottalico’s schedule will be determined by his work on Phillies Post Game Live on Comcast SportsNet.
Degler will announce 76 IronPigs games and 20 Reading games.
For IronPigs’ games, Degler will be joined by former Phillies reliever Ricky Bottalico. Bottalico’s schedule will be determined by his work on Phillies Post Game Live on Comcast SportsNet.
WIP's Startare pulls a Bob Costas
Bob Costas once jokingly promised Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame center fielder Kirby Puckett that if he was batting over .350 by the time his child was born he would name the baby Kirby.
Sure enough, Kirby was hitting better than .350 and Bob kind of relented naming his son Keith Michael Kirby Costas.
History repeated itself on a local level when WIP personality Brian Startare made good on a promise to name his son after Cole Hamels if the Phillies won the World Series.
Braydon Cole Startare was born on Friday.
Sure enough, Kirby was hitting better than .350 and Bob kind of relented naming his son Keith Michael Kirby Costas.
History repeated itself on a local level when WIP personality Brian Startare made good on a promise to name his son after Cole Hamels if the Phillies won the World Series.
Braydon Cole Startare was born on Friday.
Flyers' Richards is NHL's First Star
Mike Richards was named the NHL’s “First Star” on Monday after leading the league in scoring last week with eight points.
Richards registered three goals and five assists in just two games, recording a career-high five points in a 6-3 win over Buffalo. The center had three points in Saturday’s 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh, including his league-high seventh shorthanded goal of the season.
What What should the Eagles do this offseason?
Nothing, according to 48 percent of our readers. They like the status quo.
Of course that means 52 percent of you want something done. Here's how the poll broke down....
Nothing, I like the status quo - 48 percent
Waive goodbye to Donovan McNabb - 26 percent
Fire Andy Reid - 16 Percent
Fire Tom Heckert - 9 percent
Vote in our new polls to the right -- Which free agent do the Eagles have to re-sign? and Who should be the Phillies fifth starter?
Of course that means 52 percent of you want something done. Here's how the poll broke down....
Nothing, I like the status quo - 48 percent
Waive goodbye to Donovan McNabb - 26 percent
Fire Andy Reid - 16 Percent
Fire Tom Heckert - 9 percent
Vote in our new polls to the right -- Which free agent do the Eagles have to re-sign? and Who should be the Phillies fifth starter?
Pennsylvania throws its hat in MMA ring
Pennsylvania will allow mixed martial arts events in the State after officials agreed to new safety regulations.
The State expects to regulate four to five events a month.
Promoters and fighters must be licensed and insured.
Fighters also must take a pre-fight physical and emergency personnel must be at ringside at all events.
This could lead to a possible UFC pay-per-view event at the Wachovia Center.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sam's not happy; Miller will play
We all know professional sports is a business and players are in essence commodities. But, unlike gold, silver or crude oil, they are animate objects so if you make overtures to deal someone, you better get it done.
By all accounts Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski tried to peddle Samuel Dalembert to the Los Angeles Clippers (for Chris Kaman) and New Orleans Hornets (for Tyson Chandler) but no deal was reached.
"I don't know what to think anymore," Dalembert said. "It's part of the business. Everybody has to look out for themselves. The organization has to do what's best for them, and I have to do what's best for Sam. Thinking if I was going to get traded or not, I don't know. A lot of things happen."
Of course, Stefanski isn't solely to blame. Dalembert also broached the subject of moving on when things were going poorly earlier in the season.
"I just asked them - if they don't want to utilize me, then try to get the best deals for the teams, if they think I cannot get the job done," Dalembert said. "It was a brief conversation."
Things certainly got better for the team and Dalembert when Tony DiLeo took over but Sam, never known for a consistent effort level even in the best of times, is clearly still unhappy.
"It got better when Tony came in, but it's nothing personal against any coaches," Dalembert said. "When there's an agenda, there's nothing you can do about it - and I felt like when that was happening, the only thing that kind of hurt me a little bit was when things were said in the papers when the team was losing and my name was mentioned.
"The fact that I was doing my job and I felt like suddenly, gosh, 'Sam was inconsistent.' I was like, 'At what point was I inconsistent, because times were inconsistent.' I didn't know how long I was going to play compared to last year. I was in for 15 minutes, 12 minutes, 20 minutes, sometimes 18 minutes.
"Of course the numbers are going to be inconsistent, but that didn't bother me from going out there and busting my butt."
MILLER TO KEEP STREAK ALIVE
Point guard Andre Miller, who missed the final 19 minutes of Wednesday's loss to Denver with a strained right calf, intends to play in his 502nd consecutive game today.
By all accounts Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski tried to peddle Samuel Dalembert to the Los Angeles Clippers (for Chris Kaman) and New Orleans Hornets (for Tyson Chandler) but no deal was reached.
"I don't know what to think anymore," Dalembert said. "It's part of the business. Everybody has to look out for themselves. The organization has to do what's best for them, and I have to do what's best for Sam. Thinking if I was going to get traded or not, I don't know. A lot of things happen."
Of course, Stefanski isn't solely to blame. Dalembert also broached the subject of moving on when things were going poorly earlier in the season.
"I just asked them - if they don't want to utilize me, then try to get the best deals for the teams, if they think I cannot get the job done," Dalembert said. "It was a brief conversation."
Things certainly got better for the team and Dalembert when Tony DiLeo took over but Sam, never known for a consistent effort level even in the best of times, is clearly still unhappy.
"It got better when Tony came in, but it's nothing personal against any coaches," Dalembert said. "When there's an agenda, there's nothing you can do about it - and I felt like when that was happening, the only thing that kind of hurt me a little bit was when things were said in the papers when the team was losing and my name was mentioned.
"The fact that I was doing my job and I felt like suddenly, gosh, 'Sam was inconsistent.' I was like, 'At what point was I inconsistent, because times were inconsistent.' I didn't know how long I was going to play compared to last year. I was in for 15 minutes, 12 minutes, 20 minutes, sometimes 18 minutes.
"Of course the numbers are going to be inconsistent, but that didn't bother me from going out there and busting my butt."
MILLER TO KEEP STREAK ALIVE
Point guard Andre Miller, who missed the final 19 minutes of Wednesday's loss to Denver with a strained right calf, intends to play in his 502nd consecutive game today.
Eagles keep Hanson with big deal
The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms with CB Joselio Hanson on a five-year contract, $21 million dollar contract on Friday. Hanson was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next Friday.
“We are happy to keep Joselio in Philadelphia with a long-term contract,” said head coach Andy Reid. “He’s become a productive and valuable player on defense for us over the last few years, especially in nickel situations. Good cornerbacks are certainly a valuable commodity in this league and Joselio definitely fits that category.”
The 27-year-old Hanson played in all 48 regular season games (eight starts) and all five postseason contests for the Eagles since signing with the club as free agent prior to the 2006 campaign. He originally joined the NFL as a rookie free agent with San Francisco in 2003 and, after spending his rookie season on the 49ers practice squad, played in 13 games (three starts) for the Niners in 2004.
In 2008, Hanson recorded his first career interception (vs. the Cardinals’ Kurt Warner on Thanksgiving night) and his first career touchdown (a 96-yard fumble return for a score in the Eagles playoff-clinching victory over the Cowboys). He also recorded one sack among his 32 tackles.
A native of Inglewood, CA, Hanson was a two-year star at Texas Tech after transferring from El Camino Junior College. Hanson remains inspired by his father, John, who battled multiple sclerosis until he passed away from complications from the disease in 2000, saying “he always kept a positive outlook on life. He kept his faith and was always happy. I'll keep that with me wherever I go."
Hanson's signing also likely means the end of Lito Sheppard's career in Philadelphia.
“We are happy to keep Joselio in Philadelphia with a long-term contract,” said head coach Andy Reid. “He’s become a productive and valuable player on defense for us over the last few years, especially in nickel situations. Good cornerbacks are certainly a valuable commodity in this league and Joselio definitely fits that category.”
The 27-year-old Hanson played in all 48 regular season games (eight starts) and all five postseason contests for the Eagles since signing with the club as free agent prior to the 2006 campaign. He originally joined the NFL as a rookie free agent with San Francisco in 2003 and, after spending his rookie season on the 49ers practice squad, played in 13 games (three starts) for the Niners in 2004.
In 2008, Hanson recorded his first career interception (vs. the Cardinals’ Kurt Warner on Thanksgiving night) and his first career touchdown (a 96-yard fumble return for a score in the Eagles playoff-clinching victory over the Cowboys). He also recorded one sack among his 32 tackles.
A native of Inglewood, CA, Hanson was a two-year star at Texas Tech after transferring from El Camino Junior College. Hanson remains inspired by his father, John, who battled multiple sclerosis until he passed away from complications from the disease in 2000, saying “he always kept a positive outlook on life. He kept his faith and was always happy. I'll keep that with me wherever I go."
Hanson's signing also likely means the end of Lito Sheppard's career in Philadelphia.
A New Phanatic!
Congratulations to our assistant managing editor Steve Lienert, who had a baby girl last night.
Friday, February 20, 2009
NFL Franchise Tags
Franchise Labels – Record 14 Teams
x - resigned
y - Exclusive Franchise tag - only current club can negotiate
Franchised Players
x - QB Matt Cassel - Patriots
RB Brandon Jacobs - Giants
RB Darren Sproles - Chargers
WR Antonio Bryant - Bucs
TE Bo Scaife - Titans
OT Max Starks – Steelers
DE Julius Peppers - Panthers
y- LB Terell Suggs - Ravens
LB Karlos Dansby - Cardinals
LB Leroy Hill - Seahawks
CB Dunta Robinson - Texans
FS Oshiomogho Atogwe - Rams
PK Shane Graham - Bengals
P Michael Koenen – Falcons
x - resigned
y - Exclusive Franchise tag - only current club can negotiate
Franchised Players
x - QB Matt Cassel - Patriots
RB Brandon Jacobs - Giants
RB Darren Sproles - Chargers
WR Antonio Bryant - Bucs
TE Bo Scaife - Titans
OT Max Starks – Steelers
DE Julius Peppers - Panthers
y- LB Terell Suggs - Ravens
LB Karlos Dansby - Cardinals
LB Leroy Hill - Seahawks
CB Dunta Robinson - Texans
FS Oshiomogho Atogwe - Rams
PK Shane Graham - Bengals
P Michael Koenen – Falcons
Sixers' Miller day-to-day
Sixers point guard Andre Miller is listed as day-to-day after an MRI exam Thursday confirmed he suffered a right calf strain in the third quarter of Wednesday's 101-89 setback to the Denver.
The 32-year-old Utah product is averaging a team-best 6.4 assists and 15.8 points this season and has played in 501 consecutive games, the NBA's longest active streak. Detroit's Tayshaun Prince is next with 465.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Richards has career night as Flyers roll past Sabres
by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine
Mike Richards recorded a career-best five points on two goals and three assists, and Mike Knuble earned the game-winner late in regulation as Philadelphia rallied past Buffalo, 6-3, at the Wachovia Center.
Glen Metropolit, Braydon Coburn and Darroll Powe also lit the lamp for the Flyers, who have won three in a row and five of their last six. Philly also improved to 20-1-2 when scoring first.
Martin Biron stopped 39-of-42 shots to post his fourth straight win.
Jaroslav Spacek scored twice and Derek Roy contributed the other goal for the Sabres, who have dropped four of their last six games.
Ryan Miller was tagged for four goals on 34 shots in the loss.
Despite unleashing 14 shots on goal in the third, the Flyers didn't emerge with a lead until 6:09 left in regulation. Simon Gagne dished into the crease from behind the net, where Knuble buried the chance from in close.
The tally gave Knuble 20 on the year, the sixth straight year he's reached the mark, while also becoming the fifth Flyer to score at least 20 for the season.
Richards then hit the empty net with 42 seconds to go to cap off his career night and Powe added another with just under 10 seconds remaining.
Metropolit deflected a right-wing shot from Arron Asham to put the Flyers up a goal with 7:18 left in the first period. Richards picked up a secondary helper on the tally.
Biron slowed but was unable to stop a Spacek shot from the slot and it was 1-1 at 3:16 of the second.
Capping nearly a minute of pressure in the Sabres zone, Coburn blasted a shot by Miller off a dish from Gagne for a 2-1 Flyers lead at 8:57.
Already on the power play and awaiting a delayed penalty, Spacek managed to get a rising shot through traffic and over Biron's glove for a 2-2 game with 7:49 left in the second.
Richards then converted a 3-on-2 short-handed rush with 5:57 remaining, tipping a Kimmo Timonen lead pass and chipping it off the right pipe and behind Miller. It was his sixth short-handed score in 2008-09, tops in the NHL.
Buffalo knotted the score again, with 30.1 seconds to go, as Drew Stafford's stuffer worked loose and Roy's poke in the crease got the puck over the goal line. The Flyers' captain wasn't a threat to score on that series, as he took a penalty for goaltender interference to set up the visitors' goal.
The Phanatic Magazine
Mike Richards recorded a career-best five points on two goals and three assists, and Mike Knuble earned the game-winner late in regulation as Philadelphia rallied past Buffalo, 6-3, at the Wachovia Center.
Glen Metropolit, Braydon Coburn and Darroll Powe also lit the lamp for the Flyers, who have won three in a row and five of their last six. Philly also improved to 20-1-2 when scoring first.
Martin Biron stopped 39-of-42 shots to post his fourth straight win.
Jaroslav Spacek scored twice and Derek Roy contributed the other goal for the Sabres, who have dropped four of their last six games.
Ryan Miller was tagged for four goals on 34 shots in the loss.
Despite unleashing 14 shots on goal in the third, the Flyers didn't emerge with a lead until 6:09 left in regulation. Simon Gagne dished into the crease from behind the net, where Knuble buried the chance from in close.
The tally gave Knuble 20 on the year, the sixth straight year he's reached the mark, while also becoming the fifth Flyer to score at least 20 for the season.
Richards then hit the empty net with 42 seconds to go to cap off his career night and Powe added another with just under 10 seconds remaining.
Metropolit deflected a right-wing shot from Arron Asham to put the Flyers up a goal with 7:18 left in the first period. Richards picked up a secondary helper on the tally.
Biron slowed but was unable to stop a Spacek shot from the slot and it was 1-1 at 3:16 of the second.
Capping nearly a minute of pressure in the Sabres zone, Coburn blasted a shot by Miller off a dish from Gagne for a 2-1 Flyers lead at 8:57.
Already on the power play and awaiting a delayed penalty, Spacek managed to get a rising shot through traffic and over Biron's glove for a 2-2 game with 7:49 left in the second.
Richards then converted a 3-on-2 short-handed rush with 5:57 remaining, tipping a Kimmo Timonen lead pass and chipping it off the right pipe and behind Miller. It was his sixth short-handed score in 2008-09, tops in the NHL.
Buffalo knotted the score again, with 30.1 seconds to go, as Drew Stafford's stuffer worked loose and Roy's poke in the crease got the puck over the goal line. The Flyers' captain wasn't a threat to score on that series, as he took a penalty for goaltender interference to set up the visitors' goal.
NBA trade deadline provides few fireworks
By John McMullen
The Phanatic Magazine
In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, most NBA reporters dish the gossip like Cindy Adams or Perez Hilton.
The Phanatic Magazine
In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, most NBA reporters dish the gossip like Cindy Adams or Perez Hilton.
This year was certainly no different.
If you picked up a newspaper or perused a web site in recent days, you probably thought some big names would be filling out change-of-address forms.
Shaquille O'Neal, Amare Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Baron Davis, Vince Carter and Andre Miller were just some of the names being floated in various trade rumors.
In the end, the biggest names contacting U-Haul on Thursday were Larry Hughes and "Skip 2 My Lou" himself, Rafer Alston.
Yep, an overrated, disgruntled swingman and a former streetball legend were the stars of trade day.
Talk about a letdown.
I was all set to pen a column about the winners and losers of the day and how the balance of power had shifted. I mean, surely if Cavs general manager Danny Ferry landed O'Neal or Jamison to team with LeBron James and Mo Williams, Danny Ainge would be running scared in Boston.
Instead, I am writing about some guy better known for his exploits on And 1's "Mix Tape Tour."
There were no winners or losers at the trade deadline, just flotsam being exchanged for assorted debris.
OK, maybe that's a little harsh. Alston, who was acquired by the Orlando Magic in a three-way deal with Houston and Memphis, is a decent NBA point guard that should prove to be a big help to a very good team reeling from the loss of their own All-Star point guard, Jameer Nelson.
Chicago also made some legitimate moves, acquiring veteran center Brad Miller and swingman John Salmons from the Kings earlier in the week for a package that included Andres Nocioni and the always-injured Drew Gooden.
The Bulls then sent a locker room problem that's has only excelled for bad teams (Hughes) off to New York for a package that included veteran forward Tim Thomas and a guy who has made a career out of being a waste of space, center Jerome James.
Sacramento, the NBA's worst team at 11-44, remained active on Thursday sending forward Shelden Williams and point guard/New Edition front man Bobby Brown to Minnesota in exchange for fourth-year guard Rashad McCants and veteran big man Calvin Booth.
The Kings then acquired Raptors point guard Will Solomon and cash in a three- team deal including the Celtics. The C's sent journeyman center Patrick O'Bryant to the Raptors, and the Kings gave a future second-round pick to Boston.
In the end, perhaps the most intriguing deal of them all was actually rescinded when the Oklahoma City Thunder sent center Tyson Chandler back to the New Orleans Hornets after he failed his physical.
In the original deal announced on Tuesday, Oklahoma City sent forward Joe Smith, center Chris Wilcox and the draft rights to center DeVon Hardin to New Orleans for Chandler, a legitimate NBA big man, albeit a bit of an underachiever with a big price tag and having a down year.
The Thunder did turn around from there and agree to send Wilcox to the Big Apple for the expiring contract of Malik Rose.
I know, I know...I had to catch my breath too.
If only we could rescind this year's trade deadline.
The Plot Thickens
By Steve Lienert
The Phanatic Magazine
As the time to place the franchise tag on a player draws nigh, the NFL’s free-agency crop becomes thinner and what the Eagles may do becomes clearer.
At 3 p.m. today, which is the deadline for tagging players, the Carolina Panthers will have a deal in place to retain tackle Jordan Gross , which means they’ll probably slap defensive end Julius Peppers with the franchise tag. There’s still a chance the Eagles could land Peppers: He has a list of four teams that he’d liked to be traded to, and the Eagles are one of those four teams.
But it’s more likely that Peppers will remain a Panther, albeit a disgruntled one.
While we’re at it, I’d cross Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth off the wish list. Someone’s going to throw a ridiculous amount of money at him and the Eagles aren’t going to be that team.
They seem pretty happy with Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley. Haynesworth would make an already stout defense significantly better, but the Eagles have bigger holes to fill at other positions.
The Eagles’ first order of business should be to take care of business in house. Look for the team to sign Tra Thomas and Brian Dawkins, although it could come after free agency starts on February 27th.
Considering the players available and the amount of cap room the Eagles have, February 27th could be an interesting day. Need somebody to replace running back Correll Buckhalter (if he doesn’t sign a new deal here)? Colts’ running back Dominic Rhodes would look pretty good in midnight green. How about adding another weapon for Donovan McNabb? Why, isn’t that Bengals’ receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh staring through the gates to the NovaCare Complex?
As far as the other tackle position, I’d look for some reshuffling to occur along the offensive line. Barring injury or mental breakdown, Shawn Andrews will be, more likely than not, the starting right tackle on Opening Day. Todd Herremans should be the left guard, with Nick Cole continuing to grow into a solid right guard. Let’s face it: the guy played well in place of Max Jean-Gilles, who may need some extra time to come back from that horrible ankle injury.
I’d look for the tight end position to be upgraded via the draft. The Eagles will also look there to add depth at running back, safety and offensive tackle.
The Eagles could look to make some additions via trade, which virtually never happened three years ago. Cardinals’ receiver Anquan Boldin is seemingly destined to play somewhere in the NFC East and three of the four teams on Peppers’ approved trade list reside in the division.
It’s a pivotal offseason for the Eagles, who were a team that teetered on the edge of not making the playoffs to reaching the cusp of the Super Bowl. Which way the team falls depends highly on the decisions they make in the next eight weeks.
Steve Lienert can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com.
The Phanatic Magazine
As the time to place the franchise tag on a player draws nigh, the NFL’s free-agency crop becomes thinner and what the Eagles may do becomes clearer.
At 3 p.m. today, which is the deadline for tagging players, the Carolina Panthers will have a deal in place to retain tackle Jordan Gross , which means they’ll probably slap defensive end Julius Peppers with the franchise tag. There’s still a chance the Eagles could land Peppers: He has a list of four teams that he’d liked to be traded to, and the Eagles are one of those four teams.
But it’s more likely that Peppers will remain a Panther, albeit a disgruntled one.
While we’re at it, I’d cross Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth off the wish list. Someone’s going to throw a ridiculous amount of money at him and the Eagles aren’t going to be that team.
They seem pretty happy with Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley. Haynesworth would make an already stout defense significantly better, but the Eagles have bigger holes to fill at other positions.
The Eagles’ first order of business should be to take care of business in house. Look for the team to sign Tra Thomas and Brian Dawkins, although it could come after free agency starts on February 27th.
Considering the players available and the amount of cap room the Eagles have, February 27th could be an interesting day. Need somebody to replace running back Correll Buckhalter (if he doesn’t sign a new deal here)? Colts’ running back Dominic Rhodes would look pretty good in midnight green. How about adding another weapon for Donovan McNabb? Why, isn’t that Bengals’ receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh staring through the gates to the NovaCare Complex?
As far as the other tackle position, I’d look for some reshuffling to occur along the offensive line. Barring injury or mental breakdown, Shawn Andrews will be, more likely than not, the starting right tackle on Opening Day. Todd Herremans should be the left guard, with Nick Cole continuing to grow into a solid right guard. Let’s face it: the guy played well in place of Max Jean-Gilles, who may need some extra time to come back from that horrible ankle injury.
I’d look for the tight end position to be upgraded via the draft. The Eagles will also look there to add depth at running back, safety and offensive tackle.
The Eagles could look to make some additions via trade, which virtually never happened three years ago. Cardinals’ receiver Anquan Boldin is seemingly destined to play somewhere in the NFC East and three of the four teams on Peppers’ approved trade list reside in the division.
It’s a pivotal offseason for the Eagles, who were a team that teetered on the edge of not making the playoffs to reaching the cusp of the Super Bowl. Which way the team falls depends highly on the decisions they make in the next eight weeks.
Steve Lienert can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com.
Eagles make front office move
The Philadelphia Eagles have named Andrew Brandt as a consultant to assist in the areas of player contract negotiations and salary cap management.
Brandt will work closely with Eagles president Joe Banner in those matters through August, 2009.
Brandt is a founder and president of the National Football Post (nationalfootballpost.com), a unique online resource with information, analysis and insight into football, from experienced industry professionals.
Brandt left the Green Bay Packers in 2008 after nine years as vice president, where he handled all player contracts and managed the salary cap for the Packers. Prior to that, Brandt spent several years as a player agent, representing NFL players such as Matt Hasselbeck, Adam Vinatieri and Ricky Williams.
Brandt resides in Philadelphia and teaches Sports Law and Negotiations at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business.
“Andrew has tremendous respect in both the NFL and the agent community,” said Banner. “As a longtime colleague with the Packers, we always admired his work in Green Bay handling player negotiations and managing the cap. We are delighted that he is in Philadelphia and we can now tap into his knowledge and expertise to help us in a consulting role through August.”
Regarding his role with the Eagles, Brandt said, “The Eagles have always been a model franchise and a team ahead of the curve in their handling of the business side of football. As I am now living in Philadelphia and involved with The National Football Post and Wharton, I look forward to also working with the talented staff at the Eagles and providing whatever assistance I can to the organization.”
Brandt will work closely with Eagles president Joe Banner in those matters through August, 2009.
Brandt is a founder and president of the National Football Post (nationalfootballpost.com), a unique online resource with information, analysis and insight into football, from experienced industry professionals.
Brandt left the Green Bay Packers in 2008 after nine years as vice president, where he handled all player contracts and managed the salary cap for the Packers. Prior to that, Brandt spent several years as a player agent, representing NFL players such as Matt Hasselbeck, Adam Vinatieri and Ricky Williams.
Brandt resides in Philadelphia and teaches Sports Law and Negotiations at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business.
“Andrew has tremendous respect in both the NFL and the agent community,” said Banner. “As a longtime colleague with the Packers, we always admired his work in Green Bay handling player negotiations and managing the cap. We are delighted that he is in Philadelphia and we can now tap into his knowledge and expertise to help us in a consulting role through August.”
Regarding his role with the Eagles, Brandt said, “The Eagles have always been a model franchise and a team ahead of the curve in their handling of the business side of football. As I am now living in Philadelphia and involved with The National Football Post and Wharton, I look forward to also working with the talented staff at the Eagles and providing whatever assistance I can to the organization.”
Common sense is rarely on display at NFL Scouting Combine
By John McMullen
The Phanatic Magazine
With the exception of the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft has become the league's biggest annual event.
For months leading up to the gala event, various experts tell us exactly who is climbing up the board and who is sinking faster than the Titanic.
That process kicked off this week with the NFL Scouting Combine, which began on Wednesday in Indianapolis.
The combine is quite the event. Over three hundred of the best college football players are invited and top executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams are on hand to evaluate the nation's top talent.
In essence, it's an intense, four-day job interview for the athletes where they are treated like women at a dance club. They are poked and prodded,
looking for minute differences in size, speed, strength, weight, quickness and mental aptitude.
It all ends on draft day when the local zealots are encouraged to get out their own ratings and weigh in on the wit and wisdom of their favorite team’s
selections.
The NFL encourages this behavior by producing a slickly packaged draft show held annually in New York for both their own network and ESPN. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell steps to an imposing podium, hands each top draft selection a team jersey and photographers snap away.
Then the fun begins -- a plethora of experts from the most famous draftnik of them all, Mel Kiper, to comedian and notable cheesy fake cat, Nick Bakay, may
chime in.
The cameras then scan the crowd for a fan dressed from head to toe in his beloved team's colors. The fan is either bumping chests with his buddy proclaiming victory or screaming in utter despair as he sees his dreams of Super Bowl glory slipping away.
Rinse and repeat from there each and every year.
The combine is where the cycle usually ramps up. It's also where you can almost always trace a team's drafting mistakes.
To me it all comes down to common sense, a tool that is not exactly en vogue these days.
From the top of our society on down, common sense has become a dinosaur.
Think about it -- whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent -- how can you explain your representatives voting on the largest spending bill in the world's history without actually reading it?
In the world of football, personnel people tend to lose their minds when somebody runs a 4.2 or flashes an impressive vertical leap. They will even ignore four years of tape if you impress them enough with your physical ability for one week in Indy.
This year's "physical freak" is quickly becoming San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert.
Gilbert is racing up many draft boards after ESPN showed a YouTube video of the 6-foot-5, 287-pounder performing a broad jump out of a pool. Certainly an impressive athletic feat but hardly a precursor to football success.
I hate to pick on Gilbert. After all, he might turn out to be a superb NFL player. I have the testicular fortitude to admit I have no idea. There isn't a lot of San Jose State film in the McMullen household.
One thing I do know, however, is that Gilbert won't be a great NFL player because he can jump out of a pool.
An impressive 40-time once seduced Mike Tice into thinking Troy Williamson could replace Randy Moss. Turns out Williamson wasn't even Bobby Wade.
A gaudy vertical leap and shuttle run once convinced the Philadelphia Eagles that Mike Mamula would be an elite outside pass rusher in the same mold of a Reggie White or Clyde Simmons. Turns out, the only edge Mamula could circumvent cleanly was his shaving gel.
Common sense tells me watching a player's performance on the field is a better way to determine future success than the way that player looks in an Under Armour shirt.
Common sense tells me football smarts can't be measured by a Wonderlic teat.
And, history tells me a lot of NFL teams will make mistakes in this year's draft because of what goes on at the combine this week.
The Phanatic Magazine
With the exception of the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft has become the league's biggest annual event.
For months leading up to the gala event, various experts tell us exactly who is climbing up the board and who is sinking faster than the Titanic.
That process kicked off this week with the NFL Scouting Combine, which began on Wednesday in Indianapolis.
The combine is quite the event. Over three hundred of the best college football players are invited and top executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams are on hand to evaluate the nation's top talent.
In essence, it's an intense, four-day job interview for the athletes where they are treated like women at a dance club. They are poked and prodded,
looking for minute differences in size, speed, strength, weight, quickness and mental aptitude.
It all ends on draft day when the local zealots are encouraged to get out their own ratings and weigh in on the wit and wisdom of their favorite team’s
selections.
The NFL encourages this behavior by producing a slickly packaged draft show held annually in New York for both their own network and ESPN. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell steps to an imposing podium, hands each top draft selection a team jersey and photographers snap away.
Then the fun begins -- a plethora of experts from the most famous draftnik of them all, Mel Kiper, to comedian and notable cheesy fake cat, Nick Bakay, may
chime in.
The cameras then scan the crowd for a fan dressed from head to toe in his beloved team's colors. The fan is either bumping chests with his buddy proclaiming victory or screaming in utter despair as he sees his dreams of Super Bowl glory slipping away.
Rinse and repeat from there each and every year.
The combine is where the cycle usually ramps up. It's also where you can almost always trace a team's drafting mistakes.
To me it all comes down to common sense, a tool that is not exactly en vogue these days.
From the top of our society on down, common sense has become a dinosaur.
Think about it -- whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent -- how can you explain your representatives voting on the largest spending bill in the world's history without actually reading it?
In the world of football, personnel people tend to lose their minds when somebody runs a 4.2 or flashes an impressive vertical leap. They will even ignore four years of tape if you impress them enough with your physical ability for one week in Indy.
This year's "physical freak" is quickly becoming San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert.
Gilbert is racing up many draft boards after ESPN showed a YouTube video of the 6-foot-5, 287-pounder performing a broad jump out of a pool. Certainly an impressive athletic feat but hardly a precursor to football success.
I hate to pick on Gilbert. After all, he might turn out to be a superb NFL player. I have the testicular fortitude to admit I have no idea. There isn't a lot of San Jose State film in the McMullen household.
One thing I do know, however, is that Gilbert won't be a great NFL player because he can jump out of a pool.
An impressive 40-time once seduced Mike Tice into thinking Troy Williamson could replace Randy Moss. Turns out Williamson wasn't even Bobby Wade.
A gaudy vertical leap and shuttle run once convinced the Philadelphia Eagles that Mike Mamula would be an elite outside pass rusher in the same mold of a Reggie White or Clyde Simmons. Turns out, the only edge Mamula could circumvent cleanly was his shaving gel.
Common sense tells me watching a player's performance on the field is a better way to determine future success than the way that player looks in an Under Armour shirt.
Common sense tells me football smarts can't be measured by a Wonderlic teat.
And, history tells me a lot of NFL teams will make mistakes in this year's draft because of what goes on at the combine this week.
Eagles Workshop for Women
Eagles play-by-play man Merrill Reese and WIP’s Garry Cobb will lead the third annual Eagles Football Skills Academy For Women, Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22 from 10 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. at the Novacare Complex.
Other instructors are players Brent Celek, Trevor Laws, Max Jean Gilles; former NFL official Jim Kearney; former Eagle Cecil Martin; and Eagles public relations people Derek Boyko and Bob Lange.
For more information, call 215-320-5186.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Radio appearance
Let's talk NBA trade deadline...Listen to John McMullen Thursday on Troy Derengowski's Nightly Sports Report on WHON 930 at 5:00 p.m. Bang the link to listen...
Win a free NBA All-Star warmup jacket
ADIDAS was kind enough to give me a few free official All-Star warmup jackets so I am giving them away to our loyal readers over at The Sports Network...
Bang the link to register to win...
NFL Scouting Combine Primer - Positional Ratings
NFLDraftScout.com's Pre-Indy Ratings, top players by position:
* = underclassman
Listed heights, weights, 40 times are best data available before Combine.
| Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. | |
| QB | | | | | | | |
| 1 | *Matthew Stafford | | QB | 6-3 | 236 | 4.78 | 1 |
| 2 | *Mark Sanchez | | QB | 6-3 | 225 | 4.85 | 1 |
| 3 | *Josh Freeman | | QB | 6-6 | 248 | 4.86 | 2 |
| 4 | *Nate Davis | | QB | 6-1 | 218 | 4.78 | 3 |
| 5 | Pat White | | QB | 6-0 | 190 | 4.48 | 3 |
| 6 | Rhett Bomar | | QB | 6-2 | 224 | 4.75 | 3-4 |
| 7 | John Parker | | QB | 6-2 | 215 | 4.82 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| RB | | | | | | | |
| 1 | *Knowshon Moreno | | RB | 5-11 | 208 | 4.48 | 1 |
| 2 | *Chris Wells | | RB | 6-1 | 237 | 4.53 | 1 |
| 3 | *LeSean McCoy | | RB | 5-11 | 210 | 4.49 | 1 |
| 4 | *Shonn Greene | | RB | 5-11 | 235 | 4.58 | 1-2 |
| 5 | *Donald Brown | | RB | 5-10 | 210 | 4.49 | 2 |
| 6 | Rashad Jennings | | RB | 6-1 | 234 | 4.50 | 2 |
| 7 | Javon Ringer | | RB | 5-09 | 205 | 4.53 | 2-3 |
| 8 | Jeremiah Johnson | | RB | 5-09 | 198 | 4.55 | 3 |
| 9 | Andre Brown | | RB | 6-0 | 224 | 4.60 | 3-4 |
| 10 | James Davis | Clemson | RB | 5-11 | 207 | 4.48 | 4 |
| 11 | *Glen Coffee | | RB | 6-1 | 204 | 4.53 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| FB | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Tony Fiammetta | | FB | 6-0 | 246 | 4.64 | 4-5 |
| 2 | Quinn Johnson | LSU | FB | 6-1 | 251 | 4.67 | 5-6 |
| 3 | Travis McCall | | FB | 6-2 | 276 | 4.73 | 6 |
| 4 | Conredge Collins | | FB | 6-0 | 227 | 4.67 | 6-7 |
| 5 | Marquez Branson | | FB | 6-2 | 248 | 4.59 | 7 |
| 6 | David Johnson | | FB | 6-2 | 271 | 4.68 | 7-FA |
| 7 | Brannan Southerland | | FB | 6-0 | 247 | 4.65 | 7-FA |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| WR | | | | | | | |
| 1 | *Michael Crabtree | | WR | 6-3 | 214 | 4.54 | 1 |
| 2 | *Jeremy Maclin | | WR | 6-1 | 200 | 4.38 | 1 |
| 3 | *Percy Harvin | | WR | 5-11 | 195 | 4.36 | 1 |
| 4 | *Darrius Heyward-Bey | | WR | 6-2 | 206 | 4.37 | 1-2 |
| 5 | *Hakeem Nicks | | WR | 6-1 | 210 | 4.57 | 1-2 |
| 6 | *Kenny Britt | | WR | 6-4 | 215 | 4.54 | 2 |
| 7 | Derrick Williams | | WR | 5-11 | 197 | 4.43 | 2 |
| 8 | Brian Robiskie | | WR | 6-3 | 207 | 4.49 | 2 |
| 9 | Juaquin Iglesias | | WR | 6-1 | 204 | 4.49 | 2-3 |
| 10 | Mohamed Massaquoi | | WR | 6-2 | 210 | 4.54 | 2-3 |
| 11 | Louis Murphy | | WR | 6-2 | 205 | 4.38 | 3 |
| 12 | Brandon Tate | | WR | 6-1 | 195 | 4.52 | 3 |
| 13 | Brandon Gibson | | WR | 6-1 | 204 | 4.53 | 3-4 |
| 14 | Jarett Dillard | Rice | WR | 5-10 | 185 | 4.56 | 3-4 |
| 15 | Ramses Barden | Cal Poly | WR | 6-6 | 227 | 4.59 | 4 |
| 16 | Mike Thomas | | WR | 5-08 | 187 | 4.48 | 4 |
| 17 | *Austin Collie | BYU | WR | 6-2 | 206 | 4.56 | 4-5 |
| 18 | Kenny McKinley | | WR | 6-0 | 182 | 4.49 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| TE | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Brandon Pettigrew | | TE | 6-5 | 257 | 4.82 | 1 |
| 2 | Chase Coffman | | TE | 6-6 | 252 | 4.83 | 2 |
| 3 | *James Casey | Rice | TE | 6-4 | 235 | 4.68 | 2 |
| 4 | *Jared Cook | | TE | 6-5 | 240 | 4.58 | 2-3 |
| 5 | Cornelius Ingram | | TE | 6-4 | 245 | 4.68 | 3 |
| 6 | Shawn Nelson | Southern Miss | TE | 6-5 | 238 | 4.65 | 3-4 |
| 7 | Travis Beckum | | TE | 6-3 | 237 | 4.63 | 4 |
| 8 | Bear Pascoe | | TE | 6-5 | 257 | 4.86 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| OT | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Eugene Monroe | | OT | 6-5 | 315 | 5.23 | 1 |
| 2 | *Andre Smith | | OT | 6-4 | 340 | 5.28 | 1 |
| 3 | Jason Smith | Baylor | OT | 6-5 | 300 | 5.14 | 1 |
| 4 | Michael Oher | | OT | 6-5 | 309 | 5.22 | 1 |
| 5 | *Eben Britton | | OT | 6-6 | 310 | 5.09 | 1-2 |
| 6 | William Beatty | | OT | 6-6 | 291 | 5.16 | 1-2 |
| 7 | Jamon Meredith | | OT | 6-5 | 289 | 5.09 | 2 |
| 8 | Phil Loadholt | | OT | 6-8 | 343 | 5.38 | 2-3 |
| 9 | Fenuki Tupou | | OT | 6-6 | 328 | 5.26 | 3 |
| 10 | Jason Watkins | | OT | 6-6 | 317 | 5.22 | 3 |
| 11 | Troy Kropog | Tulane | OT | 6-6 | 316 | 4.90 | 3-4 |
| 12 | Xavier Fulton | | OT | 6-5 | 301 | 4.98 | 4 |
| 13 | Sebastian Vollmer | | OT | 6-7 | 314 | 5.27 | 4 |
| 14 | Cornelius Lewis | | OT | 6-4 | 324 | 5.23 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| OG | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Duke Robinson | | OG | 6-5 | 335 | 5.32 | 2 |
| 2 | Herman Johnson | LSU | OG | 6-8 | 382 | 5.47 | 2-3 |
| 3 | Kraig Urbik | | OG | 6-6 | 323 | 5.29 | 2-3 |
| 4 | Andy Levitre | | OG | 6-3 | 306 | 5.25 | 3 |
| 5 | Trevor Canfield | | OG | 6-5 | 311 | 5.14 | 3-4 |
| 6 | Tyronne Green | | OG | 6-2 | 305 | 5.24 | 4 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| C | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Alex Mack | | C | 6-4 | 312 | 5.12 | 1-2 |
| 2 | Max Unger | | C | 6-5 | 299 | 5.24 | 2 |
| 3 | Jonathan Luigs | | C | 6-4 | 302 | 4.95 | 2-3 |
| 4 | Eric Wood | | C | 6-4 | 304 | 5.16 | 3 |
| 5 | Antoine Caldwell | | C | 6-4 | 307 | 5.12 | 3-4 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| DE | | | | | | | |
| 1 | *Everette Brown | | DE | 6-4 | 252 | 4.65 | 1 |
| 2 | Brian Orakpo | | DE | 6-4 | 260 | 4.73 | 1 |
| 3 | Tyson Jackson | LSU | DE | 6-4 | 295 | 4.89 | 1-2 |
| 4 | Robert Ayers | | DE | 6-3 | 273 | 4.76 | 1-2 |
| 5 | Michael Johnson | Georgia Tech | DE | 6-7 | 258 | 4.67 | 2 |
| 6 | *Paul Kruger | | DE | 6-5 | 265 | 4.68 | 2 |
| 7 | Connor Barwin | | DE | 6-4 | 253 | 4.64 | 2-3 |
| 8 | Jarron Gilbert | | DE | 6-5 | 287 | 5.04 | 2-3 |
| 9 | Mitch King | | DE | 6-2 | 275 | 4.74 | 3 |
| 10 | David Veikune | | DE | 6-2 | 255 | 4.83 | 3-4 |
| 11 | *Brandon Williams | | DE | 6-5 | 252 | 4.76 | 4 |
| 12 | Matt Shaughnessy | | DE | 6-5 | 260 | 4.74 | 4-5 |
| 13 | | | DE | 6-3 | 267 | 4.76 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| DT | | | | | | | |
| 1 | B.J. Raji | | DT | 6-2 | 334 | 5.15 | 1 |
| 2 | Peria Jerry | | DT | 6-2 | 290 | 4.98 | 1 |
| 3 | Evander Hood | | DT | 6-3 | 298 | 4.99 | 2 |
| 4 | Ron Brace | | DT | 6-3 | 329 | 5.32 | 2 |
| 5 | *Sen'Derrick Marks | | DT | 6-1 | 295 | 4.93 | 2-3 |
| 6 | Fili Moala | | DT | 6-4 | 303 | 5.14 | 2-3 |
| 7 | Alex Magee | Purdue | DT | 6-3 | 295 | 4.94 | 3 |
| 8 | Ricky Jean Francois | LSU | DT | 6-3 | 290 | 4.86 | 3-4 |
| 9 | Vance Walker | Georgia Tech | DT | 6-2 | 295 | 5.02 | 4 |
| 10 | Dorell Scott | Clemson | DT | 6-4 | 310 | 5.02 | 4 |
| 11 | Corvey Irvin | | DT | 6-3 | 296 | 5.06 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| OLB | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Aaron Curry | | OLB | 6-2 | 246 | 4.62 | 1 |
| 2 | Brian Cushing | | OLB | 6-3 | 243 | 4.75 | 1 |
| 3 | *Aaron Maybin | | OLB | 6-4 | 248 | 4.67 | 1 |
| 4 | Larry English | | OLB | 6-2 | 254 | 4.76 | 1-2 |
| 5 | Clay Matthews | | OLB | 6-3 | 246 | 4.76 | 1-2 |
| 6 | Clint Sintim | | OLB | 6-3 | 249 | 4.70 | 2 |
| 7 | Tyrone McKenzie | | OLB | 6-2 | 244 | 4.64 | 2-3 |
| 8 | Marcus Freeman | | OLB | 6-1 | 235 | 4.58 | 2-3 |
| 9 | Cody Brown | | OLB | 6-2 | 242 | 4.68 | 3 |
| 10 | Nic Harris | | OLB | 6-2 | 233 | 4.60 | 3-4 |
| 11 | Jonathan Casillas | | OLB | 6-1 | 226 | 4.48 | 4 |
| 12 | Zack Follett | | OLB | 6-2 | 231 | 4.68 | 4 |
| 13 | Jason Williams | | OLB | 6-1 | 241 | 4.59 | 4-5 |
| 14 | Mortty Ivy | | OLB | 6-2 | 239 | 4.76 | 5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| ILB | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Rey Maualuga | | ILB | 6-2 | 254 | 4.74 | 1 |
| 2 | James Laurinaitis | | ILB | 6-2 | 240 | 4.59 | 1 |
| 3 | Darry Beckwith | LSU | ILB | 6-1 | 233 | 4.59 | 3 |
| 4 | Scott McKillop | | ILB | 6-1 | 243 | 4.74 | 3 |
| 5 | *Gerald McRath | Southern Miss | ILB | 6-3 | 224 | 4.62 | 3-4 |
| 6 | Jason Phillips | TCU | ILB | 6-1 | 236 | 4.58 | 4 |
| 7 | Dannell Ellerbe | | ILB | 6-1 | 236 | 4.63 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| CB | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Malcolm Jenkins | | CB | 6-0 | 200 | 4.45 | 1 |
| 2 | *D.J. | Vanderbilt | CB | 5-10 | 184 | 4.45 | 1 |
| 3 | *Vontae Davis | | CB | 6-0 | 204 | 4.42 | 1 |
| 4 | Alphonso Smith | | CB | 5-09 | 193 | 4.45 | 1-2 |
| 5 | *Sean Smith | | CB | 6-3 | 210 | 4.52 | 1-2 |
| 6 | Darius Butler | | CB | 5-10 | 178 | 4.42 | 2 |
| 7 | Coye Francies | | CB | 6-0 | 179 | 4.47 | 2 |
| 8 | *Jairus Byrd | | CB | 6-0 | 205 | 4.58 | 2-3 |
| 9 | Victor Harris | Virginia Tech | CB | 5-11 | 186 | 4.56 | 2-3 |
| 10 | Mike Mickens | | CB | 5-11 | 176 | 4.49 | 2-3 |
| 11 | *Captain Munnerlyn | | CB | 5-09 | 185 | 4.39 | 2-3 |
| 12 | | | CB | 6-0 | 188 | 4.52 | 3 |
| 13 | *Asher Allen | | CB | 5-10 | 198 | 4.48 | 3 |
| 14 | Domonique Johnson | | CB | 6-2 | 192 | 4.38 | 3-4 |
| 15 | Keenan Lewis | | CB | 6-1 | 198 | 4.50 | 3-4 |
| 16 | Sherrod Martin | | CB | 6-1 | 197 | 4.46 | 3-4 |
| 17 | DeAngelo Smith | | CB | 5-11 | 191 | 4.54 | 4 |
| 18 | Kevin Barnes | | CB | 6-1 | 188 | 4.47 | 4 |
| 19 | Christopher Owens | | CB | 5-10 | 182 | 4.48 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| FS | | | | | | | |
| 1 | William Moore | | FS | 6-0 | 223 | 4.49 | 2-3 |
| 2 | Louis Delmas | | FS | 5-11 | 197 | 4.52 | 2-3 |
| 3 | Derek Pegues | | FS | 5-10 | 193 | 4.49 | 3 |
| 4 | Rashad Johnson | | FS | 6-0 | 195 | 4.49 | 3-4 |
| 5 | David Bruton | Notre Dame | FS | 6-2 | 210 | 4.55 | 4 |
| 6 | Darcel McBath | | FS | 6-1 | 199 | 4.50 | 4-5 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| SS | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Patrick Chung | | SS | 5-11 | 207 | 4.54 | 2 |
| 2 | Michael Hamlin | Clemson | SS | 6-2 | 207 | 4.56 | 2-3 |
| 3 | Chip Vaughn | | SS | 6-1 | 218 | 4.52 | 3 |
| 4 | *Emanuel Cook | | SS | 5-10 | 205 | 4.52 | 3-4 |
| 5 | Kevin Ellison | | SS | 6-1 | 224 | 4.58 | 4 |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| PK | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Louie Sakoda | | K | 5-09 | 171 | 4.82 | 3-4 |
| 2 | Jose Martinez | Texas-El Paso | K | 5-10 | 196 | 4.96 | 6 |
| 3 | David Buehler | | K | 6-2 | 219 | | 7 |
| 4 | Pat McAfee | | K | 6-0 | 228 | 4.89 | 7-FA |
| 5 | Sam Swank | | K | 6-0 | 202 | 4.95 | 7-FA |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| P | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Kevin Huber | | P | 6-1 | 221 | 4.87 | 5-6 |
| 2 | Graham Gano | | P | 6-1 | 192 | | 6-7 |
| 3 | Thomas Morstead | Southern Methodist | P | 6-4 | 228 | 4.87 | 7-FA |
| 4 | Justin Brantly | | P | 6-3 | 252 | 4.83 | 7-FA |
| Rating | Player | College | Pos | Ht. | Wt | 40 | Projected Rd. |
| LS | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Jake Ingram | | LS | 6-3 | 235 | 4.93 | 6-7 |
| 2 | Sean Griffin | | LS | 6-2 | 234 | 4.95 | 7-FA |
| 3 | Mark Estermyer | | LS | 6-1 | 247 | 5.23 | 7-FA |
| 4 | Clint Mower | | LS | 6-3 | 215 | 4.93 | 7-FA |
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