Sunday, February 28, 2010

Brand misses practice with calf strain

Sixers forward Elton Brand missed practice today with a strained right calf and will be a game-time decision for tomorrow's game with Orlando.

Ex-Eagle WR Lewis re-signs in Minnesota

The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed wide receiver Greg Lewis on a 1-year contract. Lewis was set to become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Sixers hosting career fair on monday

Seventeen different Philadelphia area professional sports teams will meet with potential job candidates
during the Philadelphia 76ers Career Fair at the Wachovia Center on Monday, March 1, beginning with registration at 2:30 p.m. Later that evening, the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Orlando Magic at the
Wachovia Center, beginning at 7 p.m.

Teams scheduled to appear at the Sixers Career Fair include both Comcast-Spectacor teams, the Sixers and the Philadelphia Flyers; the Philadelphia Phillies; the Philadelphia Eagles; the Philadelphia Wings; and many of the area's minor league teams, as well.

Interested applicants can attend the Career Fair and the Sixers game that evening with a specially priced ticket by calling the Sixers' Rob Kristiniak at 215-389-9657.

Sixers Sr. Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price will welcome attendees and share career advice before the Career Fair begins.

Schedule of events:

2:30- 3 p.m. - Registration

3 - 3:30 p.m. - Keynote Speaker: Lara Price, Sr. Vice President of Business Operations

3:20 - 5 p.m. - Career Fair

5 - 6 p.m. - Networking in AT&T Pavilion

7 p.m. - Tip-off Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic

Eagles won't tender TE Smith

Geoff Mosher of the Wilmington News Journal is reporting that tight end Alex Smith won't be back with the Eagles, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Smith, who spent last season with the team, won't be offered a tender and is free to sign with any team on March 5, when free agency begins.

The Eagles signed Smith in September after rookie Cornelius Ingram went down with a torn knee ligament and after the team released veteran Matt Schobel.

Alpha dog or not, Howard has been Magic in Orlando

By John McMullen

Philadelphia, PA - Dwight Howard is one of the most charismatic players in the NBA, but when you start talking about the best players in basketball, he's rarely mentioned in a conversation dominated by LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Heck, even when you start expanding things, names like Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are on the tip of everyone's tongue. This season, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant has even joined the second-tier, but Howard?

For some reason, most offer up the Stewie Griffin compliment sandwich, a device where you say something good, then talk about where the big man needs improvement before ending with something good.

Take CBSsports.com's Mike Freeman...

"He should be the 21st century's Wilt Chamberlain," Freeman recently said of Howard. "No NBA big man has Howard's athleticism and power. Yet, despite the protestations of Howard's apologists, he continues to underachieve for a man of such significant physical presence."

It's funny, the reason Freeman compared Howard to the legendary Chamberlain was that on Wednesday in Houston he became the first player since Wilt to record 30-plus points and 15-plus rebounds in a game without missing a field goal since Chamberlain turned the trick in the 1968-69 season.

ESPN's Bill Simmons said Dwight Howard has "an alpha dog pedigree with a sidekick mindset."
"I don't think this is just a stretch. I think his game has matured," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said after Howard's big night in south Texas. "He's had stretches where he's played well, but he's changed the way he plays now. He's not forcing his way to the basket. If you take away his move across the middle, he'll counter. If you take that away, he'll come back again. He's not going to force through double-teams."

Freeman isn't the only one disagreeing with Van Gundy's take. ESPN's Bill Simmons recently said Howard has "an alpha dog pedigree with a sidekick mindset."

A "sidekick" that happens to lead the entire league in both rebounding and blocked shots for a second straight season.

If you don't think that's impressive, understand no player in NBA history has led the league in both rebounding and blocked shots more than once. Now granted, 1973-74 was the first season where blocks were kept as an official statistic by the NBA so Wilt's dominance is overlooked, but you have still had a host of great centers over the past 35 years like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal that couldn't turn that trick.

The Orlando Sentinel's George Diaz stuck with the alpha dog motif, writing "Become the alpha dog, not the tail-wagging, happy-go-lucky puppy."

To me, Diaz really hit on what bothers people about Howard.

They look at the physique and the frightening athletic skills and wonder why he can't dominate like Chamberlain did on a nightly basis. Then, to a man, they all point to that famous smile and you start hearing things about not taking the game seriously enough and work-ethic, an almost ludicrous criticism.

I've seen it before.

Here in Philadelphia, many football fans profoundly dislike Donovan McNabb, unquestionably the best quarterback in Eagles history, simply because he smirks when he does something wrong.

As a Yankee fan, I loved Paul O'Neill, a high-energy player that would throw his batting helmet to the ground in disgust when grounding into a double-play or striking out.

You see, fans like players they think are living and dying with every loss, just like they are.

Problem is, you can't be a professional athlete and have that type of mentality. Win, lose or draw, you have to show up for work the next day and do it all over again.

At 24 years old, Howard is just not skilled enough on the offensive end to be the consistent 25-point scorer everyone wants him to be. He needs an Olajuwon- like go-to move in the pivot and that is not easily taught.

"He's been playing great and making his post moves inside," added teammate Rashard Lewis. "He's really been working on it and it has really been showing in the games. His offensive game has really been coming on."

And, that's what people don't understand about Howard. They see the youth. They see the immaturity, and they think he's mailing it on some nights.

Well, you don't get that body by goofing off. Ask anyone around the Magic and they will tell you Howard is one of the hardest workers in the NBA.

If that puts me in the apologists camp, I'll happily go, smiling along the way, right next to Orlando's alpha dog.

NHL trade deadline: Who's selling, who's buying?

By Michael Rushton,

Philadelphia, PA  - General managers have had the entire Winter Olympic break to ponder making some roster moves, but the action can finally start taking place when the NHL resumes activities on March 1.

Atlanta, Toronto and Calgary have already gotten things started with some pre- break deals that have seen Ilya Kovalchuk, Dion Phaneuf, Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Olli Jokinen change locations. Despite those completed deals, there is no shortage of players who still may be switching uniforms in the next week.

Who will be sellers? Who will be buyers? Who will be second-guessed for standing firm? Below is a look at some of the potential teams that might be active before the March 3 deadline, and who could be on the market:

SELLERS

Toronto Maple Leafs (19-31-11, 15th Seed in Eastern Conference)

Yes, the Maple Leafs have already been involved in two trades, but general manager Brian Burke said very bluntly after acquiring Phaneuf from the Flames and Giguere from the Ducks that he is still open for business.

Winger Alexei Ponikarovsky and defenseman Tomas Kaberle should net the Leafs a good return should either be dealt. Kaberle would probably fetch the higher value since he is signed through next season but he does have a no-trade clause.

Both should be prepared, as Burke is never one to shy away from altering his roster.

On the block: Ponikarovsky, Kaberle, RW Lee Stempniak

Edmonton Oilers (19-36-6, 15th Seed in Western Conference)

It's been losing streak after losing streak for a team that has struggled to stay healthy. The loss of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to a back injury certainly hasn't helped, as Edmonton is near the bottom of the league in both goals for and goals against.

Edmonton will try to move defenseman Sheldon Souray, but he is currently sidelined with a right hand injury and under contract through 2011-12. He also has a no-trade clause, but it is believed that he will waive it for the right team.
Captain Ethan Moreau is likely to get dealt as part of the rebuilding phase, while pending free agents Mike Comrie and Fernando Pisani could also be moved. Even youngsters Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano appear to be for sale.

On the block: Souray, Moreau, Comrie, Pisani, D Lubomir Visnovsky

Carolina Hurricanes (24-30-7, 14th Seed in East)

The Hurricanes entered the Olympic break having won five straight and nine of their last 11 games, but that still has them nine points back of a playoff spot. Carolina has already made one deal, sending center Matt Cullen to the Senators for Alexandre Picard and a 2010 second-round pick.

Carolina made that trade despite its recent win streak, so it isn't likely to pull its chips back now. Forward Ray Whitney is sure to get traded at the deadline, and there were reports that the pending unrestricted free agent used his no-trade clause to block a deal to the Los Angeles Kings because he wants a contract extension. Defenseman Joe Corvo, also set to become a free agent as season's end, could get dealt as well.

On the block: Whitney, Corvo, RW Scott Walker

Columbus Blue Jackets (25-28-10, 14th Seed in West)

Expectations before the season were high for the Blue Jackets, who were coming off their first playoff appearance in franchise history. However, a sophomore slump by goaltender Steve Mason and poor defensive play has already led to a coaching change in Columbus.

The Blue Jackets are nine points out of a playoff spot and have a handful of pending free agents to deal, including forwards Fredrik Modin and Raffi Torres and defenseman Milan Jurcina, who was acquired from Washington in a trade earlier this season.

Forwards Kristian Huselius and R.J. Umberger are both signed through 2012-13, but one could be moved for the right price.
On the block: Modin, Torres, Jurcina

Florida Panthers (24-27-10, 12th in East)

The Panthers went 0-5-1 in their final six games before the break, but are just six points back of a playoff spot. They could be looked at as buyers before the deadline, but I'll put them in the seller category based on the fact that the Panthers could decide to trade goaltender Tomas Vokoun.

Vokoun does have a no-trade clause, but if he doesn't accept a trade this season he might have to go through all the talk again in 2010-11, the final year of his current deal. Don't forget the Panthers did sign Scott Clemmensen prior to the season and he showed himself to be a very capable starter last year for the Devils when Martin Brodeur was hurt. Florida was also burned at the previous trade deadline by holding onto pending free agent Jay Bouwmeester in the hopes of making the postseason before trading his rights at the draft last year for a far lesser return.

Florida has already dealt center Dominic Moore to Montreal for a 2011 second- round pick and pending free agents Dennis Seidenberg and Jordan Leopold, both defensemen, could get moved as rentals. Should Florida really decide to shake things up, it could also entertain offers for 24-year-old center Nathan Horton, who is currently sidelined with a broken leg but could return in the first week of March.

On the block: Vokoun, Seidenberg, Leopold, RW Rostislav Olesz

Atlanta Thrashers (26-24-10, 11th Seed in East)

Yes, Atlanta is only two points back of a playoff spot but has also already traded away its franchise player in Kovalchuk. That means the Thrashers will likely be fielding phone calls until the deadline.

The loss of Kovalchuk could also impact Atlanta's upcoming offseason. After all, it may be tough to convince free agents to sign up for a club that just lost one of the best players in the league, and the Thrashers might need to build for the future by making deals instead.

The franchise has a host of pending free agents, including forwards Colby Armstrong, Slava Kozlov and Maxim Afinogenov, center Jim Slater as well as defenseman Pavel Kubina and Mark Popovic. Both Kubina and Kozlov have no-trade clauses.

Atlanta could also be in the market for a goaltending prospect, since it traded Kari Lehtonen in Dallas and Johan Hedberg is a free agent at season's end.

On the block: Armstrong, Kozlov, Kubina, D Christoph Schubert

New York Islanders (25-29-8, 13th Seed in West)

Much like left-handed relief pitching in baseball, the Islanders have something that everybody wants come playoff time: goaltending.

With the return of Rick DiPietro from knee surgery, New York has three netminders on its NHL roster. It has been going with DiPietro and Dwayne Roloson on most nights, leaving Martin Biron as the odd man out. The Islanders will likely try to move Biron, who is playing on just a one-year, $1.4 million contract and recently led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.

The Islanders, who are six points back of a playoff spot, also have a few veterans that will be free agents at season's end, including forwards Doug Weight and Richard Park, as well as defenseman Andy Sutton.
On the block: Biron, Weight, Sutton

BUYERS

Boston Bruins (27-22-11, 7th Seed in East)

One season after locking down the top seed in the conference, the Bruins sit 11 points back of the Senators for first place in the Northeast Division. However, they will come out of the break on a four-game winning streak, and could still make a run in the playoffs if healthy.

Adding some scoring will be the top priority, as Boston is dead last in the NHL with 141 goals, and there is no shortage of trading chips in Beantown. The Bruins picked up 2010 first-round and second-round picks from Toronto in the Phil Kessel trade, and both figure to be high selections. Boston also got a 2011 first-round pick in the deal.

Another potential lure is netminder Tim Thomas even though he is just one season removed from winning the Vezina Trophy. Thomas, who does have a no- trade clause, is just 13-15-7 with a 2.52 goals-against average this year and it was backup Tuukka Rask that won Boston's final four games before the break.

Possible targets: Whitney, LW Paul Kariya (St. Louis), RW Marek Svatos (Colorado), Moreau

Washington Capitals (41-13-8, 1st Seed in East)

The Capitals have been a scoring force this year and not only do they own a 27-point advantage for first place in the Southeast Division, but their 90 points are 13 more than the second-seeded Devils in the East and one more than the Sharks for the most in the NHL.

That means the Capitals are set, right? Not exactly.

Washington lost its final three games before the break (0-1-2) and has allowed a total of 27 goals over its last six contests. While that could be a product of their high-flying offense leaving the defense out to dry, the Capitals could still look to bulk up their blueline before the deadline.

The Caps are all in for this season and they must also decide if they are comfortable with Semyon Varlamov and Jose Theodore in net. However, Varlamov was able to get the club to a seventh game in last season's conference semi- finals versus the eventual champion Penguins.

Possible targets: D Barret Jackman (St. Louis), D Ruslan Salei (Colorado), Leopold

Chicago Blackhawks (41-15-5, 2nd Seed in West)

The Blackhawks are another team cruising to a division title -- they currently own a 16-point edge over the second-place Predators -- but there are rumblings in the Windy City that the club may look to upgrade its goaltending.

The 34-year-old Cristobal Huet is 6-10 with a 2.73 GAA in 16 career playoff games, including 1-2 with a 3.23 GAA in three outings last year with the Blackhawks. Backup Antti Niemi, 26, has been outstanding in his reserve role but has never played in a NHL postseason game. Those listed reasons may be enough for management to roll the dice and go after a goaltender.

Chicago has already shaken up its defense, getting veteran Kim Johnsson from Minnesota for the younger but more expensive Cam Barker.

Possible targets: Biron, G Jaroslav Halak (Montreal)

Montreal Canadiens (29-28-6, 8th Seed in East)

Modern hockey was born in Montreal and its fans there will settle for nothing less than a championship. As of now, the Canadiens are on the bubble, just one point ahead of two teams for the final playoff spot in the East.

The Canadiens already have a solid and expensive core so adding a big-priced name might be hard to do. Instead, Montreal will likely be in the market for some lower-priced veterans that can add experience to the group while awaiting the return of Mike Cammalleri from a MCL injury in March.

Montreal could also decide to dangle a goaltender, as both Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak are restricted free agents this summer. However, moving a netminder is not a top priority.

Possible targets: Kariya, Walker, Moreau, Corvo

Los Angeles Kings (37-20-4, 5th Seed in West)

For the first time in a long while, the Kings will be looking to upgrade their roster before the trade deadline, as opposed to holding an open sale themselves. Los Angeles comes out of the break in the hunt for the fourth spot in the West, which is the last to give home-ice advantage in the first round.

The Kings have long piled up prospects in exchange for veterans in seasons past so they should have some reserves in the minors to grab some help this time around without making a big change to their NHL roster. As mentioned earlier, there were reports the club is interested in Whitney.

Los Angeles is likely in the market for some blueline help to give 19-year-old stud and Olympian Drew Doughty a hand, though picking up some offense is never a bad thing either. Defenseman Jack Johnson is one of the Kings' biggest trading chips.

Possible targets: Whitney, Souray, Kozlov, Corvo, D John-Michael Liles (Colorado)

Anaheim Ducks (30-25-7, 11th Seed in West)

The Ducks have revived postseason hope by going 14-6-0 over their last 20 games and will put a club-record 11-game home winning streak on the line when they host the Avalanche on March 3.

Just two points back of a playoff spot, the Ducks may have decided to make a run even though Saku Koivu, Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer are all in the last year of their current deals. Offense shouldn't be a priority because of the current talent, and Anaheim did get forward Jason Blake in the deal that sent Giguere to Toronto.

Instead, the Ducks will compete with the Kings for defensive help to put in front of recently-extended netminder Jonas Hiller. Anaheim is 24th in the NHL, allowing nearly three goals per game.

Possible targets: Corvo, Visnovsky, Liles, Schubert

Nashville Predators (33-23-5, 7th Seed in West)

Once again in the playoff hunt, the Predators have as much cap space as anyone to pull off a deal and have made big moves before. Remember 2007, when Nashville sent a host of talent to the Flyers for Peter Forsberg?

Having just signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a two-year contract extension, Nashville could entertain offers for upcoming unrestricted free agent Dan Ellis in the hopes of adding offense.

With solid defenders in Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Dan Hamhuis already in the mix, the Predators will probably look for offense prior to the deadline. Nashville is currently tied for 15th in the NHL with 2.70 goals per game.

Possible targets: Armstrong, Whitney, Ponikarovsky, RW Michael Ryder (Boston)

Friday, February 26, 2010

USA reaches gold medal game by thrashing Finland

by Jeff Kruczynski
Special to The Phanatic 
  
To the amazement of the masses, it was over quickly. A crippling six-goal barrage in the first 13 minutes of the game punched the Americans' ticket to the gold-medal game.

The final score read: 6-1.

Not many would have predicted such a lopsided affair between the United States and Finland, two of the stingiest clubs at these Olympics.

The Finns had yielded just four goals heading into the semifinals, one fewer than Team USA, which advanced to play the winner of Canada-Slovakia on Sunday for a chance to claim gold in men's ice hockey for the first time since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team.

Finland and the loser from Friday's other semifinal will battle for bronze a day earlier.

The nightmare for the Finns began with a misplay by goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who opted to leave the crease to play a puck but misfired on a pass to defenseman Sami Lepisto. Instead, the puck wound up on the stick of American forward Ryan Malone and he had no trouble hitting the open net at the 2:04 mark.

It completely unraveled for the defending silver medalists as Team USA scored five times in a span of 6:24.

Dustin Brown drew consecutive penalties against the Finns, and the U.S. converted on each power play.
Zach Parise took a Paul Stastny feed and lifted a shot over a sliding Kiprusoff at 6:22. Erik Johnson's bid from the right circle found the back of the net at 8:36.

Kiprusoff was chased to the bench after he was beaten by Patrick Kane on the backhand at 10:08. The Finnish goaltender made just three saves in his abbreviated start.

In came Niklas Backstrom, who surrendered goals to Kane and Stastny separated by 15 seconds, the latter coming at 12:46.

Miller stopped 18 shots before exiting midway through the third period with the outcome all but decided. Tim Thomas, making his first appearance in this tournament for the Americans, yielded a power-play goal to Antti Miettinen with 5:14 remaining.

Dalembert honored for Haiti charitable work

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2010 – Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert has been named the recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work.

The NBA is honoring Dalembert for his work with UNICEF and other relief organizations following the devastating earthquake in the Caribbean nation of Haiti last month.  A Haitian native, Dalembert immediately jumped into action to help the millions of children and families suffering as a result of the massive destruction.  In the days following the tragic earthquake, Dalembert joined the NBA’s long-time partner UNICEF to film a public service announcement to raise awareness and funding for relief efforts and made a personal donation of more than $120,000 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.  Later in the month, Dalembert traveled to Haiti with NBA Legend Alonzo Mourning and Project Medishare to deliver emergency medical supplies and to provide hands-on assistance.  

"We are so proud that our partnership with the NBA has lead to a friendship with Sammy.  This is a well deserved recognition for this remarkable man and his foundation. His warmth, generosity and steadfast commitment to the world's children serve as an example for all," said Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF.  "I've just returned from Haiti and can well appreciate Sammy's love for this beautiful country and its people.  We at the U.S. Fund share his vision to do whatever it takes to help the children of Haiti progressively realize their rights to survival, education and protection...essentially, their childhood."  

In December 2009, Dalembert announced a three-year commitment to support UNICEF programs for children in Haiti.  During a 2007 trip to his native country where he spent time at UNICEF-supported schools and hospitals, Dalembert saw first-hand the organization’s commitment to bring hope and assistance to millions of Haitian families and children.  Following the trip, he made a $150,000 pledge to UNICEF to assist impoverished communities throughout Haiti over the next three years and has continued to support the people of Haiti through the Samuel Dalembert Foundation.  Dalembert is focused on supporting the rebuilding of Haiti and working to improve the living conditions for Haitian children and families through restoration projects, health and education programs, and much more.  

“I can’t begin to imagine what my friends and family are going through as they deal with the aftermath of this terrible tragedy,” said Dalembert.  “I will do everything in my power to support the much-needed relief efforts and to encourage others to do the same.”

As the January NBA Community Assist Award recipient, Dalembert will receive the David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.”  In addition, a $5,000 donation will be given by the NBA to support the Samuel Dalembert Foundation.

The league presents the NBA Community Assist Award monthly to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Villanova's Stokes nabbed for public urination

SNY.TV is reporting that Villanova junior guard Corey Stokes was issued a citation early Thursday morning for public urination.


Stokes was urinating between two parked cars at about 3 a.m. outside a bar down the street from the Villanova campus after the Wildcats beat South Florida, 74-49.

He was reportedly surrounded by several teammates when a police car pulled up.

Stokes was not arrested but will have to pay a fine.

Olympic Semifinal Previews

by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

For the second time in eight years, the United States finds itself in the running for a medal, heading towards a semifinal matchup with Finland in the early contest on Thursday.
Team USA persevered in a 2-0 victory over the tough Swiss on Wednesday, as Ryan Miller stopped 19 shots and Zach Parise accounted for all the offense in the win. Meanwhile, Finland advanced with an identical score over the suddenly-punchless Czech Republic, with Miikka Kiprusoff turning aside 31 shots and Niklas Hagman notching the game winner on a power play.
Although these two nations are fully stocked with NHL talent and are consistently considered the Top Six in the world, USA and Finland have not met with anything on the line since the gold medal game at Lake Placid in 1980.
In that memorable tilt, Finland led by a goal after two periods only to see the Miracle on Ice kids rally with three scores in the third period to win it all. Rob McClanahan picked up the winning score with just under six minutes left in regulation.
Thirty years on, and a trip to the gold medal game is in the offing for both. For Finland, it is a chance to medal for the fourth time in five Olympiads, following up a silver in Torino and before that, bronzes in Nagano and Lillehammer. For the Americans, it is a chance to take one more step to what might be called a mini-miracle.
Team USA last reached the semis on its home ice in 2002, racing out to an early 3-0 lead before withstanding a late Russian charge to advance against eventual champion Canada. In 2006, Finland took down Russia by a 4-0 count before falling to Sweden in the final.
Both teams have relied thus far on opportunistic offense, a containing defensive game, and above all, stellar goaltending. Ryan Miller, a newcomer to the Olympics, has yielded just five goals in four contests thus far, and his counterpart Miikka Kiprusoff, who recorded four blankings four years ago, has been slightly more stingy, yielding four goals in four contests.
This should be yet another test of wills for the United States, and what it will come down to, is which country will take advantage of defensive mistakes and whose goaltender will blink first. That seems to favor the younger, speedier USA, but looks like the more disciplined, veteran Finns who have chugged along with a consistency NHL teams would kill for, can jump out to a lead and know how to keep it.
Finland 3, USA 2

Canada-Slovakia
It's hard to argue that a team which laid a 7-3 pasting on the other gold-medal favorite won't have a cakewalk in its next contest with a day off in between.
Thanks to a pair of goals from Corey Perry and three-point performances by Ryan Getzlaf and Dan Boyle, plus Roberto Luongo's 25 saves, the host nation shook off a 50-year losing streak to Russia with the dominating victory on Wednesday evening.
On the other side of the ledger, Slovakia has played the role of Sneaky Pete in the tournament. The smaller and overlooked brother in the former Czechoslovakian union upended 2006 gold medalist Sweden, after Pavol Demitra tallied a goal and two assists and Jaroslav Halak made 25 stops in the 4-3 decision.
Since breaking away in the Velvet Divorce in 1993, the Slovaks have made great headway in catching up to the rest of the world, and are now in position to capture a medal for the first time ever. Slovakia's best prior performance was a fifth-place finish at Torino, and if the solid efforts thus far are any indication, it will be a tough opponent going forward.
Conversely, Canada has been nothing short of Jekyll and Hide depending upon the opponent. The final score of last night's game says more about the lingering embarrassment of the loss to the USA plus Russia's total lack of commitment from the opening faceoff. It's easy to score off odd-man rushes and pretty plays if nobody else is paying attention; it's much harder when your opponent is quicker and shows more heart.
Five games in, and Team Canada is still searching for an identity and consistency of play, but it hasn't hurt them when you look at the overall picture. This is maddening when trying to preview and predict.
You can't expect them to continue the offensive rollout (15 goals against Germany and Russia), but the physical component is still there. Roberto Luongo gave up three goals but gets away with the crowd chanting his name.
These countries have never before met with anything major on the line, but the edge now has to go to Canada, which has the collective force of the entire country behind it after a pair of rousing victories. The talent imbalance between countries will be a major deciding factor, since Slovakia cannot win unless every player puts forth maximum effort.
Canada 5, Slovakia 2

NFL Scouting Combine ratings

Courtesy of NFLDRAFTSCOUT.COM
TOP 325 and All Combine Players                   

Overall Rating    Player    School    Position    Height    Weight    Forty    Round    Combine
1    Ndamukong Suh    Nebraska    DT    6-4    302    5.02    1    Yes
2    *Eric Berry    Tennessee    FS    5-11    203    4.40    1    Yes
3    *Gerald McCoy    Oklahoma    DT    6-4    298    5.05    1    Yes
4    Russell Okung    Oklahoma State    OT    6-5    302    5.26    1    Yes
5    *Joe Haden    Florida    CB    5-11    190    4.42    1    Yes
6    *Bryan Bulaga    Iowa    OT    6-6    312    4.96    1    Yes
7    *Sam Bradford    Oklahoma    QB    6-4    223    4.79    1    Yes
8    *Derrick Morgan    Georgia Tech    DE    6-4    272    4.76    1    Yes
9    *Dez Bryant    Oklahoma State    WR    6-2    220    4.58    1    Yes
10    *Jimmy Clausen    Notre Dame    QB    6-2    223    4.76    1    Yes
11    C.J. Spiller    Clemson    RB    5-11    195    4.37    1    Yes
12    *Rolando McClain    Alabama    ILB    6-4    256    4.68    1    Yes
13    Taylor Mays    Southern Cal    FS    6-3    231    4.47    1    Yes
14    *Carlos Dunlap    Florida    DE    6-6    290    4.78    1    Yes
15    Mike Iupati    Idaho    OG    6-5    325    5.20    1    Yes
16    *Golden Tate    Notre Dame    WR    5-11    195    4.44    1    Yes
17    *Everson Griffen    Southern Cal    DE    6-3    278    4.64    1    Yes
18    Trent Williams    Oklahoma    OT    6-5    318    5.30    1    Yes
19    *Earl Thomas    Texas    CB    5-10    195    4.45    1    Yes
20    Ricky Sapp    Clemson    OLB    6-4    248    4.58    1    Yes
21    *Jonathan Dwyer    Georgia Tech    RB    5-11    235    4.48    1-2    Yes
22    Sergio Kindle    Texas    OLB    6-4    255    4.66    1-2    Yes
23    *Anthony Davis    Rutgers    OT    6-6    325    5.28    1-2    Yes
24    Dan Williams    Tennessee    DT    6-2    329    5.23    1-2    Yes
25    *Jason Pierre-Paul    South Florida    DE    6-6    265    4.72    1-2    Yes
26    *Bruce Campbell    Maryland    OT    6-7    310    4.97    1-2    Yes
27    Charles Brown    Southern Cal    OT    6-5    292    5.16    1-2    Yes
28    Brandon Graham    Michigan    DE    6-1    263    4.74    1-2    Yes
29    Jared Odrick    Penn State    DT    6-5    301    5.05    1-2    Yes
30    *Maurkice Pouncey    Florida    C    6-5    318    5.22    1-2    Yes
31    *Brian Price    UCLA    DT    6-2    300    5.08    1-2    Yes
32    *Jahvid Best    California    RB    5-10    195    4.42    1-2    Yes
33    Patrick Robinson    Florida State    CB    5-11    190    4.42    1-2    Yes
34    Brandon LaFell    LSU    WR    6-3    206    4.54    1-2    Yes
35    *Dominique Franks    Oklahoma    CB    6-0    192    4.48    1-2    Yes
36    Jermaine Gresham    Oklahoma    TE    6-6    258    4.78    1-2    Yes
37    Corey Wootton    Northwestern    DE    6-6    280    4.80    1-2    Yes
38    Sean Weatherspoon    Missouri    OLB    6-1    241    4.59    1-2    Yes
39    *Demaryius Thomas    Georgia Tech    WR    6-3    229    4.59    1-2    Yes
40    Brandon Spikes    Florida    ILB    6-3    256    4.76    1-2    Yes
41    Kyle Wilson    Boise State    CB    5-10    190    4.42    1-2    Yes
42    *Rob Gronkowski    Arizona    TE    6-6    265    4.76    1-2    Yes
43    *Ryan Mathews    Fresno State    RB    5-11    220    4.48    1-2    Yes
44    Colt McCoy    Texas    QB    6-2    212    4.68    2    Yes
45    Tim Tebow    Florida    QB    6-3    236    4.82    2    Yes
46    Terrence Cody    Alabama    DT    6-4    370    5.72    2    Yes
47    *Aaron Hernandez    Florida    TE    6-2    250    4.62    2    Yes
48    *Kareem Jackson    Alabama    CB    5-11    192    4.50    2    Yes
49    *Damian Williams    Southern Cal    WR    6-1    195    4.49    2    Yes
50    *Navorro Bowman    Penn State    OLB    6-1    232    4.68    2    Yes
51    Vladimir Ducasse    Massachusetts    OT    6-5    326    5.32    2    Yes
52    Dexter McCluster    Mississippi    WR    5-08    165    4.42    2    Yes
53    Jerry Hughes    TCU    OLB    6-2    257    4.72    2    Yes
54    Devin McCourty    Rutgers    CB    5-11    186    4.47    2    Yes
55    Anthony McCoy    Southern Cal    TE    6-5    249    4.78    2    Yes
56    Nate Allen    South Florida    FS    6-1    205    4.50    2    Yes
57    *Arrelious Benn    Illinois    WR    6-2    220    4.50    2    Yes
58    Anthony Dixon    Mississippi State    RB    6-1    245    4.59    2    Yes
59    *Chad Jones    LSU    SS    6-3    230    4.55    2    Yes
60    *Jason Worilds    Virginia Tech    DE    6-2    252    4.67    2    Yes
61    *Reshad Jones    Georgia    SS    6-2    212    4.56    2-3    Yes
62    Koa Misi    Utah    OLB    6-3    244    4.74    2-3    Yes
63    Chris Cook    Virginia    CB    6-2    212    4.54    2-3    Yes
64    Daryl Washington    TCU    ILB    6-2    226    4.57    2-3    Yes
65    Matt Tennant    Boston College    C    6-5    290    5.06    2-3    Yes
66    *Morgan Burnett    Georgia Tech    FS    6-1    210    4.54    2-3    Yes
67    Jon Asamoah    Illinois    OG    6-4    300    5.08    2-3    Yes
68    Tony Pike    Cincinnati    QB    6-6    212    4.89    2-3    Yes
69    Jordan Shipley    Texas    WR    6-0    190    4.47    2-3    Yes
70    Perrish Cox    Oklahoma State    CB    5-11    189    4.44    2-3    Yes
71    Jason Fox    Miami    OT    6-6    314    5.16    2-3    Yes
72    Tyson Alualu    California    DT    6-2    291    4.96    2-3    Yes
73    Toby Gerhart    Stanford    RB    6-1    235    4.55    2-3    Yes
74    Ed Dickson    Oregon    TE    6-4    244    4.73    2-3    Yes
75    Austen Lane    Murray State    DE    6-6    267    4.65    2-3    Yes
76    Cam Thomas    North Carolina    DT    6-4    331    5.18    2-3    Yes
77    Jermaine Cunningham    Florida    DE    6-3    252    4.68    2-3    Yes
78    Taylor Price    Ohio    WR    6-0    198    4.36    2-3    Yes
79    Syd'Quan Thompson    California    CB    5-09    182    4.49    2-3    Yes
80    Jared Veldheer    Hillsdale    OT    6-8    315    4.89    3    Yes
81    Mike Johnson    Alabama    OG    6-6    306    5.38    3    Yes
82    Jimmy Graham    Miami    TE    6-7    259    4.72    3    Yes
83    *Joe McKnight    Southern Cal    RB    6-0    190    4.42    3    Yes
84    *Carlton Mitchell    South Florida    WR    6-4    212    4.45    3    Yes
85    Jerome Murphy    South Florida    CB    6-1    191    4.48    3    Yes
86    *Mike Williams    Syracuse    WR    6-2    212    4.49    3    Yes
87    Larry Asante    Nebraska    SS    6-0    211    4.56    3    Yes
88    Dan LeFevour    Central Michigan    QB    6-3    229    4.72    3    Yes
89    *Thaddeus Gibson    Ohio State    OLB    6-2    240    4.64    3    Yes
90    Rodger Saffold    Indiana    OT    6-5    312    5.23    3    Yes
91    Eric Norwood    South Carolina    OLB    6-1    246    4.67    3    Yes
92    Sean Lee    Penn State    ILB    6-2    236    4.74    3    Yes
93    *Amari Spievey    Iowa    CB    6-0    190    4.53    3    Yes
94    Montario Hardesty    Tennessee    RB    6-0    215    4.55    3    Yes
95    Mardy Gilyard    Cincinnati    WR    6-0    179    4.51    3    Yes
96    Greg Hardy    Mississippi    DE    6-4    279    4.67    3    Yes
97    Brandon Ghee    Wake Forest    CB    6-0    189    4.45    3    Yes
98    Torell Troup    Central Florida    DT    6-3    310    5.28    3    Yes
99    Alex Carrington    Arkansas State    DE    6-5    284    4.78    3    Yes
100    Garrett Graham    Wisconsin    FB    6-3    234    4.74    3    Yes
101    Lamarr Houston    Texas    DT    6-3    302    4.93    3    Yes
102    *Major Wright    Florida    FS    6-0    204    4.53    3-4    Yes
103    Jacoby Ford    Clemson    WR    5-09    181    4.37    3-4    Yes
104    Jarrett Brown    West Virginia    QB    6-3    219    4.64    3-4    Yes
105    Tony Moeaki    Iowa    TE    6-3    252    4.84    3-4    Yes
106    *Rennie Curran    Georgia    OLB    5-11    225    4.56    3-4    Yes
107    *Donovan Warren    Michigan    CB    6-0    185    4.42    3-4    Yes
108    Javier Arenas    Alabama    CB    5-09    195    4.57    3-4    Yes
109    Mitch Petrus    Arkansas    OG    6-3    304    5.09    3-4    Yes
110    J.D. Walton    Baylor    C    6-3    300    5.19    3-4    Yes
111    Dekoda Watson    Florida State    OLB    6-2    232    4.64    3-4    Yes
112    *Joshua Moore    Kansas State    CB    5-11    185    4.44    3-4    Yes
113    Ben Tate    Auburn    RB    5-11    214    4.50    3-4    Yes
114    Kam Chancellor    Virginia Tech    FS    6-3    232    4.58    3-4    Yes
115    Jeremy Williams    Tulane    WR    6-0    205    4.52    3-4    Yes
116    Selvish Capers    West Virginia    OT    6-5    304    4.96    3-4    Yes
117    *Dezmon Briscoe    Kansas    WR    6-3    200    4.62    3-4    Yes
118    Colin Peek    Alabama    TE    6-6    250    4.84    3-4    Yes
119    Brandon Lang    Troy    DE    6-4    260    4.82    3-4    Yes
120    Jonathan Crompton    Tennessee    QB    6-3    222    4.79    3-4   
121    Geno Atkins    Georgia    DT    6-2    286    4.96    3-4    Yes
122    Arthur Jones    Syracuse    DT    6-3    295    5.04    3-4    Yes
123    T.J. Ward    Oregon    SS    5-10    199    4.56    4    Yes
124    Alterraun Verner    UCLA    CB    5-10    181    4.52    4    Yes
125    A.J. Edds    Iowa    OLB    6-4    245    4.68    4    Yes
126    John Jerry    Mississippi    OG    6-6    332    5.54    4    Yes
127    Roddrick Muckelroy    Texas    OLB    6-2    236    4.67    4    Yes
128    Akwasi Owusu-Ansah    Indiana (PA)    CB    6-1    205    4.48    4    Yes
129    George Selvie    South Florida    DE    6-5    247    4.78    4    Yes
130    Donald Butler    Washington    ILB    6-1    244    4.80    4    Yes
131    Kyle Calloway    Iowa    OT    6-6    322    5.28    4    Yes
132    Joique Bell    Wayne State (MI)    RB    5-11    223    4.54    4    Yes
133    Andre Roberts    Citadel    WR    5-11    192    4.49    4    Yes
134    Jeff Byers    Southern Cal    C    6-3    299    5.22    4    Yes
135    Eric Decker    Minnesota    WR    6-3    215    4.54    4    Yes
136    Dennis Pitta    BYU    TE    6-4    245    4.73    4    Yes
137    Willie Young    North Carolina State    DE    6-5    251    4.84    4    Yes
138    *Jevan Snead    Mississippi    QB    6-3    215    4.74    4    Yes
139    Clay Harbor    Missouri State    FB    6-2    250    4.75    4    Yes
140    D'Anthony Smith    Louisiana Tech    DT    6-2    300    4.95    4    Yes
141    Perry Riley    LSU    OLB    6-1    245    4.64    4-5    Yes
142    David Gettis    Baylor    WR    6-3    217    4.47    4-5    Yes
143    Darrell Stuckey    Kansas    SS    6-0    207    4.50    4-5    Yes
144    Ciron Black    LSU    OT    6-5    331    5.36    4-5    Yes
145    Darryl Sharpton    Miami    ILB    6-0    229    4.63    4-5    Yes
146    Ed Wang    Virginia Tech    OT    6-5    315    4.95    4-5    Yes
147    Brandon Carter    Texas Tech    OG    6-6    326    5.42    4-5    Yes
148    Trevard Lindley    Kentucky    CB    5-11    178    4.53    4-5    Yes
149    Charles Scott    LSU    RB    6-0    239    4.60    4-5    Yes
150    Shay Hodge    Mississippi    WR    6-2    208    4.59    4-5    Yes
151    Kendrick Lewis    Mississippi    FS    6-0    197    4.59    4-5    Yes
152    Andrew Quarless    Penn State    TE    6-4    248    4.74    4-5    Yes
153    Brandon Deaderick    Alabama    DE    6-4    296    4.96    4-5    Yes
154    Rashawn Jackson    Virginia    FB    6-1    239    4.70    4-5    Yes
155    Mike Neal    Purdue    DT    6-3    293    4.96    4-5    Yes
156    Pat Angerer    Iowa    ILB    6-0    235    4.52    5    Yes
157    Sam Young    Notre Dame    OT    6-8    305    5.28    5    Yes
158    Zane Beadles    Utah    OG    6-5    307    5.28    5    Yes
159    Riley Cooper    Florida    WR    6-4    214    4.49    5    Yes
160    Myron Lewis    Vanderbilt    CB    6-2    205    4.52    5    Yes
161    Kurt Coleman    Ohio State    SS    5-10    187    4.57    5    Yes
162    O'Brien Schofield    Wisconsin    OLB    6-2    238    4.63    5    Yes
163    Blair White    Michigan State    WR    6-2    205    4.54    5    Yes
164    LeGarrette Blount    Oregon    RB    6-1    245    4.58    5    Yes
165    Freddie Barnes    Bowling Green    WR    6-0    212    4.65    5   
166    Brian Jackson    Oklahoma    CB    6-0    203    4.54    5    Yes
167    Terrell Skinner    Maryland    FS    6-2    214    4.59    5   
168    Ted Larsen    North Carolina State    C    6-3    302    5.24    5    Yes
169    Nate Byham    Pittsburgh    TE    6-4    268    4.76    5    Yes
170    Sean Canfield    Oregon State    QB    6-4    221    4.96    5    Yes
171    C.J. Wilson    East Carolina    DE    6-3    284    4.80    5    Yes
172    Dorin Dickerson    Pittsburgh    FB    6-1    222    4.67    5    Yes
173    Vince Oghobaase    Duke    DT    6-5    305    5.06    5    Yes
174    Earl Mitchell    Arizona    DT    6-1    289    4.94    5    Yes
175    Cameron Sheffield    Troy    OLB    6-3    256    4.78    5-6    Yes
176    Jamar Wall    Texas Tech    CB    5-10    204    4.52    5-6    Yes
177    Danario Alexander    Missouri    WR    6-5    221    4.58    5-6    Yes
178    Kavell Conner    Clemson    OLB    6-1    247    4.67    5-6    Yes
179    James Starks    Buffalo    RB    6-2    218    4.54    5-6    Yes
180    Myron Rolle    Florida State    SS    6-2    217    4.59    5-6    Yes
181    Jamar Chaney    Mississippi State    ILB    6-1    241    4.64    5-6    Yes
182    Adam Ulatoski    Texas    OT    6-6    310    5.28    5-6    Yes
183    Lindsey Witten    Connecticut    DE    6-5    248    4.73    5-6    Yes
184    *Antonio Brown    Central Michigan    WR    5-10    182    4.42    5-6    Yes
185    Chris Scott    Tennessee    OT    6-5    328    5.36    5-6    Yes
186    Marshall Newhouse    TCU    OG    6-3    326    5.06    5-6    Yes
187    Robert Johnson    Utah    FS    6-2    197    4.52    5-6   
188    Devin Ross    Arizona    CB    5-10    184    4.43    5-6    Yes
189    Sergio Render    Virginia Tech    OG    6-3    318    5.26    5-6   
190    Jeron Mastrud    Kansas State    TE    6-5    253    4.82    5-6    Yes
191    Jason Harmon    Florida Atlantic    FB    6-2    216    4.58    5-6   
192    Rahim Alem    LSU    DE    6-3    260    4.79    5-6    Yes
193    *Linval Joseph    East Carolina    DT    6-6    322    5.32    5-6    Yes
194    Adrian Tracy    William & Mary    OLB    6-3    248    4.70    6    Yes
195    Walter Thurmond    Oregon    CB    5-11    182    4.53    6    Yes
196    Nick Polk    Indiana    FS    5-11    213    4.54    6    Yes
197    Zac Robinson    Oklahoma State    QB    6-3    210    4.82    6    Yes
198    Marcus Easley    Connecticut    WR    6-3    214    4.40    6    Yes
199    Micah Johnson    Kentucky    ILB    6-2    258    4.78    6    Yes
200    Andre Dixon    Connecticut    RB    6-1    200    4.59    6    Yes
201    Zoltan Mesko    Michigan    P    6-4    235    4.79    6    Yes
202    Harry Coleman    LSU    SS    6-2    206    4.53    6    Yes
203    Leigh Tiffin    Alabama    K    6-0    198        6    Yes
204    Kevin Haslam    Rutgers    OT    6-5    304    5.27    6   
205    Lonyae Miller    Fresno State    RB    5-11    220    4.52    6    Yes
206    Seyi Ajirotutu    Fresno State    WR    6-3    211    4.56    6    Yes
207    Derek Hardman    Eastern Kentucky    OT    6-5    304    5.23    6   
208    Chris McGaha    Arizona State    WR    6-1    199    4.52    6    Yes
209    E.J. Wilson    North Carolina    DE    6-3    289    4.84    6    Yes
210    Eric Olsen    Notre Dame    C    6-4    310    5.26    6    Yes
211    Shawn Lauvao    Arizona State    OG    6-3    301    5.24    6    Yes
212    Jim Dray    Stanford    TE    6-5    247    4.84    6    Yes
213    *Kevin Basped    Nevada    DE    6-6    240    4.76    6    Yes
214    Jeff Owens    Georgia    DT    6-1    304    4.98    6    Yes
215    David Reed    Utah    WR    6-0    188    4.52    6-7    Yes
216    John Skelton    Fordham    QB    6-5    244    4.88    6-7    Yes
217    Stephan Virgil    Virginia Tech    CB    5-11    180    4.49    6-7    Yes
218    Andre Anderson    Tulane    RB    5-11    205    4.54    6-7   
219    Kerry Meier    Kansas    FB    6-2    219    4.65    6-7    Yes
220    Chris Marinelli    Stanford    OT    6-7    300    5.23    6-7   
221    Phillip Dillard    Nebraska    ILB    6-1    240    4.77    6-7    Yes
222    Chris Carter    Cal Davis    WR    6-0    195    4.49    6-7    Yes
223    Kyle McCarthy    Notre Dame    SS    6-0    203    4.58    6-7    Yes
224    Junior Galette    Stillman    OLB    6-2    244    4.63    6-7    Yes
225    Drew Davis    Alabama    OT    6-7    305    5.20    6-7   
226    Alric Arnett    West Virginia    WR    6-2    183    4.49    6-7    Yes
227    Robert Vaughn    Connecticut    FS    6-0    197    4.59    6-7   
228    Mike Tepper    California    OG    6-5    325    5.37    6-7    Yes
229    Nate Collins    Virginia    DT    6-2    279    5.08    6-7   
230    Jammie Kirlew    Indiana    DE    6-2    259    4.84    6-7    Yes
231    Justin Cole    San Jose State    OLB    6-3    240    4.68    6-7    Yes
232    *Clifton Geathers    South Carolina    DE    6-7    281    4.89    6-7    Yes
233    Nathan Overbay    Eastern Washington    TE    6-5    262    4.86    6-7   
234    Al Woods    LSU    DT    6-4    312    5.36    6-7    Yes
235    Kion Wilson    South Florida    ILB    6-0    232    4.74    7    Yes
236    Will Barker    Virginia    OT    6-7    317    5.32    7   
237    Sherrick McManis    Northwestern    CB    5-11    189    4.48    7    Yes
238    Brent Bowden    Virginia Tech    P    6-3    197    4.80    7    Yes
239    Verran Tucker    California    WR    6-2    194    4.47    7    Yes
240    Van Eskridge    East Carolina    FS    6-0    194    4.63    7   
241    Patrick Stoudamire    Western Illinois    CB    5-10    207    4.49    7   
242    Aaron Pettrey    Ohio State    K    6-1    198    4.94    7    Yes
243    Chris Brown    Oklahoma    RB    5-10    202    4.54    7    Yes
244    Joe Webb    UAB    WR    6-3    223    4.67    7   
245    John Estes    Hawaii    C    6-2    295    5.22    7   
246    Dace Richardson    Iowa    OG    6-6    305    5.18    7    Yes
247    Albert McClellan    Marshall    OLB    6-1    249    4.76    7    Yes
248    Kyle Williams    Arizona State    WR    5-10    185    4.48    7    Yes
249    Danny Batten    South Dakota State    DE    6-3    248    4.68    7   
250    Mike Kafka    Northwestern    QB    6-3    216    4.88    7    Yes
251    Pat Paschall    North Dakota State    RB    6-0    206    4.54    7    Yes
252    Daniel Te'o-Nesheim    Washington    DE    6-3    250    4.82    7    Yes
253    Keaton Kristick    Oregon State    OLB    6-3    226    4.74    7    Yes
254    Corey Peters    Kentucky    DT    6-3    295    4.95    7    Yes
255    Dedrick Epps    Miami    TE    6-3    249    4.76    7    Yes
256    Malcolm Sheppard    Arkansas    DT    6-2    290    4.94    7    Yes
257    Kevin Thomas    Southern Cal    CB    6-1    190    4.49    7-FA    Yes
258    Thomas Welch    Vanderbilt    OT    6-6    312    5.22    7-FA    Yes
259    Erik Cook    New Mexico    C    6-6    320    5.36    7-FA    Yes
260    Barry Church    Toledo    SS    6-2    217    4.56    7-FA    Yes
261    *Darius Marshall    Marshall    RB    5-10    190    4.49    7-FA    Yes
262    Casey Knips    South Dakota State    OT    6-7    308    5.21    7-FA   
263    Ryan Perrilloux    Jacksonville State    QB    6-2    218    4.87    7-FA   
264    Chris Hawkins    LSU    CB    6-0    186    4.49    7-FA    Yes
265    Brad Phillips    Northwestern    FS    6-2    215    4.65    7-FA   
266    Mike McLaughlin    Boston College    ILB    6-0    236    4.82    7-FA    Yes
267    Dennis Landolt    Penn State    OT    6-4    308    5.26    7-FA   
268    David Pender    Purdue    CB    6-0    176    4.49    7-FA    Yes
269    Max Hall    BYU    QB    6-0    202    4.76    7-FA    Yes
270    Boris Lee    Troy    ILB    6-0    238    4.74    7-FA    Yes
271    Curtis Steele    Memphis    RB    5-11    194    4.49    7-FA   
272    Keith Toston    Oklahoma State    RB    6-0    214    4.57    7-FA    Yes
273    Justin Woodall    Alabama    SS    6-1    218    4.64    7-FA    Yes
274    Cord Howard    Georgia Tech    OG    6-4    317    5.38    7-FA   
275    Ramon Harewood    Morehouse    OT    6-6    353    5.46    7-FA   
276    Matt Dodge    East Carolina    P    6-2    223        7-FA    Yes
277    Reggie Carter    UCLA    ILB    6-0    238    4.73    7-FA   
278    Chris Chancellor    Clemson    CB    5-09    171    4.48    7-FA    Yes
279    Josh Pinkard    Southern Cal    FS    6-1    215    4.58    7-FA    Yes
280    Armanti Edwards    Appalachian State    QB    5-11    185    4.52    7-FA    Yes
281    Stevenson Sylvester    Utah    OLB    6-2    225    4.73    7-FA    Yes
282    Kenny Alfred    Washington State    C    6-2    286    5.24    7-FA   
283    Tony Washington    Abilene Christian    OT    6-6    305    5.24    7-FA    Yes
284    Deji Karim    Southern Illinois    RB    5-09    210    4.46    7-FA   
285    Chris Hall    Texas    C    6-4    298    5.20    7-FA   
286    A.J. Wallace    Penn State    CB    6-0    195    4.43    7-FA   
287    Andre Neblett    Temple    DT    6-0    297    4.93    7-FA   
288    Darian Stewart    South Carolina    SS    5-11    216    4.60    7-FA    Yes
289    Carl Ihenacho    San Jose State    OLB    6-3    256    4.72    7-FA    Yes
290    George Johnson    Rutgers    DE    6-4    265    4.78    7-FA   
291    Richard Dickson    LSU    FB    6-3    245    4.78    7-FA   
292    Tim Hiller    Western Michigan    QB    6-4    229    4.98    7-FA    Yes
293    Randy Phillips    Miami    FS    6-0    210    4.59    7-FA   
294    Brett Swenson    Michigan State    K    5-08    173        7-FA    Yes
295    Travis Goethel    Arizona State    ILB    6-2    240    4.83    7-FA    Yes
296    Doug Worthington    Ohio State    DT    6-5    288    4.96    7-FA    Yes
297    Michael Hoomanawanui    Illinois    TE    6-4    267    4.77    7-FA    Yes
298    Nolan Carroll    Maryland    CB    6-0    202    4.43    7-FA    Yes
299    Roy Upchurch    Alabama    RB    6-0    210    4.53    7-FA   
300    Aaron Webster    Cincinnati    SS    6-1    204    4.54    7-FA   
301    Robert Malone    Fresno State    P    6-2    233    4.84    7-FA    Yes
302    Antonio Coleman    Auburn    OLB    6-2    255    4.87    7-FA    Yes
303    Jeffrey Fitzgerald    Kansas State    DE    6-4    271    4.92    7-FA   
304    Hunter Lawrence    Texas    K    5-11    184    4.90    7-FA   
305    Jay Ross    East Carolina    DT    6-3    314    5.09    7-FA    Yes
306    John Conner    Kentucky    FB    5-11    240    4.78    7-FA    Yes
307    Matt Nichols    Eastern Washington    QB    6-2    220    4.84    7-FA   
308    Dexter Davis    Arizona State    OLB    6-1    244    4.78    7-FA    Yes
309    Trindon Holliday    LSU    WR    5-05    162    4.27    7-FA    Yes
310    Thomas Austin    Clemson    OG    6-3    315    5.16    7-FA   
311    Riar Geer    Colorado    TE    6-3    252    4.98    7-FA    Yes
312    Scott Ravanesi    Southern Illinois    P    6-0    195    4.85    7-FA    Yes
313    Cody Grimm    Virginia Tech    SS    5-11    210    4.68    7-FA    Yes
314    Emmanuel Sanders    Southern Methodist    WR    5-11    182    4.47    7-FA    Yes
315    Shelley Smith    Colorado State    OG    6-3    301    5.22    7-FA    Yes
316    James Ruffin    Northern Iowa    DE    6-3    266    4.87    7-FA   
317    Jeromy Miles    Massachusetts    FS    6-2    215    4.57    7-FA   
318    Kurtis Gregory    Missouri    OG    6-4    308    5.18    7-FA    Yes
319    Jeff Cumberland    Illinois    TE    6-4    255    4.57    7-FA   
320    Brandon Banks    Kansas State    WR    5-07    154    4.28    7-FA    Yes
321    Manase Tonga    BYU    FB    5-11    238    4.69    7-FA    Yes
322    Juamorris Stewart    Southern    WR    6-1    201    4.56    7-FA   
323    *Chris Bell    Norfolk State    WR    6-2    210    4.54    7-FA    Yes
324    Joshua Shene    Mississippi    K    5-09    167        7-FA   
325    Josh Hull    Penn State    ILB    6-3    236    4.73    7-FA    Yes
OTHER PLAYERS AT COMBINE                       
Overall Rating    Player    School    Position    Height    Weight    Forty    Projected    Combine
328    Alex Parsons    Southern Cal    OG    6-4    300    5.14        Yes
330    Stafon Johnson    Southern Cal    RB    5-11    214    4.54        Yes
332    A.J. Jefferson    Fresno State    CB    6-0    190    4.45        Yes
333    Arthur Moats    James Madison    OLB    6-0    246    4.58        Yes
334    Javarris James    Miami    RB    5-11    208    4.58        Yes
338    Ryan Wolfe    UNLV    WR    6-1    210    4.65        Yes
339    Charles Alexander    LSU    DT    6-4    303    5.24        Yes
342    Keiland Williams    LSU    RB    5-11    221    4.56        Yes
346    Thaddeus Lewis    Duke    QB    6-0    217    4.68        Yes
348    Jon Amaya    Nevada    FS    6-1    200    4.46        Yes
351    Jason Beauchamp    UNLV    OLB    6-3    243    4.73        Yes
353    Brandon Minor    Michigan    RB    6-0    218    4.59        Yes
356    Hall Davis    Louisiana-Lafayette    DE    6-5    272    4.76        Yes
358    Levi Brown    Troy    QB    6-3    229    4.78        Yes
364    Chris DeGeare    Wake Forest    OG    6-4    326    5.43        Yes
365    Lorenzo Washington    Alabama    DT    6-4    288    5.02        Yes
370    Brandon James    Florida    RB    5-07    186    4.42        Yes
372    Simoni Lawrence    Minnesota    OLB    6-0    229    4.59        Yes
373    Lucien Antoine    Oklahoma State    FS    6-1    217    4.58        Yes
375    Greg Middleton    Indiana    DE    6-3    284    4.84        Yes
376    Joe Hawley    UNLV    OG    6-3    303    5.20        Yes
379    Aleric Mullins    North Carolina    DT    6-3    296    4.98        Yes
381    Jared Perry    Missouri    WR    6-0    175    4.55        Yes
392    *Shawnbrey McNeal    Southern Methodist    RB    5-10    190    4.47        Yes
393    Clint Gresham    TCU    LS    6-3    235            Yes
400    *Dennis Rogan    Tennessee    CB    5-10    178    4.49        Yes
402    Stephen Williams    Toledo    WR    6-5    209    4.52        Yes
404    Brody Eldridge    Oklahoma    TE    6-5    265    4.82        Yes
407    Sam Maxwell    Kentucky    OLB    6-3    248    4.68        Yes
410    Scott Long    Louisville    WR    6-1    213    4.58        Yes
413    Daryll Clark    Penn State    QB    6-2    238    4.62        Yes
417    Lee Campbell    Minnesota    ILB    6-3    246    4.84        Yes
418    Erik Lorig    Stanford    DE    6-4    275    4.86        Yes
422    Keenan Clayton    Oklahoma    OLB    6-1    221    4.68        Yes
426    Donald Jones    Youngstown State    WR    6-0    212    4.56        Yes
433    Crezdon Butler    Clemson    CB    6-0    185    4.47        Yes
453    Kyle Jolly    North Carolina    OT    6-6    312    5.31        Yes
470    Kyle Bosworth    UCLA    OLB    6-1    234    4.77        Yes
501    Cole Pemberton    Colorado State    OT    6-7    318    5.29        Yes
503    Marshay Green    Mississippi    CB    5-09    176    4.52        Yes
509    Nyan Boateng    California    WR    6-1    212    4.56        Yes
527    Cornelius Brown    Texas-El Paso    CB    5-11    197    4.43        Yes
540    Dorian Brooks    James Madison    OG    6-2    300    5.16        Yes
558    Nate Triplett    Minnesota    OLB    6-3    250    4.77        Yes
598    Chastin West    Fresno State    WR    6-1    215    4.56        Yes
633    Kevin Jurovich    San Jose State    WR    6-0    184    4.54        Yes
639    Preston Parker    North Alabama    WR    5-11    196    4.49        Yes
676    Riley Skinner    Wake Forest    QB    6-0    210    4.87        Yes