Ryan Howard's 2012 season is over five games quicker than he, or anyone else expected.
According to Philly.com on Saturday, Howard suffered a broken right big toe when he dropped an iron he uses to add extra weight to his bat onto his foot while waiting in the on-deck circle in Thursday's home loss to Washington.
X-rays taken on Friday revealed a hairline fracture, which is not expected to hamper his offseason workouts or his impending nuptials.
The 32-year-old St. Louis native will finish with his lowest totals in several key categories since his 2004 major league debut. In just 71 games played, the slugger hit .219 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles and 56 RBI. He fanned 99 times and walked just 25 times in 260 at-bats.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Phantoms to hold camp in Voorhees
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, will open their 2012 training camp at The Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ on Saturday, September 29.
The camp, which runs through October 7, will open with 39 players – 21 forwards, 15 defensemen and three goalies. A complete roster is attached to this release.
Players will take the ice for the first time at 9:15 AM on Sept. 29. On-ice sessions on the first day include a second session in the afternoon from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. Sunday’s schedule includes on-ice sessions at 8 AM and 3 PM. A complete schedule is also attached to this release, but is subject to change. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public.
Saturday will feature a full day of free activities for fans including a Hooked on Hockey clinic with Bob “the Hound” Kelly from 11 AM – 12 PM and an autograph session with Flyers Alumni Terry Murray and Bill Barber, along with Phantoms alum Frank Bialowas, from 12:30 until 1:30 PM. The Garden State Discovery Museum and Please Touch Museum will also have interactive displays from 9 AM until 4:30 PM.
Exclusive Flyers and Phantoms merchandise will be available at Gear Zone throughout the week. On Saturday, fans who spend $50.00 on merchandise will receive a Flyers Tote Bag, courtesy of Toyota, while supplies last.
Included in the camp schedule is an exhibition game against the Albany Devils, AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, on Tuesday, October 2 at 2pm. That game is also free and open to the public.
The Phantoms open their 2012-13 American Hockey League season on Saturday, October 13 when they host the Portland Pirates at 7 PM at the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, NY.
The camp, which runs through October 7, will open with 39 players – 21 forwards, 15 defensemen and three goalies. A complete roster is attached to this release.
Players will take the ice for the first time at 9:15 AM on Sept. 29. On-ice sessions on the first day include a second session in the afternoon from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. Sunday’s schedule includes on-ice sessions at 8 AM and 3 PM. A complete schedule is also attached to this release, but is subject to change. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public.
Saturday will feature a full day of free activities for fans including a Hooked on Hockey clinic with Bob “the Hound” Kelly from 11 AM – 12 PM and an autograph session with Flyers Alumni Terry Murray and Bill Barber, along with Phantoms alum Frank Bialowas, from 12:30 until 1:30 PM. The Garden State Discovery Museum and Please Touch Museum will also have interactive displays from 9 AM until 4:30 PM.
Exclusive Flyers and Phantoms merchandise will be available at Gear Zone throughout the week. On Saturday, fans who spend $50.00 on merchandise will receive a Flyers Tote Bag, courtesy of Toyota, while supplies last.
Included in the camp schedule is an exhibition game against the Albany Devils, AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, on Tuesday, October 2 at 2pm. That game is also free and open to the public.
The Phantoms open their 2012-13 American Hockey League season on Saturday, October 13 when they host the Portland Pirates at 7 PM at the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, NY.
Sixers add Gadzuric, Wilkins to camp roster
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The Philadelphia 76ers will hold training camp at Saint Joseph’s University’s Hagan Arena from Tuesday, Oct. 2 through Saturday Oct. 6.
In preparation for camp, the team has signed free agents Dan Gadzuric, Devin Searcy, Xavier Silas and Damien Wilkins. The Sixers training camp roster now stands at 17.
Gadzuric (6-11, 240) has appeared in 527 games with 164 starts, averaging 4.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.85 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game while shooting 50.0% from the floor across 10 NBA seasons. He started 2011-12 by playing for the Jiangsu Nangang Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association before joining the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League. Eventually, Gadzuric was signed by the New York Knicks in late April and appeared in two games.
Searcy (6-10, 226) was undrafted in 2011 out of Dayton and played in 45 games last season for the Toyama Grouses of the Basketball Japan League, averaging 13.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. He also appeared in five games with two starts for the Sixers in the 2012 Orlando Pro Summer League, averaging 7.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game.
Silas (6-5, 205) took part in the Sixers training camp last season before joining the Maine Red Claws, which at the time was Philadelphia’s D-League affiliate. In late April, he signed with the Sixers for the remainder of the season and appeared in two regular season games as well as two playoff games. Silas was originally an undrafted rookie out of Northern Illinois in 2011.
Wilkins (6-6, 225) has appeared in 502 games with 128 starts, averaging 6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.4 minutes per game while shooting 42.3% from the floor and 78.9% from the line across eight NBA seasons. In 2011-12, he saw action in 60 games with two starts for Detroit.
Below is the practice schedule for training camp. Please note times are subject to change and that for days with two practices, media availability for players will only take place following the first session. Media members planning to attend must present their 2011-12 season media credential or contact the 76ers Public Relations Department in advance. All practices are closed to the general public and will take place on the main court at Hagan Arena
Tuesday, October 2:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 3:
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 4:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 5:
TBD
Saturday, October 6:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
In preparation for camp, the team has signed free agents Dan Gadzuric, Devin Searcy, Xavier Silas and Damien Wilkins. The Sixers training camp roster now stands at 17.
Gadzuric (6-11, 240) has appeared in 527 games with 164 starts, averaging 4.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.85 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game while shooting 50.0% from the floor across 10 NBA seasons. He started 2011-12 by playing for the Jiangsu Nangang Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association before joining the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League. Eventually, Gadzuric was signed by the New York Knicks in late April and appeared in two games.
Searcy (6-10, 226) was undrafted in 2011 out of Dayton and played in 45 games last season for the Toyama Grouses of the Basketball Japan League, averaging 13.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. He also appeared in five games with two starts for the Sixers in the 2012 Orlando Pro Summer League, averaging 7.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game.
Silas (6-5, 205) took part in the Sixers training camp last season before joining the Maine Red Claws, which at the time was Philadelphia’s D-League affiliate. In late April, he signed with the Sixers for the remainder of the season and appeared in two regular season games as well as two playoff games. Silas was originally an undrafted rookie out of Northern Illinois in 2011.
Wilkins (6-6, 225) has appeared in 502 games with 128 starts, averaging 6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.4 minutes per game while shooting 42.3% from the floor and 78.9% from the line across eight NBA seasons. In 2011-12, he saw action in 60 games with two starts for Detroit.
Below is the practice schedule for training camp. Please note times are subject to change and that for days with two practices, media availability for players will only take place following the first session. Media members planning to attend must present their 2011-12 season media credential or contact the 76ers Public Relations Department in advance. All practices are closed to the general public and will take place on the main court at Hagan Arena
Tuesday, October 2:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 3:
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 4:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 5:
TBD
Saturday, October 6:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Majewski and Mundy meet in WBO Inter-Continental title fight
ATLANTIC
CITY, NJ (SEPTEMBER 26, 2012)—This
Saturday night Patrick Majewski & Latif Mundy will renew their rivalry that
stems back to June 6th, 2009 as they meet in a rematch in a ten round
fight for the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight championship.
That fight plus a full six bout undercard can be seen
live all over the world at 7:30 pm eastern / 4:30 pacific for just $9.99 by
clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/
Majewski of Atlantic City via Radom, Poland won that
clash in what turned out to be an exciting eight round unanimous decision. In that fight, Majewski gained an early
advantage by using his height advantage and right hands. Majewski was cut midway through the
fight and that gave Mundy the opportunity to get inside and score but it was too
little too late as Majewski won the unanimous decision by scores of 80-71, 78-73
and a more in line 77-74 scores.
Majewski has a record of 19-1 with thirteen knockouts
and has won two straight by knockout since his lone defeat at the hands of Jose
Miguel Torres.
Majewski has wins over Jimmy Lubash (13-1); Mundy (8-0);
Joe Gomez (17-2-1); former world title challenger Antwun Echols and in his last
bout he won the NABF Middleweight title with a fifth round stoppage over Chris
Fitzpatrick.
Mundy of Philadelphia is no stranger to big fights as he
is battle tested and not afraid to take on anybody. He has a record of 10-4 with four
knockouts.
Mundy won his first eight bouts which included a win
over George Rivera (8-1). He fought
to a no-contest with former Contender contestant Rudy Cisneros before meeting
Majewski.
Mundy, who is capable, will be trying to right the ship
after losses to Gabriel Rosado, Ossie Duran and undefeated top prospect Matt
Korobov.
In what has turned into a turf-war co-feature, Atlantic
City natives Shamone Alvarez and DeCarlo Perez will get it on in an eight round
Jr. Middleweight bout.
Alvarez has a record of 21-5 with twelve knockouts and
has fought many top contenders and future world champions.
He won his first nineteen fights which included quality
victories over Darren Fallen (6-1-1), a first round destruction over previously
undefeated Mohammad Kayongo (11-0-1), Jose Medina (11-2), Jose Luis Cruz
(34-2-2) and Germaine Sanders (27-3).
The win over Cruz earned Alvarez the NABO title which
put him in line for an elimination bout with eventual world champion Joshua
Clottey.
Alvarez rebounded with a win over former U.S. Olympian
Terrance Cauthen and Alexis Camacho (17-2). Alvarez has had disappointing losses to
former world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez as well as to Ayi Bruce (17-3)
& Antonin DeCarie (24-1).
Perez, fourteen years the junior to the thirty-five year
old Alvarez will be looking for a significant win to put on his
resume.
Perez and his team called out Alvarez and on Saturday
they will get what they asked for.
Perez turned pro in 2010 and was 5-0-1 in his first six
fights. He lost a six round
unanimous decision to undefeated Grayson Blake (3-0). In his last bout, Perez was efficient in
pounding out a six round unanimous decision over Linwood Dozier.
In a six round Jr. Welterweight bout, a pair of
undefeated fighters will meet as Emanuel Colon (2-0, 2 KO’s) takes on Hassan
Young (1-0-1).
In four round bouts, Patryk Szymanski (1-0, 1 KO) of
Poland will fight debuting Adrian Wilson in a Welterweight bout.
Michal Chudeki of Poland will make is pro debut against
Moses Molina (1-0, 1 KO) of Bridgeton, NJ in a Welterweight bout.
Anthony Prescott (1-0, 1 KO) of Cherry Hill, NJ will
take on debuting Terrell James of Philadelphia in a Jr. Middleweight
bout.
Rounding out the card will be David Gonzales (1-0) of
Philadelphia taking on debuting Charles Mack of Philadelphia in a Jr.
Middleweight bout.
Union set up reserve clash with DC United
Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union will have a Reserve League clash with local rivals D.C. United at Chester Park on Tuesday October 9th. Kickoff will be at 2:30.
The game will be the second of four remaining Reserve League games for the Union in 2012, with the first coming this Sunday at Crew Stadium (kick off 11am ET) following Saturday’s first team MLS clash with Columbus Crew.
The Union will travel to D.C. for the corresponding Reserve fixture with United on 12th October (kickoff 12pm ET) before the 2012 Reserve League schedule comes to a conclusion at home to Toronto FC on 17th October (kick-off 10am ET).
The game will be the second of four remaining Reserve League games for the Union in 2012, with the first coming this Sunday at Crew Stadium (kick off 11am ET) following Saturday’s first team MLS clash with Columbus Crew.
The Union will travel to D.C. for the corresponding Reserve fixture with United on 12th October (kickoff 12pm ET) before the 2012 Reserve League schedule comes to a conclusion at home to Toronto FC on 17th October (kick-off 10am ET).
WSOF announces first card on NBC Sports Network
“We are thrilled to welcome both Andrei and Devin to the World Series of Fighting roster and to have them headline our first live event,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo. “Both of these heavyweights have delivered some incredibly memorable highlights during their careers and their matchup should be a barnburner.”
The 33-year-old, 6-foot-4, 250 pound Arlovski made his first major statement in the sport of MMA, winning the interim UFC heavyweight championship by forcing rival Tim Sylvia to tap out from a heel hook just 47 seconds into their matchup on Feb. 5, 2005.
Four months later, Arlovski defended his title, toppling Justin Eilers with an onslaught of punches in the first round (4:10) of their matchup in Atlantic City, N.J. Shortly after the victory, Arlovski was promoted to UFC heavyweight champion and went on to earn wins over the likes of Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello, Fabricio Werdum and Jake O’Brien before parting ways with the UFC and using his punching power to score a third round (1:13) KO on Ben Rothwell and a second round (1:46) TKO on Roy Nelson, respectively.
 |
| Andrei Arlovski |
The fact that the 35-year-old, 6-foot-4, 250 pound Cole has earned 10 of his 20 career victories by way of KO might lead one to believe he is a pure striker. On the contrary, however, he is a lifelong wrestler as well.
In 2001, Cole received All-American honors after leading Southern Oregon University to a national wrestling championship. Two years later, he burst onto the MMA scene, winning 10 of first 11 professional bouts. Amongst his best conquests to date are those over Travis Wiuff, Mike Kyle, D.J. Linderman and Mike “300” Hayes.
Cole will look to notch his third consecutive victory. He recently made his second-career trip to premiere training camp American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla. in order to prepare with some of the world’s premiere mixed martial artists for the showdown with Arlovski.
The live NBC Sports Network telecast of the World Series of Fighting event will begin at 10:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. PST.
In other main card action, bantamweight (135 pounds) superstar Miguel Angel Torres (40-5) of East Chicago, Ind. will battle an opponent to be announced.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Gregor Gracie (7-2) of Rio de Janeiro will face off with red-hot prospect Tyson Steele (9-1) in a welterweight (168 pounds) contest; Josh Burkman (23-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah will battle fellow star Gerald “Hurricane” Harris (21-4) of Tulsa, Okla. in a welterweight bout.
Fast-rising star Ronys Torres (25-4) will meet dangerous submission specialist Brian “The Bandit” Cobb (19-7) of Bakersfield, Calif. in a lightweight (155 pounds) matchup.
In an undercard scrap, seasoned warrior Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (16-6-1) Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Brazil will take on submission wizard John Gunderson (34-14) of Las Vegas.
Additional undercard bouts will be announced soon.
Soul to host open tryout
PHILADELPHIA – The American Conference champion Philadelphia Soul will hold an open player tryout on Saturday, October 20 at the Philadelphia Eagles' NovaCare Complex.
Soul head coach Clint Dolezel, general manager Tom Goodhines and staff will be evaluating all players in attendance. No Kickers will be evaluated at this tryout.
“The journey back to the ArenaBowl begins here,” said Dolezel. “The turnout for the previous tryouts was tremendous. We were impressed by the amount of talent in this area last year and we look for more of the same this year.”
The Soul found three players – Nyere Aumaitre, Jerome Hayes and Keith Stokes – that became starters from previous open tryouts and Alfonso Hoggard made the team from one of last year’s tryouts.
All participants can pre-register before Thursday, October 18 at www.philadelphiasoul.com. The cost of the tryout is $60 for those who pre-register and $80 at the door by cash, money order or certified funds only. A t-shirt will be included in the cost and all fees are non-refundable.
On the day of the tryout, registration will begin at 8 a.m., with stretching starting promptly at 9 a.m.
Players will be tested on their 40-yard time, broad jump and short shuttle with other position-specific drills and one-on-ones to follow. Please bring appropriate workout gear and shoes/cleats. Testing will take place on field turf – no metal cleats are permitted. A trainer will be on hand for emergencies only – not for player taping.
Soul head coach Clint Dolezel, general manager Tom Goodhines and staff will be evaluating all players in attendance. No Kickers will be evaluated at this tryout.
“The journey back to the ArenaBowl begins here,” said Dolezel. “The turnout for the previous tryouts was tremendous. We were impressed by the amount of talent in this area last year and we look for more of the same this year.”
The Soul found three players – Nyere Aumaitre, Jerome Hayes and Keith Stokes – that became starters from previous open tryouts and Alfonso Hoggard made the team from one of last year’s tryouts.
All participants can pre-register before Thursday, October 18 at www.philadelphiasoul.com. The cost of the tryout is $60 for those who pre-register and $80 at the door by cash, money order or certified funds only. A t-shirt will be included in the cost and all fees are non-refundable.
On the day of the tryout, registration will begin at 8 a.m., with stretching starting promptly at 9 a.m.
Players will be tested on their 40-yard time, broad jump and short shuttle with other position-specific drills and one-on-ones to follow. Please bring appropriate workout gear and shoes/cleats. Testing will take place on field turf – no metal cleats are permitted. A trainer will be on hand for emergencies only – not for player taping.
Temple-USF to kick off at Noon
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple Homecoming football game against South Florida on Oct. 6 will kick off at Noon at Lincoln Financial Field.
The BIG EAST Network will televise the game as its Game of the Week.
The Temple Owls (1-2, 0-0 BIG EAST) have a bye
this week before hosting the USF Bulls (2-2, 0-1 BIG EAST) in their BIG
EAST opener.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
NHL cancels remainder of preseason
Largely a fait accompli with the ongoing stalemate between the league and its players union, comes this missive on Thursday afternoon:
"The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the remainder of the 2012 preseason schedule. The cancellation of the preseason schedule was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL."
For the Flyers, this means their four remaining exhibition games, 10/1 home against New Jersey, 10/2 at Toronto, 10/5 at New Jersey and 10/6 at Chicago, have been wiped out.
The 2012-13 regular season is still supposed to begin on Thursday, October 11, with Philly hosting the Boston Bruins.
One bit of good news is the multiple reports that principals from both sides responsible for the work stoppage will meet from Friday through Sunday in a round of meaningful talks in New York City.
"The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the remainder of the 2012 preseason schedule. The cancellation of the preseason schedule was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL."
For the Flyers, this means their four remaining exhibition games, 10/1 home against New Jersey, 10/2 at Toronto, 10/5 at New Jersey and 10/6 at Chicago, have been wiped out.
The 2012-13 regular season is still supposed to begin on Thursday, October 11, with Philly hosting the Boston Bruins.
One bit of good news is the multiple reports that principals from both sides responsible for the work stoppage will meet from Friday through Sunday in a round of meaningful talks in New York City.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Eagles bring back McBriar, give Henry the boot
The Philadelphia Eagles swapped punters on Tuesday, releasing Chas Henry and signing Mat McBriar to a two-year contract.
It's a stunning turnaround for the native of Australia, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract in late July before being cut in favor of Henry during the last preseason roster cutdowns.
McBriar spent the past eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and averaged 45.3 yards during his career. He also had a net average of 38.4 yards.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, the 33-year-old led the league in punting average in 2006 and 2010. He averaged 43.8 yards on 58 punts last season, more than four yards below his 2010 mark of 47.9 yards.
The 23-year-old Henry began the regular season on an up note, averaging 42 net yards per punt in a win at Cleveland. However, his net average dropped to 32.4 and 38.8 yards per boot over the last two games.
It's a stunning turnaround for the native of Australia, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract in late July before being cut in favor of Henry during the last preseason roster cutdowns.
McBriar spent the past eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and averaged 45.3 yards during his career. He also had a net average of 38.4 yards.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, the 33-year-old led the league in punting average in 2006 and 2010. He averaged 43.8 yards on 58 punts last season, more than four yards below his 2010 mark of 47.9 yards.
The 23-year-old Henry began the regular season on an up note, averaging 42 net yards per punt in a win at Cleveland. However, his net average dropped to 32.4 and 38.8 yards per boot over the last two games.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Union stops skid by topping Houston
By Dave Zeitlin, MLSsoccer.com
Chester, PA. (September 23, 2012) – The Philadelphia Union dealt a blow to the Houston Dynamo’s playoff aspirations at PPL Park on Sunday, putting in a solid all-round performance to prevail 3-1 courtesy of a Freddy Adu brace and a first career goal from Josué Martinez.
With the result, the Union – who were knocked out of the playoffs by Houston last year – improve to 8-14-6 and avoid being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, which would have happened with a loss or a draw.
The Dynamo drop to 12-8-10 and remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, just one point clear of Columbus Crew for the final playoff spot.
Before Sunday’s game, the Union had scored just twice in their past five games and last netted three goals in a game on July 9. But in the 28th minute, Adu put the Union ahead, 1-0, and became the first Philly attacker to score since July 29.
Adu’s goal came after right back Ray Gaddis made a marauding run up the field and put a cross into the box that took a couple of bounces off Houston players and found the foot of Adu on the endline. Adu then cut the ball to the right and beat Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall to the near post.
Gaddis made another great run before playing a dangerous cross in the 38th minute, and generally showed great pace along the wing throughout the game.
Both teams had other chances to score, none greater than in the 11th minute when Hall made a monster save on a wide-open Josue Martinez, who made a rare start as Philly’s center forward.
It was Houston who’d break through, though, tying it up late in the first half when Boniek GarcÃa hit a beautiful strike off the post and in, following a great feed from Will Bruin, who sucked both defenders to him in the middle of the box.
But Adu netted his second goal of game – and fifth of the season – when he banged home a 50th-minute penalty kick after André Hainault dragged down Philly’s Sheanon Williams in the box, restoring the one-goal Union lead. He then left the game while clutching his left leg, replaced by Keon Daniel.
Martinez finally made good on his opportunity to start in the 70th minute when he put the Union up 3-1, getting his foot on a blast from center back Amobi Okugo and taking another touch to beat Hall right in front of the net.
Trailing by a pair of goals, Houston tried to mount a comeback with Bruin hitting a powerful shot just wide in the 74th minute and Brad Davis striking the crossbar in the 88th minute. Houston never quite found the range, however, as the Union snapped a franchise-long eight-game winless streak.
Philly will look to play the role of spoiler again next week when they take on sixth-place Columbus on the road Saturday. The Dynamo return to action the same day with a home game against New England.
FULL TIME: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Houston Dynamo
ATTENDANCE: 17,666.
Chester, PA. (September 23, 2012) – The Philadelphia Union dealt a blow to the Houston Dynamo’s playoff aspirations at PPL Park on Sunday, putting in a solid all-round performance to prevail 3-1 courtesy of a Freddy Adu brace and a first career goal from Josué Martinez.
With the result, the Union – who were knocked out of the playoffs by Houston last year – improve to 8-14-6 and avoid being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, which would have happened with a loss or a draw.
The Dynamo drop to 12-8-10 and remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, just one point clear of Columbus Crew for the final playoff spot.
Before Sunday’s game, the Union had scored just twice in their past five games and last netted three goals in a game on July 9. But in the 28th minute, Adu put the Union ahead, 1-0, and became the first Philly attacker to score since July 29.
Adu’s goal came after right back Ray Gaddis made a marauding run up the field and put a cross into the box that took a couple of bounces off Houston players and found the foot of Adu on the endline. Adu then cut the ball to the right and beat Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall to the near post.
Gaddis made another great run before playing a dangerous cross in the 38th minute, and generally showed great pace along the wing throughout the game.
Both teams had other chances to score, none greater than in the 11th minute when Hall made a monster save on a wide-open Josue Martinez, who made a rare start as Philly’s center forward.
It was Houston who’d break through, though, tying it up late in the first half when Boniek GarcÃa hit a beautiful strike off the post and in, following a great feed from Will Bruin, who sucked both defenders to him in the middle of the box.
But Adu netted his second goal of game – and fifth of the season – when he banged home a 50th-minute penalty kick after André Hainault dragged down Philly’s Sheanon Williams in the box, restoring the one-goal Union lead. He then left the game while clutching his left leg, replaced by Keon Daniel.
Martinez finally made good on his opportunity to start in the 70th minute when he put the Union up 3-1, getting his foot on a blast from center back Amobi Okugo and taking another touch to beat Hall right in front of the net.
Trailing by a pair of goals, Houston tried to mount a comeback with Bruin hitting a powerful shot just wide in the 74th minute and Brad Davis striking the crossbar in the 88th minute. Houston never quite found the range, however, as the Union snapped a franchise-long eight-game winless streak.
Philly will look to play the role of spoiler again next week when they take on sixth-place Columbus on the road Saturday. The Dynamo return to action the same day with a home game against New England.
FULL TIME: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Houston Dynamo
ATTENDANCE: 17,666.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Eagles-Cardinals notes
What is a Philadelphia sports team's games lately if not historic in some fashion? Some things to think about after Sunday's 27-6 loss in Arizona on Sunday:
- The Eagles fell to 15-19 on the road against the Cardinals franchise since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and have dropped three in a row in the Valley of the Sun including a 32-25 defeat in the 2008 NFC Championship Game.
- Philly's record against the Cards on the road since their 1988 move to Phoenix dropped to 8-9.
- Arizona has won four of the six meetings with Philadelphia since moving out of the NFC East following the 2001 season.
- The 21-point margin of defeat was the worst since a 31-7 loss in St. Louis on December 18, 1983 -- a game played in driving snow with a game-time temperature of 12 degrees. In that season-ending setback, Ron Jaworski threw for 298 yards but was picked off four times, and Cardinals running back Ottis Anderson shredded Marion Campbell's defense for 156 yards and a touchdown.
- The Cardinals moved to 3-0 for the first time since 1974, when the franchise was ensconced in the Gateway City, played on Astroturf at Busch Stadium, was quarterbacked by Jim Hart and coached by Don Coryell.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Villanova announces Wells Fargo Center games
VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats will host three BIG EAST games at the Wells Fargo Center as part of their 2012-13 schedule.
Villanova meets Louisville at the Center on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 8:00 p.m. Four days later, the Center will be the site as Syracuse visits South Philadelphia in a contest that will tip off at 11 a.m.
The Wildcats conclude the regular season at the Center when Georgetown comes to town on Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.
The balance of Villanova’s home dates will be played on campus at the Pavilion. The Wildcats open the regular season on Nov. 9 at the Pavilion when UDC is in town as part of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project. VU will then host Marshall on Sunday, Nov. 11, also at the Pavilion.
The 2012-13 campaign marks VU’s 16th consecutive season hosting contests at the Center. It has averaged better than 16,000 fans per home game in that span, which does not include four NCAA Tournament games the ‘Cats played there in 2006 and 2009.
Information on tickets to the Wells Fargo Center portion of the schedule will be announced later this fall.
Villanova meets Louisville at the Center on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 8:00 p.m. Four days later, the Center will be the site as Syracuse visits South Philadelphia in a contest that will tip off at 11 a.m.
The Wildcats conclude the regular season at the Center when Georgetown comes to town on Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.
The balance of Villanova’s home dates will be played on campus at the Pavilion. The Wildcats open the regular season on Nov. 9 at the Pavilion when UDC is in town as part of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project. VU will then host Marshall on Sunday, Nov. 11, also at the Pavilion.
The 2012-13 campaign marks VU’s 16th consecutive season hosting contests at the Center. It has averaged better than 16,000 fans per home game in that span, which does not include four NCAA Tournament games the ‘Cats played there in 2006 and 2009.
Information on tickets to the Wells Fargo Center portion of the schedule will be announced later this fall.
Boxing card set for Millville, NJ
MILLVILLE, N.J. – September 19, 2012 -- On Saturday night, November 10th, Gulfstream Boxing Promotions presents a special night of boxing at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey. In the main event, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will see action against opponent to be named in a six round bout.
The bout for LaManna is special for a variety of reasons as he will be fighting in his hometown of Millville for the very first time and the bout takes place just two days before LaManna’s 21st birthday.
LaManna is 9-0 with five knockouts is coming off a six round split decision victory over tough Yolexcy Leiva on August 18th in Atlantic City.
“I am very excited about this fight and event coming to Millville”, said LaManna. “It should be a great night of boxing and I want to thank the New Jersey Motorsports Park and my promoter Vincent Ponte for making this dream of fighting at home to come true. I plan to put on a great fight and hopefully this could be the beginning of boxing in Millville.”
In the six-round co-feature, undefeated Jr. Welterweight Anthony “Juice “Young will see action against opponent to be named.
Young, of nearby Atlantic City, has a record of 6-0 with two knockouts and is coming off a four round unanimous majority decision over Richard Andrews on July 27th.
Competing in eight-round bouts will be undefeated Super Middleweight Derrick Webster and Jr. Lightweight Joselito Collado.
Webster of Glassboro, New Jersey, has a record of 13-0 with seven knockouts and is starting to get national attention as he has stepped up the competition in recent bouts. He is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Sabou Ballagou on April 27th and Webster has recently spent time in the camps of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.
Collado of Queens, New York, has a record of 13-2 with three knockouts has fought top competition. He has an impressive first-round stoppage over Jules Blackwell (8-2-2) and decision over Rafael Lora (11-3). Collado’s only two blemishes have been to top prospect Casey Ramos (14-0) and his last bout when he lost a decision to Jerry Belmontes (16-0) on September 8th.
Also seeing action in a six round bout will be undefeated Middleweight Isiah Seldon.
Seldon, of Atlantic City, has a record of 6-0 with three knockouts and the undefeated son of former WBA Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon is coming off a second-round stoppage over Kenneth Moody on February 4th.
Appearing in four-round bouts will be Jon Bolden (5-4, 5 KO’s) of New York, Light Heavyweight Amir Shabazz (1-0) of Philadelphia, Middleweight Godson Noel (1-0, 1 KO) of Newark, and amateur star Jr. Middleweight Antoine Douglas of Virginia.
In attendance will be Former WBO and Olympic gold medalist heavyweight world champion Ray Mercer & former Two-Time IBF cruiserweight world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham.
“NJMP is proud to partner with Gulfstream Boxing Promotions to present this special event,” said NJMP general manager Brad Scott. “We’re looking forward to seeing all of the scheduled competitors, especially Millville’s own Thomas LaManna.”
The bout for LaManna is special for a variety of reasons as he will be fighting in his hometown of Millville for the very first time and the bout takes place just two days before LaManna’s 21st birthday.
LaManna is 9-0 with five knockouts is coming off a six round split decision victory over tough Yolexcy Leiva on August 18th in Atlantic City.
“I am very excited about this fight and event coming to Millville”, said LaManna. “It should be a great night of boxing and I want to thank the New Jersey Motorsports Park and my promoter Vincent Ponte for making this dream of fighting at home to come true. I plan to put on a great fight and hopefully this could be the beginning of boxing in Millville.”
In the six-round co-feature, undefeated Jr. Welterweight Anthony “Juice “Young will see action against opponent to be named.
Young, of nearby Atlantic City, has a record of 6-0 with two knockouts and is coming off a four round unanimous majority decision over Richard Andrews on July 27th.
Competing in eight-round bouts will be undefeated Super Middleweight Derrick Webster and Jr. Lightweight Joselito Collado.
Webster of Glassboro, New Jersey, has a record of 13-0 with seven knockouts and is starting to get national attention as he has stepped up the competition in recent bouts. He is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Sabou Ballagou on April 27th and Webster has recently spent time in the camps of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.
Collado of Queens, New York, has a record of 13-2 with three knockouts has fought top competition. He has an impressive first-round stoppage over Jules Blackwell (8-2-2) and decision over Rafael Lora (11-3). Collado’s only two blemishes have been to top prospect Casey Ramos (14-0) and his last bout when he lost a decision to Jerry Belmontes (16-0) on September 8th.
Also seeing action in a six round bout will be undefeated Middleweight Isiah Seldon.
Seldon, of Atlantic City, has a record of 6-0 with three knockouts and the undefeated son of former WBA Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon is coming off a second-round stoppage over Kenneth Moody on February 4th.
Appearing in four-round bouts will be Jon Bolden (5-4, 5 KO’s) of New York, Light Heavyweight Amir Shabazz (1-0) of Philadelphia, Middleweight Godson Noel (1-0, 1 KO) of Newark, and amateur star Jr. Middleweight Antoine Douglas of Virginia.
In attendance will be Former WBO and Olympic gold medalist heavyweight world champion Ray Mercer & former Two-Time IBF cruiserweight world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham.
“NJMP is proud to partner with Gulfstream Boxing Promotions to present this special event,” said NJMP general manager Brad Scott. “We’re looking forward to seeing all of the scheduled competitors, especially Millville’s own Thomas LaManna.”
Pajoy returns to bite struggling Union
By Dave Zeitlin, MLSsoccer.com
Chester, Pa. (September 20, 2012) – Former Philadelphia Union striker Lionard Pajoy compounded a disappointing night for his old club on Thursday, scoring the only goal as D.C. United earned a crucial 1-0 win at PPL Park in a nationally-televised Eastern Conference showdown.
With the win, D.C. United (14-10-5, 47 points) leapfrogged the Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew into fourth place as they battle for one of the final Eastern Conference playoff spots.
Meanwhile, the ninth-place Union’s winless streak was extended to eight games.
D.C.’s goal came after smart work by Chris Pontius, who drew Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath from his line before cutting back to Pajoy. The striker took the time to settle the ball before dispatching a crisp half-volley high into an empty net.
It was the seventh goal of the season for Pajoy, who scored five for the Union before being traded to D.C. for Danny Cruz on Aug. 16.
Before that, both teams struggled to generate much offense, in part because the Union were without suspended playmaker Michael Farfan (yellow card accumulation) and D.C. were missing the influential Dwayne De Rosario through injury.
The Union’s best chance in the first half looked to have arrived in the 15th minute when Antoine Hoppenot fed Jack McInerney, who pushed a close-range shot wide – only for the flag to raise. The Union didn’t get off any shots on target on the first half, while D.C. United had only one – a speculative effort from Pontius from distance.
The action picked up early in the second half, when a rebound from a McInerney long-range shot landed right at the feet of Hoppenot in front of net in the 52nd minute. But D.C. keeper Bill Hamid was able to make the save to preserve the scoreless tie – the flag again raising to spare the striker’s blushes.
Three minutes later, D.C. United responded with their best chance to break the deadlock; Pajoy hitting a cross from Branko Boskovic over the bar.
In the 62nd minute, McInerney got his head on a long ball from midfielder Gabriel Gomez but Hamid came up with another good save.
Later, the Union brought in a trio of offensive-minded players in Josue Martinez, Chandler Hoffman and Freddy Adu but could not find the equalizer, despite pushing numbers forward. In the 89th minute, Hoffman’s spinning touch on the ball skirted just wide as the Union fell to 7-14-6 on the season.
D.C. United have now beaten the Union twice at PPL Park this year, while losing to their I-95 rival in the U.S. Open Cup and tying them in league play at RFK Stadium. D.C. also ended a six-game road losing streak with Thursday’s result.
Both the Union and United have quick turnarounds, with Philly hosting Houston and D.C. hosting Chivas USA on Sunday.
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
FULL TIME: Philadelphia Union 0-1 D.C. United
ATTENDANCE: 16,024
GOALS:
D.C. United:
Lionard Pajoy (67).
LINEUPS:
Philadelphia Union starting XI: Zac MacMath, Sheanon Williams, Gabriel Farfan (Chandler Hoffman, 70), Amobi Okugo, Carlos Valdés (c), Brian Carroll, Gabriel Gómez (Freddy Adu, 77), Keon Daniel, Danny Cruz, Antoine Hoppenot (Josue Martinez, 57), Jack McInerney.
Subs not used: Chase Harrison, Raymon Gaddis, Michael Lahoud, Roger Torres.
D.C. United starting XI: Bill Hamid, Chris Korb, Brandon McDonald, Dejan Jakovic, Branko Boskovic (Maicon Santos, 57), Nick DeLeon, Andy Najar, Perry Kitchen, Lewis Neal, Chris Pontius (c), Lionard Pajoy.
Subs not used: Emiliano Dudar, Joe Willis, Hamdi Salihi, Robbie Russell, Ethan White, Raphael Augusto.
Chester, Pa. (September 20, 2012) – Former Philadelphia Union striker Lionard Pajoy compounded a disappointing night for his old club on Thursday, scoring the only goal as D.C. United earned a crucial 1-0 win at PPL Park in a nationally-televised Eastern Conference showdown.
With the win, D.C. United (14-10-5, 47 points) leapfrogged the Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew into fourth place as they battle for one of the final Eastern Conference playoff spots.
Meanwhile, the ninth-place Union’s winless streak was extended to eight games.
D.C.’s goal came after smart work by Chris Pontius, who drew Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath from his line before cutting back to Pajoy. The striker took the time to settle the ball before dispatching a crisp half-volley high into an empty net.
It was the seventh goal of the season for Pajoy, who scored five for the Union before being traded to D.C. for Danny Cruz on Aug. 16.
Before that, both teams struggled to generate much offense, in part because the Union were without suspended playmaker Michael Farfan (yellow card accumulation) and D.C. were missing the influential Dwayne De Rosario through injury.
The Union’s best chance in the first half looked to have arrived in the 15th minute when Antoine Hoppenot fed Jack McInerney, who pushed a close-range shot wide – only for the flag to raise. The Union didn’t get off any shots on target on the first half, while D.C. United had only one – a speculative effort from Pontius from distance.
The action picked up early in the second half, when a rebound from a McInerney long-range shot landed right at the feet of Hoppenot in front of net in the 52nd minute. But D.C. keeper Bill Hamid was able to make the save to preserve the scoreless tie – the flag again raising to spare the striker’s blushes.
Three minutes later, D.C. United responded with their best chance to break the deadlock; Pajoy hitting a cross from Branko Boskovic over the bar.
In the 62nd minute, McInerney got his head on a long ball from midfielder Gabriel Gomez but Hamid came up with another good save.
Later, the Union brought in a trio of offensive-minded players in Josue Martinez, Chandler Hoffman and Freddy Adu but could not find the equalizer, despite pushing numbers forward. In the 89th minute, Hoffman’s spinning touch on the ball skirted just wide as the Union fell to 7-14-6 on the season.
D.C. United have now beaten the Union twice at PPL Park this year, while losing to their I-95 rival in the U.S. Open Cup and tying them in league play at RFK Stadium. D.C. also ended a six-game road losing streak with Thursday’s result.
Both the Union and United have quick turnarounds, with Philly hosting Houston and D.C. hosting Chivas USA on Sunday.
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
FULL TIME: Philadelphia Union 0-1 D.C. United
ATTENDANCE: 16,024
GOALS:
D.C. United:
Lionard Pajoy (67).
LINEUPS:
Philadelphia Union starting XI: Zac MacMath, Sheanon Williams, Gabriel Farfan (Chandler Hoffman, 70), Amobi Okugo, Carlos Valdés (c), Brian Carroll, Gabriel Gómez (Freddy Adu, 77), Keon Daniel, Danny Cruz, Antoine Hoppenot (Josue Martinez, 57), Jack McInerney.
Subs not used: Chase Harrison, Raymon Gaddis, Michael Lahoud, Roger Torres.
D.C. United starting XI: Bill Hamid, Chris Korb, Brandon McDonald, Dejan Jakovic, Branko Boskovic (Maicon Santos, 57), Nick DeLeon, Andy Najar, Perry Kitchen, Lewis Neal, Chris Pontius (c), Lionard Pajoy.
Subs not used: Emiliano Dudar, Joe Willis, Hamdi Salihi, Robbie Russell, Ethan White, Raphael Augusto.
Temple Basketball announces Gotham Classic opponents
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) – Temple University’s men’s
basketball schedule is finally complete with the announcement of the
Owls opponents in the Gotham Classic.
Temple will host Alcorn State on Monday, December 17 and Canisius on Wednesday, December 19 before travelling to Madison Square Garden for a nationally-televised (ESPN2) battle against Syracuse on Saturday, December 22. The Owls conclude the tournament with a home game against Detroit Mercy on Friday, December 28.
The Owls also released the times of their home games for the 2012-13 season which tips off at Kent State in a nationally-televised (ESPN) game on November 13.
Temple will host Alcorn State on Monday, December 17 and Canisius on Wednesday, December 19 before travelling to Madison Square Garden for a nationally-televised (ESPN2) battle against Syracuse on Saturday, December 22. The Owls conclude the tournament with a home game against Detroit Mercy on Friday, December 28.
The Owls also released the times of their home games for the 2012-13 season which tips off at Kent State in a nationally-televised (ESPN) game on November 13.
NFL Network to honor Sabol
This Sunday, a feature on Steve Sabol that will air on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning.
NFL Network conducted new interviews with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, former head coach Bill Parcells and director Peter Berg to discuss the impact Steve had on football and Hollywood.
Brady, Belichick and Parcells were selected for this feature because Steve’s final interview was with Tom Brady; Steve personally got Bill Belichick to wear a wire for an entire season for A Football Life; Bill Parcells and Steve had a long relationship with dating back to their college days when they played each other in football.
Peter Berg reflects on a fellow director, filmmaker, and storyteller. The music and footage in the piece will be from NFL Films, a tribute to the institution Steve helped create.
NFL Network conducted new interviews with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, former head coach Bill Parcells and director Peter Berg to discuss the impact Steve had on football and Hollywood.
Brady, Belichick and Parcells were selected for this feature because Steve’s final interview was with Tom Brady; Steve personally got Bill Belichick to wear a wire for an entire season for A Football Life; Bill Parcells and Steve had a long relationship with dating back to their college days when they played each other in football.
Peter Berg reflects on a fellow director, filmmaker, and storyteller. The music and footage in the piece will be from NFL Films, a tribute to the institution Steve helped create.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Top 10 Flyers games of the 1990s
Phanatic Hockey Editor
As promised, the second installment in a series intended to stave off boredom while the NHL lockout continues to make the masses miserable.
The 1990s was a decade of near constant change for the Flyers organization, beginning with the gradual sloughing off of players from the 1980s Renaissance, and ending with the stirrings of the Eric Lindros concussion drama.
10. October 8, 1993: Flyers 6, Devils 4 at the Spectrum -- Big E's arrival in the NHL came two nights earlier in the season opener, a 3-3 tie in Pittsburgh where he scored his first official pro goal. But this was his first crack at the big time in front of his home crowd, and the 19-year-old did not disappoint, scoring this highlight-reel tally which untied the game late in regulation. It was an indication of how, at that moment, all things were possible for the Oshawa, Ontario native.
9. January 25, 1990: Flyers 8, Jets 6 at the Spectrum -- A night which should be considered Rick Tocchet's official blossoming into a true team leader. Mired in a then-franchise-worst 10-game losing skid aided by injuries which helped drop them from first place to the doldrums of the Patrick Division, Tocchet put the Flyers on his back, posting a career-high 6 points on 4 goals and 2 assists in the heart-stopping victory. Despite the fact that they would miss the playoffs for the first time since 1972, this game showed how much pride there was in representing the crest during the worst of times.
8. January 19, 1994: Flyers 8, Blues 3 at the Spectrum -- Lindros put together his most dominant period of his young career to date, registering a hat trick and one assist as the hosts rolled to a 5-0 advantage after the first 20 minutes of action. It was his best performance since missing a month with his second knee injury in as many years and warmed up a crowd which braved the coldest temperatures in years in the Delaware Valley to witness the rout.
7. March 20, 1992: Flyers 7, Capitals 6 at Capital Centre -- The biggest problem the Flyers faced in the early days of their five-year postseason drought was a lack of offense. That was solved when a 3-team trade with the Kings and Penguins netted Mark Recchi one month prior. The other problem was a total inability to win on the road within the division, which sunk the Orange and Black on many occasions when competing for a playoff berth. On this Friday night in Landover, they led 2-1 after one and were down 6-3 after two. Cue a tremendous third-period comeback against a stacked Caps squad which gave Philly its first win of the year on the road against a Patrick Division foe.
6. February 6, 1997: Flyers 9, Canadiens 5 at CoreStates Center -- One thing the Legion of Doom era Flyers had no trouble with was offense. Two days after being held at bay in a 1-1 tie by Dominik Hasek of the Buffalo Sabres, Terry Murray's club exploded against Jose Theodore and Tomas Vokoun in his NHL debut. When it ended, the Legion set a still-standing single-game club record for points by a line with 16. John LeClair led the way with 6 points thanks to his first career 4-goal effort, Lindros totaled 5 (1G, 4A) and Mikael Renberg chipped in a goal with four helpers as well. The Habs also suffered their ninth defeat in 10 tries since the big trade between the franchises in February of 1995.
5. December 29, 1992: Flyers 10, Kings 2 at the Forum in Inglewood -- The first indication that the Flyers just might be all right without Lindros came during the club's West Coast swing. Felled by a knee issue, 88 looked on as his teammates piled it on a Gretzky-less LA squad in obvious need of defense and goaltending. Rod Brind'Amour picked up the hat trick and this game marked the last time the team hit double digits on the scoreboard.
4. December 31, 1997: Flyers 8, Canucks 0 at GM Place -- Proof that there was, in fact, life after the break-up of the Legion, the 1997-98 team reached its apex on New Year's Eve in Vancouver, dishing out a beating to Mark Messier and former head coach Mike Keenan. The blowout victory -- the worst ever doled out via shutout by the franchise on the road against any team to the present -- pushed them past New Jersey into first place in the Atlantic and into the top seed in the Eastern Conference. It was the highlight of a mid-season stretch of nine wins in 11 games (9-1-1) that seemed to assure fans that the head coaching switch from Terry Murray to Wayne Cashman was going to be seamless.
3. April 20, 1995: Flyers 2, Islanders 1 at the Spectrum -- The entire 1994-95 season acted like an accelerated climb to the summit of Mount Everest. This game acted as the base camp just short of the peak. Needing a win to clinch their first playoff berth since 1989, the Orange and Black played with abandon, peppering Isles goaltender Tommy Salo with 38 shots. Lindros connected on a power play less than a minute into the second period, and Renberg put in the winner with 8:31 remaining, and the surprising club matched a season high with their eighth straight win in front of a sellout crowd 17,380 strong.
2. April 22, 1995: Flyers 4, Devils 3 (OT) at the Meadowlands -- The peak was reached less than 48 hours later, and it wasn't without the typical drama which infused the entire shortened schedule. The visitors were up 2-0 less than seven minutes in, then led 3-1 midway through regulation. But New Jersey roared back with scores from Stephane Richer and Scott Niedermayer to send the game into overtime.
Enter LeClair, who did the dirty work around Martin Brodeur's crease to pot the winner from the right side only 54 seconds into the extra session. This victory cemented the meteoric rise of a franchise which claimed its first regular-season division title since 1987 and set a new season high in consecutive wins at nine.
1. October 7, 1995: Flyers 7, Canadiens 1 -- Any night at the Montreal Forum used to spell doom for just about every other NHL team but the Habs, despite a Stanley Cup two years prior, fell precipitously, sinking to sixth place in the Northeast in '95 thanks in part to the disastrous deal with Philly in February. The first Saturday night of the 1995-96 season was a litmus test, a chance to see if the previous Spring was a fluke or the start of something big for Philadelphia.
The visitors passed with flying colors, racing out to a 4-0 lead after one period and inflicting the first serious damage in the reign of Montreal head coach Jacques Demers with their largest margin of victory in La Belle Province. LeClair, Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne combined for 4 points in the rout. It also stretched the Flyers' unbeaten string at the corner of Ste. Catherine and Atwater to four games (2-0-2) and provided a turbo-charged commencement in a 5-0-1 start to the season.
Thus, the "Legion of Doom" era became strengthened on its foundation.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Rosado and Whittaker set to battle in bethlehem
 |
| Whittaker and Rosado square off - photo by Chris Toney |
Headlining the seven-bout card is a 12-round fight for the No. 1 slot in the IBF world junior middleweight rankings between Charles Whittaker, of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, and Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA. The winner is guaranteed a shot at current champion Cornelius Bundrage, of Detroit, MI, within six months.
“It’s going to be a great fight,” said Whittaker, ranked No. 2 by the IBF. “Gabriel is young. I’ve seen a few of his fights. He comes hard and he comes in shape. He says he is going to be No. 1 and I know I’m going to be No. 1 after Friday. The fans are going to be the recipient of a great fight.”
Whittaker, 38, who has not lost a fight in eight years, is 36-12-2, 21 K0s.
Rosado, ranked No. 3 by the IBF, has had a big year so far, knocking out Jesus Soto-Karass, of Mexico, and Sechew Powell, of Brooklyn, NY.
“It’s a great opportunity again to be in the main event on NBC Sports Network,” said Rosado, who is 20-5, 12 K0s. “I’m excited to showcase my skills nationally again. I’ve trained extremely hard. We finished up our last couple of weeks in camp in Phoenix, AZ. Camp was great there and I feel strong. I am not taking Charles Whittaker lightly.
“I expect him to bring his A game and I’m ready for that. I want him to come with his A game because it will bring out the best in me. Russell (co-promoter Peltz) said I am ranked No. 3 but after Friday I will be ranked No. 1. I feel like mentally and physically I will break him down. I will set him up in the early rounds and I will take him out in the middle rounds. My plan is to get him out of there by the sixth round.”
In a 10-round light-heavyweight matchup, hard-hitting but soft-spoken Sergey Kovalev, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, says only he will “try to show you a great fight” when he opposes five-time New York State Golden Gloves champion Lionell Thompson, of Buffalo, NY.
Kovalev, 29, returns to the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem where he blew away Darnell Boone, of Atlanta, GA, in two rounds June 1.
Thompson, 27, who accepted this fight two weeks ago after world-rated Gabriel Campillo, of Madrid, Spain, pulled out, looks forward to a breakhrough win for himself.
“I stay in the gym and I stay ready,” said Thompson, who is 12-1, 8 K0s, with his only loss coming to a Canadian fighter by split decision in Canada. “I’ve been in camp with Chad Dawson and Isaac Chilemba and I stay ready for opportunities like this. I always knew this opportunity was going to come soon. I had the best preparation, the best training, the best sparring. Sergey is a good fighter and I am ready to go out there and show my skills and talent to the world.”
Hometown hero Ronald Cruz opens the televised card at 9 pm when he makes the first defense of his WBC Continental Americas welterweight title against rugged Antwone Smith, of Miami, FL.
“I’ve had a lot of time to get ready for this fight,” said Cruz, 25, who is 17-0, 12 K0s. “Smith has had a lot of time to get ready for this fight. There will be no excuses. Just expect a very tough and exciting fight.”
Smith, 25, of Miami, FL, said he has been training in California for this important match.
“I been training about six and one-half weeks for this fight,” said Smith, who is 21-4-1, 12 K0s. “I left home and I went away to prepare. The little that I do know about him (Cruz), I know he’s a steady guy. I can give him that but I suffered a lot looking past people. I didn’t think much of Lanardo Tyner and he beat me (in July, 2010). It was a lack of preparation. So I am taking Ronald Cruz seriously. I am not looking past him and I am not worried about what is next. I am totally focused on Ronald Cruz.”
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
NHL cancels first part of exhibition slate
The National Hockey League announced on Wednesday afternoon that its entire preseason slate has been cancelled through September 30.
Training camps were expected to open this coming Friday.
For the Flyers, that means a trio of contests -- against Chicago on Sept. 25, Toronto one day later and against the New York Rangers on Sept. 29 -- have been wiped out.
As of today, the first scheduled exhibition contest will be October 1 at home against the New Jersey Devils.
Additional pre-season tilts with the Leafs (10/2), Devils (10/5) and Blackhawks (10/6) are still on the schedule, per the club's web site.
Training camps were expected to open this coming Friday.
For the Flyers, that means a trio of contests -- against Chicago on Sept. 25, Toronto one day later and against the New York Rangers on Sept. 29 -- have been wiped out.
As of today, the first scheduled exhibition contest will be October 1 at home against the New Jersey Devils.
Additional pre-season tilts with the Leafs (10/2), Devils (10/5) and Blackhawks (10/6) are still on the schedule, per the club's web site.
Madden 13 Review
By JJ Miller
As the only game in town -- at least in the realm of virtual console football -- EA has often taken slack for putting out the same repackaged game year in and year out.
Madden 13 is a change in the course.
The latest edition of this cult game is loaded from top to bottom with new features ranging from graphics and sounds to just how you can play the game.
Often heralded as "Madden Nation," EA found an exciting way to bring friends and gamers alike together. They did so with the "connected careers" feature that adds a bit of role-playing element to Madden.
Players will have the option of joining leagues that can contain up to 32 human players either online or offline (think along the lines of a college dorm getting together on one Xbox). These gamers can either create a player or coach from the ground up, take over the role of an existing star or sideline boss, or even bring back a legend such as Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders or John Madden himself.
Players play the games and coaches handle other aspects like training, scouting and roster management. Reaching goals earns experience points used to improve your player or coach.
And if you get sick of your current role, connected careers allows you to retire and take over a new persona while keeping your former player or coach in the league under the computer's control. This was a well thought out feature to include in case you get bored with your role or don't have the time to commit that you thought you did.
Of course, a career mode doesn't have to include your whole neighborhood as you can create a solo league. One drawback, especially as a coach, is that you can't take out the RPG aspect, meaning you may spend a lot of time doing things like scouting or practicing instead of just playing the games. You do have the option of having the CPU executing these things, but perhaps it would have been better to just have a simple mode included.
Long overdue is Madden's new Infinity Engine, which tracks attributes like mass, speed and body type during every play. No longer will players like LeSean McCoy and Ray Rice truck over the likes of Ray Lewis or James Harrison. Instead, smaller players are likely to wiggle out of tackles or use their speed to pull away from bigger defenders.
The players themselves look great and the interactions are most realistic on hits and blocks. However, one humorous thing that often happens comes after the whistle, when players fly off each other and fall while walking back to the huddle. It's a minor glitch that doesn't hinder the game too much.
Total control passing, which allows the user to dictate the placement of passes, better receiver awareness and tons of new animations enhance the game.
Also, players sensing the blitz finally (finally!) have the option of breaking out of play action early when in the past the play usually resulted in an automatic sack. New sack avoidance moves are also a welcome addition.
Madden has also implemented use of the Kinect, allowing players to use their voice to alter the game. Users can call out audibles, protection changes and run the hurry-up offense without having to use buttons and also do things on defense like change alignments, blitzes and shift players.
The Kinect actually works pretty smooth and trying to change your defense when facing a hurry-up offense is as hectic as it looks on TV. You are going to have to practice a few times to nail down key phrases and I'm pretty sure that once the commentary said a phrase that the Kinect actually registered as me changing a play.
Speaking of commentary, Madden 13 puts the CBS team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms into great-looking booths that are actually based on the real things in each stadium, ensuring accurate looks and placements in the stadium.
Nantz and Simms are a welcome change of pace and interact pretty solid with each other despite being virtual representations. Simms in particular does a good job with rivalries and taking about key players, though his constant pointing out of plays that didn't result in first downs -- even a run on 1st-and-10 that netted 8 yards -- can get annoying.
Love them or hate them, the Nike uniforms are included in the game, which also features very nice pregame packages that even alter for primetime games and the postseason.
Madden 13 is by no means perfect, but the latest addition of the popular franchise shows that EA is no longer content with just running the same old play over and over.
WIP to broadcast Temple-Penn State
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple football game at Penn State on Sept. 22 will air on 610 AM WIP with Harry Donahue (play-by-play) and Steve Joachim (analyst) calling the action.
The change in radio was necessary to accommodate the Phillies whose games also air on the Owls’ flagship station, WPHT 1210 AM.
Kickoff between Temple (1-1) and Penn State (1-2) is set for 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. ABC/ESPN2 will televise the game.
The change in radio was necessary to accommodate the Phillies whose games also air on the Owls’ flagship station, WPHT 1210 AM.
Kickoff between Temple (1-1) and Penn State (1-2) is set for 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. ABC/ESPN2 will televise the game.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
NFL Films head Sabol dies
Steve Sabol, President of NFL Films, died of brain cancer on Tuesday, exactly two weeks shy of his 70th birthday.
"Steve was the creative genius
behind NFL Films' remarkable work," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
"Steve's passion for football was
matched only by his talent and energy. He was a major contributor to the
success of the NFL, a man who changed the way we looked at football and
sports, and a great friend. His legacy is assured.
"Steve was an incredible visionary. He spent 50 years at the NFL and changed the way we see pro football. So when you're watching the games this week, it's worth remembering just how much Steve contributed to the way we think, see, and love our game."
Sabol took over the mantle of NFL Films from his father Ed, who founded the company, in 1985. Steve learned in March of 2011 that he had a brain tumor that couldn't be removed, initially hospitalized due to a seizure of unknown origin.
Steve introduced his father during Ed's emotional enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August of 2011.
"My dad has a great expression," Sabol said when his father's induction was announced. "Tell me a fact, and I'll learn. Tell me a truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. And now my Dad's story will be in Canton and hopefully that will live forever too."
Generations of NFL fans learned to love the game of football through the lens of Ed and Steve Sabol. Steve started out as a cameraman before eventually running the company and becoming the iconic face of the franchise.
The company broke ground as the first to wire players and coaches for sound. It revolutionized how music was used with sports films. It was the first to use ground-level slow motion and montage editing in sports. So much of what we see in sports television came directly from the Sabol.
He was widely regarded as both an artist and an executive -- the former coming in the guise of a poem which became a part of Oakland Raiders lore, titled "The Autumn Wind."
Sabol was a 1960 graduate of The Haverford School, and the Fords home giridiron bears the name Sabol Field., dedicated as such in September of 2009.
"Steve Sabol was one of the most influential and innovative people in the NFL community. Football benefitted so much from his unique vision and incredible ability to bring fans closer to the action," said Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie. "He was also a joy to be around, an endless source of energy and ideas. All of us at the Eagles will miss him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
Below is a sneak peek at the inner workings of NFL Films, located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey:
Eagles' Kelce done for season
The Eagles have placed center Jason Kelce on the season-ending Injured Reserve list and signed center Steve Vallos to replace him on the roster.
Vallos (6-foot-3, 310) spent training camp this season with the Eagles after signing with the team in March. He was released as part of the team’s final roster cut down.
Vallos has played in 40 career games (8 starts) with Seattle (2008-09) and Cleveland (2010-11). He was originally a seventh-round draft choice of the Seahawks in 2007 and spent that season on the team’s practice squad. Vallos played collegiately at Wake Forest, where he set a Demon Deacons record for most career starts with 48.
Vallos (6-foot-3, 310) spent training camp this season with the Eagles after signing with the team in March. He was released as part of the team’s final roster cut down.
Vallos has played in 40 career games (8 starts) with Seattle (2008-09) and Cleveland (2010-11). He was originally a seventh-round draft choice of the Seahawks in 2007 and spent that season on the team’s practice squad. Vallos played collegiately at Wake Forest, where he set a Demon Deacons record for most career starts with 48.
Sixers return to Syracuse
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – As the Philadelphia 76ers get set to celebrate their 50th season in the City of Brotherly Love, they will honor their roots by playing a preseason game against the New York Knicks at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York on Monday, October 22 at 7 p.m. Prior to moving to Philadelphia and becoming the 76ers in 1963, the franchise was known as the Syracuse Nationals and played there for 14 seasons, winning the NBA Championship in 1955.
"As we celebrate our 50th season in Philadelphia, it's important to remember our Syracuse roots while looking forward to the exciting season we have ahead of us," said Sixers CEO and co-Owner Adam Aron. "What fun to see the Sixers take on our division rivals in this historic hometown game."
Hall-of-famer Dolph Schayes, who played all 14 seasons for the Nationals and finished his career as a Sixer, will be in attendance. Schayes also coached the Sixers for three seasons, taking the team to the Eastern Division Finals twice. A 12-time All-Star, Schayes retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
“I’m thrilled to see the franchise return to play a game in Syracuse,” said Schayes. “This will bring excitement to generations of fans in central New York who have heard of the great basketball tradition the Nationals started in the area back in the 50’s and early 60’s, which has been carried on by Syracuse University.”
The game will also mark the return of Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse University to the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 2003. Anthony last appeared at the Carrier Dome as a member of the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game against Phoenix on October 17, 2008.
The only time the Sixers have played at the Carrier Dome was a preseason game against New Jersey on October 26, 1991. Despite falling behind 13-1, Charles Barkley and the Sixers came back to win 128-104.
"As we celebrate our 50th season in Philadelphia, it's important to remember our Syracuse roots while looking forward to the exciting season we have ahead of us," said Sixers CEO and co-Owner Adam Aron. "What fun to see the Sixers take on our division rivals in this historic hometown game."
Hall-of-famer Dolph Schayes, who played all 14 seasons for the Nationals and finished his career as a Sixer, will be in attendance. Schayes also coached the Sixers for three seasons, taking the team to the Eastern Division Finals twice. A 12-time All-Star, Schayes retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
“I’m thrilled to see the franchise return to play a game in Syracuse,” said Schayes. “This will bring excitement to generations of fans in central New York who have heard of the great basketball tradition the Nationals started in the area back in the 50’s and early 60’s, which has been carried on by Syracuse University.”
The game will also mark the return of Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse University to the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 2003. Anthony last appeared at the Carrier Dome as a member of the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game against Phoenix on October 17, 2008.
The only time the Sixers have played at the Carrier Dome was a preseason game against New Jersey on October 26, 1991. Despite falling behind 13-1, Charles Barkley and the Sixers came back to win 128-104.
AFL will not return to Ironman rules
CHICAGO – Arena Football League owners recently discussed the possibility of returning to “Ironman Football” for the 2013 season.
However, after taking into consideration fan influence, coach and player input, and the evolution of the game, the decision was made to continue with free substitution. While players will continue to be allowed to play multiple positions, the League will not return to Ironman rules in 2013.
One change that will be implemented is a return to five-man officiating crews. The League will utilize one referee, an umpire, line judge, side judge and back judge.
The League also set the dates for free agency. The AFL’s exclusive period will begin on Monday, October 15. At that time, players will be able to sign contracts to remain with their 2012 teams. On Monday, October 29, the exclusive period will end and all uncontracted players will become unrestricted free agents able to sign with any AFL team.
However, after taking into consideration fan influence, coach and player input, and the evolution of the game, the decision was made to continue with free substitution. While players will continue to be allowed to play multiple positions, the League will not return to Ironman rules in 2013.
One change that will be implemented is a return to five-man officiating crews. The League will utilize one referee, an umpire, line judge, side judge and back judge.
The League also set the dates for free agency. The AFL’s exclusive period will begin on Monday, October 15. At that time, players will be able to sign contracts to remain with their 2012 teams. On Monday, October 29, the exclusive period will end and all uncontracted players will become unrestricted free agents able to sign with any AFL team.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
NHLPA provides counterpunch
Hours after the NHL provided its empty statement trying to shade public sentiment to its cause, the NHLPA finally answered with the following video:
NHL statement on lockout
"Despite the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the
National Hockey League has been, and remains, committed to negotiating
around the clock to reach a new CBA that is fair to the Players and to
the 30 NHL teams.
"Thanks to the conditions fostered by seven seasons under the previous CBA, competitive balance has created arguably the most meaningful regular season in pro sports; a different team has won the Stanley Cup every year; fans and sponsors have agreed the game is at its best, and the League has generated remarkable growth and momentum. While our last CBA negotiation resulted in a seismic change in the League's economic system, and produced corresponding on-ice benefits, our current negotiation is focused on a fairer and more sustainable division of revenues with the Players -- as well as other necessary adjustments consistent with the objectives of the economic system we developed jointly with the NHL Players' Association seven years ago. Those adjustments are attainable through sensible, focused negotiation -- not through rhetoric.
"This is a time of year for all attention to be focused on the ice, not on a meeting room. The League, the Clubs and the Players all have a stake in resolving our bargaining issues appropriately and getting the puck dropped as soon as possible. We owe it to each other, to the game and, most of all, to the fans."
"Thanks to the conditions fostered by seven seasons under the previous CBA, competitive balance has created arguably the most meaningful regular season in pro sports; a different team has won the Stanley Cup every year; fans and sponsors have agreed the game is at its best, and the League has generated remarkable growth and momentum. While our last CBA negotiation resulted in a seismic change in the League's economic system, and produced corresponding on-ice benefits, our current negotiation is focused on a fairer and more sustainable division of revenues with the Players -- as well as other necessary adjustments consistent with the objectives of the economic system we developed jointly with the NHL Players' Association seven years ago. Those adjustments are attainable through sensible, focused negotiation -- not through rhetoric.
"This is a time of year for all attention to be focused on the ice, not on a meeting room. The League, the Clubs and the Players all have a stake in resolving our bargaining issues appropriately and getting the puck dropped as soon as possible. We owe it to each other, to the game and, most of all, to the fans."
Lockout is on
With the passing of the midnight deadline to renew the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the National Hockey League is officially in a lockout situation.
It is the third time since 1994 that a work stoppage has occurred under the rule Commissioner Gary Bettman.
"We spoke today and determined that there was no point in convening a formal bargaining session in light of the fact that neither side is in a position to move off of its last proposal," said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "I'm sure we will keep in touch in the coming days and schedule meetings to the extent they might be useful or appropriate. We are sorry for where we are. Not what we hoped or expected."
Despite Bettman's repeated public assertions that he is more than willing to negotiate, that apparently wasn't the case on Saturday.
"Today we suggested that the parties meet in advance of the owners' self-imposed deadline of midnight tonight. Don Fehr, myself and several players on the Negotiating Committee were in the city and prepared to meet. The NHL said that it saw no purpose in having a formal meeting. There have been and continue to be private informal discussions between representatives of both sides," stated NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr.
The next milestone on the league's calendar for the 2012-13 season is Friday, September 21. That is the day training camps are scheduled to begin, and also the day the Alberta Labor Relations Board will hear a case on behalf of the NHLPA, questioning the legality of the lockout in that province.
Regular season play is set to commence on October 11.
It is the third time since 1994 that a work stoppage has occurred under the rule Commissioner Gary Bettman.
"We spoke today and determined that there was no point in convening a formal bargaining session in light of the fact that neither side is in a position to move off of its last proposal," said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "I'm sure we will keep in touch in the coming days and schedule meetings to the extent they might be useful or appropriate. We are sorry for where we are. Not what we hoped or expected."
Despite Bettman's repeated public assertions that he is more than willing to negotiate, that apparently wasn't the case on Saturday.
"Today we suggested that the parties meet in advance of the owners' self-imposed deadline of midnight tonight. Don Fehr, myself and several players on the Negotiating Committee were in the city and prepared to meet. The NHL said that it saw no purpose in having a formal meeting. There have been and continue to be private informal discussions between representatives of both sides," stated NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr.
The next milestone on the league's calendar for the 2012-13 season is Friday, September 21. That is the day training camps are scheduled to begin, and also the day the Alberta Labor Relations Board will hear a case on behalf of the NHLPA, questioning the legality of the lockout in that province.
Regular season play is set to commence on October 11.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Flyers make mass roster migration
With hours to go until the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires, the Flyers shipped 26 players to their AHL affiliate in Adirondack.
Heading up to Glens Falls (but back to Philly for the start of training camp later this month) are: Jason Akeson, Tyler Brown, Sean Couturier, Cullen Eddy, Matt Ford, Erik Gustafsson, Shane Harper, Cal Heeter,
Ben Holmstrom, Tyler Hostetter, Niko Hovinen, Andrew Johnston, Blake Kessel, Matthew Konan, Oliver Lauridsen, Matt Mangene, Brandon Manning, Tye McGinn, Marcel Noebels, Luke Pither, Zac Rinaldo,
Brayden Schenn, Danny Syvret, Mike Testwuide, Eric Wellwood, Harry Zolnierczyk.
In addition, Nick Cousins has been assigned to Sault Ste. Marie, Scott Laughton was shipped back to Oshawa and Derek Mathers earned a return ticket to Peterborough, all of the Ontario Hockey League.
Heading up to Glens Falls (but back to Philly for the start of training camp later this month) are: Jason Akeson, Tyler Brown, Sean Couturier, Cullen Eddy, Matt Ford, Erik Gustafsson, Shane Harper, Cal Heeter,
Ben Holmstrom, Tyler Hostetter, Niko Hovinen, Andrew Johnston, Blake Kessel, Matthew Konan, Oliver Lauridsen, Matt Mangene, Brandon Manning, Tye McGinn, Marcel Noebels, Luke Pither, Zac Rinaldo,
Brayden Schenn, Danny Syvret, Mike Testwuide, Eric Wellwood, Harry Zolnierczyk.
In addition, Nick Cousins has been assigned to Sault Ste. Marie, Scott Laughton was shipped back to Oshawa and Derek Mathers earned a return ticket to Peterborough, all of the Ontario Hockey League.
Friday, September 14, 2012
NHLPA's Quebec gambit fails; Alberta bid still outstanding
One of the last remaining hopes for hockey to be played on schedule as the clock ticks down to a lockout, is the NHLPA's case in front of the Quebec Labor Board.
The arguments have been made, and RDS of Canada reports on Friday afternoon that the Commission is expected to make a ruling on Saturday in Montreal, an unprecedented event that prompted Dave Stubbs of the Gazette tweeted "Quebec labour board to render a decision by midnight on a SATURDAY? Power of #Habs = government agency working on a weekend."
Gary Rosen, who was picked to represent the NHL and the Canadiens, said their main argument is that provincial labor code doesn't apply to this case. That is countered by Michael Cohen, backing the NHLPA, saying that provincial labor code has been violated and that should prevent a lockout.
Update: The Quebec Labor Board did not give reasons, but rejected the request to ban the NHLPA lockout at Montreal ~ Renaud Lavoie, RDS. Additionally, Michael Grange of Sportsnet reported that the QLB/CNTQ has put off a decision on whether or not the PA is an actual union until next week, at which time a full hearing is scheduled. Judge Andrée St-Georges presided on Friday.
"We are hopeful that this ruling will cause the Players' Association to cease pursuing these needless distractions and instead focus all of its efforts and energies on making progress at the bargaining table,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on Friday evening.
It is a curious defeat, in that the QLB has been granted legal "personhood" status to interpret the Quebec Civil Code as it pertains to the 1980 ratification of the Quebec Act regarding labor standards, and reports directly to the Minister of Labor.
"We remain confident that the lockout is prohibited by the Quebec Labour Code and look forward to presenting our case to the Commission in the future," stated NHLPA exec Don Fehr. "Should the NHL carry out its threat to lock out the players in Quebec, it will do so at its own risk."
In this case, an entity which does not represent business or political interests interpreted current laws, then ruled in favor of current labor practices and against the 16 Canadiens under contract named in the action.
Meanwhile, the application in front of the Alberta Labor Relations Board, which was presented late on Thursday in Edmonton, will be heard on September 21.
The basis of that appeal relies on the union's assertion that "proper procedure" was not followed in determining the legality of an organization being able to lock players out.
There are 27 hours remaining until the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires.
The arguments have been made, and RDS of Canada reports on Friday afternoon that the Commission is expected to make a ruling on Saturday in Montreal, an unprecedented event that prompted Dave Stubbs of the Gazette tweeted "Quebec labour board to render a decision by midnight on a SATURDAY? Power of #Habs = government agency working on a weekend."
Gary Rosen, who was picked to represent the NHL and the Canadiens, said their main argument is that provincial labor code doesn't apply to this case. That is countered by Michael Cohen, backing the NHLPA, saying that provincial labor code has been violated and that should prevent a lockout.
Update: The Quebec Labor Board did not give reasons, but rejected the request to ban the NHLPA lockout at Montreal ~ Renaud Lavoie, RDS. Additionally, Michael Grange of Sportsnet reported that the QLB/CNTQ has put off a decision on whether or not the PA is an actual union until next week, at which time a full hearing is scheduled. Judge Andrée St-Georges presided on Friday.
"We are hopeful that this ruling will cause the Players' Association to cease pursuing these needless distractions and instead focus all of its efforts and energies on making progress at the bargaining table,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on Friday evening.
It is a curious defeat, in that the QLB has been granted legal "personhood" status to interpret the Quebec Civil Code as it pertains to the 1980 ratification of the Quebec Act regarding labor standards, and reports directly to the Minister of Labor.
"We remain confident that the lockout is prohibited by the Quebec Labour Code and look forward to presenting our case to the Commission in the future," stated NHLPA exec Don Fehr. "Should the NHL carry out its threat to lock out the players in Quebec, it will do so at its own risk."
In this case, an entity which does not represent business or political interests interpreted current laws, then ruled in favor of current labor practices and against the 16 Canadiens under contract named in the action.
Meanwhile, the application in front of the Alberta Labor Relations Board, which was presented late on Thursday in Edmonton, will be heard on September 21.
The basis of that appeal relies on the union's assertion that "proper procedure" was not followed in determining the legality of an organization being able to lock players out.
There are 27 hours remaining until the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Lockout on horizon
The National Hockey League's Board of Governors -- the consortium of 30 men who own each club -- has voted on Thursday afternoon in unanimous fashion to authorize a lockout if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is not struck by Saturday's deadline.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement on Thursday afternoon in New York, adding a few choice quotes on the matter, casting himself as a man at the mercy of forces beyond his control: "This is very hard and I feel terrible about it... No one wants to play hockey more than I do. It's my life."
It was an undesirable outcome despite the pronouncements from the NHLPA about the solidarity
of its members, making their presence known in Manhattan with two days to go before a third work stoppage in 18 years commences.
"We're not dealing with stupid people on the other side," said NHLPA's Don Fehr. "Sure, they're frustrated -- they want an agreement."
One thing at stake is the semantics of the NHL's proposal from earlier in the week. Bettman defended it in light of the lockout threat, saying the deal is apparently not off the table once Saturday's deadline rolls around.
However, logic might dictate that the offer would be off the table if it is not agreed to by the players' union by 11:59 PM on the 15th, especially if the owners have given authorization to lock the players out at that time.
The union's site contains a list of those 283 players in attendance.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement on Thursday afternoon in New York, adding a few choice quotes on the matter, casting himself as a man at the mercy of forces beyond his control: "This is very hard and I feel terrible about it... No one wants to play hockey more than I do. It's my life."
It was an undesirable outcome despite the pronouncements from the NHLPA about the solidarity
of its members, making their presence known in Manhattan with two days to go before a third work stoppage in 18 years commences.
"We're not dealing with stupid people on the other side," said NHLPA's Don Fehr. "Sure, they're frustrated -- they want an agreement."
One thing at stake is the semantics of the NHL's proposal from earlier in the week. Bettman defended it in light of the lockout threat, saying the deal is apparently not off the table once Saturday's deadline rolls around.
However, logic might dictate that the offer would be off the table if it is not agreed to by the players' union by 11:59 PM on the 15th, especially if the owners have given authorization to lock the players out at that time.
The union's site contains a list of those 283 players in attendance.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Frazier statue to finally be a reality
After a long wait, Joe Frazier's adopted home town will finally be able to honor him with a statue.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and members of Frazier's family kicked off a financing campaign on Wednesday.
The piece is slated to be situated outside Comcast's Xfinity Live! complex, on the ground which used to hold the Spectrum.
Get the full scoop from the Inky's online sports section.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and members of Frazier's family kicked off a financing campaign on Wednesday.
The piece is slated to be situated outside Comcast's Xfinity Live! complex, on the ground which used to hold the Spectrum.
Get the full scoop from the Inky's online sports section.
The Magic 8-Ball speaks...
...and it says "outlook not so good."
Three hours of spirited discussion between representatives of the NHL and NHLPA ended around 3 PM in Manhattan today. While the players made a bold step in presenting a new proposal to try and shrink the "philosophical gap" that still exists, signs are that it will not be enough to mollify the Commissioner or satisfy the owners.
On the table this afternoon was an amended NHL offer regarding that bugaboo known as Hockey Related Revenues: the players would receive 49 percent in the first year (as opposed to the 57% stated previously), and then a reduction to 47 percent is in the offing.
"They made a responsive proposal. It obviously has to be studied. We hope that they will be studying our proposal further. It is too early to say whether or this is going to represent any meaningful progress," said NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr.
Full details of the players' counter-offer have not been disclosed, but Fehr stated that his charges are not willing to accept another salary rollback (24%) like the one the players conceded in 2005. Bettman stated, according to RDS, that the league asked for a nine-percent salary drop as opposed to its original 24-percent request in July.
In addition, the station reported that the PA was willing to extend its proposed CBA length from four to five years.
However, he stated that the players are willing to take a reduction in HRR, provided there is a provision for the league to engage in revenue sharing.
If -- and presumably -- when that proposal is not accepted by the PA, it will officially be off the table come Saturday, as Bettman said this morning. The feeling is apparently mutual, as the league's chief added "the players' proposal was not much different and was not acceptable."
Despite an estimated 275 players traveling to New York in order to show "solidarity" for their cause, it appears there are also no further plans to talk. That means, unless significant progress is made in talks which were scheduled for tomorrow, there will be a lockout in the legal definition of the word as the deadline to renew the current Collective Bargaining Agreement will have expired.
The NHL has announced a press conference at 3:30 PM on Thursday, with an accompanying conference call. Prior to that, Bettman stated there will be a meeting of the Board of Governors.
"We are not going to announce something dramatic after the board meeting," the commish stated.
Don Fehr stated that players will continue to meet this evening and also tomorrow morning.
Three hours of spirited discussion between representatives of the NHL and NHLPA ended around 3 PM in Manhattan today. While the players made a bold step in presenting a new proposal to try and shrink the "philosophical gap" that still exists, signs are that it will not be enough to mollify the Commissioner or satisfy the owners.
On the table this afternoon was an amended NHL offer regarding that bugaboo known as Hockey Related Revenues: the players would receive 49 percent in the first year (as opposed to the 57% stated previously), and then a reduction to 47 percent is in the offing.
"They made a responsive proposal. It obviously has to be studied. We hope that they will be studying our proposal further. It is too early to say whether or this is going to represent any meaningful progress," said NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr.
Full details of the players' counter-offer have not been disclosed, but Fehr stated that his charges are not willing to accept another salary rollback (24%) like the one the players conceded in 2005. Bettman stated, according to RDS, that the league asked for a nine-percent salary drop as opposed to its original 24-percent request in July.
In addition, the station reported that the PA was willing to extend its proposed CBA length from four to five years.
However, he stated that the players are willing to take a reduction in HRR, provided there is a provision for the league to engage in revenue sharing.
If -- and presumably -- when that proposal is not accepted by the PA, it will officially be off the table come Saturday, as Bettman said this morning. The feeling is apparently mutual, as the league's chief added "the players' proposal was not much different and was not acceptable."
Despite an estimated 275 players traveling to New York in order to show "solidarity" for their cause, it appears there are also no further plans to talk. That means, unless significant progress is made in talks which were scheduled for tomorrow, there will be a lockout in the legal definition of the word as the deadline to renew the current Collective Bargaining Agreement will have expired.
The NHL has announced a press conference at 3:30 PM on Thursday, with an accompanying conference call. Prior to that, Bettman stated there will be a meeting of the Board of Governors.
"We are not going to announce something dramatic after the board meeting," the commish stated.
Don Fehr stated that players will continue to meet this evening and also tomorrow morning.
Eagles give up on Jarrett, add WR depth
(The Phanatic Magazine) - Jeremy Maclin's hip injury in the season opener had wide ranging implications.
The veteran receiver suffered a hip flexor strain and a hip pointer against the Browns on Monday and his availability for Baltimore on Sunday is in question. With Riley Cooper already on the shelf with a fractured collarbone, the Eagles were forced to make a move on Tuesday and brought back receiver Mardy Gilyard.
To make room for the University of Cincinnati product on the roster the Eagles officially gave up on former Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Jarrett made the short move down Broad Street as the 54th overall pick in the 2011 draft. Most thought Philadelphia reached a bit for Jarrett but the Eagles raved about his intimidating presence as a hitter, something which never surfaced during his short time in the organization.
Gilyard (6-foot-1, 187) spent the 2012 offseason with the Eagles after signing with the team in January, but was released as part of the team’s final roster cut down. He accumulated nine receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns in preseason action.
Originally a fourth round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2010, Gilyard played in 11 games as a rookie, recording six receptions for 63 yards. He was a two-year starter at Cincinnati, where he finished his career with 204 receptions for 3,003 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Eagles also also signed tight end Derek Carrier to the practice squad and released tight end Chase Ford from the practice squad.
Carrier (6-foot-4, 238) originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent following the 2012 draft after playing collegiately at Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he set school records with 189 receptions for 3,111 yards and 29 touchdowns.
He was released as part of the Raiders final roster cut down. Carrier also played two years of basketball at Beloit, starting 21 games and averaging 8.3 points per game. He attended Edgerton High School in Wisconsin.
The veteran receiver suffered a hip flexor strain and a hip pointer against the Browns on Monday and his availability for Baltimore on Sunday is in question. With Riley Cooper already on the shelf with a fractured collarbone, the Eagles were forced to make a move on Tuesday and brought back receiver Mardy Gilyard.
To make room for the University of Cincinnati product on the roster the Eagles officially gave up on former Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Jarrett made the short move down Broad Street as the 54th overall pick in the 2011 draft. Most thought Philadelphia reached a bit for Jarrett but the Eagles raved about his intimidating presence as a hitter, something which never surfaced during his short time in the organization.
Gilyard (6-foot-1, 187) spent the 2012 offseason with the Eagles after signing with the team in January, but was released as part of the team’s final roster cut down. He accumulated nine receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns in preseason action.
Originally a fourth round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2010, Gilyard played in 11 games as a rookie, recording six receptions for 63 yards. He was a two-year starter at Cincinnati, where he finished his career with 204 receptions for 3,003 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Eagles also also signed tight end Derek Carrier to the practice squad and released tight end Chase Ford from the practice squad.
Carrier (6-foot-4, 238) originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent following the 2012 draft after playing collegiately at Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he set school records with 189 receptions for 3,111 yards and 29 touchdowns.
He was released as part of the Raiders final roster cut down. Carrier also played two years of basketball at Beloit, starting 21 games and averaging 8.3 points per game. He attended Edgerton High School in Wisconsin.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
College hockey to see increased television slate
With or without NHL hockey, the good folks at NBC Sports Network revealed its college hockey broadcasting schedule on Tuesday afternoon, a slate which includes 24 regular-season matchups.
Coverage begins on October 12 with the Icebreaker Tournament from Kansas City, featuring Notre Dame, Maine, Army and Nebraska-Omaha.
The defending national champion Boston College Eagles will make only two regular-season appearances, in a home-and-home series with rival Boston University on November 30 and December 1.
NBCSN is the exclusive home for the Hockey East playoffs. The conference has boasted five NCAA men's title winners since the turn of the millennium: BC (2001, '08, '10, '12) and BU (2009).
Bang the link for the full release.
Coverage begins on October 12 with the Icebreaker Tournament from Kansas City, featuring Notre Dame, Maine, Army and Nebraska-Omaha.
The defending national champion Boston College Eagles will make only two regular-season appearances, in a home-and-home series with rival Boston University on November 30 and December 1.
NBCSN is the exclusive home for the Hockey East playoffs. The conference has boasted five NCAA men's title winners since the turn of the millennium: BC (2001, '08, '10, '12) and BU (2009).
Bang the link for the full release.
Time keeps on slippin'
With four days until the Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire, once again we have been subjected to another round of posturing by the NHL and NHLPA.
Points given to league Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who today decided to work the "good cop" angle by rhapsodizing to the Associated Press in a morning email: "We hoped (and still hope) we can do that without causing any interruption to the upcoming season. Logic would have suggested we would have been able to. Ultimately, we just want to negotiate a fair deal that will give all our clubs an ability to be stable and healthy. The fact that we haven't yet is extremely disappointing, and is a failure for which we both must share blame."
Meanwhile, Canadiens forward Josh Gorges weighed in yesterday with a cold reading of scripted comments that were nothing more than a rehash of previous PA talking points as his organization made its case in front of the Quebec Labor Board, challenging the nature of the union with respect to provincial laws.
"This is an opportunity to show that we want to play and, from the players' standpoint, we want to do everything we can to show the owners and the fans that we want to play," Gorges said. "This is a tactic for us to use to push the owners to allow us to play."
The basis of the case was that the union is not certified, therefore it would be illegal for the Canadiens to lock out their players, enabling them to be paid during a work stoppage. There is another action taking place in Alberta under similar logic, intended to aid the causes of the Flames and Oilers.
Daly struck back, saying late last night: "The filings are intended to interfere with the broader labor negotiating process. They will have absolutely zero impact on the broader negotiation, or on the deal we ultimately agree on."
So what do we have to hang our hopes on as representatives from both sides meet again in New York City to try and salvage the situation?
The fact that there is expected to be between 250-300 players gathering on the side of the Players' Association -- as if a mass showing of solidarity will suddenly cause the owners to crumble. And late word from RDS of Canada, which said Daly may be the recipient of a new offer from the players at some point either later today or before Wednesday's scheduled session.
When he learned of the newest gambit, Daly added: "I was encouraged by the players' first offer. But it was made on August 14th and they did not move since."
Points given to league Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who today decided to work the "good cop" angle by rhapsodizing to the Associated Press in a morning email: "We hoped (and still hope) we can do that without causing any interruption to the upcoming season. Logic would have suggested we would have been able to. Ultimately, we just want to negotiate a fair deal that will give all our clubs an ability to be stable and healthy. The fact that we haven't yet is extremely disappointing, and is a failure for which we both must share blame."
Meanwhile, Canadiens forward Josh Gorges weighed in yesterday with a cold reading of scripted comments that were nothing more than a rehash of previous PA talking points as his organization made its case in front of the Quebec Labor Board, challenging the nature of the union with respect to provincial laws.
"This is an opportunity to show that we want to play and, from the players' standpoint, we want to do everything we can to show the owners and the fans that we want to play," Gorges said. "This is a tactic for us to use to push the owners to allow us to play."
The basis of the case was that the union is not certified, therefore it would be illegal for the Canadiens to lock out their players, enabling them to be paid during a work stoppage. There is another action taking place in Alberta under similar logic, intended to aid the causes of the Flames and Oilers.
Daly struck back, saying late last night: "The filings are intended to interfere with the broader labor negotiating process. They will have absolutely zero impact on the broader negotiation, or on the deal we ultimately agree on."
So what do we have to hang our hopes on as representatives from both sides meet again in New York City to try and salvage the situation?
The fact that there is expected to be between 250-300 players gathering on the side of the Players' Association -- as if a mass showing of solidarity will suddenly cause the owners to crumble. And late word from RDS of Canada, which said Daly may be the recipient of a new offer from the players at some point either later today or before Wednesday's scheduled session.
When he learned of the newest gambit, Daly added: "I was encouraged by the players' first offer. But it was made on August 14th and they did not move since."
Monday, September 10, 2012
NCAA Football 13 Review
By JJ Miller (The Phanatic Magazine)
Lets be honest. EA Sports has set the bar high with its football games. Much like cold pizza, even a subpar effort is still better than most.
Not that NCAA Football 13 is a bad game. Quite the opposite; it is another solid effort to bring the excitement of college football into the palm of one's hands in the comfort of their own living room. However, we know what the company is capable of and that makes some of the minor faults that much more
annoying.
EA made a big effort this year in improving the presentation of the game. College football is a religion all its own and the NCAA games have been making an effort to capture that the best it can. For this year's game, that includes new stadiums and a traditional pregame confetti like mascots, military parachutists for Army, Navy and Air Force as well as icons like the Texas cheerleaders and USC Song Girls.
The game also promotes authentic stadium sounds, recorded at actual games, but even in front of my decent home entertainment setup, I never really got the feel that the stadiums were buzzing. Sure, the shaking of the controller and mangling of the routes shown on screen pre-snap are nice as my Temple Owls invaded Beaver Stadium to battle Penn State, but it never seemed to affect things on the whole.
No quarterback jitters, players not being able to hear the playcalling, nothing of that sort.
Of course, it is impossible to capture a real college atmosphere on a disc, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
And while the game itself looks solid, especially the tackling and punishing of receivers going across the middle, the replays shown to mimic actual broadcasts are embarrassing. More often than not, players on a replay look as though they are gliding across the grass rather than running, a simple flaw that ruins the entire replay system.
It is a shame the replays are so flawed, because the actual in-game graphics are great. Quarterbacks move and throw with life-like quality and new animations for scrambling, sack avoidance and shovel passing are excellent.
Receiver awareness also gets a boost as you simply can't throw the ball to a player at any time. If, for say, a receiver is running a post route and you try to get it to him before he makes his cut, he won't be expecting the ball and it will go right by him.
Another great touch is the animations for wet weather. Many times I tried to hit my receivers as they were about to make sharp cuts to the inside or outside, only to see them slip to the ground as the ball headed in their direction.
NCAA Football 13 also makes full use of its partnership with ESPN, but not without some annoying habits that are to be expected when the "World Wide Leader of Sports" gets involved in something.
What the game does do well is the use of a sports ticker at the bottom that updates in real-time with your game during Dynasty play. Late afternoon games will flash final scores from earlier games and start times for the nightcaps while keeping you up to date on current contests.
Even sponsorship drops (Brought to you by Coke Zero!) aren't that repulsive as they make the presentation very lifelike.
What doesn't work is the studio updates with Rece Davis. They feature a box score and many repetitive generic statements from Davis and can get especially coarse when they feature the same game over and over.
Erin Andrews is also wasted as she does not appear on screen and her sideline reports are very generic. It continues to confuse why the commentators are programmed to use school's names instead of "both teams" or "the coach said."
The Dynasty mode, a staple for us geeks who want to take over a program, is once again solid and recruiting is so much fun you may at times want to skip the actual games just to move onto the next stage of trying to land top prospects.
After zeroing in on your targets and doing some preseason scouting and scholarship offering, inseason recruiting sees you get three "hours" of time a week to scout your recruits and addition hours to make phone calls in an attempt to talk up your school or trash others in a number of different categories, including new topics such as coach stability, stadium atmosphere and playing style, the latter one of a few topics whose rating for a school is updated week-to-week.
If shaping a roster isn't your thing, the Road to Glory mode allows you to take over a single player and shape his college career, actually starting in high school. A player picks his position (you can even put yourself on the field more often by giving yourself an offensive and defensive position) and racks up stats in high school games to noticed by schools during recruitment.
The career continues once a player has moved on to college and a player is given a host of goals to accomplish.
NCAA Football 13 also marks the first time that real-life players are in the game thanks to the Heisman Challenge.
Similar to the Road to Glory, a player can select from a handful of Heisman legends, including coverboys Barry Sanders and Robert Griffin III as well as Marcus Allen, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and Desmond Howard amongst others, in an attempt to duplicate their award-winning season through an
accomplishment of goals.
You can also place the legends on any team (welcome to Temple Barry) and the mode includes over 60 video interviews in which the greats talk about their careers.
It's a great bonus for college football fans, assuming they can overlook some f the graphical and sound flaws to the game.
Balasavage gets 100k from Ravens
Former Temple tight end Matt Balasavage has received an injury settlement of $112,412 from the Baltimore Ravens, according to the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson.
Balasavage originally signed with the Ravens as a rookie free agent.
Balasavage originally signed with the Ravens as a rookie free agent.
Temple - Penn State to kick off at 3:30
PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) – The Temple football game at Penn State on Sept. 22 will kick off at 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa.
ABC regional or ESPN2 will televise the game.
Temple (1-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) has a bye week before traveling to Penn State (0-2, 0-0 Big Ten).
ABC regional or ESPN2 will televise the game.
Temple (1-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) has a bye week before traveling to Penn State (0-2, 0-0 Big Ten).
Eagles - Brown Opening Day notebook
Reid’s Records … Andy Reid won his 137th game, passing Hank Stram for 22nd on the NFL’s all-time wins list (regular and postseason included) ... Reid improved his opening-day record to 7-7 (4-1 since 2008), his record against the Browns to 4-0, and his record against the AFC North to 8-3-1.
Welcome to the NFL ... Since Reid became head coach in 1999, the Eagles are 15-6 when facing a rookie starting quarterback. In those games, the Eagles have held those signal callers to 274 of 557 passing (49.2%) for 3,097 yards, 18 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
Dominant Defense ... The Eagles defense held the Browns to just 210 total yards and 2-13 on third downs, while forcing four turnovers ... Browns QB Brandon Weeden threw for just 118 yards and a 5.1 passer rating, which was the lowest by an Eagles opponent since Billy Kilmer’s 4.5 rating on 9/27/76 vs. Washington.
Picking on the Browns ... The Eagles defense collected four interceptions on the day, including two from CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (third-career multi-interception outing) and two from S Kurt Coleman (second-career multi-interception outing) ... The Eagles are 53-13 under Andy Reid when forcing at least two interceptions and 55-10 when forcing at least three turnovers ... The last time the Eagles had two players each record two interceptions was on 12/21/75 when Frank LeMaster and Artimus Parker did so at Washington.
Offensive Quick Hits ... TE Clay Harbor caught a game-winning four-yard touchdown with 1:18 remaining in the game, capping a 16-play, 91-yard drive ... WR Jeremy Maclin led the team with seven receptions, 96 yards, and the Eagles first touchdown of the season. 13 of Maclin’s 20 regular season touchdowns have come in the red zone ... RB LeSean McCoy posted his 10th career 100-yard rushing game ... The Eagles racked up 456 yards of total offense and 25 first downs, while converting both of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns ... QB Michael Vick notched his ninth-career 300-yard passing game and two touchdowns on a career-high 56 attempts ... The Eagles scored both of their touchdowns in the final two minutes of each half.
Defensive Nuggets ... DT Fletcher Cox registered his first-career sack ... DE Jason Babin notched a sack and now has 21.5 as an Eagle, moving past Brian Dawkins (21.0) and into 19th place in team history.
Rookies Ready To Go … In Andy Reid’s first nine seasons as head coach (1999-2007), the Eagles started five rookies on opening day: G/T Shawn Andrews (2004), DT Corey Simon (2000), TE Jed Weaver (1999), G Doug Brzezinski (1999), and T John Welbourn (1999) ... In his last five season openers (since 2008), Reid has started eight rookies: LB Mychal Kendricks (2012), CB Brandon Boykin (2012), C Jason Kelce (2011), LB Casey Matthews (2011), S Nate Allen (2010), DE Brandon Graham (2010), S Macho Harris (2009), WR DeSean Jackson (2008) ... The Eagles went 26 years (1984-2009) without starting a duo of rookies on the defensive side of the ball on opening day. Since 2010, Reid has done so twice (Graham, Allen in 2010).
Birdseed … K Alex Henery’s consecutive field goal streak ended at 17, tying David Akers (17 in 2001 and 2009) for the team record ... P Chas Henry set a career long with a 62-yard punt and a career-best 55.0-yard gross punting average ... WR DeSean Jackson (4,513) moved past Randall Cunningham and into 18th place on the team’s all-time scrimmage yards list ... TE Brent Celek (2,854) moved past John Spagnola and into second on the team’s all-time receiving yard list among tight ends ... Nine Eagles made their NFL debuts, including WR Damaris Johnson, CB Brandon Boykin, RB Chris Polk, RB Bryce Brown, FB Stanley Havili, G/C Dallas Reynolds, DT Cedric Thornton, DT Fletcher Cox and LB Mychal Kendricks ...
No triskaidekaphobia for Damaris Johnson … The rookie wide receiver and punt returner became the first Eagle to don jersey number 13 in a regular season game since punter Rick Engles did so in 1978. Ironically, both Johnson and Engles played their college football at the University of Tulsa. The other Eagles to wear jersey #13: George Kenneally (1933-35), Dave Smukler (1936-39), Len Barnum (1941-42), Joe Hoague (1943), and Chuck Hughes (1967-69).
Welcome to the NFL ... Since Reid became head coach in 1999, the Eagles are 15-6 when facing a rookie starting quarterback. In those games, the Eagles have held those signal callers to 274 of 557 passing (49.2%) for 3,097 yards, 18 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
Dominant Defense ... The Eagles defense held the Browns to just 210 total yards and 2-13 on third downs, while forcing four turnovers ... Browns QB Brandon Weeden threw for just 118 yards and a 5.1 passer rating, which was the lowest by an Eagles opponent since Billy Kilmer’s 4.5 rating on 9/27/76 vs. Washington.
Picking on the Browns ... The Eagles defense collected four interceptions on the day, including two from CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (third-career multi-interception outing) and two from S Kurt Coleman (second-career multi-interception outing) ... The Eagles are 53-13 under Andy Reid when forcing at least two interceptions and 55-10 when forcing at least three turnovers ... The last time the Eagles had two players each record two interceptions was on 12/21/75 when Frank LeMaster and Artimus Parker did so at Washington.
Offensive Quick Hits ... TE Clay Harbor caught a game-winning four-yard touchdown with 1:18 remaining in the game, capping a 16-play, 91-yard drive ... WR Jeremy Maclin led the team with seven receptions, 96 yards, and the Eagles first touchdown of the season. 13 of Maclin’s 20 regular season touchdowns have come in the red zone ... RB LeSean McCoy posted his 10th career 100-yard rushing game ... The Eagles racked up 456 yards of total offense and 25 first downs, while converting both of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns ... QB Michael Vick notched his ninth-career 300-yard passing game and two touchdowns on a career-high 56 attempts ... The Eagles scored both of their touchdowns in the final two minutes of each half.
Defensive Nuggets ... DT Fletcher Cox registered his first-career sack ... DE Jason Babin notched a sack and now has 21.5 as an Eagle, moving past Brian Dawkins (21.0) and into 19th place in team history.
Rookies Ready To Go … In Andy Reid’s first nine seasons as head coach (1999-2007), the Eagles started five rookies on opening day: G/T Shawn Andrews (2004), DT Corey Simon (2000), TE Jed Weaver (1999), G Doug Brzezinski (1999), and T John Welbourn (1999) ... In his last five season openers (since 2008), Reid has started eight rookies: LB Mychal Kendricks (2012), CB Brandon Boykin (2012), C Jason Kelce (2011), LB Casey Matthews (2011), S Nate Allen (2010), DE Brandon Graham (2010), S Macho Harris (2009), WR DeSean Jackson (2008) ... The Eagles went 26 years (1984-2009) without starting a duo of rookies on the defensive side of the ball on opening day. Since 2010, Reid has done so twice (Graham, Allen in 2010).
Birdseed … K Alex Henery’s consecutive field goal streak ended at 17, tying David Akers (17 in 2001 and 2009) for the team record ... P Chas Henry set a career long with a 62-yard punt and a career-best 55.0-yard gross punting average ... WR DeSean Jackson (4,513) moved past Randall Cunningham and into 18th place on the team’s all-time scrimmage yards list ... TE Brent Celek (2,854) moved past John Spagnola and into second on the team’s all-time receiving yard list among tight ends ... Nine Eagles made their NFL debuts, including WR Damaris Johnson, CB Brandon Boykin, RB Chris Polk, RB Bryce Brown, FB Stanley Havili, G/C Dallas Reynolds, DT Cedric Thornton, DT Fletcher Cox and LB Mychal Kendricks ...
No triskaidekaphobia for Damaris Johnson … The rookie wide receiver and punt returner became the first Eagle to don jersey number 13 in a regular season game since punter Rick Engles did so in 1978. Ironically, both Johnson and Engles played their college football at the University of Tulsa. The other Eagles to wear jersey #13: George Kenneally (1933-35), Dave Smukler (1936-39), Len Barnum (1941-42), Joe Hoague (1943), and Chuck Hughes (1967-69).
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Ware stops Dawson in Oakland
 |
| Andre Ward |
Ward registered a third knockdown in the 10th
round when he delivered a solid left hook behind Dawson's ear. After
issuing a standing 8-count, referee Steve Smoger called a halt to the
fight. The time was 2:45 of the 10th round.
Prior
to the knockout, all three judges had Ward with a decided advantage,
with only 1 round given to Dawson (31-2, 17 KOs) by two of the
judges. Marshall Walker scored the fight 90-89 and both Julie
Lederman and David Mendoza saw it 89-80 in favor of the hometown
champion.
"I
was carrying the weight of being the champion into the ring tonight,
and Dawson was a dangerous opponent," Ward acknowledged. "I took the
risk of fighting the bigger man. He had the height and reach
advantage, but he sacrificed the weight. I was surprised that he
wasn't as fast as he looked like he was on the tapes I watched. I
could see everything coming from the start of the fight. Virgil kept
telling me to turn it up. That's what I did.
"I
love to win and the better the competition, the more I rise to the
occasion. It might have looked like it was easy, but Chad Dawson was a
monster, added Ward, who made the fourth defense of his WBA title and
first as WBC champion. "Guys have been asking me what it's going to
take to finish the puzzle. Finishing guys off is the last piece of
the puzzle and we are on our way to doing that."
Classy
in defeat, Dawson said: "I did everything I had to do to prepare for
this fight. He (Ward) was a lot faster than I thought he was. He is
strong too. I don't take anything away from him because he is
definitely one of the best. I just felt like I couldn't get anything
off tonight. I didn't have a problem with the weight; the weight was
fine. I am going to go back to 175 and decide what I am going to do
next. Andre Ward is a hell of a champion."
In
the co-main event, Mexico's Antonio DeMarco jumped on John Molina
right from the opening bell with a barrage of unanswered punches
causing referee Jack Reiss to stop the contest at 0:44 of the first
round. DeMarco retained his WBC Lightweight title.
"I
dedicated this fight to Los Mochis, Mexico for all my fans," DeMarco
exclaimed. "John Molina was a very strong person. I told him to keep
working hard and to get back on top."
Demarco,
normally a fighter who patiently tries to break down his opponents
slowly and methodically, reverted to an ultra-aggressive style to stun
his opponent. I'm a different person in the ring when I see somebody
hurt ," said the champion. When I see him hurt now I jump on him."
Next
up for DeMarco could be a title defense against fast-rising young
star Adrian Broner. Insisted DeMarco: "Yes, I am willing to fight
Adrian Broner anytime, anywhere. Tomorrow!!!"
"I
was very disappointed at myself and with the stoppage. I wasn't hurt.
I thought for sure I would be able to fight my way out of that, but
it was a tough hole to fight out of. Instinctively I wanted to fight
back right away (instead of taking a knee and and eight-count). I
didn't feel in enough trouble for Jack Reiss to stop it. Take nothing
away from them (DeMarco & Reiss). They did their job. I've
gotta come back from this. Jack Reiss is one of the best refs and
DeMarco is a great champion."
Results from Oakland, CA
WBA/WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
Andre Ward (26-0, 14 KOs, Oakland, CA), W TKO 10 over Chad Dawson (31-2, 17 KOs, New Haven, CT).
Ward retains WBA & WBC Super Middleweight Titles.
WBC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
Antonio DeMarco (28-2-1, 21 KOs, Los Mochis, MX) W KO1 over John Molina, Jr. (24-2, 19 KOs, Covina, CA); DeMarco retains his WBC Lightweight Title.
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Franklin "Yah Yah" Lawrence (18-2-2, 13 KOs, Indianapolis, IN) W TKO7 (3:00) over Homero Fonseca (9-6-3, 2 KOs, Peirsaw, TX)
Malik Scott (35-0, 12 KOs, Philadelphia, CA) W TKO8 over Bowie Tupou (22-2, 16 KOs, Los Angeles, CA)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Tony Hirsch (13-5-2, 6 KOs, Oakland, CA) W UDEC over Roberto Yong (5-6-1, Sacramento, CA)
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Ricardo Williams (20-3, 10 KOs, Cincinnati, OH) W MDEC 6 over Anthony Lenk (13-2, 7 KOs, Los Angeles, CA)
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Randy Guerrero (1-0, Gilroy, CA) MAJ DRAW 4 vs. Juan Urbina (0-1, Santa Ana, CA)
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