Source: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/1/31/1965672/kobe-bryant-celtics-lakers
Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Chicago Bears Detroit Lions
2011年1月31日月曜日
Study shows painkiller abuse big NFL issue
A study commissioned by ESPN and assisted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows retired NFL players misuse painkillers at a rate of 4-to-1 compared to the general public. Results of the study are being reported Friday on ESPN's "SportsCenter" and "Outside the Lines" and in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Enterprise reporter John Barr also wrote a series of stories on the findings for ESPN.com.
Miami Dolphins tight end Dan Johnson's teammates called him "King of Pain" because of the myriad injuries he suffered throughout his career from 1983 through 1987. He became addicted to painkillers after two back surgeries.
"I was taking about 1,000 Vicodins a month," Johnson told ESPN. "People go, 'That's impossible. That's crazy.' No, it's exactly what I was taking. I mean, believe me, I'd love to be off medications. That's my worry every day, to make sure I have medication."
Johnson broke down in tears when he admitted he contemplated suicide.
Dr. Linda Cottler and colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis oversaw the study of 644 ex-players. It was the first time researchers explored how and to what extent retired NFL players use prescription pain medications.
More than half of the surveyed former players reported using prescription painkillers during their playing days. Of that same group, 71 percent admitted misusing the drugs during their time in the NFL.
One of the most notable cases involving a current NFL player occurred in 2008. New England Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur was found with 202 OxyContin pills after being stopped for speeding. Kaczur cut a deal to help the Drug Enforcement Administration bust his dealer. Court documents state Kaczur bought about 100 OxyContin pills every three or four days.
"This is the most frightening epidemic I've seen probably since the methamphetamine epidemic in the beginning of the early '90s," Dr. Alex Stalcup said. "All the professional sports that involve physical combat create guys who need pain treatment."
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/25606/study-shows-painkiller-abuse-big-nfl-issue
Arkansas Razorbacks Penn State Nittany Lions Alabama Crimson Tide Clemson Tigers Florida Gators Northwestern Wildcats
Packers might lose DB coach to Eagles after Super Bowl
There is heavy speculation that the Cardinals are waiting for the Super Bowl to conclude to offer their defensive coordinator job to Steelers LB coach Keith Butler or secondary coach Ray Horton. It turns out the Packers might lose a coach after the big game as well.
CSN Philadelphia reports that Packers defensive backs coach Darren Perry is a candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator job with the Eagles, and that a deal between the team and coach already might have been reached.
According to writer Reuben Frank, "The Eagles have shown zero sense of urgency to get anything done" regarding the hiring of a new defensive coordinator. That has Frank believing they've already targeted their coach, and the most likely candidate for that is Perry, who comes from one of the top defensive staffs in the league.
Perry, who is in his ninth season as an NFL coach after playing in the league for nine seasons, contributed to the Packers' two victories over the Eagles this season, giving Eagles head coach Andy Reid an up-close-look at what Perry can do.
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/01/28/packers-might-lose-db-coach-to-eagles-after-super
Dante Lavelli Len Ford Bill Willis Bobby Mitchell Paul Warfield Mike McCormack
Kirk Ferentz statement on Iowa players
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz released a statement on Friday afternoon that announced that five of the 13 football players hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis will be released by the end of the night. Here's the full text of Ferentz's statement, his first public comments since 12 of the 13 players were admitted to the hospital Monday night.
“I am pleased to learn that five of the 13 members of the UI football team are being discharged from UI Hospitals and Clinics throughout this afternoon and evening. I am very happy for these student-athletes and their families, and look forward to the release of the remaining student-athletes in the days ahead. Our entire staff shares the concern expressed by University of Iowa President Sally Mason and president David Miles of the Iowa Board of Regents and the State of Iowa, for the well-being and continued recovery of every student-athlete treated at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
“I have been communicating with each student-athlete and their parents, or guardians, since learning they were admitted into the hospital. Members of the football staff have also been communicating daily with this group. This communication will continue until each student-athlete is able to resume their academic and athletic commitments.
"As the parent of both a current and former member of the team, the health and well-being of each student-athlete in our football program is paramount. I will work with all of the individuals and groups that contribute to the welfare of our student-athletes to understand what led to this occurrence in order to make certain it does not happen again."
So there you have it.
Ferentz points out he and his assistants have been in constant communication with the parents of the hospitalized players since Monday, although some clearly wanted him to be physical present earlier than he was. He also echoes the sentiments of Mason and Miles to get to the bottom of what happened.
It's very good news to hear about the five players being released. Hopefully, the eight others will be discharged soon.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/38753/kirk-ferentz-statement-on-iowa-players
Arizona Cardinals Kansas City Chiefs San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks San Diego Chargers St. Louis Rams
Cromartie threatens to bash QB's face in
The New York Jets' season ended five days ago, but that hasn't stopped Antonio Cromartie from calling out anybody who irritates him. Cromartie ripped NFL and union leaders on Monday over the looming labor confrontation that threatens to put the game in mothballs for an extended period. He dusted off his Tom Brady insult, referring to league and union bosses alike as "ass-----."
Players have rallied around their union leaders by condemning Cromartie's biting remarks, and one of them drew his ire in particular.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck reportedly tweeted on his verified account, "Somebody ask Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for." The tweet was deleted quickly.
But Cromartie heard about it and fired off a response:
-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl
Hasselbeck tried to laugh off the exchange with an apology:
-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl
Nothing forges union brotherhood better than Twitter, apparently.
Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo ripped players who ridiculed quarterback Jay Cutler on Twitter.
"I think it's crap," Angelo said. "I thought they were a union. If that's the way the unionize themselves, they have bigger issues than the ones they have with the owners. I'm very disappointed in that.
"That, to me, is dirty pool. It is what it is. People are allowed to say what they want to say but that doesn't mean that it's right. It's certainly not grounded."
Cromartie also threatened violence on Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward a couple days before the AFC Championship Game. Cromartie said the best remedy for dealing with Ward's reputed dirty play was "Grab his ass by the throat and choke the s--- out of him."
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/25574/cromartie-threatens-to-bash-qbs-face-in
Patrick Edwards Eugene Sims Aldrick Robinson Tory Collins Brandon McRae Jermelle Cudjo
Wolves lose 5-2 before All-Star break starts
Staff report
The Wolves trailed by two after the first period and went on to lose 5-2 to the Oklahoma City Barons.
Jason Krog and Tim Miller tallied goals for the Wolves (25-22-2-3). Goalie Peter Mannino (12-12-2) stopped two shots in 8:22 minutes of play before being placed by Edward Pasquale.
Pasquale blocked 25 shots in 51:25 minutes of relief duty.
The Wolves return to Allstate Arena after the All-Star break on Feb. 4.
The Wolves trailed by two after the first period and went on to lose 5-2 to the Oklahoma City Barons.
Jason Krog and Tim Miller tallied goals for the Wolves (25-22-2-3). Goalie Peter Mannino (12-12-2) stopped two shots in 8:22 minutes of play before being placed by Edward Pasquale.
Pasquale blocked 25 shots in 51:25 minutes of relief duty.
The Wolves return to Allstate Arena after the All-Star break on Feb. 4.
Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/wolves-lose-5-2-before-all-star-break-starts.html
Frank Gatski Ozzie Newsome Joe DeLamielleure Gene Hickerson Joshua Cribbs USC Trojans football
2011年1月30日日曜日
Georgia lands top recruit Drew
Ray Drew, rated by ESPN Recruiting as the No. 2 defensive end prospect in the country, announced Friday that he would sign with Georgia, continuing the Bulldogs' recruiting momentum as we approach national signing day on Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Drew, who's from Thomasville, Ga., is rated as the No. 13 prospect overall nationally by ESPN Recruiting and is the 18th in-state prospect for the Bulldogs in this class. He's also an ordained minister and preaches on occasion at various churches. Mark Richt had talked openly about assembling a "Dream Team" during this recruiting period, and landing players the caliber of Drew make that a reality.
It could get even better for the Bulldogs, who are eagerly awaiting the announcement of running back Isaiah Crowell of Columbus, Ga., next Wednesday. Crowell is rated by ESPN Recruiting as the No. 1 running back prospect in the country and the No. 4 prospect overall.
Junior college nose guard John Jenkins is also high on Georgia's list along with defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan of Asheville, N.C. Pagan is rated by ESPN Recruiting as the country's No. 8 defensive end prospect and recently decommitted from Clemson.
If the Bulldogs close with Crowell, Jenkins and Pagan, they're looking at what could be a top 5 class nationally.
And with Richt coming off his first losing season at Georgia, this is exactly the kind of statement he needed to make on the recruiting trail.
The next step is taking it to the field and getting back into the SEC championship equation.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/38737/georgia-lands-top-recruit-drew
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pittsburgh Panthers Florida State Seminoles Miami Hurricanes Georgia Bulldogs Texas A&M Aggies
Doug Williams Talks About Playing in Pain as Jay Cutler Narrative Changes
Filed under: Chicago Bears, NFC North
The Jay Cutler story has changed over the course of this week, gradually evolving from Sunday -- when it seemed like half the NFL went on Twitter to call Cutler a wimp for sitting out the second half of the NFC Championship Game -- until now, with most players seeming to step back and say they can't fault Cutler for sitting out if the doctors told him to.And yet while the pendulum has swung, it hasn't swung all the way to full-throated support of Cutler: Most NFL players are still hinting that if they suffered a sprained MCL with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, they would have toughed it out.
The latest player to say that is Doug Williams, who won the Super Bowl XXII MVP award with the Redskins after suffering a knee injury of his own.
In talking to Mike Wilbon of ESPN.com, Williams was careful not to criticize Cutler. And yet he also said that when he hurt his knee in the Super Bowl, there was no way he was leaving the game.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/doug-williams-talks-about-playing-in-pain-as-jay-cutler-narrativ/
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Arizona Wildcats Houston Cougars California Golden Bears Texas Longhorns Baltimore Ravens
Ovechkin, Chara shine at NHL SuperSkills
Tribune News Services
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Alex Ovechkin won his third straight breakaway challenge and Zdeno Chara broke his own 2-year-old record for the hardest shot in the NHL's SuperSkills competition Saturday night.
They helped lead Team Staal to a 33-22 victory over Team Lidstrom in the prelude to the All-Star game.
The young Washington Capitals star came up with a few nifty moves to win hockey's equivalent of the slam dunk contest -- most notably, flipping his stick and bringing the puck in with the knob before flipping it back and beating a sprawled-out Marc-Andre Fleury of Pittsburgh.
Ovechkin received 38.5 percent of the fan voting via text messaging. Montreal's P.K. Subban had 21.3 percent for Team Lidstrom.
PHOTO GALLERY: Blackhawks at All-Star weekend
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Alex Ovechkin won his third straight breakaway challenge and Zdeno Chara broke his own 2-year-old record for the hardest shot in the NHL's SuperSkills competition Saturday night.
They helped lead Team Staal to a 33-22 victory over Team Lidstrom in the prelude to the All-Star game.
The young Washington Capitals star came up with a few nifty moves to win hockey's equivalent of the slam dunk contest -- most notably, flipping his stick and bringing the puck in with the knob before flipping it back and beating a sprawled-out Marc-Andre Fleury of Pittsburgh.
Ovechkin received 38.5 percent of the fan voting via text messaging. Montreal's P.K. Subban had 21.3 percent for Team Lidstrom.
PHOTO GALLERY: Blackhawks at All-Star weekend
Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/ovechkin-chara-shine-at-nhl-superskills.html
Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings Houston Texans Atlanta Falcons
Jets look to go young on defensive line
There wasn't only one reason why the Jets lost the AFC championship game to the Steelers, as a variety of factors contributed to the team's performance, especially in the first half of the game. One that stood out was how flat New York was early on, especially in the defensive front seven. That might have been due to the wear and tear that playing 19 games in a 20-week span had on a veteran group of linemen and pass rushers, an issue the team wants to correct next season by getting younger. DE Shaun Ellis, who turns 34 in June, and OLB Jason Taylor, 36, are each free agents this offseason, and it would be a surprise if both returned. Ellis is the more likely of the two to be brought back, though his role on the team might decrease. DE Marcus Dixon, a street free agent who saw his first NFL action in 2010 but played in only three games, is likely to see a major increase in playing time in ’11.
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/01/29/jets-look-to-go-young-on-defensive-line
Florida State Seminoles Miami Hurricanes Georgia Bulldogs Texas A&M Aggies Arkansas Razorbacks Penn State Nittany Lions
Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke Aboard, 49ers Unlikely to Make Sweeping Changes
The San Francisco 49ers are unlikely to undergo wholesale changes now that Trent Baalke has taken over as general manager and Jim Harbaugh has left Stanford to join the organization as coach.
There are no plans to change overall defensive schemes, and the offense that Stanford ran under Harbaugh would seem to fit most of the offensive players on the San Francisco roster.
"There's a lot of similarities to what we've done in the past,'' Baalke told The Sacramento Bee Thursday. "We're still working through with the coaches exactly what they're looking for at each position.
"But the systems on both sides of the ball should marry up very well with the personnel that we have now and the personnel that we've been looking for.''
Harbaugh brought Vic Fangio along from Stanford as the defensive coordinator, and Fangio's defense with the Cardinal stressed quickness more than massive bulk along the defensive line.
There are no plans to change overall defensive schemes, and the offense that Stanford ran under Harbaugh would seem to fit most of the offensive players on the San Francisco roster.
"There's a lot of similarities to what we've done in the past,'' Baalke told The Sacramento Bee Thursday. "We're still working through with the coaches exactly what they're looking for at each position.
"But the systems on both sides of the ball should marry up very well with the personnel that we have now and the personnel that we've been looking for.''
Harbaugh brought Vic Fangio along from Stanford as the defensive coordinator, and Fangio's defense with the Cardinal stressed quickness more than massive bulk along the defensive line.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/jim-harbaugh-and-trent-baalke-aboard-49ers-unlikely-to-make-swe/
Paul Warfield Mike McCormack Frank Gatski Ozzie Newsome Joe DeLamielleure Gene Hickerson
Mike Holmgren Knows What It Means to Win in Green Bay
Filed under: Packers, Steelers
CLEVELAND -- There is no other city in the country with a team like the Green Bay Packers, and there is no other city with a relationship with its team like Green Bay.Mike Holmgren understood, but he really understood deeply when he worked as Packers coach from 1992-98.
"It hits you from the first step when you get off the airplane," Holmgren said this week from Cleveland, where he is now president of the Cleveland Browns. "You drive down Lombardi Avenue to the facility. You see the pictures of Bart Starr and Jerry Kramer and Paul Hornung.
"If you know football at all, and I like football ... I was kind of a historian ... you can't help it but feel it. You just can't help it."
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/mike-holmgren-knows-what-it-means-to-win-in-green-bay/
Lou Groza Dante Lavelli Len Ford Bill Willis Bobby Mitchell Paul Warfield
Fans leave Pro Bowl ticket giveaway disappointed
NFC players and coaches pose for a team photo the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort. (Kirby Lee / US PRESSWIRE) Tribune News Services
HONOLULU -- Dozens of NFL fans waited hours in line for free tickets to the Pro Bowl only to learn the tickets had mostly already been handed out.
The NFL gave the nonprofit Friends of the Library Hawaii 500 tickets. The nonprofit said it would give them away on a first-come, first-serve basis Friday at 2:30 p.m.
But by that time, the group already handed out nearly all of the tickets.
Executive Director Byrde Cestare told KITV the group decided to give 300 tickets to their volunteers.
On top of that, they started giving out coupons for the remaining 200 tickets starting at 1 p.m.
The group -- which supports Hawaii's public libraries -- told Hawaii News Now it will distribute tickets differently if it's given tickets again in the future.
Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/fans-leave-pro-bowl-ticket-giveaway-disappointed.html
Colorado Buffaloes Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pittsburgh Panthers Florida State Seminoles Miami Hurricanes Georgia Bulldogs
2011年1月29日土曜日
Giants would consider Burress
The Giants likely will place a call to WR Plaxico Burress, whose jail sentence is coming to an end soon, about playing for the team again. Whether that happens remains to be seen, and the Giants do have three young receivers they like in Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham. But Smith is coming off a knee injury and is set to hit free agency, so his place is by no means set. QB Eli Manning gave his seal of approval to going after Burress again, and GM Jerry Reese said the team would do its homework on the matter. Long shot? Perhaps, but the Giants of all teams know the value of putting together a deep roster and also giving good players opportunities to make the club. The Giants quietly believe they could have a Super Bowl-caliber roster next season, so why not add a receiver of Burress' talent, even if he has been away from the game for two-plus years?
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/01/28/giants-would-consider-burress
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Arizona Wildcats Houston Cougars California Golden Bears Texas Longhorns Baltimore Ravens
They Said It: week of Jan. 24
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, quoted in The Tennessean on his surprise to learn that head coach Jeff Fisher would not be returning next season: "I haven't talked to Jeff or anyone in the office. We would be the last ones to know. They're not going to let coaches know. They're going to take care of the other stuff first." Added Heimerdinger: "Obviously something happened that I don't know about. I guess we'll find out what's next. There's a lot up in the air that we just don't know about. We'll just have to roll with the punches and see what happens."
Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents incarcerated WR Plaxico Burress, quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer making a prediction about his client: "I am not afraid to make the following prediction: Plaxico Burress will be playing in 2011. And he will play very well. And it will be a very happy ending to a very tough, tough story for him."
Steelers S Ryan Clark, explaining that he isn't concerned about a perceived lack of respect for the Pittsburgh secondary, as quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "I'm done being disrespected. I'm done even caring. It's my second Super Bowl with this defense and the exact same guys minus Deshea (Townsend). Maybe the other six or seven (defensive players) on the field with us are that much better than everyone else that they can overcome us being so terrible." Added Clark: "Right now this group of individuals can say they've started two Super Bowls, some three Super Bowls together. Go around the league and poll how many secondaries have done that. There's not going to be many, if any, that can say that, so I think we're doing all right."
Jets CB Antonio Cromartie, quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer engaging in a war of words on his Twitter page with Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck after Hasselbeck called out Cromartie for his comments regarding the CBA last week: "Hey Matt, if you have something to [say] then say it. Be a man about it. Don't erase it. I will smash your face in."
Former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, who was the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL before agreeing to part ways with the club on Thursday, quoted in The Tennessean sharing his sentiments on leaving the organization: "It's been 17 great years and I appreciate everything Mr. Adams has done for me. It's time for me to rest and fish. I have total peace about this right now." Added Fisher: "I want to thank Mr. Adams and the organization for a special 17 years. I can't thank the fans enough for the support they showed us through the years; it has been a tremendous experience. We all did our very best and I think I can look back with fond memories and be very proud of what we accomplished. I want to wish the organization, the current players and the fans nothing but the best in the future."
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011
Titans RB Chris Johnson, quoted in The Tennessean on becoming the face of the franchise with QB Vince Young now on the way out: "I am willing to step up and be the face of the franchise. I have no problem with that. I don't know who our next quarterback is going to be, but I want to help take pressure off him by doing my part.'' Johnson continued by discussing his goals for 2011: "I want to win more, but I still have the same goals. I want to go for 2,500. … It is very realistic. I had a good season last year. When you put the stats up there, I had a good year. Some people say I had a bad year, but I set my standards so high people expect that.''
Chargers new defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, who coached 49ers S Taylor Mays last season, discussing the potential of Mays, as quoted in the Sacramento Bee: "I see some promise in the kid. He's a football guy. He loves football. I'd rather have those guys on my team because they want to get better." Manusky, who said Mays was not ready to start as a rookie, continued: "He's cut a little high. And (secondary coaches) VJ (Vance Joseph), Johnnie (Lynn) and myself were trying to get his (butt) down. I mean, that's where you have your explosion and that's where you have your power. … He's athletic enough that he can change direction and get his body down. And that's where he gets his explosion."
Steelers DE Aaron Smith is not ruling out playing in the Super Bowl — Smith partially tore his left triceps in late October — as quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "I think it's feasible, I really do. The longer (this season) has stretched, the better the possibility of me playing has gotten. I would like to have an answer before we leave, but we've gone this long, so we'll see what happens and go from there." Added Smith: "I can't help but fantasize about the team and dream about it, just to be out there, being able to be on the field and a part of something special."
Ravens new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, quoted in the Detroit Free Press discussing the departure of former defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who left Baltimore for the same post at the University of Michigan: "What he told me was, for 37 years (including playing), all of us have families. They get left behind, and they've got to finish the move. … I always admire him, but even more today, because he said, 'For 37 years, I've been leaving them behind, and they sell the house and finish school with the kids and, eventually, they meet you, six months down the road. I've got a chance now to do something and give something back to them for all these years of support.' That, to me, speaks volumes above anything else he did for this organization."
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011
Packers DT B.J. Raji, quoted on GazetteXtra praising the Green Bay front office for the job it did this season: "I've got to give credit to, first of all, our guys upstairs — general managers and scouts. Those guys do a fantastic job-getting guys that kind of slip through the cracks, like (undrafted free agent DB Sam) Shields, players like that. People that are great football players, but for whatever reason, they slip."
49ers new GM Trent Baalke, whose club is expected to address the QB position in this April's draft, explaining how difficult it is to find a franchise signalcaller, as quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle: "I think what makes it difficult is there's a lot more that goes into it than the physical aspects. You're trying to evaluate decision-making process, the football IQ, the football instincts, the leadership qualities. It's a very difficult position to evaluate, and everybody needs one. You can only get so much until you have them in your possession and work with them every day." Added Baalke: "We're looking for the same things as everybody else. Are they willing to cut it loose and throw the ball on time? Accuracy to me is such an innate thing. Either they can or they can't. That has to do with timing, getting the ball out on time, seeing the coverage the way the receivers see it. That's a difficult question to answer sometimes."
Patriots MLB Jerod Mayo, who hopes to pick Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis' brain this week as the two Pro Bowl teammates practice together, quoted on Boston Herald.com sharing what he is most impressed by with Lewis: "Just his overall assertiveness. How he takes control of the defense, how he gets everyone in the right place at the right time. How he lines everyone up. I know he studies a lot of film, and he just seems to know where the play is going before everyone else does."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, explaining that the club has had high expectations for young WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown since the beginning of the season, as quoted on Canada.com: "We have been impressed with these two young men since Day 1. We knew they were capable of providing splash plays for us - plays that could help us win. It's becoming pretty clear they are up to the task."
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, quoted on topix.com following Sunday's 21-14 triumph over the Bears in the NFC Championship game that sends the Packers to their first Super Bowl since 1998: "It still maybe hasn't really hit home entirely. It's just what I dreamt about as a kid growing up in Northern California watching Joe Montana all those years, and Steve Young when Joe moved on … It's amazing to know that I'll be living out my dream in two weeks in Dallas."
Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, describing the 3rd-and-6 play call late in the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game with the Steelers needing a first-down conversion to run out the clock, as quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Coach (Mike Tomlin) said, 'Win the game.' We had a play set Thursday night, that that's the play we would use and Ben (Roethlisberger) made an unbelievable throw and Antonio (Brown) got open. You can always play safe and run, punt, put your defense back out there but it's not as nice as kneeling down."
Packers RB John Kuhn, the lone Green Bay player who owns a Super Bowl ring — Kuhn was on the Steelers' practice squad when they defeated the Seahawks in 2005 in Super Bowl XL — quoted on JSOnline offering advice to his teammates who will be living it for the first time: "You need to embrace it. You need to really enjoy the fact that you're there. But at the same time you need to win that game. You're there to play a game ultimately and to try to win it. If you win it, it makes all the memories that much sweeter." Added Kuhn: "I'm anxious already for the game. I want to get there and I want to play. Because like I said, this has been something that I've looked at ever since I was there with Pittsburgh, and I just wanted to get back there and play so badly. And to be back there and play against Pittsburgh, it's a whirlwind of emotions."
Steelers CB Ike Taylor, explaining that his club is used to being the underdog — Vegas oddsmakers' early line made the Packers three-point favorites — as quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "I feel like we're always underdogs, even when they've got us covering the point spread." Taylor continued: "People don't like successful people, regardless of how you make it. Just the tradition we have here, the success we have here, I just feel that a lot of people don't want us to succeed. They're getting tired of seeing the same people over and over again. I guess they want to see somebody new."
Monday, Jan. 24, 2011
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, whose team is heading to Dallas to play in Super Bowl XLV after edging the Bears 21-14 in the NFC championship game, quoted in the Green Bay Press-Gazette on the resiliency his team has shown all season: "Really, with the way our season went, the trials and tribulations that we encountered, to me, that was how we were shaped. I think it's made us a better football team. It's challenged our character. I think we've really grown through it. Our players truly believe that we will be successful in Dallas, just like they truly believed that we were going to be successful here today." McCarthy continued: "Now we have the opportunity to achieve greatness, and that is winning the Super Bowl down in Dallas. Bring the Lombardi Trophy back home."
Bears LB Brian Urlacher, defending QB Jay Cutler from critics who are questioning the quarterback's toughness after Cutler left Sunday's game in the second half after sustaining a knee injury, as quoted in the Chicago Tribune: "Jay was hurt. I don't question his toughness, he's tough as hell. He's one of the toughest players on our football team. He doesn't complain when he gets hit. He goes out there and plays every Sunday, he practices every single day, so no we don't question his toughness." Added Urlacher: "Nothing like jealous people at home watching. Players around the league you said, right? Yeah, I love jealous people when they are watching our game on TV while their season is over."
Steelers WR Hines Ward, who will be playing in his third Super Bowl on Feb. 6 in Dallas, quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after his Steelers held on to beat the Jets 24-19 in the AFC championship game: "Never gets old. A lot of our guys have had to battle a lot of things this year, but we're going to the Super Bowl, we're going to play the Packers, and we're going to enjoy it." Ward continued: "Us going 3-1 [in September] without Ben showed what kind of team we are. It brought us closer together as a unit."
Jets DL Trevor Pryce, quoted on NYDailyNews.com following Sunday's loss in the AFC championship game: "You can't win in this league if you don't stop the run. Kid (Mendenhall) was running out of his body." Added NT Sione Pouha: "It goes back to basics, and basics is tackling. I didn't do my job. We didn't get it done, and the most heartbreaking thing now is knowing this locker room is never going to be the same."
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/01/28/they-said-it-week-of-jan-24
Washington Redskins New York Jets New England Patriots Denver Broncos Arizona Cardinals Kansas City Chiefs
Georgia lands top recruit Drew
Ray Drew, rated by ESPN Recruiting as the No. 2 defensive end prospect in the country, announced Friday that he would sign with Georgia, continuing the Bulldogs' recruiting momentum as we approach national signing day on Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Drew, who's from Thomasville, Ga., is rated as the No. 13 prospect overall nationally by ESPN Recruiting and is the 18th in-state prospect for the Bulldogs in this class. He's also an ordained minister and preaches on occasion at various churches. Mark Richt had talked openly about assembling a "Dream Team" during this recruiting period, and landing players the caliber of Drew make that a reality.
It could get even better for the Bulldogs, who are eagerly awaiting the announcement of running back Isaiah Crowell of Columbus, Ga., next Wednesday. Crowell is rated by ESPN Recruiting as the No. 1 running back prospect in the country and the No. 4 prospect overall.
Junior college nose guard John Jenkins is also high on Georgia's list along with defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan of Asheville, N.C. Pagan is rated by ESPN Recruiting as the country's No. 8 defensive end prospect and recently decommitted from Clemson.
If the Bulldogs close with Crowell, Jenkins and Pagan, they're looking at what could be a top 5 class nationally.
And with Richt coming off his first losing season at Georgia, this is exactly the kind of statement he needed to make on the recruiting trail.
The next step is taking it to the field and getting back into the SEC championship equation.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/38737/georgia-lands-top-recruit-drew
San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks San Diego Chargers St. Louis Rams Oakland Raiders Kansas City Chiefs
2011年1月28日金曜日
How does Mark Sanchez look for 2011?
In a season-review video for ESPNNewYork.com, analysts Trent Dilfer and Tom Jackson graded the New York Jets' campaign and gave their impressions of quarterback Mark Sanchez's development heading into his third season. Sanchez's second season is open for interpretation. He had a handful of poor performances and some uninspiring stats, but the Jets went to the AFC Championship Game a second straight season with him.
"You see the same thing in that game and this season that you saw at USC," Dilfer said. "You go back and talk to his high school coaches. You saw it in high school. This is a kid with a special intangible makeup. The bigger the situation, the more pressure on him, the more difficult the situation it brings out the best in him.
"His fixes are easy: Do better when it's easy because when it gets hard, when it gets sticky, this guy's at his best."
Jackson added: "A lot of quarterbacks go through a sophomore slump. There was none of that for Mark Sanchez. He had his moments, his ups and downs. But the maturity level that he showed at the end of the year, it makes me excited about what we're going to see from him next year. ... You can see they're letting him play more and more."
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/25551/how-does-mark-sanchez-look-for-2011
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pittsburgh Panthers Florida State Seminoles Miami Hurricanes Georgia Bulldogs Texas A&M Aggies
Peppers fined $10,000 for helmet hit
A punishing hit on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in the NFC championship game cost the Bears and DE Julius Peppers 15 yards for roughing the passer. Now it's costing Peppers some serious cash as well.
The Pro Bowler was fined $10,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Thursday; the news was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The way we see it
Chicago players and fans were upset with the call, and looking at the replay, there was really nothing Peppers could do to avoid hitting Rodgers head-first on the play. But a rule is a rule, and Peppers clearly hit the QB with his helmet, resulting in a penalty and fine.
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/01/27/peppers-fined-10000-for-helmet-hit
Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings Houston Texans Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Indianapolis Colts
Spanish officials accept Contador's meat defense
Tribune News Services
MADRID -- Alberto Contador's spokesman says Spanish cycling officials accept the rider's contention that his positive Tour de France drug test resulted from eating contaminated meat.
The Spanish cycling federation proposed a one-year ban for Contador, rather than the standard two years, after his positive clenbuterol test at last year's Tour. Contador spokesman Jacinto Vidarte tells The Associated Press that the federation accepted Contador's contention that the result was due to "unintentional ingestion" of the banned substance.
If the ban is adopted, Contador would be stripped of the title and miss this year's Tour.
He has until Feb. 9 to present further evidence before the Spanish federation's disciplinary committee renders a final verdict.
MADRID -- Alberto Contador's spokesman says Spanish cycling officials accept the rider's contention that his positive Tour de France drug test resulted from eating contaminated meat.
The Spanish cycling federation proposed a one-year ban for Contador, rather than the standard two years, after his positive clenbuterol test at last year's Tour. Contador spokesman Jacinto Vidarte tells The Associated Press that the federation accepted Contador's contention that the result was due to "unintentional ingestion" of the banned substance.
If the ban is adopted, Contador would be stripped of the title and miss this year's Tour.
He has until Feb. 9 to present further evidence before the Spanish federation's disciplinary committee renders a final verdict.
Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/spanish-officials-accept-contadors-meat-defense.html
Kansas City Chiefs Ben Graham Patrick Edwards Eugene Sims Aldrick Robinson Tory Collins
A bunch of Joes who deserve some love
USA Today revealed its annual All-Joe team to honor the NFL's unsung heroes. The prerequisite for All-Joe consideration is the player never has been a Pro Bowler, a criterion that's increasingly difficult to make under the new Pro Bowl format that forces Super Bowl participants to pull out and be replaced by second and third alternates.
In a high-profile division such as the AFC East, you might have additional trouble finding candidates, but USA Today reporter Nate Davis found a few to highlight.
The All-Joe team isn't a typical all-star squad with 11 on offense, 11 on defense and a couple kickers. The All-Joe roster is comprised of 53 players, just like a real NFL club.
Let's take a look at AFC East players on the depth chart.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski perhaps deserved to go to the Pro Bowl, but he wasn't the top alternate. He'll have to settle for being the All-Joe starter.
Patriots right tackle Sebastian Vollmer also made the first team. It has been a nice week of recognition for Vollmer. He also was voted second-team All-Pro.
Davis wonders if New York Jets inside linebacker David Harris will be the next London Fletcher, a top-notch player who doesn't get noticed on a regular basis. Harris should be in the Pro Bowl. He's first-team All-Joe.
Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis was the fourth cornerback on the All-Joe team. Maybe that makes him the top nickel or dime back.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was third-string All-Joe behind Josh Freeman and Sam Bradford.
Davis also wrote up 32 team MVPs.
- Buffalo Bills: Fitzpatrick. Came off the sideline to give Bills fans something to cheer about.
- Miami Dolphins: Cameron Wake, outside linebacker. Nearly claimed the NFL sacks title.
- New England Patriots: Tom Brady, quarterback. Easiest call in the league.
- New York Jets: Brad Smith, kick returner/receiver/option quarterback. Interesting choice, but given all the duties Smith excels at, I applaud the case.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/25529/a-bunch-of-joes-who-deserve-some-love
Marion Motley Jim Brown Lou Groza Dante Lavelli Len Ford Bill Willis
2011年1月27日木曜日
Super Bowl XLV consensus selection
Below is the PFW consensus selection for Super Bowl XLV, based on the editors' picks made two weeks in advance of the game.
If you would like to see the individual selections of all nine PFW editors, you can do it as early as Monday evening each week with a subscription to PFW Online ($54.95 for a full year). On Thursdays, we'll present the editors' late-week picks, and you can get those as part of a subscription to the Handicapping Inner Circle ($89.95 for the 2010 season).
Don't miss another week's winners. To find out more about the Handicapping Inner Circle, click here, or for more info on PFW Online, click here. Or you can sign up now.
Home team in caps. Asterisk (*) denotes team will cover pointspread but lose game. Boldface selection indicates best bet. Some Over/Unders not available.
PFW CONSENSUS SELECTION
| Early Las Vegas line | ALL |
|---|---|
| Green Bay -2½ vs. Pittsburgh (45½) | Green Bay |
| Last week vs. spread | 2-0 |
| Season to date vs. spread | 129-126-10 |
| Season to date best bets | 37-27-4 |
| Last week straight-up | 2-0 |
| Season to date straight-up | 165-101 |
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/01/25/super-bowl-xlv-consensus-selection
Paul Brown Marion Motley Jim Brown Lou Groza Dante Lavelli Len Ford
Video: UCF defensive end David Williams
Andrea Adelson talks with UCF’s David Williams about the rise and future of the program.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/38624/video-ucf-defensive-end-david-williams
Arizona Wildcats Houston Cougars California Golden Bears Texas Longhorns Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals
Photo finish: Packers to include injured players
The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports: The Packers will take their team photo on Friday of Super Bowl week to include players on the injured reserve list, a source said.
The Packers originally were set to take the team photo Tuesday, and two injured players -- linebacker Nick Barnett and tight end Jermichael Finley -- were disappointed that they wouldn't be included in the photo. The injured players aren't scheduled to arrive in Dallas until the Thursday before the game.
Get the full story: GreenBayPressGazette.com
The Packers originally were set to take the team photo Tuesday, and two injured players -- linebacker Nick Barnett and tight end Jermichael Finley -- were disappointed that they wouldn't be included in the photo. The injured players aren't scheduled to arrive in Dallas until the Thursday before the game.
Get the full story: GreenBayPressGazette.com
Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/photo-finish-packers-to-include-injured-players.html
Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers
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