Posts Tagged point

Fantasy Football Start Em: Running Backs

Week 7 is fast approaching and for most leagues this marks the halfway point in thir fantasy season. Hopefully by now you’ve solidified your position as one of the league’s strongest GM’s, but even if you haven’t theres still plenty of time to get back into contention. Maybe this list will help you make the best choices in your lineup calls for week 7.

1. Chris Johnson vs. Kansas City

Kansas City is a pretty dismal team right now. Larry Johnson wants to be traded, Tony Gonzalez wanted to be traded and the team has absolutely no shot of being a contender this season. Which is great news if you’re one of the lucky people who own Chris Johnson this week.The K.C. defense surrenders 182.2 rushing yards a game and Johnson has been averaging 90 total yards a game so far this year. Lendale White is suffering from a shoulder injury at the moment which may give Johnson some more goal-line chances. Look for Johnson to have a nice fantasy week this week.

2. Dominic Rhodes vs. Green Bay

Rhodes disappeared off the fantasy radar for a while when he went to Oakland (as most people do). However, hes back in Indy and both Joseph Addai and Mike Hart are sidelined this week with injuries making Rhodes a very serviceable option. The Packers have been struggling with their rush defense allowing 153 yards per game. Rhodes should get plenty of touches and could find the end zone. A nice start here, especially if you’re an Addai owner.

3. Mewelde Moore vs. Cinncinatti

Moore is most likely available in a number of leagues and can be a nice pick up n’ play this week against a struggling Bengals defense. With Willie Parker sidelined for another week due to injury Moore is once again Pittsburgh top rusher. The Bengals rush defense is giving up 156.8 yards per game so Moore has a chance to go off. He gave a solid performance in his first start and should follow it up nicely with this favorable match up.

4. Thomas Jones vs. Oakland

Ah just when you were about to give up on Jones he comes up with a huge performance. Jones scored three times last week (2 rushing, 1 receiving) surpassing his total from all of last season. This week Jones is facing off against an Oakland defense that’s surrendering 115 rushing yards and 1.6 rushing touchdowns per game. With Oakland’s offense unable to muster much production the Jets offense should have plenty of chances to score and Jones could be the primary beneficiary.

5.  Steve Slaton vs. Detroit

At first glance this may not look like the best match up especially considering what Detroit was able to do to Adrian Peterson last week, but Houston has a much better QB then Minnesota and Schaub should open up the field with his ability to throw the long ball to Andre Johnson. With a deep passing threat established Slaton could find plenty of open holes and could have a nice fantasy day.

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Giants Players Side with Coach on Plax Suspension

By Matt Valentine

Make no mistake about it Plaxico Burress is an extremely talented player…he’s also quickly becoming a distraction in the Giants lockeroom.

Burress standing on the sidelines, which is where hell find himself this Sunday.

Burress standing on the sidelines, which is where he'll find himself this Sunday.

Plax spent much of the off-season posturing (with the aid of his agent Drew Rosenhaus) for a new contract after a year in which he hauiled in a career high 12 TD and caught the game winning TD in the Super Bowl. So what did Burress do? He sat on the sideline for most of the off-season, training camp and pre-season with a supposed “ankle injury”. In fact, Plax was just refusing to play until he got what he thought he deserved.

And how did the Giants star wideout return the favor to the team that granted him his wish and gave him a lucrative contract extension? By missing practice the Monday following his teams overtime win over the Cincinnatti Bengals on Sunday and not even bothering to phone in and tell the team why he was not in attendance until later that evening.

Burress was dealing with a “important family matter”, what exactly that matter was, was not disclosed, but it should be noted that Burress has been involved in a number of domestic altercations since joining the Giants in 2004.

The Giants and Burress recently settled on the terms of the suspension levied by the team after Burress appealed the original suspension through the NFLPA. Burress was originally fined $235,249 or two weeks pay, but that fine was cut in half to $117,000, though he will still be suspendend for this Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

The decision to suspend Burress was made by both Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese, and has received support from nearly every player in the Giants locker room.

“I can’t speak for Plaxico, but as a team it’s indicative of our coaches trying to make a statement as far as every guy on this football team is equal and I think (Tom Coughlin) got his point across,” defensive end Justin Tuck said. “I hope he got his point across.”

Giants players are not the only ones who hope Coughlin made his point loud and clear to Burress, Giants fans also have to be concerned with the receivers seeming discontent with practicing.

Many felt that Burress was a warrior last season for playing through bothersome ankle and knee injuries, but recently there has been some grumbling around the league that any player that sustained similar types of injuries would have at least attempted to practice or would have been forced to do so by the team.

Now the Giants will be forced to play without their leading receiver heading into Sunday’s contest against the Seahawks and the team and fans are praying that his absence doesn’t cost the team its perfect record.

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NHL Season Set to Begin Abroad

Will Detroit repeat? NHL season kicks off soon in Europe.

Will Detroit repeat? NHL season kicks off soon in Europe.

By Matt Valentine

Yes, its true.  Yes, I understand most of you could probably care less . Yes, that bothers me. Either way, whether you love it or hate it the NHL season will begin and it will begin sooner then you think.

In fact, the NHL is taking a page from MLB and the NBA in doing something that it has never done before… opening its regular season in Europe.

The opening games of the NHL season will take place as a double-header of sorts with games to beplayed in the Czech and Swedish capitals. It is something that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says Europe should get used to, ” We are hopefully ushering an era of a more permanent presence for the league (in Europe).”

That seems to indicate that the commissioner would at some point like to setup a franchise somewhere in the European market, but that day is still a long ways away and for now the NHL is content to give the European fans of hockey just a small sample of itself.

Like Bettman said the NHL is creating, “a program where we’re coming back on a regular basis to satisfy and address the interest that we know is in our game here.

One of the matchups featured in the double header will take place between two Eastern Conference teams on the rise, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. Both teams have undergone some significant roster changes and look to start the season off on the right skate. The game will take place in the Czech capital city of Prague.

The other game in the double-header will feature a match up between last seasons Stanley Cup finalist Pittsburgh Penguins and the underachieving Ottawa Seantors. This game will be played in the Swedish capital of Stockholm.

Originally the NHL had planned just two games overseas to both to be played by the Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings in London for the opener but expanded their overseas schedule to the current four games.

The Europeans fans have proven themselves to be excellent hosts showing great enthusiasm for the games and the players. In fact, over 8,000 Czechs turned out just to see a Rangers practice session something that is completely unheard of back in the USA.

The players have also enjoyed their trip overseas though they have admitted that the travel can be tiring, they also enjoy having the opportunity to play in front of their home crowd. Such was the case with Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival a Czech who said he was thrilled to play in front of a home crowd.

Considering the amount of knowledge and enthusiasm Europe has for hockey it makes sense for the NHL to market their brand there and to continue to expand their presence in the European market. Next year the destination seems likely to be Germany, another country will a strong enthusiasm for the game.

If only there was such enthusiasm for the game at home.

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No.1 USC Falls at Oregon State

Perhaps in the future USC will learn to never schedule a game at Oregon State. That’s because for the second time since 2006 USC’s undefeated record and their national title hopes have been dealt a serious blow by the Oregon State Beavers.

This time it was Jacquizz Rodgers who led the way in the unlikely victory rushing for 186 yards and 2 TD’s en route to Oregon States stunning 27-21 victory over No.1 USC.  It was the first time since 1990 when Michigan State defeated Michigan that a team with a losing record defeated the number one team in the country.

In 2006 it was the number 3 ranked Trojans that lost their shot at a national title when they lost at Reser Stadium 33-31.

For USC the damage done by losing at Oregon State may be irreperable. USC was expected to cruise through its conference schedule with its only true test being the Ohio State game last week. Now for the second straight season the national championship landscape is wide open with any of the top 10 teams capable of moving in postion for a serious run at the BCS Championship game.

The biggest play of the game came late in 4th quarter with USC backed up inside their own 20. USC QB Mark Sanchez’s pass was intercepted by safety Greg Laybourn on the 30 with less then  3 minutes ti play. Laybourn ran the ball back to the USC 2 yard line and set up what would eventually become the game winning touchdown.

At that point the Trojans were trailing by 13 (27-21) and it looked the game was lost. However, the Trojans received a glimmer of hope when their special teams came up with a huge return that put them into Oregon State territory with 2:30 remaining in the game.

Sanchez eventually hit Patrick Turner with a 14-yard scoring pass with 1:19 left, but the clock was the Trojans biggest enemy and it would eventually win the battle. The Trojans attempted an onside kick, but were unable to recover and OSU killed the clock with kneel downs.

The game really came down to one team that was able to make plays, while the other team left too many plays on the field. Rodgers’ just could not be stopped or perhaps found by the USC defense and his 186 rushing yars were the most by a Trojans opponent since Vince Young ran for 200 in the famous BCS national championship game of 2006.

But, it was the mistakes made by USC and a stingy OSU rush defense that helped secure the stunning upset. Joe McNight was held to just 10 yards rushing by the Beaver defense and lost a fumble as well. Along with McNight’s fumble Sanchez’s interception played a key role in turning the tide in OSU’s favor.

For OSU it was the Rodgers’ brothers night that led to the win, with Rodgers older brother James securing six catches for 36 yards and two touchdowns. Lyle Moevao OSU’s QB completed 18 of 26 passes for 167 yards and 2 TD’s.

Sanchez completed 18 of 29 passes for 227 yards and three scores, with the one crucial interception.

The impact if this game will be felt around college football where all of the top teams will be looking to move up in the standings. How far USC will fall remains to be seen, but Penn State is one team that may really benefit from this loss having destroyed OSU earlier in the season at Happy Valley.

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Zambrano Pitches A No Hitter

The last time Carlos Zambrano faced the Houston Astros he had to leave the game with a sore rotator cuff.  This time around the Astros would not be nearly as lucky.

Zambrano tossed the first no-hitter for the Cubs in 36 years, in his first start since September 2, and shut down the Astros 5-0 Sunday night in a game that was played in Milwakuee because of Hurricane Ike.

The Astros who haven’t played since Thursday because of Hurricane Ike looked weary after arriving at Miller Park just hours before the first pitch. They looked even worse after Zambrano’s masterful pitching performance.

The move to Miller Park had little adverse affect on the Cubs whose fan base followed them for the short trip up I-94 and made Miller Park seem just like Wrigley Field.

Even Astros manager Cecil Cooper credited the disruption from Hurricane Ike as a possible deciding factor in the no-hitter, “It was a long travel day and Hurricane Ike, That’s what I put it on. That and having two days off. I’m not saying he wasn’t good.”

Zambrano embraces manager Lou Pinella after his no-hitter

Zambrano embraces manager Lou Pinella after his no-hitter

The no-hitter moved Zambranos record to 14-5 on the season and the normally emotional pitcher kept himself in check until striking out Darren Erstad to seal the no-hitter. It was at that point that Zambrano dropped to his knees and pointed to the sky, he was immediately mobbed by his teammates who obviously enjoyed watching a piece of history.

Though only 23,441 fans were on hand to witness the moment they filled the stadium with chants of “Let’s go Z!” throughout the final inning and erupted when Zambrano put the icing on his gem.

The last Cub pitcher to throw a no-hitter was Milt Pappas in 1972. Zambranos no hitter was the 13th in team history. It was just the second no-hitter in the majors this seasons with Boston’s Jon Lester pitching the other in a game against Kansas City at Fenway Park on May 19.

Unfortunately for Brewers fans and ball players it was the first no-hitter ever at Miller Park and they were nowhere to be found.

The Astros only came close to a hit on two occasions. David Newhan lined a drive to that first baseman Derrek lee stabbed out of the air on a leaping catch to end the fifth inning. Geoff Blum also put a scare into Zambrano when he sent a fly ball toward the right-field corner to lead off the eighth, but Mark Derosa made a nice grab to perserve the no-hitter.

Zambrano let his emotions get the best of him in the seventh inning when he was sat down on a strikeout and nearly broke the bat over his knee before taking a glance at manager Lou Pinella who was apparently able to translate the message that now was probably not the best time for Zambrano to do that.

Pinella didn’t want Zambrano to exceed 100 pitches on the night, having just recently had an anti-inflammatory shot, but as the game wore on with the no-hitter still intact it became clear the Zambrano was staying in the game no matter how many pitches it took. In the end Zambrano finished with 110 pitches, 73 for strikes.

The no-hitter was also Zambranos first shutout since 2004. The Cubbies continue to cement themselves as a potential favorite to win their first World Series in 100 years and if Zambrano can continue to perform at this level they will have an excellent chance.

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Americans finish One, Two in Womens Gymnastics All-Around Championship

Both women said that they had dreamed of finishing one,two in the Olympics they just weren’t sure in what order that would dream would occur.

Well, now they know and it was the surprising Nastia Liukin who claimed the gold medal, while world champion Shawn johnson won the silver, and China’s Yang Yilin taking home the bronze despite the allegations that continue to swirl about her age.

Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and Yang Yilin display their Olympic hardware.

Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and Yang Yilin display their Olympic hardware.

There are no doubts about the validity of Liukin’s age. The 18 year old daughter of 4-time Olympic medalist Valeri Liukin and Anna Kotchneva who was a world champion rhythmic gymnast, proved her pedigree throughout the all-around competition.

Despite having start values that were below that of Johnson’s, Nastia proved the more perfect gymnast on that day sticking her landings on three out of the four apparatuses and performing beautifully throughout. Meanwhile Johnson, the favorite heading into the competition, made some small missteps that cost her a shot at gold.

With the floor exercise coming last in the competition Nastia Liukin was once again perfect, creating a lead too great for Shawn Johnson to overcome and claiming the gold medal by more then 6-tenths of a point.

Liukin began life in Moscow, but departed for America at the young age of two and arrived in Texas. And so it became that the girl from Texas with the distinctly Russian name fufilled her dream of becoming Olympic champion.

Her father had come close to that very same dream some twenty years ago. Valeri just needed to stick his dismount from the high bar, just one moment, one stuck landing and his dream would come true. Yet, as he landed, he swayed, swinging his arms to try and regain his balance and prevent his body from taking that inevitable lurch forward that would cost him his dream. Gravity won out, as it always will, and Valeri took that step, losing the gold medal by just one-tenth of a point.

Now, exactly 20 years later to the day, he can celebrate the fact that he has raised a champion, a champion who conquered the dream that eluded him all those years ago.

Shawn Johnson will have her chance at the next Olympics to claim the gold that many thought she would win in Beijing. It wasn’t that Johnson made any major mistakes, in fact she performed quite well, it was just an accumulation of small miscues that ended up costing Johnson her own gold medal dream.

Both girls dreamed of going one-two in the Olympics, but on this day it was Nastia Liukin’s dream that came true.


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Swedish Wrestler Throws Away Bronze Medal

The Olympic games are supposed to be about sportsmanship more then anything else. But on Thursday Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian demonstrated anything but that, throwing down his greco-roman bronze medal in protest after his quest for a gold medal was thwarted by a decision his coach deemed as “politics”.

Abrahamian tosses his bronze medal to the floor during the medal ceremony.

Abrahamian tosses his bronze medal to the floor during the medal ceremony.

Since I did not watch the match I am not completely sure about what “decision” the wrestler and his coach are referring to, but one thing if for sure, an Olympic bronze medal is nothing to be tossed aside. I am sure that there are a number of other wrestlers who would have gladly accepted the award had they been given the opportunity.

The incident occurred during a match with eventual gold medalist Andrea Minguzzi of Italy. At one point the Swedish wrestler had to be restrained by teammates as he shouted at judges over the devision in his semifinal bout with Minguzzi. He shouted at both the referee and the judges and then approached their seats to speak with them face to face. After he was done speaking his mind he turned and left the arena, refusing to speak to reporters, but making his feelings known by punching an aluminum barricade as he exited.

Abrahamian was in such a state of depressed rage that he nearly did not compete in the bronze medal match, but was convinced by some of his friends to do so.

I understand that Abrahamian is upset with what he called a “totally unjustified” decision and the fact that this was his last Olympics and his final chance to earn a gold medal, he won a silver medal in Athens in 2004, but to act like this is just not what the Olympics is supposed to be about.

Every event that is judged by humans will always have some amount of error as we have seen in many Olympics past, especially in events like gymnastics scoring can be seemingly unfair and lopsided, but such is the nature of the event. Yet, how many times have you seen gymnasts throw down their medal during a ceremony and walk away?

In my opinion whether Abrahamian has a legitmate cause or not it shouldn’t matter. What defines a man more then anything is not how he acts in victory, but how he conducts himself in the face of defeat. Abrahamian showed us a lot about the type of man he is.

As of today the Swedes have yet to file a formal protest, but after the way Abrahamian acted I doubt the Olympic committee would look to kindly on any protest he filed anyway.

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Favre, Packers Remain in Limbo

With reports swirling today that Favre will most likely be dealt to a new team in the very near future, two candidates have emerged as front runners in the Brett Favre sweepstakes.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be in the best position to deal for Favre with the New York Jets still in the hunt to acquire the 39 year old QB.

This came after Favre and Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke very candidly for approximately six hours over the past two days, and McCarhy drew the conclusion that Favre is not ” in the right mind-set” to play for the Green Bay Packers.

Favre cannot seem to move past what he deems, “emotional wounds” inflicted on him by the team as tensions mounted in recent weeks. This coming despite that fact that the Packers stated there would be an open competition for the starting QB role. Now, it seems that Favre and Green Bay will have to part ways and perhaps no one is more to blame then Favre himself.

While both sides have played a role in the disintegration of their respective relationships it is Favre who has rarely taken the high road. He has aired his grievances publicly on numerous occasions all but ensuring that any attempt at patching up the battered relationship would be futile.  In his many conversations about his situation Favre has never seemed positive about his status with the team. Even stating that he felt he couldn’t trust Packers GM Thompson because he failed to heed his pleadings to acquire Randy Moss and because he chose to hire Mike McCarthy over Favres long-time friend Steve Mariucci.

Honestly, what other QB in his right mind would try and tell a general manager how to do his job, and then get all pissy when the GM doesn’t do what he said?  Um, the last time I checked Brett your job was to run this teams offense on the field not determine roster moves or head coaching decisions. That’s Thompson’s job and apparently he’s done it pretty well considering you were 13-3 last season and you were one drive away from going to the Super Bowl, a drive that ended by the way on a terrible pass thrown by you!

Favrre has kept all of Green Bay in limbo for a number of off seasons now. He has been a consistent distraction to his teammates this time of year, and even the players are getting upset about it. Favre knows the type of power he holds in Green Bay and has wielded it with a childish, impetuous fist at times.  No quarterback should have the power to hold a franchise hostage like Favre has done for several years, none worse then this one.

And after all this, Favre feels he has the right to be traded to a team within Green Bay’s own division?  Why would someone who is so loyal to the fans, and the franchise want so desperately to play them twice a year? I think the answer is simple, so he can go in there and without raising his voice or middle finger send a big F-U to everyone in the Packers front office. But, Brett wouldn’t you be hurting the fans, and former teammates more then anyone else? It all seems so silly now, and the Packers have every right to finally refuse the man who they’ve given nearly everything he’s asked.

Of course,  the person getting the stiffest end of this deal is Aaron Rodgers, the only one who has handled the situation with even a shred of dignity. I  just hope that at some point those fans that relentlessly cheer “We want Brett” and  relentlessly boo Rodgers realize that this man is going to be leading this team and you better get behind him now, or keep your mouths shut. What sense does it make to boo your own QB? Especially considering the kid has yet to do anything, but put his head down, keep his mouth shut, and do his job. Wow, what a crime.

When this situation finally does resolve it self, with Brett being trade to whatever team wheter it be the Jets or Tampa I just hope Green Bay fans don’t cling so desperately to the notion of Brett the icon and open their eyes to who really took the situation to the point of no return.

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Lomong Choesn to Carry U.S. Flag

Just eight years Lopez Lomong didn’t even have a country  to call his own. Now, just 13 months after becoming a U.S. citizen Lomong won a vote of team captains to earn the honor of leading America’s Olympic competitors into the 90,000 seat Bird’s Nest Stadium.

Lomong’s story is an inspiring one. The 1500-meter track star’s feet literally saved his life. At the age of 6 Lomong was separated from his parents in his home country of Sudan by Sudanese rebels who were “recruiting” children to fight in their army. Lomong was taken at gun point to a camp, where he managed to escape with the help of friends, fleeing on foot to a refugee camp in Kenya. In 2001he was relocated to the United States as part of a program to relocate lost children from war-torn Sudan.

While the story is an inspiring one the trend of athletes participating in the Olympics for countries other then the ones that they were born in has become an increasing trend.  In fact, all three American participants in the 1500-meter event are naturalized citizens. Lomong, Bernard Lagat and Leo Manzano were all born in countries other then America. Lagat was born in Kenya, and Manzano was born in Mexico.

The trend has not only sent athletes to the United States , but is sending American athletes to other countries seeking the opportunity to play for Olympic Gold. Becky Hammon, an American basketball player and WNBA star announced that she would play for Russia in this coming Olympics despite having no ancestral link to the country.

I understatnd that Lomong was selected by his fellow Olympians to represent the United States as its flag bearer, but shouldn’t this honor only be relegated to those who were born in this country? While I have no objection to anyone who wants to come to this country and participate in our national sports, it seems odd that one who is not born here should be given such a distinguished honor, no  matter how compelling his story is.

If the trend of letting anyone even, those without ancestral ties to a country, play for that country in the Olympics continues what is to stop any athlete who feels they have a better chance of making another countries Olympic squad leave their own country and try and gain citizenship in that country solely in the quest for Olympic glory.

The Olympics are supposed to be individuals representing their country. It is not supposed to be soley about individual glory. That is why each country bears a flag, why each uniform is marked with the representation of that country.This trend is turning an event which is supposed to represent national and world unity into an event where an individual like Hammon can literally be “rented” by another country merely to satisfy here own personal goals.

What separates someone like Lomong from someone like Hammon is that Lomong came here for reasons well outside of his own personal need for Olympic glory. Lomong came here to save his life, to have a chance to make something out of his life and America is giving him that chance. Hammon has been given everything she could ask for from this country, but because she felt spurned by the US Olympic team (and she may well have been) she jumps ship to pursue an individual goal. Not, exactly what the Olympics are supposed to be about Becky.

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