Friday, August 28, 2009

1. Darko Milicic(notes), Detroit Pistons, taken second overall in 2003

He's the total package. His name eases right into the lame jokes ("you could get yourself another Dar-ko Milicic; you know what I mean? This guy knows what I'm talking about!"), he's been an underachieving flameout, he only rose to prominence by taking advantage of well-sourced but not entirely basketball-savvy (at least, then) hoops scribes who were smitten by his ability to spin and dunk in an empty gym, and he was taken ahead of franchise types like Dwyane Wade(notes), Carmelo Anthony(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes). Darko is, quite easily, the biggest lottery bust of the decade.



2. Entire 2000 NBA draft

You can't pick a single bust-worthy standout. Sure, Stromile Swift(notes) (taken second overall) has disappointed greatly, but what were the Grizzlies' options? Darius Miles(notes)? Marcus Fizer? Chris Mihm(notes)? DerMarr Johnson(notes)? Do you want me to go on? Or do you want me to just mention Jerome Moiso's name and move on with it? It nearly bears mentioning that any time I see a comment wondering how it was, exactly, that a dope like me got this job, I think back to this draft. And I think, "I live-blogged the 2000 NBA draft. I've paid my dues, dammit."



3. Kwame Brown(notes), Washington Wizards, taken first overall in 2001

Kwame's the first top pick on this list, which holds quite a bit of weight because a top selection's success or failure will rightfully be measured alongside all that come after him. Every pick. Even the free agents. Luckily for Kwame, the 2001 draft wasn't great shakes in terms of star power, though it was a deep and helpful prospect pool, so his middling NBA career can almost be left to its own merits. And his merits (seven points, 5.6 rebounds in 23 minutes a contest, career) are bloody awful.



4. Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Denver Nuggets, taken fifth overall in 2002

Dirk Nowitzki(notes) was a month away from shooting the Dallas Mavericks to their second consecutive postseason appearance, a fact (Dallas? In the playoffs?) that still tended to boggle the mind in 2002. Peja Stojakovic(notes) was a few weeks removed from, well, shooting his Sacramento Kings out of a Game 7 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. But the ideal remained. Big guy, big shooter, pretty young, gobble him up. The Nuggets got two of the three correct. Skita shot 30.4 percent in 172 career NBA games. Yikes.



5. Adam Morrison(notes), Charlotte Bobcats, taken third overall in 2006

Morrison is ranked this low (high?) because he's still in the league. He still has a chance, even at age 25, to improve upon his 37 percent lifetime mark from the field. He still has a chance to learn how to rebound, defend, get to the line or pass the ball properly. The unfortunate truth is, were I to compile this list in 2012, Morrison would likely vault to the top three, as he was taken ahead of Brandon Roy(notes), Craig Smith(notes) and Jose Juan Barea(notes) in 2006. The last two players leave you a little cold? Apologies, but they're still (much) better NBA players than Morrison.



6. Rafael Araujo(notes), Toronto Raptors, taken eighth overall in 2004

Your humble narrator received all sorts of stick from Toronto backers for calling Hoffa a bust after his rookie year, as if he was ready for a bust-out season at age 25 after turning the ball over on nearly 21 percent of the possessions he used up in 2004-05. Raps fans, as they sometimes do, warmed to a dose of reality a year later when Araujo continued to stink, and Jazz fans got a taste in his third season before he was mercifully left to play overseas. And Rob Babcock? Don't draft players who are two months away from their 24th birthday, unless they're averaging 30 and 20 in the NCAAs. It's not Hoffa's fault; he worked his butt off. He was just a huge reach at eighth overall.



7. Yaroslav Korolev(notes), Los Angeles Clippers, taken 12th overall in 2005

I watch a lot of basketball, and as a curious sort, I'm often on the lookout during garbage time for prospects both heralded and unknown. And yet, despite his lottery status, I never saw a second of Korolev's 168 NBA minutes. It's possible that I missed him without knowing it, I fully concede. But I sure can't remember a lick of his NBA career. And it is a career, because even at age 21, he ain't coming back. Mike Dunleavy clearly dropped the ball with this Russian athlete, who shot 28 percent from the field in 34 NBA games.



8. Rodney White, Detroit Pistons, taken ninth overall in 2001

He came with a slightly shinier resume than Kedrick Brown, selected with an Andy Katz stamp of approval by Joe Dumars, who was in his first year as Detroit's personnel chief (after merely working as a consultant the year before). White had skills and an offensive touch, but he never put any work into that game of his. He was sent to Denver before being packaged with Nikoloz Tskitishvili and shipped to the Golden State Warriors for a pick that eventually (after being tossed around by several teams) landed the Philadelphia 76ers the rights to Petteri Koponen(notes). History!



9. Kedrick Brown, Boston Celtics, taken 11th overall in 2001

He wasn't exactly taken ahead of Jordan, Stockton or Malone; but by my count, Brown was selected ahead of 15 players who started an NBA game last year. An athletic ... something, who was working out of a junior college long enough to impress Chris Wallace and the C's, Brown was an immediate washout.



10. Yi Jianlian(notes), Milwaukee Bucks, taken sixth overall in 2007

Some say Yi was born in 1987. Others contend he might have been born a year earlier, or even three years before. Most contend he's a willowy waste of a 7-foot frame, who refuses to get to the line, work on anything but a low-percentage long jumper, while allowing opponents to walk all over him defensively and on the boards. He makes the fringe of this list merely because he's still in the league, but after two full seasons in Milwaukee and New Jersey, it's pretty clear what Yi is all about. And it ain't unrealized potential.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

R.I.P. Senator Ted Kennedy

Rip Teddy! I have been a long time supporter of the Kennedy Family and especially Teddy. Everything he went through and still kept moving forward. He had to eulogize everyone in his family and now, who will get the honor to lay him to rest with some final remarks. Here are some pictures of Senator Kennedy throughout the years.......









Wednesday, August 26, 2009

2009 Top 100 High School Football Teams





2009 Top 100 High School Football Teams
www.yahoosports.com

Team City State Record Pvs.
1 St. Thomas Aquinas Ft Lauderdale FL 0-0 1
First game: 8/29 Upper Arlington (Ohio).
2 Byrnes Duncan SC 0-0 2
First Game: 8/28 Central Gwinnett (Georgia).
3 Allen Allen TX 0-0 3
First Game: 8/28 No. 47 Longview
4 Elder Cincinnati OH 0-0 4
First game: 8/29 No. 26 East St. Louis (Illinois).

5 Grayson Loganville GA 1-0 5
Grayson opened the season with a 14-10 win over then-No. 38 Camden County.
6 Katy Katy TX 0-0 6
First game: 8/29 No. 29 North Shore.
7 Oscar Smith Chesapeake VA 0-0 7
First game: 8/28 Venice (Florida).
8 Peachtree Ridge Suwanee GA 0-0 8
First game: 8/28 Harrison.
9 John Curtis River Ridge LA 0-0 9
First game: 9/4 Mandeville.
10 Oaks Christian Westlake Village CA 0-0 10
First game: 9/4 Alemany.
11 Northwestern Miami FL 0-0 11
First game: 9/4 Carol City
12 Prattville Prattville AL 1-0 12
Defeated Carver 37-0.
13 Colerain Cincinnati OH 0-0 13
First game: 8/28 St. Xavier (Ohio)

14 Madison Central Madison MS 1-0 16
Stock Rising Madison Central showed it is legit and could end this year in the top 10. It opened the season with a 28-16 against a good Hattiesburg team.
15 DeMatha Hyattsville MD 0-0 15
First game: 9/5 Riverside Baptist
16 Cedar Hill Cedar Hill TX 0-0 17
First game: 8/29 DeSoto
17 Penn Hills Pittsburgh PA 0-0 14
First game: 9/4 Gateway
18 Centennial Peoria AZ 1-0 18
Defeated McQueen (Nevada) 51-20.
19 Poly Long Beach CA 0-0 19
First game: 9/3 Servite
20 Skyline Sammamish WA 0-0 20
First game: 9/5 No. 79 Jesuit (Oregon)
21 Pahokee Pahokee FL 0-0 21
First game: 9/4 No. 95 Atlantic
22 Don Bosco Prep Ramsey NJ 0-0 22
First game: 9/12 No. 25 De La Salle (California)
23 Union Tulsa OK 0-0 23
First game: 9/4 Broken Arrow
24 Miami Central Miami FL 0-0 24
First game: 9/4 Mainland
25 De La Salle Concord CA 0-0 25
First game: 9/4 Serra
26 East St. Louis East Saint Louis IL 0-0 26
First game: 8/29 No. 4 Elder (Ohio)
27 Lakeland Lakeland FL 0-0 27
First game: 9/11 Winter Haven
28 Mullen Denver CO 0-0 28
First game: 8/29 Eaglecrest
29 North Shore Houston TX 0-0 29
First game: 8/29 No. 6 Katy
30 Notre Dame Sherman Oaks CA 0-0 30
First game: 9/7 No. 56 Klein Oak (Texas)
31 James Madison San Antonio TX 0-0 31
First game: 8/28 O'Connor
32 Lowndes Valdosta GA 0-0 33
First game: 8/28 Woodland
33 Lakewood Lakewood CA 0-0 34
First game: 9/4 No. 57 Crenshaw
34 Booker T. Washington Miami FL 0-0 36
First game: 9/4 Killian
35 Glenville Academic Campus Cleveland OH 0-0 37
First game: 8/29 No. 61 St. Ignatius

36 St. Xavier Louisville KY 0-0 39
First game: 8/28 Ballard
37 Lutheran Orange CA 0-0 40
First game: 8/30 Pickerington Central (Ohio)
38 Hoover Hoover AL 0-0 41
First game: 8/28 Gardendale
39 South Panola Batesville MS 1-0 42
Defeated Petal 38-0
40 Dwyer West Palm Beach FL 0-0 43
First game: 9/4 Glades Central
41 West Monroe West Monroe LA 0-0 44
First game: 9/4 Leesville
42 Inkster Inkster MI 0-0 45
First game: 8/28 Pioneer
43 State College Area State College PA 0-0 46
First game: 9/4 Hollidaysburg
44 Stevenson Livonia MI 0-0 47
First game: 8/27 Cousino
45 Hamilton Chandler AZ 0-0 48
First game: 8/27 St. Mary's
46 Alta Sandy UT 1-0 82
Stock Rising A major win over Cottonwood, 59-20, pushed them into the top 50 and to the No. 1 spot in Utah.
47 Longview Longview TX 0-0 49
First game: 8/28 No. 3 Allen
48 Moeller Cincinnati OH 0-0 50
First game: 8/29 Winton Woods

49 Jenks Jenks OK 0-0 51
First game: 9/4 Bixby
50 Camden County Kingsland GA 0-1 38
Lost to No. 5 Grayson 14-10.
51 Hightower Missouri City TX 0-0 52
First game: 8/28 Eisenhower
52 Good Counsel Olney MD 0-0 53
First game: 9/4 Valhalla (New York)
53 Brophy Prep Phoenix AZ 0-0 54
First game: 8/28 Deer Valley
54 Lakes Lakewood WA 0-0 55
First game: 9/4 Bonney Lake
55 Armwood Seffner FL 0-0 56
First game: 9/4 Newsome
56 Klein Oak Spring TX 0-0 57
First game: 8/28 Cypress Creek
57 Crenshaw Los Angeles CA 0-0 58
First game: 9/4 No. 33 Lakewood
58 De La Salle Warren MI 0-0 59
First game: 8/29 Ford
59 Westfield Chantilly VA 0-0 60
First game: 8/29 Stone Bridge
60 Grant Sacramento CA 0-0 61
First game: 9/4 Montgomery
61 St. Ignatius Cleveland OH 0-0 62
First game: 8/29 Glennville

62 Bellevue Bellevue WA 0-0 63
First game: 9/4 Marriot (British Columbia, Canada)
63 Independence Charlotte NC 1-0 64
Stock Falling A narrow 42-41 escape over Mallard Creek may refocus the Patriots.
64 Cathedral Catholic San Diego CA 0-0 65
First game: 9/4 Steele Valley
65 Manatee Bradenton FL 0-0 66
First game: 9/4 Bayshore
66 Wayzata Plymouth MN 0-0 67
First game: 9/3 Eastview
67 Trinity Louisville KY 0-0 68
First game: 8/28 Lawrence North (Indiana)
68 Niceville Niceville FL 0-0 69
First game: 9/3 Lincoln
69 Columbine Littleton CO 0-0 70
First game: 9/4 Heritage
70 Southeastern Detroit MI 0-0 71
First game: 9/4 Cody
71 Osbourn Manassas VA 0-0 73
First game: 8/28 Forrest Park
72 Stony Point Round Rock TX 0-0 74
First game: 8/27 Alamo Heights
73 Liberty Bethlehem PA 0-0 75
First game: 9/4 North Penn
74 Highlands Fort Thomas KY 1-0 76
Defeated DuPont Manual 19-8.
75 Rock Hill Rock Hill SC 0-0 77
First game: 8/28 Wando
76 Neville Monroe LA 0-0 78
First game: 9/4 Ouachita Parish
77 Skyline Dallas TX 0-0 79
First game: 9/4 Kimball
79 Varina Richmond VA 0-0 80
First game: 9/11 Dinwiddie
80 Ensworth Nashville TN 1-0 83
Won in overtime 22-20 over Oakland. Kicking is a serious issue.
81 Oak Grove Hattiesburg MS 1-0 35
Stock Falling Defeated Bassfield 30-20, but lost three quarterbacks in doing so. Line play is a serious concern.
82 Garland Garland TX 0-0 84
First game: 8/28 Kimball
83 Gainesville Gainesville GA 0-0 85
First game: 8/28 Chestatee
84 Shiloh Christian Springdale AR 0-0 86
First game: 8/28 Evangel Christian (Louisiana)
85 Iowa City Iowa City IA 0-0 87
First game: 8/28 Wahlert
86 Blue Springs Blue Springs MO 0-0 88
First game: 8/28 Lee's Summit West
87 Butler Matthews NC 1-0 89
Defeated Mt. Tabor 35-14.
88 Hutchinson Hutchinson KS 0-0 90
First game: 9/4 Rockhurt (Missouri)
89 St. Peter's Prep Jersey City NJ 0-0 91
First game: 9/12 St. Joseph's
90 Oakland Murfreesboro TN 0-1 72
Stock Falling Losing a tough game to Ensworth in overtime does not knock them out of the top 100. They can still run the table in Tennessee.
91 Ben Davis Indianapolis IN 1-0 92
Defeated St. Joseph's 40-7
92 Arrowhead Hartland WI 0-0 93
First game: 8/28 Hale
93 Linganore Frederick MD 0-0 94
First game: 9/4 Wright
94 Mayfield Las Cruces NM 0-0 95
First game: 8/27 Chapin (Texas)
95 Atlantic Delray Beach Fl 0-0 96
First game: 9/4 No. 21 Pahokee
96 Millard West Omaha NE 0-0 97
First game: 8/28 Millard North
97 Palo Verde Las Vegas NV 0-0 98
First game: 8/28 Spring Valley
98 Hinsdale Central Hinsdale IL 0-0 99
First game: 8/28 Wheaton Warrenville South
99 Bishop McDevitt Harrisburg PA 0-0 NR
RivalsHigh 100 debut First game: 9/5 Harrisburg
100 Xaverian Brothers Westwood MA 0-0 100
First game: 9/11 Malden Catholic

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

2009 NFL Pre-Season Stats


2009 NFL Pre-Season Stats
OFFENSE
Passing Yards
1. A.J. Feeley PHI 347
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF 316
3. Kyle Orton DEN 271
4. Gibran Hamdan BUF 264
5. Dan Orlovsky HOU 257
Rushing Yards
1. Glen Coffee SF 196
2. Tyrell Sutton GB 140
3. Michael Turner ATL 128
4. James Davis CLE 121
5. Kory Sheets SF 102
Receiving Yards
1. Troy Williamson JAC 221
2. Chris Henry CIN 155
3. Jonathan Stupar BUF 155
4. Chad Ochocinco CIN 142
5. Jared Cook TEN 120

DEFENSE
Tackles
1. Nic Harris BUF 16
2. Gerald McRath TEN 16
3. Dan Connor CAR 15
4. Chris Ellis BUF 15
5. Russell Allen JAC 14
Sacks
1. Ziggy Hood PIT 3.0
2. Nick Reed SEA 2.5
3. Jason Babin PHI 2.0
4. Connor Barwin HOU 2.0
5. Michael Bennett SEA 2.0
Interceptions
1. Desmond Bishop GB 2
2. Reggie Corner BUF 2
3. Ellis Lankster BUF 2
4. Leodis McKelvin BUF 2
5. Antwan Applewhite SD 1

Monday, August 24, 2009

Big Ten Football Preview


Big Ten: Step off if you want to write off home of Bucks, Lions
Aug. 19, 2009
By Dennis Dodd
CBSSports.com Senior Writer


Tell Dennis your opinion!
Let's stow the snide remarks, the rips, the comments.
The Big Ten has not dropped to Division I-AA. It has great players, great coaches. The Big Ten can even win a national championship. Laugh, if you must. Just don't forget about the teams inhabiting the Rust Belt footprint.
Unfortunately, the league has been dismissed before a ball is kicked. In the flurry of three straight titles by the SEC (two of those won over Ohio State), the Big Ten has been marginalized. Worse, ignored by the pundits who are running off at the keyboard this time of year.
That's not fair and it's not wise. This is the league of Terrelle Pryor, Juice Williams, Arrelious Benn and Joe Paterno. It has Hall of Famers working the sidelines (Paterno and Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, who was inducted as a player). Jim Tressel is headed toward the Hall of Fame. A snapshot of postseason failings (9-20 in bowls since 2005) ignores the big picture: The Big Ten has played in more BCS bowl games (19) than any conference.

• Don't forget, the second-biggest game of the season might be taking place in Columbus in Week 2 (Oklahoma-Texas is No. 1). The Bloodied -- whoops, make that Scarlet -- and Gray have USC right where they want them after that stinker last year in the Coliseum. Beat USC and Ohio State could roll to an undefeated season.
The outlook got a little "brighter" for Ohio State when preseason All-Pac-10 center Kristofer O'Dowd dislocated his knee on Tuesday. One of the anchors of USC's line could miss the Ohio State game. USC quarterback Aaron Corp might be back by Sept. 12. If not, he will be replaced by a true freshman Matt Barkley.

Preseason All-Big Ten
Pos Player Class School
Offense
QB Daryll Clark Sr. Penn State
RB Evan Royster Jr. Penn State
RB Jewel Hampton Soph. Iowa
WR Arrelious Benn Jr. Illinois
WR Eric Decker Sr. Minnesota
TE Garrett Graham Sr. Wisconsin
OL Stefen Wisniewski Jr. Penn State
OL Joel Foreman Soph. Michigan State
OL Justin Boren Sr. Ohio State
OL Dennis Landholt Sr. Penn State
OL Bryan Bulaga Jr. Iowa
Defense
DL Cameron Heyward Jr. Ohio State
DL Brandon Graham Sr. Michigan
DL Corey Wootton Sr. Northwestern
DL Jammie Kirlew Sr. Indiana
LB Sean Lee Sr. Penn State
LB Navorro Bowman Jr. Penn State
LB Greg Jones Jr. Michigan State
DB Kurt Coleman Sr. Ohio State
DB Amari Spievey Jr. Iowa
DB Traye Simmons Sr. Minnesota
DB Brad Phillips Sr. Northwestern
Special Teams
K Brett Swenson Sr. Michigan State
P Zoltan Mesko Sr. Michigan
Ret Ray Small Sr. Ohio State


Is anyone else sensing an ambush? To assume a Trojans victory is to ignore the natural progression of Pryor. Yeah, that guy. If he follows that upward trend, he should become more well-rounded, more accurate, less turnover prone. Sept. 12 will help define him. Pryor doesn't want the memory of his fumble and interception against Penn State to linger.
In short, don't undersell Ohio State's ability -- Tressel has won a national championship with a molecular biology major (Craig Krenzel) and gotten to the game with a Heisman Trophy winner (Troy Smith).

• Paterno just won't go away. That is meant is the best possible way. A lot of us have figured that JoePa would hang them up at some point for the last 15 years. But depending on who you read, the Nittany Lions will go to a second consecutive Rose Bowl.

The larger point is that most polls have the Big Ten with two top 10 teams going in. Someone is believing. "I don't really think that one player, even one team in one year changes a lot," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said. "I guess if you go out and win a national championship, it does."
Bingo. Both Ohio State and Penn State have the schedule to do it.
Elsewhere, Minnesota is opening a new stadium. Michigan has a quarterback, it thinks, to run Rich Rodriguez's spread. Wisconsin will pound you. Northwestern is coming off a nine-win season. The Williams-Benn duo at Illinois will be one of the best pass-catch combinations in the country. Danny Hope is putting his stamp on Purdue. Indiana tied for the eighth-most starts lost last season due to injury. With 15 returning starters, don't count out the Hoosiers.
There, that wasn't that hard -- 700 words spent saying something nice about every program in the Big Ten. Now the league has to justify my love.

Offensive Player of the Year
Daryll Clark , QB, Penn State:
With Beanie Wells gone, Juice Williams inconsistent and Terrelle Pryor still finding himself, Clark is the league's best offensive force. Clark outplayed Pryor head-to-head last year and became the All-Big Ten quarterback in leading the Nittany Lions to the Rose Bowl. The same thing could happen this year when the Buckeyes visit Happy Valley on Nov. 7.

Defensive Player of the Year
Greg Jones , LB, Michigan State:
A midseason move from outside to middle linebacker allowed Jones to be around the action even more. His two best games were against Ohio State (13 tackles) and Penn State (12). This year, he is showing up on some preseason All-America teams. With another monster season, Jones won't make it to his senior year in '10.


Predicted order of finish
1. Ohio State:
How do you lose Wells, Malcolm Jenkins and James Laurinaitis and get better? You don't. But there is enough left for the Bucks to win the Big Ten again. They have captured at least a share of the four previous titles. Everyone seems to be jumping on the Pryor bandwagon this season. I'm still not convinced he's going to make that quantum leap in '09. There will be more pressure on him to carry the offense with his legs if Dan Herron can't become the big dog at tailback. Much will be learned on Sept. 12 when USC visits. Give Jim Tressel a running game, a punter and 105,000 homers and he will field-position you to death. If Tres can't pull it off in September, there might be a rematch waiting in Pasadena. Must-see game: Are you kidding? After Texas-Oklahoma, USC-Ohio State is the biggest game of the season. Another Buckeyes loss to a national power and it's going to start looking like I Love Lucy reruns -- boring.

2. Penn State: Amazing. With an 82-year-old coach leading them, the Nittany Lions are Rose Bowl contenders for the foreseeable future. The defense keeps its snarl with the return of linebacker Sean Lee. The unit did finish in the top 10 in total defense last season; how much will it miss defensive ends Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans? This race might end up like it did in 2008, with Ohio State and Penn State sharing the title. They are that close talent-wise. Must-see game: Nov. 7 vs. Ohio State. It's pretty simple. The winner goes to the Rose Bowl.

3. Michigan State: Coach Mark Dantonio has averaged eight wins in his first two seasons in East Lansing and the program ready to take off. Even with the loss of his two best players -- quarterback Brian Hoyer and tailback Javon Ringer -- there is plenty of young talent waiting offstage. Michigan State might have the best linebackers in the league starting with Jones, a consensus preseason All-Big Ten pick. Dantonio has the two best leg men in the league in kicker Brett Swenson and punter Aaron Bates. Iowa, Penn State and Michigan come to East Lansing. Ohio State is off the schedule. Must-see game: Sept. 19 at Notre Dame. Every Irish game is a mini-drama. The Spartans removed all suspense last year, winning 23-7.

4. Iowa: If only Shonn Greene had returned, we might be talking about the Hawkeyes giving Ohio State and Penn State a run. With quarterback Ricky Stanzi having a year of experience and three offensive line starters returning, Iowa will be productive but in a different way. Stanzi likely will have to make more plays himself (hint: scramble) unless sophomore Jewel Hampton or freshman Jeff Brinson replace those Greene yards. Hampton tweaked his knee on Saturday and status for the opener is up in the air. Must-see game: Sept. 26 at Penn State. The Hawkeyes' one-point win last year in Iowa City was Penn State's only Big Ten loss.

5. Illinois: What's your legacy going to be, Juice? Two years ago, Illinois' quarterback guided a stunning upset at Columbus. Last season, Williams and the Illini slumped. In his senior season, Juice could go out as one of Illinois' quarterback greats. Even though he led the Big Ten in passing yards, Williams threw too many interceptions (16). He will hook up often with the incredible Arrelious Benn. New offensive coordinator Mike Schultz -- who oversaw a similar offense at TCU -- will try to squeeze some of the old Juice out of his new quarterback. We'll know about the Illini before Oct. 1 -- they play Missouri in St. Louis and Ohio State in Columbus in September. Must-see game: Sept. 5 vs. Missouri in St. Louis. The Illini are so used to getting beat by the Tigers (four in a row) they've decided to end the series after the 2010 game.

6. Northwestern: The Big Ten's annually pesky Wildcats figure to be that way again. After Tressel, Pat Fitzgerald might be the league's best coach. His team started 5-0 and came within an overtime loss to Missouri in the Alamo Bowl of winning 10 last season. There are too many holes this season to expect Northwestern to finish in the top half of the league, but somebody's going to get punked by the purple in the parity-filled Big Ten. Must-see game: Nov. 14 at Illinois. What rivalry? The 'Cats have won five of the last six.

7. Wisconsin: Is it time to panic yet? Bret Bielema started 21-5 in his first two seasons, then slumped to 7-6 last year. But it was the way it happened: Bielema still hasn't been able to find a serviceable quarterback. The Badgers looked lost on defense and the prospects aren't good for this season. The formula to beat Wisconsin hasn't changed: Let the tailbacks get their yards, smack the quarterback in the mouth, wait for the turnovers and control the ball against a poor-tackling defense. Must-see game: Sept. 26 vs. Michigan State. Up by 11 with 9:19 left in last season's meeting, the Badgers melted down. Bielema got a misconduct penalty that fueled one drive. Michigan State kicked the game-winning field goal with seven seconds to win 25-24. It would be nice to stop blowing games like that.

8. Michigan: Rich Rod better hope the early-enrolling Tate Forcier is the answer at quarterback. There isn't much behind him unless you expect another freshman, Denard Robinson, to take the job. A defense that held on by its fingertips should improve. A bowl is a possibility but will a 5-7 season be considered progress? Must-see game: Sept. 12 vs. Notre Dame. In the middle of a four-game homestand to start the season, the Wolverines face their future. They must win this one after turning it over six times vs. ND last season.

9. Minnesota: third year coach Tim Brewster has a new state-of-the art stadium. That won't distract fans from asking if the five-game, season-ending losing streak is the beginning of a trend or just a nit in Goldy's fur. Watch the combination of quarterback Adam Weber and receiver Eric Decker. Must-see game: Sept. 12 vs. Air Force. Home opener in new TCF Bank Stadium.

10. Purdue: There are spider webs in the cupboard, left over from Joe Tiller's era. That's another way of saying Danny Hope needs hope. Only two starters return on offense. The most experienced quarterback is fifth-year senior Joey Elliott, who has played in 10 games in three seasons. Hope is looking at an 0-5 start if he can't beat Northern Illinois and Toledo early. Must-see game: Oct. 10 at Minnesota. The loser might finish in the Big Ten basement. Purdue has won nine of the last 11 matchups.

11. Indiana: Kellen Lewis wasn't going to play quarterback anyway. Still, his dismissal from the team in April all but assures another down year in Bloomington. Lewis, the program's career leader in touchdown passes and the team's best athlete, had been moved to receiver to make room for junior Ben Chappell. Without Lewis, there aren't many playmakers or much hope. Coach Bill Lynch might be on the hot seat. Must-see game: Sept. 12 vs. Western Michigan. The Broncos might apply for Big Ten membership if they kick off the season by beating Michigan and Indiana. The Hoosiers lost to both Mid-American Conference opponents last year. It can't afford back-to-back losses to the Broncos and then to Akron on Sept. 19.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Madden 10 Football Game Reviews








Madden NFL 10 Review
from www.gamespot.com 7.5


A number of features make Madden NFL 10 a more realistic and enjoyable portrayal of football, but a few problems--both old and new--continue to trouble the series.
The GoodPro-Tak gives some oomph to the game Online franchise works well Passing game feels more realistic Streamlined menus make it easier to jump around. The BadCommentary is still pretty bad Downfield run blocking still needs work AI defensive schemes are a little inconsistent Enough with the referee cutscenes.
With every new Madden release, there are almost always one or two features that get the bulk of the attention--features that not only make the current Madden different from its predecessors, but also seemingly make the upgrade from one year to the next worthwhile. Madden NFL 10 is no different in this respect. Some of its new features are substantial, like the long-awaited Online Franchise mode or the new types of tackles generated by the Pro-Tak system, but it feels like most of what's new in Madden 10 is less glossy and far more granular, affecting only the mechanical aspects of the football experience. It's almost as if Madden 10 represents a back-to-basics philosophy for the franchise, taking the focus away from fancy modes and even fancier presentation elements for the purpose of making the sport itself the main draw, but there are still many lingering problems.
There's evidence of this philosophy in the way prominent features from last year's game take a backseat. For example, last year's Madden Test--which assesses your ability based on a series of cool-looking hologram drills--is back, largely unchanged, but it's buried under the quick-modes option. Even the stylized menus from Madden 09 are gone and have been replaced with a more streamlined interface that lets you get to where you need to go quickly, whether you're signing a free agent or trying to look at some key stats.
Obviously, this is of great benefit to the Franchise mode (both online and off) since the most fervent Madden players spend a good portion of time navigating in and out of menus to build the best team possible. But aside from that, the Franchise mode remains unchanged on a superficial level. It does include a new presentation element in the form of a show called The Extra Point, hosted by the NFL Network's Fran Charles and Alex Flanagan. This functions as a recap and halftime show that goes over the basic stats of a specific game or the results of the previous week with some very light commentary that doesn't offer all that much insight. However, one aspect of this show reveals one of the Franchise mode's biggest potential shortcomings.
At the end of any week, The Extra Point gives a player the Offensive Player of the Week or Defensive Player of the Week award, depending on his position. Despite numerous occasions when players had an almost supernatural performance for five-minute quarters, not once did any of them receive the recognition. They were always awarded to individual players on AI teams. After looking at stats of these players from other teams in the Franchise mode, it becomes apparent that there are two parts to this problem. The first is that some players, like Tom Brady, are just that good and should probably win such awards, but the second is far more devious: stats don't seem to scale properly for five-minute quarters. In other words, when the computer plays its games, those stats are designed to reflect full quarters, or at the very least, they reflect a simulation of a "full" game. They aren't representative of truncated quarters where there simply isn't as much time to wrack up as many yards, completions, sacks, or touchdowns as the stats suggest.
It's hard to gauge how much this affects other aspects of the Franchise mode, such as player progression--if it does at all. At the end of every season, a player's overall rating changes based on a number of factors, including overall performance, potential, and age. But even this process seems a little inconsistent. One player, who was also injured for most of the season, received the biggest hike in the overall rating, while another player in the same position, who was far older and had an OK season, dropped only a single point. There is just no way to tell how the categories are weighted and if playing truncated quarters means that your players won't progress the same way that players on computer-controlled teams do.
Fortunately, playing an online franchise mitigates a lot of these problems provided you fill most of the spots with other people and not just computer-controlled teams. But it also has its own share of issues--the biggest being that there aren't any salary restrictions for free agents. If you happen to see a top-tier player out there and want him on your team, all you need to do is clear a spot for him on your roster and it's done. Granted, players participating in a franchise can determine whether or not to let things like that happen, depending on how dedicated they are, but it seems silly to not have some restrictions in place by default. Likewise, CPU trades can happen unchecked--you can dump the worst player on your team for the best on another if that team happens to be controlled by the computer. Thankfully, the commissioner can turn this off completely, but it would have been nice to see some additional parity between the offline and online Franchise modes when it comes to some of these front-office features.
Still, the online Franchise mode does a lot of things really well. Those who have played NCAA Football's Online Dynasty will instantly recognize the basic setup where all participants flag whether or not they're ready to play the week. If some players lag behind, the commissioner can force the franchise to move forward, and if the commissioner cannot fulfill his duties for any given week, he can promote another player and have him take on the role. Additionally, the commissioner can set the amount of time players have to make their decisions in the draft--a useful tool for making the 54-players per roster fantasy draft run a little smoother.
Whether you're playing offline or online, Madden NFL 10's gameplay tweaks are equally evident in either situation. The much ballyhooed Pro-Tak system (a fancy term for better gang tackles) works as advertised, with numerous players clinging to the ball carrier before dragging him down in some situations. This feature also adds some much-needed muscle to the running game, making it feel as though you're really fighting and scraping to get those few extra yards out of a run on offense and stuffing a running back with five or so players on defense. At the same time, however, it seems easier to evade solo tackles in Madden NFL 10 than it did in previous Madden games, allowing you to execute some spectacular breakaway plays if you're on offense. This generally happens when you have a one-on-one situation--something like a running back against a cornerback. If he performs a single spin move on that corner, there's a pretty good chance that running back is going to break for at least a 20-yard run, if not a touchdown. That might not seem completely unrealistic until you see it happen over and over again, or when you see a normally less-than-agile tight end perform the same feat.
Madden 10 does have an inadvertent method for preventing too many breakaway plays, which takes the form of poor downfield blocking. Imagine running the ball up the field. You've blown by the linebackers and the corners, and there's only your back holding the ball, a teammate, and a safety. Too often, your teammate will run in the opposite direction (back toward the linebackers) instead of running forward and taking out the safety to clear your way to the end zone. This also happens near the line of scrimmage where the fullback will occasionally run forward and then suddenly dart to the side and completely miss the linebacker who's bearing down on the halfback. Of course, these things happen in the real NFL, so it's not unreasonable to expect them here, but they happen too often.
There are similar gaffes in the overall defensive schemes of AI opponents. In most games, it genuinely feels like the AI sees the plays you're running, analyzes what's working and what's not, and then adapts accordingly to shut you down. There are also times when you have to work the run before you can get any sort of passing game going. Then there are the stretches in a drive of a different game where you can run the same play repeatedly, and no matter what the AI does, it can't seem to stop you--and this is with the AI using some of the best defensive teams in the league, no less. Still, it's worth noting that pass defense is generally better and more realistic, and it's far more difficult to abuse the same pass play made to the same player on back-to-back downs, even on slant routes. The AI also seems to be particularly adept at making it difficult to throw the ball more than 15 yards down the field in a consistent manner, but this better pass defense also means that the frequency of interceptions is still relatively high.
Part of the reason the pass defense is better is that quarterback behavior falls more in line with real-world boundaries. If a quarterback who has no scrambling ability at all tries to throw a ball on the run, there's a good chance he's going to fling the ball up in the air with little accuracy. Likewise, if your quarterback doesn't have the best arm strength in the world, then you simply shouldn't try to launch the ball down the field. It's important to find a rhythm and to pinpoint the things your quarterback is good at doing as opposed to trying to abuse the same routes and force the ball down the field. And if you get to the point where you can combine that skill with the ability to identify a blitz, you can kill the defense with a huge gain almost every time. But one major complaint with the position is still this: Quarterback sneaks are still way too easy to abuse. Forgoing a punt and running a QB sneak on fourth and two should be a much greater risk than it currently is.
Fatigue on the default setting plays a much greater role than it did in previous games, which makes it harder to abuse other types of plays. If you keep passing to your star receiver, that receiver's stamina will drop to the point that he automatically gets pulled for a play or two before being sent back into the game. The same applies to your running backs. Unfortunately, the game also seems to punish repetitive play-calling with injuries. Your teammates go down way too often in Madden 10. Most of the time it's a small injury that takes a player out of the game for a few plays, but the bigger injuries (ones that take him out for the rest of the game) occur more than you'd suspect or want. There are some occasions when you have the option to bench a player after his injury has been assessed. Oftentimes, however, he'll automatically return to the game even if the injury has been deemed as "medium," which means there's a high risk for an even more severe injury.
Madden 10's look is an improvement over last year's game, but most of it comes in the form of finer details on the player models, such as patches, and presentation elements that help give the game a more broadcast-TV feel. Cutting back on the number of referee deliberation cutscenes would have been nice. As it stands now, they run far too often. In addition, the stadiums look fantastic, but there are some nitpicky issues here and there. At various times, and for no discernable reason, the fans in the stands will face the wrong way with their backs turned to the field. Also, the depth-of-field effect (where objects in the foreground are blurred) looks way overdone in some of the cinematics and tends to cause a slight visual distortion on the field before a play, albeit for just a second or two. There are also some minor visual differences between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, mostly in the form of slightly blurry details. For example, the names on the back of jerseys appear slightly blurry when in the default camera perspective in the PlayStation 3 version, but otherwise the two versions look identical.
A bigger difference between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Madden 10 is a custom play feature that lets you create plays in the PSP version of the game and then import them. It's a nice feature that lets you determine such specifics as positioning, running routes, and blocking assignments on offense and individual coverage assignments on defense. It's also fairly easy to use thanks to a grid system for placing players, as well as pop-up messages that tell you if you don't have the requisite number of players on the line of scrimmage or if you're breaking other rules. But ultimately, spending an extra $40 on the PSP version just to take advantage of custom plays isn't worth it. It's a neat feature, but it should have been included in the PS3 game.
The commentary is by far the weakest aspect of Madden NFL 10's presentation. As always, Chris Collinsworth tries his best to make some interesting comments in certain situations, particularly on the special Backtrack replay segments where he breaks down the play and shows you what went wrong. He's not really the problem, but his play-by-play man, Tom Hammond, is absolutely terrible. His commentary is completely bland and lacks any sort of dynamic that gives context to on-field action aside from the most basic observations. And because he's terrible, there's rarely interesting second-to-second commentary or back-and-forth chatter between the two. There are also moments when it seems like there should be commentary from Hammond (or Collinsworth, for that matter), and there's just none at all. This is especially noticeable in the pregame segments and at the end of a game.
There's a real sense that EA wants to get back to the fundamentals of football with Madden NFL 10, and many of the changes it has made in that respect are good ones. The running game feels great, and the passing game is much improved over previous iterations. The Pro-Tak system works just about as well as you'd want it to, and the inclusion of online franchises (while featuring some dubious options) is a pretty good reason to dive into this year's game. Even the new online co-op option, which lets you and another player take on the computer, is a nice addition. There's just something satisfying about completing a bomb to a receiver controlled by a friend and not the AI, but this mode still needs some attention when it comes to camera work and positioning--it's a little too disorienting and a little too close to the action. But for all of these improvements, there are seemingly an equal number of nagging setbacks, ranging from the frequency of turnovers to inconsistencies in AI-controlled defenses. Of course, these don't sink the entire Madden 10 experience, since it's still a fun game to play, but a little more tweaking in these areas could have gone a long way in making this the best Madden to date.

Review Scores from other sites
IGN 8.9 / 10
VideoGamer 8 / 10
GameZone 8.7 / 10
1UP B+
Kombo 9 / 10
Game Revolution B+
GamerNode 9 / 10
Cheat Code Central 4.5 / 5



Madden NFL 10 Review 8.9
As close as you'll come to playing on Sundays.
by Nate Ahearn
August 7, 2009 - As leaves turn brown and the temperature drops the videogame industry knows that a new Madden game is just around the corner. Madden NFL 10 hits store shelves on August 14 and comes with new modes, gameplay tweaks and broadcast-style presentation changes that most football fans will appreciate. There are issues with some of the new aspects that have worked their way into Madden (and things that have been taken out), but there's no denying that this is the best pure football experience in videogame history.
Let's start on a positive note. This is the best looking Madden game yet. From the look of players on the field to new presentational elements, you've never seen a football game like this before. EA Sports has gone to great lengths to make the experience of playing a standard game of Madden as close to the real thing as possible and it shows. You'll see players getting yelled at on the sidelines, refs debating touchdown calls, and pre-game warm ups on the field with a bit of insight from Tom Hammond and Chris Colinsworth. It's all very conducive to convincing you that you're totally in control of a standard NFL football broadcast on Sunday. Yes, I'm even talking about the constant Snickers and Sprint sponsorships that pop up at certain times during a contest.
The new presentation elements permeate nearly every aspect of Madden NFL 10, right down to the menu configurations which are a strong deviation from standard EA Sports conventions. You'll see a newly organized franchise hub which houses the new Extra Point Show. Here you'll get a weekly recap of action in your franchise. The voiceover work by NFL Network talent is pretty atrocious, but the presentation is well done.
Not all is well with these new presentation elements, however. You'll see things like flickering hair textures and objects on the sideline that fail to load (phones in players hands, warm-up bikes). At the end of games, star players are approached by media for interviews. It's one of the first times we've seen Madden players in full detail without a helmet and I'd swear Peyton Manning has the mouth of a goat. So while most of the new broadcast-style additions pan out well, there are still issues that should be worked out by the time we see next year's game.
So, visual issues aside, the new presentation display certainly does help bring the Madden experience closer to the genuine article, but what about the gameplay? Isn't that the most important thing? Thankfully the gameplay in Madden NFL 10 is, in a word, fantastic. I can't tell you how many people walked by my desk as I was playing and wondered if the NFL season started early this year. The speed of the game has been ratcheted down only slightly so hitting holes while running and making jukes is just a bit easier than it has been. That's not to say that the game isn't difficult – ramp up the difficulty to find out for yourself – but everything has an excellent ebb and flow this time around.
I'm also very happy to see the Fight for the Fumble mechanic play out as well as it does. I was worried that every fumble would result in a button mashing frenzy, but that's actually not the case. EA Sports did a good job of tuning the mechanic so it only pops up when appropriate.
Most of the new moves available on the field are exemplary as well. On defense, you'll now be able to pull off things like swim moves with the right analog stick when grappling on the line. It's much more accessible than the bumper setup of the past. On offense, jukes are much more realistic looking, though defenders too often fall straight onto their ass when you fake them out.
The real change to gameplay, and the one that drives home the feeling of the NFL the most, is procedural tackling (Pro-Tak). It allows for massive pileups to accumulate on the field, just as you'd see on Sunday. This also changes the blocking system which now forms an adequate pocket around your quarterback, much like you'd see on Sunday. Are you starting to see a pattern here?
Quarterback avoidance is the one control change that I really don't care for. While you will see quarterbacks get out of some sacks and throw ducks when hit during their throwing motion, the fact that the avoidance moves are toggled to the right stick is annoying. Why would I use the right analog stick to avoid a defender – thus giving up my ability to pass to my receivers for a split second – when I can just use the left stick and the right trigger and still be able to hit an open man downfield?
When playing against the AI things could be a bit tighter. There isn't much of a leap forward from last year's game to Madden NFL 10, so you'll still see players running out of bounds when there's absolutely no reason to do so. AI-controlled players also occasionally run very unnaturally on the field. I once saw a wide receiver catch a ball, run up the field, then to the right, then up the field, then to the right again. He repeated the process until he was out of bounds.
Off the field, the artificial intelligence wonkiness doesn't have a negative effect on trade logic, which is sharper than I've seen in the past. I have no doubt that some Madden diehard fan will crack the code and somehow get ten first round picks in the Draft, but it seemed as though it was tuned better than in the past. One odd part of working with trades and free agency is that there's really no "player tendency" stat to be found. That means you can't pitch them on playing time or coaching habits when trying to sign someone. It's a small gripe, but it's something that franchise freaks will care about.
Speaking of Franchise Mode, there have been a few notable changes to everyone's favorite time sucker. First off, there's no traditional calendar system this year. That means you can't schedule practices before a game and improve certain players. Instead you just hop between games. It's not a huge omission, but some will likely miss the ability to tune their skills before an important matchup.
Another change is the hub. You'll now have a constant stream of league news being updated during your downtime. You'll see trades, injuries and signings right when they happen. It's a small detail but one that I definitely appreciate. Other refinements include proper scheduling after year-one and details like correct Super Bowl patches extending beyond your initial year. Just about everything else that you remember from Franchise Mode is retained, including the ability to relocate your team, design a new stadium and make additions to your current digs if necessary. Those hoping to set the price of hot dogs and popcorn will be letdown as there's no true Owner Mode present.
Superstar Mode is also back, and has seen some questionable changes. I still get a kick out of playing on Sunday with my created player (provided you pick a skill position like running back, quarterback or linebacker) but the practice system makes no sense at all. Selecting a practice day from the calendar lets you run one play over and over and over again. There's no end to practice; you just keep running the same play. Not only that, but you don't improve from practicing so there's really no benefit to participating. The mini-camp drills have also been totally removed rather than revamped which was disappointing for me.
There are two new modes of play: Online Co-op and Online Franchise. Online Franchise is probably my favorite mode in the game and it's something I really hope the community clings to and uses appropriately. You and up to 31 friends can hop in a league and play through seasons just like you would in Offline Franchise Mode. You can propose trades, draft players, and even start things off with a fantasy draft if you like. There's an iPhone application that will be launching shortly after Madden releases, but it wasn't available for our review. It promises just about all of the functionality that you'll see on the Web.
Sadly, Online Co-op doesn't pan out quite so well. It's mainly an issue with the camera angle that's used. It's a zoomed in viewpoint on the player that you're controlling. While it works fine on offense, playing defense can be dizzying. As you switch players the camera slowly moves around the field to follow your selections. That means if you begin as a defensive lineman and decide to switch to a defensive back when the quarterback throws the ball, the camera has a very difficult time staying with the action.
Things are better on offense where one player can be a wide receiver and the other can be the quarterback. The wide out can run custom routes and find his own space, unlike the more-restrained AI. The fact that the second player is constrained to watching the play call by the first player is a bummer. I would have preferred a system that alternates play calling duties.
PlayStation 3 gamers will get an added bonus provided they have the PS3 version of Madden NFL 10 as well as the PSP version. On the PSP you'll be able to design custom plays, test them out and then upload them to your PlayStation 3. It's a bit of a cumbersome process for a feature that should be included in the regular console release, but the fact that it's there is a feather in the cap of all the Sony fans out there.
The gameplay package is hefty and is without question the most refined on-field experience I've seen from the Madden franchise. Everything looks and plays wonderfully, even if there are a few faults with the presentation set pieces. I would have really liked to see more added to the franchise mode and Superstar could've been pulled off with more substance. Thankfully Online Franchise is fantastic, it's just disappointing that co-op doesn't work as well as it should. Despite the flaws and absences in the feature set, the football is undoubtedly the best I've ever seen from a videogame.
Visually, Madden NFL 10 is the best looking game in the series without question. Player details are wonderfully articulated, even if their faces look a bit odd at times. Animations are fluid and nicely varied. I'm still seeing new moves on the field despite having played the game for weeks now. The only true downside to the graphics is that slowdown occurs on occasion when the action gets too frantic. I've had games without a single moment of slowdown, but when it happens you'll know it. My other nitpick is the texture issue that I mentioned before, but even that doesn't happen every time you see a player on the sideline.
Things don't work nearly as well on the audio front. The commentary from Colinsworth and Hammond is just plain bad. It's fragmented and doesn't sound natural at all. It's high time EA Sports found a solution to this problem and while the duo is better than the former radio broadcaster, they've made no progression since last year's offering. They have more to say to be sure, it just doesn't sound any better. The soundtrack services the game well and has tons of songs for your aural delight.
Closing Comments
Madden NFL 10 packs a lot of football under its 60 dollar price tag, especially if you have both the PS3 version and the PSP version. While some of the modes don’t perform as well as I’d like, every football fan will still be able to latch on to something for months of fun. The graphics have taken a nice step forward from Madden 09 and the presentation does a wonderful job of emulating the experience of watching a game on Sunday. Commentary and general voiceover work is pretty bad, but it doesn’t overly dampen the gameplay. Madden NFL 10 doesn’t redefine the series or innovate in any monumental way, but that doesn’t stop it from being a truly great football game.


IGN Ratings for Madden NFL 10 (PS3)
Rating Description
out of 10 click here for ratings guide
9.0 Presentation
So good you’ll think you’re sitting on your couch watching a game on Sunday. A few issues hold it back, but most of the additions are great.
9.0 Graphics
Without the slowdown, occasional clipping and texture issues this game would be pretty damn close to perfection.
7.5 Sound
The soundtrack is a solid compilation but the commentary duo needs serious work before hitting the gridiron next season. Stadiums are as alive as ever.
9.0 Gameplay
Some questionable structural decisions in a few of the modes hurt an otherwise extraordinary package. On-field action is fantastic to behold.
8.5 Lasting Appeal
If co-op and Superstar were designed better, this game would have a nearly limitless lifespan. As it is Online Franchise, Franchise, standard online play and Madden Moments will keep you plenty busy.
8.9
Great OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Pictures of Brett Favre Newspaper Headlines and Articles

Pictures of Brett Favre Newspaper Headlines and Articles










Vikings tickets selling fast since Favre's arrival
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Vikings have sold more than 3,000 season tickets since news broke that Brett Favre was coming to Minnesota. That's in approximately a 24-hour span.

Chief marketing officer Steve LaCroix says the team has sold about 10,000 single-game tickets during that time as fans clamor over the arrival of the veteran quarterback.

Seats for the game against Green Bay on Oct. 5 are only available through a season ticket. There are roughly 7,000 season tickets remaining. The Vikings had to race to beat the blackout deadline for several games last season.


Tarkenton again expresses disgustFran Tarkenton, who previously has expressed his loathing over Brett Favre's inability to make a decision, spoke out again Wednesday, a day after Favre decided to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

"I really have no interest in what Brett Favre does. He kind of lost me a few years ago by retiring and unretiring and here and there," Tarkenton said on "The Opening Drive" on Sirius NFL Radio.

"I asked a few friends here, maybe 10 or 12 people we were out with last night. I said, 'What do you think about Brett Favre going back to the Vikings?' You know who cared? Nobody. It's good news for you guys. It's good news for television and so forth but the last time I heard ... football was a team sport, isn't it? It's not just about the quarterback."


Scott Van Pelt
Aaron Rodgers explains why he has never been bothered by the constant Brett Favre talk. Rodgers supports Favre's decision to return, but says the build-up to this season has been much easier for him without the distractions.

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Tarkenton was later questioned during ESPN's "Outside the Lines" about Favre's right to pursue whatever he needed to pursue to keep on going.

"We have responsibilities were just not athletes that are in it all for ourself, football, is it not a team game? isn't it all about team ... and here comes Brett Favre riding in on his white horse, doesn't go to training camp, doesn't come to offseason workouts and he's gonna come on his white horse and bond with all these players."

Favre, who first retired in March 2008, came out of retirement and forced the Green Bay Packers -- with whom he had starred for 16 years -- to trade him to the New York Jets in August when the Packers declined to accept his unretirement.


He played one season for the Jets, then retired again in February.

But rumors started bubbling again in May that Favre wasn't fully committed to retiring. Vikings coach Brad Childress communicated regularly with Favre. And Tarkenton -- a Hall of Famer who spent five seasons with the New York Giants, but is remembered for his 13 seasons with the Vikings -- made clear he was disgusted by the team's flirtation with Favre.

"I think he has been a great flamboyant quarterback, but he has made more stupid plays than any great quarterback that I've ever seen. Look at his final game in a Packers uniform. He blew that game [NFC championship] against the Giants," Tarkenton said in late May on KFAN-1130 in the Twin Cities.

At first, Favre said he would remain retired. Then he wasn't sure. He said he would let the Vikings know by July 30. Then he decided he'd stay retired. Then on Tuesday, he flew to Minnesota and signed a two-year deal worth $25 million.


NFC North blog
ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert writes about all things NFC North in his division blog.

• Blog network:
NFL Nation


"I really think the whole Brett Favre saga of retiring, unretiring, three weeks ago [saying] 'I can't play,' the Vikings said, 'We're moving on,' it's a circus," Tarkenton said Wednesday on "The Opening Drive." "It's an absolute circus, and it takes away from all the other things that are going on with the Vikings, with the NFL. We're getting ready for a football season and this is a circus and I just have no interest in it.


"Wouldn't you be upset if you're a Packer fan? I think you're going to have Packer fans burning the No. 4 Favre Green Bay jersey. I think the Packer fans have every right to be outraged."

Packers fans might be upset, but Vikings fans have embraced their new quarterback, as evidenced by the Vikings' ticket sales.

The team has sold more than 3,000 season tickets in 24 hours, and about 10,000 single-game tickets during that time. Seats for the Oct. 5 game against Green Bay are available only through a season ticket. There are roughly 7,000 season tickets remaining.

Last season, the Vikings had to race to beat the blackout deadline for several games.

Merchandise also is moving. Team chief marketing officer Steve LaCroix said several hundred pre-orders for Favre jerseys were placed online Tuesday. The purple No. 4s were scheduled to begin showing up in stores Wednesday.


Tony Dungy, the former Indianapolis Colts coach who retired -- and has stayed retired -- in January, was on "The Waddle and Silvy" show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago, and said Favre has a limited window in which to win over his new teammates.

"I would be very worried about that if I were the Minnesota Vikings and their head coach," Dungy said on "The Waddle and Silvy" show. "He's going to have to let them know he's as committed as they are. And get that across to them. If that happens, it could to be a big boost. If it doesn't happen, if players feel you weren't in this from the beginning ... is he really in this with us? If there were feelings for quarterbacks who were already there ... it's going to be interesting to see how this plays out."


Favre officially vilified in Green Bay
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Maybe Brett Favre(notes) lost the keenest segment of the Green Bay Packers fan base long ago. Maybe he lost them when every summer began to orbit around him, and every roster decision was applauded or disparaged based on how it impacted No. 4. Maybe he lost them in one tumultuous offseason after another, when his emotional whims became reason enough to hold the franchise hostage.


Or maybe he really, truly lost them on Tuesday, when he signed with the hated Minnesota Vikings, and then in Favre fashion, said “If you’re a true Packer fan, you understand.”


That was the line that still had fans fuming as they filed out of Stadium View Sports Bar in Green Bay, aptly named for its view of Lambeau Field down Armed Forces Drive. Some fans that had flocked for the Packers’ evening practice on Tuesday piled into the bar to watch Favre’s news conference. And ultimately they had a resounding opinion as they filed back out: Favre’s iconic legacy in this city has hit a new low.

No. 4 in purple

“I couldn’t believe the ‘true Packers fans’ should understand thing,” said Ron Knautz. “I’m 54 years old. I’ve been a Packers fan since I was 5, which is when I knew what the Packers were. I got my picture taken with Bart Starr when I was 12. I’m a true Packers fan. Maybe a true Packers player would understand how I feel.”


And that was an overwhelming sentiment pulsing through Green Bay, where radio talk shows were pre-empting programs and dumping everything but call-in segments, as the fan base opened a fiery vein. On the rare occasion a fan called to support Favre’s right to play for the Vikings, they were bayoneted by the next five callers, who reacted as if they’d just heard someone pitch the positives of joining the Taliban. One caller said he’d confiscated all the pieces of clothing in his house emblazoned with Favre’s number. Another woman said she had removed Favre’s autographed picture from her wall and banished it behind her couch.


“I think it comes down to how you were a fan,” said Gary Nixt, nursing a beer inside Stadium View. “If you’re a Packers fan, you’re behind the team and you’re going to have that tunnel vision. If you are a Brett Favre fan, you’re going to stand behind him no matter what he does.”


Nixt was among those behind Favre, saying “No matter what happens, he goes into the Hall of Fame as a Packer.” And he’s not entirely alone. Some have come to see the onetime icon as a self-absorbed football nomad. Others remain the baptized faithful, mindful of the 16 seasons which raised the Packers back to NFL relevance.


The latter have long given Favre its own version of amnesty. They blame general manager Ted Thompson for not bending more to the quarterback’s ego. They complain that other parts of the team failed Favre long before he ever failed them. And they have been slow to fully embrace Aaron Rodgers(notes), the successor who they believe helped force out their hero.


“Those people exist, absolutely,” said Brian Smith(notes), a Milwaukee resident who has been driving to Green Bay to watch practice and attend games “since Don Majkowski was a big deal.” Smith was parking his car across from Brett Favre’s Steakhouse, which suddenly seemed like a palpably awkward place to eat.


“Some people love Favre and will love him even if he beats the Packers twice a year for the next 10 years,” Smith said. “He’s just legendary in their eyes.”


You get the feeling it will be a little harder for those people to exist in Green Bay going forward. Yes, some fans will look at Favre now and see what they’ve always seen – like Elvis Presley fans who clung to his fading lounge acts in Las Vegas while still proclaiming him to be The King. Others? Tuesday took another chunk out of a crumbling mythology that may never be the same.


“Of course it takes away from his aura,” Knautz said. “He’s coming back with the Vikings.”


Knautz adjusted his Packers hat and made a sour face.


“The Vikings,” he said. “I never would have believed it.”

Monday, August 17, 2009

The Recession and Sports


I thought this was interesting from www.msnbc.com about the recession and college football. Enjoy!!


Everyone knows the recession is hurting sports. Major League Baseball tickets are going for way below face value on StubHub. NBA franchises, more than half of which lost money this past season, according to Commissioner David Stern, scrambled to offer fans food and ticket discount plans and other creative packages to keep them coming through the doors. Even the resilient NFL saw a 1 percent attendance dip in 2008, and the league expects another small drop this year.

But there's one corner of the sporting world that has proved recession resistant: on campus. Few things give well-to-do alumni of a traditional football power more pleasure than a trek over to the alma mater on an autumn Saturday. A VIP parking pass to a prime tailgate spot, partying with the old frat brothers, then settling into a seat on the 50-yard line just before kickoff — life just doesn't get any better, does it? All the more reason to spend on it. The sports and entertainment budget might need to be trimmed back a bit, but it's not gonna be here.

Not only are few athletic departments cutting ticket prices, secondary market sales online are holding up nicely from last year. StubHub sales volume for traditional powers like Texas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Alabama and Notre Dame are up significantly, according to company spokesman Sean Pate.

Friday, August 14, 2009

MSNBC.com's Pre-Season College Football All-Americans Defensive

MSNBC.com's Pre-Season College Football All-Americans Defensive


Eric Berry, Tennessee, Junior SS
Pound for pound, Berry might be the best college football player in America.

He was the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year – as a sophomore. He tied for the national lead with seven interceptions, setting league records for return yards in a season (265) and career (487). In fact, he needs just 14 more interception return yards to set the all-time NCAA record.

Berry is in no hurry for the NFL – probably because his new defensive coordinator, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers guru Monte Kiffin, will train him expertly for the next level.


Taylor Mays, USC, Senior FS
USC’s gold standard at safety always has been former All-American Ronnie Lott.

Don’t look now, but Lott’s legacy could be hearing footsteps.

Mays has provided the Trojans with a Lott-like impact, utilizing his linebacker-style build (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) and outrageous speed (4.3 in the 40-yard dash) to produce playing ability that almost seems unfair.

The USC defense is undergoing a major personnel shift after losing a pair of first-rounders (and two second-rounders, also). Mays could have fled, too, but his return should be the exclamation point for a remarkably productive college career.


Syd’Quan Thompson, California, Senior CB
The first game of Thompson’s collegiate career – the 2006 opener against Tennessee – was disastrous. Thompson was scorched, mistiming a potential interception, flailing on tackle attempts, operating in open spaces for all to see.

Now that seems like ancient history. Thompson might be the nation’s best player at his position.

He has developed into a sure-handed defender, a ferocious open-field tackler and a force who seems destined to become the next great first-round cornerback out of California, which has made quite a nice living producing players at that spot.


Joe Haden, Florida, Junior CB
Shutdown cornerback.

The term is used so much, it has become a cliché.

But with Haden, the term fits perfectly. With speed, smarts and on-field awareness, Haden knows how to frustrate an opposing receiver. As part of a defense that returns all its starters, he doesn’t need to be the leader, but it’s a role that comes naturally.


Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri, Senior OLB
The Missouri Tigers might be due for a drop-off in the Big 12 North, but not if Weatherspoon has anything to say about it.

He’s an outside linebacker who can carry a defense. Through most of last season, that’s exactly what happened.

Weatherspoon led Missouri in tackles with 155 – a whopping 50 more than any other Tiger – including 18.5 for a loss. With his sideline-to-sideline approach, look for Weatherspoon to again assert himself as one of the Big 12’s most compelling forces.


Brandon Spikes, Florida, Senior MLB
Gators coach Urban Meyer has often said Spikes’ maturity is "off the charts." Meyer said Spikes’ preparation and work ethic sets him apart. And it also sets an example for everyone to follow.

Spikes led Florida with 93 tackles and had four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. The play everyone remembers, though, was his tone-setting slamdown of Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno early on, letting the Bulldogs know exactly the mood of Florida’s defense that afternoon.

Spikes briefly considered the NFL draft, but came back for his senior season. If the past is prelude, it will be another season filled with big plays


Rolando McClain, Alabama, Junior OLB
Technically, McClain plays an inside position in Alabama’s 3-4 defense. But realistically, he’s all over the field, roaming like a predator.

He usually gets his prey. Last season, McClain had 95 tackles, including 17 for a loss, and also managed three interceptions.

McClain is the prototypical big, athletic linebacker – strong enough to stuff the run, but agile enough to drop into coverage and thwart a gifted receiver.


Sergio Kindle, Texas, Senior DE
Texas once had a big-time challenge in replacing All-American Brian Orakpo. No more. His position will be inherited by Kindle, a hybrid, who is shifting from linebacker to defensive end.

Not a bad move. Kindle had 10 sacks last season. He could create even more havoc in his new role.

And he clearly won’t be shy about things. Kindle already has proclaimed his chief goal: He wants to lead the nation in sacks. With his speed, aggressive style and relentless motor, that’s a pretty good bet.


Terrence Cody, Alabama, Senior DT
You can’t miss him.
Yes, he has slimmed down a bit, but Cody still checks in around 354 pounds. He still lives up to the nickname – "Mount" Cody. And he’s still the ultimate immovable object in Alabama’s 3-4 defense that practically builds a moat in front of its end zone.

Undoubtedly, Cody is destined for first-round status in the NFL. Until then, he will be someone to avoid for opposing SEC offenses.

Easier said than done. Remember, you can’t miss him.


Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma, Junior DT
It might seem premature to mention McCoy in the same sentence with all-time Sooner defensive-line greats such as Lee Roy Selmon, Tony Casillas and Tommie Harris.

Then again, in just two seasons, McCoy already has made a remarkable impact. His on-field statistics – 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss – might be a sidebar to the real story. He was voted team captain as a sophomore. He’s a true student-athlete and a community-service role model.

There are so many good qualities. But on fall Saturdays, McCoy has a singular purpose. Oklahoma’s defense wouldn’t know what to do without him.


Jerry Hughes, TCU, Senior DE
Remember that exhortation from the Burgess Meredith character in the old "Rocky" movies?

"He’s a wrecking machine!"

Well, that’s Hughes.

Playing for a TCU program that led the nation in total defense (for the third time in nine seasons, in fact), Hughes was superb. He led the nation in sacks (15), forced six fumbles and had two interceptions.

He has the strength and speed necessary for success. Even more, though, he has the "want-to" quality seen only by the special athletes.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

College Football Pre-Season All-Americans msnbc.com


Tim Tebow, Florida, Senior QB
Does he need an introduction? Not really. Already, Tebow is a college football icon.

In three seasons, he has accounted for 110 touchdowns – 67 passing, 43 rushing. But he’s hoping to add to his most gaudy statistics – two (national championships) and one (Heisman Trophy).

Tebow, who has redefined his position as a dual-threat quarterback, has a self-proclaimed goal of guiding Florida to an unbeaten season. Look for him to occasionally work in a pro-style attack after spending the offseason refining his passing mechanics under new quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler (not that Tebow’s passing – and his career 65.8 completion percentage – has been a major problem).


Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech, Junior RB
Coach Paul Johnson brought an option-based spread offense to Georgia Tech last season and Dwyer was the most obvious beneficiary.

Dwyer rushed for an ACC-best 1,395 yards and 12 touchdowns, collecting nine 100-yard games along the way.

He’s speedy, powerful and expected to be even more effective after trimming 10 pounds from his frame, now checking in at a svelte 228.



Jahvid Best, California, Junior RB
Best has proven he can go the distance – even if that distance is practically the length of a football field.

Last season, he rushed for 1,580 yards and averaged 8.0 yards per carry, despite missing one game and part of another with a dislocated elbow. His biggest moments were devastating to opposing defenses. He scored on runs of 86, 84 and 80 yards. Stuck in the 80s, indeed.

He has added 15 pounds of muscle (reaching 205). And if this wasn’t such a QB-heavy year, he would be a prime Heisman Trophy candidate. But if he continues those long scoring runs, don’t sell him short.


Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State, Junior WR
With hands larger than oven mitts, Bryant is a physical nightmare for defenses. Jump ball? Forget it. Chalk up a reception.

That happened plenty in 2008. Bryant had 87 catches and averaged 113.9 yards per game while scoring 19 touchdowns.

Oklahoma State will feature its thrill-a-minute offense. Expect Bryant to be a big part of that once again.


Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati, Senior WR
When the Bearcats need a big play, they dial up Gilyard, who constantly produces with a combination of speed, instincts, body control and escapability.

Gilyard had 81 receptions for 1,276 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 2008, helping Cincinnati to its landmark appearance in the Orange Bowl.

He will be a marked man in the Big East – and elsewhere – but look for his playmaking ability to continue in the passing game and on kickoff returns.


Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma, Senior TE
Oklahoma hasn’t possessed such a weapon at tight end in more than two decades, when first-round pick Keith Jackson made life miserable for opposing secondaries.

Gresham considered the NFL draft, where he probably would’ve duplicated Jackson’s first-round status, but opted for a return to the Sooners.

On a touchdown-happy offense, Gresham is one of the top threats, especially in the red zone. He already has 26 career touchdowns.


Brandon James, Florida, Senior KR
The question remains: Why would anyone kick it to James . . . ever?

He’s already Florida’s career record-holder with four touchdowns on punt returns. His career average is 13.4 yards with a long of 83.

He’s a mighty-mite who just needs one step, a small opening – and he’s gone.