Cowboys bring out the big stick.Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesThursday night brings a big game in the Big 12 South division. By now, the news of Texas' loss to UCLA has reached all regions of the U.S. Add the fact that the University of Oklahoma looks average at best and you get a South Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
division that is up for grabs.In fact, we will know more this coming weekend when the Red River Rivalry fires up at the Cotton Bowl.But before OU and Texas go head-to-head, Oklahoma State and Texas AM face off in a nationally televised game. Both teams are in the South and both teams realize by now that a win Thursday night could potentially put them in the running to be the South division champion.Granted, a lot needs to happen for both teams in the future, but a win on Thursday night would set up the season to come.Oklahoma State CowboysMike Gundy realized this past offseason that it was time for him to hang up play-calling on offense and hand it off to someone who can focus all of their time on it.That brought in Dana Holgorsen. Holgorsen has spent several years in two of the nations most prolific offenses. Texas Tech, under Mike Leech, and the University of Houston. His creative, offensive mindset makes the OSU offense, which was good in the past, even better.The Oklahoma State Defense has come under the control of coordinator Bill Young. Young is in his third year as the defensive mind for the Cowboys. Thursday night will be the first real test of his defense with Texas AM's quick offense. It's been good so far, but the season is young.Texas AMHead coach Mike Sherman has a great senior quarterback in Jerrod Johnson. Johnson is a dual-threat quarterback who has developed his game well over his tenure at Texas AM. But Johnson isn't the only offensive weapon the Aggies have. Christine Michael and Cyrus Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
Gray are two running backs who can break ankles down the field. I would expect to see them get quite a few touches.The Aggie defense has gotten better. Tim DeRuyter has turned up the heat a little making AM no easy task. Look for the Aggies to put major heat on Brandon Weeden.If the Big 12 South interests anyone, make sure and watch this game. It could possibly hold the South division champion.
2011年1月24日星期一
2011年1月22日星期六
22 Jan 11 Making Mean Green Lemonade Out Of The Ruins Of The UNT Offense
Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesAnother week, another QB lost.Army intimidated, frustrated, and eventually broke the leg of talented UNT sophomore QB Derek Thompson on Saturday. UNT was forced to go with last year's starter, Riley Dodge, for most of the game.In a hugely discouraging moment for fans (and probably the players as well), the coaching staff appeared to throw their hands up in despair as they lost their 7th, 8th, and 9th players to likely season ending injuries.Third team QB Riley Dodge looked rusty, timid, and without much strength forMinnesota Vikings
most of the game. He completed 8 out of 17 passes for a dreary 63 yards.Only late in the game when UNT appeared to run the Todd Dodge spread (complete with gopher-like looks to the sidelines for instructions) for a few plays did Riley seem to show any competence.He completed 4 of 6 passes for 39 yards with 1 run for 8 yards and2 sacks for -11 yards on UNT's final drive.While it is entirely likely Riley Dodge would look a lot sharper with a week of reps as the starter, I think it is actually the wrong move for Todd Dodge and company.Ultimately Riley's arm is shot. It was quite apparent vs. Army that his arm strength comes and goes and that he limits UNT's offense too much in the Canales system. Be it due to Canales not trusting Riley's arm deep or Riley not trusting it, the game creeps up to the line of scrimmage when Dodge is playing.I have an alternate proposal that I think would help out UNT a lot more in the next few games.What is neededUNT needs an offensive identity.Army and Rice have exposed how to attack the UNT defense. If a team runs on UNT consistently they can wear out the UNT defense at thethe defensive end andoutside linebackerspots.For UNT to win, the Mean Green has to control the clock, keeping their defense off the field, their defensive ends from tiring out, and allowing their star DTs to come in fresh and play a big role in disrupting the opponent's running game. The UNT offensehas to roll up first downs.Their offensive identity needs to be that of a chain moving, clockchewingoffense that occasionally breaks big touchdown runs.Proven Assets availableUNT has an All-American RB in Lance Dunbar. He is the rare cutback runner who doesn't give up yardage angling for a better lane. He has elite game breaking ability, but is not a strong short yardage runner.Backup RBs James Hamilton and Brandin Byrd are aggressive runners who finish their runs well. They are good short yardage runners.UNT has 3 offensive linemen who were discussed as possible all-sunbelt players prior to the season in Tackles Victor Gill Esteban Santiago, and Center turned Guard Kelvin Drake. They also have goodproven players around them with good sizeinT/GJeremy Bean, G Coleman Feeley, and GMatt Tomlinson, and C Aaron FortenberryUNT has a trio of good TEs in Draylen Ross (the big blocker), Jamize Alawale (the raw deep threat), and ConorGilmartin-Donahue (the do it all guy).Finally the team has a receiver for most situations. They have two raw burners atreceiverwho have occasional concentration lapsesin Jamaal Jackson Tyler Stradford,a slightly slower receiver with much better hands and concentrationin Darius Carey, two reliable and polished receivers in Alex Lottand Breece Johnson,three hit ormiss guys with a history of mistakes ofvarying degreein the toughMichael Outlaw, the speedy BJLewis(if he is healthy now), andoccasional playmaker Willie Taylor, and last but definitely not least freshman Brelan Chancellor who's redshirt year was wisely burned by the staff vs. Army when Chris Bynes was injured.Chancellor is a very polished receiver for his age.Like Dunbar, he has ordinary speed for his position buthas the same knack for running away from people.I am sorry, this is still far more talent than all but the most elite teams in the Sun Belt. Does any teamin the Sun Belt have a better trio of linemen and a better RB? Heck no!Is UNT's receiving corps still in the top third of the Sun Belt ranks? Heck yes!Is this UNT offense still more talented than last year's? Absolutely.So you coaches quit your bellyaching, pullyourselves out of your tear-filledbeers, and go with what you got.Play personnel to optimize the talent on hand.UNT has 3 QBs available to lead the ship. Last year's starter Riley Dodge, last year's third string QB Chase Baine, and freshman Derek Teegarden.We can eliminate Teegarden. Although he looks pretty solid in his high school films, he is 17 lbs LIGHTER than Riley Dodge.There is no sense in repeating the Riley Dodge fiasco and destroying this guy's body beforeit is ready to New England Patriots jersey
play FBS ball and endure that pounding.I think the team should go with Chase Baine at QB with occasional spot work from Riley Dodge in the red zone.It is certainly out of the box, but you have already lost your first and second string QBs andthe difference between the third and fourth team QBs is not that pronounced. Riley Dodge is more polished and knowledgeable, but frankly Baine is more talented and likely far, far more durable at this point.The facts are Dodge's arm is too limited at this point and he is not physical enough running the ball.He gets ragdolled. Compounding the problem Dodge seems to have lost a lot of the instinct of when to hold on to the ball and when to hand off. He has been keeping the ball a lot this year to poor results and when he has handed off his handoffs haven't beensharp.Moreover, Dodge looked very timid playing against Army. UNT cannot afford that from their QB.Like most freshmen starters in offenses where the QB owns the ball, Riley Dodge was a turnover machine in most games last year. I think in ordinary situations one would expect him to outgrow that with work, but he hasn't had a ton of work this off-season. The bad habits he developed getting pounded last year are still there.Playing Riley Dodge every down is not a luxury the team can afford right now at the start of their run ofmore manageablegames. This team will fall apart if Dodge has a 4+ turnover game against one of these teams.Chase Bain is about 15 lbs heavier than Riley Dodge and appears to my vantage point 1-2 inches taller. He doesn't have any of the trauma screwing up his game that Dodge does.Whatever QB UNT starts is going to have to run. He is going to have to take a pounding.That QBis going to have to run options with Lance Dunbar and roll outs.Does the coaching staffreally want to risk losing Dodge to another injury? Even another shoulder injury?Given Riley Dodge's history it is unlikely he will last more than a game or two anyway as a full time starter behind a line that has lost confidence in it's ability to pass block at an elite level. I have long suspected that the move of Riley was in large part to allow the kid a full year to properlyheal up and see what he is next year. You are just inviting the injury gods to permanently finish him as a QB torole him out there as a full time starter behind a line with shaken confidence after seeing two future NFL DEs in the first 3 weeks.Riley Dodge is one of the greatest winners in Texashigh schoolfootball history. He won his games at the 5A level, the highest level of play in Texas. He may not have the skills anymore to be an effective every down starter, but he still knows how to execute a game winning play under pressure.At some point in the next 5 weeks there is a fairly good chance that UNT will be down by less than a touchdown with the game clock running down and Lance Dunbar or Tyler Stradford will break a big play that gets UNT to the 7 or 8 yardline.When that occurs do you want Riley Dodge ready to fill in and play his accurate short yardage game, or do you want him standing next to the coaches with ice wrapped around his shoulder or in street clothes holding a clipboard?This team needs Riley Dodge available for game winning situations and to play inside the 10 yard lineif the situation merits it in the next 5 weeks. The coaching staff needs every possible edge to secure wins. They shouldn't start him if it diminishes the chances he will be available for those situations.Plus, if Dodge were to start and togo down again, at that point New Orleans Saints jersey
UNT is going to have to run out Chase Baine anyway to finish out a game - and that would be a Chase Baine who would not have been given any reps!That is just a recipe for another give away loss.Getting Baine ready to go is a smart pre-emptive move.Baine plays the game similarly to Riley Dodge, but is more physical and has a better, undamaged arm. Baine is 6'0" and 210 lbs.Baine plays the game like an option QB who has learned to pass well enough to be functional in a spread. He also plays with some moxy. The thicker Baine is far more likely to get a first down running the ball than Riley Dodge would be.While I don't thinkBaine could be as accurate as Dodge, I do think he could complete 55% of his passes, throw a 35 yard pass with consistency, maybe run for 70 yards in a game without getting injured, show the strength to get a first down on a dive or QB sneak, and maintain a plus TD to turnover ratio. That I have seen he plays within his limits-like Nathan Tune.Modifying the offenseWith Tune and Thompson out,the valuegained byall those snaps inthe Canales offense over the off-season is largely lost.Riley Dodge's skillset (and most of the offensive skilled players' skillsets)are not suited for the Canales offense. They have talent and speed, but largely lack the polish, attributes,and precision to make it function right.James Hamilton -more of a straight line runner- is more effective in the Canales offense than All-American Lance Dunbar. Jamaal Jackson and Tyler Stradford are fish on bicycles trying to run precise routes, work the sidelines, and hold on to passes.Today, the Canales offense minimizes the best talents on the UNT offense. With reps and strength training that may not be the case next season, but it is this season - and this season is the one that matters.On top of that as a fourth stringer Baine has probably had little work in the Canales offense, but he did get some in the old Dodge offense last year as a third stringer and occasional backup.The Canales offense spreads teams horizontally with the run and the pass. Without a QB who can throw the ball30 yards down the field, the defense squeezes forward, minimizing what the Canales offense can accomplish. Runner and receivers moving horizontal don't have the space toturn vertical and finish their runs and get stopped short of first downs. This team has to be a little more vertical in it's attack to get any benefit out of Stradford and Jackson.That just isn't happening.Additionally, and moreimportantly, the Canales offenselimits Dunbar as a runner.Regardless of who they go with, UNT effectively has to squeeze in an off-seasonof QB preparation into a week. You can't do that with an offense as complex as the Canales offense.I think there is a crying need for both of UNT's offensive coaching minds to sit down with Riley New York Giants jersey
Dodge and Chase Baine and come up with a short list of offensive plays that fit thetwo QB's and theteam's skillsets.Go throughthe Dodge and Canales playbooks and select the best handful of playsfrom both for the team to practice this week.Watch the films of every TD Lance Dunbar scored last year and make sure those plays are in your truncated playbook and starred for heavy rotation.Put together a skeleton list of plays short enough to allow the players to work on them and get them down in time for the next game.In general, Iwould suggest running the Todd Dodge Gopher spread offense on most plays between the 20s and then shifting into a limited version of the Canales offense (with no shotgun plays) in short yardage and goalline situations as it is far better for those situations.The plain facts are Canales has been unable to utilize Dunbar effectively in the Canales offense. Putting a TE on the field forces a CB off the field to be replaced by asafety or even a linebacker.That doesn't help Dunbar and frankly increase the odds of one of UNT's QBs getting knocked out of the game on a bootleg.You can't afford that.Dunbar is a non-red zone weapon. He can break a TD run from anywhere outside of the red zone at any minute. He is a huge threat and a great decoy.He is only being used as a decoy this year. He has to be used more than he is in the Canales offense and more effectively. He is a huge reason UNT rolled up so many yards between the 20's last year. His ability to beat average to poor defenses is hugely needed now.You have to get Dunbar going if this team is going to win. He has to carry this offense. He has to break some TD runs. Dunbar's skillset is much more effectively utilized out of the Dodge offense.There can't be any sacred cows with everyones' jobs on the line. Canales needs to bite his tongue and take a perception hit for his boss. (Frankly this will make him a better OC down the road anyway.)Baine can run the option with Dunbar as well if not better than Riley Dodge did last year. Baine is a similar runnerbut one with more power. He can handle the ball well in the handoffs. He is probably a little less likely to fumble than Riley Dodge as unlike Riley,Baine was weightlifting rather than being pounded into goo last year.With the depth UNT has at receiver they can send 4 receivers down the field on every down if they want to try to clear space underneathfor Dunbar to work. Baine has a good enough arm and is accurate enoughto be somewhat credible as a passer.The team can shift into the Canales offense in the red zone or in short yardage.In those scenarios, they caneither throw underneath to Dunbar orbring inJames Hamilton or Brandin Byrd- backs far more suited to running in the Canales offense and picking up short yardage.Play selection goals.UNT has to become more of a running New York Jets jersey
eam. Through 3 games they have run the ball 38 times per game (14 by QBs) and passed 35 times per game.They need to start focusing onmoving the chainsby running the ball to allow their defense a better chance to record stops and keep the team in games.They need goals of having 60 rushes and 35 passes a game. Hitting something closer to 50 rushes per game and30 passes (what UNT did vs. Clemson, a good BCS defense) would be good.Nathan Tune had 15 carries vs. Clemson. I think Chase Baine can handle 10-15 carries.I think in an average game for the next 5 weeks, the goal should be to generate a stat line line like this:RushingDunbar 25 for 150 yards 1 TDBaine 10 for 40 yards Hamilton 7 for 35 yards 1 TDByrd 4 for 15 yardsDodge 4 for 10 yards 1 TDPassingBaine 15 of 27 for 190 yards 1 TD O INTsDodge2 for3 for 10yards and 1 TD O INTsReceivingCarey 3 for 30 yardsDunbar 3 for 30 yardsChancellor 2 for20 yardsLott 2 for15 yardsLewis 2 for 20 yardsJackson 2 for15 yardsJohnson 1 for 8 yards 1 TDStratford 1 for45 yards 1 TDOutlaw 1 for 17 yardsThat totals out to 250 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. If thecoaching staffreally focuses on making the strategy changes that are needed to getDunbar going, I think thepassing game,scoring,and time of possession will take care of itself.These stats are not unreachable by any team with a good OL and a top RB. Dunbar consistently had games of this magnitude or betterlast year against average to poor defenses in the Sun Belt. This year he is just not getting the touches and is not being utilized well as a runner.I think with the talent on hand and the marginal defenses coming up (I say marginal only in comparison to Clemson's defense), this can be a regularlyachievable stat line goal.Dunbar, theoffensive line,and the defense can save ToddDodge's job. Dodge needs to let them.UNT's Coaching staff needs to be creative and visionary...Two things they absolutely were not vs. Army.UNT is sitting on a stack of offensive talent.It is coached by two alleged offensive geniusesin Mike Oakland Raiders jersey
Canales and Todd Dodge.It is time for the coaching staff to put away their preconceptions of what they thought the offense should look like this year, look at what they have, acknowledge what they need to win, and put this team's talentto optimal good use to meet those needs.
most of the game. He completed 8 out of 17 passes for a dreary 63 yards.Only late in the game when UNT appeared to run the Todd Dodge spread (complete with gopher-like looks to the sidelines for instructions) for a few plays did Riley seem to show any competence.He completed 4 of 6 passes for 39 yards with 1 run for 8 yards and2 sacks for -11 yards on UNT's final drive.While it is entirely likely Riley Dodge would look a lot sharper with a week of reps as the starter, I think it is actually the wrong move for Todd Dodge and company.Ultimately Riley's arm is shot. It was quite apparent vs. Army that his arm strength comes and goes and that he limits UNT's offense too much in the Canales system. Be it due to Canales not trusting Riley's arm deep or Riley not trusting it, the game creeps up to the line of scrimmage when Dodge is playing.I have an alternate proposal that I think would help out UNT a lot more in the next few games.What is neededUNT needs an offensive identity.Army and Rice have exposed how to attack the UNT defense. If a team runs on UNT consistently they can wear out the UNT defense at thethe defensive end andoutside linebackerspots.For UNT to win, the Mean Green has to control the clock, keeping their defense off the field, their defensive ends from tiring out, and allowing their star DTs to come in fresh and play a big role in disrupting the opponent's running game. The UNT offensehas to roll up first downs.Their offensive identity needs to be that of a chain moving, clockchewingoffense that occasionally breaks big touchdown runs.Proven Assets availableUNT has an All-American RB in Lance Dunbar. He is the rare cutback runner who doesn't give up yardage angling for a better lane. He has elite game breaking ability, but is not a strong short yardage runner.Backup RBs James Hamilton and Brandin Byrd are aggressive runners who finish their runs well. They are good short yardage runners.UNT has 3 offensive linemen who were discussed as possible all-sunbelt players prior to the season in Tackles Victor Gill Esteban Santiago, and Center turned Guard Kelvin Drake. They also have goodproven players around them with good sizeinT/GJeremy Bean, G Coleman Feeley, and GMatt Tomlinson, and C Aaron FortenberryUNT has a trio of good TEs in Draylen Ross (the big blocker), Jamize Alawale (the raw deep threat), and ConorGilmartin-Donahue (the do it all guy).Finally the team has a receiver for most situations. They have two raw burners atreceiverwho have occasional concentration lapsesin Jamaal Jackson Tyler Stradford,a slightly slower receiver with much better hands and concentrationin Darius Carey, two reliable and polished receivers in Alex Lottand Breece Johnson,three hit ormiss guys with a history of mistakes ofvarying degreein the toughMichael Outlaw, the speedy BJLewis(if he is healthy now), andoccasional playmaker Willie Taylor, and last but definitely not least freshman Brelan Chancellor who's redshirt year was wisely burned by the staff vs. Army when Chris Bynes was injured.Chancellor is a very polished receiver for his age.Like Dunbar, he has ordinary speed for his position buthas the same knack for running away from people.I am sorry, this is still far more talent than all but the most elite teams in the Sun Belt. Does any teamin the Sun Belt have a better trio of linemen and a better RB? Heck no!Is UNT's receiving corps still in the top third of the Sun Belt ranks? Heck yes!Is this UNT offense still more talented than last year's? Absolutely.So you coaches quit your bellyaching, pullyourselves out of your tear-filledbeers, and go with what you got.Play personnel to optimize the talent on hand.UNT has 3 QBs available to lead the ship. Last year's starter Riley Dodge, last year's third string QB Chase Baine, and freshman Derek Teegarden.We can eliminate Teegarden. Although he looks pretty solid in his high school films, he is 17 lbs LIGHTER than Riley Dodge.There is no sense in repeating the Riley Dodge fiasco and destroying this guy's body beforeit is ready to New England Patriots jersey
play FBS ball and endure that pounding.I think the team should go with Chase Baine at QB with occasional spot work from Riley Dodge in the red zone.It is certainly out of the box, but you have already lost your first and second string QBs andthe difference between the third and fourth team QBs is not that pronounced. Riley Dodge is more polished and knowledgeable, but frankly Baine is more talented and likely far, far more durable at this point.The facts are Dodge's arm is too limited at this point and he is not physical enough running the ball.He gets ragdolled. Compounding the problem Dodge seems to have lost a lot of the instinct of when to hold on to the ball and when to hand off. He has been keeping the ball a lot this year to poor results and when he has handed off his handoffs haven't beensharp.Moreover, Dodge looked very timid playing against Army. UNT cannot afford that from their QB.Like most freshmen starters in offenses where the QB owns the ball, Riley Dodge was a turnover machine in most games last year. I think in ordinary situations one would expect him to outgrow that with work, but he hasn't had a ton of work this off-season. The bad habits he developed getting pounded last year are still there.Playing Riley Dodge every down is not a luxury the team can afford right now at the start of their run ofmore manageablegames. This team will fall apart if Dodge has a 4+ turnover game against one of these teams.Chase Bain is about 15 lbs heavier than Riley Dodge and appears to my vantage point 1-2 inches taller. He doesn't have any of the trauma screwing up his game that Dodge does.Whatever QB UNT starts is going to have to run. He is going to have to take a pounding.That QBis going to have to run options with Lance Dunbar and roll outs.Does the coaching staffreally want to risk losing Dodge to another injury? Even another shoulder injury?Given Riley Dodge's history it is unlikely he will last more than a game or two anyway as a full time starter behind a line that has lost confidence in it's ability to pass block at an elite level. I have long suspected that the move of Riley was in large part to allow the kid a full year to properlyheal up and see what he is next year. You are just inviting the injury gods to permanently finish him as a QB torole him out there as a full time starter behind a line with shaken confidence after seeing two future NFL DEs in the first 3 weeks.Riley Dodge is one of the greatest winners in Texashigh schoolfootball history. He won his games at the 5A level, the highest level of play in Texas. He may not have the skills anymore to be an effective every down starter, but he still knows how to execute a game winning play under pressure.At some point in the next 5 weeks there is a fairly good chance that UNT will be down by less than a touchdown with the game clock running down and Lance Dunbar or Tyler Stradford will break a big play that gets UNT to the 7 or 8 yardline.When that occurs do you want Riley Dodge ready to fill in and play his accurate short yardage game, or do you want him standing next to the coaches with ice wrapped around his shoulder or in street clothes holding a clipboard?This team needs Riley Dodge available for game winning situations and to play inside the 10 yard lineif the situation merits it in the next 5 weeks. The coaching staff needs every possible edge to secure wins. They shouldn't start him if it diminishes the chances he will be available for those situations.Plus, if Dodge were to start and togo down again, at that point New Orleans Saints jersey
UNT is going to have to run out Chase Baine anyway to finish out a game - and that would be a Chase Baine who would not have been given any reps!That is just a recipe for another give away loss.Getting Baine ready to go is a smart pre-emptive move.Baine plays the game similarly to Riley Dodge, but is more physical and has a better, undamaged arm. Baine is 6'0" and 210 lbs.Baine plays the game like an option QB who has learned to pass well enough to be functional in a spread. He also plays with some moxy. The thicker Baine is far more likely to get a first down running the ball than Riley Dodge would be.While I don't thinkBaine could be as accurate as Dodge, I do think he could complete 55% of his passes, throw a 35 yard pass with consistency, maybe run for 70 yards in a game without getting injured, show the strength to get a first down on a dive or QB sneak, and maintain a plus TD to turnover ratio. That I have seen he plays within his limits-like Nathan Tune.Modifying the offenseWith Tune and Thompson out,the valuegained byall those snaps inthe Canales offense over the off-season is largely lost.Riley Dodge's skillset (and most of the offensive skilled players' skillsets)are not suited for the Canales offense. They have talent and speed, but largely lack the polish, attributes,and precision to make it function right.James Hamilton -more of a straight line runner- is more effective in the Canales offense than All-American Lance Dunbar. Jamaal Jackson and Tyler Stradford are fish on bicycles trying to run precise routes, work the sidelines, and hold on to passes.Today, the Canales offense minimizes the best talents on the UNT offense. With reps and strength training that may not be the case next season, but it is this season - and this season is the one that matters.On top of that as a fourth stringer Baine has probably had little work in the Canales offense, but he did get some in the old Dodge offense last year as a third stringer and occasional backup.The Canales offense spreads teams horizontally with the run and the pass. Without a QB who can throw the ball30 yards down the field, the defense squeezes forward, minimizing what the Canales offense can accomplish. Runner and receivers moving horizontal don't have the space toturn vertical and finish their runs and get stopped short of first downs. This team has to be a little more vertical in it's attack to get any benefit out of Stradford and Jackson.That just isn't happening.Additionally, and moreimportantly, the Canales offenselimits Dunbar as a runner.Regardless of who they go with, UNT effectively has to squeeze in an off-seasonof QB preparation into a week. You can't do that with an offense as complex as the Canales offense.I think there is a crying need for both of UNT's offensive coaching minds to sit down with Riley New York Giants jersey
Dodge and Chase Baine and come up with a short list of offensive plays that fit thetwo QB's and theteam's skillsets.Go throughthe Dodge and Canales playbooks and select the best handful of playsfrom both for the team to practice this week.Watch the films of every TD Lance Dunbar scored last year and make sure those plays are in your truncated playbook and starred for heavy rotation.Put together a skeleton list of plays short enough to allow the players to work on them and get them down in time for the next game.In general, Iwould suggest running the Todd Dodge Gopher spread offense on most plays between the 20s and then shifting into a limited version of the Canales offense (with no shotgun plays) in short yardage and goalline situations as it is far better for those situations.The plain facts are Canales has been unable to utilize Dunbar effectively in the Canales offense. Putting a TE on the field forces a CB off the field to be replaced by asafety or even a linebacker.That doesn't help Dunbar and frankly increase the odds of one of UNT's QBs getting knocked out of the game on a bootleg.You can't afford that.Dunbar is a non-red zone weapon. He can break a TD run from anywhere outside of the red zone at any minute. He is a huge threat and a great decoy.He is only being used as a decoy this year. He has to be used more than he is in the Canales offense and more effectively. He is a huge reason UNT rolled up so many yards between the 20's last year. His ability to beat average to poor defenses is hugely needed now.You have to get Dunbar going if this team is going to win. He has to carry this offense. He has to break some TD runs. Dunbar's skillset is much more effectively utilized out of the Dodge offense.There can't be any sacred cows with everyones' jobs on the line. Canales needs to bite his tongue and take a perception hit for his boss. (Frankly this will make him a better OC down the road anyway.)Baine can run the option with Dunbar as well if not better than Riley Dodge did last year. Baine is a similar runnerbut one with more power. He can handle the ball well in the handoffs. He is probably a little less likely to fumble than Riley Dodge as unlike Riley,Baine was weightlifting rather than being pounded into goo last year.With the depth UNT has at receiver they can send 4 receivers down the field on every down if they want to try to clear space underneathfor Dunbar to work. Baine has a good enough arm and is accurate enoughto be somewhat credible as a passer.The team can shift into the Canales offense in the red zone or in short yardage.In those scenarios, they caneither throw underneath to Dunbar orbring inJames Hamilton or Brandin Byrd- backs far more suited to running in the Canales offense and picking up short yardage.Play selection goals.UNT has to become more of a running New York Jets jersey
eam. Through 3 games they have run the ball 38 times per game (14 by QBs) and passed 35 times per game.They need to start focusing onmoving the chainsby running the ball to allow their defense a better chance to record stops and keep the team in games.They need goals of having 60 rushes and 35 passes a game. Hitting something closer to 50 rushes per game and30 passes (what UNT did vs. Clemson, a good BCS defense) would be good.Nathan Tune had 15 carries vs. Clemson. I think Chase Baine can handle 10-15 carries.I think in an average game for the next 5 weeks, the goal should be to generate a stat line line like this:RushingDunbar 25 for 150 yards 1 TDBaine 10 for 40 yards Hamilton 7 for 35 yards 1 TDByrd 4 for 15 yardsDodge 4 for 10 yards 1 TDPassingBaine 15 of 27 for 190 yards 1 TD O INTsDodge2 for3 for 10yards and 1 TD O INTsReceivingCarey 3 for 30 yardsDunbar 3 for 30 yardsChancellor 2 for20 yardsLott 2 for15 yardsLewis 2 for 20 yardsJackson 2 for15 yardsJohnson 1 for 8 yards 1 TDStratford 1 for45 yards 1 TDOutlaw 1 for 17 yardsThat totals out to 250 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. If thecoaching staffreally focuses on making the strategy changes that are needed to getDunbar going, I think thepassing game,scoring,and time of possession will take care of itself.These stats are not unreachable by any team with a good OL and a top RB. Dunbar consistently had games of this magnitude or betterlast year against average to poor defenses in the Sun Belt. This year he is just not getting the touches and is not being utilized well as a runner.I think with the talent on hand and the marginal defenses coming up (I say marginal only in comparison to Clemson's defense), this can be a regularlyachievable stat line goal.Dunbar, theoffensive line,and the defense can save ToddDodge's job. Dodge needs to let them.UNT's Coaching staff needs to be creative and visionary...Two things they absolutely were not vs. Army.UNT is sitting on a stack of offensive talent.It is coached by two alleged offensive geniusesin Mike Oakland Raiders jersey
Canales and Todd Dodge.It is time for the coaching staff to put away their preconceptions of what they thought the offense should look like this year, look at what they have, acknowledge what they need to win, and put this team's talentto optimal good use to meet those needs.
2011年1月18日星期二
18 Jan 11 Are MAC Invites Coming Down the Pike For Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee?
The next member of the MAC?Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesI want to freely admit thisis an entirely speculative editorial fueled by a very interesting article I came across this morning.Eastern Michigan's AD Derrick Gragg dropped the following bomb.I think the MAC is going to try to extend invitations to one or two institutions Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
in the next year or two, Gragg told the EMU Board of Regents Athletic Affairs Committee.FromOct. 11 to 13 the MAC will meet. Among other things they will reportedly discuss realignment strategies.Gregg also speculated that Temple Universitywill likely leave the MAC for another conference at the end of their currenttwo year football-only contract.I mentioned specifically this chain of events as a scenario that could hobble the Sun Belt in a previous article.The MAC is generally pretty travel cost conscious. Their member schools recognize they are working with a limited budget as members of one of the lower level FBS conferences, so they tend to stay within a region. (Temple, as a football only add, was deemed enough of a value to allow in.)Would the MAC add Louisiana Tech as an all-sport member?I am going to say probably not. LA Tech adds a lot of travel and little market or esteem at this point, after years of bleeding in the WAC. Their basketball program is very disappointing in terms of fan support.Who else does that leave?Maybe the MAC would consider an FCS upgrade like Youngstown State, but in general FBS conferences don't like adding FCS schools unless conditions are dictating realignment terms to them(as is happening in the WAC today).AD Gragg is suggesting up to two teams are on Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
the MAC radar...Who else is out there?I think the obvious choices are Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. Both were rumored to have initiated talks with the MAC in the past. (If you look at the geography and stabilityof both conferences it is pretty clear why they would be interested.)Both are strong basketball programs - Middle Tennessee draws about 4,000 a game, while W. Kentucky draws about 5,000 - and Middle Tennessee is an emerging football power. Both schools look like MAC schools in terms of their athletic programs.If such an invitation were to be offered and accepted, where does that leave the Sun Belt?There is certainly a lot to consider for schools like Arkansas State and UL-Lafayette.The WAC Could Figure in To ThisIt also could make some sense out of the WAC expansion strategy. The teams being mentioned most often frequently seem to add up to a niggling 10 football members with two non-football members in Seattle and Denver.It has been bothering me for weeks that the numbers do not seem to add up to a division-allowing 12 members in all sports.Well, the WAC could go to 10 in football, add two basketball only schools and have their division play-fueled travel cost savings in all the other sports.That would give the WAC some flexibility to wait for schools with a little more immediatefootball Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
credibility (ie. current FBS members) that the current WAC membersmay want more, instead of going whole hog with the FCS additions now.Is it possible that the WAC is making moves in anticipation of stealing ULL and Arkansas State a couple years down the road? After years of unrequited love for North Texas, is the WAC putting together a strategy to bypass the Mean Green and stabilize the WAC's central front?It is certainly an interesting comment open to a number of interpretations.
in the next year or two, Gragg told the EMU Board of Regents Athletic Affairs Committee.FromOct. 11 to 13 the MAC will meet. Among other things they will reportedly discuss realignment strategies.Gregg also speculated that Temple Universitywill likely leave the MAC for another conference at the end of their currenttwo year football-only contract.I mentioned specifically this chain of events as a scenario that could hobble the Sun Belt in a previous article.The MAC is generally pretty travel cost conscious. Their member schools recognize they are working with a limited budget as members of one of the lower level FBS conferences, so they tend to stay within a region. (Temple, as a football only add, was deemed enough of a value to allow in.)Would the MAC add Louisiana Tech as an all-sport member?I am going to say probably not. LA Tech adds a lot of travel and little market or esteem at this point, after years of bleeding in the WAC. Their basketball program is very disappointing in terms of fan support.Who else does that leave?Maybe the MAC would consider an FCS upgrade like Youngstown State, but in general FBS conferences don't like adding FCS schools unless conditions are dictating realignment terms to them(as is happening in the WAC today).AD Gragg is suggesting up to two teams are on Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
the MAC radar...Who else is out there?I think the obvious choices are Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. Both were rumored to have initiated talks with the MAC in the past. (If you look at the geography and stabilityof both conferences it is pretty clear why they would be interested.)Both are strong basketball programs - Middle Tennessee draws about 4,000 a game, while W. Kentucky draws about 5,000 - and Middle Tennessee is an emerging football power. Both schools look like MAC schools in terms of their athletic programs.If such an invitation were to be offered and accepted, where does that leave the Sun Belt?There is certainly a lot to consider for schools like Arkansas State and UL-Lafayette.The WAC Could Figure in To ThisIt also could make some sense out of the WAC expansion strategy. The teams being mentioned most often frequently seem to add up to a niggling 10 football members with two non-football members in Seattle and Denver.It has been bothering me for weeks that the numbers do not seem to add up to a division-allowing 12 members in all sports.Well, the WAC could go to 10 in football, add two basketball only schools and have their division play-fueled travel cost savings in all the other sports.That would give the WAC some flexibility to wait for schools with a little more immediatefootball Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
credibility (ie. current FBS members) that the current WAC membersmay want more, instead of going whole hog with the FCS additions now.Is it possible that the WAC is making moves in anticipation of stealing ULL and Arkansas State a couple years down the road? After years of unrequited love for North Texas, is the WAC putting together a strategy to bypass the Mean Green and stabilize the WAC's central front?It is certainly an interesting comment open to a number of interpretations.
2011年1月15日星期六
15 Jan 11 St. Louis Rams Jay Cutler Michael Huff
With the NFL draft nearly three weeks away, the St. Louis Rams should have solid grasp on what positions they will target with the 11th overall pick. Here's my take on what they should do come April 29th.SAFETYThe Rams' most pressing needs are on defense. With the loss of safety Adam Archuleta, who signed as a Reebok New Orleans Saints #9 Drew Brees Realtree camo Jersey
free agent with the Washington Redskins, the safety position could use an infusion of young talent. Corey Chavous was recently signed from Minnesota but O.J. Atogwe is inexperienced and therefore, he could be a liability. At the 11th spot in the draft, some intriguing prospects should grab new head coach Scott Linehan's attention. Michael Huff from Texas would be a huge upgrade and provide much-needed speed in the secondary considering he ran a 4.34 second 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. The other player who will likely be available is safety Jason Allen. The former Tennessee star was at one time thought be a top-10 pick but a dislocated hip derailed many believers. However, at the NFL Combine, Allen impressed many with his 4.39 second 40 yard dash. Allen might be viewed as a reach for the Rams at the 11th spot, but could still be available in the second or even third round.OUTSIDE LINEBACKERLast year in free agency, the St. Louis Rams signed two well-known linebackers in Dexter Coakley and Chris Claiborne. Both proved to be disappointments. Claiborne has already been released and Coakley, who suffered a broken leg last year, will most likely be a backup this season. The Rams did sign Will Witherspoon from the Panthers who will play middle linebacker. Regardless, St. Louis will still Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
need a young talent to compete for the outside linebacker job. Manny Lawson from N.C. State and Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State may both be available when the Rams pick at number 11. Although Manny Lawson might be reach, he would be a great fit in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense. Lawson has an amazing combination of size (6-6, 241) and speed (4.43) and after a great senior year (10.5 sacks) his stock is moving up. Kamerion Wimbley also could be on the Rams radar. Again, with Jim Haslett working in the 3-4 defense, a fast athletic linebacker such as Wimbley would compliment DE Leonard Little well as someone who can effectively rush the passer. Wimbley played defensive end at Florida State, but considering his size (6-3, 248) he may be better suited at outside linebacker in the pros.QUARTERBACKThis is where it could get interesting. With Marc Bulger coming off a significant, but not very serious injury, there still may be some concern with the quarterback position, especially with a new head coach. With the 11th overall pick, the Rams stand at a great position in the draft, should one of the top QB's fall. Vince Young is a big mystery in this draft. He could land anywhere from the 1st pick to the 13th pick. He arguably put up one of the greatest performances in the National Championship game. He also has amazing athleticism for a quarterback. However, some scouts may be scared off by his low Wonderlic score. Still, if he were to fall to the Rams, Scott Linehan might not be able to pass on such a rare talent. Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
Jay Cutler is the other QB who may also fall to the Rams. Cutler is probably a better all around QB than Young is. Therefore, the Rams might be interested in him because it wouldn't be as much of a gamble. The former SEC star has good size (6-3, 226) and would walk into a great situation in St. Louis where he could learn under Marc Bulger and be surrounded by weapons at all the skill positions. (0)
free agent with the Washington Redskins, the safety position could use an infusion of young talent. Corey Chavous was recently signed from Minnesota but O.J. Atogwe is inexperienced and therefore, he could be a liability. At the 11th spot in the draft, some intriguing prospects should grab new head coach Scott Linehan's attention. Michael Huff from Texas would be a huge upgrade and provide much-needed speed in the secondary considering he ran a 4.34 second 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. The other player who will likely be available is safety Jason Allen. The former Tennessee star was at one time thought be a top-10 pick but a dislocated hip derailed many believers. However, at the NFL Combine, Allen impressed many with his 4.39 second 40 yard dash. Allen might be viewed as a reach for the Rams at the 11th spot, but could still be available in the second or even third round.OUTSIDE LINEBACKERLast year in free agency, the St. Louis Rams signed two well-known linebackers in Dexter Coakley and Chris Claiborne. Both proved to be disappointments. Claiborne has already been released and Coakley, who suffered a broken leg last year, will most likely be a backup this season. The Rams did sign Will Witherspoon from the Panthers who will play middle linebacker. Regardless, St. Louis will still Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
need a young talent to compete for the outside linebacker job. Manny Lawson from N.C. State and Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State may both be available when the Rams pick at number 11. Although Manny Lawson might be reach, he would be a great fit in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense. Lawson has an amazing combination of size (6-6, 241) and speed (4.43) and after a great senior year (10.5 sacks) his stock is moving up. Kamerion Wimbley also could be on the Rams radar. Again, with Jim Haslett working in the 3-4 defense, a fast athletic linebacker such as Wimbley would compliment DE Leonard Little well as someone who can effectively rush the passer. Wimbley played defensive end at Florida State, but considering his size (6-3, 248) he may be better suited at outside linebacker in the pros.QUARTERBACKThis is where it could get interesting. With Marc Bulger coming off a significant, but not very serious injury, there still may be some concern with the quarterback position, especially with a new head coach. With the 11th overall pick, the Rams stand at a great position in the draft, should one of the top QB's fall. Vince Young is a big mystery in this draft. He could land anywhere from the 1st pick to the 13th pick. He arguably put up one of the greatest performances in the National Championship game. He also has amazing athleticism for a quarterback. However, some scouts may be scared off by his low Wonderlic score. Still, if he were to fall to the Rams, Scott Linehan might not be able to pass on such a rare talent. Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
Jay Cutler is the other QB who may also fall to the Rams. Cutler is probably a better all around QB than Young is. Therefore, the Rams might be interested in him because it wouldn't be as much of a gamble. The former SEC star has good size (6-3, 226) and would walk into a great situation in St. Louis where he could learn under Marc Bulger and be surrounded by weapons at all the skill positions. (0)
2011年1月13日星期四
14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks "Draft: Why did they do that?"
Tim Ruskell, the Seattle Seahawks' president, and his scouts obviously know their craft when it comes to the draft -- a fact that has been proven with the savvy selections of starters like Chris Spencer, Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill and Rob Sims over the past two years.So -- especially at this early juncture, just days after the draft -- it seems folly to question their picks. Certainly no one knows better than Ruskell whether certain players would fit the team's schemes; but, for the sake of argument, it's worth posing some possibly foolish questions. 1) With bigger needs at guarReebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
d and defensive tackle, why did the Seahawks pass on USC center Ryan Kalil and N.C. State tackle Tank Tyler and take Maryland cornerback Josh Wilson with the 55th overall pick?Kalil was considered a high second-round value, so when he slid down the round and was there when the Seahawks were picking, it looked like a very fortuitous fall for Seattle. But Ruskell decided to continue to upgrade his secondary by adding a cornerback with the team's top pick for the second straight year.The Seahawks obviously had Wilson rated higher than Kalil, but why? Perhaps it was because they felt Kalil would not make a good guard in the NFL. At 291 pounds, he would be a little light for the position. And with Spencer set to start at center, Kalil would have had to make the move to guard. Of course, in light of the news that Spencer's shoulders could hinder him all the way to training camp, passing on Kalil still looks like a questionable move. Kalil didn't last much longer than the 55th pick; Carolina took the center four selections later.The Seahawks already like the man they got at 55. Wilson showed well in the recent mini-camp and is expected to replace Kelly Herndon immediately as the nickel back and could challenge Kelly Jennings, Seattle's first-round pick in 2006, for the starting gig at right cornerback.Tyler was rated as a second-round talent by non-NFL evaluators, but he ended up going in the third round -- just three picks before the Seahawks grabbed California defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. So why wasn't Tyler worth Seattle's second-round pick? Because Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
he failed the character test -- he carried the baggage of off-field issues and lack of maturity and motivation. Ruskell has made character and integrity a prime requisite for anyone the Seahawks sign or draft, and Tyler didn't pass muster.2) Mebane did, but the question is: Why did Seattle rate him higher than Ohio State's Quinn Pitcock, who was generally rated a better third-round value? Because the Seahawks ignored Mebane's lack of height (he's just 6-foot-1) in favor of his production -- another typical Ruskell strategy. Pitcock was considered an unathletic underachiever, while Mebane is not as strong but is more explosive and appears to be a better fit as a run stopper in Seattle's scheme.The Seahawks obviously had Mebane rated higher than any of the remaining guard prospects; Marshal Yanda and Andy Alleman went in the next three picks, and Manuel Ramirez was picked in the fourth round. The Seahawks probably had little interest in any of them for various reasons.3) Why in the heck didn't the Seahawks draft a tight end?Delaware's Ben Patrick was lined up as a potential third-round pick for the Hawks, but the non-NFL evaluators apparently had him rated way too high because he was not drafted until Arizona took him in the seventh round.If Zach Miller had fallen to the 55th spot, the Seahawks surely would have taken him. But he was picked by Oakland at 38. And the Seahawks obviously didn't like any of the remaining tight ends enough to grab one until after the draft was over, when they signed Oregon State's Joe Newton. Thus, the tight end spot is in the 35-year-old hands of Marcus Pollard in 2007.4) When the Seahawks finally did draft a guard, they chose a big-time project in Mansfield Wrotto over a more established blocker in Josh Beekman. Why?Wrotto, a former defensive lineman, played right tackle as a senior at Georgia Tech, and he will require some major coaching to become any good at guard. Beekman, meanwhile, had started 39 games at Boston College, and his only shortcoming seemed to be the fact that he comes up a little short for a guard (6-2). The Seahawks probably thought Beekman was purely a center type in the NFL and apparently prefer the potential (and maybe the funky name) of Wrotto.In the end, the Seahawks stocked up their defense with their first three picksReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
(Wilson, Mebane and defensive end Baraka Atkins) and basically have the same unresolved future at tight end and guard that they had going into the draft. And it won't be until the future that we know whether the Seahawks' answers to the above questions are the right ones.Got a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst? E-mail us at mediawatch For more information, visit our Media Watch info page.
d and defensive tackle, why did the Seahawks pass on USC center Ryan Kalil and N.C. State tackle Tank Tyler and take Maryland cornerback Josh Wilson with the 55th overall pick?Kalil was considered a high second-round value, so when he slid down the round and was there when the Seahawks were picking, it looked like a very fortuitous fall for Seattle. But Ruskell decided to continue to upgrade his secondary by adding a cornerback with the team's top pick for the second straight year.The Seahawks obviously had Wilson rated higher than Kalil, but why? Perhaps it was because they felt Kalil would not make a good guard in the NFL. At 291 pounds, he would be a little light for the position. And with Spencer set to start at center, Kalil would have had to make the move to guard. Of course, in light of the news that Spencer's shoulders could hinder him all the way to training camp, passing on Kalil still looks like a questionable move. Kalil didn't last much longer than the 55th pick; Carolina took the center four selections later.The Seahawks already like the man they got at 55. Wilson showed well in the recent mini-camp and is expected to replace Kelly Herndon immediately as the nickel back and could challenge Kelly Jennings, Seattle's first-round pick in 2006, for the starting gig at right cornerback.Tyler was rated as a second-round talent by non-NFL evaluators, but he ended up going in the third round -- just three picks before the Seahawks grabbed California defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. So why wasn't Tyler worth Seattle's second-round pick? Because Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
he failed the character test -- he carried the baggage of off-field issues and lack of maturity and motivation. Ruskell has made character and integrity a prime requisite for anyone the Seahawks sign or draft, and Tyler didn't pass muster.2) Mebane did, but the question is: Why did Seattle rate him higher than Ohio State's Quinn Pitcock, who was generally rated a better third-round value? Because the Seahawks ignored Mebane's lack of height (he's just 6-foot-1) in favor of his production -- another typical Ruskell strategy. Pitcock was considered an unathletic underachiever, while Mebane is not as strong but is more explosive and appears to be a better fit as a run stopper in Seattle's scheme.The Seahawks obviously had Mebane rated higher than any of the remaining guard prospects; Marshal Yanda and Andy Alleman went in the next three picks, and Manuel Ramirez was picked in the fourth round. The Seahawks probably had little interest in any of them for various reasons.3) Why in the heck didn't the Seahawks draft a tight end?Delaware's Ben Patrick was lined up as a potential third-round pick for the Hawks, but the non-NFL evaluators apparently had him rated way too high because he was not drafted until Arizona took him in the seventh round.If Zach Miller had fallen to the 55th spot, the Seahawks surely would have taken him. But he was picked by Oakland at 38. And the Seahawks obviously didn't like any of the remaining tight ends enough to grab one until after the draft was over, when they signed Oregon State's Joe Newton. Thus, the tight end spot is in the 35-year-old hands of Marcus Pollard in 2007.4) When the Seahawks finally did draft a guard, they chose a big-time project in Mansfield Wrotto over a more established blocker in Josh Beekman. Why?Wrotto, a former defensive lineman, played right tackle as a senior at Georgia Tech, and he will require some major coaching to become any good at guard. Beekman, meanwhile, had started 39 games at Boston College, and his only shortcoming seemed to be the fact that he comes up a little short for a guard (6-2). The Seahawks probably thought Beekman was purely a center type in the NFL and apparently prefer the potential (and maybe the funky name) of Wrotto.In the end, the Seahawks stocked up their defense with their first three picksReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
(Wilson, Mebane and defensive end Baraka Atkins) and basically have the same unresolved future at tight end and guard that they had going into the draft. And it won't be until the future that we know whether the Seahawks' answers to the above questions are the right ones.Got a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst? E-mail us at mediawatch For more information, visit our Media Watch info page.
2011年1月12日星期三
13 Jan 11 Atlanta Hawks' Jamal Crawford Deserves All-Star Status
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAfter beating the Boston Celtics last night on the road, the Atlanta Hawks are now 3-0 against the Eastern Conference leading Celtics. With four games left until the halfway mark of the season, the Hawks are 24-13 and just one game back of the Orlando Magic in the Southeast Division.Jamal Crawford deserves to be on the Eastern Conference All-Star team simply because he has been the Hawks most valuable player up to this point of the 2009-2010 season.Do not get this column wrong, Joe Johnson is still by far the Hawks' best St. Louis Rams jersey
player, but Crawford has been the driving force behind Atlanta's ascension into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Last year, it was the Big Three in the East and everyone else. The Hawks are dangerously close to crashing that party.Crawford probably will not get on the All-Star team because he does not have the eye-popping statistics, but as often is the case, the statistics do not tell the whole story for what Crawford has meant to the Hawks and Coach Mike Woodson.Crawford is averaging more than 16 pointsper game with almost three assists in only 30 minutes of action. Those numbers are solid, but he only ranks as the 14th best scoring guard in the East; however, when you start breaking down the players ahead of him, Crawford should be an All-Star.Jamal will not be voted onto the team, but here are three reasons he should be a roster selection after the voting concludes:1. Crawford plays minutes at both guard positions. He runs the Hawks second unit on most nights and in the fourth quarter he is always on the floor in crunch time. He can play with pg Mike Bibby or he can play the point and run the high screen and roll like he did last night versus the Celtics.2. Crawford is instant offense off the bench. He definitely is one of the top candidates for NBA Sixth Man of the Year. In the past two years or so, the Hawks have struggled in their half court offense. Crawford has given them a penetrator who will find the open man. Admittedly, he likes to shoot first, but he has been more unselfish this year because he is playing with a winning team.3. Crawford appears to be so hungry to make the playoffs that his energy is rubbing off on a team that goes through ridiculous and disturbing stretches of poor play. The Hawks looked terrible losing to the Orlando Magic this past weekend. Dwight Howard intimidates the Hawks bigs like no one else in the NBA.Crawford is hungry to win and he is a dangerous scorer every night. He gives the Hawks a player that can create his own shot on the opposite side of the floor from Super Joe Johnson.Joe Johnson Tennessee Titans jersey
is going to be an All-Star. The way that the Hawks have played this year the team deserves one other selection. Al "the Boss" Horford has been playing well lately and the mercurial Josh "J-Smoove" Smith played well in November.Smith seems to be falling back into some bad habits, while Horford still struggles some nights playing the undersized center position. Crawford has been more consistent and had more impact on the team and the Eastern Conference to this point in the season.
player, but Crawford has been the driving force behind Atlanta's ascension into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Last year, it was the Big Three in the East and everyone else. The Hawks are dangerously close to crashing that party.Crawford probably will not get on the All-Star team because he does not have the eye-popping statistics, but as often is the case, the statistics do not tell the whole story for what Crawford has meant to the Hawks and Coach Mike Woodson.Crawford is averaging more than 16 pointsper game with almost three assists in only 30 minutes of action. Those numbers are solid, but he only ranks as the 14th best scoring guard in the East; however, when you start breaking down the players ahead of him, Crawford should be an All-Star.Jamal will not be voted onto the team, but here are three reasons he should be a roster selection after the voting concludes:1. Crawford plays minutes at both guard positions. He runs the Hawks second unit on most nights and in the fourth quarter he is always on the floor in crunch time. He can play with pg Mike Bibby or he can play the point and run the high screen and roll like he did last night versus the Celtics.2. Crawford is instant offense off the bench. He definitely is one of the top candidates for NBA Sixth Man of the Year. In the past two years or so, the Hawks have struggled in their half court offense. Crawford has given them a penetrator who will find the open man. Admittedly, he likes to shoot first, but he has been more unselfish this year because he is playing with a winning team.3. Crawford appears to be so hungry to make the playoffs that his energy is rubbing off on a team that goes through ridiculous and disturbing stretches of poor play. The Hawks looked terrible losing to the Orlando Magic this past weekend. Dwight Howard intimidates the Hawks bigs like no one else in the NBA.Crawford is hungry to win and he is a dangerous scorer every night. He gives the Hawks a player that can create his own shot on the opposite side of the floor from Super Joe Johnson.Joe Johnson Tennessee Titans jersey
is going to be an All-Star. The way that the Hawks have played this year the team deserves one other selection. Al "the Boss" Horford has been playing well lately and the mercurial Josh "J-Smoove" Smith played well in November.Smith seems to be falling back into some bad habits, while Horford still struggles some nights playing the undersized center position. Crawford has been more consistent and had more impact on the team and the Eastern Conference to this point in the season.
12 Jan 11 Is This the Second Wave of the NBA's Next Great Point Guards?
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesThe 2005 NBA Draft heralded a new generation of elite point guards. Deron Williams and Chris Paul were respectively selected third and fourth overall, and both immediately entered the select elite of NBA point guards (it took Williams until his second season).It was a much needed invigoration, as, at the time, the standing crop of elite point guards, including Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Chauncey Billups, were deemed to be entering later stages of their careers. the glories of John Stockton and Gary Payton had long since faded. Buffalo Bills jersey
A new guard of point guards was required.The magnified importance of great and visible point guards cannot be understated. The point guard position is so visible and so scrutinized because point guards are not just the leaders and orchestrators of their teams, but also quick, crafty, and imaginative, akin to artists of the game and the court. Point guards supply the aesthetic appeal of basketball (watching Nash and Paul play is always a treat), but are also revered as gritty winners, as with Isaiah Thomas and his Bad Boys Pistons.In this sense, the emergence of Paul and Williams was nearly as important to the restoration of the league's positive image as was the class of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony.A few short years later, there appears to be a new wave of uber-talented guards, who intriguingly bring a diverse set of skills.Derrick Rose, hailed and praised since the eighth grade as the next great Chicago point guard after Thomas, hailed as the NBA's next elite point guard, is the old man of the new wave. Drafted last year first overall, Rose, with his all-world athletic abilities, met expectations and won Rookie of the Year. Rose, however, still has enormous questions to answer. Neither a great shooter or distributor nor a fiery leader, Rose has yet to form a definitive character, and one is left wondering if he is overly reliant on his exceptional athleticism.Once thought to be THE next great point guard, Rose has company alongside. Tyreke Evans, Rose's replacement as Memphis point guard and the odd-on-favorite to be this season's Rookie of the Year, is already making waves in the pro game.With the body of a pro tight end, Evans is the rare point guard made in the Magic Johnson mold, an advantage he uses to bully opposing guards and get into the lane at will. In just this, his rookie year, Evans is Carolina Panthers jersey
averaging stunning rookie-year averages of 20.8 points per game and nearly five rebounds and assists per game, respectively. His leadership skills and winning edge are apparent too as he helped the previously woeful Kings to a respectable record; this in contrast to Rose, whose Bulls have not met expectations.Brandon Jennings is the most surprising of the lot of the new wave of point guards. Under-performing in Italy a year ago and considered a showman and a poor shooter, expectations and commentary for Jennings were largely cynical leading up the June draft. His rookie season has thus far defied such cynicism and reaffirmed the high praise Jennings received as a high-schooler. Jet-quick, occasionally dazzling, and demonstrating an eye for the pass, Jennings forms the closest approximation to Paul in the new batch of point guards. Much like Evans, Jennings has helped his team, the Bucks, to a mini-resurgence, although both him and the Bucks have met a cool stretch.While the aforementioned three have been busying plying their trade professionally in Chicago, Sacramento, and Milwaukee, the last of the new wave of point guards is logging minutes in Lexington. John Wall, thought by many to be the best player in college as a freshman, is the unquestioned star of No. 1 Kentucky. Drawing comparisons to Rose, Wall is able to dominate by sheer athleticism. His game, though incomplete, bears signs of polish, and he has the look of a winner, making a plethora of clutch plays this season. Though almost certainly the first overall pick this coming June, Wall's impact on the NBA point guard scene is speculation at this point.The point guard hierarchy is ever-evolving and will be a storyline to watch the coming seasons. How long will Nash, Kidd, and Billups stay on top of their games? Will and Paul and Williams be the behemoths of the coming years, or will Rose, Evans, Jennings, and Wall reach the same, if not higher, point in the hierarchy? Which of the new wave will be the best: Rose, the beefy Evans, the speedy Jennings, or the Chicago Bears jersey
young Wall?Right now, the league is gifted with two batches of great young point guards, and their development will be exciting to follow over the coming years. Such developments will impact the league tremendously, affecting both the NBA's marketing appeal and, let's hope, changing the playoff landscape, as nothing is quite so exciting as seeing dueling point guard wizards deep in the playoffs.
A new guard of point guards was required.The magnified importance of great and visible point guards cannot be understated. The point guard position is so visible and so scrutinized because point guards are not just the leaders and orchestrators of their teams, but also quick, crafty, and imaginative, akin to artists of the game and the court. Point guards supply the aesthetic appeal of basketball (watching Nash and Paul play is always a treat), but are also revered as gritty winners, as with Isaiah Thomas and his Bad Boys Pistons.In this sense, the emergence of Paul and Williams was nearly as important to the restoration of the league's positive image as was the class of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony.A few short years later, there appears to be a new wave of uber-talented guards, who intriguingly bring a diverse set of skills.Derrick Rose, hailed and praised since the eighth grade as the next great Chicago point guard after Thomas, hailed as the NBA's next elite point guard, is the old man of the new wave. Drafted last year first overall, Rose, with his all-world athletic abilities, met expectations and won Rookie of the Year. Rose, however, still has enormous questions to answer. Neither a great shooter or distributor nor a fiery leader, Rose has yet to form a definitive character, and one is left wondering if he is overly reliant on his exceptional athleticism.Once thought to be THE next great point guard, Rose has company alongside. Tyreke Evans, Rose's replacement as Memphis point guard and the odd-on-favorite to be this season's Rookie of the Year, is already making waves in the pro game.With the body of a pro tight end, Evans is the rare point guard made in the Magic Johnson mold, an advantage he uses to bully opposing guards and get into the lane at will. In just this, his rookie year, Evans is Carolina Panthers jersey
averaging stunning rookie-year averages of 20.8 points per game and nearly five rebounds and assists per game, respectively. His leadership skills and winning edge are apparent too as he helped the previously woeful Kings to a respectable record; this in contrast to Rose, whose Bulls have not met expectations.Brandon Jennings is the most surprising of the lot of the new wave of point guards. Under-performing in Italy a year ago and considered a showman and a poor shooter, expectations and commentary for Jennings were largely cynical leading up the June draft. His rookie season has thus far defied such cynicism and reaffirmed the high praise Jennings received as a high-schooler. Jet-quick, occasionally dazzling, and demonstrating an eye for the pass, Jennings forms the closest approximation to Paul in the new batch of point guards. Much like Evans, Jennings has helped his team, the Bucks, to a mini-resurgence, although both him and the Bucks have met a cool stretch.While the aforementioned three have been busying plying their trade professionally in Chicago, Sacramento, and Milwaukee, the last of the new wave of point guards is logging minutes in Lexington. John Wall, thought by many to be the best player in college as a freshman, is the unquestioned star of No. 1 Kentucky. Drawing comparisons to Rose, Wall is able to dominate by sheer athleticism. His game, though incomplete, bears signs of polish, and he has the look of a winner, making a plethora of clutch plays this season. Though almost certainly the first overall pick this coming June, Wall's impact on the NBA point guard scene is speculation at this point.The point guard hierarchy is ever-evolving and will be a storyline to watch the coming seasons. How long will Nash, Kidd, and Billups stay on top of their games? Will and Paul and Williams be the behemoths of the coming years, or will Rose, Evans, Jennings, and Wall reach the same, if not higher, point in the hierarchy? Which of the new wave will be the best: Rose, the beefy Evans, the speedy Jennings, or the Chicago Bears jersey
young Wall?Right now, the league is gifted with two batches of great young point guards, and their development will be exciting to follow over the coming years. Such developments will impact the league tremendously, affecting both the NBA's marketing appeal and, let's hope, changing the playoff landscape, as nothing is quite so exciting as seeing dueling point guard wizards deep in the playoffs.
2011年1月10日星期一
10 Jan 11 NBA Free Agency May Be a Huge Bust This Offseason
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesDon't look now, but all of these cap-clearing moves by NBA teams at the trade deadline may prove to be much ado about nothing if the top tier free agents decide the grass isn't greener on the other side.In this case, the "grass" refers to money. Both are green, and despite what many NBA stars may tell you about their desire to win, it's the almighty dollar that usually dictates their future.Plus, most of them play in situations that wouldn't automatically be improved by moving to another team anyway.Is LeBron James, for example, assured of San Diego Chargers jersey
a title if he goes to New York? Likewise, Dwyane Wade if he moves to Chicago?Of course not. And that leaves only two other potential reasons for a player to change addresses this summer.One reason could be better marketing opportunities. But in the case of LeBron, he is The Man in Cleveland. Do the bright lights of the Big Apple guarantee more exposure?Ditto for Wade and some of the others. Sure, a guy like Joe Johnson may be able to get more exposure, but is he really one of the top-tiered players that teams think of when clearing cap space?The second reason is money, and none of the top players would be in a position to benefit financially if they move to another team, barring a sign-and-trade.Assuming they will be offered a max contract by their current teams, these players will be better off staying put.Sure, LeBron's expiring Nike contract may net more dollars if he goes to New York, but until the Bird clause kicks in, nobody can pay him more in straight salary than the Cavs can over the next three years.The Cavs can offer LeBron a six year contract, while New York (or any other team with cap space) can offer only five years. And since they would be offering the absolute max deal, Cleveland would not be able to renegotiate with LeBron during those five year.New York, if it signed LeBron San Francisco 49ers jersey
as a free agent, could extend his deal after three years and help make up the difference.So it seems that if anyone leaves, it could be LeBron, though again, I don't see it happening. Meanwhile, Wade isn't leaving Miami in my opinion.Still, teams like the Bulls continue to clear space. But Chicago's best hope may be Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, or Amare Stoudemire. Not bad, but not exactly LeBron, Wade, or Bosh.So this free agent class, much hyped and much bally-hooed over the past couple years, could turn out to be very disappointing.And where will that leave the teams who sold out to obtain these players?
a title if he goes to New York? Likewise, Dwyane Wade if he moves to Chicago?Of course not. And that leaves only two other potential reasons for a player to change addresses this summer.One reason could be better marketing opportunities. But in the case of LeBron, he is The Man in Cleveland. Do the bright lights of the Big Apple guarantee more exposure?Ditto for Wade and some of the others. Sure, a guy like Joe Johnson may be able to get more exposure, but is he really one of the top-tiered players that teams think of when clearing cap space?The second reason is money, and none of the top players would be in a position to benefit financially if they move to another team, barring a sign-and-trade.Assuming they will be offered a max contract by their current teams, these players will be better off staying put.Sure, LeBron's expiring Nike contract may net more dollars if he goes to New York, but until the Bird clause kicks in, nobody can pay him more in straight salary than the Cavs can over the next three years.The Cavs can offer LeBron a six year contract, while New York (or any other team with cap space) can offer only five years. And since they would be offering the absolute max deal, Cleveland would not be able to renegotiate with LeBron during those five year.New York, if it signed LeBron San Francisco 49ers jersey
as a free agent, could extend his deal after three years and help make up the difference.So it seems that if anyone leaves, it could be LeBron, though again, I don't see it happening. Meanwhile, Wade isn't leaving Miami in my opinion.Still, teams like the Bulls continue to clear space. But Chicago's best hope may be Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, or Amare Stoudemire. Not bad, but not exactly LeBron, Wade, or Bosh.So this free agent class, much hyped and much bally-hooed over the past couple years, could turn out to be very disappointing.And where will that leave the teams who sold out to obtain these players?
2011年1月9日星期日
9 Jan 11 The Dallas Mavericks Are Poised For a Championship Run
The Dallas Mavericks have been a consistently good franchise this past decade. Perhaps the saddest thing about that statement, is that, the franchise and city alike know the Mavericks have been capable of greatness.Unfortunately their inability to turn their strong regular season performances into consistently deep playoff-runs has Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
hindered them, making them an afterthought behind dominant franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.They've come close, like at the 2006 playoffs where Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericksunfortunatelyran into the emerging legacy of Dwyane Wade. However, since then, nobody has really believed they could truly win a championship.It's not like they helped their cause either, losing to the lowly eighth seeded Golden State Warriors in the post-season just the following year.This year is different.A sudden change-up at the trade deadline has seen the Mavericks come out with a straight-up scary lineup. Lead by perennial cornerstone Dirk Nowitzki and future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd, the Mavericks finally look poised to claim that ever elusive championship.This is the time to deliver asReebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Nowitzki in particular, has all the help he could need. Gone are the days where Maverick fans could complain about the supporting cast, or the fact that at times Nowitzki has been so heavily scrutinized by the media despite carrying a proud Dallas franchise and city on his shoulders.Caron Butler is capable of taking over a game, and hitting clutch shots. With Shawn Marion he gives the Mavericks two of the games most versatile forwards, and best defenders. Brendan Haywood has already shown what he's capable of doing, averaging 11.1 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 2.9 BPG since arriving in Texas.With Erick Dampier hopefully at full strength come post-season, Haywood and Damp will create a physical, intimidating two-headed monster in the middle; a more than capable defensive presence against any team in the NBA.Add in the leadership and instant offense of Jason "The Jet" Terry in addition to key role players like J.J. Barea and rookie point guard Rodrigue Beaubois and the lineup is terrifying.With these added weapons comes a great deal of expectations, but with Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
recent wins against the Magic, Lakers, and Hawks the Mavericks have shown they are more than capable. Especially when considering this team isn't even near their ceiling in terms of team chemistry and operating together on the court at full potential.Opposing teams should be terrified, as all the pieces are present, and the Dallas Mavericks are poised to play until June.
hindered them, making them an afterthought behind dominant franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.They've come close, like at the 2006 playoffs where Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericksunfortunatelyran into the emerging legacy of Dwyane Wade. However, since then, nobody has really believed they could truly win a championship.It's not like they helped their cause either, losing to the lowly eighth seeded Golden State Warriors in the post-season just the following year.This year is different.A sudden change-up at the trade deadline has seen the Mavericks come out with a straight-up scary lineup. Lead by perennial cornerstone Dirk Nowitzki and future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd, the Mavericks finally look poised to claim that ever elusive championship.This is the time to deliver asReebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Nowitzki in particular, has all the help he could need. Gone are the days where Maverick fans could complain about the supporting cast, or the fact that at times Nowitzki has been so heavily scrutinized by the media despite carrying a proud Dallas franchise and city on his shoulders.Caron Butler is capable of taking over a game, and hitting clutch shots. With Shawn Marion he gives the Mavericks two of the games most versatile forwards, and best defenders. Brendan Haywood has already shown what he's capable of doing, averaging 11.1 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 2.9 BPG since arriving in Texas.With Erick Dampier hopefully at full strength come post-season, Haywood and Damp will create a physical, intimidating two-headed monster in the middle; a more than capable defensive presence against any team in the NBA.Add in the leadership and instant offense of Jason "The Jet" Terry in addition to key role players like J.J. Barea and rookie point guard Rodrigue Beaubois and the lineup is terrifying.With these added weapons comes a great deal of expectations, but with Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
recent wins against the Magic, Lakers, and Hawks the Mavericks have shown they are more than capable. Especially when considering this team isn't even near their ceiling in terms of team chemistry and operating together on the court at full potential.Opposing teams should be terrified, as all the pieces are present, and the Dallas Mavericks are poised to play until June.
2011年1月8日星期六
8 Jan 11 Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao: Is the Wild Thing Too Wild?
Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesThe case of Anderson Varejao is definitely an interesting one. He is this era's Dennis Rodman without the flair. He is one of the most hated players in the NBA, but to most Cleveland fans he is beloved.Now I have heard all of the complaints about Varejao; he is overpaid, a flopper, Atlanta Falcons jersey
a dirty player, and a whiner. I agree with all of these complaints, at one point in his career he was, or still is all of these things.Before he became more than a flopper, he was overpaid. Now that he has honed his defensive skill to more than just jumping in front of a player charging toward the hole, he is no longer overpaid.He still is a dirty player, but all contenders need at least one player to do the dirty work on the hardwood. Without a player that will grab, push, pull, punch, kick, and shove his way to a loose ball or a rebound, a team does not have the physicality it takes to intimidate other teams. (And he is nowhere near as bad as Reggie Evans who...well...Chris Kamen knows what I'm talking about )The Wild Thing, with the help of Shaq down low showing him how to throw his body around, has become the Cavs' most intense, physical player. His intensity also allows him to get under the skin of every player he defends and every player that defends him.This reached its peak during the season against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. C's coach Doc Rivers Baltimore Ravens jersey
described Andy as "frustrating" about 37 times during the press conference after their loss to the Cavs.Varejao came off the bench in that game and ignited the team while scoring 15 first-half points, allowing the Cavs' to outpace the Celtics and further show their dominance of the Eastern Conference.Varejao has become much more than the flopping ball of energy he was at the beginning of his career. In the 2009 postseason he was given a $42.5 million six-year contract extension, which at the time was too much for the player he was.Varejao is a different player now. He has a jump shot like he never had before in his career. He has become an effective NBA big man, a potential future All-Star, and a perennial NBA All-Defensive team candidate.The Wild Thing is as wild as ever, but he is combining it Buffalo Bills jersey
with a shooters touch comparable to Zydrunas Ilgauskis and a physical presence under the basket comparable to Shaq. He will still step on your toes and flop around once every now and then, but now he is an effective NBA player and a force to be reckoned with.
a dirty player, and a whiner. I agree with all of these complaints, at one point in his career he was, or still is all of these things.Before he became more than a flopper, he was overpaid. Now that he has honed his defensive skill to more than just jumping in front of a player charging toward the hole, he is no longer overpaid.He still is a dirty player, but all contenders need at least one player to do the dirty work on the hardwood. Without a player that will grab, push, pull, punch, kick, and shove his way to a loose ball or a rebound, a team does not have the physicality it takes to intimidate other teams. (And he is nowhere near as bad as Reggie Evans who...well...Chris Kamen knows what I'm talking about )The Wild Thing, with the help of Shaq down low showing him how to throw his body around, has become the Cavs' most intense, physical player. His intensity also allows him to get under the skin of every player he defends and every player that defends him.This reached its peak during the season against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. C's coach Doc Rivers Baltimore Ravens jersey
described Andy as "frustrating" about 37 times during the press conference after their loss to the Cavs.Varejao came off the bench in that game and ignited the team while scoring 15 first-half points, allowing the Cavs' to outpace the Celtics and further show their dominance of the Eastern Conference.Varejao has become much more than the flopping ball of energy he was at the beginning of his career. In the 2009 postseason he was given a $42.5 million six-year contract extension, which at the time was too much for the player he was.Varejao is a different player now. He has a jump shot like he never had before in his career. He has become an effective NBA big man, a potential future All-Star, and a perennial NBA All-Defensive team candidate.The Wild Thing is as wild as ever, but he is combining it Buffalo Bills jersey
with a shooters touch comparable to Zydrunas Ilgauskis and a physical presence under the basket comparable to Shaq. He will still step on your toes and flop around once every now and then, but now he is an effective NBA player and a force to be reckoned with.
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