Thursday, December 31, 2009
NFL
The great Ike Bruce to retire. Why the Rams didn't keep him around to work with the youngsters still puzzles me. Donnie Avery couldn't learn anything from one of the great receivers in league history? Rams fans will give him a great sendoff.
Dawgs
Drew Allen on the road with the Bulldogs. Former Northwest Whitfield Bruin (and my nephew) is featured here in the Summerville News.
Rasslin'
Steve Williams, RIP. I saw Dr. Death team with Bam Bam Gordy against the Steiners in Mobile in 1992. It was the first Bash at the Beach event and the card also featured an epic Sting versus Cactus Jack match.
This card took place days after Bill Watts took over WCW and the new "tough guy" attitude was clearly evident. (For one thing, the protective padding on the floor was removed.)
Doc and Bam Bam and the Steiners delivered a 30-minute time limit draw which had to thrill old school Watts. It was physical, "logical" and had excellent psychology.
At one point it looked to me like an amateur style shoot between Williams and the Steiners. All three had great amateur backgrounds. They went at hard in an amateur style and it didn't look like any one was playacting. It also looked like Williams kicked their asses. The Steiners were good though.
The crowd didn't know exactly how to react to what they saw. It wasn't what they had become used to in recent years but the fans were definitely into the match.
Next to Sting and Cactus, it was easily the best match on the card, primarily due to the steady psychological buildup and sheer physicality.
This card took place days after Bill Watts took over WCW and the new "tough guy" attitude was clearly evident. (For one thing, the protective padding on the floor was removed.)
Doc and Bam Bam and the Steiners delivered a 30-minute time limit draw which had to thrill old school Watts. It was physical, "logical" and had excellent psychology.
At one point it looked to me like an amateur style shoot between Williams and the Steiners. All three had great amateur backgrounds. They went at hard in an amateur style and it didn't look like any one was playacting. It also looked like Williams kicked their asses. The Steiners were good though.
The crowd didn't know exactly how to react to what they saw. It wasn't what they had become used to in recent years but the fans were definitely into the match.
Next to Sting and Cactus, it was easily the best match on the card, primarily due to the steady psychological buildup and sheer physicality.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
NFL draft
Kiffin expects Berry to leave. Tennessee coach agrees its the best decision but Berry remains quiet. He's likely a Top 5 pick at this point.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Rasslin
In a Jamie "Paperboy" Jones Memorial match, Luscious Luke and a surly midget go at it. Young Luke took home a concussion from that steel chair shot at about the 6:40 mark. Human chess at its finest, as the great Gordon Solie used to say. By the way, that's the midget's mom in the foreground.
More Dawgs
Atkins, White receive MVP recognition. Let's hear it for a defensive lineman getting his due.
Here's a column from the College Station daily. Turns out special teams haven't been so special all year for the Aggies.
Here's a column from the College Station daily. Turns out special teams haven't been so special all year for the Aggies.
MLB
Jason Bay signs with Mets. ESPN's Jeremy Crasnick refers to Bay and Holliday as the "most hotly pursued players on the free agent market." I am curious as to his definition of "hotly pursued." It seems to me that two teams showed a serious interest in Bay, the Red Sox and the Mets. Hardly a hot pursuit. The same with HOlliday. Other than the Cardinals, exactly who is in hot pursuit? They may be the best position players in this free agent crop, but I'd say Mark DeRosa was more "hotly pursued."
Dawgs deliver
Texas A&M isn't a very good football team and that's the biggest reason Georgia was able to hammer them in the Independence Bowl.Yet there were a lot of things Georgia fans should be pleased with after the 44-20 win in Shreveport.
First, of course, was the play of the special teams. Georgia got 24 points primarily due to special teams excellence, including the 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that finally put the team on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
Boykin was one of the most dangeorus kick returners in the country alo season and it is fitting thathe got to show off one last time on national TV. A&M Coach Mike Sherman commented before the game on Boykin's explosiveness and surely had his special teams keyed to stop the Dawg returner, but that extra attention wasn't enough.
The Georgia defense made a lot of good plays and housl have made even more. They dropped at least interceptions, as the Aggies' overrated quarterback Jerrod Johnson did a pretty convincing imitation of scatter-armed Michael Vick. How this guy wore out Texas is beyond me, but you have to think the Alabama coaching staff and players took notice.
Georgia's three stud defensive tackles were very effective. Did anybody run inside consistently on these guys this season. The defense could be had on the corner and off tackle, but between the tackles Georgia was rock solid all year. Texas A&M repeatedly put themselves in long yardage situations by running for nothing behind their guards and then having to pass. Thank you, Mike Sherman. That's exactly what the Georgia defense wanted you to do.
The pass rush was lively all night, both from the inside and the outside. It was a little like the Hawaii game a few years ago except the A&M quarterback could move around and avoided some sacks. The Aggies were overmatched across the front.
Offensively Georgia does not have much to brag about.
Joe Cox gave us another Joe Cox game -- good enough to beat a mediocre opponent but nothing very impressive. Early on he gave the offense nothing, but played better as Georgia's defense and special teams paved the way. His TD connections with Aron White were impressive.
A.J. Green played and he helped, but clearly wasn't 100 percent.
The running game was lousy in the first half. The line got whipped and the backs rolled over. That changed in the second half. Georgia kept pounding away and eventually Ealey and King made their mark. One of the highlights of the night was the play of Shaun Chapas. The veteran fullback delivered some crunching blocks and had his best rushing game ever. Near the end, he teamed with Munzenmaier to give Georgia a 500-plus pound backfield that mauled the reeling Aggie defense.
Overall Geoirgia has to be pleased. The win sends them into the offseason on a high note, which can be added to with a good hire at defensive coordinator.
A talented team will return next season, but one with a major question mark ... My kingdom for a quarterback!
First, of course, was the play of the special teams. Georgia got 24 points primarily due to special teams excellence, including the 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that finally put the team on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
Boykin was one of the most dangeorus kick returners in the country alo season and it is fitting thathe got to show off one last time on national TV. A&M Coach Mike Sherman commented before the game on Boykin's explosiveness and surely had his special teams keyed to stop the Dawg returner, but that extra attention wasn't enough.
The Georgia defense made a lot of good plays and housl have made even more. They dropped at least interceptions, as the Aggies' overrated quarterback Jerrod Johnson did a pretty convincing imitation of scatter-armed Michael Vick. How this guy wore out Texas is beyond me, but you have to think the Alabama coaching staff and players took notice.
Georgia's three stud defensive tackles were very effective. Did anybody run inside consistently on these guys this season. The defense could be had on the corner and off tackle, but between the tackles Georgia was rock solid all year. Texas A&M repeatedly put themselves in long yardage situations by running for nothing behind their guards and then having to pass. Thank you, Mike Sherman. That's exactly what the Georgia defense wanted you to do.
The pass rush was lively all night, both from the inside and the outside. It was a little like the Hawaii game a few years ago except the A&M quarterback could move around and avoided some sacks. The Aggies were overmatched across the front.
Offensively Georgia does not have much to brag about.
Joe Cox gave us another Joe Cox game -- good enough to beat a mediocre opponent but nothing very impressive. Early on he gave the offense nothing, but played better as Georgia's defense and special teams paved the way. His TD connections with Aron White were impressive.
A.J. Green played and he helped, but clearly wasn't 100 percent.
The running game was lousy in the first half. The line got whipped and the backs rolled over. That changed in the second half. Georgia kept pounding away and eventually Ealey and King made their mark. One of the highlights of the night was the play of Shaun Chapas. The veteran fullback delivered some crunching blocks and had his best rushing game ever. Near the end, he teamed with Munzenmaier to give Georgia a 500-plus pound backfield that mauled the reeling Aggie defense.
Overall Geoirgia has to be pleased. The win sends them into the offseason on a high note, which can be added to with a good hire at defensive coordinator.
A talented team will return next season, but one with a major question mark ... My kingdom for a quarterback!
Monday, December 28, 2009
The real story on Urban Meyer
My sources tell me that the Florida coach is highly upset after Tim Tebow told him this weekend that he "thought it was time for me to see other coaches." I'll let you know if I hear anymore on this (heart)breaking story.
MLB
Baseball America's John Manuel offers his Top 20 prospects. Heyward trails only Strasburg. The Rangers have three prospects on the list, including the fireballer Atlanta sent to them in the Texeria hosing. Mike Stanton of the Marlins is No. 3.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Falcon fans can't help but look ahead
It's no time to panic in Atlanta. Sure the Birds are going to miss the playoffs, a major disappointment after last year's surprising success, but the future still looks pretty good.
So what does Atlanta need to do in the offseason?
Free agency shouldn't hit too hard. Linemen Tyson Clabo and Harvey Dahl will be looking for big raises, but most of the team's key players are tied up for at least another year. That means Atlanta can concentrate on filling established needs instead of putting out fresh fires.
Right now the Falcons have five of their seven draft picks. They traded a two for Tony Gonzalez and a seven for Tye Hill. They should add at least three compensatory picks, based on the players they lost last year. One of those could be as high as a three since Dominique Foxworth got the big bucks to go to Baltimore.
The extra choices should pay off as much needed depth. Right now the Falcons are very thin at some positions and need reinforcement. For instance, a young TE who can run would be nice.
The Falcons first pick should fall somewhere in the middle of round one. It's supposed to be a deep draft, so adding a starter is very possible. Everybody seems to be talking DL and OL, but don't be surprised if a run at those positions have the Falcons looking at some very alluring possibilities at other positions.
The Birds should also get a boost from the return to health of 2009 top picks Peria Jerry and William Moore. Jerry was starting at DT when he got hurt. He showed some good things and could make an interesting duo with Babineaux. (Using a high pick on another DT would be smart as well.) Moore was on the field less before getting hurt. But he should get a chance to show off what he can do at safety. (I thought the Falcons should have taken Louis Delmas in the first round last year, but liked Moore as well.)
If I was calling the shots on draft day, I'd look at cornerback, DE and wide receiver.
The secondary is clearly overmatched right now, a situation made worse by the struggling pass rush. Drafting the corner or DE whould could make the biggest impact here right away makes the most sesnse.
If the top pick goes for offense -- unlikely -- the Falcons should go after a wide receiver. A speedy target teamed with Roddy WHite would give the offense a much bigger boost than what Michael Jenkins provides.
After round one Dimitroff needs to add depth just about everywhere. A young TE, as I mentioned before, could learn from Gonzalez. A young center is needed. The DL is thin at tackle and the OL would get a boost from better competition.
Come the postseason, Atlanta should have the pieces it needs to get substantially better. That's how well run teams do it.
So what does Atlanta need to do in the offseason?
Free agency shouldn't hit too hard. Linemen Tyson Clabo and Harvey Dahl will be looking for big raises, but most of the team's key players are tied up for at least another year. That means Atlanta can concentrate on filling established needs instead of putting out fresh fires.
Right now the Falcons have five of their seven draft picks. They traded a two for Tony Gonzalez and a seven for Tye Hill. They should add at least three compensatory picks, based on the players they lost last year. One of those could be as high as a three since Dominique Foxworth got the big bucks to go to Baltimore.
The extra choices should pay off as much needed depth. Right now the Falcons are very thin at some positions and need reinforcement. For instance, a young TE who can run would be nice.
The Falcons first pick should fall somewhere in the middle of round one. It's supposed to be a deep draft, so adding a starter is very possible. Everybody seems to be talking DL and OL, but don't be surprised if a run at those positions have the Falcons looking at some very alluring possibilities at other positions.
The Birds should also get a boost from the return to health of 2009 top picks Peria Jerry and William Moore. Jerry was starting at DT when he got hurt. He showed some good things and could make an interesting duo with Babineaux. (Using a high pick on another DT would be smart as well.) Moore was on the field less before getting hurt. But he should get a chance to show off what he can do at safety. (I thought the Falcons should have taken Louis Delmas in the first round last year, but liked Moore as well.)
If I was calling the shots on draft day, I'd look at cornerback, DE and wide receiver.
The secondary is clearly overmatched right now, a situation made worse by the struggling pass rush. Drafting the corner or DE whould could make the biggest impact here right away makes the most sesnse.
If the top pick goes for offense -- unlikely -- the Falcons should go after a wide receiver. A speedy target teamed with Roddy WHite would give the offense a much bigger boost than what Michael Jenkins provides.
After round one Dimitroff needs to add depth just about everywhere. A young TE, as I mentioned before, could learn from Gonzalez. A young center is needed. The DL is thin at tackle and the OL would get a boost from better competition.
Come the postseason, Atlanta should have the pieces it needs to get substantially better. That's how well run teams do it.
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