Month: August 2008 (Page 13 of 50)

      Football in the Olympics? Peyton Manning wants to see it happen

      August 23, 2008 /

      Asylum.com posted an interesting article about Colts’ star Peyton Manning “spearheading an effort to have football included in the Olympics.” Manning is reaching out to the public to sign a petition to help his cause.

      But should American football be part of the games? In 2012, baseball and softball will be dropped from the Olympic roster, and it seems the IOC owes America at least one event, football or otherwise, in which the U.S. would be among the gold medal favorites. Let’s consider the options …

      Pro: NFL preseason games sell out in Mexico and Japan, and last year a regular season game in London was the hottest ticket in town. The rest of the world sees in football the qualities that have made it our number one sport, and including it in the Olympics would only widen its appeal (and allow for a few more friendly wagers, of course).

      Con: A 160-pound Namibian wide receiver who learned his craft from a Jerry Rice coloring book goes over the middle and is flattened by a 240-pound throat-slash-gesturing strong safety from the University of Miami. If football becomes an Olympic sport, that scene gets repeated for like the next 60 years.

      Tell me that video couldn’t be a SNL skit? Love the music, Peyton.

      It’s hard to imagine Jamaican wide receiver Usain Bolt going over the middle against Ed Reed without shuddering a little bit. While I wouldn’t mind seeing the U.S. dominant another Olympic event, I don’t know if introducing football to the summer games is such a good idea. It would no doubt have an affect on training camps and what if a marquee player got hurt and had to miss an entire season or even worse, the rest of his career?

      NFL, Video

      Shawne Merriman’s career might be over

      August 23, 2008 /

      Rotoworld.com reports that San Diego Chargers’ linebacker Shawne Merriman has not one, but two torn ligaments in his knee. The injuries are a threat to Merriman’s career.

      Shawne Merriman revealed Saturday that his career could be over. In addition to a torn PCL, Merriman has a torn LCL in his left knee.

      His knee requires extensive reconstructive surgery. Perhaps Merriman will chance it and play this year, but that would be foolish. His contract is up after the 2009 season and if he has the procedure, Merriman could try continuing his career afterwards. He’d risk more damage by playing on the knee in 2008. He needs to be removed from IDP draft boards.

      That’s quite a reversal from Friday’s report, which stated that Merriman could play this year if he avoids surgery, or miss the entire season if he opts to have a procedure done. This is horrible news for such a young, productive player and while the Chargers’ defense is still quite good, losing Merriman would be a huge blow.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      The Nuggets re-sign J.R. Smith to three-year deal worth $16.5 million

      August 23, 2008 /

      I estimated his value to be $6.5-$7.5 million per season, but the Denver Nuggets locked up J.R. Smith for a little bit less, signing him to a deal averaging $5.5 million per season.

      Smith has a history of being a little unruly, so that was probably the reason for the discount.

      ESPN’s John Hollinger calculates Smith’s PER to be 18.15, which is the #14 amongst shooting guards, ahead of guys like Joe Johnson, Ben Gordon, Ray Allen and Mike Miller. Smith is a terrific scorer, but his defensive intensity has always been a question mark.

      This is a good signing for the Nuggets, because even if they can’t get Smith on board defensively, his contract is very movable.

      NBA

      Jason Kidd plans to give his gold medal away…

      August 23, 2008 /

      …assuming the U.S. men’s basketball team wins, of course. It turns out Kidd’s medal is already spoken for.

      His name is Steve Wynn. He’s a billionaire. And his wife, Elaine, is getting Jason Kidd’s gold medal if Team USA wins one more game in China.

      “No, it’s not a (gambling) marker or anything like that,” Kidd said. “She’s just a great friend and a really great person.”

      “Last summer, we stayed at the Wynn (resort) for a lifetime, close to three weeks,” Kidd said. “We met at a banquet, we got to talking, and she really understands the game.

      “I told her I’d make a deal with her, that if we won the gold medal, I’d give it to her. She thought I was kidding. But I told her I had one already, and the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do.”

      So I’m trying to figure out this “deal” that Kidd is talking about. Did he stay at the resort for free and the gold medal is his way of paying Mrs. Wynn back? Really? It’s either that or he paid for his stay and doesn’t get anything in return for giving her the gold medal. This is apparently the “least” he can do. Hmm.

      I guess the lesson here is that if you treat Jason Kidd well, he’ll give you things… like gold medals.

      NBA, The Olympics

      Does Vince Young have enough weapons?

      August 23, 2008 /

      In the weeks leading up to the kickoff the 2008 NFL Season, I’ll take a look at position groups that could potentially lift teams to new heights, or bury them and their postseason hopes. Today I take a look at the lack of weapons the Tennessee Titans have in their receiving corps.

      While Vince Young deserves praise for turning the Tennessee Titans’ fortunes around since being selected with the third overall pick in the 2006 draft, it’s no secret that the team would like him to develop more as a passer.

      But does he have enough weapons to throw to?

      The Titans signed longtime Atlanta Falcons’ tight end Alge Crumpler in the offseason and while Crump has struggled with chronic knee problems the past two seasons, he’s still a viable option in the passing game. Crumpler has excellent hands, runs smooth routes and looks healthier this season than he has the past two years.

      But receiver looks like a weakness as Tennessee prepares for the 2008 season. The starters, Justin Gage and Justin McCareins, are both capable, but are also limited. Roydell Williams, Brandon Jones, Biren Early and Chris Davis have all been given the opportunity to make plays this preseason, but outside of maybe Early, none has stood out.

      Even though the receivers are marginal at best, it won’t matter how good the wide outs are if Young doesn’t develop as a passer. Outside of a couple of drives, Young hasn’t looked good this preseason and continues to show a lack of sound fundamentals.

      One issue he continues to have is that he won’t square his body to his target while throwing to the sidelines. Young tends to “get out on his front foot” and use his arm to make throws instead of a combination of his arm, hips and legs. Young will continue to keep the Titans competitive with his legs, but if he doesn’t develop as a passer, defensive coordinators are implementing ways to stop him in obviously passing situations.

      Many pundits were shocked Tennessee drafted another running back (Chris Johnson) in the first round of the draft instead of targeting a wide receiver. But Johnson will get looks in the slot and short passing game, which will help Young in the short term. The Titans had the same idea when they signed Crumpler – strengthen the short to mediate passing game until Young gets more comfortable going down field, then the team can add a quality receiver maybe next year. But as of right now, Gage and McCareins will have to do.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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