Month: August 2008 (Page 33 of 50)

      Falcons to name Matt Ryan Week 1 starter?

      August 13, 2008 /

      SI.com columnist Don Banks believes the idea of the Atlanta Falcons easing third overall pick Matt Ryan into their starting quarterback role has become a “long shot.” Bank fully believes that the Falcons are grooming Ryan as their Week 1 starter.

      The rebuilding Falcons could still opt to play it safe with the No. 3 overall pick and go with veteran Chris Redman as their starter for the first few weeks of the season, but I think that’s becoming more of a long shot by the day. The key factor will be Atlanta’s offensive line as Week 1 looms. If the Falcons feel they can properly protect Ryan, I get the sense they’ll be hard-pressed to find a reason to keep him off the field.

      Standing alongside new Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff during a morning practice, I heard him detail just how many things he already likes about Ryan’s still-formulating NFL game. Namely, how the ex-Boston College star already has a good sense for where to go with the football on most plays, and how his command of both Atlanta’s offense and the Falcons huddle has grown by leaps and bounds since the team’s offseason mini-camp.

      A bad team rushing a rookie quarterback onto the field often spells disaster. There are just too many past examples of what could go wrong.

      But Ryan might be the exception to the rule.

      As I wrote following his impressive preseason debut last week in Jacksonville, Ryan was arguably the most NFL-ready quarterback in last April’s draft. He’s not going to wow anybody by his physical tools, but what make him stand above the rest are his head and his command of a huddle. The Falcons are incredibly young after turning over half their roster in the offseason. Why not allow Ryan to grow with the team on the field as opposed to have him hold a clipboard on the sidelines? As Banks noted in his article, maybe both Ryan and the Falcons will grow together.

      He’s going to take his bumps and bruises and there’s always a risk of ruining a quarterback too early in his development. But considering his college resume and the short time he’s been in the NFL, it looks like this kid has a good grasp of what’s ahead of him and quite frankly, can take what’s about to be dished out.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Cavs acquire Mo Williams via trade

      August 13, 2008 /

      The Cleveland Cavaliers may have found LeBron’s sidekick… Mo Williams.

      Mo Williams, the high-scoring point guard from Milwaukee, will go to Cleveland in the deal, which should be announced later Wednesday.

      The 6-foot-1 Williams averaged 17.2 points and a team-high 6.3 assists for the Bucks last season.

      Cleveland will send shooting guard Damon Jones to Milwaukee and forward Joe Smith to Oklahoma City.

      Milwaukee also will get point guard Luke Ridnour and forward Adrian Griffin from Oklahoma City.

      Oklahoma City, formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics, also gets Desmond Mason, the athletic small forward, from the Bucks.

      I know there are many Bucks fans celebrating this move. A lot of people don’t like Mo’s game since he’s not a pass-first point guard. But he was 16th in the league in assists (6.3), and he’s a terrific scorer (17.2 ppg) and a pretty good rebounder (3.5 rpg) for a point guard. He’s sort of a poor man’s Gilbert Arenas. He’s not a terribly good defender, but since leaving the Jazz a few years ago, he hasn’t been around a defensive-minded coach. If Mike Brown can get some defense out of him, he could turn Williams into an All-Star caliber player. I love this trade for the Cavs.

      And, as a Bucks fan, I hate this trade for Milwaukee. Luke Ridnour? Really? That’s the best you can do for a guy who averaged 17 points and six assists last season? Bucks GM John Hammond made some nice moves this offseason, but I don’t like this trade one bit.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      Remember Cobi Jones? Well, now you can call him “Coach.”

      August 13, 2008 /

      There was a time when the U.S. men’s soccer team could give Italy a run for their money. This was in 1992, specifically at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. That squad included the talents of Tony Meola, Steve Snow, and Alexi Lalas. The star of that team, however, was the speedy goal-scorer Cobi Jones.

      After stints in South America, Europe, and for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS, Jones retired from professional soccer in 2007. But the Galaxy has called upon the great one once again, naming him interim head coach as the team reevaluates their recent performance. He will replace first-year coach Ruud Gullit who has resigned for personal reasons. The major changes include the dismissal of general manager Alexi Lalas, Jones’ former teammate.

      Lalas arrived in Los Angeles in April 2006 after holding a similar position with both the New York Red Bulls and the San Jose Earthquakes, which, like the Galaxy, were owned by AEG. Handing his responsibilities will be Paul Bravo, the team’s director of soccer and Tom Payne, the assistant general manager.

      “With Ruud moving on, we believe that this is the right time to make more sweeping changes throughout the organization,” Leiweke said. “Our commitment continues to be focused on not only winning the MLS Cup this and every season but to build a club capable of competing at the international level. This decision is the right one for the organization, the right one for the players and the right one for our fans. We thank Alexi for the tremendous hard work and dedication he brought to his job each and every day.”

      This has been an extremely disappointing season for the Galaxy. They are on a seven-game losing streak and rapidly falling within their division. The fanfare has seemingly died down despite the solid play by David Beckham and Landon Donovan. It’s unclear whether Jones’ abilities as a player will transfer over to his new coaching position. One thing is for sure, he’s a soccer icon and a Los Angeles darling, and his presence will arouse needed fan support at home games.

      Soccer

      U.S. Men’s Soccer Team Quickly Eliminated

      August 13, 2008 /

      Before the U.S. men’s soccer team even played their first match, coaches from other nations mocked them, saying their roster and style of play could not hold up in international competition.

      This morning, Nigeria defeated the U.S. men’s squad 2-1, knocking them out of the Olympics. With this win, and the Netherlands’ victory over Japan, so ends preliminary play. To the dismay of the U.S. men’s team, who played so well in their first two matches, a favored Netherlands and an underrated Nigeria will see their teams advance to the quarterfinals.

      Things went sour early for the United States when defender Michael Orozco earned himself a red-card in the third minute, elbowing Solomon Okoronkwo with a referee standing nearby. For the remaining 87 minutes, the United States was short one player. This put the U.S. at a major disadvantage, especially considering the absence of Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley because of yellow-cards they received in previous games.

      Nigeria struck first with a goal by Promise Isaac in the 38th minute. Victor Obinna then added another for his team late in the second half. The United States did put one in the net, scoring on a penalty kick with two minutes left in the game. It was for naught, however, and Nigeria secured the victory.

      Orozco’s bone-headed decision to throw a nasty elbow in front of an official probably cost them the game. Referees are instructed to keep Olympic soccer matches as civil as possible and Orozco’s move was anything but.

      Soccer, The Olympics

      Red Sox in trouble: Mike Lowell likely heading to DL

      August 13, 2008 /

      The Red Sox suffered another blow to their postseason chances when third basemen Mike Lowell suffered a strained right oblique in Boston’s wild 19-17 victory over the Texas Rangers Tuesday night at Fenway. The BoSox are likely to place Lowell on the disabled list as soon as today.

      Lowell suffered the injury on a pair of swings in a seventh-inning at-bat and was removed from the game after striking out. He was moving gingerly after the game and was due to undergo an MRI this morning. Oblique injuries are generally slow to heal, and the fact that Lowell also has been slowed by a sore right hip probably clinches a two-week layoff on the DL.
      “It’s frustrating because I’ve never had this happen before,” Lowell said. “I’d like to avoid (the DL), but the doc said it’s a possibility. I think right now it’s probably too early. (Today) after the MRI, they’ll have a lot more information.”

      If Lowell lands on the disabled list, the Sox may opt to shift Kevin Youkilis [stats] over to third base and have Sean Casey take over at first. Then they probably would call up utility man Joe Thurston from Pawtucket or make a waiver-wire trade for a veteran infielder.

      Losing Lowell hurts, but the Sox could be worse off than Youkilis and Casey at the corners. Casey has been known to turn up his game heading into the postseason and he’s not terrible defensively. Boston can thank the baseball gods for depth.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

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