Month: February 2009 (Page 14 of 57)

      #8 Duke beats #9 Wake Forest

      February 23, 2009 /

      In a battle of two of the top teams in the ACC (and in the nation), the Duke Blue Devils jumped out quickly on the Demon Deacons, building a 22-point lead late in the first half before Wake slowly chipped away at the lead. They got within two points with under eight minutes to play in the second half, but Duke managed its lead and ultimately triumphed, 101-91.

      Before the game, Wake Forest head coach Dino Gaudio talked up his team’s league-leading field goal percentage allowed, and then Duke went out and set the nets on fire. Duke shot 54% from the field, and Wake was even better, shooting 61% in the loss. It’s not often that a team shoots over 60% and still loses the game.

      Gerald Henderson scored a career-high 35 points and was phenomenal the entire night. He was 10 of 11 from two-point range and hit 12 of his 14 free throws. Jon Scheyer chipped in with 30 points, and seems to be adjusting to playing more point guard.

      Coach K moved Scheyer to point and decided to start freshman guard Elliot Williams and he had 11 points and four steals on the night. Williams has seen inconsistent minutes all season, and registered two DNP’s against North Carolina and Boston College. It looks like he’ll see more minutes down the stretch. He gives the Blue Devils more athleticism at the guard position and is a solid defender and slasher.

      Jeff Teague (28 points) and James Johnson (26 points, 11 rebounds) led Wake Forest’s comeback. The Demon Deacons had trouble executing down the stretch because of poor guard play out of Ishmael Smith. He played well for much of the game but had a couple of key turnovers (five on the game) down the stretch that ended Wake’s comeback. It was a big win for the Blue Devils as it was their first win over the top teams in the ACC – North Carolina, Clemson and Wake. More importantly, it keeps them in the hunt for a conference championship and a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

      In other action, #14 Villanova beat #25 Syracuse, 89-86. The Wildcats are one of the hottest teams in the country right now and are getting great play out of the guard position (Scottie Reynolds, Reggie Redding, Corey Fisher). They are going to be a force to be reckoned with come tournament time.

      College Basketball

      Offseason Blueprint: Green Bay Packers

      February 22, 2009 /

      Notable Free Agents: Atari Bigby, S (restricted); Mark Taucher, OT; Michael Montgomery, DE; Colin Cole, DT.

      Projected 2009 Cap Space: $18,000,000

      Draft Order: 9

      Top Needs: OLB, OL, 3-4 defensive linemen.

      Offseason Outlook: After hiring Dom Capers to run the defense, the Packers will move to a 3-4 defensive front next season. That means defensive end Aaron Kampman will move to one of the outside linebacker spots, while A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett will be the team’s starting inside ‘backers. The outside linebacker spot opposite of Kampman will be Brady Poppinga’s to lose, although Green Bay will likely bring in competition to push him for the starting position.

      The Packers most pressing need this offseason will be finding D-linemen that can fit the 3-4 defensive front – especially at defensive end. Green Bay is in luck too, because after Julius Peppers (who was franchised by Carolina), the next best defensive ends on the market are Chris Canty (Cowboys) and Igor Olshansky (Chargers) – two relatively young linemen that are used to playing in a 3-4. Either way, they have to address both end positions because neither Michael Montgomery nor Colin Cole are expected to be re-signed and there are serious doubts that former first round pick Justin Harrell can be effective in a 3-4.

      Even though they project Ryan Pickett to be the starting nose tackle, the Packers might consider drafting Boston College defensive lineman B.J. Raji, who stands 6’1” and weighs 323 pounds. He has excellent strength, can occupy multiple blockers and could easily play nose in a 3-4 scheme. And considering what the needs are for the teams selecting ahead of Green Bay in the draft, Raji should be available at No. 9.

      If the Packers decide to go with Pickett at nose, another option for them in the first round is Florida State defensive end Everette Brown, who is athletic enough to move to outside linebacker in a 3-4. He could immediately challenge Poppinga for the starting outside linebacker position opposite Kampman and hopefully give Green Bay’s pass rush (the Pack finished near the bottom of the league in sacks last year) a major boost.

      Green Bay might add depth to its secondary this offseason, but don’t expect wholesale changes. GM Ted Thompson is already committed to Al Harris and Charles Woodson at the cornerback positions and Nick Collins emerged as one of the more underrated safeties in the NFL last season.

      Offensively, Jason Spitz is expected to move to center full time, which will free up the starting right guard position for former fourth rounder Josh Sitton, who showed promise as a rookie last season before suffering a sprained knee in August.

      The Packers want to bring back free agent right tackle Mark Tauscher, but won’t break the bank to do so after he had ACL surgery in February. If they fail to re-sign Tauscher, they could draft an offensive tackle to take his place, although it probably won’t come in the first round with so many holes to fill in the defensive front seven.

      The coaching staff is extremely high on youngster Jermichael Finley, who could steal the starting tight end job away from Donald Lee this summer. If the explosive Finley can give Rodgers a solid target in the middle of the field, that should only benefit Donald Driver and Greg Jennings (who should get a new contract soon) on the outside.

      Whether fans like it or not, the quarterback position won’t be addressed this offseason. Aaron Rodgers is the starter and will be expected to further his development in his second full season as a starter. And even though he battled injuries last year, Ryan Grant remains the starter at running back and should benefit from having a year under his belt in the zone-blocking scheme the Packers implemented two seasons ago.

      NFL

      #2 Oklahoma, #3 North Carolina fall

      February 22, 2009 /

      It wasn’t a good day to be a top-ranked team as both #2 Oklahoma and #3 North Carolina were upset on the road by unranked teams.

      Texas 73, Oklahoma 68

      The Sooners’ lost POY frontrunner Blake Griffin to a concussion and he missed the entire second half, so we need to keep this loss in perspective. He finished with just two points and three rebounds in 11 minutes, so Oklahoma got next to nothing from him. A.J. Abrams led the way with 23 points, which included 5 of 11 from three-point range. Damion James, who originally committed to Oklahoma before Kelvin Sampson’s abrupt departure almost three years ago, posted 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Longhorns. It was Texas’ 10th straight win at home against ranked opponents.

      Maryland 88, North Carolina 85 (OT)

      In College Park, MD, the Terps came back from a 16-point deficit to upend the Tar Heels in overtime. “General” Greivis Vasquez — I just made that nickname up, by the way — had a triple-double with 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Maryland to the win. The Tar Heels got virtually nothing from their bench; Bobby Frasor, Larry Drew, Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller combined for just five points, 13 rebounds and one assist in 52 minutes of playing time. The Terps kept Tyler Hansbrough under control (11 points on 4-12 shooting) and held North Carolina to under 38% from the field for the night. The Terps also had 18 assists to just five for the Tar Heels. Maryland is now in position for a NCAA tournament berth after starting 2-4 in ACC play. They’re now 6-6 in conference and will host Duke and Wake Forest over their final four regular season games.

      This loss has to be worrisome for North Carolina fans. This is supposed to be a deep, talented team, but its bench produced next to nothing. In the end, both of these teams are still likely to be top seeds come tournament time, but I’d feel a lot better about penciling in the Sooners to make the Final Four than I would the Tar Heels.

      College Basketball, News

      Offseason Blueprint: Jacksonville Jaguars

      February 21, 2009 /

      Notable Free Agents: Mike Peterson, LB; Brad Meester, C; Khalif Barnes, OT; Reggie Williams, WR; Chris Naeole, G; Joe Zelenka, TE.

      Projected 2009 Cap Space: $15,500,000

      Draft Order: 8

      Top Needs: OL, CB, LB, WR, RB.

      Offseason Outlook: Let the cleansing process begin. The Jaguars have already released long-time veteran running back Fred Taylor, 2008 free agent bust Jerry Porter and disappointing cornerback Drayton Florence. There’s also little to no chance the team makes a play to re-sign middle linebacker Mike Patterson, who was at odds with head coach Jack Del Rio for the better part of the ‘08 season.

      The team also made Gene Smith in charge of personnel decisions and Del Rio is expected to take over the defensive playcalls next year, which should turn out to be two sound moves.

      In terms of personnel, the team needs to address the offensive line first and foremost and then go from there. The O-line was ransacked with injuries last season, not to mention heartbreak when Richard Collier suffered 14 gunshot wounds in early September, which left him paralyzed from the waist down.

      The Jags don’t have to reinvent the wheel because they’re already got the makings of a competitive team. But they need to regroup and rebuild through the draft and a good start would be to get their hands on one of the top offensive tackle prospects that will be available in the top 10.

      Even though his talent is unquestioned, Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith is proving with each passing day that he may be too much of a risk to be taken with the No. 8 overall pick. But Virginia’s Eugene Monrore, Baylor’s Jason Smith or Ole Miss’s Michael Oher could be available and could replace Khalif Barnes at left tackle, who is expected to depart via free agency.

      Even if Jacksonville fills its need for a left tackle in the draft, don’t expect the team to stop there in terms of the offensive line. If they fail to re-sign Brad Meester, center will become a concern and overall depth along the entire offensive line will need to be addressed after the injuries piled up last season.

      If the Jags address the left tackle position in the draft, they could turn their attention to their depleted secondary. As previously noted, the team released Florence after a poor 2008 in which he was benched for Brian Williams, who had to switch from safety. Gerald Sensabaugh (who filled in for Williams when he shifted to corner) isn’t expected back, which means Williams could switch back to safety if Jacksonville can address the cornerback position in free agency. Leigh Bodden (Lions), Domonique Foxworth (Falcons) and Chris McAlister (Ravens) are the top free agent corners.

      The Jags could add some depth at linebacker after Patterson jets via free agency, but the starting three is set with middle linebacker Daryl Smith being accompanied by Justin Durant and Clint Ingram on the outsides.

      Finally, in their ongoing search for productive wideouts, the Jags will look to add at least two receivers this offseason to compete with Matt Jones, Dennis Northcutt and Mike Walker. Reggie Williams isn’t expected to be brought back after years of underachieving.

      The Jags could also could look to bring in a running back to pair with Maurice Jones-Drew, but don’t expect it to be a high priority with the offensive line and secondary holes needing to be addressed first.

      NFL

      NFL News and Notes: Warner likely to return, Raiders cut safety Wilson

      February 21, 2009 /

      Kurt Warner– According to Kurt Warner’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, the free agent quarterback will not retire this offseason and is likely to play in 2009. The chances of Warner returning to Arizona are very high, regardless of what happens with receiver Anquan Boldin.

      – The Raiders cut three players on Friday evening, including safety Gibril Wilson, who was given a six-year, $39 million contract by Oakland just one season ago. The Raiders also cut wide receiver Ronald Curry and defensive end Kalimba Edwards.

      – The Saints offered a second-round tender on restricted free agent wide receiver Lance Moore, who is likely to return to New Orleans next season.

      – The Dolphins have agreed to terms with right tackle Vernon Carey on a six-year, $42 million contract. The Bears were reportedly one of the teams interested in Carey if he hit the open market.

      – The Jets released tight end Chris Baker before he was due a $9 million roster bonus on March 5. The team could still re-sign him at a cheaper price, although with Dustin Keller already on the roster, bringing back Baker isn’t a must.

      NFL

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