Month: September 2009 (Page 52 of 66)

      AI is headed to Memphis

      September 9, 2009 /

      Per the Memphis Commercial Appeal…

      Free-agent guard Allen Iverson informed the Grizzlies this morning that he will accept a one-year offer to bring his explosive scoring to FedExForum this season, according to an NBA source.

      Iverson’s decision came following a Monday night meeting in Atlanta with Griz owner Michael Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins. Iverson, a 34-year-old, 13-year veteran, will play for a contract that pays $3.5 million (what the Griz have left under the salary cap) and the deal will be loaded with incentives.

      Iverson confirmed his decision on Twitter.

      Iverson will join MIke Conley and O.J. Mayo in the Grizzlies’ backcourt. Coming off the bench hasn’t worked for AI in the past, so I’d expect a deal was made that would have Iverson start, likely alongside Mayo.

      AI is a veteran with a unique skill set, so the fact that he landed with the Grizzlies instead of joining a contender is a testament to the current state of the economy and his unwillingness to accept a lesser role to play for a winner.

      NBA, News

      USC-Ohio State to be decided on the ground?

      September 9, 2009 /

      Dave Curtis of The Sporting News.com thinks so:

      The Trojans rocked overmatched San Jose State for 342 rushing yards, an average of 7.6 yards per carry, and six touchdowns in their 56-3 victory. Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel raved about the USC offensive line, which cleared paths for all those gains.

      …center Kristofer O’Dowd is expected to return from a dislocated kneecap. The move shifts fill-in center Jeff Byers back to guard, and gives USC one of the most talented and most experienced offensive lines in the country.
      The backfield, though lacking Navy’s deception and misdirection, has more speed and strength than the Mids. Joe McKnight, who’s spent most of his Trojan career fighting injuries, emerged as USC’s primary back and racked up 145 yards on 14 carries Saturday afternoon.

      Ohio State, on the flip side, brings a defensive line capable of hanging with the Trojans. Veterans Doug Worthington, Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson have struggled in big games in the past but possess experience against top Big Ten teams and Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.

      The veteran presence falls off after that.

      Curtis brings up a good point. Everyone is focused on the two quarterbacks (OSU’s Terrelle Pryor and USC frosh starter Matt Barkley) in this huge matchup, but it probably won’t be an aerial show come Saturday night in Columbus. Both teams might try to wear each other down on the ground and then go for big strikes over top in the passing game.

      Pete Carroll has to rely on his running game. He has a freshman under center playing in a hostile environment; he can’t put everything on Barkley to win the game, and I highly doubt he will.

      College Football

      2009 NFL Preview: #10 Dallas Cowboys

      September 9, 2009 /

      Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

      Offseason Additions: Igor Olshansky (DE); Keith Brooking (LB); Gerald Sensabaugh (S).

      Offseason Losses: Terrell Owens (WR); Chris Canty (DE); Greg Ellis (DE); Zach Thomas (LB); Roy Williams (S).

      Player to Watch: Tony Romo, QB.
      Romo is at a crossroads in his career. He has the talent necessary to succeed and enough weapons around him to be great. But whether or not he takes the next step as a NFL quarterback is up to him. The Cowboys are hoping that with T.O. out of the picture, Romo can help this team cash in on its potential. If Romo elevates his game to the next level, the Cowboys can be as good as any team in the league. But if he continues to try and get by with only his athletic talent, he and the ‘Boys will once again fall short. The floor is yours, Tony.

      Team Strength: With Owens gone, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will now be a run-first playcaller, which is good because the Cowboys are built to move the ball on the ground. They have a trio of capable backs in Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, who all bring something different to the field. Barber is a pile-mover when healthy and can be tough to bring down in the fourth quarter after a defense has been worn down. Jones is a speedster with rare explosion and Choice has excellent quickness and lateral movement. Granted, Barber and Jones need to stay healthy, but if Garrett uses a successful rotation for his backs then everyone should stay on the field in ’09. Fullback Deon Anderson is also a key component to the run game, not to mention an offensive line that features Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo, Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis, who all fit the mold of good-to-great run-blockers.

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      NFL

      2009 NFL Preview: #11 New Orleans Saints

      September 9, 2009 /

      Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

      Offseason Additions: Paul Spicer (DE); Darren Sharper (S); Jabari Greer (CB); Heath Evans (FB); Nick Leckey (C).

      Offseason Losses: Mike McKenzie (CB); Deuce McAllister (RB); Josh Bullocks (S).

      Player to Watch: Pierre Thomas, RB.
      The Saints are a passing team first and foremost and considering he’ll share a workload with Reggie Bush, Thomas may not break the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season. But that doesn’t mean Thomas isn’t effective. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry last year and scored nine times on the ground. He was also proved to be a threat out of the backfield while hauling in 31 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. A sprained MCL has put a damper on the start of Thomas’ season (he might miss the Saints’ opener), but once he’s healthy he could become a household name this season.

      Team Strength: The Saints have one of the best offensive lines in the NFC, led by left tackle Jammal Brown and right guard Jahri Evans. Brown is a mauler in the run game and gets most of the credit for the team’s success on offensive line, but Evans is New Orleans’ best all-around lineman. He’s strong, athletic and excels as a run-blocker. The rest of the line is comprised of right tackle Jon Stinchcomb, center Jonathan Goodwin and left guard Carl Nicks. As a unit, the Saints gave up a NFC-low in sacks last season with 13, which was one of the reasons quarterback Drew Brees had so much success. (On top of the fact that Brees makes quick decisions from the pocket.)

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      NFL

      Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em: Week 1

      September 9, 2009 /

      Every week, I will highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t tell you about how Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and keep them in your lineup. Instead, I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Tony Romo, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

      The “love ‘em” players are listed in the order that I’d start them this week.

      love-em

      The Broncos were 26th against the pass last season, so Carson Palmer has a favorable matchup assuming his ankle holds up…Joe Flacco plays at home against a Chiefs defense that gave up 238 passing yards and 1.3 pass TD last season. The second-year QB should also have a bit more freedom when it comes to throwing the ball now that he has a year of experience under his belt…Brett Favre faces the Browns, who gave up 204 passing yards and 1.2 pass TD last season…Matt Hasselbeck has a tasty matchup with the Rams, who allowed 217 passing yards and 1.3 pass TD last season…If you’re in a real bind, Matthew Stafford (@ NO), Chad Pennington (@ ATL) and Kyle Orton (@ CIN) also have nice matchups this week.

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      Fantasy Football

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