Month: April 2010 (Page 19 of 64)

      OKC’s win important on many levels

      April 23, 2010 /

      There are a few things to take from this game:

      — Derek Fisher is having a tough time guarding Russell Westbrook. Don’t be surprised if we see more Shannon Brown in the next few games (but it was Jordan Farmar who was in the game at the end). Phil Jackson trusts Fisher, but he just can’t keep athletic guards in front of him anymore. Westbrook had 27 points last night.

      — The win gives the Thunder confidence. They know now that they can beat the Lakers in a playoff situation. Even if they don’t come back to win the series, this victory is big for this young team.

      — Through three games, Ron Artest is averaging 8-3-2 and is shooting 32% from the field (16% from 3PT). Trevor Ariza averaged 11-4-2 and 50% shooting (48% from 3PT) in last year’s playoff run. If Artest were shutting Durant down it would be one thing, but KD posted 29-19-4 last night. He only shot 33% from the field, but he went 12 of 13 from the free throw line.

      — After 17 blocks in Game 2, OKC had just three blocks in Game 3. I’m not sure what this means, but I thought I’d mention it anyway.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Chiefs to take Clausen in Round 2?

      April 23, 2010 /

      The buzz heading into Round 2 of the NFL draft seems to be centered around the Chiefs possibly moving up to take Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis will spend tonight trying to convince the rest of Kansas City’s staff to take his former QB when the draft resumes at 6:30PM ET.

      This news might be surprising to some, seeing as how the Chiefs committed a six-year, $63 million contract to Matt Cassel last season. But the feeling in Kansas City is that 2010 will be a make or break season for the 27-year-old Cassel, who struggled running Todd Haley’s offense last year.

      Weis had a fair amount of success (at least statistically) with Clausen at Notre Dame, as the QB racked up 3,722 yards, 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions last season. If anything, Clausen could provide insurance in case Cassel struggles again.

      The problem, however, is that GM Scott Pioli has already stated that the Chiefs aren’t in the market for a quarterback. And when the team is on the clock in the second round, it’ll be Pioli and not Weis that makes the final decision. Plus, let’s not forget that it was Pioli that orchestrated the trade to acquire Cassel from New England, so he’s going to give the former Patriot every opportunity to succeed before throwing another quarterback into the mix.

      Schefter is always reliable with his information, so we’ll see what transpires tonight when Kansas City is on the clock.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL, NFL Draft

      2010 NFL First Round Recap: Head-scratchers, values, sleepers & more

      April 22, 2010 /

      That’ll do it – the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft is in the books. All in all, even the most die-hard draft fans would have to admit that the move to prime time was a success. The action was quicker, the coverage was tighter and the event was interesting throughout. I was skeptical about the new format at first, but I admit tonight was entertaining.

      Below is a recap of the first round, including head-scratching moves, valuable picks and more. I also preview the second round by listing my top 5 players that are still available.

      Head-Scratcher: Broncos trade three picks for Tim Tebow.
      Tebow fans will certainly criticize me for this, but this was the worst draft-day trade I’ve seen in recent memory. Inexcusably, the Broncos parted with a second, a third and a fourth round selection to trade up to the 25th overall pick to take Tebow, who may or may not wind up being a quarterback at the next level. He’s the ultimate developmental project, so hopefully Denver is willing to wait three-plus years while he works on his throwing motion, his footwork and his release. And here’s the thing: if he doesn’t become a quarterback, then how bad does this trade wind up looking? Let’s say he becomes an H-back or is only used in the Wildcat, then the Broncos just traded three picks for a role player. Think about that for a second. There’s a good chance that Denver was afraid of someone else taking Tebow before they had the chance to select him in the second round. (Buffalo was apparently trying to move up as well.) But three picks in exchange for one of the biggest risks in the draft? Don’t get me wrong – Tebow is a pure football player, a winner and a worker. There’s something about him that makes you want to throw conventional wisdom out the window and predict success for him. But I can’t justify what the Broncos gave up here. It just doesn’t make sense.

      Continue reading »

      NFL, NFL Draft

      Chiefs Draft Talk: Eric Berry

      April 22, 2010 /

      Those that suggested that Eric Berry wouldn’t make it past the top 5 look like geniuses after the Chiefs selected the Tennessee safety with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

      Many people assumed that Kansas City would select an offensive tackle with this pick, but I’m not going to argue with the selection of Berry. Players like Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu have proven the impact that safeties can have for a defense. Berry is an athletic, instinctive, hard-hitting playmaker that fills a huge need for the Chiefs. He’s essentially the total package and while teams are often reluctant to take a safety that high, KC did well here.

      The Browns must be disappointed with this selection, as they were expected to take Berry at No. 7 if he had fallen. They wound up with Joe Haden, so they might move the newly acquired Sheldon Brown to safety in order to make room for the Florida corner.

      NFL, NFL Draft

      Raiders Draft Talk: Rolando McClain

      April 22, 2010 /

      As expected, Al Davis screwed up several draft boards with his selection in the first round.

      With the eighth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected Alabama middle linebacker Rolando McClain, despite the general consensus that the team would take an offensive tackle. While it was a small reach, McClain is by far the best middle linebacker prospect in the draft. He was extremely productive at ‘Bama for Nick Saban and proved to be a solid run defender. He also has a high football IQ, which makes him a misfit for Oakland.

      The Raiders have been reportedly shopping Kirk Morrison, which would leave a gaping hole in the middle of Oakland’s defense. Even though nobody had McClain mocked to the Raiders, the pick makes sense if the team parts with Morrison at some point this offseason.

      Crazy Al surprised us again, but it wasn’t a bad pick.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL, NFL Draft

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