Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 446 of 1503)

      NFL already preparing for a 2011 lockout

      May 6, 2010 /

      A report by the San Francisco Chronicle states that the NFL is already preparing for the possibility of a 2011 lockout, which includes buying a 25 percent stake in the United Football League.

      These are anxious times for those looking to latch on to the NFL. It’s also an interesting time for the teams, as they look ahead to the possibility of a lock out in 2011. Fringe players might become starters if there’s a long labor dispute. The NFL went with replacement players in 1987 during the last protracted labor stalemate.

      The league might already be making preparations and rumors are they are going to buy a 25 percent stake in the United Football League. The UFL, which now has five teams and plays six games in the fall, could become a feeder league along the line of NFL Europe. However, if there’s a long lockout, UFL players could possibly become NFL players overnight.

      I wonder what the backlash would be from fans if the league did enter a lockout next season. Ticket prices are already ridiculous and if there were no fantasy football, NFL Sunday Ticket, or gambling (well, there will always be gambling on football but it wouldn’t be what it is now if the league used replacement players), there would be outrage across the nation. The NFL is the most popular league in America, but considering how much owners and players already make, fans aren’t going to show them any sympathy in a down economy.

      It took steroids years before MLB recovered from its strike in 1994. Seeing as how football is a more popular game, I doubt it would take people very long to get over a lockout, but let’s hope we never have to find out either.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Lawrence Taylor arrested for allegedly raping 15-year-old girl

      May 6, 2010 /

      According to a report by WCBSTV.com, Hall of Fame NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor was arrested early Thursday morning in New York on charges of raping a 16-year-old girl at a hotel.

      Taylor, 51, was taken into custody by the Town of Ramapo police after being accused of raping someone in the Holiday Inn Holidome Hotel in Suffern.

      Details surrounding the rape have not yet been released other than the location and that it occurred early this morning. Charges against the Hall of Fame linebacker will be filed once police complete their investigation.

      Over the past 20 years, LT has been arrested on drug charges and for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident, has been on probation for tax evasion and has now been accused of rape. While it’s important not to draw conclusions from one report, it’s safe to say that Taylor hasn’t made a lot of good decisions in his life.

      We’ll have to wait for more details to emerge, but this is certainly troubling news for the man that helped revolutionize the way the game of football is played.

      External Sports, NFL

      Broncos walking a dangerous line with Dumervil

      May 6, 2010 /

      When Josh McDaniels and his new coaching staff took over in Denver last year, one of the changes that they implemented was switching from the 4-3 to the 3-4. With that change, one of the things they did was ask defensive end Elvis Dumervil if he would switch positions and stand up as an outside linebacker.

      Even though most players don’t like switching positions (why would they if they got to the NFL playing the position they’re most familiar with), Dumervil did so without complaint. He then proceeded to rack up a league-high 17 sacks in a career year.

      Thanks to the un-capped year, Dumervil is a restricted free agent. The Broncos assigned a first and third round tender on the 26-year-old linebacker, but he has yet to sign it because he’s seeking a long-term deal. He’s also working out on his own in Florida instead of in Denver, as he waits for the Broncos to come through with a long-term offer.

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      External Sports, NFL

      Zito finally pitching like the Zito of old

      May 6, 2010 /

      Giants fans have spent three agonizing years watching Barry Zito ruin perfectly pleasant nights in San Francisco with his horrid pitching. It has been enough to make them want to break his guitar over the back of his head and dump his body on Alcatraz Island.

      But this year, he’s finally giving them a reason to chant “Barry, Barry, Barry!” again without fear of the steroid gods judging them.

      Heading into last year’s All-Star break, Zito owned a 24-36 record, with a 4.47 ERA through his first 77 starts in a Giants uniform. Considering he signed a seven-year, $126 million contract in 2006, it’s safe to say that San Francisco wasn’t getting its money out of the lefty.

      But since that point, Zito has compiled a 2.38 ERA in 21 starts. In the second half last season, he was a respectable third starter behind Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. This year, he’s gone from being respectable to being the pitcher the Giants thought they had signed back in ’06.

      After picking up another win in a masterful performance against the Marlins on Wednesday night, Zito is now 5-0 with a 1.49 ERA. Skeptics will point out that his fastball still doesn’t have much life to it, but it’s hard to argue that his curve and change aren’t weapons of mass destruction again. More importantly, he seems to be pitching without the burden of the contract weighing him down. He’s been a much smarter pitcher in his last 21 starts than he’s ever been at any point during his time in San Fran.

      Chances are that Zito will never live up to his contract. Fans are just going to have to learn to bite down and swallow hard on that bitter pill. But at least to this point, they can take solace in that he has found a way to turn back the clock and has helped the Giants get off to a good start in the NL West. In Lincecum, Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and now a resurrected Zito, the G-Men arguably have the best 1-4 in baseball. And if they continue to get quality outings from their $126 million man, it won’t be long before they’re snapping their six-year playoff drought.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      Wise move? Saints make Jahri Evans richest guard in NFL history.

      May 5, 2010 /

      The Saints officially announced on Wednesday that they have reached a seven-year contract extension with All-Pro guard Jahri Evans. The contract is believed to be worth $56.7 million, which would make Evans the richest interior offensive lineman in NFL history.

      The first thing that seems to get brought up when a contract like this is announced is whether or not the team is making the right decision. Paying a guard $8.1 million annually is a huge financial risk, but in the case of Evans – he’s worth it.

      A four-year starter, Evans hasn’t missed a single game in his career and is only 26. He’s now under the Saints’ control through 2016 (Evans will be 34 at that point) and considering guards have long shelf lives, it’s a wise investment for New Orleans. (Let’s not forget that Evans is arguably the best all-around right guard in the league, either.)

      Good teams have to shell out big bucks in order to keep their core together. Evans is a great player and will likely be worth the contract in the end.

      External Sports, NFL

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