Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 453 of 1503)

      Jay Ratliff chats with The Scores Report

      April 29, 2010 /

      Defensive lineman Jay Ratliff came into the NFL as a seventh round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and all he’s done since then is become a two-time Pro Bowl selection in each of the last two seasons. He was also a first-team All-Pro selection in 2009 after racking up 40 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles.

      We recently got the opportunity to chat with Jay about the Cowboys’ draft, how the ‘Boys can build off the success they had last season and what his thoughts were on the Donovan McNabb trade.

      After you check out the interview, be sure to visit Jay’s official website, JAYRAT.com, for the chance to win a trip to see the Cowboys play in 2010. Two lucky winners will have the opportunity to see the ‘Boys take on the Titans at Cowboys Stadium, or the Giants at the new Meadowlands Stadium. The package will include airfare, hotel room, tickets to the game, as well as an opportunity to meet Jay before the game at the live airing of the DallasCowboys.com Radio Show.

      The Scores Report: Hi, this is Anthony.

      Jay Ratliff: Hey, this is Jay Ratliff.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, Interviews, NFL

      Lookin at Lucky draws the rail at Kentucky Derby

      April 28, 2010 /

      2010 Kentucky Derby favorite Lookin at Lucky has drawn the rail position for Saturday’s race at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old colt is also a 9/2 favorite to win the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby.

      The rail has been awfully kind to horses in the Derby, as the No. 1 post position has won 12 races since 1900. The only other position with a comparable number is the No. 5 post, which has also produced 12 winners since 1900.

      The horse with the next best odds for Saturday is Sidney’s Candy, who is 15/2 to win. But he drew an unlucky post at the No. 20 position, which has only produced two winners since 1900. (Of course, Big Brown won from that exact position only two years ago.)

      In Lookin at Lucky’s last start, he placed third at the 2010 Santa Anita Derby behind Sidney’s Candy (who won the race), leading some to believe that the Kentucky Derby favorite is a tad overrated. However, Lookin at Lucky did collect wins at the Rebel on March 13 and at the CashCall Futurity on December 19 of last year. Also, Trainer Bob Baffert will know doubt have his horse prepared for Saturday.

      Personally, I think Sidney’s Candy is a value at 15/2. He swept three races this sprint, including the Santa Anita Derby in his final prep race before the Kentucky Derby. He has the ability to get out in front early and sustain it, unlike most of the contenders in this year’s race, who push early and fade late.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, horse racing

      Dodgers’ GM rips Kemp for defensive effort

      April 28, 2010 /

      While recently appearing on Peter Tilden’s radio program on 790 KABC-AM, Dodgers’ GM Ned Colletti had some harsh words for his last place team and even went as far as to criticize star player Matt Kemp.

      From the Press Enterprise:

      “Why is it? Because he got a new deal?” Colletti said in reference to Kemp’s new two-year, $10.95 million contract. “Can’t tell you. But you know, it’s below-average. If this is the last day of the season and people are voting for the Gold Glove, his name is not even on the ballot. It’s a shame that he would go from where he was a year ago to revert back to when the ball goes up in the air and you’re not sure where it’s going, or if it’s going to get caught.”

      Colletti has every right to be upset with the Dodgers’ play so far this season. The defending NL West champs are 8-12 on the year and 3-7 in their last 10 games. They’ve already lost series against the Pirates, Nationals and Reds, and own a brutal 4-10 mark on the road.

      That said, he knows better than to try and motivate a player through the media. If he wants to criticize Kemp behind closed doors fine, but to publicly out one of his best players wasn’t smart. Plus, it undermines what Joe Torre is trying to accomplish in the clubhouse.

      Motivation can be a great thing when it comes from the right person. But something tells me Colletti isn’t the right person.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      When released, what are Russell’s options?

      April 28, 2010 /

      It’s a foregone conclusion that JaMarcus Russell will be released by the Raiders at some point this offseason. And when he does, where pray tell will he wind up?

      Now that he has reportedly ballooned to 300 pounds, some are wondering whether or not Russell can put on 20 more lbs. and play offensive line. That might not be a bad idea, although the position would still require a fair amount of football intelligence, which is something he has lacked since entering the league.

      All kidding aside, which team would be willing to take on a massive project like Russell? What offensive scheme does a quarterback with a strong arm, no accuracy and zero football IQ fit into? What coach would be willing to take on a player that hasn’t shown the desire to work on his craft or keep his body anywhere close to playing shape in the offseason?

      There are a lot of coaches in the NFL that believe they can mold any player, which is why Russell will likely re-surface somewhere when he’s released in Oakland. Peter King of SI.com suggests that the Eagles might give him a shot, although I don’t know how Russell can fit into his pants, nevertheless the West Coast Offense. (His accuracy is one of his worst traits and the WCO relies on a QB that is accurate.)

      This is just speculation on my part, but what about the 49ers? Mike Singletary and acting GM Trent Baalke have done nothing but shower Alex Smith with confidence this offseason by passing on the opportunity to trade for Donovan McNabb and draft a quarterback like Jimmy Clausen. But Smith is a free agent after the season and 2010 will be a make or break year for the 25-year-old anyway. I’m not suggesting that Russell has the ability to overtake Smith because he doesn’t, but if there were one coach that I could foresee giving Russell the giant kick in the ass he needs, it would be Singletary. (I know most 49er fans want to burn me alive right now for even suggesting this, but this more about my faith in Singletary than Russell’s abilities.)

      But again, I’m just speculating. There’s a very good chance that Singletary and the Niners want absolutely nothing to do with Russell, much like every other team in the league. It’s kind of funny that whenever a troubled player is about to hit the open market, the first team that is always mentioned is the Raiders. But now that Oakland doesn’t even want him, Russell won’t have a ton of options.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Dolphins’ GM apologizes to Bryant for asking whether or not mother was a prostitute

      April 28, 2010 /

      Dolphins’ GM Jeff Ireland recently apologized for asking then-NFL prospect Dez Bryant in a pre-draft interview about whether or not his mother was ever a prostitute.

      From Yahoo! Sports.com:

      “My job is to find out as much information as possible about a player that I’m consider drafting. Sometimes that leads to asking in-depth questions.

      “Having said that, I talked to Dez Bryant and told him I used poor judgment in one of the questions I asked him. I certainly meant no disrespect and apologized to him.

      “I appreciate his acceptance of that apology and I told him I wished him well as he embarks on his NFL career.”

      Some blogs are questioning why this is even a story, but it is a story and it’s a situation that is problematic. It appears as though some NFL front office types (that includes coaches) feel as though they’re entitled to ask whatever they want when it comes to interviewing prospects. They feel as though since players are paid millions of dollars that nothing is out of bounds or off limits, which is an issue. (Especially when it comes to asking a prospect whether or not his mother had ever slept around for money.)

      Ireland’s question was degrading, insulting and completely unnecessary. What was he hoping to accomplish? What if Bryant said yes? Then what? The Dolphins take him off their big board? What does Bryant’s mother have to do with whether or not he can catch passes?

      I realize that teams have to do their due diligence when it comes to finding out what kind of character these young men have. And the only way for them to do that is for them to question them about their past.

      But at some point, there has to be a line drawn in the sand and I think Ireland crossed it with Bryant.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑