Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 671 of 1503)

      Teams are calling about Cribbs, but are Browns listening?

      October 16, 2009 /

      Cleveland Scores reports (via NFL.com) that several teams are calling the Browns inquiring about Josh Cribbs. But Profootballtalk.com reports that Cleveland has no interest in dealing the explosive receiver/return man.

      This offseason, Cribbs threatened to hold out if he didn’t receive a new contract, but he never made good on his threats. He’s set to make $620,00 in 2009, $635,000 in 2010, $650,000 in 2011 and $790,00 in 2012. Considering his increased role in the offense, he’s highly underpaid and it’s understandable why he would want a new contract.

      But the Browns aren’t ready to re-work his deal, which is why teams are calling about his services. The Dolphins seem to be the team that is pursuing him the most, although the Chiefs, Raiders and even the Colts have reportedly shown interest as well.

      Cribbs wants to remain a Brown for the rest of his career, but if the team were unwilling to extend his contract, he’d welcome a trade out of Cleveland. Considering the Browns just traded Braylon Edwards to the Jets, one would think that they would pony up to keep a player of Cribbs’ talent. But Eric Mangini and GM George Kokinis have already shown the willingness to trade players from the previous regime, so nobody should be surprised if Cribbs is eventually dealt.

      NFL

      Phillies take Game 1 of NLCS

      October 16, 2009 /

      Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez hit three-run homers as the Phillies beat the Dodgers 8-6 in Game 1 of the NLCS on Thursday. Ryan Howard also hit a two-run double and closer Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless ninth to protect a two-run lead.

      Since the NLCS moved to a seven-game format in 1985, the team that takes a 1-0 lead has won 16 of 23 series, including 14 of the previous 16. In fact, eight of the 10 National League teams that took a 1-0 lead on the road have reached the World Series, including the past seven times.

      Usually teams in the playoffs look to, at the very least, earn a split when they’re on the road. For Philadelphia to jump out to a 1-0 lead in the NLCS is huge, especially considering how good their bats looked.

      Game 2 is set for 4:07 p.m. ET on Friday and will feature Pedro Martinez vs. Vicente Padilla. It’s kind of amazing that Martinez is back pitching in a championship series again and hopefully for the Phils’ sake, he produces some of the magic that made him a lights out pitcher in Boston.

      MLB

      No. 8 Cincinnati dominates No. 19 South Florida, but Pike hurt in victory

      October 15, 2009 /

      In what was supposed to be a tough game in a tough environment for Cincinnati, the No. 8 Bearcats easily disposed of No. 19 South Florida 34-17 at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday night. And they did it with their starting quarterback missing the entire second half.

      Tony Pike suffered an injury right before halftime and was replaced by backup Zach Collaros, who supplied a touchdown run of 75 yards midway through the third quarter. He then hooked up with Ben Guidugli on a 43-yard pass completion to set up his second touchdown of the game, this time from three yards out with 13 minutes remaining in the game.

      This was an impressive victory for Cincinnati, especially considering Pike didn’t play the entire second half. To beat a good South Florida team on the road with their backup quarterback should give the Bearcats leverage when the BCS standings are released for the first time on October 20.

      That said, should anyone be surprised by this outcome? The Bulls were undefeated coming into this game, but their only substantial win was against a Florida State team that was obviously overrated from the start. And while freshman quarterback B.J. Daniels is fun to watch, he has a long way to go as a passer. He looked like he was playing in a pick up game tonight with the way he often ran backwards from the snap and never stayed in the pocket.

      But allow me to give credit where credit is due – Cincinnati’s defense played well tonight as it suffocated USF’s running game and never allowed Daniels to set his feet and throw (whether he wanted to or not). Everyone takes about the Bearcats offense (and rightfully so), but Brian Kelly’s team has played well defensively this season too.

      Kelly told Erin Andrews after the game that it “doesn’t look good” for Pike, who could miss a couple weeks with a wrist injury. While that’s unfortunate, Cincinnati has an easy stretch of games over the next couple weeks and could certainly get by with the shifty Collaros.

      College Football

      2009 College Football Picks & Predictions Week 7

      October 15, 2009 /

      No. 20 Oklahoma at No. 3 Texas, 12:00PM ET
      It’s kind of a shame that this game is on at Noon on Saturday because it deserves primetime attention. Texas upset top ranked Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry last year, but it’ll be hard for the Sooners to return the favor this season. Sam Bradford’s receivers didn’t help him in his return to action last week, dropping at least 10 passes. A fierce Texas pass rush could overwhelm Oklahoma’s inexperienced offensive line and force Bradford to unload the ball sooner than he wants to. Given how the Sooners’ front seven frustrated him last year, Colt McCoy could struggle as well, but I like the home team to win in what should be an emotional game.
      Odds: Texas –3.
      Prediction: Texas 33, Oklahoma 27.

      No. 22 South Carolina at No. 2 Alabama, 7:45PM ET
      Although the Gamecocks pose a threat with their defensive front seven, the Crimson Tide are the most complete team in the nation and should wear South Carolina down in the second half. The Gamecocks simply don’t have the horses up front to move ‘Bama’s front four at the point of attack and if South Carolina can’t stay balanced offensively, Stephen Garcia will struggle. It’s going to be hard for SC to move the ball on the ground against a talented Alabama linebacker corps and therefore Garcia should face plenty of third-and-longs. Some believe the Gamecocks will keep this one close, but after struggling at home last week against Kentucky, I see South Carolina getting rolled this weekend in a tough environment.
      Odds: Alabama –17.
      Prediction: Alabama 35, South Carolina 14.

      No. 11 Iowa at Wisconsin, 12:00PM ET
      The point spread in this game doesn’t make any sense. Why is a ranked Iowa team a 2.5-point underdog on the road against an unranked Wisconsin team that they’ve beaten in five of their last seven meetings? The Badgers’ best attribute is that they can run the ball (they’re gaining just over 200 yards per game on the ground), but the Hawkeyes are solid defensively, ranking 31 in the nation in total defense. So what gives? Simply put, Iowa has not looked great this season despite being undefeated. They will enter a hostile Camp Randall Stadium and could have trouble moving the ball offensively against a Wisconsin defense that swarms to the football. After being unable to get on track last Saturday against Ohio State, running backs John Clay and Zach Brown should carry the Badgers this week to an upset win. (If you can even all it an upset given that Wisconsin is favored.)
      Odds: Wisconsin –2.5.
      Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Iowa 24.

      Continue reading »

      College Football

      Can South Florida pull off an upset against Cincinnati?

      October 15, 2009 /

      Raymond James Stadium is the site of one of the more intriguing matchups in college football this week, as No. 21 South Florida hosts No. 8 Cincinnati tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET. This will be the first meeting in which both teams are ranked.

      After Tulsa kept things close last night against No. 5 Boise State, some believe the undefeated Bulls will pull off the week’s first big upset by knocking off the Bearcats, who are also undefeated. Led by Heisman candidate Tony Pike, Cincinnati has the third best scoring offense in the nation, but South Florida has shut down opponents this year, allowing just 9.4 points per game.

      The Bearcats have a couple of things to worry about tonight, namely the fact that they’ll be playing in a hostile environment against a defense that knows how to get after the quarterback. Pike hasn’t seen a pass rush this season the likes of what he’ll see tonight and the Bulls could give him fits.

      Defensively, Cincinnati must contain the athletic B.J. Daniels, who has filled in nicely since starter Matt Grothe was lost for the year after suffering an ACL injury in Week 3. Daniels gives the USF offense a running threat at quarterback, which is good because running backs Mike Ford and Moise Plancher could have trouble churning out yards against a solid Bearcat run defense.

      As previously noted, some college football pundits smell an upset brewing tonight, but I just don’t see it. USF’s big win this year was against a Florida State team that has fallen from grace since being ranked at the start of the season. While Cincinnati hasn’t faced elite competition itself, they demolished Rutgers on the road in Week 1 and beat a decent Oregon State team in Corvallis in Week 3. Bearcat head coach Brian Kelly will have his team ready to play and I think Cincinnati pulls one out in a low-scoring affair.

      Prediction: Cincinnati 23, South Florida 17.

      College Football

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