Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 704 of 1503)

      What is going on with the Saints’ running back situation?

      September 23, 2009 /

      According to Saints’ beat writer Jeff Duncan via his Twitter page, Lynell Hamilton took the first-team reps for New Orleans during practice on Wednesday. Duncan expects Hamilton to see a heavy workload against the Bills, which begs the question: What is going on with the Saints running back situation?

      My question revolves around Sean Payton’s obvious hatred (okay, so I’m exaggerating) for Pierre Thomas, who practiced on Wednesday but who still isn’t seeing first-team reps in practice. I understand that he’s been battling a knee injury, but if he went through practice on Wednesday with no complications, why is Hamilton expected to get the majority of the rushing load on Sunday?

      It stands to reason that the Saints may have possibly soured on Thomas, whom many people (me included) thought would have a breakout year in 2009. Thomas was supposed to be New Orleans’ every down back this year and the perfect complement to Reggie Bush. But whether it’s his knee or the possibility that he egged Payton’s house at some point during the offseason, Thomas has taken a backseat to other backs like Hamilton.

      Just to get you up to speed on Hamilton, he went undrafted in 2008 and spent the entire season on the Saints’ practice squad. He made the team this year as a fourth back despite fumbling twice in the team’s preseason opener. Had Thomas and Bush not been dinged up entering the season, it stands to reason that Hamilton may not have even made the final roster.

      And with that, it’s perplexing that Hamilton would get the start over Thomas this week. Again, maybe Payton and the Saints are still worried about Thomas’ knee and they’re taking it slow with him. But if they’ve soured on him being a No. 1 back, then do him (and fantasy football fans for that matter) a favor and either release him or trade him to a team that could use a runner with his skill set.

      Here’s hoping Thomas eventually gets to shine in this league, because he certainly has the talent.

      Unless this sorts itself out by week’s end, the message is clear: Stay away from Thomas/Hamilton this weekend if you can. The Saints might be taking it easy on Thomas during the week so that he can start on Sunday, or maybe they don’t feel good about his knee and are planning to give him another week by getting Hamilton ready to start. Hopefully, the Saints’ beat writers will get some answers for us, but HC Sean Payton is tight-lipped about injuries, so we may not get any before kickoff.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Braves manager Bobby Cox to retire in 2010

      September 23, 2009 /

      The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that long-time Braves manager Bobby Cox will retire following the 2010 MLB season.

      Cox, 68, was given a one-year extension for next season as manager and then he has a five-year consulting agreement from 2011-15 to serve in an advisory role with the Braves.

      “I’m very excited and honored to be making plans for next year,” Cox said in a statement. “While I’ve decided 2010 will be my last season in the dugout, I want to make it clear that we will all be working hard as hard as ever to win another world championship for the city of Atlanta and our great fans.”

      The Braves announced the entire coaching staff will be back next season.

      If you can’t appreciate what Cox has meant to the game then you don’t appreciate baseball. He’s fourth on the list of all-time wins by a skipper and has been named Manager of the Year four times (1985, 1991, 2004 and 2005). He’s only won one World Series in his career, but to take away his accomplishments because he hasn’t won more championships would be a mistake.

      Plus, how can you not love the guy that holds the all-time record for most ejections? Awesome.

      MLB

      An Open Letter to Michael Crabtree

      September 23, 2009 /

      The Washington Post asked me to participate in their NFL blog “The League” for the 2009 season. Below is a recent post I wrote for the site regarding Michael Crabtree’s contract holdout.

      Mr. Crabtree,

      I’m writing to you not as a professional adviser, your friend or even as someone who has your best interests at heart. I don’t know you, so I’d be lying if I said I had any kind of personal stake in your career.

      But viewing this as an outsider, I have to warn you that you’ve been getting some bad advice somewhere along the way. I’ve been keeping track of your situation in San Francisco and I’ve got to tell you, you could be making one of the biggest mistakes of your life.

      You see, you need to show more humility, Mr. Crabtree. Your agent came to the conclusion a long time ago that you were a top 3 pick and, thus, should be paid as such. But you weren’t a top 3 pick – you were the 10th overall pick and while that should have motivated you to prove yourself on the field, you’ve shown that you’re more concerned with money than with playing football.

      That’s disappointing to me. As a sports fan, I appreciate it when athletes don’t hold out and they accept market value for their services. I appreciate it when they prove their worth on the field and allow the money situation to take care of itself.

      Read the rest at the Washington Post’s The League.

      NFL

      Giants’ linebacker rips new Cowboy stadium

      September 23, 2009 /

      After his visit to the new Cowboy stadium last Sunday night, Giants’ linebacker Danny Clark wasn’t too impressed by Dallas owner Jerry Jones’ new castle.

      From the Los Angeles Times:

      Clark told Sirius XM satellite radio that the visiting locker room inside the stadium features few creature comforts.

      “There’s not a lot of hot water in there,” Clark said. “[Jones] cut some corners in the bathroom there.”

      Clark also was dismissive of the noise factor created by an NFL-record crowd of 105,121.

      “It wasn’t as loud as you would think 105,000 people would be,” he said. “And for [good] reason. I mean, we did a decent job of making some plays so they weren’t all over the place, but I played in Michigan [Stadium] where there’s 100,000 people. It wasn’t crazy.

      “I played in New Orleans when we reopened the [Super]Dome in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.

      “That place was twice as loud as this new stadium.”

      I’m not surprised by the noise. Michigan Stadium may house 100,000 screaming fans, but the noise goes straight up because of the way the stadium was built. So it’s not as loud as one would expect. I’ve never been to the new Cowboy stadium, but maybe the way it’s structured limits the noise.

      That said, what Clark said about the bathrooms was freaking hilarious. Hey, Jones had to cut somewhere to get that big ass TV screen in the rafters.

      NFL

      2009 College Football Picks & Predictions: Week 4

      September 23, 2009 /

      Here are my picks for Week 4 in college football.

      Last week I went 3-1 straight up and just 1-3 against the spread, so gamblers – fade at will. (By the way, those are also my season totals because I didn’t make picks for the first two weeks, although I probably would have gone 8-0 so feel free to give me the undeserved credit.)

      Arkansas at No. 3 Alabama, Saturday, 3:30PM ET
      Arkansas certainly has an offense capable of hanging with most opponents given the vertical weapons they have in Greg Childs, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams in the passing game. But ‘Bama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart should throw a variety of looks at Razorback signal caller Ryan Mallett and use blitzes to help generate a rush. The Tide lack a pass-rushing presence on their defensive line, but their secondary is experienced and should handle whatever Bobby Petrino throws at them on Saturday. I expect ‘Bama to take away Michael Smith, Broderick Green, Ronnie Wingo and the Arkansas’ running game and force the Razorbacks to become one-dimensional. With Julio Jones expected back this week after missing last Saturday with a knee injury, the Razorback defense could be in trouble. ‘Bama will look to take control of this game in the second half with a balanced offensive approach and pull away in the fourth quarter.
      Odds: Alabama –17.5.
      Prediction: Alabama 41, Arkansas 20.

      No. 9 Miami at No. 11 Virginia Tech, Saturday, 3:30PM ET
      The Canes are quickly becoming one of the more talked about programs in the nation this year courtesy of quarterback Jacory Harris. Thanks to an improved pass protection and his ability to see the entire field, Harris played exceptionally well in Miami’s wins over ranked opponents Florida State and Georgia Tech, respectively. But the key to a Canes’ victory will be running the ball to set up Harris and the passing game. Frank Beamer’s squad has not done a good job of stopping the run so far this season and if Miami can get versatile running backs Javarris James and Graig Cooper some running room early on, they might set up Harris to make big plays in the passing game. Defensively, Miami could be burned by Tyrod Taylor’s running ability if it doesn’t stay disciplined when shooting gaps. Taylor, who has been more patient as a passer this season, needs to use his legs if he sees that the Canes are too aggressive up front. Miami must also contain running back Ryan Williams, who has been excellent filling in for the injured Darren Evans. While Blacksburg is one of the toughest places to play in college football, Randy Shannon has his team playing with a swagger and they won’t be intimated on the road. This is going to be a thrilling game and one that might come down to the wire. I’m going with the hot team, however, and predict a win for Miami.
      Odds: Miami –2.5.
      Prediction: Miami 24, Virginia Tech 20.

      Continue reading »

      College Football

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