Category: External Sports (Page 358 of 821)

      Steelers closing in on AFC North title

      December 24, 2010 /

      When a team suffers a loss and needs a good pick-me-up, the Carolina Panthers often offer the perfect remedy.

      A week after losing at home against the Jets, the Steelers rebounded on Thursday night to beat the Panthers 27-3. Ben Roethlisberger completed 22-of-32 passes for 320 yards and one touchdown, while also adding a second score on the ground. On his lone passing touchdown of the night, he read blitz and quickly hit Mike Wallace for a 43-yard score to give Pittsburgh an early 10-0 lead. Thanks to the Panthers’ brutalness, the Steelers went on to collect their easiest win of the year.

      With the win, Pittsburgh is now in position to wrap up the AFC North and clinch a bye in the first round of the playoffs if it can beat Cleveland on January 2. And actually, the Browns could help the Steelers well in advance if they can knock off the Ravens this Sunday in Cleveland.

      As for the Panthers, the season couldn’t end fast enough for them and John Fox. Their roster is so devoid of talent and it’s tough to evaluate young players like Jimmy Clausen when he has no support around him. Carolina’s running game isn’t bad, but who does Clausen have to throw to? Defenses double-team Steve Smith, leaving Clausen to throw to fellow rookies who are trying to learn the game along with him. And forget protection – Clausen doesn’t have any.

      Of course, by this time one would think he would look a little better than he has. He has little to no pocket presence and his accuracy is suspect at best. His decision-making might be coming along a little, but he still does some things that make you want to pull your hair out (like taking a sack on a 4th and 5 in the second quarter instead of just heaving one in the direction of a receiver). Maybe he’ll develop into a solid starter one day but as of right now, he’s showed zero signs of developing. (Again, that’s not all his fault either.)

      The Panthers will have an awfully different look to them next season, that’s for sure.

      External Sports, NFL

      Larry Brown out, Paul Silas in

      December 23, 2010 /

      Per ESPN:

      After a miserable start to the season in which he took shots at his players and himself, Larry Brown is out as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats in another messy exit in his well-traveled career.

      The team announced later Wednesday that former Charlotte Hornets coach Paul Silas, who lives in the Charlotte area, will take over on an interim basis.

      Here’s what team owner Michael Jordan had to say about the move:

      “I met with Coach Brown two weeks ago about the team’s performance and what we could do to improve it,” Jordan said. “We met again this morning after practice. The team has clearly not lived up to either of our expectations and we both agreed that a change was necessary.”

      Charlotte is 9-19 on the season and has lost four straight. The Bobcats won 44 games last season, so their start is obviously a big disappointment. Brown has a reputation for being able to turn around a franchise, but he has a tendency to wear out his welcome when things aren’t going well.

      SIlas is a pretty good coach. His teams in Charlotte always played hard, so his presence should (somewhat) revitalize the roster. We’ll see.

      For what it’s worth, Brown’s camp is saying that he fully intends to coach again.

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, News

      NCAA rears its hypocritical head with Ohio State suspensions

      December 23, 2010 /

      First, the news: Terrelle Pryor and four other Ohio State players, including star receiver Devier Posey and star running back Daniel “Boom” Herron, have been suspended by the NCAA for the first five games of the 2011 season for receiving improper benefits.

      There were items sold and money made. There’s also some word about some free tattoos. The NCAA is forcing the players to repay the money to charity. OK, that’s fine. They screwed up, they have to suffer the consequences, we get it. It might seem a little harsh, but rules are rules, right?

      Well, in the NCAA that’s a matter of opinion.

      First of all, the players have not been suspended for the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas because there was a misunderstanding of the rules. To some, this might seem like a very transparent attempt to have Ohio State’s best players available for the game, which figures to be a huge money maker. If you’re thinking that, you’re right.

      The NCAA and the BCS — two separate entities, mind you — are consistent when it comes to one thing, and one thing only: We make money, you don’t. It’s that simple, and until we all just accept it, we’re going to spend a lot of time getting pissed off about things like this. Not that we shouldn’t be pissed off, but I’ve found the games are more fun to watch if I just pretend the NCAA and the BCS don’t exist when it comes to college football.

      Then there’s the whole, “Hey, didn’t the NCAA find wrongdoing in the Cam Newton case, but not suspend him at all?” Why yes, that’s also true. Sure, these are two different transgressions, but transgressions nonetheless. The NCAA interpereted its own rules to allow Newton to play for Auburn. The fact that he’s the best player on perhaps the nation’s best team probably had everything nothing to do with it.

      Newton — the NCAA, SEC and Auburn decided — didn’t know what was going on behind his back as his father shopped him for $180,000 to Mississippi State. Newton’s ignorance of the situation wasn’t not knowing the rules, his was not knowing his own father was shopping him. Completely different.

      There is one thing that’s similar in these two cases, however. The BCS and the NCAA don’t suffer anything when it comes to their bottom lines, as Newton gets to keep playing, and will be in the NFL by the time the NCAA decides to actually make a real punishment in this case. Pryor, Herron and Posey, along with the other two Ohio State players, also get to play on the big BCS stage and keep the game against Arkansas interesting. Without them, who really thinks we have a competitive Sugar Bowl?

      So yes, the NCAA does actually enforce its rules — when it realizes it’s not the only one making money, that is. And that enforcement is also subject to whether or not its BCS brothers will have as much of an opportunity to make money as possible.

      Glad we’re all clear on that.

      College Football, External Sports

      Five Ohio State players suspended

      December 23, 2010 /

      The Buckeyes will be shorthanded to start the 2011 season, as five players (including QB Terrelle Pryor) will miss the first five games of the season for receiving improper benefits. Per ESPN:

      Five players were found to have sold awards, gifts and university apparel, plus receive improper benefits in 2009. In addition to missing five games next season, Pryor, Mike Adams, Daniel Herron, Devier Posey and Solomon Thomas must repay money and benefits ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500. The repayments must be made to a charity.

      Jordan Whiting must sit out the first game next year and pay $150 to a charity for the value of services that were discounted because of his status as a student-athlete.

      All of the players be eligible for the Jan. 4 Allstate Sugar Bowl, however.

      What did they sell, you ask?

      Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, a 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university.

      Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discounted services worth $150.

      Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and receiving discounted services worth $50.

      Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring.

      Thomas must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,000, his 2008 Gold Pants for $350 and receiving discounted services worth $155.

      Good grief. Leave it to the NCAA to come down hard (five games?) on a program for breaking the rules, but still allow the players to still play in the upcoming bowl game. While these players were in the wrong, it’s telling that these unpaid student-athletes, who generate millions in revenue for the NCAA, have to resort to selling their championship rings to put some cash in their pockets.

      Looking ahead to the Buckeyes’ 2011 schedule, they’ll have to face Akron, Toledo, Miami (FL), Colorado and Michigan State without their star QB. Their first game back will be on Oct. 8 at Nebraska.

      What do you think — is what amounts to a half-season suspension fair for what Pryor and the other players did?

      College Football, External Sports, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Is Peyton Hillis starting to wear down?

      December 23, 2010 /

      The Browns may be without their only offensive weapon this Sunday when they host the Baltimore Ravens. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, running back Peyton Hillis missed practice on Wednesday and is suffering from a knee injury.

      It’s actually a little early in the week to know whether or not Hillis will be available this weekend, although he was seen limping around team headquarters on Wednesday, which obviously isn’t a good sign. Coach Eric Mangini downplayed the injury and if he did just need a day off, who could blame him after the season he’s endured?

      To date, Hillis has compiled 311 offensive touches on the year, which is only slightly higher than his previous mark of 82. He never touched the ball more than 111 times in a season while at Arkansas and it wouldn’t be shocking if he were starting to wear down after his first season as a featured player in the pros. He’s also had nagging injuries throughout the year that probably haven’t had the chance to fully heal.

      But if he’s healthy enough to go this Sunday, expect him to be in uniform. He shredded the Ravens for 180 total yards and a touchdown in Week 3 and with the Browns out to play spoiler against their division rivals, they’ll need Hillis to play. Obviously they don’t want him to risk injury, but have you seen the guy play this year? He’s like a cartoon character; a real freak of nature.

      If he can cut down on the fumbles (he leads the league with eight), Hillis could go on to have a solid career. He’s certainly the best thing the Browns have going for them on the offensive side of the ball and his blue-collar persona fits the city of Cleveland perfectly. (And to think, they only had to give up a third-string quarterback to acquire him from Denver.)

      External Sports, NFL

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