Category: External Sports (Page 474 of 821)

      So much for Jimmy Clausen being “NFL ready”

      October 18, 2010 /
      NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Jimmy Clausen of the Carolina Panthers throws the ball against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Panthers 16-14. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

      Rookie quarterbacks struggle in the NFL – it’s part of the game. But it says something when a rookie is benched for another signal caller who compiled a 41.8 passer rating in his first two starts of the season and who has generally looked awful himself.

      The Panthers announced Monday that they’ll start Matt Moore over rookie Jimmy Clausen this Sunday against the 49ers. It’s a move that indicates that John Fox and his coaching staff don’t believe that Clausen is ready to lead a bad team with very little around him (the Panthers are awfully thin at receiver).

      The unfortunate part here is that Clausen was regarded as the most “NFL-ready” quarterback prospect in April because he played under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Now, this doesn’t mean that he’s destined to fail in the NFL and keep in mind that the Panthers became the first NFL team since 1999 to start a rookie quarterback and two rookie receivers when Clausen, Brandon LaFell and David Gettis all started in Week 5 against the Bears.

      But it is concerning how unprepared Clausen was in his first taste of NFL action. He failed to move the offense, he never got into rhythm and he displayed little to no accuracy. It’s not fair to compare all rookie quarterbacks because no two situations are similar, but Sam Bradford appears to be light years ahead of Clausen and he didn’t play in a pro style offense at Oklahoma. (He’s also working with a limited receiver corps in St. Louis.) Granted, he was also the top pick in the draft, but Clausen hasn’t shown anything yet to make you believe he can be a starting quarterback.

      That said, it’s still early and it’s not like he has the best coaching staff around him in Carolina. This wouldn’t be the first time that Fox mismanaged his quarterback situation and it stands to reason that Clausen just needs a couple of more starts under his belt to figure things out. But seeing as how he won’t get them unless Moore is a disaster again (which could happen), he’ll have to hone his craft in practice.

      The Jimmy Clausen era isn’t over with in Carolina, but it isn’t off to a great start either.

      External Sports, NFL

      Junior Seau arrested for domestic violence, then drives his SUV off a cliff

      October 18, 2010 /
      New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau waits for a game against the Oakland Raiders to begin at the Coliseum in Oakland, California on December 14, 2008. The Patriots defeated the Raiders 49-26. (UPI Photo/Terry Schmitt) Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom

      You’re not being punk’d – from TMZ:

      Junior Seau drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, CA this morning — and survived — this according to law enforcement.

      We’re told the retired NFL superstar sustained injuries in the wreck — cops are on scene. TMZ obtained this photo of Seau’s SUV which landed at the bottom of a cliff several feet from the beach.

      Seau has been transported to a local hospital. The accident happened just north of Oceanside, CA … where the former San Diego Charger had just been released from jail hours earlier.

      As TMZ first reported, Seau was arrested early this morning for domestic violence.

      According to TMZ’s report, Seau was arrested in San Diego early this morning on suspicion of domestic violence and booked into the Vista Detention Facility around 2:00AM.

      The story is still ongoing and it’s important not to jump to any conclusions without more facts. But what a weird report…

      More to come.

      External Sports, NFL

      Deion Sanders not happy with ranking in NFL Network’s Top 100

      October 18, 2010 /
      TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 29: NFL commentator Deion Sanders speaks during a broadcast at the Tampa Convention Center on January 29, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

      The network has him ranked #34 all time, and he’s upset about it.

      Deion is going to be partial to defense (and himself), but he brings up an interesting point that there’s a huge disparity between the number of offensive players that were selected compared to the number of defensive players. But is that surprising? Offensive players put up gaudy stats while you usually can’t fully appreciate how good a defender is unless you watch film. Nnamdi Asomugha’s interception totals are always low, but he’s widely regarded as the best corner in the league because quarterbacks don’t dare throw his way.

      That said, Sanders was the greatest cover corner to have played the game and maybe he does have right to complain about his No. 34 ranking. As he alludes to, quarterbacks used to stay away from his side of the field and he still found ways to make plays. He was also a highlight reel waiting to happen on special teams and even though he’s often criticized for not tackling, that doesn’t take away from how outstanding he was in coverage.

      Does he have a beef? Should he be in the top 10 or is his ranking justified?

      External Sports, Fantasy Football, Humor, NFL, Video

      The Rangers could have a huge advantage if they can win Game 3

      October 18, 2010 /
      Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cliff Lee pitches against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Arlington, Texas July 10, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

      The Yankees may have accomplished their goal of stealing a game in Texas, but their work has just begun.

      Game 3 is Monday night in the Bronx and the Rangers will throw Cliff Lee, who is 6-0 with a 1.52 ERA in the postseason. And if you think he gets freaked out pitching at Yankee Stadium – think again. His lone playoff start in New York came in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series when he threw a complete game, yielding just one run on six hits while striking out 10 and walking none.

      If the Rangers can win tonight, their opponent in Game 4 is A.J. Burnett, who gets the nod because manager Joe Girardi doesn’t want to use CC Sabathia and then pitch youngster Phil Hughes on short rest. To say that Burnett has struggled this season is like saying that Brett Favre struggled getting a date with Jenn Sterger in New York. (What? You mean you got my text-o-junk and you still don’t want to go out with me? Your loss, lady.)

      Girardi is sticking by the struggling Burnett and even went as far as to say, “We believe in A.J.” But the starter went 10-15 with a 5.26 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP over 33 outings during the regular season this year and has shown no signs of turning things around.

      With a win in Game 3, the Rangers could be setting themselves up to take the series. One day at a time, though – tonight is pivotal.

      External Sports, MLB

      Should the Eagles trade either Michael Vick or Kevin Kolb?

      October 18, 2010 /
      JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterbacks Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles talk on the sidelines during a time-out against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 28-3. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

      Short answer: No.

      Long answer…

      The Eagles currently have a luxury that most teams wish they had: They have two quarterbacks whom in the first six weeks have proven that they can start in the NFL. And play well.

      Kevin Kolb didn’t prove that until last week when he completed 21-of-31 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 win over the 49ers. He cemented the belief on Sunday when he went 23-of-29 for 326 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles dominated the hapless Falcons, 31-17.

      While he isn’t 100% yet, Michael Vick appears closer to returning from a rib injury that has sidelined him for three games (he played at the very beginning of the loss to the Redskins in Week 4 before suffering the injury). With Philly’s bye week coming in Week 8, Andy Reid would be smart to start a hot Kolb against the Titans this Sunday and then decide over the break whom he wants to go with in the second half.

      But let’s get back on topic. Should the Eagles trade Vick or Kolb (or hell, why not both? Fourth rounder Mike Kafka is probably ready) before Tuesday’s trade deadline? It should be noted that the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that neither will be dealt, but it’s an interesting topic regardless.

      If anything, Vick’s injury only further strengthens the Eagles’ need both quarterbacks. Vick opens himself up to injury all the time with his style of play, so it would make sense for the team to hang onto Kolb in case a) Vick’s rib injury doesn’t heal properly or b) he suffers another injury down the road.

      Let’s not forget that while Vick has looked phenomenal in the four games he’s played in thus far, the law of averages state that he’s due for a letdown. Even in his prime, the highest QB rating he’s compiled is 81.6 (which was in 2002 when he lead the Falcons to a playoff win over the Packers), but is a far cry from the current 108.8 mark that he’s sporting now. I don’t care if he says he’s a different quarterback, it stands to reason that he won’t keep performing at this clip.

      That said, he needs to start if he keeps producing wins and I think Reid owes it to Vick to stick with him once he’s healthy. If it weren’t for Vick, Kolb may have put Philly in a huge hole to start the season. If Vick struggles upon his return, then maybe Reid needs to make a switch back to Kolb, although he doesn’t want to get into a situation where he’s playing the matchups. This isn’t college football – inconsistency at the quarterback position can doom teams. Just ask the 49ers.

      External Sports, NFL

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑