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      Shaq’s idea to revamp the dunk contest

      January 20, 2010 /

      “As his manager, I will only allow ‘Bron to do the dunk contest if Vince Carter comes back out. If Kobe comes back out and if another big name comes back out. If we could get a big prize and have half of the money go to the people of Haiti and the other half to the winner. The guys that are in it, no disrespect to them, but there won’t really be any competition for LeBron. I want to see Kobe. I want to see Vince and I will allow my client to enter. I’m saying it now. So tweet it. Facebook it. E-mail it and hopefully it gets out. Vince, we’re calling you out. Kobe, we’re calling you out. We’re calling everybody out. If those guys step up in the dunk contest, then I will allow my client to step up.”

      — Shaquille O’Neal (via the AP and ESPN)

      Humor, NBA

      Falcons’ Gonzalez to play in 2010

      January 20, 2010 /

      The Falcons’ official website confirmed on Wednesday that Tony Gonzalez will be back in 2010, which is obviously good news for Atlanta. Gonzo caught 83 passes for 867 yards and six touchdowns in the Falcons’ run-heavy offense this season, proving that the 34-year-old can still play at an elite level.

      Atlanta traded a second round pick in this year’s draft to acquire Gonzalez from Kansas City last offseason. He’s under contract for the next two seasons but I imagine that the veteran is taking things year by year now. The Falcons would love for him to finish out the remainder of his contract in Atlanta, but who knows what his decision will be after next season.

      Due to injuries to Michael Turner and Matt Ryan, the Falcons’ offense wasn’t as explosive as many thought it would be entering the season. Turner also got off to a slow start, forcing offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey to rely more on the passing game instead of beating teams with a balanced approach. That was fine until Ryan started to struggle, then inconsistency became a huge problem for Atlanta. The offense also had to deal with injuries to the receiving corps, as Roddy White was hobbled all season (although he never missed a game) and promising youngster Harry Douglas suffered a knee injury in training camp and never played a snap.

      Now that Gonzalez is committed to 2010 and assuming Ryan, Turner, White and Douglas can return to full health, things once again look promising for the Falcons’ offense. Now GM Thomas Dimitroff must concentrate on adding more talent to a young defensive squad so Atlanta can challenge for a playoff spot again next season.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Will the Vikings be able to win on the road?

      January 20, 2010 /

      Four of the last five times the Vikings have had to pack their bags and play on the road, they’ve lost. That doesn’t bode well for them considering that their most important game of the season will also be played on the road.

      Everyone wants to talk about Brett Favre’s magical Super Bowl run, but he and the rest of his team haven’t gotten things done on the road this season. They’re 4-4 away from the Metrodome, but three of those four wins came against the Lions, Browns and Rams in the first five weeks of the season. Those aren’t exactly powerhouse teams they played. Their other road win game against Green Bay in Week 8 when Favre threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns to help Minnesota rack up 38 points.

      Speaking of Favre, you have to go back all the way to 1997 to reference the last time he won a road playoff game. He led the Packers to a 23-10 win over the 49ers that year, but he’s gone 0-3 on the road with nine interceptions in the postseason since then.

      Granted, football is a team game and Favre wasn’t the only reason his teams have failed on the road in the postseason. Plus, previous outcomes have nothing to do with future results so if the Vikings do lose on Sunday, it won’t be because Favre hasn’t won on the road in the postseason since ’97.

      That said, it’s worth noting that Minnesota’s Super Bowl hopes are resting on the fact that they must beat a solid New Orleans team in a hostile environment on Sunday. Toss in the fact that Favre has struggled on the road in the postseason and that the Vikings are 0-3 in their last three games away from the Metrodome and you realize what kind of situation Minnesota is walking into this weekend.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Who are the top 10 fantasy WRs for 2010?

      January 20, 2010 /

      Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve listed my top QBs and RBs for 2010, and discussed the impressive depth of the TE position heading into next season. Today, I’ll list my top 10 fantasy wideouts for 2010. (These rankings assume a high-performance, point per reception scoring system.)

      1. Andre Johnson
      He’s a beast and the Texans often get into shootouts. As long as he stays healthy, he’s a shoe-in for a top 5 season.

      2. Reggie Wayne
      Wayne over Fitz? I think so, assuming Kurt Warner retires. Matt Leinart just does not inspire much confidence right now.

      3. Larry Fitzgerald
      Arguably the most talented wideout on this list, but if Warner doesn’t return, he could have a big problem at QB.

      4. Randy Moss
      He’ll be 33 heading into next season and seems disinterested at times. Still, with Wes Welker shaky to start the season, the Pats will lean on him.

      5. Miles Austin
      Exploded onto the scene in Week 5 (10-250-2) and never looked back. He’s the Cowboys’ clear WR1, runs great routes and has nice hands.

      6. Roddy White
      Struggled with injuries this year, but didn’t miss a game. He finished WR10, but should do better with a healthy Matt Ryan.

      7. DeSean Jackson
      Andy Reid usually finds a way to get him the ball, in the passing game or on the reverse. He’s also a very dangerous return man. With Brian Westbrook possibly gone, D-Jax would become Philly’s primary playmaker.

      8. Vincent Jackson
      He’s in a great offense with a great QB. He increased his per-game numbers from an already-productive 2008.

      9. Steve Smith 2.0
      Smith could potentially lose some targets to Hakeem Nicks, but he’ll more than likely be the Giants’ main possession receiver. In PPR leagues, he only missed double figures once all season.

      10. Calvin Johnson
      He battled injuries but still scored well when he played. He has some serious upside, especially if Matthew Stafford progresses as expected.

      Honorable Mention: Chad Ochocinco, Sidney Rice, Marques Colston, Steve Smith 1.0, Brandon Marshall, Wes Welker, Greg Jennings, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Anquan Boldin


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Who deserves to represent the West in the All-Star Game?

      January 20, 2010 /

      Yesterday, I tackled the Eastern Conference, and today I’ll look at the West.

      THE NO-BRAINERS

      1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
      28-5-5 plus the best record in basketball. It’s a two horse race right now for MVP and Kobe might be the frontrunner.

      2. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs
      He’s averaging 26-8-3 for the resurgent Mavs.

      3. Kevin Durant, Thunder
      He’s posting 29-7-3 for a very dangerous OKC squad. How scary is it that he’s only 21 years-old?

      4. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
      ‘Melo is scoring better than ever (30-6-3) thanks to increased efficiency from the field (48%) and the charity stripe (87%)

      Continue reading »

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

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