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      Ravens’ Troy Smith requests a trade

      December 28, 2009 /

      According to Troy Smith’s agent, the Ravens’ backup quarterback has notified the team that he wants to be traded.

      From Rotoworld.com:

      Smith “wants playing time” Cindrich writes, and plans to “seek (a) trade” after the Ravens’ playoff run. The timing here is hardly impeccable with just six days left before Baltimore attempts to clinch a postseason berth against the Raiders. Smith has rushed eight times for 38 yards and a touchdown this year, and completed 5-of-9 passes for 24 yards and an interception.

      I agree with Rotoworld – the timing of this is horrible by Smith and his agent. Whether or not it was the agent’s idea or Smith’s, this looks bad for the quarterback that he would be thinking selfishly while his team is fighting for a playoff spot. I think he deserves a shot to compete for a starting job, but this was hardly the way to go about it.

      NFL

      NBA ticket revenues fall 7.4 percent

      December 28, 2009 /

      Per Ken Berger of CBSSports.com…

      Average paid attendance is down 3.7 percent in the NBA through the first quarter of the regular season, sending gate receipts plummeting 7.4 percent, according to league documents obtained by CBSSports.com.

      Why are gate receipts important? Bill Simmons explains…

      The attendance number doesn’t matter because it’s so easy to manipulate; teams either fib or boost the total by giving tickets away for absurdly low prices, hoping to recoup some of it through concessions and merchandise sales.

      Berger goes further…

      They’re also important because ticket revenue factors into the overall basketball-related income (BRI) figure that is used to set the salary cap and luxury tax thresholds for next season. The NBA has stood by its projection of a decline in overall revenue this season between 2.5 percent and 5 percent, which would result in the salary cap declining from its current $57.7 million to between $50.4 million and $53.6 million. But a bigger than expected decline in BRI would seriously hamper certain teams’ plans to be big spenders in the 2010 free-agent market.

      The article also has a statement from the NBA saying that the gate receipts are down less than the league’s projections, due to creative marketing campaigns used to boost attendance (i.e. lowering prices and hoping increase revenue from concessions, parking, etc.).

      The NBA’s statement suggests that the salary cap may not fall as far as the lower end of the aforementioned range (~$50.4 million). This is important to teams looking to spend next summer. For example, the Knicks would have $23.1 million to spend under a $50.4 million cap (not enough for two max contracts), but would have $26.3 million to spend under a $53.6 million cap (almost enough for two max contracts — Brandon Roy’s extension starts at $13.5 million next season).


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NBA

      Great Quotes: Baron Davis/Ricky Davis

      December 28, 2009 /

      “What [Ricky Davis] said to me before the game really stuck with me. He just told me to be aggressive, don’t worry about nobody else out there, just worry about what you’ve got to do, and I guarantee you that we’re going to stay close. You just be aggressive, you just worry about taking care of BD, don’t get frustrated, and play your game.”

      — Baron Davis, via ESPN

      I find it quite comical that Ricky Davis, who once took a shot at his own team’s basket so that he could get the rebound and register a triple-double, said that Baron Davis shouldn’t “worry about nobody else out there.”

      The advice apparently worked, as the Clippers beat the visiting Celtics, 92-90, and (Baron) Davis hit the game-winner. He had 24 points, 13 assists, three rebounds and three steals.

      NBA

      Has Fox saved his job or is Cowher destined for Carolina?

      December 28, 2009 /

      The Carolina Panthers have been the model for inconsistency under head coach John Fox for the better part of a decade. One year they’re up, the next they’re down.

      But much like previous down years, the Panthers are finishing strong in 2009. They’ve won three of their last four games and have the opportunity to finish .500, which is quite an accomplishment for a team that had Jake Delhomme under center for most of their year.

      Their strong finish begs the question: Has Fox saved his job?

      Rumors are circulating that Bill Cowher wants to return to the sidelines in 2010 and Carolina might be a fit because his daughter attends N.C. State. If Cowher is interested, will the Panthers jump at the opportunity to bring him on board or will they stay loyal to Fox, a man that led the team to their only Super Bowl appearance?

      Much like in previous down years, the Panthers struggled with injuries and inconsistency this season. Delhomme was a train wreck and should no longer be viewed as a starter, especially given that Matt Moore is gaining confidence with each passing week. The defense has gelled nicely under new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and the running game is sound with the two-headed monster of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The team could use a No. 2 receiver opposite Steve Smith but other than that, they don’t have a ton of holes.

      With that in mind, is Fox the right person to get the Panthers back to the playoffs or should the front office go in another direction? Personally, if Cowher is interested I don’t know how the Panthers don’t entertain the thought of hiring him. But if he turns them down or isn’t interested, then Fox should be retained.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

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