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      Tim Floyd turns down Arizona job

      April 3, 2009 /

      So much for those reports that had Tim Floyd packing his bags for Arizona. He has decided to stay at USC.

      Floyd announced his decision in a meeting with reporters in Los Angeles Thursday afternoon. Floyd said he not only visited Arizona but also spoke to Memphis about its opening.

      “I felt that I needed to look at those two programs,” Floyd told reporters on Thursday. “I am at a point where I want to do something really special and I feel like I needed to go look at an elite program.

      “But there is something really special about building your own traditions, your own histories and doing it with a group of guys that you love. … I have never been more excited to be a Trojan.”

      Floyd said his contract at USC remains unchanged.

      “I have three years left on my contract,” he said. “No, there have not been any changes made that I am aware of. I would like another year or two. I think that would be great. I would like for this to be my last job.”

      Floyd has done a nice job at USC, which is why Arizona wanted him in the first place. He has guided the Trojans to three straight NCAA appearances and three straight 20+ win seasons. The next step for the program is to crack the Elite Eight or Final Four.

      So which direction does Arizona go now that Floyd has publicly turned down the job?

      College Basketball, March Madness, Rumors & Gossip

      Couch Potato Alert: 4/3

      April 3, 2009 /

      This weekend, WrestleMania 25 will be held in Houston, and it promises to be one of the biggest shows of the year. It’s a culmination of the past year’s feuds decided inside the squared circle. Vince McMahon created this event and Hulk Hogan put it on the map, but the rabid fans have turned WrestleMania into wrestling’s own Super Bowl. Their support has transformed the WWE into the most successful pro wrestling promotion in entertainment sports today. And for that, they should be applauded!

      All times ET…

      NBA
      Friday, 8 PM: Cleveland Cavaliers @ Orlando Magic (ESPN)
      Friday, 10:30 PM: Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN)
      Saturday, 3 PM: Detroit Pistons @ Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN)
      Saturday, 7 PM: Miami Heat @ Washington Wizards (NBA TV)
      Sunday, 1 PM: San Antonio Spurs @ Cleveland Cavaliers (ABC)
      Sunday, 3:30 PM: Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks (ABC)
      Sunday, 7 PM: Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets (NBA TV)

      NHL
      Saturday, 7 PM: Philadelphia Flyers @ Ottawa Senators (CBC)
      Saturday, 10 PM: Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers (CBC)
      Sunday, 12:30 PM: Minnesota Wild @ Detroit Red Wings (NBC)

      NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
      Saturday, 6:07 PM: (2) Michigan State vs. (1) Connecticut (CBS)
      Saturday, 8:47 PM: (3) Villanova vs. (1) North Carolina (CBS)

      NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
      Sunday, 7 PM: (3) Louisville vs. (1) Oklahoma (ESPN)
      Sunday, 9 PM: (2) Stanford vs. (1) Connecticut (ESPN)

      MLB
      Sunday, 8 PM: Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies (ESPN)

      College Basketball, Couch Potato Alert, March Madness, MLB, NBA, NHL, Television, Women

      Did the Browns have Quinn on the table for Cutler?

      April 3, 2009 /

      Following the Jay Cutler trade to Chicago, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Browns had a deal on the table that would have sent Brady Quinn to Denver. According to the report, the Redskins would have gotten Cutler, while the Browns would have acquired Washington QB Jason Campbell.

      Of course, Browns’ head coach Eric Mangini denied the report less than 24 hours later.

      The report comes a little more than a week after Mangini said at the NFL owners meetings that he wouldn’t rule out a trade.

      “What I haven’t ruled out is [GM] George [Kokinis] and I looking at any opportunity to improve the team,” he said. “But I in no way am saying that is specific to the quarterback situation. But we would look at any opportunity we thought would improve the team.”

      He also said he told both Quinn and Derek Anderson that they’d openly compete for the job in training camp and that he was “excited” about the competition.

      There’s more at stake for Quinn in the competition than just the starting job. If he plays at least 70 percent of the snaps next season, he’ll earn $11 million in contract escalators.

      There have been more than a handful of rumors this offseason that involve the Browns trading Quinn. Granted, they could all be just that – rumors. But one has to wonder whether or not Mangini is high on Quinn and if he had the choice, whether or not he’d love to blow up the quarterback situation in Cleveland and start over.

      But in terms of dealing with this specific rumor, the only thing that doesn’t make sense is why Mangini would want Campbell. Outside of starting experience, why would he want Campbell over Quinn? Campbell has been trying to learn the West Coast Offense for over a year, so to acquire him and try to teach him a new playbook wouldn’t be a very bright idea. If the Browns did make that trade, I think they’d be taking a step back from what they already have.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Bears sign Pace to protect Cutler

      April 3, 2009 /

      Shortly after sending multiple draft picks and quarterback Kyle Orton to the Broncos to acquire Jay Cutler, the Bears signed former Rams’ left tackle Orlando Pace to help protect their new signal caller.

      Pace will sign a two- or three-year contract and will be inserted as the starting left tackle meaning that 2008 first-round draft pick Chris Williams will have to stave off newly signed veteran Kevin Shaffer to claim a starting job at right tackle. Pace, 33, missed 25 games over the last three seasons but started 14 last season and cleared a physical when he visited the team on Monday. Agent Kennard McGuire praised the visit and it led to quick negotiations.

      Pace is considered a better pass blocker, and that will allow the Bears to perhaps get a better run blocker in Williams or Shaffer on the right side. A lot of teams are right-handed when it comes to running the football. The depth chart looks much different than it did when minicamp ended two weeks ago and free-agent pickup Frank Omiyale, originally signed to play left guard, was running at right tackle with Williams on the left side. There were no backups in place.

      This is a great signing for a couple of reasons. One, if Pace can stay healthy he offers an immediate upgrade at the left tackle position for the Bears. Although aging, Pace still has enough left in the tank to give Chicago one or two quality seasons until they can secure a more long-term answer. The Pace signing also allows the youngster Chris Williams to move to right tackle, which might be a better position for him because he doesn’t have to worry about protecting the quarterback’s blind side. Lastly, Omiyale isn’t a tackle. I don’t know why the Bears signed him to be a tackle, but at his size and quickness he’s more suitable for guard. With Pace now on board, Omiyale can shift down to guard and now as a unit, Chicago’s offensive line has been completely upgraded. (It’s not spectacular by any means, but they’re in better shape now than they were at this point last season.)

      You have to give the Bears a ton of credit. They played possum all offseason, waited for their time to strike and then stole Cutler and Pace away from other teams. I know fans are probably waiting for their next signing to be Torry Holt, although he seems destined to land in Tennessee. Then again, I wouldn’t count the Bears out of anything right now.

      NFL

      Top 5 Potential First Round Busts

      April 2, 2009 /

      Growing up, we were all told that if we studied hard enough, we’d ace tests, understand our homework and get good grades in school.

      What’s funny is that same philosophy can be applied to NFL teams when they scout the draft, yet they’re not guaranteed to succeed in the end. Teams pour countless of hours into scouting the draft and yet they still wind up failing by selecting players that turn out to be busts.

      Pundits will brag that it’s easy to spot potential first round busts, yet teams continue to draft flops every April. The teams that usually do well (Steelers, Patriots, Colts, etc.), are the ones that can spot players that fit their specific offensive or defensive schemes. They limit the risk of taking a bust because they can scout prospects that fit specific roles within their overall team philosophies.

      But for the teams that are still enamored with drafting the best player available regardless of scheme, or the ones that draft for need and ignore everything else, I’ve ranked the top 5 potential first round busts in this year’s NFL draft. Granted, it’s easy to list all of a player’s weaknesses and label them as a potential bust, but I tried to compile the five prospects that demonstrate specific concerns for pro teams.

      Continue reading »

      NFL, NFL Draft

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