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      Athlete Profile: B.J. Raji

      March 31, 2009 /

      B.J. Raji has never had much trouble with offensive linemen, quarterbacks, or even running backs. It’s those associate deans he’s had to watch out for.

      Prior to his 2007 season at Boston College, he was assured by an associate dean that he only had to complete two summer courses to be academically eligible to play that season.

      Unfortunately, he actually needed three — which meant that Raji would be academically ineligible for the 2007 season.

      Raji was devastated when told the news by then-BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski. But instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for himself, he went to work: dominating for the Eagles’ scout team and hitting the gym hard every day.

      Then, back on the field in 2008, he took all the frustration out on his opponents, exploding for 42 tackles and seven sacks from his defensive tackle position.

      Given how well everything has ended up working out for Raji, it must be hard for him to stay mad at the associate dean who contributed to his missing the 2007 season. Raji currently stands poised to become a top-10 pick in April’s NFL Draft, with a very good shot at going in the top 5.

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      College Football, NFL, NFL Draft

      Tigers release Gary Sheffield

      March 31, 2009 /

      In a rather surprising move, the Tigers have decided to release DH/OF Gary Sheffield and in doing so, will eat $14 million in salary.

      Gary SheffieldDetroit parted ways with the designated hitter Tuesday after a disappointing stay with the Tigers. The team was hopeful Sheffield would be a powerful presence at the plate in the final season of the $28 million, two-year contract extension it gave him after acquiring him from the Yankees for prospects.

      But he failed to deliver in large part because he often was injured.
      The move comes a day after the Tigers acquired outfielder Josh Anderson from Atlanta, forcing the team to make some tough decisions about its roster a week ahead of opening the season in Toronto.

      Sheffield hit .178 in 18 games this spring.

      Maybe this isn’t a total shock to some people after he had such a lousy spring, but it’s still a rather surprising move considering he was thought to be fully healthy again. At his age, it’s doubtful that any club gives him more than a one-year contract, but he should drum up some interest in the AL. He might not play for a contender next year, but there’s no doubt he’ll want to play again considering he’s just one dinger shy of 500.

      MLB

      Kobe-for-Divac victim defends decision

      March 30, 2009 /

      Bob Bass, former GM of the Charlotte Hornets, recently defended his decision to trade a straight-from-high-school Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac.

      “Let’s start out this way, ” Bass said. “There had never been a high school player come into the league that didn’t play in the front court.”

      “Secondly, 12 other teams passed on Kobe Bryant; 12 other teams said, ‘I don’t want him.’ The Nets even got a workout. He refused to work out with us. He didn’t work out with anybody. We had talks on the trade, but we didn’t make it for about 3 1/2 weeks. We had a chance to get a 7-foot-(1) center who had been very successful in the league.

      “You add all those three things together, that’s why the decision was made. Plus, he couldn’t make a jump shot when he first came into the league. We won 54 the first year Divac was there and 51 the next year. The only problem with that (Hornets) team was Michael Jordan was in his hey-day and Patrick Ewing had that great New York team. And we were in the Eastern Conference. That’s what happened on that.”

      All reasonable points, though like any of the other 12 teams that passed on Bryant, they completely misjudged his talent.

      NBA

      John Calipari considers Kentucky job

      March 30, 2009 /

      Memphis head coach John Calipari is reportedly considering bolting for Kentucky.

      Coach John Calipari is spending Monday meeting with Memphis officials and contemplating what is expected to be a multiyear, multimillion-dollar offer to coach Kentucky, a source close to the situation said.

      Calipari had a morning meeting with his players Monday to discuss his interest in the Kentucky opening, and players left convinced their coach would leave their program for Kentucky’s, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported, citing a source close to the situation.

      Calipari met with Kentucky officials on Sunday at an undisclosed location, at which time he was given an outline on the length of a deal and contract dollars to succeed Billy Gillispie, the source said.

      But more than the money, Calipari has to decide if he wants to leave a program in Memphis that he has transformed into a national championship contender for one of the most tradition-rich programs in the sport that has recently fallen upon hard times.

      Calipari’s top recruit, DeMarcus Cousins, has made an oral commitment to Memphis, but because national letters of intent do not have to be signed until next month, Cousins could easily follow Calipari to Kentucky if he were to become the Wildcats’ coach.

      Memphis is also a top destination for point guard John Wall, so he might follow Calipari to Kentucky as well if the coach decides to take the job. He has had great success at mid-major schools like UMass and Memphis, but can he have the same success one of the country’s proudest basketball programs? He’s a terrific recruiter and a good defensive coach, so I think he’d get Kentucky back into the top 10 in two or three years, tops.

      College Basketball, March Madness, Rumors & Gossip

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