Page 2647 of 2957

Bucs acquire Sims, Eagles cut Jones and Falcons’ D is a mess

May 1, 2007 / Anthony Stalter

The Chiefs traded defensive tackle Ryan Sims to the Bucs Tuesday for an undisclosed draft pick. Sims was the sixth overall pick in the ’02 draft and has been a colossal bust thus far. It’s amazing the Chiefs got anything for him, but it’s worth it for the Bucs to take a shot on Sims possibly resurrecting his career in a new city.

Speaking of busts – this one of the free agent variety – the Eagles finally cut ties with linebacker Dhani Jones. Philly acquired Jones in ’04, inking him to a $12.5 million contract, but he never panned out. The Eagles will save $1.5 million in cap space with his release and will give Chris Gocong and Stewart Bradley a chance to start at the strong side ‘backer position.

Maybe Jones will get a look in Atlanta, who lost linebacker Demorrio Williams to a torn pectoral muscle over the weekend. In another blow to the defense, Atlanta also lost defensive tackle Rod Coleman to a quadriceps injury after a jet skiing accident. Both players are huge keys to the Falcons’ defense and will miss anywhere from three to five months. These injuries don’t bode well considering the Falcons also have a mess on their hands concerning defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who is suing the team for possibly tampering with his free agency status last year and wants to be cut or traded.

NFL

Panthers show Keyshawn the door

May 1, 2007 / Anthony Stalter

Just three days after selecting USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers released 12-year vet Keyshawn Johnson. Citing the need to get younger, the Panthers decided to part with Johnson after just one year of service. Jarrett will now get the opportunity to start opposite Steve Smith.

Wow, all I can think of is Johnson sitting at the podium with the ESPN draft crew on Saturday, commenting on how he was going to tutor Jarrett next season. Guess not Key. The move makes sense considering Johnson and Jarrett are arguably the same slow, but sure-handed possession receiver with outstanding leaping ability. Not too mention Jarrett is younger and cheaper. Maybe Johnson will catch on in Atlanta with Joe Horn and the Falcons can host the “All NFC South Revenge Team”.

NFL

The Warriors are for real

April 30, 2007 / John Paulsen

First they had to win nine of ten just to make the playoffs. Then they had to face the Mavs, the #1 seed in the West (and the consensus best team in the league). But Golden State just seems to have Dallas’ number. This year, they won all three regular season meetings and, counting the playoffs, have won six of the last seven games against the Mavs.

Golden State is a small, athletic team that plays at a frenetic pace both offensively and defensively. Head coach Don Nelson (who used to coach Dallas) loves to utilize gimmick defenses and has thrown the Mavs completely off their game. Likely MVP Dirk Nowitzki has been limited by the Warriors’ scrambling, in-your-face defense and is completely out of rhythm. He’s no longer getting that famous post up at the free throw line. The Warriors are running a double team at him just about every time he catches the ball and they’ve got the team speed to recover when he elects to pass instead of shoot.

Offensively, Baron Davis is playing out of his mind. At the end of the second quarter he hit a 45-foot desperation three to tie the game going into halftime, and at the end of the third quarter he stole the ball and flushed it home to give Golden State the momentum going into the final period. Finally, with time winding down in the fourth, he hit a long jumpshot over Devin Harris to seal the game.

But the Warriors are not all Davis. They’ve got loads of young, athletic wing players – Monta Ellis, Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes – along with a bit of an inside presence in Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins, which gives Nelson the pieces he needs to give the Mavs fits.

Golden State leads the series, 3-1, but still has to get one more win. Two of the last three games are in Dallas. Tuesday’s Game 5 (9:30 PM ET, TNT) should be very interesting. The Mavs are in a very tough spot – how will they respond?

NBA

Seventh Round Recap

April 29, 2007 / Anthony Stalter

Here’s a snap shot the NFL Draft’s round seven:

Best Value:
Brandon Siler, LB, Chargers (No. 240) – Siler was once regarded as the second best middle linebacker prospect in the draft and a potential second or third round pick. The reason he slipped was because of his lack of experience and could have probably used another year at Florida. However, he’s a true playmaker, should benefit from playing with a top San Diego defense and was a great find in the seventh round. Other values: Deshawn Wynn, RB, Packers; Dallas Baker, WR, Steelers; Chase Pittman, DE, Browns.

Potential Sleeper:
Ben Patrick, TE, Cardinals (No. 215) – Shocking that Patrick dropped into the second round because his stock was on the rise after the NFL Combine. He’s got a ton of talent, but didn’t play at a Division I program, so therefore he dropped. It’s interesting to see how he’ll fit into that offense though, especially since Arizona took Leonard Pope in last year’s draft. Other sleepers: Clark Harris, TE, Packers.

NFL, NFL Draft

Sixth Round Recap

April 29, 2007 / Anthony Stalter

Here’s a snap shot of the NFL Draft’s sixth round:

Best Value:
John Wendling, S, Bills (No. 184) – I’m shocked Wendling lasted this long because he at the very least will be a solid special teams contributor. He’s not a starter – at least not right now – but he’s got great speed and is an outright football player. Other values: Rufus Alexander, LB, Broncos; Ryan Smith, CB, Titans; Prescott Burgess, LB, Ravens.

Potential Sleepers:
Courtney Taylor, WR, Seahawks (197) – By trading Darrell Jackson to the 49ers for a fourth round pick, the Seahawks needed to address their wide receiver position. Taylor is almost a copy cutout of Jackson (without all the NFL experience of course) in that he’s got great size and athleticism. He’s not overly fast, but neither was Jackson. Other potential sleepers: David Irons, CB, Falcons; HB Blades, LB, Redskins.

What the hell were they thinking?
Hard to criticize this deep into the draft, so I won’t.