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      Favre will play another year

      April 26, 2006 /

      I remember seeing a recent ESPN SportsNation poll in which Wisconsin was the only state that a majority of voters thought that Brett Favre should return for another year. That makes sense, because Packer fans understand that Favre gives them the best chance to win games, and if he wants to play another year, the Green Bay faithful want him on the field.

      After an offseason of wavering back and forth, the quarterback told the team yesterday that he wants to play another year. He said all along that he wanted the Packers to make a splash in free agency, and when the team failed to make any big signings, many thought that Favre was on the way out.

      The Packers’ two most high-profile free-agent signings have been former St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Ryan Pickett and former Seattle Seahawks safety Marquand Manuel. The team has also re-signed fullback William Henderson and wide receiver Rod Gardener.

      The Pickett and Manuel signings will bolster a defense that was horrible against the run but great against the pass in 2005. The article failed to mention the re-signing of Aaron Kampman, one of the league’s hardest working defensive ends. Throw in the #5 pick (probably LB A.J. Hawk, but possibly DE Mario Williams) and the Green Bay defense should be markedly better this season.

      The offense is a bigger question. Once the strength of the team, the unit took a hit last season with the loss of their two starting guards, Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera, which made running room hard to find for most of the year. Still, fifth-string RB Samkon Gado averaged 104 yards in the five games where he was given 20+ carries, so the offensive line started to show some life in the second half of the season. The team re-signed Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport, so they have some depth in the backfield. The bigger question at the moment is the status of WR Javon Walker, who has said he will retire before playing another game in a Packer uniform. If he stays true to his word and the team is unable to get a good WR to line up with the ever-consistent Donald Driver, moving the ball is going to be tough. Walker is coming off a knee injury that has diminished his trade value. He’d be smart to prove himself healthy by playing this year in Green Bay and then try to make a splash on the free agent market after the season.

      NFL

      Avery Johnson: Coach of the Year

      April 26, 2006 /

      And deservedly so.

      The “Little General” managed to transform the offensively-minded Mavericks into a capable defensive team, which resulted in a franchise best-tying 60-22 record. Over the course of the regular season, Dallas was 7th in the league in points allowed (93.1), 10th in FG% allowed (.443) and 4th in blocks (5.95).

      Johnson’s focus on defense guided the Mavericks to the third-best point differential in the league, as they posted 99.1 points per game while holding opponents to a franchise-low 93.1 points. This year marked only the seventh time in the franchise’s 26 years that the Mavericks held opponents under 100 points per game. After being outrebounded last season, they tallied 3.9 more rebounds per game than their opponents this season (3rd best in the league), pulling down 42.2 boards per game and holding opponents to 38.3.

      Johnson was the clear choice. He received 419 points in the survey of sportswriters and broadcasters, while last year’s winner, Mike D’Antoni was next best with 247 points.

      NBA

      Playoff Update 4/26

      April 26, 2006 /

      The Bucks/Pistons, Grizzlies/Mavs and Lakers/Suns play tonight. Here’s what happened last night:

      Washington 89, Cleveland 84 (series tied, 1-1)
      On the heels of his triple double in Game 1, much was expected of LeBron James in Game 2, and the King just didn’t deliver. He did go for 26 points and nine boards, but turned the ball over TEN times and shot a miserable 7 of 25 (28%) from the field. His biggest mistake, however, occurred with his team down five with 1:35 remaining. Eric Snow had just made a great play to force a jump ball and actually beat Antonio Daniels for the tip. LeBron went after the ball lackadaisically at first, ultimately throwing it directly to Gilbert Arenas for an easy layup. What’s worse, Arenas got fouled, and he put the Wizards up eight, effectively putting the game out of reach. The Cavs wasted a great game from Drew Gooden, who is one of the league’s most underrated power forwards. He went 11 for 12 from the field, scoring 24 while grabbing 16 rebounds. Washington’s “Big 3” went for 72 points on 46% shooting, yet the Cavs still could have won the game.

      New Jersey 90, Indiana 75 (series tied, 1-1)
      Vince Carter shrugged off criticism of his shot selection in Game 1 to drop 33 points on 12 of 20 shooting in Game 2, leading the Nets over the Pacers in a “must-win” game. Jason Kidd only scored six points, but dished out 13 assists and grabbed 11 rebounds to tally an unlikely double-double. Five Pacers scored in double figures, but the team shot only 35% from the field, and that marksmanship isn’t going to win very many games. Still, the Pacers have to feel good about going home with the series tied.

      San Antonio 128, Sacramento 119 (OT) (Spurs, 2-0)
      The Kings should have won this game. They were leading by three with four seconds to play when Manu Ginobili drove the lane and found an open Brent Barry behind the arc. Barry’s shot caught all rim, bounced up in the air, and went through the hoop, forcing an overtime, which the Spurs dominated. Mike Bibby made a rookie mistake of drifting too far towards the basket when, with his team down three, he should have been standing right next to Barry. Who cares if Ginobili is driving to the basket? When you are up three, stay on your man! The win would have been huge for the Kings, especially considering the absence of Ron Artest, who was serving a one game suspension for an elbow he delivered to the head of Ginobili in Game 1. Bibby’s mistake is of the series-changing variety, and the Kings have to win both games in Sacramento to have a chance of advancing.

      NBA

      Playoff Update

      April 25, 2006 /

      Washington/Cleveland, Indiana/New Jersey and Sacramento/San Antonio play tonight.

      Miami 115, Chicago 108 (Miami leads the series, 2-0)
      Take a look at this line from Dwayne Wade: 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks. With the Heat’s lead cut to four with just over a minute remaining, Wade put the game out of reach with a spinning jumper in the lane. Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Williams each added 22 points, while Antoine Walker added 17/10 filling in for the suspended Udonis Haslem. The problem with the Bulls is that they just don’t have anyone that can score inside. Andres Nocioni went for 30 on a phenomenal 13-15 shooting, while Kirk Hinrich tallied 29 points, seven assists and four rebounds. With the Heat missing Haslem and Alonzo Mourning, the Bulls really needed this game, and their playoff chances are now looking pretty grim.

      LA Clippers 98, Denver 87 (Clippers, 2-0)
      The Heat and Bulls score 223 while the Clippers and Nuggets only go for 185 – what’s going on here? Isn’t the East supposed to be the conference where teams walk the ball up and grind out possessions, while the West is supposed to be the free-wheeling, high-flying conference? Then again, the Clippers have a great team, so this is an unusual year. Once again, LA put the clamps on Denver, limiting Carmelo Anthony to 16 points on 5-15 shooting. So far, Anthony is shooting just 34% in the series. Elton Brand has his usual double-double (19/11), while Cuttino Mobley led six Clippers in double-digit scoring with 21. Sam Cassell didn’t shoot the ball particularly well (4-15) but he dished out 11 assists in the victory. Game 3 will be very telling for the Nuggets, who just look outmatched right now.

      NBA

      Manning, Jr. going to Chicago

      April 25, 2006 /

      Cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr. was not picked up by his former team, the Carolina Panthers, and is able to sign with the Chicago Bears, who offered him a five-year deal worth up to $21 million. Manning was recently arrested for an alleged assault at a Los Angeles restaurant.

      Because of the relatively modest compensation involved, Manning was an attractive target for a Bears team seeking to upgrade at cornerback. Veteran cornerback Jerry Azumah recently retired after battling injuries for two seasons. That left Chicago without an experienced No. 3 cornerback. The team’s starters are Nathan Vasher, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season, and Charles Tillman, considered a rising star until a difficult 2005 campaign.

      He will bank about $7.5 million over the next 12 months on a creative deal negotiated by agents Jim Ivler, Bill Heck and Brian Mackler. The deal includes so-called “de-escalators” that could reduce its overall value if Manning is not a starter in the latter years of the contract.

      Manning was a large part of the Panthers’ Super Bowl run in 2003 and would be a good fit in Chicago playing with Tillman and Vasher, two young solid corners. If I were a Bears fan, I would be a little concerned however that the team just signed a player with apparent character issues but if everything gets resolved and Manning is acquitted of the charges, I say pretty good move. The initial value of his contract in the first year seems a little steep for a nickel back but the de-escalator clause could help the Bears if things don’t work out down the road with Manning.

      NFL

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