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As The Knicks Turn
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Editorial, Front Office, NBA, Rumors,
It all seems like a done deal at this point. And I’m not talking about the rumors of Larry Brown being bought out of the remaining four years of his contract for $40 million turning into actual fact. If you followed the Knicks, it was almost an inevitability like a Grant Hill injury. No, I’m talking about something else, something every Knicks fan knows and I hope doesn’t pay for anymore.
The front office is as shaky as Trina’s (ahem) in one of her videos.
Seriously, with all of the mistakes the front office committed, (Jerome James anyone?), Larry Brown is going to be the fall guy? I’ve even heard that one of the reasons why the front office is thinking about letting Brown go is because they can’t meet the personnel demands of Brown, such as getting a shot-blocker. James was supposed to fulfill this role, but couldn’t do a lick to earn more than 9.2 minutes per game. Some may say that Brown didn’t establish a rotation, which was a problem and I wouldn’t disagree, but seriously, no one was doing what they needed to do night-in and night-out to earn the playing time besides Jamal Crawford (no, that isn’t a long typo) and Channing Frye before he got injured.
But, when you’re given lemons, you either try to make lemonade OR, apparrently, have your dad take your pitcher of water and gallon of ice away from you.
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Detroit Lions Trade Quarterback Joey Harrington to the Miami Dolphins
Posted by Jeff Chan Categories: Athletes, Front Office, NFL, Trades,
The trade became official earlier today and the Miami Dolphins have their insurance quarterback in Joey Harrington. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins for only a 2007 sixth-round draft pick and the pick can be elevated to a fifth-round pick if Harrington reaches a certain threshold of playing time. This fan for one was happy to see Harrington leave town. Harrington was the overall number three draft choice in the 2002 draft behind David Carr and Julius Peppers. Overall, the majority of the 2002 first round draft picks have been disappointments. The Lions have given up on Harrington after four seasons by signing three quarterbacks in the off-season, including Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Shaun King. Most NFL teams go by the philosophy of you’ll know if a player is a solid quarterback after 48 games, and Harrington has not had success in 58 games as the Lions QB, but the Lions were an unusual circumstance of being bad from top to bottom in their organization. If Dante Culpepper is not ready to start the season, Harrington is assumed to start for the Dolphins opening week.
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| Len Pasquarelli
After being ousted from the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, the Kings have decided not to renew Rick Adelman’s contract. The owners of the Sacramento Kings, the Maloof brothers have been unhappy with Adelman for the last couple of years, for not bringing home a championship. Adelman was hired prior to the 1998-99 season, and lead the Kings resurgence to respectability and to a playoff contender. The moves including trading for Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, the signing of Vlade Divac and drafting Peja Stojakovic turned the Kings into a championship threat. Adelman also had a successful stint as the head coach for the Portland Trailblazers, including two trips to the NBA finals during the Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter era. Adelman shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new head coaching position in the future. The Kings have been speculated to be interested in former NBA head coach Don Nelson.
Read More | ABC News
New York Mets Victor Zambrano Out For the Season: Is Barry Zito Coming to Town?
Posted by Jeff Chan Categories: Editorial, Front Office, Injuries, MLB,
You can never please Mets fans. The average Mets fan always thinks he can do a better job in the front office than the guys in charge. They always think they can do better than the current managers, always second-quessing pitcher use, the rotation set-up, pinch hitter use, etc. Now Mets fans need to lay off Victor Zambrano. It has finally been revealed that Zambrano has been pitching hurt since the day he got here. That’s why he’s been stinking up the joint, the blame should go to the General Manager who was in charge of the deal, Jim Duquette. Duquette traded prospect Scott Kazmir for damaged goods. Now looking back at the last few years, you have to admire Zambrano’s guts for pitching while injured. Mets fans should stop complaining and instead pool their resources and buid a time machine to prevent the trade from happening. For now, we can countdown the days until Lasting Milledge trades his Mets uniform for an Oakland A’s jersey. What are your thoughts on what the Met front office should do? Hold on to Milledge? Who looks like a future star. Give Jose Lima another shot? Put Aaron Heilman in the rotation? Clone Pedro Martinez through stem-cell research? Or go for broke an shop for another starter?
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Tennessee Titans
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 4-12
Points For: 299
Points Against: 421
Rushing Yards PG: 95.3
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 118.4
Passing Yards PG: 224.8
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 201.0
Drafted:
1.3 (3) - Vince Young, QB, Texas
2.13 (45) - LenDale White, TB, USC (from Philadelphia)
4.5 (102) - Calvin Lowry, S, Penn St.
4.19 (116) - Stephen Tulloch, LB, N.C. State (from Dallas through Philadelphia)
5.4 (137) - Terna Nande, LB, Miami (OH)
5.37 (169) - Jesse Mahelona, DT, Tennessee (Compensatory Selection)
6.3 (172) - Jonathan Orr, WR, Wisconsin
7.7 (215) - Cortland Finnegan, DB, Samford
7.37 (245) - Spencer Toone, LB, Utah (Compensatory Selection)
7.38 (246) - Quinton Ganther, RB, Utah (Compensatory Selection)
Comments:
There was a lot of speculation with the first pick for the Titans (number three overall) as it basically came down to Young or Matt Leinart who had ties with offensive coordinator, Norm Chow from their USC days. It basically came down to who had the most upside of the two and ownership deemed that Leinart had basically peaked already, while Young was still trending upwards and could be the next Steve McNair, a former MVP for the Titans and current disgruntled employee. White was a first round talent who was arguably just as good as Reggie Bush concerning numbers, but because of character issues and an injury problem, White took a landslide down to the second round and I have to say the Titans lucked out in getting this power back. Lowry is the proverbial “solid” player. He has very solid tackling skills. Tulloch has good speed and a motor. Nande is a very fast and explosive player. He could excel in special teams play. Mahelona loves to play, but that doesn’t always translate in the statline. Orr is a tall wide receiver with very good speed. Finnegan is superfast and is a more than viable option in the return game. Toone will probably play special teams and come in only to give one of the linebackers a rest. Ganther is short, but strong. He doesn’t have great speed, however.
ENDSCORE GRADE: C+
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Jacksonville Jaguars
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 12-4
Points For: 361
Points Against: 269
Rushing Yards PG: 122.4
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 106.8
Passing Yards PG: 199.4
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 184.1
Drafted:
1.28 (28) - Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA
2.28 (60) - Maurice Drew, RB, UCLA
3.16 (80) - Clint Ingram, LB, Oklahoma (from Dallas)
5.28 (160) - Brent Hawkins, DE, Illinois St.
7.5 (213) - James Wyche, DE, Syracuse (from San Francisco)
7.28 (236) - Demetrice Webb, CB, Florida (from Jacksonville through San Francisco)
Comments:
The Jaguars didn’t have many picks, but they pretty much fulfilled needs. Lewis is a tall tight end that doesn’t have the speed or flash, but at 6’6” with long arms and a big body, he’ll be a great end zone target. Drew is extremely fast and quick, but at only 5’7” what will his durability be like? I’m not sure if he’s an every down back, but he’ll get his shot. If anything, he can become a dangerous return man. Ingram is an every down linebacker that can cover. Hawkins is a big-time pass rusher that will probably be converted to the linebacker spot because of his lack of size (6’2”; 240 pounds) to really compete as a defensive lineman in the NFL. Wyche is a solid player, but will probably be broken in slowly. Webb left too early as he could have used more seasoning.
ENDSCORE GRADE: C
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Indianapolis Colts
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 14-2
Points For: 439
Points Against: 247
Rushing Yards PG: 106.4
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 110.1
Passing Yards PG: 256.0
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 196.9
Drafted:
1.30 (30) - Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
2.30 (62) - Tim Jennings, CB, Georgia
3.30 (94) - Freddie Keiaho, LB, San Diego St.
5.30 (162) - Michael Toudouze, OT, TCU
6.30 (199) - Charlie Johnson, OT, Oklahoma State
6.38 (207) - Antoine Bethea, CB, Howard (Compensatory Selection)
7.30 (238) - T.J. Rushing, CB, Stanford (from Indianapolis through Tennessee)
Comments:
Goodbye, Edgerrin James… Hello, Joseph Addai. Addai is a great pickup at the tail end of the first round. He should give Dominic Rhodes and anyone else a run for the starting spot. Jennings has very good coverage skills, vertical leap, and the all-important speed. Keiaho lacks size, but is very intense about the game. Toudouze is big, athletic, and raw. Considering he made his All-Mountain West team, he has some upside. Johnson will be a project. Bethea is very fast, but isn’t the greatest cover guy. He should get better if given a real shot. Rushing is short, but fast and has excellent return ability on special teams.
ENDSCORE GRADE: C+
AFC SOUTH Draft Grade: Houston Texans
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 2-14
Points For: 260
Points Against: 431
Rushing Yards PG: 113.5
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 143.9
Passing Yards PG: 139.8
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 220.1
Drafted:
1.1 (1) - Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
2.1 (33) - DeMeco Ryans, LB, Alabama
3.1 (65) - Charles Spencer, OT, Pittsburgh
3.2 (66) - Eric Winston, OT, Miami (FL) (from New Orleans)
4.1 (98) - Owen Daniels, TE, Wisconsin
6.1 (170) - Wali Lundy, RB, Virginia
7.43 (251) - David Anderson, WR, Colorado St. (Supplemental Compensatory Selection)
Comments:
Yes, yes, yes, there has been a lot of ink spilled on how the Texans should have taken once in a lifetime player, Reggie Bush. But, if you’re a regular reader, you know how I feel. And besides, how come every few seasons we here about that “once in a lifetime” player? I doubt people are dying every few years and regenerating.
In any case, the Texans did not need Reggie Bush because they have Domanick Davis. The Texans did not need Vince Young, the hometown favorite, because they already have David Carr who hasn’t had a real chance to shine because the offensive line has been absolutely horrid. The Texans couldn’t draft D’Brickashaw Ferguson with the first pick overall because that just wouldn’t have jived with just about everyone, besides Ferguson and his agent.
So, the Texans went with Mario Williams, a defensive end compared to Julius Peppers with the upside for Reggie White. For a team that finished as badly as they did on defense, the Texans did the right thing for the team. And people hate it now, but I think they’ll like it later.
Ryans was an excellent choice and will instantly upgrade the defense even more. He is a smart player with very good leadership ability. Ryans comes to play and brings it every down. He should start on the weak or strong side. Spencer and Winston in the third round were excellent choices to upgrade their offensive line. Both have a very good shot at starting. Daniels is big, fast, and athletic. He won’t be pigeonholed as either a blocker or receiver because he has the tools to do both. Lundy could be a good back up or a good practice squad player. Anderson will likely be a special teams player.
ENDSCORE GRADE: B
AFC NORTH Draft Grade: Pittsburgh Steelers
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 11-5
Points For: 389
Points Against: 258
Rushing Yards PG: 138.9
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 86.0
Passing Yards PG: 182.9
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 198.0
Drafted:
1.25 (25) - Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio St. (from N.Y. Giants)
3.19 (83) - Anthony Smith, S, Syracuse (from Minnesota)
3.31 (95) - Willie Reid, WR, Florida St. (from Seattle through Minnesota)
4.34 (131) - Willie Colon, OG, Hofstra (Compensatory Selection)
4.36 (133) - Orien Harris, DT, Miami (FL) (Compensatory Selection)
5.32 (164) - Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
5.35 (167) - Charles Davis, TE, Purdue (Compensatory Selection)
6.32 (201) - Marvin Philip, C, California
7.32 (240) - Cedric Humes, TB, Virginia Tech
Comments:
Antwaan Randle El who? The Steelers traded up six spots in order to grab Holmes and why not? He should be as electric as Randle El was in the return game, but should be a lot better in the receiving game. Holmes has the speed to stretch the field, runs routes well, and definitely one of the best wide receivers, if not the best, wide receiver in a weak class. But that shouldn’t take away from Holmes, who is a legit playmaker.
Smith has great tools. He’s athletic, heady, has good ball skills, and doesn’t let many tackles slip him up. Smith has a ton of talent. He should start for the Super Bowl champs, which almost sounds impossible for rookie to do, but Smith just might. Reid was an excellent pick there at that position. He is another candidate to pick up the return duties left behind when Randle El joined the Washington Redskins.
Colon will be groomed to take over a guard or tackle spot on the offensive line, possibly in 2007. Harris is a solid player, but that’s about it. Jacobs was a very good QB last season at Bowling Green – throwing for 41 touchdowns versus four steals – but will be the backup’s backup in Steel City. Davis will try to become the next Antonio Gates – a college basketball player with athletic ability and soft hands. Phillip is kind of short, but does snap the ball quickly. Humes has some upside, but I wouldn’t count on him.
ENDSCORE GRADE: B
AFC NORTH Draft Grade: Cleveland Browns
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, Editorial, Front Office, NFL,
2005 Record: 6-10
Points For: 232
Points Against: 301
Rushing Yards PG: 93.9
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 137.6
Passing Yards PG: 190.4
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 179.2
Drafted:
1.13 (13) - Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida St. (from Baltimore)
2.2 (34) - D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland (from New Orleans)
3.14 (78) - Travis Wilson, WR, Oklahoma
4.13 (110) - Leon Williams, LB, Miami (FL)
4.15 (112) - Isaac Sowells, OL, Indiana (from Atlanta)
5.12 (145) - Jerome Harrison, RB, Washington St.
5.20 (152) - DeMario Minter, CB, Georgia (from New England)
6.11 (180) - Lawrence Vickers, FB, Colorado
6.12 (181) - Babatunde Oshinowo, NT, Stanford (from Baltimore)
7.14 (222) - Justin Hamilton, DB, Virginia Tech
Comments:
Wimbley was a good pick as he can penetrate through the line and get into the backfield to either tackle for a loss or sack the quarterback. He’ll be learning his position from Willie McGinest, one of the better defenders of all time., so he a lot of things in place to succeed, but I doubt he has the endurance to be on the field for every snap, which isn’t always a bad thing as he’ll get some blow before getting back on the field and be a little bit more rested.
The only real drawback on Jackson is that he’s a little short, but so was Mike Singeltary and we all know how good of a career he had. Jackson can get after the ball and covers a lot space. Some ranked him as the best middle linebacker in the draft, and I can’t say I disagree. His toughness and feel for the game stand out.
Wilson is tall and has the ability to score TDs, even though it didn’t show last season. He’ll find the open spots. Despite being big and athletic Williams can’t shed blockers enough to consistently be effective. Sowells is one of those athletic versatile types that should have a long career in the NFL.
Will the Senior Bowl be more indicative of how Harrison will do or his two inconsistent seasons in Washington State? Hopefully for the Browns and Harrison it’s the former. But, considering his height (5’9”), it’ll be tough to get any consistent touches anywhere. Minter has some talent and did put up solid numbers at Georgia, but is he quick enough to succeed at this level?
Vickers is a good blocker and can catch out of the backfield. He won’t get many plays, but when he does, he should make them count. Oshinowo is nothing more than backup material, in my opinion. Same can be said for Hamilton, but that’s why they’re late round picks.
ENDSCORE GRADE: B
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