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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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| NBA | |
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Taking It All In Stride By Ron Jumper Quietly, it is an intriguing time in the sports year. NBA Draft talk, NFL off-season moves, and the buzz of college football just around the corner. From Billy Donovan to Tony Soprano, yours truly has a lot on his mind... For starters, I have to talk about what went down in Orlando. Not just Billy Donovan, but that entire ordeal that took place. First off, the news breaks that he is leaving Florida to take the job for just under $30 mil. We all began the debate about whether it was a good move or a bad one. Personally, I felt it was a bad idea because he could stay at Florida and become one of the greatest college coaches of all time, as opposed to going to the NBA and fading into obscurity. Then, the next day, Donovan decides he doesn't want to go, nevermind he already signed the contract. I feel for Orlando because my beloved Razorbacks just had the exact same situaton (Dana Altman). It is humiliating to have a press conference and generate excitement about a new coach only to have him run away 24 hours later. While tough for Orlando, it was the best move for Donovan. Here is the kicker, though... The Magic, once they realized the ship had sailed on Donovan, turned immediately to Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy, who was still on the Miami Heat payroll as a consultant, wanted to take the Magic job but the Heat had to give up his rights because his contract wasn't up yet. Pat Riley, who has jacked Van Gundy around more ways than one, wouldn't let him walk to take the coaching position. Nope, Riley demanded the Magic give up a second round draft pick in exchange. Come on, Riles! Couldn't you just let the guy go and not try to stick it to Van Gundy one last time. Van Gundy, who also is forced to live life as a Ron Jeremy look-a-like, is a great hire with all things considered and should make strides toward making the Magic a team capable of making a run in the playoffs. ****** Greg Oden is looking more and more like he is going to be the first pick in the draft. That being said, it is becoming more and more apparent the Trail Blazers will move Zach Randolph. Randolph, who averaged 23.6 ppg during the regular season, should be able to warrant some value in return if he is traded. I still feel the best piece to the puzzle for the Trail Blazers to add is Rashard Lewis. Seattle is looking to keep Lewis but, if push comes to shove, the Sonics would be willing to sign and trade so they could get something back in return. I think both teams would benefit perfectly from that trade, assuming Oden goes first and Durant second. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears alert for any possible trade rumors swirling around on these two. ****** When the media and everyone else jumped on Durant for his combine numbers, I just felt like everyone blew it out of proportion. He is a rail thin 6'10" kid with a 7'4" wingspan, how much did you think he could lift? Were you really expecting big numbers on his bench press? Also with that height and wingspan, does it really matter if his vertical is only 34" instead of 40"? How does that affect anything? His agent had to come to his defense and say it was because he hadn't been training hard and wasn't prepared. I really don't buy that, first of all, and secondly, I think it actually makes Durant come off worse by saying he didn't bother to train for the combine. Scouts factor in work ethic and passion into the equation, Durant doesn't want what has been considered a positive characteristic (work ethic and passion) to become a negative one. ****** With the scent of college football starting to reach my nostrils, I had to take a look at the upcoming season. We have already covered the top players from around the nation for this college football season in R.C.'s latest article (Taking An Early Look At 2008) so I wanted to give you a heads up on five players you don't know yet. However, these are five guys you need to know: 5. RB Kalvin McRae, Ohio Finished 2006 with 1250 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground 4. DE Tommy Blake, TCU Blake leads a TCU defense that is one of best in the nation 3. RB/KR Anthony Aldridge, Houston Averaged 10.1 ypc on 95 carries in 2006, also a scary kick returner 2. RB/KR Rafeal Little, Kentucky With QB Andre Woodson grabbing most of the praise, Little has been flying under the radar 1. QB Dan LeFeavor, Central Michigan This QB dropped 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2006 as a freshman ****** It has been long overdue for me to mention what has been going on with my Tampa Bay Bucs this offseason. When reports started coming out saying the Bucs were leaning towards starting Jeff Garcia, I couldn't help but wonder why there was even a question as to who would start. Otherwise, why would the Bucs have signed Garcia in the first place? I just don't agree with what the Bucs are doing. Going into the offseason, they didn't have enough talent to compete in the playoffs nor had they said anything about rebuilding. Thus far this offseason, they still don't seem to have decided. Signing a QB like Garcia with only a year or two left in the tank leads to think they are trying to win now, but look at what else they did this offseason. Yeah...I'm still looking too. ****** With "The Sopranos" coming to an end, many viewers felt it didn't end accordingly. However, take a closer look at the show's history. Has "The Sopranos" ever been a show filled with over-the-top bloody, grueling action scenes with multiple special effects? Nope, it sure hasn't. It just isn't in the show's nature. The show has always been about taking a look inside the life of a mafia boss and his family, thus the name "The Sopranos". Ending with the family together is the way it should have ended, as well as portraying the paranoid state of Tony as he showed a look of terror every time the restaurant door swung open and closed. June 11, 2007 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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