Friday, January 25, 2008
No belief in the hype
- Don't believe the "experts" when they talk about all these upstarts and how the West is this big dogfight.
When it's all said and done, LA and New Orleans will float back to where they belong - 50-54 win teams, and Utah, Portland, Golden State, Denver, and Houston will all be borderline 50 win teams.
And the Big 3 will be (like always) that next tier (58+ wins) that those other teams can't get to. And Phoenix, the media's champion, will be what they always are, a chemistry experiment gone bad, with a no defending, aching point guard, and a team that can't even defend a team like Minnesota.
So bottom line, screw all this ink on the tough West, it will come down to San Antonio and Dallas just like it always does.
Eddie Sefko took Steve Nash's nuts out of his mouth for 20 minutes and wrote something for us.
Dallas Mavericks have no room for error in crowded West
09:44 AM CST on Friday, January 25, 2008
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com
Donnie Nelson was talking with another NBA mover and shaker recently, not so much about possible trades, but about the fickle nature of the Western Conference this season.
It was no run-of-the-mill general manager, either. It was the leader of one of the West's top teams.
"He was telling me how, when you lose a game or two, everybody wants to know why things are so bad," Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations said.
It was a relief for Nelson to hear that other top-echelon teams are getting the same treatment.
The Mavericks have reached the midpoint of a crazy and competitive season. They have navigated 41 games with a 28-13 record and have 41 more trips through stormy water before the playoffs.
On pace for 56 wins sounds good, until you realize that might not be good enough for a home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
"That's what makes the West so neat," Nelson said. "There are 10 or so teams that have a real chance to do damage in the West. And people don't realize how hard wins are to come by."
What the first half has done is set up a march to the playoffs that should provide riveting, daily twists and turns for every team in the West playoff hunt. It will be a fan's delight as the list of contenders goes at least 11 teams deep.
As of Thursday, a 24-18 Utah team would not have been among the eight playoff qualifiers. Of course, the playoffs don't start today, so it's a moot point.
But anybody who believes the playoff bracket come mid-April is going to look anything like it would right now probably is going to be wrong on many counts. Every team is a four-game winning or losing streak away from seeing their fortunes completely change.
"That's what I think is going to be so interesting," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "Everybody's eyes are going to be watching every game earlier in the season. Normally, people get into it a little more after the All-Star break when there's only about 30 games left. But right now, the way things are going, I think it's making things interesting even earlier in the season."
As proof, the Mavericks were barely done licking their wounds after Monday's loss at Washington before somebody in the locker room asked how San Antonio did against Charlotte.
Scoreboard watching has begun.
As Johnson said, parity is a big reason.
"The top 10 teams in the West aren't light years ahead of each other," he said. "And I think that's why there's going to be a 10th seed or ninth seed that could have very well been a fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. There's not enough [playoff] spots."
Owner Mark Cuban believes this is becoming an annual situation.
"It's crazy," he said. "But it was like this last year for a long time, too. Then it cleared up a little."
However, last season the Mavericks were 33-8 at the midpoint and the jumbled part of the standings was all behind them. They cruised to the No. 1 seed.
But this year, going into Thursday's games, the top five records in the West were separated by one game in the loss column. And while the Mavericks have experienced problems in the first half of the season, they have positioned themselves for a second-half surge.
"With us getting off to a 12-8 start and to be sitting here where we are, it's not a bad deal," Johnson said. "Guys are excited, and they're going to be even more excited now because there's not 82 games in front of them, there's only 41."
Injury update: Jerry Stackhouse said he will have an MRI today on his right hamstring, just to be on the safe side.
He doesn't think there's anything major wrong with it, but he tweaked it against Charlotte on Wednesday after just seven minutes of action. He's listed as day-to-day, but said he probably would sit out tonight's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brandon Bass said he has been told by doctors that there is no risk of injuring his right Achilles' any further and hopes to play tonight after missing Wednesday's game. He said the soreness was getting worse as he continued to play on it.
Turning for home: Johnson said he doesn't expect to alter his approach to coaching the Mavericks now that they have reached the halfway point.
"We try to do whatever is necessary to help our team reach its maximum potential," he said. "I know the players don't want me to change my personality. We made a few adjustments that we think can help us in the short term and long term with the five-game increments.
"We'll just keep trying to get better."
LA Lakers at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. today (Ch. 21)
EDDIE SEFKO'S WEST PLAYOFF WINNERS (seeds based on today's standings*)
* Does not include Thursday's New Jersey-Golden State game
First-round matchups
No. 1 New Orleans vs. No. 8 Golden State: This time, it wouldn't be stunner it was when Warriors beat Dallas.
No. 4 Denver vs. No. 5 San Antonio: Spurs would own home-court, which means plenty given their road woes.
No. 3 Dallas vs. No. 6 LA Lakers: This would be a tasty matchup, but who wants to see Kobe Bryant in the first round?
No. 2 Phoenix vs. No. 7 Portland: Blazers would lose but gain playoff experience in pre-Oden season.
Western semifinals
San Antonio-New Orleans: The fairytale season that might save the Hornets' franchise in New Orleans comes to an end, but the Hornets' Chris Paul serves notice that he's next in line as the Spurs try to go after that elusive repeat.
Phoenix-Dallas: The Mavericks try everything, but it's another small, run-and-gun team (sound familiar?) that gets a huge showing from Amare Stoudemire, and Steve Nash hits another clutch shot to eliminate the Mavericks.
Western finals
Phoenix-San Antonio: Finally, Steve Nash sets foot on the NBA's biggest stage. He gets a helping hand from Amare Stoudemire, who dominates the Spurs, and the Suns prove that their breakneck pace can lead to the promised land.
NBA Finals
Phoenix-Boston: Boston breezes through the East, but the Suns know how to play Kevin Garnett. And two ex-Mavericks – Steve Nash and Raja Bell – join Michael Finley as NBA champions.
- Cowlishaw....
Dallas Mavericks can't rest in ever-improving West
10:48 PM CST on Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Lakers coming to town was a big deal the last couple of years because of Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers coming to town is a big deal now because it means the Mavericks are playing an elite Western Conference team.
Another ... elite ... team.
If you don't think the window is closing on Dallas' chances of winning an NBA trophy with its current group of core players, you aren't paying attention.
And it has nothing to do with how the Mavericks are playing.
They are playing just fine. Entering tonight, they are one game behind Phoenix and another member of the new elite, New Orleans, for best record in the conference.
They have won eight of their last 10 games. Their home record (18-3) is the best in the NBA, including the Boston Celtics. Coach Avery Johnson may find himself coaching the West All-Stars in his New Orleans hometown because he is that close to having the team with the best record in the West.
Then again, if injuries caused the Mavericks to go into a little tailspin and they dropped 4 ½ games in the standings, do you know where they would be?
Yes. Out of the playoffs.
To get to the NBA Finals, the Mavericks used to have to fight their way through the Suns and the Spurs.
It's more than that now.
Every opponent – as we saw last spring – will be dangerous.
The team that spoiled Dirk Nowitzki's MVP season, Golden State, is five games out of first in the West.
Once again the Warrriors are the eighth seed.
Last year was the first time since 1990 that neither the No. 1 nor No. 2 seeds reached the conference finals in the West. As deep as this conference is, it won't be 17 years before that happens again.
Really, the elite in the West could be as many as 10 teams.
NBA fans know how scary the Houston Rockets can be, even if Tracy McGrady is still looking for that first playoff series victory. McGrady was injured but is back in the lineup. The team is on an 8-2 run.
The Rockets are 6 ½ games out of first, but they are no better than 10th in the Western Conference. That is crazy.
And it's why I have to restate what I said a year ago, because commissioner David Stern and the league's board of governors clearly missed their copy of the newspaper that day.
The NBA would be better off scrapping history and going to a best-16 team format. Forget Eastern and Western Conference playoffs. Get the best teams into the tournament and get the two best teams into the Finals, regardless of geography.
If that turned out to be San Antonio and Phoenix or Dallas and the Lakers, would anyone really object just because there's no Eastern time zone representation?
Despite his appeal, did LeBron James draw big numbers for the league in his first Finals appearance? I don't think so.
The six division winners should be assured of a home-court advantage in the first round. Winning a division should count for something.
But the teams should be seeded by record beyond that, meaning if San Antonio won the division and Dallas finished second but had the third-best record in the league, the Mavericks would be the No. 3 seed in the tournament.
So the two best non-division winners also would be assured of a home-court edge in the opening round.
If the NBA had such a format in place, Utah and Houston would be in the playoffs with their 24-18 and 23-19 records. Atlanta (17-21) and Indiana (19-24) would be out.
Beyond Hawks and Pacers fans, who has a problem with that?
Consider the Jazz. It is an exciting young team. It went to the Western Conference finals a year ago and played the Spurs tougher than Cleveland did in the Finals.
And at 5 ½ games behind the Suns and Hornets, Utah is out of the playoffs right now.
The format won't change any time soon, which is what makes the Lakers' trip to Dallas tonight so intriguing and important.
With eight teams within a handful of losses of each other in the West, every game matters. Forget the notion that the Mavericks have nothing to prove until they get to the playoffs.
This year in the West, getting to the postseason itself has meaning.
- I wish Ranger fans had Liverpool's passion about Tom Hicks.
Hicks, co-owner to keep control of Liverpool soccer club
09:34 AM CST on Friday, January 25, 2008
Associated Press
LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool's American owners completed a $682 million refinancing package Friday that keeps the Premier League club in their hands despite a growing backlash from fans.
Co-owner Tom Hicks,who also owns baseball’s Texas Rangers and hockey’s Dallas Stars, also expressed "continuing and enthusiastic support" for manager Rafa Benitez, whose position has been in doubt following disputes with the Americans over player transfers.
The money package was reached with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia Bank, replacing a previous financing arrangement that was due to expire next month.
The new deal is expected to help Hicks and Gillett repay the money borrowed for their takeover of Liverpool in March 2007.
The move follows weeks of speculation that the two would sell the club to Dubai-based consortium DIC, which lost out to Hicks and Gillett last year.
The refinancing deal and a revised design for Liverpool's new 71,000-seat stadium were announced by Kop Football, the holding company headed by Hicks and co-owner George Gillett Jr., who owns hockey’s Montreal Canadiens. The owners hired Dallas-based architectural firm HKS Inc. to build the new venue based on “an improved stadium design that meets the objective of a cost-effective, supporter-friendly design.”
The sleek, asymmetrical design originally envisaged in July 2007 was scrapped last month because of rising costs. The stadium is scheduled to open in August 2011 and will feature an 18,500-seat single tier stand for the Kop, which hosts Liverpool’s most loyal and vocal supporters. The current Kop seats 13,500.
Liverpool is moving from the 115-year-old Anfield Stadium, which seats 45,300, to the new venue in the adjacent Stanley Park. The project is expected to cost $807.5 million.
Hicks said the new stadium design was more efficient and “just as stunning.”
“Liverpool supporters should have high expectations for the future: a premier sporting experience at their new stadium at Stanley Park and a winning club on the pitch for years to come,” Hicks said in a statement.
Liverpool had fallen well below its top league rivals in facilities. Manchester United’s expanded stadium seats 76,000, and Arsenal moved into a 60,000-seat venue in 2006.
- Was in attendance last night for this game. Power play is awful. No scoring chances at all when they're 5 on 5. The goal tenders have to be out of their minds to keep it competitive, which Turco did last night. They have lumbering defenseman like Norstrom and Daley trying to initiate offense. They turn the puck over in their zone like crazy, furthering the pressure on Turco.
While I'm not an expert on hockey, I'm learning more and more as I go to these games. From doing that and listening to Razor, I'm picking up on the strategy of the game. And I know this, they are not as good as their record indicates. They need youth, scoring, and better puck handlers. And they need Zubov, Lehtinen, and Boucher back. BAD.
Dallas Stars squander chances in loss
11:51 PM CST on Thursday, January 24, 2008
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
mheika@dallasnews.com
Squandered points.
That's how the Dallas Stars saw their last two games, and they will have a long weekend to ruminate over exactly what that could mean in the greater context of the season.
For the second consecutive game, Dallas fumbled a winnable game – losing Thursday 2-1 to the Buffalo Sabres. They'll take three days off for the NHL All-Star break before returning to practice Monday.
"It's discouraging and frustrating to head into the break like this," Stars center Mike Modano said.
As in the Columbus game Tuesday, when the Stars blew a two-goal lead, Dallas had plenty of chances to seize control against a struggling Buffalo team.
"When you go into the third period and you're tied 1-1 and you get a couple of power plays, and then you don't get a quality scoring chance on goal, something is wrong," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "You're relying on people to create stuff, and they're just not getting it done."
The Stars' power play went 0-for-6 and is 1-for-28 in the last six games. That lack of success is costing the Stars in the standings. Dallas fell to 28-20-5 and is 3-4-1 in its last eight games. Buffalo won for only the second time in its last 14 games (2-7-5).
"We could have played a lot better tonight," goalie Marty Turco said. "There was lack of desperation on our part, which is both confusing and a little embarrassing. We're at our best when our leaders are on top of our game, and it's most evident when we're playing desperate hockey."
The Stars' leaders have struggled in recent games as Brenden Morrow, Mike Ribeiro and Modano have not been able to get the power play going. But the difference between wins over San Jose and Anaheim last week and this week's losses might be breakdowns on defense. In recent games, the Stars' defensemen simply made fundamental mistakes at key moments.
That was the case on both Buffalo goals Thursday. On the first, at 1:51 of the first period, defensemen Mattias Norstrom and Matt Niskanen were on the same side of the ice, allowing Derek Roy to slip behind, and forward Steve Ott failed to cover.
The score remained 1-0 until the 17:08 mark of the second period when Stu Barnes finally solved Sabres goalie Ryan Miller by crashing the net and one-timing a pass from Norstrom.
It was Barnes' eighth goal, his seventh in the last 17 games.
The Stars, however, once again found themselves trailing early in the third when Thomas Vanek and Roy broke in on an odd-man rush. The two skilled forwards passed the puck back and forth, confusing Niskanen and creating an easy tap-in from a foot away.
Dallas made a late push but couldn't get the job done.
"The last two games, we needed to be a lot better than we were," Ott said. "The worst part is when you give away points you thought you should get. We were in situations where we could have taken control of each game. Those are games that good teams win."
- This should keep the NFL-mentality out of the program and raise the IQ level of the team. Callahan's players were all about the "League." They had no passion for playing the college game. They viewed College as an extended combine. Bo Pelini will eliminate that, get kids into the program that actually want to go to college (or at least more than Callahan did, I can't be naive about this, not all the kids will be this way), and play the college game. And with passion.
Pelini can snag academic bonus
Coach to earn $250K if Huskers reach academic goals
Posted: Thursday January 24, 2008 3:13PM
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Bonuses rewarding academic achievement are nothing new in college football coaches' contracts.
They are, however, new to Nebraska.
Bo Pelini's contract, released this week, calls for him to earn up to an additional $250,000 a year if his program reaches all academic milestones listed.
That's the second-highest maximum in the nation -- behind the $300,000 Ohio State's Jim Tressel could receive -- but less than a third of the $800,000 Pelini would get for winning a national championship.
"You want a contract that fairly compensates the coach and signal what's important to the university," Chancellor Harvey Perlman said Thursday. "If you're going to put incentives in for winning, then you should balance those with incentives for academic performance."
One sentence in former coach Bill Callahan's contract was devoted to academics. He was required to "adhere to the university's standards and policies for the academic performance of its student-athletes in his recruitment, supervision and coaching of players."
At least 60 of the 119 schools in the NCAA's top football division are known to offer academic incentives for head coaches, according to research of public records and media reports.
Pelini would be paid $125,000 if the program's graduation rate is equal to or greater than that of the general student body at Nebraska.
According to the most recent data, which measured freshmen who enrolled in 2000-01, the football graduation rate was 65 percent and the general student body's was 62 percent, athletic department spokesman Randy York said.
Pelini also can earn bonuses based on the program's Academic Performance Rating, which the NCAA uses to measure athletes' progress toward graduation. The NCAA's minimum allowable score is 925. Nebraska's most recent score was 935, York said.
Programs under 925 are subject to NCAA sanctions, such as scholarship reductions.
Pelini would get $25,000 for a rating of 930 or higher, $75,000 for 940 or higher and $125,000 for 950 or higher.
Athletic director Tom Osborne said he expects an academic bonus payment to Pelini to be "fairly automatic" each year.
Osborne pointed out that 25 of the 29 seniors on the football team last fall have their degrees in hand, and three of the remaining four are on track to graduate this spring.
The athletic department boasts a nation-leading 252 Academic All-Americans.
The football team put 12 players on the Big 12's 2007 all-academic first team last fall, second to Texas' 16.
Pelini did not return a phone message from The Associated Press.
How coaches are rewarded for academic performance varies. Most schools pay amounts based on specific graduation rates, and some pay amounts based on where a program's graduation rate ranks in its conference.
Kansas coach Mark Mangino's contract calls for him to be paid $1,000 for every player who receives a degree.
Osborne said Pelini would stress academics with or without the bonus incentives.
Pelini, an Academic All-American at Ohio State in the late 1980s, was widely reported to have walked around the Nebraska campus on the first day of the spring semester to make sure players were attending classes.
"He values education, and I think he and I both agree that's part of the job," Osborne said. "I think if that clause wasn't in there, I don't think it would make a bit of difference in how Bo does his business."
But the bonus shows the university is putting its money where its mouth is, Osborne said.
"It sends a message that the institution you're serving is interested and concerned about academics, and a major part of what is expected is that players graduate and that their education is a major part of the mission."
- NFC Championship Recap
- AFC Championship Recap
- A real f*cking rock band
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Eat a dong Hicks
- I know I'm stealing a bit from the Sturminator here, but Tom Hicks irritates me to no end. He has single handedly run my favorite team from my favorite sport into the ground out in Arlington. And he has made the Stars a study in mediocrity with his ownership habits.
The ongoing Tom Hicks quote board, with what really irritates me in bold. When reading these, imagine Mark Cuban or Jerry Jones uttering these words. You can't, because they never would.
- #1 Dallas Business Journal, May 2007 …
"All of these teams have become businesses in the past 20 years," Hicks said. " ... This business has to do with fan affinity and brand devotion. It doesn't necessarily have to do with winning."
- #2 CBS News, January 1998 …
"I love sports," said Hicks, a billionaire who owns the NHL's Dallas Stars. "We want to add an American League pennant ... and to bring the World Series to Arlington. ... I've demonstrated with the Stars we will have the most competitive team we can have."
If the deal is approved by other baseball owners, a process expected to take 6-to-12 months, the price would be the second-highest for a baseball team.
"There's no reason the Rangers can't get to the top," Hicks said. ``This is one of the best franchises in the country. It's in a world class facility. You don't even have to win a championship every year to draw the fans. You just have to show you're really trying."
- #3 From Randy Galloway’s column in March 2005 …The famous “if you come, I will build it “ quote.
- By far the most ridiculous one. Imagine using this as your business plan if you were a business owner.
Yet, Hicks said, "if our revenue grows in the off-season, our payroll will grow with it."
- #4 Evan Grant’s March 4, 2005 story …
"Maybe there should be a rule that owners can't make a single decision until they've owned a club for three years," Hicks joked before Thursday's 6-4 loss to Kansas City in the spring opener. "I'm not a new owner anymore; I've graduated. We took the payroll up in anticipation of revenues going up, and it didn't match up. We're not going to do that anymore."
Barring a spring-training trade for a high-dollar offensive player, which Hicks said is unlikely, the Rangers guaranteed salaries will cost between $51 million and $52 million. Like all teams, the Rangers will figure another $7 million to $8 million in benefits in their payroll. They do not count the $6.2 million that will be sent to the New York Yankees as part of the Alex Rodriguez trade in the payroll.
The previous low figure for salaries under Hicks was $54.7 million in 1998, his first season as owner. And those salaries were set before Hicks' ownership was officially approved.
This year's payroll should allow the Rangers to turn a profit for a second straight year, Hicks said. He also said it is easier to grow payroll following increases in revenue rather than the other way around. Hicks is hoping to see a jump in attendance of about 200,000 fans over last year's total of 2.5 million.
"For where we are with our fan support, we're where we need to be [with payroll]," Hicks said. "If we get our attendance up around 3 million, things could change."
- #5 turned in by Brandon, from the Fox Sports profile on Tom Hicks in June, 2007, and quoted in Richie Whitt’s blog …
- I bet Liverpool loves hearing this.
On Liverpool: “It’s a great economic model. People are worried that I might take money away from the Rangers to go to Liverpool. It’s just the reverse. Liverpool is going to pull off lots of extra money that if I choose I can use for the Rangers or Stars.
- Details of Bo Pelini's contract.
NU Football: Pelini has five-year deal
BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN — Just days after cutting a $3.125 million check to Bill Callahan, the University of Nebraska has partially protected itself from possibly owing Bo Pelini a large sum if Pelini is fired and then rehired elsewhere.
Like Callahan, Pelini would be paid his base salary through the remainder of his five-year contract, at this point $41,700 monthly. However, if he then took another position, a mitigation clause states that NU only would owe him the difference, if greater, than his monthly salary in a new post.
That is among the differences in the Pelini contract obtained Wednesday by The World-Herald.
Also of note:
• Pelini would owe Nebraska money if he resigned to take another position, starting at $1 million before Dec. 31, 2008, and decreasing by $250,000 each of the next three years. No buyout was included in Callahan's contract.
• Pelini's overall compensation package is $1.1 million, compared to $1.75 for Callahan in the new contract he signed last September.
• Pelini would stand to make far greater bonuses for winning the Big 12 North ($150,000) and the Big 12 championship (additional $250,000). The same would be available for making and winning the Bowl Championship Series title game.
Callahan stood to make $50,000 for a North Division title and an additional $75,000 for a league championship. But he also was set to make $50,000 for any bowl appearance or $100,000 for a BCS bid (plus an additional $100,000 for winning a BCS game).
• Exceptional bonuses also are available for a particular graduation rate ($125,000) and different Academic Performance Ratings (from $25,000 to $125,000). Callahan's contract did not include incentives for academic achievement.
Athletic Director Tom Osborne said NU was pleased with the process, and said there were "no protracted negotiations" and "no agents." Pelini was hired on Dec. 2, but the contract was held up by his return to Louisiana State to coach the Tigers' defense in the national championship game.
Pelini's compensation between Dec. 2 and Dec. 31, per the contract, was $91,667.
Pelini called negotiation of the contract a simple and straightforward process.
"Coach Osborne and I have been on the same page throughout the process, and it is good to have the contract finalized," Pelini said in a statement. "I appreciate the support and commitment the administration at Nebraska has made to me and my staff, and I look forward to working with them in the coming years."
Pelini, 40, is a head coach for the first time in his career after working in the NFL and then as defensive coordinator at Nebraska, Oklahoma and LSU. His salary ranks eighth among those in the Big 12, ahead of only Gene Chizik at Iowa State, Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State, Dan Hawkins at Colorado and Ron Prince at Kansas State.
Pelini's annual salary may be adjusted, at the discretion of the university, without the necessity of a written amendment to his contract. His supplemental benefits include the use of automobiles for both he and his wife, as well as membership in the Lincoln country club of his choice.
Callahan received his severance pay on Tuesday after being fired Nov. 24. It was owed to him in full, through the 2011 season, despite the fact that he was hired last Friday to become assistant head coach of the New York Jets.
Big 12 football salaries
Mack Brown, Texas $2.75 million
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma $2.65 million*
Gary Pinkel, Missouri $1.85 million
Mike Sherman,Texas A&M $1.8 million
Art Briles, Baylor $1.8 million
Mike Leach, Texas Tech $1.662 million
Mark Mangino, Kansas $1.524 million
Bo Pelini, Nebraska $1.1 million
Gene Chizik, Iowa State $1.025 million
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State $950,000
Dan Hawkins, Colorado $936,000
Ron Prince, Kansas State $755,000
- Mavs pull to .500 on the road.
Dallas Mavericks hold off Bobcats, 102-95
Mavs take care of business in Charlotte to finish first half at 28-14
01:47 AM CST on Thursday, January 24, 2008
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Mavericks don't like to talk about pressure, but there was some legitimate weight bearing down on them Wednesday night.
They needed a win "in the worst way," as coach Avery Johnson said. They knew San Antonio had come through Bobcats Arena two days earlier and plowed aside Charlotte without much difficulty. It's one of those checkmarks on the schedule that you need, particularly when a key division rival already has done so.
And the Mavs sure didn't want to go home with an 0-2 record on this quick trip.
They needed a solid victory and, despite some deplorable fourth-quarter shooting, that's what they got. Devin Harris had one of his best games of the season and the Mavericks hung tough for a 102-95 triumph over the Bobcats, finishing the first half of the season at 28-13.
More important, they feel they have set themselves up for a big second-half surge after going 16-5 during the second quarter of the season. They are particularly optimistic about their future on the road, where they are a dead-solid-mediocre 10-10.
"You know what time it is," Jason Terry said. "It's the second half of the season. We're in a logjam at the top of the standings, so every game is critical.
"We don't have a choice. If you're going to be a good team, you have to win on the road. And we will."
For a night, they did what they needed to do, jumping on the Bobcats early, surviving a Charlotte run in the third quarter and overcoming their own shooting problems in the fourth with Harris leading a three-pronged attack.
He finished with 23 points and nine assists, the third time in four games he's had eight or more assists. He's averaged 19 points and 7.5 assists in that stretch.
The Mavs could get used to that. Avery Johnson was happy with the way Harris overcame a sloppy start to the second half.
"We were pretty upset at the beginning of the third quarter with his two turnovers," Johnson said. "We had a discussion about it, and he came back strong."
Harris had a traveling violation and a bad pass for the Mavericks' seventh and eighth turnovers.
They didn't have another one the rest of the night.
Instead, Harris threw in 15 points, including two free throws with 1:36 left that moved the Mavericks ahead, 92-87, and began a string of 10 consecutive free throws without a miss down the stretch. They made only one field goal attempt in that time.
Considering they had started the fourth quarter 3-of-13 from the field, it was a good thing they got to the line. The Bobcats missed two chances to cut the gap further when it was 90-87 but couldn't get shots to drop.
Harris got help from Josh Howard, who had 82 friends and family members in attendance, and dazzled them with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
"For the most part, I like where we are right now," Howard said. "There are some things we need to work on. We just need to go on a few more runs, and I think we can do that."
The Mavericks also got some nice contributions from DeSagana Diop, Juwan Howard and Trenton Hassell, who helped fill the void left by injuries to Brandon Bass and Jerry Stackhouse.
- The shoot out king is back.
Dallas Stars happy to have Jokinen back
Forward expected to return from knee injury tonight
01:06 AM CST on Thursday, January 24, 2008
By RICHARD DURRETT / The Dallas Morning News
rdurrett@dallasnews.com
FRISCO – There weren't any "Welcome Back" signs in the Stars locker room Wednesday. But Jussi Jokinen certainly got the feeling that his teammates were glad to have him back on the ice.
Jokinen, who has missed the last 13 games with a knee injury, skated with the team during its 60-minute practice and said the knee felt better than he'd expected. He's scheduled to return to the lineup tonight when the Stars host the Buffalo Sabres.
Jokinen's biggest impact may be on the power play. Dallas has been inconsistent with the man advantage the last month or so and is near the middle of the league in power-play percentage.
Much of that can be blamed on injuries. Sergei Zubov, who runs the power play from the blue line like a quarterback, is out with injuries to his foot and groin. Jere Lehtinen, who digs pucks out and gets to the net, isn't playing because of a sports hernia. Philippe Boucher, another point player with a hard shot, has missed the last few months following shoulder surgery.
But Jokinen's return gives the Stars a skill player who can create space and scoring opportunities.
"He's basically the developer of our power play," forward Steve Ott said. "He's a power play specialist. That's Jussi's job. To have that guy back gives us another lethal weapon."
Jokinen has scored four of his 11 goals on the power play, tied for third-most power-play goals on the team, and he provides chances for teammates to put shots on net.
"He's clever with the puck," coach Dave Tippett said. "He can make plays under pressure. There are certain plays that skill players make, and he's a guy that can make those plays."
The Stars hope Jokinen's return is the first of many to occur around the All-Star break, which starts Friday. Lehtinen skated Wednesday in Frisco and continues his rigorous workout routine (one that Ott compared to that of a Navy Seal). Lehtinen is expected to join the Stars on their swing through Western Canada, which begins Tuesday. Zubov is listed as day-to-day, and the Stars aren't sure when he will return.
Ribeiro excited: Mike Ribeiro held up his Western Conference All-Star jersey for TV cameras Wednesday, clearly pleased to make his first All-Star squad.
"I was a bit disappointed when I wasn't picked at first, but [I'm] really happy now," Ribeiro said. "When I started, I wanted to be an All-Star one day, and I can't wait to go to practice and be around those guys."
Ribeiro takes the place of the injured Zubov as the Stars' only representative.
Shifting lines? Jokinen's return could have an effect on line combinations. Tippett had Jokinen with Niklas Hagman and Antti Miettinen in Wednesday's practice. Loui Eriksson skated with Brenden Morrow and Ribeiro, Mike Modano was with Jeff Halpern and Ott, and Joel Lundqvist centered a line with Stu Barnes and Krys Barch.
- Meet the 2008 Texas Rangers outfield.
Around the Horn: Outfielders
Byrd, Hamilton and Bradley get the starting nod for Texas
ARLINGTON -- When Rangers general manager Jon Daniels decided to trade pitcher Edinson Volquez to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Josh Hamilton, he was basically conceding what has become increasingly obvious as this decade has passed.
The Rangers outfield, a major strength during the division championship years of the 1990s, has been a major source for concern since the club's last division title in 1999. While the Rangers have had five different infielders appear in an All-Star Game in the past eight years, they have had six different Opening Day left fielders, six different right fielders and seven different center fielders over the same stretch of time.
From 1990-99, Rangers outfielders combined to have a .792 OPS, the fourth highest for a group in the American League. Since the beginning of the 2000 season, though, Rangers outfielders have combined for a .763 OPS, the third lowest in the American League.
In the previous decade, the Rangers had ten 20-home run seasons from an outfielder, seven 100-run seasons and nine 100-RBI seasons. Since then, they have had an outfielder hit over 20 home runs just twice and score 100 runs just once. They have not had an outfielder drive in over 80 runs since 1999.
"Mostly it's been the production of our infielders," Daniels said. "The big offensive clubs of the '90s had production from top to bottom in the lineup. We haven't had that level in some time and the biggest difference is we haven't had the outfield production. We've had some guys have an occasional good year, like Gary Matthews Jr., but we haven't had many and not more than one spot at a time."
So the Rangers get ready to start over again. Marlon Byrd, who played all three outfield spots for the Rangers after being called up on May 26, starts out in left. Hamilton was acquired to play center and Milton Bradley, who is coming off knee surgery, was signed as a free agent to play right. David Murphy could fill the crucial role of fourth outfielder.
"I expect significant improvement over last year," Daniels said. "The thing that I like is we have four guys out there who can all play center field. That bodes well for our defense and could go a long way to supporting our pitching staff. If Milton's knee is good to go -- and we've only had positive reports so far -- then it has a chance to be a pretty solid outfield."
Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts also remain in the picture. Frank Catalanotto can play left, but is more likely to be used at designated hitter.
Hamilton offers the best chance of giving the Rangers close to the offensive production they received in the 1990s from Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer and Ruben Sierra.
A former No. 1 overall First-Year Player Draft pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Hamilton, 26, had a once-promising career thrown off course by well-documented personal problems with substance abuse. But, after being acquired by the Cincinnati Reds, he was able to overcome his difficult history and hit .292 with 19 home runs and 47 RBIs in 90 games and 298 at-bats as a rookie in 2007.
The numbers could have been better, but he missed time by going on the disabled list in May with gastroenteritis and again in July with a sprained right wrist. He still finished the season with a .922 OPS. The Rangers haven't had an outfielder with an OPS that high since Gonzalez in 1999.
"Josh has the ability, and now he's done it to a degree at the big league level," Daniels said. "One impetus of that deal was getting a talented outfielder who is youthful, productive and can be here for some time. Hopefully Josh can do that for us."
The Rangers have tried hard to fix their outfield problems through the Draft. They have taken an outfielder in the first or second round in four of the last five years: Vince Sinisi (second, 2003), K.C. Herren (second, 2004), John Mayberry Jr. (first, 2005) and Julio Borbon (supplemental first, 2007).
Only Borbon is on the 40-man roster, but that was simply a way to get him signed last summer. He is still at least a few years away.
Mayberry remains a prospect but hasn't progressed as quickly as the Rangers had hoped. While 13 of 30 first-round picks from the 2005 Draft have played in the Majors, Mayberry split time between Class A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco in 2007, hitting a combined .235 with 30 home runs and 83 RBIs in 489 at-bats with 48 walks and 126 strikeouts.
"When we took John in '05, it was with the knowledge that he would have to make adjustments," Daniels said. "He made some, but he's still working on others. Right-handed power hitters are hard to find. This is a big year for him. He's going to have the opportunity to be challenged and we'll see how he responds."
The Rangers' best outfield prospect may be Chris Davis, who played 36 games out there in 2006 for Class A Spokane after being taken in the fifth round of the Draft. The Rangers moved him to third base last season and he hit a combined .297 with 36 home runs and 118 RBIs between Bakersfield and Frisco. But he has a plus throwing arm and could be moved to right field at some point.
"He has done it before," Daniels said. "I think his arm is a profile-type arm that plays out in right field, but we're not going there yet. If he can continue to hit the way he did all last year, we'll find a way to get that bat in the lineup."
Another guy to watch is center fielder Brandon Boggs, a fourth-round pick in the 2004 Draft who overcame some early injuries and put himself in the picture by hitting .262 with a .380 on-base percentage, 86 runs scored, 30 doubles, 23 home runs, 72 RBIs and 84 walks between Bakersfield and Frisco last season. He is on the 40-man roster and will be in big league camp.
"He's a switch-hitter who can do a lot of little things," Daniels said. "He certainly has a chance. He's a guy we're going to continue to challenge and see how he handles it."
Then there is Engel Beltre, the 18-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the Eric Gagne trade on July 31. He has had just one season in professional baseball in the United States and hit .243 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 65 games and 247 at-bats last year. But he is already showing up in top prospect lists because of his enormous talent.
It's the kind of talent the Rangers used to produce in the outfield. But it has been a while.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Still picking up the pieces
- Yet some more 2008 roster analysis.
Jones working on next season's Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys owner says expectations have been raised for 2008 season
03:21 AM CST on Wednesday, January 23, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
MOBILE, Ala. – The sudden end to the Dallas Cowboys' 13-3 season hasn't deterred Jerry Jones.
In fact, the Cowboys owner and general manager said the expectations for 2008 have been raised.
Jones watched two Senior Bowl practices Tuesday and said he's moving on from the divisional-round playoff loss to the New York Giants. But he hasn't forgotten it.
"I am feeling better about our year," he said. "Not taking anything for granted, teams do fall off when they have a big year.
"We won some tight games, and we know they could have gone the other way. But we had an outstanding year, and our expectations are up, and we've got to live up to that."
Jones held personnel meetings Monday night with his staff at a hotel in Point Clear, Ala. On Tuesday afternoon, Jones sat in on discussions between coach Wade Phillips and possible replacements for three defensive assistant coaches who have left.
Some decisions have been made.
Jones said he will pick up the $3 million roster bonus of wide receiver Terrell Owens, which is due June 3. Jones is open to a possible contract extension for Owens, who is entering the final year of a three-year deal.
Jones also is getting closer to finalizing his front-office staff.
He is close to settling on a replacement for vice president of college and pro scouting Jeff Ireland, who left to become the Miami Dolphins' general manager.
Jones said Tom Ciskowski, the Cowboys' assistant director of college scouting, is the frontrunner to replace Ireland.
"He's the obvious," Jones said.
The Cowboys also must find a replacement for Brian Gaine, the assistant director of pro scouting, who now works for Miami as the assistant director of player personnel.
Jones said there are two in-house candidates and one outside of the organization.
"We're in good time," Jones said. "We're not behind the curve at all in terms of our timing."
Over the next few weeks, Jones and his staff plan to get the organization ready to meet those higher expectations, so a Super Bowl run doesn't end after only one playoff game.
"You would almost have to turn away from it and not see that this year has increased our expectations and helped form a foundation for future success," Jones said.
COWBOYS LOOK AHEAD
Staff writer Calvin Watkins looks at some of the key decisions the Cowboys must make this off-season:
TERRELL OWENS
Will the Cowboys give him his roster bonus? Yes.
Why? The Cowboys' leading receiver remains the team's biggest offensive threat. He finished fifth in the NFL in receiving yards (1,355) and third in touchdown receptions (15). Jerry Jones said he's open to a possible contract extension for Owens, but how much and for how long is the question for a receiver who turns 35 on Dec. 7.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Has the team started talks with any? No.
Why? The Cowboys are in no rush to sign any of their unrestricted players. However, free safety Ken Hamlin, who earned a Pro Bowl berth, appears to be No. 1 on the team's list. He solidified the free safety position, and Jerry Jones likes him. The team also has to make decisions on backup cornerbacks Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves. Left tackle Flozell Adams would like to stay in Dallas, but how much it will cost is unknown.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Who gets the tender? Defensive end Chris Canty and long snapper L.P. Ladouceur. But don't be surprised if they receive long-term deals later.
Who doesn't get the tender? Marion Barber isn't going anywhere, and the Cowboys have a good relationship with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. The sides expect to get a three- to five-year deal done. If any club offers Barber a contract, the Cowboys are expected to match it. The club wanted to start Barber in the last few weeks of the season, but elected not to. Now, he's the starter, and he will get starter's money.
JASON GARRETT
Will Garrett become the Cowboys' next coach? Jerry Jones said Garrett doesn't have anything in his contract that stipulates he will become the next coach of the Cowboys.
Yet, the perception is that Garrett will replace Wade Phillips.
"I personally, for the team, it's very important to us that we keep [Garrett] with what he's bringing to the table," Jones said. "We keep his contribution to the team in place and that covers a lot of areas. He exceeded completely any expectations I may have had as a coordinator or play-caller."
TERRY GLENN
Do the Cowboys want Terry Glenn? Yes and no. Glenn (right) needs microfracture surgery, and the recovery for that could be at least one year. Glenn had two surgeries to his right knee this season, and doctors told him he needs microfracture surgery. Yet, Glenn was determined to play this season and decided against the surgery. Jerry Jones said he will speak with Glenn about his future.
"That's something I will sit down again, over the days ahead and talk to him about," Jones said. "He put a lot of himself into coming back. It was a whole bunch of incentive there."
- Mavs hit halfway point......
Dallas Mavericks are dropping calls
As midseason nears, Mavs letting focus get interrupted
03:33 AM CST on Wednesday, January 23, 2008
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It would be fitting to compare the midseason Mavericks with one of those overhyped cellphone companies.
Remember those five-game miniseasons the Mavericks started focusing on a month or so ago? Coach Avery Johnson said tonight's visit to Charlotte is the start of a new cluster that he would love to make his "fave five," to borrow a phrase from those telecommunications marketers.
But the bottom line is that the Mavericks really are too much like a cellphone at the midpoint of the NBA season to be reliable. They can be dialed in just right for long stretches. Then, out of nowhere, it's like nobody's there.
"Can you hear me now?"
Inconsistency is the one thing that has kept the Mavericks from taking control in the Western Conference. They have had solid runs. Then they disappear for no apparent reason, as they did Monday in Washington.
"Off of our five-game increments, we had a 5-0 stretch and a 4-1 stretch," Johnson said after a spirited practice Tuesday at Johnson C. Smith College. "Our defense was good. We were moving the ball. Everybody overall had steady performances. We knew what we were getting.
"The other two times, when we went 3-2, we were inconsistent on both ends of the floor and individually we weren't consistent. So they have a blueprint of how we need to play and some alarm signs that happen that lead us to more of a malfunction offensively and defensively."
Coaches like to know what they are going to get from individual players on a nightly basis. The Mavericks' staff hasn't reached that level of comfort, yet.
Of course, before the Mavericks get too hard on themselves, they should remember that since that problematic 12-8 start, they are 15-5, including 5-4 on the road. They are firmly in the mix for the best record in the West, even with their troubles.
But when they suffer breakdowns the magnitude of the 102-84 loss to the Wizards, clearly things aren't functioning as smoothly as they could be.
"I don't think we're quite where we want to be," Dirk Nowitzki said. "All the great teams have winning records on the road. They find ways to win ugly games. This year, we've won some, but not the way we want to. Obviously, we feel like every team can play well at home. The road separates the great teams.
"We're still a long way to go. Individually, I still like our team. I still like how the pieces fit together. We just got to quit turning the ball over, play a little better defensively, and I still think we can beat anybody in this league."
They can also lose to anybody in the league on their bad nights. That much has been proven. Not that losing at Washington is a disgrace. The Wizards have won seven of their last nine games and have allowed 100 points only once in that run.
But it was the way the Mavericks lost that is disturbing.
"We're not playing great," Devin Harris said. "Up to last year's standards, we're nowhere near it. And teams are really playing their best ball against us at their home. It's a different story in Dallas. But they're giving us their best games, and we got to match that intensity.
"We need to be way more consistent than we are right now."
Eddie Jones wasn't with the Mavericks last season when they had separate winning streaks of nine, 12, 13 and 17 games. This year, the seven-gamer that ended last week in Sacramento has been their longest.
"The way the season's been going lately, it seems like we're consistent for seven or eight games, then we'll have one game that totally throws us off," Jones said. "Then we'll get it back for one night and then we'll lose another game.
"We're close [to a high level]. I want to go through one of those stretches where we win 14 or 16 games, like they did last year. We haven't had a stretch yet where we've played excellent basketball for 10 games."
- Stars miss golden opportunity to add to the division lead, give up 3 goals in the 3rd period and lose to Hitch, 4-2.
Dallas Stars let it slide in 4-2 loss
04:48 AM CST on Wednesday, January 23, 2008
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
mheika@dallasnews.com
There were about 20 things that could have led to a Dallas Stars victory Tuesday night. But Dallas did just enough of them wrong to result in a 4-2 defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Stars went 0-for-4 on the power play, surrendered a key man-advantage goal in the third period, took eight minor penalties and couldn't overcome their frustration with the officiating. It all added up to a squandered two-goal cushion and a wasted opportunity to add to their lead in the Pacific Division.
"We had a lot of little mistakes and a lot of forced errors on our part, and I think a little lack of compete," said Stars winger Steve Ott, who scored his sixth goal of the season. "The little plays add up, and by the third period, they all sunk in."
Dallas fell to 28-19-5 (61 points) but remained in first place. Still, the Stars know points are hard to come by in the West and that every conference team has played less than the 52 games the Stars have in the books.
"We let a couple of points slide, and we know San Jose is collecting games on us," captain Brenden Morrow said. "Every point is important."
Especially when you take a two-goal lead and have a 20-1-3 record when leading after two periods. Dallas hit its bump midway through the second, squandering a couple of power-play chances, and then couldn't hold a 2-1 lead at the second intermission.
The Stars couldn't find their mental compass in the third period. Columbus took advantage of a non-call on what appeared to be an icing situation and then pounded the Stars' net. Jan Hejda put a shot on goal, and Andrew Murray swept in to clean up a loose puck and tied the score at the 8:03 mark.
And although the score was tied, 2-2, Columbus clearly was in control.
"Their second goal was clearly an icing call that was not called, and it ended up in our net," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "The missed call was unfortunate, but you have to overcome the tough breaks."
Morrow said the Stars just couldn't fight through mentally.
"We couldn't deal with our frustration tonight," he said. "It got away from us."
Morrow scored his fourth goal (and fifth point) in the last four games to put the Stars up, 1-0. Ott added another goal to seemingly give the Stars command of the game at the 8:38 mark of the second period. Both tallies came when the Stars fought hard to get to the net. However, Dallas didn't keep up that hard work and frittered away several key power-play opportunities after that.
And while goalie Mike Smith had some nice saves, he couldn't get the big ones he needed in the third period.
"If I'd have made another save or two, it would have been a different game," he said. "You can't sit back and relax when you get a lead in this league."
Whether the Stars relaxed or not, they weren't mentally sharp – and that is something that has to be corrected, Tippett said.
"We took offensive-zone penalties that just killed our momentum," he said. "We took too many penalties, and our margin for error is so slim. Putting a desperate team on the power play is a dangerous recipe."
So the Stars have to try to right the ship by Thursday when they play host to Buffalo in the last game before the All-Star break.
"We certainly want to have the right mindset going into the break," Tippett said. "So we'll need to be ready to go."
- Nebraska OC Shawn Watson staying. And the slithering snake Bill Callahan gets his buyout check.
NU Football: Watson staying put
BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday that Alabama's interest in Shawn Watson only reinforces that the Huskers have a pretty solid offensive coordinator on their staff.
"Anytime you have a good coach that people want, a quality coach, that's always a good thing,'' Pelini said.
Watson cut ties with Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, who is looking to replace offensive coordinator Major Applewhite. Saban told rivals.com that Alabama "really didn't offer'' the position to Watson, one of two NU assistants retained by Pelini after he replaced Bill Callahan as head coach.
Watson was offensive coordinator last season after serving as the Huskers' tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator in 2006. Although it's been rumored that Watson might be pursued by others, Pelini said it's been "fairly quiet'' other than the Alabama opening.
"I'm thrilled that he's staying,'' Pelini said from New Orleans. "It's important for the continuity of the program. He's an important cog in the wheel.''
Pelini referred further questions to Watson, who was recruiting in Texas and did not return calls to his cell phone. His only comment was in a statement released by NU media relations.
"I am excited about continuing in my role as the offensive coordinator at Nebraska,'' Watson said. "I deeply appreciate the opportunity that Coach Pelini and Coach (Tom) Osborne have given me. My family and I enjoy being at Nebraska. This is a great place to do what I love and that is coaching football.
"Right now my focus is on helping finish up a strong recruiting class and looking ahead to spring football. We have a great group of kids in our program and I look forward to coaching the offense we have coming back for next season.''
Watson and Callahan combined to direct a Nebraska unit that ranked No. 9 in total offense (468.3 yards per game) and No. 28 in scoring offense (33.4 points) last season. Watson spent seven seasons at Colorado before coming to NU.
"He's a good coach,'' Saban told rivals.com while attending Senior Bowl workouts in Mobile, Ala. "He's got a good history, he's been with some guys, he's a good person, he's a good recruiter and he's done a good job wherever he's been.''
Asked if he could confirm that he offered the job to Watson, Saban said: "We didn't really offer it to him. We called and asked permission to talk to him and he decided to stay at Nebraska.''
Good for the Huskers, said Jeff Jamrog, NU's associate athletic director for football.
"It's great news for everyone involved with Nebraska football,'' Jamrog said. "He's a class act. He's done a great job here, and he's going to continue to do a great job here.''
Callahan issued payment
LINCOLN — Former football coach Bill Callahan was issued a payment on Tuesday of $3.125 million, according to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln spokesman.
The remittance fulfills Nebraska's obligation under Callahan's contract, which required the school to pay him within 60 days of his termination.
Callahan, 51, was fired Nov. 24, one day after the completion of a 5-7 season. His contract, signed in September, ran through January 2012.
He was 27-22 in four years at Nebraska and posted two losing seasons, the first at the school since 1961.
Callahan was hired last week by the New York Jets as assistant head coach in charge of the running game.
- Kiper's take on the 1st round of the NFL draft.
Will Dolphins deal first pick in 2008 NFL draft?
A few notes from my first first-round projection for April's NFL draft:
• The Miami Dolphins need help on defense and Bill Parcells is a defensive-minded coach, so DT Glenn Dorsey would be the logical pick. And while the Dolphins could listen to trade offers for the top pick, there has not been a lot of movement in the top 10 in recent drafts. Why did Adrian Peterson slip to No. 7 last year? Because teams weren't willing to trade up knowing they would have to part with draft picks and pay more money for the higher pick. Also for Miami, QB Matt Ryan has to be in the discussion because the Dolphins may not be sold on John Beck (a second-round pick last year). Miami needs quarterback help and Ryan is going to be a top-five pick. Ryan might be too good to pass up, and he's a better prospect than Beck was when he came out of BYU last year. (Ryan is the only QB I am projecting will go in the first round).
• St. Louis will likely go with Long -- either Chris or Jake. Although the Rams drafted defensive tackle Adam Carriker last year, I could see them taking Virginia defensive end Chris Long. He's similar to Dorsey in that he plays with tremendous intensity and makes everyone around him better. If the Rams don't go with Chris Long, then Michigan left tackle Jake Long should be the pick since they could use help on the offensive line.
• The Atlanta Falcons should be in a good spot to upgrade at either running back or quarterback, so Darren McFadden or Matt Ryan could be the choice. I like Ryan here because this is a franchise that is in desperate need of a quarterback after going from Michael Vick to Joey Harrington to Byron Leftwich before finishing the season with Chris Redman.
• If Atlanta doesn't take McFadden, then Oakland will. (Remember, Oakland and Atlanta have a coin toss to determine who picks third overall.) After drafting first overall in 2007, Oakland could be looking at getting the best player in the draft if McFadden is available.
Also, there are only 31 selections in the first round this year because the New England Patriots had to forfeit their pick after illegally videotaping signals during their Week 1 game against the New York Jets.
The draft projections below are not based on ratings, but on information I have gathered and where I think teams will go based on needs. The first-round projections will be updated Jan. 31 following evaluations from the Senior Bowl.
* denotes underclassman; ** denotes teams that will decide draft order by coin flip.
Kiper's First-Round Projection
Name Team Player Position
1 Miami Dolphins
Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
2 St. Louis Rams
Chris Long, DE Virginia
3 Atlanta Falcons**
Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
4 Oakland Raiders**
*Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
5 Kansas City Chiefs**
Jake Long, OT Michigan
6 New York Jets
*Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio St.
7 New England Patriots (from SF)
*Aqib Talib, CB Kansas
8 Baltimore Ravens
Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
9 Cincinnati Bengals
*Phillip Merling, DE Clemson
10 New Orleans Saints
Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina
11 Buffalo Bills
*Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma
12 Denver Broncos
*Ryan Clady, OT Boise St.
13 Carolina Panthers
Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh
14 Chicago Bears
Sam Baker, OT USC
15 Detroit Lions
Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy
16 Arizona Cardinals
*Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon
17 Minnesota Vikings
*DeSean Jackson, WR California
18 Houston Texans
Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida
19 Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*Felix Jones, RB Arkansas
21 Washington Redskins
*Calais Campbell, DE Miami
22 Dallas Cowboys (from CLE)
*Mario Manningham, WR Michigan
23 Pittsburgh Steelers
*Chilo Rachal, OG USC
24 Tennessee Titans
Limas Sweed, WR Texas
25 Seattle Seahawks
Fred Davis, TE USC
26 Jacksonville Jaguars
*Derrick Harvey, DE Florida
27 San Diego Chargers
*Reggie Smith, CB Oklahoma
28 Dallas Cowboys
*Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
29 San Francisco 49ers (from IND)
*James Hardy, WR Indiana
30 Green Bay Packers
Keith Rivers, LB USC
31 New York Giants
Dan Connor, LB Penn St.
32 New England Patriots
Forfeited pick
- Rangers looking good on the farm.......
Rangers dominate the Sickels Top 100.
By Jamey Newberg January 23, 2008
John Sickels recently put together a Top 100 Prospects list for a fantasy baseball site, and on that list he included eight Rangers. The Rays also had eight. No other team had more than six.
After the Top 100 he listed another 34 prospects "worth your consideration." Three Rangers, one Ray.
And the 11 Rangers on the two lists didn't even include Chris Davis, whom I've ranked number one in the system.
Or Engel Beltre, Mike Hindman's number one.
Or Michael Main or Blake Beavan.
The eight Rangers on Sickels's list:
26. Elvis Andrus, SS (" . . . Excellent defensive skills and developing offense make him a premium investment if you are patient.")
28. Eric Hurley, RHP (" . . . Above average stuff across the board. Will have to watch home run tendencies in Texas.")
43. Taylor Teagarden, C ("The more we study him, the more we like him. He's an underrated hitter and a terrific defensive catcher.")
66. Matt Harrison, LHP (" . . . Could contribute sooner than expected in Texas rotation.")
70. German Duran, 2B (" . . . Sleeper prospect who has surprising pop, a touch of speed and a reliable glove at second base.")
80. Max Ramirez, C ("He has one of the best bats in the minors, but questionable defense hurts his rating. He will hit at any level.")
93. Kasey Kiker, LHP (" . . . Explosive stuff, comparable to Scott Kazmir or Billy Wagner if his command sharpens up. High upside but will need time.")
97. Omar Poveda, RHP (" . . . Has always had command and his stuff took a step forward in '07.")
The honorable mentions were righthander Neftali Feliz, outfielder John Mayberry Jr., and third baseman Johnny Whittleman.
Oakland landed six players on the Sickels Top 100 -- five of whom the A's acquired in this winter's housecleaning trades. Anaheim and Seattle had just three each.
Regarding the omission of Davis, Sickels points out that in his Baseball Prospect Book 2008 -- which is less roto-driven and more in tune with real baseball -- he has Davis as the number 41 hitting prospect in the league. (His book is set for a February be release.)
The Davis issue prompted him to offer to write a guest article for the Newberg Report about the Rangers system and where it stands league-wide. He hopes to get that done in the next few days, and I'll distribute it by e-mail.
Nothing official yet, but it looks like at least six of the players I've named in this report -- and one who I haven't -- are going to be at the Newberg Report booth to sign autographs at FanFest at the Ballpark on Saturday. I promise to shoot you full details once I have them.
- A very young, skinny, hairy Bob Sturm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)