tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84172970017453324752024-03-18T16:27:11.710-04:00FootBasketBringing you the latest and what’s trending in sports, style, and pop culture. Covering basketball (NBA), football (NFL), sneakers, clothing, music, and more.Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-53964733863209867762013-11-12T22:59:00.000-05:002013-11-12T22:59:27.302-05:00Houston's Danrad 'Chicken' Knowles Cleared To Play By NCAA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Danrad-Chicken-Knowles" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzjrHrl9xdPdhNxB-c47CcxNoMYOUl2XwPXAdmhSuDpVnyYHZIEd5waVlTgqPmZiWEtRYRDpmisNEXLcpqEyvJxA0ZH-_d-DnokS_VugQzXgvNzpSjDPzr-EPTapCrSBUzoBcNVZDI-0/s720/Danrad-Chicken-Knowles.jpg" title="Danrad-Chicken-Knowles" /></div>
The University of Houston basketball team received some good news today when prized freshman forward Danrad "Chicken" Knowles was cleared to by the NCAA Eligibility Center to play immediately, <a href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/23949803/2013/11/12/uh-forward-chicken-knowles-cleared-by-ncaa-to-play" target="_blank">according to Fox in Houston</a>.<br />
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Knowles redshirted last season when he was declared academically ineligible. Knowles also did not participate in the Cougars' exhibition games, or the first two games.<br />
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Head coach James Dickey is is happy to finally have the situation resolved.<br />
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"We are grateful that the NCAA has ruled quickly in Danrad's case, and we are excited that he has been allowed to compete this season," he said in a statement.<br />
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"I appreciate all the efforts of our administration and compliance throughout this process. As excited as our coaches, players and fans will be with this news, no one will be more excited to hit the court than Danrad on Thursday night."<br />
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The 6-foot-10 Knowles is expected to be a major contributor for the Cougars, who will begin their first season in the American Athletic Conference. This will give the team a much needed boost as Dickey tries to get the program nationally relevant again.</div>
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<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><strong><i>By <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a></i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-17170906728898611462013-11-09T17:40:00.000-05:002013-11-09T17:40:22.024-05:00Mark Duper: Former Miami Dolphins WR Diagnosed With CTE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Mark Duper said he was diagnosed with a brain disease likely caused by blows to the head he received during his playing days.<br />
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Duper, who was a star with the Miami Dolphins for 11 seasons in the 1980s, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/bruce-feldman/24204896/duper-latest-ex-nfl-star-to-test-positive-for-signs-of-cte" target="_blank">told ESPN</a> he was feeling the effects of cognitive dysfunction and had been diagnosed just this week with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.<br />
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"It was shocking," Duper told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" Friday. "I hoped nothing was wrong."<br />
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But something was wrong.<br />
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Duper admitted to bouts of depression and forgetfulness, and damage to his brain was confirmed by advanced medial scans.<br />
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"I have had memory things where I would go to the store and forget what I went for," he said. "And I have emotional swings and panic attacks."<br />
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Duper is the ninth living NFL veteran to be diagnosed with CTE, reports say. In addition, autopsies on more than 50 former players found buildups of a protein that causes CTE in their brains.<br />
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Duper said he was holding his own, and hoped his diagnosis would build further momentum for large-scale testing of NFL players.<br />
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"I think this test will show the damage we are doing to our bodies and how to prevent it," he said. "People have to speak up about CTE. I hope me speaking out will show that people should be tested."<br />
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<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><strong><i>By <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a></i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-68285061946506152712013-11-09T17:33:00.000-05:002013-11-09T17:33:20.179-05:00Devils' Jaromir Jagr Vows To Play Hockey Until He 'Cannot Walk'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Jaromir-Jagr-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh_0ok7s6l-m521iu4kpHGyLCB6P82evqVwq9xv_tSznKsbR1gTTIgsdQBmvrqztkv8ILLxVGKqYGmAgg2CXXpYALdkXgFLtbjuLzTNJq-yKzl_zSoRtMTY7f85D5EsX9sxnLNVYyImc/s720/USATSI_7531364.jpg" title="Jaromir-Jagr-2013" /></div>
Don't count out Jaromir Jagr just yet. He isn't ready to give up the game of hockey.<br />
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The New Jersey Devils winger is saying that this won't be his final year. Whether it's playing in the NHL or elsewhere, Jagr says he'll be playing.<br />
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“I’ll tell you one thing, as long as I don’t die, it’s not my last year of playing hockey,” said Jagr, who will turn 42 in February. “I don’t know where I’m gonna play. I don’t know if I’m gonna play U.S. or somewhere else. <a href="http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/08/jaromir-jagr-ill-play-until-i-cannot-walk/" target="_blank">I’m gonna play. I’ll play until I cannot walk. I love the game too much to leave it</a>.”<br />
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Jagr wasn't singing the same tune last August when he said this would be his last season.<br />
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Jagr is leading the Devils in scoring and he has no regrets on signing in Jersey despite the team's struggles.<br />
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“I’m happy right now, don’t get me wrong. I’m very happy,” said Jagr, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Devils this offseason. “I love Lou (Lamoriello, the team’s general manager). He’s honest. If you play bad, he’ll tell you. If you play good, he’ll tell you. He’s an honest guy. I have no complaints after signing with the Devils.”<br />
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Even though he's past his prime, Jagr will play for whoever wants him.<br />
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<a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards">Follow @Ch_Edwards</a><br />
<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><strong><i>By <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a></i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-80609806768592569742013-11-09T17:28:00.000-05:002013-11-09T17:28:12.188-05:00Derrick Nix: Former Spartan Signs With Latvian Team VEF Riga<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Derrick-Nix-Michigan-State" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr02DQVhHX7hjjqKIaDTObXjet698u5pxByFW18NEWvz9T_3zKoGy1egq3iKrQQUSWHDFYMCP3gjCDRxozrgopnp-AobEYr5yvCPdMwRNXKc7locPhwB_J3uVTU6QJGoyrg-2cidLbqE8/s1600/Derrick-Nix-Michigan-State.jpg" title="Derrick-Nix-Michigan-State" /></div>
When Derrick Nix exhausted his eligibility for the Michigan State basketball team last spring, that wasn't the end of his career.<br />
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Even though Nix didn't get picked up by an NBA team, he has made a living playing in Europe. Nix signed with the Latvian pro team VEF Riga.<br />
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"<a href="http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2013/11/ex-michigan_state_center_derri_3.html#incart_river" target="_blank">I made the team today and this is my new home</a>," Nix tweeted. "I like it here it's bigger and better, and I've been playing really well!"<br />
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Nix started his professional career in Slovenia, but parted ways with the team in the preseason.<br />
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Even though it's not the NBA, Spartans coach Tom Izzo sounds proud of his former player throwing in a joke along the way..<br />
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"Tell Nixer to take care of his business over in Europe, and I'd like to weigh him in<br />
right now though," Izzo said last month. "I would like to weigh him in right now."<br />
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<a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards">Follow @Ch_Edwards</a><br />
<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><strong><i>By <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a></i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-19384760199052873842013-11-09T17:24:00.000-05:002013-11-09T17:24:15.193-05:00Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers Prospects Facing Criminal Charges<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Jackson-Houck-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxgmYpDh_WsIN1eFeNy1dvlx7c1fhEHjvgL39381RYKdAK0tecTLfXHUE4NY5bkvcZz0VmetIqHpDOtaE7ZRKHADZqBX6KKXHGvU6_L6cyqLJlPLw6BkfGzXAAM7rk3MQ5z9GDM6w3WA/s1600/Jackson-Houck-2013.jpg" title="Jackson-Houck-2013" /></div>
<a href="http://www.cknw.com/2013/11/08/vancouver-giants-players-charged-with-criminal/" target="_blank">CKNW is reporting</a> that Vancouver Giants defenseman Brett Kulak and forward Jackson Houck are facing criminal charges from an incident at an Aug. 18 house party in Delta.<br />
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Kulak, 19, a Calgary Flames prospect, and Houck, 18, a Edmonton Oilers prospect, are each charged with assault causing bodily harm. Kulak faces a second charge of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.<br />
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Both players have had three court appearances so far. Both are also continuing to play for the Giants.<br />
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Kulak is Vancouver’s leading scorer with 20 points, including seven goals, in 20 games. Houck tops the team in goals, with eight, and has 14 points in 20 games.<br />
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<a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards">Follow @Ch_Edwards</a><br />
<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><strong><i>By <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a></i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-76407139353899999932013-11-06T21:04:00.001-05:002013-11-06T21:04:46.522-05:00Man Uses Taser On Wife To Settle Bet On Bears-Packers Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some people take sports bets and their fandom too far at times. No one would take tasering a part of a bet. Obviously, John and Nicole Grant don't fall into that demographic, <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Sports/2013/11/06/Chicago-Fan-Uses-Taser-on-Wife-to-Settle-Bet-After-Bears-Beat-Packers" target="_blank">because that's exactly what they did</a>.<br />
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With Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler out for Monday night's showdown with the Green Bay Packers, Nicole took a bet that the Packers would take care of business and beat the Bears. Nicole said that John could use a taser on her if the Packers lost. Well, the Packers lost and John used the taser on his wife and ended up in the pokey because of it.<br />
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The two were in the alley smoking a cigarette at one point when Grant used the taser “two times on her buttocks,” according to a criminal complaint filed in Dodge County, Wis. Grant’s wife then called police.<br />
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“Hell yeah it hurt,” she said, according to police.<br />
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“It takes not only the Packer and Bear rivalry to a new level, it takes the spousal rivalry (to a new level),” said Mayville Police Chief Christopher MacNeill. “There are couples where the wife is a fan of one team and the husband’s a fan of another team, but this raises the bar a little bit and goes to the extreme.”<br />
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In Dodge County Circuit Court on Tuesday, "Grant was charged with possession of an electric weapon, and could face a fine of $10,000 and up to six years in prison if convicted."<br />
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I don't think they'll go hardcore on him and make him do any time, but he'll consider this a lesson learned.<br />
<br />
<a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards">Follow @Ch_Edwards</a><br />
<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><strong><i>By <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a></i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-66792657311619963692013-11-06T20:59:00.000-05:002013-11-06T20:59:22.485-05:00Bucks' Caron Butler Fined $15,000 For Obscene "Big Balls" Gesture (Video)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Caron-Butler-November-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCY5ZHITOt6T8RyifGjUHYEBYotJeliAQwPOiyuwDcZYNO98hJW7jTcwr4v8_laKReI4Fe9F4rN6e1RTMFJ7w3P20hlqhhUAKadt0HzlBz6H8-sd7iBTIHJsq90s8AqCjJblT4lUU3qpk/s720/Caron-Butler-November-2013.jpg" title="Caron-Butler-November-2013" /></div>
Milwaukee Bucks forward Caron Butler <a href="http://nba.si.com/2013/11/06/caron-butler-fined-nba-obscene-gesture-bucks-celtics-2/" target="_blank">was fined $15,000</a> for making an obscene gesture during Friday night's 105-98 win over the Boston Celtics.<br />
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During the fourth quarter, Butler sank a key three-pointer to tie the game at 93 and did the "big balls dance" popularized by former NBA guard Sam Cassell. It was originated from the movie, <i>Major League 2</i>:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="440" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/epAkymGtKKE" width="720"></iframe><br />
And this is what Butler did:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="440" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WZoHTHwawF8?feature=player_embedded" width="720"></iframe><br />
Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche <a href="http://www.footbasket.com/2013/11/andray-blatche-nets-heat-gesture.html" target="_blank">was also fined $15,000 for the same offense earlier this month</a> in a game against the Miami Heat.<br />
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As a fan, I say let the players express themselves a little instead of having them be robotic.<br />
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<a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards">Follow @Ch_Edwards</a><br />
<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><strong><i>By <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a></i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-49936793330495702392013-10-19T12:23:00.000-04:002013-10-19T12:23:37.857-04:00Ndamukong Suh: NFL VP Trying To Get Suh's Attention Through Fines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span id="goog_1615863009"></span><span id="goog_1615863010"></span>The man who hands out fines to NFL players admits he's trying to get Ndamukong Suh's attention. The Detroit Lions defensive tackle was fined for a second time this season on Wednesday, getting hit $31,500 for striking Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden with his helmet.<br />
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NFL vice president of operations Merton Hanks said Friday in a spot <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000265427/article/merton-hanks-i-want-to-get-ndamukong-suhs-attention">on<i> Total Access </i>on NFL Network </a>that he wanted to get Suh’s attention with the fin, but didn’t think the hit was worthy of larger punishment.<br />
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“The fine amount is more than the minimum because he is a repeat offender and I wanted to get Ndamukong Suh’s attention in this regard,” Hanks said. “I’ve got to help him course correct.”<br />
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Hanks was asked why Suh didn't get a suspension for the hit. Hanks said it wasn't an "egregious play".<br />
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“In the big scheme of things, it’s not an egregious play. It is a violation, that’s why he was fined.” <br />
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The way I see it, Suh will always be watched closely. Anytime he lays a hard hit on an opponent, he's going to be scrutinized. Suh says he isn't going to change his game, but that comment will do nothing but warrant a close look by the NFL.<br />
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On the other hand, you would think Hanks would cut Suh a little bit of slack since he was known as a big hitter when he played.<br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="http://opinionsfordays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-52556874227009884842013-10-03T18:24:00.001-04:002013-10-03T18:24:55.838-04:00Kentucky Basketball 2013: Alex Poythress Wants 40-0 Perfect Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last year's Kentucky Wildcats basketball team had the highest-rated recruiting class and a few holdovers from the national title team from the year before. The end result was an appearance in the NIT, which ended in a loss to Robert Morris.<br />
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This season, Kentucky has what most call the best recruiting class of all time. Expectations are high for the Wildcats. Despite the youth and returning members from last year, many think the Wildcats will win the national title once again.<br />
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Sophomore forward Alex Poythress isn't backing down from the hype. He's aiming high, and not just national championship high. He's talking about going 40-0.<br />
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“If we put our mind to it, once everybody gels, I say we can do anything. The sky is the limit for this team, so why not aim at 40-0? We might as well try to do it, right?" he said, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/23967431/alex-poythress-why-not-aim-at-400-we-might-as-well-try-to-do-it" target="_blank">via CBS Sports</a>. “Why not? What's stopping us? The only thing stopping us is us this year, so we might as well try to do it.”<br />
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What's stopping Kentucky is the schedule. The Wildcats have their annual Bluegrass rivalry with defending national champion Louisville Cardinals. Also, games against North Carolina (Chapel Hill), Baylor (might as well be a road game) and Michigan State, Boise State and Providence will provide the team with some good competition. Throw in the SEC slate, and Kentucky will be challenged game-in and game-out.<br />
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No doubt, the Wildcats will be very good — might even be great; but they'll have to be on their game every night if they want to go undefeated. They'll have a target on their backs and will get everyone's best shot. <br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-59315240341624470792013-10-02T21:24:00.001-04:002013-10-02T21:24:42.709-04:00Minnesota Player: 'Michigan QB Devin Gardner Panics A Lot'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Devin-Gardner-Michigan-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IGPZVQpYsq4UKXpVKDIf_4GEfSv_xF_UKG4Uu9egyrn7n5Kv7k7NlxKPpZj22suiDlRHTZ4pwUjD38t2GlYYwc6vAKPhjmBJhbRb7PvZMwaoHxSieB15lkHHAlFELjB8wGaWCUxcMo8/s620/Screen+shot+2013-10-02+at+9.20.10+PM.png" title="Devin-Gardner-Michigan-2013" /></div>
The Michigan-Minnesota game is shaping up to be just another game. The teams do play for the Little Brown Jug, but generally there's not too much excitement that surrounds this game. The rivalry has been fairly one-sided, as the Wolverines have won 20 of the past 21 games. That hasn't stopped the Golden Gophers from feeling confident about themselves, though.<br />
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Despite being a 20-point underdog the Golden Gophers feel they have as good of a shot as anyone to knock off the unbeaten Wolverines. <a href="http://www.footbasket.com/2013/09/ncaaf-michigan-akron-almost-upset-recap.html" target="_blank">After narrow wins over Akron and Connecticut</a>, they feel the Wolverines are ripe for the pickings.<br />
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“Just the fact they almost lost to Akron, they’re human,” Gophers defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman said. “You know what I mean? Everybody praises them to be elite, and I just feel like they’re a regular football team. You just have to come with your A-game, but that’s how you approach every game.”<br />
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To add a little spice to the game, Minnesota safety Cedric Thompson <a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/226065341.html" target="_blank">told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune</a> that Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner "panics a lot" when he gets pressured.<br />
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“I think he kind of just panics a lot,” he said. “I think that when he scrambles, he kind of just throws the ball.”<br />
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I'm sure those words will make it back to Ann Arbor. Hopefully for the Wolverines, it'll be a little incentive to bring their best this Saturday. If not, they could find themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard.<br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-42630748817958597412013-09-30T22:00:00.001-04:002013-09-30T22:00:44.650-04:00Earl Campbell: 'Texas Longhorns Should Fire Mack Brown'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Mack-Brown-Texas-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qGOaAHQB_5-PPpCBkgKQgyNrtJJ16DMx2SSk_kSOotpNo-jG6g8gCA_exZpagTCtb2EgyJSWqL4HsikpRkPtg5bbWY3sJMnOX7GMDhOO5TWloLYiEndwwgFEHlRqhK9sBDDbEQgW9imo/s620/Screen+shot+2013-09-30+at+9.52.57+PM.png" title="Mack-Brown-Texas-2013" /></div>
Texas Longhorns football coach Mack Brown has had plenty of detractors the past few seasons. With the talent the Longhorns have on the team, there are some that say they are underachieving, and that may be a change that is needed on the sidelines. <br />
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Former Longhorns legend and 1977 Heisman trophy winner Earl Campbell is amongst the critics and thinks it's time for Brown to be replaced. Campbell <a href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/23560610/earl-calb" target="_blank">told Fox 26 in Houston</a> that it's about time for Brown and Texas to part ways.<br />
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<blockquote>
"Nobody likes to get fired or leave a job, but things happen. I'd go on record and say 'yes I think it's time.' I'd just say this, I take my hat off for USC for what they've done. They didn't mess around with it. They just said 'let's do it now.' I think at some point our university's people are going to have make a decision.<br />
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"Some people get too old. If players get too old to play a game, why can't a coach get too old to coach it. If we're going to make a change I would like to say that we got one in the house, Jerry Gray, who's getting in the College Football Hall of Fame. I think that would be a good place to start.<br />
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"Very hard because Coach Brown is a very good man. I just hope he doesn't stay...he's done some great things. The program, he brought it back, and we don't need it to get run down where somebody has to start all over again, maybe Jerry Gray. I was part of a class in 1974 and I played for Coach Darrell Royal. We had the same players, but our junior year, I don't know, we just couldn't do anything right. Then he left our football team and retired.<br />
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"Coach Fred Akers came in, who coached me as a freshman at running back. We had the same players, I'm telling you. Coach Royal leaves. Coach Akers comes in. We win the Heisman and we lost to Notre Dame for the National Championship. So sometimes a change is good. I think this is what we're up against at the university. Nobody wants to say that, but somebody has to break the ice and say 'yes it's time.' "</blockquote>
Campbell wasn't saying it to be malicious, but coming from someone like Campbell and the ties he still has to the school, it has to sting a little.<br />
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I don't think Texas <a href="http://www.footbasket.com/2013/09/lane-kiffin-fired-usc-team-bus.html" target="_blank">would pull a USC</a> and <a href="http://www.footbasket.com/2013/09/usc-rumors-franklin-fisher-replace-kiffin.html" target="_blank">fire Brown before the midway point of the season</a>, but if he suffers another blowout loss to Oklahoma, the wheels might start turning. Especially seeing what their longtime rival, Texas A&M, has done since moving to the SEC. <br />
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I think the Texas brass will see how things play out before making a move. If Texas somehow wins the Big 12, it'll be hard to get rid of Brown unless he decides to walk away on his own. The only way an in-season firing happens is if the Longhorns suffer a debilitating loss to the Sooners. <br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-67714402424553920222013-09-25T18:12:00.000-04:002013-09-25T18:12:21.095-04:00Matt Schaub: Rich Gannon Questions Texans QB's Credentials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Matt-Schaub-Texans-September-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTd3GpGXuOFROXQoUclwNsr9xWPpa1mec3OEIM4flbKsokIHsj0V4LddJqkaw_r9Lqi9bORUopf-mk81tTNOpBYT22t8agFBGknEtwljXTD29FYZNe3VuBeVj2uAwK-y0SWB6vbI8AY9U/s620/Matt-Schaub-Texans-September-2013.jpg" title="Matt-Schaub-Texans-September-2013" /></div>
The Houston Texans are having some early season struggles. The team had two come-from-behind wins in their first two games and were thrashed by the Baltimore Ravens, 30-9 last Sunday. This is hardly a convincing start for a team that's supposed to contend for the AFC's berth in the Super Bowl.<br />
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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has come under fire from fans and local sportswriters. CBS Sports analyst Rich Gannon is the latest to pile on Schaub. <a href="http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2013/09/rich-gannon-questions-schaubs-credentials-college-tv-schedule-updates/" target="_blank">On CBS Sports Network’s <i>Monday Morning QB</i></a>, Gannon was critical of Schaub and questioned his credentials and if he was the guy to lead this team.<br />
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“I don’t know that he can carry this football team,” Gannon said. “He’s a system guy. He’s a guy that (succeeds) when they’re running the football well. But it’s these kinds of mistakes that really bother me: not seeing a flat defender or a linebacker run in front of an angle route. … These are the things that you expect from an inexperienced rookie quarterback.<br />
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“If they’re running the football well and they’re dominating on defense, I think he can be that guy. But if they fall behind, Matt Schaub and the Texans struggle.”<br />
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Basically, Gannon just said that Schaub doesn't have what it takes to get this team to the next level, while stopping short of calling him a game manager.<br />
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There's nothing wrong with being a game manager. The Ravens won a Super Bowl with one (Trent Dilfer). But when you're turning the ball over, that doesn't help the team. Head coach Gary Kubiak's dubious play-calling hasn't helped the offense too much either.<br />
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Schaub may not win a Super Bowl but before Texans fan jump off a ledge, remember Doug Williams, Joe Theismann, Mark Rypien, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson and Dilfer all won Super Bowls. Not exactly a group of Hall of Famers. Be happy.<br />
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I mean, at least you don't have a quarterback situation like the Cleveland Browns.<br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-19027302092401915142013-09-24T00:31:00.002-04:002013-09-24T00:31:46.909-04:00NBA Rumors: League May Lets Nets, Heat Have Nicknames On Jerseys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="LeBron-James-Gerald-Wallace-Nets-Heat-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8XAtxDJKUJq495PG5Z5Bxp55sU3K8Cp6A2tXS6k4w5Nc_0cQ7Pdz-zShJAPLoZmlo8QfQ8KiRkWn0boGfVIwtV_q8miStv7is4eaH_0hFD_ZNF4sDyqV_VGHZb481t6vQfLXxd2EFMdE/s620/USATSI_6989358.jpg" title="LeBron-James-Gerald-Wallace-Nets-Heat-2013" /></div>
The NBA is kicking around an idea that might get fans to buy more jerseys. For one game, the league may let players wear nicknames on the back of their jerseys. Members of the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets have been told that the league may have them wear "nickname" jerseys in one of their four match-ups this season.<br />
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Miami's Ray Allen — who would have "Jesus Shuttlesworth", his character from the movie <i>He Got Game</i> on the back of his jersey — seems to be a fan of the idea.<br />
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"It shows growth in our league and it shows we do adapt to what's going on around us," <a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/09/23/nba-may-allow-player-nicknames-on-jerseys.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts" target="_blank">Allen told NBA.com</a>. "And we're still kids, playing a kids' game. Even though we're now men playing a kids' game, we still remember where we come from. Everybody had a nickname and it's a way to let the fans in a little bit more.<br />
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"Fans will like it and so will a lot of the players. Guys will get a good kick out of it."<br />
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Miami and Brooklyn is expected to be a marquee matchup this season, so the league would put the idea into play with two of the more marketable teams in the league. I think it's an idea that would go over well with the fans and players alike.<br />
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There's also the possibility of getting the league more publicity and exposure, also more sales of jerseys. However, I don't know if the league would put the nickname jerseys on the market.<br />
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What do you think of this idea?<br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-707845981657396232013-09-24T00:25:00.001-04:002013-09-24T00:25:19.805-04:00VCU Basketball Gets New Uniforms For 2013-14 NCAAB Season (Photos)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="VCU-Rams-Basketball-2013-New-Uniforms" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB6gkIk_noNfDCk30wAy2B-sDaYVEDenjLbpA8v2rrnQMyAQKiW47P7K1R_91OeJFognLN3jIWpgx6rxg0oHVBrpGfcOqaG5bKjLGfZED-4QPxVWf-AkLsro3HMZ_mzfCwBbkEKP0KExY/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-24+at+12.23.00+AM.png" title="VCU-Rams-Basketball-2013-New-Uniforms" /></div>
The VCU Rams introduced a new, sleeker looking uniform for the 2013-2014 college basketball season. The Rams unveiled the uniforms at a team photo shoot.<br />
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The home whites VCU and the numbers in black with yellow outlines. The design of the letters looks slick and fast, just like how the team plays.<br />
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It's an upgrade from the generic looking uniforms from years past and fits the team's style of play. What do you think of the new uniforms?<br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-16797907654274686592013-09-22T17:32:00.001-04:002013-09-23T22:43:27.253-04:00Chris Webber: Should He Be In the Basketball Hall of Fame?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Chris-Webber-Sacramento-Kings-Hall-of-Fame" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFPht8bgZFNt3z0sh6M3-iSbCuFOI8Up6T5SLBpYBm8KMOFX-xKDOsmTaW6Srwsg0K-EAGZtCoT4zjOOZe1Xz09x-5urTHeXkti_9LjX7bj_Dl_VmBBU7phKbyMtK4a_uap0hPFiwuttG/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-22+at+5.23.35+PM.png" title="Chris-Webber-Sacramento-Kings-Hall-of-Fame" width="620" /></div>
The Basketball Hall of Fame debate seemed to start earlier this summer, when a couple of former superstars who had brief stints with the Detroit Pistons ended their careers (Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady). An ESPN writer has added one more name to the debate, and not only is he someone who’s eligible for voting next year, but he’s someone we watched grow up, literally.<br />
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The person under <a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9682949/chris-webber-hall-fame-case" target="_blank">Grantland.com's scribe Zach Lowe’s</a> microscope is Chris Webber. The former Mr. Basketball, Fab Five star, No. 1 overall pick and ex-Piston (again, briefly) was -- and still is -- a divisive character. In fact, Lowe alludes to this, but mostly crunches the numbers to say C-Webb is a Hall of Famer.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Here is the total list of players who piled up at least 17,000 points and 8,000 rebounds, while averaging at least four assists per game with a career PER (player efficiency rating) above 20: Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Bird and Webber. There's some unfair cherry-picking there, since Webber barely exceeds all those thresholds. But cutting the criteria still produces a ridiculously elite list of just 11 guys, all current or future Hall of Famers — plus Webber.</blockquote>
Lowe goes on to concede that Webber’s shortcomings include his lack of a world championship — though he was the best player on those early-2000s Sacramento Kings teams that nearly knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers. And he mentioned -- more in passing -- his short, yet dazzling, culturally impacting and tainted college career as a Wolverine.<br />
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Also presented in Webber’s case file was the fact that his numbers tended to decline a bit in the playoffs. But much of Lowe’s argument hinges on Webber’s talent level, especially as a passer.<br />
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If you haven’t yet, <a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9682949/chris-webber-hall-fame-case" target="_blank">read Lowe’s analysis here</a> and his 17 stray thoughts, mostly on Webber's NBA career. And no, none of his half-season in 2007 with the Pistons, where he averaged 11.3 points and 6.7 assists on a bad knee, factor into this Hall of Fame equation.<br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-33265953787927619082013-09-22T14:31:00.000-04:002013-09-23T22:43:27.760-04:00Girl of the Week: Tammy Torres (Photos)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mo-rFvwdG8nLsVknA0Tlz3X1AVn0ZDcbaSxd42tyM1R_qb1PHB5YYrojQ_QYA615ZkanznyvBHiF5nOoDH7IeZ0dVLJ-N6Chjius-0ERLV9CUYALE593ju2C60ANDSNckkV_U27He6U/s1600/TammyLevar.jpg" width="620" /></div>
This week's Girl of the Week is Tammy Torres.<br />
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eInSsN3zTvIXZOGV61Ka5PPIHsIbKLiZHNTlI2dxnzD9czW0FW1h0LbxLUC64eLVBNnRBs4HQIplonK4hbVzlKZwxVd0mCuOLJtYfgIUMK5AJu3OFJTEM2UiXZUhz__Ed7c2Eyn2laY/s1600/tammy_amiga_wa66.jpg" width="472" /></div>
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRinXcGxWeq972GiOQ7IlPC3gFBgy4k0s5SdD8trjtqV1kEHkGMF9fsECr_Si68_JBF7EFNqDaE2JSL9c3buRvWBMRFDTyFNO6b_TVzwIygKHf0BNLSzmRElZb3gdysKHbjDqxW0dd3DA/s1600/tammy2.jpg" width="471" /></div>
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzA3iKbw4vJYCQfPuKN5x-1jhDJz4H37X74Obt2cPfwXWoNSSFdREx70fqzQ89RgbsOlukO1djMKYohCpvrf9tords7d6gy40DtidALu21QPOvuDkDVZa7VH1fH1bPTz-QERzvtNyK5U/s1600/tammy1.jpg" width="411" /></div>
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<img height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsV7ALsRurnhgZ_vYeC9B7x764Zgugtpth6FKJb9ILDYtI60gOhiN5W76D6UVxnsAVLe-6a8hH1SZZigtCAy033QHkFn7co6IYXMlO72xt50wsXbUYZwPzwMUKjOsD6ATPuYD-zkV6Uk/s1600/tammy5.jpg" width="620" /></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqasKYkr8cDC0vVzUcABXtykSFmmZWDJp10zxWxtj3UZYLj_KghrtmMi0VU02BoHRAtvmvs8yT5EtHLOBrlJTH_1cE937JOJcrO55yAX8N5pFASkXqVeAkMUd3NnskuozWvkDQ1jy8AWw/s1600/Tammy-Torres-AllHipHopModels-44.jpg" /></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-eiSOOC3xPLqG5RTQSUISi9prM1j533o8ViDie9__ltH1VQ8LaYMNXP6NZZMiQzn6GlGGDD02HHPA0xfTC0EihufL64tf-u_js2le42X0-Dhm_dLbnjTCioLDN3dsFN6wpTNm02Me5A/s1600/tammy4.jpg" /></div>
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaoQJjrx1T-BCnJFcHf-UsC9zp0EM5BG41lE7QRAJy7e8RGMFZtn-JHNZ6A2ZdrfSEyqmPqqKqBC-xw-jRJs2AQZFI0ZocN58ZJxRCkJRz1k0_Z4KQIn0YjcyzBTiMucqZDIDnEFryds/s1600/tammy3.jpg" width="467" /></div>
<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-2674094191574700872013-09-15T12:54:00.002-04:002013-09-23T22:43:27.596-04:002013 College Football Week 3 Recap: Winners/Losers, Top Games Played<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Johnny-Manziel-vs-Alabama-September-2013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrYs_wKbaooRol3-9mI8fy6SpQsEl-9zzEAotyjb9oZtiMunm5OsCiCJRWStbQ_ohJvj05aMOs-U2PrANe7WwIi7DG8zlWQSawr2mPfVe7N3M0fAGE8Lx__gN1L4JzogXgZG-puEN1TGS/s620/Screen+shot+2013-09-15+at+12.40.27+PM.png" title="Johnny-Manziel-vs-Alabama-September-2013" /></div>
I'll admit, this is the first week I've really had a chance to watch a full slate of college football's 2013 season. It was a week in which we had near upsets, shootouts and comeback wins. Let's recap Week 3.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.footbasket.com/2013/09/ncaaf-michigan-akron-almost-upset-recap.html" target="_blank">Michigan over Akron</a></b>: The Wolverines clearly had a hangover from the Notre Dame game, and it showed. Michigan nearly suffered an upset of Appalachian State proportions to a team that has lost 28 straight road games and has suffered through three straight one-win seasons in the Akron Zips. Pump the brakes on the Wolverine bandwagon for now; quarterback Devin Gardner needs to learn the meaning of ball security, and the defense has to play better if they expect to compete with Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship. Give Akron credit for coming close and playing hard, though.<br />
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<b>UCLA over Nebraska:</b> The Bruins came into Lincoln with heavy hearts after the death of Nick Pasquale and played with a lot of early emotion. Unfortunately that emotion led to an early 21-3 deficit. The Bruins rallied in the second half and put up a combined 38 unanswered points in a 41-21 win. For the Cornhuskers, it was disappointing loss after looking like they were poised to run away with this game. UCLA made the adjustments, and Nebraska failed to get the momentum back. "The second half was a lot like last year," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. "We made the tackles in the first half. I don't know how many tackles we missed in that second half but it is a lot. We missed tackle after tackle after tackle." Sounds almost like every big game the Huskers have played in since they've joined the Big Ten. If Pelini can't get it together and start winning some of those games, he might find himself listening to the wolves howling for his job.<br />
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<b>Alabama over Texas A&M: </b>Billed as the SEC game of the century for this season, it lived up to the hype. Aggies quarterback <a href="http://www.footbasket.com/2013/09/johnny-manziel-crazy-throw-vs-alabama.html" target="_blank">Johnny Manziel didn't disappoint</a>, as the Aggies jumped out to a 14-0 lead. After that it was all Alabama, as the Tide rolled to 35 straight points to seize control of the game. Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron went 20-of-29 for 334 yards and 4 touchdowns. <a href="http://www.footbasket.com/2013/09/johnny-manziel-td-to-mike-evans-vs-alabama.html" target="_blank">The 42 points and 628 total yards by the Aggies</a> were the most allowed by an Alabama team, but it wasn't enough as the Crimson Tide has taken control of the SEC West division. Maybe it's time to trumpet AJ McCarron, aka Champon, as a legit Heisman candidate.<br />
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<b>Arizona State over Wisconsin:</b> This game ended in controversy. The Badgers appeared to be robbed of a possible win by the officials. The Badgers were driving for a game winning field goal. Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave appeared to take a knee to stop the clock and put the ball on the ground. A Sun Devil defender jumped on the ball and looked like it was a defensive delay of game. The officials spotted the ball and time ran out on the Badgers in this back-and-forth affair.<br />
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<b>Oregon over Tennessee: </b>It was a good week for the Pac-12, as the league racked up a number of "name" wins this weekend. The Ducks once again steamrolled another opponent, and they made their SEC foe look like a Sun Belt team. Fans chanted "S-E-C" and "we want Bama". The Ducks have been impressive early, but first take care of business in your own conference before calling out the champion like Clubber Lang.<br />
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<b>Minnesota over Western Illinois:</b> This game was significant because Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill was carted off on a stretcher after he suffered another seizure in their 29-12 win over Western Illinois. Reports say he's resting comfortably in the hospital, but you have to wonder if the administration at Minnesota might be thinking of moving on instead of keeping Kill around.<br />
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<b>Ole Miss over Texas: </b>The Rebels scored an impressive 44-23 win over the Longhorns. I guess it doesn't matter who the defensive coordinator is in Austin if the talent is going to underachieve. Coach Mack Brown might see the vultures circling if the Longhorns can't win the Oklahoma game. In all fairness, starting quarterback David Ash didn't play, but with the talent on-hand in Austin, this team has no excuses to be losing by three touchdowns at home.<br />
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<b>Honorable mentions:</b> Ohio State looked impressive against California with backup quarterback Kenny Guiton at the controls . . . Notre Dame and South Carolina bounced back after their Week 2 losses, although it took the Fighting Irish awhile to get going . . . On a positive note, Rutgers honored the paralyzed former player Eric LeGrand by retiring his No. 52. It marked the first time in the 144-year history of the birthplace of college football that the university retired the number of a football player, and this one was clearly loved by all in attendance.<br />
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<b>Winners: </b> Pac-12, Alabama, Rutgers, UCLA, Ole Miss, Marcus Mariota, AJ McCarron, Eric LeGrand <br />
<b>Losers: </b>Big Ten, Pac-12 officials, Texas <br />
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<strong><i>This article was written by <a href="https://plus.google.com/104359848052133714545?rel=author">Chris Edwards</a>. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Ch_Edwards" target="_blank">here</a> and read more of his work <a href="http://footbasket.com/search/label/Chris%20Edwards" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></strong></div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-50150019357954640172013-09-02T11:35:00.000-04:002013-09-02T11:35:03.336-04:00Georgia Football: Bulldogs WR Malcolm Mitchell Out For Season With Knee Injury<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<div>
<b>Contributor</b></div>
</div>
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The news everybody feared on Malcolm Mitchell was true, and it wasn’t good for the Georgia Buldogs.<br />
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The junior wide receiver did indeed suffer a season-ending ACL injury on his right knee in Saturday night’s loss to Clemson.<br />
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Mitchell hurt the knee when he landed on it awkwardly after jumping to “air bump” with tailback Todd Gurley in celebration of Gurley’s 75-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of the Bulldogs’ 38-35 loss to Clemson.<br />
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He will have surgery in the coming weeks, and will be awarded a medical redshirt to reclaim a year of eligibility.<br />
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“What we thought happened did happen,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a teleconference call with reporters Sunday. “It was confirmed with an MRI today. I can’t imagine him coming back from that (this season)<br />
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Mitchell has had problems with the knee since this past spring when he minor surgery to repair a meniscus tear. He was also sidelined briefly midway through preseason camp due to swelling.<br />
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“We’ve got other guys that can go deep and make plays for us. But Malcolm was certainly a guy who could do that well. He had great speed and quickness and would snatch the ball and get up field. He’s a great competitor and actually hurt it in the exuberance of the first touchdown of game for us.”<br />
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Junior Michael Bennett ended up taking most of the snaps in Mitchell’s split-end position the rest of Saturday’s game. However, Richt wasn’t sure exactly how the Bulldogs will line up against South Carolina this weekend.<br />
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Bennett led Georgia receivers with five catches for 60 yards. Justin-Scott Wesley had four for 55 and Chris Conley had three for 67. Junior college transfer Jonathan Rumph is expected to return from injury this week as well.</div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-14903417559631101222013-09-01T21:16:00.000-04:002013-09-01T21:20:36.132-04:00Chicago Cubs: Two Men Arrested For Trying To Steal Ivy In Wrigley Field<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<b>Contributor</b><br />
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Two Pennsylvanian men allegedly squeezed through a window at Wrigley Field early Sunday to grab ivy from the outfield.<br />
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Chicago police responded to Wrigley Field at 1060 W. Addison St. at about 3:45 a.m. after security guards saw two men on surveillance video walking through the ball park, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-2-trespassing-wrigley-field-squeezing-through-metal-bars-20130901,0,2656921.story" target="_blank">police News Affairs John Mirabelli said</a>.<br />
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They had apparently entered by squeezing through a barred window, Mirabelli said. One of the men was 6-feet and 170 pounds and the second man was 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/Pennsylvania-Men-Snuck-into-Wrigley-Field-to-Steal-Ivy-Report-221994081.html" target="_blank">Kevin Burge and Steven Gudknecht</a>, both 25, of Chalfont, Pa., were each charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal trespass, Mirabelli said. The men apparently wanted to take a couple pieces of ivy from the outfield walls, Cubs spokesman Julian Green said.<br />
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There was no property damage and nothing was stolen.<br />
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"This is not the first time that something like this has happened," said Green about previous attempts of trespassers to steal ivy.<br />
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You can add these guys to the list of dumb criminals. Both men are expected in court on Sept. 26.</div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-19995402957468339902013-09-01T21:10:00.000-04:002013-09-01T21:20:20.675-04:00Bubu Palo Dismissed From Iowa State Cyclones Basketball Team<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<b>Contributor</b><br />
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Iowa State senior guard Bubu Palo, who missed most of last season due to suspension, was dismissed from the Cyclones' program on Saturday, the school announced.<br />
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Palo, a 6-foot-1 guard from Ames, was suspended for 18 games last season after second-degree sexual abuse charges were filed against him in May 2012.<br />
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The charge was later dropped, but Palo was also subject to the school’s code of conduct policy.<br />
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Initially, he was found innocent of a violation of that code of conduct, but that finding was appealed by an unknown party this summer. The original decision was then overturned and, according to the release, “the university has determined Palo can no longer be a member of the basketball team.”<br />
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Palo’s dismissal leaves three point guards to contend for a position played by Korie Lucious last season: Marshall transfer DeAndre Kane, freshman Monte Morris and holdover Naz Long.</div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-29832371205176033492013-09-01T20:46:00.000-04:002013-09-01T21:19:44.092-04:00College Football 2013: FCS Teams Aren't Pushovers Anymore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<b>Contributor</b><br />
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Towson over Connecticut. North Dakota State over Kansas State. Eastern Washington over Oregon State and McNeese State over South Florida.</div>
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Those games were scheduled as "gimmies" for teams in the FBS Subdivision. Instead, they were ambushed by their FCS opponents.<br />
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Not to say all FCS are bad teams, because some of them are champions or playoff contenders in their classification. But the FBS teams are supposed to be head and shoulders, at least talent-wise, above teams in the FCS.<br />
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Maybe that's not the case anymore, as we should've learned when Appalachian State stunned a Michigan team thought to be a contender for the national championship. If that wasn't enough, two weeks later James Madison walked into Blacksburg, Virginia and beat 13th ranked Virginia Tech. <br />
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FBS teams shouldn't be looking ahead when they schedule the FCS schools anymore. Most of the time, the FBS teams will win, but in some cases there will be some stunners.<br />
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The biggest this week was Eastern Washington beating 25th ranked Oregon State. FCS champion North Dakota State beat a highly regarded Kansas State team coming off a BCS bowl berth. McNeese State ran roughshod over South Florida, 53-21. I know South Florida isn't a powerhouse, but still.<br />
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I guess this falls into the let this be a lesson to you category. FCS teams aren't the pushovers we thought they were.</div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-68597396755707648312013-08-31T11:19:00.002-04:002013-08-31T11:19:55.323-04:00Seneca Wallace: '49ers Used Me To Make Colt McCoy Take Pay Cut' <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<b>Contributor</b></div>
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The San Francisco 49ers waived quarterback Seneca Wallace, amid reports that the veteran <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000236003/article/seneca-wallace-done-with-football-jim-harbaugh-says" target="_blank">had planned on retiring</a>.<br />
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Well, at least that's the way the 49ers tell it. Wallace tells it a different way.<br />
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He says that he wasn't a fit in San Francisco and that he's still willing to play if a team takes a chance on him. He also told reporters that he was <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000236772/article/seneca-wallace-not-retiring-yet-veteran-qbs-agent-says" target="_blank">used by the 49ers</a> to get Colt McCoy to take a pay cut.<br />
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“I<a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130830/SPORTS/130830008/Register-exclusive-Ex-Cyclone-Seneca-Wallace-says-he-s-not-retiring?Sports&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1" target="_blank"> have not retired</a>. I have just removed myself from the San Francisco situation because it wasn’t a perfect fit for me. I’ve been around this game long enough where I can see what’s going on,” Wallace said, “and I realized right away the reason they brought me here was to get Colt to take a pay cut.<br />
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“San Francisco wasn’t the best place for me. I have no hard feelings toward San Francisco. It’s just the nature of the business.” <br />
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49ers coach Jim Harbaugh <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2013/08/30/notes-qb-wallace-retires-before-game-snyder-injured/" target="_blank">had announced that Wallace was retiring</a> before the team's final preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. Wallace did not travel with the team. <br />
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“It’s something that was his decision,” Harbaugh said. “He felt strongly about it. I don’t talk people out of that. I’ve never seen it done on game day, but I wish him well.” <br />
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Wallace seemed to be caught off guard by Harbaugh's assumption that he was retiring.<br />
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“For him to come out and say that, ‘Hey, Seneca’s planning on his retirement’ ... I don’t think that’s even 100 percent fair for him to come out and say that because I don’t even know him. I think that should be my decision.” <br />
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In the meantime, Wallace will take a wait-and-see approach with his future. He still would like to play, and with the way quarterbacks get injured nowadays, he could find himself back in the game in no time during the season. </div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-50959983669845779332013-08-29T21:01:00.000-04:002013-08-29T21:01:29.981-04:00Gary Payton: 'I Almost Retired After Rookie NBA Season'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<b>Contributor</b></div>
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It's hard to picture Gary Payton wanting to quit playing basketball early in his career, but it almost happened.<br />
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Payton says that he was so down during his early years with the Seattle Supersonics that he <a href="http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/08/28/payton-nearly-quit-early-in-his-career/" target="_blank">contemplated giving up the game</a>. <br />
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Payton admitted that he struggled in his first two years under coach K.C. Jones, and that if there wasn't a coaching change he might've quit playing. In his third year, George Karl replaced K.C. Jones and Payton became one of the top guards in the NBA.<br />
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<blockquote>
“I was thinking about it. I was like, ‘What am I out here for? This isn’t even what I want to do. I’m not happy.’ I didn’t want to do anything….<br />
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“If we wouldn’t have changed coaches (from K.C. Jones to George Karl), I would have probably said, ‘Yo, you know what? I want to end this. I don’t want to do this anymore because I’m not happy.’ If they would have stayed with the same coach, I would have probably just shut it down. They would have tried to trade me or I would have told them I don’t want to play there anymore.<br />
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“I went to my agent, I went to my father, I just said, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m good enough to play in this league. I’ve got a coach who wants to play me in the first and the third quarter. He has no confidence in me.’ They told me the same thing. ‘You’ve got to stick it out. You’ve got to be the guy who you’re supposed to be. You’re tough. You’re this.’ My father was like, ‘Are you crazy? If you quit, I’m gonna get in your (body).’ Stuff like that.”</blockquote>
I remember Gary’s struggles. He was on the brink of being labeled a bust, but then Karl got hired and his career begin to take off. He clearly wasn't the player he was at Oregon State until he was able to play in a system that fit his talents.</div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-85135592920061816282013-08-25T20:47:00.000-04:002013-08-25T20:47:11.527-04:00Buffalo Bills Sign Matt Leinart, Trade For Thaddeus Lewis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<b>Contributor</b></div>
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Matt Leinart's NFL career has reportedly has new life.<br />
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With injuries to rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel and backup Kevin Kolb, <a href="http://tracking.si.com/2013/08/25/buffalo-bills-sign-matt-leinart/" target="_blank">the Buffalo Bills have signed Leinart</a>.<br />
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They also traded for ex-Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, who was on the Detroit Lions. The Bills were left with undrafted free agent Jeff Tuel on the depth chart.<br />
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Leinart, 30, spent last season as a backup with the Oakland Raiders after two seasons with the Houston Texans and four with the Arizona Cardinals, who drafted him No. 10 overall out of USC in 2006.<br />
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Manuel has a minor knee injury and Kolb suffered concussion like symptoms in Saturday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins.<br />
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Bills head coach Doug Marrone is hoping that Manuel will be ready to return for the team's season opener against the New England Patriots in two weeks.</div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417297001745332475.post-40977438754045285142013-08-24T12:24:00.000-04:002013-08-24T12:24:10.757-04:00Mike Tyson Makes Peace With Boxing Trainer Teddy Atlas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>By Chris Edwards</b><br />
<b>Contributor</b></div>
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Mike Tyson has come a long way, from being the youngest heavyweight champion to living recklessly and to trying to make things right in his life.<br />
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Tyson, who says he's trying to recover from being a "vicious alcoholic", has made peace with his former boxing trainer Teddy Atlas.<br />
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"Life is short; I made amends with everybody," Tyson told <a href="http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/9596520/mike-tyson-made-amends-teddy-atlas-part-recovery-alcoholic-boxing" target="_blank">ESPN's Todd Grisham</a>. "I'm recovering and I'm gonna die. If I don't follow my steps, I'm useless."<br />
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Tyson was making his debut as a fight promoter.<br />
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Atlas and Tyson buried the hatchet after a long simmering feud. Atlas and Tyson had a falling out following an incident in which Atlas has said Tyson approached a young girl, who was a relative of Atlas' wife, in a crude manner.<br />
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In his biography, Atlas recalled borrowing a .38 from a friend, tracking down Tyson one night in 1982, telling him to smarten up and firing the gun, deliberately missing.<br />
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"Mike has always been looking for an escape, a trap door," Atlas said of Tyson in 2003. "He always lacked one essential ingredient in [situations of] building character: the ability to confront himself."<br />
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Tyson admitted to "being wrong" and said that Atlas was important to him back then. That was before he got involved with Don King and other shady characters.<br />
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"I have a lot of pain, and I just want to heal it, and that was part of it, right there," Tyson said.<br />
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"He behaved like a man, what can I say," Atlas recollected. "He came over, extended his hand and asked me if I'd shake it and said, 'You're not still mad at me, are you? I wish you wouldn't be.' ... I give him credit for showing a gentleman's side."<br />
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Tyson's no angel, but you have to give him some credit for calling himself out when he reflects on his life. </div>
Josh Dhanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05108628197099179901noreply@blogger.com