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Seahawks Need Communication on Offense, Consistency on Defense Against Cowboys

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Seahawks Need Communication on Offense, Consistency on Defense Against Cowboys
Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

With a tremendous buildup to the start of the NFL’s regular season, every football fan outside of Miami and St. Louis goes into the season thinking their team has a great shot to make the playoffs. Which makes it all the more disappointing when your team begins the season with a loss.

After the Seattle Seahawks failed to come away with a touchdown on the final drive against the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, I think I’m just going to pretend that the season doesn’t truly start until our team plays a game in Seattle. I’ve already moved on from the disappointment and I’m looking forward to this season starting with a win this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

One big difference between the two teams coming into this game is the Cowboys beat the defending Super Bowl champions and have had much longer to prepare for their game in Seattle. The Seahawks on the other hand lost to a much less spectacular division rival.

It’s difficult to know in advance exactly how that difference will play out. Maybe it’s just me being hopeful (or maybe delusional is the right word), but I picture Tony Romo moping around for the last week thinking about his memories of his only trip to Seattle more than five years ago.

Seahawks fans all remember the images from the 2007 playoffs of Romo botching the snap of the extra point and getting tackled from behind just short of the goal line as he tried to run it in.

Since that time, both teams have each finished at the top of their respective divisions twice, but neither has been able to make the impact that fans have hoped. Romo has continued to face questions on whether or not he can win games when the stakes are highest.

Seahawks fans will see video of this play at least once during the game this Sunday.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson remains unproven. On a positive note, he had the second-highest quarterback rating of all rookies last week. But during his press conference this week, Wilson recognized there is plenty of room for improvement, especially in terms of scoring in the red zone.

“I think the biggest thing, first of all, is we gotta capitalize down there. No matter what the situation is, whether it’s a run or pass, we want to get seven and not three points,” said Wilson. “You want to be top in the league always in that situation.”

Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell said he expects Wilson to build upon what he learned last week and use it go get better.

“Every time he’s gone through an experience, whether it be good or whether it be an adverse situation, he’s always come out better for it. So that’s what we expect,” said Bevell.

Wilson struggled with the Cardinals' pass rush last week, and this weekend's game isn’t likely to be different. The Cowboys have considerable talent in their pass rush, most notably Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

On the offensive line for the Seahawks, right guard John Moffitt is expected to start, which should provide some help after watching rookie J.R. Sweezy struggle a bit at times. Russell Okung also struggled against the Cardinals last week and left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury; he will be a game-time decision to start this week.

With the way the offense struggled last Sunday, coach Pete Carroll said the focus this week in practice was on communicating and making sure was on the same page.

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The performance of the Seahawks offensive line will be a key factor in Sunday's game.

“We played right all the way through this preseason, on a much different level than we did in this game, and that was really disappointing,” said Carroll. “We really expected that to carry over.”

One thing Seattle can hope to carry over from last week’s game is the play of the defense in the second half. Frankly, for the Seahawks to win this week, they’re going to need to be much more consistent on defense.

Outside of the one scoring drive in the second half, the Seattle defense played outstanding. If they can play as well for the whole 60 minutes as they did in the second half against Arizona, Romo and the Cowboys are going to have a rough time at CenturyLink.

Carroll is counting on the 12th man to provide some noise. In his Friday press conference, he said that he expects the crowd noise to help fuel the pass rush and get pressure on Romo.

Carroll was his usual optimistic self following Friday’s practice, and the notion of playing in front of the home crowd has the team fired up for Sunday.

“We’ve had a good solid week,” said Carroll. “We’re excited about playing at home. Everybody is looking forward to that.”

Wilson shared the sentiment.

“I can’t wait for the 12th man,” said Wilson. “I know it’s going to be a wild atmosphere…a lot enthusiasm in the stadium. That’s going to help us for sure.”

Brandan Schulze is a Navy veteran and member of the Military Sea Hawkers, the military chapter of the official booster club for the Seattle Seahawks. For more information on the chapter, visit Membership is free for all military service members and veterans.

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Germany Win 2014 World Cup

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Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Don't Need Falcao to Win Premier League Title

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Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Don't Need Falcao to Win Premier League Title
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Chelsea don't need to buy world-class striker Radamel Falcao in the January transfer window to win the Premier League title this season, so it would be in the best interest of the club not to make a bid for the Colombian star.

Here is the latest on the Falcao rumors, according to Harry Harris of ESPN Soccernet:

A source has told ESPN that Chelsea are unlikely to replicate the extravagant money spent on Fernando Torres amid ongoing talk of a swoop for Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao.

Should Chelsea target Falcao in January?

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Not paying an incredibly high price for Falcao would be smart for several reasons. Fernando Torres has played well this season and deserves one full year as the main striker before manager Roberto Di Matteo considers replacing him or bringing in another top striker to play alongside him.

The Blues have created so many goals from the midfield this season with players such as Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar playing very well, so there isn't a huge need for Matteo to overpay for another striker.

Chelsea are currently at the top of the Premier League table with 16 points and are one of the two teams still unbeaten during league play (Manchester City are the other). They are tied for second in goals scored and have proven themselves against top squads such as Arsenal and Newcastle.

There's no need to make drastic changes to a squad that won the Champions League last season and have a tremendous chance to win another league title this year.

Chelsea made enough strong additions to the team during the summer transfer window to give themselves an opportunity to win every competition that they play in this season.

If an important attacking player gets injured between now and January, then rethinking a possible bid for Falcao would be a smart idea, but at the moment, the Atletico Madrid striker isn't a player that the Blues desperately need, especially for a high price.

The Blues should not make a huge bid for Falcao in January, and instead, they should continue to develop the abundance of young talent already in the squad.

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College Football's Most Underrated Players

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College Football's Most Underrated Players
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We're in the ninth week of the college football season.  As hard as it is to believe, teams have already begun to become bowl eligible.

Teams including Duke.

The Blue Devils are bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.  Quarterback Sean Renfree and receiver Conner Vernon are having impressive seasons, but they don't make the cut for most underrated.

Also bowl eligible are undefeated Big East teams Louisville and Rutgers, who are both 7-0.  Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is underrated, as are running backs Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright, but they don't crack the list either.  Neither does Scarlet Knights' running back Jawan Jamison, despite his 779 rushing yards this season.

And how about the Mississippi State Bulldogs?

Mississippi State is 7-0 and running back LaDarius Perkins is having a nice year, but he doesn't crack the list either.

So, we're well into the season, and plenty of names need to start getting some attention by the national media.

Here you go boys—finally some respect.

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Germany Win 2014 World Cup

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Liverpool Drama: Javier Mascherano, George Gillett Rock the Boat

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Liverpool Drama: Javier Mascherano, George Gillett Rock the Boat

Along with the advancements in the Javier Mascherano saga, the attention of Liverpool supporters has also been on George Gillett Jr's statements about co-owner Tom Hicks.

Gillett said in an interview that he can no longer work with Hicks, and that selling the club to DIC would be a good move for Liverpool FC.

"Lord knows DIC have the means with the oil prices going up every day that money was not even an issue. I think they would have been very responsible owners. But making that not possible or difficult didn’t endear (Hicks) to the fans," he said.

Hicks has refused to sell his shares to Dubai International Capital for £400 million.

Regarding his own shares of the club, Gillett said:

“The fans don’t want him to have even one share of my stake in the club, based on what they are sending to me."

I'd say so. Gillett reported he received death threats from fans who told him not to sell the club to Hicks.

While death threats are...well...a little extreme, one can understand the sentiment as it seems like supporters have been dragged through a three-act tragedy. Selling all the share to Hicks would only add another act.

The progression with Javier Mascherano comes as he has admitted his guilt today to the FA's charges of improper conduct. He could receive an additional two-match suspension.

Mascherano is already sitting out Liverpool's match verse rival Everton this weekend.

The midfielder has requested a personal hearing with the FA. Manager Rafael Benitez said there are lawyers working on the case, hoping that he will not be penalized simply to be made an example of.

Mascherano was fined two weeks wages by the Liverpool office.

It is believed Liverpool's defense will focus on at least three aspects:

1) previous cases set a precedent for a lesser penalty (Adebayor

2) Liverpool's monetary fine of Mascherano is sufficient punishment.

3) Liverpool's disciplinary record has been very good this season. It was their first red card of the season in EPL play. The Reds rank third in the EPL's Fair Play Table, behind Man U and Tottenham.

Rafa also commented on Mascherano's apology:

“We were talking, and the player has apologized for his reaction after the sending off. He knew after the game he made a mistake, it's clear. Now we are waiting for the hearing," Benitez said.

"Javier is a fantastic professional and he knows he made a big mistake. He apologized to his teammates and the supporters, and he has now apologized to the referee."

Mascherano's hearing will be April 3rd.

With a hometown derby this weekend minus Mascherano, and a tough three-match series against Arsenal coming up, Liverpool supporters have a lot on their mind without worrying about Gillett and Hicks' cat fight...and by extension the future of Rafa.

Supporters have been tired of the drama for sometime now. The quicker Gillett and Hicks are out, and the sooner Mascherano is back in, the better. Gillett's words seem appropriate:

“What I do know is that the fans and the fabled history of this club deserves better, and we are going to do whatever we can to prove that."

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Ranking the Top 10 Teen Phenoms in Golf History

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Ranking the Top 10 Teen Phenoms in Golf History

With 15-year-old Lydia Ko’s brilliant performance at last week’s Women’s Australian Open fresh in the minds of the golfing public, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the best teenage phenoms in the few-hundred-year history of golf.

There is an unabashed bias in this list towards players who have gone on to great professional success. The inclusion of any golfers who have fizzled out on the professional level (Michelle Wie, for example) is only a product of the tremendous hype and mythmaking that surrounded their stellar play as teenagers.

Without further ado, then, the top 10 teen phenoms in golf history.

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Belmont Stakes 2013 Post Positions: Complete Listing for Every Horse

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Belmont Stakes 2013 Post Positions: Complete Listing for Every Horse
Molly Riley/Getty Images

With the third and final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown taking place at Belmont Park on Saturday, all eyes were on the all-important post-position draw on Wednesday. While post positions don't necessarily make or break a horse, they can definitely play a factor in a field as big as this one.

There wasn't much attention paid to the Preakness post draw as a mere nine horses ran in that race, but due to a mix of Kentucky Derby, Preakness and brand new competition, the Belmont field is jam packed with 14 horses, and that should make for an interesting race.

Wednesday's post draw didn't knock any top contenders out of contention and it didn't automatically make any of the lower-level horses favorites. With that said, even the slightest edge can impact a race, so the post draw shouldn't be disregarded.

Here are the full post listings for all 14 horses, as well as historical post-position trends to keep in mind when placing your Belmont bets.

Race Info

Where: Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

When: Saturday, June 8

Post Time: 6:20 p.m. ET

Purse: $1 million

Television: NBC

Post Horse Jockey Trainer
1 Frac Daddy Alan Garcia
Ken McPeek
2 Freedom Child
Luis Saez
Tom Albertrani
3 Overanalyze John Velazquez Todd Pletcher
4 Giant Finish Edgar Prado  Anthony Dutrow
5 Orb Joel Rosario  Shug McGaughey
6 Incognito Irad Ortiz Jr. Kiaran McLaughlin
7 Oxbow  Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas
8 Midnight Taboo  Garrett Gomez Todd Pletcher
9 Revolutionary Javier Castellano  Todd Pletcher
10 Will Take Charge Jon Court D. Wayne Lukas
11 Vyjack Julien Leparoux Rudy Rodriguez
12 Palace Malice Mike Smith Todd Pletcher
13 Unlimited Budget Rosie Napravnik Todd Pletcher
14 Golden Soul Robby Albarado Dallas Stewart

Best Post Positions

Determining the best post positions for a race like the Belmont Stakes can be tricky as it has been in existence since 1867. Fewer horses used to run in the race back in its formative years, so it should come as no surprise that the No. 1 position has featured the most winners with 23. Things are much more spread out after that, though, as No. 3 has had 15 winners, No. 5 has had 14 winners and No. 7 has had 13 winners.

Based on a number of different factors, No. 7 has to be considered the ideal spot in this year's race. Not only is it right in the middle of the 14-horse field, but the No. 7 post has been fittingly lucky over the past several years. Three of the past six winners have started seventh, so both recent and historic success suggests that No. 7 is the perfect spot.

That bodes well for Oxbow as he is among the race's top contenders and will start from the No. 7 position to boot. Orb is also in a great spot at No. 5 as 14 winners have come from that spot. Many of the races top horses will break from advantageous positions, so that should make for an exciting race.

Worst Post Positions

Despite what the statistics say, the No. 1 position generally isn't a great place to be. That is especially true now as the fields in these races have swelled over the years. With 14 horses in the Belmont, Frac Daddy is in a tough spot as he will start from the extreme inside. He wasn't considered to be a contender to begin with, but starting No. 1 could really hamper his chances.

Which horse ended up with the most advantageous draw?

Submit Vote vote to see results

It's also interesting to note that no horse starting outside the No. 11 post has ever won the Belmont. That has a lot to do with that fact that there are often 11 or fewer horses in the race, but three horses will be starting outside of that slot in the form of Palace Malice, Unlimited Budget and Golden Soul.

All of those horses are interesting for one reason or another. Palace Malice set a blistering pace in the Kentucky Derby, and even though he ultimately fell off, he could be a wire-to-wire winner if he can get to the front. Unlimited Budget is the only filly in the race and will be ridden by female jockey Rosie Napravnik. Golden Soul was a surprise second-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, but he will be forced to break from the extreme outside.

After winning the Kentucky Derby, hopes were high for Orb heading into the Preakness Stakes. He ultimately disappointed as he finished fourth, but he has a golden opportunity to bounce back at the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Shug McGaughey couldn't have asked for a much better starting position either.

Orb will start No. 5 and is also the morning-line favorite at 3-1, according to Esther Marr of Blood-Horse.

As previously mentioned, No. 5 has been a fruitful position at Belmont Park over the years, so there isn't much cause for concern. Orb had to starting No. 1 in the Preakness, and while it probably wouldn't be fair to blame his poor run solely on the post position, it probably played a role. Now there will be no excuses if Orb struggles in the Belmont Stakes.

Oxbow shocked many horse racing fans when he upset Orb and picked up a wire-to-wire victory in the Preakness Stakes. Winning the Triple Crown isn't a possibility since Orb won the Kentucky Derby, however, winning two legs of the Triple Crown would be a major accomplishment. He came away with a tidy draw as he will start No. 7, according to Melissa Hoppert of the New York Times.

No. 7 has been a great spot to be in the Belmont in recent years, so D. Wayne Lukas and Gary Stevens have to be pleased. Oxbow led the Preakness from start to finish, and if Stevens wants to get him to the front right away, he shouldn't have any problems doing so from No. 7.

The last thing that bettors want to see is a top contender getting stuck in an awful position. Luckily, that didn't happen to Oxbow or Orb on Wednesday. They appear to be on equal footing heading into the race, so the best horse will ultimately win.

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UFC 164: Dustin Poirier's Quest to Get Back on Track Starts with Erik Koch

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UFC 164: Dustin Poirier's Quest to Get Back on Track Starts with Erik Koch
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Poirier is on a mission to get to the top of the featherweight division, and he's certainly not taking any short cuts to reach that goal.

The 24-year-old American Top Team fighter has established himself as one of the most talented young prospects in a division which has become increasingly more competitive over the past year, and while his journey has come with setbacks in recent outings, the potential Poirier possesses has continued to shine through.

Nevertheless, if the "Diamond" hopes to keep stride with his peers at 145-pounds, he is going to have to right the ship—and do so in quick fashion.

After a pair of high profile losses to current No. 1 contender Chan Sung Jung and resurgent wrecking machine Cub Swanson, the Louisiana native is sliding dangerously close to being reshuffled into the stacked deck in the featherweight division. But where adversity of this sort is enough to force other fighters to rethink their level of competition and lag back for favorable matchups to pad their record, Poirier has chosen to stay the course and has his sights locked on redemption.

He will have the perfect opportunity to reestablish his footing in the weight class when he squares-off with fellow young talent Erik Koch at UFC 164 in Milwaukee. It wasn't long ago when Koch was considered "the next big thing" at 145-pounds, and with both men gunning for the same spot in the fray, their dust up is guaranteed to be a "can't miss" affair.

Josh Holmberg-USA TODAY Sports

"I'm excited about it," Poirier told Bleacher Report. "It's a great matchup for me and it's going to be exciting for the fans. It's going to be a big win for me and it will put me right back at the top of the division. I need a 'W' and I'm ready to get it.

"[Koch] is a young, flashy fighter and in the same weight class as I am so we've been on each other's radar for some time. We both came over from the WEC so we've always been staring at each other through the cage. We were originally supposed to fight at the Mandalay Bay for UFC 143 and now our paths are finally going to cross.

"I'm going to be in the best shape of my life," Poirier added. "I'm going to be ready to fight and coming off the best camp I've ever had. I'm going to be the most focused and mentally prepared I've ever been. I'm going to be a more mature fighter. This will be my eighth fight in the UFC and tenth with Zuffa overall. I feel like I'm coming into my own now."

While the bout with Koch carries heavy implications on his status as a top featherweight, Poirier is taking the pressure in stride. Where those circumstances have caused him to become excitable and make hasty decisions in the past, the current version of Poirier is working on showing a measured maturity.

To this he gives credit to his decision to uproot from Louisiana and move his training to the American Top Team facility in Coconut Creek, Fla.

"I moved everything to Florida," Poirier said. "My wife is there, has started school there and that is where we are at now. I'm working on my tan everyday after the gym and I'm enjoying it. I feel there is a great group of guys there and they are taking me to the next level."

While he has admittedly made hasty decisions in the past which have ultimately cost him ground in his quest to become a title contender, Poirier is confident his new home at ATT will provide the proper atmosphere for growth—both physical and mental—to continue.

Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

"[Swanson] was on a three or four fight win streak and was finishing everybody," Poirier recalled about his decision to face Swanson on short notice. "He was knocking everyone out and getting 'Knockout of the Night' bonuses in pretty much every fight leading up to ours. I went 15 minutes with him and wasn't in the best shape. I had to cut a lot of weight, travel overseas, and had a lot of stuff stacked against me. Yet, I feel I fought a pretty good fight and feel I could have won if I had an eight week camp or longer to prepare.

"It showed I belong with the best guys in the world but maybe I need to make better decisions for my career. I can't just jump into fights because they are exciting to me. I have to be ready to go in there and not looking to fight for the sake of fighting, but fighting to win. I have to look at things differently. It may be a fun fight to be involved in but I have to ask myself if it is the best thing for my career.

"But hindsight is 20-20," he added. "Saying that now would be different had I gone in there and knocked Cub out in the first round. I might be fighting for the belt right now. Everything has to balance out and there is good and bad with everything."

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

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Why Russell Westbrook's Injury Spells Doom for Oklahoma City Thunder

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Why Russell Westbrook's Injury Spells Doom for Oklahoma City Thunder
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Russell Westbrook's injury and subsequent surgeries create significant problems for Oklahoma City.

In the wake of news reporting that Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss the first four to six weeks of the regular season, the Thunder is trying to figure out how it can move forward without one of their star players.

What Westbrook means to the Thunder is already clear. This tweet from ESPN Stats & Info showcases how important he is to Oklahoma City when evaluating his Win Shares.

Shehan Peiris from Bleacher Report also argues Westbrook's importance especially as a facilitator for the offense.

Layne Murdoch/Getty Images
Westbrook's first surgery repaired a lateral meniscus tear in April.

Now, all of that will be gone for at least a month and perhaps more. In the best-case scenario, Westbrook misses 13 games if he is out for the minimum. At most, assuming the estimates are correct, he could miss roughly 21.

If the latter is the case, the Thunder will be without Westbrook for one quarter of the season. That puts a lot of pressure on teammates such as Kevin Durant. Durant can likely carry a sizable portion of the load, but will it be enough now that opponents will look to cover him even closer in Westbrook's absence?

Marc Stein reacts to Westbrook missing the first four to six weeks of the regular season.

Considering the talent in the Northwest Division—and the Western Conference in general—can an early obstacle like this be detrimental to Oklahoma City's season start?

They may be able to hold their own against some lower-caliber teams during that stretch, but the Thunder will have to face a playoff team from last season seven times over their first 14 games. Three of those seven matchups will be on the road which spells additional difficulties.

How will Westbrook's injury and surgery affect Oklahoma City?

Submit Vote vote to see results

If there is ever a time where Oklahoma City is weak, the beginning of the season will be it.

The Thunder could then experience a rough start to their 2013-14 campaign. When Westbrook does return, he will have to get himself back on track and contribute immediately. How effective he will be shall be determined, but that time frame alone could spell further problems.

While this does not mean Oklahoma City's season prospectus is ruined, the injury will provide a significant hurdle for the team to overcome, and its chances of making it deep into the postseason are considerably hindered.

At this point, just "getting by" during Westbrook's absence may not be enough.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him @PeterMcShots on Twitter.

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GSP vs. Hendricks: Keys to Victory for Rush and Bigg Rigg

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GSP vs. Hendricks: Keys to Victory for Rush and Bigg Rigg
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, Nov. 16, UFC 167 will play host to a Welterweight championship fight between Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks. It will be St-Pierre's ninth defense of the belt that he won in April of 2008.

The question is, what must both fighters do to achieve victory in this high-stakes affair?

This is a meeting between fighters of two entirely different legacies. St-Pierre is a Hall of Fame fighter, while Hendricks is a rising force who has been dominant during his career in UFC, but hasn't received the opportunity to fight for a title.

Now, respect will be put aside for one night as the legend faces the budding star.

So how will all of this be decided?

Keys for Hendricks

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Hendricks is a lesser-known commodity, but that doesn't make him any less dangerous of an opponent. He's 15-1 overall and 10-1 since joining UFC in 2009, earning three Knockout of the Night and one Fight of the Night awards.

Most recently, the 30-year-old from Ada, Oklahoma defeated Carlos Condit by unanimous decision to earn this meeting with St-Pierre.

Hendricks has carved out a very successful UFC career by flashing powerful fists to keep opponents honest. He's proven capable of pulling out knockouts when a fighter gets too close, and when necessary, he can take a foe down to the mat.

For as dangerous as he is as a wrestler, Hendricks needs to keep this fight at a vertical base.

Since joining UFC, Hendricks has five knockout and TKO victories in 11 fights. He's also never gone a full five rounds, which puts a mountain of pressure on his being able to land body shots and end the fight early against GSP.

If he's able to do that, he may just win the welterweight title.

Keys for St-Pierre

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

St-Pierre is an established UFC legend, achieving a career record of 24-2 with a span of almost seven years between his most recent loss and his upcoming fight. He last fought on March 16, 2013, when he defeated Nick Diaz via unanimous decision to retain the title.

Who will win?

Submit Vote vote to see results

That eight-month layoff has some concerned that the 32-year-old's stamina may not be at its highest point.

It's rare that one could call that into question considering St-Pierre is one of the most well-conditioned athletes in MMA history. He's used his unparalleled defensive skills and masterful tactics on the mat to become one of the most decorated fighters to ever grace a ring.

Those defensive skills will be key in this fight.

Much like Floyd Mayweather Jr. in boxing, St-Pierre knows how to keep a powerful fighter at a distance. Seeing as Hendricks has knockout potential, St-Pierre will be in a position to win by using leg kicks to keep Hendricks honest and maintain a responsible attack on the mat in response to Hendricks' prowess as a wrestler.

It may seem obvious, but St-Pierre will win by doing one thing: fighting his natural style.

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NBA Power Rankings: Assessing Association Landscape Early in 2013-14 Season

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NBA Power Rankings: Assessing Association Landscape Early in 2013-14 Season
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The NBA's hierarchy is skewed heavily towards the Western Conference, which entered Tuesday's short slate of games with only three teams that were below .500.

As for the Eastern Conference, only three teams had a winning record: the Indiana Pacers, the defending NBA champion Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks.

That shows the disparity in depth and talent between the two conferences. If the regular season were to end after Monday—preposterous and premature, but still—the Toronto Raptors would square off against the Charlotte Bobcats in a battle of fourth and fifth seeds.

Hopefully the law of averages will help restore the balance of power in the Association at least a little as the 2013-14 campaign progress, but it doesn't look promising at the moment.

In any event, let's take a look at the league landscape at this early juncture and how all 30 squads stack up.

Note: Team records listed do not include Tuesday's games. Highlighted teams are italicized and reflect those that have contradicted early expectations.

1. Indiana Pacers (13-1)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

At the epicenter of the Pacers' success is the rapid rise of All-Star swingman Paul George, who is a legitimate force on both ends of the court and averages 24.3 points per game—fifth in the league.

Lance Stephenson is also playing well as a 2-guard, while the frontcourt of Roy Hibbert and David West remains solid. George's offensive improvement is a bonus for a squad that allows a current league-low 87.4 points per contest.

2. San Antonio Spurs (13-1)

Any notion that this aging core of the Spurs is finished has been swiftly dismissed in the early going. An 11-game winning streak has silenced the doubters for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who are showing no ill effects after coming up short in the most recent NBA Finals.

Kawhi Leonard is also continuing his promising development, and the Spurs are getting 11.2 points a night from Boris Diaw, who appears revitalized in San Antonio.

Also, Danny Green, Marco Belinelli and Patty Mills have emerged as three-point sharpshooters, which should come in handy for the Spurs down the stretch.

3. Miami Heat (11-3)

In search of the three-peat, the Heat started slowly, but they have rebounded to win seven straight. LeBron James is the early front-runner for league MVP yet again, relentless in his improvement.

The Heat are more than a sum of their parts thanks to the facilitating ability of their biggest star. They are second in the NBA with 25.1 assists per game.

Miami may have as much star power as any team in the league, but its willingness to share and play fundamentally sound basketball are big reasons why it meshes so well.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (13-2)

The front office may have swung and missed on Meyers Leonard in the first round of the 2012 draft, but man, did they ever hit on Weber State product Damian Lillard.

In his second year in the league, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year's shooting percentage is a bit low in the early going. However, Lillard has been the key to Portland's massive turnaround, along with Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum, who have played exceptionally on the wing.

LaMarcus Aldridge is putting up 22 points and just under 10 rebounds per game for a team that has gotten off to the second-best start in franchise history.

With that formidable quartet in the starting five, Robin Lopez providing a defensive paint presence and backup point guard Mo Williams proving as a capable sixth man, the Blazers are on their way to a promising campaign.

5. Oklahoma City Thunder (9-3)

The dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will carry this club as far as it can, but whether it's enough to emerge as an NBA Finalist out of the West remains to be seen.

Westbrook still shoots with a little too much frequency. Ex-Pittsburgh one-and-done center Steven Adams has been impressive as a rookie. Young backcourt reserves Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb have played well.

That puts OKC in a deserving fifth-place spot here. A better idea of just how strong the Thunder are will be conveyed in Wednesday's showdown with San Antonio.

6. Los Angeles Clippers (10-5)

Now that the Clippers have a championship coach in place in Doc Rivers—along with a fresher, younger roster—they look like a title contender.

Chris Paul is on a mission to prove he's the best point guard in the game, but part of putting banners in the rafters is playing defense. That's something Paul doesn't struggle much with. The same can't be said for many of his teammates.

The Clips are the No. 27 scoring defense in the Association, which isn't going to cut it. Thankfully, it's early, and Rivers has the personnel at his disposal—namely, massive center DeAndre Jordan—to right the ship.

7. Houston Rockets (10-5)

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The fact that the Rockets are leading the Association in scoring should come as a surprise to no one. What is a surprise is that they are not defending well.

Dwight Howard is meant to be the anchor in the paint, keeping the opposition at bay as Houston makes a push for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. That's proven not to be the case through 15 games, but there is enough talent here to improve.

8. Denver Nuggets (7-6)

Perhaps he isn't underrated, but Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson is maybe one of the more overlooked players at his position. Part of that is due to the depth of talent.

Lawson, though, is averaging 8.7 assists to just 2.8 turnovers and 20.7 points. In recent road games against Houston and Oklahoma City, he put up 28 and 29 points.

Now the Nuggets are on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Chicago Bulls and sweeping a home-and-home set with the Dallas Mavericks.

9. Golden State Warriors (8-6)

Superstar Stephen Curry continues to be a bit of a question mark from a health standpoint, and the Warriors just lost Andre Iguodala to a hamstring injury, which thankfully won't require surgery.

Since Harrison Barnes is available to fill in as a starter, Golden State should still be fine as long as Curry and Klay Thompson remain intact in the backcourt.

10. Dallas Mavericks (9-6)

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As it turns out, Monta Ellis was a savvy free agent signing in the offseason. Oh, and Dirk Nowitzki isn't done. Apparently, neither is Shawn Marion. Or Vince Carter. These three are in their mid-30s, but they are partying like it's 1999.

Jose Calderon has teamed with Ellis as a capable distributor, too, which has turned Dallas (105.7 PPG) into an offensive juggernaut in the early going.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-8)

Kevin Love is an absolute beast on the boards and as a passer. He's scoring the ball at a rate of 24.6 points per game. The talent in the backcourt between Kevin Martin (22.5 PPG) and Ricky Rubio (8.6 APG, 3.1 SPG) has the Timberwolves thinking playoffs.

Here's the glaring problem: Minnesota is shooting 42.5 percent from the field. That's not efficient enough to stack up with the best in the West.

12. Atlanta Hawks (8-6)

Beating up on lackluster opponents has been commonplace for Atlanta early on. The Hawks are 0-4 against teams with a .500 or better record.

Having said that, the Hawks have an underrated starting five with point guard Jeff Teague as the floor general and All-Star Al Horford and Paul Millsap up front.

The concern here is depth, which Atlanta simply doesn't have.

13. Phoenix Suns (7-7)

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Three of Phoenix's seven losses came without emerging star Eric Bledsoe on the court, but he's expected to return Wednesday, per B/R's Ethan J. Skolnick.

Markieff and Marcus Morris have been sensational. The twins are both scoring in double figures. After being one of last year's worst three-point shooting teams, Phoenix is shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc.

14. Memphis Grizzlies (7-7)

Losing Marc Gasol to a left MCL sprain could prove to be devastating for Memphis, although Kosta Koufos pulled down 13 rebounds in his first start up front against the Rockets on Monday.

The offense will run almost exclusively through lightning-quick PG Mike Conley Jr. and low-post stalwart Zach Randolph. Whether that's good enough to keep the Grizzlies afloat in lieu of Gasol will remain to be seen in the deep Western Conference.

15. Los Angeles Lakers (7-7)

A three-game winning streak should inspire optimism for LA ahead of Kobe Bryant's impending return—whenever it might be.

Head coach Mike D'Antoni has started 10 different Lakers this season, so there are plenty of players getting solid experience to begin the year. That should help them respond when the Black Mamba's comeback increases expectations.

16. New Orleans Pelicans (6-7)

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The 2012 draft's No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis is beginning to play like it, blocking an astounding four shots per game and averaging a points and rebounds double-double in scoring nearly 20 points a night.

New faces Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans have to step up, as does shooting guard Eric Gordon, who has some of the most explosive scoring ability among players at his position in the game.

17. Toronto Raptors (6-7)

The lack of ball movement on offense is a concern, but the Raptors are a solid rebounding team that is playing top-10 defense at the moment.

Rudy Gay can create his own shot, as can point guard Kyle Lowry in addition to being a capable distributor and perimeter defender.

Toronto needs an impact player off the bench, and second-year guard Terrence Ross has the ability to do just that. Ross provides reason for hope that the Raptors can claw up these rankings in the coming weeks; he's scored in double figures in each of the previous two games.

18. Philadelphia 76ers (6-9)

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Michael Carter-Williams is electric on both ends of the court. It's scary to imagine how good the 6'7" rookie point guard can be if his jumper improves even to a moderate degree.

It looked as though Evan Turner would be a bust, but he's proving critics wrong, leading the Sixers in scoring thus far. Spencer Hawes is also playing great in the early going.

Thanks to MCW and a supporting cast playing with chips on their shoulders, Philadelphia shouldn't be dismissed yet.

19. Detroit Pistons (6-8)

Tell Brandon Jennings to pass more, because the Pistons have won just once this season when he's taken 12 or more shot attempts.

Greg Monroe and second-year center Andre Drummond are turning into one of the scarier, most athletic big man tandems in the NBA, while free-agent acquisition Josh Smith continues to be a bit of a wild card.

Whatever happens, this Pistons team should be fun to watch for the rest of the year.

20. Chicago Bulls (6-7)

The devastating torn meniscus for superstar point guard Derrick Rose has the Bulls in a tough spot yet again. As sound as Chicago is defensively, it still has a shot at the postseason thanks to the conference it plays in.

However, a dire need for a dominant offensive player remains the pressing issue and will continue to hold this team back until Rose returns—and he won't this season.

21. Charlotte Bobcats (7-8)

Credit the job first-year head coach Steve Clifford has done in transforming this mediocre roster into a premier defensive outfit that gives up just 91.3 points per game.

But where does the offense come from? Shoot-first point guard Kemba Walker takes roughly 15.9 shots per game and scores an average of 16.5 points. New center Al Jefferson is only shooting 43.9 percent so far, and shooting guard Gerald Henderson is below 40 percent from the field.

22. Orlando Magic (4-9)

There is a ton of young, intriguing talent on this team, led by Arron Afflalo, this year's No. 2 overall pick Victor Oladipo and standout center Nikola Vucevic.

This young team is on a four-game losing streak, though, and there should be more growing pains before the Magic are truly competitive again. The good news is a great draft is coming up to add another piece to the team's promising foundation.

23. Boston Celtics (6-10)

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Head coach Brad Stevens fled Butler for the NBA and was supposed to coach a tanking team. Instead, the Celtics have played hard for him, and according to ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg, Rajon Rondo's return has been hinted to be sometime in December.

If Boston can stay afloat in the East until Rondo hits the hardwood, this could be a surprise playoff contender down the stretch.

24. Washington Wizards (5-8)

Grantland boss Bill Simmons reported on Monday that Bradley Beal may miss extended time with a reaggravated stress injury in his right fibula.

That drops the Wizards' stock significantly, because Beal has been their leading scorer with 20.6 points per game. Watch for a drop-off in Washington in the coming weeks.

25. New York Knicks (3-10)

At least Carmelo Anthony is turning into a consistent double-double producer, but he's pressing a lot on offense and his shooting percentage has sunk to .429 in the early going.

The expected return of point guard Raymond Felton against the Clippers on Wednesday—as reported by ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk—should help New York function better on that end of the court. Nevertheless, this horrid start is cause for alarm.

26. Brooklyn Nets (3-10)

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This whole championship-or-bust approach seems to have backfired in Brooklyn, if the early portion of the season is any indication.

B/R's Howard Beck interviewed a veteran scout about head coach Jason Kidd last week, and the scout said Kidd "doesn't do anything."

While that's a rather harsh assessment, it seems accurate.

The Nets have ex-Boston Celtic NBA champions Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the starting five, along with Deron Williams and Joe Johnson in the backcourt with center Brook Lopez down low.

But Garnett is showing his age and Lopez and Williams have struggled with ankle sprains. Brooklyn's bunch is discombobulated as a result.

27. Sacramento Kings (4-9)

The roster is an absolute mess, and adding 2012 No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams in a trade, per Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, convoluted things even more.

Williams is stuck between a 3 and a 4 in the pros, and the Kings have far too many perimeter players to dole out effective minutes. Supremely gifted center DeMarcus Cousins is the only saving grace, but his volatile temperament makes him inconsistent.

28. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-10)

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If head coach Mike Brown was meant to revitalize the Cavaliers in his second stint with the franchise, he's done the exact opposite so far.

It doesn't help that general manager Chris Grant has chosen rather poorly at times in the draft, as it seems only one of his past four lottery picks, Kyrie Irving, will turn out to be an All-Star.

Cleveland is incompetent on offense. Brown's area of expertise is defense, yet the Cavs are allowing 101.6 points per game. Facing the LeBron James-led Heat on Wednesday isn't going to make things easier.

This team has some pieces in place to contend, but they aren't jelling at all at the moment. Considering how weak the East is in the early going, this is among the most disappointing teams in the Association.

29. Utah Jazz (2-14)

There are promising building blocks in the frontcourt with center Enes Kanter and power forward Derrick Favors, but this team is really missing Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.

But at least the void has allowed for Gordon Hayward to step up more than he has in his career to date. When the Jazz land a lottery pick in 2014's loaded draft, they should be a force to be reckoned with with a couple of other savvy roster moves.

30. Milwaukee Bucks (2-11)

Just because the Bucks play in the East and have less talent on the roster than the Jazz, this is where they land—at the bottom.

O.J. Mayo is the squad's leading scorer with 14.8 points per game. Zaza Pachulia leads Milwaukee with 7.3 rebounds and Nate Wolters is tops on the team in assists. Brandon Knight has returned to try to claim a spot as the starting point guard, but is that enough to drag the Bucks out of the East's basement?

Not likely.

But hey, having the best odds for the No. 1 overall pick in this coming draft could be just what this small-market team needs for a revival.

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MLB Rumors: Latest Rumblings on David Price, Bronson Arroyo and More

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MLB Rumors: Latest Rumblings on David Price, Bronson Arroyo and More
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Masahiro Tanaka is finally coming to the MLB. Which team will sign him?

The Robinson Cano deal will almost certainly be the biggest deal of the MLB offseason, but there are plenty of moves left to be made that could shape the roster of next year’s contenders. Here is some of the latest buzz surrounding a few of the hottest names on the market.

Rays Willing to Be Patient with David Price

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Starting pitcher David Price is one of the biggest names that has been dangled in trade talks, but the Tampa Bay Rays are in no rush to trade the former Cy Young winner, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times:

There is no deadline, no drop-dead date by which the Rays have to make a deal or tell Price he isn't being traded. Reports that they are motivated to do so by Dec. 31 to hand off payment of $4 million in deferred money are incorrect: The payment isn't due until Oct. 1, and it is the Rays' obligation, so really a nonfactor, as including it would be the same as asking for cash in a deal and subject to MLB approval.

Topkin reports that the Rays are willing to listen on Price, but they aren’t going to pull the trigger on a deal unless they get a package of young talent.

The Seattle Mariners have been discussed as the favorite to land Price, but those talks seem to have stalled due to Seattle’s unwillingness to part with top prospect Taijuan Walker:

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Rays are looking for “at least three good players, major league-ready or top prospects.”

Whether any pitcher-needy teams are willing to match that asking price remains to be seen, but it is clear that Tampa Bay isn’t going to make a panic trade. Its trade partner will have to be ready to pony up to acquire the left-handed ace.

Market Has Been Slow for Bronson Arroyo

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Bronson Arroyo may not be a young arm, but he brings durability and experience to the table for any team looking for pitching depth. As such, there have been plenty of reports indicating that Arroyo has been a hot commodity. Those rumors are false, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:

Arroyo said the Cincinnati Reds have not offered him a one-year dealas has been reportedand denies that he was ever close to an agreement with the Minnesota Twins. Those two teams could ultimately be in the mix for him, but at the moment, his 2014 destination is a mystery.

Arroyo had even been linked to the Atlanta Braves, but David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reveals that the Braves never had any interest in the starter:

The right-handed starter is still waiting for someone to offer him a job, but the buzz surrounding his supposed offers is erroneous.

Crasnick mentioned the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks as potential fits for the 36-year-old, but there have only been preliminary discussions with the Yankees. The Minnesota Twins do have some interest in Arroyo, but they have already spent about $84 million on Ricky Nolasco, Phil Hughes and Mike Pelfrey this offseason.

There are plenty of teams that could use reliable pitching, but the market on Arroyo probably isn’t going to move until the frenzy over Masahiro Tanaka subsides and some of the other big-name pitchers on the market (e.g. Ervin Santana and Matt Garza) sign deals.

Let the Bidding War for Masahiro Tanaka Begin

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It finally happened—star Japanese prospect Masahiro Tanaka was posted by his Japanese team, and the bidding frenzy will be fierce.

Teams can post their bid of up to $20 million for the right to negotiate with Tanaka, and with many teams expected to reach that mark, he will basically be a free agent with plenty of offers to choose from.

Tanaka could be in store for a gigantic payday, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney:

Marc Carig of reports that high-profile teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks are highly interested in the 25-year-old and expected to be among his biggest suitors.

Right now, it’s anybody’s guess as to where Tanaka will end up, but one thing is certain: He won’t be lacking for offers.

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Germany Win 2014 World Cup

Winners, Losers from Final

Barcelona's Search for Valdes Replacement Takes a Step Closer

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Barcelona's Search for Valdes Replacement Takes a Step Closer
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It's over 11 years since Victor Valdes made his first-team debut in a Champions League qualifier against Legia Warsaw, and unsurprisingly he kept a clean sheet. In the 2003/04 season, he emerged as the sides No. 1, helping the club to win the league title after a six-year wait. Since then, he has held down the position to great acclaim.

There's a misguided opinion among some supporters that anyone could play in goal for Barcelona, but few goalkeepers in world football possess the same ability with their feet, concentration levels or reading of the game as the 31-year-old. It's no longer just about keeping the ball out of the net, the term "sweeper-keeper" was penned for players of Valdes' ilk.

Is Marc-Andre ter Stegen the right signing for Barcelona?

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Valdes rejected a new deal 12 months ago, and he confirmed his desire to leave in May last year when his contract expires this summer via BBC. That led to speculation he would then be sold for a transfer fee, but the window closed at the end of August with Valdes still between the sticks at the CampNou. This meant that director of football Andoni Zubizarreta, also a former Barca keeper, had a year to find an adequate replacement.

Current No. 2 Jose Pinto is now 38, and his unimpressive displays recently mean that a new purchase is essential. Liverpool's Pepe Reina, currently on loan with former manager Rafa Benitez at Napoli, is perceived as one option, but his drop in form over the last two years means Barcelona have their reservations about making a move for the former "La Masia" graduate. Reina may have to reassess his options at the end of the campaign, perhaps making his time in Naples more permanent.

Thibaut Courtois is also a possibility, with another former Atletico Madrid shot stopper, Abel Resino, confident he would be a good choice. "He’s young, quiet, good with his feet, although not as good as Valdes," he told Mundo Deportivo, per Football Espana. However, it's unlikely Chelsea would sanction a sale without the Belgian ever playing in the Premiership and given how the youngster has progressed at the Calderon.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Borussia Monchengladbach now appears to be the firm favourite. The youngster has all the attributes to emulate Valdes and spend the next decade in Catalonia. Quick off his line, single-mindedness and a more than adept passer seem to make him a good fit for the role. Gerardo Martino's direct variant on the style and philosophy is no problem either, due to his quality distribution over a longer distance.

"Despite his youth he is strong enough to go in the Barca goal. Ter Stegen can withstand pressure and has a great personality. He’s one of the leaders of our team despite his young age," teammate Alvaro Dominguez explained to Sport (via Football Espana). The Spanish centre-back continued his praise, saying, "He’s very quiet in his personal life, focused on football and training well. He’s a well-rounded person."

With his club confirming the news that Ter Stegen has turned down a new contract, then a transfer to Spain seems ever closer. The German is more than aware of Barcelona's interest and appears to be sending out a message of intent to the club. Patience will be needed should he get the gig in time for next season, as the pressure at the biggest sides can consume some young men. But as David De Gea has shown at Manchester United, any early errors or doubts can be put to bed with a strong mentality.

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Dealing with crosses is one area for improvement, after Joey Barton scored from a corner while playing for Marseille in a Europa League game against Monchengladbach. Barton admitted while serving as a pundit on BT Sport that his coach, Elie Baup, had told him about Ter Stegen's vulnerability in this area.

He wouldn't be on his own with experiencing troubles from set pieces at Barcelona, but Martino could help iron out this problem as he constructs a new back four.

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NBA Free Agency Tracker

Latest Rumors, News

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Postgame Grades and Analysis

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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Postgame Grades and Analysis
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The Lakers were short-handed again, but they led for most of the game against Kevin Durant and the Thunder.

The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder to wrap up regular-season play before the All-Star break, and OKC needed a fourth-quarter comeback to escape with a 107-103 win.

Kevin Durant scored 31 points in the second half on his way to a game-high 43. He added 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals for good measure. Serge Ibaka tallied 10 points, seven boards and five blocks.

Wesley Johnson and Chris Kaman notched 19 points apiece to lead the Lakers. Kendall Marshall continued to be a revelation with 17 assists, 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Lakers opened up a 54-45 lead at the half, and it was the first time all season the Thunder had trailed for an entire first half, according to TNT's telecast. The Thunder shot 29 percent in the first quarter. L.A. led by 15 points inside the last minute of the third quarter, but it was tied up six minutes later.

Then Durant led the takeover and the Lakers lineup was powerless to stop it.

The Lakers committed nine turnovers in the first six minutes of the fourth as their lead evaporated. All eight Lakers who played had at least one turnover as the team lost 23 in total. They had the best team in the NBA scrambling, but ultimately, the league's best scorer won out.

Player grades start at a C+ for a decent overall performance. That increases and decreases based on the quality of each player's contributions. (We'll put role players on the grading curve.) Instead of gold stars and frowning faces, here are grades for every player.

Thunder Player Grades

Kevin Durant, Small Forward

Kevin Durant scored 10 points in the first quarter. The rest of the team had scored seven points. When he only added two more in the second quarter, it started to seem like it might not be OKC's night.

Then the "Durantula" came out. The would-be MVP poured in the points from all over the floor and finished with 43 points on the night. He approached a triple-double with his unselfishness and double-digit rebounding, and it was impressive to watch him turn it on at the end. He's earned that weekend in New Orleans.

Durant also weighed in after the game on the perceived "back and forth" with LeBron James this season. He sees it another way, which is precisely what an MVP would do.

And props to KD for his touching tribute to a family member.

Grade: A+

Serge Ibaka, Power Forward

Serge Ibaka is also called "Iblocka" for a good reason, and he threw a one-man block party in L.A. Serge swatted five shots in the game, swooping in like a predatory bird on multiple occasions.

Ibaka did not make a huge impact on offense, but he still managed 10 points. A couple of needless fouls down the stretch could have proved costly, but the Thunder prevailed to preserve the status quo

Grade: B+

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Reggie Jackson, Point Guard

Though he could not even begin to approach the gaudy assist totals of the point starting opposite him, Jackson was one of the few OKC players who provided some offense besides Durant. Jackson put down 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting, but he only handed out three assists.

Grade: B

Thabo Sefolosha, Shooting Guard

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Sefolosha did the usual little-bit-of-everything routine and snagged three steals in a game rife with turnovers. He supplemented that with seven points, four boards and three dimes.

Grade: B

Kendrick Perkins, Center

I understand that there may be rotational reasons for continuing to start Perkins at center, but sometimes it's almost like playing with four players. Perkins had four points, four fouls and two blocks in 17 minutes, alongside a minus-9 rating.

Grade: D

Rest of Bench

Jeremy Lamb experienced some struggles from the field (3-of-10 shooting), but he still turned in a double-digit night on 11 points and netted four steals as well. He also fouled out for some reason.

Derek Fisher was another member of OKC's three-steals club. He hit some timely shots to aid the comeback effort, including the game-tying triple at the 6:47 mark.

Steven Adams is getting set for the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday (9 p.m. on TNT). Maybe that's why he didn't really do much with two rebounds in eight minutes.

Nick Collison didn't score, but he did hand out three assists and actually played some nice defense on Chris Kaman, which was important at the time.

Andre Roberson's four points made him the only bench player other than Lamb or Fisher to score.

Grade: B

Lakers Player Grades

The Lakers did not dress five players due to injury: Pau Gasol (groin), Steve Nash (nerve root irritation), Nick Young (knee), Jodie Meeks (hamstring) and Jodie Meeks (ankle). That's in addition to inactives Kobe Bryant (knee) and Xavier Henry (knee). Of course, OKC is still without Russell Westbrook (knee), but at least that team's best player is still healthy.

And it's only set to get worse for the Lakers this season.

Chris Kaman, Center

Kaman tried doing a Joakim Noah impression by coming within the neighborhood of a triple-double. He ended with 19 points, 10 boards and six dimes. After all, someone on the Lakers has to get those stats. Mercifully, he refrained from taking 20-plus shots after putting up at least 23 field-goal attempts in each of his last two games.

Kaman also put a series of moves on Ibaka to get under the hoop, then get him in the air and draw contact on the layup. Too bad he bricked the free throw that would have tied it with 22 seconds to play.

Grade: B+

Kendall Marshall, Point Guard

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Marshall briefly forgot that he's a pass-first point guard and scored 10 first-quarter points. Then he remembered that he's a pass-first point guard and dished 15 assists...before the third quarter had ended.

Mike D'Antoni is really something on offense, huh? Marshall was another Laker near a triple-double and missed it by three rebounds.

Grade: B+

Steve Blake, Shooting Guard

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Blake was having a quiet game, but he riled the crowd when he drew contact from Lamb and connected on the and-one from 18 feet. He completed the three-point play and returned a 95-94 lead to the Lakers with 3:34 remaining. Blake finished with 13 points, two assists and two steals.

Grade: B

Wesley Johnson, Small Forward

Wes Johnson helped keep L.A. in front with his 10-point third quarter. The Lakers don't have any consistent scorers healthy at the moment, but they still have several guys of Johnson's caliber who can have a small outburst at any time.

Grade: B

Shawne Williams, Power Forward

Shawne Williams has a 10-day contract that is set to expire. He came correct with 13 first-half points and a pair of blocks. He just missed a double-double with nine rebounds, and considering the list of injuries, the Lakers should probably keep him around.

Grade: B+

Rest of Bench

Jordan Hill came up with another double-digit scoring effort in effective minutes. Ryan Kelly had just three points over his last two games, so his seven-point night was a breakout.

Robert Sacre did some good things on the court, but he also managed to fumble away four turnovers in 11 minutes.

Grade: C+

What's Next?

After All-Star weekend, the Lakers get back to regular-season play on Feb. 19 at home against the Houston Rockets. The Thunder will breathe a sigh of relief and return a day later and host the Miami Heat.

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Young and Having Fun: The Future of the Crimson Tide

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Young and Having Fun: The Future of the Crimson Tide
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With the season a little over a month away, one has to begin to wonder how the pieces will fit together in the puzzle that will be Alabama football in 2009.  This is the time of the year when speculation runs rampant and hope begins to bloom.

This wonder and speculation primarily comes from questions unanswered.  However, with the help from an inside source, I am here to help answer some of those questions, clarify some speculation, and build more hope for the Crimson Tide faithful.

First, let us begin with perhaps the biggest question of all: the offensive line.

Worry should be calmed when it comes to replacing what was considered one of the best offensive lines in the nation last season.

JUCO transfer James Carpenter has locked down one side of the line, while veteran Drew Davis has the other side anchored as well.  DJ Fluker, the highly anticipated beast of a lineman that is expected to dominate any and all defensive threats, will have to wait his turn.

While many are expecting him to fight for the starting spot, this news should only bring joy to the hearts of 'Bama nation, knowing that a year under his belt from the sideline may not be a bad thing.  Along with Tyler Love, our offensive line should have the depth it has needed for many years.

Next, it is rumored that Saban thinks more highly of this year's linebackers than any he has every coached, including the two years he spent with the NFL's Miami Dolphins.  That, to me, speaks volumes.

When you think of what is already back there—McClain, Hightower, Anders, and Reamer—along with the group of young guns coming in—Nico Johnson, Tana Patrick, Jerrell Harris, and Jonathan Atchinson—it should send chills down your spine, as well as the spines of opposing teams.  In fact, Atchinson, although rated only three stars in last years recruiting, is said to be a freak of an athlete.

As for the QB spot, Greg McElroy is hands down the best 'Bama has to offer.  He has the touch pass, the poise, and the leadership the offense needs.  In fact, it was said that G-MAC is the "undisputed leader" of the unit.  All players and coaches are giving him the respect he has earned from riding the pine and waiting his turn.

He knows the system, he manages the game, and he has the tools in place at running back and receiver to run a more threatening offense than most are anticipating.

Saban is pleased to have the needed options that will not require his QB to carry the team, but a QB that is willing to carry them if he has to.  Mark it down: G-MAC will surprise some teams this season.

The next biggest question is who will be the backup, should 'Bama need one.  Star Jackson is what most are expecting, but some sources say otherwise.  The "freshman from Mobile" is reported to be the solid number two even before he reports.

Based upon his raw talent and the confidence Saban and the other coaches apparently have in A.J. McCarron, the other "MAC," he could force Jackson to start auditioning for other positions soon.

Sure, they have to play the actual games before they can be heralded as All-Americans, but this team is looking bright.  In fact, Saban believes this class, along with last year's greats and the upcoming class of 2010, will be the stars that play a major role in separating Alabama from the rest of the pack very, very soon!

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Fantasy Football Sound Off: Week Three

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Fantasy Football Sound Off: Week Three
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Week two has come and gone and needless to say, I am a bit irritated. While I have started out 2-0 in a handful of leagues, in two of my important leagues, I am sitting at 0-2. And, in one of them, if I had played the right matchups, I’d be sitting at 2-0 there too.

But, that is neither here nor there.

Rather, I have a few shout outs that I would like to send to some players around the league, so it is time to stumble upon the week three edition of Ziza Sounding Off; an article that was prescribed to me by my anger management counselors, Bruno Boys Cavigs and Bruno Boys Whooley.

Each week I will be nailing the more important issues around the NFL and analyzing the impact that the news should have on the fantasy football world the only way I know how—Bruno Boys Ziza style.

If you enjoy sarcasm coupled with informative information, Bruno Boys Nation this is for you. If you don’t, oh well. I couldn't care less! This is part of my therapy; blame them, not me. Now, onto this week’s fantasy football impact news.

News: Willis McGahee has four touchdowns in his first two games, whereas Ray Rice has yet to punch one in during his career.

Ziza Sounding Off: The Baltimore Ravens are in a great situation, but the way they are handling these two backs is really wreaking havoc on the fantasy football world. Seriously, how many leagues do you know where Willis McGahee went before Ray Rice? I am in six leagues, and I can honestly say that it happened NADA times in mine.

And, I am the lucky owner of Rice, whom I believed was a great bargain as a RB3. While Rice is averaging nine fantasy points per week, it still pales in comparison to McGahee, who has punched in two touchdowns each week this season.

Damn you McGahee. Go away! Seriously! Last year, you didn’t even seem as if you would have a roster spot with the Ravens in 2009, and now, you are the goal-line back, the man stealing the touchdowns from Rice?  Don’t you care about fantasy football? Don’t you care about me? I have Rice in four leagues. I have two babies to feed. What are you doing to me?

Actually, it isn’t all that bad as the Ravens have faced two weaker rush defenses the first couple weeks of the season and Rice is still getting his yardage. The true test will be when the schedule gets a bit tougher.

Rice, step up man. I beg of you. I talked you up all year, and you are letting that dip-crap show you up. I know you have it in you - represent! Get your first damn touchdown this week, please. I need it.

News: Ex-NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress started serving his two-year prison sentence on Tuesday.

Ziza Sounding Off: Being a Michigan State Spartan fan, nothing had made me more proud during the last seven days than their former star-receivers Charles Rogers (DUI) and Plaxico Burress (prison sentence started) making negative headlines once again.

While Rogers has no fantasy football impact as he has long been ousted by the NFL, Burress had a shot at being one of the best for a great team in the New York Giants. Because of the problems that Burress has brought to the organization, the Giants are struggling to…oh wait. They aren’t struggling! In fact, I think no one is really missing Burress at all.

Two of the hotter pickups around the fantasy football circle this week probably wouldn’t have been able to strut their stuff if none of this had gone down. Mario Manningham (32 fantasy points) and to a lesser degree Steve Smith (27 fantasy points) have stepped up and become huge targets for quarterback Eli Manning.

While I never look forward to seeing people go to the big house because of an accident, Burress could have easily killed someone or himself. I don’t feel sorry for him, and in a way, if he is really that ignorant then all I have to say is thank you.

Thank you prisoner Burress for shooting yourself in the leg that way two solid citizens/players have an opportunity to show their goods. Enjoy the sandwich spread surprise meal while watching football on Sunday, Plaxico; you deserve it.

News: After a 198 yard, three touchdown performance by Adrian Peterson in week one, Chris Johnson had a 284 yard, three touchdown performance in week two. Is something in the water?

Ziza Sounding Off: Ok people, stop pushing the panic button. So what, you drafted Matt Forte or Steve Slaton, both under-performing at a critical rate, while you watch players that were drafted in similar positions go off to the tune of umpteen fantasy points. This won’t continue people. Well, sort of.

There will always be a player or two that goes off every week; the first two just happened to be top-10 picks. No one can predict these games, not even the players themselves. It takes a weakness in the defense that is challenged time and time again along with a few breaks along the way.

The truth of the matter, though, is that you can’t wonder why your players aren’t blowing up as well. You need to be asking yourself why your players are sucking the big royal hot dog. I have a few myself.

In fact, I am the unproud owner of the Houston Texans running back. Slaton has less points in both weeks than either of the above is averaging in one. But, you can’t just give up on them. You have to hold strong.

For every undeserving 0-2 team out there, there is a team that is 2-0 that completely sucks. That is not bad karma, just the way the game sometimes plays itself out.

Hang in there, don’t panic and before you know it the Chicago Bears will come to realize that it is Forte and not Jay Cutler who’s ass they need to be kissing.

Ziza’s Sounding Off Wrap Up: While I love to complain about everything that irritates me, there are some solid things going on around the NFL that are pleasing to watch. The play of the New York Jets as a whole is nice to see. How they came out in week two and made the New England Patriots realize that they aren’t all that very fun to watch.

Also pleasing to the eye is all of the quality Thursday, Sunday, and Monday night games that the public has been able to view from the comfort of their own homes. Seriously, the games are usually crap; but this year is different. The feel of the NFL is different. I am sure I am not the only one out there that feels that way.

So, while we all have players that are under performing and some of us, myself included, have sucked it up in some of our leagues, there is time to improve. But, no matter how bad it gets, don’t forget that this is just a game and the NFL is supposed to be enjoyed, not hated.

Remember, you don’t have it all bad; at least not most of you. After all, I am a Detroit Lions fan.

For more fantasy football insight and advice, click the link below...

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For Uconn Another Final Four Lies In Hands Of Highly Touted Freshmen

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For Uconn Another Final Four Lies In Hands Of Highly Touted Freshmen
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  This college basketball season is ready to start for Connecticut Huskies, a team with many question marks but with so much potential.  Losing AJ Price, Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien, and Craig Austrie this team did lose a lot from last years final four team, but they bring back solid core lead by Seniors Stanley Robinson, Jerome Dyson, and Gavin Edwards to go along with star point guard Kemba Walker.  Head Coach Jim Calhoun brings in a highly touted recruiting class lead by high school teammates Alex Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-Mcdaniel.  One question is how will this team replace  star center Hasheem Thabeet?  For the first half of the season it seems a big load will be put on Oriakhi until Ater Majok becomes eligible.  Also Coombs-Mcdaniel, freshman Jamal Trice, and freshman Jamal Trice will be counted on to provide solid depth off the bench for Uconn.  With a good amount of pressure being put on these freshmen can they step up and replace the stars Uconn lost or will they fall, and perhaps be the reason Uconn may struggle this year.  This team is really hard to figure out they could be a final four team or they could struggle and get knocked out early in the NCAA's.  If Oriakhi can live up to the hype this team will have no concerns about the starting five, but when you look at Uconn's bench there is not one player you can say with no doubt in your mind that Uconn can count on that kid for consistent minutes.  Coombs-Mcdaniel is very highly touted a combo guard more of slasher and needs to work on the jumper, he needs to come and provide the minutes Craig Austrie provided last year for Uconn if he can I see this team going very far this season possible Final Four but if he doesn't they may struggle.  With a tough schedule playing Kentucky, Texas, Villanova, WVU, Louisville, and Georgetown these Freshman should have their moments but also should have their growing struggles.  But Jim Calhoun knows if his highly touted recruiting class does not live up to the hype than this Uconn basketball team will not achieve their goal of reaching another Final Four this season.

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Detroit Pistons' Ben Gordon Makes History, Do We Care?

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Detroit Pistons' Ben Gordon Makes History, Do We Care?
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The Pistons have been a perplexing team to watch this season.

Entering Saturday, the Pistons were presented with an opportunity to end their unprecedented 11 game losing streak against the Allen Iverson-less Sixers.

Naturally, they blew it.

In fact, they lost in embarrassing fashion, scoring 10 points in the first quarter, going down nearly 30 points before halftime. Also, they lost Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey to injuries.

And yet, Ben Gordon scored the 10-millionth NBA point.

Let's face it. This team looks nothing like the overachievers they were 12 games ago. But despite the injuries, they shouldn't be losing games like this .

There is something beneath the surface, a problem that is ruining the chemistry, something that is throwing their ecosystem off balance.

The players are getting struck down like soldiers on the battlefield. Only four warriors have battled through every game.

The Pistons are losing the war. Badly.

And yet, Ben Gordon scored the 10-millionth NBA point.

The Pistons lit their fire with a five-game winning streak, and then hosed it down until it was a distant memory. Their engine is rusting prematurely, and they are being left behind in the third-world country known as the Eastern Conference.

And yet, Ben Gordon scored the 10-millionth NBA point.

Suddenly, more than the season is at stake.

The Pistons are slowly drowning in the sea of irrelevance. Their win streak was an echo from the past, a flashback of their glory days, a reminder of their cocky swagger, an imitation of their flawless execution, a reverberation of their heartwarming chemistry, a final mimic of their unprecedented defensive prowess.

And yet, like a sweet tomato growing in a desolate wasteland, an innocent baby taking the first breath into a cold, uncaring world, a glowing butterfly fluttering through the depths of Hell, Ben Gordon scores the 10-millionth NBA point.

Our savior, Mr. $55 million, Ben Gordon, forever immortalized himself into NBA Fun Facts fame, while his teammates are left picking up the crumbs of fading magnificence.

The 2009 Bulls-Celtics playoff series hero Ben Gordon, luckily hit a milestone shot in NBA history, while his team is being crushed under the rock of shame.

Hey Ben. Bring the glory home. Show us why we signed you. After all, you just made the 10-millionth point in NBA history.

Just maybe, you can light a bigger fire than before to blaze this team into contention

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Mayweather vs. Mosley Will Live Up to the Hype

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Mayweather vs. Mosley Will Live Up to the Hype
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On the surface, the fight between Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather and ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley this weekend—and fights of this magnitude—are the reason why boxing produces the biggest spectacle in sports.

The reason being is that fights of this magnitude are few and far between.  The fight this Saturday will most likely be the biggest fight of the year, and depending on the way it plays out, it could be the biggest fight of the past 10 years.

Beneath the surface, beneath the pomp and circumstance, and inside the squared circle is where boxing produces the most awe-inspiring legends in the world of sports.

Unfortunately, it is rare indeed that the spectacle transforms into anything awe-inspiring.

The fight between Mayweather and Mosley hearkens back to the 1980’s when another fighter called ‘Sugar’ captivated the imaginations of boxing die-hards and casual spectators alike.

In fact, it was in the early ‘80s when I first discovered my love for the sport.  Fights like Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran or Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler or any one of those guys vs. Tommy Hearns, in concert with the hype that lead up to them, were enthralling.

An argument could be made that since the 1980’s, true ‘mega-fights’ have been hard to come by.

We’ve had plenty of hype for plenty of fights since that time, but how many of them have lived up to the gold standard of the ‘80s?

Surely this is a matter of opinion, but outside of Pernell Whitaker vs. Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson I, and Oscar De la Hoya vs. Mosley I, how many fights have lived up to the enormous hype that have preceded them?

De la Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad didn’t.  Nor did Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton, although it had its moments, and Lennox Lewis vs. Tyson definitely didn’t either.

Clearly, I’ve omitted some fights on my lists of which one’s have been great and which have not been so great in the last 20 years, but it is my opinion that many times these pay-per-view extravaganzas end up more fizzle than sizzle.

Mayweather vs. Mosley has the chance to be placed amongst the elite in which the fight itself not only lives up to the style, but surpasses it with its substance.

There are several reasons why this may be the case.  For one, it appears that these two men genuinely dislike one another.  Another reason is that it’s not very often that we see Mayweather really have to fight .  Mosley needs this to become a fight.

We know Mayweather can box.  He’s the best boxer in the world.

We’ve only really seen him fight in his first encounter with Jose Luis Castillo.  Hatton tried to bring it to him, but he was too small.  Mosley’s only real chance is to make Mayweather fight, but that’s what everyone has been trying to do since the Castillo fight and they’ve all failed.

The third reason is speed.

Mayweather is usually the quickest man in the ring, with the one possible exception being when he fought Zab Judah.  Although he didn’t get credit for it, Judah did knock Mayweather down (his glove touched the canvas) and in my opinion controlled the early rounds until Mayweather adjusted and took control.

Mosley may be just as quick as Mayweather.  And he may be as aggressive as Hatton.  And he’s the bigger man.  This is a combination which Mayweather hasn’t faced and it will be interesting to see if Mosley can get him out of his comfort zone.

If that happens, wouldn’t it just be great?

In the ‘80s it was common to see Jack Nicholson, Frank Sinatra, and Magic Johnson ringside for fights like Leonard vs. Hagler and Aaron Pryor vs. Alexis Arguello.

But it’s 2010, and Nicholson, Sinatra, and Johnson have been replaced by Mark Wahlberg, Jay-Z, and any number of high-profile athletes.

Here’s to hoping that Mayweather vs. Mosley will not replace those great fights, but join them.

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Bill Belichick, New England Patriots: A Brit's Perspective

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Bill Belichick, New England Patriots: A Brit's Perspective

First of all, I am English. Now, hang on. Bear with me a moment. Before you cast derision on my right to an opinion on American football, let me assure you I love this game and have followed it religiously (and played it poorly) for many years.

Now that I have established my impeccable credentials, I can come to my point.

I am constantly amazed by America's attitude to what they term as "running up the score". It is a phrase unfamiliar to Brits. The reason seems to be that whilst your average American laments the practice, even to the point of righteous indignation, Brits have no problem at all with the black art of metaphorically kicking a team whilst they are down.

This is a rather surprising state of affairs as, last time I looked, America was a nation that adores winners and has little time for losers. Conversely, my own nation (bless its little heart) is full of very plucky athletes that are not exactly synonymous with the act of winning.

I cannot think of a single sport that is played in Britain where the act of extending a lead is perceived to be ungentlemanly. Even cricket, the very embodiment of fair play, allows a team to mercilessly pile on the misery without sportswriters and the fans of the opposition frothing at the mouth.

Cricket does frequently see the captain of such a side cutting short the batting by declaring the innings, but this is done to enhance his team's chances of victory due to time constraints, not to spare the blushes of the vanquished.

Please don't get me wrong here.

We Brits are not totally heartless, and we are well versed in the practice of withdrawing the best players in schoolboy teams, when leading handily, to limit the humiliation of the opposition.

When it comes to highly-paid professional athletes, however, the gloves come off. It is ludicrous to imagine that Manchester United, for example, would deliberately ease off when leading 7-0 against Hull City. They may make substitutions in order to rest players for tougher tasks ahead, but the concept of easing off the throttle is totally alien in Britain.

Surely such an action deprives the paying audience of seeing 90 minutes of pulsating action. (Yes, I know most Americans do not consider "Soccer" to be pulsating but you need to take a leap of imagination here.)

It has never been explained to me why it is unethical for the New England Patriots to keep trying to score for 60 minutes against the Washington Redskins, a collection of elite athletes paid handsomely (some would say exorbitantly) for their efforts.

As a Miami Dolphins fan, I have little time for Belichick or his team, but surely the American audience would rather see them bring their stuff until the final gun? Would it not be more edifying to see Randy Moss make a spectacular grab and streak down the sideline than a two-yard line-plunge and another 30 seconds off the game clock?

In any case, if I were a Washington Redskins player, I would be insulted by the very notion that Belichick and his boys had decided to withdraw their effort, as though I was a seven-year old in short trousers.

Perhaps I am missing something here.

Maybe your average American is more chivalrous than us ruthless Brits? It could be that the famous American predilection for statistics causes them to bridle at, what is perceived to be, stat padding. Whatever the reasons, it won't stop me from enjoying a good Pats-'Skins matchup. Just don’t expect me to join in the hand wringing when Brady notches one more score.

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2011 Fantasy Forecast: What's Waiting at the End of the Dwayne Bowe This Season?

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2011 Fantasy Forecast: What's Waiting at the End of the Dwayne Bowe This Season?

2010 Review

For every owner who can say "I told you so" about Dwayne Bowe, there are at least 10 others kicking themselves thinking they could have grabbed him at some point in their fantasy drafts, but didn’t.

The fact is, the writing was on the wall concerning Bowe’s ascent into the top echelon of wide receivers this past year.  Dwayne proved to be on the verge of dominance throughout his first three years in the league, and if it weren’t for his four-game suspension in 2009 (for taking a diuretic), he might have arrived a year sooner.

What’s interesting is the key to his emergence didn’t have anything to do with what happened during an NFL season, but what Bowe chose to do in the offseason leading up to 2010.

For the past couple of off-seasons, All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has held a wide receivers camp up in Minneapolis where he assembles mostly young NFL receivers looking to learn more about their position.  At this camp, players enjoy the privilege of learning from all-time greats Jerry Rice and Cris Carter about the various nuances within the game, along with the skills needed to excel at their position.

In 2009, players such as Brandon Marshall, Greg Jennings, Lee Evans and most notably, Sidney Rice, all attended the camp.  I highlight Sidney Rice here because after being frustrated throughout his first two years in the league, Rice specifically attributed his 2009 breakout season to the lessons he learned at Larry’s camp the offseason before.

When the 2009 season ended, Bowe knew he needed to do something to vault his game up to the next level.  What did he do?  He followed in Sidney Rice’s footsteps and enrolled himself in Fitzgerald’s WR camp.

This is what I meant when I said "The writing was on the wall" for Bowe.

Players who attend this camp with obvious, untapped potential to begin with all come away from the experience a much better player.  Bowe proved this by setting nearly every career mark for himself in 2010 while coming up with his first Pro-Bowl bid.

His 72 receptions may not have been particularly overwhelming (tied for 16th in the league), but his 1,162 yards (seventh) ended up being 25 more yards than Fitzgerald himself collected while his league-leading 15 TDs were absolutely staggering.  And of course, the most important stat for fantasy footballers, Bowe placed second in WR fantasy points with 206.6 (12.9 per game).

Kansas City is a much improved team and clearly on the immediate rise.  With the amount of talent they have dispersed throughout the offense, along with the drafting of WR Jonathan Baldwin, Bowe should have the freedom to reproduce his numbers from the year before.

And he will.

Click your heels, fantasy lovers, because Somewhere Over the Dwayne Bowe has found his way home and it looks like he’s here to stay.

(brought to you by PYROMANIAC.COM)

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dwayne bowe pyro character

2011 Pros & Cons

(+) Looks like the wide receivers camp Bowe attended last offseason (the Larry Fitz WR camp that he runs with Cris Carter) worked like a charm.  Plan on Dwayne being here to stay.

(+) Last season, Bowe had more TDs during a seven-game stretch (13) than any other wide receiver had over the entire year.

(+) Besides his great size and strength, he can run like a freakin’ Gazelle.

(+) Though he has since moved on, it looks like OC Charlie Weis didn’t have a problem turning Bowe into a bona fide Pro Bowler before he left.

(+) Jamaal Charles is a stud; Thomas Jones supplies great depth; the Chiefs definitely have a running game that forces defenses to pay attention.

(+) The Chiefs had been rumored to be looking for a wide receiver in the first round of the draft to help take the pressure off of Bowe in 2011...and they did.

(–) If rookie WR Jonathan Baldwin has a tough first season, Bowe's supporting cast of WRs will be one of the worst in the NFL.

(–) Roger Goodell suspended Bowe for five games in 2009 for substance abuse (diuretic).  Hopefully he can continue to stay clean.

(–) Might spend more time on Facebook/MySpace "importing" women than in the video room.

(–) Dwayne is an emotional player who is easily discouraged and has a tendency to disappear for full games/weeks at a time.

For the rest of Dwayne Bowe's Player Profile, CLICK HERE

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  • Undead Warrior posted 767 days ago

    Undead Warrior

    Wolves r amazing creatures

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    Maria Cane

    For those who haven't yet, check out my new article!

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    Sulayman H.

    Something different:

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    Sulayman H.

    My analysis of the Nexus:

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    Ryan Michael

    This past Monday, I had one of the greatest opportunities of my writing career.

    An interview with NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, Fran Tarkenton.

    He talked about everything from Brett Favre, to Peyton Manning, to business.

    If you have a free moment, I'd love to get your thoughts on the interview...

    -Ryan Michael

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    Josh Logan

    League is up

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    Josh Logan

    League is Up

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    My latest read, sure to gain some kind of debate, check it out:

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    Ryan Michael

    What ever happened to the evil that once made Randy Orton great?

    You can't honestly say that the Randy Orton we see before us today is the same Randy Orton that punted Vince McMahon in the skull, can you?

    We need "the" Randy Orton back and here's why...

    If you have a free moment, I'd love to hear your feedback on the subject.

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  • Callum Graham posted 1695 days ago

    Callum Graham