Sports Blog » 2009 » July

Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals:
Palmer was a heck of a passer before getting hurt, ranking sixth among active quarterbacks with 240.5 passing yards per game and 10th in passer rating (88.9). He didn’t have to get Tommy John surgery this off-season, so that’s a plus. I wouldn’t draft him as a true Number 1 QB yet, but as a Number 2 he has the potential to blow up nicely. Even with T.J. Houshmandzadeh leaving, he still has a focused Chad Ochocinco and two WR’s with much to prove in Lavernues Coles and Chris Henry, so you shouldn’t really be worried about his production.

Trent Edwards, QB, Bills:
Of course, adding Terrell Owens will boost the fantasy value of most quarterbacks, though it could also kill it in the future. Edwards should be no different, at least in the first year that is, especially since he still has WR Lee Evans on the other side. Owens and Lee actually complement each other very well, so don’t be surprised by the increased production. If Marshawn Lynch can come back from his suspension ready to go, this offense will be even more productive. Draft Edwards as a solid Number 2 with the potential to put up good numbers given the right match up.

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers:
With his expectations down from last year, where he was a bust in most eyes, Grant could be a solid option this year. Remember he did still run for 1,203 yards and that is while being hurt for sometime last season. Health and with lowered expectations I see Grant having a big season in 09. Expect good things from him this season especially because he plays against the vulnerable defenses of the Seahawks and Cardinals in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively, that’s playoff time for fantasy.

Derrick Ward, RB, Bucs:
I wouldn’t expect him to be this years Michael Turner but I do expect him to be productive. He did run for 1,000 yards as a backup in New York, so better numbers can be expected given the featured role. The only question is whether he will earn the featured role with Tampa having some talent at RB. I think he will!

Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs:
I really believe that this guy still has something left in the tank and can be productive. L.J. is still able to carry the load in Kansas City but will he get to. I say he does so take a chance on him later in the draft.

Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals:
In only 12 games last season, Benson still rushed for a career high 747 yards. Now with a full season coming up his number should be a lot better. He doesn’t really have to worry about any one taking his carries so you don’t have to worry about that. Take him with confidence.

Image Source: AP Photo

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Brett Favre has finally made his decision, he is going to stay retired instead of playing for the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings recruited Brett very hard this off-season but in the end he just felt that he didn’t have enough in him to play a full season. It was a very tough decision for Favre and it looks like this is finally it for him, although we know nothing’s ever for sure with Brett Favre. Here’s what he had to say about his decision: “It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I didn’t feel like physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings — but, most importantly, the fans.”

Its always hard to see a star leave the game, but this was defiantly the right decision for Favre. Last year when he came back he faded down the stretch of the long season finally showing his age. Yes, he probably can still play, but over the long hall there is no way for him to stay health for a full season. With Favre making his decision, it now looks like the NFL and the Vikings can move on and focus on the season. This is good ’cause I’m tired of the only off-season stories being on whether Favre will play or not. Also, if I was the current quarterback of the Vikings, Tarvaris Jackson, I ‘d feel like nobody trusts my ability. I mean, the Vikings were going so hard after Favre was saying things like we need him to win the Super Bowl. This season will tell us a lot about Jackson on whether he is motivated by this, or he falls apart under the extra pressure now on him.

Source:  USA Today, AP Photo

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Busy weekend in sports but still nothing from NBA, NFL, NHL; although the NFL training camps start this week finally. I can’t wait! The NBA and NHL still have a while to go but I can live with it as long as there is football. This weekend was full of good soccer matches as the World Football Classic and the Gold Cup were finishing up in the states. In baseball, the division and wild card races are heating up with the trade deadline here this week. The Tour de France also ended this weekend with Lance Armstrong doing well but couldn’t come through the in the end. But, we’ll start the recap with some sad news. Former boxing champion Vernon Forrest was shot and killed in an apparent robbery. This is disturbing news in the sports world as another person is lost to gun violence, with Steve McNair being killed earlier this month. Longtime publicist Kelly Swanson called Forrest “a caring humanitarian who always stood up for what he believed to be the fairness of life. It was truly his calling,” Swanson said of his work with children. “When he wasn’t boxing, this was his full-time job. … When they would see him, they would just light up, and some of them couldn’t even talk. Vernon was very much involved. He’d have some of the kids over to his house on Sundays. They were part of his family.” It’s sad to lose a person like that in society and he will be missed.

In soccer, the Gold Cup Final was set for Sunday with the two favorites (Mexico and U.S.A) meeting to no surprise to anyone. The match was even up until halftime when Mexico broke the game open with a goal. They never stopped scoring after that and the game ended in a 5-0 rout. It was a big win for Mexico, even against the U.S. so called B team, because they hadn’t won in the U.S. since 1999 (0-9-2). For the U.S. it’s very disappointing to lose like this, but they still have time to rebound before World Cup Qualifying. In the World Football Classic Club, America was trying to make it an even bigger day for Mexican soccer with a win over English power Chelsea. Club America had already proved that it could hang with the big boys, with a win against AC Milan and draw with Inter Milan, but Chelsea just has too much depth and won 2-0 playing with mostly backups. The tournament was very successful in the U.S. as each game was played to full stadiums proving that Americans like high quality soccer that Europe brings. It would be cool to see more games like this in the States.

In baseball, the races are heating up with teams trying to shore up their weaknesses through trades. The Cardinals were the first to make a move picking up Matt Holliday. Good move by them to get help for Albert Pujols. Now all the attention will turn to another Holladay, Roy. There are said to be many teams interested in Roy but are they willing to give up the high price for the trade. We’ll have to wait and see this week.

Source:  AP Photo, Yahoo Sports

Edwin Encarncion, 3B, Reds:
After a terrible slow start to the season, it looks like Edwin could be turning it around again.  He is batting .308 in July and .381 since the All-Star Game.  He looks like he’s ready for a monster second half.  Pick him up if you can and ride this streaky hitter in the second half.

Miguel Montero, C, D-backs:
All he needed was a regular starting job!  Since getting that opportunity in July, Montero is hitting .379 and 5 homers.  Before starting he had to platoon behind Chris Snyder, who is hurt now, and couldn’t get regular playing time.  Snyder is due to come back but I think Montero has proved he could hit enough to stay the starter even when he comes back.  Pick him up if you need a power hitting catcher.

Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets:
One time untouchable hometown player for the Braves played himself out of town.  This could be the best thing that ever happened to him, as sometimes leaving home refocuses players and gives them a fresh start.  He’s already hitting .324 with New York in their injury plagued lineup.  Imagine the production he can put up when every one comes back, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltarn are currently out.  With the Mets he will be able to just relax and play, unlike how it was in Atlanta.  I see a jump in his numbers for the rest of the season.  Pick him up or trade for him now while you can.

Garrett Jones, OF, Pirates:
Who is this guy?  And where did he come from?  Since being brought up in July he has been absolutely on fire smacking nine home runs and batted .338 in 71 at bats.  Even better he’s stolen 3 bases and scored 15 runs.  Pick him up just to ride his hot wave if nothing else.  He could be moving to first base permanently as the Pirates traded away Adam LaRoche.  This means that he will be in the line up every day so expect the production to continue for the rest of the season.

Erick Aybar, SS, Angels:
Aybar is on fire, as most of the other Angels are right now.  But out of all of them, Aybar has been swinging the hottest bat.  In his past 48 at-bats has an amazing 25 hits (.521 AVG), included in that span are 2 homers, 15 RBI’s, 12 runs, and 2 stolen bases.  Talk about fire that stretch alone raised his batting average 42 points.  He still has to worry about playing time with Maicer Izutris and Howie Kendrick not exactly struggling right now, but with him playing like this he’ll stay in the line up.  Pick him up if you need hits and runs and enjoy the occasional homer and stolen base.

Clay Buchholz, P, Red Sox
With All-Star Tim Wakefield going to the DL and Brad Penny struggling mightily recently, Buchholz should see some extended time in the Majors.  It’s about time for the former no-hitter thrower as a rookie, which seems like ages ago.  He’s been stuck in the minors, but if he can prove his worth right now, he could cement his spot in the starting rotation for the Red Sox.  He’ll have an even better chance if the Red Sox trade away Penny, which could be very likely to happen soon.  Pick him up while you still can and ride him to the finish.  He’s pitched in the Majors before and knows how to handle himself.  He was already tearing up the minors before his call up with (99 IP, 2.36 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 8.09 K/9). Expect similar numbers in the majors.

Image Source: AP Photo

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Rather than sitting on the bench and being a back-up in the NFL, J.P. Losman has chosen to sign a one year deal to be a starter in the new UFL (United Football League).  On Tuesday, he announced that he signed to play quarterback for the Las Vegas franchise and will be coached by former Giants head coach Jim Fasssel.  In doing so, he now becomes the face of the league (as long as Michael Vick doesn’t sign in the UFL) because he’s a former first round pick who started 33 games in the NFL.  Losman stated he will go through free agency again after the season but this year he just need somewhere were people could see him play.  “I’m trying to get back on the field as soon as possible,” Losman said.  “I love the game.  I want to play this game.  I don’t want to be waiting for somebody to get hurt or not play well.  We’re trying to have as much success as possible here [UFL], try to create some buzz … and then go through [NFL free agency] again next year.”

Losman was very inconsistent in the NFL throwing one more INT than TD in his six year career.  So, going to the UFL for one season could actually benefit him.  He’ll actually have time to play and develop better skills, though against far inferior talent, in an NFL type environment.  Another good thing going for him is he will be tutored by a veteran coach and coordinator in Fassel, who once reinvigorated the careers of John Elway in Denver, Boomer Esiason in Arizona and Kerry Collins in New York.  Fassel said this about the situation J.P. is in, “Listen, if he’d have went back to the NFL and sat on the bench this year, then he’d have been no better off next year.  Whatever anybody thought about him, they’d still say the same thing.  Nothing would’ve changed….Instead, you go in this league and you play.  The risk you take is you don’t play well.  But if you’re an aggressive person, you say ‘I’m going to play well, people are going to see me, and maybe I can erase some of those negatives that were in the past, and a lot of people will say, wow, look at him play now.  He’s a new guy.”

We’ll see in November if NFL coaches agree, as after the six game season ends he will immediately be able to sign with an NFL team.  The UFL might be pretty interesting and entertaining if each team could land a player as talented as Losman.  If Vick ends up playing in it than I will definitely be watching to see what he still has left.  If I were a 3rd string QB on an NFL team with a star QB, I think I would rather get playing time and publicity in the UFL than ride the bench in the NFL.  Just can’t wait for football to start!

Source:  Getty Images, ESPN.com

Shaq is going to be taking on top pro athletes at their own sport for a new reality show called “Shaq VS.”  According to USA Today, filming begins Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where Shaq takes on Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in football.  Other episodes will put him against Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya, slugger Albert Pujols, tennis pro Serena Williams and beach volleyball Olympians Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.

I don’t know what the producers or Shaq were thinking, since when is Shaq the greatest athlete in the world.  Shaq is long past his prime and even when he was could not compete in these sports.  Depending on how they set up the vs. matches I don’t see him winning any of these.  I mean Shaq playing baseball?  Are you serious?  The ball would be like a golf ball to his hands and I doubt he can hit anything over 70 mph.  Pujols would have to be blindfolded for him to even have a chance.  Now I think Shaq would be able to play football, but in this show he is going against a quarterback not a linemen like he should, meaning he is probably going to have to throw the ball.  Again, don’t see him beating a pro bowl QB in that unless there are rules helping him.  Shaq swimming against Phelps?  They better give him a big lead in a short race.  About the only sport I could see him winning on the show is beach volleyball.  I mean he towers over the net and can easily just spike the ball down or block them at the net.  I assuming here he gets a teammate.

Boxing is another one he should win just because of his size. If he did lose to De La Hoya, then he would lose all his credibility to fight, recently said he wanted to fight Brock Lesnar and Hong Man Choi in MMA.  Overall I might watch some episodes just to see how the setup of the show is.  I can see ABC throwing in plenty of rules so Shaq could actually compete with these athletes.  I mean they can’t just have him getting beat every week.  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Image Source:  AP Photo

It was kind of a slow weekend for sports as 3 of the 4 major sports (NFL, NBA, NHl) are in their off-seasons and Tiger Woods didn’t make the cut at the British Open.  The NBA is having the summer league but most of the players playing don’t have a real shot at playing in the NBA so the games aren’t too interesting.  Soccer had some interesting games though, with the U.S. playing in the Gold Cup and top European clubs (Chelsea, Inter Milan, AC Milan) coming to the states to play exhibitions.  The biggest game though may have been David Beckham’s first home game since his return.  Let’s just say it wasn’t a warm welcoming!  Beckham was greeted with boos from the home crowd with some holding up anti-Beckham signs.  Beckham even got into it with a fan that he said “went too far” motioning him to come down from his seat and do something.  The fan jumped down and security quickly grabbed him ending the confrontation. Even with all the boos and signs Beckham still thanked the fans when he came out of the game and after said that it was only a few that went over the line.  He actually played a pretty good game assisting on two goals in the 2 -2 tie with Italian soccer power AC Milan, the team Beckham was loaned out to.  It’s safe to say that home games for the rest of the season are going to be a circus.  Maybe Becks solid play will win the fans back.

In golf, the British Open had a pretty good story going on, even with Tiger Woods being out before Saturday.  59-year old Tom Watson was trying to become the oldest champion ever and win his 6th British Open.  It was pretty unbelievable to watch as he kept hitting good shot after good shot to lead the field.  On the last hole, Watson needed a birdie for the win.  He made it on the green with a very make able birdie putt but missed short forcing a 4-hole play-off with Stewart Cink.  By this time fatigue and the pressure of the situation had to be setting in for older Watson.  And it showed in the play-off as his shots weren’t as crisp as they were all week bogeying three of the four holes.  Cink on the other hand came up with three birdies to take the championship and steal the storybook ending for Watson.  It was still fun to watch the last round and play-off.  Part of me wishes that Watson could have won but on the other hand Cink deserves to get the win also.  He was asked a question after if he “felt like the villain in the movies that comes in at the end and steals the girl away from the main character.”  He responded laughing and said jokingly, “as long as I get the girl” and that he did.

Image Source:  Getty Images