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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Danica Patrick Stays Behind The Wheel Even Off The Track
Hunter Pence Traded to the San Francisco Giants as the Phillies Fire Sale Continues [UPDATE: Giants Confirm Deal, Trade Official]
![Hunter Pence Traded to the San Francisco Giants as the Phillies Fire Sale Continues [UPDATE: Giants Confirm Deal, Trade Official]](http://thebiglead.fantasysportsven.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/119759518-300x194.jpg "Hunter Pence Traded to the San Francisco Giants as the Phillies Fire Sale Continues [UPDATE: Giants Confirm Deal, Trade Official]")
Phillies wave the white flag in the NL East.
NBA Rooks: Stories of Summer League 2012
 | With the Summer League season now complete, NBA Rooks takes a look at some of the stories that came to light in Orlando and Las Vegas. We start in Orlando, by shining the spotlight on the Magic's surprising 19th overall pick, Andrew Nicholson; the impressive showing by the Brooklyn Nets' second rounder, Tyshawn Taylor; and after being drafted 9th overall by the Detroit Pistons, big man Andre Drummond began his NBA education. | From: NBA Views: 1  0 ratings |
| Time: 03:08 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5gjnkK0KNI&feature=youtube_gdata
State Trooper to Running Back Michael Dyer During a Traffic Stop: ?dumbass?
Former Auburn star has been kicked off the Arkansas State team just months after transferring to the Sea Wolves.
Keselowski wins Indy Nationwide race
Sadler passed Keselowski on a restart with 18 laps to go, but officials ruled that Sadler went too early and black-flagged him. Sadler stayed on the track for several laps, apparently hoping officials would reconsider the penalty, before finally coming in with 12 laps to go and giving up the lead to Keselowski.
Keselowski went unchallenged to the finish on the historic 2.5-mile oval.
Sam Hornish Jr. was second, followed by Ty Dillon, Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon. The Dillon brothers are the grandsons of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress; Ty was making only his second career Nationwide start.
Sadler finished 15th.
Danica Patrick's day ended early after she collided with Reed Sorenson on lap 39.
Kyle Busch dominated the first half of the race, but got shuffled back in the field during a round of pit stops on lap 63 and Hornish took the lead.
Keselowski then passed Hornish for the lead with 29 laps to go, and a caution came out shortly afterward. Busch was fourth on the subsequent restart but spun out right after the race went green. He managed to avoid major damage but lost his shot at the win.
Sadler then shot past Keselowski on a restart with 18 laps to go -- but Sadler was black flagged for jumping the start.
With his crew pleading with NASCAR officials, Sadler stayed on the track instead of coming into the pits to serve the penalty. Sadler finally came in with 12 laps to go, fuming over the radio to his crew as he gave up the race lead and handed it back to Keselowski.
It was the first-ever Nationwide race at the historic oval, part of an effort by officials to drum up interest and boost sagging attendance at the Brickyard 400. Indianapolis also added a Grand Am Series sports car race on the track's infield road course on Friday.
But the addition of Nationwide to the weekend schedule didn't prove to be an immediate hit with fans, as the grandstands were largely empty Saturday.
And any fans who came to see Patrick race didn't get to see much of her.
Patrick appeared to tap Sorenson's back bumper going into Turn 1, causing the back end of Sorenson's car to slide sideways. Sorenson nearly saved it, but his left-front wheel got into the infield grass, causing him to spin out. Patrick then hit Sorenson's car, causing heavy damage.
"I got pretty close and I might have tapped him," Patrick said in a television interview. "I'm not sure."
Patrick said Sorenson slowed unexpectedly.
"I didn't mean to take him out," Patrick said. "I don't know if he's still going or not, but I'm sorry."
It was a rough way to return to Indy for Patrick, who talked earlier in the week about how much she loves the track going back to her IndyCar days.
"I just feel really bad," Patrick said. "Everybody works really hard and we just haven't been able to get the finishes for the team that they deserve."
Kurt Busch was involved in an early incident on pit road, then had a mechanical problem and was out of the race after 41 laps.
Monday, July 30, 2012
L.A. Kings? Twitter bashes UFC, wises up and deletes tweet
Apparently @LAKings hasn’t lost a step since the season ended. But in an exchange with the UFC’s official Twitter, the snark may have been taken a little too far:
The Kings, perhaps wisely, eventually took down their reply. But the UFC, home to some of the biggest and baddest dudes on the planet, wasn’t going to take the Kings’ shot lying down. Here’s how it responded:
@LAKings Our checking line > your checking line twitter.com/ufc/status/228…
— UFC (@ufc) July 26, 2012
Message taken. The Kings, recognizing they were in the wrong, eventual...
Fisher, Rams return to field
Jeff Fisher stood between two fields 10 minutes before the start of his first training camp as the St. Louis Rams' new leader. He gestured toward the horizon, and he chatted with players who had filed from the locker room. This day, he knew, made him feel like a rookie again.
An air horn sounded, cutting through a cooler-than-expected Sunday afternoon at Rams Park. With it, a journey that will include growth for Fisher as well as his franchise began. There were claps from fans behind a steel fence. There were cheers. There were some who wore dark-blue jerseys honoring the Rams' past and present - names like Faulk and Bruce, Bradford and Laurinaitis that served as reminders that winning football has happened in St. Louis and can return.
"Every training camp felt like my first one," Fisher said later, after the two-hour session. "I'm very excited about this."
Sunday was a moment for excitement, a chance to forget about the bad (no playoff appearances since the 2004 season) and the ugly (a 15-65 record over the past five campaigns) that have accompanied fall in this baseball-crazed town far too long. It was a moment to remember that turnarounds don't occur in one day or, usually, a single season or two or three. It was a moment to remember building takes time.
Sure, the Rams must be patient. But with training camp comes optimism: There's a sense that they have their man to deliver a winning campaign for the first time since going 12-4 in 2003.
Don't expect a "Greatest Show on Turf" rerun this year though. There are too many unknowns, like a leaky offensive line that surrendered a league-high 55 sacks last season.
Still, Fisher offers hope after the dreadful Scott Linehan and Steve Spagnuolo years. He offers credibility - a 142-120 career regular-season record with the Houston OilersTennessee Titans that included six playoffs berths, four division championships and a Super Bowl appearance after the 1999 season.
Above all, he offers a chance to believe.
"I think the greatest thing about coach Fisher is he is confident, and he's so confident he doesn't feel like he has to come out and give us a bunch of lip service every meeting or every practice," said Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, who added that a left ankle sprain sustained in a Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers last season has healed. "He doesn't say much, but when he speaks everyone listens, because we all understand if he's saying something it's for a reason and it's extremely important. I think his natural vibe, his calmness, his confidence rubs off on everyone."
That confidence was constant throughout Sunday's practice. During drills, Fisher walked a short distance behind the offense, a model of composure.
Responses like, "Ohhhh!" and "Nice catch!" and "There you go, Danny (Amendola)!" that lifted from the crowd and players on the sideline were met with a nod or a blank stare from the coach.
Remember, Fisher has lived the preseason grind too many times before to be surprised. He exchanged quiet words with chief operating officer Kevin Demoff and general manager Les Snead early in the session. Later, he gave simple commands like, "First down, left hash!" His assistants, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and assistant head coach Dave McGinnis - who have 41 years of NFL coaching experience between them - barked his orders between repetitions.
"It seems that Coach Fisher has put together an absolutely stellar staff," Rams running back Steven Jackson said. "There's a lot of knowledge amongst those guys. On top of that, he does a good job of feeling the chemistry of a team and piecing it together. There have been a few examples already within a day of how he takes control and asks guys for input on certain things."
What Jackson saw was a glimpse of a culture change that Fisher insists is months old. In the offseason, cornerback Cortland Finnegan, St. Louis' headline free-agent signing this past winter, denied that the Rams are remaking themselves under a man who spent part of his year away from the NFL climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. In reality, though, that's exactly what's happening.
Someone must do it. After all, Fisher's job requires a climb of another kind. Linehan, a proven offensive coordinator, and Spagnuolo, an accomplished defensive coordinator, came to St. Louis without previous head-coaching experience. Eventually, the former rising stars flamed out, and both are to blame for the Rams' spiral the past six seasons.
Enter Fisher, who cracked Sunday that most of the 1,602 in attendance came to watch the unrestricted free agents signed in the offseason. Yes, he's a reason to hope that competent football will be played at the Edward Jones Dome soon. But let's also use caution: His most recent victory in the playoffs happened way back in January 2004, and he last led a team to a winning season when the Titans went 13-3 in 2008.
So are Fisher's best days long gone? Or does he have another climb left?
"We're just carrying on," Fisher said. "We're just going to carry on. Our challenge today was to have the best first day of training camp that we possibly could. I thought it was a good practice. Tomorrow, we've got to add to today and we just take it one day at a time."
It's a simple, subtle approach. And this early in the reconstruction, it's perfect for the Rams.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/fisher_rams_return_to_field/11331373
WWE: Santino Marella Is Such a Big Joke That He Isn't Funny Anymore
"From Calabria, Italy; weighing in at 233 lbs, he is the WWE United States Champion—Santino Marella!"
For some reason, this just doesn't feel right.
A United States Champion, billed from an area in Europe that is known for its wines, who is supposed to be a goofy good-guy character, has a finishing move named the Cobra—which is goofier than him—and almost never seems to defend his title itself.
Also, he is actually from Canada, was trained as a mixed-martial artist in Japan and had a Russian gimmick in his earlier years. Oh, did I mention that he played his own "twin sister"? (John Cena only played his own "cousin", Juan. I wonder if we'll get Joanne Cena or Juanita Cena someday?)
It's so goofy, it can only have come from the same part of the WWE that gave us Mae Young's "son" and Heidenreich's "poetry." And Kerwin White. And Vinnie Mac's illegitimate Leprechaun offspring. (And Katie Vick. Or is that from a much more messed-up layer?)
Okay, the WWE has a lot of messed up storylines in its history, but Mark Henry Jr. and Katie Vick are not currently holding any WWE title belts—although Zombie Vick would make a great Divas Champion! What Santino Marella's current run as US Champion is doing is undermining both the worth of a prestigious championship and and turning one of the few good wrestlers the WWE has into an outdated punchline.
If you have seen Santino's earlier works, you will know that he is a decent—if slightly unorthodox—technical wrestler. (His finishing move as Russian Boris Alexiev was the devastating Triangle Choke. Compare that to the weak-looking Cobra—a finger jab to the side of the neck.)
He has the gift of gab, a rather quick wit and the willingness to make jokes at his own expense. Unfortunately, the last part has been abused so violently that Santino is often overlooked as just that—a joke!
And that part, has more than run its course. The same fans—myself a member—who used to laugh heartily at his humor, now are forced to groan as he plays the buffoon on every WWE program he appears on, be it on any day of the week, including Sundays.
The US title has become his jester's hat, falling into the same filth that his character is forced to roll in. For what? The entertainment of a few underage wrestling fans, the majority of whom will be—in about ten years—ashamed to publicly admit they enjoyed his antics?
What about the millions of other fans who have watched the sport he is a part of for tens of years and witnessed so many greats hold the iconic strap that is now just a clown's prop?
Hey, don't get me wrong. I like a joke now and then. In fact, some of the sentences above are just bits of humor—in case you didn't get that. But, humor is only useful if it does not take away from the main themes of the show. And, Santino Marella, with his current United States Championship reign, has tried to force so many jokes into the narrative that it just isn't funny anymore.
Hope Solo Goes Off on Former Women?s Star and Current Commentator Brandi Chastain
Brandi Chastain and Hope Solo need to settle this in an Olympic style Greco-Roman wrestling match.
Cincinnati Bengals: How Should Fans React to Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer?
Outside of games within the AFC North, the two biggest games on the schedule of the Cincinnati Bengals involve the returns of Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer to Paul Brown Stadium.
Both players were the stars of the team for the past decade, but neither played a role in the team's playoff run last season.
Wide receiver Chad Johnson (or Ochocinco) was traded to the New England Patriots for two late-round draft picks shortly after the NFL lockout ended last year. A season after Johnson and Terrell Owens failed to lead the team to the postseason, Johnson found himself on the way out of town.
On the other hand, quarterback Carson Palmer made it clear early in the offseason he would retire if he was not traded. It took an injury to Oakland's quarterback the week before the trade deadline for a trade to happen, but Palmer finally forced his way out of Cincinnati.
While both demanded trades during their time with the team, they left on very different terms. With Johnson now in Miami, both former Bengals will make a return to the Queen City this fall.
How should fans react when the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders come to town?
Week 5: Miami Dolphins
While Johnson was in Cincinnati, he was a fan favorite. He was known for his explosive plays and the ability to find the end zone.
Last season, he finally made it to the Super Bowl and even recorded a catch. However, his team lost in the final minute.
The Patriots decided to part ways with him, so he went to his hometown team. The Dolphins are in a rebuilding mode right now, and they have yet to settle on a quarterback.
By Week 5, rookie Ryan Tannehill could be under center for Miami. No matter who is the quarterback for the Dolphins, this is a game in which Cincinnati will be favored to win.
ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio reported back in 2010 that Ochocinco (as he was known then) would buy the unsold tickets to games in order to avoid blackouts. He also takes fans out to social events such as dinners.
Johnson also accumulated over 10,000 yards receiving and 66 touchdowns while with the team. He owns numerous franchise records, so it is important to recognize how great of a player he was with the team.
He was one of the best receivers in the league, perhaps even a Hall of Famer, when he was in Cincinnati. His entertaining personality made the game fun even when the team was losing, and he did a lot for the fans.
Being favored, that may have an impact on how Johnson is received by the crowd. During introductions, Bengals fans should give him a standing ovation for everything he did for the team and city.
If Cincinnati pulls away late in the game, fans should show him some appreciation if he reels in a few catches.
Week 12: Oakland Raiders
In this late-season game, both teams could be fighting for their playoff lives. With the return of Carson Palmer, this will be one of the most anticipated games of the season for Bengals fans.
After being drafted No. 1 overall by Cincinnati in 2003, Palmer now finds himself playing for the Raiders.
During his time with the Bengals, he made the Pro Bowl twice and was one of the top quarterbacks in the league for a few years. He also owns numerous franchise records, and he threw for over 20,000 yards during his career with the team.
Injuries ruined his career, and Bengals fans will always remember the 2006 playoff game in which Palmer's ACL was torn. Cincinnati fans always ask one question when it comes to that game: What if?
Even though he demanded a trade last year, fans need to remember the good times with Palmer. He led the team to two postseason berths after the team had not been there since 1990.
The Palmer-Johnson/Ochocinco connection rivaled Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison for several seasons, but they were unable to make a run in the postseason together.
The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy described what may have been the final straw for the star quarterback. On October 10, 2010, Palmer was booed after reaching the 20,000-career passing yard mark.
Last season, he arrived in Oakland in Week 7. He played the rest of the season without running back Darren McFadden and without a legitimate No. 1 receiver. With McFadden back this season, Palmer will feel less pressure to carry the team.
The AFC West will be a difficult division, but the Raiders will be able to contend for the division title.
With the Bengals making the playoffs last season, they were going to get more games in prime time. I expected this one to be a Monday night game. Instead, it is a normal Sunday afternoon game.
How will the fans react to Palmer? Well considering they booed him when he was with the team, expect him to be booed all day. However, they should cheer for him because he was a great quarterback when healthy.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
DJ Williams of the Packers Says He Wrestled Cows in the Offseason, But Everyone is Skeptical
Any workout involving cows is probably a challenging one.
Will Joe Paterno?s PSU legacy suffer the Chris Benoit fate?
Top 10 Las Vegas Summer League Plays
 | As the Summer League concludes in Las Vegas, check out the best plays from the NBA's talented up-and-comers! | From: NBA Views: 270626   1614 ratings |
| Time: 03:05 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GtEM7tv5VY&feature=youtube_gdata
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Wallace Situation Requires an Old Approach
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been here before. Mike Wallace isn't the first high-profile Steeler to hold out for a new contract and place his desire for money ahead of the best interests of his teammates. The Steelers seem to be handling him much the same was as they did Mike Merriweather in 1988.
For those of you who don't remember or who could use a little refresher course in the way the Steelers handle holdouts, let's have a look at what is going on with Wallace versus the way things unfolded with Mike Merriweather.
What Is Wallace Doing?
This is where pretty much everyone is scratching their heads. Wallace has no leverage whatsoever here. The Steelers just gave virtually the same money they set aside for him to Antonio Brown, the team's other up-and-coming receiver who showed in 12 starts that he was likely a better player than Wallace.
Wallace got pouty and sour toward the end of 2011 because of Brown, an attitude which likely played into this bitter dispute. Wallace then asked for a contract comparable to Larry Fitzgerald's deal and in excess of $100 million. That was unreasonable on many levels and was rejected by the Steelers.
Since then, Wallace has made himself scarce. He skipped all of the team's offseason program and now is sitting out training camp in a moody, pointless dispute. Kevin Colbert will not make him available in a trade, so his leverage is completely gone.
While the best thing for Wallace to do would be to show up, play one season at $2.74 million and then test unrestricted free agency, he seems content to subject himself to the will of the Rooney family and the Pittsburgh front office. That's a battle he's sure to lose.
Does he sit out an entire season over a new contract? I don't know if he has the guts for that, but if he doesn't sign his tender and make nice, that's his only other option.
What About This Merriweather Guy?
Mike Merriweather was a stud linebacker for Pittsburgh in the 1980s during the lean years after the dynasty players were all gone. He was a third-round draft choice in 1982 and played for the Steelers until 1987. After that season, he got embroiled in a similar contract dispute to what we see today and sat out the season in protest.
The Steelers then, during the next offseason, dealt him to Minnesota for a first-round pick. The year out of the game had taken a toll on a player who'd made three Pro Bowls already. He never made another and was lackluster at best until his career ended in 1993.
What we can learn from this is that the Steelers will not bend for a player no matter their caliber. Merriweather was as important to the 1988 Pittsburgh defense as Wallace is to the 2012 offense, but the Steelers had options then and they do now.
But Why Not Just Trade Him?
Doesn't Denver need a receiver? What about Miami? Yes and yes. Neither of them, however, will be likely to pick up Wallace this year.
Kevin Colbert isn't that stupid. Neither is Mike Tomlin. Neither is Art Rooney II. They can't trade Wallace.
Of course he'd have plenty of value, especially now that teams are seeing holes and have no good way to fill them externally. The Steelers would set a dangerous and unacceptable precedent if they traded Wallace. Because of that, he will stay home or play for the Steelers.
What precedent? Players pay attention to how teams handle situations with teammates. If Wallace was to get traded, a fat extension would be part of the deal. He'd be getting what he wants. All he had to do was sit out and the Steelers would be seen as relenting to his demands as best they could since he's turned down all their offers.
So say Emmanuel Sanders has a breakout 2012 season as the starter opposite Antonio Brown. He's up for a new deal. He doesn't like the numbers presented by Pittsburgh. Now, he will have the idea and the leverage to hold out until he's traded to someone who will pay him the money he wants.
Give in one time and you create a problem forever. That's not the Steeler way of doing things.
How Does This End?
Everyone, including me, had pretty much thought Wallace would come in by now, that skipping a season or part of it wouldn't be worth it.
Unfortunately, he seems to have a very thick skull.
There are two ways I see this ending. Wallace's agent could advise him that it is better to play for less this year to buy freedom next year. Missing a year is a bad way to go. Look up Mike Merriweather's career statistics if you don't believe me.
The other way? Wallace goes the way of Merriweather and sits out 2012 and gets dealt to the highest bidder in 2013. At that point, it would be interesting to see how his career pans out without a top-flight offense around him and after a year on his couch.
What do you think will happen? Leave your scenario in the comments!!!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Abby Wambach can take a punch! USA USA USA!!!
Thanks for REACTING with us and come back tomorrow!
- Zach Braga
NBA Summer League: Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers
 | Just down the road from LA the Clippers and Lakers face off in NBA Summer League. See who would take this round of the battle for Los Angeles! | From: NBA Views: 82463 264 ratings |
| Time: 01:23 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqd634mFjgs&feature=youtube_gdata
JR Motorsports hopes to keep Danica
Team co-owner Kelly Earnhardt-Miller says Patrick has expressed interest in running again in the Nationwide Series and that the team is trying to finalize sponsorship and a driver for the No. 7 car. Earnhardt-Miller spoke just before Patrick started practicing for Saturday's Indy 250.
Patrick is familiar with the historic 2.5-mile oval from her days as an IndyCar driver and has grown accustomed to all the questions regarding her future.
She's been running part-time this season in the Sprint Cup Series and full-time in Nationwide.
Earnhardt-Miller says a best-case scenario would be keeping Cole Whitt in the No. 88 car, while putting Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and others split time in a fully-funded No. 7 car.
London Opening Ceremony 2012: Biggest Fails from Olympic Stadium Gala
The Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics was a great spectacle that represented British culture and got the world excited for the next few weeks. However, it was not without some mistakes.
There were many impressive moments from the performance entitled the "Isle of Wonder." Director Danny Boyle needed $42 million, but with it he created an impressive set filled with great dancing and acting to help tell a story throughout the event.
Highlights include the lighting of the torch, a great fireworks display, "Hey Jude" performed by Paul McCartney and some sweet mutton chops.
Unfortunately, there were also some lowlights.
"Skydiving Queen"
Of course the Queen has to have a grand entrance, but is there one person watching who thought, "I wonder if she is actually skydiving into the stadium right now?"
The idea of James Bond taking the Queen into the stadium was a good start (although I am not sure why they kept focusing on the dogs), but maybe just showing up in an Aston Martin could have done the trick.
There is nothing graceful about a woman in her 80s jumping out of a helicopter.
Relationship formed via texting
There was a portion of the show that featured a young man and woman meeting each other thanks to technology. It started off with the guy texting the girl that he has her phone, although it is unclear where he sent that message.
It unraveled from there, as the two sent back-and-forth meaningless thoughts until they eventually met on the center stage and shared a kiss.
The opening ceremony is meant to show the world everything you are proud of from your country. Instead, this scene featured the youth showing that they cannot form full sentences. The kids might have found love, but we do not need to recreate a bad romantic comedy on the world stage.
Rowan Atkinson
I have been told that people find him funny, but I cannot understand why.
His "Chariots of Fire" sketch took way too long and reminded Americans that they do not like British humor. There is a reason the UK version of "The Office" only lasted two seasons.
Come Together by the Arctic Monkeys
There are few songs that encompass the Olympic spirit better than the Beatles classic "Come Together." The organizers made a great decision to play a live version of this song during the ceremony.
Unfortunately, it was played by the indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. The group did a solid job, but there was someone in the building who knows the song quite well: Sir Paul McCartney.
He was obviously being saved for the big finale of "Hey Jude," which got everyone to sing along, but it is still difficult to find the merit of covering a song while the original singer is ready to play.
There were a few interesting decisions that took place throughout the event, but overall it did not fail to impress.
Great Britain should be proud of the show as it is a good sign that we will see a very successful and entertaining Summer Olympics.
Former Indiana basketball player Neil Reed dies
Friday, July 27, 2012
Penguins, Capitals win the NHL Draft; Columbus the big loser
Stephanie Rice 2012 Olympics: Event Schedule, Results, Highlights & More
With so much hype splashing around American swimmers, some may tend to overlook international stars like Stephanie Rice.
Follow the Aussie by bookmarking this page and returning frequently during the Games. We've got everything you need to know about her background and London schedule as well as results and expert analysis.
Harrison Twins (Andrew and Aaron) highlights
Andrew Harrison (No. 5 in the video) is the No. 3 player in the class of 2013 according to ESPN. His brother Aaron (No. 2 in the video) is the No. 8 prospect in the same class.
Fantasy Football 2012: The Top 150 Overall Players, Training Camp Edition
Here is my first off-the-cuff listing of the Top 150 overall players in standard-scoring leagues.
Obviously, a lot can change between now and after the third full week of the NFL preseason. But right now, this should serve as a fairly accurate profile of my thinking heading into August.
These rankings will remain capped at 150 for two reasons:
1. Any listing beyond this figure is patently irrelevant, since every draft tells a different story in the latter rounds.
2. Reasonably short lists will hopefully inspire lazy fantasy GMs to conduct at least three mocks before the big day in August. The absolute worst thing you can do is show up for a draft, armed with a few Top 150 or 200 cheat sheets and no strategy for attacking each round. Good drafting is all about preparation (mock simulations)...and finding value with every pick.
1. RB LeSean McCoy, Eagles
2. RB Arian Foster, Texans
3. QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers
4. WR Calvin Johnson, Lions
5. RB Ray Rice, Ravens
6. RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
7. QB Drew Brees, Saints
8. RB Chris Johnson, Titans
9. RB Matt Forte, Bears
10. RB Darren McFadden, Raiders
11. QB Matthew Stafford, Lions
12. QB Tom Brady, Patriots
13. RB Ryan Mathews, Chargers
14. QB Cam Newton, Panthers
15. WR Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
16. RB Fred Jackson, Bills
17. TE Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
18. RB Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
19. RB Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
20. WR Wes Welker, Patriots
21. RB Steven Jackson, Rams
22. TE Jimmy Graham, Saints
23. WR Andre Johnson, Texans
24. QB Eli Manning, Giants
25. WR Roddy White, Falcons
Breakdown
- I reserve the right to change my mind between LeSean McCoy and Arian Foster (1,871 total yards, 12 TDs in 2011) through August, but it's hard to deny the 20-touchdown wunderkind (McCoy) from a year ago—even if he only has a 15 percent chance of replicating that figure in 2012. Still, he's a good bet for 1,730 total yards and 17 TDs.
- One quick note on Foster's behalf: The Texans draw the Colts and Vikings at home for Weeks 15 and 16. If that isn't a freebie gift from the fantasy odds, I don't know what it is.
- You won't encounter many preseason fantasy rankings without Aaron Rodgers slotted in the top four, and that represents major progress for an industry that once frowned upon attaching Round 1 value to quarterbacks. It used to be that QBs who threw for 45 touchdowns one year had no chance of duplicating that feat the next, but the unflappable Rodgers (4,643 yards passing) could probably tally 40 TDs in his sleep. Hence, back-to-back 45s is feasible.
- Chris Johnson (1,465 total yards) posted seven games of 100 total yards or more last year; he also recorded season highs in targets (79) and receptions (57). Put it all together, and it's enough to believe the 26-year-old speedster will rebound in a major way. Targets: 1,817 total yards and 11 touchdowns.
- I understand the trepidation of drafting either Fred Jackson (137.6 total yards per game in 2011) or Darren McFadden (110 total yards per game) low in Round 1 or high in Round 2, but fantasy owners need to realize both backs have top-15 talent. Plus, they won't be felled by injuries every season. They're due for some positive karma from the fantasy gods.
26. RB Frank Gore, 49ers
27. WR Mike Wallace, Steelers
28. WR Victor Cruz, Giants
29. RB Michael Turner, Falcons
30. WR Jordy Nelson, Packers
31. RB Adrian Peterson, Vikings
32. QB Tony Romo, Cowboys
33. WR Greg Jennings, Packers
34. RB DeMarco Murray, Cowboys
35. QB Michael Vick, Eagles
36. WR A.J. Green, Bengals
37. RB Trent Richardson, Browns
38. WR Steve Smith, Panthers
39. RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
40. WR Hakeem Nicks, Giants
41. RB Roy Helu, Redskins
42. WR Brandon Marshall, Bears
43. TE Vernon Davis, 49ers
44. WR Julio Jones, Falcons
45. QB Matt Ryan, Falcons
46. WR Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
47. WR Miles Austin, Cowboys
48. TE Jermichael Finley, Packers
49. TE Aaron Hernandez, Patriots
50. RB Shonn Greene, Jets
Breakdown
- I'm a little worried Packers wideouts Jennings and Nelson might cancel each other out, in terms of garnering an elite ranking. Then again, if Rodgers throws for 42 touchdowns this year, should it really matter if Jennings outperforms Nelson or Nelson trumps Jennings?
- The Gore vs. Steven Jackson dynamic is difficult to characterize right now. They're both high-end backs with a lot of questions surrounding their respective supporting casts, which ultimately could affect their per-game touches. For Jackson, I'm thinking 1,461 total yards and eight touchdowns.
- Adrian Peterson's ranking is a tad misleading since I don't intend to draft him in the first five rounds of 12-team drafts. (For a full explanation, click here.) However, it does acknowledge that only 30 healthy players are deemed better than Peterson (recovering from a torn ACL) at less than 100 percent.
- Ahmad Bradshaw's hold on the No. 39 ranking is tenuous. For starters, I'm still mad at him for going in the tank against Dallas last year (Week 14 partial suspension); and with the arrival of rookie running back David Wilson, Bradshaw will hopefully have to fight for every carry, every reception and every first-team practice rep during training camp.
51. WR Percy Harvin, Vikings
52. RB Darren Sproles, Saints
53. QB Philip Rivers, Chargers
54. WR Marques Colston, Saints
55. QB Peyton Manning, Broncos
56. RB Reggie Bush, Dolphins
57. WR Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers
58. QB Matt Schaub, Texans
59. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals
60. RB Beanie Wells, Cardinals
61. TE Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
62. RB Jahvid Best, Lions
63. WR Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
64. WR Dez Bryant, Cowboys
65. TE Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
66. WR Steve Johnson, Bills
67. RB Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
68. RB C.J. Spiller, Bills
69. RB Isaac Redman, Steelers
70. TE Antonio Gates, Chargers
71. RB Willis McGahee, Broncos
72. QB Carson Palmer, Raiders
73. RB DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
74. WR DeSean Jackson, Eagles
75. QB Jay Cutler, Bears
Breakdown
- I'm confident Peyton Manning will play well out of the chute for Denver, and I doubt his neck injury will be a significant hindrance this season. But given his age (36) and the lost opportunity of 2011, it seems unreasonable to expect 4,500 yards and 34 touchdowns in his Broncos debut. Instead, I'll shoot for 4,500 yards and 28 TDs—basically Tom Brady's numbers from 2009 (first year back from injury).
- The Bengals might have fostered the best non-quarterback signing of the offseason, luring BenJarvus Green-Ellis away from New England. Cincinnati's offensive line is very underrated, and Green-Ellis (24 TDs from 2010-11) has the tools to be a rock-solid fantasy back—between the 20s and in the red zone.
- Jahvid Best (677 total yards, three TDs in six games last year) is a healthy lock for 90 total yards every time he takes the field. Few defenders can match his top-end speed in the open field; as a result, Best (85 career catches) could be a top-five running back in Points Per Reception leagues by season's end.
The obvious bugaboo lies with Best's susceptibility to concussions, but a draft range of 55 to 65 should mollify any draft-day fears among owners. If concussions were never a problem, Best would be a top-35 overall asset.
- I have reservations about Isaac Redman (142 total yards vs. Denver in the wild card round) being a full-time feature back with the Steelers in September and October while Rashard Mendenhall rehabs and recovers from a serious knee injury (last January).
But a Pittsburgh runner needs to represent well here; the franchise has earned the benefit of the doubt in that realm. Someone will take charge in this role, whether it's Redman, Mendy or Jonathan Dwyer.
76. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
77. WR Kenny Britt, Titans
78. TE Jason Witten, Cowboys
79. QB Mark Sanchez, Jets
80. WR Reggie Wayne, Colts
81. RB Toby Gerhart, Vikings
82. RB Doug Martin, Buccaneers
83. RB Donald Brown, Colts
84. WR Antonio Brown, Steelers
85. WR Nate Washington, Titans
86. QB Robert Griffin III, Redskins
87. RB Stevan Ridley, Patriots
88. WR Malcom Floyd, Chargers
89. RB Michael Bush, Bears
90. RB Mark Ingram, Saints
91. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills
92. TE Dustin Keller, Jets
93. WR Laurent Robinson, Jaguars
94. RB Ben Tate, Texans
95. WR Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
96. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders
97. RB Daniel Thomas, Dolphins
98. QB Josh Freeman, Buccaneers
99. WR Titus Young, Lions
100. WR Santonio Holmes, Jets
Breakdown
- Robert Griffin, the Redskins' Week 1 starter, is flush with seven stupendous playmaking options: receivers Pierre Garcon, Leonard Santana Moss, tight end Fred Davis and tailbacks Roy Helu, Evan Royster and Tim Hightower.
From an Average Draft Position (ADP) perspective, Mock Draft Central currently has Griffin as the No. 12 quarterback (86th overall), and owners shooting that high are obviously thinking "starter"...not "pricey backup." For now...I'll buy that logic.
- The first half of Titus Young's inaugural NFL season with Detroit was awash in inconsistent targets and minimal catches. But things took shape in the latter half, with Young drawing 57 targets and catching 33 balls for 365 yards and five touchdowns.
Of equal importance, four of Young's six seasonal touchdowns were within 10 yards, demonstrating his effectiveness in the red zone. And yet, Young still has the breakaway speed and athleticism to score at least three times from beyond 40 yards. In other words, it wouldn't be a stretch to grab Young at the beginning for Round 9.
- The Buccaneers deserve major props for drafting a Ray Rice-esque runner like Boise State rookie Doug Martin (1,554 total yards, 16 TDs in 2011). In time, Martin may prove to be the perfect back for head coach Greg Schiano's power-rushing attack.
For now, Martin will likely split carries with incumbent LeGarrette Blount, but one look at Martin's highlight reel tells us his day as Tampa Bay's feature back will come sooner than later. If he wants the ultimate real-world and fantasy respect, Martin must evolve into a 40-catch talent within the first two seasons.
101. WR Pierre Garcon, Redskins
102. WR Sidney Rice, Seahawks
103. TE Fred Davis, Redskins
104. QB Andy Dalton, Bengals
105. RB James Starks, Packers
106. WR Michael Crabtree, 49ers
107. QB Joe Flacco, Ravens
108. D/ST San Francisco 49ers
109. QB Andrew Luck, Colts
110. RB Mikel Leshoure, Lions
111. WR Brandon Lloyd, Patriots
112. RB Peyton Hillis, Chiefs
113. RB Felix Jones, Cowboys
114. WR Justin Blackmon, Jaguars
115. WR Torrey Smith, Ravens
116. D/ST Chicago Bears
117. RB Ryan Williams, Cardinals
118. WR Greg Little, Browns
119. WR Mike Williams, Buccaneers
120. D/ST Green Bay Packers
121. QB Alex Smith, 49ers
122. WR Eric Decker, Broncos
123. TE Brent Celek, Eagles
124. D/ST Pittsburgh Steelers
125. RB LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers
Breakdown
- Brandon Lloyd drew 150 targets with the Broncos and Rams last year, fifth-best among NFL wide receivers. He also followed offensive guru Josh McDaniels from Denver to St. Louis to New England in the process.
McDaniels and Lloyd have expressed a mutual admiration for one another's talents, leading fantasy experts to believe that Lloyd could be in a monster year. But for now, I'm going to take a conservative tone on this matter, even though Lloyd (77 catches, 1,448 yards, 11 TDs with Denver in 2010) is one of my all-time PPR favorites.
- On the positive front...of the three times Pierre Garcon registered 100-plus receiving yards with Indy last year, he scored two TDs on each occasion. On the negative end, Garcon (six double-digit efforts in targets) was only one of two wideouts with at least 76 targets to fall short of 1,000 receiving yards.
- Alex Smith posted career highs in passing yards and pass attempts (445) last season while almost breaking new ground in TD passes (17) and fewest interceptions (five). But does that make Smith a top-20 option in the fantasy realm? In 2011, he attempted 30 or more passes 10 times, and in those outings, Smith combined for 2,000 yards passing (200 per game) and 11 passing touchdowns (or 1.1 per game).
By comparison, Joe Flacco had 11 games of 30-plus passes; he also had per-game averages of 258.3 yards passing and 1.18 TD passes.
- It's easy to look past Greg Little's rookie contribution with Cleveland, as he cobbled together just one 100-yard game and two touchdowns. But from Weeks 4 through 16 last year (spanning 12 games), Little was a perfect 12-for-12 in collecting six or more targets; and for Week 15, the Browns wideout crushed the Cardinals for five receptions, 131 yards and one touchdown. Fantasy owners should be thrilled to land Little anytime after Round 10 (12-team draft).
126. RB Evan Royster, Redskins
127. WR Denarius Moore, Raiders
128. QB Kevin Kolb, Cardinals
129. TE Jermaine Gresham, Bengals
130. QB Matt Flynn, Seahawks
131. RB David Wilson, Giants
132. QB Christian Ponder, Vikings
133. WR Mario Manningham, 49ers
134. TE Jared Cook, Titans
135. RB Ronnie Hillman, Broncos
136. QB Matt Hasselbeck, Titans
137. D/ST Baltimore Ravens
138. TE Kellen Winslow Jr., Seahawks
139. WR Robert Meachem, Chargers
140. RB Isaiah Pead, Rams
141. D/ST Philadelphia Eagles
142. WR Jerome Simpson, Vikings
143. D/ST New York Jets
144. RB Robert Turbin, Seahawks
145. WR Jonathan Baldwin, Chiefs
146. K David Akers, 49ers
147. RB Brandon Jacobs, 49ers
148. K Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders
149. RB Montario Hardesty, Browns
150. TE Coby Fleener, Colts
Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.
Tony Mitchell+Jimmer Fredette= HUGE Alley-oop Jam!
 | The Kings get out on the run and Jimmer Fredette finds Tony Mitchell for the massive reverse alley-oop jam! | From: NBA Views: 67495 412 ratings |
| Time: 00:13 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwAPJXrNGeo&feature=youtube_gdata
Thursday, July 26, 2012
NC State coach to be 'conservative' with Brown
And the way coach Mark Gottfried sees it, if the Wolfpack's star point guard can't play during the team's upcoming 10-day trip to Spain, the rest of the team has a great opportunity to learn how to play without him.
Gottfried said Tuesday that he's being ''really conservative'' with the injured Lorenzo Brown, who's recovering from knee surgery. Gottfried says Brown is ''not anywhere near 100 percent.'' The guard characterizes himself as between 75 and 80 percent healthy.
''Truthfully, the only objective I have is to have him healthy in October'' for the formal start of practice, Gottfried said. ''And if he ends up not playing, it helps (freshman guard Tyler Lewis), helps the other players. In other words, if we had to play without Lorenzo, how do we play? There's a question that needs to be answered, so it gives a chance for some of them to do that.''
The Wolfpack will play five exhibition games during their tour of Spain, which begins Aug. 5. Brown had been listed as questionable after having surgery last month to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee.
He averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in his first full season at point guard while leading the Atlantic Coast Conference with 1.8 steals per game. Last March, Brown helped N.C. State reach the NCAA tournament's round of 16 for the first time since 2005.
Gottfried says Brown resumed limited practice earlier this week and has been doing dummy drills, light cutting and moving, and shooting - he swished a jumper from just inside the midcourt stripe during the portion of Tuesday's practice that was open to the media.
''We did not put him in any live drills yet, and I'm not sure that we will throughout the trip,'' Gottfried said. ''We'll just wait and see. My initial thought is to be really conservative with him, take our time. And if that means he doesn't play in Spain, that's fine with me. We're just going to see how he feels.''
Of course, it's imperative that Brown be healthy by the fall.
N.C. State enters the season as one of the favorites to win the ACC - the Wolfpack's last league title came in 1987 - and is looking to capitalize on the momentum generated by its strong finish to last season.
''It's better than not being talked about at all,'' forward Scott Wood said. ''It's one of those things where it's nice to be talked about and have all those accolades, but at the same time, you've got to handle your business and be there at the end of the year, too.''
The trip gives the Wolfpack's key returnees - Wood, big men C.J. Leslie and Richard Howell and, depending on his health, Brown - the chance to figure out how to play with a talented class of incoming freshmen that includes three McDonald's All-Americans: Lewis and forwards Rodney Purvis and T.J. Warren.
''This might be the beauty of us going to Spain. ... Your team has to learn how it needs to play and who needs to do what,'' Gottfried said. ''We'd all like to know that on Oct. 15, but the reality is sometimes as you play games and you go through those first games in November and December, you begin to really learn your team. ... Maybe Spain will help us learn some of those things about our team.''
Kentucky Wildcats: College Basketball recruiting 2012
Mancini urges City to start spending
City are keen to sign Robin van Persie , with Mancini believing it is crucial to strengthen in order to defend their Premier League title.
So far though, with City unable to off-load any of their unwanted high earners, there have been no signings, with Arsenal snubbing an initial approach for Van Persie.
And, ahead of the Blues' friendly with Arsenal in Beijing on Friday, Mancini, while not mentioning Marwood by name, made it clear where he feels the responsibility lies.
"For this question, speak to the man in charge," Mancini told reporters at a press conference in the Chinese capital.
"I am not in charge of this.
"It is important [to get players quickly] because, after what we did last year, we must continue to win.
"This year will be harder than last so we need to improve our team.
"We have a man who works for this and we hope that they can do a good job."
Mancini has previously made his admiration for van Persie well known.
However, aware he will be facing Arsene Wenger on Friday, the Italian opted to tread a delicate path.
"Van Persie is an Arsenal player, not our player," he said.
"He is a fantastic player, but we have four strikers and with those strikers we won the title last year.
"Van Persie is a fantastic player, but he is an Arsenal player."
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/mancini_urges_city_to_start_spending/11303473
Could Brandon Laird Be The Answer at Third Base?
As the Yankee world gasped at the sight of star third baseman Alex Rodriguez writhing in pain in the Safeco Field batter?s box last night, clutching his wrist, one can imagine the thought?s going through the minds of those infielders playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre who may have been watching. As a former Yankee utilityman banished to Triple-A in favor of first Eduardo Nunez, and then Jayson Nix, it was Ramiro Pena who got the call to rush to the airport this morning in Charlotte, hop on a plane, and be in Seattle just in time for the first pitch.
But Pena will never stick. He?s a light-hitting utilityman who will last all of a free plane ride back to the New York area with the team before being sent back upstate to Triple-A. Instead, they have a pair of options down�on the farm�who could probably find succ...
The Digital Olympics?Where To Follow
London 2012 has already been billed as the digital Olympics, with brand partners using every aspect of digital and social media to engage fans, raise funds and give athletes a voice and point of engagement like never before. Here is a look at ways to follow the games, including some mobile apps.
Source: http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/07/25/the-digital-olympics%e2%80%a6where-to-follow/
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
US opens with win over France
The Americans trailed 2-0 after 14 minutes, allowing more goals they had allowed in any game since the World Cup final loss to Japan last year.
But Wambach answered in the 19th, Morgan in the 32nd, Lloyd in the 56th and Morgan again in the 66th in an Olympic soccer tournament that began two days before the opening ceremony and 400-plus miles away from London. Soccer is one of two sports that starts early so it can play a full slate of games.
The Americans next play Colombia on Saturday. The French will face North Korea.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/us_opens_with_win_over_france/11297449
Sather Now Turns Focus to Shane Doan
But you would think the acquisition of Nash would now bring the two sides even closer than they previously were. Doan is ring-less in his 16-season career, and obviously would like to have a shot a winning a Stanley Cup before retirement rolls around and gobbles him up. That's not to say that the Coyotes are not a legitimate contender, but they haven't mad...
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/sather_now_turns_focus_to_shane_doan/11287270
Lakers Rumors: LA Must Move Forward by Ending Pursuit of Dwight Howard
The Los Angeles Lakers must officially remove themselves from Dwight Howard race this summer, and prepare for next season with the championship-caliber talent they already have.
According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Orlando Magic "have told rival executives that they might not trade Dwight Howard after all." Broussard reports that some executives believe that the Magic could potentially wait until next February's trade deadline to deal Superman:
While the angst between the Magic and Howard is real and sizable, the franchise also realizes that Howard is fickle, impressionable and prone to changing his mind.
If Broussard's report is accurate, then there is no action left to take by the Lakers' front office, other than hanging up the phone permanently on the Magic.
LA has more than enough talent to win basketball games in 2012-13, and Howard wouldn't exactly fill a need for them considering they already have an All-Star at center. Andrew Bynum's production for the Lakers last season was stellar. He averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
The bottom line is that the Magic and Lakers are two teams headed in different directions. While it's no secret that Orlando won't be competitive in the NBA for some time now, LA has made a couple of excellent free-agent signings to make a perennial contender that much better. Basically, Orlando needs Howard a lot more than LA does right now.
The Lakers have more than enough stars to sell the franchise, and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen in Kobe Bryant. In the age of super-teams, the Lakers aren't looking too shabby. With the acquisition of Steve Nash this summer, LA now boasts a backcourt duo and frontcourt duo that can match up and contend with any in the league.
The pickup of Antawn Jamison was another big offseason move that will have fans excited for the regular season to start on time this year.
LA must move forward with the solid pieces they have this coming season. They can compete with Oklahoma City now, and they have the plethora of size in the frontcourt to give the defending NBA champion Miami Heat nightmares down the road.
Give up the chase on Dwight Howard, LA—you're already set.
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.
Alabama Football: Top 10 Out-of-State Targets for 2014
Alabama’s 2013 recruiting class is nearly full currently sitting at 18 verbal commitments, but while a few big fish still remain for Nick Saban and his staff, the Crimson Tide have already gotten a head start evaluating for 2014.
Saban's latest camp session featured some of the nation's best prep juniors from around the nation.
With the state of Alabama possessing an unusually strong junior class, Saban can be more selective in recruiting targets that reside outside the Tide’s neighboring territories.
Even though the long list of soon-to-be high school juniors still have two years to play on the prep level, Saban has already identified several top targets from across the country that are interested in playing their college football at the Capstone.
Which of the nation’s top juniors should Tide supporters be keeping close tabs on?
Find out in this breakdown of Alabama’s top 10 out-of-state targets for the class of 2014.
(List is in alphabetical order.)
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1271485-alabama-football-top-10-out-of-state-targets-for-2014
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Milton Doyle: NCAA Clears Kansas Freshman to Play this Season
Howson likes current roster after Nash trade
"We'll see what happens the rest of summer," Howson added. "If we see something that's going to help us, we're going to do it."
The Rangers also received defenseman Steven Delisle and a conditional third round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft in the deal.
"There was a little bit of negotiating today," said Howson. "This is pretty much the deal we talked about on Friday; we just needed to have the weekend."
Nash, the No.1 overall pick in the 2002 draft to the Jackets, asked for the trade in January after he was told by management the club was going through a reshaping phase. Nash has a no-trade clause and therefore was able to choose which club he would go to in a trade. That tied Howson's hands a bit in terms of what he could get in exchange for the star forward, Olympian and All-Star.
"We talked to a number of teams. A number outside the list," Howson said, adding he was attempting to gauge the market in terms of value for the forward who has scored more than 30 goals in each of the last five seasons. "Ultimately, Rick was in control. It certainly limited the teams we talked to seriously."
But the Rangers were always interested, said Howson, and they got the deal done with a trade he said he's "pleased" with. Howson said today's trade brought the Jackets a good package, despite Dubinsky struggling some last season.
"I have no issue with Brandon bouncing back," said Howson, adding he believes Dubinsky can be a 15 to 20-goal scorer. "He impacted games every time he played."
Moving past the Nash era, Howson said he sees defense as the base of this team.
"We believe the strength of our team is defense," said Howson. "We think that's a very good blue line."
The new look of the club also has some size to it, said Howson, and speed.
"We think upfront we're going to be fast and competitive," said Howson, adding they've now got some size down the middle. "We think we have a more balanced, versatile group upfront. We think we have six to seven people who can get 15 to 25 goals."
And with that, said Howson, he expects to se some higher numbers in the win column.
"It's about winning right now, for sure," said Howson. "This is not a trade where we think, We'll be better five years from now.' We think we can be better next year and we think these players can help us do that."