tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61618268409367276582011-12-29T19:08:25.669-08:00Hardwood and FieldsOpinion based writing on Basketball, Baseball, and Football.Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-35525274424241473102011-12-27T13:43:00.000-08:002011-12-27T13:53:53.879-08:002011-12-27T13:53:53.879-08:00What Could Have Been<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jE2u7qXiteM/Tvo5gasusXI/AAAAAAAAAX0/N01mPvQdGXY/s1600/drew-brees-marino-122611-record.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jE2u7qXiteM/Tvo5gasusXI/AAAAAAAAAX0/N01mPvQdGXY/s640/drew-brees-marino-122611-record.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What could have been.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ziHQmyZuyo/Tvo5gHs7OwI/AAAAAAAAAXs/54TbLF9JQ2w/s1600/220px-Drew_Brees_at_Saints_Super_Bowl_parade_2010-02-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ziHQmyZuyo/Tvo5gHs7OwI/AAAAAAAAAXs/54TbLF9JQ2w/s320/220px-Drew_Brees_at_Saints_Super_Bowl_parade_2010-02-09.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine if those colors were Aqua<br />
and Coral.</td></tr>
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Drew Brees, the most statistically accomplished QB in the league not named Peyton Manning is the new all time single season among quarterbacks. The prettiest girl at the ball of All time. Let that sink in. That's crazy. And to imagine, he could have, some argue should have, been breaking Dan Marino's single season record and making it (and the Dolphins) look good as he did it. As a member of the same team Marino played for. Imagine how much more this moment could have meant. Rather than the predominant story surrounding the New Orleans Saints QB being how "classless" it was to leave him in to break the record in a game that was already decided, it could have been how amazing it was that one franchise witnessed the only two 5,000 yards passers in history. History. That we were adding a second quarterback into the illustrious record books of NFL history. That the record still belonged to the Dolphins. But one bad offseason date just keeps on getting worse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9FMt4XCZeY/Tvo6UQj2a-I/AAAAAAAAAYI/xdDJBezF9cE/s1600/grill66_inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9FMt4XCZeY/Tvo6UQj2a-I/AAAAAAAAAYI/xdDJBezF9cE/s320/grill66_inside.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grille 66. Wining and Dining free agents for over 20 years.</td></tr>
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We took him to Grille 66. Ordered the best bottle of wine and complemented his hair, told him his birthmark gave him character and told him how great we could be together. Then we took him to Club Doctor, groped him for 6 hours until we went from undisputed number one on his list to the weird guy with the frisky fingers. On top of that we low balled an offer and asked him to go dutch on the date. That was the last straw and he was gone.<br />
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To let him go should have hurt worse at the time. After that fateful physical we should have ran to him before he got on that train to New Orleans and out of our lives for good. It was as if the Dolphins thought that any quarterback would kill to be a Dolphin and let him walk as if it were nothing. Worse yet, that next March we sent a 2nd rounder to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper and his posse. That 2nd rounder would only turn in to Ryan Cook a decent center but nothing to right home to mom about. The very next pick though? Greg Jennings. Ouch. (And the very next after that? Anthony Fasano to the Dallas Cowboys) So, like most stories were the two people that were meant to be together but end up with another, one half gets married to an awesome partner and the other to a not so awesome partner. We know what Brees got out of his marriage to the Saints; three kids; Super Bowl, Multiple records and franchise savior.<br />
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Those kids should be ours. But what did we end up with? A bitter, short lived marriage to Daunte Culpepper during which he went from beautiful pre-marriage to a warty, overweight, injury prone, turnover machine. A quick fling with Joey Harrington and it was over. The only thing left over was a bad taste, plenty of regrets and a dog we don't want.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVULRUWiGi4/Tvo5g0mzSzI/AAAAAAAAAX8/VwpUH-U2xso/s1600/Rcord+breaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVULRUWiGi4/Tvo5g0mzSzI/AAAAAAAAAX8/VwpUH-U2xso/s320/Rcord+breaker.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The record falling now is like seeing that girl years later, with a great smile, great hair, a banging body and a massive ring on your finger. All we can do is grin, smile and say we are so happy for you, then go home, turn off the lights, close the shades and think about what could have been.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-3552527442424147310?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-61276249110653646032011-12-21T20:46:00.000-08:002011-12-23T22:36:10.703-08:002011-12-23T22:36:10.703-08:00This is our year! (Insert player here) gonna take off this year!Every year every fan clamors about how this is the year. Some teams have real reasons for it. Clippers. Knicks. Heat. Mavericks. Some teams are used tot hat feeling. Spurs. Lakers. Celtics. And some lose that feeling before it starts. Kings. Warriors. Nets. But we are all champions before that first game and we all know exactly why. Well, let me be the one to further fan that preseason fire.<br />
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I have put together a list of teams players and whys for those players as to how that vaunted preseason championship will be won. So with further ado. Let your wildest dreams, run WILD.<br />
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But first, a reminder of what it looks like when THAT player does lead THAT team all the way.<br />
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2007 - San Antonio Spurs - Manu Ginobili - Fearless - Fight - Aggressive - Everything Greg Popovich would want in a player, Manu was in 2007 for the championship Spurs. His play signified what the Spurs were and won with.<br />
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2008 - Boston Celtics - Kevin Garnett - Focus - Passion - Immovable - No gimmes. No shooting for the other team after the whistle. No scoring on him. No way anyone could have beat the Celtics team that bought into KG's passion and D and played with it all year. </div>
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2009 - Los Angeles Lakers - Trevor Ariza - Chaos - Dunks - Defense - Ariza did and caused all three and seemed to never run out of energy. With Ariza contributing in a big way, The Lake Show were 3rd in 3 point percentage, 6th in Overall Defense and 2nd in steals and 4th in turnoevers caused on their way to the Ship.</div>
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2010 - Kobe Bryant - Never - Say - Quit - You can look at the Finals and see why the Lakers won it all. Kobe finally got, or made, his team play like him. He never let them quit and was as fierce on them as he was on the opponent. They took the Celtics best punch them knocked 'em out in 7.</div>
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2011 - Tyson Chandler - J.J. Barea - Big - Small - Underrated - Chandler and Barea were the odd couple that looked way different, play way different but signified the Mavs in the first ever Championship season. They played with confidence, played amazing under the radar and were chock full of intangibles.</div>
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So who are the guys that will be the ones to bring the game that their team will embody? Which one's will we be talking about if their team is the last one standing in June?</div>
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Less talk, more list.</div>
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<b><u>Atlantic</u></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXiG5Y2_cxc/TvVrBXgtl8I/AAAAAAAAAWU/PtrPjL1OnN8/s1600/celts.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXiG5Y2_cxc/TvVrBXgtl8I/AAAAAAAAAWU/PtrPjL1OnN8/s200/celts.gif" width="180" /></a></div>
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<u>Boston Celtics - Rajon Rondo </u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSVunXQOfkE/TvVrBxDpnwI/AAAAAAAAAWc/z0Gz44EepAY/s1600/rondo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSVunXQOfkE/TvVrBxDpnwI/AAAAAAAAAWc/z0Gz44EepAY/s200/rondo.jpeg" width="200" /></a>- The Celtics are old and brittle. Rondo seemed to be neither until his injury in the playoffs last year. He should now be fully recovered bu the Celtics will need to channel what Rondo channel when his arm bent back like limbo but he manned up put a sleeve on and kept playing and making PLAYS. If they can play through the pain an older NBA body goes throug hand continue contrbuting in a game changing way the Celts could be raising Banner number 18.<br />
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<u>Philadelphia 76ers - Evan Turner</u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMDZ3CJMDX4/TvVrBHR1BdI/AAAAAAAAAWM/CjFTXisVFpA/s1600/sixers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMDZ3CJMDX4/TvVrBHR1BdI/AAAAAAAAAWM/CjFTXisVFpA/s200/sixers.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qz5A4hbsqaI/TvVrA7cOKBI/AAAAAAAAAWE/YedbndEgvQM/s1600/evan_turner_bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qz5A4hbsqaI/TvVrA7cOKBI/AAAAAAAAAWE/YedbndEgvQM/s200/evan_turner_bg.jpg" width="140" /></a>- For as much Evan Turner has been told that he doesn't do in the NBA he still has more talent than most. He just is missing that one thing to put him over the top. But he fights. He plays defense. He rebounds. He's fundamental. Handles the ball well. He wants to win and wants to beat you alot more than most players. And this is what the 76ers need. Because, as a TEAM, they have what Turner lacks, elite athleticism (Andre Igoudala, Marreese Speights, Lou Williams, Jrue Holiday, Spencer Hawes) can shoot the 3, (Jodie Meeks, Williams, Holiday) and if they just add the intangibles, the have to's that every team needs to win, this young team can become a power in the East, and if things fall right, a champion.</div>
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<u>New York Knicks - Tyson Chandler </u><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mh2I3Kh9U6w/TvVyY7f7-oI/AAAAAAAAAXg/vAUqfZsc74Y/s1600/Tyson_Chandler_Knicks_6_display_image.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mh2I3Kh9U6w/TvVyY7f7-oI/AAAAAAAAAXg/vAUqfZsc74Y/s200/Tyson_Chandler_Knicks_6_display_image.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnLGNM2ex04/TvVrAZb7IDI/AAAAAAAAAV8/-70aduG4loE/s1600/knicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnLGNM2ex04/TvVrAZb7IDI/AAAAAAAAAV8/-70aduG4loE/s200/knicks.jpg" width="200" /></a>- The Knicks have Ballers. They can score, they can run, they can shoot the lights out and they can put on a show. But can they play defense? Enter Tyson Chandler. More negative than positive is being made of Tyson Chandler leaving defensively oriented Dallas for high octane New York. But, you gotta think, the Knicks can score with anyone. They only need to get a few more key stops and some more aggression on D to really take off. Chandler, will make teams think twice about driving, let Amare be Amare and possibly teach him how to use his length on D. And his mere presence on D will help the wing defense for teams hesitance to drive to the hole where Chandler lives. Add that he can run in D'Antoni's system and the sky, or the Championship, could be the limit for the Knicks.</div>
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<u>New Jersey Nets - Deron Williams </u><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0GhNyOMTj4/TvVq9cFr24I/AAAAAAAAAVg/1MPL5AG_5lo/s1600/pic_492635_New-Jersey-Nets-Logo1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0GhNyOMTj4/TvVq9cFr24I/AAAAAAAAAVg/1MPL5AG_5lo/s200/pic_492635_New-Jersey-Nets-Logo1.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrL16tNy0e0/TvVq9Bncr8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/9yUwbRnM7kM/s1600/deron-williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrL16tNy0e0/TvVq9Bncr8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/9yUwbRnM7kM/s200/deron-williams.jpg" width="200" /></a>- More than ever, with news of Brooke Lopez's foot injury. The Nets need players to step up and make something happen. If anyone can make it happen is the Nets new all star Deron Williams. He'll need to pull the team together and make these players play with a chip. Make them play to prove something. Make them play like they back is against a cliff and to not stop until they can't go anymore then go some more. If they can out hustle their opponents every game and fight through opponents best shots and dole one back, then they could be a story for the 2011-2012 year other than the Lockout and the trades. </div>
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<u>Toronto Raptors - DeMar DeRozan</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EI-1WXXWx_M/TvVq-nwIKdI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Y48APAo9ll0/s1600/derozan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EI-1WXXWx_M/TvVq-nwIKdI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Y48APAo9ll0/s200/derozan.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIbO_TgEBj4/TvVq91FTxJI/AAAAAAAAAVs/FVfntCBhSIM/s1600/raptor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIbO_TgEBj4/TvVq91FTxJI/AAAAAAAAAVs/FVfntCBhSIM/s200/raptor.gif" width="144" /></a>- Too much talent. Too little production. If you know that at each position you can compete or play better than your opponent, then you have a chance. DeRozan is that guy with too much talent to let games slip away. Too fast. Too quick. Too athletic. Too much swag. He could be a Vince 2.0 in Toronto and could lead his team and inspire them to play to their talents. Ed Davis to the be athletic big that can run by you. Andrea Bargnani to play more like Chris Bosh light, and push opposing bigs to respect his inside game like his outside game. Jose Calderon to be the general and clutch cat he is supposed to be. This is like an all-world all star team and if they can play like it, they can surprise all the way to June. </div>
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<b><u>Central</u></b></div>
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<u>Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbqI3lZb4Ik/TvVq8ntmLwI/AAAAAAAAAVI/Y7nhxupAMrI/s1600/joakim-noah-thumb-400xauto-19327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbqI3lZb4Ik/TvVq8ntmLwI/AAAAAAAAAVI/Y7nhxupAMrI/s200/joakim-noah-thumb-400xauto-19327.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp1iNbJ58kY/TvVq8-MQJ-I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/pgunYgriOFE/s1600/bulls-logo-307x276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp1iNbJ58kY/TvVq8-MQJ-I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/pgunYgriOFE/s200/bulls-logo-307x276.jpg" width="200" /></a>- Ooooooh boy. This boy got game. When that hair goes up you know its going down. He's brings the toughness to the court reminiscent to a young KG and damn does he play defense. He would make any team he was on better because he's not scared to play hard, not scared to scrap, and not scared of you. It doesn't matter if your KG or if your Lebron James, if your not wearing Chicago Bulls red then your in the crosshairs. Couple that with an agonizing end to last season and Noah's style of play should become part of every Bulls players play. Whatever it takes. There is a great chance this is the first Bulls team to feel the confetti since his Airness left town. </div>
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<u>Detroit Pistons - Greg Monroe</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54lR9Z8FKV8/TvVq79t7f9I/AAAAAAAAAVA/Y225gsJRoGo/s1600/pistons+logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54lR9Z8FKV8/TvVq79t7f9I/AAAAAAAAAVA/Y225gsJRoGo/s200/pistons+logo.gif" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niG1xfkNY2c/TvVq7f-FzWI/AAAAAAAAAU4/-VSLEFfXQV0/s1600/Detroit-Pistons-forward-Greg-Monroe-grabs-a-rebound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niG1xfkNY2c/TvVq7f-FzWI/AAAAAAAAAU4/-VSLEFfXQV0/s200/Detroit-Pistons-forward-Greg-Monroe-grabs-a-rebound.jpg" width="200" /></a> - Younger. Faster. Bigger Stronger. Have you seen the Pistons lineup? They have serious height. SERIOUS HEIGHT. Starting point guard Brandon Knight is 6'3 and possible back up Rodney Stuckey 6'5. Kyle Singler can play the 2 at 6'8. Tayshaun Prince is 6'9 at the 3 and Austin Daye should start at 6'11 at the 4. There all big, young and fast and can really get after it up an down the court. But the biggest upside is Greg Monroe. He's a double double machine in the mold of Al Jefferson and coule really wreck shop on the defensive side with new Coach Lawrence Frank in town. These boys are physically imposing and can run, gun and should now play Championship worthy D with it. Championship worthy. </div>
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<u>Cleveland Cavaliers - Luke Harangody</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jg7Uem7ojvc/TvVq6hkvCYI/AAAAAAAAAUo/E3LFQYvJukU/s1600/CLEVELAND_CAVALIERS_LOGO.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jg7Uem7ojvc/TvVq6hkvCYI/AAAAAAAAAUo/E3LFQYvJukU/s200/CLEVELAND_CAVALIERS_LOGO.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFB9iSljLRc/TvVq7F0vNSI/AAAAAAAAAUw/QD_SHVUQBic/s1600/harangody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFB9iSljLRc/TvVq7F0vNSI/AAAAAAAAAUw/QD_SHVUQBic/s200/harangody.jpg" width="176" /></a>- He's a 6'7 Power Forward in a tall man's NBA. He's white but plays within the 3 point line. He's not faster than you, he's not the prettiest and won't win any dunk contests. But if he gets a chance to play, he will produce. And that's what the Cavaliers need to know and tell themselves and believe in. A chance. It isn't one of the more flashy rosters but every year seems to welcome a new cinderella. Why not Luke and the Cavs?</div>
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<u>Indiana Pacers - Paul George</u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jsF24pDw2I/TvVq5jArIjI/AAAAAAAAAUY/CEufMRqvCGA/s1600/paul-george-derrick-rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jsF24pDw2I/TvVq5jArIjI/AAAAAAAAAUY/CEufMRqvCGA/s200/paul-george-derrick-rose.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxIxVlGrvUk/TvVq6JiqtuI/AAAAAAAAAUg/WNMiZBRpGrQ/s1600/pacers_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxIxVlGrvUk/TvVq6JiqtuI/AAAAAAAAAUg/WNMiZBRpGrQ/s200/pacers_logo.gif" width="200" /></a>- Can I get fill up on number 24? Thats exactly what George can do, fill up a box score. At 6'8 he can shoot the three, play above the rim, play in the passing lane on D and give you serious versatility. The Pacers may be as versatile as it gets. With Darren Collison, Danny Granger, Tyler Hansbrough, George and life Jeff Foster the Pacers can fill up a box score and beat you almost at every position. And like George, these young Pacers are entering the year's that will see growth that usually brings a finished product. Granger is almost a superstar, Darren Collison almost made people forget about Chris Paul in NO and George with his size fits our era's prototypical SF. This could be a very special team if they reach their ceilings and keep filling it up. Thats one way to fill up those empty spots in the rafters.</div>
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<u>Milwaukee Bucks - Brandon Jennings</u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssj0Zm-6lNw/TvVq5akjCfI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/qC4yH_tA2CA/s1600/bucks-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssj0Zm-6lNw/TvVq5akjCfI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/qC4yH_tA2CA/s200/bucks-logo.gif" width="143" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWvcvF78aKQ/TvVq42E3gFI/AAAAAAAAAUI/pjUKIp3SguE/s1600/jennings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWvcvF78aKQ/TvVq42E3gFI/AAAAAAAAAUI/pjUKIp3SguE/s200/jennings.jpg" width="124" /></a>- He is one of the most intriguing talents in the NBA and truly took our attention with his play during his rookie season. Fast forward over last year and you have a healthy and motivated Andrew Bogut, and plenty of new faces. Two first rounders, Tobias Harris and scorer Darington Hobosn could make a Jennings like splash if they play to their talents and listen to new veterans Stephen Jackson and coach's son Mike Dunleavy. Bogut plans to bounce back hard and this plans to be a very different looking squad. Add Jennings ability to make all the plays at point and he could lead the new look Bucks to a new look for the Franchise, Champion. </div>
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<b><u>Southeast</u></b></div>
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<u>Charlotte Bobcats - Kemba Walker </u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyrsTGdvoEM/TvVq4cXvlHI/AAAAAAAAAT8/heZtXVRPvhw/s1600/charlottebobcatsalt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyrsTGdvoEM/TvVq4cXvlHI/AAAAAAAAAT8/heZtXVRPvhw/s200/charlottebobcatsalt.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2gqm2gvZeA/TvVx6sXLB5I/AAAAAAAAAXM/GXkd0vGfPH8/s1600/nba_a_kemba11_576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2gqm2gvZeA/TvVx6sXLB5I/AAAAAAAAAXM/GXkd0vGfPH8/s200/nba_a_kemba11_576.jpg" width="200" /></a>- More Fire! Kemba Walker has the city of Charlotte buzzing and for good reason. The former Huskie is an all-star in waiting and from the look of his play in the all forms of tournament play last year knows how to win. He's infectious, makes his team want it more and wants to be the man to take the opponents last breath. He has bravado, he brings passion, players want to play with him and kids want to be him. Scoop threes, and fade away winners, Kemba Walker is AI 2.0, the star Charlotte has been seekng desperately. When you get a star you get better overall team play. When the team is worth it the fans come in and make your home court your home court. Kemba can take over a game and if he can taker over the season for Charlotte he could lead his team somewhere they shouldn't be. The top. Wouldn't be the first time. </div>
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<u>Miami Heat - Dwayne Wade</u><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTI-906IC4k/TvVq35sqZCI/AAAAAAAAATo/pLx0C95VjhY/s1600/dwayne-wade-miami-heat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTI-906IC4k/TvVq35sqZCI/AAAAAAAAATo/pLx0C95VjhY/s200/dwayne-wade-miami-heat.jpg" width="158" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NIHzQuSuF4/TvVq4KjZnwI/AAAAAAAAAT4/zAEUb6Ju1Hg/s1600/heat_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NIHzQuSuF4/TvVq4KjZnwI/AAAAAAAAAT4/zAEUb6Ju1Hg/s200/heat_logo.gif" width="143" /></a>- I have had a the pleasure of watching Wade play and you can't appreciate the words we hear, the faces he makes and how slow the defense looks next to him until you see it. When you see it, its blinding and its sudden. He does it on D, on offense in transition and everywhere else.He nearly won the Finals for his Heat and never gave up. And reports coming out of camp are that he's literallt, in the best shape he's ever been in, not just general offseason bull, but real to form best ever shape. He's the main coil for the Heat and his fire and tenacity must be ever present in every Heat player to maximize the output in Eric Spoelstra 's new Oregon inspired spread offense.</div>
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<u>Atlanta Hawks - Al Horford </u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEyMqiXqcjE/TvVq3LEtgyI/AAAAAAAAATg/7S8tb_k6Wf4/s1600/Hawks.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEyMqiXqcjE/TvVq3LEtgyI/AAAAAAAAATg/7S8tb_k6Wf4/s200/Hawks.gif" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DK-fVqhOsuc/TvVq2_rq_TI/AAAAAAAAATY/n59gDSuYdmE/s1600/Miami%252BHeat%252Bv%252BAtlanta%252BHawks%252BZIxWpkac0JNl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DK-fVqhOsuc/TvVq2_rq_TI/AAAAAAAAATY/n59gDSuYdmE/s200/Miami%252BHeat%252Bv%252BAtlanta%252BHawks%252BZIxWpkac0JNl.jpg" width="163" /></a>- For the Hawks full court athleticism is the key for them to succeed at each position. The most difficult position to find it, however, is the center position. And that is Al Horford's spot to hold down in the Atlanta lineup. And he brings the thunder. Over his career he is developing a bit of a mean streak that comes along with playing the center position. With that combined with his elite athleticism at the center position and his ability to play great basketball on both sideds of the ball he is truly the most consistent, important player on the Hawks. Mean streak. Consistent to things that the Hawks seem to leave out of the equation until its too late. If they can employ those two qualities for a full season there is no reason to think they won't make it to the end.</div>
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<u>Orlando Magic - Jameer Nelson</u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jATGEzuX00/TvVq18xgwvI/AAAAAAAAATI/YETECRGWMa0/s1600/nelson%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jATGEzuX00/TvVq18xgwvI/AAAAAAAAATI/YETECRGWMa0/s200/nelson%25284%2529.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIK20vL0FwE/TvVq2YcSohI/AAAAAAAAATQ/blxSC5ZbHGQ/s1600/orlando-magic-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIK20vL0FwE/TvVq2YcSohI/AAAAAAAAATQ/blxSC5ZbHGQ/s200/orlando-magic-logo.jpg" width="200" /></a> - Dwight is mentally all over the place. Agent Zero is gone and the Magic complimentary pieces are ok. They do somethings well and something not so well. They need a player to lead the Howard and keep him in the game amid trade rumors and requests, to put Hedo, J.J. And Jason among others in the right positions to succeed and to do it day in and day out. He basically needs to step up. He did it as an amazing seniore at St. Joseph's and needs to do the same in Orlando. As well as bring the rest of the crew along for the ride. The is their, they just need to Step UP!<br />
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<u>Washington Wizards - John Wall </u><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-II6NuD6AHcE/TvVq1kbmLCI/AAAAAAAAATA/nmbMnds9vJs/s1600/tumblr_lvenu2vovD1qaysjko1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-II6NuD6AHcE/TvVq1kbmLCI/AAAAAAAAATA/nmbMnds9vJs/s200/tumblr_lvenu2vovD1qaysjko1_500.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXdHfWFLGHg/TvVq1MwvJ8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/3Sy-zybo8is/s1600/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXdHfWFLGHg/TvVq1MwvJ8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/3Sy-zybo8is/s200/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif" width="171" /></a>- The 2010 number one overall pick of the Washington Wizards is a wizard on the court with his ability to run past defenders, stop on a dime, dish it like a vet to a player out of the play and make it look easy. But the most amazing part is his ability to stay calm during it all. And that is a huge intangible that only great players have. To be unwavered in the face of a daunting team like the Miami Heat or to go up against a point guard the likes of Chris Paul or Deron Williams without batting an eye in against such a challenge is a something that every player in a Wizard uniform can use to let help them to focus on unleashing their potential (Andray Blatche, Jordna Crawford and Javale McGee come most to mind). With the ability to never be feel fear and never back down, anything is possible for this up and coming team of youngersters, Anything.<br />
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<b><u>Northwest</u></b></div>
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<u>Minnesota Timberwolves - Ricky Rubio</u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35Ol7Gqa8Wc/TvVq0swwaoI/AAAAAAAAASw/ZNr_Vf4-vvo/s1600/minnesota_timberwolves_logo-9913.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35Ol7Gqa8Wc/TvVq0swwaoI/AAAAAAAAASw/ZNr_Vf4-vvo/s200/minnesota_timberwolves_logo-9913.gif" width="185" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zPu-d3lJOw/TvVq0ZMZhUI/AAAAAAAAASo/TAItfhIXmRM/s1600/113530_Bucks_Timberwolves_Basketball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zPu-d3lJOw/TvVq0ZMZhUI/AAAAAAAAASo/TAItfhIXmRM/s200/113530_Bucks_Timberwolves_Basketball.jpg" width="200" /></a>- Kevin Love seems to do it on his own. Getting a double-double a game without much assistance. Michael Beasley seems to click on and off but when he's on he can fill it up. The rookie Derrick Williams can get it done just like Beasley. But to make their lives easier and to give them more opportunities to contribute more to the Wolves run, an intelligent point guard that can run the floor, see everything going on around him and make every play and every pass is exactly what the Timberwolves will need. Enter Ricky Rubio. The Spanish Pistol Pete and the contreversial point guard from an amazing spanish team has already shown he can run with the big boys and steal the show even when running with the Gasol brothers, Rudy Fernandez and Jose Calderon. He will bring to the Timberwolves a true pont guard for the first time in maybe ever. The excitement he will bring will encourage the team play and enliven the crowd, giving them more support than ever. It may be very underrated, but what a team can acheive with the support of its city and each other is something many may not see coming.</div>
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<u>Oklahoma City Thunder - Serge Ibaka</u><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uLV4YY6Nck/TvVqz4fmJfI/AAAAAAAAASg/i5X1nwWpmyg/s1600/Oklahoma%252BCity%252BThunder%252Bv%252BChicago%252BBulls%252BgewbgpZg3Pll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uLV4YY6Nck/TvVqz4fmJfI/AAAAAAAAASg/i5X1nwWpmyg/s200/Oklahoma%252BCity%252BThunder%252Bv%252BChicago%252BBulls%252BgewbgpZg3Pll.jpg" width="170" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l38Oseoz2xg/TvVqzUavVXI/AAAAAAAAASY/FtaDVPCGr9U/s1600/thunder-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l38Oseoz2xg/TvVqzUavVXI/AAAAAAAAASY/FtaDVPCGr9U/s200/thunder-logo.jpg" width="200" /></a>- Shoot the lights out. Run teams off the court. Make plays most players and teams can't make. Thats what Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and the offensive minded can do all day, all night to any team in the league. But if thats all it took to win achampionship Steve Nash would have at least 5 by now. Serge Ibaka is a monster. He stand in the middle for the Thunder and does whatever it takes to keep you out of the middle, whether you like it or not. But that mentality must be grasped by the whole squad and not just one great competitor. If Ibaka could have the affect of a mini KG and give his teammates the desire to play knock out defense and give themselves and their bodies up for the team there isn't much that will keep the Thunder from acheiving the ultimate goal. </div>
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<u>Portland Trailblazers - Gerald Wallace</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Qnm5wxCX8/TvVx8hfW1OI/AAAAAAAAAXU/S2XRCHV4PJ4/s1600/wallace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Qnm5wxCX8/TvVx8hfW1OI/AAAAAAAAAXU/S2XRCHV4PJ4/s200/wallace.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6d3BOfvE3Kk/TvVqy0yYVLI/AAAAAAAAASQ/1dexqTvQF90/s1600/protrland.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6d3BOfvE3Kk/TvVqy0yYVLI/AAAAAAAAASQ/1dexqTvQF90/s200/protrland.gif" width="181" /></a>- If you haven't notice yet here there is an underlying theme. DEFENSE. You can't win a chanpionship without it. Sorry. With that said that is exactly what Gerald Wallace will asked to bring and encourage his team to play in the upcoming season. He was able to acheive that goal with a Bobcats team that didn't have talent like LaMarcus Aldridge, Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford and Wesley Matthews. And each of those talents can score and defend it when called upon. If they desire to win it all in the vaunted Western Conference they are going to have to defend, the Kobe's, the Durant's, the Paul's and the Griffin's. If Wallace can get the defense up like it was in Charlotte you could see the black, white and red flowing from the rafters in June. </div>
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<u>Denver Nuggets - Aaron Afflalo</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5A9UXd874kg/TvVqyR2HyZI/AAAAAAAAASI/atJXg8RhEaI/s1600/afflalo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5A9UXd874kg/TvVqyR2HyZI/AAAAAAAAASI/atJXg8RhEaI/s200/afflalo.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_9xKVWe6mE/TvVqxTltIiI/AAAAAAAAASA/rdtSrnQQSJM/s1600/denver_nuggets_logo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_9xKVWe6mE/TvVqxTltIiI/AAAAAAAAASA/rdtSrnQQSJM/s200/denver_nuggets_logo1.jpg" width="200" /></a>- They needed him and they got him. Back. Not often do you find a guy capable of becoming a star with the intangibles of a scrapper. Afflalo is an imalgamation of Joe Johnson and Manu Ginobili, and he's only getting better. He is chuck full of intangibles, energy, athleticism and has a shot go along with it. Throw in fantastic perimeter D and there is no reason he can't become an All-Star this season. These qualities are what George Karl wants and demands from his players and Afflalo seems to fit the mold. With an expanded role this season to go along with a starting gig his hustle and big shots will be a spark to the Nuggets season. If the team can mimick his intangibles and willingless to play D the powder blues might be coming with a Larry O'Brien trophy stitched to the chest.</div>
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<u>Utah Jazz - Paul Milsap</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NgS67zGkE4/TvVqwllm6II/AAAAAAAAAR0/6LvfPCmkQIg/s1600/Denver%252BNuggets%252Bv%252BUtah%252BJazz%252BGame%252B6%252B8lBxuvGAnMfl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NgS67zGkE4/TvVqwllm6II/AAAAAAAAAR0/6LvfPCmkQIg/s200/Denver%252BNuggets%252Bv%252BUtah%252BJazz%252BGame%252B6%252B8lBxuvGAnMfl.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlmO13z1GC0/TvVqwUpsJiI/AAAAAAAAARs/bY-1dd9YucQ/s1600/utah_jazz_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlmO13z1GC0/TvVqwUpsJiI/AAAAAAAAARs/bY-1dd9YucQ/s200/utah_jazz_logo.jpg" width="200" /></a> - Big, bruising and athletic. That describes both Milsaps strengths as well as the Utah Jazz's. Along with Derrick Favor, Enes Kanter and Al Jefferson the size is definitely there. The Jazz flashed throughout last season their ability to comeback, to hang tough and to, and keep the engine hot even when it should be empty. Why is this? Because those are Sloan players. No matter how you dice it thats what they are. Win or lose they fight till the end. But this team has something special in comparison to those teams. One more time. Size. That is the equivalent to a good football team having a great run game. They can bang, bang and bang some more till they wear you out. Milsap put his face on a multitude of comebacks last year and seemed to play his best in the 4th quarter. With this advantage and good D, its a football lovers formula to a championship run. </div>
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<b><u>Pacific</u></b></div>
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<u>La Lakers - Andrew Bynum</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlhuNhtUvmE/TvVqvb0WctI/AAAAAAAAARc/788tE9AFrvE/s1600/300px-LA_Lakers_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlhuNhtUvmE/TvVqvb0WctI/AAAAAAAAARc/788tE9AFrvE/s200/300px-LA_Lakers_logo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2KLXlU6CUc/TvVqv2w60fI/AAAAAAAAARk/y5MaX--vLcg/s1600/andrew-bynum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2KLXlU6CUc/TvVqv2w60fI/AAAAAAAAARk/y5MaX--vLcg/s200/andrew-bynum.jpg" width="200" /></a>- Old. Brittle. Overrated. Luckily for L.A., Bynum only matches one of those adjectives. However the rest of the squad starters? Not so much. Kobe and company aren't getting any younger and they need to win now. A team with Kobe on it will always have a fighter's chance, whether he's 23 or 33. But if they are going to make it a season, then they gotta get 60+ regular season games and a Shaq like performance in the playoffs from young Bynum this season. Motivation should not be a factor. Kobe's got that. Defense either with Mike Brown now at the helm. But Bynum needs to be the horse and let L.A. ride him and his young legs to the Ship.</div>
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<u>La Clippers - Chauncey Billups</u><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2am2xFtuQrA/TvVqvPUZW0I/AAAAAAAAARU/VjIsCg9xL8g/s1600/la_clippers_logo_600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2am2xFtuQrA/TvVqvPUZW0I/AAAAAAAAARU/VjIsCg9xL8g/s200/la_clippers_logo_600x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmGF2oq1aNU/TvVqu9ElgGI/AAAAAAAAARM/mgLgqwHw2Pw/s1600/Billup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmGF2oq1aNU/TvVqu9ElgGI/AAAAAAAAARM/mgLgqwHw2Pw/s200/Billup.jpg" width="200" /></a>- Best point guard? Check. Best Power Forward? Check. Legit center? Check. Now all they have to do is win it. At least that's what everybody says they can and should do. Welcome to the flavor of the year, folks. As shiny as the new CP3 toy is and as flashy as the Griffin gold can get, if you've never won, how can you win? It's not a certainty that it can't happe nbut you need help. Yo Chauncey! Show these boys how you did it in D-Town! He's been there, he's won there, he's been MVP there. Now he need not be shy about it and share with the youngsters. Having a veteran is one thing but this is different. He solidifies your bench, keeps your practices intense, and lets you know what it takes to pour champagne. He'll be in the Clippers ears all year and for their sake, all the way to the parade.</div>
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<u>Golden State Warriors - Monta Ellis</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLhKS5SO0-0/TvVqudLLz2I/AAAAAAAAARE/molyCFj6oG8/s1600/monta_ellis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLhKS5SO0-0/TvVqudLLz2I/AAAAAAAAARE/molyCFj6oG8/s200/monta_ellis.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORiJUcd9hNs/TvVquM3xSrI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/9Y8ecsjKztM/s1600/LogoPrimary_300x329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORiJUcd9hNs/TvVquM3xSrI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/9Y8ecsjKztM/s200/LogoPrimary_300x329.jpg" width="181" /></a>- Monta Ellis is the classic freelancer. The type that can get you 50 or 5. Fill up the box or hide in one. For the Warriors sake he's more on than off but he needs to keep the light burning to make things interesting. What's really interesting? The chaos that would ensue if his team took a hint and let their games run wild like Ellis does. Think about it. Stephen Curry is a more coach friendly version of Ellis running the point, David Lee and Andris Biedrens crashing boards and running it down with Mark Jackson runnning the show and control the chaos we could see a extended run for that electric crowd in the Oracle Arena.<br />
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<u>Sacramento Kings - DeMarcus Cousins</u><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqNfBDOAiFw/TvVqtiTouDI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/th1pvJC2czc/s1600/420x316-amd_westphal_demarcus_cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqNfBDOAiFw/TvVqtiTouDI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/th1pvJC2czc/s200/420x316-amd_westphal_demarcus_cousins.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4I0cocsTsU/TvVqtWEW_WI/AAAAAAAAAQs/qoxxt8LJQ1w/s1600/sacramento_kings_logo-10006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4I0cocsTsU/TvVqtWEW_WI/AAAAAAAAAQs/qoxxt8LJQ1w/s200/sacramento_kings_logo-10006.jpg" width="200" /></a>- The Sacramento Kings maybe the world's most attractive puzzle, even if we have never seen it put together. DeMarcus Cousins makes coach's and fans drool with his seemingly unmatched mix of size, down low prowess, sweet shot and maddeningly apparent youth. The same could be said for his partner in crime Tyreke Evans. Most nights and in most games theu will be the best two players at their positions on the floor. But they just seem to be unwilling to shed the common constraints that youth provides. But damn, if they don't sometimes make me think Shaq, Kobe. More times in the bad way but they do. And as the "Bigger" man, literally and figuratively , Cousins needs to wake slap some sense into his boy Tyreke and go all Jimmer on the NBA! (You like that little sneak in?) They have got just take the rock and not let it go till no one else wants it. Thats need to be their plan to get on a roll and get to some truly uncharted territory.</div>
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<u>Phoenix Suns - Aaron Brooks</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaJowQfceLA/TvVqtCLsbUI/AAAAAAAAAQk/bGNcQNJF5jI/s1600/aaron-brooks-getty-story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaJowQfceLA/TvVqtCLsbUI/AAAAAAAAAQk/bGNcQNJF5jI/s200/aaron-brooks-getty-story.jpg" width="166" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeO7kKCMhUA/TvVqs3hLF3I/AAAAAAAAAQc/QVvU_KAq2Gk/s1600/logosuns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeO7kKCMhUA/TvVqs3hLF3I/AAAAAAAAAQc/QVvU_KAq2Gk/s200/logosuns.jpg" width="200" /></a> - We love his soccer playing, joke dropping, messy mop having, playmaking ways. But at 37, he ain't getting any younger. That's why it is very possible he may no longer be the most valuable point guard on his own squad anymore. Now the guy that has to spell a 37 year old in a ridiculous, super-condensed season? He is really, really, really important. When Nash can't feel his knees? Brooks. When Nash gets hip checked into the scorers table? Brooks. He has gotta be that guy when the Suns need him. He has the talent, breath taking speed, the ability to score, create and distribute, he's got what it takes to keep the machine rolling. He will be the key to keep everyone running with Steve, gunning with Steve, and funning with Steve. If he can keep it up, He could be hoisting that trophy with Steve. </div>
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<u>San Antonio Spurs - Manu Ginobili </u><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6C6UJiS9zs/TvVqsD6b3NI/AAAAAAAAAQM/EbFTbQ8QyFI/s1600/0519spurs08_ginobili_wl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6C6UJiS9zs/TvVqsD6b3NI/AAAAAAAAAQM/EbFTbQ8QyFI/s200/0519spurs08_ginobili_wl.jpg" width="158" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIq8F3emh18/TvVqsjqdNCI/AAAAAAAAAQU/KroVqhZiqNo/s1600/spurs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIq8F3emh18/TvVqsjqdNCI/AAAAAAAAAQU/KroVqhZiqNo/s200/spurs.gif" width="162" /></a>- You hate him. I hate him. The Lakers hate him. Most OPPONENTS hate him. The LArry O'Brien Trophy? Best friend. Hate him or hate him, he wins. And its because of the reasons non-fans or teammates hate him that he and the Spurs win. Grit, bumping, bleeding, running, yelling, diving, charging, hounding, never quitting. Everything that you hate to play against in a pick up game is everything Gregg Popovich loves and wins championships. The front office has done a great job keep the Spurs relevant and as long as the new pieces follow in Ginobili's foot steps, we can hate the Spurs all the way to another championship.</div>
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<u>Houston Rockets - Luis Scola</u><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmQsThcUvKQ/TvVqr_DhPpI/AAAAAAAAAQE/wcsWpCgsdbc/s1600/luis-scola-intense-pau-gasol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmQsThcUvKQ/TvVqr_DhPpI/AAAAAAAAAQE/wcsWpCgsdbc/s200/luis-scola-intense-pau-gasol.jpg" width="184" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKv89n3ExzU/TvVqrscHudI/AAAAAAAAAP8/M3TDL5zQUkw/s1600/rockets-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKv89n3ExzU/TvVqrscHudI/AAAAAAAAAP8/M3TDL5zQUkw/s200/rockets-logo.jpg" width="200" /></a>- Up. Down. Left. Right. North. South. East. West. They don't change. You count on them to lead you, to never change and tell you the right way to go. Whch way is up. The weather. And Luis Scola will have to be that for the Rockets. Maybe minus the weather stuff though. They do play in a dome after all. Truly, his consistency and his all world experience don't come by every year. He makes the smart plays and does it passionately. He lets hair fly and leaves it on the floor. Kevin Martin can follow. Kyle Lowry can follow. So can Samuel Dalembert and Patrick Patterson. Keep it steady, Do it right and play like you've been there. Don't let anything bother you, even trade rumors. Do that and you might be in the Finals before you realize it. </div>
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<u>New Orleans Hornets - Jarrett Jack </u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1O9z8mJxkg/TvVqrSjfbJI/AAAAAAAAAP0/oeW_SqI6I44/s1600/new-orleans-hornets-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1O9z8mJxkg/TvVqrSjfbJI/AAAAAAAAAP0/oeW_SqI6I44/s200/new-orleans-hornets-logo.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="156" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NP5cQw3lO1Y/TvVqqwhhE3I/AAAAAAAAAPs/hTf66yed1hI/s1600/jarrettjackjpg-9493bc0875b43302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NP5cQw3lO1Y/TvVqqwhhE3I/AAAAAAAAAPs/hTf66yed1hI/s200/jarrettjackjpg-9493bc0875b43302.jpg" width="142" /></a>- Its one of the most difficult things in sport to do. It was tough after Marino. It was Tough after Jordan. It was tough after Lemieux. It was tough after Phil. Thrice (Soon to be thrice. Maybe) But Jarret Jack has got to do it. And he has to do it now. Chris Paul is gone, and is his dust is a town in pain and shock, and a roster with an amalgamation of thrown away players, almosts and never beens. But boy if their would ever be an ultimate cinderella it would have to be this. Losing the best point guard in the League. It would have to be in this city. New Orleans knows how to rise above adversity. And it would have to be led by Jarret Jack. Never given a chance. Never allowed to play for real. Never told he could do it. Here's his team. Here's his city. Here's his chance. If he believes, the Hornets will follow.</div>
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<u>Memphis Grizzlies - Tony Allen</u><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilkm2WsH75E/TvVqqjTZNxI/AAAAAAAAAPk/q2ALNu3Kfd8/s1600/grizzlies_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilkm2WsH75E/TvVqqjTZNxI/AAAAAAAAAPk/q2ALNu3Kfd8/s200/grizzlies_logo.gif" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKZc2_ZFfZ8/TvVqqWPOl4I/AAAAAAAAAPc/SNW_YKFlJj0/s1600/nba-grizzlies-allenx-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKZc2_ZFfZ8/TvVqqWPOl4I/AAAAAAAAAPc/SNW_YKFlJj0/s200/nba-grizzlies-allenx-large.jpg" width="200" /></a>- He did it once. Actually Twice (Remember him Boston) I'm sure they do. And I am sure they know why his one man do it all - bring the energy act worked in Boston. Because he had help. Alot of it. Not to say he didn't last year. Zach Randolph was ridiculous last year. Marc Gasol was so good he made L.A. regret trading him for his brother. But this season he needs more. He need O.J. Mayo to buy in. He needs Rudy Gay to buy in. He need Mike Conley to buy more. They need to change their team name from the Grizzlies to the Tony Allen's and just bring it. If any team has more swag ket me know. But swag only gets you so far. You got to earn it to swing it. You've got to have to bring it. But if they buy in, praises, we'll sing it. </div>
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<u>Dallas Mavericks - Jason Kidd</u><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkWcv-PTC2c/TvVqp8GKyII/AAAAAAAAAPU/VuaaHxF9MEs/s1600/mavs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkWcv-PTC2c/TvVqp8GKyII/AAAAAAAAAPU/VuaaHxF9MEs/s200/mavs.gif" width="163" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz9Lf8P5o9o/TvVqpnec3WI/AAAAAAAAAPM/UKfxLyH34vY/s1600/Jason_Kidd_Mavs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz9Lf8P5o9o/TvVqpnec3WI/AAAAAAAAAPM/UKfxLyH34vY/s200/Jason_Kidd_Mavs.jpg" width="200" /></a>- Jason Kidd. Old. Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion. Old. Dirk Nowitzki. Old. Jason Terry. That jet doesn't fly that high anymore. Peja Stojakovic. Enjoy retirement. Theme. Yeeeee-yeah. This team isn't celebrating anymore 30th birthdays anytime soon. Because they have past them all. Thing is. They were the oldest team all last year's regular season (31.5). And got a year older per average in the playoffs (32.2)! But, they sorta won a championship. I bet EVERY team wish they were THAT old. Championship old. Apparently things age well in Dallas. Oh, did I mention, they added Vince Carter (yeah he's 34, crazy right?) and Brian Cardinal (34. yeah, he still PLAYS basketball. Crazy right?) But, you don't doubt a champion. Especially in the easiest sport to win back to back championships in. From 1987 to 2010, only 5 teams did NOT repeat. Seven DID repeat. Two of those teams three peated and three of those teams 6 played in three consecutive Finals. Take solace in that Dallas. History's got you back if father time doesn't.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-6127624911065364603?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-78259577837306187672011-12-19T08:47:00.001-08:002011-12-20T15:33:23.178-08:002011-12-20T15:33:23.178-08:00Winter Hibernation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2HCMyQ1uLQ/TvEY9TH8RUI/AAAAAAAAAPA/_WX13W0hmd4/s1600/injury-report.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2HCMyQ1uLQ/TvEY9TH8RUI/AAAAAAAAAPA/_WX13W0hmd4/s1600/injury-report.jpg" /></a></div>
15 weeks of concussions, squeaky joints, bad hammy's and torn muscles. Turf toe, broken hands, high ankle sprains. Hot summers with 3 a days to full pads in the winter. It all adds up and it leaves teams like the Texans and Steelers reeling in pivotal games and teams like the Colts, 'Phins and Rams out of it before they can even get off the starting block. Wanna see what that looks like over 15 weeks? The chart below shows how many players were affected by injuries sustained over the first 15 weeks of the season:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6nvQRT3zn0/TvD5eaGsLcI/AAAAAAAAANw/NEg-JVhYoac/s1600/Injuries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6nvQRT3zn0/TvD5eaGsLcI/AAAAAAAAANw/NEg-JVhYoac/s320/Injuries.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwQqlkYR16s/TvEY0ogIqCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/NsZSrpuGvRs/s1600/WILLIS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwQqlkYR16s/TvEY0ogIqCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/NsZSrpuGvRs/s200/WILLIS1.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVQ5pnWVUxc/TvEY01O5K8I/AAAAAAAAAOI/Hle2FvVBmUY/s1600/Ravens-linebacker-Ray-Lewis-hopes-to-return-for-Sunday-game-NFL-News-118676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVQ5pnWVUxc/TvEY01O5K8I/AAAAAAAAAOI/Hle2FvVBmUY/s200/Ravens-linebacker-Ray-Lewis-hopes-to-return-for-Sunday-game-NFL-News-118676.jpg" width="158" /></a>Of the 59 players listed as out this past week, 25 were starters. A multitude of players that did in fact play were hampered by the injuries that had them listed as so. Ben Roethlisberger, Lamar Woodley, Willis McGahee to name a few. For playoff teams, the difference between, say a 12-4 number 2 or 3 seed that backs into the playoffs racked with injuries compared to rested, healthy and physically uninhibited 11-5 or 10-6 3 seed team can be monumental (Here's looking at you Texans). Its a common practice among teams already locked up in a playoff spot weeks before the first postseason game, but, I contest, if your guaranteed a playoff spot, why not take the chance let your starters get healthy and let your backups carry the load for the final game or two. Especially if the last two games are winnable without starters (here's looking at you Pittsburgh). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teams wanna see the Andre's Johnsons,<br />Ray Lewis' and Patrick Willis' on the field<br />and not on the sideline in the playoffs.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, teams aren't always afforded such a luxury so early in the season. Teams that could benefit include a Raven's team who need to get healthy up the middle to generate the anchor for a defense dependent on it (Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata), the 49er's who will need Frank Gore 100% to control games against the NFC's offensively daunting playoff bunch and the Atlanta Falcons whose walking wounded include a Michael Turner, Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, Jasn Babineaux, Tony Gonzalez, two starting CB's and pass rushers. But, alas these teams will have to rough it in the next to weeks to maintain or gain ground on the plethora of teams in the playoff hunt.</div>
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However, and ironically enough, the two teams that can actually employ this tactic RIGHT NOW, are the last two participants in the Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here's how and why they must take the opportunity to get healthy and get healthy now.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTiNOEiHJSE/TvEY2l-RwjI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ySjuDk-86po/s1600/pittsburgh-steelers-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTiNOEiHJSE/TvEY2l-RwjI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ySjuDk-86po/s200/pittsburgh-steelers-logo.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Pittsburgh Steelers</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wE79iV_QoO0/TvEY2M4ttHI/AAAAAAAAAOo/PncKCJDrFE8/s1600/BEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wE79iV_QoO0/TvEY2M4ttHI/AAAAAAAAAOo/PncKCJDrFE8/s200/BEN.jpg" width="135" /></a>I doubt that I need to explain the importance of health to Steelers Nation after yesterday's nationally televised whooping.The walking wounded looked so bad the light man at Candlestick decided the game would be easier to watch in the dark for Steeler fans. Big Ben could barely walk. His two early interception's were his fault and his fault alone, the product of his inability to step in to throws to give his receivers a chance at the ball. Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers All-Pro Center and best lineman couldn't play. Lamar Woodley exited with more hamstring problems and Troy Polamalu was a touch slowed by a hammy of his only, leaving Vernon Davis to be guarded by the Steelers lesser talents which resulted in Davis tearing apart the Steelers D and scoring a game-breaking TD. If you didn't notice, all of those players are of all pro caliber, all but one made last year's pro bowl. That hurts.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5AS0zo7CaI/TvEY11ZyD9I/AAAAAAAAAOg/uwNGh8mykc4/s1600/Troy%252BPolamalu%252BLamarr%252BWoodley%252BPittsburgh%252BSteelers%252BNqZ5MC4kzxwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5AS0zo7CaI/TvEY11ZyD9I/AAAAAAAAAOg/uwNGh8mykc4/s320/Troy%252BPolamalu%252BLamarr%252BWoodley%252BPittsburgh%252BSteelers%252BNqZ5MC4kzxwl.jpg" width="213" /></a>The Steelers have a very winnable remaining schedule at the Bradford-less Rams and the concussed Cleveland Browns. But they need help to get higher seeding. New England would have to lose to Buffalo and Miami. Baltimore would have to lose one or both of their final games (Cincinnati and Cleveland) for Pittsburgh to have a shot at the division or number one seed. Houston, missing a Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, get a bit of a reprieve in the Colts and the Titans to help secure their seeding. Why not let the starters, grab the sideline, get healthy, get a chip on their shoulders and get to the playoffs. a Number 5 seed would have them play a weak first round matchup against and AFC West opponent or a the Texans, sans Matt Schaub, in the number 6. And though they would have a away schedule for the rest of the year, I think the Pittsburgh community would feel much more confident going through the playoffs with a Healthy Ben and healthy playmakers, rather than what was on the field last night. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-en4t3CiJjR4/TvEY25NTw9I/AAAAAAAAAO4/hcL2LLIwi3o/s1600/Green-Bay-Packers-Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-en4t3CiJjR4/TvEY25NTw9I/AAAAAAAAAO4/hcL2LLIwi3o/s200/Green-Bay-Packers-Logo.gif" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><u>Green Bay Packers</u></b></div>
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The Pack were exposed. Sort of.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjcHaGUIauQ/TvEY1b7REZI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/gFkx2Z4D3g8/s1600/9118387-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjcHaGUIauQ/TvEY1b7REZI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/gFkx2Z4D3g8/s320/9118387-large.jpg" width="320" /></a>Missing burner and best wideout Greg Jennings, starting tackle Chad Clifton and starting G Josh Sitton, the Packers were seemingly caught off guard by the athleticism and fire of the Kansas City Chiefs who made the line work and the receivers work harder. Amid a myriad of mind boggling drops by the Packers receivers that left Aaron Rodger's on the wrong side of 50% completion percentage at half, the Green Bay Packers took two more blows, losing Tackles Bryan Bulaga and Derrek Sherrod to leg injuries. To boot, a defense that finally seem to show up through the first 3 quarters ultimately showed further why the Packers health is paramount as the Chiefs were able to score the games first touchdown, a game breaker that made the Packers first touchdown nice but a bit late.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg Jennings is only one of a bunch of downed Packers.</td></tr>
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This game thoroughly showed the importance of getting the ENTIRE team on the field and playing without crutches, at full speed, full tilt, full confidence. If the line can't get healthy players like Jean Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh and John Abraham will make Rodger's life much more difficult than it needs to be to return to the promised land. Not to mention playing the starters the next to weeks against the Bears and the Lions severely puts Aaron Rodger's in danger of not finishing the season undinged, with the likes of Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Nick Fairley, Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Julius Peppers all licking their chops to knock off the their rival's golden boy in Rodger's and deal the number one team in the league a debilitating blow that the Pack can't not afford to take.<br />
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-7825957783730618767?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-31355979948889666552011-12-18T13:07:00.000-08:002011-12-18T17:03:37.345-08:002011-12-18T17:03:37.345-08:00Thhhaaaaaaaaaattttttt Close<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_keSB2LPy3c/Tu6GurJz7HI/AAAAAAAAALM/6iX0aURjS6w/s1600/Mmorris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_keSB2LPy3c/Tu6GurJz7HI/AAAAAAAAALM/6iX0aURjS6w/s640/Mmorris.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCvstvrPKMk/Tu6GuSMvDGI/AAAAAAAAALE/zs948fD9wlc/s1600/champagnebottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCvstvrPKMk/Tu6GuSMvDGI/AAAAAAAAALE/zs948fD9wlc/s200/champagnebottle.jpg" width="200" /></a>Another year, another bottle popped for Shula, Mercury, Griese and the rest of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the last and only team to ever go undefeated. The Green Bay Packers have fallen line with other great teams that have tried and failed to beat the pressure and go undefeated.<br />
In honor, or dishonor, depending on your opinion or affiliation, of the Packers inexplicable loss to the Kyle Orton led Kansas City Chiefs, I have compiled a list of the 5 OTHER teams that have gone to the promised land only to miss it by Thhhaaaaaaatttttttttt much. It's crazy to think of the teams that came so close. They are easily some of the best offenses and defenses in the history of the NFL. So with that, your list of those that got Thhhaaaaaaaaaattttttt Close.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>1985 Bears</u></b></span><br />
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<b>First Loss: Week 13</b></div>
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<b>Opponent: Miami Dolphins</b></div>
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<b>Score: 24-38</b></div>
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<b><u>Breakdown:</u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xOHXjVjt0vg/Tu6GvjXsprI/AAAAAAAAALU/B9emY74HAUo/s1600/85BearsDolphins11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xOHXjVjt0vg/Tu6GvjXsprI/AAAAAAAAALU/B9emY74HAUo/s200/85BearsDolphins11.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marino may have been the only qb ever<br />to been able to defeat these Bears.</td></tr>
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IT was a fairy tale kind of game as the Miami Dolphins, owners of history's only undefeated season, thwarted the eventual Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears attempt at a perfect season under the lights on Monday Night Football. The Bears where coming off three wins during which they outscored opponents 104-3. This defense, one of history's greatest, the vaunted Buddy Ryan 46 defense, was a hard blitzing defense that focused on forcing the quarterback to make a perfect throw against tight man coverage with at one free blitzer in his face nearly every play.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Beu1sW4J6HE/Tu6G5MCqyxI/AAAAAAAAALc/7CPkemGh5Sc/s1600/mcmahon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Beu1sW4J6HE/Tu6G5MCqyxI/AAAAAAAAALc/7CPkemGh5Sc/s200/mcmahon.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McMahon's injury hurt the<br />Bears chances to go undefeated.</td></tr>
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So how could they be defeated? Two reasons. Their starting QB, the incomparable wild man Jim McMahon, was out of the game. The second? Possibly the only thing that could beat that defense in a year that year (and the only thing that DID). Statistically, the great QB of all time, Dan Marino. The Dolphins used the Bears aggressiveness on defense to the their advantage. Because of Maraino's ability to hold the ball what seems like a lifetime longer than most quarterbacks, coupled with his ability to make that perfect throw so often, the Dolphins were able to pass to the middle of the field with ease and precision. The constant blitz left gaping holes in the defense, which allowed Marino to attack it with his tight ends and crossing patterns, and thus forced the secondary to make plays they had not been asked to make most of the year. The result? The Dolphins would hang 38 points on what would become a top 3 all time defense. That's one way to protect your franchise records.</div>
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The Bears bounced back nicely, finishing the rest of the regular season unscathed, then bulldozing through the playoffs with two shutouts, ten points allowed and a 46-10 victory in Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots. </div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1998 Broncos</span></u></b><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DduCdv8rVE/Tu6G6eNoBuI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ZGoThdQ9xm0/s1600/broncos+super+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DduCdv8rVE/Tu6G6eNoBuI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ZGoThdQ9xm0/s320/broncos+super+bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>First Loss: Week 15</b></div>
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<b>Opponent: New York Giants</b></div>
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<b>Score: 16-20</b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGZKEuZxxAg/Tu6G7HtQ8yI/AAAAAAAAAL8/roOT_ZTaPdQ/s1600/amani+toomer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGZKEuZxxAg/Tu6G7HtQ8yI/AAAAAAAAAL8/roOT_ZTaPdQ/s200/amani+toomer.jpg" width="166" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjqYqkMUc7c/Tu6G6FgAaCI/AAAAAAAAALs/IZ_kLmJXg6A/s1600/terrell+davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjqYqkMUc7c/Tu6G6FgAaCI/AAAAAAAAALs/IZ_kLmJXg6A/s200/terrell+davis.jpg" width="160" /></a>This game was what we all love to call, and rightfully so a trap game. The 1998 Broncos were the 90's darling team and its greatest team. They made 13-0 relatively easy and never met much a challenge season, with on 5 games decided by 7 points or less.<br />
They made the trip to the Meadowlands to face the Kent Graham New York Giants, who were having another ho-hum season at a blistering 5-8. The Broncos fought to a workman like 16-13 lead behind a strong game by Terrell Davis, rushing for 147 yards on 28 carries.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SSAW48qbYJA/Tu6G7pt1GWI/AAAAAAAAAME/akcPo8KVJS4/s1600/kent+graham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SSAW48qbYJA/Tu6G7pt1GWI/AAAAAAAAAME/akcPo8KVJS4/s200/kent+graham.jpg" width="200" /></a>However, Kent Graham, with an angel on his back and possessed by the ghost of Johnny Unitas, storm down the field and hit a strike to Amani Toomer in the corner of the end zone, who made an amazing catch falling out of the end zone. Initially, it was called an incomplete pass, but to the delight of Amani Toomer and chagrin of Bronco nation, a second official ran in to overturn the call, end the Broncos run at perfection and cementing the 98 Giants in history as the only team to beat the 98 Broncos.<br />
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<b><u>Rest of the season:</u></b><br />
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The Broncos would loss their next game as well, but then win the next four, including three in the playoffs in rout to John Elway's and the Denver Broncos second consecutive Championship, sending off Elway in style, as this would be his last season as the Broncos quarterback.</div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2005 Colts</span></u></b> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojGOeF-Gv00/Tu6JdJM3SbI/AAAAAAAAANI/VOc0GvcklYI/s1600/p+manning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojGOeF-Gv00/Tu6JdJM3SbI/AAAAAAAAANI/VOc0GvcklYI/s200/p+manning.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>First Loss: Week 15</b></div>
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<b>Opponent: San Diego Chargers</b></div>
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<b>Score: 17-26</b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LC5suUm30ZI/Tu6G9k-o8GI/AAAAAAAAAMc/PkT_HYMag6g/s1600/brees+rca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LC5suUm30ZI/Tu6G9k-o8GI/AAAAAAAAAMc/PkT_HYMag6g/s200/brees+rca.jpg" width="133" /></a>The 2005 Colts were strangely similar to the other streak breakers on this list. Like the 85' Dolphins, they had one of history's top 5 qb's. Like the 98' Giants, they were losing nearly the entire game against the Chargers. And, like both streak breakers, would not see nary a minute of play during that years Super Bowl.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bC03S4NIlnY/Tu6G9Zuz1cI/AAAAAAAAAMU/IxZYqLnbfx8/s1600/chargers+rca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bC03S4NIlnY/Tu6G9Zuz1cI/AAAAAAAAAMU/IxZYqLnbfx8/s200/chargers+rca.jpg" width="200" /></a>As luck would have the Colts ran into the Chargers who with this game, would begin an incredible December, going 21-1 from that game through the 2009 season. The 05' Drew Bress led Chargers used a quick punch score, a tough running game led by Ladanian Tomlinson and Michael Turner, and a stout defensive performance against Peyton Manning during his record breaking prime years to win the game without any true doubt to the outcome.<br />
The Colts would try to comeback but would not get close again after Manning threw an interception into the end zone to seal their loss to the Chargers.<br />
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Rest of the Season:<br />
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The Colts would loss 2 of the next 3, including a memorable loss to eventual Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, in a game that featured a controversial Troy Polamalu interception and an anxiety-driven sequence that saw future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis fumble at the goal-line, which was nearly returned for a game sealing touchdown by Nick Harper, who was tackled by a shoestring by the time Super Bowl Champ Ben Roethlisberger.<br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2007 Patriots </span></u></b></div>
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<b>First Loss: Super Bowl</b></div>
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<b>Opponent: New York Giants</b></div>
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<b>Score: 14-17</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrN2z9iloA4/Tu6G_UgkthI/AAAAAAAAAM0/I6D4DjQS7OU/s1600/moss+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrN2z9iloA4/Tu6G_UgkthI/AAAAAAAAAM0/I6D4DjQS7OU/s200/moss+2007.jpg" width="135" /></a>THIS was the team. They were destined. No one could beat them. No one could get them to call of the dogs as they beat, battered and blistered teams to a pulp every week. They won by 19.7 every week. Moss broke the receiving TD record with 23. Tom Brady broke the passing TD record with 50. Wes Welker had 112 catches. Troy Brown had 102. Randy Moss 98. Some say, that only the Patriots could beat the Patriots. Or an act of God. Or simply, Karma for the way people thought they "carried on" late in games as they ran up scores.<br />
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Well, after defeating the New York Giants (nearly eliminating them from the playoffs. They "snuck in at healthy 10-6, outlasting the 9-7 Washington Redskins)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9_p5S2g3xw/Tu6G-OBcgnI/AAAAAAAAAMk/qKzKmHBp6ns/s1600/tyree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9_p5S2g3xw/Tu6G-OBcgnI/AAAAAAAAAMk/qKzKmHBp6ns/s200/tyree.jpg" width="151" /></a>Then, the playoffs started. And the Pats started slowing down. A pair of stout defensive lines in the Jaguars and Chargers gave a glimmer of how to take down the juggernaut Pats. You cut off the head and the beast dies. You get to Brady and the offense flat lines.<br />
In Super Bowl XLll, the rematch of the Giants game from week 17, the Giants Trio of Micheal Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, who combined for 32 regular season sacks, got to Brady three times out of five sacks and kept him frazzled the entire game, allowing, Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress and David Tyree to orchestrate a Super Bowl classic of a game winning drive to stun the 18-0 Patriots and seize the Lombardi Trophy while avenging their week 17 loss to the Pats.<br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2009 Colts</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9qJv9QLDNg/Tu6G_tdWR1I/AAAAAAAAAM8/xsIGs84JSbo/s1600/caldwell+gives+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9qJv9QLDNg/Tu6G_tdWR1I/AAAAAAAAAM8/xsIGs84JSbo/s200/caldwell+gives+up.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<b>First Loss: Week 16</b><br />
<b>Opponent: New York Jets</b><br />
<b>Score: 15-2</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is easily the most controversial loss of all the teams to flirt with an undefeated season, especially when one considers the end result. New Head Coach Jim Caldwell, with the support of his starters threw the game in an attempt to prepare the team for the playoffs, and guarantee that the majority of their team was healthy entering the playoffs. The strategy worked to a degree. They made it to the Super Bowl but lost to the same quarterback who ended the Colts 2005 bid at a perfect regular season - Drew Brees - and his electric offense in the Saints. Ironically, the Colts would defeat those same Jets that they forfeited to in ending there perfect regular season bid, which gives credence to the thought that they had a great chance to get to the Super Bowl unscathed. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKYPwivlXcE/Tu6McVCmEbI/AAAAAAAAANg/v7ldDIsoSj8/s1600/pakers+chiefs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKYPwivlXcE/Tu6McVCmEbI/AAAAAAAAANg/v7ldDIsoSj8/s320/pakers+chiefs.jpg" width="230" /></a><br />
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So as history shows us, its incredibly tough to go undefeated, let alone make it to week 13 without a blemish in the loss column. Only 6 teams have done it, and none made it through a full season and playoff run without feeling defeat. But, in a slight mental victory for the Pack and its faithful, every NFC team and every team not named the Colts made it to and won that season's Super Bowl. But the formula has been unleashed on how to handle if not defeat the nearly unbeatable Packers. Pass rush, athletic cover corners and a solid run game to control the clock and keep Green Bay off the field will give any team a chance to get the Packers on edge. Now that makes for an exciting finish to an already amazing season.<br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-3135597994888966655?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-40417230033106484242011-12-15T11:31:00.000-08:002011-12-15T11:31:17.160-08:002011-12-15T11:31:17.160-08:00Bill Cowher, Meet the Dolphins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzKKZEleuxA/TupFeXncg7I/AAAAAAAAAKg/UpXBWKinXew/s1600/Miami-Dolphins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkrrhDrKAdc/TupFe6TuYGI/AAAAAAAAAKo/2rsnO4NgbwU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkrrhDrKAdc/TupFe6TuYGI/AAAAAAAAAKo/2rsnO4NgbwU/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzKKZEleuxA/TupFeXncg7I/AAAAAAAAAKg/UpXBWKinXew/s1600/Miami-Dolphins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzKKZEleuxA/TupFeXncg7I/AAAAAAAAAKg/UpXBWKinXew/s200/Miami-Dolphins.jpg" width="173" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">James Walker, blogger for the AFC North division on ESPN. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The Dolphins didn't handle the Sparano situation well and that will not look good among the coaching community. Miami also </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/35542/ross-jeff-ireland-in-charge-of-personnel" target="_blank"><span style="color: #225db7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">plans to retain </span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">general manager Jeff Ireland, doesn't have a franchise quarterback and has to compete with winning programs like the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots" target="_new"><span style="color: #225db7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">New England Patriots</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets" target="_new"><span style="color: #225db7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">New York Jets</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> in the AFC East. Top coaching candidates may see </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/35594/ranking-nfl-job-openings" target="_blank"><span style="color: #225db7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">other jobs around the league</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> as more attractive"</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ahcB0Kiv5U/TupFfV1_q6I/AAAAAAAAAKw/OuyN3mRMkAk/s1600/jerome-bettis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ahcB0Kiv5U/TupFfV1_q6I/AAAAAAAAAKw/OuyN3mRMkAk/s200/jerome-bettis.jpeg" width="140" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jerome Bettis, former all-pro, Cowher RB and current </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">commentator for the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Network" title="NFL Network"><span style="color: #0645ad; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">NFL Network</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It would have to be farfetched -- and this would never happen -- it would have to (be) something like Andy Reid gets fired or something crazy," Bettis said. "Something to that degree." ... That's the type of scenario that Coach Cowher would have to really give some thought, because now you're not coming in coaching a last-place team. You've got a quality football team that needs direction and understanding." </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I don't think a Miami job will entice him because there are so many issues, No. 1 being the quarterback position," Bettis said. "The one thing I do know is he's not going anywhere that doesn't have a solid quarterback already in place."</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we are to listen to the ideas of others we might forget to see the reality of some situations. Both James Walker and Jerome Bettis have great knowledge of these situations and respected opinions. But one thing about the NFL is the unexpected is always right around the corner. And if you take a look at what it takes to make Cowher happy and what the Dolphins have to offer, you might be surprised with what you find. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1) An established team</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First things first, Bill Cowher wants to walk into a good situation. He's not going to want a Jaguars team that has a rookie quarterback he probably would not have wanted or a defense that is light years away from Super Bowl or mid-90's Steelers quality. Kansas City has an opening, stars on both side of the ball, great fight, great fans and great upside. Downside? Meet GM Scott Pioli. He's going NOwhere. That leaves potential openings in Minnesota and San Diego. But Minnesota has Adrian Peterson and nothing else and Norv Turner just seems to be that cat with 9 lives, so we can rule them out. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Dolphins? More established than you think.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Defense</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lhOsUmCWs/TupFd29L2TI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/FAFih6pcbsA/s1600/camwake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lhOsUmCWs/TupFd29L2TI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/FAFih6pcbsA/s320/camwake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They have a great defense. Yes, THAT Miami Dolphins defense. YES, the 2011 version. They are sneaky third in the league in Rush Defense. As for their 25th ranked Pass D? You can attribute that to three gashings courtesy of Tom Brady, Eli manning and Philip Rivers. Remove those outliers and the Defense jumps to a respectable 11th overall. And on top of that, since the offense has learned to control the clock with Reggie Bush and smart passing, (2nd in the league in Time of Possession for the past 6 weeks with a 4-2 record) the defense is able to use its assets and play fast and quality defense, similar to what the Steelers used to and still value. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 4.5pt 4.5pt 4.5pt 4.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody> </tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o15OQZOsKjU/TupFdGWI4aI/AAAAAAAAAKA/oA6R0hJcaCI/s1600/vontae-davis-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o15OQZOsKjU/TupFdGWI4aI/AAAAAAAAAKA/oA6R0hJcaCI/s200/vontae-davis-8.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: 12pt;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 4.5pt; padding-left: 4.5pt; padding-right: 4.5pt; padding-top: 4.5pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 4.5pt; padding-left: 4.5pt; padding-right: 4.5pt; padding-top: 3pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Davis is starting to join the conversation<br />
of top 3 corners in the league.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knVtk8G1kxw/TupFdtytTTI/AAAAAAAAAKI/X0Uqru7EpHg/s1600/Karlos-Dansby1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knVtk8G1kxw/TupFdtytTTI/AAAAAAAAAKI/X0Uqru7EpHg/s200/Karlos-Dansby1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now imagine how quickly this defense would turn around in a 3-4 Zone Blitz scheme that Cowher would undoubtedly deploy? 3-4's need linebackers with speed for the edge and cover skills for the middle (Taylor, Wake, Dansby and Burnett are perfect fits) Ends and tackles that take up blockers, (Merling is a start and DT is abundant in the coming draft, a Cowher specialty) and Man to Man corners that can hold their own (Vontae Davis is a star and Sean Smith is a solid starter). Cowher would only have to add his scheme to let this Defense reach its potential. The sacks would add up quick and the corners would do excellent jobs of capitalizing on quarterback mistakes because of the rush. A match made in heaven in my opinion. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Offense </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ey_OwzMMllw/TupFeH0qZyI/AAAAAAAAAKY/eHOYVlUl090/s1600/jake-long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ey_OwzMMllw/TupFeH0qZyI/AAAAAAAAAKY/eHOYVlUl090/s200/jake-long.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The offensive line is strength. Jake Long is a true star and lead while Vernon Carey, Young Mike Pouncey and Incognito play with a mean streak similar to what Cowher loves for his teams to push the defense back with the running game. Anthony Fasano, for all his receiving ups and downs, is a great run blocker, the real reason he is still in Orange and Teal. He is cut from the same mold of Mark Bruener, a favorite from Cowher's Pittsburgh days.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zlDdmULVMc/TupFc0cnGbI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/E886a2c-DII/s1600/bmarshsmile26_555483e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zlDdmULVMc/TupFc0cnGbI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/E886a2c-DII/s200/bmarshsmile26_555483e.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 4.5pt; padding-left: 4.5pt; padding-right: 4.5pt; padding-top: 3pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Marshall could finally reach his<br />
potential with a leader and<br />
disciplinarian like Cowher. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At running back there may be a snag. We know that Cowher loves a bruiser and the Dolphins just don't have one. Reggie has developed a great attitude over the past few weeks and is really trying to run guys over when on the field, contributing to his recent 100 yard efforts, and Daniel Thomas is a great, strong and young complement to Reggie. But Cowher may want someone that can tote it 30 times a game that he can trust at the goal line.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The receivers do well in their ability to catch the ball and create, when the ball gets to them in timely fashion. Brandon Marshall is a tar. Along with Devon Bess, they play with chips on their shoulder and are both threats in the receiving games. A true compliment to them is that they have finally put into their games the ability to block down field and seek that block to spring the runner. If you watch the film, Bush gets big yardage when he can hit the hole and have help at the second level, where the TE and WR's have been flourishing in their down field blocking. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That brings us to another sticking point in bring Cowher to South Florida</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2) Quarterback.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pM7JjYOobP4/TupFa7VZvwI/AAAAAAAAAJI/ssO57SicJqs/s1600/roethlisberger_cowher_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pM7JjYOobP4/TupFa7VZvwI/AAAAAAAAAJI/ssO57SicJqs/s200/roethlisberger_cowher_blog.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cowher won only when he drafted his QB </span><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">in 2004. In Ben first season Pittsburgh</span><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">was 15-1.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is one piece of the team that many would feel as the though the most experience would be warranted from Cowher to bring him into the fold. The Dolphins have a competent passer in Matt Moore, but he, like Tommy Maddox, is not a franchise style or Super Bowl type QB. But what the Dolphins do have over any other team is the ability to add a star quarterback through the draft immediately, with the perks of:</span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: 12.0pt; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 4.5pt 4.5pt 4.5pt 4.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="padding: 4.5pt 4.5pt 4.5pt 4.5pt;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 3.0pt 4.5pt 4.5pt 4.5pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222221; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">a) Not ruffling feathers of the current incumbent and causing locker room/Front Office friction (Jaand Gabbert, Minnesota and Ponder, KC Cassel and Pioli)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b) A draft class for Qb's that rivals 2004, during which Cowher hand pick his man in Ben Roethlisberger</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c) Setting the tone of his tenure with the franchise with his kind of Quarterback</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cowher gets to pick from, Robert Griffin III (Heisman and pro style in college), Mark Bradley (Great leader, measurables and pedigree coming from USC) Landry Jones (Great competitor and numbers) and to a lesser extent, if they can jump high enough, prized QB Andrew Luck (Highest rated QB prospect ever).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d53m7LUPieM/TupFb2PIWXI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Ygo9h_NWq5A/s1600/Robert-Griffin-III-wins-Heisman-Trophy-VIMPJOA-x-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d53m7LUPieM/TupFb2PIWXI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Ygo9h_NWq5A/s200/Robert-Griffin-III-wins-Heisman-Trophy-VIMPJOA-x-large.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--qMSHUioP6U/TupFbuGNsjI/AAAAAAAAAJY/XOfDBqB0Ew4/s1600/andrew-luck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--qMSHUioP6U/TupFbuGNsjI/AAAAAAAAAJY/XOfDBqB0Ew4/s200/andrew-luck.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s not as if the QB position would be a drawback. Cowher could choose his guy; build around him while finally being the guy to bring the first Franchise QB to Miami since Marino retired.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And don't be surprised if said QB gets hands on training with Marino, good friend and co-worker of Cowher, from Pittsburgh, living in Miami. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222221; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, moves like that might require</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222221; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">3) GM Power </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGFB7gYz7mI/TupFcA9SKqI/AAAAAAAAAJo/GBwO2UYVCg0/s1600/JeffIreland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGFB7gYz7mI/TupFcA9SKqI/AAAAAAAAAJo/GBwO2UYVCg0/s200/JeffIreland.jpg" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 4.5pt; padding-left: 4.5pt; padding-right: 4.5pt; padding-top: 3pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Is Ireland worth missing out on Cowher?</span></div></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And that may be the sticking point. This is where it gets scary for Miami fans. Do the Dol-fans want a new GM. Hell yes. One that doesn’t draft like a Sputnik? Missed on Ginn Jr. Missed chances at three prime needs in 2010 draft (passed on RB Mark Ingram in 1st round, DT Marvin Austin in 2nd round, and QB Ryan Mallet in the 3rd). Offended Dez Bryant to the point of undraftable in 2010. He's done a good job somewhat on the defense but Cowher's track record (and yes I realize that Cowher was never a GM in Pittsburgh, but his power over decisions in player personnel decisions was strongly apparent.) is amazing in the draft an beyond it. His ability to find players that fit and play the right way is uncanny. Hines Ward, Jason Gildon, Joel Steed, Mike Vrabel, Max Starks, and Joey Porter where all deep draft picks that he found and made stars. Wondering what he could add to the Dolphins squad is as easy as looking at his teams that ruled the AFC Central and North for years is all one needs to do.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, Steve Ross may be able to afford Cowher but must find away to let Cowher run things unopposed. Cowher's distaste for Front Office opposition is one well chronicled in the Pittsburgh area and is the main reason he has waited so long to return.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_jZNGh4now/TupFbeIp-6I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/mHtSXwteSt0/s1600/49ers%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_jZNGh4now/TupFbeIp-6I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/mHtSXwteSt0/s200/49ers%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> T</span><span style="color: #222221; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">his will probably end the same as it has the past few years. Some flirting, some courting, some questions, but no connections. But there will be no doubting Ross doesn't want to repeat what happened last year in missing his man in Jim Harbaugh. Cowher is the number one target for Ross. He's wants him and he'll ante up. But ultimately, it is up to Team Cowher to see the potential that the Dolphins have to pull 2011 49ers on the league. A match made in heaven? Maybe not. But the best option for Cowher? The only way a better situation comes along is if Mike McCarthy suddenly retires. This is it for Cowher, time to dust off the chin and get started.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-4041723003310648424?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-49435585178017480882011-12-14T21:56:00.000-08:002011-12-14T21:56:11.605-08:002011-12-14T21:56:11.605-08:00CP3 and Griffin are nice, but what else?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BxB7Png3uaE/TumKRARJ-bI/AAAAAAAAAIA/xFlIheikjPg/s1600/clippers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BxB7Png3uaE/TumKRARJ-bI/AAAAAAAAAIA/xFlIheikjPg/s1600/clippers.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Chris Paul to the Lakers! Nixed. Chris Paul to the Knicks! Never was on the table! Chris Paul to the Clippers? Sterling won't do it. Lakers back? Lakers gone. Clippers back, back, back, Home run!!!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5yCuI3pwac/TumKWJ9c6gI/AAAAAAAAAI4/rWd1FgCR3qU/s1600/paul-griffin_crop_650x440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5yCuI3pwac/TumKWJ9c6gI/AAAAAAAAAI4/rWd1FgCR3qU/s400/paul-griffin_crop_650x440.jpg" width="400" /></a>There you have it. Donald Sterling's Clippers are, on paper, better than the Lakers, or at least comparable. Star player with bad knees? Check. Star youth with sky high potential but scary health risk? Check. Strong defensive coach? Check. But what else do the Clips have? What else do they need to become a the best team in the West, let alone the best team in their own city?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWQRentCz1E/TumKRiZcFsI/AAAAAAAAAII/Mby4pHiBnPI/s1600/act_chauncey_billups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWQRentCz1E/TumKRiZcFsI/AAAAAAAAAII/Mby4pHiBnPI/s1600/act_chauncey_billups.jpg" /></a>Well for starters, last year's arguably number 1 and 2 point guards in the Western Conference now belong to the Los Angeles Clippers. Number one obviously being Chris Paul. The second? He just came through the back door while everyone watched Chris Paul walk through the front. Chauncey Billups. Be sure that I know that this is not 2004. Billups is far from what he once was, but is still a major talent and a major asset to the team as a locker room presence (he helped harness the insanity that was Rasheed Wallace and focused the lax Carmelo Anthony into an elite player). What Chris Paul doesn't already know as the league predominant floor general Billups knows and mastered in his days as Detroit's finest. He is a fighter who earned his role in the NBA and can teach this squad how to fight to the top. And don't forget to mention that Billups defensive capabilities, and ability to shoot the rock and play without it allows the Clippers to run both he and Paul simultaneously.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZtWv3Vr3FY/TumKTwi23bI/AAAAAAAAAIo/KAt6LPBv_uk/s1600/arron-afflalo-1110-307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZtWv3Vr3FY/TumKTwi23bI/AAAAAAAAAIo/KAt6LPBv_uk/s1600/arron-afflalo-1110-307.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He may be tough to get but Aaron Afflalo could be<br />
the difference from a good showing this year and<br />
trip to the finals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At the same position the Clippers have Mo Williams. Subtract Billups winning history ad intangibles, we have a poor man's Billups. Lower totals across the board but, for a back up, potentially number 3 point guard, Williams is as good as it gets and, expendable. Considering that the Clippers need a legit shooting guard to take advantage of the room Paul and Griffin will allow them while Billups is not on the floor, the Clippers need to use Williams and his $8 million dollar salary and flip him for a sharp shooting, defensive minded guard. Aaron Affalo, the burgeoning name on the free agent market could be had in a sign and trade. Though he is close to a new deal with the Nuggets, the Clippers still have assets to make the trade work. Lesser options include Nick Young, shooting but no D, Willie Green, solid but not great, O.J. Mayo, who could benefit from a solid locker room and tough coach in Vinnie Del Negro, or Jamal Crawford, but I think he would be too expensive and too Jekyll and Hyde. I like Afflalo or Mayo here.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcnEFQumwNs/TumKU9Lwg7I/AAAAAAAAAIw/Vi0meMT1jsQ/s1600/butler-111209-670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcnEFQumwNs/TumKU9Lwg7I/AAAAAAAAAIw/Vi0meMT1jsQ/s320/butler-111209-670.jpg" width="320" /></a>Caron Butler is a good SF. Don't fool yourself into thinking he's overpaid, under-talented, or overrated. I believe the role he is set to play on this team, the contract he signed and the way he plays the game are a perfect fit for this team. Now his balky knee isn't as great of an addition. There's only room for Paul and Griffin's knee's around here so he needs to stay healthy. But when he is healthy he's scrappy, he plays solid team defense and shoots a solid clip from the strip and within the ark. And he has a reason to play with a chip on shoulder this season, with all the doubts he has been faced with and the truths he has had to face (like that he is not a franchise player and hasn't played more than 50 games in a year since 2008.) If Butler can p,lay a solid 25 a game for 50 plus games and his back up is solid, the Clips should be set with a classic, gritty swingman on the wing.<br />
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As for his backup, well for one thing its looking more and more that Ryan Gomes and his $4 million dollar contract will become an amnesty victim. The best option here is a solid two faze player, shooter and defender. There aren't many left that can play the wing and I won't pretend to know any that are available on the trade market. But the way things are shaping up with the amnesty clause and free agency, the Clippers will be able to find a player worth taking a flyer on. Maurice Evans is solid on Defense with a decent stroke from 3, and should still have a place to stay in La-La Land. As long as he keeps the ball out of his offensively when he's not shooting the corner 3 he would be a great, experienced and cheap addition to the bench, or someone like him.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHLM3t3MBBw/TumKSsxVd6I/AAAAAAAAAIY/ITw_9zK9qXY/s1600/DJ+intense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHLM3t3MBBw/TumKSsxVd6I/AAAAAAAAAIY/ITw_9zK9qXY/s320/DJ+intense.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5GNaGkk1oQ/TumKSMUP4pI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/p8_kQF5sMd0/s1600/Tyson_Chandler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5GNaGkk1oQ/TumKSMUP4pI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/p8_kQF5sMd0/s1600/Tyson_Chandler.jpg" /></a><br />
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And lastly, we have DeAndre Jordan. Lets get this straight. The kid is a beast. Had Blake Griffin not be 360 dunking on everybody in the league we would have noticed DeAndre's progressive growth to #BEASTMODE status as Blake's huge partner in dunking crime. Aside from his freakish athleticism that rivals Dwight Howard's jumps, the opportunity to grow into a Tyson Chandler on caffeine with Chris Paul in town is about as apparent as what your about to witness if you see a dog alone in a room fool of people food. Your gonna see some hunger. For three season, DeAndre has averaged, per 36 minutes, a nice .649 shooting percentage, nearly 11 rebounds, nearly 3 blocks and 10 points per. And that includes only one year with Blake make space and three fighting for time from Chris Kaman. It is insanely easy to see that the addition of Paul, who witnessed and nurtured Chandler's growth into a force in the middle, and his natural growth as a player in the NBA (three years experience and is only 23) can truly vault him into top 3 center territory. How's that for a bold prediction.<div><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp1AqYqE3FQ/TumKXh6SBeI/AAAAAAAAAJA/833AX3HRUb0/s1600/griffin+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rp1AqYqE3FQ/TumKXh6SBeI/AAAAAAAAAJA/833AX3HRUb0/s320/griffin+car.jpg" width="320" /></a>No matter what happens, with the NBA's version of Occupy New Orleans Front Office officially broken up by the trade police for vandalizing further the NBA's appeal, this will easily be the most fascinating team to watch grow together. More than the Heat because we won't hate them. More than the Lakers, well because they got CP3 and Jim Buss didn't. And more than any other team because this will go amazingly well, or, horribly wrong. Either way, I'm ready to see what Chriffin and friends have in store for us this season.<br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-4943558517801748088?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-45935145178572603252011-12-14T08:48:00.000-08:002011-12-14T08:48:05.141-08:002011-12-14T08:48:05.141-08:00George Steinbrenners influence on Arte Moreno and Jeffrey Loria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20uthsdIVvU/TujST0nP-3I/AAAAAAAAAH4/Q_exWd_cTyk/s1600/oweners.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="631" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20uthsdIVvU/TujST0nP-3I/AAAAAAAAAH4/Q_exWd_cTyk/s640/oweners.bmp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-4593514517857260325?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-66473036692806658172011-12-13T12:30:00.000-08:002011-12-15T06:43:33.106-08:002011-12-15T06:43:33.106-08:00The One That Got Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pNsLYfnjgY/TueymmBWfyI/AAAAAAAAAGI/5A7bVcaqPjY/s1600/Pujols+hat+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pNsLYfnjgY/TueymmBWfyI/AAAAAAAAAGI/5A7bVcaqPjY/s1600/Pujols+hat+face.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">"How can he leave St. Louis?", "What about the life he built there?", "Why does the money matter?", "He should have gave St. Louis a hometown discount."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bd49Iiyjdec/TueyrGku89I/AAAAAAAAAHg/BWC96S_EGWk/s1600/2011+worlds+series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bd49Iiyjdec/TueyrGku89I/AAAAAAAAAHg/BWC96S_EGWk/s320/2011+worlds+series.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZoAfGdadmE/TueyqT_DStI/AAAAAAAAAHY/sqE9fzuUBms/s1600/2006+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZoAfGdadmE/TueyqT_DStI/AAAAAAAAAHY/sqE9fzuUBms/s320/2006+cards.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">These are just a meager sampling of what people have been saying about Albert Pujols jumping ship to the become a Los Angeles Angel of Anaheim. For some it seemed like he was gone just like that. One minute he was raising his second Commissioner Trophy in celebration with his team, his coach and </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2,8452,98</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">of his closest friends in the Greater St. Louis Area. And then he became a free agent, and then was gone. Just like that. But this was not merely a here one second, gone the next kind of deal. This seems like a love story gone wrong. One that was nurtured and constructed by Pujols desire to be great for the city of St. Louis and the Cardinals organization to build around him, to support him through thick and thin with the likes of Jim Edmonds, Yadier Molina, Mark Mulder and Mat Holliday. Each year committing more time and effort to building a team for Pujols that could win or have a chance to win every year. But the key to every team that ever had a chance to sniff the playoffs in the 2000's was Pujols and Pujols alone. He put in the time. He made himself take batting practice till his hands bled. Then wrapped them up and hit some more (true story). He won the MVP's. He sacrificed for the team, playing multiple positions for them before they felt he was worth a permanent spot. He built a major rapport with the city through the Pujols Family Foundation, the Pujols 5 foundation, support for the ADA, and countless camps meet and greets and other efforts that he made to make the city of St. Louis his family. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Po7v0R_gHs0/TueyqFsmr9I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/0jJDhEOMuQY/s1600/pujolsfamily+foundatiobn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Po7v0R_gHs0/TueyqFsmr9I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/0jJDhEOMuQY/s320/pujolsfamily+foundatiobn.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pujols' Family Foundation supports families in the the<br />
Dominican Republic and The Greater St. Louis Area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But now it feels like a marriage fallen victim to regrets and wandering eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The St. Louis Cardinals had their chances and are now left with regret. And the more I have read between the lines of their tumultuous contractual history with Albert Pujols the more I see the Cardinals at fault for failure to secure a legend and to supplement him accordingly with help. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p><br />
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</o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you look at the points which the Cardinals and Pujols tried to work out deals it sure looks like the Cardinals were low balling in an attempt to get to a point in his career where a his stats would no longer warrant the type of raise he was in line for and when the market over spending wouldn't affect negotiations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TBJsE-dkJM/TueyojtjI-I/AAAAAAAAAGw/M-Zxcs1LROE/s1600/texieria+signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TBJsE-dkJM/TueyojtjI-I/AAAAAAAAAGw/M-Zxcs1LROE/s200/texieria+signs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> It came up after 2008, when Pujols won his 2nd MVP, and Teixeira went Bankroll on the Yanks to the tune of 8 years 180 mil. An MVP plus a lesser Talent getting 22.5 per, would have kept the Cards from grabbing Holliday from the A's and wrapping up Pujols. Result? They chose Holliday over Pujols. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5-udAUa_4w/TueyoR3NKrI/AAAAAAAAAGo/NqWdNiDPHeU/s1600/Howard-Contract.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5-udAUa_4w/TueyoR3NKrI/AAAAAAAAAGo/NqWdNiDPHeU/s320/Howard-Contract.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5BfnS3Ldt4/TuezEnDm6dI/AAAAAAAAAHw/fHRQ56CV4Ws/s1600/hollidays+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5BfnS3Ldt4/TuezEnDm6dI/AAAAAAAAAHw/fHRQ56CV4Ws/s320/hollidays+cards.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cardinals decision to invest in Holliday after one rather than<br />
Pujols boggles the imagination.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Next was the 2009 offseason, one during which Pujols goes all Pujols on us and leads the in OBP, SLG, OPS, Home runs, Intentional walks and gets his third MVP. This coincides with Ryan Howard getting a 5 yr 125 million dollar deal with a built in No Trade Clause. Cardinal’s response? Low ball to Pujols and double down on Matt Holliday for a 7 year 120 million dollar contract that everyone in the Milky Way Universe heard slap Albert Pujols dead in the No surprise that Pujols responds by saying he no longer wants to talk contract and is clearly gearing up for free agency. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;">2010. Pujols screws himself by ONLY lead the league in Home Runs, Runs, RBI's and OPS+ and finishing only second in the MVP race. And right after his So-So season, the GM's flip out and start spending money like its black Friday. Carlos Go 51 over 6, Jayson Werth, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;">126 over 7, Troy Tulowitzki, 119 over 6. And lastly, Carl Crawford, 142 over 7. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5Y_n4b7Kcg/TueynWMAgsI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Ug0w4sG-s_4/s1600/tulo+contract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5Y_n4b7Kcg/TueynWMAgsI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Ug0w4sG-s_4/s200/tulo+contract.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDQyehDECUA/Tueynt7l0EI/AAAAAAAAAGc/hE-kw--Xw9U/s1600/201909_Red_Sox_Crawford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDQyehDECUA/Tueynt7l0EI/AAAAAAAAAGc/hE-kw--Xw9U/s200/201909_Red_Sox_Crawford.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zInIJQ1Y8xk/Tueym4-yLeI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/UXz-ZK3U7lA/s1600/weth+contract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zInIJQ1Y8xk/Tueym4-yLeI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/UXz-ZK3U7lA/s200/weth+contract.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Big money. Long Deals. Free agents over paid. Cornerstones locked up. Cornerstones, taken care of and rewarded by their squad<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This was the second worst possible scenario for the negotiations between Pujols and St. Louis. The Card's saw these prices and knew that they messed up. That they should have paid Albert before this. When he was ready, when they should have. But after he saw them give their biggest contract ever to Matt Holliday, saw other home grown talents lock up by their clubs, rewarded for much lesser resumes, and saw the free agents mop up the green on the ground, it was the last straw. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Pujols was hurt. Not physically. Not financially as he was still raking in 16 mil last year, but emotionally. The Team and the city he poured his blood sweat and tears into had basically decided that he wasn't worth money, the risk, the reward. They chose to milk him for what he was worth and go their separate ways. And you could see it. His first half splits were not a factor of age but of mental anguish. His team used him and was ready to throw him away. For ten years these were his first half averages<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiFcPRGUhCc/TuepnsMzRMI/AAAAAAAAAFw/U5TmY2KBhuw/s1600/pujols+first+half+splits.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiFcPRGUhCc/TuepnsMzRMI/AAAAAAAAAFw/U5TmY2KBhuw/s1600/pujols+first+half+splits.bmp" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiFcPRGUhCc/TuepnsMzRMI/AAAAAAAAAFw/U5TmY2KBhuw/s1600/pujols+first+half+splits.bmp" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;"></span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And his splits for last year’s first half:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1iw93lRoAo/TueqSDsTWiI/AAAAAAAAAF4/K2wn0OCLnoM/s1600/pujols+first+half+splits+2011.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1iw93lRoAo/TueqSDsTWiI/AAAAAAAAAF4/K2wn0OCLnoM/s1600/pujols+first+half+splits+2011.bmp" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1iw93lRoAo/TueqSDsTWiI/AAAAAAAAAF4/K2wn0OCLnoM/s1600/pujols+first+half+splits+2011.bmp" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;"></span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLMv4m7kG3Y/TueypA5imEI/AAAAAAAAAG4/FPhlzhzzKqI/s1600/pujols+loss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLMv4m7kG3Y/TueypA5imEI/AAAAAAAAAG4/FPhlzhzzKqI/s200/pujols+loss.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Clearly his mind was elsewhere. And then seemingly, he broke. In only the way the greats break. He took it out on his opponents. From June to the World Series, Pujols was well, Pujols. He rebounded nicely with .319/.375/.584 line then went bonkers in the playoffs with a .353/.463/.691 line. He knew that this would be his last year in Cardinal Red and wanted to leave like a champ. And he did just that, while also leaving a nasty and lasting taste in the mouth of Walt Jocketty and the St. Louis faithful. Bittersweet goodbye indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Pujols could have given the Cards a home town discount. He could have stayed to continue contributing, in person, to his charities and camps in St. Louis. How Could he leave St. Louis? The better question was how could St. Louis let him go? It wasn't the money that mattered. He'll make less money in this contract than he could in Miami or St. Louis due to the insane California state tax structure. It was the RESPECT that mattered. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Or lack thereof. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nVds6FFTI8/TueyjXHGVzI/AAAAAAAAAGA/EidW9hDsf5g/s1600/pujols+angels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nVds6FFTI8/TueyjXHGVzI/AAAAAAAAAGA/EidW9hDsf5g/s320/pujols+angels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-6647303669280665817?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-44327689857412837482011-12-09T13:42:00.000-08:002011-12-09T13:43:39.384-08:002011-12-09T13:43:39.384-08:00Stern Warning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until I make my triumphant writing return this weekend, enjoy this pic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TxhkNAC_FM/TuJ_8tM11uI/AAAAAAAAAFo/828OMOQl-Bw/s1600/Stern+Warning.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TxhkNAC_FM/TuJ_8tM11uI/AAAAAAAAAFo/828OMOQl-Bw/s640/Stern+Warning.bmp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-4432768985741283748?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-30956513566547453312011-10-14T10:43:00.000-07:002011-10-14T10:43:02.976-07:002011-10-14T10:43:02.976-07:00Week 7 Name and PicLost last week and I am sure it was because I included a player I dropped in the name and pic. Gotta be the reason. Wont happen two weeks in a row.<br />
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Introducing Daniel Thomas and Darius Heyward-Bey in: THOMAS BY THE BEY!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OpoIsGKK84/Tph0f43WBTI/AAAAAAAAAFE/31-A_4-JKlI/s1600/lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OpoIsGKK84/Tph0f43WBTI/AAAAAAAAAFE/31-A_4-JKlI/s320/lake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-3095651356654745331?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-1709944156023886412011-10-04T13:13:00.001-07:002011-10-04T13:13:36.240-07:002011-10-04T13:13:36.240-07:00This weeks team name - My Three Sons - Streak is at 3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNS3-9_0pEo/Toto3OSQhfI/AAAAAAAAAFA/eDK12LC3UL4/s1600/My+3+sons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNS3-9_0pEo/Toto3OSQhfI/AAAAAAAAAFA/eDK12LC3UL4/s320/My+3+sons.JPG" width="161" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-170994415602388641?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-55422336967769086012011-09-27T14:13:00.000-07:002011-09-27T14:13:32.139-07:002011-09-27T14:13:32.139-07:00Week 4 Team name and Photo.In Honor of Daniel Thomas and Matthew Stafford.<br />
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DT33, Stafford at 9, Set Hut!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQwIzy4RHEQ/ToI8a3jvJdI/AAAAAAAAAE8/DIDIQlyUGew/s1600/DT33+STAFF%252BFORD.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQwIzy4RHEQ/ToI8a3jvJdI/AAAAAAAAAE8/DIDIQlyUGew/s320/DT33+STAFF%252BFORD.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-5542233696776908601?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-38710755418760370372011-09-01T07:24:00.001-07:002011-09-01T07:24:12.040-07:002011-09-01T07:24:12.040-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiZZT-vJ560/Tl-Vgtm54zI/AAAAAAAAAE4/dnu3odTSRpA/s1600/Helmets.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiZZT-vJ560/Tl-Vgtm54zI/AAAAAAAAAE4/dnu3odTSRpA/s320/Helmets.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-3871075541876037037?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-21493167197662129152011-07-25T14:07:00.000-07:002011-07-25T14:10:11.322-07:002011-07-25T14:10:11.322-07:00MLB: I did not see that coming - NL West<div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ts4TiAHdZyY/Ti3abXsJMxI/AAAAAAAAAE0/O3TtYdVJ_HE/s1600/derek-jeter-3000-hits-07-570x380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ts4TiAHdZyY/Ti3abXsJMxI/AAAAAAAAAE0/O3TtYdVJ_HE/s320/derek-jeter-3000-hits-07-570x380.jpg" width="320" /></a>Well we are half way through the 2011 Major League Baseball season. We have seen the Fighting Phils deploy the Four Horsemen, watch Derek Jeter's journey to his 3,000th hit and to Cooperstown, and we've lmfao a bunch of times at youtube clips of Ozzie Guillen kicking Geovany Soto's catchers mask into a dugout, from home plate no less. But these are things we expected and have been trained to expect coming into the season, even Ozzie.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">But what we all watch sports for much more than what we expect to see. Whats the point of watching if you already know whats going to happen. Unless your watching for nostalgia, or studying your craft it is not nearly as entertaining as what we truly look for. The unexpected. The drama. The big hits, the comebacks. We watch to see something new, and to say "Hey, did you SEE that?!?!".</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Well, Do we have a did you see that for you. The Pittsburgh Pirates. Being that I dream about the Pirates almost on a nightly basis, and, all of a sudden, the world has noticed and writing more articles about the Pirates than the Barry Bonds has home runs, I will spare you the RA-RA and analysis. However, it got me thinking. What else have we seen this year that we just did not see coming. Which players came out of nowhere or dropped off the face of baseball earth? Well I have put together a recap of an "I didn't see that coming moment, I wow player and a dud for each team. Get ready to read an article you haven't read yet.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1159858302">Part One</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://harwoodandfields.blogspot.com/2011/07/mlb-i-did-not-see-that-coming.html">AL West</a><br />
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<u>San Francisco Giants</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>"Wow" Moment</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojMGtEpH0U4/Ti3XTSfuGVI/AAAAAAAAAEY/uEYPdnPGoDU/s1600/buster-posey-injury-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojMGtEpH0U4/Ti3XTSfuGVI/AAAAAAAAAEY/uEYPdnPGoDU/s320/buster-posey-injury-image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Buster Posey's ill fated end to the season. Gruesome, gut-wrenching, and just a horrible way for the season to end for such an up and coming player. Showed great compassion for the game though by hanging in there and taking that shot. Ouch. </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Good "Wow" Player</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kaBPWLxX4Q/Ti3XTHq4zpI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Jz-K5vW-t0U/s1600/vogelsong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kaBPWLxX4Q/Ti3XTHq4zpI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Jz-K5vW-t0U/s1600/vogelsong.jpg" /></a><u>Ryan Vogelsong</u> - The 33 year old journeyman leads not only his team, the same team with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Brian Wilson, but the NATIONAL LEAGUE, in era at 2.02 and Win Percentage at .875. He made his first all-star game this year and has yet to see his magic season really hit any rough patches. Still remains to be seen in he keeps it up but for now he has got us all singing his Vogel-Song.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Bad "Wow" Player</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Buster Posey</u> - Not really his fault that someone jumped on his leg but needless to say the Giants and fantasy baseballers worldwide were gearing up for a big sophomore campaign from the Giants franchise backstop that they won't be getting until next year.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8pKHNuXrr8/Ti3XUbU_lrI/AAAAAAAAAEo/BBl4hs0EY5o/s1600/colorado_rockies_logo-9368.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8pKHNuXrr8/Ti3XUbU_lrI/AAAAAAAAAEo/BBl4hs0EY5o/s200/colorado_rockies_logo-9368.gif" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Colorado Rockies</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>"Wow" Moment</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMAZeeagSc4/Ti3XSx-fF8I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/0gBfExM4aJs/s1600/rockies+bad+season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMAZeeagSc4/Ti3XSx-fF8I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/0gBfExM4aJs/s1600/rockies+bad+season.jpg" /></a>You know your having some kind of year when your" wow" moment is your entire year. Except when that is a bad wow. I searched hard and really could not find that "wow" magical moment. There three best players are having below average seasons to their standards. Troy "Usually Wowzki "Tulowitzki has been a subtle disappointment, having the umber but not the game-changing moments. Carlos Gonzalez aka CarGo has basically been "CarGone" for the majority of the season and is now on the deal with a wrist injury, which can sap your power more than Samson cutting his hair.<br />
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And to complete the "trifecta" of players and funny nicknames, we have Ubaldo Jimenez. Actually I can't find a way rhyme a phrase explaining that since going 13-1 with a minuscule era of 1.15 in his first 14 games last year, he is 12-13 with a healthy 5.18 era.<br />
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There's a wow moment, first two paragraph "wow" of the series. </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Good "Wow" Player</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMQWgz_FHzg/Ti3XS5WP46I/AAAAAAAAAEM/QkZb4KUmvlo/s1600/Helton_Todd_col.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMQWgz_FHzg/Ti3XS5WP46I/AAAAAAAAAEM/QkZb4KUmvlo/s1600/Helton_Todd_col.jpg" /></a><u>Todd Helton</u> - He was confirmed dead at the end of last year at the ripe old age of 37. This year? Hitting a ho hum .322 with 11 home runs and 51 ribby's. Doubt anyone has become that productive post mortem. </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>"Wow" Moment</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0yAs7hMPZ-8/Ti3XSftCldI/AAAAAAAAAEE/OUpHGBFUAcM/s1600/pena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0yAs7hMPZ-8/Ti3XSftCldI/AAAAAAAAAEE/OUpHGBFUAcM/s1600/pena.jpg" /></a>May 29th, 2011. Diamondbacks 4, Astros 2. Significance? Every major blogger, writer, columnist, child drawing on walls, smoke signaling mountain dweller wrote, or signaled that Arizona would finish dead last in their division. On May 29th? First place. Todat, after four months of the season? 2.5 out of first. Pretty far from the bottom huh?<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>(a)Willie Bloomquist (b) Ryan Roberts</u> - Spark plugs A & B. The departure of strikeout king Mark Reynolds opened the door for these two overachieving contributers to the D-Backs </div><div style="text-align: justify;">overachieving season. They have combine for a .266, 15 hr, 52 rbi, </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1zWtRv8F7E/Ti3XSA5e88I/AAAAAAAAAD8/0gHL5OwvGUs/s1600/robertsd.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1zWtRv8F7E/Ti3XSA5e88I/AAAAAAAAAD8/0gHL5OwvGUs/s1600/robertsd.png" /></a>73 runs, 23 sb, 48BB and 78 Ks. They also provide great defense and hard nose play. Reynolds in Baltimore? .224, 21 hr, 50 rbi, 50 runs, 5 sb, 55BB and 107 Ks. Those two are on fired comparably, just like the state they play in.</div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exCjRpQHQXE/Ti3XR3Ml3UI/AAAAAAAAAD4/MO5jtgRuBTA/s1600/branyan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exCjRpQHQXE/Ti3XR3Ml3UI/AAAAAAAAAD4/MO5jtgRuBTA/s1600/branyan.jpg" /></a><u><br />
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<u>Bad "Wow " Player</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Russell Branyan</u> - He was supposed to provide serious pop and a power presence to the lineup. All he provided was a roster spot for the Diamondbacks, because, He Gone. (Reference 37 sec of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">this clip</a> to understand that one)<br />
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<u>Los Angeles Dodgers</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfYglJIWZjc/Ti3XRgLQmmI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Fqkv4JNTQEw/s1600/mccourt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfYglJIWZjc/Ti3XRgLQmmI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Fqkv4JNTQEw/s320/mccourt.jpg" width="239" /></a><u>"Wow" Moment</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;">The McCourts divorce causing the bankruptcy and pending sale of one of the most storied franchises in MLB history. Truly horrible publicity for the franchise, but possibility a blessing in disguise for fans done with the McCourts drama and mishandling of the team.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u><br />
</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Good "Wow" Player</u></div><u>Matt Kemp</u> - We all new last year was a dissapointment. We all new he would do better this year. But MVP numbers on a hard team to be good on and chasgin history's 5th ever 40hr/40sb season (Canseco, Bonds, A-Rod and A. Soriano, yes, THAT A. Soriano)<br />
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</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZWQ8RlAl9w/Ti3XRSXJtDI/AAAAAAAAADw/micyzedYGsM/s1600/ethier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZWQ8RlAl9w/Ti3XRSXJtDI/AAAAAAAAADw/micyzedYGsM/s1600/ethier.jpg" /></a><u>Bad "Wow " Player</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Andre Ethier</u> - He had a hit in 30 straight games. Wow! Too bad thats all you did this year! Compared to his numbers from 09' and 10', he's coming up waaaaay short this year. Couple that with his little hand gesture this season, and Andre has given way too many reasons to say "Woooow".<br />
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</div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqzmI96Ingk/Ti3XRDQoLJI/AAAAAAAAADs/0hCgEVuKaPI/s1600/gonzalez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqzmI96Ingk/Ti3XRDQoLJI/AAAAAAAAADs/0hCgEVuKaPI/s1600/gonzalez.jpg" /></a><u>"Wow" Moment</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;">The moment the Padres traded the pride of Mexico Adrian Gonzalez, they signaled two things:<br />
1) In getting Anthony Rizzo and Raymond Fuentes, they showed their fans that they sold today for a better future<br />
2) Dueces to this season!</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u><br />
</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Good "Wow" Player</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ch5GN2fK74I/Ti3XRKiyrmI/AAAAAAAAADo/li34nuH4kbk/s1600/maybin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ch5GN2fK74I/Ti3XRKiyrmI/AAAAAAAAADo/li34nuH4kbk/s1600/maybin.jpg" /></a>(a) Cameron Maybin (b)Tim Stauffer - Maybin flourished in Detroit and helped return Miggy Cabrera in a trade, then floundered in Florida, but is now back to the athletic and amazing center fielder he was booked as a minor leaguer in Detroit's system.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FatULkoxuZc/Ti3XQ3m4fBI/AAAAAAAAADk/9Tp7iwPpx3I/s1600/stauffer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FatULkoxuZc/Ti3XQ3m4fBI/AAAAAAAAADk/9Tp7iwPpx3I/s1600/stauffer.jpg" /></a>Stauffer has become the ace of San Diego's staff while we focused on the youth movement in San Diego and Mat Latos. He has posted a phenomenal 2.83, and a nice 3:1 K to BB ratio. And those stats hold up away from the pitcher's paradise called Petco Park. </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><u>Bad "Wow " Player</u></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6DEUOh0SRA/Ti3XQomcg4I/AAAAAAAAADg/dg8nBmzYf1E/s1600/rizzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6DEUOh0SRA/Ti3XQomcg4I/AAAAAAAAADg/dg8nBmzYf1E/s1600/rizzo.jpg" /></a>Anthony Rizzo - Yes, I KNOW he was rookie this still is (and will be for another 50 odd games this year), and I KNOW he's only 20 and hits and Petco and had drastically inflated numbers hitting in the PCL minor leagues, BUT, we can't judge a player or a trade, from two months of play. He's got a serious ways to go. Still, .143 in 117 plate appearances doesn't exactly SELL the locals on SELLING A-Gone and winning now for SELLING tickets later. But too bad, he's sold.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><u>Tomorrow the AL Central.</u><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-2149316719766212915?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-35114602413648769352011-07-20T15:05:00.000-07:002011-07-20T15:08:42.182-07:002011-07-20T15:08:42.182-07:00MLB: I did not see that coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ahmGI4eZW4/TiZFnjMuSTI/AAAAAAAAAC8/-lX-Pn2TGQg/s1600/its_up_and_its_good_ozzie_vents_frustration_on_innocent_face_mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ahmGI4eZW4/TiZFnjMuSTI/AAAAAAAAAC8/-lX-Pn2TGQg/s400/its_up_and_its_good_ozzie_vents_frustration_on_innocent_face_mask.jpg" width="400" /></a>Well we are half way through the 2011 Major League Baseball season. We have seen the Fighting Phils deploy the Four Horsemen, watch Derek Jeter's journey to his 3,000th hit and to Cooperstown, and we've lmfao a bunch of times at youtube clips of Ozzie Guillen kicking Geovany Soto's catchers mask into a dugout, from home plate no less. But these are things we expected and have been trained to expect coming into the season, even Ozzie.<br />
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But what we all watch sports for much more than what we expect to see. Whats the point of watching if you already know whats going to happen. Unless your watching for nostalgia, or studying your craft it is not nearly as entertaining as what we truly look for. The unexpected. The drama. The big hits, the comebacks. We watch to see something new, and to say "Hey, did you SEE that?!?!".<br />
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Well, Do we have a did you see that for you. The Pittsburgh Pirates. Being that I dream about the Pirates almost on a nightly basis, and, all of a sudden, the world has noticed and writing more articles about the Pirates than the Barry Bonds has home runs, I will spare you the RA-RA and analysis. However, it got me thinking. What else have we seen this year that we just did not see coming. Which players came out of nowhere or dropped off the face of baseball earth? Well I have put together a recap of an "I didn't see that coming moment, I wow player and a dud for each team. Get ready to read an article you haven't read yet.<br />
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Today - AL/NL West<br />
Tomorrow - AL/NL Central<br />
Friday - AL/NL East <br />
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AL West<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LqQF7i_Cb0Q/TiZBkoJ3saI/AAAAAAAAACw/cetXTsXlHsw/s1600/texas_rangers-9679.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LqQF7i_Cb0Q/TiZBkoJ3saI/AAAAAAAAACw/cetXTsXlHsw/s200/texas_rangers-9679.gif" width="200" /></a><br />
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<u>Texas Rangers</u><br />
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<u>"Wow" Moment</u><br />
Ian Kinsler and the Rangers yelling "We we're just in the World Series Dammit!" with Ian Kinsler hitting Lead off Homers in the first two games and a late home run in the third game of a series sweep of the media darling Boston Red Sox.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12leCPoOR5k/TiZEL8WYEbI/AAAAAAAAAC0/rLVcA7GM9mo/s1600/alexi-ogando-41-mlb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12leCPoOR5k/TiZEL8WYEbI/AAAAAAAAAC0/rLVcA7GM9mo/s200/alexi-ogando-41-mlb.jpg" width="153" /></a><u> </u><br />
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<u>Good "Wow" Player</u><br />
<u>Alexi Ogando</u> - He was a reliever last year but step in for a departed Cliff Lee. Big shoes right? Hows he fill them, by not failing to go 6 + innings but three times and has given up more than three runs in a game only thrice in 17 starts. Hello staff ace!!<br />
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<u>Bad "Wow" Player</u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmmk0IfrXnk/TiZEMd_aWaI/AAAAAAAAAC4/5cLm3xfLLH8/s1600/josh-hamilton-head-first-slide-e1302793818935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmmk0IfrXnk/TiZEMd_aWaI/AAAAAAAAAC4/5cLm3xfLLH8/s320/josh-hamilton-head-first-slide-e1302793818935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><u>Josh Hamilton</u> - From MVP last year to ho hum and hurt this year. 2 months lost to a bum shoulder after a ridiculously questionably play at the plate and good numbers, but not want Texas has come to expect from the living legend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvQEjW5gixg/TiZBi6YkWJI/AAAAAAAAACk/aMPjPDLxJD4/s1600/losangelesangelslogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvQEjW5gixg/TiZBi6YkWJI/AAAAAAAAACk/aMPjPDLxJD4/s200/losangelesangelslogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<u>Los Angeles Angels</u><br />
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<u>"Wow" Moment</u><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BnInpMevFo/TiZFoGYUduI/AAAAAAAAADA/oTY1BXlfbug/s1600/jered" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BnInpMevFo/TiZFoGYUduI/AAAAAAAAADA/oTY1BXlfbug/s1600/jered" /></a>Every game Jered Weaver pitches. Honestly, without him, do you really think the Angels would be anywhere other than last place in this division with this lineup?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHWljvBldW4/TiZFqGktKrI/AAAAAAAAADM/oFLiyuUQ0hQ/s1600/Mike-Trout300x450+%252710+ST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHWljvBldW4/TiZFqGktKrI/AAAAAAAAADM/oFLiyuUQ0hQ/s200/Mike-Trout300x450+%252710+ST.jpg" width="133" /></a><u>Good "Wow" Player</u><br />
Mike Trout - Number One Prospect in baseball that everyone from Keith Law to the Chocolate Pooding girl when gaga over. Yet, everyone thought he would at the earliest, be in the majors mid 2012. Yet he pops up in July with great CF play and plenty learn.<br />
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<u>Bad "Wow " Player</u><br />
Mike Trout - If they don't send this kid down soon they'll ruin him forever. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m2w_kQog02s/TiZBj1OGJbI/AAAAAAAAACo/pldDJmMxFy8/s1600/oakland_athletics.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m2w_kQog02s/TiZBj1OGJbI/AAAAAAAAACo/pldDJmMxFy8/s200/oakland_athletics.bmp" width="200" /></a><br />
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<u>Oakland Athletics </u><br />
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<u>"Wow" Moment</u><br />
A's victory after firing Bob Geren to end 10 game losing streak. It looked like those guys just took a dump after taking creatine, eating Mexican then running a 25k.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKg29MNP7Z0/TiZFsCIj5kI/AAAAAAAAADY/e2MlzU9gvMU/s1600/willingham" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKg29MNP7Z0/TiZFsCIj5kI/AAAAAAAAADY/e2MlzU9gvMU/s1600/willingham" /></a><br />
<u>Good "Wow" Player</u><br />
Josh Willingham - Can you say, "Prospects, cash and a player to be named later?"<br />
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<u>Bad "Wow " Player</u><br />
Brett Anderson - Another season lost to injury invokes memories of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Off the charts talents when there on the field, but can't stay on it long enough to show it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptpf66oOblM/TiZBkZHpbFI/AAAAAAAAACs/jhZ9qnFRbtM/s1600/seattle_mariners_logo-9629.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptpf66oOblM/TiZBkZHpbFI/AAAAAAAAACs/jhZ9qnFRbtM/s200/seattle_mariners_logo-9629.gif" width="198" /></a><br />
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Seattle Mariners<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NCBlUbyq6o/TiZFp6lQISI/AAAAAAAAADI/SCMIE09wAzY/s1600/Michael-Pineda-Mariners-courtesy-of-MLBpressbox.com_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NCBlUbyq6o/TiZFp6lQISI/AAAAAAAAADI/SCMIE09wAzY/s1600/Michael-Pineda-Mariners-courtesy-of-MLBpressbox.com_.jpg" /></a><br />
<u>"Wow" Moment</u><br />
Michael Pineda Makes the All-Star team and the Mariners calling up Dusin Ackley. Future is bright. Too bad it isn't right now.<u></u><br />
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<u>Good "Wow" Player</u><br />
Erik Bedard - We knew Pineda was good but Bedard was supposed to be next to nothing for the Mariners. Before going down with an injury, Bedard, since April 27 has an era of 2.60 9k per 9 innings and 9 quality starts out of 11 starts.<br />
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<u>Bad "Wow " Player</u><br />
I'm sorry but everyone that is bad on the Mariners, well, we all saw it coming!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4kbePkYrfqA/TiZFpRYJU-I/AAAAAAAAADE/H0u4LVQyJyk/s1600/marinermoose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4kbePkYrfqA/TiZFpRYJU-I/AAAAAAAAADE/H0u4LVQyJyk/s320/marinermoose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><u>Later Today the NL West</u><br />
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<u>Tomorrow the AL Central and the NL Central.</u><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-3511460241364876935?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-25443319916403940432011-07-19T09:55:00.001-07:002011-07-19T09:55:52.341-07:002011-07-19T09:55:52.341-07:00Oh those Pirate pitchers<a href='Stephan Cheatham (@pbcorbust) has shared a Tweet with you: <br/> <br/> "Dejan_Kovacevic: #Pirates SPs are 5-1 w/NL-best 2.43 ERA w/6+ days rest as McDonald makes 1st start since 7/8. Other 5 Central teams 20-42 w/5.08 ERA. #Reds" <br/> --http://twitter.com/Dejan_Kovacevic/status/93361720411701249'>Stephan Cheatham (@pbcorbust) has shared a Tweet with you: <br/> <br/> "Dejan_Kovacevic: #Pirates SPs are 5-1 w/NL-best 2.43 ERA w/6+ days rest as McDonald makes 1st start since 7/8. Other 5 Central teams 20-42 w/5.08 ERA. #Reds" <br/> --http://twitter.com/Dejan_Kovacevic/status/93361720411701249</a><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-2544331991640394043?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-84547372138320546942011-06-28T17:54:00.000-07:002011-06-28T17:54:38.250-07:002011-06-28T17:54:38.250-07:00Oh those Amazing Mets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JC377vVsH4/Tgp3v73cEII/AAAAAAAAACg/NJRHNUELy7Q/s1600/Bel+and+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JC377vVsH4/Tgp3v73cEII/AAAAAAAAACg/NJRHNUELy7Q/s320/Bel+and+Bay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Might Morphin New York Metropolitans went nearly two years, August 2009, since hitting a grand slam, yet they break out in "Grand Fashion tonight", as Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran both go Granny in Detroit against the Jimmy Leyland led Tigers. Thats one way to make a kitty cry.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-8454737213832054694?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-85306700148871446862011-06-22T15:36:00.001-07:002011-06-22T15:36:47.631-07:002011-06-22T15:36:47.631-07:00Terrell Pryor conducts pre draft workout with Ochocinco and Antonio Brown(with video)You think the Bengals are little worried about Palmer not coming back? <br/> <br/> <br/> http://m.youtube.com/?client=mv-google&rdm=4mz6csp3v#/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DzvLqV7tmZDs%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&feature=youtu.be&v=zvLqV7tmZDs&gl=US<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-8530670014887144686?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-80415402588979686932011-06-22T10:56:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:16:19.055-07:002011-06-22T11:16:19.055-07:00Fastball Post<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Just heard about this story and thought it was fairly amusing. Figured I'd share.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62ckQIRkmTQ/TgIsnZmeORI/AAAAAAAAABw/fRU2_jwyBvE/s1600/Froemming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62ckQIRkmTQ/TgIsnZmeORI/AAAAAAAAABw/fRU2_jwyBvE/s200/Froemming.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">On September 2, 1972, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Froemming#Controversy">Bruce Neal Froemming</a>, was th e plate umpire </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">when Chicago Cubs pitcher <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milt_Pappas" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Milt Pappas">Milt Pappas</a> had a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_game" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Perfect game">perfect game</a> with two outs and a 1–2 count in the ninth inning before <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_on_balls" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Base on balls">walking</a> the 27th batter (pinch-hitter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Stahl" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Larry Stahl">Larry Stahl</a>); Pappas then completed the no-hitter, but later criticized Froemming for wasting his chance at immortality.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvUAMnI0epg/TgIsvTMJ0vI/AAAAAAAAAB0/mIwuWqAr-NI/s1600/Pappas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvUAMnI0epg/TgIsvTMJ0vI/AAAAAAAAAB0/mIwuWqAr-NI/s200/Pappas.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span>They very next day, Froemming was interview by Chicago radio DJ's Vince Lloyd and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_of_Fame" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Hall of Fame">Hall of Fame</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> shortstop </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: underline;" title="Lou Boudreau">Lou Boudreau</a>. </span>You could have been famous. You would have become just the 12th umpire to call a perfect game in the the history of the game. Froemming asked Vince Lloyd, "Who was the 11th?", and Lloyd replies, "I don't know." To that Froemming responds, "I guess that's how famous I would have been."</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-8041540258897968693?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-22258620791679802432011-06-20T14:56:00.000-07:002011-06-20T15:44:52.566-07:002011-06-20T15:44:52.566-07:00X-Men of Sports<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBj_vpB8kt8/Tf_CBX7RNDI/AAAAAAAAABs/dJePrlfMIlY/s1600/Xmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBj_vpB8kt8/Tf_CBX7RNDI/AAAAAAAAABs/dJePrlfMIlY/s320/Xmen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br >
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</div>X-Men. Together they are an amazingly and genetically gifted group of mutants, frequently on the defense and always with something to prove. Individually, each has a story that tells of their origin and significance of their gift......God I'm a dork...moving on...<br />
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Its difficult to turn on the TV and not see a commercial for X-Men First Class, or to turn on ESPN and not see Lebron James, Terrelle Pryor and, with the U.S. Open buzz, Tiger Woods.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8j9XIrdapMk/Tf-x8NswXKI/AAAAAAAAABg/AFAJoodCLTM/s1600/Comic+Lebron.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8j9XIrdapMk/Tf-x8NswXKI/AAAAAAAAABg/AFAJoodCLTM/s320/Comic+Lebron.bmp" width="237" /></a></div><b><u>Lebron James - Magneto</u></b><br />
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Lebron James, for all is ability and talent has been the number one lightning rod for nearly a year. His journey has been along one recently, from his summer of the Decision, to his battles in the NBA regular season to the climatic dethroning of the King by the Mavericks (who bear the same name as a mutant cowboy whose talents included teleportation, the ability to heal immediately and extreme marksmanship...sound familar Heat fans?) His story, rise and fall are the thing of comic lore. The hero turned villian who everyone wanted to trust but ends up right where you thought he would, on the wrong side ego-maniacal and on the bottom looking up.<br />
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In the X-Men's history, Magneto has gone from hero, to villian, to non-factor, to hero, back to villian and so on. He began as an extreme individualist, pushing himself and creating his own success with his passion and anger fueling his every move. Like Lebron, his own ego and agenda are his greatest fuels, and lets his path unfold with those in mind, and is unmoved if anyone gets in the way. If it helps him to be good, he acts as hero. And if it helps to be bad, there is nothing to stop him.<br />
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But it remains to be seen, in both cases where there legend will ultimately lie. Villian only helping for personal gain or misunderstood hero, whose questionable tactics leave us wondering. Time will only tell.<br />
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<b><u>Terrelle Pryor - Havoc</u></b><br />
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Terrelle Pryor is the wonder kid that has more talent than he knows what to do with, and wields it so uncontrollably he is a danger to himself and the world around him. When you look at him, all you can imagine is, if he could just find someone who could:<br />
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a) Guide him with love and structure to stardom and role model status<br />
b) Take over his mind and force him to, Professor X style<br />
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he could do some serious, serious good for himself and the world of football. He is starting his career with Drew Rosenhaus rather than Professor X, however, which could be Willis McGahee reclamation story good or Plaxico spiraling out of control bad.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jx31pM499VU/Tf-6IjWSjiI/AAAAAAAAABk/IkTZEd5qmmA/s1600/pryor+hero.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jx31pM499VU/Tf-6IjWSjiI/AAAAAAAAABk/IkTZEd5qmmA/s320/pryor+hero.bmp" width="265" /></a></div>In the movie, a young man that draws parallels to Terrelle is a mutant name Alex Summers, also known, coincidentally, as Havoc. As we know, that is exactly what Terrelle has created in Buckeye country, leaving in his wake exposed NCAA violations by his teammates and program, and an empty seat once filled by Jim Tressel. Both these talented men have power and ability strong enough to completely change the landscape of there surroundings. Havoc could level a world or save it, and Terrelle can save a franchise or, as he has displayed, destroy a national power. The most amazing part about there similarities, are there seemingly endlessly underrated status. Havoc is the younger brother of Cyclops, a legendary and powerful figure in X-Men history, and always gets overlooked because of it. Yet his powers dwarf the more heralded brother. As for Terrelle, through all that has happened and the comparisons of him to Cam Newton, the 2011 #1 overall pick of the NFL draft, what tends to get lost often is his 31-4 record 2-0 in bowl games, that he is stronger and faster than Newton, and bowl game performances, especially when compared to Cam's bowl game history, are performances you look for out of franchise QB's. Oh, and Terrelle started for three years in the Big Ten, Cam only started one. That on field maturation can not be overlooked.<br />
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The real question is if he can harness his abilities and be that franchise QB all of his talent and experience should make him. Or if his off the field issues will begin to spill over and ruin his chances forever.<br />
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<b><u>Tiger Woods - Professor X</u></b><br />
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Then there is Tiger Woods. He was a child of America, who was smitten with his passion, his educational pedigree and his ability to wield a golf club as though it was apart of him, control it with his mind as the rest of his person. His ability to come out on top and pull out the tough victory in the brightest of lights created a phenomenon in golf beyond anything seen previously. Yet, it was what lay beneath the lights in the darkness of his life that ultimately became his undoing.<br />
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On November 27, 2009, Tiger's world was turned up side down, shaken violently, and thusly thrown out on to the floor for the whole world to see. The living legend, the world's greatest, most popular, most well recognized figure in sports entertainment was exposed. He was laid bear before the media and the people. He is body then began to betray him. His physical ailments combined with his mental state and shambled personal life, successfully expedited his decline, not winning a tournament since the incident. An individual, once invincible and untouchable, was visibly mortal and an easy target.<br />
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Tiger bears a strong parallel to Professor X, the leader and founder of the X-Men. The movies show Professor X as a successful leader and a powerful figure to mutants and humans, the most powerful mutant alive. Like Tiger, he was a great student at a great college with a great talent. Both used there talent on a grand scale at a young age, Tiger on the PGA tour at the Masters, and the Professor with the federal government where he would create the X-Men. Both used names other than theit birth names to be used by the public. Both, as we learned from Tiger's scandal, were very much playboys, using there status and talents as attractions to the opposite sex. And both, not known at all to the public, had a dark side.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHpbJGtDsO8/Tf_Bx46aW5I/AAAAAAAAABo/uz0L3M1JSHc/s1600/tiger+comic.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHpbJGtDsO8/Tf_Bx46aW5I/AAAAAAAAABo/uz0L3M1JSHc/s320/tiger+comic.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>For Tiger, he had created a world of lies hidden from everyone, the people he loved, his friends, the media, his fans. For Xavier, which is the Professor's first name, he created a world of lies using his talents to control minds to created fabricated worlds and memories in the minds of his students to have them believe times when he had a darker agenda that he was actually doing what was right. Both individuals manipulated and fooled a group of people that looked up to them more than anyone else in their field, and consequently let down every last one of them.<br />
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Unlike LeBron and Terrelle, Tiger's issues can't simply be forgotten or solved by winning and playing team ball. Tiger's journey to redemption is much more complicated and murky, like his reputation. He will have to regain his health, mentally and physically, and regain the respect lost through winning, charities, amazing public relations, and he'll have to drop the combative style of approach used with reporters, as they are ultimately his biggest friend and foe. His mission, if he chooses to except it, is much like those the X-Men venture on, the kind the no normal human being has any chance of returning from. Lucky for him, he is definitely no normal human being.<br />
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These three men are gifted. Abilities that we kill ourselves for just to be able to do it as a recreation, let alone for money or before millions of viewers. The ability to leap tall centers, run faster than speeding locomotives past would be tacklers, or will a ball wherever they want whether it be a hoop, end zone or off the tee. The talents were never in doubt. All three have had their talent, their "abilities" far before media fame, and now, infamy. But it is no longer simply what they can do with those talents, but how they use the stage their talents create to build an image of themselves that will be their heroes, or their villains.<br />
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*******************************</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-2225862079167980243?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6161826840936727658.post-62706673302292111532011-06-14T09:10:00.000-07:002011-06-15T16:38:02.164-07:002011-06-15T16:38:02.164-07:00An Opportunity.....<div><div>Today, at this very moment, and during the coming heat of the summer, an opportunity has been presented. Both are beginnings, both are necessary and both, just so happen to be taking place in South Florida, but began in much cooler climates.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfCfj8fGTEc/Tfd8MrhsfBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/BVdiNMBMB7s/s1600/triplets.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfCfj8fGTEc/Tfd8MrhsfBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/BVdiNMBMB7s/s320/triplets.bmp" width="244" /></a>The first is an opportunity for a man, full of opinions, thoughts, ideas and an unhealthy infatuation with American sports. An opportunity to do something that he was meant to do in field that was meant for him. An opportunity to express frustration, adulation, jubilation, justification, representation and any other "ation" that just so happens to appeal to the tangent I am about run off on.<br />
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(Speaking of tangents is it just me or does it seem like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Don King all went to the same school in the same town with the same barbers, and made some wild and unfathomable pact to become outrageous personalities, latch on to ridiculous people and happenings all while using and creating words ending in "ation", "lly", "fy", "ous" and ing but then somewhere along the lines Don King forgot to perm and color his hair and pissed off the other two when he wanted sports and not politics?)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvb1SVvNkbg/Tfd8vCxst0I/AAAAAAAAAAQ/ASXFdOudkEY/s1600/city+of+champs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvb1SVvNkbg/Tfd8vCxst0I/AAAAAAAAAAQ/ASXFdOudkEY/s320/city+of+champs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Back to opportunities. I lived and in Pittsburgh for the developmental portion of my life and became enamored with the amazing sports teams in an amazing sports town. I played baseball and basketball from 8 through college and continue to stumble through softball games and full court games on blacktops in the Northeast quadrant of the Sun known as South Florida. (Wanna lose weight? Move to South Florida and sit outside for an hour a day, just melts off like butter).<br />
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I love the Steelers, the Pens, the Pirates the Marlins and, as a side effect of my relationship with my girlfriend, the Miami Hurricanes and the Pirates alter ego the Miami Dolphins.(Is it sad I love them and the Pirates because they are so cursed? [the Pirates by Sid Bream and Barry Bonds and the Dolphins by Dan Marino, also from Pittsburgh, and my high school).<br />
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That brings me to the sport that calls the first word in my Blogs title home, Basketball.<br />
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And before you go assume that my number one team by default, would either be the Heat or the Pittsburgh Panthers, think again, Magic, Shaq and Kobe made me a Laker for life, I've got the "Kobe is the greatest NBA player not named Michael Jordan in NBA history" to prove it. However, as much as the Kobe and Shaq years and the reign of Jamie Dixon at Pitt compel great drama, there is nothing, and I mean a big ol' Whitney Houston nothing, that can hold a candle to what is going in American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.<br />
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That brings us to opportunity number 2.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4qjYXzi8ac/Tfd-M5btdaI/AAAAAAAAAAU/XPPMoWxme4Y/s1600/miami-heat-superstars-chris-bosh-dwyane-wade-lebron-james.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4qjYXzi8ac/Tfd-M5btdaI/AAAAAAAAAAU/XPPMoWxme4Y/s320/miami-heat-superstars-chris-bosh-dwyane-wade-lebron-james.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Miami Heat officially have the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that they relish more than Decisions, the Parade before the trophy, the Military base, the Bump. Since the Regular Season series versus Boston and Chicago, since Crygate and<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5HIKWMcqyE"> "Don't - Let - Go - of - the - Rope". </a>An opportunity to become more than what is expected of them. To become more than a group of great individuals. More than a great team. To become a transcendent team. To become to the 2010's what the Lakers where to the 2000's, the Bulls to 90's, the Lakers again in the 80's (the Lakers are a pretty awesome organization, huh?) and trump the naysayers like Chuck Barkley, like Dan Gilbert, like every individual that jam packed 29 other arenas just to boo the Heat.<br />
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In the <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1989.html">1988 - 1989 season</a>, Michael Jordan and the Bulls where that up and coming team that just wanted to set the world on fire. And the world wanted to watch them do it, as there 4th overall ranking in attendance can attest to that fact. Jordan was jumping from the free throw line to beat 'Nique. He was scoring 58 versus the Pistons, lighting up MSG and had already made a statement against the Celtics in the 86' playoffs. Scottie was getting his feet wet, playing hard D and finding his way through the league as a rookie. By the end of that season, they were 47-35 and limped into the playoffs to eventually get Jordan Ruled and bullied by the eventual Champion Pistons 4-1.<br />
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In the <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1990.html">1989 - 1990 season</a>, the Bulls revamped and reload, adding Phil Jackson and his triangle to improve the scoring and neutralize the Jordan Rules, and bringing in key role players in B.J. Armstrong and eventual hero and Cleveland Cavaliers GM, John Paxson, rolling to 55 -27. This was there year. This THERE time. And the league felt it. The teams felt it. And they STILL lost. And to who? Those Pistons, this time 4-3 in a knock down drag out brawl of a series.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-uNqV7T-AY/Tfd_0GUcBiI/AAAAAAAAAAY/V74HrGgZ8ww/s1600/88-90+bulls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-uNqV7T-AY/Tfd_0GUcBiI/AAAAAAAAAAY/V74HrGgZ8ww/s640/88-90+bulls.JPG" width="640" /></a>Two amazing individual seasons for Jordan. He had been making the public drool with his ability and packing his pockets with countless endorsements and created a brand out himself. But it took two summers of pain. Of gutting churning, mind numbing pain from the defeats he had taken part in to create who we remember. To create the monster. To create a bond between Jordan and renowned trainer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ_5IspZmx8">Tim Glover</a> to turn a player from a once in generation talent to the greatest player.Ever. To the greatest floor general. Ever. And to push himself to push him team to limits they never would have received without a beat down. Without their hearts getting ripped out two summers in a row. It was the moment after that 4-3 loss to the Pistons, that taste of greatness to finally reach the mountain top.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnYsi6-Yqng/TfeC-TWuFCI/AAAAAAAAAAg/_B4egUeUjzc/s1600/dwade+pain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnYsi6-Yqng/TfeC-TWuFCI/AAAAAAAAAAg/_B4egUeUjzc/s200/dwade+pain.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55gAfNO-Ys8/TfeCwZzHx5I/AAAAAAAAAAc/aZjQ7GUdpGg/s1600/lebron+sad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55gAfNO-Ys8/TfeCwZzHx5I/AAAAAAAAAAc/aZjQ7GUdpGg/s200/lebron+sad.jpg" width="200" /></a>Fast forward to the summer of 2010. Lebron James and the has just lost to the Orlando Magic, and was call out by every possible outlet for not showing up in a do or die game 6 against Orlando. For not pushing his team to greatness after a season that saw the Cavaliers go 66-16 and let down a city, a state, a league by not making it to the promised land with the most talented player since Jordan. Lebron was sick, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6v7kdt2Bxw">throwing his jersey</a> into the stand as he walked of the court as black, blue and white confetti rained from the ceiling and the Magic celebrated the Eastern Conference Championship. He was done. He wanted a team that would do what it took to help him. To give him the players he need to win.<br />
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That same summer, Dwayne Wade, who only knew Miami white, red and black as an NBA player, was close. Close to leaving. Close to a homecoming. To teaming with D. Rose and Boozer in Chicago, because his disgust with losing was pushing over the edge. He had tasted greatness as the 06' Finals MVP, and was done with not competing for that feeling every year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no8dmVY9AyA/TfeEcQxWwlI/AAAAAAAAAAk/4BdWSBA3bzs/s1600/lbj+and+d3+pain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no8dmVY9AyA/TfeEcQxWwlI/AAAAAAAAAAk/4BdWSBA3bzs/s320/lbj+and+d3+pain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It would be this summer that both players felt was the defining summer, like that 1988-1989 summer that the Bulls experienced. When the Bulls felt Championship or bust. Now it was Lebron and Wade, feeling the heat and not wanting anything less than the champagne. The cigars, the Trophy. And then it happen. The Heat, revamped, reloaded and became THE TEAM. The team that would have a bulls eye like Jordan's Bulls, that every fan wanted to see every game, like those Bulls. And like those Bulls, they pushed it to the limit only to be denied a second straight summer, beat down, tail in between their legs, defeated. Like those Bulls.<br />
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Now THIS is the moment. THIS is the opportunity. This is the REAL decision. Will they have that same second summer as Jordan and the Bulls, a summer that so disgusted them, that they so hated and pained over, that will push them from talented to great? From talented to elite? From talented....to Champs?<br />
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So, for now, everyone will say, Lebron choked, Spoelstra's no good, trade Bosh or the Heat suck. Ant the Heat will read, watch and hear all off. It will feed and grow the opportunity.<br />
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If you thought last summer was the summer, you obviously need a history lesson. This is were it begins. This is how a dynasty is created. The Heat is on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Onn-3kLAM6E/TfeGETtYqPI/AAAAAAAAAAo/BkQd3SoPNYk/s1600/nike_witness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Onn-3kLAM6E/TfeGETtYqPI/AAAAAAAAAAo/BkQd3SoPNYk/s640/nike_witness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6161826840936727658-6270667330229211153?l=harwoodandfields.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10953838303557869915noreply@blogger.com0