Sunday, February 19, 2012

Moss, Owens still hopeful to Return to the NFL

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Though it might seem like almost a lifetime ago, it's only been a few years since Terrell Owens and Randy Moss were etching their names in the record books among the NFL's all-time greats at the wide-receiver position. But since then, both players have become somewhat of an afterthought with age and nagging injuries to blame. And as talented as both players were during their prime, it would've been hard to imagine the struggle both talents have endured over the past year or so, trying to climb their way back onto the main stage that is the National Football League. Unlike Moss, Owens' most recent work on the football field was impressive despite being three years the elder, hauling in 9 touchdown receptions and coming within 17 yards receiving of the 1,000 yard mark to lead his team (Cincinnati Bengals).

After showing the league what he was still capable of at the ripe age of 37, Owens appeared to have rejuvenate his career. However, a torn ACL during the 2011 off-season would require surgery and add doubt to whether or not the 15-year veteran could recover from an injury of that magnitude and still produce for a team in need of a receiver. Owens held an open workout in October of last year in hopes of attracting a team, but the only offer the future Hall of Fame wide-out received was from the Arena Football League. With Owens only getting older as the days pass, it's likely this will be the last chance T.O. has before father time calls for him to retire.
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As for Mr. Randy Moss, who also sat out the entire 2011 season, the 35 year old former star of the Minnesota Vikings who would serve two sub-par seasons in Oakland before reaching star status in New England, saw a bitter end to his playing days, finishing the 2010 season playing for not one, not two, but three teams in a single year. After splitting the first 8 games of the season between the Patriots and the Vikings where Moss was welcomed to an unsuccessful reunion, he finished the year with the Tennessee Titans whom he failed to log a single touchdown reception with. Career lows in receptions (28) and receiving yards (393) didn't help him in search of finding suitors for the 2011 season which later led Moss' agent, Joel Segal to announce that his client had decided to retire from the game of football on August 1. But on his 35th birthday just last week, Moss announced via Ustream to his fans during a live chat that he is pursuing a comeback.

One person who surprisingly doesn't think Moss has it in him is former teammate and mentor -- Chris Carter. The two spent four seasons together in Minnesota, serving as one of the better wide-receiver tandems in all of football. But even their time spent together wasn't enough for Carter to shy away from sharing his opinions on the 7-time Pro Bowler. Carter took to the radio waves on ESPN radio's Mike and Mike in the morning where he said Moss has more quit in him than any superstar he's ever met. The comments were a surprise to many including Moss who fired back via his Twitter account by saying, "It's sad how you stroke your own ego when you were supposed to be my mentor then you wonder why karma bites you in the ass," followed by the hash tag: "#GoodLuckWithTheHallOfFame." Whether or not the two will continue to exchange blows is just as uncertain as whether or not Moss' wish to return to the gridiron will be fulfilled.
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There's no doubt the presence of both players could be of some help somewhere in the NFL, perhaps for a team in need of a veteran presence or just a team in need of a receiver, but it wouldn't surprise me the least bit if either were given a chance. Although T.O. had the more recent success of the two, if either was signed, all signs point towards Moss being the one. Not only is Moss three years younger, but he's also not coming off of a serious injury like Owens is. Another player who's eyeing a comeback, but hasn't been talked about as much as Owens and Moss, is former Pro Bowl and Rookie of the Year running back Clinton Portis who last played for the Washington Redskins in 2010. At this rate, I'd give it another month or so before the routine Brett Favre speculation makes its way back to the grapevines.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Giants excited to welcome back Posey, look forward to what the 2012 season has in store

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With the countdown until pitchers and catchers report to camp less than 24 hours from now, no team is looking forward to step one of Major League Baseball's spring training more than the San Francisco Giants who will see the return of their star catcher Buster Posey. Though he's been in numerous interviews and was seen countless times walking in crutches over the past six months or so, for Giants fans, it has seemed like a lifetime since Posey was last seen on the baseball diamond in full gear following his freak accident. On May 25 of last season, the San Francisco faithful was stuck holding their breath when their reigning Rookie of the Year catcher was the unfortunate victim of a home plate collision in which Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins steamrolled the defenseless Posey who had to be helped off the field and treated for a broken fibula. The injury would put an end to Posey's season as well as put a dent in the Giants' chances of contending for a second consecutive World Series title.

Nearly a year later, Posey is expected to report to camp healthy enough in hopes of working out the kinks and getting back into regular season form. But as one could expect, it won't be easy given the continuous toll manning the catcher position puts on ones body. Posey, however, appears to have that bravado in him that lets you know he'll do whatever it takes to get back to where he once was. With that said, it's hard to bet against someone like that, let alone one of the games premiere backstops and bright young stars and is why I think he'll be just as big of an impact when he returns as he was before he got hurt. Prior to his absence, Posey ranked in the top 3 among catchers in Runs (59), Home runs (18), RBI's (70), and Hits (130) from May 29, 2010 when he became the teams full-time starter to May 25, 2011 when the injury occurred. His production (.284 BA, 4 HR's and 21 RBI) following the Giants' first 45 games games last season was missed deeply in a lineup which struggled on offense, ranking at the bottom in almost every offensive category possible. Another Giant that fans are looking forward to seeing again is second baseman Freddy Sanchez who underwent season-ending surgery after dislocating his shoulder on June 10, while diving for a ball.
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With only a few minor roster changes from last year, on paper the Giants appear to once again showcase a lackluster offense. With last year's mid-season acquisition Carlos Beltran now playing in St. Louis, the Giants will have to look elsewhere to find a leader on offense assuming it'll take Posey at least a season to get comfortable in the batters box and get his swing back. Another pair of Giants that fans will have to grow accustomed without, are Pat Burrell who after 12 seasons in the big leagues has decided to hang em up and Cody Ross who last month signed with the Boston Red Sox. Not to be forgotten is speedy outfielder Andres Torres who was included in the trade for Angel Pagan. All of whom played key roles during San Francisco's title run in 2010, but struggled mightily at the plate in 2011. Despite their offensive woes just a season ago, the Giants still managed to finish ten games above .500 with an overall record of 86-76 mainly due to their dominant pitching staff which is once again expected to carry the team in 2012.

When the rest of the squad reports to spring training on February 23, Posey and company will welcome two new faces in Melky Cabrera and the aforementioned Angel Pagan, both of whom were acquired via trade during the off-season in hopes of giving the Giants the shot in the arm they so desperately need on offense. Another addition will be in infielder Ryan Theriot who serves as a base running threat and was signed as a free-agent after helping the Cardinals claim their NL best -- 11th World Series title last season. San Francisco's lone addition in the pitching department will be Clay Hensley who recently pitched for the Marlins and has some history with Giants skipper Bruce Bochy who Hensley served for both in the rotation and in the bullpen while with the Padres. Look to get your first glimpse of this newly constructed Giants offense in action on March 3rd when they host the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks at 12:05 p.m. @ Scottsdale Stadium.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Lin continues to roll, Adds Lakers to his List of Victims

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Heading into Friday night's match-up at Madison Square Garden between the Los Angeles Lakers who are coming off an overtime victory in Boston against the rival Celtics and the New York Knicks who've been riding a three-game winning-streak without two of their key components on offense, the headlines weren't about Kobe Bryant who lit up the Garden for 61-points a few seasons ago, but rather an unlikely hero by the name of Jeremy Lin. Throughout his career, Kobe has averaged 30.5 PPG at New York's famed Madison Square Garden, but not even that was enough to steal the spotlight from Knicks guard Jeremy Lin who since the absence of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, has shined at his brightest in the starting lineup.

Lin, who was on the verge of being cut by the Knicks just a week ago, entered the game with 76-points during New York's three-game winning-streak by logging 25, 28 and 23 points in consecutive performances, matching his total of 76-points scored all of last season while a member of the Golden State Warriors. Prior to their duel on Friday evening, Kobe said he had barely heard of the guy when being asked by reporters what his thoughts on Lin were and said he was unaware of what he had been doing as of late. Kobe would become quite familiar with the craze better known as "Linsanity" before nights end. In his third year out of Harvard, Lin would add to that mark by logging a career-high 38-points over Kobe's 34 to lead the Knicks against the Lakers en route to a 92-85 victory.
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It wasn't even a week ago when the New York Giants brought the Big Apple their second Super Bowl victory in four years, but even that appears to already be an afterthought in New York with the recent uprising of Lin. And speaking of football, I think it's safe to say Jeremy Lin is the basketball equivalent of Tim Tebow in the sense that neither were given much of a chance at the professional level or were expected to make much of a difference at first and since being promoted to the starting roster, both have become x-factors for their respective teams. The question is, will "Linsanity" continue or will the recent love craze fade into blackness and come to an early halt much like Tebow Mania did? The answer could very well live within his own team depending on whether or not Carmelo Anthony and Lin can coexist or will Melo's return decrease Lin's roll drastically?

Personally, I think Melo who's currently out with a groin injury and the Knicks would benefit a lot more if Melo allows Lin to play the roll of dictator. Another key factor which could very well play a roll in Lin's production is what coach Mike D'Antoni has planned for former All-Star Baron Davis who was signed by the team in December, but has been on the shelf with back and elbow problems up to this point. Davis is expected to return to the court in the next week or so, but it's uncertain as to what impact he'd have on Lin's roll if any.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Jim Harbaugh overcomes all odds, Takes home Coach of the Year Award

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Like the saying goes, all good things come to an end. That saying proved to be true for the San Francisco 49ers who's Super Bowl hopes came to an early end in this year's NFC Championship game after falling to the New York Giants in overtime by a score of 20-17. Despite their unfortunate early exit from the Playoffs, San Francisco's 2011 campaign was nothing short of remarkable in more ways than one. Since the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh in early January during the off-season, the 49er faithful instantly fell in love with the direction their team appeared to be moving in. Little did they know coach Harbaugh and co. would take them on a ride they haven't been on since the 2002 season.

With the odds stacked up against him and his new squad, coach Harbaugh came into the season virtually unfazed by the disadvantage the lockout-shortened off-season was thought to be for first year head coaches and their teams. Despite being plagued by the inconvenience the lockout proved to be during training camp, coach Harbaugh still managed to breath life back into the 49ers franchise and get his team to start playing the winning brand of football the organization and fans grew accustomed to in the 80's and 90's. In only his first year at the helm, Harbaugh was able to turnaround the franchise and lead the team to their first playoff berth in 10 years, finishing the regular season 13-3 to make him the runaway favorite for the NFL's Coach of the Year Award. On the eve of the Super Bowl, that dream became a reality as he was awarded the prestigious hardware, adding to an already impressive resume which includes success at the collegiate level as well with both the University of San Diego and Stanford.
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Coming into the season, nobody thought we'd taste that much success given the difficult tasks Harbaugh would face when transitioning from college to the pro's. Instead, coach Harbaugh made it look easy as if it wasn't his first rodeo. I'd be lying if I didn't say coach Harbaugh and the 49ers exceeded my expectations this year and am anxious to see what he could do when given a full off-season to get his guys ready and with a year of experience already under his belt. One thing that is certain is that the team from the city by the bay will be taken much more serious come next season. If he can talk the front-office into acquiring another piece or two on offense, I've got a feeling it won't be long before he adds a ring to his resume. Jim Harbaugh is one of only three 49er head coaches to be named Coach of the Year and is the first to take home the honors since Bill Walsh in 1981.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Kobe Leaps Shaq on All-time Scoring-list

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For eight seasons, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal served as one of the best tandems the NBA has ever seen, winning three consecutive rings while with the Lakers from 1996 until 2004 when Shaq was eventually dealt from Los Angeles to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade following a fallout between the two stars. Since then, Bryant has become the key cog of the Lakers and has led the team to three Finals appearances and two championships including back-to-back titles in 2009-2010. And though his team has taken a bit of a step back since their successful run in 2010 after being swept in the Western Conference Semifinals last season by the eventual NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks, which then led to the retirement of head coach Phil Jackson, Kobe has still shined at the age of 33 and has continued to prove why he's one of the best to ever step foot on the hardwood and that his uncanny will to win remains just as vivid now as it's ever been.
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Earlier tonight, Kobe passed his teammate of eight seasons for sole possession of the no. 5 spot on the NBA's all-time scoring-list by dropping 28-points in a losing effort to the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite losing the game by a final score of 95-90 on the road where the Lakers have struggled so far this season, dropping 9 of their first 12 games away from Staples Center in L.A., it was fitting that Bryant moved up the latter of the NBA's all-time scoring-list in his hometown of Philadelphia against a 76ers franchise that his father Joe "Jellybean" Bryant once upon a time played for in the 70's. In the midst of the boo's that showered down on Kobe by the Philly faithful following his feat, the several thousand or so Laker fans in attendance gave Bryant a standing ovation while hugging longtime teammate Derek Fisher after hitting a long-range jump-shot which helped him eclipse O'Neal's mark of 28,596 career points.
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Following his accomplishment and passing of O'Neal, Shaq sent Kobe a message in which he congratulated him on becoming the NBA's fifth all-time leading scorer as well the greatest Laker ever. Shaq also gave thanks to Kobe for the eight seasons they shared as teammates, calling them "the best eight years of my life," contrary to what many believed was a rocky relationship. Even in the latter part of his career now in his 30's, Kobe who has a 48-point game under his belt this season, currently leads the league in scoring with an average of 29.4 PPG and trails only Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career points. While being asked what his thoughts were on joining the elite company of some of the game's all-time greats, Kobe said it was an understatement to call it a huge honor. But it was the comments he made later that really let us know what he had on his mind: "I'm not asking for much, man. Just give me a sixth ring, damn it."