The 2010 National League Rookie of the Year race came down to two players, the San Francisco Giants Buster Posey and the Atlanta Braves Jason Heyward, with Posey nosing out Heyward after the Giants eliminated the Braves in last year’s playoffs en route to a World Series title. Last week however, while Heyward missed several games following a pair of MRIs on his right shoulder, Posey was lost for the season when the Florida Marlins’ Scott Cousins collided with the Giants catcher in an extra innings contest. Posey suffered a fractured left fibula and three torn ligaments in his left ankle following the brutal collision at the plate, which has been declared all across baseball as “clean.”
Despite both participants doing their jobs with the catcher blocking the plate and the baserunner traveling through the catcher to reach the plate, Posey’s agent Jeff Berry is now calling for some sort of rule change to be put in place to protect catchers. Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann hinted before a recent game against the Cincinnati Reds that there was nothing Posey could have done differently in that situation. “The same thing would have happened to me,” said McCann speaking on the matter in dugout before batting practice.
Braves backup catcher David Ross also would not criticize Posey, crediting him for doing the best job he could to save the game for his team. “It is so hard, plays at the plate especially from rightfield, where (that play) was coming from,” Ross said. “You’re blind, you can’t see the runner and you’re just trying to catch the ball first. He’s doing the best job he can trying to catch the ball and make the tag on the runner.”
Ross was quick to say as well that he believed the play at the plate involving Posey and Cousins was clean. “It is unfortunate that his leg got caught beneath him and he got hit like that,” Ross said. “You hate to see a good player like him, a guy that’s in the middle of their lineup go down like that. My heart goes out to Buster.”
Having just won the NL Rookie of the Year race last year, Posey is the highest-profiled catcher to suffer a recent major injury but at least four other catchers have sustained crushing injuries during collisions at the plate in the last two seasons. Last year Carlos Santana, a promising backstop for Cleveland, was lost in an eerily similar play.
Does Berry have a point? Should catchers be protected? Ross isn’t sure how it can be done or even if it should be done. “It’s part of the territory,” said Ross. “We come up knowing that you can get run over at any time and that’s kind of what’s the norm for us.”
Ross wasn’t sure any way to protect the catchers, short of a no-contact rule. “That gives us (the catchers) a big advantage, taking away the plate.” Ross thinks that a no-contact rule would potentially be a touchy subject, leaving what is and isn’t clean to the umpire’s discretion. “Obviously everybody likes to be protected, nobody wants to end (his) career getting hit at the plate and something bad happen like that,” said Ross. “This game is risky; there’s no way to avoid some risk that you can have.”
Plays at the plate are always exciting for the fans, but they are also so very dangerous for the players involved. It is a shame that players like Posey and Santana have suffered injuries over the last two years, but there are also plenty of games that do not have collisions at the plate. As Ross said, it is part of the territory and the catchers do have padding on in an attempt to protect themselves. It will be interesting to see if Major League Baseball kneejerks into a new rule or if catchers themselves adjust in an effort to avoid injury. Fans of the National Pastime will certainly be on the edge of their seats the next time a bang-bang play at the plate develops, holding their collective breaths that both players stand up after the play.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
TheFletch: No Hard Knocks for Falcons, Thrashers Finally get coverage
The Thrashers may have already packed up the moving trucks by the time you read this column, but something funny actually happened recently: Everyone was talking about the Thrashers in Atlanta. The television news stations, the cable sports stations, the newspaper, and the radio stations. The Atlanta Thrashers were finally getting some publicity. What a shame that the team, which has made the playoffs exactly ONCE in its existence and has won exactly ZERO games in its existence, is receiving more coverage discussing the team’s potential departure than it did during the season. Hmmm.
The Thrashers weren’t exactly playoff contenders but the organization did make a run one year ago and even added a big piece over the last off-season, inspiring confidence and offering hope. No. Nothing happened. And all of the local media (except for John Kincade of 680 The Fan’s Buck & Kincade) turned off the Thrashers.
That is until the chance of losing them went from nasty rumor to scary reality. Suddenly 790 The Zone’s Mike Bell, a long-time hockey fan, was humorously trying to pool money to buy them. He also was trying to get his co-host David Pollack to watch a playoff hockey game. WSB’s Zach Klein went to the attempt at a Save-The-Thrashers rally to cover the event and tweeted that around 250 people were there.
The coverage over the Thrashers’ departure was far more than any coverage of the team itself and perhaps that is why the Thrashers are about to leave a top ten market for Winnipeg. Sad, but people just gave up on the Thrashers and the coverage did too.
Speaking of hockey, I just have a minor suggestion, a quick note if you will for 680 The Fan’s morning show The Rude Awakening. Instead of taking 40 seconds to read an email about how you aren’t talking enough about the hockey playoffs and then taking around another minute to defend your not talking about the NHL playoffs, how about you just take that minute and one half and TALK about the hockey playoffs? I am not a huge hockey guy myself; I used to love to watch the playoffs when I was in college as the six-overtime games would be an excuse not to study, but I can at least stand a few minutes of hockey talk. Clearly there are people that live and breathe hockey. If they cared enough to email in, asking for a minute or two of hockey talk, instead of reading the emails simply to mock them, how about just throwing them the proverbial bone? Maybe you could sub two minutes of puck talk in there instead of giving the latest recap to American Idol and Dancing With The Stars? You are/were the official flagship of the town's hockey team for Pete's sake.
In an interview last week Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said that the team may have been open to the idea of appearing on HBO's miniseries Hard Knocks, which follows a team throughout training camp. The Falcons last Monday ended up declining the official invite, but it was interesting to hear that the Dirty Birds were considering it. The program has followed teams such as the Bengals, the Cowboys, the Ravens and last year the Jets and has been quite entertaining for NFL fans thirsting for access behind the scenes. True some of the coaching meetings and interactions seemed forced, and players have come out and said that some "scenes" were scripted, but nonetheless the show still lets the fans go inside training camp. The Falcons organization has been great at allowing fans to come to practices up at Flowery Branch as well as allowing both major sports radio stations inside training camp with plenty of access to interviews, but Hard Knocks would have opened up the Falcons to the entire country, not just to Atlanta residents. Teams such as the Steelers, Cowboys, Redskins and Packers have fans nation-wide; this may have been a chance for the Falcons brand to grow. Regardless it was still very cool to be approached by HBO and it shows that people are respecting the Falcons enough to want to get inside and see how the team works. Respect is something that is hard to come by in the NFL. Perhaps Falcons fans should be glad to be getting some, especially after so many wrote them off last year entering the playoffs and right after the Packers loss. Hard Knocks would have been cool to see the Matt Ryan evolution, the Julio Jones/Roddy White dynamic, the Dimitroff/Belichick comparison, the Brian VanGorder reactions, the Tony Gonzalez "one more year" watch. It would have been cool to see if Mike Smith cheesed it up like Brian Billick or if he product-placed like Rex Ryan. Oh well, but still cool to be considered.
Finally, Joakim Noah was the latest NBA star to fall victim to 2011's constant camera attention. During game three of the Eastern Conference finals, Noah was caught on camera shouting a gay slur at a courtside Miami fan, which earned him a $50,000 fine. Kobe Bryant muttered the same slur towards an NBA official this regular season and was docked $100,000. While I do not condone calling anyone what Noah said, I can ease up a bit on Noah, considering his mistake was in the heat of the game and the fan was apparently far over-served and apparently annoying fellow fans around him. Noah used a word that shouldn't be used, but at some point the security guards need to recognize when a fan is over-served and keep an eye on that "supporter," showing him the door if need be. While Noah's choice of "insult" was egregious to say the least, responding to a fan isn't the huge deal that some of the dopes from Around the Horn and national talk radio are making it out to be. He plays with passion; sometimes that passion carries over to the sidelines. I have no problem with Noah yelling at a fan, the same way I had zero problem with Roger McDowell yakking with a San Francisco enthusiast. I just wish they would have kept the gay slurs out of it, same as keeping race or nationality out of it. Come back with a witty remark and odds are these drunken fans will be confused and sit down befuddled
Can You Believe He Said That
The people getting shafted are the fans. No matter how much they want to keep the team, they don’t have a say in it
That was Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Chris Mason. He admitted that the players are rattled too, wondering where the team’s future lies, but he later took the owners and management to task for bungling the situation. Pretty refreshing to hear a player siding with the fans over the folks that sign his paychecks. At least there is that Thrashers fans…
The Thrashers weren’t exactly playoff contenders but the organization did make a run one year ago and even added a big piece over the last off-season, inspiring confidence and offering hope. No. Nothing happened. And all of the local media (except for John Kincade of 680 The Fan’s Buck & Kincade) turned off the Thrashers.
That is until the chance of losing them went from nasty rumor to scary reality. Suddenly 790 The Zone’s Mike Bell, a long-time hockey fan, was humorously trying to pool money to buy them. He also was trying to get his co-host David Pollack to watch a playoff hockey game. WSB’s Zach Klein went to the attempt at a Save-The-Thrashers rally to cover the event and tweeted that around 250 people were there.
The coverage over the Thrashers’ departure was far more than any coverage of the team itself and perhaps that is why the Thrashers are about to leave a top ten market for Winnipeg. Sad, but people just gave up on the Thrashers and the coverage did too.
Speaking of hockey, I just have a minor suggestion, a quick note if you will for 680 The Fan’s morning show The Rude Awakening. Instead of taking 40 seconds to read an email about how you aren’t talking enough about the hockey playoffs and then taking around another minute to defend your not talking about the NHL playoffs, how about you just take that minute and one half and TALK about the hockey playoffs? I am not a huge hockey guy myself; I used to love to watch the playoffs when I was in college as the six-overtime games would be an excuse not to study, but I can at least stand a few minutes of hockey talk. Clearly there are people that live and breathe hockey. If they cared enough to email in, asking for a minute or two of hockey talk, instead of reading the emails simply to mock them, how about just throwing them the proverbial bone? Maybe you could sub two minutes of puck talk in there instead of giving the latest recap to American Idol and Dancing With The Stars? You are/were the official flagship of the town's hockey team for Pete's sake.
In an interview last week Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said that the team may have been open to the idea of appearing on HBO's miniseries Hard Knocks, which follows a team throughout training camp. The Falcons last Monday ended up declining the official invite, but it was interesting to hear that the Dirty Birds were considering it. The program has followed teams such as the Bengals, the Cowboys, the Ravens and last year the Jets and has been quite entertaining for NFL fans thirsting for access behind the scenes. True some of the coaching meetings and interactions seemed forced, and players have come out and said that some "scenes" were scripted, but nonetheless the show still lets the fans go inside training camp. The Falcons organization has been great at allowing fans to come to practices up at Flowery Branch as well as allowing both major sports radio stations inside training camp with plenty of access to interviews, but Hard Knocks would have opened up the Falcons to the entire country, not just to Atlanta residents. Teams such as the Steelers, Cowboys, Redskins and Packers have fans nation-wide; this may have been a chance for the Falcons brand to grow. Regardless it was still very cool to be approached by HBO and it shows that people are respecting the Falcons enough to want to get inside and see how the team works. Respect is something that is hard to come by in the NFL. Perhaps Falcons fans should be glad to be getting some, especially after so many wrote them off last year entering the playoffs and right after the Packers loss. Hard Knocks would have been cool to see the Matt Ryan evolution, the Julio Jones/Roddy White dynamic, the Dimitroff/Belichick comparison, the Brian VanGorder reactions, the Tony Gonzalez "one more year" watch. It would have been cool to see if Mike Smith cheesed it up like Brian Billick or if he product-placed like Rex Ryan. Oh well, but still cool to be considered.
Finally, Joakim Noah was the latest NBA star to fall victim to 2011's constant camera attention. During game three of the Eastern Conference finals, Noah was caught on camera shouting a gay slur at a courtside Miami fan, which earned him a $50,000 fine. Kobe Bryant muttered the same slur towards an NBA official this regular season and was docked $100,000. While I do not condone calling anyone what Noah said, I can ease up a bit on Noah, considering his mistake was in the heat of the game and the fan was apparently far over-served and apparently annoying fellow fans around him. Noah used a word that shouldn't be used, but at some point the security guards need to recognize when a fan is over-served and keep an eye on that "supporter," showing him the door if need be. While Noah's choice of "insult" was egregious to say the least, responding to a fan isn't the huge deal that some of the dopes from Around the Horn and national talk radio are making it out to be. He plays with passion; sometimes that passion carries over to the sidelines. I have no problem with Noah yelling at a fan, the same way I had zero problem with Roger McDowell yakking with a San Francisco enthusiast. I just wish they would have kept the gay slurs out of it, same as keeping race or nationality out of it. Come back with a witty remark and odds are these drunken fans will be confused and sit down befuddled
Can You Believe He Said That
The people getting shafted are the fans. No matter how much they want to keep the team, they don’t have a say in it
That was Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Chris Mason. He admitted that the players are rattled too, wondering where the team’s future lies, but he later took the owners and management to task for bungling the situation. Pretty refreshing to hear a player siding with the fans over the folks that sign his paychecks. At least there is that Thrashers fans…
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The first 11 of the Post-Spring Score44 revealed
The Score44 is BACK for the 2011 season (the NSD class of 2012) and we are giving it to you 11 at a time over the next month on The Official Visit on Sports Radio 790 The Zone (Next show: Wednesday June 1 at 8PM). This is a fluid list, with players moving in and out every week. I come up with the list, and my co-host Scott Janovitz breaks it down. Here is the first eleven.
Jordan Jenkins: 6-3, 245-pound DE out of Harris County. I’ve called Jonathan Taylor the top DT in America, but think Jordan is this state’s top player. Has offers from everyone, but says Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, GTech and Tennessee lead. Has alluded to Florida leading, but that was a while ago. He’s big, physical, and a dynamic athlete while also playing a physical game. Tremendous explosion off the line, great read and react skills, dominant pass rusher, and exceptional against the run. Doesn’t rush at the expense of run support. Smart player. Does a great job of extending arms to keep separation between himself and blocker, great technique and attitude;
Jonathan Taylor: 6-4, 315-pound DT out of Jenkins County. I think he is the nation’s top DT. Nothing to not like here. He likes Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech and FSU. Has tremendous size, strength, quickness combination;
Geno Smith: 5-11, 170-pound CB out St. Pius. Plays at a smaller classification, and needs to gain weight, but has excelled against some of the best in the country. Has called Auburn his leader, with Alabama, FSU, and Tennessee trailing;
Kenyan Drake: 6-1, 194-pound athlete out of Hillgrove. Is he a RB, WR or CB? Committed to Alabama. Tremendous speed, athleticism and versatility, with great hands. Runs a bit upright;
Raphael Kirby: 6-0, 208-pound LB out of Stephenson. Committed to Miami. May still consider Florida. Primed for a big year after transferring from Parkview. Plays well in space, good hitter, good read-react skills, needs to gain weight and become more physical;
Joe Harris: 6-4, 320-pound OT out of Lithonia. Has offers from Alabama, FSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi State, N.C. State, Purdue, South Carolina and South Florida. He seems to really like Tech a lot. Good athlete, but also huge and physical. Needs to work on his balance, but has great strength and excels as a run blocker. May be a better guard long term. Explosive off the ball. Athletic enough to pull also. I like his low center of gravity. Loves Tech coaches Paul Johnson and Joe Speed, and former teammate Jimmie Kitchen is there. Going to decide before senior season. How serious is he really about Tech? He also loves Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Interestingly, Clemson and Georgia Tech are recruiting him the hardest;
Vadal Alexander: 6-6, 310-pound OT out of Buford. Has offers from everyone, but seems most interested in Texas, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, USC, FSU and Miami. Because of where he plays, a tremendous run blocker at this point. May not be quite as athletic as Joe Harris, but does a better job playing under control. Has a dominating impact on the game, but doesn’t get great chances to pass block. Georgia making a strong push here. Has visited LSU, Alabama, and Auburn, and would like to visit Texas, Miami, FSU and USC over the summer;
Josh Harvey-Clemons: 6-5, 208-pound athlete out of Lowndes. Could play WR, LB, or DE. I think this is very much a Georgia-FSU battle;
Josh Holsey: 5-9, 171-pound CB out of Creekside. People love his speed and cover ability. Auburn, ;
JaQuay Williams: 6-3, 204-pound WR out of Sandy Creek. Fast, big, physical, great hands and a natural receiver. Looking at Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Tennessee, Michigan, Alabama and Auburn;
CJ Curry: 6-2, 203-pound WR out of North Hall. Committed to Georgia. Big, fast, physical, good route runner, tough after the catch. Physical wideout.
Jordan Jenkins: 6-3, 245-pound DE out of Harris County. I’ve called Jonathan Taylor the top DT in America, but think Jordan is this state’s top player. Has offers from everyone, but says Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, GTech and Tennessee lead. Has alluded to Florida leading, but that was a while ago. He’s big, physical, and a dynamic athlete while also playing a physical game. Tremendous explosion off the line, great read and react skills, dominant pass rusher, and exceptional against the run. Doesn’t rush at the expense of run support. Smart player. Does a great job of extending arms to keep separation between himself and blocker, great technique and attitude;
Jonathan Taylor: 6-4, 315-pound DT out of Jenkins County. I think he is the nation’s top DT. Nothing to not like here. He likes Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech and FSU. Has tremendous size, strength, quickness combination;
Geno Smith: 5-11, 170-pound CB out St. Pius. Plays at a smaller classification, and needs to gain weight, but has excelled against some of the best in the country. Has called Auburn his leader, with Alabama, FSU, and Tennessee trailing;
Kenyan Drake: 6-1, 194-pound athlete out of Hillgrove. Is he a RB, WR or CB? Committed to Alabama. Tremendous speed, athleticism and versatility, with great hands. Runs a bit upright;
Raphael Kirby: 6-0, 208-pound LB out of Stephenson. Committed to Miami. May still consider Florida. Primed for a big year after transferring from Parkview. Plays well in space, good hitter, good read-react skills, needs to gain weight and become more physical;
Joe Harris: 6-4, 320-pound OT out of Lithonia. Has offers from Alabama, FSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi State, N.C. State, Purdue, South Carolina and South Florida. He seems to really like Tech a lot. Good athlete, but also huge and physical. Needs to work on his balance, but has great strength and excels as a run blocker. May be a better guard long term. Explosive off the ball. Athletic enough to pull also. I like his low center of gravity. Loves Tech coaches Paul Johnson and Joe Speed, and former teammate Jimmie Kitchen is there. Going to decide before senior season. How serious is he really about Tech? He also loves Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Interestingly, Clemson and Georgia Tech are recruiting him the hardest;
Vadal Alexander: 6-6, 310-pound OT out of Buford. Has offers from everyone, but seems most interested in Texas, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, USC, FSU and Miami. Because of where he plays, a tremendous run blocker at this point. May not be quite as athletic as Joe Harris, but does a better job playing under control. Has a dominating impact on the game, but doesn’t get great chances to pass block. Georgia making a strong push here. Has visited LSU, Alabama, and Auburn, and would like to visit Texas, Miami, FSU and USC over the summer;
Josh Harvey-Clemons: 6-5, 208-pound athlete out of Lowndes. Could play WR, LB, or DE. I think this is very much a Georgia-FSU battle;
Josh Holsey: 5-9, 171-pound CB out of Creekside. People love his speed and cover ability. Auburn, ;
JaQuay Williams: 6-3, 204-pound WR out of Sandy Creek. Fast, big, physical, great hands and a natural receiver. Looking at Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Tennessee, Michigan, Alabama and Auburn;
CJ Curry: 6-2, 203-pound WR out of North Hall. Committed to Georgia. Big, fast, physical, good route runner, tough after the catch. Physical wideout.
Monday, May 23, 2011
TheFletch: Mike Bell gets into the NBA, A Thrashers alternative
“Watching another lifeless effort from Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford you really begin to wonder, do these guys give a crap? Do they see what the league’s MVP (Derrick Rose) is doing and just shrug?”
Those words came from a member of the local media in regards to the Atlanta Hawks and how he was disgusted by the team’s collapse in games five and six. That member was none other than 790 The Zone’s Mike Bell, who admittedly isn’t an NBA guy but a person that bought in during the Hawks playoff run. Bell, whose bread and butter is the NFL and NASCAR with a dash of hockey thrown in for good measure, normally sleeps while co-host David Pollack talks roundball on Pollack & Bell, but this postseason Bell seemed to really be engrossed by the Hawks potential. Then the Hawks ran out of gas, leading Bell to write about the team’s highest paid player Joe Johnson:
I’ve never seen a more uncompelling player who is paid like one of the sport’s elite and give you less bang for your buck when it truly matters. The only thing Joe has in common with LeBron, Wade and Rose is his bank statement.
Down the stretch, Pollack & Bell had Mark Jackson on who didn’t defend Johnson but rather told folks to stop being angry over his high salary. The former player said that it is the Hawks that folks who hate the contract should be angry with as they offered it. That is a good point; was Johnson supposed to turn down that money? Jackson also said that Johnson is an all-star but not a super-star.
Bell continued in a recent blog on 790 The Zone that the Hawks coach Larry Drew, “must’ve confused the young guard (Jeff Teague) with one of the ball boys. I’m still not sold on Larry Drew.” Bell wondered if Drew was anything more than a “cigar store Indian,” who sometimes needs to be poked “to make sure he’s not sleep standing up like a horse.”
Bell’s game is comedy and while he is using humor in his vent, some of his points shouldn’t be dismissed merely because they make you shake your head while laughing. He does have a point. Why did it take so long to figure out Teague? Why is Johnson not scoring more than nine second-half points in an elimination game? Bell may claim to not know the NBA but he seems to have nailed the Hawks.
Rick Reilly made the argument that we really cannot judge draft classes immediately despite what Mel Kiper Jr., and Todd McShay like to say and perhaps we need three to five years before we can say who really did “win” or “lose” a draft. Perhaps Reilly is right when he says that report cards should be given out at least three years after the fact. In a recent piece for ESPN.com, Reilly went back and “re-drafted” the first rounds of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 drafts. The Falcons didn’t have a first round selection in 2006, but Reilly was not kind to 2007 first round selection Jamaal Anderson. Reilly had the No. 8 pick instead going 141, a differential of -133 spots. For the 2008 draft, Reilly actually graded Matt Ryan as the No. 1 player (and thus new No. 1 pick), over the likes of Chris Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Ray Rice and Jamaal Charles. The +2 in spots, partly made up for Sam Baker being graded as the No. 24, down three spots from where the Falcons grabbed him at No. 21. Interestingly enough Curtis Lofton, who was taken in the second round at No. 37 overall, was not included on Reilly’s re-draft list. Only one linebacker was in the 2008 “first round” was Jerod Mayo, moved up from No. 10 to No. 8. In Reilly’s team totals, the Falcons finished with a differential of -134 in the plus/minus, 20th in the league. The New Orleans Saints were No. 1 with a plus/minus of +266 while NFC South rival Carolina was No. 11 with +53. Tampa Bay was the final team with a positive plus/minus of +2.
Recently Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts announced to friends, associates and the press that he was gay and to be perfectly honest, I am not certain why this was on the front page of ESPN.com. I am not trying to belittle the announcement, the first of its kind in regards to the major four sports in the United States, and I am not trying to say that being gay is a bad thing. Quite the opposite in fact. I am saying that it shouldn’t matter that he is gay, straight, white, black, purple, or blue. Last Monday on 680 The Fan’s The Rude Awakening, Christopher Rude tried to make a joke about co-host Perry Laurentino not knowing what it was like to be in his (Welts’) shoes, his “pink shoes.” Laurentino was asking why this was news because it doesn’t matter that Welts is gay because he is getting the job done. The NBA commissioner and Phoenix players and coaches seem to side with Laurentino and I do too. I am proud of Welts for feeling secure enough to come out and live his life in the open, but I hope at some point that stories like this go away in the same way I hope that stories such as “Can Mike Tomlin become the first black head coach to win two Super Bowls?” go away. How about we stop calling Tomlin a black coach and just call him a darn fine coach? How about we stop calling Welts a gay president and CEO and just call him a quality president and CEO? Good for Welts but hopefully before long stories like this aren’t huge news and instead oh-by-the-way news.
Finally, as the Thrashers get ready to leave town, or even if the team stays for one lame duck season, I say it is time for the local hockey fans to jump ship to a different quasi-local team. Forget Tampa Bay and don’t you dare cheer for Carolina. No, instead get on board with the Nashville Predators. The team advanced in the playoffs to the second round and appears ready to do it again next year. If you need a seriously local hockey fix, check out a Gwinnett Gladiators game.
Watching another lifeless effort from Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford you really begin to wonder, do these guys give a crap? Do they see what the league's MVP is doing and just shrug?
Can You Believe He Said That
The ultimate kick to the groin won’t be when the Thrashers leave. It will be next year when the Thrashers are in Winnipeg and make the playoffs.
That was Dave FM morning show host Jimmy Baron giving the 17 remaining Thrashers fans a chill, thinking about how close the team is to the playoffs and the likelihood of the team finally getting over the hump, but in another city.
Those words came from a member of the local media in regards to the Atlanta Hawks and how he was disgusted by the team’s collapse in games five and six. That member was none other than 790 The Zone’s Mike Bell, who admittedly isn’t an NBA guy but a person that bought in during the Hawks playoff run. Bell, whose bread and butter is the NFL and NASCAR with a dash of hockey thrown in for good measure, normally sleeps while co-host David Pollack talks roundball on Pollack & Bell, but this postseason Bell seemed to really be engrossed by the Hawks potential. Then the Hawks ran out of gas, leading Bell to write about the team’s highest paid player Joe Johnson:
I’ve never seen a more uncompelling player who is paid like one of the sport’s elite and give you less bang for your buck when it truly matters. The only thing Joe has in common with LeBron, Wade and Rose is his bank statement.
Down the stretch, Pollack & Bell had Mark Jackson on who didn’t defend Johnson but rather told folks to stop being angry over his high salary. The former player said that it is the Hawks that folks who hate the contract should be angry with as they offered it. That is a good point; was Johnson supposed to turn down that money? Jackson also said that Johnson is an all-star but not a super-star.
Bell continued in a recent blog on 790 The Zone that the Hawks coach Larry Drew, “must’ve confused the young guard (Jeff Teague) with one of the ball boys. I’m still not sold on Larry Drew.” Bell wondered if Drew was anything more than a “cigar store Indian,” who sometimes needs to be poked “to make sure he’s not sleep standing up like a horse.”
Bell’s game is comedy and while he is using humor in his vent, some of his points shouldn’t be dismissed merely because they make you shake your head while laughing. He does have a point. Why did it take so long to figure out Teague? Why is Johnson not scoring more than nine second-half points in an elimination game? Bell may claim to not know the NBA but he seems to have nailed the Hawks.
Rick Reilly made the argument that we really cannot judge draft classes immediately despite what Mel Kiper Jr., and Todd McShay like to say and perhaps we need three to five years before we can say who really did “win” or “lose” a draft. Perhaps Reilly is right when he says that report cards should be given out at least three years after the fact. In a recent piece for ESPN.com, Reilly went back and “re-drafted” the first rounds of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 drafts. The Falcons didn’t have a first round selection in 2006, but Reilly was not kind to 2007 first round selection Jamaal Anderson. Reilly had the No. 8 pick instead going 141, a differential of -133 spots. For the 2008 draft, Reilly actually graded Matt Ryan as the No. 1 player (and thus new No. 1 pick), over the likes of Chris Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Ray Rice and Jamaal Charles. The +2 in spots, partly made up for Sam Baker being graded as the No. 24, down three spots from where the Falcons grabbed him at No. 21. Interestingly enough Curtis Lofton, who was taken in the second round at No. 37 overall, was not included on Reilly’s re-draft list. Only one linebacker was in the 2008 “first round” was Jerod Mayo, moved up from No. 10 to No. 8. In Reilly’s team totals, the Falcons finished with a differential of -134 in the plus/minus, 20th in the league. The New Orleans Saints were No. 1 with a plus/minus of +266 while NFC South rival Carolina was No. 11 with +53. Tampa Bay was the final team with a positive plus/minus of +2.
Recently Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts announced to friends, associates and the press that he was gay and to be perfectly honest, I am not certain why this was on the front page of ESPN.com. I am not trying to belittle the announcement, the first of its kind in regards to the major four sports in the United States, and I am not trying to say that being gay is a bad thing. Quite the opposite in fact. I am saying that it shouldn’t matter that he is gay, straight, white, black, purple, or blue. Last Monday on 680 The Fan’s The Rude Awakening, Christopher Rude tried to make a joke about co-host Perry Laurentino not knowing what it was like to be in his (Welts’) shoes, his “pink shoes.” Laurentino was asking why this was news because it doesn’t matter that Welts is gay because he is getting the job done. The NBA commissioner and Phoenix players and coaches seem to side with Laurentino and I do too. I am proud of Welts for feeling secure enough to come out and live his life in the open, but I hope at some point that stories like this go away in the same way I hope that stories such as “Can Mike Tomlin become the first black head coach to win two Super Bowls?” go away. How about we stop calling Tomlin a black coach and just call him a darn fine coach? How about we stop calling Welts a gay president and CEO and just call him a quality president and CEO? Good for Welts but hopefully before long stories like this aren’t huge news and instead oh-by-the-way news.
Finally, as the Thrashers get ready to leave town, or even if the team stays for one lame duck season, I say it is time for the local hockey fans to jump ship to a different quasi-local team. Forget Tampa Bay and don’t you dare cheer for Carolina. No, instead get on board with the Nashville Predators. The team advanced in the playoffs to the second round and appears ready to do it again next year. If you need a seriously local hockey fix, check out a Gwinnett Gladiators game.
Watching another lifeless effort from Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford you really begin to wonder, do these guys give a crap? Do they see what the league's MVP is doing and just shrug?
Can You Believe He Said That
The ultimate kick to the groin won’t be when the Thrashers leave. It will be next year when the Thrashers are in Winnipeg and make the playoffs.
That was Dave FM morning show host Jimmy Baron giving the 17 remaining Thrashers fans a chill, thinking about how close the team is to the playoffs and the likelihood of the team finally getting over the hump, but in another city.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Who is keeping UGA fans up at night: Moore or Garcia?
The Georgia Bulldogs will face two extremely talented quarterbacks in the first two weeks of the 2011 schedule in Boise State’s Kellen Moore and South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia. The Bulldogs will be entering the second year of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s 3-4 conversion, so one would think that the defense would be ready to face all-comers, but you still freak out when two QBs of that caliber are leading the opposition’s huddle. Which quarterback though should Georgia fans be more wary of?
My answer would be Stephen Garcia. With all due respect to South Carolina back-up Connor Shaw, Garcia will be the starter come the Gamecocks visit to Athens because Steve Spurrier needs a QB in there capable of beating the Bulldogs. If Shaw was ready, Garcia wouldn’t have this 984th chance that Spurrier is currently granting him. But why would I fear Garcia over Kellen Moore? Isn’t Moore a virtual lock to pass Colt McCoy as the all-time winningest QB this season? Didn’t Moore lead Boise State to an undefeated season two years ago? Yes he is and yes he did. However, Moore doesn’t have Alshon Jeffery. Stephen Garcia does and that is why I fear Garcia.
Alshon Jeffery is a freak of a receiver, a notch below AJ Green and Julio Jones, but still scary nonetheless. All Garcia will need to do is lob the ball up and Jeffery will use his speed, jumping ability and 6-4, 233 lb size to haul in catch after catch. Moore of Boise State is breaking in two new primary targets. Garcia already has a rapport with Jeffery that helped South Carolina reach the SEC title game last year.
And let’s not forget either that Garcia, while not as special as Tim Tebow, does have Tebow’s size and is tough to bring down on third and two on a draw. Garcia, with his size and his cannon enough to find Jeffery down the field frightens me far more than tiny Kellen Moore does. Moore seriously looks like he would break in two from a big enough hit from John Jenkins, Ray Drew, Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree or Cornelius Washington.
Maybe I am underselling Kellen Moore. Perhaps he comes out and lights up the Bulldogs without his top two receivers from last year. But I am definitely afraid of Garcia, especially as long as No.1 is out there for the Gamecocks.
My answer would be Stephen Garcia. With all due respect to South Carolina back-up Connor Shaw, Garcia will be the starter come the Gamecocks visit to Athens because Steve Spurrier needs a QB in there capable of beating the Bulldogs. If Shaw was ready, Garcia wouldn’t have this 984th chance that Spurrier is currently granting him. But why would I fear Garcia over Kellen Moore? Isn’t Moore a virtual lock to pass Colt McCoy as the all-time winningest QB this season? Didn’t Moore lead Boise State to an undefeated season two years ago? Yes he is and yes he did. However, Moore doesn’t have Alshon Jeffery. Stephen Garcia does and that is why I fear Garcia.
Alshon Jeffery is a freak of a receiver, a notch below AJ Green and Julio Jones, but still scary nonetheless. All Garcia will need to do is lob the ball up and Jeffery will use his speed, jumping ability and 6-4, 233 lb size to haul in catch after catch. Moore of Boise State is breaking in two new primary targets. Garcia already has a rapport with Jeffery that helped South Carolina reach the SEC title game last year.
And let’s not forget either that Garcia, while not as special as Tim Tebow, does have Tebow’s size and is tough to bring down on third and two on a draw. Garcia, with his size and his cannon enough to find Jeffery down the field frightens me far more than tiny Kellen Moore does. Moore seriously looks like he would break in two from a big enough hit from John Jenkins, Ray Drew, Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree or Cornelius Washington.
Maybe I am underselling Kellen Moore. Perhaps he comes out and lights up the Bulldogs without his top two receivers from last year. But I am definitely afraid of Garcia, especially as long as No.1 is out there for the Gamecocks.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Redskins fan wonders about the Falcons plan of attack
the one thing that would bother me if I was a Falcons fan (and sort of bothers me as a Redskins fan to be COMPLETELY HONEST) is that the Bucs ended up with DQuan Bowers in the SECOND FRIGGIN Round.
True he has to go through Microfracture surgery so he misses 2011. He'll be back by 2012, which would be his rookie year if he had stayed for his senior Clemson season. you take a flyer on the guy, make sure he gets healthy per YOUR people, you pay him what a SECOND ROUNDER MAKES (remember, this guy was being talked about as a first overall pick) and if he busts, how many second rounders bust EVERY year?
As a redskins fan, I am glad we took Hankerson from Miami in the third round, but you're telling me that my #49 pick (sent to Jax) went to Indy where I could have had Bowers and then my No.53 pick went to Chicago, who picked Stephen Paea, a DT that would have looked nice in a Washington uni?
As a Falcons fan, one thing you do have to be bummed a bit over is that Randall Cobb would have been there for your second round pick, same with Miami's Brandon Harris. You take Jimmy Smith the Colorado DB at #27 then Cobb in round two? or do you take Jon Baldwin from Pitt (a WR) then Harris the CB in the second round?
But the Falcons gambled and took Jones. Hopefully for Atlanta fans it works out. I just wonder if staying put and getting the CB/WR combo over Julio would have been better.
True he has to go through Microfracture surgery so he misses 2011. He'll be back by 2012, which would be his rookie year if he had stayed for his senior Clemson season. you take a flyer on the guy, make sure he gets healthy per YOUR people, you pay him what a SECOND ROUNDER MAKES (remember, this guy was being talked about as a first overall pick) and if he busts, how many second rounders bust EVERY year?
As a redskins fan, I am glad we took Hankerson from Miami in the third round, but you're telling me that my #49 pick (sent to Jax) went to Indy where I could have had Bowers and then my No.53 pick went to Chicago, who picked Stephen Paea, a DT that would have looked nice in a Washington uni?
As a Falcons fan, one thing you do have to be bummed a bit over is that Randall Cobb would have been there for your second round pick, same with Miami's Brandon Harris. You take Jimmy Smith the Colorado DB at #27 then Cobb in round two? or do you take Jon Baldwin from Pitt (a WR) then Harris the CB in the second round?
But the Falcons gambled and took Jones. Hopefully for Atlanta fans it works out. I just wonder if staying put and getting the CB/WR combo over Julio would have been better.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Dillon Lee joins the Official Visit hours after pledging to Bama
Having a brother go through recruiting certainly opens your eyes to the process. Playing for a high school football factory that puts players into top programs every year obviously prepares you for the process. Being invited by Nike to its Oregon camp means you are one of the best recruits in the country. None of that though could prepare you for the first phone call from Alabama’s Nick Saban, telling you he wants you to be a member of the Crimson Tide family. That is why is was no surprise that Buford (GA) linebacker Dillon Lee pledged his college football future to Alabama Monday with Florida State’s offer coming in second and Mark Richt’s Georgia Bulldog offer finishing in the “other’s receiving consideration” pile along with USC.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Lee of playing college football and he will certainly have the chance to play in the top conference in the land following his senior year with Buford. Lee spoke highly of Saban and Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart when he joined The Official Visit yesterday, just hours after announcing his decision to pledge to Alabama. “I’ve been on a lot of (unofficial) visits this year and I want to focus on my senior year.”
What was it about Alabama though that made Lee want to pull the trigger this early in the process? “I like the defensive scheme and how I fit in down there,” said the linebacker about why he made his future selection. He admitted as well that he liked the facilities, the players and the coaching staff, especially Smart. “It is hard not to go there.” Lee said he will play the Mike linebacker position at Alabama.
Immediately after he declared, he said he let the other coaches that finished behind Alabama know and he was relieved that they were not upset. “The other coaches made it a lot easier than they could have,” Lee said. Several of the coaches even wished him luck and told him that if he had second thoughts, the offer still stood.
One of those coaches was Georgia’s Mark Richt. Lee called the Bulldogs’ head coach a nice guy but admitted that his brother playing for the Dawgs really didn’t factor into his decision. “My brother went through the process, so I saw what it would be like…but it wasn’t particularly hard (to say no to Georgia),” according to Lee.
Georgia did get in late in the recruiting process, only offering several weeks ago. If the Bulldogs had come forth with an offer months ago when the process started, Lee, after a long pause believes maybe he’d be picking a different school. “It probably could have played a part.”
Regardless, Lee said he will take only one official visit, to Alabama and he will try and help the Tide recruit, especially in Georgia where Saban has already had some success this year. He has several teammates that have received national attention including stud offensive tackle Vadal Alexander. “Our (Buford) team is really close. We hand out and joke about (the recruiting process),” said Lee.
This summer, look for Lee at the Nike Oregon Camp and then you’ll likely find him in the weight room. He noted he will lift with his team and do some extra workouts on his own and watch more film than ever. “I’m fully committed to winning games and I’ll do whatever it takes to win.” He has won a state title every year he has been in high school, and Alabama can only look forward to his winning attitude at the next level.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Lee of playing college football and he will certainly have the chance to play in the top conference in the land following his senior year with Buford. Lee spoke highly of Saban and Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart when he joined The Official Visit yesterday, just hours after announcing his decision to pledge to Alabama. “I’ve been on a lot of (unofficial) visits this year and I want to focus on my senior year.”
What was it about Alabama though that made Lee want to pull the trigger this early in the process? “I like the defensive scheme and how I fit in down there,” said the linebacker about why he made his future selection. He admitted as well that he liked the facilities, the players and the coaching staff, especially Smart. “It is hard not to go there.” Lee said he will play the Mike linebacker position at Alabama.
Immediately after he declared, he said he let the other coaches that finished behind Alabama know and he was relieved that they were not upset. “The other coaches made it a lot easier than they could have,” Lee said. Several of the coaches even wished him luck and told him that if he had second thoughts, the offer still stood.
One of those coaches was Georgia’s Mark Richt. Lee called the Bulldogs’ head coach a nice guy but admitted that his brother playing for the Dawgs really didn’t factor into his decision. “My brother went through the process, so I saw what it would be like…but it wasn’t particularly hard (to say no to Georgia),” according to Lee.
Georgia did get in late in the recruiting process, only offering several weeks ago. If the Bulldogs had come forth with an offer months ago when the process started, Lee, after a long pause believes maybe he’d be picking a different school. “It probably could have played a part.”
Regardless, Lee said he will take only one official visit, to Alabama and he will try and help the Tide recruit, especially in Georgia where Saban has already had some success this year. He has several teammates that have received national attention including stud offensive tackle Vadal Alexander. “Our (Buford) team is really close. We hand out and joke about (the recruiting process),” said Lee.
This summer, look for Lee at the Nike Oregon Camp and then you’ll likely find him in the weight room. He noted he will lift with his team and do some extra workouts on his own and watch more film than ever. “I’m fully committed to winning games and I’ll do whatever it takes to win.” He has won a state title every year he has been in high school, and Alabama can only look forward to his winning attitude at the next level.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Brian Jones' top ten Georgia High Schools, talent-wise
Brian Jones, aka Big B of Score Atlanta fame, has provided The Official Visit with his Top Ten football teams for the 2011 season in terms of senior football talent. Janovitz and I will break down the list tonight on The Official Visit on Sports Radio 790 The Zone
10) Tucker: Josh Dawson, Jacob Sealand, N’Quan Maggett;
9) Brookwood: Zach Jackson, Nick Tompkins, Jackson Buonamia, DT Jah-Mai Davidson, LB Ramirez Galbreath;
8) Norcross: Jason Croom, WR Anthony Autry, WR J.T. Tolbert, TE Domonique Mason, CB Martavius Edwards, K Chris Bingham;
7) Creekside: OLB Rodney Garvin, CB Davion Tookes, CB Josh Holsey, RB Derrell Coleman, C Zedrius Wright-Starks;
6) Columbia: Kenno Loyal, Jhaustin Thomas, FB Diondre Winn, WR Keithon Redding, Jordan Johnson, MLB Talon Green, CB Dextin Love;
5) North Gwinnett: Jordan Washington, Scott Hosch, Raahmil Brantley, Joe Jones, Ethan Kilgore, OG Austin Parker, CB Tim Hill;
4) Sandy Creek: Mike Hilton, JaQuay Williams, Quniteze Williams, Will Adams;
3) Carver, Columbus: Deion Bonner, Artimas Samuel, Alec Spencer, DT Derious Bennett, CB Cequanti Ford;
2) Buford: Dillon Lee, Vadal Alexander, Kurt Freitag, Paris Head, FB Nathan Staub, Rick LeGrant, CB C.J. Moore;
1) Stephenson: Carlos Hood, JaFar Mann, Jarontay Jones, Raphael Kirby, Mike Davis, Darreon Herring, DB Kyle Fleetwood, Steve McKenzie, Joshua Parris, Nicholas Gibbons.
10) Tucker: Josh Dawson, Jacob Sealand, N’Quan Maggett;
9) Brookwood: Zach Jackson, Nick Tompkins, Jackson Buonamia, DT Jah-Mai Davidson, LB Ramirez Galbreath;
8) Norcross: Jason Croom, WR Anthony Autry, WR J.T. Tolbert, TE Domonique Mason, CB Martavius Edwards, K Chris Bingham;
7) Creekside: OLB Rodney Garvin, CB Davion Tookes, CB Josh Holsey, RB Derrell Coleman, C Zedrius Wright-Starks;
6) Columbia: Kenno Loyal, Jhaustin Thomas, FB Diondre Winn, WR Keithon Redding, Jordan Johnson, MLB Talon Green, CB Dextin Love;
5) North Gwinnett: Jordan Washington, Scott Hosch, Raahmil Brantley, Joe Jones, Ethan Kilgore, OG Austin Parker, CB Tim Hill;
4) Sandy Creek: Mike Hilton, JaQuay Williams, Quniteze Williams, Will Adams;
3) Carver, Columbus: Deion Bonner, Artimas Samuel, Alec Spencer, DT Derious Bennett, CB Cequanti Ford;
2) Buford: Dillon Lee, Vadal Alexander, Kurt Freitag, Paris Head, FB Nathan Staub, Rick LeGrant, CB C.J. Moore;
1) Stephenson: Carlos Hood, JaFar Mann, Jarontay Jones, Raphael Kirby, Mike Davis, Darreon Herring, DB Kyle Fleetwood, Steve McKenzie, Joshua Parris, Nicholas Gibbons.
TheFletch 5/13/11 edition. Nessy gets some NFLN love
The Hawks finally got a bit of love from TNT with Marv Albert and Steve Kerr calling game four of its series against the Chicago Bulls at the Highlight Factory. I am not certain why the Hawks were not getting some of the higher broadcast teams, especially when you consider the Bulls can trot out the MVP, the coach of the year and the best record in the Eastern Conference. I guess the higher-ups at TNT and ESPN wanted to highlight the Miami-Boston series but it was nice that the Bulls and Hawks got top billing in terms of timeslot and broadcast crew last Sunday night.
The next morning, ESPN, the AJC, CNNSI and a host of other sports websites were running with the story of the NBA official that admitted that a foul should have been called after an inadvertent whistle was sounded late in game four of the Bulls/Hawks series. Why would the official say something like that? Why would he GO BACK and say, “oh yeah, that should have been a foul. I blew that.” What good does that do? All it does is give all of the “pundits” on Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption, TNT, and ESPN plenty of “well if the Hawks didn’t get that call, Atlanta doesn’t win.” Once a call like that is over with, it is over with. Let it go. No need to go back and later admit mistakes. What is the point? Did I feel better after the SEC officials went back in 2009 and said, “Oh yeah, that AJ Green catch wasn’t excessive celebration. Our bad.” Why? Because it doesn’t matter. You cannot make that call up.
In game five in Chicago, the Hawks once again received the Albert/Kerr crew and it was refreshing to hear at various points when Derrick Rose was running AT Hawks players while driving down the lane and the officials bailed the MVP out for Kerr to say, “Wow, that really wasn’t a foul.” In regards to several calls that went in favor of the league MVP, Kerr was honest and open about the calls needing to go the other way. The NBA Commissioner David Stern will surely call Kerr into his office and remind him that the league protects the superstars and if a call needs to go against a team in order for the MVP to advance, then that is how it needs to be. What is funny is that EVERYONE from Bill Simmons of ESPN to writers on CNNSI to even local sports talk co-hosts acknowledge the poor officiating and how it was “surely let a few whistles go to the favorite” if the underdog gets a game or two, but it still happens anyway. Is that the NBA just saying, “OK so you know we do it, it isn’t a secret anymore. We’ll just do it anyways and make no apologies?” Is that what it is?
Khloe Kardashian worried that her reality television show with Lamar Odom will be blamed for the Lakers being swept out of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks? Seriously? Ben Maller apparently talked to the reality television “star” and she said she was worried that her E! show would be blamed should the Lakers lose, which they a few days later. What? You ACTUALLY think that your reality television show, which wrapped up filming months ago, really affected a back-up enough to cost the Lakers the series? Are you mental? You are married to a back-up on the team. He plays 18 minutes a game. I don’t think the show, which wrapped up filming MONTHS ago is really to blame for Pau Gasol’s disappearing act. I don’t think your show is to blame for Dirk turning into Jimmy Chitwood or Jason Terry becoming Larry Bird in game four. Sorry Khloe but a reality show featuring a back-up professional basketball player and his wife, the sister of someone who became “famous” due to a sex tape and a large butt, is really going to sway a series. Way to think way too much of yourself though.
A Georgia athlete got plenty of airtime last Saturday and celebrities all across the country were picking the athlete to finish as a champion. That athlete: Mucho Macho Man, the soon-to-be three-year-old horse that finished third in the 137th Kentucky Derby. Mucho Macho Man was quite a favorite, perhaps because of his name, but at one point during NBC’s coverage, celebs picked a winner and folks from Carson Daily (celebrity term used loosely) to Kenny Smith to the Village People all picked the Georgia horse. It was announced earlier this week that Mucho Macho Man will in deed run in the Preakness Stakes.
Finally, folks tuning in to Thursday night football on the NFL Network will get to hear an adopted son calling the games in Brad Nessler. The ESPN Saturday Night Primetime college football voice will step up to the NFL level and team with Mike Mayock to call games for the NFL Network. Bob Papa, Matt Millen and Joe Theismann called games last season while Millen and Theismann have been making ears bleed for much longer. Nessler called Georgia Tech basketball games from 1980-1985 and Falcons games from 1982-1988 before moving to ABC/ESPN to call college football and basketball. After calling ACC football and basketball for Jefferson-Pilot, Nessler has been working Saturday nights for ESPN during college football season as well as SEC Super Tuesday games during basketball season. He has forayed into the pro game before, calling a pair of Monday Night Football games in a double-header season opener. Mayock has become the new go-to voice for NFL draft coverage and it will be interesting hearing him on a full-time analyst basis in regards to players currently IN the NFL, out on the field playing. Having never heard this duo together, I will already say that they will be 1000% better than the Papa/Millen/Theismann team. Kudos Nessy and I hope to go to a bar at some point to get the NFL Network to hear your call.
Can You Believe He Said That
Tonight I did a good job of not settling [for jump shots]. When I am able to do that it helps us out, especially when they double team off me.”
That was Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith after game four, a Hawks win where he finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Hey Josh, you can do that ANY TIME YOU WANT TO, not settling for jump shots. DON’T SETTLE.
The next morning, ESPN, the AJC, CNNSI and a host of other sports websites were running with the story of the NBA official that admitted that a foul should have been called after an inadvertent whistle was sounded late in game four of the Bulls/Hawks series. Why would the official say something like that? Why would he GO BACK and say, “oh yeah, that should have been a foul. I blew that.” What good does that do? All it does is give all of the “pundits” on Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption, TNT, and ESPN plenty of “well if the Hawks didn’t get that call, Atlanta doesn’t win.” Once a call like that is over with, it is over with. Let it go. No need to go back and later admit mistakes. What is the point? Did I feel better after the SEC officials went back in 2009 and said, “Oh yeah, that AJ Green catch wasn’t excessive celebration. Our bad.” Why? Because it doesn’t matter. You cannot make that call up.
In game five in Chicago, the Hawks once again received the Albert/Kerr crew and it was refreshing to hear at various points when Derrick Rose was running AT Hawks players while driving down the lane and the officials bailed the MVP out for Kerr to say, “Wow, that really wasn’t a foul.” In regards to several calls that went in favor of the league MVP, Kerr was honest and open about the calls needing to go the other way. The NBA Commissioner David Stern will surely call Kerr into his office and remind him that the league protects the superstars and if a call needs to go against a team in order for the MVP to advance, then that is how it needs to be. What is funny is that EVERYONE from Bill Simmons of ESPN to writers on CNNSI to even local sports talk co-hosts acknowledge the poor officiating and how it was “surely let a few whistles go to the favorite” if the underdog gets a game or two, but it still happens anyway. Is that the NBA just saying, “OK so you know we do it, it isn’t a secret anymore. We’ll just do it anyways and make no apologies?” Is that what it is?
Khloe Kardashian worried that her reality television show with Lamar Odom will be blamed for the Lakers being swept out of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks? Seriously? Ben Maller apparently talked to the reality television “star” and she said she was worried that her E! show would be blamed should the Lakers lose, which they a few days later. What? You ACTUALLY think that your reality television show, which wrapped up filming months ago, really affected a back-up enough to cost the Lakers the series? Are you mental? You are married to a back-up on the team. He plays 18 minutes a game. I don’t think the show, which wrapped up filming MONTHS ago is really to blame for Pau Gasol’s disappearing act. I don’t think your show is to blame for Dirk turning into Jimmy Chitwood or Jason Terry becoming Larry Bird in game four. Sorry Khloe but a reality show featuring a back-up professional basketball player and his wife, the sister of someone who became “famous” due to a sex tape and a large butt, is really going to sway a series. Way to think way too much of yourself though.
A Georgia athlete got plenty of airtime last Saturday and celebrities all across the country were picking the athlete to finish as a champion. That athlete: Mucho Macho Man, the soon-to-be three-year-old horse that finished third in the 137th Kentucky Derby. Mucho Macho Man was quite a favorite, perhaps because of his name, but at one point during NBC’s coverage, celebs picked a winner and folks from Carson Daily (celebrity term used loosely) to Kenny Smith to the Village People all picked the Georgia horse. It was announced earlier this week that Mucho Macho Man will in deed run in the Preakness Stakes.
Finally, folks tuning in to Thursday night football on the NFL Network will get to hear an adopted son calling the games in Brad Nessler. The ESPN Saturday Night Primetime college football voice will step up to the NFL level and team with Mike Mayock to call games for the NFL Network. Bob Papa, Matt Millen and Joe Theismann called games last season while Millen and Theismann have been making ears bleed for much longer. Nessler called Georgia Tech basketball games from 1980-1985 and Falcons games from 1982-1988 before moving to ABC/ESPN to call college football and basketball. After calling ACC football and basketball for Jefferson-Pilot, Nessler has been working Saturday nights for ESPN during college football season as well as SEC Super Tuesday games during basketball season. He has forayed into the pro game before, calling a pair of Monday Night Football games in a double-header season opener. Mayock has become the new go-to voice for NFL draft coverage and it will be interesting hearing him on a full-time analyst basis in regards to players currently IN the NFL, out on the field playing. Having never heard this duo together, I will already say that they will be 1000% better than the Papa/Millen/Theismann team. Kudos Nessy and I hope to go to a bar at some point to get the NFL Network to hear your call.
Can You Believe He Said That
Tonight I did a good job of not settling [for jump shots]. When I am able to do that it helps us out, especially when they double team off me.”
That was Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith after game four, a Hawks win where he finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Hey Josh, you can do that ANY TIME YOU WANT TO, not settling for jump shots. DON’T SETTLE.
Gwinnett County goes 0-4 in soccer title games
The 2011 soccer season will be looked back on as a year of what could have been in Gwinnett County. The Greater Atlanta Christian School boys and girls, Collins Hill boys, and the North Gwinnett girls all reached the state finals in their various classifications but all came up short of bringing the title back to Gwinnett County. In the Class AA boys final, GAC managed to tie up Westminster 1-1 in the second half on a Denzel Clarke goal, but the Spartans could only watch Westminster put the game-winning goal into the net with seven minutes to play to clinch the title.
Meanwhile Collins Hill was attempting to pull off a three-peat but the bid was spoiled by Walton in a 2-1 loss. Dominic Bonilla put the Eagles up in the 32nd minute; however Walton was able to tie the match at 1-1 several minutes before halftime. Walton score in the 52nd minute and then turned into a bit of a shell defense, preventing Collins Hill from scoring a game-extending goal. The loss snapped Collins Hill’s 14-game winning streak and ended a potential three-peat for the program.
The North Gwinnett girls were seeking a second straight title, but Harrison scored an early goal in the seventh minute and then held on for the 1-0 win. The Lady Bulldogs suffered a crucial injury during the game, as star Abigail Groth went down, forcing a host of lineup changes for North Gwinnett. Despite two scoring chances in the second half, North Gwinnett could not muster up the equalizer against the top-ranked Hoyas. North Gwinnett finished the year 19-4.
Finally in what might be the most painful loss, the GAC girls lost 1-0 on a controversial PK in the second overtime period. The Lady Spartans were called for too much contact in the box with less than three minutes remaining in the second OT, and Blessed Trinity took advantage, knocking home the go-ahead score. GAC managed five total shots on goal.
Meanwhile Collins Hill was attempting to pull off a three-peat but the bid was spoiled by Walton in a 2-1 loss. Dominic Bonilla put the Eagles up in the 32nd minute; however Walton was able to tie the match at 1-1 several minutes before halftime. Walton score in the 52nd minute and then turned into a bit of a shell defense, preventing Collins Hill from scoring a game-extending goal. The loss snapped Collins Hill’s 14-game winning streak and ended a potential three-peat for the program.
The North Gwinnett girls were seeking a second straight title, but Harrison scored an early goal in the seventh minute and then held on for the 1-0 win. The Lady Bulldogs suffered a crucial injury during the game, as star Abigail Groth went down, forcing a host of lineup changes for North Gwinnett. Despite two scoring chances in the second half, North Gwinnett could not muster up the equalizer against the top-ranked Hoyas. North Gwinnett finished the year 19-4.
Finally in what might be the most painful loss, the GAC girls lost 1-0 on a controversial PK in the second overtime period. The Lady Spartans were called for too much contact in the box with less than three minutes remaining in the second OT, and Blessed Trinity took advantage, knocking home the go-ahead score. GAC managed five total shots on goal.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
ML King, SWD among five girls champions decided today
Last week the boys track and field championships were decided in Jefferson, Georgia, and this weekend it was the girls turn to run, jump and throw. After several grueling days of competition, Athens Christian, Decatur, Monroe, Southwest DeKalb and ML King were crowned 2011 team champions in Albany, Georgia.
In Class A, Athens Christian claimed the crown after winning three individual events. The 1600 meter relay was a huge win for Athens Christian as Destiny Jenkins led the team effort. Jenkins’ impressive weekend continued with wins in the 800 meter run as well as the 1600 meter run. Taylor Noggle finished fourth in the 3200 meter run, gaining five big points for the champions. Athens Christian dominated the field with a team score of 84, besting Darlington and Jenkins County, who tied for second with 45 points. Jenkins County was led by Zandra Lake’s win in the triple jump and Ayana Walker’s win in the 400 meter dash. Hannah Wood of Mt. Zion stood out in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes, winning both and setting a state record in the process. Wood broke her own state record in the Class A 200 meter dash as the Mt. Zion star shaved .02 off her time for a time of 24. 61. Finally, Torie Owers of Athens Academy claimed a discus and shot put state record in Class A.
In Class AA, Decatur claimed a four-point victory over Therrell 45-41. Crawford County finished third with 40 points. Therrell’s Sandrika Simmons set the Class AA record for 300 meter hurdles and she also claimed a title in the 400 meter dash to go with her 400 meter relay title. Decatur though beat out Therrell in the 1600 meter relay after finishing runner-up in the 400 meter relay. Ashleigh Rasheed claimed a state title for Decatur in the triple jump to boost the point total. Avondale’s Shunika Jarrells won the 100 and 200 meter dash events.
Class 3A was owned by Monroe and Mimieux Land. Monroe earned 82 points, bettering the field by 29 as second-place St. Pius X earned just 53. Washington County and Eastside tied for third with 31 points. Land of Monroe set a new triple jump record and won the high jump and long jump events as well. With 34.5 individual points, Land was the highest scorer for the championships. She also participated on the winning 400 meter relay team. Alexandria Childs won the discus event and Maikea Davis won the 400 meter dash. St. Pius X was boosted by Shelby Ashe’s win in the shot put and runner up finish in the discus. The 3200 meter run was dominated by St. Pius as Erin Osment and Devon Dabney finished 1-2. Jasmie Jackson won the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes, representing Jackson.
Southwest DeKalb won just two events but its depth proved to be enough to earn a commanding victory, as the Panthers scored 68 team points to best Dutchtown and Lakeside-Evans, who tied for second with 32 points. Southwest DeKalb earned a win in the triple jump as Morgan Snow outjumped the field. Snow was a part of the 400 meter relay team as well that took home a title. Southwest DeKalb’s Snow helped the Panthers with 28.5 individual points. Class 4A’s leading individual scorer was Kell’s Kendell Williams. She was quite the record-breaker as well, setting new records in the 100 meter hurdles as well as the 300 meter hurdles. Williams earned the second-most points for the entire field with 30 individual points. Dutchtown’s Ciarra Simms won the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. Anna Bowles of Lakeside-Evans took home both the 1600 meter run as well as the 3200 meter run.
Finally in the state’s highest classification, ML King scored a 15.67 point victory, beating out Westlake 66-50.33. Brookwood finished third with 42 points. King was led by Jada Martin’s 25 points after Martin won the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. She was also part of the winning 400 meter relay and 1600 meter relay squads. King’s title also had Felicia Brown’s signature all over it as Brown appeared on the 1600 meter relay team as well as the 400 meter relay team before winning the 400 meter dash. Jalisa Terrell won the high jump for ML King. Westlake finished second after Ashley Johnson won the shot put event. The runner-ups also finished in the top three in several other events. Brookwood’s Brittany Brown finished second in the pole vault, and the Broncos’ Caroline Kissel finished third in the 3200 meter run and second in the 1600 meter race. QuanDra Shanks finished second in the 800 meter and third in the 1600 meter event.
In Class A, Athens Christian claimed the crown after winning three individual events. The 1600 meter relay was a huge win for Athens Christian as Destiny Jenkins led the team effort. Jenkins’ impressive weekend continued with wins in the 800 meter run as well as the 1600 meter run. Taylor Noggle finished fourth in the 3200 meter run, gaining five big points for the champions. Athens Christian dominated the field with a team score of 84, besting Darlington and Jenkins County, who tied for second with 45 points. Jenkins County was led by Zandra Lake’s win in the triple jump and Ayana Walker’s win in the 400 meter dash. Hannah Wood of Mt. Zion stood out in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes, winning both and setting a state record in the process. Wood broke her own state record in the Class A 200 meter dash as the Mt. Zion star shaved .02 off her time for a time of 24. 61. Finally, Torie Owers of Athens Academy claimed a discus and shot put state record in Class A.
In Class AA, Decatur claimed a four-point victory over Therrell 45-41. Crawford County finished third with 40 points. Therrell’s Sandrika Simmons set the Class AA record for 300 meter hurdles and she also claimed a title in the 400 meter dash to go with her 400 meter relay title. Decatur though beat out Therrell in the 1600 meter relay after finishing runner-up in the 400 meter relay. Ashleigh Rasheed claimed a state title for Decatur in the triple jump to boost the point total. Avondale’s Shunika Jarrells won the 100 and 200 meter dash events.
Class 3A was owned by Monroe and Mimieux Land. Monroe earned 82 points, bettering the field by 29 as second-place St. Pius X earned just 53. Washington County and Eastside tied for third with 31 points. Land of Monroe set a new triple jump record and won the high jump and long jump events as well. With 34.5 individual points, Land was the highest scorer for the championships. She also participated on the winning 400 meter relay team. Alexandria Childs won the discus event and Maikea Davis won the 400 meter dash. St. Pius X was boosted by Shelby Ashe’s win in the shot put and runner up finish in the discus. The 3200 meter run was dominated by St. Pius as Erin Osment and Devon Dabney finished 1-2. Jasmie Jackson won the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes, representing Jackson.
Southwest DeKalb won just two events but its depth proved to be enough to earn a commanding victory, as the Panthers scored 68 team points to best Dutchtown and Lakeside-Evans, who tied for second with 32 points. Southwest DeKalb earned a win in the triple jump as Morgan Snow outjumped the field. Snow was a part of the 400 meter relay team as well that took home a title. Southwest DeKalb’s Snow helped the Panthers with 28.5 individual points. Class 4A’s leading individual scorer was Kell’s Kendell Williams. She was quite the record-breaker as well, setting new records in the 100 meter hurdles as well as the 300 meter hurdles. Williams earned the second-most points for the entire field with 30 individual points. Dutchtown’s Ciarra Simms won the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. Anna Bowles of Lakeside-Evans took home both the 1600 meter run as well as the 3200 meter run.
Finally in the state’s highest classification, ML King scored a 15.67 point victory, beating out Westlake 66-50.33. Brookwood finished third with 42 points. King was led by Jada Martin’s 25 points after Martin won the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. She was also part of the winning 400 meter relay and 1600 meter relay squads. King’s title also had Felicia Brown’s signature all over it as Brown appeared on the 1600 meter relay team as well as the 400 meter relay team before winning the 400 meter dash. Jalisa Terrell won the high jump for ML King. Westlake finished second after Ashley Johnson won the shot put event. The runner-ups also finished in the top three in several other events. Brookwood’s Brittany Brown finished second in the pole vault, and the Broncos’ Caroline Kissel finished third in the 3200 meter run and second in the 1600 meter race. QuanDra Shanks finished second in the 800 meter and third in the 1600 meter event.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Walton Lady Raiders make it Eight Straight
Taxes, pollen and the Walton girls tennis team winning a state title, three undeniable rites of Spring it seems. Last week the Walton Lady Raiders, coached by Roberta Manheim and led by Emily Zabor, one of nine seniors, won its 147th straight match and its eighth straight state title. The program set the Georgia high school sports record for consecutive game/match winning streak earlier this year and showed no signs all season of letting that streak come to an end. The closest any opponent came was Peachtree Ridge in the early rounds of the playoffs, but Walton still claimed a 3-1 match win.
Coach Manheim recently spoke about the streak, calling it surreal. “I can say we haven’t lost a match in eight years, but I’m not sure the full impact is there.” Manheim says she recently received an email from former Raider Cameron Ellis that she shared with the team. “Cameron graduated four years ago and is getting ready to graduate (from UGA) having had an extremely successful career.” Ellis was a freshman who helped Walton start the streak eight years ago. “Cameron’s email is what it’s all about for me,” revealed Manheim. “To make a positive impact and help create memories for these girls that will last a lifetime.”
And perhaps that is why Walton is so successful: the girls aren’t playing against an opponent but rather for themselves and with a theme that Manheim does her best to drive home every year. “Before every match I say the same thing to them, ‘One point at a time, one game at a time, one set at a time, one match at a time,’ and that’s what we’ve done, 147 times.” The Lady Raiders also pick themselves up in the rare cases they find themselves down. Against Peachtree Ridge in the third round, the Lions roared out to an early lead and led several matches before Walton rallied. Zabor, the number one singles player for Walton, faced the prospect of losing to Peachtree Ridge’s No. 1 but rallied and took a 6-0, 7-6 victory by digging deep. “Peachtree Ridge was our biggest challenge this year and last,” admitted Manheim. “We knew it was going to be difficult going there and it was. I always tell the girls that what has happened before doesn’t matter, what is ahead makes no difference, all that is important is what is in front of them right then.” Zabor and the Lady Raiders focused in on the match and truly nothing else mattered.
“If they do what they can do and have done over the last four years, the record will take care of itself, and that’s exactly what they did,” said Manheim of the emotional win over Peachtree Ridge and the subsequent title clinched a few days later.
Zabor is one of nine seniors that will depart, leaving Manheim in a familiar position that she faced four years ago. “Seven seniors graduated (four years ago) and everyone thought the streak would end then,” said Manheim. “Here we are four years later with nine seniors graduating.” Walton will lose all seven of its starters and will return two rising juniors and one rising sophomore from the current roster, but Manheim realizes that the support system will still be in place come next season.
“The parents, the girls, the people who I have had the privilege to work with along the ay are what make it all worthwhile. If it weren’t for them, there would be no streak.” The coach also credits the principal, administration and the community for supporting the team over the last eight years. “There is a certain level of respect at Walton for the accomplishment. I think it’s prestigious to be a part of the girls tennis team.”
Manheim, despite having never lost as a coach, deflects all credit for the streak and instead heaps the praise onto her present and past players. “I am most definitely going to miss these seniors and their parents,” said Manheim. “They have been not only amazing athletes and individuals, but so supportive of me and the program. The streak really belongs to them.”
What will the future hold for the Walton girls tennis program? Will the streak continue? Can Manheim rebuild/reload on the fly to make it to win No. 148 and eventually get to title number nine in a row? “While the eight state championships are big, the tennis program at Walton has always been successful,” said Manheim. “There were state championships before I started coaching and there will be many more when I leave, but the undefeated record is something that no other team in any other sport has accomplished.” Manheim has never lost as a coach and if I were a betting man, I wouldn’t wager against her any time soon. She has proven she can turn out a winner year after year, with freshmen starting or with seniors dominating. A new chapter will start in 2012 but expect the resolution to read just the same as the past eight.
Coach Manheim recently spoke about the streak, calling it surreal. “I can say we haven’t lost a match in eight years, but I’m not sure the full impact is there.” Manheim says she recently received an email from former Raider Cameron Ellis that she shared with the team. “Cameron graduated four years ago and is getting ready to graduate (from UGA) having had an extremely successful career.” Ellis was a freshman who helped Walton start the streak eight years ago. “Cameron’s email is what it’s all about for me,” revealed Manheim. “To make a positive impact and help create memories for these girls that will last a lifetime.”
And perhaps that is why Walton is so successful: the girls aren’t playing against an opponent but rather for themselves and with a theme that Manheim does her best to drive home every year. “Before every match I say the same thing to them, ‘One point at a time, one game at a time, one set at a time, one match at a time,’ and that’s what we’ve done, 147 times.” The Lady Raiders also pick themselves up in the rare cases they find themselves down. Against Peachtree Ridge in the third round, the Lions roared out to an early lead and led several matches before Walton rallied. Zabor, the number one singles player for Walton, faced the prospect of losing to Peachtree Ridge’s No. 1 but rallied and took a 6-0, 7-6 victory by digging deep. “Peachtree Ridge was our biggest challenge this year and last,” admitted Manheim. “We knew it was going to be difficult going there and it was. I always tell the girls that what has happened before doesn’t matter, what is ahead makes no difference, all that is important is what is in front of them right then.” Zabor and the Lady Raiders focused in on the match and truly nothing else mattered.
“If they do what they can do and have done over the last four years, the record will take care of itself, and that’s exactly what they did,” said Manheim of the emotional win over Peachtree Ridge and the subsequent title clinched a few days later.
Zabor is one of nine seniors that will depart, leaving Manheim in a familiar position that she faced four years ago. “Seven seniors graduated (four years ago) and everyone thought the streak would end then,” said Manheim. “Here we are four years later with nine seniors graduating.” Walton will lose all seven of its starters and will return two rising juniors and one rising sophomore from the current roster, but Manheim realizes that the support system will still be in place come next season.
“The parents, the girls, the people who I have had the privilege to work with along the ay are what make it all worthwhile. If it weren’t for them, there would be no streak.” The coach also credits the principal, administration and the community for supporting the team over the last eight years. “There is a certain level of respect at Walton for the accomplishment. I think it’s prestigious to be a part of the girls tennis team.”
Manheim, despite having never lost as a coach, deflects all credit for the streak and instead heaps the praise onto her present and past players. “I am most definitely going to miss these seniors and their parents,” said Manheim. “They have been not only amazing athletes and individuals, but so supportive of me and the program. The streak really belongs to them.”
What will the future hold for the Walton girls tennis program? Will the streak continue? Can Manheim rebuild/reload on the fly to make it to win No. 148 and eventually get to title number nine in a row? “While the eight state championships are big, the tennis program at Walton has always been successful,” said Manheim. “There were state championships before I started coaching and there will be many more when I leave, but the undefeated record is something that no other team in any other sport has accomplished.” Manheim has never lost as a coach and if I were a betting man, I wouldn’t wager against her any time soon. She has proven she can turn out a winner year after year, with freshmen starting or with seniors dominating. A new chapter will start in 2012 but expect the resolution to read just the same as the past eight.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Maryland, GT lead for Brookwood's Nick Tompkins
It isn’t often that a junior tailback runs his team all the way to a state title in Georgia’s highest classification yet goes relatively unnoticed along the way by major college programs. For Nick Tompkins, those major college programs are finally starting to notice as the Brookwood two-way standout is now up to fifteen offers with two ACC programs in front of everyone else.
“It all happened really fast,” said Tompkins about all of the attention that has suddenly shifted his way after several other notable rising senior Georgia running backs have pledged to schools ranging from Alabama to Florida to Auburn. “Georgia football is really competitive.”
Tompkins was a force in the backfield as his high school team won the Georgia Class 5A state title in 2010, though it is his work in the defensive secondary that had several schools interested early on. Wisconsin, where Tompkins’ father played, and Stanford have both offered Tompkins as a cornerback/athlete, but Tompkins says he likes running back better. “I feel like I’m most effective at running back.”
Wisconsin is still in the hunt but has told Tompkins he would be considered an “athlete,” not running back. “They (Wisconsin) were only going to sign one running back and they gave that to another back,” Tompkins revealed on Monday’s Official Visit. “They want me to come up for an official visit.”
Arkansas and Clemson are two others that have shown early interest, but Tompkins wonders if those schools are really interested. “I don’t get the feeling with those coaches that they really are recruiting me, that they really want me.”
Two schools do seem to really want Tompkins though, one being the hometown school of Georgia Tech. Unlike at Clemson and Arkansas, the Georgia Tech coaching staff has built a very strong relationship with Tompkins. “I like what I could do in that offense as an A-Back.”
Tompkins hinted that the coaches have talked to him about running the ball and going out to catch passes out of the backfield. “They want playmakers. I have great vision and great breakaway speed.”
Maryland received a visit last weekend from Tompkins and he came away very impressed with the Terps program. “I really liked that visit,” Tompkins gushed. “I went to the spring game and went to breakfast with coaches and some of the 2011 commitments.” Tompkins admitted that it was “nice to be around players that could be your teammates.” He noted he will continue to follow Coach Randy Edsall and his program this year.
Maryland and Georgia Tech are “up there right now,” in his top two and Tompkins wouldn’t add who was in third place, or even if there was a third. He did say that he would definitely consider the Georgia Bulldogs if Mark Richt and company offered. “I’d try to get on campus though.”
Tompkins is one of the hottest names in recruiting these days as he is a key player at the important low supply/high demand position of running back. He knows he has plenty to work on with ten months to go before National Signing Day 2012. The back says he plans to hit the weight room hard this summer and will work on his route-running. “I want to work on my lower half, try to add more power.” Tompkins also plans on ending the recruiting process this July with a pledge. This summer will be a busy one and two ACC programs are hoping the summer ends with his pledge.
“It all happened really fast,” said Tompkins about all of the attention that has suddenly shifted his way after several other notable rising senior Georgia running backs have pledged to schools ranging from Alabama to Florida to Auburn. “Georgia football is really competitive.”
Tompkins was a force in the backfield as his high school team won the Georgia Class 5A state title in 2010, though it is his work in the defensive secondary that had several schools interested early on. Wisconsin, where Tompkins’ father played, and Stanford have both offered Tompkins as a cornerback/athlete, but Tompkins says he likes running back better. “I feel like I’m most effective at running back.”
Wisconsin is still in the hunt but has told Tompkins he would be considered an “athlete,” not running back. “They (Wisconsin) were only going to sign one running back and they gave that to another back,” Tompkins revealed on Monday’s Official Visit. “They want me to come up for an official visit.”
Arkansas and Clemson are two others that have shown early interest, but Tompkins wonders if those schools are really interested. “I don’t get the feeling with those coaches that they really are recruiting me, that they really want me.”
Two schools do seem to really want Tompkins though, one being the hometown school of Georgia Tech. Unlike at Clemson and Arkansas, the Georgia Tech coaching staff has built a very strong relationship with Tompkins. “I like what I could do in that offense as an A-Back.”
Tompkins hinted that the coaches have talked to him about running the ball and going out to catch passes out of the backfield. “They want playmakers. I have great vision and great breakaway speed.”
Maryland received a visit last weekend from Tompkins and he came away very impressed with the Terps program. “I really liked that visit,” Tompkins gushed. “I went to the spring game and went to breakfast with coaches and some of the 2011 commitments.” Tompkins admitted that it was “nice to be around players that could be your teammates.” He noted he will continue to follow Coach Randy Edsall and his program this year.
Maryland and Georgia Tech are “up there right now,” in his top two and Tompkins wouldn’t add who was in third place, or even if there was a third. He did say that he would definitely consider the Georgia Bulldogs if Mark Richt and company offered. “I’d try to get on campus though.”
Tompkins is one of the hottest names in recruiting these days as he is a key player at the important low supply/high demand position of running back. He knows he has plenty to work on with ten months to go before National Signing Day 2012. The back says he plans to hit the weight room hard this summer and will work on his route-running. “I want to work on my lower half, try to add more power.” Tompkins also plans on ending the recruiting process this July with a pledge. This summer will be a busy one and two ACC programs are hoping the summer ends with his pledge.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Brian Jones' top ten uncommitted GA rising seniors
Brian Jones of Score Atlanta fame provides The Official Visit with a top ten list every week. Here is a spoiler for tonight's list. For our breakdown, tune in to Sports Radio 790 The Zone tonight from 8-10pm.
10. Josh Harvey Clemsons – OLB, Lowndes
9. Jason Croom – WR, Norcross
8. Deion Bonner –S, Carver-Columbus
7. Joe Harris – OL, Lithonia
6. Geno Smith – CB, - St. Pius
5. Ricky Parks – TE, Callaway
4. Jordan Jenkins – DE, Harris Couunty
3. Jonathan Taylor – DT, Jenkins County
2. Greyson Lambert – QB, Wayne County
1. Vadal Alexander – OL, Buford
10. Josh Harvey Clemsons – OLB, Lowndes
9. Jason Croom – WR, Norcross
8. Deion Bonner –S, Carver-Columbus
7. Joe Harris – OL, Lithonia
6. Geno Smith – CB, - St. Pius
5. Ricky Parks – TE, Callaway
4. Jordan Jenkins – DE, Harris Couunty
3. Jonathan Taylor – DT, Jenkins County
2. Greyson Lambert – QB, Wayne County
1. Vadal Alexander – OL, Buford
TheFletch: New time for Official Visit, New Show for Soon-to-be-Famous
It may have been one of the biggest upsets in Georgia professional sports history but football rules so believe it or not the NBA playoffs were pushed to the back burner last week. During one two-hour stretch last week, the Atlanta Hawks finished off a first-round NBA playoffs upset of the Orlando Magic while the Atlanta Falcons traded four picks for the right to swap first round picks this year with the Cleveland Browns and select Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. While the Hawks was probably bigger news nationally, the city of Atlanta seemed more interested in the Falcons draft-night trade. Immediately after the Hawks finished off the Magic at the Highlight Factory, a quick check of Twitter revealed that most of the Atlanta sports media was still buzzing about the trade for the right to pick Jones.
The next day seemed to confirm that football rules Georgia and Atlanta specifically. The AJC’s website had the Falcons’ move above the Hawks’ victory on the front page and several sports radio shows had Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff on to discuss the pick. The Rude Awakening had the Falcons general manager on to talk about the big move and 680 The Fan’s Chuck & Chernoff had Dimitroff on within the first six minutes of the show. Chuck and Chernoff led with the Falcons trade and then discussed the draft for a few minutes before even mentioning the Hawks big win. The Zone’s Pollack & Bell likewise had the draft on the brain as the new Falcons’ flagship station secured an interview with Julio Jones right off the bat of the drive-home show’s first hour.
Not all of the entities went this way however. The Rude Awakening, despite having Dimitroff on did spend a very early segment discussing the Hawks and the huge playoff-series victory though the first call taken did switch the topic to the trade.
Score Atlanta’s website also led with the Hawks in the headline banner and featured a game-recap as well as a column on the series win. Of course we also covered the Falcons’ trade as we recognize that people live and die with football.
So how will this trade be viewed as the Falcons gave up all of those picks in order to get the chance to draft Jones? The viewpoints have certainly varied in just one week. Some hosts have argued that the Falcons gave up far too much in order to get a wide receiver for an already-loaded offense while the defense still has holes (Perry Laurentino of 680 The Fan). Others believe that this trade made the Falcons more explosive and the team is striking while the iron is hot (Jeff Schultz of the AJC). Mel Kiper Jr., of ESPN gave the Falcons a C+ while Toddy McShay questioned the trade for Jones. The AJC’s Mark Bradley though came to the Falcons defense, giving Atlanta an A and NFL.com’s Steve Wyche also praised the Falcons move.
It seems funny that a draft-night trade would be given just as much, if not more coverage than a huge playoff upset victory, but that is the day and age we are currently living in. The NFL lockout is given daily updates like it was a hostage situation, and to some people it is. They love their football and nothing else matters. While I live football, I do consider myself a well-rounded sports fan, and I was watching as the Hawks finished off the Magic, nearly blowing a huge lead in game six which would have sent the series back to Orlando. I read the story from Jeff Schultz of the AJC and I tend to agree with him when he, before game five, put a potential Hawks upset of Orlando in the top six postseason moments/upsets in Atlanta professional sports history. While the Atlanta Hawks simply won a first-round playoff series, something it has done for the last two seasons, this one felt different, perhaps because the team for the first time in several years DIDN’T win more games than the season prior and this time wasn’t favored to win round one. Everyone was already making plans for a Chicago/Orlando conference semi-final matchup, but the Hawks wouldn’t let that happen, winning game one in Orlando and dominating the Magic en route to a date with Derrick Rose. The upset win sparked interest in Atlanta and finally gave some of the critics a little bit of crow to eat and force the networks to dig up some positive stories on the Hawks…at least for a while.
The return of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Sports Central XL was official this past Tuesday as the internet’s best Georgia high school webcast spent an hour discussing some of the top stories involving the Peach State’s spring sports. If you missed the show, you can watch it on-demand anytime at www.gaprepnews.com or at www.gpb.org/sports/xl. There will be two more webcasts this year as the spring championships continue. The next webcast will be on May 17 and the final show of the year will be May 31.
Finally the Official Visit has been given a new time slot on Sports Radio 790 The Zone. The show still airs Monday nights but has been pushed back an hour and now airs from 8-10 p.m., following John Michaels’ new show Football Night in Atlanta. Be sure to tune in this Monday from 8-10 as Scott Janovitz and Fletcher Proctor interview some of the top in-state talent as well as break down the week’s recruiting news. In regards to Football Night in Atlanta, the “Soon-to-be-Famous” John Michaels will add this hour-long show five nights a week to his ever-growing airtime at 790. The show will focus on the NFL, with Michaels broaching relevant topics and taking phone calls and texts. Michaels has worked his way up at 790, starting as an intern and it is nice that The Zone has rewarded his commitment to the station.
Can You Believe He Said That
“Do you think Madison Avenue wants a Memphis/Atlanta Finals? That will never happen. It will always be at least one big market.”
That was national sports radio host Peter Brown on The Sporting News Radio last week talking about how the NBA always seems to get one big market in the NBA Finals for television numbers. He mentioned Atlanta several times as a small market, I guess not realizing that Atlanta is the No. 7 TV market in America. Atlanta is suddenly a small market? Probably the fifth biggest market currently in the playoffs. Gimme a break.
The next day seemed to confirm that football rules Georgia and Atlanta specifically. The AJC’s website had the Falcons’ move above the Hawks’ victory on the front page and several sports radio shows had Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff on to discuss the pick. The Rude Awakening had the Falcons general manager on to talk about the big move and 680 The Fan’s Chuck & Chernoff had Dimitroff on within the first six minutes of the show. Chuck and Chernoff led with the Falcons trade and then discussed the draft for a few minutes before even mentioning the Hawks big win. The Zone’s Pollack & Bell likewise had the draft on the brain as the new Falcons’ flagship station secured an interview with Julio Jones right off the bat of the drive-home show’s first hour.
Not all of the entities went this way however. The Rude Awakening, despite having Dimitroff on did spend a very early segment discussing the Hawks and the huge playoff-series victory though the first call taken did switch the topic to the trade.
Score Atlanta’s website also led with the Hawks in the headline banner and featured a game-recap as well as a column on the series win. Of course we also covered the Falcons’ trade as we recognize that people live and die with football.
So how will this trade be viewed as the Falcons gave up all of those picks in order to get the chance to draft Jones? The viewpoints have certainly varied in just one week. Some hosts have argued that the Falcons gave up far too much in order to get a wide receiver for an already-loaded offense while the defense still has holes (Perry Laurentino of 680 The Fan). Others believe that this trade made the Falcons more explosive and the team is striking while the iron is hot (Jeff Schultz of the AJC). Mel Kiper Jr., of ESPN gave the Falcons a C+ while Toddy McShay questioned the trade for Jones. The AJC’s Mark Bradley though came to the Falcons defense, giving Atlanta an A and NFL.com’s Steve Wyche also praised the Falcons move.
It seems funny that a draft-night trade would be given just as much, if not more coverage than a huge playoff upset victory, but that is the day and age we are currently living in. The NFL lockout is given daily updates like it was a hostage situation, and to some people it is. They love their football and nothing else matters. While I live football, I do consider myself a well-rounded sports fan, and I was watching as the Hawks finished off the Magic, nearly blowing a huge lead in game six which would have sent the series back to Orlando. I read the story from Jeff Schultz of the AJC and I tend to agree with him when he, before game five, put a potential Hawks upset of Orlando in the top six postseason moments/upsets in Atlanta professional sports history. While the Atlanta Hawks simply won a first-round playoff series, something it has done for the last two seasons, this one felt different, perhaps because the team for the first time in several years DIDN’T win more games than the season prior and this time wasn’t favored to win round one. Everyone was already making plans for a Chicago/Orlando conference semi-final matchup, but the Hawks wouldn’t let that happen, winning game one in Orlando and dominating the Magic en route to a date with Derrick Rose. The upset win sparked interest in Atlanta and finally gave some of the critics a little bit of crow to eat and force the networks to dig up some positive stories on the Hawks…at least for a while.
The return of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Sports Central XL was official this past Tuesday as the internet’s best Georgia high school webcast spent an hour discussing some of the top stories involving the Peach State’s spring sports. If you missed the show, you can watch it on-demand anytime at www.gaprepnews.com or at www.gpb.org/sports/xl. There will be two more webcasts this year as the spring championships continue. The next webcast will be on May 17 and the final show of the year will be May 31.
Finally the Official Visit has been given a new time slot on Sports Radio 790 The Zone. The show still airs Monday nights but has been pushed back an hour and now airs from 8-10 p.m., following John Michaels’ new show Football Night in Atlanta. Be sure to tune in this Monday from 8-10 as Scott Janovitz and Fletcher Proctor interview some of the top in-state talent as well as break down the week’s recruiting news. In regards to Football Night in Atlanta, the “Soon-to-be-Famous” John Michaels will add this hour-long show five nights a week to his ever-growing airtime at 790. The show will focus on the NFL, with Michaels broaching relevant topics and taking phone calls and texts. Michaels has worked his way up at 790, starting as an intern and it is nice that The Zone has rewarded his commitment to the station.
Can You Believe He Said That
“Do you think Madison Avenue wants a Memphis/Atlanta Finals? That will never happen. It will always be at least one big market.”
That was national sports radio host Peter Brown on The Sporting News Radio last week talking about how the NBA always seems to get one big market in the NBA Finals for television numbers. He mentioned Atlanta several times as a small market, I guess not realizing that Atlanta is the No. 7 TV market in America. Atlanta is suddenly a small market? Probably the fifth biggest market currently in the playoffs. Gimme a break.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Peachtree Ridge wins 5A boys T&F title, Carrollton too
The 2011 Georgia High School Track & Field championships featured many compelling storylines, ranging from football freak Ray Drew of Thomas County Central winning the discus despite a foot injury to Peachtree Ridge’s sophomore sensation Josh Brickell dominating the 3200 meters to a show of brotherly love in Class A. For Brickell, the title was his second of the three-day championships after he claimed the 5A 1600 meter event as well. Drew meanwhile was trying to set a state record in the discus, an event he hopes to compete in at the University of Georgia. Drew’s fling of 183’ 7.000 was the best toss of any classification.
The biggest drama was saved however for Saturday’s finale. Future UGA wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley helped Mitchell County claim the 400-meter relay and Scott-Wesley wasn’t done there as the senior won the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.76, and finish second in the 200 meter dash. Mitchell County was able to rally from tenth to finish second. Athens Christian held on to win the Class A crown with 50 team points, a five point win.
In Class AA, Saturday saw Jackson (Atlanta) make an early run at North Oconee with a third in the 400-meter relay and a second place finish in the 400 meter dash. CJ Moore of Buford raced to a win in the 100 meter dash but North Oconee’s Ian Wraga finished second in the 800 meters. Elbert County meanwhile battled to take the lead midway through Saturday’s action with a second place in the 100 meters and a win by Valdon Cooper in the 110 hurdles. Elbert County would post a fifth place finish in the 1600 relay and a fourth in the 300 hurdles. Elbert County beat out North Oconee 57-51.
Carrollton of 3A put a little distance between itself and the rest of the pack early on Saturday with Broderick Snoddy, a future Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket football player anchoring the 400-meter relay squad to a second place finish. Snoddy would finish second in the 100 meters behind Westover’s Reginald Lewis. Tamaric Johnson of Stone Mountain claimed both the 200 meters and 400 meters. Carrollton’s Jonathan Jones helped Carrollton keep the lead with a win in the 110 hurdles before also taking the 300 hurdles. Carrollton’s fourth place finish in the 1600 relay would ice the 3A crown.
Pope was holding on for dear life to its Friday night lead Saturday in 4A as Dunwoody charged at the Greyhounds with a seventh place in the 100 meter dash and a second place in the 800 meters. Clarke Central recorded a second place finish in the 400 meter relay and a second place in the 100 meter dash with Quenshaun Watson starring in both events. Watson finished third in the 200 meters. Jeremy Hughes was also outstanding for Clarke Central. Dequadis Tucker won both the 100 and 200 meters for Carver (Atlanta), earning his team’s only points. Clarke Central (36) would hold off Alcovy (33) and Kell (32) to take the 4A title.
In the highest classification, Peachtree Ridge held a slim lead after day one and was on top following Friday’s action. Saturday saw Lassiter and Mill Creek edge closer early on as Trojan Alexander Reese won the 400-meter dash and 200 meters and Mill Creek picked up a few points with a nice finish in the 400 relay. Akeem Hunt of Newton helped the Rams edge McEachern in the 400 relay. Torri Tillman proved to be the “fastest man in the state” at the highest classification with a win in the 100 meter dash before finishing second in the 200 meters. Brookwood used a win in the 110 hurdles and second and third place finishes in the 800 meters to make its presence felt. South Gwinnett won the 1600 relay, but Peachtree Ridge (62) would outscore Mill Creek (46), Parkview (42), Brookwood (41) and Lassiter (36) for the 5A title.
Earlier on in the week, Peachtree Ridge held the early lead in Class 5A after Matt Morris won the pole vault while Brickell won the 1600 meters and Torri Tillman outjumped Newton football standout Akeem Hunt and Norcross’ Malcolm Davis. Mill Creek was nipping at Peachtree Ridge’s heels after Thursday with Parkview, Lassiter and Norcross in third place. Cobb County had its own standouts after the first day of “Field” activities with Kell’s Jordan Chambers clinching the Class 4A shot put and Hillgrove’s Jabari Hunt-Days winning the 5A shot put. Allatoona’s Scott Lewis won the 3A shot put as Cobb tallied five state titles on Day One. Lassiter’s Cedric Stadom won the 5A discus and Whitefield Academy’s Cameron Thornton won the Class A 1600-meter run. Pope was in the Class 4A lead after the first day.
In a classy gesture, Josiah Jenkins let older brother Josh Jenkins win the Class A 3200 meter event as it was the elder’s final chance at the title. In any case, the one-two finish helped Athens Christian hold the Class A lead after Friday over Darlington, Whitefield Academy and Athens Academy. Wesleyan’s Wes Ayres did manage to set a new record in the pole vault with a height of 14; 7.00”. Jeremy Blue of Schley County also set a record in the discus with a throw of 167’9.000” for Class A.
In Class AA boys, North Oconee led Albany and Elbert County after the second day thanks in large part to Tripp Hurt’s win in the 3200 meter event. Hurt had previously won the 1600-meter run, beating out teammate Ian Wraga for the victory. Albany shared the lead after Thursday. Carrollton had a slight lead over Westover in the boys 3A title picture after the second day of competition. North Hall’s Cody Barger won the 3200 meters just a day after winning the 1600 meters. Barger’s time of 9:07.120 was the best time in the state. James Dwyer of Class 4A Dunwoody recorded the best 1600 meter time at 4:15.380.
The biggest drama was saved however for Saturday’s finale. Future UGA wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley helped Mitchell County claim the 400-meter relay and Scott-Wesley wasn’t done there as the senior won the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.76, and finish second in the 200 meter dash. Mitchell County was able to rally from tenth to finish second. Athens Christian held on to win the Class A crown with 50 team points, a five point win.
In Class AA, Saturday saw Jackson (Atlanta) make an early run at North Oconee with a third in the 400-meter relay and a second place finish in the 400 meter dash. CJ Moore of Buford raced to a win in the 100 meter dash but North Oconee’s Ian Wraga finished second in the 800 meters. Elbert County meanwhile battled to take the lead midway through Saturday’s action with a second place in the 100 meters and a win by Valdon Cooper in the 110 hurdles. Elbert County would post a fifth place finish in the 1600 relay and a fourth in the 300 hurdles. Elbert County beat out North Oconee 57-51.
Carrollton of 3A put a little distance between itself and the rest of the pack early on Saturday with Broderick Snoddy, a future Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket football player anchoring the 400-meter relay squad to a second place finish. Snoddy would finish second in the 100 meters behind Westover’s Reginald Lewis. Tamaric Johnson of Stone Mountain claimed both the 200 meters and 400 meters. Carrollton’s Jonathan Jones helped Carrollton keep the lead with a win in the 110 hurdles before also taking the 300 hurdles. Carrollton’s fourth place finish in the 1600 relay would ice the 3A crown.
Pope was holding on for dear life to its Friday night lead Saturday in 4A as Dunwoody charged at the Greyhounds with a seventh place in the 100 meter dash and a second place in the 800 meters. Clarke Central recorded a second place finish in the 400 meter relay and a second place in the 100 meter dash with Quenshaun Watson starring in both events. Watson finished third in the 200 meters. Jeremy Hughes was also outstanding for Clarke Central. Dequadis Tucker won both the 100 and 200 meters for Carver (Atlanta), earning his team’s only points. Clarke Central (36) would hold off Alcovy (33) and Kell (32) to take the 4A title.
In the highest classification, Peachtree Ridge held a slim lead after day one and was on top following Friday’s action. Saturday saw Lassiter and Mill Creek edge closer early on as Trojan Alexander Reese won the 400-meter dash and 200 meters and Mill Creek picked up a few points with a nice finish in the 400 relay. Akeem Hunt of Newton helped the Rams edge McEachern in the 400 relay. Torri Tillman proved to be the “fastest man in the state” at the highest classification with a win in the 100 meter dash before finishing second in the 200 meters. Brookwood used a win in the 110 hurdles and second and third place finishes in the 800 meters to make its presence felt. South Gwinnett won the 1600 relay, but Peachtree Ridge (62) would outscore Mill Creek (46), Parkview (42), Brookwood (41) and Lassiter (36) for the 5A title.
Earlier on in the week, Peachtree Ridge held the early lead in Class 5A after Matt Morris won the pole vault while Brickell won the 1600 meters and Torri Tillman outjumped Newton football standout Akeem Hunt and Norcross’ Malcolm Davis. Mill Creek was nipping at Peachtree Ridge’s heels after Thursday with Parkview, Lassiter and Norcross in third place. Cobb County had its own standouts after the first day of “Field” activities with Kell’s Jordan Chambers clinching the Class 4A shot put and Hillgrove’s Jabari Hunt-Days winning the 5A shot put. Allatoona’s Scott Lewis won the 3A shot put as Cobb tallied five state titles on Day One. Lassiter’s Cedric Stadom won the 5A discus and Whitefield Academy’s Cameron Thornton won the Class A 1600-meter run. Pope was in the Class 4A lead after the first day.
In a classy gesture, Josiah Jenkins let older brother Josh Jenkins win the Class A 3200 meter event as it was the elder’s final chance at the title. In any case, the one-two finish helped Athens Christian hold the Class A lead after Friday over Darlington, Whitefield Academy and Athens Academy. Wesleyan’s Wes Ayres did manage to set a new record in the pole vault with a height of 14; 7.00”. Jeremy Blue of Schley County also set a record in the discus with a throw of 167’9.000” for Class A.
In Class AA boys, North Oconee led Albany and Elbert County after the second day thanks in large part to Tripp Hurt’s win in the 3200 meter event. Hurt had previously won the 1600-meter run, beating out teammate Ian Wraga for the victory. Albany shared the lead after Thursday. Carrollton had a slight lead over Westover in the boys 3A title picture after the second day of competition. North Hall’s Cody Barger won the 3200 meters just a day after winning the 1600 meters. Barger’s time of 9:07.120 was the best time in the state. James Dwyer of Class 4A Dunwoody recorded the best 1600 meter time at 4:15.380.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
An Early guess at Georgia's 2012 draftees
With the 2011 NFL draft now in the books and several Georgia Bulldogs moving on to professional careers, (assuming the lockout ends and AJ Green, Kris Durham, Clint Boling, and the rest of the ex-Dawgs do get to strap on the pro helmets) which Georgia Bulldogs could be hearing their names called during the 2012 draft? Despite recent struggles in the win-loss column, Mark Richt has still been pumping talent into the pro game and the 2012 NFL draft will certainly include a few names from those who recently suited up at Sanford Stadium for G-Day.
The offensive line will be a good place to start as two or possibly three linemen could go on to the NFL. Cordy Glenn would have been taken this year if he had decided to leave Athens, but assuming Glenn stays healthy he could see his value increase as he should protect quarterback Aaron Murray’s blindside this upcoming season. Glenn has experience at guard and at right tackle and will be able to add full-time LT to his resume.
Ben Jones the center and spring leader of the offense will also likely go relatively high in the draft. He isn’t the biggest player on the team but he directs the offensive line and plays with a nasty streak while holding his own against some of the best athletes in the college game.
Trinton Sturdivant is a wild card as he will be rehabbing this year from yet another knee injury. Sturdivant could return to the team if the NCAA grants him another year’s eligibility but likely he will simply gear up for a team willing to take a chance on him. If rehab goes well, someone could take a chance late on a mountain of a man that was a freshman All-American in 2007. While it may be risky to take a lineman with three knee surgeries, is it any more risky than taking a punter with your seventh round pick?
Tight end Aron White is another potential draftee whose size and pass-catching ability might net him a selection on the second or third day of the draft. White has shown nice hands and while he may not be a Tony Gonzalez clone, he could certainly be a second TE in a system that values pass-catching ends.
On the defensive side of the ball, Brandon Boykin decided to return to college for his senior season, and the cornerback/return specialist could be drafted simply for his ability to return kickoffs. Boykin has several 100-yard kick returns to his name, and he is a glove at cornerback just like Paul Oliver, Tim Jennings and Tim Wansley were under Mark Richt.
On the defensive front line, John Jenkins could very well follow Terrence Cody and Nick Fairley as previous junior college-to-SEC-to-early round standouts, if his 2011 goes as everyone in the Bulldog Nation hopes it goes.
Lastly, look for both Blair Walsh and Drew Butler to get taken late in the 2012 draft as both have been among the best kickers (and punters) in the college game the last two seasons and should be again next season. The Atlanta Falcons selected a punter in the sixth round in 2011; Butler should receive a call by then.
The Georgia Bulldogs had six players drafted in 2011. Expect that mark to be shattered in 2012.
The offensive line will be a good place to start as two or possibly three linemen could go on to the NFL. Cordy Glenn would have been taken this year if he had decided to leave Athens, but assuming Glenn stays healthy he could see his value increase as he should protect quarterback Aaron Murray’s blindside this upcoming season. Glenn has experience at guard and at right tackle and will be able to add full-time LT to his resume.
Ben Jones the center and spring leader of the offense will also likely go relatively high in the draft. He isn’t the biggest player on the team but he directs the offensive line and plays with a nasty streak while holding his own against some of the best athletes in the college game.
Trinton Sturdivant is a wild card as he will be rehabbing this year from yet another knee injury. Sturdivant could return to the team if the NCAA grants him another year’s eligibility but likely he will simply gear up for a team willing to take a chance on him. If rehab goes well, someone could take a chance late on a mountain of a man that was a freshman All-American in 2007. While it may be risky to take a lineman with three knee surgeries, is it any more risky than taking a punter with your seventh round pick?
Tight end Aron White is another potential draftee whose size and pass-catching ability might net him a selection on the second or third day of the draft. White has shown nice hands and while he may not be a Tony Gonzalez clone, he could certainly be a second TE in a system that values pass-catching ends.
On the defensive side of the ball, Brandon Boykin decided to return to college for his senior season, and the cornerback/return specialist could be drafted simply for his ability to return kickoffs. Boykin has several 100-yard kick returns to his name, and he is a glove at cornerback just like Paul Oliver, Tim Jennings and Tim Wansley were under Mark Richt.
On the defensive front line, John Jenkins could very well follow Terrence Cody and Nick Fairley as previous junior college-to-SEC-to-early round standouts, if his 2011 goes as everyone in the Bulldog Nation hopes it goes.
Lastly, look for both Blair Walsh and Drew Butler to get taken late in the 2012 draft as both have been among the best kickers (and punters) in the college game the last two seasons and should be again next season. The Atlanta Falcons selected a punter in the sixth round in 2011; Butler should receive a call by then.
The Georgia Bulldogs had six players drafted in 2011. Expect that mark to be shattered in 2012.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Paul Mac disagrees with Mel Kiper Jr
Mel Kiper Jr gave the Falcons a C+ for its recent draft. The Biggest Falcons fan I know Paul Mac weighs in on Kiper's thoughts.
C+ is slightly better than average, I think he's afraid of posting a C honestly. No one's played a down yet so he's basically ranking perceived value. That's cool. It's hard to give a high grade when you don't have a 2nd or 4th rounder. That said, I totally understood what Dimitroff and co were trying to do even if I was taken aback by the trade and what they gave up. About 3 months ago you and I both said it, wow would Julio Jones be a good fit for what they like to do. Then they get Akeem Dent who helps improve depth and he's an excellent tackler. This will help take some of the pressure off of Lofton having to play every down. It keeps him more fresh. Jaquizz Rodgers is a great get where they got him. Murray and the kid from Kentucky were gone. I've liked Rodgers since he powered his way over that vaunted SC defense.
Not sure why they drafted a punter when Koenan is good, but maybe they like his versatility. All in all I'm happy. A lot of people are looking only at the negatives of Jones probably because of the picks and that he's a WR when there were other perceived needs. They needed a playmaker though, and they've got one. He plays longer than 6'3" in my opinion. Now they can go a lot of ways in the red zone.
C+ is slightly better than average, I think he's afraid of posting a C honestly. No one's played a down yet so he's basically ranking perceived value. That's cool. It's hard to give a high grade when you don't have a 2nd or 4th rounder. That said, I totally understood what Dimitroff and co were trying to do even if I was taken aback by the trade and what they gave up. About 3 months ago you and I both said it, wow would Julio Jones be a good fit for what they like to do. Then they get Akeem Dent who helps improve depth and he's an excellent tackler. This will help take some of the pressure off of Lofton having to play every down. It keeps him more fresh. Jaquizz Rodgers is a great get where they got him. Murray and the kid from Kentucky were gone. I've liked Rodgers since he powered his way over that vaunted SC defense.
Not sure why they drafted a punter when Koenan is good, but maybe they like his versatility. All in all I'm happy. A lot of people are looking only at the negatives of Jones probably because of the picks and that he's a WR when there were other perceived needs. They needed a playmaker though, and they've got one. He plays longer than 6'3" in my opinion. Now they can go a lot of ways in the red zone.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Score Atlanta's Brian Jones' past two Top 12s
Brian Jones of Score Atlanta fame provides a recruiting top ten every week for The Official Visit (TONIGHT at its NEW TIME 8-10PM on Sports Radio 790 The Zone!!!!). Last week he presented a ranking of the SEC coaches and their recruiting prowess (it will be included on this post). Tonight his list will be breaking down the ACC coaches. Spoiler alert! Here is the list. Tune in tonight as Scott Janovitz and I break it down.
12. Frank Spaziani –Boston College
11. Al Golden – Miami
10. Mike London – Virginia
9. Tom O’ Brien – NC State
8. Jim Grobe – Wake Forest
7. Randy Edsall- Maryland
6. David Cutcliffe – Duke
5. Paul Johnson – Georgia Tech
4. Dabo Swinney – Clemson
3. Frank Beamer – Virginia Tech
2. Butch Davis – UNC
1. Jimbo Fisher – FSU
And this was last weeks. Surely Janovitz had a problem with Muschamp as far down as he was...
12. James Franklin - Vanderbilt
11. Joker Phillips -Kentucky
10. Dan Mullen - Miss St.
9. Will Muschamp - Florida
8. Derek Dooley - Tennessee
7. Houston Nutt - Ole Miss
6. Bobby Petrino - Arkansas
5. Steve Spurrier - Florida
4. Gene Chizik - Auburn
3. Les Miles - Auburn
2. Mark Richt - Georgia
1. Nick Saban - LSU
Tune in tonight for the breakdown!
12. Frank Spaziani –Boston College
11. Al Golden – Miami
10. Mike London – Virginia
9. Tom O’ Brien – NC State
8. Jim Grobe – Wake Forest
7. Randy Edsall- Maryland
6. David Cutcliffe – Duke
5. Paul Johnson – Georgia Tech
4. Dabo Swinney – Clemson
3. Frank Beamer – Virginia Tech
2. Butch Davis – UNC
1. Jimbo Fisher – FSU
And this was last weeks. Surely Janovitz had a problem with Muschamp as far down as he was...
12. James Franklin - Vanderbilt
11. Joker Phillips -Kentucky
10. Dan Mullen - Miss St.
9. Will Muschamp - Florida
8. Derek Dooley - Tennessee
7. Houston Nutt - Ole Miss
6. Bobby Petrino - Arkansas
5. Steve Spurrier - Florida
4. Gene Chizik - Auburn
3. Les Miles - Auburn
2. Mark Richt - Georgia
1. Nick Saban - LSU
Tune in tonight for the breakdown!
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