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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers: Who is the NFL's Top Quarterback Entering 2011?
The simple phrase, "What have you done for me lately," represents how fans of the National Football League feel.
Fans don't really care what a player did six or seven years ago; they only care about what that player is doing right now.
Whenever I attempt the never-ending debate of who is the league's top quarterback, I always find myself spinning in circles. It was a tight race between Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning and New England Patriots' Tom Brady.
Well, that all changed in 2009—enter Drew Brees. The Saints quarterback led his team to the Super Bowl and came off of a career year. However, he didn't last long at the top.
So who's the latest Drew Brees—the next quarterback to join the spotlight shared by Brady and Manning? It's Super Bowl champion and Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers.
As we sit in the midst of a rather depressing offseason, thanks to the looming lockout, there is only the draft to talk about. But there's always the never-ending story of who's the best quarterback entering next season.
I am going to knock off one candidate right away. This might make some fans irate—sorry, you just have to deal with it.
Peyton Manning, at this time, is not the league's best quarterback.
So who are the top two candidates? Brady and Rodgers.
As I previously stated, the NFL is all about "what have you done for me lately?" For starters, Rodgers is coming off of a stellar 2010 season that ended in a Super Bowl victory.
Rodgers played like a champion in 2010. He finished the regular season with a 101.2 passer rating while throwing 28 touchdowns; however, he did throw 11 interceptions.
For other guy known as Tommy Boy or Tom Terrific, he was just him usual self—but better.
Brady set one of the league's most impressive records in 2010: most passes thrown without an interception (335).
Along with his record-setting performances, Brady threw an incredible 36 touchdowns and only four interceptions while completing nearly 66 percent of his passes—that's as good as it gets.
If we start to compare the two, for starters, Brady has the better track record, obviously.
But like I previously said, this league is all about right now, not back in 2005 when Brady was leading the Patriots into the promised land of being a dynasty.
In 2010, it was very much different than 2005 for Brady.
Brady had to play through adversity in 2010, while the New England Patriots were in the midst of rebuilding. However, the same can be said for Rodgers, but his adversity was playing through multiple injuries suffered to key plays such as running back Ryan Grant and tight end Jermichael Finley.
Allow me to cut to the chase—when you take a look at these two quarterbacks, they play with completely different styles, but they are so very effective. But who is the true, clear-cut better quarterback?
Ladies and gentlemen, Tom Brady is the clear-cut better quarterback—at this point of his career, he is on another dimension than all the other players in the NFL.
I realize that Rodgers just won a Super Bowl, but we are looking at this from an individual standpoint.
Brady led his Patriots to a league-best 14-2 record in 2010 with a team filled with rookies and after losing his favorite target, Randy Moss, via trade.
In nearly every win in 2010, Brady had to be perfect in order for the Patriots to win, and when Brady was off-beat, they lost those two games (to the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns).
Brady will enter 2011 as the NFL's top player. He will be playing with up-and-coming stars such as tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and running back Danny Woodhead. Also, not to mention the Patriots will likely add some more players via the draft to go along with Wes Welker and Deion Branch.
Last season arguably was Brady's best season in the NFL. He was literally the New England Patriots, and he is right smack in the middle of his prime. There is no looking back for the California boy, Tom Brady.
NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
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NFL Draft 2011: Is There Any Option but Defense for the Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos Must Improve the League's Worst Defense in 2011 NFL Draft
The Tim Tebow vs. Kyle Orton question is only the second most important the Broncos must make this offseason.
Deciding who to spend their No. 2 overall pick on will have a much bigger long term impact on the franchise than settling the QB debate to begin 2011.
ESPN draft guru Todd McShay thinks Von Miller is the pick:
"The Broncos are transitioning to a four-man front under new head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, and upgrading the defensive front seven tops their priority list. Dareus should be the pick if he's available but he's not in this scenario. So, if it comes down to a choice between Peterson and Miller, I would choose the pass rusher (a greater need for Denver) with an identical grade. Miller can provide an immediate upgrade at SLB and he also would team up with a healthy Elvis Dumervil to help resurrect a pass rush that had a league-low 23 sacks in 2010."
Marcell Dareus is intriguing because of his ideal size, quickness and versatility. But drafting Miller would be quite the consolation prize.
He is a versatile stud that can help at both linebacker and on the defensive line. He has the speed and desire to be one of the top sack leaders in the NFL for years to come.
The Broncos have to strike gold with their first pick and Nick Fairley and Da'Quan Bowers are just a bit too risky to invest in at such a high pick.
Dareus and Miller are surefire safe picks and players that can quickly help the Broncos get back to having a respectful defense.
Click here for all of the latest on the 2011 NFL Draft.
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Coolest Old Man Ever Gets Down to Led Zeppelin Cover Band
Filed under: Humor, Videos, Dancing
I think I've found my long lost grandpa. The old man in this video proves that you are never too old to rock out to a Led Zeppelin cover with a cold brewski in hand and sick dance moves. I'll bet your grandpa can't move like this guy. Heck, I can't dance like this guy! It is comforting to know that there is hope for me to one day party with a senior citizen discount.I wonder if in 60 years or so old people of this most recent generation will be getting down to "classic" Justin Bieber tunes...
(Old Man of the Future) "Back in my day President Bieber was a talented musician who made all the ladies swoon! Let me play you an MP3."
(Future Grand Kids) "Grandpa, this sounds awful! And besides, nobody listens to MP3s anymore."
(Old Man of the Future) "I guess you kids are just too young to appreciate real music..."
- via:// The Daily What
- related:// The Best Old Man Dancing on the Tubes
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There's only a thousand Kobe Bryants: London laps up NBA's big star | Paolo Bandini
The LA Lakers No24 drew a full house to the O2 Arena but injury meant he could only play for only six minutes
Tube strikes and traffic jams be damned, Kobe Bryant was coming to London's O2 Arena. Not just one of him, in fact, but thousands, in all shapes and sizes. Tall Kobes, short Kobes, skinny Kobes, fat Kobes, female Kobes and Kobes of all different ethnicities. Some who live just down the road and others who had travelled from the other side of the globe. All meandering up the walkway that leads to the Arena's entrance, stopping to take the odd photograph or gawp at an oversized picture of... Kobe.
This is the fourth consecutive year in which the NBA has hosted a pre-season game in London, but the first in which it has brought its biggest star along for the ride. High profile players have featured ? from Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and a Boston Celtics team gearing up for a championship run in 2007 to Great Britain's own Luol Deng this time last year ? but not the one Britain really wanted to see. "Kobe is, like, the David Beckham of basketball," offered one starry-eyed teen as he queued for the shirt that would transform him, too, into No24.
Except that unlike Becks, Kobe is still at the top of his game. Last year he averaged 29.2 points through the play-offs as he led the Lakers to a second consecutive title and the fifth of his career. He was the top scorer in all but one of seven games against Boston during their finals series. He also happens to earn more than Beckham too, not that there is any animosity over such matters. The pair are close enough that one of Beckham's Milan shirts takes pride of place in Bryant's locker at the Lakers' Staples Center home.
Bryant, of course, was never going to be in championship-winning form for this, the Lakers' first pre-season game, and in the end was restricted to just over six minutes on the court as he sought to protect both a knee that is recovering from summer surgery and a fractured finger that he chose not to have operated on. A sensible decision, perhaps, though still a slightly disappointing one for an audience who did not see him find the basket in that spell.
There could have been some reaction if he had. The crowds at these games in London have always arrived with an enthusiasm verging on boisterousness and this was no different. Cheerleaders were cheered, players roared at and two fans jeered mercilessly after they failed to identify the Neighbours theme tune when summoned to the floor for a time-out challenge.
Nevertheless, there was no disguising the fact that the greatest volume all evening had been achieved when Kobe emerged on to the floor. When he rose for a jump shot two minutes into the contest, hundreds more Kobes rose with him only to crash back to their seats as the ball clanged away off the rim. He would miss two further shots, both from three-point range, before departing.
The notion that he could be back in London soon had already been shot down in a pre-game press conference held by the NBA commissioner, David Stern, and the AEG CEO Tim Leiweke. AEG has close ties with the Lakers, running the Staples Center, while Leiweke is on the team's board of directors, but when asked if LA could become regulars at the O2 (also run by AEG), his response was immediate: "Not gonna happen" as long as Phil Jackson remains coach. Stern was more circumspect, insisting variety would keep things fresh.
There was mercifully little discussion in the same conference of whether the NBA could ever establish a franchise in these parts. The question was raised, but only briefly. It has been posed so often as to become tedious. The response was the same as ever; Stern suggesting the most realistic scenario would see several teams formed at once in Europe to create a new conference before adding that nothing was likely to happen on this front for at least a decade.
The fans were far more concerned with the here and now. The first chants of "We Want Kobe" began late in the third-quarter and there were further appeals throughout the final period. Before the end there was even a smattering of boos. On the bench Bryant grinned, but even with his team trailing, Jackson was unmoved. He is paid to win championships, not pre-season games, and he will need a healthy Bryant if he is to secure a third of those in a row.
And so the Timberwolves won, 111-92, leaving the would-be Kobes in the stands to swallow their disappointment and pack off home. Many will be back for the two regular season games between the New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors in March, though it is worth noting that while tickets sold out for tonight's game in "literally a day", according to Leiweke, there is still some availability for those two. A meaningful game, it seems, is less important to fans than a meaningful player.
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Etch-A-Sketch Master Bryan Lee Madden Draws NYC, Philly and Chicago Skylines, Plus 'Birth of Venus'
Filed under: Photos, Art / Design, Exclusives
Just like every kid, Bryan Lee Madden played with an Etch-A-Sketch at some point during his youthhood. Based on his Etching skills today, you'd think he'd have been practicing since the very first day he tried his hand at the classic toy, but according to him, that wasn't the case.
Instead, like most kiddos who draw a picture of a square-looking-circle and call it quits, Madden forgot about the toy and went on his merry way.
Fast forward to Madden's collegiate years.
I bought an Etch-A-Sketch pen, which has the tiniest Etch-A-Sketch they make affixed to the top. I sketched a few micro-sized scenes, pretty much to the surprise of everyone I showed," he tells Urlesque in an exclusive interview.Continue to see some of Madden's awesome Etch-a-Sketches and learn more about his skill. His unexpected success prompted his purchase of a full sized Etch-A-Sketch, which allowed him to complete his first NYC Etch done completely from memory (shown below).
It was then, upon creating that piece, I realized I had a unique talent for making art on the unsung medium," says Madden, who's now been etching regularly for nine months.He's worked on several self-propelled projects, including one where he sketched his friends' Facebook profile pictures (which he considers the most difficult pictures he's sketched) and various cityscapes. He says most cityscapes take between 15 to 25 hours of time to finish spread out over the course of a couple weeks.
Madden's favorite cityscape depicts the Philadelphia skyline.
Chicago Skyline
Botticelli's Birth of Venus
Pizzeria
A friend's Facebook profile picture
Another friend's Facebook profile picture
Want to see more of Madden's work? Check out his blog, where he regularly posts new pictures. We want to extend an extra thank you to Madden for Etching our Urlesque logo.
- link:// Brian Etch City Art
- related:// The Etch-A-Sketch Dance
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Detroit Pistons: Owner Is Upset with Sale of Team, Has It Hurt the Pistons?
Detroit Pistons Are Up For Sale, But As Negotiations Drag On, Karen Davidson Has Become Frustrated
The Detroit Pistons have been up for sale for a long, long time. However, there has not been a deal, as Tom Gores continues to negotiate with Karen Davidson on a price for the team.
Gores has requested more information, and according to Gregg Krupa and Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News, Davidson is not happy with how things have gone.
"One source close to Davidson last week said the process is so utterly problematic, she feels as though she has lost control of it," the report says. "Her concern, in part, is that while Gores continually requires more information, too few details of an agreement are in place, despite more than two months of exclusive negotiations.
"While the NBA is looking for a purchase price that reflects its valuation of the franchise, $420 million, the negotiations have yet to yield a path to that price or one more agreeable to Gores.
"Much remains in play, sources say, including whether Davidson and Bill Davidson's children will retain a portion of the franchise or are paid significant revenue from the entertainment properties, including the DTE Energy Music Theater."
This year, mainly because of the uncertain money situation and partly because of incompetence on the part of general manager Joe Dumars, the team has not made a single roster move this season. It's no wonder the Pistons are a walking trainwreck on a nightly basis. This team has a coach that has no idea what he's doing, a general manager who has sat back and let it happen, and an owner who can't sell the team, handcuffing the moves the Pistons can make.
This is a franchise that needs a full shakeup, and the sooner Davidson can sell the team, the better, because this saga has taken way too long and at some point, you have to come to a deal. If not, this team that her father cherished is going to continue to waste away in mediocrity.
Every Piston fan needs to pray for a quick solution to this sale, because the longer it takes, the chances of productive changes in the offseason go down the drain.
Tamala Jones Yamila Diaz Alicia Keys Tyra Banks Vanessa Hudgens
'The Hobbit' Update: Ian McKellen And Andy Serkis Get Back In Character
If Peter Jackson announcing the official start of production hasn't convinced you that "The Hobbit" is actually happening, perhaps some new on-set updates will do the trick.
Everybody's favorite ring-hording cave-dweller, Gollum, is officially back in action. The One Ring scored a series of photographs showing actor Andy Serkis on the New Zealand set of "The [...]
Everybody's favorite ring-hording cave-dweller, Gollum, is officially back in action. The One Ring scored a series of photographs showing actor Andy Serkis on the New Zealand set of "The [...]
Vinessa Shaw Rebecca Romijn Nadine Velazquez Pink Mila Kunis
Devin Harris | Small Talk | Simon Burnton
The New Jersey Nets star on the NBA coming to London, reading Harry Potter and his favourite pasta shape
Welcome to London, Devin ... It's a pleasure to be here.
Yeah, maybe for you. Have you had a good look around? Not so much. I saw Big Ben, and I think we drove past Buckingham Palace yesterday, but that was as much as I've got to see. I've had a good look around my hotel.
But the good news is you'll be back in March, and actually playing some basketball ... Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. The crowds here are great. We played here two years ago against Miami and the crowd was amazing then. I watch a little bit of football on TV so I know a little bit what to expect from you guys.
Do you think Britain is ready to become a nation of basketballaholics? I do think it could take off. People are curious enough, and I think it's popular enough already.
Are we more likely to fall for basketball than you are to take up football? I think it's even. America already loves soccer. A lot of my friends played it when they were kids.
So you'll be back here regularly from now on? I think that's the trend they're trying to start ? to follow in the NFL's footsteps, have two different teams play here every year, try to globalise the game. When you see it up close and personal as opposed to on TV, it's got more of an effect.
Will the rest of Europe/the world get a visit too, or is it a special treat just for us? I think the goal is for it to go to other European cities. It's sort of a test run here and then it can expand. I think pretty soon you'll see every NBA team play at least two games a season overseas.
Won't they miss you back in wherever-it-is-you-play? I don't think so. We're moving to a new building and a new city ? they haven't had us for that long so I don't think they'll miss us for a couple of days.
The last time you were here, some English bloke took the mickey out of you on a practise court and the video went viral. Some people thought it was all a set-up arranged by Adidas. What's the truth? I believe it was arranged. Still, I let him get past me too easily and the video was a bit embarrassing. I learned a valuable lesson. Actually I ran into his brother yesterday ? he did an interview with me. We're trying to set up a rematch right now ? I think I'll take that one a little bit more seriously.
And what ? other than revenge ? are your goals for the season? For the team, the target's always to get into the play-offs. Me, I'm trying to get into my all-star form that I had two years ago.
Your other famous moment was a 47-foot buzzer-beater last year that is now known as "the Harris Heave". Do you practise that kind of stuff? Not really, that's just down to instinct.
So if you tried that shot 10 times, how many would go in? I'd say out of 10 I'd hit at least three.
That's pretty good going. Who'd get more, though? Who's the best basketball player in the entire world? Got to be Kobe Bryant. He's been up there a while now.
Enough about basketball, what was the last concert you went to? I believe the last one I went to was Alicia Keys, but I go to a fair amount. I'm going to see Eminem and Jay-Z play together at Yankee Stadium next week.
And what was the last thing you saw at the cinema? I just went to see Inception the other day. It was pretty good, but I hear it's better the second time around so I might have to see it again.
Do you read much? Is there a book you could recommend to Small Talk's avid readership? The last book I read was the last Harry Potter. I think you guys have all read it already.
You've got a pretty intricate tattoo going on down your arm. What's that of exactly? That's kind of my conscience. It's just there with me, all the time. I wouldn't say I designed it but I had a hand in it, me and the tattoo artist himself.
Cheese or chocolate? Well, I'm from Wisconsin so I've got to say cheese.
Why's that? Because Wisconsin is pretty famous for its cheese.
No it isn't. Small Talk has never heard of cheese from Wisconsin? It's true. I think Wisconsin cheddar's the big one.
What's your favourite pasta shape? I like Fettucini Alfredo, so it's fettucini, right?
Fettucini, you say. An intriguing choice. And who would win a fight between a lion and a tiger? A lion ? he's the king of the jungle.
A popular yet considered answer. I'd better give you a little time for souvenir shopping before you head home. Thanks Small Talk. I'll get a souvenir if I can find one.
Good luck Devin, bye! Bye!
NBA Games ? London 2011 will see the New Jersey Nets take on the Toronto Raptors at The O2 on March 4 and 5, 2011 in the first ever NBA Regular Season Games in Europe. Tickets are now on sale at www.theo2.co.uk.
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Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant: Who Are the Top 10 Shooters in the NBA?
Some stroke it with unadulterated majesty. Others don’t even touch the rim.
Shooting remains the most pure skill in basketball and for every guy wheelin’ and dealin’ in the paint, there’s another dodging traffic on the way to his favorite sweet spot.
To be clear, this isn’t a compilation of the best catch-and-shoot guys in the league.
James Jones may have won the 3-point contest in Los Angeles, he may be strokin’ it at 40% for the season, but at under six points a contest, that’s just too little an output to be considered in the NBA’s Top 10 shooters.
Let’s consider three things. To be a great shooter, you have to shoot a high percentage. The stats don’t lie. No one’s ever been offered a max contract banking 35% from the floor.
Second, you need to be consistent. Great shooters and streak shooters are different things, though great shooters are often both. Find the bottom of the net at home and on the road season after season and you have claims to being a great shooter.
Finally, you’ve got to be clutch. It won't matter how many triples you hit in the first period if you can’t seal the deal down the stretch. Great shooters get it done when it matters most.
Here are the Top 10 Shooters in the NBA right now.
Aki Ross Ashley Tappin Carmen Electra Amanda Marcum Leila Arcieri
Daniel Radcliffe Has His 'Harry Potter' Costars' Support On Broadway, So Why Don't They Join Him?
The film family that plays together, stays together.
Or at least that's the case with the "Harry Potter" crew. If reviews are to be believed, Daniel Radcliffe is killing it on Broadway in his new musical "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying," and he said that many of his "Potter" costars -- from Emma [...]
Or at least that's the case with the "Harry Potter" crew. If reviews are to be believed, Daniel Radcliffe is killing it on Broadway in his new musical "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying," and he said that many of his "Potter" costars -- from Emma [...]
Julie Berry Lori Heuring Nicole Scherzinger Jill Arrington Tami Donaldson
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
College Football 2011: 12 Teams Whose Fan Bases Have the Most To Look Forward To
Spring is in the air, and with spring comes hope.
Hope, and the yearning for college football.
As March Madness wraps up, college sports fans enter a summer drought that lasts until August. Fans across the country wait anxiously for a new season.
Fans of certain teams, however, have more to be excited about as time creeps ahead toward the 2011 season.
Which teams give their fans the most to look forward to? Read on.
Trista Rehn Moon Bloodgood Kristin Kreuk Molly Sims Monika Kramlik
NFL Draft 2011: Jason Garrett Watches Tyron Smith at USC Pro Day
The USC offensive tackle looked impressive
Tyron Smith definitely didn't hurt himself during USC's Pro Day today.
The USC offensive tackle, who could potentially be the first offensive lineman taken in the upcoming NFL Draft, measured at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, according to NFL.com's Bucky Brooks. Smith is currently being predicted on many mock drafts to be selected by Dallas with the ninth pick.
Brooks reports that Smith ran the 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds (not bad for a lineman), had a broad jump of 9-1 and did 31 repetitions on the bench press at 225 pounds.
"Smith showed outstanding strength and power in run drills," Brooks writes. "He explodes into defenders upon contact and forcefully moves them off the ball. His natural power and explosiveness were his most impressive attributes, and he has the potential to be a dominant force as a run blocker."
"Overall, Smith solidified his status as a top talent. But he should be considered as a right tackle for most offenses."
The National Football Post also reports that Smith is scheduled to visit six teams before the NFL Draft, including the Cowboys and Washington Redskins.
This is the National Football Post's impression of Smith from their scouting report: "A gifted athlete for the position who at only 20 years old is far from a finished product. However, the flexibility, athleticism, frame and body control are all there for this guy to develop into a very good starting left or right tackle in the NFL, depending on where he feels comfortable."
Among those in attendance today to see Smith were Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and offensive line coach Hudson Houck.
Dominique Swain Jamie Chung Alicia Witt Radha Mitchell Melissa Rycroft
Not So Fast, 'Miss Marple'! Jennifer Garner Reboot Isn't A Done Deal, According To Reports
Yesterday's news that Jennifer Garner is headlining a revival of "Miss Marple" in an updated take on the classic Agatha Christie character was met with no small amount of backlash, but if you're worried about the Garner reboot deviating too far from the source material, well, hold your horses ? it's not a done deal [...]
Ashley Greene April Scott Mia Kirshner Elisabeth Röhm Lily Allen
Snoop Dogg Unveils His Nate Dogg Tribute Tattoo on 'Wendy Williams' (VIDEO)
Filed under: TV Replay
On today's 'Wendy Williams Show' (weekdays, syndicated), Snoop Dogg revealed a tattoo the length of his forearm in tribute to his friend Nate Dogg, who died earlier this month of congestive heart failure. The singer had frequently collaborated with Snoop Dogg, as well as Eminem and Dr. Dre.Williams said she also loved Nate Dogg. "He was the smooth voice before Auto-Tune," she said. "Any time you needed somebody to put the stank on your hip-hop record, he was just smooth."
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2011 Fantasy Baseball: Why David Price Will Be a Bust
At the young age of 25, David Price has already started in an All-Star game, pitched in the World Series and finished runner-up in the 2010 Cy Young voting.
In 2010, he posted a 2.72 ERA with 19 wins and 188 strikeouts in 208.2 innings. Those numbers look outstanding, but the numbers under the surface paint a different picture.
In 2009, he posted a 4.42 ERA with 10 wins and 102 strikeouts in 128.1 innings. Even though these numbers are much different from 2010, some of his ratios are very similar. See chart below:
| Stat | 2009 | 2010 |
| K/9 | 7.15 | 8.11 |
| BB/9 | 3.79 | 3.41 |
| BABIP | .268 | .270 |
| GB/FB | 1.05 | 1.10 |
David Price did manage to slightly improve his K/9 and BB/9, but I don't think he improved enough to justify a 1.7 drop in ERA. His BABIP has been very low and will be difficult to maintain. We should see an increase in BABIP which would raise his ERA.
In 2010, Price was also fortunate with a HR/FB rate of 6.5 percent and a LOB rate of 78.5 percent. In 2009, he posted a HR/FB rate of 11.1 percent and a LOB rate of 68.5 percent. This is a huge difference in a one year span. Expect more fly balls to clear the fence and more batters to score in 2011.
While his ERA of 2.72 and FIP of 3.42 are very respectable, his variance of -.70 made him one of the luckier pitchers in the game. He posted a xFIP of 3.99 which suggests even more luck.
Price's xFIP of 3.99 ranked him 44th in baseball which landed him between Jonathan Niese (3.94), Justin Masterson (3.98), Carl Pavano (4.01) and Scott Baker (4.02). I'm pretty sure those guys will not be in the Cy Young conversation in 2011.
The Rays lost Rafael Soriano, Grant Balfour, Randy Choate and Joaquin Benoit in the bullpen. The only returning member who threw a good chunk of the bullpen innings in 2010 is Andy Sonnanstine. We don't even know who their closer is going to be. The bullpen may cost Price a few games this year.
The loss of Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Jason Bartlett also hurts Price's value. Those were three big run producers for the Rays. Don't expect Price to get the same kind of run support or 19 wins.
Carl Crawford was also a Gold Glove outfielder. He is being replaced in the outfield by Johnny Damon who mostly played DH for the Tigers in 2010.
According to MockDraftCentral, Price's current ADP is 60.14. He is being taken before Cole Hamels (ADP 62.9), Justin Verlander (64.2), Yovani Gallardo (ADP 64.8), Josh Johnson (ADP 69.5), Mat Latos (ADP 73.4), Tommy Hanson (ADP 77.7), and Francisco Liriano (79.1). I have Price ranked behind EVERY one of them this year.
2011 Projection: 14 wins, 10 losses, 3.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 190 K
Previous Bust Selections: Derek Jeter, Jayson Werth, Rickie Weeks
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Boxing Steroid Accusations: Bernard Hopkins vs. Jean Pascal
Edwin Arnold once said, “Within yourself deliverance must be searched for, because each man makes his own prison.”
Bernard Hopkins took that quote literally. Bernard went to prison at the young age of 17 for nine counts of felony with an 18-year sentence. He has seen the worst in murders and rape over petty things; and after serving five years in prison, Hopkins was released.
He promised he would never go back to that life again. He will take each day as a celebration of freedom with boxing as his outlet—the only norm during his crazy prison life.
Twenty-nine years later, at age 46, Bernard is still in the business.
While his counterparts are retiring one by one, he still looks for greater opposition. He wanted new mountains to climb and new adventures to conquer. He just can’t let go of his haven—his happy memory—when things don’t go the way he wants.
Boxing has always been his refuge, his strength, and his constant companion. That’s why he doesn’t like anybody questioning his dedication, or his love of the sport. It took him years to enhance his craft. Buckets of blood and sweat have been his investment.
That’s why when Jean Pascal, his May 21 opponent, accused him of taking steroids and asked him to take the test, it was more like a slap on his face.
The normally trash-talking Hopkins was oddly quiet—responding with a two-handed shove to Pascal.
This is the aftermath of all the steroid accusations in boxing. If anyone goes beyond expectations, then he must be on steroids.
All the achievements and accolades would always have the “doubting Thomas” behind it.
However, the fact that all those accusations have never been proven means that it’s a relatively pointless debate. This is a roller coaster ride with ups and downs; but somewhere down the line, everything has got to stop.
Let he who does not sin cast the first stone.
Bernard Hopkins knows that steroids and PEDS are a form of cheating. He has been down that road before; he would never do anything to break his sanctuary, or to take him out of something that became his sanity beyond prison walls.
Boxing has freed him beyond those iron grills, and beyond making his own prison.
Follow me on twitter: Sportsalchemist
Christina Applegate Shana Hiatt Tara Conner Drea de Matteo Trista Rehn
2011 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Veterans and Rookies You Might Have Forgotten
We're barely 24 hours away from the start of the 2011 fantasy baseball season, and that means it's time to take a look at some potential sleepers!
A sleeper is a player picked well beneath where his level of potential production dictates he should be taken. It doesn't mean just late-round players who could result in high production, but guys who have slipped beyond where they should in most drafts.
We're giving you some of the players who could easily wind up being forgotten, overlooked, or undervalued by your league, the players whose production could easily outdo their meager draft position.
From rookies like Pedro Alvarez or J.P. Arencibia to veterans like Scott Baker or Aaron Hill, these are the low-risk, high-reward players who could mean the difference between a league championship and a finish in the middle of the pack.
Jennifer Scholle Tatiana Zavialova Tila Tequila Tamie Sheffield Kelly Monaco
Boxing Weekend Preview: Ivan Calderon and Giovanni Segura Prepare for Rematch
The showcase fight of the weekend will be the Ivan Calderon vs. Giovanni Segura rematch on Saturday, April 2. The fight will be the main event of Integrated Sports PPV.
The current Ring and WBO Super-Flyweight Champion Segura (26-1-1, 22 KO) defeated the previously unbeaten Calderon (36-1-1, 6 KO) last August in what was Ring Magazine's 2010 Fight of the Year.
Their first fight was an explosive battle for eight rounds before Segura, who has a 77 percent knockout percentage, overwhelmed the Puerto Rican boxer with a flurry of punches against the ropes one minute into the round. Calderon, who looked visibly tired, took a knee and didn't get up for the 10-count, giving him the first loss of his professional career.
Despite Calderon only having 10 more bouts than Segura, he has boxed 204 more rounds than the top-10 pound-for-pound boxer from Mexico. A recurring question from the first bout will be if the 36-year-old's extensive career has finally caught up with him against the hungry brawler in Segura.
If Calderon pulls out the victory, it will be the highlight win of his career.
The undercard includes two featherweight bouts: Ricardo Castillo (39-9, 26 KO) vs. Joksan Hernandez (21-3, 14 KO) and Fernando Beltran Jr. (35-4, 19 KO) vs. Jorge Lacierva (38-7-6, 26 KO).
Also in action on April 2 will be middleweights Giovanni Lorenzo (29-3, 21 KO) and Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (25-0, 17 KO). The 12-round bout from Le Cannet, France, will be for the interim WBA world-middleweight title.
N'Jikam is ranked ninth by Ring Magazine in a division where standout boxers Sergio Martinez, Felix Sturm, Paul Williams and Dmitry Pirog all rank above him. A win over the Lorenzo, who dropped a 12-round decision to Sturm in September, will be a boost for the 27-year-old in one of the best divisions in boxing.
From Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle, Germany, will be a heavyweight bout between unbeaten prospect Robert Helenius (14-0, 9 KO) and former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter (34-4, 27 KO).
Peter hasn't fought since being knocked out in the rematch against heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO) in September. Helenius went 4-0 in 2010, including an eighth-round TKO victory over former WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster.
The headliner will be Marco Huck (31-1, 23 KO) vs. Ran Nakash (25-0, 18 KO) in a 12-round cruiser-weight bout for the WBO title.
Huck, who resides in Bielefeld, Germany, is currently ranked second in the cruiser-weight division by Ring Magazine behind IBF Cruiser-weight Champion Steve Cunningham (24-2, 12 KO).
The main event on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights will be a 10-round lightweight bout Henry Lundy (19-1-1, 10 KO) vs. Patrick Lopez (20-3, 12 KO). The theme of this season of FNF has been upsets and surprises, so it's one worth checking out.
Round-by-round results and recap will be posted for all televised bouts this weekend, so remember to check back Friday and Saturday for the latest news on the fights.
Cameron Diaz Sofía Vergara Nicole Richie Norah Jones Nicky Hilton
MLB Fantasy Baseball: 2011 Outfielder Rankings
Our top three fantasy outfielders in 2011 are the same top three fantasy outfielders that most other sites have in their top three. However, I've seen all three in the top spot at a relatively even split. In an ideal world, I'd like to get my No. 1 outfielder as the third outfielder off the board.
Here are our top 50 outfielders in fantasy baseball for 2011:
1. Ryan Braun, Brewers: Although Braun hit a career-low 25 home runs in 2010, he has 90-plus runs, 97-plus runs batted in and 14-plus steals every year. Plus, he has hit .300-plus in three out of four seasons.
2. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: What a breakout season it was for Gonzalez! Despite missing 15 games, he finished with a line of .336-111-34-117-26. As solid as he was across the board, CarGo played much better at Coors Field (.380, 26 homers, 76 RBI) than on the road (.289, eight homers, 41 RBI) in 2010.
3. Carl Crawford, Red Sox: Crawford set career highs in runs scored (110), home runs (19) and runs batted in (90) last year in Tampa. In the past five years, Crawford has hit over .300 four times. And with the exception of his 109-game season in 2008, Crawford has stolen 46-plus bases every year since 2003.
4. Matt Holliday, Cardinals: Excluding his .290 batting average in his rookie season (.290), Holliday's full-year batting averages have been .300-plus every year. While he's unlikely to ever steal 28 bases again (as he did in 2008), Holliday will help in all counting numbers to the tune of roughly 95 to 100 runs, 100 to 110 runs batted in, 25 to 30 homers and 10 to 15 steals.
5. Matt Kemp, Dodgers: Other than a small year-over-year increase in home runs (26 to 28), Kemp's numbers declined across the board in 2010 from 2009. After three straight seasons hitting .290-plus, his average plummeted to .249. In addition, he saw year-over-year declines in runs scored (97 to 82), runs batted in (101 to 89) and stolen bases (34 to 19).
6. Josh Hamilton, Rangers: When projecting Hamilton's fantasy value, the first thing you need to take into consideration is the number of games you expect him to play. Even so, he can be highly productive when he misses plenty of games as he proved last year by being named the A.L. MVP despite missing almost 30 games.
7. Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: In 2010, three players hit .300-plus, hit 20-plus home runs and stole 20-plus bases: Florida's Hanley Ramirez, Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez and Choo. For Choo, he's done so in back-to-back seasons (his only two where he has played 100-plus games).
8. Nelson Cruz, Rangers: Over the past two seasons, Cruz has missed 88 games but he still managed to hit 55 home runs and steal 37 bases during that span. That's a 162-game pace of 37 home runs and 25 steals.
9. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks: Upton, the number one overall draft pick in 2005, is still only 23 years old and undoubtedly has plenty of upside. Over the past two years, Upton have averaged 21.5 home runs and 19 steals despite averaging only 135.5 games. With good health, Upton should easily reach 20-20 with the potential for 30-25.
10. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: Like Justin Upton, McCutchen was a high first-round pick in 2005 and has plenty of upside. As a 23-year-old, McCutchen finished with a line of .286-94-16-56-33. Since he'll start the season batting third in the Pirates' lineup, McCutchen should see his RBIs increase by a significant amount over last year's 56.
11. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: Since Ichiro won't help you in home runs and runs batted in, his value is tied to how well he performs in the batting average and steals categories. Over the past four seasons, he's had two seasons with .350-plus batting averages and two seasons with 40-plus steals. If only he could do both in the same season (which he hasn't since 2001 and likely won't).
12. Jayson Werth, Nationals: Werth will play half of his games in Washington instead of Philadelphia, which is a bit of a concern, in 2011. That said, I can see a season of .275-100-25-100-15 (or close to it) for Werth.
13. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: Although there's virtually no chance that he duplicates his 54-homer performance from 2010, Bautista could hit 35 or so homers with 100 runs batted in. Even better, he also has position eligibility at third base.
14. Jason Heyward, Braves: Heyward, who will turn 22 years old in August, hit .301 after the All-Star break in his rookie season last year. This spring, Heyward has been hitting the ball well (.356 average over 18 games). I see a line of .290-90-25-90-10 for Heyward in 2011.
15. Hunter Pence, Astros: Pence set career highs in runs scored (93), runs batted in (91) and stolen bases (18) in addition to tying his existing career high in home runs (25) in 2010. With a solid average (career .287 hitter), Pence should help in all categories at a very fair price.
16. Alex Rios, White Sox: There were 38 outfielders that hit 20-plus home runs in 2010. There were 15 outfielders that stole 30-plus bases in 2010. There were only two that did both—Rios and Cincinnati's Drew Stubbs. The worry about Rios is his inconsistency and 15 (of his 21) home runs and 23 (of his 34) stolen bases came before the All-Star break.
17. Andre Ethier, Dodgers: Ethier got off to a hot start (.392 average, 11 homers and 38 runs batted in through 33 games) before fracturing his right pinky finger, which he feels bothered him after he came back too soon from the injury. He still managed to finish the season with a .292 average, 23 home runs and 82 runs batted in despite missing 23 games.
18. Mike Stanton, Marlins: Between Double-A and the Marlins, Stanton hit 43 home runs and 111 runs batted in combined. Stanton has big-time power and could come close to hitting 40 homers in his first full season in the big leagues (take our poll on how many home runs Stanton will hit in 2011).
19. Jay Bruce, Reds: Bruce, who will turn 24 in April, hit .281—.338 from August to October—with 25 home runs last season. As MLB.com's John Schlegel points out, Bruce has hit more home runs (68) than any other player his age and he ranks 41st all-time for most home runs in his first three seasons.
20. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: As the Red Sox leadoff hitter, Ellsbury should hit for a good average and rack up a ton of steals and runs. If you're a glass-half-empty kind of guy, he won't do much to help in the power categories.
21. B.J. Upton, Rays: In the past two seasons, Upton has hit .241 or less. On a positive note, however, Upton has stolen 40-plus bases for three consecutive seasons. In addition, he hit 18 home runs last year while setting a career high in doubles (38). Had a couple of those doubles been homers, he would have been the only 20-40 outfielder last season.
22. Delmon Young, Twins: Young, baseball's top overall draft pick in 2003, hit nearly .300 (.298, to be exact) while setting career highs in home runs (21) and runs batted in (112) last year.
23. Chris Young, Diamondbacks: Young set career highs in runs scored (94), runs batted in (91), stolen bases (28) and batting average (.257) while belting 27 home runs. Provided the composition of your team will help you withstand the negative impact Young will have on your team's batting average, Young will help you all other categories.
24. Shane Victorino, Phillies: From 2006 to 2009, Victorino hit .281 or better every season. Although his batting average slipped to .259 in 2010, it was also the only season since 2006 in which his BABIP was below .300. Expect a bounce-back in average for the Flyin' Hawaiian, who has averaged 92 runs, 14 homers and 33 steals over the past four seasons.
25. Drew Stubbs, Reds: While Stubbs won't help any in batting average, Stubbs was one of only two outfielders to hit 20-plus home runs and steal 30-plus bases in 2010, as noted above.
26. Colby Rasmus, Cardinals
27. Corey Hart, Brewers
28. Curtis Granderson, Yankees
29. Nick Markakis, Orioles
30. Carlos Lee, Astros
31. Torii Hunter, Angels
32. Bobby Abreu, Angels
33. Adam Jones, Orioles
34. Michael Bourn, Astros
35. Ben Zobrist, Rays
36. Juan Pierre, White Sox
37. Carlos Quentin, White Sox
38. Vernon Wells, Angels
39. Brett Gardner, Yankees
40. Nick Swisher, Yankees
41. Aubrey Huff, Giants
42. Grady Sizemore, Indians
43. Jason Bay, Mets
44. Rajai Davis, Blue Jays
45. Michael Cuddyer, Twins
46. Carlos Beltran, Mets
47. Chris Coghlan, Marlins
48. Denard Span, Twins
49. Manny Ramirez, Rays
50. Tyler Colvin, Cubs
Feel free to send fantasy baseball questions to me via Twitter at @EDSBaseball or post them in our fantasy baseball forum.
See our fantasy rankings for infielders: C - 1B - 2B - SS - 3B
Connie Nielsen Melissa George Cameron Richardson Chandra West Kasey Chambers
Small Talk: Luol Deng
The Chicago Bulls and Great Britain forward on Cesc F�bregas's future and why he'd like to live in the film Avatar
Hi Luol how are you? Good. How you doin?
How confident are you feeling about this summer's Eurobasket qualifiers? I'm excited, we've got a young team, a very athletic team. We lack some experience but I'd say it will be fun.
Is there more pressure on you with Great Britain than when you're playing with Chicago ? with you being the man and having to carry the team? Yeah, definitely. The other difference is that in Chicago it's 82 games, here it's eight games and you've got to qualify. These are really like play-off games. Every game if you lose, it really hurts you.
You personally are one of the big reasons to be hopeful about this GB basketball team's prospects at the 2012 Olympics, but we hear you're also pretty good at football. Clearly we need some help there too, so do you think you could be persuaded to switch codes? [Chortling] I think I've got to find out exactly where my skill level is. I haven't played since I was 14. Back then when I played I was really good at it. But it's been a while so I'd really have to test where I'm at.
Small Talk envisages a role for you as a big target man to replace Emile Heskey ... I played midfield and I played striker. I kinda played a little similar to [Patrick] Vieira but a lot of times I ended up playing striker.
You're known to be a big Arsenal fan. Do you think they should sell Cesc F�bregas? I think he's going to stay. I hope he does.
You must move in the same circles ? do you ever hang out with the guys on the team? I used to but I haven't in a while. Back when [Thierry] Henry was there I knew a lot of guys on the team then, I was going to practice and stuff. But the last person I really kept in touch with was Philippe Senderos. But I haven't spoken to him in a while.
What's the worst film you've ever seen? The worst? Nobody ever remembers the worst film they ever saw.
On the contrary, in Small Talk's experience everyone does. Nobody. I remember the best, I don't remember the worst. Damn, what's the worst movie I ever saw? See ? I don't remember the name.
What's the best, then? Recently Avatar was the best I've ever seen. I wanted to go and live there. If I could find Avatar I would leave right away and go live there.
Really? Not put off by the enormous dragons, shiny panthers and hamfisted scripting? I like all that though! If I go to Avatar, I'd have some long hair, I'd connect it to the horse, I'd get on the dragon. I wouldn't need gas. Gas costs a lot of money.
Small Talk likes to hope they're paying you enough in Chicago that you don't have to worry too much about gas money. [Laughs] Yeah, but still. If I'm in Avatar I won't need no money, I won't need no credit cards.
Do you believe in aliens then? I definitely do. I believe it's a big universe, there's something out there somewhere. I think whoever reaches the other one first will probably have the better technology.
Yeah, if they get here first we're probably toast, right? Well if they get here first they'll be able to go away and come back. We won't be able to chase them.
What would you do if you were invisible for a day? Wow. I wouldn't like to be invisible for a day. But if I was ? I'd probably be up to no good. I don't know if I can even say that, but I'd be up to no good.
Spying on people? I wouldn't spy on people but ? uh ? I don't know. You know I wouldn't want to be invisible I don't think. I don't like sneaking up on people.
OK, so you don't want to be invisible, but if you could have one super-power what would it be? I always used to say when I was younger that if I had one super-power I would want to read minds. But the older I got, now I really don't want to read minds because I don't want to know what the other person is thinking.
People think a lot of bad stuff ? Maybe I'd travel through time. I would go back all the way to my ancestors and see how it really was back then. I think I would love it ? it would just show you how they had no worries back then.
What's your favourite vegetable? Man, I hate vegetables.
But you're an athlete Luol, you have to eat a lot of vegetables. No, trust me, I eat a lot of vegetables, but I hate them. It's one of those things, it's like doing sit-ups. I hate to do sit-ups, but you know you're going to look good. So my favourite vegetable ? maybe carrot? Is carrot even a vegetable.
It certainly is. Cheese or chocolate. Chocolate, for sure.
Steak or cake? Cake.
Jam or jelly? Jam or jelly? Jam and jelly are the same thing.
Bah ? Small Talk was attempting to test your British credentials after so long in the States. Nah, I go for jam innit.
Good man. Lastly, can you tell us a joke? Can I tell you a joke? Nah, I can't think of one. I really can't ? you've put me on the spot. Even though I joke a lot, I can't think of one.
How about you tell us about the best locker room prank you've seen in your time as a player? One time a rookie ? I'm not going to tell you his name ? was trying to be smart so what the vets did was they took his clothes from the locker room while he showered after the game. And you know after the game you have nothing there. The equipment guy takes everything away and you have to go out because your family's waiting. But he just stayed there for hours. Eventually the equipment guy, who had gone home, had to come back to the stadium because he just wouldn't leave.
A classic manoeuvre. Thanks for all your time Luol, good luck with the qualifiers. Appreciate it, thanks.
British Basketball and the GB Men's and Women's team are sponsored by Standard Life, the leading long term savings and investments company. Standard Life has over 6 million customers worldwide and provides an extensive range of products and services, aimed at meeting the financial requirements of customers throughout their lives.
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NBA in London : New Jersey Nets v Toronto Raptors in pictures
The New Jersey Nets and the Toronto Raptors are in London to play the first ever regular NBA season games outside of the United States. Our man was at the O2 on Friday night to bring you best images from the first of their two matches
Michelle Malkin Charlies Angels Rose Byrne Willa Ford Desiree Dymond
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Analyzing Iowa's Schedule: Do the Hawkeyes Have a Shot at the Legend's Division?
The Iowa Hawkeyes are members of the Legends Division.
This was designated by the newly aligned Big Ten Conference.
If the Hawks end up with a better record than their divisional rivals, they will get an opportunity to play in the first Big Ten Championship Game at the end of the season.
Luckily, the Hawkeyes benefit from a very favorable schedule in 2011.
Their toughest tests may be the first conference game of the season on the road at Leader's Division rival Penn State and the last game of the season, a road game against Legends Division rival Nebraska.
Overall in 2011 the Hawkeyes play three of their intra-divisional rivals—Northwestern, Michigan and Michigan State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
Iowa must face Legend rivals Minnesota and Nebraska on the road.
The Hawkeye's cross-over contests in the Big Ten have Iowa challenging Leaders Penn State in Happy Valley, Purdue in West Lafayette and Indiana at home in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes, however, do not have to face Ohio State or Wisconsin in 2011 unless Iowa meets the Buckeyes or the Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game.
Co-Legend Nebraska was dealt a very stiff schedule to start out their campaign in the Big Ten.
Michigan and Michigan State also received few scheduling breaks.
Both must face Ohio State, Nebraska and each other. Additionally, Michigan State must face Wisconsin.
While no game will be easy, Iowa has an increased chance for doing very well because of their favorable schedule in the upcoming football season.
Working through the 2011 schedule, here is how Iowa wins the Legend’s Division:
Saira Mohan Brittny Gastineau Ashley Tisdale Rachel Blanchard Sienna Guillory
Justin Bieber Mashed Up With Slipknot Somehow Sounds Good
Filed under: Humor, Videos, Mash-Ups
Both Justin Bieber and Slipknot have their fair share of haters, but who knew that combining the two would breed such beautiful, harmonious melodies?The very unlikely combination, dubbed "Psychosocial Baby," was created and posted by recent YouTuber Isosine and has the Internet world reeling in a dichotomy of confusion and pure joy.
Everyone's asking, "WHY DOES THIS WORK?" If you know the answer, please indulge us.
- related:// James Earl Jones Singing Justin Bieber's 'Baby' (An Urlesque Mashup)
- related:// 10 Things That Are Older Than Justin Bieber
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Jennifer Garner To Solve Mysteries As Miss Marple
Jennifer Garner is ready to start solving mysteries again, this time Agatha Christie style.
The former "Alias" star has been tapped by Disney to star as Miss Marple in their planned reboot of the mystery series, Deadline reports. Disney's plan for the reboot was to change the character of Miss Marple from being an elderly English [...]
The former "Alias" star has been tapped by Disney to star as Miss Marple in their planned reboot of the mystery series, Deadline reports. Disney's plan for the reboot was to change the character of Miss Marple from being an elderly English [...]
Freida Pinto Eva Longoria Susan Ward Emmy Rossum Kim Yoon jin
EXCLUSIVE 'Harry Potter' Clip Shows The Origin Of Mad-Eye Moody
Narrowing down your favorite supporting characters throughout the whole wide wizarding world of the "Harry Potter" universe is no easy task, but smart money puts Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody towards the top of most fans' lists.
Moody, a crucial member of the Order of the Phoenix and mentor of Harry's, has come to stunning life on the [...]
Moody, a crucial member of the Order of the Phoenix and mentor of Harry's, has come to stunning life on the [...]
Paige Butcher Amanda Peet Xenia Seeberg The Avatars of Second Life Daniella Alonso
Rosie O'Donnell Takes Over Oprah's Studio, 'Mad Men' Return Pushed to 2012 and More
Filed under: TV News
Rosie O'Donnell is taking over Oprah Winfrey's stomping grounds. O'Donnell will tape her new OWN daytime talk show on Winfrey's sound stage when the daytime queen ends her reign on May 25.Yes, O'Donnell is heading to Chicago. "There is an enormous personal respect and value to that little bit of real estate to Oprah," Sheri Salata, president of Harpo Studios, told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I think it's safe to say they have an excellent relationship."
O'Donnell made the announcement to Harpo staffers via video.
The new series will be less celebrity-driven than O'Donnell's previous daytime gig. Instead, the series will tackle real issues that affect everyday people.
In other TV news ...
o. 'Mad Men' won't be on TV until early 2012. Contract negotiations between AMC and creator Matt Weiner have broken down, forcing the delay in premiere. [Deadline]
o. Ken Burns and Lynn Novick will take on 'Vietnam' in a new documentary. 'Vietnam' will be between 10 and 12 hours and broadcast in 2016. [Deadline]
o. David O'Russell will guest star on 'Gossip Girl.' What will 'The 'Fighter' director be doing? Nobody knows ... yet. [Vulture]
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Olympic 'gift' could make British hoop dreams a reality | London 2012
Basketball set to enjoy post-Games boom time if GB teams can secure wildcard entry to London 2012 from Fiba
After more than two decades of slow burn, the National Basketball Association believe next year's London Olympics could light the blue touchpaper for the sport in Britain. There are many, from an organising committee flogging tickets to a government hoping to boost participation ? not to mention the international and domestic federations in charge of the sport ? who hope they are right.
As their impeccably marketed circus rolled into London on Friday for the first regular-season NBA games to be played in Europe, two back-to-back ties between the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets at the O2 Arena, the organisation's deputy commissioner and chief operating officer insisted next summer's Games would have a huge impact. "It's not going to happen overnight. But the Olympics could ignite much broader interest in the game. For people here to see the best in the world play in Olympic competition will, I think, be a life-changing event," says Adam Silver.
It is easy to become inured to grand pronouncements about global growth, and there are already more than enough legacy hopes pinned on next summer's Olympics, but the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) are convinced the Games will be a pivotal moment. The basketball arena on the Olympic Park is a temporary structure, but British Basketball harbour ambitions of moving into the Handball Arena and making it a permanent home for the sport in east London. Beyond 2012, there are embryonic plans to bid for the EuroBasket tournament in 2015 or 2017.
Ever since London won the right to host the Games, basketball has been flagged up as the sort of sport that will drive a virtuous circle of increased participation and better elite performance. It requires comparatively little space or equipment, is suited to urban areas and is popular with both sexes. But harnessing its potential has proved more difficult, with the past two decades littered with attempts to establish a competitive national league and boost performance on the European and world stage. The latest push could yet be derailed by Fiba, who will meet in Lyon a week today to decide whether to gift Team GB one of 12 places at the Games.
Basketball is unusual in that the host nation is not guaranteed a place but depends on the federation awarding it a wildcard. Fiba's general secretary, Patrick Baumann, accepts the British teams deserve to be gifted a place in "sporting terms" despite the fact neither would qualify by merit. But there are wider concerns and Fiba need to be convinced over legacy plans beyond the Games.
"We will be looking at the performance of the team on court. The main objective is to be competitive," Baumann says. "The second aspect is what is going to happen after the Games, how the associations' efforts will be continued. Will the British team exist after the Games? Will it be resurrected only for 2016? How will this country become a basketball country?"
On Friday, in a match that seemed to make more impression on the sold-out crowd as an experience than a sport, the Nets defeated the Raptors 116-103. Last night the Nets needed three overtimes before winning 137-136 to complete the double. Eleven NBA teams have played nine matches in the UK and Silver insists these games were part of an "evolution" designed to see a "European division" established. While acknowledging there are logistical and commercial hurdles to overcome, he foresees a handful of European teams playing in state of the art arenas within a decade.
"One of the things that held the league back until recently is you didn't have these American-style arenas and visions that, economically, can allow you now to make sense out of games like this," says Tim Leiweke, chief executive of AEG, the US sports giant that operates the O2 and has a share in the Los Angeles Lakers. "We have an economic model that can work for the league, but we need six or eight of these in the right markets."
It is easy to believe a combination of US commercial nous and the Olympic spirit could provide a defining moment for British basketball. Whether that feeling persists once the glitter cannons have been put away, the NBA teams have gone home and the hard slog in building the profile of the game resumes may depend on the decision reached in Lyon.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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LSU Football: Opposing Defenses Be-Ware of Running Game in 2011
LSU sophomore running back Spencer Ware quietly made a name for himself as a freshman, but won’t be quiet in 2011.
Ware, making a number change from No. 16 to No. 11, will be featured much more in 2011 than he was in 2010.
A two-sport athlete, Ware will also be playing baseball for the Tigers, and will probably be a No. 1 or No. 2 running back for the football team.
With very few rushing opportunities as a freshman, Ware made his mark catching balls out of the backfield, averaging 10 yards per catch on 11 catches.
His rushing numbers came primarily in two games, a 32-10 victory over McNeese State where he carried the ball five times for 31 yards, and in the Cotton Bowl where he exploded for 102 yards on 10 carries including a long of 26.
Ware is a competitor, so Tiger fans can be assured of one thing: Whether he is the starting running back or a role player, Ware will do whatever it takes to help the Tigers win.
Tiger running back coach Frank Wilson, like many fans, expects Ware to work his way into the starting lineup and increase his touches.
Ware has shown that when he gets touches, he can make things happen.
New offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe has many weapons at his disposal at LSU, but a talented running back like Ware who can make plays on the ground or running routes out of the backfield will make his job a lot easier and a lot more fun.
Having other talented backs to share the workload with will keep Ware fresh and a hopefully improved passing game should help him to exploit defenses with his speed and pass-catching abilities.
Elena Lyons Brooke Burns Lena Headey Ali Larter Angelina Jolie
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