We welcome our fans back to football and invite them to bring their families this Saturday for a special family day at Dolphins Camp," said Mike Dee, Dolphins' CEO. "For the first time ever, we're also offering our fans an on-site pre-sale opportunity to buy single game tickets to any home game before they go on sale to the general public."
The home schedule features some of the top teams in the NFL, with first two home games being prime-time nationally televised games against division rivals.
The Fins' first home contest is against New York Jets jerseys on Sunday night Sept. 26, which will be one of the NFL's signature Hispanic Heritage games and includes Grammy award-winning artist and Dolphins' limited partner Marc Anthony performing the national anthem and a special halftime show (artist to be announced at a later date).
A week later, the Dolphins face the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. Other home games include a Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, with a halftime ceremony for the alumni Honor Roll induction, and contests against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions the day after Christmas.
Because tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and some games are expected to sell out quickly, fans are strongly encouraged to buy their tickets through MiamiDolphins.com or Ticketmaster.com starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday rather than purchasing tickets at the stadium's ticket windows. Tickets will also be available by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or 1-888-FINS-TIX (1-888-346-7849). Fans attending the July 31 team practice will have the special opportunity of purchasing tickets from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. before the tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m.
Individual game tickets start at $45 per game. Season ticket memberships Jake Long start at $34 per game.
Hartline recently switched agents, replacing Ohio-based Neil Cornrich with Miami's Drew Rosenhaus. Rosenhaus did not immediately respond Monday to an email requesting comment on Hartline's case.
FHP continues to investigate who was driving Hartline's 2008 Ford pickup truck at the time of the 4:30 a.m. crash. According to the incident report, the truck collided with an abandoned 2002 Cadillac Escalade just east of Interstate 95 and had to be towed away.
Authorities went to Hartline's residence soon after the crash, but he wasn't home.
With Dolphins jerseys training camp set to open Friday in Davie, Wysocky said it was possible the FHP investigator assigned to the case could try to speak with Hartline at his workplace. The investigator and the state trooper who handled the crash were expected to make further attempts to reach Hartline at his residence.
Wysocky said the FHP hopes to bring Hartline's case to a resolution "fairly soon."
"If he's going to talk to us, he's going to talk," Wysocky said. "If he's not going to talk, there's not much we can do. We can't force him to talk. We'd still like to talk to him to try to get some information."
Wysocky said Hartline picked up his truck two days after the accident, but his silence is delaying an investigation that can't go much further without additional information.
"In reality we don't have a real witness," Wysocky said. "We don't have Chad Pennington anybody to put anybody behind the wheel of that truck. As an owner of a vehicle, you are still supposed to report a crash, but that's just an infraction [subject to a fine]. It's not a criminal offense."
2010年7月26日星期一
2010年7月22日星期四
The Kansas City Wizards and Kansas City Chiefs
I had a bunch of those sports-related meltdowns back then. They were, of course, totally understandable. Too young to be interested in girls, I had what amounted to crushes on the teams I rooted for. When one of them lost an important game, my heart suffered the same piercing that would later be felt whenever it was on the receiving end of "I think we should just be friends."
Like much of childhood, those overreactions seem the product of another person now. Although I still follow several of the same teams, their ability to interfere with my mood has waned to a moment or two of mild disappointment after losses in even the biggest games. I move on quickly and wonder about the priorities — and mental status — of those adults who can't.
In fact I would consider myself perfectly adjusted if not for one nagging blip: Nearly two weeks after the final whistle, I'm still in the doldrums over Holland's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup finals.
There was no tantrum at the end of the game — a favorable response since my Glenn Dorsey wife and I were at another couple's house — but yet the loss has inspired enough of a lingering effect to be unsettling. At least once a day I have visions of Arjen Robben breaking in alone on Spanish goalie Iker Casillas and seeing Casillas safely deflect Robben's shot with a trailing afterthought of a leg.
By this point, I really shouldn't be surprised that Robben's shot was saved. In the span of a few weeks back in 1974, I started playing soccer, learned that I had a great-grandfather from Amsterdam (making me 12% Dutch), and read an article in Sports Illustrated about Johan Cruyff Matt Cassel prior to that summer's World Cup in West Germany. I decided to root for Holland, unaware that it would become the tournament's most mesmerizing team for its revolutionary Total Football style, in which players routinely switched positions.
Favored to win against the hosts in the finals, Holland took a 1-0 lead in the first minute, got overconfident, and watched the resolute Germans recover for a 2-1 win. When I got the final score on the sports-update phone line that I had to call every 10 minutes — the games were not shown on any station our TV antenna could locate — I cried. In retrospect, I should have worked on an extended family tree and searched rigorously for relatives from Brazil.
Four years later came another loss in the World Cup finals in extra time to Argentina, a Holland shot hitting the post in the final minute of regulation time with the score tied 1-1. My initial anger subsided when I considered that the Dutch had made it to the finals in both World Cups I had followed. Surely it was just a matter of time.
The Kansas City Wizards and new Kansas City Chiefs jerseys announced Wednesday that additional upper-level tickets have been released for Sunday's friendly against Manchester United due to high demand. The tickets will cost $20 and are available immediately through Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or at any area Ticketmaster outlet. Special packages are also available through the Kansas City Wizards and can be purchased by calling 1-888-4KC-GOAL. The exhibition match will take place Sunday, July 25 at 5 p.m. CT and will be the first-ever event at the New Arrowhead Stadium.
"Fan response for our match against Manchester United has been Dwayne Bowe tremendous," Wizards President Robb Heineman said. "The great crowd we are expecting Sunday will reinforce that Kansas City is a premier soccer city and that the New Arrowhead Stadium will make an ideal host venue if the FIFA World Cup comes to the United States in 2018 or 2022."
The list of international superstars coming to Kansas City includes legendary midfielders Ryan Giggs (Wales) and Paul Scholes (England), as well as Edwin Van der Sar (Holland), Nani (Portugal) and Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria). Giggs is the only player in English football history to win 11 Premier League championship medals. This record is the equivalent of an American football player winning 11 Super Bowl rings or a baseball player capturing 11 World Series titles. For the transcript of an interview with Giggs about playing in the United States and Kansas City, click here.
Like much of childhood, those overreactions seem the product of another person now. Although I still follow several of the same teams, their ability to interfere with my mood has waned to a moment or two of mild disappointment after losses in even the biggest games. I move on quickly and wonder about the priorities — and mental status — of those adults who can't.
In fact I would consider myself perfectly adjusted if not for one nagging blip: Nearly two weeks after the final whistle, I'm still in the doldrums over Holland's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup finals.
There was no tantrum at the end of the game — a favorable response since my Glenn Dorsey wife and I were at another couple's house — but yet the loss has inspired enough of a lingering effect to be unsettling. At least once a day I have visions of Arjen Robben breaking in alone on Spanish goalie Iker Casillas and seeing Casillas safely deflect Robben's shot with a trailing afterthought of a leg.
By this point, I really shouldn't be surprised that Robben's shot was saved. In the span of a few weeks back in 1974, I started playing soccer, learned that I had a great-grandfather from Amsterdam (making me 12% Dutch), and read an article in Sports Illustrated about Johan Cruyff Matt Cassel prior to that summer's World Cup in West Germany. I decided to root for Holland, unaware that it would become the tournament's most mesmerizing team for its revolutionary Total Football style, in which players routinely switched positions.
Favored to win against the hosts in the finals, Holland took a 1-0 lead in the first minute, got overconfident, and watched the resolute Germans recover for a 2-1 win. When I got the final score on the sports-update phone line that I had to call every 10 minutes — the games were not shown on any station our TV antenna could locate — I cried. In retrospect, I should have worked on an extended family tree and searched rigorously for relatives from Brazil.
Four years later came another loss in the World Cup finals in extra time to Argentina, a Holland shot hitting the post in the final minute of regulation time with the score tied 1-1. My initial anger subsided when I considered that the Dutch had made it to the finals in both World Cups I had followed. Surely it was just a matter of time.
The Kansas City Wizards and new Kansas City Chiefs jerseys announced Wednesday that additional upper-level tickets have been released for Sunday's friendly against Manchester United due to high demand. The tickets will cost $20 and are available immediately through Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or at any area Ticketmaster outlet. Special packages are also available through the Kansas City Wizards and can be purchased by calling 1-888-4KC-GOAL. The exhibition match will take place Sunday, July 25 at 5 p.m. CT and will be the first-ever event at the New Arrowhead Stadium.
"Fan response for our match against Manchester United has been Dwayne Bowe tremendous," Wizards President Robb Heineman said. "The great crowd we are expecting Sunday will reinforce that Kansas City is a premier soccer city and that the New Arrowhead Stadium will make an ideal host venue if the FIFA World Cup comes to the United States in 2018 or 2022."
The list of international superstars coming to Kansas City includes legendary midfielders Ryan Giggs (Wales) and Paul Scholes (England), as well as Edwin Van der Sar (Holland), Nani (Portugal) and Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria). Giggs is the only player in English football history to win 11 Premier League championship medals. This record is the equivalent of an American football player winning 11 Super Bowl rings or a baseball player capturing 11 World Series titles. For the transcript of an interview with Giggs about playing in the United States and Kansas City, click here.
2010年7月20日星期二
As a rookie left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs.
It ended up working out for me being something. Everybody can be something. You don't have to be a pro athlete to be something. As long as you are doing something positive with your life, you are somebody."
While the kids were most excited about the free pizza and other treats, Albert's talk about hard work was heard.
"I want to be just like him. I want to be a football player," said Kyle Nevison, 14, an East eighth-grader. "It makes me want to play more, play harder. It makes me want to play football all day."
Rosamaria Martinez, 13, an eighth-grader at True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School, echoed those sentiments.
"If you have a positive attitude and don't get involved with the wrong group of people then you will turn out to have a good life," she said. "He is a good example, because he started off here."
YMCA camp counselor Jerice Crouch thinks Albert's visit will have a positive impact.
"Not only is he an NFL player, but he is an NFL player from Rochester, so the kids Matt Cassel get to see that a guy from their background, from their backyard, is doing something very big here," said Crouch, who plays point guard for the Rochester RazorSharks basketball team.
It was expected the Chiefs might take a tackle in this year's draft to Glenn Dorsey alleviate the pressure on Albert, who played guard in college. When they took Tennessee safety Eric Berry at No. 5, Albert knew he was given a vote of confidence.
"I am working on mental focus," he said. "A lot of the things that were hindering me at the beginning of the season were mental, it wasn't physical. This year I am more in tune with the offense. I am just ready to help our team win. That is my main goal this year.
"It's a learning process. It was my second year in the NFL and I was learning a new offense. It was an adjustment."
The Chiefs jerseys added a lot of other options to the offense during the offseason, which will likely cut into Chambers' production. Chambers isn't a spring chicken anymore and one has to wonder how motivated he will be now that the Chiefs football jerseys gave him a deal during the offseason.
While the kids were most excited about the free pizza and other treats, Albert's talk about hard work was heard.
"I want to be just like him. I want to be a football player," said Kyle Nevison, 14, an East eighth-grader. "It makes me want to play more, play harder. It makes me want to play football all day."
Rosamaria Martinez, 13, an eighth-grader at True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School, echoed those sentiments.
"If you have a positive attitude and don't get involved with the wrong group of people then you will turn out to have a good life," she said. "He is a good example, because he started off here."
YMCA camp counselor Jerice Crouch thinks Albert's visit will have a positive impact.
"Not only is he an NFL player, but he is an NFL player from Rochester, so the kids Matt Cassel get to see that a guy from their background, from their backyard, is doing something very big here," said Crouch, who plays point guard for the Rochester RazorSharks basketball team.
It was expected the Chiefs might take a tackle in this year's draft to Glenn Dorsey alleviate the pressure on Albert, who played guard in college. When they took Tennessee safety Eric Berry at No. 5, Albert knew he was given a vote of confidence.
"I am working on mental focus," he said. "A lot of the things that were hindering me at the beginning of the season were mental, it wasn't physical. This year I am more in tune with the offense. I am just ready to help our team win. That is my main goal this year.
"It's a learning process. It was my second year in the NFL and I was learning a new offense. It was an adjustment."
The Chiefs jerseys added a lot of other options to the offense during the offseason, which will likely cut into Chambers' production. Chambers isn't a spring chicken anymore and one has to wonder how motivated he will be now that the Chiefs football jerseys gave him a deal during the offseason.
2010年7月18日星期日
Kansas City Chiefs safety Jarrad
The Chiefs expect more from Cassel in 2009, and they hope the improvements on offense and the addition of Weis will give him the kind of confidence he showed two years ago in New England. Cassel was inconsistent last season, and that's something Haley has said he won't stand for. Running Back Jamal Charles showed that he was among the NFL's most talented backs while rushing for 968 yards in the season's final eight weeks. For the season, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry, but Charles is neither big nor durable. He played through a nagging shoulder injury, and that compelled the Chiefs to sign veteran Thomas Jones. Time is running out for Dwayne Bowe to prove he's capable of being a No. 1 receiver. His concentration, judgment and hands are suspect, and despite direct coaching from Haley, Bowe was as inconsistent as ever in 2009.The Chiefs are trying to rebuild their line, and the most looming question centers on left tackle Branden Albert's ability to restore coaches' faith after a disappointing 2009. The 2010 Kansas City Chiefs AFC West Odds to win the division are at +750.
NFL Predictions Defense: Kansas City is still waiting for ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson to live up to the top-5 draft slots in which each was taken, and in the meantime, nosetackle has become a serious concern. Dorsey and Jackson had only sack between them. Outside linebacker Tamba Hali is the team's best pass-rushing threat, but the Chiefs need help at the other linebacker positions. Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel will be 35 when the season starts, so the team has begun to scale down its expectations for him. Kansas City could be on its way toward having one of the AFC's better secondaries if strong safety Eric Berry is as good as advertised, cornerback Brandon Flowers continues to improve and free safety Jarrad Page can stay healthy. The Chiefs used two draft picks to improve at safety, including the No. 5 overall pick on Tennessee's Berry and a fifth-rounder on Kendrick Lewis of Ole Miss. Berry steps directly into a starting job opposite Page, while Lewis will compete for a backup spot. The Kansas City Chiefs Win Total is at 6.5 Dwayne Bowe with the over at -145.
Head Coach\Special Teams: Haley endured a hectic first season, firing Chan Gailey as Matt Cassel offensive coordinator and tabbing himself to call plays. and observers hope the second-year coach matured from the experience. He at least learned that he can't be responsible for everything. Haley hired Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator, bringing an experienced and proven voice to a franchise that lacked both last season. Kansas City was eager to draft Arenas because he should supply immediate help to a kick return game that was nothing short of discouraging last season. Arenas was arguably the best return man in the draft. Kicker Ryan Succop earned the coaches' confidence last year by hitting 25-of-29 field goals, showing off his powerful leg by making seven kicks of 45 yards or longer.
Among the list is new Kansas City Chiefs jerseys safety Jarrad Page.
He previously requested a trade from the team and the Detroit Lions could be his destination.
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports that the Lions are interested in acquiring him.
There's a good chance he could be had for a late-round pick, despite being tendered at the second-round level.
The Lions think the 25-year-old Page would be a good pairing with Louis Delmas in the secondary.
NFL Predictions Defense: Kansas City is still waiting for ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson to live up to the top-5 draft slots in which each was taken, and in the meantime, nosetackle has become a serious concern. Dorsey and Jackson had only sack between them. Outside linebacker Tamba Hali is the team's best pass-rushing threat, but the Chiefs need help at the other linebacker positions. Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel will be 35 when the season starts, so the team has begun to scale down its expectations for him. Kansas City could be on its way toward having one of the AFC's better secondaries if strong safety Eric Berry is as good as advertised, cornerback Brandon Flowers continues to improve and free safety Jarrad Page can stay healthy. The Chiefs used two draft picks to improve at safety, including the No. 5 overall pick on Tennessee's Berry and a fifth-rounder on Kendrick Lewis of Ole Miss. Berry steps directly into a starting job opposite Page, while Lewis will compete for a backup spot. The Kansas City Chiefs Win Total is at 6.5 Dwayne Bowe with the over at -145.
Head Coach\Special Teams: Haley endured a hectic first season, firing Chan Gailey as Matt Cassel offensive coordinator and tabbing himself to call plays. and observers hope the second-year coach matured from the experience. He at least learned that he can't be responsible for everything. Haley hired Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator, bringing an experienced and proven voice to a franchise that lacked both last season. Kansas City was eager to draft Arenas because he should supply immediate help to a kick return game that was nothing short of discouraging last season. Arenas was arguably the best return man in the draft. Kicker Ryan Succop earned the coaches' confidence last year by hitting 25-of-29 field goals, showing off his powerful leg by making seven kicks of 45 yards or longer.
Among the list is new Kansas City Chiefs jerseys safety Jarrad Page.
He previously requested a trade from the team and the Detroit Lions could be his destination.
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports that the Lions are interested in acquiring him.
There's a good chance he could be had for a late-round pick, despite being tendered at the second-round level.
The Lions think the 25-year-old Page would be a good pairing with Louis Delmas in the secondary.
2010年7月14日星期三
The Chiefs did well
The Chiefs did well. Very well in fact.
They came in at third. That seems like a surprise but considering the Dwayne Bowe criteria maybe it shouldn't be.
The following players under 25 or under figure to be big parts of the Chiefs moving forward: Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Branden Albert and even possibly Dwayne Bowe.
Just because we are waiting doesn't mean anyone else is going to. The early reviews and predictions for the 2010 Chiefs are mixed. There seems to be a general consensus out there that the team is improving. Some folks are predicting the Chiefs football jerseys to be dark horse contenders for a playoff spot and others, as Merlin pointed out in his column today, think the Chiefs will be worse in 2010 than they were in 2009!
Addict Nation was rightfully appalled at the Walter Football article Merlin mentioned. Could the Glenn Dorsey Chiefs really finish 3-12? With an easier schedule? With better players and coaches?
Yes.
The fact is, that there is no Lombardi Trophy for having the best offseason. Derrick Johnson On paper the Chiefs are better and on paper their schedule is easier but all that goes out the window come Sunday.
Hundreds of Kansas City Chiefs fans came to shoot a video for the National Football League team. The video featured the new chant for the Chiefs, written by Sand Springs' Morgan Ganem and his band Sownds.
The shoot was for the Chiefs' television show, which will air in 10 major markets later this season, said Jodain Massad, Kansas City Chiefs media and marketing producer, in a statement.
About a hundred or so fans of all ages, decked out in Chiefs red, came to be extras in the music video shoot. They acted as the crowd behind Sownds for scenes in the video.
They came in at third. That seems like a surprise but considering the Dwayne Bowe criteria maybe it shouldn't be.
The following players under 25 or under figure to be big parts of the Chiefs moving forward: Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Branden Albert and even possibly Dwayne Bowe.
Just because we are waiting doesn't mean anyone else is going to. The early reviews and predictions for the 2010 Chiefs are mixed. There seems to be a general consensus out there that the team is improving. Some folks are predicting the Chiefs football jerseys to be dark horse contenders for a playoff spot and others, as Merlin pointed out in his column today, think the Chiefs will be worse in 2010 than they were in 2009!
Addict Nation was rightfully appalled at the Walter Football article Merlin mentioned. Could the Glenn Dorsey Chiefs really finish 3-12? With an easier schedule? With better players and coaches?
Yes.
The fact is, that there is no Lombardi Trophy for having the best offseason. Derrick Johnson On paper the Chiefs are better and on paper their schedule is easier but all that goes out the window come Sunday.
Hundreds of Kansas City Chiefs fans came to shoot a video for the National Football League team. The video featured the new chant for the Chiefs, written by Sand Springs' Morgan Ganem and his band Sownds.
The shoot was for the Chiefs' television show, which will air in 10 major markets later this season, said Jodain Massad, Kansas City Chiefs media and marketing producer, in a statement.
About a hundred or so fans of all ages, decked out in Chiefs red, came to be extras in the music video shoot. They acted as the crowd behind Sownds for scenes in the video.
2010年7月12日星期一
At least one NFL player digs the notion
At least one NFL player digs the notion, however, of playing more games that count. And it's for the same reason the NFL owners want 18 games. Bears linebacker Lance Briggs sees a chance to make more cash.
"I'll take an 18-game schedule over four preseason games where Kevin Boss we all get paid $1,100 a game," Briggs told the Chicago Tribune. "Yes, absolutely, I think that players who are going out there are under-compensated for the work that we put out there on the field in the preseason."
Briggs admitted some downside but believes the pros outweigh the cons of "enhancing" the season. The trick will be how the players and owners split up the new revenue pie.
New York Giants defensive stalwart Justin Tuck was in Ridgewood this morning to shoot a TV commercial for the popular video game Madden NFL 11. The commercial crew was filming in front of Bagelicious on North Broad Street while police closed off the road. As part of the commercial, Tuck got out of an SUV equipped with a flat screen TV in the trunk. He looked for people to play the game with him and picked someone on the sidewalk (an actor) to play with him as a crowd (of actors) gathered to watch. A crowd of about 20 non-actors did gather next to the filming crew to watch the football player film the commercial. Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, was in town yesterday signing Osi Umenyiora his new book at Bookends. Brees will grace the cover of the video game when it is released on Aug. 10.
"I'll take an 18-game schedule over four preseason games where Kevin Boss we all get paid $1,100 a game," Briggs told the Chicago Tribune. "Yes, absolutely, I think that players who are going out there are under-compensated for the work that we put out there on the field in the preseason."
Briggs admitted some downside but believes the pros outweigh the cons of "enhancing" the season. The trick will be how the players and owners split up the new revenue pie.
New York Giants defensive stalwart Justin Tuck was in Ridgewood this morning to shoot a TV commercial for the popular video game Madden NFL 11. The commercial crew was filming in front of Bagelicious on North Broad Street while police closed off the road. As part of the commercial, Tuck got out of an SUV equipped with a flat screen TV in the trunk. He looked for people to play the game with him and picked someone on the sidewalk (an actor) to play with him as a crowd (of actors) gathered to watch. A crowd of about 20 non-actors did gather next to the filming crew to watch the football player film the commercial. Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, was in town yesterday signing Osi Umenyiora his new book at Bookends. Brees will grace the cover of the video game when it is released on Aug. 10.
2010年7月8日星期四
New England Patriots has been fantasy
This former Wolverine must have done cartwheels when Marshall was acquired. After replacing Chad Pennington last season, Henne posted a very respectable 2,878 yards, and twelve touchdowns. He actually produced as a top-15 fantasy quarterback over the last month of the season as well.
With an entire offseason to build rapport with Marshall and get even more comfortable with the offense, he's a popular pick to be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback with good upside. It's hard to argue against looking to acquire him in dynasty leagues right now as the stars seem to be aligned for his success. He has the ability to eventually become a fantasy league starter.
Brian Hartline WR
He'll be competing with Greg Camarillo to be the starter opposite Marshall this season. After leading the Dolphins with 16.3 yards per catch last season, he seems to have the edge. His battle with Camarillo is one to watch as the Dolphins No. 2 wide receiver should have good short- and long-term dynasty value.
Biggest addition: DL Damione Lewis. Sure, Patriots jerseys added Torry Holt, but he is only expected to be the No. 3 WR. Lewis, an underachiever throughout his career, is expected to take over for Jarvis Green at right defensive end.
Key loss: OLB Adalius Thomas. The former Raven never lived up to expectations in Belichick's defense and often publicly clashed with the head coach. It's now an open competition for that spot. Second-round pick Jermaine Cunningham seems to be an early favorite, but Derrick Burgess should also figure into the mix.
Question mark: When will Welker be ready to play? He was running at offseason practices without a limp, only months after having knee surgery (Feb. 2). But there is a chance that Welker will start the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would sideline him for the first six weeks of the season. Julian Edelman is the likely replacement, but speedy second-year WR Brandon Tate is the dark horse.
Projected 2010 finish: 11-5, first in the AFC East. The demise of the New England Patriots jerseys is a little premature. An aging New England roster got injected with four impact rookies: Cunningham, CB Devin McCourty and TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. And never count out a healthy QB Tom Brady, who can still carry a team to the top of the division.
At age 32, he's played more seasons than he has left, but he remains one of the few elite signal callers in fantasy football. It really wouldn't surprise anyone if he led fantasy quarterbacks in scoring this season.
Randy Moss WR
There simply aren't too many things scarier than Randy Moss in a contract year.
While he's getting a little long in the tooth at 33, he's shown no signs of slowing down. After scoring 47 touchdowns in his first three years in New England, the sky's the limit for 2010.
Keep close tabs on his contract status, though.
If you're not a contending team this season, Moss may be the ultimate midseason trade chip. You may not find a better window of opportunity to get value for him in dynasty leagues.
Wes Welker WR
The knee injury he sustained last year is obviously a huge concern with Welker. Word is that he's progressing way ahead of schedule, but you have to take that with a grain of salt. While he may start this season on the PUP list, his long-term outlook is still bright.
He led the league in receptions with 123 and was on pace for a ridiculous 141 last season before the setback. As it was, his reception total of 123 was more than Steve Smith of the Panthers and Mike Sims-Walker of the Jaguars combined . It may take a while for him to return to form, but patience in dynasty leagues should be rewarded.
With an entire offseason to build rapport with Marshall and get even more comfortable with the offense, he's a popular pick to be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback with good upside. It's hard to argue against looking to acquire him in dynasty leagues right now as the stars seem to be aligned for his success. He has the ability to eventually become a fantasy league starter.
Brian Hartline WR
He'll be competing with Greg Camarillo to be the starter opposite Marshall this season. After leading the Dolphins with 16.3 yards per catch last season, he seems to have the edge. His battle with Camarillo is one to watch as the Dolphins No. 2 wide receiver should have good short- and long-term dynasty value.
Biggest addition: DL Damione Lewis. Sure, Patriots jerseys added Torry Holt, but he is only expected to be the No. 3 WR. Lewis, an underachiever throughout his career, is expected to take over for Jarvis Green at right defensive end.
Key loss: OLB Adalius Thomas. The former Raven never lived up to expectations in Belichick's defense and often publicly clashed with the head coach. It's now an open competition for that spot. Second-round pick Jermaine Cunningham seems to be an early favorite, but Derrick Burgess should also figure into the mix.
Question mark: When will Welker be ready to play? He was running at offseason practices without a limp, only months after having knee surgery (Feb. 2). But there is a chance that Welker will start the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would sideline him for the first six weeks of the season. Julian Edelman is the likely replacement, but speedy second-year WR Brandon Tate is the dark horse.
Projected 2010 finish: 11-5, first in the AFC East. The demise of the New England Patriots jerseys is a little premature. An aging New England roster got injected with four impact rookies: Cunningham, CB Devin McCourty and TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. And never count out a healthy QB Tom Brady, who can still carry a team to the top of the division.
At age 32, he's played more seasons than he has left, but he remains one of the few elite signal callers in fantasy football. It really wouldn't surprise anyone if he led fantasy quarterbacks in scoring this season.
Randy Moss WR
There simply aren't too many things scarier than Randy Moss in a contract year.
While he's getting a little long in the tooth at 33, he's shown no signs of slowing down. After scoring 47 touchdowns in his first three years in New England, the sky's the limit for 2010.
Keep close tabs on his contract status, though.
If you're not a contending team this season, Moss may be the ultimate midseason trade chip. You may not find a better window of opportunity to get value for him in dynasty leagues.
Wes Welker WR
The knee injury he sustained last year is obviously a huge concern with Welker. Word is that he's progressing way ahead of schedule, but you have to take that with a grain of salt. While he may start this season on the PUP list, his long-term outlook is still bright.
He led the league in receptions with 123 and was on pace for a ridiculous 141 last season before the setback. As it was, his reception total of 123 was more than Steve Smith of the Panthers and Mike Sims-Walker of the Jaguars combined . It may take a while for him to return to form, but patience in dynasty leagues should be rewarded.
2010年7月6日星期二
Green Bay Packers
new Green Bay Packers jerseys Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ready for more pre-snap responsibility this 2010 NFL season, so believes Head Coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy added "His understanding of the offense has really been intact now, in my opinion, this will be the fourth year, and we'll play to that more and challenge him with more things at the line, I think he is a very good 'at the line' player, whether it's two or three, possibly four-way play selection. I see more improvement, more opportunity for him to do that there, and that's part of our plan as we go into this season."
Recently Rodgers adamantly defended his work ethics, of sorts. As a guest on ESPN Milwaukee 540 AM, he criticized comments made by Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski.
According to Green Bay Packers jerseys head coach Mike McCarthy, wide receiver James Jones filled in admirably for starting slot man Donald Driver (who is recovering from arthroscopic procedures to both knees, performed during the offseason) at the team's recent minicamp, and could be poised for a breakout season if pressed into full-time duty because of Driver's ailing knees. "Outstanding off-season," said McCarthy of Jones' progress during the last Packers minicamp. "If you go through the films, James Jones, just from a production standpoint, probably stands out as one of the top performers through the OTA's. He's gotten a lot of opportunities, particularly in the slot with Donald's absence, and I think he's done a very good job of that."
Fantasy Analysis:
Much is made of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' vast array of weapons in the Green Bay offense, but James Jones' pure athletic ability is rivaled on the Packer roster only by good friend (and starting flanker), Greg Jennings. Coming off his sixth straight 1,000-yard season (and seventh in eight years), incumbent slot man Donald Driver has been the model of consistency since breaking into the team's starting lineup in 2002. But Father Time catches up with everyone eventually, and the writing is on the wall in Wisconsin. Although Driver has recently said that he feels better than he has in years (after the dual knee scopes in January) and that he intends to play until he's 40, everyone feels great during preseason workouts, and the real measure of Driver's health won't come until the pads come on for real in September. Rodgers is notorious for spreading the rock around to his various options downfield, but with 34 pass attempts (on average) per game in 2009, there is also a lot of love to go around. If Driver finally begins to show his age this season, Jones appears ripe to step right in as Rodgers' No. 2 man (assuming, of course, that Jennings regains
Recently Rodgers adamantly defended his work ethics, of sorts. As a guest on ESPN Milwaukee 540 AM, he criticized comments made by Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski.
According to Green Bay Packers jerseys head coach Mike McCarthy, wide receiver James Jones filled in admirably for starting slot man Donald Driver (who is recovering from arthroscopic procedures to both knees, performed during the offseason) at the team's recent minicamp, and could be poised for a breakout season if pressed into full-time duty because of Driver's ailing knees. "Outstanding off-season," said McCarthy of Jones' progress during the last Packers minicamp. "If you go through the films, James Jones, just from a production standpoint, probably stands out as one of the top performers through the OTA's. He's gotten a lot of opportunities, particularly in the slot with Donald's absence, and I think he's done a very good job of that."
Fantasy Analysis:
Much is made of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' vast array of weapons in the Green Bay offense, but James Jones' pure athletic ability is rivaled on the Packer roster only by good friend (and starting flanker), Greg Jennings. Coming off his sixth straight 1,000-yard season (and seventh in eight years), incumbent slot man Donald Driver has been the model of consistency since breaking into the team's starting lineup in 2002. But Father Time catches up with everyone eventually, and the writing is on the wall in Wisconsin. Although Driver has recently said that he feels better than he has in years (after the dual knee scopes in January) and that he intends to play until he's 40, everyone feels great during preseason workouts, and the real measure of Driver's health won't come until the pads come on for real in September. Rodgers is notorious for spreading the rock around to his various options downfield, but with 34 pass attempts (on average) per game in 2009, there is also a lot of love to go around. If Driver finally begins to show his age this season, Jones appears ripe to step right in as Rodgers' No. 2 man (assuming, of course, that Jennings regains
2010年7月5日星期一
3 big questions facing Bears
The Bears are optimistic the pieces are there; they just haven't been set, based on what offensive line coach Mike Tice has said all offseason. The competition at left guard between Johan Asiata, Josh Beekman, and Lance Louis dominated recent headlines, but Tice continues to indicate that other battles are brewing.
It appears center Olin Kreutz and left tackle Chris Williams are the only players whose jobs are secure at this point. Tice's plan is to get the best five linemen on the field at the same time. So realistically, that leaves competition at both guard spots, and possibly right tackle, which is manned by Frank Omiyale.
Roberto Garza and Omiyale are expected to start at right guard and tackle, respectively. But there's a small chance that Louis and/or Kevin Shaffer could break through at one of those spots while rookie J'Marcus Webb and James Marten appear to be on the way to backup roles.
The line seems to be operating smoother, faster and more technically sound -- in shorts. Tice's expertise, coaching style and attention to detail should pay dividends once the group straps on the pads.
General manager Jerry Angelo acknowledged to the Lake County News-Sun recently that the offensive line is "the biggest question mark." Because of the time it takes to develop true continuity up front, it's imperative the Bears start answering such internal questions as quickly as possible.
Is the depth at cornerback sufficient?
Angelo and the staff aren't doing their jobs effectively if they're not concerned about what the club would do if Zack Bowman or Charles Tillman suffered an injury that would force them to miss time. So it's pretty much a given the Bears are keeping a close watch and thoroughly evaluating the roster's depth at the position.
Corey Graham worked at the nickel spot throughout the offseason, and performed well, along with free-agent addition Tim Jennings. But it's one thing to excel against the same familiar players day after day at practice, as opposed to holding your own against unfamiliar foes in game situations. At 6-0 Graham, who started nine games in 2008, possesses a size advantage over Jennings (listed at 5-8) and two-year veteran D.J. Moore (5-9).
Fifth-round pick Joshua Moore and Woodny Turenne -- who spent most of last season on the practice squad -- possess good size, too. One of them could emerge as the top candidate for the No. 3 spot. Two NFL scouts considered Moore to be one of the draft's best in terms of man-to-man coverage, but said their respective teams were scared off by other issues. There's also a chance -- if his current situation at safety doesn't pan out -- that Danieal Manning could find himself back in the nickel cornerback role.
It's likely the Chicago Bears also are pondering whether they should bring in a veteran to compete for the job. The only problem with that is, aside from a few veterans clearly on the down side of their careers, there's really not much talent available.
What contingency plans should be implemented at safety?
The Chicago Bears paid quite a bit of lip service to revamping the safeties, and even traded to re-acquire veteran Chris Harris, in addition to drafting Major Wright. But those moves don't guarantee the Bears will improve at safety. So it's safe to say the club is exploring every possible combination at the position, because it's clear the Bears aren't entirely set there.
The Bears came out of the offseason with Harris as the starter at free safety, with Manning playing strong. It's too early to make a definitive judgment, but early indications are that Harris might lack the requisite speed and change-of-direction skills (likely due to past knee injuries) to stick as the starting free safety. Wright, meanwhile, clearly lacks the experience to step in immediately as the starter.
Still, it wouldn't be a surprise if Wright emerged as the starter opposite Manning. The Bears could simplify their already uncomplicated Cover 2-heavy scheme for Wright, which would allow the rookie to play fast without overthinking his reads. There also seem to be questions concerning Manning, who is perceived by some to lack instincts in coverage.
The club likes the idea of keeping Manning at strong safety because of his speed, tackling skills, and ability to handle most one-on-one matchups against tight ends. But if Manning falters, it's not unrealistic to think the Bears would flip-flop him and Harris, or maybe even move Harris to strong safety to pair opposite Wright. Craig Steltz, who worked opposite Wright on the second team this offseason, could also find himself in the mix. So could Al Afalava, a third-teamer, who started 13 games last season and tied for second on the team in pass breakups, yet strangely fell out of favor.
At this juncture, the possibilities at safety appear endless. The Bears desperately need to find the perfect fit at the position, but can't afford to waste too much time experimenting.
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