Anatomy of a Disaster: A Parallel Timeline between the 2011 Boston Red Sox and the Demise of the Andrea Gail as Depicted in the Film “The Perfect Storm”
By Chris Marakovitz
Note the Red Sox hat.
It was on September 20, 1991 that the Andrea Gail shipped out off the coast of Massachusetts with the highest of hopes. Like the 2011 Boston Red Sox, the crew of the Gail expected to sail deep into the month of the October.
It was not to be. Not for the Andrea Gail. Not for the 2011 Red Sox.
What follows is a point-by-point breakdown of the demise of the one (2011 Red Sox) in terms of the other (Andrea Gail)- based on depictions offered in the film The Perfect Storm.
Get Aceves up in the bullpen.
1. Meet the Skippers: Billy Tyne and Tito Francona
Admittedly there are some stark differences between the men who presided over the respective disasters. Billy Tyne had a chip on his shoulder. He had something to prove- maybe too much to prove. Tito acted like a man with far too little to prove.
Billy Tyne was quick to verbally bitchslap any member of his crew who showed the slightest indication of going soft. Tito enabled the considerable softness in his own ranks by coddling and defending a crew of overpaid, underachieving clowns.
Billy Tyne was restless. Tito Francona was complacent. What they had in common was a willingness to believe- even in the face of contrary evidence- that they were on the right course, that everything would work out in the end.
Key Quotes:
Tyne: “I always find the fish. Always! And I will this time. So don’t fuck with me!”
Red Sox Equivalent: Francona’s generally entitled and condescending attitude, as if to say: “Calm down, you nitwit fans and media, I’ve won two rings. So don’t fuck with me!”
2. The Journey Begins: Things Don’t Go as Planned
Like the 2011 Red Sox, the guys on the Andrea Gail thought success was inevitable. Perhaps they thought it would come easily. But it doesn’t work that way. You have to want it. You have to earn it. And right from the get go, neither the Andrea Gail (no fish) nor the 2011 Red Sox (2-10 start) were delivering the goods.
Key Quotes:
Bobby Shatford: “Hey. You promised me a shitload of fish!”
Red Sox Nation: “Has Carl Crawford ever actually played baseball before?”
3. The Hot Streak
Sometimes, though, you just can’t hold a good team down. Everything changed for the Andrea Gail when Billy Tyne busted a move and hit the motherlode at the old Flemish Cap. For the 2011 Red Sox it was a mid-May swing through Yankee Stadium that jumpstarted a 7-0/13-2 run that would get Tito and company right back in the race.
Key Quotes:
Andrea Gail crew: “We’re gonna party at the Crow’s Nest and we’re all gonna get laid- even Bugsy with the fat redhead!”
Red Sox Nation: “Wow. Adrian Gonzalez really does look good in a Red Sox uniform, doesn’t he?”
Ominous.
4. The Ominous Sign
Andrea Gail: The refrigerator dies.
Fucking Bob Brown! The guy who owned the Andrea Gail was a cheap, blood-sucking bastard who refused to get a new refrigerator for the boat when the old one was obviously breaking down. And when it finally died once and for all- the Gail crew faced a tough decision. Sail back home through a brutal storm while the catch is still fresh or wait out the storm and let the fish go bad.
2011 Red Sox: The rapidly spoiling John Lackey openly castigates his fielders from the mound.
Fucking Theo Epstein! The guys who own the Red Sox have so much money they don’t know what to do with it! Just because John Lackey happens to be the next best thing on a weak free agent market the year after after the Yankees land Texeira doesn’t mean you have to go out and throw 5 years, 82.5 million at the guy. Now the 2011 Red Sox face their own difficult choice: try to bring this ship into the port with the likes of John Lackey, Tim Wakefield, Andrew Miller and Eric Bedard rounding out the rotation or, I don’t know, something else maybe? Like how about making Aceves a starter?
5. The Perfect Storm Gathers
Andrea Gail: TV Meteorologist Todd Gross is awestruck by what he sees developing…
Gross: “Look, look at this. We got Hurricane Grace moving north off the Atlantic seaboard. Huge… getting massive. Two, this low south of Sable Island, ready to explode. Look at this. Three, a fresh cold front swooping down from Canada. But it’s caught a ride on the jet stream… and is motoring hell-bent towards the Atlantic. What if Hurricane Grace runs smack into it? Add to the scenario this baby off Sable Island, scrounging for energy. She’ll start feeding off both the Canadian cold front… and Hurricane Grace. You could be a meteorologist all your life… and never see something like this. It would be a disaster of epic proportions. It would be… the perfect storm.”
Red Sox Nation: “Look, look at this. We got complacency creeping up the Atlantic seaboard. Huge…getting masive. Two, injuries are killing us. Youkilis. Buchholz. Beckett and Lester missing some time as well. It’s uncanny. Three, incredible cold streaks gathering momentum. Crawford. Lackey. Even Adrian Gonzalez cooling considerably down the stretch. And what’s worse, there’s the Boston media, just magnifying the slide beyond anything imaginable. And here come the Rays, moving up rapidly in the standings from the south Atlantic. What if they run smack into us? Add to the scenario the increasing sense of panic closing in among Red Sox players over time as they realize the magnitude of what they’re caught up in. A choke job just waiting to happen…feeding off the cold streaks. Who’s pitching today? Wakefield? God help us. You could be a baseball fan all your life and never see something like this. It would be a disaster of epic proportions. It would be…the greatest collapse in baseball history.”
Mayday!
6. Desperate Pleas from the Outside
Remarkably, even with ominous signs piling up, both the Andrea Gail and the 2011 Red Sox sail on, oblivious to their impending doom.
Key Quotes:
Linda Greenlaw [warning Billy over the radio]: “Billy? Get outta there! Come about! Let it- let it carry you out of there! What the hell are you doing? Billy! For Christ sake! You’re steaming into a bomb! Turn around for Christ sake! Billy, can ya hear me? You’re headed right for the middle of the monster! Billy?…” [starts crying]
2011 Red Sox equivalent: A fan warning the Red Sox as Jimi Hendrix finishes playing over the Fenway PA system at the final home game: “Jimi Hendrix has more life than you guys!” [starts crying]
Clooney!
7. Battling the Storm
Andrea Gail: The crew fights valiantly, engaging in numerous acts of selfless heroism to save themselves in the face of insurmountable odds.
2011 Red Sox equivalent: None.
Okay, that’s not totally fair. I can think of maybe two examples worth mentioning:
1. Alfredo Aceves pitches 42 days in a row down the stretch in a desperate bid to bridge the gap between mediocre 5-inning starters and Bard/Pap. If Aceves’ arm goes out within the next year he should sue Tito.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury makes a valiant bid to put the team on his back in the final days and then literally runs into a wall…and drops the ball.
Good God! It's the Tampa Bay Devil Rays!
8. The Really Big Wave
Andrea Gail: Mark Wahlberg and George Clooney- along with movie audiences everywhere- look on in horror as a gargantuan 100 foot wave rises up before them.
2011 Red Sox: During a rain delay in Baltimore, Red Sox players- and Nation fans everywhere- look on in horror as the Tampa Bay Rays mount an impossible comeback from a 7-0 deficit in the eighth inning.
9. Facing the Abyss
Andrea Gail: As the water rises around him, Dale “Murph” Murphy speaks his last words: “This is going to be hard on my little boy.”
2011 Red Sox: As Carl Crawford flails around in left-field and the winning run rounds third, Red Sox dads everywhere cringe: “This is going to be hard on my little boy.”
COMING SOON: The Rock Box Sports 2011 Postseason Preview and Selections…
10 GREAT MARCH MADNESS MONSTER DUNKS
“I like the dunk. It’s a high percentage play.” -Guy Lewis, Head Coach, Phi Slamma Jamma
10. Vince Carter, North Carolina- 1996
In honor of Championship Week we include this one-handed monster in-bounder from Vince Carter in the 1996 ACC Tournament. Carter was one of the greatest- if not the greatest- dunker of the modern era and this clip shows why: incredible rise, timing, mid-air dexterity and the strength to go get it and finish with authority in traffic.
9. Stanley Robinson, UCONN- 2009
Perhaps you remember this instant classic follow-up slam from Robinson in the midst of UCONN’s late bid to close the gap against Michigan State in the national semis. Big bonus here for the element of surprise. You never saw this one coming- it was sudden and it was EPIC. Most of all, though, it’s the perfectly timed guttural sound effect that sets this one apart.
8. Durrell Summers, Michigan State- 2009
This time it’s Stanley Robinson on the wrong end of a Durrell Summers power thrust in the very same game. The Dunk giveth and the Dunk taketh away.
7. Hakim Warrick, Syracuse- 2003
Two words: WING SPAN.
6. Blake Griffin, Oklahoma- 2009
Griffin had several monsters in the 2009 Tourney. This one shows him at his Vince Carter-esque best. He might not be as athletic as Carter, but Griffin’s strength makes him one of the great power dunkers of the modern era.
5. Darrell Griffith, Louisville- 1980
Gotta give a nod Dr. Dunkenstein. This isn’t necessarily one of his best, but the clip is nevertheless highly entertaining. Take note of the alarmingly unsexy outfits of the Louisville cheerleaders and stick around for the replay to hear Al McGuire’s timely reference to Griffith’s mid-dunk “disco move.”
4. Earl Watson, UCLA- 2000
Time out for a brief tribute to the alley-oop, one of the pivotal developments in slam dunk history. In this case it’s the passer making the spectacular play as much if not more than the finisher. Nobody had better touch than Earl Watson, particularly in this 2000 tourney dismantling of Maryland.
3. Darvin Ham, Texas Tech- 1996
The ultimate power dunking bona fides.
2. Benny Anders, Houston- 1983
While Darrell Griffith’s “Around the World” dunk doesn’t quite stand the test of time, the offerings of the early 80’s travelling dunkfest known as Phi Slamma Jamma have aged remarkably well. Watching the crowd and announcers wet their pants with excitement over Griffith’s dunk in 1980 while a modern audience views it with a barely stifled yawn, one would think that the bar has just risen over time. Old clips are fun for their short shorts and high socks but surely the players of the 80’s had athletic limitations that have been far exceeded today. Maybe that’s a valid assumption, but it doesn’t apply in the case of the Houston Cougars circa 1983. Obviously there was some sort of internal culture with this set of players that embraced and nurtured the art of the dunk. Not only did the team produce world class dunkers among NBA talents like Drexler, Olajuwon, Michael Young and Larry Micheaux, but the Cougars had a sixth man named Benny Anders who, according to Drexler, was the best athlete of them all. The interesting thing about Anders is that he so loved the dunk that he neglected other areas of his game, never developing as a complete player, never becoming a starter, and eventually quitting the team in 1984 in response to a lack of playing time. But for anyone of a certain age who saw him play, Benny Anders goes down as one of the great dunkers of all time and is every bit as memorable a member of the Phi Slamma Jamma fraternity as Olajuwon or Drexler. Watch here as Anders takes a perefect angle for maximum dunkability, extends himself completely and then snaps back down on the rim like a coiled spring. Favorite part: Anders lies on the ground for a few seconds to milk the moment then gets up and about 00:12 on the clip watch as he pats Louisville’s Charles Jones on the ass after just dunking in his face on national television. A few seconds later, around 00:17, Anders is still milking, pointing to the crowd. Can you imagine a Duke guy acting like that? Probably not, because you can’t imagine a Duke guy dunking like that. I’m half-surprised Anders didn’t walk out to center court and take a bow. As far as I’m concerned he fucking should have. God bless you, Bennie Anders, wherever you are today.
1. Clyde Drexler, Houston- 1983
Clyde Drexler was a circus freak dunker and my nominee for the title of best ever- college, pro, tourney, regular season, whatever. The nickname Clyde “The Glide” isn’t just a convenient play on words. It pretty much sums up the visual effect of Drexler’s game. Whereas Jordan famously had the ability to hang in mid air, Drexler could literally glide, taking off impossibly early and rising upward as if moving along an invisible conveyer belt on an upward plane. Upon arrival at the rim, Drexler finished the job as swiftly and powerfully as anyone, always earning a perfect 10 style points in the process. Arms and legs flailing, a great Drexler dunk was like a shark attack- sudden, violent, decisive.
TOURNEY COUNTDOWN: TEN GREATEST LEGENDS OF MARCH MADNESS
We kick off our Tourney Countdown with a little historical perspective: the ten players who have posted the most impressive NCAA tournament performances over the course of their college careers. Interesting to note that nobody on this list postdates 1992. That’s a sign of the times- anyone of this generation remotely as dominant as the players on this list is going one and done or straight to the pros. The era of the 2-4 year sustained postseason presence is fading fast. All the more reason to take a minute to highlight the greats of bygone times…Click pics to enlarge.
10. Austin Carr, Notre Dame- 1969-1971
The only player on our list not to reach the Final Four, Carr never got past the Sweet Sixteen. He did, however, post a 41.3 scoring average in seven career games. Carr owns three of the top five single game scoring totals in tournament history including an all-time best 61 vs. Ohio in 1970.
9. Jerry West, West Virginia- 1958-1960
Little known fact: West played forward in college. Sure he averaged 30.6 in nine career tournament games, but you might be surprised to learn that he also averaged 13.8 rebounds. The future NBA logo led the Mountaineers to the championship game in 1959, earning tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP) honors even in a losing effort.
8. Glen Rice, Michigan- 1986-1989
Michigan’s all-time leading scorer was epic in 1989, scoring a single tournament record 184 points in leading the Wolverines to their only national title. Rice played in four tourneys, averaging 23.7 along with 6.3 boards and 2.7 assists en route to a 10-3 record.
7. Elvin Hayes, Houston- 1966-1968
The “Big E” led Houston to consecutive Final Fours, running into the UCLA buzzsaw both times after knocking off the Bruins in a January, 1968 regular season showdown with Jabbar in the Astrodome that was dubbed “The Game of the Century.” Hayes never got past Jabbar to claim a title, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. He was spectacular in 1968, posting tournament averages of 31 points and 19.4 boards.
6. Danny Manning, Kansas- 1985-1988
Perhaps the greatest one-man show in tournament history, Manning led Kansas to two Final Fours in three years, winning it all in 1988. His supporting cast was so suspect that the team was coined “Danny and the Miracles.” In the ’88 title game Manning went for 31 points, 18 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks.
5. Bill Bradley, Princeton- 1963-1965
Imagine a time where Ivy League teams went to the Final Four and featured the best player in the country. Now we’re going, as Chris Berman would say, back back back. Bradley, the erstwhile senator from New Jersey and 1965 tourney MOP, averaged 33.7 points and 12 boards in nine career games, posting a 91.6 FT percentage (87/95) and bombing Wichita State for 58 in his final career game back in the day when the Final Four featured a “consolation game” for the losers in the semis.
4. Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati- 1958-1960
Robertson helped build a dynasty at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to consecutive Final Fours in ’59 and ’60. In ten career games he averaged 32 points, 13 rebounds and 9.4 assists, putting up 56 against Arkansas as a sophomore and posting a mad triple-double (39-17-10) against Louisville in the ’59 Final Four.
3. Christian Laetner, Duke- 1989-1992
In one of the more remarkable feats in sports history, Laetner went to four Final Fours, reaching the championship game in ’90 and then winning titles in ’91 and ’92. In four years of college he played in 23 of a possible 24 NCAA tournament games. Duke’s record in those games: 21-2.
2. Bill Walton, UCLA- 1972-1974
Walton played in an era when freshman were ineligible, limiting him to three Final Fours. He won two titles, posting an 11-1 record, averaging 21/14.7/3 and an all-time best 68.6% from the field. In the ’73 championship game he was near perfect with 44 points on 21 for 22 shooting.
1. Lew Alcindor, UCLA- 1967-1969
Before changing his name to Kareem and becoming an NBA great, Alcindor was the most unstoppable force in college basketball history. Three national titles, three tourney MOP’s, a perfect 12-0 career record, and averages of 25/16.8/2 make Alcindor the best performer the month of March has ever seen.
-Chris Marakovitz
ROCK BOX SPORTS
COMING SOON:
-Ten Great March Madness Monster Dunks
-Players to Watch in 2011 Tourney
-Who is This Year’s George Mason: Breaking Down the Mid Majors
-Bracket Breakdowns
-Analysis and Predictions Throughout the Tourney
ROCK BOX SPORTS 2010 NFL PREVIEW AND MUSIC PLAYLIST: 32 TEAMS…32 SONGS
Matt Leinart's football career could be going the way of Dustin Diamond's acting career.
Arizona Cardinals: “Baby Come Back”- Player
Come back Kurt Warner. The Arizona Cardinals (and the NFL) are missing you desperately right about now. Turns out that replacing Warner with Matt Leinart was a little like replacing Robert DeNiro with Screech from “Saved By the Bell.” Seriously. One guy is a gridiron warrior, a Super Bowl champion, a likely Hall of Famer, dedicated to God and family. The other guy does beer funnels with high school chicks. So the Cards could be going with Derek Anderson, but either way the quarterback position looks like a deal breaker for 2010. Still, they’ll be fine in the long run. Ken Whisenhunt will make sure of it. He came out west from Pittsburgh and, at heart, he likes power running and defense. Warner’s departure marks the beginning of the transition to a new style. Whisenhunt nabbed two outstanding defensive players in the draft. Space-clogging nose tackle Dan Williams (6-2, 327) could anchor a stiff run defense for years to come while speedy linebacker Daryl Washington plugs the hole created by Karlos Dansby’s departure. If Whisenhunt has his way, and I think he will eventually, this team could reinvent itself as Pittsburgh Steelers West.
Atlanta Falcons: “Coming Up”- Paul McCartney
The loss of Michael Turner for several games last year proved too much to overcome for an offense that depends on Turner to move the chains and set up the play action pass. Turner looks healthy and refreshed for 2010 and that bodes well for the team’s playoff chances. Defensively they made one key free agent addition with the signing of outstanding cornerback Dunta Robinson from Houston. The team also welcomes back defensive lineman Peria Jerry, last year’s first round pick, who missed virtually his entire rookie season due to injury. Adding Robinson, Jerry, and this year’s first rounder, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, brings in three potential impact players that could change the face of the defense. All in all this team was devastated by injuries last year- and they still went 9-7. If they stay healthy they could be better than the 11-5 Falcon team that made the playoffs two years ago.
Baltimore Ravens: “How Soon is Now”- The Smiths
Ed Reed is a warrior.
The arrival of Anquan Boldin is huge for a team that may have been one good receiver away from the Super Bowl last season. Ray Rice is a real weapon out of the backfield and Joe Flacco should step up now that he actually has someone to throw to. And the offensive line is one of the best in the game. So there’s plenty of good young talent on offense. But let’s face it, the identity of this team emanates from the graybeards on defense, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, both of whom have been waging war with Father Time for years. This can’t go on forever. Lewis has to slow down eventually and Reed is extremely unlikely to play beyond this season. If they can both stay healthy and productive through the playoffs, they can go out on top. In essence, the Ravens are hoping that, for one glorious moment in time, the great defense of teams past and the blossoming young offense that may well mark their future, can sufficiently overlap. For Lewis and Reed, the time is now.
Buffalo Bills: “The Old Main Drag”- The Pogues
Things could get ugly in Buffalo.
All of a sudden the rough-and-tumble AFC East is a nasty place to be if you’re the Buffalo Bills- sort of like London’s “Old Main Drag” where Pogues frontman Shane McGowan suffered all kinds of unspeakable indignities, not the least of which included getting “shat on and spat on and raped and abused.” That’s pretty much the kind of treatment the Bills can expect in 2010. Actually there are some redeeming qualities here. Buffalo’s defensive backfield is stellar and rookie C.J. Spiller could be explosive. Offensive line and quarterback are real problems, though, as are the six games against New England, New York and Miami.
Carolina Panthers: “It Takes Two”- Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston
Does anybody realize that DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are one of the best running back tandems in NFL history and, very possibly, when all is said and done, could wind up as THE BEST. Last year the Williams-Stewart two-headed monster became just the sixth duo in NFL history to run for 1000 yards each, posting the highest combined total for two backs EVER. Even more remarkably, as our friends at coldhardfootballfacts.com point out, Williams and Stewart both averaged over five yards a carry last year, a feat matched only by the Larry Csonka-Mercury Morris duo of the ’72 Dolphins. Coldhardfootballfacts also notes that if Williams averages 5+ ypc with 200+ carries again this year he will become only the third back in history to do so for three consecutive seasons. The other two? Marshall Faulk and Jim Brown.
Cincinnati Bengals: “On the Road Again”- Willie Nelson
This year’s Bengal squad may be better than last year’s playoff version, but with a brutal schedule the improvement may not show up in the standings. The road schedule is particularly daunting. Aside from their annual visits to Baltimore and Pittsburgh the Bengals will also face the Patriots, Falcons, Colts and Jets on the road. The defense and running games are solid if not spectacular but let’s not get carried away with the TO signing. This ain’t the TO of old. Moving the ball through the air could remain an Achilles heel. Cincy should beat the teams they’re supposed to beat but they can’t hang with the big boys- and there are many on the schedule.
Chicago Bears: “Blowin’ in the Wind”- Bob Dylan
Why in the name of Ditka would a team try and institute the Mike Martz offense in a place like Chicago? Actually, at this point, we might ask why a team would institute the Martz offense at all. But, surely, if you were gonna try it, the place to do so would be in a warm weather climate or a dome. There’s a reason why the Bears have never had great quarterbacks: because it’s damn near impossible to throw the ball consistently in Soldier Field with the wind whipping around off the lake in the dead of winter. The relatively few good Bear teams of the past have always succeeded with defense, special teams, and smashmouth running games, not pass-happy finesse. Oh yeah, and there’s not an established NFL receiver on the roster and the quarterback dishes out turnovers like candy on Halloween. Other than that everything’s great. So will the Martz experiment succeed in Soldier Field? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
Cleveland Browns: “Patience”- Guns N Roses
For the first time in a while there is actually some hope in Cleveland, particularly now that Mike Holmgren is running the show. Believe it or not, the Browns have one of the top offensive lines in the game. The skill positions, on the other hand, leave a little something to be desired. If rookie running back Montario Hardesty is the real deal they might be able to run it a bit, but the lack of a passing threat won’t help. Defensively the front line is potentially good, but plenty of holes remain elsewhere. They’ll be better than they were last season, but there’s still a ways to go.
Dallas Cowboys: “Wishing on a Star”- Rose Royce
Cowboy stock seems to be falling as the season approaches largely due to age and injuries on the offensive line. But the defense was dominant down the stretch last season, holding the Saints to 17 points on the road and pitching shutouts in their last two games. Offensively they now add Dez Bryant to an attack that was hardly anemic to begin with. They deserve to be the favorites in the division. The question is, do you really want to put your money on Romo and Wade Phillips in the playoffs? I’ll pass.
Denver Broncos: “My Way”- Frank Sinatra
As demonstrated last year when he jettisoned Jay Cutler, and again this year when he drafted Tim Tebow, Broncos coach Josh McDaniel does things His Way. Let the record show, however, that his team took some blows coming into the season. With a revamped defensive line, the Broncos appeared to be on their way to fielding a top-ten caliber defense in 2010. That was before their best player, Elvis Dumervil, went down for the season. On the other side of ball key offensive lineman Ryan Clady is expected to miss at least three months as well. This is a problem for an offense conspicuously lacking in explosiveness at the skill positions. McDaniel is a good young coach, so the season shouldn’t be a total disaster. If he has his team in the playoff hunt he gets my vote for coach of the year.
Detroit Lions: “Cool Change”- Little River Band
Maybe Rocky Balboa said it best after his defeat of Ivan Drago in Rocky IV: “If I can change…then you can change…everybody can change!” Okay, changing the hearts of Cold War Russians and singlehandedly avoiding nuclear armageddon is one thing, but what about the Detroit Lions? Can they change too? Now that’s a challenge. Suddenly, however, Jim Schwartz and company seem to be moving in the right direction. Expecting this team to contend for a playoff spot is too much to ask, but make no mistake, positive change is in the air. Matt Stafford showed great physical and mental toughness last season to go along with the physical tools and football IQ we already knew he had. Calvin Johnson is a stud and the arrival of Nate Burleson means that teams can’t double and triple team him like they did last year. Late first round pick Jahvid Best could provide an explosive option in the running game. On defense, the signings of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams, in combination with the drafting of Ndamukong Suh, should instantly transform the defensive line from a joke into a nightmare for opposing teams. The back end of the defense remains a problem, but a disruptive defensive line can cover up a few blemishes elsewhere. Don’t look now, but the Lions are headed towards respectability.
Green Bay Packers: “Bring it on Home”- Led Zeppelin
The 2010 Pack is looking to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home to Lambeau Field and they’ve got the talent to do it. Aaron Rodgers may not have made the Cheeseheads forget his predecessor altogether, but he is certainly easing the adjustment to the Post-Favrian calendar. Charles Woodson was as good as it gets last year and his fellow defenders should be much improved in the second year of the Dom Capers scheme. This is the team to beat in the NFC North. What remains to be seen is whether coach Mike McCarthy can take them to the next level (i.e. the Super Bowl).
Houston Texans: “Just Once”- James Ingram
Considering that the Texans are the only franchise in the four major sports never to have qualified for postseason play, it would be nice if, just once, they could find a way to finally make it right, make the magic last for more than just one night. A perennial darkhorse pick in the AFC, 2010 could be the year they finally get over the hump. After a rough start the defense gelled down the stretch and Matt Schaub threw for the sixth highest single season yardage total in NFL history. Once Brian Cushing returns Houston will have one of the best set of linebackers in the game, and Mario Williams is no slouch on the defensive line. Problem is, they’ve got to find a way to avoid their traditional slow start with Cushing suspended for the first four.
Indianapolis Colts: “The Beat Goes On”- Sonny and Cher
The beat goes on in the AFC South where the Colts continue to rack up regular season wins (followed by postseason flameouts.) One of these days Houston is going to step up and make this a race. And there’s always the Super Bowl loser hex working against the Colts as well. But with Bob Sanders reportedly feeling good and some good young speed rushers coming in through the draft, the Colts have to be considered the division favorites once again. Indy’s front office is among the best in the game and the constant flow of good new young players keeps this team at the top year after year. Now if only Manning can be as scintillating against playoff competition as he is against the Jaguars in October they might actually win another championship. Until then, they are looking more and more like the Atlanta Braves of the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars: “Who Are You”- The Who
Quick, name four guys who play for the Jaguars. Sure you know Maurice Jones-Drew. Maybe David Garrard. If you play fantasy football you might know Mike Sims-Walker. Things get a little dicey from there. Let’s just say this isn’t the sexiest team in the league. That said, they could be solid. Jack Del Rio needs to make the playoffs to keep his job and he knows it. Could make for an inspired effort and maybe a surprising run at playoff contention.
Kansas City Chiefs: “New Day Rising”- Husker Du
There are signs of a possible breakout- at least offensively- and if you have to pick somebody to come out of nowhere and shock the Chargers, the Chiefs could be that team. Unlike the NBA, which is a player’s league, coaching makes all the difference in the NFL. And the Chiefs now have one of the better staffs in the league with Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel coming as coordinators. With Jamal Charles, Thomas Jones, Dwayne Bowe, and small but electrifying rookie Dexter McCluster, Weis has some legitimate weapons to work with here. On defense, well, not so much. First round pick Eric Berry is already making his presence felt at safety, and they can’t be much worse than last year, but the front seven remains soft. If Crennel can coax them into mere mediocrity, if Matt Cassell can do the job at quarterback, and if the Chargers continue to regress, Kansas City might just go 9-7 and steal this division.
Miami Dolphins: “The Maestro”- Beastie Boys
Rex Ryan may be hogging the spotlight in the AFC East these days, but there’s another fat guy in this division as well, a guy named Bill Parcells. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. Parcells is in his third year as front office maestro in Miami and he’s got a pretty decent track record in building teams through the draft. In fact, when has Parcells ever been in a single place for three years without generating a winner? Answer: Never. He took over a Giants team that had one winning season in a decade and led them to the playoffs in his second season and the Super Bowl in his fourth. Same with the Patriots- playoffs in year two, Super Bowl in year four. Parcells laid some of the foundation for the Belichick dynasty in New England, drafting guys like Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy and Tedy Bruschi. Next he took over the Jets after the disastrous 4-28 Rich Kotite era. Again, playoffs in year two. The Cowboys were coming off of three consecutive 5-11 seasons when they brought him in and this time he got to the playoffs in year one. Granted, he’s not the coach in Miami, but he knows a little something about winning. There’s a lot to like about his team this season: Ronnie Brown healthy again; Brandon Marshall added at wideout; rebuilt offensive line; Karlos Dansby added to the defense; and a promising draft bringing in potential impact players on both sides of the ball. Most of all, Chad Henne is a future star. If Henne blossoms in 2010 the Phins will be a very hard team defend and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Minnesota Vikings: “No More Tears (Enough is Enough)”- Barbara Streisand and Donna Summer
Seriously Brett. Enough is enough. Same goes for you ESPN and your relentless hype machine. This whole thing has gotten way out of hand. There’s only one way to end this saga once and for all- with Favre learning the hard way by returning one time too many. This could be that year. The sudden uncertainty at wide receiver with Sidney Rice injured and Percy Harvin questionable from week to week is a significant blow. Something tells me that Favre and the Vikes crash and burn in 2010.
New England Patriots: “Werewolves of London”- Warren Zevon
I saw Tom Brady drinking a Pina Colada at Trader Vic’s- and his hair was perfect. More importantly, so was his surgically reconstructed left knee and his generally stellar quarterbacking acumen. Brady never really caught stride last season, largely due to his offseason preparation being interrupted by knee rehab. It’ll be a different story in 2010. Meanwhile, Brady’s dynastic co-star Bill Belichick is said to be showing a renewed commitment to hands-on defensive coaching. For all the talk of decline, New England went 10-6 last season, losing two games by a point and a third in overtime by a field goal. They could have easily been 13-3. The Logan Mankins holdout is a problem, but the arriving draft class is abundant in number with a pair of pass-catching tight ends (Rob Gronkowski, Dallas Clark-type Aaron Hernandez) coming in along with some promising defenders (CB Devin McCourty, LB’s Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes). And, oh yeah, before you pronounce the Pats championship run over and done, keep in mind that they have the Raiders’ first round pick, as well as their own, and two more second rounders, in next year’s NFL draft.
New Orleans Saints: “Do it Again”- Steely Dan
Nobody questions the offense but there’s a sense that the defense did it with smoke and mirrors to some extent last year. In essence, the Saints were a middle of the road defense that lived for the big play, forcing turnovers at a rapid rate. Much credit is due for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and playmakers like Darren Sharper who made it work, but it’s hard to believe they can do it again in 2010. The schedule was soft last year as well. With the proverbial target on their backs this time around, repeating might be harder than it looks.
New York Giants: “Lawyers, Guns and Money”- Warren Zevon
Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg with a gun prior to last season and then he had to spend a whole lot of money on lawyers while the Giants wondered what would become of their passing game. In fact, the loss of Burress turned out to be a blessing in disguise as a group of young receivers blossomed and Eli Manning took a major step forward. The real problem was on the defensive side of the ball where the scheme changes implemented by one-and-done defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan resulted in a disastrous meltdown. New coordinator Perry Fewell should put some teeth back into the Giant defense. This, combined with the increasingly diverse and effective passing attack, should have this team back in the playoffs in 2010.
New York Jets: “Bigmouth Strikes Again”- The Smiths
Rex Ryan loves attention almost as much as he loves m&m’s. In fact, Ryan’s overzealous spotlight-hogging has become so extreme that there seems to be an emerging backlash. What have the Jets ever accomplished? How good can they really be? If you’ve read your Greek tragedy you must realize that this kind of unchecked hubris usually buys a one-way ticket to the trash heap. Here’s the problem, though: this team is pretty good. The defense will remain the best in the league when Darrelle Revis finally checks in. And let’s not forget that space-clogging nose tackle Kris Jenkins is back after missing much of last season. The offensive line is elite as well and the acquisition of Santonio Holmes brings vast improvement at receiver. The only things standing between the Jets and the Super Bowl are the quarterback and running back positions. Shonn Greene looked great in the playoffs, but there are questions about his durability and endurance. If Sanchez progresses and Greene stays healthy, they can win it all. It says here they fall short in one or both of those areas and just miss in 2010.
Oakland Raiders: “Space Oddity”- David Bowie
Kim Jong Il and Al Davis- separated at birth?
Ground control to Major Tom (Cable that is). Commencing countdown, engines on. Check ignition and (here’s the key part) may God’s love be with you. Actually, there’s an argument to be made for the Raiders this year. It goes something like this: JaMarcus Russell was so epically atrocious that his presence alone was enough to obscure the fact that the rest of this team really isn’t that bad. The Raiders were 2-7 in games that Russell started last season. When anyone else started, and we’re talking Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye here, so I really do mean anyone, they were a respectable 3-4. In comparison, the arrival of Jason Campbell must seem like the second coming of Sammy Baugh. Unfortunately, coaching and the, ahem, organization, remain problematic. Schematically challenged on both sides of the ball, the Raiders are just a bit too easy to exploit. To use a geopolitical analogy, Raider Nation is the North Korea of the NFL, and Al Davis is its Kim Jong-Il: an obscure, eccentric, jumpsuit-wearing dictator subjecting his minions to all kinds of senseless suffering in the name of a deluded and hopelessly outdated personal vision of the way things should be.
Philadelphia Eagles: “New Kid in Town”- The Eagles
It’s easy to count Philly out on the simple basis that McNabb and Westbrook are gone and quarterback Kevin Kolb- the new kid in town- is an unknown quantity. I’m going the other way with this one. I’ll give Andy Reid the benefit of the doubt. If Kevin Kolb is good enough for him he’s good enough for me. Kolb doesn’t even have to be great. Surrounded as he is by a dynamic receiving corps and two good backs in LeSean McCoy and free agent signee Mike Bell, he just needs to not suck. Defensively, the front seven pressures the quarterback extremely well. First rounder Brandon Graham could thrive in this system. If they can just find a replacement for Brian Dawkins and plug the holes in their pass defense they’re in the race.
Pittsburgh Steelers: “Sunday Morning Coming Down”- Kris Kristofferson
The party could be winding down in Pittsburgh.
This franchise has had a great run for the better part of a decade, but there are real signs that decline could be setting in. Like a Ben Roethlisberger night on the town, all good things must come to an end, and there are hangovers (and sometimes litigation) that follow suit. Few teams are as reliant on a single player as the Steelers are on Troy Polamalu. With him in the lineup they’ve been a perennial playoff contender. Without him last year they were mediocre and had no chance. Even with Polamalu back on the field, this defense is aging rapidly. And the offense isn’t exactly loaded. Mike Tomlin talks tough but he still has a little something to prove here. Yes, he has a Super Bowl ring, but then again so do Barry Switzer and George Seifert. Like the aforementioned, Tomlin rode the momentum of the great coach who preceded him for a good year and a half. Now he’s on his own and it remains to be seen whether he can move the team forward. This could be the year that people start to realize that Pittsburgh made a mistake in choosing Tomlin over Ken Whisenhunt when Cowher stepped down.
San Diego Chargers: “It’s So Easy”- Linda Ronstadt
It may be so easy to fall in love but it’s even easier to win the AFC West. Once again, the Chargers are the favorites by process of elimination. Don’t be fooled, though. Much like Linda Ronstadt (see right) the Chargers are not aging well. They’re far from the sexy Super Bowl contenders they were a few years back. The offensive line is problematic and the once great defense is now no better than mediocre. Vincent Jackson’s holdout doesn’t help much, but at least Philip Rivers is still around. Rivers alone gives the Bolts an edge- albeit a dwindling one- over Kansas City, Denver and Oakland.
San Francisco Forty-Niners: “Show Me the Way”- Peter Frampton
Strong leadership is the emergent theme in San Francisco. Mike Singletary is showing this young but talented team what it takes to win. Just ask Vernon Davis. Patrick Willis is as great a leader, and as great a player, as there is in the league on the defensive side of the ball. And with two first round draft picks added to the mix, the offensive line could show Frank Gore the way to a monster season in 2010. The only remaining question is whether Alex Smith can step up and lead this offense. If he can, the Niners are a legit Super Bowl contender.
Seattle Seahawks: “Outlaw Pete”- Bruce Springsteen
No one seems to be expecting much from Pete Carroll in his return to the league and perhaps rightfully so. Carroll’s rah-rah “lets rip it” approach and his dorky fist-pumping sideline demeanor certainly haven’t translated well to the NFL in the past. Still, Carroll has a few things going for him here: one of the best homefield advantages in the league; a pair of quality linebackers to build on in Lofa Tatupu and Aaron Curry; and a division that appears somewhat wide open.
St. Louis Rams: “Solitary Man”- Neil Diamond
Steven Jackson deserves better. He’s way too good to waste away alone on a team like this. Same goes for head coach Steve Spagnuolo. What we have here are a good young coach and a borderline great running back spinning their wheels in a talent-deprived hellhole. Seriously, even the Lions look like the 1975 Steelers compared to this Rams team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “All the Young Dudes”- Mott the Hoople
Youth movements don’t get much more, well, youthful, than this. 24 year-old Josh Johnson will start the season at quarterback- and he’s subbing for injured 22 year-old starter Josh Freeman. The number one receiver (Mike Williams) as well as the two best defensive players (Gerald McCoy and Brian Price) are all rookies. Even the coach, Raheem Morris, is only 33. This year is strictly about finding out which of the aforementioned, including the coach, can be retained as building blocks for the future.
Tennessee Titans: “Mysterious Ways”- U2
How does Vince Young do it? He never looks pretty out there but he seems to find a way to win. And which Titans team will show up in 2010- the one that started 0-6 or the one that finished 8-2? With Chris Johnson running the rock and Jeff Fisher, longest tenured coach in the NFL and one of the best, running the show, anything is possible. Okay winning the division may be out of reach, but the playoffs certainly aren’t. It’s a tough division though. A few key bounces (or injuries) here or there make the difference between a wild card berth and last place.
Washington Redskins: “Beast of Burden”- Rolling Stones
Is there a bigger beast of burden in the league right now, literally or figuratively, than Albert Haynesworth? Probably not. Actually, the Haynesworth episode offers the perfect opportunity for Mike Shanahan to lay down the law and offer up an example to the rest of a squad that had grown soft under Jim Zorn. It’s a good place for a new coaching regime to start. And the bigger the player, literally and figuratively, the better. Bill Belichick sent malcontent Terry Glenn packing back in 2001, a time when he seemed like the only decent offensive player on the New England roster. Everyone thought Belichick was crazy until the Pats won the Super Bowl with Troy Brown and David Patten as their starting receivers. Josh McDaniel made a similar statement in Denver last year by refusing to suck up to Jay Cutler. Look for the Skins to buy-in, rally around their coach, and come out swinging.
-Chris Marakovitz
ROCK BOX SPORTS
NFL Draft Review: Impact Players for 2010
It’s not really fair to judge a team’s draft success until a few years down the line- but it’s fun to try. Our interest here is not so much in grading the drafts but in identifying a few teams that have picked up players that can impact the league starting this season. Potential impact players can be identified based on considerations of how advanced their game is (some guys may be great picks but still take time to develop) as well as the situation they’re going to. Featured below are ten cases where guys can step in, fill holes and improve their teams from day one and/or for a long time to come.
DETROIT LIONS- DT Ndamukong Suh and RB Jahvid Best
If anybody needs players who can start now and improve the team immediately it’s the Detroit Lions. Drafting Matthew Stafford first overall last year was a good step, but a quarterback needs time to develop, and good players around him. This year the Lions appear to have gotten some guys who might help the team put up a few more W’s than the motor city has seen in the recent past. It all starts with a man named Suh, as in Ndamukong Suh, who now joins Corey Williams to give the Lions the makings of an outstanding defensive line. Suh will be a beast in the middle from day one for a Lions team that ranked dead last on defense and 25th against the run. Late first round pick Jahvid Best has durability concerns, and we’re not sure his NFL career will be a long one, but he brings a much-needed element of game-breaking speed to the backfield, pairing up with wide receiver Calvin Johnson to give the offense a real set of weapons. Don’t look now but the Lions could be headed towards respectability.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – DT Gerald McCoy and DT Brian Price
Ndamukong Suh had the bigger name (literally and figuratively) coming in to the draft but, as good as Suh is, Gerald McCoy could be even better. McCoy has similar size and perhaps a better combination speed, athleticism and strength. In round two the Bucs followed up McCoy with Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Brian Price. After finishing last against the run with an aging and undersized front in 2009, the Bucs have instantly revamped their defensive line with these two selections.
SAN FRANCISCO FORTY-NINERS – OT Anthony Davis and OG Mike Iupati
Here’s another team that turned a weakness into a potential strength with a double-shot of new talent. Just as the Bucs went with two defensive linemen with their first two picks, the Niners did the same on the offensive line. Anthony Davis, taken 11th overall, may need some time to fulfill his upside, but he makes the frontline better right away. Six picks later the team went with the best guard in the draft, Idaho’s Mike Iupati. The Niners had one pretty good lineman last year in Joe Staley, now they add two first rounders, giving them three-fifths of an upper echelon line for years to come.
ARIZONA CARDINALS – DT Dan Williams and LB Daryl Washington
Lost in all the aerial pyrotechnics that have taken the Cards to the playoffs the last two years is the fact that head coach Ken Wisenhunt came to Arizona from Pittsburgh and, given his druthers, what he’d really like to do is turn the Cardinals into Steelers West by building around defense and a power running game. Now, with Kurt Warner retired and Anquan Boldin off to Baltimore, Wisenhunt is going to change the identity of this team. He got off to a great start with first-round pick Dan Williams, a 330-pound load of a nose tackle who will provide the perfect anchor for Arizona’s 3-4 defense. In the second round the Cards added a dynamic outside pass rusher and run defender in linebacker Daryl Washington. Don’t look now, folks, but the Arizona Cardinals are preparing to win with…defense?
BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB Sergio Kindle and DT Terrence Cody
How have the Ravens stayed so good on defense for so long? They continue to make a priority of drafting top-notch young talent to complement and energize veteran mainstays like Ray Lewis. The Ravens already had a great defense when they drafted Haloti Ngata a few years back, and he’s helped them sustain that greatness ever since. Now they strengthen themselves once again with Sergio Kindle and Terrence Cody. Kindle and Cody are the perfect additions for a team like the Ravens. If either one were asked to become defensive cornerstones for bad teams (as Suh and McCoy are being asked to do) they might not be up to it. Kindle has the speed to become a great pass rusher, though perhaps not the strength to dominate the run. Cody, who, at 6-4, 365, has come to be known as “Mount Cody,” is a monster in the middle against the run, but he tires quickly, particularly when asked to rush the passer. In Baltimore, each of these guys can be worked in situationally, without the pressure of being expected to do too much too soon. They’re both perfect fits and should energize the Raven vets once again in 2010.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – LB Jerry Hughes and LB Patrick Angerer
Talk about perfect fits. In Jerry Hughes, a former high school running back, and Patrick Angerer, a big-time producer at Iowa, the Colts found two ideal players for their speed-first approach to defense. Hughes may not be the world class pass rusher that Dwight Freeney is, not yet anyway, but he’s in the mold of Freeney and Robert Mathis. Colts GM sees Angerer, meanwhile, as a Gary Brackett-type linebacker. This is how it’s supposed to work. You install a system, build it around great players who fit the system, and then as those guys age you bring in young players with similar talents to learn and develop under the tutelage of the old guard. That’s what’s going on here. Hughes and Angerer are the perfect guys at the perfect time for the Colts defense.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – RB/WR Dexter McCluster
Size is a concern for McCluster who, at 5-7, 165, won’t be an every down back. But that’s just fine because the Chiefs already have Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles. More importantly, they have Charlie Weis as their offensive coordinator. Weis knows how to mix-in multiple weapons as well as anyone and he’ll have a field day with the versatile and explosive McCluster. In fact, I think the Chiefs are setting up a screen play to McCluster in the flat right now as we speak. He’ll line up all over the field, as a runner, a receiver, a little wildcat maybe, and give opposing defenses all kinds of headaches.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – RB Ryan Matthews
Number twelve overall was probably a little high for Matthews, but the Chargers were desperate for a running back after showing LaDainian Tomlinson the door. How good Matthews is remains to be seen, though he certainly has the measurables (i.e. size and speed) to succeed. Most importantly, he will be Norv Turner’s feature back from day one and, on that basis alone, he’s an impact player this season. Some other backs drafted later have a chance to make strong impacts as well. Fantasy players might wanna keep their eyes on potential sleepers like Montario Hardesty in Cleveland.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – LB Brandon Spikes (and just about everybody else they drafted).
This was a classic “kitchen-sink” draft for the Pats. Draftniks were underwhelmed with the first-round selection of CB Devin McCourty, but McCourty, despite suboptimal size, has the athleticism, cover skill, physicality and smarts to become a good one. He’s also a beast on special teams with a TD returned for a touchdown last year and seven blocked kicks in his career. Something tells me this pick is going to look good in a few years. Tight Ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez could add new dimension to the passing game. The Pats have been burned enough by Dallas Clark in the past, it seems, that they decided to get a Clark type of their own in Hernandez. Undersized but quick, the Mackey Award winner could pose mismatches for NFL linebackers. The most interesting pick of all, however, might be linebacker Brandon Spikes. Spikes plays with wild abandon and he’s a leader and trash talker extraordinaire. If you saw the Pats’ lifeless showing against the Ravens in the playoffs last year you realize how much they need a guy like this. Spikes could fill an outspoken leadership role on defense that Lawyer Milloy, Bryan Cox and Rodney Harrison have provided in the past.
FINAL FOUR “UNDER THE RADAR” PLAYER PROFILE: BUTLER’S RONALD NORED
Butler's Nored Defense System
They’re just not big enough.
That was the knock against Butler coming into the NCAA Tournament. Nice team. Fundamentally sound. But destined for an exit the first time they come up against a vertical challenge. That’s what the pundits said.
But here’s what the pundits forgot, or never knew about, or just plain overlooked: Ronald Nored.
Who?
Six-foot tall, 174 pound guard Ronald Nored? What’s he got to do with defending the paint?
Everything.
Ronald Nored is such a spectacular on-the-ball defender that not only will he shut down the other team’s primary perimeter scoring threat, but he’ll prevent them from running their offense altogether.
And you can’t score down low if you can’t get into your offense.
It’s the basketball equivalent of a devastating pass rush in football. It doesn’t matter who’s open downfield if the quarterback gets hit before the play unfolds.
Same thing applies with point guards. And nobody takes ‘em down like Ronald Nored.
As the Horizon Defensive Player of the Year he regularly shut down opposing scoring threats. Valpo’s Brandon Wood led the Horizon in scoring at 18 a game but managed just 11 points combined in two games against Nored.
Okay, so you’ve never heard of Brandon Wood. How about Stephen Curry from Davidson? You remember him, right? Darling of last year’s NCAA Tournament, current member of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, all-around scoring machine.
Curry averaged 28 a game last year. Against Nored he was lucky to get 20 on 6-for-23 shooting, 2-for-13 from behind the arc, with a whopping seven turnovers, in Davidson’s loss to Butler.
Opposing ballers have met similar fates in this year’s tourney. UTEP was a trendy pick over the Bulldogs round one, on the assumption that wide-bodied Derrick Caracter would unleash holy hell in the paint. He never got the chance. Nored shut down Conference USA Player of the Year Randy Culpepper and the Miners got blown out.
We should have seen it coming against Syracuse as well- a team that lacks a true point guard in its starting five. Nored racked up five steals, harassed Andy Rautins to the tune of five turnovers and the mighty ‘Cuse never got rolling.
Said Jim Boeheim afterwards, “The game was a story of turnovers. They didn’t make turnovers. They were really good with the basketball. We just had 18 turnovers and you can’t give away that many possessions.”
Same storyline against Kansas St. in the regional final. Guard Jacob Pullen, the key to the Wildcat offense, had one of his worst games of the year on 4-for-13 shooting with four turnovers as the Bulldogs advanced to Indy.
Hard to believe, but Ronald Nored, averaging a nondescript seven points a game in the tourney (up from five a game in the regular season) may just be Butler’s MVP. Indications are that coach Brad Stevens agrees- it’s Nored, not top scorer and NBA prospect Gordon Hayward, that leads the team in minutes played. Hell, if Butler wins it all, Nored should probably be the tournament MVP.
But of course he won’t be. Because the kind of contribution he makes is not the kind that gets noticed.
And this is why we love college basketball. Only on this level can a guy have such decisive impact on the game in the unique way that he does without gaining, or seeking, the limelight.
Keep that in mind next time you hear some NBA millionaire prattling on about how it’s all about “the team” after just launching thirty shots in a game. Ronald Nored doesn’t have to say it. He just does it.
Next up for Butler is Michigan State. Already the pundits are saying the same things, expressing the same concerns. Can Butler match up with Sparty’s athleticism? Can they handle State’s strength in the paint?
Well before put your money down keep one thing in mind. MSU’s great point guard Kalin Lucas is done for the season, leaving the talented but inexperienced Korie Lucious at the reins. How will Lucious handle the defensive pressure he gets from Nored? Will Michigan State be able to run their half court sets, get into their offense and take advantage down low?
These are important questions because, in order to advance, Michigan State has to go through Ronald Nored.
Good luck.
-Chris Marakovitz
ROCKBOXSPORTS.COM
Tourney Countdown: Ten Players to Watch in March
John Wall could be a household name by April 6
Last week we looked at ten legends in the history of March Madness. This week we consider ten who have the chance to do something special in 2010.
10. Omar Samhan, St. Mary’s (California)
Samhan is that rarest of commodities in the college game today: a big man with offensive skill. The 6’11 senior is money in the paint, averaging 21.5 a game on .546 shooting. No slouch on defense either, he is a high-motor player who pulls down 11 boards a game and blocks 2.9 shots.
9. James Anderson, Oklahoma State
Anderson is an offensive machine, drilling shots from all over, creating off the dribble, and getting to the stripe with regularity. With the Sooners running their entire offense through him, he’ll have ample opportunity to shine in March, as he did all season long (fifth in the nation in scoring at 22.6 a game.)
8. Greivis Vasquez, Maryland
If you saw Maryland’s late season win over Duke, we don’t have to tell you about Vasquez. The 6’5 senior from Caracas averages 19.5 a game and is fifth nationally in assists. Vasquez plays with great emotion and is fearless with the game on the line, an excellent formula for March glory.
7. Jimmer Fredette, BYU
Fredette has been battling illness, but if he’s ready for March he could do something spectacular. Just as ask Arizona. Fredette put up 49 on them in Tucson in December on 16 for 23 shooting including 9 of 13 treys. That was just one of six 30+ point outbursts for the 6’2 guard, a 48% three-point shooter.
6. Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
Reynolds knows a thing or two about March Madness. It was his coast-to-coast drive against Pitt that put the Wildcats in the Final Four last season. Now Reynolds is back for more, and he’s better than ever, averaging 18.9 on .488 shooting including .416 from behind the arc.
5. Wesley Johnson, Syracuse
As athletic and versatile as they come, Johnson excels on the wing and in the paint, sticking treys, mid-range jumpers, and blowing by defenders as necessary. His scoring numbers are slightly below others on this list due to the talent around him, but he’s as capable as anyone of stepping up and dominating.
4. Sherron Collins, Kansas
Collins’ scoring numbers are down to 15 a game from 18 last year, but he remains a talented ballhandler and scorer with the capacity to explode at any time. Incredibly quick, strong, able to stick the jumper, and reliably clutch, Collins could see more shots as the stakes rise.
3. DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
Have you noticed a lack of big men on this list? Enter DeMarcus Cousins. The 6’11 freshman is the nation’s best inside player, with size and skill that few opponents can handle. Given the right matchups he stands a chance to do some serious damage in the coming weeks.
2. John Wall, Kentucky
The second half of Kentucky’s inside-outside combo, Wall is a special player with a prodigious talent matched only by his will to win. Not necessarily a great shooter, Wall creates shots for himself through sheer athleticism and he’s shown a penchant for doing so in clutch situations. Also an underrated passer.
1. Evan Turner, Ohio State
The best player in the college game, Turner may be poised to achieve greatness in March. The 6’7 junior scores 19.5 a game, dishes out 5.8 assists and grabs 9.4 boards. He also shoots .538 from the field. Turner’s presence alone makes Ohio State a legit Final Four threat.
OLYMPIC HOCKEY SELECTIONS – QUARTERFINAL ROUND
ROCK BOX Loves Luongo and the Canadians Too
3 STARS: CANADA -140
2 STARS: SWITZERLAND +2.5 GOALS; FINLAND/CZECH UNDER 5; SLOVAKIA +1.5 GOALS
COMMENT: This is where the fun begins- a single elimination tournament for all the marbles. Best hockey you’ll find anywhere, anytime. We think the Canadians are still the team to beat and still our pick to win Gold. They’ll come out strong against the Russians today and overpower the weakness of the Russian team- defense. Switzerland is a dangerous dog against the Americanos. They’re strong enough in goal to keep this one close. USA squeaks by. Fins and Czechs should be a defensive war, low-scoring, whoever gets the big break moves on. The extra rest for the Fins could make the difference late. In the final tilt of the night look for the Slovaks to give the Swedes all they can handle. Not only do we like the Slovaks at plus 1.5 goals, but we like their chances for an outright upset.
