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by Greg Riot… 
Vikings Must Move On; This Is Going To Be Awkward
Brett Favre is out of the picture (kind of…) so now Brad Childress and the Vikings must choose to move on with what they’ve got. Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels said that there are “no hard feelings” but I don’t believe that for a second. Jackson has been reamed by the media and the Minnesota sports betting faithful for his wild inconsistency, while Rosenfels has been a career back-up.
This is why this situation sucks. Every facet of the Vikings’ attack is pretty strong. They have an incredible defensive line, especially if the Williams’ brothers escape this whole debacle cleanly and while the secondary definitely needs some work, the offense has no worries.
That is until this whole Brett Favre thing happened.
Tavaris Jackson was benched after Week 2 in 2008 after two back-to-back losses against Green Bay and Indianapolis. The Vikings had no issues getting down the field with Chester Taylor spelling Adrian Peterson. But it was its inability to score in the red zone that had people calling for Jackson’s head. A one-dimensional offense is all-too-easy to stop in the redzone because of the lack of space. With Jackson over throwing, under throwing, or getting sacked, the Vikings failed to beat the Packer and Colts, and Jackson saw himself sitting on the bench to start Week 3.
Jackson did not start again until Week 14 when the wheels came off the “Gus Bus” and Tavaris was inserted back in to the lineup. In four games, Jackson tossed 8 touchdowns and just one pick while breaking 230+ yards twice. Things were looking good for the once dispassionate Jackson, who seemed to be back in favor with the coaching staff.
Unfortunately for Jackson, that momentum train came screeching to a halt against the Philadelphia Eagles over Wildcard Weekend and the Tavaris Jackson of old came out of hiding. The Vikings moved the chains as well as they could, but Jackson failed to mount any significant aerial offense. He threw 15-for-35, gaining just 164 yards and a pick with no touchdowns. If it wasn’t for Adrian Peterson’s two touchdowns, the Vikings would’ve been laughed off the field. Instead, with the Vikings out of the playoffs again, attention turned to Jackson who many consider the weak link of the bunch, including yours truly.
That’s why Brad Childress and the Vikings jumping all over Sage Rosenfels when he hit the market was absolutely ridiculous. A week later, Jay Cutler came out wanting a trade and Brett Favre emerged. Childress was left combing his mustache as he made no bones about desiring Favre over every other quarterback he has on the roster. After all the posturing and pandering for Favre, Childress was jilted and is know left with the three ugly step sisters instead of the Cinderella he actually wanted. In a case where Childress was hoping Favre’s foot would fit in to the glass slipper, all that happened was a case of the “other shoe dropping”.
Now Tavaris is fighting for his career against the nine-year product of Iowa State, Sage Rosenfels, who has never played more than nine games in a season, and never threw for more than 1,684 passing yards in a season. In 2007 he threw for 15 touchdowns, but that was more due to Andre Johnson than Sage Rosenfels. John David Booty is the rookie in this whole mess, and he may get handed the keys to Childress’s car should either of the men ahead of him falter. But that’s a story we’ll save if it ever happens.
For now the battle is not just between Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. It’s between the team and Brad Childress. Nobody will admit it, for fear of the man in the rimmed glasses and the awesome mustache, but going so feverishly after Favre has either demoralized Jackson or destroyed his confidence. Should he falter at all, Rosenfels will be forced to intervene and we all know that story doesn’t have a happy ending.
The Vikings are amongst the mid-level favorites to win the Superbowl, and are a modest +750 to win the NFC. There’s no doubting Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen’s defensive line, Bernard Berrian’s ability to torch secondaries or Childress’s coaching strategies. It’s whether Tavaris Jackson and Childress can get along after this Brett Favre mess. Of course, if Tavaris didn’t suck so much that his coach was forced to go after a living legend approaching his fourth decade, this wouldn’t have been a problem…and if Childress even entertains going after Vick, you can say goodbye to the potential we once coveted in Jackson.
by Stoker MacIntosh… 
According to the Google translation from this website: www.primerahora.com in Caguas, PR, Miguel Cotto is ready for a war.
The No. 9 ranked boxer in the world—who recently graced the cover of Ring Magazine—stated that he plans to vacate the 147-lb title.
This news comes as no surprise, due to this alphabet governing body’s chairman, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, who is insisting that Cotto must defend the belt against Manny Pacquiao on November 14, or be stripped of it.
“The weight of 145-pounds is not a category,” Cotto said defiantly. “If the WBO is upset with the decision, we will give them back their belt. I have no problem with that.”
Cotto spoke to the above-credited website during a show in Caguas to introduce his new line of clothing.
“The WBO has the authority to name him as a champion if I gave them the title,” Cotto continued, but “‘Paco’ Valcarcel, better than anyone, knows that 145-pounds is not a division.”
During the negotiations for the Nov. super-fight between Cotto and Pacquiao, Filipino representatives insisted that Cotto cut down to a 143-pound catch-weight.
It was listed as one of the earlier conditions named in the fight.
However, that didn’t hold water and the fight was finally signed in at a mid-weight limit of 145, and at that time no title was involved.
“If Pacquiao wants a fight for the title, it will be 147-pounds. I won the title in the Welterweight and that’s 147-pounds,” said Cotto.
“It may be better if I vacate the title, then other sanctioning organizations can get involved,” the champion, Cotto, concluded.
The Puerto Rican slugger also informed his native news website that he will be returning to the gym as early as next week to begin light work in preparation for his upcoming commitment to Pacquiao.
“We still have a long time, but I want to make things lighter. It will not be five days a week, but two or three,” said Cotto.
He is adamant that—after completing a promotional tour of three US. City’s in September—he will remain in Tampa, Florida for the remainder of his training camp.
Also, Cotto uncharacteristically used the Public Relations opportunity to take a poke at Pacquiao’s famous trainer, Freddie Roach.
“Tell Roach I have some news,” he began.
“I am not Oscar De la Hoya at the end of my career, I am also not the overrated Ricky Hatton.
“The man who he will be facing November 14 is a younger and much tougher opponent, and Pacquiao should prepare for a war,” said a very confident Cotto.
Roach has gone on record in the past, stating that he would rather Manny not be involved in any more wars.
Experts have speculated that the trainer’s statement was due to the amount of physical punishment dealt to his fighter in two controversial but winning battles against Juan Manuel Marquez.
It’ll be very interesting to see just how Roach plans to keep his fighter from receiving more of the same from Cotto—a fighter who has made his career from winning tough slug-fests, and delivery rib-busting body shots on the inside.
“Anger is natural. It’s part of the force. You just have to learn to hang out with it.” - T Amos
by Jeremy Visser…
In a week when much of the talk centered around off-the-field controversy, the Argos will certainly be more than happy to get back to business against Winnipeg this weekend. Three days after dealing disgruntled receiver Arland Bruce III to Hamilton, Toronto is back in action against the Blue Bombers Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
The Argos and Bombers met last Friday in Winnipeg and the Argos escaped with a 19-5 win on the heels of a strong defensive effort, which limited the Bombers to just 66 passing yards. Things may be a little more difficult this time around, though — on Monday, Winnipeg announced the signing of former-Argo quarterback Michael Bishop, who bounced around between starting and second-string roles before being dealt to Saskatchewan last August. Though the match-up with Kerry Joseph, who Bishop was embroiled in a quarterback controversy with last season, provides an interesting sideplot, the Argo pivot was quick to dismiss any talk of a personal battle earlier this week.
“I’m not playing against Bishop,” said Joseph. “I’m playing against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I’m glad to see him get the opportunity, but I’m not playing against him.”
Meanwhile, the Argos’ defense realizes it has its work cut out. After making quick work of three Winnipeg quarterbacks last week, Bishop is expected to be more of a challenge.
“The ball is going to go in the air,” said Toronto cornerback Jordan Younger. “He has a strong belief in his arm and is going to try to make plays, and that gives us an opportunity to go out and prove what we can do.
“We have to be locked down a little more. You can’t cut the field down because of his arm strength. He has the ability to make all the throws — short side, wide side and deep.”
Toronto’s offense will have a challenge of its own Saturday, as head coach Bart Andrus’ seach to establish a rotation at wide receiver continues in light of the Bruce trade. The Argos signed Chad Lucas, who was cut by the St. Louis Rams last week, and added Cory Rodgers, a former-B.C. Lion, from the practice roster. Also, Andrus bumped leading receiver Reggie McNeal from the starting lineup after a handful of dropped passes in recent weeks.
“We’ve got some guys in that we want to take a look at,” Andrus said this week. “This game is about production, and we’re going to go with the lineup that we believe gives us the best opportunity to make plays and win.”
Despite the difficulties from a passing standpoint, the Argos have had no shortage of production from running back Jamal Robertson, who’s second in the league in rushing with 341 yards this season and picked up 101 and a touchdown against Winnipeg last week. Robertson also carried the ball 24 times against the Bombers after getting just 29 touches in the first three games.
The Argos will look to make it two in a row against Winnipeg Saturday at Rogers Centre.
by Jeremy Visser… Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo finalized another move yesterday in his attempt to revamp the squad, dealing pear-shaped loser Devean George (who has lost a lot of hair) to the Warriors for three-point gunner Marco Belinelli, who I’m guessing may be friends with Andrea Bargnani.
I love it, I love it, I love it. Belinelli struggled with injuries last season but was solid when healthy for Golden State, averaging 8.9 points and shooting 40% from downtown in 42 games. He had a particularly hot stretch in December, when he saw some time in the Warriors’ starting five and averaged 14.1 points while becoming the darling of a lot of fantasy leagues. Belinelli is also a former first round pick — 18th overall in 2007.
Overall, a nice little move by Colangelo to bring in a sharpshooter that should make anyone crazy enough to miss Jason Kapono…well, not miss him. Also, plus 10 for ensuring George never suited up in a game for Toronto.
That’s what I’m saying, guy…
by TJ Zwarych… 
Despite no games being played, the Eastern Conference of the CFL was very busy. First off, after being told to stay home from practice and a game, the Toronto Argonauts have traded receiver Arland Bruce to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for rights to defensive lineman Corey Mace, a 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft and a conditional pick in the 2011 draft. The Argonauts have been dying to get rid of Bruce for awhile now after he was fined by the CFL for his Michael Jackson tribute touchdown celebration and by his team after forgetting his playbook in a plane. It was the last straw for the team when Bruce publicly criticized coach Bart Andrus and quarterback Kerry Joseph. Before the suspension, Bruce was leading the team with receiving yards and catches, he also lead the Argos in these categories the previous three seasons.
In other news, two days after signing quarterback Michael Bishop, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released quarterback Richie Williams and former Lion defensive tackle Tryone Williams. Many thought Richie Williams was the best quarterback the Blue Bombers had, but coach Mike Kelly had him as their third quarterback and was quick to get rid of him after the signing of Bishop. In his only three seasons in Hamilton, Richie Williams backed up many different quarterback as well as being a starter and never in one season had a QB efficiency rating of under 80.
What free agent would you pick up for your team?
- Before joining the Bombers, Tryone Williams was part of one of the best defensive lines in league history (Cam Wake, Tyrone Williams, Aaron Hunt and Brent Johnson) with the BC Lions. Williams had 27 sacks in his seven years with the Lions but has yet to record one with season. Williams has had only one season with under 40 tackles and that was his rookie season. Currently, Williams is on pace for 9 tackles this season, but has not had very much playing time.
One team that is in need of both a backup quarterback and a defensive tackle is the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Many fans have been calling for the pulling of Darian Durant but the Riders have no one who can back him up so that would be stupid of them. Richie Williams would be perfect for pushing Darian Durant to play his best and if he doesn’t to fill in. Six foot 4 three hundred pound Tyrone Williams would also be a great fit in the Riders defensive line as they are in desperate need for some size and strength in the middle to stop the run and replace Chunky Adams.
This has been a very busy week for teams in the Eastern Conference and these transactions should benifit other teams.
by Brandon Marsdin… 
It’s Part Deux of the Carlos Delfino Vs. Linas Kleiza Deadliest Warrior saga. This time around we’re covering Kleiza, and it’s going to be in French…
Just kidding.
Let’s get started, shall we?
It’s a battle of the combo guard-forward vs. combo forward-forward, SG/SF vs. SF/PF, Kleiza vs. Delfino. Who will come out victorious?
Linas Kleiza’s season stats are as follows:
2005-06 season: team: Denver Nuggets, 3.5 PPG, .2 BPG, .2 SPG, 1.9 RPG, .2 APG played 61 games out of 82 and averaged 8.5 minutes a game.
2006-07 season: team: Denver Nuggets, 7.6 PPG, .2 BPG, .4 SPG, 3.4 RPG, .6 APG played 79 out of 82 games and averaged 18.8 minutes a game.
2007-08 season: team: Denver Nuggets, 11.1 PPG, .2 BPG, .6 SPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.2 APG played 79 out of 82 games and averaged 23.9 minutes a game.
2008-09 season: team: Denver Nuggets, 9.9 PPG, .2 BPG, .4 SPG, 4 RPG, .8 APG played 82 out of 82 games and averaged 22.2 minutes a game.
Per 36 minutes it looks a little something like this:
2005-06 season: 14.8 PPG, .9 BPG, .7 SPG, 8 RPG, 1 APG
2006-07 season: 14.5 PPG, .3 BPG, .7 SPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.1 APG
2007-08 season: 16.8 PPG, .4 BPG, .8 SPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.8 APG
2008-09 season: 16 PPG, .3 BPG, .6 SPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.3 APG
During the playoffs it looks like this:
2005-06 POs: 2 PPG, 1.3 RPG, .7 APG; played three games and averaged 3.6 minutes.
2006-07 POs: 1.6 PPG, 1.6 RPG, .4 APG; played five games and averaged 13.2 minutes.
2007-08 POs: 14 PPG, 6.5 RPG, .8 APG; played four games and averaged 30.5 minutes.
2008-09 POs: 6.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, .5 APG; played 14 games and averaged 15 minutes.
His career averages are the following:
Per game: 8.3 PPG, .2 BPG, .4 SPG, 3.5 RPG, .7 APG
Per 36 minutes: 15.8 PPG, .4 BPG, .7 SPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.4 APG
Playoffs: 6.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, .5 APG
Now for the YouTube clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaoVpqYcaJo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIgVD11HZZU&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s628k7pKk34&feature=fvw
STRENGTHS
He has good size and strength for a wing, much like his teammate Carmelo Anthony, and he fits well with the Nuggets’ system, which is the same as the Raptors’ run n’ gun. He has really good range and uses his size to his advantage on both defence and offence.
WEAKNESSES
He still has a long way to go if he wants to be relied on for 30-plus minutes a game. He lacks the speed to keep up or get past other wingers, and he really doesn’t help at times with weak defense.
Before you guys make your decision, take into account that Delfino will be 27 and Kleiza 25 this year. Delfino is a better defender, and I think they’re just about the same as far as rebounds. But as of now, Kleiza is the one who is more efficient with his range and has more power, and they’re both very intense players.
By stats, I’m pretty sure Delfino wins. But by potential and maturity, who knows?
Don’t forget to say who and why in the comments section, please. I’ve also made improvements to the Carlos Delfino article.
by Bryan Thiel… 
With the NHL offseason almost halfway over, many are pondering how well their favorite teams did and where they can go from here.
Boston Bruins
On the Beantown Express: From Dallas, Steve Begin (F-$850,000/1 year); From New York, Derek Morris (D-$3.3mil/1 year); From Carolina, Patrick Eaves (F-Trade/Expected Buyout); From Pittsburgh, Danny Sabourin (G-1 year)
Off the Tracks: To Minnesota, Shane Hnidy (D-$750,000/1 year); To Buffalo, Steve Montador (D-$3.1mil/2 years); To Carolina, Aaron Ward (D-Trade)
Your invitation is in the mail: Phil Kessel. Bruins’ GM Peter Chiarelli may not comment on rumors (ever) but your name won’t stop getting brought up. Many thought the Aaron Ward trade meant you were re-signing, but Morris was brought in instead.
Then again Ward didn’t even know he was on the market, so Kessel may not be the only Bruin interesting teams.
Montreal Canadiens
Bonjour: From Buffalo, Jaroslav Spacek (D-$11.5mil/3 years); From Pittsburgh, Hal Gill (D-$4.5mil/2 years); From Calgary, Mike Cammalleri (F-$30mil/5 years); From New Jersey, Brian Gionta (F-$25mil/5 years); From New York, Paul Mara (D-$1.675mil/1 year); From San Jose, Travis Moen ($4.5mil/3 years); From Vancouver, Curtis Sanford (G-1 year); From New York, Scott Gomez (F-Trade)
Au revoir: To Carolina, Tom Kostopolous (F-$2.75mil/3 years); To Anaheim, Saku Koivu (F-$3.25mil/1 year); To Ottawa, Alex Kovalev (F-$10mil/2 years); To Toronto, Mike Komisarek (D-$22.5mil/4 years); To New York, Chris Higgins (F-Trade)
Your invitation is in the mail: Despite writing an article about this just last week, many are still wondering if Jaroslav Halak will be in the Bleu, Blanc et rouge come September.
So what’s set? Undoubtedly Carey Price will be back, so that’s the first real settling point for the Canadiens. From there, the bodies ahead of him on the blueline received their finishing touches with the signing of Paul Mara. Both Mara and Gill bring big-time size to the Canadiens’ blue line which will be hoping to make Prices’ job easy this season.
For the most part the Habs have a solid rotation of forwards already in the mix. They added a lot more speed with the acquisitions of Cammalleri and Gionta, and Scott Gomez will be given a chance to create some magic alongside them. Travis Moen brings great size to the forwards so they won’t be such a pushover.
Where do we go from here? Figuring out whether these final trade rumors for Montreal are true or not are the biggest issue in the offseason.
If Gainey is in fact going after another forward, then it puts the young players on the hot seat with uncertain futures, but if he isn’t then all of this just becomes speculation on the part of everyone else and the Canadiens are ready for the season.
Just because I can: The Montreal Canadiens just have to be different. First it was this whole “100th Anniversary” thing which was a year too early because they were established in 1909, meaning this December marks 100 years and now it’s the fact (well this wasn’t recently changed, but the point should be made) that they now list the ‘Francais’ option before the ‘English’ option on their website.
On normal Canadian team sites, ‘English’ is on the left and ‘French’ on the right.
That’s it. All American teams located south of Michigan now need to list Spanish first. Or Spanish at all.
How the team is doing: In a year that was filled with a tragic downfall and disappointment, the Canadiens’ took the opportunity to overhaul their roster in free agency.
While many are wondering if that last top forward will come via trade, the Habs (although still lacking size up front) have made changes to get faster up front and are emphasizing defense in front of Carey Price.
There’s no argument that Montreal made a lot of changes and really tried to shake up a roster that underachieved on last year’s loft expectations, but their ability to gel together quickly and put those bad memories to bed is still up in the air.
Chris Gomez though seems to have a lot of confidence early on: “When you play the Montreal Canadiens, you’re going to know you were in a game.
Now just a lower case: Mike Comrie (F-Still unsigned…seriously, someone needed to go here)
Your invitation is in the mail: Dany Heatley. After such a tumultuous two months, many are wondering if the recent addition of Kovalev is enough to help entice Heaters to stay.
Word is that his reported stubbornness has soured a few teams though, so he may have no other option than to concede to Bryan Murray and Cory Clouston and patch things up.
So what’s set? This offseason there hasn’t been any hectic additions to the Ottawa Senators’ crease. While Brian Elliot is still without a contract, Pascal Leclaire is preparing to have a shot at the starting role after being acquired by the team during last year’s trade deadline.
The Senators are also loaded up with contracts on the back end so there’s no flex room on the defense, and in looking at their forwards their only addition (Chris Neil was re-signed) was their best one, as Alex Kovalev may finally provide this team with the secondary scoring they’ve so desperately needed over the past few seasons.
Where do we go from here? See: Boston Bruins, Phil Kessel. It seems that, although there are no glaring needs that have yet to be addressed for some of these teams, most of their questions stem around a player (or players) who don’t want to be there.
The Senators have to figure out what to with Dany Heatley. Whether they’re going to trade the beleaguered sniper out of the conference for the future’s building blocks, or if they’re going to hang on to him and hope that one of the highest producing lines in the NHL can turn into a Fab Foursome with Kovalev.
Just because I can: In talking with Alan Bass, there’s a surprise coming up in his articles that discuss “Twins”. This got us talking though. What if the Sedin twins (let’s face it…the world’s most famous twins—eat your heart out Olsens) married twins? Isn’t that a little more than strange?
Even worse, what if each couple had their own set of twins? All of the sudden the NHL would be overrun with two sets of Swedish, hockey-playing twins that are good for 75-90 points a year.
Brian Burke may pass while trying to acquire all of them.
How the team is doing: It’s hard to progress when you’re in a situation like the Senators because of all the heat that the Heatley situation is causing. That being said it’s been a fairly luke-warm summer for Ottawa with nothing of consequence really happening.
If they do finally end up trading Heatley, the Sens should really go after another big-minutes defense (because so many are available, right?) that could finally give them that top-pairing presence they’ve lacked since Zdeno Chara left, along with another scoring forward.
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