The Red Sox were one game under .500—and eight-and-a-half games behind the first-place Rays in the AL East—after an 11-9 loss the Yankees on May 17.
Big Papi is a big reason the Red Sox come in at No. 1.
Now, they’re the No. 1 team in SN’s power poll.
Since that ugly loss to the Yankees, the Red Sox are 24-8 and own series victories against the playoff-contending Twins, Phillies (twice), Rays and Dodgers. They’ve lost back-to-back games only twice (ironically, against the lowly Royals and Indians) in that stretch and they enter the week riding a six-game winning streak.
And, true, the Red Sox aren’t in first place in their division; they’re tied with the Rays and right behind the Yankees. But, as you know, the power poll isn’t based strictly on records—what fun would that be?—and the Red Sox have clearly been a stronger team than the Yankees and Rays. Since May 17, the Yankees are 18-13 and the Rays are 15-16. The Yankees and Rays both had three-game losing streaks last week; the Red Sox haven’t lost three in a row since the skid that ended, you guessed it, on May 17.
Anyway, on to the poll.
1. Red Sox (last week: 8). Some numbers since that loss on May 17: David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis each have 28 RBIs and Adrian Beltre has 27 and all three have eight homers. Victor Martinez has 14 doubles and is hitting .378. Jonathan Papelbon is 7-for-7 in save opportunities. Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester are a combined 11-1 with a 1.89 ERA. Most impressive.
2. Yankees (2). Taking two of three from the Mets—and besting Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana in the process—took the sting out of losing two of three at home to the Phillies.
3. Braves (4). There must have been something in the water on May 17. The Braves lost to the other New York team on that day, and just like the Red Sox, they’re 24-8 since then.
4. Rays (1). The owners of baseball’s best record for most of the season, the Rays have lost seven of their past 10 games. Any momentum they might have gained after beating the Marlins in that crazy vuvuzelas game on Saturday was squashed by Marlins ace Josh Johnson the next day. After an off-day Monday, they host the Padres for three games.
5. Rangers (11). Josh Hamilton isn’t the best story in baseball like he was in 2008, but he’s been the game’s best hitter lately. During the Rangers’ sizzling eight-game winning streak, Hamilton is batting .528 with three homers and 10 RBIs. For the season, he’s batting .337 with 16 homers, 52 RBIs and a .981 OPS.
6. Padres (3). The key to the Padres’ stay atop the NL West? Avoiding losing streaks. They’ve lost more than two in a row just once this season—a three-game skid. At this point last year, the Padres already had four losing streaks of four games or more.
Carl Pavano has been solid for the Twins.
7. Twins (6). Carl Pavano is turning into an efficient workhorse for the Twins. He’s thrown at least seven full innings in each of his past six starts, and his pitch counts for those outings have been between 92 and 109. He’s 4-2 in those starts with a 3.13 ERA.
8. Mets (5). Has there been a more surprising catalyst than Mets starter R.A. Dickey? The knuckleballer is 5-0 with a 2.82 ERA and the Mets are 11 games over .500 since he made his season debut. Before he arrived, they were two games under .500.
9. Giants (9). The Giants enter the week in second place in the NL West, thanks largely to their performance against the NL Central. They’re 14-5 against the Central—including 6-0 against the Astros—and just 8-14 against the West. They play three more against the Astros this week before playing three at home against the Red Sox.
10. Tigers (13). Hard to imagine that the Tigers have had to send both Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello back to the minors this season. Even harder to imagine that, despite those performance-based demotions, the Tigers enter the week just a game-and-a-half behind the first-place Twins.
11. Cardinals (14). Small sample size, sure, but it appears that batting in the No. 2 slot agrees with Matt Holliday. In 53 games batting fourth (one spot behind Albert Pujols), Holliday hit .292 with just six homers and 23 RBIs. In six games since moving to the No. 2 spot, Holliday has hit .435 with four homers and eight RBIs.
12. Angels (12). In their three wins last week, the Angels outscored their opponents 24-7. In their three losses last week, the Angels were outscored 31-4. Yikes.
13. Dodgers (7). Interleague play has not been kind to the Dodgers. They were swept by the Angels June 11-13 and then they were swept by the Red Sox this weekend.
14. Blue Jays (15). The Blue Jays are first in the majors in homers, 27th in batting average, second in slugging percentage and 28th in on-base percentage.
15. Reds (10). When the division-rival Cardinals faced the Mariners last week, they missed both Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez and took two of three. The Reds had to face the Seattle co-aces and were swept by the M’s; they scored just once in three games.
16. Rockies (17). So, do the Rockies make a move to try and replace Troy Tulowitzki, who’s out for six to eight weeks with his broken wrist, or do they try to find an in-house replacement? They should at least see what they have in Chris Nelson, a former first-round pick who was hitting .311 at Class AAA Colorado Springs.
Brad Lidge and the Phillies have been tough to figure.
17. Phillies (16). The Phillies have won exactly one series this month, and that was last week against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium. This is a hard team to figure out.
18. White Sox (21). Don’t look now but the White Sox have won nine of 10 and are only five-and-a-half games behind the Twins in the AL Central. All of a sudden, it’s not a given that they’ll be sellers as the trade deadline approaches.
19. Marlins (19). Yes, we talked about Josh Johnson in last week’s edition, but he tossed up two more gems this week and now has eight consecutive starts allowing fewer than two runs. His ERA is down to 1.80 for the season.
20. A’s (18). From 2007-09, 41 percent of Jack Cust’s hits went for extra bases (138 of 355). This season, it’s just 19 percent (five of 27).
21. Cubs (22). Since moving back into the starting rotation, Carlos Zambrano has a 3.63 ERA in four games. His career ERA as a starter? 3.53.
22. Nationals (20). Since Stephen Strasburg arrived in the majors, the Nationals are just 1-7 in games not started by the rookie ace.
23. Royals (23). In his past 34 games, David DeJesus is batting .402 with 19 RBIs and a .993 OPS. Those are the types of numbers that will make the veteran outfielder an attractive piece on the trade market.
24. Brewers (25). If the Brewers were thinking about trading Prince Fielder (he has one arbitration year left before he’s a free agent), the slugger isn’t making it easy for them to find proper value. Fielder has just 27 RBIs this season (fifth on the team) and is hitting just .164 with runners in scoring position. Oddly, he’s batting .458 when leading off an inning, though.
25. Diamondbacks (24). Of the 123 batters closer Chad Qualls has faced this year, 43 percent have reached base via hits (42) or walks (11).
26. Mariners (27). That sweep of the Reds has to be bittersweet for Mariners fans. Cliff Lee, Felix Hernandez and Ryan Rowland-Smith combined to shut down the Cincinnati lineup for three consecutive games, which is nice. But, all that sweep did was raise the Mariners’ record to 13 games under .500, which isn’t so nice.
27. Astros (26). Second baseman Jeff Keppinger and pitcher Felipe Paulino are the only two Astros (with more than one at-bat) with a batting average higher than .269 entering the week. And Paulino (.292 in 24 at-bats) has a better mark than Keppinger (.284).
28. Pirates (29). Taking two out of three from the Indians earned the Pirates a swap of spots in this week’s poll. Hey, little things count, too.
29. Indians (28). In his first nine games, superstar catching prospect Carlos Santana is batting .393 with a pair of homers, five doubles, eight RBIs and a 1.300 OPS.
30. Orioles (30). The frustration is palpable in Baltimore these days. Here’s hoping it gets better soon.
The Red Sox were one game under .500—and eight-and-a-half games behind the first-place Rays in the AL East—after an 11-9 loss the Yankees on May 17.
Big Papi is a big reason the Red Sox come in at No. 1.
Now, they’re the No. 1 team in SN’s power poll.
Since that ugly loss to the Yankees, the Red Sox are 24-8 and own series victories against the playoff-contending Twins, Phillies (twice), Rays and Dodgers. They’ve lost back-to-back games only twice (ironically, against the lowly Royals and Indians) in that stretch and they enter the week riding a six-game winning streak.
And, true, the Red Sox aren’t in first place in their division; they’re tied with the Rays and right behind the Yankees. But, as you know, the power poll isn’t based strictly on records—what fun would that be?—and the Red Sox have clearly been a stronger team than the Yankees and Rays. Since May 17, the Yankees are 18-13 and the Rays are 15-16. The Yankees and Rays both had three-game losing streaks last week; the Red Sox haven’t lost three in a row since the skid that ended, you guessed it, on May 17.
Anyway, on to the poll.
1. Red Sox (last week: 8). Some numbers since that loss on May 17: David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis each have 28 RBIs and Adrian Beltre has 27 and all three have eight homers. Victor Martinez has 14 doubles and is hitting .378. Jonathan Papelbon is 7-for-7 in save opportunities. Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester are a combined 11-1 with a 1.89 ERA. Most impressive.
2. Yankees (2). Taking two of three from the Mets—and besting Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana in the process—took the sting out of losing two of three at home to the Phillies.
3. Braves (4). There must have been something in the water on May 17. The Braves lost to the other New York team on that day, and just like the Red Sox, they’re 24-8 since then.
4. Rays (1). The owners of baseball’s best record for most of the season, the Rays have lost seven of their past 10 games. Any momentum they might have gained after beating the Marlins in that crazy vuvuzelas game on Saturday was squashed by Marlins ace Josh Johnson the next day. After an off-day Monday, they host the Padres for three games.
5. Rangers (11). Josh Hamilton isn’t the best story in baseball like he was in 2008, but he’s been the game’s best hitter lately. During the Rangers’ sizzling eight-game winning streak, Hamilton is batting .528 with three homers and 10 RBIs. For the season, he’s batting .337 with 16 homers, 52 RBIs and a .981 OPS.
6. Padres (3). The key to the Padres’ stay atop the NL West? Avoiding losing streaks. They’ve lost more than two in a row just once this season—a three-game skid. At this point last year, the Padres already had four losing streaks of four games or more.
Carl Pavano has been solid for the Twins.
7. Twins (6). Carl Pavano is turning into an efficient workhorse for the Twins. He’s thrown at least seven full innings in each of his past six starts, and his pitch counts for those outings have been between 92 and 109. He’s 4-2 in those starts with a 3.13 ERA.
8. Mets (5). Has there been a more surprising catalyst than Mets starter R.A. Dickey? The knuckleballer is 5-0 with a 2.82 ERA and the Mets are 11 games over .500 since he made his season debut. Before he arrived, they were two games under .500.
9. Giants (9). The Giants enter the week in second place in the NL West, thanks largely to their performance against the NL Central. They’re 14-5 against the Central—including 6-0 against the Astros—and just 8-14 against the West. They play three more against the Astros this week before playing three at home against the Red Sox.
10. Tigers (13). Hard to imagine that the Tigers have had to send both Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello back to the minors this season. Even harder to imagine that, despite those performance-based demotions, the Tigers enter the week just a game-and-a-half behind the first-place Twins.
11. Cardinals (14). Small sample size, sure, but it appears that batting in the No. 2 slot agrees with Matt Holliday. In 53 games batting fourth (one spot behind Albert Pujols), Holliday hit .292 with just six homers and 23 RBIs. In six games since moving to the No. 2 spot, Holliday has hit .435 with four homers and eight RBIs.
12. Angels (12). In their three wins last week, the Angels outscored their opponents 24-7. In their three losses last week, the Angels were outscored 31-4. Yikes.
13. Dodgers (7). Interleague play has not been kind to the Dodgers. They were swept by the Angels June 11-13 and then they were swept by the Red Sox this weekend.
14. Blue Jays (15). The Blue Jays are first in the majors in homers, 27th in batting average, second in slugging percentage and 28th in on-base percentage.
15. Reds (10). When the division-rival Cardinals faced the Mariners last week, they missed both Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez and took two of three. The Reds had to face the Seattle co-aces and were swept by the M’s; they scored just once in three games.
16. Rockies (17). So, do the Rockies make a move to try and replace Troy Tulowitzki, who’s out for six to eight weeks with his broken wrist, or do they try to find an in-house replacement? They should at least see what they have in Chris Nelson, a former first-round pick who was hitting .311 at Class AAA Colorado Springs.
Brad Lidge and the Phillies have been tough to figure.
17. Phillies (16). The Phillies have won exactly one series this month, and that was last week against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium. This is a hard team to figure out.
18. White Sox (21). Don’t look now but the White Sox have won nine of 10 and are only five-and-a-half games behind the Twins in the AL Central. All of a sudden, it’s not a given that they’ll be sellers as the trade deadline approaches.
19. Marlins (19). Yes, we talked about Josh Johnson in last week’s edition, but he tossed up two more gems this week and now has eight consecutive starts allowing fewer than two runs. His ERA is down to 1.80 for the season.
20. A’s (18). From 2007-09, 41 percent of Jack Cust’s hits went for extra bases (138 of 355). This season, it’s just 19 percent (five of 27).
21. Cubs (22). Since moving back into the starting rotation, Carlos Zambrano has a 3.63 ERA in four games. His career ERA as a starter? 3.53.
22. Nationals (20). Since Stephen Strasburg arrived in the majors, the Nationals are just 1-7 in games not started by the rookie ace.
23. Royals (23). In his past 34 games, David DeJesus is batting .402 with 19 RBIs and a .993 OPS. Those are the types of numbers that will make the veteran outfielder an attractive piece on the trade market.
24. Brewers (25). If the Brewers were thinking about trading Prince Fielder (he has one arbitration year left before he’s a free agent), the slugger isn’t making it easy for them to find proper value. Fielder has just 27 RBIs this season (fifth on the team) and is hitting just .164 with runners in scoring position. Oddly, he’s batting .458 when leading off an inning, though.
25. Diamondbacks (24). Of the 123 batters closer Chad Qualls has faced this year, 43 percent have reached base via hits (42) or walks (11).
26. Mariners (27). That sweep of the Reds has to be bittersweet for Mariners fans. Cliff Lee, Felix Hernandez and Ryan Rowland-Smith combined to shut down the Cincinnati lineup for three consecutive games, which is nice. But, all that sweep did was raise the Mariners’ record to 13 games under .500, which isn’t so nice.
27. Astros (26). Second baseman Jeff Keppinger and pitcher Felipe Paulino are the only two Astros (with more than one at-bat) with a batting average higher than .269 entering the week. And Paulino (.292 in 24 at-bats) has a better mark than Keppinger (.284).
28. Pirates (29). Taking two out of three from the Indians earned the Pirates a swap of spots in this week’s poll. Hey, little things count, too.
29. Indians (28). In his first nine games, superstar catching prospect Carlos Santana is batting .393 with a pair of homers, five doubles, eight RBIs and a 1.300 OPS.
30. Orioles (30). The frustration is palpable in Baltimore these days. Here’s hoping it gets better soon.
Clay Matthews had quite a rookie season for the Packers, recording 10 sacks and 51 tackles. The first-round pick out of Southern Cal’s big debut earned him third place in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, won by former USC teammate Brian Cushing of the Texans.
Clay Matthews says he wants to be a leader on the Packers’ defense.
Matthews is now viewed as one of the cornerstones of the Packers’ defense. In a recent interview with Mark Kass of The Business Journal of Milwaukee, Matthews talked about his transition to the NFL, the Packers’ upside in 2010 and the dangers of being a public figure.
Q: How would you rate your first year in the NFL? Was it what you expected it to be? A: I thought I did well. There is so much room for improvement. I know from the end of the season to where I am now, I know I’ve made even more improvement. You should feel that way each and every year, if you are working hard. I am looking forward to this upcoming season and even getting better. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and know I can be a good player in this league.
Q: What was the hardest part of the transition from college to the NFL? Did you have a "Welcome to the NFL" moment? A: It wasn’t that hard. It really is the level of talent. You are going against All-Pros each and every down. Everyone is good enough to make the league, so it really is a battle on every play. It is getting used to playing at that level and knowing that you can’t let down or you will get knocked down. I really didn’t have a "Welcome to the NFL" moment. I didn’t get smacked hard or anything like that. It really was my first sack when I said to myself, "I made it to the NFL, and I can play at this level."
Q: Were you disappointed that in the recent re-balloting for NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Year you still came in third? A: Honestly, that is so far behind me that I don’t have an opinion. Cushing won the award the first time, and fortunately he won it again. We finished in the same order, and that’s fine with me. It is what it is. I’m already looking ahead. Do they give out a sophomore defensive player of the year? That is what I’m aiming for now.
Q: The Packers made a successful transition to the 3-4 defensive scheme last year and had a strong season only to give up 51 points in the playoff lost at Arizona. What happened? A: It was our first year, and we finished No. 2 overall (in total defense). Still, there were some games where we didn’t play our best. We are working on that by bringing in better players and working on our adjustments so we are ready for it next time. Overall, I thought we did a fantastic job for our first year but we have a lot of room to grow.
Q: How good can this defense be in ’10? Can the Packers go further in the playoffs? A: I think we can be best in the league. We have a heck of a defense and a very strong team overall. This team is destined for greatness. We have a great group of guys, and hopefully we can put it all together. We are aiming for the playoffs and the Super Bowl. That is what every team should be shooting for, but we have a lot of confidence that we can continue to improve from last year and be a real force in this league.
Q: What are your goals for ’10? In what areas are you trying to improve your game? A: Not only statistically do I want to improve upon my game from last year, but I want to become a leader of this defense. Charles Woodson, Nick Collins and Nick Barnett have kind of become the faces of this defense, and I want to be an emerging star. When people talk about this defense, I want them to mention my name and my style of play. I want to lead by example and show people what I am able to accomplish.
Q: Recently, teammate Brandon Underwood was accused of sexual assault at a party after a celebrity golf tournament. Did you take away anything from that incident? A: You never want to be portrayed poorly. It was an unfortunate incident and kind of stresses as to who you are with and what you have and the type of scenarios that you can get yourself into. It really is a reality check. Unfortunately, that one individual has to deal with it and we’ll see what happens.
Mark Kass, The Business Journal of Milwaukee
Clay Matthews had quite a rookie season for the Packers, recording 10 sacks and 51 tackles. The first-round pick out of Southern Cal’s big debut earned him third place in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, won by former USC teammate Brian Cushing of the Texans.
Clay Matthews says he wants to be a leader on the Packers’ defense.
Matthews is now viewed as one of the cornerstones of the Packers’ defense. In a recent interview with Mark Kass of The Business Journal of Milwaukee, Matthews talked about his transition to the NFL, the Packers’ upside in 2010 and the dangers of being a public figure.
Q: How would you rate your first year in the NFL? Was it what you expected it to be? A: I thought I did well. There is so much room for improvement. I know from the end of the season to where I am now, I know I’ve made even more improvement. You should feel that way each and every year, if you are working hard. I am looking forward to this upcoming season and even getting better. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and know I can be a good player in this league.
Q: What was the hardest part of the transition from college to the NFL? Did you have a "Welcome to the NFL" moment? A: It wasn’t that hard. It really is the level of talent. You are going against All-Pros each and every down. Everyone is good enough to make the league, so it really is a battle on every play. It is getting used to playing at that level and knowing that you can’t let down or you will get knocked down. I really didn’t have a "Welcome to the NFL" moment. I didn’t get smacked hard or anything like that. It really was my first sack when I said to myself, "I made it to the NFL, and I can play at this level."
Q: Were you disappointed that in the recent re-balloting for NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Year you still came in third? A: Honestly, that is so far behind me that I don’t have an opinion. Cushing won the award the first time, and fortunately he won it again. We finished in the same order, and that’s fine with me. It is what it is. I’m already looking ahead. Do they give out a sophomore defensive player of the year? That is what I’m aiming for now.
Q: The Packers made a successful transition to the 3-4 defensive scheme last year and had a strong season only to give up 51 points in the playoff lost at Arizona. What happened? A: It was our first year, and we finished No. 2 overall (in total defense). Still, there were some games where we didn’t play our best. We are working on that by bringing in better players and working on our adjustments so we are ready for it next time. Overall, I thought we did a fantastic job for our first year but we have a lot of room to grow.
Q: How good can this defense be in ’10? Can the Packers go further in the playoffs? A: I think we can be best in the league. We have a heck of a defense and a very strong team overall. This team is destined for greatness. We have a great group of guys, and hopefully we can put it all together. We are aiming for the playoffs and the Super Bowl. That is what every team should be shooting for, but we have a lot of confidence that we can continue to improve from last year and be a real force in this league.
Q: What are your goals for ’10? In what areas are you trying to improve your game? A: Not only statistically do I want to improve upon my game from last year, but I want to become a leader of this defense. Charles Woodson, Nick Collins and Nick Barnett have kind of become the faces of this defense, and I want to be an emerging star. When people talk about this defense, I want them to mention my name and my style of play. I want to lead by example and show people what I am able to accomplish.
Q: Recently, teammate Brandon Underwood was accused of sexual assault at a party after a celebrity golf tournament. Did you take away anything from that incident? A: You never want to be portrayed poorly. It was an unfortunate incident and kind of stresses as to who you are with and what you have and the type of scenarios that you can get yourself into. It really is a reality check. Unfortunately, that one individual has to deal with it and we’ll see what happens.
The Orioles will interview former Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers manager Buck Showalter for their managerial job on Wednesday, the Baltimore Sun reported Sunday.
Team president Andy MacPhail also plans to conduct a second interview with former Indians manager Eric Wedge as the club works to replace the fired Dave Trembley. MacPhail said he has yet to ask for permission to speak with anyone who’s working for another club.
"The first group that we’re talking to has experience, has had some success managing and they’re not affiliated with any team," MacPhail told the Sun. "That’s the first group we’re talking to. We’ll see how we are and how they feel, and then we’ll determine from there."
MacPhail also has spoken with former Rangers and Mets manager Bobby Valentine about the position. Valentine and Showalter currently are analysts for ESPN. Wedge is out of baseball for now.
Per the Sun, "MacPhail has said he would be surprised if a new manager is hired before the All-Star break."
The Orioles fired Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Juan Samuel. Baltimore is 4-11 under Samuel and 19-50 overall.
Sporting News staff reports
The Orioles will interview former Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers manager Buck Showalter for their managerial job on Wednesday, the Baltimore Sun reported Sunday.
Team president Andy MacPhail also plans to conduct a second interview with former Indians manager Eric Wedge as the club works to replace the fired Dave Trembley. MacPhail said he has yet to ask for permission to speak with anyone who’s working for another club.
"The first group that we’re talking to has experience, has had some success managing and they’re not affiliated with any team," MacPhail told the Sun. "That’s the first group we’re talking to. We’ll see how we are and how they feel, and then we’ll determine from there."
MacPhail also has spoken with former Rangers and Mets manager Bobby Valentine about the position. Valentine and Showalter currently are analysts for ESPN. Wedge is out of baseball for now.
Per the Sun, "MacPhail has said he would be surprised if a new manager is hired before the All-Star break."
The Orioles fired Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Juan Samuel. Baltimore is 4-11 under Samuel and 19-50 overall.
In 2008, his first season as general manager of the Falcons, Thomas Dimitroff was voted the Sporting News’ NFL Executive of the Year by his peers in the league. Last year, the Falcons finished with back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. The Falcons look like a team on the rise under Dimitroff, who recently talked to Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon about how he and the team are evolving.
SN: As you watched the division rival Saints play their way to a Super Bowl championship last season, did you ever think to yourself, "Why not us?"
TD: Any time that you’re striving to get better and you see the improvement and the evolution of a young football team, you begin to think, "Hey, we can compete, and we can be a regular contender for the playoffs and more." That’s something that drives us every day in the building. It drives the players; it drives the coaches.
SN: After having back-to-back winning seasons for the first time, what’s the next rung on the ladder for the Falcons?
TD: The next rung on the ladder is to truly move toward being a perennial contender for the playoffs and to feel very confident going into each game that we can compete at all levels throughout the NFL. That’s very important. We have a number of sequential and rather private goals in our organization—we try not to talk about them publicly—but one generally speaking is to really, truly see that we are evolving into a team that is a perennial playoff contender.
SN: What is your comfort level with the direction the team?
TD: We are quite comfortable with the direction, the leadership, the enthusiasm. The focus on this team, to me, is very impressive. I know I speak for myself and coach (Mike) Smith.
SN: The team slogan for 2010 is "Rise Up." What does that mean?
TD: Again, it’s about taking it to another level and having the team believe in their abilities and believe that they have the ability and the confidence to rise up and compete at a high level.
SN: What is your evaluation of quarterback Matt Ryan after two seasons?
TD: Matt Ryan is developing very well in my mind. He has worked very hard in the offseason to study what he deems as his issues, whether it was his decision making at times, whether it was his footwork, or whatever it was. … Something you may have read recently, he studied a lot of the upper-echelon quarterbacks in this league and I think that was very beneficial for him as well.
SN: True or false: As Ryan goes, so go the Falcons?
TD: I am a firm believer, like a lot of people in this league, that you go as your quarterback goes. Not to put it all on one individual, because it is a team game, but it is very important for your quarterback to perform at a very high and consistent level to be successful in this league. If that answers your question, I guess you’d have to say true.
SN: In what ways are you a better G.M. today than you were a year ago?
TD: I believe I’m grasping more than just player personnel now. I’m beginning to learn some of the other aspects of this league, whether it is rules, compliance, player relations, contract negotiations, salary cap. There are a number of aspects that I wasn’t that fully immersed in as I have been of late. It’s been beneficial, and I feel like I’ve grown in those areas.
SN: Best lesson you learned in New England from Bill Belichick?
TD: The indisputable role understanding. It’s about the basic tenets of the team concept. Everybody do their job to the best of their ability; don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Make sure you’re focused on what your job is. If we all do that, we all have a chance to be successful. And I say that with fervor. I learned a great deal from him, and that was one thing that really sticks out in my mind.
SN: What’s the most difficult decision you have had to make as a G.M.?
TD: I would suggest the idea of acquiring free agents for substantial amounts of money and having to look the owner in the eye and say this is exactly the right move to make with tens of millions of dollars on the line. That’s probably the most challenging type of decision, because I really aim to be fiscally responsible with Arthur Blank’s money and the organization’s salary cap situation.
SN: You first interviewed for the job with Blank via web cam. Do you now hold discussions with him face to face?
TD: I’m not sure if our IT department has re-hooked Arthur to the web came since our interview. We have very regular and very communicative conversations. I enjoy our conversations at a league level as well as from his business perspective, which can be very insightful from his days as co-founder of H.D. (Home Depot). We have some great conversations as far as business approach and philosophy.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com. Sporting News correspondent Geoff Mosher contributed to this story.
In 2008, his first season as general manager of the Falcons, Thomas Dimitroff was voted the Sporting News’ NFL Executive of the Year by his peers in the league. Last year, the Falcons finished with back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. The Falcons look like a team on the rise under Dimitroff, who recently talked to Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon about how he and the team are evolving.
SN: As you watched the division rival Saints play their way to a Super Bowl championship last season, did you ever think to yourself, "Why not us?"
TD: Any time that you’re striving to get better and you see the improvement and the evolution of a young football team, you begin to think, "Hey, we can compete, and we can be a regular contender for the playoffs and more." That’s something that drives us every day in the building. It drives the players; it drives the coaches.
SN: After having back-to-back winning seasons for the first time, what’s the next rung on the ladder for the Falcons?
TD: The next rung on the ladder is to truly move toward being a perennial contender for the playoffs and to feel very confident going into each game that we can compete at all levels throughout the NFL. That’s very important. We have a number of sequential and rather private goals in our organization—we try not to talk about them publicly—but one generally speaking is to really, truly see that we are evolving into a team that is a perennial playoff contender.
SN: What is your comfort level with the direction the team?
TD: We are quite comfortable with the direction, the leadership, the enthusiasm. The focus on this team, to me, is very impressive. I know I speak for myself and coach (Mike) Smith.
SN: The team slogan for 2010 is "Rise Up." What does that mean?
TD: Again, it’s about taking it to another level and having the team believe in their abilities and believe that they have the ability and the confidence to rise up and compete at a high level.
SN: What is your evaluation of quarterback Matt Ryan after two seasons?
TD: Matt Ryan is developing very well in my mind. He has worked very hard in the offseason to study what he deems as his issues, whether it was his decision making at times, whether it was his footwork, or whatever it was. … Something you may have read recently, he studied a lot of the upper-echelon quarterbacks in this league and I think that was very beneficial for him as well.
SN: True or false: As Ryan goes, so go the Falcons?
TD: I am a firm believer, like a lot of people in this league, that you go as your quarterback goes. Not to put it all on one individual, because it is a team game, but it is very important for your quarterback to perform at a very high and consistent level to be successful in this league. If that answers your question, I guess you’d have to say true.
SN: In what ways are you a better G.M. today than you were a year ago?
TD: I believe I’m grasping more than just player personnel now. I’m beginning to learn some of the other aspects of this league, whether it is rules, compliance, player relations, contract negotiations, salary cap. There are a number of aspects that I wasn’t that fully immersed in as I have been of late. It’s been beneficial, and I feel like I’ve grown in those areas.
SN: Best lesson you learned in New England from Bill Belichick?
TD: The indisputable role understanding. It’s about the basic tenets of the team concept. Everybody do their job to the best of their ability; don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Make sure you’re focused on what your job is. If we all do that, we all have a chance to be successful. And I say that with fervor. I learned a great deal from him, and that was one thing that really sticks out in my mind.
SN: What’s the most difficult decision you have had to make as a G.M.?
TD: I would suggest the idea of acquiring free agents for substantial amounts of money and having to look the owner in the eye and say this is exactly the right move to make with tens of millions of dollars on the line. That’s probably the most challenging type of decision, because I really aim to be fiscally responsible with Arthur Blank’s money and the organization’s salary cap situation.
SN: You first interviewed for the job with Blank via web cam. Do you now hold discussions with him face to face?
TD: I’m not sure if our IT department has re-hooked Arthur to the web came since our interview. We have very regular and very communicative conversations. I enjoy our conversations at a league level as well as from his business perspective, which can be very insightful from his days as co-founder of H.D. (Home Depot). We have some great conversations as far as business approach and philosophy.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com. Sporting News correspondent Geoff Mosher contributed to this story.
Kevin Kolb will try to step into Donovan McNabb’s shoes.
It may not hold the magnitude of Babe Dahlgren taking over for Lou Gehrig after the Iron Horse’s consecutive games streak ended at 2,130, but it’s a pretty big deal in Philadelphia, bub.
Kevin Kolb is in, and Donovan McNabb is out as the Eagles quarterback. An unproven player entering his fourth season is replacing the face of a franchise who was a six-time Pro Bowl pick during his 11 seasons as Philly’s QB.
The anticipation for Kolb, who will turn 26 in August, has been building since the Eagles took him with the 37th pick in the 2007 draft. Although he’s not considered as athletic as McNabb, he has won the faith of the Eagles’ organization, which this spring traded McNabb to the NFC East rival Redskins and rewarded Kolb with a one-year extension on a contract that will now pay him a guaranteed $12.26 million over the next two years.
This will be one of the most scrutinized changes in the 2010 season. And there’s really only one way Kolb can quiet the skeptics.
"His crossover, being able to fill shoes for a guy like Donovan, that’s going to be extremely tough," Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver said. "The best thing you can do in his position in taking over for a guy who’s a living legend in a city where he’s been for 10 or more years is to make your own legend."
Here are four other "replacement" players who have big shoes to fill this season:
Panthers DE Charles Johnson (for Julius Peppers). After playing a reserve role for the last three years, Johnson is stepping in for a five-time Pro Bowl player who left for Chicago as a free agent during the offseason.
Johnson could be one of three new starters on a D-line that also lost Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu in the offseason. Johnson had 10 sacks in the last two seasons. Now, he must become a consistent run stopper.
"Charles has gotten stronger and has seen what it takes to be a successful player in the NFL," Panthers coach John Fox said.
Mike Wallace takes over for Santonio Holmes.
Steelers WR Mike Wallace (for Santonio Holmes). As a rookie last year, Wallace caught 39 passes for 756 yards and six touchdowns, and his 19.4 yards per catch average led the league.
Wallace, who primarily played behind Hines Ward last year, is faster and slightly bigger than Holmes. As a starter, he now will be challenged by better defenders, but the Steelers seem confident he can replace Holmes.
"I did see Mike Wallace live with my own eyes, and I think they really like Mike Wallace," said ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, who was at the Steelers’ training camp last year. "He is a down-the-field threat."
Giants MLB Jonathan Goff (for Antonio Pierce). Although he hasn’t claimed the starting role yet, he is first in a line that includes rookie Phillip Dillard, Gerris Wilkinson and Chase Blackburn. Goff took the majority of first-team snaps during offseason workouts.
"I saw him take command of the huddle," new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. "I saw the guys respect him when he walked in the huddle and made a call. I thought he fundamentally did some things extremely well for us. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought he had a good knowledge of what we were trying to do and how we were trying to accomplish it, and he asked good questions. I thought he had a step up in that category over the young rookie (Dillard) and some of the younger guys."
Cardinals WR Steve Breaston (for Anquan Boldin). As Arizona’s No. 3 wideout‹and punt returner — for three years, Breaston has compiled some impressive numbers. Over the last two seasons, he has caught 132 passes for six touchdowns, and in 2008 he was one of three 1,000-yard receivers — along with Larry Fitzgerald and Boldin — for the Cardinals.
With Boldin now in Baltimore, Breaston is expected to start opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Despite the loss of Boldin, coach Ken Whisenhunt believes the wide receivers can still put up impressive numbers.
"They’ve been productive — especially Steve having over 1,000 yards two seasons ago, so we’re just seeing more of the same thing that we’re used to," Whisenhunt said during organized team activities. "That’s part of the reason why we felt comfortable enough that we could consider trading Anquan.
We felt like Steve and Early (Doucet) could step up and do that job. And I haven’t seen anything out here that would lead me to think otherwise."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com. Sporting News correspondent Geoff Mosher contributed to this story.
Kevin Kolb will try to step into Donovan McNabb’s shoes.
It may not hold the magnitude of Babe Dahlgren taking over for Lou Gehrig after the Iron Horse’s consecutive games streak ended at 2,130, but it’s a pretty big deal in Philadelphia, bub.
Kevin Kolb is in, and Donovan McNabb is out as the Eagles quarterback. An unproven player entering his fourth season is replacing the face of a franchise who was a six-time Pro Bowl pick during his 11 seasons as Philly’s QB.
The anticipation for Kolb, who will turn 26 in August, has been building since the Eagles took him with the 37th pick in the 2007 draft. Although he’s not considered as athletic as McNabb, he has won the faith of the Eagles’ organization, which this spring traded McNabb to the NFC East rival Redskins and rewarded Kolb with a one-year extension on a contract that will now pay him a guaranteed $12.26 million over the next two years.
This will be one of the most scrutinized changes in the 2010 season. And there’s really only one way Kolb can quiet the skeptics.
"His crossover, being able to fill shoes for a guy like Donovan, that’s going to be extremely tough," Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver said. "The best thing you can do in his position in taking over for a guy who’s a living legend in a city where he’s been for 10 or more years is to make your own legend."
Here are four other "replacement" players who have big shoes to fill this season:
Panthers DE Charles Johnson (for Julius Peppers). After playing a reserve role for the last three years, Johnson is stepping in for a five-time Pro Bowl player who left for Chicago as a free agent during the offseason.
Johnson could be one of three new starters on a D-line that also lost Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu in the offseason. Johnson had 10 sacks in the last two seasons. Now, he must become a consistent run stopper.
"Charles has gotten stronger and has seen what it takes to be a successful player in the NFL," Panthers coach John Fox said.
Mike Wallace takes over for Santonio Holmes.
Steelers WR Mike Wallace (for Santonio Holmes). As a rookie last year, Wallace caught 39 passes for 756 yards and six touchdowns, and his 19.4 yards per catch average led the league.
Wallace, who primarily played behind Hines Ward last year, is faster and slightly bigger than Holmes. As a starter, he now will be challenged by better defenders, but the Steelers seem confident he can replace Holmes.
"I did see Mike Wallace live with my own eyes, and I think they really like Mike Wallace," said ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, who was at the Steelers’ training camp last year. "He is a down-the-field threat."
Giants MLB Jonathan Goff (for Antonio Pierce). Although he hasn’t claimed the starting role yet, he is first in a line that includes rookie Phillip Dillard, Gerris Wilkinson and Chase Blackburn. Goff took the majority of first-team snaps during offseason workouts.
"I saw him take command of the huddle," new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. "I saw the guys respect him when he walked in the huddle and made a call. I thought he fundamentally did some things extremely well for us. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought he had a good knowledge of what we were trying to do and how we were trying to accomplish it, and he asked good questions. I thought he had a step up in that category over the young rookie (Dillard) and some of the younger guys."
Cardinals WR Steve Breaston (for Anquan Boldin). As Arizona’s No. 3 wideout‹and punt returner — for three years, Breaston has compiled some impressive numbers. Over the last two seasons, he has caught 132 passes for six touchdowns, and in 2008 he was one of three 1,000-yard receivers — along with Larry Fitzgerald and Boldin — for the Cardinals.
With Boldin now in Baltimore, Breaston is expected to start opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Despite the loss of Boldin, coach Ken Whisenhunt believes the wide receivers can still put up impressive numbers.
"They’ve been productive — especially Steve having over 1,000 yards two seasons ago, so we’re just seeing more of the same thing that we’re used to," Whisenhunt said during organized team activities. "That’s part of the reason why we felt comfortable enough that we could consider trading Anquan.
We felt like Steve and Early (Doucet) could step up and do that job. And I haven’t seen anything out here that would lead me to think otherwise."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com. Sporting News correspondent Geoff Mosher contributed to this story.
The Marlins tried to create a World Cup atmosphere on Saturday by handing out air horns that resemble the much-talked-about vuvuzelas.
MLB.com reports the first 15,000 people to come to Sun Life Stadium received the horns, and they haven’t been shy about using them. The noise prompted players and umpires to wear ear plugs.
"We … looked at the timing and knew this would be in the heart of the World Cup," said Sean Flynn, Marlins vice president of marketing. "We knew the vuvuzelas would be a big part of the World Cup in South Africa."
The horns were part of a club promotion that included a postgame concert.
Florida is playing in-state rival Tampa Bay, whose fans gained notoriety two years ago by introducing cowbells to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Early reviews of the horns were mixed. A quick sample via Twitter:
The horns had time to grow on people, however: The Rays beat the Marlins, 9-8, in 11 innings and 4 hours, 36 minutes.
The Marlins tried to create a World Cup atmosphere on Saturday by handing out air horns that resemble the much-talked-about vuvuzelas.
MLB.com reports the first 15,000 people to come to Sun Life Stadium received the horns, and they haven’t been shy about using them. The noise prompted players and umpires to wear ear plugs.
"We … looked at the timing and knew this would be in the heart of the World Cup," said Sean Flynn, Marlins vice president of marketing. "We knew the vuvuzelas would be a big part of the World Cup in South Africa."
The horns were part of a club promotion that included a postgame concert.
Florida is playing in-state rival Tampa Bay, whose fans gained notoriety two years ago by introducing cowbells to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Early reviews of the horns were mixed. A quick sample via Twitter:
If Roy Oswalt is indeed on the move this year, the Texas Rangers are hoping he may not move far. According to multiple news sources, the Rangers are interested in acquiring the Astros ace.
Oswalt, who has spent his entire 10 year career, with the Astros, recently asked management for a trade. And Rangers president Nolan Ryan is keeping a close eye on the situation.
"You know, we definitely are looking to improve our ballclub, and when you have an opportunity, or might have an opportunity, to acquire someone like that, you have to look at it and evaluate it and see if that’s a possibility and see if it’s doable," Ryan said.
The Rangers, however, are unlikely to be able to make a deal for Oswalt at the moment. The team’s ownership situation is in flux, and it will be difficult for the team to take on additional salary. With the Astros likely unwilling to pay part of Oswalt’s contract, the league would have to approve the additional spending, which is also unlikely. There is a chance, however, that the Rangers’ ownership issues could be solved before the July 31 trade deadline.
Sporting News staff reports
If Roy Oswalt is indeed on the move this year, the Texas Rangers are hoping he may not move far. According to multiple news sources, the Rangers are interested in acquiring the Astros ace.
Oswalt, who has spent his entire 10 year career, with the Astros, recently asked management for a trade. And Rangers president Nolan Ryan is keeping a close eye on the situation.
"You know, we definitely are looking to improve our ballclub, and when you have an opportunity, or might have an opportunity, to acquire someone like that, you have to look at it and evaluate it and see if that’s a possibility and see if it’s doable," Ryan said.
The Rangers, however, are unlikely to be able to make a deal for Oswalt at the moment. The team’s ownership situation is in flux, and it will be difficult for the team to take on additional salary. With the Astros likely unwilling to pay part of Oswalt’s contract, the league would have to approve the additional spending, which is also unlikely. There is a chance, however, that the Rangers’ ownership issues could be solved before the July 31 trade deadline.
Earlier this week, I assumed that recent history will hold firm in 2010, and that half of the NFL teams that made it to the postseason in 2009 won’t make it back this year.
Given that assumption, I listed the six teams most likely to return. So, for Part 2, let’s look at the six that are the most likely to play no games beyond the final week of the regular season.
Can QB Tom Brady get the Patriots to the postseason in 2010? Mike Florio doesn’t think so.
New York Jets
All-Star teams generate a lot of buzz, but they rarely accomplish anything when it counts.
In New York, the already enhanced expectations from a 9-7 season that ended with a berth to the AFC title game went through the roof of their roofless new stadium via the collection of big-name players like LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, and Jason Taylor.
Apart from the fact the Jets will be wearing a gigantic bull’s-eye in every game, discontent among players who believe the team promised to "take care" of them could conspire to "take care" of the team’s chances in 2010.
New England Patriots
Yes, the Patriots will be contenders for as long as quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick are in New England. But that doesn’t mean they’ll make it to the playoffs every year.
A vague sense has developed that the team’s run of greatness is much closer to the end than to the beginning. Brady has been vocal regarding problems with work ethic and responsiveness to coaching, and his message may not be heeded by teammates given his decision to stay in L.A. for much of the offseason.
While the team has enough talent to excel, the rest of the league has caught up with the Pats — and this could be only the third time since 2001 that they failed to punch through to the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals haven’t qualified for the playoffs in two consecutive years since 1981 and 1982. And that was the only time they ever pulled it off.
In 2009, the Bengals caught teams by surprise early, but as the season progressed, the rest of the league figured them out. Cincy limped into the playoffs and then staggered out in round one.
This time around, everyone will be gunning for them — and things won’t come easily. Especially with Carson Palmer’s accuracy disappearing for long stretches during the latter stages of last year’s playoff run.
Philadelphia Eagles
When the Eagles made Kevin Kolb their first draft pick (at the top of round two) in 2007, they laid the foundation for April’s decision to dump long-time starter Donovan McNabb. And while Philly has plenty of faith in Kolb, he’ll soon be facing more scrutiny than he ever could have dreamed.
The offensive line has plenty of question marks, and the defense regressed significantly in the first year of the Sean McDermott era. To succeed, the Eagles need to clamp down on opposing offenses and display patience when in possession of the ball.
It won’t be easy, especially in a division that includes the Cowboys, the Giants, and McNabb.
New Orleans Saints
Yes, the Saints won the Super Bowl. Yes, most of their key players will be back. Yes, quarterback Drew Brees seems to be determined to build upon a burgeoning Hall of Fame legacy.
But the rest of the league will have had months to break down the things the Saints did to put together that historic run, and the fact they played into February — and partied into April — will make it hard to put together another similar performance.
Then there’s the presence of the good-and-improving Falcons, who’ll enter the season with a chip on their shoulders after missing the playoffs despite putting together a winning record.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona’s prospects plummeted when: 1. Kurt Warner retired; 2. Matt Leinart didn’t; 3. Derek Anderson reported for duty; and 4. the Cardinals didn’t immediately pounce on Marc Bulger the instant he became available.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals allowed linebacker Karlos Dansby to walk away, and they replaced him with an over-the-hill loudmouth whose bark currently is far more potent than his bite. (We’re talking about Joey Porter, for those of you who can’t keep straight the various over-the-hill loudmouths.)
Though the presence of coach Ken Whisenhunt arguably counts for a couple of wins, the absence of a quarterback who can take advantage of receiver Larry Fitzgerald — and the absence of an Anquan Boldin who can take advantage of the attention paid to Fitzgerald — will make if very difficult to win the NFC West for a third straight season.
Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.
Earlier this week, I assumed that recent history will hold firm in 2010, and that half of the NFL teams that made it to the postseason in 2009 won’t make it back this year.
Given that assumption, I listed the six teams most likely to return. So, for Part 2, let’s look at the six that are the most likely to play no games beyond the final week of the regular season.
Can QB Tom Brady get the Patriots to the postseason in 2010? Mike Florio doesn’t think so.
New York Jets
All-Star teams generate a lot of buzz, but they rarely accomplish anything when it counts.
In New York, the already enhanced expectations from a 9-7 season that ended with a berth to the AFC title game went through the roof of their roofless new stadium via the collection of big-name players like LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, and Jason Taylor.
Apart from the fact the Jets will be wearing a gigantic bull’s-eye in every game, discontent among players who believe the team promised to "take care" of them could conspire to "take care" of the team’s chances in 2010.
New England Patriots
Yes, the Patriots will be contenders for as long as quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick are in New England. But that doesn’t mean they’ll make it to the playoffs every year.
A vague sense has developed that the team’s run of greatness is much closer to the end than to the beginning. Brady has been vocal regarding problems with work ethic and responsiveness to coaching, and his message may not be heeded by teammates given his decision to stay in L.A. for much of the offseason.
While the team has enough talent to excel, the rest of the league has caught up with the Pats — and this could be only the third time since 2001 that they failed to punch through to the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals haven’t qualified for the playoffs in two consecutive years since 1981 and 1982. And that was the only time they ever pulled it off.
In 2009, the Bengals caught teams by surprise early, but as the season progressed, the rest of the league figured them out. Cincy limped into the playoffs and then staggered out in round one.
This time around, everyone will be gunning for them — and things won’t come easily. Especially with Carson Palmer’s accuracy disappearing for long stretches during the latter stages of last year’s playoff run.
Philadelphia Eagles
When the Eagles made Kevin Kolb their first draft pick (at the top of round two) in 2007, they laid the foundation for April’s decision to dump long-time starter Donovan McNabb. And while Philly has plenty of faith in Kolb, he’ll soon be facing more scrutiny than he ever could have dreamed.
The offensive line has plenty of question marks, and the defense regressed significantly in the first year of the Sean McDermott era. To succeed, the Eagles need to clamp down on opposing offenses and display patience when in possession of the ball.
It won’t be easy, especially in a division that includes the Cowboys, the Giants, and McNabb.
New Orleans Saints
Yes, the Saints won the Super Bowl. Yes, most of their key players will be back. Yes, quarterback Drew Brees seems to be determined to build upon a burgeoning Hall of Fame legacy.
But the rest of the league will have had months to break down the things the Saints did to put together that historic run, and the fact they played into February — and partied into April — will make it hard to put together another similar performance.
Then there’s the presence of the good-and-improving Falcons, who’ll enter the season with a chip on their shoulders after missing the playoffs despite putting together a winning record.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona’s prospects plummeted when: 1. Kurt Warner retired; 2. Matt Leinart didn’t; 3. Derek Anderson reported for duty; and 4. the Cardinals didn’t immediately pounce on Marc Bulger the instant he became available.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals allowed linebacker Karlos Dansby to walk away, and they replaced him with an over-the-hill loudmouth whose bark currently is far more potent than his bite. (We’re talking about Joey Porter, for those of you who can’t keep straight the various over-the-hill loudmouths.)
Though the presence of coach Ken Whisenhunt arguably counts for a couple of wins, the absence of a quarterback who can take advantage of receiver Larry Fitzgerald — and the absence of an Anquan Boldin who can take advantage of the attention paid to Fitzgerald — will make if very difficult to win the NFC West for a third straight season.
Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett joined LaVar Arrington and Chad Dukes on 106.7 the Fan in Washington D.C. to talk about the Washington Redskins and the situation they have with Albert Haynesworth. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett says he wouldn’t play for a team with selfish players.
What does Dockett think about Albert Haynesworth refusing to report to minicamp?
Dockett: I was kind of disappointed to see him not want to be a part of his team after he got that money. I feel that he’s making it harder for guys like myself, guys like Kevin Williams, guys like Aubrayo Franklin in San Francisco, guys like Jay Ratliff in Dallas — these guys are going out, balling every day, showing up to [organized team activities] that are not even mandatory.
We’ve got to come and put down our work and show these teams that we want to get paid. Here you got a guy who is one of the highest paid defensive tackles in the league and he’s not even showing up. You making it harder for us to get paid. Teams are looking like, "Why should we pay this guy $50-60 million when this team just paid this guy $100 million and he’s acting the way he’s acting?" I just feel salty by it.
Why does he think Haynesworth is sitting out?
Dockett: Like I told you earlier, I feel like, in this situation, if you got something against your coaches, the community, the ownership, and anything else as far as that goes, and you don’t want to be a part of the team, and you want to be traded, okay, cool. I can understand that, for whatever it’s worth. But to not want to be a part of the team because you can’t play the defense that you want to play, and they pay you all this money?
I’m a football player. Let’s let that be told. You can put me in any scheme. I’m going to find me a way to make me a play because that’s what I do. You can put me in a 4-8, 3-4, 5-6, 2-11 — whatever you put me in, I’m going to make a play. That’s just the way I am and I’m not going to complain about it…
It’s not about you. It’s about trying to win championships. But that team isn’t used to winning, anyway, because they have a lot of guys that want to do their own thing anyway. For the highest paid player on the team to have that kind of attitude, that’s cancer to a team.
Would Dockett ever play for his hometown team, the Redskins?
Dockett: There’s a lot of things I don’t like. There’s a lot of things that I can’t accept as far as being a leader. I’ve never seen an organization that will go out and lose a game on Sunday, and throw a party on Sunday night after a loss, and go out and party all week. I couldn’t adapt to that. That’s one of the reasons I couldn’t be a part of an organization like that…
If we lose, we come back and return after a loss, and we don’t even want to go to the gas station. We don’t want to show our faces nowhere. Winning means that much to us.
I think a lot of guys on that team, winning doesn’t mean anything. I think partying, getting paid, it’s a big party…
As far as certain things changing like that, I could see me playing. It would have to be a lot of things changing because I am a winner. I don’t feel the need to play football and not want to win on Sundays.
Is Haynesworth a better player than Dockett?
Dockett: I think he’s a dominant player when he wants to be. When he’s got his mind right, he can go out there and play for how many plays he can play in a row — for whatever that’s worth.
To sit there and say that he’s better than me, my numbers don’t lie. My numbers have been better than any defensive tackle playing in this game. And I’ve played with guys that are not even known in the NFL. I’ve never had two or three dominant defensive linemen playing next to me, or linebackers, or anything of that matter.
What does Dockett think of Clinton Portis?
Dockett: I could never play with him…
I’ve never played, since I’ve been in the NFL, with a guy that’s selfish. I’ve never played with a guy that it’s all about them. I’ve never played with a guy that doesn’t practice. We don’t do that in Arizona.
What would he do if a player told him, "Shut up. I make more money than you"?
Dockett: I say, "You’re stealing." Any real, true football player, the money matters, but it don’t. When you are on that field, you want to be great.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett joined LaVar Arrington and Chad Dukes on 106.7 the Fan in Washington D.C. to talk about the Washington Redskins and the situation they have with Albert Haynesworth. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett says he wouldn’t play for a team with selfish players.
What does Dockett think about Albert Haynesworth refusing to report to minicamp?
Dockett: I was kind of disappointed to see him not want to be a part of his team after he got that money. I feel that he’s making it harder for guys like myself, guys like Kevin Williams, guys like Aubrayo Franklin in San Francisco, guys like Jay Ratliff in Dallas — these guys are going out, balling every day, showing up to [organized team activities] that are not even mandatory.
We’ve got to come and put down our work and show these teams that we want to get paid. Here you got a guy who is one of the highest paid defensive tackles in the league and he’s not even showing up. You making it harder for us to get paid. Teams are looking like, "Why should we pay this guy $50-60 million when this team just paid this guy $100 million and he’s acting the way he’s acting?" I just feel salty by it.
Why does he think Haynesworth is sitting out?
Dockett: Like I told you earlier, I feel like, in this situation, if you got something against your coaches, the community, the ownership, and anything else as far as that goes, and you don’t want to be a part of the team, and you want to be traded, okay, cool. I can understand that, for whatever it’s worth. But to not want to be a part of the team because you can’t play the defense that you want to play, and they pay you all this money?
I’m a football player. Let’s let that be told. You can put me in any scheme. I’m going to find me a way to make me a play because that’s what I do. You can put me in a 4-8, 3-4, 5-6, 2-11 — whatever you put me in, I’m going to make a play. That’s just the way I am and I’m not going to complain about it…
It’s not about you. It’s about trying to win championships. But that team isn’t used to winning, anyway, because they have a lot of guys that want to do their own thing anyway. For the highest paid player on the team to have that kind of attitude, that’s cancer to a team.
Would Dockett ever play for his hometown team, the Redskins?
Dockett: There’s a lot of things I don’t like. There’s a lot of things that I can’t accept as far as being a leader. I’ve never seen an organization that will go out and lose a game on Sunday, and throw a party on Sunday night after a loss, and go out and party all week. I couldn’t adapt to that. That’s one of the reasons I couldn’t be a part of an organization like that…
If we lose, we come back and return after a loss, and we don’t even want to go to the gas station. We don’t want to show our faces nowhere. Winning means that much to us.
I think a lot of guys on that team, winning doesn’t mean anything. I think partying, getting paid, it’s a big party…
As far as certain things changing like that, I could see me playing. It would have to be a lot of things changing because I am a winner. I don’t feel the need to play football and not want to win on Sundays.
Is Haynesworth a better player than Dockett?
Dockett: I think he’s a dominant player when he wants to be. When he’s got his mind right, he can go out there and play for how many plays he can play in a row — for whatever that’s worth.
To sit there and say that he’s better than me, my numbers don’t lie. My numbers have been better than any defensive tackle playing in this game. And I’ve played with guys that are not even known in the NFL. I’ve never had two or three dominant defensive linemen playing next to me, or linebackers, or anything of that matter.
What does Dockett think of Clinton Portis?
Dockett: I could never play with him…
I’ve never played, since I’ve been in the NFL, with a guy that’s selfish. I’ve never played with a guy that it’s all about them. I’ve never played with a guy that doesn’t practice. We don’t do that in Arizona.
What would he do if a player told him, "Shut up. I make more money than you"?
Dockett: I say, "You’re stealing." Any real, true football player, the money matters, but it don’t. When you are on that field, you want to be great.
With four-plus months until the World Series, the list of contenders remains lengthy. So many clubs have a legitimate chance that this weekend’s interleague schedule includes at least three potential Fall Classic matchups — each of which features one of the past three world champions.
Each comes with a story line that brings plenty of intrigue for June, much less October.
Will Manny Ramirez be booed at Fenway Park?
Dodgers at Red Sox
The Boston newspapers have been conducting surveys in anticipation of Manny Ramirez’s return to Fenway Park: Will he be booed or cheered? The results have been mixed enough that no one knows what to expect, including his former teammates. "I don’t know how this one is going to go," catcher Jason Varitek told The Boston Globe.
Ramirez was the Red Sox’s best — and most controversial — player for most of the previous decade. He was MVP of the World Series that ended the Boston’s 86-year championship drought. He hit .348 in the 2007 playoff run that resulted in a second World Series title. In his seven-plus seasons in Boston, he hit .312 and averaged more than 34 homers and 108 RBIs.
Of course, Ramirez also loafed his way out of town and ripped into the Red Sox upon his arrival on the West Coast. He became an instant hit in Hollywood before he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs early in the 2009 season. Since returning from a 50-game suspension last July, he hasn’t been the same. In 125 games, he has hit .278 — 35 points below his career mark — with 20 homers, though he also has a team-best .388 OBP.
Don’t ask Manny what kind of reception he anticipates. He hasn’t done interviews this season, and Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton said Manny hasn’t said much to his teammates about his return to Boston. "But he knows it’ll be a big deal," Broxton says. "Oh yeah."
Twins at Phillies
One of the season’s biggest mysteries is Philadelphia’s offensive struggles. The Phillies have the most potent lineup in the National League but rank last in the majors in runs scored over the past four weeks (since May 22). They were shut out four times in a five-game stretch and have failed to score more than three runs in 11 other games. As a result, they have gone leading from the NL East by 3 1/2 games to third place.
Philadelphia’s problems could be fixed with the return of leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins from the disabled list. Limited to 12 games this season because of a bad right calf, Rollins has spent the week in Florida on rehab assignment and could return Tuesday.
Rollins could return to face a Minnesota club that never has played in Citizens Bank Park. The last time the Twins played in Philadelphia was 2002 when Joe Mauer was in Class A, Johan Santana was the starting pitcher and Torii Hunter hit a pinch-hit home run. And the Phillies were in last place.
Phil Hughes faces the Mets Saturday.
Mets at Yankees
Now this is a rematch. Four weeks after the Mets took two of three against the Yankees at Citi Field, the clubs meet again at Yankee Stadium — with the identical pitching matchups.
After two of the season’s most successful young starters, Mike Pelfrey and Phil Hughes, square off Saturday for the second time, Santana and CC Sabathia will meet Sunday in a nationally televised game on TBS.
Since Santana outpitched Sabathia in the team’s last meeting, the Mets have turned around their season. They have gone an NL-best 17-5 to move from last place in the NL East to second, just a half-game behind the Braves.
"It’s the starting pitching," says TBS analyst Dennis Eckersley. Since that May 23 win against the Yankees, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA, Mike Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA, Jonathon Niese is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA and the ace, Santana, is a mere 2-1 with a 2.23 ERA.
Two other reasons: The Mets are playing well at home and have taken advantage of a soft spot in their schedule.
"Maybe they have a different way of going about it offensively now that they’ve been there (for more than a year)," Eckersley says. "And they just won six in a row against Baltimore and Cleveland. Come on."
A weak opponent isn’t something the Mets will be dealing with in the Bronx. But who knows? If they continue their strong play, perhaps these teams will meet again — in four-plus months.
With four-plus months until the World Series, the list of contenders remains lengthy. So many clubs have a legitimate chance that this weekend’s interleague schedule includes at least three potential Fall Classic matchups — each of which features one of the past three world champions.
Each comes with a story line that brings plenty of intrigue for June, much less October.
Will Manny Ramirez be booed at Fenway Park?
Dodgers at Red Sox
The Boston newspapers have been conducting surveys in anticipation of Manny Ramirez’s return to Fenway Park: Will he be booed or cheered? The results have been mixed enough that no one knows what to expect, including his former teammates. "I don’t know how this one is going to go," catcher Jason Varitek told The Boston Globe.
Ramirez was the Red Sox’s best — and most controversial — player for most of the previous decade. He was MVP of the World Series that ended the Boston’s 86-year championship drought. He hit .348 in the 2007 playoff run that resulted in a second World Series title. In his seven-plus seasons in Boston, he hit .312 and averaged more than 34 homers and 108 RBIs.
Of course, Ramirez also loafed his way out of town and ripped into the Red Sox upon his arrival on the West Coast. He became an instant hit in Hollywood before he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs early in the 2009 season. Since returning from a 50-game suspension last July, he hasn’t been the same. In 125 games, he has hit .278 — 35 points below his career mark — with 20 homers, though he also has a team-best .388 OBP.
Don’t ask Manny what kind of reception he anticipates. He hasn’t done interviews this season, and Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton said Manny hasn’t said much to his teammates about his return to Boston. "But he knows it’ll be a big deal," Broxton says. "Oh yeah."
Twins at Phillies
One of the season’s biggest mysteries is Philadelphia’s offensive struggles. The Phillies have the most potent lineup in the National League but rank last in the majors in runs scored over the past four weeks (since May 22). They were shut out four times in a five-game stretch and have failed to score more than three runs in 11 other games. As a result, they have gone leading from the NL East by 3 1/2 games to third place.
Philadelphia’s problems could be fixed with the return of leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins from the disabled list. Limited to 12 games this season because of a bad right calf, Rollins has spent the week in Florida on rehab assignment and could return Tuesday.
Rollins could return to face a Minnesota club that never has played in Citizens Bank Park. The last time the Twins played in Philadelphia was 2002 when Joe Mauer was in Class A, Johan Santana was the starting pitcher and Torii Hunter hit a pinch-hit home run. And the Phillies were in last place.
Phil Hughes faces the Mets Saturday.
Mets at Yankees
Now this is a rematch. Four weeks after the Mets took two of three against the Yankees at Citi Field, the clubs meet again at Yankee Stadium — with the identical pitching matchups.
After two of the season’s most successful young starters, Mike Pelfrey and Phil Hughes, square off Saturday for the second time, Santana and CC Sabathia will meet Sunday in a nationally televised game on TBS.
Since Santana outpitched Sabathia in the team’s last meeting, the Mets have turned around their season. They have gone an NL-best 17-5 to move from last place in the NL East to second, just a half-game behind the Braves.
"It’s the starting pitching," says TBS analyst Dennis Eckersley. Since that May 23 win against the Yankees, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA, Mike Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA, Jonathon Niese is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA and the ace, Santana, is a mere 2-1 with a 2.23 ERA.
Two other reasons: The Mets are playing well at home and have taken advantage of a soft spot in their schedule.
"Maybe they have a different way of going about it offensively now that they’ve been there (for more than a year)," Eckersley says. "And they just won six in a row against Baltimore and Cleveland. Come on."
A weak opponent isn’t something the Mets will be dealing with in the Bronx. But who knows? If they continue their strong play, perhaps these teams will meet again — in four-plus months.
