Sporting News Pro Football War Room
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. Here is a capsule look at prospect Geno Atkins:
NFL position: DT
Height: 6-1 1/8
Weight: 286
40 time: 5.01
Current projection: Second-round pick
Against the run: Was productive in this area in college, but lack of size will be more of an issue in NFL. Shows the initial quickness off the snap to get into gaps and disrupt blocking schemes or make tackles in the backfield; is highly productive against "reach" blocks. Shows the initial quickness, leverage and hand usage to jolt offensive linemen; can defeat one-on-one run blocks with quick hands and feet. Lacks the size and strength to shed offensive linemen once they get their hands on him. Grade: 7.5
Pass rush: Explodes off the snap and into the backfield. Shows the hand usage and footwork to defeat one-on-one pass blocks with quick pass-rush moves. Gets underneath offensive linemen, jolting them backward when bull rushing aggressively; however, struggles to free up and make sack when close. Lacks size to be an elite bull rusher. Will deliver crushing hits to QB after the pass. Grade: 7.5
Initial quickness: Excels in this area, enabling him to be highly productive despite his lack of size. Anticipates the snap count well, and often is the first defensive lineman moving. Gets into gaps or on top of offensive linemen before they can get set. Grade: 8.5
Instincts: Shows excellent instincts, and makes big plays. Sniffs out misdirection and trick plays. Must work on awareness of "side" blocks; can be driven down the line and out of the play too easily. Grade: 8.0
Pursuit/tackling: Excels in this area. Gets inside "reach" blocks and accelerates down the line. When unblocked on runs away, moves easily through traffic to chase down ballcarriers. As a tackler, stays under control and shows good technique. Grade: 8.0
Bottom line: During the ’09 season, Atkins was Georgia’s most productive defender although he lost playing time late in the season to the emerging Kade Weston. Atkins has great athleticism, speed and explosiveness, but undersized defensive tackles are not suited for all NFL schemes. For teams that run a 4-3 scheme, he has high value as a 3-technique tackle. He probably will need a season or two as a backup to adjust to the pros and add bulk. Atkins will not be drafted as highly as we have him rated because of his size, but in time will prove to be a good value.
For more than 600 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Sporting News Pro Football War Room
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. Here is a capsule look at prospect Geno Atkins:
NFL position: DT
Height: 6-1 1/8
Weight: 286
40 time: 5.01
Current projection: Second-round pick
Against the run: Was productive in this area in college, but lack of size will be more of an issue in NFL. Shows the initial quickness off the snap to get into gaps and disrupt blocking schemes or make tackles in the backfield; is highly productive against "reach" blocks. Shows the initial quickness, leverage and hand usage to jolt offensive linemen; can defeat one-on-one run blocks with quick hands and feet. Lacks the size and strength to shed offensive linemen once they get their hands on him. Grade: 7.5
Pass rush: Explodes off the snap and into the backfield. Shows the hand usage and footwork to defeat one-on-one pass blocks with quick pass-rush moves. Gets underneath offensive linemen, jolting them backward when bull rushing aggressively; however, struggles to free up and make sack when close. Lacks size to be an elite bull rusher. Will deliver crushing hits to QB after the pass. Grade: 7.5
Initial quickness: Excels in this area, enabling him to be highly productive despite his lack of size. Anticipates the snap count well, and often is the first defensive lineman moving. Gets into gaps or on top of offensive linemen before they can get set. Grade: 8.5
Instincts: Shows excellent instincts, and makes big plays. Sniffs out misdirection and trick plays. Must work on awareness of "side" blocks; can be driven down the line and out of the play too easily. Grade: 8.0
Pursuit/tackling: Excels in this area. Gets inside "reach" blocks and accelerates down the line. When unblocked on runs away, moves easily through traffic to chase down ballcarriers. As a tackler, stays under control and shows good technique. Grade: 8.0
Bottom line: During the ’09 season, Atkins was Georgia’s most productive defender although he lost playing time late in the season to the emerging Kade Weston. Atkins has great athleticism, speed and explosiveness, but undersized defensive tackles are not suited for all NFL schemes. For teams that run a 4-3 scheme, he has high value as a 3-technique tackle. He probably will need a season or two as a backup to adjust to the pros and add bulk. Atkins will not be drafted as highly as we have him rated because of his size, but in time will prove to be a good value.
For more than 600 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Following a 2008 season in which he was named to the Pro Bowl, Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels had a terrific first half of ’09 before blowing out a knee. Daniels, a restricted free agent unless there is a new collective bargaining agreement in place before March 5, hopes the Texabs will build on their first winning season in ’10. He talked to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer about Houston’s prolific passing game, his role in the offense and the budding superstar he faces every day in practice.
Owen Daniels on teammate WR Andre Johnson: “He’s the best in the business.”
Vinnie Iyer: What are your impressions of Texans QB Matt Schaub, who led the league in passing this season?
Owen Daniels: He’s gotten better with every year. He’s now very comfortable three years into the system. The first two, he had a hard time staying healthy. He’s pushed himself, put in the hard work to become more durable. He’s great at studying his reads and being prepared with the game plan.
VI: How much does having All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson on your side make the job easier for the rest of you?
OD: He’s the best in the business. He draws so much attention on every play. Teams have to double-cover him and provide the help over the top. It leaves me with so many opportunities. Everyone else has a chance to get open, and when we’re that open it’s our job to make plays.
VI: Can you tell us more about the Texans’ other wide receivers: Kevin Walter, David Anderson and Jacoby Jones?
OD: Kevin, you can line up everywhere. He does much of the dirty work for us, blocking out there. David is a guy who just fits well in the slot, our version of Wes Welker. As for Jacoby, his back was kind of against the wall going after his first two seasons because he couldn’t hang on to football, but he’s worked so much on his hands so he could make so many big plays for us last year. He’s making his push to be a No. 2. Hopefully, we all will be back together this season.
VI: Knowing your team got so close to the playoffs, how frustrating was it to watch after you went down with your injury?
OD: It was tough. I was playing well individually, and the team was successful with a 5-3 start. It was hard to watch. I had never been in that situation of missing so many games before. So I just tried to help others, the tight ends working to take my place. When you miss time like that, it makes you appreciate your time on the field so much more. Now the knee is feeling good again, and I will be ready to go when it’s time to play.
VI: Texans owner Bob McNair just showed great confidence in coach Gary Kubiak, extending his contract. Do you think 2010 is when the team finally gets into the postseason?
OD: I sure hope so. I’m so happy Coach Kub and his staff got that extension. As players, we trust him as a leader. We’ve slowly battled to get to six wins, then eight wins, then 9-7. When we win, it’s been a wide margin, yet, we when lose, it’s been close. The teams that get into the playoffs win those close games. Absolutely, I would like to be back playing for coach Kubiak. I like the play-calling—that tight end is a big part of the offense.
VI: When you see what Colts All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark does up close twice a season, how does that affect your game?
OD: You can learn from watching him lining up as everything, such as slot receiver. I’ve learned a lot about running routes just watching guys such as Clark, Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates on film.
VI: How good is Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing?
OD: Right off the bat, once he cut his hair as a rookie, you could see how focused he was. He’s just so big, tough and physically gifted. You could tell in OTAs when you tried to block or run routes against him.
VI: Did you expect to have this kind of success so early in your career as a fourth-round pick?
OD: I don’t know if I expected anything other than making the team, and I was fortunate to start as a rookie. I just work to improve and gain more confidence every year. There might have been a knock on my blocking, but now I think I’m a true every-down tight end.
VI: What do you like to do off the field?
OD: I’m pretty laid back. Because it tends to get really hot in Houston, I love playing golf with my teammates. On TV, I like to watch all those HBO comedies, like Entourage and Flight of the Conchords.
<i>This story appears in Feb. 17’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, <a href=http://www.sportingnewstoday.com/>sign up today</a>.</i>
<I>Vinnie Iyer is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at <a href=mailto:viyer@sportingnews.com</a>viyer@sportingnews.com.</I>
Following a 2008 season in which he was named to the Pro Bowl, Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels had a terrific first half of ’09 before blowing out a knee. Daniels, a restricted free agent unless there is a new collective bargaining agreement in place before March 5, hopes the Texabs will build on their first winning season in ’10. He talked to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer about Houston’s prolific passing game, his role in the offense and the budding superstar he faces every day in practice.
Owen Daniels on teammate WR Andre Johnson: “He’s the best in the business.”
Vinnie Iyer: What are your impressions of Texans QB Matt Schaub, who led the league in passing this season?
Owen Daniels: He’s gotten better with every year. He’s now very comfortable three years into the system. The first two, he had a hard time staying healthy. He’s pushed himself, put in the hard work to become more durable. He’s great at studying his reads and being prepared with the game plan.
VI: How much does having All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson on your side make the job easier for the rest of you?
OD: He’s the best in the business. He draws so much attention on every play. Teams have to double-cover him and provide the help over the top. It leaves me with so many opportunities. Everyone else has a chance to get open, and when we’re that open it’s our job to make plays.
VI: Can you tell us more about the Texans’ other wide receivers: Kevin Walter, David Anderson and Jacoby Jones?
OD: Kevin, you can line up everywhere. He does much of the dirty work for us, blocking out there. David is a guy who just fits well in the slot, our version of Wes Welker. As for Jacoby, his back was kind of against the wall going after his first two seasons because he couldn’t hang on to football, but he’s worked so much on his hands so he could make so many big plays for us last year. He’s making his push to be a No. 2. Hopefully, we all will be back together this season.
VI: Knowing your team got so close to the playoffs, how frustrating was it to watch after you went down with your injury?
OD: It was tough. I was playing well individually, and the team was successful with a 5-3 start. It was hard to watch. I had never been in that situation of missing so many games before. So I just tried to help others, the tight ends working to take my place. When you miss time like that, it makes you appreciate your time on the field so much more. Now the knee is feeling good again, and I will be ready to go when it’s time to play.
VI: Texans owner Bob McNair just showed great confidence in coach Gary Kubiak, extending his contract. Do you think 2010 is when the team finally gets into the postseason?
OD: I sure hope so. I’m so happy Coach Kub and his staff got that extension. As players, we trust him as a leader. We’ve slowly battled to get to six wins, then eight wins, then 9-7. When we win, it’s been a wide margin, yet, we when lose, it’s been close. The teams that get into the playoffs win those close games. Absolutely, I would like to be back playing for coach Kubiak. I like the play-calling—that tight end is a big part of the offense.
VI: When you see what Colts All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark does up close twice a season, how does that affect your game?
OD: You can learn from watching him lining up as everything, such as slot receiver. I’ve learned a lot about running routes just watching guys such as Clark, Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates on film.
VI: How good is Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing?
OD: Right off the bat, once he cut his hair as a rookie, you could see how focused he was. He’s just so big, tough and physically gifted. You could tell in OTAs when you tried to block or run routes against him.
VI: Did you expect to have this kind of success so early in your career as a fourth-round pick?
OD: I don’t know if I expected anything other than making the team, and I was fortunate to start as a rookie. I just work to improve and gain more confidence every year. There might have been a knock on my blocking, but now I think I’m a true every-down tight end.
VI: What do you like to do off the field?
OD: I’m pretty laid back. Because it tends to get really hot in Houston, I love playing golf with my teammates. On TV, I like to watch all those HBO comedies, like Entourage and Flight of the Conchords.
<i>This story appears in Feb. 17’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, <a href=http://www.sportingnewstoday.com/>sign up today</a>.</i>
<I>Vinnie Iyer is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at <a href=mailto:viyer@sportingnews.com</a>viyer@sportingnews.com.</I>
Some defensive tackles are about to make a lot of money.
Two tackles (Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy) are projected to be taken 1-2 in the draft, and as many as four NFL DTs (San Francisco’s Aubrayo Franklin, Pittsburgh’s Casey Hampton, Green Bay’s Ryan Pickett and New England’s Vince Wilfork) could receive the franchise tag by the Feb. 25 deadline.
Whether a team plays a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, a defensive tackle who can stop the run and supply an inside pass rush is a valuable commodity. Suh and McCoy are so talented and versatile that it would be surprising to see one still on the board after the Rams (first overall pick) and Lions (No. 2) make their selections.
"I would not argue with either one going with the first pick overall," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said during a Wednesday conference call. "McCoy would have been a top-five pick had he come out last year. (General manager) Billy Devaney in St. Louis is going to have a tough call. Both these kids are outstanding. I give Suh the slightest of edges."
At least four other defensive tackles have the potential to be first-round picks: UCLA’s Brian Price, Tennessee’s Dan Williams, Penn State’s Jared Odrick and Alabama’s Terrence Cody. Weight issues have hurt Cody’s first-round chances, and he needs to be in shape at the Combine to improve his status.
Here are three assets that top tackles bring to defenses:
1. They give linebackers the freedom to roam. A tackle who requires double-team attention allows linebackers to make plays. Ravens tackle Haloti Ngata gives inside linebacker Ray Lewis the space to roam sideline to sideline. Franklin does the same for 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis.
"A lot of my plays come from him (Franklin) holding double-teams and playing the way that he does," Willis said at the Pro Bowl. "When you have a guy like Aubrayo, whenever you try to block him one-on-one, nobody can do that. They have to double-team him, and when they double-team, that kind of leaves me to just play ball. We need him back."
2. They provide pressure up the middle. All defenses want to do two things—stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Space-eating defensive tackles, like the Vikings’ Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, make it difficult to run inside. Meanwhile, defensive tackles who get pressure up the middle, like the Cowboys’ Jay Ratliff, prevent quarterbacks from stepping up in the pocket.
Tackles do not always get the glory of ringing up sacks. But Ratliff helps DeMarcus Ware generate sacks, just as the Vikings’ two Williams create sack opportunities for Jared Allen.
Some tackles are strictly run-stopping specialists, but Suh and McCoy are also athletic enough to rush the passer. That should make them every-down players in the NFL, with the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
According to Kiper, it would be a reach for the Rams or Lions to pick anyone but Suh or McCoy. "Look at the needs of the Lions," Kiper said. "Could they take a Joe Haden (Florida cornerback) at No 2? A little high for a corner even though Joe Haden’s an outstanding player. To take him ahead of Suh or McCoy? I don’t think so.
"Everybody always says McCoy’s a better pass rusher. I agree to a certain extent. But it’s not like Suh doesn’t get after the quarterback. He’s an outstanding bull rusher. He has improved his technique. He will set the tempo up front. McCoy gives you a little more versatility. Suh is a strong, powerful, outstanding bull rusher. I think he’s a better pass rusher in general than people give him credit for. McCoy is a little bit more explosive.
"Either one of those players, for either one of those teams, would be a good fit. They both give you consistent productivity."
3. They tend to have longevity. It is not unusual to see defensive tackles play at a high level past the age of 30. Investing long term in a proven tackle is safer than investing in a running back. Even an aging defensive tackle who has lost some of his pass-rushing ability still has value if he plays the run well.
"Look at the career Ted Washington had in the NFL, or Sam Adams," Kiper said. "These massive defensive tackles are key elements."
And more good ones are about to enter the NFL.
Select company
Six defensive tackles who will go early in the draft:
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska. If the Rams don’t take him No. 1, the Lions should grab him at No. 2.
Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma. With his talent, entering the draft early was a no-brainer.
Brian Price, UCLA. He should be the first Bruin taken in the first round since Jacksonville tight end Marcedes Lewis (2006).
Dan Williams, Tennessee. He is best-suited to play nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.
Jared Odrick, Penn State. A strong Senior Bowl moved him solidly into the first-round conversation.
Terrence Cody, Alabama. He needs to watch his weight and come to the Combine in shape.
Clifton Brown covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
This story appears in Feb. 18’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.
Some defensive tackles are about to make a lot of money.
Two tackles (Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy) are projected to be taken 1-2 in the draft, and as many as four NFL DTs (San Francisco’s Aubrayo Franklin, Pittsburgh’s Casey Hampton, Green Bay’s Ryan Pickett and New England’s Vince Wilfork) could receive the franchise tag by the Feb. 25 deadline.
Whether a team plays a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, a defensive tackle who can stop the run and supply an inside pass rush is a valuable commodity. Suh and McCoy are so talented and versatile that it would be surprising to see one still on the board after the Rams (first overall pick) and Lions (No. 2) make their selections.
"I would not argue with either one going with the first pick overall," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said during a Wednesday conference call. "McCoy would have been a top-five pick had he come out last year. (General manager) Billy Devaney in St. Louis is going to have a tough call. Both these kids are outstanding. I give Suh the slightest of edges."
At least four other defensive tackles have the potential to be first-round picks: UCLA’s Brian Price, Tennessee’s Dan Williams, Penn State’s Jared Odrick and Alabama’s Terrence Cody. Weight issues have hurt Cody’s first-round chances, and he needs to be in shape at the Combine to improve his status.
Here are three assets that top tackles bring to defenses:
1. They give linebackers the freedom to roam. A tackle who requires double-team attention allows linebackers to make plays. Ravens tackle Haloti Ngata gives inside linebacker Ray Lewis the space to roam sideline to sideline. Franklin does the same for 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis.
"A lot of my plays come from him (Franklin) holding double-teams and playing the way that he does," Willis said at the Pro Bowl. "When you have a guy like Aubrayo, whenever you try to block him one-on-one, nobody can do that. They have to double-team him, and when they double-team, that kind of leaves me to just play ball. We need him back."
2. They provide pressure up the middle. All defenses want to do two things—stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Space-eating defensive tackles, like the Vikings’ Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, make it difficult to run inside. Meanwhile, defensive tackles who get pressure up the middle, like the Cowboys’ Jay Ratliff, prevent quarterbacks from stepping up in the pocket.
Tackles do not always get the glory of ringing up sacks. But Ratliff helps DeMarcus Ware generate sacks, just as the Vikings’ two Williams create sack opportunities for Jared Allen.
Some tackles are strictly run-stopping specialists, but Suh and McCoy are also athletic enough to rush the passer. That should make them every-down players in the NFL, with the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
According to Kiper, it would be a reach for the Rams or Lions to pick anyone but Suh or McCoy. "Look at the needs of the Lions," Kiper said. "Could they take a Joe Haden (Florida cornerback) at No 2? A little high for a corner even though Joe Haden’s an outstanding player. To take him ahead of Suh or McCoy? I don’t think so.
"Everybody always says McCoy’s a better pass rusher. I agree to a certain extent. But it’s not like Suh doesn’t get after the quarterback. He’s an outstanding bull rusher. He has improved his technique. He will set the tempo up front. McCoy gives you a little more versatility. Suh is a strong, powerful, outstanding bull rusher. I think he’s a better pass rusher in general than people give him credit for. McCoy is a little bit more explosive.
"Either one of those players, for either one of those teams, would be a good fit. They both give you consistent productivity."
3. They tend to have longevity. It is not unusual to see defensive tackles play at a high level past the age of 30. Investing long term in a proven tackle is safer than investing in a running back. Even an aging defensive tackle who has lost some of his pass-rushing ability still has value if he plays the run well.
"Look at the career Ted Washington had in the NFL, or Sam Adams," Kiper said. "These massive defensive tackles are key elements."
And more good ones are about to enter the NFL.
Select company
Six defensive tackles who will go early in the draft:
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska. If the Rams don’t take him No. 1, the Lions should grab him at No. 2.
Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma. With his talent, entering the draft early was a no-brainer.
Brian Price, UCLA. He should be the first Bruin taken in the first round since Jacksonville tight end Marcedes Lewis (2006).
Dan Williams, Tennessee. He is best-suited to play nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.
Jared Odrick, Penn State. A strong Senior Bowl moved him solidly into the first-round conversation.
Terrence Cody, Alabama. He needs to watch his weight and come to the Combine in shape.
Clifton Brown covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
This story appears in Feb. 18’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.
You need only check out the pitching staff of every contender to identify the No. 1 trend of the offseason. From Philadelphia to Seattle, from Boston to L.A., the rich got richer in the pitching department.
On the first official day of spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers, here are the top 20 offseason pitching acquisitions:
Roy Halladay joins the NL’s best team.
1. Roy Halladay, SP, Phillies. One of the game’s best starters ended up in an ideal spot: on the National League’s best team, which just so happens to train near his offseason home.
2. Cliff Lee, SP, Mariners. Admittedly shaken when traded by Philadelphia, Lee could have landed in far worse situations than behind one of the game’s best starters, Felix Hernandez, on the fastest-rising team in the game.
3. John Lackey, SP, Red Sox. His Angels managed to beat the Red Sox only once in the playoffs, so why not join them? Lackey’s arrival gives Boston the American League’s best rotation.
4. Billy Wagner, SP, Braves. With 26 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings after his return from Tommy John surgery last season, Wagner convinced Atlanta he has plenty left at age 38.
5. Javier Vazquez, SP, Yankees. Talk about sweet landings: Vazquez went from fourth in NL Cy Young voting to No. 4 in the World Series champions’ rotation.
6. Randy Wolf, SP, Brewers. The Brewers won 80 games with the majors’ worst rotation last season. They gave Wolf a three-year, $29.75 million deal to lead the turnaround.
7. Jose Valverde, RP, Tigers. His mistake in turning down the Astros’ arbitration offer might have cost him millions, but the Tigers were happy to take advantage. Valverde should be an upgrade over last year’s closer, Fernando Rodney.
8. Joel Pineiro, SP, Angels. Don’t think adding a No. 3 starter is a big deal? Consider: If Pineiro had ended up someplace else — such as Seattle — would the Angels still be favorites in the AL West?
9. Rafael Soriano, RP, Rays. For the first time since early 2008, manager Joe Maddon won’t have to rely on a closer-by-committee, or closer-by-matchups as the manager says. That is, if Soriano can be more consistent than he was with the Braves last season.
Can Rich Harden stay healthy in Texas?
10. Rich Harden, SP, Rangers. His stuff is undeniably better than previous No. 1 Kevin Millwood’s. But with Harden, the question is always about health. Maybe Nolan Ryan’s get-tough plan with his starters will work for Harden. If it does, the Rangers will have their best rotation in a long time.
11. Brad Penny, SP, Cardinals. The Oklahoman says he always has wanted to pitch for the Cardinals. Manager Tony La Russa says he always has wanted Penny on his side. Now they have each other. Time for pitching coach Dave Duncan to work his magic. "I’m excited to be part of this," Penny says. "I’ve heard how hard these guys work. I’m definitely going to learn from them. And we’ve got a great catcher (Yadier Molina) and he will also make it a lot of fun for me."
12. Edwin Jackson, SP, Diamondbacks. If Jackson pitches like he did in the first half of ’09 (2.52 ERA), Arizona will have the division’s top rotation from 1-3. Of course, the D-backs also need a healthy Brandon Webb to make that happen.
13. Ben Sheets, SP, Athletics. Giving $10 million to a guy who missed all of last season seems a bit excessive for such a fiscally responsible club. But if Sheets is right, the A’s could be one of the season’s surprise teams.
14. Max Scherzer, SP, Tigers. A win-win for Detroit: Many scouts like Scherzer more than the hard-throwing righthander for whom he was traded (Jackson). The bonus: Scherzer’s salary is much smaller.
15. Aroldis Chapman, SP, Reds. The lefthanded phenom won’t turn the Reds into contenders overnight, but Chapman might be ready sooner than many think. "Based on the pressure he’s already faced and the power arm he has, he should be more equipped to break into the big leagues even if he’s not completely culturalized," teammate Bronson Arroyo says. "You have more pressure pitching for the national team in Cuba than probably any team in the world. (On) no other team does the dictator of the country bring you in when you’re an 18-year-old kid and say, ‘Don’t let our country down.’ You know if you mess up too bad, you might not eat or your family might not eat."
The Nats signed Jason Marquis to be an innings eater.
16. Kevin Millwood, SP, Orioles. His new club believes his experience from pitching in hitter-friendly Texas makes him the right guy to put atop its up-and-coming rotation. The Red Sox and Yankees could have something to say about that.
17. Brandon Lyon, RP, Astros. No reliever signed for more ($15 million) than the righthander. No wonder the Astros are saying the cyst drained from Lyon’s shoulder last month was no big deal.
18. Darren Oliver, RP, Rangers. The Angels’ loss is the Rangers’ gain. Texas, in fact, arguably has a deeper bullpen than L.A. now.
19. Jason Marquis, SP, Nationals. The 2009 All-Star will eat innings and make the wait for Stephen Strasburg a little less painful for Nationals fans.
20. John Smoltz, SP/RP, TBD. Whoever signs the 42-year-old righthander will be getting a big-game pitcher who can start or close. Another future Hall of Famer, Pedro Martinez, also remains available.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
You need only check out the pitching staff of every contender to identify the No. 1 trend of the offseason. From Philadelphia to Seattle, from Boston to L.A., the rich got richer in the pitching department.
On the first official day of spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers, here are the top 20 offseason pitching acquisitions:
Roy Halladay joins the NL’s best team.
1. Roy Halladay, SP, Phillies. One of the game’s best starters ended up in an ideal spot: on the National League’s best team, which just so happens to train near his offseason home.
2. Cliff Lee, SP, Mariners. Admittedly shaken when traded by Philadelphia, Lee could have landed in far worse situations than behind one of the game’s best starters, Felix Hernandez, on the fastest-rising team in the game.
3. John Lackey, SP, Red Sox. His Angels managed to beat the Red Sox only once in the playoffs, so why not join them? Lackey’s arrival gives Boston the American League’s best rotation.
4. Billy Wagner, SP, Braves. With 26 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings after his return from Tommy John surgery last season, Wagner convinced Atlanta he has plenty left at age 38.
5. Javier Vazquez, SP, Yankees. Talk about sweet landings: Vazquez went from fourth in NL Cy Young voting to No. 4 in the World Series champions’ rotation.
6. Randy Wolf, SP, Brewers. The Brewers won 80 games with the majors’ worst rotation last season. They gave Wolf a three-year, $29.75 million deal to lead the turnaround.
7. Jose Valverde, RP, Tigers. His mistake in turning down the Astros’ arbitration offer might have cost him millions, but the Tigers were happy to take advantage. Valverde should be an upgrade over last year’s closer, Fernando Rodney.
8. Joel Pineiro, SP, Angels. Don’t think adding a No. 3 starter is a big deal? Consider: If Pineiro had ended up someplace else — such as Seattle — would the Angels still be favorites in the AL West?
9. Rafael Soriano, RP, Rays. For the first time since early 2008, manager Joe Maddon won’t have to rely on a closer-by-committee, or closer-by-matchups as the manager says. That is, if Soriano can be more consistent than he was with the Braves last season.
Can Rich Harden stay healthy in Texas?
10. Rich Harden, SP, Rangers. His stuff is undeniably better than previous No. 1 Kevin Millwood’s. But with Harden, the question is always about health. Maybe Nolan Ryan’s get-tough plan with his starters will work for Harden. If it does, the Rangers will have their best rotation in a long time.
11. Brad Penny, SP, Cardinals. The Oklahoman says he always has wanted to pitch for the Cardinals. Manager Tony La Russa says he always has wanted Penny on his side. Now they have each other. Time for pitching coach Dave Duncan to work his magic. "I’m excited to be part of this," Penny says. "I’ve heard how hard these guys work. I’m definitely going to learn from them. And we’ve got a great catcher (Yadier Molina) and he will also make it a lot of fun for me."
12. Edwin Jackson, SP, Diamondbacks. If Jackson pitches like he did in the first half of ’09 (2.52 ERA), Arizona will have the division’s top rotation from 1-3. Of course, the D-backs also need a healthy Brandon Webb to make that happen.
13. Ben Sheets, SP, Athletics. Giving $10 million to a guy who missed all of last season seems a bit excessive for such a fiscally responsible club. But if Sheets is right, the A’s could be one of the season’s surprise teams.
14. Max Scherzer, SP, Tigers. A win-win for Detroit: Many scouts like Scherzer more than the hard-throwing righthander for whom he was traded (Jackson). The bonus: Scherzer’s salary is much smaller.
15. Aroldis Chapman, SP, Reds. The lefthanded phenom won’t turn the Reds into contenders overnight, but Chapman might be ready sooner than many think. "Based on the pressure he’s already faced and the power arm he has, he should be more equipped to break into the big leagues even if he’s not completely culturalized," teammate Bronson Arroyo says. "You have more pressure pitching for the national team in Cuba than probably any team in the world. (On) no other team does the dictator of the country bring you in when you’re an 18-year-old kid and say, ‘Don’t let our country down.’ You know if you mess up too bad, you might not eat or your family might not eat."
The Nats signed Jason Marquis to be an innings eater.
16. Kevin Millwood, SP, Orioles. His new club believes his experience from pitching in hitter-friendly Texas makes him the right guy to put atop its up-and-coming rotation. The Red Sox and Yankees could have something to say about that.
17. Brandon Lyon, RP, Astros. No reliever signed for more ($15 million) than the righthander. No wonder the Astros are saying the cyst drained from Lyon’s shoulder last month was no big deal.
18. Darren Oliver, RP, Rangers. The Angels’ loss is the Rangers’ gain. Texas, in fact, arguably has a deeper bullpen than L.A. now.
19. Jason Marquis, SP, Nationals. The 2009 All-Star will eat innings and make the wait for Stephen Strasburg a little less painful for Nationals fans.
20. John Smoltz, SP/RP, TBD. Whoever signs the 42-year-old righthander will be getting a big-game pitcher who can start or close. Another future Hall of Famer, Pedro Martinez, also remains available.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
The Rays entered 2009 determined to prove that their trip to the 2008 World Series wasn’t a fluke. Didn’t happen. Because of injuries and a group of underperforming stars, they weren’t a factor in the AL East race in the second half, and an 11-game losing streak in early September erased any thoughts of claiming the wild card. That painful learning experience behind them, there are plenty of reasons — Evan Longoria, an MVP-caliber hitter, anchors a strong lineup, and the rotation is solid –to believe 2010 will have more in common with 2008 than 2009 for Tampa Bay.
Will Carl Crawford be trade bait if the Rays struggle?
Three questions
1. Is Rafael Soriano the answer to the bullpen issues?
Few were shocked when the Rays reached the middle of June and neither Troy Percival nor Jason Isringhausen, their mind-is-willing-but-flesh-is-weak veteran closers, was healthy. The bullpen, which was a strength for the Rays during their playoff push in 2008, fell into a bit of disarray. Lefthander J.P. Howell, one of nine different Rays to record at least one save last year, did an admirable job until he faltered late in the season.
That ninth-inning uncertainty is why the Rays targeted Soriano, who was 27-for-31 in save opportunities for the Braves in 2009. "When you get one guy that you feel can handle the ninth inning, it permits you to mix and match through the first eight, which is kind of a nice thing to do," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
2. Will Pat Burrell and Dioner Navarro produce offensively?
You would be hard-pressed to find a pair of teammates who disappointed more in 2009, and neither will have a long leash should his struggles continue into 2010. Navarro, the squad’s unofficial Mr. Clutch in 2008, dropped from a .295 batting average and .757 OPS to a .218 average and .583 OPS. The Rays traded for catcher Kelly Shoppach this offseason, and he will share time behind the plate.
Burrell, who was signed as a free agent before the 2009 season to provide righthanded power as the DH, went from 33 homers and an .875 OPS with the Phillies to 14 homers and a .682 OPS, both career lows.
"I really believe that the second year (in the AL) is going to matter a lot for him," Maddon said. "Leaving his only organization last year probably was more difficult than he let on — switching leagues, switching positions, going to arguably the best division in all of baseball and all of the very good pitchers that he had to face. There were a lot of different factors involved in regards to not having a typical year for him."
3. What should they do with Carl Crawford?
The left fielder is one of the most exciting players in the game — his 15 homers, 60 stolen bases and .305 average speak to that — but he will be a free agent after the 2010 season and his next contract will be a whopper. That doesn’t necessarily fit the Rays’ blueprint of high-talent, low-cost players. If the team struggles early, the front office could entertain trade offers for Crawford, who doesn’t turn 29 until August and would command a hearty package of low-cost talent in return.
But if the Rays are in the thick of the AL East or wild-card race, can they really trade Crawford? If they don’t, he almost will certainly test the free agent market after the season. It likely would require a significant hometown discount for him to remain in Tampa Bay.
Projected lineup
1. SS Jason Bartlett: Hit at least .345 in 4 of 6 months.
2. LF Carl Crawford: Hit .295 at home, .315 on road.
3. 3B Evan Longoria: Top-three MVP finish very possible.
4. 1B Carlos Pena: Has averaged 39 HRs, .935 OPS with Rays.
5. 2B Ben Zobrist: Breakthrough year: 91 RBIs, 91 runs, 91 BBs.
6. CF B.J. Upton: OPS dropped from .784 to .686.
7. DH Pat Burrell: .202 AVG, 0 HRs vs. lefthanders.
8. RF Matt Joyce: Gabe Kapler and Fernando Perez in mix.
9. C Dioner Navarro: .183 AVG vs. righthanders.
Projected rotation
1. RHP James Shields: 3.42 ERA in first half; 5.16 ERA in second.
2. RHP Matt Garza: Held lefthanders to .196 AVG, .608 OPS.
3. LHP David Price: Quality starts in 6 of final 8 starts.
4. RHP Jeff Niemann: 13-6, 3.94 ERA as rookie.
5. RHP Wade Davis: 4-hit, 10-K shutout in third career start.
Projected closer
RHP Rafael Soriano: Held opposing hitters to .194 AVG.
Grades
Offense: B. The star power is here: Ben Zobrist, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria all have finished in the top 11 in the AL MVP voting the past two seasons, and Crawford, B.J. Upton and Jason Bartlett combined for 132 stolen bases last year — more than 26 teams. Questions at DH, right field and catcher keep the Rays from getting an "A."
Pitching: B. The rotation has five guys capable of giving No. 1-starter performances on any given night; the goal is improved consistency. Dropping the ugly numbers from Scott Kazmir (5.92 ERA) and Andy Sonnanstine (6.89 ERA as starter) should help improve the unit’s 4.54 ERA. If Soriano is the ninth-inning answer, the bullpen should fall into place.
Bench: B. Willy Aybar has been an invaluable part of the Rays’ bench the past two years; he is a switch hitter who has started games at all four infield positions and clubbed a combined 22 homers. Speedy Fernando Perez missed all of 2009 but can play all three outfield positions.
Manager: A. Maddon punched all the right buttons and pulled all the right levers in 2008. That magic touch didn’t extend into 2009, but he understands his players’ strengths and weaknesses as well as any manager in baseball. Maddon’s emphasis on teaching the Ray Way of baseball in the minors should pay off this season.
Sporting News prediction: The Rays have the talent and experience to compete for a postseason berth, but beating out the Yankees and Red Sox won’t be easy. The more likely scenario has them finishing as the best third-place team in the majors.
COMING THURSDAY: Blue Jays preview.
Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.
The Rays entered 2009 determined to prove that their trip to the 2008 World Series wasn’t a fluke. Didn’t happen. Because of injuries and a group of underperforming stars, they weren’t a factor in the AL East race in the second half, and an 11-game losing streak in early September erased any thoughts of claiming the wild card. That painful learning experience behind them, there are plenty of reasons — Evan Longoria, an MVP-caliber hitter, anchors a strong lineup, and the rotation is solid –to believe 2010 will have more in common with 2008 than 2009 for Tampa Bay.
Will Carl Crawford be trade bait if the Rays struggle?
Three questions
1. Is Rafael Soriano the answer to the bullpen issues?
Few were shocked when the Rays reached the middle of June and neither Troy Percival nor Jason Isringhausen, their mind-is-willing-but-flesh-is-weak veteran closers, was healthy. The bullpen, which was a strength for the Rays during their playoff push in 2008, fell into a bit of disarray. Lefthander J.P. Howell, one of nine different Rays to record at least one save last year, did an admirable job until he faltered late in the season.
That ninth-inning uncertainty is why the Rays targeted Soriano, who was 27-for-31 in save opportunities for the Braves in 2009. "When you get one guy that you feel can handle the ninth inning, it permits you to mix and match through the first eight, which is kind of a nice thing to do," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
2. Will Pat Burrell and Dioner Navarro produce offensively?
You would be hard-pressed to find a pair of teammates who disappointed more in 2009, and neither will have a long leash should his struggles continue into 2010. Navarro, the squad’s unofficial Mr. Clutch in 2008, dropped from a .295 batting average and .757 OPS to a .218 average and .583 OPS. The Rays traded for catcher Kelly Shoppach this offseason, and he will share time behind the plate.
Burrell, who was signed as a free agent before the 2009 season to provide righthanded power as the DH, went from 33 homers and an .875 OPS with the Phillies to 14 homers and a .682 OPS, both career lows.
"I really believe that the second year (in the AL) is going to matter a lot for him," Maddon said. "Leaving his only organization last year probably was more difficult than he let on — switching leagues, switching positions, going to arguably the best division in all of baseball and all of the very good pitchers that he had to face. There were a lot of different factors involved in regards to not having a typical year for him."
3. What should they do with Carl Crawford?
The left fielder is one of the most exciting players in the game — his 15 homers, 60 stolen bases and .305 average speak to that — but he will be a free agent after the 2010 season and his next contract will be a whopper. That doesn’t necessarily fit the Rays’ blueprint of high-talent, low-cost players. If the team struggles early, the front office could entertain trade offers for Crawford, who doesn’t turn 29 until August and would command a hearty package of low-cost talent in return.
But if the Rays are in the thick of the AL East or wild-card race, can they really trade Crawford? If they don’t, he almost will certainly test the free agent market after the season. It likely would require a significant hometown discount for him to remain in Tampa Bay.
Projected lineup
1. SS Jason Bartlett: Hit at least .345 in 4 of 6 months.
2. LF Carl Crawford: Hit .295 at home, .315 on road.
3. 3B Evan Longoria: Top-three MVP finish very possible.
4. 1B Carlos Pena: Has averaged 39 HRs, .935 OPS with Rays.
5. 2B Ben Zobrist: Breakthrough year: 91 RBIs, 91 runs, 91 BBs.
6. CF B.J. Upton: OPS dropped from .784 to .686.
7. DH Pat Burrell: .202 AVG, 0 HRs vs. lefthanders.
8. RF Matt Joyce: Gabe Kapler and Fernando Perez in mix.
9. C Dioner Navarro: .183 AVG vs. righthanders.
Projected rotation
1. RHP James Shields: 3.42 ERA in first half; 5.16 ERA in second.
2. RHP Matt Garza: Held lefthanders to .196 AVG, .608 OPS.
3. LHP David Price: Quality starts in 6 of final 8 starts.
4. RHP Jeff Niemann: 13-6, 3.94 ERA as rookie.
5. RHP Wade Davis: 4-hit, 10-K shutout in third career start.
Projected closer
RHP Rafael Soriano: Held opposing hitters to .194 AVG.
Grades
Offense: B. The star power is here: Ben Zobrist, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria all have finished in the top 11 in the AL MVP voting the past two seasons, and Crawford, B.J. Upton and Jason Bartlett combined for 132 stolen bases last year — more than 26 teams. Questions at DH, right field and catcher keep the Rays from getting an "A."
Pitching: B. The rotation has five guys capable of giving No. 1-starter performances on any given night; the goal is improved consistency. Dropping the ugly numbers from Scott Kazmir (5.92 ERA) and Andy Sonnanstine (6.89 ERA as starter) should help improve the unit’s 4.54 ERA. If Soriano is the ninth-inning answer, the bullpen should fall into place.
Bench: B. Willy Aybar has been an invaluable part of the Rays’ bench the past two years; he is a switch hitter who has started games at all four infield positions and clubbed a combined 22 homers. Speedy Fernando Perez missed all of 2009 but can play all three outfield positions.
Manager: A. Maddon punched all the right buttons and pulled all the right levers in 2008. That magic touch didn’t extend into 2009, but he understands his players’ strengths and weaknesses as well as any manager in baseball. Maddon’s emphasis on teaching the Ray Way of baseball in the minors should pay off this season.
Sporting News prediction: The Rays have the talent and experience to compete for a postseason berth, but beating out the Yankees and Red Sox won’t be easy. The more likely scenario has them finishing as the best third-place team in the majors.
COMING THURSDAY: Blue Jays preview.
Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.
In every fourth February, athletes from all over the world convene in exotic foreign cities (except when the games are played in the U.S.) for the Winter Olympics.
In every February, pro football players from all over the country convene in Indianapolis for the Underwear Olympics, aka the NFL Combine.
Though no medals will be awarded, the men who run the fastest, jump the highest, and/or lift 225 pounds the most times while wearing T-shirts and shorts could be poised to earn more money in July, based on the precise moment when they hear their names called out in April.
Jerry Rice didn’t overwhelm anyone in pre-draft workouts. He did in the NFL.
The Underwear Olympics process has little or no relevance to the sport of football. As we’ve heard time and again over the years, a football player needs to be able to run 40 yards in a straight line only on one of two occasions — when something very good has happened, and when something very bad has happened.
And yet scouts continue to obsess over the Underwear Olympics, which provide tangible data regarding a transition process from college football to pro football that will be driven largely by intangibles like heart, desire, and the ability to take repeated shots to the chops from a grown man.
Because there’s no way to know whether a player who played well among college-caliber players will be able to thrive when competing against the best of the best that more than 120 universities had to offer over the course of a decade or longer, NFL teams rely on the Underwear Olympics to provide superficial justification for decisions that ultimately are made at a far more visceral level. Seasoned coaches and scouts develop a sense for separating the skilled players who genuinely love football from the guys who are pretending to love it in order to get paid, but if a mistake is made based on a hunch that isn’t supported by hard evidence, seasoned coaches and scouts quickly become unemployed seasoned coaches and scouts.
So the teams rely on the Underwear Olympics to help provide a safe harbor for risks that don’t pan out. If, after all, a player’s numbers measure up favorably to others at the same position, it’ll be a little bit harder for ownership to hold the front office and/or the coaching staff accountable for wasting a draft pick and the ensuing bonus payment and salary on a guy who’s out of the league faster than Ryan Leaf.
What does any of it mean? Not all that much. Receiver Jerry Rice’s talent suggested that, in hindsight, he should have been the first player drafted in 1985; his inability to run really fast without pads or a helmet and with no football in the air left him available when the 49ers used the 16th pick in the draft.
Then there’s Vernon Gholston. The Jets linebacker has become this generation’s Mike Mamula — a player who can run and jump and lift and who looks like a monster but who gets lost when it’s time to put on the uniform and make things happen on the field.
It doesn’t make the Underwear Olympics meaningless. But they can be very misleading. And the best teams understand that the numbers and the measurements generated represent a piece of a much larger puzzle for which the answer won’t come until months if not years after the pre-draft obsession has subsided.
By then, of course, the focus will have shifted to the next crop of incoming rookies, or the next. Or the next. It’s one of the strange realities of the annual player selection process. We put hundreds of kids under the microscope through April, and then we forget about most of them once the real work starts in July and August, when teams find out the one thing they’ll never know between now and draft day: Whether players who were able to perform well at the college level will become big men on an NFL campus — or whether they’ll be among the many who never find their way against the highest level of competition.
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.
In every fourth February, athletes from all over the world convene in exotic foreign cities (except when the games are played in the U.S.) for the Winter Olympics.
In every February, pro football players from all over the country convene in Indianapolis for the Underwear Olympics, aka the NFL Combine.
Though no medals will be awarded, the men who run the fastest, jump the highest, and/or lift 225 pounds the most times while wearing T-shirts and shorts could be poised to earn more money in July, based on the precise moment when they hear their names called out in April.
Jerry Rice didn’t overwhelm anyone in pre-draft workouts. He did in the NFL.
The Underwear Olympics process has little or no relevance to the sport of football. As we’ve heard time and again over the years, a football player needs to be able to run 40 yards in a straight line only on one of two occasions — when something very good has happened, and when something very bad has happened.
And yet scouts continue to obsess over the Underwear Olympics, which provide tangible data regarding a transition process from college football to pro football that will be driven largely by intangibles like heart, desire, and the ability to take repeated shots to the chops from a grown man.
Because there’s no way to know whether a player who played well among college-caliber players will be able to thrive when competing against the best of the best that more than 120 universities had to offer over the course of a decade or longer, NFL teams rely on the Underwear Olympics to provide superficial justification for decisions that ultimately are made at a far more visceral level. Seasoned coaches and scouts develop a sense for separating the skilled players who genuinely love football from the guys who are pretending to love it in order to get paid, but if a mistake is made based on a hunch that isn’t supported by hard evidence, seasoned coaches and scouts quickly become unemployed seasoned coaches and scouts.
So the teams rely on the Underwear Olympics to help provide a safe harbor for risks that don’t pan out. If, after all, a player’s numbers measure up favorably to others at the same position, it’ll be a little bit harder for ownership to hold the front office and/or the coaching staff accountable for wasting a draft pick and the ensuing bonus payment and salary on a guy who’s out of the league faster than Ryan Leaf.
What does any of it mean? Not all that much. Receiver Jerry Rice’s talent suggested that, in hindsight, he should have been the first player drafted in 1985; his inability to run really fast without pads or a helmet and with no football in the air left him available when the 49ers used the 16th pick in the draft.
Then there’s Vernon Gholston. The Jets linebacker has become this generation’s Mike Mamula — a player who can run and jump and lift and who looks like a monster but who gets lost when it’s time to put on the uniform and make things happen on the field.
It doesn’t make the Underwear Olympics meaningless. But they can be very misleading. And the best teams understand that the numbers and the measurements generated represent a piece of a much larger puzzle for which the answer won’t come until months if not years after the pre-draft obsession has subsided.
By then, of course, the focus will have shifted to the next crop of incoming rookies, or the next. Or the next. It’s one of the strange realities of the annual player selection process. We put hundreds of kids under the microscope through April, and then we forget about most of them once the real work starts in July and August, when teams find out the one thing they’ll never know between now and draft day: Whether players who were able to perform well at the college level will become big men on an NFL campus — or whether they’ll be among the many who never find their way against the highest level of competition.
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.
Sporting News staff reports
An MRI exam on the pitching shoulder of Braves righthander Jair Jurrjens revealed no structural damage, according to the team’s website.
Jurrjens merely is dealing with inflammation and tightness in the shoulder. He told the website that he could begin a throwing program in the next few days and still could be ready for the start of the regular season.
Jurrjens had experienced discomfort since reporting early to Braves camp last week.
The 24-year-old went 14-10 with a 2.60 ERA in 34 starts last season.
Sporting News staff reports
An MRI exam on the pitching shoulder of Braves righthander Jair Jurrjens revealed no structural damage, according to the team’s website.
Jurrjens merely is dealing with inflammation and tightness in the shoulder. He told the website that he could begin a throwing program in the next few days and still could be ready for the start of the regular season.
Jurrjens had experienced discomfort since reporting early to Braves camp last week.
The 24-year-old went 14-10 with a 2.60 ERA in 34 starts last season.
NBA: Mark Cuban knows a good thing when he sees it. After the NBA All-Star Game’s good-time-had-by-all visit to Cowboys Stadium, the Mavs owner is wondering out loud if it would make sense to have select Mavericks games in Arlington. "If we can make the economics work, we’d look at having a regular-season or a playoff game over there," Cuban said. "You can bring in twice as many fans, so economically it would probably work out. And it would be a unique attraction for people who wanted to come play for the Mavs."
NCAA: Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson and Florida State’s NCAA compliance director, Brian Battle, give the L.A. Times a pretty unpleasant picture of what USC will be facing when its hearing begins Thursday in a Tempe, Ariz., hotel conference room. Intimidating is the theme. USC faces charges that star athletes in football and men’s basketball received cash, gifts and favors from agents or others in violation of NCAA rules.
MLB: Yo Cubs fans, it’s your time of year (you know, when hope springs eternal). The Chicago Tribune tells us that a slimmer Carlos Zambrano is one thing to look for in Cubbie camp.
NFL: Today’s Sun-Sentinel has an interesting take on the power poll concept. The newspaper ranks the top 30 Dolphins players. No. 30 is CB Will Allen. LT Jake Long gets the top spot with this commentary: "As long as Long stays healthy there’s no limit on what he can accomplish."
Dogs: Fly’s still trying to figure out why dog shows are in sports sections. Yay for Sadie, Westminster’s new champ … I guess.
NBA: Mark Cuban knows a good thing when he sees it. After the NBA All-Star Game’s good-time-had-by-all visit to Cowboys Stadium, the Mavs owner is wondering out loud if it would make sense to have select Mavericks games in Arlington. "If we can make the economics work, we’d look at having a regular-season or a playoff game over there," Cuban said. "You can bring in twice as many fans, so economically it would probably work out. And it would be a unique attraction for people who wanted to come play for the Mavs."
NCAA: Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson and Florida State’s NCAA compliance director, Brian Battle, give the L.A. Times a pretty unpleasant picture of what USC will be facing when its hearing begins Thursday in a Tempe, Ariz., hotel conference room. Intimidating is the theme. USC faces charges that star athletes in football and men’s basketball received cash, gifts and favors from agents or others in violation of NCAA rules.
MLB: Yo Cubs fans, it’s your time of year (you know, when hope springs eternal). The Chicago Tribune tells us that a slimmer Carlos Zambrano is one thing to look for in Cubbie camp.
NFL: Today’s Sun-Sentinel has an interesting take on the power poll concept. The newspaper ranks the top 30 Dolphins players. No. 30 is CB Will Allen. LT Jake Long gets the top spot with this commentary: "As long as Long stays healthy there’s no limit on what he can accomplish."
Dogs: Fly’s still trying to figure out why dog shows are in sports sections. Yay for Sadie, Westminster’s new champ … I guess.
Russ Lande, War Room scouts
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. Here is a capsule look at prospect Geno Atkins:
Geno Atkins was tied for 17th in the SEC in tackles for loss last season.
NFL position: DT
Height: 6-1 1⁄8
Weight: 286
40 time: 5.01
Current projection: Second-round pick
Against the run: Was productive in this area in college, but lack of size will be more of an issue in NFL. Shows the initial quickness off the snap to get into gaps and disrupt blocking schemes or make tackles in the backfield; is highly productive against "reach" blocks. Shows the initial quickness, leverage and hand usage to jolt offensive linemen; can defeat one-on-one run blocks with quick hands and feet. Lacks the size and strength to shed offensive linemen once they get their hands on him. Grade: 7.5
Pass rush: Explodes off the snap and into the backfield. Shows the hand usage and footwork to defeat one-on-one pass blocks with quick pass-rush moves. Gets underneath offensive linemen, jolting them backward when bull rushing aggressively; however, struggles to free up and make sack when close. Lacks size to be an elite bull rusher. Will deliver crushing hits to QB after the pass. Grade: 7.5
Initial quickness: Excels in this area, enabling him to be highly productive despite his lack of size. Anticipates the snap count well, and often is the first defensive lineman moving. Gets into gaps or on top of offensive linemen before they can get set. Grade: 8.5
Instincts: Shows excellent instincts and makes big plays. Sniffs out misdirection and trick plays. Must work on awareness of "side" blocks; can be driven down the line and out of the play too easily. Grade: 8.0
Pursuit/tackling: Excels in this area. Gets inside "reach" blocks and accelerates down the line. When unblocked on runs away, moves easily through traffic to chase down ballcarriers. As a tackler, stays under control and shows good technique. Grade: 8.0
Bottom line: During the ’09 season, Atkins was Georgia’s most productive defender, although he lost playing time late in the season to the emerging Kade Weston. Atkins has great athleticism, speed and explosiveness, but undersized defensive tackles are not suited for all NFL schemes. For teams that run a 4-3 scheme, he has high value as a 3-technique tackle. He probably will need a season or two as a backup to adjust to the pros and add bulk. Atkins will not be drafted as highly as we have him rated because of his size, but in time will prove to be a good value.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Russ Lande, War Room scouts
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. Here is a capsule look at prospect Geno Atkins:
Geno Atkins was tied for 17th in the SEC in tackles for loss last season.
NFL position: DT
Height: 6-1 1⁄8
Weight: 286
40 time: 5.01
Current projection: Second-round pick
Against the run: Was productive in this area in college, but lack of size will be more of an issue in NFL. Shows the initial quickness off the snap to get into gaps and disrupt blocking schemes or make tackles in the backfield; is highly productive against "reach" blocks. Shows the initial quickness, leverage and hand usage to jolt offensive linemen; can defeat one-on-one run blocks with quick hands and feet. Lacks the size and strength to shed offensive linemen once they get their hands on him. Grade: 7.5
Pass rush: Explodes off the snap and into the backfield. Shows the hand usage and footwork to defeat one-on-one pass blocks with quick pass-rush moves. Gets underneath offensive linemen, jolting them backward when bull rushing aggressively; however, struggles to free up and make sack when close. Lacks size to be an elite bull rusher. Will deliver crushing hits to QB after the pass. Grade: 7.5
Initial quickness: Excels in this area, enabling him to be highly productive despite his lack of size. Anticipates the snap count well, and often is the first defensive lineman moving. Gets into gaps or on top of offensive linemen before they can get set. Grade: 8.5
Instincts: Shows excellent instincts and makes big plays. Sniffs out misdirection and trick plays. Must work on awareness of "side" blocks; can be driven down the line and out of the play too easily. Grade: 8.0
Pursuit/tackling: Excels in this area. Gets inside "reach" blocks and accelerates down the line. When unblocked on runs away, moves easily through traffic to chase down ballcarriers. As a tackler, stays under control and shows good technique. Grade: 8.0
Bottom line: During the ’09 season, Atkins was Georgia’s most productive defender, although he lost playing time late in the season to the emerging Kade Weston. Atkins has great athleticism, speed and explosiveness, but undersized defensive tackles are not suited for all NFL schemes. For teams that run a 4-3 scheme, he has high value as a 3-technique tackle. He probably will need a season or two as a backup to adjust to the pros and add bulk. Atkins will not be drafted as highly as we have him rated because of his size, but in time will prove to be a good value.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will be sidelined early in spring training by a sore back, according to an ESPN report.
However, Matsuzaka should be ready for the start of the regular season.
It isn’t known how Dice-K suffered the injury, but the Boston Herald speculated that it could have happened while he was working out to be ready for the 2010 season. He might have pushed himself extra hard in hopes of avoiding a repeat of last spring.
In 2009, Matsuzaka reported to camp with shoulder and thigh injuries, missed much of the regular season and finished with a 5.76 ERA in 12 starts. He was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts in 2008.
Sporting News staff reports
Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will be sidelined early in spring training by a sore back, according to an ESPN report.
However, Matsuzaka should be ready for the start of the regular season.
It isn’t known how Dice-K suffered the injury, but the Boston Herald speculated that it could have happened while he was working out to be ready for the 2010 season. He might have pushed himself extra hard in hopes of avoiding a repeat of last spring.
In 2009, Matsuzaka reported to camp with shoulder and thigh injuries, missed much of the regular season and finished with a 5.76 ERA in 12 starts. He was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts in 2008.
