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Pro Sports Wrap - Sports Personality of the Day:Tony Romo

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Uneasy situation in Montreal

December 11th 2011 15:24
The chances of defenseman Matthias Ohlund playing this season are slim, as he hasn't skated for several weeks due to pain in his knees. He had knee surgery in mid-October, and it looks like GM Steve Yzerman will stand pat. There really is no reason to do something else, as Bruno Geravis has played well as a depth defenseman. I think the furthest Yzerman should go is call up Radko Gudas if things get worse on the blue line.


Before the Carolina Hurricanes were able to dump off Tomas Kaberle's contract on the Canadiens shoulders, the 'Canes tried to trade the $4.25 million man to the Blue Jackets. Carolina tried to package a second rounder and the 33-year-old for center Derick Brassard, but the Blue Jackets rejected this offer outright. Kaberle had a -11 this season with the Hurricanes, and it really seems like the only way to improve this sagging team is a complete overhaul. It may seem imprudent, but this strange collapse may be for real. The key players, such as Eric Staal, are here to stay, but guys like Kaberle and other older role players are expendable. I still can't believe the Canadiens would ever take the under-performing, aging Kaberle and- most of all- the contract that comes with him.


The team that obtained Kaberle, the Canadiens, are interested in shaking things up as well. The fan base has been calling for Jacques Martin's head, but there are also rumblings that GM Pierre Gauthier's job security is falling. Patrick Roy and the surprise firing Randy Carlyle are two names circulating around Martin (the vultures around a "corpse"), and even some players have said that Martin has a poor system that is too restrictive. The aforementioned Blue Jackets were among the teams who made head coaching changes, and they have gotten off to a hot start with their new coach. The Canadiens are coming off of a shootout loss against the Jackets, and maybe firing their head coach will help them out; I certainly think it will.
Tomas Kaberle
Traded to Montreal

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Bo Harris Player Profile

December 10th 2011 15:25
Bo Harris was a left outside linebacker who played with the Cincinnati Bengals for eight seasons from 1975-1982. A third rounder out of LSU, Harris would wear the No. 53 and would be worth 44 AV during his entire career. Pro-Football Reference's similarity score says that Harris's career was similar to current linebackers Karlos Dansby and D.J. Williams.

After a poor rookie year in which Harris didn't really have much of a chance to play, he had the best season of his career as a sophomore in the NFL. He was worth 10 AV and picked off two passes while also recovering two fumbles and fumbling once on his own. The net return yardage on those four turnovers was -5, and he had 13 fumble return yards on five fumble recoveries in his career (2.6 yards per fumble return).

A season later, Bo Harris also played in 14 games and picked off two passes. Although he did nothing else, he still had a decent season. 1978 was a year to forget for Harris, as he played in only half of the team's games, was worth just 1 AV (tied for his career low as a rookie in 1975), and the only thing he did was recover a fumble.

In 1979, Harris got back on track and played in 15 games, setting a career high at the time. He didn't do much that year and was mediocre overall, and the same can be said about his 1980 season. However, Harris did get on the stat sheet that year with two fumble recoveries for a career-high 15 yards.In 1981, Harris played in 16 games; the most in his career. He started in all of them, picked off two more passes, and he had 92 total interception return yardage due to a 49 yard return. He was worth 8 AV, after being worth 5 or less for the previous three seasons.

1982 was the last season of Bo Harris's career, but it was a solid one in the nine games he played and started in. Harris had one interception, but the important thing is that he returned it 62 yards for the only touchdown of his career. He also had two sacks in the first year that this statistic was recorded, so it was a solid 29-year-old, final-season campaign for Harris.

Bo Harris finished off his career with 103 total games appeared in to go with seven picks for 168 total yards returned on those INTs. He was a slightly above-average LOLB who had a key interception in a Wild Card game in 1982 against the Buffalo Bills. Harris would return it for 16 yards in a narrow 28-21 victory at the age of 28 (his second-to-last season).
Bo Harris
8-year LB with Bengals
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Tony Pashos Player Profile

December 9th 2011 15:23
Cleveland Browns right tackle Tony Pashos is an injury prone offensive lineman who is slightly above-average when he is healthy. Pashos has been the second best player on the team's offensive line this season, as he has been one of only two players who have helped keep Colt McCoy's jersey clean. Pashos, however, has never been lauded for his pass protection, and this is the only season in which he has been good as a pass blocker. In fact, Pashos has been tearing it up and is the team's best pass protector this season- even better than Joe Thomas. However, Pashos's run blocking has been poor, making him "only" slightly above-average on the year. He is much better than backups Oniel Cousins and Artis Hicks, so Browns fans can't really complain too much about his 2011 season.

Pashos gives up minimal pressure and is one of the only players on offense who has provided some value. The Browns are an above-average pass blocking team and a poor run blocking team overall, which makes them an average line overall. The team averages a high 4.9 yards per carry off the right tackle, but they average an atrocious, league-worst 0.4 carries off the right end. In any case, Pashos is not going to mistaken as one of the premier run blockers in the NFL for this season.

The weird thing is that Tony Pashos's 2011 season is actually the exact opposite of what we have come to expect from him. He has been an incredible pass blocker this season, but he has left a lot to be desired as a run blocker. However, he has usually been one of the better run blockers in the league, and, by the same token, a poor pass blocker. He is a decent offensive lineman overall, but this has truly been a bizarre season for Pashos. He was cut from a couple of teams in his career because of his poor pass protection, but he was always able to find a starting job somewhere because of his ability to pave the way for running backs. This season, he has been almost perfect in pass protection but has been overrun as a run blocker.

Colt McCoy is a quarterback who is significantly better when not pressured, and he is definitely happy that Pashos has had this weird 2011 season. In fact, he has been one of the top five best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL. Run blocking is more important, in truth, so he has "only" been decent overall. Some things don't change, as Pashos is still a quality right tackle who can step right in and be a huge upgrade over bottom-feeders (Hicks and Cousins). Pashos can also speak Greek and German, which means that he is a boss. I mean, how many other trilingual players are there in the NFL today?


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Fourteen teams interested in Mark Buerhle

December 5th 2011 16:36
At the age of 32, Mark Buehrle is obviously only searching for a three-year contract, and this makes him a popular candidate on the free agent market. According to Sports Illustrated, 14 teams are after him, with the Rangers, Nationals, and the busy Marlins the most aggressive pursuers. This could give Buehrle a bloated contract, but he is a solid pitcher with a very low injury risk who should end up being a solid signing. Buehrle would like a no-trade clause and $14 million a year; about his market value.

A few teams are interested in the top free agent third baseman; Aramis Ramirez. Among these teams looking for a solid bat at a weak offensive position are the Brewers, Phillies, and Angels. It's looking like A-Ram wants three or four years on his deal, but I wouldn't go past three seasons with Ramirez.

There are obviously more teams interested in Prince Fielder, and it looks like the high-priced free agent will wait until the Cardinals and Albert Pujols come to an agreement before signing; thus getting more money in the process. Fielder is viewed as the better investment due to his age, and it looks like he wants to play for an east coast team who will be able to contend next season. Count the Nationals, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Brewers as a few likely destinations for the slugger.

Two rivals are fighting for solid, veteran reliever Octavio Dotel. The 38-year-old would like to re-sign with the Cardinals, and the defending champs have offered him a one-year deal.

Former Indians third baseman Casey Blake is looking to rejoin the team, and nine teams have contacted the 38-year-old who bought out his contract in order to become a free agent. Although he was injured for most of last season, his agent says that he will be completely healthy to start the 2012 season.

36-year-old RHP Hiroki Kuroda would like to sign for around $12-13 million, and he has offers from the Diamondbacks, a club in Japan, the Rockies, Red Sox, and Angels. The D'Backs are really going after the former Dodger, and he will certainly be signed very soon if he stops asking for an option for a second season.
Mark Buehrle
Garnering tons of interest
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A.J. Smith on hot seat

December 4th 2011 15:16
I wrote up a player profile on Nnamdi Asomugha a few days ago, and Nnamdi might be suffering from a concussion that was sustained in the second quarter of Thursday's game. The Eagles are hoping that he will recover before the team takes on the Miami Dolphins next week. Asomugha landed awkwardly and hit Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams with his head, and Nnamdi is already suffering from a knee injury.

The healing process is moving ahead for Peyton Manning, and Dr. Robert Watkins said the surgery was a success; Manning will be able to increase the length and intensity of his workouts. The Colts have been vague about their plans for the future concerning Manning and a certain draft-bound quarterback


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Jeremy Maclin is better than DeSean Jackson

December 3rd 2011 15:05
I don't want to make this an "I told you so" post, but I really did. It was a long time ago when I made the bold statement that Jeremy Maclin is the better receiver than DeSean Jackson. A few of you readers agreed with me, but most of you called me an idiot for saying this. Sure Jackson can make the big play, but he is extremely inconsistent, and Maclin is also capable of making a big play. And plus, Maclin doesn't drop as many passes and is far more consistent.

Last year, when both receivers were actually healthy, Jackson caught just 49% of the passes thrown at him. He did, however, average 22.5 yards per catch; and his ability as a deep threat is the only reason why he had such a great year in 2010. And even then, Jackson's season was overrated, as he is a very one-dimensional player. The only asset he brings to the table is speed, and the arm of Michael Vick is the reason why he is able to haul in these long passes. That's not saying he's a bad player, because Jackson is a good receiver. However, he isn't great, and those who believe he is a top ten receiver are crazy


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11/2011 Player Profile: Nnamdi Asomugha

November 30th 2011 17:30
Nnamdi Asomugha is widely regarded as the second best corner in the NFL to Darrelle Revis, and he was a valued commodity when he hit free agency. Asomugha was given a five-year contract worth $80 million dollars by the Philadelphia Eagles, but he has been a disappointment in his first season with the Eagles. The usually perfect Asomugha has been beat a little too easily this year, and his work in run support- much like last season- has left a lot to be desired.

Asomugha is still a star corner, and I don't think he declined this sharply. Although Asomugha is getting older, he can still cover but is just having a poor season. The scheme he's in with the Eagles doesn't fit his skill set as well as the man-to-man coverage scheme in Oakland. But there really isn't any other way to say it, because Asomugha is in the midst of a poor year; especially by his lofty standards


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Happy 42nd Mo

November 29th 2011 19:23
The greatest closer in MLB history turns 42 today, and his number is also 42 because he played before Jackie Robinson's number was retired league-wide. Mariano Rivera is obviously a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and anyone who suggests otherwise is toiling in idiocy. Happy birthday Mo, and I hope you don't retire after the 2012 season. He's still going strong into his 40's, and that's something I can say for maybe a handful of other players in history.

I would like you all to check out My2Cent's take on some really crazy blockbuster MLB trade that is hypothetical, but interesting all the same. If you like these sorts of mulling posts, then this one is for you


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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: MLB, Mariano Rivera
   


11/2011 Player Profile: Torii Hunter

November 28th 2011 15:57
At the age of 36, Anaheim Angels right fielder Torii Hunter is obviously beginning to see a decline in skill. He is still a productive hitter, but his defense has fallen off ever since he has played for the Angels. His defense has been overrated, and those who think Hunter is still one of the best outfielders in baseball would be dead wrong. He's still a solid player, but his offensive value doesn't translate as well into a more hitter-heavy position (right field). The five-year deal worth $90 million dollars that he signed in 2007 has actually been a rather poor one, as Hunter has been worth about $55 million dollars through his first four seasons when he was expected to be worth $72 million through those years. It wasn't a huge mistake, but people who think this was a good deal would also be wrong.

I mainly want to focus on Hunter as a player now, than rather talk about his historical value (that's what the historical player profiles are for). The RF was worth 2.5 WAR last season, as he was solid in the field and decent- not likely to continue- on the bases despite just five stolen bases. With 82 RBIs, 80 runs, and a .332 wOBA, Torii Hunter was an above-average hitter last season. He only hit .262, but his on-base percentage of .336 was solid as were his 23 homers


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11/2011 Historical Player Profile: Larry Brooks

November 27th 2011 16:05
Larry Brooks was a little-known 14th round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1972 NFL Draft. Brooks was a Little All-American in 1971, but his impact on sports in Virginia wasn't; he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Coming out of a small school didn't help Brooks much, but he was starting for the Rams in the second half of his rookie season. He started with legends Merlin Olsen, Jack Youngblood, and Coy Bacon.

In 1973, he was firmly entrenched as a starter after being moved from right defensive tackle to left defensive tackle. Brooks had nine sacks in '73 and had the most tackles of any defensive lineman on the team with 76. He really broke out in his first full season, and the Rams defense wasn't to be messed with. They were a force to be reckoned with against the run, and they never allowed 300 yards during any game that season


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