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Pro Sports Wrap - by Sam Ruesler

6/22 Daily Rundown: A new proposal

June 22nd 2011 06:13
1. Owners giving a new proposal to players

The players will get 48 percent of the revenue, and it will never go below 46.5 percent. If the salary cap for a year is at 125 million or something like that, a team's payroll must be around that amount. That could be difficult for teams in smaller markets, but it forces owners to actually spend. There is a rookie wage scale in this proposed deal, but it isn't finalized yet. A player must have four years under his belt in order to become a UFA, and tags (such as the franchise tag) are going to be discussed in the next round of player-owner negotiations. Retired NFL players will also get benefits such as improved health care, and I am glad that is in the proposed deal.


2. Dwane Casey hired

Finally. Former Mavericks assistant coach Dwane Casey was hired by the Toronto Raptors to be their new coach. Casey was probably the best assistant coach in the league, and he is finally rewarded with his first head coaching gig. I love this guy, but I don't know if even he can change the mess in Toronto. They have the worst roster in the league, and there isn't a star on this team.

Casey is going to give his offensive players freedom, and he is going to emphasize defense. This is, after all, a defensive-minded coach on a team with absolutely no defense. Have you seen Andrea Bargnani try to play D? He's going to try to bring something to this defense and work with his players to improve their defense.

3. Jose Reyes waiting

Jose Reyes told the Mets that he doesn't want to engage in negotiations during the regular season. He wants to keep playing for the Mets, but he doesn't want any distractions hindering his performance this year. He is easily the team's best player, and he has the highest WAR in the NL. The Mets shouldn't trade him, and they should make every effort to re-sign him in the offseason. This is their star.


4. Thanks Pat

Erik Spoelstra is one of my favorite coaches in the NBA, and he's one of the best coaches out there. He is the reason why Dwayne Wade kept on improving, and he is the reason why the Heat even made it this far. Remember that whole crying episode? Spoelstra had to be Sparky Anderson, and then some. He not only had to manage three superstars with egos of their own, but he also had to coach a team with no bench.

There was a lot of speculation in the beginning of the season that Pat Riley would take the reigns and boot out Spoelstra. I said that was the stupidest thing, and that I would start raging if that ever happened. Like, why would you even consider firing one of the best young coaches in the NBA? Riley also mentored Spoelstra, and I doubt he would oust him. Riley is also content with sticking around in the background.

Well, Pat Riley said that he won't coach again and that Spoelstra is doing a great job. Thanks Pat, that made my day.

“It doesn’t mean that I don’t have the fire,” Riley said. “But we have a great young coach here and I want to support him and hope that he can grow like I did. This is just his third year.”

5. Tony Parker for lottery pick?

The San Antonio Spurs have talked to several teams with lottery picks about moving Tony Parker for one of those choices. I wouldn't do this if I were the Spurs because this is such a weak draft. I would never trade a a very good player for a pick that will probably yield a decent borderline starter in the NBA. This seems a little out of character for the Spurs, and it would be a huge mistake if they were to trade Parker for the Raptors' fifth pick- or something like that.
A new proposal
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3/2011 Team Scope: Tampa Bay Bucs

March 12th 2011 14:35
I realize that there is a lockout, and it obviously both angers and disappoints me that both sides were more concerned in their own pride instead of trying to actually bargain. I know that there were a few people that kept their integrity in all of this, but I also know that there were those that didn't. Regardless, after much deliberation I have decided to continue to write about football. This is another team scope that thoroughly reviews a team's roster and their strengths and weaknesses. Enjoy.

Davin Joseph and Jeff Faine are mainstays in the interior, and I really like Donald Penn at left tackle. The problem with this team is the right side of the offensive line. Their right guard isn't so good, and they desperately need a right tackle. The combination of Jeremy Trueblood and James Lee doesn't cut it. LaGarrette Blount is a good running back that really breaks out of the hole extremely well. He is a physical runner that is extremely explosive. Cadillac Williams has almost the same kind of skill-set, so the Bucs are set with their running game.

We all know how good Josh Freeman and receiver Mike Williams are. Kellen Winslow Jr. is the guy that really opens things up for Williams, and his contributions to the Bucs are beyond what any stat sheet can say. Sammie Stroughter isn't a number two wide receiver in this league, but he can be a number 3 guy. Arrelious Benn has some promise, but I would like to see the Bucs try to draft another receiver in like the third round to put into the mix.

Gerald McCoy and Brian Price look like a nice tandem in the middle of the defensive line for years to come. I love McCoy's upside. However, the Bucs' defensive ends are terrible at generating pass rush. Stylez G. White is serviceable, but they very much need a pass rusher that can actually get to the quarterback. Geno Hayes is a pretty good player, and Barrett Ruud is the heart of this defense. They really need him to stay if they want to still be successful using the Tampa 2.

Aqib Talib is an insanely talented player. EJ Biggers has some talent, but he makes far too many mistakes. Ronde Barber is falling off, but he knows what he's doing. That's an interesting pair up at nickel and 2nd corner respectively. I think the Bucs might want to think about bringing in a corner in the draft because Barber's time in the league is almost up. Tanard Jackson needs to figure out what is going on in his life, but in the meantime, Sean Jones is showing why he was once one of the best safeties in the AFC when he played with the Cleveland Browns. Jones is a very underrated player.

Michael Spurlock is a very good returner that averages nearly 26 yards per kickoff return. Connor Barth is a solid kicker, but I don't really like their punter Robert Malone. I think the Bucs have a solid special teams unit. The Bucs have a solid offense that is anchored by a strong running game. Their defense needs to get a dynamic pass rusher to become relevant again. Overall, the Bucs are a solid young team that will once again threaten for a playoff spot.
Bucs Must Groom A Future CB


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