Using the current condition from the Jets apparently full of more drama compared to Jersey Shoreline house, it had been only dependent on time before Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath spoke up concerning the situation.
Never someone to be put off by discussing his opinion about his former team -- especially following a unsuccessful 8-8 campaign -- "Broadway Joe" spoke candidly as he made an appearance Thursday on ESPN 1050-AM. And let us start by saying he isn't the greatest fan of employing Tony Sparano like a alternative to John Schottenheimer for offensive coordinator.
"I?ˉm stumped. I'm stumped. Ay yay yay,?± Namath stated. "Let us request the planet would you like the option of Tony Sparano as offensive coordinator?"
Namath stated he respected Sparano for that way he handled the growing season-lengthy pressure in Miami prior to being fired as mind coach. Namath's simply not sure Sparano is capable of run an offense.
?°Other than calling some plays using the Dallas Cowboys, I don?ˉt understand what his qualifications are to have an offensive coordinator,?± Namath stated. ?°This dates back ... Sparano?ˉs relationship with (Jets gm Mike) Tannenbaum dates back towards the (Bill) Parcells days, too. This is actually the football fraternity, the training fraternity, the overall managers using their buddies and all sorts of. That?ˉs essentially things i consider Tony getting that job. Because qualifications being an offensive coordinator? I don?ˉt view it.Inch
To Namath, the gamers were just as much responsible -- or even more -- as Schottenheimer for brand new York's 25th-rated offense being so anemic.
"I believe (Schottenheimer's) the autumn guy essentially, not necessarily a bad offensive coordinator by any stretch. He will be around," Namath stated. "I truly appreciated what a few the gamers around the Jets needed to say once they did explain it was the unsuccessful execution around the area that brought towards the disappointing season. I'm a firm believer the gamers -- the gamers -- are the type that decide the overall game available."
Namath generally defended Mark Sanchez regardless of in-house critique from gamers calling Sanchez "lazy and content." Namath appeared to consider bigger problem with nobody possessing as much as making individuals comments.
"These items about men saying things anonymously, it stinks. It's lousy," Namath stated. "I'm not sure the way you correct it unless of course you are there within the room searching at men in person and setting it up squared away. And more of these you need to eliminate.
"You've 50-plus men. ... Not all are sweethearts. Plus they don't arrived at practice day in and day trip as happy campers. They've things happening within their existence from football. You just need to weed it. You have some prima-donnas, without doubt about this. We all know a number of them, and they have to change."
However, you, Joe? Ay yay yay. Please keep speaking and do not ever change.
2012年1月12日星期四
Tucker pulls out of Vikes' coordinator search to remain Jags' DC
Mel Tucker will remain with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team's defensive coordinator, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora on Thursday night.
In addition, NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports the team has added "assistant head coach" to his title, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Tucker was elevated to interim head coach for the final five weeks of the season after Jack Del Rio was fired.
Tucker, who interviewed this week to be the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator, informed them he would remain in Jacksonville with new head coach Mike Mularkey.
The Jaguars introduced Mularkey as their new coach on Wednesday.
In addition, NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports the team has added "assistant head coach" to his title, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Tucker was elevated to interim head coach for the final five weeks of the season after Jack Del Rio was fired.
Tucker, who interviewed this week to be the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator, informed them he would remain in Jacksonville with new head coach Mike Mularkey.
The Jaguars introduced Mularkey as their new coach on Wednesday.
2012年1月4日星期三
Gary Cahill's farewell gesture lifts Bolton Wanderers from the bottom after freak Tim Howard goal for Everton
Bolton declined to become blown off course after Howard’s wind-aided 80-yard kick seriously embarrassed Adam Bogdan, his counterpart, and left the site visitors looking in a 20th defeat in 25 top-flight games.
The previous Liverpool striker, David Ngog, marked his go back to Merseyside having a fine equaliser before Cahill, who's closing in on the ￡7 million proceed to Chelsea, fired a 78th-minute champion to earn his battling side merely a second win in nine league games. The end result lifted Bolton off the foot of the table.
Talks between Chelsea and Cahill’s reps have stuttered in recent days with Tottenham, whose manager Harry Redknapp was present at windswept Goodison, showing late curiosity about the ball player. However the England defender continues to be prone to leave the Reebok before Owen Coyle’s side go back to league action at Manchester U . s . on Jan 14.
“The clubs [Chelsea and Bolton] have agreed a fee. Gary’s reps and Chelsea only have had one meeting about personal terms,” stated Coyle. “It can’t happen to be simple for Gary however i thought he was magnificent and demonstrated tremendous desire.
“No doubt, we fell behind to among the freakiest goals I've ever seen. It could have been simple to have a pity party to live in but we demonstrated a great deal of character.”
Bolton move two places in the table, above Blackburn and Wigan, after ruining Landon Donovan’s Goodison return. Twenty-two several weeks since he was last observed in action for Everton, Donovan received a rousing reception from Goodison’s cheapest league crowd throughout David Moyes’s ten years in control.
Donovan had won every Premier League match he performed at Goodison throughout his first spell 2 yrs ago, including victories over Chelsea, Manchester U . s . and Manchester City. Despite making an earlier impact last evening, David Beckham’s LA Universe team-mate was not able to carry on that record as his two-month loan began in defeat.
Donovan forced an earlier save from Bogdan before teeing up Denis Stracqualursi for an opportunity.
Leon Osman forced an uncommon save from Bogdan before flashing another effort narrowly wide prior to the break. Everton’s frustrations increased when Phil Jagielka discontinued hurt three minutes before half-time, Jack Rodwell changing his England team-mate.
Donovan thought he'd won a problem as he went here challenging from Mike Ricketts but referee Phil Dowd waved away the house side’s strong appeals. Then, directly on half-time, Howard saved Everton as he refused Ngog following a defence-splitting go by Nigel Reo-Coker.
Using the gale-like conditions worsening through the minute, Bolton began to develop in confidence. After Rodwell, who later discontinued hurt, screwed an excellent chance in to the side-netting, Bolton’s Mark Davies was refused by Howard’s left leg.
Ngog was again left annoyed by Howard prior to the keeper grew to become an unlikely scoring hero within the 63rd minute. The American’s huge 80-yard clearance, from Sylvain Distin’s pass back, returned once before misleading Bogdan, who had been standing outdoors his six-yard area, and in to the goal.
Bogdan looked embarrassed while Howard was mobbed by his jubilant team-mates. Not too Howard is at the atmosphere to celebrate. “It’s a hardship on Adam Bogdan,” stated Howard later on. “It’s not really a nice spot to be and embarrassing. Personally i think for him. I’ve been beaten before with a goalkeeper and it is quite awful.”
Bolton demonstrated impressive character to snatch victory in the jaws of defeat. Ngog, who had been impressive, demonstrated great authority within the Everton area carrying out a clever flick by Davies before creating an ideal finish which required the smile off Howard’s face.
With 12 minutes left Cahill found the internet from a severe position following great work by Chris Eagles. Leighton Baines ended up being refused an equaliser through the woodwork in stoppage time.
“We didn’t deserve to stay in front and Bolton deserved to win the overall game,” stated the Everton manager, David Moyes. “It would be a freak that people were 1Up but we'd took it. But give Bolton credit - they labored a hardship on the end result and that we didn’t play anywhere near in addition to we've been. Aside from our goalkeeper and items of Landon, it had been tough to use whatever positives.”
Match particulars
Everton (4-4-2): Howard Hibbert, Jagielka (Rodwell 42, T Cahill 61), Distin, Baines Donovan, Heitinga, Neville, Osman (Gueye 53) Stracqualursi, Saha. Subs: Mucha (g), Bilyaletdinov, McFadden, Anichebe. Reserved: Distin.
Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Bogdan Steinsson, G Cahill, Dark night, Ricketts Eagles (Pratley 81), M Davies, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov Ngog (K Davies 87). Subs: Robinson, Tuncay, Klasnic, Wheater, Lynch (g). Reserved: Ngog, Reo-Coker, G Cahill.
The previous Liverpool striker, David Ngog, marked his go back to Merseyside having a fine equaliser before Cahill, who's closing in on the ￡7 million proceed to Chelsea, fired a 78th-minute champion to earn his battling side merely a second win in nine league games. The end result lifted Bolton off the foot of the table.
Talks between Chelsea and Cahill’s reps have stuttered in recent days with Tottenham, whose manager Harry Redknapp was present at windswept Goodison, showing late curiosity about the ball player. However the England defender continues to be prone to leave the Reebok before Owen Coyle’s side go back to league action at Manchester U . s . on Jan 14.
“The clubs [Chelsea and Bolton] have agreed a fee. Gary’s reps and Chelsea only have had one meeting about personal terms,” stated Coyle. “It can’t happen to be simple for Gary however i thought he was magnificent and demonstrated tremendous desire.
“No doubt, we fell behind to among the freakiest goals I've ever seen. It could have been simple to have a pity party to live in but we demonstrated a great deal of character.”
Bolton move two places in the table, above Blackburn and Wigan, after ruining Landon Donovan’s Goodison return. Twenty-two several weeks since he was last observed in action for Everton, Donovan received a rousing reception from Goodison’s cheapest league crowd throughout David Moyes’s ten years in control.
Donovan had won every Premier League match he performed at Goodison throughout his first spell 2 yrs ago, including victories over Chelsea, Manchester U . s . and Manchester City. Despite making an earlier impact last evening, David Beckham’s LA Universe team-mate was not able to carry on that record as his two-month loan began in defeat.
Donovan forced an earlier save from Bogdan before teeing up Denis Stracqualursi for an opportunity.
Leon Osman forced an uncommon save from Bogdan before flashing another effort narrowly wide prior to the break. Everton’s frustrations increased when Phil Jagielka discontinued hurt three minutes before half-time, Jack Rodwell changing his England team-mate.
Donovan thought he'd won a problem as he went here challenging from Mike Ricketts but referee Phil Dowd waved away the house side’s strong appeals. Then, directly on half-time, Howard saved Everton as he refused Ngog following a defence-splitting go by Nigel Reo-Coker.
Using the gale-like conditions worsening through the minute, Bolton began to develop in confidence. After Rodwell, who later discontinued hurt, screwed an excellent chance in to the side-netting, Bolton’s Mark Davies was refused by Howard’s left leg.
Ngog was again left annoyed by Howard prior to the keeper grew to become an unlikely scoring hero within the 63rd minute. The American’s huge 80-yard clearance, from Sylvain Distin’s pass back, returned once before misleading Bogdan, who had been standing outdoors his six-yard area, and in to the goal.
Bogdan looked embarrassed while Howard was mobbed by his jubilant team-mates. Not too Howard is at the atmosphere to celebrate. “It’s a hardship on Adam Bogdan,” stated Howard later on. “It’s not really a nice spot to be and embarrassing. Personally i think for him. I’ve been beaten before with a goalkeeper and it is quite awful.”
Bolton demonstrated impressive character to snatch victory in the jaws of defeat. Ngog, who had been impressive, demonstrated great authority within the Everton area carrying out a clever flick by Davies before creating an ideal finish which required the smile off Howard’s face.
With 12 minutes left Cahill found the internet from a severe position following great work by Chris Eagles. Leighton Baines ended up being refused an equaliser through the woodwork in stoppage time.
“We didn’t deserve to stay in front and Bolton deserved to win the overall game,” stated the Everton manager, David Moyes. “It would be a freak that people were 1Up but we'd took it. But give Bolton credit - they labored a hardship on the end result and that we didn’t play anywhere near in addition to we've been. Aside from our goalkeeper and items of Landon, it had been tough to use whatever positives.”
Match particulars
Everton (4-4-2): Howard Hibbert, Jagielka (Rodwell 42, T Cahill 61), Distin, Baines Donovan, Heitinga, Neville, Osman (Gueye 53) Stracqualursi, Saha. Subs: Mucha (g), Bilyaletdinov, McFadden, Anichebe. Reserved: Distin.
Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Bogdan Steinsson, G Cahill, Dark night, Ricketts Eagles (Pratley 81), M Davies, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov Ngog (K Davies 87). Subs: Robinson, Tuncay, Klasnic, Wheater, Lynch (g). Reserved: Ngog, Reo-Coker, G Cahill.
West Virginia Routs Clemson 70-33 in Orange Bowl
Free Airline Virginia Mountaineers were difficult to decelerate, and just the Orange Bowl mascot could stop Darwin Prepare.
Geno Cruz tied the record for just about any bowl game with six touchdown passes, and also the No. 23-rated Mountaineers set a bowl scoring record Wednesday evening using their high-powered offense. But safety Prepare made the pivotal abide by coming back a fumble 99 yards for any touchdown to interrupt the overall game open and help rout No. 14 Clemson 70-33.
Prepare collided comically with mascot Obie after scoring among the Mountaineers' five TDs within the second quarter, including three within the final 2:29 for any 49-20 lead. It had been the greatest-scoring half with a team inside a bowl game.
"I usually imagined making great plays," Prepare stated. "If you feel it'll happen, it'll happen."
Tavon Austin tied an archive for just about any bowl game with four touchdown catches. Cruz went 31 for 42, coupled with 401 yards passing to interrupt Tom Brady's Orange Bowl record. Cruz also went for any score, helping West Virginia break the bowl record for points established six nights earlier when Baylor beat Washington 67-56 within the Alamo Bowl.
"Never could we imagine we'd set up 70 points," Cruz stated.
The Mountaineers (10-3) won within their first Orange Bowl appearance and enhanced to three- in Bowl Championship Series games.
"The men desired to are available in making a statement, and the only method that you can do that's should you play well on the 3 sides from the ball," coach Dana Holgorsen stated.
Clemson (10-4) lost playing in the initial bowl in 3 decades.
"We are a much better team than we performed tonight," coach Dabo Swinney stated. "Way too many mistakes. But we'll return.Inch
The offensive showcase was the most recent inside a succession this bowl season, and possibly the final. Defense is anticipated to dominate within the final BCS game Monday evening when Louisiana Condition faces Alabama for that national title.
Tacklers had their hands full - in other words, they did not - on the chilly evening in Miami. Cruz and Austin combined on scoring passes of 8, 27, 3 and 37 yards, and Shawne Alston obtained on two short runs for West Virginia, which totaled 589 yards and 31 first downs. Cruz was selected the game's outstanding player.
Even if Clemson handled to corral the Mountaineers, the play wasn't always over. Andrew Buie folded on the defender but never was downed, so he woke up and went for the next 18 yards.
Clemson could not take care of the Large East Conference co-champions, although Andre Ellington did score the game's first points on the 68-yard run. First-team All-People in america Sammy Watkins and Dwayne Allen combined for just seven catches for 87 yards.
"We type of got lower once they obtained a lot of points in this almost no time,Inch Watkins stated.
Among the flurry of points, it had been an opposing player who emerged with second-longest scoring play in Orange Bowl history.
Clemson was near using the lead within the second quarter when Ellington went in the middle and disappeared right into a heap in the 1. A teammate signaled touchdown, however the ball came loose and Prepare snapped up it, then required served by only the finish zone before him.
"I saw the ball come loose," he stated. "I snapped up it. I did not hear a whistle, and so i went."
After Prepare entered the aim line, he gleefully hopped on mascot Obie, a smiling orange, plus they both tumbled towards the turf. Obie rose unhurt and started again her responsibilities.
Prepare and Obie met around the area after the overall game and shared a hug.
"I did not know you had been a woman,Inch he told the mascot. "I am sorry.Inch
Cruz, waiting in the sideline, viewed a relevant video replay of Cook's touchdown in disbelief.
"Crazy, guy," Cruz stated. "After I saw that, I understood things were breaking our way."
The possibility 14-point swing appeared to deflect the Tigers, who had moved the ball almost when needed to that particular point.
"It had been quite a large moment," Swinney stated. "They had not really stopped us. Which was huge. It snowballed rapidly."
The Tigers were condemned when quarterback Tajh Boyd committed subsequent turnovers on consecutive Clemson plays.
After Cruz went 7 yards on the keeper for any 35-20 lead, Pat Burns intercepted Boyd's pass. Cruz turned single-yard touchdown pass to Austin and, around the next play, a phone call was overturned, using the replay official identifying Boyd had lost a fumble.
Alston then went for any 1-yard touchdown with 4 seconds left within the half.
"Momentum thrown not within our favor, also it was tough to recapture," Boyd stated. "West Virginia is a superb offense. You will never fall behind them. We could not stop them. Men were gassed. Their legs were going. It had been a difficult loss - pretty embarrassing."
Defensive worries were not new for that Tigers, who won their first Chesapeake Bay Conference title in two decades but threw in the towel a minimum of 30 points in six regular-season games.
Clemson stored pace for some time, leading 17-14 after one period. It had been the greatest-scoring first quarter and first half in Orange Bowl history.
West Virginia went ahead the very first time at the start of the 2nd period with an 80-yard touchdown drive assigned by Austin's 27-yard catch, making the score 21-17. Cook's takeaway touchdown came next, and also the Mountaineers were ready to go.
"You do not score 70 points when you are good on offense," Holgorsen stated. "You score 70 points when you are good on the 3 sides from the ball."
Geno Cruz tied the record for just about any bowl game with six touchdown passes, and also the No. 23-rated Mountaineers set a bowl scoring record Wednesday evening using their high-powered offense. But safety Prepare made the pivotal abide by coming back a fumble 99 yards for any touchdown to interrupt the overall game open and help rout No. 14 Clemson 70-33.
Prepare collided comically with mascot Obie after scoring among the Mountaineers' five TDs within the second quarter, including three within the final 2:29 for any 49-20 lead. It had been the greatest-scoring half with a team inside a bowl game.
"I usually imagined making great plays," Prepare stated. "If you feel it'll happen, it'll happen."
Tavon Austin tied an archive for just about any bowl game with four touchdown catches. Cruz went 31 for 42, coupled with 401 yards passing to interrupt Tom Brady's Orange Bowl record. Cruz also went for any score, helping West Virginia break the bowl record for points established six nights earlier when Baylor beat Washington 67-56 within the Alamo Bowl.
"Never could we imagine we'd set up 70 points," Cruz stated.
The Mountaineers (10-3) won within their first Orange Bowl appearance and enhanced to three- in Bowl Championship Series games.
"The men desired to are available in making a statement, and the only method that you can do that's should you play well on the 3 sides from the ball," coach Dana Holgorsen stated.
Clemson (10-4) lost playing in the initial bowl in 3 decades.
"We are a much better team than we performed tonight," coach Dabo Swinney stated. "Way too many mistakes. But we'll return.Inch
The offensive showcase was the most recent inside a succession this bowl season, and possibly the final. Defense is anticipated to dominate within the final BCS game Monday evening when Louisiana Condition faces Alabama for that national title.
Tacklers had their hands full - in other words, they did not - on the chilly evening in Miami. Cruz and Austin combined on scoring passes of 8, 27, 3 and 37 yards, and Shawne Alston obtained on two short runs for West Virginia, which totaled 589 yards and 31 first downs. Cruz was selected the game's outstanding player.
Even if Clemson handled to corral the Mountaineers, the play wasn't always over. Andrew Buie folded on the defender but never was downed, so he woke up and went for the next 18 yards.
Clemson could not take care of the Large East Conference co-champions, although Andre Ellington did score the game's first points on the 68-yard run. First-team All-People in america Sammy Watkins and Dwayne Allen combined for just seven catches for 87 yards.
"We type of got lower once they obtained a lot of points in this almost no time,Inch Watkins stated.
Among the flurry of points, it had been an opposing player who emerged with second-longest scoring play in Orange Bowl history.
Clemson was near using the lead within the second quarter when Ellington went in the middle and disappeared right into a heap in the 1. A teammate signaled touchdown, however the ball came loose and Prepare snapped up it, then required served by only the finish zone before him.
"I saw the ball come loose," he stated. "I snapped up it. I did not hear a whistle, and so i went."
After Prepare entered the aim line, he gleefully hopped on mascot Obie, a smiling orange, plus they both tumbled towards the turf. Obie rose unhurt and started again her responsibilities.
Prepare and Obie met around the area after the overall game and shared a hug.
"I did not know you had been a woman,Inch he told the mascot. "I am sorry.Inch
Cruz, waiting in the sideline, viewed a relevant video replay of Cook's touchdown in disbelief.
"Crazy, guy," Cruz stated. "After I saw that, I understood things were breaking our way."
The possibility 14-point swing appeared to deflect the Tigers, who had moved the ball almost when needed to that particular point.
"It had been quite a large moment," Swinney stated. "They had not really stopped us. Which was huge. It snowballed rapidly."
The Tigers were condemned when quarterback Tajh Boyd committed subsequent turnovers on consecutive Clemson plays.
After Cruz went 7 yards on the keeper for any 35-20 lead, Pat Burns intercepted Boyd's pass. Cruz turned single-yard touchdown pass to Austin and, around the next play, a phone call was overturned, using the replay official identifying Boyd had lost a fumble.
Alston then went for any 1-yard touchdown with 4 seconds left within the half.
"Momentum thrown not within our favor, also it was tough to recapture," Boyd stated. "West Virginia is a superb offense. You will never fall behind them. We could not stop them. Men were gassed. Their legs were going. It had been a difficult loss - pretty embarrassing."
Defensive worries were not new for that Tigers, who won their first Chesapeake Bay Conference title in two decades but threw in the towel a minimum of 30 points in six regular-season games.
Clemson stored pace for some time, leading 17-14 after one period. It had been the greatest-scoring first quarter and first half in Orange Bowl history.
West Virginia went ahead the very first time at the start of the 2nd period with an 80-yard touchdown drive assigned by Austin's 27-yard catch, making the score 21-17. Cook's takeaway touchdown came next, and also the Mountaineers were ready to go.
"You do not score 70 points when you are good on offense," Holgorsen stated. "You score 70 points when you are good on the 3 sides from the ball."
2011年11月30日星期三
Tyler Perry offers support to alleged victim in Penn St sex-abuse case, cites own molestation
Filmmaker Tyler Perry is expressing his support for an alleged victim in the Penn State child sex-abuse case, calling him a hero for coming forward.
The producer and director, who went public last year with his own story of childhood molestation, made his comments in an open letter published Monday by Newsweek.
It is addressed to a boy who was 11 when he reported alleged sexual abuse by former assistant Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky. Authorities arrested Sandusky on Nov. 5 and charged him with molesting eight boys over 15 years. Sandusky says he is innocent.
“Do you know that at the young age of 11 you had more courage than all the adults who let you down?” Perry wrote. “All of the ones who didn’t go to the proper authorities, all of the ones who were worried about their careers, reputations, or livelihoods.”
Two Penn State administrators have been charged with lying to a grand jury and failing to report a 2002 allegation against Sandusky to authorities. Football coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier were ousted following criticism they should have done more after learning of the accusation.
Perry said he didn’t have the courage to speak up when he was 11. When he finally did tell a family member about his own abuse, Perry said, the relative did not believe him.
“I suffered in silence,” he wrote. “But not you, my young strong hero, you have done what many of us wish we could have done. You used your voice!”
Perry later added: “No matter what happens next, just know that the hardest part is over.”
The producer and director, who went public last year with his own story of childhood molestation, made his comments in an open letter published Monday by Newsweek.
It is addressed to a boy who was 11 when he reported alleged sexual abuse by former assistant Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky. Authorities arrested Sandusky on Nov. 5 and charged him with molesting eight boys over 15 years. Sandusky says he is innocent.
“Do you know that at the young age of 11 you had more courage than all the adults who let you down?” Perry wrote. “All of the ones who didn’t go to the proper authorities, all of the ones who were worried about their careers, reputations, or livelihoods.”
Two Penn State administrators have been charged with lying to a grand jury and failing to report a 2002 allegation against Sandusky to authorities. Football coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier were ousted following criticism they should have done more after learning of the accusation.
Perry said he didn’t have the courage to speak up when he was 11. When he finally did tell a family member about his own abuse, Perry said, the relative did not believe him.
“I suffered in silence,” he wrote. “But not you, my young strong hero, you have done what many of us wish we could have done. You used your voice!”
Perry later added: “No matter what happens next, just know that the hardest part is over.”
2011年8月2日星期二
Giants Reach a Deal With Bradshaw but Remain at Odds With Umenyiora
The Giants solved one of their biggest training camp problems on Monday, but another continued to escalate.
Ahmad Bradshaw, the 25-year old running back who led the team with 1,235 rushing yards and caught 47 passes last season, signed a four-year contract worth a reported $18 million, $9 million guaranteed.
But Osi Umenyiora, the disgruntled two-time Pro Bowl defensive end who has been demanding a trade or a restructured contract, voiced his displeasure about his status. In an e-mail sent to The Associated Press, Umenyiora said that he hoped there was a chance of working something out with the Giants but “what really annoys me is the hypocrisy of people clamoring for my head for asking for a new deal or to be traded, saying I have two years left on my deal.”
“The fact is in the business we are in, if you get injured or they feel like you underperformed, they cut you without hesitation,” Umenyiora continued. “But if you clearly outplay your contract and ask for something to be done, you’re a bad guy and not a team player. It’s ridiculous.”
In December 2005, Umenyiora signed a six-year extension through 2012 worth $41 million, $15 million guaranteed. Dealing for Umenyiora may be difficult under the new collective bargaining agreement, which includes a strict wage scale for rookies. In the past, teams often traded first-round picks because they did not want to pay large salary bonuses for unproven players. With rookie wages under control, teams are more likely to hold onto a first-round pick — a likely asking price for Umenyiora — than pursue a veteran with a history of hip injuries.
A team that trades for Umenyiora would also have to offer him a new contract. The market for defensive ends has become pricier in the last few days: Charles Johnson signed a six-year, $76-million contract with the Carolina Panthers, and Cullen Jenkins signed a five-year deal worth $25 million with the Philadelphia Eagles. The developments have irked Umenyiora.
“How does a guy who had one good year (no disrespect to Charles Johnson) sign a deal and make more than both me and Tuck combined?” Umenyiora wrote, referring to his teammate Justin Tuck. “It’s not right.”
Coach Tom Coughlin said the issue would not be a distraction, adding, “The sooner all these things get resolved and we get Osi back on the field, the better we’re going to be.” Umenyiora reported to camp one day late on Saturday. He met with General Manager Jerry Reese on Saturday and had a physical and a meeting with the team doctor, Russell Warren, on Sunday. He attended practice on Sunday and Monday in a jersey but no pads.
Umenyiora recorded 11 ½ sacks and forced 10 fumbles last season despite playing through hip pain. He had hip surgery in January. Umenyiora expects to be paid like one of the top five defensive ends in the league. The Giants have released several veterans to get beneath the $120 million salary cap and have little breathing room for contract renegotiations.
Tuck, the defensive captain, said he did not believe that Umenyiora was sitting out practices as a ploy. “I don’t think Osi’s playing games,” he said. “I feel it’s important to play out the contract as long as you’re happy. As long as you feel they’re doing right by you.”
Like the Giants, many teams are close to the cap and trying to come to terms with their own free agents. The few teams that were in cap position to offer large salaries, like the Eagles, have already done so. For now, Umenyiora remains on the Giants’ roster, even if his practice activity is watching practice and riding a stationary bike. Perry Fewell, the defensive coordinator, said Umenyiora had not been a distraction in camp.
“He’s in my meetings,” Fewell said. “He’s paying attention, and he’s part of my football team.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Giants reportedly signed tight end Ben Patrick to a one-year deal. Patrick set a career high with 15 receptions for the Arizona Cardinals last season and will probably compete with Travis Beckum for the backup tight end job. Kevin Boss remains unsigned. David Carr, who backed up Eli Manning in 2008 and 2009 and played one game for the San Francisco 49ers last season, has signed. He will probably compete with Sage Rosenfels. ... The Giants claimed guard Herman Johnson off waivers from the Chicago Bears.
2011年3月31日星期四
Praise From Those Who’ve Run in His Shoes
STORRS, Conn. — Outside Gampel Pavilion on Tuesday afternoon, Connecticut students honked horns and screamed out car windows at the mere sight of Kemba Walker, college basketball’s most electrifying player since early March. Walker ducked inside for a scheduled news media session, only to find about two dozen reporters waiting.
Walker simply shook his head. He had no answers for the past nine games, all elimination contests, all UConn victories. Taken together, those games comprise the single best stretch not only of Walker’s career, but also perhaps in the history of UConn men’s basketball. The next installment will take place Saturday in Houston, against Kentucky in the Final Four.
“What he’s doing is unprecedented,” said Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler, one in a long line of N.B.A. players from Connecticut. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Starting March 8, UConn played nine games in the Big East and N.C.A.A. tournaments. Walker logged 344 of 365 possible minutes in those games and averaged 26.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals. He made a buzzer-beater against Pittsburgh, grabbed 12 rebounds against Syracuse, had 12 assists against Bucknell and scored 36 points against San Diego State.
Ben Gordon, a former UConn guard now with the Detroit Pistons, is one of the few who compiled a similar stretch of sustained brilliance. He still remembers what it felt like. In 2004, he led the Huskies to Big East and N.C.A.A. tournament titles with an unshakeable focus. Even in class, or during down time, he was consumed with basketball, with the run. He thought of nothing else.
Yet Gordon’s 2004 team featured seven future N.B.A. players, including Emeka Okafor, who was named the tournament’s outstanding player. Because the current Huskies have seven freshmen, five of whom play regularly, Butler, Okafor and Gordon, in separate telephone interviews, described Walker’s run as beyond anything they accomplished. Okafor called it “more remarkable” for its five Big East victories in five days, the first time that has been accomplished. Gordon used “more impressive” and said the N.B.A. equivalent would be sweeping every series in the playoffs.
Perhaps the closest comparison came from Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim, who invoked Carmelo Anthony’s 2003 N.C.A.A. championship run with Boeheim’s team. Most great UConn players, Boeheim said, played alongside skilled sidekicks, like Donyell Marshall with Ray Allen, or Khalid El-Amin with Richard Hamilton. Others, like Butler, saw their best runs end earlier than Walker’s.
“He’s had to do the most,” Boeheim said. “Kemba has the youngest group of guys you could possibly have, so what he’s done is more impressive than anyone in a long time.”
The seeds for Walker’s run were sown last summer, when his teammate Alex Oriakhi repeatedly told Walker he was the best point guard in the country and the associate head coach George Blaney added another dimension to Walker’s game. Blaney said Walker, a Bronx native, arrived in college like most New York City guards: he ran as fast as he could, as far as he could, at a breakneck pace that disrupted fundamentals.
Last summer, Blaney overhauled the mechanics of Walker’s jump shot. Walker took 500 to 1,000 attempts each day. By summer’s end, Blaney said he could already see a difference.
“That,” Blaney added, “was the final piece.”
Having a reliable jumper made Walker more versatile, more dangerous. But while he has scored more points (931) this season than any player in UConn history, he was not named the Big East player of the year. In fact, his star rose most sharply once the run started, and even Gordon said: “I didn’t expect him to emerge as the star that he is now. I don’t think anybody saw that coming.”
As it happened, as the interview requests and marriage proposals increased with Walker’s legend, he became tired most of hearing his own voice and seeing his own face. No matter what channel he turned to, he saw himself. “That’s frustrating,” he said Tuesday.
Walker has always showcased a similar duality. He loved to perform; as a young break dancer, he took the stage at The Apollo Theater in Harlem. The dance competitions were like N.C.A.A. tournaments: win and advance, lose and go home. In them, Walker honed his ability to please crowds.
Yet away from any kind of stage, Walker struck his teachers at nearby Rice High School as quiet, even reserved.
“A gentleman,” Sister Joan Whittle said while sitting in the library this week. “He was a sweetheart. He showed up to senior night after he graduated and stayed hidden until after the ceremony. He didn’t want to take anything away.”
Two of his teachers, John Shea and Michael Pagidas, remembered how Walker sat in the front row, how he picked up economics, or debated the novel “1984,” with ease. They also remember his basketball exploits, with his rise at Rice almost exactly like the one he has had at UConn.
Walker simply shook his head. He had no answers for the past nine games, all elimination contests, all UConn victories. Taken together, those games comprise the single best stretch not only of Walker’s career, but also perhaps in the history of UConn men’s basketball. The next installment will take place Saturday in Houston, against Kentucky in the Final Four.
“What he’s doing is unprecedented,” said Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler, one in a long line of N.B.A. players from Connecticut. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Starting March 8, UConn played nine games in the Big East and N.C.A.A. tournaments. Walker logged 344 of 365 possible minutes in those games and averaged 26.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals. He made a buzzer-beater against Pittsburgh, grabbed 12 rebounds against Syracuse, had 12 assists against Bucknell and scored 36 points against San Diego State.
Ben Gordon, a former UConn guard now with the Detroit Pistons, is one of the few who compiled a similar stretch of sustained brilliance. He still remembers what it felt like. In 2004, he led the Huskies to Big East and N.C.A.A. tournament titles with an unshakeable focus. Even in class, or during down time, he was consumed with basketball, with the run. He thought of nothing else.
Yet Gordon’s 2004 team featured seven future N.B.A. players, including Emeka Okafor, who was named the tournament’s outstanding player. Because the current Huskies have seven freshmen, five of whom play regularly, Butler, Okafor and Gordon, in separate telephone interviews, described Walker’s run as beyond anything they accomplished. Okafor called it “more remarkable” for its five Big East victories in five days, the first time that has been accomplished. Gordon used “more impressive” and said the N.B.A. equivalent would be sweeping every series in the playoffs.
Perhaps the closest comparison came from Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim, who invoked Carmelo Anthony’s 2003 N.C.A.A. championship run with Boeheim’s team. Most great UConn players, Boeheim said, played alongside skilled sidekicks, like Donyell Marshall with Ray Allen, or Khalid El-Amin with Richard Hamilton. Others, like Butler, saw their best runs end earlier than Walker’s.
“He’s had to do the most,” Boeheim said. “Kemba has the youngest group of guys you could possibly have, so what he’s done is more impressive than anyone in a long time.”
The seeds for Walker’s run were sown last summer, when his teammate Alex Oriakhi repeatedly told Walker he was the best point guard in the country and the associate head coach George Blaney added another dimension to Walker’s game. Blaney said Walker, a Bronx native, arrived in college like most New York City guards: he ran as fast as he could, as far as he could, at a breakneck pace that disrupted fundamentals.
Last summer, Blaney overhauled the mechanics of Walker’s jump shot. Walker took 500 to 1,000 attempts each day. By summer’s end, Blaney said he could already see a difference.
“That,” Blaney added, “was the final piece.”
Having a reliable jumper made Walker more versatile, more dangerous. But while he has scored more points (931) this season than any player in UConn history, he was not named the Big East player of the year. In fact, his star rose most sharply once the run started, and even Gordon said: “I didn’t expect him to emerge as the star that he is now. I don’t think anybody saw that coming.”
As it happened, as the interview requests and marriage proposals increased with Walker’s legend, he became tired most of hearing his own voice and seeing his own face. No matter what channel he turned to, he saw himself. “That’s frustrating,” he said Tuesday.
Walker has always showcased a similar duality. He loved to perform; as a young break dancer, he took the stage at The Apollo Theater in Harlem. The dance competitions were like N.C.A.A. tournaments: win and advance, lose and go home. In them, Walker honed his ability to please crowds.
Yet away from any kind of stage, Walker struck his teachers at nearby Rice High School as quiet, even reserved.
“A gentleman,” Sister Joan Whittle said while sitting in the library this week. “He was a sweetheart. He showed up to senior night after he graduated and stayed hidden until after the ceremony. He didn’t want to take anything away.”
Two of his teachers, John Shea and Michael Pagidas, remembered how Walker sat in the front row, how he picked up economics, or debated the novel “1984,” with ease. They also remember his basketball exploits, with his rise at Rice almost exactly like the one he has had at UConn.
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