Bleacher Report - Articles by Neil Powell

For My Birthday, a Sports Highlight DVD

Neil Powell — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:17:52 -0500

As my 34th birthday comes to a close, I thought to myself, it sure would have been nice to have been able to ask for a DVD of my favorite and most memorable sports memories of all-time.

Through determination and my love of sports, I've had a knack for watching the vast majority of it's biggest moments.

Sure, my highlight video would include the classic, no-brainers like Jordan over Ehlo or Joe Carter's walk-off in the World Series, but there would also be a few that would be personal choices.

My video would include the following:

The top 10 shots from Tiger Woods including his eagle on a four par in the British Open, the chip at Augusta, and that sand shot at the Canadian Open.

It would have Bo Jackson running up the wall, throwing it home on a fly from deep center, and running into the tunnel for the Raiders.

Give me Barry Sanders 15 best runs, the 25 best Vince Carter dunks, the quick version of Kobe's 81 and Tyson's 10 best knockouts.

There's Tom Chamber's dunk over Mark Jackson, Jerome Bettis running over Brian Urlacher, Brandon Jacobs destroying Charles Woodson and this one play, where seven-foot-plus Trailblazer center Arvetis Sabonis was on defense and he went to the ground to get a loose ball and threw it no-look, from a knee, and styled, never looking as his teammate dunked it on the other end of the court.

Highlights from the USC-Texas Rose Bowl, the 49ers-Bengals Super Bowl and some Terrell Davis.

Give me Derrick Thomas' seven sack game vs. Seattle, Lawrence Taylor's biggest hits and Roberto Alomar gems at second.

I would want the five best deep balls from Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Kurt Warner Steve Young and Tom Brady.

How about every one of Icharo's singles the year he got like 220 of them? Okay, that would be a bit much but he'll retire as one of the greatest players in baseball history so give me the only inside-the-park home run in the All-Star game.

I need Laettner's shot vs. Kentucky, Chapman's fade-away three in the NBA play-offs and 30 minutes of M.J. highlights.

Throw in some of Nolan Ryan's best including him blowing up Ventura's face when he charged the mound.

George Brett tipping his cap at second while batting .400 deep into the 1980 season, Jack Nicklaus chasing in his famous putt at The Masters, and Payne Stewart drawing a tear to my eye after sinking his clutch U.S. Open winning putt in '99.

It would include the best catches by Rice, Moss and Owens.

A little Brett Favre, Larry Bird and John Stockton.

I'd have Ozzie Smith, Scott Rolen and Torii Hunter defensive gems.

There would be a list of the best sports names like Rock Cartwright, Uwe Blab and my all-time favorite God Shammgod.

Oh yeah, there's Bryce Drew, Boise State and I'd have a little Bonds and McGwire too.

Maddox, Greinke, Clemons and Pedro at their best.

Man there's so many, this might need to be a box-set.

No matter what, give me tons of John Elway. Including "The Drive" and his run in the Super Bowl.

Attwater, Ray Lewis and Lott laying the wood. Tyree and Holmes would need to be there somewhere.

Carmello and Durant in college. Shaq Daddy and Tim Duncan.

Michigan guard Rumeal Robinson's mega-clutch free throws against Seton Hall.

Danny Manning mocking Oklahoma's Stacey King as he completed his classic "and-one" in the '88 NCAA Championship.

At the end, there would be silence for a few seconds to build excitement then it would pick up the CBS broadcast of the '08 Championship game as Sherron Collins drives up the court and passes to Mario Chalmers who then sinks one of the most memorable shots in basketball history.

Now that was fun!

Kansas Jayhawks Gobble Up Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, Improve to 5-0

Neil Powell — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:09:01 -0500

In last Wednesday night's win over Oakland, the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks got only 13 points combined from preseason All-Americans Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, but still managed a 30-point blowout.

The Jayhawks' opponent on Friday evening at Allen Fieldhouse, Tennessee Tech didn't look to have a much better chance.

The Golden Eagles played Oakland at home earlier this season and lost by 21 points.

Also, the school had never played a No. 1 opponent in its history.

Just two of the many factors that weighed heavily in the home team's favor.

Coach Bill Self's Jayhawks had no problem extending it's current home winning streak to 45, the nation's longest.

Kansas used an early 14-1 run to build a 27-9 lead.

Tennessee Tech, led by senior guard Frank Davis' 23 points, went on an 8-0 run of its own to cut the lead to ten, 27-17, much to coach Self's dismay.

After a fiery timeout Kansas finished the half on a 15-3 run to take a 53-31 lead to the break.

Tyshawn Taylor, who had been struggling coming into the contest (27 percent shooting), had 13 of his team-high 18 points in the first 20 minutes.

The second half was much of the same as the Jayhawks got contributions from everyone.

Of the 13 players that got in the game, 12 of them scored including five in double-figures.

Team leaders Collins and Aldrich had big games. Collins hit four three-point shots and Aldrich posted a double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and three assists.

Freshman phenom Xavier Henry added 15 points and has scored in double figures in the first five games of his career.

Even seldom used sophomore guard Jordan Juenemann, who had yet to score a point in his career as a Jayhawk, got his moment in the sun with six points in two minutes of action.

Kansas shot 60 percent from the field and 47 percent from behind the arc in the 112-75 victory.

Seven players hit three-pointers in the win.

Notes: Sophomore forward Markieff Morris, who was 2-2 from behind the arc on the evening, is 14-15 from the field on the season.

Star-Studded Jayhawks Feast on Grizzlies 89-59

Neil Powell — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:14:18 -0500

As Kansas coach Bill Self sits down for Thanksgiving dinner, one would have to assume he will be thankful for the collection of talent that he has assembled this season.

Wednesday night, the top-ranked Jayhawks took to the Allen Fieldhouse court to face a credible Oakland squad some have predicted to win the Summit League this year.

The Golden Grizzlies return five starters from last year's 23 win team and boast the preseason conference player of the year, point guard Jonathon Jones, and 6'11" junior center Keith Benson, a potential NBA first round pick.

Benson, who was a roommate of Kansas center Cole Aldrich at last summer's Amare Stoudemire Skills Camp, showed why he came into the game with such hype.

He outplayed Aldrich all night, finishing with 20 points, six rebounds and four blocks.

Aldrich, on the other hand, had one the more forgettable offensive performances of his Kansas career. He scored just four points, hitting on two of his 10 attempts from the field.

Having your star player completely dominated would lead to big problems for most teams.

Not Kansas. They were cool like pumpkin pie.

The Jayhawks cooked, sliced and smeared gravy all over the Grizzlies before devoured them.

KU used a 13-2 run to put Oakland at arms reach and Marcus Morris' team high 11 points helped Kansas build a 37-22 lead at the half.

Freshman forward Xavier Henry ignited the run with an awesome, high-flying, alley-oop dunk courtesy of Sherron Collins, prompting the crowd to cross their arms to make an "X" in celebration of what's to come from this budding superstar.

Both Henry and Collins had nine points at the break.

Despite seemingly having momentum, the Jayhawks came at flat to start the second half.

Oakland took advantage, cutting the lead down to 39-28 before coach Self called of his "hide-tanning" time outs.

The Jayhawks responded by immediately going on a 14-5 run, extending a comfortable lead that would not be relinquished.

The Jayhawks would cruise to a 89-59 victory.

Marcus Morris displayed his continued improvement and looked like the best player on the court.

He finished the game with a career high 19 points to go with a team high 11 rebounds.

Xavier Henry tied Morris for the team lead with 19 points as both players scored in a variety of ways.

Despite the poor offensive effort, Aldrich finished with nine rebounds and three blocks.

Tyrel Reed had 11 points off the bench and six different Jayhawks made three–point shots.

Coach Self and Jayhawk fans had to be a little satisfied even before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner.

NOTES: When evaluating talent, the experts look for players who can create "special" plays.

Whether it be off the dribble moves, eye-popping athleticism, fantastic footwork or great anticipation, these are the qualities that separate the best from the best.

In the game with Oakland, Kansas players provided many of these type of plays, from a multitude of the teams roster.

Here's some examples:

Aldrich blocked a shot, to himself, then made a sweet outlet pass to Tyshawn Taylor. Taylor drove the bucket and mad a strong lay-up at full speed while switching hands in mid air with a defender all over him.

Xavier Henry soared like a future dunk champion, twice for massive alley-oop dunks on pin-point passes from crafty veteran Collins.

Reed drove hard to the basket on a fast-break, then made a hesitation move reminiscent of Chris Paul to score.

Elijah Johnson drove hard to the hoop and took it right at the 240 pound Benson. Benson fouled Johnson hard, but Johnson managed to power the ball through the contact for the hoop and the foul. He made the free throw.

6-9 forward Markieff Morris swatted a shot into the third row then later stepped back to drain one from behind the arc.

Freshman forward Thomas Robinson showed great feet catching a pass 12 feet from the basket, faced-up his defender, gave a ball fake and blew by him for a flush.

On his way to a double-double, Marcus Morris scored every way imaginable including turn-around, face-up, step-back, fade-away, behind the arc and at the charity stripe.

Top Ranked Jayhawks Get Back To Business, Blast Bears 94-44

Neil Powell — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:52:47 -0500

The last time the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team took the court, the Memphis Tigers gave the top rated team in the land all they could handle.

Thursday night at the cozy confines of Allen Fieldhouse, the Central Arkansas Bears did not.

The Jayhawks used a 21-0 run to jump out to a 29-5 lead early in the first half and never looked back.

Paced by senior leader Sherron Collins' seven points, eight players scored and 11 took the court in the first 20 minutes.

The second half was much of the same as everyone with a crimson jersey contributed to the 94-44 blow out victory.

As Kansas coach Bill Self cleared the bench nine players ended up posting seven points or more.

Xavier Henry, Marcus Morris, Tyrel Reed and Collins led the team in scoring with 12 points each.

Freshman Thomas Robinson grabbed 13 rebounds and added eight points off the bench.

Maybe the brightest moment of the game was freshman point guard C.J. Henry getting first action of the season hitting two 3-point shots en route to scoring eight points in just nine minutes.

Memphis-Kansas: Tigers Take Top-Ranked Jayhawks To the Wire, 57-55

Neil Powell — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:51:15 -0500

Just the sound of the words "Memphis Tigers" will bring smiles to Jayhawks basketball fans for eternity.

On Tuesday night Kansas packed up its No.1 ranking and headed for the Scott Trade Center in St. Louis, MO for the second game of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic and a rematch of the 2008 national title game with Memphis.

Five of the night's starters (Kansas' Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins and the Tigers' Pierre Henderson-Niles, Doneal Mack, and Willie Kemp) played in that championship game—one of the most thrilling games of all time.

Although the stakes were not as high this time around, the two programs did play in front of dozens of legendary players and a nice-sized crowd.

Players like Rick Barry, Walt Bellamy, and Jayhawks legend Lynette Woodard had to appreciate the scrappy play of rookie coach Josh Pastner's Memphis squad and the physical dominance of Kansas big man Aldrich.

The two teams looked like they were playing in only their second game of the season as turnovers and missed shots were commonplace. They played to a less—than—sizzling 10—10 tie at the 10 minute mark of the first half.

The Jayhawks' offense struggled to be consistent, as the Memphis defense harassed them into nine turnovers before the break.

Despite the dominating performance by Aldrich (eight points on four-for-five shooting) KU held a narrow 26-20 lead going into the locker room.

Memphis, missing the marquee superstar they've usually had in recent years, saw Duke transfer Elliot Williams take the first step of filling that roll.

Williams finished with 21 points and had a good look at a three-point shot at the buzzer that appeared to be good when it left his hand.

It was preseason All-American Aldrich who carried Kansas throughout the evening displaying an array of moves around the basket.

He finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, once again proving to the nation he's going to be a force under the bucket all year.

Jayhawks' guard Sherron Collins, another Preseason All-American, finished with 12 points and five rebounds, but missed significant time in the second half due to cramps.

At the 13 minute mark Collins exited the game in pain. He returned three minutes later, only to collapse on the court and grab his leg.

He did return in the final minute of the game and scored on a floater that was goal tended. Collins fed Aldrich on a sweet drive-and-dish and then made one of his two free throw attempts to help seal the victory.

Freshman forward Xavier Henry, who committed to Memphis but changed his mind, added 11 points and Marcus Morris chipped in 12 off the bench for the Jayhawks.

NPPR: Fantasy Football Overall Top 101

Neil Powell — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:30:08 -0400

For each of the past 15 fantasy football seasons, I've found time before each draft to create a list of players as how I would draft them.

Over the years I formed different "fantasy" rivalries with some of my competitors talking smack and winning leagues along the way.

I told these managers that my list was so good that I just had to give it a name.

So the annual NPPR or Neil Powell's Power Rankings was born.

Actually, it was spawned out of a joke really, but I'm good. I'd put this list up against any expert out there.

Remember, I'm always the most aggressive player in every league I enter when it comes to the free agent pool, so keep this tip in mind.

One last thing, when reading this list know that I usually like to have only one player each at QB, TE, DEF, and Kicker, and I never pay any attention to bye weeks.

I like to fill my roster with running backs and use the ones that don't pan out to release for bye week replacements.

Enjoy this list, use it wisely and good luck to you this fantasy season.

2009 FANTASY FOOTBALL NPPR (Overall)

1. Michael Turner - RB - Falcons - "The Burner" only touched the ball one more time than Adrian Peterson in 2008, but produced seven more touchdowns. With the addition of Tony Gonzalez and the emergence of Matt Ryan and Roddy White, the middle should open even wider for Turner to exploit in 2009.

2. Adrian Peterson - RB - Vikings - Peterson is a freakish athlete who's combination of speed, quickness and power makes him the most explosive back since Barry Sanders. 10 TD's was a letdown in 2008, but over 1,800 yards combined wasn't. One year in the near future, a healthy "All Day" will top the magical 2,000-yard plateau.

3. Larry Fitzgerald - WR - Cardinals - Pictures of Fitzgerald parting the sea for the go-ahead score in the Super Bowl have continued all the way to this year's draft. Visions of 1500 yards and 15 TD's does too.

4. Randy Moss - WR - Patriots - Moss very well could be the most talented receiver ever to play in the NFL. In my eyes, there's no doubt he's been the best fantasy player at that position since the invention of the sport. With Brady back, I'd hate to miss the boat on another record-smashing season. From the way the pre-season has looked, they've started right where they left off.

5. Chris Johnson - RB - Titans - Dude with long hair is a beast. Johnson has No. 1 pick in 2010 written all over him. Size, speed, agility and great hands on a team that lacks such a commodity. Even with king vulture LenDale White, to deal with, 43 catches and five yards per carry in his rookie season is an eye opener.

6. Drew Brees - QB - New Orleans - What does 5,000 yards + NFC South + Colston/Moore/Henderson/Shockey/Bush/Thomas/Miller equal? Championship! Fantasy that is.

7. Steve Slaton - RB - Texans - The Texans have started to master the "Zone-Blocking" scheme made famous for years by the Denver Broncos and running back Steve Slaton is the main beneficiary. As a rookie in 2008, he was superb gaining over 1,600 total yards, catching 50 balls and scoring 10 times. Slaton is on the small side, but his production will be huge.

8. Brandon Jacobs - RB - Giants - With players such as Derrick Ward, Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress off to other adventures, the New York Giants will look to control the clock with their defense and a lethal dose of this monster.

Jacobs is arguably the greatest short yardage/goal line back ever to play and he averages around five yards a carry when healthy. That's the only risk, the big man does get hurt.

My views are similar to the Giants in this case. I'm coming with Jacobs to destroy you and when he gets hurt, I've got a darn good back-up.

9. Tom Brady - QB - Patriots - In most 2008 drafts, Brady was drafted higher on average then any QB in history. He crushed the outlook for many a team with his season-ending injury in the first game. It won't happen again.

The play that Brady was hurt on was a fluke and he's not the kind of player to let the thought of injury linger in the back of his mind. He will return to his Hall of Fame form in 2009.

10. DeAngelo Williams - RB - Panthers - Williams was awesome for the Panthers and fantasy teams alike down the stretch in 2008. He scored four TD's in a single game two different times. Backfield mate Jonathan Stewart might take more carries, but as good as DeAngelo was, that's hard to imagine.

11. Matt Forte - RB - Bears - Just as Slaton and Johnson listed before him, Forte had a spectacular rookie season in 2008.

Just under four yards a carry does not jump out at you, but 63 catches, 12 total TD's and over 1,700 total yards does. Bringing in Jay Cutler to ease the front will help tremendously.

12. Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints - I've had my eye on this back since he gained 100 yards both receiving and rushing in the last game of the 2007 season. Thomas was a force for fantasy teams in the post season in 2008.

This year, he will get a chance to cash in on the NFL's highest-powered offense. In anticipation of his heavy workload, he added 20 pounds of bulk, mostly in his lower body.

13. LaDainian Tomlinson - RB - Chargers - "L.T." is a lock for both the NFL and Fantasy Football Hall Of Fames, but the once consensus top pick comes with much risk from here on out. The pros are that the Chargers play in a pathetic defensive division and they should have one of the top offenses in the league.

A healthy Tomlinson could easily score 15 or more times. The cons, well the cons are that he's hit the infamous 30 years old mark, has a ton of tread on his tires and has been banged up in recent years.

14. Greg Jennings - WR - Packers - Jennings is one of the top route runners in the game, and his QB Aaron Rodgers is the real deal. With the chemistry these players have displayed, the upcoming season has made 100 catches and double-digit TD's a firm possibility for the Packers' wide out.

15. Andre Johnson - WR - Texans - "Andre the Giant" has as much, or more talent than the three wide receivers that I've ranked before him and is entering the true prime of his career.

Only injuries and slight inconsistency make them a safer bet in my eyes. Johnson has not gained enough of my trust to make him a player that I covet, but if a manager selected him in the first round I wouldn't blame them a bit.

16. Roddy White - WR - Falcons - Last season, White was rookie signal caller Matt Ryan's top receiver and was targeted on 34 percent of the teams passes. "Rowdy" has gotten better each season and with Turner running wild and "Gonzo" occupying the safeties, he should continue to shine.

17. Calvin Johnson - WR - Lions - What if fantasy was reality and you could place Johnson with say Peyton Manning or Tom Brady? Oh what would "Megatron" do? Actually, if you were to place him on any of the top 15 teams in the NFL, he would be a top five pick for sure.

18. Clinton Portis - RB - Redskins - "C.P." has been chosen in the first three rounds of every fantasy draft since his rookie season and through the first eight games of 2008, he was proving why by rushing for 950 yards.

In the second half, Portis gained only 530 yards on the ground, prompting some warning signs for managers this year. A healthy Portis can lead a team a long way, so he's worth a high draft pick, with durability being the only question.

19. Maurice Jones-Drew - RB - Jaguars - Could this be the season that "MJD" has a fantasy explosion? Fred Taylor is no longer around so he's moving into the feature role as a three down back and he's as crafty as they come around the goal line.

Knowing that Jones-Drew has never rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season is outweighed by the fact that he had 14 total td's and 63 grabs out of the backfield in his 2008 time-share with the Jags' legend.

20. Brian Westbrook - RB - Eagles - I selected Westbrook late in the third round of one of my recent drafts, and the hatorade started to flow around the draft room like water...basically bringing up the fact that he gets hurt rather often. I agreed with their statements to some extent, but when he's healthy, he's a fantasy superstar who wins match-ups.

21. Steven Jackson - RB - Rams - While missing the majority of five games in 2008, Jackson still managed to amass over 1,400 combined yards and eight TDs. On the down side of that statement is that he missed a third of the season putting a damper on many a fantasy team. Like Westbrook above him, he's a game-changer for owners when healthy, but may be beginning to wear down.

22. Kurt Warner - QB - Cardinals - If there's been a greater American sports story then Warner's, I don't know about it. No one should ever forget the path that will one day lead Warner to Canton. 300 yard passing games are his forte, and with Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston running routes, it's a safe bet he'll eclipse that mark on many an occasion in 2009. 4000/40 sounds about right.

23. Phillip Rivers - QB - Chargers - Rivers took a big leap into the upper echelon of NFL QBs last season and will once again be piloting the prolific Chargers' attack. Six games vs. the defensively challenged AFC West (Broncos, Chiefs and Raiders) with healthy contributions from Antonio Gates and Tomlinson could help build a case that Rivers could have the most productive fantasy season of any QB.

24. Peyton Manning - QB - Colts - Everyone knows that Peyton trusts Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, it's the rest of the team that we're not quite sure about. Is Manning taking a more conservative approach to the game now that his favorite target Marvin Harrison is no longer around?

Or was the knee surgery that forced him to miss the preseason in 2008 the reason for his slight decline? Rhythm and timing are what makes him special so it's safe to say it was the latter.

25. Steve Smith - WR - Panthers - In a word, incendiary. Has there ever been a receiver with the talents of Smith that will do virtually anything to catch the football? It's one of the highlights of the season watching the replays of dozens of his acrobatic grabs.

He averaged over 18.2 yards per catch and had just 10 fewer yards then Larry Fitzgerald while missing time in 2008. The combo of running backs in Carolina will have the Panthers thinking run first, but draft Smith with confidence. Just be prepared for some dork in the room to blurt out "the one from the Giants, right?"

26. Frank Gore - RB - 49ers - With Mike Singletary getting a chance to implement his smash-mouth mentality and a lack of proven weapons, Gore will get a heavy load to carry in 2009. This is a good quality for a fantasy running back to have, but there are signs that he's getting a little long in the tooth.

27. Marcus Colston - WR - Saints - Can you imagine tearing a ligament in your thumb, and then trying to wash the dishes or take out the trash? Colston wasn't trying to do that, he was trying to catch rockets from the arm of Drew Brees. Colston was big in the final three games of 2008 and should be the QB's top target once again.

28. Reggie Wayne - WR - Colts - Being the go-to-guy when your QB is Peyton Manning is never a bad thing, making Wayne about the safest receiver around. The development of Anthony Gonzalez to take pressure off from the other side will be important.

29. Aaron Rodgers - QB - Packers - Taking over for living legend Brett Favre seemed like it would be a tough task for Rodgers, but he played much better than expected in 2008. He's a gamer and has a fantastic receiving corps led by Greg Jennings.

30. Anquan Boldin - WR - Cardinals - When both are at full speed, it's hard to call who the Cardinals' top receiving threat is. Boldin is a beast, and he's fantastic after the catch. His physical style has led to injuries in past seasons so there's a risk factor, but he's still to good to pass up.

31. Derrick Ward - RB - Buccaneers - When predicting the value of an up and coming running back for fantasy football purposes, the two most important stats are td's and yard per carry.

Ward average an eye-popping 5.6 yards per tote in mostly a reserve roll for the Giants in 2008. Last winter, the Buccaneers paid good money to Ward and although Earnest Graham is still with the team the split of carries should greatly favor the newcomer.

32. Ronnie Brown - RB - Dolphins - Brown and the Dolphins surprised everyone by making a run to the playoffs in 2008. A repaired ACL and Ricky Williams cut into his production last season, but Brown is healthy and entering a contract year. Music to fantasy owners' ears.

33. Tony Romo - QB - Cowboys - No more Jessica, no more T.O.! Last season, the Cowboys traded for receiver Roy Williams in anticipation of Owens departure, but he was nothing like the player he was in Detroit. Romo will miss Owens' production, but not his attitude. When he's on he's one of the top 5 QB's in the league and is the best of the bunch at ad libbing.

34. Marion Barber - RB - Cowboys - "Marion the Barbarian" is without question the hardest runner in the NFL and is an elite short-yardage back. Barbers' physical style and second-year back Felix Jones will factor into the amount of touches that he garners in 2009, but he will undoubtedly remain the goal line back helping to maintain his value.

35. Donovan McNabb - QB - Eagles - The 2009 Eagles are loaded with weapons and head coach Andy Reid has always allowed McNabb to chuck the pill all over the yard. The only concern would be injuries. The Eagles offense should soar in 2009 and McNabb will shine.

36. Ryan Grant - RB - Packers - "Who Let the Dogs Out" or "Stairway to Heaven"? That's the question managers must ask themselves when contemplating drafting Grant.

Will he be the player that looked like he had the makings of a fantasy stud during his 2007 campaign? Or will he look more like a one-hit wonder he was in 2008? With lack of a viable back-up Grant will get the rock so will he produce?

37. Joseph Addai - RB - Colts - The Colts might not be the elite offense in the NFL anymore, but it's still a good one and Joe Addai is the starter.

Last season, he dissapointed others like few players ever have and might not be able to fill the roll as a feature back. If he were to get a majority of the carries, he could score double-digit TDs with ease.

38. Lance Moore - WR - Saints - I'm a believer. When Marcus Colston went down in 2008, Moore was awesome. He came out of nowhere to grab 80 balls and score 10 TDs. The fact that Drew Brees is his QB and he played better when Colston returned, are proof enough for me.

39. DeShawn Jackson - WR - Eagles - Over recent years, NFL offenses have turned to tall, strong and fast receivers that are just to much for the smaller defensive backs to contain. As in most other sports, adjustments were made and larger corner backs are becoming more common.

So of course, coordinators have been making adjustments to combat that. The result is numerous, smaller receivers that run precise routes and display great hands.

Wes Welker, Eddie Royal, Steve Smith just to name a few and after the rookie season that Jackson had, he'll be a member of this club for many years.

40. Roy Williams - WR - Cowboys - As Tony Romo's No. 1 receiver, Williams will look to rebound from a horrid 2008 and get back to form as one of the best home run hitters in the NFL.

41. Wes Welker - WR - Patriots - Welker averaged seven catches per contest in 2008 and now Brady's back! In point-per-reception leagues, bump up his value considerably.

42. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - WR - Seahawks - "Poofy Hair" takes his doo and his phenomenal hands to Seattle and instantly will be the teams most talented offensive player.

43. Ahamed Bradshaw - RB - Giants - Owners could find Bradshaw on the fantasy roster in 2008 even as the No. 3 back in the Giants attack. Derrick Ward is off to Tampa, and Brandon Jacobs is oft-injured which make Bradshaw a coveted player, even as a back-up.

44. Vincent Jackson - WR - Chargers - "V-Jax" is a monster and came on strong down the stretch last season cementing himself as the Chargers top wide receiver.

45. Terrell Owens - WR - Bills - A one-year deal should inspire "T.O." to continue to produce.

46. Tony Gonzalez - TE - Falcons - Age is just a number to "Tony G." and last season he proved it grabbing 96 balls and catching 10 TDs. The move to Atlanta only improves his value.

47. Brandon Marshall - WR - Broncos - Never can I remember a player with as much talent and production who carried this much baggage.

Yes, the Broncos receiver has caught over 200 balls the past two seasons and is a perennial Pro Bowler, but he's also seen changes at QB, head coach and overall scheme that make him about as hard as any player to ever decide when to draft.

Even with Kyle Orton at QB should Marshall return from his holdout/suspension with a new attitude he could be the steal of the 2009 draft.

48. Jason Witten - TE - Cowboys - Witten will continue building his resume for Canton as one of the top tight ends in the game.

49. Thomas Jones - RB - Jets - Jones took a drink from the fountain of youth and had the best year of his career in 2008.

50. Darren McFadden - RB - Raiders - A crowded backfield, playing for a bad team and a disappointing rookie season are factors that decrease the fantasy value of McFadden dramatically. His talents alone, deserve an early look, but it's hard to predict he'll be the stud that the Raiders envisioned.

51. Larry Johnson - RB - Chiefs - Which "L.J." will show up in 2009. The player that was recently a top-three pick on everyone's board, or the one that spits in ladies' faces at nightclubs and records profanity-laced raps about the team's general manager?

Johnson will benefit from playing in the AFC West and the team signing Matt Cassel as it's quarterback.

52. Kevin Smith - RB - Lions- Very talented back on a very bad team.

53. Leon Washington - RB - Jets - Electric out of the backfield and as a returner. Touches look to increase dramatically in the upcoming season.

54. Eddie Royal - WR - Broncos - Royal was awesome as a rookie and doesn't need a strong-armed QB to take advantage of his excellent route running and catching ability.

55. Matt Ryan - QB - Falcons - "Matty Ice" lived up to his nickname and had quite possibly the most successful season a rookie QB has ever had. The addition of Gonzalez is huge.

55. Chris Wells - RB - Cardinals - The only facet the Cardinals offense was missing last season was a consistent running game. Arizona drafted Wells who's attributes are off the charts, to fill the role.

57. Felix Jones - RB - Cowboys - Barber will get the goal line looks, but when Jones was healthy last year, he proved he's a goal line back from anywhere on the field.

58. Jonathan Stewart - RB - Panthers - Williams was the star for the Panthers in 2008, but Stewart managed to put up good numbers in his shadow. He's an injury away from fantasy stardom.

59. Julius Jones - RB - Seahawks - The new coaching staff swears to run the ball more and with Edgerrin James as the only other option, Jones will get a steady dose of touches.

60. Marshawn Lynch - RB - Bills - Missing the first three games of the fantasy season due to suspension drops Lynch near the bottom of the starting running backs. He is a productive player though, and there will be value when he returns.

61. Willie Parker - RB - Steelers - Although Parker will hear the footsteps of back-up Rashard Mendenhall this season, he faces a great schedule and might have one more good year left in the tank.

62. Chad Ochocinco - WR - Bengals - I once found amusement in Johnson's antics. Now I just want him to shut up and catch balls.

63. Reggie Bush - RB - Saints - When Bush went down in the middle of last season he was leading the NFL in total touchdowns. His injuries are a concern, but his ability to make sensational plays is not.

64. Knowshon Moreno - RB - Broncos - The Broncos are in shambles otherwise Moreno has a very good line to run behind and the new coach will want to prove he hit a home run with his first draft pick.

65. Dallas Clark - TE - Colts - Clark is becoming more of a receiver and less of a tight end with each passing season. He will get a ton of red zone looks and should at least be Manning's second option.

66. Antonio Gates - TE - Chargers - A healthy Gates at TE gives fantasy owners a huge advantage. The only problem is he hasn't been healthy for an entire season for a few years now.

67. Antonio Bryant - WR - Buccaneers - If I said that Bryant had 80 catches for 1,200 yards and seven TDs in 2008 would you have had any idea. Bryant doesn't really have a track record of this type of play. Actually quite the opposite, but he is the Bucs' top aerial threat.

68. Cedric Benson - RB - Bengals - The Bengals liked what they saw out of Benson down the stretch last season and decided to make him the feature back going into this one. There's value in every starting running back and there's really not much behind him.

69. Santonio Holmes - WR - Steelers - If not for David Tyree's grab the year before, everyone would be saying that Holmes' catch in the Super Bowl was the greatest of all time. He's the Steelers' deep threat and will produce long scores. A fantasy managers' best friend.

70. Matt Schaub - QB - Texans - Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Steve Slaton out of the backfield propel Schaub to the upper half of fantasy QBs in the league. Injuries are an issue.

71. Lee Evans - WR - Bills - Trent Edwards is not the only one who will benefit from the Bills signing Owens. Evans has never had a running mate like this and it should help him see less help from over the top, allowing him to get down-field more often then he already does.

72. Anthony Gonzalez - WR - Colts - Gonzalez is in the mold of a Wes Welker and the Colts will look to use him in the same way the Pats use their small but stellar receiver. Could break-out or flame-out.

73. Dwanye Bowe - WR - Chiefs - New head coach Todd Haley put Bowe in his place by demoting him third string on the depth chart. An attitude adjustment sorely needed due to his lack of focus and inability to catch the ball.

"D-Bowe" is as gifted as they come and if he takes his warning to heart, could rebound with a strong season. He's the Chiefs top offensive weapon without question.

74. Greg Olsen - TE - Bears - Now that Jay Cutler's in Chicago, it's put up or shut up time for Olsen. He should respond and have the best season of his career.

75. Braylon Edwards - WR - Browns - I'm happy to admit I was one of the few that was not at all on the Edwards bandwagon even after his 16-TD performance in 2007. He's better than he was last season, but I think 16 scores was an aberration.

76. Domenik Hixon - WR - Giants - Hixon is a wonderful playmaker who will be stepping into Plaxico Burress' shoes as New York's top receiver. The sleeper potential is massive.

77. LenDale White - RB - Titans - White has established himself as the perfect short yardage back. His 15 TDs in 2008 were huge and he will get his opportunities in 2009 to do the same.

78. Jerricho Cotchery - WR - Jets - Rookie QB Matt Sanchez will be looking for Cotchery often, who while not a burner, possesses great hands and runs good routes.

79. Torry Holt - WR - Jaguars - Holt is my all-time favorite fantasy player. No other player has found himself on my rosters more often then the "Greatest Show on Turf" legend.

He's not that player anymore, at least it looks that way, but the Rams sucked last season so there's no way of telling that he's completely done.

80. Donald Brown - RB - Colts - Joseph Addai has shown that he probably can't withstand the rigors of a full NFL season so the Colts drafted Brown to help with this matter. He's looked older than his years in camp and could end the season as the top back in Indy.

81. Santana Moss - WR - Redskins - Moss has been a steady producer for many years and young QB Jason Campbell will look for his little receiver many times in 2009.

82. Hines Ward - WR - Steelers - Ward is still producing and with a very favorable schedule he will be worth having on any fantasy roster.

83. Bernard Berrian - WR - Vikings - Even at 75 years old Brett Favre has a better arm then Gus Ferotte and Tav Jackson, so Berrian's 20 yards per reception should look mighty fine to "The Old Gunslinger"!!!

84. Darren Sproles - RB - Chargers - Sproles is small, but came up huge in Tomlinson's absence last season. He added an awesome dimension hiding behind blockers on screen passes and should see time as the third down back in 2009.

85. Chester Taylor - RB - Vikings - You would think that being behind the best running back in the NFL would be a bad thing for a players fantasy value. Not Taylor. His talent will get him on the field and if Peterson would get hurt, you've got yourself a fantasy stud.

86. Jay Cutler - QB - Bears - Cutler was no doubt a better fantasy option in Denver then he will be in Chi-Town. His talents will make average receivers better and Forte is a beast out of the backfield. He will excel once they get him some talent on the outside.

87. Matt Hasselbeck - QB - Seahawks - If Matt's back gives him issues again this year, his production will be minimal. If he's healthy, the Hawks have enough weapons to make him a top ten QB once again.

88. PITTSBURGH STEELERS - Defense/Special Teams - With two games against division rivals Cleveland and Cincinnati, and Denver, Detroit, Kansas City and Oakland on their schedule, the Steelers could set records for sacks and turnovers. Seldom do you find a defense this good, facing a schedule this bad.

89. Stephen Gostkowski - PK - Patriots - Brady's back and there's really no reason why Gostkowski should do anything other then remain the best kicker in fantasy football.

90. NEW YORK GIANTS - Defense/Special Teams - The Blitz barrage is healthy and ready to attack and despite a tough division will produce big plays throughout the season.

91. John Carlson - TE - Seahawks - Carlson is a tight end on the rise and has gotten better each season. A soft division only makes the year look more promising.

92. TENNESSEE TITANS - Defense/Special Teams - If you had the Titans for a stretch last season, you were winning your fantasy match-ups. They will miss the big fella, but they do have a history of creating turnovers.

93. MINNESOTA VIKINGS - Defense/Special Teams - You always hear that a great defense starts upfront and with Jared Allen and the Williams Brothers, the Vikings are as good as they come in that department.

94. Chris Cooley - TE - Redskins - Cooley is a steady producer at the tight end position. Depending on how well Jason Campbell grasps the offensive system, will determine how much pleasure you will find in having him on your roster.

95. Carson Palmer - QB - Bengals - At one point, everyone wanted Palmer on their squad. That's not the case anymore. The talent could still be there and his top three receivers are more than serviceable so don't be to afraid to take a shot on him.

96. Justin Fargas - RB - Raiders - While everyone was infatuated with Darren McFadden, Fargas proved to be the best back in Oakland by far in 2008.

97. Ben Roethlisberger - QB - Steelers - Overall, "Big Ben" may be an average fantasy QB, but he will exploit the same weak schedule mentioned earlier, making him a strong play in at least eight fantasy games.

98. Eli Manning - QB - Giants - The younger Manning is missing some of the familiar weapons that have helped make him a household name over the years. He's crafty enough to produce, but his supporting cast is suspect.

99. Freddie Jackson - RB - Bills - Jackson will start the first three games due to Marshawn Lynch's suspension. You could do worse in those games so don't be afraid to put him on your team.

100. Le'Ron McClain - RB - Ravens - McClain was fantastic in 2008 and will at the very minimum, receive goal line and short yardage plays. Remember a TD is equal to 60 yards rushing in most leagues.

101. LeSean McCoy - RB - Eagles - I covet back-up running backs in the late rounds and McCoy is the perfect example. The Eagles plan on getting the rookie, second round pick on the field early and if Westbrook goes down again, he would most assume the lead role.

ON THE RADAR - Walter, Brionas, Kaeding, Coles, Breaston, Ginn Jr., Orton, Eagles, Ravens, R. Williams, Charles, F. Taylor, Harvin, Daniels, Shockey, Winslow, Z. Miller, Steve Smith (NYG), Garrard, Hester and Keller.

Fantasy Phenom Diaries: Five to Guide

Neil Powell — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:34:44 -0400

Fantasy Football has quickly become a mainstream activity that has changed the complexion of NFL Sunday's for millions of fans.

I've heard everyone from a middle-aged, female bartender to the local weatherman discuss their strategies for the upcoming fantasy season.

I myself am a seasoned veteran having been the commissioner of a league since the early days of this now billion dollar industry.

I've drafted names like Rice, Sanders, and Marino, so needless to say I've been doing this for quite sometime and I'm good. Very good!

I've won countless championships against strong competition and taken a couple of heartbreaking losses along the way.

Lit cigars in victory and smashed remotes in defeat.

So as any master of his/her craft would like to do, I've decided to take five readers under my wing and do my best to guide them through the 2009 fantasy season.

Every league has a couple guys or gals that love the action of draft parties, smack talk and just being involved, but have not a clue on how to manage a winning squad.

If you happen to be one of these people I feel for you and honestly respect your passion.

Before I tell you how to obtain my services, I would like to provide everyone with a little bit of insight and strategy that have made me into a fantasy beast, and the one to beat in any league I enter.

The five chosen players will be given access to my individual and overall player rankings, draft preparation and help throughout the season.

FANTASY STRATEGY:

Ranking of Players;

My approach to ranking the players before the draft is simple.

First, go through each position and rank those players accordingly.

Next, tier your rankings.

Example: Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald look primed to have huge seasons and are more than worthy of being chosen in the top few rounds. They should wind up on your first tier.

Brandon Marshall, on the other hand, has put up monster stats the last few years, but changes at coach and quarterback should push him into the second tier.

Finally, when compiling your overall rankings, use these tiers as guidelines in doing so.

Position-By-Position Draft Philosophy:

Quarterback: Depending on how your league scores for passing touchdowns (usually four or six) will drastically determine the value of this position.

I've drafted Culpepper and Warner in the first round in the past, but I've also won championships starting David Garrard, Matt Cassell, and Kordell Stewart so having an elite QB will not make or break your team.

Play the matchups and remember that Chiefs' QB Tyler Thigpen was putting teams in the playoffs in 2008.

Running Back: HORDE them!! Running backs have traditionally been the juggernauts of fantasy football and it didn't take me long to notice that.

I try to put as many backs on my team as possible and have been known to draft one with each of my first three picks, despite having the option to only start two.

To me, the 32nd rated starting running back is more valuable than 2/3 of the No. 1 receivers.

Generally I try to draft three receivers, one QB, TE, K, and defense. The rest of my squad is running backs!

Wide Receiver: The recent trend at this position has littered the fantasy landscape with supreme athletes that have changed the way fantasy football is played.

In years past, only a couple of receivers should have been considered first round picks.

Looking forward to 2009, it hard not to predict monster years from Fitzgerald, Moss, Jennings, Colston, Wayne, or Johnson and Johnson, just to name a few.

Tight End: My philosophy when it comes to drafting a tight end is that I fill my roster with studs and then go after one in the late rounds.

I must admit, players like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez have made me flinch in the past, but I usually stick to my guns and the twelfth best tight end.

Place Kicker: Nobody likes a kicker, myself included.

The strength of my team will influence how and when I go about filling this position.

In any given year there might be two or three kickers that are difference makers, but I generally focus on the rest of my team using the schedule and waiver wire to get my kicks.

Defense/Special Teams:

Powerhouse defenses like the Bears, Ravens and Buccaneers from years past have led many a manager to a title.

This season, only the Giants and Steelers look to have that type of potential.

Usually, I play the match-ups looking for rookie or bad quarterbacks, prone to throwing the wonderful "Pick-six"!

A teams' schedule should be a perfect guide to choosing your defense and remember to keep an eye out for bad weather when it gets later in the season.

A FEW LAST TIPS:

Bye Weeks: Bye Weeks-Schmye Weeks. I pay no attention to them! My favorite words to hear at a draft table are "When is his bye week again?"

Your Drafted Players: Don't get married to the players you draft. I will drop any player at any time for lack of production.

Free Agency: Fantasy leagues are won and lost through the battles of free agency.

A prime example is my '09, championship winning, starting roster in a 12 team league that was highly competitive.

QB: Matt Cassell (FA)

RB: Pierre Thomas (FA)

RB: Kevin Faulk (FA)

WR: Randy Moss

WR: Vincent Jackson (FA)

TE: Owen Daniels

K: Gostkowski

DEF: Patriots

Please email me at proudpythonparent@yahoo.com with your short explanation why I should choose you as one of the lucky "Five to Guide!"

Kansas City Chiefs: Father Time Is Undefeated

Neil Powell — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:17:24 -0400

The Kansas City Chiefs have added many new faces to the roster for the 2009 season.

Matt Cassel was acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots to be the quarterback of the future.

Four others added and projected as starters for the Chiefs in '09 have had great careers, but the rigors of the NFL grind may have started to take its tole on these accomplished players.

They are linebackers Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel, guard Mike Goff, and wide receiver Bobby Engram.

Zach Thomas

He has more tackles than any linebacker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is forth all-time. At 36 years old, it's expected that his stats will start to decline. He had a good season in Dallas with over 90 total tackles in 2008, but he's also one more concussion away from his career being over.

Mike Vrabel

Not quite the age of Thomas, but at 33 he's got quite a few miles on his body. His tackle total has declined in each year following his total of 108 in 2005 for the Patriots.

Bobby Engram

Engram has had a decent career and had a monster year in 2007. Last season he was nagged by injuries and didn't produce half of his totals from the year before. At 36, it may be too much to ask Engram to start, but the Chiefs apparently will.

Mike Goff

Goff will be entering his 11th season in the NFL and, after 162 games played, getting 16 out of him him might be pushing the envelope.

Interview With Chiefs' Quarterback Matt Cassel (Fictional)

Neil Powell — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:16:25 -0400

As a rookie reporter now following the Kansas Chiefs for NPPR radio, I was lucky enough to get a few minutes to pick the brain of quarterback Matt Cassel.

NPPR: Welcome to Kansas City, Mr. Cassell and first of all, I would like to wish you a productive and healthy season this year.

Cassel: Thanks for the kind words, and you can call me Matt, my man.

NPPR: Cool, I got a few quick questions for you and thanks for your time.

Cassel: No problem, fire away, I'm just waiting for D-Bowe and Bobby-E to get their tape jobs done.

NPPR: So how do you like Kansas City, and what's your early impression of the franchise?

Cassel: Kansas City seems like a very nice city, although I really haven't had much time to get out and see everything.

I think that the franchise is loaded with talented players, and knowing the tenacity of Coach Haley and Mr. Pioli, we will be playing at a high level sooner than some may realize.

NPPR: It sure sounds like you have adjusted to your new teammates rather well. After throwing to Randy Moss and Wes Welker last season in New England, what do you think about the receivers on your new team?

Cassel: So far in limited work, they look great! D-Bowe is going to be a beast and E is a veteran who will complement him well. Bradley and Charles will produce and we've got an oak tree for a tight end.

NPPR: Are you talking about Brad Cottam?

Cassel: Yeah. He's going to surprise you.

NPPR: Tyler Thigpen played pretty well last season and is said to be in competition with you for the starting position. What is your relationship like with him?

Cassel: Ty has been awesome. We get along well and drive each other to be better. Our relationship is great and we help each other as much as possible. He's a very talented quarterback.

NPPR: I think it's safe to assume you will be the starter against the Ravens in Baltimore for the season opener week one due to your rather sizable contract.

You've been called the future of the Chiefs' franchise, how does the pressure of that statement make you feel?

Cassel: I just play football and let the rest of that work itself out.

NPPR: Good point. Speaking of that, you've had a patient road to stardom and played behind some of the most well-known QB's around.

Everyone knows about your years as a backup to Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then legend Tom Brady in New England. If you had three words to describe the key to those players' successes, what would they be?

Cassel: Never thought about it that way, but I like your style so I'll answer the question.

Leinart: Hollywood Good. Does that count.

NPPR: Sure, I'll take that.

Cassel: It's fitting and when Kurt's time is over Arizona, Matt will be ready to get it done.

Palmer: Poised Rocket Arm

and Brady, hmmmm. Best There Is.

NPPR: That's high praise. Do you hold any ill feelings towards the Patriots?

Cassel: Absolutely not. They gave me a chance by drafting me and allowing me to learn from a Hall of Fame coach and quarterback. Now they've given me a chance to be a starter and I wish Tom all the best.

NPPR: I assumed I would get a classy response to that question. Have you tried the bar-b-que yet?

Cassel: Oh yeah. I love it already.

NPPR: Which do you prefer, clam chowder or a short end of ribs?

Cassel: Ah, the ribs and it's not even close.

NPPR: You got a favorite restaurant to get your BBQ from yet?

Cassel: There are a lot of them here but Gates and this little place on Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kansas named Woodyard BBQ is the bomb. One of the guys took me down there. Have you been there?

NPPR: I thought I had been to them all, but look at you. Here just a few months and already telling locals where to go for their food. You must adapt quickly?

Cassel: Yes I do.

NPPR: Alright, thanks for the interview Matt.

Cassel: Anytime.

Breaking Down the AFC West: Lightning Strikes Again in 2009

Neil Powell — Sat, 30 May 2009 01:51:43 -0400

The AFC West has seen some major changes in 2009.

Gone are some of the most recognizable faces in the conference. Jay Cutler, Tony Gonzalez, and Mike Shanahan have moved on.

They are replaced by Matt Cassel, Josh McDaniels, and Todd Haley to name a few.

The AFC West draws the NFC East and AFC North on the schedule in the upcoming season.

That means each AFC West team not named the San Diego has at least six games against teams that made it to the playoffs last the season, including the past two Super Bowl Champions.

The Chargers don't have to play against themselves, but the Bolts still get the Steelers, Giants, Ravens and Eagles like the rest of the teams.

Here's an early and brief prediction of the conference and how the changes might influence it.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Record in 2008: 8-8

Projected 2009: 12-4

Top Player: Philip Rivers

Head Coach: Norv Turner

Offense: The Chargers should romp through the AFC West in '09. Philip Rivers, Darren Sproles and Vincent Jackson are coming off their best seasons of their careers and if LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates could stay healthy they will be a contender to win it all.

Defense: Antonio Cromartie is one of the best play-makers in the league and the return of Shawne Merriman will help get the pressure they lacked without him. Talent on the other side of the ball allows the defense to take more chances.

Overall: The defense has seemed to have slipped quite a bit from a few years ago, but the offense is on the rise and should light up the scoreboard. The rest of the conference is rebuilding so they should be pretty easy pickings. Not a big Norv Turner fan, but he has won some big games recently.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Record in 2008: 2-14

Projected 2009: 7-9

Top Player: Matt Cassel

Head Coach: Todd Haley

Offense: The addition of Cassell gives the Chiefs a quarterback for years to come and Dwayne Bowe should blossom with him. The loss of "Tony G" is huge from many angles. It's a stretch to think that Larry Johnson will return to form, so other than Bowe there's not much to write home about.

Defense: The 2008 version was historically bad producing only nine sacks as a team for the season. New defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will play a 3-4 defense and the franchise drafted defensive end Tyson Jackson to anchor the line.

Free agent additions Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel's best years are far behind them, but they are still a slight upgrade from last year. Safeties Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page will get torched again if they remain the starters.

Overall: Everything has changed at Arrowhead and although the results are pending, it appears the franchise is on the right track. 7-9 may be a stretch, but even 6-10 would be a vast improvement from the past two seasons. The future of the franchise may be reflected through the play of Cassel.

DENVER BRONCOS

Record in 2008: 8-8

Projected 2009: 6-10

Top Player: Champ Bailey

Head Coach: Josh McDaniels

Offense: New head coach McDaniels has made a lot of noise with his arrival at Mile High. No longer with the team is pro bowler Jay Cutler who despite his attitude, is one of the better QB's in the league. Kyle Orton gets the nod and has one of the elite wide receiver tandems in the league in Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal.

Orton has no where near the talent of Cutler and the changes in philosophy could slow the offense to a crawl.

Defense: Safety Brian Dawkins is a major upgrade at the position, but not much else has changed from a defense that was down right putrid in '08. Seems like every defensive player Shanahan drafted north of Trevor Pryce underachieved so a major rebuilding effort is needed.

On the positive side, Champ Bailey is still a joy to watch and Mike Nolan is the biggest name at defensive coordinator since Wade Phillips.

Overall: At first blush I thought it was a powerful message sent by McDaniels as he called Cutler's bluff and traded him to the Chicago Bears. Now, I think it was a terrible decision and drafting Knowshon Moreno in the first round at a position that the team actually had some depth at made me question his judgement even further.

McDaniels might have Moreno pinned for a Kevin Faulk type role going forward which has been highly effective for the New England. The schedule is brutal and includes games against the Chargers (twice), Colts, Eagles, Giants, Cowboys, Steelers, Ravens, and Patriots.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Record in 2008: 5-11

Projected 2009: 4-12

Best Player: Nnamdi Asomugha

Head Coach: Tom Cable

Offense: If JaMarcus Russell struggles, look for Al Davis, I mean Cable to go to free agent addition Jeff Garcia early. Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden pack a heck of a one-two punch, but they will need help on the outside to open things up for the them.

Defense: Asomugha is one of the best players in the NFL and the defense played well at times last season. Michael Huff's struggles have been a major setback for the franchise. The squad could be a surprise in '09, but don't bank on it.

Overall: Garcia's grit and a break-out type season from McFadden might give the Raiders enough to sneak up on some teams in '09. Team owner Davis made some noise with his draft this season confusing both experts and fans alike.

Memorial Day: A Reflection of Love and Sports

Neil Powell — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:30:21 -0400

As I grow a little bit older, I've begun to realize what most people my age start to.

There are now people in our past that have gone on to a better place and we are left with just the memories of them.

Memorial Day can start to really take meaning on all levels of personal importance.

I reflect on memories of my grandmothers, aunt, and my grandfather.

"Gramps" I called him and he was my main man.

I named my son after him and he wears the name proudly.

I'll admit, sports captivate my soul.

It's the ultimate and only legitimate "reality" TV there is.

Gramps had a lot to do with this passion.

He usually had the Kansas City Royals' games on in the car and would tell me of the time he and his friends drove to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play the Yankees in the 1942 World Series.

He also told me many stories about his favorite players Dizzy and Daffy Dean.

We kicked it almost every Sunday in his backyard and watched the Kansas City Chiefs' game on his little television.

I was with him as we watched the 1985 Royals win the World Series and he was the first one I called in 1988 when the Kansas Jayhawks won the NCAA Championship.

He would come to as many of my games as a youth as he could to cheer me on and a compliment from him after the game was worth its weight in gold.

I hit my first legitimate home run in little league in the fourth grade and rushed over to his house to give him the ball.

Actually that ball is with him eternally as he was buried holding it in his hand.

He's with me everyday.

Sports can relay many messages to many people.

I coach my son's little league team and last year became good friends with one of the boys on the team and his family.

He lost a relative and to honor him, he wore a black band around his jersey sleeve.

Many players point to the sky after making a big play.

The majority do so to either reflect on their religious beliefs, or to pay homage to someone above.

Who could forget the classic Monday Night Football game that Brett Favre had after his father passed away.

It was amazing.

For eleven years I had a little Shih Tzu named Elway after the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.

He was man's best friend personified and I actually taught him to chase his tail when the Broncos scored a touchdown.

I remember Payne Stewart, my favorite golfer and his clutch put to win the 1999 U.S. Open.

Or my favorite baseball player Kirby Puckett and his passion for playing the game.

I remember Derrick Thomas, Hank Gathers and Darrent Williams among others.

My father lost his closest friend earlier this year. He was my friend too and I will pull for his son just as he would have as he tries to make the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent this season.

This article is a tribute to those I can no longer have a conversation with, but will never forget the ones that we had.

Thanks for the memories.

It's Official: LeBron James Is the King

Neil Powell — Sat, 23 May 2009 00:07:56 -0400

With 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Friday night's game two of the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James made a move to the basket with the shot clock winding down.

He dunked it right? Got fouled and went to the line, huh? Maybe both?

No, he traveled.

With his Cavaliers down a game and needing a win before heading to the Sunshine State for the next two, Cleveland was in a must-win scenario.

Always comparing James to the greatest player ever, Michael Jordan, I was left thinking would "MJ" have ever traveled with his team needing a play of this magnitude?

The Magic got the ball and as Hedo Turkoglu drove left, Sasha Pavlovic fouled him with only a couple seconds on the shot clock.

The Cavs had a foul to give, but it left the Magic with 12 seconds and no shot clock, allowing them to take the last shot.

Turkoglu did just that hitting what appeared to be a game winning shot at the top of free throw lane, with one second remaining.

Cleveland called their last time out and set up at half court.

James put a nice move on Turkoglu to get open at the top of the three point line.

Mo Williams, who had 19 points in the contest, hit "The King" with a perfect pass allowing LeBron to catch-and-shoot in smooth rhythm for the series saving shot.

It was the type of shot that legends are made of.

James finished with 35 points, five assists and four rebounds in Cleveland's 96-95 victory.

Rashard Lewis led the Magic with 23 points and Turkoglu added 22.

With the series now tied at one game each, the teams head to Orlando for game three on Sunday night.

Kansas City Chiefs Three Deep: Clancy Pendergast

Neil Powell — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:01:54 -0400

The Kansas City Chiefs revamped the entire organization from top to bottom after, yet another, disappointing season in 2008.

New general manager Scott Pioli was hired away from New England after playing a major role in building the Patriots into a perennial powerhouse.

Pioli patiently waited for the Arizona Cardinals' postseason run to end before hiring offensive coordinator Todd Haley to be the next head coach of the Chiefs.

One of the pair's first moves was to hire the Cardinals' defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast for the same job in Kansas City.

The purpose of these series of articles is to give fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, some insight to where and from whom the members of the new coaching staff honed their craft.

Most have heard of the Lombardi, Walsh, and Parcells "coaching trees" right?

This information is intended to provide the lineage of the men that will be calling the shots at Arrowhead in 2009 and beyond.

Pendergast has spent the past five seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Cardinals. In 2008, he turned one of the notoriously worst defenses in the NFL into one good enough to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Here's a list of head coaches who Pendergast has worked for in his career and the head coaches they spent time with as well.

Let's Go "Three Deep":

Pendergast started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State, USC, Oklahoma and UAB.

NFL:

1985: Houston Oilers - Jeff Fisher (Mike Ditka, Buddy Ryan, George Siefert, and Jack Pardee)

1996-'99: Dallas Cowboys - Barry Switzer (Frank Broyles and Chuck Fairbanks)

2000-'02: Dallas Cowboys - Dave Campo (Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer)

2003: Cleveland Browns - Butch Davis (Jimmy Johnson, played for Frank Broyles)

2004-'06: Arizona Cardinals - Dennis Green (Played and coached for Bill Walsh)

2006-'08: Arizona Cardinals - Ken Whisenhunt (Played for Don Henning, Marion Campbell, Joe Gibbs, and Bruce Coslet. Coached for Ted Marchibroda, Chris Palmer, Al Groh, and Bill Cower.)

Five Plays the New Look Chiefs Offense Will Run in 2009.

Neil Powell — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:19:48 -0400

The 2008 Kansas City Chiefs' offense was catered around inexperienced quarterback Tyler Thigpen.

The "Pistol" formation made Thigpen more comfortable and the Chiefs actually moved the ball at times to make the best out of a dire situation.

Former tight end Tony Gonzalez was the focal point of the offense and was once again the best player at his position in the NFL.

In 2009, the Chiefs will have a completely new look on offense under new head coach Todd Haley.

Haley was the offensive coordinator for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals last year.

The Chiefs also traded for franchise quarterback Matt Cassel and signed wide receivers Bobby Engram and Terrance Copper to bolster their aerial attack.

Although Thigpen played surprisingly well when pressed into duty, he either didn't have the ability or the coaching staff didn't trust him to make every NFL throw.

Cassel should allow the Chiefs to vastly expand their playbook in the upcoming season.

Here's a list of five plays you will see in 2009 that you didn't in '08:

Wide Receiver Screen Pass: Haley and the Cards used this play as an extension of the running game. Dwayne Bowe is no Anquan Boldin, but he does have good RAC (run after catch) capability.

Running Back Draw (4-Wide): Considering that Devard Darling and Jeff Webb were the teams number three and four receivers just might explain why the Chiefs didn't go four-wide very often in '08. The Cards ran this play a lot with Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower last season. Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles are every bit as talented.

Flee Flicker: Kurt Warner touched up a few defenses for big plays with this one in the past. If "LJ" were to get it rolling, don't be surprised if he were to flick it back to Cassel for the deep bomb.

Deep Seem Pass: This play was a staple of Arizona's run to the Super Bowl. Larry Fitzgerald may have been the reason why, but the only time the Chiefs went to the seem last season was when Thigpen chucked it up to a double-teamed Gonzalez. Cassel has the arm for the pass, but will he have a receiver to run the route?

Deep Out: The deep out is considered the true mark of an elite NFL quarterback. The Chiefs probably didn't have that last season, but they do now. After taking over for an injured Tom Brady ironically against the Chiefs in week one, Cassel proved he can make all the throws while leading the Patriots to 11 victories.

Five Position Battles To Watch for with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009

Neil Powell — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:01:14 -0400

Rebuilding is tough. That's what fans of the Kansas City Chiefs would say about the past few seasons.

The Chiefs have not won a playoff game for 15 years and owner Clark Hunt felt like it was finally time for some major changes.

Long-time VP/GM Carl Peterson was pushed out and head coach Herm Edwards was fired as well.

Hunt hired New England's Scott Pioli as GM, Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator Todd Haley as head coach and traded for starting quarterback Matt Cassel.

The Chiefs have brought in many other new faces including Mike Vrabel, Zach Thomas, Bobby Engram, Monty Biesel, and selected Tyson Jackson in the first round of the draft.

Kansas City also traded legendary tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons and in doing so, broke thousands of hearts across the midwest.

With all the new faces on the roster, it's pretty obvious which players are going to be the starters going into the 2009 season.

Upgrades at the quarterback, wide receiver and line backer positions have created only a few apparent spots that will be decided in the preseason.

Here's a list of five intriguing position battles going into the 2009 season:

NOSE TACKLE (3-4 Defense): Glenn Dorsey vs. Demarcus "Tank" Tyler

Glenn Dorsey: 6'1", 297, Drafted No. 5 overall in 2008 , Louisiana St., Age 23.

2008 Season: 46 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 16 games started.

'08 Review: The Chiefs used a very high pick on Dorsey, passing on players like Jared Mayo, Joe Flacco and Chris Johnson, but didn't quite get the plays expected in doing so. Dorsey did nothing to prevent NFL teams from running wild on the Chiefs last season.

Fast Fact: Dorsey is one of NCAA football's most decorated defensive linemen ever. In 2007 as a Junior, he won the Lombardi, Outland, Bronco Nagurski and Lott awards, as well as being selected First Team All-American for the second straight year.

Tank Tyler: 6'2", 306, Drafted Third Round 2007, North Carolina, Age 23.

2008 Season: 41 tackles, no sacks, 16 games started.

'08 Review: "Tank" started every game last season for the Chiefs. That's about it. What's written above about Dorsey applies to Tyler as well. Maybe they were allergic to the backfield?

Prediction: Tyler's size fits the new, 3-4 defense better, but the organizations' investment in Dorsey will no doubt give him an advantage. Look for a 70/30 split.

Fast Fact: Tyler was selected First Team All-Acc in 2007 recording 89 tackles.

WIDE RECEIVER (No. 2 Option) Bobby Engram vs. Mark Bradley

Bobby Engram: 5'10", 192, Drafted second round 1996 (Bears), Penn St., Age 36

2008 Season: 47 receptions, 489 yards, no touchdowns, 11 games started.

'08 Review: After a injury plagued 2008 season, it's hard not to wonder how much the 36 years old Engram has left in the tank. In 2007, Engram had a monster season with 74 for 1147 and six touchdowns. In '08 he never saw pay-dirt. Engram spent 2001-'08 in Seattle and played for the Bears the four seasons prior.

Fast Fact: In 1994, Engram was the go-to receiver for the undefeated Nittany Lions, won the first ever Biletnikoff Award and is the school's all-time leader in touchdowns and yards.

Mark Bradley: 6'2", 198, Drafted second round 2005 (Bears), Oklahoma, Age 27

2008 Season: 30 receptions, 380 yards, three touchdowns, eight starts.

'08 Review: Bradley was a second round pick by the Bears, but could never find any playing time in his first couple season there. In '08, he was cut by Chicago and picked up in Week Seven by the Chiefs. He played pretty well as the second receiver in the offense.

Fast Fact: Bradley was a big part of the most memorable play of the 2009 season for the Chiefs. In week nine against Tampa Bay, Bradley hit quarter back Tyler Thigpen for a 45 yard touchdown on a wide receiver reverse-pass.

Prediction: Although by no means a game-breaker, Bradley will look around him and like his chances to see a lot of playing time again in 2009. If healthy, Engram should have at least a semi-productive season. He will benefit more from a lack of talent at the skill positions, than his own at this late stage in his career.

PLACE KICKER: Connor Barth vs. Ryan Succop

Connor Barth: 5'11", 193, Undrafted 2008, North Carolina, Age 23

2008 Season: 10-12 field goals, 24-24 extra points.

'08 Review: Barth was cut in the preseason in favor of Nick Novak only to replace later in week eight. Showed some accuracy, but hit for a long of only 48 yards.

Fast Fact: In week 15 against rival San Diego, Barth had his only two misses of the season. The second was a potential game-winning 50 yard attempt.

Ryan Succop: 6'3", 221, Drafted round seven 2009, South Carolina, Age 22

2008 NCAA Season: 20-30 field goals.

'08 Review: Succop had a 66.7 field-goal percentage last season for the Gamecocks. At 6-3, 221 he could possibly be used as a sixth line backer.

Fast Fact: The 2009 "Mr Irrelevant" selection (last player drafted), scored 104 goals as a soccer player at Hickory High in North Carolina.

Prediction: A pretty boring position to evaluate, but it will be an important one for the Chiefs as they learn a new offense. Barth did rather well after taking the job in midseason and should retain the position.

If Succop could put some accuracy with is big leg, he could definitely make it interesting.

TIGHT END: Brad Cottam vs. Tony Curtis

Brad Cottam: 6'7", 269, Drafted third round 2008, Tennessee, Age 24

2008 Season: 7 receptions, 63 yards, 16 games, seven starts.

'08 Review: With the name Tony Gonzalez ahead of you on the depth chart, it's going to be hard to evaluate how good a rookie tight end could be. Tony is gone now and spending a year under the future Hall of Famer will only help Cottam in securing his turn at the top.

Fast Fact: Had four catches for 34 yards in week eighth start. At 6'7", Cottam will also come in handy at local charity basketball games.

Tony Curtis: 6'5", 251, Undrafted 2005, Portland State, Age 26

2008 Season: 8 receptions, 32 yards.

'08 Review: Curtis was also looking up at a future Hall of Famer in Jason Witten while playing for the Cowboys the past three seasons. Featured primarily in the goal line and short yardage packages, he should at least fill the same role for the Chiefs in 2009.

Fast Fact: Curtis had three receptions in the 2007 season. All for touchdowns.

Prediction: The competition at this position will be closer than most anticipate. Cottam is widely anticipated as the guy, but I feel like Curtis will compete to the last preseason game. Either way, the Chiefs will use three wide receiver sets under coach Todd Haley so blocking may be the top concern.

Center: Eric Ghiaciuc vs. Rudy Niswanger

Rudy Niswanger: 6'5", 301, Undrafted 2006, Louisiana St, Age 25

2008 Season: 15 games started.

'08 Review: Niswanger started all but one game last season and was re-signed as an unrestricted free agent this off season.

Fast Fact: While at LSU, Niswanger earned a 4.0 GPA and was accepted to medical school.

Eric Ghiaciuc: 6'4", 303, Drafted forth round 2005 (Bengals), C.Michigan, Age 23

2008 Season, 16 games started.

'08 Review: "G" started every game in 2008 for the Bengals, increasing his four-year total to 42 with the team.

Fast Fact: As a wrestler at Oxford High in Michigan, Ghiaciuc won the heavyweight state championship.

Prediction: Neither the Chiefs or the Bengals had much of a running game to speak of in 2008 so predicting who will be the starting center is a question mark. It's hard believe that Kansas City would have signed Ghiaciuc without intending on starting him.

NPPR: 2009 NBA Draft Lottery Picks

Neil Powell — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:30:27 -0400

The 2009 NBA Draft is around the corner and after watching players like David West, Danny Granger and Brandon Roy get passed over in recent drafts, I've felt obligated to help the GM's around the NBA.

I watch tons of NCAA basketball games and it wasn't hard to tell that these three players had what it takes to thrive in the NBA.

Here's the first official NPPR for the NBA draft.

NPPR stands for Neil Powell's Power Rankings, something I've used for years in ranking fantasy players for the NFL and MLB.

Designed more as an inside joke between friends, as I schooled them annually, I felt I needed some originality if I was going to take these lists to the streets.

2009 NBA DRAFT - NPPR

1. Blake Griffin - F/C - Oklahoma Sooners (21) PF/C - 6-10/251

Griffin is a beast and his game will translate very well to the next level. Not since Shaq O'Neal has 30/15 looked so easy. Only needs to improve on his free throw shooting to become one of the top players in the world.   Look for many All-Star games to come.

NBA Comparison - Dwight Howard

To me, it is not a stretch to expect Griffin to be as good as Howard. Similar in size, strength and quickness, Griffin was the best player on every floor he stepped on last year.

2. Tyreke Evans - PG/SG - Memphis Tigers (19) PG/SG - 6-5/195

Evans was the top freshman in the nation and the best player on a pretty good Memphis squad from the day he got there. A tall and explosive Tiger point guard, sound familiar?

NBA Comparison - Derrick Rose

It's doubtful that Evans will land on a team as good as the Bulls, so it will be hard to back this prediction up, but he could easily be that dynamic down the road.

3. Ricky Rubio - PG - DKV Joventut (International) (18) PG - 6-4/180

This 18-year-old European phenom started playing against top competition when he was 14! Last year in the Summer Olympics Rubio made some of the prettiest plays against the juggernaut Americans, busted up wrist and all.

NBA Comparison - Steve Nash

His age and experience make him one of the top Euro-guard prospects in quite some time. He can distribute and score, but he may never be as crafty as Nash is around the basket.

4. Ty Lawson - North Carolina Tar Heels (21) PG - 6-0/195

No player was more impressive in the 2009 run to the championship for UNC. Lawson proved to be the nation's best point guard, a position that has the most depth coming into the draft. His shooting percentages and assist to turnover ratio was outstanding.

NBA Comparison - Tony Parker

Lawson is thicker than "Mr. Longoria", but his quickness and ability to score in the paint reminds me of Parker. Not likely to have a player like Tim Duncan to take the pressure off of him though.

5. Hasheem Thabeet - Connecticut Huskies (22) C - 7-3/265

At 7-3, Thabeet is a physical specimen that will be hard for NBA teams to pass on. Staying in school was a beneficial decision for him, but there are still fatigue issues. I'm not the biggest fan of his ability, but a less than stellar draft class will help validate taking him so high.

NBA Comparison - Greg Oden

Oden should turn out to be a level above Thabeet, at least, but after watching how much trouble "Big Greg" had staying out of foul trouble this season, maybe not.

6. James Harden - Arizona State Sun Devils (19) SG - 6-5/218

As mentioned above, this is where is gets "Harden" to justify taking any player this high in the draft. Harden looks the part and has a NBA body and skill set. Even at No. 6 he's far from a lock in my eyes.

NBA Comparison - Paul Pierce

Harden is a couple inches shorter than "The Truth", but his body and smooth play are reminiscent of a young Pierce.

7. Jordan Hill - Arizona Wildcats (21) PF - 6-10/235

Hill parlayed his vast physical talent into a monster season for the Cats. He has the height and size to compete at the highest level. Despite not possessing an outside game, his upside makes him the best pick at this position.

NBA Comparison - Chris Bosh

All right, this one is certainly a stretch, but Bosh wasn't known for his touch away from the basket until a few years into the Association. The Denver Nuggets Chris "Birdman" Anderson might be a more reachable ceiling to set.

8. Johnny Flynn - Syracuse Orangemen (20) PG - 6-0/172

Last season the Big East was possibly the best conference in NCAA history, and Flynn seemed to be in the middle of every battle. No player showed more heart than did Flynn and if he wasn't willing his team to victory, he was giving 110% effort in a loss. His jumper might not translate to the NBA, but his fitness and desire will.

NBA Comparison - Mario Chalmers

Most of the players I've mentioned in my comparisons have been All-Stars, but Chalmers seemed like a sensible one here. If Flynn were to have a rookie campaign as good as "Rio" did, he would be considered a successful pick.

9. Earl Clark - Louisville Cardinals (21) SF/PF - 6-9/220

Clark was close to coming out last year, but wisely decided to come back and it should pay off with a top-ten selection in the draft this season.   Clark's size and shooting touch make him an inside-out type player increasing his upside.

NBA Comparison - Al Harrington

It took Harrington a few years to excel and I could see the same type of future for Clark. Could also be the next Julian Wright.

10. Steph Curry - Davidson Wildcats (21) - PG/SG - 6-3/185

Curry was the darling of the 2008 NCAA tournament and he backed it up with an All-American season this year. Curry's touch from deep is as good as it gets and he should be able to get open looks in the NBA.

NBA Comparison - Richard Hamilton

"Rip" may be a stretch here, but Curry was awfully dynamic in college. If he were to play in the NBA as long as his father Dell, did that would be good enough.

11. Brandon Jennings - Lottomatica Roma (Int) (19) - PG - 6-1/170

The various reports that I've read recently about Jennings have been all over the board. At times he looks like the best player on the floor raising the eyebrows of many scouts. Other times he looks over matched physically and struggles with his outside shooting. He would have been much better served playing one year in the NCAA and making a name for himself. This decision has to bring his judgment qualities into question.

NBA Comparison - Allen Iverson

Both players are small and lightening quick, but "A.I." is one of the best players ever, so it's a stretch to imagine Jennings will be as savvy. This is a hard player to find a comparison for so I got a little silly with it.

12. Terrence Williams - Louisville Cardinals (21) SF/SG - 6-6/220

In college, Williams was the best player on a very good Louisville team and can do a multitude of things on the court. "T-Dub" can finish with authority at the rim and has a decent outside shot that should get better. The fact that he disappeared at times throughout his college career should cause GM's to think hard about drafting such a talented player.

NBA Comparison - Richard Jefferson

Jefferson has been an All-Star caliber player in his career and I'm not saying that Williams will be, but the potential is there to be that type of player.

13. Gerald Henderson - Duke Blue Devils (21) SG/SF - 6-5/215

I've watched college basketball for decades and I can't say that I've seen anyone that can jump like Henderson can. He's up there with Vince Carter as far as leaping ability goes. When he had his mid-range jumper going for the Blue Devils last season he looked awesome. He may never average over 15 points for a season, but I guarantee he wins a dunk contest.

NBA Comparison - Jason Richardson

I don't see Henderson developing the long-range jumper that Richardson currently has, but he's every bit as explosive. It did take Richardson years to establish himself as an outside threat though.

14. Chase Buddinger - Arizona Wildcats (21) SF/SG - 6-7/218

I like Buddinger's chances to succeed as much as any player left. He's got experience, size, touch and athletic ability. Buddinger will never be known for his defense, but he will stick around for many seasons in the NBA.

NBA Comparison - Rashard Lewis

Lewis is taller, but you're more likely to see J.J. Reddick mixing it up in the middle. It's not hard to believe that Buddinger will be able to shoot the three as well as Lewis can.

After writing this mock I noticed two things:

First, the talent in this draft is not very deep at all. It's borderline putrid.

The second thing is that as I watched the epic first round series between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics two players made me wonder.

How hard is it to believe that Tyler Hansbrough won't be as good as Joakim Noah and Glen Davis?

Oh Henry! Kansas Finds Secret Ingredient, Xavier to Play for Jayhawks

Neil Powell — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:46:41 -0400

There's a trend in college basketball, a recipe if you would, for winning a national title.

Going back through the last 10 years of national championship rosters, there is one ingredient that all of these teams possess.

Coach Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks may have just found theirs for the 2009-10 season.

Highly sought-after prep prospect Xavier Henry will announce tomorrow at Putnam High School in Oklahoma City, Okla. that he will attend and play basketball for the University of Kansas.

The 6'6" Henry is considered by many publications one of the top three high school players in the nation.

Henry, who averaged 28.3 points and 6.7 rebounds last season for 6A state champion Putnam, had been committed to the University of Memphis to play for coach John Calipari.

When Calipari took the job at the University of Kentucky, Henry backed out of his letter of intent to play for the Tigers.

Xavier's brother C.J., a walk-on point guard for Memphis last season, will be joining "X" next season at Kansas as well.

In 2005 C.J. was drafted out of high school by the New York Yankees at No. 17 overall in the amateur draft and is a walk-on because the Yankees pay his college tuition.

At the recent Jordan Brand and McDonald's All-American games, Xavier displayed a beautiful shooting touch and the ability to face up, get it to the rim, and finish.

His blend of size, strength, outside touch, and athletic ability should put Kansas over the top considering the Jayhawks already have a loaded roster, led by returning stars Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich.

Looking back at the last 10 national champions, all of them had athletic, do-it-all type players at the small forward position that could shoot, score at the basket, and defend.

Here's the list of athletic "wing" players:

'09 Danny Green (6'6") UNC

'08 Brandon Rush (6'6") Kansas

'07/'06 Corey Brewer (6'9") Florida

'05 Rashad McCants (6'4") UNC

'04 Rudy Gay (6'9") UConn

'03 Carmelo Anthony (6'8") Syracuse

'02 Byron Mouton (6'6") Maryland

'01 Mike Dunleavy Jr. (6'9") Duke

'00 Morris Peterson (6'7") Mich St.

'99 Kevin Freeman (6'6") UConn

Only Maryland's Mouton and Connecticut's Freeman (although they did have 6'6" Rip Hamilton) did not go on to have productive NBA careers, but both played professional ball.

Kansas had a stacked team in 2008 with five NBA draft picks (and Russell Robinson plays in the NBDL), but Rush was the difference maker for the Jayhawks.

Landing Henry, along with two other five-star recruits, Thomas Robinson and Elijah Johnson, will only bolster a roster that returns every contributing player from last year's Big 12 championship squad.

Kansas also has been in pursuit of John Wall and Lance Stephenson, the two best remaining uncommitted players in the nation.

A Professional Point of View of The Masters at Augusta National

Neil Powell — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:56:06 -0400

The 2009 Masters had all of the thrills that have made this tournament so popular throughout the golf world. The Masters tournament is the first of the four major championships annually and the vast majority of golf fans will say it's the most anticipated of all. What makes the Masters unique is that it's the same every year. It's always played on the picturesque land in Augusta, Ga. Founded in 1934 by legendary golfer Bobby Jones and designed by Alister MacKenzie, Augusta offers a breath-taking view to go with the best golfers in the world. All trying to put on the coveted "Green Jacket" given to the winner each year. The beautifully maintained greens and fairways, dogwoods, Georgia pines and azaleas are a famous part of the Masters tradition. Ben Crenshaw, two-time winner of the tournament and historian of the game echoed the sentiments of many when he said "this course is different." "Jones and MacKenzie had theater in mind when they created this masterpiece." "You can make it happen, or throw it all away, it's up to you." The 2009 Masters had all of this and more. You can virtually pick your story line: Chad Campbell started the tournament with five birdies and held the lead until the 16th hole on Saturday. Day two saw upstart American Anthony Kim set a masters record with 11 birdies in the round on way to shooting a remarkable 65. The golf gods looked down upon this tournament and decided to do everyone a favor and pair legends Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson together on the final day. And they didn't disappoint. Most players fold when paired with Woods on the final day, but "Lefty" would have none of that. Mickelson came out looking like "Daniel Darts" going very low with a front nine record 30. Tiger continued to make clutch par puts and stayed in contention until making a move on the back nine. A Mickelson ball in the water and a couple wayward drives from Woods later, and it was time to turn it over to act two. Kenny Perry had a comanding two shot lead going into the final two holes, but managed to let that slip finding himself in a three way playoff with Campbell and Angel Cabrera. Cabrera, despite hitting two of the worst shots in Masters' history on the first playoff hole was let off the hook by the other two players. His tee shot went deep into the woods and they his second hit a tree, but found the fairway and he was able to save par. Campbell missed his par put so Cabrera and Perry moved on to another sudden death hole. Perry who is 48, was trying to become the oldest player to ever win a Masters title. Cabrera was trying to follow up a US Open victory in 2007 by becoming the first Argentinian to win the Masters. Perry's drive went left into the trees and Cabrera was fitted for his green jacket soon after. All of the legends of golf have won at Augusta. It has been a passing of the torch from superstar to superstar. From Sarazen, Hogan, Snead, Player, Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson, Faldo to Woods. Many great memories have been made at Augusta by these hall of fame golfers. The best to ever play the game. I have been a fan of the Masters all my life and make a point each year to watch the tournament. I have always liked trading stories about my favorite golfing event of the year with other golfers. I thought it would be a fantastic idea to ask some of the top PGA club professionals what their "Most memorable Masters moment was." Why not pick the brain of some of the most talented golf minds, from some of the top courses in the world. Here' s what they said: "I feel that 11 birdies by Anthony Kim at the Masters is a miracle!" Rex Cole PGA Head Golf Professional Cottonwood Golf Club El Cajon, CA (Cottonwood Golf Club has been one of San Diego's premier golf destinations since it first opened in 1962.)

Begin Slideshow

Jordan Brand Classic Recruiting Reconnaissance

Neil Powell — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:24:11 -0400

The final play of the 2009 Jordan Brand Classic, played Saturday at Madison Square Garden, typified the recruiting season for a couple of high-profile schools.

With time running out, John Wall fed Xavier Henry for a last-second three-pointer.

The game's announcer, ESPN's Jimmy Dykes, called it thusly:

"Wall to Henry...if we ever hear that again, they will be teammates at either Kentucky or Kansas."

Wall looked like the talented player that everyone has been raving about. His speed and quickness was compared to Derrick Rose and Ty Lawson throughout the game.

The best dunk of the night (and there were several great slams) was Wall taking off from the right wing and throwing down with his left hand.

Henry scored 11 points in the game and showed he has the talent, body, and shooting touch to go inside and out.

In simultaneous pregame interviews by ESPNU's Quint Kessenich, Wall and Henry were both asked about their highly publicized recruiting situations.

Wall, ESPN's No. 5-rated overall player, stated that he would be visiting Miami University this week, and after that, he planned on narrowing his list down to three or four schools and picking a school "sooner or later."

He's currently entertaining offers from Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, N.C. State, Duke, Baylor, Florida, and Miami.

Henry, ESPN's No. 3 player, was asked about a supposed scheduled visit to Kentucky on April 25 and 26, but he said that he had not set a date as of yet.

He did state, however, that he intended on visiting the campus at some point and looked forward to being "blown away."

Kansas and Kentucky remain the only two schools in the hunt for the man they call "X."

Another unsigned player making noise at the game was local hero Lance Stephenson.

But he was snubbed and not selected for the team, despite playing on the McDonald's All-American squad. He was in the crowd at the game and could be seen at halftime kicking it with R&B artist Fat Joe while Akon thrilled the crowd.

"Sir Lance Alot," as he is known, is a New York City prep legend from Brooklyn. He broke Sebastian Telfair's all-time New York State scoring mark earlier this year and is thought to be close to deciding between Kansas and St. Johns.

In the post-game breakdown from Dykes and co-host Bob Wischusen, the two talking heads commented on just how much weight the decisions by Wall and Henry would have in the 2009-10 season.

They agreed that if both players choose to go to either Kansas or Kentucky, the Wildcats will enter the year as the consensus preseason No. 1.

The 15 Best Sports Video Games Ever: From a Retired Gamer

Neil Powell — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:15:08 -0400

After a long run of buzzer beaters, winning championships and on-line battles, I've decided to hang the controller up.

Over the years, I've found much enjoyment playing sports related video games.

I've been Michael Jordan on a hot streak. Barry Sanders running wild. Or Bo Jackson mistifying the defense.

What's the reason for what some would consider an early retirement?

A little burnt out yes. A little disappointed, yeah that too. One to many hotties calling me a dork?

Frankly I think that I'm too busy to be really good any more and after the millions of thrashings I've laid on my friends and foe, I felt like it was time to turn it over to the young bucks.

In honor of my glorious run I've put together this list of the best sports video games ever. In my opinion that is.

Now remember, I'm sure there's some great hockey games out there it's just I never really played them. They looked fun though.

15. PELE's SOCCER: 1981 ATARI 2600

I thought it would only be right if I stated out by going back to my roots.

I don't remember a great deal about this game other than I got really excited when I got to got it and got to go to my friends house and play it against another person.

The graphics and game play were actually very good for that time period.

When you scored a goal there was an elaborate scene and GOAL would flash. It created a good feeling for a boy my age.

14. JOE MONTANA'S SPORTS TALK FOOTBALL: 1993 SEGA GENESIS

The game play was pretty good, but I loved the commentary. The voice sounded super-funny and it didn't always coordinate with the play that had just happened.

The game had all 28 NFL teams and used the playoff format consistent with the league.

Another great feature of this game was that you could save your league and then continue it later by entering a code.

No more leaving the console on over night anymore.

13. MIKE TYSON'S PUNCH-OUT: 1987 NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

I've tried other boxing games throughout the years, but looking back I realize that I had the most fun playing this game.

Working my way through Glass Joe and Bald Bull to get to Mike Tyson was sweet.

Each boxer had a "tell" when they were about to leave their sweet spot open.

12. NBA LIVE 2005: 2004 ELECTRONIC ARTS (EA SPORTS) XBOX

Played this game quite a bit both on-line and with friends.

The freestyle control for moves while dribbling was nice.

The dunk contest was actually fun as well.

The graphics and game play seemed to make a pretty good leap to this version of the Live series.

11. DOUBLE DRIBBLE: 1986 KONAMI NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

This was truly the first 5-5 basketball and my friends and I loved it. We balled for hours.

Who could forget the fade-away from the bottom right corner for three. Or the shot from the screws on the wing.

Or when you missed a dunk, the funny sound it made. This game got every kid my age interested in video basketball from that point forward.

10. SUPER TECMO BOWL: 1991 TECMO NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

We all had to have the sequel to one of the most popular games of the video boom. Super Tecmo Bowl was the first game to have actual NFL team names and players. The game had all of the classic players like Elway, Montana, Marino, Barry and more. Full 1990 roster with 30 players per team and my favorite part, statistics tracking.

9. Wii TENNIS (Wii SPORTS): 2006 NINTENDO Wii

Despite my retirement, my son still seems to pull me into a few exhibition matches from time to time on the Nintendo Wii that Santa brought him.

I played some tennis, for fun with some friends back in the day and I actually got decent at it. Good enough to understand that the timing and shot making on this game is pretty damn close to the real thing.

We make one heck of a doubles team too.

8. LAKERS VS. BULLS and the NBA PLAYOFFS: 1992 EA SPORTS SEGA GENESIS

This is the second edition of what ended up becoming the NBA Live series.

This game had all 16 playoff teams from the 1991 NBA season which was twice as many as the first one (Lakers Vs. Celtics).

One of the few games to have Michael Jordan and at that time there were many, many future Hall Of Fame players that made it super fun times to play.

Graphics and game play upgraded as well.

7. NBA LIVE '95: 1994 EA SPORTS SEGA GENESIS

This was the first of the Live Series of games and had all of the NBA teams.

We would have tournaments for money playing this game so it has lasting memories for me.

I was a big fan of Hakeem Olajuwon and he was awesome in this version. Did you know he once had a quadruple double! I was always trying to do that with him.

6. MADDEN '94: 1993 EA SPORTS SEGA GENESIS

Probably the version of Madden that i played the most in my time as a gamer.

I had a copy with the New York Rosters switched which was always funny to see my friends' reaction when Phil Simms was on the Jets.

First Madden where you could flip the play and if you put your fastest receiver in at running back and threw a screen pass (flipping it to the wide side), you were unstoppable.

I had more huge games with no name players then in any game before.

5. TECMO BOWL: 1988 TECMO NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

The grand daddy of all football video games.

You had four plays to choose from on offense. Usually two running and two passing plays.

Had 12 of the top teams in the NFL, but did not have the team names.

Featured most of the legendary players of that era. Players like Elway, Payton, Marino Montana and Jerry Rice. The studs of the game were Lawrence Taylor and Bo Jackson.

We talked about this game at recess for months.

4. NFL GAMEDAY '98: 1997 GAMEDAY SONY PLAYSTATION

I was always a big fan of the Gameday series and played this one whenever I could.

The plays were good and each team had a set of it's own special plays that were usually pretty tight.

In fact, a local sports radio station had a tournament and that I entered and I was rolling with the Denver Broncos until in the semi-finals I played a cat that used the Oakland Raiders.

He used this running play that they had that I couldn't stop for anything. I tried blitzing the house, 5-2 defense, even punt block and nothing would stop it. It was either Nap Kaufman or Charlie Garner but which ever one it was I got blown out.

Probably the most upset I ever was after a video game loss.

3. LAKERS VS. CELTICS and the NBA PLAYOFFS: 1991 EA SPORTS SEGA GENESIS

Someone my age could pick this game up today and have fun playing it for sure.

When I was a youth, my friends and I got stupid with this game. It was my reason for getting a Genesis in the first place.

The game featured the eight playoff teams from the 1990 season. Each teams' best player had a special move and those players ended up being some of the best to ever play the game.

You had Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson, Larry Bird and Tom Chambers.

At that time in my life I was a huge fan of Tom Chambers after I saw him dunk over (and I mean literally over) Mark Jackson in a highlight. Look it up on YouTube.

Chamber's special move was absolutely unstoppable. It was a double pump dunk from just inside the three point line. When playing with friends, we deemed the Suns unusable. You can probably look it up on YouTube too.

We used to track our own stats on paper and fell in love with the series from this game on. Once seeing the sunlight after a night of playing. The only video game all-nighter of my life.

2. COLLEGE HOOPS 2K8: 2007 2K SPORTS XBOX 360

This game had the best and most accurate game play of any basketball game I have ever played.

I'm a huge fan of college basketball and this game featured every division one program in the NCAA.

After getting the top file share for the rosters that put the names with the players (which you would see when playing on-line), EA did a very good job on rating the players.

Even the stars of the little schools were rated accordingly.

I only played this game online and had some of the most fun I ever had in my life as far as video game play goes. Many games realistically going down to the wire.

When I left I was on of the top rated players on the game cracking the top ten in the world.

When I heard news that EA had lost rights to the game for last season it felt like when I heard Biggie had been slain. I lost interest in Rap music for a long time after that happened and comparatively speaking I did in video games as well.

1. MADDEN '06: 2006 EA SPORTS XBOX

Without a doubt not only the best sports video game ever, but the best game overall ever made period.

I played this game exclusively on-line and when playing against the top players, it was more like a chess match than a football game.

This game had the best features Madden ever had. Some of which are not on this years version which caused me to use it as a coaster more than I play it.

It was the first Madden to have the "truck stick" which was sick, but that was just the beginning.

The introduction of "QB Vision" and "Precision Passing" were insane. To me the best innovation the game had ever seen.

You had to use a highlighted portion of the field when looking at receivers to make a good pass to them. Players like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady had the entire field lit up while some of the lesser players only had a sliver.

You could hold the trigger button, press the receiver icon button and the vision would go to that player, then you let go of the trigger and hit that button again to throw.

Bad defensive players would bite on this action allowing your receiver to get wide open.

Two other features on defense were just as important to me calling Madden '06 the best game ever.

Over the years, players would put their best WR in at the third receiver spot leaving you to cover them with a safety or nickle corner.

In this game you could go into the settings and cover Randy Moss with Champ Bailey where ever he went on the field. Brilliant.

Also, after choosing your play you could double team any player you wanted to before the snap of the ball even if the play you chose didn't call for this coverage.

These things in my opinion created the most realistic game play ever. Truly a masterpiece.

I feel that EA has since dumbed down Madden for gamers that could not handle the intricacies this game provided. In doing so I feel it's a major disappointment.

John Wall, Xavier Henry, and the Jordan Brand All-Star Game

Neil Powell — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:49:37 -0400

As some of the highest profile high basketball players gather in New York for this Saturday's Jordan Brand All-Star game, many eyes and ears will be on a few of the young men yet to decide where to attend school next year.

John Wall, considered by the majority to be the best point guard prospect in the nation has raised his list of potential schools to nine after adding the Florida Gators this week.

Gators' coach Billy Donovan paid a visit to Wall's mother this week while he was out of town.

Wall's list of potential schools is a smorgasbord of the top destinations in the country.

This list includes Duke, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Baylor, Miami, Memphis, North Carolina, and North Carolina State.

Wall claims that he will narrow his list to a handful after the game this weekend.

Two other players joining Wall on the JBAS game are Xavier Henry and Daniel Orton.

Orton's father Larry recently shot down claims that his son was going to ask for his release from Kentucky amid rumors of the contrary.

He seems to be staying put and excited to join DemarcusCousins next season. Cousins, who followed new coach John Calipiri from Memphis to Kentucky is also playing in the game Saturday.

Henry has narrowed his list to just Kansas and Kentucky.

Henry's father, mother and aunt played basketball for the Jayhawks and Henry was close to signing with Kansas before choosing Memphis.

These factors would lead one to believe that Lawrence, KS will be his campus location of choice, but he has not stated when he will decide.

This year's off-season recruiting buzz has been a very hot topic. Like Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo, a product of the 2005 NBA draft rule.

One More Year! Kansas Jayhawks Stars Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich Will Return

Neil Powell — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:46:34 -0400

The NBA draft had to be calling their names, but Kansas Jayhawks stars Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich will be back for the 2009-2010 season.

After leading the Jayhawks to the ‘08-'09 Big 12 regular season title, a 27-8 record and a nice run to the Sweet 16, both players had break-out seasons and definitely had some value in the upcoming NBA draft.

Collins needs only to work on his conditioning in order to become the nation's most dominate guard next season. A third-team All American this season, Collins averaged 18.9 points and five assists on the season.

Returning for his senior campaign, guard Collins filled his new roll as the leader of the young Jayhawks very well last season. He should bring that fire and intensity into the coming year as well.

Center Aldrich was a monster down low all and seemed to get stronger as the season went on. He recorded only the sixth triple-double in NCAA tournament history vs. Dayton in round two and had 94 blocks last year.

The double-double machine was thought to be a possible lottery pick, but chose to hone his game and enjoy being the “big man” on campus for at least one more season.

These two monumental decisions by two of the better players to ever wear the crimson and blue, should lead to the Jayhawks being a top 10 preseason selection.

If they were to land one or more of the stellar recruits they are in hot pursuit for, it might be top five or better.

Here are the latest updates on other (and potential other) Jayhawk players:

Daniel Orton recently went to his home in Oklahoma to discuss what he was going to do with his father and brother.

Orton, who signed with Kentucky has been having second thoughts after the coaching change there, had Kansas on his list early in his recruitment.

Coach Bill Self visited Lance Stephenson's home in New York last Friday to try to lure the McDonalds All-American to play at KU.

Stephenson, who dropped Maryland off of his list of potential schools, has said he will make his decision between St. Johns and the Jayhawks next week.

St. Johns is coached by long-time Self assistant, Norm Roberts, who is known for his great recruiting skills.

Xavier Henry, who is considered Self's number one target is still undecided and has yet to announce when he will choose a university.

Henry's father, mother and aunt played basketball at Kansas, so many experts believe that gives the Jayhawks the upper hand in the sweepstakes for the Rivals.com top rated recruit.

Kentucky and Memphis are the other high profile schools trying to solicit Henry's services.

Despite previous reports, Kansas still seems to be in the hunt for top-rated point guard John Wall.

Wall, who ESPN's Doug Gottleib calls the best recruit in the nation had Duke, North Carolina, Baylor, Kentucky and Kansas on his list of potential schools.

The transfer announcements of Tyrone Appleton and Quintrell Thomas earlier this week might be a sign that coach Self has a good chance of landing one or more of these gems.

Wade, Bryant, James for NBA MVP: You Decide

Neil Powell — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:06:26 -0400

The 2008-'09 NBA MVP trophy will go down as one of the closest races in league history.

You could make a case for quite a few players that deserve the honor. It would be hard to get past the big three though.

My vote goes to Dwayne Wade, but I'll let the readers decide.

The 15 Worst Draft Picks in the Mike Shanahan Era

Neil Powell — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:34:26 -0400

The 2009 NFL draft is just around the corner and Denver Broncos' fans are wondering how the new regime led by coach Josh McDaniels will approach it.

Mike Shanahan had one of the more successful tenures in NFL history in his years with the Broncos winning back-to-back Super Bowls and many division titles.

However, it was the play of his defense in his last few seasons in Denver that ultimately led to his demise and firing after the 2008 season.

Looking over his record in the draft, you might not have to go very far to understand what may have been the reason for the lack of talent on that side of the ball.

As good of an offensive mind as "Shanny" was, he left a lot to be desired when it came to analyzing players coming into the league.

Here's a look at the 15 worst draft picks in the Shanahan era:

15. PHIL YEBOAH-KODIE 1995 Fifth Round - Pick 146 LB Penn State

It was a close call for the 15 spot, but Yeboah-Kodie won out on his name alone. Drafted out of Penn State 1995 he was cut in training camp never to play a game with the Broncos. Played for the Redskins and Panthers ('95) and the Colts ('96), but never recorded a tackle in the NFL.

Other players drafted close: Gary Walker (159), Cory Schlesinger (192), Terrell Davis (196), Adam Timmerman (230)

14. ASHLEY LELIE 2002 First Round - Pick 19 WR Hawaii

Lelie, started in 22 games for the Broncos and made a few plays in his time there, but his 3,007 yards and 12 tds in four years in Denver didn't add up to the No. 19 overall pick. Lelie has also played for the Falcons ('06), 49ers ('07) and last season with the Raiders.

Other players drafted close: Javon Walker (20), Daniel Graham (21), Ed Reed (24), Lito Sheppard (30), Jabar Gaffney (33), Andre Gurode (37)

13. TIM CROWDER 2007 Second Round - Pick 56 DE Texas

Putting pressure on the quarterback has not been a strong point of the Denver defense in the last few seasons and drafting Crowder in the second round in 2007 hasn't helped the cause.

Crowder appeared in 13 games in his rookie season collecting 16 tackles and four sacks, but played in only six games last season. He had one tackle and no sacks.

Other players drafted close: Stewart Bradley (87), Trent Edwards (92), Le'Ron McClain (137), Steve Breaston (142)

12. JARVIS MOSS 2007 First Round - Pick 17 DE Florida

I guess you could say that the book is still out on the former BCS champion from Florida. In his rookie season he played in six games and had 12 tackles and one sack before breaking his shin in practice ending his season.

In '08, he did bounce back to play in 12 games, but his 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks did nothing to justify a first round pick.

Others players drafted close: Michael Griffin (19), Aaron Ross (20), Jon Beason (25), Anthony Gonzalez (32), LaMarr Woodley (46)

11. LENNIE FRIEDMAN 1999 Second Round - Pick 61 G Duke

Friedman battled back from tearing his ACL in his rookie season to start 22 games from 2000-'01, but the Broncos should have gotten more than three seasons for a second round pick. Friedman also played for the Redskins ('03-05), Bears ('05), and Browns ('07) making just two more starts in his career.

Other players drafted close: Joey Porter (73), Marty Booker (78), Chike Okeafor (89)

10. DORSETT DAVIS 2002 Third Round - Pick 96 DT Mississippi State

Double D was a bust for the Broncos playing just two seasons in Denver. From 2002-'04 he amassed only 10 tackles and one pass deflection. These were his only seasons in the NFL.

Other players drafted close: David Thornton (106), David Garrard (108), Kevin Curtis (127), Larry Foote (128)

9. ERIC BROWN 1998 Second Round - Pick 61 S Mississippi State

Brown played three seasons on the Denver defense and recorded 77 tackles and six interceptions. He then moved on to play with the Texans until 2004 ending his career with 256 tackles and nine interceptions.

Other players drafted close: Jamal Williams (Supplemental 2nd/3rd round), Olin Kreutz (64), Leonard Little (65), Jerry Trotter (72), Ahman Green (76)

8. CHRIS WATSON 1999 Third Round - Pick 67 CB Eastern Illinois

A special-teams player for only one season with the Broncos, Watson was cut after his rookie campaign. He went on to play for Bills ('00-'02) and Lions ('03).

Others players drafted close: Joey Porter (73), Marty Booker (78), Chike Okeafor (89), Brandon Stokley (105), Dexter Jackson (113)

7. NICK HARRIS 2001 Fourth Round - Pick 120 P California

You can't draft a punter in the fourth round if you are not going to use him. The Broncos did just that in 2001 cutting Harris before the regular season. Never played a game in the NFL.

Others players drafted close: Correll Buckhalter (121), Justin McCareins (124), Edgerton Hartwell (126), Cedrick Wilson (169)

6. JEREMY LESUEUR 2004 Third Round - Pick 85 CB Michigan

LeSueur would only play for the Broncos in his rookie season and did not appear in a game. He went on to play for the Jets ('05) and Browns ('06) seeing time in just two games in his NFL career. He played last season for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.

Others players drafted close: Matt Schaub (90), Landon Johnson (96), Shaun Phillips (98), Nathan Vasher (110), Will Allen (111)

5. TERRY PIERCE 2003 Second Round - Pick 51 LB Kansas State

For a mid-second round pick one would think a team would get more than two seasons and eight tackles out of that player. That's all the Broncos got from one of the worst picks in franchise history. Was out of the NFL after the 2004 season.

Others players drafted close: Anquan Boldin (54), Osi Umenyiora (56), L.J. Smith (61), Lance Briggs (68), Jason Witten (69)

4. PAUL TOVIESSI 2001 Second Round - Pick 51 DE Marshall

The 2001 NFL draft was Shanahan's worst. The Broncos used the No. 52 pick on a player that never played a down for the team, or any other team in the NFL for that matter.

Others players drafted close: Chris Chambers (52), Travis Henry (58), Adrian Wilson (64), Steve Smith (74), Kevan Barlow (80)

3. Maurice Clarette 2004 3rd Round - Pick 101 RB Ohio State

Drafting the troubled Clarette out of OSU had everyone shaking their head. It seems that the only person on earth that didn't know his background was Shanahan. Clarette, who was cut that season in training camp, is now blogging from his prison cell. He was arrested for robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting arrest.

He robbed two college students at gun point in a fast food parking lot. Then he was pulled over (with spike strips) and in his SUV they found assault weapons, a huge knife and a bottle of Grey Goose. The police officers tried to tase him, but he was wearing a Kevlar vest that prevented that from working.

They finally subdued him with mace.

Others players drafted close: Marion Barber III (109), Brandon Jacobs (110), Kerry Rhodes (123), Darren Sproles (130), Trent Cole (146)

2. MARCUS NASH 1998 First Round - Pick 30 WR Tennessee

Despite earning two Super Bowl rings (Broncos/Ravens) Nash never lived up to a No. 1 pick. He played just two season for the Broncos. In his rookie season he had four receptions for 76 yards.

In 1999, he did not record a catch and was released in midseason. He was then signed by the Ravens for the remainder of the '99 season and for 2000.

He played in just one game for the Ravens and did not have a reception. He did go on to win Offensive Player of the Year in the Arena League for the Dallas Desperados in 2004.

Others players drafted close: Flozell Adams (38), Patrick Surtain (44) Samari Rolle (46)

1. WILLIE MIDDLEBROOKS 2001 1st Round - Pick 24 CB Minnesota

During a period in time when the Broncos needed help on defense, they took a huge swing-and-miss with Middlebrooks in the first round of the 2001 draft. Starting just one game in four seasons with the Broncos, the super-bust had only 66 tackles and no interceptions in his time with Denver.

Played briefly in 2005 with the 49ers and now plays for the Toronto Argonaughts of the Canadian Football League.

Others players drafted close: Reggie Wayne (30), Todd Heap (31), Drew Brees (32), Kyle VandenBosch (34), Alge Crumpler (35), Chad Johnson (36), Matt Light (48)

The Masters at Augusta National: A Professional Point of View

Neil Powell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:22:51 -0400

The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. Just saying that feels powerful.

The Masters tournament is the first of the four major championships annually and the vast majority of golf fans will say it's the most anticipated of all.

What makes the Masters unique is that it's the same every year. It's always played on the picturesque land in Augusta, Ga.

Founded in 1934 by legendary golfer Bobby Jones and designed by Alister MacKenzie, Augusta offers a breath-taking view to go with the best golfers in the world. All trying to put on the coveted "Green Jacket" given to the winner each year.

The beautifully maintained greens and fairways, and the dogwoods and azaleas are a famous part of the Masters tradition.

Ben Crenshaw, two-time winner of the tournament and historian of the game echoed the sentiments of many when he said "this course is different." "Jones and MacKenzie had theater in mind when they created this masterpiece."

"You can make it happen, or throw it all away, it's up to you."

All of the legends of golf have won at Augusta. It has been a passing of the torch from superstar to superstar.

From Sarazen, Hogan, Snead, Player, Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson, Faldo to Woods.

Many great memories have been made at Augusta by these hall of fame golfers. The best to ever play the game.

I have been a fan of the Masters all my life and make a point each year to watch the tournament. I have always liked trading stories about my favorite golfing event of the year with other golfers.

I have asked the following PGA professionals what their "most memorable Masters moments" were.

Here's what they said:

"One of my favorite moments in Masters history was the victory in 1992 by Fred Couples. In the final round he was battling against Raymond Floyd.

"On the 15th his tee shot barely stayed up on the tightly mowed rough just a few yards from Rae's Creek. After that Masters, the bank at the 12th was mowed to fairway height.

"This will always be one of my favorite moments in Masters history because as a junior golfer, Couples was my favorite PGA Tour player."

Matt Borocz PGA

Head Professional

TPC Sawgrass

Point Vedra Beach, Florida

"My favorite Masters moment was seeing Ben Crenshaw winning it in 1995. Having grown up in Texas and taking lessons from Harvey Penick and also working at Barton Creek Country Club where Ben was a member, I felt emotionally invested in Ben's victory.

"I had taken many lessons from Harvey over the years, as well as sought his advice in my own teaching as well. I have fond memories of Ben, his father and his brothers from my years at Barton Creek.

"I have played and practiced with Ben many times in the early days of my career as a professional and there are few people that are as genuine and kind as he is. Harvey was with Ben as well as Davis Love III (who was also in the hunt and had a history with Penick) that entire week.

"To know the emotional journey that Ben was on that week and winning that event he loves dearly following the death of his lifelong friend and teacher of the game was something I will always cherish as my favorite Masters moment."

Chad Campbell PGA

Director of Golf Operations

Pinehurst Country Club

Pinehurst, NC

"From a personal perspective, my most memorable Masters moment was taking my dad to Augusta National in 2008. To walk the fairways, see the dogwoods, azaleas and to remember the history that has been made on the course is a surreal experience, which is why it's the best event in the world.

"Some of the best moments I can remember are Jack Nicklaus' charge in 1986 and Tiger Wood's chip en route to beating Chris DiMarco in 2005 is unlike any other shot the golf world had seen.

"Anyone who has been to Augusta National and seen where he was, knows it was one of the most impressive shots in Masters history."

Charles Kingsbaker PGA

Regional Director

Troon Golf

Scottsdale, AZ

"To me, the most memorable moment in the Masters was the duel between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977. Living in Kansas City, I was a huge fan of "Kansas City's Third Sports Franchise" and have worked with Tom on the First Tee program over my years as a teaching professional.

"Watson shot -12 to win by two strokes over The Golden Bear. This showdown was a prelude to the British Open months later where again Watson and Nicklaus battled to the end. Many believe it was the most exciting tournament in major's history. To me it symbolized as passing of the baton from Nicklaus to Watson."

Mike Shatto PGA

Teaching Professional

Phoenix, Arizona

"My most memorable Masters moment would have to be the 1996 tournament. Greg Norman was one of the best players at the time, if not the best and was my golf idol. I couldn't believe it when he held a lead of six shots going into the final round.

"I remember the telecast coming on and he still had a pretty good lead on the field. He spun his approach back down the hill on the ninth hole and made bogey. In my mind it wasn't that big of a deal.

"Norman plodded along, making bogey's that he shouldn't have. I remember thinking on hole number 15 he can make this chip shot for eagle and still pull this thing out...it slid by the hole and he fell to the ground. It deflated me as well.

"Then he hit it in the water on 16 and it was obviously over at that point. I still remember him holding his head up high and walking off number 18 like a champion. With his record at Augusta, it's a shame he's never won the tournament."

Bruce Dowell PGA

Teaching Professional

Drake Creek Golf Club

Ledbetter, KY

"My most memorable Masters moment would have to be 1997 when Tiger Woods pulled away from the field with a 12 shot victory. It was awesome to watch and no one remembers who was second (Tom Kite).

"The most interesting point of the tournament that year was Tiger's first round. I was only 14 at the time and golf was very important to me and not too popular with my peers.

"I was watching the first round with my father and after Tiger's rocky front nine (40) my dad leaned over and said "watch out for his back nine, this is where he'll turn it on." To watch someone who I idolized go in with a front nine like he did and still finish with a 70, really showed me the person/player that he would become.

"Then to watch him go 66, 65, 69 was incredible and inspired me to be all I can be as a golf professional."

Jon Conklin PGA

Head Professional

Bucks Run Golf Club

Mt. Pleasant, MI

"My most memorable moment at Augusta is during a Tuesday practice round in 2007, I watched Seve Ballesteros hit a 5-iron under his leg with one hand on the green at number 16. Typical magic shot from Seve.

"Then, Jerry Pate hits his driver from his knees. The first one scatters the gallery in the left grandstands. On the second he hits this butter cut onto the green. Two remarkable shots at the most remarkable golf venue ever."

Shawn Kelly PGA

Head Professional

The Ridge Golf Club

Auburn, CA

"I attended the Masters in the 2004, '05 and '06. My most memorable moment was being there with two of my PGA best-buddies in the golf business. We walked the course tee-to-green during the first round."

"We also took in the par three tournament from behind the No. 9 green and witnessed some holes-in-one."

Rich Richeson PGA

Head Golf Professional

The Golf Club at Twin Oaks

Allen, TX

"The most memorable masters moment to me was in 1986 when Jack Nicklaus made the come back at age 46. Seve Ballesteros helped his cause by hooking his second shot on the 15th in the water.

"Later, Jack birdied the 17th and went on to capture his sixth green jacket."

Will Brewer PGA

Director of Golf/General Manager

Vanderbilt Legends Club

Franklin, TX

"When the grass starts to turn green, golfers inevitably start to think about the Masters. I know this is a truism in the Carr household. As a teenager, I can remember waiting for April and knowing on that special "Masters Sunday" I would be setting next to my father to watch the final round.

"I'm married now and now sit alongside my bride to watch the last day of the most magnificent four days in April. In the span of time from teenager to husband, there have been many changes to Augusta National.

"I can remember all of the unbelievable finishes that the Augusta layout produced when I was younger. The 1986 Masters (Jack Nicklaus) is etched in my memory forever.

"Do I remember Ballesteros smothering a 4-iron on No. 15 to hand the green jacket to Jack? Or was it the putt "The Golden Bear" made on 15 for eagle? It was neither of these.

"Rather it was the special opportunity I had to witness these moments with my father."

RIchard L. Carr PGA

Director of Golf

Tanglewood Golf Club

Quarryville, PA

"There are so many, but I would say that my most memorable moment of the Masters was Ben Crenshaw's long putt on number 10 in 1984.

"He was my favorite golfer and that inspired me to win the Utah State High School championship one month later."

David Terry PGA

Salt Lake City Golf Director

(9 municipal golf courses)

Salt Lake City, UT

"My favorite Masters moment by far was Jack Nicklaus' win in 1986 at the age of 46. His final round 65 surprised everyone and passed up a star-studded leader board.

"On number 16 he almost knocked his tee shot in for a hole-in-one, just sneaking past the hole by a few inches.

"When they interviewed him later he mentioned that his eyes were failing him and he lost sight of the ball in the air. He had no idea at the time how close he had come."

Patrick Lynch PGA

Club Professional

Cantigny Golf Club

Wheaton, IL

"My most memorable moment at the Masters was when I was rushing through the entrance gate to get to the first hole."

"I looked up at the tee and Seve Ballesteros was teeing off."

"He won that Sunday and it was great to watch him play."

Mike Robinson PGA

Head Golf Porfessional

Gettysvue Polo Golf and Country Club

Knoxville, TN

"My favorite Masters moment was when Tiger Woods holed out his chip shot off the left side of #16 near the water in 2005."

"He hit the shot long and left of the hole, knowing it would feed down to the cup."

"It hung on the lip for a couple of seconds and then dropped in."

"That moment was absolutely elecrifying!"

Steve Phillips PGA

Teaching Pro / Golf Operations Manager

Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Center

Celebration, FL

"I feel that 11 birdies by Anthony Kim at the Masters is a miracle!"

Rex Cole PGA

Head Golf Professional

Cottonwood Golf Club

El Cajon, CA

Kansas' Quintrell Thomas, Tyrone Appleton Transfer, Opening Spots for Recruits

Neil Powell — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:06:04 -0400

Two University of Kansas basketball players announced their decisions to leave the school to play elsewhere next season.

No, it wasn't Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins. They have yet to declare their intentions.

Seldom-used point guard Tyrone Appleton and forward Quintrell Thomas have both said they will transfer from the school to play elsewhere next year.

Appleton, a 6'2" junior, was a junior college transfer from Midland College in Texas and played just one season with the Jayhawks. He saw his most action of the season when Kansas played North Dakota State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament; he played six minutes and logged two rebounds and an assist.

Thomas, a 6'7" freshman from Newark, NJ, averaged 1.0 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 26 games played this season. He had his best game on Dec. 6 versus New Mexico State, when he played 17 minutes and scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Neither player has stated what school they will transfer to at this time.

This announcement must mean that coach Bill Self has a pretty good idea that he's going to land one or more of the coveted recruits he's trying to get commitments from.

Currently targeted are Xavier Henry (and his brother C.J.), Lance Stephenson, John Wall, and Daniel Orton, the newest face in the picture.

A 6'10", 260-pound center from Oklahoma City, Orton had been committed to the University of Kentucky to play for Billy Gillispie previously. But after Gillispie was fired, Orton has backed out of his commitment and has stated that he and his father plan to talk with the Jayhawks and coach Self.

Xavier Henry of Oklahoma City has been let out of his letter of intent from the University of Memphis, and many are predicting that Kansas will land the 6'6", 210-pound prospect, ranked among the top in the nation.

Henry, whose brother played at Memphis last year and could follow, is even more likely to choose KU because his father, Carl Henry played at the school, as did his mother Barbara Adkins and his aunt Vicky.

Swingman Lance Stephenson of Brooklyn was scheduled to make his choice after last week's McDonalds High School All-American game, but delayed his decision.

It was thought that Kansas had the upper hand on landing the 6'6", 195-pound talent, but when news that Xavier Henry might be interested in playing in Lawrence broke, he chose to wait a while before he announced his school of choice.

John Wall (the top point guard prospect in the nation) seems to have removed the Jayhawks from his list of schools of consideration. He's narrowed it down to Duke, North Carolina, Miami and Kentucky.

If Kansas were to get one or more of these recruits and Aldrich and Collins decide to stay, Jayhawks fans will need to start tuning up their "Rock Chalk Jayhawks" chant for next season.

Can you say "preseason No. 1"?

North Carolina Tar Heels "Ty One On" Crush Spartans To Win National Title

Neil Powell — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:39:18 -0400

In front of a record championship game crowd of 72,922, mostly Michigan State fans, the North Carolina Tar Heels blew the doors off of Ford Field.

Roy Williams' talent laden squad jumped out to a 17-7 lead in the first five minutes of the contest. All five starters scored in this early flurry.

Spartans' coach Tom Izzo, had figured out how to take down the defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks and No. 1 seeds Louisville and Connecticut, but he had no answer for the stars from Chapel Hill.

North Carolina junior guard Wayne Ellington continued his hot shooting hitting his first three shots from behind the arc. Ellington, who was named the Final Four's most outstanding player, finished with 19 points in the game.

The Tar Heels used tenacious defense and precise shooting to take a 55-34 lead into the break.

The first half outburst by North Carolina is the most points ever scored in the first half of a championship game and the 21 point lead is the biggest half time deficit any team had ever faced.

Point guard Ty Lawson was once again outstanding. He was named the player of the game, leading UNC in scoring with 21 points.

Lawson had seven steals at the half, and finished with eight in the game, also a championship game record.

Senior forward Tyler Hansbrough got what he and his teammates returned for. Hansbrough will be leave college basketball as one of the most accomplished players in the history of the NCAA.

The four-time All American finished with 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Michigan State had the backing of an estimated 60,000 Spartan fans, but it was North Carolina's defense that spoke the loudest.

The 2009 national champion Tar Heels harassed State all night, forcing 21 turnovers and held the Big Ten champs to just 40 percent from the field.

Reserve freshman Ed Davis was a beast all night off the bench for North Carolina. He finished with 11 points and eight rebounds in just 14 minutes.

Senior Deon Thompson added nine points in the total team effort.

On the day that the Tar Heels' most famous alumnus, Michael Jordan was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, "Roy's Boys" didn't disappoint.

The win is coach Roy's second championship in six season as the head coach of North Carolina and the school's fifth overall.

Final Score: 89-72.

Michigan State was led by Goran Suton who had 17 points and 11 rebounds in his final game as a Spartan.

Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers had 14 and 12 in the loss.

Suton and Lucas joined Hansbrough, Lawson and Ellington on the all tournament team.

Kansas Jayhawks: NBA Update

Neil Powell — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:04:10 -0400

The Kansas Jayhawks have a storied history and has seen many of it's players move on the the next level to have great careers. Currently, there are 11 former Jayhawks playing in the NBA. This slideshow has been created to give fans an easy way to see how those players are doing. .......

Begin Slideshow

Kansas Jayhawks: Is the "X-Factor" on His Way?

Neil Powell — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:08:01 -0400

Prep shooting guard Xavier Henry, the top recruit in the nation, is backing out at Memphis, and it appears Kansas is the program most likely to land him.

After the McDonald's All-American game, in which Henry scored 14 points in a variety of ways, his father Carl Henry told Rivals.com that his son is leaning heavily towards joining the Jayhawks.

On Saturday, the elder Henry told the Lawrence Journal World that his son wants to sign with KU as soon as he is released from his letter of intent to the University of Memphis.

Xavier, who was set to play with the Tigers next season, changed his mind after John Calipari left for the University of Kentucky.

The hot recruit should be released by Monday, his father said. Xavier is thought to still be considering KU, Memphis, and Kentucky, but many believe family ties (both Carl and Xavier's mother, Barbara Adkins, played in Lawrence) will lead to the Jayhawks being his choice.

Carl also stated that his other son, C.J. Henry, would like to transfer from Memphis to join his brother at Kansas.

C.J. was set to go to the University of Kansas to play basketball four years ago, but after his senior year of high school in 2005, the New York Yankees made him their first-round pick.

Another Kansas recruit, Lance Stephenson, who also had 14 points in the McDonald's All-American game, was scheduled to make his school decision after the game.

Stephenson was to choose between Kansas, Maryland, and St. John's, but in the wake of the change at Memphis and Henry's decision to ask for his release, he decided not to do so at that time.

Many experts believed that "Sir Lancelot" was very close to going to Kansas but that he might not want to share the spotlight should "X" decide to go there.

John Wall, the nation's top point guard prospect, also remains undecided. Wall is being recruited by Baylor, Duke, North Carolina, and Kansas. He made a visit to Duke on Monday, March 30, but has given no indication of preference.

In other Jayhawks news, Bill Self has solidified himself as one of the elite coaches in the nation. The 2008-09 Big 12 Coach of the Year was recently named the Associated Press and United States Basketball Association National Coach of the Year.

In 1977, the inaugural McDonald's All-American team was named. Legendary Kansas guard Darnell Valentine was named to this squad.

In 1979, the game converted to its current form, in which it highlights the best high school players in the nation.

Here is a list of former Jayhawks that have been named to this squad:

Cole Aldrich ('07), Darrell Arthur ('06), Jeff Boschee ('98), Rick Calloway ('85), Mario Chalmers ('05), Eric Chenowith ('97), Sherron Collins ('06), Nick Collison ('99), Chris Davis ('92), Ben Davis ('91), Micah Downs ('05), Greg Dreiling ('81), Lester Earl ('96), Kenny Gregory ('97, MVP), J.R. Giddens ('03), Tony Guy ('78), Darrin Hancock ('90), Raef LaFrentz ('94), Mike Maddox ('87), Danny Manning ('84), Aaron Miles ('01), Paul Pierce ('95), Mark Randall ('86), Calvin Rayford ('91), Ryan Robertson ('95), Wayne Simien ('01), Darnell Valentine ('77), and Jacque Vaughn ('93, MVP).

North Carolina Tar Heels Cruise Past Villanova Wildcats 83-69

Neil Powell — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:16:44 -0400

Six seconds into the Final Four match-up between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Villanova Wildcats, All-American forward Tyler Hansborough was fouled on a drive to the bucket.

Hansborough, the ACC's all time leading scorer, has made more free throws than any player in NCAA Division One history. He missed both.

Villanova's Shane Clark promptly gave the Wildcats a 2-0 nothing lead on a nice put-back. This marked the first time that the Tar Heels had trailed in the last 79 minutes of the tournament.

Was this a sign of things to come? No, not really.

Playing in the Motor City, the Tar Heels seemed to be equipped with OnStar.

Wayne Ellington started his wonderful night with as high arching a shot as you'll ever see to tie the score at 2-2. North Carolina was off and running from there.

All five starters average double-figures and were all on the board in the first seven minutes of the game for Roy Williams' talent laden squad. A fierce, 16-4 run early in the half put the Wildcats in a hole that they would never be able to climb out of.

In front of a record crowd of over 72,000 fans at Ford Field in Detroit, MI the Tar Heels proved why they were preseason number one and the favorite entering the Final Four.

ACC player of the year Ty Lawson is playing the best ball of his career. Fresh of winning the Bob Cousy Award for the nations best point guard, Lawson was fantastic.

He led the Heels charge with 22 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Ellington, on fire all night, was five of seven from behind the arc on his way to scoring 20 points and grabbing 9 boards.

Naismith Award runner-up Hansborough had another in a long list of double-doubles in his historic career. He amassed 18 points to go with 11 rebounds and four steals, several times ripping away balls that were up for grabs. This is a testament to the desire that has driven this great player the last four years.

Sharp-shooter Danny Green continued his ultra-productive NCAA tournament. Green, who netted 12 points in the contest, had three blocks and three rebounds proving his well discussed versatility.

North Carolina, known more for offensive firepower than their defensive prowess, has elevated it's play on both ends of the floor.

The Wildcats were bothered all night by the Tar Heels' length and quickness on defense.

Nova finished just 26 of 79 from the floor (32.9 percent) and even worse, 5 of 27 (18 percent) from three point land.

Villanova star forward Dante Cunningham kept the Wildcats in the game, scoring all 12 of his points in the first half. A half in which North Carolina built a 16 point lead at 43-27, only to see Nova cut it to 49-40 at the break on a late 9-2 run.

Lawson, Ellington and Hansborough had a combined 38 points at half time.

In the second half, guards Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher were starting to make some plays and at the thirteen minute mark they had the Wildcats to within 10 points at 59-49. Nova would not get closer than that.

Reynolds finished with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds to end he and his teammates' magical run to the Final Four. Final score 83-69.

Behind fantastic shooting, 11 of 22 from down town, coach Roy Williams will be heading to his second national championship game of his brief, six year career as UNC's head man. His forth trip to the title game overall.

In the game, Hansborough passed Bill Bradly, Austin Carr, Juan Dixon and Lew Alcinder (Kareem Abdul-Jabar) on his way to becoming the fifth leading scorer in NCAA tournament history. Only one accomplishment left now.