Bleacher Report - Articles by Curtis Smith

The Five Technical Reasons Evgeni Malkin Should Be Suspended

Curtis Smith — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:38:27 -0400

First off I would like to start off by saying Max Talbot should be very careful during game three. The Kronwall train is going to catch up with you during that game.

As for Evgeni Malkin, why are you even playing? I read the NHL rule book and based on that you should be suspended. League disciplinarian Colin Campbell must be a fan of yours.

Campbell did talk about "some" of what the rules say. "Suspensions are applied under this rule when a team attempts to send a message in the last five minutes by having a player instigate a fight," he said. "A suspension could also be applied when a player seeks retribution for a prior incident. Neither was the case here."

What does the rule say exactly?

(NEW for 2005-06) A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime, shall be assessed an instigator minor penalty, a major for fighting, a ten minute misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension.

The length of suspension will double for each subsequent offense. In addition, the player's coach shall be fined $10,000—a fine that will double for each subsequent incident.

From what I saw, the referee seemed to call Malkin an instigator. The rule also goes on and says:

(NEW for 2005-06) (NOTE 1) No team appeals will be permitted either verbally or in writing regarding the assessment of this automatic suspension.

Key words in that line are automatic. I would like to know where it says Colin "Pittsburgh Fan" Campbell can rescind the suspension at anytime. Not only am I disturbed by Campbell's decision. I'm also wondering if he even watched what happen.

The whole NHL definition of the word "instigator" explained most if not all what Malkin did. First here is the definition:

An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria: distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season.

Let's break down those components:

Distance Traveled - Starting from the blue line three feet from the net, to all the way around the net and a foot in front. To me, Malkin traveled some distance.
Gloves off first and first punch thrown - He grab Zetterberg and started swinging. Zetterberg didn't even have a chance to drop his gloves.
Menacing Attitude or Posture - He looked like he thought about this one for awhile.
Verbal instigation or threats - I'm pretty sure he said things in Russian, but Zetterberg could have know what he was saying.
Conduct in retaliations to a prior game (or season) - That one's huge because now it's happened twice in the first two games to the Red Wings.

I think Malkin should be suspended because it's written in the rule book. It's "Rule 56 - Fisticuffs" again written in black and white. There is no grey area, Mr. League disciplinarian. Or should I call you Penguins fan!

The Top Nine Notorious for Being Unable To Win the Big One

Curtis Smith — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:14:51 -0400

People who win make there breaks, but what about the ones who choke in the wake of adversity, break down in the clutch or blame their loses on hexes or they just ran into the better team. All of these may be true, but come on admit it you can't win the big one. Big games come and these famous or infamous team or people fold like a poorly constructed house of cards.

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The Hossa Effect: The Detroit Red Wings X-Factor

Curtis Smith — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:39:46 -0500

After the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, they won the Marian Hossa sweepstakes in a "nobody expected that" type move. The Red Wings signed Hossa to a one-year deal, making him walk away from millions. While nobody really knew how this deal would pan out, everybody is watching to see.

Through 13 games it's been a beauty. Hossa is leading the way with eight goals, and has nine assists. Hossa has been the go-to guy, the play-maker. Hossa has a couple multi-point games, and plays with heart.

A Stanley Cup is what Hossa wants, and he has the best chance in Detroit. Not only can Hossa score, but he can play defense too.

Zetterberg and Datsyuk are two of the best two-way players in the game. With Hossa being another two-way offensive threat, it really makes the Red Wings the early favorites to repeat.

Having a two-way player on the ice is kind of like having a third defender or a cover guy if you have a defender pinch in.

If the Wings are ever in need of getting a goal, the line would look like this: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hossa-Rafalski-Lidstrom. Serious threats and all positions on the line called the Production Line x5.

The Wings look good this year. They have to play hard each night. But winners find a way to win. Hossa brings a hunger to an already hungry team. The Wings have a tough road ahead though, everybody wants to beat "The Champions".

Hockey-Town has a knack of taking stellar players and taking them to the promise land. Hossa would like to be on that list.

The Red Wings GM Ken Holland says that he likes his teams to win seven of every ten games. Through the first ten games it was 7-1-2. That's right on schedule.

The National Flag-Football League; The New NFL

Curtis Smith — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:15:42 -0500

The recent fines and "illegal" hits have made the NFL to start looking at other options to protect their investments. Their money-makers, the quarterbacks.

Referees have blown calls, clearly missed calls and have come up with the dumbest reason on calls.

"He put his whole weight on the quarterback," stated one referee.

Ok, his whole weight because he tackled the guy, right? Yes, tackled, he didn't throw him, and it wasn't a late hit, but because he drove him into the ground on a clean hit. He gets penalized for putting too much weight on him. I think I have heard it all now. I've seen worse hits in my Sunday game than in the NFL, lately.

That's because the defense isn't allowed to play the game.

Here is the newest rule in the NFL. All quarterbacks will wear flags and red jerseys. They will wear two flags, one on the left side and one on the right. If one of these flags are pulled out during the play, the play is over.

A penalty will be called if anybody on the defensive team even looks at a quarterback the wrong way. It will be a 15-yard penalty, plus a fine of $7,500 or how ever much this "pansy" NFL decides to make it. Don't forget the possible one game suspension, anything is possible these days.

Some of the other possible pansy rules are:

One blitz for every four down set, you must "clearly" yell out the word blitz. If the offense gets a first down you get another blitz.

A mandatory 10 apple-count. One member of the defense must "clearly" yell out, one apple, two apple, three apple... and finally on 10 apple may start to pursue the quarterback.

The last one is that the offense can do just about anything to the defense including holding, which as everybody knows is never called when it should be and when it is called its called on every play.

Look for this new rules to start in Week 11, I'm so excited to watch the new NFFL. It's going to be great.

Heisman Watch Update, Nov. 3: Contenders & Pretenders—See Who I Have Posing!

Curtis Smith — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:20:07 -0500

Wow, what a few weeks in College Football. Texas looked poised to run the gauntlet flawlessly but fell to Texas Tech. Penn State beat Ohio State in the Horseshoe for the first time since '93 and also stopped a nine-game losing streak vs. Michigan. The BCS produced another blunder, having Texas Tech jump an idle Penn State (I guess that's another story).

Back to the race for the Heisman. On a sad note, Michigan will not be sending anyone to New York to receive this prestigious award. On a good note, neither will Michigan State! So here we go!

Pretender Watch 101

3. Knowshon Moreno

I know he has great numbers in the “amazing” SEC, but this year is the year of the QB. Moreno has put up almost 1,000 yards, putting up 12 touchdowns on only 166 carries, which factors out to somewhere in the range of six yards per carry. Not bad—just not enough this year.

2. Tim Tebow

The wonder child, superman Tim Tebow, is fantastic and a game-changer, but the numbers are just off. I mean, throwing for just under 1,600 yards with 14 touchdowns is nice, and completing just below 65 percent is good. Rushing for eight touchdowns is great, but there a couple guys out there who have better stats.

1. Javon Ringer

What did I tell you? Just not Heisman material. I mean, he does have numbers: 1,427 yards and 18 touchdowns. I’ll admit, good not great. Some things to look at: All those yards come on 321 rushes, which averages out to about 4.4 yards per gain. He wears down at the end of the game, as shown in the Michigan game, where he was begging to come off the field.

To really put him in the mix for the Heisman, do some research and find Donald Brown (UConn). On 254 rushes, Brown has gained 1,406 yards and has 15 touchdowns. That’s about over a whole yard better per gain at 5.5. Also, look at the rush defenses each has played. On average, Brown has played the harder teams.

One more thing: Brown has been under 100 yards once this season, and Ringer four times. Case closed—thanks for playing the game.

Contenders

3. Sam Bradford

He’s on fire, a beast of sorts, but he's just not my number one. Bradford has thrown for over 3,000 yards, 68 percent completed, for 34 touches through the air and three on the ground. Bradford is a scary good quarterback.

2. Colt McCoy

A game-changer with commitment, and a leader—that is Colt. Throwing for 2,579 yards and completing a staggering 79 percent of his passes, McCoy has 23 touchdowns, along with over 400 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs. McCoy lost his Heisman for now, and also his National Title hopes, to Graham Harrell, the Texas Tech Red Raiders gunslinger.

1. Graham Harrell

Mr. Flair for the Dramatic has thrown for over 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the high-flying Red Raiders offense through almost as tough a gauntlet as Texas has. Graham also has six rushing touchdowns. I don’t think the Red Raiders will finish undefeated, but with the numbers Harrell has, it would take huge efforts and big numbers to surpass this gunslinger.

Bonus Note

Chase Daniel, Donald Brown, and even Tulsa’s QB David Johnson could sneak into my top three. Check back for end of season reports, and maybe the picture will be crystal-clear—or maybe it will be a mess like the BCS.

Trading Places, Oh Brother! Let Me Tell You a Story of Michigan VS MSU

Curtis Smith — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:49:21 -0400

Dear Little Brother,

There once was a man who wrote an article for "The Detroit Free Press" who was very misinformed. The fact of the matter being he is very confused. Michigan is not trading places with Michigan State, nor will Michigan be anytime soon. The way I look at it is that Michigan is having a bad season. It could be a losing season and a bowl-less season, but in no way is it a trading places season. I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but keep dreaming.

Sincerely
Big Brother

Sorry, but now that I have that out of the way. I really don't think anybody in Green and White has too much to say here, they can't. So, Michigan lost to a MAC team and let Utah squeak by. Gave in to the pressure of Penn State. Still this one season doesn't make up for you what passed ten years how about 18, that's the last time MSU won the Big Ten.

What about Michigan last losing season, some 40 years ago. Check this one MSU last losing season, two years ago in 2006. Are you kidding me? What about winning a National Title? Lets see 1966 for MSU and 1997 for U of M. Did I forget to mention 42 Big Ten Titles to nine, one more time nine. That's not even close! MSU doesn't even produce as many NFL players as Michigan does.

People and MSU fans, listen closely do I think Michigan is bad this year, yes. Has Ohio State ever had a bad year, or USC, LSU, OU, or even Texas. Yes, yes, and yes! Did they trade places with say Arizona, or Oklahoma State, NO. One bad year doesn't mean trading places, one year doesn't mean anything. It's one year! Without sports there would be no "next year" or "we will get'em next time!"

This game will not be about what Michigan or Michigan State records is it a rivalry game. In which before we even start talking about trading places, MSU has to take the lead on that (down 39, 67-28-5) close the gap of Big Ten and National titles. Maybe produce a Heisman or two! We will talk when that happens, if that happens but in reality will never happen. Well, not in my lifetime at least.

It comes down to this, if Michigan loses it will cause a mass amount of MSU fans to think the trading places are complete, in fact we all know our little brother has a vivid imagination. If Michigan wins it will be like every year where the response is now repetitive. Wait till basketball season, cause that all they say in East Lansing!

Sometimes little brother just needs to put in his place!

Can the Green Bay Packers Stop the Run?

Curtis Smith — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:32:38 -0400

Through six games for the Green Bay Packers, they have had their highs and lows on defense, just like any other team. They have had great cornerback and linebacker play, while the defensive line and safeties have been a little “soft.”

Week Seven's matchup for the Packers becomes a little interesting. While fighting to stay atop the division, can the defense put together a game to stop one of the most prolific passers in the game today, and his backup running back?

The game between Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers will be a hard-fought battle between Peyton Manning and the Green Bay defense. The run game of the Colts is down to Dominic Rhodes and an unknown from the practice squad.

Let’s just count out the Colts' run game here, or should we? The Packers run defense has given up the second most rushing yards in the NFL and have been able to only force one fumble.

The Packers have been average at sacking the quarterback, totaling 12 thus far. The thing that sticks out is the pass defense, they have been above average when it comes to the yardage they have conceded, but are tied with most interceptions with 11. Manning has been down this year and has thrown five interceptions (probably due to some surgeries or something on those lines).

Put that in the mix that the Packers are among the best at picking off the quarterback, Indy is going to have to rely on D-Rhodes to take them to victory. The Pack being at home will also play into their defensive scheme as well. Indy cannot play outside, and they will definitely not be able to play in Green Bay.

The real story will be that the Colts are actually worse then Green Bay in run defense, and they are going against a solid back in Ryan Grant. Who is going to be the best defense when they take the field Sunday?

The Colts are giving up over 160 yard per game and because sometimes the best defense is a great offense, look for Grant to have a big game. In the end, it will end something like this;

Manning: 200 yards, a touchdown, and two picks.

D-Rhodes: 80 yards rushing, 20 yards receiving, and one touchdown on the ground.

Charles Woodson gets his league-leading fifth pick of the year, and he’ll take it to pay-dirt as well.

Ryan Grant will eclipse the 100-yard mark with two touchdowns.

So, in the end, the Packers' defense will hold and prevail in victory 24 – 17, also keeping the Packers with at least a share of first place in the NFC North.

Matt Millen Drafted Poorly for Detroit: What Would You Do?

Curtis Smith — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:35:59 -0400

Drafting is what makes the NFL better. When you have a big draft you can see it on the field the next year. When you draft in the first round you're supposed to get a starter, same goes for a second-round player as well as most of your third rounders! This is something that the Lions under Matt Millen did very poorly.

Millen screwed this team up so badly that without some sort of outside-the-box thinking the Detroit Lions may never be able to turn it around in my lifetime.

Okay, I might have exaggerated a little there, but it looks bad for the Lions. They have some strong players and they have some why-are-they-even-in-this-league players as well.

Here is where I play GM. I would be on the phone right now with Roger Goodell, asking him for help. And the only help I want is this: let Michael Vick serve his suspension from the league while he is in jail. We want him to be our quarterback and we want to put him on the roster during the 2009 season.

Picture that—Vick as a Lion. He can run or pass and when he gets out he will be hungry to be on a team. The Lions should get him interested now. Put an offer on the table for him that he can't walk away from and make Goodell understand that's what you need to be successful.

Imagine that, not having to use either of your first-round picks in the 2009 draft on a quarterback. Why not trade the first round pick (because it's going to be a top five) and get some more picks and have something that looks like this:

First round: two picks

Second round: one, maybe two picks

Third round: two, possibly three picks

That's a draft that could help a struggling team out, getting five or six starters that could contribute now. The rest of the picks can be used for guys who could hopefully start in a year or two.

Defense, defense, defense—that is what I would do as the GM. Get a safety as well as a defensive end, plus a corner and still have a few picks to fill in holes that still need to be fixed.

I know this all rests on whether you can get Goodell on your side or if Drew Stanton or Dan Orlovsky turn out to be diamonds in the rough. I don't foresee that happening.

None of this happens, by the way, because whoever they bring in will try to draft a quarterback and fix the team piece by piece and that won't work and doing so could make the team better in five to 10 years from now, but not anytime soon.

The Lions will never win a Super Bowl without some out-of-the-box thinking.

I know Matt Millen is gone, but he did a number on a team that will never be forgotten, at least not in my lifetime! I will always remember Mike Williams, Charles Rogers, and all the other busts of the Millen Era!

Top Ten Rule Changes I'd Like to Witness in the NHL

Curtis Smith — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:33:59 -0400

From the increase of salary cap to the elimination of the two-line pass, the NHL is ever-changing. In this light, I would like to present my top ten rule changes I'd like to see to the great game of hockey.

10. First off, I'd like to see bigger nets. Leave the goalie equipment alone and just make the nets bigger.

9. Let the defense play. Obstruction hooking is the most ridiculous rule in hockey and should just be taken out, case closed.

8. Allow for more five-on-threes. Everybody loves a good five-on-three!

7. If the goalie takes a penalty, put them in the box. Wouldn't that be great, changing goalies on the fly?

6. If a player dives, they should not receive a two-minute minor, but rather the other team should be given a penalty shot instead (more the penalty shot later).

5. Or, when a player dives, they should have to sit out the next game.

4. My boy Al Sobaka should be allowed to swing his octopi whenever and where ever he feels like it. On a side note, to all the players who had a problem with this—remember, you do play hockey. Stop being wusses and toughen up!

3. I don't feel like seeing the same teams over and over and over again. Stop playing the same teams in your division 30 times. Branch out, and explore the NHL.

2. Let the players fight. Fights are part of the game. If they want to and both agree, to me, that's round one. "FIGHT!"

1. Lastly—and by far the best thing I'd like to see—rebound chances on a penalty shot, with everybody staying on the ice!

Okay, hear me out. You take the player that's taking the penalty shot, and start him at center ice (yeah, I know, that's original). Then take the team's best two forward, and place them on the blue line. The defense sets up three players opposite of the two on offense. The remaining players stay at center ice. When the shot is taken, everybody crashes in at the goalie, and play resumes as normal.

See? Wouldn't that be fun to watch?

I know that some of these are off the wall and probably would never work in the NHL. But hey, I can always dream—and that I will do.

Detroit Pistons Look the Same, But Can They Finish Differently?

Curtis Smith — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:35:25 -0400

Big hopes, big dreams—but again, for the up-teenth year, no big trade!

Rumors of 'Melo coming to the Pistons circled Detroit, but Dumars still didn't pull the trigger. What does it mean? Absolutely nothing at this point.

Today, Detroit is still a contender. The Eastern Conference goes as follows—Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, and probably Washington (maybe Chicago). They will win 50 games and most likely will get back to the Conference Finals—but what will tip them back to the Finals?

What sort of magic will Dumars pull during the season? What 'Sheed-esque trade will he pull off?

Or will it come down to Michael Curry, with his no-nonsense attitude to play the game, play it the right way, and win! Although he has no head-coaching experience he brings Bad Boys-style of play with him.

Defense wins championships. I’ve believed that for as long as I can remember. Will Curry be that final piece that will get the Pistons back to the Finals, or will they end at the Conference Finals once again, and book early tee times at the golf course.

I think in the end, it will be on the shoulders of Jason Maxiell and Rodney Stuckey, and the defense and scoring ability that both of them possess. Watch Maxiell have an All-Star season, putting up over 10 points and 10 rebounds per game, plus the intangibles he brings to get the crowd into it with an amazing block or a thunder dunk.

We've all watched Stuckey grow up in front of us last year in the playoffs. Watch that continue this year.

The last few years, Detroit has lacked a player who could take over a game. We all know Billups is clutch and Hamilton is consistent, but Stuckey has the ability to put the game in his hands and make it his own. Curry will put pressure on Stuckey early, making him the go to guy in the clutch. My predictions for him are 13 points, eight assists, and two to three steals a game—and that’s all in limited time.

As the East gets better and the Pistons pretty much stay the same, it can be the subtle changes that make the biggest change (not always, for the sake of Boston last year). More times than not teams, can’t count on big trades or signings, but rather must make sure the right pieces are in place.

Forcing a square peg into the round hole has never worked. The proof of that is the run-and-gun Suns trading for the slowest guy in the league.

Joe Dumars did the right thing. He is giving the changes that he made time to pan out. The NBA has a long schedule, and things will be clearer in a few months.

My predictions for the Pistons are second in the East, making it to the Conference Finals, and eventually losing to the Boston Celtics in seven. All the Pistons fans out there have seen this before—let's just hope this year is different.