Bleacher Report - Articles by Alan Campbell

Can Coach Fulmer Have a Perfect Season at Tennessee?

Alan Campbell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:48:24 -0400

The Tennessee Volunteers are about to start training camp in a few weeks, and the question that remains on peoples' minds is whether or not coach Phillip Fulmer will still be able to field a successful team on the field this year.

He has lost a majority of his coaching staff, with David Cutcliffe leaving to take the head coaching position at Duke University and taking along with him two assistants from the team. Also, receivers coach Trooper Taylor went to Oklahoma State. The question still remains: "Can his new coaching staff keep his team a top contender?"

Fulmer seems to think that, as long as the team remains healthy (especially on the defensive end), the Vols have as good of a chance as any team to have a successful season.

With teams like Florida, Alabama and Kentucky on their 2008 schedule, the Vols will have a tough year ahead of them. A win against Florida would definitely be a huge boost to the Vols, having lost to them last year by a big margin. A win against Alabama could actually set this team up for a perfect season.

With five starters returning for a combined 77 starts, Coach Fulmer is hoping for leadership from the guys that know what it takes to win.

One thing is for sure, once training camp starts, I am sure all players will have one thing on their mind: winning the SEC Championship, and placing Tennessee back where they belong amongst the top three in the nation in college football.

Can Rick Nash Fill Mats Sundin's Skates for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Alan Campbell — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:57:29 -0400

One of the biggest questions right now on Leafs fans' minds is whether or not Captain Mats Sundin returns next year to play with the Blue and White.

Sundin has stated that he would love to retire a Maple Leaf—but teams like the Canucks are offering him one the most lucrative salaries in the league. What will be his decision for this this upcoming year?

Vancouver has mentioned that if Sundin plays for the Canucks, he will almost certainly be wearing the "C." And with the 2010 Olympics just around the corner, Vancouver has advised the Swedish Captain that he could play on his home ice for the 2010 Olympics, defending his country's gold medal. Such an opportunity only comes around once, and could be a huge factor for the Swede.

But if Sundin does decide to play in Vancouver, what is left for the Leafs?

With Jaromir Jagr signing over in the Russian Super League, and all remaining big-name players already signed with teams, what will the Toronto Maple Leafs do with the cash they would have paid Sundin?

One possibility is a trade. Look for the Leafs possibly going after Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It has been rumoured around Columbus that the Canadian native is not happy were he is playing at the moment, and would like to play elsewhere. But for a player of his stature, Toronto would have to sacrifice at least two top forwards and a draft pick, plus cash.

Rick Nash would be a great fit in Toronto, but what two forwards would Toronto trade to have Nash on the team?

I could see Toronto getting rid of forwards Alexei Ponikarovsky and Alex Steen—two respected players in their own rights—a second-round draft pick, and, of course, money.

Its is obvious that Toronto is rebuilding, but you have to wonder if without Sundin, the Leafs will have some serious troubles this year putting the puck in the net.

Toronto hasn't really made any big moves this offseason, and I think that they may be relying too much on having Sundin return. But why would he?

The media has always criticised him on his play and leadership in the locker room, so why would he want to put himself in a situation of having the media and fans ask the same old question—"Will Mats lead the team to the Cup this year?"

A few more months and we will know the outcome of Mats Sundin's hockey future. But until then, don't hold your breath on this guy playing with the Blue and White again. I expect him to play elsewhere—simply for the peace of mind.

Is John Tavares on the Toronto Maple Leafs' Mind?

Alan Campbell — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:24:09 -0400

With the 2008-2009 NHL season quickly approaching, most teams this offseason have signed high-end players to their respected teams.

But what about the Toronto Maple Leafs? What talent have they picked up and what are their long term plans?

The Leafs have signed one player, Niklas Hagman, who has had one good season in the National Hockey League with the Dallas Stars. Will he have a successful campaign similar to the one he had last year?

It is apparent that the Leafs do not want to sign any player for a long term contract. Is that because there really is no player on the Leafs worth signing long term?

With Mats Sundin enjoying his time off from the NHL, he won't be making a decision soon on whether or not he will return to the Leafs. So, what is on the Leafs' mind?

Well, last year it was discussed the possibility of signing Oshawa native Jonathan Tavares to a minor league contract with the Toronto Marlies. These notions came from the Leafs' last GM John Ferguson.

Tavares is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Tavares said that he would prefer to play a higher level of hockey this season as opposed to playing with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

Is this why the Leafs haven't signed any big name free agents this offseason? Is their plan to have a young team? Do they want to have all the players enjoy a first year in the NHL, mold the team together, not make the playoffs, and have a very solid chance of the first round draft pick in 2009?

This could be a possibility, as it is known that Ron Wilson likes to work with younger player's and help develop them into well rounded players.

Tavares would love to play in Toronto. It's close to home, friends, and family. He would also be playing for a team that he grew up watching.

Tavares has already been compared to players such as Sidney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, and Steve Yzerman. Would he be a great fit in Toronto?

Absolutely. With the Leafs only offering Mats Sundin a two year contract, they are planning for Sundin to possibly show Tavares the reigns, so that he can one day—when Sundin is gone—lead the Leafs back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

This is something I am sure that is on the Leafs' mind. They are starting over with a new younger team that I am sure will have many ups and downs this coming season. I can guarantee the Leafs have something planned for a bright young future with this franchise.

MLB: Could Morneau be spectacular again?

Alan Campbell — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:29:14 -0400

If fans in New York wanted to witness one of the greatest All-Star games to ever be played, they certainly got their wish. Last night, it was a grueling 15 innings of miraculous plays, missed opportunities, and a pop fly out to end the 79th All-Star game in New York.

The American League defeated the National League in a close 4-3 decision, in what I am sure was one of the players and fans most enjoyable games to play or watch.

Canadian Justin Morneau was the winning run to give the American League the victory after several hours of play. What an amazing All-Star break it was for Morneau. Just a day after winning the Home Run Derby, and scoring the winning run last night in the all-star game, all that Morneau could say was, "It was awesome."

With baseball commissioner Bud Selig announcing that the winner of the All-Star game was to be given home field advantage in the World Series, the players played their heart and souls out. "Guys were getting frustrated out there," Morneau said.

With Canadians like Ryan Dempster and Justin Morneau in the All-Star game on both teams, they showed that Canadians are more than just hockey freaks. Will this entice the MLB to start more scouting from the Canadian leagues? Morneau seems to think so.

One would only hope that after an All-Star game with spectacular hits, pitches, and grabs, that the second half of the year will definitely be a more exciting and spectatcular one to watch, especially in the American League, with home field advantage on the line in the World Series.

NHL:Are Players in it for The Money or the Game?

Alan Campbell — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:19:44 -0400

It is safe to say that this off-season has been classed as one of the most expensive and money dropping summers around the National Hockey League. With teams spending far too much on players that have passed their peaks in their careers, and teams signing and moving players without the player even playing for the team, has caused a lot of people, fans and players alike wondering, "When is enough enough?”

Several teams really went shopping this summer, one that stands out more than others would have to be the New York Rangers. Have the Rangers fallen into the same category as the New York Yankees, spending and acquiring big name players, but in the end not producing a championship team?

The Rangers have acquired Wade Redden from Ottawa, and former Vancouver Canucks Captain, Markus Naslund, just to name a few. Is this the answer to the problem in New York, signing big name players and hoping the players have chemistry with each other to produce a championship team?

The Rangers haven't realized that its not who you have on your team, it’s the connection that the players have with one another to produce a team. You won't see teams like the 1980's Oilers, or the 1990's Chicago Bulls in our future again, but that doesn't mean that teams won't be as competitive, or as entertaining as these teams were.

It simply means you won't see players like Wayne Gretzky playing with Mark Messier, or Michael Jordan playing with Scottie Pippen. Teams that try to acquire top name players and actually land them on their teams, have the least likely chance of producing a championship team as the past two years have proven.

What teams are doing now is signing these players to long-term multi-million dollar contracts so the player will remain with that team indefinitely. Is this what we can expect from all teams within the next few years? Players signing with a team and playing a huge majority of their career with one team? It looks like it.

Look at the Tampa Bay Lightning, signing Vincent Lecavalier to a $88 million contract over the next 11 years, that means he will be nearly 40 years old before his contract is over. In Chicago, landing defenseman Brian Campbell for 8 years, and again with Redden in New York for 6 years.

It looks as though teams are trying to buckle in a group of veteran players and make a solid run at the Cup, but will this hurt our game of having players play merely for the money? On the other hand, will the players actually realize that this a game for the fans, and play their heart and soles out for the people that show up at every game?

Will they show their support for their beloved teams? Time will only tell how this season plays out, lets hope its one that the fans will always remember.

What Are Your Top Five Most Memorable Moments in Sports?

Alan Campbell — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:59:41 -0400

It is hard to rank your top five most memorable moments in sports, not to mention in one sport alone. But with many spectacular moments over the last several decades, here is a compilation of my top five most memorable moments in sports:

5. The home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 2005. This had baseball fans on their feet in every ball park that these two played in, bringing baseball to new heights and new records.

4. Ali VS Frazier, simply called "the Fight of the Century."

3. Watching Wayne Gretzky beat Gordie Howe's hockey record (Goals: 894 , Assists: 1963, Points: 2857)

2. Tiger Woods winning his first Masters by 12 strokes in 1997, then giving his mentor/coach, his father, a hug.

1. Being a fan from Toronto, I will have to say that my number one most memorable moment in sports comes from several decades ago. Even though I wasn't even born yet, the thought of the Toronto Maple Leafs wining the Stanley Cup in 1967 brings shivers to my body. I wait and hope that this happens again soon.

Toronto Maple Leafs, Stanley Cup Champions 1967.

I know this is a short article, but there are simply too many amazing moments in sports to name all of them. With young and talented athletes everyday coming into our sports world, the future is looking brighter for more memorable moments like my top five. What are yours?

Matt Stajan: Is He the Answer for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Alan Campbell — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:37:41 -0400

The Toronto Maple Leafs could possibly miss the playoffs for the fourth season in a row next season. The Leafs have acquired several different players in the offseason, and they have landed one of the leagues top defensive coaches, but, will this be enough to see the Toronto Maple Leafs end their current three year dread of not making the playoffs?

Look at it this way. If captain Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs, he will be surrounded by young and enthusiastic players all trying to show that they belong in the N.H.L.

But what happened to the Leafs trying to pick up some talented players up front to help Sundin with carrying the weight of the team on his shoulders? The Leafs have indeed picked up a young and talented forward by the name of Niklas Hagman, but will this be enough, or will Jason Blake come into his own, and have an amazing season like the one he did prior to joining the Leafs in New York with the Islanders?

It's pretty obvious that the Leafs are heading in a new direction and looking to start fresh, as opposed to being a team where players come to retire. They want to be a team with similar resemblances to the 2008 Stanley Cup finalists Pittsburgh Penguins. They want to be young, talented, and fresh. But, with this new year in Maple Leafs hockey, who will help carry the Leafs?

Matt Stajan has signed a contract extension that will see him with the Leafs for the next three years. He had 16 goals and 17 helpers last year and it is apparent that the Leafs believe he could be the future of this struggling franchise.

With all the changes this offseason for the Leafs, seeing veteran leaders like Darcy Tucker and Chad Kilger, to name a few, leaving and joining respected teams, time will only tell whether or not Ron Wilson will be able to mold the Leafs into a contender and go for the most lucrative prize in hockey, the Stanley Cup.