Bleacher Report - Articles by Noel Purcell

Larry Johnson May Be Released

Noel Purcell — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:10:38 -0400

(Information via KissingSuzyKolber, RealGM, and SBNation)

Controversial Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has been suspended and may be cut loose from Kansas City.

Further decisions will be made after an NFL decision on the matter.

Johnson, formerly a top running back in the NFL, has seen his career take a turn for the worse in the last two years.

Johnson had rushed for consecutive 1,700-plus yard seasons and played a full 32 games in 2005 and 2006, but he has totaled just 1,118 yards in 27 games over the last three seasons.

Johnson's injury-plagued career in Kansas City, and possibly the NFL (he turns 30 in three weeks), has culminated in turmoil. Johnson is currently suspended for using two homophobic slurs when talking to reporters about his head coach, Todd Haley, and over his Twitter account.

This is the second time Johnson has gotten himself in hot water for using gay slurs, as he had to apologize for this same offense last season.

Johnson has since issued an apology, saying he said it purely out of anger.

The Chiefs have a bye this week, so look for Johnson to be cut after this week.

Fantasy owners, get your waiver claims on Jamaal Charles in before it's too late.

The Clippers Are Clueless if They Think Allen Iverson's the Answer

Noel Purcell — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:39:49 -0400

The image you see above is in fact, photoshopped, poorly, by me.

But in a short while, that jersey may become available for purchase on the Clippers website. That's right folks, ESPN reported that the Clippers are "very serious" about signing Allen Iverson.

LA, along with Memphis and Miami, is looking to add the former MVP and scoring champion. The Clippers and Memphis are looking to use their entire mid-level exceptions to land Iverson in either Tinsel Town or The Bluff City, while Miami wants him to take less money to play in South Beach.

What would signing AI mean for the Clippers?

First of all, it would push Eric Gordon to a sixth man role, assuming Iverson refuses to move to the bench like he did with Detroit. A move like this could stunt Gordon's growth in more ways than one.

First of all, it would obviously mean much less playing time for last year's first round pick. Aside from that, it means AI would most likely become a sort of mentor for him.

No matter how great of a player Iverson is, you cant say he's a positive influence.

Is Gordon going to start acting like a prima donna with Iverson around, maybe even skipping practice?

I mean after all, "we talkin' about practice." I just don't see how the addition of Iverson helps one of the most promising young players in the NBA develop. If anything, I would assume he would regress with AI's tutelage and the lack of PT.

Aside from that, this isn't the AI of 2000-2001, where he is going to win an MVP award. This is a broken down, shell of his former self Iverson. The years of playing every play like it's his last have caught up to AI.

After 2005-2006, Iverson went from averaging 33 PPG to just 26 in '06-'07 and '07-'08, and all the way down to just 17.5 PPG this year. The lowest of his career by more than 4 PPG.

They may say that Iverson would be a good running mate for rookie Power Forward and No. 1 pick Blake Griffin, but I think that Eric Gordon would be as good, if not better.

Iverson will most likely only be there for a season, and the Clippers are not making the playoffs in the West, regardless of how well Blake Griffin plays.

If LA decides against blowing their whole Mid-Level Exception on an aging Iverson, they could instead sign another player who would help contribute without the ego and the baggage Iverson brings.

Long story short, this may boil down to the simple fact that Iverson will put fannies in the seats of the Staples Center when Kobe and Pau aren't playing. Maybe in a new setting, Iverson will find motivation and play like the Iverson of old, but I doubt it.

If I were the Clippers, I would stay away.

The 10 Worst Careers by MLB Rookies of the Year Since 1990

Noel Purcell — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:15:38 -0400

Isn't it a disappointment when a guy comes up and puts on an absolute show in his rookie season, but does nothing after? You know the types, the guys who come up, light up Major League pitching or dominate Major League hitting for a season, and either you never hear from them again or they fall into obscurity. Well this is a countdown of the top 10 players who were good enough to win ROTY, but soon after fell into obscurity.

Begin Slideshow

NY Jets On the Clock: I Believe in Vernon Gholston (and Not Wasting Picks)

Noel Purcell — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:23:40 -0500

Who's with me!?

Nobody?

Oh, that's depressing.

Oh well...It's that time of year, when we are a few days away from the big game. When my final realization that "No, all other 31 teams have NOT been laundering money and do NOT have to forfeit the season, and the Jets do NOT win the Super Bowl by default."

When I realize that Gang Green is looking towards next year. Well, so am I. I'm thinking '09-'10. And that starts with the NFL Draft. Last year, the Jets used their first-round pick on an inexperienced, uber-talented linebacker from Ohio State by the name of Vernon Gholston. Well, Vernon didn't so so well in mini-camp.

Or training camp.

Or the preseason.

Well, after that, the "Manginious" decided Gholston wouldn't see the field for the majority of the season. He has been declared a bust and is now an afterthought. But, if the Jets can get him on the field (not necessarily starting, but at least some consistent playing time) somewhat consistently, not the sporadic playing time he had last year, then maybe he can shake the label.

I just hope they pick a true need this year. As of now, here are my first three rounds

First Round-17th Overall

Percy Harvin-RB/WR-Florida

Harvin is an explosive presence, something the Jets need. He can be a receiver to go alongside Cotchery, and Coles is getting no younger. He can catch passes out of the backfield and be an effective runner. He is a threat on returns as well. Think of him as a rich man's Leon Washington, something every Jet fan should salivate at.

Second Round-53rd Overall

Darius Butler-CB-UConn

The Jets need another corner, that much is certain. Revis is evolving into one of the best corners in the league. I see a lot of promise in Dwight Lowery, but he is not ready and is still very much raw. Butler is more polished and could start day one.

Third Round-76th Overall

Asher Allen-CB-Georgia

I know, I already named a corner. But the thing is, Allen could play more than just corner. Aside from being a solid coverage corner (2 Interceptions v Hawai'i in Sugar Bowl last season), a good hitter (11 Tackles at Alabama) and an explosive return man (82 Yard Kickoff Return TD v Kentucky), he is tough.

He won the "True Grit Award" at the end of Georgia spring practice. Also, he was a quarter-finalist for the Lott Award.

Honorable Mentions-Other Possible Choices

First Round-James Laurinitas, Rey Maulaluga, Mark Sanchez

Second Round-Mike Mickens, Michael Hamlin

Third Round-Brian Robiskie, Jairus Byrd, Nate Davis

The Problem With The Hall: Rice, Henderson In, Dawson Out

Noel Purcell — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:24:18 -0500

Today the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductees for 2009 were announced.

As expected, Rickey Henderson was inducted. However, in the final year of his eligibility, a player who has deserved this for so long finally got it.

Jim Rice

Rice was one of the most feared hitters of his time, hitting 382 Homers and 1451 RBI's in 16 seasons with Boston. He was a nine-time all star and won the 1978 AL MVP.

However, it took Rice 20 years, in his final year of eligibility, to get in.

This kind of thing shouldn't happen. Andre "The Hawk" Dawson didn't get in, he was 8.0 percent of the vote short. Do you know how little 8.0 percent of the vote is? 43 Votes, 43 out of 539 votes. Now, this "all-knowing baseball entity" these "Hall Despots" have made their "oh-so enlightened" opinion known to the public, and left him off the ballot. Who are they you ask? The Baseball Writers Association of America.

Now, BBWAA, I'm calling you out. Use your "infinite baseball wisdom" and answer this question for me. Why is Andre Dawson not in and Jim Rice is (this is NOT a knock on Jim Rice, who rightfully will have his plaque, complete with Red Sox hat, enshrined in Cooperstown).

If its by a pure statistical point of view, Dawson is better. 438 homers and 1591 RBI, and 314 steals.

Maybe it's by hardware. MVP in 1987, ROY honors in 1977 and winner of the Hutch award for the player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire to win, in 1994, when he played in 75 total games for Boston.

Maybe it's by championships. Neither have won one. (Although if Dawson had stuck around in Florida for one more season, he'd have his ring).

Did I mention the fact that the league colluded against him and he played in Montreal on turf destroying his knees early in his career? No? Well I just did. Does this mean that Dawson is a better player than Rice, not necessarily. But the point is, if Jim goes, The Hawk should be in as well.

So BBWAA, why not Dawson?

Marinelli Goes Down With Ship, Begs the Question, Why?

Noel Purcell — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:00:26 -0500

This was a lost year.

This is the worst thing that could ever happen.

Why did I keep my season tickets?

Things most Lions fans said to themselves after Green Bay put the finishing touches on Detroit's 0-16 season. Less than 24 hours later, head coach Rod Marinelli was fired. This begs the question, "Why was he still in Detroit after 16 games?"

Kiffin, Nolan, Linehan: All three were fired midseason, before Marinelli. All had better records than him at the time of firing.

If you know you're going to fire your coach, why not do it? Don't leave him, his players, and his family living on the hope that he may or may not get another season. Don't make him pull a Bobby Petrino. Do the right thing—cut him loose.

-Noel

Mike Francesa: For Once, Admit You're Wrong

Noel Purcell — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:27:20 -0500

I've never been a huge fan of Mike Francesa (pictured above with former partner Chris "Mad Dog" Russo). Truth be told, I can't stand him most of the time. During baseball season, he is a droll, annoying, loudmouthed Yankee homer.

But today, I was listening to his radio show on the FAN (660 WFAN), and heard one of the stupider statements I've ever heard uttered by a radio host.

I used to listen to Mike back when he was still teamed with Mad Dog. For all of the Yankee drool he would spill on the airwaves, Mad Dog had a counterpoint and could seemingly keep him somewhat under control. They balanced each other well (although it was still difficult to listen to the show for more than 45 minutes at a time) and made for an interesting program. Then Russo took a huge paycheck and got his own station on Sirius Satellite Radio (and good for him, not criticizing him at all).

Now I don't listen to either of them.

Today, around 1:30, Franco from Danbury, Connecticut called up and ask Mike to basically give credit where credit is due. Francesa obliged and said the Dolphins were "one of the miracle teams in history" and gave great credit to the coaching staff and Chad Pennington. However, after saying they were one of the miracle teams in history he said this:

"They aren't even any good, that's coaching and Chad Pennington..."

He then gave them credit by saying that it was a fantastic job by everyone, "but they aren't any good." He then criticized the man he just credited, Chad Pennington, by saying that he under-threw too many passes but they all got completed.

He basically gave a half-credit. While he did say it was a miracle season, he said they aren't any good. Not "they aren't great," not "they aren't one of the best teams in the league."

They aren't any good.

At all.

He gives them credit, but simply will not admit he was wrong about the Dolphins. He won't admit they are good. He seems to do this with things he is wrong on, not all the time, but sometimes.

I'm a Jets fan and I attended the final game of this season and even I can admit they are a good team. Mike, it's time to really give credit where it's due, no half-admitting, half-defending your point so you still seem correct.

Just admit you were wrong, please, maybe then I can listen to your show again.

NFL First Half MVP's

Noel Purcell — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:44:21 -0500

Seeing as this is my first story for Bleacher Report, I figured i'd let you get to know me. However, I then realized nobody cares and they would rather I would just start talking about sports already. (If you do want to know more about me, read my bio on my page or leave me an email, noelpurcell842@gmail.com)

I have a few pet-peeves, one being that it is near impossible to come up with a "Best of All-time" or "Top Ten" list without getting the argument of the value of each position.

Comparing a Pitcher's value to a Third Baseman's will always get you an argument like this—"Great Pitching beats Great Hitting", "Yeah, but not without the offense and defense to back it up." So, at each position (QB, RB, WR and two defensive slots) I give you, The First Half MVP's!

QB —Kurt Warner, Cardinals

No, you are not in 2000. Kurt Warner, however, is playing like he is. He's been a stud since winning the job after the Preseason. He has great weapons in Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and the Running Back Duo of Edgerin James and Tim Hightower.

Some could argue Drew Brees or Phillip Rivers, but with 2431 passing yards, 16 TD's and a QB Rating of 104.2, my vote goes to Warner.

RB —Clinton Portis, Redskins

Clinton has been known by many names and alter-egos (usually appearing in post game press conferences), he has been Dolomite Jenkins, Bootsy Collins and even Sheriff Gonna Getcha.

This season, he's known only as Beast. Since week two, he's had either 120 yards from scrimmage or 85 and a touchdown in each game. He is the biggest component of the Redskins' offensive attack and one of the main reasons they are 6-3 and in 2nd Place.

WR —Greg Jennings, Packers

Few receivers are as dynamic as Jennings. He has great speed and hands with a great passion for the game. One of the biggest factors in the success of the Aaron Rodgers take-over, he has 764 yards and four touchdowns.

Alongside stalwart Donald Driver, he has been groomed for stardom. After last seasons breakout and the success of this season, look for Jennings to become a top NFL receiver (assuming he isn't already).

CB —Darrelle Revis, Jets

Revis, in only his second season in the league, has been a stud. When the Jets went into the season with a secondary considered to be too "inexperienced and lacking in size," Revis went on a mission.

Quickly transforming from potential into results, he has matched up with the likes of Randy Moss and Lee Evans and came out of it with four interceptions, 28 tackles, and a forced fumble to boot. The first round pick the Jets used on him was well spent.

DL—Albert Haynesworth, Titans

Albert Haynesworth, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran and Pro-Bowler. He has been the anchor to the Titans' defense, which has been the best in the NFL this year, and has helped lead his team to a perfect 8-0 record.

Having already equaled his sack total from last season, Haynesworth is looking to keep building on that, with 29 total tackles this year. Haynesworth was quoted as saying "Hopefully we can carry this on through the season," when asked about the defenses performance. He is a force upfront and a leader on his team.

Honorable Mentions

Phillip Rivers, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Chris Johnson, Ronnie Brown, Lendale White, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, Cortland Finnegan, Joey Porter and James Harrison.

The Top Three Best and Worst Sports Movies

Noel Purcell — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:47:35 -0500

"Hello, and welcome to Movie Phone!"

The voice I hear each and every time I am waiting to hear where the movie I'm looking for is playing. It has brought me tears of both joy and sorrow after watching the film I "Selected using my keypad." I digress. There have been great sports movies that get put up with the all time great works of film, and some that make you wish you could find the director and slap him silly

Here are the rules:

1. With sequels, there must be at least one good sequel in order to list one of the sequels under the Worst category (Meaning I can't list Bad News Bears go to Japan and The Mighty Ducks 3, that would be too easy). Otherwise, only the first remake counts.

2. No Remakes (Sorry to those of you hoping the 2001 remake of Rollerball would make my list).

3. The movie must be a sports movie, it can't have a small sports part or have sports as a backdrop, it has to have the main focus be sports related.

4. It has to be a sport, no Drumline.

5. The court of public opinion rules all. If a movie has all those things critics love like "excellent lighting" and "perfect transitions", but the movie is awful, sorry, no dice (Gene Shalit may be angry with this rule, but they're my rules).

Worst

3. Caddyshack II

Now, I love Caddyshack, but this was atrocious on every level. When they went about replacing Rodney Dangerfield with Jackie Mason, the producers should have stopped, looked themselves in the eye and said "Let's just not do this, it isn't worth the money to hurt a great movie this way." I have nothing else to say about this movie except "Nanananananaaaa."

2. Juwanna Mann

And to think, I sat through this awful excuse for cinema. I thought, "maybe, just maybe I can get a laugh out of this." I was wrong, so wrong. First, it's centered around the WNBA, a league nobody watches in the first place. Second, it has no recognizable actors, zero (if you want to say Vivica Fox, be my guest, I won't).

Miguel A. Núñez Jr. is not a leading man. Third and most importantly, the awful basketball scenes and quotes. The scenes, without CGI technology to add fans, would look like something out of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, when Will Smith plays High School Basketball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHgaRgZCZgk). The Fresh Prince was good, this movie wasn't. Save yourself an awful experience, rent something else.

1. Rocky V

Boy, this sure was sad. Rocky was one of (if not the, keep reading) best sports movies of all time. Rockys II, III, and IV ranged from decent to outstanding, but they must've known they were pushing it going for a fifth successful film in the series.

With Pro Boxer Tommy Morrison portraying Tommy "The Machine" Gunn (Look, what a completely uncreative and over-used pun!), you knew it was going to be bad, but not this bad, no way. It is so awful, I bought the Rocky Box set and Replaced the Rocky V disc with the latest remake, Rocky Balboa (Which wasn't half-bad by the way, check it out if you ever want to watch a new sports movie that isn't god-awful).

Best

3. Caddyshack

Funny, the sequel is one of the worst movies ever. I guess that may have to do with the fact that the original was so amazing. A fantastic cast featuring Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield at their best. It's the film that makes people chant "Noonan" whenever they are hoping for a choke. It made people say Bill Murray in the same breath as the Dalai Lama (my favorite quote of all-time).

Between Chase's putting scene and the famous "IT'S IN THE HOLE!" line. It was my introduction to R-Rated comedy and will be remembered forever in the voice of Rodney Dangerfield, the line that gave us all hope "Hey everybody, we're all gonna get laid!"

2.Bull Durham

If you want a sports comedy, its one of the best. If you want great baseball scenes, same thing. If you want quotes, they have it. It has the famed relationships of Annie and Nuke, Annie and Crash and of course Jimmy and Millie.

It taught us never to "hit a drunk with your pitching hand" or that baseball is "a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains."

A story about the worst-to-first Durham Bulls, a AAA Minor League team. Great acting by Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins. The baseball scenes are fantastic and the mound visit conversation between Costner and Robert Wuhl is hysterical. A must see for any sports fan, or movie fan in general.

1. Rocky

The best. It won Best Picture and Best Director. It was Stalone's best Performance. It had the best action scene in a sports movie. Rocky is a classic. When you think best Movies of all time, Rocky is top 50. Out of all movies, not just sports.

The underdog story of Rocky Balboa, a down and out fighter living in Philadelphia. He gets his chance to fight Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). This movie has such great quotes as "Yo Adrian, I did it!" and "You're gonna eat lightning and you're gonna crap thunder!" Rocky is truly an all-time great.

Honorable Mentions:

Best- Hoosiers, Raging Bull, Slap Shot, The Natural, Field of Dreams, The Hustler

Worst- Air Bud, The Fan, Any Given Sunday, The Babe