Bleacher Report - Articles by Ben Harris

Ranking the Goalie Masks of the NHL

Ben Harris — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:24:05 -0500

I am now doing what college football has yet to do. A PLAYOFF. From the olden days when goalies took their chances and played with out a mask, goalies have become much more creative with their choice of head gear. Rankings goalie masks from Anaheim to Philadelphia, from Los Angeles to Tampa Bay, I'll break down the best of the masks in the NHL. Stay tuned next week for the winners of each round!!!

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The Philadelphia Eagles: A Franchise of “Should Haves” and “Almosts”

Ben Harris — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:21:12 -0500

After a disappointing loss to the Redskins yesterday, there is only one way to sum up this team: So Close, But So Far.

First, let's flashback to the 2007-2008 NFL season. Three teams from the NFC East made the NFL Playoffs. Lets take a look at the NFC East Standings at the end of the season.

First Place: Dallas Cowboys (13-3) (First Seed In NFC)

Second Place: New York Giants (10-6) (Fifth Seed in NFC)

Third Place: Washington Redskins (9-7) (Sixth Seed in NFC)

Fourth Place: Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) (Did Not Make Playoffs)

Let's take a look at Week Seven of that same season.

The Eagles led the Bears with 1:52 left on the clock. Chicago starts their drive at their own three-yard line after a masterful punt by Sav Rocca. But 97 yards later (all of which were courtesy of the right arm of Brian Griese), the Bears took the lead 19-16. Their drive lasted 1:43, giving the Eagles a measly 0:09 left to score.

A win in that situation would have put the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs in the 2007-'08 season.

Now let's take a look at a disappointing year for the Eagles in 2008-'09.

The Eagles now sit with a record of (8-6-1), with a slim chance of making the playoffs.

“Streaky.” That may be the only word there is to describe the Eagles' odd yet subpar season.

Sept. 28

The Eagles are at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Bears lead 24-20 with minutes left to go in the game. The Eagles drive down to the Bears' four-yard line.

(Keep in mind that David Akers missed a 47-yard field goal in the third quarter.)

1st-and-goal from the four.

Correll Buckhalter takes a handoff down to the Bears’ one yard-line.

2nd-and-goal from the one.

Tony Hunt is stopped on second down after a plunge up the middle.

3rd-and-goal from the one.

Correll Buckhalter takes a dive from the four-yard line, only to be stopped short of the goal line.

4th-and-goal from the one.

Buckhalter is stopped by Alex Brown, turning the ball over on downs.

Oct. 5

Lincoln Financial Field and the Eagles host the Redskins.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles drove down to the Washington two-yard line.

2nd-and-goal from the one.

Westbrook dives up the middle for no gain.

3rd-and-goal from the one.

Westbrook hits the line and tries to bounce the run to the outside and loses three yards.

A reoccurring trend in the Eagles season, trouble on short-yardage downs.

Dec. 21

The Eagles traveled to Washington to face NFC East rivals the Redskins.

After a badly played game by both sides, the Eagles had the ball in the red zone with 0:12 left.

On the last play of the game, Donovan McNabb threw a pass to Reggie Brown at the one-yard line. Brown makes an outstanding catch but after a hit by Fred Smoot and the game saving tackle by LaRon Landry, the Eagles came up inches short.

But lets look at the brighter side of the Eagles’ season.

From Weeks 13-15, the Eagles were the hottest team in the NFL.

They beat the NFC West winning Arizona Cardinals, the New York Giants (the best team in the league at the time), and the struggling Cleveland Browns.

They scored a combined 98 points, and giving up only 44.

Andy Reid and the Eagles ran an astounding 54 percent pass plays and 46 percent rush plays. They ran for a total of 437 yards in those three games while throwing or 659 yards.

The Eagles are now on the outside, looking in on the NFC Playoff picture. To make the playoffs, they need a win next week against Dallas, the Buccaneers to lose next week and the Chicago Bears to lose one of their next two games.

“Should’ve passed the ball here.”

“Should’ve called a timeout here.”

“Could’ve run the ball more.”

“Should’ve had a win here.”

These are all things that are daily household phrases for fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s just hope that those words stay away from the franchise for a long time to come.

NFL Draft Breakdown, Part 2: Wide Receiver

Ben Harris — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:18:46 -0500

As the 2008 NFL Draft approaches, a very talented draft class has surfaced. I will break down, position by position the best Quaterbacks, Wide Receivers, and Tailbacks and rank my top 5 for each individual position. Here we go…

I will give you the top 7 WR’s because the draft class is full of talent.

Wide Receiver

1. DeSean Jackson - California

The junior out of Cal displays unheard of speed in college ball that helps him out run, not mention out last, the best secondaries in football. With an incredible sophomore year in 2006 he had career numbers in touchdowns, yards, and yards per catch with an unthinkable 18 yards a touch.

Projected Round: Top 20

2. Malcolm Kelly - Oklahoma

Only missing one game in his sophomore and junior years, Kelly led his Okhlahoma to the Fiesta Bowl. The 6 foot 4 wide out has potential to be as influential as a Plaxico Burress, who as we know has a big impact to the New York Giants. He exploded in his first game this year against North Texas with 150 yards receiving, leading his team to a 79-10 romp. Kelly is the 4^th leading receiver in Oklahoma University history.

Projected Round: 1^st Round

3. James Hardy - Indiana

Hardy, as a red-shirtted junior hauled in a team leading 79 catches, which led to 1,125 receiving yards. Even though his Hoosiers suffered going just 16-19 during his career, Hardy excelled and led his team to a winning season in 07. Look for Hardy to be an impact player in the NFL, the year of or the year after he is drafted.

Projected Round: 1^st-2^nd Round

4. Mario Manningham - Michigan

Manningham was a substantial playmaker in the Big Ten during his three years playing for the maize and blue. Manningham excelled when his team had to make do with backup QB Ryan Mallet. The 6 foot 6 receiver is just another part of the very talented, and very tall, draft class of 2008.

Projected Round: 1^st-2^nd Round

5. Early Doucet - Louisana State

The Louisiana native, Doucet was plagued by injury for small parts of his career. Doucet helped fill the empty space on the LSU depth chart when former receivers Craig Davis and Dwyane Bowe left the Tigers for the NFL. Doucet’s speed in his routes, but also knows how to plant and set good blocks. Explosive with the ball, Doucet has provided trouble for many secondaries around the NCAA.

Projected Round: 1^st-2^nd Round

6. Limas Sweed - Texas

Although Sweed missed his last seven games as a senior, he compiled just under 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in his four years as a Longhorn. Sweed underwent a successful surgery that repaired a ligament in his left wrist earlier in October. Sweed is said to be at 100% for the combine, which will be his last chance to impress the scouts who doubted him because of his injury.

Projected Round: 2^nd Round

7. Devin Thomas - Michigan State

One of the best wide receivers in the NFL Draft is Devin Thomas. Thomas was in the Top 10 WR’s in the NCAA this year in total yards. He also assembled 8 touchdowns in his junior year with the Spartans. Even with a talented quarterback in Brian Hoyer at Michigan State, Devin Thomas will do well with any quarterback of any nature.

Projected Round: 2^nd Round

Other WR’s to Look Out For

Lavellee Hawkins - California

Eddie Royal - Virginia Tech

Andre Caldwell - Florida

Phillies and Mets: Brewing Rivalry

Ben Harris — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:37:22 -0500

Just 59 days until the Phillies opener and already there is bad blood boiling between them and their division rival, the New York Mets.

Last year with just 17 games to go in the regular season, the Phillies were trailing the Mets in the NL East by seven games. The Mets squandered their hold on the NL East by ending their season 5-12.

At the beginning of the season, soon to be National League MVP, Jimmy Rollins announced to the press that, “We are the team to beat.”

Many criticized Rollins and his leadership skills, but little did anyone know the up and coming Phils were about to make an impact on the NL East.

This year, four time All-Star, Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets decided to put his team, and himself, out on a ledge. Two days ago Beltran took a shot at Rollins during a press conference.

He told the press, “This year tell Jimmy Rollins WE’RE the team to beat.”

The Mets were not the only ones having fun though. The Phillies decided to play a little prank on their third starter Kyle Kendrick. Charlie Manuel, Kyle’s agent Joe Urbon, Philadelphia Media, and Phillies players were all in on a prank in which they told Kendrick that he was being traded to the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Central League. They told him he was being traded for Kobayashi Iwamura.

Since the Met’s acquisition of star pitcher Johan Santana, the whole organization is running high. The Mets, and general manager Omar Minaya, are looking forward to what they believe is to become an incredible season.

The Mets were not the only National League East team that acquired some offseason talent. The Phillies signed out fielder Geoff Jenkins, traded for reliever Brad Lidge, and resigned key reliever J.C. Romero.

But the MVP beat Carlos Beltran to his remarks. Earlier in the offseason Rollins told reporters that the Phillies would win 100 games. Brett Myers responds to his teammate's remark, “I think he said it because he believed it. We all believe it in our minds but we’re not the outspoken types to come out and say it in the media. Jimmy is the type of guy who can do that.”

Myers is not the only Phillie that has been jawing this offseason. Reliever Tom Gordon said that he believed they were still the team to beat. But no one said it better than Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino.

“It’s gonna be fun,” said Victorino, “Put it that way, its going to be an interesting season, New York Mets 1, Philadelphia Phillies 1. Let’s get it on.”

Dwight Howard: Revitalizing the NBA Dunk Contest

Ben Harris — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:35:16 -0500

NBA All-Star Saturday Night was capped off by the Sprite Slam Dunk contest.

Many had been calling for the cancellation of the dunk contest after the past few years had changed very little.

But this year, the challenge was brought back to life by a supporting cast of Jamario Moon, Rudy Gay, returning champ Gerald Green, and Dwight Howard.

These star athletes were being judged by a star panel of their own. The judges were Karl “The Mailman” Malone, Magic Johnson, Julius “Doctor J” Erving, Darryl Dawkins, and former dunk contest champion Dominique Wilkins.

The round started off with Jamario Moon throwing down a 360 off a lob pass to himself and from that point on, the contest only got better.

Dwight Howard's dunk really set the tone for what was sure to become an incredible night of throw downs. For his first dunk, he threw the ball off of the back of the backboard and dunked it with his whole body and head behind the backboard.

Gerald Green followed up with lighting a candle on a cupcake and putting it where the backboard connects to the rim. Getting a pass from Rashad McCants, he caught the ball, blew out the candle and dunked the ball.

But Dwight Howard stole the show from there on. Scoring a 50 on every single on of his dunks from then on.

Rudy Gay’s pass off of the basket-support and Moon’s would be dunk from behind the free throw line that didn’t turn out the way he wanted started off the second round.

Green’s windmill from the pass from McCants sitting on the ladder gained him a 45 which led to Dwight’s second dunk of the night. Howard threw off his Magic jersey and put on his Superman cape to match his Superman under shirt.

Howard got so high, he did not dunk the ball, he was high enough to throw the ball through the net, and that is exactly what he did. He and Green coasted to the finals and that is where Howard would display some crazy talent.

For Green’s first dunk, he got a pass over the backboard, put it through his legs and slammed it home. To follow up that dunk, Howard lobbed the ball up to himself, tapped it off the backboard and threw it down.

And to top it all off, Howard put the NBA ball on a mini suction cup Orlando Magic hoop. He took it off the mini hoop, and threw down a sick windmill dunk.

Howard, who, if I may quote the TNT announcers, “Had the building in his hands,” rejuvenated the NBA Sprite Slam Dunk competition.

Many people including myself had complained about how the dunk contest lacked the interest that it had in previous years.

But thanks to Dwight Howard, Gerald Green, and the rest of the contestants, the NBA has something to look forward to next year in Phoenix, Arizona, the home of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Other Notes from NBA All-Star Saturday Night…

Team San Antonio, led by seven footers Tim Duncan and David Robinson and 5'7'' WNBA star Becky Hammon took home the Haier Shooting Stars trophy with a time of 35.8 seconds in the final against Team Chicago.

Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz put on a show in the Playstation Skills Challenge with a record time of 25.5 seconds. In that span, he sped through seven pylons, completed two layups/dunks, completed a chest, bounce, and outlet pass and a jump shot from the top of the key.

Williams defeated returning champ Dwyane Wade, star Chris Paul, and 35 year old Jason Kidd.

Jason Kapono tied a 22-year-old record of 25 points in the Foot Locker Three Point Shootout, winning the event for the second year in a row.

The other contestants were Daniel Gibson who knocked down 11 threes in the Rookie Challenge the night before, Rip Hamilton, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and two-time Three Point Shootout Champ Peja Stojakovic.

NBA All-Star Weekend: How Will This One End?

Ben Harris — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 07:52:33 -0500

With the NBA All-Star Game just a day away and the festivities to start tonight at 8 PM, we take a look back at last years game...and hope, key word there is hope, that we will get a pure and lively two days.

Last year they kicked off the festivities with an Elton John concert. It wasn’t quite that the concert was bad, but they rolled out a pair of inflatable breasts that were 50 feet high. That being in Vegas, I just hope they don’t roll out anything more than some local jazz band to come and play before the three-point shooting, ball handling, and slam dunking is set into motion.

Twenty All-Stars are returning from last year's 29 players in the Sunday night game. The game has changed over the years, though.

The days that were filled with selfless play, jump hooks, 6'9" point guards, and assists. Now players have one thing on their minds besides making themselves look good.

That is just one thing that is wrong today with the NBA but I wont pursue that topic today.

Anyway, we will sadly be imprinted this year with the image of Charles Barkley (43 at the time, about to turn 44) falling smack on his butt, shaking the whole city of Vegas while racing 67-year-old NBA Referee Dick Bevetta.

Bevetta also has his share of falls, diving for the line during the race, skinning his knees. Just another battle scar for the ref that had been calling charges, travels, and technical fouls since 1975.

Bevetta has not missed a game in his 33-year career (2,200+ games). Nonetheless, we should witness a great night in a city that, quite frankly needs something to be happy about…besides their Hornets, holding the best record in the West.

2008 NFL Draft Breakdown, Part 2: Running Back

Ben Harris — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:01:24 -0500

As the 2008 NFL Draft approaches, a very talented draft class has surfaced. I will do a positional breakdown of the best quarterbacks, wide receivers, tailbacks and rank my top 5 for each.

Here we go…

Running Back

1. Darren McFadden-Arkansas

The 6 foot 2 junior out of the University of Arkansas is possibly the biggest threat out of the backfield in the 2008 NFL Draft.

McFadden possesses incredible speed (4.3 40 yard dash) and weighs 215 lbs., so he can remain in the game on short yardage downs. Look for McFadden to be drafted high.

Projected Round: Top 5

2. Jonathan Stewart-Oregon

A small, quick but powerful back Jonathan Stewart would be a great fit with a team who needs a tailback.

Stewart had an spectacular junior season with the Ducks, rushing for 1,722 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Stewart showed his true colors in the Sun Bowl against 21st ranked South Florida breaking out 253 yards on the ground on just 23 carries.

Projected Round: Top 15

3. Rashard Mendenhall-Illinois

Breaking out of his shell in his junior season, Mendenhall almost quadrupled his rushing yards from the previous year and tripled his touchdowns.

He is also an accomplished route runner with 34 catches on the year for 318 yards.

Hi 200+ all purpose yards in the Rose Bowl showed he could play well in the pressure situations.

Projected Round: Top 20

4. Felix Jones-Arkansas

The second of the two star Razorback running backs, Felix Jones is an electrifying back.

Although he started three of the fourteen games his junior year, Jones made the most of his playing time with 1,162 yards last season.

Projected Round: Top 25

5. Ray Rice-Rutgers

Rice was a finalist for the Maxwell Award and is also the leading rusher in Rutgers history. Rice had a astounding 36 game career.

With a great offensive line at Rutgers, Ray Rice is one of the best players overall in the NCAA.

Projected Round: Mid-Late 1^st Round

Other RB’s to Look Out For

Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech

Chris Johnson, East Carolina

Steve Slaton, West Virginia

Jamaal Charles, Texas

Philadelphia Flyers-New Jersey Devils

Ben Harris — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:52:51 -0500

This is an intro to the Flyers-Devils game in late January that I wrote just for fun. I have a Flyers-Devils one that I am also posting. Please comment, I love hearing readers feedback. Thanks, Enjoy...

Tuesday January 22, 2008

Wachovia Center

Philadelphia, PA

Flyers vs. Devils

An old rivalry will be renewed tonight at the Wachovia Center when the Philadelphia Flyers (26-25) play host to the New Jersey Devils (27-17). The Flyers and Devils are tied for second place in the Atlantic Division, each just one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins. The winner of this contest will capture sole possession of first place in the Atlantic.

Today’s game will determine if the Flyers current steak of 10-1-1 in their last 12 games can over power their struggles in the past years with the Devils. Since the days in the 2006-07 season when Antero Nittymaki and Robert Esche switched off days defending the cage, the Flyers are a disgraceful 2-11 in the last 13 against the Devils.

The Flyers displayed just how well they have been playing by beating the best team in the East and the second best team in the whole NHL, the Ottawa Senators, two nights ago by a final tally of 6-1.

The Devils are also coming off of a recent win, Sunday night against the struggling Maple Leafs, 3-2.

The Flyers surging power play (No. 1 in the NHL) will be contested by a skilled penalty kill led by Jamie Langenbrunner, John Madden, and star defenseman Colin White. Both East Coast teams will be tested tonight when the puck is dropped, center ice, at the Wachovia Center in Philly.

Flyers-Devils: A Historic Showdown

Ben Harris — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:50:01 -0500

This is preview of the Flyers-Devils game in late January that I wrote just for the fun of it. I have a Flyers-Penguins preview that I am also posting. Please comment, I love hearing reader feedback.

Tuesday January 22, 2008

Wachovia Center

Philadelphia, PA.

Flyers vs. Devils

An old rivalry will be renewed tonight at the Wachovia Center when the Philadelphia Flyers (26-25) play host to the New Jersey Devils (27-17).

The Flyers and Devils are tied for second place in the Atlantic Division, each just one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins. The winner of this contest will capture sole possession of first place in the Atlantic.

Today’s game will test if the Flyers current streak of 10-1-1 in their last 12 games can over power their struggles in the past years with the Devils.

Since the 2006-07 season when Antero Nittymaki and Robert Esche switched off games defending the pipes, the Flyers are a disgraceful 2-11 in the last 13 against the Devils.

The Flyers displayed just how well they have been playing by beating the best team in the East and the second best team in the whole NHL, the Ottawa Senators two nights ago 6-1.

The Devils are also coming off of a recent win. Sunday night the Flyers defeated the struggling Maple Leafs 3-2. The Flyers surging power play (#1 in the NHL) will be countered by a skilled penalty kill led by Jamie Langenbrunner, John Madden, and star defenseman Colin White.

Both East Coast teams will be tested tonight when the puck is dropped at the Wachovia Center in South Philly.

Georgetown-Villanova, Tennessee-Rutgers: When Every Second Counts

Ben Harris — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:38:14 -0500

Let’s start with a look at Big East matchup of No. 6 Georgetown and the struggling Villanova Wildcats.

The Hoyas, coming off of an upset against then-unranked Louisville Cardinals, hosted the 14-8 Wildcats who shut down Roy Hibbert and Jonathan Wallace, holding the two to just 28 points combined.

However, the Hoyas could not shutdown sophomore star Scottie Reynolds who threw down 24 points along with two boards.

With less than 10 ticks on the clock, the game was tied at 53. Nova launched a desperate shot but missed the mark.

Wildcats and Hoyas were spread on the floor fighting for the ball. Finally it rolled out to Jonathan Wallace. He attempted a surge down the court on the left sideline, but was “fouled” by Corey Stokes of Villanova.

This occurred with just 0.1 seconds on the clock.

Wallace admits he thought he had stepped out of bounds and that the call would come against his team. But no, a blocking foul was called, sending the best free-throw shooter on the Georgetown squad (82.5% in his career) to the line. Wallace made both free throws and won the game for the Hoyas.

Now over to the Women’s side of things. No. 2 Tennessee played host to No. 7 Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a matchup bringing together two of the greatest coaches in women’s college hoops.

C. Vivian Stringer of Rutgers and Pat Summitt faced off in a battle of the games top 10 players. With five and a half seconds left on the clock, and Rutgers up 58-57, Candace Parker pulled down a rebound but could not score.

The ball landed in the hands of Nicky Anosike who shot the ball as she was being dragged down and the clock expired. There was initially a foul called on Rutgers, but the refs looked the play over. There had apparently been a malfunction in their clock system which stopped at 0.2 seconds for 1.3 seconds.

The refs, however, still ruled in favor of a foul and Anosike took her two foul shots. She calmly drained both free throws, giving her team the victory, 59-58.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.