2010 Stanley Cup - A Tale of Two Goaltenders

Through two games the Stanley Cup finals have proven to be anything but boring.  With a first game score of 6-5 with thought we might be in store for a flurry of goals, but the netminders stepped up in game two with a 2-1 game that featured a mere 28 seconds of goal scoring through two periods.

Even for those who follow the NHL, many would not have been able to tell you much, if anything, about the two goaltenders highlighting this series. 

Antti Niemi is only in his second year, having played in only 3 games last season and only 39 during the regular season this year.  Despite his limited experience, Niemi has started all 18 postseason games for the Blackhawks and has been nothing short of amazing.  He is 14-4 with a GAA of 2.41 and a 92% save percentage.  Admittedly he has been helped by a young yet blistering offense as he has a 4-3 record when giving up 3 or more goals.  Despite a few rough appearances, Niemi has held strong between the pipes and kept Chicago in a number of games and grabbing two shutouts along the way.

Across the ice is an equally surprising and anonymous goaltender, Michael Leighton.  Leighton has been a journeyman backup, playing for 4 teams in 5 years, this being his second stint in Philly.  Leighton started the season in Carolina and after coming back to Philly has split time with Brian Boucher.  Leighton started only 26 games this year, but has come on strong in the playoffs starting 9 games, since Boucher was injured against the Bruins.  Leighton is 6-3 with a GAA of 1.97 and a 93% save percentage.  Leighton has three shutouts in 9 games and only two bad outings (both losses).

Though Chicago holds a 2-0 lead so far in the Stanley Cup finals, there is no telling what may happen, because with such a small sample size to go off of, either one of these goalies may make or break this series.

My prediction Chicago in 6.

Sorry I've been missing...

Sorry I've been missing for the past couple weeks.  Life's been a little crazy.  New jobs for my wife and I have caused quite a change on the home front that is taking some time to get used to.  Hopefully things will settle down and get a little back to normal.  As for the blog I hope to get back to writing on the regular.  So keep checking in.

Digital Artwork (Semi-sports related)

So this will be a random posting, but I wanted to show off some random digital artwork that I've made.  It's somewhat of a side hobby that I enjoy doing.  Most of it is sports related, but a couple are random.  Almost all were requests.  Hope you enjoy. (Click on them if you want to use one as your computer background)

Kermit's Song.....Outside the Lines from ESPN

This is a story I had never heard about, but found it to be quite incredible.  It's a long read, but very well written and quite an amazing story.  Kermit's Song by Tom Friend is the story of Kermit Alexander.  The man who's tackle injured Gale Sayers ended up living the hardest life of all.  Until fate gave him one last chance at peace.

Riverside, California - The old pro could feel the earthquake 3,000 miles away. He watched the endless television reports, on two knees, wondering whether his future had suddenly become his past. He looked for familiar faces in the rubble, but ended up with a throbbing headache instead. He cringed at the thought of more funerals and woke up that first night in a sweat, flashing back to a cup of coffee that was never drunk, flashing forward to a house that never had kids. He decided there was nothing worse than an empty home. And at that moment, no home was more barren than the old pro's.
The one person who had mattered most in his life was already gone. And now it seemed as if the earth was swallowing his second family whole, five at once. He had no way of calming his mind, no way of getting real news, because the phone lines were severed. But it was his gut feeling he'd seen the last of them. Three boys and two girls -- history. He decided if they were buried alive, it would be the end of him, that he would be the first man to die twice. He figured his obituary would read: "Former NFL star, 69, dies of guilt." He figured he'd just lie down and his whole remarkable, tortured life would pass in front of his eyes. Like this ...

Read the rest of it here:  ESPN - OTL: Kermit's Song

Hey Kids....Cheaters win, not once, but twice!!!

The Associated Press announced the results of the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year re-vote today.  For those who didn't hear, they had to have a re-vote, because of the news that surfaced this past week about Brian Cushing, last year's winner.  Apparently Cushing tested positive for an illegal substance back in September of his rookie season, but because of his appeal and the process that was involved, Cushing was able to play his entire rookie season.  Cushing will now be suspended for the first four games of the coming season after losing his appeal. 

Cushing was found to have tested positive for HCG.  This is a new one to me, but apparently it is a drug one would take after taking anabolic steroids to stimulate the body's testosterone production.  See this article from ESPN for more info:  Cushing test flagged for HCG.

Based on this the AP decided that it was only fair to hold a re-vote for the award since Cushing conceivably received some sort of advantage from taking the HCG and possibly, by association, anabolic steroids.  A total of 50 members of the press have a vote in this (i.e. Chris Mortenson - ESPN and Peter King - Sports Illustrated).  Cushing received an overwhelming 39 of 50 votes on the original ballot with Jairus Byrd (6), Clay Matthews III (3), and Brian Orakpo (2) receiving the remaining votes.

Initially when I heard about this I commended the AP for holding a re-vote.  I thought it was a good opportunity to show accountability for one's mistakes to the youth of America.  I figured that with the way baseball players are vilified for taking steroids that the same would go for members of the NFL.  I was so wrong.

After the re-vote your new (and old) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is......Brian Cushing.  Though the voting was closer, Cushing still won the award by receiving 18 votes.  Byrd finished in second (13), followed by Matthews (12), Orakpo (3), and James Laurinitis (1).  Two voters abstained and one was not available.  I commend the 21 voters who changed their minds, but am stunned by the 18 who voted for a guy who broke the rules.  Did he gain an advantage from taking the drugs?  Who knows, but the fact remains that we just told America's youth that even if you cheat AND get caught, you can win not just once, but TWICE!

Dear Lebron...

Congratulations on your 2nd (back to back) MVP award.  I have to admit that I was curious what you might do this year with all the talk about this being your last season in Cleveland.  I wondered how you would handle all of the talk about you leaving and how your teammates would handle it as well.  I'm not sure you could have had a more statistically dominating season as an individual or as a team player.  You lead your team to an astounding 61-21 record (technically you didn't play in the last 4 games, all losses, so 61-17) and the Eastern regular season crown.  On top of that you were second in the league in scoring, 33rd in rebounding, and 6th in assists (29.7, 7.3, and 8.6 respectively).  As deserving as you were of this award people continue to wonder if you can lead this Cleveland team to a title.  Is the supporting cast of Mo Williams, Shaq, Antawn Jamison, J.J. Hickson, Varejao, Z, etc, etc, etc enough to help you get that elusive NBA crown?  I have to say I'm not sure you could have done much more.  The question is: Can they?  After a season like this I hope you get the title you've played so hard for, but after the season is over you will be faced with a difficult task that has been the buzz all season.  Should you stay in Cleveland or go to New York, New Jersey, or perhaps a surprise location?  NBA fans across the land are anxiously awaiting the remainder of the NBA playoffs, but there are a few fans who can't help but look beyond this year in hopes of bringing your talents to their downtrodden squads.  Let's break down what we know real quick and maybe we can venture a guess as to where you'll end up...

Cleveland:  You've taken this team to an Eastern Conference Final and lost, but now have them back in the playoffs hoping you can achieve something more. Is an NBA Championship possible?  Yes.  Is this team capable of making that run more than once?  Maybe.  Mo Williams is a legit PG, J.J. Hickson is budding young star, and there is good helpers in Jamison and West.  The question is the big men.  Shaq is aging and Z is always a health risk.  Maybe the draft can provide help here, because I don't think Cleveland has the money to go after one of the better big men and pay you.

New York:  The Knicks are a joke, but they play in MSG, a basketball mecca.  Could you pass up the opportunity to play in the biggest market AND at the same time resurrecting one of the most famous arenas of all time?  New York offers budding young stars in Danilo Gallinari and David Lee (if they resign him).  Head coach Mike D'Antoni is also believed to be as well respected a coach as there is among his piers and players from Team USA (a team you played on).  New York also has big money.  Maybe even big enough for two max contracts.  So could your signing bring in D-Wade or Chris Bosh as help?  That's is quite possible.  Would that be enough to bring NY a title?  Do they need more depth?  Could they afford it with two max contracts?

New Jersey:  Some may look at this and laugh, but if you look closer it is possibly the best choice of all.  How?  Let's see.  NJ offers the possibility to play for a new billionaire owner that will want to make something special out of his $700 million investment.  Also one of your good friends, Jay-Z, is a minority owner of the club already.  With an interim coach you could probably help choose who you would want to play for.  Admittedly, you may have to play in NJ for a year or two while the new arena is built in Brooklyn.  That may not be glamorous, but once the new arena is built you would have the chance to turn it into the new "MSG".  Why play somewhere in the shadow of greatness, when you have a chance to create a legacy of your own.  As far as help on the floor, you have an All-Star PG in Devin Harris, a future star big man in Brook Lopez, solid young depth in C.D-R, Terrance Williams, Courtney Lee, and Yi Jianlian, AND NJ may have the #1 overall pick in the draft (J. Wall) AND may have the money for another max contract player or someone in the 2nd tier of FAs.

So Lebron, the choice is yours.  We will give you a chance to enjoy your MVP award and we will watch as you try for your first NBA title, but just know that in the back of our minds we'll be wondering, in some cases dieing to know, what jersey will you be wearing next year.  Time will only tell.

Oakland Raiders draft review.....

As a Raiders fan I was particularly interested in what they had to do this past weekend.  It's been a tough couple years and, though we won't know for another 3 years, we needed to have a solid draft this year.  Most people like to just pencil in the fastest guy or the workout warrior to the Raiders and admittedly that is true more often than not.  This year though it appeared the Raiders took a more disciplined approach to the draft and went after talent where they needed it and sprinkled in some speed and potential at the right times.  So let's review the Raiders' draft.

Round 1:  Rolando McClain, ILB - Alabama
This pick is brilliant.  Though some question McClain's ability to cover the TE or a RB coming out of the backfield, McClain is an animal at ILB with his greatest strength being his ability to stop the run.  The kid is an extremely dedicated film and gym rat who understands that you can always be better, no matter how good you are already.  McClain credits Nick Saban for showing him the importance of putting in the time in the film room.  Most importantly, McClain is a vocal leader, which is something this D has needed for a long time.   
My thoughts on this pick: A+ (Best player available and position of need)

Round 2:  Lamar Houston, DT - Texas
In the second round the Raiders helped to shore up a defensive line that has struggled mightily for a long time.  Houston is a very athletic and strong DT that showed an innate ability to get after the QB this season.  He has a quick first step and excellent lateral quickness along the line, but most importantly, again, his greatest strength is stopping the run.  The Raiders have been one of the worst teams in the league against the run and clearly they have made it a point of emphasis early in this draft.
My thoughts on this pick: A (Position of need, but would Clausen or OT Charles Brown have been better value?)

Round 3:  Jared (Edwin) Veldheer, OT - Hillsdale College
This is in an interesting selection.  In the third round you can start to consider players who perhaps are a little more developmental.  You shouldn't have to count on them to be starters in year one, but due to a lack of depth at OT, Veldheer may be thrust into a starter's role early on.  Veldheer comes from a small school at a lesser division so there are questions as to how he will handle the change to this level.  He has incredible size and agility and has shown a dominance at the level he played on.  He has loads of natural ability, but needs to develop a nasty side and improve on technique to compete at the NFL level. 
My thoughts on this pick: B+ (Position of need, sleeper, but would Colt McCoy have been better value?)

Round 4:  Bruce Campbell, OT - Marland
The "Workout Warrior" has arrived.  Campbell was dubbed a lock for the Raiders' first round pick after he wowed the world at the NFL Combine.  Campbell has incredible size, strength and speed.  He is also the only 315 lb man I think you could legitimately call "cut".  The problem with Campbell is his lack of production on the field.  He has all the talent to be an elite OT at the NFL level, but has poor technique and hasn't fully translate the "workout" to the field.  Campbell is a project, but that's what 4th rounders are for.  With the proper teaching Campbell has the ability to become an elite OG or OT in the NFL.  With this pick time will tell the tale. 
My thoughts on this pick: A (Position of need, incredible potential, but is back-to-back OTs the best strategy?)

Round 4 (via trade):  Jacoby Ford, WR/KR/PR - Clemson
Speed. Speed. Speed.  Al Davis loves speed and he is certainly getting that in Ford.  Ford was far and away the fastest player at the combine, posting an astonishing 4.28 40 time.  There are questions about Ford's ability to translate that speed to the field as well as his hands, but Ford makes this team as a return man and can develop as a receiver.  Ford was overshadowed at Clemson by Spiller, but is an excellent return man in his own right.  His top end speed is undeniable, but he is shifty too and has a knack for making people miss.  The Raiders have had trouble in this area, as evidenced by their revolving door return men last year.  Ford may be a bit of a project at receiver, but he makes the return game for Oakland a legitimate threat from Day 1.   
My thoughts on this pick: B+ (Position of need, one of the best available return men in draft, but would a QB or CB be better choice here?)

Round 5:  Walter McFadden, CB - Auburn
Cable was quoted as being surprised and thrilled to find McFadden at this point in the draft.  Clearly he was high on their radar and may have been the reason they held off on a CB selection until the 5th round.  McFadden is undersized, but has great fluidity in his hips and excellent speed.  McFadden was timed at his Pro Day around 4.38 and had a vertical leap of 35.5 inches.  He is an excellent athlete and could develop into a solid nickle corner in the NFL. 
My thoughts on this pick: B (Position of need, good depth player with potential, but could DT Cam Thomas and OG Mitch Petrus have been better value?)

Round 6:  Travis Goethel, ILB - Arizona State
Goethel plays with a high motor and shows potential as a solid special teams player that could develop into good ILB depth.  The sixth round is a round where you look for special teams depth and sleepers.  Goethel will need to show an ability to shine on special teams to make this squad. 
My thoughts on this pick: ? (Special teams guy, but would QB Tony Pike or C Ted Larsen have been worth a look here?)

Round 7:  Jeremy Ware, CB - Michigan State
Ware is another player that will have show an ability to shine on special teams.  Thanks to his excellent top end speed he will likely get a long look in Oakland.  Though he is undersized, he excels in man to man coverage and has good tackling ability.  His 4.3 40 time at his Pro Day also couldn't have hurt in the eyes of Al Davis.   
My thoughts on this pick: ? (Special teams guy, man to man coverage experience helps, but would OLB Dekoda Watson, DE George Selvie, or QB Zac Robinson been worth a look?)

Round 7 (compensatory pick):  Stevie Brown, S - Michigan
Brown has experience at Safety and LB which gives him value as a player with versatility.  His strength is as a run stuffer, so he will likely get a look as a situational guy for Oakland as they try to improve their run defense.  He will likely need to show some skills as a special teamer to make the squad. 
My thoughts on this pick: ? (Special teams guy, but should we have looked at DT Vince Oghobaase, C Jeff Byers, or OG Brandon Carter?)

Trades:  Added Jason Campbell, Lost Kirk Morrison
Morrison was the teams leading tackler the last 5 years in a row, but too many of them took place down field after the player had been missed.  Morrison has good speed and solid coverage ability, but has shown to be a liability at time against the run.  Perhaps with a better D-line in front of him he could have been better, but with the addition of McClain this is a loss the team can absorb.

Campbell is definitely an interesting addition.  We can't help but look at this addition as a signal of the end of Jamarcus Russell's time with the Raiders, which by itself makes this a good pick up.  Campbell is not an elite NFL QB at this time in his career.  Can he develop into that?  Some think it is within the realm of possibility.  Campbell has posted solid numbers behind a weak O-line throughout his career in Washington AND he has not had the same Offensive Coordinator for more than one season during that same time span.  Now I understand that trend will continue when he arrives in Oakland, but a fresh start and some young and very talented skill players may be exactly what Campbell needs to turn into a solid QB.  No matter what happens here, Campbell gives the Raiders a viable option at QB.  Something that has been missing for a long time.

My thoughts on the trades: B+

My NFL Mock Draft....

Well with one of the biggest non-sporting events involving sports about to descend upon us, I've decided to throw my hat in the giant ring that is Mock Drafting.  Right off I won't claim to be as knowledgeable as say, Todd McShay, or have the ginormous hair, ala Mel Kiper, but I follow enough of the NFL and NCAA to think that I might be able to make a run at respectable.  So without further ado here we go:

1. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford, QB - Oklahoma
- At this point it is all but an foregone conclusion that Bradford will be selected #1 overall.  The interested subplot that has been rumored is whether it will be the Rams who draft him or someone else who puts together a package to trade up.

2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh, DT - Nebraska
- Again we find ourselves wondering if the Lions will be the ones to pick in the #2 slot, as they have been rumored to be shopping this pick as well.  Either way I would be stunned if the "the boy named Suh" drops past #2.
 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy, DT - Oklahoma
- Is there a position Tampa doesn't need help at?  McCoy is the perfect 3-technique DT for the "Tampa Two" Defense and is worth the #3 pick overall.
 

4. Washington Redskins - Russell Okung, OT - Oklahoma State
- After a huge trade this offseason for Donovan McNabb, it only makes sense that Coach Shanahan drafts the top OT in the draft to protect McNabb's backside and Shanahan's investment.
 

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Berry, S - Tennessee
- Some may say this is too high to draft a Safety, but with comparisons to Ed Reed I think he is worth the risk.  Reed was selected at #24, but if you asked Baltimore if they would have taken him #3 in that draft I imagine they wouldn't hesitate for a second.

6. Seattle Seahawks - C.J. Spiller, RB - Clemson
- Can you say Reggie Bush 2.0?  I guarantee you that Pete Carroll can.  Do they have bigger needs than RB?  You bet they do.  Can Carroll resist the possibility of utilizing Spiller like he did with Bush?  No chance.

7. Cleveland Browns - Trent Williams, OT - Oklahoma
- Cleveland takes a long hard look at Dez Bryant, but decides that games are won in the trenches and that solid receivers can be had in later rounds.  Williams has been flying up draft boards and could easily supplant Okung as top OT selected.

8. Oakland Raiders - Mike Iupati, OG/OT - Idaho
- Al Davis strikes again.  Or does he.  Iupati has been raved about since the draft talk has begun.  Perhaps the Raiders select him a little high for where he is being projected, but if he's who they want what does it matter.  Plus Cable may not be able to contain himself when given the chance to select a fellow Vandal.

9. Buffalo Bills - Bryan Bulaga, OT - Iowa
- The Bills jump all over Bulaga  at #9.  Expected to be gone by now (Oakland afraid to draft another Iowa OT?) Buffalo decides to anchor their line in hopes they can keep their QB upright, whomever that may end up being.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars - Earl Thomas, S - Texas
- Despite the sting of the recent first round safety "miss" with Reggie Nelson, the Jaguars find themselves staring at a player who is considered a far better "football player" then Nelson and they fill a glaring need in the secondary.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) - Rolando Mclain, ILB - Alabama
- Denver's young defense gets a serious boost here as they move to the 3-4.  Mclain may be going off the board a little high here, but Denver is getting a very good player and unless Pioli out thinks himself this is the logical choice.

12. Miami Dolphins - Dan Williams, NT - Tennessee
- Miami has a desperate need for pressure up from on the defensive side of the ball and Williams can give them just that.  The only 3-4 NT with a first round grade in this draft, the Dolphins are glad to see him available at #12.

13. San Francisco 49ers -  Joe Haden, CB - Florida
- A guy who at one point was projected as a top-10 lock falls to a 49ers team in desperate need for help at CB.  Haden's stock has fallen as of late due to questions about his speed, but thanks to a solid pro day the 49ers feel comfortable getting the top CB in the draft at #13.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) - Anthony Davis, OT - Rutgers
- With the offseason trade for Whitehurst at QB and Spiller earlier this round it is clear that Pete Carroll is out to improve this offense and what better way to do so then to add a potential Pro Bowl left tackle in Anthony Davis.  Whitehurst will need someone to watch his back and Davis is an excellent selection.

15. New York Giants - Derrick Morgan, DE - Georgia Tech
- With the potential for a draft day trade of Osi Umenyiora and Rolando Mclain off the board this has to be the pick for NY.  Morgan brings a hard nosed approach that will fit in perfectly with Coghlan's coaching style.
 

16. Tennessee Titans - Jason Pierre-Paul, DE - South Florida
- JPP fits exactly what the Titans need and for him to be available at #16 the Titan have to be thrilled.  He reminds Jeff Fisher of Jevon Kearse far too much for them to pass on him.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) - Jimmy Clauson, QB - Notre Dame
- The time has finally come for the Golden Domer to come off the board.  After a nearly Brady Quinn-esque fall the 49ers reach to add yet another 1st round QB to their roster.  Though Alex Smith showed signs of life last season I think they won't pass up the second best QB in the draft.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers - Maurkice Pouncey, OG/C - Florida
- This is a perfect fit.  The Steelers want to get back to being a power running team and now need to be a run first team (thanks to Big Ben's little Ben getting him in trouble).  Pouncey is the perfect man for the job.  He is a load in the middle and can play any of the three interior positions.

19. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Graham, DE - Michigan
- Graham is the pass rusher Atlanta has been waiting for and on top of that he has good range against the run and is very technically sound when it comes to tackling.  Has experience at OLB and DE, but will line up with a hand in the dirt in Atlanta.

20. Houston Texans - Kyle Wilson, CB - Boise State
-Though they would have liked to see Haden still available, the Texans jump at the opportunity to add a player like Wilson.  He fills an immediate need with the loss of Dunta Robinson this offseason and has the build, strength, and skill set to step in as a man-to-man CB from the get go.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Dez Bryant, WR - Oklahoma State
- The Bengals have shown in the past a willingness to overlook character concerns, especially at the WR position, and can't pass up a top-10 talent here at the #21 spot.  Plus the idea of lining up Bryant and Ocho-Cinco together gives Palmer some needed help.
 

22. New England Patriots - Jerry Hughes, OLB/DE - TCU
- The Pats desperately need help at OLB and Hughes is just the man for the job.  A premier pass rusher with solid discipline, a high motor, and the smarts to be a Belichick type player.

23. Green Bay Packers - Kareem Jackson, CB - Alabama
- Al Harris and Charles Woodson are both entering their 14th year in the league.  This is a duo that is bound to call it quits soon and Green Bay takes one of the best players available to help prepare for that need.

24. Philadelphia Eagles - Everson Griffen, DE -USC
- A solid pass rusher who can get the job done against the run, provides the Eagles with a very dangerous combo of Trent Cole and Everson Griffen. 

25. Baltimore Ravens - Demaryius Thomas, WR - Georgia Tech
- I'm well aware of the Ravens offseason signings of Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth, but Thomas is too good to pass up at #25 and gives them outstanding depth at WR to help their budding star Joe Flacco.
 

26. Arizona Cardinals - Sergio Kindle, OLB - Texas
- Arizona's need for help at all the LB'er positions makes this an easy selection.  Kindle is an excellent pass rusher and a very solid tackler.

27. Dallas Cowboys - Taylor Mays, S - USC
- Jerry Jones is a little old school like Al Davis and can fall in love with a guy with the right size and speed combination.  Safety and OT are needs for Dallas, but there aren't any OTs available here worth the pick.
 

28. San Diego Chargers - Ryan Matthews, RB - Fresno State
- The perfect compliment to Darren Sproles.  Matthews gives them the powerful between the tackles runner they need to compliment Sproles.  Matthews also has tackle breaking strength and sub-4.5 speed to get loose when the opportunity presents itself.
 

29. New York Jets - Jared Odrick, DT - Penn State
- The Jets d-line is getting old and could use an infusion of young talent.  Odrick's relentless motor fits in perfectly with Rex Ryan and his desire to get after the QB.  His versatility also allows him to line up along the line in a rotational role early on.

30. Minnesota Vikings - Devin McCourty, CB - Rutgers
- McCourty may be a bit of reach at this point, but the Vikings are in desperate need of help at the CB position and McCourty is the best available.  He should be able to provide help on special teams immediately and by midseason could work his way into a starting role at CB.

31. Indianapolis Colts - Charles Brown, OT - USC
- The Colts are in need of some help at the OT position.  There is little depth on their roster and Tony Ugoh has shown durability concerns early in his career.  Brown gives them needed depth and is potential starter this year or next.

32. New Orleans Saints - Sean Weatherspoon, OLB - Missouri
- With the loss of Scott Fujita, the Saints look to add this tackling machine.  Weatherspoon has excellent value at the end of the 1st round and will provide leadership as well as the ability to provide support against the pass and run.

So there you have it.  My Mock Draft.  I feel pretty confident that I got at least one right.  We'll see tomorrow how I stacked up against the minds running the NFL war rooms.