Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17892609#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
Monday 30 April 2012
US spending rises 0.3% in March
US consumer data shows that spending rose 0.3% and personal income increased 0.4% during March - another sign of recovery for the US economy.
Lopez Lomong celebrates 5000m win a lap before winning race, still wins
[Related: Olympic mascots through the years]
With two laps to go, Lomong accelerated and broke away from the pack of runners. He easily outpaced them, and with one lap to go, slowed down to celebrate. The crowd at Stanford and track officials waved frantically for Lomong to keep going. He took off, and still easily won the race with a time of 13:11.63, plus earned the Olympic A standard qualifying time.
He was surprised by the mishap.
"When somebody said you got one more lap to go, I was like, huh?" Lomong told Race Results Weekly.
It happens, Lopez. Much better that this happens before the Olympics, right?
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Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Epic
- Director: Bill Dicicco
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=208381
Stolen babies case haunts Spain
Sister Maria Gomez is an 87-year-old Catholic nun. This month, she appeared in a Spanish court escorted by police. She is accused of snatching an infant from her birth mother and putting the child up for an illegal adoption in 1982.
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_world/~3/YWOQu0Revus/index.html
Clippers rally from 27 down, stun Grizzlies 99-98 (Yahoo! Sports)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Chris Paul begged coach Vinny Del Negro to put him back into the game for the fourth quarter and not give up despite being down 21 points.
Sunday 29 April 2012
Rap song ad: Cool or offensive?
Jay-Z and Kanye West's recent hit "Niggas in Paris" is about them. They rap about being so phenomenally rich, about how they "ball so hard," buy Rolexes and cars, pop gold bottles with models in Paris nightclubs, that the rest of us slobs couldn't fathom their lives.
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_world/~3/_ZUTQskDv94/index.html
NBA schedule probably not to blame for Rose injury (Yahoo! Sports)
The NBA's compressed schedule, with 66 games in four months followed by one day off before the playoffs, was tough on everyone.
Jacksonville Jaguars move up with trade, take Justin Blackmon
Here's what our scouting reports had to say about Blaine Gabbert's newest target:
Blackmon is the Andrew Luck of wide receivers in many ways. He entered the 2011 season one of the top receiving prospects in the nation and was considered a top five draft selection as of January, when actual football games ceased. Then, the fine tooth combs came out, and we all noticed that Blackmon is a little short, does not have DeSean Jackson speed, and was helped more than a little by his system. Meanwhile, Michael Floyd and Kendall Wright became more fashionable prospects. "Is Floyd better than Blackmon" became a meme in the draft under-net a few weeks ago, just as "Luck versus RGIII" was a ready source of cash for many of us (including me!) in March. In some cases, constructive Blackmon criticism snowballed into something approaching Blackmon-bashing: it's okay to like Floyd or Wright better, but if you don't see a high first round pick here, then you don't know what a high first round pick looks like.
After all of the micro-scrutiny of Blackmon, you come away with tons of high-level production, lots of big plays, even more routine plays, and a prospect whose hands, ability to work the middle, and explosiveness after the catch cannot be questioned. Floyd is bigger and stronger, but he has bigger character questions, and Blackmon is faster, no matter what the stopwatches say. Both are top-15 picks, both can be go-to receivers.
Re: http://www.mrpaparazzi.com/post/18919
So do you lovely, as your always peeping, lol What's up? Because its not about Peter? You have nothing to say?
Source: http://www.mrpaparazzi.com/post/18919#comment-513558958
Seattle Seahawks take Bruce Irvin in NFL draft?s first stunner
Five years ago, Bruce Irvin was arrested for breaking into a drug dealer's house and spent two weeks in prison. Last month, he was accused of knocking over a magnetic sign that was sitting atop a Pita Pit delivery car and was arrested again. On Thursday night, he became a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
The Seattle Seahawks sprung the first major surprise of 2012 when they selected the West Virginia linebacker with the No. 15 pick. No major mock draft -- Shutdown Corner, Sports Illustrated, Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock -- had Irvin going in the first round, let alone in the top half of it. Most scouts pegged him near No. 50 in their rankings.
[Yahoo! Sports Shop: Buy NFL player T-shirts and team gear]
Irvin earned a GED after his first arrest and ended up playing in Morgantown, where he became a fan favorite after racking up more than 40 sacks in his three seasons. He's a pure pass rusher in a draft devoid of them. Without those red flags, he wouldn't have been such a question mark.
Earlier this month, Yahoo! Sports' Les Carpenter wrote a fantastic article on Irvin's checkered past and bright future.
[Slideshow: Check out the first-round picks of the NFL draft]
It begins:
Bruce Irvin stood in a drug dealer's house, his gun tucked away, searching for money. It never occurred to him that this might not be the best idea; that somebody might be home, that he might even get shot. In his mind he thought only one thing: "I'm going to get paid."
This is what Irvin's life had come to since dropping out of high school, when things started to go wrong and his mother threw him out of her home. By the end of the night he would be in jail, and it appeared likely he would be headed there again, or prison or something worse.
Few expected Bruce Irvin to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft. Then again, few expected Bruce Irvin to do much with his life. Defying the odds is becoming a habit.
Related video on Yahoo! Sports:
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Re: http://www.mrpaparazzi.com/post/18894
He?s only just returned from three months in the US trying to break Hollywood but alre
Source: http://www.mrpaparazzi.com/post/18894#comment-512811955
Saturday 28 April 2012
NOT A DRILL: Bryce Harper to make MLB debut on Saturday
Repeat: This is *NOT* a drill. This is an actual fantasy event. You are expected to react, fantasy owner.
The Washington Nationals have announced that 19-year-old Bryce Harper, the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft, will be promoted from Triple-A Syracuse. He'll make his big league debut at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, facing Chad Billingsley.
This was surely not the original plan for Harper, but Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) is about to hit the disabled list, so the Nats are in search of offense. Michael Morse is also on the DL, Mark DeRosa has been a mess, and Roger Bernadina is still Roger Bernadina. Thus, the Harper call-up. He's barely treading water at Triple-A right now (.250/.333/.375, HR, SB), although we should note that he's 9-for-31 over his last 10 games. Harper's power potential is well-documented, but he offers decent speed as well. He swiped 26 bags across two minor league levels last season.
Of course you should absolutely not expect a 19-year-old to carry your fantasy team, or even perform like a replacement-level mixed league outfielder. It's rare for any player to reach the majors before his 20th birthday. Don't do anything irresponsible here ? no insane drops, please ? and let's try to keep the expectations reasonable. Harper should play every day in the near term, so that's something. You have to give him at least a puncher's chance. Back in February, we offered Ken Griffey Jr.'s age-19 stat line as a point of comparison (61-16-61-16-.264); if Harper can approach those numbers, everyone should be impressed.
The right play here is to take advantage of the call-up buzz, adding Harper wherever you can and placing him immediately on the trade block. If you can sell the brand-name and fill a need, great. Harper is available in over 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues as of this moment, but he'll be flying off the shelves throughout the weekend. Make your move.
Ball Don?t Lie?s playoff predictions: Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
The 66-game regular season, mercifully, is over. The NBA jam-packed 66 games into a space where 50 usually went, and the result was a strange five-month run that had us talking about rested legs and oddball rotations more than we spoke of learning and growing and all that typically mindful stuff that comes to our heads when discussing the NBA. The playoffs start on Saturday, though, and the brains behind Ball Don't Lie are ready to break down the first round matchups.
[Related: Yahoo! Sports' predictions for the 2012 NBA playoffs]
We continue with the Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
***
From your pal, Kelly Dwyer
Hey. It's Kelly. That wasn't fun, was it? The silly lockout, the terrible season, the Dwight Howard. It's OK, though. It's over now. That is a bird chirping in the distance, I made a pretty good sandwich for your lunch and we don't have anything to do when you get home from work but watch a series of basketball games played by players that are rested, well-instructed, and mindful of what town they're in.
You're going to feel better, now. Your pal insists on it.
Well, fine. If noted Knick fan and fanciful Ball Don't Lie associate editor Dan Devine wants to act like an honorary Chicagoan, and tell you that his hometown (until October, at least) club doesn't stand a chance against the Miami Heat, he's well within his rights to. I am a Chicagoan, and though I dislike using the word "hate" around you, my pals, I have reserved some enmity for the New York Knicks in my time spent as a basketball fan. For so long, and so deep into my childhood, that Bob Hill's image never recovered in my eyes.
But we're friends, now. The regular season is over, and I'm here to be your pal. And I'm also here to tell you that the New York Knicks, all sturdy with that defensive mindset and Tyson Chandler skulking around the paint in a surgical mask so as not to infect Norris Cole, could make a go of this. I understand the Heat ably held off the Knicks in New York a couple of weeks ago, but Madison Square Garden in early May is an entirely different beast altogether. Maybe it's just that organ, which frightened many a May of this Bulls fan growing up. Geez, my birthday is in May. Thanks a lot, Knicks.
The Heat, and we apologize that your pal is turning into a downer, aren't exactly the type to finish a team off when it's down. I absolutely believe the Knicks, and that defense, can work wonders in a big win in New York in Game 3, possibly Game 4, or at the very least a back-to-the-wall Game 5 in Miami if the Heat take an advantageous 3-1 lead in Game 4.
[Video: Yahoo! Sports NBA championship predictions]
Because you can discredit Carmelo Anthony, Mike Woodson, and the Knick organization all you'd like to ? we've certainly filled these pages with plenty of that over the years. �Anthony's up and down play this year is a little distasteful, and the Knicks' ownership group is a whole lot of distasteful.
They can also, Tyson Chandler's health-willing (he's likely to miss Game 1 with the flu), really defend. And the Heat, even 18 months after the team's first in-season introduction, still don't like to be pushed around. If you have size and toughness and an attitude, you can get to them. You also have to utilize sprightly legs, which the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls absolutely could not last season.
The Knicks have those legs. And I think my prediction has legs. And while I wouldn't want to use my legs in an attempt to out-pace the great Dan Devine, I think the Knicks will be around for a little while. Just a little while longer, pals.
Miami in six.
***
'Deep Thoughts' and Cheap Thoughts with Dan Devine
For every postseason matchup, Ball Don't Lie's resident dummy will offer a topically appropriate entry from the best-selling series of "Deep Thoughts" books written by legendary humorist Jack Handey, plus some of his own original thoughts on the playoff series. The combination will cost you literally nothing; we suggest you use the savings to purchase one of Mr. Handey's life-changing books.
No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 7 New York Knicks
"Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here, looking through your stuff."
The first time the Heat and Knicks played, Carmelo Anthony was hurt, New York starting point guard Toney Douglas missed 12 of 18 shots and Bill Walker scored 21 points off the bench. The Knicks lost by 10.
The second time the Heat and Knicks played, Carmelo Anthony played badly, New York starting point guard Jeremy Lin missed 10 of 11 shots and J.R. Smith scored 14 points off the bench. The Knicks lost by 14.
The third time the Heat and Knicks played, Carmelo Anthony played great, New York starting point guard Baron Davis missed five of six shots and J.R. Smith scored 16 points off the bench. The Knicks lost by eight.
In those three games, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade scored a combined 158 points. With the exception of some harassment of Wade by rookie guard Iman Shumpert, when they were stopped, it was largely their own doing.
I'm supposed to believe things will be different in the playoffs ? why, exactly?
Because Amar'e Stoudemire looked good against the Atlanta Hawks playing a five-spot he won't regularly inhabit because Tyson Chandler's going to be there? Because the Knicks hit 35 percent of their 3-pointers in April, up from their 33.6 percent season average? Because J.R. Smith is going to shoot the Knicks into a win like he did the Nuggets back in Game 5 of 2010? Because even if Anthony, Stoudemire and Chandler can show the capacity to successfully coexist on the offensive end without choking the life out of each other's space, the two best players in the series ? hell, in the conference ? don't still reside on the other team?
If you say so, (fellow) Knicks fans. Go ahead and keep pondering a world in which this outcome could be something more beautiful. I'm gonna go raid your fridge.
PREDICTION: Heat in four.
***
Five Predictions for Miami vs. New York, From the Sensible Eric Freeman
1. Carmelo Anthony will have one incredible game in which the Knicks fall short anyway.
2. LeBron James will not perform especially well in the fourth quarter, but it won't matter because the Heat will be in control regardless.
3. Dwyane Wade will be the best player in the series.
4. Mike D'Antoni will cackle from his couch.
5. Heat in five.
Related NBA playoffs video on Yahoo! Sports
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Israeli shooter uses web to finance bid (Yahoo! Sports)
For more than seven hours a day, Sergey Richter stares through a sight and repeatedly fires bullets into bulls-eyes far in the distance. He's also been taking aim at a target far more difficult: raising enough money to compete in the Olympics. Richter is among the top sharpshooters in the world and one of Israel's best hopes for a medal in London.
St. Louis Rams take Michael Brockers
After trading down twice, the St. Louis Rams finally took a player. They used the 13th pick to take Michael Brockers, a defensive tackle from LSU. Here's what our reports had to say about the latest Ram:
The buzzword for Brockers is "upside."� Cox is more polished. Dontari Poe is stronger. Brandon Thompson is better at his specific task in the middle. Brockers is more of a natural athlete than any of them. The Cowboys love to develop specimens, which is why they are taking a long look at Brockers. Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn loves to coach-up raw talent, so it was natural for the Eagles to give Brockers some extra attention.
Brockers must start his career as a wave lineman. Any team that tries to insert him in the lineup for 60 snaps will be disappointed. He fits best as a passing-down tackle or 3-4 end as a rookie: he can use his speed to be disruptive while the rest of his game develops. Given time, and sound coaching, Brockers will develop into either a quick 4-3 tackle or the kind of 3-4 end who wins enough battles to not just occupy blocks, but record a few sacks of his own.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/st-louis-rams-michael-brockers-013153899.html
Court: Taylor guilty of aiding rebels
An international tribunal found former Liberian President Charles Taylor guilty of aiding and abetting rebels who raped, killed and mutilated civilians in neighboring Sierra Leone, the first verdict against an African head of state in a world court.
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_world/~3/Y1sY9UFP71A/index.html
Bo's son says he's no 'party boy'
Bo Guagua, the son of embattled Chinese Communist cadre Bo Xilai, has issued a statement defending his actions and his academic record following allegations his college "party boy" image had contributed to his father's fall from grace.
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_world/~3/Z3zS4Fzz0gA/index.html
Friday 27 April 2012
WSBK: McCormick Recovering & Likely Out 2-3 Months
Effenbery-Liberty Racing has released an update on the status of Brett McCormick, saying that the Canadian rider is still hospitalized in Assen, but should have no lasting effects from the injuries he sustained during World Superbike racing in Holland. Confirming that McCormick has fractured his 5th & 6th cervical vertebra, doctors in The Netherlands have also found that McCormick has a lumbar fracture, which means he will have to wear a collar and back brace ...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/MAxu1eRFVLE/
Robert Griffin III wore inspirational burgundy and gold striped socks to the NFL draft
We've known who's going to be the first two picks of the NFL draft for weeks and we found out that Trent Richardson will be the No. 3 pick an hour before Roger Goodell took the podium. The only mystery of the first 30 minutes of the 2012 draft was which socks Robert Griffin III would wear.
[Slideshow: The 2012 NFL draft's best and worst dressed]
The Baylor quarterback wore Superman socks to pick up his Heisman trophy, rocks Barney socks with the flourish of a pre-schooler and had on Subway socks earlier this week at an event in New York City. What special footwear did he have on for his first date with the Washington Redskins?
Burgundy and gold socks, of course.
Do Redskins colors clash with RGIII's baby blue suit? A better question would be: Does anyone in DC care? Griffin could have shown up in Dallas Cowboys socks and I doubt it would have affected his newlywed love affair with the District.
The socks were emblazoned with a saying from RGIII's Baylor coach, Art Briles.
More appropriate for a wide receiver, perhaps. �Still pretty awesome.
[Yahoo! Sports Shop: Buy NFL player T-shirts and team gear]
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Could Beirut become a garden city?
The legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon are the inspiration behind an ambitious plan to grow a rooftop forest high above Beirut's crowded streets.
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_world/~3/2O4rbjRVowU/index.html
NFL Draft 2012 Live Chat
Please join us tonight as we watch the NFL Draft and beat into the ground every single bit of minutia �surrounding it, including the differences between Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin the III, the merits of ESPN's coverage vs. the NFL Network's, and what type of tooth whitener Suzy Kolber uses.
We'll get it started at about 7:45. We'd love to have you. I'd love to have you. I ... I love you. I miss you so damn much.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-2012-live-chat-233215423.html
Now's 50 biggest talent show scandals EVER!
Drugs! Nervous breakdowns! Fixing scandals! Proceed at your own risk...
 |  |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NEWS_CELEBRITYNEWS/~3/GvUTTi09JLg/story01.htm
Jimmy Fallon: 11 Impersonations in 3 Minutes in 'SNL' Audition Tape
See the act that made Fallon a star.
Source: http://feeds.hollywood.com/~r/hollywoodcom_recent_news/~3/6tsU3QSecB8/25430291
Thursday 26 April 2012
Trent Richardson is merely ?ordinary,? according to Jim Brown
Via Pro Football Talk, Brown talked about the possibility of his old team, the Cleveland Browns, drafting the Alabama product.
"I'm not overwhelmed with it," Brown said of the idea that the Browns could take Richardson. "The problem is that he's ordinary. I think he's ordinary."
Asked what about him is ordinary, Brown said, "the size, the speed, his moves."
This is not the commonly held opinion on Richardson. Our own Mike Tanier, detailing Richardson's abilities in The Shutdown 50, calls Richardson "a great player" and says he's "a cut above the typical running back." Bill Polian, former general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, says Richardson might be the best player in the draft. Greg Cosell has Richardson ranked as the best player in this draft class and the best running back to come into the league since Adrian Peterson in 2007.
If Richardson does end up in Cleveland, the first thing he's going to have to do is prove Jim Brown wrong. That's not always a tremendous ticket to popularity in the city of Cleveland, but in this case, I don't think they'll mind.
The Shutdown 50 ? #6: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
With the 2011 NFL season in the books, it's time to turn our eyes to the NFL draft, and the pre-draft evaluation process. Right up to the draft, we'll be taking a closer look at the 50 players who may be the biggest NFL difference-makers when all is said and done.
We continue this year's series with South Carolina outside linebacker/defensive end Melvin Ingram, who may have you wishing he was attached to a GPS when you're watching his game tape. The 6-foot-2, 264-pound Ingram plays all over the place, and at such a high level, you may wonder if there isn't more than one guy on the field wearing number 6 for the Gamecocks. In addition to his consistent excellence as a pure pass-rusher (18 solo sacks and 24 solo tackles for loss In his collegiate career), Ingram is a great run defender, grades highly as a space defender, and even played on the "hands" team. He dropped 15 pounds in time for the scouting combine to better show his ability to play various linebacker roles, which could have him coming even faster to the quarterback at the next level.
You'll hear various things about Ingram that may have you thinking that he's more of a rotational defender, thus presenting lower overall draft value. But more than any player in this draft class, the common complaints can be eradicated by even a cursory look at the game tape. Short arms? Check the tape, and see how he compensates. One-year starter? Watch the tape, and see him explode off of either end and inside in multiple formations in more than one season. Some teams may not see him as an ideal fit, based on their own physical requirements or schematic constraints. Watch the tape and see elements that would help any defense, no matter the playbook.
Watch the tape. It's as simple as that. And when you're done, you may see Ingram as the cornerstone of an NFL defense. The evidence is easy to spot.
Pros: Ingram's primary attribute -- and the thing that shows on tape, over and over, to a ridiculous degree -- is his functional versatility. You'll see other defensive players move all over a front and get washed out in different places, but Ingram makes plays in places you wouldn't expect of a man his size. He's obviously freakishly dynamic as an outside linebacker or pass-rushing end, but he has the physical presence, upper-body strength, and array of moves to impact an offense as a 3-tech defensive tackle and occasionally inside at nose. I have seen him split center/guard double-teams, which was kind of nuts for a 270-pound man to do.
Outside, he commands a double team of some sort on nearly every play, and he quickly knifes through most of them. Has an amazing sense of the field -- even when blocked out by a big man, will understand when to turn and run to catch up to a ball-carrier. Approaches the open field as a running back would; he's quick to the target, and he will display impressive lateral moves to keep up with shifty backs. Uses angles very well to close in on a target from any direction. Hard to get past him on the sideline because he closes so well. Always looking to affect a play -- you simply don't see Ingram stop as long as somebody's running with the ball. Had two interceptions in 2011.
Ingram's hands are his secret weapons -- he has a football version of the "one-inch punch" Bruce Lee used to use to send unfortunate colleagues flying through the air. When he makes initial contact, he can rock a blocker back and use his speed to shoot around. Has a dominant spin move that few offensive lineman can counter. As a stand-up 'backer at the line or in a SAM position, he shows good instincts in intermediate pass coverage and run reads. Fires off the ball with his hand down -- he doesn't flash more one way or the other. Has the directional quickness to be an asset in short and intermediate pass coverage.
Cons: Ingram's most-discussed ding, the dreaded "short-arm syndrome," does show up on tape. It's good that he uses his hands as well as he does, because it's tough for him to get the first punch in with his arms extended. And if the blocker gets the first move on him and extends his arms, Ingram can't always push back and win leverage wars. His closing speed and correctness is another excellent adaptive trait, and it makes up for that that Ingram will miss running backs out of his perimeter that longer defenders will be able to take down.
Rip moves are sometimes a problem for him, and he doesn't often do what a lot of longer defenders can do, which is to reach beyond a block and still make a play. He's a shorter-area player, but as mentioned, he's learned to compensate in many ways. Excellent form tackler, but ballcarriers will wrestle away from him at times.
Conclusion: Ingram can be found in different mock drafts -- and probably most actual draft boards -- from the end of the top 10 to the end of the teens, and it just depends how you feel about a player with one obvious physical deficit that seems like a bigger issue than it actually is. Teams that are building their defenses with size as the main priority will shy away from Ingram, and they may very well regret it when he's beating the crap out of their quarterbacks for the next decade. For teams in need of versatile players who do many things very well, Ingram will be of more interest. I would think that any defensive coordinator with a preference for multiple fronts would love to have him in the palette.
Make no mistake; Ingram is not just a situational guy. He is a primary color in a defense. He's red or blue-- the color you use as the main focus and mix with other personnel aspects to fill out the canvas.
Right now, he could start or rotate for any team as an edge-rusher -- the speed off the edge is Freeney-esque, and he faced and beat enough double teams to ease any worry about how he'll fare against better, stronger blockers in the NFL. Ingram won't drop to Pittsburgh or San Francisco (two teams with defensive schemes tailor-made for his attributes), but Seattle at 12 seems a natural fit. The Seahawks love to use the LEO end; that pass rusher who loops inside as often as not to break up inline blocking, find gaps, and create havoc. Just as Clay Matthews and Aldon Smith do, Ingram may get more sacks stunting inside than he does shooting around a tackle.
From there, it's about how much you want to use him, and where. Want to flip him inside on an end-tackle stunt or formation? Done and done. Want to play him at SAM 'backer in a straight 4-3 and take advantage of his angle awareness in space? No problem. There are elements of Ingram's game that bring many of today's great defenders to mind, but the two that really seem to fit are Justin Tuck (ability to play well across the formation) and LaMarr Woodley (again, extreme versatility). There are great cornerbacks that get more play at the top of mock boards, but I believe that Melvin Ingram is the best overall defensive player in the 2012 draft class. As an every-down, every-gap, every-direction force, he stands alone.
Pro Comparison: LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers
El Paso officials seek answers on canceled fight (The Associated Press)
EL PASO, Texas (AP) Angry El Paso leaders on Wednesday accused the University of Texas system chancellor of fostering a ''climate of fear'' by canceling a high-profile boxing event in a border city fighting to overcome assumptions it has been overrun by spillover violence from the drug war in Mexico.
Jason Trawick -- Officially Britney Spears' New Caretaker
Britney Spears' fiance Jason Trawick is officially the singer's newest conservator -- the judge in her conservatorship case just signed off on giving him legal power to govern Britney's affairs.TMZ broke the story ... Britney's dad and conservator…
Source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/04/25/jason-trawick-britney-spears-conservator/
The Shutdown 50 ? #16: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
With the 2011 NFL season in the books, it's time to turn our eyes to the NFL draft, and the pre-draft evaluation process. Before and after the 2012 scouting combine, we'll be taking a closer look at the 50 draft-eligible players who may be the biggest NFL difference-makers when all is said and done.
We continue this year's series with Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, whose last name is pronounced "Keekly," which is a lot of fun to say over and over. Keekly! Keekly! Your mouth is forced to smile when you say it.
That's not why people like Kuechly so much. The Butkus Award winner made an astounding 191 tackles in 12 games last season. He's a three-year starter, a team captain, and an All-American Boy type, not to mention an All-American.
So is Kuechly for real, or some product of an unguarded Tom Coughlin daydream? Watch tape of Kuechly, and he grows on you. The first tackle does not look like anything special. The 191st wears away your skepticism.
Pros: Kuechly is always around the ball. If he is not involved in the tackle, he is in the gap, forcing the running back to change direction. Kuechly ranges from the middle of the field to the sideline to force the ball carrier out of bounds and chases plays down from the backside. He sheds blocks well in the open field and can disengage when the ball carrier approaches.
Kuechly has good instincts, both against the run and in zone coverage. His performance in the Fight Hunger Bowl against Nevada showed what he was capable of. On one play, he drifted back in Tampa-2 style coverage, read a pass on a post-route to his left, and got a good enough jump on the play to make an interception. On another, Nevada ran one of their tricky Pistol reverses, and Kuechly began sprinting to defend the backside of the play the moment he read his keys. He did not quite make the tackle, but he got his arms on the ball carrier and slowed him down until the cavalry came.
Kuechly shows some flashes as a gap penetrator. If he times things well, he can slice through the line of scrimmage and make a play in the backfield. He is a bit of a drag-down tackler, but he gets the job done.
Kuechly covered kicks for Boston College in important games and displayed a knack for breaking wedges and getting to the return man.
Cons: Kuechly is not huge, super-fast, or explosive. When he makes a tackle along the sideline, it is usually after the rusher has turned the corner and gained a few yards. Kuechly uses anticipation to make up for lightning speed, but that has its limits. Similarly, he uses hustle and technique to get off blocks, but he can be blown backward by a blocker when he tries to fill a gap.
Those crazy tackle totals ? 532 in three seasons ? are impressive in themselves, but Kuechly makes lots and lots of tackles after 5-6 yard gains. Most are "funnel" tackles (the line ate up blocks so he could flow to the ball), not impact plays.
Conclusion: Kuechly's tape leaves you guessing: are you looking at the young Zach Thomas or London Fletcher, or just another middle linebacker who records a ton of tackles because that's what starting middle linebackers do? The devil is in the details, like Kuechly's ability to read blocks or pass route combinations. Diagnostic skills can help a step-slow, pound-light linebacker thrive in the NFL. Kuechly can be very productive in a classic Tampa-2. He can also fly around the field and clean up after the defensive line in a Lions or Eagles type Wide-9 defense, though he would get walloped now and then.
Kuechly's upside is not great. He will never be Brian Urlacher. But the risk level is low. He will learn his role, play special teams as a rookie, and make the plays he is supposed to make. And if his college production is any indicator, a few more. Kuechly is a little better than the NFL comparison player below, but their play styles are similar.
NFL Comparison: Pat Angerer, Indianapolis Colts
More Shutdown 50:
#17: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame |�#18: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama |�#19: Mark Barron, S, Alabama |�#20: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia |�#21: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa |�#22: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford|�#23: Devon Still, DT, Penn State |�#24: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama|�#25: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State|�#26: Nick Perry, DE, USC |�#27: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska |�#28: Dontari Poe, DT/DE, Memphis |�#29: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE, Illinois |�#30: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson|�#31, Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson|�#32: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford|�#33: Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi|�#34: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson |�#35: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama |�#36: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse|�#37: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech|�#38: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall|�#39: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State |�#40 : Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers|�#41: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina|�#42: Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska|�#43: Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska|�#44: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina |�#45: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State|�#46: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia|�#47: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami|�#48: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State|�#49: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU | #50: Jonathan Massaqoui, OLB/DE, Troy
Payton plans to coach _ his son _ in 2012 (Yahoo! Sports)
AVONDALE, La. (AP) Sean Payton played a round of golf with tour pro Ryan Palmer, posed for photos with his ever-supportive fans and then spoke about his eagerness to get back to coaching football as early as this fall.
Netanyahu: Iran sanctions 'better work soon'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has suggested that time is running out for Western sanctions on Iran to have a meaningful effect on Tehran's nuclear program.
Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_world/~3/ANO8LO5ieRc/index.html
Wednesday 25 April 2012
The Shutdown 50 ? #6: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
With the 2011 NFL season in the books, it's time to turn our eyes to the NFL draft, and the pre-draft evaluation process. Right up to the draft, we'll be taking a closer look at the 50 players who may be the biggest NFL difference-makers when all is said and done.
We continue this year's series with South Carolina outside linebacker/defensive end Melvin Ingram, who may have you wishing he was attached to a GPS when you're watching his game tape. The 6-foot-2, 264-pound Ingram plays all over the place, and at such a high level, you may wonder if there isn't more than one guy on the field wearing number 6 for the Gamecocks. In addition to his consistent excellence as a pure pass-rusher (18 solo sacks and 24 solo tackles for loss In his collegiate career), Ingram is a great run defender, grades highly as a space defender, and even played on the "hands" team. He dropped 15 pounds in time for the scouting combine to better show his ability to play various linebacker roles, which could have him coming even faster to the quarterback at the next level.
You'll hear various things about Ingram that may have you thinking that he's more of a rotational defender, thus presenting lower overall draft value. But more than any player in this draft class, the common complaints can be eradicated by even a cursory look at the game tape. Short arms? Check the tape, and see how he compensates. One-year starter? Watch the tape, and see him explode off of either end and inside in multiple formations in more than one season. Some teams may not see him as an ideal fit, based on their own physical requirements or schematic constraints. Watch the tape and see elements that would help any defense, no matter the playbook.
Watch the tape. It's as simple as that. And when you're done, you may see Ingram as the cornerstone of an NFL defense. The evidence is easy to spot.
Pros: Ingram's primary attribute -- and the thing that shows on tape, over and over, to a ridiculous degree -- is his functional versatility. You'll see other defensive players move all over a front and get washed out in different places, but Ingram makes plays in places you wouldn't expect of a man his size. He's obviously freakishly dynamic as an outside linebacker or pass-rushing end, but he has the physical presence, upper-body strength, and array of moves to impact an offense as a 3-tech defensive tackle and occasionally inside at nose. I have seen him split center/guard double-teams, which was kind of nuts for a 270-pound man to do.
Outside, he commands a double team of some sort on nearly every play, and he quickly knifes through most of them. Has an amazing sense of the field -- even when blocked out by a big man, will understand when to turn and run to catch up to a ball-carrier. Approaches the open field as a running back would; he's quick to the target, and he will display impressive lateral moves to keep up with shifty backs. Uses angles very well to close in on a target from any direction. Hard to get past him on the sideline because he closes so well. Always looking to affect a play -- you simply don't see Ingram stop as long as somebody's running with the ball. Had two interceptions in 2011.
Ingram's hands are his secret weapons -- he has a football version of the "one-inch punch" Bruce Lee used to use to send unfortunate colleagues flying through the air. When he makes initial contact, he can rock a blocker back and use his speed to shoot around. Has a dominant spin move that few offensive lineman can counter. As a stand-up 'backer at the line or in a SAM position, he shows good instincts in intermediate pass coverage and run reads. Fires off the ball with his hand down -- he doesn't flash more one way or the other. Has the directional quickness to be an asset in short and intermediate pass coverage.
Cons: Ingram's most-discussed ding, the dreaded "short-arm syndrome," does show up on tape. It's good that he uses his hands as well as he does, because it's tough for him to get the first punch in with his arms extended. And if the blocker gets the first move on him and extends his arms, Ingram can't always push back and win leverage wars. His closing speed and correctness is another excellent adaptive trait, and it makes up for that that Ingram will miss running backs out of his perimeter that longer defenders will be able to take down.
Rip moves are sometimes a problem for him, and he doesn't often do what a lot of longer defenders can do, which is to reach beyond a block and still make a play. He's a shorter-area player, but as mentioned, he's learned to compensate in many ways. Excellent form tackler, but ballcarriers will wrestle away from him at times.
Conclusion: Ingram can be found in different mock drafts -- and probably most actual draft boards -- from the end of the top 10 to the end of the teens, and it just depends how you feel about a player with one obvious physical deficit that seems like a bigger issue than it actually is. Teams that are building their defenses with size as the main priority will shy away from Ingram, and they may very well regret it when he's beating the crap out of their quarterbacks for the next decade. For teams in need of versatile players who do many things very well, Ingram will be of more interest. I would think that any defensive coordinator with a preference for multiple fronts would love to have him in the palette.
Make no mistake; Ingram is not just a situational guy. He is a primary color in a defense. He's red or blue-- the icolor you use as the main focus and mix with other personnel aspects to fill out the canvas.
Right now, he could start or rotate for any team as an edge-rusher -- the speed off the edge is Freeney-esque, and he faced and beat enough double teams to ease any worry about how he'll fare against better, stronger blockers in the NFL. Ingram won't drop to Pittsburgh or San Francisco (two teams with defensive schemes tailor-made for his attributes), but Seattle at 12 seems a natural fit. The Seahawks love to use the LEO end; that pass rusher who loops inside as often as not to break up inline blocking, find gaps, and create havoc. Just as Clay Matthews and Aldon Smith do, Ingram may get more sacks stunting inside than he does shooting around a tackle.
From there, it's about how much you want to use him, and where. Want to flip him inside on an end-tackle stunt or formation? Done and done. Want to play him at SAM 'backer in a straight 4-3 and take advantage of his angle awareness in space? No problem. There are elements of Ingram's game that bring many of today's great defenders to mind, but the two that really seem to fit are Justin Tuck (ability to play well across the formation) and LaMarr Woodley (again, extreme versatility). There are great cornerbacks that get more play at the top of mock boards, but I believe that Melvin Ingram is the best overall defensive player in the 2012 draft class. As an every-down, every-gap, every-direction force, he stands alone.
Pro Comparison: LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers
Gingrich to end White House bid
Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich will suspend his long-shot campaign next week, his spokesman tells US media.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17845674#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
German satellite on 'berg watch'
The German radar satellite TerraSAR-X is returning regular images of the Pine Island Glacier ice shelf, to try to catch the birth of a giant berg.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17835476#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
Alfonzo Dennard arrested five days before the draft
Just days before entering the NFL draft, Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was arrested for suspicion of assaulting a police officer in Lincoln early Saturday morning. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Dennard was in a fight at a bar when police tried to stop it. Four officers were needed to take Dennard into custody, and he is expected to spend the weekend in jail.
Dennard was ejected from the 2012 Capital One Bowl for fighting with South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffrey. Here at Shutdown Corner, he was noted for having a feisty temperament and physical style, but those attributes didn't turn into any off-the-field problems until now.
[ Also: Trades for high NFL draft picks discussed more than previous years ]
He is expected to go in the second or third round during this week's draft, but there is no telling what effect this incident can have on his draft position.
''It doesn't help the kid any,'' said Gil Brandt, a former player personnel director for the Dallas Cowboys and an NFL analyst.
No matter what, it's never a good idea to get arrested for hitting a cop so close to such an important time in Dennard's football career.
Other popular content on the Yahoo! network:
? Raffi Torres suspended 25 games for putting Marian Hossa on stretcher
? Big League Stew: Wishing Fenway Park a happy 100th birthday
? Shine: Little-known baseball facts to impress the kids
Brazil delays key forest law vote
Brazil's Congress delays a final vote on controversial changes to the country's forest code which enviromentalists say will spur Amazon deforestation.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17831407#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
Tuesday 24 April 2012
One Direction star Harry Styles: I want to go cliff diving - our insurers hate me
Harry is eager to have a go at an extreme sport
| |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NEWS_CELEBRITYNEWS/~3/vYidIP_wQK0/story01.htm
The Shutdown 50 ? #12: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
With the 2011 NFL season in the books, it's time to turn our eyes to the NFL draft, and the pre-draft evaluation process. Right up to the draft, we'll be taking a closer look at the 50 players who may be the biggest NFL difference-makers when all is said and done.
We continue this year's series with Baylor receiver Kendall Wright, who was a lot more than just Robert Griffin III's primary target over the last two seasons. In 2008 and 2009, when he was catching as many passes from Blake Szymanski and Kirby Freeman as he was from the consensus second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Wright still showed that he was a playmaker, leading the Bears in receptions for four straight seasons. But when Griffin topped out in 2011, Wright was right there with him, catching 108 passes for 1,663 yards (a 15.4 per-catch average) and 14 touchdowns.
A less than stellar combine (we'll get to that later) overshadowed his game tape to some, but Wright was determined to make good, and he did so at his Pro Day, timing out at 4.41 and 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. Wright's 4,004 career receiving yards is the school's record by a crushing margin -- 1,300 yards more than any predecessor. He may be 5-foot-10 and just 198 pounds, but he brings characteristics of bigger receivers to the table -- he has a vertical leap of 42 inches, and he's squatted 550 pounds before.
When you add it all up, except for a bad combine and a few schematic limitations, it's kind of surprising that more people aren't talking about Kendall Wright as a top of the first round player and potentially dominant impact weapon in the NFL -- especially since the NFL is leaning very much in the direction of Wright's best position on the field.
Pros: Wright has the speed to line up outside and torch most of the best cornerbacks in straight-line races or on the boundary, but where he really shines is as an explosive slot receiver. Not only is he incredibly quick to the point on quick slants and crosses, but he's very tough when he gets the ball over the middle -- he doesn't fear traffic at all. Has at least one extra gear and can absolutely peel away from potential tacklers. Gets from a start-and-stop to top speed very quickly. Terrifically elusive in the open field; you'll frequently see Wright juke deep defenders right out of position and keep running. Has rare lateral explosiveness in space and will make DBs look like they're standing still to get to the sideline and upfield. Former standout basketball player can high-point the ball in ways that negate the advantage defenders would have over other 5-foot-10 receivers.
On comebacks, Wright catches the ball cleanly, gets his body turned immediately, and it's off to the races again. Tremendous quickness on last-second cuts -- he's a nightmare to cover on dig routes, quick ins and outs, and comebacks because he can get free from blanket coverage at the right time. Always has an eye for the ball, even when he's not the target. Caught a touchdown pass against Oklahoma last season that was actually a deflection off another receiver's hands. Has the potential to destroy zone coverage because he'll just split through the spaces and beat the corner/safety combo downfield in ways that bring Randy Moss with the 2007 Patriots to mind. Surprisingly good blocker -- in fact, the physical nature of his play is the thing people don't talk about with Wright, but it really does show up on tape.
Cons: In Baylor's wide-open offense, Wright didn't face a lot of press coverage -- he wasn't re-distributed a lot and was able to use his speed to its best advantage. He could get beaten up as he's not used to at the next level, which could take some adjusting -- another reason I think he'd be an ideal slot receiver at the next level. Prone to drops at times (small hands) and doesn't always adjust to off-throws at an elite level.
To put it mildly, Wright's combine was a severe disappointment. I wrote the pool report on him from Lucas Oil Stadium, and I was shocked at how slow and chunky he looked.
For a speed receiver, Wright looked bigger than he should have -- too thick around the trunk especially. His unofficial 4.61 40 was matched by the fact that he looked much slower on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium than he ever did on Baylor tape. He came out of the blocks all over the place on his 40 -- he didn't look quite as slow as his time represented, but his overall performance was a disappointment ... His best catch of the say was the long seam route, which shouldn't be a surprise, since that's the route he killed everyone with in college. He did have nice hand catches in both gauntlets, but he was very wavy on the line; he couldn't keep himself straight. He seems like a player who's used to outrunning his mistakes.
Wright adjusted to an overthrow inside on the short cut route. He rounded of his route a bit, though it wasn't the worst route he ran all day. The 10-yard out-and-up was more of a problem -- he has a tendency to round off his routes, or start and stop instead of slamming a speed cut. He had another stutter-step on the 13-yard dig, though he made a good adjustment catch. He had decent speed on the deep route on the numbers, but couldn't catch an overthrow by Kellen Moore (yes, an overthrow by Kellen Moore. Believe it!)
It was a very atypical performance, and though he redeemed himself to a point at his Pro Day, Wright surely fell in the eyes of some talent evaluators, There are some players who probably would have been better off failing a drug test at the combine than showing up out of shape, because it negates their efforts so severely on that most important stage. Teams that go back to the game tape will find the re-affirmation they need -- Wright is a speed demon and a great football player with a lot to offer.
Conclusion: As NFL passing games expand, and the league realizes the importance of meeting spread offense concepts halfway, the slot receiver in multi-receiver sets has become a position of paramount importance. In 2011, the New York Giants led the league in three-receiver sets, and speed slot receiver Victor Cruz was the gamebreaker of Eli Manning's dreams. Cruz went undrafted, but what he's done to defenses in forcing nickel and dime coverages with his ability to shoot up the seam and scare safeties to death is a point of study in other front offices.
It's a chicken-or-egg question -- has the slot corner increased in importance because of the expanded slot receiver concept, or is it the other way around? No matter -- it's a copycat league, and the Super Bowl champions did Kendall Wright a very big favor by making his ideal position that much more valuable. He's projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick in most mocks, but there's at least one player every year taken far earlier than people expect. This year, Kendall Wright could very well be that guy. There are times when he'll remind you of DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith, but for now, it's best to comp Wright with the guy who's probably going to make him a lot of money.
Pro Comparison: Victor Cruz, New York Giants
More Shutdown 50:
#13: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama |�#14: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina |�#15: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A & M|�#16: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College |�#17: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame |�#18: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama |�#19: Mark Barron, S, Alabama |�#20: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia |�#21: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa |�#22: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford|�#23: Devon Still, DT, Penn State |�#24: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama|�#25: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State|�#26: Nick Perry, DE, USC|�#27: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska|�#28: Dontari Poe, DT/DE, Memphis |�#29: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE, Illinois |�#30: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson|�#31, Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson|�#32: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford|�#33: Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi|�#34: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson |�#35: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama |�#36: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse|�#37: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech|�#38: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall|�#39: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State |�#40 : Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers|�#41: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina|�#42: Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska|�#43: Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska|�#44: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina |�#45: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State|�#46: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia|�#47: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami|�#48: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State|�#49: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU | #50: Jonathan Massaqoui, OLB/DE, Troy
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