Jenny McCarthy Zooey Deschanel Tara Reid Coco Lee Katy Perry
Monday, January 31, 2011
Kentucky, UofL rise in AP poll
Ohio State, the lone remaining unbeaten team, is a unanimous No. 1 in the men's college basketball poll by The Associated Press. Kentucky rose to No. 10 and Louisville moved up to No. 15.The Buckeyes are one of three top 10 teams not to lose last week and they received all the first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel Monday. It's Ohio State's third straight week at No. 1.Kansas and Texas are the only other top 10s to escape last week without a loss. They jumped four places to second and third. Rounding out the top 10 are Pittsburgh, Duke, Connecticut, San Diego State, BYU, Notre Dame and Kentucky.Four newcomers join the rankings - Arizona, Utah State, North Carolina and West Virginia. They replace Illinois, Florida State, Florida and Michigan State.In the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll, UK is 11th and UofL is 13th.
Mark Story: A few suggestions for Joker in 2011
I feel a little sorry for Joker Phillips.For the ex-Wildcats wide receiver and longtime Kentucky assistant, being head football coach at the University of Kentucky is his dream job. Yet Phillips got his chance to be head coach at his alma mater at a particularly challenging time.Coming into the 2010 season, Kentucky had won at least seven regular-season games three times in the past four years. For Phillips to be perceived as succeeding as UK coach, he needs to do better than that."We don't want to be a 6-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 football program," Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said Saturday after UK's 27-10 loss to Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl. "We want to grow our program."For Phillips to take Kentucky football "to the next level," he needs to win at least eight games in a regular season. Which UK has done exactly one time — 1984 — in the last 30 years.
Kelly Rowland Danica Patrick Josie Maran Leighton Meester Dominique Swain
The Essential Zen Habits of 2010
Post written by Leo Babauta.
I am overjoyed.
Zen Habits has just finished its 4th year of existence and every year has been better than the last. This year has been no exception.
How great a year has it been? Zen Habits grew from 150,000 subscribers to well over 200,000 and topped TIME magazine’s Top 25 blogs for [...]
I am overjoyed.
Zen Habits has just finished its 4th year of existence and every year has been better than the last. This year has been no exception.
How great a year has it been? Zen Habits grew from 150,000 subscribers to well over 200,000 and topped TIME magazine’s Top 25 blogs for [...]
Teri Hatcher Lauren Bush Natalie Zea Brody Dalle Taryn Manning
Raiders hire Wylie to coach O-line
The Raiders hired veteran coach Bob Wylie to be the team's new offensive line coach. Wylie has been coaching professional football for 18 years.
"Bob is a spectacular teacher, motivator and drill sergeant," said Raiders new head coach Hue Jackson. "His vast knowledge and experience, including last year with a team in our division will really help us as we move forward in assembling a really good offensive line."
Wylie worked with the Broncos' offensive line last season and has also spent time with the Cardinals, Buccaneers, Bears and Jets.
The Raiders had the league's second-best rushing offense, but were near the bottom in the league in sacks allowed.
Mena Suvari Georgina Grenville Michelle Trachtenberg Amanda Bynes Ana Ivanovi
Tomlinson expected to return to Jets
Following are some whispers we've been hearing from around the AFC:
• LaDainian Tomlinson is a better receiver than Shonn Greene and is not owed a lot of money next season, so expect the future Hall of Fame running back to return to the Jets in 2011. Greene is likely to take control of the starting job, and 2010 rookie Joe McKnight should see his playing time increase, but the team still values the intangibles L.T. brings, especially at a low cost.
• The Patriots' personnel and scouting staffs didn't make themselves as visible as some other teams at the Senior Bowl, but they were spotted talking to University of Miami WR Leonard Hankerson. Hankerson could satisfy the Patriots' need for a wideout who can create separation and make big plays, as he was considered one of the top receivers in Mobile. He should be available with one of the Patriots' second- or third-round picks.
• Titans executive vice president Steve Underwood, asked if the club's new head coach would have less control over personnel matters than predecessor Jeff Fisher, elaborated on the decision-making process between the coach and front office. "Our personnel process here during Jeff's tenure is a collaborative process," he said. "It has always been a collaborative process. Jeff was never in full control of personnel decisions here. I'm not sure how that (rumor that Fisher had full control) got started, but it was never true. He and (general manager Mike Reinfeldt) worked together every single day — preseason, during the season — working on personnel decisions, and I'm expecting that that is a process that will continue going forward, which is a joint, collaborative effort between our general manager and head coach."
• Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt said the team will hire a head coach, then fill its defensive coordinator vacancy. "I would think the head coach comes first," he said. "I think it's very important to give him input in his staff. He needs to choose those people he's comfortable with, the systems they run, what types of defense, what types of things they want to do with the team."
• If DT D'Anthony Smith can come in and make an impact following the Achilles injury that ended his rookie season before it began, the Jaguars' depth at defensive tackle, which is already viewed as one of the club's strengths, would be that much greater. Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu are rising stars, and Leger Douzable was a pleasant surprise in Jacksonville last season. Adding Smith to the mix would give the Jags the luxury of spelling Knighton and Alualu a bit more, which should only increase their effectiveness.
• We're hearing that the Chargers chose special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia to replace Steve Crosby because of Bisaccia's ability to develop players. Despite having minimal talent to work with in Tampa, Bisaccia was able to consistently get solid production from the club's special-teams unit in his nine seasons there. This track record was appealing to San Diego, which knows that its special teams won't be as stacked with talent in 2011 as it was in years past.
• The Broncos are hoping to find some consistency with new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who is the franchise's sixth defensive coordinator in as many years. We hear the organization blames a lack of continuity for some of the team's defensive struggles and hopes Allen's defense becomes one that the Broncos' players can get familiar and comfortable with for the foreseeable future.
Jennifer Morrison Adrianne Palicki Amanda Righetti Michelle Branch Melissa Howard
Bears VP Tim McCaskey passes away
The Bears announced Sunday evening that team vice president Tim McCaskey has passed away. He had battled cancer over the past 17 months. He was 65.
"Tim, first and foremost, was a fan — as passionate, loyal, critical, analytical, committed and devoted a Bears fan as there ever was," the McCaskey family said in a statement. "The tenacity and dignity with which he fought this dreaded disease is an inspiration to all of us."
The second oldest of Ed and Virginia McCaskey's 11 children, Tim was named to his VP position in 1993 after a four-year, part-time affiliation with the club. He spent 18 years working for IMC Fertilizer Inc. and its predecessor along with a seven-year span with Ernst & Young prior to joining the Bears. He is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Niles, Ill., and Notre Dame University.
He is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, 10 siblings and mother.
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Gray calls for panel to study redesigning Rupp Arena
Lexington Mayor Jim Gray on Tuesday called for a study to determine the feasibility of redesigning and renovating Rupp Arena and the Lexington Center. He did not mention building a new downtown arena."There are many people who believe the civic center's arena and the convention complex need a total redesign and renovation to bring the facilities up to competitive standards," Gray said. "It needs to be the best — state of the art. Making it the best is a responsible investment in our Lexington brand."Gray said he will appoint a task force in the next two weeks and charge it with conducting a study "to get our arms around what is possible" at the civic center, which houses the arena used by the University of Kentucky basketball team and the city's convention center.That study, with a Lexington civic leader as its head, will be financed by private donations, he said in his first major speech since becoming mayor."The first step should be to examine the existing facility to determine whether it could be utilized," Gray said after the speech.
Nikki Reed Natasha Bedingfield Audrina Patridge Simone Mütherthies Carrie Underwood
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thurmond on track to win Seahawks' CB job
We've heard the following whispers from our sources around the NFC:
• Our sources in Seattle tell us there's a very good chance physical 2010 fourth-round draft pick Walter Thurmond will replace Kelly Jennings as the starting right cornerback next season.
• We hear the Cardinals believe both 2010 second-round ILB Daryl Washington and seventh-round TE Jim Dray need to bulk up a bit. "Washington had trouble getting off blocks and needs to put on about 10 pounds," said one team source. "Dray got swallowed up too much and is another guy who needs to benefit from (strength and conditioning coach) John Lott's conditioning program."
• Our Rams sources tell us the odds are less than 50-50 that potential free-agent DT Clifton Ryan, who had serious concussion issues this past season, will be back with the team in 2011.
• With three coaches assigned to handle offensive-line duties on Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh's revamped staff (Tim Drevno and holdovers Mike Solari and Ray Brown), we hear Solari and Drevno will coach the entire O-line while Brown works primarily with tackles and tight ends.
• The Redskins gave been doing their homework on Senior Bowl quarterbacks all week, but we hear they also have been doing a lot of work on defensive players who might fit into their 3-4 scheme. It makes sense. The team struggled to find good fits in the defense and could be looking at two or three new starting defensive linemen.
• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he believes that critics were too harsh on the team's CB play last season and that, as time passes, most will have a somewhat different perspective on how they actually performed. Despite what Jones said, we hear that the team recognizes its shortcomings at the position and has plans to make some changes there in the offseason.
• We hear the Vikings are discussing their quarterback options for next season and that they might be very conservative when it comes to veteran options. While everyone assumes the team will look into Vince Young, whom the Titans say they will not bring back, it's more likely that the Vikings will not aggressively pursue him, perhaps because they believe the Titans will have to release Young without much of a trade market developing.
• Packers NT B.J. Raji, who has come into his own this season, can't say enough good things about Packers D-line coach Mike Trgovac. "He's been a life changer for me," Raji said. "He's had so much experience with the young, high draft picks. He knows when to back off; he knows when to get on you. ... He's kind of laid off a little bit and let me grow. But he's also a good coach, so he's going to get on me when he sees it's necessary."
• Some expect the Bears to cut DT Tommie Harris this offseason, but at his season-ending press conference, head coach Lovie Smith did not rule out having Harris back with the team. Whether he's in Chicago or somewhere else, Harris said his development in recent years will serve him well. "I grew up," the seven-year veteran said earlier this week. "I stopped pointing the finger at everybody else and I paid attention to myself, which was the most difficult thing to do."
• Falcons DE Jamaal Anderson has the versatility to play inside and outside on the defensive line, and the Falcons value him as a run stuffer, but he has only 4½ sacks in four seasons. One of the team's priorities this offseason is to ramp up its pass rush, and there is some doubt about whether Anderson, who has one year and just under $3.6 million left on his contract, will be back with the team next season.
Lacey Chabert Amber Brkich Gretha Cavazzoni Marla Sokoloff Jennifer Love Hewitt
Packers by the numbers
Every other day leading up to Super Sunday, the Pro Football Weekly Packers team app presents a handful of interesting factoids on this year’s NFC champs on a broad variety of levels.
To wit:
5 — The length of the Packers' winning streak entering Super Bowl XLV.
4-2 — Head coach Mike McCarthy's postseason record with Green Bay.
8 — The number of receptions for Packers WR Donald Driver in two career games against the Steelers.
64.7 — The Packers' winning percentage in domes under McCarthy (11-6 record since 2006).
6 — Number of Packers pass catchers to total more than 300 receiving yards in the regular season.
Michelle Behennah Julie Benz Saira Mohan Brittny Gastineau Ashley Tisdale
Big-name football coach rarely the answer in SEC
As oft happens during times of University of Kentucky pigskin distress, my e-mail box filled up this past week with messages stating UK will never be serious about college football until it hires a successful, big-name head coach.Let's ponder that.By that thesis, the University of Florida — with arguably the best college coaching job in these United States — is not serious about its football program.When Urban Meyer resigned, the Gators chose Will Muschamp to replace him.Muschamp has exactly zero head coaching experience.
Defensive leaders Trevathan, Guy to return for senior seasons at Kentucky
As it turned out, the University of Kentucky will be losing only one of its All-Americans.Junior linebacker Danny Trevathan has decided to return to UK in 2011, the school announced Friday.Trevathan had one of the best seasons ever by a Wildcats defender in 2010, garnering first-team All-America honors from Collegefootballnews.com, making him the first linebacker in school history to earn such a distinction. He led the Southeastern Conference in tackles (144) and was a consensus first-team All-SEC selection.Trevathan, a Florida native, had been projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Junior receiver Randall Cobb announced his intention to enter the draft on Thursday."I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business," Trevathan said in a statement released by the school. "Overall, I just want to win and get the program where it needs to be. My evaluation (from the NFL) came back good, but the easy way is not always the best way. I waited this long for the NFL, it can wait (another year). I want to enhance my game. I'm 228 (pounds), I want to work toward 235 or 240. I'm definitely going to finish school and that opens more windows in my life."
Victoria Beckham Missy Peregrym Sarah Gellman Eliza Dushku Bonnie Jill Laflin
Did Brown's cameo with UK violate NCAA rule?
Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown's attendance at Kentucky practices last week and his apparent interaction with players might raise questions about a violation of NCAA rules.According to NCAA rules, a temporary consultant can be brought in to counsel the coaches. But that consultant is not supposed to interact with athletes. During Friday's interview session, UK center Josh Harrellson said Brown had been participating in practice."He'll even stop drills like Coach Cal does and put his input in," Harrellson said. "It's great having a legendary coach here guiding us and helping us out."UK Coach John Calipari, who considers Brown a friend and mentor, said he invited players to seek advice from Brown about how to improve."Not a bad deal," Calipari said. "He's a Hall of Famer."
Samantha Mumba Busy Philipps Thora Birch Jennifer Garner Poppy Montgomery
Packers by the numbers
Every other day leading up to Super Sunday, the Pro Football Weekly Packers team app presents a handful of interesting factoids on this year’s NFC champs on a broad variety of levels.
To wit:
5 — The length of the Packers' winning streak entering Super Bowl XLV.
4-2 — Head coach Mike McCarthy's postseason record with Green Bay.
8 — The number of receptions for Packers WR Donald Driver in two career games against the Steelers.
64.7 — The Packers' winning percentage in domes under McCarthy (11-6 record since 2006).
6 — Number of Packers pass catchers to total more than 300 receiving yards in the regular season.
Kasey Chambers Megan Ewing Kristanna Loken Aubrey ODay Drew Barrymore
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Falcons expected to keep RB corps intact
We hear the Falcons would be content to head into next season with the same group of running backs that helped them finish 12th in the league in rushing in 2010. Two of RB Michael Turner's top backups — Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling — each signed one-year contracts last offseason and their deals are due to expire in March. It's not yet clear if they will be unrestricted or restricted free agents — we won't have a definite answer on that until there is a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. We're told Atlanta is interested in giving Norwood, who played in only 12 games over the past two seasons because of injuries, another chance. He could be relatively cheap to re-sign because of his injury history. Snelling has emerged over the past two seasons with Norwood ailing and could draw interest from other teams if he's a UFA. Backups Gartrell Johnson and Antone Smith combined for 11 carries last season and both could be back.
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Brown displays natural cover skills
The following is the last in a series of scouting reports for draft prospects who are participating in this year's Senior Bowl. These reports from PFW draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki ran throughout the week leading up to Saturday evening's game in Mobile, Ala.
CB Curtis Brown
University of Texas
Height: 5-11 5⁄8 Weight: 180 Speed: 4.50e
Arm: 32 Hand: 9 3⁄4 Age: 22
Upside
- Quick feet, loose hips, good acceleration
- Transitions without losing much speed
- Good plant-and-drive quickness
- Good cover skills
- Extensive special-teams experience
Downside
- Just two career interceptions
- Needs to improve functional strength to jam at the line
- Could struggle vs. physical receivers
- Flat-footed pedal
- Tackling ability is just adequate
The way we see it
Experienced, athletic, confident man-cover corner with good length, twitch, play speed and natural cover skills to shadow receivers. Needs to get stronger and does not have great ball production. Offers added value as a PR and could develop into a dependable No. 2.
Mýa Natalie Imbruglia Patricia Velásquez Jennifer Morrison Adrianne Palicki
Zorn dropped as Ravens' QB coach
The Ravens officially announced the departure of QB coach Jim Zorn and added that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's duties will be expanded to include working more closely with the team's quarterbacks.
"We've talked about this since the end of the season, and we believe this will help improve our offense," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. "Cam is noted for his development of quarterbacks, and that includes Joe Flacco and Pro Bowl players like Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. Cam is excited about this change and is looking forward to it."
The Ravens also announced that offensive assistant Craig Ver Steeg, who has been both an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in his 26-year coaching career, will assist with the team's QBs.
According to PFW correspondent and Baltimore Sun reporter Jamison Hensley, Harbaugh and Zorn had a long meeting this week and decided to go their separate ways. Flacco had his best season as a pro under Zorn's watch, throwing for 3,622 yards, 25 TDs and 10 interceptions in the regular season.
"We were able to get Jim here for a year after his head-coaching job with the Redskins," Harbaugh said. "He was able to help us get back to the playoffs, and we thank him for his contributions."
Prior to taking the job with the Ravens, Zorn was the head man in Washington. He was fired following the 2009 season after going 12-20 during his two years in charge. He's expected to be in demand by other teams this offseason.
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Lessons from Less
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or
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Sarah Gellman Eliza Dushku Bonnie Jill Laflin Joanna Krupa Ashley Olsen
Randall Cobb by the numbers
$2.7 millionThe worth, in dollars, of the contract signed by last year's first pick in the third round of the NFL Draft, which is the projected range for Cobb to be selected.2,396The number of all-purpose yards accumulated by Cobb this season, breaking the 3-year-old NCAA record held by Arkansas' Darren McFadden.37
UK's Cobb to enter NFL Draft
One of the greatest players in University of Kentucky football history is moving on.Randall Cobb announced Thursday that he will bypass his senior season at UK and enter the 2011 NFL Draft. Cobb said he spent two hours praying over his decision Sunday night."I've had this dream since I was a child," Cobb said. "I remember laying in bed, and the only thing I wanted was to play football in the NFL. As hard as this is for me, I feel that I am mentally and physically ready for the next level."Reading from a prepared statement, Cobb got emotional as he talked about how he was shunned as a major college prospect following his junior year at Alcoa (Tenn.) High School. Kentucky stepped in and was the first school to offer Cobb a scholarship, and after Cobb spurned a late pitch from his home-state school, the University of Tennessee, he arrived in Lexington in 2008.What followed was a three-year Wildcats career that saw him excel as a receiver, quarterback, and punt and kickoff returner. Cobb was named a first-team All-American in 2010 as an all-purpose player by The Associated Press, ESPN.com and SportsIllustrated.com, and was a consensus first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. As a junior this season, Cobb broke the SEC single-season record for all-purpose yardage with 2,396 and led the SEC in receptions per game by catching 84 passes for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rebecca Mader Eva Green Lauren Conrad Arielle Kebbel Jessica Paré
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sportsman of the Year: Runners-up
2 | Randall Cobb2010 achievements: The UK wide receiver set an SEC single-season record for all-purpose yardage (2,396) and the Kentucky career record for touchdowns (37) and was named a first-team Associated Press All-American as an all-purpose player.Comment: "Cobb may be from Tennessee but he's now a Kentuckian and no Wildcat fan will argue that point. He's the rare superstar who placed more emphasis on the name on the front of the jersey rather than the one on the back. ... Great Wildcat football players will be compared to him for decades to come." — Larry Glover, WVLK radio, Lexington3 | John Calipari2010 achievements: First-year coach led UK to a 35-3 record, the SEC regular-season and tournament championships and a berth in the NCAA Tournament round of eight. Also organized a telethon that raised more than $1 million for earthquake relief in Haiti.
Monica Bellucci Minki van der Westhuizen Katharine Towne Malia Jones Jennifer ODell
Notes: Calipari says Cats might be grinders
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kentucky Coach John Calipari is synonymous with high-octane offense that — to borrow one of his pet words — "unleashes" players. But he's not wedded to one way of playing.After UK beat South Carolina 67-58, Calipari said the Cats might be better suited to play a more deliberate style."We may be a little different team than I like," Calipari said. "Maybe an 'execution team.' We have to grind it a little more than I'd like."If that's how we have to play, that's how we'll play."The final minutes probably re-inforced Calipari's belief in a style that's more substance than style. Even in winning for the first time in three Southeastern Conference road games, the Cats again stumbled down the stretch. This time, UK helped a South Carolina comeback by taking an ill-advised shot (Brandon Knight) and fouling a three-point shooter (Doron Lamb).
Monet Mazur Rozonda Thomas Rachel Weisz Miranda Kerr Sarah Shahi
Questions will arise if Broncos switch to a 4-3 defense
All signs point toward the Broncos running a 4-3 defense, with both head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen being more familiar with that scheme, but the Broncos have yet to publicly announce their defensive strategy. The way we hear it, the organization is in no rush to reveal the team's plans. The Broncos' draft needs will vary based on the type of defense they run, with the decision of taking a linebacker for a 3-4 system or a tackle for a 4-3 scheme likely being the major question with their second overall selection. As the roster currently stands, a daily team observer predicted that Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers — both of whom played outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme — would become ends if the Broncos switch to a 4-3 defense. That would leave a major hole in the linebacking corps and make NT Jamal Williams a major question mark. The 13-year-veteran spent his first 12 seasons with the Chargers, where he played nose tackle exclusively.
Kasey Chambers Megan Ewing Kristanna Loken Aubrey ODay Drew Barrymore
Can't Duck the huge fact: SEC football rules
GLENDALE, Ariz. — It looks different. It's faster. You don't have time to read the ads in the program between plays. And you have to get your mind around all these funny numbers — 40 points a game, 500 yards, five wide receivers, defenses that congratulate themselves on holding you to 30 ... But it is still football. "We told our guys all week," Ted Roof said. "We said it still comes down to whipping that guy in front of you." Ted Roof, standing in the midst of this field with confetti in his hair and his children stepping around big TV cables, is Auburn's defensive coordinator. He is the former coach at Duke and is now the guy with the headphones who is not known as a genius. That reputation belongs to offensive counselor Gus Malzahn.
Ivana Bozilovic Cristina Dumitru Cat Power January Jones Christina DaRe
Cats get 'history lesson' on MLK Day
Martin Luther King Day did not go unnoticed or uncelebrated by the University of Kentucky's basketball team.UK Coach John Calipari noted how the holiday could be a teaching moment for his players. Toward that end, he invited P.G. Peeples, the president and CEO of the Lexington Chapter of the Urban League, to speak to the players before practice."Kind of an old-fashioned history lesson" is how Peeples described his 30-minute discussion with the players. He said he spoke to the players about King's philosophy, the inequality in the country in the 1950s and 1960s, the obstacles put in King's path and the advancements made."How life is better today for some of us and they have benefited from that," Peeples said. "They should know it and appreciate it and be thankful for what people went through in the '60s."King's dream of a color-blind society in which equality exists for all remains unfinished business, Calipari said he told the players.
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Randall Cobb by the numbers
$2.7 millionThe worth, in dollars, of the contract signed by last year's first pick in the third round of the NFL Draft, which is the projected range for Cobb to be selected.2,396The number of all-purpose yards accumulated by Cobb this season, breaking the 3-year-old NCAA record held by Arkansas' Darren McFadden.37
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Mark Story: Muschamp, Meyer and other SEC stars have deep ties to the state
There seems to be an unlikely bond between the Florida Gators football program and Eastern Kentucky University football.Will Muschamp, the new Florida head man, has a direct tie to EKU.Back in 1999, then-Eastern coach Roy Kidd hired Muschamp, then 28, to coach the EKU defensive backs.The venerable Kidd, now 79, said Friday the young coach was on his radar because coaches at Auburn, where Muschamp had worked as a graduate assistant, recommended him."I still remember this, coming home after practice one day and Sue (the coach's wife) asking me how the new coach was working out," Kidd said.
Brooke Burns Lena Headey Ali Larter Angelina Jolie Erica Leerhsen
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sportsman of the Year: Runners-up
2 | Randall Cobb2010 achievements: The UK wide receiver set an SEC single-season record for all-purpose yardage (2,396) and the Kentucky career record for touchdowns (37) and was named a first-team Associated Press All-American as an all-purpose player.Comment: "Cobb may be from Tennessee but he's now a Kentuckian and no Wildcat fan will argue that point. He's the rare superstar who placed more emphasis on the name on the front of the jersey rather than the one on the back. ... Great Wildcat football players will be compared to him for decades to come." — Larry Glover, WVLK radio, Lexington3 | John Calipari2010 achievements: First-year coach led UK to a 35-3 record, the SEC regular-season and tournament championships and a berth in the NCAA Tournament round of eight. Also organized a telethon that raised more than $1 million for earthquake relief in Haiti.
Kate Beckinsale Shiri Appleby Kelly Hu Michelle Rodriguez Mena Suvari
Report: Ravens hire Austin as secondary coach
The Ravens have hired former University of Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as their secondary coach, according to the National Football Post.
Austin recently completed his first season with the Gators after previously serving as the Arizona Cardinals secondary coach 2007-09.
He replaces Chuck Pagano, who was promoted to defensive coordinator when Greg Mattison became the University of Michigan's defensive coordinator.
The way we see it
Austin spent seven seasons with the Seahawks and Cardinals before leaving for Florida, and will be faced with the task of helping maintain the Ravens' dominant defense after Mattison's departure.
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Kevin Fishbain's Super Bowl prediction
Each day we'll post the prediction of a PFW editor for Super Bowl XLV. PFW associate editor Kevin Fishbain's prediction is the second of 10.
Packers 20, Steelers 17
Since their loss to the Patriots in Week 15, the Packers have been playing in must-win games, winning all of them, including three consecutive road playoff games. The Steelers' defense is vulnerable against the pass, and few sling it better than Aaron Rodgers, especially this postseason. Dom Capers' defense should rattle Ben Roethlisberger enough to keep this a low-scoring affair, and the Packers will be hard-pressed to get anything going on the ground. Roethlisberger is a gun-slinger, and that could play into the hands of the Packers' secondary when he tries to thread the needle. Both teams like to rush off the edge, and both QBs have the mobility to side-step the blitz. But the Packers' passing game behind Rodgers and Greg Jennings gives Green Bay the slight edge between the two storied franchises.
Whitney Port Minka Kelly Carol Grow Erika Christensen Emilie de Ravin
Goodell will earn $1 salary if work stoppage happens
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says that he will reduce his salary to $1 if there is a work stoppage once the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in March, according to an Associated Press report.
Goodell issued a memo to his staff that said both he and chief negotiator Jeff Pash will cut their pay to $1 if a new CBA isn't in place in time. Goodell currently makes $10 million per year including bonuses, and Pash's annual salary is around $5 million.
Goodell also said in the statement that "the entire senior leadership team stands with me in its commitment to resolving the CBA issues with the players' union."
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Notes: Calipari expects more out of UK's veterans
With a 1-3 record playing on the opponent's home court, Kentucky Coach John Calipari called for help from his veterans beginning with Saturday's game at South Carolina."I've got to get the two juniors and one senior to do more," he said on Friday.That's especially true down the stretch of close games, Calipari said. The memory of botched plays in Tuesday's loss at Alabama hung heavy in the air.Of course, those Calipari wants more from are juniors Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins, plus senior Josh Harrellson."They have to be a big part of what we're doing at the end of games," Calipari said. The UK coach defined "big part" as including such "little" things as taking a charge, diving on a loose ball, getting a rebound.
Georgianna Robertson Reese Witherspoon Jordana Brewster Laetitia Casta Claudette Ortiz
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Super Bowl XLV consensus selection
Below is the PFW consensus selection for Super Bowl XLV, based on the editors' picks made two weeks in advance of the game.
If you would like to see the individual selections of all nine PFW editors, you can do it as early as Monday evening each week with a subscription to PFW Online ($54.95 for a full year). On Thursdays, we'll present the editors' late-week picks, and you can get those as part of a subscription to the Handicapping Inner Circle ($89.95 for the 2010 season).
Don't miss another week's winners. To find out more about the Handicapping Inner Circle, click here, or for more info on PFW Online, click here. Or you can sign up now.
Home team in caps. Asterisk (*) denotes team will cover pointspread but lose game. Boldface selection indicates best bet. Some Over/Unders not available.
PFW CONSENSUS SELECTION
| Early Las Vegas line | ALL |
|---|---|
| Green Bay -2½ vs. Pittsburgh (45½) | Green Bay |
| Last week vs. spread | 2-0 |
| Season to date vs. spread | 129-126-10 |
| Season to date best bets | 37-27-4 |
| Last week straight-up | 2-0 |
| Season to date straight-up | 165-101 |
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Hartline gets community service on alcohol-related charges
If former University of Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline completes court-ordered community service, public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges will be dropped, a prosecutor said Monday.Hartline, 22, was arrested in December after a 3 a.m. shouting match involving several people in a residential neighborhood near the UK campus. The fifth-year senior was suspended from the football team and did not play in its bowl game Jan. 8. Also charged with disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication was Ashley Kathleen Carnes, a UK cheerleader listed in court documents as Hartline's girlfriend.They were scheduled for a pretrial conference in Fayette District Court on Monday.Hartline and Carnes both were found eligible for the Fayette County Attorney's Diversion Program, First Assistant County Attorney Brian Mattone said. If they complete the program, charges will be dropped, and their criminal records will be expunged."It's a second chance for first-time offenders to have a clean slate," Mattone said.
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John Clay: Cats stepped up big time
COLUMBIA, S.C. — It's the South Carolina student section that refers to itself as the "Garnet Army," a military-style mob outfitted in garnet, beige and black camouflage gear.But Saturday night at the Colonial Life Arena, it was visiting Kentucky that answered the call of duty. After Tuesday's loss at Alabama left John Calipari's team 2-2 in the league with two road losses — never mind the flap over what came out of Calipari's flapper toward one of his players in Tuscaloosa — the Cats couldn't afford to drop another conference game this early, not another road game to a divisional rival.So the Cats picked it up, all the Cats, to dominate host South Carolina on the way to a key 67-58 win.In fact, given the circumstances, and what was at stake, it was Kentucky's most impressive performance of the season.
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When In Doubt Simplify
Post written by Leo Babauta.
It’s the time of year when everyone is in a crazy rush: to shop to decorate to get ingredients to go to parties to travel to get last-minute work done to go to the kids’ Christmas pageants to go caroling to get those to-dos done.
There is a single answer to just [...]
It’s the time of year when everyone is in a crazy rush: to shop to decorate to get ingredients to go to parties to travel to get last-minute work done to go to the kids’ Christmas pageants to go caroling to get those to-dos done.
There is a single answer to just [...]
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Mark Story: Orange Globe Awards
A lawsuit filed by a disgruntled former publicist suggests the Golden Globe awards may be compromised by bribery and other corrupt voting practices.Conversely, the Orange Globe awards — my mid-season Kentucky college basketball honors — may lack the glamour of Brangelina, the fever from Bieber or even a surly host like Ricky Gervais.However, the Orange Globes are as honest as a hard day's work.On to the show.Best actor
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Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Bodyweight Strength Training Video Series: Dips and Inverted Rows
Bodyweight Strength Training Series Today I am going to bring you a Bodyweight Strength Training video series focusing on 2 of the top upper body exercises, the dip and the inverted row. Below you will find many videos on how to perform the movements, ways to scale them, home equipment options (no gym needed!) and [...]
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Hartline gets community service on alcohol-related charges
If former University of Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline completes court-ordered community service, public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges will be dropped, a prosecutor said Monday.Hartline, 22, was arrested in December after a 3 a.m. shouting match involving several people in a residential neighborhood near the UK campus. The fifth-year senior was suspended from the football team and did not play in its bowl game Jan. 8. Also charged with disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication was Ashley Kathleen Carnes, a UK cheerleader listed in court documents as Hartline's girlfriend.They were scheduled for a pretrial conference in Fayette District Court on Monday.Hartline and Carnes both were found eligible for the Fayette County Attorney's Diversion Program, First Assistant County Attorney Brian Mattone said. If they complete the program, charges will be dropped, and their criminal records will be expunged."It's a second chance for first-time offenders to have a clean slate," Mattone said.
Sarah Gellman Eliza Dushku Bonnie Jill Laflin Joanna Krupa Ashley Olsen
Calipari foresees more close games in SEC
Here's a sobering thought: Alabama, which led Kentucky by 20 points in the second half Tuesday, held on to win by two. The rest of UK's schedule makes the Tide look like relatively easy pickings.According to Collegerpi.com, all but one of Kentucky's opponents the rest of the season have a better Ratings Percentage Index than Alabama's No. 143. That exception is Mississippi State, which added point guard Dee Bost and highly touted freshman Renardo Sidney this month, thus making its RPI of 183 misleading.The Sagarin ratings also suggest the remaining 12 regular-season games on Kentucky's schedule will be challenging. Of those 12 games, 11 are against teams in the top 100.So far, the Cats have played nine teams in the Sagarin top 100. UK had a record of 5-4 in those games.No wonder in his post-Alabama game remarks Coach John Calipari emphasized the need for crisp execution. Crunching the Collegerpi.com and Sagarin numbers suggest the margin for error will not be great the rest of the way.
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NFL Links: Ryan says Jets are no fluke; Palmer right to be fed up
Monday, Jan. 24, 2011
Rex Ryan says the Jets' best is still yet to come.
A Cincinnati columnist says Carson Palmer's trade demand says more about the Bengals' franchise than it does Palmer.
Philip Rivers gives his take on Jay Cutler's situation.
Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams says he's been doing a lot of second-guessing lately.
Ashley Tappin Carmen Electra Amanda Marcum Leila Arcieri Kate Mara
Facing Reality On Acidosis And Alkalosis
Acidosis and Alkalosis Today, we’re going to talk about acidosis and alkalosis. I’ll explain just what I mean by that in a second. But first, what put this topic in my head? In the past week, I’ve directly or indirectly read/heard two things that prompted me to write this. First, there was a comment by [...]
Radha Mitchell Melissa Rycroft Chloë Sevigny Janet Jackson Georgianna Robertson
Microalgae Oil: Is It For You?
Microalgae Oil Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Rhonda Perciavalle of Perciavalle Health about microalgae oil. I?ve got some good news, and some bad news for you vegetarians and vegan types out there. First, the bad news: That flaxseed oil you?ve been relying on for your daily dose of omega-3? It?s not a [...]
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Monday, January 24, 2011
Defensive leaders Trevathan, Guy to return for senior seasons at Kentucky
As it turned out, the University of Kentucky will be losing only one of its All-Americans.Junior linebacker Danny Trevathan has decided to return to UK in 2011, the school announced Friday.Trevathan had one of the best seasons ever by a Wildcats defender in 2010, garnering first-team All-America honors from Collegefootballnews.com, making him the first linebacker in school history to earn such a distinction. He led the Southeastern Conference in tackles (144) and was a consensus first-team All-SEC selection.Trevathan, a Florida native, had been projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Junior receiver Randall Cobb announced his intention to enter the draft on Thursday."I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business," Trevathan said in a statement released by the school. "Overall, I just want to win and get the program where it needs to be. My evaluation (from the NFL) came back good, but the easy way is not always the best way. I waited this long for the NFL, it can wait (another year). I want to enhance my game. I'm 228 (pounds), I want to work toward 235 or 240. I'm definitely going to finish school and that opens more windows in my life."
Radha Mitchell Melissa Rycroft Chloë Sevigny Janet Jackson Georgianna Robertson
Tilghman's Forrest still UK-bound, coach says
Paducah Tilghman football coach Randy Wyatt says star wide receiver Josh Forrest is still committed to signing with Kentucky in a few weeks, despite reports that he plans to visit Central Florida."I talked to Josh last night and he's 110 percent committed to Kentucky, no doubt at all," Wyatt said Thursday."If he's going to Central Florida, it's for a vacation. It's not even remotely possible for him to attend Central Florida. People get on those blogs and make stuff up and it spreads like wildfire."Wyatt said UK's coaches have told him the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Forrest has a chance to play as a freshman.Wyatt said Forrest still must get some work done in the classroom to qualify to play as a freshman at UK, by either getting his grades up in core classes or improving his ACT score. "He's real close. I think he'll do it," Wyatt said.
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Kentucky's long-range shooting scorches LSU 82-44
With Louisiana State the representative from the Mild, Mild West, Kentucky rolled to an 82-44 Southeastern Conference victory on Saturday.Kentucky — and the 24,330 in Rupp Arena — enjoyed the program's widest margin of victory against a league opponent since beating South Carolina by 38 in 2007."I don't know what you want me to say," LSU Coach Trent Johnson told reporters afterward. "It was an old-fashioned (butt) whipping. There's nothing to say. They beat us top to bottom, every way but loose."The Cats (14-3, 2-1 SEC) shot holes in LSU's zone with three-point marksmanship. Relieved early of any concern about winning, Kentucky made the rest seem like a glorified workout.Brandon Knight led Kentucky with 19 points. Terrence Jones added 17, and juniors DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller had 15 each.
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John Clay: Cats require difficult double from Knight
Brandon Knight can really shoot.Brandon Knight is also a point guard and, at times, John Calipari wants him to do what point guards do, like pass, and get the team into its offense, and lead, and distribute, and get things going.But, boy, Brandon Knight sure can shoot.So sometimes, matters can fall out of balance. The loss to Georgia a week ago was one of those times. Knight scored just 10 points, which would have been all right had he done a better job of doing what point guards are supposed to traditionally do.Instead, afterward, Calipari said, "Brandon was awful."
Kentucky falls to Pittsburgh 27-10 in BBVA Compass Bowl
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As it turned out, Pittsburgh didn't need a full-time coach to handle Kentucky in the BBVA Compass Bowl.The Wildcats' ineptitude on offense and special teams turned out to be all the Panthers really needed. UK, which was without suspended quarterback Mike Hartline, struggled to score early, and a pair of special teams gaffes set up the Panthers' first two touchdowns as Pitt cruised to a 27-10 win at Legion Field.It was the worst bowl loss in 15 post-season appearances for Kentucky (6-7) and sealed the Cats' first losing season since 2005.Kentucky Coach Joker Phillips said the team that showed up Saturday was different than the one he saw in practices leading up to the bowl."We didn't play with a lot of confidence or poise," he said. "We weren't the most physical team out there. The reason it hurts is because of what I thought we did during the monthlong preparations. I never had a sense that we would play the way we did. We even had a good week of preparation this week."
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Mark Story: Muschamp, Meyer and other SEC stars have deep ties to the state
There seems to be an unlikely bond between the Florida Gators football program and Eastern Kentucky University football.Will Muschamp, the new Florida head man, has a direct tie to EKU.Back in 1999, then-Eastern coach Roy Kidd hired Muschamp, then 28, to coach the EKU defensive backs.The venerable Kidd, now 79, said Friday the young coach was on his radar because coaches at Auburn, where Muschamp had worked as a graduate assistant, recommended him."I still remember this, coming home after practice one day and Sue (the coach's wife) asking me how the new coach was working out," Kidd said.
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Sunday, January 23, 2011
Cats get 'history lesson' on MLK Day
Martin Luther King Day did not go unnoticed or uncelebrated by the University of Kentucky's basketball team.UK Coach John Calipari noted how the holiday could be a teaching moment for his players. Toward that end, he invited P.G. Peeples, the president and CEO of the Lexington Chapter of the Urban League, to speak to the players before practice."Kind of an old-fashioned history lesson" is how Peeples described his 30-minute discussion with the players. He said he spoke to the players about King's philosophy, the inequality in the country in the 1950s and 1960s, the obstacles put in King's path and the advancements made."How life is better today for some of us and they have benefited from that," Peeples said. "They should know it and appreciate it and be thankful for what people went through in the '60s."King's dream of a color-blind society in which equality exists for all remains unfinished business, Calipari said he told the players.
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Kentucky's Phillips says football Cats 'not that far away'
Kentucky's season-ending 27-10 loss to Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl left a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths.And the Cats were left with a lot of question marks heading into the 2011 season.Three top offensive playmakers (quarterback Mike Hartline, running back Derrick Locke and wide receiver Chris Matthews) have completed their eligibility. And top juniors Randall Cobb and Danny Trevathan are considering forgoing their senior seasons and entering the NFL Draft.But UK Coach Joker Phillips said Tuesday night he feels good about the direction of the program after completing his first season with a 6-7 record. Phillips pointed to several factors from the 2010 season that offer hope for the future: UK's win over archrival Louisville, the program's first victory over South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier, playing eventual national champion Auburn to the wire, and several young players he expects to emerge in the future."We're not that far away," he said. "We were a couple of bounces away from winning eight games. We were also a couple of bounces from winning four. We've got enough good players here. We've got to get more good players here. And that to me speaks volumes to where our program is at, that we've got two guys with the opportunity to consider going to the NFL."
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John Clay: Roller-coaster Cats fight youth, the road
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There was the first half, when Alabama was playing out of its mind and John Calipari was about to lose his.Then there was the second half, in which Kentucky came alive and kept closing, closing and closing as if it was ready to pass the host Crimson Tide at the finish line.But the Cats couldn’t quite get there.Alabama 68, Kentucky 66.So which are the real Cats?
Could Ochocinco land in Oakland?
Our sources have heard the following whispers from around the AFC West:
• The Raiders' young receiving corps gained experience and matured in 2010, but one team observer said the team would benefit from adding an older veteran to the mix at the position. There is speculation that WR Chad Ochocinco, who had new Raiders head coach Hue Jackson as a position coach for three seasons (2004-06), could end up in Oakland if the Bengals decide to cut ties with him this offseason. Ochocinco is not on good terms with Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, and Ochocinco has said nothing but good things about Jackson.
• With potential defensive coordinator Jim Mora pulling his name out of the running, we hear the Broncos' next target for their defensive coordinator position could be Packers defensive line coach Mike Trgovac. He worked with Fox from 2002-08 in Carolina and was promoted from DL coach to defensive coordinator after just one season. Fox has already shown loyalty to assistant coaches from the previous regime by retaining Mike McCoy as his offensive coordinator and might like the idea of bringing in a coach who has experience working with the defensive line, particularly since that was always a position of strength for the Panthers.
• The Chiefs' decision to promote Mark Donovan to team president came as no surprise, we hear. When president Denny Thum stepped down in September, Donovan assumed most of his responsibilities, so it was only a matter of time before the new title became official. Donovan, who joined the club as chief operating officer in 2009 after spending six years in the Eagles' front office, will be in charge of the team's business operations.
• For the first time, the Chargers have lowered prices on season tickets for 2011, likely because of their sagging attendance in 2010. Even though they were coming off a season in which they won a division title, the Bolts had three home games blacked out this past year. According to reports, the team is lowering the cost of 6,500 seats about 15 percent while leaving the price of the rest of the season tickets the same in the hope that attendance will rebound next season.
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When In Doubt Simplify
Post written by Leo Babauta.
It’s the time of year when everyone is in a crazy rush: to shop to decorate to get ingredients to go to parties to travel to get last-minute work done to go to the kids’ Christmas pageants to go caroling to get those to-dos done.
There is a single answer to just [...]
It’s the time of year when everyone is in a crazy rush: to shop to decorate to get ingredients to go to parties to travel to get last-minute work done to go to the kids’ Christmas pageants to go caroling to get those to-dos done.
There is a single answer to just [...]
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Saturday, January 22, 2011
Panthers depending on Otah to rebound strongly
Following are some whispers we've been hearing from around the NFC South:
• We hear the Panthers are counting on ORT Jeff Otah to come back strong in 2011 after missing all of last season with a knee issue. Otah also had surgery on his right shoulder to repair a labrum tear that had been bothering him since the '09 season. After a long layoff, there's a burden on him to get in shape and be ready by training camp.
• There is speculation that the Saints will part ways this offseason with CB Randall Gay, who has one more year on his contract. Gay is due $3.5 million in 2011, and a source said if he returns to New Orleans for another year, it will be at a lower salary. Gay played in only four games last season before being placed on injured reserve with a concussion, and 2010 first-round pick Patrick Robinson will likely replace him as the full-time nickel back.
• While Saints No. 2 QB Chase Daniel is untested in game situations, we're told the Saints are unlikely to aggressively pursue a new primary backup for Drew Brees. Daniel, who is signed through 2011, beat out veteran Patrick Ramsey in a competition for the backup spot last year.
• The Falcons would have been happy to keep Bill Musgrave, who left to become the Vikings' offensive coordinator, in place as assistant head coach/quarterbacks, but we hear they were not caught off guard by his departure. The team keeps a roster of coaches to call on if a vacancy emerges, and it has been encouraged that other teams have shown an interest in interviewing members of its coaching staff and front office for higher positions than they hold with the Falcons.
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Three-and-out with Patriots radio color commentator Gino Cappelletti
Each week we'll talk to former Patriots star and current broadcaster Gino Cappelletti. This week, Gino recapped the Pats' playoff loss to the Jets and discussed the team's need for a wide receiver and pass rusher.
PFW: How surprised were you with the struggles the Patriots had to get the ball moving in their playoff loss to the Jets?
Cappelletti: I kept thinking that somewhere along in the game the Patriots were going to get into the swing of things, get into a rhythm, and you kept waiting with each possession thinking, 'this could be it.' The Jets were waiting to see what was going to happen, too. They were the first to realize that it wasn't going to be a 45-3 game, and that gave them a lot of support and a lot of lift. The Patriots, on the other hand, kept teasing everybody — maybe it'll be this possession. It looked like they had a lot going in that first quarter but couldn't get the ball in the endzone, which was a big surprise. I guess we kept waiting for them, we thought they would, but you could see them just sinking, sinking, sinking, and you kept wondering if they could pull out of this tailspin.
PFW: As a former wide receiver, what's your take on the potential need for the Patriots to get a big-play receiver?
Cappelletti: I think they would relish having someone like that. Unfortunately, (TE) Aaron Hernandez could have played that role in the (playoff) game but he was subpar. He's that kind of guy — tight end/wide receiver. He very well knows what to do with the ball after the catch. He's very good, very talented. His loss may have been more to the passing game than what a lot of people realized. Now, (TE Rob) Gronkowski caught his passes and was bulling his way like his rookie self, and we expected that Hernandez might be doing some of those same things (against the Jets). Brandon Tate looked like he could be the guy to step in there, not sure on that yet. They will have to spend a little more time with him. I think they would relish having one of those bigger wide receivers who can show speed and stretch the defense a bit. It didn't have anything to do with the game itself, but if they want to improve their positions, that's a good spot to think about.
PFW: Where should the Patriots look to improve their pass rush?
Cappelletti: The real pluses come from the down-linemen — the guys who can rush the passer from the down-line position. That way, sometimes you can play a three-man front, drop eight in coverage like the Jets, rush four and have seven that can prevent the pass. This is where I think Rex Ryan did an outstanding job. I got to believe, because I know we did, that this was going to be a game of blitzes. The Patriots would be blitzing more because of (Mark) Sanchez and the Patriots on the other hand were prepared for protecting Brady and were looking for a lot more blitzing than they got from the Jets. There were a couple surprises in there that probably affected both teams' strategy for the game.
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