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TOP STORIES - DECEMBER 27, 2005  FROM NFLDRAFT06.COM: 2005 ROOKIE REPORT CARDGet your NFL football tickets now at TickCo. They have all team Cardinals tickets, Cowboys tickets, Packers tickets, Colts tickets, Patriots tickets, Titans tickets and more. Get your Super Bowl tickets here! FINAL PUSH FOR BUSH: When the strength of schedule tie-breaker is factored in (the only tie-breaker used for determining draft order), it appears that the race for Reggie Bush has come down to the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints. Should Houston lose at San Francisco next Sunday, they will get the #1 pick based on being the league's lone 2-14 team. If the Texans win, as many as five teams could be tied at 3-13, giving New Orleans the edge since their opponents have combined for 124 wins, four less than any other 'contender'. The question then would be if the Saints would take Bush, or opt for Matt Leinart instead (which leads to my Saints moving to LA conspiracy theory). The 49ers win in St. Louis cost them any chance of landing Bush, due to a tough schedule it appears the best San Francisco can draft will be fourth or fifth. Ditto with the Green Bay Packers, who had about the same schedule difficulty. Depending on whether they can be the Seahawks JV, Green Bay is looking at picking anywhere between fourth and seventh. PLAYOFFS!?!? Don't ask him about playoffs, as the Falcons were mathematically eliminated after their overtime loss on Saturday. Nonetheless, coach Jim Mora Jr. is in some hot water after acting a bit like his dad in a post-game interview. Mora threw his headset and microphone, nearly hitting a sideline reporter, after being asked by radio analyst David Archer why he punted from his on 24 on fourth and two with 1:08 remaining in OT. Actually Mora's strategy was right, a tie would had at least kept the Falcons alive in the playoff chase.  COMPLETE NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE IN KAC FOOTBALLFANTASY FOOTBALL BREAKDOWN: Despite my opponent striking gold picking up Kyle Boller and starting him for Peyton Manning, I was still able to easily win the championship game in my Yahoo League, going over 100 points in both playoff games and finishing a nifty 14-2. As no doubt was the case with thousands of other fantasy football winners, I attribute my win to having the unstoppable RB comination of Shaun Alexander/Larry Johnson. If you were fortunate enough to get SA in Round One followed by LJ later on hoping for a Priest Holmes injury, you obviously struck gold. The crazy thing is besides those two picks most of my original draft stunk. R1: Alexander, R2: Kevin Jones (ended up dropping, remember all the August buzz about Kevin and Julius Jones??), R3: Steven Jackson (was on my bench after LJ broke out), R4: Marc Bulger (dropped after he got hurt the second time, played him about four times all year in all), R5: Darrell Jackson (dropped after he got hurt), R6: Matt Hasselbeck (dropped in early October and picked up Favre for a game in which he went off v. the Saints, amazingly one other owner dropped H'Beck later on), R7: Isaac Bruce (drop), R8: Dallas Clark (drop), R9: Larry Fitzgerald (best pick besides LJ), R10: Brandon Stokley (drop), R11: Larry Johnson (103rd pick overall), R12: Deion Branch (started most of the year), R13: Kurt Warner (dropped, but picked up again later on). The final two rounds I used for my kicker and defense, and those two positions were shuffled amongst various kickers and teams throughout the year. My winning Week 16 lineup was: QB - David Garrard (worked as a one week plug-in), RB's - Alexander/LJ, WR's - Fitzgerald, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (waiver-wire early in the season), Drew Bennett (recent waiver wire), TE - Chris Cooley (gold with 4 TD's in Weeks 15/16), K - Josh Scobee, DEF - Carolina. I also picked up DeShaun Foster, Ricky Williams, and Josh McCown over the last two weeks just to make sure other contenders didn't wind up with them. Also I have to consider Eli Manning (after Week 3) my best waiver wire pick-up of the year. It's also fun to look back at the entire first round from August, which was Peyton Manning, Tomlinson, Alexander, Priest Holmes, Donovan McNabb, Antonio Gates, Willis McGahee, Randy Moss, Edgerrin James, and Deuce McAllister - Daunte Culpepper was the 11th overall pick to open Round 2. Not counting Gates, which went to a dead money team, four of the top ten suffered season ending injuries while Moss and McGahee were major dissapointments, which leaves as with a .400 batting average for the first round - actually .300 if you count Tomlinson crapping out the last four weeks. Moral of the story?? The draft is not nearly as important as other fantasy sports while scouring the waiver wire and being up-to-date with NFL happenings is of utmost importance. This year also proves how much more important the running back position was as opposed to running backs. Bulger got hurt on me, but it was a non-factor since I was able to plug in the likes of Warner, Eli, Favre, Josh McCown, and Gerrard over the course of the season. That's six QB's in one season, and with the exception of a couple ill-advised weeks I used Favre, I came out pretty good. POKER 'EPIDEMIC' AT FOREFRONT OF COLLEGE GAMBLING CRAZE: Epidemic?? More like PAN-DEMIC. In fact a KACSPORTS investigation discloses at least one school where the FACULTY plays on-line. Calling it a 'worrisome' trend, experts note that poker is 'head and shoulders over other types of college gambling'. BUT IS THE 'FAD' FADING??? Norman Chad notes on 'Tournament of Champions' telecasts that this years monster field of 5,619 for the WSOP Main Event could balloon even more to the 7-9,000 range. But other signs point that the poker craze may in fact be in decline, as boxed sets of cards and chips are discounted, ratings drop for poker-themed television shows and shares of a poker-linked stock slump. Myself, I saw a poker table set discounted half-price at a store. A classic example of over-production, as a buddy of mine would say pretty soon you'll be able to buy poker chips in the rest room at Wal-Mart. HACHEM DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY TAXES: Dang, maybe I should move to Australia, tax office rules Joseph Hachem doesn't have to pay taxes on any of his $7.5 million WSOP winning because 'he was pursuing a hobby.' Try giving that line to the IRS. TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS TELECAST: Turns into a heavyweight duel between Mike Matusow and Phil Hellmuth. Only question is who the hell to you root for??? Chad discloses during the telecast that Matusow wasted no time blowing a good portion of his million dollar winning from his ninth place finish from the Main Event, losing $200 Grrr in on-line games and sports betting. Matusow disclosed that he had to get his parents to take away his computer and close his sports accounts. Matusow had to spend time in jail earlier this year in regards to a drug charge. More evidence that there is a very dark side to the poker world.BLITZ 'THE LEAGUE' NOT SELLING VERY WELL: Maybe more like an XFL video game. Midway football title has sold about 350,000 units since it's release in October. I saw it discounted at a local K-Mart for $29.99 and it's news when K-Mart disconts anything involving video games. The 'gritty' new video game involves a fictional football league, where players cripple their opponents, gamble and use performance-enhancing supplements. The game is able to feature graphic violence and adult themes not usually seen in sports titles because it was produced without an NFL license and the restrictions that carries. It fictionalizes behavior that the NFL tries to downplay, such as off-the-field fights and wild parties. It's release came around the same time as allegations regarding the Minnesota Vikings boat party surfaced. One analyst doesn't think the game will do well, noting fans would 'probably rather play a football game that features the Dallas Cowboys than the Dallas Aztecs.' Dallas Aztecs, when does SDSU file the lawsuit??? Last year 8,000,000 pro football titles were sold, with Madden selling 6 millions, meaning the now defunct ESPN title sold about two million last year. SLEEPING BEAUTIES??? Bizarre story cites a study that characters who lapse into a coma on daytime soap operas pull through far better than people in real life, and usually wind up being no worse for the wear. Of course, we're talking actresses - I'm guessing they're 100 percent covered on health insurance as well. In a related note I dozed off in front of the Packer game last Monday night - next thing I knew it was Friday afternoon. RASHEED WALLACE TRAGEDY: Cousin dies in shootout with Philadelphia police.  TRAGEDY - JAMES DUNGY DEAD Passing of 18-year old son of Colts coach sends shockwaves throughout the NFL. REACT: I went to a sports bar to catch the Colts-Chargers contest last Sunday. During the game I remembered coach Dungy's son on the sideline holding the cord to the headset during a Bucs-Packers playoff game eight years ago, considering James was the oldest that would had made him 10 at the time, I couldn't imagine anyone much younger being allowed near the field. I wondered what had become of him, imagining that he'd be in college by now and perhaps even playing ball. How ironic, an unbelievably sad story that truly puts sports in perspective. DIFFERENT SIDES OF JAMES DUNGY COME TO LIGHT: Some saw a very polite man who would pray in public. However neighbors recently saw someone deeply troubled beneath the surface. Details of a possible 'disturbing' web site also emerged with James Dungy's profile. It's said the blog contained pictures of handguns, marijuana, and gang signs among other things. It could not be verified that the site was created by James Dungy, and was taken off-line. There was also another report that sheriff's deputies took him into custody in October because of a possible drug overdose. Dungy was a defensive end at Gaither High School, and was enrolled in Hillsborough Community College to pursue a degree in criminal justice technology, according to a spokesman at the college.SHARK ATTACKS ROWERS!?!? 12-foot shark batters boat of a New Zealand team for 15 minutes during a 2,500 mile trans-Atlantic race, rocking the vessel and leaving the rowers 'shell-shocked'. Rowers call 'support ship' for advice, it arrives six hours later - they could had been lunch by then. STEVE HOWE'S SON ARRESTED: 18 year-old son of oft-troubled Dodger pitcher arrested on suspicion of possession of steroids and alcohol. CHAD JOHNSON CELEBRATION TO INVOLVE VENISON??? Just in time for Christmas, although sometimes it sounds like some of #85's celebrations are more fantasy than anything else. CJ insists he hit a deer on the highway, but it somehow wasn't injured. Now Chad claims he's going to trot the animal out if he scores on Saturday. Or he could drive on a road in Wisky and he would have his own fleet of eight in just about no time. This is beginning to sound WWF'ish. Too bad Jake 'The Snake' Roberts never played in the league - imagine if Chuck Bednarik had knocked out Gifford, then went to the sidelines, pulled a bag out (which is moving of course), then drapes the python over #16 - I've got to photoshop that!!!  CAN HE STILL PLAY IN THE CAPITAL ONE BOWL??? NO!!! No sooner than I mention Booker Stanley's A&B stemming from a Madison street festival earlier this year (right) and he gets in trouble again. Booker has been suspended from the Badger program after allegedly choking a 20-year old woman in his apartment. The 22-year-old junior could face charges of second-degree reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, two counts of battery and intimidation of a victim, according to a Mad-town police spokesman. 'SPORTSCENTER IS NEXT!!!' The ABC/ESPN empire came dangerously close to ruining it's own dream BCS matchup by having Matt Leinart do what Chris Fowler refers to as a 'six-second, three word tag' promoting SportsCenter. Guess what, that's an NCAA no-no, and USC actually declared Leinart ineligible while reporting the violation. The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner was ultimately reinstated after the university petitioned the NCAA. But taking no chances, the school has put a muzzle on Leinart talking to the media until after Christmas.EIGHT IS ENOUGH!?!? You think steroid suspensions in MLB and the NFL are tough??? Try telling that to Argentine tennis player Mariano Puerta, who has been banished for eight years after testing positive for a stimulant after losing in the French Open final, his second positive test within two years. The stimulant is said to be something that his Mrs. was taking for hypertension. Puerta was banned for nine months in 2003 for using clenbuterol, an asthma medication with some steroid-like properties. Says the World Anti-Doping head, 'You're dealing with somebody who's tested positive twice in less than two years and clearly doesn't think the rules apply to him.' The reason Puerta gets off with 'only' eight years instead of a lifetime ban is because the ITF terms the French Open offense as 'inadvertant'. Still, Puerta's results from the French Open are nullified, and all prize money won after that tournament are also forfeited, and Puerta will be 35 when the suspension is over. At least he'll have plenty of time to tune up for the Seniors Tour. SHOW US YOUR LIGHTNING BOLTS!!! As if it isn't bad enough that the San Diego Chargers are about to be snubbed clear out of the NFL Playoffs, Drew Brees has been left off the AFC Pro Bowl roster. True someone has to be left out with Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, and Tom Brady in the conference. Myself I would had squeezed Brees past Brady, but that would had been like snubbing Christ.  CRYBABY OF THE WEEK: Jeremy Roenick goes absolutely ballistic over not be selected for the U.S. Olympic hockey team, and takes it out by scoring two points on Monday night - which brought him all the way up to 13 points in 32 games - not exactly Olympic numbers even if you do have more career points than anyone else on the team. It's what have you done for me lately. Jeremy will have a while to stew about his snub, as he found Tuesday morning that he has a busted digit and will miss 4-6 weeks.IRONIC??? Vikings coach Mike Tice befuddled (what else is new??) that somewhere between 15,000 to 20,000 Steeler fans took over the Metrodome on Sunday, no doubt buying the tickets from season ticket holders at a pretty good markup. All this from a coach who has no trouble re-selling his own Super Bowl tickets. First off, Steeler fans take over every stadium, they even took over Lambeau this year and I thought of that as near-unthinkable. Second, your teams marketing department needs to do a better job, buy tickets to that pre-season game v. the 49ers and you can buy tickets for the Steelers game, you know the same two-game packages you link with the Packers game (so Packer fans have to pay for two games - which they do with no problem). BOOZE SALES BANNED AT JETS MNF GAME: After all hell broke loose in the john and a few other places during a Saints/Jets Sunday nighter a few weeks ago, the Meadowlands decides to prohibit alcohol sales for next Monday's Patriots/Jets game. Alcohol will be served per usual for the Jets season finale the following Sunday v. the Bills, which is New Year's Day so everyone will already be hung over.  PACKERS ROUTED 48-3: I've been arguing that at least Green Bay has been competitive in virtually every game this year - well that all went out the window last night. Incidentally, Brett Favre has thrown five TD's v. 16 interceptions in his last eight games. Also, it's said that Mike Sherman only allows reporters to see the minimum amount of practice time allowable by the league, but those who have managed to see a glimpse of Aaron Rodgers says he doesn't look that good - last nights fourth quarter performance seems to support that theory. When Rotoworld refers to it as 'his best Kyle Orton impression' that doesn't speak too highly. IF A FIGHT BROKE OUT ON ARKANSAS ST. TEAM BUS, WOULD IT MAKE A SOUND??? In Lafayette, LA for tonights relocated New Orleans Bowl, the team had to bail linebacker Chris Littleton out of a Parish jail over the weekend after an incident on the team bus. Police say a fight broke out on a team bus with the driver pulling the vehicle over and summoning officers. When officers entered the bus and tried to restore order, Littleton allegedly pushed one of the officers. Littleton will play in tonights game however, as the coach feels that Littleton did not act inappropriately after his assesment of the situation. UPDATE: ESPN sideline reporter tells about the Littleton incident during New Orleans Bowl broadcast, and added that the charge was for elbowing an officer, and knocking his taser to the floor. Reporter then adds that Littleton was playing because the coaches assesment was that he didn't do anything wrong. The color analyst then chimes in that had the coach felt differently, that he would not be playing. After the ensuing play, they go back to the sideline reporter, who had more information to add, which was that the Jonesboro Sun reported that Littleton was suspended from the team in 2004 and also that the Jonesboro police department reports that Littleton has had AT LEAST THREE previous 'run-ins' with law enforcement - you mean they've lost count??REPEAT PERFORMACE!!! Controversial soccer player Paolo Di Canio is in major hot water for his continued habit of giving Nazi salutes during Italian League games. Di Canio was already facing a one-game/10,000 Euro fine for giving the salute to rival fans at Livorno last week, then did it again in a game v. first-place Juventus this past weekend. Livorno fans as known for being left-wing while fans of Di Canio's team are generally considered extreme right-wingers. You may recall Di Canio being fined for giving the salute after a game v. a rival team around this time last year, an act that earned him public praise from the grand-daughter of Benito Mussolini. FIFA's heads are not quite as amused, and are considering giving Di Canio a liftime ban. Considering Di Canio is 37, he's probably already in the middle of a Brett Favre late-career crisis - somebody teach this guy to give a USC 'Fight On' sign or something else instead. |
2003 NFL DRAFT PROFILES
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