There was a report earlier this week that Tim Tebow was at Palm Beach Autographs in Florida to sign autographs. They were priced at $160 per autograph and an additional $75 if you wanted a picture with the University of Florida legend. If you do the math, with the approximate 1,500 people that showed up, over $240,000 was raised. It is said that a portion of this will go to Tebow's foundation, but I personally think it's ridiculous to charge anything but especially that much. Unless all the money goes to charity of course. Tebow is a national icon and is about to get drafted in this year's NFL Draft. This is ridiculous. The Dirty
I don't see how Dallas can't be mentioned. I understand it's only for this week, but the Mavs are clearly the hottest team in the NBA. They have stampeded all the way back to second place in the Western Conference, only three games behind the L.A. Lakers. Look out for the Mavs to challenge the Lakers for the one seed if L.A. can't get their act together (three game losing streak).
As the dust settles after the NHL trade dealine, we finally get a good look at how the teams will look for the playoffs. Some teams made more trades than others because they could afford to do more, or simply because the team didn't feel they needed to make changes. Those who can afford to make changes gain an advantage in the fact that they can improve their team and give themselves a much better shot at making the playoffs if they are in contention.
The most active team during this years trade deadline was the Phoenix Coyotes, making seven different trades on this very busy day. They have added defensemen Derek Morris and Mathieu Schneider. They also added fowards Wojtek Wolski, Lee Stempniak, Petteri Nokelainen, and Alexandre Picard, as well as Goaltender Miika Wiikman and a few draft picks. This is a team that took full advantage of the trade deadline and made changes that they feel will help them either clinch or make the playoffs.
For teams like the Phoenix Coyotes, who are currently sitting in 5th place in the West and are only ahead of the 6th place Colorado Avalanche by 1 point, this deadline is more of a lifeline.
However, take a minute and think about this: these trades deeply change the players, yes for the fans they are fun to watch and you are happy, but not so much for the players. Some players want to get out off the organization and look forward to the trades, others are just traded. These players have to say goodbye to friends/teammates, and relocate including their family's which can be very hard, especially in the middle of the year. Think about this, your a player on one of the top team's in the league, or a team in major playoff contention. Next thing you know you get a phone call from your GM telling you that you have been traded. So instead of being on a top team, one that you have helped get there, you are now an a team that may not even be in playoff contention. I don't know about you but this would frustrate me; however, you can't do anything about it, other than try and help your new team. On the flip side, you could go from being on a non-contender to a top team, simply because that team feels you could help them go the distance.
In the end, for some team's this can be a lifeline and help them win a championship, or it can take you out of the playoffs. For players this can be a great thing and help you to win a championship or it can take you out of the hunt.
The Washington Capitals had a very busy trade deadline day, making 4 trades, second only to the Coyotes 7. The Capitals have added Forwards Scott Walker and Eric Belanger as well as Defenseman Joe Corvo and Milan Jurcina. If you recall the Caps traded Jurcina to Columbus in the deal for Jason Chamera, and have now made a conditional trade to get him back, despite him getting injured during the Olympic break.
Joe Corvo is a solid offensive minded defenseman who will add a veteran presence to the blue line and another scoring threat to go with young gun Mike Green. I personally was very upset when i first heard that the Caps had traded for Milan Jurcina cause I don't think he is that good of a player. Not to mention, with the addition of Corvo, as well as all of the young talent in the minors, I didn't see the need. Then i heard that it was a conditional trade in the sense that if Jurcina does not play this season because of his injury, the trade in void, I think.
EricBelanger is a center from the Minnesota Wild that will add depth to the Caps PK and gives them another dependable person for face offs. He should fit in very nicely and should help to create yet another solid line for the Caps. Kevin Walker is a a solid gritty right winger from the Hurricanes who will definitely help the Caps. He is physical and a hard working player that will add an enforcer to the Caps line up, adding another strong checking player, something the Capitals can definitely use.
All in all, the Capitals had a good day at the trade deadline. Hopefully with the help of these new players, the Caps can hold on to the East and win their first ever Stanley Cup.
By Dan Rodgers There seems to be a new trend headlining the NFL this off-season:
Release your 30+ year-old running back because his production is going to drop off. Personally, I am not yet sure how I feel about this. The Jets are set to release Thomas Jones tomorrow; this after arguably his best year as a pro. He set a career high tallying just over 1,400 yards and also had a career high with 14 rushing touchdowns. This all while being 31-years-old. However, he will be 32 by the time next season rolls around and he is due 2.8 million in salary and 3 million in roster bonuses (whatever that means).
The dilemma now becomes (for the Jets): They have Jones, who was third in the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. They also have Shonn Greene, who in his rookie year led the NFL in post season rushing yards. Not to mention, they have Leon Washington who is one of the most explosive backs in the NFL. Even though Washington is coming off injury, it is the same injury Darren Sproles returned from effectively.
Note: By releasing Jones, he becomes available to every team in the final eight...including the Patriots.
Other 30+ year-old backs that have been released include Brian Westbrook and LaDanian Tomlinson. The Eagles are expected to have LeSean McCoy step right in as the feature back. The Chargers are expected to solve their situation in the draft, through free agency or both because they might also lose Darren Sproles to restricted free agency.
My prediction is that this trend is happening due to the overwhelming depth at running back in this league. Most teams run a two-back set in some way or another. Even the amazing Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson share the load with Chester Taylor and LenDale White.
Look for Jones, Westbrook, and LT get forced to take huge pay cuts if they want to play for a contender. Unless they want to finish their career out with a team like the Rams/Raiders/Lions they will not get feature back money.
Where they'll end up:
Look for LT to go to a team like the Texans where he can share time and tutor Steve Slaton.
Westbrook will probably end up going to a team like the Vikings. He won't get double digit carries but will be a pivotal third down back.
Jones, unfortunately, will get brought in by a team like the Pats or Eagles. The Pats love bringing in old backs for cheap to get the ball the five times they don't throw it. The Eagles would be a good fit because he could get some goal-line and short yardage carries without being worn out. He would complement McCoy well.
Canada's goal, as the home town team, was to walk away with 40 medals...at least 10 gold. Well, the the U.S.A. was the closest to the 40, but Canada smashed the gold medal mark with 14 of them.
