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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Month: April 2012

Serie A: Juve Two Victories Away From Glory!

Posted on by Luciano Giuliano

Another match day down, and three more to go, to decide the Scudetto champions of 2011-2012!

Juventus were keen to maintain their position at the top of the table, leading rivals AC Milan by three points as the Bianconeri travelled to Novara with ex-Juve stars Michel Platini and Gianpiero Boniperti in attendance as both are from the Novara area. The Bianconeri went ahead from an Andrea Pirlo free kick outside of the box which led to a Mirko Vucinic cheeky chip into the net for the 1-0 lead. Before the halftime interval, the Old Lady doubled her lead with Emmanuele Giaccherini crossing the ball for a Marco Borriello diving header. It is the ex-Roma striker’s second goal in two games for the Bianconeri. At the 50th minute, Arturo Vidal continued his fine form bagging the third goal on a rebound from a Vucinic effort. Fourteen minutes later, it was 4-0 as Vucinic scored the final goal of the game. Novara are now relegated. La Vecchia Signora leads with 77 points and need two victories to secure their 28th Scudetto!

AC Milan put in a fine performance against Siena in Tuscany as the Diavoli ran rampant, 4-1, with Italian international Antonio Cassano scoring one and assisting two in his first start since returning from a long injury layoff. At the 26th minute mark, Bari native Cassano popped in a sitter to give Milan the lead. Three minutes later, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 26th of the campaign with a blast from close range. With seven minutes remaining, Siena pulled one back with Albania striker Erjon Bogdani. At the dying stages though, the visitors eliminated any sign of a comeback with goals from Antonio Nocerino and Ibrahimovic. The defending champions remain in second place on 74 points.

The race for third is heating up with 4 teams tied on 55 points – Napoli, Udinese, Inter Milan, and Lazio. Udinese defeated Lazio 2-0 at the Stadio Friuli with spectacular goals from Antonio Di Natale and Roberto Pereyra. There was controversy and confusion on the second goal though, as a whistle from the crowd was blown before Pereyra scored from the sideline which stopped the Lazio players from running. A tussle broke out as a result at the end of the match, as the Biancocelesti argued the man in charge which resulted in an André Dias expulsion.

Inter Milan gained three points with a 2-1 victory over Cesena. Cesena striker Luca Ceccarelli gave the visitors a surprise lead on 57 minutes. The boys in black and blue were not done however, as Swiss international Steve Von Bergen netted the equalizer two minutes later. Mauro Zarate bulged the ol’ onion bag with an effort of his own with 18 minutes remaining. Inter patron Massimo Moratti looks set to confirm youngster Andrea Stramazzoni as head coach for next season.

AS Roma tied Napoli at home in an exciting match up. The Giallorossi took the lead with Marquinho hammering in off a low cross from the right. The Azzurri came out flying in the second half with two super goals from Juan Zuniga and Edinson Cavani. The Romans were not giving up though and equalized with Brazilian substitute Fabio Simplicio who celebrated excessively by kissing his mother, daughter, and wife in the bleachers. The match ended 2-2.

Other results: Palermo 1-1 Catania; Cagliari 0-0 Chievo; Bologna 3-2 Genoa; Atalanta 2-0 Fiorentina; Lecce 1-2 Parma.

Serie A Preview of Week 36

Week 36 will be played May 1 and May 2 as the Italian Championship winds down in order to allow the national side time to prepare for the upcoming European competition. Juventus will welcome relegation-battlers Lecce to the Juventus Stadium. Antonio Conte’s men have no intention of becoming complacent in the final games of the year. The Bianconeri will come out firing on all cylinders as they need only two victories to write history – a chance to win their first Scudetto since Calciopoli which saw two titles revoked. Lecce, hometown of the Juve tactician, will also need the three points for salvation and will be desperate to get them. The Bianconeri spirits and motivation should prove to be too hot to handle.

AC Milan will challenge Atalanta at the San Siro. The Rossoneri were the first team to defeat the Bergamaschi at the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia earlier this season. Antonio Cassano will certainly start this match up as he has returned to full fitness and is Massimiliano Allegri’s best asset at the moment. The Milanista defence will be wary of German Denis as the Argentine is somewhat prolific in front of goal with 16 goals to his name this season – 6th highest in Italy.

In the battle for third place, Udinese will play Cesena at the Dino Manuzzi Stadium. Udinese are fired up after the victory over Lazio and will most likely cause trouble for the Serie B-bound club.

Napoli will battle Palermo at the San Paolo. The Sicilians may want to play the role of spoiler for the Partenopei, but Edinson Cavani and Co. may prove to be too strong for the Rosanero who do not usually perform well away from home.

Parma welcomes Inter to the Stadio Tardini. The Nerazzurri will aim to dispose of their counterparts as they battle it out for third place. Moratti’s side will need to continue their current run of good form if they are to continue their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Lazio will have to deal with Siena in this midweek clash. This encounter may look easy on paper for the Aquile but Siena is well known for providing stiff competition. Without Miroslav Klose, Lazio has struggled to find the back of the net and it very well may happen again.

Other fixtures: Chievo v Roma; Fiorentina v Novara; Genoa v Cagliari; Catania v Bologna.

…and that’s the last word.

City Wins the Battle of Manchester: The Race is On!

Posted on by Jack Stone

Manchester United made their yearly visit to the Etihad Stadium to engage their cross-town rival, Manchester City.  In years past the game was very competitive, however this year’s version had just a little more on the line.  The match had huge implications as the result likely has decided the winner of this years English Premier League Title. Earlier in the season, City visited Old Trafford and trounced Sir Alex Ferguson’s boys 6-1, in one of the most humiliating loses in club history.

With only three points separating the two coming into the match, and with only three matches remaining, the atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium was one of pure frenzy and tension.  City had their basks to the wall, as going down six points to United would completely end their hopes of hoisting the trophy.  Even a draw would have been disastrous.  However a win by City would put the club in first place and in the driver’s seat with just 2 games to go in the Premier League Schedule.  City would hold the tiebreaker over United on Goal Difference.

The game started slowly and tentatively as both clubs seemed to be feeling each other out.  However City would soon take control, carrying the possession throughout the half and generating a number of chances in the first half.  It looked like United would soak up the pressure and keep the game scoreless, however an injury time header by City’s Vincent Kompany, off a David Silva cross broke the deadlock and sent the hosts to the dressing room with a 1-0 lead.

United started the second half strongly, and had a number of dangerous chances off early corners, but Joe Hart was equal to the task and kept City ahead on the scoreboard.  However, City would not go back into a defensive shell, and made their own forays up the pitch attempting to add to the lead.  They would again begin to assert their control on the match with good ball control and possession.  As City took more and more control of the match, things became heated on the United sideline, with Sir Alex Ferguson even getting into a shouting match with Roberto Mancini at one point.

In the 82nd minute Yaya Toure nearly ended the suspense and came oh so close to giving City the insurance goal they craved.  Toure split through the United defence, but his hard shot went just wide of the United net.  With mounting pressure from United, and a timely save from DeGea, the equalizer looked imminent.  But, alas, today belonged to Mancini’s crew.

The race for the EPL crown is neck and neck.  With City having to play Newcastle away next week, they certainly have the tougher of the two schedules.  Nothing is for certain, except that things just got A LOT more interesting!

…and that is the last word.

 

NHL Crime and Punishment: How Sheriff Shanahan & Co. are Failing with NHL Discipline

Posted on by Albert Hardy

With the first round of the NHL play-offs safely behind us and a roaring start to the second round under way, we’ve had enough time pass to really examine the NHL safety issues that emerged from the first round.  Does the NHL need a new strategy if it wants to clean up the game, or does it have an effective vehicle in the form of an internal “Department of Player Safety” headed by a former player?  Let’s examine that question a little closer, shall we?

Brendan Shanahan, VP of the Player Safety Department, definitely does have a checkered past.  Over his 20-year NHL career, he accumulated just under 2,500 penalty minutes and on 17 separate occasions, scored the notorious “Gordie Howe hat trick” — a goal, an assist and a fight, all in the same game.  That’s actually considerably more (15 more to be precise) than Howe, himself, produced of his eponymous hat trick!  Given the record, one could argue that the NHL’s never going to have a clean league if they hire guys like Shanahan.  You could argue that such a violent man is the wrong man to head up the NHL’s “Department of Player Safety.”

Alternatively, one could argue he’s the perfect man for the job because he knows from experience, what a foul play looks like.   He can separate the wheat from the chaff to really punish those who showed malice and deserve it, while dealing a lighter sentence to random, ‘heat-of-the-moment’ behaviour.  Only he could have that discretion because only he has walked the line.  Well, not only he, but you get the idea.

I would argue that we should avoid scrutinizing Shanahan’s record either way.  To judge his decisions as VP based on his “colourful” hockey career would mean succumbing to the Ad Hominem Fallacy.  That is, we shouldn’t attack a man’s judgements based on our opinions of the man himself.  We should listen to his arguments and see if they carry merit regardless of his character or past.  Just because someone has beaten someone senseless doesn’t mean he’s wrong when he says another player deserves a 25 game suspension for leaving his feet during a devestating hit.  No.  What truly matters is the logic behind his decisions and sentences.  So let’s dig in and examine that logic!

Shanahan’s sanctions from the first round have come under considerable analysis. He has responded with a series of defences for his decisions.   Let’s explore one particular incident in which Shanahan passed a controversial judgement; the Weber/Zetterberg incident.  This incident, I think, really shines a light on the challenges of cleaning up hockey.

In Game 1 between Detroit and Nashville, Shea Weber grabbed Henrik Zetterberg’s head from behind and, in a wrestling style move, smashed it against the boards (see photo and video at http://youtu.be/XiMgjO0EgtE ).  Zetterberg avoided serious injury thanks to a helmet and a lucky bounce on the glass.   The resulting punishment issued from Shanahan?  A $2,500 fine for Shea Weber and no suspension.

Shea Weber is a marquee player for Nashville and people criticised Shanahan by saying that Weber was getting “star treatment” and that he got off easy.  Here is Shanahan’s response to the “star treatment” accusation:

“We look as deep as we can into each situation. There are some stars and superstars in all sports that have an ugly history of offenses. But there are fewer of them. I would say as a whole, they don’t have a historical record of repeat offenses that other players might have. It always comes to the specific case and what happened. (Alex) Ovechkin got three games, and he’s a superstar. Duncan Keith got five games, and he’s a superstar… We just look at their history. Then we have non-superstars who get one or two games because they don’t have the history, either. We try to go past reputation and look directly at a guy’s history. If you played a long time and you have a clean record, you will receive a shorter suspension, whether you are on the first line or fourth line.”

Source: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/1167020–nhl-sheriff-brendan-shanahan-weighs-in-on-how-he-does-job

Okay.  That sounds like a reasonable argument, but here’s the rub – Weber didn’t receive any suspension.  Nothing.  Just a small fine for what seemed like a rather egregious hit with intent to harm.  So when pressed on his particular decision in this case, here is what Shanahan had to say:

“I investigated that hit. I called Detroit that night. I think that he pushed his face in the glass. I was very close to a 1-game suspension on that. When I talked to Detroit [GM Ken Holland], he basically said that the player was fine.  I think it’s a fair argument. A $2,500 fine is as high as we can fine a player.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/brendan-shanahan-considered-shea-weber-suspension-explains-controversial-153016338.html

Well, there may be some sense to that claim because Shanahan has also argued that cases where victims don’t get injured are analogous to attempted murder convictions.  Those who get convicted of attempted murder get smaller sentences than people who actually commit murder because no harm was done.  Alright.   Shanahan says something else about this case, though, that really shows the cracks in the logic and the ultimate flaw in the NHL system.  Shanahan says:

“The playoffs evolve. The game evolves. I have to try and keep evolving with them. It’s not like the regular season where every team has 82 games to play, and there’s equal footing. They change depending on the score of the series or how many games are left in the series.”

Ah ha.  Well, see, this is where it all falls apart.   This is the “Not Withstanding Clause” of the NHL Department of Safety.  In truth, Mr. Shanahan, the crime doesn’t change depending on the score of the series or how many games are left in the series.  This statement shows the flaw in the NHL system.  It shows that despite all the careful reasoning for the decisions, all the time spent looking past the player’s  “star status” to examine his historical record and looking into severity of the injury, none of that really matters to Shanahan.  What ultimately matters to him and to the NHL is “the score of the series or how many games are left in the series”.  What it truly boils down to is what will happen to the series if you punish this player.  If you take him out of the series with a big suspension, you might hurt the chances of the team to win the series and for the game to be an exciting match.  This statement from Shanahan demonstrates that the NHL is not serious about eliminating egregious hits from hockey.  Shea Weber didn’t get a slap on the wrist with a $2,500 fine for any other reason than the fact that it happened in game 1 of the series and that Weber is a critical player who could tip the balance of the series.

If Shea Weber had a long tarnished history, and had actually drawn blood or broken Zetterberg’s nose, they STILL would not have taken him out with a big suspension because it happened in game one of the series.  If they really cared about eliminating “goonery”, they’d have thrown the book at Shea Weber and said “tough nuts” to the fans and owners of the Preds.  If they really wanted to clean up the NHL, score in game and series would be immaterial.   If a player like Weber got thrown out for that type of hit and then the Preds lost the series, other players would drop the wrestling motif and focus on the puck because they wouldn’t want to relive the Weber incident.

…and that is the last word.

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #25: Tomas Hertl

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Drafted #17 Overall by the San Jose Sharks

Our #25 ranked prospect, Tomas Hertl, is playing for Slavia Praha HC in the Czech Extraliga.  Hertl was a key member of the Czech team at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships, and he greatly outplayed his countryman and teammate Radek Faksa.  Hertl was extremely impressive in the tournament with 3 goals and 2 assists in just 6 games. Hertl has long been a member of the Czech junior teams and also competed in the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Center / Left Wing
Born Nov 12 1993 – Prague, Czech Republic
Height 6.02 — Weight 200 — Shoots L
2010-11 Slavia Praha HC Czech 1 0 0 0 0 -1
2011-12 Slavia Praha HC Czech 38 12 13 25 22 9

The first thing that jumps out at you when you watch Tomas Hertl, is his very unorthodox skating style.  The best way to describe it is “herky-jerky”.  However despite the fact that its not a pretty skating style, it is still reasonably effective.  While Hertl is by no means a fast skater, he’s not a slow one either.  This unorthodox stride gets him where he’s going, and his good hockey sense and instincts keep him heavily involved in the play.

Hertl is a big, strong, versatile forward.  He is capable of playing both centre and wing.  He has good passing skills and vision, and is more a playmaker than a scorer.  He is at his best playing a puck control game.  He is great at working the boards and cycling in the offensive zone.   When the puck is on his stick, he effectively protects it, and then passes to an open teammate.  Without the puck he is able to find open spaces and has good hockey sense and instincts.  He’s not a huge hitter, but he uses his size and strength to win board battles.  Hertl could use work on his shot and his release, which are below average when compared to other top prospects.

Hertl is an excellent two way player. He was also very effective on faceoffs in the World Juniors.  A key penalty killer on the squad, he shows good positioning and instincts in the defensive zone.  He is a conscientious backchecker who uses his size, strength and active stick to keep defenders to the outside.  Hertl certainly projects to have good defensive skills.

Hertl has the potential to be a top 6 centre in the NHL.  He’ll be a bit of a project as his skating and his shot need a little bit of work, but his other skills are well developped.  We would compare Hertl’s potential to become a player similar to Martin Hanzal of the Phoenix Coyotes.

… and thats the Last Word.

Revis Threatens to Holdout: Does the NFL's best corner deserve a bigger contract?

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

The word out of the Revis camp is that he is threatening to hold out for the 2012 NFL season.  You will remember in 2010 he held out for 24 days and ended up signing a four-year contract.  The deal was heavily front-end loaded. Now, as he is set to make considerably less, he wants his pie.

But before we get into whether or not Revis has the clout to hold out, let’s first determine how his contract stacks up against the game’s top shutdown cornerbacks.  For comparison of their contracts, I used Charles Woodson, Nnamdi Asomugha and Joe Haden (honorable mention to Jonathan Joseph, who could very well be included in this group).

Top contenders:

Darrelle Revis

Darrelle Revis signed for $46 million over 4 years in 2010.  The contract was heavily front-loaded, and contained huge guaranteed money ($32 million).  Revis has already collected $32.5 million of that money over the first two years.  The two years remaining are set to pay him a total of $13.5 million.  Revis contract averaged to $11.5 million per season, however if he were to renegotiate it today, it would mean he collected $16.25 million per season over the life of the deal.  Throwing this contract out now, and redoing it would have significant salary cap implications for the New York Jets.

Joe Haden

Haden signed with Cleveland in 2010 (props for sticking with the Browns by the way… pasture could be greener elsewhere) for  $50 million over 5 years, at $10million aveage, with an added $12million bonus upon signing and $26 million guaranteed.  I like the length of this deal for Cleveland because I think Joe will be legitimately at the top for a while.

Charles Woodson

Charles signed a 5 year deal with the Pack for $55million, making his average salary $11million per.  Set to expire in 2014, I am not a fan of this contract, from a Packers standpoint.  Yes, he is still an elite shutdown guy, but I must point out that he was born in 1976.  For a corner, he is getting up there.

Nnamdi Asomugha

At $60million over 5 years, at an average of $12million per, and a $1.5million signing bonus, Asomugha is a contract I want if I’m the Eagles.  His deal doesn’t expire until the conclusion of the 2016 season, Phili has a legitimate shutdown guy, who is still improving, at what I consider a reasonable fee considering the importance of the position.

 

A few years ago this would be a non-issue.  Darelle Revis was the best shutdown man in the NFL, and in my opinion perhaps the game’s most talented player at any position.  I remember my father, who knows his football, telling me as I grew up that aside from perhaps the quarterback, the shutdown corner is oftentimes the team’s most talented athlete. One-on-one coverage is obviously much easier for the receiver (not to minimize the receiver, however), and knowing when you can rely on the safety for help is difficult.

Ranking Contract Value Amongst Elite Shutdown Cornerbacks:

Given Darrelle Revis’ current contract, here are what I feel are the best values amongst the group of four top shutdown CB’s:

1. Darrelle Revis – When factoring in his signing bonuses and guaranteed money he makes the most, but he deserves that! If he plays the next two years with his current deal, he is by far the best value.  If he holds out and gets his new contract, which would be for an insane amount of money, then perhaps his great value drops.  Stay tuned.

2. Nnamdi Asomugha – I like this deal a lot. He is an elite corner, is paid as such, and has age on his side.  Nnamdi is a shutdown guy extraordinaire, and Eagles fans should be happy with this young man for at least a few more years.

3. Joe Haden – A good deal, however, I like him so much I wonder if we have a situation where Revis signs for much bigger money, thereby upping the ante, and at the same time making Haden’s contract look relatively small…or at least a very good bargain.

4. Charles Woodson – Maybe I’m biased, I don’t know.  Woodson is a great player and has been for a long time. I am just not sure that he remains at the top of his game for a few more seasons.  I can see a drop-off in performance looming.

 

Back to Revis:

Revis claims he is unsure of his future. ” I just don’t know. I’m not saying I am going to hold out. I’m not saying I’m not,” the NY Jet told the Revis told the Daily News earlier this week.  He says his focus is on the team, but that his agents are doing what’s best for him.  “It’s my career, and I’m in control of it, what I can do,” Revis shared with the NY Post. “I know I’m under contract. We’ll hash that out when the time comes.”

In 2010, as I mentioned earlier, Darelle had the upper hand because he was without question the game’s marquee shutdown man.  However, in 2012 does he still have that  distinction, and therefore the same bargaining power?  If he is not the premiere CB, then who might reign supreme this year?

While Revis still has to be the top CB right now, there is no indication he will be the next Darrell Green, who played until he was 70, give or take.  The window for Revis to cash in is closing and he knows it.  It’s not like he isn’t going to be good 2, 3, 4 years from now – he just likely won’t be the best.

…and that is the last word.

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #24: Brady Skjei

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Drafted 28th Overall by the New York Rangers.

Brady Skjei (pronounced Shay) is our 2nd ranked player from the US NTDP.  A member of the squad’s deep and impressive blue line core, Skjei joins fellow defence mates Jacob Trouba, and Patrick Sieloff as top 50 ranked prospects.  Skjei was a member of the US Team that recently won gold at the IIHF Under 18 World Championships.  We believe that his impressive showing as part of a dominant Team USA blue line, should leave a favourable impression with NHL Scouts and greatly help his draft stock.  Skjei is a Minnesota boy and is committed to join the fabled Golden Gophers Hockey Team at the University of Minnesota next year.

Defense
Born Mar 26 1994 — Lakeville, MN
Height 6.03 — Weight 183 — Shoots Left
2010-11 U.S. NDTP USHL 36 1 5 6 14 -14
2011-12 U.S. NDTP USHL 24 3 9 12 12 5

Skjei continues our run of effective skating defencemen available for this year’s NHL entry draft.   He possesses excellent edgework and agility for a big man.  He has very good mobility, balance, and makes quick pivots.  Skjei has above average speed and uses it to join the rush.  This skating ability helps him in both the offensive and defensive zones.

Offensively Skjei is always willing to join the rush.  He handles the puck well, and is willing to make dynamic rushes, and take the puck right to the net.  On the Powerplay Skjei is a good passer who makes smart decisions and can make creative passes putting the puck on the tape of his teammates.  However his slapshot needs work and is below average when compared to the other defencemen available in the first round.

Defensively Skjei uses good positioning, hockey sense and his great skating to keep defenders to the outside.  He also is pretty effective at keeping the crease clear for the Americans and at picking up loose pucks.  He uses his size to limit passes and chances against.

Skjei possess the ideal height that NHL teams always seem to look for among defencemen.  He is listed at 6’3″ and may still be growing.  However at only 183 lbs, Skjei will have to spend time in the weight room and bulk up before being ready for the rigors of pro hockey.  Despite his great size Skjei is not a physical defender.  We would like to see him be more aggressive and really start throwing his body around out there.   If Skjei can learn to harness the physical aspects of his game he could become a top 2 defender in the NHL.  However we currently see him as more like to top out as a 2nd pairing player.  We’d compare Skjei’s game to Rostislav Klesla of the Phoenix Coyotes.

… and thats the Last Word.

 

The St. Louis Rams Rolled the Dice at the Draft, and Won BIG!

Posted on by Ben Kerr

It was a risky move for the St. Louis Rams to have vacated the 6th spot in the 2012 NFL draft and allow the Dallas Cowboys to select the top cornerback prospect, Morris Claiborne.  As good as Claiborne might be, he couldn’t have helped the St. Louis Rams.  They need much more than one player to help turn this franchise around, and they know it.

The Rams are the winners of only 15 games over the last three seasons.  The result has been a single first-overall pick and two second-overall picks, including the second selection again in this year’s draft.  Prior to the draft, the Rams’ management decided that one more top player wasn’t going to be enough to help turn this franchise around.  When a team losses as much as they have over the past few years, their franchise has fundamental roster issues that need to be corrected.  Bringing in one, or ever two, superstars is not going to change anything.  The entire roster needs to get more competitive at virtually every position.

This analysis led them to make the high risk/high reward swap of the #2 overall pick (Robert Griffin III) to Washington for a massive haul.  They picked up this year’s 6th and 39th overall picks and an additional first rounder in 2013 and 2014.  When it came time to pick at #6 the Rams were happy to move down to the 14th spot and pick up an additional 2nd rounder this year.  They later moved that 2nd rounder down even further and picked up an additional first rounder.  The end result was ten picks in the 2012 draft, five of them coming in the first three rounds including a massive three 2nd-rounders.  When you add this sizeable draft haul to their other recent top picks, the Rams could be starting 10 players drafted in the first two rounds this upcoming season.  This is before factoring in the four first round picks the Rams will have in the next two seasons.

The highlight of the Rams draft is first round selection Michael Brokers, a massive Defensive Tackle from LSU, who will join two other first round defensive linemen, Chris Long and Robert Quinn.  This gives the Rams a chance at having one of the league’s premier defensive lines a few years from now.  At the top of the second round the Rams selected huge WR Brian Quick, who will team with last year’s 2nd rounder TE Lance Kendricks in rebuilding the talent around QB Sam Bradford.  Corner Janoris Jenkins was drafted next and will play alongside free agent acquisition Cortland Finnegan who will give the Rams an upgrade at a sorely needed position.  The Rams final second round selection was RB Isaiah Pead, the fastest back in the draft, who should complement All-Pro Steven Jackson nicely.

The success or failure of the trade to allow the Washington Redskins to acquire Robert Griffin III will not depend on the success of Griffin himself, but rather on the success of Sam Bradford.  All of the talent they now have surrounding Bradford should give him the best chance to succeed.

If their gamble pays off as it appears it might, the Rams will have made off like bandits.

…and that is the last word.

It Comes Down to AC Milan and Juventus in the Race for Serie A

Posted on by Frank Giuliano

Serie A Week 33 Review

Week 33 took place in midweek as a recuperation round from the postponed weekend which marked the tragic death of Piermario Morosini.

Let’s start off in Cesena where Juventus came to town looking for 3 points. The Bianconeri were awarded a spot kick in the 12th minute for a controversial handling offence as the Cesena defender was on the edge of the area. Andrea stepped up and missed his second consecutive pk. In the final stages, Marco Borriello finally broke his duck as it was perfect timing for the ex-Roma striker to score his first goal in a Juve jersey to snatch three points from Cesena. The Seahorses are now officially relegated. Juventus remains undefeated and continue to lead AC Milan by three points.

In Milan, the Rossoneri hosted Genoa in their first game since the incident that included the Genoa Ultras who demanded the players to take off their jersey because they are not worthy of it. Milan welcomed back Kevin-Prince Boetang who entered the match as a substitute in the second half and scored to give Milan the 1-0 win with a beautiful strike in the 86th minute.

ACF Fiorentina challenged the AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in the nation’s capital. The Viola came out surprise winners with 2-1 victory which significantly hinders the Giallorossi’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

Inter travelled to Udinese to take on Udinese. The men in black and white struck first with Danilo at the 6th minute. Inter quickly came roaring back with the equaliser 4 minutes later with a wonderful Wesley Sneijder strike. The Dutchman then scored his second which gave the Nerazzurri the 2-1 lead. Alvarez ended any hopes of an Udinese come back as he bagged the third goal for the visitors – 3-1. This win propels Inter back into the race for the final Champions League spot.

Other results: Novara 2-1Lazio; Lecce 0-2 Napoli; Siena 1-1 Bologna; Palermo 1-2 Parma.

Preview of Week 35 matches

The title race remains the same with Milan trailing Juventus by three points with four games left. AC Milan travels to Siena to try keep pace with Juve. The Rossoneri are in a very bad position they do not hold their destiny in their hands anymore. The Diavoli will aim to continue to put Juventus under pressure.

Juventus travels to Novara which will mark the derby of Piemonte as both clubs play in the same region. On paper, this encounter looks as if it should be an easy win for the Bianconeri. Novara earned a confidence-boosting win over Lazio in mid week action and will be motivated to mark the end of the Old Lady’s current undefeated streak in Serie A.

Udinese welcomes Lazio to the Stadio Friuli for yet another decider for the third and final Champions League spot. With an Udinese win, Francesco Guidolin’s men will tie Lazio for that position. This will most likely be a physical match up.

The Sicilian derby between Catania and Palermo also takes place this weekend at the Renzo Barbera in Palermo which is always a heated affair. Both teams’ seasonal objectives are simply over so the bragging rights will be up for grabs.

Roma will take on Napoli in Rome. This was expected to be a Champions League spot clash, but the Giallorossi have fallen apart. It will be very difficult to rebound from this crisis against a motivated Napoli side.  Cavani and Co. are still fighting for third and will be keeping an eye on Udinese and Lazio.

Inter is currently three points out of the Champions League spot and will host Cesena. The Nerazzurri are quietly climbed up the table and entered the race. Inter should win with no issues and are hoping the other key fixtures fall in their favour.

Other match ups: Cagliari v Chievo; Bologna v Genoa; Atalanta v Fiorentina; Lecce v Parma

…and that’s the last word.

Week 33 25 Apr 2012
Atalanta 1 – 0 Chievo
Cagliari 3 – 0 Catania
Cesena 0 – 1 Juventus
Lecce 0 – 2 Napoli
Milan 1 – 0 Genoa
Novara 2 – 1 Lazio
Palermo 1 – 2 Parma
Roma 1 – 2 Fiorentina
Siena 1 – 1 Bologna
Udinese 1 – 3 Inter
Week 34 22 Apr 2012
Catania 2 – 0 Atalanta
Cesena 2 – 2 Palermo
Chievo 0 – 0 Udinese
Fiorentina 0 – 0 Inter
Genoa 1 – 4 Siena
Juventus 4 – 0 Roma
Lazio 1 – 1 Lecce
Milan 1 – 1 Bologna
Napoli 2 – 0 Novara
Parma 3 – 0 Cagliari
LATEST
Week 35 29 Apr 2012 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta Fiorentina
Bologna Genoa(11.30)
Cagliari Chievo(Sat 17.00)
Inter Cesena
Lecce Parma
Novara Juventus
Palermo Catania(Sat 17.00)
Roma Napoli(Sat 19.45)
Siena Milan
Udinese Lazio(19.45)
FIXTURES
Week 36 02 May 2012
Catania – Bologna
Cesena – Udinese
Chievo – Roma
Fiorentina – Novara
Genoa – Cagliari
Juventus – Lecce
Lazio – Siena
Milan – Atalanta
Napoli – Palermo
Parma – Inter

Raonic Falters, But Impresses on the Clay in Barcelona

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

Canada’s Milos Raonic is turning heads.  The hard-serving Canadian bowed out today to David Ferrer, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5).  The match was hotly-contested between the two, who have battled over the past 18 months several time.  In fact, as the scores indicate, each set required an extra game for a decision.  There is no way around it, Ferrer has Raonic’s number…well, polo logo.

Not all is bad for Raonic, however.  His career has taken off in a relatively short time.  The mostly unknown Thornhill, Ontario, native was not any anyone’s radar a few years ago.  But after a strong 2011, and a good start to 2012, Milos is 25th in the ATP rankings.

Raonic began his great run at the Barcelona Open by defeating the world’s 13th seed, Nicholas Almagro.  But, perhaps no victory in his career is as impressive as that of Friday night over Andy Murray, the world’s fourth-ranked player.  On the strength of his serve and some timely breaks, Raonic  defeated the Scotland native 6-4, 7-6 (3).

…and that is the last word.