Is it really ever too early to talk about football? Sure, March Madness just started and everyone is thinking about their brackets and how Murray State, St. Mary’s, and Old Dominion have begun the busting of said brackets. Nonetheless, I am already excited for ASU’s football season. You see, ASU Football is the only game in town that I have season tickets for. I’ll go to 5-10 Diamondbacks games, one or two Suns games, and maybe a preseason Cardinals game (Sunday games unfortunately make it that way for me). But when college football comes around, my best friend Nathan, my brother-in-law/friend Jared, Jared’s best friend and best friend’s wife (most games), Jared’s parents, my wife (most games), and I dress up in maroon and gold, go out to eat barbecue and drink Mormon booze (Dr. Pepper or Pepsi/Coke), and attend every game in Tempe. Road games almost always involve at least Nate at my house or me at his (sometimes with wives and four children per family) with ribs or pizza, more Mormon booze, and a big screen TV. So, to answer the question, it is NEVER too early to talk about football, especially when it is ASU.
With all that being said, we have been very disappointed by ASU’s past two football seasons. Last season (a disaster) I personally did not have high expectations (I was hoping and expecting a bowl game, ANY bowl game). This was because of the previous year’s performance (disappointing), an unsure quarterback situation, and an overall opinion from the press that it was going to be a struggle. However, there was a buzz about the ASU defense. Dennis Ericksonwas excited about his defensive front, especially the linebacker corp (with a mix of senior leaders and young play makers). Other writers were expecting that the ASU defense was going to have win games for the team, with the offense simply needing to be adequate. The only “buzz” about the offense was the discussion of who was going to be the starting quarterback, not about talent.
The ASU defense was as advertised, finishing 13th overall nationally. Unfortunately, the same was the case for the offense, which finished 97th out of 120 schools. The defense, with the exception of the Stanford game, held up, but three times gave up game-winning field goals in the final minute of games. In each of the cases, the offense either left a short field or special teams gave the other team the ball in field goal range to start with. The result? An atrocious 4-8 record.
This year is different going into spring practice, which starts at the end of this month. There is still uncertainty at the quarterback position, as Stephen Threet, Brock Osweiler, and Samson Szakacsy all could be the starter. But this year, the buzz is about the offense. Here is what Dennis Erickson said that gives me some optimism:
We feel like we’ve got wide outs with the addition of the junior college players coming in that can do things. We feel like the speed of our offensive football team is way better than it’s ever been. So he (new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone) likes what he’s seen plus we have some guys coming in the fall…We’re using the Gerell Robinsons and Kerry Taylors of the world a little differently. They’re going to be much more involved and Aaron Pflugrad and Jamal Miles and the running backs that we have. We’ve got some running backs coming in who are very fast. So you’ll see more speed and our ability to use that speed more than you have. I think you’ll probably see as fast an offensive team as you’ve probably seen in a long time here and us taking advantage of that stuff.
This has me excited. Do I expect Dirk Koetter offensive numbers? I’m not saying that, but I do expect to see, rather than offensive ineptness, offensive efficiency at the very least. There should be energy on offense, with the hurry-up style that Mazzone is bringing. This, at the least, should lead to less defensive snaps, which will help a defense that is already solid.
Will the defense be as dominating as it was last year? That is a valid question. Even Erickson wonders, “Can we stay where we were defensively? We think so, but we lost some awfully good players.” The personnel is still solid. Vontaze Burflict now has a year under his belt. Matching last year’s defensive performance would be great, but shouldn’t be necessary. I would not be surprised to see a step taken backward, but I think that step back will still result in a top 40 defense. Offensively, could it be any worse? Not really. My hope is that at minimum that it can become an average offense. Even average would be a marked improvement over what happened last year.
What do we have to look forward to this next season? Well, we still have months to wait for the finished product, but if we can believe the enthusiasm there is for this year’s offense, we can hope to see anywhere between 7 and 10 wins in a year where the PAC-10 can been seen as wide open. Is it early? Yes. We still haven’t seen anyone practice. Is it early for excitement for football? NEVER! One thing I know about this year is that there is a different feeling, a good one.
(TUCSON, Ariz.) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with third baseman Mark Reynolds through 2012 with a club option for the 2013 season, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President & General Manager Josh Byrnes. Consistent with team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement buys out two of Reynolds’ arbitration-eligible years (2011-12) and possibly a third season (2013) if the D-backs exercise the option year in the contract.
“Mark has established himself as one of our core players,” Byrnes said. “He is one of the premier power hitters in the game, and he has also worked hard to become a valuable contributor with his defense and baserunning.”
Reynolds established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the Major Leagues and set career marks last season with 155 games played, 578 at-bats, 98 runs scored, 150 hits, 30 doubles, 44 home runs, 102 RBI, 76 walks and a .543 slugging percentage while posting a career high-tying .349 on-base percentage. He also finished 20th in National League MVP voting and was named to The Sporting News’ NL All-Star team. Reynolds joined Alex Rodriguez (2005, ’07), Shawn Green (2001) and Alfonso Soriano (2006) as the only players in the last decade to accumulate 40-plus home runs and 20-plus steals in a season. Reynolds’ 44 home runs were also the second-best single-season mark in D-backs history behind Luis Gonzalez’s 57 homers in 2001.
Since making his Major League debut on May 16, 2007, Reynolds leads all NL third basemen with 89 home runs and is second with 261 RBI and 35 stolen bases, tied for second with 247 runs and 8 triples, third with 177 walks and fifth with a .839 OPS. His 89 career home runs rank third in Major League history by a third baseman in his first three seasons behind Eddie Mathews (112) and Bob Horner (91) and ahead of Troy Glaus (77) and David Wright (67). His 261 RBI rank fourth in the same time span behind Pinky Whitney (335), Mathews (296) and Willie Kamm (263) and ahead of Wright (258).
GLENDALE, ARIZONA –Phoenix Coyotes President and Chief Operating Officer Douglas Moss announced today that the Coyotes’ home game versus the Chicago Blackhawks at Jobing.com Arena on Saturday, Mar. 20 is sold out.
In addition, the Jobing.com Arena doors will open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, thirty minutes earlier than normal, to accommodate the fans. The game begins at 6 p.m.
Following Saturday’s game versus Chicago, the next Coyotes home game is Saturday, Mar. 27 versus the Colorado Avalanche at 6 p.m. There are only four regular season home games remaining on the Coyotes’ schedule. The Coyotes are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference standings and play at the Florida Panthers today at 4:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Arizona and KFNX 1100 AM.
For more information, or to purchase tickets to an upcoming Coyotes game, visit www.phoenixcoyotes.com or call 480-563 PUCK (7825).
In the Coaches Region we have the No.2 seed Gregg Popovich, the brains behind the San Antonio Spurs, up against the No.7 seed Dennis Green, who wasn’t who we thought he was.
In the Player Region the No.2 seed Manu Ginobili faces off with No.7 seed, and Suns championship killer, John Paxson.
In our final day two match up, the No.2 seed in the Random Region, Playoff losses, a familiar foe to Phoenix sports fans, are up against the No.7 seed D-Backs color changes.
Let your hatred be heard and vote below. Polls will close Sunday. The No.4 vs. No.5 match ups will be open for voting Friday.
Paul Verna ate over 2 lbs 5 ounces to take Week 3 of the Native New Yorker Battle of the Bone wing eating contest.
Week 4 of the Native New Yorker Battle of the Bone 3 Wing Eating Contest heads to Glendale near Jobing.com Arena. Roc and Manuch will be broadcast live from 3pm-6pm. Immediately following the broadcast will be registration for our Battle of the Bone competition of 2010!
The Valley’s premier wing eating competition runs every Wednesday from now through August at a different Native New Yorker in Arizona. 2010’s Grand prize is a Harley Davidson from Chandler Harley Davidson and the runner up wins a pair of 2011 Arizona Diamondback season tickets.
To qualify for the finale, just win a weekly Native New Yorker location Battle of the Bone Contest by eating the most “medium” Native New Yorker chicken wings in 10 minutes and 60 seconds.
This season’s Native New Yorker Battle of the Bone is brought to you by Chandler Harley Davidson, Bud Light, Arizona Diamondbacks, Xyience Energy Drinks, Fox Sports Arizona, Fanster.com, 98 KUPD and The Fan AM 1060. Portions of proceeds will benefit the 100 Club of Arizona. Just click on the registration tab and enter!
Here’s a look at what you might have missed Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 on the local Phoenix sports radio airwaves.
Ice Edge Holdings COO Daryl Jones talks about the groups pursuit of the Phoenix Coyotes, their lease negotiations with Glendale and why they’ve appeared on Canadian radio recently
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General Manager of the Phoenix Suns Steve Kerr talks about the team’s 152 point out put, the future of Amare Stoudemire, the team’s bench and what to expect in the playoffs
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Vice President of University Athletics Lisa Love talks about how ASU loss in the NIT was a disappointment but that there is reason for optimism and how Herb Sendek is building a winning tradition in Tempe. Plus she talks about the women’s chances in the WNIT
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The newest Arizona Cardinal, Derek Anderson, talks about joining the team and battling with Matt Leinart for the starting quarterback job
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks about the signing of Derek Anderson, the team’s starting quarterback position and what he and Rod Graves may be looking for in April’s NFL draft
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Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan discusses the team’s current road trip, their six game winning streak and about the possible return of the White Out
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Ice Edge Holdings CEO Anthony LeBlanc talks about his groups bid to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes from the NHL and what it will take to get a new lease agreement with the city of Glendale
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Arizonans, sadly, do not have a team to favorably move up in their brackets this month. But there is a consolation prize…sort of. This month in the NBA is the stretch run for teams trying to secure the best playoff seed they can get, and the Suns are in the thick of the “Avoid the Lakers” race. Games against the Jazz and Blazers are huge if Phoenix really wants that number four seed. But should they want it that bad if it means playing the Jazz and then the Lakers in the first two rounds?
E-mail your thoughts on the Suns’ playoff run or comment below, and we’ll address your say this Saturday on Seven Minutes or Less.
S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.
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If Matt Leinart has a problem with the Cardinals signing Derek Anderson as a free agent, then the Cardinals should have a problem with Matt Leinart.
The Cardinals have done a lot for Leinart. They took him when his stock began to fall on draft day. They paid him well. They backed him when he became the TMZ poster boy and the international symbol for beer bongs. They made excuses for his play as backup for the last few years, attributing his play to rust and lack of snaps.
But if Kurt Warner, who more than any one player is responsible for taking the Cardinals from mediocrity a breath away from a Super Bowl title, had to win his job in training camp with a championship ring and MVP trophy in his locker, Leinart should have no problem showing Anderson who is the better quarterback in July and August.
To hand this team to Leinart and sign two clipboard holders as backups would have been a disservice to all those still wearing red in the desert. Arizona’s running game has and will improve, but the success of the offense will still lean heavily on getting the ball to Larry Fitzgerald controlling the ball. Leinart has had plenty of time to learn, mature and assume the persona of a leader – but there is still a question whether he can produce,
Anderson has been in the league just as long and has played more. Unlike Leinart, he’s thrown more touchdowns than interceptions and been to a Pro Bowl. Statistically, he had about the same numbers as Leinart but there is one caveat – when he gets under center in training camp, he will be surrounded by the best offense and team he’s ever had.
It’s a level playing field for both. May the best man win. And as long as you know you are the best man, there’s no reason to feel threatened or slighted.
Arizona will be better off if Leinart accepts the challenge, wins the job, beings a mobility factor that was missing with Warner and shows that he has learned how to manage a football game. But it shouldn’t be an all-or-nothing proposition. It shouldn’t be swim or Charlie Batch.
The Cardinals have had a predictable, Bidwill-like offseason that has fans uneasy as free agents head for the hills (circa 1998). But I can’t make a compelling argument for wildly overpaying Antrelle Rolle and Karlos Dansby – leaders of an underwhelming defense – but the best thing you can say about the replacement is they are cheaper.
The Anderson move makes sense. Instead of trying to find lightning in another aging arm, Anderson is a decent alternative if Leinart gets hurt – or if Leinart proves he deserves to be the starter. It’s time for that guy who led USC to national titles to show up for work…
I WAS among those touring the virtues of Arizona State’s basketball team. Predicted to finish seventh in the conference, the Devils won 22 games and finished second in the Pac-10 despite a roster devoid of star power or go-to-players.
But ASU proved they weren’t an NCAA-worthy team in the last week – first losing to a Stanford team they had handled easily twice earlier in the season and then imploding at home against Jacksonville Tuesday in the first round of the NIT.
This is the same Dolphins team that lost to Cal – a team that barely made the tournament themselves – by 32 points and had also lost to the likes of Belmont and Lipscomb (that sounds more like a cross street than two college basketball teams).
Missing “The Dance” on Sunday should not have come as a surprise to anyone in Tempe, especially after Washington won the Pac-10 Tournament and knocked everyone in a weaker conference down a peg. But coach Herb Sendek didn’t appear ready to let it go at Monday’s press conference, once again going over the Devils’ resume and their place in history as the first second-place, BCS-conference team not to be invited. With an NIT game 24 hours away, it might not have been the best tact…
GREAT fun to watch the Suns roll up 152 points on Kurt Rambis and the T-Wolves Tuesday. And for those who say “So what, they couldn’t beat the Lakers,” I counter that a Suns team that has won 16 of the last 21 games might be peaking at the right time on several levels.
*Amar’e Stoudemire is 100 percent. Leandro Barbosa is back. Steve Nash, after a week of intense workouts with physiotherapist Rick Celebrini, is getting there.
*Robin Lopez in the starting lineup is part of a domino effect that has made Channing Frye and Lou Amundson more effective. And if one of them isn’t clicking in a specific game, he sits and watches the other two.
*A Phoenix team that could never get to the free throw line is suddenly there all the time. More inside offense. More slashing to the basket. More scoring in the half court, and more pressure on defenses.
*Jason Richardson finally looks like the player the Suns thought they had obtained from Charlotte. He’s still not a complete player and cal still shoot you out of a game, but at least he’s bring the J-Rich that was advertised, the J-Rich that scored at will in Golden State. Hopefully, he’s also the J-Rich that rose to the occasion for the Warriors in the postseason.
No one will mistake the Suns for a championship contender. But their makeup and personnel might be more difficult to counter in a seven-game series than year’s past. You can’t just slow them down and exploit Steve Nash with a pick-and-roll and expect the Suns to fold. They could be a tougher out.
Tournament time is upon us and the first handful of opening round games in the “Phoenix’s Most Hated” tournament are ready to kick off.
We’ve got some big names in our first match ups with the Team Region’s No.1 seed Los Angeles Lakers taking on the No.8 seed ASU/UofA (depending on which school you hail from).
In the Coaches Region we have the No.1 seed Phil Jackson, architect of both the 1993 Bulls and the Lakers for most of the last decade, up against the No.8 seed Terry Porter, who deconstructed Mike D’Antoni’s Suns in a matter of months.
In our final opening day match up, the No.1 seed in the Random Region, NBA referees who cost the Suns numerous wins, are up against the No.8 seed 1969 Coin Toss that cost the Suns the draft pick that would be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Let your hatred be heard and vote below. Polls will close Saturday. The No.4 vs. No.5 match ups will be open for voting Thursday.
The Arizona Cardinals and head coach Ken Whisenhunt didn’t hide the fact that they wanted Matt Leinart to compete for the starting quarterback job in 2010. Today’s reported signing of Derek Anderson made it crystal clear that Leinart will have to fight for the job.
According to ProFootballTalk.com’s Gregg Rosenthal, Anderson’s deal is for 2-years $7.25 million. The contract includes $3.25 million in guaranteed money and incentives that could reach $18.25 million.
Numbers like that aren’t what you’d give to a quarterback whose primary duties will be to hold a clipboard. That is the kind of guaranteed money and incentives you give to a player you fully expect to push for the starting job.
Earlier in the week it looked like the Cards were in hot pursuit of San Diego Chargers’ third string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, a quarterback who had never thrown a pass in a regular season NFL game and not much competition for Leinart. Instead, they wind up with a young, former Pro Bowl quarterback in Anderson who should push the former USC star.
Confidence in Leinart, from the organization and fans, has always been a question mark. The Anderson signing just perpetuations that thought.
Changing that perception will squarely be on Leinart’s shoulders this season. The only question left is, does he have enough fight in him to beat out Derek Anderson?
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(TUCSON, Ariz.) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with third baseman Mark Reynolds through 2012 with a club option for the 2013 season, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President & General Manager Josh Byrnes. Consistent with team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Arizonans, sadly, do not have a team to favorably move up in their brackets this month. But there is a consolation prize…sort of. This month in the NBA is the stretch run for teams trying to secure the best playoff seed they can get, and the Suns are in the thick of the “Avoid the Lakers” race. Games against the Jazz and Blazers are huge if Phoenix really wants that number four seed. But should they want it that bad if it means playing the Jazz and then the Lakers in the first two rounds?
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