McNabb will bond with Skins’ receivers at ‘Hell Week’

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Update: The Washington Post has reported that new Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb has invited his receivers to Arizona for what he has named “Hell Week”; named so for the hot desert temperatures and demanding workouts that will take place when the group convenes. With Skins wideouts Santana Moss, Malcolm Kelly, and Devin Thomas among those expected to attend, McNabb will have has final opportunity to get in sync with his new targets before training camp begins on July 29. Said McNabb, “I think it’s important for the specialists on the offense to have that chemistry, to have that bond, where they can trust me and I can trust them.” Said Thomas, a third-year player out of Michigan State, “You want to get on that same page where he knows where I’m going to break out at when we’re running certain routes. Just so you can get that confidence to where we’ve done it before without the pads on and without the pressure on. So when we get in those clutch situations in games, you have that comfort level you need.”

Fantasy Impact: This extra effort to establish familiarity and chemistry with the skill-position players is what has made Donovan McNabb who he is and a big reason for the success he’s been able to accumulate even with mediocre receiving corps throughout his career. I wouldn’t rush to draft him, but if it’s the low end of round 2 or 3 and you need a qb, take him. Having him as a backup or matchup-based starter to insert against teams with weak pass-rushes or secondaries would be ideal. Stay tuned for training camp and preseason updates to see who emerges as Supa 5′s favorite targets. Whoever the top dog turns out to be, draft him high because he could be the next DeSean Jackson.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Wayne a possible holdout

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Update: Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne sat out a mandatory minicamp in June after general manager Bill Polian told Wayne not to expect a new contract any time soon. As reported by NFL.com, while in Indianapolis Saturday night to host a charity basketball game, Wayne was asked questions about possibly holding out of training camp, which begins August 1. Wayne responded: “We’re just gonna take it day by day. I would love to see Anderson (the new site of camp). I’ve never been there. And when that day comes, we’ll see what’s up…We’ve been talking.I guess you can say that…We’re just gonna let them do their thing. I’m just gonna come and play football, that’s all I can do. And whenever that phone rings with the good news, I’ll be excited.”

Fantasy Impact: Ordinarily, I would indicate a decreased value for a player considering a holdout or whose comments seem to reflect a desire to get a new contract much more so than getting a new ring. However, Reggie Wayne is one of the few exceptions. The guy is a four-time Pro Bowler who has posted six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has such a good rapport with Peyton Manning that he could spend three years on a deserted island, get rescued on a Wednesday, suit up on Sunday, and Peyton would still know when he was going to cut out of his breaks. Furthermore, Wayne is not stupid and knows that he isn’t going to find a better team with a better quarterback than the Colts. He might miss a couple days of camp, and things might get a little uglier than preferred between he and the Colts, but by the time September rolls around, it will be #18 to #87 again. Make Wayne one of the first 8 wr’s picked.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Why am I so anti-LeBron when I still root for Tiger?

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This past weekend, I followed the first three days of the British Open closely, and I did so for one reason, the same reason why I follow every golf major closely: I wanted to see Tiger Woods win.

Clearly this was not going to happen by the time Sunday rolled around, after Tiger stumbled through Friday and Saturday, so I didn’t have to waste my time yesterday. But congrats to the South African dude who won it. He had a hell of a weekend…and now may or may not ever be heard from again.

Tiger Woods, of course, will be heard from again. Whether he wins another major or five, he will continue to be the most fascinating and followed golfer on tour: loved by some, loathed by some, but inevitably watched by all.

And that is a description – loved, loathed, and watched – that also now fits the other globally famous, potentially iconic sports figure currently standing atop the apex of where American sports and pop culture intersect: LeBron James.

So why then am I so anti-LeBron when I still root for Tiger Woods?

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Padre Pride

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One year ago next week I wrote this piece about journeying down I-74 to Cincinnati to watch the downtrodden Padres (then 38-61) take on the equally feeble Reds (44-53).

As I head down to Cincy to watch Stephen Strasburg take on the Reds (51-42) Wednesday night, 12 months can clearly change matters in the baseball world.

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Blogging Fitness: Body Design Workouts – Do they think I am a robot?

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The beast of all classes left me shattered and in pain, but strangely wanting more.

Yesterday I took a beating.

A major beating that left me a broken woman.

I ventured home this weekend to visit my family and my mom has been talking up this new workout called Body Design. She takes it several times a week and drones on about how it’s the ultimate challenge.

She asked me if I would go with her and I was like, “Heck yes – let me show you how it’s done!” I thought to myself, no offense Mom, but I teach five classes a week and this is going to be a piece of cake.

So I went.

And oh my gosh – stop me in my tracks. I was far from a pro and I am in amazement that my mom voluntarily endures this abuse on a weekly basis.

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Fantasy Baseball – Dynasty / Keeper League Mid Season Top 30 Prospect Rankings

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It’s not just the MLB stars who are nearing the dog days of their season; the prospects currently toiling in the minor leagues are also rounding into midseason form as well.

Here are the top 30 prospects overall from a fantasy baseball perspective to owners in keeper / dynasty leagues.

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Follow The Cooler Guy at his blog Around the Cooler or on Twitter @Cooler_guy.



10 Most Underrated MLB Stars from 1980-2010

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I love top 10 lists.

They are fun to read, always interesting, and everyone has their own opinion about the list — especially who was left off of it. Everyone also brings their own biases to sports discussions. I’m an Indians fan, so it should not be surprising that a few former Indians made the list below.

Today, I am listing the 10 most underrated baseball players of the last three decades. I’m doing it this way, rather than just the best players of the last 30 years or the Greatest Hitters of All Time, because I don’t feel like writing about the players who already legendary and who get discussed all the time.

For example, if I did the Greatest Hitters of All-Time. I would just end up reminding you of what you already know: how great of a hitter Joe Dimaggio was and how great it must of been banging Marilyn Monroe.

But I digress…

We’ll save that for another time. Joltin’ Joe is a Hall of Famer and a legend. Today, we’re going celebrate 10 players who were just a notch or two below, but who have not gotten their due.

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Packers DE Jolly out for 2010 season

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Update: Packers DE Johnny Jolly has been suspended for the entire 2010 NFL season for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Jolly was arrested in 2008 and charged with possession of over 200 grams of codeine, if he is convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison. Fantasy Impact: Jolly was a huge part of a rush defense that only allowed 83 yards rushing per game last season. With the loss of Jolly, a good DE in a 3-4 defense the Packers defense could take a huge hit.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Bears snag Unga in supplemental draft

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Update: The Chicago Bears have selected former BYU running back Harvey Unga in Thursday’s supplemental draft. Unga was selected in the seventh round of the supplemental draft, and so the Bears will forfeit their seventh-round pick in next April’s draft, as per league rules. Fantasy Impact: I told you I would keep you updated on Unga and I keep my promises. Personally, I think he’s a great fit for what Mike Martz wants to do with that Bear offense. He has the consistent hard-running, bulldozing running style that Forte oftentimes lacked last season and that newly acquired Chester Taylor may no longer be able to provide at this point in this career. Of course, in a Mike Martz offense, a back’s true worth is tested by what he brings to the passing game. Unga checks out there as well because in addition to the 3,446 rushing yards and 35 rushing TD’s Unga racked up over his three seasons in the Mountain West Conference, he also caught 102 passes for 1,085 yards and 9 TD’s, and had at least 40 receptions in two of his three seasons. A scout of one team told ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli: “He’s definitely a [running back]. He can catch the ball really well, but I honestly don’t think he blocks well enough [to play fullback]…But the guy is a player.” Please do you and me both a favor by taking my advice and selecting Harvey Unga at some point in the late rounds of your draft or at least off the waiver wire before the season begins.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Signing Niklas Hjalmarsson Will Spark Another Trade for the Chicago Blackhawks

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Blackhawks fans received some good news on July 12 when the Hawks agreed to match San Jose’s offer sheet of four years, $14 million to keep young defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson.

That’s great news for the fans and the organization. Stan Bowman indicated Hjalmarsson is now part of the core. Just like recent free agency news about the Blackhawks, the signing comes with a price. Most likely a loss of another top player.

After Hjalmarsson’s pay raise, the Hawks are back to the problem they can’t escape this offseason: the salary cap.

Including the newcomers, the Hawks have 15 players signed to about $54.3 million, not including the $4 million bonuses given to Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, pushing the salary to about $58.3 million.

The salary cap is $59.4 million.

Assuming Cristobal Huet is traded away or comes off the payroll somehow, that leaves the payroll to about $52.7 million. And assuming the Hawks only carry 22 players and don’t spend past $58 million to save for injuries, that leaves the Hawks with $5.3 million to work with eight players. An average of $662,000 each.

Problem is the Hawks still have Niemi to sign, and he will definitely get more than $662,000. I’ve heard Antti Niemi will likely get $2.5 million.

If Niemi gets that amount, that doesn’t leave much room for the remaining seven players. The payroll would be at $55.2 million, leaving an average of $400,000 for the seven others.

The NHL minimum salary is $500,000. Someone has to go.

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Cutler believes WR’s profit most from Martz’s system

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Update: Bears quarterback Jay Cutler told ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike in the Morning” Thursday that if the receivers on the Bears roster are ever going to succeed in the NFL, they will do it in coordinator Mike Martz’s system. Said Cutler: “If they can do it, this is the system they’re going to have the best chance at it. I felt strongly about this group of receivers when I got here. I fought for them…I think they’re a young group. I think they have a lot to prove; have a little chip on their shoulder, which I think is great. They want to go out there and do well…Mike put a lot of pressure on them, and they responded in the right way. That group has the best chance of really profiting from this offense.” Fantasy Impact: This is great news to hear, not necessarily about the Bears wide receivers, but about Cutler. The 27-year old former Pro Bowler came under a lot of fire last year, not only for his lackluster performance which netted a league-high 26 interceptions, but for a somewhat sour, deflated demeanor he was perceived as carrying through much of the team’s struggles. Hearing that he has trust in his offensive coordinator and faith in the guys he will be throwing to is a great sign for a quarterback of Cutler’s talent. Draft Jay Cutler as a low-end starter or, if you can, definitely as a backup.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

CJ willing to accept short-term deal to get to camp

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Update: In an interview with ESPN’s Hannah Storm Wednesday night, Titans running back Chris Johnson reiterated that he is seeking a long-term deal, but said he’d said he’d be satisfied with a short-term solution to get him to camp. Johnson said he is not sure where his contract talks stand right now. Fantasy Impact: The entire fantasy universe, especially those who have top overall or top 2 picks, should release a huge sigh of relief. I’ve long preached about the low value of players who appear to be putting the majority of their focus towards getting a new contract over improving their play. It’s a big reason why I’m down on Adrian Peterson right now, and a big reason why I am so high on Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drew, is because they seem more motivated by a Pro Bowl berth or feeling underrated. Hearing Johnson say that he wants to rush for 2,500 yards this season and is willing to accept a short-term deal to get to camp is enough to restore the 100% confidence I previously had in Chris Johnson’s worth as first overall pick in all fantasy drafts.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Seymour most likely to get franchise tag

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Update: NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora is reporting that Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour is unlikely to reach a multiyear deal with the team by Thursday’s deadline, and will likely play under a one-year,$12.398 million franchise tender. If a deal isn’t worked out by Thursday, the two sides can’t agree to a new contract until after the 2010 season.

Fantasy Impact: This is good news for a Raiders defense that should be vastly improved in 2010. Seymour is getting up in years and will have to prove, not just to the Raiders but to all 32 teams, that he does have plenty of gas left in the tank and deserves what will be his final multiyear contract as an NFL player.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

MLB First Half Grades

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The first half of the MLB season has come to an end.

This season has been thrilling thus far, and it’s been all about pitching, pitching, pitching.

As we get ready for what should be an equally as thrilling second half of the season, with dramatic pennant races shaping up around the league, it’s time to assess each team a grade; so here they are:

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The 2010 ESPY Awards apparently weren’t a complete waste of time

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I did not watch the ESPYs last night. In fact, I didn’t even realize they were on.

If I want to watch ESPN, sports stars, and assorted celebrities celebrate themselves for three hours I don’t need a special event to do it; I can watch ESPN pretty much any time and get that (which, admittedly, I do…because they are the Worldwide Leader and I have no choice.)

And if I want to see someone try to be funny but not be, I can either read my own posts on this site or watch Seth Meyers do Weekend Update on Saturday nights. I didn’t need to watch him host the ESPYs last night.

After seeing bits and pieces of post-ESPY coverage this morning, it doesn’t look like I missed much that couldn’t be gleaned with five good minutes of web browsing this morning.

Here are the highlights, in case you missed the ESPYs too:

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com