While the most well-known is the 125 year-old Cape Cod League — which has over 200 alumni in the Majors right now — there are literally dozens of other places across the Fruited Plain for college ballplayers to continue their progress while school’s out of session.

Many are located in the Midwest, including the Prospect League, which took shape nearly half a century ago, originally as the Central Illinois Collegiate League.

(I attended  a “CICL” game in 2008 down in tiny Huntingburg, Indiana (pop. 6057), with the Dubois County Bombers. They play at Historic League Stadium, originally constructed in 1894, renovated and expanded nearly 100 years later to house scenes for the 1994 movie “A League of Their Own.” Original advertisements from the film still remain along the outfield fence. Seats are all wood.)

The current Prospect League began its inaugural season in summer 2009 with the original “CICL” teams forming one Western Division. Five expansion teams formed the Eastern Division. Today, there are 14 total teams, divided into two divisions.

We at MSF are pleased to feature an “Under the Radar Player” named James Rhodes, a pitcher for the Quincy (IL) Gems, who currently stand at 38-18 overall this summer, best in all the Prospect League.

Rhodes, a native of Weatherford, Texas, about an hour west of Dallas, is a senior to be at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma.  The 6 foot 1 right-hander had a very successful 2011 campaign  at Cameron (Lone Star Conference), gaining 2^nd team all-conference honors.

He finished 9^th in conference ERA (4.19), and in the #1 spot for “strike-outs-looking.”  During much of the season, Rhodes was in the top spot for overall strike-outs as well.

The transfer from Western Oklahoma State College  — where he posted a 2.47 ERA in 2010 – compiled a 7-1 record for 2011, with three complete games, along with five saves, and 77 strikeout in just 73 innings pitched. One of Rhodes’ complete game shutout victories came versus Southeastern Oklahoma in the Conference Tournament, on Mother’s Day, May 8.

Additionally, James was named conference pitcher of the week back in late March.

After receiving his Associate’s Degree from Western Oklahoma State College, he currently holds a 3.07 GPA at Cameron.

“James studies as hard as he plays.,” says his father, Kelly. “His work ethic, discipline, and team-first mentality are some of the things that I think make him a very special player.”

In summer ball with Quincy, Rhodes appeared in six games — three as a starter and three more as a reliever — where he’s amassed an ERA of 3.42 with one win and no losses.

As the regular season champion Gems prepare to host the Terre Haute Rex in Monday evening’s playoff semifinal along the Mississippi River at QU Stadium, the versatile Texan will surely be counted upon as starter and/or a steadying force in the bullpen — before he heads back to campus to complete his final collegiate season.

So don’t you want to catch it all?

Well, I’ve got you covered NBA fans!

Check out the full TV schedule for the first round of the NBA Playoffs, with games scheduled to be televised on TNT, ABC, and ESPN.

And if you need a little opinion, here are my Eastern Conference and Western Conference Playoffs previews!

Also don’t forget to get at me on Twitter, as I’ll have continuous playoff updates to keep you satisfied!

Enjoy my fellow NBA fans!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Indiana at Chicago, 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN3D
Game 2 - Mon April 18, Indiana at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Chicago at Indiana, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat April 23, Chicago at Indiana, 2:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 26, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, Chicago at Indiana, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TNT

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Philadelphia at Miami, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 2 - Mon April 18, Philadelphia at Miami, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Miami at Philadelphia, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Miami at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5 * Wed April 27, Philadelphia at Miami, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, Miami at Philadelphia, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, Philadelphia at Miami, TBD, TBD

Game 1 - Sun April 17, New York at Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Tue April 19, New York at Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 22, Boston at New York, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Boston at New York, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 5 * Tue April 26, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, Boston at New York, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Atlanta at Orlando, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 19, Atlanta at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri April 22, Orlando at Atlanta, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN3D
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Orlando at Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 26, Atlanta at Orlando, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, Orlando at Atlanta, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, Atlanta at Orlando, TBD, TNT

___________________________________________________________________

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Game 1 - Sun April 17, Memphis at San Antonio, 1:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 20, Memphis at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 3 - Sat April 23, San Antonio at Memphis, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Mon April 25, San Antonio at Memphis, TBD, TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 27, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, San Antonio at Memphis, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD, TBD

Game 1 - Sun April 17, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 2 - Wed April 20, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 22, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 24, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 26, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Portland at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 19, Portland at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Dallas at Portland, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 4 - Sat April 23, Dallas at Portland, 5:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Mon April 25, Portland at Dallas, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, Dallas at Portland, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, Portland at Dallas, TBD, TNT

Game 1 - Sun April 17, Denver at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 20, Denver at Oklahoma City, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 23, Oklahoma City at Denver, 10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/R
Game 4 - Mon April 25, Oklahoma City at Denver, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Wed April 27, Denver at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, Oklahoma City at Denver, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, Denver at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD

Additional scheduling information will be furnished as soon as possible consistent with the need to fulfill league obligations.

If first-round series are completed in six games or less, the conference semifinals may move up to begin on either Saturday, April 30 or Sunday, May 1.

All games, except those televised on ABC, are available to be televised locally.

*If necessary
TBD – To Be Determined
R – ESPN Radio
ESPN3D – ESPN 3D

Schedules, and additional info accredited to NBA.com

The NBA playoffs are about to begin, and surely this is one of the most exciting playoffs I have seen in recent years. With new-look teams like Miami and New York on the prowl, we are sure to be in for a treat almost every night.

Then there are the young rising talents such as Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant, guys who are ready to prove to the NBA world that they are ready for the big show!

And let’s not forget the usual contenders like Los Angeles, San Antonio, Boston and the many other powerful teams seeking a ring!

Yes, the time has come!

And what better way to start my favorite time of year than to write and analyze each series’ matchups, advantages, disadvantages, and who I think will ultimately take it to the next round. And don’t forget, to get my real-time updates as the playoffs progress, you can get at me on Twitter as well!

Update: Click here to view the complete first round TV schedule.

Update: 2011 Western Conference Playoff preview!

Without further ado, I present to you my 2011 NBA Playoffs Preview: Eastern Conference Edition.

(1) Bulls vs (8) Pacers

Season Series: Chicago won 3-1

You don’t just get a 60+ win season for no reason. It requires hard work, dedication, a great coaching effort, and you almost always need that star. And boy, the Bulls don’t just have a star, but also this season’s soon-to-be-named Most Valuable Player. Enough cannot be said of what Derrick Rose has become in the past couple of seasons. The Bulls know it, Chicago knows it, and the NBA knows it.

But it wasn’t just D.Rose who helped this Bulls squad reach seed No.1. Boozer, Noah, Thibodeau, Deng and the rest of Chicago’s defensive-minded squad had a lot to do with it as well.

On the other end, the Indiana Pacers come into this series with not that big of a chance. Coming into the playoffs with a losing record is never something to be proud of, but hey, you made it and the other 7 teams didn’t. So you must have had done something right, right?

And to be honest, this Pacers team doesn’t look too bad on paper.

If you are going to match up against one of the league’s speediest teams, why not have speed against speed, right? Well the Pacers might have a decent shot at keeping up with Rose, as their extremely quick point-guard Darren Collison will take the job against the league’s MVP. I’m not saying that Collison is going to stop Rose, but when you’ve played under guys like Chris Paul in New Orleans, it’s got to help, right?

Then there’s the Pacers leader: Danny Granger. The kid can score, attack the rim, shoot, and he has decent length on the perimeter. Averaging 20 points a game, Granger has proven that he will draw some defensive attention. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Luol Deng will match up against the still-rising-star.

Then there are the role players like Paul George, Brandon Rush, and Roy Hibbert. Solid contributors, but nothing that the league’s best defense can’t handle.

In the end, I can’t see Indiana winning more than a game. With guys like Boozer and Noah in the paint, it is going to be tough for slashers like TJ Ford, Darren Collison, and Paul George to attack the paint with any ease.

Let me also remind you again: the Bulls have the league’s MVP.

Chicago Bulls-Indiana Pacers Prediction: Bulls beat Pacers in 5

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(2) Heat vs (7) Sixers

Season series: Miami won 3-0

The time has come Heat fans. The Miami Heat are now in the NBA playoffs, and after a very up-and-down season, Miami has made it to the second starting line with a strong finish that has awarded them the East’s 2nd seed in the playoffs.

The trio of LeBron, Wade, and Bosh did what we all thought they would: finish as the best statistical trio in the NBA. LeBron’s scoring did go down, as did his steal and block numbers, but he finished with a career-high in FG percentage and averaged nearly the same amounts of assists and rebounds per game.

As for Wade, he also had a career high in FG percentage. He lost a point in scoring averages, and a couple in the assists department, but he did jump up his rebounding average by almost two rebounds a game.

If anyone’s numbers dropped, it was Bosh. All across the board, he his averages went down. At the end of the day, he ended up on a better team, and upped the most important statistic: the chance at winning a title.

Now, some might argue that the talents in South Beach were destined to destroy everything in their path, beat down opponents by 20 points a game, and finish with a record of 82-0. But let’s be real here: they are not unstoppable.

Miami comes into this series having swept the Sixers in three games. But don’t let that statistic fool you one bit my friends.

Led by the great coaching ability of ex-TNT analyst and Bulls coach Doug Collins, the Sixers seem to come into each night with the chip-on-the-shoulder attitude we like to see. Many folks didn’t see the 76ers making the playoffs this season. I mean, you have a really young roster, you have a huge contract in a never-100-percent-healthy Elton Brand, and you have to adjust to the style of a new coach. Let’s not forget the whole Allen Iverson departure.

But the point is this: the 76ers should not be slept on!

With a solid defensive system and a core of athletic freaks, Philadelphia is the type of team that can surprise anyone. On the court, the are led by the explosive Andre Iguodala, who might not have turned out into the player we had hoped for, but he sure is one hell of an athlete. Surrounded by a nice core of run-and-gun players like Thadeus Young, Louis Williams, Jodie Meeks and a few others, Philadelphia can tire you out in a hurry. As for the elder of the team, Elton Brand brings an inside presence, and great experience value to this young team. Think of what Kendrick Perkins did for OKC, but in a much lesser form.

I believe Philadelphia gives Miami a run for their money in about a game or two, but Miami comes out on top in each game as the Heat’s big three just proves way too much for the young Philadelphia squad. But much props goes to Doug Collins for a great coaching season! A definite top three, in my “Coach of the Year” race.

Miami Heat-Philadelphia 76ers Prediction: Heat beat Sixers in 4

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(3) Celtics vs (6) Knicks

Season series: Boston won 3-0

This is without a doubt the highlight of the Easter Conference first round! I mean, why would I put a picture of KG and Amar’e as my article thumbnail? It could’ve easily been LeBron or D.Rose, but I couldn’t do that!

This is easily the most interesting first-round matchup I have seen in recent years. Could this be a possible rivalry waiting to happen? I mean, the Red Sox and Yankees go way back, so why not a little Boston and New York rivalry NBA-style?

This series features two teams coming head-to-head that are seemingly going in two exact opposite directions.

Boston finished the season much bumpier than it had started, and much of it was due to injuries. Whether it was Shaq, ex-Celtic Perkins, Rondo, or anyone else, this Boston squad always seems to catch the eye of the injury-bug. But it wasn’t just injuries that plagued the C’s.

The trade that sent Perkins and Nate Robinson to OKC in exchange for Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic seems to have affected the team in a negative way. Whenever you watch them, you can sense something is missing, both mentally and physically. This will happen anytime a piece of your team’s core has departed, and well, the Celtics are experiencing it. It showed when they lost the heated match against Miami and the shocker out in DC.

But either way, Boston is the Eastern Conference’s defending champion, and there is no reason to believe they will not fight hard to defend their title. Doc Rivers is still pushing the strong defensive agenda of his team, and for the 3rd straight year his team has finished in the top five of the NBA’s defensive elite And to no surprise, while this team’s defensive mindset is set by Doc, it is led on the court by Rajon Rondo, who I believe will one day earn a Defensive Player of the Year honor. Need more defense? The C’s added two more guys this offseason in Shaquille O’neal and Delonte West to help on that end. Enough said!

Not only can this team defend, but they have an arsenal of scorers on their team. Whether it is the C’s sniper Ray Allen, or the team captain Paul Pierce, or even from guys off the bench like Delonte or Glen Davis, the Celtics can fill it up after they stop you.

Yes, the Celtics have shown signs of slowing down, but we can never underestimate the experience and approach of a former champion.

On the opposite end is a team that has nearly opposite features, but the same goal in mind: an NBA championship.

Yes, the New York Knicks await Boston in this enticing first-round series.

While New York was still adjusting to the recent acquisition of Amar’e, they later obtained yet another superstar in Carmelo Anthony. The idea of this tandem was a daydream for many, and people all over the NBA spectrum were pulling for this one to happen. It eventually would, as the Knicks would receive Carmelo along with his sideman in Denver Chauncey Billups. The trade significantly changed the look of the Knicks and Nuggets rosters, and most were surprised when the Nuggets began stacking on more W’s while the Knicks were piling on more L’s after the trade. Things seemed to be caving inward in New York, but luckily for them, things eventually settled down.

New York’s season ended with a 6-game win streak recently snapped, but things still have started to look upwards. Carmelo and Amar’e are beginning to understand how to play off eachother, while the other key players like Chauncey, Fields, Douglas, and Turiaf are learning how to play alongside the two mega-stars. Basically, as the Celtics began crashing downwards, the Knicks began to get into the groove of things – though Boston did beat New York to end the regular season.

So what can we expect from this Boston, and New York series?

Well for starters, I expect this one to be a very physical series. Both teams are stacked with brutes. Whether I’m talking about Shaq, KG, Amar’e, Turiaf, Pierce, or Carmelo, these guys like the physical side of the game. They like the banging, they like the hard drives to the rim, and they love the contact.

Most of the contact is going to come from the Garnett-Stoudemire matchup! I can picture it already: KG attempting to get into Amar’e's head; Stoudemire trying to jam one over KG; then KG going for the swats, getting the elbows involved, and making his presence felt with his strong interior play. This is probably the most enticing matchup in my opinion. But can KG’s knees keep up with Amar’e? We’ll have to see.

And we can’t forget Carmelo and Pierce, can we?

The two have nearly the same game. Both like to attack the basket off the dribble, but both also like to take the mid-range jumper in your face when their path to lane is closed off, and both even have a sweet post-game. This matchup will be great to watch for all NBA fans. If you don’t believe me, watch the matchup between Pierce and LeBron back in the ’08 conference semis. That was one hell of a matchup. But like KG, Paul Pierce has shown his age every now and then recently. Will Carmelo get this one?

Another huge matchup is going to be between the two floor generals: Chauncey and Rondo, two polar opposites who both have the same role. Chauncey is the guard that will elevate your team’s play to another level, while not being afraid to sink the dagger right in your face (See: Mr.Big Shot). And he has terrific vision out there on the court. As for Rondo, the kid still has yet to reach his prime (scary), and he plays with toughness whether it’s attacking the rim, using his quick hands for the robbery, or taking a body-blow for the charge.

Yes, these two are going to be great to watch. Both have the ability to dish the ball out and score in their own ways. Which will take it? Experience, or youth? We’re going to have to find out.

The reality is this: the New York Knicks are not a complete roster yet. They are still lacking a key role player or two, the chemistry they have is nowhere near what the C’s is, and they still have yet to fully understand how to play with one another.

So in the end, I’m going to take Boston in this one. The Knicks do fight this one out and hand the C’s a couple losses, but Boston is way too deep, too good, and too experienced to lose in round one. But expect a classic my friends!

Boston Celtics-New York Knicks Prediction: Celtics beat Knicks in 6.

———-

(4) Magic vs (5) Hawks

Season series: Atlanta won 3-1

Probably the closest series in the first-round, in my opinion. It doesn’t get much more typical than this. These two teams have played each other in the playoffs for the past few seasons. Each time, the Magic and Hawks were always solid teams. Is there a possible upset in the making here folks? Let’s examine.

The Orlando Magic began the season with a strange start. From the beginning, rumors were surfacing that Dwight would leave the team in 2012 and head for the gold in LA. So what did Otis Smith and the rest of Orlando’s front-office do? First, they traded Rashard Lewis’ huge contract to Washington in exchange for the recently suspended Gilbert Arenas. Then, they would trade away Marcin Gortat, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, and a pick to the Suns in exchange for Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, and Earl Clark. All of this hoopla was to make the Orlando Magic a better, and more fit team to reach the NBA Finals…and to make the soon-to-be-named Defensive Player of the Year happier. This trade did give Orlando a great offensive look, but it hindered their defense a little. With the loss of Gortat, the Magic only had Dwight and Bass as their true big men.

Though it did take time, the Magic began to get the hang of things, and began pulling together strings of W’s. But like seemingly every other team this season, the Magic also had an up and down year, as the L’s shortly began to follow any time it looked like they had things figured out.

As for the Hawks, they were involved in trades as well. They were in search of a defensive-minded guard on the perimeter, and that is exactly what they got when they sent Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, and Mo Evans, along with their 2011 1st-round pick, to Washington in exchange for Kirk Hinrich and big man Hilton Armstrong. A bit too much if you ask me, but the Hawks got what they wanted.

So by the end of All-Star break, both teams were different. One had offense in mind, while the other had defense.

How will this whole thing go down?

Well for the Hawks, they simply schooled the Magic in the season series, taking them three games to none. However, no game was won by more than 10 points; so let’s not overreact here.

Looking back at the tape, the Hawks do not fear any of the Magic’s perimeter plays at all. Most of what I’ve seen was Joe Johnson slashing to the rim, kicking it out to Teague for the three or to Smith for the mid-range jumper. While Dwight did hold his own against Horford in the paint, the Hawks have been exposing the Magic’s wings.

As for Josh Smith, he seems to do a decent job at handling Howard during double-teams, but don’t expect too much of that in the playoffs, as the Magic do have the snipers set up from deep.

But the main battle isn’t going to come on the court, but off the bench. And no, I’m not talking players, but I’m talking coaches. Yes, Stan Van Gundy vs Larry Drew.

While the Magic have the inside game advantage almost each night, against any opponent, the Hawks seem to have an advantage on the wings against Orlando. So it’s is going to come down to which coach can get his team to execute the offense better and which coach can expose the matchups.

If that’s the case, I don’t see how Stan Van Gundy can lose this one.

He’s easily one of the smarter coaches in the NBA. You can put him up there with Phil and the other greats if you want in terms of knowing the game. In a series as closely talented as this one, it’s going to come down to X’s and O’s.

I see this series going six, maybe seven games. But I’m going to take my gut and go six. Al Horford does a good job of containing Howard, but the wear and tear in a seven game series against that guy will hurt you. This will force the extra big-men have to help, which will leave Turkoglu, Arenas, or Richardson open for the three, and that will be the storyline of this series.

Orlando Magic-Atlanta Hawks Prediction: Magic beat Hawks in 6

Thanks for reading NBA fans!

That is why all across West Lafayette you could hear choruses of “…ever faithful, ever true, thus we raise our song anew; of the days we’ve spent with you, all hail, our old, Purdue!”

But just because Painter is staying a Boiler does not mean all is perfect. Many people question how Painter handled this situation, including Purdue’s own mascot Purdue Pete, which means Painter has some ‘splaining to do.

And in terms of winning championships, there is that tricky little situation going on at a previously harmless Horizon League “mid-major” that doesn’t seem so harmless, nor so “mid”, anymore.

Details of both aspects of the aftermath of Painter’s announcement are included in our latest photo story.

If for some reason the image does not load properly, click to view in new window

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Note: For IU and Purdue fans, click here to see and alternate ending! It’s the first alternate ending in the history of MSF Photo Stories, and trust me, it will be much more satisfying.

You can decide whether it will be true or not…

You’ll undoubtedly agree.

Image source: Imgur via Reddit

And why do I think this person is from Indiana? Well, because I’m from Indiana and used to make this exact same choice. In fact, a high school relationship ended over a few conversations just like this.

Needless to say, I’d probably choose differently now. Probably. But I applaud this Larry Bird wannabe. I’ve been there man. Stay strong. There is plenty of time for sex, but you should get in all the basketball you can while you’re young.

By the way, the comment thread is pretty entertaining for this one. Read it here.

OFFENSE: QB MICHAEL VICK, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Vick completed 54 of 89 passes (60.7 percent) for 750 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions for an NFC-best 110.2 passer rating.  The Eagles won both games Vick started.
• He led all NFL quarterbacks with 170 rushing yards and accounted for seven total touchdowns – six passing and one rushing.
• Vick posted a passer rating of at least 100.0 in all three games during the month.
• In Week 1, entering the contest in relief, he posted his seventh career game with at least 100 yards rushing and 100 yards passing, the most in NFL history.  He made his first start at quarterback since 2006 in Week 2 and passed for 284 yards and two touchdowns.  In Week 3, he threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns and added a 17-yard rushing TD.
• In his ninth season from Virginia Tech, this is Vick’s first career Player of the Month Award.
• He is the first Eagle to be named Offensive Player of the Month since DONOVAN MC NABB in September, 2005.

DEFENSE: LB CLAY MATTHEWS, GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Matthews led the NFL with six sacks during the month as the Packers went 2-1.
• He led the team in solo tackles (15) and also forced a fumble.
• Matthews had two games with three sacks in September (Weeks 1 and 2), becoming the first player in franchise history with at least three sacks in back-to-back games.
• He also became just the sixth player with at least six sacks in the first two games of a season since the sack became an official statistic in 1982.
• In his second year from Southern California, this is Matthews’ first career Player of the Month Award.
• He is the first Packers linebacker to be honored since NA’IL DIGGS in December, 2002.

SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-ST COURTNEY ROBY, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Roby averaged 25.8 yards per kickoff return, led the Saints with five special teams tackles and recovered a fumble as the Saints went 2-1 during September.
• He had at least 70 kick-return yards in each of the team’s three games in the month and his 25.8-yard average ranked sixth in the NFL among players with at least nine returns (three per game).
• Roby recorded at least one special teams tackle in every game and his fumble recovery of a muffed punt against San Francisco led to a Saints field goal in New Orleans’ three-point win.

• In his fifth season from Indiana, this is Roby’s first career Player of the Month Award.
• He joins TYRONE HUGHES (October 1994) as the only non-kickers to be named Special Teams Player of the Month in franchise history.

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As you know, Jerod is participating in the 2010 P&G-sponsored Blogger Fantasy Football League, which is part of the Take It To The House program. In addition to competing for a trip to the Super Bowl, one of the perks Jerod received for participating was getting to spend a day at the NFL headquarters in New York. And that led to getting on the NFL’s media email list.

The NFL circulates interesting statistical and injury-related tidbits on a daily basis. Since we know that your appetite for NFL info is as insatiable as ours, we post them here for your enjoyment.

To get this info ever quicker, follow http://twitter.com/nflfootballinfo.

We all know that Jerod Morris purports himself as a big time Hoosier but I have uncovered some evidence that would suggest that Jerod Morris may actually be a fan of the Purdue Boilermakers. I have indisputable video evidence that Jerod Morris is no doubt a fan of Matt Painter if not anything else.

Without Further ado I would like to invite you to view the evidence of Jerod Morris and Matt Painter.

How can you argue with this kind of proof?

Clearly this never really happened, it is a JibJab you see.

Factoid: Did you know that the first Fletch book came out in 1974 and was trying to be adapted to screen for Burt Reynolds or Mick Jagger? Gregory McDonald rejected both studio attempts and agreed to Chevy Chase years later. Good move.

Fletch has had a long history of rumors that more movies would be produced than just Fletch and Fletch Lives (1989). Since then, more Fletch movies have been whispered about with Kevin Smith or Bill Lawrence directing. Funny men Ryan Reynolds, Jason Lee, John Kaslinski, or Zach Braff have been thrown out as suggestions for reprising the title role of Fletch. Not-so-funny men Ben Affleck and Joshua Jackson were also rumored. But movie Studios and potential talent have ultimately always backed away.

Fletch may simply go down among other iconic, classic movies that never get rehashed or remade (hopefully) without the original star(s), like The Blues Brothers or The Naked Gun.

Below KVB tells us about Fletch Fest, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that the event will support, and his love for Harold Faltermeyer.

Q: What is Fletch Fest?

KVB: Fletch Fest is a movie and music benefit rolled into one night, and we are in our first year of what should be a yearly festival. Thursday, September 3rd, we have an 8pm outdoor screening of the movie Fletch and the 5$ door price goes directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. They are a great national organization that wanted to kick off their Poker for Research event (October 8th) with another fun event before the end of summer. Fletch Fest is in the back of a great venue, Rock Lobster, in the heart of Broad Ripple in Indianapolis.

Q: Whose idea was it?

KVB: Sarah Jones (founder) and I talked about Lebowski Fest and what other great movie tribute festivals we would love to go to. Our common “Fletch fetish” made Fletch Fest the top idea on our list. After forty-five beers and three boxes of wine (we weren’t that drunk), we had to tell our friends of the ridiculous idea. Their positive reactions and the ensuing hours of everyone quoting the movie made our decision for us. We should throw Fletch Fest at least for a good time with our friends, we all decided.

Fortunately it turned into the opportunity to organize it with Matt and Nikki Javit for the local JDRF. And fortunately one of the best bands in Indianapolis is headlining the night, The Franchize. Lead singer Nate Davis (not the QB) happens to be a huge Fletch fan and loved the idea from the minute he heard it. In fact, his band has done a remix of the Fletch theme live and will perform it that night. The cult love for Fletch is legit, along with JDRF’s organization and all of our sponsors who are supporting Fletch Fest.

JRod: What are your donation goals?

KVB: Anything! JDRF has many yearly events and now Fletch Fest is icing on the cake. We just want the awareness and for people to have a good time before Labor Day weekend starts. Note: Ballers, bring your check book if you feel you want to donate more then the $5 ticket to a good cause. And yes, all in the name of Fletch.

JRod: What’s the schedule of events for the evening?

KVB: Before the Fletch screening we will have some independent short films (Really Really Big Show) and a Fletch trivia contest with the winner receiving a prize. There is a raffle throughout the night for more prizes and drink specials from one of our sponsors, Ketel One. All of our great sponsors will have areas set up and steak sandwiches will be catered.

To wrap the evening up, you can hear great live music from Drew Mowell (acoustic from the band Records) and the headliner The Franchize (hip-hop, rock, funk, soul) until the venue kicks us out. It should be a fun, eclectic crowd of JDRF supporters, filmmakers, 80s movie fans, musicians, and just party people who want a unique experience in the Indianapolis night scene. I even have one friend traveling from New York City for Fletch Fest.

JRod: What makes Fletch such a great movie?

KVB: It’s re-watchable, quotable, and hilarious. It has Chevy Chase in his prime, he improvs every scene, and kills it. From a filmmaking standpoint it is a classic 80s movie and has the unique synthesized theme music by Harold Faltermeyer (Beverly Hills Cop I and II, Top Gun). I can’t wait to watch it projected onto a big screen and big sound system. It was directed by Michael Ritchie, who also directed sports classics The Scout and The Bad News Bears. He also wrote the story for Cool Runnings.

JRod: What is your favorite alias that the character uses and why?

KVB: Impossible to pick one. But out of the ones where he doesn’t use a real person’s name as an alias (like Harry S. Truman, Billy Jean King, or Peter Lemonjello) I would have to go with Mr. Poon. “What is Poon anyway? It’s Comanche Indian.” He looks ridiculous and talks with a bloody band aid over his nostrils because the vice president of the United States closed a door on his face. “Whack!” Good scene and funny one liners.

JRod: If you could play miniature golf with Chevy Chase and two other people, who would they be?

KVB: Him and his alter-egos Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher and Clark W. Griswold.

JRod: Is it true that you believe the term “catches” in football should be replaced by the term “fletches?”

KVB: It is true. If I can’t get that passed through Congress I want everyone to replace their curse words with “fletch.” Fletch it! What the Fletch? Fletch You Mother Fletcher!

JRod: How many fletches do you believe OSU alum Brian Robiskie will get this year for the Browns?

KVB: 25 to 30 fletches.

JRod: The 2009 White Sox…WTFletch?

KVB: I’d rather focus on the positives in my life right now. Like Fletch Fest, a bloody mary, a steak sandwich, and a steak sandwich.

JRod: Anything else you’d like to say?

KVB: Thank you for the exposure. Say “Fletch Midwestsportsfans.com” to get into Fletch Fest for FREE (not true, pay the $5 for JDRF!). Fletch Fest Thursday, September 3rd. Rock Lobster 814 Broad Ripple Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220 – 8PM – www.fletchfest.com

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* – Chevy Chase as Fletch photo credit: Film Babble

First off, what is going on with the Pacers?

Just a week or two ago I was writing about how they were on the verge or something special and how I could see them being one player away from greatness. Since then all hell has broken loose and they have gone 2-6.

Sure, Danny Granger is the next big thing, sure they are a young team, but how long can we keep saying the same old thing over and over again? Come guys, give me some material.

Hopefully this hell week (Lakers, at Boston, at Cleveland, then Boston again in Indy) will show me that spark they had to start the season.

The Colts on the other hand are on a winning streak, they are also on an injury streak. I don’t have this %100 confirmed (I would place it as a %70 – %30 right now) but someone in the know mentioned to me that Gary Brackett is done for the season. They didn’t say if that included any playoff run or not, but the regular season may be over for one of Indy’s defensive captains.

Indiana University saw victory at Assembly Hall on Sunday, but they also saw Verdell Jones carted off the hardwood. He was taken to the hospital for a quick once over and released.

While I am happy to see the Hoosiers get a win, I am much more happy to see Jones is ok. Watching someone get carted off the football field is expected, but when it happens in basketball it usually leads to something more serious, I’m glad it was all precautionary with Jones.

Also, I love Tom Crean.

Undefeated Ball State will be entering the M.A.C. Championship game on Friday to face Buffalo. I don’t claim to know much about Buffalo, but what I do know is that if BSU can pull this out and get our first ever MAC championship we deserve a BCS bowl bid. Ok, maybe not deserve, but if we don’t get it, and a BCS conference team that is ranked lower then us does, then the current BCS deserves to be blown up and re-imagined.

I’ll be back later this week with an early look at UFC 92 and hopefully some good Pacer news.

Purdue was picked to finish first and the recently punched-in-the-balls by Kelvin Sampson IU program was selected to finish dead last in the Big Ten.

Here are the results (first place votes are in parenthesis):

1. Purdue (10)

2. Michigan State (5)

3. Wisconsin

4. Ohio State

5. Minnesota

6. Illinois

7. Penn State

8. Michigan

T9. Iowa

T9. Northwestern

11. Indiana

The Pre-season all Big Ten team is:

Robbie Hummel (Purdue)

E’ Twaun Moore (Purdue)

Marcus Landry (Wisconsin)

Manny Harris (Michigan State)

Raymar Morgan (Michigan State)

Hummel was also selected as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. He is the first Purdue player to be selected since Chad Austin in 1997. Purdue was also selected to win the women’s Big Ten title as well if you are interested in Jump Balls, falling down and traveling violations.

I think this is pretty fair considering that it is a Preseason poll and it is pretty much based on last years results. Obviously Indiana was hurt by the mass exodus that occured last spring summer from their much maligned basketball program. I still think Tom Crean is a good enough coach to get them out of the basement of the Big Ten this year.