Not surprisingly, Joe McKnight and Damian Williams, USC's star receiver, said they would forgo their final season of college and make themselves available for the NFL draft. Some people think Joe is trying to leave before his legal troubles get him but I mean he does not have a reason to come back. He ran for 1,014 yards last season, becoming the Trojans' first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005, when Reggie Bush and LenDale White accomplished it. Williams who started at Arkansas, was All-PAC 10 Conference and USC's MVP last season, when he had 70 receptions for 1,010 yards and six touchdowns and ranked sixth nationally in punt returns with a 14.2-yard average. He took two back for touchdowns. He finished up very strong in the Emerald Bowl with a 12-reception, 189-yard performance against Boston College in winning the MVP award.
The star quarterback, who won the prestigious Maxwell Award, was named an All-American and finished as a Heisman finalist, never returned to the game, which the Longhorns ultimately lost by a final score of 37-21. Here is the post game interview that speaks volume even though he didn't play.
Taking advantage of a devastating injury to Texas' All-American quarterback Colt McCoy, with its running game, and defense, Alabama steamrolled through the first half and survived the second to claim national championship. First off I want to give my thoughts and prayers with McCoy. I mean there's all the talk about if he would have played the game would have been different but you never know. You can say so man ifs in sports we would be here all day (what if Sam Bradford didn't get hurt?). But there is no doubt that injury changed the game (not the outcome). I hope he comes back healthy though for the NFL Draft. McCoy’s official diagnosis is a pinched nerve. He suffered a somewhat similar injury his freshman season against Kansas State, when he pinched a nerve in his neck/shoulder area. But no matter what one question will always be part of Jan. 7, 2010, what if? I did appreciate his interview at the end though. Speaks volume for him and I sure did appreciate it. But I felt though Alabama was going to win regardless. Heisman winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson both ran for more than 100 yards and scored two touchdowns, Alabama's defense gave up just 91 first-half yards. And even if Ingram leaves, Richardson looks like a sure next great back for 'Bama. That run he scored on was a great speed but of course that experienced offensive lined helped too. Alabama's 205 rushing yards were the most allowed all season by Texas, and the Longhorns' offense couldn't manage a first down in its first four possessions after McCoy's injury, Alabama began to roll through the nation's top-rated rushing defense. Defensively, the Crimson Tide forced five turnovers, including three to ice the game in the final minutes and a 28-yard interception return by the game's defensive MVP with three seconds remaining in the first half. The freshman that had to replace McCoy, Gilbert wound up 15-for-40 for 186 passing yards and four interceptions. I know this will probably be the hardest lost that he will take because he did not in his wildest dreams think he would play last night. Texas actually outgained Alabama 276 yards to 263 but the injury, turnovers, and inexperience cost them. Last night's championship made No. 13 for the program while also making Saban the first coach to win a BCS title at two different institutions. One guy who I thought I would hear from was Julio Jones. He did not even catch a ball (I don't think). But then again it wasn't his fault as they only threw the ball 11 times. On the other side though, Jordan Shipley had 10 grabs by himself as he kept his team in the game.
Since their failed bid to acquire Travis Outlaw from the Blazers, the Griz failed at signing free-agent guard Von Wafer. The former Houston Rocket reached a buyout with a Greek team last month but then failed his physical with the Grizzlies. That development led Memphis to negotiations with the New York Knicks about guard Nate Robinson. Team insiders confirmed a recent New York Newsday report that the Griz and Knicks agreed in principle to exchange Robinson for guard Marcus Williams and a draft pick. But the deal died because of Robinson's veto. Robinson is in the last year of a qualifying offer with the Knicks therefore he has to approve any trade, according to league rules. I know the Griz are hating that but Nate is smarter than that. Memphis has three first-round picks in the 2010 NBA draft and is peddling its two late-round selections in an attempt to add scoring off the bench. The Griz will not take a player whose deal extends beyond this season if they indeed consummate a deal.
Wayne Ellington doesn't need that heat pack as much he did a few weeks ago. The Timberwolves' rookie shooting guard wears the device during games to keep his leg and back muscles loose while sitting on the bench. Ellington has been too busy lately to get much use out of it. Wolves coach Kurt Rambis is bringing him off the bench much sooner and playing him longer — even in the fourth quarter. In the past three games, Ellington has been one of the Wolves' more effective players. He's averaging 14.0 points and 4.6 rebounds and shooting a startling 64 percent from the floor (16 of 25), including 6 of 11 from three-point range (54.5 percent). Two months ago, Rambis said Ellington looked "nervous" on the court. Today, Ellington is calm and confident. He's getting more quality minutes, which is helping him develop into the Wolves' best outside shooter. He always had it in him but just had to give him time to become that guy.
Coach Don Nelson had a special request for Stephen Curry."He told me he needs me to make plays," Curry said. What his aggressiveness has done is prevent guard Monta Ellis from always initiating the offense and creating against a set defense. It also forces the defense to respect Curry, resulting in less help opponents can provide on Ellis and forward Corey Maggette. Considering his struggles on defense, especially against bigger guards who post him up, Curry's offensive production is that much more important to the Warriors."The last two games," Curry said, "I tried to get in the middle and tried to make plays, dishing to the wings and get guys shots. The more aggressive I am, I think the more plays I'll be able to make and help my team instead of being that fifth man out there just running around in the lane and not being involved in the offense."
Sacramento coach Paul Westphal handed Steve Nash the best compliment anyone has given him this season. "I don't think I've ever seen him play this well and he's got two MVPs," Westphal said. "He's unbelievable." It's hard to argue. Nash's 54 percent shooting is the best of his 14-year career and better than any other NBA point guard or wing player. For the fourth time in six seasons, Nash is the NBA assist leader with more games of 14 or more assists (nine) than the rest of the league's players (eight). He is on pace to have a fourth season in which he shoots at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line. Larry Bird is the only other player to ever do it twice. Nash is also close as ever to Mark Price for the NBA career free-throw percentage record. Price shot 90.39 percent over his career and Nash's best career free-throw game Tuesday (13 for 13) put him at 90.21. Keep tabs on Nash he may go for 3 MVPs.
In the Oakland game, Willis McGahee has proven to be a potent weapon. McGahee seems to be in the best health and shape of his career but yet the Ravens may release McGahee next year. Ravens are willing to pay McGahee the kind of money his contract warrants to be a backup. Basically, every team needs two good backs, but you don't want to overpay. I'm sure McGahee would like to move on and play for a team where he is the No. 1 starter as well. It took him a year, but McGahee has found his niche and accepted his role. But he still has plenty of juice left and can be a prime-time starter.
New details emerged about the locker-room confrontation between Arenas and Javaris Crittenton. A Wizards teammate that suggest a potentially far more volatile incident than was originally reported by Arenas.
According to two first-hand accounts of the confrontation, Crittenton responded to Arenas's action -- which included laying the four unloaded weapons in Crittenton's cubicle with a note that read, "Pick One" -- by brandishing his own firearm, loading the gun and chambering a round. Two of the five people in the room that morning, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Arenas had originally not disclosed Crittenton's action to protect the little-used guard from prosecution and had told Crittenton he would assume full responsibility for the actions of both players that day.The dispute between Arenas and Crittenton began on the team plane during a popular card game between players called "Boo-ray." Crittenton lost roughly $1,100 to JaVale McGee, a Wizards center, in the game, according to a player who watched the game and who also spoke on condition of anonymity. Crittenton, already angry over a dispute over the game's rules, became irate when Arenas began needling him. Their barbs escalated to a point where Arenas, smiling, said he would blow up Crittenton's car, according to two players on the flight, who requested anonymity. Crittenton replied that he would shoot Arenas in his surgically repaired knee.Walking into the locker room two days after the dispute on the team plane, according to two witnesses, Arenas laid out the guns in Crittenton's locker. Two other teammates eventually sauntered in and, while Arenas was writing the note in front of Crittenton's cubicle, in walked Crittenton, according to their account. Asking Arenas what he was doing, Arenas replied, "If you want to shoot me, I'd just thought I'd make it easy for you." As other teammates laughed, Crittenton crumpled up the paper, tossed one of Arenas's guns across the room, where it bounced in front of a team trainer, and said he didn't need any of Arenas's firearms because he had his own, according to the witness accounts. Crittenton then drew his weapon, loaded it and chambered a round, the witnesses said. Neither witness said the gun was ever pointed at Arenas, but both said Crittenton began singing as he held the gun.
This is not a funny situation and I stand behind the commish on this one. It was unclear Wednesday when Arenas's suspension might be lifted. I also feel that Crittenton should get the same punishment as Arenas if he gets ban. That is definitely nothing to play with.
Schwartz said Monday that he thought the Lions were in pretty good shape at running back when they were healthy. Came to the conclusion that he was probably lying. Kevin Smith, even when healthy, does not have the burst to be a starting running back for a good team. So Lions will "likely" look for a new starting running back this offseason. Kevin Smith is coming off a torn ACL, and potentially more knee damage the team hinted at but never revealed. Despite his injury, he wrote he wants to “get back into the race” next year with the other running backs in his draft class: Chris Johnson, Rashard Mendenhall, Matt Forte, Tim Hightower, Ray Rice, Jonathan Stewart, Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton and Felix Jones. But Lions "like (Smith) and Aaron Brown in backup roles," and both should be on the 2010 roster. But this is still a 2-13 team that does not feature a lot of talent on either side of the football.
