Monthly Archives: April 2011
USC Coach Ray Tanner Previews The Auburn Series And The Gamecock Injuries
USC coach talks about the return of Evan Marzilli, the injury of Jackie Bradley Jr. and the 3 games series this weekend with Auburn. If the Gamecocks make a run in the regionals look for Jackie Bradley Jr. to be on the field in some way.
Carolina Panthers Make Cam Newton The Number 1 Pick In The NFL Draft
I was glad to see the Carolina Panthers take Cam Newton with the number 1 pick in the NFL Draft. I used to be a Falcon fan and still pull for them when they are not playing the Panthers. But when Charlotte got an NFL team I instantly became a Panther fan. Last year I almost bought Panther season tickets. That would have been a waste of money last year but this year I may have to reconsider. Not just because of Cam Newton but the team should be much better this year with all the injured players back in the lineup. I think there was like 17 or 18 starters out last year at one time or another for the Panthers.
I think Cam Newton has a lot of upside to him. He is the best athlete I have ever seen for his size. Some of the so called experts say Auburn would only have won 3 or 4 games without him last year. I don’t know about that but I saw him win about 3 games last year pretty much by himself. He lead some of the greatest comebacks I have ever seen in college football. Especially so many in one season. Alabama, Clemson and South Carolina all had them beat in the 3rd or 4th quarter before Cam worked his magic.
5 reasons I think Cam Newton was a great first pick in the NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers.
1. He can make all the throws. Has a very strong arm.
2. Cam is a great athlete. Very fast at (6 foot 6, 250lbs.) and shifty in the open field. Hard to tackle when he breaks past the line.
3. The few problems the pros say he has are mechanical and can be fixed with practice. (Throwing motion not always perfect. Drops after taking snap are not perfect.) Big deal the guy makes plays. All the same stuff was said about Tim Tebow by the experts.
4. Just like Tim Tebow he is a winner. He has won at every level he has played at so far.
5. Can throw with great accuracy on the run. He may have to do a lot of that for a year or two.
The Panthers now need to shore up their offensive line and get another solid receiver and this team will be much improved over that terrible season last year.
Also 5 of the top 6 picks in the NFL Draft were from the SEC. No surprise there. The SEC is the best college football conference in the nation by far. The other 4 picks were DT Marcell Darius, WR A.J. Green(Summerville,SC native), CB Patrick Peterson and WR Julio Jones.
By my count there were 8 DE taken in the first round. I think this probably helps DE Cliff Matthews of USC. A lot of writers had him going in the 4th or 5th round but I think he could go in the 3rd now. It just depends on teams needs. A lot of times you will see a run on certain positions. Teams start drafting a certain position and everyone jumps on the bandwagon for fear the player they want at that position will be gone if they don’t take him now.
LSU Purple And Gold Spring Game Comments
Comments about the LSU Purple and Gold spring game from Les Miles, players and coaches.
Bobby Petrino Post Arkansas Red-White Game Comments
Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino discusses the Arkansas Red-White spring game. There is a part 1 and 2. He feels his defense has improved greatly since last year.
Atlanta Braves Off To Slow Start Hope To Get It Going Tonight
San Francisco Giants AT&T Park
Our Atlanta Braves are off to a little slow start at 8-12. They came from behind last night against the Dodgers by scoring 2 runs in the ninth inning to take a one run lead in the game but then lost the game in the 12th on a walk off home run by Matt Kemp.
They start a big 3 game series with the Giants at AT&T Park tonight. I had the pleasure of taking in a game their a couple years ago and it’s a beautiful ballpark right on the water. The Braves will be trying to avenge their playoff series lost to the Giants Last year.
A month ago I said the Atlanta Braves would win the National League pennant if they could stay healthy. Unfortunately the injury bug has hit the bullpen. Peter Moylan was put on the disabled list last week and Johnny Venters has missed a couple of games due to a sore bicep.The Braves have promoted right-handed reliever Cory Gearrin from Triple-A Gwinnett to strengthen their fatigued and injury-depleted bullpen. Outfielder Matt Young was optioned to AAA Gwinnett to open a spot on the 25-man roster for Gearrin. Gearrin has a 2.61 ERA in 10 1/3 innings of work.The season is still very young so hopefully the Braves will get Moylan back in a few weeks and get the bullpen going. If not look for a trade for a quality reliever during the summer.
OF Jason Heyward is in a slump going 0-13 against the Dodgers. The Braves need his bat to get going. Heyward said he was ready to get going and could not wait to get to San Francisco and play the Giants. He will be playing against NL Rookie of the Year Award winner Buster Posey. Heyward finished second to Posey last year in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year in a very close vote.
No one is panicking yet but you need to stay within striking distance of the Phillies. If they can somehow win this series it would do wonders for them. Tommy Hanson (1-3) will start for Atlanta tonight.
Gamecock Coach Ray Tanner Previews Mississippi State
Gamecock coach Ray Tanner previews Mississippi State, talks about Matt Price and Jake Williams. Ray needs Matt Price to be used where he can help the team the most.
Will Muschamp On The Florida Gators Spring Football Game
New coach Florida football coach Will Muschamp talks about the Florida Gators 2011 spring game.
Number One Pitching Prospect Taylor Guerrieri At Spring Valley H.S.
According to major league baseball scouts we have the number one pitching prospect in high school baseball playing high school baseball right here in Columbia, SC in Taylor Guerrieri at Spring Valley High School. I have not seen him pitch yet but I am hoping to get out and personally watch him. Guerrieri has been clocked in the 96-98 mph range on his fastball.
In his last start against Lexington he took a little off his fast ball to show he can locate his pitches. He was mostly in the 91-93 mph range but dialed it up to 95 mph in the later innings. According to the scouts and baseball executives in attendance he had great sink to his fast ball. His location of his pitches was excellent and resulted in a lot of ground balls and weak hits.
“He has all the weapons,” a scout in attendance said. “When you look at what big leaguers do, he does that already. He’s a lot of fun to watch and I like him a lot, but he’s the kind of pick that’s not up to an area scout.”
Guerrieri stands at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. So he has good size for a power pitcher. The scouts like that he has long arms, broad shoulders and strong legs. The velocity on his pitches is generated by his strong legs. He has problems with his curveball being consistent but when it’s on he is very hard to hit. His curveball was clocked in 81-83 mph range during the game.
Taylor is considered to be the top high school pitcher in the nation by many and is expected to go in the top 15 in the draft this June. He has committed to the Gamecocks but it is unlikely will he will play college baseball, especially with his stock rising among major league scouts. His signing bonus as a top 15 player will be too much to turn down. I have got to go watch him pitch.
Vanderbilt Spring Game Comments
Vanderbilt football coach James Franklin gives post game comments after the 2011 spring football game. Coach Franklin is a good speaker and likes to talk.
