49ers GM on acquiring Michael Vick: 'We will not do it'

By USA TODAY Sports

49ers GM on acquiring Michael Vick: 'We will not do it'

San Francisco GM Scot McCloughan said today that he and coach Mike Singletary have discussed Michael Vick but said the team will not pursue the suspended quarterback.

Singletary has given indications that he'd consider Vick, who is on home confinement finishing a sentence for a federal dogfighting crime and is expected to seek reinstatement to the NFL this summer.

"Well, I think what happens there, and I totally respect it, is people understand who Mike Singletary is and understand that he has no problem giving guys second chances," McCloughan said on Sirius satellite radio. "Coach and I have sat down. We sat down and talked last week. We had an off-week of OTAs and we discussed about Michael Vick and we’re not going to go that route. We will not do it."

Sirius host Adam Schein pressed McCloughan on the issue.

"So Michael Vick is not on the radar for the 49ers?" he asked.

"Correct," McCloughan responded.

The 49ers' situation at quarterback is unsettled. Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are battling for the starting position. The team also drafted Ball State product Nate Davis, who is not expected to be a contributor this season.

Posted by Sean Leahy at 04:53 PM/ET, June 08, 2009 Permalink

Don't Rule Out Redskins in Vick Sweepstakes

Don't rule out Redskins in Vick Sweepstakes

Posted by Mike Florio on July 27, 2009 11:03 PM ET on ProFootballTalknbcsports.com

For now, it's clear that multiple as-yet-unknown teams are pursuing quarterback Mike Vick.


It's also clear that one of the teams that has pursued multiple quarterbacks this offseason is the Redskins.


And we're beginning to pick up some subtle indications from a couple of sources with connections to the team that the Redskins should not be ruled out as potential suitors for Mr. Vick.


The thinking is that, if he were to land in D.C., Vick would not supplant current starter Jason Campbell, but that he instead would work in a Wildcat-type role for 2009, with an opportunity next year to succeed Campbell, whose contract expires after the season.


If the Redskins truly are interested, it could create an awkward situation for agent Joel Segal, who represents both players.


Then again, Segal might be able to persuade Campbell that, if Vick makes the team better in 2009, Campbell will be more attractive on the open market in 2010, if the Redskins choose not to keep him.


For now, we're not reporting that anything will happen between Vick and the Redskins. But as other teams begin lining up for a crack at Vick, who's living not that far from where the Redskins play their home games, how can the 'Skins not at least do a little due diligence?



With a far less noxious degree of stink emanating from Vick given the incredibly fair manner in which the league office has treated him, selling Vick to the local fans suddenly has become a far easier task. And given that the Redskins are nearly 18 years removed from their last Super Bowl win, we've got a feeling that anything that pushes the franchise toward the top of the NFC will be viewed as a positive development.



Bottom line? The Redskins signed Albert Haynesworth, who is hardly a choir boy. If they can justify giving him $41 million guaranteed, they can easily justify giving Vick a one-year deal.



To be clear, we're not reporting that the Redskins will sign Vick. But we've heard enough from a couple of trusted sources to believe that something could indeed happen.



And if it happens, it'll be happening fairly soon.

Steve Nash & Drew Brees: The Parallel Universe

With 11 days until the first official day of Saints Training Camp, I think that this is a perfect time to spew an interesting assumption that has come into fruition in my ever imaginative mind in the past two weeks. For all the people that I connect to this thesis, the Saints are more than just a football team. The Saints are a bonded connection of culture, family and an inevitable recreation of what your father, uncle, grandfather or some other family member already was before you became a Saints fan. If you grew up a Saints fan, their has to be a moment when you were a kid and you watched this particular family member do what you so regularly do on Sundays while, during and after watching a Saints game. The things that has occurred in my Saints Fan career can't be explained. The only explanation of giving a new Cleveland franchise it's first victory on a Hail Mary pass in 1999 is that, "THEIR IS NO EXPLANATION". However, I think I may have come up with the closest thing to a fact that may explain what the Saints may or may not accomplish in the near future. That "closest thing to a fact" is that Drew Brees is eerily similar to Steve Nash. They are both undersized, athletically challenged overachievers who flourished under certain systems that seem to have too much on their shoulders which causes them to inevitably fail. The similarities are so identical that I describe my findings as such: STEVE NASH & DREW BREES: THE PARALLEL UNIVERSE

Part I : UNDERSIZED

Imagine yourself diving across country and your gas tank is nearing empty. Their isn't anywhere to stop except for a biker bar that has loud motorcycles and huge guys with long beards and tattoos covering their flesh. Your choices are very slim so you have to go into this bar to pay for your gas. You proceed to go into the bar and the mood gets very dim very quickly and you realize that you stopped in the wrong place and you have to fight your way out. You scan the room and you look for the first guy that you should attack. What guy will you have the most confidence to attack?

A) The Big Guy With the Tattoos

B) The Medium Size Guy With the Tattoos
C) The Little Guy With the Tattoos

Now, some may say the big guy or the closest guy but I assume that the most confidence will come in the attack of the little guy which brings me to my point. How many franchise players in any sport are undersized? Let's just examine this. Albert Pujols is 6-3, 210 pounds. Lebron James is 6-8, 250 pounds. Peyton Manning is 6-5 240 pounds. In direct contrast, Drew Brees is 6-0 209 pounds and Steve Nash is 6-3, 195 pounds. Let's go back to that bar fight. We all know that we would attack Steve Nash or Drew Brees before we would attack the guy below:

Do you see what I mean? It is a mentality. If a little guy is in front of the pack and is your best player, how confident will the other team be that they can take him out? If you cut the head off, the snake can't see. Take out the best player by intimidation or over physicality and the team crumbles. Right? Am I reaching? Well, let's see. Was I the only person that wondered why Reggie Bush was leading the Saints in the pre-game "Ray Lewis Session" during 2007 season when our best player was Drew Brees? No and I also wasn't the only person who really did not mind the switch. I just kind of shrugged it off and moved on with it like everyone else. However, let's think about it. Reggie Bush is a tall, good looking guy with a ripped body and a model on his arm. Did the teammates respect Reggie Bush more? Can Reggie Bush look a 6'4 300 pound lineman in the eye and inspire him more than Drew Brees? Is it a look? Is it a physical stature that commands respect? Who looks more like Ray Lewis? Drew Brees or Reggie Bush?

Or ....................................................................................................

My point is not that Reggie Bush should be the leader because he is a small guy by NFL standards too. We all saw what happen in 2006 against Philly when Reggie Bush got "clocked" by Sheldon Brown. Is it just me or does it seem like opposing players try extra hard to put a big hit on Reggie Bush? Hmmmmm....... Wow, this is a small guy out front that got totally clobbered. My point is that it is a natural instinct to go after the little guy first. Consequently, when the little guy happens to be the most important and best player on your team, you have problems. Does anyone remember Isiah Thomas having to get 40 stitches after getting elbowed by Karl Malone in 1991? Or does anyone remember J.R. Smith going after 5'9 Nate Robinson in a brawl in Madison Square Garden in 2006? Okay, maybe those events are not as memorable as I may think. Well, does anyone remember how the Denver Nuggets beat up Chris Paul in last year's playoffs? I assume that you do. All these guys mentioned are small and was out front and they took the brunt of the punishment. It is natural for the opposing team to attack the smallest player. It's an easy target. Drew Brees has not had that brutal beating yet but in a world that is definitely not perfect, I hate to say that it is inevitable for Drew Brees to end up like all the rest of the big heart small guys with this look on his face:

Part II : Athletically Challenged Overachievers Who Flourish Under Certain Systems

The size comparison is only the first parallel. How about this though? What was Steve Nash and Drew Brees considered before they got to their current teams? Well, again, let's find out. Steve Nash was drafted out of Santa Clara and Drew Brees was drafted out of Purdue. Purdue is a legendary school for quarterbacks but by all observation by a football fan, most would say that Drew Brees is athletically challenged for a quarterback. He is not real fast and he does not have the best gift that a quarterback can have which is arm strength. Steve Nash can't jump and is not the quickest player in the world. However, it is no doubt that both of these guys are considered some of the smartest players at their position. Additionally, they both seemed to build impressive careers while younger in two different sports despite their athletic shortcomings. Nash starred in soccer and basketball and Brees starred in basketball and football. Interesting huh? Anyhow, when they both got to the professional sport of their choice, they both seem to start out a little slow in their careers. We all know that the early years in San Diego for Brees were not stellar. Steve Nash also went through the same thing in his first stay in Phoenix and then in Dallas. They both went through free agency and signed with another team. Isn't it strange that both players were not signed back to Dallas or San Diego? However, when Nash went to Phoenix in Mike D'Antoni's system and Drew Brees went to New Orleans in Sean Payton's system, their careers seem to take a similar path upward. Steve Nash became a two time MVP and Brees became a perennial MVP candidate. The thing that is even more strange is that D'Antoni's system in basketball is almost the NFL equivalent of Sean Payton's in football. They are both unorthodox methods that do not follow the letter of the law of what each sports purist consider the way to win consistently and effectively. The offense is fast-paced and catered around an athletically challenged smart player while having defenses that are horrific. Are we in the twilight zone here? The similarities are getting scary. These two guys have overachieved in their respective careers tremendously. They are leaders of a franchise and considered some of the best players in their leagues. Sometimes as a fan we even tend to try not to criticize these guys. I have always stopped short of criticizing both of these guys. Think about it.....Does Drew Brees gets the kind of criticism that Peyton Manning got before he won a Superbowl? Did Steve Nash ever get the kind of criticism that Kobe got? Why is that? It's simple. Everyone loves an underdog. They have exceeded expectations and it is hard to ever be mad at a guy like that. But, how does that help the Saints or the Suns? It does not because you inevitably have to put more people around a player with less talent to win a championship and if you don't, they will fail. You can only go so far on smarts and craftiness. I will never downplay the importance of smarts and craftiness but wouldn't it be better to have a Peyton Manning and Lebron James who are smart, crafty and athletically superior? See, there are times when there is no counter technique to take the other person down. It just comes a time when you just physically dominate them. Their are throws that Peyton Manning makes and drives that Lebron makes that our heroes can't make and that is the difference in winning and losing. It is too bad every team can't have Lebron or Peyton.

Part III: Inevitably Failing Because The Load is Too Heavy

Winning and Losing are two good words to start Part III out with. The thing about Steve Nash and Drew Brees is that they will never give up. They will never stop trying because this is the way they have operated their whole lives. They were always small and always "out manned" but they continued to press forward. They give their best at all times and hope that their best is enough. But, is their best really enough? In Drew Brees six best passing yardage games from 2006-2008, the Saints are 1-5:

504 yards Cincinnati Bengals 2006 L 31-24
422 yards Atlanta Falcons 2008 L 34-20

435 yards Jacksonville Jaguars 2007 W 41-24

421 yards Denver Broncis 2008 L 34-32

386 yards Carolina Panthers 2008 L 33-31

393 yards Pittsburgh Steelers 2006 L 38-31

Steve Nash's best three playoff games resulted in a loss:

06-07 31 points, 8 assists L San Antonio Spurs

04-05 48 Points L Dallas Mavericks

07-08 25 points 13 assists L San Antonio Spurs

Look, there are obviously other factors like the saints defense is bad, the referees and a host of other factors but when have you consistently seen Lebron James or Peyton Manning have their best games and lose? Is this a coincidence?

Peyton Manning Best Playoff Games

2004 vs. KC 330 yards 3 TD's W 38-31

2005 vs. Denver 458 yards 4 TD's W 49 - 24

Lebron James Best Playoff Games

2007 vs. Detroit 48 points 7 assists 9 rebs W East Finals

2009 vs. Orlando 37 points, 12 assists, 14 rebs W East Finals

Folks, this is not an attempt to marginalize what Brees and Nash have done in their careers or an attempt to put them on the same level as Manning and James because they are not in most ways. Also, James and Manning have had their fair share of failures. However, Brees and Nash are franchise players and the leader of their teams and from the facts above, it shows that even at their very best, they seem to lose. Why is that? Well, I think it's because they have too much on their shoulders. They have to carry too much of a load. Their abilities only can carry them so far and eventually, they will fail. Lebron and Peyton can make bad teams contend year after year but Nash and Brees have a short window and if they don't accomplish that in a matter of 3-4 years, the team has to adjust and bring in more players and try to go for broke to win a championship. More often than not, the teams do not accomplish their goal. The Suns had to bring in Shaq at the expense of other players and now the Saints are making wholesale defensive changes bringing in Jenkins, Sharper and a whole new defensive scheme and coach. Don't get me wrong. I agree with the moves and we have not lost any important players yet but it will inevitably happen becasue their is only so much money to go around with the salary cap. Brees and Nash has failed in the clutch before by default. They exhausted everything they had and their feeble shoulders just eventually broke down under the immense weight.

In the 2006 playoff game against Chicago, the Chicago Bears were leading 16-14 with 12:20 seconds left in the third quarter. Here are the Saints final possessions:

Missed Field Goal

Safety

Punt

Fumble By Brees

Interception

Turnover on Downs

Turnover on Downs

In the Chargers 2004 playoff game versus the Jets with the score tie 17-17 in overtime, here are the Chargers two possessions:

Turnover on Downs
Missed Field Goal

In the 2007 playoffs, Phoenix and San Antonio tied 81-81 of the 2nd round:

Steve Nash Missed a Layup with 1:42 left

In the 2005 playoffs, Phoenix and San Antonio, SA up 103-102 in the 1st round:

Steve Nash missed a 14-footer with 2:14 left

Once again, this is not a attempt to say I don't appreciate what these players do in their respective games because there are other factors that contribute to the outcome of the game. However, if their teams win, they get the majority of the credit so isn't it only fair that if they lose, they should get the part of the blame? When does it get to the point when we start saying that they can not get over the hump? Those games were arguably the most important moments of their careers and they came up short literally and figuratively. Is it their fault? Could they have helped it? Or, was their god given abilities just not enough for them to overcome the odds? I would say the latter. Let's even think about one last moment for Drew Brees. Drew Brees rarely gets the ball tipped or sack but when he does, it almost always turns out horribly. I am sure you remember the blind side hit by Antoine Winfield last year in the Minnesota game. How about when the Saints had an opportunity to win against Washington last year and some guy named Horton caught a tipped ball for a game clinching interception? Nash and Brees have the worst thing that most dominate athletes don't ever have to worry about. They have a low margin for error. Their size and inferior athletic prowess is the unfair advantage that every team has against them so even in their greatest moment, one false move will cause their teams to lose. I cheer for the underdogs. Their is not better story than an underdog defying all odds to come out victorious. However, it is even sadder when those underdogs come up an inch short. I hate it. Trust me folks. I hate to think that the career of Brees will be parallel to Steve Nash but the parallels illustrated in this blog whether they are far-fetched or right on point down does the one thing that I hoped it would do and that is MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT THEM. Nash is pretty much done and his window is probably closed. I hope our hero does not suffer the same fate in three more magnificient years that result in not being able to get over the hump. They already seem to kind of look alike with the long hair........ don't they? Weird. I HATE IT!!! I really do but sometimes things line up like that for the Saints. Even with players who both have undeniable passion and the heart of a tiger, their is still a probelm. Eventually, they have to face a lion. The only explanation is that, " THERE IS NO EXPLANATION." So is the Saints.

Short GM Convo..........

"Dario Mobley" wrote on 06/24/2009 07:50:46 AM:

Kevin McHale drafted Brandon Roy and traded him for Randy Foye and
he was considered a good GM. Danny Ainge pretty much got handed Ray
Allen and KG. I don’t get how they are good. Bird is doing nothing
in Indiana. Mike Dunleavy lost Elton Brand to Philly. Danny Ferry
has done one good thing for Cleveland and that is nothing. Anyone
would have drafted Lebron. The dude is really not putting anybody around Lebron. The Milwaukee Gm is blowing up there team. Joe Dumars traded Billups. Why are all these GM making the wrong moves?


-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin Suggs
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:00 AM
To: Dario Mobley
Subject: Re:

I don't know...because Dumars won a championship...I would like to think that he has something up his sleeve...benefit of the doubt????

I think these guys are making the wrong moves, because the didn't work
under a GM like Jerry west...like Mitch Kupcheck for example. He stuck to his guns with Bynum...brought in Ariza and Odom (I think)...Shannon Brown (lucky, I know)...and now they have another championship.

most of these GMs....got the job on a "name" from bball...no experience
in the front office.

"Dario Mobley" wrote on 06/24/2009 08:06:39 AM:

True. You got to give Joe Dumars the benefit doubt. You are right about Kupchack dog. You make some good points on the GM's.



-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin Suggs
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:13 AM
To: Dario Mobley
Subject: RE:

Props to you having no rebuttal.


"Dario Mobley" wrote:

It's illogical to argue things that make sense. Then I would just be talking just to talk.

WHY IS AMARE GETTING A BAD RAP?

"Dario Mobley" wrote on 06/24/2009 07:21:30 AM:

Minnesota made a trade with Washington giving up Randy Foye and Mike Miller for Songalia, Etan Thomas and some other dude name. They are two starters on most teams and now they will be coming off the bench forWashington. If Arenas is okay, Washington will be a lot better. Dang Lebron !!!!!!!!!! What is Cleveland Doing? San Antonio has gotten better with Richard Jefferson and now Washington is getting better? What is Danny Ferry doing?

-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 8:55 AM
To: Dario Mobley
Subject: Re:

Washington is trying to make a run dog!!!!They need to with all that money that they have tied up.Is Randy Foye is a two?

"Dario Mobley" wrote on 06/24/2009 08:03:45 AM:

He played point in Minnesota but he is really a combo guard. This gives them flexibility and scoring off the bench and it gives the more pieces for a trade for a big man if they desire to. I think they should have trade Jamison for Stoudamire. Arenas held them hostage and made them sign Jamison to an extension and then Arenas never got healthy. That played them. They could have signed Rasheed or Boozer this year if it was not for that.

Brendan Haywood
Jamison
Butler
Stevenson
Arenas
Foye
Miller
Nick Young
Blache

They need a scorer in the post. Amare maybe?

-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:13 AM
To: Dario Mobley
Subject: RE:

Dog, if they get Amare (who like to shoot jumpers like Jamison by the way)...they would be VERY dangerous...but they would lose something...i betthey will packaged butler or arenas in a deal..for who though? Is Amare a free agent? If not...maybe Amare... but then phoenix won't have nothing...i can't see them rebuilding after being so close the last few years...will they?


"Dario Mobley" wrote on 06/24/2009 07:21:30 AM:

Well, Amare is a very different player then Jamison. Amare attacks the basket a lot more than Jamison as evident by his 7.9 career Free Throw attempts compared to Jamison's 4.9 attempts per game. (See how I use the stats to support my opinions). Amare's "perceived" problem is he does not put the effort on the boards and his defense. The dude has a career 8.9 rebound average supposedly not trying so what would he get if he tried? Oh and by the way, the dude that was the first pick that year, Yao Ming, only averages 9.3 boards for his career. He is also 7'6 and averages 1.9 blocks for his career but you never hear people talking about Yao's defense or rebounding. Also, Jamison does not defend well and he really doesn't offer spacing because he plays on the perimeter. Arenas is the focus of the offense when Butler is there best player. At least Amare will play on the post on at least the mid-post as oppose to Jamison and that would be a more balanced and spaced offense.

Phoenix is looking to dump Amare for two reasons. The first is that they are trying to save money as evident by trading and selling there draft picks the last few years. They traded Rondo to Boston two years ago for Cleveland 2007 (Boston owned that pick)draft pick and cash considerations. They also traded Sergio Rodrigez to Portland in 2006. Also, Amare has also stated that he will opt out after next year so they want to get something for him. The Wizards are not going to offer Arenas. However, I did hear that Phoenix has asked for Butler in an Amare trade and the Wizards said no.

Back to Amare though......

The dude obviously have talent and people like you (I fear you are just talking and looking at sportscenter) say he is limited but how is he going to post up with Phoenix pushing an undersized T-shirt superstar who should be a second tier player? On that note, do you realize that Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson and now Amare Stoudamire will have all left Phoenix? What's up with that? Are they really selfish or is it something else going on there with management, Nash or something? (See How I hit you with that observation that lame Wilbon, Jon Barry or any other analyst don't think about). THAT WILL BE THREE ALL-STARS WHO WANTED TO LEAVE PHOENIX AND LEFT IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS. DIAW AND BARBOSA LEFT LAST YEAR. WHY KEEP A 35 YEAR OLD POINT GUARD WHO CAN'T CARRY A TEAM OFFENSIVELY AND DOES NOT PLAY DEFENSE? THAT IS CONFUSING TO ME................ Anyhow, How can Amare post up when the philosophy is to shoot the ball in 7 seconds? They say his production is linked to Steve Nash but Amare won the rookie of year without Nash on that team. Was Nash even an All-Star on Dallas? Also, as far as his defense, the system was not built for defense and no one except Raja Bell and Marion played defense in those run and gun years. The dude is strong and athletic. He has the ability to rebound, post up and defend.

Lastly, everyone knows the Phoenix style will never consistently win a championship. Dog, D'Toni think he is fire when Don Nelson(who is a way better coach then him), Doug Moe (Another legendary run and gun coach) never won with that style.

If you put Amare with a dude like Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert, Rasheed Wallace, Varejo, Kendrick Perkins (defender rebounder) who could defend a team with a post player, he would be dominate. Also, how many teams actually have a strong post player that Amare needs to defend?

Your thoughts? (I am not arguing with you by the way. I just trying to show how Amare is not being painted real well by the media)

4 QUESTIONS THAT I ASKED.......................

From: Dario Mobley
To: Moses Cage
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 12:59:38 PM
Subject: I have a point

Mo,I am going to ask you series of questions in an effort to try to see what you think about this assumption but I can't tell you what the assumption is because if I do, it would make the point lose validity considering the masses emotion toward this particular subject.Firstly, we got another one so I am happy about that. I am also happy for Kobe.

The first question is in your lifetime, would you say that Scottie Pippen is the most versatile and therefore best perimeter defeneder you have ever seen? Maybe even the best ever?

--- On Tue, 6/23/09, moses cage wrote:From: moses cage
Subject: Re: I have a point
To: "Dario Mobley"
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 1:25 PM

My first thought it that he is the best perimeter defender I've seen. But I'm not sure if that's me saying that, or the media's influence on me saying that. When I think about Phil putting him on Stockton in the Finals and how that changed the entire series, plus his long arms against 2-guards trying to shoot over him, plus his instincts in the passing lanes and athleticism to block shots and rebound...he has to be considered the best in my lifetime. Nobody combined the size, speed, length, instincts, and play-making ability that Scottie had.Alvin Robertson, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman (with the Pistons), Gary Payton, Gerald Wilkins, John Starks, Dennis Johnson, Xavier McDaniel, and others deserve consideration (and of course Jordan), but Scottie has to be number 1.

From: Dario Mobley dadeo23@yahoo.com
To: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 1:36:43 PM
Subject: Re: I have a point

Okay, I agree that he is the best. I would say Jordan but they had to switch Pippen on Magic Johnson in the 91 finals and the Dream Team put Pippen on Toni Kukoc when they played Croatia in the 92 Olympics. Jordan had the ability but he rarely had to prove as much as Pippen did.

Second Question:

Could the 2008 Celtics and 2004 Pistons beat the 91 Lakers, 93 Suns, 96 Sonics and 98 and 99 Utah Jazz?


--- On Tue, 6/23/09, moses cage wrote:
From: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: I have a point
To: "Dario Mobley" dadeo23@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 1:44 PM

No way! I'm not even gonna discuss the Pistons. Not enough fire power to beat any of those Western Champs in a 7 gave series. That Pistons squad could barely reach 90 points...the Sonics and Lakers lived in the 100s.The Celtics are a more copelling matchup, but Magic, Stockton, GP, and KJ would kill Rondo (who the Celtics offered to the Pistons today...). Also, each of those teams had all-star/mvp-caliber power forwards at the prime of their careers...KG would have had his hands full. The '08 Celtics couldn't win on the road in the playoffs, going 7 games against poo squads. They wouldn't be able to win in Salt Lake or Seattle. The wouldn't have been deep enough either. All of those teams had a bench...Eddie House and Big Baby wouldn't be factors.


From: Dario Mobley dadeo23@yahoo.com
To: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 2:20:42 PM
Subject: Re: I have a point

Okay, let me put it another way.

B. Wallace/Mehmet Okur- Kendrick Perkins - Ervin Johnson - Divac- Mark West/Oliver Miller - Greg Ostertag/ Antoine Carr

R.Wallace - Kevin Garnett- Kemp - Sam Perkins - Barkley - Malone

Tayshaun - Detlef Schremp- Paul Pierce - Worthy (injured)- Richard Dumas/Ceballos- Russell

Hamilton - Hershey Hawkins- Ray Allen - Byron Scott - Majerle - Hornacek

Billups - Rondo -Payton - Magic - KJ - Stockton

They matchup pretty well with all the teams considering you can put Ben Wallace on all the power forwards. Also, Worthy got hurt in Game 3 but played it out. He played an injured 31 minutes in Game 4 and did not play in Game 5. And with the Celtics, none of those teams have a player like Pierce on the perimeter who could create his own shot at any time on anybody. You got to remember that Kobe averaged 25.7 points and shot 40.5% from the field against the Celtics and 22.6 points and 38.1 percent againt the Pistons. That team defense would keep them in any game. The only team that they could not handle was the 92 Blazers in my opinion.Also, you can't say Eddie House would not be a factor considering that Steve Kerr, John Paxson, Craig Hodges and BJ Armstrong were all major factors for the Bulls championships. Also, Barkley says McHale gave him the most trouble and Malone says Duncan. Both long arm defenders. I would say the KG and Rasheed Wallace is as good as s defender as McHale and Duncan. Would you? Ray Allen has a decided edge over anyone at the 2 position. Kemp destroyed Rodman but they still lost to the Bulls and lost in the first round to Denver with another long armed defender in Mutumbo. Tayshaun could stay with anyone of those players except a healthy Worthy but Worthy was not healthy. Yeah, Magic has the advantage over anyone but I would put Billups against KJ, Stockton or Payton anytime.Rondo would struggle but the Celtics team defense would limit them as none of those point guards aside from Magic and maybe KJ could win a series on there own.Let's agree to say that is debatable but on paper, both teams match up well with all those teams.

Third Question:

Which things are more hurtful to scorers? Pick two out of threeZone Defense, More Atheltic Defenders, Hand Checking, Physical Play


--- On Tue, 6/23/09, moses cage wrote:
From: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: I have a point
To: "Dario Mobley" dadeo23@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 2:45 PM

I agree that those teams match-up well, but I guess I'm thinking about how much better those teams were as a whole. The were all veteran teams, who would've been ready to play. Plus, all of them had great leadership. Say what u want, but Hornacek, Hawkins, Marjle, and Byron Scott couldnt really create a shot, but each was a bonifide scorer in his own right. And how dare u put Eddie House in the same category as Paxson, BJ Armstrong, and Steve Kerr? U know better than that D. LOL!For your question, I'd normally say Physical Play, and and Athletic Defender (who is taller than the scorer), but only if we're talking about physical play like it was back in the early 90s...not this sissy ball they're playing nowadays....I need somebody to be able to lay LeBronze out if he comes down the lane (scorers can fly to the cup now bc they know nobody can hit them too hard or else it'll be a flagrant-2/ejection). The fear of cathing a Karl Malone elbow across your face would make these boys think twice before going in for a monster jam.

From: Dario Mobley dadeo23@yahoo.com
To: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:04:00 PM
Subject: Re: I have a point

Correct. Eddie House has not hit clutch shots like those players but I meant that he was a shooter that would get a lot of open shots from creation by a good player like Pierce or KG or Ray Allen. I like Byron Scott to be able to compete with Hamilton and Ray Allen better than Majerle, Hornacek or Hershey Hawkins. Remember that these players were starting two guards who all made the all star team in there careers. (I have a point)Okay, so we can say that athletic defenders and physical play make it very hard for an offensive player.

Fourth Question:

Aside from Scottie Pippen and Isiah who was his teammate and maybe Ron Harper pre-injury, what perimeter players in the NBA from 1984-1999 (Dr. J does not count because he was not in his prime, had the all round versatile offensive game like the players below:Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, T-Mac, Lebron, Kobe, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo, Iverson, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Iguoudala, Turkoglu, Durant, Granger, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Magette, Stephen Jackson or even Kevin Martin.

Let's say Granger, Jackson and Martin are not there yet.

Can you name some players during Jordan's era that had games as versatile offensively as any of the players I named above? (I think you know what I am getting at here now. It is just a case and not my personal opinion though)


6/23/09, moses cage wrote:
From: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: I have a point
To: "Dario Mobley" dadeo23@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 3:28 PM

Ok, first let's admit that athleticism and creativity is at an all time high in this era. The things players can do now weren't even thought aboutback in the 80s and 90s (think about Vince's dunk contest victory in Oakland...His first 2 dunks were the best 2 I had ever seen....PERIOD. Then when he stuck is elbow in the rim, I was in disbelief.).Having said that, Dominique has to be at the top of the list....his althelticism was off the charts. Drexler, Larry Nance, Tom Chambers, and Kenny "Skywalker" are also in that category. Other than Isaiah, no point guard could do what CP3 does, but Kevin Johnson, Tim Hardaway, and Rod Strickland were unguardable. Nobody could do what Lebron does, but Jordan, Wilkins, Skywalker....Worthy had a nice Statue of Liberty dunk, but there just werent as many cats who were creative.

On the other hand, other than a handful of players today, nobody has the intermediate game the way the "Microwave" and Hersey Hawkins had.

From: Dario Mobley dadeo23@yahoo.com
To: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:04:58 PM
Subject: Re: I have a point

Athleticism is one thing and there is a very strong argument the there were a lot of high jumpers back in the day. Wilt Chamberlain always raved about what Elgin Baylor did and you can see clips of what Dr. J and George Gervin did. If we fast forward a little more we get the Jordan's, Larry Nance, Kemp and Dominique and a little further gives us Vince, Dwight Howard, Stoudamire, Lebron and Kobe's.However, if you check my question again, I said the total offensive game which means dribbling, passing, shooting, and overall coordination to have Jordan like skills. Only Drexler was a perimeter player out of the people you named but if you remembered his game, he was not a create your own shot anytime type of guy like the guys named before. Think about the skills Mitchell had and the skills Jared or even Broderick had. Mitchell was more complete from a skill point of view and that is what all those players I named had. Even the great Bernard King with his great offense was not as versatile as any of those players from this generation that I named. King could score but could not pass like they did. Carmelo is a updated version of Bernard King.

My point is this and I will leave you with this:

Considering that the NBA had different rules, has more athletes, Kobe having to go against more players with his talent level and an arguable point that the teams today (Boston/ Detroit example) would matchup well or in my opinion beat 5 of the six teams Jordan played in the finals, could you have a real round table discussion about who is better out of Michael Jordan & Kobe? (Keep in Mind that is IF KOBE WINS SIX CHAMPIONSHIPS)

On Tue, 6/23/09, moses cage wrote:
From: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: I have a point
To: "Dario Mobley" dadeo23@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 4:13 PM

My bad, I didnt look at the question fully. You're right, but everybody worships Jordan as the best ever (as I do, and always will), but I see him as more than a basketball player. He impacted basketball, sports marketing, opened blacks up to Madison Avenue as CEOs and Brand Names, showed us how to be professionals and still be hip, etc.etc....nobody will ever do that again just because he changed the game and was a world icon. But as a player, anybody who cant see Kobe as a threat to MJ on the court is blind, biased, or just dont understand the game. If Kobe gets to 6 championships, we really have to re-visit the discussion about who is the greatest of all time. Especially if Kobe gets to play an epic Finals against the Celtics or Lebron, or another great player in his prime.Thx for the questions...where the hell is your sports blog. I need something to read other than Bill Simmons. His hate for Kobe and love for everything Boston-related is started to get a bit old and stale to me.

From: Dario Mobley dadeo23@yahoo.com
To: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:18:20 PM
Subject: Re: I have a point

I think Simmons is a basketball guy but his love for Boston Area sports clouds his judgement. I was pissed at his last Kobe article and I wrote him a long and horrible note. Anyhow, Do you mind if I post these conversations on the blog?---

From: moses cage
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:24:20 -0700 (PDT)
To: Dario Mobleydadeo23@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: I have a point

Of course not. Post away. I agree with your view on the last Kobe article. He hated on him the way a fan hates on a player...I guess he's a columnist so its all his opinion, but I hate that his views are taken as gospel by so many of his readers. Then he added that last paragraph to give Kobe props in case someone like u emails him a nasty letter, he can go back and say "Well you didn't read the last paragraph where I said how great Kobe is." I'm starting to not like him.

From: Dario Mobley dadeo23@yahoo.com
To: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:50:33 PM
Subject: Re: I have a point

Cool. I will post it. Simmons usually keeps it real except when it comes to boston teams and there rivals. I don't like that because he is one of the few white writers with a passion for nba basketball. He knows his history and understands "some nba officiating" and he tries to point out bad officiating on both sides although I think that he talks about the refs too much. Anyhow, I am off my man. I will post that convo tomorrow.Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Early Saints Talk

Questions:

Do you know that in the Washington, Denver, Minnesota, and Chicago game, the Saints offense had a chance to win the game and they did not?

There were two missed field goals but why should we even be kicking field goals if our offense is really that explosive?

There was only one game where the Saints offense came back to win and that was a 29-24 victory against the Falcons late in the season.

The Saints offense is very good but do you know that Drew Brees had 3 of his best passing games as far as yards in losses?

Denver 34 Saints 31 Brees 421 yards
Atlanta 34 Saints 20 Brees 422 yards
Carolina 33 Saints 31 Brees 386 yards

I agree that the Saints offense is good but I am seeing a trend of a lot of meaningless yards and offensive rating that does not translate into the playoffs. Without balance, the Saints offense is just a team that throws the ball a lot from behind.

Dario K. Mobley
Electrical Engineer



-----Original Message-----From: Elgin E Suggs

Check this out...

Free agents lost: S Josh Bullocks(notes), WR Terrance Copper(notes), S
Kevin Kaesviharn(notes), FB Mike Karney(notes), RB Deuce McAllister(notes),
CB Mike McKenzie(notes), WR David Patten(notes), DE Josh Savage(notes), DT
Hollis Thomas(notes), DT Brian Young(notes)


Free agents gained: TE Dan Campbell(notes), DT Rod Coleman(notes), TE
Darnell Dinkins(notes), FB Heath Evans(notes), CB Jabari Greer(notes), DE
Anthony Hargrove(notes), C Nick Leckey(notes), S Pierson Prioleau(notes), S
Darren Sharper(notes), DE Paul Spicer(notes), WR Paris Warren(notes), LB
Anthony Waters(notes), WR D'Juan Woods(notes)


Drafted: CB Malcolm Jenkins(notes), S Chip Vaughn(notes), ILB Stanley
Arnoux(notes), P Thomas Morstead(notes)


The average score of a Saints game in 2008 was Saints 28.9, Opponents 24.6.
That's the best scoring offense in the league, and the 26th-best scoring
defense. My extensive experience in watching football tells me that the
Saints need to get better at ... any guesses? Anyone? Anyone? Defense.


Unfortunately, we're unable to narrow it down to rushing defense or passing
defense, because neither one was very good.


It'll be a whole new secondary, though, with first-round draft pick Michael
Jenkins(notes) hopefully taking over at one corner spot while free-agent
addition Jabari Greer takes over the other. Darren Sharper is a nice
veteran addition at safety, too. It might not end up being a great
secondary, but it will at least be different. And when you're awful,
different is good.


Show me a bad secondary, though, and chances are, it's accompanied by a
weak pass rush. The improvement there is going to have to come not from
personnel so much, but from the new defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams.
Additions like Paul Spicer and Anthony Hargrove provide some depth, but if
opposing quarterbacks feel any real pain, it's going to be because of
scheme and the coaching up of Saints such as Will Smith and Charles Grant
(notes). That gets harder to imagine when you consider that both of those
guys will likely miss the first four games of the season due to a
suspension.


Progress: The Saints don't need their defense to turn into the 1970s
Steelers. The Saints don't need to win games 6-3. As long as Drew Brees
(notes) is there, he has some weapons around him, and and the Saints keep
turning him loose on opposing secondaries, the offense is going to be a
force. If Gregg Williams wants to make everyone on defense wear T-shirts
that read, "LET'S BE AVERAGE," and they can live up to that, the Saints
will be in the playoffs.


Plus two games. 8-8 last year, 10-6 this year.


"Dario Mobley" wrote on 06/10/2009 10:01:21 AM:

> I like the depth of the defensive line on paper but like I said, I don't
> feel that urge to give them my solid grade.
>
> Will Smith - overrated
> Charles Grant- overrated
> Sedrick Ellis- alright last year
> Coleman- good two years ago but who knows now
> Clancy- journeyman
>
> I am glad about the backfield also but Tracy Porter has to prove to me, I
am
> not familiar with Greer but I hear good things on Buffalo message boards.
I
> am happy with Sharper but I am not confident in Harper.
>
> We will see with Greg Williams. I think it will take him another year
maybe
> two to build the defense the way he wants. We will see improvements but
not
> from 20 something to 5.
>
> We drafted Usama Young in 2007 and Tracy Porter last year. Do you mean
that
> was the first time in the first round? Yeah, if you meant that, I think
the
> last time we drafted a corner in the first round was Alex Molden.
>
> I am not concerned about the receivers at all. It was just another weapon
> added in Meachem. I would not move Colston. He has proven to be an above
> average starter and he has the chance to be an elite receiver in the
league.
> I am not moving or touching him. The other receivers has to get in where
> they fit in. He is a lock at receiver for me.
>
> Again, I agree with you. I do feel better about Greer and Sharper in the
> secondary.
>
> But Party, where is the pass rush? Still unaddressed? I guess you can't
have
> everything in one year.
>
> Dario K. Mobley
> Electrical Engineer
> >
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elgin E Suggs
>
> well..I like the depth we have on the defensive line...
>
> We have a new defensive Backfield, which to me is a good thing.
>
> We do need Another linebacker, I agree...maybe they feel that one of the
> people they have will be good enough.
>
> Here's the thing...I hope they don't put too much pressuRe on Greg,
because
> of his past...he as you said...did well with the draft...
>
> I like the fact that they drafTed a corner for the first time in about
> twenty years...maybe thats sign...or at least that's what I'm going to
say
> for now...
>
> If meachem is a beast...then, they need to put him as the primarY, and
put
> colston on the other side...henderson in the slot. I would even thing of
> putting colston in a the tight end position...???
>
> I like Sharper in the secondary...and Jabari greer has good speed and was
a
> starter in Buffalo before being hurt...
>
> "Dario Mobley" wrote on 06/10/2009 09:41:10
AM:
>
> > dan morgan retired again. that is not a surPrise. we are back poo at
> > linebacker. pierre thomas went from squAtting 490 pounds to 675 pounds.
> he
> > says he will get the tough yards this year. he blamed himself last
year.
> ray
> > went to minicamp and he said pieRre thomas looked bottom heavy.
> >
> > reporTs have been surfacing that meachem is looking like a beast.
> > whY reggie bush wants to win the mvp?
> >
> > they asked drew brees "what do you say to reggie Bush about him saying
he
> > think the saints can win the suPer bowl"
> >
> > brees sAys he better back it up. what do you think about that?
> >
> > for me, heRe are players that are solid, no doubt players:
> >
> > offense: brees, jahri evans, jamal brown, colston, devery
henderson(from
> the
> > standpoinT that we know he can go deep)
> >
> > defense: vilma, sharper, fujita (just barelY)
> >
> > come on dog. we went into this year with depth at the weakside
> linebacker.
> > we had dan morgan, scott poo-le, rookie from wake forest and dunbar.
> >
> > now, the rookie is out for the season and morgan retired.
> >
> > do you know mark simeanou is still on the team?
> >
> > ray did not have too much to say about jabari greer.