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Special Teams Overhaul Continues for Panthers

March 12th, 2010

The Carolina Panthers, looking to bolster their underperforming special teams unit, are discussing a possible trade to acquire cornerback Marcus Hudson from the San Francisco 49ers

The 27-year-old North Carolina State alum racked up a career-high 24 special teams tackles with the 49ers in '09, second most on the team.

In his five years with the 49ers, Hudson has made 68 tackles and forced one fumble.

If acquired, the five-year veteran would join former Jets special-teamer Wallace Wright as part of the Panthers’ revamped special teams unit.

The Panthers began their special teams overhaul two months ago, when special teams coordinator Danny Crossman was replaced by strength and conditioning coach, Jeff Rodgers.

Under Crossman, the Panthers finished second-to-last in the NFL on kickoff returns in 2009 and have also not returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2003.

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Posted in Breaking News, Carolina Panthers, Football, NFL

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Big Sam To Rafael Benitez: I’m Under Your Skin And I Don’t Like You

March 12th, 2010

Just when you thought it was safe to go back out on the pitch. Big Sam and Rafa are at it again. Fresh from Benitez's Barcelona jibes, Big Sam has hit back by claiming he has got under Rafa's skin, that he doesn't like him, and that the Liverpool manager has blown his clubs chances of reaching the Champions League.

This round of their constant belittling of each other started on the eve of Blackburn's trip to Liverpool where Sam Allardyce claimed that Rafa had turned Liverpool into a modern day version of Bolton.

An unhappy Benitez decided to bite his tongue on that occasion, but hit back in the press conference following the Reds 2-1 win over Rovers.

An angry Rafa said: "We can win on the pitch but some people have to talk before and after the game because they find it difficult to do a football job. I am sure he is a model for football all around the world. I am sure Barcelona are thinking about copying their style of football," amongst other things, but that was his most damning comment.

It appeared to be the final say on the matter, this season, but following Liverpool's shock 1-0 loss to Wigan at the DW Stadium, Big Sam has returned with a few choice words of his own.

"It was a good cover-up by Rafa (jeering Blackburn's style of play) because he knows how bad his side were and that was repeated against Wigan on Monday night.

"He's got personal with it for many, many years now.'

"That's why I don't like him and the feeling is probably mutual.'

"I don't get personal with him; I get into him and under his skin, yes, but that's all part of the game.'

"The tit for tat between me and Rafa will probably go on until one of us is no longer a Premier League manager. I've managed to psyche out one or two here and there and that's how the Premiership has evolved over the last 20 years. But no, Pep Guardiola has not been in touch yet!"

He went on: "The last time one of the big four didn't finish in the top four it was Liverpool—Everton got that spot—and I think this time it looks pretty difficult having lost against Wigan.'

"They are having to rely on other teams slipping up now. They have a wealth of experience and that may be a telling factor when the nerve ends start jangling. We saw what happened to Tottenham a few years ago with the famous 'poisoned lasagne' scenario—and they let it slip.'

"But I think it might be more difficult for Liverpool this time around because there are more teams involved. There's Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Tottenham in there and if Everton keep rolling on you might be surprised to see them making a late run."

Allardyce insists that Liverpool's losses to Wigan and Lille prove that he has won the psychological battle. He said: "You do it to try to get your team in a position to get a result. Personal criticism is not the road I go down, and I don't personally criticise Rafa Benitez but I clearly get under his skin and that can be a benefit to my side when we play them."

With the two of these guys going at it hammer and tongs you could almost believe they were rival boxers rather than managers of football teams.

Pity they won't meet again until next year...

This article was previously published on Premier League Report

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Posted in Breaking News, EPL, Liverpool, Rafael Benitez, Soccer, UEFA Champions League, World Football, sam allardyce

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Matt Moore Cashes In, Expected To Sign Tender With Panthers

March 12th, 2010

Just one week after being tendered by the Carolina Panthers, restricted free agent Matt Moore will accept the team's one-year, $3.043 million qualifying offer.

The four-year veteran who made under $500,000 last season, is expected to sign the deal either today or tomorrow, according to The Oregonian newspaper.

Moore is the favorite to start for the Panthers' in 2010, after veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme was released last week.

Moore took over as the starter late in 2009 for Delhomme, who was sidelined with a knuckle injury.

As a starter, Moore threw eight touchdowns, one interception and passed for just under 1,000 yards-leading the Panthers to an 8-8 record and a third-place finish in the NFC South.

The Panthers will bring in at least one more quarterback—either through free agency or the draft—to compete with Moore and second-year man Hunter Cantwell for the job.

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Posted in Breaking News, Carolina Panthers, Football, Jake Delhomme, NFL

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PCB Ban Younis and Yousuf Indefinately

March 12th, 2010

Both Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan have been banned indefinitely from representing Pakistan amidst an inquiry into the recent tour of Australia.

 

The enquiry has dug up that both had been involved in internal fighting which the Pakistan Cricket Board believes "brought down the whole team."

 

However these bans were later explained to not be for life but with both players aged 35 and 32 their test careers would appear to be jeopardy.

 

In addition to these sanctions, Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan and Shoaib Malik both face one-year bans and bigger fines.

 

Brothers Umar and Kamran Akmal face six-month probation periods in which their conduct will be closely monitored.

 

This is also the case for Shahid Afridi after he was caught biting the ball during a recent test, therefore bringing the game and his country into disrepute.

 

These actions will no doubt hinder Pakistani cricket in the immediate future however the PCB believe that this is to ensure a brighter long term future.

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Posted in Breaking News, Cricket, Kamran Akmal, Pakistan Cricket, Shoaib Mallik, Younus Khan

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Ben Roethlisberger: What You Didn’t Know About Big Ben’s Assault Allegations

March 12th, 2010

I have recently spoken with one of the sorority sisters at Georgia College & State University, who is also a long-time friend of mine.

She has frequented the local clubs and in my own opinion, is a very honest, reliable person, and a credible source.

I present to you the information I've gathered and allow you to make your own assumptions.

In order to protect the identity of the victim and source, no names will be used.

The interview occurred over the phone on Monday, Mar. 8 around 10 PM EST; it lasted about an hour.

I asked the sorority sister, "What do you think about the situation with the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and the local club?"

She replied, "I honestly think it happened, I feel so bad for the girl and all the horrible things people are saying about her, especially the people who don't know her and don't know anything about the club."

I responded, "So what makes you think that he (Roethlisberger) did it?"

She replied, "Nobody knew Ben was going to be here that night," and continued to say,  "Everybody was shocked (to see him). It's not like she planned it, or memorized his weight and height."

She goes on to say, "A friend of mine was in the VIP room and he was being 'touchy feely' with her. She was like 'Dude f--- off' and he (Roethlisberger) got pissed and said, 'Who are you to talk to me like that? Get out of here!' and made his bodyguards kick her out (of the VIP room)."

I asked, "Is there anything else you can tell me?"

She said, "It (the incident) didn't happen in the bathroom.", "he was in this VIP room in the Capitol, he was only letting girls in", then said, "She (the victim) isn't a gold digger".

This is the second time Roethlisberger has found himself caught in assault allegations.

He has been described as "unpleasant" by individuals who have encountered the NFL star, outside the lines.

As a 20-year-old writer here at Bleacher Report, I have the privilege of posting my own research and opinions to the world.

 

Daniel Kablack is editor of www.mysportschat.com

You can contact Daniel Kablack at dan@mysportschat.com

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Posted in Ben Roethlisberger, Breaking News, Football, NFL, pittsburgh steelers

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