Luck, Griffin, Richardson, Mathieu and Ball Named Heisman Trophy Runners up

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Anitra Onofre

Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Tyrann Mathieu and Montee Ball are the Heisman Trophy finalists.
The group, announced Monday on ESPN, includes the preseason favorite — Stanford quarterback Luck — and at least one player, Mathieu, who was low profile when the season began.
Luck is a finalist for the second straight season, while the other QB on the list, Griffin, is the first Baylor player to get an invitation to the Heisman dinner in New York. The school has never had a player finish better than fourth in the Heisman voting.
Richardson is the second Alabama running back to be a finalist in the last three years. Former teammate Mark Ingram won the Heisman in 2009.
Ball has scored 38 touchdowns for Wisconsin and needs one more to match Barry Sanders’ NCAA record.
Mathieu, the LSU defensive back nicknamed Honey Badger, has made numerous game-changing plays for the top-ranked Tigers.
The Heisman Trophy will be presented Saturday night.
Luck was the Heisman runner-up to Auburn’s Cam Newton last year and passed up a chance to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft to return to Stanford for his junior season. From the moment he made the decision to stay in school in January, he became the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman this season.
Luck had another stellar season, passing for 3,170 yards with 35 touchdowns while leading the Cardinal to an 11-1 record and a second straight BCS bid. But the competition has been so fierce that it’s been tough for Luck to hold onto his front-runner status.
In fact, Griffin seemed to take the lead in the race over the last month of the season.
The quarterback called RG3 by Baylor fans leads the nation in passer rating (192.3), with 3,998 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has also run for 644 yards and nine touchdowns. And much like Luck, Griffin has led a long-struggling program to its greatest success in decades. Baylor is 9-3 this season, its first nine-win season since 1986.
The best showing a Baylor player has ever had in the Heisman voting was quarterback Don Trull’s fourth-place finish in 1963.
Richardson has been the unquestioned offensive engine for No. 2 Alabama. He’s fifth in the nation in rushing at 131.9 yards per game and tied for fifth in touchdowns with 23. Richardson and the Crimson Tide will meet Mathieu and LSU in the BCS championship game on Jan. 9 in New Orleans.
The sophomore cornerback is the second defensive player to be a Heisman finalist in the last three years. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska finished fourth in 2009.
Mathieu, though, is more like Charles Woodson, the do-it-all defensive back who won the 1997 Heisman for Michigan.
Mathieu has forced five fumbles, intercepted two passes and scored four touchdowns, including two long punt returns in LSU’s last two games against Arkansas and Georgia.
He also was suspended for a game this season for violating the team’s drug policy.
Ball has been a touchdown machine for Wisconsin and ranks fourth in rushing at 135.3 yards per game. He has 12 more touchdowns than the next best player in the nation and if he can tack on two more in the Rose Bowl against Oregon, he’ll break Sanders’ record.

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Nfl and college football: Stanford’s Andrew Luck among five Heisman Trophy runners up

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Anitra Onofre

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is just one of five runners up for that Heisman Trophy, together with Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.

The champion is going to be introduced Saturday.

When the front-runner, Luck placed second — to Griffin III — within the final Heisman Pundit hay poll of 13 voters across the nation.

Luck stated Monday evening he hopes to win this time around.

“Nobody wants in the future in second, third or 4th, so it might be thrilling for that school,” he stated.

Luck is trying being the very first player since Georgia running back Herschel Master in 1982 to win the Heisman after being the runner-up the year before.

No Stanford player has won the Heisman since Jim Plunkett in 1970, even though Cardinal has created yesteryear two runners-up: Toby Gerhart last year after which Luck.

“I’m not sure if we are into making large claims or claims of any sort,Inch Luck stated from the recent Heisman run. “All it shows is program is not going anywhere soon for some time — near to the surface of nfl and college football.Inch

Cardinal coach David Shaw reiterated Monday what he’s been saying within the last week in campaigning for Luck because the country’s best football player.

“It may sound just like a imaginary player,” he stated from the accolades. “But it is the reality.Inch

Earlier Monday, Luck won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, provided to the quarterback who best demonstrates character and scholastic and sports achievement.

Or: All-America cornerback High cliff Harris continues to be ignored from Or for breaking team rules. Harris had been suspended in the Ducks due to a traffic stay in October and wasn’t permitted to sign up in team activities. He skipped the final five games from the regular season and last weekend’s Pac-12 championship game.

The Fresno Bee reported that Harris was reported for having under an oz of marijuana in Fresno on November. 25. A spokesperson for Or wouldn’t read the character from the breach that triggered Harris’ dismissal.

UCLA: The college has again refocused the quest for its next coach. The Bruins were advised it will not be Al Golden, who indicated he wasn’t thinking about the task, according to someone near to the situation who isn’t approved to talk about them. UCLA has switched its focus on former 49ers defensive coordinator and Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Seahawks mind coach Jim Mora, based on others acquainted with the search.

Hawaii: Coach Greg McMackin is retiring following a disappointing 6-7 season and missing the postseason for that second amount of time in his 4 years using the Players.

Florida Atlantic: Carl Pelini was hired by Florida Atlantic, where he’ll get to be the second coach in program background and is changing the now-upon the market Howard Schnellenberger.

Miami: Receiver Tommy Streeter and defensive tackle Marcus Forston, both redshirt juniors, have made the decision to declare early for that National football league draft.

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Marlins swimming with baseball’s large seafood with new deals

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Anitra Onofre

It’s like watching the cashier at Carl’s junior write a look into the new Bentley or even the convenience-store clerk proceed to Beverly Hillsides.

The Miami Marlins, who’ve finished much better than third within the National League East in three of the 19 seasons, all of a sudden end up spending time with Major League Baseball’s wealthy and famous.

They’ve spent more income ($133 million) on free agent purchases this winter compared to combined total of each and every other team.

Plus they say they are not done yet.

Miami on Sunday decided to a six-year, $106 million cope with All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes and Monday introduced All-Star closer Heath Bell, who signed a 3-year, $27 million contract, and met free agent first baseman Albert Pujols’ reps in regards to a potential $200 million deal.

“This really is fun,” stated Ray Beinfest, Marlins v . p . for baseball procedures. “It type of stimulates us. We are in a position to consider things and do stuff that we’ve not been able to perform previously.

“Hopefully we are able to turn the corner. It’s the perfect time with this organization to experience October baseball. Our goal would be to win the planet Series.”

The Marlins will have two World Series game titles, the final arriving 2003, however they haven’t spent such as this since signing first baseman Carlos Delgado to some $54 million contract in 2005 – and buying and selling him annually later.

But they’re showing to free agents that occasions – and anticipation – are altering.

The Marlins had a dent-day payroll of $56.9 million this year and are ready to nearly double that in 2012. They continues to be attempting to lure a beginning pitcher, getting introduced in free agents C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle for visits. And when they sign one of these, owner Jeffrey Loria states, it will not preclude them from landing the greatest seafood: Pujols.

“It’s somewhat understandable why there is skepticism,” Beinfest states, “just due to the way in which we have needed to operate previously. Hopefully we have transformed some individuals minds.”

The main reason for that investing spree may be the new stadium they is scheduled to maneuver into next season and also the extra money it’s expected to usher in.

The Marlins are projecting attendance of two.8 million within the retracting-roof ballpark, almost two times their major league low of just one.5 million last season.

“It changes things hugely,” Loria states. “Most of us have of those great possibilities. I am not to imply there won’t be any limits, but you will find possibilities we are exploring that people were not in a position to before.”

And also the Marlins say this isn’t a 1-year question as with 1997, once they signed Bobby Bonilla, Moises Alou and Alex Fernandez to lucrative contracts, won the planet Series using the seventh-greatest payroll in baseball after which taken apart they.

“You want to do more, and i believe we is going to do more.” Loria states. “I am not will make any forecasts, however the outlook is excellent.Inch

The Marlins curently have their latest worker thinking they are likely to win.

“Jeffrey Loria, he desires to win,” states Bell, who saved a minimum of 40 games yesteryear three seasons for that North Park Padres. “He’s an agenda. It simply appeared like he would tips to negotiate. … It will likely be fun to experience with Jose again. He’s a significant shortstop, great guy.

“It will likely be completely different there.”

One obstacle may be the Investments and Exchange Commission’s analysis in to the financing from the new stadium. The probe is centered on whether any federal investments laws and regulations were damaged within the $634 million stadium financing deal.

“Which has nothing related to it,” Loria states from the team’s offseason plans. “We’ll use the SEC by any means possible. This is an ongoing matter. We are likely to be useful.”

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Struggling Giants get swept by Braves

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Anitra Onofre
If the World Series champions needed a reminder that a repeat performance won’t be easy, the Atlanta Braves gave it to them this weekend.
Ace Tim Lincecum struggled. Postseason star Madison Bumgarner took a loss. Then closer Brian Wilson and his bushy, black beard came in for the finale trying to salvage at least one victory.
Not this time.
Nate McLouth hit a two-run single off Wilson with two outs in the 10th inning, and the Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 9-6 on Sunday for a three-game sweep in a rematch of last season’s NL division series.
“We came home, we were playing good. We thought we’d be taking series and then come home and get swept,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “That’s hard to explain. We’ll try to find it and get it back on the road.”
The Giants start a 10-game road trip in Pittsburgh on Tuesday and would rather leave memories of their weekend at home behind.
The Braves had contributions from all over: Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer and a double, then singled in the 10th. Dan Uggla homered and Chipper Jones had a two-run double, single and walked twice on his 39th birthday.
The result was Atlanta’s first sweep of any kind in San Francisco since 1998.
“We just went through a rough stretch with throwing strikes,” Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt said. “I cost us three runs today because I walked two guys myself. Atlanta had a pretty patient approach. They’re one of the more patient teams we’ve seen this year. They were tracking balls pretty good and they took some pretty good pitches, too.
“So credit their hitters for that. But we need to do a better job of not issuing free passes because that’s going to hurt us.”
Even one of San Francisco’s most steady hands – Wilson – failed in the finale.
Heyward and Jones started the 10th inning with singles against Wilson (0-1) before Uggla walked to load the bases. Wilson got two quick outs and nearly escaped the jam before McLouth’s grounder up the middle provided the go-ahead runs. Brian McCann added an RBI single off Dan Runzler.
Eric O’Flaherty (1-1) pitched two innings for the win and Jonny Venters earned his first save of the season.
Buster Posey had a two-run homer and Aaron Rowand hit a two-run double to help the Giants erase a three-run deficit and take a 6-5 lead in the seventh. But the World Series champions couldn’t match their postseason magic from a year ago, when they beat the Braves in four games en route to the title – including saves by Wilson in Games 3 and 4.
“We know we’re not playing Giants baseball right now,” said Wilson, who led the majors with 48 saves last season. “We’re scuffling a little bit, but we’re still right in the thick of things. (Our record) is not horrible considering the kind of games we have lost. We just need to get on a good role and start remembering how to play good baseball.”
Atlanta came out hot from the start.
Jones hit a two-run double that zipped past diving third baseman Pablo Sandoval in the first inning to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. Then Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez found his groove and showed no signs of a flu bug that forced him to have intravenous fluids a day earlier. He struck out five and allowed two hits and three walks in five innings.
Braves starter Brandon Beachy retired the first 11 batters with relative ease until Aubrey Huff hit a towering double off the right-field wall and Posey followed with a home run in the fourth.
Affeldt walked two batters in the seventh before Heyward – the runner-up to Posey for the NL Rookie of the Year last season – hit his fifth home run to put Atlanta ahead 5-2.
The Giants came back with three consecutive singles off reliever Jairo Asencio. Miguel Tejada walked to drive in a run, Nate Schierholtz had an RBI grounder and Rowand’s double put San Francisco ahead.
Uggla led off the eighth with a tying homer against Sergio Romo for his fifth shot of the season. The Braves bullpen held the Giants scoreless from there until their bats broke through against Wilson in extra innings.
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49ers coach Jim Harbaugh in a QB search amid NFL’s lockout

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Anitra Onofre
New San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh knows what it takes to play NFL quarterback, having done so for 15 seasons with five teams.
In the upcoming NFL draft — which will likely be driven by need more than in previous years — Harbaugh might have to find a new face for his team, an heir to Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young as well as potential competition for Alex Smith, a free agent whom Harbaugh hasn’t ruled out retaining once veterans can be signed.
For now, Harbaugh is making the rounds at pro day workouts of college players, trying to find his QB in the draft, given the current lockout means the draft will almost certainly precede free agency.
Harbaugh says he knows what he’s looking for in a league in which quarterbacks have earned MVP honors in four of the past five seasons and in four of the past five Super Bowls.
“Like a birdwatcher, you know it when you see it,” Harbaugh said at a breakfast for coaches at a meeting of owners in New Orleans last week.
Having coached the past four seasons at Stanford preceded by three years at the University of San Diego, Harbaugh doesn’t discount the merits of prospects such as Blaine Gabbert of Missouri and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton of Auburn, even though those players operated in spread offenses.
“These guys are adjusting so fast,” Harbaugh said. “I’m just really looking at these guys in this draft. And when you go watch their workouts and watch them throw live and see them spin it, take drops from center, see them go through the footwork and have to duplicate that at the NFL level, you’re seeing that they can do it.”
Harbaugh is looking for his professional version of Andrew Luck, Stanford’s 2010 Heisman Trophy runner-up to Newton.
“Cam Newton — that’s plutonium-grade raw material, you know?” Harbaugh said. “I haven’t seen upside like with this guy in probably the last 10 years.”
There could be as many as 10 teams that pick in the top half of the first round chasing upgrades under center. That is going to drive up the value of the quarterbacks rated as best by NFL Network chief draft analyst Mike Mayock: 1) Gabbert, 2) Washington’s Jake Locker, 3) Newton, 4) Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett and 5) Florida State’s Christian Ponder.
Harbaugh could be sitting in no man’s land with the likelihood the Carolina Panthers (No. 1 overall pick), Buffalo Bills (No. 3), Cincinnati Bengals (No. 4) or Arizona Cardinals (No. 5) will select Gabbert and Newton before the 49ers are on the clock with the seventh selection.
“I think Gabbert and Newton are both gone by Arizona at No. 5,” Mayock said. “If that’s the case, it puts San Francisco, Tennessee (Titans) at No. 8, Washington (Redskins) at 10 and Minnesota (Vikings) at 12 in a bind. The question is, at what point does one of these teams talk themselves into Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker?
“Without free agency right now, there’s no Kevin Kolb available, no Donovan McNabb, no Vince Young.”
All three of those quarterbacks are expected to be available after the lockout.
Harbaugh could trade back into the late first round or wait until the second round for Ponder — though his stock seems to be ascending —TCU’s Andy Dalton or Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick.
“I’ve got Ponder and Dalton very closely aligned,” Mayock said. “Both fit that West Coast concept that Jim Harbaugh will run.
“Ponder is a little more advanced because he’s been under center more. They’re both 6-2, have good — but not great — arm strength. But they make up for that with their intangibles.”
There’s another option to weigh.
“How comfortable is Jim Harbaugh that he can rebuild Alex Smith?” asked NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks.
Smith, the top pick of the 2005 draft, is mobile and intelligent but has never blossomed in the NFL amid injuries and near-constant turnover on San Francisco’s staff.
Harbaugh could also wait for free agency and pursue players such as Marc Bulger and Matt Hasselbeck.
If there is anything more difficult in the NFL than a new coach forbidden from coaching his players during a lockout, it’s a coach searching for a quarterback upgrade while wondering when he can interview NFL veterans for the job. Yet Harbaugh has faced tough challenges before, mainly playing for fiery Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka from 1987-1992.
The son of longtime college coach Jack Harbaugh — and younger brother of Baltimore Ravens head man John Harbaugh — grins when asked about the difficulty of overcoming a lockout before his first season as an NFL head coach.
“I just love being in uncharted waters,” Harbaugh said. “There is something about it. There’s more of a challenge to it.”
What if Harbaugh doesn’t see land until late summer?
“We’ll find a way. We won’t panic,” he said. “I don’t think the path I’ve taken precludes me from being a great coach. All the great things I’ve done, playing, coaching, my entire life has prepared me for this.”
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A.J. Green’s NFL draft diary

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Anitra Onofre
Former Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green, projected to be a top-10 pick in April’s NFL Draft, will speak with Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter on an occasional basis leading to the draft and share his views on the process of becoming an NFL player.
My parents, Dora and Woodrow Green, attended my Pro Day. My girlfriend, Miranda Carroll, and her dad, Darryl Thomas, and her little brother, his name is Dee, were here also.
They just came here a little later after breakfast. It was good to have their support here for my Pro Day. They come to all of the games. It’s just fun to have them around.
My parents are pretty hands-off most of the time. They seem to feel like I’ll make the best decision most of the time. They kind of let me go from there.
The workout went well. I just stayed under control and tried to be unflappable. I couldn’t worry about the controversy because it was not under my control. I couldn’t do anything about it. I just wanted to go out there and do my part.
Justin [Roper] couldn’t throw. That was the only quarterback that I had timing with here. My agent and I felt he was the best guy for the job. [According to NFL rules, players must be a draft-eligible player or someone who lives in the metro area to participate in a Pro Day. Roper was deemed to live 6.2 miles outside of the radius.]
I felt good about the routes and the way I caught the ball. I felt, overall, that I had a great day.
I ran into a trash can, but I caught myself and I didn’t hurt my hands because I had on some gloves. I didn’t see the rope until the last minute.
I heard the gasps from the crowd.
I don’t think I had any drops. There was a low one that hit my foot. Overall, it was a pretty good day.
I had to do interviews with ESPN, the television stations, the sports writers and then with the NFL Network. I’m used to that now, so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
They asked about the Wonderlic test. I told them that it didn’t bother me. I didn’t finish the test. I was thinking too much. If you look at my grades [at Georgia], I’m no dummy.
It was great to have Coach [Mark] Richt here today. He was the one who got me here and gave me the opportunity to make this dream come true.
Now that the Pro Day is over, I’ll start doing personal workouts and meeting with teams. I just want to maintain whatever I’m doing.
As far as the lockout and going to New York, I don’t even know right now. That’s a big blur. I hope they reach a conclusion. It would be nice to go to New York, that’s a dream come true right there.
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ESPN’s Mel Kiper compares Cam Newton to all-time bust Akili Smith

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Anitra Onofre
That’s got to hurt. During a conference call today, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.compared Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton of Auburn to Akili Smith, one of the NFL’s all-time draft busts who started only 17 games for the Cincinnati Bengals before finishing his disappointing career with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, according to ProFootballTalk.com
“He was a one-year wonder. Akili Smith was a one-year wonder,” said Kiper about Newton who didn’t wow the scouts at the NFL Combine.
Said Kiper: “If you hit (on Newton), you could have a sensational quarterback for ten years. (But) if you miss, it sets you back three, four, five years.”
Lest we forget, Smith, a standout quarterback at the University of Oregon, was the first round pick of the Bengals in 1999. He went third overall behind Tim Couch (Cleveland Browns) and Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles).

That’s got to hurt. During a conference call today, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.compared Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton of Auburn to Akili Smith, one of the NFL’s all-time draft busts who started only 17 games for the Cincinnati Bengals before finishing his disappointing career with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, according to ProFootballTalk.com
“He was a one-year wonder. Akili Smith was a one-year wonder,” said Kiper about Newton who didn’t wow the scouts at the NFL Combine.
Said Kiper: “If you hit (on Newton), you could have a sensational quarterback for ten years. (But) if you miss, it sets you back three, four, five years.”
Lest we forget, Smith, a standout quarterback at the University of Oregon, was the first round pick of the Bengals in 1999. He went third overall behind Tim Couch (Cleveland Browns) and Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles).

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NFL Combine Notes: Peterson flies in 40

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Anitra Onofre
LSU’s Patrick Peterson just missed his goal of running sub 4.3 but still ran a blazing 4.34. His place as a top-5 overall pick is secure.
Cornerback Ras-I Dowling Virginia pulled a hamstring running the 40 and still timed 4.4 but could not do any more drills.
Prince Amukamara ran very well  4.43. In case you were interested, he has sisters named Princess and Precious.
Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke (Miami) ran the fastest at the combine 4.28, the third fastest time in combine history. Running back Chris Johnson ran 4.24 in 2008, and cornerback Stanford Routt ran 4.27 in 2005.
It was just reported that wide receiver Julio Jones (Alabama) ran with a broken bone in his foot. He had a screw inserted’ rehab time is 6 weeks.
40 yard times — Bench press (reps. at 225 lbs.)
Cornerbacks
Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) 4.43 fast   16
Patrick Peterson (LSU)  4.34 2nd fastest   15
Cortez Allen (Citadel)   4.51    18
Aaron Williams (Texas)  4.52    18
Brandon Harris (Miami)  4.43    13
Jimmy Smith(Colorado)  4.46    24
Ras-I Downing (Virginia)  4.46    19
Curtis Brown (Texas)   4.53    10
Marcus Gilchrist (Clemson)  4.46    26 good
Branton Burton (Utah)  4.53    18
Rashad Carmichael (Virginia Tech) 4.56    13
Chimdi Chekwa (Ohio St.)  4.4    DNP
Buster Skrine (Tenn. Chatt.)  4.48    20
Shareece Wright (USC)  4.46    16
Niles Brinkley (Wisconsin)  4.56    15
Demarcus Van Dyke (Miami)  4.28 fastest   5 weak
Safeties
Rahim Moore (UCLA)  4.62    11
DeAndre McDaniel (Clemson) 4.65    DNP
Quinton Carter (Oklahoma)  4.59    23 good
Robert Sands (West Virginia)  4.57    12
Ahmad Black (Florida)  4.78    18
Jaiquawn Jarrett (Temple)  4.65    14
Tyler Sach (Iowa)   4.62    11
Will Hill (Florida)   4.65    DNP
Jeron Johnson (Boise State)    4.55    23
Shiloh Keo (Idaho)   4.72    24
Joe Lefeged (Rutgers)   4.43    18
Eric Hegg (Nebraska)   4.69    18
Mark Legree (Appalachian St.) 4.56    21
Curtis Marsh (Utah St.)  4.46    12
Byron Maxwell (Clemson)  4.46    24
Da’Norris Searcy (North Carolina) 4.54    27 good
—
E Mail Al, for info on his Pro Prospect Final Draft Day Report, available in March; it has a 4 round Mock Draft.
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Knights boss to raise Snowden concerns with Tinkler

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Anitra Onofre
http://nba-jersey-cap.blog.hr/
KNIGHTS chief executive Steve Burraston intends to query Nathan Tinkler today about the Kade Snowden fiasco to determine if the billionaire was involved.
Knights officials will meet Tinkler and his representatives to discuss the mining magnate’s bid to privatise the cheap jerseys NRL club, but the unresolved Snowden situation is also certain to be addressed.
Snowden baulked at signing a new two-year deal with Cronulla amid widespread allegations that Tinkler had promised him a more lucrative deal if he returned to Newcastle, where he launched his NRL career.
Yesterday there were reports that Tinkler has also approached Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris, and there is mounting speculation he has held talks with Dragons coach Wayne Bennett.
Burraston said it would be ”very disappointing” if Tinkler had tried to recruit players to the Knights before his privatisation proposal had even been taken to the club’s members for ratification. Burraston said he would seek some clarity today on the Snowden issue.
”I think we need to ask what was going on there,” Burraston said. ”I don’t know if we’ll get any answers. It’s probably something we need to know, if the Tinkler Group was involved or not, and if so, why?”
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Burraston said it would be ”almost impossible” for Tinkler to bring Snowden to Newcastle without placing pressure on the club’s salary cap.
It has been reported the 24-year-old was offered between $400,000 and $500,00 a season for four years, despite Knights management withdrawing from negotiations when his asking price reached $300,000.
”I’m not aware of what sort of money is being offered and who offered it, but if that sort of money was offered, it would be almost impossible to fit him into the salary cap without letting other players go,” Burraston said. ”That would cause complications for the coach and the team.
”I’m not sure where all these rumours are coming from and if they are correct, but if they are, it would place enormous stress on the Knights’ salary cap. I’d go as far as say it probably couldn’t be done.”
Burraston said the Knights had decided signing a top-dollar prop was not a priority, given that Dan Tolar, Evarn Tuimavave, Mark Taufua, Antonio Kaufusi, Joel Edwards, Chris Houston and Neville Costigan are already contracted for next year.
”We’re acutely aware that we have a number of high-profile players coming off contract – Kurt Gidley being top of the list – and we couldn’t put their futures in jeopardy by paying too much for one player,” he said.
”We knew it [signing Snowden] was going to place strain on our salary cap and we didn’t have the room, and we felt it more appropriate that we keep our players who are coming off contract.
”The other reason was that we knew Adam MacDougall was likely to retire at the end of the year and we’d be looking for an outside back.”
Idris is viewed as the ideal man to replace MacDougall, but Burraston denied reports yesterday that the Knights had made him a $1 million offer for the next three years.
”Not that I’m aware of,” Burraston said. ”I understand that [recruitment officer] Keith Onslow has a good relationship with Jamal Idris from when Keith brought him to the Bulldogs, and I know that Jamal has expressed interest in possibly moving to Newcastle because it is closer to home [Forster].
”But certainly we haven’t made an offer in those sort of numbers that are being talked about.”
Burraston suggested Tinkler was flirting with danger if he was already negotiating with players.
”The thing is the board and the management still run the club at this point in time,” Burraston said. ”And we also have a salary cap and we also have players that are contracted this year, next year and the year after.
”All of those things have to fit into a very complicated salary cap. So it’s almost impossible to put offers to people without knowing the intimate details of the salary cap and our contracting position as we go forward.”
Asked whether he expected a tense atmosphere at today’s summit, Burraston replied: ”Certainly not from our point of view. We’re still starting to work towards a final conclusion … I’m not aware of any ultimatum or being summonsed to a meeting or whatever has been reported.
”This meeting was always scheduled and all our meetings have been amicable to date, and hopefully they will continue that way. The important thing is the members have all the information documented so they can consider it because it is a critical decision – the most important decision made in our club’s history. It’s a very complex issue and it’s very important that we don’t rush it.”
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Hello world!

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Anitra Onofre

Welcome to Blog.com.

This is your first post, produced automatically by Blog.com. You should edit or delete it, and then start blogging!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments