Jennings Places 3rd in ROTY Balloting

On Thursday the NBA Rookie of the Year Award was given to Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, who had an amazing rookie season, becoming just the 4th rookie in history to average 20 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists (Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James being the other 3 players).

Brandon Jennings finished 3rd in the voting, with 2nd going to Stephen Curry of Golden State.

While Jennings may have come up short for the award, he is the only of the 3 top finishers to make it to the playoffs, a victory in its own right.

Since the injury to Andrew Bogut, Jennings has stepped up and carried the Bucks into the postseason. Tonight the Bucks look to extend their postseason run by finishing off the series against Atlanta with a win at home.

FEAR THE DEER!!!

LeBron Wins Back-To-Back MVP Awards

While not official, it has been reported that LeBron James will be the recipient of the NBA MVP award for the second straight year.

This season James has averaged 29.7 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. The Cavaliers won 61 games this year and are currently a top seed in the postseason.

Favre Requires Surgery to Play in 2010

Recently Brett Favre has learned that he must undergo ankle surgery if he wants to continue playing in the NFL.

The ankle injury he suffered three months ago in the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints has continued to swell and cause pain.

"To play again, I would need the surgery, as I suspected. This decision would be easy if not for my teammates and the fans and the entire Vikings staff. One year truly felt like 10 -- much like Green Bay for many years. That's what I was missing in my heart I suppose, a sense of belonging.''

Brewers Die Hard Fan...

This is dedication!

Bango's Insane Playoff Dunk

Guys Night Out

Athletic Training Staff Video

Next time you see athletic trainers on the field of college sports games you must remember they are so much more than that.



This video is so bad it reminds me of the first video that got me into Youtube, the Appalachian State promo video.




HOT HOT HOT APPALACHIAN IS HOT HOT HOT!!

FEAR THE DEER!!

Really Ovechkin? Really?

The first round of the playoffs has produced a ton of incredible highlights, some crazy upsets, and overall great hockey. I'll post more on that when the first round is done. As for this next highlight (or maybe lowlight) I really don't even know what to say...

NFL Draft Day 1: Packers Take Bulaga

With the 23rd pick of the 2010 NFL Draft the Packers selected Bryan Bulaga, an offensive tackle out of Iowa. This pick was a steal, as Bulaga was slated to be a top-ten draft pick.

"We were a little surprised that Bryan was still available, and we felt like it was a very good value pick for us," Packer General Manager Ted Thompson said. "He's the real deal, I think."

Bulaga stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 314 pounds. Stated simply: he's a beast.

Bulaga earned first team Big Ten honors last year as a junior, and was also selected as the Big Ten offensive lineman of the year.

This pick will hopefully help solidify the Packer offensive line that was shaky at many times last season. With offensive tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher both entering their 11th seasons in the NFL, the added depth Bulaga brings could be vital.

The Packers now have two young offensive tackles (J.T. Lang, last year's 4th round selection, being the other) who will likely take over Tauscher and Clifton's tackle positions at some point in the future.

"What I want to accomplish is be a successful starter on an offensive line for an organization," Bulaga said. "I want to be able to play good football for a very long time and be beneficial to an organization, to have an organization want to want me there for a long time."

Rounds 2 and 3

Tonight rounds 2 and 3 of the draft will take place. The Packers will most likely be looking to draft a linebacker or defensive back. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Pack take a running back in the 3rd round.

Here are some picks to watch for tonight:

Taylor Mays - S, USC

Sergio Kindle - DE/OLB, Texas

Navorro Bowman - LB, Penn State

Sean Lee - LB, Penn State

Daryl Washington - LB, TCU

Jerome Murphy - CB, South Florida

Toby Gerhart - RB, Stanford

Brewers Find Their Groove

The Brewers beat the Pirates 20 to 0 (yes 20) Thursday to complete the sweep against Pittsburgh. The win tied the Brewer record for largest margin of victory, and is a Brewer record for the largest shutout victory in team history. The Brewers also set a club record by leading by 8 runs in four straight games, going back to the final game of the Nationals series.

This three game series against the Pirates was an offensive explosion for the Brewers. In the series Milwaukee outscored Pittsburgh 36-1. The Crew amassed 46 hits, which included 25 extra-base hits (8 home runs).

Several Brewers saw huge production during this series. Ryan Braun went 7-11, hitting 2 home runs and collecting 8 RBI's. Prince Fielder ended a 15 at-bat streak without a hit and finally hit his first home run of the season. Alcides Escobar had arguably the best series of his young career, going 6-14 which included back-to-back triples.

Pitching was also big for the Brewers, as all three starters threw shutouts, the lone run coming from relief pitching. The Brewers starters (Dave Bush, Yovani Gallardo, and Randy Wolf) threw a combined 18 shutout innings. Currently the Brewers have gone 19 innings without surrendering a run.

This series sweep allowed the Brewers to go back above .500, improving their record to 8-7.

The momentum gained in Pittsburgh is vital as the Brewers return home for a series against the rival Cubs.

2010 NFL Schedules Released

On Tuesday the finalized NFL schedule was released for the 2010 season. Previously the match-ups had been set, but dates had not been finalized.

The Packers have the 22nd hardest schedule in the league this season, and will play 4 prime-time games.

The one Monday night game the Packers will play this season is week 3 at Chicago. This marks the 180th time these rivals will meet. This game also marks the 18th straight season in which the Packers will play a Monday night game, the longest streak in the NFC.

The Packers also play 3 Sunday night prime-time games.

The season opener will take place Sunday, September 12 at the Philadelphia Eagles, with the homeopener at Lambeau the following week against the Bills. Green Bay closes out the season at home against Chicago.

NHL Playoffs

With the regular season over its time for the top eight teams from the East and West conferences to advance to the post season and battle for prized the Stanly Cup. After Sundays games playoff spots have finally been determined. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the format of NHL playoffs the top eight seeds from each conference go on to battle for the cup each year. They play a seven game series and the first team to four wins moves on. Here’s the way I see the first round playing out…

San Jose (1) vs. Colorado (8)

While San Jose has been known for their first round follies in the past, this is a stronger team than previous years. The difference can be mostly chalked up to solid off season pick up and former Badger Danny Heatley who has stepped up as the powerful goal scorer the Sharks desperately needed. While the Avalanche are young and strong, I don’t see them adding to San Jose’s first round playoff woes.

San Jose in 5 games

Phoenix (4) vs. Detroit (5)

This is the first round playoff matchup I’m most anticipating. These are two very strong and underrated teams that could both go deep into the playoffs if one didn’t have to fall in the first round. The Wings and Coyotes were two of the hottest teams coming off of the Olympic break and this promises to be great series. I’m giving a slight edge to the Red Wings who bested Chicago in their last regular season game on Sunday by playing at a playoff level. The Wings are hungry; don’t be fooled by their fifth seed.

Detroit in 7 games

Vancouver (3) vs. Los Angeles (6)

Vancouver has played strong all season led by the Sedin brothers who have had spectacular seasons. Backstopped by capable tender Roberto Luongo, the Canucks are a real full package. They’re a strong and gritty team that will be hard to beat, but that’s not to say it can’t be done. I’d give Vancouver the advantage in this series, but the Kings could make a splash in the playoffs if their goaltender Jonathan Quick plays lights out.

Vancouver in 6 games

Chicago (2) vs. Nashville (7)

Chicago fell one point short of the top seed in the West after being thwarted in an overtime thriller against the Red Wings in the last game of the season. Still, the hawks have gotten at least a point in their last seven games. They look very strong as Pat Kane and Jonathan Toews have posted career highs in plus minus and assists and Kane has a career high points total. Nashville has, however, made the season series interesting winning 2 of 6 contests. I may be biased, but this is my team and I can’t help but think this is our year.

Chicago in 5 games

Washington (1) vs. Montreal (8)

To be completely honest, I don’t know if anyone can stop the Caps, but if anyone can, it certainly won’t be Montreal. Washington won the East by almost 20 point and Norris Trophy candidate Mike Green has been on fire all season, not to mention the always-astounding play of Alexander Ovechkin, ever heard of him? The Caps should be upset if they have to play any more than four games this series. Sorry Habs, better luck next year.

Washington in 4 games

Pittsburgh (4) vs. Ottawa (5)

The Penguins enter the playoffs with the same seeding as last year when they won the cup. Will lucky number four work their magic again this year? Ottawa is determined that they do not and an upset is not out of the question with Penguin Goaltender Marc-Ande Fleury in a bit of a slide lately. Still, the dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be hard to silence. The teams have split season series at 2-2, but realistically, I can’t see the mighty Pens going down as early as the first round, but expect a competitive series.

Pittsburgh in 6 games

Buffalo (3) vs. Boston (6)

This matchup is all about the men between the pipes. How much longer can the Sabers ride the best goalie in the world Ryan Miller? Miller has proven he can take a team deep into a tournament by standing on his head, but the NHL playoffs are much different than the Olympics. Meanwhile, Boston has won 4 of 6 tilts between the two teams in the regular season. Miller isn’t the only spectacular tender in the series either. Tuuka Rask was 4-1-0 vs. the Sabres this season with a measley 1.43 goals allowed average. This will shape up to be a very interesting series that will showcase some excellent goaltending.

Boston in 6 games

New Jersey (2) vs. Philadelphia (7)

The flyers are coming off of a huge shootout win vs. the Rangers in the last game of the season to clinch the final playoff spot, but it may as well have been a playoff game, the atmosphere in the building was incredible and the flyers played their hearts out. If the flyers can keep up that style of play they may have a chance vs. the Devils, but they’ll need to pull out all the stops. New Jersey has been a solid team all year playing in front of elite tender Martin Brodeur and I’ve got a feeling they’ll continue their winning ways against a team with a lot of heart, but not necessarily enough skill.

New Jersey in 6 games

Next Candice Parker?

All women will soon be able to dunk.

Tiger Woods is Not Pleased

Mike Modano

Mike Modano is arguably the greatest US born hockey player of all time and he may have wrapped up his NHL career this season with 30 points in 59 games for the Dallas Stars. While Modano has not confirmed his retirement the following video makes it hard to believe we'll see a number 9 Stars jersey next year anywhere but on the roof. Modano was all class on and off the ice and is one hell of a player. If you don't come back, we'll miss you Mo.

Brewers Lock Down Gallardo

Yovani Gallardo will be wearing a Brewer jersey for at least the next three seasons.

This morning he signed a five year contract extension that runs through 2014, with a no-trade clause over the first three season.

The new contract guarantees Gallardo $30.1 million, which could grow to $42.5 million depending on an interesting contract clause concerning the 2015 season.

This clause is based on a points system, where in Gallardo can earn points on his way to being a free agent for the 2015 season. For this to happen, Gallardo must earn 6 points. Points can be earned by winning the Cy Young Award (5 points), finishing second in the balloting (3 points), and finishing third in the balloting (1 point).

The no-trade clause of the contract exists until 2013, when Gallardo has the option to submit a 10-team list to the Brewers if he desires a trade.

Signing Gallardo is huge for the Crew. He is very young (24) and is coming off a huge 2009 season after sitting out most of 2008 with a torn ACL.

In 2009 Gallardo went 13-12 with a 3.73 ERA. During the season he also became the fourth Brewer in history to throw 200 strikeouts.

Gallardo was excited about the new contract, saying:

"It's a great feeling knowing I'm going to be here for the next five years. Growing up, me and my parents never dreamed of this amount. It hasn't really settled in yet. I try not to show too much emotion, but it's great."

"It sets up my son more than anything. It sets him up for college or whatever he wants to do. That's the No. 1 thing."

By signing Gallardo the Brewers have extended contracts for two young stars through at least 2014. (Last year the Crew signed Ryan Braun through 2015).

Braun was pleased as well with the new contract, saying:

"I'm excited. First and foremost, I'm excited for Yovani. He deserves it, and I know that the financial security is a great thing. That's something I can relate to. I'm excited to be with him for at least the next five years.

MY Two Cents from the Nosebleeds at Miller Park

I was lucky enough to go to my first Brewers game of the year last night at Miller Park. From the 15th row of terrace reserved here's some observations I have from the game:

• Rickie Weeks looked really good. Hit a nice HR to the opposite field, drew a couple walks and played good defense. If he stays healthy, I expect a big season.
  
  
• Which Carlos Gomez will we see this season? The one that went 4 for 5 during the first game of the year or the one that went 0 for 4 last night? He's known as more of a free-swinger. Hopefully he can put together a full season of consistent hitting in the 2nd spot.


• Gregg Zaun did not look good. It's still early but he was the definition of a rally killer. I'd still rather have him over Kendall though.


• Randy Wolf was solid, not spectacular. Nonetheless, he kept us in the game and we gave him a nice standing ovation at the end. He acknowledged it after the game, saying he appreciated it but he felt he was better than that. I like that attitude.
  
  
• LaTroy Hawkins was throwing the heat. He looked realllllly good.
  
  
• Yes, I was rooting against the Brewers scoring another run in the bottom of the 8th so I could hear Hell's Bells for the first time ever at Miller Park. It was absolutely amazing.

MLB Picks

As the beginning of my baseball preview, here are the preseason picks of 4 of our writers here at Two Cents. In the next week, I'll analyze each division team by team. Enjoy the picks!

AL East

Brendan: Damn Yankees. I think they will win because people realize that Tiger Woods was way better at cheating on his wife then ARod. A Rod will be seen as a saint because he at least cheated on his wife with the Queen of Pop not the worker from Dairy Queen like Tiger.

Eliot: Yanks. I try every year to find a way not to pick them...but it's just not possible this year.

Jimmy: Yankees. They bought a pretty good team last year and have a lot back

Mike: New York walks out of this one with Tampa and Boston fighting for second but both being disappointments.

AL Central

Brendan: The Minnesota Twinkies, Hometown boy Joe Maurer is going to carry his team to the playoffs. They are going to be so excited the whole year they signed this guy long term. Hopefully Fielder will see how happy Maurer is in Minnesota and want to stay long term in a small town too!

Eliot: White Sox. I will probably root for the Twins, but the White Sox have Jake Peavy and Mark Buehrle at the front end of their rotation, plus John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Freddy Garcia. TheTwins "O" may be better than the ChiSox, but without Joe Nathan, the Twins will hurt in their bullpen.

Jimmy: Twins. Joe Mauer is good...

Mike: Minnesota wins this one but it's going to be tight all the way to the finish. The White Sox steal second and the Wild Card while the Tigers are a close third.

AL West

Brendan:

Seattle Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball N64 was an excellent game. My favorite team to play with was the Seattle Mariners, with Griffey, Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez, Alex Cora, and Randy Johnson, this team was nearly unstoppable. I see a return to glory days for the Mariners.

Eliot:

Los Angles Angels of Anaheim of Disney World of Orange County of California...If Cliff Lee was healthy, I'd pick the Mariners, but that's a big question mark at the front of the rotation.

Jimmy: Angels. I think they edge out the Mariners.

Mike:

L.A. wins the division with Seattle close behind.

AL Wild Card

Brendan:

The Sox, I think maybe John Lackey got a little bigger payday then he should have put he adds another stronger arm to a strong staff already.

Eliot: BoSox: It's gotta be the Sox. If not, then the Rays. I would love to see the Rays and Sox kick the Yankees out of the playoff picture but unfortunately I don't see that happening.

Jimmy: Mariners.

Mike:

Chicago White Sox take this one from Seattle who will fight hard all season but fall short right at the end.

NL East

Brendan:

Philadelphia Phillies, lose a CY Young Winner, replace him with a better one, is just what the Phillies did to make there team even stronger. There lineup is so deep and strong and their staff is one of the stronger ones in the NL. I see this team doing some serious damage. Although, the Braves may play hard for their manager Bobby Cox in his last year and stick in longer than you would think. Also the Marlins always seem to surprise people especially now when they actually signed a good young pitcher in Joshua Johnson. The Mets are the Mets so don't be too worried about them even if they are leading the division by ten with eleven to go.

Eliot: Phillies. The Phils only improved after adding Roy Halladay and bring back pretty much the same team that won the NL Pennant two years in a row. The Marlins and Braves will challenge but it won't be much of a contest.

Jimmy: Phillies. Great pitching and tons of power in the lineup.

Mike:

Philadephia takes this one but watch out for late surging Atlanta and always pesky Florida.

NL Central

Brendan:

Can I pick anyone else? THE BREW CREW! While I don't think it will be easy I think they need to stay healthy and the pitching staff needs to have the season of their life. I may a big fear that the Randy Wolf signing may be too similar to the Jeff Suppan signing. I see the surprise player of the year is Corey Hart, I think he feels the pressure from Jim Edmonds and steps up his game.

Eliot: Brewers! Yes, I'm biased, but why not? They won 80 games last year with the leagues worst starting pitching. Adding two solid lefties in Randy Wold and Doug Davis could make a big difference. The bullpen is also very strong with Hoffman, Hawkins, and Coffey in the late innings. Defensively, Escobar and Gomez in SS and CF respectively are gold-glove caliber. This team will hit, and if the pitching holds up, they have a legitimate shot at the division title.

Jimmy: Brewers. If the pitching shows up this year, we're in business. As far as the offense goes, the middle is super strong - Braun, Fielder, McGehee are a powerful 3-4-5.

Mike:

St. Louis takes this one but comes out black and blue. Milwaukee and Chicago will fight hard just like always and watch out for the Reds.

NL West

Brendan:

LA Dodgers. I think this will be the most competitive division in baseball. I see Arizona Diamondbacks with a strong 1,2,3 rotation to be a tough team to beat. I also see the Rockies and Giants be right in the thick of things come September.

Eliot: Rockies. They were very impressive last year and Jeff Francis comes back after missing a year. Troy Tulowitski will be an MVP candidate and this team could go far.

Jimmy:

Giants. Strong pitching wins games.

Mike:

San Francisco takes this one and leaves leaves L.A. out of the playoffs in second.

NL Wild Card

Brendan:

St. Louis Cardinals, a very strong team last year and didn't lose much. I think that it is ambitious of me having them the wild card and the Brewers winning the division but thats what I have to do.

Eliot: Cards. As long as their big 4 - Pujols, Holliday, Carpenter, and Wainwright - stay healthy, this team has the tools to make a run.

Jimmy: Cardinals. Pujols. That's a hell of a start.

Mike:

Milwaukee Brewers followed by Chicago, Atlanta, and L.A.

AL Champion

Brendan:

Sox take it, seems like they got the swagger and feel they need a championship without steriods overshadowing it

Eliot: Red Sox: I love their balance of pitching and defense to go along with a stellar and deep offense.

Jimmy: Yankees

Mike:

Minnesota Twins

NL Champion

Brendan:

Phillies, just too much hitting and pitching!

Eliot: Phillies. I'd love to pick the Brewers, but the Phillies are clearly the team to beat barring injury.

Jimmy: Phillies

Mike:

Have to take my Brewers in 7 over San Francisco

World Series Champion

Brendan:

Phillies in 7....

Eliot: Red Sox. It's all about pitching in the playoffs and I feel Lackey, Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz > Halladay, Hamels, Blanton, and Haap. It'll be very very close. In 7 games...

Jimmy: Phillies take the cake.

Mike:

World Series will be a border battle between the Twins and the Brewers and for the first time in Milwaukee Brewer history they will be World Series Champs in 6 games.