Lawyer has record of success, should increase chances of NFL players suiting up in 2011
By: Ashley HearnTuesday, March 8th, 2011
The date that loomed large in the hearts of American sports fans came in like a lion and out like a lamb last Friday as the original midnight March 3 deadline for the expiration of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and consequential lockout passed.
As the clock on negotiations ticked dangerously close to midnight, the national media assumed a lockout to be a forgone conclusion. To most it was not a question of whether the two irreconcilably distant sides, the NFL owners versus the players, would reach an agreement by the March 3 deadline, but how long the impending labor stoppage would last and whether the 2011 season would be in jeopardy.
Enter George H. Cohen, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS). Appointed in 2009 by President Obama and unanimously approved by the US Senate, Mr. Cohen announced on Feb. 17 that representatives of both the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and league owners would meet for a series of mediations with him in Washington D.C. beginning Feb. 18. Talks resumed again last week at the doorstep of the initial deadline.
Cohen just last year helped negotiate the deal that kept Major League Soccer from disintegrating into labor strife.
“I don’t know that we would have gotten a deal done without his help and his very calming demeanor,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a conversation with Sport’s Illustrated’s Peter King about his experience with Cohen and the FMCS.
Finish reading here on the Badger Herald Sports Blog "Extra Points"
NFL Preview: Week 13
Cleveland looks to remain in playoff contention while Jets and Patriots fight for title as NFL’s best
By:Ashley HearnFriday, December 3, 2010
NFL football changes after Thanksgiving. Every matchup, every play becomes more critical as each week draws the league’s top teams closer to judgment day. At this point, the good and the bad have been sorted out. Fans, players, and coaches can all begin to predict the postseason. December kicks off with two critical AFC division games in prime time, Steelers vs. Ravens and Jets vs. Patriots. No team leads a division by more than one game, which should make for a entertaining and unpredictable final stretch of the 2010 season.
Houston at Philadelphia: In a passing league, the Texans 31st-ranked (286.2 yards per game) pass defense largely accounts for why they have fallen off the radar after a strong opening to the season. Expect Michael Vick to bolster his MVP candidacy with a big day; however, if the Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel is out for a second straight week, Philadelphia’s secondary could be just as vulnerable on as that of the Texans. Eagles 34, Texans 24
Buffalo at Minnesota: Leslie Frazier became the second interim head coach this season to win in his first game with a victory over Washington last Sunday. If Vikings All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson is not available, rookie Toby Gerhart, who gained 76 yards on 22 carries last Sunday, will be expected to carry the load. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has a touchdown pass in 12 straight game, but Buffalo has found creative ways to lose all season. The Vikings are struggling to stay alive for the playoffs under their new head coach. Vikings 23, Bills 14
Cleveland at Miami: The month of December has arrived and the Browns are not yet eliminated from the postseason. Miami is struggling to keep pace in the competitive AFC East. With Chad Henne and Jake Delhomme likely under center for the Dolphins and Browns, respectively, expect this game to be won on the ground. Miami’s tandem of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown should play a big role in this game and Cleveland’s Peyton Hillis already has 11 touchdowns on the season. Browns 20, Dolphins 13
Jacksonville at Tennessee: At 6-5, Jacksonville is first in the AFC South while a 5-6 Tennessee team is currently last. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew has at least 100 rushing yards in four consecutive games. After a 5-3 start, the Titans have fallen apart since their bye week with three consecutive losses including last week’s shutout at Houston. Starting Rusty Smith at quarterback will not help Tennessee’s confidence. Jaguars 24, Titans 9
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Freshman Focus: Mark Zengerle
Freshman leads the the Badgers in points this season, hungry for even more success
By: Ashley HearnWednesday, November 10th, 2010
Wisconsin connections run deep for freshman forward Mark Zengerle.
His high school, Northwood Prep in Lake Placid, NY produced a number of Badgers including goaltender Mark Richter and center Tony Granato. Also, current Badgers’ goaltender Scott Gudmandson, forward Derek Lee, and Zengerle’s tour guide from last year, former Badger forward Ben Street, played in the BCHL for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks where Zengerle skated from 2008-2010.
“It’s the only place I visited,” Zengrle said of his decision to play for the Badgers. “And when I got here, I watched two games. The coaches knew me and I also knew [Justin] Schultz and Lee. They’re good friends of mine and I think that helped so I think everything, the rink, the coaches and the whole school [played into the decision].”
The loss of big name players such as forwards Derek Stepan and Michael Davies led many to question the strength of the Badgers current youthful roster in which 17 of Wisconsin’s 26 student-athletes are either freshmen or sophomores. Zengerle’s addition has not only produced direct results, but also helped boost the performance of the players around him.
Finish reading here on the Badger Herald Sports Blog "Extra Points"
NFL Preview: Week 8
Packers face off with talented Jets while Moss heads back to New England to face former team
By: Ashley Hearn
Thursday, October 28th, 2010 on the Badger Herald Sports Blog
This article can be read in its original format here.
Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals: Both teams lost by a narrow margin in Week 7. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s controversial goal line fumble still has fans in South Beach fuming. The Bengals fell short of a comeback in Atlanta, due in large part to coach Marvin Lewis’ decision to go for two after two third quarter touchdowns. The Dolphins are a young team still going through some growing pains; however, the Bengals are a veteran team with no chemistry. The Dolphins spotless 2010 road record foreshadows what is to come in Cincinnati.
Dolphins 24, Bengals 17
Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys season was over before quarterback Tony Romo broke his collar bone in their Week 7 loss to the Giants. The Jaguars’ defense gives up an average of 29.9 points per game and is the 30th ranked unit in the NFL. The Cowboys new starting quarterback, Jon Kitna, is a veteran with starting experience so he should not be fazed by the struggling Jaguars.
Cowboys 23, Jaguars 13
Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions: Eight weeks into the season and the Lions finally get to continue rebuilding where they started with second-year quarterback Matt Stafford. The defense of the Redskins has been strong enough to alleviate their offensive struggles under Donovan McNabb. The Redskins offense will have to take advantage of a favorable matchup with the Lions 26th ranked defense in order to come away with a win at Ford Field.
Lions 31, Redskins 24
Green Bay Packers at New York Jets: The Packers are coming off an emotional win over Brett Favre and the Vikings, while the Jets had the week off. The Packers placed their 10th player on injured reserve this week, starting outside linebacker Brad Jones, while the Jets main injury concern, shut-down cornerback Darrelle Revis, has reportedly returned to full strength. The Jets are tied for the best record in the league and carry the NFL’s longest winning streak into this Week 8 matchup. The Packers could be down three of their starting four defensive lineman against one of the best rushing attacks in the game. How the Packers backups perform will be a deciding factor in this matchup.
Jets 23, Packers 20
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Badgers Must Adept After First Road Trip
Zengerle, Johnson highlights despite winless series against No. 11 Denver
By: Ashley Hearn
Monday, October 25th, 2010
This article can be viewed in its original online format here.
The over-arching theme of men’s hockey head coach Mike Eaves’ address to the media Monday was coming of age.
Following the Badgers’ winless WCHA opener against No. 11 Denver, Eaves likened the growth of his team to Tiger Woods’ entrance into the majors. The way in which Wisconsin’s core of young athletes must adapt to the collegiate level is similar to the way Tiger Woods changed his golf swing when he entered the pros.
Growing pains are evident, as 17 of 26 players on Wisconsin’s roster are either freshmen or sophomores.
“I guess it would be like when Tiger Woods turned pro, he changed his golf swing to adapt to a new level, and I think for some of these young men they have to change their game to adapt to this level,” Eaves said. “They’re going through that process right now.”
Eaves discussed how the outcome of this past weekend’s series at Denver aided to the maturation of his team and how the way they competed will set the barometer moving forward.
Finish reading here on the Badger Herald Online
Freshman Focus: James White
Popular freshman running back scored crucial touchdown against Buckeyes, looking for a big game against Iowa
By: Ashley HearnThursday October 21st, 2010 on the Badger Herald Sports Blog
The article can be read in its original format here.
The Heartland Trophy, which the Badgers play for this Saturday when they travel to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes, exhibits a large golden bull fixed on a walnut base. When asked what animal he would like to see mounted on the trophy, freshman running back James White responded with an animal that exhibits his style of play.
“I don’t know, a cheetah,” White said.
White’s response came of no surprise to fellow running back and reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year John Clay.
“Because he’s fast, that’s why he’d say that,” Clay responded.
A true freshman from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and a product of high school football powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, White has quickly caught the attention the Badger faithful. James has amassed 560 yards for an impressive seven yards per carry this season behind the starter Clay.
Last Saturday it was not only Badger fans who queued in to White but the entire nation. His 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter helped seal the win over the number one team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
“It’s something you are going to cherish forever,” White said of the win and his score. “I don’t know what was going through my mind. You can see by the way I celebrated. I was talking on the sideline, I had a planned celebration but it didn’t work. I just did some random stuff. It was just a great feeling to get into the end zone.”
