Adam Weber Interview

Weber is a former quarterback from the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.  Playing 4 full seasons, Adam holds the record for touchdown passes in Gopher history, and is second in Big Ten history in passing yards.

What do you think of the new Gopher Coach, Coach Jerry Kill?

AW - Coach Kill comes in with a winning program, he has proven it at every school he has been at.  I believe his style and system will fit our program and its players well.

How are you preparing yourself for the NFL combine?

AW - I have been training with Pete Bommarito Performance Systems (BPS) in Miami, FL since Jan 3rd.  It is an intense training program that is working on increasing speed and strength.  There are about 35 other football players down here from all over the country.  We train 6 days a week 6:30am-4:30pm

Desmond Bishop Interview

Desmond Bishop is a linebacker for the NFC Champion Green Bay Packers.  Drafted out of Cal in the 6th round of the 2007 draft, Bishop will be playing in his first Super Bowl tomorrow.  

How does it feel knowing that you will be playing in Super Bowl XVL?

DB – It feels great. It’s really a surreal experience, I really can’t believe it. I can’t believe I’m in this situation, it’s really like a dream right now, and I’m in a dream right now.

 So has it actually settled in that you will be playing in the Super Bowl, or when do you expect that time to come?

DB – I think it will come either after kick off or after the game and I’m hosting the Lombardi trophy.

What kind of pre-game routine do you have for the Super Bowl?

DB – You know what; I’m just going to keep it normal. I’m going to have the same routine I’ve been having, I’m not going to switch it up now, just keep doing the same thing.

Where's the Love?

Yesterday the NBA announced the reserves for this season's NBA All-Star Game.  While players such as Blake Griffin and Kevin Garnett have been planning their trip to Los Angeles for weeks, one player, Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love, was nearly forced to make vacation plans.  Amazingly, despite having one of the more impressive resumes in the NBA, Love was not chosen by league coaches to represent the Western Conference this season...at least right away.  Fortunately for Love, he was selected today as an injury replacement for Rockets center Yao Ming.  Yet the initial snub still leaves me wondering, by what standards can Love not be considered an All-Star?

Yes, he plays for a Minnesota team that is just 11-37, and is lacking significant talent around him, but that hardly negates what he has done on the court this season.  Averaging 21.4 PPG and 15.5 RPG, Love is on pace to be the first 20-15 player since Mosas Malone in the 1982-83 season.  He leads the league in double-doubles and is just 3 shy of Kevin Garnett's NBA record 37 in a row.  He's shooting .563 from the field and is 6th in the league in PER.  For comparison, Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds per game and is 8th in PER while Amar'e Stoudemire is putting up 26.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest.  Thats not to say that Love is just as naturally talented and athletic as those players, he's not, but his combination of hard work, natural ability and 'never quit' attitude gave him stats superior to those players.

In my opinion, lots of things can get you into the All-Star Game.  As mentioned earlier, Love could break a record currently held by a future Hall of Famer.  He's putting up over 20 a game and is easily the leagues best rebounder.  Regardless of what team you are on, those stats don't lie.  Kevin Love is an all star.

Where Will Palmer Play?

Bengals (for now) Starting QB, Carson Palmer

After a 4-12 season playing alongside both Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, it's not a huge surprise Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is asking for a trade.  The only problem is, Bengals owner Mike Brown says he absolutely "will not trade Carson".  Unfortunately for Palmer, Brown has a history of sticking to his word.  Just last year, disgruntled wide receiver Chad Ochocinco demanded a trade out of Cincinnati.  Brown wouldn't even field offers for Ocho, leaving him with the Bengals and without fan support.  If history is any indication, things are looking grim for Palmer.  In fact, Ochocinco himself recently tweeted his thoughts on the quarterback's situation:

"Carson Palmer demands a trade? Last person demanded a trade in Cincy was crucified by the media n had to win the fans back, how will this go?"

There may some hope, however, for Palmer.  The Bengals have the 4th pick in April's draft, and with it an opportunity to take a (potentially) elite quarterback of the future.  Nobody can argue Palmer's success on the field has been down as of late, and drafting a quarterback may be in the team's best interest regardless if Palmer is with them next season.  If the Bengals are confident they can land a quarterback they believe in, Palmer may become a tradable asset, specifically one that could get them a valuable draft pick in return.

Dunk of the Week

Blake Griffin is doing it again.  Making the ridiculous look easy, this time with the help of teammate Randy Foye, Griffin threw down a monster alley-oop from 3/4 court.  Enjoy.

If Cromartie is For Sale, Who's Buying?

Antonio Cromartie

With Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie headed to free agency, the Jets are faced with a tough decision: open up the checkbook and retain the secondary of one of the leagues best defenses in 2010, or roll the dice and hope to find a cheaper (or better) answer in the draft or free agency.  To make things more difficult, Cromartie isn't their only major player without a contract heading into next season.  With Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards both looking to cash in, it's unlikely the Jets will retain be able to retain all three.  A combination of some on-field slip ups (he gave up a team-high 7 passing TD's), combined with Cromartie's recent dispute with linebacker Bart Scot and Coach Rex Ryan, I believe Cro is the one on the way out.

But if Cromartie is on the market, who's looking to buy?

One possibility may be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Coach Raheem Morris isn't one who usually cares about off-field issues, of which Cromartie has plenty, and the Bucs would have one intimidating secondary with Cromartie opposite of Aqib Talib.

Another team may be the Minnesota Vikings, who, although their main concern is at Safety, are desperate for an improvement in the secondary.  If they are able to improve their pass defense (as well as that little quarterback issue they seem to have), they just may be able to regain their magical form of 2009.  Cromartie alongside aging yet capable CB Antoine Winfield would certainly be an improvement from the Vikings depleted 2009 roster.

Other possibilities include the Chicago Bears, who had a good defense, but were only rated 20th in passing D in 2010, or the Arizona Cardinals.  Cromartie's off the field issues are sure to make teams hesitate this offseason, but when it comes down to it he has the talent and he will be signed... it's just a matter of where.

Where Amazing Happens

Here's a great one.  In case you haven't seen it already, this is from the other night, when Kevin Durant hits a bomb as the clock expires to give his Thunder a 101-98 win over the New York Knicks.  No doubt this kid is the future of the NBA for a long time...

With Miller Back, the Heat May Be More Dangerous Than Ever

Miller (13) and Big Z (11)

Mike Miller has missed the vast majority of the season due to a thumb injury he received early in the year.  After a somewhat rocky start, the Miami Heat have gelled into one of the NBA's most dangerous teams without him.  Now, at 31-13 (and after some minor injuries to Bosh, Wade and LeBron), the Heat are getting healthier and are poised to make a big run in the second half of the season.  Miller's health, however, may be the surprising determining factor in the Heat's championship aspirations.