The playoff picture is coming into focus in the NFL.Two more division titles were settled in Week 16, with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys capturing the NFC West and NFC East, respectively, thanks to dominant performances.
Not every team came out firing on all cylinders, however. The Cowboys won the East in part because the Philadelphia Eagles fell at Washington Saturday. The Baltimore Ravens, who entered the week in the thick of the AFC North race, fell flat on their face in a blowout loss in Houston.
It was a week filled with equal measures excitement and embarrassment. With that in mind, here is a look at the week's biggest highs and lows in the opinion of the Division Lead and National Lead Writers here at Bleacher Report.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308291-bleacher-reports-week-16-nfl-awards
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Mario Balotelli's Return Makes Little Difference to Liverpool's Setup
The return of Mario Balotelli from his one-match ban for Liverpool's Premier League clash at Burnley on Boxing Day looks likely to make little difference to Brendan Rodgers' first-team setup.
Rodgers not-so-subtly hinted that he now sees the Italian as a squad player, suggesting Balotelli will merely replace the suspended Fabio Borini in the matchday 18.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, as per LiverpoolFC.com, he told reporters: "The most important thing is Mario is available after his ban. It adds another player to our squad and another player who is available, especially with Fabio Borini unavailable [due to suspension]."
Indeed, due to injury, suspension and being out of favour, Balotelli hasn't started in the Premier League since the 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea on November 8.The 24-year-old's Liverpool career has very quickly become a damp squib, with just two goals to his name and appearances in rapid decline.
Liverpool look a slower team going forward with Balotelli in the side—a far cry from the anarchy they created with relentless attacks last season.
Always a figure wrapped in scrutiny, the wolves are coming for the Italy international, and Liverpool's movements in the January transfer window could surely spell a crunch moment for the striker.
Just last week, former Liverpool and England midfielder Paul Ince spoke of how the Reds should cut their losses with the forwardWhile the opinion of Ince and Taarabt may not be the biggest concern to Rodgers and Liverpool, the raw truth of their comments is.
The striker is simply yet to cut the mustard this season.The Balotelli conversation may well be a distraction Rodgers wants to ignore, but with little forward options in his squad—compounded by Borini's red card against Arsenal and subsequent suspension—the former Manchester City man remains an secondary option, albeit one that doesn't quite fit the team's direction.Sterling's pace and trickery combined with the creative talents of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and those around him could really unsettle a slow Clarets back line.
The Reds play five fixtures in little over two weeks over the festive and New Year period—and all eyes will be on how Rodgers manages his team from burnout and achieves potentially season-saving results.
Questions over Steven Gerrard's ability to play every game will always be raised, while Liverpool may need reach out for contributions from squad players, including Balotelli.
Could the busy schedule provide a final lifeline for the Italian to change opinions of him, or is his inclusion detrimental to the intensity and pressing nature Rodgers is striving for?
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309893-mario-balotellis-return-makes-little-difference-to-liverpools-set-up
Rodgers not-so-subtly hinted that he now sees the Italian as a squad player, suggesting Balotelli will merely replace the suspended Fabio Borini in the matchday 18.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, as per LiverpoolFC.com, he told reporters: "The most important thing is Mario is available after his ban. It adds another player to our squad and another player who is available, especially with Fabio Borini unavailable [due to suspension]."
Indeed, due to injury, suspension and being out of favour, Balotelli hasn't started in the Premier League since the 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea on November 8.The 24-year-old's Liverpool career has very quickly become a damp squib, with just two goals to his name and appearances in rapid decline.
Liverpool look a slower team going forward with Balotelli in the side—a far cry from the anarchy they created with relentless attacks last season.
Always a figure wrapped in scrutiny, the wolves are coming for the Italy international, and Liverpool's movements in the January transfer window could surely spell a crunch moment for the striker.
Just last week, former Liverpool and England midfielder Paul Ince spoke of how the Reds should cut their losses with the forwardWhile the opinion of Ince and Taarabt may not be the biggest concern to Rodgers and Liverpool, the raw truth of their comments is.
The striker is simply yet to cut the mustard this season.The Balotelli conversation may well be a distraction Rodgers wants to ignore, but with little forward options in his squad—compounded by Borini's red card against Arsenal and subsequent suspension—the former Manchester City man remains an secondary option, albeit one that doesn't quite fit the team's direction.Sterling's pace and trickery combined with the creative talents of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and those around him could really unsettle a slow Clarets back line.
The Reds play five fixtures in little over two weeks over the festive and New Year period—and all eyes will be on how Rodgers manages his team from burnout and achieves potentially season-saving results.
Questions over Steven Gerrard's ability to play every game will always be raised, while Liverpool may need reach out for contributions from squad players, including Balotelli.
Could the busy schedule provide a final lifeline for the Italian to change opinions of him, or is his inclusion detrimental to the intensity and pressing nature Rodgers is striving for?
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309893-mario-balotellis-return-makes-little-difference-to-liverpools-set-up
A Christmas Wish for Every La Liga Team
In Spain, there is no fixture pile-up over the festive period like in England, nor is there the month-plus break afforded to Germany’s Bundesliga clubs.
Instead, they have a rather more modest two weeks off.It gives each club a little bit of time to put their feet up and take stock of their current situation.
For those at the bottom this Christmas, they’ll be hoping for a change of fortune in the new year, while those at the top will be dreaming of more titles and Champions League qualification.
Over the following slides, B/R takes a look at what each club in Spain’s top flight will be wishing for this Christmas
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309475-a-christmas-wish-for-every-la-liga-team
Instead, they have a rather more modest two weeks off.It gives each club a little bit of time to put their feet up and take stock of their current situation.
For those at the bottom this Christmas, they’ll be hoping for a change of fortune in the new year, while those at the top will be dreaming of more titles and Champions League qualification.
Over the following slides, B/R takes a look at what each club in Spain’s top flight will be wishing for this Christmas
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309475-a-christmas-wish-for-every-la-liga-team
A Christmas Wish for Every Serie A Team
It's time to spread some holiday joy to every Serie A team, whether it's first-placed Juventus or bottom-of-the-table Parma, every side has a wish and we'll pinpoint exactly what they are right here.
Some teams will need desperate help in the January transfer window, while others will need to call on superhuman forces for better results going forward.
Every team has a weakness and would call upon one wish to help them clog a particular hole in the squad.Without further ado, here's a Christmas wish for every team in Serie A.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2306699-a-christmas-wish-for-every-serie-a-team
Some teams will need desperate help in the January transfer window, while others will need to call on superhuman forces for better results going forward.
Every team has a weakness and would call upon one wish to help them clog a particular hole in the squad.Without further ado, here's a Christmas wish for every team in Serie A.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2306699-a-christmas-wish-for-every-serie-a-team
Everton and Martinez Can Still Turn Their Season Around...but Must Do so Soon
With the problems that many other teams have suffered this season, Everton's travails have perhaps gone a little under the radar.
However, travails they have, with Roberto Martinez's side languishing in 11th place at Christmas, 10 points off fourth place in one of the most open races for Champions League qualification in years.
They are closer, in terms of points, to the bottom three than the top four, and have 13 fewer points than at the same stage last term. In addition, they were rather meekly dumped out of the early stages of the Capital One Cup by Swansea City in September—a competition they had a realistic chance of winning.After all the good work done by Martinez last season, this should really have been their time to push on, particularly after securing Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal, along with the maturing Ross Barkley and John Stones and adding the nous of Samuel Eto'o.
Frustration is growing at Goodison Park, and their defeat to Southampton at the weekend was a perfect example of why. It was perhaps not just the defeat that irked the Toffees faithful so much, more the way it arrived, seemingly through a series of basic managerial and playing mistakes.
Barkley, consistently lauded as one of the best young playmakers in the country and a man Martinez has said will not be sold even for a world-record fee in January, according to Andy Hunter in the The Guardian, was deployed on the left flank during the 3-0 reverse, a position he has played before and clearly demonstrated his discomfort in.When Barkley has played in the middle—such as against Queens Park Rangers a couple of weeks ago, when he scored and was Everton's standout player—he has been much more effective, but when he is shunted out of position it not only minimises the impact the youngster can have, it also makes the team lopsided.
Perhaps more unforgivable was Martinez's dithering in trying to change things at St Mary's. It was clear for all to see that Plan A was not working against a Southampton side in terrible form and should really have been there for the taking, but Martinez sat on his hands and made no changes in personnel, leaving the likes of Aiden McGeady, Steven Pienaar and Arouna Kone under blankets on the bench.
Martinez may feel that accommodating the likes of Eto'o and Gareth Barry is necessary, but it shouldn't be at the expense of their most talented and exciting young player.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308016-everton-and-martinez-can-still-turn-their-season-aroundbut-must-do-so-soon
However, travails they have, with Roberto Martinez's side languishing in 11th place at Christmas, 10 points off fourth place in one of the most open races for Champions League qualification in years.
They are closer, in terms of points, to the bottom three than the top four, and have 13 fewer points than at the same stage last term. In addition, they were rather meekly dumped out of the early stages of the Capital One Cup by Swansea City in September—a competition they had a realistic chance of winning.After all the good work done by Martinez last season, this should really have been their time to push on, particularly after securing Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal, along with the maturing Ross Barkley and John Stones and adding the nous of Samuel Eto'o.
Frustration is growing at Goodison Park, and their defeat to Southampton at the weekend was a perfect example of why. It was perhaps not just the defeat that irked the Toffees faithful so much, more the way it arrived, seemingly through a series of basic managerial and playing mistakes.
Barkley, consistently lauded as one of the best young playmakers in the country and a man Martinez has said will not be sold even for a world-record fee in January, according to Andy Hunter in the The Guardian, was deployed on the left flank during the 3-0 reverse, a position he has played before and clearly demonstrated his discomfort in.When Barkley has played in the middle—such as against Queens Park Rangers a couple of weeks ago, when he scored and was Everton's standout player—he has been much more effective, but when he is shunted out of position it not only minimises the impact the youngster can have, it also makes the team lopsided.
Perhaps more unforgivable was Martinez's dithering in trying to change things at St Mary's. It was clear for all to see that Plan A was not working against a Southampton side in terrible form and should really have been there for the taking, but Martinez sat on his hands and made no changes in personnel, leaving the likes of Aiden McGeady, Steven Pienaar and Arouna Kone under blankets on the bench.
Martinez may feel that accommodating the likes of Eto'o and Gareth Barry is necessary, but it shouldn't be at the expense of their most talented and exciting young player.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308016-everton-and-martinez-can-still-turn-their-season-aroundbut-must-do-so-soon
Josh Smith to Sign with Rockets: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction
From Dennis Rodman to Rasheed Wallace and on down the line, the NBA has a storied history of contenders rolling the dice on players with a bad rap to push them over the championship edge. The Houston Rockets will hope Josh Smith is the next to join that list.
Smith has verbally agreed to join the Rockets when he clears waivers at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, two days after the former All-Defensive selection was waived by the Detroit Pistons. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported the news:
The Pistons, who signed Smith to a four-year, $54 million deal in 2013, surprisingly waived him Monday amid an overhaul by head coach/president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy. Wojnarowski reported the team plans to use the "stretch provision" on the two years remaining on Smith's contract to lessen the salary-cap blowback.That said, it's possible Houston is getting a steal of a player going through his first real wake-up call. Smith is one of five non-guards in the league averaging at least 4.5 assists per game. He is a gifted passer from the elbows and in the post, and he can be a dynamic force near the basket when he's engaged. He shot 58.6 percent in the restricted area this season before being released, a number below his career rate but still solid.
Defensively, Smith's reputation has been built largely on his spectacular athleticism. Whether by age or effort, his work on that side of the ball has slipped in Detroit, and it'll be interesting to see if he can recapture his versatility in Houston.
The risk is nevertheless one worth taking. The Rockets are paying a player who commanded $13.5 million per season barely over a year ago pittance in comparison, and they're acquiring a highly skilled two-way player for nothing of value. Personality conflicts may arise, but this is a situation almost unprecedented in league history.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307846-josh-smith-to-sign-with-rockets-latest-contract-details-analysis-and-reaction
Smith has verbally agreed to join the Rockets when he clears waivers at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, two days after the former All-Defensive selection was waived by the Detroit Pistons. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported the news:
The Pistons, who signed Smith to a four-year, $54 million deal in 2013, surprisingly waived him Monday amid an overhaul by head coach/president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy. Wojnarowski reported the team plans to use the "stretch provision" on the two years remaining on Smith's contract to lessen the salary-cap blowback.That said, it's possible Houston is getting a steal of a player going through his first real wake-up call. Smith is one of five non-guards in the league averaging at least 4.5 assists per game. He is a gifted passer from the elbows and in the post, and he can be a dynamic force near the basket when he's engaged. He shot 58.6 percent in the restricted area this season before being released, a number below his career rate but still solid.
Defensively, Smith's reputation has been built largely on his spectacular athleticism. Whether by age or effort, his work on that side of the ball has slipped in Detroit, and it'll be interesting to see if he can recapture his versatility in Houston.
The risk is nevertheless one worth taking. The Rockets are paying a player who commanded $13.5 million per season barely over a year ago pittance in comparison, and they're acquiring a highly skilled two-way player for nothing of value. Personality conflicts may arise, but this is a situation almost unprecedented in league history.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307846-josh-smith-to-sign-with-rockets-latest-contract-details-analysis-and-reaction
NBA All-Star Game 2015 Voting: LeBron James, Stephen Curry Lead First Results
The NBA All-Star Game is less than two months away, and the first voting numbers for this year's extravaganza have been released. It comes as no surprise that LeBron James leads all players in votes thus far, but it's slightly the opposite to see Golden State's Stephen Curry nipping at his heels.
According to Lang Whitaker of NBA.com's Hang Time Blog, James leads Curry by just under 4,000 votes, and Anthony Davis is currently in third place with 524,623 votesGiven how well James, a perennial MVP candidate, is playing this year (and has played every year), fans should expect him to continue to lead the way in voting. For Curry, if he can continue his impressive start to the season—he's in the top five in assists and steals per game, as well as total three-pointers made—it shouldn't shock many to see him finish in second.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310509-nba-all-star-game-2015-voting-lebron-james-stephen-curry-lead-first-results
According to Lang Whitaker of NBA.com's Hang Time Blog, James leads Curry by just under 4,000 votes, and Anthony Davis is currently in third place with 524,623 votesGiven how well James, a perennial MVP candidate, is playing this year (and has played every year), fans should expect him to continue to lead the way in voting. For Curry, if he can continue his impressive start to the season—he's in the top five in assists and steals per game, as well as total three-pointers made—it shouldn't shock many to see him finish in second.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310509-nba-all-star-game-2015-voting-lebron-james-stephen-curry-lead-first-results
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