 Wysłany: Czw 15:59, 21 Paź 2010 Temat postu: |
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| The answer to that is simply: no, you cannot. Vesa Toskala has been sub-par is his two-plus years in Toronto,Arizona Cardinals Jersey, capped off by his worst NHL season last year. To start this season, he has surrendered seven goals on 35 shots, for an awful .800 SV%. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem for another goalie or team, but in Toskala's case, it is.
After the 2004 NHL lockout a new rule was instituted that imposes a minor delay of game penalty on any defensive player who directs the puck out of bounds over the glass into the stands or into the safety netting. When the puck is shot into either of the players benches, the penalty will not apply. There are also game and 10 minute misconduct penalties which are reserved for infractions such as continued disputing of a call with an official or for intent to injure penalties. Misconducts do not affect the on ice strength of the offending team, though they are usually accompanied with a minor, double minor, or five minute major. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) Well, we're a mere two games into the 2009-2010 NHL season, and already, Leafs Nation is calling for Vesa Toskala's head. The question is, however, can you blame them? Now, the Maple Leafs are in the midst of yet another goalie controversy,RICK NASH Jersey, and if the incumbent Vesa Toskala doesn't start to show improvement and turn his season, and career, around, his days as the starter, or even a Maple Leaf, may be numbered. I'm sure that all of Leafs Nation is now wondering: 'When will The Monster finally be unleashed?' Martin Brodeur was born on 6th May 1972. He is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League NHL career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19 year tenure with the Devils, he has led the team to three Stanley Cup championships and has taken them to the playoffs every year but one. Brodeur has won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games, as well as several other medals with the team in other international competitions. In the offseason this past summer, General Manager Brian Burke signed highly-touted free agent Jonas 'The Monster' Gustavsson,T.J. Oshie Jersey, in hopes of pushing Vesa Toskala for that starter's job. During the pre-season, Gustavsson quickly got on the good side of Leafs Nation, when he robbed Detroit's Johan Ryno on a two-on-none breakaway,Randy Moss Jersey, and remained unbeaten through three periods and 22 shots. His NHL career got off to a shaky start on Saturday, allowing three goals on 19 shots,PATRICK SHARP Jersey, but he could hardly be blamed for any. He has yet to endear himself to many Leafs fans in his tenure in Toronto,New Era Red Bull Cap, mainly due to lackluster performances, soft goals, and bad practice habits (on which he was called out by Brian Burke last winter). However, Vesa seemed to imply that this season would be different,Ryne Sandberg Jersey, possibly his turnaround year. He had groin and hip surgery during the off-season, and came into camp feeling 100%, giving us Leafs fans a feeling of optimism. Unfortunately, he has shown no improvements from the past two seasons throughout the pre and regular season thus far. Please read related articles: Congrats Capitals Fans You Are Now My Least Favorite in All of Sports nhl 2009 10 NHL Preview Eastern Conference nhl Offensive Struggle No Problem |
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| Wysłany: Śro 22:38, 20 Paź 2010 Temat postu: Lance Moore |
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| Robert Meachem has plenty of upside
Can Robert Meachem break through in 2010? Apparently few people think so, judging by the early draft results. The No. 22 wide receiver in fantasy points in 2009 (130, or 8.1 per game), Robert Meachem is being picked as a ninth-rounder in ESPN.com leagues so far, 33rd at his position. Any discussion of Meachem can't dismiss his weaknesses: • He's one of a multitude of weapons in a loaded offense that includes such names as Marques Colston, Devery Henderson Jersey, Lance Moore, Jeremy Shockey, David Thomas and Reggie Bush, not to mention a deep running back corps led by Pierre Thomas. The deeper the offense, the tougher the fight for opportunities. • Meachem was overshadowed by several of those names during the postseason, finishing each of the New Orleans Saints' three playoff games with fewer receiving yards than Bush, Colston, Devery Henderson Jersey and Thomas. Devery Henderson Jersey, the receiver who most directly threatens Meachem's targets,NHL Jerseys, was a postseason standout, catching 15 total passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. • He's coming off toe surgery that cost him OTAs as well as the first two weeks of training camp. Such setbacks might put him behind in the competition. That last item is most relevant to the discussion. Missed preseason time means the player is likelier not to be up to full speed by Week 1, and few things are less attractive to fantasy owners than the player who spends much of his first few games playing catch-up. If you're a member of the anti-Meachem camp, that's your key argument. Still, I play for upside, and when I see a player with Meachem's skills going as late as the ninth round, I'm unquestionably taking those risks. The list of his strengths is every bit as lengthy: • Meachem has great hands, as evidenced by his not committing a single drop in 2009. Granted, Devery Henderson Jersey, once a drop machine, has done plenty to improve himself in that area the past couple of seasons, but he's still not Meachem's equal. • For all the negatives about Meachem's postseason, his second half (or second half plus one game) was pretty extraordinary. In his final nine games, he was targeted 51 times (ranking second on the Saints), had seven touchdowns and managed 98 fantasy points, significantly more than either Colston (62) or Devery Henderson Jersey (4  . Debate all you want the value of the more recent set of statistics, but what's a stronger indicator, nine regular-season games or three playoff affairs? It's clear the Saints regard Meachem as a vital cog in their offense, playoff stats be damned.
• Call Devery Henderson Jersey the Saints' "deep threat" if you wish, but it was Meachem who actually got more looks deep. In fact, Meachem ranked seventh in the NFL in air yard percentage (76.3) last season (minimum 30 catches). In other words, he's every bit as capable of handling that role as Devery Henderson Jersey, who's widely regarded as his competition. • Meachem also topped all receivers (again, minimum 30 catches) in yards per target (11.5), and if you know anything about rate statistics, it demonstrates his explosive fantasy potential in the event he indeed lands a starting job. • At 25 years old (he'll turn 26 on Sept. 2 , Meachem has a bit of an age advantage, not that Colston (27) or Devery Henderson Jersey (2 is an old man by comparison. The Saints are invested in Meachem over the long haul, which means that for every question about his rehabilitation slowing him in the season's early weeks, there's the reply that he might see increased work in the season's later stages.
Perhaps his role -- and the limits that come with it -- will prevent Meachem from bursting into the top 20 wide receivers this season. If the Saints, who historically have spread the ball around, operate identically to how they did throughout the 2009 campaign, maybe he'll finish with identical numbers to his 2009. But once that elite group, that top 20, flies off the draft board, the Meachem debate boils down to what you prefer from your bench wide receivers: players with good roles or players with upside? Remember, this is the NFL; opportunities often present themselves, especially to deserving players. I know which type I'd pick: the Meachem type. |
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