had decreed its demise. He asked rhetorically,Are you better than No-Amon that was situated by the River, that had the waters around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the sea? (3:8).No-Amon is the Egyptian word for “city of (the deity) Amon” commonly known today by its Greek name, Thebes.Esarhaddon had taken Egypt on his second invasion in 671 BC. When he died, the Egyptians revolted and Ashurbanipal went to Egypt to put down this revolt. He cleared the Delta of the Cushites (Ethiopians) in 667/666 BC and the Cushite ruler, Taharqa, fled to No-Amon. On Ashurbanipal’s first campaign against Egypt he took 22 kings from the seacoast, with their armies, to help fight the Egyptians. Ashurbanipal claims that he “made those kings with their forces (and) their ships accompany me by sea and by land” (Rainey 1993:157). One of those kings was Manasseh, king of Judah, with his army.On his second campaign in 663 BC, Ashurbanipal went to No-Amon and defeated the city and razed it. There were Judeans in the Assyrian army that saw this event. When they heard or read the words of Nahum they would have been encouraged. The Assyrians were able to defeat a strong and impregnable Thebes, and God would now fulfill His Word and Nineveh would fall.Ashurbanipal commissioned a relief depicting the fall of No-Amon. It is labeled “an Egyptian fortress” in the British Museum. Yadin cautiously states,The crowing achievement of Ashurbanipal’s expeditionary force to Egypt was the capture and destruction of Thebes “of the hundred gates” (the Egyptian capital during the XXVth Dynasty) in the year 663 BC. It is most probable that this is the event which the Assyrian artist depicted in such detail here in his portrayal of an attack on an Egyptian city (1963:462).If this is the case, we have a very graphic illustration of the Biblical text. The top of the relief has the Assyrians besieging the city the ladders, soldiers undermining the walls and a soldier torching the gate. A close examination of the defenders reveals that there are two ethnic groups defending the city. One group with the Negroid features is from Ethiopia (Cush) and the other are the Egyptians. Nahum said, “Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength. And it was boundless.” (3:9a).Relief of the fall of Thebes. From the palace of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, now in the British Museum. On the left of the relief, above the Nile River, are Ethiopian captives being taken out of No-Amon. A careful examination of these captives reveals chains on their ankles. Nahum recounts the event.Yet she was carried away, she went into captivity...They cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains (3:10).Another remarkable illustration of the Biblical text is the group of 12 Egyptians to the right side of the relief awaiting their fate on the banks of the Nile River. As I stared at the group I noticed three children. Two were seated on the donkey and one was on the shoulder of his father. I could not help but wonder if these children knew the fate that awaited them.
The words of the prophet were,
Her young children also were dashed to pieces at the head of every street” (3:10). Thankfully, the Assyrian artist did not carve this scene on the relief!Children being led away from Thebes, two on the back of a donkey and one carried on his father’s back. From the palace of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, now in the British Museum.An interesting side note should be mentioned. Manasseh was with Ashurbanipal II when he conquered No-Amon, the city of the deity Amun, in 663 BC. That was the year that a son was born to him, the future king of Judah, Amon. Apparently Manasseh named his son after the Egyptian deity Amun. This is consistent with Manasseh’s character of following after other gods. But why an Egyptian god and not an Assyrian one, I do not know.The Fig Trees and the Forts (Na 3:12)After asking Nineveh, “Are you better than No-Amon?” Nahum proceeds to describe the rapid fall of the cities and fortresses surrounding Nineveh. He says,All your strongholds are fig trees with ripened fruit; if they are shaken, they will fall into the mouth of the eater” (3:12).When the figs are ripe, they drop easily from the tree when shaken. This is a word-picture that the Ninevites knew from personal experience. Figs were common in Nineveh, as attested to by their appearance on reliefs.A Locust at the Banquet (Na 3:15b–17)One of the most sordid reliefs in Ashurbanipal’s palace is one of a royal banquet that commemorated the defeat of the king’s most hated foe, Teumman, the king of Elam. On this relief, Ashurbanipal is reclining on a couch under a grape vine in his garden sipping wine with his consort. There are servants around them with fans, while other servants are bringing food and playing musical instruments. From Ashurbanipal’s vantage point on the couch he could gaze on the trophy head of the Elamite king hanging from a ring in the fir tree.Ashurbanipal's garden banquet. Abird swooping down on a lone locust sitting on the branch of a palm tree: the head of an Elamite king hangs in an adjacent fir tree (right). From the palace of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, now in the British Museum.In a warped perversion of a Biblical description of peace, that of every man sitting under his vine and fig tree (Mi 4:1–4), this relief commemorated the cessation of war with the Elamites after nine years of hostilities. Ashurbanipal attributes his victory to,the Assyrian pantheon, and in particular, the deities Ashur and Ishtar of Arbela. Thus the human head may be viewed as more than a memorial to a successful battle; it is symbolic of a major threat to the Assyrian throne, a threat that was decisively eliminated through divine might (Albenda. 1977:35).Yet Micah says that real peace will come when the nations go to the LORD’S House in Jerusalem and worship Him. Then,They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nations, neither shall they learn war anymore (Mi 4:3).There is one detail in this relief that should not be missed. In the upper left corner is a locust sitting on top of a palm tree. To its right is a bird swooping down as if to catch it. One art historian described the scene this way:Related to this is the image of a locust alight upon an upper branch of a tree, a short distance from the severed head of Teumman. A bird sweeps down toward the insect as if to devour it. This apparently minor detail may have special meaning, for in the annals, Ashurbanipal described the Elamites as a “dense swarm of grasshoppers” (Luckenbill 1989, 2:329, ¶ 855). Within this context, the locust may signify the last vestige of a once dreadful enemy, now virtually eliminated (Albenda 1977:31–32).At the end of the book of Nahum we have another reversal of fortune. Instead of the Elamites being the locusts, the Assyrians are, and they are about to be eliminated! But Nahum does not describe the destructive aspects of the locust plague, but rather, the flight of the locusts after they have done their damaRosetta Stone Greek
2011年3月17日星期四
This is indeed one of the most irksome questions of Biblical research.”[33] Yadin, therefore, pondered how one king could have ruled for so long
dynastic use of “jabin” for the king of Hazor in both Joshua and Judges thus has sufficient merit, and precedent for this use does occur in the biblical text.An example of this practice of using dynastic titles superfluously, which was common for both biblical and non-biblical authors of antiquity, is drawn from Egypt. The Egyptian dynastic title, “pharaoh,” derives from the word that literally means “great house.”[36] During Egypt’s Old Kingdom (ca. 2715–2170 BC), the word was used of the royal palace. Not until the middle of the 18th Dynasty (ca. 1575–1307 BC), slightly before the reign of Thutmose III (ca. 1506–1452 BC), was it used as an epithet for the Egyptian monarch.[37] The biblical text itself confirms the notion of the pharaonic title as having a dynastic use equivalent to “king.” Moses writes in Exod 5:4, “the king of Egypt said to them,” signifying that the Egyptian king spoke directly to Moses and Aaron. After recording the words of the king, Moses writes in Exod 5:5, “Then pharaoh said,” as the speech to the Israelite leaders continued. Pharaoh even used a verb in the second person plural (~T,B;v.hi), clarifying that he still was speaking to Moses and Aaron. Since the terms “king of Egypt” and “pharaoh” are used interchangeably by Moses in this narrative, the biblical author of the 15th century BC views “king” and “pharaoh” as synonyms.Concurrent with this innovation in Egyptian onomastics, the standard practice of Thutmose III’s time was to leave enemy kings unnamed on official records. This revered pharaoh’s1st Asiatic campaign was highlighted by his military response to a rebellious coalition at Megiddo, which was instigated by the empire of Mitanni and fomented by the king of Kadesh (on the Orontes River), who—in The Annals of Thutmose III—was called “that wretched enemy of Kadesh.” Moreover, when Egyptian scribes listed the booty that was confiscated after the Battle of Megiddo, they did not name the opposing king whose possessions the Egyptians plundered, referring to him only as “the prince,” or “the prince of Megiddo.”[38] Why then did the writer of Judges not simply write, “the jabin of Hazor”? In answer, the standard practice of biblical writers from the second millennium BC through the exile, beginning with Moses, was to include the foreign dynastic title superfluously (e.g. “pharaoh, king of Egypt,” which appears 21 times in the HB).Another example of a superfluous dynastic title is the use of “abimelech,” who was the king of Gerar. Abraham (Genesis 20) and Isaac (Genesis 26) both stood before a king of this designation, though the events transpired over 65 years apart from one another. Certainly one cannot expect a single “Abimelech” to have reigned so long. Moreover, the anticipated formula, “abimelech, king of Gerar,” appears in Gen 20:2, meaning that the only logical conclusion is to consider “abimelech” as a dynastic title also.[39] These two examples support the conclusion that “jabin” is a dynastic title similar to “pharaoh” and “abimelech,” and the writer of Judges simply followed the standard practice of the day in how he recorded it. This custom of using the dynastic title superfluously shows respect on the part of the writer for the royalty of the monarch and for his native tongue. Therefore, the two jabins are two different kings of Hazor, separated in their reigns by over 150 years in time.IV. THE FIERY DESTRUCTION OF THE LATE BRONZE AGE I CITYSince the biblical record now is seen to display two separate invasions of Hazor against two distinct monarchs, the archaeological record must be consulted to determine whether a destruction by conflagration might be confirmed as having taken place at Hazor during the Late Bronze Age I (ca. 1550–1400 BC). This period by far preceded the destruction of the final Canaanite city of Late Bronze IIB/III, which falls within the period of the judges and is both well documented and well known.[40] In fact, Yadin writes in reference to the lower city of this later era, “The end of Stratum 1A came about as the result of a violent fire, as indicated by ashes found in the less exposed areas excavated in Areas H and K.”[41] Of the upper city, he writes, “The total destruction of the LB III city (Stratum XIII) was evident in all excavated areas.”[42]But what is known about the Hazor of Joshua’s day, and its end? Yadin described Late Bronze I Hazor of the lower city (Stratum 2) as “one of great prosperity and cultural standards.”[43] Relatively few Egyptian objects of any kind have been found in Late Bronze Age contexts in Palestine, but Hazor’s own sparse amount of Egyptian materials from Late Bronze I is contrasted by a rich supply of cultic objects that reflect mostly Syrian, Anatolian, and Mesopotamian iconography, revealing the city of Joshua’s day to have been glorious, influential, and at least somewhat autonomous.[44] The picture of Hazor revealed by the spade matches perfectly with the description found in Josh 11:10, namely that “Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms.” This description, probably written retrospectively before the middle of the 14th century BC to describe the city prior to this particular destruction, is a direct reference to Hazor at the time of the conquest under Joshua.[45]As for what is known of the demise of the Late Bronze I city, the opinion of most is that its destruction, visible both atop the tel and especially in the lower city, occurred sometime from ca. 1455–1400 BC. A temple district was unearthed by Yadin in Area H, at the northern tip of the lower city, during the excavations of 1955–1958. To the east of the main bamah, or high place, a heap of broken ritualistic vessels was discovered, along with fragments of clay models of animals’ livers for priestly divination.[46] This temple apparently had its own potter, who produced these votive vessels in order to sell them to those who worshipped at Hazor. His kiln was found, along with 22 miniature votive bowls that were still resting on the floor when discovered. Yadin notes accordingly “that the temple of stratum 2 was destroyed by an enemy and the people abandoned it abruptly.”[47] The destruction of Jericho’s City IV (Late Bronze I Age), which stratum is contemporaneous with Hazor’s Stratum 2 of the lower city, reveals a similar appearance of abrupt abandonment.[48]While much more evidence of the destruction of the Hazor of the Late Bronze I Age has been uncovered in the lower city, perhaps the most decisive evidence of the same destruction in the upper city is owed to the recent excavations on the slope of the tel, as reflected in the excavation reports published by Ben-Tor.[49] The following quote, which comes from the excavation report of 2000, relates to the Late Bronze I stratum in Area M,
which is located on the northern side of the upper
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which is located on the northern side of the upper
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These are the generations of ...
The Hebrew word used for “generation” is toledoth, which means “history, especially family history ... the story of their origin.” Wiseman, op.cit., pg.62. Wiseman took this quotation from the pioneer Hebrew lexicographer Gesenius. Most scholars have recognized that these “toledoth phrases” must be important, but they have been misled by assuming incorrectly that these are the introduction to the text that follows. (Several modern translations have even garbled these phrases.) This has led to serious questions, because in several cases they don’t seem to fit. For example, Genesis 37:2 begins, “These are the generations of Jacob. ...” But from that spot on, the text describes Joseph and his brothers, and almost nothing about Jacob, who was the central character in the previous section.However, Wiseman saw that the colophons in the ancient tablets always were at the end, not the beginning. He applied this idea to the toledoth phrases in Genesis, and found that in every case it suddenly made good sense. The text just before the phrase “These are the generations of ... ” contained information about events that the man named in that phrase would have known about. That person would have been the logical one to write that part. In other words, each toledoth phrase contains the name of the man who probably wrote the text preceding that phrase. Or, in still other words, the book of Genesis consists of a set of tablets, each of which was written by an actual eye-witness to the events described therein. These tablets were finally compiled by Moses.Enough archaeological confirmation has been found so that many historians now consider the Old Testament, at least that part after about the eleventh chapter of Genesis, to be historically correct. It seems strange that seminary professors often still teach the old “doubtful criticism” theories, even though the basis on which they were started has now been thoroughly discredited.I’ve incorporated a few minor modifications into Wiseman’s original theory. These help to explain some remaining problems. For example, tablets #8 and #10 are shorter, and describe two sets of descendants that are outside of the Bible’s main-line. They’re also structured differently. I’ve called these Sub-Tablets.Tablet DivisionsTo illustrate how this all really works, let’s look at each of the tablets, and see how the theory makes sense.Tablet Starting Verse Ending Verse Owner or Writer 1 Genesis 1:1 Genesis 2:4aGod Himself (?)2 Genesis 2:4bGenesis 5:1a Adam3 Genesis 5:1bGenesis 6:9a Noah4 Genesis 6:9b Genesis 10:1a Shem, Ham & Japheth 5 Genesis 10:1b Genesis 11:10a Shem6 Genesis 11:10b Genesis 11:27a Terah7 Genesis 11:27b Genesis 25:19a Isaac8 Genesis 25:12 Genesis 25:18 Ishmael, through Isaac9 Genesis 25:19b Genesis 37:2a Jacob10 Genesis 36:1 Genesis 36:43 Esau, through Jacob11 Genesis 37:2b Exodus 1:6 Jacob’s 12 sonsTablet #1Tablet #1 begins with the first verse of Genesis, and ends with the toledoth phrase in Gen.2:4a, “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created.” I should say here that the following discussion is based on a firm belief that the six days of creation are literal 24-hour days, as the clear phraseology of the Bible states.In this first tablet, there’s no author’s name in that closing verse. Who could have personal knowledge of what was written there? Only the Creator Himself. God could have written this with His own fingers (like He wrote in Exodus 31:18). I think it’s just as possible that He orally dictated it to Adam. At that same time He might have been using this as a teaching tool, showing Adam how to write, and maybe this served as Adam’s “practice slate.” Whatever the mode, God was the personal author of that first tablet, the actual creation account.The basic meaning of toledoth, according to Gesenius, is “family history ... or the story of their origins.” For Tablet #1, the “family” consists of the entire cosmos and its occupants. So this tablet might be thought of as “the family history of the entire cosmos and its plants and animals.”Tablet #2Tablet #2 begins with the next part of Gen.2:4b, “In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, ...” The closing toledoth is in Gen.5:1a, “This is the book of the generations of Adam.”Many people have been confused at what they’ve been told were two different creation accounts in these first two chapters. But we can see that this isn’t correct. Chapter 1 is the only “creation account,” since it gives detailed listing and timing of the creative acts of God. Chapter 2 does not attempt to say “This happened and then that happened.” It’s just Adam’s own account of his own beginnings, written from his own viewpoint.The confusion comes about because of peculiarities in words. It only shows up in some languages. The English language has definite past, present, and future tenses for its verbs, but Hebrew (the language of Genesis) does not. In Hebrew, the relative timing must be taken from the context, not the actual words themselves.In Tablet #1 (Gen.1:1 - 2:4a), the timing is carefully told -- the creation of land animals and humans took place on the sixth day, and in the order stated (first the animals, then both man and woman). This tablet is written from the Creator’s viewpoint (on His tablet), and outlines the exact things He did.But in Tablet #2 (Gen.2:4b - 5:1a), there are no timing statements. This tablet was written from a different viewpoint (I think by Adam himself), and describes events as he saw them. He first briefly described the area around him (in Gen.2:4b - 2:15), and the instructions and promise of a help-mate, that God had given him. He then told of the huge task that he had been given by God (naming the animals) and how he did that. These verses show that Adam must have been a very intelligent person and a knowledgeable taxonomist, not the ignorant “cave-man” that some people imagine.The Hebrew words in Genesis 2:19 could have been translated, “And out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast ...” (past tense). It seems to this writer that Adam simply put verses 19 and 20 (naming the animals) at this spot for his own convenience, not for indicating sequential action, so that he could then move on to the more important matter of the establishment of the human home, family, and population growth. In Gen.2:21 through 2:25 he used a literary flashback to describe the formation of his wife (which had happened previously on Day #6 of Creation Week), and then moved smoothly into telling of their activities together. Unfortunately, the first activity that he described involved the world’s first sin, and its terrible consequences.If this explanation isn’t true, then we have to consider Chapter 2 as a sequential description that conflicts with Chapter 1. We’re faced with a hard-to-explain situation, as follows: In 2:18 God promised Adam a help-mate, then in 2:19-20 He created the animals, and told Adam to name them, sounding as if one of them might be that help-mate. When that didn’t work out right, only then did God create the woman. This sounds as if God didn’t really know what He was doing— an impossible accusation! It also changes the sequence of what God created on Day #6—saying that He first created man, then land animals, then woman. That violates the timing description in Genesis 1, in which the timing is definitely stated.By now, someone is probably asking “Why does a tablet end in the middle of a verse, and the next tablet start in the middle of that same verse? Why not stop each tablet at the end of a verse?”That’s a good question, and I think there’s a good answer. The original text was written simply with a string of paleoHebrew characters, with no punctuation, and that original text didn’t have chapter and verse divisions—those didn’t come along until the Geneva Bible was translated, in the 1500s A.D.
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On this account sailors keep at a distance when voyaging along the coast
Taking precautions not to be caught off their guard and driven by winds into these gulfs" (Geography 17:3:20; LCL 8: 197). No wonder the sailors on the ship the Apostle Paul was on were in fear of the Syrtis, there was no escape (Acts 27:17).Dio Chrysostom describes the Syrtis in these terms: "The Syrtis is an arm of the Mediterranean extending far inland, a three days’ voyage, they say, for a boat unhindered in its course. But for those who have once sailed into it find egress impossible; for shoals, cross-currents, and long sand-bars extending a great distance out make the sea utterly impassable or troublesome. For the bed of the sea in these parts is not clean, but as the bottom is porous and sandy it lets the sea seep in, there being no solidity to it. This, I presume, explains the existence there of the great sand-bars and dunes, which remind one of the similar condition created inland by the winds, though here, of course, it is due to the surf" (Discourse 5:8-10; LCL I: 239).Strabo was a geographer from Pontus who lived at the end of the First Century BC and beginning of the First Century AD. Dio Chrysostom was a rhetorician and traveler who lived about AD 40 ca. AD 120. Both would be considered near contemporaries with Luke and the Book of Acts. Luke was sandwiched between these two and his understanding of the Syrtis would have been the same as Strabos’ and Dio Chrysostoms’ understanding. Today, the Greater Syrtis is the Gulf of Sirte off the coast of Libya. The Lesser Syrtis is the Gulf of Gabes off the coast of Tunisia (Talbert 2000: I: 552-557, maps 1, 35, 37).The Syrtis is two bodies of water in the Mediterranean Sea, and not a "vast wasteland of sun-scorched sand" on the sandy beaches of North Africa.Rendering a VerdictJosh McDowell gives a prominent endorsement on the dust jacket of this book, "The Lost Shipwreck of Paul is evidence that demands a verdict." If the case of the six anchor stocks were brought before a court, how would an impartial jury reason the case as they evaluate the evidence and render a verdict?The first bit of evidence to be examined is the clear statement of the Book of Acts that the captain and his crew did not recognize the land when it became light (Acts 27:39). If the ship anchored off the Munxar Reef, the captain and crew would have recognized the eastern shore of Malta because it was a familiar landmark for them. Mr. Cornuke’s theory goes contrary to the clear statement in the Book of Acts.The next issue to consider is the "topon dithalasson," the place where two seas meet (Acts 27:41). We would concur with Prof. Buhagiar that the evidence here is inconclusive and that other sites on Malta are just as likely.The third issue to consider is the "bay with a beach" (Acts 27:39). When confronted with the evidence from the maps of Malta from the last 500 years, we can recognize that more than likely the ship’s captain would not have seen the low-lying beach of St. Thomas’s Bay because the Munxar Reef was actually a series of small islands or a peninsula in the First Century AD which would have blocked their view of the beach. Yet the Bible says the crew of Paul’s shipwreck saw a "bay with a beach."The last bit of evidence is the anchors. There are only two actual anchor stocks to consider, anchor stock #2 and anchor stock #3. Anchor stocks #1, #4, #5, #6 cannot be produced and examined. Anchor stock #1 was melted down, #4 is in a private collection, and #5 and #6 were sold on the antiquities market.One could conclude that anchor stock #2 could not belong to a large Alexandrian grain ship because it was too small to be used as an anchor in the stern of the ship. The only anchor stock that might possibly be from a grain ship is #3.The "case" record here shows that credible historical, archaeological, geographic, and Biblical evidence contradict the claim that the anchors found off the Munxar Reef were from Paul’s shipwreck and that the landing took place at St. Thomas Bay. The evidence demands a dismissal of this case!A Response is WelcomedThis article, and others by the reviewer, graciously have been hosted by Dr. Lambert Dolphin on his website (www.ldolphin.org), for which I am grateful. Dr. Dolphin always has followed the admonition of Prov. 27:17 "iron sharpens iron" and has encouraged a free exchange of ideas. As with my previous critiques of Mr. Cornuke’s Mt. Sinai book, Dr. Dolphin has invited him to respond to my articles and the questions, point for point. The invitation is open regarding this article as well. Dr. Dolphin has said he would post any response by Mr. Cornuke that is concise, carefully reasoned and well documented.The questions that need to be addressed would be:•Would the sea captain and his crews have been familiar with and have easily recognized the eastern end of Malta, the Roman Temple at Tas Silg, the Munxar Reef, the entrance to Marsaxlokk Bay, the entrance to the Marsascala Bay and St. Thomas Bay? If not, why not?•In light of the Maltese maps from the last 500 years, was the Munxar Reef a series of small islands or a peninsula in the 1st century AD? If so, would the sea captain be able to see the low-lying beach of St. Thomas Bay and would he dare try and sail his ship through the islands or peninsula? If not, why not?•Could the variety of meanings for "topos dithalasson" fit the description of other places on Malta?•Are the two anchor stocks that can be examined (#2 and #3) from an Alexandrian grain ship? Would #2 be large enough to be a stern anchor of an Alexandrian grain ship?•Is the Syrtis a sandy beach or a body (or bodies) of water? Recommended Resources for Further StudyInsight's ArchaeologyHandbook Bible ArchaeologyDoing ArchaeologyIn the Land of the Bible Bibliography Ashby, Thomas 1915Roman Malta. Journal of Roman Studies 5: 23-80. Azzopardi, Anton 2002A New Geography of the Maltese Islands. Second Edition. Valletta, Malta: Progress Press. Bonanno, Anthony 1992Roman Malta. The Archaeological Heritage of the Maltese Islands. Formia, Malta: Giuseppe Castelli and Charles Cini / Bank of Valletta. 1995Underwater Archaeology: A New Turning-Point in Maltese Archaeology. Hyphen. A Journal of Melitensia and the Humanities. 7: 105-110. Bruce, F. F. 1981The Book of the Acts (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1995Paul. Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. Buhagiar, Mario 1997The St. Paul Shipwreck Controversy. An Assessment of the Source Material. Pp. 181-213 in Proceedings of History Week 1993. Edited by K. Sciberras. Malta: Malta Historical Society. Burridge, W. 1952Seeking the Site of St. Paul's Shipwreck. Valletta, Malta: Progress Press. Busuttil, J. 1971Maltese Harbours in Antiquity. Melita Historica 4: 305-307. Casson, Lionel 1950The Isis and Her Voyage. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association 81: 43-56. Cornuke, Robert 2002Paul's "Miracle on Malta." Personal Update (April) 14-16. 2003The Lost Shipwreck of Paul. Bend, OR: Global Publishing Services. Cornuke, Robert, and Halbrook, David 2000In Search of the Mountain of God. The Discovery of the Real Mt. Sinai. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman. 2001In Search of the Lost Mountains of Noah. The Discovery of the Real Mts. Of Ararat. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman. 2002In Search of the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman. Dio Chrysostom 1971Discourses I - IX. Vol. 1. Translated by J. W. Cohoon. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library. Diodorus Siculus 1993The Library of History. Books IV.59-VIII. Vol. 3. Translated by C. Oldfather. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University. Loeb Classical Library. Fitzgerald, Michael 1990The Ship of Saint Paul. Comparative Archaeology. Biblical Archaeologist 53/1: 31-39. Franz, Gordon 2000Is Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia? Bible and Spade 13/4: 101-113. Gambin, Timothy 2005Ports and Port Structures for Ancient Malta. Forthcoming. Ganado, Albert 1984Matteo Perez d'Aleccio's Engraving of the Siege of Malta 1565. Pp. 125-161 in Proceedings of History Week 1983. Malta: Malta Historical Society.
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2011年3月9日星期三
10 Mar 11 IRS Increasing Enforcement Activity
IRS Increasing Enforcement ActivityBy: Sawyer Adams .... Click author's name to view profile and articles!!!Retargeting by ChangoTweet Expect the Internal Revenue Service to increase its tax collection activity. This follows IRS action in the past couple of years of issuing more levies and scrutinizing particular types of tax returns. The of an Enrolled Agent (EA) are being more valuable to a greater number of taxpayers.More Money and AuditsFor fiscal year 2010, Congress has allocated $12.2 billion to the IRS. Much of that is intended for enforcement efforts. The IRS enforcement budget for this year is $5.5 billion. The prior fiscal year was among the most productive in IRS history regarding collection efforts.There were approximately 1,425,000 audit examinations of individual tax returns in fiscal year 2009. The total number of audits for individuals increased only slightly in 2009 pared to 2008. However, audits of taxpayers with ine of $1,000,000 or more increased significantly last year. The chance of an individual return being audited for taxpayers with more than $1,000,000 of ine was 6.42 percent. Audits of individual tax returns for those with ine of $200,000 or more have increased substantially in recent years. The percentage of taxpayers audited who had ine of $200,000 or more in 2009 increased to 2.89 percent pared to 2.57 percent in 2006. Essential to this demographic are necessary from more individuals entering theenrolled agent program.Audits of tax returns for S corporations increased about 40 percent in 2009 pared to 2005. While the number of audits has increased significantly, the percent audited has not increased nearly as much. The percentage of S corporation returns that were audited last year was 0.4 percent. For partnerships the audit rate was 0.38 percent.Enrolled agent continuing education (CPE) will focus more on business tax returns.More Levies and LiensThe IRS also filed more than 3 million bank levies and nearly 1 million tax liens in the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2009. In fiscal year 2008, the IRS issued 2,631,038 levies on bank accounts, wages and accounts receivable. That was an increase of 1,197 percent over 2000.Timely response to an IRS notice is critical. Failure to respond results in assumption of notice accuracy by the IRS. The next IRS action is a notice to levy bank accounts. Knowledge obtained in thecontinuing education of enrolled agents is called upon for accurate response to the multitude of IRS notices.Taxpayers need professional help for many IRS notices. This is a consequence of so many notices pertaining to business ine and expenses that involve checking detailed records. It doesn't make sense to hire an expensive tax attorney for smaller issues. However, whether a matter is big involves some subjectivity. Professional help bees increasingly important as the IRS appeal system bee more plex and difficult.EA CPE is addressing how the resolution process is constantly changing. So a tax resolution specialist brings considerable value.More PeopleEven before this year's extra $12.2 billion from Congress, IRS staffing of enforcement personnel was on the rise.The number of revenue officers, revenue agents, and special agents in fiscal year 2009 was 21,059. That was a 4.2 percent increase over fiscal year 2005. Taxpayer representation will require more individuals to obtain [EA certification].In addition, IRS missioner Doug Shulman has announced the creation of a specialized unit to focus on wealthy Americans with plex business organizations whose legal mechanisms may "mask aggressive tax strategies."Article Source: abcarticledirectoryFast Forward Academy is a leading publisher of enrolled agent cpe and continuing education for tax professionals. Access to free ea cpe is available on their website.Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Sawyer AdamsRetargeting by ChangoDid You Like This Article? Share It With YourFriends!Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 Not yet Rated Click the XML Icon to Receive Free Articles About Auditing via RSS!Additional Articles From - Home Accounting AuditingWhat you need to know about Auditing from the experts.- By : john newportCulture and business proposition- By : foxhatsNavigating Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions- By : Sawyer AdamsAbout The National Association Of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)- By : Sawyer AdamsThe History Of Enrolled Agents- By : Sawyer AdamsThe Canon Sd780is Black Silver Gold Red - Very Nice Christmas Gift- By : ArticleSubmit AutoDestination Military Surplus Products- By : Ali Khan5 Tips For Getting The Right Health Insurance For Your Needs- By : danica12 Quick Tips For Eye Shadow- By : Ali Khan10 Simple Steps To A Clearer Skin- By : Ali Khan Still Searching? Last Chance to find what you're looking for. Try using Bing Search!
2011年3月5日星期六
5 Mar 11 The Cheapest And Fastest Way To Advertise On The Internet
The Cheapest And Fastest Way To Advertise On The InternetBy: Daniel Alan .... Click author's name to view profile and articles!!!Retargeting by ChangoTweet Posting on forums is one of the cheapest and fastest ways in which you can advertise affiliates products on the Internet. However, in order to do this successfully, you must do a number of things carefully.Warning! Simply starting a thread that contains an affiliate link might be a good way to get banned from a particular forum board, but it will never be a good way to make sales.The general procedure involves making NHL Shop
multiple posts on a forum board before you even setup a signature file, which includes a link to your site. Even if the particular forum you are using does not specifically mandate this, you will want to do this, anyway, as it will increase your credibility, which is your real goal.You can start by finding a number of forums for your particular niche or marketing angle.Now, once you have found a number of directories that match your specific marketing angle and affiliate product, you will want to investigate to determine whether or not they have excess rules regulating signature files.For instance, some sites do not allow any links in signature files; others, by contrast, allow links, but do not allow any commercial links. Make sure you know what the rules are before you post. Otherwise, you are simply setting yourself up to be banned from the forum.Next, take the list of forums you have created, that are both relevant to your topic and allow commercial links and begin developing a reputation on those forums. Post regularly, avoid meaningless fights and flaming, and contribute useful, on-target information to discussions. In a matter of 1-2 weeks, you will have developed a reputation, provided that the forum receives a considerable amount of traffic.Once you have developed a good reputation, you will want to begin advertising through your forum signature. Ideally, you will want to include some eye-catching assortment of colors, symbols, and words in your signature.This will draw people's attention. You will then want to link them to something other than an affiliate page, whether it be a page you created to sell an affiliate product or an auto responder course used to capture email addresses.Remember to repeat this process in all applicable forums. Look for high traffic forums that allow commercial link Philadelphia Flyers jersey
posting in signature files and that also happen to fit with your specific audience-targeting and marketing angle goals.Next, create a reputation. Last, add your signature in some attractive way that draws visitors' attention, but is also likely to convert them into interested clickers. You will find that this form of advertising pays off considerably and does so faster than other methods available.Article Source: http://www.shop-on-sale.com Daniel Alan is the creator of the Perfect Path To Wealth system and an expert at making money online.The Perfect Path To Wealth Affiliate Program is one of the best choices for affiliate marketing offering $33.90 per sale, which is a 75% commission. It is one of the best converting programs around and is free to join.Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Daniel AlanRetargeting by ChangoDid You Like This Article? Share It With YourFriends!Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 Not yet Rated Click the XML Icon to Receive Free Articles About Affiliate Programs What Cloth Diaper Provides The Top Match For Newborns?- By : mirtagaylWhat is Affiliate Marketing and Why You Should Do It?- By : James A AndersonEarning Money Quickly With Email Marketing - True or False?- By : Flyers jersey
chad buistMoney Creating Tips For Individuals Involved In An Online Affiliate Marketing Home Business- By : Johnny BarrellGlobal Success Club And How To Make Money Online- By : Don SeanMake Cash Over The Internet With Affiliate Marketing- By : Leroy WheelerWhich Affiliate Networks To Look Out For When Promoting ?- By : Elsa Braxton Still Searching? Last Chance to find what you're looking for. Try using Bing Search!
multiple posts on a forum board before you even setup a signature file, which includes a link to your site. Even if the particular forum you are using does not specifically mandate this, you will want to do this, anyway, as it will increase your credibility, which is your real goal.You can start by finding a number of forums for your particular niche or marketing angle.Now, once you have found a number of directories that match your specific marketing angle and affiliate product, you will want to investigate to determine whether or not they have excess rules regulating signature files.For instance, some sites do not allow any links in signature files; others, by contrast, allow links, but do not allow any commercial links. Make sure you know what the rules are before you post. Otherwise, you are simply setting yourself up to be banned from the forum.Next, take the list of forums you have created, that are both relevant to your topic and allow commercial links and begin developing a reputation on those forums. Post regularly, avoid meaningless fights and flaming, and contribute useful, on-target information to discussions. In a matter of 1-2 weeks, you will have developed a reputation, provided that the forum receives a considerable amount of traffic.Once you have developed a good reputation, you will want to begin advertising through your forum signature. Ideally, you will want to include some eye-catching assortment of colors, symbols, and words in your signature.This will draw people's attention. You will then want to link them to something other than an affiliate page, whether it be a page you created to sell an affiliate product or an auto responder course used to capture email addresses.Remember to repeat this process in all applicable forums. Look for high traffic forums that allow commercial link Philadelphia Flyers jersey
posting in signature files and that also happen to fit with your specific audience-targeting and marketing angle goals.Next, create a reputation. Last, add your signature in some attractive way that draws visitors' attention, but is also likely to convert them into interested clickers. You will find that this form of advertising pays off considerably and does so faster than other methods available.Article Source: http://www.shop-on-sale.com Daniel Alan is the creator of the Perfect Path To Wealth system and an expert at making money online.The Perfect Path To Wealth Affiliate Program is one of the best choices for affiliate marketing offering $33.90 per sale, which is a 75% commission. It is one of the best converting programs around and is free to join.Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Daniel AlanRetargeting by ChangoDid You Like This Article? Share It With YourFriends!Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 Not yet Rated Click the XML Icon to Receive Free Articles About Affiliate Programs What Cloth Diaper Provides The Top Match For Newborns?- By : mirtagaylWhat is Affiliate Marketing and Why You Should Do It?- By : James A AndersonEarning Money Quickly With Email Marketing - True or False?- By : Flyers jersey
chad buistMoney Creating Tips For Individuals Involved In An Online Affiliate Marketing Home Business- By : Johnny BarrellGlobal Success Club And How To Make Money Online- By : Don SeanMake Cash Over The Internet With Affiliate Marketing- By : Leroy WheelerWhich Affiliate Networks To Look Out For When Promoting ?- By : Elsa Braxton Still Searching? Last Chance to find what you're looking for. Try using Bing Search!
2011年1月24日星期一
24 Jan 11 College Football Pick East Carolina at North Carolina 10-2-10
Andrew Burton/Getty ImagesEast Carolina Pirates at North Carolina Tar Heels (-12.5) Saturday October 2, 2010 3:30 PM EST After getting slammed with over 10 supsensions to begin the season, North Carolina looks to get back to .500. North Carolina comes into the game at 1-2 and looks to get their first Reebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
home win vs another in state team. East Carolina brings with them a 2-1 record and looks to gain some in state recognition. East Carolina has shown an impressive passing game, ranking 13th in the nation. They also have shown that they can score with the best of them averaging over 42 points per game, 9th in the nation. Leading all this is Junior QB Dominique Davis. Davis has thrown for 890 yards with 9 TDs and 3 Ints. Davis has also added 3 rushing TDs as well. For North Carolina the standout has been Senior QB T.J. Yates. Yates has thrown for 825 yards with 5 TDs and only 1 Int. East Carolina has undoubtedly been able to score. They have been forced to score because their defense has given up over 41.7 points a game. With the one East Carolina loss coming on the road at Virginia Tech, this looks like another rough road trip. In the game vs. VT the Pirates scored 27 points but gave up 49. As a football pick, I would not be shocked to see this game turn out like the Pirates vs Virginia Tech game. There will be a ton of points in this game and NorthReebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
Carolina could easily put up a 50 spot in this one. Free College Football Pick: North Carolina (-12.5)Visit Freepick1.com each day for the winning free sports picks and expert football picks from our professional team. Be sure to check out our sportsbookspage for updated infoformation on bonusesfor the week. This article is also featured onSports Picks
home win vs another in state team. East Carolina brings with them a 2-1 record and looks to gain some in state recognition. East Carolina has shown an impressive passing game, ranking 13th in the nation. They also have shown that they can score with the best of them averaging over 42 points per game, 9th in the nation. Leading all this is Junior QB Dominique Davis. Davis has thrown for 890 yards with 9 TDs and 3 Ints. Davis has also added 3 rushing TDs as well. For North Carolina the standout has been Senior QB T.J. Yates. Yates has thrown for 825 yards with 5 TDs and only 1 Int. East Carolina has undoubtedly been able to score. They have been forced to score because their defense has given up over 41.7 points a game. With the one East Carolina loss coming on the road at Virginia Tech, this looks like another rough road trip. In the game vs. VT the Pirates scored 27 points but gave up 49. As a football pick, I would not be shocked to see this game turn out like the Pirates vs Virginia Tech game. There will be a ton of points in this game and NorthReebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
Carolina could easily put up a 50 spot in this one. Free College Football Pick: North Carolina (-12.5)Visit Freepick1.com each day for the winning free sports picks and expert football picks from our professional team. Be sure to check out our sportsbookspage for updated infoformation on bonusesfor the week. This article is also featured onSports Picks
2011年1月22日星期六
22 Jan 11 Alabama-Arkansas: Can the Tide Repeat as Winners This Year?
For Alabama to be successful, there must be an Alabama player in Mallett's face every playRonald Martinez/Getty ImagesLast year when Alabama faced Arkansas, Ryan Mallett was just getting his feet under him as the Hogs' signal caller, and Greg McElroy was likewise a first-year QB for the Tide.It was supposed to be an air show but in the end Mallett never took off and ended the game with just one touchdown to go along with one interception and only 165 yards passing.McElroy on the other hand looked more like the golden-armed future NFL quarterback, throwing for 291 Philadelphia Eagles jersey
yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.That was then, and this year Alabama comes in with a lot of question marks due to their inexperienced secondary. Alabama fans know better than to expect the same outcome this year.The Hogs have worked to improve a shaky defense themselves, and this year Mallett is finally looking like the NFL prospect many projected him to be.This is the pivotal game in the SEC this week, as it will show not only these two teams, but also the rest of the college football world where each is in terms of stacking up against the rest of the SEC schedule ahead.Last year the game was played at Tuscaloosa; this year it's in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Home field does hold a distinct advantage in the SEC.While the Tide will enter this game searching for answers as to the capability of its young secondary to stop a future NFL quarterback, the Hogs enter the game wondering how their defense will stop the two-headed monster of Alabama's offense.Last year they sold out to stop the run, thinking a rookie quarterback would have less of a chance beating them than the running game, which was just as strong last year as this year.They were wrong. With McElroy now a known commodity, will they try that approach again and try to keep Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacy from controlling the ball, the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
clock, and the game?Keys for Arkansas are getting a turnover or two and stopping Alabama, forcing at least four punts. If they are not capable of doing that, it could be a long day with Mallett on the sideline.Keys for Alabama are finally waking up the dormant pass rush that has only resulted in two sacks so far this season, and having the defensive secondary get at least one pick and at least four pass breakups.So far this year Alabama's defense has bent but not broken. They have allowed only one touchdown, but the offenses they've played were less than what Arkansas will throw at them.Though Nick Saban does not like to win shootouts, that's what this one will become if Alabama can't pressure Mallett.
yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.That was then, and this year Alabama comes in with a lot of question marks due to their inexperienced secondary. Alabama fans know better than to expect the same outcome this year.The Hogs have worked to improve a shaky defense themselves, and this year Mallett is finally looking like the NFL prospect many projected him to be.This is the pivotal game in the SEC this week, as it will show not only these two teams, but also the rest of the college football world where each is in terms of stacking up against the rest of the SEC schedule ahead.Last year the game was played at Tuscaloosa; this year it's in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Home field does hold a distinct advantage in the SEC.While the Tide will enter this game searching for answers as to the capability of its young secondary to stop a future NFL quarterback, the Hogs enter the game wondering how their defense will stop the two-headed monster of Alabama's offense.Last year they sold out to stop the run, thinking a rookie quarterback would have less of a chance beating them than the running game, which was just as strong last year as this year.They were wrong. With McElroy now a known commodity, will they try that approach again and try to keep Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacy from controlling the ball, the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
clock, and the game?Keys for Arkansas are getting a turnover or two and stopping Alabama, forcing at least four punts. If they are not capable of doing that, it could be a long day with Mallett on the sideline.Keys for Alabama are finally waking up the dormant pass rush that has only resulted in two sacks so far this season, and having the defensive secondary get at least one pick and at least four pass breakups.So far this year Alabama's defense has bent but not broken. They have allowed only one touchdown, but the offenses they've played were less than what Arkansas will throw at them.Though Nick Saban does not like to win shootouts, that's what this one will become if Alabama can't pressure Mallett.
2011年1月18日星期二
18 Jan 11 Mark Dantonio's Heart Attack Unlikely to Change Coaches' Lifestyles
Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesWhat happened to MSU football coach Mark Dantonio was sobering, but about as surprising as tomorrowsunrise.What should be causing chin rubbing and head scratching is why this doesnhappen more often.The heart attack that Dantonio suffered following Saturday Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
thrilling victory over Notre DameANY victory over Notre Dame is thrilling in my bookhas brought coaches to their public all over the country, mainly in the form of their weekly press conferences.Theyve all said the same thing, basically.Theyve offered their best wishes for Dantonio and his family. Theyve acknowledged that this is a tough business that theyre in, and full of pressure. They dondeny that they could be the next victim, though they hope not, of course.Then theyve gone back to their 18-hour days and sleeping on the couch in their office and watching film until theyre bleary-eyed.The head football coach at the college and pro levels is like the race car driver. No matter how many of their brethren are struck down, theyre right back at it the following weekend.Im grateful but amazed that this doesnhappen more often. Coaches in football and basketball, especially, drive themselves bonkers. Train your eyes on the basketball coach next time youre at a game. Watch nothing else. Youll be witness to a series of tantrums that would put a two-year-old to shame.How more of them donkeel over is a wonder.Not long after Northwestern football coach Randy Walker tragically passed away in 2006, I was on the phone with then-MSU coach John L. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Smith.Smith gave me the usual somber analysis about his fallen colleague.That when I hit him cold.But coach, youre not going to change the way you do your job, are you, despite what happened to Coach Walker? Youre going to keep working 18-hour days.Smith sheepishly chuckled and admitted that I was right; he wasn about to change one iota.Not to be morbid, but half of the Division I-A coaches could drop dead tomorrow, and it wouldnchange how the other half go about their business.Mark Dantonio was lucky. Sometimes the human heart gives you a warning sign to change your ways, whether it diet, exercise, smoking, what have you.Sometimes it just quits on you, leaving a widow and a grieving family.The procedure that Dantonio underwentthe placement of a stent to open up a closed arteryis fairly common nowadays. As far as heart episodes go, this one was on the lower end of the danger spectrum.So how will Dantonio respond to this warning sign? Will he take his foot off the gas pedal a little bit? Will his Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
return to work be a return to work as before, or will normal take on a new meaning?But Dantonio isnthe proper gauge of the response to this incident. It happened to him, and you canhit closer to home than that.The bigger question is, how will his coaching comrades respond to what happened?My guess is that theyve already responded. Theyve taken their moment to speak to the local press, maybe say a prayer or two for the MSU coach and his family, and reflect.Then itback to the office for another 18 hours of film, practice, and recruiting.You can take a man out of coaching, but you cantake coaching out of a man.
thrilling victory over Notre DameANY victory over Notre Dame is thrilling in my bookhas brought coaches to their public all over the country, mainly in the form of their weekly press conferences.Theyve all said the same thing, basically.Theyve offered their best wishes for Dantonio and his family. Theyve acknowledged that this is a tough business that theyre in, and full of pressure. They dondeny that they could be the next victim, though they hope not, of course.Then theyve gone back to their 18-hour days and sleeping on the couch in their office and watching film until theyre bleary-eyed.The head football coach at the college and pro levels is like the race car driver. No matter how many of their brethren are struck down, theyre right back at it the following weekend.Im grateful but amazed that this doesnhappen more often. Coaches in football and basketball, especially, drive themselves bonkers. Train your eyes on the basketball coach next time youre at a game. Watch nothing else. Youll be witness to a series of tantrums that would put a two-year-old to shame.How more of them donkeel over is a wonder.Not long after Northwestern football coach Randy Walker tragically passed away in 2006, I was on the phone with then-MSU coach John L. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Smith.Smith gave me the usual somber analysis about his fallen colleague.That when I hit him cold.But coach, youre not going to change the way you do your job, are you, despite what happened to Coach Walker? Youre going to keep working 18-hour days.Smith sheepishly chuckled and admitted that I was right; he wasn about to change one iota.Not to be morbid, but half of the Division I-A coaches could drop dead tomorrow, and it wouldnchange how the other half go about their business.Mark Dantonio was lucky. Sometimes the human heart gives you a warning sign to change your ways, whether it diet, exercise, smoking, what have you.Sometimes it just quits on you, leaving a widow and a grieving family.The procedure that Dantonio underwentthe placement of a stent to open up a closed arteryis fairly common nowadays. As far as heart episodes go, this one was on the lower end of the danger spectrum.So how will Dantonio respond to this warning sign? Will he take his foot off the gas pedal a little bit? Will his Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
return to work be a return to work as before, or will normal take on a new meaning?But Dantonio isnthe proper gauge of the response to this incident. It happened to him, and you canhit closer to home than that.The bigger question is, how will his coaching comrades respond to what happened?My guess is that theyve already responded. Theyve taken their moment to speak to the local press, maybe say a prayer or two for the MSU coach and his family, and reflect.Then itback to the office for another 18 hours of film, practice, and recruiting.You can take a man out of coaching, but you cantake coaching out of a man.
2011年1月15日星期六
15 Jan 11 St. Louis Rams "Best and worst-case scenarios for defense"
No Jenkins, no problem?It seemed all but a certainty that the St. Louis Rams would make a trade with the Carolina Panthers to acquire defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. Although injury history was a concern, Jenkins is considered to be among the best at his position and to say that the Rams are in desperate need of players who can stop the run would be a profound understatement.It was believed that the Panthers' asking price was a first-round pick while the Rams' initial offer was a third-rounder and that the two clubs would meet somewhere in the middle.Therefore, Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
with trade scenarios flying and Internet rumors running rampant, Rams fans felt assured that some manner of trade was in the works, with the speculation reaching a fevered pitch come Draft Day.As it turned out, that speculation concluded not with a bang but rather a resounding thud.With the exception of their draft picks, the Rams face the upcoming season basically as is, with newcomers Chris Draft and end James Hall being the players most likely to make a positive impact on the defensive side of the ball. Let's take a look at the possible scenarios for the upcoming season:Linebackers:Best-case scenario: Will Witherspoon continues to be a tackling machine and blossoms into one of the better middle linebackers in the league. Pisa Tinoisamoa stays injury free and battles Witherspoon for the team lead in tackles. Brandon Chillar makes a leap forward comparable to last year and Chris Draft adds another 100-plus tackles to the lineup.Worst-case scenario: Tinoisamoa's body cannot keep up with his aggressive style of play and is injury riddled. The Rams' line continues to be poor, disallowing Draft from duplicating his numbers from Carolina. Without quality D-tackle play, Witherspoon gets erased every other down by much larger O-linemen who are able to get their hooks in. Chillar has already reached his full potential.Don't be surprised if: Draft replaces Chillar in the starting lineup from the outset of the season. Although serviceable, Chillar did not receive any offers from other teams on the restricted free-agent market, signaling that he may have reached his maximum potential.Secondary:Best-case scenario: Fakhir Brown continues to be solid and Tye Hill blossoms into a Pro Bowl corner. Ronald Bartell proves that he is a quality nickel back and rookie third-round cornerback Jonathan Wade proves that he Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
has the talent to go along with his blistering speed, foreshadowing a lightning quick future tandem with Hill at CB. O.J. Atogwe delivers on his promise and becomes a hard-hitting, turnover machine ala John Lynch from his Tampa Bay days. Corey Chavous continues to be solid in his role as the general of the secondary. Worst-case scenario: Brown gets old in a hurry (he'll turn 30 in September) and cannot match his solid play from last year. Hill's progression does not befit a first-round draft pick and he begins to display signs of being a bust. Atogwe's previous year of forcing turnovers turns out to be less like Lynch and more like Ryan McNeil. Bartell does not possess the talent to be a starter and Wade is afraid to step on the field because, as NFLDraftScout put it, "(he) seems to lack courage when asked to step inside the box to lend run support (shies away from contact)." Chavous' age and lack of speed catch up to him.Don't be surprised if: The youngsters in the Rams' secondary show major improvement despite being on their heels all season. If the Rams' line again fails to generate a pass rush without relying on extra blitzers, the secondary could be in for a long year.Defensive line:Best-case scenario: With opponents double teaming Leonard Little, James Hall becomes a 10-plus-sack man. Jimmy Kennedy plays above his head, in no small part due to it being his contract year, and Adam Carriker proves solid despite his rookie status. Youngsters Claude Wroten and Victor Adeyanju take another step forward and La'Roi Glover is solid because he is only relied on to play half the snaps he was in for last season.Worst-case scenario: Heretofore unknown quantity Hall gets injured so quickly that fans think his name is "oft-injured Hall." Carriker looks like a rookie and Kennedy plays like, well, Kennedy. If later-round picks Cliff Ryan and Keith Jackson see a lot of playing time, the defense is in serious trouble as it will signal that the starting tackles are ineffective. Glover either plays too many snaps or too few due to being released.Don't be surprised if: You Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
see a starting tackle duo of Adam Carriker and Claude Wroten by midseason. Head coach Scott Linehan feels that the defense will improve despite the failure to add any big names in free agency. "Now I think we have addressed those (defensive) needs and now we have to go out and prove it and do it on the field... I feel really good about the players we have added," said Linehan.The Rams now have no choice but to be satisfied.**You can e-mail Steve Reynolds at sreynoldsGot a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst? E-mail us at mediawatch For more information, visit our Media Watch info page. (4)
with trade scenarios flying and Internet rumors running rampant, Rams fans felt assured that some manner of trade was in the works, with the speculation reaching a fevered pitch come Draft Day.As it turned out, that speculation concluded not with a bang but rather a resounding thud.With the exception of their draft picks, the Rams face the upcoming season basically as is, with newcomers Chris Draft and end James Hall being the players most likely to make a positive impact on the defensive side of the ball. Let's take a look at the possible scenarios for the upcoming season:Linebackers:Best-case scenario: Will Witherspoon continues to be a tackling machine and blossoms into one of the better middle linebackers in the league. Pisa Tinoisamoa stays injury free and battles Witherspoon for the team lead in tackles. Brandon Chillar makes a leap forward comparable to last year and Chris Draft adds another 100-plus tackles to the lineup.Worst-case scenario: Tinoisamoa's body cannot keep up with his aggressive style of play and is injury riddled. The Rams' line continues to be poor, disallowing Draft from duplicating his numbers from Carolina. Without quality D-tackle play, Witherspoon gets erased every other down by much larger O-linemen who are able to get their hooks in. Chillar has already reached his full potential.Don't be surprised if: Draft replaces Chillar in the starting lineup from the outset of the season. Although serviceable, Chillar did not receive any offers from other teams on the restricted free-agent market, signaling that he may have reached his maximum potential.Secondary:Best-case scenario: Fakhir Brown continues to be solid and Tye Hill blossoms into a Pro Bowl corner. Ronald Bartell proves that he is a quality nickel back and rookie third-round cornerback Jonathan Wade proves that he Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
has the talent to go along with his blistering speed, foreshadowing a lightning quick future tandem with Hill at CB. O.J. Atogwe delivers on his promise and becomes a hard-hitting, turnover machine ala John Lynch from his Tampa Bay days. Corey Chavous continues to be solid in his role as the general of the secondary. Worst-case scenario: Brown gets old in a hurry (he'll turn 30 in September) and cannot match his solid play from last year. Hill's progression does not befit a first-round draft pick and he begins to display signs of being a bust. Atogwe's previous year of forcing turnovers turns out to be less like Lynch and more like Ryan McNeil. Bartell does not possess the talent to be a starter and Wade is afraid to step on the field because, as NFLDraftScout put it, "(he) seems to lack courage when asked to step inside the box to lend run support (shies away from contact)." Chavous' age and lack of speed catch up to him.Don't be surprised if: The youngsters in the Rams' secondary show major improvement despite being on their heels all season. If the Rams' line again fails to generate a pass rush without relying on extra blitzers, the secondary could be in for a long year.Defensive line:Best-case scenario: With opponents double teaming Leonard Little, James Hall becomes a 10-plus-sack man. Jimmy Kennedy plays above his head, in no small part due to it being his contract year, and Adam Carriker proves solid despite his rookie status. Youngsters Claude Wroten and Victor Adeyanju take another step forward and La'Roi Glover is solid because he is only relied on to play half the snaps he was in for last season.Worst-case scenario: Heretofore unknown quantity Hall gets injured so quickly that fans think his name is "oft-injured Hall." Carriker looks like a rookie and Kennedy plays like, well, Kennedy. If later-round picks Cliff Ryan and Keith Jackson see a lot of playing time, the defense is in serious trouble as it will signal that the starting tackles are ineffective. Glover either plays too many snaps or too few due to being released.Don't be surprised if: You Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
see a starting tackle duo of Adam Carriker and Claude Wroten by midseason. Head coach Scott Linehan feels that the defense will improve despite the failure to add any big names in free agency. "Now I think we have addressed those (defensive) needs and now we have to go out and prove it and do it on the field... I feel really good about the players we have added," said Linehan.The Rams now have no choice but to be satisfied.**You can e-mail Steve Reynolds at sreynoldsGot a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst? E-mail us at mediawatch For more information, visit our Media Watch info page. (4)
2011年1月13日星期四
14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks and Bobby Engram "Best option is for Seahawks to reward Engram – next year"
Bobby Engram has a point. And so do the Seattle Seahawks. And that’s what makes this a tricky situation. That said, there are certainly ways to resolve the dispute between the team and its best wide receiver, and Engram will be on the field when the Seahawks open the season in Buffalo on Sept. 7.Engram argues that he deserves to be paid better than he currently is in light of the fact that he had a career year in 2007. As injuries depleted the Seahawks’ receiving corps, Engram bounced back from a thyroid condition that had cost him most of the 2006 Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
season and he proceeded to set the team record with 94 receptions in 2007. Although he is 35, Engram remains the team’s top receiver. Deion Branch, who missed much of last season with injuries, will be out for at least half of the 2008 campaign. D.J. Hackett, who also was mostly a non-factor in 2007, is no longer with the team. That means Engram and Nate Burleson will be counted on to lead an otherwise very inexperienced receiving corps.Engram knows how important he is to the offense – he long has been quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s security blanket. He also knows that a once strong position has been weakened through attrition and that his absence would certainly hurt the offense even more. At $1.7 million, Engram is scheduled to make about half of what Branch ($3.5 million) and Burleson ($3.25 million) will net in 2008. This also is the final year of the two-year deal he signed in 2007, and he feels like he can play for another three seasons. Add it all up, and Engram doesn’t plan to report to camp until the Seahawks have given him a raise and contract extension. He has asked for a two-year renewal through 2010. As he told the Seattle P-I last week, “I have clearly outplayed that contract [signed in 2006]. Do they have to extend my contract? No. Should they? Yes.”The Seahawks have valid arguments against it. Obviously Engram was one of their top three offensive players last season (behind Hasselbeck and left tackle Walter Jones), but the fact remains that he just turned 35 in January and still has not played a full season as a starter since joining the Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
Seahawks in 2001. He missed three games with broken ribs in 2005 and nine games with the thyroid condition in 2006. President Tim Ruskell is understandably hesitant to invest much money in an aging receiver, even if that player had his best season at age 34. Ruskell reportedly is willing to consider only one year at a time, and he doesn’t want to capitulate to a player who is holding out because it would set a bad precedent. In addition, the Seahawks don’t have much room under the salary cap and couldn’t offer Engram much extra money this year even if they wanted to.As coach Mike Holmgren told reporters last week, “This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. There are business decisions to be made.”Here’s a business decision that could work for both parties: Give Engram the extension he wants using an option bonus that the team could activate next March if he performs well enough in 2008 for the Seahawks to want him back. Make it a $2 million option bonus that would activate two more years (2009 and 2010), with salaries of $2 million each. Basically, the option bonus would serve as a reward if Engram had another outstanding season, and he effectively would have made $3.7 million in 2008 and have an extension at a reasonable price for a guy who will be 36 in January 2009. Of course, if Engram is thinking he should receive $4 million or more per year or in bonus money, he should think again. No team is going to give him that. But it doesn’t seem like he’s trying to break the bank. It just seems like he wants to be paid on par with the teammates he has outperformed. That should be easy enough to fix if he’s willing to wait for the extra money.Of course, until this is settled, the Seahawks won’t see Engram. He’ll sit out the June minicamps and probably even training camp. But, heck, that’s good for everyone. Engram saves his 35-year-old body from a needless preseason pounding while the Seahawks get to see what the younger receivers – Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent – can Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
do.Engram knows the offense inside-out, and if Hasselbeck isn’t concerned, no one should be.“I feel like I can throw to Bobby with my eyes closed,” the quarterback told reporters last week. “When Bobby comes back, he’ll be the same Bobby we know and love. We know he works hard when he’s not here. He’ll be a playmaker for us like he was last year.”As long as Engram and the Seahawks agree they both have valid points and must settle on the best option for player and team.
season and he proceeded to set the team record with 94 receptions in 2007. Although he is 35, Engram remains the team’s top receiver. Deion Branch, who missed much of last season with injuries, will be out for at least half of the 2008 campaign. D.J. Hackett, who also was mostly a non-factor in 2007, is no longer with the team. That means Engram and Nate Burleson will be counted on to lead an otherwise very inexperienced receiving corps.Engram knows how important he is to the offense – he long has been quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s security blanket. He also knows that a once strong position has been weakened through attrition and that his absence would certainly hurt the offense even more. At $1.7 million, Engram is scheduled to make about half of what Branch ($3.5 million) and Burleson ($3.25 million) will net in 2008. This also is the final year of the two-year deal he signed in 2007, and he feels like he can play for another three seasons. Add it all up, and Engram doesn’t plan to report to camp until the Seahawks have given him a raise and contract extension. He has asked for a two-year renewal through 2010. As he told the Seattle P-I last week, “I have clearly outplayed that contract [signed in 2006]. Do they have to extend my contract? No. Should they? Yes.”The Seahawks have valid arguments against it. Obviously Engram was one of their top three offensive players last season (behind Hasselbeck and left tackle Walter Jones), but the fact remains that he just turned 35 in January and still has not played a full season as a starter since joining the Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
Seahawks in 2001. He missed three games with broken ribs in 2005 and nine games with the thyroid condition in 2006. President Tim Ruskell is understandably hesitant to invest much money in an aging receiver, even if that player had his best season at age 34. Ruskell reportedly is willing to consider only one year at a time, and he doesn’t want to capitulate to a player who is holding out because it would set a bad precedent. In addition, the Seahawks don’t have much room under the salary cap and couldn’t offer Engram much extra money this year even if they wanted to.As coach Mike Holmgren told reporters last week, “This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. There are business decisions to be made.”Here’s a business decision that could work for both parties: Give Engram the extension he wants using an option bonus that the team could activate next March if he performs well enough in 2008 for the Seahawks to want him back. Make it a $2 million option bonus that would activate two more years (2009 and 2010), with salaries of $2 million each. Basically, the option bonus would serve as a reward if Engram had another outstanding season, and he effectively would have made $3.7 million in 2008 and have an extension at a reasonable price for a guy who will be 36 in January 2009. Of course, if Engram is thinking he should receive $4 million or more per year or in bonus money, he should think again. No team is going to give him that. But it doesn’t seem like he’s trying to break the bank. It just seems like he wants to be paid on par with the teammates he has outperformed. That should be easy enough to fix if he’s willing to wait for the extra money.Of course, until this is settled, the Seahawks won’t see Engram. He’ll sit out the June minicamps and probably even training camp. But, heck, that’s good for everyone. Engram saves his 35-year-old body from a needless preseason pounding while the Seahawks get to see what the younger receivers – Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent – can Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
do.Engram knows the offense inside-out, and if Hasselbeck isn’t concerned, no one should be.“I feel like I can throw to Bobby with my eyes closed,” the quarterback told reporters last week. “When Bobby comes back, he’ll be the same Bobby we know and love. We know he works hard when he’s not here. He’ll be a playmaker for us like he was last year.”As long as Engram and the Seahawks agree they both have valid points and must settle on the best option for player and team.
2011年1月12日星期三
13 Jan 11 1/13/09 Bucket of Links!
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesRoy is on the MVP list and Martell is on the MIP list over at ESPN .The Blazers are having another tweet up tonight , head over to the Ford display at 6:15. Casey and Dan put on a nice event!Is everyone aware that Martell Webster and perhaps some of his PR people, are on twitter? Follow him here .Ben from Blazer's Edge has Execution Breakdowns ; defensive, offensive, and life breakdowns.Sean from Oregon Live has video and quotes from yesterday's practice.Wendell Maxey of Beyond Reebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
the Beat has a great little piece on Andre Miller .Brian T. Smith of the Columbian says Rudy is chomping at the bit to return to game action.Rudy himself also chimes in on the situation .Dwight Jaynes Talking about the Blazers making deals , or not making deals.Ezra Caraeff of the newly assembled Portland Roundball Society: I think I'll enjoy this feature, island of misfit Blazers toys featuring Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje.Jason Quick of Oregon Live says Andre Miller is finding his comfort zone .Kellex from Blaze of Love has a comparison of Kobe and LeBron from our weekend of star power.It looks like Blake Griffin is out for the season , not a good feeling for Clippers' fans. We know your pain.
the Beat has a great little piece on Andre Miller .Brian T. Smith of the Columbian says Rudy is chomping at the bit to return to game action.Rudy himself also chimes in on the situation .Dwight Jaynes Talking about the Blazers making deals , or not making deals.Ezra Caraeff of the newly assembled Portland Roundball Society: I think I'll enjoy this feature, island of misfit Blazers toys featuring Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje.Jason Quick of Oregon Live says Andre Miller is finding his comfort zone .Kellex from Blaze of Love has a comparison of Kobe and LeBron from our weekend of star power.It looks like Blake Griffin is out for the season , not a good feeling for Clippers' fans. We know your pain.
12 Jan 11 Give 'Em Wil Or Gallo!
Al Bello/Getty ImagesIn the wake of David Lee's latest All-Star snub, a couple of things might have become apparent to Knicks fans. First, Lee's stats really are somewhat inflated and he's not an All-Star calibre player. Second, the Knicks truly are thatbad if their star can average almost 20 and 11, receive the endorsement of future hall of famer Kobe Bryant among others, and still be passed over for a reserve spot.The reality is probably a combination of the two. It has been a joy to watch Lee develop over the past few years. He's transformed from a hustling reserve Minnesota Vikings
to a solid all-around player who could start for some of the NBA's top teams. He is also, however, an undersized center who regularly gets bullied by stronger, more athletic big men (being outplayed by Drew Gooden set the tone for the Knicks' disastrous Sunday loss to Dallas).At the same time, I have a feeling that Lee's defense suffers, in large part, because the Knicks ask too much of him on offense. He will never be a terrific interior defender, he isn't built for that, but I can't help but feel that if he had some consistent help on the other end of the floor, he might improve as a defender in the same way he learned how to become an excellent midrange shooter.This season, Lee has been the centerpiece of the offense with his shooting and playmaking abilities. There are only a handful of players who match great offensive production with impressive defense and 2 of them are serenaded with MVP chants everywhere they play.The solution: get some more offensive weapons to take some of the weight off of Lee's shoulders. Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and Al HarringtonNew England Patriots jersey
just haven't been getting it done consistently. Although I like Chandler and Gallo, I'm not sold on the Knicks' youth movement (as I'm sure this summer's top free agents aren't). To make a real play for two free agents this summer, the Knicks will have to move Jefferies' awful contract. To make Jefferies' contract palatable to another the team, the Knicks will have to include either Gallo or Chandler in a package. I prefer Chandler because he possesses top-tier athleticism and would fill more needs as a role player on a better Knicks team, but I'm sure most other teams prefer him over Gallo too. Both players essentially occupy the same position, so bidding farewell to either one would be a small price to pay for the financial maneuverability moving Jefferies would allow. With Jefferies gone, the Knicks would have more of New Orleans Saints jersey
a shot at paying for 2 max contracts this summer. Without an All-Star berth, David Lee's free agent stock is definitely not as high as it would have been had he made the team. This is great news for the Knicks. Even with 2 max contracts, they might be able to get Lee to sign on for the fun as well at a price that would not break the bank.
to a solid all-around player who could start for some of the NBA's top teams. He is also, however, an undersized center who regularly gets bullied by stronger, more athletic big men (being outplayed by Drew Gooden set the tone for the Knicks' disastrous Sunday loss to Dallas).At the same time, I have a feeling that Lee's defense suffers, in large part, because the Knicks ask too much of him on offense. He will never be a terrific interior defender, he isn't built for that, but I can't help but feel that if he had some consistent help on the other end of the floor, he might improve as a defender in the same way he learned how to become an excellent midrange shooter.This season, Lee has been the centerpiece of the offense with his shooting and playmaking abilities. There are only a handful of players who match great offensive production with impressive defense and 2 of them are serenaded with MVP chants everywhere they play.The solution: get some more offensive weapons to take some of the weight off of Lee's shoulders. Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and Al HarringtonNew England Patriots jersey
just haven't been getting it done consistently. Although I like Chandler and Gallo, I'm not sold on the Knicks' youth movement (as I'm sure this summer's top free agents aren't). To make a real play for two free agents this summer, the Knicks will have to move Jefferies' awful contract. To make Jefferies' contract palatable to another the team, the Knicks will have to include either Gallo or Chandler in a package. I prefer Chandler because he possesses top-tier athleticism and would fill more needs as a role player on a better Knicks team, but I'm sure most other teams prefer him over Gallo too. Both players essentially occupy the same position, so bidding farewell to either one would be a small price to pay for the financial maneuverability moving Jefferies would allow. With Jefferies gone, the Knicks would have more of New Orleans Saints jersey
a shot at paying for 2 max contracts this summer. Without an All-Star berth, David Lee's free agent stock is definitely not as high as it would have been had he made the team. This is great news for the Knicks. Even with 2 max contracts, they might be able to get Lee to sign on for the fun as well at a price that would not break the bank.
12 Jan 11 Tornoto Raptors Antoine Wright: Burning Down The Doghouse!
Nick Laham/Getty ImagesBryan Colangelo spent this past summer accumulating some players he believed would help the Raptors shed their image of being a non-athletic group of bad defenders.Players like Reggie Evans, Antoine Wright, and Jarrett Jack were acquired to provide some toughness and defense while players like Sonny Weems, Amir Johnson, and Marco Belinelli were acquired to gain speed and athleticism.At the start of the season, some might have questioned if any of these moves were going to actually pan out. But things have changed.One of Colangelo key acquisitions, Antoine Wright, landed in Toronto as the defensive specialist from Dallas who unexpectedly started in 53 regular season and five playoff games for a very good Mavericks team. But,Dallas used Wright in limited minutes last season, even when he started. The Raptors best case scenario is likely to do the same. Until Wright can demonstrate that he has improved both his shooting stroke and his turnovers, it will be a challenge for coaches to keep him on the floor for extended periods.The Case for Antoine WrightAnd despite Jay Triano glowing reviews about Wright ability to learn his defensive schemes in training camp, Wright remained an unproven acquisition.Wright immediately became a big part of Jay Triano rotation, averaging over 20 minutes per game to start the season. But as the season progressed, Wright minutes declined.Jay Triano relied on Wright far more than his 'success' with Dallas warranted and Wright rewarded Triano by shooting a career low 33.6% from the field. Wright making an offensive play could almost be equated with a turnover.However, the Raptors could probably live with Wright less than helpful offensive game if he was providing the defense everyone had anticipated. Sadly, he has not.Antoine Wright is deep in Jay Triano doghouse!After mid-December, Sonny Weems began to get Wright minutes in the rotation and Sonny provided athleticism and excitement that is not part of Wright game.Fortunately for Wright, Jay Triano must have seen what Wright could bring to the team. Or maybe it was just that Weems couldn keep up that exceptionally hot shooting he brought to his first few games in the rotation. But, by the end of December, Wright was getting his chance again.Antoine Wright has played in all 13 Raptors' games in January coming into last night's game against the Knicks, averaging 16 minutes and making solid contributions on the floor.Wright discovered that shooting less equals more floor time for him, as he has averaged less than four shots per game. And shooting less has helped boost his hit rate to a respectable 44.9 percent from the field. Wright is no longer a liability on offense.But perhaps the exclamation point on Wright January play was the 11 minute, 0-0 shooting, one rebound effort against the LA Lakers. Jay Triano re-inserted Wright into the line-up for 3.9 seconds with 15.3 seconds to go and again with 1.2 seconds left to guard Kobe Bryant. And Kobe misses two three-point attempts to preserve a Raptors victory.Then in the Raptors' last two games against the Heat and Knicks, Wright took that December doghouse he was in and burned it to the ground.In the past two games, Wright has scored 22 points, collected 10 boards, and made 8-of-12 shots, including 4-5 from three-point range.After a rough December, Antoine Wright has earned his time back in the Raptors' rotation.
2011年1月10日星期一
10 Jan 11 Rebuilding Through The Draft Doesnt Work
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThis article shows why building through draft never works, so forget about John Hall or whoever else in this year's draft and forget about tanking the season.Quick history lesson about building through draft and young playersT-Wolves case2009 draft: Jonny Flynn, Wayne Ellington2008 draft: Kevin Love2007 draft: Corey BrewerYoung players from KG trade: Al Jefferson, Ryan GomesReason for rebuilding: Departure of franchise player Kevin GarnettVerdict: No franchise-altering force out of all of them. They have been rebuilding since trading KG. Tried to build around Randy Foye, then gave up (traded him for the pick that got them Ricky Rubio). Tried to build around Al Jefferson then gave up (they're shopping him). Now seem to be building around Flynn. 2 out of the 4 young players acquired from theWashington Redskins jersey
KG trade flamed out (Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair). This rebuilding project will last forever.Kings' case2009 draft: Tyreke Evans, Omri Cassipi, Jon Brockman2008 draft: Jason Thompson, Donte Greene (Artest trade)2007 draft: Spencer Hawes2005 draft: Francisco GarciaYoung players from Kevin Martin trade: Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey, Dominic McGuireReason for rebuilding: Departure of franchise player Chris Webber, main sidekicks Peja Stojakovic, and head coach Rick AdelmanVerdict: They're counting on Evans to turn around this franchise's fortune, but they have been gradually rebuilding since getting rid of C-Webb. They tried to build around Ron Artest then gave up. They tried to build around Kevin Martin then gave up as well. They seem to be building around Evans now. Evans already drove the only other decent player out of town (ie. Kevin Martin). This seems to be another never-ending rebuilding project.Nets' case2009 draft: Terrence Williams2008 draft: Brook Lopez, Chris Douglas-Roberts2006 draft: Josh BooneYoung players received from trading away Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson: Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi JianlianReason for rebuilding: Departure of franchise player Jason KiddVerdict: This is the worst team in the history of the game. Getting the #1 pick is not gonna change that. Rebuilding has been ongoing since Jason Kidd got traded away. Harris was supposed to be the new cornerstone, but apparently they have lost faith in him and are shopping him. Douglas-Roberts and Boone also fell out of a favor and are on the trading block. Now they seem to want to build around Lopez and whoever they take in this year's draft. There's just no franchise-altering force on this team. Unless they make a splash in free agency or this will be another never-ending rebuilding project.Grizzlies case2009 draft: Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll, Sam Young2008 draft: OJ Mayo, Darrell Arthur2007 draft: Mike Conley2006 draft: Rudy GayYoung players acquired from Pau Gasol trade: Marc GasolReason for rebuilding: Departure of franchise player Pau GasolVerdict: The Grizzlies are .500 this year not through rebuilding but thanks to Zach Randolph, whom they acquired because other teams had been throwing him around due to salary cap reason, but they will won't make the playoff. They probably won't have the money to add more pieces or even resign Gay this offseason. .500 is probably their ceiling. They tried to build around Gay after trading P. Gasol, but apparently decided this year that he's not the answer by allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.Blazers case2009 draft: Dante Cunningham, Jeff Pendergraph, Patrick Mills2008 draft: Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez2007 draft: Greg Oden2006 draft: Brandon Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge2005 draft: Martell Webster2003 draft: Travis Outlaw (recently traded)Reason for rebuilding: The breakup of the Jail Blazers.Verdict: One of the luckier rebuilding effort. They fluked out with Brandon Roy, who is the only reason they are better than the Kings and the Timberwolves right now. They struck out with most of their other draft picks. Webster, Oden, Bayless are all obvious busts. Aldridge isn't as good as most people think. He's not a star. They would have been better off getting equal value from Rasheed Wallace, Zach Randolph, etc instead of just doing salary dumps.Bulls case2009 draft: Taj Gibson, James Johnson2008 draft: Derrick Rose2007 draft: Joakim Noah2004 draft: Luol Deng2003 draft: Kirk HinrichReason for rebuilding: Retirement of Michael Jordan and departure of head coach Phil Jackson and sidekick Scottie PippenVerdict: Never ending cycle of mediocrity and lottery. The Bulls case is probably the most traumatic case of rebuilding in the history of rebuilding. GM Jerry Krause decided to rebuild and trade away almost everyone from the championship team (Toni Kukoc was the last to go in early 2000). They won the draft lottery in '99 and took Elton Brand with the top pick. They also drafted Ron Artest for good measure. Even though the team was horrible, the future seems to be bright with tons of cap room. Their classless treatment of former players came back to haunt them, however, as Eddie Jones, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, and Tim Thomas all rejected their overture during the offseason in 2000. Eventually, they had to overpay for Ron Mercer and also brought in Brad Miller. They also added more young talents (Marcus Fizer, Jamal Crawford) through the draft. Yet, they again finished with the worst record in team history. Brand, deemed a failed franchise player, was traded on draft day 2001 for Tyson Chandler. They also drafted Eddy Curry on the same day. The thinking was that one day these two raw prep-to-pro players will form a "twin tower" just like the Spurs did with Tim Duncan and David Robinson. That never happened.The juggling continued, however, Mercer, Artest, and Miller were traded at midseason for Pacers go-to guy Jalen Rose. The team finished last in the league.The next season, the team drafted can't miss phenom Jay Williams as the second overall pick in 2002 and also added Donyell Marshall, who was an important sidekick to Malone and Stockton before he landed in Chicago. Expectation was high. The team did improve, but was not even close to contending for a playoff spot. Williams' play was also considered disappointing.Williams got into a motorcycle accident during the offseason and never played basketball since. The team quickly moved on by drafting Kirk Hinrich in 2003 as his replacement. Scottie Pippen returned to the team. It seemed like the young talents have finally matured and it was now time to contend. The team actually regressed. Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall were traded. Fizer and Jamal Crawford also left the team. The team was officially rebuilding yet AGAIN.Young talents like Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon were selected in the draft. Andres Nocioni was also brought in. The Bulls finally made the playoffs as the #3 seed in a weak East, but were upset in the first round.The following season, Curry was let go due to heart problem. The team regressed and barely made the playoffs.In 2006, the Bulls got Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha in the draft. They also signed all-star center Ben Wallace, proving that they Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
intended to contend. The 06-07 season was their best season since MJ retired as they advanced to the second round.The future was looking bright in 2007 yet trade rumors involving Kobe Bryant and contract demands from Ben Gordon and Luol Deng began to take its toil on the team. The team got off to a slow start and missed the postseason.In 2008, they won the lottery and drafted Derrick Rose. It seems like it is 1999 all over again.Prominent failed experiments in the last decade: Andrew Bogut with Milwaukee, Kevin Martin with Sacramento, Al Jefferson with Minnesota, Randy Foye with Minnesota, Andre Iguodala with Philly, Michael Redd with Milwaukee, Danny Granger with Indiana (jury still out on this one), Devin Harris with New Jersey, Jason Richardson with Golden State, Elton Brand with Chicago/LA Clippers, Emeka Okafor with Charlotte, Andrei Kirilenko with Utah, Rudy Gay with Memphis, Tim Thomas in Milwaukee, Antawn Jamison with Golden State
KG trade flamed out (Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair). This rebuilding project will last forever.Kings' case2009 draft: Tyreke Evans, Omri Cassipi, Jon Brockman2008 draft: Jason Thompson, Donte Greene (Artest trade)2007 draft: Spencer Hawes2005 draft: Francisco GarciaYoung players from Kevin Martin trade: Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey, Dominic McGuireReason for rebuilding: Departure of franchise player Chris Webber, main sidekicks Peja Stojakovic, and head coach Rick AdelmanVerdict: They're counting on Evans to turn around this franchise's fortune, but they have been gradually rebuilding since getting rid of C-Webb. They tried to build around Ron Artest then gave up. They tried to build around Kevin Martin then gave up as well. They seem to be building around Evans now. Evans already drove the only other decent player out of town (ie. Kevin Martin). This seems to be another never-ending rebuilding project.Nets' case2009 draft: Terrence Williams2008 draft: Brook Lopez, Chris Douglas-Roberts2006 draft: Josh BooneYoung players received from trading away Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson: Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi JianlianReason for rebuilding: Departure of franchise player Jason KiddVerdict: This is the worst team in the history of the game. Getting the #1 pick is not gonna change that. Rebuilding has been ongoing since Jason Kidd got traded away. Harris was supposed to be the new cornerstone, but apparently they have lost faith in him and are shopping him. Douglas-Roberts and Boone also fell out of a favor and are on the trading block. Now they seem to want to build around Lopez and whoever they take in this year's draft. There's just no franchise-altering force on this team. Unless they make a splash in free agency or this will be another never-ending rebuilding project.Grizzlies case2009 draft: Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll, Sam Young2008 draft: OJ Mayo, Darrell Arthur2007 draft: Mike Conley2006 draft: Rudy GayYoung players acquired from Pau Gasol trade: Marc GasolReason for rebuilding: Departure of franchise player Pau GasolVerdict: The Grizzlies are .500 this year not through rebuilding but thanks to Zach Randolph, whom they acquired because other teams had been throwing him around due to salary cap reason, but they will won't make the playoff. They probably won't have the money to add more pieces or even resign Gay this offseason. .500 is probably their ceiling. They tried to build around Gay after trading P. Gasol, but apparently decided this year that he's not the answer by allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.Blazers case2009 draft: Dante Cunningham, Jeff Pendergraph, Patrick Mills2008 draft: Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez2007 draft: Greg Oden2006 draft: Brandon Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge2005 draft: Martell Webster2003 draft: Travis Outlaw (recently traded)Reason for rebuilding: The breakup of the Jail Blazers.Verdict: One of the luckier rebuilding effort. They fluked out with Brandon Roy, who is the only reason they are better than the Kings and the Timberwolves right now. They struck out with most of their other draft picks. Webster, Oden, Bayless are all obvious busts. Aldridge isn't as good as most people think. He's not a star. They would have been better off getting equal value from Rasheed Wallace, Zach Randolph, etc instead of just doing salary dumps.Bulls case2009 draft: Taj Gibson, James Johnson2008 draft: Derrick Rose2007 draft: Joakim Noah2004 draft: Luol Deng2003 draft: Kirk HinrichReason for rebuilding: Retirement of Michael Jordan and departure of head coach Phil Jackson and sidekick Scottie PippenVerdict: Never ending cycle of mediocrity and lottery. The Bulls case is probably the most traumatic case of rebuilding in the history of rebuilding. GM Jerry Krause decided to rebuild and trade away almost everyone from the championship team (Toni Kukoc was the last to go in early 2000). They won the draft lottery in '99 and took Elton Brand with the top pick. They also drafted Ron Artest for good measure. Even though the team was horrible, the future seems to be bright with tons of cap room. Their classless treatment of former players came back to haunt them, however, as Eddie Jones, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, and Tim Thomas all rejected their overture during the offseason in 2000. Eventually, they had to overpay for Ron Mercer and also brought in Brad Miller. They also added more young talents (Marcus Fizer, Jamal Crawford) through the draft. Yet, they again finished with the worst record in team history. Brand, deemed a failed franchise player, was traded on draft day 2001 for Tyson Chandler. They also drafted Eddy Curry on the same day. The thinking was that one day these two raw prep-to-pro players will form a "twin tower" just like the Spurs did with Tim Duncan and David Robinson. That never happened.The juggling continued, however, Mercer, Artest, and Miller were traded at midseason for Pacers go-to guy Jalen Rose. The team finished last in the league.The next season, the team drafted can't miss phenom Jay Williams as the second overall pick in 2002 and also added Donyell Marshall, who was an important sidekick to Malone and Stockton before he landed in Chicago. Expectation was high. The team did improve, but was not even close to contending for a playoff spot. Williams' play was also considered disappointing.Williams got into a motorcycle accident during the offseason and never played basketball since. The team quickly moved on by drafting Kirk Hinrich in 2003 as his replacement. Scottie Pippen returned to the team. It seemed like the young talents have finally matured and it was now time to contend. The team actually regressed. Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall were traded. Fizer and Jamal Crawford also left the team. The team was officially rebuilding yet AGAIN.Young talents like Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon were selected in the draft. Andres Nocioni was also brought in. The Bulls finally made the playoffs as the #3 seed in a weak East, but were upset in the first round.The following season, Curry was let go due to heart problem. The team regressed and barely made the playoffs.In 2006, the Bulls got Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha in the draft. They also signed all-star center Ben Wallace, proving that they Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
intended to contend. The 06-07 season was their best season since MJ retired as they advanced to the second round.The future was looking bright in 2007 yet trade rumors involving Kobe Bryant and contract demands from Ben Gordon and Luol Deng began to take its toil on the team. The team got off to a slow start and missed the postseason.In 2008, they won the lottery and drafted Derrick Rose. It seems like it is 1999 all over again.Prominent failed experiments in the last decade: Andrew Bogut with Milwaukee, Kevin Martin with Sacramento, Al Jefferson with Minnesota, Randy Foye with Minnesota, Andre Iguodala with Philly, Michael Redd with Milwaukee, Danny Granger with Indiana (jury still out on this one), Devin Harris with New Jersey, Jason Richardson with Golden State, Elton Brand with Chicago/LA Clippers, Emeka Okafor with Charlotte, Andrei Kirilenko with Utah, Rudy Gay with Memphis, Tim Thomas in Milwaukee, Antawn Jamison with Golden State
2011年1月9日星期日
9 Jan 11 The Verdict: Phil Jackson Answers The Critics Result Lakers Win.
Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesThe Zen Master has finally awaken out his slumber, just in time for the final stretch leading into the playoffs. Like always with Phil he doesn't make the adjustments when you would like but his fine tuning of the Laker is always on time.This evenings game against the Nuggets unlike the many games before it, when Gasol starting playing soft Phil benched him. When its was apparent that Fisher was going to be beat to the punch by Billups all night, benched him. Right on Phil!Josh Powelland Mbenga steppedin for Bynum adding, Buffalo Bills jersey
6 points a piece. Their biggest influence was down low where they contested every shot and went after every rebound an energy that was deseperately needed.The biggest surprise of the night was Lamar Odom exploding for 20 points12 rebounds 1 block shot and 4 steals. Hopefully this type of performance is something the laker can look forward to in the future.The my vital keys to the Lakers sucess during the course of this game would have to be the stifling defensive effort by Ron Artest who had 6 steals and forced numerous turnovers. He also held Anthony to 21 points of 7-19 shooting, while adding 17 points 12 of the points coming from behind the three point strike.The most important key of all was Kobe Bryant the Mamba transforming to Kobe Bryant the Facilitator. Because of various well placed traps, and zones Carolina Panthers jersey
Kobe suffered from the field going for 14 points off 17 shots. Kobe being Kobe he still found a away to bury the competition finding fellow Lakers all night for easy buckets, finishing with 12 assist.He wasn't a slouch on the defensive end either, gathering 3 steals and 2 block shots he more than made up for a sluggish performance on the shooting end.I think its safe to just when you think ole Phil is losing his touch he shocks us once again making all the right moves just in the nick of time.
6 points a piece. Their biggest influence was down low where they contested every shot and went after every rebound an energy that was deseperately needed.The biggest surprise of the night was Lamar Odom exploding for 20 points12 rebounds 1 block shot and 4 steals. Hopefully this type of performance is something the laker can look forward to in the future.The my vital keys to the Lakers sucess during the course of this game would have to be the stifling defensive effort by Ron Artest who had 6 steals and forced numerous turnovers. He also held Anthony to 21 points of 7-19 shooting, while adding 17 points 12 of the points coming from behind the three point strike.The most important key of all was Kobe Bryant the Mamba transforming to Kobe Bryant the Facilitator. Because of various well placed traps, and zones Carolina Panthers jersey
Kobe suffered from the field going for 14 points off 17 shots. Kobe being Kobe he still found a away to bury the competition finding fellow Lakers all night for easy buckets, finishing with 12 assist.He wasn't a slouch on the defensive end either, gathering 3 steals and 2 block shots he more than made up for a sluggish performance on the shooting end.I think its safe to just when you think ole Phil is losing his touch he shocks us once again making all the right moves just in the nick of time.
2011年1月8日星期六
8 Jan 11 Chicago Bulls: Recent Injuries Creating Opportunities for New/Young Players
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesWhen the Chicago Bulls acquired Acie Law from the Bobcats (along with Flip Murray) for disgruntled power forward Tyrus Thomas, they probably weren't planning on the former Aggie getting much playing time.Then again, at that time, the team probably didn't think it'd be sitting in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, a game and a half behind the final playoff berth with only 16 games remaining, and stars Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah riding the pine.However, with injuries piling up and the Bulls currently Denver Broncos jersey
on an eight-game losing streak, the team's new acquisitions, along with their recent draft picks, are finding their way into games, and not just in "scrub time."The box score for Tuesday night's game against the Grizzlies would've looked pretty funny if presented to a Bulls fan before this season: no Rose, Deng, Noah, Thomas, or John Salmonsthe projected starting lineup in the preseason. Their most recent draft picks, Taj Gibson and James Johnson, getting 26 minutes...each. And the three leading scorers in the game were Murray (25), Hakim Warrick (22), and Law (18)all players that were in trade deadline deals.But with a disappointing end to the 2009-10 season comes the optimism of auditioning cheap role players that could join the team next season.And while these moves were initially made to clear cap space for the much anticipated 2010 offseason, there's no doubt that with only six roster players set to return next season the Bulls will have to find cheap alternatives to fill out their roster if, in fact, they dish out a max contract to a Dwyane Wade or LeBron James-type player.Now I've been riding the Warrick train since he arrived from the Bucks (for John Salmons) and still think that he would be a good complement to next year's squad. However, the most impressive showing I've seen from a newcomer since the tradeDetroit Lions
deadline was Acie Law's performance against the Grizzlies.Law, who averages just above 12 minutes per game while only playing in 131 games in his three-year career, played harder and with more passion than any Bulls' player since Noah was sidelined with plantar fasciitis earlier this season.The former first-team All-American in college showed why he was taken with the 11th overall pick in the 2007 draft.He was 6-11 from the field (1-3 from behind the arc) and 5-6 from the free throw line, coming within two points of his career high that was set last season with the Atlanta Hawks.Joining Law with impressive play as of late has been the Bulls' No. 1 pick of last summer's draft, James Johnson. While Tuesday night's game may not seem like much, he still contributed four blocks while playing with incredible defensive intensity, showing the athleticism that was the reason the Bulls took him instead of a DeJuan Blair-type player.Johnson also impressed in the two games previous to Tuesday. Last Thursday, he had 13 points, four assists, and three steals in Green Bay Packers jersey
a losing effort to the Magic. Friday against the Heat, he put up a career-high 20 points on 8-11 shooting and added six rebounds and two blocks.But while the recent injuries to the Bulls' top players have been the main reason for their slide in the standings, it's quietly creating an opportunity for players who usually don't see much floor time to audition for a job with the team come next season.And with only six players returning to the Bulls, low-paying roster spots will inevitably be available.
on an eight-game losing streak, the team's new acquisitions, along with their recent draft picks, are finding their way into games, and not just in "scrub time."The box score for Tuesday night's game against the Grizzlies would've looked pretty funny if presented to a Bulls fan before this season: no Rose, Deng, Noah, Thomas, or John Salmonsthe projected starting lineup in the preseason. Their most recent draft picks, Taj Gibson and James Johnson, getting 26 minutes...each. And the three leading scorers in the game were Murray (25), Hakim Warrick (22), and Law (18)all players that were in trade deadline deals.But with a disappointing end to the 2009-10 season comes the optimism of auditioning cheap role players that could join the team next season.And while these moves were initially made to clear cap space for the much anticipated 2010 offseason, there's no doubt that with only six roster players set to return next season the Bulls will have to find cheap alternatives to fill out their roster if, in fact, they dish out a max contract to a Dwyane Wade or LeBron James-type player.Now I've been riding the Warrick train since he arrived from the Bucks (for John Salmons) and still think that he would be a good complement to next year's squad. However, the most impressive showing I've seen from a newcomer since the tradeDetroit Lions
deadline was Acie Law's performance against the Grizzlies.Law, who averages just above 12 minutes per game while only playing in 131 games in his three-year career, played harder and with more passion than any Bulls' player since Noah was sidelined with plantar fasciitis earlier this season.The former first-team All-American in college showed why he was taken with the 11th overall pick in the 2007 draft.He was 6-11 from the field (1-3 from behind the arc) and 5-6 from the free throw line, coming within two points of his career high that was set last season with the Atlanta Hawks.Joining Law with impressive play as of late has been the Bulls' No. 1 pick of last summer's draft, James Johnson. While Tuesday night's game may not seem like much, he still contributed four blocks while playing with incredible defensive intensity, showing the athleticism that was the reason the Bulls took him instead of a DeJuan Blair-type player.Johnson also impressed in the two games previous to Tuesday. Last Thursday, he had 13 points, four assists, and three steals in Green Bay Packers jersey
a losing effort to the Magic. Friday against the Heat, he put up a career-high 20 points on 8-11 shooting and added six rebounds and two blocks.But while the recent injuries to the Bulls' top players have been the main reason for their slide in the standings, it's quietly creating an opportunity for players who usually don't see much floor time to audition for a job with the team come next season.And with only six players returning to the Bulls, low-paying roster spots will inevitably be available.
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