Day 7: LT, Pat Riley, JMDP and more

HEADLINES:

1) LaDanian Tomlinson did rush 55 yards on 13 carries and found paydirt once but with the game on the line in the final minute, LT stood on the sidelines while Darren Sproles played the entire series and scored the game-winning touchdown. LT said this year was going to be a big comeback year but have the Chargers started losing faith in Tomlinson?

Ben: I don't think they've started losing faith, but there are a couple things that grab my attention. First, part of me wants to think the Chargers are trying to save Tomlinson, who has been slowed by injuries at the end of the last couple of season. But in my opinion, you always want you best players on the field when the games on the line, so I'm not sure if that's the Chargers long-term goal here.

Second, I think that Tomlinson is getting close to that age when running backs start to become less and less effective, so the Chargers are trying to get Sproles touches and involved in the offense early, so when Tomlinson is gone, he'll be ready. I don't know if I would say they are phasing LT out, but I would be a little concerned about his long-term career numbers.

Boz: I'm sure that this wasn't the start that Tomlinson imagined when he claimed this would be a bounce back season for him. One could say that the reason Sproles was in the game because he could be used as a receiver out of the backfield, but don't forget that Tomlinson has over 500 receptions in his career. LT looked very excited on the sideline after the win but you got to think that he wanted to be the one with the ball in the endzone. It's hard to say whether or not the Chargers have lost faith in Tomlinson. They'll most likely continue to start LT but it'll be interesting to see who is in the backfield when the game is on the line. My money is it'll continue to be Sproles and you'll see LT in another uniform next year.

2) Miami Heat team president Pat Riley has stated that he and other members of the basketball operations staff, including head coach Eric Spoelstra, are going to take 20% paycuts in order to avoid layoffs. Should other professional sports franchises, along with any type of company, follow Riley's example of business ethics?

Ben: WOW. That is awesome. The Heat just became my 2nd favorite team. I think that all organizations should strive to do things like this, which is help make the organization easier to relate to the blue-collar fans. I think the economy has hit everyone hard and more people relate to something like this, then players complaining about not being able to feed their kids on 12 mil a year (shout out to Latrell Sprewell there).

All that being said, while I think more organizations should do this, I think you'll be hard pressed to find, from top to bottom, organization heads taking paycuts. I think, obviously, every company should consider this move. But, in the end, cynical as it sounds, the Heat will be the lone good samaritan, while the rest of coporate America continues down same sad road.

Boz: First of all, I would like to state what a wonderful question this is and I would like to commend the person who came up with it. The Sports Desk likes to entertwine sports with other aspects of life, especially during this economic downturn. Now onto answering the question which is ABSOLUTELY. Instead of laying off employees that are making $30-40,000 a year, let the people that are making in the six figures take a pay cut to help keep those lower figured workers at work and supporting their families. I would like to salute Pat Riley for something other than that amazing hairstyle that he has worn since he starting coaching in the 80s. Every company, whether if its sports based or not, should follow Riley's example. It might actually help us out of this poor economic state.

3) Juan Martin del Potro pulled off an upset by defeating Roger Federer in five sets to win the U.S. Open Championship. Were you surprised at this result?

Ben: Yes. You've got to be kidding yourself to pick del Potro. Look, I think there are a lot of good players in tennis that have the talent to potentially bounce Federer (or Nadal for that matter). BUT, I think the same thing in golf. And when it comes to picking Tiger vs. Boo Weekley, I take Tiger every time. The same goes with Federer vs. anyone outside of Nadal, I take him every time.

I won't say del Potro isn't talented or undeserving of victory, but c'mon, do you really, honestly, deep down, believe that he was going to win when that match started?

Boz: I'm not shocked at all. I was actually picking del Potro to win. Federer is still the best player in the game but he isn't the same Roger Federer of 3-4 years ago when the opponent was afraid to even step on the court with Darth Federer. Juan Martin del Potro has had an excellent summer, perhaps the best summer on tour. Federer has shown that he is beatable by other top-10 players and del Potro stepped up to the plate and delivered. But don't get me wrong, I'd make the argument for Federer as the best all time and making 22 straight Grand Slam semifinals is unbelievable. But it was nice to see a new Grand Slam winner in del Potro.

4) Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Hampton, who Ben wished Happy Birthday to last week, is going to miss the entire 2010 season after having shoulder surgery on his pitching arm. Hampton had a once promising career but now its been an injury-plagued career. Is this the end of the line for Hampton or will he pitch in 2011?

Ben: Well, the Leuck Curse continues....I think this has to spell the end for Hampton. He's 37 now, as I noted last week, and he's already become a below average pitcher recently. I'd say that if he was a little younger he might have a chance to make it back, but I highly doubt it now. He's become more fragile than a china doll and no team will give him any decent roster spot to bring him back.

He could potentially come back as a reliever, but I don't think he's going to want to put the rehab time in to make it back to the pros.

Boz: Hampton is already 37 years old which will make him 38 1/2 when he takes the pitching mound again in 2011. I'm saying that this is the end of the line for Hampton. Not many teams will take a near 40 year old pitcher just coming off shoulder surgery, especially for a pitcher that had a 5.30 ERA this season. Hampton was once promising career as one of the premeir pitchers and hitting pitchers. It'll be sad to see him go, especially from an NL Central team where the Cubs could rough him up more than just once a year.

TOSS-UP

1) Who was more impressive in their loss last night? The Bills or the Raiders?

Ben: The Bills. I'll keep this short: Nothing the Raiders do is impressive. The Bills played a great team and should have won. I actually can't believe they lost, compared to my feeling of amazement that the Raiders were even in the game in the 4th quarter. The Bills were impressive, and their fans have plenty to look forward to this year.

Boz: The Bills. The offense actually looked pretty good even though Terrell Owens only caught two passes and they were without Marshawn Lynch. Fred Jackson, the pride of COE COLLEGE, impressed me and the no-huddle offense wasn't as bad as everyone predicted it would be. The Bills were a fumble on a kick-off away from defeating the mighty Patriots. The Raiders played well and they kept the Chargers' running attack of Tomlinson and Sproles under 100 yards, which is impressive. However, JaMarcus Russell is the worst quarterback in the NFL. Darrius Heyward-Bey didn't catch a pass showing that he was drafted way to high. I think that the Bills are the better team but they have a harder time racking up wins playing in a tougher division.

2) Who is starting this Sunday's game for the Eagles against the Saints? Kevin Kolb or Jeff Garcia?

Ben: Kevin Kolb. He is their long-term future, and I can imagine the Eagles want to see him play in a live game before they fully commit to that future in the coming years. Garcia is an emergency QB they'll have dress but will only play because of injury. Kolb is getting this start. FACT.

Boz: Jeff Garcia. Usually when you bring in a quarterback the same week of the game, he doesn't play because he has to learn the system and the playbook. That's not the case here with Jeff Garcia who got significant playing time with the Eagles in 2006 after McNabb with down with injury and won them a playoff game. Garcia knows the system inside and out and Kolb is unproven.

3) Who has been the bigger acquisition for the Phillies? Cliff Lee or Pedro Martinez?

Ben: C'mon. Cliff Lee. He's almost been unhittable since coming over, and has won start after start. If he'd been with the Phillies from Opening Day, he'd be.....like.....25-0. He's a stud, and he's the biggest acquistion besides Matt Holliday in the Majors.

Boz: This is going to sound absurd and maybe I'm playing devil's advocate a little but I am going to make the argument for Pedro Martinez. Both players have put up wonderful numbers since joining the defending champs. Everyone knew that the Phillies needed an ace and Lee has been just that. But the Phillies signed Martinez to be a fifth starter and he's pitched like he is the number two right behind Lee and ahead of Hamels. He's 5-0 in seven starts with a 2.87 ERA. He's really assured the back-end of the rotation and should help them in the postseason.

HAPPY HOUR:

Ben: Happy 71st Birthday Gaylord Perry. 1st, he's got a great name, and 2nd, he won 314 games in the majors with 9 different teams along with the 1972 Cy Young Award. And a funny little note, courtesy of Wikipedia.com, "Like most pitchers, Perry was not renowned for his hitting ability, and 1963, he is said to have joked, "They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." On July 20, 1969, just minutes after the Apollo 11 spacecraft carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon, Perry hit the first home run of his career". Awesome.

Boz: Happy 48th Birthday to Dan Marino. Arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game of football. He had 420 career touchdown passes (a record when he retired, now surpassed by Brett Favre) and still holds the record for single-season passing with 5,084 in 1984, despite being tested by Drew Brees last season. Could make a better argument for best QB all time had he won a Super Bowl.