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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
10/31/2007
Dickies 500
The Big Bang Theory – NASCAR Style
Theoretically, the big bang theory states that the universe was created by an immense explosion and matter was hurled in all directions, thus creating our universe. This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS), the Hendrick camp is going to have a big bang win or a big bang blow out that hurtles the chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup in one direction. Either it will be into the hands of Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson. I figure Texas is a make it or break it race. No more of this #24 or #48 finishing in the Top 10 together. Hopefully, the Texas track will intervene in the race for the chase and prove to be the track that ended or began it all. The origins of the 2007 championship may lie on the last lap at the corner of turn four. So let it be written, so let it be done.
Correction to last week’s article, race title should have read Pep Boys 500 and not Bass Pro Shops 500.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jimmie Johnson (2nd) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – Wow, Jimmie is only 9 points out of first in the NASCAR Nextel Championship Cup and he fairs a little bit better at Texas. Make that a lot better. Jimmie is ranked 5th in overall best finish average and Jeff Gordon is ranked 17th. If I were Jeff, I sure would be worried about the outcome of Sunday’s race. Jeff better hope for something to happen to Jimmie that is big and maybe not so good. All in the sake of friendly, teammate competition of course.
Denny Hamlin (10th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – I don’t know what to do with Denny. He definitely is battling the highs and lows of NASCAR. He started the season off, with what many thought, would be a big contention in the chase for the cup and then kind of fell off a bit and now he is regaining his momentum. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have enough time to make it count. Denny may move up a spot or two in the points since he always has scored a Top 10 every time he has raced (3) at Texas.
Matt Kenseth (11th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Was Matt trying to one up his newly controversial teammate at Atlanta or what? I was thinking the entire race that wouldn’t it be a better battle of the teams if Matt and Carl Edwards were proving their Roush Fenway worth above the other on the track. In the end, Carl bested Matt by only two spots. Matt will return the favor this weekend by leaving Carl out of the Top 10. Matt has raced at Texas nine times and has ended the last three races in the Top 5.
Martin Truex Jr. (12th) Dale Earnhardt Incorporated – Chevrolet – Talk about getting a bad ride. Martin was the dominate man for so many laps at Atlanta, that you thought it was a sure thing to see him win it in the end. I thank my satellite company almost every race for allowing me to record my NASCAR races. If it wasn’t for replay, I would have almost not believed it. Don’t fret Martin; Texas is the track to make your piece with your racing demons. Martin has finished in the Top 10 the last two times he has raced at TMS and placed 15th his first time out.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Kasey Kahne (17th) Gillett Evernham Motorsports – Dodge – Being a COT race and all, Kasey is pretty much a sure thing. Wish a lot more things in life were that predictable. 2007 was an off year for the #9, but given his success with the new NASCAR stockcar model, I think 2008 will be the year of the red Bud.
Jamie McMurray (19th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Um, was it the #26 car that was collected in a wreck last weekend at Atlanta. Of course it was because that is the fate of the Crown Royal sponsored car whenever he rides up front. I guarantee that if Jamie could avoid be taken out during a race he would be sitting in victory lane a lot more. Jamie has another chance this Sunday at Texas, since he has finished in the Top 10 four out of his six starts. That is only because the fifth finish landed him in 11th place.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Elliott Sadler (25th) Gillett Evernham Motorsports – Dodge – I hate to put any of the Gillett Evernham drivers in this category, but Elliott does show promise in this category. Elliott does have a win at Texas back in 2004 and did finish two other times in the Top 10, but that is out of 10 starts. Not so good here. Seems like Elliott is faced with a lot of accidents and engine problems.
Brian Vickers (38th) Red Bull Racing – Toyota – The bottom of the barrel is pretty barren when it comes to racing at Texas. A lot of drivers do fair better at this mile and a half track than some other tracks. I shouldn’t pick on the Toyota’s because they have seemed to pick up their game a bit in the last few races, but somebody has to represent the lower end and Brian fits that mold at Texas. Brian has raced at Texas five times and has barely squeezed into the Top 15 twice. He finished 14th in April of this year and 12th back in 2004.
Track Stats
Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX)
Dickies 500
November 4, 2007 (Sunday) – 3:00 pm - ABC
(Sister Tracks – Lowe’s, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Atlanta)
Samsung 500
(April 15, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jeff Burton
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Mark Martin
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Jamie McMurray
6. Greg Biffle
7. Martin Truex Jr.
8. Juan Montoya
9. Denny Hamlin
10. David Stremme
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Our latest Cheat Sheets updated constantly through September.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jags Haven't Had Any Contract Discussions With Maurice Jones-Drew
(5/16 11:30 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... HC Mike Mularkey said Tuesday that Jones-Drew, who is skipping the team's voluntary offseason workout program, wants a contract extension. Jones-Drew has two years left on the five-year, $31 million deal that he signed in 2009 that will pay him $9.4 million the next two seasons. A team spokesman said there have been no discussions about a contract extension for Jones-Drew.
Diehards Line:
Neither Jones-Drew nor his agent, Adisa Bakari, have said publicly that he wants an extension, but there's been much speculation because his contract has been surpassed by several backs. Chris Johnson, Arian Foster and Marshawn Lynch received bigger deals in the past year, and Adrian Peterson, DeAngelo Williams and Steven Jackson also have more lucrative contracts. Jones-Drew won the NFL rushing title last year, gaining 1,606 yards. He is expected to be a focal point of Mularkey's new offense, but as Times-Union staffer Vito Stellino notes, Jones-Drew is also 27 years old and running backs don't tend to have long careers. He has carried 312, 299 and 343 times in the three seasons since Fred Taylor retired. ... Meanwhile, Mularkey seems resigned to Jones-Drew missing the voluntary part of the offseason program, though he might show up for the mandatory three-day minicamp in mid-June. Jones-Drew can be fined if he misses that. Meanwhile, Rashad Jennings is filling in for Jones-Drew.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Darrius Heyward-Bey Sorry... For The Most Part
(5/16 11:26 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... After two disappointing years on the field, Heyward-Bey turned things around last season. He suffered a setback off the field this offseason when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He sent fans the following message Tuesday from Raiders OTAs. "I just kind of regret bringing bad attention to the team, for the most part," Heyward-Bey said. "Want to let the fans know that I'm here, working hard, trying to get on the same page with Carson and looking forward to the season."
Diehards Line:
Despite regretting the negative attention (for the most part), Heyward-Bey will plead not guilty to the charges. As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal notes, Heyward-Bey does not have a history of legal or substance abuse problems, so it's unclear if he'll face a possible suspension from the league. The former No. 7 overall pick was Oakland's leading receiver last year with 975 yards. It'll be interesting to see if he continues to produce at a similar pace this fall with Denarius Moore heading into his second season as a pro and if Jacoby Ford can remain healthy.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">DeMarco Murray Officially Cleared; Working Without Limitation
(5/16 12:18 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... Murray said Monday that the ankle injury that prematurely ended his standout rookie season has healed and he has been cleared by team doctors. "It's great," Murray told ESPN's SportsCenter. "I've been officially cleared by our doctors and I've been doing everything the past month or two without any limitations. I feel great."
Diehards Line:
Murray suffered a fractured right ankle and a high right ankle sprain in a Week 14 loss to the Giants at Cowboys Stadium. Murray, who rushed for a franchise-record 253 yards in a Week 7 victory over the Rams, had surgery in December, began rehab shortly after and started running in February. The third round pick finished the 2011 season with 897 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He'll open this season as the starter and play a featured role with Felix Jones serving as the complementary back.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Still No Change In Mike Wallace's Contract Situation... Still
(5/16 12:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported before the draft that Wallace wouldn't sign his one-year restricted free agent tender " until he has to." While the Steelers have hoped to sign Wallace to a long-term deal, there has been no progress on that front. Schefter reiterated on NFL Live Tuesday that it "may be awhile" before the Steelers see Wallace at club headquarters, and Wallace won't sign the tender "until he absolutely has to."
Diehards Line:
So. ... Adding an "absolutely" to "until he has to" is now apparently a major development. Otherwise nothing has changed; Wallaces options are limited: Either he signs his one-year tender for $2,745,000, comes to terms on a multiple-year deal with the Steelers, or he sits out. Sitting out means losing out on unrestricted free agency next year. That seems unlikely, but we'll continue to watch and follow up as new information comes to light (or if Schefter reports Wallace won't sign the tender until he "absolutely, positively" has to). In the meantime, don't expect Wallace to be present for any of the team's official offseason activities. Until he has to. Absolutely.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Justin Blackmon Switches Shoes; Foot Now Fine
(5/16 12:13 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... Blackmon seemed amused at the plethora of questions about his sore foot. It happens when the team's No. 1 draft pick, the fifth overall selection in the 2012 draft, misses a minicamp practice with a sore foot. "I went back home, just rested my feet got back with some better cleats," Blackmon said. "I changed my shoes once I got back down here."
Diehards Line:
This was Blackmon's first day in an actual practice with Blaine Gabbert. The Jaguars were in helmets and shorts for the first day of the organized team activity, which are done without pads. "I thought he looked good," Blackmon said of Gabbert. "Threw the ball well. Just all around, the offense looked pretty good for the first day being out there together. ..." According to Times-Union staffer Tania Ganguli, Blackmon moved around the field today. He played a little Z receiver and even a little slot, which it's expected will be Mike Thomas's position.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Rookie WR Juron Criner Generating Buzz In OTAs
(5/16 12:12 AM PT)
The Facts:
Impressive during the rookie mini-camp, Criner, Oakland's fifth-round draft pick, stepped it up Tuesday with the full squad at the Raiders' organized team activity. Criner made a handful of great catches, creating a buzz among his teammates.
Diehards Line:
Included was a 50-yard catch from Carson Palmer against DeMarcus Van Dyke and Tyvon Branch in which he tumbled into the end zone, and a 55-yard sideline heave from Terrelle Pryor against CB Pat Lee. On one play, Criner reached back and made a difficult catch of a ball Pryor threw behind him. "He saved Carson, he saved myself, he saved Matt [Leinart]," Pryor said. "He's a player. He catches everything that comes near him. ..." Criner was taken No. 168 overall. That's 20 picks lower than Oakland got Denarius Moore in 2011. Moore caught 33 passes for 618 yards and five touchdowns. "He has a thing for the ball once the ball's in the air," Moore said. "That's what we like about him." The thing we like about Criner is the buzz he's creating -- which is much like what we were hearing about Moore last summer. We'll follow up as needed.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Matt Prater Sitting Out Voluntary Work
(5/16 12:10 AM PT)
The Facts:
Prater, a free agent until he was slapped with a $2.6 million franchise tender for the 2012 season, has not been participating in the team's offseason workout program. "There's no message, it's voluntary," said Frank Bauer, Prater's agent.
Diehards Line:
The Broncos don't have any mandatory workouts until their June 12-14 mini-campy, although Prater is currently not under contract because he has not signed his franchise tag tender. ... Prater performed brilliantly in the clutch last season, booting a 52-yard field goal in overtime to defeat Miami; a late, game-tying and overtime-winning field goal at San Diego; a late game-tying and walkoff-winning field goal at Minnesota; and late 59- and 51-yard field goals to beat the Bears. According to Post staffer Mike Klis, the Broncos did make Prater one, five-year offer prior to free agency, but the dollars were well short of what the kicker thought was his value.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">FB Owen Schmitt Signs With Raiders
(5/16 12:08 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Raiders signed Schmitt to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Diehards Line:
Schmitt played under Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp for the Seattle Seahawks during the 2009 season and worked out for the Raiders on Tuesday afternoon. Marcel Reece has started 26 games at fullback for the Raiders over the last two seasons, but he has yet to sign his exclusive rights free-agent tender and isn't participating in the team's voluntary workouts. Schmitt was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010 following a season-ending knee injury to Leonard Weaver. Over a 61-game career, Schmitt has nine carries for 27 yards and 34 receptions for 218 yards and two touchdowns, and has made 14 tackles on special teams.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jerome Harrison Ruled Out For 2012
(5/16 12:05 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Lions have placed Harrison on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list to make room on their 90-man roster for safety Sam Proctor and receiver Wallace Miles, whom the team signed after their tryouts at this weekend's rookie mini-camp. The Lions had to declare that Harrison would not be eligible to participate in the 2012 regular season or postseason for him not to count toward the 90-man roster while on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list.
Diehards Line:
Eagles doctors discovered a brain tumor in Harrison that nullified a trade that would have sent him and an undisclosed draft pick to the Eagles for running back Ronnie Brown last season. The trade might have actually saved Harrison's life. He's currently recovering from surgery to remove the tumor and is "progressing" according to his agent Mitch Frankel. Harrison signed with the Lions as an unrestricted free agent before last season after playing his first five seasons in the NFL with the Browns and Eagles.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Mularkey Confirms Maurice Jones-Drew Wants A New Contract
(5/15 2:41 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... When Jones-Drew first failed to show up for the Jaguars’ voluntary offseason work, HC Mike Mularkey said he didn’t know anything about the reason for the absence. Mularkey met with the media again on Tuesday after Jones-Drew failed to make it to the start of the team’s OTAs and was a little more forthcoming. As has been widely reported but unconfirmed by either party to this point, Jones-Drew is staying away from the Jaguars because he wants a new contract from the team.
Diehards Line:
“It’s all voluntary. I wish he was here. He knows we wish he was here,” Mularkey told Florida Times-Union staffer Tania Ganguli. “He’s talked about trying to get an extension for his contract. ...” The NFL’s leading rusher in 2011 has two years left on his contract and is set to make a total of $9.4 million. As PFT's Josh Alper suggests, there’s not much reason to worry at this point. Jones-Drew has missed voluntary work several times with no negative impact on his game and he fared well enough after last year’s offseason was all but wiped out by the lockout. The Jaguars have a mandatory mini-camp in June. If Jones-Drew doesn’t come to that, then there’s some reason to start worrying.
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