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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
Natalie Anthony
11/16/2006
Ford 400
There can be only one
I can’t believe this is the last race of the season and we have to wait until February for the 2007 Nextel Cup Series season to begin. What the heck am I going to do for the next two months? It has been an amazing year and finally we will crown our 2006 Nextel Cup Champion. Even though the points state that 4 drivers are in contention (Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, and Denny Hamlin) really there is only one who will be named the winner of the cup regardless of the current point standings of the other three. Jimmie Johnson would have to finish outside the 12th position not to win this year. Talk about a shoe in. Even though Jimmie statically doesn’t reign supreme at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS), with the momentum he has had in the last 9 races, nothing is stopping him. Homestead-Miami Speedway is an excellent track for the drivers to finalize a season of competition. Another mile and a half track, where chase contenders will be stressing beyond their boiling point and the rest of the pack will be driving to rake in as many points as possible to finish better than their opponents. Farewell NASCAR 2006, you’ve made us proud.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Kevin Harvick (3rd) Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet – If he wins this race, he will tie Kasey Kahne for the most wins of the season (6). They only way Kevin can steal the Nextel Cup is for Jimmie Johnson to be off the lead lap, Matt Kenseth to finish outside the Top 30 and Denny Hamlin would have to finish behind Kevin. That’s a lot of if only. Kevin has the ability to run up front. He has 5 starts at HMS with a Top 5 and 4 Top 10’s.
Jeff Gordon (6th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Unfortunately for Jeff, as soon as the green flag waves on Sunday he will be officially mathematically eliminated from the chase for the Nextel Cup because once Jimmie Johnson crosses the start/finish line Jeff’s points just can’t add up. Now he will know how the rest of the contenders in the chase, that have fallen short in points, have felt the last few races. It has gotta’ suck. Jeff will run well, but all in vain. Jeff has raced at this track 7 times and has 3 Top 5’s and 6 Top 10’s.
Tony Stewart (11th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Tony has made history at HMS with a race record in 1999 and he could make more this Sunday if he wins the race. He too can tie Kasey Kahne with the most wins for the 2006 season. I prefer Kasey to keep the title. I guarantee that since Tony rocks at HMS (Avg finish of 9th and 2 wins) he will be making every effort to steal the last race away from a chase contender. In your face.
Carl Edwards (12th) Roush Racing – Ford – I just love it when Carl does his back flips. It is just as exciting as Tony Stewart climbing a fence, or Kurt Busch making snow angels in the grass, and luckily for us we could see some gymnastics this weekend. Carl has only been to HMS 2 times and he has a pole, a Top 5 and a Top 10. The numbers don’t get any better than that unless he gets a win.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Jamie McMurray (24th) Roush Racing – Ford – Jamie tries so hard and still he manages to be involved in almost every wreck in a race. If he could just avoid destroying his car, he would do really well. Hey, maybe it isn’t Jamie. Maybe his spotter is visually impaired. Jamie needs to ignore the voice in his helmet and use his rearview and trust his judgment. Jamie has an average finish of 14th at HMS out of 4 races and has a race record for qualifying back in 2003, but it was in a Dodge.
Bobby Labonte (19th) Petty Enterprises – Dodge – I can’t wait until next season. Bobby has just been phenomenal this season. And he will end his first season with Petty Enterprises on a high note. He has visited HMS 7 times and he has a win, with 3 Top 5’s, and 4 Top 10’s. He can maintain his points this season and maybe even move up a spot by the end of the race.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Matt Kenseth (2nd) Roush Racing – Ford – Matt came in 3rd at HMS last season, but out of 6 starts, he only has 1 Top 5 and 1 Top 10 and that is not going to be enough to grab the Nextel Cup. Matt has given his all this season. He stays in the fight when he is combating a troublesome engine or unavoidable contact that alters the aerodynamics of his car, but in the end his team will come up short.
Brian Vickers (16th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Well this will be a great way to end a season with a bang. How about being a lap down? It will just reconfirm Rick Hendrick’s decision to trade Brian. Oh wait, that was a mutual agreement. Right? Brian, you stole a little glory this season, but the season is no more. Brian has been to HMS 3 times and can’t seem to do better than 18th place. Bye-bye!
Track Stats
Homestead-Miami Speedway (Homestead, FL)
Ford 400
November 19, 2006 (Sunday) – 2:00 pm - NBC
(Sister Tracks – Lowe’s, California, Texas, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Atlanta)
Ford 400
(November 20, 2005)
Top 10 Results
1. Greg Biffle
2. Mark Martin
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Carl Edwards
5. Casey Mears
6. Dave Blaney
7. Ryan Newman
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Jeremy Mayfield
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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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