Tito's Tenure Over In Boston

Francona leaves Boston as the greatest manager
in their history.

It's official. After almost two days of speculation manager Terry Francona will not be returning for his ninth season at the helm of Red Sox Nation. The announcement comes fresh off Francona's club completed the greatest September collapse in baseball history.

The collapse consisted of the Boston Red Sox blowing a 9-game wild card lead that they held as late as Sept. 3, but finished the month 7-20 including losing the final game of the season after having a one-run lead heading into the ninth. As for Francona, he met with a group of Red Sox brass that included general manager Theo Epstein early Friday morning at Fenway Park to discuss the future of the club and himself. It would be later determined that he would not be returning to the Boston dugout with all signs pointing to it as a mutual decision.

In a press conference Friday afternoon Francona used the words "time for a new voice" when describing why he was stepping down as skipper.

It didn't help that the organization never offered to exercise his 2012 and 2013 options.

There have been reports that Francona possibly lost the clubhouse mid-season due to a lack of team chemistry. Multiple sources said that there was a lot of unprofessionalism going on with the pitching staff during their off days, including the consumption of alcohol in the clubhouse.

Francona throughout his career has been known as a players' manager, something that usual doesn't call for much discipline, now finding himself possessed a problem he didn't know how to approach.

Despite missing the postseason for the second straight season and the third time in his tenure, it's not far fetched to call Francona the greatest manager in Red Sox history as his resume speaks for itself. Following their Game 7 loss to their arch rival New York Yankees in the 2003 ALCS then-manager Grady Little's contract was not renewed, opening the door for a moderate individual from South Dakota to take the reigns.

Francona was hired prior to the start of the 2004 season in an effort to turn around the fortunate of one of the league's most underachieving franchises. That's exactly what he did.

After an unbelievable second half run, the Red Sox captured the 2004 AL wild card and would advance to the ALCS for the second straight year, setting up the heavily anticipated rematch with New York. Boston dropped the first two games of the series and were headed home.

Just when the Fenway Faithful thought it couldn't get an worse, it did. The Sox found themselves facing an 0-3 series deficit after getting stomped in their home building 19-8.

Francona did the impossible, engineering the greatest postseason comeback in baseball history, winning the next four games of the series and capturing the club's first American League Pennant since 1986. Francona has said numerous times publicly, "If Dave Roberts doesn't steal that bag, we're going home and I'm out of a job".

The '04 Red Sox will always be Francona's
greatest accomplishment. 

He is responsible for ending an 86-year curse in the most dramatic fashion and bringing home the franchise's first World Series title since 1918 that same season. After an early first-round exit in '05 and missing the postseason completely in '06, Francona returned the Sox to the Fall Classic in '07.

There he would become only the second manager in the franchise's history to win multiple World Series titles, joining Bill Carrigan as the only other to do so. During Carrigan's first stint with the team he won back-to-back World Series championships in 1915 and 1916 and posted a 8-2 record combined in both World Series he managed. If you think that's impressive look at Francona.

Francona was a perfect 8-0 in his two World Series appearances, sweeping both the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies in '04 and '07 respectively.

His 28 postseason wins are by far the most in franchise history and finishes with a 744-552 regular season record. That's good enough for a .574 winning percentage, second only to Don Zimmer's .575 with a minimum of five years on the job.

Francona will be sure to land on his feet and take his Harry Potter glasses, chewing tobacco wrapped in an amorously large wad of bubble gum and calm demeanor to another playoff dugout.

Boston faces a lot of questions this offseason with two key contributors free-agents-to-be, slugger David Ortiz and  closer Jonathan Papelbon. With Francona out, one big question still lingers until it is answered.

Francona once said, "Boston is a trying place to manage even when your at your best". He might want to pass that long to the next Red Sox manager, whomever he may be.

Go Shopping

Shoppach has homered twice in Game 1 of the
ALDS.

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their Cinderella run in Game 1 of the ALDS thanks in large part to the bat of catcher Kelly Shoppach. Already leading 3-0 after a three-run second inning off Texas starter C.J. Wilson, Shoppach came to the plate with two-on and two-out in the top of the third, launching a towering drive to dead center increasing the Rays lead to 6-0.

Then in the top of the fifth after two quick strikes outs, Johnny Damon, who got the scoring started with a two-run home run in the second, reached on a throwing error by third baseman Adrian Beltre. The error would allow Shoppach to hit his second home run of the game off Wilson and give the Rays a 8-0 advantage.

Shoppach hit only .176 during the regular season, but flexed his power with 11 home runs and 22 RBIs in only 87 games.

He was acquired by the Rays back on Dec. 2, 2009 in a deal with the Cleveland Indians.

Manager Joe Maddon, who is the now the current favorite to be named the AL Manager of the Year, continues to push all the right buttons including the decision to start rookie phenom Matt Moore in Game 1 of the ALDS.

Moore is currently at 98 pitches, 62 for strikes, after seven shutout innings allowing only two hits with six strike outs, in only his second career major league start and his first postseason appearance.

It is the 58th time this year a Rays starter has gone seven innings with allowing two runs or fewer.

8-0 Tampa Bay TOP 8

The Italian Job

Bryant looks to be headed back to a place
he has very fond memories of.

It looks as if arguably the biggest superstar in the NBA the past decade will be talking his game over seas. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has reached a verbal agreement to play for the Virtus Bologna in Italy during the NBA lockout.

The deal is said to be worth $3 million over a 10-game span in 40 days, but would be allowed out of the contract when the NBA lockout were to end.

Although there seems to be a scheduling conflict, putting the agreement on hold. Virtus opens their season Sunday Oct. 9 against Roma and continue to speak with other resilient Italian clubs about rescheduling some of their home games so Bryant's 10-game tour is in the biggest and most popular Italian cities and venues.

It has also been reported that the now 33-year-old Bryant is waiting to see how the this weekend's NBA labor negotiations go in New York before making anything official.

New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams got all this started by agreeing to play in Turkey back in mid-July if there was in fact a lockout.

Bryant, who was born in Philadelphia in 1978, spent the majority of his childhood living in Italy while his father, Joe Bryant, played for four different clubs from 1984-91. During that time Bryant was able to learn the Italian language and is a fluent speaker. The eldest Bryant has since returned to the United States and is currently the head coach for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.

As for the current Lakers star, if and when the NBA season gets underway, Bryant will be entering his 16th professional season in the NBA and have three-years and $83.5 million remaining on his contract with Los Angeles. Although that can be voided by his current employer if he is injured playing in Europe.

The five-time NBA champion is coming off a season that saw him average 25.3 point per game, the lowest total of his career since he averaged 24.0 PPG during the 2003-04 season.

Virtus and Bryant have until the end of next week to get a deal signed otherwise he'll have to look elsewhere. Bryant knows he has a lot more yesterdays than tomorrows in his career so he knows how important it is to get this deal done.

Bryant could be heading back to the place he calls "home". Arrivederci Kobe. See you soon.

NL First Round Preview: Play Ball

After an unbelievable and maybe the most exciting finish to an 162 game regular season in baseball history, October is upon us, setting the stage for an what could be an unforgettable postseason.

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies:
Much like the Tampa Bay Rays, the St. Louis Cardinals soar into the postseason with a clubhouse full of confidence and charisma. This was a team doomed by many before the season even started with the injury to ace Adam Wainwright and contract situation of slugger Albert Pujols only to overcome a 8.5 game deficit to win the NL wild card. Philadelphia has only one thing in mind after coming up short in 2010.

If healthy, Furcal brings a Gold Glove caliber
glove as well as energy atop the batting
order.

In their nine meetings this season the Cardinals were able to win six of those games including a road swept in September. The Cardinal pitching stifled the Fightin' Phils' offense with a .233 average against. Game 1 starter Kyle Loshe will need to be on top of his game as he will be opposed by two-time Cy Young winner Roy Halladay while St. Louis will have to wait until Game 3 send their ace to the mound.

Pujols has rebounded from a slow start, just missing his 11th straight season of 30 home runs and 100 RBIs with 37 and 99. It has been the surprise cast of characters that have carried this St. Louis offense all season long. Led by the reemergence of All-Star Lance Berkman the Cardinals found an offensive spark.

Much of the series will depend on the health of Matt Holliday and Rafael Furcal, also needing the continued contributions of role players such as Nick Punto, David Freese, and Skip Schumaker. Let's not forget about manager Tony La Russa, who is managing yet another playoff team.

Philadelphia has been here and done that, it's just a matter of doing it again. The Phillies set a franchise record with a 102 regular season wins this year and look to build on their success. With three of the top pitchers in baseball taking the ball every fifth day, it could be a daunting task for this St. Louis team. The Phillies pitching staff posted a 2.98 ERA against the rest of Major League Baseball, but saw it increase to 3.81 when facing the Cards.

Unlike the rest of his staff,
Hamels has a ring.

In recent years it has been the juggernaut offense of Philadelphia that opponents feared. With that no longer the case this order is not something to sleep on. When going right this is still one of the most potent offenses in the game today and if they get a healthy Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins swinging the bat, watch out. Ryan Howard posted yet another fantastic year with his sixth straight 100 RBI season.

Reliever Ryan Madson has solidified the ninth inning converting 32 save opportunities in 34 chances, but there are plenty of question marks surrounding Charlie Manuel's bullpen. That is in fact if he needs to use it.

STL X-Factor: Rafael Furcal


PHI X-Factor: Cole Hamels


St. Louis in Five


Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers:
The Arizona Diamondbacks are back in the postseason and once did the improbable. They might just be ready to stun baseball once again. The last time the Milwaukee Brewers were in the postseason it was 2008 and they were on the back of then-ace C.C. Sabathia. Unforunately for Brewer fans, Sabathia wore down and they fell to the eventual World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.

The surprise of the National League, the Diamondbacks surged into the NL West lead back in July never surrendering it. Led by first year manager Kirk Gibson, Arizona was able to dethrone the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants, never giving them the opportunity to defend their title.

With the injury to Buster Posey, Montero
became the best offensive catcher in the NL.

Their young pitching staff, headed by 21-game winner Ian Kennedy, will be the key to controlling the potent Milwaukee offense. Kennedy played his college ball at USC and made his major league debut with the New York Yankees. Those credentials indicate he is ready for the October spotlight. Like most teams in the postseason, Arizona's bullpen is a concern. After having one of the worst pens in the game a year ago, closer J.J. Putz has mentored a young group, but will that be enough?

Perennial All-Star and NL MVP candidate Justin Upton is the key to the D-Backs offense. Upton posted career-highs in almost every offensive category this season including, runs (105), hits (171), doubles (39), home runs (31), RBIs (88) and stolen bases (21). The 24-year-old right fielder has the potential to carry a team all the way to the World Series. Could this be the year Gibson relives his postseason magic?

Despite Arizona winning the season series 4 games to 3, the Brewers are as confident as ever heading into this years NLDS. This year Milwaukee has something they haven't had in decades, pitching depth. Ace Yovani Gallardo is set to control Game 1 at home with former Cy Young winner Zack Grienke to follow. That is important for first year manager Ron Roenicke considering Grienke is 11-0 at Miller Park with a 3.13 ERA. Don't forget about Shawn Marcum, who spent his first 5 seasons pitching in the scary AL East.

When Roenicke decides to turn the game over to the bullpen, it's in good hands. Francisco Rodriguez was traded to Milwaukee midseason bridging the gap to closer John Axford. Rodriguez is no stranger to the postseason lime light as he burst onto the scene in 2002 as a rookie taking the baseball world by storm. As for Axford, he hasn't blown a save since the first month of the season, shorting the game to seven innings.

K-Rod is no stranger to October magic.

The offense as we know has been the strength to this Brewers club for quite some time. With Cory Hart and Rickie Weeks being the table setters with the rare combination of speed and power atop the order, it gives the dangerous tandem of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder more RBI opportunities. Braun came a couple hits shy of winning the NL batting crown this season and is thought to be the favorite to land the NL MVP honors. Fielder added 38 home runs and 120 RBIs, both good enough for second in the NL behind the Dodgers' Matt Kemp. Possessed with arguably the best top four hitters in the league, Milwaukee will need their offense to carry what looks to be their last hurrah as a core.

ARZ X-Factor: Miguel Montero


MIL X-Factor: Francisco Rodriguez


Milwaukee in Five

AL First Round Preview: Let The Games Begin

After an unbelievable and maybe the most exciting finish to an 162 game regular season in baseball history, October is upon us, setting the stage for an what could be an unforgettable postseason.


Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers:
This series is a rematch of last years ALDS in which the road team won every game of the series and it needed all five games to determine a winner. Only this team Texas has the home-field advantage.

Tampa Bay comes into this year's postseason feeling as confident as ever and if they are to dethrone the defending American League champion Texas Rangers, they will have to use their outstanding pitching staff and defense to do so. As a whole the Rays recorded the second best ERA in the American League at 3.58 trailing only the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Hellickson is the favorite to
land the AL ROY honors.

Jeff Niemann, who is 0-2 with an ERA over 11 in his last two starts against Texas, looks to be getting the ball to open the series on the road. He will need to match C.J. Wilson pitch for pitch and keep his team in the game much like he did last year. In the 2010 ALDS, Niemann kept the Rangers off the score board for three innings, allowing only two base runners while punching out four.

Right-hander James Shields became a pitcher not a thrower after a terrible '10 campaign, posting a franchise record eleven complete games to go along with four shutouts. After an early trip to the disabled list All-Star Evan Longoria has recorded 87 RBIs since the month of June, by far the most in the majors. He will need to continue and carry the load much like he did Wednesday night at the Trop.

Also Rookie Matt Moore could be the 2011 version of David Price or Francisco Rodriguez.

In Arlington, the Rangers won the season series with the Rays 5 games to 4. Despite not having Cliff Lee, Texas has three above average left-handers going the first three games of this series with Wilson, Derek Holland, and Matt Harrison.

Napoli is batting .320 season with
an OBP of .414.

As for their bullpen, general manager Josh Daniels addressed that issue at the trading deadline, bringing in two of the games best set-up men with Koji Uehara and Mike Adams. Closer Neftali Feliz hasn't been what he was in his rookie season, but still gives Ron Washington a lethal weapon in the ninth inning.

The real strength of this club is their offense with Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli adding 62 home runs and 180 RBIs to an already dangerous order. How could we forget Michael Young after another amazing season sharing the major league in hits with 213. Somehow reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton is flying under the radar.

TB X-Factor: Jeremy Hellickson


TEX X-Factor: Mike Napoli


Tampa Bay in Five


Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees:
A rematch of the 2006 ALDS, in which the Tigers lost the first game of the series in the Bronx, but stunned the Yankees by winning the next three en route to their first World Series appearance since 1984. Game 1 will be a battle of aces that could decide who wins and who goes home.

Detroit heads into the Bronx as the hottest team in baseball after a 20-6 September run. The series rests in the hands of their ace Justin Verlander. The last time Verlander took the postseason stage he was a rookie and the losing pitcher in series-clinching Game 5 of the World Series. One thing is for sure Verlander is no longer a rookie and this years favorite to not only win the AL Cy Young Award, but the AL MVP as well after a 24 win season and winning the AL pitching triple crown.

Verlander enjoyed the best season of his
 career while tossing his second no-hitter.

Doug Fister has been anything short of spectacular since coming to the Motor City. In his 70 1/3 innings under Jim Leyland, Fister is 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA. Closer Jose Valverde was a perfect 49 for 49 in save opportunities in '11, but it will be the bridge to "Papa Grande" that will come into question.

We haven't even mentioned the Tigers offense that consists of some of the games best hitters. Miguel Cabrera is having yet another MVP caliber season while Victor Martinez looks to be the steal of the offseason. Not to mention the rejuvenated bat of Jhonny Peralta. This team can do it all.

In New York, the Yankees finished with the AL's best record for the the second time in three years, reaching the postseason for the 16th time in the last 17 years. The pitching behind C.C. Sabathia is still in question until they prove the regular season wasn't a fluke. Rookie Ivan Nova will get the ball in Game 2 in the Bronx despite his numbers being better on the road. Nova was 12-0 in his last 15 starts and is a rookie out to prove he belongs on the big stage.

If the Yankee starters can get the game to the bullpen, it could be game over. New York has developed a deadly three-headed monster with Soriano in 7th, Robertson in 8th, and of course Rivera in the 9th.

Posada could an erase a season full of pain
with one last magical October run.

The health of Alex Rodriguez is a major concern for New York and a key if they want to continue their chase for No. 28. Rodriguez has only 68 at-bats since the All-Star break which could have him well rested for another monster postseason. These two teams have not seen one another since May 5 and that is when Derek Jeter was still not quite Derek Jeter. Since that time Jeter has found his stride batting .327 and will continue to be the table setter for this Yankee offense.

DET X-Factor: Justin Verlander


NYY X-Factor: Jorge Posada


New York in Four

What A Way To Finish

Papelbon walks off hanging his head
and in disbelief like most Boston players.

Prior to the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season many had already crowned the once-cursed Boston Red Sox AL East division champions, they would represent the American League in the Fall Classic, and ultimately win their third World Series title in eight years. That's why they play the game.

The Red Sox completed the greatest September collapse Wednesday night losing to the never say die Baltimore Orioles 4-3. While the Tampa Bay Rays continued their improbable run at history, playing the role of Cinderella.

Red Sox fans found themselves in unfamiliar territory, rooting for the hated New York Yankees with their Lets Go Yanks signs scattered throughout Camden Yards.

Both teams sent their ace left-handers to the hill hoping if nothing else to live to play another day. Boston's Jon Lester, who was starting on three days rest for only the second time in his career, had a 14-0 record in 17 career starts against Baltimore, giving the Sox the slight advantage. Down South David Price, like Lester, had pitched in a World Series as rookie knowing exactly what pressure is.

With New York grabbing an unearned run in the first at Tampa Bay, former AL MVP and the heart and soul of this Red Sox team, Dustin Pedroia got the scoring started with an RBI single in the third.

Baltimore quickly answered in the home half of the inning with two of their own after J.J. Hardy's 30th home run of the season, tying him for the major league lead among shortstops.

After a two-out grand slam by Mark Teixeira in the second inning their arch rival, with nothing to play for, held a 5-0 lead after only an inning and a half. Up in Maryland, Boston had knotted the score at two after an Alfred Simon balk.

Then almost simultaneously Teixeira hit his second home run in consecutive at-bats against Price while Pedroia was giving the Sox a 3-2 edge with a solo shot of his own, willing his way to the postseason. Price would not return for the fifth at Tropicana Field after a disappointing 97-pitch effort. His replacement would not fair much better as reliever Juan Cruz surrendered a home run to only the second batter he faced, Yankee left fielder Andruw Jones.

Tampa Bay found themselves facing 7-0 deficit with only one hit through six innings, there season in doubt and an uphill climb upon them. During Boston's seventh inning rain delay NESN welcomed in long-time Boston Globe sports writer Dan Shaughnessy to the booth, where he pronounced the Rays dead in the water and was ready to crown the Red Sox wild card champions.

I guess the Rays didn't get the memo.

Joe Maddon's squad rallied with a four-hit, six-run eighth inning capped off by a three-run home run by the new face of their franchise, Evan Longoria, cutting the New York lead to one.

While the Sox resumed play against the Orioles, the Rays were down to their final strike. Pinch-hitter and Red Sox killer Dan Johnson launched a 2-2 changeup into the right field stands for a two-out game-tying home run.

Johnson watches the flight of his game-tying
ninth inning home run Wednesday.

Pandemonium at the Trop.

It was the second time Johnson, who hadn't recorded a hit since April 27th and had accumulated a .108 average, played ninth inning hero for the Rays.

In 2008, the left-handed slugger smacked a game-tying home run against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, helping propel Tampa to their first division title and postseason berth in franchise history.

Meanwhile after squandering numerous scoring opportunities Papelbon was brought in to preserve a one-run lead and ensure the Sox at least one more game. After deposing the first two hitters on strikes, Chris Davis promptly lined the first pitch he saw from the hard-throwing right-hander into the right field corner, sliding into second with a double.

Just before the clock struck midnight Eastern Time, Cinderella got her wish.

Baltimore's Nolan Reimold, a name that now will forever live in Red Sox lore, lined a game-tying ground-rule double, crushing Red Sox Nation. It was Papelbon's third blown save of the season and the second in the month of September against the Orioles. The other coming back on the Sept. 20 at Fenway Park with the man striding to the plate responsible for it.

Robert Andino spoiled the Red Sox evening with a three-run double once already this season, could he do it again?

Andino drilled a bullet to left field as Carl Crawford would not make a play he would usually make in his sleep, scoring the game-winning run and sending shock waves through New England.

With the score being posted in Tampa and the Rays' fans erupting in excitement, minutes later Longoria would hit a walk-off home run down the left field line, tallying his second jack of the game and sending Tampa Bay to the 2011 postseason. It was the first time a team faced a 7-0 deficit in their final regular season game only to come back and win to make the playoffs.

Longoria's walk-off blast also put himself in some pretty elite company joining baseball legend Bobby Thomson as the only other player to hit a walk-off home run on the final day of the season to put their team in the postseason.

As for the Red Sox, they did not win consecutive games once during the month of September. You have to go as far back as Aug. 27 when the Sox swept a double-header from the Oakland Athletics to find back-to-back wins for this club.

They finish the month with a 7-20 record, a .259 winning percentage, their worst since 1952. It was the first time since 1993 Boston would lose 16 or more games in September and first time since the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons they would not make the postseason in consecutive seasons.

The last time we saw the Red Sox in the playoffs it was a familiar sight as Papelbon was blowing a two-run lead, allowing the Angels to exercise their postseason demons, advancing to the ALCS.

Boston finishes 3-9 in their last 12 games and 2-5 in their last seven meetings with the Orioles.

Longoria celebrates after launching his
Rays into the postseason.

Many are calling for manager Terry Francona's head, but my how we forget so quickly. Francona replaced Grady Little as manager following the 2003 season. He is responsible for orchestrating a 0-3 ALCS comeback against the Yankees and ending an 86-year curse. In Tito's tenure at the helm the Sox have posted a .574 winning percentage, good enough for second in franchise history and the majors since '04.

His 28 postseason wins and 2 World Series titles are by far the most during his eight seasons in Beantown.

It all starts with pitching and that's something that was dismal for Boston the final month of the regular season. As a whole the staff posted a 5.84 ERA with six blown saves while the starters saw their ERA balloon to 7.08.

After blowing the largest lead (9 games) in September history, 1978 is in the rearview mirror with 2004 and 2007 feeling like a very long time ago.

Credit goes to Maddon as he never let his guys quit. In an offseason that say Tampa lose their top 6 highest paid players including players like the reigning AL saves leader Rafael Soriano, their home run leader Carlos Pena and the face of their franchise with Crawford departing to Boston, they were a team without an identity.

For two teams that both started the season 0-6, it will be a tale of two very different seasons.

For the Red Sox Sept. 28, 2011 will be a day that will forever live in infamy as it was the Rays date with destiny. Even Hollywood couldn't have written this script.

The San Francisco Giants got into the postseason on the final day of the season a year ago with the same type of formula for success, pitching. We all know how that fairy tale ended. How will this one?

Cards Fly Into Tie With Braves

Ozzie Out In Chi-town

Ellsbury Continues Magical Season

Jones Rampage's Jackson

Vick Given Green Light

Posada Clinches AL East For New York

Modano Calls It A Career

21 Years In The Making

Atop The Mo-untain

Ryan Claims His Territory

Still No. 1

First Time For Everything

Another Twin Down

A Sting Ray

Brew Crew In Trouble?

Mowing 'Em Down

Wake Reaches 200

Tom Terrific

Big Apple Welcome

Peterson Follows Suit

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Where's Peyton

Jags Part With Garrard

Thank You Jesus

A Crew's Cycle

What A Deal It Is

Newton's Law

Newton will lead an inexperienced Panthers
team into the NFL regular season.

When Cam Newton arrived in Carolina earlier this summer not only did he become Jimmy Clausen's newest teammate, but biggest rival. Clausen didn't buy into all the hype and his colligate accolades, refusing to surrender his jersey number 2 to the former Auburn Tiger standout, a number Newton he worn while playing in Alabama.

He will however be surrendering his job as the Panthers starting signal caller.

Despite being trounced by the defending American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers 33-17 in their fourth and final preseason game Thursday, first-year head coach Ron Rivera named Newton his starter under center for their Week 1 season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 11.

Newton orchestrated a nine-play, 71-yard drive in the first quarter that saw him run for 19 yards and was capped off by throwing his first professional touchdown pass. A 10-yard strike to tight end Jeremy Shockey, tying the score.

Newton's final preseason numbers consist of him completing 24 of 57 pass attempts for 300 yards, 1 TD with 0 interceptions. Much like in college, Newton used his speed and athleticism to move through defenses, scrambling for 86 yards and a score.

Throwing Newton right into the fire has become a theme over the last couple of seasons, with many teams believing in their rookie quarterbacks and it yielding results.

In 2008 two rookie quarterbacks stepped into the lime light for their respective teams and thrilled NFL fans. Matt Ryan took over for the suspended Michael Vick in Atlanta and led the Falcons to an 11-5 record along with a playoff berth. Joe Flacco did the same in Baltimore after being drafted in the first-round out of Delaware, leading a veteran team all the way to the AFC Championship game.

Following in his footsteps would be current New York Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez. New York drafted Sanchez with the fifth overall pick in 2009 and then help guide them to the AFC Championship game, somewhere they have been both years Sanchez has maned the huddle.

Although both Flacco and Sanchez were beneficiaries of having top notch defenses on their side en route to their deep postseason runs.

The Lions' Matthew Stafford was yet another rookie quarterback that was set to start for his team in '09, but was limited to just 10 games after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury early.

In his sophomore season, Bradford looks to seize
control of a weak NFC West.

St. Louis' Sam Bradford is the most recent rookie to post an impressive first-year campaign, throwing for 3,512 yards with 18 TDs and 15 INTs. While Bradford did not lead the Rams to a playoff appearance, he was however named the NFL's AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, becoming the fourth quarterback in the last 7 years to do so and the first since Ryan received the honor in '08.

Just like every first-year player, Newton is going to have his fair share of rookie mistakes and breakdowns, but with the explosiveness of running back DeAngelo Williams and rare combination of speed and power of linebacker Jon Beason, the Panthers' stock could be well on the rise.

The Cam Newton Era in Carolina is underway.

CJ2K Gets His Pay Day

Johnson will continue to terrorize AFC
defenses for the next six seasons.

After giving most fantasy football owners along with Tennessee Titan fans a scare everywhere Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson ended his prolonged hold-out Thursday, agreeing to four-year $53.5 million extension.


The deal will include $30 million guaranteed, making Johnson the highest-paid running back in the NFL, surpassing the Vikings' Adrian Peterson, who is set to make $10.7 million in 2011.

In his brief career, Johnson has become one of the best if not the best running back in the NFL rather quickly. The Orlando native was selected with the 24th overall pick by the Titans back in 2008, but surprisingly was the fourth of the five running back chosen in the first-round that year.

It wouldn't be until a year later that Johnson would land in the NFL spotlight.

2009 was truly year to remember for the now-twenty-five-year-old tailback. In 16 regular season games, Johnson found the end zone 14 times while rushing for 2,006 yards, capturing his first NFL rushing title and became only the sixth player in NFL history to amass 2,000 yards on the ground.

To top it off, Johnson's 2,509 total yards from scrimmage broke NFL legend Marshall Faulk's mark of 2,429 he set back in 1999 while playing for "The Greatest Show on Turf", the St. Louis Rams. He also was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl and was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year.

While his numbers were more than respectable in 2010, Johnson seemingly came back down to earth, rushing for 1,364 yards and 11 scores.

Johnson, who will be entering his fourth year in the NFL this season, has totaled 4,598 yards his first three. Only Eric Dickerson (5,147) and Earl Campbell (5,081), both whom are in the Hall of Fame, have accumulated more rushing yards in their first three NFL seasons.

Johnson's deal could impact
Peterson's contract situation in
Minnesota.

Johnson is not the only Pro Bowl running back that was rewarded this offseason as the Carolina Panthers gave DeAngelo Williams a five-year $43 million contract extension in late July. Then just a day prior to Johnson reaching his agreement with Tennessee, San Francisco's Frank Gore also agreed to an extension valued at $21 million, keeping him by the bay three extra seasons.

This leaves many to wonder what will the Viking's Peterson dictate from the club next offseason as he is in the final-year of his rookie contract.

As for CJ2K, he now becomes the face of the Tennessee franchise if he wasn't already in a titanic move that keeps the former East Carolina Pirate in Nashville through 2016.