According to the Boston Globe, big man Ben Wallace is doubfut for game 3:

Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace is doubtful for Game 3 of Cleveland’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics because of allergies and a left inner ear infection.

Wallace started but played less than 4 minutes in Thursday night’s game before he became dizzy and asked to come out. He staggered to the bench and had to be assisted by his teammates before the Cavs’ training staff stepped in.

Wallace underwent a series of tests at the Cleveland Clinic on Friday. The team said the defensive stopper could be upgraded but it was “best case, 50-50″ that Wallace would play Saturday in Game 3.

Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Wallace can’t go, Anderson Varejao would likely start up front alongside LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as Cleveland tries to climb back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.

Wallace joined the Cavaliers in a trade from Chicago in February. He missed several regular-season games because of back spasms.

Its little things that win playoff games and Wallace does those little things, hustle, offensive rebounds and defense. With him out that propells Verajo into the starting line up and makes the Cavs weak bench 1 man smaller. With him being out it Could be a hit to the head for the Cavs.

Obviously if you are reading this blog you probaly watched the game so I will rarely go into recaps about games but I will give my two cents.

19 Points 13 Rebounds 2 Assists  7-13 from the Field, 3 steals and stellar defense and electricity.

These are not the stats from Lebron, Pierce, Garnett or any other starter but rather the combined stats of two bench players whom came up huge in last nights win, giving the celts the momemtum, clutch points and rebounds, defense and hustle to grab the lead and eventually the win. These two men are Leon Powe and James Posey.

Again it was Poseys long arms and menacing defense who bothered Lebron and got in his head where he was forcing shots, turning the ball over (7 times) and missing layups.  Posey also came through with a huge 3 late in the second quater and a steal off Lebron leading to a dunk where the Celts took the lead, got the crowd on its feet and never looked back.

It was Powes hustle and hardwork on the offensive boards (4 off boards).  With Perkins in the game Illgauskus scored 12 points going 6-6 from the field and Kendrick was not able to defend vs Illgauskus’ outside pop out jumper. Powe came into the game and was scrambling all over the place sometimes playing vs Illgauskus who only scored 7 more pts the rest of the game, sometimes hedging a disrupting Lebrons jumper. I think Powe needs to get more PT in this series, Kendrick can not get out to Illgauskus jump shot and is not bringing the intensity as Powe does.

Without the two P’s the C’s might have gotten an L last night. Up 2-0, need to steal one in Clevland and the bench will have a huge impact.

Some good video and links for you….just click away….

• Jimmy Kimmel aka Miguel Tejada on his wieght issues (video)

• Bill Bilichek and Josh McDaniels could use this play (video)
• Tribute to the Beer GUY (article and videos)

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/08125/878966-85.stm

This story is a great read about a teenager with cancer who has a huge heart, a mature mind and a love for sports. Its a heart touching story and a must read. Exert:

The 18-year-old kid dying of cancer gets his wish, a chance to swing a bat maybe one last time in a real baseball game.

He hasn’t played in a few years, but he’s called on to pinch-hit. His eyes light up at the first pitch and he puts all of his 5-foot-5, 93-pound frame into one mighty swing, making contact and sending a line drive into right field for a single — if he can reach first base. The cancer he’s been battling for almost two years has spread to his pelvis, making running nearly impossible.

The kid worries about falling as he hustles down the first-base line. When he gets to the base, he lets out with a yell. “I did it! I did it!”

His high school coach set up a fund raiser walk for him so he could go on one last vaccation with his family. They raised enough and he plans on going a cruise in JUne.

After the walk, John addressed the crowd.

“He spoke from his heart,” Mr. Wetzel, the coach, said. “He said, ‘I’ve got two options. I know I’m going to die, so I can either sit at home and feel sorry, or I could spread my message to everybody to live life to the fullest and help those in need.’ After hearing that, I don’t know if there were many people not crying.”

On figuring out he had cancer and talking with his dad

“I sit up with him at night until 1 or 2 in the morning,” Scott Challis said. “He’ll tell me, ‘Dad, when I’m gone, you have to do this or that. You have to watch your weight.’ He’s worried about my weight. He tells me I have to take care of mom.

“When the doctors told him a few weeks ago about how the cancer was winning, he had a lot of questions about what it was going to be like and about being comfortable. Later on, he broke down with me and you know what he did? He apologized. He was upset because he felt like he was letting everyone down who had been praying for him.”

The role of sports in his life

The cancer forced him to stop playing football as a junior.

“But I will never forget,” his father said, “when he first got sick he told me, ‘Dad, I have to dress for a football game one more time.’ “

He got his wish in the final game of his senior season, against Hickory. Coaches let him kick off once. He was supposed to kick and immediately run off the field to avoid danger. Instead, he stayed on the field and got a little excited when the kick returner started heading his way before being tackled.

Later in the game, the coaches put him in for two plays at receiver. Mr. Wetzel and others who saw the game proudly tell how, on one play, John tried to block a defender, fell down, but got up and pushed another defender………….

Baseball

 John attended the game, but had an IV line in his arm for a treatment he was getting. He took out the IV line and asked Mr. Wetzel if he could pinch-hit again.

“Unbelievable. He told me the doctor said he could take it out for up to seven hours,” Mr. Wetzel said. “He told me he just wanted to be a normal kid one more time.”

So Mr. Wetzel let him pinch-hit. This time he struck out.

Impact on his coach

They have a unique coach-player relationship. Mr. Wetzel invited John to be part of the team a year ago and John calls the coach one of his best friends. They talk every day, at least on a cell phone, and go to lunch together once a week.

“The kid has changed my life,” Mr. Wetzel said. “I cry for him just about every day. I’m 32 and I’m getting married in September. You know what he told me the other day? He told me to save him a seat in the front row of the church, because even if he’s not there, he’ll be there in spirit.

Great read, really touching showing that there is more to life than sports. A role model and someone who know about what life is reallly about.

By the way Curt is playing catch:

Curt Schilling made 25 throws at 60 feet this afternoon. The session — really just him playing catch with pitching coach John Farrell — lasted six minutes. He’s scheduled to throw again on Thursday. Boston.com

Also WEEI reports that the Rockies have inquired about trading for Julian Tavares

Doesn’t it sound like ZAZA is drunk? He sounds like a college student about to jump off a rood into a pool…. Game 7! Game 7! Game 7! Game 7 tomorrow, get ready for a beat down Atlanta. I will be there and it will be electric!

Links and News:

• Former East Providence High School and Boston College Standout Jamie Silva was picked up by the Colts

• No Suspensions for the Celts Skirmish (video)
• The PawSox are playing solid ball going 14-11 as of now
• Randy Moss to start a NASCAR Team
• No One trusts the Jets
• Gotta See this One: Peyton Bitching to his linemen and gets told to sit down (video)

(Rak, 21. Sherry 84 before Cranston West Game)

It seems like just yesterday we were getting yelled at together by our freshmen coach, telling us that we ran like our grandmothers. And after that we were walking out as Captains together in our final high school game vs Lasalle and now my former teammate Matt Sherry is in the NFL!

Former Hendricken and Rhode Island High School standout was drafted in the 6th round by the Bengals (thus making the Bengals my 2nd favorite teams).

Sherry played four years at Bishop Hendricken High School then taking his talents to Villanova. He became a captian in his 5th year. He lead his team in recieving and lead the America team in recieving in the Texas vs the Nation game earlier this year. 

CBS Sportsline: Sherry put on a show during his All-Colonial Athletic Association senior season, leading the team in catches (37) and yards (461) in a run-first system and also caught five touchdowns. His performance in the El Paso all-star game really cemented his chance as a potential late-round selection, showing the consistent hands a good reserve tight end must have to stay in the league.

Congrats to Matt Sherry! Take it to the house baby! YEA HAWKS! Good luck in the league, were proud as hell!

(Sherry 84, Tomillio 24, Petarudy 56, Rak 21 Captains)

Hendricken Hawks 2002-03 Senior Team

Also a good read:

Projo Matt Sherry Article

Bengals coach Lewis Talks about Sherry

CBS Anayalsis:

In 46 games at Nebraska, Ruud started 33 contests. He registered 216 tackles (117 solo) with 4 ½ sacks for minus-43 yards, 25 stops for losses of 84 yards and 16 quarterback pressures. He caused six fumbles and recovered two others, returning two for a total of 53 yards. He deflected 13 passes and intercepted five others for 208 yards in returns, including three touchdowns

Positives: Has a solid build and lean and defined upper- and lower-body muscles, broad chest and room to carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk to help his body mature at strong-side linebacker … Quick to key and diagnose the play and is active vs. the run, showing the functional strength to take on blockers and the hand usage to shed blocks … Uses his hands effectively to control and reroute tight ends and short-area receivers … Instinctive player with good vision and shows good tackling form, using his hands effectively to take on, shed blocks and make the play … Has a decent change of direction, showing a nice spring in his step and while not quick-twitched, he does have enough of a lateral flow to the ball … Opens his hips properly and is fluid in his pass drops, staying low in his turn-and-go action … Doesn’t always play with leverage to contain vs. plays directed at him, but has enough chase speed to pursue plays away from his territory, as he can sift through trash quickly … Shows the initial first step as a blitzer to generate decent backside pursuit, but needs to improve his strength to be more effective with his inside gap responsibilities … Stays close to the tight end and runs with acceleration in man coverage … Not a natural mover in pass coverage with sudden change-of-direction agility, but can plant and drive cleanly in transition and close on plays in front of him … His vision and awareness let him get a good jump on the ball and he does a decent job breaking down in space … Takes good angles shortening his path to the ballcarrier and while he might bite the runner’s ankles at times, he has the hand strength to hold on until help arrives … Has good hip snap and arm extension, timing his leaps well to compete for jump balls … Catches the ball cleanly and runs with a good stride on interception returns … More of a blitzer than a pass rusher, but does have a nice spin move to slip off blocks.

Negatives: Has good straight-line quickness, but struggles to redirect, showing some hip stiffness when attempting to change direction … Will lose leverage on inside run plays when he leads with the wrong shoulder … His lack of bulk causes him to get engulfed by the larger blockers and while he needs to add more weight, it could impact his timed speed … Needs to use his hands better when attempting to chase and drag down the ballcarriers (can grab, but lacks the strength to jerk to the ground, needing help to complete the play) … Good wrap-up tackler, but needs to play under control more, as he tends to over pursue … Gets a little out of control in his backside pursuit, causing him to miss some tackles behind the line of scrimmage … Moves well when covering, but needs to show better sideline range, as he has a tough time weeding through traffic … Can control the tight end and mirror his moves in the short area, but was rarely asked to drop back in zone coverage until shifting to the strong-side as a senior … Flashes a good spin move, but his swim moves are negated by his short-arm approach (needs to extend his arms better to stave off blockers trying to latch on to his jersey) … Has good speed to mirror short-area receivers, but is sluggish redirecting and lacks the second gear to trail on deep routes.. Might still be nursing a knee injury he suffered late in the year.