US – Sunday, March 21
Music
SXSW ’10: Get your dance on, great songs optional
The trends that emerged from the SXSW Music Conference in Austin last week are still bubbling to the top as I make sense of the hundreds of songs that filled the city for four days, but one thing I definitely noticed is that popular music may soon have a lot more emphasis on flexibility.
 
Between the Lines
Allen: NFL 365
I was a little surprised this week when I saw that media sessions were being set up with Patriots players who are participating in the voluntary offseason workouts down in Gillette Stadium. I guess I shouldn't be, but its just another sign that the National Football League is a 365-days-a-year proposition these days.
 
Philly
High-speed crash leaves two dead
Two people are dead and another two are on the run from police after a high-speed crash early Thursday morning initially thought to involve racing but may have simply been horrifically reckless driving, officials said.
 
My Pets
At AKC, it’s score one for the mutts
Founded in 1884 as a registry for pure-bred dogs, the American Kennel Club didn’t traditionally offer many perks for your beloved lab-poodle-schnauzer mix. But as of April 1, the AKC Canine Partners Program will offer mutts not only membership benefits, but opportunities to compete at dog sporting events.
 
Sports
Upsets, OTs on first day of Big Dance
So much for that bracket you filled out.

 
Philly
Finding the right match
When Chris Greenleaf competed in the 2004 World Championship of Rowing, he learned a lot about anxiety and pressure.
 
Philly Sports
Brown displaying glimpses of future
It’s easy to see why the Phillies refused to part with minor-league phenom Domonic Brown.
 
Published 03:03, October the 22nd, 2009
Send
 

whining will produce results

 
 

“Wahhhhhh!!” It’s a common phrase we hear from the NFL’s top wideouts. Annoying? Yes. Effective? Usually.

They complain about not getting the ball so often that it’s barely a blip on the radar. Some guys even make a stink when their team wins.

Check out Steve Smith’s comments after he recorded just one catch in the Panthers victory over the Bucs last week:

“It’s bittersweet. We get the win, but I have a limited role,” Smith said. “I see this game as showing I’m no longer an asset to this team.”

Forget the fact that Smith draws double teams, making him a very important asset. The real question is if complaining will cause more targets to come his way going forward?

Recent history suggests it will. In Week 5, Derrick Mason saw exactly zero passes come his way against the Bengals. The very next week, he was targeted 12 times. DeSean Jackson also publicly complained about his role in a Week 5 win over the Bucs. Donovan McNabb looked for him 12 times last week as well.

So what does this mean for Smith? Well, a player of his caliber should be getting more than one catch a game whether he complains or not. But the fact he whined accentuates the point.

Add that to the Panthers running game coming around, and we have a very solid buy low candidate in Mr. Smith.

Speaking of buying low on players It’s officially the peak of trading season in fantasy leagues. Dwayne Bowe’s schedule gets much softer and the Chiefs are looking to go hurry up. Matt Forte just gets too many touches not to produce. And despite another rough outing last week, buying on the bet that Brandon Jacobs’ touchdowns will come is a strong play.

 
 
Share
 


 
Metro Life Panel
Read more