The Sport Report

To put it lightly, the Carolina Panthers have had a rough season. For most casual NFL fans out there without a Direct TV plan and self-loathing sports viewership habits, it’s more than likely you haven’t actually seen a Panthers game in 2010. But as their atrocious 2-14 record will attest, little has gone right for the franchise which will most likely replace not only its head coach but a number of starters during the off-season. Among the most high profile off-season additions will be the Panthers number 1 overall draft choice, which could be used to go a number of different directions. Here’s a look ahead at some of the players who may declare, help to hurry the much maligned Panthers through the rebuilding process.1. Andrew Luck Considered by many to be the top quarterback in a potent class, perhaps the question is whether or not Luck will enter his name for consideration (still with 2 seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining). Though Carolina selected QB Jimmy Clausen with their second round pick only a year ago, a prospect of Luck’s caliber only comes along every few years, were the Cats to waiver in their commitment to the incumbent.2. A.J. Green Arguably the most talented wide receiver to come out of college since Randy Moss, Green possesses similar upside with favorable character considerations. If Carolina decides to stick with Clausen under center, the brass will still have to bring in weapons for him to work with. Steve Smith is has been the only relevant receiver in the passing game since the second coming of Muhsin Muhammad, while Green would provide a bigger target with elite level tools. (more…)

The 2010 Hall of Fame class recently enshrined in Canton, OH, sees some of the premiere names that defined football over the course of the 1990′s, along with a few who have been waiting a little longer for their moment in the sun, immortalized with football’s highest honor. Here is a look at this year’s select few who have been recognized among the greatest football players of all time.Jerry Rice Rice was an obvious selection in his first showing on the Hall of Fame ballot. The most prolific receiver in NFL history, Rice set the standard for the position while catching passes from fellow Canton residents Steve Young and Joe Montana for the 49ers. The 13 time Pro-Bowler is the league’s all time leader in TD receptions (197), receptions (1,549) and receiving yards (22,895).Emmitt Smith The NFL’s all-time rushing leader certainly had no doubt he would find himself in the Hall of Fame as soon as he became eligible. Not only did he set the league’s high watermark for rushing yards (18,355), he is also the record holder for rushing TDs (164) and rushing attempts (4,409), spending all but the final two years of his career with the Cowboys.John Randle Once an undrafted free agent, Randle terrorized quarterbacks from the defensive tackle position for the Minnesota Vikings, made famous not only by his signature sacks but his face painting antics and a trash talking mouth that would make Gary Payton look like Mr. Rogers. (more…)

Perhaps never before has it been so newsworthy that an NFL player merely completed practice. Not since Allen Iverson’s famous “you talkin’ bout practice rant” has the subject of a player’s non-game time dedication come under so much public scrutiny. Of course, when your 7-year 100 million contract is the only thing in sight bigger than your massive 6’6” 350 lbs. frame, almost anything you do is sure to garner a little more attention than the average 9 to 5 employed, lanky-bodied American.After choosing to skip the Redskin’s off-season workouts entirely, followed by his appearance at only one day of the Redskins’ mandatory mini-camp, Albert Haynesworth was the only Redskin player required to pass a conditioning test before being declared physically fit enough to participate in official team practices. Dissatisfied with the direction of the Redskins defense under Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett, implementing a switch from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 in which he would have to line up at nose tackle, Haynesworth’s absence loomed nearly as large as his imposing figure would have in the team locker room, though throughout the episode he claimed he would be in shape and ready to play when the time came. Upon return his return, however, Haynesworth failed the conditioning test, which according to most accounts, is quite standard across the NFL and by no means a high bar for a reasonably in shape regular Joe, much less a professional athlete. (more…)