NFL:R.Calloway 

I never saw this move coming… With all the talk about trading MV7 for draft picks, Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff made another great move that should have all Falcons’ fans buzzing headed into this weekends draft.  Acquiring 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft was genius.  In 12 NFL seasons, Gonzalez is the all-time leader among tight ends with 916 receptions, 76 touchdowns and 10,940 receiving yards.  Last season he recorded 96 catches for 1,058 yards and 10 TDs in 16 games.  While doing my background research on Mr. Gonzalez the one thing that really stood out to me is that he has missed only two games over his NFL career. So maybe now we can focus on tightening up our depleted secondary. My prediction for tomorrow’s draft…. Is that there will be a lot of QB’s changing their address. Especially if your last name is Campbell, Quinn, or Anderson. Expect the Jets, Redskins, Browns, Seahawks, & of course the Detroit Lions to make something happen as they all are in the hunt for a QB. 

NBA:R.Calloway 

Don’t call it a come back… But I told you so.. The defending world champion Celtics looked as if they have finally arrived.. Paul Pierce scored 24 points in the C’s 107-86 victory over the Chicago Bulls, to take a 2-1 lead in the series. This series has been the most entertaining so far and I have a new favorite point guard & his name is Rajon Rondo !!!!  This dude is now one of the Top 5 PG’s in the league & in all honesty if it weren’t for him,Boston wouldn’t have the series lead.

So here’s the official press release……

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – The Atlanta Falcons today agreed to acquire 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. In exchange, the Falcons gave the Chiefs their second round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Gonzalez, 6-5, 251 pounds, has established himself as one of the premier tight ends in NFL history following 12 seasons, all with Kansas City. A native of Torrance, California, Gonzalez holds League records for the most receptions (916), receiving yards (10,940) and touchdown catches (76) by a tight end. His 10 Pro Bowl selections are more than any other tight end in the game and he has also earned eight first or second-team Associated Press All-Pro selections, his latest coming last season.

“Tony brings a new dynamic to the Falcons offense and we are very pleased that we were able to make the trade with Kansas City,” said Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. “His career numbers and records are top notch and he will no doubt be an integral part of our offense.”

Gonzalez has competed in 190 career games with 174 starts in a Chiefs uniform. The University of California graduate has compiled four 1,000-yard receiving campaigns, 26 100-yard receiving contests and is just the fifth player and the first tight end in NFL history to produce 11 consecutive seasons with 50 or more receptions. Gonzalez’s career numbers lead all Kansas City receivers in franchise history and his 916 career catches are the ninth-most in NFL history and fourth-highest among active players.

“Tony is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and will be a great addition to our team,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “He will be a leader both on and off the field for our organization.”

Last season, Gonzalez caught a team-high 96 passes for 1,058 yards (11.0 avg.) and 10 touchdowns (second in the AFC). His reception total led all NFL tight ends and was tied for fourth among all receivers while his yardage total ranked sixth overall in the AFC. Gonzalez also ranked tied for first among tight ends in the League and was second in the NFL among all receivers with 29 third down catches. Against the Tennessee Titans on October 19, 2008, he surpassed Shannon Sharpe (10,060) for the most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history on a six-yard catch in the first quarter. For his efforts in 2008, Gonzalez was selected to his 10^th Pro Bowl as a starter and was named a first-team Associated Press All-Pro.

“Tony’s arrival will make an instant impact not only on the offensive side of the ball, but on the overall team in general,” said Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. “I feel privileged to be throwing the ball to a future Hall of Famer and I’m anxious to get on the field to start working with him.”

 Well you kinda knew things weren’t gonna go well when the Hawks live mascot Spirit flew the coop… Really.. He just hung out in the rafters for most of the game…  Dwayne Wade was on FIRE scoring 33 points, including 6-of-10 from three point land, as the Heat picked up the 108-93 victory over the Hawks from the Philips Arena to even their first-round playoff series at a game apiece.   However, the final score doesn’t reflect how good this game really was.. The Hawks could have won this game if they had only hit some freaking free throws. 14 blown free throws… Come on Hawks.. 14 points would have made the game 108-107, not to mention Joe Johnson was in foul trouble the entire second half.  

Note to Coach Woodson… You gotta practice FREE THROWS.. 

The Hawks and Heat: Game 3 is Saturday in Miami tip off set for 6:30.In other playoff action last night: 

The Orlando Magic were able to tie their series 1-1 with the 76ers with a 96-87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

  The Denver Nuggets are now up 2 games after last nights 108-93 win over the New Orleans Hornets.

 Tonight at 8:00 p.m. the best series so far continues as the defending champion Boston Celtics visit the Chicago Bulls. This series has been full of fireworks and my gut feeling tells me to expect another great one tonight.

Look for the Celtics to take the series lead 2-1.                     

The San Antonio Spurs visit the Dallas Mavericks tonight 8:30 p.m. with the series tied at 1-1, look for Tony Parker and Tim Duncan to combine for at least 55 points to take the series lead.

At 10:30 p.m. the unstoppable Los Angeles Lakers look to go up 3-0 in this meaningless series vs. the Utah Jazz. Phil Jackson is 41-0 in playoff series in which his teams go up 1-0 the Lakers are up 2-0…So just based on stats after tonight the Jazz WILL be facing elimination. 

Congrats to Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose the winner of the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.  Rose became the third Bull to win the award, joining Elton Brand and some guy named Michael Jordan.

I’m Rob Calloway & I am the Mad Sports Fan..

Email me at madsportsfan@gmail.com

The Hawks and Heat hook up tonight for game 2 of their 1^st round playoff series from the Philips Arena tonight.  The Hawks defeated the Heat 90-64 on Sunday to take the series lead 1-0 in the best-of-seven set.  Tip-off is tonight @ 8:00 p.m. 

Other games tonight include:  

7:00 p.m. - Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic

10:30 p.m.-New Orleans Hornets at Denver Nuggets.  

Last night’s winners: Cleveland, Los Angeles, & Portland.

 Congrats to Atlanta native Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Tuesday.  Howard led the league with 13.8 rebounds and 2.92 blocks-per-game, while also scoring 20.6 points-per-game.   

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew is hoping to have the number-one overall pick signed prior to the NFL Draft this weekend. Lions’ officials said that there is a very good chance that Detroit will have a deal in place by Saturday.  The Lions have been negotiating with UGA quarterback Matt Stafford & Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry.   

Come on you’ve got to be fricking kidding me!!!! With the draft just 3 days away, wide receivers Percy Harvin of Florida and Brandon Tate of North Carolina may have hurt their draft status by flunking drug tests at the NFL Combine.  FOXSports.com reports both tested positive for marijuana and could be subject to the NFL’s substance-abuse program.

Question: How stupid can one be????

Speaking of the draft…

 There could be a wild card on draft day … Michael Vick.Vick remains on Atlanta’s roster even though the team has said it doesn’t want him back.According to GM Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons are always open to entertaining any offers and any discussion about players on the roster and if someone wants to discuss Michael Vick, the team will definitely entertain a discussion during the draft. 

If you’re wondering about the Braves.. The bleeding continues. They have now lost 7 of their last 8 games.. 

Get well soon!!! Football great William “The Refrigerator” Perry is in serious condition in a South Carolina hospital.  The Chicago “Sun-Times” reports the former Bears defensive lineman is suffering Guillain-Barre syndrome, in which the body’s immune defenses attacks the central nervous system.  It’s characterized by weakness in the arms and legs and breathing muscles.  The 46-year-old Perry was diagnosed last June and hospitalized for five months.   Perry reportedly has lost 100 pounds from the legendary big frame that gave him his “Refrigerator” nickname.    Perry played for ten years in the NFL, eight of them for the Bears.  His Super Bowl ring size is the largest of any pro football player ever.  It’s a size 25, more than twice that of the average adult man.  

 I’m Robert Calloway & I am the Mad Sports Fan…  You can always reach me via email:  Posted in Sports | No Comments »