|
The Woelfel World of Sports
March 2008
Monday March 31, 2008
Posted by: gwoelfel at 5:13PM CST on March 31, 2008
BY GERY WOELFEL David Griffin was in Milwaukee Monday and he wasn’t there on vacation. Griffin, the senior vice president of basketball operations, was on a business trip, meeting with top-ranking Milwaukee Bucks officials about the organization’s vacant general manager’s position. Griffin is one of several candidates under consideration for the Bucks’ job, which opened up two weeks ago when Larry Harris was relieved of his duties. Griffin has been affiliated with the Suns 15 seasons. He joined the organization as an intern in the communications department in 1993 and worked in media relations for four years before moving into the basketball side of the operations. Griffin has had a wide-range of responsibilities with the Suns and held several titles, including assistant general manager and director of player personnel. Neither Griffin nor Bucks officials were available for comment Monday. It is believed Bucks owner Herb Kohl wants to have a new general manger in place by the conclusion of the regular season. The Bucks, who are bound for the draft lottery for the second straight season, play their final regular-season game on April 16. Griffin was the second person to be recently interviewed for the GM job. Rick Sund, who began his NBA career with the Bucks in the mid-70s, recently met with Bucks officials. Sund has worked for several NBA teams, most recently the Seattle SuperSonics. Sund was hired as the SuperSonics general manager in 2001 and was fired last year with one year remaining on his contract. Sund and Griffin are the latest individuals to be on their radar for the GM position. The Bucks had targeted television analyst Doug Collins and former Indiana Pacers president Donnie Walsh. However, Collins seems content working in television, and Walsh appears on the brink of accepting the position of president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks. The Bucks also have more than a passing interest in John Hammond, the Detroit Pistons’ vice president of basketball operations. The Bucks would have to receive permission from the Pistons to talk to Hammond and it’s unknown whether Pistons would grant it. Hammond has played a pivotal role in the Pistons’ success, serving as president of basketball operations Joe Dumars’ top assistant. Hammond and Dumars also have a close relationship and, unless the Bucks brass can convince Dumars that Hammond is indeed their top choice for their GM job, Dumars isn’t likely to allow the Bucks to talk to Hammond. Friday March 28, 2008
Posted by: gwoelfel at 12:12AM CST on March 28, 2008
BY GERY WOELFEL When it comes to the NFL draft, and the Green Bay Packers in particular, Mike Mayock is the man. In three of the last four years, Mayock, the NFL Network’s draft guru, has been right on the mark when predicting the Packers’ first-round pick. Mayock accurately said the Packers would select defensive back Ahmad Carroll with the 25th overall pick in the 2004 draft when most of the so-called draft experts projected him as a second-round choice. And Mayock made an absolutely brilliant call in the 2005 draft when he said the Packers, with the 24th overall pick, would select quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whom almost everyone had projected as one of the top picks. Mayock also hit on outside linebacker A.J. Hawk, the Packers’ top pick two years ago. While this year’s draft is still several weeks away – April 26-27 -- Mayock isn’t close to making a call on the Packers’ top pick, which will be No. 30 overall. However, Mayock believes, like most observers, the Packers will likely take either a cornerback or offensive tackle … or, unlike most observers, a tight end. Considering the draft is unusually rich in cornerbacks, and that the Packers’ current starting corners – Al Harris and Charles Woodson -- are approaching senior citizen status in the NFL, it would seem logical the Packers would grab one. Mayock is convinced Leodis McKelvin of Troy, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of Tennessee State and Aqib Talib of Kansas will be off the board when the Packers are on the clock. Yet, Mayock believes there will be several intriguing corners still available for the Packers, including Mike Jenkins of South Florida, Brandon Flowers of Virginia Tech, Antoine Cason of Arizona, Tracy Porter of Indiana, Patrick Lee of Auburn, Reggie Smith of Oklahoma and Justin King of Purdue. As for offensive tackles, Mayock said this year’s crop is “one of the best I’ve seen in years.’’ But Mayock believes the Packers’ primary offensive tackle targets would be either Gosder Cherilus of Boston College or Sam Baker of Southern California. “Either one of those guys could help them,’’ Mayock said. If the Packers went the tight end route, Mayock said Dustin Keller of Purdue would be the likely candidate. “He’s got good hands, he’s athletic and he can get up the field,’’ Mayock said. “To me, he makes a lot of sense for them at 30.’’ Two other tidbits on the Packers’ draft: 1) At the recent NFL combine in Indianapolis, I was told the Packers would likely choose either a defensive back or an outside linebacker with their top pick. Taking a defensive back would hardly be a surprise. However, it would be a surprise if they took an outside linebacker. Of course, nobody, including Mayock, ever expected Packers GM Teddy “Bear’’ Thompson to take a defensive tackle – Justin Harrell -- with the team’s top pick last year. 2) Why are the Packers so intrigued with DeSean Jackson – a wide receiver from California – when they already have a solid receiving corps? I’ve been told John Dorsey, the Packers’ director of college scouting, recently attended Jackson’s workout and, by all reports, came away impressed. Jackson is projected to go in the area where the Packers are picking in the first round. Monday March 24, 2008
Posted by: gwoelfel at 12:04AM CST on March 24, 2008
BY GERY WOELFEL The Milwaukee Bucks’ search for a new general manager is expected to begin in earnest today. And while TNT analyst Doug Collins, a former NBA player and coach, and Indiana Pacers president Donnie Walsh are the most prominently mentioned individuals to succeed Larry Harris, there is cadre of current and former GMs and current assistant GMs who could draw interest for the Bucks’ job. They include: * John Hammond: As the vice president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons, Hammond has served as Joe Dumars’ right-hand man. Hammond, a native of Zion, Ill., is in his seventh year with the Pistons and is highly-regarded in NBA circles. Hammond has been courted by some teams in recent years for their GM position, but decided to remain with the Pistons primarily because of his loyalty to Dumars. * David Griffin: The senior vice president of basketball operations for the Phoenix Suns could have become the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies last summer. But Griffin opted to turn down the Grizzlies’ offer and returned to Phoenix, where he is extensively involved in player personnel matters. * Tony DiLeo: The senior vice president/assistant general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers has seen his reputation steadily grow. DiLeo has a lofty reputation as a talent evaluator and played a major role in helping the 76ers acquire some of the best young talent in the league, among them being Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams and Rodney Carney. * Keith Grant: As the Dallas Mavericks’ assistant general manager, Grant has quietly played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the Mavericks’ rise to prominence. Grant, who has spent 28 years in various capacities for the Mavericks and is currently assisting Mavs president of basketball operations Donn Nelson, is known for his organizational skills and attention to detail. * John Nash: While currently doing television work in Philadelphia, Nash has a plethora of front office experience. He has been a general manager for several teams, the most recent being the Portland Trail Blazers from 2003-2006. Nash also had GM stints in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington. While on the East Coast, Nash established a good rapport with Bucks owner Herb Kohl and the two frequently discussed NBA matters. * Mark Warkentien: The Denver Nuggets’ vice president of basketball operations has been instrumental in reshaping the Nuggets’ roster. Warkentien also has a strong understanding of the league, having previously worked for Cleveland and Portland. * John Gabriel: Now a scout/advisor for the Portland Trail Blazers, Gabriel has considerable front office experience. In fact, Gabriel was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year award in 2000 when he was the Orlando Magic’s general manager. While with the Magic, Gabriel helped the team land then free-agents Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady. * Tommy Sheppard: The Washington Wizards vice president of basketball administration made an impressive presentation to Seattle SuperSonics ownership last summer before being edged out for the general manager’s job by Sam Presti. Sheppard, regarded as a hard worker with outstanding people skills, has worked closely with Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld on a variety of administrative issues, including salary cap management, contract negotiations and draft matters. * Rick Sund: After beginning his career with the Bucks in the mid-70s and spending five years in Milwaukee, Sund was hired as the Dallas Mavericks’ director of player personnel. Sund later worked for the Detroit Pistons under Collins and, in 2001, was hired as the Seattle SuperSonics general manager. Sund’s biggest move while working in Seattle was trading Gary Payton and Desmond Mason to the Bucks for Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray and a future No. 1 draft pick. Sund was fired in April of 2001 with one year remaining on his contract. * Dave Babcock: The Bucks’ player personnel director has been appointed the interim general manager and Kohl said Babcock would oversee the Bucks’ draft operations. As such, Babcock, who is in his 11th season with the Bucks, is expected to remain in the organization and figures to be a legitimate candidate for the GM position. NOTES: - Dwayne Wilson, the Bucks’ likeable equipment manager, is recovering after suffering a stroke. Wilson, who is in his third season with the Bucks, had spent several days in a Milwaukee hospital before being released. - On the basketball shoes of Bucks forward Desmond Mason are the initials “KPDL’’. They stand for Kirk Peter Dean Larsen, Mason’s brother-in-law who died in January at the age of 36. Mason was notified of Kirk’s death and then relayed the news to his wife, Andrea “It’s been really tough, really hard,’’ Mason said. “Telling my wife that her older brother had died was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.’’ - Sinisa Markovic, Andrew Bogut’s personal coach and close friend, has spent the last several weeks in Milwaukee but plans to return to Australia later this week. Wednesday March 19, 2008
Posted by: gwoelfel at 2:32PM CST on March 19, 2008
BY GERY WOELFEL Larry Harris’ almost two-decade affiliation with the Milwaukee Bucks came to an end Wednesday. The Bucks announced Harris, who had served as the team’s general manager for the last five seasons, had been relieved of his duties. During his tenure as general manager, the Bucks made the playoffs twice: 2003-004 and 2005-06. The Bucks are likely to wind up in the Draft Lottery again this summer, marking the third time in the last four years that has occurred. Neither Harris nor Kohl was available for comment early Wednesday afternoon. The decision also comes on the heels of the Bucks’ embarrassing defeat to the Miami Heat Tuesday night at the Bradley Center. The Heat are the worst team in the NBA. Harris’ status with the team has been shaky, however, since the end of last season. That’s when Kohl said this season “would be a very important one for Larry Harris.’’ Harris, 44, joined the Bucks as a scout-video coordinator in 1987. He then gradually worked his way up the organizational ranks, serving as director of player personnel and then director of scouting before being hired as Ernie Grunfeld’s replacement as the team’ GM in 2003. There has been speculation the Bucks’ brass has been checking out potential replacements for Harris for several months. Former Bucks coach and current television analyst Doug Collins has been rumored as a possibility to replace Harris. The New Daily News also reported Tuesday that the Bucks have been courting Donnie Walsh, the highly-respected president of the Indiana Pacers. There is a strong possibility the 67-year-old Walsh won't return to the Pacers after the season However, I contacted Walsh Wednesday and he denied any involvement with the Bucks. “That’s not true,’’ Walsh said of the Daily News report linking him to the Bucks. “I haven’t talked to Milwaukee.’’ Saturday March 8, 2008
Posted by: gwoelfel at 11:15PM CST on March 8, 2008
BY GERY WOELFEL After members of the Fourth Estate interrogated Brett Favre for 1 hour and 15 minutes at his retirement press conference, you would have thought there was finally closure on his startling decision to hang up his cleats. Not so. For this veteran scribe, there are still several questions left unanswered, questions that need to be answered before I’m absolutely convinced ole No. 4 quit because the fire in his belly had gone out. Questions like: * Why didn’t Packers GM Teddy "Bear’’ Thompson make a concerted attempt to dissuade Favre into returning for another season? Thompson said it was "presumptuous’’ to think he could change Favre’s mind, but Thompson couldn’t have been serious, could he? Thompson should have exhausted every means possible into coaxing Favre to keep playing. After all, Favre wasn’t just another aging player whose best days were behind him. I contend Favre has never had a better season than his final one and, at worst, is still ranks as one of the top five QBs in the NFL. He is, at 38, still a difference-maker. Knowing how close the Packers came to being in the Super Bowl last season, and knowing how they could be a title contender again next year, Thompson should have gotten down on his knees and begged Favre to come back. Thompson would have to be delusional to believe the Packers’ chances of winning and winning big next season are better with an unproven, injury-prone Aaron Rodgers than a Hall-of-Fame in-waiting Favre. * Why did new Packers president Mark Murphy confidently declare last week that Favre was coming back and that he fully expected Favre to make his announcement public a short time later? Do you think Murphy would have been so irresponsible to make such a declaration unless he was thoroughly convinced Favre was returning for his 18th pro season? * What was Thompson referring to when he said Favre’s decision to retire was a "complicated situation?’’ Favre was adamant that he quit because he was "tired.’’ Being tired hardly qualifies as a "complicated situation.’’ * What prompted Bus Cook, Favre’s agent, to say in an interview that the Packers brass was more receptive about his client leaving the Packers than staying? Unlike Favre, who has an allegiance to the Packers and wasn’t going to bad-mouth the organization that has been so good to him, Cook doesn’t have such ties. It’ll be interesting to see if someone can cajole Cook into expanding on his comment. * Where were all of Favre’s teammates at the press conference? Yes, I know virtually all of them had bolted Green Bay as soon as the NFC Championship game was over, but there are things called planes where you can get to outposts even like Green Bay from anywhere in the U.S. within hours. * Why did Favre mention he would likely stay in touch with McCarthy – and didn't say anything about staying in contact with Thompson? Perhaps Randy Moss can shed some insight on that one. Tuesday March 4, 2008
Posted by: gwoelfel at 9:29AM CST on March 4, 2008
According to news reports, Brett Favre plans to retire. Given the news, how do you think the Packers will do next season? |
About This Blog
  1 rating(s)
Older Posts
Current Entries
November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007
Latest Entries
Loading...
 |
Leave a Message
Leave a Comment
Request a Friend