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Thursday, July 28, 2005

It's not enough to know who won. You need to know WHY they won, and who is going to win NEXT. You need insight into the trades and transactions; the teams with good chemistry and those that are chemical spills; the rumors and the reality; the inside information and analysis.

ESPN Insider brings all that and more with a diverse selection of Weblogs -- frequently posted journals, commentaries and updates that reflect the insights of leading ESPN analysts across numerous sports. Welcome to ESPN's blogosphere.

Jay Bilas | COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Terry Blount | NASCAR
Peter Bodo, TENNIS.com | TENNIS
Jeff Bradley | SOCCER
Chris Broussard | NBA
John Clayton | NFL
Bruce Feldman | COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Chad Ford | NBA
Peter Gammons | BASEBALL
Paul Goldstein | TENNIS
Jeremy Green | NFL SCOUT
E.J. Hradek | NHL
Eric Karabell | FANTASY SPORTS
Andy Katz | COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Keith Law | MLB
Chris Mortensen | NFL
Ivan Maisel | COLLEGE FOOTBALL
David Newton | NASCAR
Keith Kidd | NFL SCOUT
Chuck Knox Jr. | NFL SCOUT
Buster Olney | MLB
Dan Rafael | BOXING
Joe Schad | COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Mark Schlabach | COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Chris Sheridan | NBA
Marty Smith | NASCAR
Jayson Stark | BASEBALL
Rick Telander | BASKETBALL
Marc Stein | NBA
Seth Wickersham | NFL
Matt Williamson | NFL SCOUT
Scouts Inc. | FOOTBALL RECRUITING
ESPN.com | CHASING AARON
ESPN.com | NBA
ESPN.com | NHL
ESPN.com | GOLF
ESPN.com | MOTORSPORTS


ESPN Insider Weblog Roster

FOOTBALL

JOHN CLAYTON


NFL
posted: 02.01.07
Rivera will listen to offers
The biggest crowd at Thursday's Bears media session was at the table of defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Rivera is emerging as a possible candidate for a job in Dallas. Whether it's head coach or defensive ... Weblog

CHRIS MORTENSEN


NFL
posted: 01.24.07
Notes from around the NFL
Saints phenom Reggie Bush apologized for his actions but there almost certainly will be a consequence for his taunting of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher at the end of his 88-yard touchdown catch ... Weblog

SETH WICKERSHAM


NFL
posted: 02.02.07
Stokley is symbol of Colts' success
Believe it or not, the worst part of Super Bowl week for Brandon Stokley isn't that his torn Achilles is keeping him from playing. See, the Colts receiver knew from the moment something popped in his right ... Weblog

BRUCE FELDMAN


COLLEGE FOOTBALL
posted: 01.29.07
Bush, Arizona and some MMA
The Reggie Bush mess was the hot topic in this week's mailbag, along with some title-game talk. From Amanda in Westwood: Sounds like the Reggie Bush saga gets a little worse the more we hear about it. ... Weblog

IVAN MAISEL


COLLEGE FOOTBALL
posted: 02.02.07
Coaches eye recruiting finish line
There isn't a coach in college football who isn't looking forward to Sunday. They will be home. Signing day may not be until Wednesday. But NCAA rules dictate that off-campus recruiting ends Saturday. ... Weblog

JOE SCHAD


COLLEGE FOOTBALL
posted: 01.18.07
Brewster ready to lead Gophers
Tones of both enthusiasm and defiance were evident in new Minnesota coach Tim Brewster's voice. When I spoke with him near the end of a long day of media interactions, he already had heard all of the questions: Why ... Weblog

MARK SCHLABACH


COLLEGE FOOTBALL
posted: 01.17.07
Mustain considers transfer options
Former Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain, who on Tuesday was released from his scholarship by Hogs coach Houston Nutt, hasn't yet contacted Tulsa about transferring there, according to one of the Golden ... Weblog

SCOUTS INC.


FOOTBALL RECRUITING
posted: 01.26.07
Justin Trattou makes shocking switch to Florida
Notre Dame fans have been nervous about the school's ability to land defensive talent. Despite what is a strong 2007 class, Notre Dame has failed to land as many talented defensive prospects as many thought ... Weblog
BASKETBALL

CHRIS BROUSSARD


NBA
posted: 02.01.07
My All-Star teams
With the league set to name its All-Star reserves this afternoon, I figured I'd put my All-Star teams on paper. Picking All-Stars in this day and age is incredibly tough because of the decline of the ... Weblog

CHAD FORD


NBA
posted: 02.02.07
Oden v. Durant: Who's got upside?
I was flooded with e-mails over my recent column comparing Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and Joakim Noah as potential No. 1 picks in the 2007 NBA Draft. The most interesting e-mail came from ESPN.com columnist ... Weblog

CHRIS SHERIDAN


NBA
posted: 02.04.07
Raining on Woodson's parade
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Not that I was trying to ruin Super Bowl Sunday for Mike Woodson, but I still felt compelled to ask him about his future and his job security after Tyronn Lue knocked down a 23-footer ... Weblog

MARC STEIN


NBA
posted: 02.01.07
Anthony and Howard likely adds
It's not easy for me to think with a clear head right now. East coaches, you're on notice: I'm LIVID about the Michael Redd snub. The good news? The All-Star fixes in the West couldn't be more ... Weblog

ESPN.COM


NBA
posted: 10.24.06
Notes on the Wizards
Because we like to share, here are a few interesting tidbits from Washington's 110-105 win over the Hawks in Atlanta last night: • Somebody tell Eddie Jordan that coaches are contractually ... Weblog

JAY BILAS


COLLEGE BASKETBALL
posted: 01.31.07
'Bag/Bilastrator V: NBA draft rule
Editor's note: Jay Bilas and Sports Illustrated/SI.com writer Grant Wahl tackle a new question each week in the 'Bag vs. Bilastrator Challenge. This week, the 'Bag provides the question. Every week, Sports ... Weblog

ANDY KATZ


COLLEGE BASKETBALL
posted: 02.03.07
NC State is starting to believe
NC State started to believe it could beat North Carolina after taking out Virginia Tech earlier in the week. According to NC State assistant coach Monte Towe, the Wolfpack took a basic approach toward ... Weblog

RICK TELANDER


BASKETBALL
posted: 01.26.07
A talk at UCLA
Practice at Pauley Pavilion had just finished and Ben Howland and I were chewing the fat in his office. It was Jan. 2, and his UCLA team was 13-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation, things looked sweet, but ... Weblog
BASEBALL

PETER GAMMONS


BASEBALL
posted: 01.30.07
Magowan, Giants needed Bonds
For a moment, put the moral stances aside. Peter Magowan doesn't know everything he wish he knew about Barry Bonds, but as the Chargers and Patriots knew, their chances for Super Bowl rings were far better ... Weblog

KEITH LAW


MLB
posted: 01.29.07
Top 25 prospects
I'm pleased to present the first annual Scouts Inc. top baseball prospects list. Given the late start we got on pro coverage last year, this list is short, with the top 25 prospects ranked and another ... Weblog

BUSTER OLNEY


MLB
posted: 02.04.07
Q&A; with Kevin Millar
Kevin Millar is set to begin his 10th season in his career, including his second year with the Baltimore Orioles, but he will always be remembered for contributing to Boston's World Series title in 2004. ... Weblog

JAYSON STARK


BASEBALL
posted: 01.31.07
Useless Super Bowl Info
Well, it's that time again. Time to honor that football game we hear is about to be played this weekend -- by walloping the NFL off its aren't-we-terrific pedestal, the way we always aspire to do this ... Weblog

ESPN.COM


CHASING AARON
posted: 05.26.06
Media following shrinks
SAN FRANCISCO -- Remember the hit song by Three Dog Night: "One." If Barry Bonds doesn't hit home run No. 715 during the weekend series against the Rockies beginning Friday night at AT&T; Park, he is about ... Weblog
NFL SCOUTS INC.

JEREMY GREEN


NFL SCOUT
posted: 01.19.07
Free safeties to feel pressure
One of the most important positions on defense is safety. The safety must be effective against the pass and run and is often the last line of defense in keeping a player from reaching the end zone. Safeties ... Weblog

KEITH KIDD


NFL SCOUT
posted: 01.30.07
Preparation key for Colts, Bears
One of the many things that take place prior to your team boarding a flight and heading to the Super Bowl host city is its preparation and game plan installation. After winning the conference championship, ... Weblog

MATT WILLIAMSON


NFL SCOUT
posted: 01.30.07
Super Bowl a 'Tampa 2' showcase
The Super Bowl will feature two defenses that run the ever-popular "Tampa 2" scheme, so let's look at why so many teams are using this as their base defense and what type of players are needed at each ... Weblog

CHUCK KNOX JR.


NFL SCOUT
posted: 01.23.07
Parcells had frustrating season
The big news on Monday was the retirement of Cowboys' head coach Bill Parcells. It was a move some could argue was a surprise, but the way the Cowboys lost their last playoff game to Seattle and the way ... Weblog
HOCKEY

E.J. HRADEK


NHL
posted: 01.30.07
Like Habs, Dryden a class act
On Monday night, the Montreal Canadiens retired Ken Dryden's No. 29 prior to the Habs' 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. As usual, the Canadiens carried off the ceremony with class. That's what the Canadiens ... Weblog

ESPN.COM


NHL
posted: 02.02.07
What Gary has given us
Thursday marked the 14-year anniversary of Gary Bettman's tenure as NHL commissioner. Like anyone, ol' Gar has had some highs and some lows. With the help of our ESPN research gurus, here's a rundown: • The ... Weblog
MOTORSPORTS

TERRY BLOUNT


NASCAR
posted: 01.25.07
First Hall class has to be special
North Carolina dignitaries and NASCAR legends attended the official groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte. The 100,000-square-foot facility, with an estimated ... Weblog

DAVID NEWTON


NASCAR
posted: 02.01.07
Get close to Junior? Online at least
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- So you're a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan and can't get past security at the track for an autograph. Or you're too shy to approach him on the rare night you see him out clubbing or at the ... Weblog

MARTY SMITH


NASCAR
posted: 01.26.07
The COT will be here sooner
CONCORD, N.C. -- The Car of Tomorrow isn't supposed to be run full time in the Nextel Cup Series until 2009, but Lowe's Motor Speedway president Humpy Wheeler predicts it will run in all 36 races next ... Weblog

ESPN.COM


MOTORSPORTS
posted: 01.10.07
Who will miss IROC? The drivers
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Many drivers and crew chiefs had their bags packed and ready to leave when they arrived at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday for the third day of preseason testing. They ... Weblog
TENNIS

PETER BODO, TENNIS.COM


TENNIS
posted: 02.01.07
Grand Slam possibilities
Now that the first major of the year is over, the field of candidates who have a shot at completing a Grand Slam -- not a Serena Slam, not a Martina Slam, nor any other kind of Sham Slam -- has been narrowed ... Weblog

PAUL GOLDSTEIN


TENNIS
posted: 08.21.06
Time to start swinging back
You can only play rope-a-dope for so long. At the 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle," Muhammad Ali assumed a defensive position against the ropes and took a pounding from George Foreman. This went on for several ... Weblog
SPORTS

ERIC KARABELL


FANTASY SPORTS
posted: 02.01.07
Why Sosa could actually work out
The Sammy Sosa signing in Texas continues to make news, mainly for off-the-field reasons, which there's no need to get into here. While I've discussed this move a few times in the blog, on radio and on ... Weblog

ESPN.COM


GOLF
posted: 02.04.07
Woods, Els fall short of Stenson
Australian Open champion Roger Federer was on hand to watch new buddy Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, but the latter didn't do anything to further his argument in the "Who is more dominant?" ... Weblog

DAN RAFAEL


BOXING
posted: 02.03.07
McGirt out as Gatti trainer
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Forget the fights. Sometimes the best part of covering a boxing event is the great yentel you get at the weigh-in or just hanging around the hotel lobby and bar. It's like a boxing ... Weblog

ESPN.COM


POKER
posted: 01.30.07
The Debate: Wasicka's decision
The beauty of poker is that 10 players could play the same hand 10 different ways. Granted, most of us would raise with aces preflop, but the amounts might be different. Or maybe the way we'd play them ... Weblog

JEFF BRADLEY


SOCCER
posted: 11.15.06
New show up north
So, Friday MLS gets its first Canadian franchise up and running, when it holds Toronto FC's (TFC) expansion draft. Must admit, it's odd that it's even called a "draft" because it's only one team and ... Weblog