If I was given the ability to select one man in the history of any sport and put him into that sport's Hall of Fame, I wouldn't choose Pete Rose, Dennis Rodman or Don Mattingly—heck, not even Jerry Kramer.
I would pick Donald Driver. No man in the history of sports stands for what an athlete should be more than him.
The story of this man is a fascinating one. It's also one that few people know.
Driver grew up in the slums. The kid was dirt poor. He lived out of the trunk of his car.
When he was in seventh grade, his older brother noticed Driver's incredible speed, agility and hands—so he put it to use.
Things were so bad for the Drivers that Donald, dubbed "Quickie" by his brothers, was using his God-given talents to steal cars.
Those cars he would sell for drugs, drugs he claims he never used, but rather resold for more money.
Hey, when things are bad, they're bad. Driver says he probably stole 20 or 30 cars, and he was only caught once.
But that once changed everything.
Just as he was starting the car, he heard sirens, so he did what anybody would do—stepped on the gas and got away as fast as possible.
However, just as he was making his escape, he hit an old woman's car as she was backing out of her driveway. He hopped out of the car and sprinted away, and he was in the clear.
He had the cops beat by a few blocks, but something made him turn back.
It was the old lady. He went back to make sure she was okay.
That's right. Driver, who was in the midst of literally running for his life, the same kid who had just been caught stealing a car, turned back to check on the well-being of a woman that he had no affiliation with whatsoever, a woman he had never met in his life.
She was fine, but by the time he got back the police were rounding the corner, so she said to him, "Go sit on my porch."
For some reason he trusted her, and he took a seat on her porch.
By the time the cops got there she told them the lowlife had run off. "So who's that sitting on your porch?" one cop said to her.
The five words that followed would go on to change Driver's life as he knew it: "Oh, that's just my grandson."
Donald was mesmerized. He couldn't believe what had just happened—until the woman walked over to him and said, "Get in this house!" Inside, she went off on him. "Why do you do this?!" she said.
Now, this is no movie. He still stole another car or two because things were that bad. But one year later his mom sent him to live with his grandmother.
He joined the drill team at his grandmother's church and played organized football for the first time at Milby High School, where he found out Olympic speed and great hands can do more than just steal cars.
It then occurred to him what the lady was trying to tell him that day: "You could be doing so much more!"
And he did. Driver starred in track and football at Alcorn State, where he also got his accounting degree.
Isn't it funny how one good deed can mean so much?
After he finished college, Driver had a choice to make: He could either compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympics or join the Green Bay Packers, who had used the 213th overall pick to draft him in 1999.
With his family still in poverty, Driver needed an NFL paycheck desperately, so he chose the Packers.
Good choice.
For two years Driver played every practice as if he would have been arrested for taking a play off, and in 2002, when the Packers were about as desperate for a wide receiver as Driver himself was for money as a kid, guess who came out of nowhere to become a Pro Bowl receiver?
Driver didn't disappear after that 2002 season either. The guy has become a Packers legend, the second greatest receiver in team history.
However, talking to Driver, you wouldn't know it. He's never been a "look at me"-type guy, which is why he's flown so wildly under the radar in the same era as guys like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss.
From 2005 to 2008 he was, aside from Marvin Harrison, perhaps the best and most consistent wide receiver in all of football.
Driver holds Packers franchise records for career receiving yards, receptions, 1,000-yard receiving seasons, consecutive games with a reception and 50-plus-catch seasons.
However, that is not why Donald Driver deserves your utmost respect. He deserves it not because of who he is on the field, but rather who he is off it.
He has his own charity, the Donald Driver Foundation, which offers assistance to ill children with unmanageable hospital bills, provides housing for the homeless and donates to a variety of local charities. He is also said to make more charity appearances than any other player on the team by a wide margin.
"He's a wonderful man," says Cathy Dworak, the team's manager of community relations. "He's always smiling, fun, positive. He calls me up and asks if there are any appearances I need done. Can you imagine?"
Earlier this season, with the Packers playing for their playoff lives against the Detroit Lions, Driver noticed his quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't look right after taking a brutal hit on a scramble on the last series.
He told him that he should leave the game, that his future as a human being was more important than a stupid game. Keep in mind that's coming from a 36-year-old veteran in perhaps his last chance to win a Super Bowl, risking a shot at the playoffs to do something that I guarantee you 99 percent of other NFL players wouldn't have done.
It turned out Rodgers had his second concussion of the season. Driver very well may have saved his career.
That is why I root for the little engine that could from Alcorn State—because he cares about the people.
He cares about the fans, the kids, his teammates and even people he's never met (remember that old lady).
Which is why I will pray to God that if there is one great game left in Donald Driver's 36-year-old body, we see it on Super Bowl Sunday.
Nobody deserves a ring more.
Showing posts with label Why. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Why. Show all posts
Monday, January 24, 2011
Why Do All 'The Bachelor' Ladies Already Love Brad?
The last time we saw Brad Womack, he was crushing the hearts of two perfectly lovely women on national television. During the season 11 finale of 'The Bachelor,' Brad decided to break the show's famous proposal tradition and dumped both finalists, DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft, in one of the most memorable moments in 'Bachelor' history.
Three years later, after slander in the tabloids, unbearable loneliness and intensive therapy, Brad's back. And this time he claims he's serious about finding true love -- he only reminds us 50 times per episode. The one thing we have to wonder is, will the new contestants, most of whom are aware of Brad's commitment-phobic track record on 'The Bachelor,' be able to trust him enough to want to be there at the end?
Surprisingly enough, it seems like they already do.
Aside from one well-placed slap in the premiere, the 14 remaining women are only in week three and already seem to have completely forgotten about the DeAnna and Jenni debacle, sprouting signs of the desperation for intimacy that makes 'The Bachelor' what it is. Cat fights? Check. Jealousy? Check. Creepily following Brad around no matter who he's talking to or what he's doing? Check. But why? Why would these women crumble into tears, both after being eliminated and in general, over the one guy famous for not committing?
There are plenty of factors in the ladies' disregard for Brad's checkered dating past, but we're willing to bet most of it stems from a truckload of man-centric trust issues resonating through the cast. Six of the remaining women have terribly sad backstories regarding the men in their lives. We're talking disappearing dads, infidelity, divorce, untimely death, addicts, illegitimate children, homelessness, the list goes on. Not to mention that Brad discovered, through a three-year long therapy session, that his commitment issues are derived from his own absentee father.
That is a lot of common baggage for one group of people. And longing to fill the emotional gaps left by neglect and trauma, coupled with the fact that Brad is pretty damn hot and the only guy to interact with for miles, breeds some crazy behavior.
Take Michelle Money, for instance. She's the eldest of the bachelorettes, having just turned 30, and is extremely vocal about her hatred of having to share Brad with more than a dozen other women. She often fantasizes -- to the camera, no less -- about taking them out one by one. Meet Michelle:
Charming, really. To Michelle, this not a competition, it's survival. Though CelebTV unearthed footage of her movie-making past, we can't imagine being this nuts 24/7 is all an act. The single mom balances stalking Brad like a hawk with taking advantage of his insecurities by making him feel guilty for wooing the other contestants -- although it's the exact aim of the show. In only three weeks, Michelle has manged to completely alienate herself in the house, make an enemy of Chantal (the justice slapper), pout and make a scene like a spoiled teenager on her 30th birthday, managing to paint herself as a delusional, desperate and manipulative aspiring cat lady.
Now, most of the women don't run to this extreme. Some seem like they'd be perfectly normal in real life. But the pressure of 'The Bachelor' has become a catalyst to their emotions, rendering them completely vulnerable to this one man. No matter how tough the ladies seemed on day one, they're are all pretty much in love with Brad by now. Remember Chantal? Our femme-power "This is for all the women in America!" justice slapper? Even she was reduced to tears during a particularly deep conversation with Brad about not being able to reconnect with her estranged father before he passed away. And then they made out. Come to think of it, most of the first kisses came about after a big emotional reveal. Thank goodness for daddy issues, or Brad might not get any action.
The funny thing is, the one girl who on the surface seemed nuts, Madison Garton (who wore prosthetic fangs and bragged about meeting the leader of the underground vampire world -- which is a thing, apparently), was by far the most rational when it came to her potential relationship with Brad. After hearing Emily Maynard's tragic love story, she realized there were women who had much more at stake than she did. So she decided to go home, in hopes that her absence would make the road to 'The Bachelor' that much easier for the ones who think they need love, not just want it.
So it's not all about Mr. Womack after all. Sure his rugged good looks, chiseled body, deep pockets and Texan charm don't hurt, but at the end of the day, 'The Bachelor' could be any decent guy, and these women would be falling all over him just the same. They're not looking for love with Brad Womack, they're looking for love, period. It just so happens they ended up on Brad's (second) season.
Three years later, after slander in the tabloids, unbearable loneliness and intensive therapy, Brad's back. And this time he claims he's serious about finding true love -- he only reminds us 50 times per episode. The one thing we have to wonder is, will the new contestants, most of whom are aware of Brad's commitment-phobic track record on 'The Bachelor,' be able to trust him enough to want to be there at the end?
Surprisingly enough, it seems like they already do.
Aside from one well-placed slap in the premiere, the 14 remaining women are only in week three and already seem to have completely forgotten about the DeAnna and Jenni debacle, sprouting signs of the desperation for intimacy that makes 'The Bachelor' what it is. Cat fights? Check. Jealousy? Check. Creepily following Brad around no matter who he's talking to or what he's doing? Check. But why? Why would these women crumble into tears, both after being eliminated and in general, over the one guy famous for not committing?
There are plenty of factors in the ladies' disregard for Brad's checkered dating past, but we're willing to bet most of it stems from a truckload of man-centric trust issues resonating through the cast. Six of the remaining women have terribly sad backstories regarding the men in their lives. We're talking disappearing dads, infidelity, divorce, untimely death, addicts, illegitimate children, homelessness, the list goes on. Not to mention that Brad discovered, through a three-year long therapy session, that his commitment issues are derived from his own absentee father.
That is a lot of common baggage for one group of people. And longing to fill the emotional gaps left by neglect and trauma, coupled with the fact that Brad is pretty damn hot and the only guy to interact with for miles, breeds some crazy behavior.
Take Michelle Money, for instance. She's the eldest of the bachelorettes, having just turned 30, and is extremely vocal about her hatred of having to share Brad with more than a dozen other women. She often fantasizes -- to the camera, no less -- about taking them out one by one. Meet Michelle:
Charming, really. To Michelle, this not a competition, it's survival. Though CelebTV unearthed footage of her movie-making past, we can't imagine being this nuts 24/7 is all an act. The single mom balances stalking Brad like a hawk with taking advantage of his insecurities by making him feel guilty for wooing the other contestants -- although it's the exact aim of the show. In only three weeks, Michelle has manged to completely alienate herself in the house, make an enemy of Chantal (the justice slapper), pout and make a scene like a spoiled teenager on her 30th birthday, managing to paint herself as a delusional, desperate and manipulative aspiring cat lady.
Now, most of the women don't run to this extreme. Some seem like they'd be perfectly normal in real life. But the pressure of 'The Bachelor' has become a catalyst to their emotions, rendering them completely vulnerable to this one man. No matter how tough the ladies seemed on day one, they're are all pretty much in love with Brad by now. Remember Chantal? Our femme-power "This is for all the women in America!" justice slapper? Even she was reduced to tears during a particularly deep conversation with Brad about not being able to reconnect with her estranged father before he passed away. And then they made out. Come to think of it, most of the first kisses came about after a big emotional reveal. Thank goodness for daddy issues, or Brad might not get any action.
The funny thing is, the one girl who on the surface seemed nuts, Madison Garton (who wore prosthetic fangs and bragged about meeting the leader of the underground vampire world -- which is a thing, apparently), was by far the most rational when it came to her potential relationship with Brad. After hearing Emily Maynard's tragic love story, she realized there were women who had much more at stake than she did. So she decided to go home, in hopes that her absence would make the road to 'The Bachelor' that much easier for the ones who think they need love, not just want it.
So it's not all about Mr. Womack after all. Sure his rugged good looks, chiseled body, deep pockets and Texan charm don't hurt, but at the end of the day, 'The Bachelor' could be any decent guy, and these women would be falling all over him just the same. They're not looking for love with Brad Womack, they're looking for love, period. It just so happens they ended up on Brad's (second) season.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Why Blaine Gabbert Has Risen to the Top of NFL Draft Boards
While reporting from the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando, Florida, NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay remarked that there was an outside chance the Carolina Panthers could select Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
This is astonishing, considering just one month ago, Gabbert’s meager draft buzz was being overshadowed by fellow quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallet and Cam Newton.
Now, obviously Andrew Luck’s decision to return to Stanford for his junior season benefited Gabbert, but what can be attributed to the Missouri quarterbacks sudden climb up NFL executive’s draft boards?
Let’s analyze why many NFL teams are buying stock in Blaine Gabbert:
NFL Size:
At 6'5", 240 lb, Gabbert has the type of height and weight that scouts love to see at the next level. His 6'5" build throws out any worries or speculation that the quarterback might have trouble scanning the field or seeing over NFL defenders. You might remember Gabbert’s predecessor Chase Daniel also had a storied career under center with Missouri that ended with Daniel throwing 39 touchdown passes as a senior.
Ultimately though, Chase Daniel’s small 6'0", 225 lb-build scared off many scouts, and as a result, he was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. Gabbert is obviously not dealing with the same issue; in fact, Blaine Gabbert’s prototypical NFL size has become one of his selling points.
Mobility:
If you look at the statistics from some of Blaine Gabbert’s games last season at Missouri, you will find he is not a “statue” in the pocket. Blaine had 89 rushing yards against Kansas State, 74 rushing yards against Nebraska and finished the season with four rushing touchdowns. Now, of course, those statistics are modest in comparison to the rushing yards draft prospects such as Cam Newton and Tyrod Taylor put up. Those numbers do show you he can keep defenses honest with his legs, and if the play breaks down, he has the ability to improvise.
This is another aspect that bodes well for Blaine in terms of his draft prospects. Blaine Gabbert won’t be Tim Tebow bull rushing head first on the goal line, and he won’t break off 60-yard rushes from the shotgun a la Mike Vick, but he has just enough mobility and quickness to take off and go when needed.
High Character
One aspect of the drafting process NFL executives heavily scrutinize is a prospect's character and off-the-field history. Obviously, Cam Newton is going to get absolutely grilled in the interviews by executives in regard to his father trying to arrange money for his signature and for allegations he cheated on tests as a student at Florida.
Ryan Mallet has also admitted he got too emotional during games two years ago. Now, Mallet has since said he has worked on the problem and is more composed. Ryan will surely be fielding questions about his composure and calmness on the field though.
Blaine Gabbert meanwhile has never been arrested and has no serious “character flags” against him to speak of. It can’t be understated how much NFL scouts, executives and coaches love kids with high character—especially at the quarterback position.
If there is one thing that has NFL teams nervous about Blaine Gabbert, it’s the offensive scheme he played in while at Missouri. Gabbert spent the majority of his college career in the shotgun with multiple wide receivers lined up on both sides of him. He almost played in a system that was comparable to what Mike Leach ran at Texas Tech where they would spread you out with that same sort of shotgun look.
That system is not used in the NFL at any level; in fact, the Panthers rely heavily on running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Under head coach John Fox, they ran a lot of their offense out of the I formation though it’s unclear if there will be a philosophy change under new coach Ron Rivera. So NFL teams in general and the Panthers in particular are nervous about Gabbert making the transition from sort of a “gimmick” college offense to a pro style NFL offense.
Going back to what Todd McShay said earlier about Gabbert possibly being selected with the first overall pick by Carolina, as farfetched as it may sound, it’s still possible this scenario could occur. Remember, Carolina was almost certainly going to take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick had he remained in the draft so you know they are not certain about their quarterback prospects.
Yes, Carolina did draft Jimmy Clausen in the second round last season, but Clausen’s four-year deal is only worth $6.3 million max. This is not a case of Al Davis and the Raiders paying JaMarcus Russell a ridiculously high rookie salary and then being determined to get a return on their investment. If you also throw in the fact that Clausen battled injuries and only threw three touchdowns and nine interceptions last season, then you can see why they are not exactly sold on him just yet.
Now with all this talk about quarterbacks, I should also mention Carolina allowed opponents to rush for 123.8 yards per game last season. They really had trouble stopping the run, and they want to upgrade their talent on the defensive line. That is why they are so interested in defensive tackle Nick Fairley out of Auburn and defensive end Da'Quan Bowers out of Clemson. Right now, I would guess Fairley in particular and possibly even Bowers are higher on the Panthers draft board than Gabbert.
The one thing that could change the wheel back in Blaine Gabbert’s favor is the fact that he is most likely going to get a workout with the Carolina Panthers. Gabbert would have to absolutely wow new Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and Carolina executives to have any chance of leapfrogging Fairley and Bowers for the top spot though.
This is astonishing, considering just one month ago, Gabbert’s meager draft buzz was being overshadowed by fellow quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallet and Cam Newton.
Now, obviously Andrew Luck’s decision to return to Stanford for his junior season benefited Gabbert, but what can be attributed to the Missouri quarterbacks sudden climb up NFL executive’s draft boards?
Let’s analyze why many NFL teams are buying stock in Blaine Gabbert:
NFL Size:
At 6'5", 240 lb, Gabbert has the type of height and weight that scouts love to see at the next level. His 6'5" build throws out any worries or speculation that the quarterback might have trouble scanning the field or seeing over NFL defenders. You might remember Gabbert’s predecessor Chase Daniel also had a storied career under center with Missouri that ended with Daniel throwing 39 touchdown passes as a senior.
Ultimately though, Chase Daniel’s small 6'0", 225 lb-build scared off many scouts, and as a result, he was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. Gabbert is obviously not dealing with the same issue; in fact, Blaine Gabbert’s prototypical NFL size has become one of his selling points.
Mobility:
If you look at the statistics from some of Blaine Gabbert’s games last season at Missouri, you will find he is not a “statue” in the pocket. Blaine had 89 rushing yards against Kansas State, 74 rushing yards against Nebraska and finished the season with four rushing touchdowns. Now, of course, those statistics are modest in comparison to the rushing yards draft prospects such as Cam Newton and Tyrod Taylor put up. Those numbers do show you he can keep defenses honest with his legs, and if the play breaks down, he has the ability to improvise.
This is another aspect that bodes well for Blaine in terms of his draft prospects. Blaine Gabbert won’t be Tim Tebow bull rushing head first on the goal line, and he won’t break off 60-yard rushes from the shotgun a la Mike Vick, but he has just enough mobility and quickness to take off and go when needed.
High Character
One aspect of the drafting process NFL executives heavily scrutinize is a prospect's character and off-the-field history. Obviously, Cam Newton is going to get absolutely grilled in the interviews by executives in regard to his father trying to arrange money for his signature and for allegations he cheated on tests as a student at Florida.
Ryan Mallet has also admitted he got too emotional during games two years ago. Now, Mallet has since said he has worked on the problem and is more composed. Ryan will surely be fielding questions about his composure and calmness on the field though.
Blaine Gabbert meanwhile has never been arrested and has no serious “character flags” against him to speak of. It can’t be understated how much NFL scouts, executives and coaches love kids with high character—especially at the quarterback position.
If there is one thing that has NFL teams nervous about Blaine Gabbert, it’s the offensive scheme he played in while at Missouri. Gabbert spent the majority of his college career in the shotgun with multiple wide receivers lined up on both sides of him. He almost played in a system that was comparable to what Mike Leach ran at Texas Tech where they would spread you out with that same sort of shotgun look.
That system is not used in the NFL at any level; in fact, the Panthers rely heavily on running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Under head coach John Fox, they ran a lot of their offense out of the I formation though it’s unclear if there will be a philosophy change under new coach Ron Rivera. So NFL teams in general and the Panthers in particular are nervous about Gabbert making the transition from sort of a “gimmick” college offense to a pro style NFL offense.
Going back to what Todd McShay said earlier about Gabbert possibly being selected with the first overall pick by Carolina, as farfetched as it may sound, it’s still possible this scenario could occur. Remember, Carolina was almost certainly going to take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick had he remained in the draft so you know they are not certain about their quarterback prospects.
Yes, Carolina did draft Jimmy Clausen in the second round last season, but Clausen’s four-year deal is only worth $6.3 million max. This is not a case of Al Davis and the Raiders paying JaMarcus Russell a ridiculously high rookie salary and then being determined to get a return on their investment. If you also throw in the fact that Clausen battled injuries and only threw three touchdowns and nine interceptions last season, then you can see why they are not exactly sold on him just yet.
Now with all this talk about quarterbacks, I should also mention Carolina allowed opponents to rush for 123.8 yards per game last season. They really had trouble stopping the run, and they want to upgrade their talent on the defensive line. That is why they are so interested in defensive tackle Nick Fairley out of Auburn and defensive end Da'Quan Bowers out of Clemson. Right now, I would guess Fairley in particular and possibly even Bowers are higher on the Panthers draft board than Gabbert.
The one thing that could change the wheel back in Blaine Gabbert’s favor is the fact that he is most likely going to get a workout with the Carolina Panthers. Gabbert would have to absolutely wow new Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and Carolina executives to have any chance of leapfrogging Fairley and Bowers for the top spot though.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Ashley Parker-Angel -- Why I Won't Rejoin O-Town ...
Ashley Parker-Angel tells us he was "intrigued" at the idea of reuniting with his old boy-band O-Town -- but ultimately decided he couldn't live in the past ... this according to the singer's rep.
In a statement to TMZ, Ashley explains, "O-Town was one of the greatest chapters of my life, so when the idea of a reunion was brought to me, of course I was intrigued."
He continues, "However I have made the decision not to be a part of an O-Town reunion. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately necessary to move on with the next chapter of my career."
The rest of the band has already gotten back together -- and is planning an upcoming concert tour sans Parker-Angel.
As for Ashley, dude just finished a stint in "Hairspray" on Broadway and his rep tells us he has a feature film coming out later this year.
In a statement to TMZ, Ashley explains, "O-Town was one of the greatest chapters of my life, so when the idea of a reunion was brought to me, of course I was intrigued."
He continues, "However I have made the decision not to be a part of an O-Town reunion. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately necessary to move on with the next chapter of my career."
The rest of the band has already gotten back together -- and is planning an upcoming concert tour sans Parker-Angel.
As for Ashley, dude just finished a stint in "Hairspray" on Broadway and his rep tells us he has a feature film coming out later this year.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Why Best TV Actress Winner Laura Linney Missed The Globes
Celebrated actress Laura Linney was awarded with another accolade on Sunday – a Golden Globe win for her work on Showtime’s “The Big C” — but she wasn’t there to receive it for a tragic reason.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Laura’s father, Romulus Linney, a playwright, died of lung cancer the night before. Romulus died at his home in Germantown, N.Y., the trade mag reported.
Laura won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy series for playing Cathy Jamison on “The Big C,” a high school teacher and mom, whose life changes after finding out she has stage 4 cancer.
Romulus’ funeral will be a private ceremony, the mag reported.
It was the second Globe win for Laura, who previously took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress In a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television in 2009 for her role in the mini-series “John Adams.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Laura’s father, Romulus Linney, a playwright, died of lung cancer the night before. Romulus died at his home in Germantown, N.Y., the trade mag reported.
Laura won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy series for playing Cathy Jamison on “The Big C,” a high school teacher and mom, whose life changes after finding out she has stage 4 cancer.
Romulus’ funeral will be a private ceremony, the mag reported.
It was the second Globe win for Laura, who previously took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress In a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television in 2009 for her role in the mini-series “John Adams.”
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Philadelphia Flyers: Why Chris Pronger Doesn't Need To Rush Back From His Injury
The Philadelphia Flyers are about ready to take fans on another run. Could this journey end the same way or differently? That's a question that's in everyone's minds at the moment, with only the Flyers capable of answering it over the next several months.
They've overcome their injuries but the core has been generally healthy. The latest injury to defensive rock Chris Pronger has really tested the team's will. To their own credit, they've answered the call admirably.
In Pronger's absence, the defense has stepped up even more. Kimmo Timonen has assumed the role of defensive rock as the Flyers remain atop the Eastern Conference. In addition, Andrej Meszaros is having his best season yet with a +27 on the ice. Even Oskars Bartulis, who was bullied in last year's playoffs, has been solid over the past four weeks.
While the Flyers are getting less offensive production out of defensemen, they're making up for it with sound defensive play. The Flyers' defensemen have scored just eight goals as a unit this season. A lot of this is contributed to a different style in play; their forwards are crashing the net and doing more crafty things closer to the net to score goals.
That being said, the Flyers are in a favorable position. If Pronger isn't ready to go just yet, why not give him the time he needs to recover? There's no need to rush him back and risk another injury. The Flyers would benefit from giving Pronger ample time to get back into shape and be ready for the stretch run.
Not to look too far ahead, but the Flyers are likely to make the playoffs this season. Also, they may finish with their best regular season in years. They have enough depth around their lineup and can afford to let Pronger get back to full health.
Last year wasn't a fluke by any means, as that team was built to succeed in the playoffs despite regular season inconsistency. This year's team is even better and could make you forget about the 2009-10 edition. Then again, no one will ever forget that amazing run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
For the first time in a while, the Flyers have enough depth to go around. They have four scoring lines, perhaps the most solid defensive core in team history, and probably the best in the league.
Their goalie situation will work itself out but, as of now, both Sergei Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher are raring to play. "Bob" escaped trouble the other night in Buffalo and turned in a solid final two periods. Boucher is the best in the NHL as a backup right now. He's recently overtaken the starter role though and has excelled.
What else will they need to succeed down the stretch and into the playoffs? A healthy and vicious Chris Pronger.
They've overcome their injuries but the core has been generally healthy. The latest injury to defensive rock Chris Pronger has really tested the team's will. To their own credit, they've answered the call admirably.
In Pronger's absence, the defense has stepped up even more. Kimmo Timonen has assumed the role of defensive rock as the Flyers remain atop the Eastern Conference. In addition, Andrej Meszaros is having his best season yet with a +27 on the ice. Even Oskars Bartulis, who was bullied in last year's playoffs, has been solid over the past four weeks.
While the Flyers are getting less offensive production out of defensemen, they're making up for it with sound defensive play. The Flyers' defensemen have scored just eight goals as a unit this season. A lot of this is contributed to a different style in play; their forwards are crashing the net and doing more crafty things closer to the net to score goals.
That being said, the Flyers are in a favorable position. If Pronger isn't ready to go just yet, why not give him the time he needs to recover? There's no need to rush him back and risk another injury. The Flyers would benefit from giving Pronger ample time to get back into shape and be ready for the stretch run.
Not to look too far ahead, but the Flyers are likely to make the playoffs this season. Also, they may finish with their best regular season in years. They have enough depth around their lineup and can afford to let Pronger get back to full health.
Last year wasn't a fluke by any means, as that team was built to succeed in the playoffs despite regular season inconsistency. This year's team is even better and could make you forget about the 2009-10 edition. Then again, no one will ever forget that amazing run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
For the first time in a while, the Flyers have enough depth to go around. They have four scoring lines, perhaps the most solid defensive core in team history, and probably the best in the league.
Their goalie situation will work itself out but, as of now, both Sergei Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher are raring to play. "Bob" escaped trouble the other night in Buffalo and turned in a solid final two periods. Boucher is the best in the NHL as a backup right now. He's recently overtaken the starter role though and has excelled.
What else will they need to succeed down the stretch and into the playoffs? A healthy and vicious Chris Pronger.
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