Nike Sportswear Engineers Top-Secret Area 72 Collection Featuring Raygun

top-secret Area 72 Collection featuring Raygun

The last time we left the fictional Nike Space Program (NSP) at last year’s mid-season basketball weekend in Orlando, our heroes had successfully launched into space on a mission to elevate the game to a greater galaxy.

After a sudden Big Bang in Orlando, it has been months without contact as they disappeared into space. All hope is not lost, as a transmission has just been received at Area 72 — a top-secret facility isolated in the depths of the desert in Houston, Texas, home of this year’s mid-season showdown. 

Continuing the extraterrestrial design inspiration established in the Nike Basketball collection for Houston, Nike Sportswear presents a top-secret collection of five shoes celebrating the best of basketball.  Merging old-school models with new-age innovation, the premium collection includes the Nike Blazer Mid, Nike Vandal, Nike Lunar Force 1, Nike Barkley Posite Max and Nike Air Force Max 2013.

The collection celebrates the legacy of iconic Nike Basketball models of the past, now infused with galactic textures, reflectivity and glow-in-the-dark highlights. Developed deep within Area 72’s top-secret testing facility, the five-shoe collection features a custom galaxy print also featured on Nike Basketball’s performance shoes for Houston. The print appears on the collar lining of each shoe.      

Since making its debut for Nike Basketball more than a decade ago, the Nike Raygun character is reincarnated on the tongue of each of these shoes.  With its trademark jetpack and alien physique, the Raygun is ready to strike opponents with fury.

This top-secret Nike Sportswear collection is available beginning February 14 in limited quantities at select retail locations and Nike.com.

To see the full collection, please click on the continue reading button below if  you're on the home page.

Nike Raygun

Nike Raygun

Swoosh Sentinel

Swoosh Sentinel

Nike Blazer Mid

Nike Blazer Mid

Nike Blazer Mid

Nike Vandal

Nike Vandal

Nike Vandal

Nike Lunar Force 1

Nike Lunar Force 1

Nike Lunar Force 1

Nike Barkley Posite Max

Nike Barkley Posite Max

Nike Barkley Posite Max

Nike Air Force Max 2013

Nike Air Force Max 2013

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photo credits: nike, inc.

Dolson, Faris & Mosqueda-Lewis named to the Wooden Midseason Top 20

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 20 was announced today by The Los Angeles Athletic Club President Steve Hathaway. No. 3 UConn has three Huskies on the list as junior center Stefanie Dolson, senior guard Kelly Faris and sophomore forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis all earned on spot on the list. Connecticut was the only school to have three student-athletes placed on the list as the BIG EAST had six of the 20 selections.

John R. Wooden AwardMosqueda-Lewis is currently leading the Huskies with 17.3 points per game and has registered five 20-plus performances on the year, while Dolson is third on the team in scoring (13.3 ppg) and is second on the team in rebounding (6.7 rpg). Faris has had an incredible senior campaign averaging 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while leading Connecticut with 4.6 assists and 3.0 steals per game.

Selected by the Wooden Award National Advisory Board, the list is made up of 20 student-athletes who, based on their performances in November, December, and January, are the frontrunners for selection to the National Ballot of college basketball’s most prestigious award. The National Ballot consists of approximately 15 players who have proven to their universities that they are making progress toward graduation and maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

The Wooden Award All American Team, consisting of the nation’s top five players, will be announced the week of the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament. The John R. Wooden Award Player of the Year will be announced on April 12, 2013, at The Los Angeles Athletic Club as part of the 37th annual Wooden Award Gala. The Gala will honor the Men's and Women's Wooden Award winners, All Americans and the Legends of Coaching Award winner, Kansas Head Coach Bill Self.

To see the 2012-13 John R. Wooden Award Women's Midseason Top 20 List, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

2012-13 John R. Wooden Award Women's Midseason Top 20 List

PLAYER

 Ht. Yr. Pos.

School
Alex Bentley 5-7 Sr. G Penn State

Kelsey Bone

 6-4 Jr. C

Texas A&M

Elena Delle Donne$

 6-5 Sr. G/F

Delaware

Skylar Diggins$

 5-9 Sr. G

Notre Dame

Stefanie Dolson

 6-5 Jr. C

Connecticut

Kelly Faris

 5-11 Sr. G

Connecticut

Angel Goodrich

 5-4 Sr. G

Kansas

Chelsea Gray

 5-11 Jr. G

Duke

Brittney Griner#$%

 6-8 Sr. P

Baylor

Tianna Hawkins

 6-3 Sr. F

Maryland

Tayler Hill

 5-10 Sr. G

Ohio State

Maggie Lucas

 5-10 Jr. G

Penn State

A'dia Mathies

 5-9 Sr. G

Kentucky

Kayla McBride

 5-11 Jr. G

Notre Dame

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis

 6-0 So. F

Connecticut

Chiney Ogwumike

 6-3 Jr. F

Stanford

Sugar Rodgers

 5-11 Sr. G

Georgetown

Odyssey Sims

 5-8 Jr. G

Baylor

Alyssa Thomas

 6-2 Jr. F

Maryland

Elizabeth Williams

 6-3 So. C

Duke

Players listed alphabetically

# 2012 Wooden Award winner

$ 2012 Wooden All American

% 2011 Wooden All American

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Jonny Gomes, David Ross, Ryan Kalish, and Daniel Nava to Tour Boston on Jan. 23

Here's a release about Boston Red Sox players touring Boston on January 23, 2013.

BOSTON, MA — Red Sox players Jonny Gomes, David Ross, Ryan Kalish, and Daniel Nava will tour Boston tomorrow, visiting sites from Bunker Hill to Beacon Hill and from Copley Square to Kenmore Square.  Traveling by truck, trolley, and train, they will meet fans, sign autographs, take photographs, and start the day by serving hot chocolate and donuts.

Boston Red SoxAccompanied by Wally the Green Monster, they will take the Green Line, the Old Town Trolley, and ride in the Dunkin’ Donuts sampling truck.

The visit to Boston is the first for Gomes since joining the Red Sox December 1, and the first for Ross since re-joining the club for whom he played briefly in 2008.

The players will distribute vouchers redeemable for tickets to games at Fenway Park this season, and there will also be ticket giveaways at various points in the day. 

The group will start in Copley Square Plaza by serving hot chocolate and donuts from the Dunkin Donuts’ truck before traveling by Old Town Trolley to Charlestown to visit the Bunker Hill Monument and the U.S.S. Constitution.  They will re-board the trolley and see the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall before boarding the MBTA Green Line to Kenmore Square.  The players will be available to sign autographs, take photographs, and chat with fans at each site.

The schedule for the day:

7-8 am – Wally the Green Monster and Red Sox front office members serve hot chocolate and donuts from the Dunkin’ Donuts truck in Copley Square Plaza

8-9 am – Players join the Dunkin’ Donuts truck in Copley Square Plaza

9:15-11 am – Players board Old Town Trolley and travel to Charlestown to visit the Bunker Hill Monument and the U.S.S. Constitution

11 am-1 pm – Players travel to the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall via Old Town Trolley

1 pm-2 pm – Players board the MBTA Green Line and travel to Kenmore Square

Red Sox Make Napoli Deal Official

Back on December 3, 2012, the Boston Red Sox and Mike Napoli had agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million. 45 days later it was reported that he and the Red Sox had reached a one year deal.

Five days after those reports, the deal has become official.

Here's the release from the Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today signed first baseman Mike Napoli to a contract for 2013.  To make room for Napoli on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Chris Carpenter was designated for assignment. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.

Boston Red SoxNapoli, 31, hit 24 home runs in 108 games for the Rangers in 2012, his first All-Star season.  It was his third consecutive year with at least 24 homers.  In addition, Napoli ranked sixth in home run rate (14.7 AB/HR) and eighth in walk rate (56 walks , 7.5 PA/BB) among American League players with at least 400 plate appearances this past season.  Adam Dunn was the only Major Leaguer with better rates in both categories (13.2 AB/HR, 6.2 PA/BB). 

The right-handed batter saw 4.41 pitches per plate appearance, trailing only Dunn (4.43) and A.J. Ellis (4.43) among big leaguers.  His career rate of 4.27 pitches seen per plate appearance ranks fifth among Major Leaguers active through 2012 (min. 2,500 PA).

Napoli, who will wear Number 12, split time between catcher (69 starts), first base (24 starts) and designated hitter (9 starts) last year, totaling a .227 average (80-for-352) with 56 RBI to go along with his 24 home runs.  He hit seven homers and drove in 16 runs over his final 16 regular season games following a stint on the disabled list.

Among American Leaguers with at least 700 plate appearances over the last two seasons, Napoli ranks fourth with a .931 OPS behind Miguel Cabrera (1.017), Jose Bautista (.990), and David Ortiz (.981).  He set career highs in most offensive categories in 2011, including a .320 batting average, 30 home runs, 75 RBI, and 58 walks in 113 games.

Napoli is one of six American Leaguers with at least 20 homers in each of the last five seasons.  Among all Major Leaguers, only Jose Bautista (14.0) and Albert Pujols (14.8) have averaged fewer at-bats per home run than Napoli (14.9) in those five years (min. 1,500 PA).

Since 2008, Napoli ranks fifth in the American League with a .522 slugging percentage and ninth with a .879 OPS.   He leads big league catchers in home runs (120) and slugging during that time. 

Napoli is the only catcher ever to reach double-digits in home runs in each of his first seven seasons appearing in the majors (min. 60 games caught per season).  Brian McCann is the only other catcher with at least 20 homers in each of the last five years.

A seven-year Major League veteran, he has hit .259 (587-for-2,270) with 113 doubles, six triples, 146 home runs, and 380 RBI in 727 career Major League games.  He spent the last two seasons with the Rangers (2011-12) after beginning his big league career with five seasons for the Angels (2006-10). 

Of his 146 career homers, 109 have come while catching.  His career average of 15.3 at-bats per home run as a catcher is the best among all Major League backstops over the past 35 years.  In that time, only Mike Piazza (.559) has a better slugging percentage while at the position than Napoli (.516).

The Rangers went 79-47 (.627) in his 126 starts behind the plate over the last two seasons, the best winning percentage for any Major League catcher with at least 65 starts.  His 3.80 catcher’s ERA since 2011 ranks fifth in the AL (min. 1,000 innings).

Napoli, selected by the Angels in the 17th round of the 2000 June draft, was signed by Todd Claus, now the Red Sox’ Latin American Coordinator and International Crosschecker.

In 19 career games at Fenway Park, Napoli has hit .306 (19-for-62) with four doubles, seven home runs, and 17 RBI.  His .710 slugging percentage ranks third all-time at the ballpark (min. 70 PA) after Dave Kingman (.816) and Frank Robinson (.724).  He also leads active players with a 1.107 OPS and just 8.9 at-bats per home run in Boston.

Napoli’s clubs have reached the postseason in five of the last six seasons (except 2010).  In 32 career postseason games, he has hit .272 (25-for-92) with five home runs, 19 RBI and 13 walks for a .373 on-base percentage.  He led the Rangers with a .328 batting average (19-for-58) while starting all 17 postseason games during the club’s run to the World Series in 2011. 

Carpenter, 27, opened the 2012 season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow on March 29.  Before joining the Red Sox as a September call-up, he posted a combined 2.08 ERA in 21 appearances between the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, Greenville, Portland and Pawtucket. With Pawtucket alone, Carpenter pitched to a 1.15 ERA with four saves in four chances in 16 games.  He finished the season making eight relief appearances for Boston, and earned his lone win, the first of his major league career, on September 14 at Toronto

Drogba To Debut Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Sunset Colorway on Africa’s Biggest Stage

Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Sunset

Following the official reveal last week, the new Nike Mercurial Vapor IX is dominating the football pitches all over the world. Some of the fastest players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Theo Walcott, and Mario Götze are stepping out in their new boots, delivering striking style and speed for game changing moments.

While snow fails to cool down the game in the European leagues, the South African heat is firing up Africa’s teams as they compete in the biggest continental tournament. Today the journey starts for Didier Drogba. He has won all major titles with his club and is hoping to finally bring the cup home for football fans in Ivory Coast.

“It would mean a lot for Ivory Coast to win the competition this year because the team has been together for nearly 10 years through difficult moments. We’ve improved and matured as players and as people," Drogba said. "I think it would be the best moment to win for our nation. For us to look forward, forget the past struggles and to unite the country."

Celebrating the momentum in Drogba’s career, he will be the only player in the African tournament wearing the sunset colourway of the new Nike Mercurial Vapor IX. Since its original launch over 10 years ago, the Mercurial has always stood out. Bold and exciting, the boot’s color and design has always ensured its players are noticed. The new Vapor IX is no different.

“For a striker, speed is essential. How fast you run, how fast you are with the ball, how quick you are making decisions – everything has to be quick," Drogba says. "It all comes down to speed. I’ve been wearing the Mercurial for years and you can see and feel the evolution. With the new Mercurial Vapor IX you get better grip on the grass and can change direction very quickly. For example, that last minute of last year’s game — that equalizer goa -l- was a question of timing, speed and agility."

Combining performance innovation and heritage of lightweight boots for fast players, the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX takes this legacy to the next level and gives a competitive advantage to players who rely on tight cuts and turns combined with bursts of explosive speed to beat the opposition.

Featured in striking fireberry and sunset colorways, the boot makes a bold statement on pitch. Both colorways will be available for pre-order on January 18 and on January 31 at Nike.com and retailers worldwide.

Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Sunset

Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Sunset

Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Sunset

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photo credits: nike, inc.

Nike Basketball Lebron X, Kobe 8 System & KD V All-Star PE

Nike Basketball Lebron X, Kobe 8 System, KD V All-Star PE

Houston, here we come with an extraterrestrial take on basketball celebrating the excellence of the sport’s midseason weekend. 

The mission control center in Texas, widely know by its radio call sign “Houston,” provides the creative inspiration for a special collection of shoes for Nike Basketball’s fearless leaders LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.

Space exploration defies practical reality. To launch into space on a mission to reveal the unknown can be mind-boggling.  Extraterrestrial species, undiscovered planets, new constellations – there is no limit on the potential for discovery. These unlimited barriers also apply to Nike Basketball’s design philosophy – no limits, no restrictions, rooted in exploration and discovery.

What began as a simple idea by members of the Nike Basketball design team has manifested itself into a creative celebration and fictional interpretation for the game’s top players during basketball’s prized weekend.  Our heroes appear in a distant universe, where players are not just stars… They come to life as fictional planets on each of the three following shoes.

LEBRON X

LEBRON X All-Star PE

An indestructible force originating from fictional Nike Space Program (NSP) planet NSP-LJ6, LeBron James’ dominance was born from the volcanic surface in the planet’s mantle. He is rumored to have journeyed to earth on a meteor made of the galaxy's hardest substance – black diamonds.

Technical benefits of the LEBRON X include full-length visible Nike Zoom cushioning, dynamic Flywire technology and Hyperfuse construction – a trilogy set to unleash its fury in Houston.

LEBRON X All-Star PE

KOBE 8 SYSTEM

Kobe 8 System All-Star PE

Engineered to the specifications of Kobe Bryant’s Houston mission, with origins rooted on a planet marked as NSP-KB24. The Ice Mamba circles the volatile surface as guardian of the five rings. The wise veteran is known to strike with moves that leave his opponents frozen.

Built for Bryant’s lightning speed and precision, the KOBE 8 SYSTEM is Nike+ Basketball enabled for the first time and this shoe also features Nike Zoom in the midsole insert.  Nike Engineered Mesh upper and tactile traction complete the shoe.

Kobe 8 System All-Star PE

KD V

KD V All-Star PE

Identified as Dark Matter, the biological and molecular breakdown of this figure remains a puzzle for scientists. Early readings of its origin, NSP-KD35, have sent back conflicting reports of a planet that is simultaneously solid, liquid, and gas – properties that make his game adaptable to any situation.

Joining with Bryant for their quest to lead the West to victory, this KD V is designed to the specifications of Kevin Durant’s Houston mission. The KD V features the combination of Nike Zoom (forefoot) and Nike Air (heel) cushioning along with Hyperfuse upper and dynamic heel support.

KD V All-Star PE

Houston, Here We Come

Driven by the creative vision of Nike Basketball’s color lead Eugene Rogers and graphic extraordinaire Erick Goto, the 2013 collection specially built for Houston pushes the limits with meaningful, in-depth storylines.

The team dove into Houston’s space lineage to create a fictitious basketball universe led by Nike’s elite three players – it was an intricate, creative and fun project intended to celebrate the game’s best.

The space concept also comes to life through select Nike Basketball apparel including the Hyper Elite Galaxy shorts and collection of three t-shirts for James, Bryant and Durant.

Nike Basketball has also joined forces with Nike Sportswear to create a special product collection based around Area 72, a top-secret facility where shoes take on a life of their own.  Stay tuned for the launch of the Nike NSW collection celebrating Houston tomorrow, January 23, on NikeInc.com.

The Nike Basketball shoes specially engineered for Houston – KOBE 8 SYSTEM, KD V and LEBRON X – will be available beginning February 15 at select retail stores and at Nike.com.

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photo credits: nike, inc.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/22

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

Faris gives her all in UConn win [carl adamec -snyuconn.com]

ACC out of its league against UConn [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Geno Talks To The New York Times [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Notes From UConn-Duke [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Geno Auriemma On Kelly Faris [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Duke Coach Joanne P. McCallie On The Game [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Kelly Faris For President [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Geno’s Greatest Hits: Duke Edition [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Thomas Jefferson Teaches Geno A Valuable Lesson [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Faris Had A Performance “For The Ages” Tonight Vs. Duke [rich elliott – ct post]

Stewart Stepped Up For Huskies In Second Half Vs. Duke [rich elliott – ct post]

Geno: Kelly Faris has performance for "the ages" [jim fuller – new haven register]

Ekmark delivers for St. Mary's [jim fuller – new haven register]

Limited Syracuse and Baylor Single Game Tickets on Sale Now [uconnhuskies.com]

No. 3 UConn rips No. 4 Duke [ct post]

UConn's 4 leaders step to the front [ct post]

No. 3 UConn Women Break It Open In Second Half, Rout No. 4 Duke [hartford courant]

Dolson Named Big East Player Of Week [hartford courant]

Geno Auriemma Calls Kelly Faris' Effort 'Game For The Ages' [hartford courant]

Third-ranked Huskies knock off No. 4 Duke [new haven register]

No. 3 UConn hands No. 4 Duke first loss 79-49 [the day]

No. 3 UConn storms past No. 4 Duke [the hour]

Faris delivers 'one for the ages' [graham hays – espnw]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Kentan Facey, Terrence Samuel Have Big Days in Big Apple [dom amore – hartford courant]

Huskies Hoping 3-Day Break Will Get Shabazz Napier Healthy For Rutgers [dom amore – hartford courant]

Napier Sits Out Sunday Practice, Should Be Good For Wednesday Practice, Sunday Game [david borges – new haven register]

Napier held out of practice [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Limited Syracuse and Baylor Single Game Tickets on Sale Now [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Football links

DC answered a question in his mailbag [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Report: Trevardo Williams to miss Senior Bowl practice [jim fuller – new haven register]

Huskies Play In All-Star Games [uconnhuskies.com]

Two Mid-Year Enrolless Join Football Team [uconnhuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Mazzilli Named Perfect Game Preseason All-America [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies To Face No. 2 Quinnipiac In Hamden Tuesday Night [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Huskies Host Skating Strides Clinic for Youth Hockey Players [uconnhuskies.com]

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In The Red Zone – January 22

In The Red Zone

How My Predictions Worked Out

Before the season started I predicted that the Patriots would finish 12-4, with identical 6-2 records and home and on the road.  They would go 5-1 in the division, 9-3 in the conference and 3-1 against the NFC West.  I had road home losses to Buffalo and Houston and road losses to Baltimore and Seattle.

Officially the New England Patriots did indeed finish 12-4 in 2012.  They even had identical 6-2 records at Gillette and on the road.  They would go 6-0 in their division, 11-1 in the conference and 1-3 against the NFC West.  Their home losses were to Arizona and San Francisco and the road losses were to Baltimore and Seattle.

Too bad I wasn’t as accurate in picking games against the spread.  This season including the playoffs I was absolutely brutal picking correctly only 5 times while I would have lost money 13 times.  Jimmy the Greek was better when he was drunk, I wish I was drunk but alas I was stone cold sober.  Luckily if you’re a guy who loves to bet the total or over/under I got that correct 12 times out of 18 and much better percentage.

As for the playoffs the Patriots finished as the #2 seed, I predicted them as the #5 coming in second in the division to Buffalo.  I think I may actually have been drunk when I did that or at least I hope I was.

I had them going 1-1 in the post season winning Wild Card week and losing in the divisional round.  As we know they earned a bye this season and won in the Divisional round and lost in the AFC Championship Game.

All in all they finished 13-5 just as I said they would.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Looking At 2013

With 2012 officially in the books we have to look ahead to the 2013 NFL season and see what changes the Patriots will make in the roster.

Where do I see changes?  On offense most likely in the wide receiver’s corps, Brandon Lloyd stays but Deion Branch probably will not be back and Kamar Aiken and Matthew Slater are not the teams 4th and 5th wideouts.  Slater will stay because he means too much to them on special teams. 

The biggest monkey in the room is Wes Welker’s contract.  He is currently on the franchise tag and if they tag him again he gets an additional 20% which puts him over $11 million for one season.  Bill Belichick is highly unlikely to pay him that, it goes back to value for the position.  Welker wants a long-term deal likely in the 3-year range and he wants to get paid.  My gut feeling is New England will let him test the market to see what offers he can get.  If that happens he is as good as gone.  I hope I am wrong.

In the tight end grouping Obviously Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez return the question is whether or not Daniel Fells and Mike Hoomanawanui will too.

On the offensive line the starters are solid, the team was very smart with making Ryan Wendell the starting center.  They need to see some more development out of Marcus Cannon and Markus Zusevics.  Other than that I expect to see some turnover among Nick McDonald and Donald Thomas.

The quarterbacks and the running backs should remain untouched, as should the special teamers LS Danny Aiken, K Stephen Gostkowski and P Zoltan Mesko.

Defensively they continue to need some pash rush help, Chandler Jones had a good first year but he lost time and effectiveness due to ankle injuries.  With a full, healthy season I expect more out of him in the sack department.  I’d like to see more out of Justin Francis and Jake Bequette moving forward.  I’m not sure if Trevor Scott returns in 2013, when he played he was fairly productive.  Also Jermaine Cunningham needs to continue to mature and play up to his potential.  He is entering his fourth season and time is running out on him.  The middle of the line remains stout and should be untouched with Vince Wilfork, Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love forming a nice run stopping trio.

The three starting linebackers are solid and all have Pro Bowl potential.  It’s the bottom three in depth chart where we will see change.  Niko Koutouvides, Tracy White and Mike Rivera all made solid special teams contributions but saw very little time on defense.  Between the three they made 13 tackles on defense in limited action with White having 10 of them.  Expect some change their in at least two of the positions.  If you get a push rushing end you have the option of moving Rob Ninkovich back to linebacker.

Now we get to the secondary.  Since they acquired Aqib Talib the defensive backfield started to gel.  They need to sign Talib who will be a free agent.  Alfonzo Dennard got better as the season went on, Devin McCourty excelled after moving to safety and Steve Gregory was a nice pick up.  My feeling is that Kyle Arrington, Patrick Chung and Derrick Martin won’t be in Foxboro to start the season and that guys like Nate Ebner, Tavon Wilson, Marquise Cole, Malcolm Williams continue to grow and play a part in 2013.

By my projections that will leave the potential for 12-14 roster changes next season.  Now is the time for the staff to excel and make out their free agent and draft boards and try to return to the Super Bowl for the 8th time next season.

News and Notes

According to the team QB Tom Brady, G Logan Mankins, WR Wes Welker and DT Vince Wilfork have decided against playing in the Pro Bowl this weekend.

The Patriots also announced that they have signed some players to future contracts.  Future contracts are used on players who have expiring contracts and are on your practice squad at the end of the season or players who are not on the active roster of any team.  It allows these players to be able to take part in OTA’s with the team.  Signing deals were DL Tracy Robinson, WR Jeremy Ebert, RB James Develin, LB Jeff Tarpinian and WR Andre Holmes.  They also have QB Mike Kafka and DE Marcus Benard under future contracts for next season.

Bill Belichick met with the media on Monday to talk about the 2012 season. (patriots.com)

Five takeaways from the Patriots loss to the Ravens (Boston Globe)

Best and Worst of the Patriots-Ravens. (Boston Herald)

Ravens crush Patriots second half miracle (Hartford Courant)

With the loss the Patriots are locked in with the 29th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

This was the Patriot 20th playoff season, it was the 31st playoff game of the Kraft Era (20-11) and the team is now 24-17 all-time in the post season.

The Patriots are now 3-13 when they have a negative turnover ratio in a post season game.  Sunday they were MINUS 3.

The Patriots now are 10-3 at Gillette Stadium in the post season, 14-4 overall as the home team.

This was the third time in team history that the Patriots have played in back-to-back Conference Championship Games (2003-04, 2006-07 and 2011-12).

The Patriots 9 Conference Championship appearances are 5th most in the Super Bowl era.  They trail only Oakland (11), San Francisco (14), Dallas (14) and Pittsburgh (15).

They are now 7-2 in the AFC Championship Game.

New England is 4-1 in Conference Championship Games played in Foxboro (3-1 in Gillette Stadium).

The Patriots lead the overall series vs. the Ravens 7-3 including the post season (1-2).

Bill Belichick is now 205-109 including post season. 

Belichick’s 205 wins are good for a tie for 6th all-time with Marty Schottenheimer who coached the Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers.

He is 18-8 in the playoffs, 17-7 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.

His 18 playoff wins are the third most all-time behind only Don Shula (19) and Tom Landry (20).

Tom Brady is 17-7 in the playoffs and has an overall record of 153-46.

Brady is 11-3 at home in the post season.

Brady is 3rd all-time in postseason TD passes with 42.  Brett Favre is 2nd with 44 and Joe Montana leads with 45.

Brady holds the franchise lead for most playoff games as a Patriot (24).  It is the most all-time in the NFL for a quarterback (tied with Brett Favre).

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 119 consecutive games including playoffs, 102 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

Welker is the all-time franchise leader with 69 playoff receptions.  He had 16 catches this post season for 248 yards and 1 TD.

 

TE Aaron Hernandez had 15 catches for 168 yards in two post season games.

WR Brandon Lloyd played his first two playoff games in his career and he had 12 catches for 102 yards and 1 TD.

RB Stevan Ridley led the team in rushing he had 70 yards on 18 carries.  He finished the post season with 152 yards on 33 carries and 1 TD.

In two games RB Shane Vereen had 162 yards from scrimmage (57 rushing yards, 105 yards receiving) and 3 TD’s.

LB Brandon Spikes had 11 tackles on Sunday (6 solo) and 1 QB hit.  He led the team in post season tackles with 17 tackles (10 solo).  DB Devin McCourty (10 solo) and LB Jerod Mayo (10 solo) had 15 tackles each in the post season.

LB Rob Ninkovich had the lone post season INT against Houston. 

Ninkovich also led the team in post season sacks with two against Baltimore.  The team got credited for a sack against Houston.

CB Alfonzo Dennard (vs. Houston) and Mayo (vs. Baltimore) each had 1 post season forced fumble.

CB Marquise Cole led the team with 4 tackles on special teams in the two playoff games.

New England had more first downs than Baltimore did, 28-25.

The Patriots were 7 of 15 (47%) on 3rd down conversions while they held the Ravens to 5 for 12 (42%). 

Baltimore did not attempt a 4th down play while New England was 1 for 2 (50%).

The Patriots had more total yards on Sunday against the Ravens, 428 to 356.

New England had 3 turnovers on Sunday 2 INTs and 1 fumble. 

They ended the post season MINUS 2 in turnover ratio (2 INT/1 fumble against and 1 INT/0 fumbles for).

The Patriots were 1 for 4 in the red zone with 1 TD, 2 FG’s and 1 loss of downs.

The Ravens were 4 for 4 in the red zone with 4 TD’s.

Baltimore won the time of possession 31:06 to 28:54.

The longest play allowed by the New England defense was 26 yards on a pass from Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin in the 3rd quarter.

The Patriots had 2 plays for more yardage (36, 39) than the Ravens longest play (26). 

Each team had 4 plays of 20 yards or more.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

Video: UConn Women Spank Duke, 79-49

The UConn Huskies women's basketball team has dominated the Duke Blue Devils as of late. However, the Blue Devils were the only undefeated team in women's basketball and figured to challenge the Huskies on a snowy evening in Storrs, CT.

University of Connecticut Huskies guard Kelly Faris shoots over Duke Blue Devils guard/forward Haley Peters during the first half. That challenge didn't happen though.

Behind a 27-7 run to start the second half, UConn went on to beat the Blue Devils 79-49 in front of 9,671 and a nationally televised audience at Gampel Pavilion on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The Huskies improve to 17-1 while Duke falls to 16-1.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis led the way for UConn with 21 points and had six rebounds. Kelly Faris had a monster game for the Huskies with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. She also added six assists and two steals.

After a slow start, Breanna Stewart finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Bria Hartley had a career-high nine assists along with six points.

Alexis Jones paced the Blue Devils with 14 points and had five rebounds and four assists. Elizabeth Williams and Haley Peters both added 11 points with Williams having a team-high five rebounds.

The game was everything we expected in the first half. A nice tight ball game.

The Huskies got out to a five point lead early on at 11-6 before Duke rallied to take the lead with an 8-2 run. The game stayed close the rest of the way during the first half as the teams traded baskets.

Part of the reason, the game was close because the Huskies had trouble with turnovers yet again. Head coach Geno Auriemma has been harping about that and you know he wasn't pleased with the 12 they had.

In a funny moment before the start of the second half, UConn assistant head coach Chris Dailey actually led a chant of "No More Turnovers" with the UConn crowd.

It was obvious whatever Auriemma said to his team about taking care of the ball worked. Either that or the Huskies listened to what the crowd was chanting.

UConn would enter the second half with a two point lead at 32-30. And after an exchange of baskets to start the second half, UConn went on a 20-5 run to seize control and never looked back from there.

Faris may not end up on any All-American teams at the end of the season. But one thing is for certain.

She is the glue of this team. She is what makes this team tick. And her strong play on Monday night is what helped the Huskies win this game and once again spank the Blue Devils.

Next up for the Huskies is a visit to Cincinnati, OH and old friend Jamelle Elliott's Cincinnati Bearcats squad on Saturday night. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.

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Duke Blue Devils @ UConn Huskies 1.21.13 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Geno Auriemma.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

Here are Duke's postgame notes.

Video: Geno Auriemma Chest Bumps Kelly Faris

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photo credit:  richard messina – hartford courant (no. 8 in gallery)