ekansekans's blog: "df"

(Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks take their latest shot at trying to solve the Boston Celtics in the postseason when the two teams kick off their Eastern Conference quarterfinals set at Philips Arena. Michael Crabtree Jersey . In the playoffs, this rivalry dates all the way back to the 1956-57 season when the Hawks called St. Louis home. Since moving to the Peach State in 1968, however, the Hawks have never beaten the Celtics in the postseason, losing six straight series (1972, 73, 83, 86, 88 and 2008.) This time around in the Easts 4-5 matchup, Atlanta has earned home- court advantage over Boston even though it is seeded fifth, since the Hawks finished with one more win than the Atlantic Division champions. "Well, wed rather not (start on the road)," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "Honestly. It wouldve been easier to open up at home, but were just not." The home floor was more than instrumental the last time these teams tangled in the postseason. The host prevailed each time during an entertaining seven-game first-round series in 2008 as the Celtics won in Game 7 by 34 points en route to the franchises 17th NBA title. "Its real big," said Hawks forward Josh Smith of having home-court advantage. "We experienced that when we first made the playoffs five years ago and we had to play against a rowdy crowd in Boston. Having home-court advantage is definitely key." The "Boston Three Party" of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen with the help of superlative point guard Rajon Rondo, turned it on at the right time during the regular season and left both New York and Philadelphia in the dust en route to a fifth straight Atlantic crown. Most thought the lockout-shortened campaign would work against the aged Celtics but here they are again in position to make another, perhaps final run with this group. The Hawks, even without All-Star big man Al Horford, are much younger and far more athletic than the Cs. Horford, a two-time All-Star, missed most of the season recovering from surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle, He had hoped to give the Hawks a lift in the playoffs but that was shelved earlier this week. The big man was able to practice Monday but awoke sore the next day, a realization that his left arm isnt where it needs to be to endure what figures to be a grueling playoff series. "I realized that Im not nearly where I need to be or want to be -- not even to give the team anything," Horford told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Thats when we kind of decided that it was best for me to take some time off, keep working, see how I progress. But we are just not where we need to be yet." Meanwhile, Horfords replacement in the starting lineup, Zaza Pachulia missed the last seven games of the regular season with a sprained left foot and will be a game-time decision on Sunday. For the Cs, Allen has not played in two weeks due to a sore right ankle, and may not be ready for the series opener. The sharpshooter, who will probably need surgery after the playoffs, did take a cortisone shot in an effort to play. Boston won two of three over the Hawks in the regular season and split a pair of games at Philips Arena. "We played them recently a couple times, but we wanted to take one game at a time and focus on the other guys that we had to beat," Rondo said. "We know the Hawks pretty well and they know us and its gonna be a tough matchup." Frank Gore Pink Jersey . The 27-year-old Layne was 0-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 32 games, including two starts, at San Antonio. The Padres acquired Layne from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash considerations on May 3. Carlos Rogers Womens Jersey . -- Several players gathered around a high-definition TV on one end of the Oakland Athletics clubhouse, shouting and screaming at the highlights they just made happen with another dose of late-inning drama. http://www.the49ersfans.com/frank-gore-jersey . Seahawks receiver Golden Tate was awarded a touchdown on the final play after a scrum on the ground in the end zone. Packers safety M.D. Jennings appeared to catch the ball against his body, with Tate getting his arm around the ball. Isaac Sopoaga Jersey . - Quarterback Brock Osweiler was supposed to be the rookie from Arizona State to watch for Denver on Thursday. Patrick Willis Nike Jersey . Rosicky, who injured an Achilles tendon during Tuesdays 2-1 win against Greece and hasnt trained since, was ruled out hours before Saturdays game in Wroclaw, Poland. His place in the midfield went to Daniel Kolar. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The NFLs top shutdown cornerback will likely be shut down for the season. Darrelle Revis has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that will require surgery, a huge blow for the New York Jets that leaves coach Rex Ryan without his best defensive player. A sombre Ryan stopped short of ruling Revis out for the season on Monday, saying he just learned of the MRI results. But Revis will have to wait two or three weeks before surgery, Ryan said, and the recovery from an ACL tear is usually six-to-nine months. So the chances of Revis returning this season appear extremely slim. Ryan added that he will speak with Revis before the team decides whether he will be placed on injured reserve, a move that could happen as early as Tuesday. "Its just disappointing," Ryan said. "This guy wants to win. As great a player as he is individually, hes a great teammate and just wants to win. Thats why he was so excited about this year." The 27-year-old Revis was injured in the third quarter of the Jets 23-20 overtime victory at Miami on Sunday, falling awkwardly and grabbing his knee even before he hit the grass. It was a non-contact injury, and he covered his face with gloved hands in obvious pain. He was able to walk off the field, but was taken into the locker room on a golf cart. "Thanks for all the support!" Revis wrote on his Twitter page on Monday night. "Its just part of the game, Im already on my way to recover!" Ryan suspected the injury was serious when he talked to Revis on the plane ride home. MRI results Monday morning confirmed the teams worst fears. "Its something we have to overcome as a football team. ... Were going to lose that presence. I dont know what else to say about it," Ryan said. "I guess thats the horrible thing that came out of the game." This was Revis first game after missing a week with a concussion sustained in the season opener against Buffalo. He had missed only three games before this season, all in 2010. "I know the way Darrelle is that this is a guy whos as competitive as it gets, and I dont think theres any doubt that hes going to come back strong from it," Ryan said. The Jets will be without perhaps the NFLs top cornerback on a defence Ryan had considered his best since the coach came to New York. Kyle Wilson, the teams first-round draft pick in 2010, will step into Revis starting role opposite Antonio Cromartie. Ellis Lankster will take Wilsons spot as the nickelback. "I just feel like Im going to go out there and Im going to continue to do my job," Wilson said. "Go out there, make plays and have fun. Just play my game, thats all I can do." Wilson, who has trained in the off-season with Revis the last two summers, will continue to talk to him and get tips and suggestions throughout the season. "I always pick that guys brain," Wilson said. "Hes obviously pretty good." While Wilson hasnt yet lived up to expectations, and the drop-off from Revis is great, the Jets still have two first-rounders starting at the position. "Most teams have just one No. 1 corner, and some teams donnt even have any," Ryan said. 49ers Super bowl Jerseys. "Were fortunate that we have the best in the league in Darrelle, and a No. 1 corner in Cromartie. Were fortunate there. We drafted Kyle Wilson to basically be a No. 2 corner, and thats what hes going to play, that role, and Im confident in Kyle." Ryan insists he isnt panicking despite losing the three-time All-Pro cornerback. "It never happens," he said. "We have enough to get it done here. ... Well find a way to get this done." Ryan also didnt rule out signing a free agent. The Jets released defensive lineman Marcus Dixon on Monday, and Ryan said the move was made in part so the team could pursue other players -- such as bringing back linebacker Bryan Thomas. Rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill has a hamstring injury that could sideline him a week, so the Jets re-signed Patrick Turner. "Its an onus on the whole defence," linebacker Aaron Maybin said of losing Revis. "We know that we all have to step up, and on offence and special teams. Its going to be a collective effort because when you have a guy like that go down, it really does affect the whole team." The Jets, despite their mistake-filled win at Miami, are in first place in the AFC East at 2-1, holding the tiebreaker over Buffalo. But tough home games against San Francisco and Houston are up next. "This is a team game, and as a team, weve got to step it up," Ryan said. "I think well respond. ... Is it a major blow when you lose a great player like Darrelle Revis? Of course, it absolutely is. But this is a football team, and I think we showed that yesterday, too." The injury further clouds the contract status of Revis, who reported for training camp in July despite saying he was unsure if he would because he was hoping the Jets would rework the $46 million, four-year deal he signed in 2010. He is set to earn $13.5 million during the next two years after the deal -- reached after a 36-day holdout in 2010 -- was front-loaded with $32.5 million in the first two years. But after not getting a new deal this off-season, many thought Revis and the team would re-visit the matter after this season. If he doesnt have a new contract by training camp next summer, he could become a free agent after the 2013 season. "Yeah, I want to be a Jet for life," Revis said in July. "If management dont see fit (to) that, then I have to move on." NOTES: LB Calvin Pace clarified his postgame comments about Dolphins RB Reggie Bush when he said the Jets "had to put him on out." Bush injured his left knee Sunday, but should be fine. "I wasnt trying to say it as if we were trying to hurt him," Pace said Monday. "Im sad to see him get hurt. We arent running any kind of bounty system or anything like that, and actually, looking at the play, somebody just fell on his knee. Thats all I have to say. I guess I need to say things in a different manner, and Ill do a better job of it next time." ... Through three games, the Jets have just three sacks: two by linebacker Garrett McIntyre and one by nose tackle Sione Pouha. ' ' '