a heavy workload between the 20s this season. A two-headed monster can be effective for Washington. -- Lombardi17. Hou

To fully appreciate Tamika Catchings impact on the U.S. Olympic team in this, her fourth and final appearance in the Summer Games, we need to go back to her first. That was in August 2004 in Athens, Greece, and Catchings had turned 25 the month before.She was just entering a professional athletes peak years. In her third season in the WNBA, she already was one of the top players in the league and the face of the Indiana Fever.And she was part of a new wave of national team players, which included Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. Catchings had started for the Americans in the 2002 world championship, and she got the call to do so again in the 2004 Olympics.My biggest role with that team was defense, Catchings recalled. I was trying to bridge the gap between the younger players and the older players, with them passing that torch on to our generation.In Athens, U.S. coach Van Chancellor started Catchings alongside more experienced players Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson.To be the fifth Beatle in that group? Taurasi said. She was the only one who could go into that group and hold her own. She kind of represented the younger generation. So when I saw her out there with that group, I thought, Catch is going to be legendary.It also helped inspire Taurasi, who averaged 8.5 points off the bench in the 2004 Olympics, and Bird, who was the point guard understudy to Staley, then playing in her final Olympics.Bird recalls national team scrimmages over the years when her primary concern was whether she and Catchings were on the same side.I just always remember thinking, I hope Tamikas on my team, Bird said. Because we would do drills where you could only score if you got the rebound, or if you get a deflection or have a steal. And in those scenarios, theres nobody you want on your team besides Tamika.Catchings has been a staple of the national team, winning three Olympic gold medals and three world championship golds. Now age 37, she represents the older generation, and will retire from her playing career at the conclusion of this WNBA season. But she has been able to keep this final year of playing in the present tense as much as possible.Ive definitely been able to stay in the moment and not take anything for granted, she said. Im grateful to have this opportunity again and be around all these great players.Its been a dream come true. And this year, it just means a lot more with it being my last time to be able to represent my country from this perspective.Catchings said it wasnt until she was a teenager following the news about the U.S. national teams 1995-96 tour to prepare for the Atlanta Games that she truly understood just how important the Olympics were. In the summer of 1996, when she was a rising senior in high school, Catchings was training in Colorado Springs with USA Basketball for the junior world championship qualifying tournament.After practice was over, they said, Hang tight, guys, weve got a surprise for you all, Catchings said. Then the door at the end of the gym opened, and Ruthie [Bolton] walked in with everybody else on the Olympic team, and they started singing, Mighty Ruthie! And we were like, Oh my God!It was like the greatest moment. I was like, I want to be them. I want to be on that team someday.Catchings joined the senior national team in 2002. That was her first year in the WNBA. She had sat out 2001 in the league due to a knee injury that had ended her Tennessee collegiate career.As is the case for Bird and Taurasi, Catchings only loss with the Team USA came in the 2006 world championship semifinals. Other than that, it has been an overwhelmingly golden success.The thing that players like Sheryl, Lisa and Dawn left with us is how to represent yourself every day as an American, as an ambassador for ourselves, individually, and our team, Catchings said. People are always watching us, whether its playing in the WNBA, overseas, or working with our respective charities. But theres something especially important about representing the USA team, and how we act on a daily basis. That is about being a professional.Catchings averaged 6.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in the 2004 Olympics. In 2008, she battled injury to be ready for the Beijing Games, and came off the bench to average 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds.With Catchings, you knew she was going to go through a wall to get the job done, said Anne Donovan, coach of the 2008 Olympic team and a former Olympic player herself. Whether that was a rebound we had to get, a play we needed to run, a screen she had to set, it didnt matter. She was going to do whatever was needed.Her work ethic and her pride in wearing red, white and blue ... Its hard to put it into words, but we all know it. We see it. Catchings is the one whos going to come up with that loose ball or make that play when someone else thinks its impossible.For Catchings, 2012 was the most special year of all in her pro career. She again was a starter for the U.S. Olympic team, averaging 6.1 points and 4.9 rebounds at the London Games. Then she went back to Indiana and led the Fever to the WNBA title.This year, Catchings has been doing a farewell tour in the WNBA, and she also has dealt with a heavy heart in saying goodbye to her beloved college coach, Pat Summitt, who died in June. The court, always her sanctuary, has been that again for Catchings. The chance to create another happy Olympic memory is something that she cherishes.This is her fourth time, and shes still good enough to be a contributor, said USA Basketball coach Geno Auriemma, who also coached Catchings in the 2012 Olympics. When you mention Tamika and say what is she great at? She just plays harder than everybody else. She competes harder. Ive always admired that in her. Ken Harrelson Jersey . JOHNS, N. Mike Freeman Jersey . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/3308u-roger-dorn-jersey-indians.html . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Stitched Indians Jerseys . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Sam Mcdowell Indians Jersey . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. With Mark Schlabachs most recent Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings as our guide, we have ranked everything from the weakest position groups to stand-up comedians. This week, we look at which players would get the call with the game on the line and the ball on the 1-yard line.1.?Alabama Crimson Tide Bo ScarbroughOf course you want the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Bo Scarbrough?going over the top, but the real question for Alabama is who will be his lead blocker? Continuing what has become a tradition of unique goal-line fullbacks that includes Jesse Williams and AShawn Robinson, dont be surprised if defensive tackle DaRon Payne, who is a rather nimble 319 pounds, takes the field in the Tides jumbo package. -- Alex Scarborough2. Clemson Tigers Jordan LeggettOdds are Dabo Swinney would make the call for Deshaun Watson. After all, how do you put the game in the hands of anyone other than your Heisman contender? But who would Watson look to if he decides to throw? Chalk this one up for tight end Jordan Leggett, who had a touchdown in five straight games at one point last season, finished the year with eight scores and was a finalist for the Mackey Award. --?David M. Hale3.?Michigan WolverinesJake ButtMaybe its a bit unorthodox, but since when has that bothered Jim Harbaugh? The big, strong, athletic senior is one of the most valuable players on the roster, and Butt is surely more than capable of shifting from tight end, taking a handoff and bulldozing his way to the end zone. -- Austin Ward4.?Florida State Seminoles Dalvin CookFlorida State was poor in short-yardage situations but through no fault of Cook. The junior has the wiggle and power to score at the goal line. A quarterback sneak might be effective with the bigger Sean Maguire, but with that position unsettled, its best just to turn it over to the Heisman candidate. --?Jared Shanker5. Oklahoma SoonersSamaje Perine Nobody in crimson and cream would think twice about putting the ball in the hands of Baker Mayfield in this situation. But that didnt work out so well for Pete Carroll. So its pretty simple: Tell Mayfield to put the ball in the arms of Perine, and let the 235-pound running back do the rest. -- Brandon Chatmon6. LSU TigersLeonard FournetteFor all his impressive stats last season, Fournette struggled in short-yardage situations. On runs on which he needed between 1 and 3 yards to convert, Fournette was successful just 52.9 percent of the time -- well below the Power 5 average of 66.9 -- according to ESPN Stats & Information. However, when you have the countrys most dynamic running back in your backfield, you give him the ball and take your chances. -- David Ching7. Stanford Cardinal Daniel Marx David Shaw had a favorite for this job last season, and it wasnt Christian McCaffrey. Remound Wright earned a heavy load at the goal line, so the Cardinal must replace his short yardage wizardry that led to 13 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, Marx is a throwback fullback built like a bowling ball. -- David Lombardi8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Malik ZaireIn limited action, the world has gotten a glimpse of what Zaire is capable of. He is a unique, dual-threat lefty who might be as strong as he is speedy. Its no wonder the 225-pounder is the ultimate Irish trump card come red zone scenarios, and he is a great option to have at the goal line. -- Matt Fortuna9.?Ohio State Buckeyes J.T. BarrettThe junior quarterback started winning his job back last season, thanks in part to his willingness to come in as a red zone finisher. Even if Mike Weber and the young Buckeyes taking over in the backfield emerge to fill Ezekiel Elliotts shoes, with the game on the line, Barrett isnt likely to be denied. -- Ward10. Tennessee Volunteers Kahlil McKenzieYeah, Joshua Dobbs or Jalen Hurd would be the obvious offensive options at the 1-yard line, but if the game is on the line and you need a big body to plow through two lines, Tennessee should go with sophomore defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie. Hes Tennessees largest player at 6-foot-3, 344 pounds, and though he is still a work in progress as Tennessees man in the middle, he would be a no-brainer for a goal-line score with the girth he carries. -- Edward Aschoff11. USC Trojans Ronald Jones IILast season, Tre Maddens 220-pound frame made him a nice option to bull toward hard-earned yardage. He is gone, though, so the Trojans will have to sift through their stable of running backs for a short-yardage replacement cut from a smaller cloth. The natural choice is likely Ronald Jones II, but USC should be creative with its play call, as Jones 195 pounds might not be best-suited for a simple plunge up the middle. -- Lombardi12. Georgia Bulldogs Nick ChubbIt doesnt matter how healthy Chubb is -- you want him on that line in crunch time. One of the strongest players in the league, Chubb could run through Superman if a touchdown were on the line. People might want to opt for a heavier option at the 1-yard line, but besides?Leonard Fournette, there is no running back better suited for a goal-line plunge. --?Aschoff13. Ole Miss Rebels Breeland SpeaksThe Rebels are still trying to figure out who is going to be their consistent ground-and-pound running back. That said, Ole Miss should opt for an athletic, versatile, big body to carry the rock in this short-yard situation. Step on down, Breeland Speaks. The hefty (313 pounds) defensive tackle has resembled Robert Nkemdiche with his athleticism inside and couuld easily carry the ball in from a yard away.dddddddddddd He has solid speed for a big guy and a little wiggle. Plus, he plays angry, and thats what you need this close to the end zone. --?Aschoff14. Oklahoma State CowboysMason RudolphTemptation to go with Barry J. Sanders exists, simply because his father scored 37 touchdowns in 1988. That must be good for something. The Stanford transfer rushed for four touchdowns last season, equal to the total of Chris Carson,?the Cowboys top returning rusher. Neither is an inspiring pick, though. OSU struggled mightily in the run game in 2015 and might not be improved enough this year to rely on a back in this spot. That means give it to Rudolph, the junior QB whos adequate on his feet and can find receivers James Washington or Marcell Ateman in tight spaces. -- Mitch Sherman15.?Michigan State SpartansLJ ScottThere is no need to mess around in East Lansing. Just give it to the big guy. The 6-foot, 238-pounder needed only one season to prove he has a nose for the end zone, as he led the Spartans with 11 touchdowns and promised even brighter things to come in his career. -- Ward16. Washington Huskies Lavon ColemanMyles Gaskin was the Huskies breakout star in 2010, but at 220 pounds, Coleman sports about 25 extra pounds of beef. Wed be comfortable with him throwing that size into a crowded goal-line situation, especially because Gaskin will likely shoulder a heavy workload between the 20s this season. A two-headed monster can be effective for Washington. -- Lombardi17. Houston Cougars Greg Ward Jr. You want the ball in the quarterbacks hands on the goal line. The running back group is unproven at this point, but in Ward, you have a known quantity. The senior quarterback rushed for 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns while passing for 2,828 and 17 scores last season. Being able to rely on a quarterback who is dangerous both rushing and passing is what would make him so dangerous on the goal line. Let him do his thing and ring up six more points. --?Ching18. North Carolina Tar HeelsElijah HoodThis is an easy one, even if Larry Fedora made the wrong call in Week 1 last season. In that game against South Carolina, Hood ran for 138 yards but got just 13 carries, while QB Marquise Williams tossed three interceptions inside the Gamecocks 25. Hood wouldnt be ignored again, however, and he finished the year with 17 touchdowns after serving as one of the most punishing backs in the country. --?Hale19. Oregon Ducks Royce Freeman When it comes to this exercise, we can get creative with some teams -- but not with Oregon. The Ducks have their main man in Freeman, and his specialty -- despite his speed -- is bruising all over opponents. Freemans 230-pound frame is not likely to be denied on the goal line. Give him the ball. -- Lombardi20. TCU Horned FrogsKyle HicksThe Frogs had a game-on-the-line scenario from the 2-yard line last season against Oklahoma and went to the air. It didnt work out. If that happens again this season, running back Kyle Hicks is likely getting the ball. Or maybe its a QB keeper. Or perhaps Gary Patterson knows the D expects a run and fools them with a pass. Its a tough call. This is why hes the successful head coach and Im not. -- Max Olson21. Texas A&M Aggies Daylon MackThe Aggies have plenty of traditional choices, such as stout running back Keith Ford, dual-threat quarterback Trevor Knight and electric wideouts Christian Kirk, Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones. But my coworker Sam Khan Jr. offered an outside-the-box idea that might have some promise: What about defensive tackle Daylon Mack doing his best Refrigerator Perry impression? Even if he has never been a short-yardage back in college, the 335-pound Mack was in high school, and he was productive, with a total of 262 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. --?Ching22. UCLA Bruins Soso JamaboFor the first time in several years, someone other than Paul Perkins will be the Bruins featured man here. Jamabo is an exceptionally tall back -- he checks in at 6-foot-3 -- who is projected to step into Perkins void after emerging from Texas as one of the nations most prized recruits. If leveraged correctly, Jamabos height can become an asset in a pressure-packed goal-line situation, especially if a score is a dive or reach away. -- Lombardi23.?Iowa HawkeyesLeShun Daniels Jr.Behind another stout offensive line that continues the programs rich blocking tradition, perhaps it doesnt make much difference who touches the football, as long as he is working behind those beefy Hawkeyes. But Daniels boasts some size and strength himself, and hes coming off an eight-touchdown season that qualifies him as a closer for Iowa. -- Ward24. Miami HurricanesGus Edwards Theres a reason Edwards has the nickname The Bus. At 6-2, 240 pounds, Edwards has the ability to bull rush through a stacked line with defenders on his back. After missing last season with injury, there is little doubt he will be eager to get the ball in such a crucial situation and score. --?Andrea Adelson25. Louisville CardinalsLamar Jackson The sophomore proved to be a threat with both his arms and his legs last season, and he is only more dangerous now. The former track star will make defenders miss and will keep them guessing, as he is one of the nations most valuable red zone commodities. --?Fortuna ' ' '