by Hal SpivackFiled under: Kings, NBA Police Blotter, Sports Business and MediaSacramento authorities are looking for witnesses and information after a midtown mural in Sacramento of Omri Casspi was defaced by a swastika for the second time in a week. Casspi is the only Israeli player in the NBA.
The timing of the hate crimes is most likely not an accident. The mural has been defaced with swastikas around two of the holiest Jewish holidays. Last week was Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year; while this week is Yom Kippur, the holiest of holidays and a day of atonement, where fasting begins at sundown for a full day.
The mural was first defaced on Sept. 8 and then again on Sept. 16.
Sacramento's Crime Alert is offering a reward of up to $1,000 with leads regarding the crime, while officials from the Anti-Defamation League are now offering a $1,000 reward for information. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Kenny McKinley's Apparent Suicide Leaves Broncos Shaken
Filed under: Broncos, AFC WestENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A shaken Broncos coach Josh McDaniels met with his team Tuesday and said the staff and players came together to begin trying to come to grips with the apparent suicide of wide receiver Kenny McKinley.
"Our team is a close-knit group and it was good to have them here today to share in the grieving process," said an emotional McDaniels, his voice cracking at times. "I know it won't be easy. But I think the group has a lot of strength and we'll support each other."
He said the counseling process with the team would continue "as long as it's needed."
McKinley, 23, was found dead in his home near the Broncos' Dove Valley headquarters on Monday. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department said he apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though a final determination has not been made and the case remains under investigation.
"Our team is a close-knit group and it was good to have them here today to share in the grieving process," said an emotional McDaniels, his voice cracking at times. "I know it won't be easy. But I think the group has a lot of strength and we'll support each other."
He said the counseling process with the team would continue "as long as it's needed."
McKinley, 23, was found dead in his home near the Broncos' Dove Valley headquarters on Monday. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department said he apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though a final determination has not been made and the case remains under investigation.
Networks' Game of Hot Potato With US Open Final Disrespects Tennis
by Greg CouchFiled under: Media Watch, U.S. Open, Sports Business and Media
Tennis takes quick hands, incredible anticipation and coordination, flexibility and the willingness to be humiliated over and over again while retaining your focus and determination.
And that's just what it takes to be a fan trying to follow the game from home.
It takes a gymnast to be a tennis fan.
What does it say about a sport when its staple event in this country, the U.S. Open men's final, is treated like a hot potato by the networks? Over two days and three networks, no one would commit to the match.
CBS: I don't want it, you take it. ESPN2: No way, you take it. ESPNClassic: But we have celebrity bowling!
Rafael Nadal was on the verge of making history, as the networks kept telling us for two weeks. He was winning his first U.S. Open, completing a career Grand Slam.
But in the second set Monday, it started raining. And CBS decided it was done with tennis for the night, chucking history over to ESPN2, which was willing to show the match for a while. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Tennis takes quick hands, incredible anticipation and coordination, flexibility and the willingness to be humiliated over and over again while retaining your focus and determination.
And that's just what it takes to be a fan trying to follow the game from home.
It takes a gymnast to be a tennis fan.
What does it say about a sport when its staple event in this country, the U.S. Open men's final, is treated like a hot potato by the networks? Over two days and three networks, no one would commit to the match.
CBS: I don't want it, you take it. ESPN2: No way, you take it. ESPNClassic: But we have celebrity bowling!
Rafael Nadal was on the verge of making history, as the networks kept telling us for two weeks. He was winning his first U.S. Open, completing a career Grand Slam.
But in the second set Monday, it started raining. And CBS decided it was done with tennis for the night, chucking history over to ESPN2, which was willing to show the match for a while. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Mark Dantonio Heart Problem Reminds Coaches to Be Health Aware
Filed under: Florida, Kansas State, Michigan State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Coaching
The hours and demands on your time are insane and the thoughts of health, exercise and diet tend to fall way down on the list of priorities.
Such is the life of big-time college football coaches in America.
"I think when you get into it, you understand the business," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Monday morning. "I've been a head coach for 20 years and I've learned how to pace my preparation. The first year I was head coach, on Wednesday night I was ready to play the game emotionally, physically and everything. I was wired. I think in a few years I learned how to delay that but I still wake up every Saturday morning like it's a national championship game. That's who I am. I guess when I quit feeling that way, I should go do something else.
"But I think we have to develop good habits as best we can and be a little lucky, too. You have to see doctors, do stress tests and all those sorts of things.You have to be very, very proactive there just because of the world we live in." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The hours and demands on your time are insane and the thoughts of health, exercise and diet tend to fall way down on the list of priorities.
Such is the life of big-time college football coaches in America.
"I think when you get into it, you understand the business," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Monday morning. "I've been a head coach for 20 years and I've learned how to pace my preparation. The first year I was head coach, on Wednesday night I was ready to play the game emotionally, physically and everything. I was wired. I think in a few years I learned how to delay that but I still wake up every Saturday morning like it's a national championship game. That's who I am. I guess when I quit feeling that way, I should go do something else.
"But I think we have to develop good habits as best we can and be a little lucky, too. You have to see doctors, do stress tests and all those sorts of things.You have to be very, very proactive there just because of the world we live in." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Dustin Johnson Gets Redemption in BMW Championship Victory
Filed under: FedEx CupSo what do you think of the FedEx Cup now? After hard-luck Dustin Johnson shot a final-round 69 Sunday to win the BMW Championship is the PGA Tour's post-season inspiring or a snoozer?
Johnson melted down in the final round of the U.S. Open and he brain-cramped on the finishing hole of the PGA Championship. But Sunday at Chicago's Cog Hill he didn't let anything get away, producing two birdies and one bogey to finish 9 under and one shot in front of runner-up Paul Casey.
"You know, to finally get it done, especially after all the things I've gone through this summer, to finally get it done on Sunday, it can't feel any better, especially because I played really good golf today," Johnson said. "I didn't make as many birdies as I would have liked to, but I made just enough."
It was the 26-year-old Johnson's fourth career victory and second of the season. He breezes into the post-season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, where the FedEx Cup winner scoops up a cool $10 million bonus.
Along with top-seeded Matt Kuchar, Johnson will join Charley Hoffman, Steve Stricker and Casey as players, by way of their top-five finish on the points list, who will control their own playoff destiny: a victory at East Lake guarantees the FedEx crown. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Johnson melted down in the final round of the U.S. Open and he brain-cramped on the finishing hole of the PGA Championship. But Sunday at Chicago's Cog Hill he didn't let anything get away, producing two birdies and one bogey to finish 9 under and one shot in front of runner-up Paul Casey.
"You know, to finally get it done, especially after all the things I've gone through this summer, to finally get it done on Sunday, it can't feel any better, especially because I played really good golf today," Johnson said. "I didn't make as many birdies as I would have liked to, but I made just enough."
It was the 26-year-old Johnson's fourth career victory and second of the season. He breezes into the post-season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, where the FedEx Cup winner scoops up a cool $10 million bonus.
Along with top-seeded Matt Kuchar, Johnson will join Charley Hoffman, Steve Stricker and Casey as players, by way of their top-five finish on the points list, who will control their own playoff destiny: a victory at East Lake guarantees the FedEx crown. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Colorado Completes Deal to Leave Big 12, Enter Pac-10 Next Fall
Filed under: Colorado, Big 12, Pac 10The Pac-10 will be the Pac-12 next fall after all.
Colorado has reached a deal to leave the Big 12 after the 2010-11 season and join the Pac-10, effective June 30, 2011. The conference will withhold $6,863,000 from Colorado in revenues that would otherwise be distributed to the school.
With the addition of Utah, that brings the Pac-10 to a 12-team league for the 2011 football season.
The deal was announced Tuesday evening after the Colorado Board of Regents approved the agreement.
In a press release, Big 12 Conference commissioner Dan Beebe stated, "This agreement was accomplished through a collegial, respectful process among the Conference, its institutions, and the University of Colorado that led to a resolution that all parties believe is fair. I appreciate the cooperation of Chancellor Phil DiStefano and others at Colorado. The Big 12 has enjoyed its relationship with CU and wishes it well in the future."
Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said the conference is "excited" to have Colorado on board.
"Our plans all along were for them to join the Conference in 2012, so this puts the Pac-12 ahead of schedule, which is great news," Scott said. "With Colorado and Utah coming on board next year we are tremendously excited about the future of the Conference."
Back on Sept. 11, Scott said there was less than a 50-50 chance that Colorado would be able to extricate itself from the Big 12 in time to start next season, citing "financial" reasons.
The Pac-10 will be helping to pick up Colorado's tab with the Big 12.
A Colorado press release indicated that the move will be funded "through Pacific-10 Conference distribution, increased ticket revenue associated with Pac-10 home schedules and through other intercollegiate athletic department operating efficiencies and revenues." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Colorado has reached a deal to leave the Big 12 after the 2010-11 season and join the Pac-10, effective June 30, 2011. The conference will withhold $6,863,000 from Colorado in revenues that would otherwise be distributed to the school.
With the addition of Utah, that brings the Pac-10 to a 12-team league for the 2011 football season.
The deal was announced Tuesday evening after the Colorado Board of Regents approved the agreement.
In a press release, Big 12 Conference commissioner Dan Beebe stated, "This agreement was accomplished through a collegial, respectful process among the Conference, its institutions, and the University of Colorado that led to a resolution that all parties believe is fair. I appreciate the cooperation of Chancellor Phil DiStefano and others at Colorado. The Big 12 has enjoyed its relationship with CU and wishes it well in the future."
Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said the conference is "excited" to have Colorado on board.
"Our plans all along were for them to join the Conference in 2012, so this puts the Pac-12 ahead of schedule, which is great news," Scott said. "With Colorado and Utah coming on board next year we are tremendously excited about the future of the Conference."
Back on Sept. 11, Scott said there was less than a 50-50 chance that Colorado would be able to extricate itself from the Big 12 in time to start next season, citing "financial" reasons.
The Pac-10 will be helping to pick up Colorado's tab with the Big 12.
A Colorado press release indicated that the move will be funded "through Pacific-10 Conference distribution, increased ticket revenue associated with Pac-10 home schedules and through other intercollegiate athletic department operating efficiencies and revenues." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Dimitar Berbatov Goal Highlights Manchester United vs. Liverpool
Filed under: European Soccer, International Soccer, International, English Premier League
Manchester United needed a hat-trick from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov to best Liverpool 3-2.
Berbatov has collected six goals in five league games already this season. And while his late-game heroics (scoring the game-winner in the 85th minute) led to the win, it'll be his second goal of the match that earns steady replay rotation.
In the 59th minute, Berbatov -- with his back to the goal -- settled the ball, and blasted an overhead kick that banged home off the bottom of the crossbar. Okay, enough words. Here's the video, courtesy of Caught Offside. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Manchester United needed a hat-trick from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov to best Liverpool 3-2.
Berbatov has collected six goals in five league games already this season. And while his late-game heroics (scoring the game-winner in the 85th minute) led to the win, it'll be his second goal of the match that earns steady replay rotation.
In the 59th minute, Berbatov -- with his back to the goal -- settled the ball, and blasted an overhead kick that banged home off the bottom of the crossbar. Okay, enough words. Here's the video, courtesy of Caught Offside. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Jack Roush, Flying High Again, Likes His Team's Championship Chances
Filed under: Ford, Roush Fenway Racing, Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCARFew would argue that Jack Roush is an engineering genius, an inspiring leader and even a racing legend.
But overly sentimental Roush is not. And that's why despite having just survived his second plane crash in the last eight years, Roush's quest for a third NASCAR Sprint Cup championship is more calculated than emotional.
"When I was able to get back to the race team,'' Roush explained Monday in a Ford teleconference, "I took a deep breath and savored the moment, and said, 'You know, this might not have happened except for my good fortune and making it through my trial and tribulation here.'
"But once I took my deep breath and celebrated the moment that I was back, it's been business as usual for me.''
Fortunately for Roush, usual business is good business. Three of the four Roush-Fenway Racing team cars have qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR's 10-race playoff that begins Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
"If the question is, 'Am I back?' I'm back,'' said Roush, who has lost sight in his left eye after sustaining significant facial injuries in a July 27 plane crash, but missed only three weeks of work and has already piloted a plane again. Twice. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
But overly sentimental Roush is not. And that's why despite having just survived his second plane crash in the last eight years, Roush's quest for a third NASCAR Sprint Cup championship is more calculated than emotional.
"When I was able to get back to the race team,'' Roush explained Monday in a Ford teleconference, "I took a deep breath and savored the moment, and said, 'You know, this might not have happened except for my good fortune and making it through my trial and tribulation here.'
"But once I took my deep breath and celebrated the moment that I was back, it's been business as usual for me.''
Fortunately for Roush, usual business is good business. Three of the four Roush-Fenway Racing team cars have qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR's 10-race playoff that begins Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
"If the question is, 'Am I back?' I'm back,'' said Roush, who has lost sight in his left eye after sustaining significant facial injuries in a July 27 plane crash, but missed only three weeks of work and has already piloted a plane again. Twice. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Mark Dantonio Released From Hospital
Filed under: Michigan State, CoachingMark Dantonio was released from the hospital Tuesday according to Michigan State AD Mark Hollis, three days after a heart attack following the Spartans' football game against Notre Dame.
Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said earlier Tuesday that Dantonio was "doing better and better." Treadwell will coach the team until Dantonio returns.
Saturday night, Dantonio's Spartans pulled off a gutsy fake field goal to beat Notre Dame in dramatic fashion in East Lansing.
Dantonio, 54, checked into Sparrow Hospital's emergency room "early Sunday morning," the school said. He underwent a cardiac catheterization procedure, where doctors use a small, metallic stent to open a blocked blood vessel leading to the heart.
Moore: Coaches Dancing With Death
Harris: A Lesson to All Coaches
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said earlier Tuesday that Dantonio was "doing better and better." Treadwell will coach the team until Dantonio returns.
Saturday night, Dantonio's Spartans pulled off a gutsy fake field goal to beat Notre Dame in dramatic fashion in East Lansing.
Dantonio, 54, checked into Sparrow Hospital's emergency room "early Sunday morning," the school said. He underwent a cardiac catheterization procedure, where doctors use a small, metallic stent to open a blocked blood vessel leading to the heart.
Moore: Coaches Dancing With Death
Harris: A Lesson to All Coaches
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Unlike Others, King James Can't Handle Being Hated
Filed under: Cavaliers, Heat, Magic, NBA Media Watch, Sports Business and MediaPerhaps you've heard. According to the folks at The Q Score Company, the only athletes disliked more by the public than LeBron James are -- in order of the most likely to be dangled off the edge of a stadium or arena by a roster of Joe Six Packs -- Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Kobe Bryant.
This justifiable King James bashing continues Pat Riley's biggest dream, but it adds to LeBron's worst nightmare.
Riley loves it, all right. He has something else for the narrative he is trying to slam-dunk into the psyche of his Miami Heat players, and that is the following: They hate us. Not only will we have to overcome the rest of the NBA this season, but we'll have to conquer that ever-growing mass dribbling toward us that is 5.98 sextillion tons.
That's the weight of the earth, by the way. Thus we have Riley unleashing the old us-against-world thing.
Hey, it worked for the Bad Boys.
As for King James, he's never been here before, which is despised by more than a few folks -- especially around Lake Erie, where he once was hugged the most. So can he function as a universal villain? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
This justifiable King James bashing continues Pat Riley's biggest dream, but it adds to LeBron's worst nightmare.
Riley loves it, all right. He has something else for the narrative he is trying to slam-dunk into the psyche of his Miami Heat players, and that is the following: They hate us. Not only will we have to overcome the rest of the NBA this season, but we'll have to conquer that ever-growing mass dribbling toward us that is 5.98 sextillion tons.
That's the weight of the earth, by the way. Thus we have Riley unleashing the old us-against-world thing.
Hey, it worked for the Bad Boys.
As for King James, he's never been here before, which is despised by more than a few folks -- especially around Lake Erie, where he once was hugged the most. So can he function as a universal villain? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Alex Smith Opens Eyes in San Francisco
Filed under: 49ers, NFC WestSan Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith may have a way to go before he's won over all his critics.
But his performance Monday night in a 25-22 loss to the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints won over many.
San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson told the San Francisco Chronicle that Smith earned every bit of praise he got after his 23-for-32 passing performance good for 275 yards and a touchown.
"Alex put this time on his back and carried them all the way down the field,'' Goldson said. "He stepped up big time for us. A lot of credit goes to him."
Tight end Vernon Davis said he was excited about Smith's "career here as a 49er.''
"But we have to make him right. He can't always make us right. We have to be there for him as far as receivers and in the blocking game, we have to protect and give him time to get the ball out.'' Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
But his performance Monday night in a 25-22 loss to the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints won over many.
San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson told the San Francisco Chronicle that Smith earned every bit of praise he got after his 23-for-32 passing performance good for 275 yards and a touchown.
"Alex put this time on his back and carried them all the way down the field,'' Goldson said. "He stepped up big time for us. A lot of credit goes to him."
Tight end Vernon Davis said he was excited about Smith's "career here as a 49er.''
"But we have to make him right. He can't always make us right. We have to be there for him as far as receivers and in the blocking game, we have to protect and give him time to get the ball out.'' Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Dwayne De Rosario Defines Clutch, With Awards or Without
Filed under: MLS, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC, Toronto FCSo Blaise Nkufo is your Major League Soccer player of the week. Fair enough -- the Swiss forward had a hat trick in the Seattle Sounders' 4-0 demolition of East-leading Columbus on Saturday.
It's the margin of victory that's a bit more curious. We don't have the figures at the moment, but the North American Soccer Reporters, whose members determine the winner, tweeted that Nkufo won "in a landslide." Three goals in Columbus (the first of Nkufo's MLS career) certainly is noteworthy, but on a weekend when Landon Donovan and Dwayne De Rosario each scored both goals in dramatic 2-1 victories, perhaps a tighter race was appropriate. Nathan Sturgis' penalty kick would have done the job for the Sounders.
Donovan tallied his pair at home against bottom-feeding D.C. United. The Los Angeles Galaxy are fighting for the Supporters Shield but will ease into the playoffs. The way Donovan grabbed hold of the game in the final 10 minutes was impressive, and almost typical for a world-class player who's been in impeccable form for nearly two years. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
It's the margin of victory that's a bit more curious. We don't have the figures at the moment, but the North American Soccer Reporters, whose members determine the winner, tweeted that Nkufo won "in a landslide." Three goals in Columbus (the first of Nkufo's MLS career) certainly is noteworthy, but on a weekend when Landon Donovan and Dwayne De Rosario each scored both goals in dramatic 2-1 victories, perhaps a tighter race was appropriate. Nathan Sturgis' penalty kick would have done the job for the Sounders.
Donovan tallied his pair at home against bottom-feeding D.C. United. The Los Angeles Galaxy are fighting for the Supporters Shield but will ease into the playoffs. The way Donovan grabbed hold of the game in the final 10 minutes was impressive, and almost typical for a world-class player who's been in impeccable form for nearly two years. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Sidelined for Tour Championship, Tiger Woods' Golf Status Remains Unclear
Filed under: PGA, FedEx CupLEMONT, Ill.(AP) -- Leave it to the PGA Tour to find the upside of Tiger Woods missing out on the Tour Championship.
In a press release Monday promoting the 30-man field at East Lake, it notes that Woods' failure to qualify for the last playoff event guarantees there will be a new FedEx Cup champion this year.
Phil Mickelson said it "absolutely" will be strange not having the world's No. 1 player at the Tour Championship, although it's nothing new. Woods has only played East Lake twice in the past five years, skipping in 2006 after a long year coping with his father's death and in 2008 when he was recovering from knee surgery.
The difference, of course, is that Woods couldn't play the Tour Championship even if he wanted. He needed to shoot 65 in the final round of the BMW Championship, and it took him until the 17th hole just to get under par for the final round, and the tournament.
In an explanation he offered three times Sunday - to NBC Sports, XM Radio and the rest of the media - he blamed only himself. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
In a press release Monday promoting the 30-man field at East Lake, it notes that Woods' failure to qualify for the last playoff event guarantees there will be a new FedEx Cup champion this year.
Phil Mickelson said it "absolutely" will be strange not having the world's No. 1 player at the Tour Championship, although it's nothing new. Woods has only played East Lake twice in the past five years, skipping in 2006 after a long year coping with his father's death and in 2008 when he was recovering from knee surgery.
The difference, of course, is that Woods couldn't play the Tour Championship even if he wanted. He needed to shoot 65 in the final round of the BMW Championship, and it took him until the 17th hole just to get under par for the final round, and the tournament.
In an explanation he offered three times Sunday - to NBC Sports, XM Radio and the rest of the media - he blamed only himself. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
McCourt Divorce Trial Resumes as Jamie Has Rough Outing on Stand
by Jon WeinbachFiled under: Dodgers, Sports Business and MediaLOS ANGELES -- At this point, Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully is about the only thing right with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Manager Joe Torre just quit, the team is slumping its way to a losing season and the club's former owner, Peter O'Malley, recently called for the franchise to be sold, saying the team's current ownership had "lost all credibility" with the city.
And in case you forgot, Frank McCourt, the embattled current owner, is still battling his estranged wife Jamie for control of the Dodgers in a hotly-contested divorce trial that resumed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The key issue in this phase of the divorce proceeding is the status of a marital property agreement the couple signed on March 31, 2004, shortly after they purchased the club from News Corp for nearly $430 million. Frank believes the MPA makes him the sole owner of the Dodgers in the event of a divorce, while Jamie contends that it should be invalidated because the couple signed two conflicting versions of the document.
Monday's session began with a bang, literally: Jamie's assistant hit a pedestrian with her car near a crosswalk in front of the courthouse, just before the trial began at 8:30 a.m. PT. Mrs. McCourt was in the vehicle at the time, but was not delayed getting to Judge Scott Gordon's second-floor courtroom. (An ambulance was called to help the pedestrian, but the injuries apparently were not serious.) Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Manager Joe Torre just quit, the team is slumping its way to a losing season and the club's former owner, Peter O'Malley, recently called for the franchise to be sold, saying the team's current ownership had "lost all credibility" with the city.
And in case you forgot, Frank McCourt, the embattled current owner, is still battling his estranged wife Jamie for control of the Dodgers in a hotly-contested divorce trial that resumed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The key issue in this phase of the divorce proceeding is the status of a marital property agreement the couple signed on March 31, 2004, shortly after they purchased the club from News Corp for nearly $430 million. Frank believes the MPA makes him the sole owner of the Dodgers in the event of a divorce, while Jamie contends that it should be invalidated because the couple signed two conflicting versions of the document.
Monday's session began with a bang, literally: Jamie's assistant hit a pedestrian with her car near a crosswalk in front of the courthouse, just before the trial began at 8:30 a.m. PT. Mrs. McCourt was in the vehicle at the time, but was not delayed getting to Judge Scott Gordon's second-floor courtroom. (An ambulance was called to help the pedestrian, but the injuries apparently were not serious.) Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers
Michael Vick Named Eagles' Starting QB
Filed under: Eagles, NFL QuarterbacksPhiladelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid has named Michael Vick the team's starting quarterback.
"When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him an opportunity," Reid said Tuesday.
Vick has performed very well for two weeks now. Vick initially relieved Kevin Kolb in Week 1 after Kolb sustained a concussion late in the second quarter against the Packers.
Vick, who performed admirably in the Eagles' win this past Sunday against Detroit, has been given the nod to start the rest of the season for Philadelphia.
"Kevin is fine. It's not an injury-related issue," Reid said. "It's not about judging him. He's going to be a championship-caliber quarterback."
The 30-year-old Vick has amassed a QB rating of over 100 in both games this season.
"I'm very proud of him," Reid said on Monday regarding Vick's performance against Detroit in their 35-32 win. "It's a true testament that if you work hard, you keep your nose clean, good things can happen. And he's worked very hard at doing both those things and I'm proud of the way he led the football team yesterday."
Chris Burke: Eagles' Move Makes Sense, if Only for This Season
"When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him an opportunity," Reid said Tuesday.
Vick has performed very well for two weeks now. Vick initially relieved Kevin Kolb in Week 1 after Kolb sustained a concussion late in the second quarter against the Packers.
Vick, who performed admirably in the Eagles' win this past Sunday against Detroit, has been given the nod to start the rest of the season for Philadelphia.
"Kevin is fine. It's not an injury-related issue," Reid said. "It's not about judging him. He's going to be a championship-caliber quarterback."
The 30-year-old Vick has amassed a QB rating of over 100 in both games this season.
"I'm very proud of him," Reid said on Monday regarding Vick's performance against Detroit in their 35-32 win. "It's a true testament that if you work hard, you keep your nose clean, good things can happen. And he's worked very hard at doing both those things and I'm proud of the way he led the football team yesterday."
Chris Burke: Eagles' Move Makes Sense, if Only for This Season
Texans Shooting for Braggin' Rights Against Cowboys
Filed under: Cowboys, TexansNothing tiny about the Texans lifting that Colts' hex in Week 1 after the Colts had strangled them in 15 of the previous 16 meetings. And that overtime adventure at Washington in Week 2 was especially gratifying, a Texans victory over friends and familiar schemes.
But, face it, we are talking Texas. And since everything is bigger there, it is all about Dallas arriving in Houston on Sunday. The 0-2 Cowboys. The 2-0 Texans.
The team celebrating its 50th NFL season versus the Texans, the expansion team that originated in 2002.
NFL royalty vs. NFL fodder. The hip vs. the hood.
The Texans insist that view is so stale.
They have a chance to hammer another early defining nail into the Dallas season, sink the Cowboys to 0-3 and make a dent in fan loyalty across Texas. It may take another 50 years to ultimately do that, to top Dallas in total Texas fan base, but one victory at a time for the Texans will do.
This is a game, a chance, a shot for all of the NFL's once browbeaten.
After all, we are talking the Houston Texans, the only franchise not only in the NFL but also among those in MLB, the NBA or the NHL to never reach a postseason game.
How about dumping Dallas on the road to getting there?
A good thumping on Dallas would go a long way in making the Texans more hip.
But, face it, we are talking Texas. And since everything is bigger there, it is all about Dallas arriving in Houston on Sunday. The 0-2 Cowboys. The 2-0 Texans.
The team celebrating its 50th NFL season versus the Texans, the expansion team that originated in 2002.
NFL royalty vs. NFL fodder. The hip vs. the hood.
The Texans insist that view is so stale.
They have a chance to hammer another early defining nail into the Dallas season, sink the Cowboys to 0-3 and make a dent in fan loyalty across Texas. It may take another 50 years to ultimately do that, to top Dallas in total Texas fan base, but one victory at a time for the Texans will do.
This is a game, a chance, a shot for all of the NFL's once browbeaten.
After all, we are talking the Houston Texans, the only franchise not only in the NFL but also among those in MLB, the NBA or the NHL to never reach a postseason game.
How about dumping Dallas on the road to getting there?
A good thumping on Dallas would go a long way in making the Texans more hip.
Kevin Towers Gets Second GM Interview With Diamondbacks
Filed under: Cubs, Padres, White Sox, NL WestKevin Towers is in Phoenix on Tuesday to meet with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who plan to hire a general manager this week.
Towers, who was GM of the San Diego Padres for 14 seasons, also interviewed with the club last week. The Padres won four playoff berths and an NL pennant in his tenure. Towers also acquired several players who helped to put the Padres 25 games ahead of last-place Arizona this year.
Diamondbacks interim GM Jerry DiPoto is also a finalist. Club owner Ken Kendrick and president Derrick Hall moved DiPoto into the position three months ago, and he freed nearly $40 million with two trades. "Jerry is professional and decisive," said Angels GM Tony Reagins, who negotiated the Dan Haren trade with DiPoto in July. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Towers, who was GM of the San Diego Padres for 14 seasons, also interviewed with the club last week. The Padres won four playoff berths and an NL pennant in his tenure. Towers also acquired several players who helped to put the Padres 25 games ahead of last-place Arizona this year.
Diamondbacks interim GM Jerry DiPoto is also a finalist. Club owner Ken Kendrick and president Derrick Hall moved DiPoto into the position three months ago, and he freed nearly $40 million with two trades. "Jerry is professional and decisive," said Angels GM Tony Reagins, who negotiated the Dan Haren trade with DiPoto in July. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
US to take on South Africa on Nov. 17
Just five months after reaching the round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, the US National Team will be returning to the country that hosted their thrilling, heart-stopping displays.Bob Bradley & Co. will play South Africa?s national team on Nov. 17 at Green Point Stadium in...
Dimitar Berbatov Goal Highlights Manchester United vs. Liverpool
Filed under: European Soccer, International Soccer, International, English Premier League
Manchester United needed a hat-trick from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov to best Liverpool 3-2.
Berbatov has collected six goals in five league games already this season. And while his late-game heroics (scoring the game-winner in the 85th minute) led to the win, it'll be his second goal of the match that earns steady replay rotation.
In the 59th minute, Berbatov -- with his back to the goal -- settled the ball, and blasted an overhead kick that banged home off the bottom of the crossbar. Okay, enough words. Here's the video, courtesy of Caught Offside. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Manchester United needed a hat-trick from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov to best Liverpool 3-2.
Berbatov has collected six goals in five league games already this season. And while his late-game heroics (scoring the game-winner in the 85th minute) led to the win, it'll be his second goal of the match that earns steady replay rotation.
In the 59th minute, Berbatov -- with his back to the goal -- settled the ball, and blasted an overhead kick that banged home off the bottom of the crossbar. Okay, enough words. Here's the video, courtesy of Caught Offside. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Ron Jaworski: Jets Are Hindering Mark Sanchez's Development
by J.J. CooperFiled under: Jets, NFL Quarterbacks, Sports Business and MediaIn the aftermath of one of the worst offensive performances Jets' fans may ever see -- Monday night's 10-9 loss to Baltimore -- ESPN's Ron Jaworski thinks the blame needs to be shared between the New York coaching staff and Mark Sanchez.
Interviewed on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike Show on Tuesday morning, Jaworski said that he believes part of Sanchez's awful night was because of the game plan and part of it was his unwillingness to take the time to go through his progressions.
Of Sanchez's 21 pass attempts, only two were thrown more than 15 yards downfield (a pair of incompletions). Sanchez also had a 33-yard pass to Dustin Keller called back because of a penalty. Eight of Sanchez's passes were thrown to running backs and another five went to the tight ends. Only eight passes went to the Jets' receivers and six of those were thrown on underneath routes. New York's longest pass play was only 13 yards.
Much of that, Jaworski said, comes from the Jets' defense-first mentality. Sanchez is taught to not make mistakes. Apparently that has led him to eschewing looking downfield and settling for short outlet routes, even if there is someone open downfield. It worked relatively well for New York last year, but as the former NFL quarterback sees it, it also is hurting Sanchez's development. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Interviewed on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike Show on Tuesday morning, Jaworski said that he believes part of Sanchez's awful night was because of the game plan and part of it was his unwillingness to take the time to go through his progressions.
Of Sanchez's 21 pass attempts, only two were thrown more than 15 yards downfield (a pair of incompletions). Sanchez also had a 33-yard pass to Dustin Keller called back because of a penalty. Eight of Sanchez's passes were thrown to running backs and another five went to the tight ends. Only eight passes went to the Jets' receivers and six of those were thrown on underneath routes. New York's longest pass play was only 13 yards.
Much of that, Jaworski said, comes from the Jets' defense-first mentality. Sanchez is taught to not make mistakes. Apparently that has led him to eschewing looking downfield and settling for short outlet routes, even if there is someone open downfield. It worked relatively well for New York last year, but as the former NFL quarterback sees it, it also is hurting Sanchez's development. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Michael Vick Decision Crazy in Philly
Filed under: Eagles, NFL Quarterbacks, NFL AnalysisEverybody in the NFL tells us all not to overreact to one game, and then the Philadelphia Eagles go and make Michael Vick their starting quarterback because of one game and you start to think the people running these teams are as crazy as the fans are.
The Eagles are nuts. And possibly stupid. And definitely schizophrenic. If you're an Eagles fan after Tuesday, you no longer have any reason to believe that Andy Reid or anybody else who's running your team (a) has any real vision for the future of the franchise, (b) has any courage of his conviction or (c) is ever telling the truth when they speak.
The decision to replace Kevin Kolb with Vick because Kolb looked bad and got a concussion in the first half of the opener and Vick lit it up against a putrid Lions pass defense in Week 2 is the worst kind of knee-jerk reaction. The Eagles made a rational, sober plan in March when they decided to trade Donovan McNabb and turn the team over to Kolb. Whether you agreed with it or not, this was a considered decision, made in the calm of the offseason. And they just overturned it in Week 3 because Vick looks good? Why even make an offseason plan if this is all it's worth?
The Eagles are nuts. And possibly stupid. And definitely schizophrenic. If you're an Eagles fan after Tuesday, you no longer have any reason to believe that Andy Reid or anybody else who's running your team (a) has any real vision for the future of the franchise, (b) has any courage of his conviction or (c) is ever telling the truth when they speak.
The decision to replace Kevin Kolb with Vick because Kolb looked bad and got a concussion in the first half of the opener and Vick lit it up against a putrid Lions pass defense in Week 2 is the worst kind of knee-jerk reaction. The Eagles made a rational, sober plan in March when they decided to trade Donovan McNabb and turn the team over to Kolb. Whether you agreed with it or not, this was a considered decision, made in the calm of the offseason. And they just overturned it in Week 3 because Vick looks good? Why even make an offseason plan if this is all it's worth?
Spotter's Stand: Allmendinger, Ambrose Flew Under Richmond Radar
Filed under: A.J. Allmendinger, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCARThe night is usually reserved for putting the spotlight on who will contend for the Sprint Cup championship over the next 10 races. Two unlikely names finished in the top 10 at Richmond Saturday, however, and were left out of the limelight despite strong and somewhat surprising performances.
Marcos Ambrose ended with a fifth-place finish -- just his second of the 2010 season -- while A.J. Allmendinger had to hang out to a loose race car at the end to finish eighth. at the Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.
Ambrose has two straight top-10 runs on Richmond's 3/4-mile D-shaped oval, improving on his ninth-place run in May.
"It was hard out there racing with the contenders for The Chase, I wanted to run hard, but at the same time I didn't want to ruin their championship," Ambrose said. "In the past two weeks we have been a contender on two different types of oval tracks, which is gratifying." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Marcos Ambrose ended with a fifth-place finish -- just his second of the 2010 season -- while A.J. Allmendinger had to hang out to a loose race car at the end to finish eighth. at the Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.
Ambrose has two straight top-10 runs on Richmond's 3/4-mile D-shaped oval, improving on his ninth-place run in May.
"It was hard out there racing with the contenders for The Chase, I wanted to run hard, but at the same time I didn't want to ruin their championship," Ambrose said. "In the past two weeks we have been a contender on two different types of oval tracks, which is gratifying." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Chris Pontius undergoes successful hamstring surgery
WASHINGTON, DC (September 21, 2010) - D.C. United announced today that forward Chris Pontius has undergone successful season-ending surgery on his right hamstring. Pontius had the operation to repair a proximal avulsion of the right hamstring, an injury that has been problematic throughout the...
Helio Castroneves Wins Motegi IndyCar Pole
Filed under: IRLMOTEGI, Japan (AP) -- Brazilian Helio Castroneves claimed the pole position for the Indy Japan as Team Penske drivers dominated Saturday's qualifying session.
Castroneves' lap average of 201.992 mph put him ahead of Ryan Briscoe while series points leader Will Power qualified third as Team Penske took the top three positions.
"I'm very excited the three of us are starting in the top three spots," Castroneves said. "Hopefully, tomorrow we'll finish like this. It was a great effort for the entire team."
Power, who is making his debut at the 2.4 kilometer (1.5 mile) Twin Ring Motegi, holds a 17-point lead over defending series champion Dario Franchitti with two races left and could wrap up the title with a win.
"My goal was to come here and be ahead of the Ganassi guys, especially Dario," Power said. "I've just got to follow these guys tomorrow and keep Dario behind me." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Castroneves' lap average of 201.992 mph put him ahead of Ryan Briscoe while series points leader Will Power qualified third as Team Penske took the top three positions.
"I'm very excited the three of us are starting in the top three spots," Castroneves said. "Hopefully, tomorrow we'll finish like this. It was a great effort for the entire team."
Power, who is making his debut at the 2.4 kilometer (1.5 mile) Twin Ring Motegi, holds a 17-point lead over defending series champion Dario Franchitti with two races left and could wrap up the title with a win.
"My goal was to come here and be ahead of the Ganassi guys, especially Dario," Power said. "I've just got to follow these guys tomorrow and keep Dario behind me." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Carol Blazejowski Steps Down as Liberty General Manager
Filed under: WNBACarol Blazejowski, the longest tenured front office executive in the WNBA , resigned Monday as president and general manager of the New York Liberty, the team announced.
Blazejowski, a former three-time All-America player at Montclair State and enshrinee in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, ran the Liberty from its launch in 1997. Under her leadership, the Liberty won three Eastern Conference titles and appeared in four WNBA Finals.
Blazejowski pulled off one of the biggest trades in WNBA history this past offseason, engineering a three-team deal that brought Phoenix guard Cappie Pondexter to New York. The invigorated Liberty finished tied for the second best record in the league in 2010, and reached the Eastern Conference finals. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Blazejowski, a former three-time All-America player at Montclair State and enshrinee in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, ran the Liberty from its launch in 1997. Under her leadership, the Liberty won three Eastern Conference titles and appeared in four WNBA Finals.
Blazejowski pulled off one of the biggest trades in WNBA history this past offseason, engineering a three-team deal that brought Phoenix guard Cappie Pondexter to New York. The invigorated Liberty finished tied for the second best record in the league in 2010, and reached the Eastern Conference finals. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Indianapolis Colts * Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans *
Spotter's Stand: Setbacks Can't Slow Dale Earnhardt Jr. From Top Five
Filed under: Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCARFor the first time all season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a top-five finish that didn't come at a restrictor plate track. For that matter, it didn't come at Daytona.
Earnhardt weathered two significant setbacks during the course of Sunday's 300-miler at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and avoided other trouble (such as the spinning Denny Hamlin at right) to manage a fourth-place finish, his best since the same result at Daytona in July.
"We had the jack stop break and had to go to the back and then a miscommunication with the No. 78 (Regan Smith) on pit road that cost us a half of a lap under green. . . just battling back from that stuff," Earnhardt said. "Track position was what we needed at the end. We didn't have it."
Earnhardt started 32nd after a slow qualifying run Friday at the one-mile oval, but by the checkered flag he had completed some 68 green flag passes. The No. 88 was scored inside the top 15 for 245 of the 300 laps. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Earnhardt weathered two significant setbacks during the course of Sunday's 300-miler at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and avoided other trouble (such as the spinning Denny Hamlin at right) to manage a fourth-place finish, his best since the same result at Daytona in July.
"We had the jack stop break and had to go to the back and then a miscommunication with the No. 78 (Regan Smith) on pit road that cost us a half of a lap under green. . . just battling back from that stuff," Earnhardt said. "Track position was what we needed at the end. We didn't have it."
Earnhardt started 32nd after a slow qualifying run Friday at the one-mile oval, but by the checkered flag he had completed some 68 green flag passes. The No. 88 was scored inside the top 15 for 245 of the 300 laps. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Pavin Likes What He Sees in Tiger
Filed under: PGA, Ryder Cup
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Corey Pavin has no concerns about Tiger Woods' passion for Ryder Cup play, even if he doesn't choose the world's top player for every match next month in Wales.
Pavin praised Woods' talent and teamwork Friday while discussing his final preparations for the Ryder Cup, which will be held Oct. 1-3. The U.S. captain also realizes everybody will be watching Woods, who could rebound from a mediocre season on tour and a nightmare year in his personal life with a strong performance for his country.
"We've talked about how many times he wants to play," Pavin said of Woods. "He said, 'I want to play five matches.' We talked about him not playing as many, and he said, 'Whatever's best for the team.'"
Pavin selected Woods 10 days ago as a captain's pick. Woods missed the 2008 competition while recovering from knee surgery, but is eager to play -- despite occasional questions in the past about his motivation and results in international team play.
"He's more than ready," Pavin said. "When he's there, he's 100 percent there. I think people maybe look at his record and come to some conclusion from that. Just because he doesn't have a winning record in the Ryder Cup doesn't mean he's not fully committed to it."
Pavin believes his Americans are underdogs against a powerful European team that has more familiarity with the course built specifically for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, the site of the European Tour's Wales Open for the past three years. He expects European captain Colin Montgomerie to add tweaks to the course to negate the U.S. team's few advantages, perhaps countering the Americans' greater power off the tee with additional rough at about 280 yards.
"That's what I'd do if I were him," Pavin said, laughing. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Corey Pavin has no concerns about Tiger Woods' passion for Ryder Cup play, even if he doesn't choose the world's top player for every match next month in Wales.
Pavin praised Woods' talent and teamwork Friday while discussing his final preparations for the Ryder Cup, which will be held Oct. 1-3. The U.S. captain also realizes everybody will be watching Woods, who could rebound from a mediocre season on tour and a nightmare year in his personal life with a strong performance for his country.
"We've talked about how many times he wants to play," Pavin said of Woods. "He said, 'I want to play five matches.' We talked about him not playing as many, and he said, 'Whatever's best for the team.'"
Pavin selected Woods 10 days ago as a captain's pick. Woods missed the 2008 competition while recovering from knee surgery, but is eager to play -- despite occasional questions in the past about his motivation and results in international team play.
"He's more than ready," Pavin said. "When he's there, he's 100 percent there. I think people maybe look at his record and come to some conclusion from that. Just because he doesn't have a winning record in the Ryder Cup doesn't mean he's not fully committed to it."
Pavin believes his Americans are underdogs against a powerful European team that has more familiarity with the course built specifically for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, the site of the European Tour's Wales Open for the past three years. He expects European captain Colin Montgomerie to add tweaks to the course to negate the U.S. team's few advantages, perhaps countering the Americans' greater power off the tee with additional rough at about 280 yards.
"That's what I'd do if I were him," Pavin said, laughing. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
FOX, NBC Report NFL Ratings Boom for Week 1 Telecasts
by Milton KentFiled under: NFL Media Watch, Sports Business and MediaThe production trucks have barely cleared out of the respective stadiums and NBC and FOX are already crowing about big ratings boosts from NFL telecasts Sunday, the first week of the new season.
FOX, for instance, is hyping Sunday's telecast of the 4:15 p.m. Sunday game, which was the Philadelphia-Green Bay game for most of the country, as the highest rated and most watched Week 1 national game in the history of the network.
The 16.5/32 Nielsen overnight rating/share, which resulted in a viewership of 28 million people, is an 11 percent boost from last year's 14.8/29 and 25.1 million viewers, and tied with NBC's Thursday night game between New Orleans and Minnesota as the highest rated broadcast on any network since the Oscars in March.
Meanwhile, NBC touts that its broadcast of the Washington-Dallas game Sunday night was the most watched opening week prime time game in 14 years as well as the most watched Sunday night game ever. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
FOX, for instance, is hyping Sunday's telecast of the 4:15 p.m. Sunday game, which was the Philadelphia-Green Bay game for most of the country, as the highest rated and most watched Week 1 national game in the history of the network.
The 16.5/32 Nielsen overnight rating/share, which resulted in a viewership of 28 million people, is an 11 percent boost from last year's 14.8/29 and 25.1 million viewers, and tied with NBC's Thursday night game between New Orleans and Minnesota as the highest rated broadcast on any network since the Oscars in March.
Meanwhile, NBC touts that its broadcast of the Washington-Dallas game Sunday night was the most watched opening week prime time game in 14 years as well as the most watched Sunday night game ever. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Mark Dantonio Heart Problem Reminds Coaches to Be Health Aware
Filed under: Florida, Kansas State, Michigan State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Coaching
The hours and demands on your time are insane and the thoughts of health, exercise and diet tend to fall way down on the list of priorities.
Such is the life of big-time college football coaches in America.
"I think when you get into it, you understand the business," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Monday morning. "I've been a head coach for 20 years and I've learned how to pace my preparation. The first year I was head coach, on Wednesday night I was ready to play the game emotionally, physically and everything. I was wired. I think in a few years I learned how to delay that but I still wake up every Saturday morning like it's a national championship game. That's who I am. I guess when I quit feeling that way, I should go do something else.
"But I think we have to develop good habits as best we can and be a little lucky, too. You have to see doctors, do stress tests and all those sorts of things.You have to be very, very proactive there just because of the world we live in." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The hours and demands on your time are insane and the thoughts of health, exercise and diet tend to fall way down on the list of priorities.
Such is the life of big-time college football coaches in America.
"I think when you get into it, you understand the business," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Monday morning. "I've been a head coach for 20 years and I've learned how to pace my preparation. The first year I was head coach, on Wednesday night I was ready to play the game emotionally, physically and everything. I was wired. I think in a few years I learned how to delay that but I still wake up every Saturday morning like it's a national championship game. That's who I am. I guess when I quit feeling that way, I should go do something else.
"But I think we have to develop good habits as best we can and be a little lucky, too. You have to see doctors, do stress tests and all those sorts of things.You have to be very, very proactive there just because of the world we live in." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Police: Kenny McKinley Depressed in Recent Weeks, Hinted at Suicide
Filed under: BroncosDenver Broncos receiver Kenny McKinley had talked about taking his own life -- a threat that nobody around him took seriously -- in the days before he was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a sheriff's report obtained by FanHouse.
"He had made statements that he didn't know what he would do if he could not play football and football was all he knew," an investigator with the Arapahoe County (Col.) Sheriff's Department wrote in the report released Tuesday night.
McKinley, 23, was found dead Monday afternoon in his home in Aurora. McKinley apparently used a Taurus semi-automatic .45 caliber handgun to shoot himself in the head. Police found the gun entangled in a pillow McKinley placed over his head, one of the factors that led the county coroner to rule the death a suicide on Tuesday.
Deputies found no signs of forced entry, although they did find marijuana smoke along with a small amount of the drug.
McKinley, a former South Carolina standout who was drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round in 2009, played in eight games last year before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The team again put him on IR before the 2010 season in the wake of knee surgery about a month ago. According to the report, McKinley had been taking 500 milligrams of Naproxen, an over the counter pain reliever. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
"He had made statements that he didn't know what he would do if he could not play football and football was all he knew," an investigator with the Arapahoe County (Col.) Sheriff's Department wrote in the report released Tuesday night.
McKinley, 23, was found dead Monday afternoon in his home in Aurora. McKinley apparently used a Taurus semi-automatic .45 caliber handgun to shoot himself in the head. Police found the gun entangled in a pillow McKinley placed over his head, one of the factors that led the county coroner to rule the death a suicide on Tuesday.
Deputies found no signs of forced entry, although they did find marijuana smoke along with a small amount of the drug.
McKinley, a former South Carolina standout who was drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round in 2009, played in eight games last year before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The team again put him on IR before the 2010 season in the wake of knee surgery about a month ago. According to the report, McKinley had been taking 500 milligrams of Naproxen, an over the counter pain reliever. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Vulnerable? Jimmie Johnson Is Like a Cheshire Cat
Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCARLate Saturday night, after wrapping up the 12th and final seed in NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup, an animated, caught-up-in-the-moment Clint Bowyer declared that four-time defending series champ Jimmie Johnson's Superman cape was getting a little shorter.
And, Bowyer suggested, the champ may need some more Kryptonite with the stiff competition facing him for an unprecedented fifth straight title.
Then Bowyer looked over nervously at the driver sitting next to him in that press conference: Jimmie Johnson, who had simply stared straight ahead and smiled politely -- perhaps defiantly -- as Bowyer made his observation.
The cape may be shorter, but with five wins this year and a second seed in the championship standings, Johnson still has a giant "S" on his chest as NASCAR starts its 10-race playoff in Loudon, N.H., this weekend.
"People can draw conclusions however they want and I've never been one to play into any of that stuff,'' said Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet.
"If guys think we are vulnerable, it's my job to show up at Loudon (N.H.) this week, qualify on the pole and win the race.
"I'm not concerned about what people think of my race team and where I'm at and what kind of threat we are to the championship. I'm just more concerned about going out and getting the damn job done.'' Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
And, Bowyer suggested, the champ may need some more Kryptonite with the stiff competition facing him for an unprecedented fifth straight title.
Then Bowyer looked over nervously at the driver sitting next to him in that press conference: Jimmie Johnson, who had simply stared straight ahead and smiled politely -- perhaps defiantly -- as Bowyer made his observation.
The cape may be shorter, but with five wins this year and a second seed in the championship standings, Johnson still has a giant "S" on his chest as NASCAR starts its 10-race playoff in Loudon, N.H., this weekend.
"People can draw conclusions however they want and I've never been one to play into any of that stuff,'' said Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet.
"If guys think we are vulnerable, it's my job to show up at Loudon (N.H.) this week, qualify on the pole and win the race.
"I'm not concerned about what people think of my race team and where I'm at and what kind of threat we are to the championship. I'm just more concerned about going out and getting the damn job done.'' Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
January NASCAR Test Set for Daytona International Speedway
Filed under: Daytona Int'l Speedway, FanHouse Exclusive, NASCARNASCAR drivers will get their first chance to try out the new pavement at Daytona International Speedway with a Goodyear tire test scheduled for late January.
Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood would not reveal a specific date -- although it's believed to be the weekend of Jan. 21-- but track spokesman Andrew Booth said the speedway hopes to have a formal announcement as early as next week.
Chitwood said he has been in talks with NASCAR to lobby for a January date -- the first preseason open test at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in four years -- a necessity to try out the $20 million pavement project that is supposed to be completed by January 1.
"That would certainly get the vibe going that we're back at it,'' said Chitwood, who also said he's seriously considering christening the track by driving a car on it on two wheels, a stunt made famous in his family's legendary "Joie Chitwood Thrill Show" -- and one that he personally performed hundreds of times as a third-generation member of the show.
"It will be a different way to start off the season. We'll have a ribbon cutting, maybe I do something crazy like that, we'll put all the elements together and it will feel special,'' Chitwood said. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood would not reveal a specific date -- although it's believed to be the weekend of Jan. 21-- but track spokesman Andrew Booth said the speedway hopes to have a formal announcement as early as next week.
Chitwood said he has been in talks with NASCAR to lobby for a January date -- the first preseason open test at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in four years -- a necessity to try out the $20 million pavement project that is supposed to be completed by January 1.
"That would certainly get the vibe going that we're back at it,'' said Chitwood, who also said he's seriously considering christening the track by driving a car on it on two wheels, a stunt made famous in his family's legendary "Joie Chitwood Thrill Show" -- and one that he personally performed hundreds of times as a third-generation member of the show.
"It will be a different way to start off the season. We'll have a ribbon cutting, maybe I do something crazy like that, we'll put all the elements together and it will feel special,'' Chitwood said. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
D.C. United partners with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Washington
Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2010) - As part of D.C. United?s continued efforts to serve the greater Washington, DC community and through its United Builds program, the club will once again partner with Volkswagen and MLS W.O.R.K.S. for a Habitat for Humanity build in Silver Spring, MD. This...
Maple Bat Ban Is Long Overdue in MLB
by FanHouse TVFiled under: MLB Biz, MLB Video, Sports Business and Media, Executive TakeThe frightening injury to Cubs outfielder Tyler Colvin Sunday, which left him with a punctured chest and lung as a result of his teammate's shattered maple bat, has renewed calls for a ban on them. FanHouse TV's Steve Phillips wonders what will have to happen before Major League Baseball finally takes action. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Extra-painful night for DC as upset slips away
D.C. United have changed a great deal since their last road match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, a 2-2 draw in last year?s season opener on March 22, 2009. United?s current roster looks dramatically different and interim head coach Ben Olsen is the third man to lead the team during that time.Yet...
Extra-painful night for DC as upset slips away
D.C. United have changed a great deal since their last road match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, a 2-2 draw in last year?s season opener on March 22, 2009. United?s current roster looks dramatically different and interim head coach Ben Olsen is the third man to lead the team during that time.Yet...
Networks' Game of Hot Potato With US Open Final Disrespects Tennis
by Greg CouchFiled under: Media Watch, U.S. Open, Sports Business and Media
Tennis takes quick hands, incredible anticipation and coordination, flexibility and the willingness to be humiliated over and over again while retaining your focus and determination.
And that's just what it takes to be a fan trying to follow the game from home.
It takes a gymnast to be a tennis fan.
What does it say about a sport when its staple event in this country, the U.S. Open men's final, is treated like a hot potato by the networks? Over two days and three networks, no one would commit to the match.
CBS: I don't want it, you take it. ESPN2: No way, you take it. ESPNClassic: But we have celebrity bowling!
Rafael Nadal was on the verge of making history, as the networks kept telling us for two weeks. He was winning his first U.S. Open, completing a career Grand Slam.
But in the second set Monday, it started raining. And CBS decided it was done with tennis for the night, chucking history over to ESPN2, which was willing to show the match for a while. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Tennis takes quick hands, incredible anticipation and coordination, flexibility and the willingness to be humiliated over and over again while retaining your focus and determination.
And that's just what it takes to be a fan trying to follow the game from home.
It takes a gymnast to be a tennis fan.
What does it say about a sport when its staple event in this country, the U.S. Open men's final, is treated like a hot potato by the networks? Over two days and three networks, no one would commit to the match.
CBS: I don't want it, you take it. ESPN2: No way, you take it. ESPNClassic: But we have celebrity bowling!
Rafael Nadal was on the verge of making history, as the networks kept telling us for two weeks. He was winning his first U.S. Open, completing a career Grand Slam.
But in the second set Monday, it started raining. And CBS decided it was done with tennis for the night, chucking history over to ESPN2, which was willing to show the match for a while. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
2010-11 St. Louis Blues Season Preview: Growing Up Fast
Filed under: Blues, WesternIn the spring of 2009, the St. Louis Blues were one of the hottest teams in the NHL when they qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, only to be swept in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks.
That playoff appearance led to high expectations entering last year. They were left unfulfilled, as the Blues missed the playoffs. They finished five points out of a playoff spot in the West, only after a second-half surge that followed a coaching change. Former AHL bench boss Davis Payne took over for the fired Andy Murray, and the Blues seemed to improve under his leadership.
Now Payne is on board for a full season, and his young players will get a chance to prove they're ready for prime time. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
That playoff appearance led to high expectations entering last year. They were left unfulfilled, as the Blues missed the playoffs. They finished five points out of a playoff spot in the West, only after a second-half surge that followed a coaching change. Former AHL bench boss Davis Payne took over for the fired Andy Murray, and the Blues seemed to improve under his leadership.
Now Payne is on board for a full season, and his young players will get a chance to prove they're ready for prime time. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Recap: LA 2, DC 1
CARSON, Calif. ? Landon Donovan helped the Galaxy avert disaster with a pair of late goals as Los Angeles rallied to beat D.C. United 2-1 at Home Depot Center on Saturday night.Donovan?s goals, his sixth and seventh of the season, offset a 60th-minute goal from Andy Najar and also helped the Galaxy...
Chivas USA Inching Toward Independence
Filed under: MLS, Chivas USA, Los Angeles Galaxy
We can only hope that Chivas USA took a small but symbolic step toward independence late Tuesday night when it edged Mexican power and Copa Libertadores runner-up Chivas de Guadalajara on penalty kicks before more than 22,000 fans at Petco Park.
The home of the San Diego Padres was a fitting setting for the MLS club's little rebellion. Chivas de Guadalajara has been its Daddy in more ways than one. Owner Jorge Vergara (along with partner Antonio Cué) launched the Los Angeles-based club in 2004 in an effort to extend the Chivas brand to the millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans living in Southern California.
Initially, that was about all they cared about. Supplied with third-rate players, Chivas USA stumbled to one of the worst seasons in MLS history (4-22-6) in its inaugural campaign. Coach/sacrificial lamb Thomas Rongen told me a couple of years ago that he "should have put my foot down" regarding the players he was supplied. He called it a "group I didn't think was very talented but that clearly represented the Mexican community quite well." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
We can only hope that Chivas USA took a small but symbolic step toward independence late Tuesday night when it edged Mexican power and Copa Libertadores runner-up Chivas de Guadalajara on penalty kicks before more than 22,000 fans at Petco Park.
The home of the San Diego Padres was a fitting setting for the MLS club's little rebellion. Chivas de Guadalajara has been its Daddy in more ways than one. Owner Jorge Vergara (along with partner Antonio Cué) launched the Los Angeles-based club in 2004 in an effort to extend the Chivas brand to the millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans living in Southern California.
Initially, that was about all they cared about. Supplied with third-rate players, Chivas USA stumbled to one of the worst seasons in MLS history (4-22-6) in its inaugural campaign. Coach/sacrificial lamb Thomas Rongen told me a couple of years ago that he "should have put my foot down" regarding the players he was supplied. He called it a "group I didn't think was very talented but that clearly represented the Mexican community quite well." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Thierry Henry Injures Dallas Goalie, Once Again Leaves Big Game Apologizing
Filed under: MLS, FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls
We were really starting to like Thierry Henry. He's smooth, sophisticated and skillful, and with every goal or photo taken of him riding the PATH train, last year's scandalous handball against Ireland and his spineless response recede further into the distance. He's committed to MLS and the New York Red Bulls. He's an asset to American soccer.
And then he goes and pulls a childish, "look at me" stunt like the one on Thursday night in Dallas. Once again, an innocent team will suffer because of Henry's antics.
The circumstances and stakes certainly were different than they were in Paris last November, but this time the hurt caused by Henry was more than emotional. If you haven't already heard, Henry stole the show in a gripping contest between MLS's two resurgent clubs -- New York and FC Dallas -- by trying to kick the ball back into the empty net after newly-acquired Red Bulls midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy scored in first-half stoppage time. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
We were really starting to like Thierry Henry. He's smooth, sophisticated and skillful, and with every goal or photo taken of him riding the PATH train, last year's scandalous handball against Ireland and his spineless response recede further into the distance. He's committed to MLS and the New York Red Bulls. He's an asset to American soccer.
And then he goes and pulls a childish, "look at me" stunt like the one on Thursday night in Dallas. Once again, an innocent team will suffer because of Henry's antics.
The circumstances and stakes certainly were different than they were in Paris last November, but this time the hurt caused by Henry was more than emotional. If you haven't already heard, Henry stole the show in a gripping contest between MLS's two resurgent clubs -- New York and FC Dallas -- by trying to kick the ball back into the empty net after newly-acquired Red Bulls midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy scored in first-half stoppage time. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Stop Wailing: Corey Pavin Makes Right Call in Choosing Tiger
Filed under: Ryder Cup
Corey Pavin talked about gut feelings when it came to picking the Ryder Cup team. A prevalent one on Tuesday was nausea.
Pavin didn't have it, but a lot of people were bent over after hearing that Tiger Woods made the team.
Take some Dramamine and get over it, folks.
Pavin had no choice. Woods earned his way onto the team, and not just because his presence assures that the National Enquirer will stake out the U.S. team hotel.
tweetcount_src = 'RT @FanHouseGolf:'; tweetcount_via = false; tweetcount_size = 'small'; tweetcount_background = 'FFFFFF'; tweetcount_border = 'CCCCCC'; tweetcount_api_key = '1cf4e3b7f7f20406a9dd9d1b1edc0e41b4fc20d1b21cb19a6f169387c696d333'; Tiger was easily one of the four best Americans who failed to qualify based on points. The only reason not to pick him was personal, and Pavin did what coaches in every sport always do.
He went with the player who gives him the best chance to win. If you think J.B. Holmes would do that more than Tiger, allow me to suggest your objective opinion went out the shattered Escalade window about 100 mistresses ago.
I know mine did, and I don't apologize for enjoying Tiger's misery this year. The guy earned it.
I'm not saying forget what Tiger did. And I'm sure not saying forgive. That's up to his ex-wife, not any one of us. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Corey Pavin talked about gut feelings when it came to picking the Ryder Cup team. A prevalent one on Tuesday was nausea.
Pavin didn't have it, but a lot of people were bent over after hearing that Tiger Woods made the team.
Take some Dramamine and get over it, folks.
Pavin had no choice. Woods earned his way onto the team, and not just because his presence assures that the National Enquirer will stake out the U.S. team hotel.
tweetcount_src = 'RT @FanHouseGolf:'; tweetcount_via = false; tweetcount_size = 'small'; tweetcount_background = 'FFFFFF'; tweetcount_border = 'CCCCCC'; tweetcount_api_key = '1cf4e3b7f7f20406a9dd9d1b1edc0e41b4fc20d1b21cb19a6f169387c696d333'; Tiger was easily one of the four best Americans who failed to qualify based on points. The only reason not to pick him was personal, and Pavin did what coaches in every sport always do.
He went with the player who gives him the best chance to win. If you think J.B. Holmes would do that more than Tiger, allow me to suggest your objective opinion went out the shattered Escalade window about 100 mistresses ago.
I know mine did, and I don't apologize for enjoying Tiger's misery this year. The guy earned it.
I'm not saying forget what Tiger did. And I'm sure not saying forgive. That's up to his ex-wife, not any one of us. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
San Diego Chargers * National Football Conference Dallas Cowboys
NYC Bedbugs Claim Another Victim: Flagship Nike Store
Filed under: NBA FansNike's flagship store on East 57th Street became the latest victim of New York City's bedbug crisis. The New York Post reports that the sneaker company closed its popular Manhattan Niketown Saturday when bedbugs were discovered.
Nike said it hopes to reopen the store as soon as possible.
"Our primary concern is the well being of our consumers and sales associates," Nike said in a statement. "We are taking all proper steps to eradicate the problem and we expect the store to reopen shortly."
Numerous New York City stores have closed down due to bedbugs. Bedbugs are parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Once a location is infested, it is notoriously difficult to eradicate the community of bedbugs.
The Manhattan Niketown is a popular location for shoppers, tourists and NBA players upon annual trips to Madison Square Garden to play the Knicks. The store is near the Plaza Hotel just south of Central Park. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Nike said it hopes to reopen the store as soon as possible.
"Our primary concern is the well being of our consumers and sales associates," Nike said in a statement. "We are taking all proper steps to eradicate the problem and we expect the store to reopen shortly."
Numerous New York City stores have closed down due to bedbugs. Bedbugs are parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Once a location is infested, it is notoriously difficult to eradicate the community of bedbugs.
The Manhattan Niketown is a popular location for shoppers, tourists and NBA players upon annual trips to Madison Square Garden to play the Knicks. The store is near the Plaza Hotel just south of Central Park. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Kobe Bryant Still More Hated Than LeBron James
by Tom ZillerFiled under: Heat, Lakers, NBA Fans, Sports Business and MediaFollowing a widely panned one-hour special announcing his decision to take his talents to the Miami Heat, two-time reigning MVP LeBron James become the butt of derision and jokes (in that order) all over America. He was painted by much of the media and effectively all of Cleveland as a modern-day Benedict Arnold, a man who not only spit on his people, but stuck them on national TV to do so.
Pundits warned that LeBron's reputation, until then quite positive, would never recover. Luckily, there's something that measures the reputations of celebrities. It's called Q Score, and it is handed down by the branding gods for PR flaks to pore over (and stress over).
The results for LeBron? Darren Rovell of CNBC reports LeBron's Q Score has plummeted. Last January, 24 percent of the general population had positive feelings about King James. Post-Decision, that figure is at 14 percent. Similarly, LeBron's negatives have gone from 22 percent to 39 percent, the sixth-highest figure among all tracked sports figures. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Pundits warned that LeBron's reputation, until then quite positive, would never recover. Luckily, there's something that measures the reputations of celebrities. It's called Q Score, and it is handed down by the branding gods for PR flaks to pore over (and stress over).
The results for LeBron? Darren Rovell of CNBC reports LeBron's Q Score has plummeted. Last January, 24 percent of the general population had positive feelings about King James. Post-Decision, that figure is at 14 percent. Similarly, LeBron's negatives have gone from 22 percent to 39 percent, the sixth-highest figure among all tracked sports figures. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Tom Lehman Wins Payne Stewart Award, Reflects on the Award's Namesake
Filed under: PGAATLANTA -- Over a 30-year professional career, Tom Lehman won a British Open. He played on three Ryder Cup teams and captained another. He was the 1996 PGA Tour Player of the Year. He won this year's Senior PGA Championship.
Those accomplishments, however, did not prepare him for Thursday's victory.
Lehman, known for his benevolence and honor, was presented with the Payne Stewart award, presented annually to a player sharing the late golfer's respect for the traditions of the game, his commitment to upholding the sport's heritage of charitable support and his professional and meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct.
"You know, winning a golf tournament is one thing," Lehman said. "You work and practice and you prepare and you go out and you give your very best, and hopefully, you're the best this week and you get the trophy.
"An award like this, I'm not really sure how to take quite frankly, just because there's so many conflicting emotions.
"When I was told I was going to receive this award, I started thinking about my years knowing Payne Stewart. I think the overriding feeling is I really wish that this award wasn't being given out for another 30 years."
Stewart, the flashy dresser with a classic swing and three major championships, died in a 1999 private plane crash three days before he was to compete in the Tour Championship.
Those accomplishments, however, did not prepare him for Thursday's victory.
Lehman, known for his benevolence and honor, was presented with the Payne Stewart award, presented annually to a player sharing the late golfer's respect for the traditions of the game, his commitment to upholding the sport's heritage of charitable support and his professional and meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct.
"You know, winning a golf tournament is one thing," Lehman said. "You work and practice and you prepare and you go out and you give your very best, and hopefully, you're the best this week and you get the trophy.
"An award like this, I'm not really sure how to take quite frankly, just because there's so many conflicting emotions.
"When I was told I was going to receive this award, I started thinking about my years knowing Payne Stewart. I think the overriding feeling is I really wish that this award wasn't being given out for another 30 years."
Stewart, the flashy dresser with a classic swing and three major championships, died in a 1999 private plane crash three days before he was to compete in the Tour Championship.
Bernard Berrian Sick of Being Blamed for Vikings' 0-2 Start
Filed under: Vikings, NFC NorthMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian knows the passing game has struggled this season. He knows he's getting paid like a No. 1 receiver, and yet he has just three catches for 27 yards this year. He knows the Vikings are 0-2.
And he's sick of being blamed.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune conducted what it described as a cryptic and curt four-minute interview with Berrian, and he said he "definitely" believes too much blame is being placed on him from outside the team.
But Berrian bristled at the idea that the expectations on him are too high. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
And he's sick of being blamed.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune conducted what it described as a cryptic and curt four-minute interview with Berrian, and he said he "definitely" believes too much blame is being placed on him from outside the team.
But Berrian bristled at the idea that the expectations on him are too high. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The MLB Hour: Bruce Bochy Joins Show
Filed under: Giants, The MLB HourMaybe four is Bruce Bochy's lucky number. His fourth San Diego Padres team reached the World Series back in 1998, and his fourth Giants team is battling it out for a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive NL West this year.
The job Bochy has done in 2010 stands up to any of his four playoff teams in San Diego, as he has blended castoff hitters like Pat Burrell and Jose Guillen with the Giants' renowned pitching staff to bring his team back to first place in the closing weeks of the season. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The job Bochy has done in 2010 stands up to any of his four playoff teams in San Diego, as he has blended castoff hitters like Pat Burrell and Jose Guillen with the Giants' renowned pitching staff to bring his team back to first place in the closing weeks of the season. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
FedEx Cup Playoffs Not a Perfect System, but Not All Bad
Filed under: FedEx CupLEMONT, Ill. (AP) -- This is the week the PGA Tour goes dark, which comes at a great time.
If nothing else, it might give players a chance to take a deep breath of reality instead of complaining about all the problems that come with driving German-built luxury cars to golf tournaments where they compete for $35 million in bonus money.
Heck, it's just as easy to lose perspective driving rental cars and getting by on $35 per diems.
Really, is it that bad?
The year before the FedEx Cup began, this was the week of the 84 Lumber Classic.
Winning the FedEx Cup is not as meaningful as winning a major, nor was it ever meant to be. The majors ended a month ago at the PGA Championship, about the time most people are supposed to lose interest in golf. What followed were three tournaments that showcased the best players of the year on the PGA Tour.
If you don't understand the FedEx Cup -- or choose not to learn -- is any translation needed for Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Steve Stricker competing in the same tournament for three straight weeks? It's the only time it happens all year.
The FedEx Cup concludes next week with the Tour Championship, a 30-man field for those who played great during the regular season (Jeff Overton), those who played their best late in the year (Charley Hoffman) and for players who did a little of both. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
If nothing else, it might give players a chance to take a deep breath of reality instead of complaining about all the problems that come with driving German-built luxury cars to golf tournaments where they compete for $35 million in bonus money.
Heck, it's just as easy to lose perspective driving rental cars and getting by on $35 per diems.
Really, is it that bad?
The year before the FedEx Cup began, this was the week of the 84 Lumber Classic.
Winning the FedEx Cup is not as meaningful as winning a major, nor was it ever meant to be. The majors ended a month ago at the PGA Championship, about the time most people are supposed to lose interest in golf. What followed were three tournaments that showcased the best players of the year on the PGA Tour.
If you don't understand the FedEx Cup -- or choose not to learn -- is any translation needed for Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Steve Stricker competing in the same tournament for three straight weeks? It's the only time it happens all year.
The FedEx Cup concludes next week with the Tour Championship, a 30-man field for those who played great during the regular season (Jeff Overton), those who played their best late in the year (Charley Hoffman) and for players who did a little of both. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Nebraska's Magic Man Too Much for Washington in Blowout Victory
Filed under: Nebraska, Washington, Big 12, Pac 10
SEATTLE -- Nebraska freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez hasn't always been known as "T-Magic."
Six years ago, his dad started calling him "Martinez Magic Time." Then it was shortened to "Martinez Magic," and that became "Magic" and then when he arrived at Nebraska, it became "T-Magic."
While his nickname has evolved through the years, his game is just getting started. And if his first three starts are any indication, there's a lot more magic ahead for the Cornhuskers.
In Martinez's first road start at Washington's Husky Stadium, a place former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne called the loudest opposing stadium he's coached in, Martinez rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns and completed seven of 11 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown in the Huskers' 56-21 victory over the Huskies.
A lot was made all week about how Martinez, in only the third start of his career, would perform in his first college start away from Lincoln. In fact, Martinez has been hearing all those "will you be nervous?" questions since his first start.
"They started asking me before the first game," Martinez said. "I don't get nervous before a game, so the players stopped asking me. It didn't really bother me. I don't get scared or nervous at all."
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SEATTLE -- Nebraska freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez hasn't always been known as "T-Magic."
Six years ago, his dad started calling him "Martinez Magic Time." Then it was shortened to "Martinez Magic," and that became "Magic" and then when he arrived at Nebraska, it became "T-Magic."
While his nickname has evolved through the years, his game is just getting started. And if his first three starts are any indication, there's a lot more magic ahead for the Cornhuskers.
In Martinez's first road start at Washington's Husky Stadium, a place former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne called the loudest opposing stadium he's coached in, Martinez rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns and completed seven of 11 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown in the Huskers' 56-21 victory over the Huskies.
A lot was made all week about how Martinez, in only the third start of his career, would perform in his first college start away from Lincoln. In fact, Martinez has been hearing all those "will you be nervous?" questions since his first start.
"They started asking me before the first game," Martinez said. "I don't get nervous before a game, so the players stopped asking me. It didn't really bother me. I don't get scared or nervous at all."
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Unlike Others, King James Can't Handle Being Hated
Filed under: Cavaliers, Heat, Magic, NBA Media Watch, Sports Business and MediaPerhaps you've heard. According to the folks at The Q Score Company, the only athletes disliked more by the public than LeBron James are -- in order of the most likely to be dangled off the edge of a stadium or arena by a roster of Joe Six Packs -- Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Kobe Bryant.
This justifiable King James bashing continues Pat Riley's biggest dream, but it adds to LeBron's worst nightmare.
Riley loves it, all right. He has something else for the narrative he is trying to slam-dunk into the psyche of his Miami Heat players, and that is the following: They hate us. Not only will we have to overcome the rest of the NBA this season, but we'll have to conquer that ever-growing mass dribbling toward us that is 5.98 sextillion tons.
That's the weight of the earth, by the way. Thus we have Riley unleashing the old us-against-world thing.
Hey, it worked for the Bad Boys.
As for King James, he's never been here before, which is despised by more than a few folks -- especially around Lake Erie, where he once was hugged the most. So can he function as a universal villain? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
This justifiable King James bashing continues Pat Riley's biggest dream, but it adds to LeBron's worst nightmare.
Riley loves it, all right. He has something else for the narrative he is trying to slam-dunk into the psyche of his Miami Heat players, and that is the following: They hate us. Not only will we have to overcome the rest of the NBA this season, but we'll have to conquer that ever-growing mass dribbling toward us that is 5.98 sextillion tons.
That's the weight of the earth, by the way. Thus we have Riley unleashing the old us-against-world thing.
Hey, it worked for the Bad Boys.
As for King James, he's never been here before, which is despised by more than a few folks -- especially around Lake Erie, where he once was hugged the most. So can he function as a universal villain? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Lionel Messi Injury Taints Barcelona Win
Filed under: UEFA Champions League, La Liga (Spain), ArgentinaBarcelona rebounded from its first La Liga loss to Hercules with 2-1 victory against Atlético Madrid on Sunday. But the win ended on a sour note for the Blaugrana, thanks to a Lionel Messi injury.
Messi was taken off the field on a stretcher after suffering a strained right ankle. Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi caused the damage with an ill-timed tackle, which earned him a red card.
Messi will have tests to determine the severity of the injury and according to the Associated Press, could miss two weeks.
"We are happy with the win but sad about Messi," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola moments after the full-time whistle. "The TV pictures speak for themselves. It is not only Cristiano Ronaldo [of Real Madrid] who needs protecting. The referees should protect all the players." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Messi was taken off the field on a stretcher after suffering a strained right ankle. Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi caused the damage with an ill-timed tackle, which earned him a red card.
Messi will have tests to determine the severity of the injury and according to the Associated Press, could miss two weeks.
"We are happy with the win but sad about Messi," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola moments after the full-time whistle. "The TV pictures speak for themselves. It is not only Cristiano Ronaldo [of Real Madrid] who needs protecting. The referees should protect all the players." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Dimitar Berbatov Goal Highlights Manchester United vs. Liverpool
Filed under: European Soccer , International Soccer , International, English Premier League
Manchester United needed a hat-trick from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov to best Liverpool 3-2.
Berbatov has collected six goals in five league games already this season. And while his late-game heroics (scoring the game-winner in the 85th minute) led to the win, it'll be his second goal of the match that earns steady replay rotation.
In the 59th minute, Berbatov -- with his back to the goal -- settled the ball, and blasted an overhead kick that banged home off the bottom of the crossbar. Okay, enough words. Here's the video, courtesy of Caught Offside. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Manchester United needed a hat-trick from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov to best Liverpool 3-2.
Berbatov has collected six goals in five league games already this season. And while his late-game heroics (scoring the game-winner in the 85th minute) led to the win, it'll be his second goal of the match that earns steady replay rotation.
In the 59th minute, Berbatov -- with his back to the goal -- settled the ball, and blasted an overhead kick that banged home off the bottom of the crossbar. Okay, enough words. Here's the video, courtesy of Caught Offside. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
NFL Sends Memo to Remind Teams of Media Policy
by A.J. PerezFiled under: NFL Media Watch, Sports Business and MediaIn the wake of the harassment investigation centering on the treatment of Mexican television reporter Ines Sainz, the NFL has circulated a memo to reiterate the league's equal-access policies for reporters and to remind players to treat all journalists professionally.
"Women are a common part of the sports media," the memo sent out Tuesday read. "By law, women must be granted the same rights to perform their jobs as men. Please remember that women reporters are professionals and should be treated as such. They are assigned to cover NFL teams for the same reasons as their male counterparts - because they are professional reporters with an interest in sports. When female reporters are in your locker room, they are there in a professional capacity."
The league continues to have discussions on the topic with the Association of Women in Sports Media, which posted on its website details of the lawsuits that have been waged to gain women access to professional locker rooms. Sainz, a reporter for TV Azteca, was allegedly targeted at practice on Saturday, when drills were run in her direction before she received catcalls in the locker room. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
"Women are a common part of the sports media," the memo sent out Tuesday read. "By law, women must be granted the same rights to perform their jobs as men. Please remember that women reporters are professionals and should be treated as such. They are assigned to cover NFL teams for the same reasons as their male counterparts - because they are professional reporters with an interest in sports. When female reporters are in your locker room, they are there in a professional capacity."
The league continues to have discussions on the topic with the Association of Women in Sports Media, which posted on its website details of the lawsuits that have been waged to gain women access to professional locker rooms. Sainz, a reporter for TV Azteca, was allegedly targeted at practice on Saturday, when drills were run in her direction before she received catcalls in the locker room. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
2010-11 St. Louis Blues Season Preview: Growing Up Fast
Filed under: Blues, WesternIn the spring of 2009, the St. Louis Blues were one of the hottest teams in the NHL when they qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, only to be swept in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks.
That playoff appearance led to high expectations entering last year. They were left unfulfilled, as the Blues missed the playoffs. They finished five points out of a playoff spot in the West, only after a second-half surge that followed a coaching change. Former AHL bench boss Davis Payne took over for the fired Andy Murray, and the Blues seemed to improve under his leadership.
Now Payne is on board for a full season, and his young players will get a chance to prove they're ready for prime time. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
That playoff appearance led to high expectations entering last year. They were left unfulfilled, as the Blues missed the playoffs. They finished five points out of a playoff spot in the West, only after a second-half surge that followed a coaching change. Former AHL bench boss Davis Payne took over for the fired Andy Murray, and the Blues seemed to improve under his leadership.
Now Payne is on board for a full season, and his young players will get a chance to prove they're ready for prime time. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Denny Hamlin Runs Away With Richmond NASCAR Race
Filed under: Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Sprint Cup, NASCARRICHMOND, Va. -- Denny Hamlin was running away with a clean, almost caution-free Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway Saturday night when his teammate, Kyle Busch, suddenly showed up on his back bumper with about 35 laps to go.
Busch was able to make his move after learning some key inside information about tire pressures -- from Hamlin's team.
Busch kept the pressure on, and moved up to Hamlin's back bumper several times, but he ran most of the final laps a few car lengths behind Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota and faded at the end.
"It was just a game of patience," Hamlin said in victory lane. "I knew I had to keep my rear tires on it. I needed to make do with what I had, so I was patient with the tires. Our team has been performing like this for the last month. We just haven't got the finishes."
"They were a step ahead of us all night," Busch said during post-race interviews in the media center. "We can't be disappointed in a second." And he also noted, "They gave us our air pressure (numbers) that we started running about mid-race, and we really started clicking off and going forward." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Busch was able to make his move after learning some key inside information about tire pressures -- from Hamlin's team.
Busch kept the pressure on, and moved up to Hamlin's back bumper several times, but he ran most of the final laps a few car lengths behind Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota and faded at the end.
"It was just a game of patience," Hamlin said in victory lane. "I knew I had to keep my rear tires on it. I needed to make do with what I had, so I was patient with the tires. Our team has been performing like this for the last month. We just haven't got the finishes."
"They were a step ahead of us all night," Busch said during post-race interviews in the media center. "We can't be disappointed in a second." And he also noted, "They gave us our air pressure (numbers) that we started running about mid-race, and we really started clicking off and going forward." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
With UFL, Doug Williams Eager to Add Management to Pioneering Resume
Filed under: Redskins, UFLNORFOLK, Va. -- As his weekend in his new pro football home drew to an end -- a charity golf tournament behind him and the Houston Texans-Washington Redskins game in front -- Doug Williams was greeting fans in the lobby of a downtown hotel. Fans thanking him for his play for their favorite team and wishing him luck with his current team.
Williams wore a Redskins golf shirt, exhibiting the strong ties he still has for the team he led to a Super Bowl victory in 1988. But the Norfolk-area residents, living in what has long been Redskins territory, were just as eager to see his new employers, the state's expansion UFL franchise, do well on his watch.
The team will not play until 2011, but Williams -- named general manager in June -- was busy with the task not only of laying the foundation of the organization, but of stirring up interest among the locals.
Williams wore a Redskins golf shirt, exhibiting the strong ties he still has for the team he led to a Super Bowl victory in 1988. But the Norfolk-area residents, living in what has long been Redskins territory, were just as eager to see his new employers, the state's expansion UFL franchise, do well on his watch.
The team will not play until 2011, but Williams -- named general manager in June -- was busy with the task not only of laying the foundation of the organization, but of stirring up interest among the locals.
Sidelined for Tour Championship, Tiger Woods' Golf Status Remains Unclear
Filed under: PGA, FedEx CupLEMONT, Ill.(AP) -- Leave it to the PGA Tour to find the upside of Tiger Woods missing out on the Tour Championship.
In a press release Monday promoting the 30-man field at East Lake, it notes that Woods' failure to qualify for the last playoff event guarantees there will be a new FedEx Cup champion this year.
Phil Mickelson said it "absolutely" will be strange not having the world's No. 1 player at the Tour Championship, although it's nothing new. Woods has only played East Lake twice in the past five years, skipping in 2006 after a long year coping with his father's death and in 2008 when he was recovering from knee surgery.
The difference, of course, is that Woods couldn't play the Tour Championship even if he wanted. He needed to shoot 65 in the final round of the BMW Championship, and it took him until the 17th hole just to get under par for the final round, and the tournament.
In an explanation he offered three times Sunday - to NBC Sports, XM Radio and the rest of the media - he blamed only himself. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
In a press release Monday promoting the 30-man field at East Lake, it notes that Woods' failure to qualify for the last playoff event guarantees there will be a new FedEx Cup champion this year.
Phil Mickelson said it "absolutely" will be strange not having the world's No. 1 player at the Tour Championship, although it's nothing new. Woods has only played East Lake twice in the past five years, skipping in 2006 after a long year coping with his father's death and in 2008 when he was recovering from knee surgery.
The difference, of course, is that Woods couldn't play the Tour Championship even if he wanted. He needed to shoot 65 in the final round of the BMW Championship, and it took him until the 17th hole just to get under par for the final round, and the tournament.
In an explanation he offered three times Sunday - to NBC Sports, XM Radio and the rest of the media - he blamed only himself. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Bobby Cox, Joe Torre Truly Two of Kind
Filed under: Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, Executive TakeWith the news that Joe Torre is calling it quits as manager of the Dodgers at season's end, joining Braves manager Bobby Cox, I found the sudden urge to want to be a general manager again.
You see, my New York Mets teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s just couldn't beat Torre's Yankees or Cox's Braves. It drove me crazy. They were in my head and, I believe, in the head of my Mets' clubs. With Torre and Cox retiring, there is nothing stopping me now.
OK, so that noise you just heard are Mets fans everywhere screaming "No!!!! Not Phillips again!!!" I admit there may be a few other things stopping me from being a winning GM again, like not having a team to generally manage. But you get what I mean.
I was Mets general manager from July 1997-June 2003. Yes, your math is right. That was right in the middle of the Braves' run of 14 consecutive division titles and the Yankees' three consecutive World Series titles. My Mets were second to the Braves in 1998-2000, while we lost to the Yankees in the 2000 World Series.
What was so frustrating was the fact that not only were we not the best in our division, but we were also second best in our own city.
A guy can develop an inferiority complex because of that. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
You see, my New York Mets teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s just couldn't beat Torre's Yankees or Cox's Braves. It drove me crazy. They were in my head and, I believe, in the head of my Mets' clubs. With Torre and Cox retiring, there is nothing stopping me now.
OK, so that noise you just heard are Mets fans everywhere screaming "No!!!! Not Phillips again!!!" I admit there may be a few other things stopping me from being a winning GM again, like not having a team to generally manage. But you get what I mean.
I was Mets general manager from July 1997-June 2003. Yes, your math is right. That was right in the middle of the Braves' run of 14 consecutive division titles and the Yankees' three consecutive World Series titles. My Mets were second to the Braves in 1998-2000, while we lost to the Yankees in the 2000 World Series.
What was so frustrating was the fact that not only were we not the best in our division, but we were also second best in our own city.
A guy can develop an inferiority complex because of that. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
With UFL, Doug Williams Eager to Add Management to Pioneering Resume
Filed under: Redskins, UFLNORFOLK, Va. -- As his weekend in his new pro football home drew to an end -- a charity golf tournament behind him and the Houston Texans-Washington Redskins game in front -- Doug Williams was greeting fans in the lobby of a downtown hotel. Fans thanking him for his play for their favorite team and wishing him luck with his current team.
Williams wore a Redskins golf shirt, exhibiting the strong ties he still has for the team he led to a Super Bowl victory in 1988. But the Norfolk-area residents, living in what has long been Redskins territory, were just as eager to see his new employers, the state's expansion UFL franchise, do well on his watch.
The team will not play until 2011, but Williams -- named general manager in June -- was busy with the task not only of laying the foundation of the organization, but of stirring up interest among the locals.
Williams wore a Redskins golf shirt, exhibiting the strong ties he still has for the team he led to a Super Bowl victory in 1988. But the Norfolk-area residents, living in what has long been Redskins territory, were just as eager to see his new employers, the state's expansion UFL franchise, do well on his watch.
The team will not play until 2011, but Williams -- named general manager in June -- was busy with the task not only of laying the foundation of the organization, but of stirring up interest among the locals.
Jackson, Bird Lead Storm to WNBA Title
Filed under: WNBAATLANTA -- Next week, Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird will be in the Czech Republic competing in the FIBA world championships, albeit for Australia and the United States, respectively.
Before they left, the two completed some unfinished business Thursday night, winning a WNBA title for the Seattle Storm.
The pair led the Storm to a second championship in franchise history, holding off the Atlanta Dream 87-84 in Game 3 to sweep the best-of-five championship series.
Jackson, who added Finals Most Valuable Player honors to her regular season MVP trophy, had 15 points and nine rebounds in the clinching win.
"I said I've never felt I'd be part of a team that's been this good or be at the end of a season and feel like I wish it would all start again because it's been this much fun," said Jackson.
Meanwhile, Bird had 14 points and a game high seven assists, including a three-pointer in the third period that gave Seattle a lead they wouldn't surrender, as they erased a six-point Dream lead and five years of the pain of first round playoff exits.
"I guess now, I can be honest, right?" said Bird. "Losing in the first round has been terrible and having people write about it and talk about it, it's something that I took very personally." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Before they left, the two completed some unfinished business Thursday night, winning a WNBA title for the Seattle Storm.
The pair led the Storm to a second championship in franchise history, holding off the Atlanta Dream 87-84 in Game 3 to sweep the best-of-five championship series.
Jackson, who added Finals Most Valuable Player honors to her regular season MVP trophy, had 15 points and nine rebounds in the clinching win.
"I said I've never felt I'd be part of a team that's been this good or be at the end of a season and feel like I wish it would all start again because it's been this much fun," said Jackson.
Meanwhile, Bird had 14 points and a game high seven assists, including a three-pointer in the third period that gave Seattle a lead they wouldn't surrender, as they erased a six-point Dream lead and five years of the pain of first round playoff exits.
"I guess now, I can be honest, right?" said Bird. "Losing in the first round has been terrible and having people write about it and talk about it, it's something that I took very personally." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: Denver Listening to Trade Offers for Carmelo Anthony
Filed under: Nuggets, NBA Rumors, FanHouse ExclusiveThey're not called the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes for nothing. And it appears they have indeed begun.
According to a front-office source who has recently spoken with Denver about trading its reportedly disgruntled small forward, the Nuggets are fielding trade offers for Anthony for the first time in a manner that is nothing short of lottery-style.
"Send it in," league executives are being told of their proposals for the three-time All-Star who can be a free agent next summer.
Then, very much like that contest you sign up for at the local grocery store, you simply hope the phone rings and the caller names you the lucky winner (or at least wants to discuss the fine print). On the flip side, contestants shouldn't expect a call back unless the offer sparks genuine intrigue. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
According to a front-office source who has recently spoken with Denver about trading its reportedly disgruntled small forward, the Nuggets are fielding trade offers for Anthony for the first time in a manner that is nothing short of lottery-style.
"Send it in," league executives are being told of their proposals for the three-time All-Star who can be a free agent next summer.
Then, very much like that contest you sign up for at the local grocery store, you simply hope the phone rings and the caller names you the lucky winner (or at least wants to discuss the fine print). On the flip side, contestants shouldn't expect a call back unless the offer sparks genuine intrigue. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Tiger Woods Among Corey Pavin's Ryder Cup Captain's Choices
Filed under: Ryder CupTiger Woods was named by Corey Pavin as one of the four "captain's choices" for the 2010 Ryder Cup on Tuesday morning.
Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler (the first rookie to ever make the Ryder Cup team) joined Woods as well, and all four men seemed particularly excited about the opportunity.
"It's really exciting for me, obviously, to be included on the team," Cink said. "I think this makes my third time getting picked (as a captain's choice) which is getting close to a record. Which means I must not be that good at qualifying."
Woods, however, hasn't exactly had that trouble -- he's typically the first guy locked into the Ryder Cup, but obviously this season was different. Pavin refused, however, to acknowledge that he'd been thinking about Tiger's inability to qualify on his own.
"Well, what I was trying to do was not form any opinions until almost this weekend," Pavin said. "I didn't want to overburden myself so I just waited and waited and waited. Tiger's one of 12 guys on the team, and everyone's as important as the other." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler (the first rookie to ever make the Ryder Cup team) joined Woods as well, and all four men seemed particularly excited about the opportunity.
"It's really exciting for me, obviously, to be included on the team," Cink said. "I think this makes my third time getting picked (as a captain's choice) which is getting close to a record. Which means I must not be that good at qualifying."
Woods, however, hasn't exactly had that trouble -- he's typically the first guy locked into the Ryder Cup, but obviously this season was different. Pavin refused, however, to acknowledge that he'd been thinking about Tiger's inability to qualify on his own.
"Well, what I was trying to do was not form any opinions until almost this weekend," Pavin said. "I didn't want to overburden myself so I just waited and waited and waited. Tiger's one of 12 guys on the team, and everyone's as important as the other." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Adam Dunn Optimistic He Will Return to Nationals Next Season
Filed under: Nationals, MLB Rumors, MLB Free AgencyWill Adam Dunn be back in Washington next year or not? It's a question that's been asked pretty often this season, and one that Dunn has had to change his answer to more than a few times. Dunn had hoped to work out an extension both in spring training and during the season, but when the trade deadline rolled around and it hadn't happened, he seem resigned to the fact that his days in Washington were numbered.
Only the Nationals did not move their most valuable trade chip at the deadline, and now it seems Dunn's feelings about next year have changed once more. Not only does he want to be back in the nation's capital next season, he thinks he will be.
"I do (think I'll return to the Nationals)," Dunn told the Washington Post. "More than I did a month ago. Talks have picked back up. We'll see what happens. We're obviously talking. We're going to work something out, I think." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Only the Nationals did not move their most valuable trade chip at the deadline, and now it seems Dunn's feelings about next year have changed once more. Not only does he want to be back in the nation's capital next season, he thinks he will be.
"I do (think I'll return to the Nationals)," Dunn told the Washington Post. "More than I did a month ago. Talks have picked back up. We'll see what happens. We're obviously talking. We're going to work something out, I think." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Ron Jaworski: Jets Are Hindering Mark Sanchez's Development
by J.J. CooperFiled under: Jets, NFL Quarterbacks, Sports Business and MediaIn the aftermath of one of the worst offensive performances Jets' fans may ever see -- Monday night's 10-9 loss to Baltimore -- ESPN's Ron Jaworski thinks the blame needs to be shared between the New York coaching staff and Mark Sanchez.
Interviewed on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike Show on Tuesday morning, Jaworski said that he believes part of Sanchez's awful night was because of the game plan and part of it was his unwillingness to take the time to go through his progressions.
Of Sanchez's 21 pass attempts, only two were thrown more than 15 yards downfield (a pair of incompletions). Sanchez also had a 33-yard pass to Dustin Keller called back because of a penalty. Eight of Sanchez's passes were thrown to running backs and another five went to the tight ends. Only eight passes went to the Jets' receivers and six of those were thrown on underneath routes. New York's longest pass play was only 13 yards.
Much of that, Jaworski said, comes from the Jets' defense-first mentality. Sanchez is taught to not make mistakes. Apparently that has led him to eschewing looking downfield and settling for short outlet routes, even if there is someone open downfield. It worked relatively well for New York last year, but as the former NFL quarterback sees it, it also is hurting Sanchez's development. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Interviewed on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike Show on Tuesday morning, Jaworski said that he believes part of Sanchez's awful night was because of the game plan and part of it was his unwillingness to take the time to go through his progressions.
Of Sanchez's 21 pass attempts, only two were thrown more than 15 yards downfield (a pair of incompletions). Sanchez also had a 33-yard pass to Dustin Keller called back because of a penalty. Eight of Sanchez's passes were thrown to running backs and another five went to the tight ends. Only eight passes went to the Jets' receivers and six of those were thrown on underneath routes. New York's longest pass play was only 13 yards.
Much of that, Jaworski said, comes from the Jets' defense-first mentality. Sanchez is taught to not make mistakes. Apparently that has led him to eschewing looking downfield and settling for short outlet routes, even if there is someone open downfield. It worked relatively well for New York last year, but as the former NFL quarterback sees it, it also is hurting Sanchez's development. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Veteran Brendan Morrison Seeks One Last Chance With Canucks
Filed under: Canucks
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Brendan Morrison did not want to sit and wait for a team to call him with a contract offer.
Instead, the free agent centre dialed into his past glory and accepted a tryout opportunity from the Vancouver Canucks, the team he helped develop into a contender before leaving as a free agent after the 2007-08 campaign.
"I'd be lying to you if I didn't feel that I would have a contract right now for a certain dollar number," said Morrison. "But it hasn't happened."
Morrison, 35, was let go by the Washington Capitals last season despite a respectable 42 points in 74 games. He is caught in the crossfire of a collective bargaining agreement that favours the development of young players toiling for lower salaries over older veterans.
Players on entry level contracts are subject to a $3-million salary limit -- and many play for much less -- whereas veterans can sell their services to the highest bidder, provided the bidders are willing. Nowadays, they are not -- unless those players are superstars like Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils or Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo.
A native of the Vancouver suburb of Pitt Meadows, B.C., Morrison chose to accept a tryout offer from his hometown team rather than wait for a contract offer from a club with injuries and other concerns after the regular season had started.
"What you have to do, a guy in my situation, is really look at the landscape across the league to what's happening to guys who are in my age (group), the way the CBA is now," said Morrison. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Brendan Morrison did not want to sit and wait for a team to call him with a contract offer.
Instead, the free agent centre dialed into his past glory and accepted a tryout opportunity from the Vancouver Canucks, the team he helped develop into a contender before leaving as a free agent after the 2007-08 campaign.
"I'd be lying to you if I didn't feel that I would have a contract right now for a certain dollar number," said Morrison. "But it hasn't happened."
Morrison, 35, was let go by the Washington Capitals last season despite a respectable 42 points in 74 games. He is caught in the crossfire of a collective bargaining agreement that favours the development of young players toiling for lower salaries over older veterans.
Players on entry level contracts are subject to a $3-million salary limit -- and many play for much less -- whereas veterans can sell their services to the highest bidder, provided the bidders are willing. Nowadays, they are not -- unless those players are superstars like Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils or Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo.
A native of the Vancouver suburb of Pitt Meadows, B.C., Morrison chose to accept a tryout offer from his hometown team rather than wait for a contract offer from a club with injuries and other concerns after the regular season had started.
"What you have to do, a guy in my situation, is really look at the landscape across the league to what's happening to guys who are in my age (group), the way the CBA is now," said Morrison. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Lance Allred, First Deaf Player in NBA, Invited to Pacers Training Camp
Filed under: Pacers, NBA D-League Lance Allred, the first legally deaf player to ever play in the NBA, has signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers and has already arrived in Indiana in preparation for training camp next week.
"I arrived in Indiana (Sunday) night and had a good day of training for my first day," Allred told FanHouse. "(Tyler) Hansbrough and (Jeff) Foster are both out with injuries, and so I was very excited to come, knowing I would get some reps."
Allred, a 6-foot-11 power forward-center, played in three games for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2007-2008 season after being called-up from the NBA Development League's Idaho Stampede. After his initial 10-day contract, Allred was signed for the remainder of the regular season as well as the postseason, though didn't appear in any playoff games and was unable to make the team out of training camp the following season.
Since then, the 29-year-old Allred played briefly in Italy sandwiched around two separate stints with the Stampede for which he's played in 156 career games. Allred's averaged 13.7 points and 8.4 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time in his D-League career, developing from a sporadically used role player in 2006-2007 to the most consistent, fundamentally-sound big man in the D-League over the course of the following three seasons. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
"I arrived in Indiana (Sunday) night and had a good day of training for my first day," Allred told FanHouse. "(Tyler) Hansbrough and (Jeff) Foster are both out with injuries, and so I was very excited to come, knowing I would get some reps."
Allred, a 6-foot-11 power forward-center, played in three games for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2007-2008 season after being called-up from the NBA Development League's Idaho Stampede. After his initial 10-day contract, Allred was signed for the remainder of the regular season as well as the postseason, though didn't appear in any playoff games and was unable to make the team out of training camp the following season.
Since then, the 29-year-old Allred played briefly in Italy sandwiched around two separate stints with the Stampede for which he's played in 156 career games. Allred's averaged 13.7 points and 8.4 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time in his D-League career, developing from a sporadically used role player in 2006-2007 to the most consistent, fundamentally-sound big man in the D-League over the course of the following three seasons. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Matt Kuchar Shakes Off Illness to Share BMW Lead at Midpoint With Charlie Wi
Filed under: PGA
LEMONT, Ill. (AP) -- Matt Kuchar was feeling terrible and playing even worse. He managed to hold himself together long enough Friday to salvage a 1-over 72 and share the lead with Charlie Wi in the BMW Championship.
Kuchar (pictured above) made four bogeys through eight holes to tumble down the leaderboard, then rallied with five birdies over his last 10 holes to catch Wi, who played in the morning and shot a 69.
They were at 6-under 136 and had a one-shot lead over Marc Leishman of Australia, whose 65 was the best of the day on a Cog Hill course that was getting a steady stream of criticism.
Tiger Woods, the defending champion and a five-time winner at Cog Hill, was resigned to the fact that the greens were not pure. He didn't make very many putts, threw in a double bogey for the second straight day and shot a 72, leaving him in a tie for 40th, nine shots behind.
It was the first time Woods opened with consecutive rounds over par at Cog Hill since he was an 18-year-old amateur.
"I made nothing today," he said. "I hit the ball a hell of a lot better than my score indicates."
The only score that matters-along with the number on his card-is his rank in the FedEx Cup standings. Woods is No. 51 and needs to finish around fifth at Cog Hill week to qualify for the Tour Championship in two weeks. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
LEMONT, Ill. (AP) -- Matt Kuchar was feeling terrible and playing even worse. He managed to hold himself together long enough Friday to salvage a 1-over 72 and share the lead with Charlie Wi in the BMW Championship.
Kuchar (pictured above) made four bogeys through eight holes to tumble down the leaderboard, then rallied with five birdies over his last 10 holes to catch Wi, who played in the morning and shot a 69.
They were at 6-under 136 and had a one-shot lead over Marc Leishman of Australia, whose 65 was the best of the day on a Cog Hill course that was getting a steady stream of criticism.
Tiger Woods, the defending champion and a five-time winner at Cog Hill, was resigned to the fact that the greens were not pure. He didn't make very many putts, threw in a double bogey for the second straight day and shot a 72, leaving him in a tie for 40th, nine shots behind.
It was the first time Woods opened with consecutive rounds over par at Cog Hill since he was an 18-year-old amateur.
"I made nothing today," he said. "I hit the ball a hell of a lot better than my score indicates."
The only score that matters-along with the number on his card-is his rank in the FedEx Cup standings. Woods is No. 51 and needs to finish around fifth at Cog Hill week to qualify for the Tour Championship in two weeks. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Reggie Bush Suffers Broken Bone in Leg, According to Multiple Reports
Filed under: Saints, NFL InjuriesNew Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush could miss several weeks after suffering a broken bone in his lower right leg during the Saints' 25-22 Monday night victory over San Francisco, according to multiple reports.
NewOrleans.com reported following the game that Bush would be out a minimum six weeks, though the injury is not believed to be season-ending.
Bush left Candlestick Park on crutches. He was scheduled to undergo further evaluation Tuesday after the Saints returned to New Orleans.
"I'm just trying not to think the worst and just try to stay as positive as I can in this situation," Bush said. "That's all you can do, hope for the best."
Bush hurt himself after recovering his muffed punt with 6:58 remaining. He had trouble catching the ball at windy Candlestick Park and was hurt diving to cover up the loose ball. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
NewOrleans.com reported following the game that Bush would be out a minimum six weeks, though the injury is not believed to be season-ending.
Bush left Candlestick Park on crutches. He was scheduled to undergo further evaluation Tuesday after the Saints returned to New Orleans.
"I'm just trying not to think the worst and just try to stay as positive as I can in this situation," Bush said. "That's all you can do, hope for the best."
Bush hurt himself after recovering his muffed punt with 6:58 remaining. He had trouble catching the ball at windy Candlestick Park and was hurt diving to cover up the loose ball. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
As FIFA deadline nears, US committee hits the trail
NEW YORK -- There?s hardly any room on the desk in David Downs? office in midtown Manhattan, and not much time to waste.The papers are piling up here, a cluttered sign that the culmination of the bid to land the World Cup in the United States in either 2018 or 2022 is about to hit the home stretch....
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