'THE EDGE' (COMING SOON!!) |
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CLEMENS SECOND FAVORITE CALLER TIPS APPRECIATED!!! |
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HANSBROUGH DUNKS ON 7'8" DUDE  |
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TOP STORIES - JANUARY 11, 2008 Get your NFL football tickets now at TickCo. They have all team Cardinals tickets, Cowboys tickets, Packers tickets, Colts tickets, Patriots tickets, Titans tickets and more. Get your Super Bowl tickets here! FORMER SKATING STAR DEAD: Christopher Bowman found dead in a Los Angeles-area hotel room from a possible OD at age 40. Bowman's skating career was marred by drug and alcohol abuse as well as frequent clashes with several coaches he went through. Bowman starred as a child actor before winning U.S. men's titles in 1989 and 1992. But Bowman came up empty in two Olympic appearances and was beaten in a seedy Pittsburgh neighborhood while on the Ice Capades circuit in 1993. Bowman's run-ins with the law included a no contest plea in 2004 to two misdemeanors involving having a gun while drunk in Rochester Hills, Mich. RICK MAJERUS CAME BACK FOR THIS??? St. Louis endures an 18 minute scoring drought en route to a 49-20 loss at George Washington. Yes, that is a basketball, not football score. The Billikens' output represents a new shot clock (since 1985) low for a Division 1 team. Arkansas State was once routed 75-6 at the hands of Kentucky while Temple lost at Tennessee in 1973 by a baseballish 11-6 count, with fans of the winning Vols showering the court with debris over the visitors stall tactics. UT was so upset about the display that they did not pay Temple for it's appearance for months.  ROMO/JESSICA AND TEAMMATES LIVE IT UP DOWN IN MEXICO: Coach did tell them to get away from football for a few days. Romo and Jessica Simpson were caught by the papa-nazi's down in Los Cabos, and they had company!! Teammates Jason Witten, Bobby Carpenter, and Marc Columbo were identified as those who tagged along on the trip. Sounded like some serious liberty call to me. Geez, Peyton Manning usually waits until AFTER getting eliminated from the playoffs before heading down to Mexico. Don't stop now Tony - you have three more glorious nights until gametime. Osi Umenyiora could sack you four times on Sunday and you might not be able to get out of bed for weeks!! Smart move, enjoy it while you can Rom(e)o. And Terence Newman and another faction of that locker room also has a message - you better win Sunday.RE-PETE SEASON, CARROLL TO A-T-L?? You can tell the college gridiron season is now over, because the annual Pete Carroll back to the NFL rumors are back on the front-burner (With when will an NFL team move to LA soon to follow???), especially when the possibility exists of Carroll jumping ship before the hammer comes down from the NCAA on Reggie Bush. Arthur Blank wants to interview Carroll, with his enormous checkbook in hand. Square peg, round hole. Think of another NFL team with a Home Depot connection where Carroll wouldn't even have to change his wardrobe colors much. Yes, Dan Snyder and Carroll - a better pairing than even Tony Romo and Brittney Spears. Not to mention he actually has a chance to win a little bit in Washington and might even be able to trade for Matt Leinart. If he really wants to get back in the NFL, this might be Carroll's best chance unless he's waiting on the Chargers (or the Colts if Tony Dungy joins the ministry). So there, I have beaten Steve Czaban (at least on the Web) in commenting about Tilghman AND Pete Carroll going to the Washington Redskins. I am freakin' brilliant. ROBBY GORDON UPSET WITH DAKAR CANCELLATION: The scheduled 30th running of the Dakar Rally was cancelled last weekend at the last minute over concerns of Al-Qaida-linked terrorism in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, where much of the race was to be run. It is believed to be the first instance of terrorism threats preventing a major sporting event from taking place. That did not sit well with Robby Gordon, who often moonlights with the off-road races during NASCAR's off-season. Gordon estimates that with all his personnel, sponsorship, and vehicles already in place, that the last minute decision to scrap the 16-day event cost Robby Gordon Racing upwards to $4.5 million. Gordon is hoping that the Dakar event is rescheduled at some point later this year, which at that point he would consider racing while tapping a substitute driver for his NASCAR ride. FLYERS GM 'LOVES' DOWNIE SUCKER PUNCH: While being restrained by officials over the weekend, Toronto's Jason Blake is suckered-punched in the eye by Philadelphia's Steve Downie. Earlier in the season, Downie earned a 20-game suspension for laying out Ottawa's Dean McAmmond - commenting at the time Blake suggested that Downie should have earned a season-long suspension. Flyers coach Paul Holmgren, who has been trying to get Downie to control his emotions, said he was upset that Downie got selfish and put his team in a short-handed situation. Flyers GM Bobby Clarke however had no problem whatsoever, saying in a TV segment 'I loved it' adding that Downie should have gone after Blake after his statement over the McAmmond incident. In 21 minor league games this season, Downie has five goals, 17 points, and a whopping 115 penalty minutes (fantasy owner's dream). Last Saturday's game was only the fourth in the NHL this season for Downie. The NHL has given Downie a warning, but will not suspend him over the latest transgression.  GREAT TIMING - GOALIE TO SKIP ALL-STAR GAME: Here's exactly how much goaltenders relish being targets in the shooting gallery known as the NHL All-Star Game. Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo was voted in by the fans, but will skip the game to be with his pregnant wife in Florida. She isn't due until April, but I say that's good enough an excuse. Game 1 of the playoffs with the Mrs. Going into labor might be a problem though, kind of like the 'equipment problem' during intermission of last years playoffs. WOULD A FIRING BE WORSE THAN A LYNCHING??? UPDATE - TWO WEEK SUSPENSION: As I expected, the case isn't closed after all. With pressure from African-American groups now mounting, GC now reverses course and has suspended Tilghman for the next two events. In a statement, GC now says '
There is simply no place on our network for offensive language like this.' The issue did indeed become prevalent on TV cable news shows on Wednesday, with Al Sharpton among those saying that the anchor should be fired immediately. Back in Hawaii, it was also a hot topic among players during practice for the Sony Open. Tilghman is scheduled to be back on air at Torrey Pines in two weeks, and she better be praying that this firestorm dies now - which it might not. 
TODAY'S LOOK-A-LIKES UGA PRESIDENT CALLS FOR EIGHT-TEAM PLAYOFF: Obviously someone whose school got hosed this year is doing the bitching, but finally, the model I've floated around for years is now getting serious consideration, and much better than the 'plus one' (Final Four) format that would still not solve everything in the BCS. The current four BCS games will in effect become national quarter-fianl games, and would add a mere three (actually just two, after getting rid of fifth BCS game) games to the season. One stumbling point remains the Rose Bowl, as Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany remains in the stone age, except for trail-blazing his own TV network that big cable refuses to carry. I'm guessing instead of seeding, an eight-team tourney would have to be held with a Big Ten/Pac Ten Rose Bowl being one of the four 'first-round' games. Any significant changes will likely have to wait until after the end of the current TV contract after the 2010 season. GOOSE MAKES HALL, CALLS OUT CLEMENS/BONDS: As expected, Goose Gossage gets well more than the 75 percent needed while Jim Rice comes agonizingly close (%72.2) in his second-to-last shot. Andre Dawson (65.9) and Bert Blyleven (61.9) also came close but short as expected. In another stinging indictment by voters, Mark McGwire got exactly the same number of votes (23.6) as last year. There was also reports that some writers may return blank ballots - an apparent statement against all players in the 'steroid era'. Gossage used his press conference to urge the likes of Clemens, Bonds, and McGwire to come clean on the PED issue. MCNAMEE LIED DURING 2001 RAPE CASE??? This could be very good news in regards to Roger Clemens attempts to clear his name. Florida detectives believes Brian McNamee lied to them during the 2001 investigation of a possible rape, according to documents released by police. Police said McNamee denied having sex with a possibly drugged woman in a hotel pool in October 2001, though security guards and other witnesses said they saw him that night. The alleged incident occurred during a season-closing Yankees/Devil Rays series, and many players and staff were staying at the upscale resort. CLEMENS BOWS OUT OF BOB HOPE CLASSIC: Since he's going to be a little busy on Capital Hill next Wednesday, Roger Clemens has for now pulled out of the Bob Hope Pro-Am. However the tournament director sent an E-mail to Roger saying that if he feels up to it, he is welcome to play in the tournament on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. And if that doesn't work out there's always Pebble Beach in a few weeks. Maybe his 'buddy' McNamee can be on Roger's bag and Roger can throw him off the 17th green and into the ocean. JOE GIBBS CALLS IT QUITS: Gibbs finishes 31-36 in his second tenure, including 1-2 in the playoffs, after serving four years of a 5-year/$27.5 million contract. Gibbs is to stay on as an 'adviser'. WHY DOES SEAN TAYLOR GET MORE LOVE THAN PAT TILLMAN??? You may notice most NFL teams continuing to wear the '21' patch on the back of their helmets as the league-wide tribute to the late Sean Taylor continues. All teams wore the '21' decal on their helmets for one week, and was made optional on a team-by-team basis after that. Teams that took off the decal include the Rams and Patriots, who already had a '91' sticker memorializing Marquise Hill. The Giants and Chargers are among the teams that removed the sticker, but since put it back on. However Giants lineman Grey Ruegamer continues to not wear the decal, and that's where the controversy comes in. Reugamer played at Arizona St. and was a teammate of Pat Tillman, you may recall that the league had a one-week tribute for Tillman in 2004, but that quarterback Jake Plummer (another college teammate of Tillman) tried to continue to wear the '40' sticker - but was threatened with massive fines by the league. An agreement was eventually worked out between Plummer and the league before Jake had to worry about resorting to playing for free every week. All of this leads to the question - why did Tillman only get a one-week tribute while Taylor
s #21 is adorned for the remainder of the season?? The simple answer is probably a different commissioner, and that Goodell wants to avoid the controversy Tagliabue ran into on the Tillman issue. And I really don't think you can compare the two tragedies - The Tillman incident does get extra play because it was military/war related, but players will always rally around fallen teammates almost no matter what the circumstances. I say Tillman should get some sort of annual tribute for one weekend per year by the league... JUNE THAW - HAWAII COACH APPEARS OUT: As his overtures with lowly SMU suddenly start to make sense, a Honolulu TV station reports that June Jones has in fact resigned as University of Hawaii football coach, citing frustration over lack of financial commitment from the Athletic Department.GOOSE COULD BE LONE HALL ENTRANT: Small sampling of voters has Goose Gossage comfortably over the 75 percent threshold, with Bert Blyleven, Jim Rice, and Andre Dawson again falling just short. Those sliding in the exit polling include Jack Morris (45 percent) and Tim Raines (37 percent). And as expected, it appears Mark McGwire won't be getting anywhere near a hall pass anytime soon, he sits it a mere 24 percent.  KOREAN BOXER DECLARED BRAIN DEAD: Flyweight Choi Yoi-sam collapses after WINNING bout last week, it would not mark the first time someone has wound up kicking the bucket after emerging victorious in a fight. SOCCER PLAYER DIES FROM HEART FAILURE ON THE PITCH: 35 year-old Phil McDonald collapses while being substituted in the waning minutes of a Scottish Premiere League game. The player was treated for five minutes on the field, but the game was completed to conclusion. A subsequent autopsy concluded that the father of four died as a result of left ventricular failure. McDonald's nephew and teammate scored two goals earlier in the game, he was substituted after becoming distraught after witnessing his uncle's collapse. Three games in the Scottish League was postponed in tribute to McDonald.OUTDOOR FOLLIES - BOO WEEKLEY STYLE: 2008 is just mere hours old and we already have our first good Boo Weekley story of the year. Boo was trying to get to the Mercedes Classic, the season-opening tourney in Hawaii where only winners from the previous year are invited - and no longer prestigious enough for Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, or Ernie Els to bother to show up. But Boo is among those not so established, so he cleared out his bag from off-season hunting and packed up for the trip to Maui. Well at least he thought he did - he left two bullets in the bag. Oops, airport security will catch that every time, in fact in Boo's words they 'red-flagged' him. Good news is that Boo finally did make it safely to the islands after a two-day delay.  11 YEAR-OLD HAS WORN FAVRE JERSEY FOUR YEARS RUNNING: Connecticut kid received #4 jersey for Christmas in 2003, and has worn it every day since - with his mother washing it every two days. My first question is how rough has the kid's childhood been having to deal with Tom Brady fans at school every day. Since the family has been able to save on clothing expenses, they splurged on a trip to Green Bay for this past Sunday's game. Kid admits the jersey is starting to get as tight as a Reebok NHL jersey, and that it might have to be 'retired' before Favre himself. Maybe his folks can start expanding his wardrobe and mix in a road white or even an alternate gold once in a while. By the way, I am going to talk the team into wearing alternate gold for a game one of these years... #4 GREATER THAN #3 - FAVRE SI COVER GOES TO THIRD PRINTING: With well over 3 million copies sold, Favre 'Sportsman of the Year' issue becomes one of SI's biggest sellers ever. The last cover to attract nearly this many sales was nearly seven years ago when Dale Earnhardt Sr.. almost seven years ago. In case you haven't been reading the decals of any SUV's with confederate flags lately, Earnhardt died after a crash during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.ANOTHER NHL 'WINTER CLASSIC NUGGET: Yet more info on the one event that has been overyhyped even more than Robbie Maddison's motorcycle jumps last night. A publicity piece where the Sabres equipment manager is interviewed reveals that both teams will unveil the 'Reebok Edge II' jersey for today's game. The story goes on to say that the sleeves will be bigger and that the material will return to an 'air-knit' material. Apparently Reebok has been listening to the players complaints about the new jerseys unveiled this year. Translated, sounds like the league is ready to convert to the 'Classic Coke' style. Coincidentally, both teams will (as you might imagine) wear 'throwbacks', with the Penguins sporting powder blue jerseys that are expected to become the teams alternate jersey next year. With the emphasis on the new uniform style, the league did not allow alternate/throwback jerseys for this year.  BILLICK KISSES JOB GOODBYE: I reported on my blog over the weekend that Billick was starting to wade into some awfully thin ice after nine-game losing streak. Well, someone dispatch the Ice Angel - Billick has fallen through as Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome pulls the trigger despite win over Steelers in season finale. It's a rare firing of a coach who had won a Super Bowl with the organization, but that was seven years ago and the supposed 'offensive genius' never did develop a star quarterback in his nine years with the Ravens. Still, an overall record of 80-64 (and 13-3 just a year ago) should have Billick landing on his feat somewhere COULD ANOTHER SUPER BOWL COACH BE ON WAY OUT??? Jon Fox 'thinks' he'll be back, but owner hasn't spoken yet. |
