Mammoth Sports Fan: January 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

UFC 94 Picks Georges St. Pierre vs BJ Penn Betting Odds

This is one of the most awaited fights in years in the UFC with underdog Penn trying to pull an upset and beat St. Pierre in a rematch from 2006, when Penn won in a split decision. Now, nearly three years removed from their first meeting, the pair of top UFC fighters will meet again, but this time the welterweight championship will be on the line when they clash on January 31st in Las Vegas. It's champion against champion, with a place in mixed martial arts history on the line. Each fighter has skills that cancel the other's out. The Betting Odds list George St. Pierre -180 favorite to BJ Penn heading into this UFC 94 Picks matchup.

Active ImagePenn (13-4-1) is a fighting phenom who has added stellar standup skills to a world champion jiu-jitsu base. His takedown defense is among the best in the business, partially because of his extraordinary balance and agility. Penn is very flexible and is very tough and unpredictable and will be very tough for St. Pierre to TKO. Penn likes to come out of the gate fast and, with his superior striking skills, can do damage quickly.

St. Pierre (17-2) is a physical specimen who also comes to the cage with a well-stocked arsenal and will be trying to beat Penn for the 2nd time. The 27-year-old from Montreal has made himself into one of the most effective wrestlers in mixed martial arts, taking down former all-Americans almost at will. He recently earned his black belt in jiu-jitsu and has a strong standup game, with a good array of kicks. Check out all the UFC 94 Betting Odds at bodoglife.com.

UFC 94 Picks Georges St. Pierre vs BJ Penn Betting Odds: The key to this match will be the striking blows of Penn if he can back up St. Pierre like he did in the first fight, he can possibly win in a close decision. If Penn does not back St. Pierre he will most likely get knocked out as St. Pierre is better toe to toe.

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NCAA reinstates Terps' Kim

Maryland forward Jin Soo Kim, declared academically ineligible before Tuesday night's Boston College loss, has been reinstated by the NCAA, the university said today.

Following a Maryland appeal, the NCAA approved a waiver making the 6-foot-8 freshman from South Korea eligible.

Kim will be permitted to play in tomorrow night's game against Miami.

"I am proud of how hard Jin Soo has worked academically while trying to become more proficient in a second language," coach Gary Williams said. "I thought he deserved to be playing." source>>>

being a NASCAR crew chief is the only life for Chad Knaus

It's 9 o'clock on a fall night 20 years ago in Rockford, Ill., and a local short-track ace and his crew chief have been underneath their car since sunrise. The driver wants to call it a day. He stands, throws up his hands and announces that the car is as ready as it's going to be for the next race.

"That's it," he says. "Time to pack it in."

"Hang on," the crew chief begs from somewhere under the hood, his voice cracking. "I have an idea that might buy us a little something."

"Chad," the driver responds, his voice sharply shifting into father mode. "It's a school night, and it's time to go in the house."

Just one more minute. Just one more hour. That's the way it has always been for Chad Knaus, the then-14-year-old crew chief who would go on to become a NASCAR empire-builder. Trust me, he tells his drivers. It could mean a 10th of a second out on the track.

For 20 years, Knaus has known this one truth: work works. His relentless drive transformed his dad, John, from occasional winner to Illinois legend. More recently, it has turned an off-road truck racer named Jimmie Johnson into the most consistent contender on the Nextel Cup circuit. With the 34-year-old Knaus atop his pit box, Johnson has averaged nearly five wins a year since 2002. Two years ago, the pair fell 90 points short to Matt Kenseth. Last year, they lost the inaugural Nextel Chase for the Cup to Kurt Busch by only eight points. Just one more minute. Just one more hour. This year, it could be the difference.

YOU COULD say Chad Knaus is a little single-minded. You could also say LeBron is just a ballplayer or Britney and Kevin are slightly overexposed. "If you call Chad at noon, he's thinking about the car," Johnson says. "If you call Chad at midnight, he's thinking about the car. And if he isn't thinking about the next weekend's car, he's thinking about the car for the track four weeks from now."

Or he's wondering how to handle his driver when tempers run hotter than the engines. Or how to inspire his crew when one bad pit stop has dropped their team out of the points lead. Or how to push the limits of technology-and the rule book-without being busted or busting his budget.

He is mechanic and psychiatrist, aerodynamicist and economist. This is the life of the modern-day Nextel Cup crew chief: circles under the eyes as dark as Goodyear Eagles, bleeding ulcers masked by sweaty smiles, an all-consuming focus that leaves dinner cold in the wake of scribbled calculations on the back of an Outback Steakhouse napkin. The grease monkey with wrench in one hand and shop towel in the other has evolved into an engineer carrying a laptop and a Bluetooth phone. A Cup crew chief is now no different from any other major league head coacha semicelebrity manager of an ever-expanding organization, in a job where the revolving door never stops spinning.

For Knaus, that means keeping tabs on 75 team members and dozens of cars; hiring and firing; sending orders down a chain of command; and relying on his assistant to make sure they get done. "As recently as 2002, I was out on the shop floor putting in the springs and the shocks," he says. "Not anymore. I determine what we need to be doing, but now I send those notes down to my car chief, Ron Malec, the equivalent of an offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, I'm off testing or doing a sponsor appearance or, more often than not, I'm in a meeting."

Win or lose, Knaus' 72-hour race weekends are followed by a routine that begins at 7 a.m. on Monday at the Hendrick Motorsports complex in Harrisburg, N.C. A meeting with department heads within the Lowe's team is followed by another with Hendrick division heads from the chassis and engine departments and the director of competition. Then there's a powwow with Robbie Loomis, crew chief for Jeff Gordon. (Johnson's teammate owns a piece of the No. 48 car.) And then, maybe, lunch.

"We race 38 weekends, and we have more than a dozen test sessions," Knaus says via cell phone from a rental car in Phoenix. It's 6 a.m. on a Wednesday in June, and he's on his way to one of those sessions. "My day off each week is Thursday morning from 8 to 10."

While Johnson dines at Cipriani on Fifth Avenue with his fashion model wife, Chandra, Knaus tries to squeeze in a one-hour meal in North Charlotte with his extremely patient girlfriend, whose name he prefers to keep under wraps. "I don't do the balancing between work and our relationshipshe does," Knaus says with appreciation. While Johnson was hitting the big screen with his cameo in Herbie: Fully Loaded, Knaus was explaining the finer points of shocks and springs at New Hampshire, on his gearhead cable show.

The crew chief doesn't have time to go to the movies; he's hunkered down at the office watching miles of game film. In between a barrage of phone calls and constant drop-ins by his crew members, Knaus rolls tape from the race just run, last year's race at the track coming up, then the year before that and the year before that. Like Tom Brady breaking down dime coverage, he looks for patterns and tendencies. How many cautions are likely? When do they typically happen? How much time will he have to make crucial decisions to pit? What did the winner figure out that everyone else missed? Each trend, tire temp and gut feeling finds its way into a mountain of three-ring binders and a room full of hard drives. While NASCAR's constantly changing car specs limit technical carryover from season to season, Knaus' hunches could still pay off with a victory years down the road.

"I don't know if anyone realizes what this job has become," he says. "It has to be your entire life, period. If I'm not working on or thinking about my race cars, I figure someone else is out there working on theirs."

Starting with testing in the first week of January and ending in late November, NASCAR follows the longest calendar in sports. And when the brutal midsummer stretch arrives, so does a natural letdown throughout the Cup garage. The thought of 16 more weekends away from homecombined with triple-digit track temperaturesbreaks the spirit and back of even the most tested mechanic.

But Knaus isn't about to slow down now. "I work out three days a week," he says. "We have an incredible facility here and personal trainers on staff. I have two mountain bikes I take on the megawatt driver was mired in 15th place at the end of July. "Honestly, I'm not thinking about that. I am totally focused on the track coming up. Maybe I'm afraid that if I slow down to think about anything else, I will realize how exhausted I really am."

Fitzgerald's hands elevate his status

- Larry Fitzgerald doesn't have the whole world in his hands. It just seems like it.

The way he pulls footballs out of the sky is becoming legendary. It could be immortalized Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII if the Cardinals receiver continues his postseason pattern with another clutch performance.

Already having surpassed Jerry Rice's NFL record for most receiving yards (419) in the playoffs (in the same number of games, three, that Rice needed), Fitzgerald's transformation from great player to megastar in a month is among the faster climbs by an athlete in pro sports history.

And it's all because of the hands. They're so big you lose sight of your own hand when he reaches out to shake it. Footballs don't stand a chance, either. Fitzgerald doesn't just catch them; he devours them.

Multiply that with his vision and incredible timing to catch the ball at the high point of his leap, and it's almost not fair to defensive backs.

"When you have a guy like Larry Fitzgerald who can outjump two guys to get to the football, there is nothing you can do about that," Steelers safety Troy Polamalu said. "You just have to realize that he is a great player."

Peers applaud

Former NFL receiver Cris Collinsworth was even more complimentary in his review.

"He's off the charts with his ability to make plays on the ball in the air," he said. "I don't know what his vertical leap is, but he looks like Michael Jordan playing out there to me.

"If it's a tie, you just throw it up in the air, and Larry Fitzgerald comes down with it. He just has remarkable hands."

Fitzgerald, 25, said it isn't all by accident. Yes, he was blessed with some amazing natural talent. But it has taken constant extra effort to get the maximum potential out of his catching ability.

"I wasn't born with the greatest speed," he said, "so things I did have, I had to hone those other skills and make them better. To catch the ball better, I had to make my hands better. I had to do something that was going to separate me from everybody else."

He has done that so well, they ought to use him as the new pitchman for Allstate. "Are you in good hands?" The Cardinals are, thanks to Fitzgerald.

He made them stronger, he said, simply by catching extra balls every day, from the time he was a kid.

"I'll catch a ton of balls before, during and after practice," he says. "And from every different angle, too, so when I get in the game, no matter where the ball is, how it's placed or where the defensive back is, I'm confident I'll be making plays because I've done it in practice. When I get into the game, I want it to be just natural." source>>>

NFL players get shot at a virtual championship

With just days until Super Bowl Sunday, a who's who of NFL players and celebrities are lined up for one of the hottest parties in Florida on Thursday -- the annual videogame competition, the Madden Bowl.

The 15th annual competition pits the best NFL pros in a single-elimination tournament to find out who the best "Madden NFL 09" gamer is on Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Xbox 360.

"A lot of guys play video games, especially "Madden," and everybody thinks they're good, so Madden Bowl allows players to find out who's the best," said New York Jets' Brad Smith.

"You want to have those bragging rights for the next year."

This year's tournament includes a pair of combatants who will face off on the real gridiron Sunday in the big game -- Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker.

Other players that will take part in this year's Madden Bowl include Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

EA Sports (ERTS.O) is introducing a first-ever Madden Bowl XV Rookie Play-In game between quarterbacks Mark Sanchez of the USC Trojans and Matt Stafford of the Georgia Bulldogs, both of whom have declared for the upcoming NFL Draft.

The winner of this pre-tournament game will take part in the big competition that always take place in the home city of the Super Bowl.

VIRTUAL BATTLE

Last year, Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee took home the trophy in Arizona. He faced off against Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch.

"I didn' even think I would make it past the first round because I' not a "Madden" player like some of these guys," said Lynch. "When I got to the championship game, my first thought was, "Damn, there's somebody out there that's worse than me"."

Microsoft (MSFT.O) will offer gamers at home the chance to play "Madden NFL 09" against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis via Xbox Live during the festivities.

Attendees will be able to mingle with some of the biggest names in the NFL, including popular wide receivers like Terrell Owens (Dallas Cowboys), Chad Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals) and Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts).

"When Madden Bowl first started, EA had to almost beg people to attend," said Jon Robinson, editor at ESPNVideogames.com.

"Fourteen years later and they're turning people away."

Tom Goedde, vice president of marketing at EA Sports, said the Madden Bowl started coming together as a media event around 2000, when celebrities like P. Diddy and athletes like Joe Montana and Barry Sanders started attending.

Today, satellite trucks line up outside and hundreds of media covering the event and the celebrities attending the bash.

"I think Madden Bowl is designed to show retailers that EA will promote the game heavily, and encourages them to participate by promoting "Madden" throughout the Super Bowl build-up," said Michael Pachter, videogame analyst, Wedbush Morgan Securities.

"A couple years ago we doubled down and partnered with NFL PLAYERS to put on the Rookie Madden Bowl in Los Angeles in May and it's been fun to get the young guys in the mix as well," said Goedde.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Devin Thomas won the last Rookie Madden Bowl in May 2008 in Santa Monica.

"You take a bunch of guys who are competitive on the field and give them videogames and it makes for a great event," said Thomas. "It's something we all love to see." source>>>

Counterfeit products and tickets flood Super Bowl

The National Football League is working with Federal and local law enforcementm and trying to crack down on counterfeit operations during Super Bowl week in Tampa.

Counterfeiting is a $200 to $300 billion business. Because much of the merchandise comes from overseas it takes away business from American workers. Cities lose out on revenue as result of counterfeit operations because those dealing with the phony merchandise don't usually pay sales tax.

Raids on Wednesday closed down some counterfeit operations, but the NFL and law enforcement know there will be more because they say there is such a huge profit for the counterfeit vendors.

The NFL says it is cracking down on the counterfeiters to protect its brand and to protect consumers as well. The league says counterfeit merchandise is no bargain because it is often low quality and consumers have no remedy if they are unhappy.

NFL Attorney Anastasia Danias says it is challenging to stop the counterfeit merchandise because the counterfeiters are getting more sophisticated every year. This is particularly true concerning tickets, which cost more than 1000 dollars. Danias says fans travel far and wide to see their favorite teams; they spend thousands of dollars for tickets to the game; and sometimes the tickets they buy are fake. That means the fans will be turned away from the gate disappointed and with no recourse. The NFL says beware of where you buy the tickets, because in the past some people have sold real tickets, but they are lost or stolen. If the ticket is reported lost or stolen a fan won't get into the game with it.

When it comes to tickets look for a double hologram that shows Tampa at one angle and then the Super Bowl 43 logo at another angle; you should be able to see through the words Super Bowl on the backside where it is printed backwards on the ticket; and then look for the special ink on the back that is heat sensitive. If you rub the back of the ticket it will disappear and then once it cools down it comes back.

The NFL says the best way to keep from getting burned on tickets is to buy them from an authorized NFL dealer. source>>>

N.F.L. Trend in Coaching: The Younger the Better

Maybe someday the new job will take its toll on Raheem Morris and the bags will settle under his eyes and the lines will crease his forehead. But earlier this week, Morris, the recently anointed coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, strode through the teeming Super Bowl media center looking not so much like the team's field general as perhaps the field general's son on his way to an interview with the college admissions director.

Josh McDaniels, 32, took over from Mike Shanahan in Denver.

At 32, Morris is the latest addition to a sea change in N.F.L. coaching, a rapid move toward younger, less-experienced coaches that has put a fresh face on football and sent coaching graybeards to the sideline.

"This is a copycat league," said Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin, who, despite being only 36, was a mentor to Morris at Tampa Bay. "Some of the success young coaches have had in the last five years has created opportunities for guys like myself. And if we don't win, then we'll get the same treatment older coaches get."

On Sunday, Tomlin and Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt, two second-year coaches, will meet in the Super Bowl. Tomlin will be the youngest coach in the game's history. Owners have been emboldened by his success and that of the three under-50 rookie head coaches who took their teams to the playoffs this season -- Baltimore's John Harbaugh, Miami's Tony Sparano and Atlanta's Mike Smith.

In 2006, 5 of the 10 coaches hired for that season were at least 50 years old on opening day. When the 2009 season opens, 11 teams will have different coaches than they did when the 2008 season began. (The Raiders and the Chiefs have not announced their new coaches yet). Just two of the hires so far have had head-coaching experience and one of them is Eric Mangini, who is on his second job at age 38. Three are under 40.

The Super Bowl winners Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden, both of whom were fired this year, are without jobs, as are the veteran coaches Marty Schottenheimer, Jim Fassel and Dan Reeves. (Gruden was once a boy wonder, getting his first head-coaching job at age 34.)

"I got comfortable with the idea that I didn't need to go out and hire an older coach with lots of experience," said the Denver Broncos' owner, Pat Bowlen, who hired the 32-year-old Josh McDaniels to succeed the 56-year-old Shanahan. "I was more comfortable with a younger coach with his own ideas. If you backed up five or six years ago, none of us would have taken that leap of faith."

During the hiring season, owners extolled the virtues of new blood, fresh ideas and improved relations with younger players. What was left unspoken is that these coaches come relatively cheap. Many owners are feeling the pinch from their outside businesses during the recession and some have trimmed their nonfootball staffs, perhaps to lay the groundwork for upcoming collective bargaining negotiations with players.

Tomlin and Whisenhunt make an average of $2.5 million a year over the length of their contracts. McDaniels will make an average of $3 million a year. Coaches with more established credentials would come with a much bigger price tag. Shanahan's contract had three years and $20 million remaining on it. Mike Holmgren was making a reported $8 million a season when he left the Seahawks.

"Are we paying head coaches too much?" Bowlen said. "Yes, we were. Should we be paying less? Yes, I'm happy we are. But I wouldn't make the decision on a head coach based on, I've got to pay this guy 10 or this guy 3. That has no impact. I'd love to pay everybody three. But I'm not going to hire the second-best coach I liked because he is cheaper."

Instead, Bowlen said, he was impressed by how prepared McDaniels was. Bowlen, who also interviewed Morris, had not hired a coach in 14 years, and he was startled by how far along in their development younger coaches were, even in their comfort level with owners. Bowlen said he believes coaches, like high school students preparing for college, take their preparation more seriously than they did in the past, keeping copious notes of what they observe. They begin their careers as early as possible in the lowest positions -- often quality control assistants -- which offer little pay but plenty of access to coaches and personnel directors.

McDaniels has been around football since he was a child, learning from his father, a legendary high school coach in Ohio. Jim Schwartz, the Detroit Lions' new coach, started as an unpaid intern on Bill Belichick's Cleveland Browns staff, but he also did statistical analysis projects. Morris was in the league's minority internship program before becoming the Bucs' defensive quality control assistant.

Still, despite the occasional success story from the past -- Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and John Madden were in their 30s when they became head coaches -- the question remained: How could anybody so young be ready for an all-consuming job?

Gillispie said he understands the midseason Fireings -- though he doesn't necessarily like them

As he read a statement yesterday announcing the firing of Georgia men's basketball coach Dennis Felton, school athletic director Damon Evans said to assembled reporters, "Many of you may be wondering, 'Why now?' "

They weren't the only ones.

Felton, a former head coach at Western Kentucky, yesterday became the second Southeastern Conference coach to be replaced during this season, the third since last year.

On Monday, embattled Alabama coach Mark Gottfried, who'd previously coached at Murray State, agreed to resign. LSU fired John Brady last February.

"It's disturbing to me," Trent Johnson, the current LSU coach, said on yesterday's SEC coaches' teleconference.

He wasn't alone in expressing dismay about in-season coaching changes, which Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie called "a trend that's probably gaining momentum."

"I don't really understand why they do it midseason," Auburn coach Jeff Lebo said. "Maybe there's a reason. I don't know. You'd have to ask those people that do that, I guess."

Former Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton once was one of those people.

Though he said he has a "mixed reaction" to this SEC mini-trend, Templeton in 2003 announced a football coaching change at midseason, after he and then-Mississippi coach Jackie Sherrill decided in-season that Sherrill would not return the next year.

"We just didn't think we ought to mislead everybody once we reached that decision," Templeton said yesterday. "That worked well for us. It let us put our plan into action so as soon as the season was over, we were ready to move in our search for the new coach."

But Templeton noted that his situation was easier, given that the decision was mutual, and that Sherrill finished out the season.

Brady and Felton were fired, and Gottfried was pressured into resigning, and those changes took place immediately. Templeton didn't want to comment on those specific coaching changes but said that when only one party is agreeable to a change, "the situation can be more difficult."

Making a change in-season creates new challenges for the interim coaching staff and for the players, SEC coaches suggested yesterday.

"You feel for the student-athletes in the sense that, what kind of pressures are they under?" Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. "What kind of pressures are you putting them under?"

Pete Herrmann, an assistant to Felton who will serve as the interim head coach at Georgia, said that the remaining staff doesn't feel "that it's in the best interest of the team and the players and everyone in preparing for games when a decision is made like this."

So why make it?

Why break the mold -- the vast majority of college basketball coaching changes are made after the season and before the Final Four, which is a hot spot for job hunters -- and make a move in-season?

At Alabama, athletic director Mal Moore cited a downward trend in on-court performance and attendance as key factors in making a decision to ask Gottfried to resign. Yesterday, Evans cited the need not only for a long-term fix for a struggling program but for new leadership immediately.

"I think the stakes have gotten a lot higher," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "The games are on TV. There's a lot of money in college athletics."

There's also a competition for coaching candidates, and a midseason firing might give some schools a head start in the hunt for a replacement. Evans said that Georgia might not hire until after the season but that firing Felton now affords him the opportunity for "some early identification" of prospective candidates.

Templeton can vouch for that advantage. Though Templeton said he didn't speak to football coaches until after the 2003 season, the announcement that Sherrill wouldn't return the next year allowed him to speak freely to representatives of prospective coaches, who in turn could give him "more honest answers."

Still, Templeton wasn't certain that a midseason change is what's best for a program.

Most SEC coaches seem to think it's not.

Gillispie said he understands the midseason moves -- though he doesn't necessarily like them.

"We're all making a lot of money, probably more money than anyone ever thought that they would probably make (in coaching)," Gillispie said. "There's a lot of different things that happen. I understand the nature of the business ... but it doesn't mean you don't have a great deal of sympathy for it happening to anyone in your profession." source>>>

N.F.L. Stars Who Took the Pitch and Ran With It

No N.F.L. player can equal Peyton Manning's ubiquity as an advertising star, his wit, or his effortlessness at projecting himself as a regular guy in nearly all of his commercials.
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Other players could say, "Cut that meat" (for MasterCard), but Manning's line-reading is exquisite, as is his nonverbal comedy, like the behind-the-back kick he delivers to his brother Eli on a family tour of ESPN for its "This Is SportsCenter" campaign.

While it is tempting to crown Manning the greatest N.F.L. commercial star (not just for the Super Bowl but for ads that appear at any time of year), consider an icon of another era: Joe Namath. His 1973 Noxzema ad with Farrah Fawcett, three years before "Charlie's Angels" made her a star, was a suggestive and natural play on his playboy persona, as she seductively spread shaving cream over his face. "Hoo!" Namath cooed.

He toyed further with his image (as Manning might not) by slipping on panty hose.

"If Beauty Mist can make my legs look this good," the reclining Namath said after the camera's slow pan from his legs to his face, "imagine what they can do for yours."

No less humorous than Manning's oeuvre were the Lite Beer ads from Miller. They paired sports personalities (Billy Martin vs. George Steinbrenner) or created big outings invariably overseen by Rodney Dangerfield, a sports figure from "Caddyshack."

The campaign essentially launched John Madden's manic, arm-flailing, break-through-the-paper-screen character (with an early one showing Madden with nearly a Buster Brown haircut). Consider now the Dick Butkus-Bubba Smith pairing, a duo known for their body-jangling ferocity as players. Or the ad when they return from playing polo and ponder playing the other type of polo ("I sure hope those horses can swim," Smith said, deadpan.) In another, Smith went solo, pleasantly lauding the beer's "easy-opening can," whose top he easily rips off with his bare hands.

The multiple-sport athleticism of Bo Jackson was brilliantly exploited with Nike's "You Don't Know Diddley" (a gathering that included Wayne Gretzky, Kirk Gibson, Michael Jordan, John McEnroe and the rock 'n' roll Bo, Diddley), and in another, when more than a dozen versions of Bo, each in the regalia of different sports, crowded the screen.

Football Bo to Baseball Bo: "Ever been to L.A.?"

The best commercials starring athletes contain a few basic elements, said Bob Dorfman, executive vice president of the Baker Street Partners advertising agency.

"Obviously, you need an athlete to deliver a line well, play off their stereotypes and strengths and have the ability to make fun of themselves," he said.

The most celebrated ad with an N.F.L. player -- and one of the most admired commercials ever made -- was not funny at all. Instead, it was a 30-second stadium drama that occurred after a game when a kid offered a limping, grumpy Joe Greene, then one of the leading defensive ends in the National Football League, his Coca-Cola.

While often thought of as a Super Bowl commercial, it was first shown during the baseball playoffs in October 1979, ran through the N.F.L. season and was subsequently broadcast during Super Bowl XIV. The frenzy over Super Bowl commercials -- and the notion that some people watched the game for the spectacularly produced ads, many of which made their debut during the game -- was still a few years in the future.

On Sunday, a new version of "Mean Joe" will be seen in the third quarter of the Super Bowl. This time, another Pittsburgh Steeler, Troy Polamalu, the long-haired strong safety, stands in for Greene, limps into the tunnel to the Heinz Field locker room, and turns down a kid's offer of a Coke Zero. Then the old premise turns to parody.

"We would never remake 'Mean Joe,' " said Katie Bayne, the chief marketing officer for Coca-Cola North America. "There are similarities in the opening 12 seconds, but then it's truly a Coke Zero commercial."

The ad was shot in November, so it's a happy coincidence that a Steeler, Polamalu, will also be playing in the Super Bowl, as it was when Greene starred in the original and Pittsburgh beat the Rams in Pasadena.

In a video on Coke Zero's Web site, Polamalu said: "He's always Mean Joe Greene. Our acting skills will be up against each other." In Greene's video, also on the site, he said Polamalu faced more of an acting challenge.

"I was being mean, which wasn't hard to do," he said. "He had the tougher task."

And Coke will face the task, or risk, of having fans compare a classic to a parody.

Take your pick among some of the best ads with N.F.L. personalities: Reebok's with the faux linebacker, Terry Tate, the brutal enforcer of office rules; Nike's innovative Michael Vick Experience or its artistic "Fate" commercial with Polamalu and LaDainian Tomlinson; O. J. Simpson's racing and hurdling through airports for Hertz (far more memorable than when he was stationary); the Manning brothers vs. the Williams sisters for Double Stuf Oreos; or the Jim Mora ("Playoffs!") and Dennis Green's quotations-out-of-context news conferences ("They are who we thought they were!") for Coors Light.

Or maybe Namath's tame but homey pitch for "My Old Pal Ovaltine." source>>>

Why Fedor Emelianenko will NEVER be in the UFC...

I just felt like this thread needed to exist because there are a lot of people on the forum that might be new to Fedor or the business practices of the UFC.

But, since there's talk of Affliction folding (please no!), I've already seen a few

"YES! Now Fedor will go to the UFC" responses. Barring a significant change in management at the UFC, I don't think it will ever happen. And if it does we can come to this thread and I'll eat crow for a few weeks.

Anyway, I'll number the reasons for organizational purposes, but these are not in any particular order.

1. Fedor is probably the most famous fighter in the Eastern world.

For those of us that live in North America, we tend to think we are the center of the universe. And no one in our universe knows who Fedor is but the hardcore fans.

However, Fedor lives on the other side of the globe. And he is a f$%king rock star over there. That guy can't walk through any city in Russia or Japan and not get mauled by fans.

That being said, this man no longer HAS TO fight for a living. He can make bank slapping his name on anything that he chooses over there.

2. Fedor has nothing to prove to the UFC HW division.

There is NO ONE worth risking a loss against in the UFC. His biggest threat (and I hate to say this) is Brock Lesnar.

If Fedor wins: "So what? He beat a guy with less than 10 fights under his belt."

If he loses: "Aw I knew Fedor sucked. He got beat by a pro-wrestler with less than 10 fights under his belt"

Hmmm.... Very appealing to a guy that puts his perfect record on the line every time he takes a fight.

Same with anyone else in the UFC. There is no one there that "proves" anything about Fedor's greatness. Maybe to a couple of beer swilling rednecks in the nosebleed section, but that's about it. The only guy with a barely comparable record got TKO'd by Mir and dominated by Fedor in his prime.

3. Dana f$%^ing White's big f%$#ing mouth.

Dana has bashed Fedor, his competition, his accomplishments, and his management. When you consider the above two points, what leads you to believe he's going to put all that aside to make Dana more money?

Fedor seems to be very loyal to his friends, and even though he blows it off, it must get pretty irritable to hear a turd like Dana say you are overrated when you have stamped out every great HW of your generation minus Josh Barnett.

4. Mother Russia

Fedor is patriotic. He wants events in Russia, he wants his comrades fighting in the same promotions he associates himself with, and he wants to compete in Sambo.

Fedor was lucky to finally get a promotion to throw a card in Russia (Bodog), but he knows how tall that order is. But he will not budge on his Sambo tournaments. And UFC doesn't play that way.

If he fights in the UFC, he will be Dana's bitch and do what he is told.

Once again, this sounds very appealing to a guy that has an untarnished record against the best HW's of his time, just consecutively put two ex-UFC champions down in less than five minutes, has all the fame and money a person can ask for, and wants nothing more than to live a simple life in his village and train to destroy people. source>>>

Tarvaris Jackson Willing to Try MMA Training to Not Suck at Job

The Minnesota Vikings have a huge decision to make this offseason. Should they beg veteran Gus Frerotte to come back? Is it time to sink or swim with Tarvaris Jackson (though I think they already did this)? Do they find another veteran, perhaps one who wants to throw interceptions to the Packers twice before he figures out that it's time to retire?

Complicating matters is Jackson's tendency to play well in spurts and randomly implode, while Frerotte did manage to win games despite a large number of interceptions. As he gets ready for his fourth year, Jackson is willing to try some unorthodox measures to improve.

What do I mean by "unorthodox"? I mean MMA.

Yes, MMA.

Access Vikings says FOX's Jay Glazer, who has dabbled in MMA and is not a man you want to mess with, has been asked by offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell to get Jackson going in MMA training.

This is not unprecedented. Lots of NFL players have used MMA training in the offseason, including Jackson's teammate, defensive end Jared Allen. In fact, Allen's improvement as a player is partially credit to MMA, and Glazer told WFAN (New York) it went into the Vikings' thinking on Jackson.

"I had gotten Jared Allen in one two years ago," Glazer said. "We turned him from a big, stiff white guy to a guy that actually can come off the edge. He came in every day, was committed to us out in Arizona. They asked if we could do the same for Tarvaris to get his hips ... really loosen up his hips. It looks like they are planning long-term with him."

Allen talked in 2007 about how working with Arizona Combat Sports helped him.

"The cardio that fighters go through is just intense," Allen said. "This offseason I didn't do any running. I did all my intense cardio at Arizona Combat Sports. When I went off to minicamp in the spring, we were running wind sprints one day and I had more gas than I knew what to do with. The cardio level of these fighters is so intense because their life depends on them not being tired."

It's a really interesting concept for a quarterback. Obviously, MMA is not going to help Jackson's footwork, throwing mechanics, or ability to read a defense. However, there might be some mental components to this conditioning that help Jackson prepare for a 2009 season where he or someone else is sure to be the Vikings' starting quarterback.

Considering how close the Vikings' roster is to being an elite team, it's highly important they solve the quarterback situation. Jackson is the path of least resistance, but is he the right answer? source>>>

PETA Super Bowl ad which depicts women having sex with vegetables rejected by NBC

In a transparent attempt to latch on to pregame hype about Super Bowl ads, PETA submitted an ad to NBC, which promptly rejected it, saying, "the PETA spot submitted to Advertising Standards depicts a level of sexuality exceeding our standards." The ad portrays one actor "screwing herself with broccoli" and another with "asparagus on her lap appearing as if it is ready to be inserted into [her] vagina." Adrant's Steve Hall writes of the affair: "Like PETA was ever going to actually pay $3 million to run a commercial during the Super Bowl. The whole strategy, of course, is to contend NBC allows ads for unhealthy junk food from the likes of KFC but won't allow ads encouraging, in PETA's opinion, a healthier lifestyle. Well, PETA, how about an ad that just said that instead of an ad which depicts women having sex with vegetable?" Not that Steve historically has had a problem with women having sex with vegetables. source>>>

Terrell Owens‘ days in Dallas are over.

Two of the NFL's most insightful rumor sources believe that Terrell Owens' days in Dallas are over.

Would this really be a surprise? It most likely is one of the major makeovers the Dallas Cowboys are planning to improve team chemistry and change the whole leadership of the team after a disappointing season and more than a dozen years without a playoff win. It hurts to even say that.

If the Cowboys can trade Owens, maybe a draft day trade, it would be an amazing move for the team, but it is almost certain that teams will just let the Cowboys release the player before anyone honors a trade for his high salary. It means a hefty cap hit, but the Cowboys don't need a whole lot on this team to win.

It is very possible, as I told some buddies last night during my birthday bash, that the Cowboys may trade away most, if not all, of their 2009 draft picks and just not do much in free agency or the draft to save cash flow. The first priority is signing DeMarcus Ware and cleaning up the locker room.

Also, expect Greg Ellis to be released or traded. He once again is doing his annual whining about his playing time and it's just getting old. The Cowboys may not be too happy with Anthony Spencer, either, but he's the obvious replacement for Ellis and there are teams who would love to take on Ellis, who still performs at a pretty high level. As I mentioned before, would the Cowboys be interested in Julius Peppers?

And personally, I think Ray Lewis would love to play for the Dallas Cowboys, and I don't care what any Baltimore native says. source>>>

UFC to open Hawaii gym in BJ Penn’s name

he UFC® and New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC), announced today that UFC Gyms will partner with Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, UFC's Welterweight Champion, and BJ "The Prodigy" Penn, reigning Lightweight Champion to build "St-Pierre" and "Penn" UFC Gyms, with locations planned for St-Pierre's native city of Montreal and Penn's home state of Hawaii.

St-Pierre and Penn, who compete in a historic rematch for the UFC Welterweight Championship belt at UFC 94: ST-PIERRE vs. PENN 2 this Saturday, Jan. 31, live from MGM Grand Garden Arena, are the first UFC athletes to have UFC Gyms featuring their name and likeness.

"Besides being a great way for us to connect with UFC fans on a daily basis, UFC Gyms is another way that UFC is providing economic opportunities for UFC athletes outside of the Octagon," said Dana White, UFC President. "Combining the UFC brand with superstars Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn gives them an exciting business venture that is unprecedented in the fight industry."

"When you are presented with the opportunity to work with two of the greatest athletes, Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn, in the fastest growing sport in the world, the UFC, in two great destinations, Montreal and Hawaii, with the best promoter in sports, Dana White, and the business talents of Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, your decisions come fast and easy," said Mastrov.

"UFC Gyms" will be the first major brand extension for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the all-time industry leader in the sport of mixed martial arts. In alliance with NEFC owners Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley, developers of many of the world's most successful fitness brands, UFC Gyms will give UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers alike the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes, including Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn, in their respective UFC gyms.

Joe Lauzon Open Media Workout n preparation for “UFC Fight Night 17,”on Spike TV

UFC lightweight sensation Joe "J-Lau" Lauzon held an open media workout yesterday afternoon at his gym, Lauzon Mixed Martial Arts in Bridgewater (MA), in preparation for his main event fight February 7 on "UFC Fight Night 17," broadcast live on Spike TV from the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.

Lauzon (17-4, 5 KOs, 12 submissions), star of The Ultimate Fighter 5 television reality show, learned only one day earlier (Wednesday) that Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens (14-3, 10 KOs, 2 submissions) had replaced Joe's original opponent, Hermes Franca (20-7), who suffered a knee injury (torn ACL) in training camp.

"On our feet," Lauzon said, "it's the same fight. Stephens is a brawler but, once it hits the ground, it's going to be an entirely different fight. Hermes is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu; Stephens isn't as good as him on the ground. He's going to come out and try to knock me out. He doesn't want to fight me on the ground. Hermes was a bigger fight but this is a little easier fight for me.

"I was training since early December for Franca. Someday we will fight, especially after what he's been saying about me being lucky I'm not fighting him. The change of opponents could have been a problem if the replacement had an entirely different style. Stephens may have quicker hands and he's tough, but it'll be a similar fight. It's going to be a great fight and there's nothing like headlining a UFC show."

For more information about Joe "J-Lau" Lauzon, who has a Bachelor's degree in computer networking from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, go online and visit www.joelauzon.com or myspace.com/lauzonr source>>>

Jon Garland and the Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized a one-year contract at $7.25 million.

Jon Garland and the Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized a one-year contract that will pay the right-hander at least $7.25 million.

The New York Yankees are considering whether to ask for confidentiality clauses in future contracts with managers and coaches following Joe Torre's book on his 12 years with the team.

Former pitcher David Wells fired back at Joe Torre on Thursday, saying the manager has unfairly criticized his ex-Yankees players in his new book.

Juan Uribe and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Albert Pujols is encouraging the St. Louis Cardinals to sign Manny Ramirez.

Former major league catcher Bobby Estalella has been subpoenaed by federal prosecutors to testify at Barry Bonds' trial.

Right-hander Russ Springer agreed to a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics that is worth about $3 million, joining his eighth major league team as he heads into his 17th season.

Designated hitter Jason Kubel and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a two-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

Five-time All-Star Mike Sweeney and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a minor league contract, and the 35-year-old will compete to become the team's designated hitter.

Infielder David Newhan and the Houston Astros have agreed to a minor league contract.

Tampa Bay first baseman Carlos Pena will sit out the World Baseball Classic following abdominal surgery. source>>>

How the Eventual Crucifiction of Barry Bonds Will Finally Clean Up MLB

Today was a great day for Bud Selig.

Federal prosecutors had officially announced that amongst the evidence they have, in their perjury trial against case Barry Bonds, was a urine sample that tested positive for a form of anabolic steroids other than that of the "cream and the clear."

This now will paves the way for what something MLB had been waiting for; the opportunity to cover up their role in the steroids era.

This is my report on this scandal. Take it for what is worth.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22247395/

The link you see above, will provide you with the official timeline of the steroids scandal. There are a few notes I want you to consider, before you decide to bury this sad moment in baseball history, in only Barry Bonds' coffin.

1. In 1988, the Washington Post first accused Jose Canseco of taking steroids. Canseco's came when he was hitting 500 foot long home run shots as early as 1982, as a rookie coming out of high school, while playing minor league baseball with the Idaho Falls A's.
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Since Conseco NEVER played college baseball, you can assume that he was on the juice as early as high school. How did the MLB scouts not know that he was on the juice? I pretty much figured something was wrong when he tried to play demolition derby with his first wife in 1989.

2. Nov. 18, 1988 -- The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 creates criminal penalties for those who "distribute or possess anabolic steroids with the intent to distribute for any use in humans other than the treatment of disease based on the order of a physician."

Two years later, the government expanded the act by placing steroids, in the same class as other "recreational" drugs, approved for medical purposes. Fine by me, but there's one little problem I have.

With the government telling MLB that using steroids, outside of medical treatment, is a crime, why did the league wait until June of the following year, nearly halfway through the season, to notify its players?

The expansion of this act, signed in October of 1990, gave MLB commissioner Fay Vincent the entire offseason to warn his owners, managers, trainers and players, that the hammer was coming. So why did he wait until halfway through the following season? Could it been because he wanted to test the "enforcement waters" of this act?

3. July 15, 1995 -- In an article by Los Angeles Times sports writer Bob Nightengale, Padres general manager Randy Smith is quoted as saying "we all know there's steroid use, and it is definitely becoming more prevalent." Also in the article, Tony Gwynn states: "It's like the big secret we're not supposed to talk about."

This article was very important because these two men suggested that there was a secret language, used by MLB players, who wanted to use steroids.

This along with Conseco's testimony, suggested that steroid use wasn't an individual-only activity; in order to use steroids in MLB, you had to join a secret society and swear to a secret oath. Like in the movie "Fight Club", what's the first rule of joining the "steroids club"?Once I'd add these particular points up, the rest of the story made perfect sense. Why not throw trainers Curtis Wenzlaff and Greg Anderson, along with former New York Mets clubhouse worker Kirk Radomski, and the rest of the "patsies", under the bus?

After all, the first rule of successful "assassinations" is to make sure the "assassins" are dead, once they commit their crimes. The second rule of assassinations? Pick the perfect time and place to "kill" your intended target.

Why not have Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire, after their historic HR race, standing before Congress and testifying? Why not have Anderson and Victor Conte, the unofficial kingpin of the steroid empire, being jailed just as Barry Bonds approached the home run record? Convenient timing, when MLB is trying to give everyone the impression that they're doggedly hunting down these "criminals"!

Now we're about to approach a new season.

Kurt Warner takes daughter’s note to heart

Sitting at a small podium as he addressed the media yesterday morning, Kurt Warner had a tough time choking back tears when asked about the significance of a handwritten note that could be seen on the face of his playbook.

It was from his 17-year-old daughter, Jesse. She had penned the note, and slipped it in the bag of the Arizona Cardinals quarterback before he left for his third Super Bowl appearence. The message made her dad pretty emotional, as it expressed how proud Jesse was of him.

"It's one of those things that, you always think you're going to be the one telling your kids how proud you are of them, and what they've accomplished. It was neat to get that from her," Warner said. "It's a reminder to me of the big picture. Even though we're in the midst of the biggest game in this field and of my career, it's a reminder to me of what's really important. The bottom line of what this is all about is not just playing football, but impacting the lives of people in my family. source>>>

Jennifer Hudson Arrives in Tampa for Super Bowl

Jennifer Hudson is in Florida to prepare for singing the National Anthem at Sunday's Super Bowl, her first performance since her family murder tragedy.

The singer-actress, 27, who also is nominated for four Grammys, was spotted at the airport in Tampa on Friday wearing sunglasses and carrying one of her Pomeranian puppies.

"She says she wants to get back into the flow of things," her Dreamgirls costar Jamie Foxx, who spoke to her recently, tells Entertainment Tonight.

Hudson also is slated to sing at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala on February 6 and the Grammy Awards on February 8, both in Los Angeles.

"I've asked her fans and anybody that appreciates her talent and her as a person to pray for her and give her some energy," Foxx tells ET. "I know her first look will be the Super Bowl. I know she's going to do well and hopefully we will go out on tour together and heal the world with our music." source>>>

Coach says Roethlisberger is fine for Super Bowl

-- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is fine for the Super Bowl.

Roethlisberger was drilled in the back during the AFC championship game. He spent a lot of time stretching his torso during a practice this week.

Tomlin met with the media Friday and said the quarterback was set to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Tomlin said he didn't have anything planned to tell the team before the game. The coach says that when it comes to motivational speeches, he prefers to "wing it." source>>>

Why Charlie Strong Isn't a Head Coach

Racism, bigotry, oppression, hate, and lack of acceptance are great for the football program at the University of Florida.

Calm down and hold your horses before you pass judgment -- let me explain. The Florida Gators do not advocate or support these absurd ideologies -- you can now take a breath -- but its opponents certainly do.

Otherwise, how can you explain the fact that a man like Charlie Strong has yet to be offered a head coaching job in NCAA Division I-A football? (Sorry, I do not recognize this new B.S. "FBS" designation.)

How can you explain that a man who has been defensive coordinator at one of the best and most talented football programs in the country for seven straight years, finding success under two different head coaches, has not advanced from said position?

Because he buttons the top button of his polo shirts? Please.

How can you explain that one of the best defensive minds in college football -- a man who held the "best offense in NCAA history" in the 2008 Oklahoma Sooners to 14 points, did the same in 2006 to the Ohio State Buckeyes, and whose defense only gave up more than 21 points in one game in all of 2008 -- has not been recognized as such?

Because he graduated from the University of Central Arkansas? No way.

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How can you explain that one of the best college recruiters (Rivals top 25) to come around the state of Florida (arguably the most talent-rich state in the union) cannot land a head coaching job at a university looking to dive into the aforementioned talent pool of the state?

Because he lost his only game as head coach, the 2004 Peach Bowl (five years ago), by 17 points? C'mon...

How can you explain that a man with 25 years of collegiate coaching experience at major universities (Florida, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Southern Illinois, Texas A&M); who has coached in 19 bowl games (including 12 in January); who has coached under Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier, and Urban Meyer; whose defenses at UF have (a) scored points off turnovers in 41 of 64 games, (b) intercepted 85 passes in five years, (c) ranked first in the SEC and second in the nation in rushing defense the past three seasons; and who will soon be the longest tenured defensive coordinator in school history, still has not been given a chance to do for another school what he has done so well at Florida?

Because he is an African-American man.

Because he has a Caucasian wife.

And because he refuses to apologize for either.

While Strong and the Gators have no problem with how he lives his life, the rest of the "Good Ol' Boy Network" sure seems to. That is why the three previous responses can be the only answers to the aforementioned questions. That is why a man with a resume as stacked as Strong's, with a passion for recruiting and coaching young men to be the best they can be, is looked over every offseason.

"If you think about it, a coach is standing up there representing the university," Strong said as the Gators prepared for the FedEx BCS National Championship Game (his second in three years). "If you're not strong enough to look through that [interracial marriage], then you have an issue."

It does seem that the NCAA has issues, doesn't it? There are seven black coaches at the nation's 119 major football schools after four were hired this December.

These schools must not be concerned with recruiting the best players, having a defense that stifles opposing offenses, building boys into young men with drive and character, and, you know, winning football games.

They sure do have issues, Coach. But do you know who doesn't have issues with you? Gators fans, Gators boosters, and the student-athletes that accept your pitch, come to Florida to learn from one of the best defensive minds in the game, excel at their position, and often get drafted quite high in the NFL.

Do you know who doesn't have issues with you, Coach? Gator Nation. You will always be welcome here.

I'm just glad no one is rushing to take you away from us. source>>>

ticket broker has more than 3,000 Super Bowl tickets left an they getting less expensive by minute

There were mountains of jumbo shrimp, and caviar everywhere. Muhammad Ali would show up, maybe amid a fleet of shiny Cadillacs. Five-star hotels were packed, and getting a dinner reservation for Saturday night was impossible. Finding a ticket for Sunday was even harder.

In years past, the Super Bowl was so much more than a game. It was an outright orgy of football, glitz and gluttony, a celebration of excess where too much was never enough.

The No. 1 sporting event in America is still a big deal. Nearly 100 million of us will tune in Sunday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Arizona Cardinals.

But in these tough economic times, it's easy to see: The Super Bowl is taking a hit, too.

General Motors and FedEx pulled their TV ads, even though NBC lowered the price. Playboy canceled its annual party. Almost 200 fewer media credentials were issued.

"When I think of the NFL, I think of recession-proof," Cardinals lineman Elliot Vallejo said this week. "But that's not true anymore."

Used to be everywhere you looked around a Super Bowl town, all you could see was advertising. There were commercial booths at every turn. The headquarters hotel and media center looked like giant trade shows.

Now you can look pretty much everywhere and actually see things. Such as empty tables at local restaurants and vacant hotel rooms downtown.

StubHub does have a sign on the mezzanine level at Raymond James Stadium. The nationwide ticket broker also had more than 3,000 seats for sale, as of midweek. They were getting less expensive by the minute.

"In terms of pricing, this game has become the Limbo Bowl -- how low can it go?" StubHub spokesman Sean Pate said. "When it comes to plunking down $7,000 for a weekend, people are becoming more pragmatic. They have other needs."

Dave Gornick hears that from his pals. Now a dentist in Gibsonia, Pa., the lifelong Steelers fan grew up in steel-mill country.

"Some of the guys I tailgate with, they're blue-collar guys making $30,000 or $35,000 a year, and they didn't have the $1,600 you had to put up in advance to get into the lottery for Super Bowl tickets," he said. "In the past, I think they would've done anything to get to the Super Bowl. Not now, not with this economy."

On the other hand, it might be cheaper to go to the game.

While tickets are still pricey -- about 15,000 at a record $1,000 apiece, and 53,000 at $800 each -- another 1,000 cost $500 -- down from last year's low of $700, the first cut in Super Bowl history.

And tickets that cost $2,500 or more from scalpers and brokers could be selling at face value by kickoff.

"I haven't seen empty stadiums yet. I haven't seen games being blacked out on TV because they haven't sold out," Cardinals defensive end Travis LaBoy said. "But they're saying this is the lowest price for a Super Bowl ticket. That's the economy, tenfold."

In a week or so, the NFL plans to make a more painful cut, reducing 10 percent of its staff.

"These are difficult and painful steps," commissioner Roger Goodell recently wrote in a memo to employees. "But they are necessary in the current economic environment. I would like to be able to report that we are immune to the troubles around us, but we are not."

Still the gold standard in sports worldwide, the league with annual revenues of $6.5 billion is paying the price. But with television money already locked in and most tickets committed in advance, the NFL is far from struggling.

There's more gray hair now, but Kurt Warner has returned to the form that earned him NFL MVP awards

The Pittsburgh Steelers can blitz Kurt Warner all they want Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII, but they're not going to rattle him.

The Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback/spiritual leader wouldn't be playing in his third Super Bowl, or in the NFL at all at this point, if he weren't unshakable - both in his belief in his ability and in his faith as a devout Christian.

"I think so much of my life is built on hope and it's built on faith and it's built on the idea that no matter what the circumstances are, anything is possible, and I believe that with God, anything is possible," said Warner.

Before the 37-year-old led the Cardinals to an unlikely Super Bowl berth, joining Craig Morton as the only quarterbacks to take two franchises to the Super Bowl, his career was already one of the most improbable and incongruous in pro football history.

Warner went from former grocery store employee/backup QB to Super Bowl XXXIV Most Valuable Player. He won two NFL Most Valuable Player awards (1999 and 2001) in three seasons and led the St. Louis Rams to two Super Bowls as ringmaster of "The Greatest Show on Turf." But like a supernova, his success burned bright and hot, then faded to black.

After his heavily favored Rams were upset by the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI, Warner, limited by injuries, played just nine more games for St. Louis, throwing a combined four touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in 2002 and 2003. He had a stint as Eli Manning's placeholder with the Giants in 2004 before he signed with Arizona, the NFL equivalent of exile, in 2005.

Warner started 15 games over the next two seasons in Arizona and it seemed like he'd go down as a passing fad after he was benched in favor of Southern Cal golden boy Matt Leinart after four games in 2006.

When Leinart went down with a broken collarbone in Week 5 of the 2007 season, the Cardinals and first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt dusted off Warner for the final 11 games. He responded by throwing for 3,417 yards and 27 touchdowns, but also threw 17 interceptions.

He was a respectable QB, not a Super Bowl-caliber one.

Whisenhunt promised Warner a fair and open shot at the starting job in 2008. Eight days before the start of Arizona's season, Whisenhunt decided that Warner was his starter. Warner responded by throwing for 4,583 yards and a Cardinals franchise-record 30 touchdowns, while completing 67.1 percent of his passes, which ranked second in the NFL, and is tops in team history.

The season, his 11th in the NFL, was his best since 2001, when he led the Rams to a 14-2 mark. Warner captured his second MVP that year, throwing for 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns, while completing 68.7 percent of his passes."Kurt, to his credit, worked very hard on some of the things that we asked him to do: ball security, moving in the pocket, decisions on his reads," said Whisenhunt. "I think a great deal of the success he has had is because of that work he's put in. Kurt has never been afraid to work, and obviously because of our success I'm very excited with the way he's played, but any time a veteran player has had great success and then not had it, it's always something you admire, to see him come back to that level again, which Kurt obviously never felt was an issue."
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Warner always felt he could be the quarterback he was in St. Louis. He just felt he'd never get the chance again.

"There were definitely times I wondered if anybody would be able to get over the perception of who Kurt Warner was and would be willing to give me the ball and say, 'Hey, if you're the best guy for the job, we want you out there,' " said Warner.

"That's why I continue to reiterate how appreciative I am of this coaching staff, and this organization because I think they did something that very few organizations would have done in giving me the opportunity to play this year. I don't take that for granted, and I really appreciate it."

Warner said he's a different quarterback from the last time he played in a Super Bowl. He is smarter. He understands the game better. He's a step slower, but a step ahead of defenses.

"I think the more time you spend with something and devoted to something, the better you get," said Warner. "Even though I may have lost some things physically, I feel like I have overcome that with knowing some more things mentally. I think that's where I've improved."

Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden said Warner looks the way he did in 2001. Instead of throwing to Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are his targets.

"You really can't tell the difference," said McFadden. "The only thing you can tell is that he has a little bit more gray hair."

That gray hair is an indication that despite his rebirth in Arizona, Warner is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning, a career that some consider Hall of Fame-worthy.

Warner will have a case for Canton, although this season was only the third time in his career he started 16 games.

Warner said he doesn't worry about the Hall of Fame, or his legacy.

"I wouldn't change anything that I have done on the football field, and I wouldn't change the two situations, specifically with Arizona and St. Louis, and the part that I have in helping them get to the Super Bowl," he said. "If that means because there were lulls in the middle, or I didn't play enough that it affects me in the long haul, so be it."

Win or lose, where Warner goes from here is uncertain.

His contract is up after this season and he has a passion for Christian charity work through his First Things First foundation.

Walking away from the game with a second Super Bowl ring would provide the ideal ending to a career so unlikely that it would be rejected if pitched as a saccharine piece of Disney-fied sports cinema.

"I know that you look at the scenarios and what could play out and in the back of your mind you say, 'Man, this could be a perfect scenario to leave the game,' " Warner said.

"But what I've continued to realize about my career and my life is that nothing takes on a perfect scenario. What people think would be perfect doesn't seem to work out in my situation. So, the ultimate decision is, I'm going to step back and I'm going to pray about it. And I believe God's going to show me whether he wants me to continue in this game, and if he's got more for me to accomplish, or if he's got some other calling in my life." source>>>

Titleist launches new Pro V1 and Pro V1x; Despite the ongoing legal battle over the patents

Despite the ongoing legal battle over the patents used to create the Pro V1 line of golf balls, they have been the best selling balls on the market for 94 consecutive months, according to Titleist. So it was no surprise that the auditorium was packed when the company launched the 2009 update of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x this morning at the PGA Merchandise Show.

George Sine, the vice president of golf ball marketing for Acushnet (Titleist's parent company), explained to the crowd that the polybutadiene core of the new three-piece Pro V1 has been reformulated and made larger. Sine said this will increase the 2009 Pro V1's ball speed off the tee when compared to its predecessor. The casing that covers the core has been made thinner (.035"), and Titleist says that will help create more spin. Sine also said that the improved urethane cover will increase durability.

The four-piece Pro V1x, which is designed for players with a slightly faster swing speed, still has a duel core like the 2007 model. Like the Pro V1, it now features the improved urethane cover and improved cover durability.

"The Pro V1x will deliver the longest driver distance for Titleist tour-played golf balls," Sine said.

The 2009 version of the Pro V1 will spin more with irons than the 2007 model, while the new Pro V1x will spin less than the previous version. "It is accurate to say that the Pro V1 spins more than the Pro V1x," Sine explained. "It's true with the driver, and it's true with the irons."

Look for the new balls to arrive in shops near you in the weeks to come. source>>>

Could Offensive Lineman Marcus Hall be swayed from OSU or Miami

Offensive lineman Marcus Hall (Cleveland/Glenville) is one of the country's top prospects who has yet to select a college. Hall welcomed in Ohio State coach Jim Tressel for an in-home visit on Wednesday. Miami coach Randy Shannon will visit with Hall on Thursday.

Hall has made official visits to Ohio State, Miami and Michigan. After visiting Miami last weekend, Hall said he had narrowed his choices down to the Hurricanes and Buckeyes and had decided against an official visit to Tennessee this weekend.

But now Hall has changed his mind again.

"I'm going to visit Tennessee now," Hall said. "I'm enjoying the recruiting process, and (Glenville) Coach (Ted) Ginn says you are only going to do this once, so I might as well take the visit."

However, Hall has not changed his stance on his two favorites.

"It's still looking like its coming down to Ohio State and Miami," Hall said.

Hall does not plan to hold a press to announce his choice of college. He says he will simply call the coaches involved sometime Monday, and then tell the media over the phone.

More big announcements coming
Hall is one of several very highly-rated prospects who could end up at a Big Ten school when they make their announcements next week.

Under Armour All-American linebacker Jelani Jenkins (Wheaton, Md./Good Counsel) is considering Penn State, Florida, USC, Notre Dame and Stanford. Speculation centers around the Nittany Lions and Gators having the inside track with perhaps Urban Meyer's team being the top choice. Jenkins will announce his decision on Wednesday on ESPNU.

Under Armour All-American wide receiver Marlon Brown (Memphis, Tenn./Harding Academy) is also planning to announce his college choice on Wednesday on ESPNU. Brown is considering Tennessee, Florida, Ohio State and Georgia. He will welcome in Tressel for an in-home visit todayon Thursday before leaving for an official visit to Tennessee on Friday.

Wide receiver Je'Ron Stokes (Philadelphia/Northeast) will announce his college choice on Wednesday. Stokes committed to Tennessee last spring, but has made official visits to Michigan and Illinois the past two weekends. Stokes says he will decide between Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois and Georgia, but speculation has him changing his commitment from the Volunteers to the Wolverines when he announces his final decision next week. source>>>

College football: Buckeyes still seek two more prospects

Late yesterday afternoon, Marcus Hall was waiting his turn in a barbershop in Cleveland. This evening, he is expected to be in Knoxville, Tenn., taking a tour of the University of Tennessee during an official visit.

Such is the life for the offensive lineman from Cleveland Glenville, one of the few remaining top prospects who has yet to commit to a college. He's one reason why Ohio State, despite having 24 commitments for a class that's ranked No. 1 nationally by Scout.com, is still playing the waiting game.

"I plan on making my announcement sometime Monday," Hall said by phone from the noisy barbershop.

Ohio State, the University of Miami, Michigan and Tennessee are in the running, and he has tended to be taken by the last place he visited. But asked if he had a No. 1, he didn't hesitate.

"At this point, my favorite is Ohio State," Hall said.

The Buckeyes are also waiting on receiver Marlon Brown of Harding Academy in Memphis, Tenn. One of the top five receiver pro-spects nationally, he is considering Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Ohio State. He is not likely to name his choice until Wednesday, the first day that national letters of intent can be signed, but many analysts are predicting Tennessee.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and receivers coach Darrell Hazell visited with Brown at his school and home yesterday, one day after Tressel visited Hall.

Yesterday, coaches from Miami had just left after meeting with Hall as he turned his attention to a haircut before his trip to Tennessee. Even if most recruiting analysts expect him to pick OSU, following many other top prospects from Glenville, Hall said going into the process that he planned to make official visits.

Happening's Around the NHL

Marty Turco's drought at Joe Louis Arena is over.

Turco made 22 saves, helping the Dallas Stars hold off the Detroit Red Wings for a 4-2 win Thursday night.

He was 0-8-2 at the storied venue in the regular season as a pro.

"I've had zero wins here this century," joked the 33-year-old Turco, who had success at Joe Louis when he played at the University Michigan. "I don't want to date myself at all, but it has been a long time."

Steve Ott, Jere Lehtinen, Chris Conner and Loui Eriksson put Dallas ahead 4-0 early in the second period.

Marian Hossa and Andreas Lilja scored for the Red Wings during a second period in which they almost scored two more goals, but video review and incidental contact prevented them from tying the game.

The Stars have won a season-high three straight and are 5-1-1 in their past seven games, continuing a surge up from the bottom of the Western Conference. Since Nov. 30, they are 15-7-3.

Detroit, meanwhile, is 0-3-1 during its first four-game winless streak of the season following an 8-0-1 stretch that padded its lead in the Central Division.

"We're slipping defensively," six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom said. "In our zone, we're not quick to pucks and we're not getting them out of our zone."

The Red Wings had won seven straight at home before a road trip that started with an overtime loss Jan. 12 at Dallas.

3: Jamie Langenbrunner scored his second goal of the game with 1:11 gone in overtime and New Jersey, which allowed three straight third-period goals to blow a two-goal lead, beat Boston.

Maple Leafs 7, Avalanche 4: Jason Blake's goal early in the third period snapped a tie, and Dominic Moore scored twice for Toronto, which broke a four-game losing streak by beating Colorado, which has dropped six of seven.

Panthers 5, Canadiens 1: Jay Bouwmeester and Stephen Weiss scored power-play goals in the first period for Florida.

Hurricanes 3, Lightning 2: Eric Staal scored with 1:36 remaining to lift Carolina past Tampa Bay. Cam Ward earned his 100th NHL victory for the Hurricanes. source>>>

ESPN's MMA Live to Team Up with UFC for UFC 94 Weigh-In Special Today at 6:30 ET

UFC.com is advertising that the UFC will be teaming up with ESPN.com's online show MMA Live for a UFC 94 weigh-in special today starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT. The special can be viewed at UFC.com.

There's no real indication as to what the special will consist of and whether the production elements will differ previous weigh-in coverage on UFC.com. In addition, I'll be interested to find out whether Joe Rogan continues with the emcee'ing duties during the proceedings.

Either way, it's yet another sign of the growing interest in MMA by ESPN. Though most of the "Worldwide Leader in Sports"' coverage has been limited to online content, highlights and ticker updates have been making their way slowly onto the network's TV channels. Once a sport hits ESPN TV with regular programming, it can officially be considered mainstream. MMA isn't quite there yet but it appears to be more than inching its way there.

MMA Live is in Las Vegas to cover UFC 94 start to finish. source>>>

From modest beginnings, NFL has grown into a marketing behemoth [The billion-dollar game]

For every die-hard football fan occupying a $300 US parking space outside Raymond James Stadium for the tailgate barbecue preceding Sunday's Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, FL., there will be thousands settling for beer and chips in front of a television set.

They are the ones who can't or won't ante up the $800 a ticket is supposed to cost. Even with prices depressed, the market value of a ticket with on-line brokers seems to start at around $1,300 and climb steeply. Some sellers are asking as much as $5,000.

According to Neilsen, the firm that rates audiences for advertisers, more than 43 per cent of the households in the United States tuned in to the Super Bowl in 2008, making it the most watched single TV broadcast. Those ratings are expected to hold up in 2009, recession or no recession. Evidence of the sporting event's box office durability is the simple fact that the price of a 30-second commercial spot during the game has reportedly increased to $3 million, a $300,000 jump over 2008. Even though some struggling corporate giants won't be advertising this year, news reports suggest NBC was still expecting to sell all its spots.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is the ultimate prize for the players competing in Sunday's Super Bowl. But the prize for network TV executives is gross advertising revenue totalling more than $1 billion US.View Larger Image View Larger Image
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is the ultimate prize for the players competing in Sunday's Super Bowl. But the prize for network TV executives is gross advertising revenue totalling more than $1 billion US.

Last year, there were 350 seconds of commercial time available during the broadcast, says Neilsen. Get out the calculator and at this year's rate it totes up more than $1 billion in gross revenue from TV advertising. Advertisers only invest that kind of money in a sure audience.

Yet, of the nearly 100 million viewers that advertising executives are gambling will watch the game -- and also the pitch for their products across North America -- many of those in front of the TV sets will know little about the Arizona Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Atlanta Motor Speedway is providing fans Buy 1 Ticket Get 1 Free for KOBALT TOOLS 500

Atlanta Motor Speedway is providing fans an abundance of ticket specials to choose from for the March 6-8 Kobalt Tools 500. From family packages to student discounts to a buy one-get one free program, AMS is positive fans will find the offer to suit their needs.

Kobalt Tools Buy 1 Ticket Get 1 Free: When you make a purchase of $25 or more at Lowe's, customers get a FREE ticket with the purchase of a regular ticket to the Kobalt Tools 500. Tickets are in the Petty Grandstand (a $95 value). While supplies last.

Richard Petty Ride-Along Deal: Purchase a ticket to March's Kobalt Tools 500 and Atlanta Motor Speedway will provide you a $50 discount on a Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride-Along. That's $50 off the retail price of $109! You will be hitting speeds nearing 170 mph on the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway beginning just one hour after NASCAR's elite drivers compete on the track. The offer is good on ticket purchases between Jan. 12 and Feb. 13 and the promotion is available exclusively through the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office. (Offer excludes $19 and $39 Elliott Grandstand tickets).

Student & Adult Specials - $19 / $39: Students with a valid student ID can receive a discounted rate of $19 for the entire Elliott Grandstand, while adult tickets for rows 1- 14 of the Elliott Grandstand are just $39 for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500.

Saturday Family Discount - $30: For just $30, a family of four can attend the American Commercial Lines 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend. Located in the Petty Grandstand, families can purchase two general admission adult tickets for only $30 and two children (ages 12 and under) will be admitted for free upon arrival to the event.

Kobalt Tools Family Four Pack - $159: Bringing affordable fun to the whole family, Lowe's and Atlanta Motor Speedway are offering the Kobalt Tools Family Four Pack for just $159 for the Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Package includes four lower level Elliott Grandstand seats, four hot dogs and four 12-ounce Coca Colas for just $159.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Fan Section - $88: Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans can purchase $88 tickets in the first 26 rows of the Earnhardt Grandstand for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. These tickets are normally priced at $100.

And don't forget, and Sunday ticket can be upgraded to a weekend package (includes Friday and Saturday ticket) for only $39!

For more information or to purchase tickets please call the AMS ticket office at 770-946-4211 or 1-877-9-AMS-TIX, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

NCAA has placed University at Albany's Division I athletics program on probation for two years

The NCAA announced Tuesday it has placed the University at Albany's Division I athletics program on probation for two years and reduced scholarships because of "major violations" involving the school's football and baseball programs.

The case involved impermissible text messages sent to prospective student-athletes, according to the NCAA, and a failure to monitor by the university.

The NCAA said it didn't hold a formal hearing because its enforcement staff agreed upon penalties that were proposed by UAlbany.

UAlbany said in a news release that the school discovered the violations in December 2007 during a routine monitoring of its recruiting activities.

"We thank the NCAA and committee members for their fairness in accepting our recommendations of restrictions for our football and baseball teams,'' UAlbany interim president George M. Philip said in the release.

The NCAA penalties include public reprimand and censure; two years of probation beginning Tuesday; the loss of one baseball scholarship this year; a reduction of the number of official paid recruiting visits allowed in football this academic year; and restrictions on the recruiting activities of head baseball coach Jon Mueller and some assistant football coaches.

The UAlbany football team has won the past two Northeast Conference titles. The baseball team won the America East title in 2007 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. source>>>

Kelvin Sampson appeals NCAA punishment,, wants to return to college basketball

Kelvin Sampson wants to return to college basketball in the next five years.

That much is apparent from the Indianapolis Star's report that the former IU coach has appealed the punishment the NCAA levied on him two months ago.

On Nov. 25, the NCAA's Committee of Infractions announced they were placing a five-year "show cause" order on the coach, which would likely keep Sampson from returning to college basketball during that period.

But the Indianapolis Star is reporting that Sampson is appealing the rule for two reasons. He believes the committee misinterpreted former IU assistant coach Rob Senderoff's testimony and also believes the NCAA enforcement staff was biased and made a prejudgment of guilt before all interviews were complete.

In November, the NCAA placed IU on a three-year probationary period stemming from the major recruiting violations committed under Sampson and Senderoff. The NCAA found IU guilty of "failure to monitor," but decided no further penalties were necessary. The NCAA placed a three-year "show cause" on Senderoff, who is now an associate head coach at Kent State.

Sampson's appeal comes two months after it appeared the former Hoosier coach had moved on. After being the point of ridicule for making impermissible phone calls and committing recruiting violations at Oklahoma and IU, Sampson is now an assistant coach in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks.

After the NCAA made its ruling in November, Sampson released a statement that said he was "deeply disappointed" in the NCAA's findings but admitted the "accusations at hand are things that happened on my watch, and therefore I will take responsibility."

The statement concluded, "it is time to move on." source>>>

Kentucky vs Ole Miss NCAA Basketball Pick

The No. 24(AP) ranked Kentucky Wildcats look to remain perfect in the SEC when they take to the road for the fourth time in six games, heading to Ole Miss Tuesday for a nationally televised game on ESPN with tip-off set for 7 p.m. Eastern.

Kentucky vs Ole Miss NCAA Basketball PickSports odds professionals at SBGglobal.com seem to have plenty of confidence in the Cats listing the team as 9-chalk ATS and -450 moneyline favorites with a 142 total. Ole Miss backers are getting +325 moneyline odds as a home underdog.

After playing back to back road games, Ole Miss will be looking to get into the win-column after enduring just the second three-game losing skid in Andy Kennedy's tenure as coach of the Rebels.

Kentucky, meanwhile, has won five straight and remains the lone unbeaten SEC team in league play at 5-0. Jodie Meeks paces the Wildcats with an SEC-best 26.1 ppg, which ranks third in the nation. Ole Miss has dropped nine straight contests to Kentucky, including last year's 58-54 defeat at Rupp Arena when a fierce second-half Rebel rally came up just short.

Ole Miss junior guard David Huertas has scored 26 and 27 points in the last two games to increase his season scoring average to 19.5, third-best in the SEC.

The Wildcats are the only SEC team without a conference loss this season. Billy Gillespie's team is 16-2 after dropping its first two games of the year and will arrive in Oxford having won five straight and 11 of its last 12, with the only loss during that span a 74-71 defeat at nationally ranked Louisville.

Kentucky relies on an efficient offense that ranks first in the nation with a 50.2 field-goal percentage and 11th in the country with a 15.0 scoring margin. Junior guard Jodie Meeks paces the Wildcats with a league-best 26.1 ppg, which also ranks as the third-highest scoring average in the nation. Sophomore forward Patrick Patterson averages 17.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game to make up the other half of one of the country's best inside-out duos.

Sports-Odds.com predicts an easy Kentucky win in spite of the difficult road venue. Ole Miss is just too beat up physically. The Rebels physical condition and short bench will not bode well for the home team.

The Pick: Kentucky -9
source>>>

MLB Teams Cashing In Without Arbitration

In just about 16 days, pitchers and catchers will be reporting in the MLB. However, with all of the excitement of a new season coming to a head, many players are cashing in with their respective ball clubs. Sometimes, though, the clubs get away with a bargain.

In the MLB, if you are a scout and have a great eye for young talent then you are equivalent to a nugget of gold in the 1840's. The reason for this is that there are many young and excellent players in the majors who are, for the most part, getting paid the league minimum.

Prince Fielder, a four-season veteran in the majors just signed a contract worth $18 million with the Milwaukee Brewers; he also avoided salary arbitration. The contract will give him the following:

-2009 = $6.5 million

-2010 = $10.5 million

-$1 million signing bonus

-$250,000 in performance bonuses each year with 500+ plate appearances

Another player I would like to bring into the picture is Philadelphia Phillies first-baseman Ryan Howard. Howard is a five-year major league veteran. Last year, Howard made $10 million after winning his arbitration hearing.

In 2006, Fielder and Howard made $329,500, $355,000, respectively. Their key statistics in that year are as follows:

Case in point, it is easy to notice each season that Howard and Fielder's statistics are very similar. The first year Ryan Howard was eligible for salary arbitration, he was awarded $10 million. By not going to arbitration, clubs are able to sometimes get away with not paying the player a large sum of money. This is evident with Prince Fielder's current contract. Just as a bit of brain food, Howard asked $18 million for his arbitration award; the result is not yet known source>>>>

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez set to return for Cincinnati

- As a team trying to improve defensively, the weekend news that shortstop Alex Gonzalez would be able to fully participate in Spring Training was big for the Reds.

After Gonzalez came down with a fractured left knee near the start of camp last year, it started the spin of a revolving door at shortstop. Injuries ravaged most of Cincinnati's replacements -- from Jeff Keppinger (fractured kneecap) to Jerry Hairston Jr. (fractured thumb, hamstring) and Jolbert Cabrera (dislocated finger). Rookie Paul Janish played fine defensively, but was often overmatched at the plate.

By last summer, Gonzalez needed season-ending microfracture surgery and subsequently never played a game in 2008 for Cincinnati. On Saturday, team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek examined and cleared Gonzalez to participate at the 100-percent level in all Spring Training drills.

Drills can't simulate game intensity, so any optimism should be tempered until Gonzalez's knee is really tested. But the 31-year-old's expected return would bring some stability and defensive credibility to the Reds at the most important infield position.

"You've seen Gonzalez play, but it's been a while," manager Dusty Baker said last week before Gonzalez was examined. "We'll see how his health is. We'll see if he's the same Alex. We'll see what's there. I'm convinced there's not a whole lot of wear and tear on him if his leg is healthy. I'm sure he's hungry."

When at full strength, Gonzalez has the range to simply get to balls others can't reach.

Although defensive ability is harder to universally quantify than offensive ability, Gonzalez's Revised Zone Rating of .862 was third-best among Major League shortstops in 2007. Revised Zone Rating is the proportion of balls hit into a fielder's zone that are successfully converted into outs. His career range factor per nine innings, an attempted measurement of total chances fielded, is 4.49 -- above the league average of 3.95.

Keppinger was a serviceable replacement, but he lacked Gonzalez's range to stop balls from getting through the infield. His RZR in 2008 was .797 over 880 innings. Hairston logged 271 innings at shortstop and a .776 RZR.

Owner of a .969 career fielding percentage, Gonzalez committed 16 errors over 110 games in 2007 -- up from seven errors in '06 for the Red Sox. Part of that can be attributed to the fact that he simply gets to more groundballs with his expansive range. And some of the miscues could stem from being distracted. His infant son was critically ill in '07, and Gonzalez missed 28 games over three stints on the bereavement list.

With Gonzalez having a double-play partner in 2008 Gold Glove winner Brandon Phillips at second base, the Reds' middle infield should be considered one of the more dynamic pairings in the National League.

Keppinger and Hairston likely have more upside offensively than Gonzalez, who batted .272 with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs for the Reds in 2007. Keppinger, who hit .266 in 121 games last season, will likely rove around all four infield spots this season. Hairston batted .326 with six home runs, 36 RBIs and 15 stolen bases while playing six positions.

If Hairston isn't needed at shortstop, he can join Chris Dickerson and Jonny Gomes for what's expected to be a three-way battle for the vacant left-field spot.

In the third year of a three-year, $14 million contract that will pay $5.375 million in 2009, Gonzalez is facing a pivotal season. His contract contains a $6 million mutual option for '10, but also a $500,000 buyout. The organization has some shortstops rising up in Janish, Reds Minor League Player of the Year Chris Valaika and prospect Todd Frazier.

No longer with Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr., and unable to land a proven slugger for left field this winter, finding ample run production could be a big question mark for the Reds this season.

That means an increased onus could be placed on pitching and defense -- and for that to work, Gonzalez's glove is a required presence. source>>>

Dealer admits he sold Steroids to "maybe two, three hundred" Baseball Players,

Kirk Radomski, the convicted steroids dealer from Long Island who was one of the chief witnesses in the Mitchell Report, says in his new book that Sen. George Mitchell asked him if he knew of steroid use by some of baseball's biggest names, including the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez.

Radomski says in "Bases Loaded" that Mitchell also asked him about perennial All-Stars and potential Hall of Famers Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling and Gary Sheffield. Only Sheffield subsequently was named in the Mitchell Report on steroids in baseball when it was released in December 2007.

Radomski, who in an ESPN interview Sunday said he sold steroids and human growth hormone to "maybe two, three hundred" players, wrote that he told Mitchell he had no knowledge of any performance-enhancing drug use by those five players.

Radomski, 39, who lives in Manorville, was a Mets clubhouse attendant from 1986-95. The book is subtitled "The Inside Story of the Steroid Era in Baseball by the Central Figure in the Mitchell Report." It is being published by Hudson Street Press and will be sold starting today. Newsday obtained a copy of the book Monday afternoon.

In the book, Radomski writes:

"In addition to discussing the players on my list, Senator Mitchell asked me if I had any information about a lot of other players, often making it obvious that he had heard rumors about them or had been told by baseball that some of these players had been tested for steroids. He had suspicions, but he needed hard evidence.

"He particularly asked me about all the big stars who had been the subject of whispered rumors. Their names were not secret: Pudge Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield. I told him that, like everybody else, I'd heard their names linked anecdotally to steroids, but I personally had never dealt with any of them and had no firsthand evidence that they were using."

In a statement e-mailed Monday, a spokesman for Mitchell, John Clarke Jr., denied that Mitchell had brought up the star players' names: "At no time did we raise the names of specific players who had not previously been identified to us by Mr. Radomski."

This isn't the first time Alex Rodriguez has been mentioned in a book about steroids. Jose Canseco, in his second book, "Vindicated," wrote that he introduced A-Rod to a shady steroids dealer named "Max." Rodriguez has consistently denied using performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras -- who also is Ivan Rodriguez's agent -- did not return calls and e-mails seeking comment.

As for the other players cited by Radomski:

Ivan Rodriguez, a free agent who spent the second half of last season with the Yankees, was linked to steroid use in Canseco's first book, "Juiced." Rodriguez has denied the allegations.

Schilling, a free agent who was on the disabled list with the Red Sox all of 2008, has been critical of steroid users in baseball. He testified before Congress in March 2005. Reached yesterday by e-mail, Schilling said he was "in the process of putting a statement together." Johnson, a Yankee from 2005-06 who now is with the Giants, has never been linked publicly to steroid use. One of Johnson's agents, Barry Meister, said, "I have no comment" when contacted Monday.

Sheffield, the former Yankee who is with the Detroit Tigers, testified before the BALCO grand jury in 2003. He has said he never knowingly took steroids. Sheffield's agent, Rufus Williams, did not return a call seeking comment.

Radomski pleaded guilty in April 2007 in federal court in San Francisco to distributing steroids and laundering money. Last February, he was sentenced to five years' probation and fined $18,575. He was cited by Mitchell and prosecutors for his cooperation.

Radomski's book contains several factual errors. He writes about quitting his Mets job in 1995 and cites what he calls "a restrictive corporate atmosphere" brought about when Fred Wilpon bought out Nelson Doubleday for control of the team. But Wilpon did not buy out his partner until 2002.

In discussing Clemens' and Canseco's alleged ties, Radomski writes that the two "never even played together." In fact, they were teammates three different times: on the Red Sox (1995-96), Blue Jays (1998) and Yankees (2000).

Radomski writes that "catcher Glenallen Hill," a former Yankee, was "one of my players." Hill was not a catcher; he played the outfield and was a designated hitter in a 13-year career.

Attempts to reach Radomski Monday at his home and the car detailing shop in St. James that he part-owns were not successful.
source>>>

Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk, who missed the All-Star game, must sit out tonight's game

Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom was aware of the consequences for skipping Sunday's NHL All-Star game and not traveling to Montreal for the off-ice functions.

But he does not regret his decision. He said resting his ailing right elbow was best for the team in the long run.

Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk, who missed the All-Star game because of a hip injury, must sit out tonight's game at Columbus, forcing the Red Wings to dress 17 skaters, one fewer than a full complement. Defenseman Brad Stuart (ribs, back) is out, but forward Johan Franzen (strained hip) will return.

"I thought it was the best move for the team," Lidstrom said Monday. "I could have taken a game off in the middle of the season and maybe missed three days. I took the weekend off, and it ended up being six or seven days. For the Red Wings, I think it's the best move to try to heal up."

An MRI last week revealed a small tear in his elbow. It is nothing that would prevent him from playing, but he said it is a concern the latter part of the season.

"This is the only time where I can really get a chance to heal my elbow," Lidstrom said. "It's been nagging at me since the start of the year. I've been taking a few cortisone shots, it's not helping."

The NHL and the league's general managers agreed to a rule last February that requires players who cannot participate in the All-Star game to sit out either the game preceding or following the event. Lidstrom said he found out Friday that he could have avoided the ban had he showed up for the off-ice festivities. But it would not have mattered.

"I already made up my mind on what to do and I was doing treatment Friday and Saturday," Lidstrom said.

Considering he has appeared in the last nine All-Star games, 10 overall, and attends the NHL Awards Show every June, Lidstrom believes the league should have made an exception for him.

"It's a little bit disappointing getting suspended (it's not an official suspension, as the players are getting paid), especially when you've been there a lot of times and the league has had access to me a lot of times for a lot of years," Lidstrom said. "I understand their situation. They want players there and to be part of the festivities, but I still don't agree with their decision."

Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood added: "What more is he supposed to do for the league?"

Datsyuk skated Monday but did not participate in the sprint drills at the end of practice. He left Tuesday's game in Phoenix with 15 minutes to play in the third period and his team trailing 4-3. He attributed his injury to skating on soft ice during the West Coast trip.

Datsyuk said he would have been a game-day decision had he been allowed to play tonight.

He, too, was critical of the league's stance.

"I'm not happy with this one," Datsyuk said. "I not agree, but it is what it is."

He said he was not aware that he could have avoided the ban by showing up for the off-ice functions, but he would not have gone anyway.

"There's lots of media there, and I'm not happy to talk to media," Datsyuk said. "Not understand English, and especially French, it's a little bit hard for me."

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said the players did the right thing to help their team.

"I support them fully in their decision," Babcock said.

Chris Chelios, the club's union representative, said there is no appeal process because it is not a formal suspension and no wages will be lost.

"(The All-Star game) is important, but by the same token, they're injured," Chelios said. "We're getting ready for the second half and they're our two best players. The rest would have done them (good).

"There's plenty of other players to promote this game. Nick's been to plenty of All-Star games, Pav has nothing to prove. You'd think (the league) would be understanding."

Osgood senses an anti-Red Wings sentiment around the league.

NHL All-Star Stupidity

With every passing year I became less and less sure of why we bother having all-star games, and this year's NHL version did nothing to change my opinion. The East won, 12-11, in a shootout, but the game was a total debacle. Defense wasn't in the vocabulary of any player on the ice, and the goaltenders were hung out to dry from the start. There has to be a dozen different ways the league could boost their profile and entertain fans without subjecting them to such an inferior, uninteresting product. Baseball is the only sport that manages a mildly interesting game. I can't think of a single good reason to bet on an all-star game. source>>>

MMA Fighter accused of spray-painting an anarchist symbol on the Capitol has pleaded not guilty

The mixed martial arts fighter accused of spray-painting an anarchist symbol on the Capitol has pleaded not guilty in Olympia to malicious mischief.

KING-TV reports a Thurston County Superior Court judge ordered Jeff Monson to turn over his passport Tuesday while he awaits trial.

Prosecutors say the 37-year-old Olympia man spray-painted symbols and anti-war slogans on the Capitol last November. It cost $19,000 to clean off.

Monson, who fights under the nickname The Snowman, was charged after a picture of him and the graffiti was published in ESPN The Magazine.

He later told The Olympian it was a protest against the Iraq war and economic inequality. source>>>

Colorado Senate committee scraps motion to cap resold tickets

A plan to limit the amount that brokers or fans could resell their tickets for in Colorado was unanimously defeated Monday, January 26, by a state Senate subcommittee.

Colorado Senate Bill #SB09-071, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Mary Hodge, was killed in the Business, Labor and Technology Committee in part because members believed it went against basic free market rules, according to published reports. In addition, some said it would hurt fans who wanted to resell some of their season tickets to defray costs, among others.

According to the bill's summary, if passed it would have prohibited "a ticket broker from charging more than the face value of a ticket plus $5 or 25%, whichever is greater," and authorized "the attorney general or a district attorney to bring an action to forfeit the tickets or the proceeds of the tickets." In addition, the law would have prohibited "an event sponsor from charging fees greater than 10% of the face value of an event ticket."

Supporters of the bill believed it would help level the playing field for fans seeking to buy tickets to popular events.

Over the past 18 months, Colorado has grappled with the issue of ticket resale, in light of problems with Colorado Rockies World Series ticket sales and the Hannah Montana ticket controversy. source>>>

Super Bowl Luxury Suite Goes for $237,508

Super Bowl XLIII is less than a week away, and there's still plenty of tickets to go around to see the Pittsburgh Steelers grind it out with the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. One of the online brokers still selling tickets is StubHub.com, which is listing roughly 3,500 tickets ranging from $1,600 for individual tickets to $237,508 for luxury suites.

If you've got cash to burn, the luxury suites may be a fine way to go to achieve the most memorable Super Bowl experience. The 36-person private suite offers full-service catering with food, beer, wine, and soda. PrimeSport, a sports travel and events management company, is offering special Super Bowl packages, including four-night accommodations at one of a handful of hotels in the Tampa area, a reserved upper level or endzone ticket, breakfast daily at the hotel, roundtrip transfers on game day, and access to an exclusive VIP event in a private airplane hanger three blocks from the stadium. An executive suite at Innisbrook Golf Resort, for example, can cost anywhere between $3,695 and $5,265 per guest.

Despite such lavish offerings, the cheapest tickets are still less expensive than those of past Super Bowls. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the average price for all Super Bowl tickets selling is about $2,600. In 2008 (Giants-Patriots), tickets were $3,536, and in 2007 (Colts-Bears), tickets were even higher at $4,004. Even the Super Bowl can't elude the recession. source>>>

Jeremy Stephens replaces Hermes Franca at UFC Fight Night 17

Up-and-coming lightweight Jeremy Stephens (14-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will replace Hermes Franca (19-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in a UFC Fight Night 17 bout with Joe Lauzon (17-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

Multiple sources close to the fighter today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Stephens has officially accepted the bout, which takes place Feb. 7 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla. The night's main card airs on Spike TV.

Franca was forced off the card this week after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee.

Stephens, who's recently been training with Franca, is also currently scheduled to fight "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winner Efrain Escudero at UFC Fight Night 18. He still plans to compete in that April 1 event, health permitting, a source said.

The Franca-Lauzon bout had been scheduled as the night's main event. Despite the replacement, the Stephens-Lauzon fight will likely retain headline status.

Following a loss to Din Thomas in his octagon debut, Stephens posted three consecutive victories (which included UFC wins over Diego Saraiva and Cole Miller) before suffering a hard-fought unanimous-decision loss to Spencer Fisher in June 2008. However, he rebounded in November with a violent third-round TKO of Rafael dos Anjos that earned the 22-year-old Stephens a $60,000 Knockout of the Night bonus.

Lauzon, who found his way to the UFC via "The Ultimate Fighter 5," last saw action in a second-round-TKO win over Kyle Bradley at UFC Fight Night 15 in September. He was rebounding from an April defeat -- his first in the octagon -- to Kenny Florian. He's won seven of his past eight fights, all via stoppage. source>>>

StubHub brings On-Site Ticker Sales Center to Tampa's Super Bowl XLIII

the world's largest ticket marketplace, today will open a unique destination for fans attending Super Bowl XLIII. Customers are invited to StubHub Super Bowl Village located at Legends Field Plaza (Yankees spring training stadium), just adjacent to Raymond James Stadium, to pick up their tickets, purchase last minute tickets, and enjoy a pre-game tailgate party on Sunday.

Developed in conjunction with ZAG Marketing, StubHub Super Bowl Village will be open between the hours of 10AM and 5PM daily and will serve as a convenient location for ticket sales and customer services. In addition to the conventional means of purchasing event tickets on StubHub (www.stubhub.com or 866-STUBHUB), fans in Tampa have a third and more personal option via on-site ticket kiosks within Super Bowl Village. StubHub representatives will be available to answer questions and fans can choose from a selection of thousands of seat locations, while browsing StubHub's vast online marketplace for other sporting events, concerts, live theater productions and more.

"StubHub is extremely excited to be on location at this year's Super Bowl. Our exclusive industry relationships have allowed us to facilitate an extremely convenient on-site presence for the most exciting event in all of professional sports," said Ray Elias, StubHub Director of Marketing. "We look forward to hosting all of our Super Bowl ticket buyers and shoppers in the days leading up to the big game."

In addition to acting as a ticket center for the big game, consumers will also be treated to scores of fun inside the exciting V.I.P. area on Super Bowl Sunday. From traditional tailgating foods and beverages to themed games and a plasma T.V. lounge "in the round," consumers will enjoy the perks of this pre-game ritual in a manner befitting an NFL star! source>>>

The Pitcher’s Mound may Cause Injuries

Back in 1969 the height of the pitcher's mound was lowered from 15"" down to 10"" in an attempt by major league baseball to level the playing ground between the era's dominant pitching and the effect they were having on batters. Hitters were at an all time low for batting average of .237 the year before (1968).

Last year, research was done concerning the possible negative affect this 10"" mound has on a pitcher's arm, elbow and shoulder. The analysis starts out by mentioning how pitchers in years gone by threw more complete games at the 15"" mound height, but noted that careers were significantly shorter as a possible result of this combination. Then refocuses it's analysis on the stress that is induced upon a pitcher's arm, elbow and shoulder given the necessary motion that is needed to throw a baseball at such high velocities as is seen in MLB games in an effective manner to get batters out from the height in which the pitches are now thrown from (10"").

With the investment (that would be their salaries) that teams ans ownerships are making in pitchers, there has become a trend to protect (some may call it babying) those young expensive arms if not the man himself. It has gotten to the point of seriousness that this report claims that MLB actually funded this medical investigation, led by the Milwaukee Brewers head team physician, William Raasch, M.D.

The article (link to be found at the end of this post) is enhanced by two streaming videos that show a pitcher's motion (one is skeletal while the other is a wire frame model).
"We found that compared to flat ground, pitchers using a 10-inch mound experience an increase in superior shear and adduction torque in the shoulder - meaning there's a greater amount of stress on the joint surface and surrounding structures. That greater stress may result in injury to the shoulder including tearing of the rotator cuff or labrum which may result in surgery and long-term rehabilitation. It also can make it difficult for the athlete to replicate the same throw and develop a consistent strike," Dr. Raasch says.

They think that it would be better if rehabbing pitchers threw off level ground more often until they are closer to being game ready. It was also noted that Hall of Fame pitcher, Nolan Ryan (now in the Texas Rangers management system), who player for 27 years, attributed his longevity to this practice of throwing off flat ground in his latter years out of preference because it just felt better as he got older to do so and he was throwing 100 mph into his 40's. The hope my the research team would be for players to follow Ryan's example for the sake of the game and their bodies.

The results of this study is said to have been presented at the 2007 MLB winter meetings. You can read this article, Lower Pitcher's Mound Will Reduce Baseball Injuries - Study by the News Staff of Scientific Blogging from March of 2008. source>>>

Felice Herrig will make her professional MMA Debut at UWC "Man 'O' War" on Feb. 21

Felice Herrig will make her professional MMA Debut at UWC "Man 'O' War" on Feb. 21 in Fairfax, Virginia.

Herrig, who won her Muay Thai fight on the Oxygen show "Fight Girls," will take on the also debuting Iman Achhal in a 120-pound bout.

The kickboxing champ Herrig holds a kickboxing record of 18-2-1. According to the UWC, she trains at the H.I.T. Squad with Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawler.

Herrig has never competed in amateur MMA but Achhal has a 4-0-1 record in amateur MMA bouts. Achhal is a firefighter and trains out of Team Royce Gracie/Capital Jiu-Jitsu in Virginia. source>>>

NBC Still Trying to Sell Super Bowl Ad Spots

A week before Super Bowl XLIII, NBC is still in "active negotiations" to sell its last few commercial spots.

That's why some advertising wags are calling Super Bowl 2009 the Economy Bowl.

This close to game time, it's unusual to have any of the 67 time slots unsold.

The network, which will show next Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, had no trouble getting takers for its record-high $3 million-per-half-minute spots -- before Labor Day.

After that, sales fizzled along with the economy.

This year, notable previous advertisers, including General Motors and FedEx, have said they're taking a break from the chance to reach 90 million to 148 million viewers, depending on who's doing the estimating.

"A lot of advertisers are a little gun-shy," said David Shoffner, spokesman for SpotBowl.com, which monitors Super Bowl commercials and viewer reaction.

"They're thinking of the message it sends to their employees and stockholders who might view it as extravagant to spend a record amount when they're laying off employees or cutting dividends." source>>>

UK's Wildcats Pull Away from Alabama, 61-51

-The Kentucky Wildcats returned for the second half without starting guard Ramon Harris and their coach.

They still had Jodie Meeks and Perry Stevenson, which was more than enough. Meeks scored 16 of his 27 points in the second half and Stevenson added 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead Kentucky to a 61-51 comeback victory over Alabama on Saturday that only came after a halftime scare.

The Wildcats (16-4, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) overcame a six-point halftime deficit and the collapse of Harris outside the locker room before the second half started.

Harris was taken to a nearby hospital and Gillispie said the report immediately after the game was that his vital signs were strong. Harris had missed five games with a back and neck injury sustained in a collision with a teammate on Dec. 3 against Lamar, but had played significant minutes in the last five games.

"We just wanted to get the win," Stevenson said. "We knew he wanted us to keep on playing and get the win."

The incident caused a delay to start the second half, and Gillispie missed the beginning to remain with Harris.

"It's a serious deal when a guy faints," the coach said. "He threw up and they said after that they started thinking he was feeling a little bit better. He had a little shortness of breath to start, and that's what concerned them the most."

Meeks continued his scoring tear to help Kentucky overcome that scare and an off game by Patrick Patterson, remaining the league's only team without an SEC loss. Patterson returned after a long absence due to foul trouble and quickly hit a pair of baskets to start an 8-0 run and give Kentucky a 55-47 lead with 3:36 left. Alabama (12-7, 2-3) couldn't come closer than six points after that and missed 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch.

DeAndre Liggins scored 11 for the Wildcats off the bench.

The Wildcats held Alabama to 29 percent shooting. JaMychal Green led the Tide with 15 points, but guards Alonzo Gee (eight points), Senario Hillman (nine) and Mikhail Torrance (zero) were a combined 6-of-30 shooting and got few open looks.

"We didn't make enough shots, we didn't get enough good shots and we turned it over 14 times in the second half," Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said. "That was the difference."

Torrance had averaged nearly 23 points over the last three games since replacing injured point guard Ronald Steele, who announced Tuesday that he was leaving the team. He missed all eight attempts from the floor.

"I just think he kind of had one of those days," Gottfried said. "He had some pretty good looks. I thought his 3s were good looks. He just seemed to have one of those days where he didn't play as well as he has. That's going to happen sometimes."

Meeks took care of much of his team's scoring, including 18 of Kentucky's first 28 points extending into the second half. The nation's No. 3 scorer, he made 10-of-18 shots and had nine rebounds. The rest of his team was just 9-of-31. He also made all but one of the Wildcats' four 3-pointers.

The 27 points didn't seem so bad considering Meeks had twice that many three games earlier at Tennessee.

"Alabama did a great job of denying me the ball," Meeks said. "We really picked up the defensive pressure in the second half. The defensive pressure opened up the offense. We got some steals and baskets in transition."

Patterson picked up three quick fouls in the first four minutes after halftime, but Alabama couldn't take advantage of his time on the bench to keep the lead. He finished with six points and five rebounds in 27 minutes.

"We don't want Patrick to be on the sidelines, but there are going to be times when it happens," Gillispie said. "In my opinion, he's an All-American and even in games he doesn't score, he demands respect, demands at least 1 1/2 players to guard him because of how hard he works. His numbers don't always indicate how good he is."

Alabama did manage to hold Kentucky to 38.8 percent shooting, well below its 51 percent average that ranked No. 2 nationally.

"When you go on the road and shoot 38 percent and win, that shows you an awful lot about the toughness of your team," Gillispie said. source>>>

U.S. Bank ending it's golf tournament sponsorship

Less than a year after committing to remaking the U.S. Bank Championship into a summer entertainment festival, the bank's executives have decided to end their sponsorship of the tournament at Brown Deer Park.

The Minneapolis-based bank's executives evaluate sponsorships as they expire, and with the golf tournament sponsorship expiring in 2009, they decided not to continue, spokesman Steve Dale said Monday.

"We re-evaluated it ... and we'll see if there are some ways we can deploy those dollars back into the community," Dale said.

A dollar figure on the bank's sponsorship was not available. Dale declined to comment on the reason for the bank dropping the sponsorship.

The U.S. Bank Championship has been hurt by competing directly with the British Open for PGA golfers and the loss of major television network coverage. The tournament has been part of the PGA tour since 1968 and is run by Milwaukee Golf Charities Inc.

U.S. Bank Wisconsin president William Bertha in 2008 told the tournament board he wanted to expand the appeal of the event to the community beyond golf fans. The 2008 tourney in July included wine tasting and a show by Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas of The BoDeans.

Aurora Health Care also reportedly has dropped its name sponsorship of the golf tournament.

Tournament executive director Dan Croak could not immediately be reached for commen source>>>

Matt Leinart. “I’m great,” he said last week. “I get to go to the get to go to the Super Bowl.”

Matt Leinart wants you to know he's fine. Really. "I'm great," he said last week. "I get to go to the Super Bowl."
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Leinart, the Cardinals' third-year quarterback, smiled as he spoke. But seeing the veteran Kurt Warner lead the Arizona franchise out of the desert has to have been hard, and later in the 10-minute interview he said, "It's a weird thing."

If Leinart feels like the father of the bride watching another man walk her down the aisle, there is a reason. Before Arizona became Warner's team, it was entrusted to the 25-year-old Leinart, the franchise's future and his own entwined like the laces on a football.

Drafted at No. 10 over all by the Cardinals in 2006, Leinart made 16 starts in his first two years before he was sidelined in the fifth game of the 2007 season by a broken collarbone and supplanted by the 37-year-old Warner.

The Cardinals' coach, Ken Whisenhunt, named Leinart the starter last January but changed his mind after observing both quarterbacks in the 2008 preseason. Warner infused the Cardinals -- and his career -- with new life in 2008, passing for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. In three playoff games, his passer rating is 112.1.

Leinart was limited to four cameo appearances, in which he threw 29 passes. A day after the Cardinals' 32-25 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football Conference championship game, his voice was hoarse from cheering.

It was hardly the role Leinart envisioned when he came to Arizona with a Heisman trophy, a national championship, a Hollywood publicist and a celebrity entourage after a standout career at Southern California.

"I know that I'll look back 10 years from now and say this year was a great learning year for me, a great steppingstone to get to where I need to go," Leinart said.

He had just finished a weight-lifting session and was wearing a gray nylon U.S.C. pullover. He spoke at his locker before hurrying off to a team meeting. "I've been ready to go every week," Leinart said. "I've been prepared. I've got a big future ahead of me. I'll be ready to play when my number's called."

It can be a rude awakening, leaving the cocoon of college for the N.F.L. Big-time college football programs operate much like the old Hollywood studio system, protecting their stars and projecting to the public a carefully crafted image of their leading men.

In the real world, the scrutiny on the star quarterback is harder to control. In March, five months after Leinart's last snap as a starter, photographs surfaced on the Internet that captured his inner frat boy. One showed a smiling Leinart, who is single and the father of a 2-year-old son, in a hot tub with four women. In another, he was holding a beer bong while a woman drank from it.

It was a very different image from the one Leinart had cultivated among his teammates as a hard-working, humble guy. Running back Edgerrin James has said Leinart "has a chance to be special because guys will go the extra mile for him" and Warner noted that the other Cardinals have noticed Leinart's maturation this past year.

"I think I've definitely grown up a lot the last couple of years," Leinart said, adding: "Everyone's made mistakes in their life. It just so happens my mistakes are out in the open. But you learn."

Leinart and Warner make one of the oddest couples in quarterbacking. Leinart is a bachelor who invited Paris Hilton to his draft party. He was a first-round pick from U.S.C., which operates as a star factory.

Warner is a married father of seven who has invited God into his life. He was a nondrafted player from Northern Iowa.

Leinart came to the Cardinals with the expectation that he would be their savior. Warner, the 2000 Super Bowl most valuable player while with the Rams, was not signed as a long-term fix at any of his three stops: St. Louis, the Giants and Arizona.

Despite their differences, they get along well. "We push each other to be better," Leinart said. "The only way I look at it is, wow, I'm learning from this guy; I'm part of this Super Bowl run; I have a long career ahead of me; and hopefully I'll get to lead this team to another Super Bowl."

When Whisenhunt arrived from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he installed an offense that Leinart labored to learn. Despite his difficulties, he began the 2007 season as the starter. This season he feels much more comfortable running the offense and is on the bench. "Mentally, I think I've gotten a lot better this year," Leinart said. "I truly feel I could go in there and play well and understand my reads as opposed to last year where I struggled."

On many teams, the politics of the N.F.L. would have kept Warner rooted on the bench in favor of the younger quarterback, a fact he acknowledged after the N.F.C. championship game when he said, "There might be 31 other teams that would not have made the same decision that the Cardinals made."

Whereas Warner has spent his N.F.L. career trying to prove his doubters wrong, Leinart's college credentials afforded him instant credibility. But this year, sitting behind Warner, something grew on his shoulder and it wasn't moss.

"A lot of people don't think I can play," Leinart said. "It doesn't really bother me, truthfully. If anything, it just motivates me. It makes me work harder, makes me kind of have a chip on my shoulder."

After the N.F.C. championship game, Leinart received a text message from his college coach, Pete Carroll, who told him to enjoy the Super Bowl experience, he said, "because there's nothing better."

Leinart sounded as if he needed no convincing when he said: "It's all pure happiness. It's fun." source>>>

Ohio State head coach Thad Matta talks about the losses to Illinois and Michigan State last week

- Ohio State head coach Thad Matta took part in the weekly Big Ten Teleconference Monday morning. He talked about the losses to Illinois and Michigan State last week and looks ahead to upcoming contests against Michigan and Indiana. The Buckeyes face the Wolverines at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Value City Arena.

Opening Statement
"We had a challenging week and came up short on two of them. Two very good opponents. I thought we made some strides in some areas from the first game of the week to the second game of the week. I think we've got to continue to dwell on the things that we're getting better at and continue to grow in those areas, as well as the things that maybe we're not doing as well and find ways to get better in those areas.

"I think that's the beauty of being in this league right now. It's a tremendous league and every night that you take the floor, if you have a letdown for certain segment of a game, teams are too good and make you pay. I think that's the beauty of the power of the Big Ten right now." source>>>

Why Nobody Cares About the NHL All Star Game

Is it just me or was the NHL All Star Game just a halfway point to stop and take a breather for the NHL season? It honestly seems like it gets less entertaining every season. And there is a few things in it that just completely baffle me. So I am just writing this to express my feelings about why nobody honestly cares about the All Star game.

1. It is unfair

That statement above me sums up the all star game. I mean I know it is an "exhibition game," but where is the fairness that the Eastern Conference gets to host two consecutive All Star games? To be fair, it is Montreal's 100th season.

But still you can either say, "Let's be fair to the conferences" or you choose a neutral site. I may be being a little overprotective of the fairness of the NHL, but I just think it's something that should stay true to the fans of the Western Conference as it is to the Eastern Conference.

2. No defense = No Fun

Many people argue that high scoring games are way more entertaining. But come on, don't you think a 12-11 score is a little bit out of hand. I mean with 23 goals in a game that had 96 shots. That is a little bit crazy, don't you think?

3. Too Little Advertising

Other than a little bit on NBC, and on Versus, there was absolutely zero advertising for the game in USA.

4. Versus

If you are gonna stay true to the hockey fans of the World, please put hockey on a network that can produce ratings. Now with that said, I personally do not have a problem with the Versus network.

The Versus Network is honestly hitting the jackpot with the NHL All Star game. However, let's think of it this way. The first game of the Stanley Cup between Detroit and Pittsburgh last year got above two million viewers on NBC.

Why can't you put the game on NBC this year? Heck, ESPN 2. It just seems the NHL doesn't try hard enough to get publicity. I mean, is it really that hard? They put Woman's Basketball and Poker on ESPN2 and I honestly bet it can get more viewers than Hockey on Versus. Even an all star game.

Other than that, I can say the All Star game was good! source>>>

NFL says Super Bowl will be one of safest places in America this Sunday

The NFL says Tampa's Raymond James Stadium will be one of the safest places in the United States when the Super Bowl is played Sunday.

The FBI, Customs and Border Protection and numerous other federal agencies will assist local police in protecting players and fans.

Milton Ahlerich, the NFL's vice president for security, said at a news conference Monday that the heavy security for this year's game will be typical of every Super Bowl since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Officials declined to say how many total personnel will be involved. But at least 20 different federal agencies will be involved, handling duties ranging from protecting airspace to arresting people selling counterfeit merchandise. source>>>

Mountain West Conference presidents want inclusion into BCS now

If three or four Mountain West Conference presidents get their desired meeting with current Bowl Championship Series coordinator John Swofford between now and June to discuss the league's wish for an automatic entry in the BCS' five postseason bowls, Utah president Michael Young says he will do everything within his power to be there.

"Since we are the poster child for why the Mountain West Conference believes it should be included as an automatic-qualifying conference in the BCS, I would hope I would be included," Young said Monday.

Young was commenting on a USA Today article that said MWC presidents addressed the issue at a meeting earlier this month in Phoenix and asked commissioner Craig Thompson to set up a meeting with Swofford in the coming weeks.

That hoped-for meeting has not been scheduled yet, and on Monday MWC associate commissioner for communications Javan Hedlund said trying to get it scheduled "to get some clarification on the system, rather than to push for immediate change" is "going to be tricky to pull off" because lining up the schedules of the BCS people, the MWC commissioner and three or four college presidents is extremely difficult.

Hedlund said Swofford has indicated that he would be more than willing to meet with the MWC presidents and Thompson. Hedlund also acknowledged that pressing for automatic annual entry into the BCS was one of the items brought up at the presidents' semiannual meeting.

Utah's Young said the presidents believe it is "an appropriate time for more conversation" because of Utah's 13-0 season and win over Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl, in addition to the fact that two other MWC teams, TCU and BYU, finished in the top 16 along with Utah in the final BCS standings (released before the bowl games).

Swofford is also commissioner of the ACC, which is one of the conferences whose champions automatically qualify for the BCS, along with the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and Southeastern conferences.

"The argument I will hear back [from the BCS] is, 'Craig, here it is, It's done. It has been agreed to. It's signed,'" Thompson told USA Today . "That doesn't mean you can't put it on the table....One of the options would be to visit with the BCS coordinator, just to lay out our position."

Thompson added that he is not optimistic for immediate change because the MWC has already agreed to the current contract among "11 conferences, four bowls, two TV partners with yet another TV partner coming in," according to the article.

Utah's Young agrees, but says it never hurts to ask.

Texas high school basketball coach fired after beating opponent 100-0

For one Texas high school basketball coach even when you win, you lose.

Micah Grimes, who made national headlines when his team beat up an undermanned opponent 100-0, was fired on Sunday.

The firing of the girls varsity basketball coach comes after the Covenant School issued an official apology on its Web site following the Jan. 13 blowout of fellow Dallas-area private school, Dallas Academy.

Grimes, who was in his fourth season at the school, disagreed with the school's apology and said his team played with "honor."

"I respectfully disagree with the apology, especially the notion that the Covenant School girls basketball team should feel 'embarrassed' or 'ashamed,'" Grimes wrote in an e-mail posted on a youth basketball Web site on Sunday and published in The Dallas Morning News.

"We played the game as it was meant to be played and would not intentionally run up the score on any opponent. Although a wide-margin victory is never evidence of compassion, my girls played with honor and integrity and showed respect to Dallas Academy."

Kyle Queal, Covenant's headmaster, confirmed the firing to the Dallas Morning News, but said he could not say if the dismissal was a direct result of Grimes' disagreeing with the school.

Queal signed the original statement along with board chair Todd Doshier.

"The Covenant School, its board and administrators, regrets the incident of January 13 and the outcome of the game with the Dallas Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team. It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to competition."

The Christian school also sought to forfeit the game saying "a victory without honor is a great loss."

Covenant, a contender for the state championship last year, held a 59-0 lead at the half in the mid-January game. According to reports, Covenant continued to shoot 3-pointers and employ a full-court press defense into the fourth quarter.

Dallas Academy, a school that specializes in teaching students with "learning differences," such as short attention spans or dyslexia, has only eight players on its varsity squad and is winless over the last four seasons. source>>>

Cleveland Browns introduce Kokinis

The Browns formally introduced George Kokinis as the team's new general manager Monday morning.

Kokinis, who returns to the city in which he started his NFL career 18 years ago, has spent the last 13 years with the Baltimore Ravens, including the last six as the director of pro personnel.

Kokinis spent much of last week talking and interviewing with Browns owner Randy Lerner, head coach Eric Mangini and team president Mike Keenan.

"Randy cares about this football team. That's important," Kokinis said. "He wants it to be great, and that's important to me. But most important is when people say Cleveland Browns, he wants it to mean something. And that's important to me." Kokinis started his NFL career in the Browns' scouting department in 1991 and worked with Mangini in 1994 and 1995. Now, he and Mangini are working together again in trying to build a consistent winner with the Browns.

Kokinis said he'll begin evaluating every aspect of the Browns' roster and begin working with Mangini on building the 2009 Browns, but he said there's no timetable for making certain decisions.

"What's best for the Cleveland Browns - that's what's important," Kokinis said. "We will be on the same page and do what's best for the Cleveland Browns."

David Donohue follows in father’s footsteps by winning Rolex 24

Forty years after his world-famous father, Mark, won the race, David Donohue earned his own spot in motorsports history by holding off NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya for the overall victory in the 47th annual Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. That margin of victory: .167 seconds.

Donohue was part of the two-car Jacksonville-based Brumos Porsche team in the Daytona Prototype class. The other Brumos car, driven by a team headed by endurance racing legend Hurley Haywood, finished third. Brumos had not won a Grand-Am sports car race since 2003, and this is the first time Brumos has won the 24 Hours of Daytona since 1978. Haywood has five 24 Hours of Daytona victories of his own.

Donohue's co-drivers were former Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice, Darren Law and Antonio Garcia. Montoya's teammates were Indy Racing League champion Scott Dixon, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas. Their Lexus-powered Ganassi Racing Riley is the defending champion of the race. Montoya was going for his third straight 24 Hours of Daytona win, Ganassi's team for its fourth.

Montoya was not graceful in defeat, saying that the Porsche engine had so much more power than his Lexus.

"The amount of power they have on the straight? I'm actually surprised we were able to finish second. I drove my butt off," Montoya said.

"It is a little frustrating. When guys just drive by you, it doesn't seem right," said Montoya's co-driver, Pruett.

Donohue didn't buy it.

"It's a little bit ridiculous," Donohue said. "We've been at the bottom of the barrel, but Brumos never gives up, and today proves it."

Porsche, Donohue said, "builds a great engine."

The Porsche uses a six-cylinder engine while the Lexus is a V-8.

It was an especially emotional victory for two reasons: In 2007, Brumos Porsche owner Bob Snodgrass, the longtime leader of the racing effort, died in his sleep. And last month, Bob Carlson, the public-relations director for Porsche, lost a two-year battle with cancer.

"There were a lot of tears in Victory Lane," Donohue said.

Joey Logano Stripped Of Toyota Showdown Victory;

In less than two weeks Middletown native Joey Logano will be making his first appearance behind the wheel of the No. 20 Home Depot sponsored Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry at the highest level of NASCAR, in the Sprint Cup Series.

showdown logo.jpgLogano takes over the ride vacated by 2-time Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and will make his competitive NASCAR debut in the car in the Bud Shootout Feb. 7 at Daytona International Speedway.

But before taking over the big ride Logano had just a little more dramatic driving to put on display in NASCAR's minor leagues.

Logano, the 2007 Camping World East Series champion, crossed Logano At New Hampshire.jpgthe finish line first in the Camping World Series portion of the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. Saturday night, but he never got to victory to celebrate.

NASCAR penalized Logano immediately following the finish of the 250-lap event for rough riding Peyton Sellers in the final turn, giving the victory to Montville's Matt Kobyluck, who finished just behind Logano's banged and battered Joe Gibbs Racing entry.

It was the second Showdown victory for Kobyluck, who won his first Camping World East Series title in 2008. Kobyluck also won the Showdown, which was moved from October to January this year, in 2006. Logano won the most recent showdown before Saturday in 2007.

Logano was credited with a 40th place finish.

For Kobyluck, who won four of 13 East Series events in 2008, it was a hard earned trip to victory lane after he was forced to a backup car for the event and starting spot deep in the field.

"That was by far the wildest [finish at Irwindale] I've been a part of," Kobyluck said. "It comes down to the last lap here. Every year it comes down to the last lap.

Matt Kobyluck.jpg"My guys, to roll out a backup car with no laps on it and win this thing, I've got the best guys in the business. When my guys don't give up, I don't give up. I give them everything I've got every single lap. Experience helped me. We started back 23rd, 24th and rode back there for a while. We had to get through the first 100 [laps]. We made an adjustment and wanted to see what it was going to do and it went the wrong way. The second 100 I just rode it out and we gained a bunch of positions though and we made that last adjustment and let me tell you it was right."

Sellers was looking to make it a dramatic two victories in a row. He won the 2008 Camping World East Series finale in October at Stafford Motor Speedway in his final start for Andy Santerre Motorsports.

Sellers, who had passed Logano for the lead on lap 244, was in the high groove on the final lap with Logano stalking one groove lower. But Logano took an aggressive push into the final corner on the half-mile circuit and slid up the track coming off the corner, first putting Sellers hard into the wall before his own car also ended up in the wall.

Despite slamming the wall violently, Logano never lost his momentum, just beating Kobyluck to the start finish line.

"Obviously I'd rather be in victory lane," Logano said. "I crossed the finish line first, but it is what it is. It's NASCAR's call. We came out here for one reason and that was to win and I feel like we did that, but we don't have a trophy."

Logano, who in 2007 became the first rookie to win a Camping World East title and last year became the youngest driver ever to win in NASCAR's Nationwide Series, didn't seem at all surprised by NASCAR's decision to strip him of the win.

This Week in Golf - January 29th through February 1st

PGA TOUR - FBR OPEN, TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona - This is Super Bowl week and that means one thing for the PGA Tour, the FBR Open, home of the largest, most raucous crowd on the PGA Tour.

With daily attendance figures nearing or surpassing 100,000 fans, the signature hole is the par-three 16th, which will be fully-enclosed this year for the first time.

Some 20,000-plus fans will jam around the 16th to create the loudest hole in golf. Last year, nearly 538,000 people attended this event.

Not only will there be lots of loud fans, there will also be a solid field to keep those fans on their feet.

J.B. Holmes returns to defend his title. He birdied the 18th in regulation last year tie Phil Mickelson, then birdied 18 again in a playoff to beat Mickelson and win this title for the second time.

Mickelson, a two-time winner here, will be making his season debut at the TPC Scottsdale this week.

Also on hand will be former major champions like Paul Azinger (the 1987 winner), Angel Cabrera, Fred Couples, Ben Curtis, David Duval, Steve Elkington, Zach Johnson, 2000 champ Tom Lehman, Justin Leonard, Geoff Ogilvy, David Toms and Mike Weir.

They will be joined in the field by past champions Aaron Baddeley (2007), Jonathan Kaye (2004), Chris DiMarco (2002), Mark Calcavecchia (1989, 1992, 2001), Rocco Mediate (1999), Jesper Parnevik (1998) and Tommy Armour III (1990).

The only winner in the last 11 years not appearing this week will be Vijay Singh, who is recovering from knee surgery.

For the first time this season, the Golf Channel and CBS will split coverage. The Golf Channel had full coverage of the season's first three tournaments. Action will be aired all four days from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. (et).

Next week, the tour returns to Torrey Pines for the Buick Invitational, where Tiger Woods was a runaway winner last year. Woods is still recovering from knee surgery last June and is not expected to play.

EUROPEAN TOUR

DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Knee surgery will prevent Tiger Woods from defending his crown this week at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Woods fired a 65 in the final round last year to fend off Martin Kaymer by a single stroke to win this title for the second time.

Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried fired

University of Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried will be relieved of his duties this week, ending a run of nearly 11 years as the Crimson Tide's head basketball coach, sources have told The Tuscaloosa News.

Gottfried, 45, is not expected to coach the team in its remaining games. Although no announcement has been made concerning an interim coach, assistant coach Phillip Pearson is expected to take over the team until the end of the season.

Gottfried has two years remaining on a contract that is worth some $900,000 annually in terms of the University's liability for buyout. In his 11 seasons, he is 210-131 overall and one game above the .500 mark, 83-82, in Southeastern Conference play. Including three years as the head coach at Murray State, Gottfried's overall coaching record is 278-155.

He replaced David Hobbs as Alabama's head coach in April of 1998. After a three-year rebuilding process, Gottfried took Alabama to the NCAA Tournament in 2002, beginning a streak of five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. The Crimson Tide's best finish came in 2004 when UA advanced to the Elite Eight. source>>>>

2009 Senior Bowl Winners and Losers

Well, the 2009 Senior Bowl has come and gone, as we saw the South topple the North 35-18 last night. Many prospects had a ton of pressure on them during the game, as well as the practices.

Some responded to this pressure in heroic fashion, as their draft stock rose. Others, unfortunately, did not.

Let's look at some of the key risers and fallers after analyzing the practices as well as yesterday's game:

Risers

Pat White, QB, West Virginia- This is an obvious one. Pat White had a fantastic week. He was the only QB on both sides to shine in practice, and was named the game's MVP. He had a fantastic week using both his arm and his legs to impress the scouts in attendance. He is probably not a QB in the NFL, but he definitely improved his draft status regardless of his position and is one to keep an eye on on draft day.

B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College- Raji had an extremely dominating week. He tore apart offensive lineman in one-on-one drills, showing a fantastic burst of speed for someone his size. Although he was not as dominating during the game, he had a good enough week to cement himself as a top 15 pick in the draft.

Brian Cushing, LB, USC- Anybody doubting Cushing's first round draft status was silenced this week. He was very solid all week, as were the other USC linebackers. I personally like him more than Rey Maualuga.

Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma- Iglesias displayed excellent route-running skills and fantastic hands this week. He shined in practice drills and had a pretty solid game as well. The only knock on him is his breakaway speed.

Jeremiah Johnson, RB, Oregon- He may be a small back, but the Oregon RB ran like a monster this week. He did a great job eluding tacklers as well as catching the football. He ran for 22 yards on three carries and caught two passes for 29 yards.

Andre Brown, RB, NC State- Brown came out of nowhere this week to wow the many scouts in attendance. He had a great game yesterday, rushing for 26 yards and a touchdown on ten carries, and catching two balls for 39 yards.

Honourable Mentions: Louis Delmas (FS, Western Michigan), Michael Oher (OT, Mississippi), Brandon Pettigrew (TE, Oklahoma State), Brian Robiskie (WR, Ohio State), Brandon Gibson (WR, Washington State).

Fallers

Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech- The Texas Tech QB looked awful all week throwing the football, as he was unable to put any zip on the ball. He showed poor mechanics, had trouble taking the ball from center and was very inaccurate.

Herman Johnson, OG, LSU- Johnson just had a bad week. He showed terrible footwork and was beat many times by speed rushers in 1 on 1 drills. He didn't do much in the game either.

William Moore, S, Missouri- Moore was once a lock for the first round, but after Senior Bowl week, there are many doubters to that. He was very overaggressive and did not shine at the practices. He looks like more of a late first to early second round pick.

Fili Moala, DT, USC- Once thought to be the best DT in the draft, Moala had a poor week. He was not as dominating as one would have thought, and that definitely hurt his draft stock.

Not-so-honorable Mentions- William Beatty (OT, UConn), Cullen Harper (QB, Clemson), Jonathan Luigis (C, Arkansas)
source>>>

Obama added to Super Bowl pre-game show

NBC-TV says it has landed the "first television interview from the White House" with President Obama since Inauguration Day, and that it will be on the air during the pre-game show before Sunday's Super Bowl.

According to a press release sent to reporters a short time ago:

NBC News' Matt Lauer will sit down with President Barack Obama for a live interview. ... The interview will be the president's first television interview from the White House since his inauguration. The live interview will air Sunday, February 1 during NBC's Super Bowl Pre-Game. More of the interview will air Monday, February 2 on NBC News' Today.

NBC Sports' coverage of the Super Bowl begins at Noon ET, Sunday, February 1. source>>>

Super Bowl ticket price drops over $300 since last week

The asking price for the cheapest Super Bowl tickets has fallen below $1,500.

For $1,498, you can buy a ticket in the upper-level 328 section of Raymond James Stadium, according to listings on the NFL ticket exchange. Similar prices are available through the StubHub and LiveStub ticket sites.

By comparison, the lowest price for a similar seat one week ago was $1,814.

Meanwhile, the supply of tickets being offered online is rising, according to LiveStub.

LiveStub, which tracks tickets offered through its own site and on the NFL's ticket exchange, said there were 1,607 tickets on those sites a week ago. But that went from 2,285 Saturday to 2,536 Sunday to 2,665 today.

StubHub does not show the same three-day trend. The supply of tickets offered through its site rose from 1,193 to 1,256 between Saturday and Sunday, then fell to 894 today.

The average price of all tickets tracked by LiveStub is $3,503 today, down from a high of $4,370 on Wednesday.

It's not just game tickets that are being discounted.

On Friday, organizers of Brian Griese and Kevin Carter's Inside the Huddle Party dropped their ticket prices from $800 to $500 each.

The party, scheduled for Friday night at Don Shula's Steakhouse in Tampa, benefits Judi's House, a nonprofit created to help grieving children and families, and the Kevin Carter Foundation, which works on behalf of children in need.

Organizers say the Huddle Party's confirmed guests include a variety of current or recent Bucs (Ronde Barber, Warrick Dunn, Joey Galloway, Shelton Quarles and Chris Simms) and legendary Miami Dolphins (Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Larry Little, Earl Morrall, Lynn Swann and Don Shula himself). To learn more, check source>>>

The Washington basketball team is back in The top 25 first time in two years

The Washington basketball team is back in The Associated Press basketball poll for the first time in two years.

After beating UCLA, the Huskies are ranked No. 23 in this week's rankings. They were last ranked in Jan. 2007. Washington next plays at Arizona on Thursday.

The Gonzaga basketball team is ranked 20th this week. The Bulldogs play No. 22 Saint Mary's on Thursday in Spokane. source>>>

Duke #1 in AP men's college basketball poll

There's a new No. 1 in The Associated Press college basketball poll for the third time in four weeks, and it's a familiar spot for Duke. The Blue Devils (18-1) moved up one place Monday, their first appearance at No. 1 since the final poll of 2005-06. Only UCLA has been top-ranked more in the 59-year history of the poll.

This is Duke's 111th week at No. 1, 23 behind UCLA. The Blue Devils were ranked No. 1 at least one week every season from 1997-98 to 2003-04 and have been there in nine of the past 12 seasons.

Connecticut and Pittsburgh moved up one place each to second and third. Wake Forest dropped from No. 1 to No. 6 after a loss to Virginia Tech.

Pittsburgh was No. 1 for two weeks before Wake Forest. source>>>

Lucky punch from Fedor floors "Pit Bull" Arlovski at Affliction

"[Andrei Arlovski] made a young man's mistake. It was too easy for him. He was winning the fight handily I thought, controlling the fight like we planned. He got a little cocky, and he tried the flying knee from too far away, no setup, and he paid for it ... Fedor swings hard, that's his thing. He probably had his eye closed, but he just got lucky, I think. If we had followed a more disciplined fight, and kept to the game plan, I think it was going to be easy."

Freddie Roach -- who has raved about the boxing skills of his pupil, Andrei Arlovski, heading into his superfight against WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning -- talks about what went wrong last night. "The Pitbull" was knocked out cold by the cornered and very dangerous Russian cyborg in the first round while attempting a flying knee. Roach chalks it up to youthful inexperience and a little bit of luck. Perhaps Emelianenko should have used better technique and fought more like a man. That way, maybe, he wouldn't now be eating crow or having to cough up $5,000 to M-1 Global's Gary Millen in a sidebet. source>>>

MMA can be a tougher business outside the ring or cage than in it.

MMA can be a tougher business outside the ring or cage than in it. With its various partners, Affliction is off to a more promising start than most on the heels of last Saturday's "Day of Reckoning" at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

But there's always room for improvement. This weekend's event had its hits and misses. If I was at the helm, this is what I'd consider for next time.

Do ...

Keep Tom Atencio as matchmaker

Two events have produced a plethora of solid matchups. Emelianenko-Arlovski. Barnett-Rizzo 2. Buentello-Sidelnikov. Belfort-Martin.

And before you say a bloated payroll can buy virtually any high-end attraction, Affliction's undercards have certainly held up their end of the bargain. Saturday's preliminary bouts for "Day of Reckoning" included competitive pairings between welterweights Brett Cooper and Patrick Speight and featherweights L.C. Davis and Bao Quach (a late replacement no less), which warmed up the crowd and provided a nice crescendo leading into the main card.

With Golden Boy Promotions, M-1 Global and the Trump Organization coming on board in a greater capacity, matchmaking is an area that could suffer from too many chefs piling into the kitchen at once.

This is one task that Affliction hasn't faltered on so far, so let's give Atencio, who has a grassroots rapport with many fighters on the circuit, some space to see what else he can come up with.

Put Oscar de La Hoya or a Trump at the podium as much as possible

Experience speaks volumes, and Oscar de La Hoya's added visibility with the promotion has already made a positive impact. Who knows how much he knows about MMA yet? He could be a novice, hardcore fan or somewhere in between. Right now, that doesn't really matter as Affliction tries to establish confidence in its product.

Joe Hall/Sherdog.com

Is Oscar De La Hoya
good for Affliction?
What de La Hoya does know is presentation. He speaks with conviction and poise. He is a fighter. He knows about pain, perseverance and sacrifice. And he knows promotion. What better man to rally the combat sports' press than boxing's darling?

Trump Jr., who'll be stepping in on behalf of the Trump Organization in a greater capacity in the future, seems to have a general knowledge of the sport, as well. Trump, too, knows how to handle the media and deliver soundbytes. It's in the blood.

Stay in California

Crowds of 13,000 to 14,000 in MMA are something to shake a stick at. Despite the best intentions, few events can break the 10,000-served barrier. That is a sobering fact many would-be promoters find hard to swallow.

Forget Las Vegas. That market is locked up. The successes of Strikeforce -- which pitches its tent in San Jose, Calif. -- and to a lesser degree, a slew of regional shows from coast to coast, come from these organizations calling their home turf, building a repeat fan base and staying put.

After booking its initial engagements around the country in 2001 and 2002, the UFC lowered its expectations and doubled its efforts in its hometown before venturing out of it again. That is proven history.

The Honda Center is a modern, fully equipped, easy-to-access venue. And with Disneyland, Angel Stadium of Anaheim and loads of shopping centers within an arm's distance, Anaheim can accommodate more than just the rabid MMA fan. Want to check out the show but don't want to bring the wife and kids? There's plenty here to keep them occupied.

Expand on the live experience

As a live event experience, Affliction has excelled quickly in only two live events. Crowds have been strong in number and emotion, and like its chic clothing line, Affliction shows have created a "rock star" vibe with their music, lighting, graphics and VIP clientele. But why stop there? The UFC learned through trial and error that downtime between fights can be a major buzz kill. Though Saturday's event had an excellent pace, there always comes a time when the promotion has to step in itself to keep moods high and short attention spans engaged.

Training montages, behind-the-scene vignettes and highlight reels, set to roaring, upbeat music always do the trick. And why not take advantage by introducing fans to stars and up-and-comers not competing that night with past footage while you have the chance?

There's a reason why the famous "Baba O'Riley" highlight reel of the Octagon's best opens up every single UFC event. source>>>

Affliction is chomping at the heels of the UFC if not financially, certainly with the quality of its

The recent Affliction: Day of Reckoning event was, let's face it, a pretty exciting event. It was well produced, had excellent fights, and a Stella atmosphere.

Perhaps what made it look even better was a less than perfect show from the UFC the previous week.

Which ever way you look at it, Affliction is chomping at the heels of the UFC if not financially, certainly with the quality of its events.

Affliction has top-ranked fighters, the fights seem to be made with the interest of the sport firmly at the heart of the match up rather than an urge to sell tickets by putting on a freak show.

The partnerships Affliction has made seem to be solid and although the wages paid to fighters do still seem a little steep. With trump behind them maybe it wont be as financially catastrophic as first thought.

Trump Jr. seems to actually have a genuine interest in the sport which can do nothing but help the partnership and Oscar De La Hoya adds a great deal of experience and credibility to the proceedings in the eyes of the press.

They have made a very smart move in the UK where the popularity of the sport continues to grow at a rapid pace (the UFC's UK poster Boy Mike Bisping was recently voted "coolest man in Britain" by popular Men's Magazine "Nuts") and have taken over the UFC's old spot on Bravo TV.

Bravo lost the UFC contract to a Pay to View Sports Channel called Setanta sports but now Bravo have Affliction it makes it essentially whole lot more accessible to watch Affliction over the UFC for casual fans.

So is there room for two at the top?

I hope so, at the moment the UFC remains the undisputed heavyweight champ but having two front-runners to bring us our fix of MMA sounds like a good thing to me.

There will always be conflict between the two organisations, unless drastic changes in attitudes (and dare I say, presidents!) are made but they will have to co-exist.

There may be some pushing and shoving, but the UFC just might have to move over and make room for someone else at the top of the pile. source>>>

.. Gov. Rod Blagojevich tells" View" This is much bigger than me or Illinois....

Actually, it's not. This issue is highly parochial, and it's barely bigger than the dimensions of Milorad R. Blagojevich himself.

Each state has its own laws regarding impeachment, so even if Illinois had adopted a blatantly unfair process (as Blagojevich inaccurately claims), it would not create a precedent in any other state or commonwealth.

And it certainly would have no bearing whatsoever on procedures in our civil and criminal courts, the governor's repeated insistence that "if they can do this to me they can do it to anyone" notwithstanding.

It's not as though state legislatures have ever been quick on the trigger with impeachments -- the citizenry is not threatened by a rash of rogue lawmakers attempting to oust popularly elected members of the executive or judicial branch based on their flimsy whims.

Actually, it's surprising how few officeholders are ever impeached and removed, given the tendency of politiciansto misbehave when besotted with power.

Impeachment is an extraordinary remedy and these are extraordinary circumstances. The nation is captivated by our little trial only because the Blagojevich story is such a compelling sideshow with such an exquisitely obnoxious main character.

Every minute he's on the air he commits another offense against our intelligence and our goodwill. Every day that he puts his own best interests first and pretends it's about our best interests is another day that he digs himself in deeper.

Yet I'm already starting to miss him.

His opacity, his arrogance, his venality, his logorrhea... what more could a journalist ask for? source>>>

The 50th Bob Hope Classic was far from your ordinary event on the PGA Tour.

The 50th Bob Hope Classic was far from your ordinary event on the PGA Tour. Pat Perez, Steve Stricker, John Merrick, and most notably the PGA record books are not the same after the marathon five-round tournament.

Had this been your ordinary 72-hole event, Stricker, a 41-year-old PGA Tour veteran from Edgerton, Wisc., would have been walking away with his 5th title and nearly a cool million. Fortunately for Perez, the extra 18 holes at the PGA West Palmer Private Course allowed him the opportunity to earn his first victory after 198 starts on the PGA Tour.

Fairways at a Premium
Stricker flat out lost it on the tee on Sunday. He started out fine, hitting his first three fairways. Winds early in the day were between 5-15 mph, but as the afternoon wore on, they increased to 15-30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. This wind seemed to unnerve Stricker, as he hit only three of 10 fairways down the stretch (and six of 13 for the day).

Perez, on the other hand, was able to fight through the conditions and actually hit more fairways on average than he had in his previous rounds this week, which included his PGA Tour 36-hole scoring record of 61-63--124. source>>>

Pat Perez fires eagle on final hole to win Bob Hope Classic

Pat Perez began the Bob Hope Classic in historic fashion. Yesterday, his big finish set a personal milestone.

Perez recorded his first PGA tournament victory, firing an eagle on his final hole to clinch the US$5.1-million tournament.

The 32-year-old carded a three-under-par 69 in the fifth and final round to finish with a three-stroke victory over John Merrick at 33-under 327.

Perez led at the end of four of the five rounds and set a PGA Tour record for the best 36-hole start to a tournament at 20-under 124. Perez bettered a mark that was shared by five players, including Tiger Woods, who accomplished the feat at the 2000 NEC Invitational.

Merrick, who had a share of the lead before a bogey at No. 17, signed for a 67.

Steve Stricker entered the final round with a three-shot lead over Perez after shooting a 62 on Saturday but he stumbled mightily, closing with a five-over 77 to finish five strokes back in a tie for third with Canadian Mike Weir. Weir shot a 67 yesterday to finish five shots back. He had been second after the first round but shot a 70 on Thursday when more than half the field shot 68 or better.

The other Canadian in the field, Stephen Ames, surged forward with a 63 yesterday, the day's lowest round, to finish in a tie for fifth.

Spain's Alvaro Quiros won the European Tour's Qatar Masters by three shots ahead of Sweden's Henrik Stenson and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen yesterday.

Quiros fired a three-under 69 in the final round for an total score of 19-under 269.

Stenson and Oosthuizen shared second place at 272. Stenson shot a final-round 68 while Oosthuizen had a 71.

"It wasn't a perfect day. I took time to get going. It is a surprise to win here," said Quiros, who earned Ð314,400 (US$404,872) for the victory.

"I think it is easy to smile when you are winning but I will keep smiling wherever I go and play. Now I will be, maybe, in the top 30. That is important for me. It is important for me to play big tournaments."

European golfers are maintaining a diplomatic stance over their choice of the next Ryder Cup captain, the Gulf Times newspaper reported yesterday.

With Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal throwing their hats into the ring to lead Europe in the 2010 event to be held at Celtic Manor in Wales, it is expected to be a close decision when the name is announced in Dubai on Wednesday, a day before the Desert Classic begins.

Montgomerie, who missed the cut at the event in Qatar and will be playing in Dubai, declined to comment on Olazabal's decision to challenge him.

"I'm not saying anything significant to anyone. I will see you next week and I look forward to it," Montgomerie said.

The 45-year-old Scot had earlier indicated he wanted to play in next year's Ryder Cup but has emerged as the front-runner for the captain's role. Olazabal was a member of three winning Ryder Cup teams and served as Nick Faldo's deputy last year when the United States beat Europe 16½-11½ at Valhalla.

However, he has been dogged by fitness problems of late and had to miss the Qatar Masters because of rheumatism in his wrists.

Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who are members of the tournament committee, also chose not to come out openly.

"I will vote and you will hear that on Wednesday," Stenson said. "Lips are sealed. We've had enough speculation on that already." source>>>

No. 9 Louisville stays perfect in Big East

Louisville is still waiting for a Big East challenge it can't handle. Not even 25,721 screaming Syracuse fans or Eric Devendorf's clutch 3-pointer could derail the Cardinals on Sunday. Earl Clark silenced the raucous Carrier Dome crowd with a 3-pointer with 2:06 remaining and No. 9 Louisville held off No. 8 Syracuse 67-57 to remain unbeaten in the conference.

"We just had to dig down and play great defense," said Clark, who finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. "They have five guys who average double figures. When Devendorf hit the big shot, we didn't hang our heads. We came together as a team."

It was the seventh straight win for Louisville (15-3, 6-0), which handed Pittsburgh its first loss of the season, 69-63, eight days ago. Syracuse (17-4, 5-3) lost its second straight -- the Orange fell 78-60 at No. 4 Pitt on Monday -- since a 93-74 home win over Notre Dame.

After Devendorf's shot gave Syracuse a 55-54 lead with 2:55 left, Clark put the Cardinals ahead to stay as the Orange misfired repeatedly. Syracuse, averaging 80.4 points a game, had only two field goals in the last seven minutes in being held to a season low in points.

"When we got down, we didn't panic. We're a veteran team," said Louisville's Terrence Williams, a former Rainier Beach High standout, who had 15 points and nine rebounds. "We've been in that position before. We just had to go from there, come down and be patient on offense." source>>>

NCAA Top-25 Basketball Games

Sam Young scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, helping the No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers pull away from West Virginia in a 79-67 decision. The Panthers (18-1, 6-1 Big East) have now won two straight since dropping its only game at Louisville last weekend. Pitt, which received 16 points and 11 rebounds from DeJuan Blair, has defeated the Mountaineers (14-5, 3-3) in five of the past six "Backyard Brawl" meetings between the rival programs. Levance Fields chipped in 13 points and five assists, while Jermaine Dixon contributed 11 points for the victors, who shot 53.6 percent from the field. Da'Sean Butler led the Mountaineers with 21 points and six boards but it wasn't enough to push their winning streak to four games. Alex Ruoff tallied 16 points for WVU, which hit a mere 5-for-19 from three-point range.

Final Score: (7) Michigan State 78, Ohio State 67

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Durrell Summers led all scorers with 26 points and Kalin Lucas finished with 20, as seventh-ranked Michigan State defeated Ohio State, 78-67, in Big Ten action at Value City Arena. Goran Suton contributed 13 points and nine boards, while Travis Walton donated seven points and four rebounds for Michigan State (16-3, 6-1 Big Ten), which recovered nicely after having its 11-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday after falling to Northwestern, 70-63. Lucas, who did not start due to academic reasons, played 31 minutes and added three rebounds and as many assists. Evan Turner scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed six rebounds for Ohio State (13-5, 3-4), which dropped its second straight after losing an ugly 67-49 decision at Illinois on Tuesday. Jon Diebler and B.J. Mullens each scored 12 points, while William Buford registered 11 in defeat.

Final Score: (9) Louisville 67, (8) Syracuse 57

Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - Earl Clark scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, as ninth-ranked Louisville earned its seventh straight win with a 67-57 victory over No. 8 Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. Terrence Williams added 15 points and nine boards for Louisville (15-3, 6-0 Big East), which finished with 21 offensive rebounds and kept pace with Marquette as the only unbeaten teams in conference play. The Cardinals haven't lost since a 56-55 setback to UNLV on New Year's Eve and have beaten four ranked teams -- Villanova, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and now Syracuse -- during their winning streak. Louisville outscored Syracuse 13-2 in the final 2 1/2 minutes to hand the Orange (17-4, 5-3) their second straight loss. Syracuse also finished a run of four straight games against ranked opposition with a mark of 1-3, beating only Notre Dame and losing to Georgetown and Pittsburgh before Sunday's setback. Eric Devendorf scored 20 points to pace Syracuse, which was held to its lowest scoring output of the season. Jonny Flynn added 12 points and Arinze Onuaku contributed 11 with nine boards in defeat.

Final Score: (10) Clemson 73, Georgia Tech 59

Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Terrence Oglesby had a team-high 18 points, and the 10th-ranked Clemson Tigers got back to their winning ways with a 73-59 victory over Georgia Tech. Trevor Booker added 11 points and 11 rebounds for Clemson (17-2, 3-2 ACC), which had lost each of its previous two games by double-digits to Wake Forest and North Carolina, respectively. Raymond Sykes and Jerai Grant each had 10 points in the win for the Tigers. Gani Lawal scored 14 points and grabbed 10 boards for Georgia Tech (9-10, 0-6), which has lost five in a row. Alade Aminu contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Zachery Peacock added 10 points in the loss.

Final Score: Seton Hall 65, (12) Georgetown 60

Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Jeremy Hazell scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Seton Hall shocked Georgetown, 65-60, in a Big East matchup at the Prudential Center. Robert Mitchell added 20 points and seven rebounds, while Eugene Harvey had seven points and Paul Gause chipped in with six points and five assists for Seton Hall (10-9, 1-6 Big East), which snapped a six-game losing skid and won for only the second time in its last 10 contests. Greg Monroe paced Georgetown with 17 points and seven boards, while DaJuan Summers had 12 points to go along with six rebounds for Georgetown (12-6, 3-4), which lost its third straight and fifth in seven games overall. Georgetown shot a woeful 32.9 percent from the field, including 3- of-22 from three-point range. Seton Hall made 42.5 percent of its shots but finished 0-for-13 from beyond the arc.

Final Score: (21) Minnesota 67, Indiana 63

Bloomington, IN (Sports Network) - Damian Johnson scored a team-high 18 points and grabbed six rebounds as 21st-ranked Minnesota held off Indiana, 67-63, in a Big Ten matchup at Assembly Hall. Ralph Sampson III had a solid game with 13 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots, while Lawrence Westbrook had 12 points and Jamal Abu-Shamala 10 for Minnesota (17-3, 5-3 Big Ten), which snapped a two-game slide after dropping games to Northwestern and Purdue. Devan Dumes led all scorers with 19 points and Malik Story chipped in with 14 for Indiana (5-13, 0-6), which has dropped nine straight games. It's the longest losing streak for the Hoosiers since they dropped 11 in a row from January 8 through February 18, 1944. Tom Pritchard donated 10 points to go along with five boards in defeat.

Final Score: (24) Florida 94, Vanderbilt 69

Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Chandler Parsons poured in 27 points and Erving Walker added 17, as 24th-ranked Florida bounced back from Wednesday's last-second loss to South Carolina with a 94-69 rout of Vanderbilt at Memorial Gym. Parsons made 10-of-11 shots, including 7-of-8 from three-point range, for the Gators (17-3, 4-1 SEC), who had a 10-game winning streak stopped in a stunning 70-69 setback Wednesday when South Carolina scored on a breakaway dunk off a missed Florida free throw just before the buzzer. Nick Calathes chipped in 15 points on Sunday and Walter Hodge scored 10 for Florida, which shot 57.4 percent from the field and connected on an astounding 15-of-25 from beyond the arc. George Drake scored 14 points and Jermaine Beal added 13 for Vanderbilt (12-7, 1-4), which has lost three in a row. A.J. Ogilvy, the Commodores' leading scorer with 15.8 points per game, was just 1-of-5 from the floor and scored four points in only 15 minutes. source>>>

College Basketball Betting: Best Trends of 2009

college-basketball-betting-trends-012609Every college basketball season has small trends that eventually get noticed by the betting public if they develop into long-term trends. The most influential trend of this season though has been the success that road teams have experienced. As conference play has continued, road teams have been having more and more success, especially in the bigger conferences. Teams have not only failed to cover as favorites at home, but they have also lost outright routinely.

Sunday's games saw Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Louisville, and Florida all win outright on the road as either small favorites or underdogs. Pittsburgh was hardly overwhelmed by West Virginia's home court advantage, as they cruised to a double digit road win. Ohio State's home court edge wasn't enough to hold off Michigan State, as the Spartans got an easy 11 point victory. Louisville was able to use their size and defensive ability to control Syracuse throughout. Florida absolutely crushed Vanderbilt in the 1st and 2nd half. The biggest surprise in those games was how Michigan State and Pittsburgh really handled their home opponents in the 2nd half. Usually home college basketball teams are able to have an advantage as the game progresses, but Ohio State and West Virginia completely folded. In addition, Saturday's games also had several home favorites that failed to cover as home favorites. In fact, SEC home teams were just 1-5 straight up and 0-6 against the spread on Saturday. Big East home teams were 1-3 against the spread. Big 12 Conference home favorites were just 1-3 against the spread too, with Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas all failing to cover as the favored team at home. The average bettor must take note of this trend, as it should continue throughout the season. Bet on college basketball tonight with BetUS!

This trend will arguably continue throughout the season, as teams become more and more acclimated to playing in hostile road environments. However, there are certain situations where the home favorite should be strongly looked at, despite the overwhelming success of road underdogs. First and foremost, look to back home teams that have some kind of a decided match-up advantage and playing with a motivational factor. The best example of this theory is when Syracuse played at Pittsburgh in the middle of January. The Panthers had a decided size advantage over the Orange. In addition, they had much better overall defense and one of the strongest home courts in the country. Pittsburgh was also coming off of a loss at Louisville. Consequently, they hammered Syracuse in a double digit home blowout. However, the Panthers had several factors pointing to them. Many home favorites do not have several advantages over their opponent, despite receiving points.

Overall, don't be discouraged from taking road favorites/underdogs just because of them playing away from home. If deciding to take a home favorite, make sure that they have several advantages which will allow them to win by margin. source>>>

Vince Young, Reggie Bush, and Matt Leinart: it's a different picture three years later.

. Apparently, Kerry Collins is going to be the starting QB for the Tennessee Titans next year. This Sunday, Kurt Warner will start the Super Bowl for the Arizona Cardinals. Whither Vince Young and Matt Leinart, heroes of the ridiculous 2005 college football season and the greatest game ever played (in the eyes of some)? Riding the pine.

While we're on this topic, the New Orleans Saints didn't make the playoffs. Reggie Bush was leading the NFL in rushing early last season for a minute, but it's possible most people know him right now not for his cutback skills, source>>>

A few "PETTY" Texas and Utah lawmakers vote against commending Florida's championship

A handful of lawmakers are upset about college football's BCS system.

On Thursday, several House members -- from Texas and Utah -- voted against a resolution commending the University of Florida's national championship .

The University of Utah had an undefeated season, and the University of Texas was one of a handful of one-loss teams.

They want the NCAA to have a playoff system, instead of choosing the championship teams based on rankings and polls.

NCAA grants East Carolina's Quaterback, Patrick Pinkney another season

After a postseason of wondering, quarterback Patrick Pinkney and the East Carolina football team learned Friday the senior had been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Pinkney was earlier granted a medical hardship by Conference USA for the 2004 season, in which Pinkney was used in a jayvee game just days prior to undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Now, the NCAA has granted Pinkney a fifth-year exemption for the 2005 campaign, in which the Fayetteville native underwent a second shoulder surgery and sat out the entire year.

ECU head coach Skip Holtz confirmed Friday the word was final on Pinkney's return. The senior, who has already graduated from school, is enrolled in graduate school for the spring term.

"These don't come along very often, and it's a good thing," said ECU compliance director Tim Metcalf, who was shouldered with the task of getting all the right paperwork on Pinkney -- including all medical and academic records and a written statement from Pinkney himself into the right hands. "Patrick is a genuinely good guy, and you like to see good things happen to good people."

Pinkney became the Pirates' full-time starter last season after splitting duties with rising senior Rob Kass in 2007.

Thanks to the work of Metcalf and the NCAA's approval on Friday, Pinkney will be back once more to try to build on his 2,675-yard, 13-touchdown season and his team's first-ever C-USA championship.

"I consider myself very blessed with the opportunity to enjoy another year with my teammates and coaches, and play one more season at East Carolina," Pinkney said. "To be a part of this program's first conference championship in many years last season was rewarding and I'm looking forward to being in a position to help contribute to a new set of goals in 2009. Obviously, ECU is a special place for me and my family, and I'm thankful for the NCAA's decision to allow me to get one year back."

For Metcalf, it is the end of a long ride into the unknown. Metcalf said prior to the Pirates' Jan. 2 Liberty Bowl appearance that with C-USA's nod for the 2004 season, the chance for NCAA approval on the 2005 campaign was very likely.

That didn't make it any easier to wait out the NCAA's decision.

"I felt bad because there was nothing I could tell anybody," Metcalf said. "I couldn't call the NCAA every five minutes and ask them what's going on. I had to let them do their job. There was really nothing we could do but sit and wait."

With recruiting in full swing and National Signing Day looming in early February, it was understandably a decision on which the ECU coaching staff was hanging.

Now, Pinkney will get his chance to lead the Pirates for one more season, leaving Kass as the most likely backup ahead of redshirt freshman Josh Jordan.

"We're all excited for Patrick and our program that he'll be with us another year," Holtz said. "It's nice to see his resiliency and ability to face adversity on and off the field rewarded in some respect. I know it was disappointing for him to fight through the injuries and start at the bottom of the depth chart, but to his credit, he continued to work hard and remain positive during his climb back up the ladder.

"Patrick has already earned his undergraduate degree and has been a role model in our community, so I'm not sure there's a better way for anyone to represent our program in a first-class manner than that."

For his career, Pinkney is currently fifth in the ECU record books with 4,033 passing yards and sixth in completions with 344.

According to Metcalf, there are no other major eligibility concerns like Pinkney's on the horizon for ECU football. source>>>

Tim Wilkinson failed to fire but, American Pat Perez Smoking at the Bob Hope Classic i

New Zealand's Tim Wilkinson failed to fire but American Pat Perez made the most of ideal scoring conditions to forge two strokes clear of the field in record-breaking style at the Bob Hope Classic in Friday's second round.

The Kiwi lefthander shot a scorching round of 65 on Thursday but could only manage a disappointing even par 72 to be 13 shots off the pace on Friday.

Meanwhile, having opened with a scintillating 11-under-par 61 on the Palmer Private course at PGA West, Perez followed up with a flawless nine-under 63 on the Jack Nicklaus Private layout.

The 31-year-old piled up nine birdies on another calm, clear day in the California desert to set a PGA Tour record with a 20-under total of 124.

Briny Baird, who aced the par-three seventh with a nine-iron, also carded a 63 on the Nicklaus course to lie second, a stroke in front of fellow American David Berganio junior (64).

"I just played two of the best days I ever have in a row," a beaming Perez told reporters.

"I'm using a new driver and I'm killing it. I'm hitting my irons close and the putter's working well.
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"The course is set up for it, the pin placements aren't the hardest and the weather's been perfect.

"It's really like playing in a dome out there but you've still got to make putts," said Perez, who signed off with a birdie at the last after his eight-iron approach ended up two feet from the flag.

"I have played two unbelievable rounds and I'm very happy where I'm at."

American Tom Lehman held the previous Tour record of 19-under 125 after 36 holes, at the 2001 Las Vegas Classic.

Although delighted with his red-hot start to the tournament, Perez was much more concerned with his bid for a first PGA Tour title since joining the circuit in 2002.

"It (record scoring) doesn't really mean anything," he said. "It's nice but I would like to have all kind of records at the end of the week.

"Three-day, four-day and five-day (lead), the trophy, booze, all that stuff. That's what I want. So two days is nice but I would really love to be sitting here late Sunday. That's the goal."

Baird, like Perez yet to win on the PGA Tour, was elated to card a second successive 63.

"It's awesome," he said.

"I played well yesterday and didn't do anything spectacular today, other than I scored really well.

"And what I mean by that is if I missed a green, I chipped it up there to a foot and tapped that in."

Swede Richard S. Johnson fired a seven-under 65 on the Palmer course to end the day at 16 under with Americans Tom Pernice junior (63), Jason Dufner (65) and Chris Stroud (63).

World number 16 Steve Stricker, the highest-ranked player in the field, was eight strokes off the pace after carding a 67 at the SilverRock Resort, one of four venues hosting the five-round pro-am celebrity event.

Among those level with Stricker were 2003 winner Mike Weir of Canada, who shot a 70, and defending champion DJ Trahan, after a 67 at Bermuda Dunes Country Club. source>>>

There’s little mystery as to why NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson won a third consecutive Cup title

Johnson does his level best every time he gets on the track but he'd be the first to tell you that all-out efforts on his part don't alone result in trips to Victory Lane. There's more to his unmatched success than just his superb driving.

Figuring prominently into why Johnson is so hard to beat is his employer, Hendrick Motorsports, and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, who has done the best job of anybody in a long time to fully utilize the vast resources of the organization that is also home to four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon.

Rick Hendrick is an owner who set out to build the dominant organization in Cup racing. He brought aboard Gordon full time in 1993 and showed no hesitation to go deep into his pockets to provide his rising star with whatever resources were necessary to reach the goal of winning a championship - something Gordon did for the first time in 1995. He would take the title again in 1997, 1998 and 2001.

Take an in-depth look at each of NASCAR's top-12 drivers in 2008.
Through the years Hendrick Motorsports evolved to reach the pinnacle of the sport and all of what was learned and developed and improved upon for Gordon and the company's other drivers over the years has served to benefit Johnson in his championship seasons. When it comes to races and titles won, the common denominator for Johnson and Gordon is Hendrick Motorsports, a company that is deep in resources and manpower and is never asleep at the switch in the ever changing world of NASCAR racing.

Knaus' history with Hendrick Motorsports started with a stint last decade of five years working his way up with Gordon's team. Remember Gordon's original Rainbow Warriors pit crew, well Knaus was a tire changer for that group. He left Hendrick Motorsports at the end of 1997 with his sights set on becoming a crew chief, something he eventually achieved with Melling Racing and driver Stacy Compton. But in 2002 he returned to Hendrick Motorsports becoming Johnson's crew chief and that was the start of the double-barreled slingshot that began picking off competitors one by one on the track and in the standings.

Take a look at every Sprint Cup Series trip to victory lane this season.
Knaus and Johnson have terrific chemistry. There's a ton of trust between them and that helps generate the ample confidence both bring to their roles on the No. 48 Chevrolet. Perhaps most importantly in their relationship is their great communication. They have a tremendous strength in relaying information throughout races and that's why even on days when they appear up to their necks in issues on a struggling car they almost always find a way to pull out a solid finish.

A key reason why this driver-crew chief combination contends for and wins championships is that they are never satisfied with where they are running in a race (unless it's in front, of course). They always feel they can improve on how they are doing. Somehow, some way they believe they can find some more speed and they so often do. source>>>

Dale Jr. at home; Documentary-style commercial shows off NASCAR star in his comfort zone

Tuesday and Wednesday of last week were like any other day for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his best friends. They rode four-wheelers, played pool, fired paintballs and raced go-karts, all on his 300 rolling acres in Mooresville, N.C.

The only evidence that Earnhardt was shooting a commercial for his Hendrick Motorsports sponsor, Amp Energy Drink, was the presence of a few cameras and the shouts of an award-winning director. And a few more people were watching, including executives from PepsiCo, Amp's parent company.

"Basically, we were just out here raising hell and they were filming it," Earnhardt said. "It was pretty fun. We kind of forgot that there were cameras around."
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The idea behind the next Amp commercial, which breaks Feb. 15 on Fox for the Daytona 500, was to uncover the real Earnhardt, the boy in a man's body who has transformed his property 30 miles north of Charlotte into a grown man's Disney. There, he cut up with pals like Topher (short for Christopher), T.J. and Josh, most of whom he has known since childhood.

The idea to shoot NASCAR's most elite pitchman in his natural surroundings was Earnhardt's. He hatched the concept in a meeting with PepsiCo executives and Amp's ad agency, BBDO, New York, all of whom met the driver at his place before Christmas.

PepsiCo and BBDO wanted the commercial to have a documentary feel to it, so once the groundwork was set, they reached out to director Stacy Peralta. His credits include "Dogtown and Z-Boys," a skateboarding movie that won Sundance Film Festival awards in 2001, and "Riding Giants," a big-wave surfing film, as well as the Burger King "Whopper Virgins" campaign. Peralta's documentaries had the kind of lifestyle feel that Amp wanted for this commercial.

Lauren Hobart, vice president of marketing for PepsiCo's energy drink brands, said Earnhardt's input was critical to get the behind-the-scenes footage necessary and that she'd never seen an athlete so immersed in the creative process. Footage that doesn't make the commercial will run on Ampenergy.com as a means of driving traffic for a promotion and new product launches.

"I really think we're breaking new ground in terms of how much a part of the creative process Dale has been," Hobart said. "I can't think of an example in the marketplace where an athlete has had so much influence over what's being shot. He's all about being real and authentic, and he wanted to show fans how much Amp -- his words -- has become a part of his lifestyle."

Cincinnati Reds Spring Training tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday and start at $9 a game.

Cincinnati Reds fans can start planning on enjoying that spring fever in Florida when the 2009 Spring Training tickets go on sale Saturday morning. Single-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday and start at $9 a game. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (877)647-REDS. Fans can also purchase tickets in person at the box office of Ed Smith Stadium. source>>>

BYU's first loss at home to a Mountain West Conference opponent in 26 games.

Wake Forest chipped away at it, but the Demon Deacons were undefeated and on their way to a No. 1 national ranking, so not a lot of consternation crept in.

But when the UNLV Rebels knocked off BYU 76-70 at the Marriott Center on Wednesday night, the notion that the Cougars were invincible at home took a major hit. It was BYU's first loss at home to a Mountain West Conference opponent in 26 games.

So as another above-average MWC team, San Diego State, prepares to invade the Marriott Center on Saturday night (7 p.m. the Mtn.), the question is evident:

Is there blood in the water in Provo?

BYU's only senior starter, Lee Cummard, does not think so. The Marriott mystique is alive and well, he believes.

"I mean, we are going to be a good team here the rest of the year," he said after the Cougars watched film of their second-half collapse against the Rebels and then practided on Thursday. "I think the biggest part is we didn't bring our part of that little bargain the other night. Usually, we come out and we play the way we have always played. Both those games, as least late in the second half, we kind of forced shots.

"It is kind of a two-way thing. The fans came out and supported us, and that's great. But we didn't do our part."

Actually, only 12,853 fans showed up for the midweek game with an 8 p.m. start, a relatively low number considering 23,096 attended the Wake Forest game three weeks ago and more
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than 22,000 were at the BYU-UNLV game in Provo in 2008.

BYU officials pointed to the late start on a Wednesday, UNLV's lackluster early record, and the fact that the Cougars were coming off a big loss at New Mexico as possible reasons for the low turnout against the team picked to win the MWC title.

"I was hoping there would be more," acknowledged BYU guard Jackson Emery. "I mean, there were only 12 or 13 thousand. I mean, it was a big conference game for us...conference games, you are hoping to get more fan support. But I realize it was a school night, late start, and people have to get up early for work and they may have kids who need to get up for school. So I can't really blame them."

Before the losses to Wake Forest, No. 1 until Monday, probably, and the 15-4 Rebels, BYU had won 53 straight at the Marriott Center and were perhaps getting a little overconfident at home, Cummard said.

"I don't necessarily know if I had an [expected crowd] number in my head," he said. "But it got loud enough. They were trying to get us going as best they could. I don't think a few more thousand would have done much, the way our mindset was."

The concern for the Cougars now is that the Aztecs (13-4, 3-1 MWC) can smell a win at a place where they haven't won since 2005. The Cougars cannot afford another home loss and expect to make the NCAA Tournament, with the thinking now that UNLV is going to be unbeatable at home in the MWC tournament.

Like New Mexico and UNLV, San Diego State has great senior leadership with Kyle Spain, Lorrenzo Wade, Ryan Amoroso and Richie Williams.

BYU coach Dave Rose said it is those players the Cougars need to worry about, rather than how big the crowd is or whether the Marriott Center is still magical for the home team.

"I think that our team needs to play with a little more confidence, and be more consistent," he said. "I don't really put a lot into what other teams [think]." source>>>

Washington football coaches violated rules during recruiting visits last weekend

Washington football coaches, including new head coach Steve Sarkisian, committed what the school is calling a secondary violation during recruiting visits last weekend, an athletic department official said.

John Morris, the school's senior associate athletic director for compliance, said a violation of an NCAA rule regarding simulating game-day environments occurred during visits last weekend.

The rule in question prohibits recruits from engaging in "game-day simulations."

Morris said UW violated that rule by renting a fog machine and playing its siren while recruits ran out of the Husky Stadium tunnel, similar to how they might be introduced on game days.

Washington will file a report of the violation to the Pac-10 and the NCAA.

Morris said an allegation that the recruits also received personalized jerseys is "100 percent" not true.

The violations came to light after several recruits were quoted speaking about them in stories on Web sites largely devoted to recruiting, Morris said. source>>>

Nova Scotia native T.J. Grant to Debut against Ryo Chonan at UFC 97

When most fighters learn they have finally received a coveted UFC invitation, their emotions can run the gamut, from incredulousness to joy. However, when Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, native T.J. Grant learned he had an offer to fight at UFC 97 on April 18 in Montreal, he tried to go back to sleep.

Grant (13-2) is currently half a world away, training his muay Thai with teammate Ryan Jimmo at the famed Kaewsamrit Gym in Thailand, and when his manager/trainer, Scott MacLean, gave him the big news, he did not really believe it.

"When I first got the offer, it was 2 a.m., and my manager told me I was fighting Ryo Chonan in the UFC," Grant told Sherdog.com in an exclusive interview. "And I was like, yeah, sure, and tried to go back to bed."

Although Chonan (15-9) has been offered, the contract has not yet been signed.

However, once MacLean convinced him he had a four-fight contract with the world's most popular mixed martial arts organization, Grant knew all the hard work he put in since he started fighting nearly three years ago had paid off. Making his debut in his home country is just icing on the cake.

"Getting an opportunity to be making my UFC debut in my home country is like a dream come true," he said. "I have fought in the Bell Centre three times before, and the fans in Montreal have always been great. It's going to be nice to have some home-field advantage in this one."

In Chonan, Grant will face an extremely skilled and experienced fighter. He is, after all, one of only three men to have ever beaten UFC middleweight juggernaut Anderson Silva -- excluding Silva's disqualification loss to Yushin Okami. However, Grant sees it as an opportunity for him to showcase his skills to the world.

"I've seen Chonan fight a few times in the past," he said. "He is a great fighter with very few weaknesses in his game who has much experience and has fought the who's who of MMA and has some very impressive wins. Fighting him is going to bring out the best in me, and I can't wait."

Fighting in the UFC for the first time can be extremely daunting for anyone. However, Grant has defeated two UFC veterans -- Chad Reiner and Forrest Petz -- in his last three outings, so he should have plenty of confidence going in to his April 18 bout with Chonan. Although he dares not look past this fight, he certainly has an eye on his future.

"Once I get there, the plan is to fight my heart out and put on great fights for the fans," Grant said. "There is so much talent there, and I want to see how I match up with the source>>>

No One Can Cover Larry Fitzgerald -- Except, Perhaps, His Dad

Usually it was on Saturdays when Larry Fitzgerald took his two boys to work with him. Fitz was (and still is) a sportswriter and radio talk show host in Minneapolis, so going to work meant to a North Stars skate or a Twins game or Vikings practice. Little Larry, who was about 8 at the time, and younger brother Marcus were ridiculously well behaved because Big Larry and Carol didn't tolerate any foolishness. But still they were curious, active little boys.

So even though Big Larry would inevitably tell his sons, "Sit right there, watch practice, and don't move," he'd sometimes come back and find they were gone. Young Larry might be running a pass route or learning how to get his hands out in front of his body to catch the football.

Big Larry could not have known then that he'd become the most envied sportswriter in America among his peers. Like a lot of us, Big Larry played some ball when he was young, in his case football at a junior college in Iowa and then at Indiana State University. But unlike anybody we can identify, when Big Larry reports to the press box in Tampa a week from Sunday, he'll be the first sportswriter covering his kid in the Super Bowl. And little Larry, now 25, isn't just in the Super Bowl; he's a headliner. The Arizona Cardinals wouldn't be here without his son, the All-Pro wide receiver, the one who broke Jerry Rice's record for receiving yards in a single post-season.
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The son is rich enough that pop doesn't have to write columns anymore for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, a 50,000 circulation paper with a mostly African-American readership. And he certainly doesn't have to put up with the stress of hosting, producing, selling and distributing a radio syndicate. But when folks in Owattona and Brainard and Litchfield, Minn., turn on their radios next week, the voice they'll hear reporting from Super Bowl XLIII will be Big Larry's. "He asks me sometimes, 'Why are you still doing this?' " Big Larry said, "And I tell him, 'Because I love it, because I built it and survived doing it. Because this is what I do.' "

When the Cardinals beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship game last Sunday, Big Larry worked that game, too. At game's end, Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star sent Big Larry a text message that read, "Every journalist in this press box is envious of you today."

The son calls the father "Mr. Emotional" but Big Larry manages to, by and large, sit stoically during Cardinals games. "You've known me long enough to know I'm not going to show up with pompons," he told me the other day. "I'll be sitting there at his table [during team press conferences] trying to get my questions in like everybody else."

Big Larry is 53. He grew up on the south side of Chicago. He went to Centerville, Iowa, for junior college, and played for an Indian Hills Junior College team that lost something called the Wool Bowl by a point to a team from Mesa in Rosewall, N.M. In two years at Indiana State (alma mater of Larry Bird), the coach switched his position to offensive tackle. "I never amounted to anything," he says now. "I lost my desire."

He told Larry the horror story of having his dreams dashed. "I told him, 'As long as your heart is in it, you'll be fine.' When he was in high school, recruiters started saying, 'We're going to make you a really good linebacker.' One of my good friends is an [NFL] scout and he'd say, 'Larry's going to be a tight end.' But he kept his weight down, so he wouldn't be like his dad, within a biscuit of 300 pounds."

I've known Big Larry 25 years, since I first went to Minneapolis for an Orioles-Twins game back in the Kirby Puckett days. He was the only sportswriter of color in Minneapolis then, certainly the first black reporter with a talk show. He was hired then fired by KFAN, the local sports talk radio station. "It was a big loss to lose a three-hour radio show when you have a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old," he says now.

He decided to do something on a smaller scale, which was nonetheless ambitious, and wound up building something called the National Programming Network. Big Larry did a radio show with Dennis Green, then the Vikings' head coach. You couldn't go to a game of any kind in Minneapolis, from the Gophers to the Twins, without running into Big Larry. He'd bring his sons to practice on some Saturdays. During basketball season, junior would pick up things from Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. In the fall he'd shag balls or get an earful from Cris Carter, Chris Doleman, Henry Thomas, Matt Blair, Greg Coleman, Joey Browner. He'd listen to the assistant coaches, who included Tony Dungy and Brian Billick.

"We were blessed, when you think about the coaches who were here during the time," Big Larry said. "It could never happen without the relationships that resulted. And we were fortunate that people were patient with us. When Denny Green came, he said, 'Let 'em run around and play. Bring 'em out here; it's fine.' Some employees did. It was a real family atmosphere."

Five Ways To Fix Cupcake Scheduling in College Football

No doubt most fans can agree that very few have any interest in seeing Florida play the Citadel, Oklahoma play Chattanooga, Nebraska play McNeese State, Miami play Charleston Southern, Boston College play Rhode Island, or Arizona State play Northern Arizona.

These teams are not even in the same division. What if the Yankees could schedule AA teams for the first month of the season and pad their record?

So I decided to compile a countdown of five changes the NCAA could make to fix the problem in ways that would be beneficial to the sport, fans and the teams.

5. Do not count wins outside of the Bowl subdivision on the team's record.

This one seems a no-brainer to me, and why they are allowed to count them in the first place is ridiculous. The NCAA has already recognized that there is a problem here and only allows them to count two games outside of the division against their record.

Why make that rule to begin with either allow them all or allow none to allow a couple shows that they know they shouldn't allow it anyway.
Author Poll

Which one of these five ideas makes the most sense to slow down cupcake schedules?

* Do not count out of division wins
* Limit teams to 6 home games
* force teams to play one neutral site game
* Add SOS to the BCS formula
* Institute a Playoff

vote to see results

They do it so the other division teams can get on TV or a big payout and make more money but that is not fair to the sport. I am sure their are AAA teams that would love to schedule the Red Sox to get on TV, but that doesn't mean the Red Sox should be able to schedule easy wins to boost their record.

4. Limit the teams to six home games a year.

One of the big reasons the big schools schedule no-name schools is more home games. The no-names schools make a couple of $100k per game at the most per home game. The Big schools can make near $5 million from a televised home game.

The mathematics of the situations tell you it is more beneficial for both schools to do a payout where the small school takes a deal where they get one home game to the big schools two and they ask for more money than they make per home game for all three games.

This leaves big schools with seasons where more than half there games are played at home. No other sport allows that and College Football should not either. Yes, they will lose money, but I fix that in the next change.

3. Make it a requirement for every team to have at least one neutral-site game.

This makes sense for two reasons, one neutral site games make money, a lot of money. Conference championships make money and the OU/Texas game makes money. Both make more than all the non-BCS bowl games, a lot more than most of the bowls.

This will get teams looking for the sites and teams that will bring in the biggest revenues, it guarantees you a big payout without having to win enough games to qualify for a BCS game. Some teams have natural teams and venues to play at. The Florida teams could play all one another in Orlando and Tampa and make a killing.

Missouri and Kansas started playing in KC and haven't looked back. I could See USC & Oregon playing in San Francisco. Georgia and Auburn playing in Atlanta. Arkansas & Tennessee playing in Memphis. There are tons more that would make money, but I am not going to bore you with the entire list.Look at how many teams at the end of this year had one-loss records. Yes, the computers look at SOS, but I would much rather just scrap them for a good old SOS component instead. One formula that everyone knows like the RPI in college basketball not six different formula that change almost yearly.

If SOS was still a factor, the teams that get left out year in and year out would look to schedule more big games to boost their chance of getting into the big game at the end.

The other reason this would be great is for the fans. One of my best fan experiences is going to Dallas every year to get toasted the night before argue with Longhorn fans all night and go to the game the next day and see a stadium filled half orange & Crimson.

It is a huge benefit of being a Sooner or Longhorn fan. None of these games are going to get that right off the bat but over time a lot of teams would get their own versions of OU/Texas weekend to wait for all year long.

2. Reinstate SOS into the BCS formula.

Look at how many teams at the end of this year had one-loss records. Yes, the computers look at SOS, but I would much rather just scrap them for a good old SOS component instead. One formula that everyone knows like the RPI in college basketball not six different formula that change almost yearly.

If SOS was still a factor, the teams that get left out year in and year out would look to schedule more big games to boost their chance of getting into the big game at the end.

1. Institute playoffs.

I am not really advocating playoffs here, I am just saying it would help alleviate the problem. Look at college basketball big name schools play each other in non-conference all the time because one loss doesn't have the ability to ruin their entire season like it does in college football.

The more teams allowed into the playoffs the better as far as losing the cupcakes schedules if the top 16 or 32 are going to the playoffs perennial power houses would not have so much reservation of playing each other.

They would be willing to take the chance to make more money with the big name schools knowing that it would take more than one loss to knock them out of the national championship picture. source>>>>

Show sportsmanship instead of condemning Dallas Covenant's 100-point basketball win

No victory ever came at a higher cost than Dallas Covenant's now-infamous 100-zip annihilation of the Dallas Academy in a girls' basketball contest last week.

What would otherwise have been an unremarkable contest between two little-known private schools has become an overnight global wonder, making the news as far away as Australia.

It's a terrific, made-for-the-headlines story - a national ethics lesson, a rare chance to disparage arrogant victors and celebrate the long-suffering underdog. It's a vindication for every kid who ever got picked last for a team or unnecessarily humiliated by an opponent.

"It just happened," said Covenant girls' basketball coach Micah Grimes, who has become a widely derided symbol of what's-wrong-with-sports, in what has been scorned as a woefully inadequate explanation.

Well, no apology is really enough at this mega-viral stage of the story's infectiousness. Covenant's hand-wringing plea to forfeit the game and its painful public confession of "shame" and "embarrassment" are being summarily dismissed as butt-covering damage control.

"Um, too late, dudes," scoffed one Pennsylvania sports columnist. "Reads like one of those fake apologies you hear from a NFL player."

The merciless Jan. 13 blowout probably did "just happen." Giddy with the mushrooming lead, excited parents, players and coaches realized, We could win this by 100! - a fabulous, unheard-of victory. In the heat of the moment, nobody reflected that a win like this one would, indeed, make them famous - but not in a good way.

Also Online

Floyd: Show sportsmanship instead of condemning Dallas Covenant

01/23/09: Covenant School seeks forfeit of 100-0 win
Link: Covenant statement regarding the game
Opinion blog: Remorse as sportsmanship
Metro blog: Cuban invites Dallas Academy players to Mavs game

01/22/09: Dallas academy coach sees a win in 100-0 loss

Learn more about Dallas Academy athletics

Dallas Academy girls basketball scores, schedule

Covenant's shot-to-the-foot injury has only been compounded by the almost uncannily graceful behavior of the Dallas Academy players, who handled the abusive point run-up with genuinely admirable poise.

In a dallasnews.com video, they come across as genuinely wise, decent, well-grounded young women who are well-served by their supportive coaches.

It's human nature, I guess, to assume an inverse corollary: The Covenant coaches, parents and even players must be overbearing bullies; they must be arrogant jerks; they deserve the scorn of the nation, right?

Look, we are dealing here with kids, teenage girls, who made an embarrassing mistake at the behest of over-excited coaches and fans.

A lot of people want the coach fired. One sports-blogger intimated that the hapless Coach Grimes is a "punk" who "wanted to scar children." Another pointedly says his only option is to "Quit. Now."

It gets meaner: Another blogger asks whether Covenant parents "tied up small animals for their kids to shoot."

Well, we all get the point. The Covenant team's greedy rout was childish and unsportsmanlike.

And it's genuinely inspiring to see the sweet, sensible, smile-and-get-on-with-it behavior of the girls from Dallas Academy, who have now been invited by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to see a pro game from a luxury suite.

Ideally, we, as consumers of this understandably compelling story, can take a lesson from the dignified behavior of the Academy players and coaches.

But it wouldn't hurt us, either, to tap the brakes a little before rushing to join in the general condemnation of Dallas Covenant, for two reasons.

First, they're playing the price already. As the saying goes, you can't buy publicity like this.

And secondly, the whole point of this little morality play is to show a little mercy, to avoid using the advantage of the moment to crush your opponent to smithereens.

Covenant surely knows they lost this one. Why keep running up the score? Source>>>

The Football Players aren't the only job-seekers at Senior Bowl

Like many of this year's top draft prospects, Robert Edwards once attended the Senior Bowl preparing for an NFL career.

"I remember seeing all the coaches, scouts and everything in the stands," said Edwards, a 1998 participant. "I assumed everyone there had a job on a team or something."

Hardly.

Edwards discovered that first-hand when returning to Mobile earlier this week in hopes of breaking into the coaching profession. There were seemingly more people seeking jobs than those actually employed.

Just one month ago, Jim Haslett was the St. Louis Rams' interim head coach. He was now sniffing around for work. So were recently deposed defensive coordinators like Bob Sanders (Green Bay), Ron Meeks (Indianapolis) and Brian Stewart (Dallas). Fired assistants were in abundance, as were those in limbo while new head coaches finalize their staffs. Swarms of college coaches came hoping to better their lot, not to mention idle scouts and front-office types trying to maneuver their way back into the NFL.

Edwards admittedly got lost in the crush.

There's no question he has the drive and dedication needed to become a successful coach. Following his 1,100-yard rookie rushing campaign with New England in 1998, Edwards suffered such a severe leg injury during a Pro Bowl-week pickup game that his leg was almost amputated. After three years of rehabilitation, Edwards returned to play one more NFL season and another three in the Canadian Football League.

Edwards might actually have found it easier recovering from three torn knee ligaments and a sliced artery than getting his foot in the door in Mobile. He scored some leads and phone numbers, but Edwards allows that he needs to hire an agent to land an interview with "the big-time guys."

"I didn't expect it to be this crazy," he said.

The meat-market aspect of the Senior Bowl became more pronounced this year because the cattle call of players was so middling. A source told FOXSports.com that 11 prospects who had originally accepted invitations withdrew at the urging of their agents because of injury concerns.

A weakened talent roster may have convinced some head coaches not to attend. But many skip the event or keep a low profile to avoid being besieged by hopeful -- and often desperate -- job applicants. After traveling to Mobile, newly hired Detroit coach Jim Schwartz didn't attend early Senior Bowl practices. He was instead conducting interviews at a nearby hotel.

"It is the sobering effect of the second phase of the Senior Bowl," said Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis, who is head coach of the Senior Bowl's South squad. "It's guys bumping around right now asking, 'Can you help me get to this guy? Do you know that guy?'"

Ricky Porter knows plenty of folks. He spent 25 years as an NFL player, coach (college and pro), scout, and, most recently, director of player development in New Orleans until being released in 2007.

As he milled in the Senior Bowl flagship hotel lobby, Porter was greeted by a constant stream of friends and acquaintances like new San Francisco coach Mike Singletary. Yet not even Porter's massive list of contacts or his sterling reputation has helped him get re-hired.

Maybe it's because so few NFL jobs are currently available, especially with some teams laying off employees and shrinking staff sizes amidst the nation's tough economic times. Maybe he doesn't have the right contact in the league's "Good Ol' Boy" network that tends to recycle sycophants. Porter doesn't have a family member who can hire him like new Denver coach Josh McDaniels did with his 28-year-old brother Ben. The Broncos' new offensive assistant has a whopping one year of coaching experience -- in high school.

Porter knew beforehand that procuring employment at the Senior Bowl was a long shot but swallowed his pride and came anyway. The reason: "Out of sight, out of mind."

"It's tough because you've got to have résumé in hand even though a résumé doesn't really get you a job," said Porter, who is seeking an NFL front-office position. "If you don't know a coach and another guy does, you ask, 'Can you introduce me or put in a good word?' You then go try and sell yourself. A lot of times, it's a lot more than your ability to coach, negotiate a contract or whatever it may be.

"I don't need someone to give me a job. I need someone to give me an interview."

Even uninvited players with little chance of securing an NFL workout, let alone roster spot, are getting into the act.

After Wednesday afternoon's practice, Brandon Culpepper distributed a résumé chronicling his small-college career as a University of Minnesota-Duluth outside linebacker. Culpepper said he drove three hours from New Orleans after visiting Saints headquarters and being told the staff was at the Senior Bowl.

"I originally came down to Baton Rouge for an interview with a reality show about guys who want to play in the NFL," said Culpepper, who is currently working full-time for Budweiser in Atlanta. "I'm chasing a dream. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be."

For those who journey here hat-in-hand, it almost never is. source>>>

Ben Roethlisberger say's "My nerves won't be as crazy as they were last time".

Sure he was nervous. What 23-year-old playing starting quarterback for one of sports' most storied franchises on the grandest stage of them all wouldn't be?

"They never went away," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of the nerves that kept him on edge during Super Bowl XL in Detroit. "It was crazy because if I do get nerves before the game, they usually go away after the first play, but for the Super Bowl, they never went away and I think my play showed it too."

In just his second NFL season, Roethlisberger became the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl when the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 at Ford Field, but it wasn't without its growing pains.
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Although the Steelers won their fifth Lombardi Trophy in franchise history, Roethlisberger had arguably the worst game of his career.

He completed only 9 of 21 passes for 123 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

His quarterback rating of 22.6 was the lowest in Super Bowl history by a winning quarterback.

But Roethlisberger thinks his second trip to center stage on Feb. 1 will be a little different.

"My nerves won't be as crazy as they were last time. Just being calmer, older and more mature in the process hopefully will make the whole thing a little easier," said Roethlisberger.

Now in his fifth season, Roethlisberger has displayed the grit and determination of a championship player, engineering late-game comebacks and battling injuries throughout the season.

He started all 16 regular season games even though he was sacked 46 times, second most in the NFL.

Despite throwing 15 interceptions during the season, he's yet to commit a turnover in the playoffs, throwing for two touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 90.8 in two games -- giving Roethlisberger more reason than ever to leave the ghost of Super Bowl past behind him.

"This is my fifth year, that was my second year, and everything was kind of a big whirlwind," said Roethlisberger. "It's crunch time. It's do or die, win or go home. You like having the ball in your hands at the end of the game, you like having the ball in your hand in big games, so it's all the same." source>>>

As with boxing the BMA opposes mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting and calls for a complete ban

The New York Times just cited the British Medical Association (BMA) and their call for a ban of MMA as evidence to the brutality of the sport. What they didn't tell you is that the BMA has a more prominent goal that they have been trying to fulfill for over 25 years, the banishment of boxing.

On the BMA's official website, when one searches 'mixed martial arts' only a single hit appears.

This is a position summary of why the BMA supports a ban on boxing. The paper is over 1300 words dealing with boxing and at the very end their is 100 word addendum dealing with mixed martial arts. Here is the direct quote from the BMA's position paper

Mixed martial arts
As with boxing the BMA opposes mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting and calls for a complete ban on this type of contact sport. Ultimate fighting can be extremely brutal and has been described as 'human cockfighting'. It can cause traumatic brain injury, joint injuries and fractures.

The BMA believes that doctors cannot stand by while violent fighting tournaments are allowed to take place. Large amounts of money can be earned by participants, promoters and others linked to ultimate fighting but no amount of money can compensate for permanent brain damage and premature death.

Now there are several features here that are important. First is the old adage 'human cockfighting' which comes from a period when the sport was unregulated by government bodies, which it now is in the United States. The 'human cockfighting' adage can be described as an rhetorical farce. It is only there to illicit an emotional response from the reader.

The second part deals with injuries. However there is no statistical data provided (or linked) to back up their claims about 'traumatic brain injury, joint injuries and fractures'. Then the report cites an ethical issues, that doctors cannot stand by while money is exchanged and people are at risk of permanent brain damage and premature death. Once again no statistical evidence is provided for this claim. source>>>

Donald Trump Jr. says UFC floods the market

Donald Trump Jr. says he expects the Affliction pay-per-view to do well because unlike the UFC, fewer shows allow the promotion to give fans a better card for their money.

Trump Jr. was asked why fans would pay $44.95 for the Affliction pay-per-view during an appearance morning on CNBC to discuss Saturday's "Day of Reckoning" event.

"We're going to give them the best," Trump Jr. told CNBC's Darren Rovell. "We're going to put on a great show, not put on 20 shows and say, 'Well, maybe they won't tune in, we'll just kinda flood them with volume' like a lot of our competition. We want to get a great card and have people feel like they got a value out of it after watching the show."

The UFC held 20 shows in 2008 and already have nine events lined up in 2009 through mid-June. Affliction will likely promote three more evens following Saturday's show in Anaheim, California.

"There's just not that many people in the world that you can put on a great show 20 times a year," Trump Jr. said. source>>>

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