Archived Sports Stories

Ego74 · Jan 12, 2009

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009...g-could-ensnare-at-least-one-panthers-player/

CHARLOTTE PROSTITUTION RING COULD ENSNARE AT LEAST ONE PANTHERS PLAYER

Posted by Mike Florio on January 12, 2009, 5:15 p.m. EST

Several years ago, a handful of Panthers players were implicated in the purchase of steroids after a season that culminated in a Super Bowl appearance.

So we suppose it’s fitting that, after three years of underachievement, a member of the team could eventually be tied to off-field activities that do nothing to enhance on-field performance.

An investigation into the now-defunct HushHush call-girl ring has resulted in the arrest of two prominent Charlotte-area businessmen, and the enterprise allegedly generated $3 million over seven years by catering to “some of the city’s civic and business elite.”
We’re told that more names of alleged customers will be released soon, and that the list could include at least one member of the Panthers.
So far, three HushHush clients have pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution.
Per the Charlotte Observer, authorities videotaped men meeting with HushHush prostitutes. Also, telephone wiretaps recorded clients arranging encounters with Sallie Saxon, who ran the operation. Saxon and her husband have pleaded guilty to federal crimes, and have been senteced to prison.

For the clients, the potential penalty is up to 60 days in prison. And permanent disqualification from becoming the governor of New York.

Ego74 · Jan 12, 2009

REPORT: ROETHLISBERGER HAD A SPINAL CORD CONCUSSION

REPORT: ROETHLISBERGER HAD A SPINAL CORD CONCUSSION

REPORT: ROETHLISBERGER HAD A SPINAL CORD CONCUSSION

Posted by Mike Florio on January 12, 2009, 4:45 p.m. EST
As it turns out, the injury suffered more than two weeks about by Steelers quarterback Ben <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">Roethlisberger

</nobr> wasn’t the garden-variety, head-into-a-Chrysler concussion. Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Roethlisberger suffered a spinal cord concussion.
It’s the same injury that former Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox suffered in 2002.
Roethlisberger temporarily lost feeling in his arms but not in his legs after being sandwiched by two Browns defenders in the regular-season finale. The fifth-year quarterback started Sunday’s playoff win over the Chargers, leaving the game only after the Steelers were comfortably ahead in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers host the Ravens on Sunday in the AFC title game, if you haven’t already heard.

Ego74 · Jan 12, 2009

BELICHICK ADDRESSES McDANIELS DEPARTURE

BELICHICK ADDRESSES McDANIELS DEPARTURE

BELICHICK ADDRESSES McDANIELS DEPARTURE

Posted by Mike Florio on January 12, 2009, 4:56 p.m. EST
Three years ago, Pats coach Bill Belichick wasn’t pleased with the decision of defensive coordinator Eric Mangini to accept the head-coaching job of a division rival.
This time around, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels heading out of the AFC East, Belichick can afford to be a bit more charitable.
Said Belichick on Monday, in a statement released by the Patriots: “Josh McDaniels is one of the finest people and brightest, most talented coaches I have ever worked with. Since joining us eight years ago, Josh performed a variety of roles and excelled in every one of them. Between his work on defense, in scouting, player evaluation and coordinating the offense, Josh is a very well-rounded coach whose outstanding body of work speaks for itself.
“He is the product of a pure football environment which is evident in his approach to the game. On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, we thank Josh for tremendous success in New England and congratulate him and the McDaniels family for this most deserving opportunity for advancement.”
Though the Pats and Broncos don’t play twice a year, the servant will get his first shot at the master during the 2009 regular season, when the Broncos host the Patriots. The matchup arises from the fact that both teams finished second in their respective divisions. In 2008, the Patriots played every AFC West team as part of the current scheduling formula.
While we’re on the topic, the Patriots’ schedule is no cakewalk for 2009. In addition to their AFC East rivals, the Pats play the teams of the AFC South (Colts, Titans, Jags, Texans), the teams of the NFC South (Panthers, Falcons, Bucs, Saints), the Broncos, and the Ravens.
McDaniels’ first tour of duty with the Broncos includes two games each against the AFC West foes and games against the teams of the AFC North (Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, Browns), the NFC East (Giants, Eagles, Cowboys, Redskins), the Pats, and the Colts.

Ego74 · Jan 12, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

KERRY COLLINS: “I AM A STARTER IN THIS LEAGUE”

Posted by Josh Alper on January 12, 2009, 8:48 p.m. EST

Now that they’ve begun their offseason, the Titans have to figure out their quarterback position. Kerry <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">Collins

</nobr> is a free agent and he made it clear to The Tennessean that he isn’t willing to return for a 15th season as anything but a starter.

“I made my case known, that I’d like to be here and feel that I can be a part of several more good seasons. I have several good years left in me, I know that,” Collins said. “I will pack up and go somewhere else. I don’t want to, but that’s the reality of this business. . . . I am a starter in this league and if nothing materializes that way I will retire.’’

Titans coach Jeff Fisher seems amenable to bringing Collins back for another year.
“Certainly getting Kerry back is important to us,’’ Fisher said. “Kerry has one or two options in my opinion: He starts, and hopefully that is for us, or he is on his tractor, on his farm.

According to The Tennessean, the Titans would like to explore a two-year contract in the range of $4 million plus incentives. If Collins is the starter, that would mean another year on the bench for Vince <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">Young

</nobr>.

Financially, such a move works in the short term. Young is due to make $2.16 million in 2009, but his salary rises by more than $5 million in 2010 before topping out at $8.5 million in 2011. That’s an awful lot for a quarterback who might not have seen meaningful action in two years.

Ego74 · Jan 13, 2009

Yesterday's NFL

Yesterday's NFL

RAMS GM TELLS EMPLOYEES HASLETT STILL IN MIX

Posted by Tim MacMahon on January 13, 2009, 2:01 p.m. EST

Rams general manager Billy <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">Devaney

</nobr> held a meeting with the team’s employees before jetting off to Los Angeles for a few days of interviews with finalists for the team’s coaching vacancy. Per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Devaney offered a brief update on the coaching search and assured employees that interim coach Jim Haslett remains a serious candidate.

“There’s no doubt that Haslett is the overwhelming choice for the team’s next head coach among Rams Park employees, be they in marketing, sales, community relations, coaching, or wherever,” Thomas wrote.

Although those people don’t get a vote, Thomas noted that Haslett’s ability to unify a building infamous for its infighting could be considered a sign of his leadership ability.
If you’re searching for other positives about Haslett, you could point out that the Rams were competitive in several of their 10 consecutive losses to end the season.

Ego74 · Jan 13, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

STEELERS’ POLAMALU TO PLAY THROUGH PAIN

Posted by Aaron Wilson on January 13, 2009, 3:29 p.m. EST
Hard-hitting Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is expected to play in Sunday’s AFC title game against the Baltimore Ravens despite a strained calf, according to ESPN.com.
Polamalu injured his leg during warmups and limped through a 35-24 win over the San Diego <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">Chargers

</nobr>, recording just three tackles. However, Polamalu may be limited in practice this week.
“We’re at the point in the season where it’s about getting ready to play and being at the very best that you can be on game day,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. “If that means sacrificing a little physical preparation for him, we’re willing to do that.”
A Pro Bowl selection, Polamalu has intercepted seven passes and posted 73 tackles for the NFL’s top-ranked defense.

Ego74 · Jan 14, 2009

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

No credible threats seen for Super Bowl

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<cite class="source"> Associated Press
</cite>
 WASHINGTON -- U.S. intelligence officials have found no credible threat of terrorist attacks at the Super Bowl, scheduled for Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla., but they are still raising security concerns.

A joint FBI and Homeland Security intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday cautions that Raymond James Stadium, site of Super Bowl XLIII, does not have the typical security features of permanently secure buildings and arenas.
[+] Enlarge

<cite>Scott Boehm/Getty Images</cite>Because of the high-profile nature of the Super Bowl, intelligence officials say they cannot discount the potential for a terrorist attack
at Raymond James Stadium.

The report, dated Tuesday, says possible attackers could be deterred by the posting of hundreds of visible security officials, barriers and other measures.

Officials are also concerned that terrorists or criminals could impersonate government or military officials because some Florida law enforcement badges and uniforms were stolen in 2008. The report says there is no credible information about impersonation plots.
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest television events of the year, and more than 100 million people in 232 countries are expected to watch, the assessment said.

Because of the high profile nature of the event, intelligence officials say they cannot discount the potential for a terrorist attack.

Terrorists are expected to continue to see stadiums and arenas as potential targets, according to a March 2008 intelligence assessment.

"Al-Qaida could meet its objectives of mass casualties, economic damage, and psychological impact with an attack against a stadium or arena during an event in the United States," the 2008 assessment said.

In November, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a stadium in Peshawar, Pakistan, which killed four people and injured 11, according to U.S. intelligence officials. This happened during the closing ceremony of the Inter-Provencial Games.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to issue a temporary flight restriction in the area around the stadium on Feb. 1. The threat assessment says the regional bus system will not provide public transit to the stadium on game day.
In addition, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is training local Florida bomb-sniffing dogs in preparation for the event.

The Super Bowl threat assessment is based on information from the FBI, Homeland Security Department, National Counterterrorism Center, United States Northern Command, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Florida state intelligence fusion center.

Ego74 · Jan 14, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

CONFERENCE TITLE GAME TIMES WERE SET LONG AGO

Posted by Mike Florio on January 14, 2009, 12:18 p.m. EST

Plenty of readers have asked why it is that the conference championship game to be played in the Pacific time zone will start early on Sunday, with the title tilt kicking off in the East beginning later.

Typically, the league tends to go the other way when scheduling games.
So as to the Eagles-Cardinals game kicking off at noon local time and round three of Ravens-Steelers slated to commence at 6:30 p.m. in Pittsburgh, folks want to know how this could be.

Simple answer? ?Oh, it be.?

[UPDATE: A reader who works for Westwood One points out that the Cardinals game actually begins at 1:00 p.m. local time. And that the Westwood One coverage starts at noon local time. So folks can tune in to Westwood One right after they finish their Lucky Charms.]

The big difference here is that, on the day that the final four teams are chopped down to two, the times for the kickoffs are set well in advance.

According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the fact that one of the games is played during prime time means that the networks need to know whether they need to schedule other programming for the evening hours.

Per Aiello, it?s determined via a rotation, with CBS getting the prime-time game one year, and FOX getting it the next year.

And since CBS broadcasts the AFC game and FOX airs the NFC game, the specific location of the two games doesn?t matter.

It?s far different from the approach the NFL followed in earlier years, when the league had a tendency of shying away from prime-time games played in cold-weather cities.

If there was any lingering doubt about the approach, that 2001 division-round snow-globe classic between the Raiders and the Patriots likely removed it, permanently.

Ego74 · Jan 15, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

WARNER HEADING TO CANTON?

Posted by Mike Florio on January 15, 2009, 12:48 p.m. EST

He’s won two MVP awards. He has a Super Bowl ring, and played in another one.
This year, he has beaten out a boy wonder and taken an unlikely team to the brink of the NFL title

But is Kurt Warner bound for Canton?

Hall of Famer Joe Montana told Dan Patrick today that Warner is a “shoo-in” for induction.

Frankly, we’re not so sure.

He’s not in the top 20 in career passing yards. At 28,591, and he’s nearly 5,000 behind the guy who currently occupies the 20th slot, Phil Simms.

Warner is 50 TD passes behing Steve Young.

Of course, Warner has only spent seven NFL seasons as a primary starting quarterback. So he has put up impressive numbers with limited work. But doesn’t the fact that the guy has missed large chunks of time due to injury and/or ineffectiveness say something about whether his career should be immortalized?

We’re not saying he shouldn’t get in. We think that, if the Cardinals win Super Bowl <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">XLIII

</nobr>, Warner’s case will be a lot stronger.

For now, though, it’s a stretch, to say the least, to suggest that Warner is a “shoo-in.”

Ego74 · Jan 15, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

FRAZIER THE FAVORITE IN ST. LOUIS?

Posted by Mike Florio on January 15, 2009, 7:13 p.m. EST
Now that Jim Haslett is out of the picture to become the non-interim coach of the Rams, the leading candidate to get the job is believed to be Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
Per Adam Schefter of NFLN, the Rams are expected to announce their decision by Saturday, and the guy currently expected to get the job is Frazier.
Frazier would be the second Vikings defensive coordinator in three seasons to become a head coach. In 2007, Mike Tomlin left after one season to become the head coach of the Steelers.
And most Vikings fans would prefer either Tomlin or Frazier to the team’s current head coach.

Ego74 · Jan 16, 2009

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

Jets, Spagnuolo have second meeting

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<cite class="source"> Associated Press
</cite>
 NEW YORK -- The New York Jets had a second meeting with Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo earlier this week about their coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the search told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Spagnuolo, considered one of the top candidates for the job, met with owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum on Tuesday at the Jets owner's Manhattan office, according to the person, who requested anonymity because the Jets are not discussing the interviews.

Johnson was on vacation when Spagnuolo first met with the Jets on Jan. 3 and wanted him to come back for a personal meeting. Johnson did the same for the first two candidates: Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan.

The team has interviewed at least six other candidates. No other interviews were scheduled as of Thursday night.

Spagnuolo, Schottenheimer and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan are widely believed to be at the top of New York's list, although the team has not decided on finalists. The Jets appear to be in no rush to hire a coach, and perhaps delaying the team's decision is the fact that Ryan and Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm are still coaching teams in the playoffs.

Ryan's Ravens are at Pittsburgh on Sunday for the AFC championship, while Grimm's Cardinals will host the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC title.

Ryan, who has also interviewed for the St. Louis Rams job, met with the Jets for several hours Sunday and reportedly impressed team officials. He might hold a slight edge over Spagnuolo because Ryan runs a 3-4 defense -- which the Jets used the last few years under Eric Mangini -- while the Giants coach prefers a 4-3.

"I'm excited about the interviews and all that, but I'm excited about coaching right now," Ryan said. "Hopefully if there's another day to interview next week that would be great, but I just want to get a Super Bowl and coach this team."

Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski also interviewed with the team. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh has also reportedly met with Jets officials, but the team would neither confirm nor deny that an interview took place.

Ego74 · Jan 16, 2009

Re: ROTOWORLD Fantasy Football News

Re: ROTOWORLD Fantasy Football News

Anquan Boldin reaffirmed Friday that he will start Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles after completing his third practice of the week.
"If nothing else happens, I’ll be out there," Boldin said. He added that he shouldn't be limited on the field because the hamstring wasn't "grabbing" or affecting his stride. Though Larry Fitzgerald has lifted the rest of the offense, the Cardinals will need Boldin against the toughest defense they've faced in the playoffs. Jan. 16 - 2:58 pm et
Source: NFL.com

Ego74 · Jan 16, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

TUNA SURPRISE NOT LIKELY FOR TAMPA

Posted by Mike Florio on January 16, 2009, 8:37 p.m. EST

One of the theories (it’s more like a crazy-ass hypothesis) making the rounds is that Fins V.P. of football operations will take his cash-and-carry deal in Miami, and head up the road to Tampa.

On the surface, it makes sense. Parcells flirted with the Bucs six years ago, to the point where current Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum spent two days in Tampa interviewing for the job that Rich <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">McKay

</nobr> held at the time.

But the Tuna jilted the Glazers, and really rich people don’t tend to forget the rare occasions when they don’t get what they want.

But the primary impediment to Parcells getting another chance to leave the Glazers at the altar is the fact that Parcells can’t walk away from Miami until Stephen Ross acquires control of the team from Wayne Huizenga.

As we reported on January 7 (and as everyone pretty much ignored), Ross was having trouble lining up the $500 million or so in financing that he’d need to close the deal.
In the nine days since then, there has been no further word regarding the transaction that, prior to January 7, supposedly was imminent.

So unless and until Ross can get the money and close the deal, Parcells cannot leave. So he cannot go to work for the Bucs or anyone else, unless and until his contract expires or Huizenga fires him.

Ego74 · Jan 16, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

DON’T COUNT ON GRUDEN TO JETS

Posted by Mike Florio on January 16, 2009, 8:39 p.m. EST

And what looked to be a boring Friday night is filled with all sorts of fodder for speculation and rumor-mongering.

Here’s a popular one. With Jon Gruden suddenly on the market, does he become the favorite to replace Eric Mangini with the New York <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">Jets

</nobr>?

Um, no.

Sure, the Jets might kick his tires. (”Why the f–k are you guys kicking my f–king tires?”) And, yeah, there will be leaks from the front office that they’re considering him.

But Gruden will want to run the show, and that disqualifies him from the get go.
Unless owner Woody Johnson is willing to neuter G.M. Mike Tannenbaum, as the Bucs did to former G.M. Rich <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">McKay

</nobr> seven years ago when Gruden was hired, Gruden won’t be the next coach of the Jets.

Ego74 · Jan 17, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

LEAGUE ADDRESSES DELAY OF GAME ISSUE

Posted by Mike Florio on January 17, 2009, 11:19 a.m. EST
Though NFL V.P. of officiating Mike Pereira didn’t come out and say that Terry McAulay’s officiating crew screwed up by failing to throw a flag for delay of game to kill what turned out to be a key play on what turned out to be the game-winning drive in Baltimore’s playoff win over Tennessee, Pereira came pretty darn close.

“It is probably a little long,” Pereira told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, in reference to the amount of time that the play clock displayed a large zero without a whistle being blown.

(It’s unknown whether Wyatt responded to Pereira’s remark by saying, “That’s what she said.”)

“It wasn’t as long as the three seconds that was portrayed when you slow it down in slow motion. When you bring it back in real time I think I timed it at about .65 seconds,” Pereira said. “The question is, how long is a little long?”

Pereira acknowledged that it’s up to the Competition Committee to recommend new procedures (such as the popular “Is that a buzzer in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” idea that was widely circulated this week). But it’s pretty clear that Pereira realizes, along with the rest of the football-watching world, that the current protocol has to go.

“It is a race,” Pereira said, ”[the back judge] has to get to the play clock and back to the field, and the beat is probably just a little bit too long.”

In our view, any beat is too long. When the play clock reads zero, the action immediately should stop.

And another change needs to be made — the question of whether the ball was snapped before the clock struck zero needs to always be subject to replay review.

Ego74 · Jan 18, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Browns to interview Ravens’ Kokinis for GM job 

Posted: Adam Schefter | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland will not waste any time trying to fill its vacant general manager’s job. Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis is expected to interview for the Browns general manager job as early as Monday.
He is considered the favorite for the job, though Cleveland made it clear that no decision has been made and that the Browns are talking with other candidates. But Kokinis is on the Browns’ radar, and those talks will heat up this week.

Posted in: Adam Schefter | <script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Browns to interview Ravens’ Kokinis for GM job", url: "http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/01/18/browns-to-interview-ravens-kokinis-for-gm-job/" });</script>ShareThis

Ego74 · Jan 18, 2009

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

Re: PRO FOOTBALL TALK Rumor Mill

BROWNS’ SEARCH COULD PROMPT ROONEY RULE CHANGES

Posted by Mike Florio on January 18, 2009, 12:07 p.m. EST

At a time when the single-candidate ascensions of Mike <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;">Singletary

</nobr>, Jim Caldwell, and Raheem Morris to have prompted us to call for a renewed debate as to whether the use of a rule that makes race an issue truly is the best way to make race not an issue when it comes to hiring head coaches, the so-called Rooney Rule actually could be in line for an expansion, not a contraction.

Per Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the fact that Browns owner Randy Lerner said that he wanted a new coach with head-coaching experience but then interviewed a single minority candidate with no head-coaching experience could result in an adjustment to the rule.

The interview of now-former Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker complied with the letter of the Rooney Rule. But, in hindsight, it comes off as a sham, since Lerner set forth qualifications for the position that Tucker simply didn’t have.

But this one is easy to avoid in the future — owners would simply not say anything publicly about whether they want a coach with prior head-coaching experience. (And, frankly, it’s another reason why owners like Lerner should take a page from coaches like Bill Belichick and Nick Saban, who have mastered the art of talking while at the same time communicating nothing of any real consequence or significance.)
Besides, why did Tucker agree to sit for the job if he thought he had not shot at it? Wasn’t one of the purposes of the Rooney Rule to provide minority candidates who weren’t getting interview experience and the “buzz” that goes with it a chance to learn the interview ropes and benefit from getting their names in circulation for head-coaching positions?

Rather than “adjusting” the rule on an arguable form-over-substance basis at a time when real questions are arising as to whether it leads to fair outcomes when minority coaches can be hired with no other candidates – white, black, or otherwise – being interviewing, the league should be engaged in a comprehensive review of whether enough progress has been made to trust owners to invite candidates to interview for head-coaching positions without regard to the color of their skin.

Ego74 · Jan 18, 2009

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="10">
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Cards shuffle rankings by sending No. 1 Panthers to first defeat </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="10"> </td> <td>  Jan. 17, 2009
 CBSSports.com wire reports

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</photoset> LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Pittsburgh's perfect season unraveled in a perfect storm of missed shots, missed opportunities and one exquisitely timed birthday party by Louisville's Earl Clark.
The junior forward scored 16 points -- including the clinching jumper with 45 seconds remaining -- and grabbed 11 rebounds on his 21st birthday to lift the 20th-ranked Cardinals over the No. 1 Panthers, 69-63 on Saturday night.
"This game will help," said Pittsburgh guard Levance Fields. "Nobody wants to lose, but it's always good to get a loss on yourself so you know you're not unbeaten -- so you know somebody can beat you."
Clark and the surging Cardinals (13-3, 4-0) left no doubt.
Louisville smothered the Panthers (16-1, 4-1) over the game's final 8 minutes, holding Pittsburgh to 1-of-16 shooting down the stretch to end Pittsburgh's first run at the top of the poll. The loss left No. 2 Wake Forest as the only unbeaten team in Division I.
"Give them credit, they beat us," said Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, after his team turned the ball over a season-high 20 times against Louisville's fullcourt pressure. "We played well, they played well. They made shots down the stretch."
The biggest of them coming from Clark, who shrugged off a sluggish first half to lead Louisville on a 24-8 burst over the final 8:55 and lift the Cardinals to their first win over a No. 1 team since beating Florida on Dec. 13, 2003.

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Ego74 · Jan 18, 2009

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

Wake Forest wins battle of unbeatens, tops ACC foe Clemson
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="10"> </td> <td>  Jan. 17, 2009
 CBSSports.com wire reports

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CLEMSON, S.C. -- Jeff Teague thinks his coach should lighten up with talk of record-setting achievements and history-making wins.
Then again, it's hard for Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio to stay calm with what his team has already accomplished.
 <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="195"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#000066" width="180"> <table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="180"> <tbody><tr bgcolor="#000066"> <td> [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica] COMMENTARY [/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffee"> <td>

Of dots and gaps: Wake Forest's success relies on defense
by Gary Parrish
</td> </tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#ffffee"> <td> • What's Your Take?
Tell Gary your opinion! </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td width="15"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> The latest came Saturday when the second-ranked Demon Deacons set a school mark by starting the season 16-0, handing No. 10 Clemson its first loss of the season, 78-68.
Teague, Wake's point guard, had 24 points and his steady hand kept his team in front after the Tigers (16-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) cut a 14-point deficit to 61-60 in the final minutes.
"Coach talks about it sometimes, 'If you win this game, it's going to be the record. Tim Duncan didn't do it,"' Teague said, attempting to mimic Gaudio. "But I don't think nobody really thinks about that. We just want to win and be the best we can be."
And right now, that's clearly one of the country's best teams.
The Demon Deacons (16-0, 3-0) have already knocked off a No. 1 team in North Carolina and with current No. 1 Pittsburgh's 69-63 loss to Louisville on Saturday, they are the two unbeaten teams left in Division I.

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Ego74 · Jan 18, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Orioles acquire outfielder Pie

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<cite class="source"> ESPN.com news services
</cite>
 Despite being rated as the top prospect in the Cubs' farm system in 2006 and 2007, outfielder Felix Pie never made his mark in Chicago. Now he'll get a chance to make a big-league impact in Baltimore, instead.

Pie
The Cubs traded Pie to the Orioles on Sunday for left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson and minor league pitcher Henry Williamson. Pie, 23, played in 130 major league games for the Cubs the past two seasons. In 2008 he hit .241 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 43 games. Baseball America rated Pie as the Cubs' No. 1 prospect in both 2006 and 2007. Pie has a .299 career batting average in 628 minor league games. He was signed by the Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and made his major league debut in April 2007. Olson, 25, was 9-10 with a 6.65 ERA in 26 starts for Baltimore last season. In 33 career starts for the Orioles, Olson was 10-13 with a 6.87 ERA. Williamson was the Orioles' 14th round selection in the 2007 amateur draft. He went 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA last season in 20 games at the Class A level. MASN Sports reports that Pie's acquisition means that Luke Scott will get the bulk of the starts at designated hitter and Aubrey Huff will get several starts at first base. Orioles team president Andy McPhail, who came to Baltimore from the Cubs' organization, likes what he's getting with Pie. "Outstanding speed, plus arm, plus defender, he's hit his entire minor league career and he's won at almost every place he's been," McPhail told MASN. "I know the kid. He has great makeup, a great work ethic. He's devoted to becoming the best player he can be. And we'll give him every opportunity to see if he can hit in the majors, which we think he can. "We said we were really going to emphasize defense, and it's hard to imagine a better defensive outfield in the game than Pie, [Adam] Jones and [Nick] Markakis. It really gives us three center fielders."

Ego74 · Jan 18, 2009

Re: ROTOWORLD Fantasy Football News

Re: ROTOWORLD Fantasy Football News

Ravens DE/OLB Terrell Suggs is active for Sunday's AFC Championship.

Suggs will likely need a harness to support his banged-up shoulder, but his legs are enough to apply pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. Suggs may have a hard time wrapping up, though. The Ravens' inactives are third QB Todd Bouman, WR Terrance Copper, CB Samari Rolle, RB Jalen Parmele, LB Antwan Barnes, LB Robert McCune, T Oniel Cousins, and OL David Hale. Jan. 18 - 5:32 pm et

Ego74 · Jan 19, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Sources: Ryan to become Jets coach

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<cite class="source"> By Chris Mortensen
ESPN.com
Archive </cite>
 Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan has agreed to a four-year contract to become coach of the New York Jets, according to multiple sources.

NFL.com Video
Watch highlights from the Pittsburgh Steelers' 23-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

 An announcement will come later Monday and a news conference introducing Ryan will be held Wednesday. The Jets made a formal offer to Ryan "about an hour" after the Ravens lost 23-14 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, the sources said. Ryan's four-year contract is in line with other first-year head coaches that have been recently hired, but a Jets source said it was almost identical to the $11.5 million deal that the Rams gave New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Saturday. "Any coach who believes in himself wants the opportunity, and it's a great franchise," Ryan told ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols on Sunday night. Ryan was hired by the Ravens in 1999 as a defensive assistant and took on the coordinator's role in 2005. The title of assistant head coach was added before this season. Chris Mortensen is a senior NFL analyst for ESPN.

Ego74 · Jan 19, 2009

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

Northwestern tops Minnesota for first win over ranked team in 3 years
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="10"> </td> <td>  Jan. 18, 2009
 CBSSports.com wire reports

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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Craig Moore slammed the ball in frustration and yelled at a teammate as they headed to a timeout, his frustration boiling over in the early going.
By the end, he was all smiles.
Moore hit six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points to lead Northwestern over No. 18 Minnesota 74-65 Sunday for its first win against a ranked opponent in nearly three years.
"We knew we were capable," Moore said. "We just had to finish it."
Long a Big Ten doormat, the Wildcats (9-6, 1-4) have hinted that better days are coming. Well, this certainly was one.
The Wildcats had not beaten a Top 25 team since a three-point victory over then-No. 18 Iowa on Feb. 8, 2006. They had dropped 26 of 27 Big Ten regular-season games, including their first four this season after going 1-17 in the conference a year ago.
Yet, there they were, going on a 16-0 run early in the second half to grab a 10-point lead and knocking off a Minnesota team that had done nothing but exceed expectations in coach Tubby Smith's second season. The Golden Gophers' only other loss was to Michigan State.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

Ego74 · Jan 19, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Adam Schefter
Cardinals could rank among all-time surprise teams 

Posted: Adam Schefter | Adam Schefter | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Super Bowl XLIII
The Arizona Cardinals have the chance to be one of the NFL’s all-time surprise teams, a champion few expected. Just as significant, it becomes a model for franchises that have struggled on their own to follow one.

Now that the Cardinals have reached the final Sunday of the season and their first Super Bowl, only five NFL franchises remain that never have advanced to football’s biggest stage.

The five franchises never to play in the Super Bowl: the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. If the Cardinals can do it, there’s no reason those other five can’t, either.

Ego74 · Jan 20, 2009

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

Boldin not happy as unused late option

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals used only one receiver on nine of their final 14 plays in the NFC Championship Game. Anquan Boldin was not that receiver.

Boldin wasn't too happy with being minimized in the fourth quarter of Arizona's 32-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles that clinched the franchise's first Super Bowl berth. Late in the game, cameras showed Boldin arguing with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
"I was not given any explanation why I was taken out," Boldin said Monday, during an interview on ESPN's "NFL Live," when asked what led to the sideline confrontation. "Like any competitor I wanted to know why."

Asked if he had any issues with Haley, Boldin said, "Not a problem at all. I'm committed to this team ... one goal in mind ... to win the Super Bowl. That's why I came back early from the facial injury. You don't get this opportunity all the time."

Boldin sat out last week's playoff game against Carolina with a strained hamstring that he suffered in Arizona's 30-24 wild-card victory over Atlanta on Jan. 3. Asked Monday what he was told on the sideline, Boldin said, "They said I was not in position to run like they wanted me to. I felt fine the entire game."

Asked about the different formations, Haley told The Arizona Republic: "We changed personnel groups out there and I put Steve Breaston in for [Boldin]," Haley said, "and he was upset about it."

Once the game ended, Boldin, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, left the field quickly without celebrating. According to one postgame account, which he disputed, Boldin was seen leaving the locker room via a back door.

"I didn't leave through a back door. I tried to get in and out as quickly as possible to beat the media," he said. "I didn't want the story line to be me and Todd getting into it."

Ego74 · Jan 20, 2009

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

Re: Latest NFL News from ESPN

Ross, Huizenga complete Fins sale

Comment Email Print
<cite class="source"> Associated Press
</cite>
  MIAMI -- New Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross won't mess with success: He says Bill Parcells will remain in charge of the football operation.
Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of 95 percent of the franchise for $1 billion Tuesday, with Wayne Huizenga retaining a 5 percent interest.
 Graham: Be Wary, Ross

With Bill Parcells, nothing is certain and new Dolphins owner Stephen Ross shouldn't assume anything when it comes to the man at the head of his team's revival, writes Tim Graham.

Ross then addressed the subject of Parcells' status. The sale triggered a clause in Parcells' contract allowing him to leave and still receive the $9-12 million remaining on the four-year contract he signed a year ago.

"Parcells is in charge," Ross said in a conference call. "He's staying, and I think we're very fortunate to have someone like Bill Parcells, who I think people have come to recognize as probably the best football mind in America."

Thanks to Parcells, Ross takes over with the franchise's fortunes on the upswing. When the first phase of his purchase was completed last February, the Dolphins were coming off a 1-15 season, worst in team history. Under the new Parcells regime, they improved to 11-6 this season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

Parcells broke his silence Tuesday on the subject of his status. Scouting players practicing for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., he spoke briefly with several reporters and was asked if he planned to remain as the Dolphins' vice president of football operations.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he said. "What do your eyes tell you?"

When asked why he wouldn't commit outright to staying, Parcells said experience taught him never to rule anything out. He said if something happened to change his mind, he'd "hate to be called a liar."

But Parcells said he likes Ross and is not seeking a new contract.

"It's not about money," Parcells said. "I've got more than I can spend."
Ross said he's 100 percent certain Parcells will stay for another season.
"I feel very, very comfortable with him, and I think he feels comfortable with me," Ross said. "I think we've developed a good rapport. ... Bill Parcells thinks like a businessman: You don't solve all your problems with money; you solve them with brains."

Ego74 · Jan 21, 2009

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

Re: CBS Sportsline latest NCAA Basketball News

UNC coach's take? Jimmies and Joes over X's and O's

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Roy Williams warns up front that the story is "corny as all get-out," but he tells it still because it's a good story and, let's be honest, corny as all get-out has never stopped the North Carolina coach before.

Either way, I'm excited. Because I like good stories and love good recruiting stories, even corny ones. So I'm sitting here inside the Dean Smith Center on a January afternoon just listening to the story, and it's a story about Marvin Williams from an AAU game in which he played against that legendary Atlantic Celtics summer team featuring Dwight Howard, Josh Smith and Randolph Morris.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "Marvin got 36 (points) and fouls out with a couple of minutes to play, and people gave him almost like a standing ovation because he had been going against all three of them by himself," Williams remembered. "So then Marvin goes down there to the end of the bench, and there's a timeout, and then he gets five cups of water and takes those five cups of water and gives them to the five players who are in the game.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "To me, that matters," Williams added. "I like that."
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] The amazing thing about this story is not that Marvin Williams got the water or that Roy Williams liked it, but that Roy Williams even saw Marvin Williams get the water, and now allow me to explain. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] You see, summer AAU tournaments are all madness, just players and coaches bouncing from one game to the next as focus takes a backseat to everything. I've been in enough gyms in July to understand the scene, and the scene typically consists of coaches sitting with their buddies -- Bill Self hanging with Billy Gillispie, Mike Krzyzewski right beside Jeff Capel -- and chatting, texting, telling stories or making dinner plans because most guys are there just to be seen, the evaluation part of the process having long been completed.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] But Roy Williams is different.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] I noticed this a long time ago, back when I was working at a newspaper, and though I don't remember the exact year I remember the moment vividly, the moment when I first met the current North Carolina coach. There were a bunch of us standing around him at an AAU tournament asking questions about this and that, sort of like an informal press conference. But then a game started, and one of his potential prospects was about to play. Williams stopped almost midsentence and said, "OK guys, I've got to go do my job." And then he walked away, into the bleachers, up to the top row, alone. He subsequently watched every little thing that happened on the court, and that's when I realized that Williams has a unique passion for not only recruiting, but for the process of recruiting, and so now I'm sitting here in the Dean Smith Center and I'm asking him why.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Why does he watch so attentively when others do not?
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] How does he maintain the passion given that his level of success tends to make others relax?
[/FONT]
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="210"> <tbody><tr> <td width="210">

</td> <td width="15"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="210"> Roy Williams doesn't slow down when it comes to the recruiting game. (Getty Images) </td> <td width="15"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "The humorous answer would be the fear of losing," Williams said. "I think that probably has something to do with it."
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Williams goes on to tell a story about John Wooden, one in which the iconic former UCLA coach once offered some advice. "He told me nobody can coach bad players," Williams remembers, and then he explains that he doesn't consider himself a "great coach" because great coaches are people who win with bad players, and he's not sure he could do that. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Some of this is typical Williams self-deprecation, of course. But it's hard not to recognize that the man "gets it" as well as anybody gets it, that he understands the main reason he has never had a losing season, never won fewer than 19 games, never missed the NCAA tournament over the past 19 seasons. It is not because of his secondary break as much as it's because of the players he has recruited to run his secondary break.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Obviously, this isn't a new revelation.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Coaches have long insisted players win games.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] But there aren't many coaches who never forget that premise over a span of decades, who never let up, who consistently put in the time and effort to recruit at the highest level, particularly when they have already achieved a national title and are now working at a school (like UNC) where it's possible to relax and still lure McDonald's All-Americans. Williams is one of the few coaches who fits that description, proof being how he pushed up practice two days before the Wake Forest game so he could recruit on that Friday night, or how he'll use a rare break from games this weekend to travel to Memphis to see Briarcrest Christian School standout Leslie McDonald, who signed with the Tar Heels last November.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] This is business as usual for Roy Williams.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Because he knows the foundation of his success.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "I don't think I'm a great coach, but I think I'm OK," Williams said with a smile. "And as long as I get really good players, I guess I'll always be OK." [/FONT]

Ego74 · Jan 21, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Dodgers' Jeff Kent to announce retirement at 40
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AP Photo/Nati Harnik</td></tr> </tbody></table>   </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="ap-mediabox-table" style="float: right; clear: both; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr class="ap-mediabox-tr"> <td class="ap-mediabox-td">  <table class="ap-htmlfragment-table" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="ap-htmlfragment-tr"> <td class="ap-htmlfragment-td"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://img.video.ap.org/p/j/apovn.js"></script>
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</td> </tr> </tbody></table>   </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="ap-mediabox-table" style="float: right; clear: both; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr class="ap-mediabox-tr"> <td class="ap-mediabox-td">  <table class="ap-htmlfragment-table" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="ap-htmlfragment-tr"> <td class="ap-htmlfragment-td"><script language="JavaScript">tcdacmd="cc=spt; dt";</script> <script src="http://an.tacoda.net/an/11676/slf.js" language="JavaScript"></script><script src="http://anrtx.tacoda.net/rtx/r.js?cmd=SPT&si=11676&xs=1&v=4.0&cb=99227" language="JavaScript"></script><iframe src="http://an.tacoda.net/an/tpp.html" width="0" frameborder="0" height="0"></iframe> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>    </td> </tr> </tbody></table>     <table class="ap-mediabox-table" style="float: right; clear: both; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr class="ap-mediabox-tr"> <td class="ap-mediabox-td">  <table class="ap-htmlfragment-table" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="ap-htmlfragment-tr"> <td class="ap-htmlfragment-td"><script language="Javascript" src="http://hosted.ap.org/specials/AP_Tacoda_AMS_DDC_Header.js"></script> <script language="Javascript"> AP_Tacoda_AMS_DDC_addPair("SECTION", "SPORTS; BASEBALL") </script> <script language="JavaScript"> AP_Tacoda_AMS_DDC("http://te.ap.org/tte/blank.gif", "1.0") </script>

</td> </tr> </tbody></table>   </td> </tr> </tbody></table>     <table class="ap-mediabox-table" style="float: right; clear: both; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr class="ap-mediabox-tr"> <td class="ap-mediabox-td">       </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="ap-mediabox-table" style="float: right; clear: both; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr class="ap-mediabox-tr"> <td class="ap-mediabox-td">   </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="ap-mediabox-table" style="float: right; clear: both; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr class="ap-mediabox-tr"> <td class="ap-mediabox-td"> 
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="ap-mediabox-table" style="float: right; clear: both; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr class="ap-mediabox-tr"> <td class="ap-mediabox-td">   </td> </tr> </tbody></table>     LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jeff Kent plans to announce his retirement from baseball on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

Kent spent 17 years in the major leagues and leaves as the career home-run leader among second basemen with 351, 74 more than Ryne Sandberg.

He spent the last four seasons with the Dodgers, hitting .291 with 122 doubles, 75 homers and 311 RBIs. Los Angeles issued a statement Wednesday announcing the news conference.

A five-time All-Star and the 2000 NL MVP, Kent hit .253 during the first half of last season, improved to .353 in August, then injured his knee on Aug. 29 and had surgery four days later. He returned to make the postseason roster, but was relegated to a bench role. He went a combined 0-for-9 with four strikeouts during the two playoff series and became a free agent in November.

He'll be replaced at second base by Blake DeWitt, who took over when Kent was sidelined.

Kent had a .290 career batting average, 377 homers, 1,518 RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage. He was drafted by Toronto in 1989 and also played for the New York Mets, Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston

Ego74 · Jan 21, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

? Fisch takes OC job at University of Minnesota

News
Super Bowl injury report: Steelers return to practice 

Posted: News | NFL.com Staff | Tags: Injuries, Super Bowl XLIII
The NFL released the first official injury report for Super Bowl XLIII on Wednesday. With 10 full days before the Steelers and Cardinals take the field, there isn’t much to learn about the potential playing status of any of the players.
As he eluded to on Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin held out several players who are battling injuries and will continue to limit those players early in the week. He expected all to be able to play. Tomlin also said WR Hines Ward, who he categorized as having a sprained knee, would be expected to go. The Steelers returned to practice on Wednesday after a day off Tuesday and are on a normal practice schedule this week.
Steelers injury report
Did not practice: LB Patrick Bailey (hamstring), C Justin Hartwig (knee), RB Mewelde Moore (ankle), RB Willie Parker (not injury related), QB Ben Roethlisberger (back), DE Aaron Smith (not injury related), T Max Starks (knee), LB Lawrence Timmons (illness), CB Deshea Townsend (not injury related), WR Hines Ward (knee).
***

Two players who were injured in the NFC Championshp Game against the Eagles were listed on the Cardinals’ injury report — RB J.J. Arrington and DE Travis LaBoy. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed LaBoy’s bicep injury on Monday, but didn’t know whether it was a strain or a tear. LaBoy entered last week’s game with an ankle injury that had caused him to miss three games. The Cardinals did not practice Wednesday, according to the team’s official site, but will return to the practice field on Thursday.

Cardinals injury report
Did not practice: RB J.J. Arrington (knee), DE Travis LaBoy (biceps).
Limited participation: P Ben Graham (left groin), DE Antonio Smith (knee).
Full participation: WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring).

Ego74 · Jan 22, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Report: Romo looking ahead to '09

Comment Email Print
<cite class="source"> ESPN.com news services
</cite>
 Two days after he was publicly criticized by one of his franchise's icons, Tony Romo pledged to be a different kind of leader in 2009, the Dallas Morning News reported.

"I think leadership sometimes comes with your ability to perform and your personality," Romo said, according to the newspaper. "And some of it comes with experience. In a lot of ways, I think I've gotten to the point where I've gained experience.

"I'm definitely going to take a more active approach with that as we move forward from last year to this season," he said, according to the report. "I'll be very excited to get back out there and be with the guys and figure out a way to improve and get better and do the things we need to do to win. Period."

Romo's comments were his first with a Dallas-area media outlet following the end of the regular season, in which the Cowboys collapsed down the stretch and missed the NFC playoffs -- the latest in a string of poor December performances by the team. That collapse was capped by a season-ending 44-6 drubbing at archrival Philadelphia, dropping Romo's December record to 5-8.

But Romo's Dallas-area media blackout ended when two major aftershocks from the Cowboys' December disaster shook the franchise.

The first was a Morning News report earlier this week that Cowboys players had "lost respect" for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, in part because of Romo. The paper, citing five sources, said that Romo was inconsistent in practice and that it "affected the way he played in games and could have factored into the offense's problems."
The second came Tuesday from Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who, appearing on fellow Hall of Famer Michael Irvin's radio show, questioned whether Romo understood what it takes to be quarterback of the Cowboys, citing Romo's infamous vacation trip to Cabo San Lucas with girlfriend Jessica Simpson during the bye week before last year's NFL playoffs.

Ego74 · Jan 22, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Ellis plans Friday return to Warriors

Monta Ellis plans Friday return to Warriors after missing season

GREG BEACHAM
AP News
Jan 22, 2009 19:03 EST

Monta Ellis will be in the Golden State Warriors' lineup for the first time this season Friday night when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Warriors (13-30) decided after Thursday's practice to welcome back Ellis, who has missed the entire season while recovering from a sprained ankle sustained in an accident on a motorized scooter last summer.

Ellis has been back at practice for several weeks with the Warriors, who suspended him for 30 games without pay after the incident. The high-scoring guard got a six-year, $66 million contract extension about one month before crashing his scooter.

Source: AP News

Ego74 · Jan 22, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Cards' Arrington sits out practice

Comment Email Print
<cite class="source"> Associated Press
</cite>
 TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington was sidelined with a knee injury Thursday as Arizona practiced for the first time since winning the NFC championship.

Arrington, who became an increasingly important part of Arizona's offense, was injured in Arizona's 32-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt was hopeful the extra time off would allow Arrington to be ready to play against Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

"It's hard to rule anybody out for the Super Bowl," Whisenhunt said. "I would hope that he will progress rapidly as the week goes and get some good work in next week. I think the most important thing is that we don't rush it too much this week to make sure that we can push it next week to counterbalance."

Linebacker Travis LaBoy (biceps), defensive end Antonio Smith (knee) and punter Ben Graham (left groin) were limited in practice. LaBoy missed the NFC championship game.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin went through a full practice and said his left hamstring didn't bother him at all. He sat out Arizona's divisional playoff victory at Carolina with a strained hamstring, but played in the Philadelphia game.

The Cardinals have practices scheduled Friday and Saturday, then take Sunday off before flying to Tampa on Monday.

Ego74 · Jan 23, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Grizzlies fire Iavaroni as coach

After 11-30 start, Memphis becomes 7th team to make change this season

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-bottom: 20px;">

Tom Stratttman / AP
Memphis Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni was fired Thursday after a lackluster 11-30 first half to this season.

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NEW YORK - Marc Iavaroni had big plans when he became coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. He talked about a passion for winning and competing.
His vision never materialized.
Halfway through another lost season, Memphis fired Iavaroni on Thursday night.

Ego74 · Jan 24, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Kentucky guard Ramon Harris collapsed outside the team’s locker room at halftime of the Alabama game.

Harris was taken by ambulance to the nearby DCH Medical Center Saturday, according to Wildcats spokesman John Hayden. There was no immediate update on his status.

The start of the second half was delayed a couple of minutes, and Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie remained with Harris as the half began. Harris played only seven minutes in the first half and scored one point.

On Dec. 3, Harris was carried off the court on a stretcher and taken to the hospital after colliding with a teammate against Lamar. He missed three games with a back and neck injury, returned for one game and then missed two of the next three due to back stiffness.

Ego74 · Jan 25, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

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Clark powers No. 9 Louisville past Syracuse

Cardinals win seventh consecutive game, remain perfect in Big East

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Kevin Rivoli / AP
Louisville's Terrence Jennings dunks during the Cardinals' 67-57 victory over Syracuse on Sunday.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - 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 from right wing 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.?

Ego74 · Jan 26, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Gottfried quits as Alabama basketball coach

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Mark Gottfried resigned as Alabama's basketball coach Monday, leaving in the middle of his 11th season amid criticism of both the team's play and the departure of a star player.
The school said Gottfried will immediately be replaced by assistant coach Philip Pearson. Alabama's next game is at Arkansas on Thursday.
Gottfried, who played at Alabama, said he quit during a meeting with athletic director Mal Moore.
"It has been a wonderful decade for me and my family, and I love the University of Alabama, but I feel that it is in the best interests of everyone involved," Gottfried said in a statement released by the university.
The Crimson Tide's record this year is 12-7, 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference.
Gottfried's teams have missed the NCAA tournament the last two years, and the coach was criticized over the recent departure of point guard Ronald Steele, a preseason first-team AP All-American pick two years ago, who later was hit by injuries. The school blamed Steele's departure on a recent injury, but Steele said there was more to his decision than that.
Gottfried signed a six-year contract with Alabama in 2005 that made him Alabama's first $1 million basketball coach and gave him a larger salary than that of football coach Mike Shula. The contract ran through 2011 and included a buyout if he were fired, but any financial terms tied to his resignation were not released.
Moore said the school would begin trying to find a new coach immediately.

Ego74 · Jan 26, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Steelers arrive in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. -- The one question hanging over the Pittsburgh Steelers as their practice week begins for the Super Bowl is whether wide receiver Hines Ward will play with a sprained knee.

Here's the answer:

"I'm playing," Ward said Monday after arriving with his teammates. "I would have played if the game had been last week."

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was startled anyone would doubt that one of the NFL's toughest and most physical offensive players -- and the Super Bowl MVP three years ago -- would play.

"People ask me that question and I want to smack them," Roethlisberger said. "It's Hines Ward, he's going to be out here. It's the Super Bowl."

Ward was hurt in the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game with Baltimore and never returned. He has been listed as questionable for the Super Bowl.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Ward wouldn't practice Wednesday, but noted this was nothing unusual.

Ego74 · Jan 27, 2009

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Re: Sports News HOT OFF THE WIRE from Precise

Friendly 1B Sean Casey retires after 12 seasons

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Chatty first baseman Sean Casey is retiring after a dozen major league seasons with five teams, headed for a second career that suits him as well. "The Mayor" is hitting the airwaves. Casey announced his retirement Tuesday and his move to the fledgling MLB Network, a 24-hour channel launched this month to about 50 million homes. He'll be a studio analyst initially.

The 34-year-old Casey came up with Cleveland and was traded to Cincinnati for pitcher Dave Burba a day before the Reds' 1998 opener, a surprising twist to start his career. Quickly, Casey became known for base hits and friendly banter - he chatted with runners at first base, respectfully referring to them as "Mr."

"Throughout my career, everyone was always interested in what I was talking about at first base and everything like that," Casey said. "Now people can see me talk on TV instead of wondering what I'm saying at first base."

Casey became a three-time All-Star during his eight seasons with the Reds. He later played for Pittsburgh and Detroit, finishing his career with Boston last year by batting .322 in 69 games with no homers and 17 RBIs.