Author: Vin

Vin is a Philly boy who shouldn't be invited into your house because he'll judge you on your book and music collection. He owns Dawkins, Utley, Iverson, and Lindros jerseys, which is all you really need to know about him. He can be reached at [email protected].

Categories
Cleveland Browns

Top 10 Dumbest in-game Injuries: #8 Orlando Brown


[Sportscolumn is running down the ten dumbest in-game injuries in sports. Here’s #8.]

In 1999, Cleveland’s Orlando Brown was struck in the right eye with a flag thrown by referee Jeff Triplette. The little yellow flag was weighted down with close to a pound of bb’s and apparently Brown didn’t appreciate the incredible accuracy displayed by Triplette because Brown hulked-up and went berserk, shoving Triplette to the ground which lead to an ejection from the game and suspension from the league. The injury was so severe that Brown was forced to remain sidelined for several years, but he remained busy during the down time as Brown and the NFL alternated suing each other over the incident.

Back to #9 | Forward to #7

Categories
NFL General

Another internet lesson

Yesterday, we showed you video of some dorky kid doing a variety of dunks on his basement nerf hoop set. Today, we bring you another lesson from the internet. Never call a game too early. While it probably happens all the time, rarely does it happen on something like Digg where people can keep surfacing it and reminding you what kind of idiot you are.

From Digg:

Patriots are going to the superbowl!! Peyton Cries – Brady dances midfield

Yea – it is currently 7:47pm and I’m calling it now – Patriots are winning 21-3 and Peyton is crying on the field already after not one but TWO sacks! Patriots are going to the superbowl!!!!

eyeaml337 submitted 2 days ago in American & Canadian

Go ahead and digg the story.

Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: Getting Punk’d


1. Clown the Crown
King James is nobody’s court jester, but on Sunday LeBron will play the fool as he participates in a celebrity roast. James will be subjected to the ridicule of comedians like Cedric the Entertainer, Paul Rodriguez, Ralphie May and Mo’Nique. Teammate Damon Jones will even get on stage and take a few shots at his team captain. But before the roast, L.B.J. will have to put aside all laughing matters as Cleveland hosts the searing Suns, who put a 19 point hurting on the James gang two weeks ago. Nothing funny about that.

2. O-Factor
Lamar Odom went down with a sprained knee ligament on December 12, but it appears that he could finally be returning to action this Friday. The Lakers have gone 12-9 without Odom as Kobe Bryant has struggled to find his offense at times over the stretch. The semi-emergence of Andrew Bynum could be enhanced by the return of Odom as defenders will be forced to respect the Lakers second best scorer. Obviously, nobody is more important to L.A. then Kobe, but Odom’s versatile style adds a unique dimension to the Lakers game plan. The Lakers won 15 of their first 21 games this year when opposing defenses were faced with the dual threat of Kobe and Lamar.

3. Champion off the Hardwood
Dikembe Mutombo is popping up everywhere these days. His career is experiencing a David Hasselhoff type resurgence of late. In the absence of Yao Ming, Mutombo has been pulling down double digit rebounds on a nightly basis and wagging his index finger with regularity. On Saturday, Mt. Mutombo put up 11 points and 13 rebounds against the Nuggets, and then he flew to the nation’s capital where he sat next to first lady Laura Bush during the president’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. “W” even publicly recognized Mutombo’s efforts with the impoverished in Africa during his speech. The Rockets center recently helped bring a $27 million hospital to his home land. Tonight, Mutombo will go back to work on the court when Houston travels to San Antonio to take on the Spurs. Just another week in the life of Dikembe.

Tuesday’s Player of the Day: Carmelo Anthony @ Seattle 40 min, 34 pts (FG: 12-26, 3FG: 0-3, FT: 10-11), 9 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl

Wednesday’s Game to Watch: Houston (25-16) @ San Antonio (30-13) The Spurs use to be unbeatable at home but their home record has significantly declined this year. The Rockets picked up a win over the Spurs in S.A. back in late December but the silver and black have heated up of late, winning seven of their last nine games. When healthy, Tracy McGrady is one of the elite scorers in the league but he has struggled with back problems this season. However, T-Mac should be rested and ready to go after having three full days since playing in his last game. Bruce Bowen will have his hands full tonight.

Buzzer Beater: Everyone has been waiting on pins and needles for this moment and now its here. The NBA finally announced the league’s All-Star team. No, not those All-Stars; the 2007 Las Vegas All-Star Dance Team. One chick from each city will make the trip to Sin City where they will shake their All-Stars assets for you; the devoted fan. Have your TiVo ready.

Categories
Boxing

Top 10 Dumbest in-game Injuries: #9 Evander Holyfield

[Sportscolumn is running down the ten dumbest in-game injuries in sports. Here’s #9.]

This one is more bizarre than dumb and it might have injured Mike Tyson’s career more than Holyfield but it certainly belongs on this list. Mike Tyson took insanity to a whole other level during a fight with Evander Holyfield on June 28, 1997. In front of a sold out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Iron Mike took a page from the Iron Chef and gruesomely bit the ear of Holyfield. After some commotion, the fight was resumed and in Tyson-esque lunacy he again bites and removes a chunk from the left ear of Holyfield. Bedlam takes over the ring and the chaos quickly spreads into the crowd before moving to the hotel lobby and eventually to the streets outside. Tyson was suspended from boxing and his purse was withheld. Tyson’s life has continued to spiral downward to the point where he is now considering a new career in porn. Ear nibbling is off limits though.

Back to #10 | Forward to #8

Categories
All Other Sports

The sports world’s answer to the Star Wars Kid

Via Deadspin comes this funny yet groan inducing video of a kid practicing his dunks on a mini hoops set in his basement. Here’s a lesson for everyone. Don’t ever ever ever videotape yourself doing ANYTHING. It’ll end up on the internet if it’s embarassing enough.

Categories
Dallas Cowboys

TO says good riddance to Parcells



See ya, Bill!

You know how Bill Parcells went out with class, issuing a statement that he was tired and physically he was tired and thanking all the players and coaches that supported him? Did you really expect the same from TO? Didn’t think so. The ever quotable TO had this to say about the Tuna’s retirement:


I am just hoping his retirement brings promise to what the team has to offer. This past year was a big letdown. On paper we were as good as anybody we played against every week. The end result didn’t show that. Our play was not indicative of what we could have done. What we should have done. Hopefully, the owner will hire a coach to take the team to the next level.

Parcell’s biggest sin?

I was underutilized in the offense. A new coach can be good for the Cowboys. It’s not just me. But my teammates know I could have done more. I wasn’t used as a No. 1 receiver. If you don’t involve a guy, that person is not going to be as productive as he can be. That’s how I felt.

What (good) coach in his right mind is going to take the Cowboys job? Can an incoming coach stipulate that his hiring is contingent on the cutting of Terrell Owens? (By the way folks, that’s our last TO/Parcells story for a while… we promise.)

Links:
[Star-Telegram]: Owens: Parcells’ retirement for the best

Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: Agent Zero calls his shot


1. He Said It
Like Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali and Joe Namath did before him; Gilbert Arenas has called his shot. While it might not have the same dramatics as a Super Bowl guarantee, Agent 0 did prophetically predict he’d drop fity’ on the Trailblazers when they hook up on February 11. “Well, it’s not the most important, but that’s the game I’m going to say is my next 50-pointer,” wrote Arenas on his NBA.com blog. “Tune in. I think ESPN or TNT needs to pick that game up.” Arenas already has three 50 point games this season and that number could grow in the next three weeks. So far, Arenas has been able to back up any talking he might want to do as he has the Wizards on top of the Eastern Conference for the first time in a long time.

2. The Answer is Carmelo
Who said that Melo and A.I. couldn’t share the rock? Well, maybe it’s a bit early to call this experiment a success but Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson did manage to handle their scoring roles quite nicely in Melo’s return to action against Memphis. By halftime, both had reached double figures in scoring. Granted it’s only the Grizzlies, but Denver looked sharp with their new lineup. Anthony led the way, scoring a game-high 28 points, as Iverson played second fiddle with 23. But regardless of who gets the majority of the points, it’s going to be tough for any team to match up with a backcourt that can put up 51.

3. Hot Heat Streak
Miami was down 3-2 early against New York last night, but that would be the last time they trailed in the game. That’s because it was at that point that the Heat ripped off a franchise record 27-0 run, giving themselves a 26 point cushion at 29-3. That’s a pretty impressive feat in itself but then you realize that the Heat were missing both team superheroes as Superman and Flash nursed injuries on the bench. The Knicks missed ten consecutive shots over the miserable span; even the Miami faithful cheered when New York finally hit a field goal.

Monday’s Player of the Day: Deron Williams vs. Minnesota 38 min, 21 pts (FG: 9-16, 3FG: 1-3, FT: 2-2), 3 reb, 15 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk

Tuesday’s Game to Watch: Phoenix (32-8) @ Washington (24-16) They did it once, now let’s see if they can pull off another stunner. It was way back on December 22 when the Wizards went into Phoenix and promptly ended the Suns 15 game winning streak behind 54 points from Gilbert Arenas. Since then, the Suns have lost one game and are riding a 13 game winning streak into Washington, where the Wizards are 17-3. Both teams are sitting at the top of their conference and they currently rank one and two in points per game (Phoenix: 111.5 ppg; Washington: 107.5 ppg). If this game even closely resembles their first meeting, then it’s definitely must see T.V.

Buzzer Beater: George Karl appears to think that Carmelo Anthony’s punishment was a bit severe after Kevin Garnett’s actions got the former M.V.P. a mere one game suspension. Karl references how similar the two incidents were, except for the fact that Melo’s punch landed. Sure, Karl has to stick up for his players but, Hello!, one situation ended with a some pushing and trash talk while the other ended with superstar sucker punches and players spilling into the crowd. Image is everything in today’s NBA. If you make the league look bad, David Stern will make you pay.

Categories
MLB General

Jan 23 in Sports History: Jackie Robinson elected to HOF


In 1962: Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. In an ironic twist, Cleveland pitcher Bob Feller was also elected. Feller, who is an outspoken critic of baseball’s controversies to this day, openly questioned that Robinson even belonged in the major leagues. When Robinson was breaking in, Feller said, “He’s all tied up in the shoulders and can’t hit an inside pitch to save his neck. If he were a white man, I doubt if they would even consider him big league material.” Feller was, however, very much in favor of integrating baseball. He was just dead wrong on Robinson, who obviously showed that he belonged in baseball. Feller is spouting off even today. As the oldest living hall of famer, he is still railing against the likes of Pete Rose and Barry Bonds getting into the hall, once called Jim Thome a “journeyman first baseman” and said that Latin players “don’t know the rules of the game.”

In 2000: The St. Louis Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-6 in the NFC Championship game. In a matchup of contrasting styles, Tampa’s defense shut down St. Louis’ “Greatest Show on Turf” for much of the day. Trailing 6-5 in the fourth quarter (still sounds weird), Rams’ quarterback Kurt Warner hit seldom-used wideout Ricky Proehl for a 30-yard touchdown. It was the Rams first Super Bowl appearance since 1979, as they were set to play the Tennessee Titans, who defeated Jacksonville earlier in the day. It was the first Super Bowl matchup of two franchises that had relocated.

Categories
St. Louis Cardinals

Top 10 Dumbest in-game Injuries: #10 Vince Coleman

[Sportscolumn is running down the ten dumbest in-game injuries in sports. Here’s #10.]


This isn’t exactly in-game but it’s close enough to game time that it made our Top 10 list. Before game 3 of the 1985 NLCS, the grounds crew decided to roll up the electronically-operated tarp. The only problem? Vince Coleman was standing behind the cylinder. All of the sudden, Coleman was trapped underneath the contraption and suffered a serious leg injury.

Coleman sustained a bone chip in his knee and leg bruises and would miss the rest of the postseason. Alls well that ends well (almost) as the Cardinals were able to pull out the NLCS despite being down 2-1. They did lose to the Kansas City Royals (yes, Virginia, once the Royals weren’t a Triple A level team) in the World Series. According to Coleman, “that tarp was a real man-eater.”

(Source: Baseball Library.com)

See #9 in the Top 10 Dumbest in-game injuries of all time.

Categories
Atlanta Hawks

In today’s marijuana news…


We’ve got a trio of drug related news for you today folks. First up is Michael “Don’t Criticize Me” Vick. Vick has been cleared by Miami police of any wrongdoing because the super secret spy water bottle he tried to bring aboard a plane at Miami International did not contain any pot. Vick certainly dodged a bullet there but what kind of moron refuses to surrender a water bottle with NOTHING IN IT? Vick’s last contract was for $130M… the water bottle costs $20. That Michael Vick ain’t too smart.

Second up is yet another Bengals arrest. This time cornerback Johnathan Joseph was arrested for pot possession after a car in which he was the passenger was pulled over. Police smelled marijuana and searched a Super Bowl XL backpack and found the pot. Good thing that swag is going to good use. This marks the 4,397th arrest for the Bengals this year.

Finally, Mike Tyson has plead not guilty to drug charges even though he admitted to being an addict in an interview with police and was busted with cocaine. His lawyer said, “Drug addiction is a victimless crime. We believe this is the kind of crime where you shouldn’t go to prison.” So doesn’t this mean he’s guilty but wants a lighter sentence? Ahh the good ole justice system. He’ll get a slap on the wrist and some community service.

Links:
[Miami Herald]: There was no pot in Vick’s bottle, police confirm
[Cincinnati Enquirer]: Bengals’ Joseph arrested
[AZ Central]: Tyson pleads not guilty to drug charges