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
Green Bay Packers

Favre! Come back, Favre!


Was it the last time? Was it the last Lambeau Leap? (Wait a minute, no touchdown means no leap right? Or did Favre go ahead and do that anyway.) Can Brett please come back next year? We’ve got an awesome fantasy football strategy – start either the defense that’s playing the Oakland Raiders or the Green Bay Packers – and we can’t afford to let that advantage slip away. The Raiders will most likely be just as bad next year but Favre… man, Favre is irreplaceable.

Check out the box score: 26/50 for 285 yards is decent but… 1 sack, 0 TDs, and 2 INTS (1 returned for a TD!). You can’t replace that type of anti-production from an opposing quarterback on such a consistent basis.

So come back Favre. Grace us with another year of setting INT records and defensive fantasy football points. And if not for us, do it for the announcers out there. Where else are they gonna satiate their oral fixation?

Speaking of announcers, all those people complaining that they don’t get the NFL Network? You might consider yourself lucky. In addition to the snoozefest that was last night’s 9-7 game, listening to Bryant Gumble announce a game is excruciating. For a veteran TV guy, he’s just awful as an announcer. We’re not sure exactly what it is but some combination of his voice and delivery for the play by play that actually makes us wish Chris Collingsworth would do more of the talking. Yeah… that’s how bad it is. Time to hire away the “B” team from ESPN.

Categories
Florida Marlins

Dontrelle Willis arrested for DUI in South Beach


Dontrelle Willis, he of the high leg kick and squeaky clean image was arrested last night on a DUI charge by Miami Police when he stepped outside his Bentley to pee on the street. (Well, of course, he wasn’t going to pee in his Bentley.) Police say that he failed a field sobriety test but refused a breathalyzer.

The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year and 2003 World Series Champ (oh by the way Cubs fans, he was original drafted by the Cubs) had up until now had a squeaky clean image was the face of the Marlins after they cleaned house following 2003. He also earned about 1/4 of the entire Marlins payroll (at $4.35M last year) and was in negotiations for a new contract in 2007. We’re going to assume that as good of a pitcher as he is, this won’t negatively affect his contract. Hell, Leonard Little actually killed someone on a DUI and the Rams still gave him a new contract.

CBS Sportsline had the best headline of the day, calling him the Pee-Train. Now, that’s a nickname that won’t go away. Makes you think he’s R. Kelly or something.

Links:
[Miami Herald]: Marlins’ Dontrelle Willis arrested in SoBe on DUI charge

Categories
All Other Sports

Odds and Ends: The hottest male athletes


SI, which never saw a slideshow they didn’t like (have you seen their top 20 athletes with herpes series?) released their hottest athletes list and it’s full of dudes… then we realized there’s also a female version. Any way, to balance out all the Women We Love stuff on here, we thought we’d just stick with the hottest male athletes. Apparently the hottest guy in the world is Kelly Slater who, like, surfs. Followed by a bunch of soccer players. The first major sport athlete to make the list? Of course, Tom Brady at #5. Can we use this to our advantage? Is there any way we can send Brady to coax once-very-hot Katie Holmes from the Dark Side?

In other news…

[Macondawg]: Two men banned for attacking UGA mascots

[Valentine’s Views]: Tiki Barber for the Hall of Fame?

[Can’t Stop the Bleeding]: Isiah To Cowardly New Yorkers : Say It To My Face

[The Offside]: Liverpool Players use Official for Target Practice (video)

[The Big Lead]: More on the fight between the son of Wellington Mara and some Eagles fan

Categories
Philadelphia 76ers

"A.I. gone, Brown may return to Philly"


Here’s what’s wrong with sports media today. The headline, from MSNBC/AP would have you think that Larry Brown might return to the Sixers now that Allen Iverson is gone because he has a huge problem with AI. This is simply not true and completely irresponsible. This is like saying that Britney Spears became a fat hillbilly mess after meeting Kevin Federline… wait no… that actually is true. The point is: just because one thing precedes another doesn’t mean it caused the other. But that is what the headline is screaming.

First of all, Larry Brown has been acting as an unofficial adviser to Billy King and might just go back to the Sixers in an official capacity. Second, Larry Brown and Iverson had a lot of famous clashes but LB is probably the only coach the Sixers had that AI ever respected. Third, if LB had such a huge problem with AI that Iverson’s presence in Philly kept him from going back to the Sixers in an official capacity, then why would George Karl ever take on Iverson? Karl and Larry Brown are good friends — so good in fact that LB’s dismissal from the Knicks is what caused the brawl at MSG a week ago as Karl tried to rub it in Isiah’s face for his handling/firing of Brown. Of course Karl got the green light from LB before the trade was made.

We usually don’t get so fired up about sports reporting anymore. Hell, just this week Desmond Howard starting analyzing a nonexistent bowl game and ESPN claimed a scoop that they didn’t actually scoop… Oh well, what can you do.

Categories
NFL General

The NFL has got a ball problem too


While all the attention was focused on the synthetic microfiber balls the NBA adopted this year (and will drop in Jan), the NFL has a problem with the footballs they were sent this year by Wilson — QBs are complaining that they’re too slick and then getting even slicker with age.

Eagles team equipment manager John Hatfield attributes it to the change in regime from Tagliabue to Roger Goodell:


They had a problem this summer up in Ohio where they make the balls,” Hatfield said. “They had a humidity problem in the curing process [of the leather].”

Wilson, which has been the exclusive provider of footballs for the NFL since 1941, usually produces most of its footballs earlier in the year, when the Ohio weather is cooler and they have a bigger batch of balls from which to select the 720 “NFL-worthy” balls they send to each team.

But after Goodell was named commissioner on Aug. 8, the league informed Wilson it wanted a whole new supply of Goodell-signature balls delivered to teams in time for the start of the regular season.

Doug Wisner, a marketing analyst for Wilson footballs, acknowledged that a summer heat wave in Ohio affected the production of the Goodell footballs.

“When there’s a humidity problem, what happens is the pebble definition [on the ball] isn’t as great,” he said. “That did occur this summer. There was a big heat wave right when we were producing the footballs. It’s not that it made the balls slick. But the pebble definition wasn’t as great, which makes the ball slicker. Basically, after they brushed them down, they did have a slicker ball. But after Week 3 or 4, we didn’t hear many complaints.”

According to Wisner, only one out of every 10 balls Wilson makes is deemed “NFL-worthy.” But because they had much less time to make and send the new Goodell balls to NFL teams, balls that previously wouldn’t have been considered up to NFL standards, now were.

Despite all the complaining, the overall league completion rate is up 1/2 a percent (even with all of Terrell Owen’s drops) so the new slick ball isn’t much of a factor. Unless QBs in the league are getting better… but anyone who has watched Bruce Gradkowski or Andrew Walter play this year knows that can’t be true.

Links:
[Philly.com]: GET A GRIP, NFL

Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: Jazz Perform a Late Jam Session


1. Turkish Sharpshooter
With a 21 point lead at the end of the third quarter, Atlanta figured they had stolen a win from a formidable Western Conference foe. But the Hawks didn’t count on Mehmet Okur and company making a furious fourth quarter rally that would bring the Jazz all the way back to win the game 112-106 in Atlanta. With twelve minutes remaining in the game the score was 93-72. Then Okur lead the comeback with 12 points in the fourth, including two big threes with less than two minutes in the game. Okur shot four of five from behind the arc and finished the game with 30 points and ten rebounds to go along with 14,823 broken hearts in Hotlanta.

2. Rare Sprewell Sighting
Latrell Sprewell disappeared from the NBA faster than you can say “choke artist” after turning down an offer from the Timberwolves in 2005. And while, according to Spree, $21 million wasn’t enough money to feed his family, apparently he found the funds to dine out with former Minnesota teammates Kevin Garnett, Trenton Hassell and Troy Hudson in Milwaukee last week. Reports are that Sprewell has no desire to return to the league but maybe New York could change his mind with another ill-advised, over-inflated contract they have become infamous for.

3. Overtime State of Mind
After a blowout loss to Denver which ended with an ugly brawl, New York has responded by playing competitively in their last two contests. On Monday, a shorthanded Knicks squad pulled out a one point win in overtime against an excellent Utah team, and last night they squeaked out a 111-109 victory in double overtime versus Charlotte. While David Lee has been solid throughout the season, he has been especially active since the team received their share of suspensions from the outbreak against the Nuggets. The second year forward from Florida followed up a 17 point, 20 rebound effort against Utah with a ten point, 19 rebound game against the Bobcats that included a buzzer beating tip-in to win the game for New York.

Wednesday’s Player of the Day: Mehmet Okur @ Atlanta 36 min, 30 pts (FG: 11-17, 3FG: 4-5, FT: 4-5), 10 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk

Thursday’s Game to Watch: Detroit (15-8) @ Cleveland (14-10) After starting the season with a 2-3 road record, the Pistons have become road warriors going 6-2 since then. Detroit currently sits atop the Central Division, two games ahead of the Cavs. Despite their recent struggles, Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland has provided an edge to the Cavaliers who have gone 11-2 at home. LeBron James is coming off a 37 point, eight assist performance in a loss to New Jersey on Wednesday.

Buzzer Beater: Tim Duncan proved once again why he will forever be remembered as a horrible free throw shooter. Along with Shaquille O’Neal, Duncan has dominated opponents from everywhere on the court. Everywhere except the charity stripe. Last night against Memphis, Duncan was a perfect 8-8 from the field but he was a pathetic 5-10 from the line. Big men are notoriously bad free throw shooters, but once a percentage dips below 65, it’s probably time to resort to a more effective granny shot. While it’s quite embarrassing, at least there’s nothing underhanded about it.

Categories
Washington Redskins

Dec 21 in Sports History: Vince Lombardi’s last game


In 1969: Vince Lombardi coached his last NFL game with the Washington Redskins, losing 20-10 to Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys. Ironically, Landry became coach of the Cowboys on the same day 10 years earlier. Lombardi took a terrible Green Bay Packers team and led them to five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. He had a lifetime record of 105-35-6. Although Lombardi would be dead of cancer just nine months later, his legacy as an NFL coach is still unmatched.

In 1997: Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions became the third player in NFL history (O.J Simpson, Eric Dickerson) to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. Sanders’ 184 yards that day gave him a total of 2,053 for the season and helped the Lions clinch a playoff spot with an important 13-10 win over the New York Jets. It was the 14th straight 100-yard game of the season for Sanders, also an NFL record. Sanders retired after the following season despite being on the brink of passing Walter Payton on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Sanders is the only player to have 1,000 yards in ten straight seasons.

Sanders’ moment was somewhat overshadowed when teammate Reggie Brown was severely injured in the same game. Brown collided with a Jets’ player and lay motionless on the turf for almost 20 minutes while paramedics scrambled to save his life. He suffered a career-ending spinal injury, but was able to walk again.

Categories
High School Sports

Video: Errant basketball hits cheerleader

This must happen somewhere at least once a week but when it’s captured on film, it’s always funny. (OK, not as funny as dick in a box but…)

(Original slideshow from NBC4 via Fark)

Categories
NFL General

Pro Bowl rosters and outrage released



Better than Westbrook?

For a game that nobody even watches, a lot of outrage sure does come with the announcement of the Pro Bowl rosters (AFC | NFC) . Some we agree with, some are just homers talking. The Pro Bowl is based on reputation more than anything else so why is everyone always so surprised when undeserving players get in?

Here are some notable snubs:

Tom Brady — To be fair, the three AFC QBs who were named to the Pro Bowl — Peyton Manning, Rivers and Palmer — are having good seasons. Manning is the game’s best quarterback and he showed that in beating the Bengals on Monday night. Rivers has led the Chargers to a 12-2 record. But Palmer over Brady? Let’s see. The Patriots have a better record and they beat the Bengals 38-13 earlier in the season. Palmer’s stats might be better, but Brady is a three-time Super Bowl champ who is on the verge of winning a division title. (John Clayton)

Brian Westbrook — Where would the resurgent Eagles be without Westbrook, their multi-purpose man who has rushed for 1,092 yards, caught 74 passes for 664 yards and produced 86 first downs, just eight fewer than LaDainian Tomlinson? (SI)

Javon Walker — On paper, it might appear as the four guys who made the team over Walker deserve it. Sure, they are all having nice seasons, but of the guys chosen over Walker I’d have to take out Andre Johnson. Yea, I know, he leads the league in receptions, but looking at his average yards per catch shows he is catching a lot of dink and dunk passes. Even Marvin Harrison who would be considered a possession receiver has averaged over 3 yards per carry more per catch. Walker leads the group in average, and has reached the end zone two more times than Johnson. (The Sports Guru)

Bart Scott — the most productive, and most anonymous, of the Baltimore Ravens linebackers. He’s great in pass coverage and will likely finish the season with 10+ quarterback sacks. Though not as physically talented or as well-known as his Pro Bowl teammates, Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas, Scott has been a force this year and deserved to be downing some poi in Hawai’i in February. (4th and Inches)

Categories
NBA General

Around the Rim: What Does the Future Hold?



One way for Iverson and Melo to coexist

1. Weapons of Mass Destruction
Plenty of questions surround the trade involving Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, with the suspension of Carmelo Anthony, we have to wait until January 20 to see the new look Nuggets. But if the league’s top two scorers can mesh together, Denver could have the best starting five in the NBA next season. The question mark in the lineup will fall on the power forward spot and the health of Kenyon Martin. However, should K-Mart return to his old form, this would be one of the most powerful and explosive lineups in the game. Iverson, J.R. Smith, Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby; now that’s a versatile group of starters. The general concern is about how this trade will play out this season, but the true potential for both teams involved will not come to realization until next year.

2. LBJ Hits the Wall
Reports from Cleveland say that LeBron James’ body is wearing down and, while he won’t admit it, he’s become tired and fatigued of late. While his statistics don’t indicate any problem, it seems he is lacking the same explosion. And, frankly, who can blame him? He’s fourth in the league in minutes with 40 a game, and he has to carry the weight of a struggling team on his back every single game. Perhaps no individual player does more to contribute to his team than James. Sure, he’s only 21 years old but he played a full season that went into the playoffs last year and spent his entire summer with Team USA before returning to preseason workouts. LeBron probably does need rest, but it’s not coming anytime soon as James made a three year commitment to USA Basketball.

3. Suns Are Hot
With a 17 point win over the Raptors last night, Phoenix set a franchise record by recording their 15th straight victory. And the Suns are only going to keep improving as their young stud Amare Stoudemire continues to progress after having microfracture knee surgery. Coach Mike D’Antoni was slow to give Stoudemire too many minutes earlier in the season, but since inserting him into the starting five, Stoudemire has not disappointed. His numbers continue to grow with the team’s streak as he is averaging 21.2 points and 8.9 rebounds during December. As far as the team’s win streak is concerned, it could increase to 18 before the Suns face a tough Mavericks team on December 28.

Tuesday’s Player of the Day: Amare Stoudemire vs. Toronto 28 min, 28 pts (FG: 11-14, FT: 6-6), 10 reb, 1 blk

Wednesday’s Game to Watch: Phoenix (18-6) @ Denver (14-9) Phoenix rides a 15 game winning streak into the Mile High City as the Suns will look to take advantage of a depleted Nuggets roster. Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith will not be playing, but it’s possible that Denver’s newest player might. Allen Iverson could make his debut in a Nuggets uniform tonight, but according to his agent he probably won’t. If A.I. doesn’t suit up, you can still see history be made as the Suns could tie the 1991 Portland Trailblazers for the fifth longest winning streak.

Buzzer Beater: Kobe Bryant fouled out for the first time in over a year last night in a 94-89 loss to Chicago. His sixth foul capped off a miserable 6 of 19 shooting performance. Without Lamar Odom in the lineup, the defensive minded Bulls cast were able to concentrate their efforts onto Bryant. Chicago continues to prove that with a focused Ben Wallace in the paint, the Bulls are able to shut down even to leagues most potent scorers.