Tag: NFL

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Odds and Ends: Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova dating



Otis! My Man!

Well, US Weekly has made it official: Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova are dating. This has been speculated since January so it’s not really news. However, we point you to this photo of them on some red carpet thing. Have you seen two celebrities with more awkward smiles? They look like Boon and Otter when they stepped into the Dexter Lake Club and realize they’re the only white people there.

In other news…

[Sign On San Diego]: Leno grills Landis, who offers another theory on drug test

[Fox Sports]: NFL picks Goodell to replace Tagliabue

[USA Today]: Ex-NBA All-Star Eddie Johnson accused of sexually assaulting 8-year-old girl

[SI]: Wie blamed caddie for being unable to make clutch putts…

[MSNBC]: Parcells scolds media about T.O. injury

[homegame]: Why Bill Belichick’s Aunt is Not His Uncle

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NHL General

August 9 in Sports History: Great One sold to the Kings


In 1988: In a move that shocked the hockey world, Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers (where he had just recently won his fourth Stanley Cup), to the Los Angeles Kings. Gretzky, along with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski, came to L.A. in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three first-round draft picks and cash (it was rumored that Edmonton was in serious financial trouble). It was arguably the biggest trade in sports history. Gretzky’s arrival in Tinseltown signified an increase (albeit temporarily) in the NHL’s popularity, as teams began popping up in non-traditional markets such as Anaheim, San Jose, Florida and Nashville. Two years after the trade, however, the Oilers got the last laugh by winning the Cup without the Great One in 1990. Gretzky’s Kings reached the Finals in 1993, but lost to the Montreal Canadiens. He retired in 1999 as the NHL’s all-time leading scorer by more than 1,000 points.

In 1975: Almost 30 years to the day it was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Saints played their first-ever game in the Louisiana Superdome. The Saints lost the exhibition game to the Houston Oilers, 13-7. After not playing there the entire 2005 season because of the damage, the Saints plan on returning in 2006.

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NFL General

August 4 in Sports History: the USFL folds up tent


In 1986: The United States Football League officially folded. Having played the first two seasons in the spring during the NFL offseason, the USFL made a catastrophic mistake by trying to compete head-to-head with the NFL in Fall of 1985. They then brought an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, but was only awarded one dollar in damages. Useless Knowledge to Take Into Your Weekend: The Pittsburgh Maulers were the only team to ever sell out a USFL game. Pittsburghers basically showed up to throw batteries at former Steeler and then-current Birmingham Stallions’ quarterback Cliff Stoudt. (thisistheusfl.com)

In 1982: In one of the strangest accomplishments in baseball history, Joel Youngblood played in two games for two different teams on the same day; and even collected a hit in each game. Also, both hits were off Hall of Fame pitchers. Playing for the Mets in the afternoon game in Chicago, he hit a single off Ferguson Jenkins, but was traded to the Expos during the game. He immediately flew to Philadelphia for a night game, arrived in time to pinch hit, and stroked another single off Steve Carlton. (baseballlibrary.com)

In 1983: While throwing in the outfield between innings of a game at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium, Dave Winfield of the New York Yankees accidentally clipped a seagull with a baseball, killing it. The 12-time All-Star, Hall of Famer and member of the 3,000 hit club was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. He was forced to post a $500 bond, but the charges were dropped the next day. (baseballlibrary.com)

In 1985: On the same day, White Sox pitcher Tom Seaver won his 300th career game in New York against the Yankees; while Angels second baseman Rod Carew collected his 3,000th hit against the Twins in Anaheim. Carew was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1991, and Seaver received the highest-ever percentage of first-place ballots (98.2) in 1992. (baseball-almanac.com)

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Minnesota Vikings

July 31 in Sports History: Korey Stringer tragedy

In 2001: All-Pro offensive tackle Korey Stringer collapsed on the field of the Minnesota Vikings training camp at Mankato State University and was taken to the hospital. Stringer suffered from heatstroke in the 90-plus degree heat. The 335-pound Ohio State grad, one of the most popular players on the team, would die of heart and kidney failure early the next morning at the age of 27. Stringer’s death sent shockwaves through the sports world, and it caused the NFL and its teams to closely review their policies on training in excessive heat and humidity. Stringer was survived by his wife Kelci and three year-old son Kodie. His widow unsuccessfully sued the NFL and the Vikings in 2002.

In 1990: Pitcher Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers notched career victory no. 300 in an 11-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Ryan became the 20th member of the 300 Club, the first since Don Sutton in 1986. Only Roger Clemens has joined the club since, in 2003. Ryan won a total of 324 games as a member of the Mets, Angels, Astros and Rangers. He also holds the career strikeout mark with 5,714, and he threw a major league record seven no-hitters (including two after his 300th win). Despite the fact that his real first name was Lynn, the “Ryan Express” was one of the toughest pitchers ever, lasting 27 years and pummeling a young Robin Ventura after he charged the mound. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

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St. Louis Rams

Say goodbye to Marshall Faulk



Tearing up Xbox and FF

The Rams just announced that Marshall Faulk will have major reconstructive knee surgery and miss the 2006 season. Coach Scott Linehan said that Faulk wasn’t ready to call it quits but with so many knee injuries in the past couple of years, it’s very likely that we have seen the last of Marshall Faulk.

Most people will mention his career stats and his pro bowls. We here at Sportscolumn are focusing on one thing lately — Fantasy Football. Faulk is arguably the greatest fantasy player in the internet era. For a 3 years stretch, anyone who had Marshall Faulk on their fantasy team was guaranteed at least the playoffs. On the Greatest Show on Turf team, Faulk was a double threat to run and catch the ball for TDs. Winning your fantasy draft lottery in 2000 and 2001 meant you would take Faulk #1 and let the rest of the league sort out the next 19 picks. There was no debate.

Good luck, Marshall.

Links:
[MSNBC]: Faulk to miss season with knee surgery
[NFL.com]: Marshall Faulk player card

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San Francisco 49ers

Welcome the Santa Clara 49ers

The Niners are planning a $600M-$800M 68,000 seat stadium to open in 2012. The stadium would be adjacent to their current home at Candlestick/Monster Park. However, the new stadium would depend on approval by the city to approve a mall/entertainment/residential complex right next to the new stadium and some officials say that might require rezoning and not be approved. If the deal falls through, the new stadium could be built in Santa Clara, about 45 miles south of San Francisco.

Here’s a computer illustration of the new Niners stadium.

Links:
[SF Gate]: First look at 49ers’ new stadium plan
[Fox Sports]: Niners discuss move to Santa Clara

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San Francisco 49ers

Odds and Ends (07.17.06): Didn’t Jerry Rice retire already?

We could’ve sworn that Jerry Rice retired last year when he finally figured out that he couldn’t play when he couldn’t even break into the lineup for the Denver Broncos. But now, Jerry says he wants to sign a one day contract to retire as a Niner. We think it’s always a classy move when a player of longstanding tradition goes back to the ball club he started with to retire. However, Jerry Rice should have retired as a Niner about 6 years ago before he tarnished his legacy. Of all modern football players hanging on to glory too long, Jerry Rice might have been the saddest of our generation.

In other news…

[BBC]: Wayne Rooney can only sleep with something sucking or blowing on

[Reuters]: Garnett is proselytizing in India

[Newsday]: Dallas Stars sign Eric Lindros

[Kukla’s Korner]: Hockey isn’t doing too well in LA

[Yahoo ]: Doctor who supplied several Panthers with steroids gets 1 year in jail

Categories
NFL General

Maurice Clarett hits a new low

It’s hard to think of a cautionary tale as sad as Maurice Clarett’s. (Though Marcus Vick still has some time to establish himself.) A former national champion and Heisman Trophy candidate is now playing for the Mahoning Valley Hitmen, part of the six team Eastern Indoor Football League. The Hitmen’s slogan is “Get Whacked Indoors”.

The guy who refused a $413,000 signing bonus with the Denver Broncos now gets to play indoor football against teams like the Three River Rats and the Bay Shore Brawlers. If their website is any indication, the EIFL is more poorly organized than the amateur mens league that Jose Canseco was playing in in LA. But hey, for $12 you can go watch the man who challenged the NFL.

If there are any young college players who think they can coast by on talent and surrounds themselves with a sycophantic entourage, someone just show them the Maurice Clarett wiki article.

Links:
[Detroit Free Press]: Clarett back in football — well, sort of
[MVHitmen.com]: Mahoning Valley Hitmen official site

Categories
Dallas Cowboys

Details on T.O.’s new book

The official release date of the new T.O. book is July 29th but the Philly media already has some advance copies of it for review. (We’re still waiting for ours…) Here are some details from the book. Most of it apparently deals with his relationship with McNabb.

  • Owens says that McNabb is a hyprocite and a weak leader.
  • Owens wronged by McNabb, arbitrator Richard Bloch, and Andy Reid.
  • Owens says McNabb was jealous of his popularity in Philadelphia. “I was getting so much of the Philadelphia glory that used to be his,” Owens said.
  • T.O. felt his comeback from suspension was derailed by McNabb. “Then Donovan added salt to the wound,” Owens writes, “by coming out and saying the Eagles would be better off without me. Donovan’s statement created a public ultimatum for Coach Reid. Left with no choice, Coach Reid suspended me for the season.”
  • His change of heart about this contract was because Randy Moss was going to get $18M in guaranteed money while he was getting only $2.3M.

There should be plenty of fireworks on October 8th when the Cowboys play the Eagles in Philadelphia. The investment that ESPN made in letting TO run rampant on their network last year isn’t paying off. The game will be on Fox.

Links:
[NBC10]: Owens Trashes McNabb In New Book
[Philly.com]: Owens is back with enough gripes to fill a book

[Early Word]: First Look at Terrell Owens’ New Book

Categories
NFL General

Santonio Holmes still trails Chris Henry by 2 arrests



Baby Momma drama

Santonio Holmes has been arrested again, this time for assaulting his baby momma. She called the police to report that the father of her child assaulted her and while the police were there to take her report, Holmes returned to the apartment and was arrested.

Ironically, before the NFL Draft, Holmes said he wanted to be a top pick so he could support his three children. That Santonio, always looking out for family. Well, either looking out for or lying to them. Holmes made the news in May for getting arrested on Memorial Day weekend for disorderly conduct in Miami when he told his mom he was still in Columbus Ohio.

Holmes is clearly losing the battle with Chris Henry, WR for the Bengals. Two arrests in two states? Please. Henry has been arrested four times in three states! The latest charge was providing alcohol to three underage girls a.k.a The Marcus Vick Special. His previous three arrests were for marijuana possession, concealed weapon charge, and DUI.

Come on Santonio! We realize you haven’t even hit training camp yet but Chris Henry is only a 2nd year player. You gotta be at least within 1 arrest of him. May we suggest going on a boat cruise with Fred Smoot?

Links:

[Sportsline ]: Steelers’ Holmes arrested again, charged with domestic violence
[Cincinnati Enquirer]: Henry pleads not guilty (they just recycle this headline)