Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VegasWatch/~3/RdsZKaOnU-g/mlb-totals-contest-2011-my-entry.html
Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi Ali Larter
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Pocket Hercules: Jags don?t need a new quarterback
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, known to his fans as "Pocket Hercules" because of his diminutive frame and bowling-ball running style, went on the NFL Network's "Total Access" show on Monday and discussed a number of things ? the labor situation, football in Los Angeles (Jones-Drew went to UCLA), and the best trash-talkers in the NFL. But when the subject turned to the Jaguars' 2011 draft and the team's choice to trade up and take Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert with the 10th overall pick, things got interesting.
Jones-Drew said that he was "shocked" that the Jags would take a quarterback with David Garrard still very much on the roster. "After talking with the coaches when the lockout was lifted for that one day, they felt like David needed somebody to compete with," he told Rich Eisen and Warren Sapp. �"That year we went to the second round of the playoffs (2007), David threw three picks throughout the year, and he competed with Byron Leftwich to get that starting spot. They're just trying to get that competitive thing going again.
"I just feel like what we needed as an offense wasn't a new quarterback, we just needed another year amongst each other because we had a lot of new players come in. You see a team like the Patriots or the Steelers or the Colts, those guys [have] been in the same system for the 10, 12 years together, and so that's what we're trying to grow right now."
But as Sapp intimated, you don't take a quarterback in the top half of the first round unless you're planning on him being your future. It will certainly be interesting to see how the quarterback situation plays out in Jacksonville, especially with the team's dominant offensive player seemingly so much on one side of things.
Per Football Outsiders' advanced metrics, Garrard has declined in each of the last four years. That's on the front office to a degree (Sign you're a hardcore football fan: You can name more than one Jags receiver), but it's clear that Gabbert is seen as the long-term answer ? whether Jones-Drew likes it or not.
Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears Brittany Daniel
Ryan Leaf is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor
The 35-year-old Leaf had been experiencing headaches, dizziness and blurred vision before seeing a doctor May 18, his publicist, Margo Myers, told The Associated Press. He had surgery a week later at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., and was released Saturday.
Leaf released a statement after the surgery:
"I am looking forward to resting a bit and being with my family," Leaf said. "Thank you for all the prayers and support. My whole family truly appreciated it. This was just another bridge for me to cross, and I will continue to live each day to the fullest and give back where I can!"
It's encouraging to hear that he's keeping a positive attitude. Something as nightmarish as a brain tumor is positively devastating to an individual and a family, and it makes staying positive as vital as it is difficult.
There are still a lot of negative feelings towards Leaf among NFL fans (if you don't believe me, scroll down and read the comments here), despite the fact that he's been out of football for a while. Right now, he's just a guy trying to live his life and deal with his share of problems. Just like the rest of us.
Follow Yahoo! Sports on Facebook and be the first to know about the most interesting stories of the day.
Other popular Yahoo! Sports stories:
? Video: Amazing throw-in soccer goal
? Bad news for Mavericks star
? Tony Romo's ridiculous wedding registry
Tamie Sheffield Tara Conner Tara Reed Tara Reid Taryn Manning
NBA finals: Dallas Mavericks put Miami Heat in the shade | David Lengel
Dirk Nowitzki, Jasons Kidd and Mavericks claim NBA championship leaving LeBron James empty-handed this time
Until Sunday night, the star stitched on to the backs of Dallas Mavericks jerseys represented the Lone Star State of Texas from which they hail. Now it has two meanings. With the Mavs defeat of the Miami Heat the NBA Finals, that star also represents Dallas' maiden title triumph.
There will be a temptation to talk about the team that did not win the NBA championship on Sunday. Don't do it. In the years ahead, there will be plenty of time to focus on the "Big Three" players that came together in 2010, the elite core who dominated the headlines, that transformed the Heat into a four letter word that followed other four letter words, at least to fans outside of South Beach.
No, this space is reserved for the Dallas Mavericks, a franchise that entered the league in 1980, once lost 71 games in a single season, and is finally on top of the basketball world. They are winners, capping off their 11th consecutive playoff appearance with that elusive piece of hardware--and they deserve it, because they were the better team, a complete team, unlike their opponents.
Those who labeled the Mavs as underdogs in this series were misguided.
Dallas is a team full of all-stars, who have their own big three in Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry - but it doesn't stop there.
They also had Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, Jose Juan Berea and more-serviceable backups are abound, this despite losing their second best player Caron Butler to injury earlier in the season.
Yes, the Dallas Mavericks are a deep, talented club that swept the Los Angeles Lakers en-route to the Finals, and put a team on the floor which Miami could not answer.
Consider that Terry, a guard who comes off the bench for Dallas, scored 27 points on Sunday, allowing the Mavericks to take a lead into half time, on a night when Nowitzki, their all-world German forward, scored just three first-half points. Miami's top bench scorer was Udonis Haslem, who scored 11 points.
Then there is Jason Kidd, who at 38 became the oldest point guard to start in the NBA Finals. Kidd, one of the greatest point men of all time, surprised Miami with his ability slow down the Heat elite, who had targeted him as the weak defensive link. Kidd's offensive play however surprised no one, and on Sunday, his trademark distribution of the basketball yielded eight assists in addition to a pair of timely three pointers.
Now Kidd, who began his career in Dallas over 15 years ago, during much leaner times for the franchise, finally has a ring, as does his teammate, Dirk Nowitzki.
The question with Nowitzki is how do you stop a seven foot forward who runs the floor beautifully and can shoot over anyone from just about anywhere? The answer of course is you don't, and Nowitzki, who rather incredibly is actually the third German to play for the Mavericks (fourth if you count Shawn Bradley), took home the NBA Finals MVP award, completing a dominating playoff performance with ten points in the fourth quarter of Game Six, quashing any chances of a Miami comeback and a decisive seventh game.
The credit extends beyond the players as well. Mark Cuban, the poster child for owners who behave like fans, has always done whatever it takes to help his Dallas team win a championship, and that includes encouraging his management team to go after players such as Tyson Chandler, the big man they acquired last summer, whose interior defense helped clog the paint, and was a big part of the Mavs success.
The head coach, Rick Carlisle, did an exceptional job of keeping a younger and more athletic Miami team from running with the basketball, dragging them into a half court game which played against the Heat's strengths. Carlisle now has a championship ring as a coach to go along with one he won with the Boston Celtics as a player, which puts him in some pretty classy company.
Can Dallas come back next season and do it again? It's unlikely ? they are an older, more fragile team, that had to win now and did. We saw what happened to aging teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in these playoffs. Fresher franchises such as the Oklahoma City Thunder are emerging and change is in the NBA air. Never-mind that Miami, and those players who shall remain nameless, this one time, will be staking their claim to the title for many years to come.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/jun/13/miami-heat-dallas-mavericks-nowitzki
Lacey Chabert Laetitia Casta Lake Bell Larissa Meek Laura Harring
The best potential free agents under 4-year rules
The owners meeting in Chicago is done, and now, the whole shootin' match moves to Boston for further negotiations with the players. It's possible that both parties could sign off on a new collective bargaining agreement in the next couple of weeks. One of the most interesting wrinkles in the newest series of terms the owners have proposed is that the number of seasons for players to hit unrestricted free agency�may go from six back to four in a nod to pre-2010 rules.
Previously, players in their fifth and sixth seasons (the ones who had four-year rookie deals and whose contracts had expired) were tagged with different tenders as a matter of course. Now, over 100 players who had been tendered (or were expected to be) under prior free agency rules could be in the open market. You can find the full list of players here, courtesy of Football Outsiders compadre Brian McIntyre, and here are my most interesting names on that list. Some were expected to switch teams anyway, and some could be new and crucial chips for teams looking to reload.
Johnathan Joseph, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
One of the few legitimate lockdown corners in the NFL, Joseph has teamed with Leon Hall to form what might be the league's best cornerback duo. Cincinnati placed a first- and third-round tender on Joseph before the lockout, and he would be a very attractive option for teams looking to seriously upgrade their secondaries without paying Nnamdi Asomugha money. Joseph's performances in Mike Zimmer's frequent Cover-1 and Cover-3 looks put him in a position to play tight coverage and off-man ? such versatility is uncommon at his level..
Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings would be very wise to hold onto their best receiver with first-round pick Christian Ponder still waiting to get his feet wet in an NFL sense, but it's going to be tough. Rice may be dinged to a degree as an injury risk after last year's hip problem, but GM Rick Spielman has already said he'll do everything possible to have Rice as the center piece of Minnesota's passing offense in 2011 and beyond.
Davin Joseph, RG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the more underrated linemen in the game, Joseph had an off-year precipitated by a foot injury that put him on the shelf in November. But when he's healthy, Joseph is a beast ? one of the best interior protectors in the game. He might not get Jahri Evans money, but teams will be circling. The Bucs may be outbid on this one.
Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers
Put simply, Weddle has been the Chargers' best defender in each of the last two seasons ? he's a special player who's just as good reading and blowing up a running play at the line of scrimmage as he is playing center field and helping with coverage. Given A.J. Smith's usual hardball attitude toward players who dare to demand market value for their talents, you can expect Weddle elsewhere under a four-year system unless the franchise tag is applied, and the acquisition of Bob Sanders may preclude Smith from even going that far.
Ray Edwards, DE, Minnesota Vikings
Edwards had already said that he doesn't see his future in Minnesota, and a reversion to four-year rules would just about cinch that outcome. Expect him to draw serious money after a breakout season in 2010, where he matched Jared Allen as a primary pass rusher.
Brandon Mebane, DT, Seattle Seahawks
Another underrated force ? Mebane received just a third-round tender from the Seahawks and might be seen as overpriced to a front office looking to fit certain schemes. But for any team looking to anchor its front line in any 4-3 scheme, Mebane would be a rock-solid choice. He can soak up blockers and stop the run inside, and disrupt the quarterback when rushing between the guard and tackle.
Antonio Cromartie, CB, New York Jets
An inconsistent player, to be sure ? on and off the field. But someone's going to take a shot on Cromartie's talent ? opposing quarterbacks completed just 43 percent of their passes against him, according to STATS, Inc. The Jets were probably planning to let him walk anyway as 2010 rookie Kyle Wilson develops as a starter.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
The first of a trio of Panthers on this list (yeesh ? GM Marty Hurney may want to start drinking now) is one of the best power runners in the business, but it's believed that Jonathan Stewart is an equally effective option. Don't be surprised if the Denver Broncos, currently coached by John Fox, go hard after Fox's old lead back.
Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers
Now, here's a player Hurney can't do without. Johnson broke out in 2010, keeping a distressed fanbase from missing Julius Peppers too much, and establishing himself as a key member of a grievously underrated Carolina defense. Sack artists tend to get overpaid, but Hurney can't possibly let Johnson walk just a year after Peppers. According to Football Outsiders' numbers, Johnson was one of a handful of players to finish in the top 15 in quarterback sacks, hits, and hurries.
James Anderson, OLB, Carolina Panthers
Anderson is so under the radar that he doesn't even make the "most underrated" lists, but he makes ours. You won't find many defenders better at drawing a bead on a ballcarrier and picking up a crucial stop.
Other key players: Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders; Jacob Ford, DE, Tennessee Titans; Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets; Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons; Paul Posluszny, Buffalo Bills
Marley Shelton Mary Elizabeth Winstead Megan Ewing Megan Fox Melania Trump
Report: NFL already selling a new 8-game television package
With the NFL Network already controlling eight of those, it gives the league a new eight-game package to sell. According to the Sports Business Journal, it's already making sales calls.
The league is shopping the early-season package to interested networks. Sources said the league currently has the rights to take enough games from CBS and Fox's Sunday afternoon schedules to fill the new eight-game package and does not have to wait for those contracts to expire after the 2013 season.
Who are the contenders? Well, the SBJ says there are already two bidders more serious than the others. Turner Broadcasting would love to have it, and could put the package on TBS, TNT or truTV, while Comcast would like to buy it and put it on Versus.
Also in the mix could be FX, Spike TV and ESPN.
TNT's been down this road before. In the '90s, it did Sunday night games for the first half of the season, with ESPN handling them during the second half. I'm not in love with the idea of Thursday night games year-round, but if someone's got to have them, I'm pulling for TNT. Its NBA work, both in the studio and during games, is as good as anything else on TV.
I'm not sure how the NFL can start selling this before the new CBA even exists, but I guess I'll take SBJ's word for it. If nothing else, it seems like it's a pretty solid indication that this is going to happen.
Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi Ali Larter
Did T.O. end his career on a reality show?
Chris Mortensen of ESPN was the first to report that receiver Terrell Owens may have had recent surgery for a torn ACL, a procedure that may keep him out of action for six months or more if true. Mortensen said that neither Owens nor agent Drew Rosenhaus were available for comment, but that the surgery was performed by noted surgeon James Andrews last month. �ESPN asked Rosenhaus about the possibility of an Owens surgery last month, as well. The picture accompanying this post was taken on June 5 at Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Dallas, so take that for what it's worth on any timeline.
Two stories are coming out as to the source of the injury (if it's true) ? one source told Mort that T.O. suffered the injury during a workout. We do know that he's been working hard at Athletes Performance in Los Angeles through most of the offseason, and he's always trained like a demon, no matter what his other issues may be. However, the more interesting possibility is that he tore his ACL while taping a reality show for VH1, where he's been a featured performer before, according to one ESPN source.
The 37-year-old Owens will be a free agent when the lockout ends, and he's said that he intends to play this season. One of the sources that spoke with Mortensen indicated that there was no other knee damage outside the ACL injury, and with serious rehab, Owens could be ready to play again in about six months.
We're still trying to muddle through all the speculation, but if Owens were ready to come back to a team near his 38th birthday on Dec. 7, teams might just advise him to wait it out until 2012. He's been productive in recent years for a number of teams (72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010), but this may be a serious setback. Owens' 2010 season ended early when he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee against the Cleveland Browns in December. Dr. Andrews also performed that surgery, and the two injuries are not thought to be related.
In a larger sense, let's say that this signals the end of Owens' career, and the Hall of Fame discussions were to begin a bit down the road. Do you think Terrell Owens is a lock for the Hall of Fame on the merits of his career to date? Right now, he ranks fifth all time in receptions with 1,078 behind Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter and Tim Brown. Only Rice has more receiving yards than Owens' 15,934, and Owens is tied with Randy Moss for the second-most receiving touchdowns (153) behind Rice.
There are true greats and stat collectors ? is Terrell Owens one or the other? Based on what he's done between the lines, would you vote him into the Hall?
Follow Yahoo! Sports on Facebook and be the first to know about the most interesting stories of the day.
Other popular Yahoo! Sports stories:
? Video: MLB player hits ball twice on one swing
? U.S. soccer star livid over Spanish ceremony
? Hoops recruit survives a second plane crash
Adriana Lima Adrianne Curry Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler Aki Ross
Latest labor talks conclude, optimism persists
After two days, the most recent talks between the owners and players have concluded, and though there are still several major issues to work through, both sides appear to be on the same page about one key issue ? it's best to get a deal done sooner than later. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith each made statements after the talks, and for the first time, each man basically said the same thing ? not a bad sign at all.
You obviously know we met over the last couple of days. We are under court order as far as what we can discuss so our comments will be brief. But obviously we're all working hard. The players and owners were here over the last two days. De and I were here for the entire meetings also. And it's complicated and it's complex, but we're working hard and we understand the fans' frustration. But I think both of us feel strongly that we're going to continue to work hard at it.
Someone asked me whether I was optimistic. I think we're both optimistic when we have the right people in the room. We know we're talking about the right issues and that we're working hard to get it done. It is extremely complicated, it requires a lot of hard work by a lot of people, but we're committed to getting something done and we're going to keep working at it. Just to wrap up: we're working hard, we understand the fans' frustration, I know our players' frustration. We're going to keep working hard and try to make sure we get a deal done.
It's not known at this time when talks will continue; the NFLPA will be putting on the Rookie Symposium in Florida early next week, which will be taking up its time for a few days. Most people in the know say that the "drop-dead" date for an agreement to come together in a way that would not affect the preseason would be July 15. So, both sides still have a lot to do in firming up all the details.
As we have all along, we'll keep you up to date as things progress.
Angela Marcello Angelina Jolie Anna Faris Anna Friel Anna Kournikova
Panthers lead list of teams on the hook with new projected salary floor
Before Tuesday's owners meetings, several sources reported that there was a small group of owners opposed to terms in the owners' prospective offer to the players. Whether that was the case, or whether a few hyperactive lawyers tried to get a little clutch of opposing voices together to make things more "interesting" is uncertain, but there is a definite sense that when all 32 owners got together in Chicago to vet the particulars of the newest offer, anyone opposed for financial reasons was going to get steamrolled right out of the process. It's fast approaching the time when all owners stand to lose serious money from an abbreviated or cancelled preseason, which is one reason so many things�were crossed off on that one-day meeting before the owners traveled to Boston to meet again with the players and try to finally nail down the parameters of the NFL's next collective bargaining agreement.
Estimates say that when a deal is struck, the 2011 salary cap could be anywhere from $110 to $130 million, depending on who you're reading or listening to. �For our purposes, we'll go with an even $124 million, which was the approximate cash commitment per team in 2010, when there wasn't a salary cap. Based on that number, it's very easy to see which teams would be violently opposed to a 90 percent-plus cash guarantee each year, because their cash commitments in recent years have been so far below the average. That new floor would require commitments of at least $110 million with a reasonable cap, and as you're about to see, many teams aren't even in the same zip code right now.
2011 numbers are still variable and non-indicative to a degree, because we don't know what the rookie signings will take up ? we don't even know if there will be a rookie pool (though we can assume there will be). Franchise tags and other designations will have to be re-set with a new CBA, because of the high possibility that free agency will revert to a four-year concern after the six-year term in 2010. As such, these numbers are approximate and are not intended to be a 100 percent accurate barometer of what each team has spent. But in adding together six key totals for each team ? base salaries, signing bonuses, option bonuses, roster bonuses, workout bonuses, and incentives likely-to-be-earned incentives, we can get a fairly clear picture of who's doing what ? and who's not. Not-likely-to-be-earned incentives clauses are one of the primary 'funny-money' machinations in the NFL, and as such, we're not including them here.
So, again, keep in mind that all these numbers are approximate, but close, to a pre-CBA scenario. Thanks to Brian McIntyre of Football Outsiders and Mac's Football Blog for providing the base numbers. Here are the five lowest cash-commitment teams, in reverse order.
Carolina Panthers
2011 Cash: $57.9 million
2011 Cap: $76.8 million
Cash % of Cap: 75.4%
Pct. Of $124 million Cap: 47%
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 Cash: $64.4 million
2011 Cap: $64.7 million
Cash % of Cap: 99.5%
Pct. Of $124 million Cap: 52%
Cleveland Browns
2011 Cash: $65.0 million
2011 Cap: $87.8 million
Cash % of Cap: 74.0
Pct. Of $124 million Cap: 52.4%�
Indianapolis Colts
2011 Cash: $73.8 million
2011 Cap: $100.7 million
Cash % of Cap: 73.3
Pct. Of $124 million Cap: 59.5%
Buffalo Bills
2011 Cash: $75.3 million
2011 Cap: $89.5 million
Cash % of Cap: 84.1
Pct. Of $124 million Cap: 60.8%
According to the data used for this article, 22 of the NFL's 32 teams would be under 80 percent of cash obligations were there a $124 million salary cap in 2011. Now, of course, many teams will plug those holes with their own roster reclamations -- the Colts will put a high eight-figure total (estimated at over $23 million per prior league rules) into franchising Peyton Manning unless a long-term deal gets done between team and quarterback. Other franchises, like the Panthers, have a laundry list of players that they would have liked to have re-signed in previous years ? under the new rules, they'd be�beholden to do so.
In a larger sense, the fact that 14 teams would be under 70 percent of cash obligations in that $124 million scenario might lead you to two conclusions: There are owners using revenue sharing as a cash grab without putting adequate resources back into their player costs, and there are other owners who are very, very tired of that trend. I've said all along that the main reason the owners oppose opening the books to a line-by-line audit is not because they're afraid that the players will find out how much profit they're clearing ? anyone with half a brain can deduce that NFL team ownership is a license to print American currency. The real issue is that the NFL doesn't want a script where the big-market owners like Jerry Jones (and say what you will about the Double-J; he does roll serious cash back into his team) would pull revenue sharing off the table because they're sick of paying seven-figure "bonuses" for relatives of other owners. �
If you're the ownership group of the Green Bay Packers (a league-leading $115.8 million in 2011 cash obligations), or the New York Jets (second-place with $113.5 million), or the owners of the eight other teams over the $100 million cash floor pre-CBA (the Redskins, 49ers, Falcons, Broncos, Rams, Cowboys, Lions, and Giants), how do you feel about the hoarders right now?
That's why having the mandatory high floor is so crucial for both sides in a new collective bargaining agreement, and why the health of the league would be further affected without it.
Lindsay Price Lisa Marie Lisa Snowdon Liz Phair Lokelani McMichael
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
On Facebook, Kenny Britt curses Goodell, changes mind, was hacked
According to various reports, the following updates appeared in succession on Britt's Facebook page Monday.
"Retiring From the NFL. F*** You Goddell."
"Change of HEart.. My family is always here for me. I made mistakes and i am sorry i am going to change and become a better person and mentor for all my young fans.. I will accept any penalty like a man.. The road beings Sept 11 in Jacksonville.. ill be ready!!!"
"my facebook was hacked with those past 2 status's.. i am not retiring and do not have any hate toward the commissioner."
Britt's Facebook page is only visible to his "friends" (or may have been taken down all together) so I can't see it, but the posts have been reported by Pro Football Talk, NJ.com, and SLAM! Sports,�as first observed by the Newark Star-Ledger's Brendan Prunty.
I don't know Kenny Britt, so I'm not going to doubt his story that an unscrupulous hacker took over his Facebook account. I will say, though, that Britt was extremely lucky to have been the victim of a hacker capable of a quick change of heart, and then to volunteer to become a mentor for his young fans. So few hackers would go to that trouble.
Just to play devil's advocate, though, let's entertain the wild notion that Britt posted these things himself. Perhaps he got some indication that he would be, upon the end of the lockout, suspended for his behavior this offseason.
In April, he was arrested for speeding and then leading police on a chase, and the day after appearing in court and having those charges dropped, he was arrested for obstructing the administration of the law, resisting arrest and tampering with or fabricating evidence. Police claimed they smelled marijuana, and Britt, while resisting arrest, crushed up a cigar with his hand.
And again, if it was Britt, it would take a lot of nerve for him to lob an F-bomb at anyone, considering how challenging he's found it to go an hour or two without getting arrested in the past couple of months. What, that's someone else's fault? Believe me, I'm no Roger Goodell fan, but I'm pretty sure he's blame-free in regards to the trials and tribulations of Kenny Britt.
I guess none of that matters, though, since Britt was clearly the victim of a hacker. Poor guy just can't catch a break.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Oregon paid $25K for obsolete recruiting list
? The hypocrisy of hating LeBron James
? Serena Williams breaks down in tears after Wimbledon win | Classy ensemble
Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton Patricia Velásquez Paula Garcés Paulina Rubio
Even Congressmen enjoy making fun of Jay Cutler
"I want to thank you all for inviting me to speak. It was especially gracious of you to host me, even though I'm a Packers fan and I assume most of you are Bears fans," Ryan began.
"But that doesn't mean we can't work together. As chairman of the House Budget Committee, I stand ready to do whatever it takes to help you re-sign Jay Cutler. I'm here to talk about the economy today -- about the need to get four quarters of strong, consistent performance. That wasn't another Jay Cutler joke, I swear. It could be, but it's not," he continued.
Point, Paul Ryan. For a politician, that's high quality smack talk.
This all stems from Cutler's (non)performance in the NFC Championship game against the Packers last season. The Bears quarterback�spent about half of that game on the sidelines with a knee injury, one that a lot of people doubted really existed.
[Related: Jay Cutler engaged to reality TV star]
For about a week afterwards, Cutler was beaten mercilessly in the media. He was labeled everything from a quitter to a malcontent diva, and it seemed like the only people standing up for him were his teammates and a random blogger or two.
Anyway, this is what we should all be doing during the lockout -- not fretting over legal details, but reminiscing about the times when we did have football, and everyone could have a grand time arguing about Jay Cutler. I don't know what else you said, Congressman Ryan, but I thank you for your leadership on this Cutler issue.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Raiders staffers must sell tickets to avoid pay cuts, layoffs
? Maria Sharapova to wear pricey earrings at French Open
? Y! Sports editor tries out for pro football team
Melissa Joan Hart Melissa Rycroft Melissa Sagemiller Mena Suvari Mia Kirshner
Pat White is going to give the UFL a go
Now, he's set to give football another try with the UFL's Virginia Destroyers. The Destroyers tweeted that a deal could be signed in the next few days, but they already list him on their roster.
Competing with White for the quarterback spot will be Dennis Brown, Derek Devine and Arena Lleague stud Chris Greisen. Other familiar names on the Destroyers roster include Hank Baskett, Dexter Jackson, Willie Parker and the other Adrian Peterson. Coaching the Destroyers will be Marty Schottenheimer, so they're a good bet to go 8-0 and then get crushed in the UFL Championship.
It's nice to see White get back in the game, though. To say things didn't go well with the Dolphins is a little like saying that the NBA Finals didn't go smoothly for LeBron James. After a brilliant college career, the Fish spent a second-rounder on White, in the hopes that he could add a few new dimensions to their Wildcat game.
As it turned out, White couldn't throw the ball well enough to even get on the field with any consistency. He even forced Bill Parcells to admit to making a mistake.
Maybe Marty Schottenheimer can work some magic with him. The Destroyers open the UFL season on August 13.
Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle Jennifer Sky
Report: Steelers want Burress back
Once upon a time, Steelers teammates Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress were among the top receiving tandems in the NFL. Then Burress left Pittsburgh, and several years later, Mike Wallace emerged to partner up with Ward to once again give Pittsburgh a feared receiving tandem.
How would you like to have all three of them, Steelers fans?
According to Gerry Dulac, who covers the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers would like to put the unholy Ward/Burress/Wallace threesome together. Here's the tweet:
That's a nice little poke to the ego of Antwaan Randle-El: Sight unseen, the Steelers are willing to cast him aside for a guy who spent the last 21 months telling Goldmouth he can't have his cornbread.
Obviously, Burress won't jump right back onto the field and reproduce his 1,300-yard season of 2002. But if he's got any game left at all, he does give the Steelers receiving corps the one thing they don't have. Wallace has the deep speed, Ward works the possession routes, and Burress can go up and get the jump balls.
It would be fun to see, unless you play defense in the AFC North.
Gracias, NFL Gridiron Gab.
Power Ranking the Top 5 Superstars in the NBA Today
Who do you think are the top five superstars in the NBA today?
Today on the popular show "First Take" on ESPN2 the crew had an extremely interesting question and debate regarding the NBA in the "1st and 10" segment.
Skip Bayless and John Ireland debated the topic of whom they thought the five best players were in the NBA.
The criteria for this encompassed everything from stats to clutch-ability, to wins and losses. Really anything that you can argue that would make someone the best was factored in.
Here is what they thought.
John Ireland:
2. LeBron James
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Derrick Rose
Skip Bayless:
1. Dwyane Wade
2. Dirk Nowitzki
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Kevin Durant
Now, I don’t agree with either of their lists completely, even though I do agree these are all great players in the NBA.
I think it’s important to factor in this past season and the results of the playoffs, but to also not forget the performance history, as some of these players will eventually go down as Hall of Famers.
Here are my power rankings of the top five players in the NBA.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/752664-power-ranking-the-top-5-superstars-in-the-nba-today
Danica Patrick Daniella Alonso Danneel Harris Deanna Russo Denise Richards
Mallett misses meeting, due either to illness or happy fun times
Why did he miss it? That's where we get conflicting reports. Brad Biggs of the National Football Post reported that Mallett was "out on the town late" the night before.
Mallet's agent tells a different tale. Via Pro Football Talk:
"I'll tell you this ? Ryan was in his hotel room by about 10 o'clock," [Mallett's agent J.R.] Carroll said.
Carroll said Mallett did meet with Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski the next morning, but he had to miss the rest of that day's planned meetings ? because he had genuinely fallen ill, not because he was hung over or bleary-eyed from a long night out.
"I'm pretty sure Ryan was really, really sick," Carroll said. "He told me he was sick the night before. And I know Ryan wasn't out late night. I know that for sure. He's not an idiot."
Normally, there wouldn't be much need to pay a story like this any attention. Stories get out there about guys around draft time -- sometimes they're true, sometimes they're not, and most of us will never know the truth. But it's particularly troubling for Mallett, as he's had drinking issues before. He was arrested in 2009 for public intoxication.
Most drafties don't have Mallett listed among the top two or three quarterbacks in the draft, and it was probably a longshot that he was going to be drafted by Carolina, anyway. Something like this, depending on what other teams believe, could hurt his stock leaguewide, though.
Gracias, PFT.
Samantha Mumba Sanaa Lathan Sara Foster Sara Spraker Sarah Gellman
2011 New York Giants: Three Reasons Why Osi Umenyiora Should Be Let Go
New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora has two years remaining on his six-year, $41 million contract.
Umenyiora has openly stated that he is unhappy with his contract, and his status with the team remains uncertain.
Jerry Reese is in a bit of a bind on this one, as he will be criticized no matter how he handles the situation.
Signing a superstar and two-time Pro Bowler seems like a no-brainer, right? Not always.
Here are three main reasons why the G-Men should part ways with Osi Umenyiora.
Missy Peregrym Molly Sims Monet Mazur Monica Bellucci Monica Keena
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tiki Barber’s return to football is a treatment for depression
All that made it difficult to understand why Tiki Barber decided to attempt an NFL comeback. There was originally some speculation that Tiki was in financial trouble, and he needed a few NFL paychecks to pull him out of it. Now it seems like he's in emotional trouble, and is counting on football to pull him out of that.
Barber said football represents a necessary anchor in a life turned upside down by the depressive aftermath of scandalous divorce and disintegration of his television career.
"The game never needs you because there's always someone else to come and take your place," he said. "But right now, I need the game."
[...]
"I need to prove to myself that I can be successful at something," [Barber] told HBO. "I know I'm going to be successful as a football player. I don't know why. The odds say 'No.' I'm 36 and I haven't played in four years. But I just know."
If that's the reason -- that he needs to prove to himself that he can be good at something -- going for the title of "NFL running back" in his mid-30s might not be the best choice. Maybe try gin rummy. Or Zumba.
Not that I have any interest in telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do. I honestly hope it works out for him, and if it's what he wants to do, and he's still capable, then hey, go get yourself some, Tiki.
I just have my doubts about whether or not he can find what he's looking for. If his depression is a by-product of his divorce and not-exactly-as-envisioned TV career, then reclaiming football glory isn't going to fill the void. Those problems need to be addressed where they exist. Burying yourself in football might help temporarily, but it's not going to make anything go away.
I've got a bad feeling about this whole comeback.
Follow Yahoo! Sports on Facebook and be the first to know about the most interesting stories of the day.
Other popular Yahoo! Sports stories:
? Video: Vancouver kissing couple talk for first time
? Golfer's temper tantrum goes horribly wrong
? Venus Williams plays in toga-style outfit
Molly Sims Monet Mazur Monica Bellucci Monica Keena Monica Potter
If there’s no NFL, is Sunday still a day for football?
The fledgling UFL sees it as its chance to shine. The Lingerie Football League wants to seduce you. College football conferences are thinking of moving games to Sundays. Everyone wants what you used to give to the NFL.
I'm curious, though: Does any of that really appeal to you? Can you just plug in some other form of football and be just as content?
I speak only for myself, but no, no I can't. I don't think I'd watch any of those things.
I like college football, and I consume oodles of it on Saturdays, but I don't like it so much that I'd give it a few more hours of my time on Sundays. The quality of play isn't close to the same, there's no satisfactory conclusion to the season, and there's way too much Lee Corso. I can't do it. I like it, I'll continue to enjoy it in the same capacity as I did before, but an NFL substitute, it is not.
The UFL? I know this sounds cynical and belittling, but I can't shake the feeling that it's closer to a YMCA flag football game than an NFL game. Yes, there are quality players and elite athletes out there, but at the end of the day, it's still decidedly minor league. Maybe the level of play there will be better this year than it was last year, but I just can't get past that these are not the best players. This is not the game at its highest level.
As for the Lingerie Football League, well, it's like comparing apples to luscious, luscious melons. I like seeing Eric Steinbach pull around the end and pancake a guy on a sweep. I also like her. But they are very, very different feelings.
I really don't think I'd watch any of it.
I watch the NFL on Sundays because the NFL is awesome. I don't watch because it's Sunday, and I have some kind of football quota that needs to be met on that particular day. If they played NFL games at 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Tuesday mornings, I'd make some waffles and watch then, and on Sundays, I'll, I don't know ... start a fight club or something.
It's not just Sunday football that I'll miss; it's the NFL's particular brand of football. I don't know that it can be replaced.
Minka Kelly Minki van der Westhuizen Miranda Kerr Mischa Barton Missi Pyle
The best potential free agents under 4-year rules
The owners meeting in Chicago is done, and now, the whole shootin' match moves to Boston for further negotiations with the players. It's possible that both parties could sign off on a new collective bargaining agreement in the next couple of weeks. One of the most interesting wrinkles in the newest series of terms the owners have proposed is that the number of seasons for players to hit unrestricted free agency�may go from six back to four in a nod to pre-2010 rules.
Previously, players in their fifth and sixth seasons (the ones who had four-year rookie deals and whose contracts had expired) were tagged with different tenders as a matter of course. Now, over 100 players who had been tendered (or were expected to be) under prior free agency rules could be in the open market. You can find the full list of players here, courtesy of Football Outsiders compadre Brian McIntyre, and here are my most interesting names on that list. Some were expected to switch teams anyway, and some could be new and crucial chips for teams looking to reload.
Johnathan Joseph, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
One of the few legitimate lockdown corners in the NFL, Joseph has teamed with Leon Hall to form what might be the league's best cornerback duo. Cincinnati placed a first- and third-round tender on Joseph before the lockout, and he would be a very attractive option for teams looking to seriously upgrade their secondaries without paying Nnamdi Asomugha money. Joseph's performances in Mike Zimmer's frequent Cover-1 and Cover-3 looks put him in a position to play tight coverage and off-man ? such versatility is uncommon at his level..
Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings would be very wise to hold onto their best receiver with first-round pick Christian Ponder still waiting to get his feet wet in an NFL sense, but it's going to be tough. Rice may be dinged to a degree as an injury risk after last year's hip problem, but GM Rick Spielman has already said he'll do everything possible to have Rice as the center piece of Minnesota's passing offense in 2011 and beyond.
Davin Joseph, RG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the more underrated linemen in the game, Joseph had an off-year precipitated by a foot injury that put him on the shelf in November. But when he's healthy, Joseph is a beast ? one of the best interior protectors in the game. He might not get Jahri Evans money, but teams will be circling. The Bucs may be outbid on this one.
Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers
Put simply, Weddle has been the Chargers' best defender in each of the last two seasons ? he's a special player who's just as good reading and blowing up a running play at the line of scrimmage as he is playing center field and helping with coverage. Given A.J. Smith's usual hardball attitude toward players who dare to demand market value for their talents, you can expect Weddle elsewhere under a four-year system unless the franchise tag is applied, and the acquisition of Bob Sanders may preclude Smith from even going that far.
Ray Edwards, DE, Minnesota Vikings
Edwards had already said that he doesn't see his future in Minnesota, and a reversion to four-year rules would just about cinch that outcome. Expect him to draw serious money after a breakout season in 2010, where he matched Jared Allen as a primary pass rusher.
Brandon Mebane, DT, Seattle Seahawks
Another underrated force ? Mebane received just a third-round tender from the Seahawks and might be seen as overpriced to a front office looking to fit certain schemes. But for any team looking to anchor its front line in any 4-3 scheme, Mebane would be a rock-solid choice. He can soak up blockers and stop the run inside, and disrupt the quarterback when rushing between the guard and tackle.
Antonio Cromartie, CB, New York Jets
An inconsistent player, to be sure … on and off the field. But someone's going to take a shot on Cromartie's talent ? opposing quarterbacks completed just 43 percent of their passes against him, according to STATS, Inc. The Jets were probably planning to let him walk anyway as 2010 rookie Kyle Wilson develops as a starter.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
The first of a trio of Panthers on this list (yeesh ? GM Marty Hurney may want to start drinking now) is one of the best power runners in the business, but it's believed that Jonathan Stewart is an equally effective option. Don't be surprised if the Denver Broncos, currently coached by John Fox, go hard after Fox's old lead back.
Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers
Now, here's a player Hurney can't do without. Johnson broke out in 2010, keeping a distressed fanbase from missing Julius Peppers too much, and establishing himself as a key member of a grievously underrated Carolina defense. Sack artists tend to get overpaid, but Hurney can't possibly let Johnson walk just a year after Peppers. According to Football Outsiders' numbers, Johnson was one of a handful of players to finish in the top 15 in quarterback sacks, hits, and hurries.
James Anderson, OLB, Carolina Panthers
Anderson is so under the radar that he doesn't even make the "most underrated" lists, but he makes ours. You won't find many defenders better at drawing a bead on a ballcarrier and picking up a crucial stop.
Other key players: Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders; Jacob Ford, DE, Tennessee Titans; Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets; Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons; Paul Posluszny, Buffalo Bills
Monika Kramlik Moon Bloodgood Mýa Nadine Velazquez Naomi Watts
Tom Brady: When Will the New England Patriots QB Win Another Playoff Game?
Let me start by saying that I’ve loved watching Tom Brady play for the last 10 years. He’s at the top of his game right now and he’s been remarkably consistent over the years, not to mention the fact that he has three rings.
But not all is right in the cosmos if you’re a Patriots fan for one simple reason: Tom Brady has lost the last three playoff games he’s started.
This is very un-Tom Brady-ish. I mean, the guy has a postseason record of 14-4.
However, that record comes from winning his first 10 playoff games and then going 4-4 in his last eight. It’s the last three playoff games that have been most concerting, though. Eight turnovers in three games is just not a statistic you’d associate with Brady. And it’s especially hard to understand given the great success that he’s enjoyed in the regular season.
Look at last year: 14-2, his fourth season with at least 14 wins, by the way.
This is the most inexplicable loss, maybe even more than the Super Bowl in 2008. They crush the Jets 45-3 in the regular season, and then, at home, lose to them in the playoffs.
For me, that first-quarter interception said it all.
I experienced a feeling of dread when I saw that, even though the Pats held the Jets to a field goal. That’s because, on that play, Brady looked the same as he did in the two previous playoff losses.
Call me crazy but there was just something about his body language that I had seen before. It was a sort of listlessness or something. I don’t know what it was, but it just didn’t look like the Brady I knew. It wasn’t the Brady that’s got the killer instinct, the insatiable desire to win.
Something was wrong, terribly wrong, and when I saw that interception in the Jets game, I got that really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and I just knew they were going to lose.
I tried to suppress it because, of course, I didn’t want to jinx them, but it was no good. I couldn’t shake the feeling. I actually never had it in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants. After he threw the TD pass to Randy Moss, I knew that everything was going to be alright.
The luckiest pass reception in Super Bowl history changed things quickly, but I never had the game-long feeling of dread that I experienced during the Jets tragedy.
And the Baltimore game, too. It happened so quickly in that disastrous first quarter. And Brady just looked lost, out of control. Two interceptions and a fumble from someone who just never does things like that. Two games at home that should have been wins and they turn into painful memories instead.
What is going on? Has he lost it? Is the playoff mojo that produced 10 straight playoff wins—a record, by the way—disappeared?
It’s hard to blame the surrounding cast, especially if you win 14 games in the regular season with same crew but then falter in the big game. Brady always came through—that was his trademark.
In a playoff game during Rodney Harrison’s first season with the Pats and with the team in a tough spot late, Harrison was talking to a teammate who reassured him by saying, “Don’t worry. We’ve got Tom Brady.”
Pats fans can only hope that that’s again the key to the team’s playoff success—that Tom Brady can pull things out of the fire, or never let them get into the fire in the first place, again.
That just by being Tom Brady, victory will be assured.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/750838-tom-brady-when-will-he-win-another-playoff-game
Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell Carla Gugino Carmen Electra
The best potential free agents under 4-year rules
The owners meeting in Chicago is done, and now, the whole shootin' match moves to Boston for further negotiations with the players. It's possible that both parties could sign off on a new collective bargaining agreement in the next couple of weeks. One of the most interesting wrinkles in the newest series of terms the owners have proposed is that the number of seasons for players to hit unrestricted free agency�may go from six back to four in a nod to pre-2010 rules.
Previously, players in their fifth and sixth seasons (the ones who had four-year rookie deals and whose contracts had expired) were tagged with different tenders as a matter of course. Now, over 100 players who had been tendered (or were expected to be) under prior free agency rules could be in the open market. You can find the full list of players here, courtesy of Football Outsiders compadre Brian McIntyre, and here are my most interesting names on that list. Some were expected to switch teams anyway, and some could be new and crucial chips for teams looking to reload.
Johnathan Joseph, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
One of the few legitimate lockdown corners in the NFL, Joseph has teamed with Leon Hall to form what might be the league's best cornerback duo. Cincinnati placed a first- and third-round tender on Joseph before the lockout, and he would be a very attractive option for teams looking to seriously upgrade their secondaries without paying Nnamdi Asomugha money. Joseph's performances in Mike Zimmer's frequent Cover-1 and Cover-3 looks put him in a position to play tight coverage and off-man ? such versatility is uncommon at his level..
Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings would be very wise to hold onto their best receiver with first-round pick Christian Ponder still waiting to get his feet wet in an NFL sense, but it's going to be tough. Rice may be dinged to a degree as an injury risk after last year's hip problem, but GM Rick Spielman has already said he'll do everything possible to have Rice as the center piece of Minnesota's passing offense in 2011 and beyond.
Davin Joseph, RG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the more underrated linemen in the game, Joseph had an off-year precipitated by a foot injury that put him on the shelf in November. But when he's healthy, Joseph is a beast ? one of the best interior protectors in the game. He might not get Jahri Evans money, but teams will be circling. The Bucs may be outbid on this one.
Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers
Put simply, Weddle has been the Chargers' best defender in each of the last two seasons ? he's a special player who's just as good reading and blowing up a running play at the line of scrimmage as he is playing center field and helping with coverage. Given A.J. Smith's usual hardball attitude toward players who dare to demand market value for their talents, you can expect Weddle elsewhere under a four-year system unless the franchise tag is applied, and the acquisition of Bob Sanders may preclude Smith from even going that far.
Ray Edwards, DE, Minnesota Vikings
Edwards had already said that he doesn't see his future in Minnesota, and a reversion to four-year rules would just about cinch that outcome. Expect him to draw serious money after a breakout season in 2010, where he matched Jared Allen as a primary pass rusher.
Brandon Mebane, DT, Seattle Seahawks
Another underrated force ? Mebane received just a third-round tender from the Seahawks and might be seen as overpriced to a front office looking to fit certain schemes. But for any team looking to anchor its front line in any 4-3 scheme, Mebane would be a rock-solid choice. He can soak up blockers and stop the run inside, and disrupt the quarterback when rushing between the guard and tackle.
Antonio Cromartie, CB, New York Jets
An inconsistent player, to be sure … on and off the field. But someone's going to take a shot on Cromartie's talent ? opposing quarterbacks completed just 43 percent of their passes against him, according to STATS, Inc. The Jets were probably planning to let him walk anyway as 2010 rookie Kyle Wilson develops as a starter.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
The first of a trio of Panthers on this list (yeesh ? GM Marty Hurney may want to start drinking now) is one of the best power runners in the business, but it's believed that Jonathan Stewart is an equally effective option. Don't be surprised if the Denver Broncos, currently coached by John Fox, go hard after Fox's old lead back.
Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers
Now, here's a player Hurney can't do without. Johnson broke out in 2010, keeping a distressed fanbase from missing Julius Peppers too much, and establishing himself as a key member of a grievously underrated Carolina defense. Sack artists tend to get overpaid, but Hurney can't possibly let Johnson walk just a year after Peppers. According to Football Outsiders' numbers, Johnson was one of a handful of players to finish in the top 15 in quarterback sacks, hits, and hurries.
James Anderson, OLB, Carolina Panthers
Anderson is so under the radar that he doesn't even make the "most underrated" lists, but he makes ours. You won't find many defenders better at drawing a bead on a ballcarrier and picking up a crucial stop.
Other key players: Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders; Jacob Ford, DE, Tennessee Titans; Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets; Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons; Paul Posluszny, Buffalo Bills
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)