Brady Plans On Playing Another 10 Years

According to the NFL Network's Kurt Warner, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady plans on playing in the league for another 10 years.

“I did text Tom Brady after this pick and he wanted me to know for sure that he was planning on playing 10 more years,” Warner said during the Total Access Pre-Draft show.


Keep in mind the Patriots just drafted Ryan Mallett in the third round of the draft. That move wasn't meant to challenge Brady, just to groom a successor.

I don't see Brady making it another 10 years, but just say he does and they're all with the patriots, do you think Mallett is going to want to stick around for five of those, let alone ten.  

Darnell Dodson Dismissed At Southern Miss

You have to be do something pretty low to get thrown off a team by Larry Eustachy. The well traveled Darnell Dodson managed to do just that. And now Dodson will be trying to land on his fourth college team in three years.

Dodson was kicked off the Southern Mississippi basketball team for alledgedly stealing from a frat house. Dodson was arrested along with Cory Markell Smith, a former member of the Southern Miss and William Carey basketball teams.

USM police chief Bob Hopkins gave this statement.

“Members returned to the residence and saw two black males in the residence before they fled out the back door,” Hopkins said. “They gave us basic descriptions.



“We stopped and talked to one individual, who was later identified as Dodson. There was a preliminary investigation done at that time. He was released to be back in our office the next morning. He came back and the investigators interviewed him and through that interview and the available evidence, we were able to make an arrest.”

Smith was identified as the other suspect through statements made by Dodson in a police interview. Way to pick a partner in crime. And what a way for a college career to likely come to an end. Dodson won't see the light of day at a D-1 school and the only reason he will get another chance at any school is because he has a bundle of talent. If you can't hack it for Eustachy or John Calipari, you are doomed to fail. 

Livan Hernandez Under Scrutiny

Ageless Washington Nationals pitcher Livan Hernandez is under investigation for possible money laundering for a Puerto Rican drug kingpin after his name came up during a recent trial.

Hernandez's name was connected to Angel Ayala Vazquez, as well as other celebrities and entertainers. 

Prosecutors presented evidence at the trial ending Tuesday that Puerto Rican drug dealer Angel Ayala Vazquez had a Porsche, a Lamborghini and a warehouse containing a recording studio, a barber shop and a car repair shop registered in Hernandez’s name.

This is almost the same kind of case former NBA player Robert "Tractor" Traylor faced not too long ago. Maybe Livan should've learned something from that.

 

Special counsel to the U.S. Attorney in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jaqueline Novas, said that they are looking at who possibly laundered money, but also wouldn't say if Hernandez was going to be targeted for an investigation.

 

 

Rex Ryan And The Jets Are The Giants' Big Brother

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is back at it. This time it's all in black and white. Ryan has co-authored a book with Don Yeager called,  "Play Like You Mean It". 

I won't go into great detail about it but he did take some time to slam a few former players (Kerry Rhodes, Vernon Gholston) get at Tom Brady once again and lets his feelings be known about other topics, like the Ines Sainz incident.

One thing that perked my ears up was when he talked about the Jets emerging from the shadow of the New York Giants.

"When people ask me what it's like to share New York with the Giants, my response is always, I am not sharing it with them -- they're sharing it with me," Ryan says, adding, "I know it's going to piss off every Giants fan to hear this, but here you go: We are the better team. We are the big brother."


Ryan also says the Jets are "going to remain the better team for the next 10 years. Whether you like it or not, those are the facts and that's what's going to happen."

Mighty bold words for the big guy. I'll say this though, the Jets are the better team right now. They have emerged from the Giants shadow as the G-Men have become pretty rigid under Tom Coughlin. The Giants also have a knack for folding in big games, sans their Super Bowl run.

I don't know about the next ten years, that all depends on drafting smart and signing the right players. No pun intended, but Ryan is aiming high with the Jets.





 

Scottie Pippen Calls Out Boozer, Bulls For Lack Of Toughness

Isn't this a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Remember back in the late 80s/early 90s when the Chicago Bulls were trying to make the leap to championship contender and couldn't overcome the rough stuff being doled out by the Detroit Pistons. Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson said it was bad for basketball and the Bulls ascended to six championships.

Now with Derrick Rose hobbled by a sprained ankle, Scottie Pippen says it's time for the Bulls to start dishing out some rough stuff of their own. Yes, the same Pippen that claimed a migraine headache in a Game 7 against Detroit. The same Pippen that sat on the bench in the 1994 playoffs because a play wasn't called for him at the end of the game. The same Pippen that was told "get up bitch" by a young Kobe Bryant. Hey pot this is kettle, you're black.

Pippen had the nerve to call out the young Bulls, more specifically Carlos Boozer, about stepping it up in the toughness category and protect Derrick Rose.

‘‘You don’t give up layups in the playoffs,’’ Pippen said. ‘‘You knock a guy down and you make them go to the foul line and earn it. That’s what Derrick’s doing for the Bulls. And to me, it’s an eye for an eye.’’

‘‘They’ve all got two legs and two arms,’’ the six-time NBA champion said. ‘‘You’ve got Carlos Boozer out there who’s spending fouls and a lot of his fouls are not needed at the time that he’s giving them. Those could be hard fouls. Those could be fouls that you knock a [Darren] Collison to the floor, you knock a [Jeff] Foster to the floor.



‘‘Utilize your fouls and make them more valuable for you and your team.’’


That's some sound advice Scott. That's why you're not coaching or analyzing games on the network anymore. Good thing coach Tom Thibodeau has kept their heads straight instead of listening to 'the Pip'.

‘‘It’s playoff basketball,’’ the coach said. ‘‘You have to play hard all the time. You have to have great urgency. And we have to be ready at the start of the game. That’s the big thing. We have to do a better job of starting the game.’’


The Boston Celtics are tough without resorting to thuggery and Thibodeau is patterning the Bulls the same way. You have to be mentally tough in the playoffs, not gooning it up trying to protect teammates and not allowing a layup. Make your presence known, but do it where you're not racking up technicals and fines.  









    

Keith McCants Arrested On Drug Charge

Keith McCants was one of the more notable busts in NFL draft history. Now he has a different kind of problem.

McCants was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Saturday afternoon, charged with felony possession of cocaine and resisting an officer.  His bail was set at $4,000, but he was still being held for having a warrant in Alabama. Boy, did he take a mighty fall.

The former number four pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1990 NFL draft washed out after three years and has had numerous run ins with the law. According to reports most of them have been drug related.

What's With The Orioles Luke Scott Throwing Banana Chips

The Baltimore Orioles Luke Scott should really be careful about his choice of words. His opinions are his opinions, like Barack Obama not being born in the United States. But when you start throwing banana chips at a Dominican teammate (Felix Pie) and saying he acts like a savage, you're treading into dangerous waters.

“Felix is my friend,” he says. “I give him a hard time. The reason why I give him a hard time is because there are certain people you deal with and you go up and talk to them, and it doesn’t work. They don’t understand. … I tell him about some of the ways he’s acted: ‘Look, you’re acting like an animal, you’re acting like a savage.’”



He also explained why he throws banana chips into the helmet of his Dominican teammate.


“Here are my banana chips to remind him that whenever he acts like an animal, ‘Hey, that’s what other people are thinking. They’re just not telling you, but that’s what they’re thinking about. And I’m telling you so that you’re aware of that so you can make a cognitive decision to not behave like that.’”

I don't know how friendly they are but someone should explain to Pie that those particular actions might be borderline. I'll stop short of calling Scott a racist, because I believe he isn't. He just needs a better choice of words and actions. Maybe it's one of those locker rooms where everything goes, who knows. Remember John Rocker thought the same thing and wasn't well received in his after what he said. 

Robbie Gould Shoots On Greedy Owners And Broke Players

Kickers aren't the highest paid players in the NFL. They get ridiculed a lot and pretty much speak when spoken to. The last kicker that spoke out was called an idiot (Mike Vanderjagt) by his star quarterback (Peyton Manning).

Chicago Bears kicker and player rep Robbie Gould had some interesting things to say when he was at the Chicago Cubs game. Before he went to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during Wednesday's Cubs-Padres game, Gould let a few writers from the Chicago Tribune know how he felt about the NFL lockout and players not saving their money.   

"Look fans don't buy tickets to see Virginia or Brian McCaskey. They pay to watch Brian Urlacher, Drew Brees and all the great players. This lockout is all because of the owners' greed. I'm sorry if that sounds cold, but it is the truth."

"I have been saving my money for this lockout for three years," he said. "We have known it was probably coming and we were advised to save our money. I know a lot of guys who prepared for this and are fine. The guys who didn't plan for it, that is their fault."



No matter what line of work your in you gotta put some money away. With the lavish lifestyles some of these players have it's gonna be tough once the well runs dry.

Quote Of The Week: Brian Billick

Former Ravens coach Brian Billick on why it’s so hard to get that first-round quarterback pick right. Money line: “I am living proof that if you miss on a first-round quarterback, as I did with Kyle Boller, you end up broadcasting games and writing about the NFL instead of coaching.”


Source: CBSSports.com

Roddy White's Jerseys Are Being Kept Captive

Roddy White is in the news again. This time with a legal problem. Thing is, White is claiming to be the victim.

A man White hired to frame his jerseys for the cost of $400 is holding the jerseys hostage unless White pays him $10,000. White filled out an application for an arrest warrant in  Gwinnett County.

The twist in this story is that the man says White owes him the 10 large for odd jobs he's done for White in the past.

A judge will hold a hearing and decide if an arrest warrant should be executed next week. White says he doesn't want to make a big deal out of this particular situation. Listen Roddy, make a big deal out of it before thinking of going OJ Simpson on the guy. Let's hope everything works itself out and everyone gets what they want and end up happy.

It never ceases to amaze me how dumb people can be on this subject. The man's solution to a civil law disagreement is to commit a criminal law violation. Wow! There are a lot of people out there who do such things, never mind that it's this very thing that finally put O.J. Simpson in prison.

Nice Slide Into Home

This high school baseball player exhibited a nifty piece of baserunning.

Beano Cook Guarantees Urban Meyer Will Coach Ohio State In 2012

With the toruble Jim Tressel is having at Ohio State, there are many predicting his demise. I don't think he'll be there much longer but only time will reveal.

One man thinks this year will be his swan song and that there is only one man for the job.

Beano Cook guarantees Urban Meyer will be the coach at Ohio State in 2012.  Here we go again. I hate to say this but Cook comes off as a senile old man.

“I think Ohio State has major problems and I think Jim Tressel has major problems. I’ve said on my Podcast. . . (that) Urban Meyer will be the coach at Ohio State in 2012. That was my prediction and I stick by that prediction. Urban Meyer will be ready to coach somewhere. He said when he was coaching Florida that there were only three schools he would ever coach at – Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame. I think Brian Kelly is going to do the job at Notre Dame and Michigan just hired a new coach, and I think this will be Jim Tressel’s last year. I’m not saying it should be. . . . This is a mess, it isn’t over yet and I think this is his last year coaching at Ohio State.”



“I just think that now that it’s come out that he talked about this problem with an alumnus from Jeannette, Pa., (Terrelle) Pryor’s hometown about selling these jerseys and other things and he did not tell the president or athletic director. I think Ohio State will get hit by the NCAA because they were misled. The worst thing you can do with the NCAA is not tell them the truth right away and that’s what happened. I think Ohio State is going to get hit.


“I just think it’s a mess. … I just think he will resign. That’s my opinion. That’s all. It’s just a prediction and that’s what we do in this business. Predict.”

Ok, more of a prediction than a guarantee, but remember this is the same guy that said Ron Powlus would win two Heisman's and scores of national championships. So take this how you want. I'm not writing off Tressel, but it would take an act of Houdini like proportions to escape the mess he's in right now.

Rodriguez: "Going To Michigan Was A Mistake"

After having time to sit back and digest his firing after a humiliating three years at Michigan and an embarrassing Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State, Rich Rodriguez says going to Michigan was a mistake. RichRod, how do you think the Michigan fans feel?

Drastic changes and a lack of defense made Michigan a laughingstock in college football. And that 3-3-5 defensive formation made two defensive coordiantors look horrible. Trust me fans, Greg Robinson was not the problem. He just had a lousy scheme shoved down his throat.


"I think it's easy to go back now and say, 'Gee, made a mistake.' And you can say that now because of hindsight," Rodriguez said in the interview. "But at the time, some of the things I was looking to do and the opportunity that was there, you kind of make the move.


"The frustrating part for us was that we thought we battled through the tougher times to get it to this point where we had a lot of the team coming back and we thought we were getting ready to take off. But you know hindsight is always easier to look back and say, 'It was a mistake.' Because we did have a good thing going at West Virginia, and we really enjoyed it. As you look back at it, wasn't the best move. Easy to say now."

Rodriguez did have a good thing going at West Virginia and decided that he could take his show to a higher level and failed. He should've realized what a good thing he had in Morgantown after his flirtation with Alabama, but I guess the lure of Michigan was too much. I for one wish he would've stayed at West Virginia, therefore the Wolverines wouldn't be going through another upheaval process. He still thinks he could've got the train rolling despite all the turmoil and bad losses.

Rodriguez is not a bad coach, just a bad fit who was in over his head. He says he still wants to coach and I'll be surprised if he doesn't land another job.

"We played the Gator Bowl, then when we were let go in January there wasn't a lot of coaching jobs that were available," Rodriguez said. "I still love coaching, I'm open to another opportunity, but we'll see. If something comes open after this season, and it seems like it may be a good opportunity for me and someone is interested, I'm sure I'll look into it."

They had to let Rodriguez go after the Gator Bowl. They were at the point of no return with the guy. It was a move that had to be made. Also, this is the most honest thing Rodriguez has said regarding Michigan.







 

Former NHL Enforcer Brashear To Try His Hand At MMA

Former NHL tough guy Donald Brashear has been busy in a low level hockey league since being bounced out of the league in 2010. There just wasn't any room for in the league for a one dimesional pugilist that amounted to a professional bouncer.

Brashear has now decided to take those "handy" skills to the world of MMA. Brashear signed with a Canadian promotion called Ringside MMA.  Brashear was capable of handling himself on the ice, but the octagon is a whole different story. Ask street brawling legend Kimbo Slice how hard it was to make the transition to MMA.

According to Patricia Vincent of MMADiehards.com, there is a different reason why Brashear has changed course and hung up the skates. He's running from the law.  

Now playing in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH), Brashear has recently been investigated for an incident that allegedly occurred at the end of a game against the Trois-Rivières team on March 25. Charges of assault were filed against Brashear, who was also suspended for five games.



The complaint has been filed against Brashear, on behalf of the alleged victim, Eric Labelle, by the Trois-Riviere team, Caron et Guay, and is now in the hands of the crown prosecutor.

Brashear hasn't yet applied for his license so him going to fight might be a moot point. I he does get licensed he could debut at the June 4th show in Quebec City (Ringside 11). I'm no fortune teller, but I don't see a bright future for Brashear in MMA.

Jon Gruden Thinks Terrelle Pryor Can Succeed In The NFL

A few weeks ago NFL draftnik Mel Kiper Jr. came out and said that Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor basically had no chance at being an NFL quarterback. He even went as far as saying that he might want to switch positions for his senior year.

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden  is singing a different tune about the Buckeyes signal caller. Gruden says that Pryor has "dominated college football" and can make it in the NFL.

"I have met Terrelle Pryor, had a chance to watch him," Gruden told the media after speaking at the 80th annual Ohio State Football Clinic. "This is a freak of nature. This guy is really something with the ball in his hands."


I agree and disagree with Gruden. Pryor is an athletic freak and I think he's been shackled by Jim Tressel's offensive system. That may be sound harsh, but he should've turned Pryor loose a long time ago. I'm sure there are some Buckeye fans that will disagree with me. I think Cam Newton was everything Terrelle Pryor should be. But by no means has he dominated college football. Just check out last year's Wisconsin game for further proof.

"Terrelle Pryor can run and he can throw and he's a hell of a competitor," Gruden said. "You might have to cater your offense, to a degree, towards his strengths, but I think this guy can develop his passing.


I do think Pryor should be given a chance to prove he can be an NFL quarterback. I don't see any NFL offensive coordinators catering their offense to accomdate Pryor. If they're not going to do it with Newton, why would they do it with Pryor. He can develop his passing if given chance. He's not a once in a lifetime talent, but shouldn't switch positions to make it in the NFL.
If Gruden takes another NFL coaching job, Pryor has someone in his corner.







   

D'Antoni Is A Bad Late Game Coach

New York Knicks head man Mike D'Antoni is not a bad coach. Not by any means. He can get your team to the playoffs, rack up plenty of wins in the regular season, and plays an exciting style of basketball. His only problem is that he's a bad late game coach.

Watching the Knicks melt down in the first two games in the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Boston Celtics reminded me of when he was coaching the Phoenix Suns. Suns fans probably know what I'm talking about and were probably having flashbacks watching the Knicks give away the first two games to the Celtics.

For all the flash the Suns had, they constantly found ways to lose to the Spurs, among others, in the playoffs. The Suns were always there in the end but found ways to lose it. Credit D'Antoni for that. He wasn't the greatest late game tactician. That flaw reared it's ugly head in games 1 and 2.

In game 1 Amare' Stoudamire was punishing Kevin Garnett in the fourth quarter, but for some reason he didn't see the ball down the stretch. Now if Stoudamire is the hot hand you keep going to it, don't you? I know I would, but I'm only a Playstation coach so how would I know. All plays should've been ran through Stoudamire, save for Toney Douglas' three pointer. Then you let Carmelo Anthony settle for a 30 footer for the last shot. Take your chances for overtime. I didn't watch much of game 2, but I saw enough to come to the realization that D'Antoni doesn't make the best choices late in the game.

The Knocks will be a force in the Eastern Conference in the years to come, whether D'Antoni will be there to see it through I don't know. I'm not calling for his job, but the Knicks are destined to become the new age version of the 1980's Milwaukee Bucks. Win a lot of games, but won't win big in the playoffs.    

Duke Football Player Arrested For Drug Trafficking

When you think of Duke, you think of academic excellence, their highly successful basketball program, and scores of graduates that have tasted success in the real world. You normally don't think of their football program and when you do think of it, it brings me the thought a sad sack team usually getting crushed in the ACC. But their players are probably the boss at a Fortune 500 company so their not bothered by it. Go ahead Duke fans rip me if you want, I can take it.

Duke linebacker Tyree Glover tried his hardest to get rid of the Duke image as a goody two shoes university. There's nothing wrong with being what I just labeled them, I only said that because Glover was arrested and charged for trafficking in cocaine. Hardly what you think of when you think of Duke.  

The 6-foot-1, 255-pound sophomore linebacker from Crescent City, Fla., was being held in the Durham County jail Thursday in lieu of $750,000 bond ...



[Police spokesperson Kammie] Michael said police then obtained a search warrant and searched his dorm room on the Duke campus where they found marijuana.


Michael said police confiscated 29.6 grams of powder cocaine and 72.4 grams of marijuana.

Naturally he was kicked off the team by head coach David Cutcliffe "for conduct unbecoming of a member of the program". Translation: Tyree f'd up bad.

Nice way of trying to dispel the Duke stereotype Mr. Glover. Duke is one of the most prestigious universites in America and you go there trying to be Nino Brown. What's with college football players trying to be the dopeman these days.

Floyd Mayweather Has Too Much Time On His Hands

Floyd Mayweather has entirely too much time on his hands. Why do I say that? Because instead of trying to make a fight with one of the up and comers in the welterweight division or trying to negotiate a fight with Manny Pacquiao, he makes videos detailing his excessive wealth.



Come on Floyd concentrate your efforts to being the best in the ring and not making videos. If you just want to go out on top, just say so. I, for one, will understand. It looks like Mayweather is on track to be one of those boxers that will "retire" and keep coming back.  
 

Dykstra's Brother Says He Deserves To 'Pay For What He Did'

Apparently former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Len Dykstra has been getting bailed out by his family and now they aren't going to bat for him anymore. His brother, Brian, says that Dykstra deserves his fall from grace amd is guilty of the charges brought against him last week.

"It's sad, but he's got to pay for what he did," the older brother, 49, told The New York Daily News. "We feel sorry for him, but he's pretty much on his own right now. We're praying for him."


"I wish I could post bail. I know the real Lenny from years ago is still in there somewhere. But the family breakup was bad," Brian said. "We'll be there to help afterwards - when he gets out. I know he could go coach somewhere."


I'm not well versed in the Lenny Dykstra story, except that he played hard. I guess he lived harder and made some bad business deals along the way, while pissing off a few family members in the process. Brian and another brother Kevin, haven't got along since Len sold the car wash business they owned and didn't pay them money they were owed. Talk about shady. I know it's not my place to say this, but they would've been better off doing business with a stranger than their own brother.

Maybe Dykstra can hit up Mookie Wilson for a few dollars.  




 

 

Adelman Out In Houston, Wonders What Might Have Been

Rick Adelman reportedly will be shown the door in Houston. After years of mediocrity in a tough Western Conference, the Rockets and Adelman will part ways. As reported by the Houston Chronicle and KRIV-TV, the team won't renew his contract.

Even though I said that the Rockets were mediocre, Adelman wasn't a bad coach. He was just dealt a bad hand. I actually like the Rockets and am disappointed that they weren't able to move on to greater heights. At one point they had Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Ron Artest. A formidable big three if anyone besides Artest was healthy. I like Adelman as a coach. He has just had some bad timing except when he coached at Golden State and no one hasn't put it together there. When he was in Portland there was Michael Jordan's Bulls. In Sacramento the Lakers stood in their way. In Houston there were too many ahead of them in a loaded Western Conference.

Adelman can only wonder what might have been. He inherited a team with Yao and McGrady, but they never seemed to stay healthy.

“I look at the team today,” Adelman said in late February. “In 3 1/2 years since I came here, we have only two guys left, Luis and Chuck. That’s not a lot of stability. I came to coach Yao and Tracy and ended up with Luis and Chuck.


I know Adelman meant no disrespect to Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola, but if McGrady and Yao stay healthy and they surround them with players like Hayes and Scola and add a Kevin Martin maybe they become long term contenders.

Adelman doesn't look at his time in Houston with regret and there are no ill feelings toward the Rockets. He also has the desire to coach again. I don't doubt he'll land another job.

“I don’t think I’ve lost the desire to coach; I think I still can do it,” Adelman said. “This team has been a lot of fun. It’s been tough during the season. I tell people that, when you go through it, it’s not so easy. But when you work with a group of guys who just won’t quit, and play above and beyond what people expect them to do, that’s a lot of fun when you look back on it.”









   

Bart Scott Let's Loose On Patriots And Ravens

It's the NFL offseason, there's a lockout and league news never stops. Whether it's criminal activity, players being involved in different activities, or just interviewing with the media, it's all NFL all the time and I like it. Except for the labor strife.

New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott had a few things to to say in an interview with Metro New York.  He complimented his coach Rex Ryan and backed up what Ryan said about guaranteeing a Super Bowl win. He also had some not so kind things to say about the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.

“The Ravens don’t operate like the Ravens anymore. [Head coach John] Harbaugh changed everything. The Ravens aren’t that loose anymore,” Scott said. “We laugh, we joke, but then we go out there and put in a defensive system. We have our fun, and then on the field, we know what to do. If you study for the test, there’s nothing to be nervous about, right? If you don’t know what you’re doing, that’s when you can’t have fun. We know what we’re doing, but on the field, we back it up, too.”


Then he started in on Wes Welker and the Patriots. Remember when Welker mocked Ryan about the foot fetish ordeal? Scott hasn't forgotten it. He's keeping the rivalry stoked by adding more fuel to the fire.


“That’s doesn’t sound right, that kind of talk. That’s when you know they’re buying into us, when they start sounding like we talk,” Scott said. “Wes Welker start trying to be us, sounding like we do. That’s how you know they want to be us.”

I tell you the Jets are good for football. Not everyone likes their brash, cocky attitude, but they've backed it up. Mostly in the playoffs, where they've won every game on the road. Call me out if that's not true. If they can catch a little bit of luck the Lombardi Trophy will end up in New York. Besides, someone has to be the bad guy, right? 









 

Quote Of The Week: Greg Cote

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald on watching a tennis match between Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, complete with grunting.

"I have a hard time watching any sport that sounds like childbirth."

Drunk E-mailing

The New Zealand football national youth coach of found himself in a bit of hot water recently. The offense: sending an explicit picture of himself to the mother of a prospective player.

Coach Steve Cain resigned for what he called "personal reasons". But it came out about the explicit e-mail and it seems like he resigned for personal conduct reasons.

Cain told the Sunday News that “in a moment of madness” after “a few beers” he had sent a picture to a woman which partially showed his genitals. He said the woman, the mother of a youth team prospect, had been sending him explicit e-mails and had “pestered” him to respond.


The worse part was the kid didn't even earn a spot on the team, then she told New Zealand Football about his e-mail. That was kind of underhanded. But he didn't have to do it either.

NZF chairman Frank van Hattum says that Cain might be considered for another coaching job but I think it's best for all parties to move on.

Roddy White Rips Alex Smith

A player from another team doesn't rip an organization's personnel decisions. They keep to themselves (not literally) and often wonder about management making their team better.

So why did Atlanta Falcons wideout Roddy White take it upon himself to rip San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. I guess that's something we'll never know. White decided that he should be involved in the discussion of keeping Alex Smith around. White sounded off on the defacto athlete website, Twitter.

Why is the 49ers wasting their time with alex smith they need to move on better yet try to get luck next year would be good for them

There's more where that came from.

2 coaches have been fired for tht mans performance
Those are thoughts you keep to yourself or to teammates.

When someone responded to him on twitter saying that Smith will outplay Matt Ryan next season and called White an "ignorant prick", White responded with  "lol son your praying for a miracle."

After all that he apologized for his remarks and trouble he caused.

Ok 49ers fans I’m sorry I take tht back alex smith is a great players and the 49ers should sign him to a 5 year deal btw I don’t have anything against alex smith wht so ever he is a great guy


Sounds like that apology was forced. Maybe someone in the Falcons organization made him do it and told him to keep his mouth shut. The problem in all this is that it's pretty much true.







 

Oswalt Hurts Back Running The Bases

One of the Philadelphia Phillies "Four Aces" has folded.

Roy Oswalt had to leave tonight's game against the Florida Marlins after six innings with a lower back strain. Oswalt was hurt running to first after he laid down a bunt in the bottom of the sixth. He stayed in and ran the bases but left the game after attempting some warm up pitches.

This could affect the Phillies if Oswalt has to miss any significant amount of time. I don't think he'll miss anything beyond his next start, but with sports injuries you never know.

Rangers' Lewis Goes On Paternity Leave

You don't hear of too many men going on paternity leave but Texas Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis bucked that trend.

Lewis took advantage of the new MLB paternity leave rule. A player can be on there for 24 to 72 hours. His wife Jenny gave birth to daughter Elizabeth Grace on Wednesday in Bakersfield, Calif.

Pitching coach Mike Maddux sounds like he's been waiting for this day to come.

"I don't know why we didn't have it before. I've longed for the day we would," Maddux said. "We have the bereavement list and to some, this is for something that's even more sacred."


Lewis is expected to rejoin the team and take his turn in the rotation Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels.

Goins Trying A Switch To Football

There's been an increasing trend in college basketball players switching to the gridiron once their days on the hardwood are over. Tennessee point guard Melvin Goins is the latest to give it a try.

Goins is trying to make the Volunteers' football team as a safety or corner. Coach Derek Dooley still sees Goins as a point guard.

“I see him as a point guard right now,” Dooley said when asked if he saw Goins as a safety or cornerback. “I can tell you, when we play three-on-three, he’s on my team. We’re going to be good when we get into the offseason three-on-three hoops tournament.”


This isn't unusual or impossible. Duke's Greg Paulus was the most notable player to succeed at this feat. 
Michigan's Kelvin Grady also transitioned from the hardwood to the football field.

Goins knows he has a long way to go but is doing his best to make the team.

“I haven’t played in so long. It’s all coming back slowly,” Goins said. “It’s all mental right now. I’m used to basketball where you know the plays, you know where you’re supposed to go so you react off instinct. Now I’m thinking a lot, and that’s not really good. You want to be able to get the plays down and know your zones and know where you’re supposed to be at on the field.”


You never know, he could have a supporting role on the team. If he plays like he did in that debacle against Michigan in the NCAA tournament he can kiss any chance of making the football team goodbye.



   

Lincecum Donates $25,000 To Beating Victim

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum has donated $25,000 to the Bryan Stow fund. Stow was the victim in a senseless beating by a couple of Los Angeles Dodgers fans on opening day. The Giants have donated $70,000 themselves. The donations were made to cover Stow's medical expenses.

Both teams have taken heightned security since the incident, with the Dodgers cancelling an alcohol related promotion.

“This was a senseless act of violence and I wanted to help out Mr. Stow and his family,” Lincecum said in a statement Thursday. “It’s also close to me because not only is Mr. Stow a Giants fan, but I have family and friends who are firefighters, police officers and paramedics and this honors their service to the community.



“I encourage Giants fans to support Mr. Stow in a positive way and hope there are not any more unfortunate acts between fans in this great rivalry,” Lincecum said.

As a fan let's hope Stow can make a complete recovery and go back to living life as he knew it.

Gerald Wallace...FBI

Federal agents usually don't show up at a basketball practice unless something highly illegal is going on or it's in a movie. So it was a surprise when they showed up at a recent Portland Trailblazers practice. I would've understood that about 7 years ago.

They weren't there to investigate anything, they were there to do a bit of recruiting, even though they claim n ot to be hiring right now. They were recruiting Gerald Wallace to become a part of the bureau. Of course after his playing days are over. I don't think Wallace would like the pay cut he would get after banking $10.5 million this season.

Wallace had stated that he would like to be an FBI agent once his playing days are over.

Agents gave him a hat, sweatshirt, and an honorary badge and told him to keep the bureau in mind when his playing days are over.

Sheen Says The Red Sox Will Be Just Fine

With panic starting to set in amongst Red Sox fans, there's one person that feels that Boston will be just fine despite a 2-9 start. That person is Charlie Sheen.

Sheen appeared on the Toucher & Rich on  98.5 Sports Hub in Boston Wednesday morning and gave his assessment of the Red Sox.

"I'd tell everybody to shut up, that they'll bounce back. It's a long season and there's a ton of talent there and a really bitchin' hitter's park they play in. Relax," Sheen said.

He also said there's a script written for Major League 3.

I didn't know a role in a baseball movie made you an analyst on the sport.

Angry Ozzie

The Major League Baseball season is barely two weeks old and Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is already fired up. Frankly I would be too if my closer blew four saves in as many chances. 

The wanna-be closer Matt Thorton blew another save against the Oakland A's today which sent Guillen over the deep end. Really it doesn't take much, but he's had enough already.

"I might call Bobby Thigpen to help us," Guillen said.

That's vintage Guillen. Blunt and comical at the same time. Of course it gets better.

"When you have a bad bullpen, that's what happens. That's what happens," Guillen said.

"I don't have any closer. I don't," Guillen said. "You are just scratching your head and second-guess yourself what you are doing wrong, bringing people to the mound with three-run lead ... and we can't hold the lead. That's not a good sign. Have we got the people out there with the arms? Yes."

"Three-run lead and he said he can go. That's the reason we put him there," Guillen said.

Sounds like he's losing confidence in the bully already. If that's the case the White Sox will have to slug their way to big leads and hope that it holds up.

Quote Of The Week: Mike Schmidt

I think Mike Schmidt had different ideas when he was talking about the Phillies' "Four Aces".

Schimdt said that the pitchers strike fear in no one.

"They're not scary," he said. "Even if they all win 20 games, the Phillies don't have a pitcher who strikes fear in a hitter."


I think Schmidt meant by occasionally getting buzzed by a pitcher back in the day.

Ex-Sonics Owner Has Fan Thrown Out At Book Signing

Filmmaker Adam Brown and other Seattle Supersonic diehards have a bone to pick with former owner Howard Schultz.

Schultz sold the team to a group that moved the Sonics to Oklahoma City.Brown is making a film about it called Sonicsgate. When Brown showed up wearing Sonics gear at Schultz's book signing at a local Costco, Schultz had him thrown out. Not before another fan gave Schultz an earful.

Schultz was signing his new book “Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul.” Brown seemed intent on confronting Schultz about a missing piece of Seattle‘s soul, but another attendee beat him to it.





As Brown works his way through the line, a man in front of him whispers, “Watch this,” and proceeds to cut ahead and start yelling at Schultz.


“You betrayed the city of Seattle!” he yells. “… How do you show your face around here?”


After that, whatever Brown had planned goes out the window. Security descends on the scene and Brown is kicked out. Apparently, Schultz told security he specifically didn’t want Brown there.


“Schultz just confirms what we all knew,” Brown says. “You are a coward. You are a traitor.


“You owe Sonics fans an apology.”

There are plenty of fans that would like to get that close to their team's owner or former owner in this case.

Here's video footage of the encounter.


   

Antonio Cromartie Is A One Man Union

There have been cracks in the players union during the lockout. But one man doesn't buy into all this. That one man is Antonio Cromartie. The New York Jets (for now) corner says he is a one man union.

“I’m my own union,” Cromartie told Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger. “We’re a trade association, so I’m my own union. I’ve got to protect myself. I’m not worried about what everybody else feels. My biggest thing is going out there and playing football.”

I can see his point about just wanting to get a contract and play football. That's what you get paid to do. As far as him being a one man union, maybe if it came to having bunches of children.

Like Father, Like Son

Back in 1995 Gary Moeller was fired from the University of Michigan after a drunken outburst at a Southfield, Michigan restaurant.

Fast forward to 2011 and his son Andy Moeller, a Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach  pleads guilty to driving while intoxicated (DWI). Moeller was pulled over near Greenspring Ave. on Sept. 18 last year by a state trooper while drving 70 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. The arresting officer detected a strong odor of alcohol and noticed him stumble during a field sobriety test with Moeller refusing to take a Breathalyzer exam.


This was Moeller's third alcohol-related arrest, including an acquittal of driving while under the influence and negligent driving last May 14 in Carroll County where it was determine that he wasn't driving the car and was parked, in the past four years. He was assigned to probation for driving while visibly impaired in Ann Arbor, Mich, in a December 2007 case.


Damn, I hate to rip the Moeller clan but it looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has said that Moeller will be terminated if there are any other alcohol related incidents.

Moeller needs to tone it down before he finds himself without a job.

Minor League Flame Out Wins $1 Million

Usually a dream ends after being cut from a minor league baseball team. Just don't tell that to Joel Torres.

Torres, a 21 year old outfielder, was recently cut from a Cleveland Indians minor league affiliate, won $1 million on a scratch off lottery game.

Torres bought the "Sweet Millions" ticket February 24th, while staying at his mom's house in Queens, New York. Imagine the joy he felt after realizing he won a quick million. Especially after being cut from a team.

Torres says he plans to buy his mom a new home and continue his dream of playing professional baseball.

"The first thing I plan to do with the money is buy my mom a new house," said Torres. He said the money will allow him to pursue his hopes of playing ball in the major leagues.



"My dream, since I was a kid, is baseball. That's what I'm going to continue doing. I'm going to keep swinging, swinging for the fences," Torres said.







  

Valverde Denies Role In Spit-Gate

There's always a lot of back and forth between athletes and fans at a sporting event. Most players take it in stride, some fans take the heckling to a different level and which leads to atheletes lashing out. Ask Ron Artest and Vernon Maxwell about that. Recently the mild mannered, good guy Grant Hill even went after a fan. What is the world coming to?

Thursday night Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde was accused of spitting on a Baltimore Orioles fan. Valverde denies that he did it. He did say he spit in that direction but not at the fan. Fellow reliever Daniel Schlereth backed his claim which is basically saying the fan's claim was bogus. I wasn't there so I wouldn't know. I'd like an Orioles fan to clue me in on this one. Valverde said the fan was yelling at him all game. He shouldnt've spit in that direction as it is, that way you're not going into self defense mode.

"This guy's drinking and drinking, and he doesn't know what's going on in the game," Valverde said. "He started doing a lot of stuff, BS. The thing is, you have to sometimes leave it alone, because they pay for that. There's nothing you can do. He paid for the ticket. He can do whatever he wants to. But after a while, he ticked me off …

And sometimes you have to ignore it and be the bigger man. Well Valverde probably already is the bigger man.

"They're shouting, 'You [stink], you piece of …' And I'm tired of that. Everybody's tired. And I tell them, 'You know what, you want to do something? Come on. Come here.' And he told me, '[Forget] you. [Forget] your mother.' He talks about my mother, and I said, 'OK. God bless you.'"



As a fan there are lines you don't cross. Say anything you want but leave family out of it.






  

 

Brad Penny's Fiancee To Pose In Playboy

Karina Smirnoff of  "Dancing With the Stars" fame, who is Detroit Tigers pitcher Brad Penny's fiancee, will be posing for Playboy magazine, according to reports.

Hugh Hefner broke the news via Twitter of course.

"The May issue of Playboy is unforgettable with Dancing With The Stars' Karina Smirnoff on the cover & nude inside."

Smirnoff and Penny have been engaged since November and they are planning to wed early next year.

I wonder how Brad feels about it.

Karl Wants To Play Mavs In Playoffs, Not Thunder

If George Karl has his way, the Denver Nuggets will play the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. I wonder if the Mavericks will take this as a slight and tank just so they can play the Nuggets and beat them to a pulp once the playoffs roll around. Not saying that will happen, but it's a thought.

The Nuggets beat the Mavs 3-1 in the season series. Karl believes that since the Nuggets appear to be quicker and athletic than Dallas and would be a good matchup for Denver.

"If we had to pick and choose on it, we would probably say 55 percent Dallas, 45 percent Oklahoma City, only because Oklahoma City is athletic like we are and they have two great players," Denver coach George Karl told Ian Fitzsimmons of ESPN 103.3 FM's Galloway and Company, referring to Thunder forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook. "They have two All-Stars who are really in their prime and have never won on the playoff stage. I just think right now our speed might have more effect against Dallas than it will against Oklahoma City."


Karl also mentioned that the Nuggets would have the luxury of "doubling" off Shawn Marion.

I do think Karl is right in his assessment of playing an older, jump shooting, less athletic team. I just think he should've kept those comments to himself. They might come back to haunt him. 

Rodriguez Parlays Final Four Appearance Into a Late Night With George Lopez

Fresh off an appearance in the Final Four, VCU point guard Joey Rodriguez made an appearance on 'Lopez Tonight', with George Lopez.



He also got a trip to Disney World for him and his family. Not bad for a player on a team that everyone says shouldnt've been in the tournament.

Kiper Says Pryor Will Be A Tight End In The NFL

Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor will be suspended for the first five games of the upcoming college football season. Almost everyone knows that. The question is how much will it hurt his NFL aspirations. If it's up to draftnik Mel Kiper he would have Pryor switch positions. Maybe moving him to wide receiver while still at Ohio State.

Kiper also thinks Pryor will project to being an H-back or tight end in the NFL, pretty much the same thoughts he had about Tim Tebow.

"I've thought all along he was a tight end," Kiper said on a conference call. "I talked about (former Florida quarterback) Tim Tebow the same way last year.



"I think his best chance to be a very good NFL player is as an H-back. I think Pryor is going to be a projection to tight end."


Kiper feels that Pryor needs to work on some things, mainly throwing to succeed as a quarterback. I feel Pryor is an athletic wonder but he needed those five games to hone his skills at the position.

"Accuracy," Kiper said when asked what he could improve on. "Throwing the football is the main thing.


"He has to throw the ball, and he has to be precise with the football, and he has to do the things from a pure passing standpoint."


"Did he need to play those five games to prove he can be a quarterback? Yeah, he did," Kiper said. "I think there is going to be some concern whether he is going to be a quarterback or a position change, like I said, to a tight end spot."

Kiper is not the end all, be all of how a person does in the NFL. Maybe Pryor will surprise his skeptics and prove that he is an NFL worthy talent at quarterback and not tight end or some novelty player. I feel he should get a chance to play quarterback before they try to switch positions.

I think the talk of switching him to a different position might hurt him more than the five game suspension. That will get into the heads of the league executives before he gets a chance to prove he's worthy of being a quarterback.  

Darko To Auction Off His Championship Ring

In a page from Ron Artest's book, Minnesota Timberwolves center Darko Milicic is planning to auction off his NBA championship ring he won with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. He's doing it for a worthy cause, it's to raise money and awareness for children dealing with the terminal illness Batten's disease 

He got the idea from Ron Artest, who auctioned off his Lakers championship ring to raise money for mental health programs in schools.

Outside of the championship he won with Detroit and being known as one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history, this might be the most noteworthy thing he's done since being in the league.

Party Of One

When Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy held his pro day workout, he probably didn't anticipate that there would be a low turnout.

McElroy didn't throw at the NFL combine or Alabama's initial pro day because he broke a bone in his throwing hand during the Senior Bowl. He did have a productive career for the Tide and won a national championship there. Still he had to think he had better NFL prospects than what turned out to view him.  

The Seattle Seahawks were the only team that showed up to his pro day workout. Personally that would be a bummer. You work hard to get yourself in position for a shot at the NFL and only one team shows up to see you workout.

That team was the Seattle Seahawks, who sent southeast scout Derrick Jensen and quarterbacks coach Carl Smith. Heck, at least St. Pete (Pete Carroll) could've shown his face.

Here's the video below.

Nevada Might Not Make It To The Mountain West

The Universtiy of Nevada has been a pretty competitive mid-major school in both football and basketball in recent years. They've had a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament back in 2004 in basketball and the football team has made a few bowl appearances in the past few years.

You think with that recent success while competing in the WAC and moving to the Mountain West in 2012, they would have a few dollars in the athletic department coffers. Not so fast. The Wolfpack might be in danger of losing their status in Division I athletics.

Athletic director Cary Groth says the school is facing a $1.5 million cut in state-appropriated funds that could "change the face of the department."

The cuts, which are part of a proposed $59 million university-wide budget reduction at UNR, could threaten Nevada's ability to maintain Division I status or force the department to cut another sport. The reduction is contingent on the state legislature's final higher education budget and board of regents deliberations.



"I would say maintaining the integrity of a Division I program is our main focus right now," Groth said. "We're right on the line of a few things as is."


In the past three years, the Wolf Pack's state-appropriated funds have decreased from $7.054 million to an estimated $3.817 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

The school doesn't have too much margin for error financially, so it may have to cut sports or reduce scholarships. Hopefully the move to the Mountain West can pump more money into the school, that's if they make it there.









 

TCU Gets Some New Duds

Fresh off an undefeated season and Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin, TCU has been outfitted for new uniforms by Nike. They're not the emperor's new clothes but I guess they're not that bad.

The look is a little more basic than the past. They did away with the frog on the helmet and I wonder if they're going to still break out the frogskin unis for special occasions.

Quote Of The Week: Larry Johnson

Former UNLV great Larry Johnson has expressed an interest in the vacant coaching job at his alma mater. His comments about it were kinda comical if you ask me.

"I'm definitely a scientist in this. It wouldn't be no problem at all. You recruit and get some good people around you.", when describing his qualifications for the job. I don't think he'll be seriously considered but it would be interesting to see how it would turn out. I never thought that Johnson would call himself a scientist at anything.

The "General" Has Vegas On His Mind; LJ Also Wants The Vegas Job

While the UNLV Rebels search for a coach there are candidates that are rumored to be interested in the job. Former Rebel Reggie Theus and BYU assistant Dave Rice are the leading candidates.

They might have company. A report in the Detroit News is saying Bob Knight is interested in the UNLV job. This is a key hire for the Rebels to sustain momentum to get back to the heights they were at when Jerry Tarkanian was coach. Knight and UNLV would be an odd mix, but he did make it work at Texas Tech.

Another person that is showing interest is former Rebel Larry Johnson Arguably the greatest player in Rebels history, has said that he would love to take on the job. He discussed the idea with Tarkanian and started doing some self promotion.

"I would love to do it," Johnson said. "This situation is just like ideal. It's close to my heart. If they hire me, we would get back to being the Runnin' Rebels."

"I've turned down several assistant jobs in the NBA that I just didn't feel good about. I would love it at UNLV."

He also mentioned that former teammate Stacey Augmon would come on board as an assistant.

"He's willing to jump at the opportunity," Johnson said, "but he didn't have much faith in what's going on there.

"We can put butts in the seats and we definitely can recruit. There's no growing pains I would have to go through, and if I have the right cast around me, I believe I can do it. And I really believe the city would be behind me."

There are questions about the lack of experience Johnson has coaching but he believes he could get the job done if given the right staff. That remains to be seen. I think Rice will end up being the next coach of the Rebels. They need a coach not someone who has a name and will fill seats.

Using The Eugene Robinson Handbook

Southern University athletic director Greg LaFluer didn't learn from Eugene Robinson's mistakes. Instead he used his handbook om how to get arrested for soliciting a prostitute.

LaFleur was busted in a reverse prostitution sting by undercover officers Sunday night in Houston. The ironic thing was that he was there looking for candidates to be the school's head basketball coach. I know all this is under investigation, but Southern may be looking for someone to fill LaFleur's job if this charge holds up.

LaFluer is free on bond right now, and I'm sure he won't do any real time. But possible job loss and the embarassment of having this go public is bad enough.

LaFleur has been Southern's athletic director for six years. The Ville Platte, La., native and former LSU star tight end and receiver played with the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts in the NFL. He's also the father of Gonzaga center Robert Sacre.

I'm sure Sacre will hear it when he goes on the road next season.