Friday, August 1, 2008
Brett Favre Still On Hold
The potential agreement, worth a reported $20 million over 10 years, might end Favre's bid to return just months after retiring. It also would likely keep him from reporting to Packers training camp and a team that is not planning to start him at quarterback for the first time since 1992.
After talking to Packers president Mark Murphy about the non-playing marketing deal Wednesday, Favre confirmed he was actively weighing it to ESPN NFL reporter Ed Werder on Thursday.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy made it clear Friday that, from the team's perspective, the agreement would be more than a buyout to make an awkward situation go away.
Michelle Wie Gets Cut From Men's Tour
Wie shot a second-round 80 in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open to finish at 9 over par through 36 holes. The cut will be at or near even par by the time play ends Friday afternoon.
Wie shot an opening-round 1-over-par 73. But a quintuple-bogey 9 on the eighth hole (her 17th of the day) ended any hopes of Wie surviving to play the weekend at the par-72 Montreux Golf and Country Club.
Mavs Josh Howard Arrested
He is charged with speeding (94 mph in a 55 mph zone), careless and reckless driving, and speed competition. He has been released from the Forsyth County jail on a written promise to appear in court Sept. 23.
Police said an officer saw a black Lexus and a silver Volkswagen speeding along U.S. 421 late Thursday night. The officer stopped the Lexus, and Howard was identified as the driver. Authorities didn't identify the other driver.
Fantasy College Football Gets Naming Rights

Major college sports have remained the last in America's sports landscape to find themselves unattached to similarly popular fantasy games. Such games allow fans at home to play simulated games based on the statistics of actual players. But thanks in part to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, CBSSports.com is banking on becoming the first major fantasy provider to enter the industry's last major, unexplored sports frontier.
The Web site, a subsidiary of CBS Corp., announced Tuesday a plan to host a fantasy college football game using the names and statistics of college athletes for the upcoming 2008 season. The Web site also plans to launch a similar college basketball game later this year.
A fantasy college game has never been widely accepted or attempted before because of a reluctance to utilize anything but broad signifiers in identifying college athletes. CBSSports.com had previously developed a game using generic terms including only a team and a position, like "SYRACUSE RB" and "MICHIGAN WR," instead of players' names. But it never caught on with users, due mainly to the disconnect between the robotic names and the fantasy audience, according to senior vice president and general manager Jason Kint.
However, the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to this college football game with a decision involving fantasy baseball. The Court refused on June 2 to hear a case brought by Major League Baseball Advanced Media against CDM Fantasy Sports Corp., a refusal which essentially said that an entity does not own the rights to statistics and names that are in the public domain. That allowed for other fantasy companies to use real names and statistics without fearing retribution by major sports entities like Major League Baseball or the National Football League. This season, that means turning "FLORIDA QB" into the more familiar Tim Tebow, last year's Heisman Trophy winner as college football's top player.
LeBron To Europe? Could Happen

According to Ian Thomas of Sports Illustrated, LeBron James might be getting an interesting offer from a Greece pro team in 2010 that might be so much King James couldn't refuse the offer.
Here's the buzz I heard Friday: Olympiakos is considering a run at LeBron James when he becomes a free agent in 2010.
This talk was beginning to make its way through the NBA on Friday. I heard it from a reliable league source, who told me that it emanates from Olympiakos.
At first glance it is ludicrous to imagine that the NBA's next big star would move overseas as he's trying to win championships and replace Michael Jordan as a household name globally. But look at it this way: Neither the Euroleague nor Greek league impose any kind of salary cap on its teams, which means there would be no ceiling on an offer that the billionaire ownership of Olympiakos could make to James.
As a free agent in 2010, his new contract in the NBA would start at less than $20 million annually.
What if Olympiakos were to offer him $40 million per year? Or $50 million? Who knows how much the Greeks would be willing to pay? The point is that the limitation on his salary is entirely up to them.
FIght In Panthers Training Camp

Panthers wideout Steve Smith and cornerback Ken Lucas got into a fight during practice, causing the starting cornerback to be carted off the field holding an ice pack to his left eye.
Panthers coach John Fox said Smith and Lucas returned to Charlotte after the fight. The team didn't provide an update on the extent of Lucas' injuries and club officials declined to say if the volatile Smith, the team's top receiver, would be suspended.
"We're going to handle this matter internally," general manager Marty Hurney said.
Smith's agent, Derrick Fox, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
The melee came after both players had taken off their helmets in a break for starters during a special teams drill. It was unclear what provoked the fight. While the two have routinely jawed at each other in practice since Lucas signed with Carolina in 2005, they've never come to blows in view of reporters.
Fight In Panthers Camp
USA Today Top 25
1. Georgia (22) 0-0 1438 3
2. USC (14) 0-0 1430 2
3. Ohio State (14) 0-0 1392 4
4. Oklahoma (3) 0-0 1329 8
5. Florida (5) 0-0 1293 16
6. LSU (3) 0-0 1163 1
7. Missouri 0-0 1143 5
8. West Virginia 0-0 1008 6
9. Clemson 0-0 999 22
10. Texas 0-0 979 10
11. Auburn 0-0 888 14
12. Wisconsin 0-0 747 21
13. Kansas 0-0 714 7
14. Texas Tech 0-0 644 23
15. Virginia Tech 0-0 568 9
16. Arizona State 0-0 560 13
17. Brigham Young 0-0 547 14
18. Tennessee 0-0 506 12
19. Illinois 0-0 422 18
20. Oregon 0-0 399 24
21. South Florida 0-0 350 NR
22. Penn State 0-0 313 25
23. Wake Forest 0-0 203 NR
24. Michigan 0-0 112 19
25. Fresno State
Top 25
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Top 5 Worst Trades Ever According To SI
2. Falcons trade Brett Favre to Packers for a first round pick -- Of course, the Falcons had no need for Favre, what with Chris Miller dominating the NFL at the time. With the first round pick they received as compensation, Atlanta selected RB Tony Smith, who didn't do much at all. Meanwhile, who'd have thought 15 years later that Favre would still arguably be worth a first-round draft pick in a trade?
3. Mavericks trade Robert "Tractor" Traylor to Milwaukee for Dirk Nowitzki -- This was actually a swap of several draft picks, so the two teams selected for each other. But still, must be haunting for Bucks fans to know that for a few brief moments, they actually had the future MVP instead of a guy called "Tractor."
4. Red Sox trade Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen -- As the postseason approached, the Sox wanted to add an arm (and a guy who loved to make quip cute to the press) to their bullpen. Unfortunately, Boston traded away Bagwell, who promptly became one of the best in the game. Andersen left for the Padres soon after.
5. Hawks trade Dominique Wilkins to the Clippers for Danny Manning -- In first place at the time, the Hawks moved their greatest player in franchise history for Manning. They promptly lost in the first round of the Playoffs then failed to re-sign Manning.
Worst Trades Ever
Favree On Holding Pattern
t least one more day to resolve their standoff before granting the quarterback his reinstatement.
"The Packers and Brett Favre are continuing their discussions," the league said in a statement. "The commissioner preferred to let those discussions continue rather than act on the reinstatement petition today."
Once Favre is reinstated, the Packers will have 24 hours to decide whether to cut him or restore him to their active roster. By not acting Thursday, Goodell decreased the chances Favre would be present at Packers training camp Friday.
Favre also could be traded -- apparently even to a division rival.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Thursday that Packers officials have had internal discussions about trading Favre to the Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Bears as a "last resort" to resolve the smoldering controversy.
Favre On Hold
Best NBA Video Ever
Trades Galore

Well Trade Deadline came and gone and we got some big time trades to talk about!
Manny has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox will pay the remaining $7 million of Ramirez's contract, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported.
"When a player like Manny becomes available, I don't think there's a manager in baseball who wouldn't say they're interested," said Dodgers skipper Joe Torre, whose Yankees teams went toe-to-toe with Ramirez for years. "It was something that happened very quickly, obviously."
Jason Bay will go to the Red Sox and the Pittsburg Pirates get four minor leaguers as part of the three-way deal.
For the second part of this big post Ken Griffey JR has been traded to the Chi-Sox
Griffey approaved a trade to the Chicago WhiteSox on Thursday, paving the way for the future Hall of Famer to pursue a spot in the World Series for the first time in his career.
The deal was announced officially by the Reds in a news release at 3:30 p.m., a half-hour before the trade deadline.The Reds will get Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar in return.
Griffy Traded
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Before and After Of New Scoreboard

Wade Scared Of Chinese Barbers

The reaction to Dwyane Wade's bald head has mostly been negative - if you ask Wade. But he has an explanation for abandoning his low cut for the shiny dome: He's afraid of the barbers in China.
I'm not letting nobody cut my hair overseas. I'm sorry," Wade said. "I don't want to even worry about it. I'm not trying to look pretty. I'm strictly about basketball right now."
I asked Wade if he was going to let his hair grow out in China - like Vince Carter and Gary Payton did in Sydney in 2000. You guys probably don't remember Vince Carter with an Afro, do you? Anyway, Wade said he's going to keep cutting his hair whenever it gets unruly.
"This is my hooping look and anybody that don't like it - I don't care," Wade.
Top 10 Hate List For All of College Football
1. Ohio State
Many college football fans are hoping they don't have to watch the Buckeyes lose in the BCS championship game again. Most of those same fans only wish their teams had gotten there the last two seasons.
2. USC
No team has been as dominant during the last decade as the Trojans. A lot of fans wonder why the NCAA hasn't taken a closer look at how USC has done it.
3. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish used to own the top spot on this list. Notre Dame used to win a lot more games, too.
4. Florida
The Gators don't get opposing fans' blood boiling as much as they used to -- like when former coach Steve Spurrier was taking jabs at many of his team's opponents. But many fans just can't believe quarterback Tim Tebow is really that good.
5. Oklahoma
The Sooners might be Ohio State Lite. Bob Stoops keeps getting his teams to BCS bowl games, but somehow keeps losing them.
6. Michigan
Add another fan base -- West Virginia -- to the growing allegiance of Wolverine haters.
7. Texas
Fans who hate the Longhorns are more envious than anything else. Everything is bigger in Texas, including the recruiting base, coaching salaries and tradition.
8. Alabama
Many college football fans are tired of hearing about Paul "Bear" Bryant. The Crimson Tide will never stop talking about him.
9. Miami
Coach Randy Shannon has gone a long way in cleaning up the Hurricanes' off-field image. Unfortunately, there was two decades' worth of garbage to clean up.
10. Tennessee
Unless you're a Volunteer fan, "Rocky Top" might sound like Sheryl Crow covering Guns N' Roses.
Ron Artest To Houston Rockets In Trade

The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement to acquire forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.
The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name.
Rookie Donte Greene is included in the deal, but since Greene has already signed a rookie contract he cannot currently be traded.
Greene is considered to be key to the trade from the King's perspective, and his status will prevent the deal from going through until August 14, when he becomes eligible to be dealt.
The Rockets also are expected to acquire rookies Patrick Ewing Jr. and Sean Singletary in the deal to make the money match, but both have partially guaranteed contracts and are likely to be released.
The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.
Yankees Trade For Pudge Rodriguez

With starter Jorge Posada out for the season with a shoulder injury the New York Yankees have traded for Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriquez for Brian Farnsworth.
The deal was first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
"He's hitting over .290 I believe and he's been hot so we're looking forward to having him," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after New York's 13-3 rout of the Orioles on Wednesday.
Rodriguez, who is in the final year of the contract he signed with the Tigers in 2004 that will ultimately pay him $50 million, waived his no-trade clause to join the Yankees.
"Pudge has always wanted to play in New York and Detroit felt it needed a relief pitcher, so both sides were able to get what they wanted to some degree," Rodriguez's agent Scott Boras told The Associated Press.
Rodriguez is batting .295 this season with five home runs and 32 RBIs in 82 games. In 18 seasons with the Rangers, Marlins and Tigers, he's hit .302 with 293 homers and 1,214 RBIs.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ted Miller's Most Hated Teams In Pac-10
Pac-10's Most Hated Order:
1. USC
2. UO
3. ASU
4. UCLA
5. Washington
6. Cal
7. OSU
8. Arizona
9. WSU
10. Stanford
Pac-10 Hate
Beavers Bring In New Unis

The new design has been moved up to this season as part of a first step in a series of upcoming uniform identity plans that will be rolled out over time to visualize the hallmark values of Oregon State Athletics as a tough, hardworking and gritty program. The approach will be classic, simple and innovative.
The Nike designed uniforms will continue to have the latest in technology available including:
**Innovative fit - the
**Weight reduction - both the jersey and pants are significantly lighter weight. Players are carrying less weight throughout the course of a game.
**Improved moisture management - both jerseys and pants are produced with fabrics that hold far less moisture, thus carrying less weight.
**Increased ventilation - light weight mesh is added in areas traditionally covered by non-breathable fabrics. In the upper back neck and under arms where heat can escape (areas not covered by thick plastic & foam shoulder pads).
Rob Mosley's Photo Of New Scoreboard
Sports Fashion Show?
Mark Teixeira Traded

Mark Teixeira is on the move at the trade deadline for a second straight year.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have acquired the slugging first baseman from the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Stephen Marek. The Angels pulled Kotchman off the field at Fenway Park this afternoon to inform him of the trade.
Atlanta this week decided to trade Teixeira, who can become a free agent at the end of the season, after it became clear to the injury-riddled club that it would not be able to compete for a postseason berth. The Braves acquired Teixeira, 28, from the Texas Rangers last July, hopeful that he would help lead Atlanta to the playoffs in 2007 and 2008. The Braves missed the postseason last year.
The Angels, who lead the American League West by 11 1/2 games and have the best record in baseball, add a much-needed power bat to the middle of their lineup; Teixeira had 20 home runs and 78 RBIs with the Braves this season.
Kotchman, 25, batted .287 with 12 homers and 54 RBIs for the Angels this year. The Braves will control his contractural rights through the 2011 season.
Donaghy Sentenced to 15 Months

Disgraced ex-NBA official Tim Donaghy admitted that he'd brought shame on his profession Tuesday as a federal judge sentenced him to 15 months behind bars for a gambling scandal that still has the league on the defensive.
U.S. District Judge Carol Amon sentenced Donaghy to prison time plus three years of supervised release, saying he'd let the sport down by taking thousands of dollars from a professional gambler in exchange for inside tips on games -- including ones he refereed.
"The NBA, the players and the fans relied on him to perform his job in an honest manner," Amon said. Donaghy listened with his arms folded but showed no emotion.
He told the judge that "I've brought shame on myself, my family and the profession."
Brett Favre Files For Reinstatement
Brett Favre followed through on his statements that he wanted to come out of retirement by faxing his reinstatement letter to the NFL on Tuesday.
League spokesman Randall Liu confirmed the action after ESPN's Chris Mortensen had reported it earlier.
Favre sent the letter to the league office late Tuesday afternoon and also spoke by phone with commissioner Roger Goodell, who indicated he will not act on Tuesday in hopes the Packers and Favre can reach a resolution during the next 24 hours, the sources said.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson then will be forced to make a decision -- accept Favre back, trade him or release him.
"It's obviously the first step in Brett coming back, but we'll deal with that when Brett is reinstated and have a plan for that when he comes back," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said, adding that the team is still committed to Aaron Rodgers as its starting quarterback.
McCarthy added: "The plan for Brett Favre will be discussed first with Brett Favre and then we'll make the public aware of it."
Monday, July 28, 2008
Top 20 Party Schools
1. University of Florida
2. University of Mississippi
3. Penn State University
4. West Virginia University
5. Ohio University
6. Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.)
7. University of Georgia
8. University of Texas
9. University of California Santa Barbara
10. Florida State University
11. University of New Hampshire
12. University of Iowa
13. University of Colorado
14. Indiana University
15. Tulane University
16. University of Illinois
17. Arizona State University
18. University of Tennessee
19. University of Alabama
20. Loyola University New Orleans
Top 20 Party Schools
Manny Ramirez Tells Boston To Trade Him

Manny is Manny and now Manny Ramirez is telling the Red Soxs to trade him but never has he come out and said it publicaly. Ramirez, repeating what he had said earlier in the day, said he would be open to a trade before Thursday's deadline "if both sides are going to be happy." But he said he didn't expect that to happen, saying, "Boston is not stupid. They're not going to do it. They can say whatever they want. But when it comes to make a deal, they're not going to pull the trigger, because they know what they've got here." Asked if he was happy here, Ramirez said: "I'm happy. But enough is enough." Ramirez appears correct about the unlikelihood of a deal. "There's nothing going on," said one industry source close to the situation.
Manny Trade Me
Top 10 List Dump
1961-62 Boston Celtics (65.3%)
The best of Russell’s teams, the 1961-62 Celtics, took seven games to get past Jerry West and the Los Angeles Lakers en route to the franchise’s fourth straight championship. Bill Russell was named league MVP despite scoring just 18.9 points a game. He averaged an astounding 23.6 rebounds a contest that year.
Actual record: 60-20
NBA Finals opponent: Los Angeles Lakers (won in seven games)
Starting five: Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, Tom Sanders, Tommy Heinsohn, Bill Russell
Number 9
1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (66.3%)
A dream team of sorts with Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain, the team actually had to overcome the loss of Baylor after just nine games on its way to winning 69 games, 18 games better than second place in the division.
Actual record: 69-13
NBA Finals opponent: New York Knicks (won in five games)
Starting five: Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Jim McMillan, Happy Hairston, Wilt Chamberlain
Number 8
1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers (66.8%)
“Fo, Fo, Fo” was actually four, five, four in the playoffs, but the team dominated nonetheless.
Actual record: 65-17
NBA Finals opponent: Los Angeles Lakers (won in four games)
Starting five: Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Julius Erving, Mark Iavaroni, Moses Malone
Number 7
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers (68.2%)
“Showtime’s” best champion according to the analysis included Magic Johnson in his first MVP season; he set a career high in scoring with 23.7 points a game.
Actual record: 65-17
NBA Finals opponent: Boston Celtics (won in six games)
Starting five: Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, James Worthy, A.C. Green, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Number 6
1991-92 Chicago Bulls (69.3%)
The only pre-“retirement” Bulls team in the top 10, this Bulls team created the prototype for the post-“retirement” champions.
Actual record: 67-15
NBA Finals opponent: Portland Trailblazers (won in six games)
Starting five: John Paxson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright
Number 5
1996-97 Chicago Bulls (72.1%)
We will see this starting five again. Is losing three more games than the year before, despite having almost the same roster, a letdown? The difference between No. 5 and No. 1 on this list is clearly John Salley.
Actual record: 69-13
NBA Finals opponent: Utah Jazz (won in six games)
Starting five: Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Luc Longley
Number 4
1985-86 Boston Celtics (73.6%)
Some Celtics’ fans may actually be surprised at how low this team is, as this was a dominant team with every type of offensive weapon. 1985-86 may be best known as the year Bill Walton won the Sixth Man of the Year award as the best towel-waver in the league.Actual record: 67-15
NBA Finals opponent: Houston Rockets (won in six games)
Starting five: Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish
Number 3
2007-08 Boston Celtics (73.7%)
Yep. Not only is this year’s champion the greatest Celtics team of all time, it is one of the top three teams in NBA history. They played suffocating defense, could score from anywhere on the court and constructed a bench that had a little bit of everything. With 10 teams at .500 or above, the 2007-08 Western Conference was the greatest conference in NBA history. The Celtics went 29-7 against the West, including 6-2 facing the conference champion Lakers.Actual record: 66-16
NBA Finals opponent: Los Angeles Lakers (won in six games)
Starting five: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins
Number 2
1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers (74.0%)
This was not the year that Wilt Chamberlain went for 50-plus points a game like in 1961-62 -- he went for just 24 points and 24 rebounds a contest in 1966-67 -- but it was apparently Wilt’s best, most-complete team. Hal Greer and Billy Cunningham are also in the Hall of Fame.Actual record: 68-13
NBA Finals opponent: San Francisco Warriors (won in six games)
Starting five: Wali Jones, Hal Greer, Chet Walker, Billy Cunningham, Wilt Chamberlain
Number 1
1995-96 Chicago Bulls (77.9%)
The 1995-96 Bulls won the division by 20 games, outscored opponents by 12.3 points a game, had the league leaders by wide margins in scoring and rebounding, and placed three players on the first team NBA All-Defensive Team.Actual record: 72-10
NBA Finals opponent: Seattle Supersonics (won in six games)
Starting five: Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Luc Longley
Team USA Want's Second Chance

LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade were more witnesses to USA Basketball's meltdown at the 2004 Olympics than they were participants. The three young stars, fresh off their rookie N.B.A. seasons, barely left the bench as Coach Larry Brown's dysfunctional team spiraled downward to a third-place finish that became the low point for USA Basketball's Olympic performances. "The lowlight was not playing," James said. "We knew we could have helped our team in certain situations throughout the game. Being away from your family for 38 days and not getting a fair opportunity to play, that was a lowlight for us three." Since that embarrassing performance, the entire USA Basketball organization has been rebuilt. The restructured USA Basketball has James, Anthony and Wade as its linchpins.
NBA Trio On Second Chance
Jet's Chad Pennington On Brett Favre Situation

The New York Jets QB Chad Pennington understands why the Jets front office is interested in Brett Favre, but the Favre Watch is entering Day4 and Pennington wants closure. "The bottom line is this: Sooner or later, the organization has to make a decision, one way or the other, and I hope it's sooner than later," Pennington said Sunday after practice - a surprisingly pointed comment from a player always known as a good company man. "I think for our team to move on and to accomplish the things we want to accomplish, what Coach Mangini and Mike (Tannenbaum) want to get accomplished, we've got to make a decision," he continued. "The sooner the better."
Pennington On Brett Favre
The Goose Inducuted Into Hall

Rich "Goose" Gossage smiled broadly as he held his new Hall of Fame plaque.
It was nine years in the making for the dominant Yankees New York Yankees
reliever, but he finally had his day at Cooperstown after coming up short on the ballots in his first eight attempts.
Commissioner Bud Selig ran off the highlights of Gossage's career that included stints with the White Sox, Pirates, Padres, Cubs, Giants, Rangers New York Rangers
, Athletics and Mariners.
"This is the most amazing thing outside the birth of my three sons," Gossage said.
RG's Rob Mosley Reports Garrett Suspended
Rob's Blog Entry

