Top 10 Quater Backs in the Playoffs...

First I'd like to start off by saying that I am still a giants fan and...we.. will..be BACK NEXT SEASON

From No. 1-12, here are the quarterbacks in the playoffs.

Brady

1. Tom Brady(notes), New England Patriots – He is the lord of the rings in this group with three. If not for a miracle catch against the New York Giants, he’d likely have a fourth … and a perfect season. Brady is an amazing combination of toughness (no one hangs in the pocket against a tough rush better than him right now) and accuracy. While he didn’t come close to matching the record 50 touchdown passes he threw in the 2007 season, this might have been his best season when you consider all the changes around him, from the two tight ends to cutting Randy Moss(notes) (and replacing him with Deion Branch(notes)) to dealing with the loss of RB Kevin Faulk(notes).

[Photos: New England’s Tom Brady]

Roethlisberger

2. Ben Roethlisberger(notes), Pittsburgh Steelers – OK, before all you Peyton Manning(notes) fans get seriously angry and start sending vile messages – oh yeah, you Colts fans, you’re way too polite to do that. That’s why I love you guys. Anyway, if this is based purely on the postseason, Roethlisberger and Manning are basically carbon copies in terms of stats. Roethlisberger has an 87.2 rating in the playoffs. Manning is at 87.6. Roethlisberger has thrown 12 TD passes and seven interceptions in his past eight postseason games while Manning is 12-6 during his past seven. One big difference: there’s that matter of one title more for Roethlisberger. Additionally, Roethlisberger can take a hit, extend plays with his combination of toughness and mobility and get the ball down field. He’s also a better player in the elements. When the weather is bad and the wind starts howling, Roethlisberger is pretty much the same guy. Manning is not. That said, I’m splitting a pretty fine hair in this situation.

[Photos: Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger]

Manning

3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts – Lots of New York fans this week have been debating whether it’s better for the Jets to face a healthy Chiefs team or a beat-up Indianapolis. The Chiefs are a nice team and present their fair share of problems, particularly with running back Jamaal Charles(notes). But seriously, can you really say you’d rather face Manning? Maybe some people could convince themselves of that, but I’m not one of them. Manning is too good to want to mess with, even under the most favorable conditions. Sure, some people have said Manning is a choker in the postseason. Most of those people also think 18K gold is unacceptable.

[Photos: Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning]

Brees

4. Drew Brees(notes), New Orleans Saints – The reigning champion played one of the most brilliant games in Super Bowl history last season when he outdueled Manning for the title in Miami. Brees completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. It was part of a postseason in which Brees posted a three-game rating of 117.0, threw eight touchdowns and had zero interceptions. Stunning stuff. He also has a career playoff rating of more than 100 in six games. That said, Brees is coming off a questionable season where he had a career-high 22 interceptions. That included one ugly one on a forced play at Atlanta in the second-to-last game. Brees is still one of the best out there, so this is a bit of nit-picking. But when rating guys of this caliber, one must pick nits.

[Photos: New Orleans’ Drew Brees]

Vick

5. Michael Vick(notes), Philadelphia Eagles – Vick is the most talked about, compelling player of the NFL from both a performance standpoint and a social perspective. When he plays, it is impossible to take your eyes off of him. While that was true earlier in his career, there is an important difference. Back then, Vick was alternating between spectacular and spectacularly awful depending on the moment. From 2001-07, Vick’s quarterback rating never topped the pedestrian 81.6, yet he made the Pro Bowl three times based on his highlight-reel talent. Now, Vick is coming off a season when he posted a 100.2 rating and was a legit MVP candidate after harnessing all of his talents. Combined with DeSean Jackson(notes), Jeremy Maclin(notes) and LeSean McCoy(notes), Vick and the Eagles have the most explosive offense in the playoffs. Beyond football, Vick is a focal point of all sorts of discussions ranging from redemption for convicted felons to race to what is fair punishment for a crime.

[Photos: Philadelphia’s Michael Vick]

Ryan

6. Matt Ryan(notes), Atlanta Falcons – Right behind Vick is the man who replaced him in Atlanta. In his third season, Ryan has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league at end-game decisions and performance. He is one of the key reasons that the Falcons are 14-6 in games decided by less than a touchdown over the past three years, including 6-2 this season. Ryan is a classic pocket passer with great accuracy. More than that, he’s a great decision-maker, as evidenced by his 28-9 TD-interception margin this season. If there is a problem with his game, it’s his over-reliance on the dink-and-dunk passing game. He averaged a career-low 6.5 yards per attempt this season. Some of that is the lack of a great No. 2 wide receiver. Some if it is the lack of Ryan taking more shots downfield. Either way, it’s dangerously short of effective for playoff success.

[Photos: Atlanta’s Matt Ryan]

Rodgers

7. Aaron Rodgers(notes), Green Bay Packers – Rodgers posted his second straight season with a rating of better than 100 as he continues to make people forget about Brett Favre(notes). In fact, Rodgers has better ratings than Favre ever did with the Packers. That said, Rodgers better deliver in the postseason. He has a great chance in the playoff opener at Philadelphia. Then again, the Packers need to do a better job of protection, specifically by getting him a better running game. That’s not going to happen right now, but it better be high on the offseason priority list. Otherwise, those two concussions Rodgers suffered this season are going to multiply in a hurry.

[Photos: Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers]

Cutler

8. Jay Cutler(notes), Chicago Bears – Going into the season finale, Cutler had posted the best rating of his career, but then threw a couple of interceptions. He still played very well this season as he meshed well with brilliant offensive coordinator Mike Martz. In fact, his ratio included a 16-5 TD-INT margin during Chicago’s seven wins following the bye week. Hopefully these are signs of Cutler maturing into the quarterback everyone expected him to be coming out of Vanderbilt in 2006. That said, Cutler is still an enigma, a guy who plays with little outward joy for the game (his almost perpetual scowl is really odd), isn’t much of a leader and seems just as likely to throw a terrible interception as a big touchdown pass. In short, Cutler is the kind of quarterback who might make a couple of big throws, but not exactly the kind of player who can put a team on his back for any length of time.

[Photos: Chicago’s Jay Cutler]

Flacco

9. Joe Flacco(notes), Baltimore Ravens – Like Ryan and Cutler, Flacco is an ascending player. He and Ryan’s numbers are practically carbon copies, including career bests in rating (93.6) and ratio (25-10). The key difference is that the Ravens are 10-12 in Flacco’s career in games decided by less than a touchdown, including 5-4 this season.

Flacco is a big reason why they haven’t done very well. For instance, in three of the losses this season, Flacco had some critical turnovers (or multiple turnovers), including a fumble against Pittsburgh and an interception against Atlanta.

[Photos: Baltimore’s Joe Flacco]

Cassel

10. Matt Cassel(notes), Kansas City Chiefs – In many respects, Cassel has had a fantastic season, starting with his phenomenal 27-7 TD-interception margin. Cassel’s ratio was 22-2 over a 10-game stretch after going 4-3 in the first four games of the season. However, before we get too enamored with the numbers, remember that Kansas City hasn’t had the toughest schedule and Cassel clearly benefitted. He had a 20-0 ratio in eight games against the following seven teams: Denver (twice), Seattle, Arizona, Houston, Buffalo, Tennessee and Jacksonville. Those teams are awful, even if Seattle and Jacksonville had chances to go to the playoffs going into the final week of the season. We’ll see how Cassel fairs in games against tougher competition, particularly given that he hasn’t played in a playoff game.

[Photos: Kansas City’s Matt Cassel]

Sanchez

11. Mark Sanchez(notes), New York Jets – Sanchez made nice strides in his second year as the Jets’ starting quarterback and still has plenty of promise. But he also has a lot in common with his fellow New York quarterback, Eli Manning(notes), in that both of them are prone to frequent interceptions.

Worse, Sanchez still has a tendency to go into protracted funks that last not just for a few series, but often for a few games. If he hits a good stretch, the Jets have a chance to do some damage in the playoffs. If not, they have the serious look of a one-and-done team.

[Photos: New York’s Mark Sanchez]

Whitehurst

12. Charlie Whitehurst(notes)/Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks – Give Whitehurst some credit for getting Seattle through the season finale against St. Louis. He wasn’t great, but he didn’t have to be because the Rams couldn’t get into the end zone. Whitehurst hasn’t been what the Seahawks had hoped when they traded for him in the offseason, but he came through when they needed him.

The big question this week as Seattle prepares to play a very active New Orleans defense is whether Hasselbeck can play. If so, Seattle will have his great experience. Unfortunately, at 35, they won’t have much of Hasselbeck’s health.

[Photos: Seattle’s Charlie Whitehurst | Matt Hasselbeck]

Read more »

NFL Punishes Brett Favre

A while back I posted about Brett sending pictures of his peepee to a sports anchor who definitely went out her way to be extra sexy around the football players. Well, lets just say that investigations are over along with (Favres career) and the sentence has been handed down. s

Favre fined $50,000 for Sterger incident, not suspended

By MJD

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre will be fined $50,000, but not suspended, for allegedly sending a Jets team employee explicit text messages and photos.

Jenn Sterger, the recipient of the alleged messages, worked as a sideline personality for the Jets in 2008. Favre has admitted to leaving her voicemails, but denies sending her explicit photos. The fine was issued because Favre was deemed uncooperative and not candid during the league's investigation into the incident.
Click image to see more photos of Jenn Sterger



Getty Images

This closes an NFL inquiry that has dragged on for months. A suspension wouldn't have mattered much anyway, as Favre was unlikely to play in Week 17 because of injuries.

Still, a fine from the league puts the cap on a nightmarish career finale for the future Hall of Famer.



The Vikings came up pathetically short of their Super Bowl expectations in 2010. Favre threw 19 interceptions against 11 touchdowns and will finish the season with a passer rating of 69.9, the lowest of his career. He also battled numerous injuries, had his NFL-record streak of 297 consecutive starts snapped, and saw head coach Brad Childress fired mid-season.



Favre has said that he won't return for another season. The conclusion of the NFL's investigation of the incident with Sterger is the punctuation mark on what might be the saddest farewell tour in sports history.

Read more »

High School Dunk Contest...Better than the NBA Dunk Contest

Read more »

Kobe Anger over Heat Loss

LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant(notes) walked into the locker room after LeBron James(notes) and the Miami Heat had finished their Christmas humiliation of the defending champs, and it was clear he didn’t have much of a pep talk for his teammates.

“We’re playing like [bleep],” Bryant shouted.

It’s only 30 games into the season, but Bryant and his big-headed Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have much reason to smile after the Heat blasted them 96-80 at Staples Center in what promised to be one of the season’s most-watched games. And this came just four days after the Lakers lost by 19 points at home to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Lakers are a respectable 21-9, but just 2-4 against teams with winning records. Bryant doesn’t have to search long for the reason why.

“Complacency,” Bryant told Yahoo! Sports. “We play too straight.

“We got to nip that [bleep] in the bud now.”

The Lakers have run into this problem before. A year ago, James brought his Cleveland Cavaliers into Staples Center on Christmas and crushed the Lakers. “We always suck on Christmas,” Bryant said in his news conference after Saturday’s loss. “They should just take us off today.”

In each of the past three seasons, the Lakers still finished with the Western Conference’s best record. Yet after winning back-to-back championships, the Lakers admit they’ve entered this season with an overconfidence that’s unusually high even for them.

“Part of our problem is we’re cocky and we feel like we shouldn’t lose, we can’t lose,” Lamar Odom(notes) said. “That’s been our problem, I think, this season, especially early on in this season. We were overconfident. …That’s the way we came in. It started in training camp.”

Said Bryant: “We know what we’re capable of doing. That’s the problem.”

The Lakers believed they had a good practice Thursday. But come Friday, the coaches still didn’t feel their players had the right focus. Bryant refused to speak to the media for the second straight day after Friday’s practice. Pau Gasol(notes) even called the Heat game a “must win.”

“I felt after the loss we had by Milwaukee, losing by [19] points, this was a game we should have done anything and everything in our power to win,” Gasol said.

The Lakers also knew how much attention this game was receiving with James, Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) making their first trip to Staples Center since joining together. Scalpers were offering tickets for more than $15,000 each. Sylvester Stallone, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and Cameron Diaz were among the celebrities who showed up. The only people who didn’t seem excited were the Lakers.

They scored just 14 points in the opening quarter and never really had an answer for Bosh, Wade or James, who finished with a triple-double. The only heart the Lakers seemed to show came when Bryant and James engaged in a heated trash-talking duel in the fourth quarter.

Afterward, Jackson was critical of Gasol and acknowledged that center Andrew Bynum(notes) is far from returning to form after knee surgery.

“It’s no fun to go out there and have a game like we had today,” Jackson said. “You have to go out there and sit three or four hours for a televised game. You get hemorrhoids sitting there long enough.”

The Lakers should get another tough test on Tuesday when they face the San Antonio Spurs. Los Angeles is now tied with the Utah Jazz for third place in the West, a half-game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Said Bryant: “We could be playing Minnesota – yeah I said it – and still be concerned.”

Bryant appeared offended when asked if his team was bored with the process of playing an 82-game season. But he also said the Lakers need to toughen up in practice before they take the court again.

“I’m going to kick some ass in practice…” Bryant said. “It’s going to get through. You beat it into their heads until it gets through.”

Read more »

What now for McNabb?

Wow, I think we all can agree that the way McNabb was kicked to 3rd string was embarrassing. Just goes to show if you not on top of your game, you will be taken out of play. What you did in the past has nothing to do with the now. Side note... how you gonna send the captain out for the coin toss and he aint even playing smh...how you gonna do McNabb like that.

Read more »

49ers Coach Fired After Beasting

49ers fire head coach Mike Singletary

By Doug Farrar

In a move that could not have come as a surprise to anyone, the San Francisco 49ers have informed head coach Mike Singletary that he is fired, according to multiple Bay Area sources. Both Adam Schefter of ESPN and Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network confirmed Sunday with team owner Jed York that the team would be hiring a new general manager after the end of the season, and that the new GM was likely going to be in charge of hiring a new head coach. However, it was expected by most that Singletary would finish out the season.

After the 49ers' 25-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams -- a loss that featured Singletary going at it in a prolonged verbal altercation with quarterback Troy Smith(notes) on the sidelines -- Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reported that York, his father John, and other team executives met to decide whether Singletary should be fired immediately, or after the season. Later Sunday evening, Maiocco reported via Twitter that a decision had been made.

Mike Singletary was fired when 49ers returned to practice facility this evening, Jed York just told me. Jim Tomsula takes over as interim.less than a minute ago via txtMatt Maiocco
MaioccoCSN

Singletary released this statement following his termination:

"One of the greatest experiences of my life was having the opportunity to coach the San Francisco 49ers. What made it so special were the players. They were some of the most outstanding men I have ever been around in my life. The coaches were truly professionals. I wish the 49ers nothing but the best. I am thankful to the York family for having given me the opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL. I am indebted to them for that. I am also thankful for the faithful fans, I am just sorry I couldn't give them more."

Singletary's legacy as a head coach is a complicated one. Hired as an interim replacement to Mike Nolan halfway through the 2008 season, he helped the team finish 5-4, and was hired as the full-time head coach in December of that year. He was given a four-year, $10 million contract. The 49ers went 8-8 in 2009, and many experts expected more from the team in 2010.

Watch Video

Read more »

Obama calls Mike Vick

Obama calls Eagles owner to congraulate him for signing Vick

By Chris Chase

Michael Vick(notes) has been getting support from all sides during his road to redemption. He's now getting it from the leader of the free world.

NBC's Peter King reports that Barack Obama called Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie earlier this week to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. According to King, the president said that released prisoners rarely receive a level playing field and that Vick's story could begin to change that.

Forget your political allegiances or feelings about Michael Vick and take a step back to think about this. The sitting president of the United States went out of his way to publicly praise a man who, 3 1/2 years ago, many thought would never play again in the NFL. Even the most ardent believers in Vick couldn't have fathomed a turn-around like this.

In retrospect it seems obvious that Vick would get a second chance in the NFL, but it wasn't so clear-cut back when he was lying to the commissioner, getting sternly admonished in federal court and serving out a sentence at Leavenworth. We tend to take for granted unbelievable events when they slowly unfold before our eyes. The step-by-step nature of these sorts of tales tend to minimize the shock when taken in over a long process. So though it now seems like it was all pre-destined to work out like this, it wasn't: Vick's rise and fall and rise is a truly stunning tale. He went from star to pariah to inmate to backup to MVP candidate to political prop for the leader of the free world all in a span of a couple years.

[Related: Obama and Kobe Bryant talk trash]

For Obama to praise Vick now shows a number of things, namely that uttering the quarterback's name is thought to be a safe political move. He's playing the best football of his life for a playoff team and was the second-leading vote getter for the Pro Bowl. At the moment, he's the model of redemption, someone worthy of praise.

Because, if you think about it, Vick got that "second chance" from Lurie 16 months ago. There was no phone call from the president then. Praising Vick at that time would have been a political third rail. But now that Vick is playing great and most people seem to have either forgiven him or stopped caring about his transgressions, it's a shrewd political move. After what could be termed a rough two years in office, the president is looking for a second chance from the people who have turned against him over the past two years. Supporting a huge star like Vick could help with the president's recent image problems. It may not register much nationally, but it couldn't hurt in Pennsylvania. After all, it's a swing state and 2012 is just around the corner.

Read more »

Tom Brady Makes History In Patriots Win

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady set the NFL record for consecutive passes without an interception on Sunday, running his streak to 319 during a 34-3 win over the Buffalo Bills.
His reaction?

 

"I'm glad I'm not throwing interceptions," Brady said. "I think our team has done a really good job this year of not turning the ball over in general. All the guys that have handled it this year are doing a great job of taking care of it.
"I'm very fortunate. Believe me, I've had plenty of plays that definitely could have gone for them. It's a good trend for us to be on, and hopefully it continues."
Brady broke the mark of 308 attempts without a pick previously set by Cleveland's Bernie Kosar over the 1990-91 seasons with his 17th attempt in the third quarter of New England's game against Buffalo on Sunday. It came on a short pass over the middle that tight end Rob Gronkowski dropped at the goal line.
The two then hooked up for an 8-yard TD on the next play to put the Patriots up 31-3. Brady finished the game 15-of-27 for 140 yards and three touchdowns.
Brady has thrown only four interceptions this season, his last coming nine games ago when he threw two in a 23-20 win over Baltimore on Oct. 17.
Coach Bill Belichick said he was unaware that Brady had set the record.
"That's great," he said. "Tom does a great job managing the game and taking care of the ball. I think he deserves that."
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report. Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com.

Read more »

Heat vs Lakers Aftermath

Heat Vs. Lakers, NBA Christmas Day: LeBron James Has A Triple Double As Miami Routs Los Angeles 96-80

by Mike Prada

The Miami Heat needed to make a statement that they could compete against the NBA's best teams. They did just that in the NBA's Christmas Day headliner, routing the Los Angeles Lakers 96-80 at the Staples Center.

LeBron James led the way for the Heat with a historic performance, scoring 27 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and picked up 10 assists. It's the first time a player has ever posted a triple-double on Christmas, according to research done by ESPN's Tom Haberstroh dating back to the 1986/87 season. James scored 16 of his points in the second half as Miami pulled away in the third quarter for the win.

Chris Bosh added 24 points for the Heat, while Dwyane Wade chipped in with 18 despite a sore left knee. Mario Chalmers also provided a lift off the bench, scoring 13 points while hitting three three-pointers.

The Lakers had a rough time all game scoring the ball. They hit just 40 percent of their field-goal attempts and never got into a rhythm offensively. Kobe Bryant had just 17 points on 6-16 shooting, as Wade got him out of his comfort zone. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom had 17 and 14, respectively, but none of the other players had good games.

It's worth noting that the Lakers were also blown out on Christmas Day last year by James' Cavaliers, so it's too early to suggest the sky is falling. Really, this win is more about Miami and the way they are beginning to emerge as the team we all thought they would be.

Read more »

Mississippi State Players fighting in stands between games

Hours after returning from a one-game suspension, Renardo Sidney may face a worse fate at Mississippi State.

Mississippi State teammates Renardo Sidney, far left, and Elgin Bailey, far right, had an altercation in the stands after the Bulldogs game on Thursday in Hawaii.

CAPTION

By Eugene Tanner, AP

The sophomore forward and teammate Elgin Bailey were filmed by ESPNU cameras trading punches in the stands before a game between Utah and Hawaii at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. The two were separated by Mississippi State assistant coach Marcus Grant. (see video below)

Bulldogs athletic director Scott Stricklin commented on the incident to The Clarion-Ledger via text message early Friday morning:

"It's disappointing. Still gathering information, but it's not how we want our school represented."

Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury was not expected to release a comment on the altercation tonight. Stansbury told the Associated Press in Honolulu that he refused to comment until he "finds out all the facts."

Bulldogs point guard Dee Bost, who was not in Hawaii due to an NCAA suspension, said teammates told him Sidney "didn't start" the fight with Bailey, according to the junior's Twitter feed.

Bost took to Twitter to voice his concerns early Friday morning:

"Just feel bad that our fans and every1 has to witness this happen," the junior tweeted. "all I can say is SORRY!!!!!"

ESPN reported from the scene that Bailey had taken a cab back to the team hotel after the fight but Sidney remained in the arena at halftime of the Utah-Hawaii game. Mississippi State is scheduled to face Hawaii in the fifth-place game of the tournament on Christmas Day.

Sidney had just ended a one-game suspension for "conduct detrimental to the team," which forced him to miss the Bulldogs' loss to Washington State on Wednesday. Sidney came off the bench and scored 19 points in 19 minutes in the defeat of San Diego earlier Thursday in the tournament at the University of Hawaii. Sidney was suspended because of an outburst in practice Tuesday.

"I think that's the end," ESPN commentator Doug Gottlieb said of Sidney after footage of the fight was aired. "I think Rick Stansbury washes his hands of him."

Sidney was suspended just three days after the Jackson native made his highly anticipated collegiate debut in last Saturday's 88-57 loss to Virginia Tech in the Bahamas. Now, his future is even more uncertain after just two games as a collegian.

The sophomore forward didn't keep quiet about the suspension Tuesday. Sidney used the social networking website Twitter to voice his opinion on the suspension and react to comments directed at the 20-year-old who spent the bulk of the last two years dealing with an NCAA investigation and subsequent suspension.

"Haha," Sidney tweeted at one point Tuesday. "keep hating people am loving it…"

Sidney's road to MSU and subsequent fight for eligibility has been a long, bumpy and highly publicized journey.

A McDonald's All-American out of Los Angeles Fairfax High School in 2009 (his family moved to Los Angeles when he was in the ninth grade), Sidney sat out the 2009-10 season at MSU as the NCAA reviewed his case concerning possible amateurism violations.

The NCAA ultimately charged that Sidney received improper benefits in high school and that he lied to the organization during its investigation. He was ordered to repay $11,800 and sit out the first nine games of this season.

Read more »

Pacquio vs Mosely its Official

Pacquiao vs Mosley!

by Paul Strauss: Well, it doesn't take a genius to know what's going on here. This announcement is further eivdence of the real battle going on behind the scenes between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank. Mosley, one of the founding partners of Golden Boy Promotion, apparently split with them because he was upset about not being pushed out front as the most viable opponent over Juan Manuel Marquez. Golden Boy has Marquez under promotional contract, so you figure it out.

Bob Arum, president of Top Rank, pleaded his case for this fight by claiming Sugar Shane Mosley is the the better known fighter of the three possibles: Mosley, Marquez and Andre Berto. Do you agree? Apparently Arum feels selection of Mosley also will pacify those critics who say Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao hasn't fought any african-americans..

Arum told FanHouse there wasn't much of a chance to get Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to agree to a fight, not while he and his uncle are still dealing with their legal problems. Mosley added that he has agreed to the contract terms, and the fight is scheduled to take place May 7th at the MGM GrandHotel in Las Vegas, NV. Pacman's WBO welterweight title will be on the line in this HBO pay-per-view promotion. Mosley is understandably enthusiastic about his coup, because he stands to earn his biggest career payday to date, somewhere in the neighborhood of five to seven million. That's a nice neighborhood.

As far as the matchup is concerned, fans have already heard comments from Pacman's hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach stating that Mosley is no pushover, and that he will present some geniune problems for Manny. Roach argues that Mosley has the speed, power and experience necessary to make it an interesting fight. Maybe Freddie should have said "had", because most fans aren't easily going to buy into that arguement after seeing Mosley wilt after a few rounds against Little Money, and then get frustrated in his fight with Sergio Mora.

Sugar displayed one flash of past greatness against Little Money, but when that opportunity passed, so did the rest of his game plan. Most thought Little Money could have stopped Mosley if he really wanted. However, he was content with totally contolling the action and winning on points, which is his usual modus operandi. Maybe modus vivendi is a better description of what Little Money does, because the truth is his carefully controlled actions are the equivalent of an unstated or implied arrangement made to avoid an all out war.

Fans know that Mosley is at his best when he is faced with an aggressive straight ahead type of opponent. He prefers the type of opponent who tries to assault him head on such as Antonio Margarito. But, everyone knows that is not what he will get with Manny. Mosley had his hands full with Sergio Mora, who exhibitied good speed with his feet and hands. Sergio darted in and out, and side to side, while unleashing some quick combinations, and then wisely tied up Mosley to prevent a counter attack.

There are two big differences Shane will face with Manny. First, Manny is faster than Mora. Secondly, there's no comparison in punching power. Manny will punish Mosley with his speed and power. Manny, like Shane, loves a fighter to come right at him, which Shane will undoubtedly try to do by establishing a hard jab. Manny will be able to avoid it, and make Shane pay for trying. All to soon, Sugar Shane will be rendered harmless, and the beat down will really begin.

The question remains, "Would Marquez or Berto present a tougher fight for Manny?" Marquez fans would eagerly say yes, because he already has proven to be a difficult opponent for Manny and would do so again. Once again, styles make fights they would add. But, is Manny really the same fighter? Hasn't he dramatically improved since their two previous fights. Isn't he now a much more complete fighter? Isn't he bigger and stronger now? Fans know that he hasn't lost any speed while moving up in weight class, and he certainly has retained or increased his punching power. Finally, after watching him absorb and weather hard punches from Cotto, Clottey and Margarito, is it feasible to believe Marquez can hurt him, unless he lands the perfect shot?

That leaves Andre Berto, who is young, strong and improving with every moment. Berto is a veryconfident and determined fighter. He is not intimidated by Manny's reputation. It would seem he has some, if not all, of the necessary ingredients to give Manny real problems. Next to Floyd, he might present Manny with one of his toughest tasks.
Berto is an explosive type of fighter. His opponents think they've got his rhythm down, and all of a sudden they get hit with a blindingly fast combination that seemingly came out of no where. Earlier in his career he wasn't thought to be much of a puncher, but he has learned to get more leverage into his shots, and proved so when punching hard enough to do away with two very good fighters like Freddie Hernandez and Carlos Quintana. Andre seems to be coming into his own.

Out of the three possibles, Andre might present the most difficult opponent for Manny. Does Arum still have a valid point in stating that Berto is just not known well enough to make a big fight? That's tough to answer. There's no question, Sugar Shane Mosley's name is more well known, but how difficult would it be for clever people like Arum and those at HBO to present Berto's story, which is as intriguing as anyone's out there. He's undefeated as a professional. He is a two time National Golden Gloves Champion, and 2004 Olympic Team representaive for Haiti. Don't forget, he also was thought to be a be a big enough name to warrant a fight with Sugar Shane Mosley. The terrible Haiti Earthquake caused that one to come undone.

Finally, one could argue that being better known might not be such a good thing. Boxing fans, and fringe fans are aware of what Sugar Shane has done lately. They know about his two most recent poor showings. They know he is thirty-nine years old and is fighting like it. They know he has split with Golden Boy, which most certainly didn't hurt his chances with Arum, and says something about Arum creditability. They also know that unless Manny gets distracted and slown down with congress, Shane isn't going to get close to him no matter what Freddie and Bob Arum say.

Read more »

Larry Brown Quits and Mike Jordan Writes Letter

Larry Brown (photo. Charlotte Bobcats)
Well, I didn’t exactly see this one coming. Charlotte Bobcats Chairman and CEO Michael Jordan announced today that, effective immediately, Larry Brown is stepping down as head coach of the team.

“I met with Coach Brown two weeks ago about the team’s performance and what we could do to improve it,” said Jordan. “We met again this morning after practice. The team has clearly not lived up to either of our expectations and we both agreed that a change was necessary.

“This was a difficult decision for both of us, but one that needed to be made. I want to thank Larry for everything he has done for our team. He has played a key role in this organization’s development, including coaching us to our first playoff appearance last season. Larry will continue to be a valuable advisor to me regarding the team. The search for a successor will begin immediately.”

Brown was named the third head coach in team history on April 29, 2008, and compiled a record of 88-104 (.458) in two-plus seasons with the Bobcats. Currently, the Bobcats are 9-19.

Also, here is a letter that Jordan wrote to Bobcats fans today:

Bobcats Fans,

I wanted to make sure that as a Bobcats supporter you were the first to know that Head Coach Larry Brown will be stepping down effective immediately. Coach Brown and I agreed that at this time a change was necessary.

I want to thank Larry for everything he has done for our team. He has played a key role in this organization’s development, including coaching us to our first playoff appearance last season. I will always consider him part of the Bobcats family and Larry will continue to be a valuable advisor to me regarding the team.

I am sure you know that this was a very difficult decision. As I told you back in March, owning this team is my number one priority. I am focused on building a winning team that you can be proud of and I will continue to do whatever is necessary to make that happen. We will be making a coaching decision in the near future and I will communicate the details to you as soon as they are available.

Thank you for your continued support.

Michael Jordan

Read more »

Obama Calls Uconn Coach during Press Conference

So you just break an all time college record for most wins in a row and everyone has questions for you...everyone wants to say good job...including the president

Read more »

Carmello going to the Nets?

Carmelo Anthony Willing to Accept Trade to Nets?

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Melo’s preferred destination remains the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, but should the New Jersey Nets find enough suitable talent to surround him with, Anthony may be willing to sign a contract extension there as part of a trade.

According to Yahoo!, Denver and New Jersey are discussing a complex, multi-team trade that would land Carmelo Anthony in a Nets uniform:

Anthony is inclined to accept a trade and contract extension with New Jersey over his preferred choice of New York only if the Nets are able to bring back a package of significant talent with him, league sources involved in the talks said on Monday. So far, there are trade scenarios that include a combination of Anthony’s Denver teammates – including forward Al Harrington – and other league players coming to the Nets.

“The way this is structured now, the Nets will significantly upgrade their team,” said one NBA executive involved in the talks. Said a Western Conference executive whose team has pursued Anthony: “’Melo wants something similar to the Orlando deal, where he won’t have to go into New Jersey – or anywhere he’s going – without some help right away.”

The report claims that Brook Lopez is the only Nets player that’s been deemed untouchable.

With the trade deadline looming ahead, and a possible lockout next summer (which threatens to significantly cut into player salaries), Anthony has little choice but to be willing to sign a long-term deal with the team that he lands on, even if it isn’t his preferred destination.

There’s also some light chatter about some title contenders willing to trade for Anthony this season without the guarantee of a contract extension.

Read more »

Metrodome Roof Collapse Video From the Inside Metrodome

Wow! What if this happen when there were a bunch of fans inside?

Read more »

Newton wins Heisman in landslide

NEW YORK (AP)—Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy—as if there was any doubt.

Whether he gets to keep it is still to be determined.

Auburn’s hulking quarterback brushed off an NCAA investigation of his recruitment as he did so many tacklers this season and captured college football’s biggest individual award Saturday night in a landslide vote.

“Honestly, it’s a dream come true for me, something every child has a dream that plays the sport of football, and I’m living testimony that anything is possible,” Newton said.

Newton, the third player from Auburn to win the Heisman, received 729 first-place votes and outpointed runner-up Andrew Luck of Stanford by 1,184 points.

Oregon running back LaMichael James was third, followed by Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, the other finalist.

Even Newton didn’t look all that surprised when his name was announced. A wide smile spread across his face and he dropped his head.

After exchanging hugs and handshakes with the other finalists, he and his mother, Jackie, shared a long embrace.

When he reached the podium, he had to steady himself.

“Oh my God,” he whispered as he reached into his inside jacket packet to pull out his speech. “Oh My God.”

On the field and off, Newton has been the story of the college football season. He’s carried the top-ranked Tigers to the BCS national championship game against No. 2 Oregon, running and passing over opponents who looked helpless trying to stop him. But his story is stained: Recently, the NCAA determined his father tried to peddle him to Mississippi State for cash.

Not even that ruling stopped Newton. The NCAA cleared him to play before the Southeastern Conference title game because it found no evidence that he or Auburn knew about Cecil Newton’s pay-for-play scheme. It also suggested that it was still investigating. The FBI and the Mississippi secretary of state’s office also are looking into the case. Cam Newton has denied any wrongdoing.

Still, it invites speculation the newest Heisman winner could perhaps be heading down the same path as Reggie Bush, who returned his Heisman three months ago after the NCAA ruled that he and his family received cash and gifts while he was at Southern California.

To be eligible for the Heisman, a player must be in good standing with the NCAA. And for most of November, after news broke of claims by a Mississippi State booster who said Newton’s father tried to get the Bulldogs to pay $180,000 for his son to play for them, it was unclear if Cam was clean.

The NCAA didn’t punish Cam Newton but did say that Cecil Newton’s access to Auburn athletics would have to be limited.

What that means is unclear, but Cecil Newton did not attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony Saturday night. In a statement released by his lawyer earlier in the week, he said his presence could “rob Cam and the event of a sacred moment.”

Before winning the award, Cam Newton said: “He gave me some words of encouragement before I came here and I know he’s with me in spirit.”

All the uncertainty didn’t keep voters from making Newton an overwhelming choice—he received the sixth most first-place votes. Though 105 voters chose not to list him among their three selections.

It was impossible to argue against his performance.

Blending a linebacker’s body with a tailback’s speed and quickness, the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder from Georgia has guided Auburn to a perfect season. His numbers are off the charts: an SEC-best 1,409 yards rushing with 21 touchdowns, and 2,589 yards passing and 28 TD passes. He’s the first SEC player to run for at least 1,000 yards and pass for at least 2,000 in the same season.

Early in the season, Auburn shredded defenses with Newton on the ground. Working out of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s spread attack, he ran for at least 176 yards in four straight SEC games. Not even Bo Jackson, the last Auburn player to win the Heisman, did that.

As the season wore on and opponents focused on stopping Newton from running wild, he started beating them with his arm.

Newton threw 15 touchdown passes and only one interception in the final five games, saving maybe his best performance for last. In a 56-17 victory over South Carolina in the SEC title game, Newton passed for 335 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 73 yards and two scores.

By mid-October, Newton was the clear Heisman front-runner and, ultimately, not even the scandal could slow his Heisman run.

But even before Newton became a star at Auburn, he made news for the wrong reasons.

Newton attended Florida out of high school and in 2007, as a freshman, served as Tim Tebow’s backup.

The next season he was arrested for having a stolen laptop, which he says he bought. The charges were dropped when he completed a pretrial intervention program for first-time offenders.

He decided to transfer out of Florida in January 2009, the day after Tebow announced he would return for his senior season.

Newton has said he left because he wanted to play, but during the stream of scandalous news about him last month there also were media reports that he was facing possible discipline at Florida for academic cheating.

He spent the 2009 season at Blinn College, a two-year school in east Texas, and helped it win a JUCO national championship.

When it came time to return to major college football, Newton picked Auburn over Mississippi State and coach Dan Mullen, his former position coach with the Gators. Newton has said he let his father make the decision and Cecil Newton picked Auburn because it was closer to home.

This could very well be Newton’s first and last season at Auburn. He’s projected as a high to middle first-round draft pick.

If he is one and done, Newton’s lone season as a starter could go down as one of the greatest in college football history if he also adds a national championship trophy to Auburn’s display case.

Read more »

Football Player Flagged for thanking God for a touchdown!

Wed Dec 01 03:02pm EST

Washington player penalized for pointing to heavens after TD

By Cameron Smith

Well, it finally happened: Penalties for excessive celebration have officially jumped the shark. If the NFL is the No Fun League, it's still a celebratory paradise compared to the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association. That was made clear when a Tumwater (Wash.) High running back was flagged for excessive celebration after he pointed to the heavens following a touchdown run on Monday night.

The play, which you see above, happened in the second quarter of Tumwater's 63-27 victory against East Valley in the Washington 2A state semifinals. According to KOMO News, running back Ronnie Hastie scored on a 23-yard run and celebrated as he has following each of his touchdowns this year: by pointing to the heavens.

That's when the field judge tossed a penalty flag, telling the running back he was trying to draw attention to himself with the celebration.

"That wasn't the point [of the gesture], so I guess I was a little confused," Hastie told KOMO News. "I do that to give glory to my Heavenly Father, Jesus. He gives me the strength. He's the one who gives me these abilities in the first place."

Making matters even more strange, the WIAA refuses to decry the penalty, saying that until the referees' association gives it the full context of the play it can't determine whether it was an excessive celebration or not. In fact, even if it was, it says the penalty still might have been justified because Hastie did not immediately give the ball back to a referee.

"The point is to make sure the game goes on, that something that happens after a score or after a spectacular play or whatever doesn't slow down play itself," WIAA executive director Mike Colbrese told KOMO.

[Rewind: NFL's Chris Johnson impersonates T.O. during TD celebration in Dallas]

Yet that explanation is patently ridiculous. By those standards, any time a player spiked the ball or did anything following a touchdown except sprint with the ball directly to the referee, that player would be justifying a penalty against him. What if the player just dropped the ball once he reached the end zone? Is that an unsportsmanlike penalty? It sure sounds like it according to those standards.

This isn't the first issue that has popped up this year with Washington officials. In late October, referees in the Seattle area used pink whistles in support of charitable efforts to raise money for breast cancer awareness. In response, the Washington Officials Association said that the pink whistles were a violation of uniform code, and threatened to ban the officials who used them in game action for a playoff game, which would have cost the officials a game check. The issue was eventually resolved without any officials being fined or banned from game action.

Of course, this isn't the first time that a player giving thanks in the end zone has been attacked for a religious moment, either. Last fall, a Penn State player took a knee in the end zone after running onto the field, something a number of players from high school to the NFL do each week. Instead of saying a prayer alone and trotting off the field, he was mocked by Goldie Gopher, the University of Minnesota's mascot who was parading around his team's end zone.

At least in the case of Goldie Gopher, the University of Minnesota immediately apologized for their mascot's action. Until the WIAA does that to Hastie, the running back said he'll take his post touchdown devotion off the field.

[Video: Most over-the-top touchdown celebrations]

"I'll just have to change it up and not make as big of a statement, I guess. The refs are in charge," Hastie told KOMO of how he'd react to touchdowns in Tumwater's 2A state title game against Archbishop Murphy on Saturday. "I'll just point to the sky once I'm off the field."

Read more »

Kevin Garnett Call People Cancer Paients

By Kelly Dwyer

Late Tuesday night, while a good chunk of us were sitting through the last dregs of a terrible Grizzlies/Lakers game, an odd Tweet from Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva(notes) made the rounds.

Following his team's loss to Kevin Garnett(notes) and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, Charlie talked about how he "would love to get in a ring" with KG and "expose him." Sounded like a bit of frustrated, post-loss, bluster, right?

Then we find out that KG's a bit of a jerk:

Pretty awful, KG.

If you're unaware, Charlie Villanueva has Alopecia Areata, isn't a cancer patient, and if he's telling the truth (and all indications, based on Garnett's on-court past, would seem to point in that direction), then this is absolutely something to take in and consider when musing about Garnett's legacy.

It's the first week of the season, and Garnett is pulling that out of his bag. What an ass.

Read more »

Randy Moss New Home in Tennesee

By Chris Chase

Randy Moss(notes) will be taking his talents to Nashville.

Despite his lack of production, boorish behavior and the fact that his on- and off-field antics forced two teams to part ways with him in the span of 26 days, Moss was deemed an acceptable risk for Jeff Fisher and the Titans, who claimed the receiver off waivers late Wednesday afternoon. Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean was first to report the news.

[Photos: Latest images of Randy Moss]

Tennessee was No. 22 on the NFL's waiver order (which goes from worst record to best), meaning 21 other teams passed on the chance to bring Moss onto their team.

In Tennessee, Moss will join Vince Young(notes) and a decimated receiving corps that just lost last week's breakout star, Kenny Britt(notes), to a minor injury. The Titans will pick up the remainder of Moss' $6.4 million contract, which expires at the end of the year.

Moss was cut on Monday by the Vikings after a tumultuous weekend that began with him insulting a restaurant owner during a team meal. In Sunday's loss to his former team, the New England Patriots, Moss quit on a play and then blasted coach Brad Childress in a bizarre, postgame press conference. The decision to waive him was made hours later, while Moss was still in Boston after reportedly demanding that he be allowed to stay in the city following the game.

[Watch: Funny song tribute to Moss]

After his release, Moss was placed on waivers, where teams ranked in order of worst record had a chance to make a claim. Because he's viewed as a short-term rental, not a long-term investment, Moss was bypassed by teams with first dibs on him. The belief: There's no upside in bringing Moss to a rebuilding project. (This could explain why the St. Louis Rams, a team considered to be favored to land Moss, passed on him. Why ruin everything Steve Spagnuolo has spent the past two years building?)

His upside made him hard to resist for a team with playoff aspirations and a solid organizational structure like the Titans. It was always believed that the team willing to gamble on Moss would have to have a strong head coach, and there are few head coaches in the league better suited to handle a diva like Moss than Jeff Fisher.

Read more »

Geroge Washington has Guy on Women's Basketball Team Roster

Transgender George Washington player a fascinating, inspiring story

By Matt Norlander

Kye Allums is showing more guts, more bravery, than any player on any college basketball court this season.

The George Washington junior —who used to be known as Kay-Kay—is referred to on the school’s website as a "male member of George Washington's women’s basketball team."

Allums wants to be identified as a male, though he will not begin any medical or drug protocols until he graduates in order to preserve his eligibility on George Washington's women's basketball team. OutSports.com reported Allums will be the first publicly transgender person to play Division I college basketball.

Allums let his story be known to the masses when he spoke with the gay-and-lesbian-oriented website. The piece went up yesterday and received a lot of (very positive) reaction. This is already one of the best, most intriguing stories in college basketball we'll see all year. As fascinating as it is inspiring.

"I've always felt most comfortable dressing like a boy, but my mom would take all of my clothes from me and she'd force me to wear girl clothes," Allums said. "I'd bring sweats and basketball shorts and put them in my backpack. I'd just change every day when I got to school, and I had to change back before I went home. It was annoying, but it was the only way I could go to school."

At a time when many college athletes feel uncomfortable publicly revealing that they are gay or lesbian for fear or backlash or repercussions, Allums should be lauded, cheered, propped up and respected for being brave enough to announce his differences without shame. Credit also should go to George Washington's administration, coaching staff and players for standing behind Allums in the wake of his decision.

This is no doubt an awkward situation, but it seems to be getting handled terrifically by everyone surrounding it.

"GW has been supportive during this transition," Allums said in a statement released Tuesday by the university. "I told my teammates first, and they, including my coaches, have supported me. My teammates have embraced me as the big brother of the team. They have been my family, and I love them all."

Given GW's low-profile, Allums, hopefully, will avoid any backlash and bigotry from opposing teams' fans. Not that any demeaning signs or shouts would be tolerated in any arena, but the fact he plays on a team like this probably makes it a tad less stressful on the coaches and players as a whole. Imagine a Tennessee player doing this? The circumstances would likely be even tougher, given Pat Summitt and the Volunteers' place in women's college basketball.

But just because Allums attends a relatively small D-I school doesn't mean this shouldn't be taken and spread widely around. His story is a groundbreaking one, and hopefully can be the next big step in sexual acceptance across the board in sports.

Jeff Eisenberg contributed to this post.

Read more »