Yea, Sprewell's Crazy

More details on the whole Latrell Sprewell lawsuit are coming to light. We reported yesterday that Sprewell’s ex-girlfriend Candice Cabbil is suing him for $200 million after breaking their cohabitation agreement and abuse. It was also reported that Spree smacked a phone out of her hand and dragged her down the stairs by her ankles and shoved her out of the house. Well, the New York Post has even more details, saying that Spree held police at bay for an hour and a half outside of the Westchester mansion! “He was acting crazy.” Pfft, no! Are we talking about the same "Latrell Sprewell"? “The man just wouldn’t come out of the house,” said one cop on the scene last Monday.

Apparently Sprewell would pop his head out of a second floor window occasionally to yell at the cops that he hadn’t done anything and that they couldn’t come in without a warrant. He also used some another interesting tactic:

During the ensuing standoff, Sprewell used his children as bargaining chips by
parading them before a window in hopes that police would see they were unharmed and go away.

Cabbil eventually got Spree to give her her purse, from which she got her keys, unlocked the door and let the police in, ending the stand off. Shrewd, shrewd woman she is.

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Grossman's Had Enough of Your Stupid Questions

It’s media week in Miami for Super Bowl XLI, and everyone’s facing his time in front of reporters. Well, except maybe this guy. And one guy in the middle of it all is Bears QB Rex Grossman, who’s been answering nothing but questions about how bad he’s going to be on Sunday. Well, guys, ol’ Rexy’s had enough. He apparently shot back a bit this morning, telling reporters “I’m answering the same questions. You guys don’t do any research.” And this beauty: “This morning press conference, even how boring it is, I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life.”

With all do respect, Rex, the only thing that surfaces when you’re researched is your inconsistency and these pictures. I'd just assume that you'd rather questions about football.

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Maine Goes Coed Naked

What’s better than bowling? Naked bowling! That’s right, a group called “Bare Nekkid Mainers” rented out the Old Town Bowling alley for a night of fun, festivities, and flesh! “Hey, you can’t go skinny dipping at this time of year,” says Hessa, who only wants to be known by her first name...and, really, who can blame her. The group’s old bowling alley in Albion. Maine closed down, and was forced to move it's festivities Old Town in September. All three events that they’ve had so far have been treated like any private party...with the exception of paper covering the windows and, well…the nudity. Alley owner “Chip” Carson says he doesn’t mind it at all. “They just happen to have a good time without their clothes on.” See? They're just like anyone else. And, let's be honest, can you really think of anything else you'd rather do while naked? Yea, me neither.

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I Just Don't Understand

San Francisco was almost free from Barry Bonds, but something made her come back. Maybe she convinced herself that it’s loyalty to him and his father. I just don’t know, but the Giants signed a 1-year $15.8 million contract on Monday night after hours of Bonds being examined by doctors. At 42-years-old (42!), Bonds will limp around the field as he selfishly swings for 22 more home runs to break Hank Aarons’ record - a trophy that has long been tarnished by steroid controversy and grand jury investigations. Deep down San Francisco knew that the only reason Bonds is sticking around is because no one else will have him, but she accepted his lines anyway.

“I knew things would work out. This is where I always wanted to play and always loved to play...The city of San Francisco is what I love. The people of San Francisco are who I love. There's no better place for me to be. This is my history. The people in San Francisco deserve it all.” Except for his heart. If the organization should believe that, then the fans will have to accept it.

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Spree Not Using Money to Feed his Kids?

Looks like Latrell Sprewell’s gonna hafta choke a bitch. Uh…again?

His ex-girlfriend-slash-mama of four of his kids, Candace Cabbil, is suing the former NBA player for $200 million claiming that he broke their long-term cohabitation deal - she’s gotta feed her kids, after all. According to Cabbil, Sprewell promised to share his life and, more importantly, his fortune with her, but broke his promise in September when told Cabbil they had to “end this fake” relationship. It probably wouldn’t have been such a problem had he not started giving her less money for the house or started avoiding her. Oh, and it probably wouldn’t have been such a problem had he not entered their home in upstate New York in December, chased her around the house, smacked a phone out of her hand when she tried to call police and dragged her down a flight of stairs by her feet. Now, I don’t know Cabbil, but based on Spree’s history I’m leaning towards her side of the story.

The lawsuit says that when Sprewell was traded to Minnesota from the Knicks, the couple agreed that Cabbil would stay with the children in New York. Instead of returning to his family, Spree stayed on his yacht in Wisconsin which became notorious. Spree hasn’t played basketball since turning down a three-year $21 million extension from Minnesota. Let’s hope he’s saved up.

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Just Calling It Like He Sees It

Nothing obvious gets passed former French champion Yannick Noah these days. After watching Roger Federer take the Australian Open without dropping a single set, Noah told reporters "at this level, I have never seen that." Well put.

Federer, as everyone knows by now, beat Andy Roddick again on the way to beat Fernando Gonzalez for the whole Australian shebang on Saturday for the third time. Did I mention he didn't drop a single set? Oh, and at 25-years-old he's only four Grand Slam victories away from Pete Sampras' record of 14. Yea, I've never seen anything like that before either.

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Another Headbutt in the Record Books

This Marco Materazzi guy's got a serious attitude problem. Apparently he drew another headbutt during a match on Sunday between his Inter Milan and Sampdoria.

Gennaro Delvecchio "caught inter keeper Julio Cesar with a late challenge." I have no idea what that actually means, but it pissed off Materazzi - who, as we're all aware, is known for his clean style of play. When Marco challenged Delvecchio back, Delvecchio pushed him and then headbutted Materazzi on the chin. Delvecchio was sent out of the game and Materazzi says he did nothing wrong but defend his keeper.

It would have been nice for Materazzi to put up more of a fight, though.

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Well. I’ve been brutally rebuffed.

Michael Irvin could not do his two hours of radio interviews this morning because was too busy this morning filming a TV commercial (or buying a suit…I wasn’t clear on which), which his publicist made quite clear was more time sensitive than the commitment he gave us. But hey, I’m in radio, so I’m used to people thinking that my medium is less-than-worthy. Besides, it’s not like Pros V. Joes II – Emmy shoe-in, I’m sure – is going to need any help with extra radio promotion, right? I mean, how would that have any affect on the outcome of a show? Irvin is clearly unaware of what happened to the last person who bailed on me.

But alas, I wish Spike TV no ill will. I cannot say the same for the show.

Also note: The TV commercial being filmed was not for the NFL or for ESPN or anything of the like. When we got Irvin on for the one (one!) station he spoke with, he said that he was filming a commercial for his church. Now, I have NO problem with involvement in the church community – I’m an active member myself – but I find it hard to believe that the church production company is under such a tight schedule that it couldn’t push the shoot back, say, two hours.

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Dear ESPN...A Letter of Concern

An email from my brother, dated this 25th of January, in the 2007th year of our Lord:

Hey,
If you still have any connections over at ESPN, can you please tell they to stop showing Wake Forest games for the remainder of the year? They STINK!!! I think even the Celtics could beat them, and that is saying a lot.
So, kindly do me that favor and spare the rest of the college basketball loving world the torture of having to watch that train wreck.
Thank you.
Me

This is not his only gripe, simply his first outspoken request. Which prompted a response from me...and the following exchange of emails:

Not Black: this is my first blog post
today...I'm going to put it up right now. Also, we have Michael Irvin on
the phone today for radio interviews...I'm on hand if he says anything
legendary...while all the while wondering if he's wearing a striped tie with a checkered shirt or some stupid shit.

Brother: I bet he won't be wearing
any pants...seeing how it is a phone interview.

Not Black: Now that is an image i could
live without. But thanks...now everyone will be wondering what I'm
laughing about. At least everyone will be wondering what I'm laughing about when he's not speaking.

The interviews aren't until 11am, and believe me...I'm delighted with this opportunity to be a part of an Irvin broadcast. Pants or no pants. Ew, I just threw up in my mouth a little.

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Inked: Argentina

Tired of going to get a tatoo and coming home with something completely different? I sure am! And I wouldn't be surprised if this kid is as well:

An angry Argentinean teen claims a tattoo artist inked a giant penis on his back instead of the logo of his favorite Boca Juniors soccer team.
Police said the artist was a fan of the rival River Plate team and decided to give his customer a hard time.

I want to see a tatoo artist on one of those reality shows pull some shit like this. Think Punk'd, only, like, better.

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Stupid Woman

The lovely wife of a Manchester United fan paid 550 pounds for a season ticket for her husband. She surprised him with it earlier this month for his 40th Birthday. Very touching. Except for one small oversight of the soccer season starting four months ago. She had also purchased a ticket for her son, which means that she paid all that money and the two missed 11 of the games. A fellow ticket holder claims, "he must be gutted." I'm assuming that means "really fucking pissed off."

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Shuffle Take Two?

We all remember the first Super Bowl Shuffle...and if you can't, just go over to Deadspin, or you know, anywhere on the blogosphere to see a clip of it. Or you can just go to AllHipHop.com, where, according to illseed, some of the big-time Chicago rappers are thinking of putting together a Part 2.

Cross your fingers!!

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Justice Has Been Served?

A judge ordered that Chicago defensive lineman Tank Williams will be able to travel out of state to play in next Sunday's Super Bowl in Miami. On top of that, according to his attorney, Johnson won't have to worry about any special restrictions placed on him while in Miami.

Well that's a little harsh. He can travel and no restrictions in Miami?? Geez, judge, why not just order him to life?

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Lady Vol's Biggest Supporter

I'm not in the habit of watching women's basketball because, well, it's boring. But that certainly won't stop Tennessee men's head coach Bruce Pearl, who's vying for the title of Lady Vol's Biggest Fan, apparently.

Instead of, you know, preparing for tomorrow's practice or next week's game, Pearl threw caution - and his shirt - to the wind, painting his upper body orange and being the "V" in "GO VOLS" in the student section during Tennessee's showdown with Number 1 Duke.

To my shock, Coach K was not showing the same support for Duke. And, in case you care, Duke jumped out to a 19-0 lead and won the game 74-40.

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Parcells Retiring Again

The gentlemen over at The Big Lead are reporting that Bill Parcells has released a statement that he is done with football.

This isn't even up at ESPN.com yet, so TBL had to learn about it on Cold Pizza. That sucks.

Who to blame? Who to blame?


Update: The Dallas Cowboys Blog has posted Parcells' statement (via Deadspin):

"I am retiring from coaching football. I want to thank Jerry Jones
and Stephen Jones for their tremendous support over the last four years.
Also, the players, my coaching staff and others in the support group who have
done so much to help. Dallas is a great city and the Cowboys are an
integral part of it. I am hopeful that they are able to go forward from
here.

"I am in good health and feel lucky to have been able
to coach in the NFL for an extended period of time. I leave the game and
the NFL with nothing but good feelings and gratitude to all the players, coaches
and other people that have assisted me in that regard. "

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A Little Time for Da Bears

Everyone's talking about the improbable comeback to which Peyton Manning led his team. With metal...and braun.

But how about a little love for what those Bears accomplished, no?

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Soccer Player Tries to Live Toilet Seat

And by "lift," I mean steal.

According to The Guardian, Glen Johnson, a full back for Portsmouth's soccer team was caught trying to steal bathroom accessories from a store in Kent last Thursday. He and a friend from the Millwall soccer team were caught by a security guard trying to put a toilet seat into a box with a cheaper price tag. And no one seems to know why, since he reportedly makes 30 thousand pounds a week. Spokesmen for both teams had no comment for the press. All I know is that Beckham better not try to pull a stunt like this when he gets here. We don't tolerate this kind of shit in the US.

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Fanaticism at its Core

Few things are more important than the birth of your child. Your wedding day, maybe. And...well, that's probably it. Unless you're a Bears fan named Mark Pavelta and you had tickets to yesterday's NFC Championship game. His wife -- ladies, are you paying attention? -- induced labor early so that it wouldn't interfere with Sunday's events. Now that's a marriage that will last.

The baby was due on Monday, but Colleen's doctor said on Friday that she could induce labor early. "I thought, how could [Mark] miss this one opportunity that he might never have again in his life?" she said. And so Mark Patrick Pavelka was born at 10:45pm on Friday and watched his first Bears game with mom in the hospital wrapped in a Bears blanket. And the proud papa was wearing his "Monsters of the Midway" shirt. "If he wasn't born by Sunday and the Bears won, I would have named him Rex," joked Mark, Senior. Which truly shows how deeply his stupidity runs.

I foresee no way in which this father will be an embarrassment to his child.

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See You in Two Weeks

While the rest of you were enjoying your afternoon of football and fodder yesterday, I was stuck waitressing in a restaurant with no heat. But, since I hate waiting tables and the space heater was closer to the TV, I got to sneak in some of the games. The Bears absolutely destroyed the Saints 39-14, but we still got to see Reggie Bush dive for the endzone for no reason at all. And in the late game, Tom Brady pulled a Homer Peyton and threw an interception in the final seconds of the AFC Championship to seal the 38-34 victory for the Colts, and Manning's first Super Bowl appearance in his nine year career.

Which will make it all the more fun when he blows it on the biggest stage in two weeks. Unless Rex blows more. Which is entirely possible.

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Thanks for the Memories, Trot

Peter Gammons reported earlier today that Trot Nixon agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cleveland Indians with a chance for $5 mil. Hitting lefthanded, Trot expects to take over right field against right handers, putting Casey Blake at first against righties and in right against lefties.

Trot leaves the Red Sox as the quintessential Dirt Dog, and with two of the biggest hits in recent club memory. He hit the game winning home run in game 5 of the 2003 ALDS against the A's, and it was his bases clearing triple that clinched game 4 of the 2004 World Series.

In his 10 seasons with the Sox, Nixon had 133 HR, 523 RBI, and a career line of .278/.366/.478/.844.

Boston fans will miss him.

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D+ Ain't Good 'nuff for Hibbings Football!

Hibbing Community College out in Minnesota is in danger of losing its football program because of poor grades, and it’s clearly causing an uproar amongst the Hibbingans. Over 60 (60!) people showed up to a forum Wednesday held by HCC provost Ken Simberg, giving the team and the public the opportunity to provide input on his recommendation to suspend the school’s program. After a year's worth of research, Simberg found that the average GPA of a Hibbing football player over the past five years is a 1.8 (equivalent to a D+). He also reassured reporters that his recommendation to suspend the program was because of grades and has absolutely nothing to do with the three players and one former player accused of taking part in a rape on campus in October -- because nothing affects a community like a bad GPA.

The student athletes who spoke, not surprisingly, were lobbying for the program to stay. Head coach Kurt Zuidmulder was also on hand, saying “if they are worried about academic performance we should have been told that.” And I, for one, couldn’t agree more. Since when has college been about “education?” From my experience, it’s all about sports, booze and men. It’s not right for administrators to expect Zuidmulder to assume such outrageous things. Simberg should have stepped up sooner and given a little *direction* if you ask me.

Worst. Boss. Ever.


Thanks to The Big Lead for this one.

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Well if this isnt' the lamest thing...

One of my friends...and I'm beginning to use that term loosely...forwarded me this disturbing piece of Chicago adulation. And I'm saying this as a Patriots fan, which means it's got to be...(the e-mail had pictures, but I'm too lame - in the retarded sense - to figure out how to post them here where I want them. Enjoy it anyway). Ladies and gentleman...The Bear Prayer


Our PapaWho art a Bear,
Hallowed by thy fame,
Thy championship come,
Thy play be run,
At home as it is away,
Give us this day our Sunday win,
And forgive us our turnovers,
Though we pounce on those who turnover agains us,
And lead us not into fourth and long,
But deliver us from Brees.

In the name of Ditka,
Butkus,
And the Holy Payton,

As it was in 85,
So shall it be in 2006, Reign without end.

Da Aaaamen!

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Jackson to the Warriors

If this isn’t exactly what Oakland needs to revamp its image, then I just don’t know what is. Former Indiana Pacer Stephen Jackson is heading to the Golden State Warriors as part of an eight man trade between the teams. The Pacers, clearly trying to clean up their image with the removal of the gun-toting baller, sent Jackson along with Al Harrington, Sarunas Jasikevicius, and Josh Powell. The Warriors say goodbye to Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Ike Diogu, and Keith McLeod. According to Warrior’s vice president Chris Mullin, who happened to play for both teams himself, the move will benefit everyone involved. Especially the innocent victims residents of Oakland.

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She's Your Idol, America

If there's anything I enjoy seeing, it's a has-been who thinks they're important again ("again" used loosely in this context) make a complete ass out of him or herself leaving little room for a backpedal.

Case in point: Paula Abdul. Now, I know this has nothing to do with sports, but since I firmly believe that my idea for an American Idol bracket would be a success a la March Madness were I able to put it together, I decided to bring this one-time dance maven to my blog.

Ms. Abdul was "tired" according to her people when she did this early morning interview with Fox 3 in Seattle today from New York. I, for one, completely believe her story. I'm always tired after a long night of booze and drugs and would sound equally retarded as Abdul does here. However, I am in the habit of shying away from live broadcasts when in said state.

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Vick Acts Shady at Miami Airport

Quarterback Michael Vick is making headlines for the Atlanta Falcons again, though we’re sure fans would rather it be for, you know, still being in the playoffs.

Apparently living under a rock and completely unaware of the 3 ounce liquid limit at airports these days, Vick tried to get through checkpoints with a bottle of water. When officials asked him to throw the bottle out, he acted a little shady. After complying and boarding his 8:20a.m. flight to Atlanta, a suspicious and on top of her game Transportation Security Administration screener dug the bottle out of recycling and called the police. The bottle had a concealed compartment.

Miami-Dade detective Kevin Kozak wrote in his report that “the concealed compartment contained a small amount of dark particulate and a pungent aroma closely associated with marijuana.” (Note the careful diction used to avoid the appearance of assumption...though deep down we all know) Police have notified the NFL of the investigation into the particulate and could charge Vick if the bottle tests positive for drugs. After which, I assume, Vick will as well.

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Bye bye, BC?

Boston College, fresh off a six-game winning streak, might just be kissing its season goodbye. Center Sean Williams and forward Akida McLain, both juniors, are dismissed permanently for an unspecified violation of team rules.

The greater loss is suffered at the hands of Williams who is ranked third among shot blockers in the NCAA, with 75 blocks in 15 games, and was up for defensive player of the year. He was also averaging 16 points and 6.9 rebounds. McLain, on the other hand, wasn't an NBA prospect and had missed the first six games of the season with an ankle injury...but the team was fine without him, seeing as they stand at 13-4 heading into Clemson this week.

Both players have previous suspensions with the team, Williams once this season for another "unspecified violation," and once last year for a marijuana charge during which he couldn't attend school for the fall semester. McLain, more the entrepreneur of the two, was suspended for a counterfeiting scam.

Head coach Al Skinner and athletic director Gene DeFilippo refused to comment on the players’ specific conduct, but a school spokesman assures us all that the dismissals do not affect the players’ scholarships or academic standings. Well thank goodness for that. I'm sure the rest of the team appreciates it.

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So I've been away for five days and I'm sure hoping that you all missed me. As I've been catching up on all my work this morning, posts today are clearly lacking, and I've just gotten back onto the interwebs to do some searching.

To your left is a picture of a drunk Eli Manning working an apparently massive karaoke crowd. What I'm pissed about is that the woman with the ugly necklace and bad hair in the foreground is wearing the same sweater I have!

What the hell is this realization to come back to? And what the hell is she doing at the Gap? She's way more Old Navy. Forget it. I'm burning that sweater.

Welcome back.

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Damn Traveling...

As I've been on various planes, trains and automobiles since 4 o'clock this morning, so I'm a little late on the whole Bonds story. But oh well.

"I can say unequivocally in my 22 years I've known Barry Bonds he has never blamed anyone for anything." ~Gene Orza, cheif operating officer of the players association

Except for all of the media for any problem he's ever had.

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Matsuzaka Brings Red Sox Nation to Japan

Apparently there's now articles all over Japan about the Red Sox and the fans and, you know, all things Red Sox Nation. There's even an add for a Carlton Fisk figurine. Thanks to Mike at Matsuzaka Watch.

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Misguided Attempts at Humor

That’s what the basketball players at one high school in the Colorado Springs area are saying about coach Gregory Lynn Burr’s actions. Well, those attempts have gotten him arrested for “sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust” and “child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.” According to the AP:

[Burr] faces 39 charges for allegedly hitting male students in the groin, showing them pornography and pouring water on his players then driving them to games in the winter with the windows rolled down.

What? Not funny? Burr, a 28-year-old who teenage boys think has a tasteless sense of humor, has since been fired. Also fired is his wife, Sharalee, who was the athletic director, girls’ basketball coach and a teacher at the school.

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Being Naked is Fun

Especially when your most private of parts can end up on the internet. Just ask Britney Spears.

Or Rainer Schoenfelder, for that matter. He lost a bet to his physiotherapist (FIZZ-ee-oh-THAIR-uh-pist...big words, I know how it is) and ended up naked on a website that has since been taken down. (I tried)

Austrian World Cup skier Rainer Schoenfelder put the warm weather conditions in Europe to a true test on Wednesday when he went on a naked ski run alongside the famed Lauberhorn downhill course.

The 29-year-old two-time Olympic bronze medallist and part-time pop musician was photographed skiing down a practice site wearing only his skis, ski boots and an orange helmet.

The skier's therapist had been helping him with an injury sustained during a training crash last week.

Schoenfelder said he told his physio he would ski naked if his pains had eased by Wednesday morning.

"Somehow I didn't notice the photographer," Schoenfelder said. "It was a private bet and of course the whole thing wasn't planned for the public. "

Maybe private, naked activities would be better kept inside, then? ...Nah..who'm I kidding.

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Coughlin May Stay?

My brother is a life long Giants fan. Like his father before him and his father before him. And somewhere this morning my brother is swallowing his tongue. I don't know if he made it all the way to the office before he heard the news, but ESPN is reporting that the Giants may retain "embattled" coach Tom Coughlin. The only way my brother could even keep his spirits up the last few weeks of the season was by rationalizing each game as a win-win situation: either a win for the team or a step closer to Coughlin getting canned. It seems he may have been clinging to false hopes.

Coughlin will enter the final year of his contract in 2007 at a salary of $3 million, but speculation is that Giants ownership will extend his deal by at least one year to keep the veteran coach from being a lame duck.

Keep him from being a lame duck. Well that's endearing. Meanwhile my sister-in-law has started making alternate living arrangements for next fall.

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Where do Boston Fans Get Their Reputation?

Boston fans can be assholes. And I, for one, am certainly not apologizing.

It seems that when Jason Kidd returned to the court after his first domestic violence case in 2001, fans booed him every time he touched the ball, chanting "wife-beater" among, what I assume were many other profanities. And where was the contest played? Boston.

I like to think it's our immaturity that adds to our charm. And yes, we will stay classy.

(This disclaimer shouldn’t be necessary, but, to those who offend easily, in no way do I find domestic violence or what the Kidd family is going through a laughing matter. Even less so with children involved.)

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Kidd Involved in Another Family Court Case

The details are sparse right now, but New Jersey Nets star Jason Kidd and his wife are back in family court.

The Record of Bergen County reported Tuesday that Jason Kidd accused his wife of mistreating their three children and filed a domestic violence complaint Monday in state Superior Court in Hackensack [NJ].

A lawyer representing Kidd commented to The Record that “it has been painful for Jason Kidd to watch the effect of his wife’s behavior on their children.” If you remember, Kidd plead guilty to spousal abuse in 2001 after his wife told police he hit her during an argument over their son. The Kidds have one son, T.J., and twin daughters Miah and Jazelle.

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Mother-Fuckin' Scorpions on a Mother-Fuckin' Plane!

This has nothing to do with sports…I honestly just did it for the headline. You know, anything for gratuitous foul language.

It wasn’t exactly a recreation of the cult favorite film, but some guy on a flight from Miami to Toronto was stung by a scorpion that crawled out of his bag.

A stowaway scorpion that stung a man on board a plane headed to Toronto caused a delay at the airport as investigators combed the aircraft for further arachnids, an airline spokesman said on Monday.

Guh. Just reading the word “arachnids” makes me want to vomit. Anyway, the man was on his way back from a camping trip in Costa Rica. So as far as I'm concerned, he got what he was asking for.

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Belichick Apologizes

Two takes on Bill Belichick's apology in the Boston media this morning. For those of you who don't remember what happened: after the Pat's 37-16 win over the Jets on Sunday, Belichick pushed a cameraman out of his way as he tried to meet with Eric Mangini on the field. The Boston Herald had its somewhat unbiased take on the situation. But the Boston Globe had an entirely different take on it, tearing Belichick a new one, because, as it turns out, the cameraman was a Globe photographer.

Now, I understand, Brian McGrory, that you may be friends with Jim Davis - the victim of Belichick's sweeping arm. But instead of ripping the coach apart - who's done his own share of work for New England as you know - step back and look at the big picture. The media, who's "just doing its job" as you say, spent the entire week over-hyping a "rivalry" that, frankly, isn't all that big. And you know what? The Globe can accept a bit of responsibility for that itself.

So when Belichick, most likely frustrated and ready to be done with the whole thing, was pushing his way through the "media scrum" while trying to give Mangina a hug, it's not so bad that there was a small casualty. I'm quite sure he didn't mean to hurt Davis. Yes, it was a poor decision. But I hardly consider it a moment that reveals a "pampered prince who doesn't give a damn about anyone or anything but himself." Had it been me, I would have pulled a Cameron Diaz on his ass. But then again, I am pampered. So one would expect that from me.

Frankly, McGrory should be happy Davis got an apology at all. I don't think anything would have been said had the photog been from, say, The New York Times.

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Never Saw This one Coming

The Florida Gators destroyed Ohio State High School last night, 41-14. Even the biggest Gator fan couldn’t have predicted what went down.

Ohio State’s defense, which held its opponents to an average of 10 points a game in the regular season, allowed Florida 34 points at the half, letting them score on six of their 7 first half possessions. Chris Leak looked like the Heisman winner with 25-of-36 passing for 213 yards compared to Troy Smith who had only 35 passing yards with only four completions and an interception. Said Smith after the game, “Not everything in life is going to go the exact way you want it…We came out and fought. We came up short.”

Now, I’ve never played football, save my Heismanesque QB appearance in the Longmeadow High School Powder Puff Game of '97 - we tied - but I don’t call what Ohio State did last night “coming out and fighting.” Coming up short is quite the understatement.

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I'm Not a Live Blogger...

But honestly, I could have just gone without listening to a marching band playing "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic and then segue into the theme from Pirates of the Carribbean. Maybe the theme from Remember the Titans, Rudy, or you know, any sports movie would have been more appropriate. Hell, even Drumline. But Titanic? Please, people.

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Alas, it's been an incredibly boring news day. Amid having to be in the studio half of the morning, you know, for the "day job," and hoping that no one outside my building lit a cigarette, I wasn't able to do much interwebbing. By now you've already heard about Willis McGahee and his abundant seed. And since that was really the only bit of news, I've decided to follow the lead of other bloggers and post some video. Unfortunatley I don't have the know-how to post video (yet...give me time, people. Give me time.), so here are links to better blogs with smarter bloggers who have posted some entertaining videos that I found, well, entertaining.

Some guy has too much time on his hands with a pogo stick courtesy of We are the Postmen.

Matt over at With Leather, who's definitley hotter than this guy, provides you with some balls to the face. Enjoy.

Cursing on the air is always funny to the guys over at The Big Lead.

And from Deadspin, nothing like a little more mocking of Tony Romo. I really do feel bad for the guy, tho.


Here's to a lot less "work" to do tomorrow.

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Disney Supports the Youth of America

Gee, that Disney Corporation sure is swell!

According to Bob Hohler over at The Boston Globe, Disney is sucking the life out of Pop Warner football players and cheerleaders the country over. In order to participate in the national football and cheerleading championships, Disney strong-arms the teams into staying at Disney hotels and forces them to buy passes to their amusement parks. And all this to play in Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, “one of the crown jewels in a global chain of parks and resorts that last year produced nearly $10 billion in revenue.”

But you can’t blame Disney for putting some Pop Warner teams in up to $22,000 in debt, says spokesman Jacob DiPietri.

He said Disney is not to blame for requiring the Pop Warner children to stay on Disney property and buy additional theme park passes, which can drive up a team's costs by thousands of dollars. Pop Warner agreed to the requirement in its contract with Disney, which began in 1997 and runs through 2010…

Who do these kids think they are, anyway? I mean, where else could Disney possibly make money from? And who are they to assume that Disney’s geared “toward the children?” Philistines.

If these children and their families don’t like being raped for their money, they can simply find another league to be a part of.

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Speak For Yourself, Thanks

Too many people can't even speak for themselves, so why the hell involve my good name?

According to Rotoworld.com, Red Sox owner John Henry would like to see Roger Clemens finish his career in Boston. And he thinks all New Englanders agree with him.

"We feel that Roger coming back to finish his career is Boston transcends a lot of obstacles," owner John Henry said. "We feel he is the greatest pitcher in history. We want to see him come full circle. All of New England wants to see this." Well, there are probably a few holdouts. Clemens will pick from the Astros, Red Sox and Yankees if he decides to play another season. "We have talked, and Boston is one of three teams special to Roger," agent Randy Hendricks said. "He has not decided whether he will play, and I don't think he will decide for some time. We have discussed a shortened season, similar to last year. If he decides to play, I am sure he will consider Boston. I also am sure it will be a tough decision, just like last year.

"All of New England wants to see this" my ass, Henry. I've already made myself very clear about this.

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Myers is the New Dr. Phil

I wasn’t aware of this, but analyst Chris Myers is a Dr. Phil just waiting to come out of the closet. Aside from his extensive knowledge and passion for animals, he's schooled on how to properly ruin a proposal and thinks that marriage should be treated as a stock option.

"I'm all for marriage. But it's kind of rushing things. Plus, his stock had just gone up. And there are other cheerleaders."

That's right, Chrissy. You just struck gold and should be lucky that your future husband was such a fool to succomb to his love for you. And don't forget, even if he ends up being unfaithful to you, it could still work out in the end.

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Clemens to End Career as a Yankee

Bill Simmons will be able to stop dodging questions about a Roger Clemens return to Boston if Peter Gammons' prediction is correct. According to a chat on Boston.com, Gammons tells chatter dan0725 that he expects Clemens to finish his career as a Yankee.

dan0725 Peter, how much effort will the Yankees put into trying sign Roger Clemens now that it looks like Randy Johnson is on his way to Arizona? Do you think the Sox still have interest?

Peter_Gammons I don't think the Red Sox interest is any more than simply to let him know that they would make a place for him at their price. I think the Yankees will do the same thing. Roger will have to make up his mind if he's willing to spend less time with his family for nearly half a season, but I think his strong feelings for Joe Torre will lead him to finish his career as a Yankee.

When faced with certain possibilities my bitterness has an ability to run much deeper than my desire to win. Some call it stubborn, I say loyal...or bitchy. Tomato-tomahto. I don't care where he goes, so long as he keeps his ungrateful ass out of Boston.

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Let's Go Fly A Kite

When I hear someone talk about a dangerous sport with a high casualty rate, I automatically flash back to my days of competitive kiting. That’s why I was shocked to learn that Pakistan had lifted its kite-flying ban.

The ban’s been lifted just before the Basant, “an annual festival that heralds spring and is marked by flying colorful kites in the eastern province of Punjab and its capital, Lahore.” Unfortunately, here’s what happened at Basant ‘06:

During Basant last year, seven people were fatally slashed by glass-coated or metal-reinforced kite strings, prompting authorities to ban kite-flying.

Apparently these Pakistani kite flyers are no novices, using glass covered and metal strings to hold their massive floating creations. Quite honestly, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Or is fatally slashed with a reinforced kite string.

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While Trying Not to Lose my Job...

It was a late start for me today. And by late start I mean “I woke in a panic an hour after I was supposed to leave and ran to the train with pillow crease marks still fresh on my face.” With that said I’ll recap the stories that I’ve seen posted around the blogosphere while working to try and keep my job:

This fan is an embarrassment to West Virginians all across, well…West Virginia. And, frankly, to anyone who can hold their drink.

Tuscaloosians (Tuscaloosans?) welcomed Nick Saban to the neighborhood.

LeBron James learned his son some life lessons.

Mike Tyson was, well...Mike Tyson.

I apologize to you and, you know, my bosses for being late today. Hey, that's life when you get paid poorly and you need to moonlight as a stripper waitress.

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Obsessed Much?

The Chicago Bears are Glenn Timmermann's NSync. And not NSync today. I'm talking about heyday Nsync. Like, 2000 NSync. Only getting an autograph is a little bit easier for him seeing as he doesnt' have to fight through throngs of screaming 12-year-old girls to get an autograph.

According to his website, he scored autograph's 43 and 44 on December 30th -- Bernard Berrian and Devin Hester. And then tatooed them on his body.

Ladies, if my instincts behoove me, he's yours for the taking.

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She's Completely Not a Bandwagon Fan

Kathryn Gemme was a woman after my own heart. Born Kathryn Moreau in Chicopee, Mass -- just next door to my hometown of Springfield -- she followed the Red Sox heart and soul. She used to listen to games on the radio before the days of television, writing down all the details so she could report them to her husband when he got home from work. She'd been cheering for the team since the days of Babe Ruth...when he was still on the team. That's right, Gemme lived through the Red Sox winning the World Series. Each one of them.

As an 18-year-old, she attended her first game at Fenway Park in 1912 shortly after the ballpark opened. At 109, Gemme was greeted by catcher Jason Varitek and former player and coach Johnny Pesky during her last game in May 2004.

Team officials brought the 2004 World Series trophy to her 111th birthday party in November 2005.

"That was a big day of her life,'' her daughter, Lucille Findley of Jacksonville, Ill., told The Boston Globe.

Gemme passed away on Friday at 112-years-old in Middleborough, Mass. She is survived by her daughter, Lucille, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

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Position Open in Miami

Those fools in Miami really should have read between the lines better when Nick Saban said repeatedly that he wasn't going to coach in Alabama. Because as it turns out, he mean he really was. The Dolphins head coach announced his departure from professional football on Wednesday and is heading to the Crimson Tide.

Alabama made its formal offer on Monday, espn.com’s Chris Mortensen reports. The offer is suspected to be for eight to 10 years and worth $35 to $40 million including many variables. Saban’s leaving the Dolphins with three years left at about $4.5 million a year. He told his decision to team owner Wayne Huizenga face-to-face Wednesday morning, but he wasn't so considerate to his coaching staff, who he broke up with over the phone.

[Update: The contract is worth $32 million guaranteed over eight years with another $700-$800 thousand possible per year in bowl-game bonuses]

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Two Stabbed to Death at Chelios' Bar

I don't talk about hockey because, frankly, I know nothing about the sport. But stabbings? That's something I know about (Wait...what?).

Seriously, though, two employees were found stabbed to death just after 9am Tuesday morning at Cheli's Chili Bar, a sports bar owned by Detroit Redwings defenseman Chris Chelios. Forty-nine-year-old manager Megan Soroka and 52-year-old cook Mark Barnard were found on the restaurant's second floor said police spokeswoman Yvette Walker. the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News both report that a former employee has been arrested and other employees who were in the restaurant at the time have been questioned.

Chelios didn't play in Detroit's 2-1 win against Anaheim on Tuesday night and did not travel with the team today.

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A Regular Forrest Gump...

Meet Manfred Minchits. He's an Austrian marathoner. He's also crazy.

Minchits is a marathoner who has planned an Around-the-World run for 2007 to raise money for SOS Children's Villages, a charity that helps orphans and neglected or abused youngsters. Raising money for charity is great and all, but I think Minchits is taking that whole "pound the pavement" saying a bit too literally. He plans on running 90 kilometres a day for a total of 23,000. I don't really understand the whole "metric system" thing, but even so, I can almost certainly guarantee that it's about 22,999 kilometres more than I plan on running this year.

Michlits started his trek on New Years Day on the Donauinsel, an island in the Danube in Vienna and hopes to finish back in Vienna on December 31st. I'm not quite sure how far he made it that first day what with starting on an island and all. I can imagine that whole "crossing a river" thing could have posed a problem early on.

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Not Quite What He Was Hoping For

Safe to say it wasn’t quite the reunion that Allen Iverson was looking for when the Nuggets played the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Not only did his new team lose 108-97, Iverson was ejected after his second technical foul with 1:44 remaining in the game. Despite starting off making only two of nine shots, Iverson went on to score 30 and was yet still unable to lead the Nuggets to a win. This was a much needed road win for Philadelphia, who had lost 14 of their last 16 – most of which were with Iverson – and had gone 19 of their last 23 overall. The top scorer for Philly was Ashton Kutcher Kyle Korver, who added 26 points as the Sixers scored 100 points for the first time in 16 games.

I also want to mention, since I glimpsed it way down in espn.com's "Game Notes" section, that Denver guard Julius Hodge got in for the last minute of the game...his first game back on the floor since he was shot in a drive-by last April.

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Now This is a Sport

I firmly believe that had I known about this competition I would have won. But four people are battling it out to be crowned the Ultimate Couch Potato. The contestents -- three men and one woman -- were selected based on their 200-word essays and are currently sitting in four recliners at Chicago's ESPN Zone.

Jason Pisarik, and Illinois accountant, is back defending his title which he won last year by lasting 30 hours. He told reporters that the toughest part of the night is when the restaurant closes and the 13 tvs show SportsCenter over and over again. Understandable.

The contestants get a five-minute break every hour and 15 minutes every eight hours. (Psh. And they call themselves "couch potatoes.") If any of them can last until 8am Thursday, he - or she. But probably he - would beat the world record set by Canadian Suresh Joachim in September of 2005. Ah, those Canadians and their priceless contributions to society.

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John Madden and Porn Shouldn't Mix

One lucky 14-year-old got the Christmas present of his life when his uncle bought him the Madden NFL 07 video game. What appeared on the screen, according to the San Francisco Gate, wasn't football, but porn.

"This is definitely not Madden," [Kolton] Mahoney said recalling his first thought.

Yea, first thought after, "Holy shit, this is...awesome!" I'm sure.

Apparently the game was bought at a Circuit City in Modesto, California by Mahoney's uncle and was shipped to Utah still in its factory-sealed case. The Mahoney's have contacted Utah's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force who will work with local police, California authorities [and Shaquille O'Neal] to investigate how the game was altered.

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Leinart and Bush on Sideline for Rose Bowl

That's what the heading would have been had USC reserved a ticket for the latter of the former Heisman winners. But apparently -- and maybe in the wake of controversy stirred up by Reggie Bush's parents allegedly accepting a $757,000 house his senior year -- USC didn't want Bush around. Fox's Jay Glazer told the LA Times, "Reggie Bush has told me that USC does not want him on the sidelines, or present anywhere at [the] Rose Bowl."

The school, of course, denies any of this, saying that the five tickets allotted by the NCAA for former athletes were passed out already. To Leinart, Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, Charles White, and John Papadakis. Makes sense, though, doesn't it? I mean, I wouldn't have made sure I saved a ticket for a former player who just one the Heisman trophy with your team last year. I'm sure they wanted him at the game.

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