Back in Lewisville

Well, we are back safe from Canada. What a trip. At least 4 or 5 times I caught myself thinking that I was enjoying a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. So, to have 4 or 5 of those in 1 week constitutes a great trip. Thanks to the Dallas Stars.

Let me share one last hilarious anecdote to end the trip: Yesterday morning, we went to the Vancouver airport, and despite having the most incredible travel arrangements in the world, we do have to pass through customs just like anyone. Well, as fate would have it, the Canucks were right behind us in the customs line. I mean right behind us.

So, I was the last guy in the “Dallas” traveling party, and 2nd to last was Marty Turco. You may remember that he dominated play on Saturday night, but during the game he was run over by Canucks forward Matt Cooke , in a play in which Cooke earned a penalty.

Well, the two principles from this collision are 4 feet apart yesterday morning in the customs line and I am between them as they goof on eachother for about 2 solid minutes as Turco empties his pockets before walking through the security detectors. Cooke is telling Turco that he had the ref in his pocket, and Turco is laughing about Cooke not knowing where he was skating. It is all in good fun, but with me being the only human between them, I wondered what would happen if it suddenly turned hostile.

It never came close, but I couldn’t believe my luck of standing between these two clowns and their comedy routines. What an amusing moment as both teams were loading their respective planes to fly back to Dallas for tonight’s return match. By the way, the Stars plane won the race back to town…

Links:

Aggies in tournament for first time in 19 years …How is that even possible??? Oh well, congrats…

Players knocked over chairs as they rushed toward the scrum by the TV, the one showing the words Texas A&M in an NCAA Tournament bracket.

The Aggies jumped up and down and hugged as hundred of fans who had packed a Reed Arena banquet room Sunday evening celebrated alongside. A team that three weeks ago seemed to have no chance at a berth is now heading to Jacksonville, Fla., for a first-round matchup with fifth-seeded Syracuse on Thursday.

The Orange won a national title in 2003. A&M, a No. 12 seed, hasn't been to the tournament since 1987.

Two years ago, the Aggies went 0-16 in the Big 12.

Big 12 first-round matchups in the NCAA tournament: …

Thursday (approx. 8:40 p.m.): No. 12 Texas A&M vs. No. 5 Syracuse (Jacksonville, Fla. in Atlanta Regional)

Thursday (11:25 a.m.): No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Jacksonville, Fla. in Minneapolis Regional)

Friday (approx. 8:40 p.m.): No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Bradley (Auburn Hills, Mich. in Oakland Regional)

Friday (approx. 8:50 p.m.): No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 Pennsylvania (American Airlines Center, Dallas in Atlanta Regional)

Mavs drop a game amongst the fallen bodies …

The rejuvenated Kings, who are making a push for the playoffs after looking dead until they traded for Ron Artest, have won their last 12 home games.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, finished 2-1 on this Western road swing. Respectable, certainly, but they were hoping for the sweep. But with Devin Harris (thigh), Keith Van Horn (knee) and Adrian Griffin (hamstring) out, they were plugging holes throughout the lineup. And Josh Howard tweaked his hamstring in the second quarter.

He didn't return.

Owner Mark Cuban conferred with the coaching staff after the game and agreed that, pending the results of tests on Harris and Howard today, the Mavericks might try to acquire a free agent to help them through this rough spot.

They have two needs: a point guard and a swingman. If they sign a player, they would have to waive somebody off their roster unless they are given special dispensation from the league.

What will it take to get Zubov some Norris consideration? …

Sergei Zubov has been the most quietly consistent defenseman in the NHL for the better part of 10 seasons.

Since coming into the league in 1992, Zubov ranks third among NHL defensemen in scoring with 630 points. Yet, he has never even been a finalist for the Norris Trophy, given to the best defenseman in the NHL. Nick Lidstrom, the leading scorer with 689 points, has won three Norris Trophies and finished second three times. Brian Leetch, who is second at 656, has won two Norris Trophies.

Bob’s NFL Update



Edge James signs in Arizona…

FOXSports.com has learned that the Cardinals have agreed to terms with Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James on a four-year deal worth $30 million. The deal will pay James $14.5 million in the first year through salary, signing bonus and roster bonus.

James, who visited the Phoenix area with agent Drew Rosenhaus on Saturday, is the latest big-name running back over the last couple of days to bang out a lucrative deal. Earlier this off-season, Shaun Alexander (Seattle), Ahman Green (Green Bay) and DeShaun Foster (Carolina) all re-signed with their respective teams. Ravens RB Jamal Lewis remains the last big-name free agent running back on the open market.
Arizona was the first and only place he visited on a short-lived free agent tour as James probably knew that the market for running backs was soon to dry up.

The Redskins strike quickly …

The Washington Redskins signed Antwaan Randle El yesterday, completing an overhaul of their wide receiver corps, and added free agent tight end Christian Fauria as well. Randle El, 26, will join Brandon Lloyd, 24, who was acquired from San Francisco on Saturday, and Pro Bowler Santana Moss as the Redskins strive to invigorate their passing game, while Fauria replaces departed starter Robert Royal.

Randle El was one of the premier free agents on the market, and was one of six players visiting Washington yesterday, along with defensive end Andre Carter, safety Adam Archuleta, quarterback Todd Collins, defensive end John Abraham and Fauria.

Abraham, a top pass rusher who is being shopped by the New York Jets, was scheduled to have dinner with coaches and team officials last night, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Carter, the first defensive lineman targeted by the Redskins, left town without a contract yesterday, and the Jets are seeking a first-round pick or multiple picks for Abraham. The Redskins and Jets have already discussed trade options for Washington backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey, who seems certain to leave the team.

Darren Howard helps Philly continue to have a dominating defense …

Howard, 29, said he chose to visit the Eagles first because he knew they had an interest in him back in 2004 when the Saints used their franchise tag on him. The tag and the fact the Eagles signed Kearse temporarily ended that interest, but the departure of Derrick Burgess and a gunshot wound to Jerome McDougle's stomach left the Eagles in search of a defensive end again this off-season. (McDougle also remains on the roster.)

"I think I can add some pass rush and take some pressure off Jevon on the other side," Howard said. "I had 45 sacks [actually 441/2] in six years with the Saints, so I know I can get after the quarterback."

Howard twice registered 11 sacks in a season. He first did it as a rookie in 2000, then duplicated the feat in 2004. Last season, however, his sack total dipped to a career-low 31/2 as the Saints endured a miserable three-win season that saw them play home games in three locations, none of which was New Orleans.

I don’t know why I posted all of these pictures of Kyle Kosier, but In a sport where many players look like they have been Greek gods, I am amused how Kyle resembles a frat boy crossed with Hillbilly Jim…

Kyle Kosier in; Larry Allen out? …

Kosier, 27, started 11 games at left guard last season for Detroit and has played every spot on the line except center during his career. That, and the size of Kosier's contract, means , the future of Larry Allen could be in question.

Allen is due a $2 million roster bonus on April 1 and is scheduled to count $7.5 million against the cap in 2006.

His agent, Marvin Demoff, said recently he has not heard from the Cowboys about possibly restructuring the contract.

"If they want to sign someone else instead of Larry and release him, he'll end up playing somewhere else," Demoff said. "Players have only so many options."

The look of the Cowboys' offensive line in 2006 could be much different. Left tackle Flozell Adams is expected back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, while Kosier and Gurode could be the left guard and center. That would leave Marco Rivera and possibly a high-draft pick playing at right tackle instead of Rob Petitti, last season's starter.

I have been told that Larry Allen is either going to take a huge pay cut, or he is gone…

Dan Campbell in Detroit today; visited Jets yesterday …sigh…


Remaining Questions to be answered …

• Where will Drew Brees sign? He's met with the Saints and Dolphins. New Orleans' initial offer has more guaranteed money, but the Dolphins offer a better opportunity to win right away. Brees, coming off shoulder surgery, is confident he will be ready for the start of the season.

• Will Daunte Culpepper be traded? If the Dolphins don't sign Brees, they likely will deal for Culpepper, whose availability for the opener is in question after he tore three knee ligaments last October.

• Where does T.O. go? He's due a $5 million roster bonus from the Eagles on Wednesday, so he will be cut or traded by tomorrow. It's more likely he will be cut. Owens could end up with the Broncos, Dolphins, Cowboys or Bucs.

I have been saying this, now people are joining me: UFC – The Next Big Thing …

"We're not for everyone, and we don't try to be," UFC president Dana White said. "If you don't like fighting sports, great, this is America, that's your right. All we ask is that people understand what we are."

One thing is quickly becoming understood — mixed martial arts is heading for the mainstream of American sport, whether or not the mainstream is ready. UFC is coming off the biggest event in its history, UFC 57 on Feb. 4, in which light heavyweight champion Chuck Lidell defended his title against former champion Randy Couture.

Red Bull New York? …at least it gets rid of the Metrostars…

Girl plays a game, has a baby …

It was on a bumpy bus ride home from a basketball game in Questa that 18-year-old Kayla Alire started to have terrible stomach pains.

The senior point guard at Mesa Vista High in Ojo Caliente didn't realize she was experiencing labor pains. She had just played in her last basketball game Feb. 18, a game in which she sank two 3-pointers.

Two hours later, she was at Española Hospital in labor. An hour after arriving, she gave birth to a 6-pound, 4-ounce baby boy no one knew was coming.

Genius! Ask a Ninja.com …

Michael Knight sings …

Arsenal 2, Liverpool 1 …That…that is a tough thing…Gerrard with a meltdown of epic proportions, and now, catching Manchester United doesn’t look good for the Pool…

Ring of Fire

We, of course, continued our Canadian roadtrip last night in Calgary as the Stars out-played, but did not out-last the Flames in front of a pretty jacked up Saddledome sellout crowd.

On Thursday’s show we talked about how the deadline should be treated by the Dallas Stars, and what we thought of the chances of the Stars winning the Stanley Cup. Well, it is no secret what I think are the Stars problems:

1) Goaltending
2) Power Play

And there was nothing you were going to be able to do yesterday to improve those spots without giving up plenty. You are married to Turco. You will sink or swim with him, so the sooner we all accept that, the better. The same goes for your Power Play. If you cannot score goals with the man advantage with Modano, Zubov, Guerin, Arnott, Morrow, Lehtinen, Jokinen, Boucher, and the rest of that insane lineup, then adding Sergei Samsonov isn’t going to help you. Those guys have to help themselves. If Turco rises to the occasion, and the PP acts like one, then the Stars can win a Stanley Cup. Just as easily, if they don’t, they can be bounced by the end of April.

So, Thursday night we witnessed the putrid power play once again display its complete impotency. Awful. And until that improves, they cannot win big in this league. That is a simple fact. Willie Mitchell is a real nice addition, but what matters is that the big scores make the enemy pay after penalties like the high stick that opened up Jason Arnott last night.

One more show in Canada, today in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Flames 1, Stars 0 …As both teams gear up for the playoffs….

The Stars opened the second period with 1:42 of power-play time on a fresh sheet of ice and still couldn't score. Coach Dave Tippett tried all sorts of different looks, including changing personnel and moving the point of attack, but none of them worked. Guerin said the blame has to fall directly on the skill players who have logged the most power-play time this season – himself, Modano, Jason Arnott, Sergei Zubov, Brenden Morrow, Jere Lehtinen and Philippe Boucher.

"It's not Tip, it's 13 and 9 and 44 and 56 and 10 and 26 and 43, those guys right there," Guerin said.

The third period was the real disaster. Dallas was on a power play three minutes into the period when Arnott received a gash above his eye from a Jordan Leopold high stick at the 4:13 mark. The ensuing double-minor gave the Stars carte blanche to fire away on Kiprusoff, and they uncorked six shots, all of which were stopped. Kiprusoff finished with 39 saves.

Tippett said he was actually pleased with several elements, including the goaltending of Turco (23 saves), as well as the team's puck control and skating, which created 12:26 of power-play time.

"There were a lot of good things tonight," Tippett said. "We didn't win the game because of the power play, and that's frustrating."

Modano says it is all the Finn Goaltender …

Dallas captain Mike Modano was more than willing to throw his praise in the goaltender's direction.

"He basically won the game for them," Modano said.

"There was nothing really special about their team, about their game tonight, besides him.

"He played great, moved well, saw the angles. We had some great chances, good looks at it but it was a great game for him."

Yesterday, The Stars grab Mitchell for a reasonable price …

Before Thursday's trade deadline, Mitchell, the man coach Jacques Lemaire called Thursday "one of the top 10 defensive defensemen in the league," was shipped to the Dallas Stars along with a second-round pick in 2007 for defensemen Martin Skoula and Shawn Belle.

"I feel relief that it's done," Mitchell said. "The last two nights, it was not fun to sleep. My stomach was churning over what would happen."

What had been a beautiful marriage since Mitchell came to the Wild from New Jersey for Sean O'Donnell in 2001 ended unpleasantly.

Mitchell, who can become a free agent this summer, accused the Wild of not making a concerted effort to sign him. Wild executives accused Mitchell's agent of never making a firm counteroffer, thus proving to them that Mitchell wanted out.

And Lemaire brushed Mitchell's departure off in a life-goes-on sermon while adding that his prized student simply wanted to hit the lottery.

"I made a lot of strides in Minnesota under the coaching staff, and hopefully I'm at a point in my career now where I'm just starting to come into my peak," Mitchell said. "This probably worked out best. As much as I would have liked staying here, obviously it was in their interest to move on."

Mavs with a pretty easy night in Portland …

Terry's flurry of 3-pointers in the third quarter sealed a game that already was tilting heavily in the Mavericks' favor as they cruised to a 109-92 victory over Portland at the Rose Garden, sweeping a home-and-home set against the Trail Blazers.
Devin Harris, starting with Terry in the backcourt, set his teammate up for three 3-pointers at the start of the second half, igniting the Mavericks to a 65-42 lead. The rest was mere window dressing.

The Mavericks, hitting the road for their first multi-game trip since Jan. 18-26, clearly were a step quicker in everything they did. They rode Dirk Nowitzki's 33 points and 10 rebounds, and their offense looked better than it has since the All-Star break as they hit 55.4 percent from the field.

"We were in an intense mode all game," said Nowitzki, "and we never really looked back."

Jason Whitlock with a barbecue of Vince Young …

The NFL doesn't recruit starting quarterbacks. It's not the Marines out looking for a few good men. When it comes to picking its quarterbacks, The League is Halle Berry on Oscar night. She can pick any designer she pleases, and the world's most renowned designers are just grateful for the opportunity to be considered.

Vince Young doesn't get this. He thinks joining the NFL will be similar to joining the NCAA. He mistakenly believes he's holding all (or most of) the cards, and that come April's draft some lucky GM is going to feel like a lottery winner when Vince Young stands next to Paul Tagliabue and pulls on a Saints or Texans or Titans cap.
Vince Young is clueless. And I'm not talking about his score on the Wonderlic test. I'm talking about his understanding of what it takes to make it in the NFL as a quarterback.

Humility is the No. 1 ingredient.

In other terribly disturbing news, Dan Campbell appears to be going away …Another BaD Radio buddy goes bye-bye…

Of the team's three unrestricted free agents, linebacker Scott Fujita appears to be the only one the team is making a priority to bring back. Tight end Dan Campbell and center Andre Gurode are expected to sign elsewhere.

Their departures will likely mean the Cowboys will need help at those positions. Campbell was the team's best blocking tight end. Gurode split time at center with starter Al Johnson last season. And the team is still not convinced that Johnson, a two-year starter who will be an unrestricted free agent next season, is the long-term answer at the position.

Javon Walker tries to get out to get paid …And we cannot blame Rosenhaus for this one; he was fired months ago…

"I just don't feel like this is the best place for me to be right now," said Walker, 27, preparing to enter his sixth pro season. "I really have no interest in being in a Green Bay Packers uniform or playing for Green Bay again."

Citing recent contract squabbles with running back Ahman Green, tight end Bubba Franks, defensive lineman Grady Jackson and cornerback Mike McKenzie, as well as his own, Walker added, "I just don't like the way the organization runs itself. They want players to come up there and play hard and work hard, but when it comes time to be compensated, it's like, 'We forgot what you've done.'"

The source of Walker's bitterness is the team's refusal even to discuss his contract, which at the time had two years remaining, the penultimate year of which paid him $515,000 the season after he made the Pro Bowl by catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. But Walker says that at this point, money is not the issue.

Trade

Stars Get Willie Mitchell from Minnesota along with a 2nd round pick for Martin Skoula and Shawn Belle. The return of the big defenseman.

News and Mailbag from Calgary

NFL Comes to a solution …And now we can all go on with the NFL…Below, I chuckled as the story points out that Dallas is partly a high-revenue team because of “local radio rights”….Giggle…

The crux of the debate over the last few days has centered on revenue sharing and the disparity between high- and low-income teams. Low-income teams such as Buffalo, Cincinnati and Indianapolis say that high-revenue teams -- Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia, for instance -- should contribute proportionately to the player pool because they can earn far more in non-football income such as advertising and local radio rights.

Clemens to tease us further today ….don’t fall for it, people!

The guy the Rangers want to be the fifth member of their rotation makes his first appearance of camp today.

After all, what's a guy like Roger Clemens to do on Team USA's off day?
Clemens acknowledged Wednesday that he might visit the Rangers camp while in Arizona. A source with knowledge of Clemens' schedule confirmed the visit is planned for Thursday morning.

"We've talked about it," Clemens said of the possibility of visiting the Rangers, "and it may happen."

The Rangers would neither confirm nor deny the visit, but Rangers owner Tom Hicks, who has led the push to convince Clemens to pitch in Arlington, plans to return to camp today. He also plans to be in Scottsdale on Friday when Clemens and Team USA face South Africa.

Canada beats USA in WBC!!! …And get this: they did it without using the pitchers that they thought were their best! That’s right. Canada was almost conceding the game yesterday by pitching minor leaguers for the majority:

Canada roared out to an 8-0 lead against lefties Dontrelle Willis and then Al Leiter.

Jason Varitek hit a slam off Eric Cyr to make it 8-6, but then Cyr retired the next seven he faced in succession.

Minor leaguers Scott Mathieson and Steve Green closed out the game - Mathieson working a scoreless eighth and Green finishing the Americans in the ninth for the save.

"We thought we'd go with the kids," said manager Ernie Whitt, who saved his bullets (Jeff Francis, Chris Reitsma, Jesse Crain) for tonight. "When I was a player and I'd never seen a pitcher before, I always thought that the pitcher had the advantage.

And Now, The USA is on the brink of elimination! …

Canada, which strained to beat South Africa on Tuesday night, is 2-0. Team USA is 1-1. Mexico was 0-1 going into Wednesday night's game against South Africa.

The U.S. would be eliminated if Mexico beat South Africa on Wednesday night and then beat Canada on Thursday night by a score of 2-0, 2-1 or 1-0.

"Really?" Rodriguez said. "Even before we play on Friday? [Darn]."

It was a popular reaction.

Manager Buck Martinez shrugged and acknowledged "the perils of pool play," having to assume Friday's game against South Africa still would be meaningful.

If not, a first-round exit by the U.S. certainly would be the tournament's most startling upset and potentially dampen enthusiasm for the WBC's future.

Culpepper wants out of Minnesota …

In an e-mail sent to several media outlets Wednesday, the quarterback acknowledged for the first time that the Vikings have been shopping him and said if a trade does not happen, he wants to be released.

"Now that I have confirmed that the Vikings have been seeking to trade me, I have asked for permission to speak to the interested teams," wrote Culpepper, who fired longtime agent Mason Ashe in January and has been representing himself. "The Vikings have denied my request. If a trade does not happen, then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible."

Culpepper, in the fourth e-mail he has sent to the media since Feb. 5, added that if the team elects not to honor his request, he intends "to fulfill my contractual obligations to the Minnesota Vikings." That statement might have been included to limit the Vikings' options when it comes to disciplinary action.

The Vikings are scheduled to pay Culpepper a $6 million roster bonus this month -- the March 17 due date could be pushed back as many as seven days because of the NFL's decision to postpone the start of free agency -- but Culpepper stated his desire is freedom.

"I appreciate that the owner, Mr. [Zygi] Wilf, is willing to pay my March bonus," he wrote. "However, because of the fundamental differences I have with management regarding the approach to my personal and professional life, I think it is the best business decision for both parties to go our separate ways."

That last paragraph means this: The Vikings don’t like a team leader and QB right in the middle of the “boat party” controversy…How could they ask so much of poor Daunte?

Amare still on the mend …

Amaré Stoudemire has a knee problem. No, the other knee. After a very strenuous workout on Thursday in Phoenix. Stoudemire has a fluid buildup in his right knee, likely from favoring it in workouts while shying away from pressuring his surgically repaired left knee.

He hasn’t worked out basketball-wise for three straight days, although he did some strengthening work before Sunday’s game with Dallas.

“I’m sure I’ve asked a little too much of it,” Stoudemire said, rubbing the knee before the game. “It’s just a little buildup, but it’s a warning to make sure I’m ready before making the next step.”

Stoudemire was hoping to scrimmage five-on-five when the team gets back to Phoenix this week, but that might be on hold until the latest complication subsides and he can again build up his stamina

What is the difference between a North American hockey fight vs European hockey fight?? Sticks!!! …Holy cow, boys. Drop your freaking sticks and fight like men!

In continuing, our coverage on Tim Horton’s Doughnuts, They move to the middle east …

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan are getting their wish — Tim Hortons will be serving double-doubles and doughnuts soon enough.

After weeks of lobbying by the military, the chain agreed to set up a coffee shop to serve soldiers in Kandahar, said Ron Joyce, who co-founded the famous chain in Hamilton in 1964 with NHL player Tim Horton.

Becky is smart …

The Shield begins in Syndication! …Catch up now!

With book on Bonds, Giambi is back in the middle …

Ok, I promised a Hockey mailbag this morning, and I can not be held responsible for the caliber of the questions. Here they are, as received in the last 24 hours:

Question: were the guys up there just as hard on Tippett? Were there critiques on shifts or strategy? Did they ever communicate anything to him on the ice?

Answer: In the GM box, there was very little strategy second guessing, but they did discuss possible adjustments to be visited in intermissions. Up high, you can better see what is working and what is not. So, they offer advice to Tippett, and he can use it if he wants.

Question: Stars seem to have issues holding a lead in games. Is this a result of coaching or player failing to do their jobs?

Answer: I think it is a result of hockey. Leads are not easy to hold in this league, because the harder you try to sit on a lead, the more difficult it is to do it. This isn’t soccer. That is a sport that allows you to pack everyone in and hold a lead, but in hockey, you must simply “just keep playing”. You can crowd the nuetral zone and the blueline more, but other than that, you must keep playing hockey.

Questions from Fat Brad:
One question, Bob: at what time prior to the game does Tippett let the healthy scratches know they won't be suiting up, or does that duty get delegated and Rick Wilson has to let Niinimaa and Perrott know they will be watching the game from afar for the umpteenth day in a row? BTW, were Armstrong and Moog pleased with the officiating last night? The hitting looked pretty vicious on TV, and there were only 4 penalties called the whole night. That crew looked like they were pretty much in playoff mode and letting the teams have at ine another last night, the way it should be every night.

One last question: was the brass pleased that Ott didn't engage Staios in the first, or were they a bit miffed that Ott basically walked away from a scrap with a guy who was taking some liberties early in the game?

Answers: I think generally, the scratches know in the morning. They usually stay on the ice for further conditioning in the morning, so they must know the news. I will try to find out how they are notified and report back. The brass is never happy with the officials, I would suggest. Nor is anyone involved in the game at all. Either the refs are calling too many or not enough. A ref is a pretty thankless career choice.

As for the Ott-Staios situation, Ott was at the end of a shift, and it didn’t make any sense for a gassed player to fight a fresh one just for kicks. But, later in the game, when Jason Smith wanted a piece of Ott, It was noted in the box that this would be a fine trade for the Stars and that Ott should oblige him. Of course, Ott was worrying about the puck at that point and did not have time to check with his coaching staff in the blink of an eye.
---

Question: Bob, thank you for the well-written report on the doin's behind the Stars scene. I'm curious, was there any agreement w/ Armstrong and Moog that you would post this report? Did they make any requests/demands of you as a quid pro quo for letting you in?

Answer: They had no idea I was writing an essay on this experience. There were times this week where Doug would say this is “off the record”, but for the most part, I am just using my head. If I think it would bother him for me to reveal a competitive secret, then I don’t do it as a professional courtesy. This allows for future access. If I spill the beans of everything I observed, then that will be the last time I am invited, I am sure.

Question: A brief question for you....while watching the game with Moog, does he ever talk smack under his breath about Turco? I imagine that it's like a hot girl that talks some trash to her friends about the hot(ter) girl that just entered the room and is dressed a little better than her. Did he ever say anything like, "I would have made that save," or "I would NEVER have let that guy abuse me like that?" Please tell me that this kind of thing happens.

Answer: Nope. Moog is a professional coach. His major job is to make Turco a Stanley Cup winning goaltender, just like Moog was. That occupies all of his time these days.

Questions: I love hockey. Raised on Football, converted forever when the Stars arrived and haven't looked back. I want it to be more loved. It almost makes me crazy that it hasn't caught on. It will never be the NFL (nor do I want that). Just appreciated. What can be done? What is the "mood in the room?" I understand where the nay-sayers are coming from. Sometimes the game on the TV looks grainy and can be hard to follow. Does HD help that? Also, I think one thing that could help is what Ralph suggested a few years ago: games built around weekends, against the same teams. It would be hard to schedule, but can be done. We aren't asking for makeup for the pig. This is a great game. What can be done?

P.S. It is obvious why the Stars brought you guys along. I think they (or someone) should organize trips like that. Taking fans on swings through hockey country could really raise our appreciation for the game. Selling it to the wife...

keep your bald baby arms harder,
frustrated warren, dallas

Answer: A very complicated question that has a complicated answer. This is all about a number of things that will contribute to the popularity of hockey. New rules, High Definition, young personalities that are interesting to the public, and many other things will all help hockey move in the right direction. Will it ever catch baseball, football, and basketball? Not likely in the South, but that is ok. Those of us who love this sport should only be concerned that hockey is being all that it can be. Whether Jim in Alabama will ever like it is not very important to me.

Question: Just kind of curious what your gut feeling is. Do you think the Stars will make a significant move at the deadline. I personally think one is needed. This PP and PK have been very average this year, and lately it has been horrific. If we add anything I think it needs to be someone who can help in those areas.

Answer: Significant? Not really. But, I do think it is reasonable to assume they are looking for one more character guy to put on their 3rd or 4th line to help them along. They are still very short of depth if injuries hit, and if you could get a guy like Dallas Drake for a reasonable price, I think they would like to do that. The Power play is not successful from lack of talent. They just need to click here down the stretch.

Question: Bob, I think they need to take another run at changing the goal song. I think if they find an established song and don't try to trick something up that shows them to be northerners trying to look Texan, the fans would be okay with it.

But after Gary Glitter is convicted AGAIN of child molestation, basically funded by the residuals from arenas playing that song, it creeps me out more and more.

See if you can bring that up again. Sure, the last time it didn't work out, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good idea. Plus, they should give it more than a one-game tryout before they cave.

Love you (and the Stars),
Patty

Answer: There is plenty I would change about the Stars game presentation. I know those who work on it do their very best job, but I just have a strong opinion on how hockey games should feel, and I think the Dallas version of it is not very “hockey”. I support the hockey organ, I support hockey music (not Kiss FM music), and I support keeping things fresh. Gary Glitter when we score and “Darkness music” when the opponent score is the polar opposite of fresh.

Question: Bob,
'ockey question
no fights during power plays - why?
tell dan hey from gussie

Answer: There are many reasons there are no fights during a power play, with the most reasonable explanation being that there are almost no fights in the entire game, but also the players are not in positions that cause contact on the PP. Contact leads to fights. And on the power play, players are usually a fair distance from eachother. Another reason is personnel. Usually, your PP specialists are not your players who enjoy to throw punches. And yet another reason is that on the PP or PK, the players on the ice are really focused on that little black puck.
Hope this was sort of enjoyable. Another mailbag will be down the road.
Calgary tonight. A very big hornets nest, and a tough place to play.

A Night with the Brass

I had a golden opportunity tonight to enter the inner sanctum of the hockey world when just before the game started, Stars GM Doug Armstrong asked me if I wanted to watch the game in his booth with assistant coach Andy Moog. Despite the fact that I knew going in that it would be a tense endeavor, I could not pass on a chance that may never come along again.

So I pounced.

I wasn’t really sure what Stars brass does up top the arena during a hockey game after all of these years. You always see the assistant coach on the bench who appears to have a headset on, but you never knew what he was doing or what purpose was being served.

Now I know. Andy and Doug saved the final seat for me, last night during the Stars 4-3 Overtime/Shootout win in Edmonton, and here is what I remember from it all.

- Every play is the most important play in the history of hockey (I think). Wow. I looked at my calendar and saw it was March 7th, but from the tone of the room it felt like early June. I am not kidding. I still have a headache. I was as nervous about the outcome of a Stars game as I can remember being in years. This game meant the world it would seem, although I knew the whole time it was only one of 82. I swear, these guys must have amazing blood pressure readings because the intensity of the game and the intensity of the GM’s box was enough to give me the feeling of eating an ice cream cone so fast that you get “brain freeze”. Every shift was scrutinized, every player critiqued, every official was barbecued, and on and on.

- Every score around the league means something. I wanted to fit in, so I tried to convince myself that Chicago vs. Columbus was really a big deal. Of course, inside, I knew that there was no sporting event in the world that meant less than that abomination, but like I said, it was my job to fit in tonight. And man, when word made it around that Detroit had lost at home to Phoenix? Well, we all knew that this left two points on the table for the Stars to seize if they could win.


- Every Player is expected to perform perfectly. I am sure if I was around this environment more I would understand that there is room for understanding and the realization that nobody is perfect, but when the game is going on, it is quickly noted that each player has a job to do. If he fails to support the puck over here, or get the puck out of the zone over there, well, Armstrong and Moog make a mental note (and, at times, a very demonstrative verbal note). I am not sure what they do with these notes, but I assume they go in the file for future reference. The thing that got me thinking was this: When you watch a game this closely, you notice every single wart of every single player. For instance, a guy who I thought was infallible with this franchise was Mike Modano. Surely the most loved player in franchise history would be allowed to make a lazy pass once in a while, right? Trust me, that is not the case. The tone was similar throughout the lineup, but as the saying goes, “your best players must be your best players”. So, make your mental list of who the best players are on the Stars, and those are most likely the players who were most heavily critiqued for questionable decisions or performance. It would seem that over a season or several years of this, you would learn a player’s tendencies inside and out, and as a GM, the temptation would be to only recognize the warts of a player. Over that course of time, you may talk yourself into believing that he cannot get the job done for you. Would you then trade him away for someone that you only see in the highlights? Another player who is only obtainable because his GM also thinks his warts are too much to overlook? (Erskine for Niinimaa) Surely, if you look with the close eyes of these player judges, you can find the negatives in everyone’s game. I guess the job then becomes to also see those positives, and realize that every player alive is a combination of strengths and weaknesses, and try to find the combinations that you can live with.

- Cheering is allowed in the press box. As long as you have the door closed on your box, when Jussi Jokinen buries a penalty shot, feel free to pump your fist and say, “yeah!” This game means a ton to these guys, and when they score there is much rejoicing.

- When scored upon, remain quiet. I am not sure this is actually a rule or proper protocol, but when Edmonton mounted what seemed like an inevitable rally in the third period, I was not about to say a word until several minutes had passed. In the meantime, the uncomfortable silence was deafening. It is tough to compare it to anything else, but know this: It was tense, and it was not just another game.

- Here is what Andy Moog appears to be doing. He talks down to Derek McKinnon and Mark Lamb about the forecheck strategy of Edmonton and how the breakout execution is working. Edmonton employs a ferocious forecheck as all 3 forwards will go as deep as they please to try to create turnovers. Moog describes them as “horny” on the play, and if they get too horny, the Stars will get odd man rushes the other direction. Anyway, Moog tells McKinnon, who handles the video for the team, what scenarios need to be clipped for intermission viewing by Dave Tippett and his staff (I believe).

- Armstrong, on the other hand, is watching the game as closely as he can, watching the out of town scoreboard, watching the minor league scoreboard, watching the transactions, and offering red licorice to Moog and me. How he can be this wired all season long is amazing. He appears caffeinated to say the least, and aside from his players, the refs, and Edmonton’s players, everything is going well in the game.

- As the lead is disappearing in the 3rd, frustration is growing in the box. By the time it is tied, the brass is begging the boys to hang in there (even though no one can hear them but me), as this arena is trying to push the Oilers over the top. You can’t believe how cool the whole scene is. My head is pounding because the nerves are being asked to carry so much stress. Once again, I am reminded this is one of 82 regular season games. Win or lose, this is only important tonight, because Thursday there is another game either way. But tonight, it is game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

- We get to the overtime, as pucks whistle by Turco and nearly miss, while the Stars’ chances are becoming fewer and farther between. As Guerin charges the net and the puck is sent in by Stu Barnes perfectly, the boys upstairs think the game is over, but somehow the puck goes wide as Guerin is shoved into the net. Close call, game on. Time runs out on the game, but the shootout exists, and the result is a given, right? I felt it, I could sense they felt it, and after Jussi Jokinen’s feature on the front of the Edmonton sports page yesterday, the Edmonton crowd knew that taking on the Stars in this new shootout is like trying to out ride Lance Armstrong in the Alps. Zubov scores, Turco saves, Jussi scores, Turco saves, handshakes, smiles, fist-pumps, and on to Calgary.

- I sat there, tried not to say anything stupid, and observe what life is like when every game means so much. You can rest assured in knowing that your hockey franchise’s top spots are occupied by guys who are 100% committed to making sure this team does whatever it takes to win every time they drop a puck. Does it always work? Nope. But, it is sure an intense ride with these guys this week. It is a lot less stressful watching the game in Dallas with a walkman and a coke.

Links:

Mavericks avoid disastrous loss to Blazers …Avery not amused.

"I don't know what I'm going to have to do to get this team charged up," Johnson said during a loud postgame news conference. "But I'm willing to do anything, whatever it takes to get us going. So I'm open for any ideas. I couldn't even talk to my team at halftime.

"It's 100 days to the Finals right now. This is what the NBA season is all about. It's not when you have three days off between games. This is the nuts and bolts. Your body doesn't feel as good, you may be fighting a little fatigue – like every NBA team. You might have a few injuries and nobody gives a care about injuries.

"It's 100 days to the Finals. It's totally on my shoulders. It's not the referees. It's the coach. We haven't been playing well since the All-Star break. I'm going to have to do something because what we're doing isn't working."

Get em’ Avery.

The Sopranos are back with a vengeance Sunday: and here is a reset on where we were …

My happiness will likely only remain for a few more hours (as Liverpool is dangerously close to being bounced today), but I rejoice as Chelsea is bounced. Here is a shocker, the Special One is not ready to admit defeat …What a dope Jose is…

Jose Mourinho suggested Barcelona's progress hinged on what he regards as Asier del Horno's unjust red card as he reflected on Chelsea's Champions League exit. "We were playing with 10 players for most of the first leg so we haven't seen two games where we had 11 against 11," the manager said. "Barcelona haven't won against 11 players, so that's all I can say."

Asked by ITV Sport whether the better team had won over the two legs, Mourinho replied: "I don't think so." He added: "We had a tough job after the first tie which was lost in circumstances that were minimum strange." But he was more gracious in front of the local media, saying Barcelona's progress showed that they deserved to go through.

Bonds is done …I would think…

If you believe Bonds, then you believe the third-leading home run hitter in the history of Major League Baseball is the victim of an unrelenting federal and media conspiracy designed to frame him for the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
If you believe the excerpts of "Game of Shadows," then you believe that Bonds and his mind-boggling, bloated numbers of 1998-2004 (he missed most of last season with an injury) are a fraud.

I believe the book. I think Bonds is -- or was -- a human Walgreens, a grotesque and insulting example of better baseball through chemistry. And I think he should slither away, joining Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro in forced baseball exile.

Bonds is finished. He might play again, but there is only a chalk outline left around his integrity and home run totals. And the only way he gets into Cooperstown is if he spends the $14.50 for a Hall of Fame admission ticket.

That is all I can offer this morning from Calgary. I hope you enjoyed the report from the GM box.

For tomorrow, Since I am in big hockey mode, I promise a hockey mailbag. If you are a Stars fan or a hockey fan and you want email questions answered, send them to me or leave them in the comments below…

Tuesday in Edmonton

Welcome to a place where the entire front page of the sports section is dedicated to Jussi Jokinen's top-notch record in the shootout. I am not kidding.

I must admit that I did not think blogging would be this difficult on the road. I apologize for the complete lack of presence in the last few days, but this new schedule is totally confusing. Anyway, here is a blog that has nothing to do with the road trip. But, I did want to get something up this morning:

I have received tons of email about our news at The Ticket, and the opinions seem split down the middle. Many expect that carrying the Cowboys will mean the station is going to really change. I don’t see it. I think our bosses are smart enough not to allow an editorial change to the station with an agreement like this, and further, I don’t think the Cowboys are anywhere near the paranoia that has been demonstrated at times by the local baseball and basketball teams when it comes to trying to get a leash on the talk show hosts.

I guess I don’t see the downside of this. Our job is to win, and signing the Cowboys is something that leads to winning.

Barry Horn forced to write about the Ticket …

Jones joked that one of the provisions of the deal was that Ticket personalities, who can be merciless with their satire, would "lay off me."

For example, The Fake Jerry Jones, who says things the owner of the Cowboys never would, is a staple on morning drive's Dunham & Miller Show.

"But I did sacrifice my son, Jerry Jr.," Jones said with a laugh. "There will be no holds barred."

Bennett said his station, which has built its success on its willingness to critique, will not change now that the Cowboys will call it home.

"What we do here is never personal," Bennett said. "We will continue to do what has made us so successful."

Mac Engle writes about it, too …

The deal had been discussed in the fall, but the two sides were apart on money. In the past 2 1/2 weeks, the two sides found a middle ground and made a deal. As part of the agreement, "The Ticket" will host a one-hour Cowboys show Tuesday nights, and the team will be responsible for selling some on-air advertising. Game-day broadcasts will consist of three hours for pregame, three hours for the game and three hours for postgame.

The first item of business is determining whether play-by-play man Brad Sham, who recently completed his 27th season with the team, will return to his post. Sham and color analyst Babe Laufenberg are without contracts.

Jones said no decision on that has been made, but KTCK vice president Dan Bennett conveyed he prefers to keep Sham and Laufenberg.

"Brad and Babe are both excellent talents, and we made that clear to [the Cowboys]," said Bennett, who added that adding WFAA TV/Ch. 8 anchor and former Cowboys commentator Dale Hansen to the broadcasts is unlikely.

What also appears unlikely is that "The Ticket", known for its humorous skits, will be dissuaded from having fun with the Cowboys. A station that has referred to Cowboys coach Bill Parcells as "the New Jersey Con Man" and offers listeners "the fake Jerry Jones" will be free to do so.

Laroi Glover signs in St Louis …for a nice amount of money…

Glover, a salary cap casualty a few days ago in Dallas, signed a three-year deal with the Rams on Monday. According to league sources, the contract is worth $12 million, including a signing bonus of $3.5 million.

"This is an exciting 'sign' for us," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "It's a big need area for us. We've spent a lot of time evaluating this position. It does help that we all have some background playing against (Glover). And I'm glad now that we only have to block him in practice and not games."

Before signing with the Cowboys in 2002, Glover spent five seasons playing with New Orleans. During that time, he had some monster games against the Rams.

One of my favorite players in baseball, Kirby Puckett dead at 45 …

On Monday, the sports world held those memories close as Puckett died in a Phoenix hospital, one day after suffering a massive stroke. He was 45.

"It's gut-wrenching," Twins President Dave St. Peter said. "We lost a dear friend. Really, somebody who in many ways was the foundation of this franchise for a long time."

11 innings that Kurkjian will never forget …

This morning, I made it a point to get to Tim Horton’s …It is a Canadian tradition, and I had to do it. So, I grabbed the winter cap, and wondered down to Jasper and 102nd in Edmonton to get some Tim Bits and coffee. It is perhaps a nicer Dunkin Doughnuts, but otherwise, nothing to write home about.

who is Tim Horton? …

wikipedia page …

Tim Horton was born in Cochrane, Ontario and grew up playing hockey in the small leagues of northern Ontario. He was drafted into the NHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs, with whom he played for seventeen years, winning four Stanley Cups. Horton later played with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. Known for his considerable strength and coolness under pressure, Horton was a hard working, durable defenceman who was named three times to the NHL's First Team All-Star line-up (1964, 1968, 1969), and three times to the Second Team (1954, 1963, 1967). He also participated in 7 NHL All-Star games.

In 1964, Horton opened his first coffee and doughnut shop, named after himself, in Hamilton, Ontario. Horton added a few of his culinary creations to the initial menu. By 1965, Horton had partnered with investor Ron Joyce, who quickly took over operations and expanded the chain into a multi-million dollar franchise.

Early in the morning of February 21, 1974, while driving the QEW from Toronto to Buffalo in his Pantera sports car, a gift from Sabres' GM George "Punch" Imlach, Horton lost control, crashed, and was killed. He was negotiating a curve on the QEW where it crossed a ravine in St. Catharines. A police officer pursuing Horton's vehicle said that he had been travelling at over one hundred miles per hour. There were also reports Horton had consumed a considerable amount of vodka, and was rumoured to have been taking pain killers due to a jaw injury suffered in a practice the day before. An autopsy report released 31 years after his death showed Horton had a blood-alcohol level of twice the legal limit. The blood test also showed signs of amobarbital, possibly a residue from the Dexamyl amphetamine pills that were found on Horton's body. The autopsy showed no indication he was taking painkillers.
The entire NHL went into mourning after his death, especially the Buffalo Sabres, a group of young players in which Horton had played a crucial role in maturing into a group of stars that would reach the Stanley Cup finals the following season. Horton left behind a wife, four daughters and a son.

Horton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.

Horton's daughter later married the son of his former business partner and they currently run a Tim Hortons franchise in Ontario.

Meanwhile, the Great Gordo blogged about Greggo, life ….

NY Daily News about the Gumbel Olympic Rant …

The most hilarious thing about the firestorm Gumbel generated was not just the scholarly reaction to his commentary, which went something like this: "If a white guy said it he would have been fired." No, it was also the fact it took over a week for anyone to react to Gumbel's words. If what he said was so troublesome, so darn offensive, why were the offended parties so late to pounce?

What this proves is there are many - even some people Gumbel ticked off - who don't stay up until 10:50 p.m. to catch his closing comments that end each and every "Real Sports" program.

Think about it. If any of the outraged folks ever watched the entire show, including Gumbel's closing monologue, they would have even more to complain about. Anyone who regularly watches "Real Sports" knows Gumbel leans toward the provocative - even when he is talking about a subject as bland as Bud Selig.

So, it would be absolutely no surprise Tuesday night if some of Gumbel's harshest critics - along with those who, because of the controversy, will be watching "Real Sports" for the first time - stay up to see what he has to say. Yeah, it makes me wonder if Gumbel might use his regular platform to respond to his critics.

And then this discouraging word about hockey ratings in New York:

While on this ratings kick, here's an interesting particle. Thursday's Phillies-Yankees spring training matchup on YES pulled a 0.9 rating. The 7 p.m. replay notched a 0.5.

That same night, Rangers-Flyers on MSG (a big game, right?) did a 0.4 while Islanders-Devils pulled a 0.1.

Ouch!

I am not saying Randy Galloway listens to us But, where did he get this sports cliché?…

In a desperate pursuit of veteran starting pitchers over the winter, Rangers GM Jon Daniels kept coming up with a big bag of nothing.

Josh Beckett? The salary-dumping Marlins were stupid enough to ask for, then reject a trade involving Hank Blalock and top prospect John Danks.

Matt Morris acted like an interested free agent, then took the Giants' money.

Free agent A.J. Burnett piqued the Rangers' interest, but it soon became obvious he was on his way to the Blue Jays for about a 100 mil, Canadian.

Once again, it appeared that pitchers of any ilk wanted no part of the shooting gallery in Arlington. And that's understandable.

But Daniels, of course, stuck with it, became bold and aggressive, and eventually was able to start stuffing some pitchers into that big bag of nothing.

World Baseball Classic website….feel the excitement….

Not There...Yet.

Time to head back to the drawing board, here in Dallas. After game 57, the script has not changed. Yesterday, on the show, I mentioned how much Spurs-Mavericks remind me of Cowboys-Packers in the 1990’s. The Packers knew the Cowboys owned them, and no matter how long and hard they tried to change that, it never happened. They would try new approaches and new players, but at the end of every trip to Texas Stadium, they still knew they had a ways to go.

Well, the Mavericks look like they still have a ways to go. There were some good things. I was encouraged with the defensive presence of Diop, and maybe even to a lesser extent with Dampier (nice rejection on Van Exel) although Damp’s hands still nullify any good he does. I also continue to enjoy the intestinal fortitude and all-around ability of Jerry Stackhouse. He is a guy you want on your side in a dark alley.

But, of course, there was a lot not to like. Dirk. Buddy, I am not sure there has been anyone that I was so sure was great, but yet had so many poor nights at just the wrong time to make everyone question you since the early days of Brett Favre. Maybe, you, like Favre will eventually win your title and the world’s respect, but for now, there are still many that question the big German.

He just can’t allow Bruce Bowen to be his demise. He just can’t. I wonder why he didn’t try to post him up, but I have to believe that Avery did not order it. And then you can surmise he did not order it, because he knows Dirk can’t do it.

But perhaps you are justifying in your head the same thing I was doing last night; perhaps, you say, well, Dirk was not a huge factor, but neither was Duncan or Ginobli. Well, that should scare you. They dominated Dallas in the 4th Quarter without their two biggest offensive weapons giving them much.

Look, I am not saying that they cannot compete with San Antonio, but that giant step forward that I was ready to enjoy last night did not occur.

And while I am at it, let me tell you something: The Spurs fans have passed the Utah Jazz fans as the most annoying in the NBA. Their booing every time a foul happens is comical as they all agree with each other about how a league-wide conspiracy is under way to keep the Spurs down. Of course, they get more calls than anyone, but their fans think the refs are trying to screw them. It also helps that Tim Duncan has never, ever committed a foul. Just ask him. He stands, holds the ball, failed-smiles at the refs, and shows relative disbelief that he could possibly be guilty of an infraction. All this as he has just shoved Josh Howard out of his way to get a rebound.

Clutch and Grab NHL? What do you call what Bruce Bowen is allowed to do in the NBA? What happened to hand checking being illegal?

And, finally, nice bite, Bob. Ok, I am done.

Eddie Sefko’s report from the scene of the crime …

In a game that lived up to the buildup, the Mavericks fought San Antonio on equal terms for three quarters Thursday night. Then their old friend-turned-enemy followed the lead of Tony Parker and Tim Duncan and the Spurs did what they always seem to do, lighting up the Mavericks in the second half and snuffing them out defensively for a convincing 98-89 victory at AT&T Center.

"We didn't come here for any moral victories," coach Avery Johnson said. "We're very, very disappointed that we lost this game."

Meanwhile, the San Antonio paper covers the other side …

Finley, who signed with the Spurs after Dallas cut him, scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter. Horry, who hadn't played in nearly three weeks, showed, again, why he lives for such moments, scoring 12 points and claiming four rebounds.
The Spurs won despite Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili making only 6 of 17 shots. They won by shooting 61.8 percent in the second half and holding Dallas to 40.5percent for the game.

"We got off to a shaky start," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who won the 500th game of his career. "We probably played a little too fast.

"But I thought we came back and hung in the game."

After trailing by 12 early in the second quarter, the Spurs closed within 38-36 by halftime. With Duncan and Ginobili combining to miss seven of their nine shots in the first half, the Spurs rallied behind Horry, Brent Barry and Parker, who overcame his own slow start.

And as much trouble as Duncan and Ginobili had finding their rhythm, Nowitzki had his own concerns, namely Bowen.

Bowen fronted Nowitzki. He attached himself to Nowitzki's hip. He did everything he could to deny him the ball. When Nowitzki did catch it, the Spurs double- and triple-teamed him.

Nowitzki had four points in the first half while making 2 of 7 shots. He finished with 23 points on 6-of-15 shooting.

"He had to work for them," Popovich said. "Bruce is special that way. It really set the tone for our team."

NFL gives another deadline …and America gasps…

it was the show of solidarity, in part, that played some role in the late afternoon announcement that the league and its players had delayed the start of free agency for three days, in the hopes that negotiations can be resumed. The question is begged: Who blinked first? And in the first few hours after the league's statement that an agreement had been reached to push back free agency, there was no definitive answer.

But this much we know: It was NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw, not Tagliabue, who said on at least four occasions in the last few weeks that "under no circumstances" would free agency be delayed. Given his laser-repaired eyesight, it should be noted, Tagliabue doesn't blink quite as much as he once did, now that he has abandoned those lawyerly-looking spectacles he once wore. The union agreed to the delay, sources said, when the league apprised them a new proposal was forthcoming. But they didn't have to stop the clock on free agency and, rest assured, one reason they did was because veteran players had begun to phone the NFLPA offices to question what was going on.

Don't ever call it a groundswell because NFL players, who for years have never held their association accountable for anything, remain too passive for that description to apply. But enough players seemed to summon sufficient gumption to make a difference. And, truth be told, the NFL was under pressure from some cap-bloated teams who were having problems getting under the spending limit.

Glover says goodbye …

In Dallas, six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle La'Roi Glover was the biggest salary cap casualty among a number of cuts, roster moves and potential salary adjustments that could provide between $10 million and $15 million below the 2006 cap of $94.5 million, a source said.

Other Cowboys released were safety Derek Pagel, kicker Brett Visintainer and defensive tackle Willie Blade.

The Cowboys also moved linebacker Dat Nguyen to the reserve/retired list.
Glover, who was due a $1.5 million roster bonus, was told of the move early Thursday morning. He also said he was not asked to restructure a contract that would have counted $7.2 million against the NFL's salary cap.

"It's not always a negative," Glover said in a phone interview from California. "I still feel like have a lot of good years left."

The Cowboys saved $6 million by releasing Glover -- $4.5 million in base salary and the $1.5 million roster bonus. He will still count $1.2 million against the Cowboys' cap next season.

Ouch! Stars pounded in Phoenix …Just in time for our road trip…

We finally get to use the Mercy Rule in “grown-up” baseball: Japan 18, China 2 …but China asks for a basketball game for revenge…

Are Jedi Knights all frauds? …

Find out how old you are …



What is gayer than the small-of-the-back tattoo?

OK, besides Johnny Weir …

Must See TV

Game #57.

I cannot imagine there has been a game in the regular season that has had this much importance placed on it before today. But here we are. The little, doubted Mavericks are being heavily discounted nationally, and now in front of Chuck and America, they must put up a good fight tonight. The outcome is important, especially for those of us that believe that for this team to win the NBA title, it better grab the #1 seed first, but let’s not get too carried away. There will be another day if the Mavericks fail tonight, but to hold off the Spurs in the final 25 games, they must not get swept in their remaining 2 visits to San Antonio. Now whether they win tonight, or Friday, April 7th, may not matter, but since we all live in the now, let’s see what the Mavs have tonight.
The doubters are waiting to pounce.

Buck Harvey examines the #1 seed importance …

Smart sportswriters armed with NBA Guides have deciphered the import. Over the last 10 years, for example, six No. 1 seeds and three No. 2s have represented the West in the Finals. The exceptions were the 2002 Lakers, seeded third, who were merely the two-time defending champs.

When Dirk Nowitzki repeated Wednesday that there's a big difference between the No. 1 and No. 4 seed, everyone nodded. What chance would a No. 4 seed have?

This season, a great chance. There's a reason that top seeds have won the West over the past decade. One, top seeds are logically better, and, two, this three-division format in each conference was implemented only last season. To put it another way, there hasn't been a 60-win fourth seed before.

Last year, Dallas, with 58 wins, was the one that dropped to No.4. Less was said about it then, because the Mavericks fell only one spot lower than they would have under the old format.

Our old buddy, Nick the Quick, lives in San Antonio …He doesn’t call anymore…

"People ask me if they can still call me 'Nick the Quick,'" Van Exel said recently. "It's definitely not that any more. That's just reality."

At 34, Van Exel is more like "Nick the Slightly Faster Than Average."

Reality for Van Exel and the Spurs also is a Thursday game at the AT&T Center against the Dallas Mavericks, who have the best record in the Western Conference and lead the Spurs by one game in the Southwest Division. Since the regular-season division winner likely will earn the No. 1 playoff seed in the West and the division runner-up the No. 4 seed, Thursday's game is considered important.

Van Exel understands this better than most, which helps explain his recent offensive fire. It is time, Van Exel said, to reconnect with his longtime persona.

"Definitely," Van Exel said. "I know I can help the team out more if I'm a little more aggressive. Basically, throughout this season I've been playing not to make mistakes, playing not to hurt the team."

Van Exel's aggression and precision in the 2003 Western Conference finals appealed to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich when the team pursued him last summer. In the Spurs' 4-2 series victory, Van Exel averaged 17.5 points — Steve Nash averaged 14.8 — and was Dallas' most reliable clutch shooter.

Van Exel spent more than a few afternoons in the months that followed playing golf with his then-Mavericks teammate, Avery Johnson. The two lamented a missed opportunity and relished the chance for another shot at the NBA Finals. In mid-August, each was traded to the Golden State Warriors, who have been absent from the playoffs longer than any Western Conference team. The move was tough for both, but Van Exel took it especially hard.

"There's two NBAs," Van Exel said. "There's one with teams that are used to winning and making the playoffs. And there's one with teams that lose a lot."

No need to ask which categories the Spurs and Warriors occupy in Van Exel's view.

"It's nice to be back in the real NBA," he said.

Cowboys must decide on Glover …

Jerry Jones knew the day was coming, and the Cowboys owner and general manager did his best to put off a decision regarding defensive tackle La'Roi Glover.

One of the best free-agent signings the Cowboys ever made, Glover finds himself in position to be released today because the Cowboys owe him a $1.5 million roster bonus Friday.

The Cowboys have until 3 p.m. today to come up with a deal to delay Glover's bonus or 11 p.m. to restructure the contract. The team was in talks with Glover's agent, Tom Condon, at the NFL scouting combine.

If the Cowboys release Glover, they would save $6 million against the 2006 cap. He is scheduled to count $7.2 million, but if he is let go, they would be on the hook for just $1.2 million.

"I really have no idea what's going to happen, but I know that's just part of the business," Glover said. "I would like to stay, but if they feel like they have to go in another direction, that's OK."

The NFL Cut list keeps growing …is today Bloody Thursday?

With negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement stalled, teams are readying for what one general manager suggests will come to be known as "Bloody Thursday." A number of teams are up against the projected cap limit of $95 million to $96 million for 2006 and the lack of a CBA extension means there are few options for relief. The result is that a number of big-name players will be jettisoned by Thursday, when teams must be in compliance with the spending limit.

The moves have already started, with several teams sending players to the chopping block Wednesday.

Bucs keep Simms …

Quarterback Chris Simms agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wednesday, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.

The signing comes two days before Simms would have become a restricted free agent and allows the Bucs to keep the quarterback who started the last 10 games in the 2005 season after Brian Griese went down with a knee injury.

Simms, drafted by the Bucs in 2003, won six of his 10 starts and led the team to an NFC South championship. He completed 191-of-313 passes for 2,035 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Thanks to Randall A, here is the cap status of every NFL team Thanks to John Clayton …

Scientist discovers coaches are too conservative …

Romer found that when faced with fourth-and-goal on the 2-yard line early in the game, going for a touchdown is the much wiser choice. While the field goal is a near certainty, getting a touchdown in that situation has about a 43 percent chance of success, he calculates. And failing to score a TD at least leaves the opponent deep in its own territory.

But in nine case studies of this situation, the teams booted against the odds.
After doing a whole bunch of complex math, and considering things like momentum and field position in more than 700 real NFL game situations, Romer concludes that whenever the chance of a touchdown is statistically 18 percent, that's the better choice.

The study used data only from the first quarter of games, when the contests were still close and the outcome uncertain.

Julio Franco keeps doing what he does ….

Franco has known no other way for the last 15 or so years. He is this way not only because he plays baseball for a living. He also wants to stay alive as long as possible. In December, the 47-year-old Franco, who began his professional career in 1978 as a Phillies minor leaguer, signed a two-year contract with the Mets that will expire after his 49th birthday.

Part Methuselah, part Incredible Hulk, Franco is, by 4 years 2 months 26 days, the oldest player in the major leagues. But he has the sculpted muscle definition and trim waist of an athlete half his age.

If, as Franco wishes, he plays until he is 50, he will not diverge from a regimen that includes ingesting about 5,000 calories daily; lifting weights six days a week; and attending weekly sessions with his chiropractor and massage therapists to align his spine and restore his balance.

A religious man, Franco obeys the Ten Commandments, and he also has three personal rules, in increasing order of importance: eat well, work hard and get proper rest.
"There are no magic pills," Franco said.

Witness: the gay soccer ref …

Now this is a promotion: Uncle Rico gets work! …

Make Bill Guerin Dance …

Our Friend, Skin’s project …



Acie Law hits the shot; Dave South goes wild? …

UT wanted to stop the drive and force the Aggies to shoot a contested jumper. It was probably only inches of separation Law created between himself and Daniel Gibson, but it was just enough to drain the long 3 over his outstretched arm.

Three times earlier this season, the Kimball graduate had attempted a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds: once at Oklahoma State and twice at Kansas State. He'd missed all of them.

Law, A&M's leading scorer, was 2-of-10 shooting for 5 points before his final attempt. It would have been his worst outing of the season.

The teams combined for 34 second-half points. Aldridge had just five points and three rebounds.

With their sixth consecutive win, the Aggies (19-7, 9-6) clinched their first winning Big 12 record and the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye in the conference tournament. They have previously been seeded as high as No. 7.

"Coach told me earlier in the game that it was going to be my game and I was going to make a play to win," Law said. "Gibson played great D. I just made a better shot."

If you watched the game, you saw PJ Tucker go “Derek Harper” as he dribbled out the shot clock and allowed the Aggies last chance. Since this was 10 seconds after a timeout, it has to rank as one of the top “brain-dead plays of the year”.
Then we shall credit ESPN with finding the ESPN sign of the night:

Everyone’s
Smart
PJ is
Not

Now that Hockey is back, I will readily admit my college basketball viewing is minimal, but I have watched the Longhorns plenty this year, and I switch back and forth between being really impressed and really unimpressed with that team. They have “early round exit” written all over them, I think.

Aggie Forward Chris Walker strikes again with another shirtless music video …dude is really a nice player, too. I wish I knew what got into him…



Look who got a haircut!

Finally, Here is a review of Amazing Race 9.1 …It is back with quality…although sadly, the overly gay duo has been bounced already…

Wednesday's Effort

Before we proceed, I just wanted to stand and applaud Det. Vic Mackey, and wish him well in this tough time for him and his team…

The NFL CBA situation doesn’t look good right now …What does this mean? I wish I knew. Free Agency starts Friday, and Mort tells us that those teams with cap room have nothing to worry about, but the Colts and Broncos and those with no cap room are in a real bind trying to decide how to formulate contracts. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Scouts, Inc. claimed these three Cowboys could be cut for cap reasons in the next few days:

Dallas Cowboys
OG Larry Allen -- He is getting close to ending an excellent NFL career. He still flashes the ability to dominate at times, but has a $3.5 million salary and $2.5 million March roster bonus. He is a player who can still start in the league, but the Cowboys need to get him to restructure his contract.

DT La'Roi Glover -- With a $4.5 million 2006 salary and $1.5 million roster bonus, his days in Dallas appear to be numbered. He still has the ability to be effective in the right system, but he has never been a good fit for the 3-4 defense Dallas employs.

ILB Dat Nguyen -- Due to injuries, there is a very good chance he is going to retire. He really does not fit the defense either, as head coach Bill Parcells would prefer bigger bodies at the position. With a cap number of close to $2.5 million, Nguyen won't be in a Dallas uniform next season.

I found this list idiotic. Allen will not be cut no matter what, although he could be restructured. Dat basically retired in November. So, is Glover a $6 million dollar player? With no cap issues to speak of, and given his great locker-room presence, I anticipate he is going nowhere, either.

They may have tons of 1st Round picks, But Don Banks points out that Longhorns in the first round are not always huge wins …

But consider some of the names on that list:
• Running back Cedric Benson went fourth to Chicago in 2005, but a contract holdout and a midseason knee injury kept him from making an impact for the playoff-bound Bears.

• Receiver Roy Williams was selected seventh by Detroit in 2004, and while his numbers have been decent (99 catches, 1,504 yards and 16 touchdowns in 27 games), he has only four 100-yard receiving games, and his impact has been far less than the Lions had hoped.

• Offensive tackle Mike Williams went fourth to Buffalo in 2002 and was released by the Bills last week after four disappointing seasons in which his play was often characterized as either too soft or sub-par. Williams represents a major draft bust for Buffalo.

• Cornerback Quentin Jammer was selected one spot behind Mike Williams, going fifth to San Diego. Jammer has been a starter for the Chargers and has been solid if unspectacular most of the time. But for a No. 5 overall pick, his impact quotient has been disappointing.

• Offensive tackle Leonard Davis was the second pick in 2001, just behind Michael Vick. Davis, however, was moved to a less demanding guard position in his first three seasons with Arizona and only switched to the pivotal left-tackle slot in 2004.

• Running back Ricky Williams saw the New Orleans Saints give up their entire draft for the right to choose him fifth in 1999. Williams has been a very productive pro when he has played, but his story has had more than its share of setbacks amid the successes.

• Cornerback Bryant Westbrook was taken fifth by Detroit in 1997, but he has never come close to living up to that lofty draft slot.

I may have been wrong (again). I claimed that the dude who was hit with the ball by Kevin Garnett was looking to get rich. This story claims he is not …we shall see…

The man was wheeled out of the Target Center bowl on a gurney at the insistence of the Timberwolves and not at his request, Tempesta said. Boos followed him into the tunnel, and Tempesta said his friend said that might have been the hardest thing to take.

According to Tempesta, the man bears no grudge toward Garnett or the organization, plans no legal action and simply wants to put the incident behind him. Thus, Tempesta said, his friend was not interested in talking about the situation himself.
"He was not mad for a second at [Garnett]," Tempesta said. "He's mad at anybody who portrayed it that way. ... He's embarrassed about the whole thing. The only thing he's angry with is how the crowd reacted to him."

Revo echoes this website, says Modano right; timing wrong …

USA Hockey must understand that you can't treat the 2006 Olympic team the same as, say, the 1980 Olympic players. Today's pros are accustomed to a higher standard of maintenance. Their hotels, their travel, their meals, their every convenience, is handled by people who do nothing but make sure the athletes are taken care of, first and foremost.

Spoiled? Sure. But they expect a certain standard of treatment, and they're not going to be happy with anything less. For instance, when players asked USA Hockey officials where they could meet their families after games, they were met with shrugs and blank stares.

Bill Guerin found his wife and children at a gas station after one game.

This is the Olympics. It has to be better than that. Modano, as one of the team's senior players, spoke up not because it was affecting him personally -- he had no family in Italy -- but because it was affecting how the team felt and, by extension, how it played.

"You sit there and hear everybody, what they're going through for two weeks while we were there, you felt bad," he said. "It shouldn't have been that type of experience. It should have been handled different. I think that's where I kind of had enough."

Those who think that USA Hockey wouldn't have listened if Modano had waited until he got home are simply wrong. They'd have still gotten the message and maybe Modano wouldn't have been portrayed by the international media as a spoiled crybaby.

"I probably would have come home and thought about what I wanted to do and what I wanted to say, make it more constructive rather than just lashing out," Modano conceded.

"A lot of things need to be said, [but] it should have been done between USA and me in a private manner, on how things are operated and have been for a while, so the people in the future can have a great experience in the Olympics and any other world tournament."

Could this be true? Found in tvguide.com’s rumor column:

SHOWTIME FOR THE BLUTHS?: Hmm, maybe the fat lady should shut her mouth and take a seat. The New York Post hears brand-new buzz that Showtime has not only picked up Fox's canceled Arrested Development but has ordered a full 26 episodes.

If you thought the Stars 3rd jersey was bad, check out the Cleveland police logo…remind anyone of a pork product?

1-peat.com …my dreams have come true!

Alright, here is the most amazing piece of today’s blog. An email I received:

Bob-

Aggie forward Chris Walker decided to make several shirtless music videos with a couple of his dorm mates... now they are on the internet.
links to the videos below...

Grapevine’s own, Chris Walker’s stats …

These five videos are amazing, and as far as I can tell, they all star Chris:

What a Wonderful World …
Total Eclipse of the Heart …

Thug Luv …

The Monster Mash …
Til I collapse …

Do they have shirts in the basketball dorms at Aggieland? Genius, boys.

Finally, here is an email that takes Bill Guerin’s side on the Olympic issue:

Bob,

98.7% of the time I agree with you when it comes to hockey. But on the question of pros in the Olympics I think you’re wrong.
Bill Guerin is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

The owners in he NHL think they can buy a player’s national loyalty and they don’t care about anything but money.

Here are just a few reasons why the pros should play in Olympic Hockey

Here are some reasons why his opinion does not hold water:

1.) A group of non-NHL players would hold no more interest for American audiences – Witness the last two World Junior Championships – Almost no publicity, even when the Americans took Gold.
2.) Your country should always come first. – National pride should not be able to be bought off by some franchise.
3.) The 2002 Men’s Hockey Gold Medal Game, the US vs. Canada, was one of the most watched hockey games in American history. So to say it’s “failed” is to ignore recent reality.
4.) The US team would have won, the popularity of Hockey in the US would undoubtedly increase.
5.) The Olympics are, indeed, an excellent showcase for the sport – for every hockey league involved, not just the NHL.
6.) Players in the NHL are the best players in the world. Not using them in the Olympics devalues the competition. The Olympics should be a competition of the “best”
7.) Playing at this level makes players better – Teams that send their players get back more skilled, experienced and rejuvenated athletes.
8.) These guys DO give their all – To suggest anything else is an insult. These guys would all relish getting an Olympic medal.
9.) The NHL complains that some players may be injured. But there is no consideration for the number of players that will have a week to rehab and heal. This is by far the majority of players.
10.) The NHL can’t really complain about shutting down the season. Besides, there would be an All-Star break which would shut down regular play for 4 days anyway. This is just a few days more.
11.) The NHL owners are insured for player injury. So what are they sniveling about? Some of the teams who have players in the Olympics already won’t make the play-offs.
12.) Before the NHL inclusion, the Russian “Red Army” Olympic Hockey Players were all paid to play, and therefore, by definition, professionals anyway. Now it’s a level playing scenario.
13.) If a group of mostly non NHL players beats a team of all-NHLers, then so much more the greatness of the feat. That makes it exciting.
14.) Non-NHL players who perform well in competition with professionals can be identified and can be considered by teams in the NHL – Making the league better.
15.) Everyone seems to pine for another “miracle year”. There will probably NEVER be another Miracle Year. Get over it!
16.) The owners do not care about international competition because it means no profit for them. They don’t really care about the players getting hurt, or what hockey fans want. Witness the fact that after only 1 year of reduced ticket prices, the Stars plan to raise prices again.


Thanks for letting me voice my opinion


Brian Howe

Have a good day, join us in Awesome town at noon.

A Shocking Blog

This is too funny. Philadelphia was in here last night, and the Mavericks ambushed them with 8 points in the first 40 seconds on their way to killing in the 1st Quarter. But, both papers and likely everyone on the team is far more interested in the Spurs on Thursday than they are in basking in the glow of a win over the 76ers…

Off to San Antonio …Is this being built up pretty big for a game on March 2nd?

And so, the preliminaries have been dispatched. The Mavericks head to San Antonio with both teams rolling and the best record in the Western Conference to be decided over the last 26 games of the season, two of which will be in San Antonio.
The way the Mavericks have won six in a row since a loss at Denver has shown them and others that they are a force the Spurs will have to reckon with.
"This is what you want to take down to San Antonio," Armstrong said. "This team has shown so much character all season. And we're not done."

It is a new day, so we need a new Bill Guerin article …

"The best trade we could make would be getting Bill Guerin playing to his capabilities," Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said during a Q&A with fans last week. "If he comes back with a burr where the saddle goes, he could have a great last 24 games. And nobody is going to care about the first 60 games if he has a great last 20 – and, more importantly, a great April, May and June."

Michael Jack Schmidt gives Raffy a lukewarm review …

Schmidt said if he had a vote, he'd put McGwire in the Hall.

"You have to judge him against his peers in the game," said Schmidt, who hit 548 homers. "He hasn't been banished from the game like [Pete] Rose, and his accomplishments on the field stand for themselves."

Schmidt said Rafael Palmeiro, who was suspended last season after testing positive for steroids, should be judged differently.

"Palmeiro is a stronger issue because of what happened over the past year," Schmidt said. "I have to have more facts. I might pass on him in the first year of eligibility without all of the facts."

Someone had to do it: Sasha Baron Cohen vs Sasha Cohen …

1. THE EUROPEAN CONNECTION
Sacha Baron Cohen Sasha Cohen

Baron Cohen is British. Also, a portion of Kazakhstan is in Europe. Sasha has a Ukrainian mother.

EDGE: BARON COHEN
If this seems like pandering to European readers, that is because it is most definitely pandering. This is because when Dick Cheney resigns, I want to maintain my position on George W. Bush's short list of vice-presidential replacements. Incidentally, I am currently No. 458. CBS announcer Verne Lundquist is a deserving No. 3.

2. WEST-SIDE STREET CRED
Sacha Baron Cohen Sasha Cohen
Baron Cohen often flashes "West Side" signals during television taping. Sasha resides in California.

EDGE: SASHA
You just can't fake when someone is keepin' it real.

3. HEADWEAR
Sacha Baron Cohen Sasha Cohen
Baron Cohen wear skullcaps. Sasha wears American berets.

EDGE: BARON COHEN
It is an unwritten ClayNation rule that when berets are put up against any hat this side of President Lincoln's top hat, the beret loses.

Mack Brown steps in on behalf of Vince …

"So anyone who is reporting that he did that poorly is wrong, point blank, because I called and asked," Brown said. "I was told it's not true. So it's unprofessional and really, really poor for someone to be reporting a number that they don't know is factual that I know is not factual when a young guy has so much riding on it in the future."

Take a sample Wonderlic …

What is the Wonderlic? …

Life after Vince Young begins …

The Longhorns began spring football drills at Denius Fields with redshirt freshman Colt McCoy and true freshman Jevan Snead competing for the starting quarterback job. McCoy is listed at the top of the depth chart, although both will take snaps with the first-team offense during spring practice.

"One of the great things about starting this early — it's closure," Brown said. "We don't ever forget it. It was a lot of fun. Last year's team will always be the national champions. This year's team hasn't done anything yet."

The vacancy sign at quarterback isn't the only one the Longhorns will need to remove before the Sept. 2 season opener against North Texas. Texas lost nine starters from last year's team that went 13-0 and won the school's first national championship since 1970.

Among those leaving were six All-Americans, including the nation's top-rated quarterback (Young) and best defensive back (Michael Huff) and a Lombardi Award finalist (Rod Wright).

Brown said McCoy and Snead, who enrolled in classes in January, are similar enough that the Longhorns will be able to stay with the shotgun offense and the zone read, which became their signatures under Young.

Brown said he can't rule out playing both quarterbacks to start the season.
"People love playing two quarterbacks around here," Brown joked last week.

Amazing Race is back tonight …and they concede defeat last season…

It sounded like a good idea at the time -- and that's exactly how it ended: a good idea at the time.

By the time the all-family edition of The Amazing Race limped across the finish line last December, host Phil Keoghan admitted television's most addictive reality race had taken a wrong turn. The Amazing Race was not so amazing any more.

"We tried something," said Keoghan. "I'm really proud of the fact that we tried something, because I think if we hadn't tried to change the race, people would have criticized us for not being adventurous and doing something different. I'm proud of what we pulled together, but there's no denying the fact the race is most successful when it has fewer faces and more places."

Learning about the NBA Logo …

"It's Jerry West," Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told me recently. "I'm familiar with the original photograph from back in the '70s."

"My impression is that it's Jerry West dribbling to the hole," said David Kohler, president of Laguna Hills, Ca.-based Sports Card Plus Auctions and owner of perhaps the largest private collection of Lakers memorabilia. "I know it's always been assumed that it's Jerry West."

And yet, in a league with a well-deserved reputation for hyping even the most mundane milestone, the NBA did not celebrate the recent 35th anniversary of the logo's unveiling. The league has also refused to acknowledge publicly that West is the player in the logo. A high-ranking NBA official who asked that his name not be used told me that the identification of West is an "urban myth" and that the league has "no definitive records" about who designed the logo.

Why does the NBA refuse to admit that the logo is a representation of West? Is their "urban myth" statement PR bunk, or do they know something the rest of us don't?

What is a transition player in the NFL free agency system? …

Racism alive and well in Spain …

As will have been reported by now, Sam Eto'o was subjected to the usual stuff that he and other black players get at Zaragoza. Last season, when Barça won 4-0, Eto'o famously did his monkey dance in front of the goal where most of the insults were coming from. It was an attempt to defuse the whole thing with a bit of humour, but inevitably it backfired, and resulted in Saturday's scene.

With thirteen minutes left, unlucky for some, and the score still at 0-0, Eto'o suddenly lost his rag and began to make his way towards the goal where the same pond-life which had insulted him last year had been having a go at him throughout the match. As the Zaragoza defenders (wisely perhaps) prevented him from going too close, Eto'o grabbed Alvaro, Zaragoza's Brazilian (black) defender and appeared to point at him, asking the crowd why they weren't abusing him too. Well - he wasn't actually saying that. He was trying to point out the absurdity of the whole thing. Unable to make his point in the cauldron of noise, he turned around and began to walk off, mouthing the phrase that may yet become a watchword in Spain's troubled racial arena - 'No juego más' (I'm not playing any more).

He meant that particular game, of course, but you wouldn't blame him if he wanted to retire from the whole sorry scene. That's because it's not rocket science. The fact that Zaragoza got away with it last season, and have continued to get away with it ever since was the reason behind the lamentable scenes on Saturday, with Eto'o eventually breaking down in tears on the pitch, surrounded by a babbling commotion of players and officials.

Football can suddenly become a very unbeautiful game - and it only has itself to blame, in Spain anyway. It's not up to columns like this to lead the protest, but as reported last year, when I phoned Zaragoza for a chat, they just gave me the 'no comment' line. I might try them again during the week. Why not? They're unlikely to receive any punitive calls from the Spanish Federation.

Racists will always exist, but at least they can be prevented from enjoying themselves every fortnight at everyone else's expense. It's not rocket science. Zaragoza's manager, Victor Muñoz, normally a fairly intelligent chap, commented after the game that it was 'a minority' that had been making the monkey noises, and that it was wrong to blow the whole thing out of proportion because of 'a few'. The racist chants did not represent Zaragoza. Wrong again.

I am so proud of Wisconsin…

Just 2 Guys website …

After having Brandon Noble on the show Friday, 601297.html> Here is his Washington Post article again …Very scary stuff…

Player sold for meat …

BUCHAREST - Romanian second division soccer club UT Arad sold a player in exchange for 33 pounds of meat, local sport daily Pro Sport reported on Monday.

However, the deal turned out badly for fourth-division Regal Horia, because defender Marius Cioara decided to end his soccer career and find a job in agriculture or construction in Spain.

“We are upset because we lost twice — firstly because we lost a good player and secondly because we lost our team’s food for a whole week,” a Regal Horia official was quoted as saying by the daily in its electronic edition.

Just to let you know why I am always behind on email, these 9 emails were received between 10:00 and 10:30 last night:

Hey, bob

Did you see the shocker performed by the big german at the end of the game?

Have you created a monster???????
---

Did you catch Dirk flash the shoker at the end of
monday's game?
---

So Dirk makes his yearly appearance with BaD Radio and tonight he's seen
giving The Shocker while leaving the court? (attached)

Coincidence??

Hank
---

Dirk, at the end of tonights game 2-27-2006
He provided the shocker to the crowd?

Quit spoiling his lilly white german ass!

talk amongst yourself.
no reply!
---

Did you guys see Dirk give the "Shocker" sign on Monday night at the end of the game. It happened at 10:00pm. I wasn't TIVO'ing it, but I'm sure someone was...

p1dave
---

Boys,
I’m sure you’ve all gotten a ton of emails about it already, but in case you missed it, as Dirk was leaving the court after the game tonight, he raised his right arm in the air and held up “the shocker”. I got a really good laugh about it and hoped you all caught it too!
His, Therefore Yours,
Jeff Russell
---

Bob,
Did you by chance see Dirk leaving the court tonight? Has he left the court he rose his right hand with the love for the shocker!

Brad Bahr
---

at the end of the game tonight (to the crowd). im sure someone has it tivo'd and will be sending it to you soon

-rik
---

Did you just see Dirk hold up "The Shocker" walking off the court after the
Sixers win?????

Plain as DAY!! I don't have it TiVod but somebody has to!!!

Brad C

Well, thanks to Hank, here it is:

Welp, see you later…