Down with the Sports Guy

I swear that it never ceases to amaze me how Bill Simmons (above, I guess), the Sports Guy, seems to share 90% of my pop culture views and about 75% of my sports views (his repeated slaying of Brett Favre is our only real sticking point besides his Boston myopia). These percentages are really scary-high in that I am not sure another media member alive is close. Heck, Dan McDowell shares about 50% of my pop culture views, and 40% of my sports views as a comparison. But everytime this guy writes something, I feel like he listens to our show. Here is example #212:

Sports Guy on Grizzly Man …

From Mitch Levy in New York: "You have to write a story about 'Grizzly Man.' It's supposed to be a serious documentary about a guy who lives in Alaska every summer with the bears (who eventually eat him). It's hilarious at every level from the absolute wing-nut bear lover, to the pretentious German filmmaker, and the wacky casts of friends that get interviewed and tell nonsensical stories about him. The message boards at imdb.com are a fight between the naturalists who think it was a beautiful movie and those who think this was better than 'Spinal Tap.'"

Mitch, I'm with you: It's the first documentary since "American Movie" that ranks a perfect 100 on the Unintentional Comedy Scale. First of all, it's directed by Werner Herzog, who (incredibly) decided to narrate the movie even though he sounds like he's auditioning for a Hans & Frans sketch. Second, the Grizzly Man guy is an absolute maniac and can't be described even remotely. You just have to see him in action. He's surpassed Mark Byars (from "Paradise Lost") and Mark Borchardt for me, and I never thought I would say that. Third, there are so many ridiculously funny moments (like when Grizzly Man claims that he lost out to Woody Harrelson as Coach's replacement on "Cheers," or when he's playing with the bear poop) that you can't even believe it's happening as it's happening. I kept thinking that this was like the "Blair Witch Project," some sort of elaborate hoax by the creators of "Mr. Show." But it's not. And fourth, this is the first movie that I can remember that glorifies someone who's completely insane. I mean, COMPLETELY. Utterly and totally.
(You have to rent this movie -- it's disturbing, hilarious, creepy, haunting, you name it. I won't even spoil the ending for you. Just see it.)

Now, I often get asked if we shouldn’t be booking this guy. I think it is better off this way. When you have a writer on the show, sometimes they demonstrate why they are writers and not speakers. And, really, I just don’t want to ruin things. It is going pretty well like it is.

Plenty of good seats available at the Olympics …

So far, organizers and the International Olympic Committee express nothing but happiness with the crowds, but the sparse attendance, including at the two premier events Tuesday — the men's combined skiing and the men's figure skating short program — is startlingly reminiscent of the embarrassment of Athens.

"I would feel very bad if I was an Italian skater," Rodriguez said. "You expect to hear the roar of the crowd. It's a little bit dead out there."

The oval's misery has plenty of company. Freestyle skiing failed to crack the 50 percent mark in attendance at the women's moguls qualifying event Saturday, the opening day of competition, and the atmosphere drooped. The men's figure skaters performed Tuesday night in front of huge gaps of empty seats, and ushers urged people to move down and fill out the lower sections, just as they had done in Athens at the women's gymnastics.

Mavs pinky promise they aren’t making any deals …If you believe them, you are not smart. I’m not saying they are going to make a deal; rather I am saying that they say they are not making a deal EVERY year (including last year)…

The last time the Mavericks made a trade was Feb. 24, 2005, when they acquired Keith Van Horn from the Milwaukee Bucks.

That completed an eight-month spree in which the Mavericks pulled off an astounding eight deals – some blockbuster, some inconsequential – that sent away a dozen players and three draft picks and recouped 14 players and a draft pick. These don't include the departures of Steve Nash (free agency) and Michael Finley (waived).

This gap between trades represents one of the longest trade droughts of Mark Cuban's ownership, which began in 2000.

It is noteworthy that another long stretch without a deal came in 2002-03, when the Mavericks reached the Western Conference finals.

The lack of roster movement is a good indication of how comfortable coach Avery Johnson, Cuban and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson are with the current batch of Mavs.

MTex and Myoung on team USA for World Baseball Classic …

Tom Benson doesn’t move the Saints …

"We have a contract that goes through 2010, and I expect to honor that contract," Benson said of the 10-year agreement with the state that was signed in 2001.

In defense of Gretzky …

He doesn't deserve this.

Crucifixions have changed a bit over a couple of thousand years, but the dynamics are still the same.

You need a mob convinced it's carrying out the will of the public, and you need a victim. The rest -- electronic thorns instead of real ones, soundclip jabs instead of those from spears -- is just progress.

Historically, the role of the person crucified is best played by someone who will appear uncontrite but unwilling to answer his accusers. Wayne Gretzky, an Anglican, always had an eye for detail.

Set against Team Canada working out only a few feet away, Gretzky's press conference lasted just a little more than five excruciating minutes. Andre Brin, the affable media relations guy from Hockey Canada, played a reluctant Pilate in delivering an exhausted Gretzky to the print and electronic media.

What followed was two streams meeting and creating a torrent: An indignant media with the thinnest of rationales and the natural and national inclination we all feel to take down someone who is really big.

Journalists are fun at parties. We're great at Trivial Pursuit, but we are subject to the same mathematics as any group. Put more than two of us on the same story and the group IQ lowers by 50%. Keep taking off 50% with each addition until we become this big stupid mass of microphones and notepads, a dumb, braying jackass convinced that somewhere, just beyond our scent, lies scandal.

The rule of thumb we use for famous people is that they forfeit the right to be treated fairly when they become public figures. Small wonder, then, that the phenomenon of writing about how things look and ruminating about the effects of whatever crap we dredge up occupy so much time.

Journalists, and only journalists, decide what's a story. Cops don't. Judges don't. We do.

Hurray! Liverpool 1, Arsenal 0 …Luis Garcia saves the day...

goals continue to be scarce for Liverpool, they at least showed a keen sense of drama in the positioning of an overwhelmingly deserved winner. The match was in its 87th minute when the resistance of the superb Jens Lehmann was at last smashed. His save from one substitute Dietmar Hamann was excellent but he could not prevent another, Luis García, from converting the rebound from an angle.

Had it not been for Lehmann, Liverpool would enjoy a far merrier record than the laboured figures of three goals from the past six Premiership matches. The German, who had saved a Steven Gerrard penalty in the first half, dived to tip an overhead kick from Harry Kewell round the post after 76 minutes. He could not, however, stifle the truth.

I am not here to champion the most popular sport in the world, but I do want to take this opportunity to suggest that anyone who doesn’t believe a 1-0 soccer game is as entertaining a sporting event as you will see, has never given world class soccer a try. I was on the edge of my seat for 2 hours last night, and it was wonderful.
Of course, this was exciting in that Liverpool was dominating, but yet couldn’t beat the Arsenal defense and goaltending for much of the 90 minutes. Look at these stats to prove it:

Corners:
Liverpool 13
Arsenal 1

Goal Attempts:
Liverpool 22
Arsenal 7

On Target:
Liverpool 9
Arsenal 3

Now, it is Liverpool - Manchester United on Saturday Morning in a heated FA Cup battle.

Meanwhile, Eddie Johnson dealt away by FC Dallas …

He ignited global interest 16 months ago, scoring eight goals in his first seven World Cup qualifying appearances.

A Portuguese club offered $5 million. And famed Manchester United invited the striker for off-season "training," a poorly disguised effort to gauge the player's talent and personality from up-close.

But with a March 1 deadline approaching for MLS salary cap compliance, and driven by fears that Johnson might soon fulfill a lifelong dream of playing overseas, FC Dallas opted to move Johnson now.

Johnson will probably make the U.S. roster for this summer's World Cup. If he does well, he could quickly be a European heavyweight.

Because of his national team duty, Johnson may be available for as few as three MLS games prior to the World Cup. Hitchcock said Johnson's availability also was a factor in Tuesday's decision.

This trade will not sit well with the fans, but I can assure you that it is no big deal. He is gone from the MLS this summer for sure as Europe awaits. Like the article says, he would be available for a handful of games before the World Cup team vanishes (problem #27 with MLS: trying to play a season during the World Cup) and once they leave, Johnson will be gone for good in my estimation. I don’t think he will play in the MLS past April, so for Dallas to get something for him and let Kansas City worry about his future is likely to proper move.

Pistons finally give up, trade Milicic …Ouch. Let’s review the top 5 of the 2003 NBA Draft:

1. Cleveland LeBron James
2. Detroit(from Memphis)Darko Milicic
3. Denver Carmelo Anthony
4. Toronto Chris Bosh
5. Miami Dwyane Wade

Think Detroit would like to do that over?

Here is today’s Olympic Hockey Schedule – even as we speak I am watching Canada-Italy.

4:00A CT
MSNBC 2006 Torino Games
• Ice Hockey - Men's: Sweden vs. Kazakhstan (LIVE)
• Ice Hockey - Men's: Canada vs. Italy (LIVE)
• Ice Hockey - Men's: Finland vs. Switzerland (LIVE)
• Ice Hockey - Men's: Germany vs. Czech Republic (LIVE)
• Ice Hockey - Men's: Russia vs. Slovakia (LIVE)

2:00P CT
USA Network 2006 Torino Games
• Ice Hockey - Men's: Team USA makes its tournament debut against Latvia.

And now, some email:

Ok Bro, cue the piano music:

In 1977 my folks got divorced in Abilene Texas. I was 8 and it was a bad deal all the way around. Conservative town, he was a Church of Christ preacher, you do the math.

Anyways, my mom got tickets to the Dallas Cowboys Hoopsters game against the Abilene Police Department. It was a different era back then, so the kids and fans were VERY close to the players. Conversely, they were more than willing to interact with the fans, especially the kids. Earlier that year I had written a letter to Roger Staubach and he (or more likely the team) sent me an autographed picture signed something like “To Dan, Good Luck, Roger Staubach”, which meant to me, that Roger and I were best buddies. Remember, I’m 8 at the time.

At halftime, as Roger came out of the dressing room, I said, “Hey remember me? You sent me your picture”. He smiled and responded with, “Well that means the mail is working then.” I then asked for his wrist bands, two plain vanilla white wristbands. He slid them off and walked off. I, of course, put them on and wore them 24/7 for weeks.

Now for the twist.

Several weeks later as me, my mom and my 5 year old sister are leaving for school, I was opening my bedroom window. Instead of using the handle at the bottom of the window, I was pushing with my palms against the pane. Both my hands went through the window. My left hand was fine, my right wrist GUSHED blood from underneath.

I screamed, my mom ran in, almost fainted but somehow she kept it together. She grabbed my wrist and using what was left of Roger’s wrist band (which had been shredded by the glass nearly) she put pressure on the wound and drove me to the ER. Once there, it took 17 awful stitches to sew me up. The ER doc said that if my mom hadn’t stopped the bleeding as soon as she did, I could’ve died from blood loss.
To this date, I have a 4 inched jagged scar that looks like a very failed attempt at suicide on my wrist. Every time someone sees it, it reminds me of Roger Staubach!!
OK, that was gay, but it is 100% true--still got the scar to prove it.

Roger Staubach was my childhood hero and after hearing him yesterday, the man is nothing but class!!

Dan

That wins Staubach story of the day. I can’t imagine there is a classier man than Roger.

Bob,

It's your old training camp buddy, Michael. I have a little bit of a decision to make, so I thought you were the BEST person to turn to on this...and I'll tell you why in a minute.

First of all, not looking for air time about this. I'm really curious about my small problem.

I am a huge Troy Aikman fan...just as you are with Brett Favre. You may or may not recall meeting my wife this past summer in Oxnard when we took pictures. She was carrying our first child..P1 of course!

Well, he was born on 12-31-05 and we named him TROY! I know to this day you claim "Brett" is just a coincidence for you. ha ha ha. Anyhow, I'm torn....I go every single year to Cowboys Training Camp since 1992 -- never missed a year.

However, this year my guy Troy made it into the Hall of Fame. My problem, do I go to camp this year again, or go to a Hall of Fame weekend for my boy hood hero. I guess in a way, it completes my little story, since I was there from the beginning in 89.

If it was Brett Favre, what would you do? I just don't know yet if I can do both trips, I'm a nut. What can I say! Is the Hall of Fame that big enough of an event for you to go?

And yes by the way...I'm "hoping" to bring Baby Troy Ticket Stock this year!
Just curious....Michael

Is there any question? You go to Canton. That is a one-time event. The Cowboys will have training camp every year.

Dear Bob,

I am a fellow Packer fan who resides in Dallas. I was born in Fort Worth but am the son of an expatriate Wisconsin dad. Here's my problem: Living in a cold and evil Dallas Cowboys environment I'm bombarded with the fact that the 'Boys have 5 rings while our Pack has only 3. But obviously, WE HAVE 12 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! Isn't the Super Bowl just the World Championship after all? With a different name?

I get into arguments with my rabid cowboy fan roommate all the time. I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times too - how do you personally handle that point? I'm sick and tired of us arguing to stalemate and I want to win.

Thanks a ton!
-Robert Reid

Here is how you handle it- Football existed before 1967. They changed the name of the final game, but there were 40 some seasons before they called it the Super Bowl. Did they count National Titles in College Football before the BCS series was born in the late 1990's? Of course.

List of Titles …

Green Bay: 12
Chicago: 9
Cleveland: 8
New York: 6
Dallas, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Washington: 5

Now, debates can certainly exist about whether the titles were easier back in the day of leather helmets and 8 team leagues. But, if the question is "who has won the most titles?" then the answer is easy to find.

And finally, my vote for cockiest person at Mavs games:

Mavs Maniac, DJ Rock. Look for him tonight.

Happy Valentine's Day

In honor of Valentine's Day, here is a below average blog...

Mavericks wonder how the Knicks beat them last month ….

The Mavs returned to the win column by overpowering possibly the NBA's worst team 100-72 Monday night at American Airlines Center, rinsing away the bad taste of a couple of bitter defeats.

Not only did Denver leave the Mavs sitting on a loss for two days, but the Knicks pulled off a shocker last month in New York. The Mavs were mindful of both coming in, and they played like a team on a mission.

"We definitely were," Jason Terry said. "Anytime you get a good performance against the team that previously beat you, it vindicates things. We're just trying to stay focused, keep grinding it out and get better."

It didn't hurt that the sinking Knicks, losers of 10 straight, were the opposition. Already without Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford, New York (14-37) is in the running with Charlotte and Atlanta for the league's poorest record.

The Mavs (40-11) rode their outside shooting early. Terry, in the All-Star 3-point contest Saturday, knocked down three from deep in the first quarter. Keith Van Horn added two, and the Mavs matched their season high for 3s in a quarter with six in the first.

The Mavs stretched their lead to 20 in the second quarter and 24 in the third. Dirk Nowitzki, the game-high scorer with 21 points, didn't step on the court in the fourth but did pass Michael Finley for fourth on the franchise's career scoring list.

Vince Young may not throw at the combine now …

The agent for former Texas quarterback Vince Young, who stated last month that Young would throw for teams at the NFL combine beginning next week, now says Young may not throw and instead may only interview with teams.

“We want to make sure it’s something we want to do and something that’s best for Vincent,” said Young’s agent, Major Adams.

Found this at Sports by Brooks.com :

VINCE WINCE: Resident bitter football Hall of Famer Deacon Jones to Petros Papadakis of KMPC-AM on former Texas QB Vince Young: "Texas has a chicken-sh-- quarterback, (if I was playing) I'd break his neck. I'll guarantee you I'd break his damn neck."
--

David Sessions rates the Stars at the break ….

Evan Grant with a chat before he leaves for Spring training …this morning!

Will Ferrell in a Racing Movie ….



Meet Nikolav Valuev, the 7-foot heavyweight ….

For every Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard or Roy Jones Jr., moving about the ring with style, grace and fluidity, there's a Mark Gastineau or Ed "Too Tall" Jones, clinging onto the fringes while offering little to the sport, save for the prospect of exploiting themselves, and the public, in the cheap pursuit of a buck or two.
But the proverbial boxing sideshow has, almost without exception, been just that — relegated to the side, safely distanced from that which would be looked upon as substantive, important, or mainstream within the industry.

Is that in the process of changing? Has one of the circus acts emerged to the point where it is positioned front and center in the landscape of what is traditionally boxing's glamour division? And is it just a pathetic sign of the times in the depressed heavyweight picture?

These are the questions being asked in some corners of the fight game these days, inspired by the rise of a figure who may just be on the verge of boxing's Holy Grail.

Nikolay Valuev is a giant of a man, standing at 7-foot (by most accounts anyway) and regularly weighing in at over 320 pounds. Though many people may not be aware of it, he is currently the heavyweight champion of the world, at least as far as the World Boxing Association is concerned.

The former basketball player from St. Petersburg, Russia, who now fights out of Germany, won the title on Dec. 17 with a 12-round majority nod over John Ruiz, a decision that was hotly disputed by the Ruiz camp and many in the crowd, which had been overwhelming partisan toward Valuev when the night began.

Controversy or not, both his life and career are good for Valuev right now, and with plenty of opportunity staring at him, there is the chance to become a worldwide star if everything goes right from here.

Jussi Jokinen is too sexy for this shirt …

If the 'pool is serious about catching Manchester United, They really need to beat Arsenal at home tonight ...2pm and 7pm (replay) Fox Sports World...pray for the Reds...

Greatness Today

We have absolute greatness in our midst today in the 1 o’clock hour. Roger Staubach will join us to discuss football and racing and life as Roger. We have had him in studio one other time in the history of our show, and I recall how wild the scene at the station was as everyone who works up there was scrambling for a chance just to see him or shake his hand.

There exist great athletes and super heroes. Around here, Roger is a super hero.

Staubach’s blog …

---

I have no interest in kicking Marty Turco again this morning. I have it on record that I have grown to doubt him quite a bit in the last 60 days due to his lack of clutch play, which is just as necessary as having a mask on for a goaltender. Well, the last two games did not help his cause. The team looked like it had already congratulated itself on a nice season, and those are the times that Turco can bail them out from time to time. Well, Luc Robittaille’s goal that tied the game at 5-5 was just the opposite of that. It was a goal you would expect any 10 year old goaltender to stop, instead, there was enough room between Marty’s legs to roll a basketball through. Then, he compounds his poor play with taking a poor penalty. I am not sure if this team goes anywhere in the spring with this goalie’s steady hand on the helm…

Meeting time before everyone leaves for the Olympics …

Downside Marty showed up Sunday as the Stars went into the break with an ugly loss: 6-5 to Los Angeles at the Staples Center. In their biggest giveaway of the season, the Stars could not hold a 5-2 lead.

Defenseman Philippe Boucher called the four-goal collapse "embarrassing." Forward Brenden Morrow said the Stars were "pretty brutal."

"We haven't won squat, but we act like we've won something," forward Bill Guerin said.

Coach Dave Tippett called a postgame meeting to address the casual attitude of his club in this game and during Friday's 6-3 loss at San Jose. The Stars could not match the intensity of two opponents trying to get into the playoffs.

"We're trying to build a team that can compete in the playoffs," Tippett said. "You have to have the mental strength to rise to find ways to win. We didn't rise to that occasion."

It all revolved around Turco.

YES! The NFC won the Pro Bowl! …

Kevin Millwood is country …

The forest green Ford F-250 streaked with mud looks out of place in the same row with a Mercedes-Benz and a Lexus at the Sugarloaf Country Club.

Kevin Millwood, however, looks perfectly at home in his pickup and inside the country club.

The truck fits Millwood's upbringing. He is a self-proclaimed country boy from Bessemer City, N.C.

Asked to describe his hometown (population 5,119) during an interview at the Atlanta Marriott Norcross, Millwood looked around the lobby and said it was "about the size of this hotel."

Atlanta overwhelmed Millwood when he reached the major leagues with the Braves in 1997, even though it was only four hours from home.

Not much overwhelms Millwood now.

He has been an All-Star. He has thrown a no-hitter, led the American League in ERA, and has pitched in four postseasons.

"I'll go to war with him any day of the week, that's for damn sure," said Leo Mazzone, who was Millwood's pitching coach for five-plus seasons in Atlanta. "Kevin doesn't have any fear. Period. He's a country boy who loves to pitch."

It looks like Tony Stewart now has a solid teammate; Denny Hamlin with the Win in Bud Shootout …Burton and Gordon on Row 1 in the 500…

Chewbacca’s Blog …

David Hasselhoff is Hooked on a Feeling …

identify your NFL stadiums …

The following comedy is from Bag of Nothing.com …

A 23-year-old man was sentenced to more than a year in prison Tuesday on a sexual assault charge filed after he impregnated a teenager, then married her last spring when she was 14.

Read the article here.

2 Signs This Guy is an Idiot
1. At the age of 24, he got a 14 year old girl pregnant and tried to make up for it by marrying her.
2. He wore a NASCAR tie to court!

Read all about Timothy Treadwell …



Reader’s choice awards in FWST reward the Ticket …

Happy Monday.

That Is the Best They Got?

Dallas Pounds Miami …

"This," said Shaquille O'Neal, "was just a good old-fashioned Texas beat down."
The Heat never led and never had a chance after halftime.

The Mavericks were able to rest their starters, which should come in handy tonight in Denver.

"This is the best job in the world right now," Josh Howard said. "We're playing great team basketball right now."

Emphasis on team. They can tie the franchise record for consecutive wins tonight, but nobody was worried about that Thursday. Stopping the Heat was the only concern. And they did. They scored 33 points off 19 turnovers and also knocked in 56 percent of their shots, including 11-of-16 from 3-point range.

Getting to the NBA Finals remains a dream for the Mavericks. But if they ever make it there, the hard evidence so far indicates they would breeze by the Eastern Conference representative. Ten weeks ago, they hammered the East-leading Detroit Pistons by 37 points. This blowout was one point shy of that.

Cowlishaw says Mavs are the best right now ….and I tend to believe him..

Since Stackhouse came back into the lineup, Dallas is 20-3. That's why with Stackhouse coming off the bench and doing the kinds of things he did Thursday, such as hitting huge 3-point shots at the ends of the first two quarters, the Mavericks are the best team in the NBA.

Period.

There's little argument right now. They have been better with Stackhouse in the lineup than Detroit has been, than San Antonio has been, than any other team on the planet has been.

The Heat players were calling them that Thursday night, causing Stackhouse to remark, "The way they got beat, I know why they feel that way."

We don't know if it can last until June. We don't know how much the Mavericks' big advantage over opponents, which is that great scoring depth, will be diminished in the postseason when games on back-to-back nights do not exist, and the team with the
best five or best seven players usually wins.

But what is important is being seeded first or at least winning your division.
Johnson is trying to guide the Mavericks where they have never been, which is the NBA Finals. To get there, it's a really, really good idea to win your division and be seeded first or second in the West.

Over the last 10 years, six No. 1 seeds and three No. 2s have represented the West in the Finals. The only aberration was the 2002 Lakers, who were seeded third. But they were also two-time defending champions who knew how to get it done in the postseason.

Miami Paper draws conclusions from Mavericks pounding …

Consider it truth in advertising.

Even before his team took the court Thursday night for what would turn into a 112-76 loss to the Mavericks, Heat coach Pat Riley hardly cast this as a battle of equals.

"We're a winning team," he said with a tone of resignation. "Right now, that's all we are."

And then there are the teams like Dallas, well-honed championship contenders that can impose their will and considerable talent on mere winning teams.

Just as it has been against Phoenix and San Antonio, the Heat found itself playing an opponent at another level, with Dallas extending its winning streak to 13.

"That was painful, absolutely painful," a visibly disappointed Riley said when it was over. "I coached an absolutely terrible game."

The Phoenix Coyotes situation is clearly one that is sweeping the nation in a less than flattering way. Rick Tocchet has ruined his life in a way that his affiliation with hockey will take 2nd seat to whether he will be in prison the next several years. As for Wayne Gretzky’s involvement, I will be quick to suggest that I find him to be a saint. So, if I give him a huge benefit of the doubt, you must forgive me.

Here is an email I got from a dude who emails me about twice a year to tell me how much he hates my work:

Subject: you should be embarrassed!
Date: 2/9/2006 7:38:16 PM Central Standard Time
From: sspanzerdivision2@....

while i rarely listen to your program, i did tune-in today and heard you rally-to-the-defense-of-the-nhl-and-gretsky.

what a performance -- one that would, no doubt, make the best defense attorney envious. you should be commended.

apologists, however, are the worst kind of fan, in any sport. but that seems to be your childish nature, regardless of the sport.

you are the type person the former soviet union would call -- "a useful idiot". (i know i probably lost you there, as that analogy sailed right over your head).

however sad, i was not terribly suprised you went out of your way to look for any excuse to minimize what is rapidly becoming a sordid tale of woe, as feces is spread across the face of a barely recognized professional sport on the american sports scene.

hear you have the greatest player in hockey, complicit in aiding and abetting his assistant coach, wife and corrupt new jersey cop -- in their gambling ties with organized crime (aka the MOB).

your naivete is freightening and further illustrates your lack of credibility in discussing sports.

having said that though, i guess more should not be expected from some non-descript, two-bit clown that grew up in rural wisconsin and attended some rural, no-name, right-wing college in western (nowheresville) virginia.

pity the fools!!

Panzer

I thought we were quick to suggest that a) this is bad for Tocchet and the NHL and b) an issue that I don't care about unless they were betting on hockey. I stand behind that. Gambling in this country is a joke, as 50% of gambling is fine, and 50% of gambling is not. Of course, throwing games and running gambling rings with organized crime is way over the line. But, if a hockey player can bet $1,000 in Vegas on the Super Bowl, I guess I don't care. If he uses a website in the Virgin Islands, I don't care. If his assistant coach takes the bet, that is over the line but only because the assistant coach should not be a bookie, not because I think a hockey player betting football is a big deal. Sue me.

Here is an interesting blog from Eklund: and his blog …

A good source who has known Gretzky for years chimes in...."Ask yourself this...if you are Wayne Gretzky and are worried enough to keep your name out of the ring, would you go to your WIFE? Remember you have all kinds of people around you, you have all kinds of money to hire someone else to place bets if that`s what you wanted to do, why the hell would you use your wife`s name? Remember you are supposedly thinking enough to keep your name off the list...do you think Gretzky said, `I know I`ll place bets in my wife`s name...no one will ever tie that to me! This conspiracy and comparison to Pete Rose is ludicrous. Wayne`s standing in the sports world and hockey is something he takes seriously...He feels honored to be `the great one,` he works hard for the sport and is a great ambassador...I don`t think anyone can question that."

Does Wayne have troubles here? Absolutely, if these wire tap rumors are true and he did know of the ring, then he wasn`t straight when asked the other day if he knew of it....I`m sure Wayne is kicking himself for not saying "no comment" and talking without a lawyer present. Tocchet too. Bottom line is until you have had a throng of reporters accusing your wife of illegal doings it is hard to tell how any of us would react.

Here is Gretzky’s statement …

POSTGAME STATEMENT FROM COYOTES HEAD COACH WAYNE GRETZKY

“Well, before I start first of all I want to say that first and foremost I’m not going anywhere.

I am still going to coach the Phoenix Coyotes.

I did nothing wrong, or nothing that has to do with anything along the lines of betting; that never happened.

I’m going to Italy on Sunday to be with Team Canada and be a part of the Olympic games.

Thirdly, lastly, I’m going to say it one more time, like I said the other night; I didn’t bet, didn’t happen, not gonna happen, hasn’t happened, it’s not something that I have done.

So in saying all that I appreciate everyone’s support; a lot of great friends that have said a lot of nice things. I’ve felt like the last three days I’ve defended myself over something that absolutely, unequivocally, I was not involved with.

In saying all that I hope you appreciate that the last three days have been horrible. I’m just too tired mentally and physically to talk anymore about it. There is nothing for me to talk about.

And if you have any questions for people that are involved, contact them.

Thank you.”

At the risk of being naïve, I am tempted to say that someone with Wayne’s credibility talking with that amount of conviction leads me to think he might be telling the truth. On the other hand, I have never thought so highly of any athlete, and therefore perhaps my opinion shouldn’t matter to the Panzer Division.

Oh, by the way, The Coyotes got pounded by Dallas last night …

That much was obvious from the way the Stars, who have won eight of nine games, dominated play and received contributions from throughout the lineup.

No one was more conspicuous than Kapanen, who had only five goals this season -- two in his past 29 games -- entering Thursday.

"We like [Kapanen's] game when he's not scoring, but when he does score, he just jumps out at you," coach Dave Tippett said. "He had a great game."
In goal, Johan Hedberg was everything the Stars could ask of a backup who starts a couple of games a month. He stopped 35 shots for his ninth victory in 13 games this season.

At the other end, winger Bill Guerin -- who had scored only two goals in 34 games and was on an 18-game goal-scoring drought before Monday -- scored for the second consecutive game, starting the Dallas barrage.

Jose Theodore fails drug test….for PROPECIA! …

Dr. David Mulder, the team physician, said yesterday that Theodore, who tested positive for the hair-restoration drug Propecia, has been taking the drug for "eight or nine years," with his knowledge and approval.

The drug was banned by WADA effective Jan.1, 2005, but there were a number of warnings posted on websites telling of the ban months before that. Propecia is not an anabolic steroid and does not have performance-enhancing benefits, but it can act as a masking agent.

"He has been taking it on the advice of a dermatologist," Mulder said. "And he has had very good success and feels it has helped hair growth and prevented further loss and has taken it with my knowledge."

Theodore faces the possibility of a two-year ban from international hockey, pending his appeal to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. No date has been scheduled for the hearing.

"I always like my hair real long and I like to keep it long as long as possible," Theodore, 29, said last night.

"I don't feel I have anything to hide. It's not something that I got on the black market. It was a prescription from the doctor for eight years, so I don't feel uncomfortable by anything."

Perhaps, we can cut the guy some slack and let him try to keep his hair!
David Carr retained and paid his $8 million bonus …

Finally, the Olympics begin tonight. Why don’t I care? I am sure I will be into the Olympic hockey, and if I fly by and downhill skiing is going on I will no doubt hit the brakes on the remote, but this used to be the signature event of my childhood. And yet, this weekend, I am not sure I have any sense of anticipation at all.

Is this everyone, or just me?

PS: Make Sure you swing by Sportsbybrooks.com today and enjoy the Dan McDowell gallery...

Time to Win the Division Title

Go to a Mavericks game sometime, and look up. There you will see way too many Stars banners (why do you need 5 banners for 1999 alone?) and 1 cute Mavericks banner. It says Midwest Division Champion, 1986-87. Perhaps you remember that division title, despite the fact that it was 20 seasons ago in a division that does not exist anymore. Since then, The Mavericks have watched their neighbors win 19 titles without the Mavericks grabbing the division once.

Here they are:
San Antonio 9 times
Utah Jazz 6 times
Houston Rockets 2 times
Denver Nuggets 1 time
Minnesota Timberwolves 1 time.

So that is why I think the Mavericks should not get caught up in this idea that there is nothing left to accomplish before the playoffs. Sure, the ultimate prize is the NBA title, and in the big scheme of things division titles don’t mean that much, but let’s not kid ourselves. The last time the Mavericks beat the other teams in their division in the regular season, Devin Harris was 3 years old. So, while division titles don’t matter to San Antonio, this isn’t San Antonio.

This division title matters plenty. The obvious points are simple: You would have home court advantage for at least the first 3 rounds. You would host the Spurs in round 2, figuring both teams win in round 1, which would seem to be a lock.

But, let’s forget the obvious. How about the fact that despite the great runs of the last several years, never during the "Dirk Era" have the Mavericks finished higher in the standings than their Texas neighbors? Seems tough to win the league when you can’t win the state.

I think for morale that is huge. Again, it is not the big prize, but let’s not act like all of the other prizes have been won. You need to enjoy the journey, and part of that for the Mavericks is focusing on the final 34 games and trying to beat the Spurs to the finish line for once since the drafting of David Robinson.

It will make those other prizes more attainable.

It starts tonight against the Miami Heat …

With center Shaquille O'Neal back on the court, guard Dwyane Wade soaring and forward Antoine Walker doing his best Jerry Stackhouse impersonation, the overhauled Heat began a 20-9 run Dec. 11 -- not coincidentally the date of Shaq's return from a sprained right ankle.

Pat Riley returned as coach one game after Shaq's return, and, now, the Heat has won seven of nine and finally seems to be showing a glimmer of becoming more than an ill-conceived hodgepodge of individual talent.

"That's kind of the hope, anyway, from Miami fans," TNT analyst Steve Kerr said. "But, that may be wishful thinking. They just haven't given anyone a reason to believe that they can win the whole thing yet."

Tonight's game against the Mavs, who are 38-10 and going for their 13th victory in a row, and Sunday's first of three matchups left against Detroit provide a great opportunity for the Heat (30-19) to begin a more convincing run.

Miami is a miserable 1-10 against the current division leaders and is a combined 0-6 against the league's top four teams -- Detroit, San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas. Shaq and Riley were on the scene for four of those six losses.

Meanwhile, Cuban Responds to Phil Jackson on his blog …

"I own Phil Jackson. Not literally of course. That thrill belongs to the smartest businesswoman in professional sports, Jeannie Buss. Figuratively however, the coach formerly known as the Zen Master must now be considered my bucket boy.

"This wasn't an acquisition I proactively pursued. There wasn't an official competition that I won, thereby confirming my dominance of his psyche. Instead Phil has initiated an ongoing commentary about me that started in his previous stint with the Lakers and was reinstated this year with his return, that proves I own the guy.
"For whatever reason, I have gotten to Phil so completely and thoroughly that every time he comes to Dallas he has to offer unsolicited comments about me to the media. I wonder if he dreams about me the nights he spends here in Dallas. Ok, I don't wonder. I'm curious about it.

And then Phil responds to Mark’s response …

"It's just fun to have Mark in the league," Jackson said with a wry smile before the Lakers played the Rockets on Wednesday night.

You won’t believe this, but Dr Z did not have patience for media day at the Super Bowl …

I got into only two near-fights this time. I was talking to the Steelers' ninth DB, Tyrone Carter (why, I'll never know ... working on some kind of weird angle, I guess) and some geek in a long black coat asked him who had the best beard on the team, and he told him, and then he asked him for the worst, and he mentioned someone else, and then the guy said, "Not Ben Roethlisberger?" and threw back his head and burst into a huge wave of laughter.

"Hey, it's not that funny," I said.

"Who the hell are you?" he said, not exactly addressing the point I had raised, and finally some league guy pulled us apart. Oh brother, and this was only Tuesday, with five more days to go.

Yes, I was waiting for the dreaded question, the one favored by idiot interviewers at all 39 Super Bowls I've attended, and I actually thought I was going to get away clean this time, without hearing it. But then a guy from FOX Radio (FOX Radio seems to have cornered the market on idiots) asked the Seahawks' Rocky Bernard, "What's the dumbest question you've been asked?" And I fell apart. "No, no, I can't bear it!" and the FOX guy said, "Something bothering you?" and I said "YOU'RE bothering me!" and once again, the situation had to be defused.

Sammy Sosa to Washington …to join Alfonso Soriano…

Sports Guy on the NBA Rankings from 30-8 …Top 7 is coming soon…

30. Charlotte
29. New York

The Bobcats have 13 wins and the Knicks have 14 wins. According to hoopshype.com, Charlotte's 2005-06 payroll is $33.4 million, while New York's payroll is $125.9 million. Not including team options on younger players, Charlotte has $21.8 million in guaranteed salaries committed for 2007; $14.2 million committed in 2008; and $0.0 million in 2009. New York's guaranteed money looks like this: $110.3 million (2007); $49 million (2008); and $45 million (2009). Also, the Bobcats kept all their first-round picks through the decade, while New York gives Chicago its 2006 lottery pick and switches first-rounders with the Bulls in 2007 (with the Knicks getting the lower pick).

To recap: For that one extra win, the Knicks spent four times as much money, killed their cap flexibility through 2009 and gave away any chance of having a top-five pick in the next two years. On the bright side, Eddy Curry has gained enough weight this season that he might start wearing jackets to cover his rear end during games, kinda like how Oprah dresses when she's in the middle of one of her eating binges. So that will be fun.

(God bless the Isiah Era. We'll be talking about this for decades. I really believe that.)

And now, the comedy “movie trailer spoof” section of the blog:
Grizzly Bear Man …

Brokeback to the Future …

The Shining …

And finally, P1 Brad made me laugh out loud, as he spoofed me eating McDonalds …Wow. That is wasting a lot of time, Brad…

Liverpool, we have a problem. Charlton 2, Liverpool 0 …This qualifies as a crisis for the Reds who have not been the same since Rio’s header on Jan 20th…

P1 Peter hates the Super Bowl …

Make it 12 Straight

This game was far easier for me to predict than the Super Bowl. I said on the show yesterday that the Mavs would win this one easily, and despite a rough few minutes, they demolished the Lakers. This has been a point of contention for the Mavs since December, and they weren’t going to let Bryant beat them last night. Mavs lock down on Kobe and get another easy win…

This night, they held Bryant to 24 points, nearly 12 below his season average and 57 below his season high a couple of weeks ago.

It was Bryant's lowest scoring output since Dec. 23, and he's been held below 24 only six times this season.

"I wouldn't say it was personal," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "We were all just kind of embarrassed by him getting 62 on us in three quarters. We just hadn't played particularly well against them in the first two games. I'm glad we got this game behind us for a lot of reasons."

Adrian Griffin started the game on Bryant, who missed five of his first six shots. Then Josh Howard took a turn guarding him. With lots of help from teammates, they forced Bryant into a slew of tough shots, and his teammates couldn't compensate.
Asked if the defensive focus was strictly on Bryant, assistant coach Del Harris said: "It sure wasn't on Brian Cook."

How did Phil Jackson feel about the officiating …

"I thought it was really a poorly refereed ball game," he said. "I know there's a lot of pressure on the refs when they come here because Mark has them review the tapes and send them into the league. These guys are nervous Nellies when they come in to referee in this building. But they have to do a better job than they're doing. That's not acceptable."

Brown and Andrew Bynum were called for the flagrant fouls, and Bryant, Odom and Devean George were called for the technicals.

Bryant smiled when asked about Jackson's late protest.

"You eyeing my piggy bank too?" he said, suggesting he didn't want to be fined by the league.

He paused and then added, "It was cool."

I can’t promise that I believed he would make a great show greater, but it is no longer deniable from where I sit. Forest whitaker is a genius. And the Shield is better for it.

OMG! This is funny My favorite player, Steven Gerrard, gets owned by a 7-year old …

FWST John Sturbin previews the Nextel Cup Season 2006 …

It looks like Manchester United was fine with new FC Dallas Striker Kenny Cooper leaving ….Read: He wasn’t their level of quality…

Catching up with Moneyball …

I wish I could tell you that I had a great take on this situation. I am a bit confused, frankly, how a guy could gamble (rock me) his dream life, but Rick Tocchet screws up what might have been a perfect existence …Never a good idea…

Tocchet's stats probably wouldn't quite have put him in the Hall of Fame anyway; now I'd say whatever chance he had just got much more remote. That's a shame. His goal-scoring prime didn't last long enough, but he definitely was a man among men, a guy many of today's players idolized growing up. In 1993, he scored 48 goals for the Penguins, and added 61 assists for 109 points, while spending 252 minutes in the penalty box.
----
But Tocchet knew his value was as a hard-hitting, fearless, fearsome player who also could score. Without those first three things, the fourth was less rare. He never had a problem paying the price.

Now Tocchet is in another, less honorable situation in which a painful price is to be paid. It just seems so senseless.

It's no revelation that pro athletes like to bet on football and basketball. These are thrill-seekers, young men with lots of discretionary income who like to think they know a lot about sports, even the sports they don't play. It's important to note that this situation apparently had nothing to do with betting on hockey.

But we're not just talking about placing bets here. We're talking about allegedly financing an illegal gambling operation, and allegedly getting into some sort of arrangement with the sort of folks who oversee illegal gambling operations, along with other, much worse things.

Tocchet made many millions as a player, represented by an astute local agent, Steve Mountain. He surely made a decent living as an assistant coach to Wayne Gretzky.

So, who is Rick Tocchet? …

Nicknamed "Toc," Tocchet is a native of Scarborough, Ontario, and was a popular player with the Flyers during his two stints with the team. Flyers fans routinely chanted "Toc-chet" when he was on the ice and wore his No. 22 when they attended games wearing Flyers jerseys.

Tocchet, who listed "The Godfather" as his favorite movie in the Flyers' 2000-01 media guide, was especially popular with young fans because of his long dark hair that peeked out from under his helmet and rough-and-tumble style of play.

He was so talented and tough as a player that he is one of only two NHL players - Pat Verbeek is the other - to score more than 400 career goals and earn at least 2,500 penalty minutes.

And Tocchet could make the fans cheer. He scored more than 20 goals in a season 11 times in his career and had two 30-goal seasons and three 40-goal seasons. His best season was 1992-93 with Pittsburgh, when Tocchet scored 48 goals and had 61 assists for 109 points in 80 games.

Unable to win the big prize when the Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup finals in 1987, Tocchet won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 1992. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993 and for Team Canada at the 1990 and 1991 World Championships and the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup tournaments.

In his 18-year NHL careers, Tocchet played with six teams, the Flyers, Pittsburgh, Los Angles, Boston, Washington and Phoenix. He played in Philadelphia from 1984-92 and 1999-2002 and became an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 15, 2003. This season, Tocchet is in his first season as associate coach for the Coyotes.

Badger plays in Lambeau on ice …

I show the following picture because it is hilarious, regardless of who you cheer for. “Baa means no”! Holy Cow…

Let's Guard Him This Time

Kobe is back in town … The Mavericks are much, much better than they have been I think…But, if you are serious about being taken serious, prove you can guard Kobe a bit…He thinks he owns you, Mavericks. And so does everyone who has seem him play you…Mix in a stop…

Clemens to the Rangers? …Let’s examine the possibilities…

If the Rangers sign Roger Clemens, they will sell more tickets to games he pitches and a lot of Clemens jerseys. But the biggest revenue boost by far would come if he helps the team make the playoffs, as he did in Houston.

In 2004, Clemens' first season with the Astros, the club increased attendance by 630,000.

Doing the same thing in Arlington this year would generate more than $18 million in extra ticket, concession, merchandise and parking revenue for the Rangers, according to an analysis by The Dallas Morning News. As a fan magnet, other than a new stadium, nothing beats winning, sports business experts say.

Montana and Bradshaw – Sorry? ….

When the NFL unveiled its MVPs from the previous 39 Super Bowls, only three living members skipped the ceremony.

Former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw decided to stay home, while former Dolphins MVP Jake Scott was traveling in Australia.

Montana, the league's only three-time Super Bowl MVP, and Bradshaw reportedly turned down the invitation over money.

Both denied the reports.

In a phone interview with "Quite Frankly" host Stephen A. Smith on Monday night, Montana vehemently denied forgoing the ceremony over money and reiterated that his absence was due to his preference to see his son's basketball game.

Marquis Daniels’ tattoos are fascinating to me …I wonder if I could pull this look off…



Looks like Psalm 91 to me...

If you still haven’t seen Dan and Michael Irvin shirtless here is your chance …

I have not read this yet. But, I am willing to promise this will be great: Bill Simmons – The Sports Guy – does his Super Bowl diary …

Texas beats poor Texas Tech …Red Raiders are strug-gel-ling…

They're a very good basketball team," Texas Tech coach Bob Knight said. "We're not a very good basketball team."

Knight, who fell to 2-9 against Texas in his five seasons as coach of the Red Raiders, said Tucker's quickness and enthusiasm make him an asset.

"Tucker is impressive without his basketball skills because he's one of those guys that makes other people play better," Knight said. "Tucker has the kind of enthusiasm that Ronald Ross has."

Ross was the court leader for the Red Raiders last season, and they have struggled to replace him.

I have no idea what to make of this: Kenny Cooper leaves Manchester United for FC Dallas …The obvious question is “why?”. I assume he saw he was out of his league there, and wanted to get somewhere where he could play well, but I hate to pass judgment on a guy I know nothing about. Let’s hope this is a nice signing for the locals. I also hear Carlos Ruiz is in the bag again for the locals…

Cooper, 21, the son of former Dallas Tornado goalkeeper Ken Cooper Sr., was signed Monday to a multiyear contract as a free transfer. He obtained his release from English soccer power Manchester United, where he spent 2 ½ years in the developmental reserve program. For any player, let alone an American, to voluntarily leave Man U for MLS qualifies as a surprise.

"At this time in my life, I really felt it was the best thing to do and a great situation for me," said Cooper, who described Manchester United as a first-class organization. "It's a personal choice. I was ecstatic to hear there was interest in me to come back. I jumped at it right away."

Cooper will have a chance to play immediately instead of possibly waiting years for a chance with Manchester United.

FC Dallas coach Colin Clarke scouted Cooper three times in the last 18 months, once sleeping in his car on a trip to Blackpool, England. He praised Cooper's skill and size and described him as a strong finisher.

"It is a big deal," Clarke said. "Normally the good players are going the other way [to Europe]. Now we have a chance to bring one back from Manchester United and actually balance it."

Jason Terry has a rap group, and here they are …

Details on the new Borat movie …

Star Jones eats a football …



Remember the random football card of the day feature on this blog? I did it last spring, and I may need to bring it back. Well, today I looked for a card featuring the diminutive Mack Herron (#42 above), and I am not sure one exists. Herron is my latest football curiosity based on my viewing of the NFL Films DVD of 1974 in review. Who is Mack Herron? …

And finally, this:

Alright man ....You're brought this Up Dog trick to the masses and it's spreading FAST here in Dallas. I work a 2nd job at Blockbuster during the evening ...and last night I had a scheduled shift. So I get to work, head to the back to punch in ....and the first thing my boss does is start sniffing the air as if something just died. He's like "What's that smell....?" I look around to see if any dirty people were close by ...but there weren't. So I say, "Well, what's it smell like?" He's still acting as if he is breathing in the smell of spoiled milk when he says "Smells like Up Dog". At that point, I just started laughing and he was like "What?" ...and I said "You listen to Bob and Dan, don't you?" He said "Who's that?" I told him that they were hosts on a sports talk radio station, and that's more than likely where he heard that joke. He said that he had heard it from a buddy the night before and thought it was the best thing ever. And apparently it had gotten around already to other people, because when I told my boss where it came from he pulled a couple other fellow employees aside to let them in on where it started .... Just letting you know, that you're quickly becoming a legend around here ...(if you weren't already one before).

Stay long & hard, babyarm
P1- Ryan Norris

Blushing.

Super Bowl XL: Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10

Another football season has left the building, and we can only begin the countdown to Kickoff 2006. The Super Bowl in Detroit will not be remembered as an all-time great, but the win of Pittsburgh over Seattle was nevertheless full of interesting talking points:

- For the first time ever, a #6 seed won a Super Bowl, proving that bye-weeks and home field advantage are nice helpers, but they can be overcome.
- A QB won a Super Bowl at a younger age than any QB ever.
- The AFC won again, making it 5 out of 6, and 7 out of 9.
- Bill Cowher can now take his place amongst the best coaches in football. The last strike he had against him has been erased.
- Hines Ward became the 5th WR to win a Super Bowl MVP (Swann, Biletnikof, Rice, Branch) and likely won out of pure default. Who else could you have given it to?
- Pittsburgh joins San Francisco and Dallas as the only 5-time Super Bowl winners. Who will be the first to #6?

But, as someone who thought Seattle was going to win the game, I will remember this game for the way Seattle marched down the field, only to stall once again. Were some of the calls weak? Sure. But, Seattle could not close the deals too many times. Dropped passes, poor decisions, missed FG’s, and other stubs of the toe suggest that the right team won this game. Pitt did not make many plays, but they did enough to win a Super Bowl with some level of ease.

Report from Pittsburgh …

The Steelers will fly home this afternoon, lugging their shiny, new silver booty to join the four the franchise won in six years in the 1970s.

"We're so proud to bring it back to Pittsburgh,'' Dan Rooney said.

Wide receiver Hines Ward, who began training camp with a contract holdout, won the game's Most Valuable Player award after catching five passes for 123 yards,
including a 43-yard touchdown from fellow wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. He was given the keys to a black Cadillac Escalade for the award.

"This is the one for the thumb,'' Ward said, holding his young son and, as usual, smiling. "We are bringing the Super Bowl back to the City of Pittsburgh.''

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who threw two interceptions and had a miserable 22.6 passer rating, nevertheless made plays when his team needed them. He dived into the end zone on third down for a touchdown in the second quarter and picked up another key first down in the fourth. In all, he ran seven times for 25 yards but completed just 9 of 21 passes for 123 yards.

Seattle halfback Shaun Alexander, the league MVP, was held to 95 yards on 20 carries.

Meanwhile, Steve Kelly files his report back to Seattle …

This loss will gnaw at them the rest of this winter. It will follow them into offseason workouts. It will haunt their dreams.

The Seahawks will wake up out of a sound sleep in a cold sweat and remember the dropped passes, the missed field goals, the punt that rolled dead on their 2-yard line, the penalties.

They will look at the game film later this week and realize they should have been ahead about 24-0 at halftime. They will see that they kicked the Pittsburgh Steelers up and down Ford Field.

They will see Walter Jones burying Joey Porter deep into the artificial surface.

They will see Jerramy Stevens running open in the middle of the field, time after time after time.

But they will also see the blizzard of mistakes and they will wince at what might have been.

"We stubbed our foot a couple of times," wide receiver Joe Jurevicius said. "And that's all I have to say on that."

In a game that will be remembered for its lack of artistry, the better team didn't win Super Bowl XL. The Seahawks lost, 21-10.

Super Bowl Records Set …

Super Bowl records
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS SET

Longest run from scrimmage — 75 yards, Willie Parker, Pittsburgh (Old record: 74, Marcus Allen, L.A. Raiders vs. Washington, 1984).

Longest interception return — 76 yards, Kelly Herndon, Seattle (Old record: 75, Willie Brown, Oakland vs. Minnesota, 1977).

Youngest winning starter at QB — 23 years, 340 days, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh. (Old record: 24 years, 184 days, Tom Brady, New England vs. St. Louis, 2002.)

Lowest passer rating, winning QB — Roethlisberger, 22.6. (Old record: 51.9, John Elway, Denver vs. Green Bay, 1998.

Highest punting average — 50.2 Tom Rouen, Seattle, 50.2 yards. (Old record: 48.8, Bryan Wagner, San Diego vs. San Francisco, 1995).

Chmura calls the kettle black …

Mark Chmura was in an anti-Dallas crank Sunday morning on his radio show on WAUK-AM (1510). "If Michael Irvin didn't have his friend's crack pipe in his car, he'd probably be in, too," Chmura said, referring to the Hall of Fame. Chmura questioned Troy Aikman's numbers as necessarily Hall-worthy. "What a flippin' joke," Chmura said. "I am so sick of the Dallas Cowboys. I really am."

Gee whiz, Mark. Simmer down, sport.

Easy to Predict event of the weekend : Liddell pounds Couture …

Chuck Liddell did nearly nothing in the first round against Randy Couture on Saturday in what was billed as the most anticipated match in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championships. And, because of that, he knew the rubber match with Couture would go his way.

Just one minute, 28 seconds into the second round at Mandalay Bay, Liddell proved prophetic when he ripped Couture with a straight right that sent the former champion crumpling to the mat.

Before Liddell could pounce on him, referee John McCarthy jumped in to stop the bout and end Couture's career.

Saints to play at Superdome Sept 24th …

Obligatory Story on Bill Guerin …its on time. This story comes about every 14 days…But, Mr Heika’s grasp of the situation is not at its usual high level:

Guerin's linemates Jason Arnott (49 points) and Brenden Morrow (46 points) each are having career scoring seasons and credit Guerin for his hard work in making the line successful. But just as there seems to be no explanation for Guerin's scoring drought, it's also difficult to explain how Morrow is a plus-21, Arnott a plus-12 and Guerin a minus-1. One area to look at could be that he's a team-worst minus-47 on giveaways and takeaways, but Tippett said he wants Guerin to be playing hard and not concentrating on the negatives.

Now, I admit to being a Guerin-apologist. I have no plans to completely turn on someone with such a consistent track record, but Heika really can find “no explanation” for the discrepancies in +/- amongst Morrow. Arnott, and Guerin? How about the fact that they did not skate on the same line for almost 2 full months? When Barnes and others were on the Arnott line from Mid-November until Mid-January, and Guerin was with Niko Kapenen, who easily is the team’s worst center as a -10, you don’t think there is some level of explanation there? I know Guerin has been horrible by his standards, but Heika knows why his +/- is bad.

Harry Carson will accept his Hall of Fame induction, after all.…

We have learned 2 things about this premiership season so far: Liverpool is much better than they have been in years; Chelsea is much better than Liverpool …

As Mourinho delighted in pointing out, this victory over the side threatening to become their closest rivals encapsulated all the qualities that make Chelsea such worthy champions; comfortable and clinical yet some way short of thrilling. This was their season in microcosm.

"We need eight wins to be champions and after that it will be seven, six, five," Mourinho said. "We’re in the countdown. We want to win these games as soon as possible."

Still bitter about last season’s Champions League exit and with José Manuel Reina’s late sending-off creating another controversy, Mourinho could not resist crowing about his head-to-head record against Rafael Benítez. The Portuguese has won all four of the league games he has contested against Liverpool and this season’s aggregate scoreline is a flattering 6-1.

"After nine games against Liverpool in 1½ years we’ve lost one," he said. "The game proves we’re the best team in the country. This is a result and a performance that will help everyone to understand why we’re champions and are close to being champions again."

Liverpool came into the game still harbouring genuine title aspirations, though for all their dramatic improvement under Benítez, the European champions remain a work in progress. Despite controlling much of the first half the threat to Petr Cech’s goal was minimal, with Chelsea content to strike on the counter.

He is missed already. Grandpa Munster, dead …

Al Lewis, the cigar-chomping patriarch of "The Munsters" whose work as a basketball scout, restaurateur and political candidate never eclipsed his role as Grandpa from the television sitcom, died after years of failing health. He was 82.

The actor was widely reported to have been born in 1910, but his son Ted Lewis said Saturday that his father was born in 1923.

He was 82? I question this. But, look at this:

Star Telegram really confused …

AL LEWIS | 1910-2006
Grandpa on 'The Munsters' dies at age 82

I cannot say whether he was 96 or 82, but he is not both!

Werner Herzog of Grizzly Man shot? …

HOLLYWOOD - German director Werner Herzog was shot by a crazed fan during a recent interview with the BBC.

The 63-year-old was chatting with movie journalist Mark Kermode about his documentary Grizzly Man, when a sniper opened fire with an air rifle.

Kermode explains, "I thought a firecracker had gone off.

"Herzog, as if it was the most normal thing in the world, said, 'Oh, someone is shooting at us. We must go.'

"He had a bruise the size of a snooker ball, with a hole in. He just carried on with the interview while bleeding quietly in his boxer shorts."

An unrepentant Herzog insisted, "It was not a significant bullet. I am not afraid."

Super Bowl Prediction

Time for your resident sports predictor to offer you the most important sports prediction of the year. Fresh off a decent playoff, and a Super Bowl XXXIX in which I said New England 27, Philadelphia 21 (Final score in reality: New England 24, Philadelphia 21), I am ready to give you the score of this game.

Pittsburgh and Seattle make for a lovely match up that has my football pants ready for action. On the Steelers side, they have demonstrated the ability to win games in incredibly difficult environments. But for them, Ford Field will be a home field. Half of Pittsburgh is going to be jammed inside another indoor Super Bowl, where the NFC has gone 8-2 in the indoor Super Bowls.

They have Big Ben at QB who cannot be second guessed. His play in the post season has really gained national respect for a player who was billed as a caretaker for his 2004 season. The defense of the Steelers is savage, and Shaun Alexander may not be able to get just a whole lot done on the ground early.

But, I like Seattle. I think Holmgren in big games has done better than Cowher in big games, because he generally can win the coaching battle. Neither of these coaches are slouches, but I think Mike Holmgren will be the first coach EVER to win a Super Bowl for two different franchises. That is no small accomplishment.

They have the best running back, they have the best offensive line, and they have a serious motivational advantage as being the first #1 seed to ever be an underdog to the #6 seed from the other conference. That should never happen. Somehow, they go 13-3 and no one expects them to win. Seattle is anonymous and Pittsburgh is jabbing them with this Joey Porter stuff, too. They have had to hear about Jerome Bettis being the king of the world, and it appears as if the Pittsburgh contingent has seen the Super Bowl as a mere formality. I think they are wrong. Although this is going to be very close, I am swinging in the direction of the Seattle Seahawks.

Give me Seattle 30, Pittsburgh 24

But, don’t gamble.

Joey Porter with another bold claim …I love him on the field, but as an interview, he appears annoying…

Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter kept up his verbal barrage against the Seahawks, saying Thursday the Steelers will be so physical in the Super Bowl they will try to make Seattle quit playing.

"We're going to try to tap out as many people as we can, I'm going to put it like that," Porter said at the Steelers players' final pre-Super Bowl news conference. "We're going to try to send as many people to the sideline as we can."
Asked what he meant by "tap out," Porter patted the top of his head with his hand -- a sign that the player is tired or injured and wants to be taken out of the game.

Now, this is a writer who is not with the program. Joey Porter explained yesterday that this is a fighting term, as any of us ready for Chuck Liddell to pound Randy Couture know, which means that your opponent is giving up. In the octagon, I have been known to make my opponents tap out when I have them in an arm bar.

Of course, my biggest Joey Porter off-field memory, was his big shot in the butt incident of 2003 … Ouch.

Troy Polamalu and his hair tweak the ankle …but probable…

Revo on Detroit …and by the way, it is Friday, and I still am fine with Detroit. Again, not saying I want to live here, but it has not been bad at all. Of course, the temperature has held in the high 30’s and 40’s all week, so if it drops to single digits, I will change my mind…

Dat Nguyen set to call it a career …

"It doesn't look too good for my future where I can pursue playing," he said. Dat Nguyen never expected to play this long, seven years in the NFL. He knew the day would come when he would have to retire. It became crystal clear last October 2 when the Cowboys were in Oakland.

"We played Oakland out there, and you know they dumped the ball to Jordan on one play before the half. I knew I had him tackled, and when I got there I couldn't get there. From then on I knew something was wrong." Dat has a great passion for the game. He calls it a natural rush, but he won't let his love for the game cloud his thinking. The one thing he doesn't want to be is a cripple later on in life.

"You know, I got two little girls and I want to be able to play with him five years down the road. Whatever, roll out on the grass, whatever it is we do I would rather be just a normal pedestrian. I played this game and it was a good game, a great game, and it was fun, but I know one days it's going to end, and that one chapter in your life is going to close one day."

Tonight, Grizzlyman on the Discovery Channel …one of the finest documentaries I have ever seen…

Peter King recommends a museum in Dearborn …

Houston 1836 is not going well with the Latino …

Jerry Kramer.com with the lost Lombardi tapes …

Edge thinks he is done in Indy …

Dick Lebeau: friend of Bob Knight …

Aggie vs Seahawk in court …Seems like one team should be worried about recruiting, the other should be worried about the Super Bowl…

Speaking of, Here is an unfortunate quote from an Aggie signing …

Ray and McCoy were recruited by other colleges and universities but settled on A&M. Both said the opportunity to reunite with friends and relatives as Aggies teammates was a deciding factor.

"I kind of followed, but then I kind of went," Ray said. "My best friend, Terrence, is going. Jamie, I grew up with him and Chevar's my cousin. It'll be one big family again."

The Lee seniors were also able to use the advice of their former teammates in making their decision. McCoy, who said he's been looking forward to Wednesday since he watched Jaime sign his letter of intent a year ago, has received positive reports from his brother about A&M and the football program.

"They take care of you down there," McCoy said. "I know from my brother they keep your pockets full, give you plenty of money, keep feeding you meals. Besides that all the help they give you with football. They keep you on your grades with private tutoring. Just good all-around."

Now, I have heard many Aggies explain that he just meant Pell Grants. Well, actually, unless I am high, Pell Grants are based on the person, not the school. So, he could go anywhere and the Pell Grant would be the same. Therefore, I don't see that as a possibility.

On the other hand, I am sure it is merely a mis-speak by a young lad not used to being interviewed. But, it sure looked bad.

This is somewhere between stupid and ridiculous …

Manhattan girls hoops star Epiphanny Prince scored 113 points Wednesday in a game for her Murry Bergtraum High School team - making Kobe Bryant's 81-point game look like child's play.

"I guess this is just once in a lifetime," said Prince, 17, of Brooklyn. "This is amazing to me."

The 5-foot-10 senior hit an incredible 54 out of 60 shots in leading her team to a 137-32 rout of Louis Brandeis High School.

It was only after the final whistle blew that Prince found out she had shattered the girls high school record set by the legendary Cheryl Miller, who went off for 105 points in a 1982 contest.

"When I found out I broke the record, I just started smiling," Prince said. "I couldn't stop smiling."

The triple-digit display came an hour after Prince told her coach she was getting bored of playing against much weaker competition.

Did Cleveland invent the Steelers logo? …

please tell me you can figure this brainteaser out …



Johnny Damon and his Ferrari F430 Spider given to him by Puma

Ultimate Fighting comes to Frisco …

Kobe on Kobe …

And then there is this:

Bob, my nephew Stephen Oehlschlaeger signed with Liberty University today. He is the QB and pitcher for Plano Prestonwood, TAPPS Div 3 state champs. He got a full ride for football and is playing baseball too. Thought it might be interesting to you that a local kid is going to Liberty.

Craig B Sanborn

Cool. Maybe he will help Liberty to win once in a while…

Finally, Here is my Hall of Fame Class of 2006:

Troy Aikman
John Madden
Thurman Thomas
Reggie White
Rayfield Wright
Gary Zimmerman

We will find out tomorrow.

Visiting Hockeytown

A group of us went to Joe Louis Arena last night to see the Detroit Red Wings beat St Louis, 3-2 in an enjoyable night of hockey viewing.

Now, if you know me at all, or listen to me over the years, you know my feelings about the Detroit Red Wings, their fans, their pompous title of “hockeytown” and so on. This was my first visit to the hockey experience in Detroit, and here is my report:

It was very impressive. I have to admit it. It might be hockeytown, after all. The arena is the way an arena is supposed to be: Intimate and alive. The people are all on top of the ice, because every seat is in close proximity of the action. It is not too big because they have to have 1,000 luxury suites which may make more money, but in doing so (AAC) they zap any and all atmosphere from the setting.

You could fit the “Joe” inside the AAC, and I am convinced that if you want to know why the Stars atmosphere is lacking most nights, I blame the suites. At Reunion, everything was far more compact and close, but progress is for the worse in stadium design. Funny thing is this: We were told we need the suites for new revenue streams that can help keep the payrolls high. But, here are the Red Wings, with minimal suites at the very top of the arena, who have had the league’s highest payroll for years and years.

Are the fans more knowledgeable about hockey? I suppose they likely are given that they have been absorbing the sport their entire lives. But, the cool elements of the game were that they let hockey to the talking. No painfully stupid bits. Just good hockey music (AC/DC, Metallica, etc) and good hockey. The rest takes care of itself.

Anyway, I am willing to admit that my Red Wings hate all of these years was based almost entirely in jealousy. I still hope the team loses, but I would sure like to steal some of that hockey atmosphere for our use in North Texas.

Detroit Paper checks in with Derian Hatcher …

Hatcher: It was anticipated that Hatcher would be hindered by the new rules in the league, favoring quickness and speed. Hatcher's lumbering style was thought to be outdated.

But he's logging a ton of minutes for the Flyers and he's still a physical presence. He recently was appointed acting captain of the team, and he also was named to the U.S. Olympic team.

Hatcher (four goals and 11 assists in 48 games) met with former Flyers captain Keith Primeau (concussion), Flyers GM Bob Clarke and coach Ken Hitchcock on Sunday, with the Flyers in the midst of a slump.

It was decided Hatcher needed to take a larger role.

"It's something that (Hitchcock) and some of the players felt that, with some of what's been going on, that there needed to be a captain, a voice in the room that represents the team," Hatcher said.

Hatcher's season with the Wings (2002-03) was practically a washout because of knee ligament surgery.

"I hadn't played hockey in two years," Hatcher said. "But with the new rules, it definitely took me a little time. The referees now are doing a lot better job They're letting some of the stuff go."

Stars beat Nashville, win again …

Thirteen days ago, the Stars were mired in a three-game losing streak and wondering how they might handle one of their toughest stretches of the season.

Today, they are sitting on their longest winning streak of the year (six games) and nipping at the heels of Detroit for first place in the Western Conference.

Dallas outlasted the Nashville Predators on Wednesday at American Airlines Center, 2-1, to end a stretch of six games in 10 days by depositing 12 points in the standings. The Stars moved to 36-15-2 (74 points) and stayed within one point of the Red Wings, who rallied to defeat St. Louis. Nashville, meanwhile, slipped to 31-15-6 (68 points) and fell seven points behind Detroit.

Tense time for injured Predator …

American Airlines Center was hushed during the second period of Wednesday's game when Nashville center Scot Nichol lay motionless on the ice for almost 10 minutes after sliding into the end boards neck first.

Nichol was transported from the ice via stretcher and taken to the hospital, but he had feeling in all of his extremities, according to Nashville officials. Nichol suffered a concussion, but a CAT scan showed no further damage. He stayed overnight in the hospital and was scheduled to return to Nashville today.

Nichol and Stars defenseman Trevor Daley got tangled up as the two were going to the net while fighting for position. Daley got a stick on Nichol and Nichol lost his balance, sliding into the boards. Daley was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding.

"I got a chance to get over and see him, and I think he'll be all right," Daley said. "He was talking and moving, and that's the only worry I have right now, making sure he's healthy."

The Mavericks win again …They are really, really good…

Wherever you start, you know where it ended. The Mavericks haven't lost a game in three weeks as they continue to vie with San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference.

This was arguably the most gratifying win in the streak. The Mavericks were down by nine points with just more than five minutes left and had nothing working offensively. Terry, who was 2-of-13 from the field in Tuesday night's win over Chicago, missed six of his first nine shots Wednesday.

It didn't matter. Terry scored nine points in a little more than three minutes. His 3-point jumper with 1:54 left tied the score, 77-77.

Terry didn't come to the Mavericks with the reputation as a clutch player because, in the words of coach Avery Johnson, "he had no reputation in Atlanta."

Terry's building one now. A player who hit just three shots in the first 42 minutes made five in the final 5:12.

Remember when everyone wanted Steven Hunter? Well the winners were Philadelphia and they just traded him …

Steven Hunter, a 5-year contract worth a little more than $16.5 million notwithstanding, was never as advertised. He could run and jump, but he couldn't rebound the way the 76ers had hoped. He could block shots, but he couldn't rotate effectively in their defensive schemes. In the end, he couldn't stay.

He was a mistake, but in terms of NBA money, not a terribly expensive one. Sixers president/general manager Billy King cleaned up the error yesterday, sending the 7-foot Hunter and cash considerations to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for second-round draft choices in 2006 and '07, at the same time creating a $2.85 million trade exception because he did not take back a player in the deal.

One of our discussions last night at the Red Wings game was that I swore that Isiah’s miracle playoff performance of his early career was at Joe Louis Arena. But, no one working at the arena knew that the Pistons had ever played there, so I began to second guess myself. But, I went back to the room and googled it, and evidently, the Pistons played a grand total of 16 games at the Joe. Here is a story I found …

Entering the building for the first time in over 20 years, Detroit Shock head coach Bill Laimbeer couldn't help but reminisce about the last time he was in the confines of Joe Louis Arena.

The day was April 27, 1984, when Laimbeer played for the Pistons and was a part of one of the great games in playoff history against the New York Knicks.

Despite 16 points in the final 90 seconds of regulation from Isiah Thomas, the Pistons fell to the Knicks 127-123 in overtime to lose the fifth and deciding game of a first-round playoff series. The game had to be moved to Joe Louis Arena because the roof had been blown apart at the Silverdome, which was then the Pistons' home court.

Before conducting his team's practice Thursday, Laimbeer couldn't help but banter back and forth with Pistons vice president of public relations Matt Dobek about that ominous day in Pistons playoff history.

"It was like 90 degrees in here that day," Laimbeer said. "It was hot and it was April."

Big Ben likes to party, too …

Shaun Alexander hits the jackpot …

How many teams will bid for Alexander if he hits the open market?

It's hard to say. But the Minnesota Vikings have a new owner and salary cap money to burn ($18 million under). So do the Arizona Cardinals ($25 million under), who will be moving into a new stadium next year. And the Cleveland Browns ($24 million under) could be a player, too.

It's conceivable that a team like the Philadelphia Eagles or Dallas Cowboys, possibly one impact player away from Super Bowl status, could enter the fray.

Either way, Alexander stands to be a very rich man and the only question is whether the Seahawks will be the ones paying the tab.

Yao Ming loses his popularity in China to T-Mac!…

It is a mystery worth exploring: Yao Ming, the best-known athlete from a country of 1.3 billion people and the top vote-getter among N.B.A. All-Stars, is the name on the back of the third best-selling jersey in China.

Whither Yao?

It sounds like an extraordinary reversal of conventional wisdom. Yao was regarded as a phenomenon, an athletic symbol of China's rise as a world power, an unstoppable force of marketing in China and a basketball bridge to the United States.

What, then, does it mean that Yao ranks third in Chinese jersey sales behind Tracy McGrady, his Houston teammate, and Allen Iverson, in figures compiled from the start of the season through Dec. 31?

Not to disparage McGrady and Iverson, but they are not Chinese, nor do they stand 90 inches high. So does their ascending appeal in China mean that Yao has lost his power to wow? Is he surrendering his cachet to the littler men?

Gabe’s road to recovery …

BOSTON (AP) -- Outfielder Gabe Kapler, who ruptured his left Achilles' tendon less than five months ago, was among 20 non-roster players invited to spring training by the Boston Red Sox.

Kapler wasn't expected to be ready to play at the start of spring training after getting hurt in Toronto on Sept. 14. In 36 games last season with Boston, he hit .247 with one homer and nine RBIs.

He first joined the Red Sox in 2003 and was part of their 2004 World Series championship team before starting last season with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League. He re-signed with Boston on July 15.

Fun with Knitting …

A Classic from the files: Ali G and the Beckhams …

Good strong hockey fight …

I have been asked quite a bit recently where I stole Updog from, The Office on NBC …introduced me to the fun game…



Officer Judy Hoffs and me, yesterday.